Pro’s:
#1 - Dry Weather As far as I can tell from my research, the first two weeks of May are considered the driest time of year in Ireland. Ireland is a lot like the NW, but possibly even more wet. They seem to have a nearly continual soft mist if not downright rain. The first half of May is supposedly the nicest time of year. The first day of spring for the Irish is February 1st. May is summer for them. When the days are long and the weather is fine, it’s summer. May is summer. I think it’s kinda like how we have a really wet March and April, and then we usually get a couple of weeks in the 70’s and 80’s in early May, which makes us think summer is here. And then, of course, it rains straight through June until after the 4th of July. Sounds like Ireland is similar. The hottest weather (high 70’s) is July and August so those moths are the high tourist season, but according to many sources, May is more beautiful and we’re from Oregon – we can handle less-than-high temps!
#2 - Best Scenery May is the time of year when everything is in bloom in Ireland. The fields will still be lush green, the flowerbeds with be full of color, and Ireland will have its most beautiful face on. I like flowers J
#3 - Best Deals May is definitely shoulder season – close to off season. All the package airfare-hotel-car deals I’ve seen have reduced prices through May. Many of the Irish castles that have been turned into luxury hotels have special deals that still can be purchased in May. These deals don’t seem to start until October, so September wouldn’t save us as much money as May. I want to stay in a castle, just once!
Con’s:
#1 –Busy, busy, busy May is a bad time of year for us to leave. School is wrapping up for summer schedule. There are graduations and often weddings to attend. Adam could have finals. Family Camp is in June. There are usually business trips for Doug in March and/or April. When you’re in sales, even if you get paid vacation, it doesn’t mean you meet sales quota if you’re gone for a week or two traveling. Especially if that happens several months in a row. May could be a stressful time of year to be gone.
#2 – No vacation time I think I’ll save this for another post – it’ll take too much room here – but I’ll just say that if we want to go in May, Doug’s vacation schedule at work may dictate us going in 2012, not 2011 L Patience is a virtue?
I was in sw Ireland for all of July. Temperature was in the seventies, it rained every afternoon and was kinda windy on the morning. There rain was different, more mild than here though. Everything was very, very green and similar to spring here. Very pretty. Also, just so you know, I'm coming on your trip with you... ( especially if you're staying in a castle. I stayed in a tent for a month).
ReplyDeleteSomehow I think bringing you might affect the romantic mood of the trip....
ReplyDeleteJust sayin'
:)