June is one of the most popular times to visit Ireland for a reason. I personally think that this is one of the best months of the year in Ireland and I usually look forward to it from Christmas on! Whenever people ask me what the best time of year is for a road-trip or a long stay, I tell them June.
June is one of the best months to visit Ireland. There will be plenty of events and festivals happening all over the country. Also, with Ireland being so far north, the days will be much longer than you might expect. While there are plenty of great things to see in June, there are of course some drawbacks…
The Pros and Cons of Visiting Ireland in June
If you want to see the longest days, with some of the most sunshine, then come to Ireland in June. There are plenty of great music festivals and ways to celebrate the sun finally arriving in Ireland. Many of the locals will use this as the time of year to explore their own country too.
Having said this, there are plenty of drawbacks to coming this time of year. You won’t be the only one for a start. The crowds will really start to get bigger this time of year. This also means that prices of things like accommodation will start to rise too.
| Pros | Cons |
| Longer Days | Crowds |
| Better Weather | Higher Prices |
| Outdoor Festivals and Events | The Changeable Weather |
The Pros of Visiting Ireland in June
- The Longer Days: This is one of my personal favorite things about this time of year. The sun rises around 5am in June and sets after 10pm. There are days when you will find the sun never really properly goes down either. This is a great time of year for being outdoors.
- Better Weather: With the increase in daylight hours comes an improvement in the weather. In June, you will start to see the sunnier days become a little more common. If you want to avoid the worst of the Irish weather, this is a great time to visit.
- Outdoor Festivals and Events: June is when you will start to find more and more outdoor events in Ireland. There are plenty of great festivals that I look forward to every year. This is also around the time of year when you start to see more concerts being held in Ireland.
The Cons of Visiting Ireland in June
- Crowds: Large numbers of people might not bother most travelers, but I have met plenty who try to avoid them as much as possible. June is when the tourist season in Ireland really gets underway. Plenty of cruise ships start to dock in Ireland and many people will be milling about the place.
- Higher Prices: With all of the crowds comes higher prices. You will start to notice an increase in the cost of things like accommodation in Ireland in June. Make sure to plan accordingly and don’t get taken advantage of whenever possible!
- The Changeable Weather: While June is definitely the summer in Ireland, this is still Ireland. You can only rely on the weather to be unreliable. If you get caught out in the bad weather in Ireland in June, you likely won’t be prepared for it and this can make things a little worse than earlier in the year.
The Weather in Ireland in June
Traditionally, June is the middle of summer in Ireland, with May being the start. Today however, most people would agree that June is the proper beginning of the summer season.
In June, you will find warmer temperatures and more sunshine than previous months in Ireland. However, you should still expect the weather to remain unpredictable as at any other time of the year. Expect average temperatures to range from 10°C (50°F) to 18°C (64°F).
This is the time of year when you will have to worry more about the sun than the rain in Ireland. Believe it or not, the sun can still damage your skin no-matter where in the world you are. With daylight being from 5am-10pm, make sure to pack some sun protection.
There are plenty of other things to consider about the weather in Ireland in June. I have gone into more detail in my guide to the Irish weather, linked here.
What to Pack for Ireland in June
The day before I wrote this article, I spoke to visitors who were shocked about how Irish people dress, considering the weather. This shock will still be there, no matter what time of year. From June on, you will start to see the locals dress for the sun in Ireland and not do a very good job of it.
Please don’t dress like the Irish do for the weather, make sure to pack protection for the elements. Here is a list of things that I think you should consider bringing when visiting Ireland in June:
- Layers: Layering is one of the most common pieces of advice you will hear when it comes to travel in Ireland. This is with very good reason. The Irish weather is changeable, no matter what time of year. Make sure to leave your hotel, every day, ready for multiple eventualities.
- Rain Gear: Rain gear is a must for any visitor coming to Ireland. If you never use your rain gear when you come here, then congratulations! You will be one of the few people to ever visit Ireland and not need it at all.
- Sturdy Shoes: I think that you can (almost) never spend too much money on a good pair of shoes. While I think this is just good life advice in general, I think its very important that travelers pay particular attention to their feet.
- Sun Protection: Let’s face it, if you leave Ireland with a sunburn, nobody will believe that you were even here! Make sure not to head home red in the face and take sun protection with you to Ireland in June.
- Camera and Binoculars: As June is the height of the traditional Irish summer, you are going to be able to see some amazing sights if you visit this time of year. Make sure to get the most out of them and record them as best as possible with whatever camera(s) and binoculars you think you’ll need.
I think these are definitely some of the most important essentials for your trip to Ireland this time of year. If you want more detailed advice on what to pack for Ireland, I have a full packing guide here.
