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Furthermore, we analyzed all climate data and provide a recommendation about which months are best to visit Ireland for your holiday.
Climate Overview
3 °C to 19 °C
7 °C to 16 °C
1.97 – 5.43 in (9 – 16 Days of Rain)Average Annual Temperature is between 9.4 °C (Cork) and 10.1 °C (Shannon)
Show temperatures in degree
Geographical location
Table of Contents
The island state of Ireland lies on the island of the same name and is located in Western Europe. About 83 percent of the island makes up the territory of Ireland, the rest belongs to the independent state of Northern Ireland.
The capital and metropolitan region of Ireland is Dublin, which is the country’s largest city with around one third of its 4.6 million inhabitants. The population density is 65 inhabitants per square kilometre.
The Shannon River runs from north to south for 230 miles. Many parts of the landscape are marked by lakes, such as Lough Corrib in the west of the country. At 1041 metres, Carrantuohill is the highest mountain in the country.
Climate in Ireland
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The northern location in the Atlantic Ocean has a decisive influence on the climate in Ireland. The Gulf Stream brings warm sea currents from the Gulf of Mexico and usually causes mild temperatures all year round. The maritime weather manifests itself in mild winters and very humid summers. The temperature differences are quite small.
In winter temperatures drop to as low as 8 °C during the day, in summer they do not exceed 20 °C. In the south of the country, precipitation can be somewhat more intense than in central Dublin, for example.
For example, up to 5.43 in of rain can fall in Cork in January, and no more than 2.76 in of precipitation can be expected in Dublin. At most snow is found in the eastern mountains of Ireland. The summer months can get up to 18 °C warm, but precipitation is a regular companion.
Best Time to Visit Ireland: Overview
JanuaryJan MaximumMax. 8 °C Water max. 9 °C | FebruaryFeb MaximumMax. 9 °C Water max. 9 °C | MarchMar MaximumMax. 11 °C Water max. 8 °C | AprilApr MaximumMax. 13 °C Water max. 9 °C | MayMay TemperaturesTemp. up to 15 °C Water max. 11 °C | JuneJun Best time to traveltime PerfectPerf. climate in Ireland |
JulyJul Best time to traveltime PerfectPerf. climate in Ireland | AugustAug Best time to traveltime PerfectPerf. climate in Ireland | SeptemberSep Best time to traveltime PerfectPerf. climate in Ireland | OctoberOct MaximumMax. 14 °C Water max. 14 °C | NovemberNov MaximumMax. 11 °C Water max. 12 °C | DecemberDec MaximumMax. 9 °C Water max. 11 °C |
When to go to Ireland?
The constant weather with irregular rain showers and the temperatures that do not become icy even in winter make it possible to travel the green island all year round. However, the best time to travel in Ireland is the summer months of June to September. During this time you find the most pleasant temperatures and very little precipitation.
In general it can be said that the months November to May are the rainsiest. Some of the spring months are still a bit fresh, but can already score with long days and declining precipitation values. The Irish summer starts in June. July is known for many dry days that can give travellers a good time.
If you want to travel to Ireland in autumn, you should focus on the East Coast. The western regions are hit by storms in these months, which bring a lot of rain. The classic winter months have frequent”filthy weather” on the agenda, but in the cities it can be very Christmassy.
Best Time to Visit the Regions
Find the best time to visit the regions (Ireland) in the following overview.| Location | Best Time to Travel |
|---|---|
| Dublin | June, July, August, and September |
| Cork | June, July, August, and September |
| Shannon | June, July, August, and September |
Climate Charts Ireland
In the following, you will find climate charts for the regions.
Furthermore, there are some charts you can use for quick comparison of climate between the regions.
