Visiting Ireland in August: Weather + Pros/Cons

Visiting Ireland in August, like every month, comes with pros and cons (after 35 years of living here, I can say that with confidence!).

If you’re in search of long, mild days and the buzz that floods towns and villages during the summer months, August is the best time of year to visit Ireland!

The weather in Ireland in August is typically warm, with some late summer rain and an average temperature of 15.2°C/59.4°F. 

What to expect from Ireland in August

The section below will help you get your head around the weather in Ireland in August with ease:

1. The weather in Ireland in August

The weather in Ireland in August is generally warm, although rain showers can be frequent. The average temperature hovers around 15.2°C/59.4°F while the long term average rainfall is approximately 107.8 mm.

2. Average temperatures

The average temperature in Ireland in August reaches highs of 18°C/64°F and lows of 11°C/52°F.

3. Daylight hours galore

At the beginning of the month, the sun rises at 05:41 and it sets at 21:20. This means you’ve heaps of time each day to explore, which will make planning your Ireland itinerary a whole lot easier.

4. It’s peak season, so plan accordingly

Summer in Ireland is when demand for accommodation is at its highest. If you can, start planning your trip to Ireland as far in advance as you can, and book accommodation. Keep in mind that prices are at their highest during the summer.

5. Loads to see and do

Plenty of festivals in Ireland run during August, like the Galway Oyster and Seafood Festival. However, festivals aside, there’s endless things to do in Ireland in August, as you’ll discover below.

The advantages and disadvantages of August in Ireland

So, there are some advantages and disadvantages to visiting Ireland in August, and I touched on a couple of them above.

I’ve lived in Ireland (Dublin, specifically) for 35 years, so the below points are based on my own experience:

The pros 

• Weather: It tends to be good with average highs of 18°C/64°F and lows of 11°C/52°F
• Long days: You’ll have around 16 hours of daylight to explore
• Festivals: Loads of Irish music festivals and food, and cultural events take place (see my Irish festivals calendar)
• Summer buzz: The summer months bring tourists and atmosphere to many towns, villages and cities

The cons

• Prices: Yep – the summer months mean demand for accommodation is high, and the prices follow
• Crowds: Expect to find places like Killarney, Connemara and other tourist-hot spots packed with crowds

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

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

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 August tends to nice and summery. The long-term average temperature in Dublin in August is 15.1°C/59.18°F. The long-term average rainfall level for Dublin in August is 73.3 millimetres.

Belfast

The weather in Belfast in August is very similar to Dublin. The average temperature in Belfast in August is 15.1°C/59.18°F. Average rainfall levels sit at 84.95 millimetres.

Galway

The weather in the west of Ireland in August tends to be mild with plenty of rainy spells. The long-term average temperature in Galway in August is 15.2°C/59.36°F. The long-term average rainfall level for Galway in August is 107.8 millimetres.

Kerry

The weather in Kerry in August is similar to the above. The long-term average temperature in Kerry in August is 15.3°C/59.54°F. The long-term average rainfall level for Kerry in August is 114.9 millimetres.

Things to do in Ireland in August

Many people spend August in Ireland as the days are warm and long and it’s just generally a nice time to zip around.

If you’re on the hunt for things to do in Ireland in August, dive into my counties in Ireland section – it’s packed with the best places to visit in every county!

1. Take a well planned road trip

There’s many travel tips for visiting Ireland, but the one I always kick-off with is to take time to plan your route in advance.

Yes, the days are long, but you need a solid plan of action to make the most of your time here.

I published hundreds of detailed Irish road trip itineraries last year which you should find useful.

If you’re in need of a bit of help, have a flick through my 5 days in Ireland or my 7 days in Ireland guides.

2. Beaches, beaches and more beaches

You should try and etch out some time to visit one of the many beaches in Ireland during your visit, for a paddle or a stroll.

Thanks to Ireland’s size, you’re rarely too far from a sandy stretch to ramble along.

3. Tracks and trails

If you like to explore on foot, August is a great time to experience some of the many walking trails in Ireland.

Now, if you’re not a seasoned hiker, don’t worry – there’s plenty of easy trails to trod along. If you are, give one of the highest mountains in Ireland a bash.

4. Hidden gems

If you’re visiting Ireland for the first time, the chances are you’ll want to visit the ‘Old-Favourites’, like the Cliffs of Moher and Killarney.

However, if you can, try and carve out some time to visit some of the more unique places to visit in Ireland, that tourists often miss.

5. Visiting Dublin in August

There’s endless things to do in Dublin in August. If the weather’s good, try one of the walks in Dublin.

If the weathers bad, there’s plenty of things to do in Dublin in August when it’s raining!

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 August

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

For example, if you’re planning on hiking, bring your walking gear. If you plan on fine dining, bring formal wear.

The essentials

• Sun cream
• Comfortable shorts and light trousers for walking in
• T-shirts or light tops for the warm days
• A light waterproof jacket (one that folds up into a pouch ideally)
• Causal clothes for going out in the evening (pubs in Ireland are pretty relaxed)

Mulling over visiting during a different month?

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 April
• Ireland in May
• Ireland in June
• Ireland in July
• Ireland in September
• Ireland in October
• Ireland in November
• Ireland in December

FAQs about spending August in Ireland

We’ve had a lot of questions over the years asking about everything from ‘Does it rain in August in Ireland?’ to ‘How cold is Ireland in August?’.

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.