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DutchLet’s be honest—May is one of the best months to take a holiday in Ireland. The weather is mild, places are still quiet, and there’s no shortage of things to see and do. Whether you’re drawn to cultural festivals, scenic hikes, or coastal drives, Ireland in May has something magical for everyone. And of course, we also have a Bank Holiday weekend to kick start the month.
So whether you’re planning a proper getaway or just fancy a night or two away, there’s no better time to explore a bit of our own backyard.
Here are some ideas on things to do, see and experience during May.
Go Island hopping
Did you know that Ireland has approximately 80 magical islands? Hop on a boat, drive across a dramatic bridge or jump in a cable car to explore. Achill Island is the largest of our offshore islands and you don’t have to take a ferry. You can cycle over on the Great Western Greenway, which runs along the old railway line from Westport, or drive over the bridge from the mainland. Achill has five picturesque beaches and is a perfect spot for hillwalkers to explore.
You can pitch up on Achill Island or stay at one of the other top caravan & camping spots in Mayo and take a trip to the Island.
Experience the Aran Islands, Inishmore (Inis Mór), Inishmaan (Inis Meáin) and Inisheer (Inis Oírr) each with their own unique charm. You can pitch up on Inis Mór or stay in Galway or Clare and take one of the ferries across to the Islands from Doolin or Galway.
Kerry is not only home to some of the top caravan & camping sites in Ireland but also home to two of the best know Islands – the Blasket Islands and the Skellig Islands. With regular boats from to the Islands it is well worth a trip. If travelling by boat doesn’t appeal to you take the bridge from Portmagee over to Valentia Island. You can drive around the Island and also pitch up for a few nights.
Cork has a number of Islands which you can access from the mainland by ferry and a dramatic entrance by Cable Car. From Glengarriff take a boat out to Garnish Island and browse the stunning colours of the rhododendrons and azaleas that blossom during May. Experience Ireland’s only cable car with a trip to Dursey Island with regular crossings daily from Ballaghboy. Pitch up for a few nights at a caravan & camping site in Cork and take a short boat ride to one of the spectacular Islands along the West Coast.
The Saltee Islands are situated approximately 5km off the coast County Wexford and can be accessed by ferry from Kilmore Quay. The Islands are a haven for sea birds including gannets, gulls and puffins. Take a trip to Wexford for a few days and hope on the ferry from Kilmore Quay to visit the Islands.
Make the most of bloom season
Ireland’s gardens really show off in May. Explore some of the gorgeous gardens in Ireland, from grand estates, to walled gardens, spectacular arboretums to city spectaculars.
The National Botanic Gardens located in Glasnevin, Dublin contain more than 15,000 plant species from habitats around the world and the best thing is admission is free. The gardens are famous for their exquisitely restored and planted glasshouses, Visitors can enjoy such features as the herbaceous borders, rose garden, the alpine yard, the pond area, rock garden and arboretum.
So whether you are planning a stay in Dublin or a few nights in Wicklow take a trip into the capital and spend the day exploring the National Botanic Gardens.
Powerscourt House & Gardens is spread over 47 acres of the Wicklow Mountains. Stroll through Powerscourt Gardens and admire sweeping terraces, statues, fountains and ornamental lakes with hidden hollows, rambling walks and beautiful walled gardens. Walk down the winding pathways of the secret gardens and find Venetian gates and Roman statues. There are hundreds of different types of ornamental plants, colourful flowers and majestic trees in the gardens. One of the finest Japanese Gardens in Europe is located at the Irish National Stud in Kildare. This is a great family day out where the adults can enjoy the magnificent gardens and the children can watch the horses gallop across the open fields. Wicklow has some top quality places to pitch up for a few nights and all within easy access to these 2 great spots.
Mount Congreve Gardens in County Waterford are a haven for plant and history lovers alike. Boasting one of the largest private plant collections globally, the gardens feature flora from every continent. Visitors can take a guided tour through the house to the gardens. Mount Congreve Gardens offer public garden tours with expert gardeners on Thursdays from March to October. The caravan & camping parks in Waterford and Tipperary are within a short driving distance of Mount Congreve.
