Ireland is a lovely spot to spend Thanksgiving.
Just imagine: Wrapping up warm to explore untamed green landscapes surrounded by hills and mountains, covered with a light sprinkling of snow. Cozying up in the snug of a historic pub with a fire blazing in the background. Or enjoying a cuisine tour as part of one of numerous events that still take place around the nation in Winter.
Sunrise on cloudy day over Tipperary fields
You don’t have to skip out on Thanksgiving dinner either! Although the holiday is not officially recognized in Ireland, our relationship to the US runs so deep that several hotels and restaurants provide a Thanksgiving meal. We have a list of places below where you and yours may have a holiday dinner no matter where you are in the nation.
Do they celebrate thanksgiving in ireland?
- Festivals in Ireland around Thanksgiving\s• Celebrating Thanksgiving in Ireland\s• What to bring for a Thanksgiving holiday in Ireland?
A road passing through the black hedges on a gorgeous autumn morning in Northern Ireland
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Why visit Ireland during the Thanksgiving holiday?
1. Avoid the throng
One of the biggest reasons to visit Ireland over Thanksgiving is to avoid crowds. The summer rush will be well and truly gone and visitor numbers will be significantly lower. Museums, galleries and restaurants will be significantly quieter. Lower numbers mean you may also obtain cheaper discounts on flights to Ireland as well as accommodation and meals while you’re here.
2. Hygge in Ireland
Although Hygge is a Danish phrase, we love to get comfy in Ireland too. The area is studded with beautiful period house hotels and castles that are the ideal destination to stay on your Thanksgiving break. If your budget doesn’t extend to a castle, many of taverns and restaurants conjure a similar ambience with soft, cozy furniture and open fireplaces that summer tourists simply don’t get to enjoy in the same manner.
3. Enjoy seasonal food and drink
Traditional Irish cuisine and drink developed with our frigid environment in mind. Wholesome soups and stews can warm you up after a day of touring. Coffee culture is ever-growing in Ireland, with a tremendous number of independent cafés cropping up in towns and cities all across the nation. They’re the ideal site to people watch on a November vacation. If you have something stronger in mind most pubs will offer you a Hot Whiskey (also known as a hot toddy) or an Irish coffee – excellent to warm you up from the inside!
4. Mild winter weather
If you’re visiting from the east or midwest, you may find ordinary November temperatures in Ireland a pleasant break from the colder weather back home. The average temperature in Ireland in November is between 41 and 50 degrees Fahrenheit – not too awful if you come from a place with really cold winters!
Woman working with clay at a ceramics studio
5. Chance to learn something new
Is there a craft or hobby you’ve always wanted to try? Ireland over Thanksgiving may be a fantastic moment. Many craft schools are open and workshops may not be as packed as they are throughout the summer months. From milinary to printing to ceramics, Ireland is a crafter’s fantasy trip.
6. Trace your roots
If you’re one of the 30 million or so North Americans who identify as Irish, your November vacation is the ideal time to trace your ancestors. The free Genealogy Advisory Service at the National Library, Dublin is an excellent place to start your research and is likely to be considerably calmer at this time of year. In fact, we’ve devised a particular Discover Your Roots package encompassing travel, hotel and tailored genealogical activities.
Dublin At Christmas Grafton Street
7. Soak in the seasonal atmosphere
Many cities, towns and pubs throughout the nation will begin switching on their Christmas lights in late November. The cities of Dublin, Cork and Galway will offer the most stunning displays. When planning your vacation, keep a look out for switching on ceremonies, especially if you’re going with your family since there’s typically a free evening of seasonal entertainment to enjoy.
Is Thanksgiving celebrated in Ireland?
Thanksgiving is not officially celebrated in Ireland, but there’s such a deep link between Ireland and the USA that certain hotels and restaurants do serve a Thanksgiving feast. We’ve highlighted some of the better possibilities below. To prevent disappointment, don’t forget to book a table in advance.
Scenic Sky road near Clifton in Connemara
Wild Atlantic Way
The Lodge at Ashford Castle, Mayo
If you chance to be in the West of Ireland during the third weekend in November, this gate lodge is the ultimate place for supper. You may look forward to Thanksgiving dinner with a twist from senior chef Johnathan Keane. During supper you’ll be serenaded with traditional Irish music by Brenda Curtin Diviney, the principal fiddle player from Lord of the Dance.
The Twelve Hotel, Barna, Galway
This modern hotel just outside Galway City provides a Thanksgiving meal in its award-winning fine dining ‘West Restaurant’ and more informal ‘Pins Gastro Bar’. Both restaurants provide fresh cuisine with a reference to Irish culture.
