Packing for Ireland
 

I always enjoy reading people's packing lists, so here's mine.

We're leaving for Ireland (NI and the Republic) on Thursday for just over two weeks. We will have three bases - Belfast, Westport, Dublin. We're renting houses/flats and will have laundry facilities. We will have a car, and most of our walking will be city sightseeing in Belfast and Dublin; in the countryside, we'll do more driving (we're not planning to go hiking or to stay outside for long in the rain). I usually do carry-on only, and my go-to style for travel is jersey knit skirts with leggings and boots rather than pants. Most of my wardrobe is black, with bits of grey and taupe. Here's what I have in mind:

Jeans - 1 pair
Black skirt
Grey skirt (both skirts are washable)
Black yoga pants for evenings by the fire in our rental places
6 - 7 t-shirts, long and short sleeved, mostly black
Black fleece jacket
Taupe sweater
Dark grey sweater
Grey scarf
Leopard print scarf
Black leather knee-high boots - low heel, very comfortable
Black ankle boots - I can walk for miles in these
Black and white wrap - it's big, warm, and comes on most of my trips
Gloves
Nightwear, underwear, socks, etc. - and my slippers!

I'm not sure about a coat. I'm tempted to get away with layers and the wrap; I've done that in London in January, and it worked well. But it could be cold on the Atlantic coast. My choices:
(1) black/taupe reversible raincoat; not particularly warm but looks nice
(2) black puffy coat - long, practical, possibly too warm?
(3) grey duffel coat - warm, maybe too heavy?

Anything I'm missing? Thanks for all suggestions!

Not sure about raincoat in Ireland? I don't know where you are coming from, but you cannot always drive right up to buildings and park and run into them. Also, realize that it can get quite windy especially the Atlantic side. Just look at the rain/wind data so far this month in Dublin. https://www.wunderground.com/history...eqdb.wmo=03969

I would have thought a raincoat was an essential in Ireland along with a warm hat, gloves and scarf. "Normal" jeans should be left at home unless as they can be a pig to dry

London is amazingly dry in the driest part of the Islands.

Ireland is the wettest.

Take the rain coat and you may want a hood/hat.

I don't see a hat either. Watching golf tournaments this summer from Britain, the players wore toques! I was there in September and so glad I took a cashmere sweater and light, down jacket.

Hat is a must and a rain jacket that is windproof and large enough to go over your layers.

I'm not even sure the layers are enough at this time of year. They wouldn't be enough right now in Italy, where it's mostly misty and foggy, with frost overnight. I don't think there's any reason to bring even one short-sleeved t-shirt. I'm wearing lightweight merino tops paired with heavy wool cardigans.

IMHO rain coats are useless under most conditions. Not warm enough for cold and no good for windy conditions. And hile Ireland is very damp I have found it it mosly mist or srizzle rather than tropical downpours.

In warmer weather I bring a tissue weight reversible rain jacket with hood and a sweater to wear under on colder days - but in Dec - sep if you will be anywhere near the coast I would want a winter coat. Quite chilly temps, rain and wind can really chill you to the core - even when temps are not bitter cold.

(I would take my leather - but heavyweight and to mid thigh - great for rain and wind and any temps down to about 30.)

I was thinking more Australian cattle coat :-)

Winds in Ireland are lazy

Winter coat. I was cold and wet in August one year.. ( but lucked out our last trip in May).

Ireland in winter , its cold and wet.. and likely windy.

I took a woolen pea coat ( so that's mid thigh length) to London one March and was very thankful for the warmth (still had to buy gloves and a hat since I had forgotten to bring them ) . Wool still insulates when wet.. its not a lightweight coat.. but I wore it every day and for the flight so it wasn't something I had to pack .
My step mother wore a long ( mid calf length)down puffy coat. She was warmer then me.. and I was a bit envious.. but I thought I looked better , lol


I cant imagine not taking or wearing a winter coat. And, one that can still be useful wet.. as it will get wet.

The Australian cattle coat Drizabone and its British equivalent Barbour will certainly keep the rain out, and are also windproof. They won't keep you warm on their own, but work well as an outer layer. Drizabone and Barbour are waxed cotton fabrics, and have been the choice of outdoorsmen for many years. Waxed cotton fabrics are heavy, and don't breathe, so they keep the perspiration in when you get too warm.

The modern technical fabrics like Gore-tex are better, IMO. I have a couple of Jack Wolfskin jackets, one lined and one unlined, which I now wear, while my Barbours stay hanging in the closet.

I love my Jack Wolfskin. I have one with a zip in fleece but the other I can wear a puffy down under. They are great for wind and rain and love all the secret pockets and great hood. Thin raincoats don't work in Westport or Belfast.

No- if you're on/near the coast it can be very windy.