How to Pack for Ireland in the Fall: From Historic Sites to Scenic Hikes

Packing for Ireland in autumn is no easy feat. If I’m honest, it was the part of planning our anniversary trip that I dreaded the most. We had so many different types of activities planned (castles, distillery tour, hikes, a bike ride, photoshoot, perfumery, fancy 5-course meal, ancient ruins), and what I wanted to pack for each was so different. Plus, the temperature can fluctuate by the day, and the wind and rain can come and go on a whim!

From coats to shoes to tech and personal items, here’s what to pack for fall in Ireland!

What to Expect: Fall Weather in Ireland

Fall is a beautiful time to visit Ireland. It’s shoulder season (so crowds are lower) and the temperatures tend to be mild compared to the rest of the year. That being said, the rain will still come and go, and it can be very windy. Temperatures tend to range between 50°F and 57°F. (For a Florida girl, it was still cold!)

Keep an eye on the weather forecast leading up to your trip! The rain and wind can make a big difference in how cold it feels. Case in point – driving the Ring of Kerry, it was so cold, windy, and rainy that I needed to wear my gloves, wool hat, puffer jacket, and rain shell. The very next day at the Cliffs of Moher, I was sweating in a t-shirt and athletic leggings.

So – your main takeaway? Layers, layers, layers. You’ll want to bring a variety of layers, as the weather in Ireland in the fall can change a lot – even within the same day!

Essential Clothing for Fall in Ireland

Besides thinking in layers, you’ll definitely want waterproof gear for Ireland. If it was summer, a standard rain coat would do, but I loved having a jacket with a rain shell for the dips in temperature, as well as to help keep me warm in the wind.

The other key category to think about is your shoes! I chose to bring a standard sneaker and lucked out that our days in Dublin were not rainy. You’ll definitely want at least one pair of waterproof shoes – whether it’s sneakers or a Chelsea boot like I brought!*

While I did bring a small packable umbrella (and I probably would again for “just in case”), it never was used because any time it rained it was FAR too windy to try and use an umbrella.

Historic Sites: Cute But Cozy

For Dublin and other historic sites, the most important choice is comfortable walking shoes that can handle getting wet. After checking the weather forecast, you’ll want to consider how long you’ll be out and about, as this might also mean bringing your rain jacket. (Even if there isn’t a high chance of rain, it could still shower randomly during the day!)

I also brought a pair of Rothy’s to dress up my blue jeans for our night out at the Guinness Storehouse, Roe & Co., and out to dinner. Since they’re machine washable, it wasn’t the end of the world if they got wet!

To complete my Dublin attire, I wore comfortable sweaters and brought my favorite crossbody purse.

Scenic Hikes: Favorite Packable Gear

If you venture beyond Dublin, you’ll experience the magic of the Irish countryside! No matter your plans, from ancient ruins to waterfall hikes, you’ll be spending a lot of time outdoors. While we are not full-day or intense hikers, we do love to fit in a few 1-2 hour hikes on our vacations. So based on the hikes we did, here are my top picks for the best hiking gear for Ireland.

This is where your coat with rain shell and waterproof boots become your best friend! I absolutely LOVED wearing these boots by Thursday Boot Company*- they looked cute, were waterproof, had a great tread for navigating mud and uneven rocks in the Burren, and even cleaned up easily when we got back to our hotel.

My go-to bag for a shorter hike is this sling bag!* It can fit all the essentials – sunglasses, mini first aid kit, hand sanitizer, a snack, my phone. If you have kids, it also makes a great hiking / zoo / theme park bag, as it easily fits diapers and wipes too! (Full disclosure – it looks like they don’t make my exact bag anymore. I have the Switch Slinger!)

Two other items I was glad to have with time spent outdoors – this packable towel* and a reusable bag!* The towel had so many uses – blanket on the plane, something to throw down on the beach sand to enjoy the views, and even a towel to dry off after the rain misted sideways! The reusable bag was perfect for a grocery stop in Dublin and doubled as a shoe bag on our flight home (we had hiked through a bit of mud our second-to-last day!).

Tech & Travel Gear

First, you’ll want to make sure that you have a Type G Power Adapter* for Ireland. I bought a set of two, and since each had multiple outlets and USB ports, it was plenty for all of our tech gear during the trip!

If you’re driving yourself around Ireland, there are a few other tech items I’d recommend. We lucked out and had a newer model rental car with Apple Car Play. But, since I couldn’t have known that until we got there, I brought an A/C phone mount,* small Bluetooth speaker,* and a portable phone power bank* to ensure that we could navigate, listen to our own music, and have enough battery on our iPhones. (Sidenote: I loved that the little Anker speaker is small enough to fit in a cupholder!)

Important road trip technology note: You’ll also want to make sure that you download Google Maps for Ireland so that you can navigate the winding roads regardless of cell service! We lost service at least twice while driving in Co. Kerry and Co. Clare, and we were glad that there wasn’t a single break in navigation. I recommend downloading your favorite Spotify playlists, too. (If you want suggestions specific to Ireland, check out my post – 5 Spotify Playlists to Set the Mood for Your Irish Adventure.)

Fall in Ireland Must-Haves

If I had to narrow down my very top items for a trip to Ireland, it’s going to be a rain coat and waterproof boots! Followed closely by making sure you have the right adapters for all of the tech you’re bringing.

One extra note: with the cold and the wind, you’ll want to be sure to pack your favorite lotion, lip balm, and maybe even a lip mask.* Check out the list below for my packing list!

Enjoy Your Fall Adventure in Ireland

With this Ireland packing list, you’ll be ready for anything! Strolling Dublin streets, enjoying a pint in a local pub, hiking the Burren, or sitting by the Irish shore, you can explore all Ireland has to offer, rain or shine.