I can’t count how many times students or friends that are coming to Ireland, have asked me ‘what do I need to put in my suitcase?’ Yes, it is a very good question. When I was packing for the first time (before moving to this country) I had the same feelings… Because you may have an idea about it, but who really knows? Also, we have to keep in mind that we have a limit of weight in our luggage, so we cannot bring everything to Ireland.
My best advice is to keep it simple. You have to select the essential and the rest you can buy here. There are countless shops where you will find all your favorite, international brands, as well as very cheap stores such as Pennies, internationally known as Primark.
CLOTHES
The most important clothes you have to pack in your suitcase is everything related to resisting the rain and waterproofing. Raincoat, umbrella and waterproof footwear are going to be your best allies because Ireland is a very rainy country. It doesn’t rain all the time, but it does rain a bit. Although the temperatures are not tremendously cold, the humidity and wind are almost always present, so you will need warm clothes such as woolen sweaters, gloves, thick socks and scarves, and a very warm winter jacket.
I guess it depends where are you coming from and what the weather is like in your home country, but personally, I have never worn short trousers in Ireland. The temperatures are never very hot, so more than likely you won’t need summer dresses, shorts, sandals and the kind of clothes you wear in a warm climate. When there is a bit of sun in summertime, Irish people dress for warm weather immediately, but believe me: 15 or 20 degrees is not warm enough for some of us, especially if you are acclimatized to real heat.
The good part is that you will rarely if ever have extreme temperatures – neither too cold nor too warm, so you can use more or less wear the same kinds of clothes all year round.
CURRENCY: EURO (€)
Ireland is a member of the European Union and its currency is the Euro (€). However, the island of Ireland is divided between the Republic of Ireland, which has the Euro, and Northern Ireland, which has the Pound (GBP)(£), as this region belongs to the territory of the United Kingdom. You will probably have to change your money before or when you arrive.
FIRST-AID KIT AND MEDICINES
The sanitary conditions and sanitary measures of the country are excellent, so you won’t need to have vaccinations before coming. However, I suggest you to prepare a small kit with medicines that you most often need to take; painkillers, antihistamines or anti-inflammatory medication. In Ireland, the health system, in general, is quite expensive, including medicines.
While medical insurance is a mandatory requirement for students traveling from some countries to Ireland, it is a very useful thing to have.
POWER PLUG ADAPTER
In Ireland, as well as in the UK, there is another type of plug: type G. It consists of three flat pins of rectangular shape, instead of two, so you will need one of these. You can purchase them at the airport when you arrive or in any supermarket, etc. in Ireland.
CAMERA
Don’t think that because of the bad weather, you will never be outside your house. I really believe that you are going to travel a lot in Ireland because this country is very beautiful. So please, don’t forget a camera. You won’t regret bringing your camera, I swear! The landscapes in this magical country are absolutely astounding and you will want to capture for posterity many moments and breathtaking views.
