Sailing around Ireland 2026

[Supertramp]

Nobody has mentioned the weather. I did it in 2007 in what turned out to be another worst summer in living memory. I was weatherbound for long periods many times and after two weeks in stuck in Sligo (nothing wrong with Sligo) I sailed nonstop over the top to Belfast and escape the atlantic coast. Just saying, it probably won't happen to you but it put me off ever doing it again.

My plan is go May/June rather than July/Aug and hopefully avoid strong Westerly winds. But there are no rules - the past few years have offered decent weather through May. There is plenty of time in 2 months to spend a week or two weatherbound (which happens most years). Hopefully no Floris or similar.

 

[Gurrig]

My plan is go May/June rather than July/Aug and hopefully avoid strong Westerly winds. But there are no rules - the past few years have offered decent weather through May. There is plenty of time in 2 months to spend a week or two weatherbound (which happens most years). Hopefully no Floris or similar.

My experience in SW Ireland, is that easterly winds most likely occur from late March through to June, although a string of depressions can approach from the Atlantic at any time giving disturbed conditions with some short windows at any time.
The benefits of late spring/early summer are generally improving weather and lengthening days and uncrowded anchorages. Beware of statistics.