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When to go · Ireland

Ireland in October

Good month. Autumn storms begin; Halloween festivals and mid-term week at the end.

Key facts

Verdict
Good
Crowds
Medium
Ireland
Prices
Medium
Ireland

Verdict

GoodVoykit month rating for Ireland

Autumn storms begin; Halloween festivals and mid-term week at the end.

Is another month better than October?

October is rated good. These months rate higher:

Weather in October

  • Dublin and the east · Dublin, Wicklow, Boyne Valley, Kilkennyfine

    Driest part of the country; mild all year, rarely above 25 °C (77 °F) or below freezing.

  • West coast · Galway, Connemara, Clare, Mayo, Donegalrainy

    Rain on most days, rarely all day; Atlantic storms in winter close cliff paths and island ferries.

  • South-west · Kerry, Dingle, West Corkrainy

    Mildest winters (sub-tropical gardens) but high rainfall; the Ring of Kerry fills with coaches in July–August.

  • Aran Islands: Aran Islands · all three islands, Atlantic exposurefine

    May to September is the reliable window; summer ferries are most frequent then. Rain and wind arrive year round and can cancel sailings or flights.

  • Burren: Burren coast and plateau · Ballyvaughan, Doolin, Carran, Kilfenorafine

    Atlantic weather: rain in any month, wind on the coast, and the plateau can be several degrees colder than Ennis. May to June and September give the best odds; July and August are busiest and wettest.

  • East Coast and Midlands: Dublin and the east coast · Dublin, Louth, Wicklow coastfine

    Mild and changeable year-round; rain any month. May–June and September give the best odds of dry days.

  • East Coast and Midlands: Midlands · Kildare, Laois, Offaly, Westmeath, Longfordfine

    Colder and wetter than the coast in winter; bog and canal paths can be muddy after rain.

  • Northwest Ireland and Lakelands: Donegal and Sligo coast · Atlantic west and northwestbest weather

    Wettest and windiest part of the region; rain arrives on any month, so pack a shell.

  • Northwest Ireland and Lakelands: Cavan, Monaghan and Leitrim · Inland lakelandsbest weather

    Slightly drier and calmer inland; lakes and waterways are best May to September.

  • Shannon Region: Shannon Region · Clare, Limerick, Tipperary lowlandsrainy

    Atlantic weather: rain any month, mild winters, cool summers. May–Sep gives the longest days and the best odds; the Cliffs of Moher are often in cloud, so keep a spare day.

  • Southeast Ireland: Southeast lowlands · Carlow, Kilkenny, Waterford, Wexfordfine

    Drier and sunnier than the west; May–June and September are the picks. Beaches are busiest in July–August.

  • Southwest Ireland: Cork city and east · harbour and lowlandsbest weather

    Mild and wet year-round; rain arrives in bands, so a dry morning can turn by 14:00.

  • Southwest Ireland: Kerry mountains and peninsulas · Killarney, Dingle, Iveraghbest weather

    Wetter and windier than Cork; mist can drop on Mount Brandon and the passes within an hour.

  • West Ireland: Galway and the coast · Atlantic seaboardfine

    Rain year-round; May–September is mildest and driest, around 15–19 °C (59–66 °F). Winter days are short and windy.

  • West Ireland: Inland Mayo and Roscommon · Lakes and lowlandfine

    Slightly colder and calmer than the coast; fog on lake roads in autumn mornings.

