Ireland in January

Happy · Newbie

Ireland in January

Michele Erdvig · Host

Happy,

Welcome to the forum. January is not the best month to visit Ireland. Although Ireland generally has a pretty mild climate, the past few years have brought lots of snow, flooding, etc. Daylight hours will be short, many sightseeing venues will be closed, many B&Bs are closed for the season. The good news is the pubs are open and with long nights you can find a warm fire, a pint and maybe trad and craic at them.

If you can go a few months later in the year, it will be more conducive to a better trip. But if January is it, then plan accordingly. Let us know if we can help in any other way.

Michele

CowboyCraic · Guru

First off....Congratulations on 10 years of marriage!

As Michele says, January isn't your most optimal time to experience Ireland at her best. January would be more of a "Big" city visit. By that, I mean basing in Cork, Killarney, Dublin, Galway and Belfast, as there is always things to see in those towns. You stand a better chance of finding lodgings, hotels more so than B&Bs.

Your tourist attractions will be closed but the scenery is always open wink For your castle fix and as a special treat for your anniversary, you might check to see which Castle hotels are open in January. I believe Ashford Castle is open in late January, as is Dromoland.

tony2phones · Guru

The past couple of years have been decent enough weather here in the west for January there has been bad weather in the lead up to Christmas but last year was no problem at all. Irish Heritage and the like close places in their trust Nov-March as it is too expensive to keep some open or gives then chance to do some remedial work.

How long are you planning to be on the ground over here, have you considered open Jaw SNN-DUB. will you be hiring a car?

I also offer congratulations.

Green Dragon · Guru

As Bit said, the scenery is always open - and green, even in January, in most places! The pubs are warm and friendly, the pints and craic are strong. I would suggest finding a couple places to base yourself and content yourself with short day trips. The days will be very short, and the weather may be overcast and a bit dim besides. The sun rises around 9am, and sets around 4:30pm, so that's really only about 7.5 hours of daylight for sightseeing. While many castles may be closed to tourists, most ruins are open for exploration - just be careful of ice! Also, be sure to dress appropriately, for wind, rain and snow. Sometimes all at once.

You didn't say how long you were going to stay? That may determine how many bases you do. Hiking is lovely anywhere, but I loved the areas of the west coast. The southern west coast will likely be the mildest weather, as it's the point the Gulf Stream hits.

Melissa5 · Guru

Dear Happy: Personally I would avoid visiting Ireland in January due to the weather. A lot of the charm of Ireland is outdoors in the wide open spaces. Our 2 visits were June and September. June was wonderful and September was miserable due to unseasonably cold and rainy weather. We literally were reduced to trying to take walks in a cold freezing rain with poor visibility. NOT fun. Once it was so windy down on the Beara peninsula our car was rocking in the wind and my husband almost blew away, seriously! (The tail end of a storm.) Personally I would avoid Ireland in January unless you would be happy focusing on Dublin for example...

Happy anniversary!