March is a great time of year to visit Ireland, with St Patrick's Day being celebrated throughout. We suggest exploring Dublin, Galway, the Cliffs of Moher, and the Wild Atlantic Way. Read on to find out more about travel and weather, including temperatures, rainfall, humidity, and tips for March.
Ireland Weather in March: Overview
Averages:
- Temperature range: 4–10°C (40–51°F)
- Rainfall: 9 cm (3 inches)
- Rainy days: 16
- Sunshine hours/day: 4
- Humidity: around 70% (wet and on the humid side)
March is when Ireland starts moving from winter into spring, with more hours of sunshine per day (around 4 hours on average). If you prefer more sunshine, we recommend visiting towards the end of March rather than early March.
There is approximately 9 cm (or 3 inches) of rain in March in Ireland, and the temperature reaches an average of 10°C (51°F). While the weather can still be changable, in general the conditions are on the cooler side.
March Climate Comparison (Averages) for Ireland's Top Tourism Areas
| City/Area | High (ºC) | Low (ºC) | Rain (cm) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Dublin (main city, Irish culture, bars, Guiness) | Cool | Cold | Low |
| Galway (harbor city, history, architecture) | Cool | Cold | Moderate |
| Cork (foodie capital, architecture, history) | Cool | Cold | Moderate |
| Limerick (culture, old buildings, museums) | Cold | Cold | Moderate |
| Killarney (national park scenery, hikes, castle, abbey) | Cool | Cold | Moderate |
| City/Area | High (ºC) | Low (ºC) | Rain (cm) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Dublin (main city, Irish culture, bars, Guiness) | 10 | 3 | 5 |
| Galway (harbor city, history, architecture) | 11 | 5 | 9 |
| Cork (foodie capital, architecture, history) | 10 | 4 | 10 |
| Limerick (culture, old buildings, museums) | 11 | 5 | 8 |
| Killarney (national park scenery, hikes, castle, abbey) | 10 | 4 | 11 |
| City/Area | High (ºF) | Low (ºF) | Rain (in) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Dublin (main city, Irish culture, bars, Guiness) | 50 | 37 | 2 |
| Galway (harbor city, history, architecture) | 52 | 41 | 4 |
| Cork (foodie capital, architecture, history) | 50 | 39 | 4 |
| Limerick (culture, old buildings, museums) | 52 | 41 | 3 |
| Killarney (national park scenery, hikes, castle, abbey) | 50 | 39 | 4 |
Discover real reviews of Highlights Travel Family's best-rated service across trusted platforms.
|
|
Amazing service - Thailand trip
We had a lovely experience with the service received from all the team of Asia Highlights (travel specialist/coordinator, guides, drivers). In particular, the representative that organized our trip, Jimmy, was amazing. He was able to prepare our trip in a very short notice and customize it to satisfy all our requests. He was knowledgeable and always replied very fast. We were very pleased with his service and we highly recommend the agency. More
Yanelis, Mar 2025
|
Every Detail Attended To
Our guide, Marie, was so knowledgeable, professional, and kind. She was really attuned to our needs and spoke perfect English. She even brought me a special gift this morning because she knew I was looking for a Christmas ornament representative of Thailand. We did not have to think about any of the details. More
Ekie, Mar 2025
|
Ms Ying is the Guide you should ask for in Bangkok
Ms Ying was our guide in Bangkok for the past 4 days and if we could give her a higher rating than 5 we absolutely would! Ying speaks English perfectly and was completely dedicated to ensuring we had an outstanding stay. More
roxanne odell, Mar 2025
|
The Best Places to Visit in Ireland in March
There is lots to do and see around Ireland in March, particularly since it is also St Patrick's Day in March!
Since the weather is still on the cooler side with a little bit of rain throughout the country, we recommend places with a good mixture of indoor and outdoor activities so that you can adjust your days flexibly in accordance with the weather on the day.
