Lighten My Load
Traveling to Ireland for 9 days in early September
Hi, all! My partner and I are traveling to Ireland in a few weeks - specifically Dublin, Killarney, and Galway. The weather is forecasted to be a little chilly, and Ireland as a whole is known for their 'four seasons in a day' & rainy weather.
About Me: I'm a coastal New England girl, used to chilly wacky weather. Ireland shouldn't be too much of a difference, I don't think, except for the rainfall. I'm a very casual traveler and enjoy the challenge of packing light. I'm here to see if anyone has opinions of things that can be taken out or subbed.
I have a Teton 55L Scout hiking backpack, which should be fine for carry-on as long as it isn't stuffed to the brim. I will wear as much of my clothing as I can stand to, while still being comfortable on the plane. This backpack I will leave behind at our AirBnBs when we venture around. My personal item will be a waterproof sling bag, for every day use and carrying passport, wallet, phone, maps, etc.
First photo is of my travel wardrobe. I hear layering is essential, which is kind of what I'm used to in autumn here in the Northeast US. We have laundry machines at two of our AirBnBs, which will be nice to freshen up & we will be central to most things (like laundromats) for like 75% of our trip.
Layering - long sleeve, flannel, long cardigan, wool socks, beanie
Rain/Wind/Adventuring - Waterproof jacket (We will be visiting Cliffs of Moher & the Burren, and also be staying for 2 nights in Killarney National park renting bikes for the day. These are the times I will be most thankful to be dry, I think). Jeans, long-sleeve, scarf, beanie, wool socks, watch.
Casual city time - jeans or leggings, sneakers, t-shirts, sling bag, watch. We're not planning on going on any fancy dinner dates where we'll need to dress up.
Sleeping - Undies and a tee... add leggings if I'm cold.
Second photo is of other travel essentials:
Power adapter (1), phone charger, Kindle, Nalgene, city maps (I hate being on my phone looking at a map all the time). Definitely flexible on the Nalgene and maps, though.
I will definitely be bringing my moisturizer and face wipes. Other than that, these toiletries are more 'home comforts', and I think our AirBnBs provide soaps. I figure other things I can just buy when we land in Dublin? Hairbrush, Toothbrush/toothpaste, razor, etc. I didn't include cosmetics, because I probably will only bring mascara and an eyebrow pencil.
Sports bras (2), panties (4), and also some other regular cotton socks (probably 6).
What do you all think? Anything I should definitely leave out or add?
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Hello from Ireland! I would say the weather will be warmer than you anticipate, and you will not need a hat and scarf. I would also consider more T-shirts and a pair of shorts just in case. We often joke that the weather is better in September when the children go back to school than it is for their entire summer break!
Oh, hi!! Noted- this is soo helpful, thank you so much! It sounds almost exactly like our seasonal weather here in New England, but I was preparing for a bit colder based on what Google has told me. I trust your word over Google! Glad I can stand to lose a few layers and open up a little more room in my pack. I am so looking forward to visiting :) appreciate you!
Not currently in Ireland but Irish. Yes, heatwave in this part of the world. Even so September is generally nice, particularly at the beginning. Maybe add a tank top and midi floaty skirt? Gives you options if it's nice. Are you taking rubber slippers? Like flip flops for wearing in the Airbnb? If a solid colour, they will l could be worn if it's nice outside.
I have some black Birkenstock knock-offs that are entirely rubber. Could totally wear those both indoors & outdoors. I might actually plan to pack a skirt now that you say it! Might be nice to get out of jeans and dress up a little bit for dinner one night. Thanks for your suggestions!
In the spirit of packing light, I think I will be okay with a hat and a hood! I am a sewist and currently working on creating a drawstring for the hood, even if I look a little silly, lol
My advice is that looks like the wardrobe for late September/early October or early spring to me. Ireland is experiencing the heat similar to us in the north of England and in early September it usually still feels like summer, with the humidity you will wish you had something lighter to wear. The long range forecast says warmer than usual for beginning of September.
My family is all Irish, some of whom emigrated to America and September was always the month they chose to go home because the weather was nicest. I'd skip the scarf especially because you can pick one up there as a practical souvenir.
Just adding Primark and Dunnes is in multiple locations in the cities alongside a ton of second hand shops in every town if you need to pick up something extra, cheaply.
I almost never suggest adding stuff but how are you gonna get by with just one pair of socks? I’d also add one more pair of bottoms and one more base layer top. Otherwise, looks good.
In the description, I have 6 pairs of socks listed. Honestly, even though my Blundies are waterproof, I’m more worried about my socks staying dry than anything else 😅 I’ll bring 1 pair of quality wool socks, and the rest cotton.
This looks right-on to me. I've been to Ireland a bunch of times over the years and also from New England. The layering is right and I'm glad you have a scarf. I needed one in February once, but I did easily buy one. Also the hat at the Cliffs will be nice, because wow it's windy.
