FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS ABOUT VISITING IRELAND IN OCTOBER
If you’re keen to travel to Ireland in October, read on for our expert advice on what it’s like to visit at this time of year. We’re here to answer your most commonly asked questions so you can plan for any future tours to Ireland in October.
What are the best things to do in Ireland in October?
The ideal Irish holiday consists of exploring the cities as well as the countryside, to take in the culture, history and beauty of the Emerald Isle.
Thankfully, many of the highlights of Ireland are accessible and open all year long. This means, if you visit in October, you’ll be able to enjoy plenty of fun activities and sights. You’ll even have mild weather and a fair amount of daylight hours to explore.
Here are the 10 best things to do in Ireland in October:
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Take the wheel for a scenic road trip along the west coast
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Admire the natural scenery and autumn colours
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Go for a walk along sea cliffs or in national parks
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Discover prehistoric and Stone Age monuments
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Sail to one or more of the west coast islands
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Explore picturesque, ancient ruins and castles
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Learn about Ireland’s early Christian and Celtic history
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Sit in a typical pub tasting the local brew and listening to live music
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Immerse yourself in Gaelic culture on remote islands
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Visit the vibrant cities, charming towns and fishing villages
What are the most popular events in Ireland in October?
There are many events taking place in Ireland at this time of year from music to arts festivals, some of which you might want to attend during your tour.
The most popular events in October are:
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Cork Film Festival
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Bram Stoker Festival
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Dublin Theatre Festival
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Guinness Cork Jazz Festival
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Kinsale Gourmet Festival
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Savour Kilkenny Food Festival
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Belfast International Arts Festival (Northern Ireland)
What are the best places to visit in Ireland in October?
October is a good time to visit Ireland. You’ll enjoy a quieter side of the country, so you may find you have more of the top attractions to yourself.
Here are some of the best places to visit when travelling to Ireland in October:
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Explore the historic capital,
Dublin, including Trinity College and St Patrick’s Cathedral
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Pop by
Galway to experience this buzzing city and listen to live music
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What is the weather like in Ireland in October?
When travelling to Ireland in autumn, you should expect changeable, mild weather. The average temperatures are between 8°C (46°F) and 13°C (55°F).
For the warmest weather of the year, look for tours in June, July and August.
What is the average temperature in Ireland in October?
The average temperature is around 11°C (52°F) in October. You may still experience some warmer, sunny days, but it is the beginning of the cooler season, so pack and dress accordingly.
What to wear in Ireland in October?
When you pack for Ireland, keep in mind that it’s best to be ready for all kinds of weather.
In October, the conditions will be changeable as the country is transitioning between summer and winter. For that reason, pack layers to be able to remove or add clothes depending on the day’s weather.
Here is a list of packing essentials for your Ireland tour in October:
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Lightweight layers, including t-shirts and long sleeve shirts
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Warm jumper or fleece
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Jeans or warm trousers
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Waterproof jacket or shell layers
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Insulated jacket
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Waterproof trousers
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Scarf, hat and gloves
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Hiking boots and wool socks
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Sun hat or cap
What are the daylight hours in October in Ireland?
In October, daylight hours start to drop, especially as the last Sunday of the month marks the end of daylight saving.
You can expect between 9.5 and 11.5 hours of daylight per day. This means you’ll still enjoy a good amount of daytime brightness to explore Ireland to your heart’s content.
In Dublin, the sun rises around 7:30 AM and sets between 7 PM and 4:50 PM throughout the month.
How to travel in Ireland in October?
The best way to explore Ireland at your own pace is on a scenic self-drive itinerary. All our tours combine the best of the fun cities and beautiful Irish countryside.
Good to know: All of Nordic Visitor’s Ireland road trips can be tailored by our regional experts. They can add extra nights at select locations or modify the driving routes if you have any particular attractions in mind. Just ask!
Self-drive tour around Ireland
Take the wheel in Ireland and you’ll have the freedom to pull the car over at any attractions or breathtaking views. We recommend at least 6 to 8 days to make the most of a road trip around the island.
All our tours set off from Dublin and include the top attractions such as the Cliffs of Moher, the Ring of Kerry, and Blarney Castle.
Here’s an example of a one-week Ireland road trip itinerary:
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Day 1 – Arrive in Dublin.
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Day 2 – Pick up your rental car and drive to the west coast. Spend the night in Galway.
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Day 3 – Explore Connemara or the Aran Islands. Overnight in Galway.
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Day 4 – See the Cliffs of Moher. Overnight in Killarney.
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Day 5 – Tour the Ring of Kerry. Overnight in Killarney
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Day 6 – Visit historic sites and drop off your rental car. Spend your last night in Dublin.
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Day 7 – Depart from Dublin Airport.
The best part? You won’t have to worry about where you’re going or sleeping, because your Nordic Visitor travel consultant will plan your trip and sort all the details before you arrive.
We reserve your accommodation, rent a car for your trip, and can book activities to fill your days with more adventures. You’ll also have access to our 24/7 helpline should you need to call us at any point.
Want to stay for a longer period of time?
If you want to slow down the pace and take in more Irish attractions, we highly recommend extending your self-drive tour to at least 10 days.
With our flexible itineraries, it’s easy to start planning your tour! Pick the amount of time you want to stay in Dublin and then choose how long you want to spend driving around the island.
The possibilities are endless when visiting Ireland. With 10 days or longer, you could visit in more depth. Follow the Wild Atlantic Way route or pop into Northern Ireland to see the Giant’s Causeway and have a complete tour of the island.
Or would you prefer to spend more time in one city than another? Add another town to your trip or specific day tours? Just ask your Nordic Visitor travel consultant for advice.
Are you interested in exploring Scotland too?
Combine your Ireland tour with a road trip around Scotland for an epic Celtic itinerary. To get a taste of both countries, we recommend at least 10 days.
Spend the first 4 to 10 days driving around the rugged Highlands and islands of Scotland. Then follow that up with a road trip around Ireland to take in all the jaw-dropping coastal landscapes and historic landmarks.
As tour operators specialising in both of these destinations, we can offer itineraries that combines the two.
Scotland is a great destination to complement a tour of Ireland. Their cultures and history are so closely linked. Plus, you’ll be able to meet the locals and get immersed in both.
Did you know? Ireland & Scotland guided tours are available if you want to leave the driving to someone else. You could also book a private tour of Scotland to travel with your own group of friends or family and a dedicated private guide.
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