Dublin in December: a seasonal travel plan
Dublin, Ireland. In december, the average daytime high is 8.9 °C and the night-time low is 5.6 °C. Plan longer walks for the middle of the day and alternate them with indoor stops.
Choose a month
Selected month: December
Temperatures by month
Air temperature: Dublin
Contents
Weather at a glance
- Daytime high
- 8.9 °C
- Nighttime low
- 5.6 °C
- Monthly precipitation
- 124.6 mm
- Days with at least 1 mm
- 20.1
- Daylight
- 7.6 h
2015–2024 averages. Daytime temperature is the average daily maximum; nighttime temperature is the average daily minimum.
Early, middle and late month
| Period | Daytime high, °C | Nighttime low, °C | Days with at least 1 mm |
|---|---|---|---|
| Days 1–10 | 8.7 | 5.3 | 6.8 |
| Days 11–20 | 8.7 | 5.6 | 6.2 |
| From day 21 | 9.2 | 5.9 | 7.1 |
What this month is like
Dublin, Ireland. In december, the average daytime high is 8.9 °C and the night-time low is 5.6 °C. Plan longer walks for the middle of the day and alternate them with indoor stops.
There are 20.1 wet days on average, with about 124.6 mm of precipitation. Keep an indoor backup route and a compact rain jacket in your day bag.
How to plan the day
Plan longer walks for the middle of the day and alternate them with indoor stops.
Average daylight is 7.6 hours, so put longer routes in the brighter part of the day.
What to pack
Pack a warm coat, several layers, a hat and non-slip shoes. Keep an indoor backup route and a compact rain jacket in your day bag.
Precipitation and an alternative plan
Precipitation is frequent. Keep several indoor activities in your plans and fit longer walks between them.
What to pack
A warm coat, closed shoes, a scarf and several clothing layers will be useful. Add a waterproof outer layer and shoes that dry quickly.
Compared with neighbouring months
Average daytime high: previous month — 10.4 °C, December — 8.9 °C, next month — 7.6 °C. Days with at least 1 mm of precipitation: 17.9, 20.1 and 15.4.
Things to do
Dublin sits on the Liffey, and its centre divides in two: the north with broad O'Connell Street, the south with Trinity College, Grafton Street and the cathedrals. Everything central fits into a half-hour walk, while the bay offers coastal paths once the city ends.
Trinity College and the Book of Kells
The Book of Kells is displayed in the Trinity College library, and the Long Room itself, lined with dark oak, is one of the country's best-known interiors. Go early, before tour groups fill the courtyard.
Guinness and the Liberties
The Guinness Storehouse explains how stout is brewed, and the glass walls of the Gravity Bar on the top floor look over the city. Afterwards walk down to the Liberties and St Patrick's Cathedral.
Kilmainham and Phoenix Park
Kilmainham Gaol keeps the cells where leaders of the 1916 rising were held. From there it is a short walk to Phoenix Park, home to a deer herd and the Wellington Monument.
Where to stay
Temple Bar
Temple Bar is the busiest quarter, full of pubs and street musicians, and it is loud and expensive. People stay here for the evenings, so for sleep pick a side street away from the main bars.
South Georgian Quarter
The streets around Merrion Square and Baggot Street suit anyone who wants Georgian facades, galleries and restaurants in quiet. Trinity is ten minutes on foot and St Stephen's Green is next door.
The Docklands
The Docklands, with its offices, bridges and the Camden Quay waterfront, looks nothing like the old city. Evenings are quiet and a short stay works well, though the central pubs are a twenty-minute walk.
Getting there and around
Aircoach and Dublin Express buses run from Dublin Airport to the centre, as do taxis, and the trip takes about half an hour. In the city two Luas tram lines cross the centre, while DART commuter trains follow the coast to Howth and Bray. The centre is compact, and most sights are linked by walking routes on both banks of the Liffey.
Three days in Dublin
Trinity, castle and cathedrals
Start at Trinity College and see the Book of Kells, then walk to Dublin Castle and St Patrick's Cathedral. Street musicians play on Grafton Street, and Temple Bar is close for the evening.
The Liberties and Guinness
See Kilmainham Gaol in the morning and go up the Guinness Storehouse at midday. After the tasting, follow the Liffey quays to the Ha'penny Bridge and finish in the Liberties around Francis Street.
Howth and the bay
Take the DART to Howth and walk the cliff path towards the lighthouse, with fish lunch in the harbour. Return to the city for the evening and finish in a pub on Merrion Row.
Weather throughout the year
| Month | Daytime high, °C | Nighttime low, °C | Precipitation, mm | Days with at least 1 mm | Daylight, h |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| January | 7.6 | 4.1 | 84.4 | 15.4 | 8.1 |
| February | 8.2 | 4.2 | 83.9 | 15.7 | 9.8 |
| March | 9.1 | 4.4 | 88.8 | 16.7 | 11.8 |
| April | 10.9 | 5.8 | 62.3 | 13.0 | 14.0 |
| May | 14.1 | 8.4 | 61.9 | 12.1 | 15.9 |
| June | 16.6 | 10.9 | 67.9 | 14.5 | 16.9 |
| July | 18.1 | 12.4 | 87.2 | 16.3 | 16.4 |
| August | 18.0 | 12.5 | 109.5 | 16.9 | 14.8 |
| September | 16.3 | 11.1 | 96.7 | 14.5 | 12.7 |
| October | 13.6 | 9.3 | 98.2 | 16.3 | 10.6 |
| November | 10.4 | 6.9 | 103.2 | 17.9 | 8.7 |
| December | 8.9 | 5.6 | 124.6 | 20.1 | 7.6 |
Frequently asked questions
Dublin: what is the temperature in December?
The average daytime high is 8.9 °C and the night-time low is 5.6 °C. Plan longer walks for the middle of the day and indoor activities for mornings and evenings.
How many days with precipitation are there in December?
On average, there are 20.1 days with at least 1 mm of precipitation; the monthly total is 124.6 mm. Precipitation is frequent. Keep several indoor activities in your plans and fit longer walks between them.
What should I pack for walks in December?
A warm coat, closed shoes, a scarf and several clothing layers will be useful. Add a waterproof outer layer and shoes that dry quickly.
How does the weather change from the start to the end of the month?
Average daytime highs by part of the month: 1–10 — 8.7 °C; 11–20 — 8.7 °C; 21 to month-end — 9.2 °C.
How many daylight hours are there in December?
The average is 7.6 hours. Daylight is limited. Set aside time for views and photographs before dusk.
Is Dublin worth visiting in December?
The climate suits a trip if daytime temperatures around 8.9 °C and nights around 5.6 °C work for you. Plan longer walks for the middle of the day and alternate them with indoor stops.
What can I do in Dublin on a wet day in December?
Keep an indoor backup route and a compact rain jacket in your day bag. Keep a museum, market, café or another indoor route near your accommodation.
What should I pack for Dublin in December?
Pack a warm coat, several layers, a hat and non-slip shoes. Average daylight is 7.6 hours.