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What To Wear In Ireland In October (Packing List)

What To Wear In Ireland In October (Packing List)

If you’re wondering what to wear in Ireland in October, this article (based on 33 years of living here) will save you hassle.

Settling on what to pack for Ireland in October is often a pain if you’re visiting for the first time.

But don’t worry – it’s grand and straightforward once you know what October is like in Ireland.

Our Ireland packing list for October contains zero affiliate links – just lots of good advice!

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

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

1. October is autumn in Ireland

By October, the cold weather in Ireland has landed, with cool and crisp days that can reach highs of 13°C/55°F and lows of 6°C/42°F on average. The days are still quite long, with the sun rising at 07:33 at the beginning of the month and setting at 19:09. If you’re following one of the itineraries from our Irish road trip library, these daylight house still give you plenty of time to explore!

2. Hope for the best and plan for the worst

By a rule of thumb, October is usually quite rainy, although this will vary depending on where in Ireland you are. For example in 2022 the number of rainy days ranged from 20 recorded in Dublin Airport and Casement Aerodrome, to 30 in Finner. But, on average, in 2020, October was cool, wet, and windy, and in 2021 and 2022, it was mild and wet. Layers are your friend!

3. Where you’re from plays a big part

Where you’re from will definitely impact how you react to the cold. One person’s “mild” can easily be another person’s “cold” and vice versa. It’s good to take a moment to think about where on the scale you fall and adjust how many layers you bring accordingly. But, if in doubt, pack more layers! 

4. We can get four seasons in a day 

Irish weather doesn’t really abide by any set rules and it’s more than possible for a single day to change from clear and sunny to grey and rainy in the space of a couple of hours. This is yet another reason why we love layers so much, because you can just remove them and put them back on as you need to. 

Ireland packing list for October

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

  • Warm waterproof jacket
  • Gloves, hat and scarf
  • Long-sleeved tops/t-shirts
  • Pants (jeans, trousers, or leggings)
  • Comfy walking boots/shoes
  • Footwear for evening time
  • Socks and underwear
  • Sweatshirts, cardigans, jumpers or hoodies
  • Activity-specific gear (e.g. hiking shoes)
  • Formalwear if you plan on fine-dining

The list above gives you a quick insight into what to wear in Ireland in October 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 October.

1. The essentials

essential things to pack for ireland in june

Photos via Shutterstock

A good place to start with any packing list is the essentials – A.K.A the things you can’t really buy once you arrive, or that you can’t live without. Essentials definitely vary between people but read below for some suggestions. 

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

Technology is a big one, so your phone, tablet, laptop, etc. and their respective chargers. If you’re not from a country that uses a G-type plug with three rectangular prongs (like we do in Ireland), then you’ll need to pick up an adaptor. 

If you’re taking any special medication, make sure to pack it, as there’s no guarantee you’ll be able to find it once you arrive in the country. 

Some other essentials we’d recommend bringing with you are any toiletries you might need, some OTC painkillers, a day bag (for stashing those layers), headphones, a neck pillow, and a thermos or reusable water bottle. 

2. The waterproofs

waterproofs

Photos via Shutterstock

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 October will be grand.

We’ve already established that October can be quite rainy. So you definitely don’t want to skip packing some waterproofs. We suggest a good quality pair of waterproof trousers, a warm waterproof jacket, and some warm waterproof shoes. 

If you’re thinking about hiking a lot, then a rain cover for your day bag is also a good idea to keep your things dry. 

For those of you who are sticking to the city, you’ll probably manage without waterproof trousers, but you may want to buy a big sturdy umbrella once you arrive. 

3. The cold-beaters

clothes for the cold

Photos via Shutterstock

Temperatures are beginning to drop by October, so some warm clothes are a must. 

With average lows of 6°C/42°F, you may want to consider bringing along a thick winter coat, or if you’re used to the cold, a feather-down jacket on top of lots of layers should do the trick.

Speaking of layers… we recommend packing lots of layers! Vests, t-shirts, jumpers, and hoodies, you name it. Best case scenario you don’t need them and can just take them off. 

Even with a coat and layers, we think adding a warm hat, a light scarf, gloves, and thick socks to your packing list is a good idea because if you’re too hot, you can always leave them in the hotel or put them in your day bag. 

A good trick for women is to bring some leggings or woolly tights and wear them underneath your pants/jeans or even a long skirt/dress. 

4. The evening wear

evening wear

Photos courtesy Failte Ireland

Nights out in Ireland (a visit to the pub or a meal out at a regular restaurant) are quite casual. For men, it’s okay to wear pants/jeans paired with a polo or a casual shirt.

For women, a nice blouse or jumper with a pair of jeans or pants is the norm. 

Or course, if you’re heading out to an upmarket restaurant or bar for the evening, then you’ll probably want to dress up a little more, so it’s good to plan ahead so you can pack something smarter.

5. The activity-specific clothing

Carrauntoohil

Photos via Shutterstock

Many of the various things to do 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 like your holidays active, then make sure to bring along a sturdy pair of waterproof hiking boots and some extra base layers for hiking.

The extra layers are also good if you’re dreaming of coastal walks because they’ll help to protect you from the cold October winds. 

For city breaks, a comfortable pair of waterproof shoes are essential, to keep your feet dry if you plan on exploring on foot. 

FAQs about what to wear in Ireland in October

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

What should I wear in Ireland in October?

With average highs of 13°C/55°F and lows of 6°C/42°F, October is the middle ground between autumn and winter. Warm layers, comfortable walking shoes and a good waterproof outer layer are key.

How do people dress in Dublin in October?

This varies quite a bit but, for the most part, Dublin is casual. In most pubs and restaurants jeans and a top are more than sufficient. Just make sure to pack formal gear if you plan on fine dining.

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