IRELAND IN JUNE – HERE’S WHAT TO SEE AND DO

June is one of the best months for an Irish vacation. The weather is divine, and it’s just moments before hordes of tourists descend upon Ireland’s cities and coastal towns. If you want the promise of sunshine, this is a great time of year to travel. With schools just broken up, travel early in the month to beat the crowds. Here are some of the things you’ll want to see and do when you arrive.

If you’re looking for the perfect summer hike, we recommend the Causeway Coast in Northern Ireland. June sees highs of 17°C or more and the coastal views will be breathtakingly beautiful. With nice dry weather, an Irish summer makes for the ideal vacation for outdoor lovers, but it never gets uncomfortably hot.

The Causeway Coast Way is suitable for most fit walkers, with moderate difficulty and terrain ranging from grassland and footpaths to beaches. The route takes in sights of the famous Giant’s Causeway, the Carrick-a-Rede Rope Bridge, and the dramatic Dunluce Castle.

A spectacular event taking place at our featured Ballinlough Castle in County Westmeath every year. Kicking off during the Summer Solstice, Body and Soul is the ultimate festival to embrace Ireland’s warm weather. There’s a great line-up for music fans, but the main event has to be all the weird, wild and wonderful art installations that add an explosion of color to the grounds.

The festival is family-friendly too, so you can even bring the kids along. And when it comes to food and drink, guests will be treated to a fantastic culinary journey. To wind down, don’t miss the midnight hot tubs or the yoga workshops.

There are swells year-round in Ireland, and many swear by the colder autumn months for the best surf. But if you’re looking for warmer waters, June is a great time to visit the country’s amazing west coast. Epic waves aren’t always guaranteed, but beginners and tourists love it here in this season.

Nearby, there’s a fab Waterworld attraction for kids, a decent golf course, and also the natural Fairy Bridges that are not to be missed.

Celebrate the start of summer in Ireland’s most bohemian city, Galway. As the weather hots up, the city gets busy, and the atmosphere is lively and inviting for travelers from all around the world. This is the perfect time to experience Irish arts and culture, as well as the culinary scene outside of Dublin and Belfast. From affordable cafes and cozy gastropubs to fine dining venues, you’ll be spoilt for choice for food.

The top sights include Galway City Museum, the pretty Salthill Promenade, the Spanish Arch, Eyre Square, and Lynch’s Castle. Stick around until July for some of the best festivals in town, including Galway International Arts Festival and Galway Film Fleadh.

Driving vacations are wonderful at this time of year too. One of the best summer road trips is the 100 mile scenic loop drive of the Inishowen Peninsula in County Donegal. The Five Finger Strand is a nature lover’s paradise, and will be lush and green at this time of year. There are plenty of Blue Flag beaches to stop off at, and whale watching excursions are available with excellent sightings of Minke whales and Basking sharks in June.