Hit a Local Festival
Festival season really kicks off in May, and there’s always a bit of craic to be found. Féile na Bealtaine takes place throughout the Dingle Peninsula the May Bank Holiday weekend. Mar fhéile dhá-theangach tá béim aici ar gach cineál de léiriú ealaíne. Beidh ceol, caint, craic, ní bhéadh fhios agat cad a dtárlodh! Bígi linn. The festival has music, dance, comedy, children events, drama, arts and so many events for all ages to enjoy. Also in Kerry, over the Bank Holiday weekend Ireland’s only sci-fi film festival takes place in Portmagee and Valentia Island in South Kerry. The May the 4th Sci-Fi festival combines a film festival with a comic-con, attracting filmmakers, sci-fi fans, and families. It includes international independent film screenings, a gala awards ceremony, and Comic-Con fringe events, all set against the backdrop of the Wild Atlantic Way. And if you have a need for speed, the Rally of the Lakes takes place in Killarney.
During May Cork plays host to 2 top international festivals. First up is the Cork Choral Festival over the May Bank Holiday weekend. Over 5 days Cork will be bursting with music and song from some of the 5,000 participants. Ireland’s premier maritime celebration takes place in Cork over 10 days from 24th May with over 80 events taking place throughout the city and county. The festival showcases the Cork Harbour Community through thrilling water adventures, heritage tours, cultural experiences, and family fun. Try powerboating, scuba diving, coastal bike tours, or enjoy, sea session sing alongs, storytelling and much more – there is something for everyone. Don’t miss the An Rás Mór on 31st of May, Ireland’s largest rowing and paddling race, bringing 500 participants and 200 boats to the harbour.
So whether you are staying in Kerry or Cork be sure to take in one (or all!) of these great festivals.
The May Bank Holiday weekend is the perfect time to visit County Clare, and what better destination than Corofin and the Festival of Finn to enjoy the Festival of Finn? Four days of music, storytelling, talks, guided walks, children’s events and more. A dance at the hall will get your feet tapping. And be sure to check out the annual World Championship Stone Throwing Competition.
Fleadh Cheoil Mhaigh Eo 2025 will take place in Ballina, Co. Mayo from May 3rd to 11th. A fabulous week of local Traditional Music, song, dance and storytelling: music in the pubs, on the Gig Rig in the Square, on the streets, with an Oíche Gaelach, a Rambling House night and concerts featuring Billow Wood, Seoda, Trad West and more.
Take a trip to the woods
In Ireland there are 260 recreational forests nationwide, including 3,000km of way marked walking trails, 12 forest parks and six mountain bike centres, operated by Coillte. There are 9 forest parks in Northern Ireland managed by the Forest Service of Northern Ireland. Many of the forest parks in Ireland have onsite activities and attractions for all ages to enjoy. The parks offer a wonderful selection of facilities including children’s playgrounds, picnic sites, marked walking and cycling trails alongside the beautiful scenic woodlands. They are ideal places to take the family and have a ramble, spot some nature, have a picnic if the weather permits, spot wildlife, and do some fun outdoor activities and games. AND, the good thing is they are free to visit (there may be a small parking fee in some places). Recreational maps are available at each site and also can be downloaded from the Coillte website.
Check out more details on Irelands great woodlands here
Some of our favourites include:
Glenveagh National Park (County Donegal) – A stunning remote park with mountains, lakes, a castle, and deep forests.
Killykeen Forest Park (County Cavan) – Located around Lough Oughter, great for walking, cycling, and boating.
Ballyhoura Forest Park (Counties Cork/Limerick) – Known for its network of hiking and mountain biking trails.
Avondale Forest Park (County Wicklow) – Home to to Beyond the Trees
Lough Key Forest and Activity Park (County Roscommon) – Combines beautiful natural walks with adventure activities like ziplining and treetop walks.
Cuilcagh Lakelands Global Geopark (County Fermanagh) – home to the ‘Stairway to Heaven’
These are just a few ideas to get you thinking about what to do and see over the next few weeks. So whether you are planning a few days away over the May Bank Holiday weekend or a longer break there is plenty to see and do as part of your caravan & camping holiday.
Camping Ireland has so much information to help you plan your caravan & camping trip away. The website is very user-friendly and has a number of great features which makes it very easy to navigate. You can add filters to your selection. This will allow you to get information on parks that are specific to your needs.
You can now filter for sites as follows:
Camping type – camping, glamping, mobile home hire, etc.
Holiday type – beach holiday, countryside, family-friendly, dog friendly, etc.
Facilities – beach nearby, playground, games room, shop, etc.
County
Region – Wild Atlantic Way, Ireland’s Ancient East, Ireland’s Hidden Heartlands, Dublin or Northern Ireland
Also, many sites are now offering online booking which will help you secure your pitch at the click of a button.
Whatever you want Camping Ireland has something to suit everyone. Enjoy the independence and flexibility that camping in Ireland can offer in quality approved sites. We look forward to welcoming you to Ireland’s outdoor living.
