What to pack for Ireland at any time of the year
Want to make sure your Ireland packing list is complete before you get on that plane? As someone who moved here to Ireland from N. America, I’m not going to tell you what you should wear here but I can give you some great tips on what to pack for Ireland.
Here in Ireland, the saying goes that you can experience all 4 seasons in one day plus rain. So knowing what to pack for Ireland is a bit of a challenge. Personally, I like to travel light so I don’t take more than a carry-on piece of luggage, but I make sure that the luggage fits European airline standards.
Please don’t forget that Ireland is two separate countries. In Northern Ireland, they are governed by the UK and use sterling and here in the South they use Euros and have their own government. Please don’t confuse the two, you won’t have any issues crossing the “border” since currently, it doesn’t exist, but the British government might have other plans for that after Brexit.
Here’s 53 tips to visiting Ireland that may come in helpful.
Seriously my own packing these days is taking a huge hit – I mean really how do you pack all the old lady medications and still work a carry-on?
Now I’m not going to tell you what to pack for daily wear as we all have our fashion addictions. What I will say is layers and more layers. One minute you can be driving through a patch of glorious Irish sunshine and the next minute you are out on the Cliffs of Moher being buffeted by the crazy winds.
Packing list for Ireland
What I will say is don’t pack your bling or fancy clothes, while the Irish do dress up they are not fussed on whether or not you wear sequins to dinner. I would say a good pair of jeans that you can wear most of the time, maybe a pair of nice trousers to dress up in the evening and a comfortable pair of cords will do you for at least 2 weeks.
The rest as I say is layers, tank tops, t-shirts, and maybe a nice top for dressing up for dinner. Pack for Ireland like you would normally and then remove a third of it because you won’t wear it. Don’t forget nobody is going to remember what you wore and pretty much the same people won’t see you twice so who cares. Pack light and have more fun.
What to Pack for Ireland and to expect from the Irish weather
Be prepared, anything and everything will be thrown at you in Ireland. Rain, fog, winds, sunshine, heat waves, freezing weather, rarely a little snow, more rain and lots of Irish mist.
If you are wondering about when is the best time to visit Ireland, I couldn’t say as I love it in all seasons but here’s some information on the different seasons and what you might see.
Spring in Ireland
February, March and April bring spring weather to Ireland, temperatures will average 45°F and 55°F (7°C to 13°C). It is cooler than an N. American spring but way warmer than a Canadian one. You will see the flowers starting to come out bluebells and daffodils reign supreme at this time of year. Expect lots of Irish mist and rain and make sure you pack quick-drying layers and a coat that is waterproof. A coat that pulls double duty with an inner thermal layer is a grand idea.
Summer in Ireland
May, June, and July is the official summer months of Ireland Temperatures average between 60°F and 70°F (15°C to 21°C). The flowers are all coming up the green is turning greener a beautiful time. Ireland has been known to have some heatwaves in the past few years so you may find yourself wearing shorts and a t-shirt. However, the weather will change as soon as you put the shorts on guaranteed.
Fall In Ireland
August, September, and October temperatures will average between 55°F and 65°F (13°C to 18°C). Similar to fall in the US and Canada although it may be a little cooler. It has been known to have great sunny days and you may be surprised at just how beautiful the country is when it’s changing colours.
Winter In Ireland
November, December, January temperatures will average around 45°F (7°C), depending on where you are in the country, like in the mountains of cliffs the winds can be bitingly cold. It never really freezes, not like in Canada or the US, but you will hear lots of complaints from the Irish about how cold it is. Considering that Canadians are known for getting their shorts out when it’s around 10 degrees you may be a little surprised about the complaints, we are. However, if you are from Florida it will be damned cold. So knowing what to pack for Ireland and bring with you can depend entirely on what type of weather you are accustomed to.
If you do find yourself in Ireland in the colder weather and you’ve come unprepared just pop into Primark or Penny’s store you can find super cheap hats, gloves, scarves and decent sweaters at great prices and what the hell donate them to the charity shops before you leave so you don’t have to pack them in your carry on.
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Your Ultimate What to Pack for Ireland Guide
Packing for Ireland starts with the luggage you choose, not only that but the luggage needs to be able to work on all airlines as a carry-on. Here in Ireland, most people will travel via the cheapest airlines.
