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Ireland travel guide

Small cities, coastal towns and left-hand-drive road trips, at their best in July and August

Best: Jul, Aug

Photo: rolandmey / Pixabay

Capital
Dublin
Languages
English, Irish
Currency
Euro
Time zone
UTC
Plugs
Type G · 230 V
Driving
On the left
Emergency
112
Entry
EU member (not Schengen)

Why visit Ireland

Ireland suits a road trip or a slow tour of small cities and coastal towns. The languages are English and Irish, and the country covers 70273 km², so you can pair Dublin with Galway, Kilkenny, Killarney or Westport. The best months are July and August. Killarney also rates well in May and June. The honest limitation: the top window is short, and if you hire a car you drive on the left.

  • Dublin, a capital on the coast

    Dublin is Ireland's capital and largest city, with 592,713 people, and it sits on the coast. It is a natural first stop. Our data rates June and August as the best months to visit the city.

  • West coast towns in summer

    Galway, with 83,456 people, and the small town of Westport, with 6,872, are both on the coast. Both score best in July and August. These are also the best months for Ireland as a whole, so they suit a classic summer trip.

  • Killarney earlier in the year

    Killarney is a town of 14,412 people. Unlike most of Ireland, its best months are May and June. This makes it a good base if you want to travel before the peak summer months of July and August.

  • Inland cities for a June trip

    Cork has 222,333 people and is Ireland's second city in our list. Kilkenny is much smaller, with 22,179 people. Both rate well in June, and Kilkenny is also good in August. Limerick, with 62,702 people, is another inland city option.

  • Easy to travel for English speakers

    English and Irish are the official languages, and the currency is the euro. Ireland runs on UTC time. Cars drive on the left, plugs are type G at 230 V, and the emergency number is 112.

Is Ireland right for you?

Great for

  • Travellers who dislike heat: July highs in Dublin average only about 19°C.
  • English speakers who want an easy trip, since English is an official language and prices are in euros.
  • Road trippers comfortable driving on the left, linking towns like Galway, Killarney and Westport.
  • Walkers in May and June, when Dublin gets about 11 hours of sunshine a day.
  • Winter city breaks in Dublin, with mild January lows of about 4°C.

Less ideal for

  • Beach and swimming holidays: the sea peaks at only about 17°C in August.
  • Travellers who want dry weather, as Dublin sees 12 to 15 rain days every month.
  • Winter sun seekers: December in Dublin averages just 3.3 hours of sunshine a day.
  • Self-drive trips for drivers not used to driving on the left.

Ireland right now: October

4.6/10
Avg high
14°C
Avg low
9°C
Rain days
14
Sea
14°C

Averages for Dublin.

Weather by month

In Dublin, June to September brings the mildest weather, and July and August are best, with highs near 19°C and about 10 hours of sun a day. December and January are the toughest months: highs reach only 8 to 10°C, December gets 95 mm of rain over 15 days, and there are just 3 to 4 hours of sun a day.

Average highs and lows in Dublin by month January: high 8°C, low 4°C , 13 rain days . February: high 9°C, low 4°C , 13 rain days . March: high 10°C, low 4°C , 15 rain days . April: high 12°C, low 6°C , 12 rain days . May: high 15°C, low 9°C , 13 rain days . June: high 18°C, low 11°C , 13 rain days . July: high 19°C, low 13°C , 15 rain days . August: high 19°C, low 13°C , 13 rain days . September: high 17°C, low 11°C , 13 rain days . October: high 14°C, low 9°C , 14 rain days . November: high 11°C, low 6°C , 13 rain days . December: high 10°C, low 5°C , 15 rain days . 8°C 4°C JAN 13d 9°C 4°C FEB 13d 10°C 4°C MAR 15d 12°C 6°C APR 12d 15°C 9°C MAY 13d 18°C 11°C JUN 13d 19°C 13°C JUL 15d 19°C 13°C AUG 13d 17°C 11°C SEP 13d 14°C 9°C OCT 14d 11°C 6°C NOV 13d 10°C 5°C DEC 15d
Best months Other months (low–high) Nd = rain days

Dublin · averages 2015–2024

Best time to visit Ireland: month-by-month weather →

Ireland's climate regions

The weather varies across the country; each region has its own best months.

  • Dublin and the East

    Dublin, Cork, Kilkenny

    Mild all year, with highs near 8°C in January and 19°C in July. Rain falls on about 162 days a year, less often than in the west. June and August are the best months for dry, warm days.

