Ireland: What to pack for your trip.

By Jaren Johnson

Even for those of us with no Irish background, Ireland is a destination that grabs our attention.  Pleasant with beautiful landscape, compelling history, interesting folklore, and a good presence in pop culture, Ireland is probably one of the most well-known countries for adventurous travellers.

Doing substantial research and video watching I can unmistakably state that Ireland lives up to the hype. With rolling green fields and sheep wandering down narrow two-lane roads. The best kinds of foods, like fish and chips from the North Atlantic sea sounds like an amazing place. Even a monsoon-like downpour that could have limited visibility and soak me to my bones couldn’t dampen my spirits about Ireland. With the beautiful scenery and impulsive weather of Ireland in mind you might be curious what to pack. I’m here to help.

I’ll be honest, I pretty much always pack ninety percent of the same things over and over on trips I go on… and I bet you do too. That’s why I have this list of travel essentials I have researched that I think could help the most in Ireland. Also, most packing lists are about ninety percent of those same things, right? So instead of giving you a packing list that’s ninety percent of what you already know or are already planning to pack (yes, you do need 1 pair of underwear for each day…), here’s a packing list that’s a hundred percent of things you need specifically for traveling in Ireland.

Wind-Proof Umbrella

Did you know that in some parts of Ireland, it rains up to 255 days per year?! It depends on the time of year you visit, but that means on average you can expect rain 2 days out of every three you’re in Ireland. To fight this, invest in a good umbrella that can withstand the weather and won’t break the first second you step out to admire the view on the Wild Atlantic Way.

2. Black Rain Shell

More than likely you are going to need a sturdy rain jacket while traveling abroad in Ireland. A solid rain jacket not only keeps the rain out, but it dries quickly, is wind proof and packs up small. This is why a black rain shell is preferred because black will absorb the heat more ultimately drying out your shell faster.

3. Layers!

            Ireland as some pretty unpredictable weather. It can be warm and sunny one minute, then downpouring the next. Knowing this, layers will be your best friend. Bringing along clothes that dry faster and pull water away from your body are very important to staying warm. We all know what it feels like to be chilled to the bone, never fun. Layers and sweat/water wicking clothes will be life savers in Ireland.

4. Waterproof Boots

I cannot rave enough about these boots from Columbia. They are called Columbia Fairbank Omni- Heat boots. I bought a pair a few months back and they have held up so well. They are waterproof, warm, have great traction, and are comfortable, making them perfect for any adventure. They can handle whatever you throw at them, from plodding through soggy fields of clover to hiking along the Cliffs of Moher or on the Giant’s Causeway. Here’s a link if you want to check these boots out. https://www.columbiasportswear.ie/IE/p/mens-fairbanks-omni-heat-boots-1746011.html?dwvar_1746011_color=469

5. Moisture-Wicking Socks

Let’s be honest, wet socks can be a bummer. Don’t let them ruin your trip. Moisture-wicking socks will help keep your feet warm even if you do happen step in a giant puddle or get a bit of water inside your boots.

6. Sunglasses

I know it seems weird to recommend sunglasses right after all that chat about rain gear but believe it or not the sun does come out in Ireland. A good pair of polarized sunglasses should do the trick. You’ll thank me when you get to the Atlantic coast and the sun comes out for two minutes and blinds you with its glare. Also, sunglasses are a pretty small item to pack and take up little room.

7. Universal Adapter

Unless you already have one, you’re going to need an adapter to plug in your electronics. I’m a huge sucker for multi-use anything, and a universal adapter is perfect. A lot of them offer a USB type plug in, which is useful because a lot of our electronics today can be charged with just a USB cord.

In addition to the items listed above, you might want to add other things based on the activities you plan to enjoy or where you plan on heading. For example, if you’re doing a lot of hiking, you might want to swap out the waterproof hiking boots I recommend for a beefier pair you already have broken in. If you plan to take a trip in the North Atlantic Ocean, you’ll need a swimsuit (and a brave soul!). No matter what though, these items don’t have to take up a ton of space in your suitcase. I hope that this has been helpful, and I hope that it can help anyone who plans of traveling to Europe in the future.