10 Things to Do in Dublin in January

Dublin always has plenty to see and do. If you plan to travel there at the beginning of the year, you should know that the low season has its advantages. With fewer tourists, you can enjoy the city's attractions and the charm of its historic centre without the crowds. It's worth it!

Of course, you should be prepared for the cold and rain. In this post I'll tell you everything you need to know to avoid unforeseen events and enjoy the opportunities Dublin has to offer in January. Read on! There's music, exhibitions, light shows and city tours.

Whenever you're in Dublin, a stop at the Guinness Store house is a visit not to be missed. The great thing about visiting the Guinness Storehouse in January is that it can give you a break if your trip coincides with cold weather, as there's no better place to take shelter from the weather.

Plus, you won't have to be surrounded by crowds of tourists and can relax and enjoy one of Dublin's most famous sights.

It's seven floors of history of Ireland's most famous beer where you can see the contract of the brewery's founder, Arthur Guinness, and learn about the fermentation process. Finally, you can enjoy a pint of Guinness in the Gravity Bar, the top floor of the brewery, which offers a unique view of the city.

Interesting facts

• Where: St. James's Gate, Dublin 8.
• When: You can visit all year round, but January is perfect for a chilly day and you can enjoy the low season.
• Price: from £30.
• Do you have to book: Yes, I recommend it.

The National Gallery has around thirty watercolours by William Turner in its collection. These works of art were donated to the museum on the condition that they would only be on public display during the month of January, to protect them from excessive light that could damage them.

Although today we have the technology to prevent such wear and tear, the Gallery has maintained the tradition of only showing these works to the public during the month of January. And it always accompanies the occasion with a series of talks and events, or an exhibition of another artist influenced by Turner.

Before you buy your ticket, I advise you to check the Dublin Pass to see if the card includes a visit to the National Gallery as well as other tourist attractions. This way, you can save a lot of money on your visit.

Useful facts

• Where: at the Print Gallery, inside the National Gallery of Ireland. The address is Merrion Square West.
• When: Throughout January.
• Price: free of charge. For other exhibitions, the National Gallery can offer discounts on presentation of a Dublin Pass.
• Do you need to book: Yes, you do.

Dubliners traditionally gather around the city's Cathedral to listen to the bells ring in celebration of the new year. It is an impressive concert, sometimes as many as 19 bells have been used.

This tradition has evolved into a real New Year's festival: it lasts 4 days. It includes an open-air concert to welcome in the New Year in good company and a procession through the streets of Dublin ending with the New Year's Big Breakfast in Meeting House Square.

It is also impressive because of where it is held, and Dublin city centre is an experience in itself. If hearing the bells makes you want to get to know the city better, I recommend that you take a day to explore it on one of Dublin's sightseeing buses. Plus, you'll be able to comfortably enjoy all the decorations and lights that are still up.

Interesting facts

• Where: In the centre of Dublin, around the Cathedral and in the streets around Meeting House Square.
• When: First day of the year.
• Price: All activities are free except the concert to welcome in the New Year. Prices vary from year to year, you can check and book your ticket directly with the city's events organisation.
• Do you have to book: For the concert, yes. The rest you can enjoy for free.

Not every January day in Dublin is grey and rainy. This area and this time of year also has clear mild winter days, and if they coincide with your travel dates you'll find it's a pleasure to be outdoors or take a day trip from Dublin.

In the town of Castlecomer, a unique event in Ireland has been held every January since 1978: the Wellie Run. Wellies are not the most comfortable of running shoes, but it's quite a sight to see the crowds kitted out in them for the race. Fancy giving it a go?

Plus there's music, food and drink. It's a local event, and very close to the town of Kilkenny, which is well worth a visit on an excursion from Dublin. Many of these tours offer one-day tours, so you can improvise according to the weather.

Useful facts

• Where: Castlecomer, about 100 kilometres from Dublin. The most direct route by car is via the A78.
• When: In January, every year.
• Price: The race organisers accept donations.
• Booking is not necessary if you want to go and have a look, but I would advise you to contact them if you would like to attend.

Ireland has an exceptional whisky production- have you tried it? If you haven't, I suggest you do. Its artisanal production techniques give the whisky a flavour that is typical of the area. So if you are travelling to Dublin in January, I recommend you visit the Irish Whisky Museum and enjoy a tasting tour.

During the tour, a guide tells you the secrets of the process while you learn about the process of distilling whisky. It's great fun and you learn to notice the different flavours that make Irish whiskey famous all over the world.

And if you're still hungry for more, you can also visit some whiskey distilleries like Jameson, where in addition to tasting it, you'll learn about the whole process of making it.

