Walking Ireland’s Mountains

The Best Time of Year

First, rain. Just to confirm your worst suspicions, records show 225 wet days per year in the mountains of the west and 175 in the mountains elsewhere. Rain and low cloud that come with warm fronts are the greatest bane of the hill walker. By contrast, cold fronts bring showers and bright, clear periods and are much more acceptable.

April, May and June tend to be the driest months in most parts of the country and these months, as well as September and early October, are probably the best for walking. July and August tend to be a bit warm and humid, with poor visibility. (In addition, at this time of year accommodation is likely to be crowded.) The months of November to March are rainy (with the west having a pronounced and high winter maximum) and the days short. Generally, winter is not very inviting, though occasionally there are cold, fresh days with bright sun that can be delightful. Snow, which is fairly infrequent, does not lie long. It is more prevalent in the east than the west.

Little need be said about the wind except that it is generally stronger in the west and that since westerlies prevail, try to walk west to east (that is, with it on your back) on higher ground. Vegetation, of which bracken is the most unpleasant, is, of course, at its highest in late summer. In particular, it infests higher ground close to river banks and areas directly above enclosed fields. Midges, the scourge of the summer hill walker in Scotland, are not so prevalent in Ireland.

Information extracted from Walking Ireland’s Mountains: a guide to the ranges and the best walking routes by David Herman, published by Appletree Press.