My clients often ask me ‘When is the best time for us to visit Ireland?’ I always answer truthfully; the best time varies for each person/group. You can visit before, during or after peak season. There are two primary factors clients are most concerned about, namely: weather and cost.
January and February are still winter months in Ireland and there is a strong possibility of snow. This causes anxiety for some of my clients who wish to drive whilst in Ireland. There is an unfortunate tale that circulates travel advisory websites that the roads in Ireland are treacherous and almost impossible to navigate during bad weather. I always advise my clients to allow plenty of time to travel, keep calm and you will be fine. If you are a confident driver at home, I’m sure you will have navigated worse than what you will encounter over here so do not let the weather be a deterrent for travelling to Ireland during the winter months. The positives: There is nothing quite like looking out at a beautiful snowy Irish landscape whilst toasting yourself in front of an Irish turf fire to warm the cockles of your heart. Prices for accommodations and car hire are also much lower during the autumn and winter months so if you’re hoping to do your trip on a budget, these months are most certainly worth considering.
March and April become more spring like when the fields are greener than ever, flowers are blossoming, the most adorable little lambs are born and there is a wonderful freshness in the air. Some people want to visit in March and insist on staying in Dublin for St. Patrick’s Day whilst others don’t like the commercialism and also don’t want to deal with the crowds. The cost of a tour in Ireland during these months is quite economical with the slight exception of accommodation in Dublin on the aforementioned St. Patrick’s Day but we can arrange for you to stay somewhere else on that particular day where the atmosphere will be just as good whilst keeping costs down.
Peak season extends from May to September each year and if you enjoy the buzz and a hearty atmosphere, these are the months you should travel. You are more likely to encounter crowds at each attraction during these months but for some people, that isn’t an issue. The weather is mild, sometimes, dare we say it, even hot! I always think that there is a wonderfully jovial atmosphere in our cities and quaint little towns during these months. People sit outside restaurants/pubs and bathe in the sunshine if we’re lucky enough to be blessed with some. It’s a novelty for us to be able to do that as Irish people so you can understand why it makes us a little giddier than usual! Spirits are high and you will hear natives chat amongst themselves about the ‘wonderful spell of weather we’re getting’.
Many people do not realise that the months following the peak of the season are an untapped gem. Autumn in Ireland weather-wise has proved quite good for the past number of years. We have had very mild September and Octobers with little precipitation and there has been limited frost. There are ample opportunities to do a little hiking in Ireland during these months when the colours of the trees – oranges, various dark greens, browns provide the perfect backdrop for a ramble. The crowds will have dispersed and you are likely to see more of the Country than you would during peak season. Accommodation costs drop and the pace of life slows down.
November and December; the scenery in Ireland on a frosty morning with hazy sunshine is some of the best you will see all year. Yes, the frost can make travelling on the Irish roads a little more difficult but as previously mentioned, I always tell my clients; if you take your time and travel at a safe pace, you will be fine. Many people don’t realise that they will have negotiated worse conditions back home. The cost of accommodation is rock bottom during this time of the year and the excitement of Christmas approaching is contagious. Many cities and towns set up little Christmas Markets to sell homemade produce and should you wish to stay in Ireland for the festivities, we have some wonderful packages to facilitate you and your family.
