Month guide · Galway · Ireland
Galway in March
What March is really like in Galway: weather, crowds, prices, events and what to pack.
Updated By the AMZBooking editorial team
Quick answer
March is a quieter month with trade-offs. Expect average highs of 11°C (52°F), lows of 4°C (39°F), about 16 rainy days and roughly 11.7 hours of daylight. Changeable spring weather; the city fills for St Patrick's Day.
Key facts
- Average high / low
- 11°C (52°F) / 4°C (39°F)
- Rainy days
- About 16
- Daylight
- About 11.7 hours
- Sea temperature
- 9°C (48°F)
- Crowds
- Quiet
- Hotel prices
- Low
Weather in March
March is the 8th-warmest month in Galway: days average 11°C (52°F) against a yearly average high of 14°C (57°F), and nights fall to about 4°C (39°F). Rain falls on roughly 16 of its 31 days. Compared with February (9°C (48°F)), March is warmer; by April highs climb to around 13°C (55°F).
- Sunrise (15 March)
- About 06:51
- Sunset (15 March)
- About 18:40
- Daylight
- About 11.7 hours
- Sea
- 9°C (48°F)
Spring (March–May). St Patrick's Day, lengthening days and wildflowers on the Burren; May is often one of the sunniest months.
Crowds and prices
On a 1–5 scale, March rates 2 for crowds (the peak is July at 5) and 2 for hotel prices (highest in July). That makes March one of the better-value months to book.
Events in March
- St Patrick's Day parade (17 March)
Dates move from year to year. Check the organiser’s site before booking travel around an event.
What to do in March
With cold days, plan around indoor sights and keep outdoor time flexible.
Architecture · Latin Quarter
Lynch's Castle
Walk round the corner to Market Street to see the Lynch Memorial Window and its legend of a mayor who hanged his own son.
- Time needed
- 20 minutes
- Cost
- Free
- Free
- History
- Architecture
Historic site · Latin Quarter
Hall of the Red Earl
On Druid Lane, the excavated foundations of a 13th-century hall built by the de Burgo family, the Anglo-Norman founders of Galway, are displayed under a glass-fronted building with finds from the dig.
- Time needed
- 20 minutes
- Cost
- Free
- Free
- History
- Off the beaten path
Waterfront · Woodquay
Salmon Weir Bridge and the River Corrib
Follow the riverside paths along the canals and the Corrib towards the university for a quiet walk away from the crowds.
- Time needed
- 30–60 minutes
- Cost
- Free
- Free
- Nature
- Outdoors
- Off the beaten path
Architecture · Newcastle
University of Galway Quadrangle
The university's Tudor Gothic Quadrangle of 1849, modelled on Christ Church, Oxford, is a quiet limestone courtyard with a central lawn and clock tower.
- Time needed
- 30 minutes
- Cost
- Free
- Free
- Architecture
- History
What to pack
For highs near 11°C, lows near 4°C and 16 wet days: a warm coat, hat, gloves and thermal layers; a compact umbrella and waterproof shoes — rain is frequent; comfortable walking shoes.
Is March a good time to visit Galway?
A quieter month with trade-offs, with a notable event on the calendar. If your dates are flexible, May–June and September are better overall. Compare every month.
Galway in other months
Questions travellers ask
+Is March a good time to visit Galway?
It is a quieter month with trade-offs. Changeable spring weather; the city fills for St Patrick's Day.
+How warm is Galway in March?
Average highs are around 11°C (52°F) and lows around 4°C (39°F).
+Does it rain a lot in Galway in March?
Expect rain on about 16 days of the month, so pack for wet weather.