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Ireland in August
If you plan on visiting Ireland in August, then you have picked a good time. Summer is a great season to explore the country and see the landscape at its best. The Irish weather can also be quite nice at this time of year, although a few rainy days are always to be expected. It is Ireland after all!
It is no secret that August is one of the best months to visit Ireland and because of this it is also a popular time, especially for visitors from the United States, UK and Germany. The high season for tourism in Ireland lasts from about mid-June to the end of August.
Things to Do in Ireland in August
Your Ireland travel itinerary for August can be filled with many great events, ranging from horse racing to traditional music and arts festivals. If you want to get some more ideas about what things to do in Ireland in August, read our other post here.
The long summer days are ideal for longer road trip adventures such as exploring the Wild Atlantic Way coastal drive. Why not drive around the Dingle Peninsula and discover the beauty and charm of Ireland’s west coast? Plan a stop at a national park or two along the way such as Connemara National Park or Killarney National Park.
Don’t forget that Northern Ireland also has lots to offer and has an epic coastal drive of its own, the Causeway Coastal Route that can easily be added on to the Wild Atlantic Way drive.
To completely immerse yourself in Irish culture, you should plan to visit a city or two. If you want some inspiration about things to do in Dublin in August, read our our 3-day itinerary.
Weather in Ireland in August
The weather in Ireland in August can be some of the best weather that Ireland experiences all year. If you are lucky, then you can experience glorious days with high temperatures around 20 °C (65 °F).
Ireland is not generally known for getting heat waves, so if you prefer not to travel to very hot countries in the summer, then Ireland is definitely the place for you!
As always with Irish weather, you should expect some rainfall and grey skies, even in August. Keep updated with the weather forecast and if possible keep your itinerary a little flexible.
The evenings start to get a bit cooler at this time of year, so having an extra layer or two is a good idea if you want to enjoy the long evenings outside.
Temperature in Ireland in August
In Ireland, the average temperature in July and August is similar. The average daily temperature is about 15 °C (59 °F). Generally speaking, during the month of August, you can expect the ranges for low temperature to be about 12 °C (54 °F) and for the high temperature around 20 °C (65 °F).
These temperatures are particularly pleasant for city tour walks that can be found in Dublin, Galway and Cork, or alternatively, hiking in the Irish mountains.
When it comes of hiking, it is important to always consider that it is always colder at the top of a mountain (don’t forget to factor in the wind chill as well). Make sure you bring the right equipment on every hiking trip and regularly check the weather forecast even on very warm, sunny days when the weather looks ideal.
Summer is the best time of year to take a dip in the sea in Ireland and while is it still quite cold (you should expect the August average water temperature to be around 15 °C/59 °F), it can be a fabulously refreshing experience! Ireland has so many great water-based activities from surfing, to kayaking and coasteering that the cold shouldn’t act as a deterrent!
To get a better overview of Ireland temperature by month, read our longer post on the best time to visit Ireland.
Dublin | Cork | Galway | Belfast, Northern Ireland | |
Average temperature August | 15 °C 59 °F | 15 °C 59 °F | 16 °C 61 °F | 15 °C 59 °F |
Min. and max temperatures August | 11-19 °C 52-66 °F | 12-19 °C 54-66 °F | 13-20 °C 55-68 °F | 11-19 °C 52-66 °F |
Sunrise and sunset August 1st | 5.42 a.m. - 9.21 p.m. | 5.56 a.m. - 9.22 p.m. | 5.53 a.m. - 9.30 p.m. | 5.35 a.m. - 9.23 p.m. |
Rain in Ireland in August
There is a slight increase in the average amount of rainfall in August when compared with July, but as this value varies annually it shouldn’t be a deciding factor as to when to travel to Ireland.
While it is hard to pinpoint exactly how many rainfall days per month and August is no exception, you should estimate that on at least 11 days, there is a good chance of some level of precipitation (> 1.0 mm 0.04″ precipitation). This precipitation can be in the form of a light shower or a day of heavy rain. Pack good waterproof clothing and wear layers in order to be prepared for whatever Irish weather you encounter.
Dublin | Cork | Galway | Belfast, Northern Ireland | |
Average Rainfall August | 73 mm 3″ | 97 mm 4″ | 82 mm 3″ | 94 mm 4″ |
No. of wet days (> 1.0 mm 0.04″ precipitation) August | 11 | 11 | 13 | 17 |
Wind in Ireland in August
August is not a particularly windy month with the average wind speed data recorded in Dublin Airport being about 18 km per hour (11 miles per hour). This average does not take into consideration the occasional gusts of stronger wind or the wind conditions that you are likely to experience in mountainous or coastal areas.
Particularly near large drops such as cliffs, be wary of straying too close to the edge as an unexpected gust of wind or a sudden change in the wind direction can be dangerous.
Weather in Dublin Ireland in August
The weather in Dublin in August is ideal for exploring the city in comfort. With the average temperatures ranging between 11-19 °C (52-66 °F) at this time, it is very pleasant and unlikely to be too warm, cold or humid for most people’s tastes.
Dublin experiences about 70 mm (3 “) of rainfall during the month of August. This is usually spread across 11 days or so. These are only average annual records so be prepared for a little variation each year.
The long days of August (combined with the good August weather) are great for longer day trip excursions around Ireland, many of which leave from Dublin city. There are many different Ireland tour bus operators that offer day travel trips to part of the Wild Atlantic Way on the west coast, Blarney Castle in County Cork, and the Giant’s Causeway in Northern Ireland for example.
Bonus Dublin Ireland Travel Tips: Don’t forget to pack your sunscreen! While the temperatures may not be very high or even very sunny, you can still get sunburned with these conditions.
The water temperature at one of the most famous Irish swimming locations, the Forty Foot, located in Sandycove, County Dublin is about 15 °C (59 °F) during August. Bring your swimming gear if you want to try it out for yourself!
Visiting Ireland in August
If you want some of the best weather Ireland has to offer, long days with plenty of daylight and a wide variety of attractions, then you should consider visiting Ireland in August. If you are looking for some trip ideas, read our post on Ireland in August here.
Road trips are best suited to the long days of summer and the Wild Atlantic Way, the Ireland Ancient East trail and the often underrated Ireland’s Hidden Heartlands are all fantastic options to add to your Ireland travel itinerary.
There are also several islands around the coast that are also really worth visiting if you get the chance including the Aran Islands off the coast of Galway, the UNESCO Heritage Site of Skellig Micheal (and filming location of Star Wars) or for something a little different Dursey Island in County Cork which is reached only by cable car.
In Ireland, hotels can be busy during the month of August as there are visitors. Plan and book your trip in advance to get the best deals and widest selection of accommodation. The same goes with flights or ferry travel.
There are some drawbacks to visiting the Emerald Isle in peak season, but these are generally outweighed by the advantages. Increased expenses, more tourists at the popular attractions, fewer vacancies in hotels and guesthouses and more traffic on the narrow country roads are a few things to consider if you travel at this time of year.
For more travel information about Ireland check out our posts about the best destinations.