Events and Things to Do in Ireland in June
June is one of the best times of the year in Ireland and you will be able to see the country pretty much at its best. There will be so many things to see and do. Best of all, this is the time of year when the locals also like to get out and enjoy the country themselves!
Here, I want to talk about some of my favorite events and things to do in Ireland in June.
Dublin Pride
This is a celebration of the LGBTQ+ community in Dublin. While the main festivities won’t take place till the end of the month, there are going to be Pride events taking place all over Dublin right the way through June.
Historically, these celebrations in Ireland are held at different times of the year, depending on the location in the country. In Galway it is celebrated in August and in Belfast it is celebrated in July. Ireland was the first country in the world to legalize same sex marriage by popular vote.
Music Festivals
The longer days mean that music festivals and concerts will start to be held this time of year, throughout Ireland. While Irish festivals might have a little infamy for getting rained out, that usually doesn’t happen till later in the year!
If you are looking for a music festival outside of Dublin, than Body&Soul in Co. Westmeath is one of the most popular. It has a variety of musical acts, art installations and workshops, among many other things. Their website is linked here for more information.
If you are looking for something a little closer to Dublin and more comfortable accommodation, than the Forbidden Fruit Festival is worth a look. This is a day festival held just outside Dublin City Center, in the Kilmainham neighborhood. Their website is linked here for more information.
Bloomsday
If you are visiting Dublin in June, then you should consider staying till the 16th. Bloomsday is a literary festival held every year in the city.
This is the day people in Dublin dress up the way people would have in 1904. They then try to recreate the route the character Leopold Bloom took around Dublin on the 16th of June that year. Bloomsday today doesn’t just celebrate James Joyce’s novel Ulysses, but has become a much bigger event.
Where to Visit in Ireland in June
I think that there are so many different things to see and do in Ireland in June that you will not be able to get to them all. In fact, you could travel around Ireland for years and never be able to see the whole country. Don’t feel like you have to see everything in just one go!
Here are some of my favorite places to visit in Ireland in June. I want to talk about some of the reasons why you should consider visiting them and what you might be able to get up to while here.
Also, I just want to mention quickly that you shouldn’t stress yourself about “doing all of Ireland” in one trip. I meet far too many travelers who come here and try to see the whole country in less than a week. They wind up missing out on so much. It might be better to focus on one location and the area around it.
Dublin
The capitol city of the Republic of Ireland is a great place to visit any time of the year. There is always so much to see and do! This is the time of year when the music and literary festivals will start in the city. Pretty much every weekend in June, you will be able to hear some concert in the distance in Dublin.
Even if you don’t want to see any of these big events, there is going to be a lot to do in Dublin regardless. Often this can be overwhelming to people. Here are my full recommendations for Dublin that I update as often as I can.
The Wild Atlantic Way
The west coast of Ireland is of course beautiful any time of the year. But its also famous for its bad weather. June might be one of the best months of the year to explore places along the west coast of Ireland, like Dingle, Galway and the Cliffs of Moher.
If you are planning on visiting the west of Ireland, then Galway is a great place to use as your base location. Here, I have my recommendations for Galway.
The North Coast
The coast of County Antrim in the North has some of the most stunning views in Western Europe. Here you will find things like the Giant’s Causeway and Dunluce Castle. This part of the world was made famous recently when much of the Game of Thrones TV show was filmed here.
There are plenty of places to explore along this coastline, not just the Giant’s Causeway. If you want to explore this area in more detail, then I think Belfast should be your port of call. Here is my recommendations for Belfast and how to explore the North Coast.
FAQs About Ireland in June
Here are some frequently asked questions that I often get about visiting Ireland in June:
Is June a good time to visit Ireland?
Yes, June is an excellent time to visit Ireland. The weather is generally milder, and there are longer daylight hours, which allows for more time to explore. June also offers a variety of outdoor events and festivals, making it an exciting time to experience Irish culture.
Is it necessary to book accommodations in advance for June?
Yes, it’s recommended to book accommodations in advance for June, especially if you plan to attend popular events or visit well-known tourist destinations. As June is the beginning of the high season, accommodations tend to fill up quickly, and prices may increase. Booking in advance will help ensure you secure your preferred lodging at a reasonable price.
What is the best way to travel between cities in Ireland?
Ireland has a well-connected public transportation system, including trains and buses that connect major cities and towns. Train travel is typically faster and more comfortable, while buses can reach smaller towns that don’t have train stations. Alternatively, renting a car allows for greater flexibility and the freedom to explore off-the-beaten-path destinations.
