There is no bad time to visit Ireland. Peak tourist season is in the summer (June through August), so expect crowds. May and September are great times to visit. September tends to be drier than most months, especially near Dublin and Cork. Spring can also be a busy time (St. Patrick’s Day Festivals and Parades). However, not all sites and attractions are open yet. Many of them close down in October and don’t reopen until Easter.
Ireland enjoys relatively moderate year-round temperatures. It doesn’t get too hot or too cold. And it rarely snows. Expect rain year-round, so be sure to pack an umbrella and light windbreaker jacket, whenever you’re planning to visit. And wear layers; you could experience all four seasons in a day!
Ireland is blessed with very long Summer days. The sun is up early in the morning and sunsets are as late as 10pm or 11pm. Winter days are short, with sunsets as early as 4:30pm. You can see more attractions during the lighter summer months, so keep this in mind when booking your trip. Of course, if you’re coming to Ireland to see the countryside, meet the people and have a pint or two in the pubs, then it doesn’t really matter when you visit. Pick the time you want to go to Ireland and chances are there will be at least five Irish festivals taking place throughout the country. 🙂
Ireland is one of the wettest countries in Europe; it’s also one of the greenest. And that lush green countryside – and the Irish people – are just a few of the many attractions that make Ireland one of Europe’s most popular destinations.