Wild Atlantic Way Weather in December 2026: what to expect (0.6/10)

The month in detail

What to expect in December

Winter in Wild Atlantic Way is cool (10.0°F during the day). Days are short (0.0h of sunshine) but the city reveals a different side. With 67.0% of rainy days, always have indoor alternatives planned.

December ranks 9 out of 12 months in Wild Atlantic Way. Compared to November: −2°F daytime.

This month's conditions

What it's like in December

UV index

0 · low

no protection needed

Feels like

dry air

5°

Sea

11°C

cold, for the brave

Daylight

7.3h of daylight

Air quality

good

AQI 31

Compare

Is December the right month?

The best month in Wild Atlantic Way is May (4.2/10), 3.6 pts higher than December.

See May →See all 12 months →

Context

Our verdict

Wild Atlantic Way, coastal itinerary of Ireland on the Atlantic west coast : 1,555 miles of coastal roads from Inishowen Peninsula (Northern Ireland border) to Kinsale (Cork) passing through 9 counties (Donegal-Sligo-Mayo-Galway-Clare-Limerick-Kerry-Cork) = one of the longest coastal tourist itineraries in the world , created in 2014 by Tourism Ireland as a route of discovery of wild Ireland.

Read Gilles' full review →

Book

Plan your trip

Hotels at their lowest outside peak season, highest on comfortable months. Shoulder seasons offer a good price/climate compromise.

🏨

Stay

Hotels & rentals · Wild Atlantic Way

Expedia →

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Activities

Tours, tickets, experiences

See ↓

✈️

Flights

Multi-airline comparator

Kiwi →

🎟️ Activities & tours · Wild Atlantic Way

GetYourGuide selection · free cancellation

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Affiliate link · GetYourGuide

Practical info

What you need to know before you go

Three angles: the country (language, currency, safety, budget), the year-round climate, and the specifics of a beach trip.

Country · Ireland

🗣️LanguageEnglish

💶CurrencyEuro (€)

🚗DrivingLeft-hand

🛡️Safety ⓘVery safe · 1/5

💰Cost of living ⓘExpensive · 4/5

🌡️ Climate

🌍Climate typeTemperate oceanic

📈Climate trend ⓘ+1.66°F/decade

🔥Hottest monthJuly · 63°F

❄️Coolest monthJanuary · 48°F

🌧️Rainiest month ⓘAugust · 73%

🏖️ Beach trip

📅Peak seasonJuin → Sept

🏖️Swell (Sept–Mar) ⓘModérée

Explore

Other destinations in December

If December doesn't convince you for this destination, compare with others.

Similar climate

Isle of SkyeUnited Kingdom

Lake DistrictUnited Kingdom

Nearby

BathUnited Kingdom513 km

CotswoldsUnited Kingdom532 km

YorkUnited Kingdom563 km

Other top picks

🗺️ See all 754 destinations on the map

Location

Where is Wild Atlantic Way ?

Global position + regional geographic context.

🌍 World

🔍 Geographic context

Ireland

Temperate oceanic climate with a 4.2 → 0.6 gap between best and worst month. 10 years of ERA5 data to choose by project.

52.97°N · 9.43°W

Questions

Frequently asked questions

What is the best time to visit Wild Atlantic Way?

May is the best month with 59°F highs, 50°F lows, 4.4h of sunshine and 47.0% rainy days.

How many hours of sunshine does Wild Atlantic Way get in May?

Wild Atlantic Way averages 4.4 sunshine hours per day in May. It is the sunniest month with a climate score of 4.0/10.

What is the rainiest month in Wild Atlantic Way?

January is the most unfavourable month with January has the lowest climate score of the year and the lowest climate score of the year.

What are the temperatures at night in Wild Atlantic Way in May?

In May, overnight lows reach 50°F, while afternoon highs average 59°F.

Is Wild Atlantic Way good in winter?

In winter (December-February), Wild Atlantic Way scores 0.6/10 on average — Difficult period — prefer the peak season.. The best month overall remains May with a score of 4.0/10.

When should you avoid Wild Atlantic Way?

January is the most difficult month to visit Wild Atlantic Way, with January has the lowest climate score of the year. Climate conditions are at their lowest of the year during this period.

Can you swim in Wild Atlantic Way in December?

In December, the sea averages 52°F in Wild Atlantic Way: cold, for the brave. Best left to hardened swimmers or those with a wetsuit.

Do you need sun protection in Wild Atlantic Way in December?

The average UV index reaches 0 in December in Wild Atlantic Way (low), with about 7.3h of daylight. No protection needed.