What to Pack for Your Ireland Vacation

Growing up in Ireland, I’m well-used to cold, rainy weather and how to dress for it. But it’s not always that way – sometimes you’ll get all four seasons in one day or even in the space of an hour. And although that’s cool, you need to be prepared and pack appropriately for it (layers are my top tip, fyi).

I’ll be honest, most tourists don’t pack right for their Irish vacation, and many need to buy new clothing items when they land because they realise it’s colder/ rainier than they thought!

As a local, I guess you could say I’m well-versed in what you’ll need in your suitcase for a vacation to Ireland. It goes without saying that packing for Ireland can be tricky, as chunky knits and layers and layers of outerwear take up more than their fair share of your luggage. But it doesn’t have to be like that. Here, I’ll talk you through how you can pack for your Irish getaway without getting overwhelmed.

Quick tips for packing for Ireland

1. Pack for the activities you’ll be doing

It’s hard to know what to pack if you don’t know exactly what you’ll be up to when you reach Ireland. For example, if you’re planning to do lots of hiking, then good hiking boots and a light, waterproof coat are essentials. Whereas if you plan to explore mostly cities and towns, then comfortable clothes and good walking shoes would be my must-packs.

You don’t have to plan out a detailed itinerary. All you need is a rough idea of what you’re going to be doing at your destination. Enough of an idea to pick the clothes and kit you pack wisely. Speaking of which…

2. Pick your clothing wisely

It’s tempting to grab the thickest, warmest items in your wardrobe when packing for Ireland (particularly if you come from warmer climes), but in fact, you’ll both keep yourself warmer and gain more suitcase space if you’re a bit smarter with your clothing choices. For example, thermal base layers take up very little space but can make a world of difference to your body temperature, especially if you plan to visit Ireland in the winter or the fall.

Remember also that you lose a lot of warmth through your hands, feet, and head, so warm socks, a good hat, and gloves can make a world of difference without overstuffing your luggage. 

The summers here aren’t all that bad – you’re looking at averages of around 18 Celsius during the day, and honestly, there’s no place better than Ireland when the sun shines. If we could put a roof over the country, we’d be sorted! And so on that note, in the summer (from May to August) – be warned, it can and does rain! So, you will need to pack a raincoat no matter when you’re coming.

For footwear, I always pack high-quality waterproof boots as we tend to spend a lot of time outside. You’d be amazed at how much warmer you will feel simply by making sure that your feet are comfortable, cosy, and dry. A wind-resistant jacket is also another of my must-haves, and I tend to wear this on the plane to save luggage space.

3. Keep in mind what amenities your hotel has

It’s surprisingly easy to end up packing things like hairdryers and toiletries, only to find that these things are already supplied at your hotel. It’s rare these days to find a hotel in Ireland that doesn’t supply shampoo and even conditioner, and many larger hotels have extras like toothbrushes available upon request.

So, check on their website what is and isn’t provided before you start packing your suitcase.

Also, many hotels and hostels offer laundry services, meaning that you wouldn’t need a new, fresh outfit for every single day of your vacation. Instead, you could get a few items washed and rewear them. 

4. Don’t forget the necessities

Before you start paring down your packing choices, make a list of things that are absolutely necessary. For example, for us it’s:

• Travel documents (ID, passport, hotel booking confirmations, travel insurance details, driver’s license)
• Phone, charger, and international adaptors (if needed)
• Necessary medicines 
• A good raincoat and waterproof shoes
• Baselayers
• Sunglasses and sunscreen (yes, even in winter!)

Once you’ve got a solid idea of what you absolutely cannot do without, you’ll find it much easier to sort through and prioritize the rest.

My fool-proof packing techniques

How you pack your suitcase can significantly affect how much you can fit inside. Take a tip from the military, and roll your clothes instead of folding them. This saves a surprising amount of space and prevents wrinkles.