Best time to visit Ireland

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Ireland

Best time of year to visit Ireland

There are about ten words in Irish to describe the weather, and they are all about rain. The only difference is temperature and wind direction. January–February are the chilliest and wettest months, and lots of rural sights and accommodation facilities are closed, but it's when the prices are lowest, and no crowds should bother you. March is the greenest month, but not in the countryside—it's all about St. Patrick's Day, so prepare for the joy and the crowds! April to May and September to October are the best time to visit Ireland; the weather is nice, and prices are moderate. Spring is a perfect time to watch puffins and cute lambs. The days are sunnier, warmer and less crowded with relatively low rates. Warm yet rainy summer is adorable for the trip, when unforgettable Irish landscapes, covered with Sea Pinks, are at their best; but dizzying prices from June to August are unavoidable. September through October crowds thin out, and it is a great time to hike the Burren or Connemara.

21 THINGS TO DO IN IRELAND (SEPTEMBER 19 - SEPTEMBER 28)

Northern Lights

Northern Lights

September–March  • nature

Ireland has a good geographical position to view aurora borealis

Loughcrew Equinox

Loughcrew Equinox

March 20–March 21 | September 21–September 22 • event

The ancient tombs of Loughcrew are aligned perfectly with equinox sunrise​ and have been a sacred place for Gaelic culture, especially during this occasion

Hurling Season

Hurling Season

February–September  • event

Check out traditional Gaelic ball-sport at the football pitch but with a hockey stick in hands

Hiking the Burren

Hiking the Burren

April–October • activity

Enjoy a scenic stroll along the Burren's most spectacular places and take on Ireland's hiking challenge

The Church Bar

The Church Bar

all year round • activity

The most unusual bar in the Irish capital

Cliffs of Moher

Cliffs of Moher

April–September • nature

Enjoy the height from the most scenic point of Ireland

Connemara Region at Best

Connemara Region at Best

March–May | September–November • nature

Spend your spring & autumn days close to ​nature at Connemara's spectacular landscapes

Whale Watching

Whale Watching

March–January • nature

A top experience for nature enthusiasts in Ireland

Hiking

Hiking

April–October • activity

From coast to mountains, Dublin area has some impressive trails

Gaelic Football

Gaelic Football

February–September • activity

Play football in Gaelic way—try the same game but with far different system of rules

Conor Pass

Conor Pass

all year round • activity

Buckle up for Ireland's highest mountain pass with breathtaking views

Guinness Storehouse

Guinness Storehouse

all year round • activity

Explore the secrets of the most famous Irish beer

Kayaking

Kayaking

April–October • activity

One of the most pleasant activities in the Irish capital

Sea Pinks Blooming Season

Sea Pinks Blooming Season

May–September • nature

Visit the Dingle Peninsula when Sea Pinks flower and it might become your most colourful Ireland's experience

Galway International Oyster & Seafood Festival

Galway International Oyster & Seafood Festival

September 27-29, 2024 • event

See some Irish craic while indulging in famous Galway Bay oysters

Time for Colcannon

Time for Colcannon

September–March  • food

Prepare your appetite for Ireland's tastiest traditional dish!

Surfing the Perfect Wave

Surfing the Perfect Wave

September–October • activity

Unwrap your sense of adventure in Ireland's surfing destinations

Common Dolphin

Common Dolphin

August–December • nature

Enjoy adorable, playfull dolphins on your sea journey

Blackberries

Blackberries

August–September • food

Get a taste of Ireland's most favourite blackberries and seasonal desserts with them

Wakedock

Wakedock

April–October • activity

Wakeboarding in Grand Canal Dock is one of the best sports that Dublin's summer has to offer!

Kitesurfing & Windsurfing

Kitesurfing & Windsurfing

April–October • activity

Pack the thickest wetsuit and discover cold-water Ireland

34 THINGS TO DO OUT OF SELECTED DATE RANGE

Ballinasloe Horse Fair & Festival

Ballinasloe Horse Fair & Festival

out of rangeSeptember 29-October 6, 2024 • event

This is one of the largest and oldest horse festivals in Europe

Lisdoonvarna Matchmaking Festival

Lisdoonvarna Matchmaking Festival

out of rangeSeptember 1–30, 2023 • event

Fed up with Tinder? Try Europe’s biggest singles festival with lots of country music and booze

Wild Lights Dublin Zoo

Wild Lights Dublin Zoo

out of rangeNovember 16, 2023–early January, 2024 • event

Embark on a magical worldwide adventure in the Dublin Zoo

St. Patrick's Day

St. Patrick's Day

out of rangeMarch 15–18, 2024 • event

Explore the top five Irish cities to celebrate St. Paddy's

Watching Puffins

Watching Puffins

out of rangeApril–early August • nature

Set off for your birdwatching journey across Ireland to spot puffins on the coast

Christmas Markets

Christmas Markets

out of rangemid-November–early January  • event

Immerse yourself in a festive atmosphere and check out traditional Irish gifts

Laytown Beach Races

Laytown Beach Races

out of rangeSeptember 12, 2023 • event

Check out the only officially approved beach horse race in Europe!

