How likely are we to need bathing suits and beach towels during September? I want to pack light, but I know we'll be visitng lots of beaches on our trip (5 weeks). What's the weather and water temperature likely to be like?

Alison

What country are we in?

Too funny! I was trying to post this on the Ireland board!!! Sorry.

That would be IRELAND!!! Thanks for catching that!

Alison

There isn't an Ireland board only the Europe board.

And don't bother with your dookers unless your hotel has an indoor pool

I've never traveled in Ireland in September but my attraction to the long beaches is walking on them, not swimming in their water. My guess is that it is usually fairly cold, but I'm not sure.

Bill

I wouldn't take up space with bathing suits and towels. We got into the ocean along the southern coast last July and it was very cold.

We had gorgeous weather while we were in Ireland last September but the water was COLD! There were lots of surfers but they were all wearing wetsuits. There was this one guy we kept meeting on beaches- big man who would immediately strip down to his boxers/swimsuit and wade right in while his little wifey (wearing heavy boots and wrapped to the ears in her parka!) would film him with the videocam. I don't know if he had a goal of freezing off his cojones on every beach in Ireland or he lost a bet- you figure. Don't bother with towels and swimsuit. Use that space to pack your light raincoat.

Thanks for the great response! The bathing suit and towel are OFF the list!

Alison

I would say bring your bathing suits with you. September ha been beautiful in Ireland in the past few years and the water only starts to get warm at the end of August.

A few swimsuits wouldn't take up much room. I'd bring them "just in case". September here last year was warm. If you don't want to waste space on towels, just buy a few over here cheap.