Season guide · Galway · Ireland
Galway in spring
March–May: weather, crowds, prices and the best things to do this time of year.
Updated By the AMZBooking editorial team
Photo: Gerd Eichmann, CC BY-SA 4.0
Quick answer
St Patrick's Day, lengthening days and wildflowers on the Burren; May is often one of the sunniest months. Expect highs up to 15°C (59°F) and lows around 4°C (39°F), with about 42 rainy days across March–May. May is among the best months of the year to visit.
Key facts
- Months
- March–May
- Temperatures
- 4°C (39°F) to 15°C (59°F)
- Rainy days in the season
- About 42
- Sea
- 9°C (48°F) to 11°C (52°F)
- Crowds
- Moderate
- Hotel prices
- Average
Weather in spring
| Month | High | Low | Rainy days | Daylight | Crowds |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| March | 11°C (52°F) | 4°C (39°F) | 16 | 11.7 h | 2/5 |
| April | 13°C (55°F) | 5°C (41°F) | 13 | 13.9 h | 3/5 |
| May | 15°C (59°F) | 7°C (45°F) | 13 | 15.8 h | 3/5 |
Compared with the rest of the year: average highs of 13°C (55°F) against a yearly 14°C (57°F), and 42 of the year's roughly 182 rainy days fall in these 3 months. Crowds rate 3/5 and hotel prices 3/5 on average.
What's on in spring
Recurring events; dates move from year to year, so confirm with the organiser.
- March: St Patrick's Day parade (17 March)
- April: Cúirt International Festival of Literature (usually April)
Good choices for spring
Museum · Latin Quarter
Galway City Museum
Beside the Spanish Arch, the free city museum covers Galway's history from medieval walled town to modern city, with displays on the sea, a traditional Galway hooker sailing boat and exhibitions on the city's archaeology.
- Time needed
- 1–1.5 hours
- Cost
- Free
- Free
- History
- Rainy day
- Kids
Religious site · Woodquay
Galway Cathedral
Visit outside service times and look for the mosaic that includes President John F. Kennedy.
- Time needed
- 45 minutes
- Cost
- Free
- Free
- Architecture
- History
- Rainy day
Aquarium · Salthill
Galway Atlantaquarium
On the Salthill seafront, this aquarium focuses on the marine life of Irish waters, from rays and conger eels to sharks, with touch pools for children.
- Time needed
- 1.5 hours
- Cost
- Mid-priced
- Kids
- Rainy day
- Nature
Experience · Latin Quarter
Traditional music sessions
Sessions are not performances; sit nearby, keep conversation low during tunes and buy a drink rather than standing around.
- Time needed
- 2–3 hours
- Cost
- Low cost
- Iconic
- After dark
- Couples
- Rainy day
Day trips in spring
- Cliffs of Moher and the Burren (About 1 hour 30 minutes by car or tour coach) — The Cliffs of Moher rise about 214 metres above the Atlantic along about 14 km of County Clare coast.
- Inis Mór, Aran Islands (About 1 hour 30 minutes by coach and ferry) — The largest Aran Island has stone-walled fields, Irish-speaking villages and the prehistoric cliff-edge fort of Dún Aonghasa.
What to pack
- Layers, a warm sweater and a jacket for cool evenings
- A compact umbrella and waterproof shoes — rain is frequent
- Comfortable walking shoes
Other times of year
Questions travellers ask
+Is spring a good time to visit Galway?
Yes: May is among the best months. St Patrick's Day, lengthening days and wildflowers on the Burren; May is often one of the sunniest months.
+What is the weather like in Galway in spring?
Highs of up to 15°C (59°F) and lows around 4°C (39°F), with about 42 rainy days over the season.