Show Climate Chart for
Dublin
Show temperatures in degree
Source of Data: German Weather Service (Offenbach) and Wikipedia
Climate Tables Ireland
In the following, you will find some climate tables for Ireland, containing information about Temperatures, Precipitation, Water Temperatures, and Hours of Sunshine.Show climate table for
Temperatures, Precipitation, Sunshine in Dublin (Ireland)
| Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Day Temperature | 8° | 8° | 10° | 11° | 14° | 17° | 19° | 19° | 17° | 14° | 10° | 8° |
| Night Temperature | 3° | 3° | 3° | 4° | 7° | 10° | 11° | 11° | 10° | 8° | 4° | 3° |
| Water Temperature | 9° | 8° | 7° | 8° | 9° | 11° | 13° | 14° | 14° | 13° | 12° | 10° |
| Precipitation (inch) | 2.72 | 1.97 | 2.09 | 2.01 | 2.17 | 2.2 | 1.97 | 2.8 | 2.6 | 2.76 | 2.52 | 2.99 |
| Rainy days | 12 | 10 | 10 | 10 | 11 | 10 | 10 | 11 | 11 | 11 | 11 | 13 |
| Hours of Sunshine | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 7 | 6 | 5 | 5 | 4 | 3 | 2 | 2 |
Show temperatures in degree
Temperatures
The annual average temperature in Dublin is 9.5 °C.For comparison: London 11 °C, NYC 12 °C, LA 17.9 °C
Warmest month: July (15 °C)
Coldest month: February (5 °C)
The maximum water temperature in Dublin is 14 °C. Bathing would be very uncomfortable.
Precipitation
Overall annual precipitation: 28.78 inch on 130 rainy daysFor comparison: London 24.06 in, NYC 41.57 in, LA 12.01 in
There is no rainy season (months with more than 6.9 in of precipitation).
Months that have possible snowfall: January, February, March, April, November, and December
Sunshine
As our climate table shows, May is the sunniest month with an average of 6.5 hours of sunshine per day. Over the year, there are 4 hours of sunshine per day on average. For comparison: London has 4.1, NYC has 7 and LA has 8.9 hours of sunshine per day on average.Temperatures, Precipitation, Sunshine in Cork (Ireland)
| Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Day Temperature | 8° | 8° | 9° | 11° | 14° | 17° | 19° | 18° | 16° | 13° | 10° | 8° |
| Night Temperature | 3° | 3° | 3° | 4° | 7° | 9° | 11° | 11° | 9° | 8° | 5° | 4° |
| Water Temperature | 9° | 9° | 8° | 9° | 11° | 14° | 15° | 16° | 15° | 14° | 11° | 10° |
| Precipitation (inch) | 5.44 | 4.55 | 3.89 | 2.67 | 3.28 | 2.71 | 2.61 | 3.49 | 3.8 | 4.94 | 4.37 | 5.27 |
| Rainy days | 16 | 13 | 13 | 10 | 12 | 10 | 9 | 11 | 12 | 15 | 14 | 16 |
| Hours of Sunshine | 2 | 2 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 6 | 5 | 5 | 4 | 3 | 2 | 2 |
Show temperatures in degree
Temperatures
The annual average temperature in Cork is 9.4 °C.Warmest month: July (14.8 °C)
Coldest month: January (5.1 °C)
The maximum water temperature in Cork is 16 °C. Bathing would be very uncomfortable.
Precipitation
Overall annual precipitation: 47.02 inch on 151 rainy daysThere is no rainy season (months with more than 6.9 in of precipitation).
