May in Dublin averages highs of 15 °C (59 °F) and lows of 8 °C (47 °F), with about 9 rainy days and 15 h 51 min of daylight.
May weather in Dublin at a glance
average high to low each dot ≈ 3 rainy days
Is May a good time to visit Dublin?
Mixed weather: cool and some rain. May is usually shoulder season in Dublin: fewer crowds than peak months, with prices often a little lower.
Our rule: a month scores 2 points for comfortable average highs of 18–28 °C (1 point for 14–18 or 28–32 °C) and 2 points for 5 or fewer rainy days (1 point for 6–10). Average highs above 35 °C or below 8 °C make it a tough month whatever the rain. A rainy day here means 2 mm of rain or more. 4 points = great, 3 = good, 2 = mixed, 0–1 = tough.
Holidays and events in May 2026
- Mon 4 May: May Day (Lá Bealtaine) public holiday
Banks and many shops close on public holidays, and museums may change their hours, so check before you go.
Things to do in Dublin in May
May's weather suits a mix of outdoor sights and museums, so the open-air ones come first.
- St Stephen's Green and Grafton Street outdoors
- Howth cliff walk — 30 min by DART outdoors
- Trinity College and the Book of Kells — timed tickets indoors
- Guinness Storehouse indoors
- Kilmainham Gaol — book well ahead indoors
- Traditional music pubs indoors
Where to stay: Around Temple Bar and St Stephen's Green to walk everywhere; Smithfield or Portobello for better value.
What to pack for Dublin in May
- Layers and a light jacket: days around 15 °C (59 °F), nights near 8 °C (47 °F).
- An umbrella or a light waterproof: about 9 days this month see real rain.
- Comfortable walking shoes.
What a day in Dublin costs
| Budget traveller | Mid-range | |
|---|---|---|
| Typical total per person, per day | €70–160 | €200–400 |
Excluding flights. May is usually shoulder season in Dublin: fewer crowds than peak months, with prices often a little lower.
May in nearby cities
| City | High / low | Rainy days | Verdict |
|---|---|---|---|
| Edinburgh | 14° / 7° | 9 | Mixed weather |
| London | 17° / 8° | 8 | Mixed weather |
| Amsterdam | 17° / 9° | 8 | Mixed weather |
Want the whole trip planned? Join the Journey waitlist: tell it where, when and your budget, and it plans every day hour by hour.
FAQ
Is May a good time to visit Dublin?
By the numbers, May is a mixed month: cool and some rain, with average highs of 15 °C (59 °F) and about 9 rainy days. May is usually shoulder season in Dublin: fewer crowds than peak months, with prices often a little lower. The best months for weather are August.
How warm is Dublin in May?
Average highs are 15 °C (59 °F) and lows 8 °C (47 °F) (2015–2024 averages).
Does it rain a lot in Dublin in May?
Expect about 9 days with 2 mm of rain or more, about 65 mm in total. It is the 2nd driest month of the year in Dublin.
Sources: climate averages from Open-Meteo historical weather (ERA5 reanalysis, 2015–2024); sea temperatures from the Open-Meteo marine API (2023–2024); public holidays from Nager.Date. Daylight is calculated for the 15th of the month. Averages are a guide, not a forecast. Costs are typical ranges per person per day, excluding flights.