A big challenge in deciding what to pack for summer travel in Ireland is honestly its unpredictable weather. So, when it comes to packing a bag for the Emerald Isle, layers are your friend!

You may be lucky and have sun, but it’s smart to expect rain basically every day. After several trips to this part of the world, here are my tips for what to pack for Ireland in summer visits, particularly in June, July, or August:

SUMMERTIME TRAVEL: When we did our most recent Ireland road trip, we went in August. Even during summer, the weather changes quickly from warm to chilly, especially when it rains!

One thing to be pleasantly surprised by is the long amount of daylight during a summer visit to Ireland. ☀️

Due to its northern location, in June, daylight can last from about 5am am until 10 pm. I personally am a fan of this, as you have more time to explore… and take great photos!

Nicer rain coat

Dresses & Sneakers

If traveling with children, this can be tricky though. Make sure to pack the right baby/toddler gear so your child has a dark place to sleep! 🌙

Typically, summer temps in Ireland are around 14°C to 17°C (57°F to 63°F). Always check the forecast the week before you leave! Even on sunny summer days, the breeze can make it chilly! 🌬️

LAYERS ARE YOUR FRIEND: When packing for your trip to Ireland- similar to visiting Scotland or travels in England I have one key tip which is… dress in layers!!

Having layers with you at all times is the key to comfort! Being able to add or remove layers quickly will ensure you’re happy no matter what happens with the unpredictable Irish weather.

Instead of a purse, I suggest bringing a day-bag or small stylish backpack instead. This way you can add and remove clothing as needed, and you’ll have room for a compact umbrella or a raincoat when it rains.

Skirts & tops work

My day pack in action

DETAILS ON JACKETS: When traveling to Ireland, always pack a waterproof jacket (or lightweight rain jacket- this is the rain jacket I have!). Ireland can’t be green without all that rain- so a quality jacket will keep you happy! 🌧️

I have a rain jacket I can easily squish up and put in my day-pack to have ready for inevitable pop up showers. 🌧️I ended up pulling out my rain jacket at least once a day.

Rainjacket at a castle

Suede Jacket

I also bought a cuter more “fancy” rain-jacket, and I wore this on days where it was supposed to be raining constantly.

I also suggest bringing a “stylish jacket” that you can pair with dresses or nicer outfits to wear out to dinner. This one isn’t waterproof, just more fashionable!

My “fancy” jacket

Nicer rain jacket

DECIDING ON SHOES: Ireland is a country where one day you’ll want to be out hiking, and then the next traversing historic cities with cobblestones. With that, you’ll want comfortable walking shoes (bonus points if they are waterproof!) 👟

Sneakers (I wore my Adidas most days as they are cute with jeans or a dress) and dedicated hiking boots are good options, depending on your plans. 🥾

I also really recommend bringing something like these cute ankle length rain boots. They look good in casual and outdoorsy settings, and you won’t have to worry about getting them wet or muddy. I think I wore these most often!

Temple Bar Dublin

Sneakers at a castle

GENERAL RULE: When it comes to fashion, most of Ireland isn’t known for being particularly trendy-and I don’t mean this in a bad way! The vibe is that you can really wear whatever you like. 

The focus seems to be more on practicality and comfort. Casual attire, maybe a bit dressed up, is appropriate for most occasions, including a night out on the town.

HIKING & THE OUTDOORS: If you plan to go hiking or outdoor exploring during your trip to Ireland, you absolutely need the right gear so you aren’t grumpy and soggy. In the summer, a waterproof/rain jacket is essential.

For footwear, water resistant hiking boots are your best bet. 🥾 Quick-drying or water-resistant pants are smart too, along with hiking socks (these are my favorite socks). 🧦

I personally wore hiking leggings, thick socks, hiking boots, a moisture-wicking t-shirt, a cotton jacket, and  a rain jacket on top.

LINKS TO WHAT I PERSONALLY BROUGHT:

⇒Get a PDF checklist of what I packed, sent to your email!⇐

• Jeans, hiking leggings, and biker shorts (to wear under dresses when it’s windy!) 

• Dresses or Skirt/Top combos. Here’s the links from my photos above: 

  • Outfit 1: Flowy floral skirt, green long sleeve top

  • Outfit 2: Cotton dress with ruffle tee underneath

  • Outfit 3: Plaid skirt with long sleeve black top

  • Outfit 4: Leggings with white pullover quarter zip sweater

  • Outfit 5: Black & white dress with grey-stripe Adidas

• A few light tops, t-shirts, and long sleeve shirts. 

• Summer raincoat – think light and ideally water repellent. I smashed this one up in my purse and ended up taking it out most days. I also brought a second “fancy” rain-jacket.

• Footwear: Adidas sneakers, hiking boots, ankle-length rain boots.

• Some cute ‘fits to wear out to the pubs. Honestly, this was really just jeans, sneakers, and a cute top usually. I did buy this faux-suede jacket and found it looked cute with my dresses or skirts.

CRUCIAL EXTRAS: With every trip, there are a few essential items I always bring with me. These include:

• Purchasing travel insurance! I will NOT travel without it after having needed to rely on it several times over the years. It’s cheaper than you think, and covers so much.

• My luggage of choice: checked bag size and carry on size

• Small combination padlock to keep on my purse/day bag to prevent theft

• Portable Charger to keep in my purse for my cell phone & Packing Cubes to stay organized

• A notebook to jot down what I do each day (I designed this one myself!)

• See all my best travel safety, organization and packing items!

By following these tips, you’ll be prepared for any weather Ireland can throw your way. Happy travels, and I hope you enjoy my guide of what to pack for Ireland in summer for women!