May falls at the end of spring in Ireland, with milder weather particularly towards the end of the month. For visitors to Ireland in May, we suggest heading to Dublin, Limerick, Galway, and the Cliffs of Moher. Read on to find out more about travel and weather, including temperatures, rainfall, humidity, and tips for May.
Ireland Weather in May: Overview
Averages:
- Temperature range: 7–15°C (45–59°F)
- Rainfall: 7 cm (3 inches)
- Rainy days: 13
- Sunshine hours/day: 7
- Humidity: around 67% (a little wet and humid throughout Ireland)
Temperatures in Ireland in May range from cold to cool or cool to mild, depending on whether you visit at the beginning of the month or towards the end of the month. In May, the daily high temperatures you can expect in Ireland are around 15°C (59°F). The days in May have more sunshine, with approximately 7 hours per day (May actually sees the most hours of sunshine per day out of all the months).
There are around 13 rainy days in May, with approximately 7 cm (or 3 inches) of rainfall in May, making May one of the driest months of the year in Ireland.
May Climate Comparison (Averages) for Ireland's Top Tourism Areas
| City/Area | Temperatures | Rainfall |
|---|---|---|
| Dublin (main city, Irish culture, bars, Guiness) | Cold to Mild | Low |
| Galway (harbor city, history, architecture) | Cool to Mild | Low |
| Cork (foodie capital, architecture, history) | Cold to Mild | Moderate |
| Limerick (culture, old buildings, museums) | Cool to Mild | Low |
| Killarney (national park scenery, hikes, castle, abbey) | Cold to Mild | Moderate |
| City/Area | High (ºC) | Low (ºC) |
|---|---|---|
| Dublin (main city, Irish culture, bars, Guiness) | 15°C (59°F) | 7°C (45°F) |
| Galway (harbor city, history, architecture) | 16°C (61°F) | 8°C (46°F) |
| Cork (foodie capital, architecture, history) | 14°C (57°F) | 7°C (45°F) |
| Limerick (culture, old buildings, museums) | 16°C (61°F) | 8°C (46°F) |
| Killarney (national park scenery, hikes, castle, abbey) | 14°C (57°F) | 7°C (45°F) |
| City/Area | Rain (cm) | Rain (in) |
|---|---|---|
| Dublin (main city, Irish culture, bars, Guiness) | 6 | 2 |
| Galway (harbor city, history, architecture) | 7 | 3 |
| Cork (foodie capital, architecture, history) | 8 | 3 |
| Limerick (culture, old buildings, museums) | 6 | 2 |
| Killarney (national park scenery, hikes, castle, abbey) | 8 | 3 |
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The Best Places to Visit in Ireland in May
May is one of the drier months of the year in Ireland, and the month with the highest average for hours of sunshine per day. This makes May a great time of the year to visit Ireland for both indoor and outdoor activities in the buzzing cities and the beautiful countryside.
Global Highlights works with local experts and tourism resources to put together custom-made trips to fit your needs. If you're hoping to visit Ireland in May but aren't sure where to start on planning your trip to Ireland, reach out to us with your interests and requirements and our team can help you.
To get you started on putting together your ideal trip to Ireland, we have some suggestions below of places to visit including Dublin, Limerick, Galway, and the Cliffs of Moher.
1. Take a Walking Tour Through Dublin
Given that May is the driest and brightest time of the year to visit Ireland, we highly recommend going on a walking tour through Dublin. This gives you the best opportunity to see the sights, get the feel for the city, and spend your day visiting things that you are most interested in.
We suggest visiting Fishamble Street, heading to Christ Church Cathedral, Dublin Castle, City Hall, Temple Bar and the Irish Rock 'N' Roll Museum, the former location of the Irish Houses of Parliament, and Trinity College.
If you want to ensure that you're getting all the background to these beautiful sights and hearing the historical importance and relevance of them, we recommend getting a tour guide for your time in Dublin. Global Highlights are able to provide a knowledgeable local guide for you.
2. Visit King John's Castle in Limerick
Ireland is known for its beautiful castles, and Limerick is home to the beautiful King John's Castle, which is no different. The castle is a 13th century castle found on King's Island just off Limerick, having been built in the year 1200 as per the instructions of King John of England.
It is a Norman castle, and one of the best-preserved ones in Europe making it worth visiting while you are in Limerick, not only for the castle but also for the views surrounding the castle. The walls, towers, and fortifications are still intact today, and nearby Viking settlements also make the site interesting.
Visitor facilities have recently been improved, and there are interactive exhibitions as well as digital displays, meaning that the castle is fun for all ages.
3. Explore the Archaeology of the Aran Islands off Galway
The Aran Islands are three islands found in Galway Bay, just off the coast of Ireland by Galway. There are only around 1,300 people living on the Aran Islands today, with the population having been in decline since the 1800s.
On the cliff tops of the Aran Islands, you will find some of the oldest archaeological remains in Ireland, including ancient stone walls that divide livestock areas, dry-stone beehive huts, and the first true Irish monastery, which is near Killeany. The islands are also home to Bronze Age and Iron Age forts, as well as O'Brien's Castle and Teampull Bheanáin, the smallest church in the world.
To get to the Aran Islands you can get a ferry from Rossaveal, which you can get to by bus from Galway. Global Highlights can also help you arrange transport to visit the Aran Islands.
4. See Where the Earth Meets the Sea at the Cliffs of Moher
The Cliffs of Moher are one of the best-known sights in Ireland, along the western coastline, on the edge of Europe. The views of the Atlantic Ocean are beautiful, and we highly recommend visiting the Cliffs if you are visiting Ireland in May for the best chance of great photos.
May's crowds are slightly smaller than the summer months' of June, July, and August, and we would recommend visiting the information center to settle on your walks around the area.
End of Low Season: Slightly Less Expensive and Less Crowded
Since the peak tourism months for Ireland are June, July, and August, during Ireland's summer, late May marks the beginning of this busier time. As a result, we would recommend booking ahead, and ensuring that you have your accommodation and travel sorted earlier rather than later to avoid higher prices.
In May, Ireland celebrates May Day as does the UK (which falls on 5 May in 2025). On May Day long weekends there are likely to see more people traveling around and visiting the sights, which is worth keeping in mind.
The late May "Spring Bank Holiday" on the last Monday in May also brings more visitors, but just from the neighboring UK, as this holiday is not observed in Ireland.
What to Wear in May
The weather in May ranges from cold to mild, and we would recommend bringing multiple layers to ensure that you stay warm no matter whether you are exploring the breezy western coastline to see the cliffs, or whether you're warmer walking around the inside of a museum.
We do also recommend bringing a scarf and a hat if you are hoping to go on walks, particularly if you are visiting Ireland in the first two weeks of the month. For hikes we also suggest packing supportive footwear, and an umbrella or a waterproof layer just in case.