    Best: Jun, Aug

  • The Wild Atlantic West

    Galway, Killarney, Westport

    Mild but wet, with highs near 8°C in January and 18°C in July. Atlantic weather brings rain on about 209 days a year, so showers are common. July and August give the warmest, longest days.

    Best: Jul, Aug

Where to go in Ireland

City guides with their own best months and weather.

Sample itineraries

7 days

Dublin, Kilkenny, Cork and Killarney in a Week

  1. Day 1–2

    Dublin

    Explore Ireland's capital, home to 592713 people. Walk along the River Liffey and spend time in the city centre before heading south by train.

  2. Day 3

    Kilkenny

    Stop in this small city of 22179 people, best visited in June or August. Walk its medieval streets in a single day.

  3. Day 4–5

    Cork

    Cork has 222333 residents and is at its best in June. Spend two days exploring its markets and riverside streets, then take the train on to Killarney.

  4. Day 6–7

    Killarney

    Killarney, with 14412 people, is best seen in May or June. Use these two days for walks around its lakes and surrounding countryside.

10 days

Ireland Coast to Coast in Ten Days

  1. Day 1–2

    Dublin

    Start in Dublin, Ireland's capital with 592713 people. June or August are the best months here, so enjoy two days taking in the city before moving west.

  2. Day 3–4

    Galway

    Galway is a coastal city of 83456 people, best visited in July or August. Spend two days along the waterfront and in the compact old town.

  3. Day 5

    Westport

    Westport is a small coastal town of 6872 people, best seen in July or August. Use the day to walk its quiet streets and harbour area.

  4. Day 6–7

    Killarney

    Killarney has 14412 residents and is best visited in May or June. Spend two days around its lakes before heading south to Cork.

  5. Day 8–9

    Cork

    Cork, home to 222333 people, is best in June. Spend two days in the city before a short stop in Kilkenny on the way back to Dublin.

  6. Day 10

    Kilkenny

    End the trip in Kilkenny, a city of 22179 people, best visited in June or August. Spend your last day exploring its old streets.

Getting around Ireland

Typical journey times and fares between the main places.

Route By Time Price
Dublin → Cork Iarnród Éireann (Irish Rail) runs direct trains from Dublin Heuston to Cork Kent, about every hour on weekdays and less often on Sundays. The fastest train listed takes 2h 28m, and most take 2h 30m–2h 55m. The €27 starting fare comes from a third-party site, not Irish Rail. I couldn't confirm a top fare. You can book on irishrail.ie up to 90 days ahead, and booking early is usually cheaper than buying at the station. train 2 h 28 min 27 EUR ↗
Dublin → Galway Iarnród Éireann (Irish Rail) runs direct trains from Dublin Heuston to Galway Ceannt, about 11 a day. The fastest train takes 2h 18m (Rome2Rio), and the usual time is about 2h 30m. Online fares start at €13.99 if you book ahead on irishrail.ie, according to a travel blog. Station machine prices are noticeably higher. I couldn't confirm a top fare. train 2 h 18 min 13.99 EUR ↗
Dublin → Westport Iarnród Éireann (Irish Rail) runs trains between Dublin Heuston and Westport. The fastest train listed takes 3h 14m (Rome2Rio), and there are only a few trains a day. The Irish Rail fares page lists fares on this line, but I couldn't see the full Dublin–Westport fare, so prices are left blank. Check irishrail.ie before you travel. train 3 h 14 min – ↗
Cork → Killarney Iarnród Éireann (Irish Rail) runs trains from Cork Kent to Killarney. Most trips need a change at Mallow, and some connections leave only about 4 minutes to change. The fastest trip listed takes 1h 19m, and the average is 1h 25m. The only fare I found was in an unclear currency, so prices are left blank. Check irishrail.ie for fares. train 1 h 19 min – ↗

Staying connected

If your phone plan doesn't include Ireland, an eSIM set up before you leave gives you data on arrival.

Where to stay

One good base in each main city and who it suits.

Temple Bar

Dublin

Good for nightlife, short stays, groups

A small area of narrow, cobbled streets beside the River Liffey, packed with pubs, live music and restaurants. You are central and can walk almost everywhere. It is loud late into the night, especially at weekends, so light sleepers should stay elsewhere.

Latin Quarter (city centre)

Galway

Good for first-timers, nightlife, short stays

This is the old core of Galway, with narrow pedestrian streets, pubs with live music, street performers and many places to eat. You can walk to most sights, and the bus and train station is close by. The drawback is noise: pubs stay busy late, especially at weekends and during summer festivals, so light sleepers should ask for a room away from the street.

