Best time to visit County Tipperary - Plan Your County Tipperary, Ireland Trip for Every Season

Best time to visit County Tipperary

Plan your trip to Ireland carefully by considering the typical climate during the period you wish to visit and the events and festivals that will be taking place.

Ireland's climate

Although Ireland lies at roughly the same northerly latitude as Newfoundland, it has a mild, moist climate, because of the prevailing southwesterly winds and the influence of the warm Gulf Stream along its western coast. As no part of the island is more than 110km (70 miles) from the sea, temperatures are fairly uniform over the whole country.

Average temperatures in the coldest months, January and February, are between 4–7°C (39–45°F) and in the warmest months, July and August, between 14–16°C (57–61°F), occasionally reaching as high as 25°C (77°F). The sunniest months are May and June, with an average of 5½–6½ hours of sunshine a day over most of the country. The sunniest region is the extreme southeast.

Parts of the west of the country are twice as wet as the east because of the prevailing Atlantic winds, with annual rainfall averaging 1,500mm (59 inches).

Rural Ireland is best avoided from November to February, as cold and rainy weather can persist everywhere, and the daylight hours are short, running from about 8.30am to 4.30pm. However, city breaks at that time of year can be very enjoyable, with open fires in many pubs and restaurants adding to the ambience.

High and low season in Ireland

July and August are the high season for Irish family holidays, and also see the greatest influx of holidaying families from the UK. Prices and pressure on facilities rise accordingly. The best times to visit are late spring and early autumn. There are some excellent bed and breakfast rates to be had outside the high season, especially if you stay two or more nights. Seaside destinations will be crowded in the summer, while in the more remote areas, including the Ring of Kerry and Connemara, many smaller guesthouses and restaurants close from October or November to mid-March or April.

Dublin International Film Festival

second half of February

Dublin

Hosts world premières and the best in Irish and international filmmaking.

St Patrick's Day Festival

17th March

Dublin

Ireland celebrates on 17 March and the nearest weekend with a major parade of marching bands in central Dublin.

Cuirt International Festival of Literature

mid-April

Galway City

An international cast of leading writers and poets congregate in Galway city for five days in mid-April.

Cathedral Quarter Arts Festival

first week of May

Belfast

Starting on the May Day bank holiday and continuing for a week beyond, Belfast’s city centre is abuzz with arts events, from readings to concerts.

Cork International Choral Festival

first week of May

Cork

A jam-packed programme featuring the very best of international vocal music with gala concerts, competitions and master classes.

Fleadh Nua Music Festival

last week of May

Ennis, County Clare

Traditional musicians flock to Ennis in County Clare in the last week of May. Official competition programme and a lively fringe.

Bloomsday

16th June

Dublin

Dubliners celebrate James Joyce’s novel Ulysses on 16 June by dressing in Edwardian finery and re-enacting scenes from the novel. Readings, performances and guided walks.

Cork Midsummer Festival

Midsummer Day

Cork City

Centred around Midsummer Day, Cork city hosts a feast of site-specific theatre, live music and other arts events.

Irish Derby

last weekend of June

Curragh racecourse, County Kildare

Smartly dressed punters watch the cream of the world’s bloodstock compete at the Curragh race course, County Kildare, on the last weekend in June.

Galway Arts Festival

third week of July

Galway City

The city comes alive in the third week of July with myriad arts events, including a big top for concerts and a street parade.

West Cork Chamber Music Festival

late June

County Cork

For 10 days from the last Friday in June, international virtuosi perform around 60 concerts in the intimate surroundings of Bantry House and the town church.

Dublin International Horse Show

first week of August

Dublin

Highlight of Ireland’s equestrian and social year, held in Ballsbridge, Dublin, in the first week of the month: international showjumping for teams and individuals.

Kilkenny Arts Festival

second week of August

Kilkenny

Long-established multi-arts festival in the compact medieval town during the second week in August, especially strong on visual arts.

Oul' Lammas Fair

end of August

Ballycastle, County Antrim

Believed to be one of Ireland’s oldest traditional fairs, with horse-dealing and free entertainment in the streets of Ballycastle, County Antrim.

Clarenbridge Oyster Festival

beginning of September

Galway

The opening of the Galway oyster season is marked on the first weekend by demonstrations, competitions and free entertainment.

Lisdoonvarna Matchmaking Festival

early September

County Clare

Traditional harvest festival where matchmakers in the tiny Clare village pair up singletons amid music and dancing.

Belfast Festival at Queen's

mid–late October

Belfast

One of the biggest arts festivals on the island is centred on Belfast’s university in mid-late October.

Cork Jazz Festival

last weekend of October

Cork City

Major stars of the jazz scene pack the city on the last weekend in October.

Dublin Theatre Festival

late September-October

Dublin

Theatrical companies from all over the world play alongside new Irish productions for two weeks in late September–October.