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Partial solar eclipse · 12 August 2026

Where to watch the 2026 solar eclipse in Dublin

Dublin sees a deep partial eclipse of around 94% on 12 August 2026, with the Sun almost 15° above the horizon — excellent geometry, if the Irish weather cooperates.

Partial eclipse Get certified eclipse glasses

Maximum~19:10 ISTLeinster · 12 Aug 2026 · maximum eclipse

Duration~1h 53m of partial eclipseThis is the full partial eclipse from first to last contact. There is no totality here — the Sun is never completely covered, so there is no corona and no moment when it is safe to look without protection.

Sun altitude~15° above the WNW horizonhigh enough that cloud, not terrain, is the risk

Coverage93.9% (partial)Dublin is OUTSIDE the path of totality. About 93.9% of the Sun is covered at maximum — a deep partial eclipse, but not a total one. The corona never appears and the sky does not go dark.

Clear-sky odds Cloud is very likely · ≈42%Ireland in August is cloudy more often than not, and conditions change fast. Mobility and low expectations both help — but the Sun is high enough that a moderate gap in the cloud is all you need.

Counting down to maximum

—days —hrs —min —sec

Dublin sees a deep partial eclipse of around 94% on 12 August 2026, with the Sun almost 15° above the horizon — excellent geometry, if the Irish weather cooperates.

Below: Dublin's exact timings, the coastal and hillside viewpoints, why glasses never come off, and where in Ireland the eclipse runs deeper.

The timeline

When the eclipse happens

~18:12 ISTPartial begins — first "bite" out of the Sun

~19:10 ISTPartial — ~1h 53m of partial eclipse. Glasses off only if total.

~20:59 ISTPartial ends ~20:05 IST

The partial eclipse runs from about 18:12 to 20:05 IST, with maximum coverage of 93.9% at around 19:10. The whole eclipse finishes before sunset at 20:59 IST, so you are not racing the horizon here.

Where to set up

The best places to watch

Howth Head

Headland · elevated

Panorama over bay and sea

The peninsula north of the city gives height, open sea horizons and long views back over Dublin Bay — the standout choice near the capital.

Killiney Hill

Elevated · south coast

Wide views over bay and mountains

The hill above Killiney offers a broad panorama over the bay and out west toward the Wicklow mountains.

Phoenix Park

Vast open parkland

Space and open sky

One of Europe's largest enclosed parks, with wide open ground and clear western sightlines close to the city centre.

Dollymount Strand / Bull Island

Beach · open

Low open horizon over the bay

The strand gives a flat, wide outlook across the bay with plenty of room and an unobstructed view.

West and south for deeper coverage

More of the Sun covered

Kerry ~97%

Coverage deepens toward the south-west of Ireland. Cork, Kerry and Galway all see more than Dublin, with Kerry the deepest at about 97%.

Local astronomy societies and science centres often organise safe public viewing with filtered telescopes — worth checking closer to the date.

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?

Dublin gets deep coverage (~94%) with the Sun nearly 15° up — one of the easiest viewing geometries anywhere in Europe. Buildings and trees are not a serious obstacle.

Irish August cloud is the obstacle, and it is a real one.

The east coast is generally drier than the west, which works in Dublin's favour.

Plan the day

Your eclipse-day checklist

Certified ISO 12312-2 / CE eclipse glasses — one pair per person
Glasses stay ON for the entire eclipse — there is no safe moment here
A reasonable view west — the Sun is ~15° up, so gaps in cloud are enough
Arrive before 18:12 to catch first contact

Check the cloud forecast in the final 48 hours
Never look through a camera, phone or binoculars without a proper solar filter
Pinhole projection is a safe way for groups to watch together
If you want totality, it is northern Spain — not here

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

Dublin eclipse FAQ

Will Dublin see a total solar eclipse on 12 August 2026?

No. Dublin is outside the path of totality and sees a partial eclipse, with about 93.9% of the Sun covered at maximum. That is a striking sight through eclipse glasses, but it is not totality — the corona does not appear, the sky does not go dark, and there is no moment when it is safe to look without protection. The path of totality crosses northern Spain.

What time is the eclipse in Dublin?

The partial phase begins at about 18:12 IST and maximum — 93.9% coverage — comes at roughly 19:10 IST. The whole eclipse finishes before sunset at 20:59 IST, so you are not racing the horizon here.

Do I need eclipse glasses in Dublin?

Yes, for the entire eclipse without exception. This is the most important difference from a total eclipse: because the Sun is never fully covered, there is never a safe moment to look with the naked eye. Even at 93.9% coverage the remaining sliver is dangerously bright. Certified ISO 12312-2 / CE glasses stay on from start to finish.

Where should I watch from in Dublin?

With the Sun about 15° above the horizon at maximum, you have some flexibility — a break in the cloud matters more than a perfect horizon. Higher, open ground still gives the best view.

Where in Ireland will the eclipse be deepest?

In the south-west. Kerry sees about 97% of the Sun covered, with Cork and Limerick close behind, compared with about 94% in Dublin. The Sun is high — 15-16° — right across the country, so the deciding factor everywhere in Ireland is cloud, not geometry.

Will the weather be clear in Dublin on eclipse day?

Ireland in August is cloudy more often than not, and conditions change fast. Mobility and low expectations both help — but the Sun is high enough that a moderate gap in the cloud is all you need.

Keep exploring the path

Nearby regions to watch from

● Partial

Kilder: timeanddate.com · nationaleclipse.com · eclipsophile.com (vejr) · Gobierno de Aragón · BBC Sky at Night. Tidspunkter er lokale (CEST).