If the Emerald Isle has caught your eye and you’re ready to set sail towards this unique land, take some time to know what to pack.

Clothes and shoes

We all know it. Ireland isn’t the warmest or driest place in the world, but it is thanks to its abundant precipitation that it is so green. Besides, it is all too common to get all four seasons in a single day.

Choosing which clothes to bring may be confusing, but this list should help you:

• Choose impermeable shoes, instead of cloth. You never know when it’s going to rain;
• As for high heels, the sidewalks may be flat but rather slippery because of the wet;
• If you’re going to hike in nature, bring impermeable hiking trainers;
• Wear layers so as to adapt to the quick changes of temperature. The trick is: coat + cardigan + t-shirt;
• If you have a raincoat of a coat that can dry quickly, bring it along;
• Do bring light clothes for the summer, but do not exclude trousers or your new best friends, the cardigan or the hoodie, for a cooler day of the evenings;
• It can be quite windy as well, so take into account the number of flowy dresses and skirts that you’d like to bring (and multiple that number by zero);
• In winter it is very cold, so bring a warm coat and a scarf, gloves and a wooly hat;
• You could say that Ireland has an early autumn: in september you may be wearing a jacket

Here is an extra tipo if you don’t want to look too touristy: just wear your regular every day clothes. You will certainly feel comfortable and mix in more easily if you bring your usual jeans and purse. However, do not pass getting a typical sweater made of merino wool which traditional twists give luck.

Accessories

Just like their British neighbors, the Irish don’t really have the habit of carrying an umbrella. It may seem paradoxal for those who visit such a wet country, but it becomes unpractical to take with you every day, and the weather is impossible to predict anyway.

• So, let go of this unnecessary weight and embrace the raindrops. If you’re going hiking at the mountains or the seaside do bring a rain cape or buy one in Ireland.

Ireland is a safe country but you can never get aways with pickpockets anywhere, especially in cities and tourist spots.

• If you are wearing a backpack, make sure there are no important objects in its front pockets or even the the back pockets of your jeans;
• Make sure your backpack isn’t the usual ugly monster of a bag that tourists carry around, as you will immediately be the flower to the bee;
• If your backpack is impermeable, so much the better!

Another important tip: it may not be the best practice to wear the Union Jack, which you may know as the British flag. As you are aware, Ireland suffered a great deal fighting for its independence from England and it may not be well seen if you come along with a gigantic blue, red and white flag for a t-shirt (especially up north).

Essentials

Beware of hairdryers and phone chargers. Electric plugs in Ireland are quite specific. Hotels may or may not have standard plugs, and they may or may not provide you with a power adapter. If you’re staying at a humble guest house, don’t count on it.

• Make sure which plugs the hotel offers before booking…
• Or buy/borrow an adapter before leaving…
• Or just buy one when you get there.

You will quickly realize that you don’t need a heap of stuff to visit this incredible island. As long as you get it right with the wardrobe, you will be alright. Irish people are extremely helpful and they may give you some extra tips.

If by chance you don’t have that perfect warm, impermeable coat, then why not buy one once you get to Ireland? Generally, it is the country that you’re visiting that offers the best weather-adequate clothes, which you will be able to bring back and enjoy in your own country. Just make sure you have plenty of luggage space.

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Cover image: Daniel Jensen