Traveling to Ireland in the spring can be a delightful experience, as the country starts to come alive with blooming flowers, milder weather, and numerous cultural events. Here are the top 10 reasons to visit Ireland in the spring:
Emerald Green Landscapes: Spring is the season when the Irish countryside is at its most vibrant and green. The rolling hills and lush landscapes are especially beautiful during this time.
Mild Weather: Spring offers relatively mild and pleasant weather, making it ideal for outdoor activities like hiking, cycling, and exploring without extreme cold or heat. Air is crisp, clear, and fresh straight off the Atlantic, and shorter days mean amazing sunrises and sunsets.
Wildflowers in Bloom: Ireland’s flora comes to life in spring, with wildflowers like bluebells and primroses painting the landscape with color. Various Bluebell Woods across Sligo, Roscommon, Wicklow, Mayo & more
Fewer Crowds: Spring is considered the shoulder season, so you can enjoy popular attractions and destinations with fewer tourists compared to the busy summer months. Places like the Cliffs of Moher, the Guinness Storehouse and the Giants Causeway will still be busy (they always are!), but they’ll be much quieter in comparison to the summer.
St. Patrick’s Day: If you visit in March, you can celebrate St. Patrick’s Day, Ireland’s national holiday, with parades, music, and festive events throughout the country.
Cultural Festivals: Spring is a time for various cultural events and festivals, including music, literature, and arts festivals. In April, for example, you have the Kilkenny Roots Festival and the Galway Theatre Festival. In May, there’s everything from the Dublin Bay Prawn Festival to Life Festival (a music festival).
Peak Wildlife Season: Spring is the prime time for whale watching along the Irish coast, Dingle Sea Safari is a great way to spot various species, such as humpback and minke whales. Birdwatchers will appreciate the arrival of migratory birds in spring, including puffins, seabirds, and other species on the Irish cliffs and coastlines. Valentia Island & Cliffs of Moher are renowned for their diverse birdlife.
Peak Farmlife Season: Spring is lambing season when fields and paddocks are abounding with bouncing baby lambs and adorable calves. Spring calves in Ireland, like spring lambs, are an important part of the country’s agricultural landscape. These babies are typically born during the spring months, primarily from March to May, which coincides with the spring season in Ireland. Spring calves & lambs, play a vital role in Irish agriculture and are integral to the country’s food production and cultural heritage. They represent the connection between the agricultural traditions of rural Ireland and the natural beauty of the spring season.
Blossoming Gardens: Many of Ireland’s beautiful gardens are in full bloom in spring, offering a feast for the eyes. Walled Victorian Garden of Kylemore Abbey in Connemara & Garnish Island & its paradisal gardens in Co Cork
Renowned Cuisine: Spring is the season for fresh, locally sourced ingredients, making it an excellent time to savor Irish cuisine. Try dishes like lamb stew, seafood chowder, and soda bread. Root vegetables, broccoli & leeks. Fish dishes with cockles, cod, hake, john dory, lemon sole, mussels, oysters, salmon, and trout. Meat dishes with duck & spring lamb.
Spending spring in Ireland – need-to-knows
What is the weather like in Ireland in Spring?
Ireland’s climate is a temperate one, so the temperature doesn’t change that much from Winter to Summer. Maybe an average difference of around 10C. We say the only difference is the rain gets warmer in the summertime :). Always have the rain jacket nearby just in case.
How to convert from Celsius to Fahrenheit: Multiply Celsius amount (say 20ºC, an above average summer day in Ireland) x 1.8 ( = 36) then add 32 = Total is 68ºFarrenheit.
MARCH: By March in Ireland, spring is in full swing. Highs are up to 11°C and lows are just 4°C (40°-50°F). Though skies may be overcast, showers are generally fleeting. Days are slowly getting longer, with sunrise between 6-7am and sunset between 6-7pm, which makes it easier to enjoy Ireland’s lovely sunrises and sunsets.
APRIL: April temperatures have a high of 13° and a low of 6°C (42-55°F), and average rainfall is slightly less than March. April is generally a nice month for getting out into the great outdoors as days are longer, temperatures are a bit higher, and rainfall is a bit less.
MAY: May is often one of the nicest months of the year. Expect temperatures from 8-16°C (50-60°) and similar rainfall to April (48mm). Sunset is not until after 9pm making it easier to spend longer out in the wilds. The terrain is usually less wet, and the fields are lush green and full of wildflowers and bouncing lambs!!!
Highlights on Irelands Spring Cultural Calendar
St. Brigid’s Day is celebrated on February 1st and traditionally marks the beginning of Spring on the Gaelic Calendar. You may see St. Brigid’s crosses as you travel around the country, these are believed to bring protection and blessings.
St. Patrick’s Day falls on the 17th of March and I’m sure you know what a big day it is with its parades and festivities celebrating all things Irish. It’s both a cultural and religious holiday, (also a public holiday) but the pubs and restaurants will definitely be busy.
Your Essential Spring in Ireland Packing List
‘There’s no such thing as bad weather, only bad clothes’…..If you do want to head into the great outdoors, it’s a good idea to pack some extra layers, as well as some quality waterproofs. You might be lucky with some spring sun, so we also suggest packing some sunglasses. The key to navigating Irish weather in the spring is to bring along lots of layers and waterproofs, so you can bundle up if it’s cold, cover up if it’s rainy, and remove things if it’s warm.
- Light, waterproof jacket
- Waterproof and quick-dry pants
- Warm fleece & cotton t-shirts, a mix of short and long-sleeve
- Hiking shoes or boots
- A woolly hat, scarf, gloves & warm socks
Traveling to Ireland in the spring can be a delightful experience, as the country starts to come alive with blooming flowers, milder weather, and numerous cultural events. If visiting Ireland in the spring of 2024 sounds like a wonderful idea please contact our friendly team today via info@irishexperiencetours.com to ask about your 2024 or 2025 tour of Ireland.
