The best months to visit Ireland are between March and May and September to November. The weather is perfect during these times in addition to the Irish adventures.
If you’re searching for a perfect destination for a family vacation, Ireland stands as a perfect choice. With plenty of exciting activities for adults and children, your entire family will have the best time.
In this post, we will explore Ireland in different months to find the best time to visit.
Read on to discover many exciting activities that Ireland has to offer and when you can perform them.
1. January
Although the tail-end of winter usually comes with a lot of rain, it is still an excellent time to visit Ireland. January is the coldest month in Ireland, with an average temperature of about 3°C to 7°C. The skies are usually overcast during this period, with about 60 to 90 minutes of sunshine every day.
You will have a fantastic experience feasting on some delicious Irish foods. From Irish stew to some hearty seafood chowder, you have lots of mouth-watering options from which you can choose. Enjoy different sliced beef delicacies with warm Guinness.
If you’re looking to explore Ireland during the winter, you should visit the Powerscourt Estate. It’s among the most beautiful tourist attractions in the country. Explore the gorgeous themed gardens, magnificent buildings and a beautiful waterfall.
In January, Ireland’s biggest traditional music festival, Temple Bar Tradfest, is suitable for people who love to party to traditional Irish songs. If you haven’t heard these songs, you should attend the Temple Bar Tradfest.
2. February
February is a great time to visit Ireland as long as you have the right type of clothing for the weather. Ireland is usually cold during this period, with an average temperature of about 3°C to 7°C. On average, the sun shines for about 2 to 4 hours every day.
Witness how townsfolk celebrate Kildare by putting a white cloth on the gate or door, leaving food by their window and eating St. Brigid’s bread at restaurants. February is a good time for sightseeing in Ireland. There are many great spots to see in the town of Letterkenny.
You can take a drive to enjoy the winter beauty of Mount Errigal from afar. If you love hiking, Rostrevor stands as an excellent choice for a hiking adventure. Explore a 60-kilometre trail of scenic views while hiking up the Rostrevor Forest Park to see the Big Stone.
3. March
March is the spring season in Ireland. Most days, you will encounter many sun rays in the early hours of the day, with rain and wind coming in later in the afternoon. On average, the temperature is about 4°C to 10°C with 4 to 5 hours of sunshine for more than 25 days.
Ireland celebrates St. Patrick’s Day, its grandest festival in March. So, you will enjoy the weather and the excitement of the festive season. March also holds Dingle International Film Festival, the best of its kind on the globe.
Dingle International Film Festival exhibits top-quality films for four days. Held in one of the most stunning places in Ireland, the festival is renowned for its fantastic atmosphere.
You will witness a wide variety of films lined up in the Wild Atlantic Way. The festival also offers the opportunity to participate in seminars, workshops, and other exciting activities.
4. April
April is an excellent month to explore Ireland. It marks the spring season, which means lots of sun rays in the morning and rain in the afternoon. The average temperature is about 5°C to 11°C with 5 to 6 hours of sunshine for 27 days or more.
Spring is the best time to check out the scenic views of the Wild Atlantic Way. If you love Irish music, or you’re looking to experience it for the first time, the Clifden Music Festival is for you. Held in April, the festival aims to promote traditional Irish music.
The music festival takes place in picturesque Clifden town in Connemara and features great live performances from different artists from Ireland and globally. April is the perfect time to visit Ireland if you want to explore the seven kingdoms.
HBO shot a good part of its hit fantasy series Game of Thrones in Ireland. If you love the show, you will have a great time touring the real-life locations it featured.
5. May
There are loads of fun experiences to enjoy if you visit Ireland in May. The weather is mostly great during the spring season, with an average temperature of 7°C to 16°C. Enjoy the sun rays for about 6 hours every day.
May is a good time to explore Dublin, the Republic of Ireland’s charming capital. Grab a traditional Irish breakfast and visit Dublin Castle. You can also explore places like St. Patrick’s church, the National Gallery, the library in Trinity College, and St. Stephen’s Green.
You can enjoy a Guinness jar in any nearby pub or even tour the Guinness storehouse in Ireland. It’s a chance for you to find why Guinness tastes better in its birthplace, Ireland. Enjoy a guided tour in the atrium shaped like a pint of Guinness.
You can’t run out of options for things to do when visiting Ireland in May. Phoenix Park and Zoo is an excellent adventure. Don’t forget to experience the nightlife at the Temple Bar district.
Get to know Ireland’s grim history at the Kilmainham Gaol, and if you love to watch the sunset, head on to the River Liffey.
6. June
June marks the beginning of summer in Ireland. The average temperature in June is about 14°C to 17°C. Sunrise starts around 5 am and sets at about 9:30 pm.
The day gets longer toward the end of June in Ireland, which means extra hours for sightseeing and other activities. It’s an excellent time to explore the famous Cliffs of Moher in County Clare. These sea cliffs are among the most visited attractions in the country.
June is a good time to explore the Boyne Valley Tombs (Brú na Bóinne). Go back in time from the Neolithic period when exploring these important prehistoric landscapes.