  • Dublin14 °C (57 °F) / 8 °C (46 °F), 14 rain days
  • Abbeyleix13 °C (55 °F) / 6 °C (43 °F), 13 rain days
  • Adare14 °C (57 °F) / 8 °C (46 °F), 17 rain days
  • Annascaul14 °C (57 °F) / 8 °C (46 °F), 16 rain days
  • Ardmore, County Waterford15 °C (59 °F) / 9 °C (48 °F), 14 rain days
  • Arklow14 °C (57 °F) / 8 °C (46 °F), 13 rain days
  • Arranmore13 °C (55 °F) / 8 °C (46 °F), 19 rain days
  • Ashbourne14 °C (57 °F) / 7 °C (45 °F), 13 rain days
  • Athenry14 °C (57 °F) / 8 °C (46 °F), 19 rain days
  • Athlone14 °C (57 °F) / 7 °C (45 °F), 13 rain days
  • Athy14 °C (57 °F) / 7 °C (45 °F), 13 rain days
  • Bagenalstown14 °C (57 °F) / 7 °C (45 °F), 13 rain days
  • Bailieborough13 °C (55 °F) / 6 °C (43 °F), 14 rain days
  • Balbriggan14 °C (57 °F) / 8 °C (46 °F), 12 rain days
  • Ballina14 °C (57 °F) / 8 °C (46 °F), 19 rain days
  • Ballymahon14 °C (57 °F) / 7 °C (45 °F), 13 rain days
  • Ballymote13 °C (55 °F) / 7 °C (45 °F), 19 rain days
  • Ballyshannon13 °C (55 °F) / 8 °C (46 °F), 19 rain days
  • Ballyvaughan14 °C (57 °F) / 8 °C (46 °F), 18 rain days
  • Baltimore14 °C (57 °F) / 9 °C (48 °F), 15 rain days
  • Banagher14 °C (57 °F) / 6 °C (43 °F), 13 rain days
  • Bantry14 °C (57 °F) / 9 °C (48 °F), 16 rain days
  • Belturbet13 °C (55 °F) / 7 °C (45 °F), 15 rain days
  • Birr14 °C (57 °F) / 7 °C (45 °F), 17 rain days
  • Blarney14 °C (57 °F) / 8 °C (46 °F), 16 rain days
  • Blessington14 °C (57 °F) / 7 °C (45 °F), 13 rain days
  • Booterstown15 °C (59 °F) / 8 °C (46 °F), 12 rain days
  • Borris14 °C (57 °F) / 7 °C (45 °F), 13 rain days
  • Boyle14 °C (57 °F) / 7 °C (45 °F), 19 rain days
  • Bray14 °C (57 °F) / 8 °C (46 °F), 12 rain days
  • Buncrana13 °C (55 °F) / 8 °C (46 °F), 19 rain days
  • Bunratty14 °C (57 °F) / 8 °C (46 °F), 17 rain days
  • Caherciveen15 °C (59 °F) / 9 °C (48 °F), 17 rain days
  • Cahir14 °C (57 °F) / 7 °C (45 °F), 14 rain days
  • Carlow14 °C (57 °F) / 7 °C (45 °F), 13 rain days
  • Carndonagh13 °C (55 °F) / 8 °C (46 °F), 19 rain days
  • Carraroe14 °C (57 °F) / 9 °C (48 °F), 19 rain days
  • Carrick-on-Shannon14 °C (57 °F) / 7 °C (45 °F), 17 rain days
  • Carrickmacross13 °C (55 °F) / 7 °C (45 °F), 13 rain days
  • Cashel14 °C (57 °F) / 7 °C (45 °F), 13 rain days
  • Castlebar13 °C (55 °F) / 7 °C (45 °F), 19 rain days
  • Castlecomer14 °C (57 °F) / 7 °C (45 °F), 13 rain days
  • Castletownbere14 °C (57 °F) / 9 °C (48 °F), 16 rain days
  • Castletownshend14 °C (57 °F) / 9 °C (48 °F), 16 rain days
  • Cavan13 °C (55 °F) / 6 °C (43 °F), 17 rain days
  • Clara14 °C (57 °F) / 7 °C (45 °F), 13 rain days
  • Clifden14 °C (57 °F) / 8 °C (46 °F), 20 rain days
  • Cloghane14 °C (57 °F) / 9 °C (48 °F), 18 rain days
  • Clogherhead14 °C (57 °F) / 8 °C (46 °F), 14 rain days
  • Clonakilty14 °C (57 °F) / 8 °C (46 °F), 15 rain days
  • Clones13 °C (55 °F) / 7 °C (45 °F), 16 rain days
  • Clonmacnoise14 °C (57 °F) / 7 °C (45 °F), 17 rain days
  • Clonmel14 °C (57 °F) / 8 °C (46 °F), 15 rain days
  • Cobh14 °C (57 °F) / 9 °C (48 °F), 15 rain days
  • Cong14 °C (57 °F) / 8 °C (46 °F), 18 rain days
