Offering a rich history, ideal year-round climates, agriculture and friendly locals, Ireland is a great country to visit any time of the year. There are peak tourist seasons that provide festivals and other outdoor activities, as well as off-seasons that bestow spring flowers and low-season hotel options for travelers.
Ireland, like most countries, has peak tourist months during July and August. The summer season enables visitors to explore historic museums, roam castles, review various galleries and exhibits or participate in diverse workshops. Most public beaches are open, offering cool-water fun and entertainment. The months of July and August typically provide the warmest weather with temperatures around 15 degrees Celsius/59 degrees Fahrenheit.
May, June and September provide wonderful viewing times at galleries, historic sites and various fairs. The weather may be a bit cooler during these months but with the Ireland's mild weather, most visitors will still be able to enjoy outdoor activities. October provides wonderful festivals and exhibits rich in Irish history. During the months of April and May, Ireland comes to life with breathtaking spring flowers and renewed agriculture.
Ireland is situated in an ideal location that balances collected moisture in the air from the Atlantic Ocean with gentle warm breezes from the Gulf Stream. The result is temperate, comfortable weather for most of the year. During the summer months there are warm, dry days but typical Ireland weather is mild with some fine, misty rain. Savvy travelers visiting the west side of Ireland bring umbrellas or raincoats, as it tends to rain more on the west side than on the southeast side of the country. Winter months provide mild weather; Ireland typically has snowstorms only in the mountains. Exhibits, historical sites and several tourist attractions are open for visitors most of the year. However, hours of operation may vary during non-peak tourist seasons, so it is always a good idea to check before visiting.
