When is the best time to travel to Ireland?

Great question. That is probably the number one thing I get asked when it comes to Ireland. Most people are going to tell you that the summer is the best time to travel to the “Emerald Island” but that is not necessarily the case for everyone. Keep reading to find out more.

At any given point in your travels through the Ireland, you will never be more than 70 miles from the water. Because of this, the weather across the entire small, island country is relatively similar from day to day. The western side of the island does get a little bit more rain than the east simply due to the Atlantic winds. That being said and contrary to popular belief, Ireland doesn’t get a whole lot more rain than any other country. Sure, it may a bit every day…but it typically doesn’t last long and the sun can come out at any time. Think of Ireland’s rain showers kinda like Florida rain showers. They happen often, but they are quick and over before you know it. Because of the frequent, quick bouts of rain you’ll definitely need a rain jacket or umbrella no matter what time of year you travel.

The temperature year round in Ireland is milder than you might think. Snow is uncommon in Ireland, even in the winter. The average day time temperature in January is 45 degrees and you will rarely see temperatures drop below freezing. In the summer, the average daily high temperature is only 64 degrees. Because of this, it can get quite cool in the evenings so be sure to pack a light jacket in the summer and a warm coat in the winter.

Another thing to consider when planning your trip to Ireland is what events are taking place at any given time. Ireland has four main festivals during the year, all of which bring tourists from all over the world. St. Patrick’s Day is clearly the crowd favorite, but don’t discount Celtfest in March, the Dublin Fringe Fest in September or the Cork Folk Festival in October.

So what time of year is best for you for your trip to Ireland? I think mine would be early April, where the weather is still relatively cool during the day and a bit chillier at night. Nothing warms me up more than a pint of old fashioned Guinness and a bonfire in the Irish countryside.

Have a question or ready to start planning your trip? Reach out to me. Click below to send me a message.