Mid-winter · Weather & things to do
Connemara in January
Little changes in Connemara from December: highs stay near 48°F (9°C), lows near 43°F (6°C), and about 5.6 in (143 mm) of rain falls.
With a comfort score of 40/100 (12th of 12), it's one of the toughest months, held back mainly by cloud cover.
- Avg high
- 48°F (9°C)
- Avg low
- 43°F (6°C)
- Rain
- 5.6 in (143 mm)
- Humidity
- 87%
- Cloud cover
- 89%
- Daylight
- ~7 h 46 min
- Comfort score
- 40/100 · Tough
What January feels like
It's cool, with highs near 48°F (9°C), so a proper jacket stays on most of the day.
Lows average 43°F (6°C).
Expect regular rain: about 5.6 in (143 mm) falls in the month.
Expect plenty of overcast days, with cloud cover near 89%.
It's breezy, with average winds near 15 mph (6.7 m/s) at ground level.
Only about 7 h 46 min of daylight means early sunsets.
Plan around January
January is one of the lower-scoring months here; the best are May – September.
- Inside the wettest three-month stretch, November – January.
- Comfort holds steady from December (41 → 40/100).
- Our Dublin to the Wild Atlantic Way route recommends May – Sep, so January falls outside its suggested window.
What to pack for January
- Insulated jackethighs only 48°F
- Rain jacket and waterproof shoesfrequent rain
- Windproof shellaverage wind 15 mph
- Comfortable walking shoesmost picks involve some walking
What to do in Connemara in January
Weather can go either way, so the picks below mix open-air spots with indoor backups.
Guys Seafood Bar
Busy pub kitchen for chowder, crab claws and mussels.
Why now A warm sit-down stop when highs sit around 48°F.
Lowry's Bar
Music and whiskey bar with a long Irish whiskey list and trad sessions.
Why now Somewhere to warm up between colder walks.
Mitchell's Restaurant
Seafood restaurant with open fires; fish arrives daily from local boats.
Why now A cozy break on a 48°F day.
Sky Road
Loop drive west of Clifden on high ground over Atlantic inlets and islands.
Derrigimlagh Bog
Bog loop walk past the 1919 Alcock and Brown landing site and Marconi station ruins.
Nearby in January
- Doolin & the Cliffs of Moher in January~42 mi · highs 47°F, 5.3 in rain · similar daytime temperatures, about as wet
- Galway in January~42 mi · highs 46°F, 4.3 in rain · 1°C (2°F) cooler by day, drier
- Dublin in January~155 mi · highs 46°F, 3.4 in rain · similar daytime temperatures, drier
- Fort William in January~301 mi · highs 42°F, 7.5 in rain · 3°C (6°F) cooler by day, wetter
NASA POWER 2001–2025 monthly averages on a ~50 km grid. Comfort scores weigh temperature, rain, humidity and cloud: see how we score each month. Check a forecast before you go.
Connemara in January: quick answers
Is January a good time to visit Connemara?
It's one of the tougher months here, scoring 40/100, held back mainly by cloud cover. The best months are May – September. Expect highs of 48°F (9°C) and 5.6 in (143 mm) of rain. Our Dublin to the Wild Atlantic Way route recommends May – Sep, so January is outside its suggested window.
How cold is Connemara in January?
Average highs are 48°F (9°C) and average lows 43°F (6°C), making it the 2nd-coldest month by daytime highs.
Does it rain a lot in Connemara in January?
Yes: about 5.6 in (143 mm) of rain falls across January on average, the 3rd-wettest month of the year. The annual total is about 55.1 in (1400 mm).
What should I pack for Connemara in January?
Bring insulated jacket (highs only 48°F), rain jacket and waterproof shoes (frequent rain), windproof shell (average wind 15 mph) and comfortable walking shoes (most picks involve some walking).
More on Connemara
Planning Connemara in January?
Share this January plan with your group, poll everyone on dates and keep the packing list in one place.