Surviving the Irish Winter

Winter in Ireland is often described as “cold” by those from warmer regions, like Latin America. While the average Irish person might not agree, knowing that countries across Europe have much harsher winters, the shock has proven difficult for many expats. This is your survival guide to the Irish winter.

1. Dress for the weather, not for a date

Irish people are often, unfairly, criticised for how we dress, especially in the winter. What many people fail to realise is how unpredictable the weather can be. To make matters worse, we’re not preparing for heavy snowfall and guaranteed cold weather. Irish winter weather is typically high winds and rain, making it feel much colder than it actually is. Get rid of the umbrella. It’s no use when the winds change direction so frequently. Invest in a waterproof hiking jacket*, and overtrousers (trousers you wear over your normal clothes), and you’ll be right as rain. Excuse the pun. If the cold is still too much, gloves, scarves and hats will help, and be sure to pack a spare pair of socks. There’s nothing worse than cold feet.

*note the adjective order

2. Warm drinks > beer

Ireland is famous for its drinks, like Guinness and the various whiskey distilleries, but in the winter it might be a better idea to grab a warm drink instead. While tea is always an excellent choice (that’s “English breakfast” if your ordering in a chain café), and coffee could give a much needed boost, some people might want to avoid high caffeine drinks, especially at night.
The underappreciated third choice for warm drinks is hot chocolate. A staple of the Irish childhood, hot chocolate has become a firm favourite for many in the winter months, and is great for a date. Weather it’s from a café or a designated chocolatier, the sugary goodness will go down a treat. Did you know that Butler’s is over 90 years old? If you want to try it at home, a cup of milk in the microwave and three spoons of Cadbury’s hot chocolate mix does the trick.

3. Stay warm

Heating your home is expensive, but it’s important to stay warm during the winter. Turn your heating on if it gets too cold, leave your over open after cooking (when it’s switched off) to use the residual heat to warm your home, where an extra jumper, and always have a blanket at hand. If you go to the gym or have the option to shower elsewhere, there’s no better opportunity to take advantage of warm water without increasing your bills at home.
Layers are better than one big item of clothing, and never underestimate fluffy socks. Thermals are easy to find (try Dunnes Stores), and are relatively cheap.

Good luck out there!