ireland in march travel

Ireland In March: Weather, Things to See and Travel Tips

Categories Antrim , Donegal , Dublin , Travel Guides

Ireland in March is among the best times of the year to visit. With winter gone and the days getting longer again, visitors will have more time to see and explore the emerald state’s vibrant cities and lush countrysides.

It sure gets crowded as Ireland’s national feast day approaches, but there’s so much to see and do here that you wouldn’t mind the hustle. Be sure to plan ahead to make the most of your trip. Here are some recommendations and useful tips for Ireland in March. 

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Temperature in Ireland in March

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The average temperature is between 4°C to 10°C  degrees Celsius.

There is an average of 70mm of rain in over 24 days so plan accordingly. 

9 to 17 mph

4 to 5 hours of actual sunshine over 25 days

March marks the spring season in Ireland which means you get to enjoy sun rays in the morning while wind and rain start coming in the afternoon. March also holds St. Patrick’s Day, the biggest and grandest festival in the country , so if you’re planning to enjoy the Irish weather during these times be sure to consider these options in your list.

Pair of flats – You can now ditch your thick hiking boots or rain boots since spring in Ireland cannot possibly freeze you to death anymore. A pair of ballet flats for female or a topsider for male will already get you through this season. If you still want to prepare for the rainy nights, you can try these pair of waterproof ballet flats in Amazon and these Oxford-inspired shoes for men.

Windbreaker – Ireland in May tend to be chilly and windy on some days. So prepare a light jacket or a windbreaker in case you don’t want to get uncomfortable exploring Ireland.

Umbrella – Don’t forget to include an umbrella in your packing list to shield you from the rain. This compact travel umbrella from Amazon is a good option as it will easily fit in your luggage or in your everyday bag.

Fleece sweatshirt – Perfect for layering, a fleece sweater is also a good consideration. You can wear it on top of a jacket or just wear it as it is. This sweatshirt from Amazon should be added to your essentials.

Although there are a lot of accommodations in Ireland that will fit any traveler’s budget, nothing beats the experience of staying in castle hotels in Ireland. So here are some of the affordable castle hotels that you can stay in Ireland for the month of March.

Cabra Castle Hotel still has the 18th-century castle vibes but with the modern touch from its amenities. A 4-star castle hotel in Cavan situated in a quiet neighborhood in Kingscourt, Cabra Castle Hotel is a mix and match of royalty and modern luxury. Rates start at $162. To book, click here.

A Gothic castle dated from 1209, Kinnitty Castle Hotel is located at the foot of Slieve Bloom Mountains. If you want the unique experience that comes with this castle, better check it out before it’s too late. Also, the rates start at only $110 a night. To book, click here.

Things to do in Ireland in March

What better way to celebrate St. Patrick’s day than in the exact place where it all started? Be ready for big crowds, busier pubs and restaurants, and interruptions in public transportation.

An official holiday in Ireland , the celebrations last for days all over the country, with parades and all sorts of fun activities. The biggest St. Patrick’s Day parade happens in Dublin , while pubs from all over the emerald state take part in games, promos, and parties.

Wherever you are in Ireland during the week of March 17, you’ll surely experience that fun, lively, uniquely Irish vibe. Check out this list of best shirts for St. Patty’s Day for ideas on how to dress up for the occasion. 

Held over four days yearly during March, Dingle International Film Festival is regarded as among the best of its kind in the world.

It is renowned not just for the quality of films on exhibit, but also for its location and atmosphere as it is held in one of the most beautiful places in Ireland – Dingle .

Experience this unique celebration of a diverse lineup of films right in the Wild Atlantic Way , and take part in workshops, seminars, and other interesting activities. 

If Cork is part of your itinerary during your Ireland visit, make sure to stop by and check out the Cork Sound Fair. Whether you’re into experimental music or not, this is worth checking out.

This festival serves as a platform for musicians to get their work out there and features artists showcasing their unique sound through installations and live performances. 

Spring in Ireland is also lambing season and one of the best times of the year to visit a sheep farm. Stroll through rolling hills, get lost in the colorful hedgerows and interact with baby lambs in a one-of-a-kind Irish experience. 

Mostly located in mountainsides, these sheep farms allow visitors to get u close even with the younger lambs as well as explore the fields. You can also see highly skilled sheepdogs who guide the lambs from one place to another. 

It is Spring and everything comes to life after months with little sunshine and mostly grey skies. This season is best represented by the vibrant colors that fill gardens, parks, forested hills, palace grounds, mountainsides and basically anywhere that plant life could thrive. All over Ireland, you’ll see bright yellows, pinks, blues, and purples.

With its forest floors are covered in a layer of bluebells, when old stone walls are curtained with wildflowers and weeds, and the gardens of the country’s grand manors are surrounded by stunning blooms.

There’s really no specific place to visit because spring is everywhere in the emerald state, but you may want to head on to national parks , or the parklands surrounding castles like as  well as artfully designed gardens such as the one in Powerscourt Estate or the National Stud Park. 

Ireland’s lakes are especially stunning in springtime, and one of the best ones to visit is the County Fermanagh lakes. Here, you’ll find castles and underground caves, as well as enjoy a variety of activities, which you can enjoy with a stunning view of the lake.

There are golfing , fishing, kayaking and lake cruises. There are also exceptional restaurants and pubs where you can relax after exploring the lake area.

Head onto Ireland’s Ancient East, where you get to enjoy 5,000 years of history and fascinating culture. This is essentially a region made up of 17 counties , with various themed tours that introduce you to this intriguing country, including its Celtic roots . 

There’s no better way to get to know a country than by tracing its history through its diverse natural landscapes, centuries-old castles , and prehistoric structures.

With most of these areas characterized by lush landscapes and idyllic towns, connected by the River Shannon that leads to the Irish Sea — the emerald state’s natural beauty provides an interesting backdrop for each tour.

Every strange rock or stone formation has a meaning, each part of a castle has a story, and the hills and planes a witness to the country’s tumultuous history. Exploring this fascinating region is a must when visiting Ireland in March, so be sure to plan your trip ahead. 

The cold season doesn’t give enough opportunity to work up a sweat as it’s preferable to just laze around or curl up beside the fire. Spring means more daylight hours, however, and you get to go on long walks and hikes through parks, forested areas, hills, and mountains.

No matter where you go in Ireland, it is a hiker/walker’s paradise so just put on your favorite sneakers or hiking shoes and set out early.

Some of the best places for walking or hiking are the Appalachian Way from Donegal to Antrim , the stunning Causeway Coast, and along the Glendalough Lake. 

Situated in the Suir River Valley, Clonmel is County Tipperary ’s largest town. It is an ideal starting point for visiting a wide range of attractions.

The town is nestled in the Comeragh Mountains to the South and legendary Slievenamon to the East, both a must-visit for those who want to burn calories while hiking and enjoying a magnificent view of Clonmel and nearby towns.

It is also crammed with centuries old castles and ruins, historical monuments resting on a huge rock, pretty gardens, and even a miraculous spring.

Just a few miles southwest of Belfast , Lisburn is the birthplace of the Irish linen industry. It is nestled in the green fertile valley just beside the River Lagan, with a walkable and car-free center.

Lisburn visitors in March will enjoy a stroll in its huge nature parks, marvel at quirky attractions and discover more of its history through a visit to museums and castles.

1. The temperature is still colder than usual so bring clothes than you can layer to keep warm especially when going out. 

2. Be sure to bring a sturdy umbrella when heading out as March in Ireland gets an increased amount of rain. 

3. A light, waterproof jacket is another must to prepare yourself for Ireland’s unpredictable weather. 

4. Most of Ireland’s best attractions require a lot of walking so wear comfortable yet sturdy sneakers or hiking shoes or boots. If they’re new, be sure to break them in before traveling. 

5. Check out this list for more travel tips for Ireland for first-time visitors. 

Hi, I’m Christine – a full-time traveler and career woman. Although I’m from the Philippines, my location independent career took me to over 40 countries for the past 8 years. I also lived in 3 continents – from the Caribbean, South East Asia to Africa. But despite living in several countries, my love for Ireland remains the same. A country that had been a part of my life since I was 14 because of my love for Irish music and bands. Ireland Travel Guides was born because of this passion and hopefully, in some little ways, this website will be able to help you on your next trip to Ireland.

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Ireland in March: Everything you need to know about visiting

Are you planning a trip to Ireland in March and want to know all the tip tips? Well this article is for you. We go through absolutely everything you need to know before visiting like, choosing accommodation, what to pack, what to see, and so much more.

Disclaimer :  This post contains affiliate links, so if you use these links to buy something we may earn a commission, at no cost to you. Thank you for your support .

Why visit Ireland in March?

What’s on in ireland in march, do a city break in dublin or belfast, explore northern ireland, drive the wild atlantic way, drive the ring of kerry, party on st patrick’s day, see the tourist hot spots, visit the pubs of ireland, best seasonal foods to try in march, what is the weather like in ireland in march, pros & cons for visiting ireland in march, getting around ireland in march, costs for visiting ireland in march, what to pack for ireland in march, tips for visiting ireland in march, so should i visit ireland in march.

March is a great time to visit Ireland, as this is when the first signs of spring start to pop up across the country. Winter is long, cold, and dark, and March is when the weather takes a noticeable turn for the better.

Another reason visiting Ireland in March is so favourable is due to the lower number of tourists. the summer months tend to be peak travel times to Ireland, and along with this you will experience longer queues, and more expensive accommodation. So if you want less tourists, and better deals for flights, and accommodation March is a good time to visit.

March is also when St Patrick’s Day falls. This can be both good and bad. Good because, you can experience the excitement of the holiday. And bad, because accommodation costs sky rocket, and honestly good luck trying to get into a pub in Dublin!

Ireland in March is a busy time, so if you are thinking of visiting, there are a few things to consider.

St Patrick’s Day

One of the biggest events of the year in Ireland has to be St Patrick’s Day. St Patrick is the patron saint of Ireland, and the 17th of March is a religious and cultural holiday to mark his death.

If you are in Ireland on this day you are in for a treat. The celebrations are immense. There is usually a parade, lots of dancing, shamrocks, and people dressed in green. It’s also marked by lots of drinking – sometimes too much.

We have spent a few St Patrick’s Days in Ireland, and honestly it can be chaotic. In Dublin and other big cities for instance you will struggle to get a seat in a bar. That is if you can get in at all. The Temple Bar area in Dublin becomes crowded with tourists all trying to celebrate the day at an Irish pub. If you do get in to a pub, your next challenge is getting to the bar to order drinks. It’s definitely an experience.

Hotels tend to increase their prices around the St Patrick’s Day weekend, so keep that in mind if you are visiting around this date.

Easter Break

If you are visiting Ireland in March it is also worth being aware that Easter can sometimes fall during this time. Some places close over Easter, especially on Good Friday which is seen as an important Holy day. Although in modern Ireland, you do find more places staying open.

The Easter holidays can mean more tourists about, especially those with kids as schools will close during this time as well. This can mean more expensive flights and accommodation.

Things to do in Ireland in March

There is so much to do in Ireland in March. Here are some of our highlights to consider for your own trip.

March in Ireland is an excellent time of year to do a city break. It’s the perfect mix of nature, pubs, museums, and more. The most popular city break locations are of course Dublin and Belfast. Below we will go through each to determine the best things to see and do.

Dublin is of course the classic city break destination in Ireland. It can be expensive, especially when it come to accommodation, but as the capital of Ireland it is the obvious choice.

Dublin is perfect if you want to visit some fantastic pubs, drink Guinness, explore some museums, and just wander around. Some of the best things to do in Dublin include:

• See the Ha’penny Bridge  – one of the symbols of Dublin, and one of the first pedestrian bridges over the River Liffey.
• Visit the Little Museum of Dublin  – to learn all about Irish history.
• See Dublin Castle  – because you can’t do Ireland without seeing at least one castle.
• Visit the Irish Whiskey Museum  – and learn all about how Irish Whiskey is made.
• Travel to Phoenix Park  – and picnic with the deer.
• Tour Kilmainham Gaol  – and learn about Irish history and revolutionaries.
• Check out Temple Bar  – where you can stroll around the picturesque area and sip pints.
• See the The Book of Kells  – which is a manuscript containing the four Gospels and dates back to the 9th Century.
• Visit The Guinness Storehouse  – which is one of the top attractions in Dublin.

As the capital of Northern Ireland, Belfast is another great choice for an Irish city break. Again there are a number of fantastic museums here, top quality pubs, and some quaint streets to explore. Some of the highlights in Belfast include:

• The Ulster Museum  – for exploring a mixture of art, and natural science exhibits.
• Belfast City Hall  – where you can do a tour inside the historic building.
• Botanic Gardens  – which are perfect for nature lovers to explore a large selection of plants and trees.
• Crumlin Road Gaol  – where you can explore a prison that once held Unionist and Republican terrorists.
• St. George’s Market  – where you can explore one of the oldest markets in Belfast.
• Titanic Belfast  – which is by far one of the best attractions in Belfast, where you can learn all about the history of the ill fated Titanic.

If you are planning an Ireland weekend break here is a handy guide.

Northern Ireland, is an incredibly beautiful country located on the island of Ireland. I know we have mentioned Belfast above as a top destination, but there is so much more to see.

One of our favourite parts of Northern Ireland is the area around the Causeway Coast . It makes for a great road trip from Belfast and there is a lot of natural beauty to explore. Highlights include:

The Causeway Coast is all about admiring some of the natural beauty that Northern Ireland has to offer. Here are some of the best things to see and do.

• The Dark Hedges  – whilst not specifically on the coast, Game of Thrones fans will love visiting this attraction.
• The Gobbins  – one of the best coastal walks in Northern Ireland.
• Dunluce Castle  – which are castle ruins located on a dramatic cliff on the coastline.
• Carrick-a-rede Rope Bridge  – a 20 metre long and 30 metre high rope bridge with stunning coastal scenery.
• Ballintoy Harbour  – a quaint harbour with beaches and caves to explore that is also a Game of Thrones filming location.
• Portstewart  – a seaside town with beautiful beaches to explore.
• Mussenden Temple and Downhill Demesne  – a National Trust site, with incredible seaside views.
• The Giant’s Causeway  – which is one of the top sights in Northern Ireland.

March in Ireland is an excellent month to plan for a full blown road trip. One of our favourite road trip spots happens to be the Wild Atlantic Way. It’s broken up into 6 sections, all filled with stunning coastal scenery, quaint towns, and great food. Here is the breakdown of sections along the Wild Atlantic Way, and the best places to see.

Section 1 – The Haven Coast

Section 2 – Southern Peninsulas

• Ring of Kerry
• Killarney National Park

Section 3 -The Cliff Coast

Cliffs of Moher

• Burren National Park

Section 4 – The Bay Coast

•  Achill Island
• Aran Islands

Section 5 – The Surf Coast

Section 6 – The Northern Headlands

• Slieve League Cliffs

For more information on driving the Wild Atlantic Way , you can checkout this helpful guide.

Another great road trip option when visiting Ireland in March is the Ring of Kerry. This is a very popular tourist spot, so visiting in the shoulder season is a must. The full drive around the Ring of Kerry will take around 3 hours. But you will want to take your time. Here are some suggestions of things to see and do along the way:

• Killarney National Park – whilst not part of the Ring of Kerry if you are staying in Killarney you should definitely try and visit.
• Caherdaniel

If you do happen to be in Ireland on St Patrick’s Day, then you absolutely have to party. We spent it in Dublin one year, and it was both chaotic, and incredible. Admittedly it can be hard to get a place in a bar, especially around Temple Bar, but it is so much fun, and a once in a lifetime experience. Just be prepared for a lot of drunk people, big crowds, and expensive hotels.

If you get the opportunity it is probably better spending the day in one of the smaller less touristy towns in Ireland, for example Sligo. It’s a much more authentic experience, and it’s nowhere near as intense as Dublin.

March in Ireland is also perfect for hiking. And honestly the whole country is made for it. There are so many beautiful spots to hike including Glendalough, the Wicklow Mountains, Killarney National Park, and our favourite Sligo.

Just keep an eye on the weather, as things can turn quite quickly. Make sure you are following the paths, and do your research before you go. Some hikes can be dangerous and are only recommend for experienced hikers.