Bloomsday Festival

Bloomsday Festival

unconfirmedJune 16, 2024 • event

All Ulysses fans should at least once spend June 16th in Dublin

Dublin New Year's Eve

Dublin New Year's Eve

out of rangeDecember 31–January 1 • event

Get to the streets with thousands of Dubliners to celebrate the New Year with music and fireworks

Lambing Season

Lambing Season

out of rangeFebruary–April  • nature

Head to Ireland for the cutest experience of seeing woolly sheep babies

Halloween (Samhain)

Halloween (Samhain)

out of rangeOctober 27–31, 2023 • event

Why Ireland is the best place to celebrate Halloween

Vee Pass Rhododendrons

Vee Pass Rhododendrons

out of rangemid-May–mid-June • nature

The Vee is famous all over Ireland for its panoramic views, particularly thanks to blooming rhododendrons

Fleadh Cheoil na hÉireann

Fleadh Cheoil na hÉireann

out of rangeAugust 4-11, 2024 • event

The competition celebrating traditional Irish music and culture

Dublin Horse Show

Dublin Horse Show

out of rangeAugust 14-18, 2024 • event

A prestigious equestrian competition with some of the richest prizes in the world

Electric Picnic

Electric Picnic

out of rangeAugust 16-18, 2024 • event

One of the best medium-sized music festivals in Europe

Cherry Blossoms in Dublin

Cherry Blossoms in Dublin

out of rangelate April–early May • nature

Take a delightful stroll around the city when its cherry trees are in full bloom

Irish Bog Snorkelling Championship

Irish Bog Snorkelling Championship

on holdAugust 27, 2023 • event

Dive into childhood with the muddiest race on Earth

Longitude Festival

Longitude Festival

out of rangeJune 29-30, 2024 • event

Dublin's biggest outdoor music event with hip-hop and R&B vibes

Castlepalooza

Castlepalooza

on holdAugust 3–5, 2018 • event

An independent music party in a beautiful historical venue

Belfast Christmas Market

Belfast Christmas Market

out of rangeNovember 18–December 23 • event

Get the ultimate Christmas experience at this Christmas market

Forbidden Fruit Festival

Forbidden Fruit Festival

unconfirmedJune 1-2, 2024 • event

Music, art, fashion and good vibes in the center of Dublin

Vantastival

Vantastival

on holdSeptember 16–17, 2022 • event

A unique family-friendly music festival with campervan parking

Risso's Dolphins

Risso's Dolphins

out of rangeMarch–May • nature

Get off the shore to observe one of the largest deep-water dolphins in the world

Malahide Castle Concerts

Malahide Castle Concerts

out of rangeJune 21-26, 2024 • event

Great lineups in a spectacular location

Sea Sessions

Sea Sessions

out of rangeJune 21-23, 2024 • event

Ireland's premier music, surfing, and camping gathering

Mount Stewart Festival of Lights

Mount Stewart Festival of Lights

unconfirmedNovember 2023 • event

Meet a fascinating display based on the Son et Lumiere show in France

Emery Celtic Cross

Emery Celtic Cross

out of rangeOctober • nature

A giant Celtic cross of trees can be spotted from the sky above an Irish forest

Guinness Cork Jazz Festival

Guinness Cork Jazz Festival

out of rangeOctober 24, 2024 • event

The best jazz festival in Ireland!

Loganberries

Loganberries

out of rangeJuly • activity

Another sweet reason to visit Ireland are loganberries at the end of summer

Sea Kayaking

Sea Kayaking

out of rangeJune–August • activity

If you long for a relax​ed and sightful sea kayaking experience without rapid current and swells, enjoy it during summertime!

KBC Dublin Marathon

KBC Dublin Marathon

out of rangeOctober 29, 2023 • event

Feel high with the views of the ancient city while participating in this amazing running event

Fuchsia Flower

Fuchsia Flower

out of rangelate May–early August • nature

Tiny red and purple flowers that cover the island's valleys throughout summer months

Six Nations

Six Nations

out of rangeFebruary 11, 2023 | March 18, 2023 • event

Watch legendary Six Nation rugby matches at the Dublin's Aviva Stadium

Primrose Blooming Season

Primrose Blooming Season

out of rangeFebruary–March • nature

Meet the begining of spring with hundreds of tiny primroses

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