New Question about Dingle Way Self-guided Walking Tour

Not Ireland but Wales—-we did a self-guided Three Castles Walk there a few years ago. Three days of walking. It did rain a bit, especially at night, but not constantly, and our rain jackets were sufficient for that. However, we were walking through wet grass and mud the whole time. It helped to have waterproof boots but we had to rinse the mud off at the end of each day. And needed to put on dry socks (wool is essential here) each day. Our lower legs got wet from the grass, so gaiters would have helped with that, but I don’t know that I’d bother.

As for Ireland, it has been 25 years since I was there, but I went in May for 2 weeks, because I had read that May is the least rainy month (also it was my 50th birthday month). WE had only one day with significant rain the whole time, and even then it was “soft” as they say of the rain in Ireland. But maybe climate change has made it very different now.

Have been to Ireland numerous times and never had large amount of rain, mostly showers followed by sun. Yet you never know with weather. I suggest you go. Don't let possibility of weather hold you back from your dreams.

We have same thoughts on a possible Dingle hike. Everyone brings a rain jacket to Ireland. I would also bring my gore tex rain pants. I would plan for getting wet all day. If that did not happen, fine. But I would be prepared.
If you are going inn to inn, you only have to get through it day by day. The worst thing with rain and mud is the transition. At first you may try to stay dry and keep your feet dry by sidestepping mud and finding ways around wet stuff. But eventually you are wet and muddy anyway and at that point you will just accept it. Try and accept that fact sooner rather than later and it will be well.

We've done quite a lot of hiking in Ireland over the years - much of it along the Dingle and Beara peninsulas - and have never encountered much rain at all in June, certainly not the torrential downpours lasting for days that you seem to be concerned about.
On the contrary our experience has been that what rain there was consisted of brief passing showers quickly giving way to sunny skies and generally pretty weather ... ie nothing to be particularly concerned about. We always brought along our Goretex waterproofs just in case but frankly hardly ever had occasion to use them. I recall breaking out the pants exactly one time, only to stow them into my pack about 5 minutes later. The only issue we encountered with hiking in June was that some of the trails could be boggy even if it hadn't rained in several days, making waterproof boots a must. With them (and a good pair of hiking poles) we had no difficulty negotiating any of the trails we encountered along either the Dingle Way or the Beara Way routes.
Might add that having some industrial strength insect repellent at the ready in late Spring/early Summer to counter the occasional hatch of midges would be a good idea.
We always had good luck with the AllTrails App for previewing our hikes in Ireland. Their description of trail conditions and degrees of difficulty have always been spot-on in our experience, and the user reviews have always been helpful as well.
Hiking in Ireland is glorious - go for it.

Hi camperdog3 -

Go for it. Hope for the best but prepare for the worst. It’s a long time since I hiked The Dingle Way, but we did it in summer and I have no recollection of getting a soaking, nor was it especially muddy underfoot (hailing from Yorkshire my definition of what’s muddy and what’s not muddy may differ from your own).

I do remember it being windy in places, especially on the coastal paths, and every mountain pass seemed to be called ‘Windy Gap’ so there is that. I remember a day of sea fog, which burnt off late morning, but I don’t recall ever being wet, the odd passing shower maybe, but mostly I remember it being sunny. Now The Kerry Way, we got a right old douching on the last day of that!

I remember the pace of life slowing to an almost standstill and the hospitality being magnificent. I also recall the evening dining being a notch or two higher than my expectations of settling for a ‘pie and a pint’. Speaking of which, it didn’t matter what time we pitched up at our accommodation, the rooms were never quite ready but our hosts also conveniently owned the adjacent bar and “will you have a drink while you’re waiting?” Consequently, it’s very much possible to be the worse for drink (Guinness) by 6.00 pm. Although knowing you have to be up sharp the next morning to a) face an Irish breakfast of universally gargantuan proportions and b) walk most of the day, well, let’s just say it tempers ambitions towards moderation on the drinks front.

I have only good memories of all our Irish trips and if I had your opportunity to go I’d grab it with both hands. Weather is the only thing you can’t pre order (just about) so travel optimistically but, like I said, be prepared just in case!

Ian

Thank each and every one of you for your kind, helpful, and especially your encouraging responses! I'm VERY grateful. Feeling (a little) better about this this morning. Much appreciated! And if others have add'l things to add, please do--it all helps.

Whatever you do, don't wear jeans while out walking. If they get wet they will cool you down really quickly and also take ages to dry!

Long time reader but this is my first post.

We used Hillwalk Tours in 2019 to hike Hadrian’s Wall. Hiked from coast to coast and did it in 11 days. Excellent experience for us. Loved the B&Bs, the food, the hike, the history. And, yes, take some rain gear. You will get wet. One of our favorite tours.

This may sound bizzare, but what is your attitude towards rain? I've lived in the PNW and southeast Alaska all my life, and sometimes, if you don't go out in the rain, you don't go out for days. 75 days in a row in Juneau one summer. As long as I'm well prepared and I'm staying in a wilderness cabin or paid lodging every night, I don't really mind most rainy days. But I HATE tent camping in the rain. I went on a coast to coast Ireland hike with REI a few years back. Out of 9 days, I considered 1 day to be rainy but not too bothersome. One guy from California whined about rain every day and spent a fortune buying 2 new sets of gore tex jackets, hats and gloves in small town outdoor shops. He didn't have a very happy time. That said, Ireland is my favorite destination any time of year--the people, scenery, pubs, music, history. I've been there a dozen plus times and rain has never been a bother.
P.S. Look at Celtic Nature Walking Tours (Rick recommends it) and Wilderness Ireland. I don't have personal experience with either one but have heard good things about both.