Visiting Dublin in February has its pros and cons (and I’m saying that based on 33 years of living here!).
The weather in Dublin in February is usually (not always!) cold and wet.
The LTA (Long Term Average) temperature in Dublin in February is 5.3°C/41.54°F with rainfall of 48.8mm
In the guide below, you’ll find information on the weather, festivals, what to pack and things to do in Dublin in February.
Some quick info before visiting Dublin in February
For many, the often all-over-the-place weather in Ireland in February puts people off visiting during this month.
However, the quick bullet-points below will give you a sense of whether this month is or isn’t for you nice and quickly:
1. The weather is unpredictable
The weather in Dublin in February tends to be wet and cold. February is winter in Ireland and the days can be chilly, wet, and blustery.
2. Average temperatures
The Long Term average temperature in Dublin in February sits at 5.3°C/41.54°F (see our guide to the best time to visit Dublin to compare the months).
3. Limited daylight hours
One of the big disadvantages of spending February in Dublin is the shorter days. The sun rises at 07:40 and sets at 17:37. If you’re following an itinerary from our Irish road trip library, keep the reduced daylight hours in mind.
4. February is the off-season
February is the off-season in Dublin, which means many of the attractions in Dublin will be much less crowded. You’ll also get better value on flights and hotels, which will suit those of you doing Ireland on a budget.
5. Festivals and events
There are a handful of festivals in Ireland taking place in February. The Dublin International Film Festival is the most notable. There’s plenty of other things to do in Dublin in February, as you’ll discover below.
Fast facts: The pros and cons of February in Dublin
One of the most frequently asked questions that we receive from people planning a trip to Ireland tends to revolve around the advantages and disadvantages in X, Y or Z month.
For many, when you travel to Dublin will likely play a big part in the overall success of your trip. Below, you’ll find what I think are the pros and cons of visiting Dublin in February, having spent 34 Februarys here…
The advantages
- Prices: If you’re visiting Ireland on a budget, February tends to be easier on the bank account
- Flights: According to numerous online resources, February is one of the cheapest times to fly to Dublin
- Hotels: Hotels in Dublin tend to be cheaper, as there’s less demand from foreign and domestic tourists
- Crowds: Dublin’s usually busy attractions will be much less crowded (the likes of the Guinness Storehouse will always draw the crowds, though)
The disadvantages
- Time: The days are shorter. At the start of February in Dublin, the sun rises at 07:40 and sets at 17:37
- Weather: As it’s still winter, the weather in Dublin in February can be a very mixed bag, with stormy weather common
- Closed attractions outside of the city: Some seasonal attractions in Ireland may still be closed during February
- Events + festivals: February is another quiet one for festivals in Ireland, with very few taking place
The weather in Dublin in February in different parts of the country
The average temperature in Dublin in February is generally cool, as you’ll notice in the graphic above.
It is important to note that these temperature ranges can vary considerably from year to year.
Below, you’ll find a comparative analysis of recent years that uses data from various weather stations.
Please note that all of the Dublin in February weather data is via Met Eireann – the Irish Meteorological Service.
A comparison of February weather in Dublin in recent years
County | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 |
---|---|---|---|
Dublin | 6.7°C/44.06°F | 6.2°C/43.16°F | 5.8°C/42.44°F |
Galway | 7.0°C/44.6°F | 6.2°C/43.16°F | 5.8°C/43.25°F |
Cork | 8.2°C/46.76°F | 6.9°C/44.42°F | 7.2°C/44.96°F |
Kerry | 8.6°C/47.48°F | 7.7°C/45.86°F | 7.6°C/45.68°F |
The table above offers a look into the average temperature in Dublin in February along with Galway, Cork, and Kerry over the past few years.
As you can see, the average temperature in Dublin in February remains relatively consistent across different years and in various counties.
Rain in Dublin in February
County | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 |
---|---|---|---|
Dublin | 88.5 | 55.0 | 130.4 |
Galway | 143.1 | 113.4 | 248.5 |
Cork | 90.0 | 157.6 | 143.5 |
Kerry | 145.6 | 228.2 | 237.6 |
We get asked ‘Does in rain in Dublin in February?’ quite a bit. The answer is yes, yes it does (see our guide on what to wear in Ireland in February).
If you look at the table above, you’ll see that the counties on the west coast get an awful lot more rain than those on the east coast.
Things to do in Dublin in February
Although it’s still off-season, there’s still endless things to do in Dublin in February, from the many great restaurants in Dublin to hikes, walks, castles and more.