  • Cork14 °C (57 °F) / 8 °C (46 °F), 15 rain days
  • Crosshaven14 °C (57 °F) / 9 °C (48 °F), 14 rain days
  • Dalkey15 °C (59 °F) / 9 °C (48 °F), 12 rain days
  • Dingle14 °C (57 °F) / 9 °C (48 °F), 17 rain days
  • Donegal Town13 °C (55 °F) / 8 °C (46 °F), 19 rain days
  • Doolin14 °C (57 °F) / 8 °C (46 °F), 18 rain days
  • Drogheda14 °C (57 °F) / 7 °C (45 °F), 13 rain days
  • Drumshanbo13 °C (55 °F) / 7 °C (45 °F), 19 rain days
  • Dún Laoghaire15 °C (59 °F) / 9 °C (48 °F), 12 rain days
  • Dundalk14 °C (57 °F) / 7 °C (45 °F), 13 rain days
  • Dungarvan15 °C (59 °F) / 9 °C (48 °F), 14 rain days
  • Dungloe13 °C (55 °F) / 8 °C (46 °F), 19 rain days
  • Dunmore East15 °C (59 °F) / 9 °C (48 °F), 14 rain days
  • Edenderry14 °C (57 °F) / 7 °C (45 °F), 13 rain days
  • Ennis14 °C (57 °F) / 8 °C (46 °F), 17 rain days
  • Enniscorthy14 °C (57 °F) / 9 °C (48 °F), 17 rain days
  • Enniscrone13 °C (55 °F) / 8 °C (46 °F), 19 rain days
  • Enniskerry14 °C (57 °F) / 8 °C (46 °F), 13 rain days
  • Falcarragh13 °C (55 °F) / 8 °C (46 °F), 19 rain days
  • Fethard-on-Sea15 °C (59 °F) / 9 °C (48 °F), 13 rain days
  • Fethard14 °C (57 °F) / 7 °C (45 °F), 13 rain days
  • Foynes15 °C (59 °F) / 8 °C (46 °F), 13 rain days
  • Freshford14 °C (57 °F) / 7 °C (45 °F), 13 rain days
  • Galway13.3 °C (56 °F) / 8.4 °C (47 °F), 18 rain days
  • Glencolmcille13 °C (55 °F) / 8 °C (46 °F), 19 rain days
  • Glendalough13 °C (55 °F) / 7 °C (45 °F), 13 rain days
  • Glengarriff14 °C (57 °F) / 9 °C (48 °F), 17 rain days
  • Glenties13 °C (55 °F) / 8 °C (46 °F), 19 rain days
  • Gorey14 °C (57 °F) / 8 °C (46 °F), 13 rain days
  • Gort14 °C (57 °F) / 8 °C (46 °F), 18 rain days
  • Graignamanagh14 °C (57 °F) / 8 °C (46 °F), 13 rain days
  • Howth14 °C (57 °F) / 8 °C (46 °F), 12 rain days
  • Inis Meáin14 °C (57 °F) / 9 °C (48 °F), 18 rain days
  • Inis Oírr14 °C (57 °F) / 9 °C (48 °F), 17 rain days
  • Inishbofin Island13 °C (55 °F) / 8 °C (46 °F), 19 rain days
  • Kells14 °C (57 °F) / 7 °C (45 °F), 14 rain days
  • Kenmare14 °C (57 °F) / 9 °C (48 °F), 17 rain days
  • Kildare14 °C (57 °F) / 7 °C (45 °F), 14 rain days
  • Kilkee14 °C (57 °F) / 9 °C (48 °F), 17 rain days
  • Kilkenny14 °C (57 °F) / 8 °C (46 °F), 13 rain days
  • Killaloe14 °C (57 °F) / 8 °C (46 °F), 16 rain days
  • Killarney14 °C (57 °F) / 8 °C (46 °F), 17 rain days
  • Killorglin14 °C (57 °F) / 8 °C (46 °F), 17 rain days
  • Kilmallock14 °C (57 °F) / 8 °C (46 °F), 16 rain days
  • Kilmore Quay15 °C (59 °F) / 9 °C (48 °F), 13 rain days
  • Kinnitty13 °C (55 °F) / 6 °C (43 °F), 17 rain days
  • Kinsale14 °C (57 °F) / 9 °C (48 °F), 15 rain days
  • Knock14 °C (57 °F) / 7 °C (45 °F), 19 rain days
  • Lahinch14 °C (57 °F) / 9 °C (48 °F), 17 rain days
  • Leenane13 °C (55 °F) / 8 °C (46 °F), 20 rain days
  • Leighlinbridge14 °C (57 °F) / 7 °C (45 °F), 13 rain days
  • Letterfrack13 °C (55 °F) / 8 °C (46 °F), 19 rain days
  • Letterkenny13 °C (55 °F) / 7 °C (45 °F), 19 rain days
  • Lifford14 °C (57 °F) / 7 °C (45 °F), 17 rain days
