Castle with towers and gardens in Ireland

Weather in Ireland

Travel guide

Ireland’s weather is famously changeable, but that’s part of its charm. Rain showers, sunshine, and cloud cover can all appear in a single day - so it’s best to be prepared for anything. Spring and early autumn are ideal for outdoor sightseeing, with mild days, blooming landscapes, and fewer crowds. Summer brings longer daylight hours and warmer weather, perfect for scenic coastal drives and cultural festivals. Winters are cool and damp, especially in the west, but the landscapes remain green, lush, and full of character. Whether you’re exploring ancient Ashford Castle or the scenic coastal cliffs of Moher, Ireland’s climate is always an adventure worth embracing.

The Ha Penny Bridge In Dublin, Ireland

Weather in Dublin

The weather in Dublin, Ireland, is typical of Ireland’s east coast - mild and often unpredictable. Summers are comfortable with average highs around 19°C and daylight stretching late into the evening. Winters rarely see snow, but do bring cool temperatures and plenty of drizzle. Spring and autumn offer pleasant walking conditions and changing scenery, ideal for exploring Dublin’s historic streets, parks, and riverside spots.

Experience the weather in Dublin on our Best of Ireland tour.

Winter

December - February

Average Highs: 9 °C
Average Lows: 2–3 °C
Rain: 11-12 days per month

Spring

March - May

Average Highs: 11-16°C
Average Lows: 4-7°C
Rain: 10-11 days per month

Summer

June - August

Average Highs: 19-20°C
Average Lows: 10-12°C
Rain: 10-11 days per month

Autumn

September - November

Average Highs: 11-18°C
Average Lows: 5-10°C
Rain: 11-12 days per month
View of Belfast Eye in Northern Ireland

Weather in Belfast

Belfast has a temperate maritime climate with mild summers and cool, wet winters expected. July is Belfast's warmest month, with highs around 18°C. Rain is common throughout the year, but it's often light and short-lived. Spring and autumn are great times to explore the city and the nearby coast, as you’ll enjoy blooming gardens and autumn colors with comfortable sightseeing weather.

Experience the weather in Belfast on our Irish Experience tour.

Winter

December - February

Average Highs: 7–8 °C
Average Lows: 4 °C
Rain: 11–14 days per month

Spring

March - May

Average Highs: 10–15 °C
Average Lows: 4–9 °C
Rain: 10–13 days per month

Summer

June - August

Average Highs: 17–19 °C
Average Lows: 11–13 °C
Rain: 10–12 days per month

Autumn

September - November

Average Highs: 10-16 °C
Average Lows: 6–11 °C
Rain: 13–14 days per month
Impression Of The St. Colman's Cathedral In Cobh Near Cork, Ireland

Weather in Cork

Cork’s warmer weather year-round is attributed to its southern location, though rainfall is also frequent. Summers are mild, with average highs around 18°C. Winters tend to be cool and damp, but rarely harsh. Spring and early autumn are great for enjoying the region’s countryside and coast, especially when the weather is drier and the landscapes are at their most vibrant.

Experience the weather in Cork on our Treasures of Ireland tour.

Winter

December - February

Average Highs: 9–10 °C
Average Lows: 4–5 °C
Rain: 14–17 days per month

Spring

March - May

Average Highs: 11–16 °C
Average Lows: 5–8 °C
Rain: 12–15 days per month

Summer

June - August

Average Highs: 18–20 °C
Average Lows: 11–13 °C
Rain: 13 days per month

Autumn

September - November

Average Highs: 12–17 °C
Average Lows: 6–11 °C
Rain: 13–15 days per month
Bunratty Castle Folk Park Limerick, Ireland

Weather in Limerick

Limerick has a fairly typical west-of-Ireland climate—frequent rain, especially in winter, but relatively mild temperatures all year round. Summer highs reach about 18°C, while winters stay above freezing. Spring and autumn often bring dry, breezy days that are perfect for strolling along the River Shannon or exploring the nearby countryside.

Experience the weather in Limerick on our Irish Highlights tour.

Winter

December - February

Average Highs: 9 °C
Average Lows: 3–4 °C
Rain: 13–17 days per month

Spring

March - May

Average Highs: 11–16 °C
Average Lows: 4–8 °C
Rain: 12–15 days per month

Summer

June - August

Average Highs: 18–20 °C
Average Lows: 11–13 °C
Rain: 12–14 days per month

Autumn

September - November

Average Highs: 11–18 °C
Average Lows: 5–11 °C
Rain: 13–16 days per month
View From Water Of Kylemore Abbey Near Trees In Ireland

Weather in Galway

Galway’s Atlantic setting means plenty of rain and cloud cover, but also stunning skies and lush, green hills year-round. Summers are short but pleasant, with highs around 18°C. Winters are cool and damp, but rarely too cold for exploring. Spring and early autumn often bring the clearest skies, making this a great time to visit Galway’s coast, harbour, and nearby landscapes.

Experience the weather in Galway on our Castles and Manors tour.

Winter

December - February

Average Highs: 9 °C
Average Lows: 3–4 °C

Spring

March - May

Average Highs: 10–15 °C
Average Lows: 5–8 °C

Summer

June - August

Average Highs: 17–19 °C
Average Lows: 11–13 °C

Autumn

September - November

Average Highs: 11–17 °C
Average Lows: 5–10 °C

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Unedited Feefo reviews

Trafalgar is rated 4.6 / 5 based on 130,000+ verified reviews

"We learned a lot"

“We loved our trip to Ireland! The Irish Experience tour was very comprehensive and yet included a lot of variety. Our guide (Allie) and bus driver (Jergen) were extremely skilled & professional... We felt we learned a lot about the people, history, and geography of Ireland...”

"There was lots of variety"

“Extensive and in depth tour of England, Wales, Scotland, Ireland and Northern Ireland. Our travel director was superb, caring and extremely well organized. The local guides were first-rate and informative. While it was a tour covering 35 cities in 23 days, it was handled well by the Travel Director. There was lots of variety throughout the trip and we got to meet the “real” people of the region."

"A great introduction to Ireland

“This trip is a great introduction to Ireland. The itinerary touches on some of the gems Ireland has to offer (the Cliffs of Moher, the Ring of Kerry) and offers a great mix of scheduled opportunities as well as free time to roam and explore.”

"Memorable"

“It was as a wonderful trip, very busy, but got to see and do a lot in beautiful Ireland. Our tour guide was a wealth of knowledge and went above and behind to make our trip a memorable one. Our bus drivers were great kept us safe on the roads and did a great job of looking after our luggage. I would recommend this Irish experience the only thing I would do is book a few days after the tour to explore Dublin. I guess I’ll just have to plan a trip back!”

- Khristine, Irish Experience

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Frequently Asked Questions

The best time to visit Ireland is from May to September. These months offer longer daylight hours, mild temperatures, and some of the driest conditions of the year - ideal for scenic drives, city strolls, and coastal walks.

July is typically the warmest month in Ireland, with average daytime highs around 19°C. Heatwaves are rare, but on occasion, temperatures are slightly higher.

January is usually the coldest month, with average lows around 3°C and highs near 8°C. Snow is uncommon, but frost and drizzle are frequent.

May tends to be the sunniest month, with longer daylight hours and clearer skies. It’s a popular time for countryside walks and coastal views.

Yes—rain is frequent, especially in the west. Expect around 150–225 rainy days per year, depending on the region. Most rainfall is light, rather than heavy.

Snowfall is rare but possible, especially in inland and upland areas during winter. On average, Ireland sees around 5–10 days of snow each year, mostly light and short-lived.

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