Autumn in Ireland

Ireland is home to ever-changing weather and 4 relatively mild seasons, and sometimes you get to experience them all in one day!

Spring is technically the months of March, April and May though the Gaelic calendar has spring staring in February. The Irish countryside comes to life again during spring, with rolling hills and crags bursting with wildflowers, and fields full of fluffy new lambs. April and May are actually some of the driest months, but beware that, as with anywhere and anytime in Ireland, the weather is quite changeable, and you’ll still need warm and rainproof gear. Spring temperatures are on average a a crisp 7-15°C.

Summer ranges across June, July and August, though the Gaelic Calendar starts summer in May. The earlier part of the season are typically the driest and warmest months and the most popular for visitors, but by August, the weather starts to turn, and rainfall tends to increase. Average temperature ranges between 12°C and 18°C.  June 21st is the longest day of the year, with some 17 hours of daylight! In fact, around the summer solstice, even at midnight, it’ll seem like twilight. You’ll still get rain though – though usually showers that blow over quickly – be sure to bring the rain gear!

Autumn technically starts in Ireland in September and goes on through to November, though as with the other seasons, the Gaelic Calendar starts autumn in August. Though perhaps less dramatically colourful than Scotland, Irish landscapes are still magical during autumn. The temperature during autumn is on generally between 5-12°C, though it can be up to 15-16 some days. Traditionally, Irish autumn – the harvest season – finishes on Samhain, the festival celebrated on 31st October, and the origin of what we today call Halloween.

Winter in Ireland takes place between December, January and February (with the Gaelic Calendar marking the start in November, and the end on 1 Feb.). Winter months are the darkest and shortest days of the year. Though possible, and varying across the country in amount, Ireland doesn’t get much snowfall, perhaps a couple of dustings with one or two bigger storms each year (though with no more than a few centimetres of accumulation). The daytime temperature during winter in Ireland is on average 3-9°C. Winter is perhaps home to some of Ireland’s most beautiful sunrises and sunsets though! 

September is often considered to be a mild month, possibly the mildest of all autumn and winter months. Daytime temperatures generally range between 11-18°C (51-64), with a mean of 14°C (57). September has one of the lowest precipitation levels with a mean of 45-50mm. The days are still relatively long, with an average of 12:30 of daylight. Photographers will love the Golden Hour during the beautiful September sunsets. 

Discover more about visiting Ireland in September.

*Info based on Shannon Airport on the west coast of Ireland.

October is generally a wetter month than September – Rainfall can be up to 80mm. October temperatures usually range between 8-14°C (46-57) with an average of 11°C (51). Until it is abolished in Europe, October is generally when we have Daylight Savings Time and the clock fall backwards.

Days are shorter, with an average length of 10 hours of daylight. The nights are longer, making it appropriate that Oct 31st is generally considered the end of the harvest (October in Irish is “Deireadh Fómhair” actually translates to as “End of the Harvest”).

In Irish tradition, October 31st is the last day of autumn, and the night when the door to the spirit or fairy world opens into ours. Hence, how modern Halloween came about! 

Discover more about visiting Ireland in October.

*Info based on Shannon Airport on the west coast of Ireland.

November can be quite dark. Expect an average of 8 hours of daylight with dark evenings. November temperatures range from 6-11°C (42-51) – average temperatures are about 9°C (so that’d be 48). Rainfall is similar to October, between 73-80mm. 

*Info based on Shannon Airport on the west coast of Ireland.

No, it doesn’t snow much in Ireland, and very rarely in autumn. There may be the occasional winter snow, but it’s usually more of a dusting or just a few centimetres than major snows – though the infrequent snowfall in Ireland means that when we do get snow, it can be disruptive.

Coastal regions rarely see snow as the sea temperatures are warmer than the coast meaning coastal precipitation will be rain. Do keep in mind that during the same snowstorm, you’ll see snow just a few miles inland. The main areas of Ireland that get snow are generally inland (in the Irish Midlands), and on higher ground such as hills and mountains.

It does indeed rain in Ireland. The great thing about rain in Ireland is that it rarely rains all day – instead we get showers interspersed with dry periods of clouds, clear skies and sun. Good chance is that if it’s raining now, wait a bit and usually it’ll clear up! It does rain often here – with higher rainfall on the west coast, and even more so in the northwest – so it’s always good to come prepared with plenty of waterproofs.

Shannon’s annual rainfall is 732 mm while Dublin is 493mm and Belfast is 430mm. Compare this to other locations like London (565mm), Paris (590mm), Vancouver (797mm), Oslo (702mm), Chicago (430mm), and New York (620mm).

Make sure that you wear lots of layers, as the weather can be quite changeable in Ireland. Avoid cottons at all cost. Be sure to bring a daypack in which to put extra layers in. Even in summer, you may need to have a hat or gloves while hiking, as mountaintops can be quite cold and windy. It’s important to have waterproofs (not water resistant materials), both waterproof jackets and waterproof pants/trousers. Good boots and wool socks are a must as well.

Read more:

• What to Wear Hiking in Ireland
• What to Bring on a Bike Trip in Ireland
• Boot vs Shoe

From gorgeous autumn colours to fewer tourists on the hills, dramatic lighting, and more availability for accommodations and guides, not to mention harvest and Halloween-related festivities, Ireland in autumn can be a lovely time of year to visit.