Northern ireland weather

Last July, I bought a wool hat as a souvenir. I ended up wearing it. Bring the hat and gloves.

Thank you!

You need hat and gloves anytime of year in Ireland! I was bundled up one year in August at the Dublin horse show!

Last time I was in Northern Ireland, it was so warm that our guide (former RS Guide Stephen McPhilemy) had to repeatedly stop for ice cream because he had a rule that whenever it was over 70 degrees or so he had to regulate his temperature with the stuff. He suggested it was a medical necessity or something. And given that he wasn’t tubby in the least, I took it to suggest that stopping for ice cream several times a day was not a normal occurrence because it would be hard to keep the weight off if one is eating ice cream with great regularity .

Now he was originally from Derry before he moved to Dingle. If you asked him if Northern Ireland was a different county like Mexico is a different country than the US, well, you might get a longish answer that would have political overtones as well as few funny observations and maybe even a rebel song or too… but I digress.

Happy travels!

Hat and gloves don't take up much space, so better to be safe rather than sorry you didn't pack them...

If I am understanding you right G3rryCee-- and I think I am-- you're saying I could need ice cream if I were in Derry and but not need it if I were in Belfast-- even on the same day!

Interesting!

I also recall being in Scotland in July and seeing my breath as if it were a Cleveland winter-- but that's a different kettle of fish.

I really think someone should do something about these variable conditions-- can I write to the King? (I suppose that wouldn't make sense if I were Donegal though....)

Happy travels.

I think that visitors from the US forget just how far north Ireland lies. It is at the same latitude as southern Alaska, but it does benefit from the Gulf Stream.

Thanks to everyone for the advice. The hat and gloves are packed. Happy travels to all!

Trvlnow--Good decision to pack hats and gloves. When we were in Northern Ireland for 15 days in June 2019, the day temps ranged from 50s to 80s.

Because we are old hikers and cyclists, we generally pack layers to go anywhere as a reflex--you know the old "T-shirt, light long-sleeve, vest, fleece jacket, rainproof jacket" drill. We automatically include stretchy gloves and a stretchy hat. Have daypack, will travel.

Wind was a big factor on the Giant's Causeway. No rain that day, but happily I had tucked my rain pants into my daypack at the last minute as a "just in case." My husband was envious.

But just two days later, we needed to have AC at full blast in our hotel room, and the weather stayed that way for the next few days before rain and wind came in to beat us up again.

Happy packing!

Enjoy.

Bring sunscreen. I have been in Ireland for over a week now. Warm sun and zero rain. I was in Northern Ireland yesterday in short sleeves and have a nice sunburn from walking around Giants causeway. Even at lower temps in the 60s that sun is hot!

So be prepared for cold and rain but also the sun.

Thanks for all the good advice! Im a minimalist packer with only a backpack so this is a challenge to be prepared for warm and cold. I will plan on buying sunscreen there but pack hat and gloves just in case.

Trvlnow--Re packing light--I can relate. I must take special tea bags with me and before I leave, I remove the tea bag tags to lighten my load and save space. Every ounce counts, especially for old folks like my husband and I who still believe in "One-Bag" packing whenever possible.

New gear for us last year in Scandinavia: Jacket Straps. Google the term. These are perfect for "bipolar" weather--and for museums. When we were in Copenhagen, the temperature range in daylight in ONE DAY was 52 to 82. With rain in between. No deep diving into my daypack for my rain jacket; no gear tied around my waist falling to the ground.

I wore these jacket straps to security with my heaviest layer* attached and just ran all through the reader. The TSA guys and international security guys were intrigued and thought they were clever.

I have been buying them as gifts for everyone I know.

*My heaviest layer for this last Scandinavian trip was a North Face rain jacket that is roomy enough for underlayers. I debated a puffy jacket because as you know, you can punch it down to nothing, but went with a puffy vest instead because I had a thin fleece I could use as a good layer too. Cheapie stretchy gloves and cheapie stretchie hat were the more important insulating items anyway.