Dublin in September is hard to beat (and I’m basing that on living here for 34 years)
In fact, it’s up there as one of the best months to visit Dublin, in my opinion.
The days are still nice and long (the sun rises from 06:41 at the start of the month and sets at 20:14).
And, to top it off, the LTA (Long Term Average) temperature in Dublin in September 13.1°C/55.58°F with rainfall measuring 59.5mm.
Below, you’ll discover things to do in Dublin in September, like the many festivals taking place, to what to expect from crowd levels and hotel prices.
Some quick need-to-knows before visiting Dublin in September
Photos via Shutterstock
Although visiting Dublin in September is nice and straightforward, there are some need-to-knows that’ll make your visit that bit more enjoyable.
Below, you’ll find info on the weather in Ireland in September along with some handy info to get you up to speed.
1. The weather
The weather in Dublin in September, as is the case with every month in Dublin, can be unpredictable. Although this month tends to be good weather-wise, there have been exceptions.
2. Average temperatures
The LTA (Long Term Average) temperature in Dublin in September 13.1°C/55.58°F with rainfall measuring 59.5mm.
3. Long days
At the beginning of the month, the sun rises at 06:41 and it sets at 20:14. This means you’ve around 12.5 hours of daylight to explore, which makes planning your Ireland itinerary much easier.
4. It’s the shoulder season
September is autumn in Ireland, which means the school year has resumed and many of the tourists that will have visited during peak season will have flown home.
5. Festivals and events
While there are endless things to do in Dublin in September, many flock to the various events and festivals in Ireland that run during this month, like Electric Picnic and the Dublin Theatre Festival.
Fast facts: The pros and cons of September in Dublin
There are some pros and cons (not many!) to visiting Dublin in September. However, unlike some months (I’m looking at you, January!), the pros greatly outweigh the cons.
Below, you’ll find the pros and cons from the perspective of someone that’s spent the last 34 Septembers in Dublin:
The pros
- Weather: The LTA (Long Term Average) temperature in Dublin in September 13.1°C/55.58°F with rainfall measuring 59.5mm
- Long days: As we’re just out of summer, the days are still nice and long, with the sun rising at 06:41 and setting at 20:14 at the start of the month
- It’s quieter: The beauty of visiting just after summer is that you’ll still have good weather and places will be much quieter as peak-season is behind us
- Festivals: Loads of Irish music festivals and food, and cultural events take place (see our Irish festivals calendar)
The cons
- Prices: Flights and hotels in Dublin will still be relatively high in comparison to autumn and winter
The weather in Dublin in September
The average temperature in Dublin in September is generally mild, as you’ll see in the graphic above.
It is important to note that these temperature ranges can vary considerably from year to year.
Below, you’ll find a comparative analysis of recent years that uses data from various weather stations.
Please note that all of the Dublin in September weather data is via Met Eireann – the Irish Meteorological Service.
A comparison of September weather in Dublin in recent years
| County | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Dublin | 6.7°C/44.06°F | 6.2°C/43.16°F | 5.8°C/42.44°F |
| Galway | 7.0°C/44.6°F | 6.2°C/43.16°F | 5.8°C/43.25°F |
| Cork | 8.2°C/46.76°F | 6.9°C/44.42°F | 7.2°C/44.96°F |
| Kerry | 8.6°C/47.48°F | 7.7°C/45.86°F | 7.6°C/45.68°F |
The LTA (Long Term Average) temperature in Dublin in September 13.1°C/55.58°F with rainfall measuring 59.5mm.
The table above offers a look into the average temperature in Dublin in September along with Galway, Cork, and Kerry over the past few years.
As you can see, the average temperature in Dublin in September remains relatively consistent across different years and in various counties.
Rain in Dublin in September
| County | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Dublin | 88.5 | 55.0 | 130.4 |
| Galway | 143.1 | 113.4 | 248.5 |
| Cork | 90.0 | 157.6 | 143.5 |
| Kerry | 145.6 | 228.2 | 237.6 |
We get asked ‘Does in rain in Dublin in September?’ quite a bit. The answer is yes, yes it does (see our guide on what to wear in Dublin in September).
