What should I bring to Ireland for my trip this month? I'm leaving in less than 2 weeks! Help!?

Question

I will be traveling to the southern half of Ireland for the first time for 2 weeks this month. I will be doing all sightseeing with a group tour bus but will have much free time in the evenings. I have heard many things about the weather being warm in April and being similar to the US. Also, I have been told Ireland is a very casual "jeans and sweater" country and no one gets dressed up to go out to a pub or dinner in the evening. I have also heard I should only wear dark colors and nothing bright such as pink. Does anyone have any advice on what to bring and what the weather will be like? I really don't want to stand out as a tourist! Thanks so much!

Answer 1

Well, as my girlfriend always tells me, the trick is in wearing layers of clothing! That way you can put some more on if it is cold/wet, and take some off when the sun comes out.

April/May are some of the more "interesting" months weatherwise in Ireland when each one of the seasons can make an appearance at any given time; sometimes all in the one day! Comfortable shoes are a good idea, if you have some with Gore-Tex I'd definately bring them along.

As I tell my relatives from abroad, come to Ireland expecting rain and if it doesn't it's a bonus.

In terms of what you wear going out, I suppose alot depends on what age bracket you're in to be honest. Without knowing that, in general you'll get away with casual clothing. The only exceptions being some highbrow restaurants/hotels in the major cities. The main way to avoid standing out as a tourist is to just relax, go with the flow and don't wear name badges or follow around a person with an umbrella stuck in the air!!

Enjoy it, you'll have a mighty time.

Answer 2

In most of the country nobody cares what you wear to a pub. I've seen wellies (rubber boots) and jeans with holes, and I've seen 3 piece suits in the same pub so you should wear what you feel comfortable in. Irish people tend to be non-judgemental about your clothes, except maybe in Dublin which I myself tend to avoid like the plague.

As for the weather you were thouroughly misinformed. Nobody can know what our weather will be in any given month, and you can have all the seasons in one day. Don't bring an umbrella, that will be gone with the wind in no time, and nothing could shout  "I'm a tourist" louder, but bring, or buy in Ireland, good raingear, jacket and trousers, preferably with a hood that has a drawstring. If you are lucky you won't need it, but if you are unlucky you'll be ever so glad!

Answer 3

All i have to say is be prepared,you can encounter spring,summer,autumn and winter in a day.

As for clothing?if you are a girl wear what you want,Men here tend to be a bit more Conservatively dressed.

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Answer 4

Im from Ireland and its not as "backward" as you think. Its not a jeans and sweater country (I've personally never worn a "sweater"). At the moment I live in a city and I wouldn't go out unless I was totally "done up" especially to dinner or the pub. Also you will see pleanty of pink. Obviousy if you go to pub in the middle of no where you will come across famers not done up (as in any country) up but most of the time this wont be the case (I was raised in the country). Bring nice clothes but also warm clothes for the day time when you will be travelling around as you may be used to really warm weather. At the mo though the weather is really nice.

Hope you have a great time here and I hope you stay proves we are just like the rest of the world!!!!!

Answer 5

Above anything else, bring a jacket and umbrella.  I was in Ireland in April 2004 and it rained the entire week I was there.  Rain can occur at any time, any season.  Also, the weather can be very cold.  When the winds pick up off of the Atlantic, it can feel frigid.  When I was there, daytime temps were in the 50sF and nights were in the high 30sF.  

Dark colors seem to be the rule. Dress is very casual except in some churches/cathedrals and fancier restaurants.  Jeans should be fine.  

Oh...and definitely bring comfortable shoes. Most of the streets are brick or cobble stone.  If you plan on doing a lot of walking/site-seeing, a good pair of walking shoes is a must.

Have a great trip!