The Best Time to Visit Ireland (Pros + Cons of Each Month)

“Best” is a subjective term. For instance, suppose you wish to travel to Ireland during a period of predicted favorable weather. The summer will be “best.”

The benefits and drawbacks of each month are listed here to assist you in selecting the ideal time to visit Ireland based on your preferences.

However, first a brief summary:

• Summer: The warmest months (June, July, and August). The peak of crowd/flight costs
• Winter (Dec, Jan, + Feb) : The coldest months are winter Flight/crowd pricing is cheaper
• Autumn (October and November) : September and October are daylong months. Nov. is short and wintry.
• Spring: (Mar, Apr, May): Mar and Apr are usually wet months. In May, Summery

The best time to visit Ireland

You can spend 20 seconds checking out the graphic above to get a brief overview of the Irish months and what to expect from them.

You can find an overview of each month below, complete with information on festivals, average temperatures, what to wear in Ireland that month and travel advice.

JANUARY IN IRELAND

January in Ireland, weather can be quite unpredictable. The average January high is 7°C/44.6°F, while the average low is 3°C/37.4°F.

If you’re ready to take advantage of the weather and are on a tight budget, January is the ideal month to visit Ireland.

Convenience

• Price: Flights and accommodation are less expensive if you’re traveling to Ireland on a tight budget.
• Crowds: Since it’s off-season, the major sites in Ireland won’t be crowded.

Negative side

• Weather : The days are usually windy, rainy and cold.
• Daylight: From 08:29 to 16:38, the sun rises and sets.
• Attractions closed for the season: Some attractions will be closed.

FEBRUARY IN IRELAND

February is a dangerous month to visit Ireland with an average high temperature of 8°C/46.4°F and a low temperature of 2°C/35.6°F.

The days are short and cold, and spring is still far away. In the past, February has brought with it severe weather, floods and heavy snowfall.

If you’re on a tight budget and don’t mind the possibility of bad weather, February is the ideal month to visit Ireland.

Convenience

• Price: February is Ireland’s off-season, so accommodation and travel are less expensive.
• Crowds: Ireland’s often crowded sites will be less crowded

Negative side

• Weather: Windy, damp and cold, much like January.
• During the day, the sun rises at around 07:40 and sets at 17:37
• Attractions for the season: Some of them will be closed.

MARCH IN IRELAND

March is a popular time to travel to Ireland to take in the excitement around March 17th or to attend St. Patrick’s Day events.

In Ireland, spring officially arrives in March. March has seen heat waves and severe weather in previous years.

March is the ideal month to visit Ireland if you’re on a budget and want to take part in St. Patrick’s Day celebrations. The days are longer, temperatures are warmer than previous months, and spring has arrived.

Convenience

• Weather: Spring officially begins in March. Average highs and lows are 10°C and 50°F, respectively.
• Extended day: Sunset is at 07:12 and sunset is at 18:17.

Negative side

• Cost: Cost increases during the week of March 17. Easter at the end of the month can also be expensive.
• Weather: Weather conditions are quite variable. The past five years have seen heavy rainfall, snowstorms and extreme temperatures.
• Crowds on St Patrick’s Day: March may not be the ideal month for many visitors to Dublin as crowds are at their peak.

APRIL IN IRELAND

April is indicated by warm weather, long days, average highs of 13°C/55°F and lows of 4°C/39.2°F.

Apart from the possibility of inclement weather, April’s main drawback is that schools are off for two weeks, which creates a shortage of accommodation in some areas.

The best time of year to visit Ireland is April, which is after Easter and offers plenty of daylight hours for sightseeing.

Convenience

• Flights: April offers much cheaper travel costs in Ireland as airfares drop. flight prices
• Extended day: Sunrise at 06:23 and sunset at 20:00
• Weather: It’s likely to be a pleasant, moderate day.

Negative side

• Easter weekend: During Easter, schools are closed for two weeks, which increases the cost of accommodation.
• Weather: Terrible weather can also be experienced.

MAY IN IRELAND

For traveling to Ireland, May is the ideal month along with September and October. It’s shoulder season; The days are long, the weather moderate, and visitor numbers and spending have not yet increased much.

That is, the weather is pleasant, the days are long, and there aren’t too many crowds because summer vacation hasn’t started yet.

Convenience

• Weather: Average temperatures in May range from 9.0°C/48.2°F to 13.0°C/55.4°F, making for pleasant weather.
• Extended day: The sun sets at 21:26 and rises at 05:17.
• Summer Buzz: Long, pleasant days bring a buzz to many towns and villages as summer approaches.

Negative side

• Weather: Indeed, there are advantages and disadvantages. As in previous years, May can have terrible weather.
• Cost: Travel and accommodation will be close to the highest level.
• Crowds: Better weather and longer days mean more people are tourists

JUNE IN IRELAND

Summer arrives in Ireland in June, with warm, often dry weather with average highs of 18°C/64.4°F and lows of 11.6°C/52.88°F.

By all accounts, this is the busiest time of the year: both the number of visitors and the cost of rooms and flights increase.

Many visitors believe that June is the best month to travel to Ireland due to the country’s generally pleasant weather, moderate temperatures and abundance of daylight.

Convenience

• Climate: High and low are typically 18°C/64.4°F and 11.6°C/52.88°F respectively. The climate is generally dry and warm.
• Long day: From 05:03 to 21:42, the sun rises and sets
• Events: June is when many music festivals take place in Ireland.

