To start off, it’s not black or white — there are a lot of grey areas to take into consideration.
While spring and summer are the best times to visit for good weather and vivid landscapes, they’re insanely crowded and expensive. Tourists may have a cheaper holiday with fewer crowds during winter, but the freezing temperatures could be unbearable for some. Aside from weather, cost, and crowd, personal preferences also come to play. You may also find months with mild weather, affordable prices, and fewer crowds, but offer fewer activities, events, and festivities.
Ireland in March 2023
Like the other months, March in Ireland also has its fair share of pros and cons but locals agree that the benefits outweigh the downsides. In this article, we’ll list down 6 reasons why March could be your best time to visit Ireland.
1. A chance to celebrate St. Patrick’s Day
On top of our list is the main reason why visitors flock from all over the world to visit Ireland in March: St. Patrick’s Day.
March 17, the world honours the feast day of St. Patrick, the main patron saint of Ireland
who became famous for spreading Christianity in the country. “Paddy’s Day” has evolved from merely a day of religious services into what we know today as a week-long celebration of all things Irish. I think we can all agree that nothing beats celebrating St. Patrick’s Day in its home country.
St. Patrick’s festival in Ireland is a spectacular holiday that everyone should experience. There’ll be spectacular parades, music and dance performances, local food and drink, theatre and circus, arts and crafts, poetry events, and many more. This 2023, St. Patrick’s Day falls on a Friday, giving you a memorable weekend packed with activities and family fun, not only in major cities like Dublin but also in small towns and villages,
Plus, it’s your perfect excuse to drink pints of Guinness alongside friendly locals and be merry.
2. March is in the middle of winter and spring
The weather transitions from winter to spring during this time. Although it can still be fairly unpredictable and it remains cold overall, you can expect a bit more sunshine and warmth in March.
If you hate bitterly cold and gloomy weather, it’s ideal to visit Ireland in March. You have better chances of exploring on a mild, dry, sunny day, especially toward the end of the month.
3. Longer, brighter, and warmer days
The days are getting brighter and more prolonged. During this period, the sun rises between 07:12 and 06:13 and sets at 18:17 and 18:49.
With more hours of sunshine and daylight to play with, you can map out your Ireland Itinerary a little easier. You can also appreciate the beauty of Emerald Isle’s natural and architectural wonders better when the skies are bright blue.
4. Great time to head outdoors
Thanks to the longer days and manageable temperatures, you’ve got plenty of time and energy to enjoy Ireland’s mesmerizing natural beauty, culture, and heritage.
Feel the festive spirit in major cities like Dublin, or bigger towns like Cork and Galway. Take a scenic hike or experience the joys of a coastal or cliff walk. Spend time in natural attractions, like Killarney National Park. Explore the historical and archeological sites. The list of fun things to do in Spring goes on and on!
Here are your packing essentials:
- Hiking boots (or shoes)
- A waterproof jacket
- An umbrella
- Waterproof trousers/pants (for walking/hiking)
- A warm hat, scarf, and gloves
- Plenty of warm socks
5. Shoulder season prices are affordable
Like the transition between winter and spring, March is also considered a shoulder season, the period between the off-peak and peak seasons. We can expect travel prices to rise alongside the demand, as more travellers opt to book their holiday compared to the previous months. But while the prices are higher than in winter, it’s still not too high compared to peak seasons like summer or Christmas.
Since the high tourist season is still a couple of months away, you still have a chance to plan a budget-friendly trip while enjoying the mild weather and the Irish festivities. You can get discounted airfare and cheap hotel rooms. Aside from picking a base outside of Dublin, you can also score a budget hotel in Dublin that’s just on the city’s edge.
March also offers more availability and flexibility, compared to peak months.
6. Not crowded like crazy everywhere
St. Patrick’s Day is a major holiday that attracts thousands of tourists worldwide, so you might assume that all destinations in Ireland will be crowded. However, this isn’t always the case. Summer, according to locals, is still the worst time to visit Ireland if you’re concerned about massive crowds and steep prices.
You’ll find Ireland’s usually packed attractions to be less crowded. Unless you want to embrace the buzzing atmosphere of the festival, avoid visiting Guinness Storehouse and exploring Dublin’s major quarters during the height of St. Patrick’s Day festivities. You can further avoid crowds by avoiding weekend trips.
Enjoy your Irish holiday this March 2023!
Author Bio: Carmina Natividad is a foodie and travel buff who enjoys writing and sharing articles about travel and money-saving. You can count on her when it comes to hacks on accommodation, airfare, dining, and fun yet cheap ways to get around the city. To know more about budget travel and affordable hotel alternatives, visit DCU Rooms.
