Northern Ireland in April = constant rain?

[Wigeon]

Thinking of having a holiday in Northern Ireland during the Easter holidays - seems to be lots of great things to do, many outside, but if we go at that time of year how likely is it to be constantly raining…?!

Have looked at past threads for recommendations as to what to do/where to stay, but any more recommendations also welcome! Thinking of flying into Belfast, spending a couple of nights there, then travelling along the north coast.

Every time we've been it's rained and sunned, you can never know, pack for all possibilities.

Expect it to be changeable. Next Easter is late I think, so there's a chance of decent weather - we do sometimes get a good stretch of sunshine in April, constant rain would be unlucky.

Thanks both - don’t mind a bit of rain, just not keen if it’s likely to pour every day/every other day! Our Easter hols are 2nd-17th April (inc the weekends), so quite late.

Bump

Fermanagh Lakeland is awesome, and looks good in the rain too 😄 Marble Arch caves will be good too.

Pack for all weather. Lots in Belfast to see and do. North Antrim coast is beautiful and a day trip to Giants Causeway is always worth a visit. We will be going in April also and I can't wait.

I think going in April means you won’t be so disappointed by rain - we went in August and had a downpour one of the days and got badly sunburned on another.

My advice is just be flexible and adaptable through the day - so if it’s dry do x if it rains do y. Weather changes by the hour.

Same as holidaying anywhere in the UK really.

What do you want to do most of coast? Lakes? Mountains? Glens? Culture? Cities? Restaurants etc?

We did the troubles taxi tour in Belfast which was fascinating.

@DazzlePaintedBattlePants

Fermanagh Lakeland is awesome, and looks good in the rain too 😄 Marble Arch caves will be good too.

Thanks Dazzle - hadn’t come across those places so far in our initial research, so will investigate!

@Trying2310

Pack for all weather. Lots in Belfast to see and do. North Antrim coast is beautiful and a day trip to Giants Causeway is always worth a visit. We will be going in April also and I can't wait.

The whole idea of the trip came about because I want to visit the Giant’s Causeway at some point in my life, so now seems like a good time!

@ESGdance

I think going in April means you won’t be so disappointed by rain - we went in August and had a downpour one of the days and got badly sunburned on another.

My advice is just be flexible and adaptable through the day - so if it’s dry do x if it rains do y. Weather changes by the hour.

Same as holidaying anywhere in the UK really.

What do you want to do most of coast? Lakes? Mountains? Glens? Culture? Cities? Restaurants etc?

We did the troubles taxi tour in Belfast which was fascinating.

“ What do you want to do most of coast? Lakes? Mountains? Glens? Culture? Cities? Restaurants etc”

Pretty much all of the above!! So was thinking of staying in Belfast for a bit and then driving round for a bit, to fit everything in!

Happy to plan for all weathers - just ideally not rain every single day please!

Don't know where you're based but worth remembering that NI is essentially as far north as Scotland so likely to be several degrees cooler than, say, southern England. So bring jumpers as well as waterproofs!

4 seasons in one day, just about encapsulates ni.
But loads to do. Nowhere like it

We went in August and it still rained everyday 😂

@SarahWoodruff

Don't know where you're based but worth remembering that NI is essentially as far north as Scotland so likely to be several degrees cooler than, say, southern England. So bring jumpers as well as waterproofs!

We’re Herts but did notice that it’s on a level with Scotland. Leeds feels cold to me so we’re fully prepared to bring lots of warm clothes!

@userisi2

We went in August and it still rained everyday 😂

Noooo! Where are all the posters saying that they went in April and were surprised to get a suntan?!

There was a no way of knowing. We have had blistering days in April and had 12 degrees with rain in August. I never forget driving off the ferry with lashing horizontal rain and my ds sighed happily and sighed “ paradise”.

Easter tends to be nicer than summer now. Though Northern Ireland is very unpredictable
Places to see
Titanic museum
Ulster museum
W5 if have kids
Ginats causeway
Carrick a rede rope bridge (currently closed due to covid)
Ballintoy Harbour
Boat trip from Portstewart to see giants causeway etc from different angle (try aquaholics for tickets)
Marble arch caves
Carrickfergus castle
Mourne mountains if into hiking are stunning. Silent valley & spelga dam
Bloody Bridge for some wet bouldering
Tullymore forest park
Castlewellan park
Glenarrif waterfalls

As noted above there are many many reasons to come to Northern Ireland but ... the weather is not one of them. When it's good it's absolutely bloody fantastic when it's not so great - just dress appropriately. Be prepared in other words and you won't be disappointed

Ha. You might get snow as well. True story.

• but I do also remember being warm in April. I don't think I've ever experienced weather in NI that was warmer than about 18 degrees, mind.

There is no best time to visit NI weather wise. Just pack for all eventualities and come on ahead. You’ll not regret it.

We went to NI at Easter 2019.
Drove to Liverpool early on Easter Sunday, spent the day /night there (Birkenhead Premier Inn is much cheaper than Liverpool PI and very quick train journey into the city).
Ferry to Belfast on Easter Monday morning, arrived at teatime.
Night/day in Belfast (Peace wall, Titanic experience), then drove up the coast and spent a couple of nights in Ballycastle exploring the coast (Giant’s Causeway, Carrick a Reed, Port Stewart). Back to Belfast on the Thursday pm, ferry back to Liverpool on the Friday.

The whole week was glorious sunshine (high teens) until we went back to Belfast on the Thursday, that drive was a bit drizzly. The ferry journey home was very wet!

If (when!) we go again, I’d get the ferries overnight and spend more time in the city. And on the coast! I’d also try and take in an ice hockey match, but that’s because I’m an ice hockey fan.

Thank you everyone!

@IbizaToTheNorfolkBroads - do you live within a decent distance of Liverpool and took the ferry because it was easier? We’re in Hertfordshire, so it’s a long drive up to any of the ports which go over to N Ireland, although it would be convenient to have the car and more eco not to fly. But flying is the same price once we added up car hire the other side.

@Wigeon, yes, we’re only a couples of hires drive at most, nearest airport is barely any closer, and we thought it would be handy to have the car.

It's hit and miss...the last few April's have been quite dry.
www.statista.com/statistics/609951/total-raindays-in-northern-ireland-uk/
I would come prepared for 4 seasons and you will be grand. Check forecasts too...it might be dry an hours drive away, so keep your plans flexible.