What To Pack For Ireland: Only Packing List You’ll Ever Need!

Different seasons in Ireland

As it’s not a particularly big country, the landscape and geography across Ireland is pretty consistent.

It’s mostly made up of beautiful lush green countryside and forest.

This is a result of Ireland having a pretty damp climate throughout most of the year.

As you’ll see below, the country does have a summer when weather definitely can pick up; but across the board Ireland is well known for its rain.

But that’s what has helped to turn it into such a beautiful, wondrous place to visit.

There are 4 clear seasons, and here’s how they each affect what to bring to Ireland.

Packing for Ireland in Summer

People often ask us … “When is the best time to visit Ireland?”

Well, if you want the nicest weather and longest days, then summer is definitely your best shout!

Summer runs from June to August and when we road tripped Ireland in June, the weather was INCREDIBLE!

Calm blue skies and hot sun were present almost every day, and the days were also at their longest, with the sun not setting until 10pm at night.

Which was perfect for us as we had lots of things to see in Ireland and only a limited time to see them all.

In the summer months, expect temperatures to frequently be high teens - low/mid 20s, with the possibility of 30 on some very rare days.

This is not to say that it won’t rain, when in fact there’s a good chance it will for at least once or twice a week.

Packing for Ireland in Winter

Winter in Ireland runs from December to February and, as you’d imagine, these are the coldest and shortest days in which to visit Ireland.

Average temperatures are in the low single digits and there will typically be a lot of rain.

There is also less daylight, with December 21st being the shortest day of the year.

This isn’t to say that you shouldn’t visit Ireland at this time.

In fact, Christmas is a particularly magical time, especially in big cities like Dublin where there is plenty of craic to be had!

Packing for Ireland in Spring & Autumn

Spring in Ireland runs from March to May and autumn runs from September to November.

In many ways, Spring is my favorite time in Ireland.

Particularly from April onwards as trees and the countryside gradually come to life and bloom.

Weather-wise, things can be really hit and miss; one day you might have gorgeous clear skies and warm sun, and the next could be raining and hailing.

As such, if you choose to visit in these months, you almost need to be prepared for a bit of everything!

But if you are able to visit in these months, then you will definitely find that popular tourist attractions are a lot less busy.

Also, you’ll be able to get better deals on things like hotels, car hire, campervan hire and even flights.

Choosing the right bags for Ireland

The perfect bag for Ireland, really depends on what you’re planning on doing there!

Your two main options are to go for are:

Backpacks
Roll-on luggage

Ireland backpacks

If you are backpacking Ireland, then your best bet is a 60-75 litre backpack which will be able to hold everything you could possibly need.

When packing for countries like Thailand, you wouldn’t normally need such a huge pack unless you’re planning on backpacking for a few months.

However, because Ireland is typically much colder and wetter, you’re going to need to pack a few extra changes of clothes, as well as more warm weather gear like jumpers and jackets.

Based on our travels, the best backpacks to opt for are those made by Osprey.

They have an incredibly large range, and their backpacks are made to a very high quality, so they’re designed to last for years.

I’ve been using mine for all of our incredible backpacking adventures over the years and it’s still going strong.

Here’s my top 2 recommendations when choosing the best backpack for Ireland:

Bradley's choice

Cazzy's choice

Osprey Packs Farpoint 70 (For Men)

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Osprey Packs Renn 65 (For women)

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Choosing roll-on luggage

I will be honest and say that I have never actually bought roll-on luggage before.

In fact, even when road tripping Ireland for 2 weeks, we made do with two smaller holdalls for all of our luggage.

As well as smaller cases for our cameras and whatnot.

Renting a campervan in Ireland made it much easier for us to keep all of our gear organised, and it was nice not having to lug our belongings between towns for once!

If you’re choosing roll-on luggage for Ireland, then something in the region of 75 litres will be absolutely fine.

