01Weather
Dublin weather in May
Afternoons in May average 17.1 °C (63 °F) and nights cool to 7.8 °C (46 °F). The month brings about 63 mm (2.5 in) of rain spread over roughly 13 days. Compared with April it is 3.9 °C warmer; June is 2.2 °C warmer again.
What the averages hide
| In a typical May | Value | What it means |
|---|---|---|
| Warm afternoons (90th percentile) | 21 °C / 69 °F | one day in ten is at least this warm |
| Cool afternoons (10th percentile) | 14 °C / 56 °F | one day in ten stays below this |
| Cold nights (10th percentile) | 4 °C / 38 °F | one night in ten is colder than this |
| Days above 30 °C (86 °F) | 0.0 | per month, average 2016–2025 |
| Nights at or below 0 °C (32 °F) | 0.3 | frost mornings per month |
| Chance of rain on any given day | 43 % | at least 1 mm |
| Hottest / coldest May day 2016–2025 | 25.1 °C / -0.9 °C | extremes in the ten-year record |
02Daylight
Sunrise, sunset and the length of the day
| Date | Sunrise | Sunset | Daylight |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 May | 05:50 | 20:53 | 15.1 h |
| 15 May | 05:24 | 21:17 | 15.9 h |
| 31 May | 05:04 | 21:41 | 16.6 h |
Daylight grows by about 90 minutes over the month. Times are local (Europe/Dublin).
03Crowds
How busy Dublin is in May
busy The main sights are busy in May. What drives it:
- May bank holiday
- International Literature Festival
- long evenings
04Public holidays
Public holidays in May 2027
| Date | Holiday |
|---|---|
| 3 May 2027 | May Day |
On public holidays many shops close and museums run on Sunday hours; check opening times for the day before and after as well.
05Events
What's on in Dublin in May
Every year in May
| Event | When | Type |
|---|---|---|
| International Literature Festival Dublin | May | culture |
07Packing
What to pack for Dublin in May
- a warm jacket or coat
- scarf for windy evenings
- closed, water-resistant shoes
- a compact umbrella or hooded rain jacket, rain falls on roughly one day in three
08Editor's notes
What the numbers don't tell you
May is bright, with evenings light until nearly ten by the end of the month, the May bank holiday on the first Monday and the International Literature Festival in the second half. Afternoons reach 15 °C on an average day and the high teens on good ones. Rain falls on about nine days. Crowds build but remain manageable, and hotel rates are below the summer peak except on concert weekends at Croke Park and the Aviva.
The Dublin Dance Festival and the Bloom garden festival in Phoenix Park over the June bank holiday weekend follow. The coastal DART line to Dalkey and Killiney is at its best. The Forty Foot at Sandycove sees the first fair-weather swimmers. For Bloomsday, the longest days and the June bank holiday, see June.
09Compare
Dublin month by month
| Month | High | Low | Rain days | Sun h | Crowds | Verdict |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| January | 8 °C | 3 °C | 12 | – | quiet | Mixed |
| February | 10 °C | 3 °C | 13 | – | quiet | Mixed |
| March | 11 °C | 4 °C | 12 | – | very busy | Mixed |
| April | 13 °C | 5 °C | 11 | – | moderate | Good |
| May | 17 °C | 8 °C | 13 | – | busy | Good |
| June | 19 °C | 11 °C | 12 | – | busy | Good |
| July | 21 °C | 12 °C | 13 | – | very busy | Good |
| August | 20 °C | 12 °C | 14 | – | very busy | Good |
| September | 18 °C | 10 °C | 13 | – | busy | Good |
| October | 15 °C | 8 °C | 13 | – | moderate | Good |
| November | 11 °C | 5 °C | 14 | – | quiet | Good |
| December | 9 °C | 4 °C | 14 | – | moderate | Mixed |
Not sure about May? See the best time to visit Dublin.
10Elsewhere
May in nearby cities
| City | High | Rain days |
|---|---|---|
| London in May | 17 °C | 9 |
| Amsterdam in May | 18 °C | 9 |
| Paris in May | 19 °C | 13 |
| Copenhagen in May | 16 °C | – |
| Prague in May | 19 °C | 11 |
| Barcelona in May | 22 °C | 4 |
11FAQ
Dublin in May: your questions
Is May a good time to visit Dublin?
May is a good month to visit Dublin. Daytime highs average 17 °C (63 °F), rain falls on about 13 days, and hotel arrivals run above the yearly average, so the main sights are busy.
What is the weather like in Dublin in May?
Expect mild days around 17 °C (63 °F) and nights near 8 °C (46 °F). One May in ten brings afternoons above 21 °C, and one in ten stays below 14 °C.
Does it rain a lot in Dublin in May?
May brings about 63 mm (2.5 in) of rain over roughly 13 days, which is showery by Dublin standards. On any given day the chance of at least 1 mm of rain is 43 percent.
What should I wear in Dublin in May?
Pack a warm jacket or coat, scarf for windy evenings, closed, water-resistant shoes.
Is Dublin crowded in May?
The main sights are busy in May. Main drivers: May bank holiday; International Literature Festival; long evenings.
What time does it get dark in Dublin in May?
Around the middle of May the sun sets at about 21:17 and rises at 05:24, giving 15.9 hours of daylight.