nancythenice

We have just decided to go to Ireland this spring. I have been to England in March and April. Is Ireland similar weatherwise? Should we push for the latest date our work allows or does it not matter? Is Easter a problem with everything closed? We picture this as doing some driving in the country...will this work out in early spring? Generally, I am willing to sacrifice beautiful weather and longer days in order to avoid summer crowds but dont want to feel like we are unable to enjoy the trip. We are pretty flexible on itinerary at this point so advice on what works at that time of year and what doesnt would be great.

BigRuss

<<We have just decided to go to Ireland this spring.>>

Where? There's a good bit of Ireland.

<< I have been to England in March and April. Is Ireland similar weatherwise?>>

Somewhat. Again, depends on where you've been in England and where you're going. And in the whole British Isles region the weather ranges between unpredictable to "who knows"?

<<Is Easter a problem with everything closed?>>

Well, both Irelands are Christian and Easter is holy to Christians. Your activities on that day will be limited.

If you are flexible, early May would likely have warmer weather and will not have the summer holiday crowds.

flpab

Early May is doable but expect all sorts of weather.

irishface

The days will be noticeably longer by the end of April/early May, but as everyone above has said, weather is a crapshoot. Bring layers that can be easily shed or put back on, and shed again--sometimes all on the same day.

nancythenice

Well, we don't know where we are going yet. We are willing to adopt an itinerary that makes sense for the time of year. For example, London works better in November than the Scottish countryside. I assume there is a similar analogy for Ireland. I also had assumed that late spring was better than March, but then I read in another post that going with your kids at Spring Break was a viable option. We do not need to go at Spring Break, but due to work, the earlier the better, ie, March or early April.

nytraveler

Winters in Ireland are very mild - so March or April - but more so April - should be perfectly comfortable unless you are from a tropical island

But be aware that there is the possibility of every day being gray or misty or drizzly or rainy. (Heavy downpours are rare.)

Although I was there in July once and that's the weather we had.

longhorn55

Our first trip to Ireland was over Spring Break, which in that year was the first week of April. The weather was cool most days and we encountered periods of drizzle, but nothing so bad as to keep us from sightseeing. However, Good Friday was a spectacular day weather-wise--warm and sunny.

We were based around Dublin during the Easter weekend. All pubs are closed on Good Friday as were the National Museums in Dublin. But many attractions are open all weekend. We went to Glendalough NP on Good Friday and it was a great day!

We did not lack for things to see and do for that entire week and it certainly was pleasant not dealing with crowds. (For example, when we visited Cahir Castle, there could not have been more than 8 people there, including our family of 4!)

flanneruk

The only closures in Ireland over Easter are that most banks and government offices on both sides of the border are closed on Good Friday and Easter Monday, virtually all pubs in the Republic are closed on Good Friday (though there are a number of let outs) and stores of over 280 sq m (~3,000 sq ft, but that includes all garden centres)close entirely on Easter Sunday in Northern Ireland.

As a rough rule of thumb, Irish weather between Sept and May is slightly warmer, and slightly damper, than somewhere in England or Wales at the same latitude and elevation. Since Ireland's a lot flatter, and virtually everywhere in England has milder winters than virtually anywhere in the US, that means the risk of frost in March or April is very low, and the likelihood of snow staying on the ground for more than 30 secs is as close to zero as makes no difference.

Virtually all countryside in the British Isles below 1,000 ft now keeps huge swathes of green year-round. By mid March, flowers are fully established more or less everywhere in Ireland where flowers grow.

Between March 21 and September 21, days in Ireland are always longer than anywhere in North America, except Alaska and the utterly uninhabitable parts of Canada. Within the general Irish weather parameters (always mild, usually damp, generally warmer in midsummer than in midwinter, but don't bet on it), weather really doesn't change much between the seasons in Ireland.

Unless you're an alcoholic, or a gardening fan determined to go shopping in Northern Ireland on Easter Sunday, there really is no reliable prediction any time in spring will be much different from any other.