What the weather is like in Ireland and what to wear

You can read 10 articles about Ireland’s weather and “what to wear”, but believe me: You will still not be prepared for what it’s actually like.

When I was first doing my research into Ireland’s weather and what the appropriate clothing to wear is, I came across words like “moderate, mild climate”, “doesn’t get cold or below freezing”, “rains for about 150 days a year” and “ bring a rain jacket”.

It did not sound too bad in my 18-year-old head. Once in Ireland though, it was, in fact, very different to what I had expected.

Seasons

Ireland’s peak tourist season is summer – for good reason. The weather gets a bit better and the days longer.

Out of my four years living here, I have had two good summers and two bad summers. So I take it you will have a 50% chance of good weather.

My Mama wrapped up warm for a walk on the beach

By good summers I mean heat waves of temperatures in the high 20°C, days of uninterrupted sunshine and plenty of opportunities to go for a comfortable dip in the sea.     

By bad summers I mean much rain, overcast days, little sunshine and generally not weather for shorts and tops for an entire year.

 In the off-season then (November to March) you will have many spots to yourself, but the weather is horrendous. Chances are you won’t see the sun for most of December and January.

If I had to choose, I would definitely come in summer, anywhere from mid-March to mid-October.

No matter when you come, expect to be caught in the rain at some point.

Demographic – weather difference between East Coast and West Coast

An important thing to consider is that the weather is miles better on Ireland’s East Coast.

So the best weather is in Dublin, Wicklow, Wexford, etc.

The West Coast, so any places along the Wild Atlantic Way like the Cliffs of Moher, Galway, Mayo, etc tend to be way more rainy and also colder. These areas are also prone to be hit by more storms, especially in the winter months.

I was very surprised by the noticeable weather difference when I moved from the West of Ireland to the East of Ireland for a year.

Clothing items I would recommend to bring on your trip to Ireland  

Finally, the clothing items I would recommend you bring on your trip to Ireland are as follows:

(This is targeted more towards people who intend to spend some time outdoors during their trip)

·      A rain jacket with a hood (take it everywhere you go!)

·      A rain poncho  

·      A cap to wear in heavy rain, as it can help greatly with keeping the rain out of your eyes during windy conditions

·    A beanie (winter hat)

·      Gloves if your hands get cold quickly: The weather might be mild, but it is still cold  

·      Rain-proof shoes or hiking boots, even if you are coming in the summer months

·      Water-proof trousers if you intend on hiking or are travelling with public transport

·      Water-proof backpack

My brother sporting a tweed cap on a cold January evening and me in a rain jacket (just in case) on my very first day in Ireland back in 2018.

The Irish weather: An honest opinion on the downsides

For starters: it can rain for days. Without a break. Everything can be really grey, wet and windy.

One of the worst things is the wind in Ireland. It can be quite strong and mixed with rain, it is really uncomfortable to do anything outdoors. It engulfs you completely and you are constantly hit with rain from all sides.   

Thinking of bringing an umbrella? Better think twice. As told to me by an Irish person: “You can see exactly who the tourists are, because they try using an umbrella.”

Unless is it a windless day, your umbrella will just break or fly away under the sheer force of the wind.

Investment in waterproof clothing (jacket, trousers, shoes) is a must.

As for moderate climate: that does not mean that it is good. Yes, it rarely drops below freezing point in the winter months, but it still gets really cold (below 10°C). The summers are warmer, which means in and around 15°C.

A happy side note

(Trying) to embrace the stormy Irish weather during a hike. It was so worth it!

Good weather is not amongst the many reasons people choose to visit or live in Ireland.

Landscapes, lush greens or the renowned pub scene – those are the upsides to Ireland.  

Of course, there is also a lot of beauty to be found in the mystical rain, like when it drapes a veil on the cliff edge or bounces off the green hills.

The beaches are stunning, even if it rains and some of my favourite swims have been in the rain.

But you will need a certain attitude of “I will embrace the rain” in Ireland, especially if you are an outdoorsy person.

So if you are headed to Ireland, make sure you have the right clothes packed, check the weather in advance of your trip and ultimately, don’t let the rain stop you from going on your adventures.

It will be an experience, that’s a guarantee.