Apart from Dublin and Belfast some of the other tourist hot spots in Ireland include, Galway, Cork, The Cliffs of Moher, Blarney Castle, and much more. One of the benefits of visiting Ireland in March is that you can visit these popular places, with only a fraction of the tourist numbers compared to the summer months. Here is a rundown on some of the best places to visit in Ireland in March.

Galway is a great place to visit in March, as this is just before the busy season. Some of the best things to do include:

• Visit Quay Street  – and soak in the brilliant atmosphere and listen to the buskers.
• Explore Galway Cathedral  – one of the largest and most impressive buildings in the city. 
• Galway City Museum  – to gain an understanding of the cultural heritage related to the city of Galway.
• Do a Hop On Hop Off bus tour  – and get around the city with ease.
• Do a walking tour  – to learn all about the history of the city.
• Visit Salthill  – to explore one of the beautiful beaches surrounding the city.
• Visit the Aran Islands – One of the best day trips that you can do from Galway .

Cork is a popular city located in the south west of Ireland. It’s a bustling student city, with a lot of history, and a lot to explore. Here are some highlights:

• Stroll through the English Market
• Visit the Crawford Municipal Art Gallery
• Visit Cork City Gaol
• Do a food tasting tour
• Explore St Fin Barre’s Cathedral
• Enjoy a harbour cruise
• Ring the Bells at St Anne’s Church
• Do a Cork Harbour cruise
• Do a historical guided tour

The Cliffs of Moher are a must for any  Irish bucket list . They are rugged and steep cliffs that face into the Atlantic Ocean. They are located in County Clare and are about 14 kilometres in length. At the highest point the cliffs are about 214 metres tall.

Some of the top things to see and do here include:

• Go on a hike around the Cliffs  – to get away from the tourist hustle and bustle. Just be careful and don’t deviate from the paths as you could be injured or fall.
• Visit O’Brien’s Tower  – a tower that was built in 1835 to serve as an observation point for tourists visiting the cliffs.
• Make use of the visitors centre  – and explore the exhibits, grab a bite to eat, or use the amenities.

And if you are looking for things to do near the Cliffs of Moher you may want to consider the following:

• Explore Doolin  – where you can do a cruise that takes you to the base of the Cliffs.
• Visit the Burren National Park-  with it’s unique rocky landscape.

Blarney Castle

Located in County Cork, visiting Blarney Castle is one of the top things to do in Ireland. It’s home to the famous Blarney Stone, and legend has it, if you kiss it you will be given the gift of the gab. It gets incredibly busy here, so we think visiting in March before tourist season is a must.

As mentioned previously the weather in Ireland can be incredibly unpredictable. March is one of those months where you will have good and bad days, and you really do need to prepare for rain. Luckily Ireland is famous for its many pubs, so make sure you take advantage and get cosy with a pint and a trad session.

If you are planning to visit Ireland in March you will be pleased to know that it is definitely the season for comfort food. It’s still quite chilly, so things like soup and soda bread, and Irish stews are an absolute must.

As it comes into spring foods like lamb, and green vegetables like spinach and asparagus start popping up in seasonal dishes. Towns and cities like Galway, Kerry, and even Sligo, have plenty of restaurants doing locally sourced ingredients. Therefore March is an excellent time to visit if you love food.

Ireland in March might be the start of spring, but that doesn’t mean that the weather is going to warm up straight away.

Overall temperatures range on average between 4°C and 10°C. It’s still quite cool at the beginning of the month so if you are visiting pack some warm clothes. Towards the end of the month though it starts to warm, although it is Ireland, so when we say warm, we just mean something like 10°C and above.

The weather in March is a real mix of rain, wind, and sunny days. Basically anything goes so make sure that you pack accordingly.

Here we list some of the pros and cons for visiting Ireland in March so you can weight up whether it is worth the visit.

• Milder Weather
• Cheaper air fares
• Cheaper accommodation (except easter/ St Patricks Day)
• Less Tourists

• Unpredictable weather
• It’s still quite cold
• St Patrick’s Day can be intense and super busy
• Some things are closed during Easter holidays (if Easter falls in March)

Ireland in March is a decent enough time to do a road trip across the country . Because the weather is mild, you shouldn’t encounter frost, which makes it a lot easier to drive.

Realistically driving is the best way to get around Ireland. Public transport isn’t always great, so a car will make your trip a lot smoother.

You can get the train, but these mostly leave from Dublin, and don’t connect a lot of the larger cities in the country. For example you can get from Dublin to Cork, but you can’t get from Cork to Galway easily.

If you wanted to do a day trip using only public transport say from  Dublin to the Cliffs of Moher  you genuinely would struggle. It’s possible but it would involve a lot of changes.

Bus Éireann  also have a few routes throughout the country, but these aren’t always frequent so check the route and times before you travel.

Your other alternative for getting around Ireland in March time, is to base yourself somewhere like Dublin or Belfast, and then book some organised day trips to other parts of the country.

Costs for visiting Ireland in March will very much depend on what you plan to see and do. Dublin for example is one of the more expensive cities, especially when it comes to food, drink, and accommodation. And that is pretty standard no matter what time of year you visit.

As a general rule though here are some estimates when it comes to costs in Ireland.

Car Rentals:  €100 + per day on average (depending on car type, what insurance you want to purchase, and any extras). Keep and eye out for hidden costs such as surcharges for returning the car at a different location from where you rented it. Always check your fine print on any rental contract.

Petrol:  €100 to fill the tank (this will vary depending on the type of car) – we do recommend a smaller car if you are planning a road trip around Ireland as the roads are small anyway. Plus it’s more economical with petrol.

Accommodation:  A minimum of €150 per night for something mid-range (depending on location, time of year, and amenities). In Dublin you are looking at a substantial amount more per night.

Attractions:  €20 per person per day depending on what you want to see and do.

Food & Drink:  €60 per person per day for standard pub style meals and a few drinks.

Overall we would recommend budgeting about €100-€150 per person per day (not including accommodation). Costs can be brought down especially if you opt for cheaper accommodation and meals.

If you are visiting Northern Ireland keep in mind that they use pounds not euros. Northern Ireland or Belfast in particular is slightly cheaper than Dublin . Although accommodation is still quite pricey especially at a weekend. We ended up paying almost £200 for one night in a hotel in Belfast on a Saturday night. This was in the middle of school holidays in August though.

Are you wondering if Ireland is worth visiting ? Here is a helpful guide.

If you are visiting Ireland in March, then you might be wondering what you need to pack for your trip. It’s still pretty cold in March although the weather is definitely getting better than December and January.

Here are some of the must pack items for visiting Ireland in March.

• Raincoat/ Umbrella – be prepared for rain
• A warm jacket/coat – the weather can still be cold
• Hiking boots – there is so much natural beauty in Ireland that you will want to explore.
• Comfy shoes – apart from hiking boots, pack comfortable footwear because you will do a lot of walking.
• Layers – Again no matter what the season the weather in Ireland can be unpredictable. Make sure you layer up.

Here are some top tips for visiting Ireland in March.

• The weather can still be unpredictable so keep this in mind when visiting, and plan accordingly.
• March is a good time to do a road trip, but check weather conditions before you set off.
• March the 17th (St Patrick’s Day) is a public holiday, so things may be a lot busier than usual.
• Daylight hours are just over 12 hours per day in March, so again keep this in mind and plan accordingly.

Hopefully this article has helped your plan your trip to Ireland in March.

We think March is a fantastic time to visit Ireland. There is a genuine shift throughout the country at this time of year, as the cold harsh winter months fade, and spring begins. Daylight hours also start to increase, making it a great time to do a road trip, and explore the country.

As we have mentioned it’s a relatively cheap month to visit Ireland, unless of course you come for St Patrick’s Day. Although don’t let the cost put you off, because being in Ireland on St Patrick’s day is very much a bucket list thing to do. So if you get the chance to be there embrace it!

We hope you enjoy your trip to Ireland, and don’t forget to pin this article so you can look back on it later.

Happy travels!

Wanderlust and Life is a blog for those that love to travel.

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Ireland in March: Early Spring Weather, Activities, & Events

Ireland in March can be somewhat of a tease – we finally get out of the dreary winter months and look forward to warmer spring months ahead, but there’s still a bit of wet weather to get through. Luckily, there are plenty of fun events during this time of year, such as the famous St. Patrick’s Day, which is a blast to attend in any city in Ireland.

In addition to St. Patrick’s Day, you’ll find plenty of other events, such as art and movie festivals. This is also an ideal time of year to explore museums so you can get a break from the rain but visit them before the summer crowds come.

While I have an article on the general things to do in Ireland in spring , this post dives into everything you need to know about visiting during March in Ireland.

Table of Contents

What to Know About Visiting March in Ireland

The turn to spring has begun, and the days start to get just a little longer. The average temperatures are up, and you can spot the extra bits of color beginning to emerge from the perpetual green.

March is very special in Ireland, at the very least for two particular occasions. Occasionally, one is Easter, which happens toward the end of the month when it does fall in March. 

The other is St. Patrick’s Day, a famous tradition that involves much merriment, the celebration of being Irish, and lots and lots of whiskey and ale. 

Is Ireland Worth Visiting in March?

When you begin to appreciate the many fun facts about Ireland , you understand why the country is so special to visit at any time of the year. With spring taking hold, there’s a buzz of expectation in the air.

In 2023, March will not include Easter celebrations (this takes place in April 2023). A pity, as there is a full program of events in most towns and cities over this time. 

No matter. The visitors and travelers have started coming back, so accommodations and taverns will feel a little fuller. This might mean a slight bump in prices for most things, but it will still be reasonable compared to high summer. 

The three main sites will also see their calendars filled with more events and attractions (see more on this below).  

Ireland in March Weather

It’s still a little cold, averaging around 11°C/52°F in the hottest part of the day. It’s also still quite rainy, but that’s parred for the course in Ireland. Add to that the chilly waters, and it’s clear why swimming outdoors isn’t top of the agenda at his time. 

You may get lucky with a fairly warm afternoon towards the end of the month. If it happens, it will top out at 17°C/63°F at a maximum. It will be chilly in the mornings and evenings, averaging around 0°C/32°F .

The rain will not be as regular as in February, and you can expect at least a few days here and there without heavy rain. A few days in the month usually record more than two inches of precipitation, and moderate winds are also a regular event.

Lastly, between the first day of March and the last, the daylight increases by about three hours, which gives you some idea of how rapidly the warmer weather is arriving. Be sure to make the most of those extra hours of sunlight. 

What to Pack for Ireland in March

All this talk of rain and wind begs the question: What should you pack in preparation for a fabulous getaway during March in Ireland? Thankfully, there’s a handy list of things to remember, and it’s right here: 

• A warm, rain-resistant waterproof jacket or two.
• Thermal or long underwear for the cold evenings. Sometimes just the upper bit may do.
• A good pair of jeans or heavy trousers.
• A warm sweater if you plan to walk anywhere (which you will).
• A strong pair of rain-resistant walking boots or shoes. 
• Fleece-lined gloves for the odd cold night.
• Tights, if you plan to wear dresses.

The best advice is to plan to dress in layers. It’s cold outside, but most establishments have heating. When you enter a pub, home, or hotel, you’ll want to get down to a cardigan or light sweater and leave the coat at the door. 

Tip: Need more packing advice? Take a look at this more detailed and comprehensive list of what to pack for Ireland .

Events & Places to Attend in Ireland in March

March might be considered a festival month in Ireland, and it seems like the country can’t wait to celebrate the end of winter. Here’s what to look out for and get up to in Dublin, Belfast, and Galway. 

Dublin in March

Aside from the cultural and celebratory events, consider a sports game if you have a spare day. Though not specifically mentioned below, the late season of football, Gaelic games, and rugby are still in full swing and are well worth experiencing for the atmosphere. That said, here are the key festivals and events to keep an eye out for.

St. Patrick’s Day in Dublin

March 17th is a special day in Ireland, and during March in Ireland, St. Patrick’s Day in Dublin is celebrated with a parade. Several streets are closed down, making for an eerie quiet early in the morning. Then the parades hit, and the people come out as the whole inner city transforms into one big party. Make sure to check out my St. Patrick’s Day packing list before heading out for the big day.

The festivities move from Parnell Square to O’Connell Street, winding its way around the town until ending close to St. Stephen’s Green. 

For those who may not know, Saint Patrick is the patron saint of Ireland, though, ironically, he was not actually Irish. He was brought to Ireland as a slave and turned to Christianity, escaping to return as a missionary eventually. It is believed he died on March 17th, 460 AD. St. Patrick is largely credited with converting many Irish people to Christianity. As the legend suggests, he probably did not introduce Christianity to the island.

Check out what else there is to do in Dublin, whether you’re in Dublin for a day or spend three days in Dublin .

Date: March 17th

Mother Tongues Festival

There are many subjects for festivals, and language seems like a noble one among those. All things that relate to linguistic diversity are celebrated at the Mother Tongues festival. By its very definition, this also means that insight into the culture, history, and people form a large part of the vision.

The festival’s mantra asks that people come with a commitment to learning something new about someone or their language. The event is partly inspired by the surprisingly large number of languages spoken in the country itself. Dates: Yet to be confirmed, but the multi-event program often runs into March.

The Ennis Book Club Festival

Readers rejoice! Books are your favorite things, and reading is what Ennis is all about. Books are on sale, of course, but this is also an opportunity to meet emerging and established authors and attend a panel discussion focused on the genre.

One of the popular highlights is a “Ten Books You Should Read” list released every year, which usually means a big boost for the featured ones. 

Dates: 3rd-5th March 2023

Belfast in March

Belfast is a city of history, especially the Irish Troubles and its violent history of protest and religious conflict. It also has a reputation for being a top-class food city, with several Michelin-star restaurants, so March in Belfast is an ideal time to visit. 

The city is also a great departure point for a Causeway Coast Tour , and this will be potentially more amenable in March than in the colder December through February season. In a modern age of trade and peace, Belfast is one of the most fascinating cities to visit in Europe. 

St. Patrick’s Day in Belfast

Like Dublin, Belfast has a variety of events that it hosts on or for St. Patrick’s Day. It starts on St. Patrick’s eve (March 16th) with a concert featuring some of the city’s most popular musicians.

On the 17th, about 2000 runners participate in the Spar Craic 10K road race. Even more, event-goers will attend the St Patrick’s Day Pageant Parade from Belfast City Hall later in the day. Local listings will detail more local events at various pubs, squares, and restaurants. 

You can also check out the kid-friendly things to do in Belfast if you’re with family.

Date: 17th March 2023

Galway in March

The famous song “Spring Comes to Spiddal” by the Anglo-Irish band The Waterboys mentions Galway Bay as a reference point. Several descriptive images populate the song, most of which discuss the festive spirit and atmosphere of the region as “farmers gather talking, freed from winter’s yoke.”  

Here are a few things to get to for a personal experience.

Depending on the scheduling, Tedfest takes place either in late February or early March each year. In 2023, Tedfast will be taking place in Ireland in March. This minimal ticket event is a celebration of all things Father Ted, a popular TV sitcom show from the 90s.

Be warned, for the uninitiated, it’s extremely weird. Attendees dress up as priests and nuns, there’s tea and biscuits on offer, and most of the talk revolves around happenings in the show. 

Dates: 2nd-5th March 2023 

The annual Spring Arts Festival usually takes place in mid-March and is a college-focused arts fest. Drama, dance, and other performing and visual arts get the spotlight, and most events are free. The festival is hosted at the National University of Ireland, Galway.

Specific dates are yet to be confirmed at the time of writing, but you’ll want to look it up closer to your trip to visit during March in Galway.

St. Patrick’s Day in Galway

As mentioned, Galway arranges a great parade with lots of music, dance, performers, and floats. Who doesn’t love a fun parade? A local Galway pub will welcome you for a pint or two, and it’s the only way to celebrate a public holiday in Ireland.

More Things To Do in Ireland in March

Beyond those three major cities, Ireland has a lot to look forward to in Ireland in general. 

Feis-Shligigh

Originally a Gaelic festival connected to Connacht, Feis-Shligigh aims to celebrate the language and heritage of Ireland. 

