The Cliffs of Moher at sunset — the 12 August 2026 partial solar eclipse in Ireland

Partial solar eclipse · 12 August 2026

Where to watch the 2026 solar eclipse in Ireland

Ireland sees a deep partial eclipse on the evening of 12 August 2026 — about 94% in Dublin, 93% in Belfast and up to ~96% in Cork and the south-west. The Sun stays up; it isn't totality, which lies south over Spain.

Partial eclipse Get certified eclipse glasses
Maximum~19:10 ISTMaximum · 12 Aug 2026 (varies by location)
Sun altitude~12–17°low in the west, near sunset
Coverageup to ~96%Cork/SW highest; ~94% Dublin; ~93% Belfast
Clear-sky odds Risky · ≈40%Atlantic Ireland in August means real cloud risk — there's no controlling it. Watch the forecast and be ready to move toward any clear patch on the day.
Counting down to maximum
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Ireland gets one of the best partials in Europe on 12 August 2026 — about 94% of the Sun covered in Dublin, 93% in Belfast, and up to roughly 96% in Cork and the south-west. The Sun stays a good height above the horizon, making this an accessible evening eclipse from almost anywhere with a clear south-western view. The catch — as ever in Ireland — is the weather. It isn't totality, though: for the Sun to vanish completely you'd travel south to Spain.

Below: how deep the partial runs across Ireland, the best places to watch, and how to do it safely.

The timeline

When the eclipse happens

~18:10 ISTPartial begins — first "bite" out of the Sun
~19:10 ISTPartial. Glasses off only if total.
~20:00Partial ends — the eclipse finishes with the Sun still above the horizon.

The Sun is well above the horizon during the eclipse, so what matters is simply clear sky to the west-south-west. Coverage is deepest in the south and west — Cork sees the most.

Where to set up

The best places to watch

Cork & the south-west

~96%

Deepest in Ireland · Atlantic horizon

Cork, Kerry and the south-west see Ireland's deepest partial — around 96% — with clean Atlantic horizons. Coastal headlands give an open west-south-west view.

Directions

Dublin & the east

~94%

The capital · 94% partial

Dublin sees about 94% coverage in the evening sky; the coast at Howth or Killiney and any open western viewpoint give a fine view above the city skyline.

Directions

Galway & the west

Deep partial

Wild Atlantic Way · open sea horizon

Galway and the west coast offer a clean Atlantic horizon to the west — superb if the cloud cooperates. The Wild Atlantic Way has open headlands the whole way down.

Directions

Belfast & Northern Ireland

~93%

The north · 93% partial

Belfast sees about 93%, with the Causeway Coast and the Antrim hills offering open western skies for the low evening Sun.

Directions

Killarney & Kerry

Deep partial

South-west · mountains + coast

Kerry sits in the deepest-coverage south-west, with mountains and an Atlantic coast for dramatic west-facing viewpoints.

Directions

Coverage deepens to the south and west — Cork (~96%) leads, with Dublin (~94%), Belfast (~93%) and the whole island above 90%.

Plan your trip

Where to stay near the eclipse

Accommodation around the viewing area for eclipse night (11–13 Aug 2026). Compare hotels and rentals live on the map below.

The weather call

Will the sky be clear?

There's no dressing it up: an Irish August evening can be clear or thoroughly cloudy, and that's the main thing standing between you and a great view.

Happily the Sun is well up during the eclipse, so low-horizon haze isn't the issue it is further south — you just need a clear patch of west-south-west sky.

Stay flexible: pick an open western viewpoint and be ready to chase a gap in the cloud if the forecast turns.

The south and west — Cork, Kerry — see the deepest eclipse and a clean Atlantic horizon. For genuine totality, the trip is south to Spain.

Plan the day

Your eclipse-day checklist

  • Certified ISO 12312-2 / CE eclipse glasses — on the whole time (a partial is never safe unaided).
  • A clear view to the west-south-west — the Sun is well up, not on the horizon.
  • The south-west (Cork, Kerry) sees the most; 90%+ almost everywhere.
  • Have a backup location ready in case of cloud.
  • A solar filter on any camera or phone for the whole partial.
  • No glasses-off moment in Ireland — keep them on throughout.
  • For totality, plan a trip south to Spain.
  • Watch the cloud forecast and be ready to move.

Watch it safely

However you’re watching, watch it safely

Every Absolute Eclipse product is independently certified and made in the EU. There’s no safe moment to look unaided here — keep certified eyewear on the entire time.

  • ISO 12312-2 certified
  • CE · EU 2016/425 PPE
  • Made & shipped in the EU
Most popular Most people start here Paper eclipse glasses 53 designs, singles and 2/6/10 packs — the affordable choice for the whole group. from €4.99 Shop → Want to be seen Glow-in-the-Dark frames Phosphorescent frames that light up as the sky dims. Reusable for 2027. from €22.00 Shop → You wear prescription glasses Clip-On filters Flip-up hinge clips straight onto your everyday frames. No swapping mid-eclipse. from €19.85 Shop → You wear prescription glasses Fit-Over glasses Oversized frames worn straight over your own glasses. Full coverage, no clipping. from €19.95 Shop → Through a scope or camera Solar filter sheets OD 5.6 solar film for telescopes, binoculars and camera lenses. from €15.85 Shop →

Watching as a group? Family & retail packs → Dispatched from the EU within 24h — order in good time before 12 August.

Quick answers

Ireland eclipse FAQ

Will Ireland see a total solar eclipse in 2026?
No — Ireland sees a deep partial on 12 August 2026, not totality. The path of totality runs far to the south, over northern Spain. But it's a big one: up to about 96% of the Sun covered in the south-west, and over 90% everywhere.
How much of the Sun will be covered in Ireland?
About 94% in Dublin, 93% in Belfast, and up to roughly 96% in Cork and the south-west. The further south and west you are, the deeper the eclipse.
What time is the eclipse in Ireland?
An early-evening event: the partial begins around 18:10 local time, reaches maximum about an hour later (≈19:10), and ends around 20:00, with the Sun still above the horizon.
Where is the best place to watch in Ireland?
Anywhere with a clear west-south-west view. Cork and the south-west see the deepest eclipse and an Atlantic horizon, but over 90% is visible across the whole island — clear sky matters most.
Do I need eclipse glasses in Ireland?
Yes — for the entire eclipse. A partial never fully covers the Sun, so there's no safe moment to look unaided. Use certified ISO 12312-2 glasses throughout, and never look through a camera, phone or binoculars without a solar filter.
Where can I see totality from Ireland?
Travel south to Spain. Ireland is well north of the path; the nearest totality runs across northern Spain, a short flight away. See our Spain guides to plan a totality trip.

Keep exploring the path

Nearby regions to watch from

● Partial

Słubice & the Oder

Słubice & the Oder sees a partial eclipse on 12 August 2026 — about 84.5% of the Sun...

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Gorzów Wielkopolski

Gorzów Wielkopolski sees a partial eclipse on 12 August 2026 — about 84.1% of the Sun covered at...

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Szczecin

Szczecin sees a partial eclipse on 12 August 2026 — about 83.9% of the Sun covered at around...

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Sources: timeanddate.com · nationaleclipse.com · eclipsophile.com (weather) · Gobierno de Aragón · BBC Sky at Night. Times are local (CEST). Check the exact time and coverage for any town with our interactive eclipse calculator.