Summer In Ireland
Island Hopping
Summer Festivals
Mountain Hiking
Horse Racing
Beaches & Proms
Long Days, Atlantic Light, Cultural Energy
Summer In Ireland
Summer in Ireland is defined by light. Long daylight hours stretch deep into the evening, landscapes open up, and the country takes on a social, outward rhythm that feels distinctly different from the rest of the year… and from the rest of the world! It is the season of festivals, coastal exploration, island life, and shared experiences.
Summer in Ireland is when the country and its people are at their most animated.
Running from May through to July, summer is Ireland’s most popular travel season, but also one of its most action-packed when approached thoughtfully and planned in advance. With the right mindset and carefully designed itinerary, an Irish summer offers extraordinary variety across both the Republic of Ireland and Northern Ireland.
What Is Summer Like in Ireland?
Irish summer is not about extremes of heat. Temperatures remain mild, days are long, and the pace of life shifts outdoors whenever weather allows. This isn’t to say the weather does not get hot… because it absolutly can and it does – it’s just not your typical ‘sun holiday’!
This is the season when:
- Evenings linger well past 10:30pm
- Towns and villages host festivals and events
- Coastal routes and islands come into their own
- Music, food, and social life move outdoors
Summer in Ireland feels communal, expressive, and deeply rooted in place. You will forever remember your summer in Ireland, or “that summer in Dublin” as penned by the great Liam Reilly of Bagatelle.
Why Visit Ireland in Summer?
Summer is ideal for travellers who want to experience Ireland at full scale… geographically, culturally, and socially.
Key reasons to visit include:
- Maximum daylight for sightseeing and scenic touring along the Wild Atlantic Way and other regions
- Festival season across cities (like Dublin and Galway), towns (such as Dingle and Clifden), and rural regions (in Donegal and Mayo)
- Coastal and island access, including ferry-dependent routes (such as the spellbinding Aran Islands)
- Lively cities balanced by expansive countryside and peninsula (such as Dingle)
While it is the busiest season, it is also the time when Ireland offers the greatest range of experiences and longest opening hours for attractions.
Landscapes, Coastlines & Islands
Summer is the premier season for exploring Ireland’s natural landscapes in full.
Highlights include:
- The Wild Atlantic Way, where calmer seas and longer days enhance coastal touring
- Offshore islands such as the Aran Islands or Valentia Island which are very vibrant in summer
- National parks (such as Connemara or Wicklow), lakes, and river valleys at their most active
This is also the best time of year for walking, cycling, boat trips, and island excursions – all of which we will plan for you at Luxury Irish Tours.
Irish Festivals & Cultural Life in Summer
Summer is Ireland’s primary festival season, spanning music, arts, language, sport, and local tradition.
Notable summer events include:
- Fleadh Cheoil – The world’s largest celebration of Irish traditional music
- Galway International Arts Festival – Theatre, music, visual art, and performance
- Puck Fair – One of Ireland’s oldest festivals, rooted in rural tradition
- Dublin Pride – A major cultural and social event in the capital
Though festivals in summer are not confined to major cities… they are woven into everyday life across the island with many smaller towns and villages hosting their own versions of a calendar event, festival or Irish feast.
Summer Weather in Ireland
Summer weather in Ireland is generally mild and comfortable, with temperatures well-suited to touring rather than extreme heat. Temperatures can range anything from 16° up to 28° (degrees celsius), but a mean figure would rest somewhere between 17-18 degrees celsius.
Visitors can expect:
- Mild daytime temperatures
- Long daylight hours
- A mix of sunshine and passing showers
Ireland’s summer climate allows for full days of exploration without the fatigue common in hotter destinations. You can expect June to be the hottest month, but July is almost always on par.
Is Summer the Best Time to Visit Ireland?
For first-time visitors, summer is often the most accessible introduction to Ireland. It offers:
- The widest range of activities
- The easiest logistics
- The longest opening hours
- A vibrant social and cultural calendar
However, it also requires careful planning to avoid crowds and secure high-quality experiences… particularly in popular regions. It also depends on ‘who’ you are travelling with. Travelling as a couple (without kids) may open up an opportunity to travel in the ‘off-peak’ or ‘shoulder’ seasons when ‘hot’ weather is not an essential, whereas travelling as a family or larger group may encompass a lot more outdoor days and activities.
Designing a Summer Journey in Ireland
At Luxury Irish Tours, summer itineraries are designed to maximise access while maintaining a sense of calm and exclusivity. By balancing cities with countryside, festivals with quiet moments, and iconic routes with lesser-known alternatives (or ‘hidden gems’ as we call them), we ensure summer travel feels rewarding rather than rushed. Private touring allows you to experience Ireland at its most active. Get in touch to begin designing a bespoke summer journey through Ireland, shaped around long days, coastal landscapes, and the cultural life of the season.
Seasonal Travel!
If you are dreaming of visiting Ireland and wish to learn more about what experience can be expected for each Irish season (or month), get in touch with the team at Luxury Irish Tours and together we can plan a luxury trip to Ireland that will authentically showcase this land's seasonal beauty.