Interestingly, the festival used to be held over Easter Week. Due to calendar congestion, however, the festival has recently been scheduled to take place over the three consecutive weekends ahead of Easter. 

During Holy Week itself, there are four days of drama and stage productions to enjoy. Dates: Three consecutive weekends from 17th March (which also happens to be St Patrick’s Day) and through Holy (Easter) Week.

First Cut Youth Film Festival

Come and see the future of Irish film! Young filmmakers are invited to submit their film projects for feature at the First Cut Youth Film Festival each year. The festival itself is held in Youghal, Cork.

All genres are accepted, and young filmmakers, who may be college or even high school-age, get to showcase their talents. Among the viewers are industry experts and fans, and the filmmakers attend talks and workshops with the experts, too. 

Dates: 11th-18th March 2023

Wander Wild Festival

If you’re in the mood for something different and more rugged, you may be interested in the Wander Wild Festival. This is designed for bushwhackers, hikers, and nature explorers.

You can swim in a lake, climb a mountain, kayak, horse ride, and much more. The entire “festival” is really an exploration of Killarney National Park and its various attractions. Trails, rivers, and tracks make up the “entertainment.” 

There’s also an aspect that has to do with relaxation and mindfulness. It’s all about getting to nature and its abilities to contribute to your personal, mental and physical well-being. Whether that means working up a sweat or simply finding a peaceful corner of the park to breathe is up to you. 

After, explore all the fun things to do in Dingle while you’re in the area.

Dates: 24th-26th March 2023

Kilkenny Tradfest

This is yet another festival celebrating the traditional music and fun aspect of Irish culture. This time the celebrations take place in the southeast county of Kilkenny, where famous names in the scene descend to entertain the masses. 

Kanturk Arts Festival

Usually held in March, Kanturk is for fine arts lovers. Artists from all around Ireland and beyond exhibit work and host discussions around the incredible artistry on show.

Alongside the main festival are secondary exhibitions and projects, like the Schools’ Street Display. This exciting leg of the fest hosts a competition for young artists from Kanturk, Kilbrin, Lismore, Banteer, and Castlemagner’s post-primary schools. 

The winning pieces in various categories are exhibited during the festival.

You’ll love visiting Ireland in March with all these things to do in the country.

Marissa became obsessed with Ireland when she first visited in 2015, and has been back numerous times since to explore more of the Emerald Isle. She started this site to help others plan their trip to Ireland based off her experiences.

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Ireland in MARCH: Weather, Cost, Things To Do & Travel Tips

March in Ireland. The days are getting longer. The weather is getting somewhat milder, but there’s still a chill in the air. There is one thing, however, that makes March a brilliant time to visit Ireland; the world-famous St. Patrick’s Day celebration.

In this guide, we are going to outline why we think March is not the worst time to visit Ireland. With some careful planning (and packing!) you may be able to explore a lot more of the country than in January and February .

As we already mentioned in previous posts about visiting in the winter months, we are strong advocates for Ireland being best enjoyed in the late spring, summer and early autumn months.

These months will give you the best chance of experiencing Ireland’s greatest asset:  its landscape.

A  study  by Ireland’s official tourism board, Bord Failte, concluded that 91% of tourists visitied Ireland to experience its magnificent landscapes.

So, this begs the question: Is it really worthwhile visiting Ireland at a time where the weather is still cool and unpredictable?

The answer is: YES! If you come for St. Patrick’s Day (17th March), you’ll get to experience Ireland’s national holiday in all its glory. It’s also probably the first month of the year where you can explore some of the natural sights with still very few tourists around.

Table of Contents

The weather, daylight hours, the price of accommodation/flights, what’s on in ireland in march, real feel/the march wind, does it snow in ireland, the prices/cost of visiting ireland in march, visit dublin for the st. patrick’s day festival, visit an irish town for the st. patrick’s day festival, visit the national museums of ireland, visit the book of kells/trinity college, visit the guinness storehouse to sample the ‘black stuff’, other sights in dublin worth visiting, visit the wonderful west of ireland, choose where to stay (bases) and book trips while there., climb croagh patrick, kylemore abbey and gardens, the national botanic gardens of ireland, dublin, what you’ll need to wear in ireland in march, our thoughts: is march a good month to visit ireland, is ireland worth visiting in march, what happens in ireland on march 17, is it green in ireland in march, things to consider before visiting ireland in march.

March is officially the first month of spring in Ireland. There is a better chance of milder weather in this month than January and February.

Expect highs of 10 – 11 degrees Celsius and lows of 3 – 5 degrees , with an average of 6 – 8 degrees Celsius (approx. 45 Fahrenheit ) (source: Met.ie)

The typical weather at this time of the year is changeable and feels like a ‘battle’ between the winter and spring months. The month is known for the ‘March wind’ , a cold, biting wind that usually origintes from continental Europe.

March is when you’ll really notice a difference in the length of the days. At the start of the month, expect about 11 hours of brightness and towards the end a very respectable 13 hours. (source: Time and Date )

This definitely offers plenty more daylight to get out and explore the country.

One of the best (if not the best) reason to visit Ireland in March is the great deals you can snap up. Hotels are significantly less expensive than in the summer months.

But… they certainly won’t be cheap in Dublin around St. Patrick’s Day and the city is notorious for hiking up the prices around this time.

Flights are known to be a lot cheaper in the month of March than in summer months also, especially as the demand is quite low, except of course during the run up to St. Patrick’s Day.

Tip: Book your flight well in advance. If you book 6 months to a year in advance, the prices leading up to St. Patrick’s Day will be slightly more expensive, but compared to booking later, there’ll be a huge difference.

Have a look at the prices below: This very useful aggregator tool provides the final price of your ticket, with no hidden costs.

Apart from St. Patrick’s Day in Dublin, you’ll find most attractions will be open and many bed and breakfasts will start to reoopen after a break for the winter (especially towards the end of the month)

In saying this, March is still a quiet month. You’ll find the major attractions such as the Guinness Storehouse will always attract a crowd, but the further into the countryside you go, the less tourists you’ll encounter.

While there is a scattering of great festivals in Ireland in March, such as the Dingle International Film Festival , the mother of all festivals takes place: St. Patrick’s Day.

In Dublin, expect a whopping half a million to line the streets to enjoy the parade, Guinness and craic.

If these crowds are not your thing, the good news is that practically every town in the country will have a St. Patrick’s Day parade. More on this later.

The weather in Ireland in March can be characterized as being changeable and cool. You’ll find western areas getting more rain than the east, but the latter having colder temperatures.

March 2023 saw record levels of rainfall in the country with some areas totalling nearly 200 mm for the month.

We’ll choose 4 weather stations in the four corners of the country to give the best overview.

We will be looking at four important factors regarding the weather in Ireland in March: temperature, number of rainy days and rainfall. The fourth and often overlooked factor is how the weather actually feels; this is linked to wind and the wind chill factor.

Dublin, located on the east coast of Ireland has a long term average temperature for March of 6.7 degrees Celsius (44 Fahrenheit)

Expect rainfall on at least 11 days of the month, and an overall precipitation total of 52.6 mm. (source: Met Eireann)

Cork, Ireland’s second largest city, is located on the south of Ireland. Cork has a long term average temperature for March of 6.8 degrees Celsius (44 Fahrenheit)

Expect rainfall on at least 16 days of the month, and an overall precipitation total of 97.6 mm. (source: Met Eireann)

Galway is notorious for rain, because of its Atlantic coast location. It is located in the west of Ireland. Galway has a long term average temperature for March of 7.9 degrees Celsius (46 Fahrenheit)

Expect rainfall on at least 21 days of the month, and an overall precipitation total of 106.4 mm . (source: Met Eireann)

Derry City, located in the far north of the country, is one of the colder cities of Ireland, with a average March temperature of 6.0 Celsius (43 Fahrenheit) Expect at least 17 days of rain, with around 60 mm of precipitation for the month.

Snow is more likely in Derry because of its northerly location. (source: Weather Atlas)

If we look at the temperatures above, you may be thinking that 7 degrees isn’t all that bad. Many central and Eastern European countries, along with many locations in America will have averages a lot lower than this for March.

For those of you not used to humid and windier countries, Ireland may feel a lot colder than it is. The air is laden with moisture and can really get into your bones. But, there is no such as thing as bad weather, just bad clothes!

Luckily, Ireland in March will not experience any massive snow storms or extreme heat so being a bit on the cool side should not be that much of an issue (if you pack well… more on that later)

It’s rare in the winter months and the chances in March are even less. It is common to see snow on higher ground and certain areas such as the Wicklow Mountains do see some snow.

If it snows in March, it rarely stays around for long and the prevailing milder westerly or southwesterly airflow will clear it up quickly

Daylight hours improve greatly in Ireland in March and this is particularly noticeable along the west coast. In Dublin at the start of the month, the sun rises at 7.13 am and sets at 18.02 pm, giving around 11 hours of brightness.

This increases to around 13 hours in Dublin by the end of the month. In Galway at the start of the month, the sun rises at 7.24 am and sets at 18.13 pm, giving also around 11 hours of brightness.

By the end of the month, the sun won’t set until after 8 pm in Galway and as it’s west-facing, it does not get truly dark till well after that.

As briefly alluded to earlier, you will find that prices for accommodation around St. Patrick’s Day will be higher than the average for the month of March.

For the rest of the month though, you’ll get some decent rates, certainly a lot more affordable than summer.

Below, we have compiled data from Ireland’s official travel agency, ‘Bord Failte’. Our graph shows the average rate per hotel room per month (2022) in Ireland.

You’ll notice there is a BIG difference of almost 50 euros between peak season (July) and March. If you decide to take a chance on visiting Ireland in March and you end up getting good weather, you’ll be laughing all the way to the bank…

Dublin, on average, will be slightly higher than the average price quoted above, being the capital and all. Once again, we highly recommend booking well in advance. Click here to see what’s on offer.

What to do in Ireland in March

The St. Patrick’s Day Festival in Dublin is a huge 5-day long celebration held annually in honor of Ireland’s patron saint, St. Patrick.

This festival is one of the largest and most anticipated cultural events in the country, with both locals and visitors from abroad getting in on the act.

The festivities’ main highlight is the St. Patrick’s Day Parade, held on March 17th. The parade consists of colourful floats, marching bands from Ireland and overseas, and artistic performances, all portraying Ireland’s rich heritage and cultural diversity.

Hundreds of thousands of spectators line the streets of Dublin, creating a truly festive and enjoyable atmosphere.

In addition to the parade, the festival features loads of events and activities that cater to people of all ages and interests. These include live music concerts, traditional Irish dance performances, street theatre, art exhibitions, and interactive workshops.

The streets and pubs of Dublin come alive with a sea of green as people dress in the national colour, with the customary shamrock on display.

The city’s landmarks and buildings are beautifully illuminated with green lights. In fact, you may have notice of late that many of the world’s most well-known buidlings and landmarks are also illuminated in green for St. Patrick’s Day.

There’s Guinness aplenty too, with many areas such as Temple Bar dishing out pints to throngs of party goers, from near and far.

Why not visit one of the smaller cities for St. Patrick’s Day? There will be crowds, but nothing near as much as in the capital.

Galway , known for its lively arts and culture scene, puts on an exciting St. Patrick’s Day celebration. The festival features a colorful parade, street performers, traditional music sessions, and cultural displays.

Galway’s bohemian atmosphere adds a unique charm to the festivities.

Waterford , Ireland’s oldest city, hosts a lively St. Patrick’s Day parade that attracts thousands of spectators. The parade features impressive floats, marching bands, and community groups, adding to the festive atmosphere.

Waterford’s rich Viking history adds a distinctive element to the celebrations.

Limerick embraces the spirit of St. Patrick’s Day with a diverse program of events, including a grand parade, traditional music and dance performances, sporting events, and family-friendly activities.

The city’s medieval landmarks provide a stunning backdrop for the celebrations.

Other smaller towns will also add a little of their own tradition for St. Patrick’s Day. For example, in Dingle , if you’re up early enough, you’ll witness the local marching band taking to the streets at 6 am!

They’ll wind their way through the town till around 8 am, have a little break and get going again in the afternoon. They’ll have certainly earned their Guinness that day…

The beautiful picturesque village of Mulranny will start good and early as well, along with the pipe band on Achill Island. Certainly a more unique way to experience St. Patrick’s Day in Ireland.

Explore the City of Dublin

Apart from St. Patrick’s Day, visiting Dublin is the best thing to do in Ireland in March. You’ll get good deals on hotels and there will be significantly less crowds at the main attractions. Here is a sample of some brilliant things to do in Dublin in March.

Admission is free! There are 3 museums: Art, Archaeology and Natural History. Details of each are here. My personal favourite is the National Museum of Archaeology.

This museum is fascinating and holds some wonderful artefacts from the Stone Age to the Viking Era and so much more. One of the most standout items on display must be the ‘ bog bodies ‘; creepily well-preserved bodies dating back over 2,500 years.

There is one absolute must on your trip to Dublin and that’s visiting the ‘Book of Kells’. You’ll need to book this ticket in advance, there is no chance of just showing up and being able to view. This is one of the most popular tours in all of Ireland.

It is located in Trinity College in the city centre, and includes one of the most breathtaking pieces of literature known to exist. It was crafted by monks in the year 800 AD and contains the 4 Gospels in spectacular illustrated form. Every day a new page is turned.

For many, the tour of the Long Room, which is included in the ticket price will be just as spectacular, not just because it resembles the library in the ‘Harry Potter’ movies, but for the majesty of the structure and design of the interior.

The oldest harp in Ireland is also on display in the Long Room. You can get a fast-track combination ticket for the Book of Kells and Dublin Castle here.

Guinness holds a legendary status in Ireland and beyond. Why not visit the museum to get an insight into just how legendary this drink is? You get a free pint at the end and be treated to wonderful views out over Dublin.

This is a great experience and one you’ll be amazed at the sheer scale of both the visitor centre and the brewery itself. It’s almost like a city within a city. You can book tickets here.

There are numerous sights to see in Dublin, including the fascinating Kilmainham Gaol, The Jameson Distillery and much more.

This link will give you direct access to pretty much all attractions in the city of Dublin, along with ratings and reviews.

Insider Tip: To avail of many of the wonderful attractions on offer, we highly recommend the Dublin Card. This card will allow you access to over 35 attractions in the city, at a greatly reduced rate. You can get it here .

Generally speaking, the weather will get milder towards the end of March, and that will enable some exploring of the wonderful west coast of Ireland. We strongly believe the west of Ireland is a must-visit on your trip to Ireland.

The gradual increase in temperatures means the countryside is slowly starting to come to life. The almost blinding yellow colour of the wonderful gorse plants along the west coast is a sight to behold

You’ll notice the daffodils are fully in bloom, along with the first blooming trees of hawthorn, whitethorn, hazel and willow creating a scattering of colour.

Keep an eye out for the first wildflowers of the year, such as snowdrops (the first sign of spring, you’ll heard being said) and primroses.

A trip to Connemara National Park at the end of March this year (2023) revealed an ocean of wild garlic along the Ellis Wood Nature Trail.

The grass will begin to look healthier again after the winter and you’ll be stopping the car at plenty of field gates to get some photos of those adorable newly born lambs. Instead of trying to put this west of Ireland scene into words, have a look at a dashcam video we made on a recent trip:

If visiting a sheep farm is a top priority on your trip to Ireland (and I am well aware that it is for many!) the very best time to do so is March/April.

You’ll get to be up close and personal to these lambs and you’ll get a great insight into the life and times of a sheep and his farmer in the west of Ireland.

For example, this tour will take in the magnificent Kylemore Abbey, along with visiting a sheep farm.

I could go on for another 10,000 words about what there is to see and do along the west coast of Ireland, but instead let me guide you to a post we put together, which takes in all the highlights, places to stay and so much more. Click here for our detailed guide on the west of Ireland.

Ok, you’ve had a look around for flights , found a cracking deal, and noticed that the price of accommodation ain’t that bad either. You’ve read our guide about the west of Ireland above and you’re just about to pack your bags…

But, at the back of your mind lies the question, ‘ What if it’s lashing rain the whole time?’ Well, here’s what we would do:

Choose a base where you can spend a few nights. Have ‘rainy day activities’ planned and ‘dry day activities’ planned. It’s important to choose these bases wisely though.

