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Weather in Ireland in July

Weather in Ireland in July Feature Image
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Ireland in July

Western sunset along the Sky Road in Connemara, County Galway
Enjoy the western sunset along the Sky Road in Connemara, County Galway.
Photo by Chris Hill / Fáilte Ireland via Ireland’s Content Pool

July in Ireland is a really lovely time to explore the country. The warm average temperatures (12-20 °C or 54-68 °F), long summer evenings and multitude of events and attractions that are on offer during this month ensure that this is a popular month for trips to Ireland. 

Summer is peak tourist season in Ireland and while you will see the country in some of the best conditions of the year, you will also share this experience with lots of other tourists. Once you plan your Ireland vacations with this in mind and are aware of the increased expenses associated with traveling in high season, this is unlikely to be a big issue.

Whether you want to have a city break, discover Ireland’s ancient past through the many fantastic ruins and historical sites, or have an Ireland travel itinerary filled with outdoor activities (or a mix of all of the above), July is a good time to plan your Emerald Isle vacation. 

Things to do in Ireland in July

The Galway Races in July, Ireland.
Horse racing is very popular in Ireland and the Galway Races are one of the biggest events in the horse racing calendar.
Photo courtesy of Fáilte Ireland via Ireland’s Content Pool

One of the main events in the country in July is the Galway International Arts Festival. Throughout the year Galway is known for its strong arts scene and this culminates in this thoroughly enjoyable summer festival.

Other things to do while in the Galway vicinity include a visit to the Galway Horse Races, a day trip to Connemara National Park or one of the organised tours to the Aran Islands.

Learn more about Ireland by taking a tour of Ireland’s Ancient East. This historical trail is a treasure trove filled with insights into ancient and modern Irish history, art, architecture and culture. Some of the best locations can be easily visited as part of a day trip from Dublin, like Glendalough or the Brú na Bóinne UNESCO Heritage Complex.

The ancient monastic settlement of Glendalough in Wicklow National Park, Ireland.
The ancient monastic settlement of Glendalough in the stunning surroundings of Wicklow National Park.

The Wild Atlantic Way coast drive along the west coast is one of the most loved road trips in the country and a must for many people visiting Ireland. This road trip route is busy in the summer months with increased tourist car and bus traffic. It is also a good idea to book hotels or other accommodation in advance as the best places are reserved quickly.

Some of the best highlights of the Wild Atlantic Way include the spectacular views and great sandy beaches (including Stradbally) on the Dingle Peninsula, the lunar-like Burren landscape, as well as Loop Head and the Pollock Holes of Kilkee in County Clare.

County Sligo is another underrated gem along the route. (The recent series Normal People was filmed largely in Sligo and the stunning scenery will definitely entice more visitors to the county.)

For those who wish to complete a round trip of the entire island, then the Causeway Coastal Route in Northern Ireland is a great to tag on to the Wild Atlantic Way (or do as a stand alone road trip). Some of the best highlights of that route include the Giant’s Causeway and the Carrick-a-rede rope bridge.

The Giants Causeway, Northern Ireland
The impressive basalt columns of the Giant’s Causeway are a remarkable feature on the landscape. This Unesco World Heritage Site is well worth a visit!

Hiking in the national parks is a great activity for this time of year and the long evenings allow for lengthier trails to be attempted. The Irish weather can change quite quickly, especially in mountainous areas near the coast, so even on days when the weather conditions are good, keep updated with the current weather forecast and always bring the necessary equipment.

There are many live music sessions available in local pubs around the country during the summer months. After a day of sightseeing, it is hard to beat an authentic traditional Irish music session in a pub! This is especially popular with visitors from the United States.

There are some more trip ideas and travel tips about Ireland in July in our other post. Check out the article here.

Weather in Ireland in July

Lady's View in Killarney National Park on a glorious sunny day.
Lady’s View in Killarney National Park on a glorious sunny day.