  • Limerick14 °C (57 °F) / 8 °C (46 °F), 17 rain days
  • Lismore14 °C (57 °F) / 8 °C (46 °F), 14 rain days
  • Listowel14 °C (57 °F) / 8 °C (46 °F), 17 rain days
  • Longford14 °C (57 °F) / 7 °C (45 °F), 14 rain days
  • Macroom14 °C (57 °F) / 8 °C (46 °F), 16 rain days
  • Malahide14 °C (57 °F) / 8 °C (46 °F), 12 rain days
  • Mallow14 °C (57 °F) / 8 °C (46 °F), 14 rain days
  • Manorhamilton13 °C (55 °F) / 7 °C (45 °F), 19 rain days
  • Maynooth14 °C (57 °F) / 7 °C (45 °F), 13 rain days
  • Milltown Malbay14 °C (57 °F) / 9 °C (48 °F), 18 rain days
  • Monaghan13 °C (55 °F) / 7 °C (45 °F), 17 rain days
  • Mountmellick13 °C (55 °F) / 6 °C (43 °F), 14 rain days
  • Mountrath14 °C (57 °F) / 7 °C (45 °F), 14 rain days
  • Mullingar13 °C (55 °F) / 6 °C (43 °F), 13 rain days
  • Naas14 °C (57 °F) / 7 °C (45 °F), 13 rain days
  • Navan14 °C (57 °F) / 7 °C (45 °F), 13 rain days
  • Nenagh14 °C (57 °F) / 7 °C (45 °F), 13 rain days
  • New Ross14 °C (57 °F) / 8 °C (46 °F), 13 rain days
  • Newport, County Mayo13 °C (55 °F) / 8 °C (46 °F), 18 rain days
  • Oldcastle13 °C (55 °F) / 7 °C (45 °F), 14 rain days
  • Omey Island14 °C (57 °F) / 8 °C (46 °F), 18 rain days
  • Oranmore14 °C (57 °F) / 8 °C (46 °F), 19 rain days
  • Oughterard14 °C (57 °F) / 8 °C (46 °F), 19 rain days
  • Portarlington14 °C (57 °F) / 7 °C (45 °F), 14 rain days
  • Portlaoise14 °C (57 °F) / 7 °C (45 °F), 13 rain days
  • Portmagee14 °C (57 °F) / 9 °C (48 °F), 18 rain days
  • Portumna14 °C (57 °F) / 8 °C (46 °F), 17 rain days
  • Roscommon14 °C (57 °F) / 7 °C (45 °F), 17 rain days
  • Roscrea14 °C (57 °F) / 7 °C (45 °F), 13 rain days
  • Rosses Point13 °C (55 °F) / 8 °C (46 °F), 19 rain days
  • Rosslare14 °C (57 °F) / 9 °C (48 °F), 14 rain days
  • Roundwood14 °C (57 °F) / 7 °C (45 °F), 13 rain days
  • Shannon14 °C (57 °F) / 8 °C (46 °F), 19 rain days
  • Skibbereen14 °C (57 °F) / 9 °C (48 °F), 15 rain days
  • Slane14 °C (57 °F) / 7 °C (45 °F), 13 rain days
  • Sligo13 °C (55 °F) / 8 °C (46 °F), 19 rain days
  • Spiddal14 °C (57 °F) / 8 °C (46 °F), 19 rain days
  • Strandhill13 °C (55 °F) / 8 °C (46 °F), 19 rain days
  • Swords14 °C (57 °F) / 7 °C (45 °F), 12 rain days
  • Thomastown14 °C (57 °F) / 8 °C (46 °F), 13 rain days
  • Thurles14 °C (57 °F) / 7 °C (45 °F), 13 rain days
  • Tipperary14 °C (57 °F) / 8 °C (46 °F), 14 rain days
  • Tory Island13 °C (55 °F) / 8 °C (46 °F), 19 rain days
  • Tralee14 °C (57 °F) / 9 °C (48 °F), 18 rain days
  • Tramore15 °C (59 °F) / 9 °C (48 °F), 14 rain days
  • Trim14 °C (57 °F) / 8 °C (46 °F), 18 rain days
  • Tuam14 °C (57 °F) / 8 °C (46 °F), 18 rain days
  • Tullamore14 °C (57 °F) / 7 °C (45 °F), 13 rain days
  • Tullow14 °C (57 °F) / 7 °C (45 °F), 13 rain days
  • Virginia14 °C (57 °F) / 7 °C (45 °F), 15 rain days
  • Waterford14 °C (57 °F) / 8 °C (46 °F), 14 rain days
  • Westport13 °C (55 °F) / 8 °C (46 °F), 19 rain days
  • Wexford14 °C (57 °F) / 9 °C (48 °F), 13 rain days
  • Wicklow14 °C (57 °F) / 8 °C (46 °F), 13 rain days
  • Youghal14 °C (57 °F) / 9 °C (48 °F), 14 rain days

