What to pack for Ireland
Ireland has a mild, wet and windy Atlantic climate. It rarely gets very hot or very cold, but rain and wind are possible on any day, especially in the west.
That is the long-term pattern, not a forecast. Weather in any given week can be warmer, colder or wetter than usual, so check the forecast a few days before you leave — Wayfold does this automatically and adjusts the packing list for your actual dates.
Pack with Ireland in mind
- A properly waterproof jacket with a hood
- Warm layers, even in summer, for coastal walks
- Waterproof or quick-drying shoes
- A Type G plug adapter if you are visiting from outside the UK and Ireland
Start from a full checklist
Combine the points above with a complete list for the kind of trip you are taking:
- Road trip packing list · 46 items
- City break packing list · 48 items
- Hiking packing list for national parks · 52 items
What to eat in Ireland
These are dishes most visitors to Ireland will meet, with the usual recipe’s diet flags. Use them as a starting point for menus and for asking questions — not as a guarantee of what is in a particular plate.
Irish stew
Lamb or mutton stewed with potatoes, onions and carrots.
Full Irish breakfast
Eggs, rashers, sausages and black and white pudding.
Contains porkEggGluten
Soda bread
Quick bread made with buttermilk.
Vegetarian-friendlyGlutenDairy
Boxty
Potato pancake.
Vegetarian-friendlyGlutenDairy
Seafood chowder
Creamy fish and shellfish soup, often with brown bread.
FishShellfishDairyGluten
Colcannon
Mashed potato with cabbage or kale and butter.
Vegetarian-friendlyDairy
Bacon and cabbage
Boiled bacon joint with cabbage and potatoes.
Contains pork
Avoiding pork? In this list, Full Irish breakfast and Bacon and cabbage usually contain pork.
Meal times, tipping and water
| Breakfast | 07:00–09:30 |
|---|---|
| Lunch | 12:30–14:00 |
| Dinner | 18:00–21:00 |
| Tipping | 10–15% in restaurants if no service charge is added. Not expected when ordering at the bar. |
| Tap water | Generally safe to drink |
| Halal food | Limited |
| Vegetarian food | Moderate |
Local chains you will see
Well-known local names — handy for a quick, predictable meal or coffee:
- Supermac's — Irish fast-food chain.
- Insomnia — Coffee shop chain.
- Eddie Rocket's — American-style diners.
- Butlers Chocolate Café — Coffee and chocolates.
- Apache Pizza — Pizza delivery and takeaway.
General guidance — check locally. Recipes vary between kitchens; always ask about allergens. Checked 30 September 2026. In the app, the food guide marks which dishes fit each traveller’s diet and can show a diet and allergy card in the local language.
Entry rules for US and UK passport holders
A summary of the passport and travel-authorisation rules Wayfold reminds travellers about for Ireland. Rules change, and your exact situation (other nationalities, long stays, work or study) may differ.
US passport holders
We don’t have curated rules for this trip yet. Check the official advice before you book: U.S. Department of State (opens in a new tab).
UK passport holders
We don’t have curated rules for this trip yet. Check the official advice before you book: GOV.UK — Foreign travel advice (opens in a new tab).
This is general guidance, not legal advice. Rules change — always check the official source before you travel. Rules last reviewed 29 September 2026. For the bigger picture, read what ESTA, the UK ETA and ETIAS are.
Quick answers
Is tap water safe to drink in Ireland?
Generally safe to drink. Tap water is generally treated to a safe standard, though some travellers prefer bottled water for taste. General guidance — check locally. Recipes vary between kitchens; always ask about allergens.
Do you tip in Ireland?
10–15% in restaurants if no service charge is added. Not expected when ordering at the bar.
Is it easy to eat halal or vegetarian in Ireland?
Halal food: limited. Vegetarian food: moderate. Vegetarian-friendly classics include Soda bread, Boxty and Colcannon. Recipes vary between kitchens, so always ask.