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    Summer in Ireland

    Endless days, mild weather, summer festivities and short nights –  welcome to summer in Ireland. During summer in Ireland, expect about 16-18 hours of daylight every day. The world is alive with flora, fauna and activity, and it is the ideal season for being outdoors all day long. Ireland in summer is lush and the mild temperatures make it the best time for swimming. Enjoy a myriad of seasonal events such as festivals, fairs, and concerts and more.

    Irish Summer - All You Need to Know

    Summer in Ireland is the island’s most popular time to visit. Days are long – during the Summer Solstice (the 21st of June), expect up to 17.5 hour of daylight! The weather is mild, with temperatures usually between 15-21°C (60-70°F), there are any number of summer festivals and events on, and the island is bustling with life.

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    Our Summer Trips

    When Does Summer Start in Ireland

    Summer in Ireland, like all seasons on the Emerald Isle, is hard pinpoint an actual start and end exact date. Traditionally speaking, European summers generally start in June and continues through July and August. However, as with other seasons here, Ireland’s Gaelic calendar seasons are a bit different than traditional European seasons.

    On the Gaelic calendar, Summer or Samhradh, spring starts on Bealtaine (May 1st), a festival that celebrates the start of summer. Gaelic Irish summer ends on Lughnasa (August 1st), which marks the start of harvest season. 

    Starts
    Ends
    Meteorological Summer in Ireland
    1st of June31st of August
    Astronomical Summer in Ireland
    20th of June20th of September
    Traditional Gaelic Seasons
    1st May1st of August

    Weather in Ireland During Summer

    Summer is perhaps Ireland’s most popular time of year. However, Irish weather can be quite unpredictable. Temperatures can soar to 25C (77F), or they can be misty and rainy – or anything in between. And yet – summer months have the longest daylight (sometimes up to nearly 18 hours), with some of the driest average weather. Even at its warmest temperatures, Ireland is never excessively hot, making it an ideal place to hike, bike, kayak, or run. 

    Showers are usually short and sporadic, and once good weather and blue skies arrive, it usually stays for several days in a row. That said, it’s always a smart idea to carry several layers to be added or removed as the weather dictates.

    June
    July
    Aug
    Average monthly rainfall 
    40-52 mm (1.5-2 in)40-52 mm (1.5-2 in)43-58mm (1.6-2.2 in)
    Average wind
    15 kph (9.3 mph)15 kph (9.3 mph)15 kph (9.3 mph)
    Average daytime temperature (High)
    18°C (64°F)20°C (68°F)19°C (67°F)
    Average daytime temperature (Low)
    11°C (52°F)13°C (55°F)13°C (55°F)
    Average daylight hours 
    17 hrs16.5 hrs15 hrs

    Source: climateandweather.com and timeanddate.com | Based on an average of the whole country as location. Typically, the mildest regions of Ireland are found in the southeast and southwest regions.

    Irish Summer in Pictures


    Irish Summer Activities

    Go for a Hike

    Popular in Ireland with locals and visitors alike, hiking Ireland in summer is a lovely time of year to explore the four corners of the Emerald Isle. Long days mean lots of time to spend outdoors – take profit of endless days by planning plenty of hikes!

    Hiking trips

    Biking & Cycling

    Cycling in Ireland is lovely all year long. But as is the case with hiking, summer’s long days means lots of time to benefit from be outside, which is particularly ideal for biking. Do take care on the roads as summer is also Ireland’s busiest season.

    Bike Trips

    Coastal Kayaking

    Ireland is an island meaning lots of coastlines to discover. Exploring Ireland by water provides a very different perspective of our beautiful island, and summer is the ideal season for water sports. Grab a paddle and let’s go!

    Self Drive Trips

    The Summer Solstice

    Astronomy has long been important to Ireland – many Neolithic monuments are aligned with solstices or equinoxes. Experience the magic of the Summer Solstice (June 21st) by hiking to a Neolithic site to watch the sun light up the ancient monument. Learn more about the solstice below.

    Solstice in Ireland

    Visit the Islands

    For those visiting in summer, the allure of the coasts is irresistible. Due to ferry schedules, summer is the best time to include an island hopping excursion to your trip. Whether you’re craving the world-famous Skellig Michael to see ancient monasteries and puffins, the quiet islands of the west coast or you prefer to pedal the Aran Islands, view island hopping trips here.

    Island Hopping Tours

    Tailor Made Trips

    Whether you want to combine multiple activities, live out a real-life fairytale in a castle, experience the solstice or join in on any number of summer events and festivities, work with our expert trip designers to create a summer trip of a lifetime.

    Interactive Trip Builder

    Visit Ireland this Summer

    Summer Wildlife

    Summer is a great season for spotting wildlife in Ireland.

    The famous puffins spend months out at sea before returning to the rocky coastal regions of Ireland in order to breed. Puffins typically arrive in Ireland in spring and stay through the summer, about late July or early August. Late spring and early summer is the best time to see puffins in Ireland. Learn more about puffins here.

    During summer, you will also get the chance to see other seabirds, such as gannets, kittiwake, razorbills, guillemots and more. Want more info? Check out our bird-watching in Ireland article here.

