adamsparks

I am the world's worst packer and am bound and determined to pack more appropriately for a 10 day trip to the Republic of Ireland. Do I need a coat or will layers do? What would you suggest I should bring? We are not doing anything fancy except Dromoland. My husband isn't going on this trip and I don't have the muscles to lug what he has been patient enought to carry!

suze

I have not been to Ireland but will give you these words of encouragment as a solo female traveler.

Use one 22-24" rolling suitcase max. and simply don't pack more than what will fit in it. Going with layers is always practical, but supplement that by wearing your bulkiest items on the plane (i.e. one big sweater and/or coat with zip lining, boots).

Downsizing all cosmetics and toiletries into tiny containers, just barely enough for the 10 days, packed in ziplock bags helps enormously.

bettyk

Even a 22" carryon can get very heavy. On our trip to the UK, my 22" weighed over 30 lbs. I nearly killed myself lugging that thing around. And, I thought I had packed light! I just bought a 21" wheeled backpack by Ricardo Timber Creek for $50 at Kohl's that I love! It will hold all I need for my next 2 week trip but won't allow me to overpack!

ira

Hi ad,

Layers, toujours layers, and a lightweight, waterproof windbreaker.

Christina

I have only been to Ireland in August, but I took a raincoat even in August, and I sure am glad I did. I can't imagine going in October without a coat.

Suspaul

Lightweight silk long underwear (or silk longjohns) work really well, take up very little precious packing space, and can be washed out at night and dry by the next a.m. Also, if you got too warm later in the day they're easy enough to take off and put in the backpack/carry bag without taking up room.

hstergius

Hi -
Just got back from Ireland yesterday. It was pretty chilly the whole time - by October I expect you'll want layers plus a rain coat, and if you are cold natured some stockings under your pants if you'll be outdoors much.
A hat, too.

Make sure your coat is waterproof, you'll need it.

Pack extra undies and next-to-skin layers - fewer bulky layer choices (ie - 2 sweaters, 3 shirts, 5 turtlenecks, rather than 5 sweaters and 2 turtlenecks - numbers just for example...)
because... laundry facilities were hard to find. 2 places we stayed had in-house washers/dryers - but the loads took FOREVER and FOREVER to complete - as in 5 hours for the combo washer/dryer, then they were still damp! You won't be doing laundry regularly.

Since the pubs & eateries are all non-smoking you don't have to worry about all your sweaters smelling like smoke.

Hope this helps.
Helen

Ann41

It's beautiful here today. Thinks it's around 70F.

Anyway, definitely bring a windbreaker or waterproof jacket. You won't really need a coat if you are wearing sweaters or sweatshirts. The weather can be really lovely here in October. Then again, it can also be miserable, but the odds are in your favour.

My advice is to lay out everything you want to take, and then only pack half. And you'll find that you probably won't even need that much.

If you decide to do laundry, all cities and many larger towns have laundrettes, as they call them here. The washers do take longer (mine runs for about 2 hours on certain cycles), but only an old machine would take 5 hours to wash and dry and still be damp. The combos take a lot longer to begin with.

adamsparks

thank you everyone. Your advice will help with this very difficult task form me.

funtraveller

I find it helpful to set aside clean "questionable" attire (i.e. underwear that needs replacing after too many washings, socks with just a little hole)that I'd ordinarily throw away, wear them on trips, then throw them away after wearing them. Doesn't get much easier than that! Happy trails.