What type of clothing should I pack?

Ireland is known for its rainy climate, but when the sun does shine, you can make the most of it. Veteran visitor to Ireland Gerry Britt from Virginia, USA, shares his wisdom:

“Trust me, once the rain stops and the sun comes out (and it soon will) you’ll be in awe of the scenery before you can shake the drops off your jacket. The Irish sky after a soft rain is breath-taking.”

Ireland has a saying: There is no bad weather, only inappropriate clothing. In other words, a little planning goes a long way. “Packing for Irish weather can be summed up in one word: layers”, says Gerry. “T-shirts, light sweaters, a good waterproof jacket, a waterproof hat, and good walking/hiking shoes.”

But it’s not ALL about layers: do pack swimwear for Ireland’s magnificent beaches. “They’ll be golden, glorious, usually deserted and begging for you to dive straight in.” Gerry also advises bringing sunglasses to protect your eyes from hail, rain and wind – and the sun, when it does shine.

“Last but not least, walking is one of the pleasures of Ireland so bring a solid pair of walking boots or at least a comfortable pair of trainers.”

What currency is used in Ireland?

The currency used in the Republic of Ireland is the euro (€) while Northern Ireland’s currency is the pound sterling (£). When crossing between the Republic of Ireland and Northern Ireland you can exchange your money in shops, gas stations, bureaux de change and banks. You should also check the exchange rate when changing money.

ATMs are found all over the country and it’s a convenient way of dealing with your money during your stay.

Credit cards

Visa and Mastercard are widely used, while American Express cards may not always be accepted. Credit cards can be used for purchases and also to access money from ATMs. Each ATM has a list of card symbols that can be used there (bank charges may apply).

Ireland uses a ‘chip and pin’ system for debit and credit card purchases, which means you key your pin into a pinpad. If your card doesn't have a a chip, most retailers will still accept it and you can just sign for your purchases. Find out more about the chip and pin system in Ireland.

Traveller’s cheques are not widely used and most banks won’t accept them, so bring cash or cards instead.

What electronics should I bring?

“Views and picture-perfect moments tend to pop up a lot in Ireland so a camera is a must” says Gerry. “Don't forget the battery charger and spare memory cards for it either – a common mistake!”

Plugs in Ireland are three-pronged and the electricity supply is 230v/50hz, so bring an adaptor.

Apps

Don’t forget to pack apps for your visit. There are tons of nifty little apps available for download that’ll help you get the most from your trip to Ireland, and most of them are free!

You can also create your very own Ireland Scrapbook to share with your friends and family from anything on our website that catches your eye.

Any tips for when I get to Ireland?

Expert as he is on coming and going, Gerry has a little more advice for when you arrive: “Transfer your clothes to one bag and leave the other for all your purchases. This way, you’re not rummaging through both bags looking for dry socks while destroying those turf Christmas ornaments, Belleek vases, and Waterford Crystal goblets. Aran sweaters are better than Styrofoam for cushioning.”

Good tip, Gerry.