Ireland is about as down to earth as it gets. If you are wondering what to pack for Ireland, then please leave the frilly, flouncy and silky items to other parts of Europe and think rugged, real and understatedly gorgeous.
Earthy. Green. Sea-Salty. Wild. Ready.
They are the words that describe a woman who is about to visit Ireland.
A woman who doesn’t have to shout about how beautiful she is: she just is so deal with it.
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My Ireland Travel Experience
I have been to Ireland many times, both with my family, with hubby and on my own.
It is, and always will be, at the tip of my list as being one of the world’s most underrated travel destinations.
But, as is often the case when you travel, I have made lots of common Irish blunders that most first-time visitors to Ireland make. Luckily I have managed to learn from some of those mistakes and am here to share them with you.
After all of these years visiting the Emerald Isle, I have clocked up some invaluable Ireland tips, and I would like to share what I (now) know about what to pack for Ireland.
Ready?
What To Pack For Ireland. 17 Items You Will Be Glad Of
Let’s start with the things that you will want to wear in Ireland.
The best advice I can give you when deciding on what clothes to pack for Ireland is to prepare for all possibilities.
And layers.
Layers are the keyword when packing for a trip to Ireland.
Honestly, Ireland changes her mind like – well, like the weather.
You can get up one morning to wet and windy blowing a gale, and by lunchtime, it is looking like you might get your swimsuit out!
For those planning on
What To Wear In Ireland
Longer Style Waterproof Jacket
If you have visited Ireland before, you will know why I recommend you pack a longer-style waterproof raincoat such as this one.
Ireland is full of beautiful picnic spots and stunning viewpoints. You will usually find a bench or, if not, a piece of grass you can nestle onto and take in the scenery.
Those benches are usually damp. You need a long coat to keep your bottom dry!
I love this loose-fitting waterproof jacket that could easily be dressed up with a scarf for a night in an Irish pub — Click here for prices.
Fleece
Layering is the key to looking great and feeling comfortable on your Ireland vacation.
Pair this beautifully soft and comfortable fleece underneath a lightweight waterproof jacket and you will be good to go — Click here for prices
Long-Sleeved Tops
Take three long-sleeved tops that you can wear under a fleece on a windy day or to the pub in the evening.
This tunic style top looks gorgeous with jeans and a poncho or layered over some warm leggings — Click here for prices
Short-Sleeved Top For Day Wear
I love this boat neck tee shirt because not only is it perfect for those days when the sun is shining in Ireland, it is gathered at the tummy making it very flattering.
This could be worn with a long cardigan for a night out on the Irish tiles and would be equally suitable for warm days sightseeing — Click here for prices
Dress Top (for the evening)
I LOVE this gorgeous casual crop top. It would be perfect to wear at night in Ireland.
It comes in a range of different colours and would look fabulous paired with skinny pants or some loose-fitting linen trousers — Click here for prices
Chunky Cardigan
How Irish will you feel in this earthy, casual (but utterly gorgeous) chunky cardigan
Perfect for those blowy afternoons or pair with some skinny jeans to look ready to soak up the Dublin atmosphere — Click here for prices
Fleece Lined Leggings
We were last in Ireland in Sept/ October and I lived in these cosy leggings! They are perfect for keeping that Irish wind at bay.
Wear them underneath lightweight hiking pants for a day sightseeing or else on their own with a long tunic, boots and scarf for an evening out in Dublin — Click here for prices
Skinny Jeans (comfy and flattering ones)
You get to an age where you think skinny jeans will never again have a place in your wardrobe. Well, you are wrong – thanks to Levi!
These pull-on, shaping jeans makes me want to love Levi forever.
These skinny jeans hold you in, hold you up and quite frankly are the most comfortable jeans I have ever worn. You are going to LOVE them in Ireland. I promise. — Click here for prices
Would you love to travel to Ireland more often but could do with a few (tried and tested) tips on how to do it for less? Join me!
Lightweight Dress Pants
I’d take one pair of comfortable pants to wear in Ireland. Always a good go-to for when you don’t want to think too hard!
These stretchy pants are super comfy and have a flattering bootleg cut, meaning that they look just as good with hiking boots as they do dress shoes — Click here for prices
Hiking Pants
There are so many beautiful hikes in Ireland, and if you are looking for a pair of windproof, stainproof and quick-drying pants, then these Columbia pants are your best choice!
I love the fact that these pants roll up really small, too, making more room in your packing case — Click here for prices
Lightweight Scarf
I love these snap scarves.
If you haven’t yet worn one they are super soft scarves with little snaps on the ends that you can either put together or leave open and flowing.
They are hugely versatile and can keep you warm when the Irish wind gets a bit blowy, or they can dress up a plain tee shirt into something a little special for a night out — Click here for prices
Comfy Shoes
You will absolutely LOVE these Sketchers walking shoe. They are the perfect shoes to pack for Ireland. They are super comfortable, and paired with either skinny pants or boot-cut trousers would look great.
I also think that if you wore these with a little black dress, they would look super cute —Click here for prices
Boots
These cute ankle boots are the perfect look for an evening out in Ireland.
Wear them with skinny jeans or leggings and a poncho — Click here for prices
Poncho
This stylish poncho paired with skinny jeans or tights and a skirt is the perfect look when trying to decide what to pack for Ireland.
