For a successful stay in Ireland, it’s crucial to choose the right time of year to travel. Mainly because Ireland is a temperate ocean climate country, rather famous for its repeated showers, unexpected sunny spells and windy episodes capable of dehorning an ox! On the Emerald Isle, we like to say that you can experience the 4 seasons of the year in a single day! But rest assured, there are good times to travel in Ireland, without suffering too much from the country’s harsh climate… Find out more here!
Admittedly, Ireland isn’t necessarily the best place to perfect your tan (although the sun can be treacherous at times). But rest assured, the weather can be pleasant and mild, as long as you choose the right period!
For more information, see the Where and When page on Ireland’s climate. He’ll back us up: there’s no better time than spring and summer to enjoy an exceptional trip to Ireland!
Beware: you may be treated to a few showers or cloudy spells (hence the extreme need to bring rain gear)… But these are essentially the driest and sunniest periods of the year!
Early autumn can also be interesting, but often turns out to be a little wetter, with falling temperatures… A perfect time to avoid the tourist season… but you’ll have to make a few more concessions on the weather!
Now that you know the main rules for traveling in Ireland, there are a few nuances to be aware of. Although the Emerald Isle is a small territory, its weather can vary depending on the region you’re in…
As a reminder, Ireland is divided into 4 main provinces… and their weather conditions can vary greatly!
In fact, it’s often colder and wetter in the north of the island… while the southern regions are often spared… Similarly, coastal areas are often more exposed to storms, sea ingress and gusts of wind…
All of which means you need to choose the right dates for your stay!
Although this may seem complicated, don’t panic, here is an overview of the weather conditions in each region:
To sum up, the best time to visit Ireland is between May and September. This is the best choice for traveling in Ireland and enjoying good weather conditions.
Of course, the best season is summer: Ireland enjoys pleasant temperatures, clear skies and few rainy days… But the season is often a victim of its own success: the months of June, July and August are usually overrun by tourists… So look forward to a busy period, with tourist sites busier than usual and roads busy with coachloads of tourists from all over the world.
Nothing insurmountable, we assure you… But that’s the price you have to pay to enjoy the Irish sun!
