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What To Wear In Ireland: A Month By Month Ireland Packing List

What To Wear In Ireland: A Month By Month Ireland Packing List

Many guides on what wear in Ireland are written by authors trying to get you to buy something. And there’s nothing really wrong with that.

However, most packing lists for Ireland are just glorified sales brochures, jammed with things you don’t really need.

  • What this guide won’t do: Push you to buy unnecessary stuff
  • What it will do: Give you practical advice from someone who’s lived in Ireland for 35 years

3 golden rules when deciding what to wear in Ireland

what to pack for ireland

This section is for those of you stuck for time, and it should give you a good sense of what your Ireland outfits should (and shouldn’t!) be:

 

1. Pack for all seasons

The weather in Ireland can be very unpredictable and it’s not uncommon to experience every season in one day. It’s worth bringing a variety of clothing to suit every type of weather regardless of when you visit. For example, a warm jumper even if you’re visiting Ireland in June.

2. Where you’re from matters

If you’re from somewhere particularly cold, you may find winter in Ireland mild and pleasant. On the other end of the spectrum, if you’re from a hot or tropical climate, summer in Ireland (depending on the kind of summer we’re having that year) can feel a little cool. See my guide to the best time to visit Ireland if you’re under of when to visit!

3. Layers are key

One of the most useful what to wear in Ireland travel tips is to bring plenty of layers. If it gets too warm, you can take them off. If it gets too cold, you can throw one on. Yes, it sounds obvious, but it works!

 

What to pack for Ireland’s warmer months

What to pack for Ireland's warmer months

Summer in Ireland, along with the tail end of spring, are some of the best months to visit Ireland.

Temperatures soar, the days are lovely and long and, while the evenings can be cool, they are generally nice and mild.

The weather conditions during these months

mayo beaches

Photos via Shutterstock

Picking out your Ireland outfits should all start with gaining an understanding of the weather during the month you’re visiting in.

An Ireland packing list for the summer months is relatively straightforward, as you don’t need to worry about bulky jackets.

  • Ireland in May: Mild and showers are common. Average highs of 15°C/59°F and lows of 9°C/48°F
  • Ireland in JuneWarm and sunny with chances of showers. Highs of 18°C/64°F and lows of 11°C/52°F
  • Ireland in July: Typically warm, with scattered showers common. Average temperature of 15.5°C/59.9°F
  • Ireland in August: Warm, with some late summer rain and an average temperature of 15.2°C/59.4°F
 

A packing list for these months

GeneralOuterwearFootwearAccessories
Short sleeved
t-shirts/tops (2-3)
Light waterproof jacketWalking shoesSunglasses
Shorts / summer dresses (2-3)Warm waterproof jacketEvening footwearSunscreen
Lightweight shirt or dressLight sweater or cardigan (1-2)Summer sandalsHat
Long-sleeved t-shirts (1-2)Light top for evening time/cold daysSwimwear
Trousers / jeans / leggings (2-3)Sweatshirts or sweaters (1-2)
Socks and underwear

Detailed packing lists for May, June, July and August

 

What to wear in Ireland’s coldest months

how to dress in ireland during the winter

Winter in Ireland, along with the tail end of autumn are some of the toughest months to build an Ireland packing list for.

Temperatures are all over the place, the winter can range from mild to freezing and you always feel either over or under dressed.

The weather conditions during these months

yulefest Kilkenny Christmas market 2023

Photos courtesy Yulefest Kilkenny via Fáilte Ireland

Travelling in Ireland during winter comes with a bit of risk when it comes to packing.

The days are shorter (the sun rises between 8am and 9am and sets between 4pm and 5pm) and the weather can be a little miserable, so you need to pack accordingly.

 

A packing list for these months

GeneralOuterwearFootwearAccessories
Short-sleeved t-shirts or vests (2)A warm waterproof winter jacketWinter boots/shoesSunglasses (yes, really, for low winter sun!)
Long-sleeved t-shirts (2)Winter scarf
Sweatshirts or sweaters (2)Winter gloves (preferably waterproof)
Pants (jeans, trousers, or leggings) (2-3)Winter hat (preferably waterproof)
Thick winter socks (4+)

Detailed packing lists for November, December, January and February

 

Ireland outfits for the shoulder season

what do irish people wear during the shoulder season

The shoulder season is the time between the peak and off seasons. It’s a great time to visit and each of these months require relatively similar packing lists for Ireland.

