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Weather in Ireland in September

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Ireland in September

Ireland in September is a very pleasant time and a good time to plan an Ireland vacation. The long days of summer might be over, but there is still a stretch in the evenings that allows you to enjoy being outdoors until late (about 8 pm). 

The September weather can still be quite settled and if you are lucky, you might experience some good sunny days to mark the start of fall, or autumn as it is known in Ireland. 

Things to Do in Ireland in September

Cliffs of Moher in Ireland with a rainbow
September is a good time to visit the Cliffs of Moher due to the reasonable weather and fewer tourists.

If you are planning on visiting Ireland for a road trip, then September is a good choice of month. Traffic is lighter and there will be fewer coaches on the road than during June, July and August.

For those of you camping or traveling by campervan, the availability of spaces in camping sites will also be greater. While always a bit unpredictable, the Irish weather in September is often good and well suited to outdoor activities. Another key point to remember is that the longer daylight hours will allow you to fit even more into an itinerary. 

With the Wild Atlantic Way coastal drive, Ireland’s Ancient East historical trail, the Hidden Heartlands and the Causeway Coastal Route in Northern Ireland, there are so many road trips to pick from, you will be bound to find something that suits your Ireland tour itinerary.

Longer one day excursions are also well suited to September. All of the big cities offer day tours to different sights. Dublin has the biggest selection (for example a day trip to the Cliffs of Moher and the Burren in County Clare), but other interesting offers are available from Galway and Cork for example too and are well worth checking out.

(For some inspiration about day trips from Cork and what to explore in the south, read our post here.)

Weather in Ireland in September

In September, weather in Ireland can be reasonably good. The average temperature in Ireland in September is about 13 °C, which is cooler than the summer season, but still somewhat warmer than the temperatures in May. The average low temperature is about 9-10 °C (48-50 °F).

If you plan on visiting Ireland in September, it is a great month to travel the country, experience some of the better weather that the Emerald Isle has to offer and of course miss the main tourist season (particularly for first time visitors!) The average weather does not differ too much from June, July and August, but the tourist traffic is considerably less during this shoulder season time. 

What is Ireland known for link

You can expect rain throughout the year in Ireland, but this month does not usually get very heavy rainfall. The average precipitation and the number of wet days (where precipitation is more than 1.0 mm or 0.04 “) are not very high (see table below). Make sure that your packing list includes clothes for all types of weather!

The long daylight hours that September still enjoys means that you can maximise your itinerary with lots of sights and also pack a lot into a longer road trip or a day trip excursion. 

The early fall or autumn days along the Wild Atlantic Way coastal route are stunning, especially if you visit the attractions early in the morning or late in the evening when you can have these special sights almost to yourself!

Along Ireland’s Ancient East historical trail many of the castle ruins can also look mesmerising in a golden autumn sunset, with the Rock of Dunamase being a particular favorite. 

Rock of Dunamase, County Laois, Ireland
The Rock of Dunamase is a stunning ruin and a great place to wander and explore!
Photo by Chris Hill / Tourism Ireland via Ireland’s Content Pool

The pleasant September weather is also very suitable for other activities such as hiking and water sports. The water temperature usually peaks in August, but September is the second warmest month (ca. 14 °C or 57 °F).

As many travel guides point out, September is also a good time to explore some Irish cities. Dublin has plenty of events over the course of September, both indoor and outdoor, which are not usually influenced too much by the weather. The demand on hotels and other accommodation is not as great as during the peak season.

Temperature in Ireland in September

The September average daily temperature in Ireland is about 13 °C, with the low temperature in most cases not falling below about 10 °C (50 °F). This average temperature is very pleasant for many sightseeing and many types of outdoor activities. You are not likely to feel too warm or too cold! Ireland in late September feels a little cooler as October approaches.

DublinCorkGalwayBelfast, Northern Ireland
Average temperature September13 °C
55 °F
14 °C
55 °F
14 °C
57 °F
13 °C
55 °F
Min. and max temperatures September10-17 °C
50-63 °F
10-17 °C
50-63 °F
11-18 °C
52-64 °F
9-16 °C
48-61 °F
Sunrise and sunset September 1st6.35 a.m. - 8.13 p.m.6.46 a.m. - 8.19 p.m.6.46 a.m. - 8.24 p.m.6.31 a.m. -
8.14 p.m.

On days when it rains and the wind speed picks up though, it can feel a lot cooler, especially if you get caught in a shower and have wet clothes. This is why it is so essential to alway include a good waterproof jacket (and maybe waterproof pants) in your packing list. Then you will be prepared for all temperatures and weather conditions during your Irish trip. 

September is one of the nicest times of the year to go swimming in Ireland, although the water temperature still remains cool (you can expect the temperature to be about 14 °C or 57 °F). There are many great beaches as you travel along the Wild Atlantic Way, many of which are suitable for swimming.

Swimming along the Ring of Kerry, Ireland
Even though the water may be a bit cold, the glistening waters around the Ring of Kerry can be very inviting!
Photo courtesy of Tourism Ireland via Ireland’s Content Pool

If you are doing a road trip in the area, Streedagh Beach in County Sligo (where some scenes from Normal People were filmed) is a great swimming location!

Rain in Ireland in September

There is not a big variation in the average rainfall in September when compared with the rainfall in August, if anything September weather tends to be a little drier. The weather in Ireland in October generally tends to be a bit wetter than September. 

Dublin as usual receives a lower average precipitation  amount (ca. 60 mm or 2 ″) for the month of September than other areas of the country. 