In this case, we recommend visiting the bigger towns/cities as they will offer more in the line of indoor activities. If we were to whittle it down to a few towns/cities, they would be the following :

• Dublin : There are countless things to see and do in the capital, and numerous day trips from the city, including a full-day to the Cliffs of Moher. You can also do beautiful cliff-walks in nearby Howth, Bray and Greystones.
• Galway : While there is not a huge amount of indoor attractions, the cathedral, Galway City Museum, aquarium, pubs, excellent galleries and craft shops will keep you busy on a wet day. For a dry day, Galway is arguably the best base . You’re within a couple of hours of the Cliffs of Moher, the Aran Islands, Connemara and the Burren National Park.
• Killarney : A great town with a good selection of indoor activities, from stately homes to castles. Killarney is the starting point to the world-famous Ring of Kerry, and also relatively close to one of our favourite place in Ireland: Slea Head.
• Westport: Another very scenic town located on the shores of Clew Bay and beside Ireland’s most well-known mountain, Croagh Patrick , there is also a good selection of indoor activities to enjoy. We have compiled a full list here.

Cities like Galway will have organised bus tours to all the iconic sights listed above, and in March you should be able to book a few days in advance, as there won’t be massive demand. You’ll see a full list of tours here.

What better way to commemorate the month of Patrick than by climbing Ireland’s holy mountain, Croagh Patrick?

I have personally climbed the mountain at the end of March. Actually, the weather was so good, it turned out to be be one of the best time I have ever climbed it.

We have a very detailed climbing guide, along with its history and all the practical info you need here .

Visit a Public Garden

As the seasons begin to change, growth will follow. What better way to witness this than by visiting a public garden in Ireland? There are many to choose from, but here are some of our favourites:

The beautifully picturesque grounds and surroundings of Kylemore Abbey in Connemara is characterized by dense vegetation.

In the later spring months, especially in May, you’ll be treated to an explosion of colour, with the magnifcent pink/purple rhododendron stealing the show.

On the grounds of the abbey you’ll find the Victorian Walled garden, which will start coming to life in the month of March. This wonderful blog frequently updates what’s growing in the garden in great detail.

Expect some beautiful daffodils and crocus on display, with countless more in the glasshouse. The craft shop also sells a great variety of seeds, should you want to create your own Victorian garden at home.

The National Botanic Gardens is a truly wonderful experience in Dublin. Entry is free of charge and it is located in Glasnevin, close to Ireland’s most famous cemetery.

Stroll through the grounds and admire the various collections, such as the Alpine Yard, Irish Native Plant collection or the herbaceous borders.

There is also several glasshouses to visit, from the Palm House to the Orchid House. Towards the end of March, you may be lucky and witness the cherry trees in bloom, and we all know what a spectacular sight this is.

You’ll need to pack well for your trip to Ireland in March. From having grown up in Ireland, here is what we reckon are the practical essentials. The fashion items, we’ll leave to you!

• Waterproof walking shoes (like these)
• An insulated rainjacket (like this)
• Warm thermal layers
• A large canopy-style, windproof umbrella (like this)
• Warm sweaters
• Warm/waterproof trousers, jeans
• Proper insulated and waterproof hiking gear if planning a climb + hiking boots

Important: A down jacket (with real down) is not a good idea, unless you plan on wearing it inside a rain layer.

The air in Ireland in March can humid, and with there being a decent chance of rain, the last thing you should be doing is walking around with a wet down jacket!

The oversized windproof umbrella is almost a must in Ireland. For anyone who has visited Ireland, you’ll know that the wind sometimes causes the rain to fall sideways!

In the pubs and restaurants in the evenings, you’ll notice the locals will dress well, but not overly formal. I guess dressy-casual would be the best description.

For St. Patrick’s Day, you’ll be surprised that many locals won’t be dressed in green. Instead, many will have a bunch of shamrock pinned to their lapel of their coat.

And green beer is not a thing in Ireland!!!

We believe March is certainly a better option for visiting Ireland than the 2 previous winter months of January and February. The days are getting longer, and the temperatures start to improve.

Throw in Ireland’s biggest party, St. Patrick’s Day, and if you get lucky with the weather, you’ll come home full of fantastic memories and a relatively healthy bank balance!

Except for the period around St. Patrick’s Day, you’ll still be able to avail of competitive hotel and flight prices and for many, this could be a real deal-breaker.

Ireland of late has become notoriously expensive, so visiting in March, a month in the ‘shoulder season’, may be getting more and more popular in the future.

So, are you going to go for it and book your flight for the month of March? Let us know in the comments below or if you have any more questions, we would be thrilled to help out!

March is a decent time to visit Ireland if you would like to explore the countryside. The days are getting longer and the temperatures are slowly improving. If experiencing Ireland’s culture is your top priority, then visiting Ireland on St. Patrick’s Day will make March one of the best times to visit.

On March 17, we Irish celebrate St. Patrick’s Day or known locally as ‘Paddy’s Day’. The Irish will pin a bunch of shamrock to the lapel of their jackets, and visit the nearest town to view the parade. This day commemorates the death of St. Patrick, Ireland’s patron, who died in the year 465 AD.

Certain parts of the country will start to see some considerable grass growth if there is a spell of mild weather in March and in the west of Ireland, lambing season will begin.

Plants such as gorse will bloom a beautiful vibrant yellow colour, and some of the first flowers of the year, such as snowdrops, daisies and primroses can be seen in abundance.

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March on the island of Ireland

Lambing season, gardens in bloom, and the big one – St Patricks's Day!

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Frolicking lambs, gardens in bloom, and the big one – St Patrick’s Day! It’s a great month to spring into the Emerald Isle.

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Spring is well and truly underway in Ireland. Lambing starts on farms around the countryside, gardens begin to pop with colour as flowers bloom, and one of the world’s BIGGEST parties rolls into town – none other than St Patrick’s Day .

Fancy seeing cute little lambs gambolling around picturesque green fields? Like the sound of strolling through world-renowned gardens? And how about celebrating Paddy’s Day in style with the locals? Then, bucket list at the ready, here are our top travel tips for visiting Ireland in March...

St Patrick’s Cathedral, Downpatrick, County Down

The home of St Patrick

St Patrick’s Day is 17 March, a day when the island pays homage to one of its patron saints. And thanks to an Irish diaspora all over the world, it’s one of the few national days that’s marked around the globe.

If you’d like to follow in the footsteps of the man himself, there are some great destinations to check out. Climb ancient Slemish Mountain in County Armagh, where a young Patrick worked as a slave herding sheep. Explore glistening Lough Derg in County Donegal, where St Patrick is said to have hunted the last snake in Ireland. And pay a visit to Down Cathedral in County Down, a revered site where the remains of St Patrick were buried after his death in 461AD. Discover more legendary St Patrick sites here .

For a full road trip itinerary, check out our St Patrick’s Country trip idea . And if you can’t make it to Ireland for the big day this year, then bring a little bit of St Patrick’s Day to you with these tasty St Patrick’s Day recipes . Or take our fun St Patrick’s quiz  to see how much you really know about the famous saint.

St Patrick’s Festival, Kilkenny

St Patrick’s Festivals

If raising a glass to toast St Patrick at a traditional music  session in one of Ireland’s pubs  is more your kind of thing, Ireland has got you covered! Festivals and parades take place all around the island, from Belfast to Cork and every colourful town and village in between.

The big one is St Patrick’s Festival  in Dublin, which this year sees the return of the lively Festival Quarter, transforming the city streets into an extravaganza of live music, DJs, Irish food and drink, art installations, pop-up performances and much more. Then, of course, there’s the St Patrick’s Day parade itself, as thousands of performers, dancers and marching bands wind their way through the city past famous landmarks, creating a spectacle you'll never forget.

In Northern Ireland, the Home of St Patrick Festival  takes place in Armagh, where St Patrick’s legacy runs deep. A vibrant showcase of culture, song and dance is guaranteed, in spectacular locations such as St Patrick’s Cathedral.

Montalto Estate, County Down

Spring in Ireland

The gardens of Ireland come into their own in spring and provide a quiet alternative to the hustle and bustle of St Patrick’s Day festivities. Flowers bloom and the grass shimmers an exquisite green after the spring rain, making our grand gardens places of beauty, peace and tranquillity.

For the “wow” factor, head to Powerscourt Estate, House and Gardens  in County Wicklow, a county so pretty that it’s nicknamed “the Garden of Ireland”. The pristine estate here was voted number 3 in the World’s Top 10 Gardens by National Geographic! Belfast’s Botanic Gardens are another treat for the senses, containing exotic tree species, unique plants and the must-snap Palm House, a gorgeous glasshouse made from curved iron in the mid 1800s.

Lesser-known gems include Altamont Gardens in County Carlow, a beautiful 16-hectare estate that strives for a balance of nature and artistry. In County Down, Rowallane Garden is home to a refined walled garden, café and tea garden, as well as an Instagram-worthy bookshop in Rowallane House.

Late March also sees the start of the lambing season in Ireland. With their cute faces, woolly bodies and gentle demeanour, sheep have become one of the island’s unofficial symbols. To get up close and personal with these adorable creatures, why not visit a sheep farm? Glenshane Country Farm is stunningly located at the foot of the Sperrin Mountains  in County Londonderry. Choose from two memorable tour experiences – Sheepdogs at Work and Shepherd’s Life.

Farms that are open to the public are dotted all around the island, so wherever you’re staying, a friendly and furry face is never far away!

Benbulben, County Sligo

March in Ireland travel tips

Weather on the island of Ireland in March can be a mixed bag. It’s mostly sunny with some clouds, but you can definitely expect a refreshing spring shower or two!

The temperature ranges from 3° to 12°, so bring a range of clothes and be prepared to layer up or down accordingly. Sure, being caught out by the Irish weather is practically a MUST on a visit here.

To whet your appetite for a trip, take a look at these 6 stunning images of Ireland in spring .

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Ireland in march: trip planning guide.

Ireland in March: what’s it really like? First-hand info on the weather in March in Ireland, tips on what to pack, the best places to see and what you need to know about St Patrick’s day celebrations.

March is a tempting month for traveling to Ireland.

Spring starts in the Emerald Isle on the first of the month and the biggest National celebration of all, St Patrick’s Day, happens on the 17th of the month too, with its promise of cheer and fun for all involved.

If you are planning on visiting Ireland in March, however, you are likely to have some questions.

Sure, spring officially starts now. But what is the weather in Ireland in March really like?

And what is St Patrick’s day in Ireland like do I want to be there or is it just too crowded and messy?

I have been living in Dublin for almost 15 years so, today, I put this experience to good use and created this article with all my best answers!

I hope it will help you plan your trip to Ireland and helo you decide if March is in Ireland is right for you!

March 2020 need to know For official info on the Corona Virus in Ireland, please refer to official info by the Health Service Executive here

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Table of Contents

Is March a good month to visit Ireland?

Before I go into more detail about what to expect in Ireland in March, I want to say that yes, I believe March is a lovely time to visit Ireland.

In March, the days start to get longer, meaning you have a decent amount of daylight for sightseeing, the temperature tends to get milder (with exceptions, see below our section about the weather) and overall the crowds are thin, the big exception being the long weekend around St Patrick’s day.

March in Ireland is good especially for:

• City sightseeing
• Castle visits
• Short excursions
• Romantic break/hotel stays
• St Patrick’s day parades and celebrations

March is a slightly less good month to visit Ireland if you are looking for a very sporty, outdoorsy time.

The weather at this time can be lovely but can also play tricks on you so, if you come mostly for the outdoors, you may need to stay flexible.

Come in the second half of the month for the best chance of bright, dry days.

March in Ireland: important dates

The main date you need to be aware of if traveling to Ireland in March is St Patrick’s Day, the 17th of March.

St Patrick’s day is a national holiday and many people travel to Ireland for it, something that can have an impact on the cost of your flight, hotels and on the availability of rooms.

If planning a trip around St Patrick’s day, advance booking of hotels is paramount.

I recommend making your booking on Booking.com as they tend to have great cancellation options should booking far in advance make you nervous.

What is the weather like in Ireland in March?

The weather in March in Ireland is a crazy beast with no rhyme, reason or discernible pattern of behavior, so I am tackling this topic on two fronts: the official info and my personal experience.

According to official data, March is the start of spring in Ireland.

The average temperature is 7C /45F degrees and we get about 24 days of rain per month, so overall, we get mild-to-cold and usually rainy days this time of the year.

Based on experience, however, I can tell you, the average temperature only tells you so much.

Irish weather in March is so changeable, you can get mild and really bright days and really grey and awful ones.

The best way to tackle planning and packing for Ireland in March is staying flexible: layers and a mix of indoor and outdoor plans are a must.

What to pack for Ireland in March

Considering the above, my must-have travel essentials for traveling to Ireland in March are:

• Waterproof shoes: walking shoes and boots are perfect both for the outdoor and the city.
• Warm socks/tights if bringing skirts or dresses
• Long trousers/pants (jeans work well)
• Thermal top layer if planning on extensive outdoor activities ort coming from a warm climate
• Long sleeve tops
• Warm cardigan or sweater
• Rain resistant winter coat/scarf, hat, gloves
• A nicer outfit if planning on staying in a castle hotel or resort
• All your standard toiletries + extra lip balm and hydrating cream to combat the cold
• A travel adapter for Ireland
• Extra Battery Pack for the phone
• All travel documents and prescriptions

Good to know : Ireland in March tend to be very windy so you don’t need to bother with an umbrella, it would most likely break! Instead, make sure your coat has a hood. If you opt for an umbrella anyway, make sure it is as wind-resistant as possible and hold it close to your head!

The best places to visit in Ireland in March

March is a good time to visit pretty much all Ireland’s most famous places however, there are my favorites.

Dublin City

Dublin has a lot to offer to visitors in March.

The city has a myriad of museums and restaurants and a good place to spend a weekend or to use as your first stop on an Ireland itinerary.

Things not to miss in Dublin include:

• The stunning Trinity College Library and the Book of Kells
• Dublin Castle and annexed Chester Beatty Library
• The Guinness Storehouse
• Dublinia (if coming to Dublin with kids )
• St Patricks’ Cathedral and Marsh Library.

Good to know : The Dublin Pass included most attractions in Dublin and can be convenient if you ate planning on extensive sightseeing.

Glendalough Monastic site

Located less than an hour south of Dublin, Glendalough is one of my favorite places in the whole of Ireland and a lovely one to visit in March.

The site dates back to medieval times and the moody March weather makes it super atmospheric, against the backdrop of the lake and the beautiful Wicklow mountains!

Make sure you take the walk around the lake and stip and the on-site hotel restaurant for a bowl of soup too.

Good to know : Several companies offer organized day trips from Dublin to Glendalough, so you don’t have the stress of driving should you prefer not to. Find info and prices here .

Cork City and Blarney Castle

March is also a great time to visit Cork City, the lovely town of Cobh and nearby Blarney Castle.

Cork City is a fun and dynamic place, full of nice pubs and restaurants to soak in the St Patrick’s Day festivities and Blarney castle is one of the best attractions in the whole of Ireland.

The castle is surrounded by large gardens and while more peasant on a dry day, it is very atmospheric on a rainy too!

Good to know : Blarney is very well served by tour companies ( Look here ) and it is easy to reach even if you are in Ireland without a car.

If you are spending the night in Cork, I recommend your stat at the River Lee hotel : we recently stayed with the kids and grandparents and all 3 generations liked it!

The cliffs of Moher and the Burren

I have thought long and hard about including the Cliffs of Moher on a March trip because let’s be honest: it can fo wither way!

On a good day, the cliffs are stunning at this time and you will have them almost entirely for yourself, the busy season not starting until April.

However, on a bad day the cliffs can be awful and in case of a weather warning even dangerous: so my advice is: add them to your trip but do take an eye on the weather and only go if safe to do so!

Many day tours to this area are available form Galway and Dublin: find them all here.

Newgrange and the Boyne Valley

Newgrange is one of the most peculiar and unique sites in the whole of Ireland and this notoriety comes at a cost: crowds!

In summer, at the peak of the tourism season, visiting is hard but in March it is easier!

Please note that tours of the tomb are suspended in 2020.

Book in advance to avoid disappointment.

