What To Wear In Ireland In February (Packing List)

If you’re wondering what to wear in Ireland in February, the guide below (based on 33 years of living here) will save you time.

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

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

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

Some quick info about what to wear in Ireland in February

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

1. February is winter in Ireland

February is one of the coldest months of the year in Ireland, with average highs of 8°C/46.4°F and average lows of 2°C/35.6°F. The days are short with the sun rising at roughly 07:40 and setting at 17:37 at the start of February. The weather in Ireland is notoriously unpredictable, but as a rule of thumb, February is cold, wet, and windy. If you’re following one of the itineraries from our Irish road trip library, make sure to take the shorter days into account.

2. Hope for the best and plan for the worst

The key to any Ireland packing list for February is layers (we can’t stress this enough). For example, in 2021, the weather was relatively mild and wet, and the following year, in 2022, it was mild, wet, and windy. 

3. Where you’re from plays a big part

What to pack for Ireland in February will vary depending on where you’re from. For example, someone from Canada will probably find Irish winters more manageable than say someone from Florida. If you’re not 100% sure how you will find the cold, then it’s best to err on the safer side and pack plenty of layers. 

4. We can get four seasons in a day 

Even with heaps of planning and research, the weather in Ireland in February can still catch you off guard! It’s not unheard of for a few days of glorious winter sunshine in the middle of a month that’s otherwise cold, dreary, and wet. So it’s always best to bring a lot of layers that you can remove or put back on with an unexpected change of temperature. 

Ireland packing list for February

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

• An insulated waterproof jacket
• Long-sleeved tops
• A hat, scarf, and gloves
• Thermal base layers
• Trousers/jeans
• Socks and undergarments
• Winter boots or comfortable walking shoes
• Cosy sweaters, woollen jumpers, or hooded sweatshirts
• Formal attire if fine-dining is planned
• Swimwear if staying in a hotel with a pool

The list above gives you a quick insight into what to wear in Ireland in February and what to bring with you.

Below, there’s a bit more detail, including the type of plugs used, along with a mix of other essential items for your Ireland packing list for February.

1. The essentials

Before looking at what to wear in Ireland in February, we need to tackle the essential items that you can’t do without.

These will vary depending on your personal wants and needs, but we’ll pop some things we recommend for most travellers below: 

A valid passport should top ever list, so get that checked asap.

For plugs, bear in mind that Ireland has sockets designed for type G plugs (three rectangular prongs), so don’t forget to bring an adaptor if you need one. 

Next up is any medication you might need that you won’t be able to get in Ireland, we also like to bring some emergency painkillers like ibuprofen or paracetamol. 

If you plan on exploring a lot in the day, a light day bag is really handy, for carrying your essentials… and some of those extra layers we keep harping on about!

We also recommend a reusable water bottle (or thermos), neck pillow, toiletries, and headphones. 

2. The waterproofs

One of the things to avoid in Ireland is assuming the weather will behave according to the season.

Odds are, some of your trip will be wet and rainy. This makes waterproofs a must to keep you dry and cheerful.

A good waterproof jacket, shoes, and even trousers will make the wet weather more manageable, as well as a rain cover for your day back to keep your things dry.

If you’re mostly sticking to cities, then you can probably swap out the waterproof trousers for an umbrella (which you can buy once you’ve arrived). 

3. The cold-beaters

When debating what to wear in Ireland in February, a good way to start is to work from your head down.

With average lows of 2°C/35.6°F, keeping warm will be another top priority for your February trip! Plenty of warm clothes are a must, including a nice thick pair of woolly socks, gloves, a scarf, and a hat. 

On top of this, a nice thick coat plus plenty of layers (think vests, t-shirts, long-sleeves, and sweaters) should keep the cold out.

If you’re not too keen on bringing along a bulky coat, we always find that layering a sweater, packable feather-down jacket, and waterproof jacket does the job. 

Women can also bring some leggings and thick woolly tights to wear under pants (or even a long dress) for some extra warmth. 

4. The evening wear

Ireland is pretty casual when it comes to evening wear. If you’re heading to the pub or out to a restaurant for dinner, then it’s perfectly acceptable for men to wear a shirt or polo shirt with a pair of jeans or pants, and for women to wear a nice top or light jumper paired with jeans. 

We do however recommend packing something a little more formal if you plan on treating yourself to a meal in one of Ireland’s many wonderful fine-dining restaurants or a fancy bar.

Plus, let’s not forget Valentine’s Day, when you might want to dress up extra special for the evening.  

5. The activity-specific clothing

If you’re planning on tackling one of the many walks in Ireland, you’ll need specific gear – sturdy winter footwear, base-layers, and good-quality waterproofs are a must. 

It can get pretty windy in February (especially on the coast or higher up), so bring plenty of layers. 

We mentioned it earlier, but some comfortable waterproof shoes are essential if you plan on navigating any cities on foot. 

FAQs about what to wear in Ireland in February

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

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.