The weather in Ireland in December is wintery.
We generally get cool, wet and windy weather throughout the month but, as we say in every guide that mentions the weather in Ireland, it can be very unpredictable.
The average temperature in Ireland in December see average highs of 10°C/50°F and average lows of 3°C/37°F.
Below, you’ll discover everything you know, from snow in December in Ireland to lots more.
Some quick need-to-knows about the weather in Ireland in December
OK, let’s get you up-to-speed nice and quickly. The points below will give you a quick insight into the weather in Ireland in December:
1. The season
January, February and December are the winter months in Ireland. This is the off-peak season from a tourist perspective, but keep in mind flight prices increase due to people flying home for New Years and Christmas in Ireland.
2. The weather in general
The weather in Ireland in December is cold, wet and wintery. Ireland doesn’t tend to get extreme weather events during December. It isn’t one of the best months to visit Ireland weather-wise.
3. Average temperatures
The average temperature in Ireland in December sees average highs of 10°C/50°F and average lows of 3°C/37°F.
4. Short days
You need to be careful when planning a trip to Ireland during this month as you’re dealing with very short days. At the beginning of the month, the sun rises at 08:22 and it sets at 16:19. You’ll need to take this into account if you’re including long hikes in your Ireland itinerary.
5. Christmas markets
We go into the various things to see and do in our guide to December in Ireland, but it’s the various Christmas markets in Ireland that steal the show (there’s plenty of other things to do in Ireland at this time of year, too!).
The average temperature in Ireland in December
The average temperature in Ireland in December sees average highs of 10°C/50°F and average lows of 3°C/37°F.
Now, do keep in mind that this can vary a bit each year, so I’ll stick in a table below comparing different years and different counties.
Please note that all of the Ireland in December weather data is via Met Eireann – the Irish Meteorological Service.
A comparison of December weather in Ireland in recent years
| County | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Dublin | 4.4°C/39.92°F | 6.5°C/43.7°F | 4.9°C/40.82°F |
| Galway | 3.4°C/38.12°F | 7.1°C/44.78°F | 5.0°C/41°F |
| Cork | 6.3°C/43.34°F | 8.9°C/48.02°F | 6.9°C/44.42°F |
| Kerry | 6.4°C/43.52°F | 9.1°C/48.38°F | 7.3°C/45.14°F |
The table above will give you a sense of the average temperature in Dublin in December, Galway, Cork and Kerry over the last few years.
As you can see, the average temperature in Ireland in December is fairly steady across the different years and in the various counties.
Rain and snow in Ireland in December
| County | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Dublin | 74.0 | 85.8 | 83.1 |
| Galway | 151.6 | 114.7 | 151.6 |
| Cork | 94.0 | 119.0 | 140.6 |
| Kerry | 169.8 | 187.9 | 244.2 |
We get asked ‘Does in snow in Ireland in December?’ a lot. The answer is sometimes, but usually just on elevated ground (see our guide on what to wear in Ireland in December).
In the table above, you’ll see the more common December weather in Ireland – rain! This chart shows the amount of rain that has fallen in millimetres.
Now, it’s also worth noting that certain parts of Ireland, usually the west coast, get more rainfall than the east coast. This can be seen in the figures in the table above.
The warmest place in Ireland in December
Photos via Shutterstock
If you use LTAs (Long Term Averages), the warmest places in Ireland in December are Kerry and Cork.
Met Eireann, the Irish Meteorological Service, provide LTAs that show Kerry (the Valentia weather station) has an average temperature of 7.8°C/46.04°F.
It shows that Cork (Sherkin weather station) has a Long Term Average temperature of 8°C/46.4°F.
Weather in Dublin in December
Photos via Shutterstock
The weather in Dublin in December tends to be fairly similar to the weather in many other parts of the country (flick back up to the tables above to compare).
For example, last year, in 2022, the average temperature in Dublin in December was 4.4°C/39.92°F
When we look at the rainy weather in Dublin in December last year, the capital recorded 74.0
Learn more about visiting the capital during this month in our guide to Dublin in December.
FAQs about the weather in Ireland in December
We’ve had a lot of questions over the years asking about everything from ‘Is December a good month for Ireland?’ 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.
Is Ireland cold in December?
Yes. The average temperature in Ireland in December sees average highs of 10°C/50°F and average lows of 3°C/37°F. Those from cool climates, however, should find it very manageable.
Where is the warmest place in Ireland in December?
Using LTAs (Long Term Averages) as provided by Met Eireann, the Irish Meteorological Service, we can see that Kerry (Valentia weather station) has an average temperature of 7.8°C/46.04°F while Cork (Sherkin weather station) has an average temperature of 8°C/46.4°F.
Will it snow at Christmas in Ireland?
Although snow at Christmas in Ireland is common on elevated grounds, it’s very rare that Ireland receives snowfall that sticks on lower ground.
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.