Choosing the perfect day bag

Regardless of whether you are road tripping Ireland, backpacking or going on an organised tour, a good day bag is essential for Ireland.

It needs to be big enough to carry around everything you need for a day of sightseeing; but also have a few practical essentials.

In particular, a rain cover!

Rain is very common in Ireland, even in the summer months and it can come out of nowhere.

So make sure that you pick up a rain cover (like this one) so you’re not caught unawares.

When travelling Ireland, we had one day bag each, and these are the same ones that have done us well when packing for India and dozens of other countries around the world.

My smaller Osprey bag is well suited for more adventurous activities where it may get bashed around more.

Cazzy’s Standard Luggage Co bag is perfect for storing all of our tech (like laptops).

Bradley's choice

Cazzy's choice

Osprey Packs Stratos 24

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Standard Luggage Co Daily Backpack

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What to pack for Ireland: Travel Essentials

Here’s a breakdown of the most important things to take to Ireland. Feel free to skip ahead to whichever section you’re interested in.

After these sections we dig into more of the fun stuff, like our photography equipment.

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What clothes to wear in Ireland for men

As I discussed at the start, you should expect there to be at least some degree of cold and rainy weather, regardless of which time of year you choose to visit Ireland.

So the start of this travel packing list includes the things that I would pack for Ireland at ANY time of the year.

Afterwards, I’ve included a couple of bonus sections for summer and winter.

Coat
Trainers - Based on my experience, Tropicfeel offers the best all-in-one travel trainer currently available. Perfect for moderate walking, driving and sightseeing. Plus they are naturally quick-drying, which makes them possibly the best shoes to wear in Ireland where they’re likely to get damp very often. Check out my in-depth Tropicfeel review for more info.
Hiking boots - If you plan on doing serious walking in Ireland, then trainers aren’t enough. Instead some rugged hiking boots for Ireland are a must have.
Hiking socks
5 t-shirts
1 evening shirt - Unless you’re planning on dining in high-end restaurants, then nothing too fancy. In fact, most pubs you visit for dinner will be filled with people in their normal day-wear.
1 lightweight rain jacket - Always have one of these with you! Even if it’s cold out, I still prefer having a lightweight rain jacket that just slips over my jumper or hoodie. Plus, it can fold up nice and small and you can pack it away in your day bag for when you need it.
Jorts - Except for winter, I would say it’s always worth having at least one pair of shorts with you in Ireland. You do get randomly hot days throughout both Spring and Autumn so it’s useful to have some at hand to take advantage.
2 pairs of jeans
2 comfy trousers - When you’re lounging around in the evening, there’s nothing better than having warm, comfy tracksuit bottoms to wear. Or when you’re out and about exploring for the day, want to stay warm and don’t have anyone to impress!
2 pairs of long socks
1 hoody
2 Jumpers - Jumpers are a great way to stay warm in the day, but help look smart enough in the evening if you’re eating out. Plus, there’s just something so cosy about sitting in an Irish pub, in front of a fire with a nice wooly jumper on!
Sunglasses - Especially important if you’re planning to rent a campervan in Ireland (or a car) to get around.

What to pack for Ireland in Summer

Swim shorts - Once that sun comes out, there are plenty of chances to get in the water in Ireland. Sure, you do need to be a little crazy as the water will still be cold, but who cares! Wild lake swimming is pretty popular in parts of Ireland, and we saw a bunch of locals doing this at Kilteery Pier, one of our wild camping spots in Limerick.
Flip flops - If ever there is a chance to bust out my Reef flip flops, I take it!

What to pack for Ireland in Winter

Thick coat - To be honest, I would take a warm coat with me to Ireland all year round, but it’s especially important in winter! Those night times really do get cold, especially if you’re out late at night in a buzzing city like Galway. Plus, don’t forget these added accessories ...
Scarf
Gloves
Hat
Woolly socks

What to wear in Ireland for women (from Cazzy)

Since I grew up in Ireland, I have a pretty good idea of the type of clothing and accessories you need to pack for an epic adventure.

