Spring in Ireland: Everything You Need to Know for a Stunning trip

Save to Find It Later!

Are you looking to spend spring in Ireland? You’re in the right place! After living in Ireland for over 3 years, we’ve finally come to the agreement that visiting Ireland during spring is the perfect time to get the most out of the Emerald Isle! Spring is also the most romantic time of the year so this post is especially relevant to all the couples out there who wish to explore our island! 

In this post, you will find all the travel tips and information you need to have the best time in Ireland during springtime, from where to stay (including a few gems!), what to do, the weather, what to wear and the budget needed. 

***Some of the links in this post are affiliate links meaning we earn a small commission at no extra cost to you. This does not change the fact that we only recommend products, stays, activities and attractions we are satisfied with and all opinions expressed here are our own.

Spring In Ireland FAQs

When is first day of spring in Ireland?

“What is the first day of spring in Ireland”, “what months are spring in Ireland”, “when is spring in Ireland 2022”, so many questions that come back around every year at the same period! And there is a good reason why: spring in Ireland doesn’t start on the same day depending on what calendar you’re looking at. We know, it’s surprising, but it’s a true story. 

Meteorologically speaking, spring in Ireland starts on the 1st of March and ends on the 31st of May. This means that the months of spring in Ireland are March, April and May. 

Astronomically speaking, springtime in Ireland starts on the 20th of March and ends on the 20th of June meaning spring in Ireland months are March, April, May and June. 

In the Gaelic tradition, spring in Ireland starts on the 1st of February and ends on the 1st of May. This means that the springtime months in Ireland are February, March, and April.

As you see, seasons in Ireland aren’t as straightforward as one could hope. For ease of reference and practicality, we have taken the stand to follow the meteorological calendar. From March to May is usually when the Irish weather resembles spring weather the most. February is still quite cold with sometimes snow falling which makes it a bit early to be considered spring in our opinion. 

Why is February spring in Ireland?

Some people in Ireland consider that the 1st of February is the start of spring. This belief follows the traditional Gaelic seasons. The 1st of February is also St Brigid Day, St Brigid being one of the three patron Saints of Ireland. 

How many days does it rain in Ireland in spring? 

Although Ireland in the spring gets some of the best weather of the year, the Irish weather remains quite unstable. It is Ireland after all! Spring is the least rainy season in Ireland with April being usually the driest month and having the best weather in Ireland in spring . Between March and April, the number of rainy days per month averages around 13. The rainiest month of the year is November with an average of 20 days of rain. 

When is spring break in Ireland?

Spring break in Ireland usually falls during April.

What is the best month to travel to Ireland during spring?

As you’ve seen, depending on the calendar you follow, spring months range between February to June. We are of the view that the best spring month to travel to Ireland is April. During April, you’ll usually get the best Ireland spring weather with the least rain and the most sun out fo the year. In addition, April is still quiet so Ireland is more affordable. In April, days also get longer. It’s the month with the best weather, less crowds and most affordable!

What is the Irish for spring?

In Irish, spring is Earrach. We will let you check out you’re supposed to pronounce that! 

When is summer in Ireland?

In Ireland, summer lasts from June to September although the weather is pretty average with a mix of rain and sun and temperatures around 18°C/20°C.

Where to stay in Ireland in spring

During spring, one amazing thing to do is going glamping in the Wicklow Mountains National Park. The national park is gorgeous and the accommodations are quite cool and romantic with hot tubs and stunning views. Some of our favourites are:

• These glamping pods in Glendalough, one of the most beautiful area of the national park
• This charming bell tent right in the centre of the county for an idyllic vacation away from all the noise! 

Other hotels of choice for spring in Ireland include:

• These luxury lodges with hot tubs in Doolin
• This romantic snug cabin perfect when exploring the North of Ireland
• This gorgeous castle stay in beautiful Donegal 
• This stunning lodge with views over Lake Ree
• This beautiful hotel by the sea with a pool that is perfect for relaxation and for exploring the South of Ireland 

If you’re on a bit of a lower budget, we recommend those gems:

• This port accommodation with a sauna and hot tub for private hire and views on the sea. This is a bit of gem as it is among the cheapest accommodations in Ireland! You will be niched in the midst of the Ring of Kerry. Truly an unbeatable deal and location here! 
• Do you want to be immersed in wild Ireland, surrounded by the sea with a chance to observe dolphins and Irish wildlife? Then this tent with a hot tub is for you! This is a bit of a wilder way to camp but will offer so many beautiful sceneries, a memorable experience and a gorgeous homemade breakfast! This is perfect for couples looking to retreat themselves from the busy life, connect back with nature and enjoy a hot tub session with incredible views! 

Budget for visiting Ireland in Spring

Spring in Ireland is the shoulder season for tourism. This is the period between the low season which is winter and the high season which is summer. (You can learn more about what to do in Dublin in the winter here.)