7. July
July is the middle of Ireland’s summer season. It’s a bit hotter than June, with an average temperature of about 12 to 20 °C with 5 to 6 hours of sunshine. The daylight hours during this period is about 16 to 18 hours.
There are many places to visit in Ireland during the summer, such as the Giant’s Causeway. It comprises 40,000 basalt columns formed many years ago due to intense volcanic and geological activities. You can explore County Antrim or cross over to the island through the Carrock-a-Rede Rope Bridge.
Located in the picturesque town of Portrush, Barry’s Amusement is a great hangout spot for families with children. Explore Antrim and sample some Irish whiskey at the Old Bushmills Distillery while at it. You can end your day by hiking up to the Dunluce Castle to enjoy the sunset.
8. August
The tail-end of the summer season comes with a temperature drop as the fall season approaches. August in Ireland is not free of unpredictable rain. The average temperature is about 16 to 20 °C with about 6 hours of sunshine.
Daylight lasts for up to 16 to 18 hours per day, which means more time to explore. August is the best time to visit Gaelic charm in the Aran Islands.
Gaelic charm is one of the most visited places in Ireland. It comprises three islands, namely Inishmaan, Inishmore, and Inisheer. Your visit to Ireland in August is not complete without going to the beautiful Dingle Peninsula.
9. September
The temperature in Ireland is about 9°C to 13°C in September. It is a great time to explore Ireland, as there are many things to do. The sun rises around 6:30 am, but it gets one hour later toward the end of the month.
If you’re looking to explore and learn the history of the castle of Kylemore, then visiting Ireland in September is a must. Mitchell Henry built Kylemore Castle for his wife, Margaret, in 1871. He then sold it to the Duke and Duchess of Manchester in 1903.
Located in Galway, the Abbey is considered one of the most iconic attractions in Ireland. It is located in Connemara, along the shore of Lough Pollacappul. September is ideal for exploring the beautiful castles in Ireland.
Don’t forget to spend a half-day at the castle ground. Killarney is another famous tourist destination to visit in September. Enjoy the scenic views in Ring of Kerry and the towns of Dingle and Kenmare.
You will find many beautiful lakes, a national park, wildlife, imposing castles, and gorgeous landscapes in these towns.
10. October
A temperature drop characterises October in Ireland due to a transition from Fall to winter. There’s usually more rainfall during Mid-October, and the weather is cool. The average temperature during this period is about 8°C to 13°C.
The best thing to do in Ireland during October is to stroll through the autumn leaves. You will find every garden, park, or woodland around a forested hill or castle to be an excellent spot to enjoy the foliage.
The yearly Belfast International Arts Festival takes place every October in Ireland. The festival is hosted by the Northern Ireland capital city of Belfast and runs for two weeks. Enjoy different exhibits lined up beautifully alongside other amazing events and performances.
The festival is suitable for people who want to explore the vibrant arts scene in Ireland. It’s a fun-filled experience with lots of music, dance, literature, film, and theatre. You will never run out of options to choose from and enjoy.
Join the spooky fun of Halloween in its birthplace. You can’t end your visit to Ireland in October without participating in Halloween. Feel free to join the parade in Dublin and honour the Celtic heritage with parties, dance, music and events held in pubs.
11. November
November in Ireland is a transition period from the fall season to winter. The temperature keeps dropping until the transition is complete. Sunrise starts around 7:20 am and sets around 5:00 pm.
The best place to visit in Ireland in November is the Glasnevin Cemetery. You will get to learn facts about Dublin. A team of experienced tour guides are there to educate you about Dublin’s history.
Walk around the cemetery and touch the grave of Daniel O’Connell. Explore one of the best outside museums that Dublin has to offer. Your visit is not complete without visiting the second-largest national park in Ireland – Glenveagh National Park.
The park is one of Donegal’s treasures located west of Letterkenny. Explore the stunning views of the 16,500-hectare heathland, mountain slopes, and forest around the beautiful Lough Veagh. The national park is one of the best places to go hiking in November.
12. December
It’s usually cold and rainy in Ireland during December. Days are shorter, with sunrise starting at 8:00 am and setting around 4:00 pm. It even gets shorter toward the end of the month.
December marks the beginning of winter in Ireland with an average temperature of 5°C to 7°C. This month might not be the best for outdoor activities. However, you will have fun visiting interesting museums in Dublin.
There are museums and art galleries in the capital for history or art lovers. You’ll never run out of options for your exploration. Have fun checking out the National Museum of Ireland of Archaeology, Kilmainham Gaol, the Irish Emigration Museum, the Irish Potato Famine Exhibition, and Little Museum of Dublin.
These different museums have exciting stories that provide more insight into Irish history and culture.
Conclusion
Ireland has some of the most visited tourist attractions in the world. Therefore, people looking for an adventure need to know the best time to get the most out of their visit.
Between March and May, the weather is excellent, and there are many exciting events to catch. From September to November is also an excellent time to explore Ireland. You will get to spend Halloween where it all began.
Ireland is one of the best destinations for families who are looking for an adventure. If you’re looking to visit soon, make sure you go at the best time for a fantastic experience.