Below, you’ll find the likes of the Jameson Distillery, itineraries you can use and pub recommendations.
1. Have a good itinerary mapped out
The worst thing you can do if you’re spending February in Dublin is to arrive with no clear itinerary.
If you do, the chances are you’ll just waste time while you’re here and (hopefully not) whittle away all of your time in Temple Bar.
We’ve several ready-made options for those of you looking for things to do in Dublin in February, with itineraries ranging from 1 to 5 days:
- 1 day in Dublin
- 2 days in Dublin
- 3 days in Dublin
- 4 days in Dublin
- 5 days in Dublin
2. The key attractions
Although we have the ‘main’ things to do in Dublin in February in the itineraries above, here are a few suggestions.
For some of these attractions, like the Storehouse, it’s worth having your ticket booked in advance:
- The Guinness Storehouse
- Trinity College
- Christ Church Cathedral
- St. Patrick’s Cathedral
- The GPO
- Dublin Castle
3. Walks and hikes
One of the more popular things to do in Dublin in February is to walk/hike (many of us are still on the back of an indulgent Christmas, after all…).
There are plenty of walks in Dublin, with something to suit every level of fitness. Here are some of the most popular ones:
- The Howth Cliff Walk
- The Poolbeg Lighthouse Walk
- The Killiney Hill Walk
- The Hellfire Club Walk
- The Ticknock Walk
4. Cosy pubs
There are some mighty pubs in Dublin that you can tuck yourself away in on a cold winters evening.
If you’re looking to see some of the oldest pubs in Dublin, head to the likes of the Brazen Head or the Stag’s Head.
If you want to dodge the touristy pubs in Temple Bar, there’s some great pubs with live music in Dublin, like the Cobblestone.
Or, if you’re looking for a fine pint of the black stuff, see our guide to the best Guinness in Dublin.
What to wear in Dublin in February
So, we’ve a handy guide on what to wear in Dublin in February, but we’ll give you the quick need-to-knows below.
If you’re visiting Dublin in February, there’s two key bits of advice when it comes to packing – you need to pack smartly and layers are your friend.
The beauty with packing layers is that if you get too hot, happy days – you can strip off a layer. Too cold – bang it back on.
Now, keep in mind that what you bring will depend on the kind of activities that you plan on doing while you’re here. If you’re an avid hiker, you’ll be bringing a different set of gear altogether
Here’s a rough guide of what to pack for the weather in Dublin in February:
- Sweaters
- A good jacket that’ll keep you warm
- Jeans, fleece-lined leggings and hoodies, plus a good coat (waterproof if possible).
- Lots of socks
- Gloves, woolly hats, and some comfortable walking boots/runners
Are you considering visiting during a different month?
Deciding when to visit Dublin is tough – and anyone that tells you otherwise is talking out of their hole (Irish slang for they’re full of sh…)!
It’s worth taking a bit of time to compare what it’s like here during the other months, as when you visit affects everything from your experience to the cost of a trip to Ireland:
- Dublin in January
- Dublin in March
- Dublin in April
- Dublin in May
- Dublin in June
- Dublin in July
- Dublin in August
- Dublin in September
- Dublin in October
- Dublin in November
- Dublin in December
FAQs about spending February in Dublin
We’ve had a lot of questions over the years asking about everything from ‘What are the best things to do in Dublin in February?’ to ‘Does it snow?’.
In the section below, we’ve popped in the most FAQs that we’ve received. If you have a question that we haven’t tackled, ask away in the comments section below.
What can you expect from the weather in Dublin in February?
The weather in Dublin in February is generally cold, wet and wintery. Dublin has a LTA (Long Term Average) temperature of 5.3°C/41.54°F for February with rainfall of 48.8mm.
Are there many things to do in Dublin in February?
Although the days are still relatively short (the sun rises at 07:40 and sets at 17:37) there are plenty of things to do in Dublin in February, from the city’s main attractions, like Trinity College, to walks and hikes, like the Howth Cliff Walk.
What is the average temperature in Dublin in February?
The LTA (Long Term Average) temperature in Dublin in February is 5.3°C/41.54°F with rainfall of 48.8mm.
Keith O’Hara has lived in Ireland for 35 years and has spent most of the last 10 creating what is now The Irish Road Trip guide. Over the years, the website has published thousands of meticulously researched Ireland travel guides, welcoming 30 million+ visitors along the way. In 2022, the Irish Road Trip team published the world’s largest collection of Irish Road Trip itineraries. Keith lives in Dublin with his dog Toby and finds writing in the 3rd person minus craic altogether.