To announce the start of the summer high season, June has something going on almost every day in every region of the country. A lively atmosphere pervades in the villages, towns, and cities, and out in the countryside, be that up in the hills or along the coast, it is getting crowded. Some of the sunniest weather of the year makes June even easier to enjoy.

Weather

Ireland is not a large enough country to have distinct regional weather patterns. Generally speaking, June has much of the most appealing weather of the year in Ireland, with plenty of sunshine, mild to warm temperatures, and some of the least rainy weather of any month.

Killarney & Southwestern Ireland

June shows off this region in its true loveliness, as flowers vibrantly color the landscape from city parks to mountain slopes. The sun helps: there is more of it than any other time of year. Average rainfall and average numbers of rainy days are low, too, with June's mere 20 days with some form of precipitation the lowest of any time of year here. Average daily highs, as in other regions this month, top 61°F (16°C), although in June this region actually becomes marginally cooler than in the north and east of the country.

Dublin & Eastern Ireland

June is hot in this region, by Irish standards: averages of 63°F (17°C) highs and 50°F (10°C) lows. Rainfall is higher than you might think for a summer month, however: 2.75 inches (70 mm) is expected to fall through June.

Belfast & Northern Ireland

June is a hot month in this region, with averages of 63°F (17°C) highs and 48°F (9°C) lows. It is by no means the driest month in Belfast, with 2.75 inches (70 mm) of rain expected.

Crowds & Costs

From this month through August, this is the high season in Ireland, and although it does not necessarily coincide with the best weather, it coincides with when most people take their holidays and so costs are up in June. In some places, they may still be off their peak (July and August) because schools have not generally gone on summer holidays and so families may travel less in June. Be sure to book your accommodation in advance, along with any tours you want to take.

Where to Go

Killarney & Southwestern Ireland

Anywhere in the region is great for a visit this month. Ireland's fairly dry, sunny June weather coaxes you out to explore the outdoors: what Ireland does best. And in this remote part of Ireland, there is more on the agenda than ever.

Co. Kerry is a good starting point, with fabulous mountain and coastal hiking on its legendary southwest peninsulas, such as the Kerry Way (Iveragh Peninsula), Dingle Way (Dingle Peninsula), or Beara Way (Beara Peninsula, shared with Co. Cork). Take a boat trip across to the rocky Skellig Islands near Dingle or, better yet, to the otherworldly and traditional Aran Islands near Galway.

If you spend time in any city this month, make it to Cork, where some of the biggest events of the year including the Cork Summer Show, are taking place. Or for a smaller lively town, pretty Doolin in Co. Clare is a good bet this month, enlivened by a music festival. Meanwhile, key surfing season may be over up in the Donegal region but the surf capital Bundoran has a great surf, sea, and music festival in June.

See here for more on the cultural experience of live music in Doolin and here for more on the Beara Peninsula.

Dublin & Eastern Ireland

It's time to spend less time in Dublin this month and head out into the countryside, where the most obvious choice south of Dublin is the Wicklow Way for some of the most delightful hiking in the whole region and a top drawer selection of the very best things to do: think chocolate box villages like Enniskerry, crashing waterfalls like Powerscourt Waterfall on the enchanting Powerscourt Estate, wooded hills and monastic ruins like Glendalough Abbey.

Gorgeous sandy beaches line the coast here; some, like Loughshinney, are located within Co. Dublin and are within an easy drive of the city while others, like the divine Rosslare Strand, are in sight of where the ferry from Wales arrives.

Belfast & Northern Ireland

Focus on the Great Outdoors in June in this region, perhaps starting with the Causeway Coast, where the Unesco-listed Giant's Causeway, a swathe of thousands of interconnecting basalt columns, makes for one of the most spectacular coastal attractions you could ever hope to see.

Otherwise, try an exploration of mythical Rathlin Island, where exiled Scottish leader Robert the Bruce once took refuge, or experience the country's northernmost point with a hike to Malin Head. For a longer hike, there is nothing more epic than the Ulster Way, a 636-mile (1,024-km) loop passing through almost all of Northern Ireland and one of the UK's longest and loveliest hiking routes. See here for an itinerary taking in Belfast and Northern Ireland, as well as Dublin.