Best things to do in Ireland in March

Cozy up in a romantic hotel.

March weather is the perfect excuse for a stay in one of Ireland’s many romantic hotels.

Some of our favorites are Dromoland Castle , Waterford Castle and the amazing Brooklodge Hotel in Wicklow (not a castle but oh so romantic! See our Brooklodge review here ).

Treat the kids to a stay in a family hotel

St Patrick’s day often comes with school closures and the opportunity to go away with the kids for a night or two.

Ireland has many fun family hotels to choose from.

You can read our selection for kids of different ages in our guide to the best family hotels in Ireland here .

Go to a St Patrick’s Day Parade… or not!

St Patrick’s Day is an important day in Ireland and one that comes with parades and celebrations all over the country.

The parades can be a lot of fun but can also be overwhelming.

If you think a massive gathering can be too tiring for you, opt for a stay in a smaller town instead: smaller centers can have lovely parades with a much more visitor-friendly atmosphere than the massive one in Dublin!

I highly recommend going to a smaller parade especially if visiting Irland with kids.

Need to know: ST Patrick’s Day attracts MANY visitors, who join the locals in country-wide celebrations. Advance booking of hotels is paramount and restaurant bookings for dinners out are also recommended. Pubs get very busy at this time and drinking can get heavy, especially late in the day. Opt for smaller centers and hotels away from the cities if you prefer a quieter experience. Be extra careful on the roads if driving.

Bring the kids to a farm

Ireland has a lot of cute, family-friendly farms where the kids can play and see the animals (March is the month for lambs!).

There are many all over the country and usually are also equipped with cafes and play areas for kids.

Visit a garden

Ireland has some stunning gardens and March, especially the second part of the month, is a great time to visit.

You have a variety of gardens to choose from but among the best, we believe are:

• Powerscourt (grand and formal)
• Mount Usher (Robinsonian, curated wild garden)
• Japanese gardens in Kildare (Japanese style garden + Celtic garden)

I hope you enjoyed this overview with what to expect in Ireland in March. Safe travels!

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Marta Correale

Marta Correale is the creator, writer and creative mind behind Learning Escapes. A travel loving mama of two from Italy, Marta currently lives in Ireland with her husband and two kids, they take frequent trips to European destination, the US and beyond. A professional travel blogger for over a decade, Marta is passionate about traveling with kids and helping others to travel more and better as a family.

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• Ireland Weather in March: Travel Tips for First-Timers

March is a great time of year to visit Ireland, with St Patrick's Day being celebrated throughout. We suggest exploring Dublin, Galway, the Cliffs of Moher, and the Wild Atlantic Way. Read on to find out more about travel and weather, including temperatures, rainfall, humidity, and tips for March.

Ireland Weather in March: Overview

• Temperature range: 4–10°C (40–51°F)
• Rainfall: 9 cm (3 inches)
• Rainy days: 16
• Sunshine hours/day: 4
• Humidity: around 70% (wet and on the humid side)

March is when Ireland starts moving from winter into spring, with more hours of sunshine per day (around 4 hours on average). If you prefer more sunshine, we recommend visiting towards the end of March rather than early March.

There is approximately 9 cm (or 3 inches) of rain in March in Ireland, and the temperature reaches an average of 10°C (51°F). While the weather can still be changable, in general the conditions are on the cooler side.

March Climate Comparison (Averages) for Ireland's Top Tourism Areas

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The Best Places to Visit in Ireland in March

There is lots to do and see around Ireland in March, particularly since it is also St Patrick's Day in March!

Since the weather is still on the cooler side with a little bit of rain throughout the country, we recommend places with a good mixture of indoor and outdoor activities so that you can adjust your days flexibly in accordance with the weather on the day.

In March, we recommend checking out Dublin or Galway for St Patrick's Day celebrations, and exploring the Cliffs of Moher as well as the Wild Atlantic Way for a taste of the best of Irish nature.

1. Celebrate St Patrick's Day in Dublin

Dublin is one of the best places in the world to celebrate St Patrick's Day, and in 2024, the celebration (which is on March 17 every year) is on a Sunday. The main event on this day is the parade that runs from Parnell Square through to Kevin Street and Cuffe Street.

We also recommend Festival Quarter, where you'll find a funfair, live music on stage, as well as lots of stalls selling traditional Irish food and drinks. There are activities for both young and old, so the parade is also worth visiting if you're traveling with your family.

Many of the museums and galleries will also run themed tours during this weekend, for example, the National Gallery of Ireland will usually have a St Patrick's Day tour on multiple times during the St Patrick's Day weekend.

And of course, we recommend visiting an Irish pub to finish off the day, as this is where the St Patrick's Day spirit will continue into the evenings.

2. Check out the St Patrick's Day Parade in Galway

Galway also celebrates St Patrick's Day big, with festivities running for the entire weekend between 15 and 18 March 2024. The main festival parade is on 17 March 2024, during which you'll be able to enjoy a showcase of local artists and community groups, celebrating Galway and Irish culture.

The parade in 2024 will stay the same as the route that has been used since 2019, from University Road through to Salmon Weir Bridge, Eglinton Street, and into Eyre Square and Prospect Hill.

Other festivities include live music throughout the city, outdoor film screenings at the Spanish Arch, and early Irish silent movies at the Pálás Cinema and at the Silent Cinema, on 17th and 18th March.

3. Feel the Breeze at the Cliffs of Moher

One of Ireland's best-known sights are the Cliffs of Moher, found on the western coastline of Ireland, at what feels like the end of the world. This is also the western edge of Europe, and the views from there over the Atlantic Ocean and the Aran Islands are incredible.

March is a good time to visit while there are fewer crowds (summers get extremely busy), and we recommend heading over to visit at sunset when the skies are beautiful.

There's a good information center to give you some background to the area and to plan your walk from.

4. Road Trip the Wild Atlantic Way

Ireland is the perfect location for a road trip, and we highly recommend renting a car and taking a drive on the Wild Atlantic Way. This route, which stretches across approximately 2,600 km (1,600 miles), is one of the longest coastal routes in the entire world.

The views around the Irish coast are just incredible, with misty mountain-scapes, secluded bays, gorgeous villages, and towering cliffs. If you enjoyed the Cliffs of Moher, and you like a road trip marked with stops in villages and walks along the way, we couldn't recommend this road trip more.

Low Season (Except St Patrick's Day): Less Expensive and Less Crowded

March is a great time of year to visit, as most of the month is relatively quiet and sees lower prices for accommodation and travel. The only exception to this is St Patrick's Day, when parties throughout the larger cities draw domestic tourists as well as tourists from across Europe.

As long as you book ahead for the weekend of St Patrick's Day (which falls on 17 March every year), you will be fine, and you will have a fantastic time seeing the celebrations in person!

What to Wear in March

Given that March is still a little bit cool (or even cold in the evenings), and the weather can be a bit volatile, we do recommend bringing plenty of layers to wrap up in. Additional fleeces or a waterproof layer are a good idea to bring, and we also suggest bringing gloves, a hat, and a scarf.

If you are looking to do some longer walks or hiking around the Cliffs of Moher or the Wild Atlantic Way, bringing your own hiking equipment is also a must. Supportive footwear is important, and some of the walks that are more difficult might also require walking poles.

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Weather in Ireland in March

By: Author LetsGoIreland

Posted on Last updated: September 3, 2020

Table of Contents

• 1 Ireland in March
• 2 Weather in Ireland in March
• 3 Temperature in Ireland in March
• 4 Rain in Ireland in March
• 5 Wind in Ireland in March
• 6 Weather in Dublin Ireland in March
• 7 Visiting Ireland in March?

Ireland in March

The feeling of spring starts to creep into the air in Ireland in March, particularly toward the latter part of the month. March also heralds the beginning of the tourist season with many tourists visiting Ireland to join in the celebrations of the national holiday, St. Patrick’s Day on March 17th. 

While the weather can still be mixed and as always, you should expect some rain, the feeling of winter is starting to feel like a more distant memory. It can be still cool, with average temperatures fluctuating around 7 °C (45 °C), so layer up and bring a good waterproof jacket to be prepared for all weather conditions. 

The days are also getting longer which makes road trips and sightseeing along the Wild Atlantic Way or Ireland’s Ancient East more favorable. Although it is still early in the season, trips to some of the islands, such as the Aran Islands could be considered for a travel itinerary.

City breaks in Ireland are good at any time of the year and March is no exception to this, although it can be busy around the St. Patrick Day celebrations, particularly in Dublin . 

Don’t forget to pack your hiking shoes if you fancy exploring some of the Irish countryside by foot! The range of possible outdoor activities starts to increase again with the improvement in the weather. 

Read our article here for a better insight into Ireland in March. 

During the early part of March, Irish weather can often tend to be more similar to the conditions experienced in February.

As the month progresses, the weather conditions usually tend to improve with a gradual rise in temperatures and calmer conditions associated with the spring season. However, this is Ireland after all and there are always exceptions to the norm when it comes to the weather!

It is still cool at this time of year with average daily temperatures roughly between 6 – 8 °C (43 – 46 °F). Depending on the daily conditions, you are also likely to experience some rain and windy conditions from time to time. 

If you are wondering what to wear in Ireland in March, you should pack your suitcase with plenty of layers to make sure you are ready for all eventualities when it comes to the daily (very changeable) weather conditions in Ireland.

There is also a noticeable increase in the length of the daylight hours at this time of year. Dublin receives roughly 2 hours more sunlight at the end of March than at the beginning.

This is good news for anyone planning on doing a road trip or longer day tour as part of their Ireland vacation.

Temperature in Ireland in March

Slightly milder average temperatures are associated with the west coast of Ireland, due to the moderating effect of the Gulf Stream. These temperature differences are pretty negligible though and across the country you can expect the average low temperature to be about 3 °C (37 °F) with the average max temperature reaching about 11 °C (52 °F).

If you fancy a swim, be prepared that the max water temperature is still very cold at around 10 °C (50 °F).

When it rains during cool weather, it can make you feel quite chilled to the bone. (There is nothing worse than a day of sightseeing while wearing wet jeans after getting a good soaking.) 

Some practical tips are to bring fast drying clothes (if possible) and invest in good waterproofs to make your trip to Ireland more enjoyable. 

Rain in Ireland in March

Did you ever wonder why Ireland as a country is so green? The mild temperatures combined with decent amounts of rain help contribute to the famous patchwork green fields that you see when you fly over Ireland.

During March, you can expect to have some level of precipitation on about half the days of the month. (This is a bit of a rough estimate though.) The March average for rainfall varies across the country with the east coast of the country receiving less rainfall around this time. 

For example, Dublin gets about 50 mm (ca. 2 “) while in Cork it tends to be a bit wetter with average rainfall roughly double that amount. 

Keep a close watch on the weather forecast and always bring waterproof clothes with you. With this in mind, a few drops of “liquid sunshine” are unlikely to hinder your Ireland travel plans too much.

Wind in Ireland in March

It can be windy in Ireland in March and especially on a cold day, you will soon start to feel a chill. (This is quite likely if you are standing for a long time watching the St. Patrick’s Day Parade).

Over the course of the month, the average wind speed tends to reduce closer to April with the average wind speed in Dublin Airport roughly 24 kmh (15 mph).

Wind speeds are very localised though, and conditions elsewhere in the country can be more wild than the relatively sheltered Dublin location.

Weather in Dublin Ireland in March

Dublin has the advantage of being on the more sheltered side of the county, which means less rainfall during March than in other areas, but it can also be a little cooler. The lowest average temperature is about 3 °C (37 °F) with highs of about 10 °C (50 °F). 

It is definitely time for a good jacket to keep you dry and warm. Towards the end of the month, there may be some opportunities to avail of outside seating in cafés and restaurants without feeling too cold.

Refreshing day trips to Howth, Bray and Greystones are all fun things to do if you want to escape the hustle and bustle of Dublin city around this time. 

Visiting Ireland in March?

March is a good time to travel to Ireland if you want to avoid the high season, get some better deals and also to experience some lively Irish culture (which is especially popular with visitors from the United States).

The St. Patrick’s Day celebrations usually include many (free) events in the bigger cities. 

Many travel guides about Ireland focus a lot on the St. Patrick’s Day celebrations in March, but these may not be suited to all tourists. What to do in Ireland in March that is not connected with St. Patrick’s Day?

Firstly for film buffs, the Virgin Media Dublin International Film Festival takes place in March and has an eclectic mix of cinema from around the world. 

It is also a lovely time to get outdoors and explore the Irish countryside.

While the first daffodil flowers can be seen as early as January or so in Ireland, by March there are many other beautiful spring flowers to enjoy. This sight makes hiking or a wander in a national park, such as Killarney National Park, even more enjoyable.

The east coast of Ireland is an interesting place to explore throughout the year, but in March you might still beat the crowds when delving into Ireland’s fascinating historical past through romantic castles ( Cahir Castle ), intriguing ruins ( Rock of Dunamase ) and impressive forts such as Spike Island in Cobh . Why not check it out for yourself?

There are also lots of great sights to discover in Northern Ireland as well and March is a good time to visit.

Whether you want to explore the filming locations of Game of Thrones, catch some of the awesome views along the Causeway Coast or experience the great vibe that the city of Belfast has to offer, a Northern Ireland tour is well worth including in your vacation itinerary.

Aside from the usual travel tips about being prepared for the weather, keep in mind that hotels and other types of accommodation will also be busier around mid-March. When you are researching places to stay, try to book ahead around this time. 

Regardless of whether it is your first time to Ireland or not, March is likely to be a good option for an Ireland vacation. If you are still undecided, read more about Ireland in March post here or check our best time to visit Ireland article .

Spring in Ireland: Your Guide To March & April

Spring in Ireland is beautiful. Lambs frolic. Hedgerows brim with flowers. Flights, hotels and tours cost less. What's not to love?

March & April in Ireland At A Glance

😎 Less Visitors (Except Around Paddy's Day )

🌡️ Mild Temperatures & Longer Daylight Hours

🛫 Cheaper Flight, Hotel & Tour Prices

🌼 Cute Lambs & Beautiful Wildflowers

First things first, there's no bad time to visit Ireland.

From discounted tours to cheaper flights , Saint Patrick's Day to mild temperatures, spring in Ireland has a lot going for it.

And if secluded sights and a lack of crowds are top of your list, then that's another tick in the box for a trip to Ireland in March or April.

Read on for your guide to making the most of your Ireland tour in spring.

🗓️ When Does Spring Start In Ireland?

In Ireland, the traditional start of spring is February 1st.

February, however, can be quite a wintery month here. Icy conditions are not uncommon.

March sees violets, crocuses and daffodils blooming.

By April, spring is in full flow with the weather really warming up and days lengthening.

We've focused on March and April in this guide, two of our favourite months for planning a trip to Ireland.

🤔 Is Spring The Best Time To Visit Ireland?

March and April in Ireland tend to be a little quieter than the summer or autumn months.

Rural Irish towns and villages with quaint pubs and remote attractions remain particularly peaceful during springtime.

Having said all that, spring is also the season of rebirth after the winter!

March and April is when most major Irish attractions open up and begin welcoming international visitors.

You'll want to be aware of Irish public holidays that occur during spring — listed later in this article — which may affect your plans.

Visit Ireland in March or April and you'll get a real sense of springtime serenity combined with a reawakening of people and nature.

🌡️ The Weather in Ireland in March/April

Generally, temperatures are mild in March and April.

The average springtime temperature in Ireland is between 8-12°C (46° to 54°F).

🌈Weather In Ireland In March & April

Does that sound cold?

Springtime weather in Ireland in March and April may be ever-so-slightly cooler than at the height of summer.

The difference is not substantial though.

You might be surprised to hear that July's monthly average temperature is 19°C (66°F) - only 7°C (12°F) higher than in April .

Ireland.com tells us:

"In spring it becomes gradually warmer with average temperatures between 8 - 12°C (46 - 53°F). Towards the end of the season, the temperature often reaches 15 °C (59°F), with April usually being a particularly pleasant month."

🌄 When Is Sunrise In Ireland In March/April?

Spring in Ireland means lots of daylight and bright skies.

The average time for sunrise in Ireland in March is 6.40am.

In April, the average sunrise time can be as early as 5.30am.

