Ireland in December
December weather, activities, events & insider tips
December Weather in Ireland
Is December Right for You?
Advantages
- Christmas markets and festive atmosphere peak from December 8-23, with genuine local charm rather than tourist fabrications
- Indoor attractions are uncrowded and atmospheric - museums, castles, and pubs have that authentic winter coziness locals treasure
- Hotel prices drop 40-60% compared to summer, with luxury properties offering December packages including breakfast and late checkout
- Winter solstice at Newgrange (December 21) creates lottery-level exclusivity - only 50 people witness the 5,200-year-old light phenomenon
Considerations
- Daylight lasts only 7.5 hours (sunrise 8:30am, sunset 4:00pm) severely limiting outdoor sightseeing time
- Atlantic storms bring sudden weather changes - 80 km/h (50 mph) winds can close coastal attractions with 2-hour notice
- Many rural attractions and coastal tours shut down completely from December 15-January 15, particularly in Kerry and Donegal
Best Activities in December
Dublin Literary Pub Crawls and Indoor Cultural Tours
December transforms Dublin's pubs into cozy refuges from the cold. Literary pub crawls combine Ireland's greatest export - storytelling - with warmth and whiskey. The short daylight hours make 4pm pub visits socially acceptable, and locals share tables more readily in winter. Trinity College's Book of Kells and Banjul become atmospheric retreats when rain hammers the windows.
Ring of Kerry Winter Photography Tours
December's dramatic weather creates the most photogenic conditions - moody clouds, powerful waves, and golden hour light that lasts for hours due to low sun angles. Tourist buses disappear, leaving you alone with landscapes that look like movie sets. The rough Atlantic creates spectacular wave crashes at Dingle Peninsula viewpoints.
Guinness Storehouse and Whiskey Distillery Experiences
December is peak season for Ireland's indoor alcohol tourism. Heated venues, festive tastings, and the cultural ritual of warming up with a proper pint become essential rather than optional. Jameson Distillery and Teeling Whiskey offer December-only Christmas whiskey tastings that locals actually attend.
Cliffs of Moher Winter Storm Watching
December storms create 30-meter (98-foot) waves crashing against 200-meter (656-foot) cliffs - a natural spectacle that draws Irish photographers and storm chasers. The visitor center provides heated viewing areas and professional storm tracking information. Winter light creates dramatic photographs impossible in summer.
Traditional Irish Music Sessions in Rural Pubs
December music sessions (seisiúns) happen in authentic local pubs rather than tourist venues. Musicians gather for warmth and community during Ireland's darkest month. County Clare and Kerry pubs host spontaneous sessions where locals play traditional airs and reels by turf fires. These aren't performances - they're cultural participation.
Giant's Causeway Winter Photography and Coastal Walks
December's low sun angle creates perfect lighting for the basalt columns, and winter storms generate dramatic seascapes impossible in calm summer months. The hexagonal stones become slippery and dangerous, but the viewing areas remain accessible. Nearby Dunluce Castle looks particularly atmospheric against December's grey skies.
December Events & Festivals
Newgrange Winter Solstice Illumination
On December 21st, sunlight penetrates the 5,200-year-old passage tomb for exactly 17 minutes, illuminating the burial chamber. Only 50 people per year witness this inside - tickets are allocated by lottery in October. Thousands gather outside for the live stream and community celebration.
Christmas Markets in Dublin and Cork
Dublin's Winter Festival transforms city center squares with German-style Christmas markets, ice skating, and mulled wine stalls. Cork's English Market adds Christmas specialties and local artisan gifts. These markets serve locals doing actual Christmas shopping, not just tourists.
St. Stephen's Day Races at Leopardstown
December 26th horse racing is Ireland's most attended sporting event after All-Ireland Finals. Families dress up, drink champagne, and bet on horses - it's Christmas tradition disguised as sport. The social atmosphere matters more than horse racing knowledge.