What to Pack for Ireland
Here is a checklist to help you make sure you don't forget to pack anything before leaving for your Ireland vacation. Feel free to get inspired by our tried and tested Ireland packing list.
By now, we must sound like a broken record. Nevertheless, we have to mention right at the beginning of this blog post that our trip to Ireland was spontaneous.
Therefore, we didn't have much time to do proper research on what to pack for Ireland.
But it's just packing, right? How hard can it be? Let's find out how it went.
Before diving into it, we also need to say that we don't like to lug around a heavy suitcase on our trips whenever possible.
Therefore, we prefer to pack light and bring only items we will really need.
At least that's a general idea, as we always find out at the end of our trip a few things we didn't use.
Packing light also means a more stress-free holiday, as you have fewer items to worry about.
Therefore, we decided to bring only our carry-on backpacks. As it turned out, it was also cheaper.
It also usually saves time, but it was not the case this time, as you will soon find out in the text below.
Basically, our Ireland packing list is aimed at travelers who want to spend their holiday actively but prefer to bring only essentials.
Without any further ado, the packing checklist below covers a wide range of useful items for most Ireland trips.
Ireland Packing Tips
First, this is our Ireland packing list that includes some tips we learned along the way. But everyone has their own standards of comfort, so adjust it as you please.
As we flew to Dublin Airport from Prague with Aer Lingus for the first time, we weren't sure what to expect.
Most European low-cost carriers, such as Ryanair (also an Irish company), usually charge fees even for relatively small bags.
As it turned out, a small carry-on 10kg bag was included. Honestly, 10 kilograms was more than enough for us.
Interestingly enough, we had to check the bag in unless we paid an additional fee to bring it on board with us.
Either way, carry on luggage is always cheaper.
Another major topic everyone talks about before every trip to Ireland is the weather.
For starters, we recommend reading our guide on when is the best time to visit Ireland.
It will help you decide when to go or what season to avoid.
To make the story short, we chose to visit Ireland in May and were very happy with our decision.
We knew that the Irish weather was unpredictable and that we should pack adequately.
As we had limited size in our luggage, we had to make some compromises, though.
For instance, we used the same rain jacket for hikes and city walks. Similarly, we left our jeans at home this time and brought hiking pants and leggings/shorts.
We don't have to mention that in order to save space in our backpacks, we had to wear the heaviest and bulkiest clothes on the plane.
Fortunately, the weather in Czechia was similar to Ireland's at the time, so that was not an issue.
Lastly, make sure that you bring only essential things to save a huge amount of luggage space. Pack wisely.
For instance, you don't need to bring hiking boots if you decide only to explore Irish cities.
On the other hand, even short hikes in the Wicklow Mountains or Cliffs of Moher on a rainy day require proper footwear, at least if you want to feel comfortable the whole time.
Simply put, your packing list should correspond with your Ireland itinerary.
And keep in mind that most items you forget you can also easily buy in Ireland.
Luggage
As mentioned above, we brought our trusty carry-on travel backpacks for this trip in order to travel as lightly as possible.
It might seem like an obvious thing, but small luggage forces you to bring less stuff, making your packing process even simpler.
As we had to check them in at the airport, we also brought a super useful roll top backpack to store our wallets, passports, and water bottle.
As it's waterproof, we also used it as a day pack on hikes in the Connemara National Park or Glenveagh National Park.
I also carried a compact camera bag that fit my camera and additional lenses.
If you prefer to use a traditional suitcase, then bring them instead.
Both soft and hard shell suitcases have their pros and cons, so pick the one that suits your preferences better.
Regardless of the luggage type, we always get the more durable one. It might be more expensive, but it won't fail easily and will last several years.
Some travelers also prefer packing cubes to keep their luggage organized throughout the entire trip.
Remember that they are useful mostly in situations when you have many items and large bags.
Travel Documents
Coming from Europe, we only needed our national ID. Otherwise, you have to bring your valid passport with you.
As usual, always check whether your passport is still valid for another six months before you go.
Many visitors decide to rent a car in Ireland. We were no exception, so we had also to bring our driver's licenses.
Some nationalities might be required to have also international driving permit.
When it comes to what to bring and what to leave at home, a couple of credit cards will be at the top of every traveler's list.
