Visiting Ireland in November: Weather + Pros/Cons

Visiting Ireland in November tends to suit some people a lot more than it suits others, and I’m saying that having lived in Ireland for 35 years!

While there is no one best time of year to visit Ireland, November isn’t an ideal month for exploring, mainly due to the short days.

The weather in Ireland in November sees the arrival of colder, wetter weather. The long-term average temperature is 7.5°C/45.5°F, with around 100-120 mm of rainfall.

What to expect from Ireland in November

For many, the unpredictable November weather in Ireland can deter visitors during this month. Here’s what you need-to-know:

1. The weather in Ireland in November

The weather in Ireland in November is typically cold and wet, with long term average rainfall of 100-120 mm. The average temperature during November is 7.5°C/45.5°F. 

2. Average temperatures

Ireland experiences average highs of 11°C/52°F and lows of 6.2°C/43°F during November. 

3. Limited daylight hours

In November, Ireland experiences around 9.5 hours of daylight, with the sun typically rising around 07:30 and setting by 17:00.

4. It’s the off-season

November is the off-season which means crowd levels are lower and you can often pick-up deals on flights and accommodation. If you’re renting a car in Ireland, it’s worth setting up an alert for price drops.

The advantages and disadvantages of November in Ireland

There are advantages and disadvantages to every month – you just need to weigh them up and decide which suits you best.

I’ve spent the last 35 Novembers in Ireland, so here are some of the pros and cons of this month from my perspective:

The pros 

• It’s quieter: You’ll encounter fewer crowds at the usually busy attractions (Slieve League, for example)
• Accommodation prices: Accommodation in the more off-the-beaten-track towns and villages will be more affordable
• Flights: This’ll be the last month of the year when flight prices are less – expect them to hike dramatically for Christmas and New Years
• Festivals: Numerous Christmas festivals take place

The cons

• Weather: It’s unpredictable. The last two Novembers have been mild, but we’ve had storms in years gone by
• Closed attractions: Some attractions and tours close towards the end of the year and don’t reopen until spring

The weather in Ireland in November in different counties

The weather in Ireland in November is wintery with average highs of 11°C/52°F and lows of 6.2°C/43°F. Snow is rare, but you can expect rain, wind and also crisp sunny days with 8.5 hours of daylight.

Below, you’ll find info on the weather in Ireland in November in some of the more popular areas in Ireland. This information is via the Irish Meteorological Service and the UK Met Office:

Dublin

The weather in Dublin in November tends to be less severe than many other parts of the island. The long-term average temperature in Dublin in November is 5.6°C/42.08°F. The long-term average rainfall level for Dublin in November is 72.9 millimetres.

Belfast

The weather in Belfast in November is similar to Dublin temperature wise, but Belfast receives more rain. The average temperature in Belfast in November is 5.5°C/41.9°F. Average rainfall levels sit at 102.34 millimetres.

Galway

The weather in the west of Ireland in November tends quite wintery. The long-term average temperature in Galway in November is 7.5°C/45.5°F. The long-term average rainfall level for Galway in November is 120.3 millimetres.

Kerry

The weather in Kerry in November tends to be milder than many parts of the country but with plenty of rain. The long-term average temperature in Kerry in November is 9.3°C/48.74°F. The long-term average rainfall level for Kerry in November is 169.3 millimetres.

Things to do in Ireland in November

There’s plenty of things to do in Ireland in November. The one thing you need to be careful with is the shorter days – make sure to plan your day in advance to make the most of your time here.

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

1. A logical road trip

At the beginning of the month, the sun rises at 07:29 and it sets at 17:00. This means you need to have a nice, clear Ireland itinerary to make the most of the daylight hours.

When it comes to planning a trip to Ireland in November, you need to map your days out properly in advance, as the days are short.

Last year, I published the world’s largest Irish road trip library where you’ll find hundreds of road trips to choose from.

My 5 days in Ireland and 7 days in Ireland guides are two of the most popular.

2. Christmas markets

There’s endless things to do in Ireland in November. However, many are drawn to the various Christmas markets in Ireland that kick-off mid-month.

There’s also numerous festivals in Ireland running during the month. Here are some worth checking out:

• Galway Christmas market
• Belfast Christmas markets
• Waterford Winterval
• Glow Cork
• Dublin Christmas markets

3. Indoor attractions and cosy pubs

As the weather in Ireland in November can be bad, it’s worth being aware of the indoor attractions located near where you’re visiting.

For example, if you’re visiting Dublin in November, the likes of the EPIC Museum, the Jameson Distillery and the Long Room in Trinity College are all great options.

Another big attraction during the cooler months are Ireland’s pubs, many of which will have a fire roaring away.

4. Walks and hikes

There’s plenty of things to do in Ireland in November if you like to explore on foot.

The various hikes in Ireland are perfect additions to any Ireland itinerary, once the weather permits.

The trails that are popular with tourists, like the various Cliffs of Moher walks, will be considerably quieter at this time of year.

5. Visiting Dublin in November

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

If the weather’s in any way decent, give one of the walks in Dublin a lash.

If the weathers bad, there’s plenty of things to do in Dublin in November 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 November

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

Raincoats, warm layers and hats, scarves and gloves can come in handy. Here’s some other suggestions for you:

The essentials

• A waterproof jacket
• Warm layers (e.g. long-sleeve t-shirts, jumpers, etc)
• A good, comfy pair of shoes to walk in
• Lots of socks (or bring good waterproof walking shoes)
• Causal clothes for going out in the evening (most restaurants and pubs are casual)

My honest thoughts on visiting Ireland in November

Having spent the last 35 Novembers in Ireland, I have experienced both the good and the bad of this month.

I know it’ll sound obvious, but it’ll all boil down to the weather in Ireland in November when you visit.

There have been terrible Novembers over the years where it’s rained near-constant and there have been mild and dry ones.

While the average temperature in Ireland in November sees highs of 11°C/52°F and lows of 6.2°C/43°F, this can vary massively.

If you want to see what it’s like to visit during the other months of the year, jump into one of these guides:

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