Unfortunately, Ireland is prone to a bit of rain, BUT, that’s why everything is so green!

We do get lots of nice sunshine too though, so it’s always a good idea to pack something warm and waterproof, just in case.

Hiking boots - If you plan on doing any hiking in Ireland then proper hiking boots are a must have. The mountains get very muddy, slippery and treacherous so they're worth having.
3 pairs of hiking socks
5 pairs of trainer socks
1 light rain jacket - It can rain at random points of the day and rain a lot in winter
4 t-shirts
1 pair of jeans - It gets colder in the evenings
1 long skirt
1 pair of light cotton trousers
1 playsuit or jumpsuit - This is perfect for dressing up in the evening for bars in Killarney
1 light jacket - The sea breeze in Ireland is strong!
1 pair of trainers - It’s best to pack some decent waterproof walking shoes for Ireland, even if you don’t plan on hiking

Ireland Summer packing list

Because of the nicer temperatures, summer packing for Ireland should include light and airy clothes, like summer-style dresses, or shorts and t-shirts. But it can still get cold in the evenings, so I would recommend a jacket and a pair of jeans too.

1 pair of sandals/shoes- Another great type of shoes to bring to Ireland to take advantage of those rare beach day opportunities
1 pair of sunglasses - Keep those eyes protected
1 swimming costume/bikini - If you’re brave enough to swim in the sea!
3 pairs of shorts
3 sun dresses

Ireland winter packing list

It can get very cold and wet in Ireland in winter (which does add to the romance!), but you need to be prepared. The best clothes to pack for Ireland in such conditions a warm coat, warm socks, and hat, scarf and gloves. I would make sure your coat/jacket is waterproof, or bring an umbrella with you too.

Scarf
Gloves
Hat
3 jumpers
Warm coat
3 warm socks
Extra jeans

Washing clothes in Ireland

If you’re backpacking Ireland, then you’ll find places to wash your clothes in most hostels.
If you’re staying in hotels, then it’s very likely that your hotel will offer some sort of laundry service, but don’t expect it to be cheap.
If you’re road tripping the Emerald Isle, then one of the amazing things about the country is that there are washing and drying machines located in all major cities and towns. You’ll typically find them outside of large supermarkets (like Tescos) or outside of petrol stations. It costs maybe 5 Euros per load and you just wait around for an hour or so until they are done. You can then put them in the dryer for another 3 or 4 Euros and again wait til they’re finished. It’s so handy that they have these, but do be aware that they can get busy in busy summer months when so many people are in Ireland.
If you're staying in campsites, then you can get tokens and use their facilities to wash your clothes.

First aid kit

A good first aid kit is a key part of any Ireland packing list, regardless of whether you’re backpacking or roadtripping.

Just in case of any minor injuries or ailments.

We take ours with us on all trips and it’s come in useful all the time.

For any more serious injuries, then there are of course plenty of hospitals everywhere (if you’re from Europe, be sure to pack your EHIC card).

Here’s the basics that are in our first aid kit ...

Paracetamol
Bandages & tape
Plasters
Antiseptic cream
Scissors/nail clippers
Moleskin tape
Needles and thread
Tweezers

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Ready-made travel first aid kit

If you don’t yet have a first aid kit, then you can buy premade kits like this one here that has almost everything you could need.

You can then add or remove items as you require.

A small one like this will pack away nicely in suitcases and backpacks and take up very little room.

Toiletries

Prices for toiletries in Ireland are relatively average compared to most European cities and you can get everything below pretty cheap from big supermarkets (Tescos, Lidl, Aldi). Here’s what we took with us on our road trip.

Wash bag - Get one (like this one here) that has a handle. That way, it’s much more handy for hanging up when using hotel/hostel/campsite toilets.
2 x toothbrush
2 x toothbrush travel container
Toothpaste
Men’s deodorant
Women’s deodorant
Small perfume
Small aftershave
Shampoo & conditioner 2 in 1
Dry shampoo
Electric razor
Disposable razors
Shaving foam

Travel Banking

Ireland is definitely NOT one of the cheapest countries to visit.