Interesting facts

• Where: 119 Grafton Street.
• When: offers tasting tours all year round. The advantage of doing it in low season is that you can enjoy them without crowds of tourists. Also, if you happen to be caught on a bad weather day in Dublin, a good whisky tasting is much appreciated.
• Price: approximately 20 euros.
• Reservations required: Yes, these are guided group tours.

Temple Bar's Tradfest Festival began in 2006 and has since become a tradition: five days of the best of Irish music, with folk and rock'n'roll on the programme, as well as emerging bands and the big names on the stage.

The music festival is complemented by craft fairs, parades and a wide selection of activities for children, all focused on enjoying the best traditional music.

Useful information

• Where: Most concerts take place in Temple Bar, but some shows move to historic venues.
• When: every year at the end of January.
• Price: Prices vary according to the concert, but range from 10 euros to 30 euros.
• Do you have to book: Yes, I recommend it.

I miss him, you miss him and I suspect the whole world misses him. That's why it's such a great idea to go to this festival that has become so much talked about around the figure and music of David Bowie: there are talks, merchandise, art, films, the best of drag culture and, of course, lots of live music.

The festival celebrates the anniversary of the release of the Ziggy Stardust album and offers a unique opportunity to relive the excitement of Bowie's music and figure. And to take home a unique experience and memory.

Facts and figures of interest

• Where: The concerts are held at various venues in Dublin city centre.
• When: It takes place in January, although I advise you to check their Facebook page to confirm the exact dates, as some years the celebration has been moved to the spring.
• Price: Some exhibitions and activities are free. Concerts and films have to be paid for (between 10 and 15 euros) and the price of admission depends on which one you are interested in.
• Do you have to book? Yes, for activities with capacity (concerts and film screenings).

What began as a high school exhibition is now a date in the calendar of all of us who are interested in science and research. Since 1965, this exhibition of experiments and achievements by young scientists has brought together more than 500 projects and attracted large crowds to the Royal Dublin Society.

Some projects are so original that they will leave you thinking for days. Even if you don't think science is your thing, give it a go. There are projects in so many fields, from maths and biology to social sciences and technology. I bet you anything it's a visit that will surprise you.

Interesting facts

• Where: at the Royal Dublin Society in Dublin city centre, Merrion Road.
• When: The competition is held every year throughout January. You can check the exact dates on their website.
• Price: Adults approx. 12 euros, children approx. 7 euros.
• Do you have to book: Yes, I recommend it.

If you arrive in Dublin in January, you can enjoy the end of the Dublin Winter Lights, a spectacle that will stick in your memory.

It is a light show that adorns the capital of Ireland during the darkest days of the year. There are two trails through which you can walk around the city admiring the light projections on Dublin's most emblematic buildings.

The darkness of the Irish winter is welcoming and dazzling with the lights of the festival, and the organisers take care to make it as environmentally friendly as possible by using LED lights.

Facts and figures

• Where: Throughout Dublin's historic city centre.
• When: late November to early January.
• Price: Free of charge.
• Booking is not necessary.

With the theme The future of the Past, Dublin' s Classics Now festival offers you a programme of events in Dublin to enjoy classical culture and discover how it is still present in our society today.

There are talks, debates, concerts and readings to celebrate and learn about the pillars of ancient Greek and Roman culture from the perspective of contemporary artists. If you're interested in culture, it's a perfect plan for a rainy day in Dublin.

They have a selection of activities that are worthwhile and no wonder: institutions such as the Irish Museum of Literature and Trinity College participate in the organisation.

Interesting facts

• Where: at various venues in the city. Check the programme to see where the activities you are interested in are taking place.
• When: Over two days during the second half of January.
• Price: varies depending on the event, but the average ticket costs around 12 euros.
• Do you need to book? Yes, you do.

January is the coldest month of the year in Dublin, but the Irish capital is not a city of extreme temperatures. Average temperatures hover between 4º and 8º, although with the humidity the wind chill is somewhat lower.

Winter days are short in this area and rain is likely to make them less bright. This means that although there is a little more than 8 hours of daylight a day, it is also possible that during those hours it will be cloudy and rainy.

Does this mean that travelling to Dublin in January is a bad idea? Not at all! Dublin always has a lot to offer and the low season (autumn and winter) offers the advantage of being able to do so without the crowds. You are also more likely to find cheaper accommodation than in spring and summer.

Dublin in winter has a lot to offer, but if you're travelling in January you'll need to be prepared:

• Pack warm clothes such as gloves, scarf and hat.
• A good mackintosh if you enjoy outdoor activities, preferably with a windproof effect.
• A change of shoes and an extra pair of socks, as wet feet can spoil a day's sightseeing.

And if you feel like treating yourself, I recommend you take a look at the woollen products typical of Ireland. They are great and warm enough to enjoy whatever you decide to do in Dublin in January.

Now that you know everything, I hope you enjoy your visit. And... have a good trip!