Dublin

Ireland Weather in January

Average temperatures, rainfall, sunshine and the best places to visit in Ireland in January.

Thinking about venturing to Ireland this January and curious about the weather conditions to expect? This page holds all the key information you seek, responding to your question:

What to Expect in Ireland in January

January in Ireland generally has cold temperatures, with precipitation levels ranging from moderate to heavy. During January, winter is in full swing.

Temperatures

The average maximum temperatures are cold and range from 8°C (46°F) in Donegal to 11°C (52°F) in Portmagee. Nighttime temperatures generally drop to 7°C (45°F) in Portmagee and 3°C (37°F) in Donegal. In general, this month stands out as the coldest period throughout the year. Given the lower temperatures, it's essential to be well-prepared. Packing the right winter clothing and necessary accessories can make a significant difference in ensuring your comfort and well-being during this chilly season.

To explore the conditions in Ireland in more detail, check the map below.

Precipitation

In January, precipitation varies across different areas. From moderate rainfall in Ashbourne with an average of 69 mm (2.7 in) to heavy rainfall in Kincasslagh with 187 mm (7.4 in).

Average sunshine

Sunshine hours are generally lower in most areas during January. Dublin experiences about 56 hours of sunlight. If you're looking for brighter destinations, our weather planner can suggest better options.

Explore Ireland by month

Pick a month to see the average temperature, rainfall and sunshine in Ireland — and find the best time to visit. (based on Dublin)

Best Places to Visit in Ireland in January

Click on a destination dot for more details. Toggle the map to compare temperatures or precipitation across Ireland.

perfect weather
pleasant
tolerable
unpleasant
poor

Perfect weather is subjective. On this map perfect weather has been defined with temperatures between 20°C (68°F) and 29°C (84°F) and not too much precipitation (less than 90 mm (3.5 in) a month).

Popular Destinations in Ireland

What is the weather like in January for some of the most popular destinations in Ireland?

Temperature range in Ireland (January)

Precipitation variation in Ireland (January)

Dublin

In January Dublin generally has low temperatures with maximum daytime temperatures around 9°C (48°F), minimum nighttime temperatures around 4°C (39°F) and moderate monthly rainfall. So on average the conditions are poor that month.

December
January
February
Max temperature
10°C (50°F)
9°C (48°F)
10°C (50°F)
Min temperature
4°C (39°F)
4°C (39°F)
4°C (39°F)
Monthly sun hours
51 hours
56 hours
71 hours
Monthly rainfall
77 mm (3 in)
71 mm (2.8 in)
64 mm (2.5 in)
Monthly rainy days
17 days
18 days
15 days
Weather conditions

Killarney

In January Killarney generally has low temperatures with maximum daytime temperatures around 9°C (48°F), minimum nighttime temperatures around 3°C (37°F) and high monthly rainfall. So on average the conditions are poor that month.

December
January
February
Max temperature
10°C (50°F)
9°C (48°F)
10°C (50°F)
Min temperature
4°C (39°F)
3°C (37°F)
3°C (37°F)
Monthly sun hours
40 hours
44 hours
61 hours
Monthly rainfall
128 mm (5 in)
122 mm (4.8 in)
112 mm (4.4 in)
Monthly rainy days
23 days
23 days
19 days
Weather conditions

Galway

In January Galway generally has low temperatures with maximum daytime temperatures around 10°C (50°F), minimum nighttime temperatures around 4°C (39°F) and high monthly rainfall. So on average the conditions are poor that month.

December
January
February
Max temperature
10°C (50°F)
10°C (50°F)
10°C (50°F)
Min temperature
4°C (39°F)
4°C (39°F)
3°C (37°F)
Monthly sun hours
35 hours
45 hours
60 hours
Monthly rainfall
113 mm (4.4 in)
108 mm (4.3 in)
101 mm (4 in)
Monthly rainy days
22 days
22 days
18 days
Weather conditions

Kenmare

In January Kenmare generally has low temperatures with maximum daytime temperatures around 9°C (48°F), minimum nighttime temperatures around 3°C (37°F) and high monthly rainfall. So on average the conditions are poor that month.

December
January
February
Max temperature
10°C (50°F)
9°C (48°F)
10°C (50°F)
Min temperature
4°C (39°F)
3°C (37°F)
3°C (37°F)
Monthly sun hours
40 hours
44 hours
61 hours
Monthly rainfall
138 mm (5.4 in)
132 mm (5.2 in)
120 mm (4.7 in)
Monthly rainy days
23 days
23 days
20 days
Weather conditions

Cork

In January Cork generally has low temperatures with maximum daytime temperatures around 10°C (50°F), minimum nighttime temperatures around 5°C (41°F) and moderate monthly rainfall. So on average the conditions are poor that month.

December
January
February
Max temperature
11°C (52°F)
10°C (50°F)
10°C (50°F)
Min temperature
6°C (43°F)
5°C (41°F)
5°C (41°F)
Monthly sun hours
56 hours
57 hours
69 hours
Monthly rainfall
101 mm (4 in)
96 mm (3.8 in)
84 mm (3.3 in)
Monthly rainy days
20 days
21 days
18 days
Weather conditions

Is your destination not in the list? Have a look at all destinations in Ireland.

Popular cities in January

Day & night temperatures, rainfall and average weather in Ireland in January.

City Weather Day temp Night temp Rainfall
Dublin 9°C (48°F) 4°C (39°F) 71 mm (2.8 in)
Killarney 9°C (48°F) 3°C (37°F) 122 mm (4.8 in)
Galway 10°C (50°F) 4°C (39°F) 108 mm (4.3 in)
Cork 10°C (50°F) 5°C (41°F) 96 mm (3.8 in)
Doolin 10°C (50°F) 6°C (43°F) 158 mm (6.2 in)
Rosslare 10°C (50°F) 7°C (45°F) 98 mm (3.9 in)

Ireland weather in January: frequently asked questions

What is the weather like in Ireland in January?

January in Ireland brings poor weather. In Dublin, daytime temperatures are typically around 9°C (48°F) and nighttime lows hover near 4°C (39°F).

What is the average temperature in Ireland in January?

Daytime temperatures in Dublin peak at roughly 9°C (48°F) in January, dropping to about 4°C (39°F) overnight.

Does Ireland get a lot of rain in January?

Not particularly. Dublin averages just 71 mm (2.8 in) of rain in January, making it a mostly dry month for Ireland.

Is January a Good Time to Visit Ireland?

Given the typically poor weather conditions in Dublin, January may not be the ideal time to visit Ireland.

Generally speaking, July and August provide perfect weather in Dublin. On the other hand, the weather in January, February and December tend to be poor.

Interested in more climate information?

We have much more information about the climate in Ireland.

Weather and climate has detailed information for every country in the world. Are you going to Ireland? Get detailed historical weather averages for many cities in Ireland.

Not sure yet where to go? We now have a tool which recommends destinations that suit your ideal travel conditions. Find out where to go with our weather planner.

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Need travel inspiration? Check out our bucket list articles and be inspired.