What To Wear In Ireland In December (Packing List)

If you’re wondering what to wear in Ireland in December, think warm and waterproof. Average highs sit around 10°C/50°F, with lows of 3°C/37°F, so bring an insulated jacket, sturdy walking shoes, and layers you can stack. A hat, scarf, and gloves will make a big difference on colder days.

That forms the outline of a practical packing list for Ireland in December. Beyond that, what you bring depends on how much time you’ll spend outdoors versus in towns and cities.

December in Ireland is the depths of winter, with short daylight, plenty of rain, and sharp winds, though you’ll sometimes get clear, crisp days. The trick is to have clothing you can layer and adjust as the weather changes.

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 December

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

1. December is winter in Ireland

The weather in Ireland in December sees the arrival of very cold temps. Generally speaking, it’s cool, windy, and wet. During the month, there are average highs of 10°C/50°F and average lows of 3°C/37°F. The days are shorter than any other time of the year, with the sun rising at roughly 08:22 and setting at around 16:19 at the start of the month. If you’re following one of the itineraries from our Irish road trip library, make sure to take daylight into account!

2. Don’t expect for typical December weather

To get a better idea of what to pack for Ireland in December, it helps to look at recent conditions. In 2024, the month was mild and dull. Dublin Airport saw 15 wet days, while Valentia Island (near the Ring of Kerry) had 23, and Newport (near Achill Island) logged 23 as well. Over at Mace Head (Connemara), Storm Darragh brought storm-force gusts of 141 km/h.

3. Where you’re from plays a big part

Where you live will play a big part in what you need to pack. While we’re strong advocates of layers… If you’re visiting from somewhere with extremely cold weather you’ll probably be able to manage the cold a little better, whereas if you’re from a tropical climate, you might want to pack extra layers. 

4. We can get four seasons in a day 

Even though December in Ireland is usually cold, wet, and windy, you don’t want to be caught in an odd sunny spell with nothing but a thick winter jacket and a woolly jumper! A single day in Ireland can be sunny, rainy, windy, and even snowy, so it’s best to bring a variety of clothing for sudden temperature changes or sunny days. Once again, layers are key here as you can remove them and put them back on as you need to. 

What to pack for Ireland in December

Here’s what I’d suggest packing for Ireland in December (for women):

• Tops: Long-sleeve t-shirts, warm sweaters, and thermal base layers for cold days (average highs 10°C/50°F, lows 3°C/37°F)
• Bottoms: Jeans or trousers for most days. Thermal leggings or woolly tights add warmth under jeans or skirts
• Footwear: Waterproof walking shoes/boots are essential for rain and cold. Pack a second casual pair for evenings
• Outerwear: An insulated, waterproof jacket is a must. A fleece or feather-down mid-layer helps on very cold days
• Accessories: Woolly hat, scarf, gloves, thick socks, umbrella or daypack rain cover, and a small day bag for layers
• Activity-specific gear: Waterproof hiking boots and trousers if you plan to hike; thermal layers for coastal walks. Swimwear if you fancy joining a Christmas swim or using a hotel pool/spa
• Evening wear: Ireland is casual – jeans with a jumper or blouse are fine for most pubs/restaurants. Bring one smarter outfit for fine dining or upscale bars

What to pack for Ireland in December (for men):

• Tops: A mix of long-sleeve t-shirts, warm sweaters/hoodies, and thermal base layers
• Bottoms: Jeans or chinos for everyday wear. Thermal underlayers if you feel the cold
• Footwear: Waterproof walking shoes/boots for daytime exploring, plus a cleaner pair for evenings
• Outerwear: A warm insulated waterproof jacket is essential. Add a fleece or down mid-layer for extra cold spells
• Accessories: Warm hat, scarf, gloves, thick socks, umbrella or rain cover for your daypack, and a small backpack for layers/water
• Activity-specific gear: Hiking boots and waterproof trousers if tackling trails. Extra base layers for windy coastal walks. Swimwear for pools or winter swims
• Evening wear: Jeans/chinos with a shirt or polo are fine for most pubs and restaurants. Bring something sharper for fine dining or upscale venues

1. The essentials

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

• Passport: The must-have at the top of every list — check it’s valid well ahead of time
• Adaptors: Ireland uses type G sockets with three rectangular prongs, so bring an adaptor if your plugs don’t match
• Medication & Painkillers: Bring any prescription meds you need and maybe a few OTC painkillers for convenience
• Day Bag: Great for hikes or city rambles — stash water, snacks, and spare layers as you go
• Comfort & Extras: Toiletries, a thermos, headphones, and a neck pillow all help make the trip smoother
• Driving Essentials: Renting a car in Ireland? Bring 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 in Ireland in December will be grand.

Since it’s December, you’ll probably have more than your fair share of wet days, so waterproofs are a must. 

If you plan on visiting a lot of outdoor attractions or doing some hiking, then a decent pair of waterproof trousers, waterproof shoes, and a warm waterproof jacket are a good shout. We’d also recommend getting a rain cover for your day bag to keep your things nice and dry. 

For city trips, you can probably swap out the not-so-fashionable waterproof trousers for a quality umbrella (you can easily find one once you’re here). 

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

3. The cold-beaters

Given the cold December temperatures, you’ll want to leave plenty of space for warm clothes. On average, December has lows of 3°C/37°F, so make sure to bring a thick winter coat, a woolly hat and scarf, and some warm gloves and socks. 

On top of these, it’s good to have a variety of clothes for wearing underneath (such as vests, t-shirts, long-sleeve t-shirts, and sweaters or hoodies).

If you don’t have room for a bulky coat, a light featherdown coat in between some layers and a waterproof jacket should be enough to keep you warm – if you’re already used to cold weather!

Women can also pack some thermal leggings or woolly tights (which are great for wearing under pants or jeans) for some added warmth. 

4. The evening wear

Nights out in Ireland are quite casual, with men usually opting for a shirt or polo with jeans and women wearing jeans and a nice top or jumper. This kind of attire is perfectly acceptable for a pint at the pub or even a meal at a restaurant. 

However, if you’re planning on treating yourself to some fine dining or want to visit a more upmarket bar, then we do recommend packing something a little more formal. 

For those of you that plan on strolling around some Christmas markets in Ireland, like the Dublin Christmas Market, plenty of warm clothing is needed!

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.

Ireland is full of wonderful hikes, and some of them are spectacular (even in the bracing winter weather).

However, hiking in Ireland in December does take some pre-planning as you’ll need to bring sturdy winter boots, good quality waterproofs, and some extra thermal layers.  

There are some bitingly cold winds along the coast, so we recommend good base layers for keeping the wind out on coastal walks. You may even want to pack a swimsuit in case you want to join one of the many Christmas day swims around the country! 

If you plan on a lot of urban walking, then comfortable waterproof shoes are a lifesaver. 

6. What to wear in Dublin in December

I get asked what to wear in Dublin in December all the time, and honestly it depends on how you’re spending your trip. December is cold, wet, and dark early in the evenings, so packing smart is key. Here’s how I’d break it down:

• 24 hours in Dublin: Sticking to the city centre? Warm layers under a proper winter coat, plus waterproof shoes or boots for puddles and rain
• 2 days in Dublin: By day you’ll want a hat, scarf, and gloves for walking tours, while at night a smarter outfit under your coat works well for pubs and restaurants
• 3 days in Dublin: With extra time, you might head into the Dublin Mountains or out to Howth — bring sturdy waterproof boots, thermal layers, and a reliable rain jacket

December in Dublin means short days, plenty of rain, and biting winds — so warm, waterproof layers are non-negotiable.

FAQs about what to wear in Ireland in December

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