edishell
Unregistered User
(5/28/03 5:35 pm)

How's the weather in early November?

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My husband and I are planning our first trip to Ireland for November 7-14. What is the weather like (temperature and wetness)? What clothing recommendations do you have?

After we booked our trip I began hearing from others on the Internet that Nov. is a horrible time to go (however, it is less expensive "package-wise"--that's why we booked--we knew no difference). I have heard this so much that I am considering canceling our trip and re-scheduling for another time (which would really cost us a lot more money). In your opinion, is Nov. so bad that we'd be better served to cancel and try to save up go some other "time of year", or is it "not ideal but still okay" therefore we'd go and try to plan another trip for another time in the future?

What month/time of year is best in your opinion?

Thanks!

wojazz3
Registered User
Posts: 278
(5/28/03 6:14 pm)

Re: How's the weather in early November?

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My first trip to Ireland was in November and I just kept coming back. There are pluses and minuses to November travel.

The downside is that not all of the sites are open in November and not all of the B&Bs are either. The days are very short and the weather will be cool and rainy, but that can happen any time of the year.

The upside is that there will be an absence of tourist and you will get perhaps a closer feeling to the communities. With one week, you should be able to find plenty to do.

If you have booked using vouchers I would make sure your choices will be open when you get there. The upside is that those places that are open are happy for the business and you shouldn't have a problem getting anyone to accept vouchers.

I wouldn't cancel the trip. The longer nights just mean more time in the pubs.

May and September usually get the highest votes for when to travel, though they have had a couple of rough Mays recently.

Bill

DebbieK
Registered User
Posts: 19
(5/28/03 11:19 pm)
 
Re: How's the weather in early November?

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I too, had my first visit to Ireland in November (2000) and just recently got back from my 2nd trip , and am looking forward to another !

It is colder there - but cold is relative - I am from Wisconsin, so Nov in Ireland was the same or better than it was at home, so we were happy.
Get yourself a Winter Slicker - it has thicker vinyl on the outside, and padded thermal flannel lining. If you pair this with good layers - Turtlenecks , sweaters , or even silk long underwear if you think you will be too chilled - and you will be fine. We had days where I didn't even zip my coat.

Be sure to have good walking shoes - I had 'city' hiking boots - not industrial boots, but sturdy and kept my feet dry & comfy.

Be sure to take a hat, scarf and gloves. They will go a long way to keeping you warm.

I really loved Ireland in November , as a first trip. There were no lines for anything, no problems getting into restaurants, finding a place to sit to listen to music , etc. As another bonus, there was little or no traffic for my first time driving there.

I do second Bill's suggestion about really researching the B&B's to be sure which ones are open.
Personally - even though they won't all be booked up, I would still pre-book as many as possible, because since it gets dark around 4:30/5:00, I did not want to waste any time looking for B&B's . By pre-booking I was able to ask for specific directions.

Some things are closed by early Nov, but just study your guidebooks, to see what is still open. Waterford, Bunratty, Ring of Kerry tours, Kylemore Abbey(not the gardens though), Rock of Cashel & Cahir Castle are all open for sure.

Good luck and be sure to come on back with more questions!
Debbie

Michele Erdvig
ezOP
Posts: 1503
(5/29/03 12:35 am)

Ireland in November

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Hi edishell,

I wouldn't cancel the trip. Now that you know the realities of traveling to Ireland in November (thanks to Bill & Debbie) you can adapt to them and have a wonderful time. It is usually cool and wet but then again you might get good weather. No one can predict it, as you know.

If you plan your trip carefully so that you know what is open, where you want to go (to take advantage of the short days), and what B&Bs will be open in November you can enjoy your trip. You have plenty of time for planning so that won't be a problem.

Please take a look around my web site as you will find much info on things like weather, packing, etc. And as you see you will get lots of help on my forum as your trip progresses.

As for my personal favorite times to travel to Ireland: April/May and September/October. But as Bill says the last two Mays haven't been that great.

Michele

eyps
Registered User
Posts: 3
(6/2/03 3:48 pm)

November trip

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I forth the opionion that you should not cancel your trip on November. We've gone for the past two Thanksgivings (late November). And this year we're shooting for a Christmas and New Year in Ireland. If you have any questions, post them, Michele and crew will answer!
-eyps