You may stick mainly to one card when abroad, but carrying a spare while traveling can help you in case something goes wrong.
Lastly, don't forget to make copies of all identification documents.
In case some of your documents go missing during the trip, this simple solution can be a real lifesaver.
We don't have to mention that these files should be secure but easily accessible to you.
Travel Insurance
As we spoke about travel documents, travel insurance is among the most important ones.
We never leave home without travel insurance that was designed to cover our expenses if something goes wrong during the trip.
Travel insurance protects against theft, flight delays, injury, illness, cancellations, and much more.
World Nomads provides travel insurance for travelers to cover their trip essentials, including sports and adventure activities.
SafetyWing is affordable travel insurance for backpackers, long-term travelers, and digital nomads.
Once again, make sure to have a copy of your travel insurance all the time with you.
Depending on the insurance, the easiest way to keep the file is on your smartphone.
Travel smarter and safer!
Clothing
As usual, the key to success is to layer. Ireland is no exception in this regard.
Packing versatile layers will help to be prepared for every situation.
On the other hand, more layers often mean more items, so we aim to travel with essentials. The more we travel, the more we realize how little we need.
The best approach we adopted is to bring only clothes that we can use for multiple activities.
Therefore, we left the jeans behind this time. We also wore our rain jackets for all activities and didn't bring raincoats.
So what clothes did we pack for Ireland? As usual, functional socks, underwear, a sports bra, a few T-shirts, and a couple of fleece jackets.
Don't forget that it is handy to have some dry clothes after you've been walking in the rain.
Instead of jeans, we both packed hiking pants. Lucie also had leggings, while I brought shorts.
Lastly, you can buy pretty much everything that you could possibly need in Ireland, so there's no need to overpack.
Footwear
Deciding what footwear to bring for a trip to Ireland can be a bit tricky, as it depends on your travel plans and preferences.
First of all, footwear is big and heavy and can quickly eat up a lot of space in your suitcase.
Therefore, making a correct decision is essential, especially if you don't want to pay an additional fee to have checked-in baggage.
As a rule of thumb, you will need a combination of sneakers and hiking boots.
Obviously, comfortable runners are great for roaming the cities and driving, while hiking shoes or boots are essential for any outdoor trips.
Whenever we expect to hike in cold and wet conditions, we always bring sturdy hiking boots with a waterproof membrane to keep our feet dry and warm.
Either way, we always prefer to have the option to change into dry shoes and socks if our socks or shoes get wet.
Unlike our trip to Iceland, where we also brought flip-flops, we left them home this time.
Lastly, we flew only with a carry-on, so we wore our bulky hiking boots on the plane.
It might seem a bit uncomfortable, but we didn't mind, as the flight was fairly short.
Hiking
At some point, you will realize that Ireland offers plenty of great hikes. With a clear conscience, we have to say that hiking in Ireland was a fun experience.
And we really enjoyed hiking trails such as Diamond Hill, Mullaghmore Loop, or Spinc Trail.
However, you will most likely need to bring additional clothing and gear.
Regardless of whether you hike in the mountains or walk along the cliffs, make sure to bring adequate gear to stay safe in Ireland.
The weather in these areas is always more unpredictable and harsher than in the cities.
What you need to bring will depend on many factors, such as hike duration, weather conditions, and terrain.
We've already mentioned some items in the text above, so we'll just do a quick summary.
Use functional and breathable clothing, and think layers. Always make sure you have a good rain jacket and rain pants.
We brought our hiking boots instead of trail walking shoes as they work better in rainy or muddy conditions.
Furthermore, one item that you will want to bring and find extremely useful when it comes to hiking is a daypack.
And always be prepared for any type of weather, regardless of the length of the hike.
Electronics
We are not advocates of not bringing any electronic gadgets for your vacation. The explanation is very simple.
They can be extremely useful and make your life easier in many situations.
However, leaving some of the electronics at home will help you enjoy your trip more.
Always ask yourself, do you really need to bring both your tablet and laptop for your vacation? Do you need them at all?
What if you just bring your phone and leave both these items at home this time?
While watching Netflix on your tablet in your hotel room after a long day on the road might seem like a perfect way to relax, what if you would go to a nearby Irish pub instead?
If you use a smartwatch daily, there is no reason to leave it at home.
