What To Wear In Ireland In July (Packing List)

If you’re trying to figure out what to wear in Ireland in July, this guide (based on 33 years of living here) will save you stress.

Deciding what to pack for Ireland in July is often a bit of a head-scratcher, especially if you’re visiting for the first time.

However, worry not – it’s very straightforward once you know what July is like in Ireland.

Our Ireland packing list for July contains zero affiliate links – just advice that’ll come in handy!

Some quick need-to-knows about what to wear in Ireland in July

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

1. July is summer in Ireland

By July summer in Ireland is well underway, with average highs of 19°C/66°F and average lows of 12°C/54°F. There are plenty of daylight hours for exploring, with the sun rising at 05:01 and setting at 21:56 at the beginning of the month. 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

Although it’s summer and that generally means you can expect warm weather in Ireland, dry sunny spells aren’t guaranteed. The last couple of years it’s been hot and sunny (last July 2022 was the hottest on record), but in 2020 the weather was wet and cool. That’s why we strongly recommend packing for different scenarios by bringing along layers and waterproofs, in addition to your normal summer gear. 

3. Where you’re from plays a big part

We all deal with temperature differently, and where you’re from or have been living will play a role in what you need to pack for your trip. If you’re visiting Ireland from somewhere that regularly experiences temperatures of over 25°C/77°F, then July might still feel a little cold and you might want to pack some extra layers. The same goes if you’re visiting from a colder part of the world. 

4. We can get four seasons in a day 

There are zero guarantees when it comes to Irish weather, and sunny July days can easily be interrupted by quick rain showers and vice versa! That’s why we preach about packing layers and waterproofs no matter what the forecast says, just to stay on the safe side. 

Ireland packing list for July

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

• Short-sleeve t-shirts
• Sunglasses, sunscreen, and a sun hat
• Lightweight waterproof jacket
• Shorts or summer dresses
• Socks and undergarments
• Pants or jeans
• A thin top for cool evenings or chilly days
• Comfortable walking shoes or boots
• Evening footwear
• Clothing suitable for specific activities (e.g. hiking gear)
• Swimwear in case your hotel has a pool or you intend to swim in the sea

The list above gives you a quick overview of what to wear in Ireland in July 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 July.

1. The essentials

The core of any packing list is the essentials. These will be personal to you, but we’ll be putting some suggestions below to help you get some inspiration. 

The first thing on every list should be a valid passport, so get that checked well in advance! Some travellers may also need a VISA!

You might need to pick up an adaptor or two as Ireland has type G sockets (for plugs with three rectangular prongs). 

If you take any special medication, don’t forget to bring it as there’s a chance you won’t be able to buy some once you arrive.

The same goes for toiletries (skincare, makeup, shampoo etc.). If you’re used to a specific brand, it’s best to bring yours from home. 

In July there’s lots of time in the day for exploring, so a day bag is super useful for stowing away layers or holding snacks/water.

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 July will be grand.

Waterproofs are a staple for any Ireland packing list no matter what month it is. As we mentioned earlier, July 2020 was quite rainy and even if the forecast is predicting sunshine… you can never be too careful!

Since it’s summer, a lightweight waterproof jacket should be more than enough or if you’re sticking to cities and towns, you could keep a little umbrella in the bottom of your bag. 

3. Warm weather must-haves

As it’s summer, you’re going to want to pack clothes that can help keep you cool as well as some light layers for the evenings and cooler days.

For men, we recommend pairs of shorts, light trousers, t-shirts, and breathable shirts. For women, we suggest shorts, light trousers, skirts, and dresses, paired with t-shirts and light breathable tops. 

Hopefully, there’ll be plenty of sunshine, so make sure to bring enough sunscreen, some sunglasses, and a hat or cap. 

4. The evening wear

When it comes to evenings out, Ireland is quite casual. It’s perfectly fine for men to wear pants or jeans with a polo or shirt to the pub or a restaurant; and for women to wear pants/skirts with a top.

That being said, if you plan on doing some fine dining or going to a fancy bar, then it’s a good idea to bring some light formal wear. 

5. The activity-specific clothing

Many of the various things to see in Ireland don’t require any specialist gear.

The exception is if you plan on tackling one of the various hikes in Ireland.

If you’re planning on an active holiday, then some quality walking boots/shoes are a must, as well as some layers for higher altitudes, and a wide-brim hat to keep the sun off your face. A large water bottle is also a good idea. 

Swimwear will come in handy if you decide to swim, surf, kayak etc. as well as a light towel for lounging on the sand/drying off. 

As always, we recommend packing at least one pair of comfortable shoes for walking around cities and towns. 

FAQs about what to wear in Ireland in July

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