Best time of the year to visit Ireland

We've been in late April, May three times, and June. We've never had more than one day of wet weather, although that's just good luck. We're forced to keep vacations early because we live in a high risk fire area from late June to September, so we can't commit to being too far from home.

Climate data says those are the driest months, while tourism data says the earlier the better if you don't enjoy crowds. Music in pubs is more available in June than May/April. Daylight is, of course, longest in June. Midges are worse in late summer in a few regions.

The opportunity to visit Ireland ANYTIME should be jumped at.

We've traveled to Ireland in all seasons except the dead of winter, and our personal favorite has always been the Spring - specifically April & May - when the gardens and the countryside are alive with flowers.
Though showers are likely, in our experience they've always been of the passing variety with things clearing up quickly followed by plenty of sun.
Add the fact that it's shoulder season and the crowds of summer have not yet arrived and it makes for a very pleasant time of year to visit.

We did Dublin and Northern Ireland in mid-April and had very nice partly cloudy weather with a few brief rain showers. But I have heard spring can be really variable.

We just went this past May; the 3rd week specifically. We had great weather ; every day was sunny and not one drop-of rain. We wore light jackets or sweaters and a few days we didn't even need any outerwear.

Howdy all.

I'm in a bit of a pickle that I hope you may be able to offer some insight on.

Myself and the extended family are planning a visit for 2026 (seems a long time away now) and the sticking-point that we keep coming back to is 'when to go'.

We've been using a local guide (https://www.theirishroadtrip.com/best-time-to-travel-to-ireland/) as a reference point for the pros and cons of each month and 1/2 of the group are leaning towards May while the other 1/2 are all for October.

There are 12 of us so even reaching a point where we now only have 2 options feels like progress (although I try not to remember that we've been talking about this trip since 2004...)

I love the thought of May and the comment above from darkmist1 makes me think the rest of the group will enjoy that month, also!

Am I crazy in thinking that late autumn will be more likely to be 'worse' weather wise?!

Here's our 10-day plan in case anyone is interested!

Days 1, 2 and 3: Arrive and stay in Dublin. Spend 1 day seeing the city and 2 on day trips to wicklow and the boyne valley
Days 4 and 5: Drive across to Galway city, stopping in Athlone en route. Spend 1 day seeing Galway City and another visiting Connemara and Cong
Days 6 and 7: Drive to Adare via the coast of Clare. Spend day 7 seeing adare, limerick city and bunratty
Days 8 and 9: Drive to Killarney and do the ring of kerry. Dingle on day 9.
Day 10: Drive to Shannon for a late flight home

'Cheers' from a hot and humid Texas!

T

October will likely be wetter than May. Shorter days, as well.

I have been to Ireland in March, June and September. If your choice is between May and October I would pick May for more lush Spring scenery and longer daylight. Of my three trips- June followed by March then September were my favorite weather wise.