Months that have possible snowfall: January, February, March, April, November, and December
Sunshine
As our climate table shows, May is the sunniest month with an average of 6 hours of sunshine per day. Over the year, there are 3.8 hours of sunshine per day on average.Temperatures, Precipitation, Sunshine in Shannon (Ireland)
| Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Day Temperature | 8° | 9° | 11° | 13° | 15° | 18° | 19° | 19° | 17° | 14° | 10° | 9° |
| Night Temperature | 3° | 3° | 4° | 5° | 7° | 10° | 12° | 12° | 10° | 8° | 5° | 4° |
| Water Temperature | 9° | 9° | 8° | 9° | 11° | 13° | 15° | 16° | 15° | 14° | 12° | 10° |
| Precipitation (inch) | 3.86 | 2.8 | 2.8 | 2.2 | 2.36 | 2.48 | 2.24 | 3.23 | 3.23 | 3.66 | 3.74 | 3.9 |
| Rainy days | 16 | 12 | 14 | 11 | 13 | 11 | 10 | 13 | 13 | 15 | 15 | 16 |
| Hours of Sunshine | 2 | 2 | 3 | 5 | 6 | 5 | 5 | 4 | 4 | 3 | 2 | 1 |
Show temperatures in degree
Temperatures
The annual average temperature in Shannon is 10.1 °C.Warmest month: July (15.7 °C)
Coldest month: January (5.4 °C)
The maximum water temperature in Shannon is 16 °C. Bathing would be very uncomfortable.
Precipitation
Overall annual precipitation: 36.5 inch on 159 rainy daysThere is no rainy season (months with more than 6.9 in of precipitation).
Months that have possible snowfall: January, February, March, April, November, and December
Sunshine
As our climate table shows, May is the sunniest month with an average of 5.8 hours of sunshine per day. Over the year, there are 3.5 hours of sunshine per day on average.Highlights and Attractions
In the Country Clare area, in the west of the country, you will find the Cliffs of Moher. The unspoilt cliffs are very impressive and should be taken into consideration for a trip to Ireland. Killarney National Park in the southwest of the country offers travellers wonderful rugged Irish landscapes.
This can be combined with a visit to the Muckross House and Gardens in the immediate vicinity. Many highlights can also be found in the capital Dublin. From Kilmainham Gaol, a former prison, to Glasnevin Cemetery and the Muesum Chester Beatty Library, Dublin has a lot to offer.
Popular Activities
Dublin: Cliffs of Moher, Kilmacduagh Abbey & Galway Day Tour
Tours
from 65 $ »
Explore Ireland’s scenic landscapes on a trip to the Cliffs of Moher on a day trip by bus. Visit Galway and the Burren, and see the monastic ruins of Kilmacduagh.
Guinness Storehouse: Entrance Ticket
Seasonal & Holiday Activities
from 32 $ »
More than a million people a year visit the home of Guinness. Take a self-guided tour of the Guinness Storehouse, learn all about world-famous Guinness Stout, and enjoy a complimentary pint.
Dublin: Giants Causeway, Dark Hedges, Dunluce & Belfast Tour
Tours
from 85 $ »
Discover Northern Ireland’s dramatic coastal route on a day trip to the Giant’s Causeway from Dublin. Visit the Dark Hedges, Dunluce Castle, and spend some time in Belfast.
More attractions
Cliffs of Moher Full-Day Tour from Dublin | Dublin: Jameson Whiskey Distillery Tour with Tastings | From Dublin: Wicklow Mountains, Glendalough & Kilkenny Tour | Dublin: Giant’s Causeway, Dark Hedges & Titanic Guided Tour | From Dublin: Wicklow Mountains, Glendalough, & Kilkenny Tour | Dublin: Cliffs of Moher, Atlantic Edge & Galway City | From Dublin: Glendalough & Wicklow Mountains Morning Tour |Current Weather and Forecast
Current Weather in Dublin (Station Ringsend)
broken clouds, 10 °CClouds: 75 % Wind: 5 mph SSW
Air Pressure: 1036 hPa Humidity: 79 %
Air Pressure: 1036 hPa Humidity: 79 %
Last updated: 7th Feb 2023, 06:24 pm
The next days …
| 8th Feb 2023 | 9th Feb 2023 | 10th Feb 2023 | 11th Feb 2023 | 12th Feb 2023 | 13th Feb 2023 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
