County Dublin
Dublin city is the main base for exploring County Dublin, from its Irish Sea coast to hiking routes in the Dublin Mountains.
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County Dublin is on Ireland’s east coast, in the province of Leinster, and contains the capital city. Most county residents live in Dublin city and its suburbs, making the city the main base for a visit. The River Liffey runs through central Dublin, where the north and south sides are often called the Northside and Southside. Georgian buildings from roughly 1750 to 1800 shape much of the city’s architecture. Dublin’s history includes Viking settlement in the 9th century and its later role as the capital of Ireland.
Beyond the city, the coast includes Howth Head, Malahide, Dún Laoghaire, Dalkey and Killiney. The Dublin Mountains rise in the south, with hiking routes such as the Dublin Mountains Way and trails at Two Rock, Three Rock and Ticknock. North County Dublin includes Fingal, a mostly rural area of farmland and low hills. A city stay can include coastal and mountain outings; allow extra time if you plan to visit both. Dublin has cool winters and mild, humid summers. Late summer and early autumn can bring strong winds and heavy rain, so check the forecast before heading out for a coastal walk or hike.
County Dublin in five
- Use the DART along the bayThe DART electric line serves Howth, Malahide and Dalkey. Service patterns and works change, so look at Irish Rail's timetable the day before.Getting around Ireland
- Howth for cliffs, Dalkey for views, Malahide for a castleHowth has a harbor and a headland path, Dalkey and Dún Laoghaire have coastal villages, and Malahide has a castle and estate. One stop per half day is plenty.
- Do the city first, then the coastThe coast works best as a second-day reward after Trinity and the museums. The city guide covers the center, the airport coach and where to sleep.Dublin
- Pair it with Meath only if you have a carBrú na Bóinne and the Hill of Tara sit north of the coast. The Meath guide covers the timed ticket system, which needs planning well before the day.County Meath
Things to do in County Dublin
See all attractions in County Dublin
Need to know
- Airport
- Dublin (DUB) is in the north of the county
- Getting there
- DART, Dublin Bus or car from the city center
- Getting around
- DART along the bay; buses and walking in each town
- Best base
- Stay in the city and day trip, or Dún Laoghaire for sea air
- Time needed
- Half a day per town; 1 day for one stretch
Weather by month
- Rainy days
- Best
- Good
- Mixed
- Poor
- JanuaryPartly cloudy12 rainy daysHigh8°Low4°Cold, wetJanuaryPartly cloudy
Mixed
- High
- 8°
- Low
- 4°
- Precipitation
- 72 mm
- Rainy days
- 12
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Cold, wet
- FebruaryRain14 rainy daysHigh9°Low5°Cold, dampFebruaryRain
Mixed
- High
- 9°
- Low
- 5°
- Precipitation
- 77 mm
- Rainy days
- 14
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Cold, damp
- MarchRain15 rainy daysHigh10°Low5°St Patrick's DayMarchRain
Mixed
- High
- 10°
- Low
- 5°
- Precipitation
- 86 mm
- Rainy days
- 15
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
St Patrick's Day
- AprilRain14 rainy daysHigh11°Low6°Mild, springAprilRain
Good
- High
- 11°
- Low
- 6°
- Precipitation
- 80 mm
- Rainy days
- 14
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Mild, spring
- MayRain13 rainy daysHigh15°Low9°Cliff walksMayRain
Best
- High
- 15°
- Low
- 9°
- Precipitation
- 63 mm
- Rainy days
- 13
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Cliff walks
- JuneRain14 rainy daysHigh17°Low11°Longest daysJuneRain
Best
- High
- 17°
- Low
- 11°
- Precipitation
- 82 mm
- Rainy days
- 14
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Longest days
- JulyRain14 rainy daysHigh18°Low13°Warm, busyJulyRain
Best
- High
- 18°
- Low
- 13°
- Precipitation
- 81 mm
- Rainy days
- 14
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Warm, busy
- AugustRain13 rainy daysHigh18°Low13°Warm, busyAugustRain
Best
- High
- 18°
- Low
- 13°
- Precipitation
- 81 mm
- Rainy days
- 13
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Warm, busy
- SeptemberRain14 rainy daysHigh16°Low11°Mild, quieterSeptemberRain
Best
- High
- 16°
- Low
- 11°
- Precipitation
- 102 mm
- Rainy days
- 14
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Mild, quieter
- OctoberRain14 rainy daysHigh14°Low9°Cool, autumnOctoberRain
Good
- High
- 14°
- Low
- 9°
- Precipitation
- 97 mm
- Rainy days
- 14
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Cool, autumn
- NovemberRain14 rainy daysHigh11°Low7°Wet, darkNovemberRain
Mixed
- High
- 11°
- Low
- 7°
- Precipitation
- 95 mm
- Rainy days
- 14
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Wet, dark
- DecemberRain14 rainy daysHigh9°Low6°Dark, festiveDecemberRain
Poor
- High
- 9°
- Low
- 6°
- Precipitation
- 93 mm
- Rainy days
- 14
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Dark, festive
Average daily high and low in Dublin, 2016–2025. Rainy day: 1 mm of rain or more.