Ballymaloe House, Cork
Enjoy Thanksgiving dinner at Ballymaloe House, one of Ireland’s oldest established family owned restaurants. Nestled in the Cork countryside, it was the only Irish venue recognized on Conde Nast Gold List in 2015. Ballymaloe is globally regarded as the home of Irish country food and hospitality so you are guaranteed to have a warm Irish welcome as well as a fantastic Thanksgiving feast.
River Liffey, Bachelor’s Walk, Dublin, Ireland
Dublin
The Merry Ploughboy Pub
Every November, this award winning bar organizes a special Thanksgiving meal in Dublin with classic turkey with all the trimmings. The supper is followed by wonderful Irish entertainment from proprietors and musicians “the Merry Ploughboys” and their band of Irish dancers. A shuttle service is offered from Dublin City centre servicing all major hotels.
The Woolshed
If Thanksgiving is as much about NFL as food for you and your family, then here is the spot for you. The Woolshed sports bar offers two sittings for a typical Thanksgiving turkey feast in Dublin. They haven’t forgotten dessert either, you can look forward to delicious home-made Pumpkin Pie. Surrounded by enormous screens, you will be able to watch the game back home, no matter where you sit. Although the Woolshed is a vast venue, Thanksgiving dinner is popular so book your table early if you wish to enjoy one of their two sittings.
The final light of the day accentuates the fall tints atop Errigal mountain in Donegal, Ireland
Festivals in Ireland around Thanksgiving
There are dozens of events in the month of November that you may add into your schedule. Some of our favorite include:
Savour the Flavour Donegal Town: Part of ‘Taste the Island’, Savour the Flavour takes place in Donegal Town from 28th – 30th November. You may enjoy variety of engaging activities like culinary tours, meet-the-baker and cooking lessons that will enable you to sample some of the greatest cuisine Ireland has to offer.
Mayo Dark Sky Event: Taking place at the beginning of November, this festival celebrates everything that’s fantastic about dark sky. Speakers from Ireland and outside describe how vital they are for science, culture and the environment. Give gratitude for the natural environment around us at the beginning of your Thanksgiving journey to Ireland.
TULCA Festival of Visual Arts: If you’re searching for a more modern Irish experience, check out the TULCA Festival of Visual Arts in Galway. The subject of the 2019 festival is Tactical Magic and examines the idea of magic in art, politics and science.
Ennis Trad Fest
Ennis Trad Fest: if you appreciate or play traditional Irish music, Ennis is the place to be in November. There are seminars for musicians, but if you don’t perform there’ll be live music in practically every bar in town to enjoy during the festival. With flights from the USA to Shannon airport, getting there is straightforward too.
What to take for a Thanksgiving holiday in Ireland
The weather in Ireland is varied all year round. The nicest thing about packing for a November getaway is that you can anticipate and prepare for chilly, damp weather. Like most regions in winter, daylight is reduced throughout the winter months. By late November the sun rises about 8am and sets approximately 4.30pm so schedule most touring within these hours. Of course, interior activities like museums, art galleries and businesses will stay open until sunset so these may be booked later in the day.
Although snow is infrequent in Ireland, rain and wind is very normal at this time of year. But as the phrase goes, “there’s no such thing as terrible weather, only lousy clothing!” If you bring the correct clothing, you’re guaranteed to have a fantastic time whatever the weather:
Open suitcase with casual feminine outfits
Winter coat
Pack a warm (preferably waterproof) winter coat. As it might be rather warm inside, it’s ideal to have a substantial outer layer to remain warm and dry.
Scarf, hat and gloves
Essential for keeping your extremities warm.
Waterproof shoes/boots
Most locals wear casual sneakers, regardless of the weather (and wet feet) but having a pair of waterproof shoes will make wandering through damp city streets more comfortable.
Thermals
This may look a bit dramatic for the comparatively moderate temps but believe us, you’ll be happy for thermals on a rainy day. Visitors visiting Ireland note that the cold is different here — the high amounts of moisture in the air making it seem colder than the thermometer would have you think.
Layers
Packing layers is crucial to comfortable sightseeing in Ireland in November. Outdoor and interior temperatures are likely to fluctuate greatly so it’s important to be able to remove or add clothes as required.
Sunglasses
This may seem like a bit of a paradox but we can occasionally experience spells of bright, sunny weather at this time of year! As the days grow shorter, the sun hangs low in the sky therefore decent sunglasses are a necessary. They’re particularly vital if you intend on driving while you’re here.
Torch\sIf you want to spend any time in rural Ireland, a torch is excellent to take since street lighting may be a rarity!
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