Even by European standards, things like hotels, car hire, fuel, food and alcohol are very expensive.

That’s why it’s important you at least have a way to help get the most Euros in exchange for your home currency.

That way your hard-earned travel money will go as far as possible!

Almost everywhere in Ireland takes card payments, so you don’t have to worry about having much cash on you.

And even if you do need to draw money out, then ATMs in Ireland don’t charge any fees for use.

Just make sure you have a travel card with you that offers the best possible exchange rates.

When we visited Ireland, we had 4 travel cards with us (2 each).

We always travel with 4 as we can separate them across my wallet/car/baggage, so that in case something gets lost or stolen then we always have backups.

Which travel cards do we use?

Monzo and Revolut.

We’ve been using these ever since we started travelling and have never had any issues with either.

In fact, they’ve only gotten better over time as they’ve each started rolling out their own cool features.

As of writing, Revolut is available in both the UK and America, and Monzo is available in the UK (soon to launch in America).

Check their websites/app as they have plans to roll out to more countries soon and are definitely worth checking out.

For a detailed breakdown of each, check out my guide ...

Monzo vs Revolut: Which Is Best For Travel?

Both are free, and offer the best possible exchange rates + 0% fees on withdrawal up to £200 a month in foreign currencies.

They are free to use and sign up for, all you need to do is go ahead and download the app ...

Find Monzo here: Apple / Android
Find Revolut here: Apple / Android

What are the best banks in Ireland?

We have no favourites as they all work absolutely fine with both Monzo and Revolut and none charge any fees.

The same goes for Northern Ireland (they use £GBP up there, not Euros).

Important Documents

Here’s a look at the final travel essentials for Ireland ...

Passport - Duh ...
EHIC card - If you’re from the EU
Driving license and international driving license - If you plan on renting a car or campervan in Ireland then you’ll need to have your driver’s license and possibly an International Driver’s Permit. It all depends on which country you come from; we didn’t need one for the UK.
Copy of your vaccinations - Again, we didn’t need this, but you may depending on which country you come from.
Printed copy of your passport and travel insurance - We keep copies of both of these and have them on us when traveling as you never know when they might come in handy.
Travel insurance - It’s 100% worth getting travel insurance before visiting. That’s even if you’re from the EU and can get health cover through your EHIC card. EHIC only covers certain things, not necessarily more expensive or life-threatening accidents. If you’re coming from America to backpack, then World Nomads typically offer good prices. If you’re from the UK, then they are far too expensive. Instead, go through something like Compare The Market to find a policy perfect for you.
Wallet to hold important documents - Great for organising everything and making sure you can find important printouts/confirmation/reservations as and when you need them.

Cameras & other tech

Now that’s all out the way, here’s a look at all the cameras and other tech that we took to Ireland to help capture all those awesome pictures you see plastered across our Ireland travel blogs!

Nikon D780

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DSLR

A DSLR is the first step to take in upping your photography game. And what better place to test your new gear than Ireland! Many of the best places to visit in Ireland are outdoors, so there’s tonnes of chances to take scenic photos and capture those green rolling hills and ancient Irish castles. Our DSLR is quite old now, but it’s been with us all around the world and does the job well enough. The camera here is the newest version of our model (which is no longer being sold).

Tokina at-X PRO

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Wide angle lense

After you’ve purchased your DSLR, one of the best ways to take better travel photos is to invest in a range of different lenses. For Ireland, a wide-angle lens is a must-have!

Canon PowerShot G7 X Mark II

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Handheld video camera

We’ve taken our handheld video camera with us everywhere around the world and it really is an awesome little camera! It takes high amazing quality photos and videos, and does a great job of picking up on sound. So if you’re planning to create some travel videos and vlog your adventures, then this is a great tool to have. It’s also much smaller and more compact than a DSLR, so perfect if you’re out for the day and don’t have too much space.

