Ireland in mid February '25: dress?

Sounds like a great trip! Both Belfast and Dublin will be cold and rainy in February- average around 4C/ 40F. You will definitely need a warm raincoat and travel umbrella. Do you need suggestions/advice on anything else in Belfast/Dublin/Causeway Coast?

Its winter. Its cold. Its Ireland.

Bundle up so yes either dress in warm layers or a rain coat with a removable liner. I’d have gloves and a knit cap as well.

Check the weather report for your travel dates and watch weather broadcasts during your stay.

Personally I’d also wear Smart Wool Socks.

A warm raincoat - maybe a puffa style coat that’s light to wear and will squish up small, or something with a removable lining. Make sure it’s properly waterproof not just showerproof.

That’s a sensible choice of footwear and you’ll see loads of people in similar in towns, cities and countryside.

It’ll probably be cold with a strong likelihood of wet and wind.

Layers are always the right answer. I agree with the comment about socks. Warm socks are key. I disagree about the travel umbrella. A hooded rain jacket with a warm hat under it is better in many ways. If it really starts throwing it down, duck into a pub and wait it out. If you want to use an umbrella, you'd want a sturdy one that provides good coverage, not a flimsy one that is going to turn inside out in the lightest gust and then be a hassle to deal with wet.

It’s unlikely to be cold enough to snow, but what makes it feel cold will be the wind and rain/general dampness. Gloves, hat, scarf, and layers under your waterproof coat, and alternate trousers to change into if your legs get damp. I agree about a beanie and hood being better than an umbrella in the wind - umbrellas are just a (sometimes dangerous) nuisance in the wind.

Have fun, and you never know, you might even have sunshine!

I’m in the preliminary stages of creating a packing list for my own trip to Dublin and Donegal next month and I’m planning to wear a wool coat that is roomy enough for layers, and pack a long lightweight hooded down coat that squeezes into its own little bag. I’ll wear my bulkiest wool sweater for travel and pack 2 or 3 other sweaters, one thick ribbed cotton, one merino and one cashmere, all layerable. Warm socks, tights and a couple of long sleeved pullovers will also go into my (exclusively carryon) luggage. I’ll add a hat, along with a scarf or two as well. I was there last year at the same time and other than a dramatic hail storm while in Galway, didn’t really have any weather situations that caused any problem. It’s impossible to predict the weather in Ireland. I spent 3 weeks there in January once and didn’t have a drop of rain until I was on the way to catch my flight home.