Ireland
Dublin's literary links, a rugged Atlantic coast and lively traditional music. Rain is heaviest in winter.
The Republic of Ireland, usually called Ireland, takes up 26 of the island's 32 counties in north-western Europe. The other six, Northern Ireland, belong to the United Kingdom. Dublin, on the east coast, is the capital and largest city, and its wider population tops 1.5 million. James Joyce set his novel Ulysses there, a 1922 book that follows the Odyssey.
The west has rugged cliffs, hills and mountains, with many islands, peninsulas and bays along the coast. Carrauntoohil, in the MacGillycuddy's Reeks in County Kerry, is the highest point at 1,038.6 m. Skellig Michael, an early Christian monastic site, lies off the Kerry coast, and Neolithic monuments such as Brú na Bóinne and Poulnabrone dolmen are older still. Rain is heaviest in winter, and the southwest gets the most. May and June are the sunniest months. Motorways link Dublin with Cork, Limerick, Waterford and Galway.
Five things to know before Ireland
- Expect a passport stamp, not an EES scan
Ireland is in the EU but outside Schengen and does not use the EES. US, Canadian and Australian passports need no visa for a tourist visit, and the immigration officer stamps your stay for up to 3 months. Visa checker
- Get a UK ETA before you cross into Northern Ireland
A UK ETA applies when you enter the UK from Ireland, unless you are British or Irish or live in Ireland. Day trips to Belfast or Derry count. UK ETA explained
- Rent a car for the west coast, and drive on the left
Trains and buses link Dublin with Galway and Killarney, but Connemara and the Ring of Kerry are much easier by car. Roads are narrow, so allow extra time. County Kerry
- Pack a rain jacket in every season
Showers blow through all year, often with sun in between. Pack a waterproof jacket and keep one indoor option for each day.
- Book the Book of Kells and Guinness Storehouse ahead
Both sell timed tickets online and are busiest in summer and at weekends. Early slots are the calmest. Dublin
Ireland travel guides
Practical guides from writers who live there.
Museums, pubs and where to base yourself.
Read the guideGalwayThe city, the Aran Islands and Connemara.
Read the guideCounty KerryThe Ring of Kerry, Dingle and Killarney.
Read the guideCliffs of MoherTickets, hours and the best time to go.
Read the guideInishowen PeninsulaMalin Head and the far north of the Republic.
Read the guideUK ETA for the northWhy most visitors need one for Northern Ireland.
Read the guideVisa checkerCheck the entry rule for your passport.
Read the guideGetting aroundTrains, buses and driving on the left.
Read the guide
Destinations in Ireland
RegionThe BurrenExplore
RegionCounty DublinExplore
RegionCounty WicklowExplore
RegionCounty MayoExplore
RegionCounty KerryExplore
RegionInishowen PeninsulaExplore
RegionBeara PeninsulaExplore
RegionCounty MeathExplore
RegionCounty CorkExplore
RegionCounty GalwayExplore
RegionCounty ClareExplore
RegionCounty DonegalExplore
RegionDingle PeninsulaExplore
Hostel beds, cheap eats, buses and free sights.
- Bed a night
- €35
- Food
- €25
- Transport
- €7
- Sights
- Free
A 3-star room, casual restaurants, public transport and one paid sight a day.
- Bed a night
- €100
- Food
- €60
- Transport
- €25
- Sights
- €25
A 4-star room, good restaurants, taxis and a guided tour.
