When is the best time to visit Ireland? Here’s your season-by-season guide

The best time to visit Ireland? Right now. From Celtic festivals in February to the Guinness Jazz Festival in October, the spirit of Ireland shines year-round. If you’re thinking of a trip to Ireland, this guide will help decide the best time to go so you can start planning. Read our guide on the best time to visit Ireland, then experience it for yourself on a tour of Ireland.

Why winter is a good time to visit Ireland

December, January, & February

Weather in Ireland is mild compared to many other parts of the world during winter. It rarely snows, and the weather in Ireland in February can reach up to 60 degrees. You will need to pack that coat, but the hearty stews of Ireland taste even better with a chill in the air. Local traditions and fewer crowds make this one of the best times to go to Ireland on our A Week in Ireland: Dublin, Cork & Galway tour.

What to do: Experience Irish culture during TradFest every January in Dublin where traditional Irish folk music takes center stage. Welcome spring on February 1 during the ancient Celtic holiday of Imbolc, now known as Saint Brigid’s Day, where gifting hand-made crosses made of straw is considered good luck. If you love all things Christmas, December is the best time of year to visit Ireland. Kickstart your holiday shopping by visiting local Christmas markets like the famous Galway Christmas Market.

Weather: Daily high temperatures are around 47°F, and rarely fall below 40°F.

Discover spring in Ireland

March, April, & May

Many consider spring the best time to go to Ireland. Weather in Ireland in March includes drizzles of rain and longer days. With spring flowers blooming and Saint Patricks’s Day celebrations in full swing, this is a great time for traveling in Ireland. Planning a trip to Ireland? Check out our Ireland travel guide →

What to do: Hang with locals during the Feast of Saint Patrick on March 17 and experience marching bands, carnivals, and camaraderie throughout Ireland. Don’t miss the opportunity to look for falcons in the sky and dolphins in the ocean as you drive the Wild Atlantic Way along Ireland’s stunning western coast. You can visit ancient castles in the lush landscapes of County Kerry on our Grand Tour of Ireland.

Weather: Average temperatures are between 46°F and 59°F.

Visiting Ireland in the summer

June, July, & August

Summer in Ireland isn’t scorching hot like many other parts of the world. Weather in Ireland in August and throughout the summer rarely breaks 70°F. With flora and fauna at its greenest and agreeable Ireland weather, summer is considered one of the best times of year to visit Ireland. The lush landscapes don’t stay breathtakingly green without getting watered. Weather in Ireland in June consists of a mix of sunshine, clouds, and quick rain showers.

What to do: Soak up Ireland’s stunning natural beauty at the Cliffs of Moher on Ireland’s western coast. Get inspired by a wide array of artists at the Galway Arts Festival in July. Like 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.

Weather:  Weather in Ireland in the summer ranges between 64°F and 68°F.

Why it’s a good idea to visit Ireland in the fall

September, October, & November

Weather in Ireland in October and the rest of fall brings mild days in the 50s. With summer tourists home, the lush hills still green, and all of Ireland’s top attractions still open, fall comes highly recommended as one of the best times to visit Ireland.

What to do: Try local dishes at the Galway International Oyster Festival in September. The Guinness Jazz Festival in October offers up smooth tunes and good times in Cork with comfortable temperatures in Ireland. As one of the best times to travel to Ireland, you’ll enjoy St. Patrick’s Cathedral and Irish castles with fewer crowds. You’ll take a tour of the Hellfire Club, a high-society club with an intriguing past, on our Haunted Halloween Tour: Dublin, Edinburgh & London.

Weather: Weather in Ireland in fall ranges between 50°F and 57°F.