GoPro HERO8 Black

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Underwater camera / action camera

We took our GoPro with us to Ireland but didn’t get very much use out of it. The GoPro is an amazing tool, and one that we love when doing more adventurous things, such as surfing or paragliding. So if you plan on surfing in Ireland or doing something a little more wild, then definitely take a GoPro with you.

DJI Mavic Pro

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Drone

Without a doubt, my favourite piece of tech that I took to Ireland was our DJI Mavic Pro drone. We bought this to take to Sri Lanka and in the last couple years it’s allowed us to capture some truly stunning photos (at least in my opinion) that would otherwise have been impossible without it. Drone laws in Ireland are fairly reasonable, you just need to be sensible. Many of the biggest tourist attractions in Ireland have signs clearly displaying when you are not allowed to fly a drone, so keep an eye out.

Samsung Galaxy S10

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Unlocked smartphone

If you’re coming from outside of the EU, then be sure to add an unlocked smartphone to your Ireland packing list. That way you can pick up a local sim card and stay connected to data when you're out and about. Especially if you are going to rent a car or camper and need that 4G to stay connected to maps at all times. If you’re from within the EU, then there’s a good chance that you can use your local sim card in Ireland. This is the case for all UK sim card owners.

Asus ZenBook Ultra-Slim 13.3”

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Laptop

As we are full time digital nomads, we take our laptops with us everywhere we go! If you’re just travelling to Ireland for a few weeks, then it’s probably not necessary to take a laptop with you as it’s just one more thing to look after and it will take up space. If you do need a great travel laptop, then I can highly recommend the Asus Zenbook 13 inch.

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External hard drive

With so many photos and videos to keep organised, one of the best things we packed for Ireland was our external hard drive. It allows us to clear space from our laptop and instead organise and store all of our footage in one place.

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Memory cards

If you’re taking multiple devices to Ireland, like us, then it’s worth investing in some decent memory cards. The last thing you want to be doing when exploring Ireland is constantly switching the same memory cards between devices. So be sure to have one for each device, plus a couple spares. Also, make sure that the memory card is of decent enough quality for the device.

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Memory card Hard Case

With so many memory cards flying around, we finally got a memory card hard case a few years ago and have never looked back! It allows us to store all of our spare memory cards for when we need them. Gone are the days of losing or damaging memory cards which then meant we lost tonnes of precious footage that we couldn’t then retrieve!

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Solar-powered power bank

When on day trips in Ireland, a great thing to have with you is a power bank. Simply plug in your device when you’re halfway up a mountain or perhaps halfway round the Ring of Kerry and boom your device is back to being usable. Solar-powered power banks are also great as they can be worn on the front of your day bag and get charged up without you needing to plug it into a mains outlet every night.

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Tripod

Tripods are great for helping you to up your photography game when travelling. Particularly for if you are looking to better stabilise your shots. Also, if you’re travelling as a couple, then you can get a remote shutter and capture pictures of yourselves wherever you want.

ibVPN

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VPN

If you’re coming to Ireland from abroad, then you may find that certain websites are restricted. A VPN is a great piece of online software that allows you to maintain access to any websites anywhere in the world.

Miscellaneous things to bring to Ireland

Here's a few final things to pack for Ireland to help make for a truly epic trip!