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What to Do

Killarney & Southwestern Ireland

Hiking is the main activity in June. Try the hikes such as the Dingle Way mentioned above or just explore the Wild Atlantic Way and stop off in whatever remote part of it you wish. Cycling it is particularly fun in June; see here for a self-guided cycling tour around the Ring of Kerry.

Further north in this region, the snaking lake and surrounding emerald-green hills by Lough Gill inspired WB Yeats and will likely entrance you, too. You can hike here, or go kayaking on the lake. Co. Donegal has its surf, sea, and music festival this month (see below) while Sligo also has the highest concentration of megalithic monuments in Ireland, with a walk to see some of these, such as Carrowkeel and Carrowmore, very worthwhile.

Dublin & Eastern Ireland

Lace your hiking boots for some wonderful walking on the Wicklow Way which showcases the very best of Eastern Ireland and kicks off from Dublin's southerly suburbs. Or try exploring some of the region's stunning sandy beaches, lacing all of the eastern coast and never better than in the improved, sunnier weather.

Remember that this region is known as 'Ireland's Ancient East' and so, for a great insight into Ireland's prodigious history without spending too much time indoors, visit the Irish National Heritage Park near Wicklow. This walks you through 9,000 years of the country's past in a magical open-air setting. Or explore spectacular ancient sites such as the huge circular megalithic tomb of Newgrange, in Co. Meath.

Belfast & Northern Ireland

Hiking is the activity this month that showcases just how incredible Northern Ireland is. The Causeway Coast is dramatic, but for all the publicity given to the Giant's Causeway, the hike that reveals this region's fantastic scenery better than any other is the 636-mile (1,024-km) Ulster Way, taking the walker to high mountains, wild forests, and lonely lakes as well as the breathtaking coastline. For a shorter but nevertheless heart-in-mouth walk, brave the vertiginous Carrick-a-Rede Rope Bridge connecting the wild island of Carrickarede to the mainland.

Or you might try spotting locations from the blockbuster TV series "Game of Thrones," which did wonders for Northern Ireland's travel industry. Sights to check out in summer include the Downhill Strand in Co. Derry, and Tollymore Forest Park, in Co. Down. The seas are warmer and calmer and good for sea kayaking this month, and in this regard, Northern Ireland leads the way with its stunning North Coast Sea Kayak Trail between Co. Londonderry and Co. Antrim, passing the Giant's Causeway.

Events in June

Live at the Botanic Gardens, Belfast. Live music concerts take place throughout June at the Botanic Gardens, in what is Belfast's newest festival. The events attract some big names, like Van Morrison. 

Doolin Folk Festival. Doolin in Co. Clare sees one of the best folk festivals of the month, in the first half of June.

Seafest. Celebrating everything maritime, with live music thrown in, this festival takes place on and around Cork city waterfront in mid-June. 

Cork Summer ShowCurraheen. Held in mid-June in Curraheen just outside Cork, this hugely important festivity is Ireland's largest and oldest agricultural show and is also a celebration of gardening and of regional produce.

Sea Sessions. Surf, sea and music festival taking place in Bundoran in Co. Donegal. Bundoran is known for its nearby surf spots, some of the best in the whole of Ireland.

Traveling in Ireland in June? Check out these great itineraries

Hiking and Island-Hopping in Cork and Kerry - 7 Days. Start out in the former smuggler's landing port at the village of Baltimore, then head out for hikes along the coastline, up the stone steps of the island of Skellig Michael, and out on the Blasket Islands. Meet the local puffins and basking sharks along with dairy products and musical pub traditions as you travel along the Cork and Kerry Way.

Ireland's Wild Atlantic Adventure - 12 Days. Traveling off the beaten path, this guided tour covers some of Ireland’s quietest and least-visited sites in the west and northwest. Over 12 days, you'll hike, boat, kayak, learn history, see live music, and hop over to a tiny Gaelic-speaking island—and it all starts in Dublin, one of western Europe's most charming cities.

More Information

Ireland in May
Ireland in July
Best Time to Visit Ireland
Getting Around Ireland