Moneymore, Co. Donegal
IRELAND IN THE OFF-SEASON
Let's face it, Ireland is an amazing place to visit any time of year. We love the summer, when the sun stays out past 10 p.m. and the island is abuzz with happy visitors, here for family reunions, festivals, outdoor adventures treks and culinary delights.
Lately, we've been exploring Ireland in the off-seasons of spring, fall and winter. Just like summer, the beautiful scenery still sparkles from coast to coast and up through the midlands. And Ireland's top-notch hospitality amenities and people are as welcoming as ever. Here are a few suggestions of how to enjoy Ireland in spring, fall and winter.
SPRING
Get off to a rousing start in spring with the St. Patrick's Day festivities in March. The St. Patrick's Day parade on March 17 in Dublin is world-renowned, and so is the four-day St. Patrick's Festival, March 15-18, of continuous entertainment, exploration and delight. Expect concerts, street theater, and plenty of good cheer.
County Armagh, where St. Patrick began his religious mission, has its own fantastic Home of St. Patrick Festival from March 10-17, offering a thrilling showcase of history, culture, traditional music, dance and amazing local cuisine and beverages. It's also a perfect chance to explore the history, culture, cuisine, farms and rural byways of County Armagh.
Other spring delights include the Rory Gallagher Festival in Ballyshannon, Donegal on June 1-4, a tribute to Ireland's legendary guitarist and musician. Ireland Bike Fest, June 2-5, is a three day motorcycle and music gathering in picturesque Killarney, Kerry.
The Bloomsday celebrations are held in mid-June, in tribute to James Joyce's masterpiece Ulysses and the wanderings of his fictional character, Leopold Bloom on June 16. Expect literary walking tours, readings, costumed revelers and plenty of pub toasts.
FALL
From mid-September, autumn spreads a colorful blanket across Ireland, a perfect time for intrepid travelers to experience plenty of outdoor activities and cultural events. Halloween in Ireland definitely belongs on your bucket list. After all, the holiday originated centuries ago, when Ireland's ancient Celts celebrated Oct. 31 as Samhain, when spirits could visit the real world. The tradition eventually turned into Halloween, which is now celebrated throughout Europe and North America.
The Derry Halloween Festival was voted by USA Today readers as the top Halloween destination in the world! It's a scary, joyous and fantastically fun carnival, full of costumed parades and parties, fireworks, cultural events and nightlife! Celebrations take place across the Walled City but also reach beyond the 400-year-old walls to possess nearby Donegal and Strabane.
The Púca Festival takes place at ancient castles and sites in the towns of Trim and Athboy in County Meath, right in the Valley of the Boyne.
In Dublin, the Bram Stoker Festival, October 27-30, honors Dublin-born Stoker, whose Gothic horror 19th century novel Dracula endures today. The annual festival features spooky walking tours, exhibitions and discussions about Stoker's most famous work.
WINTER
As you enter the Christmas season in December, you'll find that the winter months in Ireland are full of magic, comfort and delight for intrepid travelers.
The winters are rarely extreme, with an average temperature between 40 and 46 degrees, so don't be surprised to wake up to clear blue skies and sunshine. When Ireland is occasionally blanketed with the purest of snow, it only makes the landscape more evocative and alluring.
A rare snow fall - Ashford Castle, Cong, Co. Mayo
In winter, you'll have plenty of room to roam, and to explore the same charms that Ireland offers year round, from cozy pubs and lively music sessions to tasty cuisine and miles of breathless landscapes and seascapes.