What to Pack on a Vagabond or Driftwood Tour of Ireland

A selection of hiking materials including boots and a red fleece on a map

Irish Weather

First things first: Irish weather. Ireland's climate can be unpredictable. We often see four seasons in one hour, let alone one day! This is equally true in summer as much as spring or autumn.

How much does it rain in Ireland?

While we don't often see prolonged heavy rain in Ireland, rainshowers are common. To complicate things, rain showers are are often mixed with periods of warm sunshine.

Smiling Vagabond tour group hiking in Ireland in rainy weather

Prepare for the unexpected. We highly recommend bringing several light layers to adjust to our ever-changing weather. A good quality, lightweight rain jacket is essential.

Average temperatures in Ireland

It's a common misconception that Ireland has a cold climate. Heavy snowfall is rare in Ireland, except on higher ground.

Not too hot nor too cold; average temperatures in Ireland range between 10-21ºC (between 50-70 Fahrenheit) during the day. Things get cooler in the evening: average temperatures can range anywhere between 4-15ºC (approximately 40-60 F).

Travelling Light: The Essentials

Your Ireland trip will run smoother if you pack these essentials:

Passport - Keep your passport and other important travel documents safe at all times. Which leads us to...
A small day bag or fanny pack/bumbag - Protect your travel documents and valuables while out exploring Ireland.
1 medium weight long-sleeved warm layer. Typically this is a fleece or lined pullover. For cooler evenings.
1 good quality lightweight rain jacket. The best materials are either Gore-Tex or PVC coated nylon
Smartphone - We highly recommend you bring a WiFi-enabled mobile phone with you to Ireland. Keep in touch with home and others on your tour. The camera will be useful for collecting all those magic memories!

A smiling Driftwood tour guest beside a Drifter tour vehicle in Ireland

Compact Suitcase - Make sure your suitcase is compact in size. Your suitcase should be no longer than 75cm (30'') on its longest side. We can't stress this highly enough. Our tour vehicles have limited luggage capacity.

💡 Pro Tip: If you've arrived in Ireland with too large a suitcase, ask at your Dublin hotel if you can leave it there (remember, this will only be an option if you're returning to the same hotel after your tour).

Recommended Extras

Electrical converter - In Ireland, we use a three-pronged plug with a 230v 50hz electricity supply. Find out more about electrical converters here.
Notebook or journal - Many past passengers have recommended this. In fact, check out what else they've recommended.
1 wide-brimmed hat
1 pair of sunglasses
Bug spray. Particularly in the late summer months.
1 or 2 changes of comfortable clothes. When you reach your accommodation and want to go explore the area. In Ireland, there's no need for anything too formal in the evenings. Dress codes are casual here. Sneakers are absolutely acceptable.

Toiletries

It's best to opt for small or travel sizes when packing toiletries. It's easier to stock up while in Ireland when your supply runs out than carry around large amounts of unused toiletries.

Toothbrush and toothpaste
Sunscreen. Choose at least SPF 30.
Sanitary supplies
Facecloth - Irish hotels do not commonly provide facecloths.

Hotels and guesthouses provide shampoo, soap and shower gel.

Towels

You'll find bathroom towels in all of our accommodations. There's no need to pack your own bathroom towel.

You may wish to bring your own light towel if you're planning to engage in watersport activities on our active Vagabond Cultural Adventure tours (like sea kayaking or surfing).

Medication and First Aid

Don't forget any personal medication you may require.

Our highly-trained VagaGuide tour guides are all trained in first aid; all of our tour vehicles carry first aid kits. However, a small personal first aid kit might be more convenient for you.

Things to include in your first aid kit:

Plasters
Anti-histamine
Hand sanitiser
Painkillers
Moleskins (for blisters after hiking on our active Vagabond Cultural Adventure tours)

Footwear

Taking one of our active Vagabond Cultural Adventure tours? Comfortable trainers/sneakers will probably be adequate for our hikes. However, hiking boots are usually waterproof and offer improved grip over uneven ground.

A pair of legs in hiking boots and jeans, standing outdoors

Relaxed Driftwood Journeys of Discovery don't require any specialised footwear. But make sure you pack shoes suitable for light walking. You'll enjoy lots of free time to stroll around towns and take guided tours.

Extras for active Vagabond Tours

Vagabond Cultural Adventure Tours feature lots of activities. Consider packing the following:

2 pairs of lightweight, long pants. Choose a quick-dry synthetic material such as nylon or polyester.
2 or 3 t-shirts. A mix of breathable cotton and quick-drying materials works best.
1 or 2 long-sleeved t-shirts. Good for cooler days and to protect against UV rays.
1 pair of shorts. For more intense hikes and sunny days on the beach.
1 swimsuit. For a refreshing dip in the ocean. Or if you're planning on watersports.

Laundry Facilities

Laundry facilities can be accessed in the towns of Dingle and/or Clifden.

The only tour that visit both Dingle and Clifden is:

11 Day Driftwood Discover Ireland Tour

Tours that visit Dingle are:

If your Vagabond or Driftwood tour does not visit either Dingle or Clifden, your VagaGuide will advise you on where best to access laundry facilities.

For more on planning your trip to Ireland check out out checklist here.