appropriate clothing attire for month of May.. packing advice

DiGear · Newbie

appropriate clothing attire for month of May.. packing advice

tony2phones · Guru

Welcome, I think Michele has a packing guide and will no doubt give advice in a few hours, but my contribution..

The secret to Ireland is layers with a light waterproof jacket. We have just had 2 weeks of wonderful weather and whilst we are promised some showers through next week the temperatures are forecast with a night time low of 6 and highs of 18 degrees Celsius. Wind chill factor might be an issue depending on direction and speed but I dont think there will be any need for winter woollies. Sensible comfortable shoes and hiking boots only if you are planning to hike.

Michele Erdvig · Host

Di,

Definitely layers, as suggested by Tony. Go to my Packing page for more and my Weather page for average temps year round. In fact, take a spin around my website for lots of info. If you have any other questions let us know.

Michele

CowboyCraic · Guru

Hello DiGear,

As Michele is away from her computer at the moment, I will have to do.

Tony has given you the best advice, really. As a man on the ground in Ireland, you couldn't get better advice.

Layers are an essential, that way you can peel or pile on as your comfort level dictates. It rarely gets above the mid 70's in most regions of Ireland. Sensible, comfortable walking or hiking shoes, preferrably water-proof. I usually carry an extra pair of light-weight tennies in my luggage for kicking about town and wherever we are staying.

Pack less than what you think you will need. I usually pack two pair of jeans and wear one, 5 long-sleeve tees and a pull-over sweater for a two week trip. Its easy peasy to drop your laundry at a wash-n-fold service half-way through your trip, go out for the day and explore and then pick up clean clothes on your way back .

Most places provide a hair dryer. You should pack face cloths, as they aren't normally provided. I always pack a few ziploc bags, in each of the sizes, for packing wet face cloths, picnic faire, etc.

As Tony said, Michele does have a packing guide here on the site.

Let us know if you need any other help.

Slan Beo (Take Care),

Bit

DiGear · Newbie

according to the temps we have seen, we are thinking sweaters, gloves, scarves. we are bringing rain gear and long sleeves and jeans. just wondering how many sweaters etc we should bring and if gloves and all are necessary.

thanks

tony2phones · Guru

You will be easily spotted wandering round in jumpers, gloves and scarves while we are all wearing jeans and tee shirts.

This morning on the Slieve (low mountain) get up out of the cottage into the wash house for a shower. Jeans, tee shirt, sweatshirt and trainers. Put on sleeveless jacket take dog a walk. back home change sweatshirt for cotton shirt and wedge the door open. 13 hours later and its 9.30pm, I have just closed the door as it is getting dusk. Haven't had the fire going for 2 weeks. If I go out later I will put on the leather jacket for the 200 yard walk to the pub and will most probably be the only one in there with any coat.

CowboyCraic · Guru

Tony, I wanna be wherever it is you are right now! It sounds like heaven! I'd even walk the dog for ya!

DiGear

A lot will depend on where you are traveling in Ireland. I have not felt the need to pack gloves and scarves when I travel over in May. My May 2009 trip was the coldest trip I have experienced. I am from Arizona, a desert gal. I got by with three turtlenecks, lightweight, three pairs of jeans and my lightweight polar fleece lined waterproof jacket. I didn't see sun until my last two days.

I took a quick look at the forecast for the next ten days in Ireland. It is showing an average daily high in the mid 50 degree range, fahrenheit. If you are going in late May, the temperatures should be in the mid 60 range or a bit higher.

A lot depends on what your tolerance is for cooler weather. As I said, I take one pullover sweater, since I am wearing layers. Sweaters are bulky and take up a lot of room in a suitcase. I wouldn't take more than two, with tees to layer underneath.

-- Edited by CowboyCraic on Monday 2nd of May 2011 03:38:15 PM

Andi · Senior Member

If you plan serious outdoor time, as in really exploring and hiking for over 2 hours in whatever conditions exist, thin gloves and hat are a good idea. They don't have to be heavy. I usually plan 1 rainshell, 1 fleece vest, 1 heavy fleece top or sweater, not more. Those outdoor clothes don't get that dirty, and you don't have to wash them much. For outdoors seriou sactivities, outer layers should be fast-drying microfiber materials. If your outdoor time will be limited to leaving the car to look over a cliff, or spend less than 1/2 half hour in a ruin, or landscape, you'll probably not need the heavy clothes. Likewise if you would bag the outdoor activities in those types of conditions and just plan to stay indoors. It uncertain, you can always buy a lovely Irish sweater while you're there!

