When is the best time to visit Ireland? Here’s your season-by-season guide
Spoiler alert: the best time to visit Ireland is whenever you decide to go—the spirit of Ireland shines year-round. Plan your trip to Ireland with our season-by-season guide to the Emerald Isle.
If you’re wondering, “When is the best time to visit Ireland?” we’re happy to report that it’s any time! From Celtic festivals in February to the Guinness Jazz Festival in October, the spirit of Ireland shines year-round. If you’re thinking of taking a tour of Ireland, read on for our season-by-season guide—and get ready to experience the best of the Emerald Isle no matter when you visit.
The best seasons to visit Ireland
The green fields, blue skies, and baby lambs of spring and summer always make the Emerald Isle a treat. But, Ireland in fall and winter is also as atmospheric as it gets. If the idea of a chilly trip gives you pause, all we can say is don’t knock the weather in Ireland in December until you’ve tried it. If you’re looking for fewer crowds and warmer pubs, the weather in Ireland in February proves the best time of year to visit Ireland to cozy up with a pint and a bowl of lamb stew.
Winter in Ireland
Go for the lively pub scene, Christmas markets, and fewer crowds
Visiting Ireland in winter is your chance to experience the country in a peaceful, authentic way that's usually reserved for the locals. Plus, it’s the ideal opportunity to pop into the nearest pub, where locals gather to enjoy good craic (that’s that trademark Irish wit) and live music. On top of that, the special magic of holiday traditions and smaller crowds make winter one of the best times to go to Ireland, especially on our A Week in Ireland: Dublin, Cork & Galway tour.
Weather in Ireland in December, January, and February
Winter weather in Ireland is mild compared to other parts of the world. It rarely snows, and the weather in Ireland in February can reach up to a balmy 60 F. Daily high temperatures are around 47 F and rarely fall below 40 F. You’ll still want to pack a coat or rain jacket—December and January are the wettest months in almost all of Ireland. Don’t let the chance of rain keep you away; if you ask us, there’s something magical about tucking into a warm cafe and listening to the droplets fall.
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December
If you love all things Christmas, December is the best time of year to visit Ireland—streets will be festooned with sparkling lights and cheerful locals will be flocking to Christmas markets. For a taste of Ireland (and more!) during this festive time, check out our Highlights of England, Scotland, and Ireland tour.
- Visit the Galway Christmas Market in Eyre Square for Irish cheeses or handcrafted gifts. It’s one of the largest and most popular markets in Ireland.
- Bask in the glow of light displays projected along the historic walls of Dublin Castle for a true fairytale-like holiday scene.
- Sample mince pies, soda bread, and Christmas pudding in Cork during the annual Christmas Festival.
January
Experience traditional Irish music and culture during TradFest, held every January in iconic locations across Dublin. For a short and oh-so-sweet start to the new year, check out our A Week in Ireland: Dublin, Cork & Galway tour.
- Connect Ireland’s rich musical history with awe-inspiring backdrops. Concerts take place at St. Patrick’s Cathedral, Dublin Castle, and Christ Church Cathedral.
- Gather for spontaneous, open-air street performances that pop up in pubs across Dublin’s Temple Bar district.
February
February in Ireland gives you plenty of reasons to celebrate. You may think the depths of winter are quieter, but Ireland’s citizens—and the country’s abundant wildlife—are buzzing. To fully immerse yourself in the country’s untamed side, check out our Ireland: The Wild Atlantic Way tour.
- Celebrate Imbolc, or St. Brigid’s Day on February 1. This ancient Celtic festival marks the return of longer days with small festivals, craft fairs, and exchanges of woven St. Brigid’s crosses.
- Take in the electric atmosphere that crackles across Ireland during the Six Nations Rugby tournament. Watching rugby in an Irish pub as the Guinness is flowing is a quintessential Irish experience you won’t want to miss.
- Observe wildlife along the rugged, wintery landscapes of the Wild Atlantic Way, including migratory birds, seals, and bottlenose dolphins.
Spring in Ireland
Go for St. Patrick’s Day festivities, budding wildflowers, and lamb-dotted hillsides
Many consider spring to be the best time to go to Ireland. The days are a little longer; sprays of wildflowers, daffodils, and tulips paint the country in shades of pink, purple, and ochre; and St. Patrick’s Day parades bring together the Irish and Irish-at-heart.
Weather in Ireland in March, April, and May
Ireland’s spring weather in March, April, and May brings the occasional rain, but rest assured rain showers rarely last all day. Daytime highs for March and April in Ireland will hover around mid-50 F and reach just above 60 F in May. Layers and a waterproof jacket will keep you comfortable while sightseeing inland and exploring on the more blustery Atlantic coast.
March
You haven’t celebrated St. Patrick’s Day until you’ve spent it in Ireland. From big to-dos in the major cities to the more intimate atmosphere of smaller towns and villages, high spirits are common denominator. We’ve got an 11-day itinerary and an 8-day tour all planned out for the occasion.
- Surround yourself with big-time excitement of parade floats, marching bands, and general good cheer in larger cities like Dublin, Cork, and Galway.
- Enjoy lively jigs and reels during impromptu trad sessions in pubs on the Dingle Peninsula.
- Attend mass in Saint Patrick’s Cathedral in Dublin. St. Patrick’s Day is a holy day in Ireland and the service is attended by representatives from the 14 churches in the Dublin Council of Churches.
