When to go · Ireland
Ireland, month by month
The best months for Ireland: May, Jun.
Month by month
- JanuaryMixedShort, wet, windy days; Dublin pubs and museums, not the coast.Dublin and the east: cool · West coast: rainy · South-west: rainyCrowds: Low · 2 festivals or holidays
- FebruaryMixedCold and wet; cheap flights and hotels outside the St Brigid's weekend.Dublin and the east: cool · West coast: rainy · South-west: rainyCrowds: Low · 2 festivals or holidays
- MarchMixedSt Patrick's week fills Dublin at peak prices; the rest of March is quiet and cool.Dublin and the east: cool · West coast: cool · South-west: coolCrowds: High · 5 festivals or holidays
- AprilGoodSpring, lambs and longer days; Easter weekend busy.Dublin and the east: fine · West coast: fine · South-west: fineCrowds: Medium
- MayGreatOften the driest, sunniest month; Skellig trips start mid-May.Dublin and the east: best weather · West coast: best weather · South-west: best weatherCrowds: Medium · 2 festivals or holidays
- JuneGreatLongest days; the best month for the west before school holidays.Dublin and the east: best weather · West coast: best weather · South-west: best weatherCrowds: High · 3 festivals or holidays
- JulyMixedPeak season: book cars and B&Bs early; Galway Arts Festival and Races fill the city.Dublin and the east: best weather · West coast: best weather · South-west: best weatherCrowds: High · 2 festivals or holidays
- AugustMixedWarmest month but busiest roads on the Ring of Kerry and at the Cliffs.Dublin and the east: best weather · West coast: best weather · South-west: best weatherCrowds: High · 4 festivals or holidays
- SeptemberGoodSchools back, sea at its warmest, often settled weather: a strong month for driving the coast.Dublin and the east: fine · West coast: fine · South-west: best weatherCrowds: Medium · 3 festivals or holidays
- OctoberGoodAutumn storms begin; Halloween festivals and mid-term week at the end.Dublin and the east: fine · West coast: rainy · South-west: rainyCrowds: Medium · 4 festivals or holidays
- NovemberMixedDark and wet; some rural B&Bs and attractions close for the winter.Dublin and the east: cool · West coast: rainy · South-west: rainyCrowds: Low · 1 festival or holiday
- DecemberMixedChristmas markets and pub sessions; almost everything stops 25–26 December.Dublin and the east: cool · West coast: storm or typhoon risk · South-west: storm or typhoon riskCrowds: Medium · 4 festivals or holidays
Compare two months
Weather, crowds and prices for any two months in Ireland, side by side.
Verdict
May: Great
Jun: Great
Crowds
May: Medium
Jun: High
Prices
May: Medium
Jun: High
Festivals listed
May: 2
Jun: 3
May: Often the driest, sunniest month; Skellig trips start mid-May.
June: Longest days; the best month for the west before school holidays.
Ireland: figures are long-term averages from this guide, not a forecast.
Weather by region
How each climate zone rates each month.
| Region | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Dublin and the eastDublin, Wicklow, Boyne Valley, Kilkenny | Cool | Cool | Cool | OK | Best | Best | Best | Best | OK | OK | Cool | Cool |
| West coastGalway, Connemara, Clare, Mayo, Donegal | Wet | Wet | Cool | OK | Best | Best | Best | Best | OK | Wet | Wet | Storm |
| South-westKerry, Dingle, West Cork | Wet | Wet | Cool | OK | Best | Best | Best | Best | Best | Wet | Wet | Storm |