What To Wear In Ireland In August (Packing List)

After 36 years in Dublin, my answer to “What to wear in Ireland in August?” is always the same: pack light layers for mild days (average highs of 18°C/64°F), a waterproof for summer showers, and be ready for four seasons in one day.

This is the backbone of an efficient packing list for Ireland in August. What else you bring depends on your plans (e.g. if you’re hiking) and how you handle warm/cool conditions.

Those spending August in Ireland can expect long days, mild temperatures, and the odd downpour, so packing smart will save you both time and hassle.

Why trust this guide? Unlike most guides on what to pack for Ireland, this guide contains no affiliate links – just useful advice from a local!

What to wear in Ireland in August

Before looking at what to wear in Ireland in August, it’s worth taking 10 seconds to get up-to-speed on what this month is like:

1. August is summer in Ireland

Since this is the Irish summer, you can generally expect warm pleasant weather in Ireland in August. On average there are highs of 18°C/64°F and lows of 11°C/52°F. Although the days begin to shorten from the end of June, in August they are still nice and long, with the sun rising at 05:41 at the start of the month, and setting at 21:20. If you’re following one of the itineraries from our Irish road trip library, these long days give you plenty of time to explore!

2. Pack with all conditions in mind

To get a better idea of what to pack for Ireland in August, it helps to look at recent conditions. In 2024, the month was mild and mixed. Dublin Airport saw only 8 wet days, while Newport (near Achill Island) logged 25 and Malin Head in Donegal had 29 rain days. Rainfall ranged from just 36.6 mm in Dublin to 257.5 mm at Newport, making it one of its wettest Augusts on record.

3. Our summer highs may feel more like spring elsewhere

The kinds of temperatures you are used to will influence your packing list quite a bit. People from hot countries probably won’t view 18°C as warm and might even describe 12°C as downright cold! The opposite is true for people from colder countries. If in doubt, pack more layers than you think you’ll need. 

4. We can get four seasons in a day 

One thing can be said about Irish weather – it likes to keep you on your toes! One minute you could be sunbathing, the next you could be caught in a rain shower. That’s why it’s always a good idea to pack some light waterproofs and extra layers… even in the summer. 

List of what to pack for Ireland in August

This is what I’d recommend you pack for Ireland in August (for women):

• Tops: Light layers work best for warm weather. Think t-shirts, blouses, or sleeveless tops, plus a lightweight long-sleeve for cool evenings
• Bottoms: Bring whatever you feel comfortable in on warmer days, like light trousers, shorts, or summer skirts
• Footwear: Comfortable walking shoes for exploring and casual yet stylish shoes for evenings
• Outerwear: A light, water-resistant jacket or compact waterproof for changeable weather
• Accessories: Sunglasses, sunscreen, a hat for sunny days, and a day bag for extra layers and essentials
• Activity-specific gear: Sturdy footwear for hiking, swimwear for pools or beaches, and a microfibre towel
• Evening wear: For evenings in Ireland, stick to whatever feels comfortable. Most go casual for pubs and restaurants, but it’s worth packing one slightly smarter outfit if you’re heading somewhere upscale

What to wear in Ireland in August (for men):

• Tops: Pack light, breathable layers for warm days. Think t-shirts or polos, and a lightweight long-sleeve top for cooler evenings
• Bottoms: Bring a mix of shorts for daytime exploring and either jeans or lightweight trousers for evenings or when the weather dips
• Footwear: Comfortable walking shoes for exploring and smarter shoes for evenings out
• Outerwear: A light, water-resistant jacket or compact waterproof for sudden showers
• Accessories: Sunglasses, sunscreen, a cap or hat for sun protection, and a day bag for carrying layers and essentials
• Activity-specific gear: Hiking boots for trails, swimwear for pools or beaches, and a microfibre towel
• Evening wear: Smart-casual options like jeans and a shirt for pubs and restaurants; pack a dressier shirt and trousers for fine dining or upscale bars

Below, you’ll find the type of plugs we use along with a mix of other essential items for your Ireland packing list for August.

