What to Wear on an Ireland Family Vacation Clothing Tips and More …
Preparing for a trip isn’t the easiest thing on earth. Even worse is deciding on the clothes you want to pack as the weather and climate of your destination can be quite different from the one you are used to in your home country.
Ireland is on a whole different level in this regard. The weather is so diverse that you’ll often be advised ‘if you don’t like it, wait for five minutes and watch it change’. In fact you’ll often get the chance to experience all four seasons in one day. The following clothing tips will be helpful for your Ireland family vacation once you have booked your accommodation, plane tickets, and travel insurance.
First Things First – Get Holiday Insurance
Do not forget to secure your holidays. Get cover by taking out travel insurance. This is critical as it will protect you from a lot of unexpected spending. A comprehensive travel insurance policy covers major incidents like medical evacuation, trip cancellation, loss or theft of property.
The best way to find the most suitable travel insurance for your trip is to check online – compare quotes from the different insurance providers, and choose the best one as per your need and budget.
Ireland Family Vacation Clothing Tips – Prepare for Irish Weather
Typically, no matter where you are going, you need to know the kind of weather you will be experiencing – so as to know what type of clothing to pack.
On average, the temperature in Ireland rarely goes above 75°F /24°C nor below 32°F / 0°C. Northern Ireland is a bit colder, but the difference isn’t that noticeable. You also have to have it at the back of your mind that no matter what time of year you visit Ireland, it is very likely you’ll experience rain. The months of December, January and February aren’t just the wettest months, they’re usually the coldest too. The warmest and driest months tend to be the summer months of June, July and August.
In other months, especially the shoulder season months like April, May, September, and October, the weather varies more drastically. From a very sunny morning to a rainy cold evening – all in a matter of hours.
The ever-changing weather is a part of the emerald island’s charm, however. But, it is only one factor in making your decision on what to pack. But be a step ahead by checking the predicted weather online when planning your stay, and whilst on your stay to plan your next day’s clothing. It’s not 100% accurate but still very helpful.
Ireland Family Vacation Clothing Tips – for Your Planned Activities
This is another major factor in your decision on what to pack. There are numerous activities you can take part in while in Ireland and each often has its own uniform of sorts.
For example, you don’t expect to go surfing while wearing a suit or jeans. Therefore, you need to preplan the activities you’ll be partaking in so you can prepare your packed clothing for them. If you plan on going surfing or swimming, then pack some swimming trunks. If walking, running, or hiking is on your itinerary then be sure to not forget the appropriate footwear.
In essence, once you know the activities you will be engaging in, pack accordingly.
Side note: you’ll be happy to know that if you do forget to pack your swim gear or hiking socks – there is great shopping in the major cities and towns, so you won’t be stuck.
Ireland Family Vacation Clothing Tips
No matter your activities, there are some items you must always pack with you on your trip to Ireland. Here are our essential ‘Ireland Family Vacation Clothing Tips‘:
- Jeans / Shorts / Chinos / Cargo-pants
- Layerable Knitwear / Sweatshirts / Hoodies
Ireland is well known for its beautiful Irish knitwear and knitwear brands, and there’s no doubt you’ll come across shops selling Irish-made Aran-style cardigans and sweaters – so, you can always pick one up whilst there. But make sure you don’t get stuck in the cold before you purchase one.
With this in mind, you may want to pack some sweaters or hoodies before you set off – just to make sure you’ve got something warm with you. We always suggest neutral colours, especially if you’re travelling… that way, you can usually match it with pretty much anything meaning you don’t have to pack so many clothes to make up a cohesive outfit.
- Comfortable Shoes For Everyday Use
We’re all about packing as light as possible – over the years we have found that taking a trip with too much stuff can really dampen the mood. So make sure that you think about the heaviest and bulkiest items first. Something that we feel is essential to any trip to Ireland is a pair of good boots. We’re always quick to recommend Blundstone boots because they are quite lightweight whilst being tough, they’re also Chelsea-style boots so easy to slip on and off. Ideal for travelling.
Boots are a great footwear option because they can easily be dressed up or down, making them perfect for both city tours and country trips. Boots are also suited to the often drizzly Irish weather, providing warmth from the elements. Look out for a pair of boots that are comfy and versatile, so you can wear them with a variety of outfits. Whether you go for a classic type of leather or for more of a contemporary material, a pair of boots is a must have when making a trip to Ireland.
But boots take up so much room! True, boots do take up more space than a pair of trainers, they can also be heavier – but if you get a comfy pair, you may be able to use them as your primary footwear for the entire trip. Plus, you won’t feel underdressed if you go for a nice meal somewhere a little splashier. We also love to hang boots from a backpack, something about it just looks so cool when travelling, this really helps with saving space.
- Look After Your Toes
Ireland has A LOT of sights to offer, so you’ll surely be doing heaps of walking. It’s important to bring a few good pairs of socks that will keep your feet warm and dry. As well as avoiding blisters which can be a real negative when you’re on holiday.Socks don’t take up much room in your suitcase, so you might as well bring a few extra pairs to keep your feet happy.
- Water-Resistant Walking Shoes or Boots
- Water-Resistant Jacket or Coat
- Holiday Clothing Essentials for ‘Going Out Out’ – whether its a dress, shirt or suit
- A Mini Umbrella – that you can easily take along with you wherever you go.
Ireland Family Vacation Clothing Tips – What to Pack For The Kids
We all know that children tend to get their clothes dirty much faster than adults can ever manage. For this reason, we advise you pack:
- the makings of two outfits per day for each child.
- Mix and match the outfits with hooded tops, jeans, tracksuits, skirts or shorts – whatever they’re comfortable in.
- Layering is always an option.
- A pair of water-resistant boots or shoes and jacket / coat are a must.
- A rain cover if you are using a stroller.
Ireland Family Vacation Clothing Tips – Extra Things to Pack
Apart from the typical clothes, you will need a couple of extra things to make your stay fun and enjoyable.
- A camera – You definitely need to capture all those moments
- A travel journal – Ireland is an extremely fun place to visit. Remember everything long after the end of the trip by keeping a journal and making notes about your stay. Make sure to pack it full of postcards, tickets, and momentos.
- Adapters – Something that we always forget and find extremely irritating when we do! Make sure you bring along some wall plug adapters for things like charging your phone. Ireland use a G style plug, which is the 3 triangular holes.
- Sunscreen – Surprised? Well, even in overcast clouds, if you’re spending a lot of time outdoors you are still exposed to UV. Ireland can also get a fair bit of sun from time to time, so bring a little bottle of sun cream along to be safe. Here are our ‘Best Reasons to Wear Sunglasses in Ireland All Year Round‘.
- Mini First Aid Kit – Bring essential first aid kit items as these may be vital on your trip.
Travelling Tips
Although Ireland is one of the safest places in the world, it is always advisable to take some extra steps to make your stay safe and hassle-free.
- Never go out with a lot of valuables. It is always advisable to keep your valuables including your passports in your hotel.
- Never put your passport, credit cards, and money together. This way, in the event of a robbery or losing your bag – you do not lose everything at the same time.
- Park cars in well-lit places, preferably in designated parking spots.
- Again, make sure to have travel insurance.
PIN: Ireland Family Vacation Clothing Tips – What to Wear
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