What Do You Really Need To Pack For Ireland
Okay ladies, let’s talk about packing for Ireland!
First things first… yes, it rains in Ireland. But don’t let that scare you. We aren’t going to Ireland to sit around and wait for perfect weather. We’re going to experience Ireland, and sometimes that means a little rain, a little wind, and maybe even a little sideways rain!
Your Rain Jacket Is Your New Best Friend
Leave the big umbrella at home. Along the Wild Atlantic Way, the wind can have a mind of its own, and an umbrella can quickly become more of a problem than a solution. Instead, bring a lightweight, waterproof jacket with a hood. Something you can easily throw on when the rain comes and tuck into your daypack when the sun comes back out. And trust me, you may do that several times in one day!
For our longer walks and hikes, especially around the Cliffs of Moher and the Burren, a pair of lightweight waterproof rain pants is also a good idea. They take up very little space and can keep you comfortable when the Irish weather decides to join us.
Layers Are the Name of the Game
Irish weather can change quickly. One minute you’re enjoying sunshine and the next you’re standing in a cool Atlantic breeze wondering where that came from! Layers make life much easier. Think comfortable base layer, fleece or sweater, and waterproof jacket. You can add or remove layers as needed without carrying your entire closet around. And even though we’re traveling in May, bring something warm. We’ll be outdoors quite a bit, and that Atlantic breeze can make a beautiful day feel much cooler.
Let’s Talk Shoes
This one is important. We’re going to be doing a LOT of exploring. The Burren, Doolin, the Cliffs of Moher, and the Aran Islands are just a few of the places we’ll be experiencing. So bring comfortable, broken-in shoes that you can walk in for several hours. A waterproof hiking shoe or boot is perfect for our outdoor adventures, along with a comfortable everyday sneaker.
And please don’t bring brand-new shoes and think you’ll break them in on the trip. Ireland is not the place to discover your new shoes have a personal vendetta against your feet!
You Don’t Need to Bring Your Whole Closet
Ireland is casual, and so are we. You’ll want comfortable clothes that you can layer and mix and match. We will have some lovely dinners and special experiences, so bring something that makes you feel good and perhaps a little dressier for those occasions. But you don’t need a suitcase full of fancy clothes. A few versatile outfits, a sweater or two, a scarf, and some comfortable shoes will go a long way.
A Few Little Things You’ll Be Glad You Brought
A small daypack will be your friend. You’ll have somewhere to put your rain jacket, water bottle, snacks and anything else you pick up along the way.
Bring a reusable water bottle too. Ireland has wonderful drinking water, and staying hydrated while we’re out exploring is important.
You’ll also need a universal power adapter for Ireland’s Type G outlets.
And don’t forget sunscreen! Yes, sunscreen… even in Ireland. The clouds don’t mean the sun isn’t there.
And One More Thing…
Bring your sense of adventure.
We might have sunshine at breakfast, rain by lunch, and beautiful blue skies by dinner. That’s Ireland! Some of the most memorable moments may happen when the mist rolls across the Burren, the wind picks up along the cliffs, or a little rain makes everything look even greener. So come prepared, dress in layers, keep your rain jacket handy, and don’t worry too much about the forecast. We’re not going to Ireland for the weather.
We’re going for the experience, the adventure, the connection, and all those little moments we’ll talk about long after we get home. And I have a feeling there will be plenty of those.