Summer in Ireland is the most expensive time to come to Ireland and that’s because it is the high tourism season. During summer, most European countries are off school so this is people’s time of choice to come to Ireland. Most people also think that the weather in Ireland is the best during the summer, which you’ll see, isn’t exactly accurate. From June to the end of August, tourism costs in Ireland increase. The most expensive expenses at that time of the year include:

• flight and ferry: you can expect to pay around €800 for a ferry round trip with one passenger and one car
• accommodation: Ireland is a small island and doesn’t have that many accommodation options when compared to France or Spain. The higher the demand, the higher the costs! During summer, a night at a hotel can easily cost around €200 and it won’t even be that nice of a hotel! Staying at guest houses or Airbnb can be a bit cheaper but it’s not always the case.
• car rental: again, Ireland being a small island, there isn’t an unlimited number of rental cars. Recently, tourists have reported costs of over €100 per day for a rental car, which adds up quickly if you’re staying over a week.

Spring, being the shoulder season, it is for the most part less expensive than summer. During that season, you can find accommodations for under €100 per night, car rentals are cheaper and flights and ferries are definitely more affordable. 

The only exception to that is around St Patrick’s Day. St Patrick’s celebrations are a symbol of Ireland and are celebrated on 17 March. Usually, the celebrations last a couple of days and fall on a weekend. At that time of the year, you can expect costs to spike way beyond what’s reasonable. Most people book their trip to Ireland during St Patrick’s Day months, if not a full year, in advance. This means that if you book too late, you’ll have a hard time finding any flight tickets or hotel rooms and if you do, they’ll be way overpriced. We are talking about basic hotel rooms renting for €500 up to €1000 a night.

If you are looking to visit Ireland during spring around St Patrick’s Day, we would recommend booking at least 6 months in advance to at least have options. If you are on a budget and don’t care so much about St Patrick’s Day, we would recommend avoiding that specific weekend. The reality is that even though St Patrick’s Day is a symbol and a big celebration, streets, pubs and everything is hyper crowded at that time. You will be able to experience the Irish culture and pub ambiance just as much at a different time, and for much cheaper!

Pros and cons to spending spring in Ireland

There are several pros and cons to spending spring in Ireland.

Pros to spending spring in Ireland

• Budget: As set out above, spring is the shoulder season and everything is cheaper than during summer
• Long days: During spring in Ireland, the days are getting longer. In May for example, there is daylight until 9:30pm which allows for additional hours to explore Ireland!
• Weather: From experience, we would be of the view that the weather is the best during spring. If you thought that summer in Ireland has the best weather, you are wrong. During spring, we usually get the highest number of sunny days with temperatures that can sometimes go up to 25°C (more on this below). This is a great time for everything outdoors! Our favourite months are April and March. In comparison, summer is usually grey with very average temperatures sometimes as low as 15°C and lots of rain, especially in the west of the country. 
• Less crowded: Overall, Ireland is less crowded at that time of the year so it’s a great time to come visit if you like to book things last minute or don’t like to wait in line for too long. 

Cons to spending spring in Ireland

• Budget around St Patrick’s Day: Costs go up around St Patrick’s Day and it can be hard to find flights and hotels at that time. We would recommend avoiding the weekend around the 17th of March all together.

Why is visiting Ireland in Spring romantic

When spring starts in Ireland, everything starts blooming all over the country. Between lands covered in beautiful wildflowers, and lambs roaming all around, spring is a super cute time to be in the country. At that time of the year, there are lots of romantic things to do in Dublin, but also in the country, especially outdoors. For example, it’s a great time to hike all the way to Lough Ouler, a heart shaped-lake in the Wicklow Mountains National Park or go on a road trip around the Dingle Peninsula. Overall, Spring is the season that most couples choose to get married in Ireland.

Weather in Ireland in March

The weather in Ireland March offers can vary greatly from one year to another. There has been years where March was a cold month with snow and hail storms while some other years have had Ireland temperature in March up to 20°C and very little rain. 

The Ireland weather in March usually involves about 10 to 15 days of rain which is much less than winter months like November. 

The maximum average temperature in Ireland in March is around 10°C (50°F), but like we’ve said, this number can sometimes peak at around 20°C on good years. The minimum average temperatures in March are usually around 3°C (37°F). 

Note that the weather in Southern Ireland in March can be quite different from the weather in Dublin or East Coast. The South West especially gets a lot more rain and the Galway area is more windy. 

The period March April is also the period where days are getting longer with up to 14 hours of daylight per day. Morning and evenings, although light out, definitely get colder than the peak of the day. 

