Ireland In November 2022/23: Advice From A Local (Weather, What To Pack + More)

If you’re weighing up visiting Ireland in November but you’re unsure of what to expect, you’ve landed in the right spot.

Since publishing an easy-to-follow guide to the best time to visit Ireland, we’ve had a clatter of emails asking questions about what it’s like here in November.

Like most months of the year, November in Ireland comes with its fair share of pros and cons, as you’ll discover below.

You’ll also find info on everything from the weather in Ireland in November to things to do (there’s Christmas markets!) and more handy info. Dive on in!

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 during this month along with some handy info.

1. The weather

The weather in Ireland in November can be hit and miss. In the past, we’ve had mild Novembers and ones where the island was hit by heavy snow storms. The average temperature tends to hover between 11°C and 6.2°C (more on the weather below).

2. 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.

3. It’s off-season

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

4. There’s still lots to do

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

5. Make an informed decision

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

The pros and cons of spending November in Ireland

Photo left: Rihardzz. Right: mark_gusev (Shutterstock)

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 32 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 (see our Irish festivals calendar for more)

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

What to expect from the weather in Ireland in November

Photos via Shutterstock

The weather in Ireland in November has been good for the most part in recent years. However, we’ve had bad Novembers previously.

Here’s what the weathers been like during previous years. Note: this data comes from MET Eireann, Ireland’s Meteorological Service

November 2021

• The weather in Ireland in November 2021 was mild and dry for most of the month and sunny in the South
• The number of days where rain fell ranged from 9 days (Dublin Airport) to 28 days (Belmullet in Mayo)
• The average temperature for the month ranged from 8.4 °C to 9.2 °C

November 2020

• The weather in Ireland in November 2020 was mild and wet in the West and mild and slightly drier in the East
• The number of days when rain fell ranged from 18 days (Casement Aerodrome in Dublin) to 26 days (Malin Head in Donegal)
• The average temperature for the month ranged from 8.7 °C to 9.9 °C

Average temperature in Ireland in November

Photo by Jef Folkerts on Shutterstock

The average temperature in Ireland in November hovers between 11°C and 6.2°C, but don’t take this as gospel – if you visit in November, you could easily experience much cooler temperatures.

Those from colder temperate climates will find the temperature in Ireland in November pretty mild while those who come from warmer climates should find November in Ireland to be chilly.

The average temperature in previous years

• 2021: 8.3 °C
• 2020: 8.1 °C
• 2019: 5.9 °C

Things to do in Ireland in November

Photo left via shutterupeire. Photo right via Patryk Kosmider. (on shutterstock.com)

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

Photos via Shutterstock

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.

If you’re struggling to decide what to do, use our step-by-step Ireland itinerary guide. Or, we’ve ready made 5 days in Ireland and 7 days in Ireland guides you can nip into.

2. Christmas markets

Photo by Rihardzz/shutterstock.com

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 by The Irish Road Trip

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

Photo by Bernd Meissner (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

Photos via Shutterstock

Packing for November in Ireland can be stressful for some. In my opinion, you should pack for the worse case scenario – i.e. cold and wet.

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)

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.

Keith O'Hara

Thanks for visiting the Irish road trip! This site exists to inspire and guide you on an Irish adventure that’ll give birth to a lifetime of memories!