Table of Contents
Is April a good time to visit Ireland?
If you are looking for an ideal spring vacation destination, look no further than Ireland in April. The tourist season is slowly kicking off again, the average temperatures increase and the evenings are bright until at least 8.00 pm.
The definite feeling of spring in the air makes it a great month to visit the Emerald Isle.
What’s the weather like in Ireland in April?
Regardless of when you plan on visiting Ireland, you should expect to encounter some rain. Luckily, April is usually one of the driest months, but it could still be a bit showery.
Once you are prepared with the right clothes, the Irish weather is unlikely to disrupt your plans too much.
Take a look at our detailed post about the weather in Ireland in April, which also includes a section about the weather in Dublin during the month.
What to do in Ireland in April
Photo by Chris Hill / Fáilte Ireland via Ireland’s Content Pool
Scenic routes such as the Slea Head Drive near Dingle in County Kerry are best driven without much traffic. April is therefore a good time of the year to plan an Ireland road trip as the tourist traffic on the country roads will still be at a minimum, but the number of daylight hours is steadily increasing along with the temperatures.
Spring showers certainly bring April flowers along the Wild Atlantic Way! The west coast is lovely at this time of year, particularly around the unique landscape of the Burren which is famous for its wild spring flowers.
When the weather is good, a trip to the Aran Islands could also be a great addition to any itinerary. Rent a bike and explore one of the islands, with their miles of stone walls at your own pace.
Photo by Chris Hill / Fáilte Ireland via Ireland’s Content Pool
The cliff fort of Dún Aonghasa perched over the Atlantic Ocean is one of the most well known attractions on Inish Mòr (Inishmore) and definitely worth a visit. The view is spectacular and it is amazing to think that there is only the Atlantic Ocean between you and the United States!
Evenings can still be spent indoors, listening to traditional Irish music in pubs up and down the country.
One music festival that deserves a mention here is the annual Clifden Traditional Music Festival in Connemara, County Galway. It is guaranteed to be a lively weekend with a great atmosphere that will keep traditional music lovers toe tapping!
The Galway Food Festival was held in April for a few years, but did not take place in 2019 and 2020. Stay tuned to see if it will take place in the future.
Exploring Northern Ireland in April as part of a road trip is another great way to spend your holidays.
With ample impressive sights along the Causeway Coastline, including the Giant’s Causeway itself, the Dark Hedges (from Game of Thrones) and the Carrick-a-Rede Bridge, not to mention lively towns and cities of cultural and historical significance to discover.
Places to visit in Dublin in April
Dublin is undoubtedly a good destination at any time of the year with lots of things to do in any season. The parks in Dublin in April are very pleasant with their spring blossoms and are well worth checking out if you are in the area. Read about our favourite parks here.
For some more travel inspiration for your Dublin itinerary during April, check out our posts here: 3-Day Dublin Itinerary; Secret Sights in Dublin and Unusual Dublin.
Visiting Ireland in April
Photo courtesy of Fáilte Ireland via Ireland’s Conent Pool
In April, the chances are that the St. Patrick’s Day tourists from March will have already left and you will be ahead of the late spring and summer crowds.
If you want a special get away break in some luxury hotels or even castle hotels, it might be worth checking out availability and deals in advance. Hotels might have fewer vacancies in the days around Easter, so keep this in mind when you are booking your trip.
When you are packing for Ireland in April, you have to be prepared for all types of weather, so layers of clothes are essential. A good waterproof jacket and comfy shoes if you plan a lot of walking are also highly recommendable!
What to know more about Ireland? In our Ireland travel planning section you can read our travel tips about the best time to visit Ireland or click here for our post about the weather in Ireland in April.