July is one of the better months in terms of weather in Ireland. The average temperature is about 16 °C (61 °F), with highs of about 20 °C (68 °F). This may not be particularly warm and balmy, but it is very pleasant for outdoor activities and sightseeing. The average low temperature is about 12 °C (54 °F), so make sure you dress in layers so that you can remove or add them as required.

In July, average temperatures can also make city sightseeing an enjoyable experience. Humidity is not usually an issue in Ireland, for example in July average low wind speeds and a gentle breeze helps to keep the atmosphere, even in the cities fresh. This makes exploring the main cities of Dublin, Cork, Galway or Belfast in Northern Ireland during the summer an attractive itinerary option. 

The average daily weather forecast in July can be quite settled. Certain areas, like Cork and Galway receive less average rainfall than at other times of the year and the number of wet days generally is also reasonably low at about 10 for the month. 

Regarding the weather, the summer months of June, July and August are ideally suited for road trips along the Wild Atlantic Way. As you travel along the route, some must-see landscapes along the trip include Mizen Head and the Ring of Kerry.

Live music events and festivals often take advantage of the weather in Ireland in June as the evenings are long and being outside late in the evenings is highly enjoyable.

If you have Ireland travel plans and want to try some water activities, it is good to know that the water temperatures are also at their highest from around late July or early August, (which makes taking a quick refreshing dip much more tempting!).

DublinCorkGalwayBelfast, Northern Ireland
Average temperature July16 °C
61 °F
15 °C
59 °F
16 °C
61 °F
15 °C
59 °F
Min. and max temperatures July12-20 °C
54-68 °F
12-19 °C
54-66 °F
13-20 °C
55-68 °F
11-19 °C
52-66 °F
Sunrise and sunset July 1st5.01 a.m. - 9.55 p.m.5.19 a.m. - 9.56 p.m.5.13 a.m. - 10.06 p.m.4.52 a.m. - 10.02 p.m.

Temperature in Ireland in July

The July average temperature range falls between about 12 – 20 °C (54 – 68 °F). Most days, the temperature is about 16 °C ( 61 °F). Occasionally Ireland will experience a mini heat wave, but this is unlikely to be higher than about 25 °C (77 °F) for any length of time.

During this month the water temperature fluctuates around 14 °C (58 °F), which is still cool, but warm by Irish annual water temperature standards.

In the evenings the temperatures fall and while it does get cooler, once you have a light jumper or jacket, you are unlikely to feel cold. 

July weather also some cloudy days and it might be worth noting that on such days, it is still possible to get sunburned in Ireland after a few hours outside. Try not to forget to use sunscreen!

Rain in Ireland in July

A rainy day in Ireland.
Don’t let a rainy day ruin your plans. Pack your waterproof clothes and make the most of it. Ireland is also beautiful in the rain!

The average rainfall in Ireland in July is generally low. (The weather in Ireland in August generally tends to be a bit wetter.)

Dublin escapes with only about 55 mm (2 “) of rain during the month spread over about 10 days. While Cork, as usual, tends to be a bit wetter and receives about 80 mm (3 “). 

Whatever the weather forecast, you should always be prepared for rain. It would be very unusual to have a holiday in Ireland without experiencing some rain at some stage and this is also true for the all the summer months, including July.

DublinCorkGalwayBelfast, Northern Ireland
Average Rainfall July56 mm
2″
79 mm
3″
66 mm
2″
77 mm
3″
No. of wet days (> 1.0 mm 0.04″ precipitation)
July
10101019

Wind in Ireland in July

In comparison to winter, the summer months are not usually very windy in Ireland. For example, in July, the wind speed based on the weather data records from Dublin airport is about 16 km per hour (10 miles per hour).  

Coastal areas and mountainous areas are likely to experience stronger winds or even occasional gusts. These sudden gusts can take you by surprise, so take care if you are standing near cliff tops or other dangerous locations.

