Visiting Ireland in February: Weather + Pros/Cons

Visiting Ireland in February has its pros and cons (after 35 years of living here, I can say that with confidence!).

On the plus side, it’s one of the best months to visit Ireland if you’re looking to keep costs down, with flights and hotels cheaper than peak season.

On the minus side, the weather in Ireland in February can be very wintery, with average highs of 8°C/46.4°F and average lows of 2°C/35.6°F.

What to expect from Ireland in February

For many, the often all-over-the-place weather in Ireland in February puts people off visiting during this month.

1. The weather in Ireland in February

The weather in Ireland in February is typically cool and wet with an average temperature of 5.6°C/42.1°F. The average long term rainfall is approximately 66.5 mm.

2. Average temperatures

The average temperature in Ireland in February is 5.6°C/42.1°F, with average highs of 8°C/46.4°F and average lows of 2°C/35.6°F.

3. Limited daylight hours

One of the big disadvantages of spending February in Ireland is the shorter days. The sun rises at 07:40 and sets at 17:37. If you’re following an itinerary from my Irish road trip library, keep the reduced daylight hours in mind.

4. February is the off-season

February is the off-season in Ireland, which means many of the attractions in Ireland 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. Belfast TradFest and the Dublin International Film Festival are two of the most notable. There’s plenty of other things to do in Ireland in February, as you’ll discover below.

The advantages and disadvantages of February in Ireland

One of the most frequently asked questions that I 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 Ireland 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 Ireland in February, having spent 33 Februarys here…

The advantages

• Prices: If you’re on a budget, the cost of a trip to Ireland is lower in February
• Flights: According to numerous online resources, February is one of the cheapest times to fly to Ireland
• Hotels: Accommodation tends to be cheaper, as there’s less demand from foreign and domestic tourists
• Crowds: Ireland’s usually busy attractions will be much less crowded (the likes of the Guinness Storehouse and the Giants Causeway will always draw the crowds, though)

The disadvantages

• Time: The days are shorter. At the start of February in Ireland, the sun rises at 07:40 and sets at 17:37
• Weather: As it’s still winter, the weather in Ireland in February can be a very mixed bag, with stormy weather common
• Closed attractions: 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 Ireland in February in different parts of the country

The weather in Ireland in February can vary a lot. Below, I’ll provide you with an insight into the weather in Kerry, Belfast, Galway and Dublin in February.

Note: The rainfall figures and the average temperatures have been taken from the Irish Meteorological Service and the UK Met Office to ensure accuracy:

Dublin

The weather in Dublin in February tends to be less wet than other parts of the island. The long-term average temperature in Dublin in February is 5.3°C/41.54°F. The long-term average rainfall levels for Dublin in February is 48.8 millimetres.

Belfast

The weather in Belfast in February is similar to Dublin temperature wise, but Belfast historically gets more rain. The average temperature in Belfast in February is 5.2°C /41.36°F. Average rainfall levels sit at 70.26 millimetres.

Galway

The weather in the west of Ireland in February tends to be wet and wintery. The long-term average temperature in Galway in February is 5.6°C/42.08°F. The long-term average rainfall level for Galway in February is 87.8 millimetres.

Kerry

The weather in Kerry in February tends to be very wet and wild. The long-term average temperature in Kerry in February is 7.2°C/44.96°F. The long-term average rainfall level for Kerry in February is 123.7 millimetres.

Things to do in Ireland in February

Although it’s still off-season, there’s still endless things to do in Ireland in February.

While some attractions in the more off-the-beaten-track towns may be closed, most remain open.

If you’re in search of things to do in Ireland in February, hop into my counties in Ireland section – it’s packed with the best places to visit in every county! Here are a handful of suggestions to get you started!

1. Try one of my February road trip itineraries

With shorter daylight hours, it’s worth spending time planning out your Ireland itinerary in advance.

If you don’t want the hassle, I’ve done all the hard work for you by publishing the world’s largest library of Irish road trip itineraries.

My 5 days in Ireland and my 7 days in Ireland guides tend to be the most popular!

2. Have back-up plans ready just in case

One of the better travel tips for Ireland is to have back-up plans.

It’s worth having a handful of indoor attractions ready-to-go, so you’ve somewhere interesting to drop into if it does start raining, as often happens during winter in Ireland.

If you hop into my counties of Ireland hub, you’ll find guides to each county. Each section is bursting with a mix of indoor and outdoor attractions.

3. Spend dry days exploring on foot

Hikes and walks are some of the more popular things to do in Ireland in February, as the days are now considerably longer than January, which allows for early and lateish hikes/walks.

There are endless walks in Ireland, with something to suit every fitness level.

Find walks in the county you’re visiting right here.

4. And wet and wild nights in a cosy pub

There are few things that I enjoy as much as a wet winters evening whittled away in a decent cosy pub.

Luckily, there are heaps of pubs in Ireland to choose from.

However, not all are equal. When you can, try and opt for the more traditional pubs, as these tend to have the most character.

5. Visiting Dublin in February

Although I’ve a handy guide dedicated to Dublin in February, I’ll give you the main points here.

There’s countless things to do in Dublin in February. If the weather’s good, head off on one of the many walks in Dublin.

If the weathers crap, there’s plenty of things to do in Dublin in February when it’s raining, from castles and great food to museums and more.

See my 2 days in Dublin and 24 hours in Dublin guides for an easy-to-follow itinerary.

What to wear in Ireland in February

So, I’ve a handy guide on what to wear in Ireland in February, but I’ll give you the quick need-to-knows below.

Your best bet?! Pack for the things you’ll be doing.

If you’re here on a city break and looking to visit fancy restaurants, you’ll want to bring some formal wear.

If you’re planning on nipping into pubs and regular restaurants, you can pack casual gear, like jeans or pants and shirts and t-shirts or a jumper. Ireland is pretty casual.

If you’re visiting and planning on hiking and walking, bring your outdoor gear and dress for the weather.

Here’s a rough guide of what to pack for Ireland in February:

• A waterproof jacket
• Hiking boots (or shoes) if you’re planning an active trip
• An umbrella (you can pick one up when you arrive)
• Waterproof trousers/pants if you’re planning outdoor excursions
• A hat, scarf, and gloves
• Plenty of warm socks

Thinking about visiting during a different month?

Picking when to visit Ireland isn’t easy, and there’s an awful lot to consider, so it’s well worth spending some time comparing what it’s like in Ireland during the other months, when you have a second:

• Ireland in January
• Ireland in March
• Ireland in April
• Ireland in May
• Ireland in June
• Ireland in July
• Ireland in August
• Ireland in September
• Ireland in October
• Ireland in November
• Ireland in December

FAQs about spending February in Ireland

I’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, I’ve popped in the most FAQs. If you have a question that I haven’t tackled, ask away in the comments section below.