Europe

Ireland in January

The emptiest, cheapest Ireland of the year. City-and-pub weather; rural sights run winter hours.

Quiet valueCold and damp, highs near 46F (8C), dark by 4:30pm

Cliffs of Moher, Ireland — IrelandPhoto: Berthold Werner, CC BY-SA 4.0

The straight answer

January is a quiet, good-value month to visit Ireland. The emptiest, cheapest Ireland of the year. City-and-pub weather; rural sights run winter hours.

Weather: Cold and damp, highs near 46F (8C), dark by 4:30pm
Crowds: 1 of 5
Prices: 1 of 5

What January is like in Ireland

January is the emptiest and cheapest Ireland of the year. Expect cold, damp days with highs near 46F (8C) and darkness by about 4:30pm. Dublin's museums and pubs run at full strength, but many rural sights keep short winter hours and some west coast B&Bs and seasonal restaurants are closed until spring.

It suits city breaks, pub lovers and budget travelers who are happy with Dublin, Galway or Belfast as a base. It is a poor month for a big scenic road trip around Kerry or Connemara. For that, aim for May or September.

Make the most of January

What is especially good about Ireland this month.

Dublin's museums to yourself

The National Museum's gold and bog bodies and the National Gallery are free and quiet. Trinity's Book of Kells has no summer queue.

Pub season

A fire in the grate and live traditional music on a wet night is Ireland at its most welcoming, and January pubs are full of locals, not tour groups.

Lowest prices of the year

Flights and hotels bottom out after New Year, so a Dublin city break costs far less than in summer.

What to pack for January

A warm, fully waterproof coat with a hood
Waterproof walking shoes or boots
A wool hat, gloves and scarf
Layers for warm pubs and chilly streets

Our timing tip

If you venture west, base yourself in a town big enough to stay open in winter, like Westport, Dingle or Kenmare, and call ahead to confirm hours.

Book Ireland for January.

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Hotels. Expedia
Hotels in Ireland
Opens a hotel search for Ireland in January, dates filled in. Book early for the best months: the good rooms go first.
Hotels for January
Vacation rentals. Vrbo
Vacation rentals in Ireland
Whole homes, condos and villas. Usually the better deal for families and groups, with a kitchen and room to spread out.
Rentals on Vrbo
Tours and tickets. Expedia
Tours and tickets in Ireland
Timed-entry tickets, day trips and guided tours in Ireland for January. Popular slots sell out in the best months.
Tours and tickets

Things to do in Ireland

Full guide

Cliffs of Moher

Arrive before 10am or after 5pm in season; midday belongs to the coach tours. The cliff walk toward Hags Head escapes most of the crowd.

Tickets and tours →

Ring of Kerry

Drive it counterclockwise like the buses do to avoid meeting them head-on on narrow roads, and start early. Killarney National Park anchors the loop.

Tickets and tours →

Dublin's museum quarter

The National Museum's gold and bog bodies, Trinity's Book of Kells, and the National Gallery, all walkable. Book Kells tickets ahead in summer.

Official site ↗Tickets and tours →

Galway and Connemara

Galway is the base; Connemara's bog-and-mountain emptiness is the point. Kylemore Abbey is the postcard stop.

Tickets and tours →

Newgrange (Bru na Boinne)

A 5,000-year-old passage tomb north of Dublin. Access is by guided tour from the visitor centre and slots cap out in summer, so book ahead.

Official site ↗Tickets and tours →

Dingle Peninsula

Many travelers' favorite corner of Ireland: the Slea Head loop, beehive huts, and a working fishing town full of music.

Official site ↗Tickets and tours →

Beat the crowds

Do the Cliffs of Moher and the Ring of Kerry before 10am; the coach-tour wave runs roughly 10:30am to 4pm and then vanishes.
Base yourself in Dingle or Kenmare instead of Killarney in summer: same scenery, calmer evenings, better tables without a booking.
Book Newgrange, Kilmainham Gaol, and the Book of Kells online well ahead in June through August; all three cap daily numbers and sell out.
Take the Ring of Beara or the Sky Road in Connemara when the Ring of Kerry is heaving; they are just as good and carry a fraction of the traffic.

Know before you go

Skellig Michael landings run only from roughly mid May to late September, and even in season boats cancel frequently for swell. Book early and build in a spare day.
Many rural and heritage attractions run reduced winter hours from roughly November through mid March, and some smaller sites close entirely; city museums and castles stay open year-round.
Good Friday and Christmas (December 24 to 26) close most attractions, and almost everything shuts on Christmas Day itself, including most pubs.
St. Patrick's Day is a national holiday: the party is on but banks, shops, and some sights close, and Dublin accommodation sells out months out.

Ireland in January, quick answers

Is January a good time to visit Ireland?

January is a quiet, good-value month to visit Ireland. The emptiest, cheapest Ireland of the year. City-and-pub weather; rural sights run winter hours.

What is the weather like in Ireland in January?

Cold and damp, highs near 46F (8C), dark by 4:30pm.

Is Ireland crowded in January?

January is one of the quieter months in Ireland; most sights can be done without long waits.