If you go to Ireland in July or August, you can anticipate sensibly warm weather, longer days and a lively schedule of festivals. However, this is peak season, which presents some challenges if you are wanting a bit of privacy.
Spring and autumn can also be wonderful seasons, with smaller crowds of vacationers. Winter weather can be harsh, but the west coast in particular, does look gorgeous in the rain, and there is usually a pub nearby to duck in. However, in many Irish towns cafés and bed and breakfasts close down around October and do not reopen until Easter.
The temperature only drops below freezing sporadically during the winter and snow is in short supply. Summers aren't that hot, rarely hitting 30° C (86° F), nevertheless whatever the time of year you decide to visit, be prepared for rain The heaviest rain usually falls where the scenery is best: luscious County Kerry can be drizzle-bound on as many as 270 days of the year. If you do find that, the rain making you miserable you might find some relief in the Irish saying: 'It doesn't rain in the pub'!
HOLIDAYS
January - New Year's Day
March - St Patrick's Day*
March - Good Friday1
March - Easter Day
March - Easter Monday
May - May Day
June - June Bank Holiday
August - August Bank Holiday
October - October Bank Holiday
December - Christmas Day
December - St. Stephen's Day
*St Patrick's Day is moved to the Monday following if it falls on a Sunday.
1Not officially a holiday, but in practice normally given.
**Church Holidays
You should know:
An employer can may replace a public holiday (with the exception of Christmas Day and Saint Patrick's Day) by the church holiday immediately preceding it unless it falls on a Sunday. The employee must be informed of this at least 14 days in advance.
Weekend - Saturday, Sunday
