Ireland in June: all you need to know to plan the perfect trip

All you need to know to plan a trip to Ireland in June. The best places to visit in June in Ireland, what to pack, what to book when and what to expect if planning a trip to Ireland at the start of summer.

June is the start of summer in Ireland and lovely time for visiting the Emerald Isle.

The weather that had started improving in May keeps getting warmer and brighter and summer is in the air: this is a time for ice creams, days in the parks, hikes and even drinks in outdoor terraces!

I know that this surprises many: Ireland is indeed more famous for bad weather and rain than for al fresco dining but this doesn’t mean it is all doom and gloom here, far from it!

While you can never be guaranteed hot sun, June in Ireland is usually a nice, sunny, bright month and you can have reasonable expectations for long days out and pleasant temperatures.

This is my guide answering all your questions about visiting Ireland in June.

Need to know: this is a guide with background travel information about Ireland in the month of June. For up to date travel advisory and restrictions for your time of travel, please refer to official info by the Health Service Executive here

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Is June a good month to visit Ireland?

June is a wonderful month to visit Ireland.

Officially, the summer starts here on the 20th of June. However, the Irish calendar states that summer starts in May and therefore June is a full summer month, not a transitional one.

Indeed, this is exactly what June in Ireland feels like: summer!

Weather, rain and temperatures in Ireland in June

With July and August, June is very much the good season here and the best time of the year to visit Ireland is you are hoping for long days of sightseeing, sunny days and outdoor excursions.

In terms of temperatures, the temperature in Ireland in June ranges between 10C/50F and 17C/63F degrees and while this may seem incredibly cold, this is not always the case!

When the sun is out, Ireland gets surprisingly hot, so much so that 18 degrees feel like many more.

I know this very well: being Italian, I don’t consider anything below 30 degrees hot, however, I am often in shorts and short sleeves in Ireland in summer so when I say it gets surprisingly warm, you can believe me!

Rain is always possible in Ireland in any season however, June is relatively dry and rain, when it comes, does in more in the form of a sizzling shower than a downpour and hardly lasts all day.

The weather makes June one of the best months of all to visit Ireland but there is another reason why it is worth coming at this time.

In June, schools in Ireland are still open and this means that there is less competition for space in hotels and fewer crowds at main attractions, with one exception: the June Bank Holiday (see below).

June in Ireland: important dates and festivities

There are two important days you need to be aware of, when planning a trip to Ireland in June.

The first is the June Bank Holiday weekend and the other is the 16th of June, Bloomsday.

June Bank Holiday Monday: the June bank holiday weekend happens the first weekend in June and is a long weekend in the sense that it lasts an extra day, schools, offices and banks being closed on the Monday.

This is a very popular day for local families to go away on a short break and this can severely impact your plans as the demand for hotels and their prices spike up like mad!

Good to know: if your June trip to Ireland included this bank holiday, advance booking is mandatory, especially for hotels. My recommended booking engine for accommodation in Ireland is booking.com: they have excellent cancellation policies that set my mind at ease when it comes to booking many months before my actual stay.

Bloomsday: Bloomsday is a very special day in Dublin specifically as it is the day when the city celebrates James Joyce, the writer, and specifically its most famous book: the Ulysses, which is set to take place on this day in 1904.

Bloomsday is a fun and interesting day to be in Dublin and one I recommend you try and experience.

All over the city, people dress up in Victorian-style clothing and Joyce’s inspired events take place in parks, streets and public spaces, usually including food, music and even kids’ activities!

While the day is rooted in the literary history of the city it is not an exclusive event or one that requires knowledge of the book or the author for people to participate and enjoy.

Quite the opposite! The event is open to everyone and a fantastic way to tap into an important part of Irish literature in a fun and engaging way.

What to pack for Ireland in June

Ireland has changeable weather all year round and June is no exception.

You will need to dress in layers and mix warmer clothes with summer ones, so yes, packing for June in Ireland will give you a bit of a headache!

However, I can help. You can find my full packing list for June here and an overview of your travel essentials here:

• Good walking shoes such as sneakers 
• Socks, underwear
• Long trousers/pants (jeans work well) 
• One pair of shorts / summer dress for warmer days
• Cardigan
• Windbreaker (a K-way, mac or similar) or a mid-season jacket if coming from hot climate (denim or leather)
• A nicer outfit if planning on staying in a castle hotel or resort
• All your standard toiletries + extra lip balm and sunscreen
• A travel adapter for Ireland
• Extra Battery Pack for the phone
• All travel documents, prescriptions
• Guidebook and map
• Wet suit for surfing
• Bathing suit and flip flops for the beach and hotel pools

 Ireland’s main attractions in June: what to expect

Visiting Dublin in June

Dublin has a lot to offer to visitors in June. 

The city tends to be dry and sunny at this time and you can easily enjoy its many parks, outdoor terraces and even the coast, which is stunning at this time.

