Okay, I know this has been covered before but I still need some help. We are leaving for Ireland on October 8th and will be there for two weeks traveling counterclockwise to Dublin, Cork, Killarney, Doolin and back to Dublin (basically). We are thinking the weather will be cool but we're still confused as to what to bring for clothes.

I am traveling with my mother and every time we go to Europe the weather is never what we planned for. It is frustrating to say the least. We like to pack light so guessing what the weather will be like is important.

I guess my question is this....will it be sweater weather in October? With jackets? Boots? We both live in Southern states and it is hot where we live so cooler temps are even cooler for us. The weather websites say 50-60 degrees which could be warm or cold.
We are just so unsure of what to pack. Sorry to ask a question that has been covered here in the past but any help would be appreciated. Thank you so much!

Weather in Ireland, as almost anywhere, can be a crapshoot. You may have glorious sunny days or chilly, damp, gray ones--or a mixture of both, sometimes within a few hours of each other.

I would pack turtle neck tops or longsleeved tshirts, slacks and/or skirt, extra shoes in case one pair gets wet, a heavy sweater and some sort of rainproof shell. You also might want to put in a pair of lightweight gloves. (Mind you, I am no fashion plate, so take this for what it is worth.)

Agree w/ irishface on packing. As noted, weather in Ireland can't be predicted. We went the same dates you will be there and it was cool, misty and chilly. Hopefully, you will get nice weather. We had layers, Tnecks, long sleeves, some short sleeves, rain gear (I brought a lightweight nylon jacket w/ hood that had a sweatshirt fabric inside. Comfortable walking shoes a must. Of course, if you don't have one, you can buy an Irish knit sweater for warmth.

I don't know what you are planning for activities w/ your mother so clothing could vary according to your itinerary. It's difficult to try and plan clothing but think you would be better w/ the layers for warmth. You can always shed the layers if it is warm and sunny.

Good luck. Have a wonderful trip. Don't forget your umbrella!

Oh, you both have made me feel so much better. We are packing exactly as you decribed. I worried that lightweight turtlenecks (jersey-type) might be too much on a warm day. We are packing them with long sleeve t-shirts, one or two sweaters and nylon water-repellent jackets. Jeans and black yoga-type pants for bottoms, sturdy shoes and a pair of boots.

Seems like we are good to go! Thanks so much!

At the risk of sounding petty let me first say that the route you describe is somewhat clockwise. Having said that if you dress for and October in the northeast of the US you will be fine. Since you have three weeks I would urge you to travel further south than Killian. The Peninsulas ( Sheepshead, Mizen, Beara and Dingle are spectacular with great drives in mountains and along the sea. There will be few tourist and lovely small villages where you can get a taste of rural Ireland and the country folks. Doolin is not on my favorite list but others seem to like it. One night there would be plenty. If the weather is nice in Killarney the Gap of Dunloe is a great day with a walk or a pony ride through the gap and a boat ride through the lake at the end. Have fun

Johnod...Wow, you are absoultely right. What a goofball I am. We are, of course, going clockwise. Also, we have four days in the southwest of Ireland split between Killarney and Tralee so plenty of time to do Dingle. We are definitely planning on a jaunting car ride. We had planned to spend two nights in Dingle but rearranged our schedule when a friend told us the Cliffs of Moher were not to be missed. So we decided to give up straying in Dingle and head North to the Doolin area after Tralee. We will be stopping by in Galway as well if time allows then heading back to Dublin. So hard to decide on an itinerary but I feel pretty confident ours will do.

Wow...typos. Sorry. We were not "straying" in Dingle.

I am here now and finding the layering thing to be essential. I have a pair of jeans, a pair of nice heavy "leisure" wear pants, rain pants....I would add a pair of cords for warmth and comfort. Instead of long sleeved turtlenecks, I brought long sleeved tee shirts and wear scarves. I did the "purchase an Aran sweater" thing early on and I have worn it lots! I also wish I had "hiking shoes"; my "walking shoes" (Mary Jane style) are fine for cities but something sturdier would be better for the Peninsulas. Weather shifts constantly. Have not worn short sleeves on the trip at all. And the Irish keep telling us we're seeing the best weather they've had all summer!

Peggi - good suggestions also, and I like bringing the long sleeved T shirts vs turtlenecks and some scarves. I wear turtlenecks here in the Northeast all winter because they keep my neck warm, I am always cold. LOL However, for traveling some nice scarves would work well and u could buy some pretty ones for souvenirs in Ireland. Nice mementos of your trip. Sometimes the turtlenecks can feel "tight" around your neck and u might enjoy the feel of a scarf instead. Besides, if it's chilly over there u can wrap the scarf around your face, etc. It did get chilly in a few places we visited. It's really difficult trying to plan clothing for Ireland but u will be fine w/ the layers.

I also agree w/ your wishing u had hiking shoes instead of walking shoes. I, too, have a very comfy pair of Mary Jane style shoes I love and have taken on many trips but my next trip I am going to purchase a comfortable pair of "walking/hiking" shoes. LL Bean have some nice ones in their catalogs on line, free shipping also. They have a Waterproof Trail Model Hikers II, Low-Cut which might be nice. They look like a sneaker but would give more support if u are walking on rough terrain, rocks, etc. U could wear them at home for daily walks etc. Guess I'll take a run to LL Bean and check them out! I like the waterproof feature also, as we all know Ireland can be wet!