    Common seals pupping season starts in late spring and runs through August. Seals come ashore to give birth and the baby seals often stay ashore until they learn how to swim and hunt.

    There’s also a good chance of seeing foxes – though more commonly spotted at night, they do come out during the day, especially considering the long spans of daylight in summer.

    In certain places like Killarney and Wicklow, you’re likely to spot the red deer, though they are perhaps most impressive during autumn during mating season.

    Summer is a good season to spot marine animals such as dolphins, whales and porpoises. You can see them while on boats but you may also spot them from the shore. Your best chance of seeing whales and dolphins is usually from quieter and less-visited coastlines. Learn more about Ireland’s marine wildlife and when to spot them here.

    Ireland's Summer Pantry

    Visiting in Ireland in spring is more than just marvelling at beautiful landscapes. It also means you’ll have the chance to taste some of Ireland’s best and freshest foods from Ireland’s natural larder. Check out our overflowing selection of seasonal fruits, vegetables, seafood and game. (Do keep in mind that many of the below are available in other months as well). 

    June 
    July
    August
    Vegetables & Fruits
    Various berries including, notably currants, beans, beetroot and sweet peas. Various salads.Berries such as blackberries and strawberries. Broccoli, rhubarb, and salads.Swedes, beans, onions, rhubarb, various salads and berries such as blackberries and strawberries.
    Meat & Game
    Lamb.Rabbit and lamb.Grouse, lamb and rabbit.
    Fish & Seafood
    Bream, flounder, haddock, hake, John Dory, lobster, plaice, sole.Haddock, hake, mackerel, plaice, lobster.Crabs, haddock, hake, mackerel, plaice, lobster, squid.

    Summer FAQs

    What are the seasons in Ireland? Read More

    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! 

    What is summer like in Ireland? Read More

    Ireland in summer can be absolutely lovely. Warm – though never uncomfortably hot – days and endless sunshine. There are also days that other countries might probably be described as autumnal. Weather can vary though it is usually the case that summer showers blow over quickly, and when the good sunny weather comes, it comes to stay for days on end.

    Generally, though Irish weather is mild, and you’ll be able to count on lengthy days that are on average 16 hours long!

    What is the weather like in Ireland in June? Read More

    According to the Gaelic Calendar, summer is already well underway by June. June is certainly one of the nicest months of the year. It has some of the driest overall weather with an average rainfall of 40-52 mm or 1.5-2 inches. Temperatures in the 50s° and 60s° F (around 16-18°C). Days are very long – in fact, the longest day of the year is June 21st. June is one of the best months for hiking in Ireland as there is plenty of daylight and the weather is mild. The beginning of June is generally the quietest of the summer season.  

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

    What is the weather like in Ireland in July? Read More

    July temperatures have a high of 20° and a low of 13°C (55-68°F), and average rainfall is similar to June, 40-52 mm or 1.5-2 inches. July is often the warmest month of the year, and there continues to be plenty of daylight – 16-17 hours of daylight, sometimes more depending on how far north you are! July is one of the busiest months of the year to visit Ireland, but also usually has some of the best weather. 

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

    What is the weather like in Ireland in August? Read More

    August is actually the beginning of fall on the Gaelic calendar, an d though August is still officially summer, it starts to feel more like fall. August has a slightly higher level of precipitation – 43-58mm (1.6-2.2 in0 – though this can very depending on what part of the country you’re visiting. August is the most popular month to visit Ireland. Be sure to be prepared with plenty of layers that you can put on or take off to stay comfortable! 

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

    Is it cold in summer in Ireland? Read More

    Yes and no. Though summer is our warmest month, Ireland is not the Mediterranean and the weather can be quite variable. Often temperatures are in the 60s F, with 70F considered quite warm. The best way to enjoy summer in Ireland is to be prepared for a little of everything and have plenty of layers. Do make sure to bring sunscreen as it is indeed possible to get a sunburn in Ireland!

    Does it rain much in Ireland? Read More

    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.

    No matter what region you’re visiting, summer is the driest season and summer showers usually blow away quite quickly while good weather stretches last far longer.

    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).

    What should I wear in Ireland in summer? Read More

    Make sure that you wear lots of layers, as the weather can be quite changeable in Ireland, even in summer. 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.

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    When is peak tourist season? Read More

     

    Peak tourist season in Ireland falls between June until the end of August. July and August are the busiest months of the year and sees the most visitors. However, these visitors are often concentrated in certain regions and iconic spots, and if you avoid these places, you’ll still be able to enjoy the wild spaces of Ireland without the crowds.

     

    Why should I visit Ireland in summer? Read More

    Summer is certainly the most popular time to visit. While this means you’ll share the views and trails with other people, you’ll also benefit from an island buzzing with life and liveliness. The days are long – culminating at the end of June at the Summer Solstice, with up to 18 hours of daylight. Though busy, all hotels, restaurants and activities are open. There are many summer markets, concerts, activities, festivals and fairs throughout the island as well as street fairs, buskers and outdoor activities. It is a time of year when everyone wants to get outdoors!

    Our holidays reviewed
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    Excellent trip. Extremely positive experience.

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    Hiking - Connemara's Atlantic Edge
    Reviewed on 10/06/2019

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