What to wear in Ireland in March

The Ireland weather March offers great conditions to explore the island. If you are going to spend a lot of time outside, we would recommend wearing a lot of layers. Pants are definitely a must as it is too cold to wear shorts. As for tops, we would recommend layering tank tops or t-shirts with one sweater. You’ll definitely need to wear a winter coat or jacket and bring a hat, gloves and a scarf. As for shoes, if you’re going to spend a lot of time outdoors, hiking shoes are definitely a must. 

Weather in Ireland in April

The weather in Ireland late March early April starts to change and get warmer.  The Ireland weather in April is similar to spring on mainland Europe with a minimum average temperature in Ireland in April is around 6°C (42)F) while the maximum average temperature is 13°C (56°F). 

The weather in Ireland April offers is perfect for spending time outside without being too cold especially on sunny days. 

Is April a good time to visit Ireland?

Yes, April is one of the best months to visit as the days are longer, the temperatures higher and it is the month that gets the least rain out of the year. 

What to wear in Ireland in April?

In April, we would recommend layering your clothes as in March. However, we would also recommend bringing a lighter jacket than a winter coat. Although mornings are cold, the days can be quite comfortable. You will need a jacket though, just not as thick and warm as you would at Christmas. Don’t forget to bring sunglasses as days can be quite bright and squinting gets tiring. Again, hiking shoes are a must! 

Weather in Ireland in May

The weather in Ireland in May is quite nice and can sometimes be just as nice as summer on mainland Europe. The Ireland weather in April and May is actually the best out fo the years with some days peaking at 25°C (77°F). The minimum average temperatures in May in Ireland are around  8°C (40°C) and the maximum average temperatures are around 16°C (50°F). 

May is also very sunny with about 12 days of rain in the month which makes it, with April, the driest month of the year. With up to 16 hours of daylight, May is a great month to come to Ireland if you like to hang out in the evening!

What to wear in Ireland in May

In May, we would still recommend wearing layers and bringing a jacket. However, we would suggest bringing t-shirts and one pair of shorts in your suitcase as days can sometimes gets really hot. Don’t forget to bring sunscreen as well as the sun can be stronger at that time of the year. If you are as brave as the Irish, bring your swimsuit to go bathe in the Irish lakes! This is a popular time for locals to go bathing including in the Irish Sea! 

Things to do in Spring in Ireland

There are lots of things to do in Ireland in the spring. In this section, we have gathered some of the best places to visit in Ireland in spring. You can visit our Ireland posts for more ideas and itineraries. 

What to do in Ireland in March

One of the best things to do in Ireland in March is taking part in the St Patrick’s Day celebrations around Ireland. Celebrations are the largest in Dublin city. On the March 17th, which is a holiday in the country, Dublin streets fill up with crowds of both locals and tourists. The day usually start with a large parade across the city made of several floats, dancers and musicians. The parade usually starts around 11am and goes through the main parts of the city such as O’Connell Street and Dame Street. If you are attending the parade, be prepared to be surrounded by fun people! 

After the parade, people will usually get some lunch and join the fun at pubs! Most pubs will have live music and plenty of drinks for everyone. You’ll see people wearing funny hats and of course, everyone wears green!

Besides the pub crawl, Dublin also sets up a mini fair every year by the Custom House. There you’ll find a Ferris wheel and some traditional fair games. We have a lot of fun at this every year and it’s nice to have something to do other than spending time at pubs, especially when you live in the country! You can check Dublin City website to be informed of any other celebrations on the day. 

Wildlife in Ireland during Spring

Ireland doesn’t have exotic animals but it does have wildlife that you can regularly spot when traveling around. Spring is the season for Puffins and seabirds, especially along the West Coast near Skellig Michael. 

During spring, you will also be able to spot lambs especially if you are going to explore more of the countryside. 

Seals and sealions are also quite numerous in the country and the good news is that you don’t have to go very far to spot them. For example, we regularly see a seal and even otters in the Liffey and around Dublin! You can spot Common seals on beaches such as Dollymount beach near Dublin or Glen beach in Wicklow.

Around Cork, you can take this tour to go watch whales, dolphins and seals in the wild! This is a popular tour that will leave you with unforgettable memories!

One thing we would recommend doing in Ireland during spring (as the weather is better) is walking an alpaca. There are several alpaca walking farms in Ireland and it is an amazingly fun, quirky and cute activity to do for couples but also families and friends! You usually go for a walk in a small group so you get plenty of opportunities to snuggle your alpaca and the whole experience feels authentic. We had a blast when we did it and always recommend it now!

Dublin in Spring 

Dublin in the spring is super nice. The trees in the city bloom and there are flowers everywhere. There are a lot of cool things to do in Dublin during spring but one of the top things to do is going to see the Phoenix Park deer. In late spring, you can start seeing babies and it’s quite cute! Phoenix Park is also great to visit and perfect to take a walk on a nice sunny day. 

