What To Wear In Ireland In August (Packing List)

Fretting over what to wear in Ireland in August? Chill! The guide below (based on 33 years of living here) will save you time.

Deciding what to pack for Ireland in August can be a pain, especially if this is your first visit.

However, it’s very straightforward once you know what August is like in Ireland.

Our Ireland packing list for August has no affiliate links – just good, solid advice.

Some quick need-to-knows about 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. Hope for the best and plan for the worst

Summer in Ireland doesn’t always come with fine weather. Looking back at the last few years, the general pattern for August has varied. In 2020 it was rainy, stormy, and warm, in 2021 it was quite mild, and in 2022 there were record-breaking temperatures. The best way to be prepared for the weather is to plan for every scenario with additional layers and waterproof clothing.

3. Where you’re from plays a big part

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. 

Ireland packing list for August

This is what I recommend you pack for Ireland in August:

• Short-sleeve t-shirts or tops
• Sunglasses, sunscreen, and a hat
• A light, water-resistant jacket
• Shorts or summer dresses
• Socks and underwear
• Trousers or jeans
• A lightweight top for when it’s cool
• Comfortable walking shoes
• Evening-appropriate footwear
• Activity-specific attire (e.g. hiking gear)
• Swimwear if your hotel features a pool or if you plan to swim in the sea

The list above gives you a quick overview of what to wear in Ireland in August and what to bring with you.

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

The easiest way to start putting together any packing list is to begin with the essentials. These differ from person to person, but we’ll pop some suggestions below to give you a general idea. 

The first thing on every list should be a valid passport, so get that checked well in advance!

Most of us can’t live without our phones, and personally, I like to travel with my laptop, camera, and tablet. If you’re planning on bringing gadgets, don’t forget their chargers and to buy an adaptor if you need one (Irish plugs are type G with three rectangular prongs). 

If you take prescription medication, don’t forget to pack it as you might not be able to get it once you arrive. This also applies to any specific toiletries you normally use. 

The weather in August can be perfect for hiking and exploring cities and towns on foot. That’s why a day bag is one of our must-haves – they are super handy for storing snacks, your water bottle, and any extra layers. 

A neck pillow and headphones are also super useful for long trips. 

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. 

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. 

FAQs about what to wear 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.