Ireland in July: Weather and Pros + Cons
Thinking of going to Ireland in July? Here are the most important things to know:
- July is the busiest season for tourism in Ireland (book experiences and accommodation in advance)
- The temperature typically falls between 12-19°C (53 -66°F)
- The weather can change overnight, but you should prepare for sunny, chilly and rainy days
- Ireland is a beautiful, welcoming country and any time of year is a good time to visit
I’m going to dive into other useful things you need to know before heading to Ireland in July below.
The Weather in Ireland in July
The average temperature for July in Ireland hovers around 15°C (59 °F).
Bring layers for chilly days, but also be sure to bring T-shirts for sunnier, warm days, as it is very possible for some days to be hotter than usual.
We had a few days over 20°C during our most recent trip to Ireland, and it was only May. Some of the hottest recorded days in Ireland have even gone over 30°C.
So, my advice is for being comfortable to bring rain jackets, thin coats, and long sleeves. But, make sure there are T-shirts to wear in case there any warmer than usual days.
Pros vs Cons of Visiting Ireland During July
Pros of Ireland in July
- Great weather. The best possible weather over the year tends to come in July. I love the rain, but have to admit, many of the photos are so much nicer and the experience more relaxing when you can get a sunny day.
- The ‘Irish summer’ experience – festivals are in full swing, as are outdoor patios, buskers and other things you can enjoy outdoors
- Long daylight hours (16-17 per day) This means its only really dark for 7 hours a night.
Cons of Ireland in July
- It’s the busiest tourist season. Ireland has become more popular over the years, so you can definitely expect crowds at the popular spots (Cliffs of Moher, etc)
- Some aspects will be pricier. The cost of prime-tourist location hotels and tours will spike in July, and tours will fill up since they’re in such high demand. Book early!
- The risk of stinging nettle is at its peak in the summer. It’s not usually serious to get stung by the stinging nettle plant, but you need to watch out for it if spending time in nature. (I was stung once, while in a foresty area)
Special Things to Do in Ireland (Only) During July
1. Attend a festival
Ireland has so many festivals, going on year round – but July is the busiest season for festivals.
Here are some of the festivals you could encounter during a July visit to Ireland:
- Galway International Arts Festival (GIAF)
- Galway Film Fleadh
- Cairde Sligo Arts Festival
- Galway Race Course Festival (horse racing)
- Eyeries Family Festival, a family-friendly festival held in the cute small town of Eyeries (perfect if you’re in Ireland with kids!)
2. Swim at a beach
July and August are pretty much the only times you can hope to dip into the water at a beach in Ireland – the water is usually too cold the rest of the year.
Tips for a Successful Ireland in July Experience
1. Book your accommodations 3-6 months (or even up to a year) in advance
If you’re staying in really popular areas, then you will get the best experiences if you book early – anywhere from 1 year before your stay date.
If you’re staying in popular places, such as:
- Cliffs of Moher area (including the nearby village of Doolin)
- Dublin
- Galway city
- Killarney
Then definitely book 3-12 months before, as the most well-located placed with the best perks will go fast.
If you’re not at all picky about where you end up, then you can probably wait it out. But if you’re particular about where you stay (as I tend to be, travelling with kids) then book well in advance.
2. Go off the beaten path
There will be crowds, and full parking lots at all the major attractions – and that’s fine. Get there early, book in advance.
These things are often popular for a reason. So if it’s your first time in Ireland, you should still see them!
However, the real magic of Ireland I find, is just taking a look at Google maps and fining out what is in the area. Ireland is FULL of hidden gems that many people leave out.
So, don’t limit yourself only totypical tourist agenda. Visit other gems that are often overlooked such as:
- Abandoned castles. There are so many of them, some accessible to the public and some you can only view from the road.
- Small towns on your way to a destination (see my guide on the cutest small towns in Ireland)
- Used bookstores. Used books are popular in Ireland and Scotland. There are also great books that take place in Ireland
- Friaries – friaries date back to the Middle Ages and almost ressemble castles, or cathedrals. We visited one and were the only ones there.
3. Build a rough itinerary with your must-sees, and your maybes
When I travel somehwere, I usually have the places I want to see and visit in two different categories:
- the must-sees
- the maybes
Ireland isn’t quite as touristy as its neighbour Scotland; but you still need to plan for crowds at the highlight tourist spots, figure out parking, book tours in advance, and all that fun stuff.
Here are the places I’d recommend adding to your Ireland itinerary, despite how popular they are:
- The Cliffs of Moher (it’s much less busy if you visit them after hours, at sunset)
- The Book of Kells – really interesting and fascinating!
- Giant’s Causeway, and the Titanic Museum if you plan to visit Northern Ireland
- The heart of Galway city, it’s such a quaint village and town centre
- Dublin. I think spending a few days there is worth it
- Kylemore Abbey, such a unique and gorgeous-looking building. It’s the #2 attraction in Ireland right now so July will be busy
- Killarney National Park – Torc waterfall, Ross Castle, take a lake cruise in the lake surrounding Ross Castle, and
- Muckross House & Gardens – visiting the farm was one of the highlights of our recent trip to Ireland (suitable for kids and adults) they show you how the Irish in this part of the country lived
- The Burren Perfumery – I wouldn’t have thought this would be a top attraction, but it was quite busy when we were there, even in May. But very much worth the drive!
I recommend spending no less than one week in Ireland (but preferably two) if you’re hoping to see most of the things on the list above, plus more.
I spent 3 weeks in Ireland the first time, and 2 weeks the second time, and you know what? I still don’t feel like I’ve experienced everything I’d like to there and would love to return.
It’s a beautiful, mysterious place and I have no doubt that you’ll have a great time.
Final Thoughts + My Personal Experience with Ireland in July
I visited Ireland in July 2016, when it was slightly less touristed than it currently is now. I went back in May 2025, and it was significantly busier in this most recent May, than it was July almost a decade ago.
So, Ireland has become very popular for tourists looking for that rugged, untouched, dramatic beauty. It’s a gorgeous place and I’m not surprised that its been ‘discovered’ by more people.
You can expect Ireland this coming July (2026 or 2027) to be quite busy, but with the right planning you can still pull off an amazing trip.