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Is June a good time to visit Ireland?
The summer evenings in June are definitely one of the highlights of the Irish year. If it is your first time in Ireland and you want to maximize your trip, then it is really worth considering travelling to Ireland when the daily average number of daylight hours is at its highest.
Road trips and outdoor activities are great additions to any Ireland travel itinerary for the month of June. To get the most out of your trip to Ireland, plan a mix of towns and cities, as well as some time in nature.
What’s the weather like in Ireland in June?
June is summer time in Ireland and along with the longer hours of daylight, you can also expect to experience average temperatures around 14 °C or 57 °F.
Even in summer you should plan for at least some rain, so bring some waterproof clothes when you are packing for Ireland in June. Generally, June is not a very wet month, with average rainfall in Ireland in June about 70 mm or 3 “.
Things to do in Ireland in June
It is a superb time to explore the country as part of a road trip. During this month, traffic on the roads is bit lighter than during peak season in July and August making the scenic trips around the Ring of Kerry and Dingle Peninsula, for example, much more enjoyable.
There are many breathtaking attractions along the Wild Atlantic Way, including the Burren and the Cliffs of Moher in County Clare. One travel tip is to visit the cliffs at sundown to catch the evening rays and a western sunset.
While you are in the area, be sure to spend at least a day on the Aran Islands off the coast for a refreshing dose of Irish island culture.
Head up to Northern Ireland to visit the Giant’s Causeway, Carrick-a-Rede rope bridge, many stunning beaches including Portstewart Strand and of course, the Game of Thrones filming locations.
If you are looking for something a little different, then try the Gobbins Cliff Path, first opened to the public in 1902 and recently restored to its full glory. This unique cliff path is a dramatic way to experience the rugged coastline and wonderful nature of County Antrim.
Don’t forget that the cities in Northern Ireland also have a multitude of worthy attractions from the impressive walls of Derry to the recently opened Titanic Belfast museum. Read our post here for a few more itinerary ideas.
Photo by Artur Ilkow via Ireland’s Content Pool
Hiking, surfing, golfing and all other outdoor activities are popular at this time of year.
Bundoran on Ireland’s surf coast is probably the surf capital of Ireland and regardless of whether you are a beginner or more advanced, there is a lot of fun to be had there! Check out the Seas Sessions surf music festival in June for a fabulous mix of surf and music.
In addition, many other highly worthwhile festivals and events take place during June such as the James Joyce Bloomsday Festival celebrations in Dublin (see below), Cork Midsummer Festival and the comedy festival, The Cat Laughs Festival in Kilkenny.
Even if you don’t attend a festival, you can still soak up live music in many pubs throughout the country during the summer months. Check out Doolin and Ennis in County Clare for some of the best and most authentic traditional Irish music experiences.
Dublin Ireland in June
Dublin in June is a lively place, especially around the 16th of June when Dublin takes a step back in time to celebrate and reenact Bloomsday, the 16th of June 1904, the day the book Ulysses is set.
There are now several days of Bloomsday Festival celebrations to mark this special event each year with many public events, often in period costume, taking place.
The must-see tourist attractions in Dublin are included in our 3-Day Dublin Itinerary, but if you want to wander a little off the beaten path, check out the unusual attractions here.
Each year many tourists from the UK, the United States and further afield, who have Irish heritage, return to Ireland in search of their roots. The Epic Museum, Ireland’s emigration museum, is one of Dublin’s newest museums and its modern, interactive exhibits bring the history of Irish emigration to life.
If you want to research your own ancestry, one great way to get a head start is to visit the Irish Family History Centre, which is next to the Epic Museum. As well as tips about how to research family history, it is also possible to book a session with a genealogist.
Visiting Ireland in June
While the main tourist season in Ireland is well underway in June, the majority of the tourists tend to come a little later in the summer.
For the busy attractions, you can still try to visit them early or late in the day to have a quieter experience. Advanced booking of hotels and bed and breakfast accommodation is recommended during the summer months to ensure that you get the widest choice for your budget.
You may still need a crystal ball to predict the exact weather forecast (as with any time of the year in Ireland!), but generally speaking you can hope that in June average to good weather conditions await you.
Still curious to know more about Ireland in June? Read our other guide about the weather in Ireland in June. You can also compare months by checking the weather in Ireland in May and the weather in Ireland in July.
If you need some help deciding when to go to Ireland, our post on the best time to visit Ireland will help you narrow down your options and give you some great travel tips.