Have a wonderful trip. Let us know how u make out.

BTW, we did the Gap of Dunloe tour in Killarney, took a cab from our hotel (the hotel can call the cab for you also). It was the highlight of our trip, one of my favorite things we have ever done on vacation. The scenery is spectacular. It's a 7 mile ride (we had a pony cart w/ driver), thru the mountains on a narrow, windy road. Then we rode in an open boat for a 13 mile Boat journey through the Upper Lake, Long Range River, Middle Lake and the Lower Lake in Killarney. The boat ride ends in Ross Bay and the famous "Ross Castle". A most spectacular day! Do hope u will do this tour if you are in Killarney. Here's a nice You Tube video that will give you a nice overview of the trip!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=43m6L...eature=related

I think your mother will really enjoy this trip!

We traveled last October in 2012. The weather was warmer in Dublin -- highs of 50-52, lows of 40. Over cast with slight drizzles. The other side of the Island (Galway) was definately colder with highs of 45. Maybe it just seemed colder because of the constant breeze. I got by with long sleeved shirts and a water repellant windbreaker with a hood. I did slip on a hooded sweatshirt on a day where it rained off and on (no sun) in Killarney. My wife wished she had warmer clothes for Galway.

We are leaving in a week for a two week trip to Ireland. Our last trip there was ten years ago in late May and it was very cold and we were unprepared with our clothes. Am packing as others have suggested-sweaters, turtlenecks, rain jackets, scarves, fleece jackets and pants, shoes with Gortex lining, etc. Flying into Dublin but not spending time there-this trip will be lots of driving and all about the countryside including Dingle, Killarney, Bantry, Kinsale, and other wonderful places.

I have always traveled to Ireland in late September, early October, and what others have said is true......pack with layers in mind! I "traveled" during the day in slacks, long-sleeved shirts, lightweight jackets or hoodies. I dressed for dinner each night with longish skirts, long-sleeved blouses, and shawls. Good, solid footwear is a MUST, both for day and evening wear. Have a wonderful trip!

Don't forget gloves! Not necessarily heavy ones, but gloves would be good. and perhaps earmuffs! Thanks for the lead on the LL Bean shoes; heading to Lake District in England in early October so need to get those before that trip!

I'm here now, and today I had on a lightweight sweater, fleecy and rainjacket (with the hood up lots), scarf, gloves and waterproof hiking shoes. That's pretty much been my wardrobe for the last week, although some days I added another nylon and cotton jacket over the fleece and under the rainjacket.

I wish I had a heavier sweater, because with three layers, I'm still cold when we get out of the car to walk to see a site. I can't wear wool, unfortunately, because I've seen really nice Aran sweaters.

15 degrees at home is NOT 15 degrees here - the wind off the Atlantic hasn't let up for a week, and it's darn cold!!!

An added bonus to the wind is I don't bother with any makeup -
10 minutes outside and it's blown off!!!

Oh my! You have all given me so much information. And a special thanks to the posters who are there now and posting. You have all helped so much! I am from Florida so I am sure I will be colder than most. I have to say though, I am totally looking forward to a chill! It has been so darn hot here.

I am a bit concerned about the footware now though. I am packing a pair of good worn in leather boots, a pair of rubber LL Bean boots (duck shoes), and a pair of Naturalizer sneakers. Hoping these are good choices for more rugged terrain. I will be taking out the lighter tees I packed and adding one more sweater. Thank you so much for your updates!

Sturdy waterproof hiking boots or shoes are essential if you plan at all on seeing anything off a sidewalk!

I have the shoes, my husband brought hiking boots, and he's worn nothing else since we left Belfast.

I have two other pairs of Ecco walking shoes, which are totally unsuitable for the terrain here. Fine for poking about the towns, but forget it when out and about. Glad I brought them because I don't love the look of the hiking shoes for going into towns or restaurants in the evening.

I also brought ballet flats, which I wore exactly twice in Dublin - complete waste of space.

Well, since we are leaving Tampa in the high 80's and traveling all day, ballet flats are a definite for me. That being said, I do not plan on wearing them at all in Ireland.

I just got back from Galway and Killarney on Sunday. Galway was very cold, windy and rainy. I have survived Midwest winters in a happier state! Galwegians seem to not use umbrellas, but I did. They were even swimming in what must have been 20 degree water. Bring waterproof jackets, sweaters to layer, socks, woven pants (not jeans, they become sodden). But you also have to bring short sleeve shirts and lighter jackets.Killarney was mostly nice and I wore sandals but 2 days were very foggy, chilly etc, so bring closed toe shoes and sweatshirts. If you are on the Ring of Kerry tour and it rains, you will want warm clothes. Galway might not be so bad if you aren't walking on the Promenade but it did rain consistently and was extremely windy. Have fun!

Thank you for the info, Moirann628.

I did get hiking shoes (Columbia) for my trip to the Lake District of England and I was very, very, very glad to have them. Agree with everyone else that "walking shoes" are great for cities but are inadequate for anything remotely more off the beaten path.