We're planning to join a 14 day RS tour of Ireland next year....probably in conjunction with travel in England and Scotland. We know how iffy the weather can be...is there a general consensus about July or August having best overall weather in that area? We often like to travel in September but not sure when colder, wet weather arrives. Thanks so much for any input!
Cathy,
The best you can do is to plan in layers. Ireland may have two weeks of warm sunny weather followed by two weeks of damp weather. You would, of course, have breathable rainwear. I traveled there for two weeks in June/July and many times needed a velvet vest under my long rain jacket. The next summer I arrived from two weeks in super hot Eastern Europe and had to buy a sweater (tough, I know).
I do plan to travel light and only used my sun glasses once (June/July). I prefer to travel with a hooded rain jacket. You could also plan to buy a wool scarf in whichever country you stopped first, as that would give you another "layer."
Pam from Bath
I wouldn't write off September. We made both of our trips to Ireland in September (heading home Oct. 4th and September 30th respectively) and our weather was quite good. Locals told us on both occasions that the summers had been lousy--very cold and wet--and that September is often their nicest month.
Pam and PJ,
Thanks so much for your thoughts. We travel light, with layers....always figure that the worst that can happen is we buy more clothes! Good to know about September..it's our favorite time to travel so we'll probably settle on late late August to early September. Again, thanks for taking the time to respond.
Cathy