Cheap Flights To Dublin (DUB)

A bit of breaking news: It rains in Ireland. Often. It's the price of seeing rainbows over the country's supernaturally green hills. In the spring, summer, and early fall, expect a chance of rain every day. Yet also expect outbreaks of gorgeous sunlight each day, too.

Rain on the island is a thesaurus entry brought to life, appearing in subtle gradations from soft mist to light lashings. Just as Irish personalities tend to be less brash and extreme than American ones, Irish rain tends to be less brash and extreme, too. You'll almost never see hard sheets of torrential downpours in Ireland as you might in many parts of North America (except during the winter or along Ireland's western coastline). So don't be put off by the talk of wet weather, because it is less disruptive than you might think.

Our advice: No matter when you visit, always pack an umbrella, a rain-resistant windbreaker jacket, and many layers of clothing, which you can change as conditions warrant.

Summer is peak tourist season in Dublin. Daytime highs are in the high 60s and low 70s, making it a great time to visit. It’s also when the prices of flights and hotels are at their highest. But people are willing to pay for the hope of good weather.

May and September make for fine shoulder seasons because they are historically the driest months, and it stays light from 6 a.m. until 10 p.m., with temperatures averaging in the low 60s during the day. Shoulder-season lodging prices also tend to be discounted by about 20 percent off summer highs.

Winter usually produces bleak skies, strong winds, and chilly temperatures down to the freezing point. Many bed-and-breakfasts are closed this time of year.

Festivals and holidays happen year-round. In March, St. Patrick's Day is the obvious choice, with a parade of bands and floats that winds its way down O’Connell Street and around the entrance to Trinity College. Parade-goers are encouraged to wear costumes as well.