Full packing list for Ireland in summer: Ireland travel essential, what to pack for summer in Ireland for comfort and style. Summer packing for Ireland made easy!
Summer is a wonderful time to visit Ireland but one that can pose a bit of a headache when it comes to deciding what to pack.
Ireland in the summer has very changeable weather and while I will not go as far as saying you have 4 seasons in a day, you very much have 3 and can go from hot to mild to very wet in a matter of minutes.
I know this well: I have spent 17 summers in Ireland so I know very well what works and what doesn’t!
This article is my expert packing list for summer in Ireland. But first, some info, so you know what yo expect from the notoriously temperamental Irish summer weather.
Table of Contents
Ireland weather in summer at a glance
Summers in Ireland are usually defined as ‘mild’ and indeed, this is a good word for them. Summer in Ireland lasts for the months of June, July and August and for most of this time, you have pleasant weather that falls just on the cold side of what Goldilocks would define as just right.
Usually, in summer in Ireland, you have temperatures in the low 20s, with peaks of proper heat in the middle of the say in the sun and the occasional chillier evening.
The average temperature in July in Dublin Ireland is around 15.5°C (60°F), which means you have pleasant sightseeing temperatures during the day, potentially hot sun at lunchtime (with option of eating outside and even be in need for a sun umbrella) and evenings that require a light cardigan or possibly a light jacket.
The temperature gets a little colder on the coast and in the North (Donegal) which is also where wind and rain can happen but overall, the temperature is similar in different parts of the country.
You have on average 15 days of rain in Ireland in both July and August and yes, this is a good bit so expecting rain is a must.
This usually comes in the form of showers rather than solid rain for hours like in the winter, but really, there is no guarantee about hat the weather will be like on any given day in Ireland in summer.
You can have lovely sun or gray sky and rain so the best way to deal with it is to embrace it and take it as part of the adventure!
One thing not many expect about Ireland in summer is how hot the middle of the day can actually get!
The thermometer may not give it away but if you are outside on a sunny afternoon in the Irish summer, you are likely to be properly hot and in dire need for water and sunscreen!
Travel essentials for Ireland in summer: documents
When packing form Ireland in summer, I like to start from the essentials and these are my travel documents. Essentials. may vary depending on your country of origin and traveling party but these are a good start.
- Passport (one per traveler, including kids)
- Visa if needed. Please be advised that Ireland is outside the Schengen area and you may need an additional/different visa to enter. You can check requirements for your nationality on the Irish official immigration website or, if you are from the US, here
- Kids’ birth cert: I like to bring it when traveling alone with my kids, who have a different surname from me. While not consistently, I have been asked for it so now I recommend everyone to have it on them
- Travel insurance
- Int’l driving license
- Prescriptions: Ireland has rules for prescriptions that can be significantly different from those back home. I recommend you bring prescriptions for all your needs and also a note with the generic name of the medication you need, to speed up the buying process in Ireland should you need to get anything while here
- All your booking confirmation (car rental, tickets, accommodation), apps are usually ok
Ireland packing list for summer: bags and recommended luggage
I am a light packer but, in Irland, chances are you will travel mostly bt car and this leaves you a good bit of room for packing pretty much as much or as little as you want, as long as the bags fir in the trunk of your rental car!
I personally like to travel with:
- Wheelie hard shell luggage or travel backpack (this one is mine and I love it)
- One backpack/rucksack for days out
- Crossbody bag for daily essentials and city visits
- Wet bags, super useful if you go to the beach – stuff here doesn’t sry for ages!
- Changing bag/Diaper bag if you have a baby or toddler.
If you are traveling to Irland with a small child, I recommend you read our specific tip here
What wear in Ireland in June, July, August
As mentioned, Ireland in summer has changeable weather and this means that your Ireland packing list should have one operative word: layers!
This is what I recommend:
- Wind breaker jacket with hood
- Cardigan / light sweater
- Short-sleeve tops
- Long-sleeve top if you come from a hot climate (People from cold climates can usually do without, I am personally always cold!)
- Jeans / trousers /skirts
- Some days, you may even need shorts (think hiking shorts)
- Summer dress for the occasional hot day in Dublin
- Underwear
- Socks
- Pajamas
- Comfortable walking shoes such as runners, hiking shoes for mountain walks (see our selection at the bottom of this post too)
- Bathing suit
- Wetsuit if surfing
- Wetsuits for kids if traveling with them and heading to the beach or for pools in family hotels)
Useful accessories to pack for Ireland in summer
- Lightweight travel umbrella
- Travel adaptor for 3 pi Irish sockets
- Extra battery pack for charging phone etc
- Extra photo card for camera
- Sunglasses
- Hiking scarf
- Light scarf
- Binoculars for birds
- Cuter purse /shoes for going out at night in bigger towns/ cities
Toiletries
Aside from your usual essentials, I usually recommend bringing:
- Sunscreen (yes, you will need it!)
- Lip balm, for those windy days
- Good day cream for face/hands
Anything you may need to buy while here in this department, you can usually buy in bigger supermarkets and pharmacies.
Packing list for Ireland in summer for families with kids
If you are coming to Ireland in summer with kids, I recommend you also add to your luggage the following items:
- Stroller: big wheels usually work best in Irish parks and country paths
- Changing bag/ Diaper bag
- Car seat: you can find rules for them in Ireland here
- Change of shoes for mucky days
- Wetsuit for the beach and the many Ireland adventure centers with water games!
I hope you found this packing list for summer in Ireland useful. Safe travels!