It’s cheaper to fly to other areas of Europe than it is to drive or take the train. Since public transportation in Ireland is great in the cities but abysmal in rural areas, you also don’t want to be dragging massive suitcases around with you. Size also matters when attempting to crush giant suitcases into the tiny little car trunks that you get when you rent a vehicle here.
It’s not like packing for Ireland is a chore, the clothes here are pretty casual and jeans go with everything. They consider it rude to wear a baseball hat or any kind of hat inside. That, in particular, demonstrates your “American” identity.
13 Must have items when packing for Ireland
#1. What to pack for Ireland – a great carryon bag
So, personal experience tells me that I need a carry-on bag with those twisty wheels that go in all directions and has both carrying handles and a pull-out drag bar thingy. I want sturdy fabric, preferably in a day-glow colour so I can see the damn thing if I do have to check it. I also want soft sides that give a little – just in case. My recommended one? Well, I pick the azure blue TravelproTravelpro Maxlite 5 19″ Expandable International Carry-On Spinner. I know it’s a mouthful but a great case.
#2 Taking care of the personal
Now this one may seem a little odd but I see a lot of N. Americans complaining on the Irish forums that most hotels and B&B’s don’t have washcloths. Well, that’s true I mean after all who wants to use a used washcloth? Take your own these are great quick-drying washcloths that are reusable and environmentally friendly.
Now if you are really concerned about the whole liquid issue why not take solid shampoo bars and body wash bars. These products are paraben and SLS free, TSA approved (so to speak) perfume-free and chemical-free. That makes them very environmentally friendly and they are so easy to use.
Next, for me are the all-important shoes. I want shoes that are well made comfortable and above all will last for a while and can be used for a lot of walking. Most people want to know if they should bring hiking boots, dressy shoes and runners but really try and make one pair do you the entire trip. Unless of course, you are a hiker and avid walker then you will need some great hiking boots but I suggest you wear them on the plane and put your less heavy daytime shoes in your case.
#2 Keeping your feet warm and dry
The ones I do like are Timberland walking boots, waterproof and comfortable but not only that a little stylish and can be worn when strolling through Dublin with a pair of Jeans or on the Cliffs of Moher in the rain and fog.
Most of the types of weather you have to watch out for here in Ireland is wet, wetter, and damp. But I am also a believer in making a coat do double duty so I won’t buy a parka style or one of those coats that just won’t work over a nice outfit if I’m going out.
# 3 Packing A Windproof Jacket Will Save You In Ireland
I love my multipurpose Craghoppers 3 in 1 jacket. It’s windproof, waterproof and breathable and has a drawcord at the waist which helps me look like I have one.
It’s easy to use (the inner coat zips out easily) and although not light, it isn’t bulky which for those of us carrying their own bulk is perfect. The fabric is called Texapore Cotton Touch, which has a high proportion of organic cotton.
The attention to detail is really impressive with a load of pockets. It is stylish and yet practical and the cost is good, as the coat will last for years. It also comes in a nice navy colour so much better than boring black my wardrobe staple.
#4 What power adaptors to pack for Ireland
Now you are going to need a 110v to 220v voltage converter so you can plug in hairdryers, phones, laptops or tablets and so on. My personal favourite and one that has lasted me 4 years is the Tessan Universal Travel Adapter.
It has 4 ports for charging tablets and phones and a UK/AU/US/EU worldwide plug adapter, so bloody useful. It’s more expensive than most but well worth the price.
# 5 Don’t forget a power bank
Okay now, this one is going to be more important than you can believe. I have the Anker portable charger which I love, super quick and works on most of my electronics. Anker is ultra-light, portable and works under any situation.
# 6 Bring lots of photo storage when packing for Ireland
You are also going to need memory cards, trust me you will have more photos than you can store on either your phone or your camera and you don’t want to be deleting any to take more before you get home.
This Ultra Scandisk chip will work under adverse weather conditions (we get a lot of those here) and keep your photos or drone footage totally safe.
A flash drive for your Smart Phone will also come in very handy. This picture keeper comes with a flash drive but it’s also a software package that finds all your photos from your computer, laptop, or tablet.
# 7 Bring your drone to Ireland
I’m not going to recommend cameras or other types of photographic equipment such as a drone because – well because I am a crap photographer who uses a good cell phone for most of my photos. Now I want a drone but I have to admit I haven’t bought one yet. So I was reading all kinds of reviews and know which one I want this a Holystone 1080P Drone….sigh if only. This has a huge flying time of 26 minutes.