Days lengthen as springtime goes on. By the end of April, there is nearly 15 hours of daylight, with sunset at around 8pm.

Lots of time for exploring and making new friends.

Remember to pack an eye mask if you're not a morning person!

Speaking of which...

🧳 What To Pack For March/April in Ireland

Irish weather is famously unpredictable.

During spring in Ireland, it's normal to wake up to glorious rays of sunshine streaming through your window.

Driven by Atlantic winds, cloud or rain showers may make their presence felt at some point each day, with sunshine returning.

In Ireland, the weather quite literally moves ar nós na gaoithe ('at the speed of the wind').

You'll hear Irish people say,

'There's no such thing as bad weather, only bad clothes'.

Come prepared and you'll enjoy your small-group tour of Ireland all the more.

The key to navigating Irish weather in the spring is to wear light, breathable layers with a waterproof outer shell.

That way, you can strip off in the sun but are ready for the rain.

Planning on spending time in Ireland in spring? Check out what to pack...

Your Essential Spring in Ireland Packing List

• Hiking shoes or boots (PRO TIP: break them in before you arrive)
• Light, waterproof jacket
• Waterproof pants
• Warm fleece
• Multiple cotton t-shirts, mix of short and long-sleeve
• A thermal layer
• Quick-dry pants
• A woolly hot, scarf and gloves
• Warm socks (as many as you can pack)

Generally speaking, Irish people dress casually. If you would like to wear something fancy, saving it until evening time is a good idea.

It's OK to wear jeans out to lunch or dinner, to a music venue or to the pub.

Just be mindful that if you're caught in a rain shower, jeans can take a while to dry.

Find out more about what to pack for your Ireland trip

☘️ Saint Patrick's Day 2024 - March 17th

Patrick is the Irish patron saint who converted Ireland to Christianity around 1500 years ago.

His traditional feast day is March 17th.

In 2023, Saint Patrick's Day falls on a Friday.

Saint Patrick's Day is celebrated across the globe by the Irish diaspora and anyone who has taken a fancy to Irish culture (and/or beer).

In Ireland, Saint Patrick's Day has evolved into a week-long festival.

The highlight for many will be the Dublin Saint Patrick's Day parade, a celebration of colour and pageantry.

Don't worry if you're not in Dublin on St Patrick's Day. Nearly every little town and village around Ireland hosts their own parade .

It's worth noting that Saint Patrick's Day is a public holiday all over Ireland.

Flight prices increase around March 17th each year and hotel availability is reduced.

🎆 When Is Spring Break In Ireland?

Ireland doesn't have a holiday called Spring Break.

However, the dates of Irish public holidays in spring are worth considering when planning your trip to Ireland.

• Monday, February 5th 2024 - Saint Brigid's Day - public holiday
• Sunday, March 17th 2024 - Saint Patrick's Day - public holiday
• Monday, April 1st 2024 - Easter Monday - public holiday

Bear in mind that public holidays — known as "bank holidays" in Ireland — all feature:

• Reduced rail, bus and other public transport services
• Reduced retail opening hours
• Closure of banks, post offices, non-frontline workplaces and most government services

Easter holidays (normally the two weeks after Easter Monday) can see an increase in traffic through airports as families travel abroad for vacations.

💰 Spring Cha-Ching!!

Ready for the really great news about spring in Ireland?

March and April are fantastic months to avail of travel deals and save your hard-earned money.

Flight prices from North America to Ireland are lower in March and April than in peak summer or Christmas.

Keep your eyes peeled for seat sales and other airline promotions during spring.

Hotels in Dublin can also offer deals during March and April.

Book a tour with us in March or April 2024 to save a further 10% when compared with later departures.

Save 10% on all Ireland tours departing in March and April 2023  

🐑 Spring In Ireland - Season of Cuteness!

Springtime in Ireland means baby animals.

Down on the farm, there's lambing season, with tiny baby sheep learning to stand on spindly legs.

With millions of sheep being reared across Ireland, a springtime trip means you are more or less guaranteed to see adorable little lambs playing in green fields.

You can also expect to see little calves and newborn foals as you travel along the patchwork fields of Ireland.

If you experience a sheep farm tour  with Vagabond & Driftwood, you'll get to pet, feed and maybe even cuddle these woolly little creatures up close.

Sheep herding demonstrations featuring talented sheepdogs and shepherds.

You might even witness a sheep being sheared - or shear one yourself!

🌼 Wildflowers - Spring in Ireland

A riot of colourful wildflowers explode across the Irish landscape in spring.

Blossoms burst forth from hedgerows, gardens and parks.

Woodland glades become carpeted with bluebells and wild garlic in April.

Irish wildflowers are a stunning feast for the senses.

...And great material for your Insta!

📽️ Don't Take Our Word For It!

Watch Sam & Taylor's video tour diary from March 2022.

Sam & Taylor took an active 7 Day World Tour of Ireland .

Have We Won Your Heart Over To Ireland in Spring?

Taking everything into account, a spring break in Ireland can be very relaxing!

Hopefully our guide has shown you why spring in Ireland is a favourite time to visit for many of our guests.

Contact our friendly team today via enquiries@vagabond.ie  to ask about your 2024 or 2025 tour of Ireland.

If you're still wavering, don't miss our seasonal guide on the best time to visit Ireland

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What to pack for Ireland in March: full packing list

What to pack for Ireland in March: full packing list, travel essentials and what to wear in Ireland in March to stay warm and stylish at the end of winter

March is a transitional month in Ireland, the time of the year when winter starts to slowly (slowly) dissipate and leave space for slightly milder temperatures.

Still very much a cold month, this is the time for the timid appearance of the first blossoms, a time for short morning hikes and the moment when locals start putting away their warmer coats and start chancing slightly lighter ones, especially during the central hours of the day.

While still way too cold for leather jackets, March in Ireland often allows you to lose the hats and gloves although I still recommend you carry them with you: this is the type of month when one day is mild and one freezing cold so being prepared for all eventuality is a must!

This is my complete, tried and tested packing list for Ireland in March.

This post contains affiliate links. Should you make a purchase through them, we might make a small commission at no extra cost to you.

As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases

What to pack for Ireland in March: essentials

I am going to start this packing list with essentials for all seasons and then drill down on the specifics for the month of March.

• Passport and Visa if required (find Visa requirements for Ireland here )
• Driving Licence
• International driving license if needed (check here Ireland’s driving requirements for foreigner)
• Kids birth certificate and authorization to travel letter of the child’s guardian should be traveling to Ireland alone with a child with a different surname as your
• Medication and prescriptions for ongoing conditions/ needs
• A print out of your reservations (cars, hotels, tours etc)

Does it snow in Ireland in March? March may bring snow in Ireland, especially on the mountains and away from the city (snow in Dublin happens but tends to be rare). Most likely, you won’t need full snow gear when it comes to your clothing but you may well need snow chains for your tires. (However, I recommend you do not drive up the mountains if there is any risk of snow!). Check with your car rental agency what they provide.

Medications and toiletries

• A well-stocked first-aid kit
• Moisturizing cream for face/hands with UV protection (the wind and cold can be intense here)
• Allergy cream/medications if needed
• Paracetamol or similar for pain/fever
• Any prescriptions and ongoing medications you are used to taking at home + the generic name of the active principle should you need to stock up. Commercial names in Ireland are often different than back home

Need to know : paracetamol is widely available in Ireland in supermarkets and pharmacies but there are rules on how much you can buy within the same transaction. If you think you will need more than a couple of boxes, plan ahead or bring a backup one from home.

All your basic toiletries including:

• Body wash/shampoo/conditioner
• Dental kit with toothbrush/toothpaste/floss
• Shaving cream/blade
• Women sanitary supplies
• Brush/comb/detangler
• Moisturizing cream for face /body
• Nail clipper
• Makeup if using

What to wear in Ireland in March

Official weather statistics say that Ireland in March say that

• The average temperature in Ireland in March is 7C/45F
• The average number of rainy days in Ireland in March is 24

This is what I recommend you pack for Ireland in March:

• Rain resistant winter jacket, with hood.
• Scarf, hat and gloves
• Long sleeve tops
• A thermal underlay (top only is enough)
• Woolen cardigan/sweater
• Long pants/ jeans
• Tights if planning on wearing a skirt/dress
• Good walking shoes such as sneakers/runners/ankle boots
• Underwear and socks
• Pajama/nightwear
• Swimsuit and flip flops only if planning on staying in a spa hotel
• Kids rain gear (rain pants or rain suit, ideally wellington boots)
• A nicer outfit if staying in a castle / high-end hotel

What to wear in Ireland in March for a stay in a castle: If staying in a castle, make sure you abide by the dress code, often enforced in the castle restaurants for evening meals. Information for each is available on the website of the structure in question, however, usually, this means shirt/tie/suit for men, no sneakers and no denim for both men and women.

What to wear in Ireland in March for the St Patrick’s Day Parade

St Patrick’s Day Parades are fun in Ireland, especially in smaller centers, when they truly feel like a community event.

There is not dress code for them however, to feel part of the celebrations it is nice to have something green (even just a scarf) and it is paramount to dress warm. Despite the crowds, staying outside for hours is likely to make you really cold: a thermal layer is often a good idea and comfortable shoes a must!

What to pack for Ireland in March: tech and gadgets

• Phone with good roaming plan or local sim card
• Hands-free phone holder for car
• Power bank / extra battery pack for charging all your tech
• Ireland travel adapter (3 pins)
• Tablet/kindle if using
• Camera, if separate from the phone
• Wind resistant travel umbrella

Luggage and bags

You don’t need all of this however, I recommend you choose your bags for Ireland wisely so you don’t’ find yourself awkwardly dragging stuff around!

• Hard-shell luggage if driving (super handy to stack in the trunk of the car)
• Travel backpack if traveling light / using the bus or train
• Reusable tote bag for grocery shopping / extra bits
• Wet/dry bags especially if traveling with young kids
• Packing cubes (this stuff is magical, they pretty much double the space in your luggage)

What to pack for the kids

• Safe and Ireland authorities approved car seat ( official rules here )
• Kids travel pillow for the plane/car
• Well stocked changing bag
• An all-terrain stroller for walks in the countryside
• A baby carrier
• Stroller cover/sleeping bag
• Winter bodysuits for long days out
• Rain cover for stroller
• Rain gear for toddlers, such as rainproof pants and rain boots for puddles/mucky terrain.

You usually do not need to carry your own high chair or toddler crib: Ireland hotels and restaurants tend to be well equipped and, most of the time, will be able to provide what you need. If staying in smaller properties and B&Bs, ask for a cot in advance to make sure they have one available on your dates.

I hope you found this packing list for Ireland in March useful. Safe travels!

Mama Loves Ireland

Céad míle fáilte! A thousand times welcome! I am a travel-loving Italian Mama lucky enough to call Ireland her home. Let my articles help you plan your trip to Ireland and get ready to fall in love with the Emerald Isle, just like I did. With love. M x

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Ireland in March: Festivals and Weather Tips

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The first signs of spring are apparent in Ireland in March, but winter has not lost its bite. Expect more sunshine and fewer cold, wet days toward the end of the month, but Ireland’s weather can still be unpredictable. Capital Dublin is inviting, as are the bigger towns like Galway and Cork in spring. You can also spend time in Killarney National Park, explore archeological sites at the Rock of Cashel, and experience the joys of a coastal walk along the Cliffs of Moher. Read on to find out what your holiday to Ireland this month can look like.

Ireland Weather in March

The Ireland weather in March transitions from winter to spring but remains cold overall. It is a mix of occasional rain, strong winds, and lovely bright days.

In Dublin, the average high temperature in March is 11°C, while the average low is 5°C. The average high temperature in Galway is very close to Dublin. Cork’s temperature ranges from an average high of 10°C to an average low of 4°C. The country gets three to four hours of sunshine in March and nearly 12 hours of daylight. If you are traveling to Ireland in March, you can explore towns and cities and make short trips to the countryside when the weather is good.

For a seasonal overview, check out our article on the best time to visit Ireland .

Weather in Ireland in March - Rainfall and Temperatures

Why visit ireland in march.

Ireland’s weather in March is far more agreeable compared to the frigid winter months of December to February. Besides better weather conditions, there are several other excellent reasons to visit Ireland in March. Here are some of them:

• Festive spirit: Ireland celebrates Saint Patrick’s Day on March 17 in honor of the country’s patron saint, but the partying and merrymaking continue throughout the month. Easter sometimes falls in March adding to the festive spirit. Then there is also the Ennis Book Club Festival , which promotes and celebrates reading.
• Fewer tourists: March is part of the low season in Ireland. This means you can enjoy all the top sights minus the peak season tourist crowds.
• Great deals: Since the peak tourist season is still a couple of months away, you can get airfare and hotel room discounts if you travel to Ireland in March .

Where to go and what to do

Exploring Dublin is one of the best things to do in Ireland in March. Stroll on St. Stephen’s Green’s beautifully manicured lawns, a park in Dublin City Center. Enjoy a distillery tour and whiskey tastings at the distillery-turned-museum, Jameson Distillery Bow Street. Learn about the dramatic story of Ireland’s emigrants at EPIC, the Irish Emigration Museum.

The charming Galway has something for all in March. Get enthralled by cobblestone streets and the atmosphere in the Latin Quarter, home to some of Galway’s best pubs, galleries and shops; walk on the lovely, two-kilometer-long Salthill Promenade and enjoy the views of the sea and sky; get to know about the city’s archaeology, history and art at the Galway City Museum.

Visit Cork, Ireland’s second major city after Dublin, is a must-visit destination. Explore the history of one of the world’s most famous and unlucky ships, Titanic, and board a recreated ocean liner. Admire the beautiful stained-glass windows, marble mosaics and sculptures at St. Fin Barre’s Cathedral. Find out how Cork became a center of butter manufacturing at the Cork Butter Museum.

The weather might not be ideal in March, but that does not mean you should skip Ireland’s stunning outdoors. With its woodland trails and horse-drawn carriages for hire, exploring Killarney National Park is as idyllic as it gets. You can also walk the 11-kilometer mountain pass of Gap of Dunloe and visit the spectacular 15th-century Ross Castle, perched on the edge of Killarney’s lower lake.

Another stunning location in Ireland in March is Skellig Michael, an island jutting out of the ocean, where some scenes from Star Wars were shot. Climb the stone steps to reach a 1,400-year-old monastery.

Add the Rock of Cashel in County Tipperary to your magical Ireland moments in March. This iconic site is home to a group of medieval buildings that constitutes one of Europe’s most important collections of Celtic art and medieval architecture.

Another unmissable Irish destination in March is the jaw-droppingly beautiful Cliffs of Moher. Rising over 213 meters, they offer some of Ireland’s most breathtaking coastal scenery.

March is an excellent time to explore some of Ireland’s top-rated destinations. The Emerald Isle is full of natural wonders, ancient castles and landmarks, and museums and art galleries to keep visitors engaged and entertained, Contact our local travel experts to plan a customized trip to Ireland .

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What to Pack for Ireland in March

If you are wondering what to pack for Ireland in March , then you’ve come to the right place. With my local’s knowledge of Ireland in March, you will discover exactly what you need on your packing list for Ireland in March.

If you are going to be spending time during March in Ireland , then you might be wondering what to pack to ensure you are comfortable. March is a transition month, the weather in Ireland in March can still be cold, wet, and windy month in Ireland with average daily temperatures of 10˚C/50F. Rain is a regular occurrence across the country, with the east generally being dried than the west.

When preparing for your March visit to the Emerald Isle, you need to be prepared and pack accordingly, and this is where this post comes in with details of what to pack for Ireland in March. You will also need to pack something that you generally wouldn’t need for other months of the year. Read on to find out what!

Clothing essentials

Electrical items and gadgets.

*This post contains affiliate links, which may include Amazon affiliate links. To read more about affiliate links, please visit my Disclosure Policy page.

The main aim for any packing list for Ireland in March is warmth and weatherproof. And depending on exactly when you are visiting during the month, something with a certain colour.

While daytime temperatures average 10˚C, night-time temperatures average around 4˚C meaning layers and warm clothing is a must for this month. This guide will help you discover what to wear in Ireland in March.

Packing list for Ireland in March – Clothing

Weatherproof clothing and equipment.