 Things not to miss in Dublin include:

• The stunning Trinity College Library and the Book of Kells
• The Guinness Storehouse
• Dublinia (if coming to Dublin with kids)
• St Patricks’ Cathedral and Marsh Library
• The city parks. at this time, I love the Iveagh Gardens in the city center, the walled garden in Marley park and the stunning Botanical Gardens in Glasnevin
• The lovely Dublin coast: the fishing village of Howth is a dream for outdoor lunch with the freshest seafood and a walk along Bull Islands and its golden stretch of sand will make you feel like you are miles away from the city…. despite being right in it!

Good to know: The Dublin Pass included most attractions in Dublin and can be convenient if you ate planning on extensive sightseeing. 

Glendalough in June, Co Wicklow

June is one of the best months to visit the stunning monastic site of Glendalough, in Co Wicklow.

Located less than an hour south of Dublin, Glendalough is an ancient monastic settlement, hidden in a valley in the beautiful Wicklow Mountains, an area of great natural beauty and protected National Park.

The site dates back to medieval times and is one of the most atmospheric in Ireland with medieval dwellings, an ancient cemetery and a mysterious round tower.

In June, you can go hiking around the lakes: the walk is easy and the views beautiful.

Even better: with the weather on your side, you can easily combine a visit to the monastic site with a longer hike in the area, for instance walking down to Lough Dan or catching a view of Lough Tay from the Sally Gap.

You can find my full guide to visiting Glendalough and why we love it

The one downside to visiting Glendalough in summer is the crowds. Especially at the weekend, the parking lots fill up fast and you may not be able to get in at all! If you can, come mid-week instead or very early/late in the day.

Good to know: Several companies offer organized day trips from Dublin to Glendalough, so you don’t have the stress of driving should you prefer not to. Find info and prices here. 

Visiting Blarney Castle in June

Blarney Castle is an incredibly beautiful place to visit any time of the year but it is special in summer.

The grounds surrounding the castle are fabulous in the good season and coming over in June, you can really enjoy the natural setting of this incredible attraction.

Make sure you make time for the forest walk and the poison garden in particular: they are my favorite bit of the castle and truly wonderful! Have a look at this Blarney Virtual tour to see what I mean.

Learn how you can include a stop in Blarney in your Ireland itinerary here.

Good to know: Blarney Castle is one of the most famous and popular attractions in the whole of Ireland and this means it can get busy. While this is usually not a problem for a visit to the castle grounds, it can be if you want to kiss the Blarney Stone: be ready for lines if kissing the stone is on your Ireland bucket list.

Seeing the Cliffs of Moher in June

The weather is never guaranteed at the Cliffs of Moher however, they can be wonderful in June, when you are most likely to get clear views and when a special visitor comes to the cliffs: the puffins!

From the end of May, the puffins come to the cliffs to nest and it is possible to spot them even without elaborate equipment (binoculars are sufficient).

Trying to spot them is one of the best things to do at the cliffs at this time: a good way to plan your day here is to start at the visitor’s center, which is great to learn about the area and will point you in the right direction for birdwatching and, more in general, to make the most of your day here.

Good to know: Many day tours to this area are available from Galway and Dublin: find them all here. However, the day tour from Dublin is a VERY long day, so I only recommend you consider it if you don’t have the option to stay in the area.

Visiting Newgrange UNESCO World Heritage Site in June

Newgrange is one of the most peculiar and unique sites in the whole of Ireland and this notoriety comes at a cost: crowds!

June is not yet the height of tourism season. However, if you are planning on visiting this incredible neolithic passage tomb, booking in advance is mandatory.

Access to the tomb is by guided tour only: you can make your reservation here. 

The best things to do in Ireland in June

All the attractions above are well worth a visit but there ate many more things to do in Ireland in June that are worth adding to your plan.

Here are some of my favorites.

Go to the beach

Ireland has some stunning, vast sandy beaches and while the water stays pretty cold in summer too, they really come into their own in June, July and August.

On sunny days, locals will flock to them to sunbathe, swim, surf or even just take in the scenery.

Some I love are in County Cork (Inchidoney), in Donegal (Ballymastocker) but also close to Dublin (Bull island) and in Wexford (Kilmore Key)

Go on a road trip

June is a wonderful time for an Ireland road trip. The days are long and bright and the night doesn’t really fall until well after 9pm.

While I don’t recommend you ever drive too late in Ireland (you don’t want to get caught by darkness, especially on country roads), this leaves you a little more time to enjoy the trip and allows you to keep a slower pace.

Places I love for an Ireland road trip are:

• Donegal
• The Antrim Coast
• Kerry
• West Cork
• Country Clare
• Dingle

Visit the Aran Islands

The summer is the best time of the year to visit the Aran Island too. At this time, the sea tends to be calmer and the weather dry, which means the islands offer their very best views!

On top of this, June is the month when the island of Inis Mór hosts the Pátrún Inis Mór Festival, an annual event with boat racing, tug of war, art and sandcastle competitions.