Elegant yet casual, this poncho is a mixture of cotton and spandex making it soft and comfortable — Click here for prices
Other Traveling To Ireland Need To Knows.
🏥 Ireland Travel Insurance
Whatever you do, make sure that the insurance you buy for your Ireland trip is the best there is.
As I said, we have spent years travelling the world, and so my husband did a stack of research about which was the best travel cover. This is the company that we use every time.
I AM an affiliate for World Nomads, which is just as well because we have made three claims in the past year and every time, they have been faultless and saved us $$$’s in emergency dental fees and Ireland car hire excess.
Because of this, I tell everyone I meet about how fantastic they are.
I will only ever recommend World Nomads for Ireland travel insurance, but whichever one you choose, make sure you are covered for everything.
Visiting Ireland? Listen… (You’ll thank me for this).
🏡 Housesitting in Ireland
When we were in Ireland for a month, we were Housesitting.
Honestly, I can’t understand why more people don’t do this!
It’s VERY straightforward: You join by using my exclusive discount code to save yourself 25% by Clicking here. You make a profile and then twice a day you are sent emails (such as the screenshot from my phone below) listing available properties in Ireland!
I know this isn’t for everyone, but we loved it and it saved us thousands of dollars on accommodation in Europe literally, $$$’s.
We stayed in an apartment in Dublin and a farmhouse just outside Kilkenny. Both were beautiful.
I can not speak highly enough about Housesitting in Ireland. It is the best thing in the world if you want to travel more, experience lots and spend less.
It costs a small fee to sign up for a year, and twice a day you will be sent through a list of available places around the world.
I have also enclosed a screenshot of the email alert that I received this morning. I get these every day. Why not click here to see all the current housesits in Ireland. (You’ll be amazed at where you can stay!)
Click here to see all available housesits in Ireland.
A Dublin Pass
If you plan on staying in Dublin then you HAVE to get the Dublin Pass.
Am I an affiliate for them? You bet I am – they saved us a fortune when we stayed in Dublin. We bought a 3-day pass, and I tell everyone I meet to do the same.
Here’s why.
The initial outlay for the pass may seem a bit pricey, and you might very well think you can do things cheaper, but honestly, if you plan on staying in Dublin for one, two, three or even five days, you will not find a better way to save money.
(And I know because I am the queen of doing things on the cheap!!)
Here’s why you will love the Dublin Pass:
- FREE Entrance to over 30 attractions (we worked this out – it saved us roughly $96 per person!).
- They send you the pass straight to your phone and then all you have to do is flash it whenever you go to an attraction (or if you prefer you can collect it in Dublin or they can send it to your home address in a proper parcel)
- Here’s why I loved it the most: When you purchase ANY Dublin Pass you get a FREE 24-hour ticket to ride the hop-on/hop-off bus around Dublin!
So yes.
Click HERE To Find Out More About The Dublin Pass. It’s the only way to get discount prices AND a free day on the sightseeing bus (perfect if you have tired legs, little kids or lazy teenagers like me.)
Other Items You Need to Pack For Ireland
Other than what you will need to pack for Ireland to wear, there were a few other essentials that I was glad that we took with us when we visited the Emerald Isle (that weren’t mentioned in the travel books!)
Umbrella
Whatever season you visit Ireland to make sure you pack a travel umbrella. This is the best one on the market and you will thank me for the advice to take an umbrella to Ireland.
Brilliant in the wind and in cities, this umbrella comes in lots of colours — Click here for prices
Ireland Travel Adapter
After having spent a year travelling around the world with two tech-loving teenagers, I realised how important this travel adapter was.
This 4 port USB power travel adapter will not only save you lots of stress in Ireland but will also keep everyone’s gadgets firmly topped up — Click here for prices
Day Bag
This cross over anti-theft bag is not only stylish but it is super practical too.
(If travel purses are your things then you can check out my post on 21 gorgeous and practical travel purses.)
Ireland is a relatively safe country and I have never experienced any crime while visiting, but it is always reassuring to know that your travel purse cannot be snatched — Click here for prices
Bug Spray
One of the common mistakes that people make on their first visit Ireland is assuming that there aren’t any bugs.
Not true – and I have the bites to prove it!
Don’t worry; mosquitoes in Ireland don’t carry any nasty disease, but to avoid scratching all day, pack some repellant.
In my opinion, this one is the best there is. Fragrance-free and easy to rub in — Click here for prices
Would you love to travel to Ireland more often but could do with a few (tried and tested) tips on how to do it for less? Join me!
Here is the Ireland video I promised you of us in the pub!
Related Posts That You Will Enjoy
Ireland tips for your first visit. What to expect
How to avoid looking like a fe*kin eejit in Ireland
Arrive feeling gorgeous. 10 Plane essentials that you will never leave home without again
Vacation Checklist. 39 ways to make things a little easier
So, there you have it. And not a frill or a flounce in sight!
Have you been to Ireland? Are you about to make your first trip to this gorgeous country?
If you can think of anything that you would like me to add to either the what to wear in Ireland or what to pack for Ireland, then leave me a comment below, and I will gladly add your suggestion!
Thank you, this is the best article I have read so far. Very comprehensive and practical. It suits the way I like to travel.
Thanks, Tina, glad it was helpful 🙂
I wish that you could do a list for men and another list for young travelers as well.
That’s a great idea John! Leave it with me 🙂