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Is October a good time to visit Ireland?
The weather in Ireland in October can be a bit mixed, but the month is definitely still worth considering if you would like to visit Ireland outside of the peak season. Generally, you can expect the average temperature in Ireland in October tends to be about 7-14 °C (45-57 °F), so it is a good idea to pack some warmer layers.
What is Ireland like in October?
The days are shorter, but the daylight hours are longer and the weather considerably better in October than during the winter months. A holiday in Ireland in October is often one of the last opportunities to get some of the late fall weather before the greyer weather of winter creeps in.
Best places to visit in Ireland in October
Photo by Chris Hill, copyright Failte Ireland & Tourism Ireland via Tourism Ireland.
October can still be a refreshing time to visit the Irish national parks, including the beautiful Killarney National Park in County Kerry, which is home to the famous lakes of Killarney. While there, you could also check out some of the other scenic locations like the Ring of Kerry road trip along the Wild Atlantic Way.
Glendalough in Wicklow National Park is another striking location at this time of year and is a one of the popular day tours from Dublin. It is also a great place to go hiking in Ireland in October as there are many different walking routes in the area. The change in color of the leaves is particularly stunning, especially when reflected in the lakes. This is an experience not to be missed!
Longer road trips are better suited to the summer months, but if you are lucky with the weather and plan your Ireland travel itinerary with some flexibility in mind, then road trips along the Wild Atlantic Way Coastal Route and the Causeway Coastal Route in Northern Ireland can be fantastic at this time of year.
With fewer tourists at this time of year, your road trip experience of highlights like the Cliffs of Moher, the Burren, the Aran Islands along the west coast and the Giant’s Causeway, the Gobbins Cliff Path and the Carrick-A-Rede Rope Bridge in Northern Ireland, will be even more special. (Particularly for first time visitors.)
Things to Do in Ireland in October
As the original home of Halloween, a trip to the Emerald Isle during October can be quite appropriate!
Bram Stoker, the author of Dracula, almost certainly took inspiration from the mummies in the crypts of St. Michan’s Church in Dublin. There is also a Bram Stoker Festival in Dublin in late October that is fun for all the family. For more information about St. Michan’s and other weird things to do in Dublin, read our post here.
Lovers of live music and events will be well looked after during the month of October. Down through the years, the internationally well known Guinness Cork Jazz Festival has grown in popularity and is now one of the biggest events that takes place in Cork each year.
Additionally, there are many great live Irish music sessions held in pubs across the country and with the nights getting darker earlier, this is a lovely way to spend an evening!
Add a city break or two to your travel itinerary Belfast in Northern Ireland is an excellent tourist destination at this time of year. The Belfast International Arts Festival takes place during this month in addition to all of the amazing attractions that Belfast has to offer such as the Titanic Belfast museum, the Crumlin Road Gaol, the Botanic Gardens just to mention a few.
Visiting Ireland in October
If you are planning on visiting Ireland in October, then read our other post about the weather in Ireland in October to make sure that you are well prepared for your trip. It will also give you an idea of the typical weather in Dublin in October.
Many of the tourists have already left Ireland by October, so you can enjoy the benefits of the shoulder season with less crowds, as well as better value flight and hotel offers.
Some good deals can be found mid week on some of the more luxurious castle hotels around this time of year, so book ahead in advance to treat yourself to something particularly special!
It can be difficult to know exactly when you should plan your Ireland travel vacation. If you want some more information about the average weather on a monthly basis and general travel tips about Ireland, then don’t forget to read our other post about the best time to visit Ireland.