Of course, you’ll want to visit the hot tourist spots such as:

• The Guinness Storehouse which offers a 360° view on the city which is particularly nice when it’s sunny out. You can get your tickets here.
• Dublin Castle and its beautiful gardens in the back. Don’t forget to check out the Chester Beatty Library museum which is one of the fun free museums in Dublin.
• Trinity College and the Book of Kells, get your tickets here. 
• The free botanic garden for beautiful flowers and gorgeous tropical glass houses 

Near Dublin, we would recommend heading to Bull Island and Dollymount beach for a gorgeous afternoon. You might even spot seals out in the water or one the beach! 

Hiking during Spring in Ireland

One of the top things to do during spring in Ireland is going on a walk or a hike. The country has endless options of hikes for all abilities all over the country. Close to Dublin, you’ll find our list of the best walks in this post. From gorgeous views to historical walks, you won’t be disappointed! On your walks and hikes, always keep an eye for spring flowers in Ireland and the Irish wildlife (more on this below). 

If you are willing to adventure outside the city, we highly recommend heading to the Wicklow Mountains National Park.Some of our favourite walks there include the Devil’s Glen and the hike to Lough Ouler. You’ll need to be equipped with good hiking shoes especially for Lough Ouler as the path can be muddy. You’ll be surrounded by nature and local sheep! They are both gorgeous walks and perfect for spring! To get to Wicklow, we recommend renting a GoCar, especially if it’s just for a day or two. You can easily download the app and it’s usually cheaper than renting a car at the airport, at least if it’s just for a couple of days. 

We recommend this tour to get the best of Wicklow, Glendalough and Kilkenny! 

If you prefer chill walks, don’t forget that Ireland is one of the best Europe beach destinations for active visitors. From riding horses on the beach to taking long beach walks with views on the Ring of Kerry, beaches of Ireland won’t disappoint couples looking for a romantic moment at the beach. Spring is particularly a good time to take part in these activities as it has got the most sunny days! 

Road trip to the hot tourists spots

Ireland is a stunning country for road trips. The island being quite on a smaller scale, you can easily do a couple of road trips if you’re staying at least a week. During spring, roads aren’t too busy and hot spots are not yet invaded by tourists which makes it a great time to visit. We listed some of our favourite road trips in Ireland:

• Road trip to Northern Ireland: Stop by the Carrick-O-Rede suspension bridge and follow the Antrim coast all the way to the Giant’s Causeway! If you have time, stop by the Bushmills Distillery for a great visit. We loved visiting Northern Ireland and would highly recommend this road trip if you love beautiful sceneries. You can also stop for a day in Belfast. Learn about the differences between Dublin and Belfast here and which you should choose. 

If you don’t want to drive to Northern Ireland, we recommend this tour to Northern Ireland. 

• Road trip to the West Coast: We highly recommend a trip to the West Coast with the trio Connemara National Park, Galway and the Cliffs of Moher. While in the Connemara, don’t forget to stop by Dog’s beach and the Abbey of Kylemore. 

If you don’t want to drive to Galway and the Cliffs of Moher, we recommend this tour which is a very popular one.

• Road trip to the South East Coast: Head to Cork first and then to Ireland’s cutest and more colourful village, Kinsale. Immerse yourself in the local Irish life and the fishing culture. You’ll love coming back to Dublin through the interior and stopping at the Rock of Cashel, one of Ireland’s most famous landmarks!

• Road trip to the South West of Ireland: The South West of Ireland is probably one of our favourite parts of the country. You can follow the Wild Atlantic Way all along the coast for beautiful views. When in the South West, you’ll want to visit the Dingle Peninsula and the Ring of Kerry! Don’t forget to stop by Muckross House and Kilkenny as well!

If you don’t want to drive to the South West, we recommend this tour to discover Cork and the Irish Painted Ladies. 

This 3 day tour is also exceptional and will take you from the Cliffs of Moher to the Ring of Kerry and Cork, allowing you to explore most of the Atlantic Way! 

• A road trip to the North West: County Donegal and Sligo are known for being some of the most beautiful places in Ireland. With wide and beautiful beaches and mountains, the county is the favourite of a lot of locals. While in the area, don’t forget to check out the Slieve League Cliffs. 

Spring festivals in Ireland 

Spring in Ireland is also festival season!  Whether you’re in Dublin or road tripping across the country, there are several festival options. The Kilkenny Roots Festival and the Galway Theatre Festival take place during the month of April while the Life Festival takes places during May. In Dublin, you’ll find the Dublin Bay Prawn Festival and the Taste of Dublin Festival. Taste of Dublin is a fun Irish food festival that takes place in the city so it is easily accessible if you don’t want to travel too much out of the city. 

Any questions about Ireland in the spring? Then drop them in the comments or on insta and we will get back to you asap.