Negative side

• Prices : Prices are higher than usual as demand for travel and accommodation is at an all-time high.
• Crowds: June is Ireland’s busiest month, so expect more crowds wherever you go.

JULY IN IRELAND

July is the ideal month to visit Ireland if you want beautiful weather. It is more likely to be fixed in July than many other months, although this cannot be guaranteed.

I travel to Ireland for a week in mid-July and the weather is generally good.

Convenience

• Climate: Average temperature is 12°C/53.6°F in low and 19°C/66.2°F in high.
• Extended day: The sun sets at 21:56 and rises at 05:01.
• Summer buzz: Many towns, villages and cities have a bustling atmosphere and an influx of tourists during the long, warm days.

Negative side

• Prices: Since summer is high season, hotels, B&Bs, and Airbnbs will cost extra.
• Crowds: With the summer holidays from school, the number of people visiting the island will increase, especially in places like Killarney and the Dingle Peninsula.

AUGUST IN IRELAND

August offers long days, great weather and lots to see and do. For a list of all the places to go, see our County Centre.

As with July, there are many pros and cons to traveling in Ireland in August, mostly centered around accommodation and people’s needs.

With high prices and crowds you should be fine with, August is the ideal month to visit Ireland. Long days, pleasant weather, and a packed festival schedule are the trade-offs.

Convenience

• Weather: Highs and lows are often between 18°C/64.4°F and 11°C/51.8°F.
• Long days: 16 beautiful hours of daylight will be yours to explore.
• Summer Buzz: Once again, many communities have a lively atmosphere throughout the summer.

Negative side

• Price: Indeed, they are at their highest point.
• Crowds: Dingle Peninsula, Inishowen Peninsula, Ring of Kerry and other popular tourist spots will be extremely crowded.

SEPTEMBER IN IRELAND

In September, Ireland experiences a change from the busy summer months. The decline in tourists coincides with the return of schoolchildren.

Now is the ideal time to visit Ireland as it is the shoulder season, which falls between peak and off season.

September, May and October are ideal to visit Ireland due to low airfares, long days, mild temperatures and fewer tourists.

Convenience

• Crowds: Crowds are less as students return to school.
• Climate: Typical high temperatures typically range from 13°C/55.4°F to 16°C/60.8°F.
• Flights: Since this is the shoulder season, flights should be a little less expensive.
• Extended days: Although the days are getting shorter, the sun rises earlier—06:33—and sets later—20:15.

Negative side

• Weather: Sure, there are advantages and disadvantages to the weather. As usual, the weather might change suddenly. That being said, there have been some fantastic Septembers recently.

OCTOBER IN IRELAND

October is considered autumn in Ireland; The leaves are changing, and the air is crisp and cool.

October temperatures in Ireland typically reach a high of 13°C/55°F and a low of 6°C/42°F.

The ideal times to visit Ireland are May, October and September due to the low cost of hotels and flights, long days and frequent cloudy, cold weather.

Convenience

• Weather: October is usually bright, crisp and dry here.
• Crowds: As we are not in high season, Ireland’s often popular attractions will be less crowded.
• Rates: Lodging in the less-traveled areas will be less expensive
• Cost: Compared to high season, you will find that airfares are less expensive.

Negative side

• Shorter days: In mid-October the sun rises around 08:00 and sets at 18:40.
• Weather: October brings erratic conditions to Ireland
• Midterm: In Ireland, schools close for a week during Halloween and accommodation rates increase.

NOVEMBER IN IRELAND

There are pros and cons to traveling to Ireland in November. On a positive note, many towns and villages come alive with Christmas markets in the middle of the month.

Cons: Weather can be unpredictable as it is winter. Average temperatures in Ireland in November range from 12°C/53.6°F to 9.5°C/49.1°F, making it a cool and crisp month.

For a city break, November is the ideal month to visit Ireland. A number of cities have Christmas markets, including Belfast, Cork, Dublin and Galway.

Convenience

• Crowds: While Christmas market locations are crowded, you’ll usually find fewer people at crowded sites
• Cost: Less traveled cities in Ireland will cost less.
• Flights: Since we’ll be deep into the off-season, flights should be less expensive. cons

Negative side

• Short day: The sun rises at 07:23 and sets early at 16:53.
• Special events: A few of Ireland’s more sedate villages’ and towns’ seasonal events will be closed.
• Weather: There may be chances of winter. The past few years have seen pleasant, stormy, and bitterly cold Novembers.

DECEMBER IN IRELAND

Irish towns and villages are lit up with fairy lights in December, when Christmas arrives.

Although it can fluctuate, the average December temperature in Ireland is around 5°C/41°F, which is comparable to the average November temperature.

December is the ideal time to visit Ireland for those willing to take advantage of the weather and experience Christmas markets, cozy pubs with large open fireplaces and fewer crowds.

Convenience

• Festive buzz: Christmas lights will adorn most towns and villages in Ireland.
• Crowds: Often in crowded attractions, there will be fewer people.
• Cost: Accommodation in less traveled towns and villages will be less expensive.

Negative side

• Travel: With many people returning home for Christmas, travel can be expensive.
• Short days: Short Day At 08:16, the sun rises, and it sets at 16:10.
• Weather: December has moderate weather for several years, but there is still a considerable risk of rain and strong winds.

The best time to go to Ireland Climate-wise

Generally speaking, the months with the best weather are ideal times to visit Ireland. This will probably be the least expensive month for someone looking to travel to Ireland on a tight budget.

The weather for popular tourist destinations in Ireland including Killarney is summarized below by month The Irish Meteorological Service, or Met Eireann, is the source of this information.