Autumn Road Trips: Ireland's Most Beautiful Season

Autumn (September to November) might be Ireland's best-kept secret. The summer crowds have gone, the landscapes blaze with colour, and the soft golden light creates perfect conditions for scenic drives and photography.

Why Autumn?

The Magic of Fall in Ireland

Factor	Autumn Advantage
Crowds	Dramatically reduced after August
Colours	Peak foliage mid-October
Light	Golden, soft, perfect for photos
Prices	Shoulder season rates
Weather	Often surprisingly mild
Atmosphere	Cozy pubs, harvest festivals

The Reality Check

Days getting shorter (8-12 hours daylight)
Weather can be unsettled
Some seasonal businesses close
Earlier sunsets mean adjusted planning

Peak Foliage Times

When to Go

Region	Peak Colour
Northern Ireland	Early-mid October
Midlands	Mid October
West	Mid-late October
South	Late October-early November

Note: Ireland is milder than continental Europe, so colours come later. Kerry and Cork may peak into early November.

Best Trees for Colour

Beech: Golden bronze, spectacular
Oak: Deep reds and browns
Birch: Bright yellows
Rowan/Mountain ash: Reds and oranges
Ash: Yellow, drops early

Best Autumn Drives

For Fall Colours

Wicklow Mountains

Ireland's best autumn destination:

Glendalough surrounded by golden forests
Sally Gap moorland turning russet
Powerscourt Gardens (formal autumn colour)
Close to Dublin for weekend trips

Best time: Mid-October Key spots: Glendalough Upper Lake, Lough Tay, Sally Gap

Ring of Kerry

Killarney's oak woodlands are stunning:

Muckross House gardens
Oak forests of Killarney National Park
Lakes reflecting autumn colours

Best time: Late October Key spots: Muckross Lake, Ladies View, Torc Waterfall

For Atmospheric Drives

Connemara Loop

Bog and mountain landscape turns bronze and gold:

Heather fading to russet
Mountains often dusted with first snow
Moody skies perfect for photography

Best time: October Key spots: Lough Inagh, Kylemore Abbey, Leenaun

Boyne Valley

Ancient history meets autumn:

Newgrange in misty mornings
Hill of Tara surrounded by golden fields
Atmospheric ruins in soft light

Best time: Mid-late October Key spots: Newgrange, Slane Castle grounds, Bective Abbey

For Lake Reflections

Lough Gill & Ox Mountains

Yeats country in autumn splendour:

Perfect lake reflections
Golden birch and oak
Literary atmosphere

East Clare & Lough Derg

Ireland's largest lake:

Wooded shores in full colour
Peaceful off-season
Traditional villages

Autumn Activities

Walking & Hiking

Autumn is ideal for walking:

Cooler temperatures
Fewer midges
Ground still dry (usually)
Colours at their best

Recommended walks:

Glendalough Spinc Walk
Torc Mountain (Killarney)
Diamond Hill (Connemara)
Glenariff Forest Park (Antrim)

Photography

Autumn light is a photographer's dream:

Golden hour lasts longer
Mist and fog create atmosphere
Reflections on still lakes
Drama without harsh shadows

Tips:

Start early for misty mornings
Scout sunset spots in advance
Polarising filter for reflections
Tripod for low light

Harvest Experiences

Apple picking in orchards
Food festivals and farmers markets
Local produce at its best
Oyster season begins

Weather Patterns

What to Expect

Month	Avg Temp	Rainfall	Character
September	12-17°C	Moderate	Often warm, "Indian summer" possible
October	9-14°C	Increasing	Changeable, can be mild
November	6-10°C	High	Cooling, shorter days, more rain

Autumn Weather Tips

Morning fog common—clears to beautiful days
Rain showers interspersed with sunshine
Evenings can be cold—bring layers
Wind increases, especially coastal

Best Weather Periods

Early September: Often feels like extended summer
October: Most variable but potentially magical
Late November: Winter approaching, but can have clear crisp days

Practical Considerations

Daylight Hours

Date	Sunrise	Sunset	Daylight
Sept 1	6:30am	8:30pm	14 hours
Oct 1	7:30am	7:15pm	12 hours
Nov 1	7:30am	5:00pm	9.5 hours

Clocks go back last Sunday of October—plan accordingly.

Planning Around Light

Front-load driving into middle of day
Reach accommodation before dark
Use evenings for cozy pub sessions
Sunrise photography is more achievable (not 5am!)

Accommodation

Better availability than summer
Prices drop after August bank holiday
Some seasonal B&Bs close—check ahead
Cozy up to turf fires in traditional guesthouses

Atmospheric Experiences

Cozy Pubs

Autumn is prime season for traditional pubs:

Turf fires lit
Fewer tourists means more locals
Traditional music sessions
Storm-watching from warm interiors

Heritage Sites

Ireland's ancient sites feel particularly atmospheric in autumn:

Newgrange aligned with winter solstice (entering autumn feeling)
Stone circles in morning mist
Ruined abbeys with colourful surroundings

Seasonal Food

Oyster season begins (September)
Wild mushrooms in forests
Apple season (September-October)
Game meats appearing on menus
Warming stews and chowders

Autumn Events

October

Bram Stoker Festival (Dublin) - Horror and Gothic celebration
Galway Oyster Festival - Oldest oyster festival in the world
Cork Jazz Festival - Major international festival

November

Belfast International Arts Festival
Wexford Opera Festival

Halloween

Ireland takes Halloween seriously—it originated here:

Samhain festivals nationwide
Derry/Londonderry has famous Halloween celebrations
Spooky tours and events everywhere

Driving Tips for Autumn

Road Conditions

Wet leaves: Slippery, especially on country roads
Fog: Common in mornings, especially near water
Frost: Possible from late October, especially inland
Early darkness: Adjust journey times

Wildlife

Deer mating season (rutting) September-October
More active on roads, especially dawn/dusk
Killarney and Wicklow particularly affected

Vehicle Checks

Check tyre condition (wet roads)
Test lights (using them more)
Ensure wipers working well
Consider winter preparation if visiting late autumn