Here’s everything you need to know about visiting Ireland in July, based on our recent family trip to the Emerald Isle – including insights on the weather, what to wear, and how crowded it felt.

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Ireland in July: Is It Worth Visiting?

If you’re wondering whether July is a good time to visit Ireland, the short answer is: absolutely yes – as long as you come prepared! In this post, I’ll share my personal experience traveling around Ireland in July, including tips on what to wear, weather, crowds, public holidays, and some amazing things to do during the summer in the Emerald Isle.

Weather in Ireland in July

Temperatures during our trip to Ireland in July ranged from 13°C to 20°C (roughly 55°F to 68°F), so while it wasn’t cold, it was definitely cooler than what we’re used to living on the Mediterranean coast of Spain – though not as chilly as Iceland, for example. Overall, the weather felt quite comfortable for exploring, aside from the fact that it rained a little almost every single day.

On our first day in Dublin, we pulled out umbrellas at the first drop of rain, but by the end of the trip, we were acting like locals – unless it was pouring, we just ignored it. Be prepared for quick weather changes; it can be sunny, rainy, and windy all in a single afternoon. It’s wise to plan your itinerary with a backup option, especially for outdoor activities like hiking, as the weather can significantly impact your plans.

That said, the Emerald Isle is full of charming villages and small museums that make great alternatives when the trails get too muddy. In my opinion, when traveling to a rainy destination, it’s best to mentally prepare yourself from the start – you might end up walking in the rain. As long as it’s not too heavy (which only happened once during our trip), it becomes part of the experience. After all, this kind of weather is typical in Ireland.

What to Wear in Ireland in July (+My Must-Haves)

Despite it being summer, Ireland’s weather in July is unpredictable, so dressing in layers is essential. I built a versatile Ireland packing list around a few key essentials – mainly waterproof boots and layers – to stay comfortable in the rain without looking like I was on a full-on hiking expedition. This way, I felt appropriately dressed whether I was out exploring or heading to a nice restaurant for dinner.

Here’s what I found essential during our trip to Ireland:

• Waterproof and windproof jacket: This is an essential item in Ireland, as rain and wind are almost inevitable, even in summer.
• Waterproof boots: Since we didn’t plan to go on serious hikes, I opted for Timberlands/Dr. Martens. They’re comfortable enough for walking in the rain, and I could easily pair them with leggings or dresses for a look that worked just as well at a casual restaurant as it did in the countryside.
• Layers: No trip to Ireland in summer is complete without layers. I usually wore a t-shirt topped with a shirt or a light sweater. When the sun was out, it felt warm enough for just a t-shirt, but five minutes later it could turn cloudy and chilly. You’ll likely be putting layers on and taking them off all day – it’s just part of the Irish travel experience.
• Umbrella – A compact umbrella is handy, but a sturdy one is even better. On two particularly windy days, mine almost broke – especially in more exposed areas outside of major cities. That said, it was very useful for walking around Dublin, Belfast, and Cork. (I even bought a green one for the trip because it felt fitting – although my husband teased me endlessly, saying it was the Irish equivalent of wearing a red beret in Paris. Apparently, tourists associate green with Ireland more than locals do!)
• For kids – I packed only Gore-Tex hiking boots for them, and on days when heavy rain was forecasted, I brought waterproof pants along in the car. I knew they’d end up running around and jumping in puddles, so dressing them up nicely didn’t make much sense. Like us, they also needed layers – the moment they saw a playground, they’d start running and heat up quickly. If you’re visiting Ireland with small children, it’s a smart idea to carry a spare set of clothes with you – getting caught in a heavy downpour is always a possibility.

Public Holidays and Festivals in Ireland in July

Public holidays in Ireland can shape your travel plans, especially if you’re crossing between Northern Ireland (part of the UK) and the Republic of Ireland. When we arrived in Belfast on July 11, we realized that July 12 is a significant public holiday in Northern Ireland – known as The Twelfth, commemorating the Battle of the Boyne. Many businesses close, and parades can affect traffic and accommodations.