Festivals and holidays

Dates as our data lists them. Moving holidays (lunar and Islamic calendars, Easter) shift every year: check the date for your year before you build a trip on it.

  • October bank holiday and Halloween

    Last Monday of October (26 Oct 2026)

    Halloween started in Ireland: festivals in Derry and Dublin; school mid-term week.

  • Dublin Theatre Festival check

    Late September into October (check) · Dublin

    Ticketed shows; book early for the popular ones.

  • Dublin Marathon and the October bank holiday check

    Last Monday of October · Dublin

    Road closures on the course; hotels fill on the weekend; runners in the city.

  • Halloween

    31 October · Dublin

    Costumes and parades; the festival has Celtic roots in Samhain.

Crowds and prices

Crowds · Ireland
Medium
Prices · Ireland
Medium

Compare two months

Weather, crowds and prices for any two months in Ireland, side by side.

  • Verdict

    Oct: Good

    May: Great (better)

  • Crowds

    Oct: Medium

    May: Medium

  • Prices

    Oct: Medium

    May: Medium

  • Festivals listed

    Oct: 4

    May: 2

October: Autumn storms begin; Halloween festivals and mid-term week at the end.

May: Often the driest, sunniest month; Skellig trips start mid-May.

Ireland: figures are long-term averages from this guide, not a forecast.

What to pack

  • A rain jacket or umbrella and shoes that dry fast

Build the full packing list for your trip →

Where to go in October

Rated best or good this month

  • Dublin

    Cooler and wetter; bank-holiday weekend is busy.

  • Cashel

    Best months: Apr–Jun, Sep–Oct

  • Glendalough

    Best months: Apr–Jun, Sep–Oct

  • Kildare

    Best months: Apr–Oct (race fixtures Apr–Oct; stud open Feb–Nov)

  • Kinsale

    Best months: Apr–Oct

  • Lismore

    Best months: Apr–Oct

  • Naas

    Best months: Apr–Jun, Sep–Oct

  • Tipperary

    Best months: May–Sep for the glen and the Galtee walks; Apr–Oct for racing

  • Tullow

    Best months: Apr–Oct