What should I wear for coastal walking in wind and rain?
Build the outfit around staying dry rather than staying warm, because wind and rain together do the damage on an Irish headland. The working set: a waterproof jacket with a proper hood and waterproof overtrousers, both breathable if you can manage it; a synthetic or merino base layer and a fleece or light insulated mid layer, with cotton and denim left out, as both stay cold once wet; waterproof boots with grip that you have already walked in; a warm hat and gloves, which earn their place in every month of the year; and a dry set of socks and top sealed in a waterproof bag inside the pack. Mountaineering Ireland adds the habits that matter: tell someone your route, carry a charged phone and a map, and turn back early rather than late when the wind gets up.
Useful pages: The best time to visit Ireland · Irish weather, month by month · What to wear · Weather in Ireland · Experiencing the Irish coastline · Ireland's national parks · Outdoor adventures in Ireland · Travel notices · Ireland photography tips · Ireland weather guide
Sources
- Mountaineering Ireland: hill walking clothing and safety guidance, mountaineering.ie
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