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Is November a good time to visit Ireland?
November is the ideal time to visit Ireland if you are interested in traveling during low season and availing of better deals on airfares and accommodation.
There are fewer tourists at this time of year as well. If you visit towards the end of the month, you might also experience some of the early Christmas events and festivities.
While November is not the most popular month to travel to visit the Emerald Isle, November in Ireland has its own charm and should be worth considering if you are planning an Ireland vacation in the latter part of the year.
What is Ireland like in November?
Ireland’s scenery is stunning throughout the year and the wild vibrancy of the landscape is often captivated even better during the winter months. On the west coast you can spend hours being mesmerized by the thunderous waves rolling in from the Wild Atlantic (at a safe distance of course!).
Of course the Irish weather is unlikely to be the highlight of your trip in November (but then again you could be surprised!). The average temperature range is between 4-10 °C (39-50 °F) and you should be prepared for at least some rainy weather during your stay.
Every packlist for a trip to Ireland in November should include plenty of layers and waterproofs suitable for these cooler temperatures and rainfall.
Best Places to Visit in Ireland in November
November is a great time to explore Ireland’s cultural and historical treasures.
Take a wander through some of the many museums, some of which even have free admission. The National Museum of Ireland has four different sections including Decorative Arts and History, Natural History and Archaeology (all in Dublin) and County Life (in County Mayo) are definitely worth visiting.
Definitely add the Chester Beatty Library in Dublin to your list of must-see places too.
Photo by Tourism Ireland via Ireland’s Content Pool
County Kerry in western Ireland is another great area to explore and also very enjoyable off season when things are a bit quieter. While some attractions might be closed, the main towns like Killarney and Dingle have a good buzz throughout the year.
Killarney is a popular destination for visitors from the United States and it is easy to see why. There is much to see and do in the town and its surroundings all year round including a visit to Torc Waterfall, a wander around Muckross House and Gardens or even a bike ride up the Gap of Dunloe. All of these great sights can be easily reached from Killarney town.
Just make sure you bring good waterproof clothes, as the weather in Kerry at this time of year is likely to be a bit wet!
Things to Do in Ireland in November
Ireland’s oldest film festival takes place in Cork during the month of November and is a must for any film buffs.
Dublin has some great hidden gems, if you know where to find them. Take a look at our post to find some of the best ones.
If you are lucky with weather and timing, you might even get to see the Northern Lights in Ireland. Donegal is one of the best areas to spot this amazing natural phenomenon. Read our Northern Light post to get all the information you need to enjoy this fantastic spectacle.
As most places start gearing up for Christmas, you can get into the early festive feeling by enjoying the decorations, food and Christmas Markets that start appearing in the bigger cities such as Dublin, Cork, Galway and Belfast in Northern Ireland towards the end of November.
Road trips along the Wild Atlantic Way, as well as longer day trips (for example to the Cliffs of Moher in County Clare, the Aran Islands off the coast of County Galway, Blarney Castle in County Cork and the Giant’s Causeway in Northern Ireland), are probably best suited to the long, bright days of the summer.
However, if you want to include longer trips some in your Ireland travel itinerary then be sure to start early in the day to maximize the number of daylight hours. The long, dark evenings can be spent listening to traditional music in an Irish pub for example!
Hiking in Ireland in November can be a bit hit or miss, depending on the weather. There are some stunning routes that can easily be completed during daylight hours, but they should be chosen carefully in consideration with your abilities and the weather conditions on the day.
The well marked route up Torc Mountain in Killarney is a good, easy route for this time of year.
Visiting Ireland in November
There are distinct advantages to visiting Ireland during the low season with better deals likely to be available for flights, hotels and car rental most years. This is good news if you are planning a costly Ireland family vacation. Plus you can enjoy some of the top attractions that Ireland has to offer without the typical crowds and queues of the summer high season.
If you want some more travel tips about Ireland and the type of weather to expect in November, read out our other post about weather in Ireland in November. It also includes a section on the weather in Dublin in November, which will be useful if you plan on staying in the capital.
It can be difficult to decide when to travel to Ireland, but our longer post about the best time to visit Ireland will give you all the information you need to plan the best trip for you.
Still can’t decide between traveling to Ireland in October, November or December? Then these posts about weather in Ireland in October and weather in Ireland in December might help you!
