2020 may have interrupted the global tourism industry, but last we knew, trips to Ireland were on the rise. Our post declaring ‘Trips to Ireland Increased by 1.8% in 2019’ noted that nearly 11 million people visited the country last year. That’s an impressive number, and hopefully once the world has gotten past the pandemic, many more people are able to make the trip.
Undoubtedly, with that much tourist activity, people have countless reasons to visit Ireland. But we know that for many of them, it’s features like the open country, fantastic coastline, and historical sites that are the main draws. In other words, a lot of people travel to Ireland for a sense of adventure, and plan to go out exploring, hiking, or even camping in some of the most beautiful areas in all of Europe.
That also happens to be the kind of trip that might be reasonable and safe before too long — as opposed to, say, visiting a crowded city somewhere. With that in mind, and because if you’re like us you can’t stop imagining where you’ll travel next, we thought we’d write up a little bit of a packing list. The following are some of the essentials for a more adventurous excursion around Ireland….
Hiking Boots
The first item on your list, if you’re planning one much hiking or adventuring (say, along the Ballycotton Cliff Walk, or up Co Fermanagh’s “Stairway to Heaven”), should be a pair of hiking boots. These don’t have to be massive, clunky boots that take up half your suitcase by themselves. But some outdoor trail shoes built to fit well and handle terrain can make all the difference.
The most important thing in finding good boots for a trip like this is to make sure you have a comfortable fit (and ideally that you have some time to wear them in before traveling). Generally though, we’d point men toward the latest boots from Salomon, which are particularly sturdy and will suit some of the rockier terrain you might encounter. For women, Timberland’s Chocorua trail boot is about as good as it gets for covering different types of ground.
Smartphone Camera Lens
In the past we might have recommended a great digital camera as an absolute necessity on a trip to such a beautiful place. Now though, most travelers have pretty strong cameras right in their pockets, in the form of their smartphones. Your phone should pretty much do the trick, though as you may have noticed it probably can’t quite capture images as stunning as those that are used to… you know… market the cameras. To get those kinds of results, you may want to buy a lens to attach to your phone. It’s generally more affordable than a digital camera, and it can take your phone’s capability to the next level. For both Android and iPhone users, Moment’s products do a terrific job.
Drone
If you want to take the photography idea even further, and truly capture the gorgeous landscapes you’ll be adventuring through, you can also consider packing a drone. Granted, some are more portable than others, and you may also want to make sure there aren’t restrictions or regulations on piloting in the areas you’ll be exploring. But provided it’s allowed, you can find the right drone and use it to take photos and videos of your experience (including some with you in them!).
As you’re likely aware, the drone market has gotten fairly expansive these days, which can make it hard to narrow down your choices. That said, the drones on Adorama cover all bases including options that are compact, relatively affordable, and equipped with cameras, making them ideal to pack when going on a hike.
Weatherproof Journal
A weatherproof journal may seem like a small idea alongside smartphone lenses, drones, and new hiking boots. But if you’re the type to write about your experience — what you saw, how you felt, where you went, etc. — you’ll be glad to have an item like this. Truth be told, these are pretty common accessories in hiking circles, and you can likely pick up a cheap one at your local outdoor sports or camping shop. That said if you want something a little more special, that you’ll keep and refer back to after your trip, Karst’s “stone paper” journals make for interesting options. Available with hard or soft covers, these products literally use paper made from stone, which is both a pleasure to write on and resistant to splashes.
Day Backpack
Finally, you’ll want a daytime hiking backpack. Note that we’re not talking about a full-fledged camping backpack (though you may want one of those if you’re planning on spending multiple days out in a park or on a trail). Rather, we’re referring to something you can easily pack, and which you can tote along for a few hours here or there as you explore Ireland. In our experience, day backpacks really come down to personal taste — for fit, size, compartments, and even style. But if you want a few to mull over, the “Mountain Pack” from Topo Designs, the “Nine Trails” from Patagonia, and Deuter’s “Speed Lite 20” are all worth a look.
With these items on hand, in addition to your general packing list, you’ll be ready for an incredible exploration of all the beauty and adventure Ireland has to offer. Plus, researching and trying out products like these gives you something to do while you’re waiting for the all-clear to travel!