Visiting Ireland in July: Weather + Pros/Cons

A trip to Ireland in July rarely disappoints (and that’s coming from 35 years of calling this place home!).

If you’re looking for long, warm days and the lively buzz that engulfs towns and villages during the summer months, July is one of the best months to go to Ireland!

The weather in Ireland in July is typically warm, with scattered showers common. The average temperature for July is 15.5°C/59.9°F, and the long-term average rainfall is approximately 86.5 mm.

What to expect from Ireland in July

The most FAQ about visiting Ireland in July, unsurprisingly, revolves around the weather in Ireland during this month – discover all you need-to-know below:

1. The weather in Ireland in July

The weather in Ireland in July is generally warm, with frequent scattered showers. Average temperatures reach 15.5°C/59.9°F, with a long-term rainfall average of 86.5 mm.

2. Average temperatures

The average temperature in Ireland in July sees average highs of 19°C/66°F and average lows of 12°C/54°F.

3. Daylight hours

If you’re following one of the itineraries from my Irish road trip library, you’ll have plenty of time to explore in July. From the beginning of the month, the sun rises at 05:01 and sets at 21:56. These long days make planning an Ireland itinerary relatively easy, as there’s plenty of daylight hours to get around in.

4. Peak season

Summer in Ireland is peak season for both international and domestic tourists, so it’s well worth planning your trip to Ireland early and booking accommodation in advance, as demand is at it’s highest.

5. Festivals and events

A large number of festivals in Ireland run during July. Two of the most notable are the Galway International Arts Festival and Belfast TradFest. If festivals aren’t you’re thing, there’s plenty of other things to do in Ireland in July for you to choose from.

The advantages and disadvantages of July in Ireland

I’ve been living in Ireland for 33 years and I have, although unintentionally, spent a good chunk of every July here.

These are the pros and cons based on my own experience (I’ll go into what the weather’s like in the next section).

The pros 

• Weather: The average temperature in Ireland in July sees highs of 19°C/66°F and lows of 12°C/54°F
• Long days: The sun rises at 05:01 and sets at 21:56
• Festivals: Lots of Irish music festivals and food, and cultural events take place (see my Irish festivals calendar)
• Summer buzz: Long, warm days tends to bring tourists and atmosphere to many towns, villages and cities

The cons

• Prices: Summer is peak season in Ireland, which means accommodation and flight prices are at their peak
• Crowds: Peak season draws the crowds, especially at tourist hot-spots, like Killarney and the Dingle Peninsula

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

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

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 July tends to be good. The long-term average temperature in Dublin in July is 15.3°C/59.54°F. The long-term average rainfall level for Dublin in July is 99.0 millimetres.

Belfast

The weather in Belfast in July is very similar to Dublin. The average temperature in Belfast in July is 15.1°C/59.18°F. Average rainfall levels sit at 73.62 millimetres.

Galway

The weather in the west of Ireland in July tends to be a little milder than the cities above, but with more rainfall. The long-term average temperature in Galway in July is 15.5°C/59.9°F. The long-term average rainfall level for Galway in July is 86.5 millimetres.

Kerry

The weather in Kerry in July tends to be warm and, at times, wet. The long-term average temperature in Kerry in July is 15.3°C/59.54°F. The long-term average rainfall level for Kerry in July is 99.0 millimetres.

Things to do in Ireland in July

One of the reasons that Ireland in July is so popular is due to the weather and the long days. This combination makes it a perfect month for exploring, and you’ll find heaps of things to do in Ireland in July below.

If you’re on the hunt for things to do in Ireland in July, dive 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. Road trips

There’s many Ireland travel tips, but the one we always start with is to properly plan your route in advance.

Although long days provide the perfect opportunity for an action-packed road trip, you need to make sure you’ve mapped out your route properly, to make the most of your time.

If you need help, you’ll find hundreds of itineraries in my Irish road trip library, two of the most popular of which are my 5 days in Ireland or my 7 days in Ireland guides.

2. Beaches, beaches and more beaches

I’d argue that many of the beaches in Ireland are some of the best in Europe – if not the world!

If you’re exploring the coastal counties, you’re rarely too far from a sandy stretch where you can dip your toes.

3. Hikes and walks

Now, if you don’t fancy hiking on your trip to Ireland, don’t worry! The island is home to a fine mix of hard and handy walks.

There are endless walking trails in Ireland, from massive mountains to stunning coastal strolls.

Find walks in the county you’re visiting right here.

4. Off-the-beaten-path

Many looking for things to do in Ireland in July flock to the same places over and over, like the Giants Causeway and the Dingle Peninsula.

However, there’s plenty of hidden gems that pack a punch just as mighty.

See my guide to the best places to visit in Ireland for off-the-beaten-path places to explore.

5. Visiting Dublin in July

There’s endless things to do in Dublin in July. 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 July 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 July

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

However, it’s nice and straightforward – pack layers and bring a light waterproof jacket and something to wear at night, if it gets cool.

The essentials

• Sun cream
• Shorts and/or light trousers/jeans for walking around
• T-shirts for the warm days
• A light waterproof jacket often comes in handy
• If you plan on fine dining, bring light formal wear
• Causal clothes for going out in the evening (pubs in Ireland are fairly casual)
• All the chargers and plugs you need for your gadgets

Struggling to pick a month to visit?

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 August
• Ireland in September
• Ireland in October
• Ireland in November
• Ireland in December

FAQs about spending July in Ireland

I’ve had a lot of questions over the years asking about everything from ‘Does it rain in July in Ireland?’ to ‘What is there to do?’.

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