We have visited in every month of the year and I can honestly say that any time you can go to Ireland is a good time to go!

Planning your trip is dependent on your own schedule and the experiences you want to have, but trust me when I say that you can have an amazing Ireland vacation any month of the year.

Below you will see a breakdown of what you can expect in Ireland, month by month, followed by recommendations on the best time to visit Ireland for specific areas and activities.

Croagh Patrick, County Mayo, after a snow storm — The Holy Mountain of Croagh Patrick after a snow storm

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When is the Best Time to Visit Ireland?

There is no bad time to visit Ireland!

My Favorite Month to Visit Ireland

My favorite time to visit Ireland is mid to late September. Why? It's not as busy as summer, the weather is still quite good, and prices are beginning to drop a bit for flights and accommodation.

Visiting Ireland in January

January in Ireland is the perfect time for a city break! Prices for everything from airfare to accommodations is less, and crowds are minimal.

Most attractions and tours are open year round in Ireland's cities, though they may have shorter hours. Shorter days mean longer nights, so you can expect lively pubs in the afternoon and evenings.

Ireland has a very temperate climate so even the coldest days don't often dip below freezing.

Visiting Ireland in February

February is the cheapest month to fly to Ireland. In my experience February has the harshest weather of any month in Ireland as the country transitions from winter to spring.

Much like January, February is a great time to focus on Irish cities.

Visiting Ireland in March

Irish tourism gets a great boost in March due to St. Patrick's Day. You'll find many rural areas begin their tourism season around this time, though some may operate on shorter hours or limited days until the busier summer season.

Weather in March can be varied, so you want to be sure to pack for any and all types of weather.

Visiting Ireland in April

You'll find a little lull in tourists in April as the St. Patrick's Day revelers have departed and the busier travel season has not yet begun. Most tourism sites and attractions are open and ready for visitors, though hours may still be limited to specific days of the week.

April weather is quite similar to March, though temperatures are on the rise.

Visiting Ireland in May

May is shoulder-season in Ireland and tourism begins its summer rise this month. Temperatures remain more consistent, in the mid-to-high 60s (Fahrenheit), and the longer days offer more time for exploration.

Visiting Ireland in June

The busy summer season begins in June as school ends in America and families begin to travel in Ireland. You'll find the streets in Dublin and Galway filling with crowds and prices on everything from airfare and accommodations to car rental begin to rise.

June weather can be quite pleasant, though there is always the possibility of cold rain and whipping winds, so don't forget a rain jacket and layers when packing!

Beyond_the_Trees_Avondale_Viewing _Tower_Wicklow_Ireland — Beyond the Trees Avondale

Visiting Ireland in July and August

Welcome to the ‘high season' of Irish tourism. School is out in Ireland and across Europe so this is when most families tend to visit Ireland.

The most popular destinations across Ireland will be busy and lines at the most popular attractions can be long. Book as much in advance as possible to avoid disappointment.

The good news about visiting Ireland in the summer months is that the daylight hours are incredibly long! The sun will rise before 5am and set after 10pm, with hours of twilight on either end. If you want to see as much as possible while in Ireland this is your best opportunity.

It is best to remember that, while these are Ireland's warmest months, the temperature doesn't usually rise over 70 degrees Fahrenheit on average.

Visiting Ireland in September

As I said above, this is my favorite month to visit Ireland. Crowds are beginning to diminish, the days are still long, and you're likely to have nice weather.

All attractions are still open and you'll still be able to enjoy beautiful gardens and bright flowers around the country.

Visiting Ireland in October

As fall shoulder season comes to an end the cooler days are a terrific time to visit Ireland! Temperatures will hover in the mid-50s, on average, and the days begin to shorten.

Harvest is in full swing in most of the country so you'll find plenty of festivals leading up to Samhain, the Celtic festival that is at the root of Halloween.