While March in Ireland is a transition month, as the country begins to leave Winter behind and gets ready to welcome Spring, this month can still be quite chilly and at times cold.

So, you still need to go prepared with layers and a good mixture of warm and weatherproof clothing. This means warm coats and rain gear, as rain can be expected throughout the month.

A warm coat is advisable if you are visiting Ireland in March. Now, down jackets and coats are a good choice for this month in March. But if you find them too big and bulky, a good windproof and waterproof jacket should suffice, particularly if you are layering with fleece tops underneath.  

If you already have a suitable coat or jacket but are unsure if it is waterproof, then add a packable rain jacket to your list.

Something else you should consider for your packing list for Ireland in March is waterproof boots or hiking shoes. With frequent rain, wet feet are a big possibility while exploring the natural landmarks of Ireland .

I have a pair of waterproof Merrell women’s hiking shoes which I always bring to Ireland, no matter the season. They are comfortable to wear and keep my feet dry.

Something that might prove useful is some waterproof over trousers that you can slip on when out and about and the rain starts. These pack down small and can be the difference between staying dry while exploring and being wet!

And finally, you may want to consider packing a windproof umbrella. With wet days common during March, an umbrella that won’t blow away with the wind would be useful.

As already mentioned, the aim of your packing list for March in Ireland is warmth and remaining dry. Since we’ve covered dry above, let’s look to warmth now.

Layering is ideal as you will find indoor places such as shops, museums, and restaurants warm compared to outside. So being able to remove layers easily is advised. Here is a concise list of clothing that each member of your travel party will need.

Jeans – Jeans are a staple to any Irish wardrobe and can be worn anywhere and any time of the day or night. Pair them with a flannel shirt and sweater for daytime and with a less casual top for evening wear.

Technical pants – When shopping for these types of pants for packing for Ireland, opt for water-resistant versions that dry quickly. They are a great alternative to jeans, especially for outside the cities where you are more likely to be hiking or exploring outdoors. Lined technical pants are best for winter in Ireland.

T-shirts – Make sure to pack a few t-shirts, either short or long-sleeved, whichever is your preference.

Flannel shirt – These can be useful daytime tops for both men and women and can easily be teamed with fleece tops or a woollen sweater.

Fleece tops – These are ideal elements for a layering system. They are lightweight, versatile, and warm.

Wool sweater – Whether you opt to bring one with you or buy your wool sweater in Ireland as an Irish souvenir , a wool sweater is a good addition to your winter clothing for Ireland. If you are going to buy your sweater in Ireland, make sure to buy it early in your trip so you can weather it for the rest of your trip.

Hat, gloves and scarf – To help keep warm outside if you are prone to getting cold.

Base layers – Depending on how much the cold affects you, a set of base layers for particularly cold days might be worth packing. Myself and my son have used base layers in Ireland during a trip in March and April as we were coming from a warmer climate. They kept us nice and warm, even when the wind was bitingly cold.

Wool socks – A few pairs of wool socks are advisable for your packing list. These will keep your feet warm while wicking away moisture.

Long sleeve cardigan – A long sleeve cardigan for ladies would be great for evenings in restaurants or your hotel bar for keeping chills off you.

Fleece-lined leggings – If you don’t fancy wearing jeans or need to save some space in your luggage, then fleece-lined leggings for women can be a great option. They’ll keep your legs warm and are versatile enough to wear with shirts or even short dresses.

Evening shirt – For men, an evening shirt or dress shirt might be advisable for restaurants, particularly if you are staying in one of the top luxury hotels in Ireland where the restaurants may have a dress code. An evening shirt or top for ladies is also advisable.

Chinos – For men, chinos are a better alternative to jeans for evening wear.

Winter dress – For ladies, one or two winter dresses are great choices for evening wear. Combine with your fleece-lined leggings or a warm pair of tights and you are all set for dinner.

Loafers – For evening wear for men, a pair of loafers that can be worn with your choice of chinos are the ideal footwear for after a day of sightseeing. You won’t want to be wearing your waterproof boots if you are going from your hotel room to the restaurant.

Black flat shoes – For the ladies, a pair of black flats is ideal with either jeans or a dress. They pack small and usually don’t weigh too much either.

Flip flops – These can be useful in your accommodation for wearing in your room, down to breakfast, and even at the hotel pool or spa.

Swimsuit/shorts – If you are planning to stay in a hotel with a pool or spa, remember to pack your swimsuit or shorts.

Packing cubes – Above all else, packing cubes are the best way to pack for any trip. Roll your items up tight, pop them into colour coordinated packing cubes per person and use them to store your clothing in drawers straight from the bag.

Packing for Ireland in March – Essentials

With your clothing packing list for Ireland complete, let’s to turn to other essentials for Ireland. These include your travel essentials, and electrical items and gadgets.

Travel essentials

Passports – You need to ensure your passport is in date and for certain countries, that it is valid for 6 months from the time of your visit. Find more information here .

Visas – Visitors from certain countries require a visa to enter Ireland. Click this link to find out if you need a visa to enter Ireland.

Credit/Debit cards – Make sure you have a valid credit card with sufficient credit available to cover your excess on your car insurance if you are hiring a car and deciding not to take out Super Collision Damage Waiver with the car hire company. Some will not access third-party SCDW policies and will still look to cover the access on a credit card. Your credit card will also be handy for those souvenir purchases. And remember your debit card for taking money out of an ATM.

Travel Insurance – Do not travel to Ireland without travel insurance. Even if you think you don’t need it, you never know when an accident or flight cancellation might occur, and it is much better to have peace of mind than a headache of worry. You can get a free quote from SafetyWing (for longer travel) or World Nomads for adventure travellers and general travel.

SafetyWing – Ideal for digital nomads and long-term travellers.

Driving license and IDP – Don’t forget your driving license and International Driving Permit (if required by the car hire company). Each individual car hire company has different requirements regarding IDP’s. Those from the EU and the UK generally do not need an IDP but check before you go to Ireland whether you need one or not.

Travel document holder – A travel document holder or wallet is great for keeping passports, visas, and all your hotel and tour bookings in one place.

Day Pack – A waterproof day pack is something else to consider for your Ireland packing list for March. A waterproof one will ensure the personal items you carry with you remain dry, even if you get caught in a downpour. The Outlander Lightweight Travel Daypack is an ideal day pack for Ireland.

Guide book – If you have decided not to plan your entire itinerary, then an Ireland travel guidebook will be a useful addition to your packing list. You can spend your evenings deciding your itinerary for your next day’s exploration with the help of a guidebook.

I recommend the Lonely Planet Guide Book for Ireland. I have used Lonely Planet for years and have their 13 th edition for Ireland and still refer to it for our own trips.

Travel Pillow – For long-haul flights, long bus trips, train journeys, and long car rides, a travel pillow will make it more comfortable for travellers.

Travel Towel – A travel towel can prove useful if your accommodation doesn’t leave you enough or if you need to dry yourself at your rental car after a downpour.  

Reusable tote – Ireland gave up giving out plastic bags for purchases a long time ago. Nowadays, retailers provide paper bags. However, if you are shopping on a rainy day in Ireland, paper bags may disintegrate. Take a reusable tote bag with you to pop your purchases into to avoid your purchases ending up on the wet ground.

Universal travel adapter – Don’t forget to pack a universal travel adapter. Ensure you choose one that will accommodate your plugs and one that has some USB ports.

Portable phone charger – If you plan on using your phone to take all your photos, ensure you have a portable phone charger with you, just in case your battery starts to run low. Our own choice of power banks is the Anker chargers.

Reusable water bottle – Pack a collapsible water bottle to refill when you can. These are far more eco-friendly than buying water bottles everywhere you go. And yes, tap water is safe to drink in Ireland.

Kindle Paperwhite – I never travel anywhere without my Kindle Paperwhite. It has all my books at my fingertips.

Camera batteries/memory cards – If you are bringing a separate camera with you to capture your pictures of Ireland, then ensure you pack enough batteries, chargers and memory cards for your camera. You don’t want to run out of power or memory just as you find the perfect spot to capture a sunset over the Cliffs of Moher.

What to Pack for a Trip to Ireland in March – Toiletries

With clothing and essentials sorted, next on the list is toiletries. There are two things to consider here.

Firstly, are you going with hand luggage only? If so, you need to ensure your liquids and creams do not exceed hand luggage limits and are no more than 100ml.

Secondly, if you are taking hold luggage, try not to use up your space and weight allowance with full-size bottles. You can buy toiletries in any pharmacy, beauty store, and supermarket throughout Ireland. Just pack what you need for your first few days and top up when you need to.

Remember to pack the following:

• Shampoo/conditioner
• Women’s sanitary products
• Toothbrush/toothpaste/mouthwash
• Razor (check whether you can carry a razor in your hand luggage before your departure)
• Shaving gel
• Lip balm (the wind in Ireland in March can be very drying)
• Hand warmers (if you think you will need them)

Also, remember to pack any specific pain medication you might need and any regular prescription medication you take. And take more than you need.

Most prescription medication can only be purchased in a pharmacy in Ireland with a doctor’s prescription note. It is also a good idea to bring a copy of your latest prescription note from your doctor, just in case you need medical attention or to see a doctor. They at least can then see what your own doctor prescribes.

There is also a limit on the quantity of pain medication such as paracetamol and ibuprofen that you can buy over-the-counter in one transaction.

And no, they won’t split them between you and your husband if they know you are together, as myself and my husband discovered recently.

The same goes for medication such as antihistamines for allergies!

Store all your toiletries and medication in a hanging toiletry bag. Bathrooms in guesthouses and traditional B’n’B’s in Ireland can be small with little space for a roll-out bag.

Things not to forget when packing for visiting Ireland in March

Something Green – If you are visiting Ireland for St Patrick’s Day , you will need to remember to pack something green to wear while watching the parade.

And you need not be worried about standing out, almost EVERYONE attending the parades and festivities on the 17th of March will be wearing something green.

Earplugs – Some hotels can be noisy, especially if they are in the centre of a town or city. Also, if you are staying in Temple Bar over the St Patrick’s Day festivities, you’ll need them if you are planning an early night.

So, if you are a light sleeper, pack some earplugs. Personally, the best ones I’ve found are Mighty Earplugs. They mold to the shape of your ear and are super comfortable.

Sleep Eye Mask – A sleep mask is a good idea for your plane journeys. And, if you plan on having a lie-in on any day of your trip, bring a sleep eye mask as not all hotels and accommodation choices have blackout blinds or curtains.

Sunglasses – Even though you are visiting Ireland in March, you may regret not taking a set of sunglasses. The winter sun sits low on the horizon and driving at sunrise eastwards, or westwards at sunset can mean the harsh sunlight is shining right in your eyes. So, pop your favourite pair in your bag.

Now that you know what to pack for March you will be well prepared to face whatever the weather throws at you and all eventualities. And you will be ready to celebrate St Patrick’s Day in Ireland .

Read more about visiting Ireland:

• Visiting Ireland in March
• Essentials Items You Need to Pack for Ireland
• Ultimate Ireland Packing List + Printable Checklist
• What to Wear in Ireland
• Getting Around Ireland Guide
• Getting Around Ireland Without a Car Guide
• Packing List for St Patrick’s Day in Ireland
• How to Plan Your St Patrick’s Day in Dublin

Travel Around Ireland is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to amazon.com, amazon.co.uk, amazon.ca. Amazon and the Amazon logo are trademarks of Amazon.com, Inc. or its affiliates. To learn more about affiliate links, read my  Disclosure Policy here .

by Cath Jordan

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Aer Lingus Has Roundtrip Flight Deals to Dublin for Under $500

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For travelers seeking a sign to plan their next vacation, this flight sale might be the one. Aer Lingus , a discount air carrier based in Dublin, Ireland, recently released several discounted flights throughout the end of summer and early fall, which can provide a last-minute summer European getaway.  The airline is offering a special deal of a flight to Boston to Dublin with availability through the fall, for $498 roundtrip in the airline's economy cabin. For $502, travelers can fly from New York's JFK Airport to Dublin, also throughout the fall.  From the midwest, Aer Lingus is offering deals on direct flights from Cleveland, OH and Chicago, IL to Dublin between September 11 and November 20, for under $575 round-trip in economy. The discounted fares are in the airline's Economy - Saver category, which includes one carry-on bag, and a meal. For approximately $90 more, travelers can get the Economy - Smart fare class, which includes a checked bag and advanced seat selection.  All of the deals are posted on Aer Lingus’ website, in a special section of flights from the US . Travelers can input their origin airport, and even maximum budget, to find the cheapest flights.  Aer Lingus was founded in 1936 and is the official airline for Ireland, and even has a whimsical shamrock on the tail. The airline operates service from New York's JFK to both Dublin and Shannon, as well as flights to Dublin from Boston, Washington, Philadelphia, Orlando, and more.  Flying in and out of Dublin’s airport can be a time-saver for international travelers as it has a rare distinction of being a pre-clearance airport . This means travelers skip customs in the United States airport by completing the process on site in Dublin, which can be faster due to less flights using the facility.  Tourism from the USA to Ireland is on the rise. More than 1 million American tourists visited Ireland in 2023, with an average stay in the country of 8 days, according to a IrishCentral news report . In an effort to spread the word about Ireland, the official tourism board for the country recently debuted a new marketing campaign called "Fill your heart with Ireland" featuring the heritage and activities available by visiting. 

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Taylor swift gives sweet nod to travis kelce as he skips first dublin eras tour show.

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Travis Kelce did not attend Taylor Swift’s first Eras Tour show in Dublin, Ireland, Friday night after spending time with her in England earlier this week.

Despite Kelce’s absence, Swift seemingly gave a nod to the Kansas City Chiefs star with a special piece of jewelry.

Fans noticed the pop star, 34, re-wore her Tiffany & Co. Tiffany T Diamond Wire Ring  ($2,675), which features a duo of diamond-dotted Ts — the couple’s initials.

Swift wore the same yellow-gold band last weekend ahead of Kelce’s surprise onstage appearance.

The athlete attended all three of Swift’s shows in London last weekend, where he was joined by a slew of other famous faces — including Prince William, whom he described as the “coolest motherf—ker.”

The NFL star, 34, also brought brother Jason Kelce and his wife, Kylie Kelce, along for the first two nights.

Although Travis has seen the show several times, it was the first time the former Philadelphia Eagles player, 36, got to see Swift in concert.

During Wednesday’s episode of the Kelce brother’s “New Heights” podcast , Jason admitted the show was so “amazing” he even began “tearing up” at one point.

Jason told Travis that he got emotional watching Swift gift a young fan her famous “22” hat during the “Red” set.

“Dude, I’ve never cried at a f—king concert,” Jason, who is dad to three daughters, said. “It was f—king so special. It was great.”

Despite that, the sports commentator said his “favorite” part of the three-hour show was the surprise songs section.

“To be able to perform those seamlessly on the spot with nothing else to hide it, that was the highlight of the evening for me.”

While Jason got to see two back-to-back shows, he missed his younger brother’s cameo by one day.

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Travis shocked fans last Sunday when he came out on stage during the “Tortured Poets Department” set.

Dressed in a suit and top hat, the football star swept the singer into his arms and carried her across the stage during the skit.

After helping Swift change outfits and freshen up, he cheered her on as she launched into “I Can Do It With a Broken Heart.”

Swift later posted several photos and videos of the sweet interaction on Instagram, telling fans she was still “swooning” over it.

The couple, who started dating last summer, celebrated the successful surprise at Chiltern Firehouse alongside several of their close friends.

The pair partied until the wee hours of the morning but kept a low profile in the days following.

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Ireland welcomed more than 6 million foreign visitors last year - were you one of them?

Some 6.3 million foreign visitors departed ireland on overseas routes in 2023, according to ireland's central statistics office..

Ireland’s Central Statistics Office (CSO) released its Inbound Tourism 2023 report  on Wednesday, June 19.

“This is the first annual publication of the CSO’s new Inbound Tourism series, which measures the numbers of non-Irish residents who depart the country via our airports and seaports,” Gregg Patrick, Statistician in the CSO's Tourism and Travel Division, said on Wednesday.

“The results show that 6.3 million foreign visitors departed Ireland on overseas routes in 2023.”

