🍀 So, you have finally booked that week in Ireland that you’ve always wanted!!!🍀

There is actually very little you need to pack for Ireland to have a great vacation. Ireland is a very modern county with an ancient, Celtic flare. Ireland has lots of little shops and the local pharmacies and grocery stores in case you forget anything.

You, of course, need to bring the usual socks, underwear, shirts, pants, and toiletries. But, you could easily get away with only taking a small carry-on suitcase as long as you make sure you have tons of room for souvenirs!!! Just remember, many of the B&B and older castles that you may stay in do not have elevators to the upper floors. On our last trip we only stayed in the same hotel for 2 nights on our last trip. So, you will be lugging your bags in and out of the car a lot!!

Even in the summer, Ireland’s weather changes throughout the day. You may start the day with jeans, t-shirt, sweater, and a raincoat then by afternoon you are warm in just jeans and a t-shirt. On my last trip to Ireland we were chilly the first three days and then very warm the last four days. So, the key is to pack in layers. I try to bring light fabrics that are ideal for layering; but also roll up small and pack light. I like to layer tank tops or light t-shirts with sweaters or sweatshirts. I am usually ok in this with a raincoat if it is the usual drizzly, cloudy Irish day.

So, here are 10 important items not to forget!!!!

1. A Great Lightweight Raincoat

I bought this awesome Kelly Green Raincoat for my next trip to Ireland in June!! It also comes in Black and Navy in case Kelly Green is not your thing. It is light-weight, tightens at the waist, has a zip-off hood, and is a little longer that the one I wore last time. So, it looks great with leggings and rain boots!

2. All-in-One International Power adapter with Dual USB Ports

It is very important to bring an international power adaptor with you to Ireland. Electricity in Ireland is 230v/50hz, instead of the 120v/60hz we use in the US. They also use a 3 prong socket. I love this All-in-One adapter that includes two USB ports since most of my devices will use the USB ports, like my IPhone. You don’t want to fry your nice straight-iron over there!!

3. Luggage Scale

This next one was something I forgot to bring on my last trip and it cost me dearly in over-weight baggage fees by the time we reached Paris. I love this lightweight digital scale and it only ways .8oz!! Many of the smaller airlines in Europe have much lighter baggage allowances than in the US. For instance, carry-on baggage allowance for RyanAir will cost you $32 and is only a 21″ bag that only weighs 10kg/22lbs as compared to in the US where on United Airlines they do not charge for your carry-on luggage, nor do they weight it.

4. Waterproof Wellies or Hiking Boots

You don’t need to buy Hunter Wellies, but it’s a good idea to bring some type of waterproof rain boot or hiking boot. Most of the tourist attractions in Ireland have nice paths for walking. But, there were many times on my last trip that I wished I would have brought wellies so my tennis shoes weren‘t always wet from stepping in puddles, even in the city!! On this next trip, we are planning some hiking in the mountains and the moss-covered forests of Tollymore!!

5. Windproof Travel Umbrella

I’m not gonna lie. This is probably the most important of your must-pack items!!! I actually ended up buying a cute umbrella over in Ireland with shamrocks on it. But, I used my sturdy umbrella from home most of the time because of the winds. Ireland is a rainy, windy country; especially on the coast!!

6. Powerstrip

Why a Powerstrip? Well, when we went to Europe for the first time, there was often times only one electric outlet for our use and it was in the only bathroom. With 2-3 of us sharing a triple room, we would have to unplug the lamps just to charge our phones and cameras at the end of every day. Sometimes, we would be charging our phones in the bathroom. Sometimes, one of us would have to wake up in the middle of the night just to change the outlet over to the other phones or cameras that needed charged by morning.

7. Small Self-Standing Mirror

Why a portable mirror? Most of the time there was only a small mirror in the bathroom of our hotel room in Europe. So, with 2-3 of us sharing a triple room and all needing showers and to do our hair in the morning, things were a little tight. Sometimes the only mirror in the room was by the bed with no electric plug close by or there was only a shaver-type outlet in the bathroom. So, how are you expected to curl or straighten your hair? Or do your makeup without a mirror? At the time, we improvised. But a small standing mirror would have been GREAT!!

8. A Travel Clothes Line and a few Clothes Pins

While most European hotels will have a clothes line in the bathroom showers, most B&B will not. If you really want to pack light, bring 100% cotton shirts or quick drying fabrics that you can wash at night in the bathroom sink and hang up to dry by morning. I also make sure that if we will be gone more than a week, I try to find a B&B with a small washer in it about half-way through our trip to give all my clothes a good wash. But, most places do not have a dryer.

9. Vionic Flip Flops

I LOVE my VIONIC Flip-Flops!!! I was afflicted with horrible planter fasciitis last year after wearing bad flats for an entire weekend out of town. We did a lot of walking that weekend that caused a flare up. This was not something I’ve ever had before and I live in flip flops. On the suggest a physical therapist, I purchased these sandals for last summer. Best decision of my life!!! Not only do I not have any more pain, these look cute with everything!! Shorts, jeans, dresses… When it is not raining in Ireland, I will be wearing these!!  

10. Infinity Scarf with Hidden Pocket

This is the coolest idea ever!! This infinity scarf has a hidden zipper pocket for your passport and money!! While I plan to sew of these in plaid, I love this!!! 

My Ultimate Packing List:

So, I know this seems like a lot, but most of these things are quite small and easily packable in one small suitcase and my purse. The extra duffle bag is essential just in case you buy too many souvenirs, like I do, or if your luggage is over-weight at the end of your trip.

Don’t forget! If you are traveling in a group; one person can bring the luggage scale, one person can bring a straightener, one can bring the mirror, and one can bring the power strip. There is no reason for everyone to bring all of those things. Assign who brings what.

Try to pick items that all are part of the same color scheme. This way, you can mix and match all of your items to make different outfits throughout your trip. I like to wear mostly black, grey, and Kelly Green of course. Light-weight scarves and wraps are great for adding a little color to your wardrobe. Plus, they will keep you warm on the plane!! Since, this is the Wanderlust in Plaid Travel Blog, of course I’ll have a plaid scarf and probably some plaid shirts too!!!  

This travel packing list will work great for England and Scotland also!!!! Stay tuned for more travel tips coming soon!!!