April
Rather admire the natural scenery of Ireland’s verdant hills? April brings on rolling landscapes carpeted with the delicate petals of primrose, bluebells, sea pink, and meadow buttercups. Want to keep your eyes and heart guessing? Our Ireland: Traditions of the Emerald Isle tour will do just that.
- Don’t miss the opportunity to look for wildlife like falcons and dolphins as you travel along the Wild Atlantic Way on Ireland’s stunning western coast.
- See the unique limestone setting of The Burren come to life with a rare combination of Mediterranean, Arctic, and Alpine plants.
- Greet the spring greenery, rhododendrons, and grazing red deer in Killarney National Park.
May
Late spring is the ideal time to experience Ireland’s trails and mountains with fewer crowds than in summer, just-right temperatures, and the promise of new (and returning) life. See it all on our A Week in Ireland: Dublin to Belfast tour.
- Visit a working sheep farm in County Mayo to learn about traditional agriculture. May is at the tail-end of lambing season so you’re in for an adorable treat.
- Ferry over to the Aran Islands for a look at a way of life that’s relied on fishing and farming for centuries. While you’re here, pick up one of the famously patterned sweaters made with local Aran wool.
Summer in Ireland
Go for blue skies, wild coastlines, and outdoor festivals
Summer is one of the best times of year to visit Ireland. With fields at their greenest and skies at their bluest, there’s always lovely scenery to drink in—and the most time to see it with longer days.
Weather in Ireland in June, July, and August
Summer in Ireland isn’t scorching hot—the temperatures in June, July, and August rarely break 70 F. But, this is still the Emerald Isle, after all, and the lush landscapes don’t stay green without getting the occasional sprinkle. Expect a mix of sunshine, clouds, cool breezes along the west coast, and quick rain showers that keep the summer scenery in top form.
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June
There are countless reasons why you can’t miss summer in Ireland, and June is an especially prime time to enjoy country’s beaches and coastlines. And there’s no better place to spend your days immersed in Ireland’s natural beauty than on our Ireland: The Wild Atlantic Way tour.
- Marvel at the dizzying cliffs of the Slieve League in County Donegal—the highest cliffs in Europe—and embark on a cliff walk.
- Soak in the views from Hag’s Head at the Cliffs of Moher standing 700 feet above the Atlantic Ocean.
- Look for dolphins, whales, puffins, and other sea birds in their untamed natural habitat.
July
The peak summer month of July is a perfect time to see Ireland’s medieval castles and perfectly manicured gardens. On our Grand Tour of Ireland, you’ll get your fill of cities, castles, and craic.
- Visit Blarney Castle, the famed fortress is home to the Blarney Stone, said to give everyone who kisses it the magical gift of gab.
- Tour Kilkenny Castle’s 12th-century walls from its perch above the River Nore.
August
With the warmest weather of the year—yet still wonderfully pleasant—August in Ireland has a packed calendar of festivals and cultural events. Learn about the country’s unique customs and history on our Ireland: Traditions of the Emerald Isle tour.
- Imagine you’ve stepped into a scene straight out of The Hobbit. Listen to storytelling and watch fireworks at Puck Fair in County Kerry, where a wild mountain goat is crowned king of the town of Killorglin every year.
- Savor Irish dishes with a modern twist and toast to local cuisine at the A Taste of Donegal Food Festival in County Donegal.
Fall in Ireland
Go for the crimson and gold fall leaves, spooky Halloween happenings, and the harvest season
Fall is one of the best times to visit Ireland. Summer visitors have slowed to a trickle, the hills will still be green, and Ireland transitions into its coziest season. So, whether you want to visit hidden-gem towns in Ireland or find out why it’s so easy to fall in love with the Wild Atlantic Way, an autumn trip is just the ticket.
Weather in Ireland in September, October, and November
The weather in Ireland in September, October, and November ranges between 50 F and 57 F. In September, cool evenings call for layers, while October and November welcome rainfall and brilliant fall foliage.
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September
One of the best things about September in Ireland is that the country’s lush green turns to orange, red, and gold virtually all around you.
- Feel your breath catch as Killarney National Park’s arresting forests and hills glow in the low, late-summer sunlight.
- Taste some of the best oysters in the world along the western Irish coast at the Galway International Oyster Festival in September. The changing light and windswept beaches will keep you company. The best way to experience it is on our Ireland: the Wild Atlantic Way tour.
October
Halloween got its start on the Emerald Isle, so an October trip is your chance to visit the spookiest places in Ireland. Not into the scary stuff? There’s so much more to love.
- Take a tour of the Hell Fire Club, a high-society club with an intriguing past, on our Haunted Halloween Tour: Dublin, Edinburgh & London.
- Brave the Bram Stoker festival in Dublin to celebrate the famous Irish author of Dracula.
- Groove to one of the largest jazz festivals in Europe on one of our tours through County Cork at the Cork Jazz Festival.
November
November also makes the list of best times to travel to Ireland—this month is your chance to enjoy the fruits of the abundant fall harvest and pubs warmed by a roaring hearth.
- Sample local produce, seafood, sharp Irish cheeses, and bubbling stews at food festivals across the country or on one of our food-focused tours.
- Go for a pub crawl and sip on a pint of Guinness or a glass of Irish whiskey by the fire.
- Take your time with an off-season visit to St. Patrick’s Cathedral and iconic Irish castles with fewer crowds.