The Long Term Average rainfall for Dublin in September is 59.5mm. This is in comparison to 73.3mm in August and 56.2mm in July.
If you look at the table above, you’ll see that the counties on the west coast get an awful lot more rain than those on the east coast.
Things to do in Dublin in September
Although it’s still off-season, there’s still endless things to do in Dublin in September, from the many great restaurants in Dublin to hikes, walks, castles and more.
Below, you’ll find the likes of the Jameson Distillery, itineraries you can use and pub recommendations.
1. Have a good itinerary mapped out
The worst thing you can do if you’re spending September in Dublin is to arrive with no clear itinerary.
If you do, the chances are you’ll just waste time while you’re here and (hopefully not) whittle away all of your time in Temple Bar.
We’ve several ready-made options for those of you looking for things to do in Dublin in September, with itineraries ranging from 1 to 5 days:
- 1 day in Dublin
- 2 days in Dublin
- 3 days in Dublin
- 4 days in Dublin
- 5 days in Dublin
2. The key attractions
Photos by James Fennell via Failte Ireland
Although we have the ‘main’ things to do in Dublin in September in the itineraries above, here are a few suggestions.
For some of these attractions, like the Storehouse, it’s worth having your ticket booked in advance:
- The Guinness Storehouse
- Trinity College
- Christ Church Cathedral
- St. Patrick’s Cathedral
- The GPO
- Dublin Castle
3. Walks and hikes
Photos via Shutterstock
One of the more popular things to do in Dublin in July is to walk/hike, especially on those fine days.
There are plenty of walks in Dublin, with something to suit every level of fitness. Here are some of the most popular ones:
- The Howth Cliff Walk
- The Poolbeg Lighthouse Walk
- The Killiney Hill Walk
- The Hellfire Club Walk
- The Ticknock Walk
4. Trad pubs
Photos left + bottom right: The Irish Road Trip. Other via Google Maps
There are some mighty pubs in Dublin that you can tuck yourself away in for an hour or five.
If you’re looking to see some of the oldest pubs in Dublin, head to the likes of the Brazen Head or the Stag’s Head.
If you want to dodge the touristy pubs in Temple Bar, there’s some great pubs with live music in Dublin, like the Cobblestone.
Or, if you’re looking for a fine pint of the black stuff, see our guide to the best Guinness in Dublin.
What to pack / what to wear in Dublin in September
Although we’ve a detailed guide on what to wear in September in Dublin, I’ll give you the need-to-knows.
If you’re planning an active trip, bring your usual active wear. If you plan on eating out or visiting pubs, smart casual is more than enough.
The essentials
- Sun cream (yep, really… well, OK – hopefully!)
- Comfy shorts and light trousers for walking about in
- A waterproof jacket (a light one that folds up into a pouch can come in handy)
- T-shirts or some light tops for the warmer days
- Causal clothes for wearing in the evening (pubs in Dublin are fairly relaxed)
Are you considering visiting during a different month?
Deciding when to visit Dublin is tough – and anyone that tells you otherwise is talking out of their hole (Irish slang for they’re full of sh…)!
It’s worth taking a bit of time to compare what it’s like here during the other months, as when you visit affects everything from your experience to the cost of a trip to Ireland:
- Dublin in January
- Dublin in February
- Dublin in March
- Dublin in April
- Dublin in May
- Dublin in June
- Dublin in July
- Dublin in August
- Dublin in October
- Dublin in November
- Dublin in December
FAQs about spending September in Dublin
We’ve had a lot of questions over the years asking about everything from ‘What should I pack for Dublin in September?’ (see above) to ‘Is Dublin Green in September?’ (it is).
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.
Is September a good time to go to Dublin?
Does it rain a lot in Dublin in September?
Are there many things to do in Dublin in September?
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.