Why Visit Ireland in June?

June 21st is the longest day of the year and is a significant day on the Celtic calendar. It was an important day for the ancient people of Ireland, particularly during the Neolithic period and subsequent ages. Enormous stone monuments were impressively built and painstakingly aligned with the Summer Solstice. On the summer solstice day, the sun shines into monuments across the country, lighting up the chambers inside (one great example is Carrowkeel in Co. Sligo – learn more here).

Celebrating the summer solstice is back in vogue. On the 21st, ancient spots across Ireland come alive with visitors who travel to these spots specifically to watch the sunset on the longest day of the year – carrying on a 5,000-year-old tradition over the same landscapes once viewed by our ancestors. Read more about solstices in Ireland below.

Solstices of Ireland

With more than 2,000 km of coastline along Ireland’s Wild Atlantic Way, it’s safe to say you’ll spend a lot of time along the coast, no matter which trip you choose.

Of course, you can go to the beach any time of year. Locals still enjoy brisk February beach strolls to breathe the fresh, salty air. But for most people, the coastlines and beaches are best enjoyed in summer when the weather is generally at its best.

If you dream of visiting islands, summer is generally the best time for boat crossings. Boats and ferries are weather dependent all year round, but the likelihood of island hopping is strong in June. If you yearn to climb the rough stone steps carved by medieval monks on Skellig Michael or walk the cliffs and tiny communities of the Aran Islands, join one of our island-hopping tours this summer.

Summertime is perfect for sipping Ireland’s delicious brews. There’s nothing better than concluding an exhilarating day on the hills with a crisp gin and tonic or a refreshing pint.

While Guinness reigns supreme (and don’t get us wrong, Guinness is delicious), there are a number of craft beer breweries and craft distilleries springing up all over Ireland. Part of an up-and-coming trend that focuses on local cuisine, pubs are increasingly adding local craft brews to their offerings.

What’s available on tap will depend on which region you’re currently visiting, but craft beer pubs offer a larger range, and off-licenses carry craft brews from all over Ireland (and further afield) if you’re looking for something specific.

So the big question is – which beer will you try first? Use our interactive beer matching tool below to match your tastes and preferences with Irish craft beers.

In the mood for a cocktail? Read through our guide to Irish gin to help you choose which gin you’ll put in your cocktail on your summer trip to Ireland.

Match My Beer

Most often, flowers are thought of as spring bounties. However, the Irish climate is mild and supports wildflowers throughout spring and summer. While some blossoms bloom earlier, like primroses or wild bluebells, others wait until June and July to appear in full colour.

If you’re keen to immerse yourself in Ireland’s plein-air bouquet of wildflowers, look no further than the seemingly barren landscapes of the Burren in Co. Clare. Though a lunar-esque rocky terrain at first glance, look closer: erupting from the crags is a veritable display of diverse wildflowers. According to conservation charity Burrenbeo, they estimate that 70% of Ireland’s 900 native species live in the Burren. (Want more detail about individual flower species in the Burren? Read the Burrenbeo guide here.)