Mid-winter · Weather & things to do
Dublin in January
Little changes in Dublin from December: highs stay near 46°F (8°C), lows near 40°F (4°C), and about 3.4 in (86 mm) of rain falls.
With a comfort score of 48/100 (12th of 12), it's one of the toughest months, held back mainly by cloud cover.
- Avg high
- 46°F (8°C)
- Avg low
- 40°F (4°C)
- Rain
- 3.4 in (86 mm)
- Humidity
- 91%
- Cloud cover
- 78%
- Daylight
- ~7 h 48 min
- Comfort score
- 48/100 · Fair
What January feels like
Cool days top out near 46°F (8°C), better for brisk walks than lingering outside.
Lows average 40°F (4°C).
Some rain is likely, about 3.4 in (86 mm) in the month, so pack for a shower or two.
Expect plenty of overcast days, with cloud cover near 78%.
It's breezy, with average winds near 13 mph (5.7 m/s) at ground level.
Only about 7 h 48 min of daylight means early sunsets.
Plan around January
January is one of the lower-scoring months here; the best are June – September.
- Comfort holds steady from December (49 → 48/100).
- 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 46°F
- Packable rain jacket or umbrellaa shower or two is likely
- Windproof shellaverage wind 13 mph
- Comfortable walking shoesmost places below are best reached on foot or with short walks
What to do in Dublin in January
A mixed month: these picks balance outdoor stops with indoor fallbacks.
National Museum of Ireland – Archaeology
Celtic gold, Viking finds and preserved bog bodies. Free entry.
Why now Our curated notes list it for "rainy day", which suits a wetter month.
The Long Hall
Victorian pub with dark wood, mirrors and chandeliers, unchanged in decades.
Why now A warm sit-down stop when highs sit around 46°F.
Book of Kells at Trinity College
9th-century illuminated gospels, followed by the oak-vaulted Long Room library.
Why now An indoor-leaning stop when highs sit around 46°F.
Chapter One
Michelin-starred Irish cooking beneath the Dublin Writers Museum.
Why now Somewhere to warm up between colder walks.
Leo Burdock
Dublin's oldest chipper, frying cod and chips since 1913.
Why now A cozy break on a 46°F day.
Nearby in January
- Galway in January~116 mi · highs 46°F, 4.3 in rain · similar daytime temperatures, wetter
- Doolin & the Cliffs of Moher in January~131 mi · highs 47°F, 5.3 in rain · similar daytime temperatures, wetter
- Connemara in January~155 mi · highs 48°F, 5.6 in rain · similar daytime temperatures, wetter
- The Cotswolds in January~213 mi · highs 42°F, 2.8 in rain · 2°C (4°F) cooler by day, drier
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.
Dublin in January: quick answers
Is January a good time to visit Dublin?
It's one of the tougher months here, scoring 48/100, held back mainly by cloud cover. The best months are June – September. Expect highs of 46°F (8°C) and 3.4 in (86 mm) of rain. Our Dublin to the Wild Atlantic Way route recommends May – Sep, so January is outside its suggested window.
How cold is Dublin in January?
Average highs are 46°F (8°C) and average lows 40°F (4°C), making it the 2nd-coldest month by daytime highs.
Does it rain a lot in Dublin in January?
Some: about 3.4 in (86 mm) of rain falls across January on average, the 5th-wettest month of the year. The annual total is about 38.7 in (982 mm).
What should I pack for Dublin in January?
Bring insulated jacket (highs only 46°F), packable rain jacket or umbrella (a shower or two is likely), windproof shell (average wind 13 mph) and comfortable walking shoes (most places below are best reached on foot or with short walks).
Planning Dublin in January?
Plan it together in TripsCircle: one itinerary, one shared packing list and costs split as you go.