What to pack for Ireland in August

What to pack for Ireland in August: full packing list and insider tips to be comfortable and stylish during your summer vacation in Ireland.

August is a wonderful month for visiting Ireland and one of the most popular for tourists from all over the world.

A proper summer month, August in Ireland has nice long sunny days, long hours of light, perfect for those long days on the road, and a mild temperature, warm during the day and slightly chillier once the sun goes down.

Packing for August in Ireland is relatively easy: while you cannot go full on summer clothing only, you will not need heavy coats, boots or other bulky items and will be ok with just an extra layer for chillier hours and, of course, some protection for the possible rain shower.

So if a trip to the Emerald Isle in August is on your plans, you are in for a treat and I am more than happy to help you get ready for it.

This is my complete, tried and tested packing list for Ireland in August.

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What to pack for Ireland in August: essentials

I am going to start this packing list with essentials for all seasons and then drill down on the specifics for the month of August.

Documents

• Passport and Visa if required (find Visa requirements for Ireland here)
• Driving Licence
• International driving license if needed (check here Ireland driving requirements for foreigners)
• Kids birth certificate proving guardianship/ authorization to travel letter by the child’s guardian, should you be traveling to Ireland alone with a child with a different surname as your
• Medication and prescriptions for ongoing conditions/ needs
• A print out of your reservations (cars, hotels, tours etc)

Medications and toiletries

• A well-stocked first-aid kit
• Moisturizing cream for face/hands with UV protection (the combination of sun and wind can be taxing on the skin)
• Allergy tablets – please note that over the counter medications in Ireland may differ from those at home. If you suffer from hay fever, I recommend you bring your own.
• Paracetamol or similar for pain / fever

Need to know: in Ireland, you can buy paracetamol in pharmacies or in supermarkets however, there are limitations about how many boxes you can buy in a single transaction. But what you need but don’t stock up as the sale will be refused.

All your basic toiletries including:

• Body wash/shampoo/conditioner
• Deodorant
• Tweezers
• Shaving cream/blade
• Women sanitary supplies
• Brush/comb/detangler
• Hair ties
• Moisturizing cream for face /body
• Nail clipper
• Makeup if using

What to wear in Ireland in August

August is usually a lovely month in Ireland, a time of sunny days, mild temperatures and even the occasional proper hot day!

While temperatures are never excessively high, it may surprise you how strong the sun can be in Ireland in summer, especially in the middle of the day.

While you will not find yourself wearing a summer dress if staying out morning to evening, you may well find yourself wishing you had shorts on or a cotton dress and sandals and locals will even brave the sea for swimming.

• The average temperature in Ireland in August is 15.5C/60F
• The average number of rainy days in Ireland in August is 23

Despite this very high number of rainy days, during a normal month of August in Ireland, you are more likely to encounter showers than solid downpour for days.

It is, however, possible for the sky to stay grey for several days: don’t let it discourage you, more often than not, the sun will at some stage come out, even if the morning starts dark!!

Need to know: While daytime can get pretty hot in the sun in August, it is rare for the evening to stay mild. If you plan on prolonged sightseeing, even on a hot day, make sure you carry a cardigan with you as it can get chilly pretty fast!

When it comes to what to wear in Ireland in June, this is my list of clothing essentials:

• Wind breaker
• Light scarf
• Short-sleeve tops
• Light cardigan (if used to very hot climates, you may need light wool otherwise cotton is enough)
• Long pants/ jeans
• A summer dress / shorts
• Good walking shoes such as sneakers/runners
• A pair of nicer shoes (ballerina flats work well in this season)
• Good walking sandals (I like Teva sandals: comfortable and pretty versatile)
• Underwear and socks
• Pajama/nightwear
• Special gear for surfing/hiking if needed
• Swimsuit and flip flops for sunbathing / hotel pool
• Sunglasses: Ireland can get really bright in August!

What to wear in Ireland in August if staying in a castle: Some castle hotels, some high-end restaurants and clubs do request their guests to abide by a certain dress code, especially for the evening meal. Information for each is available on the website of the structure in question, however, usually, this means shirt/tie/suit for men, no sneakers and no denim for both men and women.

What to pack for Ireland in August: tech and gadgets

• Phone with good roaming plan or local sim card
• Hands-free phone holder for car
• Power bank / extra battery pack for charging all your tech
• USB cables
• Ireland travel adapter (3 pins)
• Tablet/kindle if using
• Binoculars for bird watching
• Camera, if separate from the phone
• Wind resistant travel umbrella
• Reusable water bottle

Luggage and bags

You don’t need all of this however, I recommend you choose your bags for Ireland wisely so you don’t’ find yourself awkwardly dragging stuff around!

• Hardshell luggage if driving (super handy to stack in the trunk of the car)
• Travel backpack if traveling light / using the bus or train
• Reusable tote bag for picnics etc
• Wet/dry bags especially if traveling with young kids
• Packing cubes – I find these absolutely wonderful to fit more into just one bag! I use one per child and two per adults and this keeps us going for 1 week / 10 days.

Need to know: if counting on doing laundry on the road, make sure you double check with your hosts that you will have access to a washing machine and a dryer. If staying in B&Bs and guesthouses, access to laundry facilities may not be possible – make sure you plan ahead!

What to pack for the kids

• Safe and Ireland authorities approved car seat (official rules here)
• Kids travel pillow for the plane/car
• Well stocked changing bag
• All-terrain stroller (I prefer these in Ireland to the super-light ones: they are much better when exploring the Irish amazing countryside)
• Rain cover for stroller
• Sun hat and sunglasses for baby

You usually do not need to carry your own high chair or toddler crib: Ireland hotels and restaurants tend to be well equipped and, most of the time, will be able to provide what you need.

If staying in smaller properties and B&Bs, ask for a cot in advance to make sure they have one available on your dates.

I hope you found this packing list for Ireland in August useful. Safe travels!