Weather in Ireland in October is mild, wet and noticeably darker by the end of the month: expect daytime highs of about 13°C to 14°C (56°F to 58°F), rain on 12 to 19 days depending on where you are, and daylight falling from about 11.5 hours to 9.5 hours.
In October, Ireland transitions into autumn, experiencing cooler temperatures, increased rainfall, moderate winds, and shorter daylight hours.
All averages below were checked against Met Éireann’s 1991-2020 climate averages in October 2026.
Overview of the Weather in Ireland in October
- Temperature: Average daily temperatures range from lows of 7°C (45°F) to highs of 14°C (57°F).
- Rainfall: Varies by region; for example, Dublin Airport averages 78 mm (3.1 inches) with 12 days of 1 mm or more, while Belmullet on the Mayo coast sees about 131 mm (5.2 inches) over 19 days.
- Wind Speed: October experiences moderate winds, with average speeds around 19 km/h (12 mph) at Dublin Airport and about 23 km/h (14 mph) on the exposed Mayo coast.
- Daylight Hours: Approximately 9.5 to 11.5 hours per day; sunrise around 7:30 AM, sunset near 7:00 PM at the beginning of the month, with daylight decreasing as the month progresses.
- Sunshine: About 2.6 to 3.4 hours of sunshine a day on average, roughly an hour less than in September.
- Frost: Rare. Most stations average less than one night of air frost in October, and the Atlantic coast usually sees none.
- Clocks: Irish clocks go back one hour on the last Sunday of October (25 October in 2026, 31 October in 2027), so evenings get dark around 5 PM afterwards.
October Weather in Ireland: A Closer Look
Temperature
October in Ireland brings cooler conditions, with average temperatures ranging from 7°C (45°F) to 14°C (57°F). Coastal areas, influenced by the Atlantic Ocean, tend to be milder, while inland regions may experience slightly cooler temperatures, especially during the night.
The gap shows up clearly in the long-term averages. Valentia Observatory in Co. Kerry averages 14.4°C (58°F) by day and 9.5°C (49°F) at night in October, while Dublin Airport averages 13.6°C (56°F) and 7.1°C (45°F).
Rainfall
Rainfall increases across Ireland in October. Eastern regions like Dublin receive about 78 mm (3.1 inches), with 12 days of 1 mm or more, making them relatively drier. In contrast, western areas such as Valentia in Co. Kerry experience much higher rainfall, averaging 173 mm (6.8 inches) over 18 days during the month.
October is wetter than September at every Met Éireann climate station, and Valentia gets more than twice as much October rain as Dublin Airport.
Wind Speed
October experiences moderate winds, with average speeds around 19 km/h (12 mph) at Dublin Airport. Coastal regions, especially along the west, may encounter stronger gusts due to Atlantic weather systems.
Malin Head in Co. Donegal averages 5 days with gales in October, and Belmullet in Co. Mayo 2. October is also the start of the storm season, so check Met Éireann’s warnings before driving coastal roads or taking a ferry.
Daylight Hours
Daylight decreases in October, with approximately 9.5 to 11.5 hours of light daily. The sun typically rises around 7:30 AM and sets near 7:00 PM at the beginning of the month, with daylight hours shortening as winter approaches.
Dublin goes from 11h 35m of daylight on 1 October to 9h 32m on 31 October. When the clocks go back on 25 October 2026, sunset jumps from about 6:08 PM to 5:06 PM, which is the change most visitors notice. The table below shows how the times shift across the month.
| Place | 1 October | 15 October | 31 October |
|---|---|---|---|
| Dublin | 07:26 to 19:01 (11h 35m) | 07:52 to 18:28 (10h 37m) | 07:21 to 16:54 (9h 32m) |
| Cork | 07:34 to 19:11 (11h 36m) | 07:58 to 18:39 (10h 41m) | 07:26 to 17:07 (9h 40m) |
| Galway | 07:37 to 19:12 (11h 35m) | 08:03 to 18:39 (10h 37m) | 07:32 to 17:05 (9h 33m) |
| Belfast | 07:26 to 18:59 (11h 33m) | 07:52 to 18:25 (10h 33m) | 07:24 to 16:49 (9h 25m) |
Sunshine
Expect plenty of grey days. Dublin Airport is the sunniest Met Éireann station in October with an average of 3.4 hours a day, while Malin Head averages 2.6 hours.
October Weather by Region
The west and south are milder and much wetter, while the east is cooler at night and noticeably drier. Here is how the main weather stations compare in an average October:
| Station | Avg high | Avg low | Rain | Rain days | Sun per day |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Valentia Observatory, Co. Kerry | 14.4°C (58°F) | 9.5°C (49°F) | 173 mm | 18 | 2.9 hrs |
| Belmullet, Co. Mayo | 13.8°C (57°F) | 8.7°C (48°F) | 131 mm | 19 | 3.0 hrs |
| Malin Head, Co. Donegal | 13.1°C (56°F) | 8.8°C (48°F) | 110 mm | 18 | 2.6 hrs |
| Shannon Airport, Co. Clare | 14.2°C (58°F) | 8.1°C (47°F) | 96 mm | 15 | 3.0 hrs |
| Cork Airport, Co. Cork | 13.3°C (56°F) | 8.0°C (46°F) | 131 mm | 15 | 3.2 hrs |
| Casement Aerodrome, Co. Dublin | 13.7°C (57°F) | 7.2°C (45°F) | 82 mm | 12 | 3.3 hrs |
| Dublin Airport, Co. Dublin | 13.6°C (56°F) | 7.1°C (45°F) | 78 mm | 12 | 3.4 hrs |
| Belfast Newforge, Co. Antrim | 13.8°C (57°F) | 6.9°C (44°F) | 96 mm | 14 | 3.0 hrs |
To see how October sits between late summer and early winter, use the interactive chart below. Pick a measure, then highlight a station.