Physical books/travel guides - Whenever I travel, I much prefer digital eBooks and travel guides that I can just read from my phone. But that’s not to say taking a physical Ireland travel guide is a bad thing. The two most popular choices would be through Lonely Planet or Rough Guides. If you’re staying in hostels, then you’ll find that most should have at least a copy or two there that you can read.
Collapsible coffee mug - If you’re as much of a coffee fanatic as Cazzy, then it’s worth picking up a foldable coffee mug. Perfect for helping to avoid using disposable coffee mugs every time. You’ll find a stand in almost every Irish petrol station called “Barista Bar”, they’re very cheap and the coffee is great! Perfect for road trips.
Handpresso - The best way to save money on great coffee in Ireland is to make your own! We only got this after our trip to Ireland, so didn’t take it. However, it would have been perfect for the road trip as you can make your own espresso coffee every day at a fraction of the price!
International travel adaptor - A must have on any Ireland packing list!
Ear plugs - A great idea if you’re planning to stay in hostels.
Packing cubes - If you’re taking a backpack with you to Ireland, then the best way to organise all of your stuff is to use packing cubes.
TSA Approved Padlock - It’s always worth taking padlocks with you travelling so you can properly secure your bags when not in your site. Especially for if you plan on using hostels.
Sunscreen - You won’t need this if you’re visiting in the winter months, but you likely will in the summer. It’s not exactly Bali temperatures, but the sun is strong enough to burn at least a few days every month!
Umbrella - At least a small foldable umbrella will come in very handy in Ireland!
Quick drying towel - All hotels in Ireland should provide you with towels, but it’s always worth having a small, quick drying towel with you. Especially if you will be using hostels.
Selfie stick - Gotta be getting those selfies in!
Pin to open a sim card hole on the phone - If you plan on getting a local sim in Ireland, then it’s worth getting yourself a small pin tool to open the sim card slot on your phone. I keep a metal one in my wallet at all times so that it’s always there for whichever country we find ourselves in.
Playing cards - For those long nights spent getting drunk in Irish bars!

What NOT to pack for Ireland!

Now that we’ve gone through all the things to pack for Ireland, here’s a look at a few things you don’t need to take.

Sleeping bag - Unless you’re planning on wild camping in a tent, then you shouldn’t need a sleeping bag in ireland. All hotels and hostels should have suitable bedding.
Water purifier - Tap water in Ireland is perfectly safe to drink.
Fancy clothes - The best places to eat out at in Ireland are local traditional Irish bars. They serve great homemade food, usually have comfy seats and ideally a nice warm fire. You don’t need to dress to impress, instead dress to be comfy!
Lots of valuables - Like when travelling to any country, there’s no need to take lots of jewelry and other valuables with you as it’s just more thing to worry about getting lost or stolen.

How to pack for Ireland: 5 Packing Tips

1. Keep your valuables closer to hand

When packing, we always like to keep as many expensive things as possible in our day bags.

For example, we keep our laptops and cameras on us almost all the time.

It just gives us peace of mind, and can also avoid them getting bashed around when being put in the hold of the plane.

2. Double check airline baggage policies

Especially if you plan on flying with Ryanair!

Yes, they are a low-cost airline, but they have extremely limited baggage policies and you have to pay for everything else.

For example, you are no longer allowed a normal piece of hand luggage on the flight unless you pay for it.

The only bag you are allowed must be very small, so that it can slide under the seat in front of you.

3. Lay everything out before you pack

This is a great packing tip for any country!

Before you start stuffing things away in your bags, it’s best to lay out everything on the bed or floor.

That way you can see exactly what you’ve packed and mark off anything from your personalised Ireland packing checklist that you’ve forgotten.

4. Ask yourself if you really need everything!

Another great reason for laying everything out before packing is that you can see just how much you are preparing to take and ask yourself if you honestly need it.

If you’ve got just a week or two driving across Ireland, then you won’t require 17 pairs of pants and 20 t-shirts.

Instead, be smart and only pack what you’ll really need.

The great thing about Ireland is that if you do forget anything then you’ll be able to pick it up when there.

5. Think about what to wear on the plane

When packing, think carefully about what to wear on the plane to Ireland! If you’re coming from a hot country, then you may be surprised by how much colder it is there. Especially if you’re landing late at night or early in the morning. In such cases, take trousers, a jacket and a coat with you on the flight to change into.