Ireland In November: Weather, Tips + Things To Do

Visiting Ireland in November comes with its advantages and disadvantages (and I’m basing that on 33 years of living here!).

Deciding on the best time to visit Ireland for you can be tricky, but we’ll help you make an informed decision.

The weather in Ireland in November (wet and wintery with average highs of 11°C/52°F and average lows of 6.2°C/43°F) is what puts a lot of people off.

However, there are plenty of things to do in Ireland in November and the month has a lot going for it, as you’ll discover below!

Some quick need-to-knows before visiting Ireland in November

Photos via Shutterstock

To get you up to speed on what to expect during November in Ireland, I’ve chucked together some nuggets of info that’ll give you a sense of weather, daylight and more.

Below, you’ll find info on the weather in Ireland in November along with some handy info.

1. The weather

The weather in Ireland in November can be very wintery. In the past, we’ve had mild Novembers and ones where the island was hit by heavy snow storms.

2. Average temperatures

The average temperature in Ireland in November sees us experience average highs of 11°C/52°F and average lows of 6.2°C/43°F.

3. The days are short

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.

4. It’s off-season

November is autumn in Ireland and it’s a much quieter time to visit. You should find flight and accommodation prices to be cheaper, too.

5. Festivals and events

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.

Fast facts: The pros and cons 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 33 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 freak 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 parts of the country

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

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 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

Photos via Shutterstock

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 our counties in Ireland section – it’s packed with the best places to visit in every county! Here are a some ideas to get you started:

1. Set off on a well planned road trip

A sample map from one of our road trip itineraries

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

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

2. Christmas markets

Photos via Shutterstock

Many of the more popular Christmas markets in Ireland begin from the middle of November. Here are some of the more popular ones:

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

3. Have indoor attractions at the ready

Photos courtesy Brian Morrison via Failte Ireland

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.

4. Don’t write off walks and hikes

Photos via Shutterstock

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.

If you want to see the different walks in the area you’re visiting, drop into our counties hub and select the place you’re staying in.

5. Visiting Dublin in November

Photos via Shutterstock

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 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 November

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Although we’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)

Debating visiting during another month?

Photos by Gareth McCormack via Tourism Ireland

It can be hard to know when to visit Ireland.

If you’re feeling overwhelmed, we’ve easy-to-digest guides to each month that you can flick through:

• 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

FAQs about visiting Ireland in November

We’ve had a lot of questions over the years asking about everything from ‘Does it snow in November in Ireland?’ (sometimes – not often) to ‘What is weather like in Ireland during November?’ (see above).

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.