Ireland in August
August is a month of real tradeoffs in Ireland. Still peak, with Irish and European school holidays layered on top. Book the west coast far ahead.
Weather
Mild, highs near 66F (19C), mixed skies
Crowds
Prices
What's on in August
Late July into early August
Galway Races. A week of horse racing that fills the west of Ireland. Book Galway beds far ahead or stay well outside town.
Three days in mid August
Puck Fair. One of Ireland's oldest fairs, in Killorglin on the Ring of Kerry: street entertainment, markets, and a goat crowned king.
Things to do in Ireland
- 1
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.
- 2
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.
- 3
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 ↗
- 4
Galway and Connemara. Galway is the base; Connemara's bog-and-mountain emptiness is the point. Kylemore Abbey is the postcard stop.
- 5
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 ↗
- 6
Dingle Peninsula. Many travelers' favorite corner of Ireland: the Slea Head loop, beehive huts, and a working fishing town full of music. official site ↗
- 7
Giant's Causeway and the Antrim coast. In Northern Ireland, an easy add from Dublin or Belfast. The coastal route past Dunluce Castle is the way to arrive. official site ↗
- 8
Skellig Michael. The monastic island of Star Wars fame. Landing boats run roughly mid May to late September, weather permitting, and sell out months ahead. official site ↗
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.
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.
Ireland in August: quick answers
Is August a good time to visit Ireland?
August is a month of real tradeoffs in Ireland. Still peak, with Irish and European school holidays layered on top. Book the west coast far ahead.
What is the weather like in Ireland in August?
Mild, highs near 66F (19C), mixed skies.
Is Ireland crowded in August?
August is peak crowd season in Ireland; expect lines at the headline sights.
What is happening in Ireland in August?
Galway Races (late july into early august); Puck Fair (three days in mid august).