High Street and The Parade (city centre)

Kilkenny

Good for first-timers, short stays

This is the heart of the Medieval Mile, with Kilkenny Castle, shops, pubs and restaurants all within an easy walk. It is the simplest base if you don't have a car and want to see the main sights on foot. Streets can be crowded on summer weekends, and rooms facing the main streets may hear late-night noise.

Muckross Road

Killarney

Good for walkers, cyclists, park access

This long road runs south from the town centre towards Muckross House and the lakes, lined with guesthouses and hotels. You get easy access to the park by foot or bike and a quieter night than in the centre. Rooms further out mean a longer walk back from town after dinner, and the road carries steady traffic.

The Mall

Westport

Good for couples, walkers, a calmer central base

A tree-lined street along the Carrowbeg River, next to the town centre but more peaceful than the pub streets. It is a pleasant base if you want to walk everywhere and still sleep well. It is a small area, so rooms here can be harder to find in peak season.

Food to try in Ireland

Irish stew

A slow-cooked stew of lamb or mutton with potatoes, onions and often carrots. It is a common home dish and appears on many pub menus, especially in colder weather.

Soda bread

A dense bread raised with baking soda and buttermilk instead of yeast. It is eaten with butter at breakfast, with soup at lunch or next to smoked salmon.

Full Irish breakfast

A cooked plate of bacon, sausages, eggs, black and white pudding, tomatoes and toast. Hotels, guesthouses and cafés serve it, usually in the morning.

Colcannon

Mashed potato mixed with cabbage or kale and butter. It is served as a side dish with meat and is a traditional food at Halloween.

Boxty

A potato pancake made from grated raw potato and mashed potato. It comes from the north-west and midlands and is served as a side or filled like a wrap.

Guinness stout

A dark, creamy beer first brewed in Dublin, the capital. You can order it in almost any pub across the country, often with a meal.

Know before you go

  • Plugs and voltage: Ireland uses Type G plugs, with 3 rectangular pins, and the supply is 230 V. Bring a Type G adapter. Check that your chargers and devices work at 230 V.
  • Driving side: Traffic drives on the left. If you normally drive on the right, take extra care at junctions and roundabouts, especially in your first few days.
  • Emergency number: Call 112 for police, ambulance or fire services. The call is free and works from mobile phones.
  • Currency: Ireland uses the Euro. Northern Ireland is part of the UK and uses pounds sterling, so plan for this if you cross the border.
  • Language: English is spoken everywhere. Irish is also an official language. You will see it on road signs, and it is spoken daily in some western communities.
  • Phone calling code: The country calling code is +353. Use it before the local number when you call an Irish number from abroad.
  • Tap water: Tap water is generally safe to drink. Occasionally a local area has a temporary boil-water notice. If you see one where you are staying, follow it.

Ireland: frequently asked questions

Is Ireland good to visit in August?

Yes, August is one of the best months, with a score of 7.1 out of 10. Dublin highs reach 18.9°C and sea temperatures peak at 17.2°C, the warmest of the year. It still rains on about 13 days, so pack for showers, but this is peak season for a reason.

When is the best time to visit Ireland?

June, July and August are rated good, with scores between 6.9 and 7.1. July has the warmest daytime highs at 19.2°C, while August brings slightly more sun hours earlier in the season and the warmest sea for swimming. September also scores well at 6.4.

What is the weather like in Ireland in winter?

Winter months score low: December and January sit around 1.5 to 1.6 out of 10. Dublin highs stay near 8 to 9.5°C, rain falls on 13 to 15 days a month, and sun hours drop to just 3.3 to 4.1 per day. It's cold, dark and wet, but quiet for travellers who don't mind that.

Does it rain a lot in Ireland?

Yes, rain is frequent year-round in Dublin. Every month sees at least 12 rain days, ranging from 12.1 in April to 15.1 in July. Rainfall totals are lowest in January and April at 63 mm, and highest in December at 95 mm, so no month is truly dry.

How long does it take to get from Dublin to Galway or Cork by train?

The Dublin to Galway train takes about 2 hours 18 minutes and costs from 13.99 EUR. Dublin to Cork takes longer, around 2 hours 28 minutes, for about 27 EUR. Both routes make easy day trips or stops on a longer itinerary.

Is the sea warm enough for swimming in Ireland?

Sea temperatures stay cool all year in Dublin. They peak at 17.2°C in August and drop to 7.2°C in January. July and September also offer warmer water, at 16.6°C and 15.8°C, if you want to swim without a wetsuit.

Similar destinations

Countries with a year of weather much like Ireland.