Table of Contents
Is March a good time to visit Ireland?
March is a fun time to visit Ireland particularly around March 17th when the country celebrates its national holiday, St. Patrick’s Day. Spring flowers are starting to make their appearance, but it will be another few weeks until the weather really improves. Bring plenty of layers and be prepared for some rain and also wind.
Weather in Ireland in March
Photo by Brian Morrison, copyright Fáilte Ireland / Tourism Ireland via Ireland’s Content Pool
The average temperature in the month of March is about 7 °C (45 °F). Generally speaking, the weather tends to improve a bit during the month as spring progresses.
March can often be a bit blustery with windy and heavy rain showers, so don’t forget to pack a good waterproof jacket to make sure you are well prepared for the Irish weather.
If you fancy a swim, be prepared that the average daily water temperature is probably no higher than about 10 °C (50 °F).
If you are looking for detailed information about the typical weather in Ireland in March, read our article here. It has a section on the weather in Dublin Ireland in March and will help answer any questions you have like, does it rain a lot in Ireland in March?
Things to do in Ireland in March
Dublin in March is particularly lively and the city offers the biggest celebrations with plenty of events for all of the family over the course of a few days around March 17th.
(The weather in Dublin in March can be a little cool, especially if you are standing on the street for a long time watching a parade so bring some comfy shoes and warm socks!)
Photo by St. Patrick’s Festival / Tourism Ireland via Ireland’s Content Pool
One of the other major events in Dublin during the month of March is the Virgin Media Dublin International Film Festival. The wide array of culturally diverse screenings makes it one of the best annual film festivals in Ireland.
All of the other big cities, such as Cork and Galway have recommendable parades and events as well.
It is a good time to add a city break or two to your Ireland travel itinerary. Kilkenny, Killarney, Waterford and Belfast in Northern Ireland are good example destinations to keep in mind when you are planning your trip.
However, if you fancy a quieter vacation, there are also plenty of charming rural towns and remote areas that are ideal for a relaxing retreat.
Around this time of year when the weather is slowly starting to improve and doesn’t feel quite so wintery, people start dusting off their hiking shoes and exploring the outdoors again.
Hiking in Ireland in March can be a bit hit or miss regarding the weather, so pick your routes well. Wicklow National Park offers several different walking and hiking trails to suit a wide range of abilities and is a good place to start. You can also check out one of the gems of Ireland’s Ancient East while you are there, the monastic settlement of Glendalough.
It is still a little early in the year for road trips or longer day tours by bus, however it is still possible and once you are prepared for mixed weather, you won’t be disappointed.
Early season visitors can also head to the Aran Islands, but as the weather is still unpredictable and disrupt the ferry schedule, you might need to be prepared to stay longer than expected!
If your Ireland tour involves a road trip on the Wild Atlantic Way, make sure you make time for some good music sessions in Irish pubs. The winter and early spring season is a lovely time to settle down in a cosy pub and listen to the lively traditional music. Check out Matt Malloy’s in Westport for some of the best traditional music around.
Visiting Ireland in March
If you plan on visiting Ireland in March for a spring break, some practical tips are to make sure you plan and book your flights and accommodation in advance, especially if your travel dates coincide with the St. Patrick Day festivities.
Hotels in the bigger cities have fewer vacancies at this time. While many people thoroughly enjoy the celebrations and travel to Ireland especially to see the parades, especially from the United States, others prefer to avoid the revelry altogether.
Some travel guides about Ireland are not always clear on the advantages and disadvantages of travelling to Ireland in any given month. Particularly if it is your first time travelling to the country, you want to find the best time to visit Ireland for you. Read our post here for interesting insights and travel tips.
If you would like to compare different months to travel to Ireland, then you can also read our weather in Ireland in February and weather in Ireland in April posts.