The majority of Ireland's foreign visitors in 2023 were from Great Britain, followed by the US, and then Germany.

There were 6.3 million foreign visitors to Ireland in 2023 https://t.co/CSvplsJv5Z #CSOIreland #Ireland #Tourism #Travel #Holidays #LoveIreland #OverseasTravel #AirAndSeaTravel #Aviation #InboundTourism #HouseholdTravel #TravelSurvey pic.twitter.com/43g7Qpp1hr — Central Statistics Office Ireland (@CSOIreland) June 19, 2024

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Residencies of Ireland's foreign visitors in 2023

According to the CSO, of the 6.3 million foreign visitors who departed Ireland on overseas routes in 2023, the highest proportion (37.9%) was from Great Britain, accounting for 2.4 million of the visitors in total.

Residents of Great Britain spent 12.4 million nights in Ireland in 2023 in total, giving an average length of stay of 5.2 days.

These British visitors spent €1.5 billion in total on their trips, an average of €631 per person.

The second highest proportion of foreign visitors (18.3%) was from the US, accounting for 1.1 million visitors.

The US visitors spent a total of 9.6 million nights in Ireland, an average length of stay of 8.4 days.

US visitors spent a total of €2.4 billion on their trips (more than any other residency). The average US visitor spent €2,142 on their trip.

The third highest proportion (7.1%) of foreign visitors came from Germany. There were 446,400 German visitors in total.

The visitors from Germany spent 3.8 million nights in Ireland in total, staying on average 8.5 days.

In total the German visitors spent €0.5 billion on their trips, working out as an average of €1,129 per German visitor.

Rounding out the top five were France (383,700 visitors) and Spain (274,700 visitors).

• Tourism Ireland's new CEO announces ambitious 2024 plans

Reasons for visiting Ireland in 2023

More foreign visitors (2.5 million) came to Ireland for holiday, leisure, or recreation than for any other reason in 2023.

These holidaymakers stayed on average 6.8 nights (spending 17.2 million nights in total in the country) and spent on average €1,438 on their trips (€3.6 billion in total).

More holidaymakers came from Other Europe (934,600) than from any other area of residence.

However, holidaymakers from the US and Canada had the highest expenditure - €1.9 billion in total, or an average of €2,223 per trip.

The second most frequent reason for traveling to Ireland was to visit family or friends, with 2.3 million visitors coming for this purpose.

These visitors typically stayed longer than the holidaymakers (with an average length of stay of 8.2 nights) and spent 18.9 million nights in the country in total.

They also spent typically less than the holidaymakers, paying on average €721 on their trips (€1.7 billion in total). Almost half of those visiting family or friends (1.1 million) were residents of Great Britain.

A total of 918,600 foreign visitors had come for business or work purposes. These business visitors typically had the shortest trips (6.3 nights on average) and stayed a total of 5.8 million nights.

They spent €1,161 on their trips on average, or €1.1 billion in total.

Almost half of the business visitors (446,100) were residents of Great Britain. 

• Ireland ranked among the five best countries in the world by Condé Nast Traveler readers

Accommodation for foreign visitors in Ireland in 2023

Hotels proved the most popular form of accommodation for Ireland's foreign visitors in 2023, with 42.4% of all visitors staying primarily in this accommodation type. These visitors stayed 12.6 million nights in hotels in total (an average of 4.7 nights per trip).

The visitors staying in hotels also had the highest expenditure in total (€3.7 billion), paying on average €1,395 for their trips.

Staying with family or friends was also very popular, with 42.1% of visitors availing of this option.

More of the hotel visitors were from Great Britain (889,100) than from any other area of residence. However, these British residents had relatively short trips, staying just 3.1 nights in the hotel on average.

In contrast, residents of the US and Canada typically stayed 6.7 nights on average and spent more nights in hotels in total (5.4 million nights) than any other area of residence.

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Expenditure of foreign visitors in Ireland in 2023

Overall, Ireland's foreign visitors spent €7.3 billion on their trips.

Of this, €1.9 billion was spent on fares, €0.3 billion on prepayments (e.g. car hire, pre-booked tickets, and other non-accommodation items paid for in advance), €2.3 billion on accommodation, and €2.8 billion on day-to-day spending.

The typical foreign visitor to Ireland last year spent €302 on their fare, €40 on prepayments, €375 on accommodation, and €454 on day-to-day expenditure.

• Cross-border tourism on island of Ireland triples in last decade, report finds

Northern Ireland

The CSO additionally found that some 446,200 (7.1%) of the visitors to Ireland also visited Northern Ireland in 2023

The majority of these (77.8%) visited Northern Ireland for holiday or leisure.

On average, they stayed 2.2 nights in Northern Ireland and spent €237 whilst there.

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More than 1,300 people died during Hajj, many of them after walking in the scorching heat

CAIRO — More than 1,300 people died during  this year’s Hajj pilgrimage in Saudi Arabia  as the faithful faced extreme high temperatures at Islamic holy sites in the desert kingdom, Saudi authorities announced Sunday.

Saudi Health Minister Fahd bin Abdurrahman Al-Jalajel said that 83% of the 1,301 fatalities were unauthorized pilgrims who walked long distances in soaring temperatures to perform the Hajj rituals in and around the holy city of  Mecca .

Speaking with the state-owned Al Ekhbariya TV, the minister said 95 pilgrims were being treated in hospitals, some of whom were airlifted for treatment in the capital, Riyadh. He said the identification process was delayed because there were no identification documents with many of the dead pilgrims.

He said the dead were buried in Mecca, without giving a breakdown.

Egypt has revoked the licenses of 16 travel agencies that helped unauthorized pilgrims travel to Saudi Arabia, authorities said.

Saudi authorities cracked down on unauthorized pilgrims, expelling tens of thousands of people. But many, mostly Egyptians, managed to reach holy sites in and around Mecca, some on foot. Unlike authorized pilgrims, they had no hotels to return to to escape the scorching heat.

In a statement Saturday, Egypt’s government said the 16 travel agencies failed to provide adequate services for pilgrims. It said these agencies illegally facilitated the travel of pilgrims to Saudi Arabia using visas that don’t allow holders to travel to Mecca.

The government also said officials from the companies have been referred to the public prosecutor for investigation.

According to the state-owned Al-Ahram daily, some travel agencies and Hajj trip operators sold Saudi tourist visas to Egyptian Hajj hopefuls, violating Saudi regulations which require exclusive visas for pilgrims. Those agencies left pilgrims in limbo in Mecca and the holy sites in scorching heat, the newspaper said.

The fatalities also included 165 pilgrims from Indonesia, 98 from India and dozens more from Jordan, Tunisia, Morocco, Algeria and Malaysia, according to an Associated Press tally. Two U.S. citizens were also reported dead.

The AP could not independently confirm the causes of death, but some countries like Jordan and Tunisia blamed the soaring heat. AP journalists saw pilgrims fainting from the scorching heat, especially on the second and third days of the Hajj. Some vomited and collapsed.

Historically, deaths are not uncommon at the Hajj, which has seen at times over 2 million people travel to Saudi Arabia for a five-day pilgrimage. The pilgrimage’s history has also seen deadly stampedes and epidemics.

But this year’s tally was unusually high, suggesting exceptional circumstances.

In 2015 a stampede in Mina killed over 2,400 pilgrims , the deadliest incident ever to strike the pilgrimage, according to an AP count. Saudi Arabia has never acknowledged the full toll of the stampede.  A separate crane collapse at Mecca’s Grand Mosque  earlier the same year killed 111.

The second-deadliest incident at the Hajj was a 1990 stampede that killed 1,426 people.

During this year’s Hajj period, daily high temperatures ranged between 117 and 120 degrees Fahrenheit (46 to 49 degrees Celsius) in Mecca and sacred sites in and around the city, according to the Saudi National Center for Meteorology. Some people fainted while trying to perform the  symbolic stoning of the devil .

The Hajj, one of the five pillars of Islam, is one of the world’s largest religious gatherings. More than 1.83 million Muslims performed the Hajj in 2024, including more than 1.6 million from 22 countries, and around 222,000 Saudi citizens and residents, according to the Saudi Hajj authorities.

Saudi Arabia has spent billions of dollars on crowd control and safety measures for those attending the annual five-day pilgrimage, but the sheer number of participants makes it difficult to ensure their safety.

Climate change could make the risk even greater. A 2019 study by experts at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology found that even if the world succeeds in mitigating the worst effects of climate change, the Hajj would be held in temperatures exceeding an “extreme danger threshold” from 2047 to 2052, and from 2079 to 2086.

Islam follows a lunar calendar, so the Hajj comes around 11 days earlier each year. By 2029, the Hajj will occur in April, and for several years after that it will fall in the winter, when temperatures are milder.

The Associated Press

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Billboards in Dublin, Ireland offer free beer to residents who visit Ohio's 'other Dublin'

Dubliners in Ireland can get free booze if they visit the "other Dublin" in Ohio this month.

The visitor's bureau in Dublin, Ohio, is attempting to lure tourists from the original Dublin around St. Patrick's Day with " shameless offers of free beer ." Visit Dublin Ohio, a nonprofit funded in part by the city's bed tax, has placed billboards and other advertisements in downtown Dublin, Ireland, promising to pay for free pints.

Irish travelers (over 21) just have to pay for plane tickets, hotels and everything else. Dublin, Ireland residents who bring a valid ID to the visitor's center in Dublin, Ohio, between March 8 and March 18 will receive a $200 Visa gift card intended to pay for their bar tab.

“We’re proud to share a name, and we’d love to share a pint ... or a few,” said Visit Dublin Marketing Director Sara Blatnik. “There are a lot of great cities in the U.S. to celebrate St. Patrick’s Day, and we think we’re one of the best. We’re ready to show off our Midwestern hospitality to our other Dublin friends.”

"Plus, you'll be the madman (or madwoman) of your friend group who really flew to America for booze. And that’s priceless," the website for Visit Dublin says.

Dublin, Ohio goes all out for St. Paddy's Day. This year, the town has a Celtic Cocktail Trail , a parade on Saturday, March 9, and a pub crawl on Saturday, March 16, the day before the actual holiday.

Katie Thompson, marketing coordinator for Visit Dublin, said the visitor's bureau normally sticks to advertising their festivals, the city's walkable historic downtown and field of giant cement corn to people who live within driving distance.

But with a new direct flight between Ireland's capital and Cleveland, Visit Dublin hopes this promotion will be the extra push needed to lure some Dubliners across the pond.

A maximum of 25 people can get gift cards. Thompson said the promotion has been getting some attention from Irish news outlets , and she hopes at least one or two people will take them up on their offer.

"I sure hope so," Thompson said. "I think that'd be a fun story for them and for us."

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Spring in Ireland: A Locals 2024 Guide

By Author Keith O'Hara

Posted on Last updated: January 2, 2024

Spring in Ireland stretches from March to May and it’s a beautiful time to visit.

Winter is in the rear view, the days are getting nice and long (see below) and the weather in Ireland is milder as summer is approaching.

Visiting Ireland in spring has its pros and cons, as you’ll discover in a moment, but it has an awful lot to offer those looking to explore.

Below, you’ll find everything from info on the average temperatures to things to do in Ireland in Spring. Dive on in!

Table of Contents

Some quick need-to-knows about spring in Ireland

Click to enlarge

Although spending spring in Ireland is fairly straightforward, there are a few need-to-knows that’ll make your visit that bit more enjoyable.

1. When is spring in Ireland

The spring months in Ireland are March, April and May. These are the ‘shoulder’ months (i.e. the time between the peak-season and the off-season) for tourism across the island .

2. Spring time in Ireland weather

The weather in Ireland in spring varies from year to year. In March in Ireland we have average highs of 10°C and lows of 4.4°C. In Ireland in April we get average highs of 13°C and lows around 4°C. In Ireland in May we get average temps of between 9.0 °C and 13.0 °C.

3. Spring is shoulder season

Shoulder season is a great time to explore Ireland. Flight and accommodation prices won’t have reached their peak and many attractions will be less busy. The exception for this is around St. Patrick’s Day (March 17th).

4. Longer days

One of the beauties of spring in Ireland is that the days get longer and longer. In March, the sun rises from between 06:13 and 07:12 and sets between 18:17 and 18:49. In May, it rises from around 05:17 and sets around 21:26. This gives you lots of time to play with when planning your Ireland itinerary .

5. Loads to do

The longer days and the better weather means you’ve plenty of time to get out and about. There’s several festivals that take place during spring in Ireland and there’s endless walks, hikes, scenic drives and tours for you to tackle (see below).

An overview of the average temperature during the spring months in Ireland

In the table above, you’ll get a sense of the average temperature in Ireland in spring in several different places, to give you an idea of what to expect. The one thing that I want to stress is that the weather in Ireland in spring can be unpredictable.

In the past, we’ve had snow storms, flooding and strong winds in spring. So, if you’re planning a trip to Ireland during March, April or May, packing the right clothing is essential.

The pros and cons of visiting Ireland in the spring

Photos via Shutterstock

If you read our guide to the best time to visit Ireland , you’ll know that there’s pros and cons to visiting Ireland during every month of the year.

Below, you’ll find some pros and cons of spending spring in Ireland, from someone that’s spent the last 32 springs here:

The advantages

• Prices : If you’re visiting Ireland on a budget , it’ll be cheaper to fly now than in the busy summer months
• Long days : The days are getting longer (mid-April: sun rises at 06:23 and sets at 20:00)
• Spring buzz : Longer days and better weather tends to put people in a better humour and brings a buzz to many towns and villages in Ireland

The disadvantages

• Holiday price hikes : Schools get 2 weeks off around Easter, which can drive up the cost of accommodation in many places. Expect the same for St. Patrick’s Day in March

Things to do in Ireland in spring

There’s  endless  things to do in Ireland in spring thanks to the longer days. From hikes and walks to island visits, greenways and more, there’s plenty to keep you busy.

I’ll give you some suggestions below, but if you hop into our counties hub you’ll be able to find places to visit in each individual county.

1. Hikes and walks

The longer days are perfect for tackling one of the many walks in Ireland . These can range from short and handy to rambles to tough aul climbs, depending on what you’re into.

Personally, I head off walking most between April and May, when the days are nice and long and there’s plenty of time to play with if I need to drive a decent distance for a hike.

2. Tourist hot spots

Spring in Ireland is a great time to tackle some of the more popular things to do in Ireland , as crowds will be nowhere near peak levels.

Places like the Cliffs of Moher , the Guinness Storehouse and the Giants Causeway will still be busy (they always are!), but they’ll be much quieter in comparison to the summer.

3. Festivals

Spring is when the various festivals in Ireland really start to kick-off. In April, for example, you have the Kilkenny Roots Festival and the Galway Theatre Festival.

In May, there’s everything from the Dublin Bay Prawn Festival to Life Festival (a music festival).

4. Endless more attractions

Spring in Ireland is the perfect time to explore. If you’re not sure of what to see or do, hop into our counties of Ireland hub and just click into the place you’re visiting.

You’ll find everything from unique places to visit to some of the more well-trodden tourist trails.

FAQs about spring time in Ireland

We’ve had a lot of questions over the years asking about everything from ‘Is spring time in Ireland a good time to visit?’ to ‘What is Ireland’s shoulder season like?’.

In the section below, we’ve popped in the most FAQs that we’ve received. If you have a question that we haven’t tackled, ask away in the comments section below.

What months are spring in Ireland?

Spring in Ireland begins on the first of March and ends on the 31st of May.

What is Ireland like in spring?

Ireland in spring boasts longer days (e.g. in May the sun it rises from 05:17 and sets around 21:26) and nice, mild weather (e.g. in May we have average temperatures of between 9.0 °C and 13.0 °C).

Are there many things to do in Ireland in spring?

Yes – the longer days means there’s plenty to see and do, from scenic drives and island tours to hikes, coastal walks and plenty more.

Keith O’Hara has lived in Ireland for 35 years and has spent most of the last 10 creating what is now The Irish Road Trip guide. Over the years, the website has published thousands of meticulously researched Ireland travel guides, welcoming 30 million+ visitors along the way. In 2022, the Irish Road Trip team published the world’s largest collection of Irish Road Trip itineraries . Keith lives in Dublin with his dog Toby and finds writing in the 3rd person minus craic altogether.

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