Right now in County Dublin
Local time, today's weather and the exchange rate, refreshed through the day.
8
- Feels like
- 6°
- Humidity
- 81%
- Wind
- 11 km/h
- Chance of rain
- 0%
County Dublin
08:47 PM
Monday, November 2
- Today12°6°0%Monday: Cloudy. High 12°, Low 6°. Chance of rain 0%.
- Tue12°8°4%Tuesday: Cloudy. High 12°, Low 8°. Chance of rain 4%.
- Wed11°10°24%Wednesday: Cloudy. High 11°, Low 10°. Chance of rain 24%.
- Thu11°10°10%Thursday: Drizzle. High 11°, Low 10°. Chance of rain 10%.
- Fri11°10°16%Friday: Drizzle. High 11°, Low 10°. Chance of rain 16%.
- Sat10°7°31%Saturday: Drizzle. High 10°, Low 7°. Chance of rain 31%.
- Sun7°1°13%Sunday: Fog. High 7°, Low 1°. Chance of rain 13%.
Updated 06:20 PM local time · Powered by WeatherAPI.com · Weather data by Open-Meteo.com
Day trips by train
- Howthshort DART rideHarbor, seafood and a cliff path on the headland.
- Dalkey and Dún Laoghaireshort DART ride southSeaside villages, the harbor piers and a sea-swimming culture.
- Malahideshort DART ride northA castle estate and a village with a marina.
Before you go to County Dublin
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Rules for County Dublin, checked
- Check Ireland’s visa and entry requirements for your passport on the Irish Immigration Service website before you travel.Source
- Tipping is optional in Ireland. Check the bill for a service charge before adding anything.
- Smoking is banned in enclosed workplaces, including pubs and restaurants.
Plan around County Dublin
Regions, rail, driving, money and entry
Read the guideDublinThe center, Trinity and where to sleep
Read the guideCounty MeathNewgrange and Tara north of the coast
Read the guideGlendaloughThe Wicklow Mountains, south of the DART coast
Read the guideBelfastTwo hours north, in another country
Read the guideGetting around IrelandTrains, buses and driving on the left
Read the guideCounty Dublin FAQ
What is the best day trip from Dublin by train?
Howth, Dalkey and Malahide are the three most popular. Choose Howth for a cliff walk, Dalkey for coastal views and cafés, and Malahide for a castle and a village.
Do you need a car in County Dublin?
No for the bay. The DART serves the main coastal towns, and buses cover the rest. A car helps only for places off the line, such as Skerries or the Wicklow side.
Is the Howth Cliff Walk safe?
It is a popular path on a rocky headland. Wear grippy shoes, stay away from edges and skip it in strong wind or poor visibility. Check local conditions on the day.
Can you do Howth and Dalkey in one day?
Yes, but they sit at opposite ends of the DART line through the city, so the crossing eats time. Pair one headland walk with one village instead, and check Irish Rail's timetable for the day.
Should you stay in Dublin city or on the coast?
Stay in the city for museums, nightlife and transport links. A coastal base such as Dún Laoghaire suits a quieter trip and an early start for the sea.