The event celebrates St Enda, the patron Saint of the island and lasts 3 days. If you are in the area around the 25th of June, look it up it can be a fun way to tap into traditional Irish culture in a unique setting!

Brave the steep steps of Skellig Michael

Skellig Michael is one of the most incredible places in the whole of Ireland but also one of the least accessible.

Summer offers the best chance of calm waters and a great time to see not just the island and its settlement but its inhabitants too: the puffins!

Go hiking

On a sunny day, June can be simply perfect for a hike! Ireland is generous with walks and hikes, suitable for all levels of fitness. You can find a selection of the best ones all over the country here

Visit a Garden

Ireland has some stunning gardens that are in full bloom during the summer.

You have a variety of gardens to choose from but among the best, we believe are:

• Powerscourt, grand and formal with Italian style gardens and fountains
• Mount Usher, Robinsonian, curated wild garden with native plants ans shrubs
• Japanese gardens in Kildare, Japanese style garden and Celtic garden withing the grounds of the National Stud facility

Treat yourself to a night in a castle

A night in an Irish castle is a treat in all seasons.

However, June is an exceptionally good month for a castle adventure as it is a time when you can make the most of the large estates usually surrounding these elegant hotels.

The one thing to consider in this month, however, are weddings. Castles are popular wedding venues in Ireland and June is a highly sought-after month to tie the knot here, meaning some castles may be booked out or not be able to accommodate you for dinner.

Make sure you book in advance to have the widest choice of accommodation.

Some of our favorites are Dromoland Castle, Ashford Castle and the more affordable yet wonderful Waterford castle.

Visit one of Ireland’s cutest towns

Ireland is full of cute towns and the summer is a wonderful time to experience them, since the weather truly allows city life to get into full swing.

Among my favorites, there are Galway, Kilkenny and Dingle, all full of music, opportunities and fantastic surroundings perfect for day trips and excursions!

Best things to do in Ireland in June with kids

Summer is the best time to visit Ireland with kids in tow.

Irish children play outside all year round and in all weather conditions but, without a doubt, this time of dry days is way more conducive to outdoor pursuit than any other!

The only thing to be aware of if traveling around Ireland with a baby or toddler is that, in summer, it doesn’t get dark until very late.

This can be a problem if your children are used to settling in the dark. In that case, I highly recommend you bring a portable black out blind you can use at your accommodation.

Here are some ideas on the best things to do in Ireland with kids in June.

Bring the kids to a farm

June is a lovely time for kids to get out and go to a farm!

If you are visiting Ireland from abroad, your best choice are farms that double up as local attractions or that are near an important site.

Some that come to mind are the Newgrange farm, just beside the Newgrange neolithic complex, Bunratty Castle, Airfield Estate (Dublin) but you can find many more farms pretty much anywhere in Ireland here.

Closer to Dublin, lovely places to see animals and play are Glenroe Farm and Greenan Maze and Farm, both in Wicklow

Go on a fairy walk

Ireland has a great fairy tradition and little explorers can partake of it on one of Ireland’s many fairy trails and villages.

They are all over the country, usually within an open farm or an estate open to the public, and they are a lovely way to get a family walk with a twist: finding a fairy door hidden in trees and bushes never fails to excite little ones!

Paces we love for fairies are Greenan Farm and Maze (Co Wicklow), Russborough House (Wicklow), Ardgillan Castle (Co Dublin), Wells house enchanted walk (Co Wexford) and the fairy village in Bunratty castle (Co Clare).

Go on a falcon walk

Falconry is a tradition in Ireland and several places offer the opportunity to get up close and personal with falcons, admire their amazing flying skills and try your hand at holding them.

Some falcon experiences for kids (and not only) we love: the falconry school in Ashford castle (falcon walks, flying displays), Dromoland Castle (falcon walks), Killarney National Park and, closer to Dublin, Russborough House’s birds of pray center.

Get an adrenaline rush in one of Ireland’s adventure center

Ireland has very many adventure centers that are great fun for adventurous kids.

Depending on the age of your kids, adventuring can be as easy as going on a squirrel scramble ziplining adventure or spending a weekend immersed in outdoor pursuits in adventure resorts such as the wonderfully located Delphi Resort, in Co Galway,or the Lough Key forest and activity park, Co Roscommon.

Closer to Dublin, a nice ziplining course is just outside Killruddery House (Co Wicklow)

Make sure you bring clothes you don’t mind leaving behind: the kids have great fun in these places but the clothing doesn’t usually survive!

Go castle exploring

Ireland has very many castles that can be fun and entertaining for kids. Some we love are:

Trim Castle: a large castle, now in ruins, with a massive tower from which you dominate the country around you (the top of the tower despite being very high up is child friendly). Read our guide to Trim Castle here.

Birr Castle: a nice castle worth visiting for its grounds (the main house is still in use). Here you can visit the biggest treehouse in Ireland and what used to be the biggest telescope in the world! Read our review of Birr Castle here.

I hope you enjoyed this quick overview on what to expect in Ireland in June. Safe travels!