Visiting Ireland in September: Weather + Pros/Cons

In my opinion, Ireland in September is hard to top—and that’s coming from 35 years of living here!

The weather in Ireland in September is generally pleasant, with an average temperature of 13.2°C/55.8°F and occasional showers as summer moves into autumn.

When asked, I usually say September is one of the best months to visit Ireland—and you’ll see why below.

What to expect from Ireland in September

The first section will get you up-to-speed on the weather in Ireland in September, festivals and daylight hours:

1. The weather in Ireland in September

The weather in Ireland in September is generally pleasant, with an average temperature of 13.2°C/55.8°F and a long-term average rainfall of around 100.3 mm.

2. Average temperatures

The average temperature in Ireland in September sees average highs of 13°C/55°F and average lows of 9°C/48°F.

3. Long days

At the beginning of the month, the sun rises at 06:41 and it sets at 20:14. This means you’ve around 12.5 hours of daylight to explore, which makes planning your Ireland itinerary much easier.

4. It’s the shoulder season 

September is autumn in Ireland, which means the school year has resumed and many of the tourists that will have visited during peak season will have flown home.

5. Festivals and events

While there are endless things to do in Ireland in September, many flock to the various events and festivals in Ireland that run during this month, like Electric Picnic and the Dublin Theatre Festival.

The advantages and disadvantages of September in Ireland

There are some pros and cons (not many!) to visiting Ireland in September. However, unlike some months (I’m looking at you, January!), the pros greatly outweigh the cons.

Below, you’ll find the pros and cons from the perspective of someone that’s spent the last 35 Septembers in Ireland:

The pros 

• Weather: We tend to have good weather in Ireland in September with average highs of 13°C/55°F and average lows of 9°C/48°F
• Long days: As we’re just out of summer, the days are still nice and long, with the sun rising at 06:41 and setting at 20:14 at the start of the month
• It’s quieter: The beauty of visiting just after summer is that you’ll still have good weather and places will be much quieter as peak-season is behind us
• Festivals: Loads of Irish music festivals and food, and cultural events take place (see my Irish festivals calendar)

The cons

• Prices: Flights and accommodation will still be relatively high in comparison to autumn and winter

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

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

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 September tends to be decent. The long-term average temperature in Dublin in September is 13.1°C/55.58°F. The long-term average rainfall level for Dublin in September is 59.5 millimetres.

Belfast

The weather in Belfast in September is similar to Dublin. The average temperature in Belfast in September is 13°C/55.4°F. Average rainfall levels sit at 69.64 millimetres.

Galway

The weather in the west of Ireland in September tends to be wetter than the above cities. The long-term average temperature in Galway in September is 13.2°C/55.76°F. The long-term average rainfall level for Galway in September is 100.3 millimetres.

Kerry

The weather in Kerry in September tends to be mild and wet. The long-term average temperature in Kerry in September is 13.9°C/57.02°F. The long-term average rainfall level for Kerry in September is 125.4 millimetres.

Things to do in Ireland in September

Many people planning a trip to Ireland tend to opt for September as the days are long and there’s plenty of time to explore.

If you’re on the hunt for things to do in Ireland in September, dive into my counties in Ireland section – it’s packed with the best places to visit in every county! Here are some suggestions to get you started:

1. Explore on a road trip

There’s plenty of Ireland travel tips, but the one I always start with is to plan your route in advance.

Yes, the days are long in Ireland in September, but you need a well thought out plan of action to make the most of your time.

If you’d like a pre-planned trip, I have the world’s largest collection of Irish road trip itineraries.

Although my 5 days in Ireland or my 7 days in Ireland guides are the most popular, there’s trips of every length to browse.

2. Walks galore

One of the more popular things to do in Ireland in September when the weathers fine is to explore on foot. Luckily, there’s endless walks in Ireland to try.

From hiking the highest mountain in Ireland to more gentle trails, there’s something to suit every fitness level.

3. The ‘old reliables’

If you’re visiting Ireland for the first time, the chances are you’re going to want to visit the tourist hotspots, like the Cliffs of Moher, the Ring of Kerry and the Giants Causeway.

Although these popular attractions will still be busy, they’ll be much quieter than the summer season.

4. Hidden gems

Many tourists visiting Ireland tend to flock to the hot-spots, like the Guinness Storehouse, Doolin and Connemara National Park, and there’s nothing wrong with that!

However, if you can, try and carve out a bit of time to visit some of the more unique places to visit in Ireland, that tourists often miss.

5. Visiting Dublin in September

There’s endless things to do in Dublin in September if you’re visiting for a bit of a city break. If the weather’s fine, try one of the many walks in Dublin.

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

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

If you’re planning an active trip, bring your usual active wear. If you plan on eating out or visiting pubs, smart casual is more than enough.

The essentials

• Sun cream (yep, really… well, OK – hopefully!)
• Comfy shorts and light trousers for walking about in
• A waterproof jacket (a light one that folds up into a pouch can come in handy)
• T-shirts or some light tops for the warmer days
• Causal clothes for wearing in the evening (pubs in Ireland are fairly relaxed)

Thinking about visiting during another month?

Picking when to visit Ireland isn’t easy, and there’s a lot to consider, so it’s well worth spending a little bit of time comparing what it’s like in Ireland during the other months of the year, 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 July
• Ireland in August
• Ireland in October
• Ireland in November
• Ireland in December

FAQs about spending September in Ireland

We’ve had a lot of questions over the years asking about everything from ‘What should I pack for Ireland in September?’ (see above) to ‘Is Ireland Green in September?’ (it is).

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