October sees cool weather in Ireland, with an above-average number of rainy days. For visitors, we would recommend going to Dublin, Cork, the Cliffs of Moher, and Achill Island. Read on to find out more about travel and weather, including temperatures, rainfall, humidity, and tips for October.
Ireland Weather in October: Overview
Averages:
- Temperature range: 8–14°C (46–57°F)
- Rainfall: 12 cm (5 inches)
- Rainy days: 17
- Sunshine hours/day: 3
- Humidity: around 78% (quite damp and humid throughout Ireland)
October is autumn in Ireland, with temperatures ranging between 8 and 14°C (46 and 57°F). With the days being shorter in October and moderate rainfall, there are only around 3 hours of sunshine per day on average.
While the beginning of the month still sees milder temperatures, the end of October is definitely on the cool side as Ireland heads towards winter. The weather can fluctuate a little, so it is important to be prepared with warmer clothes and waterproof layers.
There are around 17 rainy days in October in Ireland, with approximately 12 cm or 5 inches of rain throughout the month. As a result, humidity levels are higher at around 78% on average. Given that you will have a mix of rainy and dry days, it is best to be prepared for both!
October Climate Comparison (Averages) for Ireland's Top Tourism Areas
| City/Area | Temperatures | Rainfall |
|---|---|---|
| Dublin (main city, Irish culture, bars, Guiness) | Cold to Mild | Moderate |
| Galway (harbor city, history, architecture) | Cool to Mild | Moderate |
| Cork (foodie capital, architecture, history) | Cold to Mild | Moderate |
| Limerick (culture, old buildings, museums) | Cool to Mild | Moderate |
| Killarney (national park scenery, hikes, castle, abbey) | Cold to Mild | Moderate |
| City/Area | High (ºC) | Low (ºC) |
|---|---|---|
| Dublin (main city, Irish culture, bars, Guiness) | 14°C (57°F) | 7°C (45°F) |
| Galway (harbor city, history, architecture) | 14°C (57°F) | 8°C (46°F) |
| Cork (foodie capital, architecture, history) | 13°C (55°F) | 8°C (46°F) |
| Limerick (culture, old buildings, museums) | 14°C (57°F) | 8°C (46°F) |
| Killarney (national park scenery, hikes, castle, abbey) | 14°C (57°F) | 8°C (46°F) |
| City/Area | Rain (cm) | Rain (in) |
|---|---|---|
| Dublin (main city, Irish culture, bars, Guiness) | 8 | 3 |
| Galway (harbor city, history, architecture) | 13 | 5 |
| Cork (foodie capital, architecture, history) | 8 | 3 |
| Limerick (culture, old buildings, museums) | 10 | 4 |
| Killarney (national park scenery, hikes, castle, abbey) | 14 | 6 |
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The Best Places to Visit in Ireland in October
October is a great time of the year to visit Ireland. With the tourist peak season just gone, you'll get the best of the cool, autumnal weather without any of the high prices for accommodation and travel, particularly in the beginning of the month.
For visitors to Ireland in October we suggest spending some time in Dublin, and venturing to Cork, the Cliffs of Moher, and Achill Island.
Should you need some help putting together your ideal Ireland itinerary in October, Global Highlights experts can help you put together the trip of your dreams. Just let us know your needs and requirements, and we can take care of the rest. Contact us to start planning your Ireland trip.
1. Pour a Pint of Guinness at the Guinness Factory in Dublin
Dublin is the home of Guinness, and the Guinness Factory is worth visiting for anyone who wants to learn more about this world-famous drink, particularly if you happen to be there on a rainy day. The factory itself can be toured and there are also more activities to do there.
It is possible to learn the six steps of pouring a pint of Guinness properly, which is a skill in itself, and you can also have your photo printed on the foam of the Guinness. If you want to learn more about where Guinness comes from and its history, there is also the Guinness Connoisseur Experience.
For more things to do in Dublin, you could see our other monthly travel pages starting from Ireland in September.
2. Walk Around the Cliffs of Moher
The Cliffs of Moher are one of the best-known sights of Ireland, with beautiful rugged coastal landscapes set along the Atlantic Ocean. This is an absolute must-see spot if you are spending time in Ireland, regardless of the weather conditions.
To learn more about what to do there, we recommend reading this article about visiting Ireland in February.
3. Visit the Foodie Capital of Ireland: Cork
If you are visiting Ireland in October, Cork is a great place to stop off to experience Irish foodie culture, as this is the foodie capital of Ireland. There are lots of different restaurants to try, both Irish and international food.
During the day, walking around the city you will find many bakeries and cafes selling popular potato bread or Irish soda bread. Stop off between your sightseeing to sample one of these, or start off your day with a traditional Ulster fry, an Irish fried breakfast with black pudding, mashed potato or potato cakes, eggs, and soda bread.
In the evenings, you can find a traditional Irish pub to settle by the fire, to stay nice and cozy on a rainy day. Get a pint of Guinness in the pub, and try an Irish Stew.
4. Hike Around the Beautiful Achill Island
Achill Island is the biggest island of the main Irish island, and is found on the west coast. There are around 2,000 people living on this beautiful island, which has been inhabited since the Neolithic period.
The sights here are varied, there is the beautiful Keem Bay, a beach with incredible views, and there is a route called the Atlantic Drive which is dotted with towers, abbeys, cliffs, and incredible stretches of mountains and coasts.
One of the walks we recommend here is Slí Grainne Mhaol, a signposted loop which takes you pas the coast with views of Kildavnet Castle, which is also worth visiting in itself.
Low Season: Less Expensive and Less Crowded
October falls in the low tourist season in Ireland, given that the weather is a little bit cooler and wetter at this time of the year. This means it is a great time of year to visit, with generally lower costs for accommodation and transport, and fewer crowds at the sights.
If you want to come to Ireland for hiking, you will also find that you have more of the routes to yourself at this time of the year.
What to Wear in October
Given that October is generally cool and can be a little rainy, we would recommend bringing plenty of layers to dress up with you, should the temperatures drop while you are visiting.
While you can experience a few mild days at the beginning of the month still, the end of October definitely requires a winter coat. We also suggest bringing a fleece or an extra jumper, as well as a hat, scarf, and gloves, particularly if you are going to hike or walk in the outdoors for a longer amount of time as it can be windy by the sea.
We do also recommend bringing a waterproof layer or an umbrella, particularly for those wanting to spend more time in the Irish outdoors.