To work around this, we headed straight to Dublin and explored the Republic of Ireland first, then returned to Belfast for two days at the end of the trip when things had quieted down.

Popular festivals in Ireland in July – none of which overlapped with our itinerary, but I’d love to check them out on our next visit:

• Galway International Arts Festival (Usually mid-July) / Galway City, County Galway
• Kilkenny Arts Festival (Late July to early August) / Kilkenny City, County Kilkenny
• Cork International Film Festival (Late July) / Cork City, County Cork
• Puck Fair (August 10–12, with preparations starting in July) / Killorglin, County Kerry
• Clonmel Junction Festival (July 3–9) / Clonmel, County Tipperary
• Belfast International Arts Festival (Sometimes has events in July) / Belfast, Northern Ireland
• Blessing of the Boats Festival (July) / Sligo Town, County Sligo

Cool Things to Do in Ireland in July

July is a fantastic time to visit Ireland, with long daylight hours and lush, green landscapes. While the weather can be unpredictable, it’s still relatively mild and pleasant compared to other seasons. Visiting Ireland in July opens up a wide variety of activities that might not be as enjoyable during the colder or wetter months. Some memorable experiences from our trip included:

• Exploring the Cliffs of Moher – Yes, it was busy, but the views were totally worth it. Try to go early in the morning or late in the afternoon.
• Strolling through Kilkenny – This was one of the few places that felt truly “peak season” crowded, especially on weekends. But it’s such a charming medieval town, it’s still worth a stop.
• Driving the Ring of Kerry – Renting a car and exploring the Ring of Kerry is one of the most popular summer travel experiences in Ireland. We only had time to visit a few key landmarks along the route, but I’d love to return one day to complete the full drive.
• Visiting the Blarney Gardens was one of my favorite experiences in Ireland, and I felt that July was the perfect time to enjoy the beautiful blooms.
• Visit the Aran Islands in July, when ferries run more frequently and offer greater flexibility. It’s something we didn’t have time to do on our trip, but I would absolutely love to experience it next time.

How Crowded Is Ireland in July? + Travel Tips

Surprisingly, Ireland in July didn’t feel overwhelmingly crowded – at least not compared to other European destinations like Paris or Barcelona during peak season. Both Dublin and Belfast were great to explore in July.

The only exceptions where i felt like we are visiting during the peak season:

• Kilkenny, which was buzzing with tourists over the weekend.
• The Cliffs of Moher, which are understandably a major hotspot. However, since the area is so spacious, you can walk along the cliffs without feeling overwhelmed by the crowds. The parking lot is large, with enough space for everyone, so it didn’t feel chaotic.
• The Blarney Gardens – it’s definitely a busy destination, but most of the queues are for kissing the Blarney Stone. If you’re planning to do that, I recommend going during the last hour before closing. That’s when we visited the castle, and there was no line at all.
• Tours – Platforms like GetYourGuide usually offer free cancellation, so it’s a good idea to pre-book popular tours in advance. I was booking in May and already couldn’t get a spot on the Newgrange tour. We ended up switching to another option, Celtic Boyne Valley & Ancient Sites Day Tour, which was still good – but this just shows how important it is to book early, especially if visiting in July or August (when the whole of Europe in on a vacation).
• The Giant’s Causeway in Northern Ireland felt like the busiest landmark on the Emerald Isle – I didn’t expect it to be, but it felt even more crowded than the Cliffs of Moher. Still, it was 100% worth visiting.
• Hotels – I highly recommend booking accommodation as early as possible. In my opinion, the overall hotel offerings in Ireland are quite average, with a generally low price-to-quality ratio. To be honest, I wasn’t particularly impressed with any of the places we stayed given the cost we paid.

If you’re planning to visit Ireland in July and have any questions about my trip, feel free to ask in the comments below!

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