In March, we recommend checking out Dublin or Galway for St Patrick's Day celebrations, and exploring the Cliffs of Moher as well as the Wild Atlantic Way for a taste of the best of Irish nature.
1. Celebrate St Patrick's Day in Dublin
Dublin is one of the best places in the world to celebrate St Patrick's Day, and in 2025, the celebration (which is on March 17 every year) is on a Sunday. The main event on this day is the parade that runs from Parnell Square through to Kevin Street and Cuffe Street.
We also recommend Festival Quarter, where you'll find a funfair, live music on stage, as well as lots of stalls selling traditional Irish food and drinks. There are activities for both young and old, so the parade is also worth visiting if you're traveling with your family.
Many of the museums and galleries will also run themed tours during this weekend, for example, the National Gallery of Ireland will usually have a St Patrick's Day tour on multiple times during the St Patrick's Day weekend.
And of course, we recommend visiting an Irish pub to finish off the day, as this is where the St Patrick's Day spirit will continue into the evenings.
2. Check out the St Patrick's Day Parade in Galway
Galway also celebrates St Patrick's Day big, with festivities running for the entire weekend between 15 and 17 March 2025. The main festival parade is on 17 March 2025, during which you'll be able to enjoy a showcase of local artists and community groups, celebrating Galway and Irish culture.
The parade in 2025 will stay the same as the route that has been used since 2019, from University Road through to Salmon Weir Bridge, Eglinton Street, and into Eyre Square and Prospect Hill.
Other festivities include live music throughout the city, outdoor film screenings at the Spanish Arch, and early Irish silent movies at the Pálás Cinema and at the Silent Cinema, on 17th and 18th March.
3. Feel the Breeze at the Cliffs of Moher
One of Ireland's best-known sights are the Cliffs of Moher, found on the western coastline of Ireland, at what feels like the end of the world. This is also the western edge of Europe, and the views from there over the Atlantic Ocean and the Aran Islands are incredible.
March is a good time to visit while there are fewer crowds (summers get extremely busy), and we recommend heading over to visit at sunset when the skies are beautiful.
There's a good information center to give you some background to the area and to plan your walk from.
4. Road Trip the Wild Atlantic Way
Ireland is the perfect location for a road trip, and we highly recommend renting a car and taking a drive on the Wild Atlantic Way. This route, which stretches across approximately 2,600 km (1,600 miles), is one of the longest coastal routes in the entire world.
The views around the Irish coast are just incredible, with misty mountain-scapes, secluded bays, gorgeous villages, and towering cliffs. If you enjoyed the Cliffs of Moher, and you like a road trip marked with stops in villages and walks along the way, we couldn't recommend this road trip more.
Low Season (Except St Patrick's Day): Less Expensive and Less Crowded
March is a great time of year to visit, as most of the month is relatively quiet and sees lower prices for accommodation and travel. The only exception to this is St Patrick's Day, when parties throughout the larger cities draw domestic tourists as well as tourists from across Europe.
As long as you book ahead for the weekend of St Patrick's Day (which falls on 17 March every year), you will be fine, and you will have a fantastic time seeing the celebrations in person!
What to Wear in March
Given that March is still a little bit cool (or even cold in the evenings), and the weather can be a bit volatile, we do recommend bringing plenty of layers to wrap up in. Additional fleeces or a waterproof layer are a good idea to bring, and we also suggest bringing gloves, a hat, and a scarf.
If you are looking to do some longer walks or hiking around the Cliffs of Moher or the Wild Atlantic Way, bringing your own hiking equipment is also a must. Supportive footwear is important, and some of the walks that are more difficult might also require walking poles.
Contact Global Highlights to Plan Your Ireland Tour
To make sure you have the best time in Ireland without any of the stress of planning, all you have to do is reach out to Global Highlights! Our team of experts can create your ideal trip based on your interests, booking your accommodation and transport to give you peace of mind. Contact us to begin a tour inquiry.
