When asked what the weather will be like in Ireland you'll probably here this reply, "If you don't like the weather, wait 5 minutes and it will change." It might sound silly but it's very true. And because of this guests to Ireland are suggested to pack clothes that can be layered. If you are cold you can layer up until you're comfortable again. The same is true if you're warm. You can layer down until you're comfortable.

For example - If you're wearing a T-shirt you can put on a sweatshirt over it to warm up. If you're still cold you can then put on a jacket. The same is true if you're already layered up and get warm, take the jacket off. If you're still warm, take off the sweatshirt.

You will often see many Irish men wearing an light T-shirt under a long sleeved shirt. Over that they'll wear a sweater. When going out they'll put on a jacket or coat. And if it's raining they might even put on a Mac (waterproof coat - Mac is the nickname for the McIntosh coat, which gets its name from the inventor Charles McIntosh 1766-1834 who was born in Glasgow Scotland and invented a waterproofing agent for garments.)

How you should pack really depends on the type of holiday you have planned and the length of it. I will use the standard 7 day self drive holiday as an example here.

Pants - A couple pair of durable cotton pants, such as Dockers or denim. These can be worn every other day and pressed in the evening by using the innkeepers iron, which they will gladly let you borrow.

Shirts - 3 or 4 shirts, either long sleeve or short depending on the season. You can wear this over a T-shirt or under a sweater or fleece.

Undergarments - A change of undergarments for each day won't take up much room in your suitcase, however to cut down on packing you can pack 3 or 4 pairs of undergarments and hand wash every couple days.

Jackets/coats - A fleece or something similar that's easy to move around in. Or a cardigan or pullover sweater. Many visitors to Ireland tend to buy traditional Aran sweaters on their visit so you may not want to pack anything too bulky in anticipation of bringing something home.

Shoes - Usually only the one pair of comfortable shoes is necessary, something light and comfortable to walk in like sneakers. If you plan on being outdoors or spending time in the rain then you may wish to bring a second pair of shoes to wear while the others are drying out. Some people prefer to bring driving shoes that they wear only while driving and will put on walking shoes once they've reached their destination.

The best rule of thumb is to pack lightly. Pack what you think you'll need then take half out. Chances are good that you won't need the tux or the stilettos. Dining out in Ireland is casual, so as long as your clothes are clean you don't have to dress up.

If you find that your clothes are getting soiled you can always ask the innkeeper for the use of the laundry, which they will usually let you use after house. Just be sure to ask if they have a dryer, as many B&Bs don't have them. Line drying denim in Ireland can take days!