Galway or Dublin in August?
On climate data, Galway comes out ahead overall in August. See the per-criterion details below.
GalwayPhoto: Wolfgang Glock · CC BY-SA 3.0
DublinPhoto: Holger Uwe Schmitt · CC BY-SA 4.0Key figures in August
| Criterion | Galway | Dublin |
|---|---|---|
| Average daily high | 19 °C | 18 °C |
| Average daily low | 11 °C | 12 °C |
| Sea | 16 °C ★ | 15 °C |
| Rainy days | 18 rainy days (est.) | 16 rainy days (est.) ★ |
| Sun | 5 h/day | 5 h/day |
| Humidity | 83 % | 86 % |
Winner by travel type
Trade-offs
- Dublin is drier, with about 3 fewer rainy days.
Galway or Dublin in August: the short answer
In August, Galway comes out ahead on the overall climate score (Galway 47/100 vs Dublin 45/100). That is a snapshot of one month, though — which one truly fits depends on what you want from the trip, so the breakdown below goes criterion by criterion.
This comparison focuses on August as a representative month for the pair; for any other month, use each destination's month-by-month pages. Across the whole year Galway averages a climate score of 29/100, Dublin 29/100. Both profiles below are historical monthly averages, not a forecast.
Weather in August, side by side
The average daily high is about 19 °C in Galway and 18 °C in Dublin — warmer in Galway. Average daily lows are around 11 °C versus 12 °C.
On rain, Galway sees about 18 rainy days in August and Dublin about 16 — drier in Dublin. Sunshine is comparable (5 vs 5 hours a day).
Sea temperature and swimming
In August the water is about 16 °C at Galway and 15 °C at Dublin — warmer for swimming at Galway. Neither Galway nor Dublin reaches the ~21 °C swimming threshold in any month. Peak sea warmth is August for Galway and August for Dublin.
Rain and sun across the year
Over a full year Galway records roughly 210 rainy days and Dublin about 188 — the drier of the two overall is Dublin. At their sunniest, Galway reaches about 6 hours of sun a day (June) and Dublin about 6 (June). If dependable dry, sunny weather is your top priority, weigh these annual totals alongside the single month above.
Best time to visit each
Climatically, Galway has no month that stands clearly above the rest, while Dublin has no clear standout month. If your dates are fixed, pick the destination whose strong season overlaps them; if you are flexible, plan around these windows.
Which suits which kind of trip
Based on the August scores for each travel style:
Beach & swimming: Galway scores higher in August (Galway 34 vs Dublin 31).
City breaks: Dublin scores higher in August (Galway 68 vs Dublin 69).
Active & hiking: both are close (Galway 64 vs Dublin 64).
Family: Galway scores higher in August (Galway 33 vs Dublin 29).
Verdict: which should you pick?
Choose using the August values and travel-style scores above. The rounded annual overall scores are also tied (29/100). A higher annual score therefore cannot decide the choice. Use the monthly values for your actual travel dates.