Europe
Ireland in April
Gardens waking up, seasonal sights reopening, and crowds still thin. A strong value window.
The straight answer
April is a good month to visit Ireland. Gardens waking up, seasonal sights reopening, and crowds still thin. A strong value window.
- Weather
- Brightening, highs near 54F (12C), sun and showers
- Crowds
- 2 of 5
- Prices
- 2 of 5
What April is like in Ireland
April brightens up, with highs near 54F (12C) and a lively mix of sun and showers. Gardens wake up, seasonal sights reopen and crowds are still thin. It is one of the strongest value windows of the year. Good Friday closes most attractions, so check where Easter falls before you plan that weekend.
It suits road trippers, walkers and families who want the countryside without summer prices. Pack for rain and you will see a lot. If you want the best odds of dry weather and every boat running, May is only a small step up.
Make the most of April
What is especially good about Ireland this month.
Gardens waking up
Kylemore Abbey's walled garden and the big estate gardens start to bloom, and the countryside turns bright green.
Quiet Ring of Kerry
The loop around Killarney National Park is calm before the coach season, so the narrow roads are much easier to drive.
Folk parks without the crowds
Bunratty Castle and Folk Park is a great family day with far fewer people than in summer.
What to pack for April
- A reliable rain jacket
- A warm sweater or fleece
- Waterproof hiking shoes
- Sunglasses for the bright spells
Our timing tip
Start the Ring of Kerry early and drive it counterclockwise like the buses do, so you never meet them head-on.
Book Ireland for April.
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- Hotels for April
Hotels. Expedia
Hotels in IrelandOpens a hotel search for Ireland in April, dates filled in. Book early for the best months: the good rooms go first.
- Rentals on Vrbo
Vacation rentals. Vrbo
Vacation rentals in IrelandWhole homes, condos and villas. Usually the better deal for families and groups, with a kitchen and room to spread out.
- Tours and tickets
Tours and tickets. Expedia
Tours and tickets in IrelandTimed-entry tickets, day trips and guided tours in Ireland for April. Popular slots sell out in the best months.
Things to do in Ireland
Cliffs of Moher
Arrive before 10am or after 5pm in season; midday belongs to the coach tours. The cliff walk toward Hags Head escapes most of the crowd.
Ring of Kerry
Drive it counterclockwise like the buses do to avoid meeting them head-on on narrow roads, and start early. Killarney National Park anchors the loop.
Dublin's museum quarter
The National Museum's gold and bog bodies, Trinity's Book of Kells, and the National Gallery, all walkable. Book Kells tickets ahead in summer.
Galway and Connemara
Galway is the base; Connemara's bog-and-mountain emptiness is the point. Kylemore Abbey is the postcard stop.
Newgrange (Bru na Boinne)
A 5,000-year-old passage tomb north of Dublin. Access is by guided tour from the visitor centre and slots cap out in summer, so book ahead.
Dingle Peninsula
Many travelers' favorite corner of Ireland: the Slea Head loop, beehive huts, and a working fishing town full of music.
Beat the crowds
- Do the Cliffs of Moher and the Ring of Kerry before 10am; the coach-tour wave runs roughly 10:30am to 4pm and then vanishes.
- Base yourself in Dingle or Kenmare instead of Killarney in summer: same scenery, calmer evenings, better tables without a booking.
- Book Newgrange, Kilmainham Gaol, and the Book of Kells online well ahead in June through August; all three cap daily numbers and sell out.
- Take the Ring of Beara or the Sky Road in Connemara when the Ring of Kerry is heaving; they are just as good and carry a fraction of the traffic.
Know before you go
- Skellig Michael landings run only from roughly mid May to late September, and even in season boats cancel frequently for swell. Book early and build in a spare day.
- Many rural and heritage attractions run reduced winter hours from roughly November through mid March, and some smaller sites close entirely; city museums and castles stay open year-round.
- Good Friday and Christmas (December 24 to 26) close most attractions, and almost everything shuts on Christmas Day itself, including most pubs.
- St. Patrick's Day is a national holiday: the party is on but banks, shops, and some sights close, and Dublin accommodation sells out months out.
Ireland in April, quick answers
Is April a good time to visit Ireland?
April is a good month to visit Ireland. Gardens waking up, seasonal sights reopening, and crowds still thin. A strong value window.
What is the weather like in Ireland in April?
Brightening, highs near 54F (12C), sun and showers.
Is Ireland crowded in April?
April is one of the quieter months in Ireland; most sights can be done without long waits.
Keep planning Ireland.
The months either side, and the best one if this is not it.
Also at their best in April
Before you book.
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