As modern smartwatches don't just tell the time, they are a perfect travel buddy right on your wrist.
We made a lot of spontaneous decisions on our trip, which would not be possible without a smartphone. We used it for navigation, booking lodging, paying for services, and taking photos.
Ireland is a photographer's paradise. And while modern phones take excellent images, we still brought a compact travel camera for our trip to Ireland.
Ireland is also a perfect place for bird watching, so you should consider bringing travel binoculars.
Always check whether you have chargers for all your devices before you go.
By the way, the fewer electronic devices you bring, the fewer chargers you will need.
Accessories
Depending on where you're visiting from, you'll most likely need a travel adapter to plug and charge your electronics in Ireland.
Additionally, you might want to consider bringing a USB charger with a fast-charge capability and multiple ports.
By the way, a compact umbrella is a great travel accessory, especially if you plan to do a lot of walking in cities such as Dublin, Cork, or Galway.
However, a good rain jacket or even a rain poncho will work better in windy coastal areas.
Tap water is safe to drink in Ireland, so you should bring a water bottle to reduce your plastic footprint.
One of the ways to visit Ireland on a budget is to prepare your own meals. Therefore, we also brought a basic camping cutlery set.
Toiletries
Whether you're traveling to Ireland for a few days or two weeks, the toiletries checklist will be about the same.
Nevertheless, we always take only the essentials. Some hotels provide soap, shampoo, and conditioner, so you don't have to bring them.
Regardless of whether we go hiking around Annapurnas or driving the Wild Atlantic Way, a toothbrush, toothpaste, and deodorant are always on our list.
We also bring contacts, a contact lens solution, and extra pair of eyeglasses.
Don't forget to bring a small first aid kit that includes anti-diarrhea pills, band-aids, hand sanitizer, medication, prescribed medications/vitamins, etc.
As you might encounter windy and cold temperatures on your journey, a basic lip balm is a must-have.
Some items, such as sunscreen or insect repellent, can be shared if you travel as a couple or with friends.
Anyway, a toiletry bag keeps your items well-organized and easily accessible. Just make sure it's also waterproof to protect your other stuff from leaks.
Lastly, while some places such as Slieve League or Malin Head might feel remote, you will always be able to buy the basics pretty much on every corner.
Therefore, bring only essentials.
Road Trip
Road-tripping Ireland is a dream come true regardless of where you go. In our opinion, it's the best way to get around Ireland.
While the driving distances in Ireland are not as vast as in Australia or the U.S., you will most likely be sitting for a long period of time each day.
Make sure that you wear functional and breathable clothing. Don't forget that you will often stop in places such as the Ring of Kerry or Dingle Peninsula.
And while some fabrics might be more comfortable than others, it's crucial to realize that they might not be a perfect match for changeable Irish weather.
Cotton clothes might be super comfortable, but they're terrible in the rainy conditions.
Jeans might work well in the car until you decide to take a short hike and find out that there is a reason why they are not recommended for outdoor explorations.
However, one of the essential items you have to bring for a road trip is sunglasses.
Yes, they do have sunny days in Ireland.
And you might be surprised after reading all those articles about the Irish weather that the sun comes out from behind the clouds more often than you might expect.
Truth be told, we both wear them even on cloudy days to reduce eye fatigue.
Getting a traditional Ireland Lonely Planet might be a good idea for a road trip as it allows you to quickly access information even in remote places with a poor internet connection.
Lastly, if you want to use your phone for navigation, make sure to bring a phone holder for a car, so you're not forced to take your eyes off the road for too long.
Here you will also find more tips for driving in Ireland.
Travel Resources
Here you can find links to all the travel resources we use and which you might find helpful when planning your next holiday.
Accommodation: When looking for accommodation, we usually search hotels via Booking.com or Hostelworld.
Tours: Although we love to travel independently, some places are better to visit with a guided tour.
We prefer GetYourGuide for its easy-to-use interface and solid reputation. Another great alternative is Viator.
Rental Cars: When going on a road trip, we always use Rentalcars.com, a reliable site for booking a rental car in advance.
Flight Tickets: When looking for flight tickets, you can search Skyscanner to find the best price.
Travel Insurance: World Nomads and SafetyWing cover against risks of travel.