Monty · Senior Member

No real need to stress over this. I've been in March, Sept., and Oct. over the years, and I've never packed gloves then -- wouldn't even think about it in May. Just get a few decent options with layers and you will be fine.

As Tony noted, he lives there and isn't dressed for cold weather right now!

Be prepared with some rain gear and waterproof shoes and that should get you going and provide a great start for what you actually need.

Monty

-- Edited by Monty on Tuesday 3rd of May 2011 10:46:37 AM

Andi · Senior Member

My recommendations are based on 3 trips, all in June and July. Although I had good weather, there were always some days of very rainy, cold weather (bad luck maybe?) And I was always on a cycle tour, where being outside is a given, even at night when you walk or ride to a pub or restaurant. Anyway, if you plan to be outdoors all day on Inishmore in the pouring rain with 30 mile/hour winds, you're likely to need that gear in any month. But if your outdoor activities are not so intensive, probably not, as I said.

Monty · Senior Member

Although a challenge with showers, I would guess that a cycling trip in Ireland was tremendous. Do you have photos of that posted anywhere?

Andi · Senior Member

Sorry, no pictures. I'm not too much on photography, and others do it so well, I don't really bother with it. I don't even own a camera!

tony2phones · Guru

Nice day yesterday so set off with the Dog up one of the tracks into the forestry, 10 minutes later the wind picked up the rain came down and we headed back best we could wet through in tee shirt and jeans. Just got back in time for the sun to come out shining again. Even us locals get it wrong sometimes.

DiGear · Newbie

we were wondering about the rains.. does it pour down or sprinkle ? although we are sitting in very flooded areas right now which means we have had torrential rains lately. Last nite we met and decided on jeans, tshirts, light sweaters and raincoats. Also tennis shoes and boots. how is that?

DiGear · Newbie

wondering if tennis shoes will be sufficient mostly during the day.

tony2phones · Guru

Ireland has 2 very distinct types of rain, Soft which can be almost low cloud like tiny droplets to a light drizzle or Heavy which can be Showers or persistent. Yesterday there were clouds about and we can generally see the rain coming in a couple of valleys over, but there must have been a strong wind higher up that decided to join us for about 20 minutes bringing the clouds down and the rain. It was then fine and bright for a few hours before the heavens opened for the night. Ireland's climate is classed as Temperate with relief rainfall as the clouds climb over the high ground so the amount of rain depends on the density of the clouds.

End of Geography class and yes the wardrobe you are planning is about the same as mine. I own three types of footwear, trainer style shoes for general use, driving shopping and nip to the pub. A pair of Brogues for "best" and working boots for working (obviously) and rough walking on the Slieve. Coats are a raincoat which I seldom wear, a choice of light and heavy Fleece's and a couple of leather bomber jackets. Jeans, Tee shirt's and sweatshirts for general and a decent shirt and trousers to go out "special". You will find that apart from special occasions when we push the boat out, smart casual or not so smart casual is the order of the day.

Michele Erdvig · Host

Di,

I suggest you NOT wear white sneakers. Think mud, sheep poo, cow flops, puddles, etc. I wear dark ones in Ireland. My husband's white ones are no longer white!

Michele

Green Dragon · Guru

My sneakers happen to be white (not by choice - they were just the ones that fit the best!) and I'm seriously considering spraypainting them before I go :P

The heavy rain mentioned above I have so far encountered seldom in my travels to Ireland - perhaps one day for each week I've been there. The soft rain is every morning, and it's lovely.

Michele Erdvig · Host

I always take a scarf, thin knit gloves and a hat. If it is very windy you will be glad of a tight-fitting hat (that won't blow off) and the scarf.

Michele

Marie · Guru

Listen to these folks. Also, I used the site "One Bag Travel", as I was determined not to check a bag. Well worth a look. I am here now with ONE bag, and it has been a blessing. \Will never do it any other way....have a great trip!

PS: I am here now and I was in the West, and made do with a shirt, a fleece vest, and and light windbreaker. Yes, layers.....

Marie

Michele Erdvig · Host

Marie,

Way to go! One bag travel is great and very freeing. Hope your trip is going well.

Michele