One thing I will say is to watch the weather in advance of your visit – October is usually cool and crisp, but this year it was extremely mild.

The weather conditions during these months

heart shaped lake wicklow

Photos via Shutterstock

Packing for Ireland during this season can be tricky, as the weather dances unpredictably between crisp coolness and frequent rain.

Here’s an overview of the weather during these months (find what to wear in Ireland in March, April, September and October below!)

  • Ireland in March: Relatively cold with highs of 10°C/50°F and lows of 4.4°C/39.92°F.
  • Ireland in April: Milder than previous months, but scattered showers are frequent. Average temperature of 8.6°C/47.5°F.
  • Ireland in September: Pleasant temps with occasional showers. Average temperature of 13.2°C/55.8°F
  • Ireland in October: Wet and windy, but also cool and crisp. Average temperature of 10.2°C/50.4°F
 

A packing list for these months

GeneralOuterwearFootwearAccessories
Short-sleeved t-shirts or vests (2)A warm waterproof jacketWinter boots/shoesSunglasses
Long-sleeved t-shirts (2)Warm hatComfortable shoesLight scarf
Sweatshirts or sweaters (2-3)Light glovesThick winter socks (4+)
Pants (jeans, trousers, or leggings) (2-3)
Lightweight shirt or dress
Light sweater or cardigan

Detailed packing lists for March, April, September and October

 

4 steps that’ll help you figure out what to pack for Ireland

Cobh

Photos via Shutterstock

You’ll find what to wear in Ireland for every month further down. But before you scroll, it’s worth noting that no Ireland packing list will exactly suit your needs.

So, with this in mind, it’s worth follow the below steps so that you ensure you bring everything you need with you.

Step 1: Understand the seasons

It’s worth having a good understanding of the different seasons in Ireland before you do anything else.

Above, you’ll get a sense of average temperatures for each chunk of the year. This will help you when you arrive at step 2.

 

Step 2: List out your essentials

packing for Ireland

The most useful step when trying to decide what to wear in Ireland is to list out your essentials.

These are the things you can’t do without, regardless of time of year. Here are some examples:

  • Valid passport
  • Adaptor – Ireland uses Type G power plugs with a 230V supply voltage and a 50Hz frequency. 
  • Camera, phone, tablet, laptop, headphones etc.
  • Chargers
  • Medicine 
  • Toiletries
  • Reusable water bottle 
  • Day bag or small rucksack
 

Step 3: Packing for specific activities

Carrauntoohil

Photos via Shutterstock

There’s endless things to do in Ireland, from hikes and walks to museums, castles and more.

Some activities will require very specific items. If you’re an avid hiker, then waterproofs, hiking shoes, and a comfortable backpack are a must.

For a city break, pack comfortable shoes if you plan to explore on foot.

Swimwear is a must for summer beach breaks, and in the winter, don’t forget extra layers to help keep you sheltered from the wind during coastal walks.

 

Step 4: Remember that Ireland is fairly casual

Sligo pubs

Photos by The Irish Road Trip

Generally speaking, Ireland is quite casual. Most people wear jeans and a shirt or blouse when eating out in restaurants or heading to the pub.

However, if you plan to enjoy some fine dining or want to hit up a fancy bar, then this calls for some more formal attire.

In this case, we’d recommend planning ahead and packing something a little nicer.

 

Step 5: Take weather forecasts with a pinch of salt

Before your trip, it’s a good idea to double-check the weather in advance to give yourself a better idea of what to pack.

Take the forecast from weather apps with a pinch of salt, as (like we’ve mentioned before) the weather in Ireland sometimes has its own plans… so pack for every scenario!

 

FAQs about what to wear in Ireland

We’ve had a lot of questions over the years asking about everything from ‘What is the fashion in Ireland like?’ to ‘What Ireland packing list covers every possible weather type?”.

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 do I need before going to Ireland?

The most essential item when packing for Ireland is a valid passport. After that, make a list of the essentials depending on the month that you’re visiting (see our suggestions above).

What should you wear in Ireland?

What to wear in Ireland will be dependant on 1, when you visit and 2, what activities you have planned. In the cooler months, you’ll want warm clothing and plenty of layers. For the milder months, lots of light layers come in handy.

Does Ireland have a dress code?

The only time you tend to encounter a dress code in Ireland is at fine dining restaurants (formal attire required) and in some pubs/nightclubs. Ireland is casual for the most part.

 

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