Dry, crips autumnal days at this time of year are especially nice. Ireland may not be famed for its colorful woodlands, but nevertheless the colors of the landscape undergo beautiful subtle changes over the weeks and months as the winter season starts to slowly approach. 

DublinCorkGalwayBelfast, Northern Ireland
Average Rainfall September60 mm
2″
95 mm
4″
76 mm
3″
97 mm
4″
No. of wet days (> 1.0 mm 0.04″ precipitation)
September
10111318

Wind in Ireland in September

September is generally a calm month in terms of wind speeds. The average wind speed data recorded at the Dublin Airport weather station for the month of September is about 21 kmh (13 mph). Of course this does not fully reflect the daily or even hourly wind conditions in other parts of the country.

Coastal areas, particularly along the west coast up as north as Malin Head often experience wind speed greater than those recorded in Dublin. Sudden gusts of wind are dangerous and can blow you off balance so stay away from the edge near cliff tops and other potentially dangerous areas.

Weather in Dublin Ireland in September

In Dublin weather in September is usually a good mix, not too warm or too cold and often not too much rain either. Fewer tourists are in the city than during the summer season, but there is still a great atmosphere. Every Ireland travel itinerary should include a few days in Dublin!

The average temperature of 13 °C (55 °F) during the month of September is perfect for wandering around Dublin city sightseeing, experiencing the unique atmosphere of Temple Bar. On average the low temperature does not fall too far below about 10 °C (50 °F).

If you fancy a break from wandering, there are many great cafés or you could recharge in one of Dublin’s great parks. A visit to the Botanical Gardens in Glasnevin or the famous Glasnevin Cemetery are recommendable activities for dry days in Dublin. 

Glasnevin Cemetry, Dublin, Ireland.
Glasnevin Cemetery is the final resting place of many of prominent people in Irish history. Take a tour and visit the museum to discover the rich history of the place.
Photo copyright PH Photography and Fáilte Ireland via Ireland’s Content Pool

It is a great time of the year to avail of walking tours of the city to show you a different perspective of Dublin. If you would prefer to go it alone, then read our travel guide posts on Dublin’s must-see sights or Dublin’s unusual attractions to see what are the best places to visit in Dublin in September.

The weather in Dublin in September is likely to be a little rainy. Never worry though because on wet days, you can explore Dublin’s great indoor attractions.

Many of them, including the Chester Beatty Library and the National Gallery of Ireland have free admission (but feel free to donate to their upkeep), which makes them ideal little interludes if you are caught in a shower or want to escape the wind and rain. 

The number of daylight hours in September are still reasonably high so if you plan on basing yourself in one location and doing several day trip excursions, Dublin is a good choice. There are different bus coach companies offering day trips to Glendalough and Wicklow National Park, as well as specific sights along the Wild Atlantic Way or the Causeway Coastal Route in Northern Ireland. 

If you want to explore Ireland’s Ancient East as part of a road trip, Dublin is also a good place to start allowing you to travel northwards toward the UNESCO Heritage Site of the Brú na Bóinne or the many castles and ancient sites scattered along the east coast south of Dublin.

The tomb of Newgrange in County Meath, Ireland.
Newgrange is just one of the fascinating tombs in the Brú na Bóinne UNESCO Heritage Complex.
Photo by Brian Morrison / Tourism Ireland via Ireland’s Content Pool

There are some castle hotels in County Dublin and beyond, which are worth checking out if you would like a special treat. 

If you want some travel tips for your packing list in order to be prepared for the Irish weather, make sure to include your waterproofs regardless of the time of the year. An umbrella might also come in handy if you are moving between attractions and are caught in a shower. 

Visiting Ireland in September

Road trip with view along the Ring of Kerry, Ireland.
September is well suited to road trips, particularly around the Ring of Kerry.

Is September a good month to go to Ireland? Yes, in a nutshell. The shoulder season months of May and September are probably two of the best times of the year to visit the Emerald Isle.

The days are still long, which extends the sightseeing possibilities considerably in comparison to the late fall, winter and early spring months.

Each year, the majority of tourists visit Ireland during the summer. September, in early fall, can be a good choice for anyone wishing to experience weather similar to that of the summer season, but with less tourists.

Visiting Ireland in September has several advantages such as fewer crowds, more choice when it comes to hotels and of course, perhaps some financial savings. It might also be easier to encounter vacancies in some of the unique accommodation options that the Emerald Isle has to offer, like lighthouses or castle hotels.

While the numbers of tourists may start to slowly decline around this time of year, there is still a lively buzz and good music and food festival events taking place including the Electric Picnic music festival (County Laois) and the Waterford Harvest Festival

Day trip excursions usually have a jam packed itinerary, so it is advisable to do these when the days are longer. It is still a good time to do these in September.

There are many different one day tours offered from Dublin and the main cities, with input from informative tour guides will give you insights about Ireland and its historical and cultural heritage.

Other top events, things to and the best places to visit in Ireland in September can be found in our Ireland in September post. (Click here to read it.)

View of Roches Point Lighthouse in County Cork, Ireland.
View of Roches Point Lighthouse in County Cork on a fine evening.

First time visitors sometimes get caught out with their Ireland travel packing list for September. If you are wondering what to pack for Ireland in September, think of layers!

The days can be quite pleasant from a temperature perspective, but don’t be caught out, the evenings can feel cool. Layering clothes is the best way to be prepared for all weather eventualities in Ireland! Some good waterproofs are also essential to keep the rain at bay.

We also have more travel tips and Ireland travel information in the longer post best time to visit Ireland. Read it here. Or compare September with the weather in Ireland in August and the weather in Ireland in October.