Why You Should Visit Dublin in January
Should you visit Dublin in January?
Yes! Dublin is a terrific city to visit any time of the year and January is one of my favorite months to explore the ‘Fair City' as prices are lower, crowds are fewer, and, if you time your trip right, you can enjoy one of the largest traditional Irish music festivals in Ireland.
This article is also available as a podcast. To listen please scroll to the player at the bottom of the page.
Why Visit Dublin in January
Do you want to join the craic? I'll dig into what you can expect from Temple Bar TradFest, tips for exploring Dublin, my favorite Dublin tours, easy day trips from Dublin that you might want to consider, and I will finish with why Dublin- and Ireland- are terrific January getaways.
Where to stay in Dublin in January
Dublin has hundreds of hotels with options to suit everyone. You'll find boutique luxury, Georgian splendor, modern simplicity, and even some cozy B&Bs.
A few of my favorite Dublin hotels include
The Morgan Hotel is a luxury boutique property located in the heart of Temple Bar, steps away from the lively pubs and a short walk to many of the city's attractions. Rooms at The Morgan are spacious and modern, with pops of color and whimsy.
The Castle Hotel is a charming Georgian hotel in Dublin city centre, but outside the boundary of Temple Bar. The hotel is created from a row of Georgian townhomes and still retains the grand staircases, marble fireplaces, and magnificent chandeliers.
Trinity City Hotel is a boutique property that offers both classic Georgian suites and modern rooms. Located a short walk from Temple Bar and just across from Trinity College, this is a fabulous option if you want to be close to the city centre but not right ‘on top of' Temple Bar.
Buswell's Hotel is another wonderful series of Georgian townhomes that have been converted into a hotel. Conveniently located steps from the National Museum of Archaeology and a couple blocks from both Grafton Street and St. Stephen's Green, this location can't be beat.
The map below has more Dublin accommodations for your trip.
Temple Bar TradFest
Temple Bar TradFest is Ireland's largest festival of traditional music – 5 nights of live performances in the heart of Dublin. January 24-28, 2024
All the tips to plan your trip to Temple Bar TradFest
About some of the TradFest venues– podcast
Learn more about Temple Bar in Dublin – podcast
What to Do in Dublin Beyond TradFest
Dublin is an incredible city and you won't lack for things to do!
Dublin is very walk-able and it is often faster to get from point to point on foot than to wait for a bus or hire a taxi. More tips on how to get around in Dublin.
Dublin's top visitor experiences: Guinness Storehouse, Book of Kells, EPIC Irish Emigration Museum, Kilmainham Gaol, Temple Bar, and Grafton Street.
My tip: buy the Dublin Pass to save time and money!
My favorite tours in Dublin: Musical History Tour with Fiona Dalton (listen to the podcast), Vintage Tea Trips (listen to the podcast), Irish Food Trail for tasty food and whiskey tours.
Day Trips from Dublin
No car required!
Even though days are short you can still get in a great day trips from Dublin in January!
Glendalough, Malahide, Kilkenny, Galway, and Belfast (listen to this podcast for more information)
Why don't I recommend visiting the Cliffs of Moher as a day trip from Dublin?
Quite simply… it's just too far and the days in January are short. There are much better ways to spend your day than on a 10+ hour bus tour across the country.
Visiting Ireland in January – Handy Tips
It's not as cold as you think it might be! Learn what clothes to pack for your Ireland vacation.
Flights and accommodations cost less. Tips for finding flights to Ireland.
The crowds are smaller!
Tips for visiting Ireland in January
Traveling in Ireland Podcast Episode 168
Podcast: Play in new window | Download
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