Ireland cycling guide
Follow winding rural roads and good quality, car-free tracks on your bike in Ireland.
Best time to visit Ireland
It felt as if the sun never set on the west coast last summer. We definitely got an extra hour of daylight. And if it rained, the clouds always cleared for sunset.![]()
Everyone loves the Emerald Isle, but not everyone loves the reason why it is so green. The rain. The east coast averages 150 days of rain a year and the west, 225. It can happen any time, but the best times to visit Ireland to avoid it are, according to records, April and June. The secret is not to worry. Ireland is one of those ‘four seasons in a day’ countries. In summer, temps top 20°C. Kerry and the Antrim Coast are busy in July-Aug, but hiking routes are never crowded. St. Patrick’s Day is fun, but go rural for the most traditional events.
WHEN TO GO TO IRELAND, MONTH BY MONTH
Ireland Weather Chart
MIN °C
MAX °C
RAIN (mm)
JAN
3
8
62
FEB
3
8
50
MAR
3
10
50
APR
5
12
47
MAY
7
15
55
JUN
10
18
55
JUL
12
19
51
AUG
11
19
71
SEP
10
17
64
OCT
8
14
67
NOV
4
10
65
DEC
3
9
75
Ireland travel advice
Advice on where to go
Robert Kidd from our Ireland vacations supplier, McKinlay Kidd:
“Ireland attracts large number of tourists but the vast majority focuses on a handful of key places, some of which can feel rather over- run. So my main recommendation is to step slightly away from the main routes and there you will find a very authentic experience. So the ring of Kerry is a massive draw, but right next door is the much less visited ring of Beara; in Galway the south of Connemara is much quieter than the north; Sligo sees most visitors at its wide sandy beaches but the hinterland of lakes and valleys is usually missed.”
“Ireland attracts large number of tourists but the vast majority focuses on a handful of key places, some of which can feel rather over- run. So my main recommendation is to step slightly away from the main routes and there you will find a very authentic experience. So the ring of Kerry is a massive draw, but right next door is the much less visited ring of Beara; in Galway the south of Connemara is much quieter than the north; Sligo sees most visitors at its wide sandy beaches but the hinterland of lakes and valleys is usually missed.”
"Then there is Northern Ireland – which is still very undeveloped. Here the Giant’s Causeway is the major draw while the coastline of Antrim is fabulous – Murlough Bay and Cushendun are particular favorites. And County Down, the area around Strangford Lough especially is hardly touched by visitors from outside Northern Ireland itself. I am also a fan of islands – and Ireland offers quite a few, from Rathlin off the Antrim coast, to Cape Clear in West Cork. Even the Aran islands – hugely popular with day trippers, see far fewer overnight stays. “
When to go
Robert Kidd from our supplier, McKinlay Kidd:
“Go in the shoulder season, May June and September – so much quieter than August especially”.
“Go in the shoulder season, May June and September – so much quieter than August especially”.
Cultural advice
Catherine Mack, author of Responsible Travel’s guides, and of Ireland’s first Ecotourism Handbook:
“Don’t worry if you have dietary needs when traveling in Ireland. They are way ahead of the game in terms of gluten free, dairy free and so on, compared with across the water. And my other tip is don’t be shy. The Irish love to talk, tell stories and share stories. It is part of the Irish way. As is listening to music in pubs. Ask a local person where the best music can be heard, rather than going for tourist traps. Oh and one big faux pas to be aware of. Never describe England as ‘the mainland’. Ireland is Ireland’s mainland.”
“Don’t worry if you have dietary needs when traveling in Ireland. They are way ahead of the game in terms of gluten free, dairy free and so on, compared with across the water. And my other tip is don’t be shy. The Irish love to talk, tell stories and share stories. It is part of the Irish way. As is listening to music in pubs. Ask a local person where the best music can be heard, rather than going for tourist traps. Oh and one big faux pas to be aware of. Never describe England as ‘the mainland’. Ireland is Ireland’s mainland.”
Ireland vacation by train
Discover contrasts of Dublin, Galway and Belfast, car-free
From
£1150 to £1885
8 days
ex flights
Multi activity short break in Ireland
Outdoor activities, glamping, Irish nature paradise escape
From
€399
4 days
ex flights
Ireland adventure vacation
Tailormade tour of Irish highlights, starting in Dublin
From
US $1971 to US $2399
7 days
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Ireland luxury vacation
Luxury trip across Ireland’s castles, coasts and countryside
From
US $6000
11 days
ex flights
Northern Ireland walking vacation
Self guided walking tour of the Causeway Coast Way
From
£686 to £1281
6 days
ex flights
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Tips from our travelers
At Responsible Travel, we think the best people to advise our travelers are often... other travelers. They always return from our tours with packing tips, weather reports, ideas about what to do - and opinions about what not to.
We have selected some of the most useful Cuba travel advice that our guests have provided over the years to help you make the very most of your vacation - and the space inside your suitcase.
We have selected some of the most useful Cuba travel advice that our guests have provided over the years to help you make the very most of your vacation - and the space inside your suitcase.
...it was apparent that the tide was coming in and that also was a bit scary as progress was slow due to the wet and slippery rocks…![]()
- Diana Howie
"One of the best walking trips we have had...great views, changing daily, friendly and interesting people… Be prepared to walk quite a distance before coming across somewhere that you could buy a drink or snack" - Denise Kibby on our Dingle Way walking vacation
"Coming from west to east, we had no idea of the tides and as we dropped to sea level, also walking along the rocks towards the beach (which can only be walked at low tide), it was apparent that the tide was coming in and that also was a bit scary as progress was slow due to the wet and slippery rocks…Know the tides and just enjoy it all. It was wonderful" - Diana Howie on a walking in Northern Ireland vacation
"Coming from west to east, we had no idea of the tides and as we dropped to sea level, also walking along the rocks towards the beach (which can only be walked at low tide), it was apparent that the tide was coming in and that also was a bit scary as progress was slow due to the wet and slippery rocks…Know the tides and just enjoy it all. It was wonderful" - Diana Howie on a walking in Northern Ireland vacation
More Ireland articles
Use our travel guide make the most of your time from the Giant's Causeway all the way to the Kerry Way.
Stay in self-catering cottages in Tipperary, in a tranquil landscape with heritage sites.
The Irish Greenways have connected isolated communities with larger towns and cities.
With transfers, you can make the most out of Ireland’s small and sparse rail network.
Our guide to walking in Ireland covers all the need-to-know information that will come in handy when planning a trip.
Wild Atlantic Way tours. There’s a world beyond Dublin – find out the best ways to explore the less-visited parts of western Ireland.
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