Rain Pants for Ireland?

While I have taken rain pants for day long hiking trips, I have never needed them for sightseeing. You usually aren't outdoors with no opportunity to dry out for 8 hours at a time. When I travel, I take a hooded raincoat and a very small collapsible umbrella.

I have generally just taken a rain coat with a hood. Haven't needed or wanted rain pants. You are more likely to encounter "soft weather" (misty rain and light fog) than a drenching downpour.

As the ladies say, raincoat with a hood. I have one that the hood zips off of when not needed, sold by Eddie Bauer. There are lots of other brands, but get a light weight one. My pants are moisture resistant Royal Robbins Global Traveler. They will not stand a good rain, but light moisture in the air is no problem. I feel that if you have a hood you don't need an umbrella, especially on crowded sidewalks.

Great tour, you'll love it. I don't think you need rain pants unless you're planning to do a lot of off road hiking in your spare time (and there won't be much for that). An umbrella is fine, but if the wind is howling (and it probably will at some point in your visit) it will be useless (jacket with hat is better). You don't need a heavy jacket, just one that keeps you dry, but I also advise taking light layers to wear underneath as the temps might be 50 but don't always feel "balmy" to most. Also essential: two pairs of shoes (one might need to dry out). On a late May, early June tour I had rain, sun, wind, sometimes all in one day.

If you are planning on walking through any bogland, I would suggest you bring your rain pants. I found mine invaluable while walking in Connemara a few years ago. Quick drying hiking pants worked well everywhere else.
Have a wonderful time!

I agree with the previous posts, but I also recommend wearing pants made from synthetic fabrics (polyester, nylon, etc.) because even if they get wet, they will dry quickly, including as you wear them. They also are easier to wash on the road and are often lighter. With today's fabric technologies, they don't feel uncomfortable, the way a synthetic pair of pants would not that long ago. I find some irony in the fact that for years I studiously avoided having clothes with any hint of a non-natural fiber; now when I find a shirt that's a blend, I think how lucky I am to find something that will dry quickly on a trip.

Thanks, all, for your responses. I had read a comment on the Ireland tour feedback page that those with rain pants were better prepared for a particularly rainy spell, hence the question. I don't mind walking around in the rain, but I don't find it very comfortable when the temp is in the 50s and it's windy.

I would have said the same thing as Paul. Bring quick drying fabrics, in case it's really wet, but rain pants are probably overkill.

You can probably get buy without them, I did for years hiking in Scotland. Then I got a pair and I love them. They don't take up much room and it's sweet to have them. Alternatively, I would strongly recommend the nylon style pants that dry quickly. You don't want denim. ; ) Pam

This is probably repetitive but I'll add my 2 cents. We're going to Ireland in April/May and we plan to take our rainpants because we want to do a fair amount of walking and prefer to stay dry. I also will take my heavy wool sweater and my turtlenecks - that way I can layer. And of course my rain packet. I also am careful to waterproof my boots & shoes when going to UK or Ireland. Julia