What to pack for a trip to Ireland — tips from an American who lived there

Having lived in Ireland for a year, I learned to pack for frequent rain and unpredictable weather. Start with a durable raincoat — rain is a frequent occurrence, and many of the best things to do are outdoors. If you have space, include waterproof pants to keep outdoor plans on track.

Layers are essential: bring a few T-shirts and long sleeves, some lightweight sweaters, a fleece, and an outer layer. For bottoms, pack jeans, leggings (or thermals in winter), and casual pants. In summer, my go-to outfit is linen pants or jeans with a T-shirt and a sweater or denim jacket.

Comfortable walking shoes are a must. I limit myself to three pairs: hiking shoes, a casual sneaker, and either boots (I wear Doc Martens in winter) or sandals (Teva or Birkenstock in summer). Include socks that keep your feet dry and warm. For daily use, a practical crossbody or hip pack—I use a Cotopaxi Kapai—holds essentials like a wallet, sunglasses, a portable charger, and a phone.

Ireland

ireland, raincoat, waterproof pants, layers, sweaters, jeans, walking shoes, hiking shoes, sandals, packing list