Ireland

Ireland Weather

The weather in Ireland is broadly similar to that of England or Wales, with warm summers and fairly mild winters. You can expect rain any time of year so it's best to go prepared with an umbrella, or a waterproof coat for the windier days, and something to keep you warm as well. Summer temperatures of around 25°C bring tourists aplenty to the national parks and historic sites and as winter temperatures rarely dip below -5°C the cities are popular throughout the year.

Ireland's Tourist Season

The tourist season in Ireland generally runs from Easter until mid-October with the majority of the tourists heading over for the sunniest summer months. The national parks tend to be quieter at the start and end of the season and if you're planning on spending most of your time hiking this is the perfect time as you don't want to be out all day in the summer heat. The cities don't have quite such a defined tourist season but outside the summer months, there are some great deals on accommodation as well as on flights so it's the perfect time to head away for a weekend.

Events in Ireland

Now well-known and celebrated in Irish pubs the world over, St. Patrick's Day in March brings the party spirit to the whole country, with some of the festivities going on for a week! For the musically inclined, the Guinness Jazz Festival, held in Cork in August, always packs the city to the rafters. Arty types will certainly find something to interest them at the Galway Arts Festival in July. Traditional Irish fun can be enjoyed at the Pan Celtic Festival in Kilkenny in April, and At Fleadh Nua in Ennis in May. Perhaps the oddest festival is the Lisdoonvarna Matchmaking Festival in August, a mix of music and entertainment designed to get singles in on the 'craic' and meeting people.