Europe

Ireland in May

Statistically one of Ireland's driest, sunniest stretches, with long days and everything open. The sweet spot.

BestOften the sunniest month, highs near 60F (16C)

Cliffs of Moher, Ireland — IrelandPhoto: Berthold Werner, CC BY-SA 4.0

The straight answer

May is one of the best months of the year to visit Ireland. Statistically one of Ireland's driest, sunniest stretches, with long days and everything open. The sweet spot.

Weather: Often the sunniest month, highs near 60F (16C)
Crowds: 3 of 5
Prices: 3 of 5

What May is like in Ireland

May is often Ireland's sunniest month, with highs near 60F (16C), long days and everything open. It is statistically one of the driest stretches of the year. Skellig Michael landing boats start running around mid month, weather permitting. Crowds are moderate and prices sit well below July.

This is the sweet spot for almost everyone: first-timers, road trippers, walkers and homeschool families who can travel while Irish kids are in school. Book Skellig boats and popular B&Bs early, since May is no secret. If you can only go once, May or September is the answer, and May has the edge on long, bright evenings.

Make the most of May

What is especially good about Ireland this month.

Skellig Michael season opens

Landing boats to the monastic island start around mid May, weather permitting. They sell out months ahead, so book early.

The sunniest stretch

May is one of the driest months, which makes it the best time for the Cliffs of Moher, the Dingle Peninsula and Connemara.

Term-time crowds

With local kids in school, weekday visits to Newgrange and the folk parks feel relaxed.

What to pack for May

A light waterproof jacket
Layers for mild days and cool evenings
Comfortable hiking shoes
Sunscreen, since the sun is stronger than it feels

Our timing tip

Build a spare day into any Skellig Michael plan, since boats cancel often when the swell is up.

Book Ireland for May.

Sponsored links to Expedia and Vrbo. We may earn a commission; it never changes a verdict.

Hotels. Expedia
Hotels in Ireland
Opens a hotel search for Ireland in May, dates filled in. Book early for the best months: the good rooms go first.
Hotels for May
Vacation rentals. Vrbo
Vacation rentals in Ireland
Whole homes, condos and villas. Usually the better deal for families and groups, with a kitchen and room to spread out.
Rentals on Vrbo
Tours and tickets. Expedia
Tours and tickets in Ireland
Timed-entry tickets, day trips and guided tours in Ireland for May. Popular slots sell out in the best months.
Tours and tickets

Things to do in Ireland

Full guide

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.

Tickets and tours →

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.

Tickets and tours →

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.

Official site ↗Tickets and tours →

Galway and Connemara

Galway is the base; Connemara's bog-and-mountain emptiness is the point. Kylemore Abbey is the postcard stop.

Tickets and tours →

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.

Official site ↗Tickets and tours →

Dingle Peninsula

Many travelers' favorite corner of Ireland: the Slea Head loop, beehive huts, and a working fishing town full of music.

Official site ↗Tickets and tours →

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 May, quick answers

Is May a good time to visit Ireland?

May is one of the best months of the year to visit Ireland. Statistically one of Ireland's driest, sunniest stretches, with long days and everything open. The sweet spot.

What is the weather like in Ireland in May?

Often the sunniest month, highs near 60F (16C).

Is Ireland crowded in May?

Crowds in Ireland are moderate in May; timed bookings still help at the biggest sights.