- Bed a night
- €160
- Food
- €110
- Transport
- €70
- Sights
- €75
When to go
- Rainy days
- Best
- JanuaryRain13 rainy daysHigh8°Low3°Cold, wetJanuaryRain
- High
- 8°
- Low
- 3°
- Precipitation
- 67 mm
- Rainy days
- 13
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Cold, wet
- FebruaryRain14 rainy daysHigh9°Low4°Cold, dampFebruaryRain
- High
- 9°
- Low
- 4°
- Precipitation
- 72 mm
- Rainy days
- 14
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Cold, damp
- MarchRain14 rainy daysHigh10°Low4°St Patrick's DayMarchRain
- High
- 10°
- Low
- 4°
- Precipitation
- 77 mm
- Rainy days
- 14
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
St Patrick's Day
- AprilRain13 rainy daysHigh11°Low6°Mild, springAprilRain
- High
- 11°
- Low
- 6°
- Precipitation
- 73 mm
- Rainy days
- 13
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Mild, spring
- MayRain13 rainy daysHigh14°Low8°Long daysMayRain
Best
- High
- 14°
- Low
- 8°
- Precipitation
- 65 mm
- Rainy days
- 13
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Long days
- JuneRain14 rainy daysHigh17°Low11°Longest daysJuneRain
Best
- High
- 17°
- Low
- 11°
- Precipitation
- 78 mm
- Rainy days
- 14
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Longest days
- JulyRain15 rainy daysHigh18°Low12°Warm, busyJulyRain
- High
- 18°
- Low
- 12°
- Precipitation
- 78 mm
- Rainy days
- 15
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Warm, busy
- AugustRain13 rainy daysHigh18°Low12°Warm, busyAugustRain
- High
- 18°
- Low
- 12°
- Precipitation
- 81 mm
- Rainy days
- 13
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Warm, busy
- SeptemberRain14 rainy daysHigh16°Low11°Mild, quieterSeptemberRain
Best
- High
- 16°
- Low
- 11°
- Precipitation
- 96 mm
- Rainy days
- 14
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Mild, quieter
- OctoberRain14 rainy daysHigh14°Low9°Cool, autumnOctoberRain
- High
- 14°
- Low
- 9°
- Precipitation
- 91 mm
- Rainy days
- 14
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Cool, autumn
- NovemberRain13 rainy daysHigh10°Low6°Wet, darkNovemberRain
- High
- 10°
- Low
- 6°
- Precipitation
- 91 mm
- Rainy days
- 13
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Wet, dark
- DecemberRain14 rainy daysHigh9°Low5°Dark, festiveDecemberRain
- High
- 9°
- Low
- 5°
- Precipitation
- 86 mm
- Rainy days
- 14
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Dark, festive
Average daily high and low in Dublin, 2016–2025. Rainy day: 1 mm of rain or more.
Right now in Ireland
Local time, today's weather and the exchange rate, refreshed through the day.
10
- Feels like
- 9°
- Humidity
- 79%
- Wind
- 9 km/h
- Chance of rain
- 0%
Dublin
09:13 PM
Monday, November 2
- Today12°8°0%Monday: Cloudy. High 12°, Low 8°. Chance of rain 0%.
- Tue12°8°71%Tuesday: Drizzle. High 12°, Low 8°. Chance of rain 71%.
- Wed12°10°64%Wednesday: Drizzle. High 12°, Low 10°. Chance of rain 64%.
- Thu11°9°24%Thursday: Cloudy. High 11°, Low 9°. Chance of rain 24%.
- Fri9°8°11%Friday: Cloudy. High 9°, Low 8°. Chance of rain 11%.
- Sat11°8°31%Saturday: Drizzle. High 11°, Low 8°. Chance of rain 31%.
- Sun11°10°18%Sunday: Cloudy. High 11°, Low 10°. Chance of rain 18%.
Updated 04:52 PM local time · Powered by WeatherAPI.com · Weather data by Open-Meteo.com
Festivals by month
- Jan
- Feb
- MarSt Patrick's Festival DublinDublin
- Apr
- May
- Jun
- JulGalway International Arts FestivalGalway
- Aug
- Sep
- Oct
- Nov
- Dec
On tour in Ireland: Sabaton The Legendary Tour Part 2 Dublin, Apr 7, 2027 · Rod Stewart The Final Encore Dublin, Apr 23, 2027 · Nickelback Everything Under the Sun Tour 2027 Dublin, May 30, 2027 · Harry Styles Together, Together 2027 Dublin, Aug 18 – 21, 2027 · Oasis Live '27 Slane, Sep 4 – 5, 2027
Before you go to Ireland
Ireland FAQ
Do I need a visa for Ireland?
Not for a tourist visit on a US, UK, Canadian, Australian, German or Spanish passport, per the Irish Immigration Service's list. Non-EU visitors get a landing stamp of up to 3 months. Check other passports in the visa checker.
Is Ireland in Schengen?
No. Ireland is in the EU but outside Schengen and does not take part in the EES, so you do not register for it on arrival. It shares the Common Travel Area with the UK.
Do I need a UK ETA to visit Northern Ireland from Dublin?
Yes, unless you are British, Irish or live in Ireland. GOV.UK lists those exemptions, and the ETA covers Northern Ireland as part of the UK.
How many days do I need in Ireland?
A week covers Dublin, Galway with the Cliffs of Moher, and County Kerry. Add Cork or Kilkenny for ten days, and a few more for Northern Ireland's Causeway Coast.
When is the best time to visit Ireland?
May, June and September give long days and fewer crowds than July and August. Rain is possible in every month.