Dress Code for Ireland :

My wife and I are vacationing in Ireland on September 15-25 via a CIE Escorted Coach Tour. Our itinerary includes: - Dublin (2 nights at The Burlington) … Kilkenny (2 nights at B&Bs) … Cork (1 night at Clarion Hotel Cork … Killarney (2 nights at Killarney Avenue Hotel) … Galway (2 nights at Ardilaun House Hotel).

Having never been to Ireland before … I’m assuming that jeans/slacks, casual shirt and light outdoor jacket (with a sweater as backup) plus good outdoor shoes and a rain poncho are recommended during the day at this time of year.

For evening dinner at any of the aforementioned hotels … should I pack a sport jacket/blazer … even (gasp!) … a tie? Or is casual shirt and slacks (no jeans) and dress shoes perfectly OK in these places? Again, we’re traveling with a CIE Tour and it’s our first time to Ireland … and Europe … for that matter.

Thanks.

Mike (shamrock838)

Don't trouble yourself with tie or jacket. You will find that some will wear jeans and white sneakers to dinner.

Your dining options (as far as price range and level of formality) will be generally the same as you might find in the US. Casual to more dressy possible.

Plan to bring clothing for what you might choose to wear at home, for your chosen type of dining. No need to modify to the country, the concerns are the same. Jeans ok one place, something nicer in another depends more on the type of establishment than the country. There's a reasonable chance that it may be cool and possibly damp out.

Since you are not on a deluxe castle tour you will be fine with jeans/slacks. No jacket or tie required. Good news since CIE restricts you to one suitcase. Make your one outdoor jacket rainproof with an attached hood.

Yes, thank God Ireland is mostly casual. We are heading up a CIE custom tour in less than 2 weeks and the only place where the men need to wear a jacket and tie is Ashford Castle. My husband always brings a few pairs of dockers and nice shirts for traveling in (he is comfortable that way) and they work out well for most places for dinner...however, most places a nice pair of jeans and a nice shirt work fine too...
Shadow

shamrock838,

Wear comfortabe clothes you can layer. Have an extra pair of shoes. A windbreaker or rain jacket and go and enjoy yourselves.

Joan

What you are brining is fine for where you are going. Actually I cannot think of one place that"requires" a coat and tie but i am sure they exist. Casual dressy for a nice meal and most places are pretty casual. Most grown men here though do not wear shorts (the long ones too) It was a funny observation we made in Ennis at the hotel last week as i knew the american men from their shorts...I grew up in the U.S. so I can say that! My other half thinks all american men have parts in their hair and its not as common with younger men here. Have fun and don't worry about clothes!

That's a coincidence Siobhan - I was also in Ennis last week! Where did you stay? I was there for work - stayed in the Temple Gate.

I was in the Old Ground hotel for the weekend. Funny just around the corner! Great shops in Ennis Had to control myself with all the sales and great shoe shops.

ah, we probably missed each other in that case - I was there from Wednesday to Friday. I got a gorgeous wrap dress in the sale in Carraig Donn for only €14! Result.

I was in there great sale but the other half could not cope with another shop so I will go alone next time. Amazing shoe shop (mostly italian shoes) with matching bags across from the cathedral. Better than most posh dublin shoe shops!

I wonder if it's a good thing or a bad thing that I missed that place? Good for my credit card balance I guess!!

Its really hard not to buy in there and I was looking for wedding shoes. Its cheaper than the places like Cherce midi in Dublin but stunning shoes like that shop.