Your Ireland vacation packing list – let us help – after all, we live here all year round
Your trip to Ireland is booked (hopefully with Anam Croí Ireland Tours). Now it’s time to pick a suitcase from your collection, and practice packing for your Ireland trip.
Here we offer some suggestions on packing for your Ireland vacation. Use this article to reconcile your own list. You have made one, haven’t you?
Remember – you’re packing for your Ireland vacation! You’ll be returning home, so the golden rule is don’t overdo it. Only take what you need for your time in Ireland. So, let’s split it in two – your main luggage and your carry-on for the aircraft cabin.
Carry-on Luggage for your flight to Ireland
Your cabin bag should contain enough to get you through a day or two in case your main bag goes astray. So we suggest:
Toiletries – it’s personal, but make sure you follow your airline’s advice to ease your passage through security. In addition to toothbrush and your normal washbag contents, consider adding: Facecloth – if you use one. Irish hotels generally don’t provide them. Small pack of wet wipes. Lipbalm and suncream. Your trip to Ireland may not align with our annual two-day heatwave. But, you can still get sun or wind burn- especially along the Wild Atlantic Way. Some insect repellent may also come in handy.
Medicines – if you’re on regular medication make sure you’ve enough for your trip. Apart from that, something for tummy upsets is always handy to have. We carry a first aid kit on our luxury Mercedes mini-coach, so don’t overdo it on plasters and such like.
Clothing – Just enough to get by for a couple of days. But if you forget, don’t despair. You can pop into Irish clothing store PENNEYS. Here, 50 bucks will outfit you top to toe for a couple of days (Ask any Irish person you know to explain this one😊).
Ireland Trip Essentials
Passport (check that it’s in date well in advance of your Ireland trip). Other travel documents, such as travel tickets, booking reference numbers, contact details for your tour operator/hotels, and so on. If your Ireland tour includes Northern Ireland or you are also visiting the UK, you’ll need an ETA. It’s a very simple process which costs £10.
Adapter and charging cable for your phone or other device (we also have USB charge points on our mini-coach). In Ireland we use a three square-pin type. Btw, you don’t need to bring a hairrdryer. All hotels used by Anam Croí Ireland Tours have them. In fact, we sometimes play a little game of hunt the hairdryer! BUT BUT BUT – straightners/tongs/whatever – we work off different voltage here (230V). If they are not dual voltage or you don’t have a converter, you’ll burn them out.
Phone: Check or amend your plan to get cover. Then you won’t incur major charges – not a nice thing to come home to! Other options: Buy a sim card in the arrivals hall at the airport. Research getting an ‘e-sim’ (be aware that this only works on newer phones). Also, download ‘WhatsApp’. You’ll find lots of free WiFi in Ireland, so it’s a less expensive way than texting. Just make sure your loved ones have it also!
Emergency information – Set up ICE – not THAT ICE – on your phone! This stands for In Case of Emergency giving appropriate details and contacts . This will also help reunite you with your phone should you lose it. Here’s a ‘how to’ for both Android and Iphone. Remember, all these little hints on packing for your Ireland trip, will help you enjoy your vacation. It will reduce the stress before and during your time in Ireland.
How long is your Ireland trip?
Why do we ask? Simply to get you thinking – do you actually need to bring more than will fit into a carry-on? Again, it’s subjective and personal – you may be buying Irish gifts for your loved ones (or yourself). If so, you’ll need to leave enough room. Have you read your tour operator’s information? Is there a size restriction? Anam Croí Ireland tours, like most small-group tour operators, does have a maximum bag size (30″ long). Even if you’re on our longer ‘The Full Irish’ 12 Day Ultimate All-Ireland Tour, you’ll have laundry opportunities.
Clothing – In the main, casual smart is the dress code for dining out in Ireland. When you hear Irish people say we get four seasons in one day, we’re not joking (find out more here). You do need to pack accordingly. PS, don’t forget your swimsuit. Some of our hotels have pools and of course, we have that great big ocean along the Wild Atlantic Way.
Comfort is key
As we tour around the byways of Ireland, we’re hopping in and out of our luxury Mercedes mini-coach. Whether standing at the majestic Cliffs of Moher, strolling or taking a jaunting car through Killarney National Park. Or simply taking a photo of breathtaking views, comfort is the name of the game. This is key when it comes to your feet. We know how attached some can be to their footwear. And we’re not brave or foolish enough to dare suggest how many pairs to bring, but…….🤔
In Summer, some form of sturdy sandals may suffice, or trainers. Even if you do get wet, it won’t be too cold and they should dry out quickly.
Pants – In Ireland, a term to describe underclothing! Trousers, we say here – along with boot (trunk), bonnet (hood) and more. Whatever the terminology, comfort again is key. Hiking style that can zip into shorts, or a light comfy dress are a good bet. Synthetic materials work better than cotton. Cotton absorbs and holds moisture, no matter which of the two ‘p’s – (perspiration or precipitation) are the cause. In Spring or Fall a tee or long sleeve base layer, and for summer, tees/polos. Denim jeans should really be kept for the visit to the pub in the evening. If your denim jeans get wet, they won’t dry quickly and you’ll soon be wet, cold and miserable.
Jacket – Simple rule – Waterproof – end of story! And if you travel with Anam Croí Ireland Tours – no need to bring an umbrella – we’ll supply that.
Top tips for Ireland Trips
If you’re using public transport to and from the airport or meeting point for your tour, you’re the one lugging the luggage. Also, no matter what sort of Ireland tour you’re doing, (unless porterage is specifically included ) you’re toting your bag to and from your room. Of course, your Anam Croí Tour guide will always endeavour to assist with this when needed. Don’t forget to label it securely – if it goes a different direction to you – the easier it’ll be to get it back. Many people find airtags useful
Emergencies: Ensure you’ve access to sufficient funds to cover delays or the unexpected. And please do take out suitable travel insurance. It’s not just for illness or injury to you. What if your flight is cancelled or some else gets ill and you can’t travel? We recommend get it soon after you book your Ireland vacation.
Credit cards: Many outlets in Ireland do not accept American Express. Mastercard or Visa are your friends here.
Currency exchange: Shop around for the best rate. Don’t change at airport currency desks. Banks in Ireland no longer carry Foreign Exchange (unless you’ve an account with them). Bring your ATM card to enable you withdraw cash (but check out what charges your bank may impose).
Accessories for Ireland Travel
Handbags/Manbags/Backpacks – whatever you are comfortable with. In our luxury Mercedes mini-coach, we do have overhead shelving – but it’s not airline overhead bin size. Many people also carry a journal. Some day, you’ll finally get around to sorting the hundreds of amazing Irish photos you took. A journal , this will really help you remember and match them to a location or day.
So, those are all out suggestions for packing for your Ireland vacation. The key takeaway is – don’t overload.
