December is in the middle of winter in Ireland, with generally cold, cloudy, and rainy weather. Nevertheless, we suggest visiting Dublin, Limerick, Galway and Cork. Read on to find out more about travel and weather, including temperatures, rainfall, humidity, and tips for December.
Ireland Weather in December: Overview
Averages:
- Temperature range: 4–9°C (39–48°F)
- Rainfall: 12 cm (5 inches)
- Rainy days: 18
- Sunshine hours/day: 2
- Humidity: around 81% (damp and humid throughout Ireland)
December in Ireland is cold to cool, with daily temperatures ranging around 4–9°C (39–48°F). There is only around 2 hours of sunshine per day. For visitors in December, we would recommend more indoor activities as a result. Although the temperature range is on average above freezing point, please bear in mind that there is the potential for the temperature to drop below freezing point in December.
There is a moderate amount of rain in December in Ireland, around 12 cm (5 inches). There are a total of 18 rainy days on average, and due to the rain, you'll find humidity levels are very high throughout December, meaning more cloud and fog.
December Climate Comparison (Averages) for Ireland's Top Tourism Areas
| City/Area | Temperatures | Rainfall |
|---|---|---|
| Dublin (main city, Irish culture, bars, Guiness) | Cold to Cool | Low |
| Galway (harbor city, history, architecture) | Cold to Cool | Moderate |
| Cork (foodie capital, architecture, history) | Cold to Cool | Moderate |
| Limerick (culture, old buildings, museums) | Cold to Cool | Moderate |
| Killarney (national park scenery, hikes, castle, abbey) | Cold to Cool | High |
| City/Area | High (ºC) | Low (ºC) |
|---|---|---|
| Dublin (main city, Irish culture, bars, Guiness) | 8°C (46°F) | 3°C (37°F) |
| Galway (harbor city, history, architecture) | 9°C (48°F) | 4°C (39°F) |
| Cork (foodie capital, architecture, history) | 9°C (48°F) | 4°C (39°F) |
| Limerick (culture, old buildings, museums) | 9°C (48°F) | 4°C (39°F) |
| Killarney (national park scenery, hikes, castle, abbey) | 9°C (48°F) | 4°C (39°F) |
| City/Area | Rain (cm) | Rain (in) |
|---|---|---|
| Dublin (main city, Irish culture, bars, Guiness) | 7 | 3 |
| Galway (harbor city, history, architecture) | 12 | 5 |
| Cork (foodie capital, architecture, history) | 13 | 5 |
| Limerick (culture, old buildings, museums) | 10 | 4 |
| Killarney (national park scenery, hikes, castle, abbey) | 17 | 7 |
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The Best Places to Visit in Ireland in December
December is a cold time of the year to visit Ireland, but in the festive Christmas period especially, there are also a lot of things to do around the country, with plenty of cozy activities.
For tourists we would recommend visiting Dublin, Galway, Limerick, and Cork, and taking in Ireland's nature on your transfers between the cities. If you do want to spend time outdoors exploring Ireland's nature, there are plenty of walks near the cities, or you can read more in our piece about visiting Ireland in July or June, where we've outlined more outdoor activities.
If you want help planning your trip, Global Highlights' experts can put together your ideal Ireland itinerary. Just let us know what you want to do, how you prefer to travel, and whether you have any other needs or requirements, and we'll put together a tailor-made itinerary for you. Contact us to start planning your Ireland trip.
1. Visit Dublin's Many Christmas Markets
Dublin has plenty to see on any regular day, but during the Christmas season there are multiple Christmas markets to explore on top of that, to help you get in the festive spirit.
The main Christmas market takes place in Dublin Castle, on the impressive castle grounds. It usually runs from around 2 weeks before Christmas, and the decorations and venue alone mean the market is worth a visit. You will also find a varied range of stalls selling gifts, drinks, food, and other festive items.
Other markets have been held at the Botanic Gardens, Swords Castle, Bremore Castle, and Rathfarnham Castle. Dates for 2025 will be confirmed closer to the festive season in 2025, as they vary year by year.
For other activities in Dublin, check out visiting Ireland in November for museum ideas, and visiting Ireland in October for more insight into visiting the Guinness Factory.
2. Explore Galway's Eyre Square and Galway Cathedral
Galway is a harbor city found on the western coast of Ireland, and is one of the most festive cities in Ireland, also well known for its music.
There are lots of things to see in Galway, including St. Nicholas' Collegiate Church (Church of Ireland), which is actually the largest medieval parish church in Ireland that is still regularly used. It's believed Christopher Columbus worshipped there in 1477 when he visited Galway.
We suggest walking around Eyre Square, surrounded by shops and traditional pubs you can pop into to warm up. Other sights include the Galway Cathedral, Europe's newest stone cathedral with an unusual interior combining statues, mosaics, and stained glass.
We do also recommend visiting the Cliffs of Moher (more information about this in our article about visiting Ireland in February), which can be done as a day trip from Galway.
3. Marvel at Cork's Impressive Architectural Feats
Cork is often known as the foodie capital of Ireland (read more about this in our article about visiting Ireland in October), but there are also a lot of impressive buildings and interesting architecture to see.
We suggest starting off with Blarney Castle and Gardens, a beautiful example of an Irish castle. If you want to see more, there is also Blackrock Castle Observatory, and the nearby Elizabeth Fort.
For more about Cork's history, we would recommend visiting the Cork Public Museum, as well as Cork City Gaol, a former prison giving insight into 19th- and 20th-century prison life in Ireland.
And do you know how important butter was to Ireland's economy? Cork is home to the Butter Museum, a unique museum celebrating one of Ireland's most important products. From the importance of butter in early dairy culture through to the butter trade in the 19th century, you can learn a lot about Ireland as a whole there.
Global Highlights can help arrange a tour guide to take you through Cork to make sure that you have someone to show you the way who can answer your questions.
4. Have an Irish Coffee in the Port Village of Foynes near Limerick
Limerick is home to the now world-renowned Irish Coffee, which was first served in the 1940s in Foynes, a small port village just 35 minutes away. If you do want to check out the birthplace of Irish Coffee, Foynes also is home to the Foynes Flying Boat and Maritime Museum.
Returning to Limerick, you will find King John's Castle there, the most western castle in Europe, dating back to the 1200s and build by King John himself. You can tour the castle to learn more about him and the importance of the castle.
For those adventurous enough to explore the outdoors in December, the nearby River Shannon has some beautiful walking trails nearby, ranging from a couple of kilometers to longer trails. The Limerick Greenway is a longer stretch that is usually biked due to its even surface, though it's also possible to walk parts of it.
Low Season (Except Christmas and New Year's Eve): Less Expensive and Fewer Crowds
Early December is generally quiet in Ireland, with very few tourists and consequently lower accommodation and transport prices.
The only exception to this rule is the few days before Christmas, Christmas week, and New Year's Eve, when you will find that there are many tourists in the main cities and other places to see the fireworks and the Christmas markets. We recommend booking ahead if you want to travel to Ireland during this time.
What to Wear in December
December is generally cold to cool, and we recommend wrapping up warm. Winter coats are necessary, as is a waterproof layer or an umbrella due to the rain. We also recommend bringing fleeces or wool jumpers for underneath your winter coat just in case the temperatures drop closer to freezing point.
We also recommend warm and supportive footwear to make sure that you can comfortably explore, and bringing a scarf, hat, and gloves is essential too. This is particularly the case if you want to spend more time outdoors, or if you end up visiting the coastline of Ireland.
There are of course shops along the way too, should you have forgotten some items.