Weather in Dublin Ireland in July

In Dublin, the weather in July tends to be generally quite good. The warm, but not too hot, average temperature of about 16 °C (61 °F) is great for sightseeing. A high number of daylight hours combined with the relaxed summer atmosphere are good reasons to explore Ireland’s capital city during this summer month.

When the sunshines and you are looking for an oasis in the city, then stop by one of Dublin’s many parks. Some of these parks can be quite popular in the summer, but we have some good hidden gems in our article. Read about our favourite parks here.

If you plan on visiting Ireland in July, then Dublin is a good place to check out if you want to avoid as much rainfall as possible. The sheltered east coast tends to be drier than other regions and with Dublin receiving an average rainfall of about 55 mm (2 “) during the month over about 10 days.

Even if it does rain in Dublin, the wide range of museums from the EPIC Museum, (Irish Emigration Museum) to the brand new MoLI (Museum of Literature Ireland) will keep you occupied and out of the rain!

Howth Head, County Dublin, Ireland.
The Howth cliff path is a short refreshing walk that can be easily reached from Dublin city.
Photo copyright Paul Raftery via Ireland’s Content Pool

On cloudy, dull days, it is still worthwhile taking a short trip to some of the towns in County Dublin. A wander around Howth, for example and a walk along the scenic cliff walk are highly recommended all year round, but in summer you will see this coastal gem is at its finest. 

Visiting Ireland in July

July is one of the most popular months to visit Ireland with tourists from Europe, as well as the United States. The reasonable good weather (by Irish standards), long days and great summer atmosphere combine to make Ireland in July a top destination. 

For nature lovers, the national parks all over the country are some of the best places to explore during July. Hiking, kayaking, cycling or taking a ride are just some of the outdoor activities that you can take part in and the experiences will no doubt be memorable ones!

A road trip along Ireland’s Wild Atlantic Way on the west coast is a superb way to see the Emerald Isle at this time of year. Just be warned that many other Ireland vacation tourists also think the same!

Stretching over 2,500 km (ca. 1550 miles), it takes in some of Ireland’s most beautiful scenic destinations including the Dingle Peninsula in County Kerry, as well as Slieve League and Malin Head in County Donegal. 

If you want to learn more about Ireland, its culture and of course fascinating history, there are so many must-see destinations along Ireland’s Ancient East trail that it is almost impossible to visit them all in one trip.

The advantage with traveling to Ireland in July is that with the longer days, you can pack a little more in, such as catching that dramatic sunset at the castle at the Rock of Dunamase, for example.

Rock of Dunamase, County Laois, Ireland.
The impressive structure of the Rock of Dunamase is a great stop to make on the route from Dublin to Cork (or Limerick) as it is just a short detour from the M7 motorway.

Day trips from a base city are popular at this time of year. This is a great way to see the county, get interesting insights from tour guides and as you will travel by bus or coach, you won’t have to bother with renting a car. 

The Cliffs of Moher in County Clare, Glendalough in County Wicklow and Blarney Castle in County Cork are some of the top day trip excursions from Dublin. Other options include traveling to Northern Ireland and taking part in a Game of Thrones tour to see the filming locations, the Giant’s Causeway or Dunluce Castle

While you might be tempted to explore more of the countryside and landscape of Ireland during the summer, don’t forget to at least take a stop or two in some of Ireland’s cities and towns.

Galway is a favourite destination at this time of year, not only for the Galway International Arts Festival and the Galway Races. This city is a great one to just wander around as the street vibe is so enjoyable. Take a walk to the Spanish Arch area on a sunny day and mingle with locals and tourists alike on the quay by the River Corrib. 

If it is your first time in Ireland and you want some extra special accommodation then check out a stay in a lighthouse or one of the many fine castle hotels. You are unlikely to get any deals, but sometimes it is definitely worth the splurge if you are on vacation. 

For some more Ireland travel tips, read our post about Ireland in July. Or if you are still not exactly sure which month suits your travel itinerary better, then check our best time to visit Ireland post for all the comprehensive information that you need to make your decision.