 3 °C to 10 °C |  1 °C to 8 °C | 4 °C to 11 °C | 6 °C to 12 °C |  4 °C to 10 °C | 5 °C to 10 °C |
| 3 °C to 10 °C | 1 °C to 8 °C | 4 °C to 11 °C | 6 °C to 12 °C | 4 °C to 10 °C | 5 °C to 10 °C |
| Clouds: 100 % | Clouds: 96 % | Clouds: 100 % | Clouds: 59 % | Clouds: 0 % | Clouds: 81 % |
| 0.03 in of rain | No Precipitation | No Precipitation | No Precipitation | No Precipitation | 0.1 in of rain |
Weather information provided by OpenWeatherMap. (CC BY-SA)
Show temperatures in degree
Important Regions and Cities
We have extended climate information for the following region:Dublin |
Hottest Month
July: 19 °C
Day Temperature in Shannon
July: 19 °CDay Temperature in Shannon
Coldest Month
January: 3 °C
Night Temperature in Dublin
January: 3 °CNight Temperature in Dublin
Rainiest Month
January: 5.44 in
Rain in Cork
January: 5.44 inRain in Cork
Driest Month
February: 1.97 in
Rain in Dublin
February: 1.97 inRain in Dublin
Maximum Water Temperature
August: 16 °C
Water Temperature in Cork
August: 16 °CWater Temperature in Cork
Sunniest Month
May: 7 hours/day
Sunshine in Dublin
May: 7 hours/daySunshine in Dublin
Activities and Attractions
Dublin: Kilkenny, Wicklow, & Glendalough with Sheepdog trail
Tours
from 49 $ »
Dublin: River Liffey Sightseeing Cruise
Tours
from 19 $ »
Dublin: Hop-on Hop-off Bus Tour
Bus & Minivan Tours
from 29 $ »
Distances to Ireland
| London | New York | Los Angeles | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Dublin | 290 mi | 3180 mi | 5170 mi |
| Cork | 360 mi | 3110 mi | 5150 mi |
| Shannon | 380 mi | 3080 mi | 5100 mi |
Where’s Ireland?
Show Dublin on MapShow Cork on Map
Show Shannon on Map
Continent: Europe
All Holiday Destinations in EuropeShare your Experience and Win
We want to know: how was the weather during your Ireland holiday? You can win a travel coupon of 1000 $. The price will be raffled among all submissions.
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Ireland: Experiences of our Visitors
From the end of May to the beginning of June we made a round trip from Dublin to Galway, through the southwest and back across the Wicklow Mountains. We had a total of 1.5 days of rain, lots of sun and therefore excellent travel weather.
Weather Rating: 5 stars – Excellent
Sun, sun.
weather better than at home and than expected
Until 19 degrees on the west coast
Weather Rating: 5 stars – Excellent
We had disproportionately good, mostly sunny weather. We were able to fill the few rainy days with indoor visits, but the rain never lasted longer than 2-3 hours.
Weather Rating: 4 stars – Good
It hardly rained and the temperatures were pleasant. Optimal for sightseeing
Weather Rating: 4 stars – Good
HURRICANE WITH STRONG STORM SWEPT OVER
AWAY FROM US – TRAIN ETC. WERE CLOSED IN ADVANCE
Weather Rating: 1 stars – Mostly bad
Rather rainy in the west, but at the same time a low storm / hurricane runoff in the northwest – therefore a special situation to evaluate
Weather Rating: 2 stars – Tricky
Although the weather was mixed, it was actually as expected for the travel season and the destination. It was from sunny and quite pleasant to totally rainy. On the coast some wind was added. A good jacket and good shoes, and Ireland is also worth a visit at this time!
Weather Rating: 2 stars – Tricky
We expected bad weather – it was May. BUT whenever it mattered, the sun was pure. Often it was cloudy but WITHOUT precipitation. We were so lucky and enjoyed it. 1 month during the whole trip!
Weather Rating: 3 stars – Mixed
The weather was really good, only 2 days of light rain. May is optimal for Ireland…
Weather Rating: 5 stars – Excellent