Visiting Ireland in July is hard to beat (and I’m basing that on spend 35 summers in Ireland!).
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 times to visit Ireland!
The weather in Ireland in July brings beautiful average highs of 19°C/66°F and average lows of 12°C/54°F.
Now, like the other summer months, July comes with several pros and cons, especially for those of you looking to visit Ireland on a budget.
In the guide below, you’ll find everything from things to do in Ireland in July to what to expect from the weather, based on previous years. Dive on in!
Some quick need-to-knows before visiting Ireland in July
Although a visiting Ireland in July is fairly 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 July to what festivals are running and much more:
1. The weather in Ireland in July
July in Ireland is the peak summer season and the weather tends to be settled with long warm days. Ireland experiences average highs of 19°C/66°F and average lows of 12°C/54°F during July. Rainfall is still common, but much less so in comparison to previous months.
2. Average temperatures
The average temperature in Ireland in July brings 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 our 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.
Fast facts: The pros and cons 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 our 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, we’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 our 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 our Irish road trip library, two of the most popular of which are our 5 days in Ireland or our 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 our 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 our 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 we’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
We’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, 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 July a good time to go to Ireland?
Yes. The days are long (sun rises at 05:01 and sets at 21:56) and they tend to be warm. There’s also a busy festival calendar if you enjoy live entertainment.
What is the weather in Ireland in July like?
The weather in Ireland in July tends to be good. We get average highs of 19°C/66°F and average lows of 12°C/54°F.
Are there many things to do in Ireland in July?
There’s endless things to do in Ireland in July, from festivals and hikes to museums, castles and more. The long days are perfect for exploring.
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.