Europe
Ireland in November
Low season proper. Cities, museums, and pubs at full strength; plan around the early dark.
The straight answer
November is a quiet, good-value month to visit Ireland. Low season proper. Cities, museums, and pubs at full strength; plan around the early dark.
- Weather
- Damp and gray, highs near 50F (10C), short days
- Crowds
- 1 of 5
- Prices
- 1 of 5
What November is like in Ireland
November is low season proper. Damp, gray days with highs near 50F (10C) and short daylight. Many west coast B&Bs and seasonal restaurants close, and rural heritage sites move to winter hours. The cities, museums and pubs stay at full strength, and prices are near their lowest.
It suits city breaks in Dublin, Galway or Belfast, and travelers who love pubs, music and museums. It is not the month for a long scenic drive around Kerry or Connemara, when many B&Bs are shut and dark comes early. Save that for May or September.
Make the most of November
What is especially good about Ireland this month.
Traditional music nights
With the tourists gone, pub sessions in Galway and Dublin feel more local and more relaxed.
Titanic Belfast
It is a great indoor day on a wet November afternoon, and easy to pair with the Antrim coast on a dry one.
Low-season prices
Flights and city hotels are cheap, which makes a long weekend in Dublin good value.
What to pack for November
- A warm waterproof coat
- Waterproof shoes
- A hat, gloves and scarf
- Warm layers for chilly evenings
Our timing tip
Plan outdoor sights for the middle of the day, since the light fades by late afternoon.
Book Ireland for November.
Sponsored links to Expedia and Vrbo. We may earn a commission; it never changes a verdict.
- Hotels for November
Hotels. Expedia
Hotels in IrelandOpens a hotel search for Ireland in November, 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 November. 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 November, quick answers
Is November a good time to visit Ireland?
November is a quiet, good-value month to visit Ireland. Low season proper. Cities, museums, and pubs at full strength; plan around the early dark.
What is the weather like in Ireland in November?
Damp and gray, highs near 50F (10C), short days.
Is Ireland crowded in November?
November 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 November
Before you book.
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