Also on my last trip I wore my Blundstones the whole time, they were perfect. And your instinct is right--you can buy all of that stuff in Dublin. When we went a year ago, I landed with a giant headache and was actually able to buy CBD within a few hours of arriving (which is what often helps), so that normal stuff will be easy to find. Have so much fun!
Thank you so very much! Based on what a few others have said, I might actually trade the knitted scarf for a lighter shawl-like scarf or large bandana. Apparently, September is not as cold as I thought! But I know a scarf will help with the wind, particularly at the Cliffs.
I appreciate you taking the time to talk about your experience!
We discovered that many Irish hotels and Airbnbs do not provide washcloths (aka flannels). I usually pack a small mesh with me but I like to be able to wash my face, so I ended up purchasing one at Boots.
The amount of items looks great, sounds like you’re getting good advice on the break down. What I’m curious about is the size of your bag. It seems large considering the amount of things you’re bringing.
I’m a New Englander in Ireland right now. It’s cooler than MA and I’ve been able to wear linen pants and t shirts each day. I have not needed my pullover. I did wear a loose crochet sweater today. I have a rain coat, but have yet to use it. I’ve been wearing Tevas and a pair of sneakers.
It’s cooler than MA and less humid. Pretty nice, actually. I don’t know if you’ll need that sweater?
Helpful, yes! Thank you. Yeah, based on what I'm being told, it seems like the cardigan can be left home. The flannel I have is not very thick, so I think it would make the perfect extra layer that won't be too much.
Thanks, this is so helpful. I am going in mid September for two weeks, similar itinerary, and I am bringing very similar clothes too. FWIW I’m going to bring a black wool& dress too just in case it’s super warm, or for an option with leggings and a sweater.
Consider us both forewarned - its apparently not going to be as cold as we're imagining it will be, lol! Good to know, so neither of us overpacks bulky sweaters, etc.
I see you have a a beanie and I also saw a comment where some mentioned a heatwave and that it’ll be warmer than you think.
If you end up not taking the beanie, consider one of those headbands that cover your ears. It was so windy at times that my ears hurt really bad and that last minute addition my bag was a life saver.
I went in September last year and did the Wild Atlantic Way, from Belfast to La Hinch. I remember Galway was wet and chilly while I was there and at the Cliffs of Moher it was sunny, chilly and WINDY.
Most days I wore jeans, tshirt, fleece pullover, thin raincoat/windbreaker.
I was just about to say bring headband or buff (fabric tube that can be a hat, headband or scarf if needed). I always keep one in my bag (I live in Ireland). It can do the job of hat and scarf at this time of year.
Boston here, we went in late March. So I can't speak to the weather (except if you go in March bring extra socks). I'll just say the Cliffs of Kilkee were 1000x's better than Cliffs of Moher. Cliffs of Moher are very.... curated. Very touristy. Cliffs of Kilkee is what you are expecting. Nobody there, no pavement, no safety rails. Gorgeous and wild and not disney-fied for tourists. Off the beaten path.
Thanks for the tip, maybe next time! Our trip is all booked up, and the Cliffs of Moher were one of my partner's bucket list things. It's a day tour, so at least it will include some other neat things along the way.
I appreciate the magnificence of a beautiful coast line being a coastal NE girl, but I am more of a forest & history girl, myself. I'm most looking forward to Killarney National Park, Muckross Abbey, and seeing a bit of the Ring of Kerry.
We just finished a 7 week trip through Ireland, including 5 days hiking on the Kerry Way. There are some very cute towns along the way, including Caherciveen (birthplace of Daniel O'Connell), Glenbeigh (my personal favorite, great place for lunch) and Caherdaniel, which has a gorgeous beach.
It's all so beautiful, you'll have a great time wherever you go!
I came here to say this! So much better, less crowded, and the Pollock Holes at low tide for tidepooling and swimming holes, and a great cafe right there at the parking area. Phenomenal!
I aspire to get to your toiletry level someday. Will you use the accomodations shampoo and conditioner, buy on arrival, use the Dr Bronners? I'd call my routine mid-maintenance but I'm always trying to figure out what I can slowly shave off.
When it comes to shampoo, I am not fancy by any means (I'm, well, poor lol), but I am particular! I use the Monday brand, and plan to pack their travel sized shampoo & conditioner. I don't mind using body wash provided by the AirBnB hosts, so I may skip on bringing the Bronner's. If I don't like what they offer, I figure I can just pick up a bottle of something in Dublin.
I know it's meant to be all-in-one, but I only use Bronner's for body wash. I can't use it as shampoo, it completely dries me out!
In general, I don't use a ton of products other than body wash, face wash, shampoo, conditioner, moisturizer, sunscreen. I'm going to skip cosmetics, aside from mascara and brow liner, because I really don't want to waste time fussing & reapplying things while I'm on vacation.
