With abundant green and emerald landscapes, distinguished literary heritage, and stunning and wild coasts, Ireland is a popular destination among tourists. Ireland has been nicknamed ‘the Emerald Isle’ due to its lush scenic beauty and is characterized by medieval architecture all around.
Ireland is a small country but is packed with all sorts of beauty. The breathtaking landscapes and rich culture that it offers its tourists are unmatchable. The friendly locals and their warm gestures make the destination more likable to visit. If you are someone who gets fascinated by the greenery, culture, and heritage of a country, then there is no place as better as Ireland and must be wondering the best time to travel to Ireland. Read on further to learn more about the best time to visit Ireland to enjoy the most.
When Is The Best Time To Travel To Ireland And The Best Time To Pack Your Bags?
Choosing when is a good time to travel to Ireland depends upon what you are looking for as a tourist. There is no such the ‘best time’ to travel to Ireland, as every season has different experiences to offer you, from drizzly winters to sunny summers. Ireland has a temperate climate, making it a year-long perfect destination for travelers. The high season or the most visited months in Ireland are June to September. While April to May and September to November are the shoulder seasons that fall between peak and off-peak seasons, and December to February is the least visited month due to chilly winters. So, the best times to visit Ireland is ultimately up to you, your itinerary, and the activities that you want to indulge in.
High Season ( From June To September)
The best weather in Ireland is during June, July, August, and September when Ireland’s natural beauty is at its peak. As they are the warmest time of the year, you will get to witness the most vibrant landscapes. It is an excellent time to stay on the Arans and Inishbofin islands. You can also indulge in ‘lepping’ which is the traditional sport of Ireland in the summer.
You can explore places by hiring boats as boat transportation is often provided while in peak seasons to visit remote areas in Ireland. If you are a history buff an love to explore historical places, then these months are the best time to travel to Ireland, as you can visit museums, historic sites, distilleries, which are often restricted to visit in winter. The only downside is that you would find places of attraction crowded with people and hotels and airfares are quite high in the peak season.
Low Season ( From December To January)
The winter months in Ireland lies between December and January but the temperature does not drop to extreme, and lies mostly between 4 degree C and 8 degree C. They are also drizzly and you might have to face rain if you are planning to visit Ireland in the winter months. As the days are shorter, you will have less time to explore the city but you will enjoy uninterrupted sightseeing due to low crowds.
It is also the ideal time for popular Irish whiskeys at pubs listening to traditional music. Get a taste of local cuisines and enjoy the warm hospitality of the locals. As there is less crowd, you will not have to burn a hole in your pocket, as the hotel and airfares price drops to a great extent. But be aware that you will have fewer places to explore as most of them are shut down in winter or have a shorter visiting time.
Shoulder Season ( From March to May And September To November)
If you have not decide yet, whether you should visit Ireland in summer or winter then the shoulder season is just the right pick for you. Ireland experiences dry spells, mild temperatures but is vibrant with the festivities going on. Ireland is considered to be a rich spot that has produced numerous big names in literature.
If you visit in March, you can take part in the procession of St. Patrick’s Day, which is a huge celebration in Ireland. But due to the intensity of the celebration and most people desiring to visit Ireland just for Patrick’s day is one of the crowdest days to spend there. In months like November, the cities of Ireland are often quiet but one can enjoy international sports like Rugby Internationals occurring in major cities. These months also make for an inexpensive tour because of affordable airfares and accommodation due to less crowd.
Which Is The Worst Time To Visit Ireland?
The worst times to visit Ireland are as subjective as the best time to travel to Ireland. It completely depends on your preference and itinerary choices that make a particular period the ‘best’ or the ‘worst’ to visit If you like visiting historical places and your itinerary includes museums and castles, then winter months will not offer you the best deal and you will not be able to fulfill your top most desired places. Also, winter months can be a bit messy due to uninvited rains and sunsets as early as 3 p.m. This is why the winter months are mostly depressing and quiet.
However, the early mornings are still green if you are not in the snow-clad mountains and will obviously find less crowd giving the whole natural landscape to you to enjoy.
Conclusion
As you see, the best time to travel to Ireland varies from individual to individual. The incredible country of Ireland has a lot to offer to everyone visiting and every month offers great travel experiences. We hope our comprehensive guide helps you to choose the best time to travel to Ireland and what works for you. We know for sure that whenever you visit Ireland you will have a great vacation and amazing memories to share.
FAQs
1] Which are the cheapest months to travel to Ireland?
Winter months from November to January are the cheapest months to travel to Ireland because of the smaller crowd.
2] What is the peak season in Ireland for travelers?
June to September is usually considered to be the peak season in Ireland because of favorable weather and the availability of sightseeing options to visit.
3] When is St. Patrick’s Day celebrated in Ireland?
St Patrick’s Day is celebrated on 17th March of every year.
