Visiting Ireland in April: Weather + Pros/Cons

Ireland in April has, like most months, pros and cons (I’ve been here for 35 years, so I can assure you of that!).

April is regarded by some as one of the best times of year visit Ireland, but it can also be a gamble.

The weather in Ireland in April is milder than the previous months, but scattered showers are frequent. The average temperature during April in Ireland is 8.6°C/47.5°F.

What to expect from Ireland in April

Although visiting Ireland in April is fairly straightforward, there are a few need-to-knows that’ll make your visit that bit more enjoyable (mainly around the weather in Ireland during this month):

1. The weather in Ireland in April

April brings milder weather compared to previous months, though scattered showers remain common. The average temperature in Ireland in April is 8.6°C/47.5°F.

2. Average temperatures

Although April is spring in Ireland, temperatures remain cool. Ireland experiences average lows of 4°C/39°F in April and average highs of 13°C/55°F.

3. The days are longer

The sun rises at 06:23 and sets at 20:00 from mid-April, which gives you loads of time to work with when planning out your Ireland itinerary.

4. Keep an eye out for when Easter falls

Irish schools are given 2 weeks of holidays around Easter each year. The result of this is that accommodation prices can sky rocket and some of the more popular family hotels in Ireland can book out.

5. Festivals and events

Very few festivals in Ireland run during April. However, the likes of the Galway Theatre Festival and the Cathedral Quarter Arts Festival in Belfast are worth checking out. There’s plenty of other things to do in Ireland in April, as you’ll see below.

The advantages and disadvantages of April in Ireland

I’ve found that for many people planning a trip to Ireland, having a clear, quick overview of the pros and cons of spending April in Ireland helps, so I’ll list them below.

I’ve spent 35 years in Ireland, and I’ve never missed an April (not intentionally…), so these pros and cons are based on first hand experience.

The advantages

• Prices: If you’re visiting Ireland on a budget, it’ll be cheaper to fly now than in the summer months
• Long days: The days are getting longer (mid-April: sun rises at 06:23 and sets at 20:00)
• Weather: As you’ll see below, the weather tends to be nice and mild in April

The disadvantages

• Easter holidays: Schools get 2 weeks off around Easter, which can drive up the cost of accommodation in places
• Festivals: April is very quiet festival wise (see my Irish festivals calendar or my Irish music festivals guide for more)

The weather in Ireland in April in different parts of the country

The weather in Ireland in April can vary quite a bit. Below, we’ll provide you with an insight into the weather in Kerry, Belfast, Galway and Dublin in April.

Note: The rainfall figures and the average temperatures have been taken from the Irish Meteorological Service and the UK Met Office to ensure accuracy:

Dublin

The weather in Dublin in April tends to be cool and wet. The long-term average temperature in Dublin in April is 8.1°C/46.58°F. The long-term average rainfall level for Dublin in April is 54.1 millimetres.

Belfast

The weather in Belfast in April is, on average, very similar to Dublin. The average temperature in Belfast in April is 7.6°C/45.68°F. Average rainfall levels sit at 60.35 millimetres.

Galway

The weather in the west of Ireland in April tends to be pretty wet and wild. The long-term average temperature in Galway in April is 8.6°C/47.48°F. The long-term average rainfall level for Galway in April is 72.0 millimetres.

Kerry

The weather in Kerry in April tends to be mild and wet. The long-term average temperature in Kerry in April is 9.3°C/48.74°F. The long-term average rainfall level for Kerry in April is 96.7 millimetres.

Things to do in Ireland in April

There’s a never-ending number of things to do in Ireland in April, regardless of what the weather is like.

If you’re on the hunt for things to do in Ireland in April, hop into my counties in Ireland section – it’s packed with the best places to visit in every county! Here are a handful of suggestions to get you started:

1. Set off on a well planned road trip

As the days in April are nice and long, you’ve plenty of daylight hours to explore to your heart’s content.

However, make sure to plan out your route in advance, to save hassle when you arrive.

Last year, I published the world’s largest collection of Irish road trip itineraries – each of which is detailed and there’s options to pick everything from your fitness level to how you’ll get around.

Two of the most popular are my 5 days in Ireland and the 7 days in Ireland guides.

2. Have back-up plans

One of the better tips for visiting Ireland is to have good back-up plans ready.

As I’ve mentioned, the weather in Ireland in April can be unpredictable, so it’s handy to have some indoor attractions near where you’re visiting on-hand, just in case.

If you hop into my counties of Ireland hub, you’ll find things to do in every county, from hikes and walks to unique attractions and more.

3. Spend dry days exploring on foot

Ireland’s a joy to wander around, and you’re rarely too far from a well-trodden track or trail, with something on offer for every fitness level.

There are endless hikes in Ireland, from long and tricky to short and handy. Find walks in the county you’re visiting right here.

4. And wet evenings in a traditional pub

If you visit when the weathers bad, and you’ve had your fill of indoor attractions, Ireland’s pubs scene is worth sampling, and there are heaps of pubs in Ireland to choose from.

However, not all are equal.

When you can, try and opt for the more traditional pubs, as these tend to have the most character.

5. Visiting Dublin in April

There’s countless things to do in Dublin in April. If the weather’s good, set off on one of the many walks in Dublin.

If the weathers poor, there’s plenty of things to do in Dublin in April when it’s raining, from castles and great food to museums and more.

See my 2 days in Dublin and 24 hours in Dublin guides for an easy-to-follow itinerary.

What to pack / what to wear in Ireland in April

Although I’ve a detailed guide on what to wear in April in Ireland, I’ll give you the need-to-knows.

The best advice is to pack smart and cover all bases. If you’re visiting on a city break and you plan on visiting swanky restaurants, you’ll want to bring some formalwear with you. 

If you’re here to go on the lash (Irish slang for a drinking session), you’ll only need casual gear. Pubs are generally pretty relaxed about dress codes.

The essentials

• A waterproof jacket
• Hiking boots (or shoes) if you’re planning an active trip
• Layers that you can put on or take off (long sleeve t-shirts, shirts, hoodies etc.)
• Waterproof trousers/pants if you’re planning outdoor adventures
• An umbrella (you can pick one up here)

Wondering if a different month in Ireland would suit you more?

Picking when to visit Ireland isn’t easy, and there’s an awful lot to consider, so it’s well worth spending some time comparing what it’s like in Ireland during the other months, when you have a second:

• Ireland in January
• Ireland in February
• Ireland in March
• Ireland in May
• Ireland in June
• Ireland in July
• Ireland in August
• Ireland in September
• Ireland in October
• Ireland in November
• Ireland in December

FAQs about spending April in Ireland

I’ve had a lot of questions over the years asking about everything from ‘What are the best things to do in Dublin in April?’ to ‘Does it snow?’.

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