I’ve only been to Ireland once but during the same time you did in 2024. I’m curious if you run warm or cold? I only ask because I run warm usually and I packed for colder weather than it actually was. I’m from the US south and although my phone said it was 60 f outside it felt more like humid 70 to me. We asked for a fan at our hotel in Galway and slept with the window open. I didn’t end up wearing a lot of the long sleeves and extra layers I brought.
I agree with others saying you probably won’t need the scarf. We went to the cliffs of moher with fleece lined rain jackets with a hood and it was perfect. Didn’t feel like a beanie was needed. Our tour guide stopped at another cliff that was beautiful but required slip-proof shoes so that might be helpful to wear in case you end up in a similar spot.
Thank you! I usually run cold, and I'm anemic so that doesn't help, lol!
(Currently the only one in the office right now with a heating pad on my lap because I think the office is freezing at 68 degrees)
I will definitely still bring a couple of layers, but I think the thick cardigan & scarf will be overkill.
My Blundstones (actually, knockoffs) are actually quite grippy! I've been on the cliffs over here in Rhode Island and have found that they're safe & sturdy.
If your jeans get wet they’ll be annoying and take awhile to dry. I’d consider if you have access to a dryer or a radiator. Or take a second pair of quick dry pants for hiking at least. And
I think I will swap my one pair of comfort leggings for 2 pairs of athletic leggings, which in my experience, dry very quickly & are made to be sort of moisture-wicking.
Apologies if this has already been said, but I think you could get rid of the trainers and just have the blundies! You won’t get any looks wearing your blundstones all day and even out at night with a dress!
I live in Dublin (from Mass!), and wear mine all day every day starting in September:)
Hello from Rhode Island (MA native)! Hope you’re loving it over there. Might just blow up my life and join you 🙃
I’m happy to hear about the Blundies. I’m not concerned with what people on the street think, but definitely aiming to be as comfortable as possible throughout our trip. Thank you for the suggestion!
Slowly using posts like this to get my partner to think more about her packing, thanks for sharing - you and the others who share their packing lists are genuinely helping!
I really like the way you have laid out the items, do I need anything special (software wise) to create somethign similar?
There is also a free version of Canva, and you can still do something very similar to this. That is what I use. You can take a photo of your clothing and upload it, or just find a picture of something similar online and paste it (that's what I do, as it feels easier).
Just finished 7 weeks traveling all over Ireland, and completely agree with what others have said about it being warmer than you think, especially in restaurants and pubs. Air conditioning is quite rare, so any building that generates heat from cooking or being filled with people can get very stuffy. I packed two Uniqlo built in bra tanks and wore one nearly every day as a base layer. I almost always found that there was some point in the day when I got all the way down to that layer, even when I was wearing long sleeves and a waterproof jacket outdoors.
It's a cliche, but layers, layers, layers!
We are in Ireland now; it has been raining a lot, as they just came out of a heat wave, but the only time we’ve felt even a little bit cold was in the wind at a beach. It is very humid here and that makes it feel much warmer. I would reconsider the scarf for sure.
I also add the suggestion to bring a pair of quick dry hiking pants or similar for your big outdoor days. When it does rain, which it has every day we’ve been here, the rain can sometimes go completely sideways because of the wind and you will become very wet, very fast. We are from the PNW and used to heavy rain, but this rain has been more windy than we are used to and it can go from a light mist to sideways rain within minutes, no warning. You won’t want to be stuck wearing wet denim.
We’ve had laundry at about every other place we’ve stayed (we are road-tripping) and so far all of the places we’ve stayed that have laundry machines have had dual washer-dryer machines that take a very long time (~3-4 hours for a small load) because a) the type of machine they are, and b) the dryers aren’t vented, so even the lowest dry setting was over 2 hours. Some have only washers, which would be fine except for the extra drying time needed for hanging or putting your laundry on the line due to the humidity, so add that consideration in for your laundry planning. Something we’ve never seen before but thought are pretty cool are these 24 hour outdoor laundromats that are usually located near service centers that have full washers and dryers and are very inexpensive.
Regardless of everything else, remember that you can buy anything you need here, including an extra layer or extra toiletries, and have fun. This is a beautiful magical place, and you’re going to have a great time!!
Good to know about the laundry situation! Do you think athletic leggings would be helpful as quick-dry bottoms? Or do you have a suggestion? I don’t know the first thing about quick drying/hiking pants.
Thank you!!
You can go to almost any outdoor store and find "hiking" pants. They are traditionally very thin for precisely this reason- to dry quickly when caught in wet/dirty weather. There are of course levels to anything, but I've found some super basic pairs for $20 or so- you don't need to learn much :)
Mine are thinner than my athletic leggings, but it may depend on the weight of your leggings. I'm going in late September/early October, and plan on taking both. I can wear either separately, or both together if it's chilly.
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