Clothing & Essentials

Passport — check it before you do anything else. Ireland requires it to be valid for the duration of your stay.

Waterproof shoes — non-negotiable in Ireland. You’ll want something waterproof rather than just water-resistant. Waterproof hiking boots or walking shoes are your most versatile bet — they’ll handle fields, beaches, puddles, and cobblestones all in one. Wellies are great for soggy fields and bogs but tiring over a long day on foot and can be bulky to pack. Whatever you choose, make sure they’re well broken-in and comfortable.

Wool socks — Merino wool keeps feet warm and dry, even if you step in a puddle.

Walking poles — we can be on uneven terrain, and they can make a real difference. If you use them at home, bring them.

High-quality rain shell — choose a breathable, waterproof jacket with a hood that packs small. Irish rain is rarely torrential but it’s persistent. This is your most important piece of outerwear.

Umbrella — handy when out walking in the rain, but Ireland’s wind doesn’t always cooperate for umbrella usage, so it isn’t essential.

Wool layers — a sweater or base layer in merino wool is worth the investment if you don’t already own one. Unlike cotton, wool stays warm even when damp — genuinely useful in Ireland.

Lightweight layers — t-shirts and long sleeve shirts you can add or remove as the day changes.

Warm jumper or fleece — for cooler evenings and early mornings.

Water resistant trousers — for days when the ground is wet and the weather is moving in.

Gloves, hat, and scarf — the wind off the Atlantic can make mid-50s feel much colder than it sounds.

Sun hat or cap — for the days Ireland decides to be glorious.

Comfortable travel clothing — you’ll be on a long transatlantic flight before this adventure even begins. Dress for comfort and consider compression socks if that’s part of how you travel.

Swimsuit — if you’re feeling brave enough for the Atlantic. It’s worth it.

Small daypack or tote — for days when you don’t want to carry your full camera bag.

Reusable water bottle — tap water in Ireland is excellent. Hotels and restaurants are happy to refill your bottle.

Sunscreen and sunglasses — even on overcast or rainy days, UV rays can sneak through.

Lip balm and moisturizer — the windburn from the Irish coast is real and sneaky, even when it’s not particularly cold. A lip balm with SPF and a small tube of face moisturizer will prevent chapped skin.

Plug adapters and voltage converters — Ireland uses UK-style plugs, so you’ll need an adapter to fit your US plugs into Irish sockets. However, an adapter only changes the plug shape — it doesn’t change the voltage. Ireland runs on 220v, and some devices cannot handle that. Most modern phone and laptop chargers are dual voltage (110v–240v) and will work fine with just an adapter — check the label on each device. If your device is not dual voltage, you’ll need a voltage converter as well. This is particularly relevant for some DSLR battery chargers and hair tools. Note: most Irish hotels provide hairdryers, so leave yours at home.

Portable phone charger — your phone battery will work hard out there, and you don’t want it to die in the middle of the day. Look for a hands-free option that fits in your pocket or bag so you can charge and use your phone at the same time.

Medications — bring enough prescription medication for the full trip plus a few extra days. Keep a photo of your prescriptions on your phone — including generic names — in case you need to see a doctor or get an emergency supply while you’re there.

Motion sickness medication — Ireland’s roads are often narrow and winding. If you’re prone to motion sickness, pack something that works for you.

Euros — credit cards are widely accepted almost everywhere in Ireland — even at the pubs, which have moved to a tap and go system. It’s good to have a little cash on hand for some purchases. Let your bank know you’ll be traveling in Ireland and will be using ATMs to get local currency. Two notes worth knowing: American Express is not widely accepted in Ireland — make sure you have a Visa or Mastercard with you. And if possible, travel with a card that has no foreign transaction fees — it will save you 3% on every purchase.

Journal — Ireland has a way of producing moments worth remembering. A small notebook tucked in your bag gives you somewhere to capture the names of places, the people you meet, and the things that stop you in your tracks. You’ll be glad you have it.

Spare bag to leave on the coach — I always keep one on the bus all week with a spare sweater, hat, rain jacket, and boots. It stays there so I never have to think about it. Worth doing.

Extra expandable bag — for all the treasures you’ll want to bring home. You will find things. Leave room for them.

Camera Gear

A note before you start packing: we’ll be moving around a lot and out on location most days. Pack what you’ll actually use and keep it manageable — there’s no prize for carrying the heaviest bag.

Camera body — your digital camera or iPhone. Both are welcome. This is not a technical course and there is no wrong tool for the job.

Lenses — we’ll be shooting both landscapes and portraits. A versatile telephoto lens (e.g. 70–200mm) covers most situations. A fast prime lens (e.g. 50mm or 85mm f/1.8) is perfect for low-light interiors and street portraits. A wide-angle lens rounds out the kit beautifully for landscapes and architecture.

Camera bag — choose something durable and water-resistant that will protect your gear through nine days of active shooting.

Spare batteries and charger — cold and damp weather drains batteries faster than you’d expect. Pack these in your carry-on — lithium-ion batteries are prohibited in checked baggage, and most camera batteries fall into this category.

Memory cards — bring more than you think you’ll need. Keep them organized in a small protective card case — it’s easy to lose small things on the road.

A way to back up your images — a laptop, portable hard drive, or cloud backup. You’ll be shooting a lot, and you don’t want to lose your images, but this is optional.

Keeping your gear dry — if you don’t have a dedicated rain cover for your camera, tuck a couple of gallon-sized zip-lock bags into your bag. In a pinch, cut a hole in one and let your lens poke through — it’s a surprisingly effective way to keep shooting in the rain while protecting your gear.

Lens cloth — for keeping your lens clear in the damp.

Filters — for those shooting with a DSLR or mirrorless camera, a Circular Polarizer reduces glare on wet cobblestones and glass, and a Neutral Density (ND) filter opens up long exposure possibilities for ocean and waterfall shots. If you’re shooting with an iPhone, you can skip this one entirely.

Travel tripod — if that’s part of how you work. Look for a lightweight compact carbon fiber option that won’t weigh you down.