Planning a trip to Ireland in December? Keep scrolling to get my full Ireland packing list!
This Ireland packing list for December was written by family travel expert Marcie Cheung and contains affiliate links which means if you purchase something from one of my affiliate links, I may earn a small commission that goes back into maintaining this blog.
When I booked my trip to Ireland in December, I was pretty worried about what to pack. I kept thinking I’d need tons and tons of layers and wasn’t sure how to consolidate everything.
Plus, I really, really wanted to look like I was in a Hallmark Christmas movie so I wanted lots of red and green outfits and accessories.
If you’re like me, then you’ll want to take a peek at this Ireland packing list for December that’s perfect for Christmas Markets and festive teas.
Here’s What I Packed for Ireland in December
Coats
I ended up bringing two coats with me on this trip: a red waterproof parka and a faux wool plaid coat.
It was nice to have two options for the main reason that I knew I’d be wearing a coat in all my photos.
I knew the faux wool one was a gamble because it’s not very weather-resistant. But I thought it was super cute for photos and for walking around on dry days. I did end up wearing the parka a lot more and it worked well for the wind and the rain.
Clothing
I’m all about wool clothing when I travel. I can wear them multiple times without them smelling, and they keep me warm.
So, I brought 2 pairs of wool leggings, a few wool t-shirts, wool socks, wool underwear, a wool layering top, and a wool top and base layer for jammies.
Use this link to get $20 off your first Woolx order.
I also brought along 2 pairs of jeans, which I don’t usually pack. This was to give me an option besides leggings. I didn’t bring any dresses (which I usually pack) because the weather looked too cold for me. I’m SO glad I didn’t pack dresses.
Finally, I packed 4 festive sweaters. I figured I’d be able to wear each one twice since I had clean shirts to wear underneath. I already had a couple and then I found some cute ones online.
Shoes
Last time I was in Ireland it was springtime and I brought my waterproof Vessi sneakers, which worked well. Use this link to save $20 on Vessi shoes.
This time, I brought 2 pairs of waterproof boots. I figured these are easy to dress up and would be great for keeping my feet warm during the winter.
My black Vionic boots are sort of bulky so I ended up wearing them on the plane to save room in my suitcase.
Then, I packed my brown Vionic boots so I could switch out my shoes throughout the trip. I ended up getting these memory foam inserts to make them extra comfy for walking.
Accessories
The most important accessories I brought were hats. I packed a cute knit Santa hat, a white beanie, and a beret (mostly just for photos).
Since both of my coats were red, I opted for this green purse so it would pop and look super festive.
I specifically didn’t bring a scarf because I figured I could find a cute scarf while shopping in Ireland. But I did bring some basic gloves.
Other Stuff
Since we were visiting during cold/flu season, I made sure to bring a pack of Mucinex with me. I actually had walking pneumonia last time I was in Ireland and realized they don’t sell Mucinex anywhere. This time, I came prepared!
I also packed this cool phone tripod. It’s about the size of a credit card and it attached to my phone with a magnet. It made it really easy to get photos of my friend and I without bothering strangers.
Whenever I do red-eye flights, I always make sure I have this eye mask because it really blocks out all the light. I also use my Bose noise-canceling headphones, and I bring my Kindle Paperwhite.
The air was crazy dry during the winter so I was really glad I packed this snail mucus moisturizer. I used it every morning and right before bed and my face felt SO much better than normal.
Was I Happy With This Ireland Packing List?
Mostly yes. I could have gotten away with just one pair of jeans. And had I not wanted my plaid faux wool coat for photos, I would have been fine with just my red coat.
I ended up buying 3 wool sweaters in Ireland (including one on the airport on my way home) so I could have just packed 2-3 sweaters and been fine.
I also never used my gloves, but there were several opportunities that I could see how people would want to wear them.
Looking for more Ireland travel resources? Check out Christmas-Themed 9-Day Ireland Itinerary for December, How to Plan a Budget-Friendly Photo Shoot in Dublin, Ireland, and 13 Important Ireland Travel Tips for First-Timers!
