January falls in Ireland's winter, and is generally cold and rainy. If you are looking to visit Ireland in January, we recommend visiting Dublin, Galway, Cork, and Limerick. Read on to find out more about travel and weather, including temperatures, rainfall, humidity, and tips for January.
Ireland Weather in January: Overview
Averages:
- Temperature range: 3–8°C (37–47°F)
- Rainfall: 11 cm (4 inches)
- Rainy days: 17
- Sunshine hours/day: 2
- Humidity: around 80% (wet and humid throughout)
Ireland is cool to cold in January, with temperatures reaching around the 8°C (47°F) mark during the daytime. Temperatures can drop significantly in the evenings and early mornings, to around freezing point. Thankfully there are lots of indoor activities to keep you busy during your time there.
January is one of the wetter times of the year in Ireland, with rain as well as high humidity as a result. The month sees around 17 rainy days on average, and 80% humidity.
January Climate Comparison (Averages) for Ireland's Top Tourism Areas
| City/Area | High (ºC) | Low (ºC) | Rain (cm) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Dublin (main city, Irish culture, bars, Guiness) | Cool | Cold | Low |
| Galway (harbor city, history, architecture) | Cool | Cold | Moderate |
| Cork (foodie capital, architecture, history) | Cool | Cold | Moderate |
| Limerick (culture, old buildings, museums) | Cold | Cold | Moderate |
| Killarney (national park scenery, hikes, castle, abbey) | Cool | Cold | Moderate |
| City/Area | High (ºC) | Low (ºC) | Rain (cm) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Dublin (main city, Irish culture, bars, Guiness) | 8 | 2 | 6 |
| Galway (harbor city, history, architecture) | 9 | 4 | 11 |
| Cork (foodie capital, architecture, history) | 8 | 3 | 13 |
| Limerick (culture, old buildings, museums) | 9 | 3 | 10 |
| Killarney (national park scenery, hikes, castle, abbey) | 8 | 3 | 16 |
| City/Area | High (ºF) | Low (ºF) | Rain (in) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Dublin (main city, Irish culture, bars, Guiness) | 46 | 36 | 2 |
| Galway (harbor city, history, architecture) | 48 | 39 | 4 |
| Cork (foodie capital, architecture, history) | 46 | 37 | 5 |
| Limerick (culture, old buildings, museums) | 48 | 37 | 4 |
| Killarney (national park scenery, hikes, castle, abbey) | 46 | 37 | 6 |
Discover real reviews of Highlights Travel Family's best-rated service across trusted platforms.
|
|
Amazing service - Thailand trip
We had a lovely experience with the service received from all the team of Asia Highlights (travel specialist/coordinator, guides, drivers). In particular, the representative that organized our trip, Jimmy, was amazing. He was able to prepare our trip in a very short notice and customize it to satisfy all our requests. He was knowledgeable and always replied very fast. We were very pleased with his service and we highly recommend the agency. More
Yanelis, Mar 2025
|
Every Detail Attended To
Our guide, Marie, was so knowledgeable, professional, and kind. She was really attuned to our needs and spoke perfect English. She even brought me a special gift this morning because she knew I was looking for a Christmas ornament representative of Thailand. We did not have to think about any of the details. More
Ekie, Mar 2025
|
Ms Ying is the Guide you should ask for in Bangkok
Ms Ying was our guide in Bangkok for the past 4 days and if we could give her a higher rating than 5 we absolutely would! Ying speaks English perfectly and was completely dedicated to ensuring we had an outstanding stay. More
roxanne odell, Mar 2025
|
The Best Places to Visit in Ireland in January
January is a quiet time of the year to visit Ireland, well outside of the peak season. If you're okay with the cooler and wetter weather, January is well worth utilizing to explore Ireland as there are plenty of things to do.
We recommend starting off in Dublin, and heading over to explore Galway, Cork, and Limerick. This way you can explore the east, the west, and the south of the country, from the coast through to the countryside, from beautiful castles to the pubs and the museums of Ireland.
1. Have a Drink at the Guinness Factory in Dublin
Dublin is an extremely fun city, and it is probably best known as the home of Guinness. The Guinness Factory has loads of experiences to book onto during your time in Dublin.
For example, there is the brewery experience, to learn all about how Guinness is brewed on site. For something a little more alternative, you can print a photo on the head of your smooth Guinness to drink, or you can take a lesson in learning the six steps required to pouring your own pint of Guinness. If you're interested in the origins and tastes of Guinness, there is even a Guinness Connoisseur Experience.
This is an especially good activity to do on a rainy day, as it is indoors and will shield you from the weather for a little bit. Then when the sun comes out again, you can explore Dublin on foot from the brewery afterwards.
2. Visit Eyre Square in Galway
Right on Ireland's western Atlantic Coast, you will find Galway, a beautiful harbour city. On a good day, take the day exploring the city including Eyre Square, surrounded by shops and traditional pubs. The square is also known as John F. Kennedy Memorial Park, since the US President made a speech here in 1963, right before his assassination.
Nearby you will find lots of lovely shops, and there is lots of sightseeing in the area. Take a walk around the area and visit the Galway Docks, the Spanish Arch, Galway Cathedral, and walk through the Latin Quarter.
3. Eat and Drink at an Irish Pub in Cork
Cork is a great place for a quaint mix of architecture and Irish public houses, as the city is dotted with adorable Irish pubs making the perfect place for hiding away from the rain. Have a lovely meal by the fire inside a traditional pub.
For any fans of beautiful buildings, there are so many to choose from to see in Cork. There are the Saint Fin Barre's Cathedral, the Blackrock Castle Observatory, Shandon Bells & Tower St Anne's Church, and the Blarney Castle & Gardens.
Some of them are a little too far to be walking between them, but Global Highlights can help you with a driver and a tour guide to make the most of your time in Ireland!
4. Explore the Hunt Museum in Limerick
Limerick is home to the Hunt Museum, which houses around 2,000 works of art and antiquity, the vast majority of which were donated to Ireland by John and Gertrude Hunt in 1876. John was originally a doctor in London, but started trading as well as buying and selling art from all over the world.
After moving to Ireland, John also worked as an amateur archaeologist at Lough Gur, the items from which you can also see at the Hunt Museum. This includes medieval pottery, tapestries, and statues, helping you picture Ireland's history in a little more detail.
After the museum, head on over to King John's Castle or Saint Mary's Cathedral to learn more about the past of the area, and see the incredible views from the castles.
Low Season (except NYE): Less Expensive and Less Crowded
January is generally quiet in Ireland, with the exception of New Year's Eve which is a public holiday in Ireland and the rest of Europe, meaning there might be more tourists since Ireland is an incredibly fun location for a NYE party.
Outside of this December 31 to January 1 period, costs are generally lower and you will find fewer crowds around Ireland, making it a great time of the year to go.
What to Wear in January
January is cold and rainy, and we would recommend bringing plenty of layers including a good winter coat. Packing an extra fleece layer is helpful, just in case the temperature drops a little below freezing point when you're out in the evenings or if you're starting your exploration early.
We would also recommend bringing an umbrella or making sure that your winter coat is waterproof, as there is a more than 50% chance of moderate rain or snow in Ireland in January.
Contact Global Highlights to Plan Your Ireland Tour
If you are thinking of visiting Ireland in January, Global Highlights can help plan your time and your trip. Our experts can plan your transfers between cities, between sights, and help you plan tickets for everything that you want to see while you are there. Just let us know what your requirements and needs are, and we can help put together your perfect Ireland trip. Contact us to begin a tour inquiry.