1. The essentials

Before you consider the clothing side of what to pack for Ireland in August, you need to pack the essentials, like:

• Passport: Always the first thing to check — make sure it’s valid well before you set off
• Tech & Adaptors: Phone, laptop, tablet, camera — plus chargers for each. Ireland uses type G plugs with three rectangular prongs, so grab an adaptor if you need one
• Medication & Toiletries: Bring any prescription meds and the toiletries you rely on, as you might not find the same brands locally
• Day Bag: Perfect for carrying snacks, water, and spare layers when exploring towns or heading out on hikes
• Comfort Items: Neck pillow and headphones make long journeys a whole lot easier
• Driving Essentials: Planning to rent a car in Ireland? You’ll need a full driver’s licence and a credit card in the lead driver’s name (see my guide to driving in Ireland and renting a car in Ireland)

2. The waterproofs

We talk about things to avoid in Ireland a fair bit on this website – one of the key points is not to assume the weather will be grand.

Even though it’s summer, as we explained earlier, the weather in August can vary from year to year and even day to day. So waterproofs always have a firm place on our packing list no matter what time of the year it is. 

Since August temperatures are typically quite warm, we’d suggest bringing along a lightweight waterproof that you can easily throw on top of your clothes and keep in your day bag. If you’re mostly sticking to exploring cities and towns, a small umbrella might come in useful too.

Related read: Haven’t yet decided if August’s the right month for you? See my guide to the best time of year to visit Ireland!

3. Warm weather must-haves

Hopefully, you’ll be lucky with the weather and get to enjoy some sunshine and warm temperatures. For summer in Ireland, we recommend packing clothing that will keep you cool, as well as some light layers for cooler nights and days. 

For women, dresses/skirts, shorts, and light trousers are great alongside some light tops and t-shirts. For men, we suggest packing pairs of shorts, a pair of pants/jeans, some t-shirts and light shirts. 

Other warm weather must-haves are sunglasses, sunscreen, and a hat or cap. 

4. The evening wear

Evenings in Ireland tend to be more on the casual side, with men usually wearing a pair of pants/jeans and a shirt, and women wearing jeans/skirts with a top or a casual dress.

This is perfectly acceptable for a couple of drinks down at the pub or a meal at a regular restaurant. 

Now, if you have plans to treat yourself to some fine dining or a cocktail or two at an upmarket bar, then you should plan ahead and bring something a little smarter. 

5. The activity-specific clothing

Many of the various attractions in Ireland don’t require any specialist gear. The exception is if you plan on tackling one of the various hikes in Ireland.

Since temperatures are warm in August, it’s important to bring a large water bottle to keep hydrated, a wide-brim hat to protect your head and some sturdy footwear.

When heading out, don’t forget to pack some extra layers in your day bag too as it can get cooler up in the mountains. 

Since summer is in full swing, you’ll probably want to go to the beach, so swimwear and a light microfibre towel are recommended. 

Lastly, we always suggest having at least one pair of comfortable shoes as Irish cities and towns are wonderful for exploring on foot. 

6. What to wear in Dublin in August

I get asked what to wear in Dublin in August all the time, and it really depends on how you’ll spend your trip. August is still summer, but it’s not unusual to get cool breezes and showers mixed in with warm spells. Here’s how I’d think about it:

• 24 hours in Dublin: If you’re staying around the city centre, light layers, comfortable walking shoes, and a packable waterproof will cover most situations
• 2 days in Dublin: With two days, casual outfits work well for sightseeing, but bring a smarter option for an evening meal or drinks
• 3 days in Dublin: If you’re exploring further afield like the Dublin Mountains or heading out to Howth, pack sturdy shoes, a fleece for cooler evenings, and a light rain jacket

August days are generally mild and bright, but Irish weather always keeps you guessing — layering is the safest approach.

FAQs about how to dress in Ireland in August

We’ve had a lot of questions over the years asking about everything from ‘What Ireland packing list for August is the cheapest?’ to ‘Are pubs in August casual?’.

In the section below, we’ve popped in the most FAQs that we’ve received. If you have a question that we haven’t tackled, ask away in the comments section below.