Ireland Wide · Data
How October compares with September and November
At Dublin Airport, October rain rises to 78 mm, up from 63 mm in September.
Highlight a station
Source: Met Éireann 1991-2020 averages; Belfast: Met Office
As of October 2026 · irelandwide.com
What October 2025 Was Actually Like
Averages only tell part of the story. According to Met Éireann’s October 2025 summary, the month was mild, dull and wet overall:
- Storm Amy brought widespread wet and very windy weather on 3 and 4 October, with a gust of 148 km/h (92 mph) at Malin Head, Co. Donegal.
- Rainfall: Valentia Observatory recorded 198.1 mm, the highest monthly total, while Casement Aerodrome in Dublin had 68.9 mm.
- Temperature: every station was warmer than average, and the highest temperature was 19.7°C (67°F) at Shannon Airport, Phoenix Park and Dublin Airport.
- Sunshine: all stations were duller than average, and Malin Head had just 36.2 hours, the dullest October on record at any station.
In short, an Irish October can bring a named storm, a warm spell and two weeks of grey skies in the same month, so pack for all three.
Ireland vs Northern Ireland Weather in October
While both regions share similar climates, subtle differences exist:
- Temperature: Northern Ireland’s average temperatures are slightly lower, with daily averages around 10°C (50°F) in Belfast, compared to Ireland’s average of 11°C (52°F) across Met Éireann’s main climate stations.
- Rainfall: Belfast averages 96 mm (3.8 inches) of rain in October, compared to Dublin’s 78 mm (3.1 inches), although Ireland’s Atlantic coast is wetter than both.
- Wind: Both regions experience moderate winds in October, with coastal areas encountering higher gusts.
- Daylight: Daylight hours are similar, with both regions experiencing about 9.5 to 11.5 hours of daylight during October. Belfast gets a few minutes less each day than Dublin, and the clocks change on the same night.
In summary, while Ireland and Northern Ireland share comparable October weather patterns, Northern Ireland tends to be slightly cooler and wetter than Dublin.
Is October a Good Time to Visit Ireland?
October suits travellers who are happy to trade guaranteed sunshine for quieter roads and autumn colour. Days are still long enough for a full day of sightseeing in the first half of the month, and it is mild enough for walking, although golf and coastal plans need more flexibility. Our Ireland golf weather guide shows how October compares for a round.
The end of the month is the busiest part. Halloween started in Ireland as the Celtic festival of Samhain, and towns across the country run Halloween and Samhain events in the last week of October. The October bank holiday falls on the last Monday of the month (26 October in 2026, 25 October in 2027), so check the 2026 bank holiday dates and the October midterm break before booking, as family travel picks up that week.
Here is the whole month on one page, handy to save before you travel:
What to Pack for Ireland in October
- A waterproof jacket with a hood, since rain falls on 12 to 19 days of the month.
- Layers you can add and remove, such as a fleece or light wool jumper, for days around 13°C to 14°C (56°F to 58°F) and cooler evenings.
- Waterproof shoes or boots for wet grass, muddy trails and slippery cliff paths.
- A warm hat and gloves for exposed coasts and boat trips, where the wind makes it feel much colder.
- A small umbrella for city days. Our Ireland city break packing list has more ideas for rainy trips.
If you are coming later in the year, our guide to visiting Ireland in winter covers what changes once November arrives.
October Weather in Ireland: FAQs
How cold is Ireland in October?
Ireland is mild rather than cold in October. Average highs range from 13.1°C (56°F) at Malin Head to 14.4°C (58°F) in Kerry, and average lows from 7.1°C (45°F) in Dublin to 9.5°C (49°F) at Valentia, according to Met Éireann.
Does it rain a lot in Ireland in October?
Yes. October is one of the wetter months, with 78 mm of rain in Dublin and 173 mm at Valentia in Kerry on average, and rain on 12 to 19 days depending on the region.
What time does it get dark in Ireland in October?
At the start of October the sun sets just after 7 PM in Dublin and about 7:10 PM in Cork and Galway. After the clocks go back on 25 October 2026, sunset is around 5:06 PM in Dublin and before 5 PM by the 31st, with twilight lasting about another 35 to 40 minutes.
When do the clocks go back in Ireland?
The clocks go back one hour at 2 AM on the last Sunday of October. That is 25 October in 2026 and 31 October in 2027, and Northern Ireland changes on the same night.
Is October a good month to visit Ireland?
It can be. October is mild, quieter than summer and lively around Halloween, but you should expect rain, shorter days by the end of the month and the odd storm, so keep plans flexible.
What was the weather like in October 2025?
October 2025 was mild, dull and wet overall. Storm Amy hit on 3 and 4 October with a 148 km/h gust at Malin Head, every station was warmer than average, and Malin Head had its dullest October on record.