Now if you have a drone it can be flown in most places in Ireland. If you plan to fly above 15 meters (49 feet) and your drone weighs more than 1 kilogram (2.2 pounds) you must register your drone. You can register on the IAA’s website here. Registered drones may not be flown above 120 meters (394 feet). Registered drones may not weigh more than 25 kilograms (55 pounds). Drone pilots must maintain a direct line of sight with their drone during operations, and may not fly more than 300 meters (984 feet).
We all know the rules for liquids and stuff in suitcases, but I say to hell with it bring your favourite face cream and you can pick up what you need in Ireland so cheaply you won’t worry about it. Or get some of those solid shampoo and shower bars. Some folks recommend a first aid kit but again why bother I mean really a pack of Ibuprofen here costs around €1 for 12 so why take up the room?
They don’t have drugstores like those that you do in N. America so you won’t find a Shoppers or a Rite Aid. In some major cities, you may find Boots but it does tend to be a UK brand. Most pharmacies here are called Chemists and you will find everything you need. Don’t expect to be able to pick up aspirin and the selection of non-prescription remedies in a grocery store they tend to carry just a few items.
You can see Ireland by rail and bus but it can be a total chore if you are outside a major city. Not to mention the bus schedules and train schedules are pretty limited and it can add so many hours to a journey it’s just not worth it. I will always recommend renting a car here, yes, it can be more expensive than you thought as there are no rent-a-wreck places and insurance can be pricey. However, the sheer bliss of being able to go where you want to go when you want to go is brilliant. Google maps, by the way, can be loaded onto your phone and used off-line.
I would strongly advise getting your phone unlocked before you leave if it is not already. Load your phone with What’s App and you can call anytime to anywhere free of charge. When you arrive, pick up a SIM card at the airport 3IE is brilliant, €20 all-you-can-eat data and it’s good for a month and the coverage is excellent. So save yourself that stupid $10 a day from your N. American phone service is simply outrageous. Just remember to keep your SIM card in a safe place so when you return home you can pop it back into the phone.
#8 Making your packing for Ireland easier
You cannot pack properly without packing cubes that reduce the size of your stuff substantially and come in so damned handy for organizing. These Tripped Travel Gear are the ones I like. Lightweight, ripstop nylon virtually indestructible.
#9 Get a waterproof phone case to pack for Ireland
I would recommend a Universal Waterproof Phone Case this is great you can still use your phone’s touch screen and camera and yet it keeps your phone nice and clean – safe from rain and that Irish mist. If you drop it, you won’t get it dirty and wet and you will be good to go.
#10 Bring a portable charger
This little beauty is a Lipstick-Sized Portable Charger, which is an absolute, must-have when travelling. I keep mine charged and then bring it with me just in case. There is nothing worse than running out of juice when you are snapping some of the best views ever. You will never be out of power with this charger.
#12 Pack a windproof umbrella
Here in Ireland a Windproof Umbrella will save your hair and clothes and is a requirement. I really like this small portable travel umbrella. It’s windproof, waterproof, and folds down super small and will fit into any purse or suitcase.
#13 Don’t forget a great flashlight
I never would have dreamed of bringing a flashlight with me to Ireland, but when it’s dark here man it’s freaking dark. So one night we wanted to go and see the Northern Lights up in Donegal but we didn’t have a torch. Shopping for one here in Ireland became a journey to 5 stores and each one more expensive than the last. This torch is perfect it has 5 modes, is rechargeable, super lightweight and waterproof you couldn’t ask for more.
Last but not least in my mind is books. I have a full reading list that I settle back and enjoy before my trip and these are the books I would highly recommend on Ireland.
You can never go wrong with a Rick Steves’s Book and his Rick Steve’s Ireland 2019 is about as updated as it can get.
This one Ireland the Best an Insiders Guide is brilliant newly released in Sept. 2018 it has some great tips, and places to eat where to wild camp. It is perfect for the foodie on your gift list or just keep it to yourself. John McKenna has written about Ireland’s food culture for almost 30 years and has won many awards. The Wall Street Journal described him as “Ireland’s most authoritative food writer.”
This is the best book on Irish history you can buy R. F. Foster’s Modern Ireland from 1600 to 1972 recommended by Historians throughout Ireland this is stuff you should know if you are an Ireland lover.
This one I just couldn’t resist the Irish Swearwords Colouring Calendar for Adults we could also use a bit of craic in our lives.
So, did I miss anything?
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