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| Galway is a vibrant city filled with brightly colored shops and houses. |
I am sure you have heard of the dreaded winter months in Ireland.
Cold, rainy and windy
are some words that may come to mind. I hate to be the bearer of bad
news, but the Irish winters are indeed all of the above. Thankfully, it
does not get as cold as it does back in the States, but when you combine
it with the wind and rain it can be a bit unpleasant. It is bearable,
however, as long as you are prepared. Here are my best tips on surviving
the winter months in Ireland.
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Invest in a good coat
This was one of the first things I thought about when I decided to
study in Ireland.
If you have to walk around all day soaking wet from head to toe, you
will be cold and miserable. Yes, a good coat can be a bit pricey, but
trust me, you will be wearing this thing every day, so it will be a good
investment in the end. You will want to find a coat that has a hood and
one that is waterproof–
not water resistant. A coat that is insulated and longer is also a plus.
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| These rain boots have been put to good use. |
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Rain boots
Even though you will not see many locals wearing rain boots every
day, I do not regret bringing mine. Rain boots are an easy way to keep
your feet warm and dry. Just make sure to wear them on the plane ride
over so you can save room in your suitcase.
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Layers, Layers, Layers!
Layers are very important when living in Ireland. You will be cold
when you are walking outside and almost too warm when you go into a
pub or restaurant.
Wearing layers helps eliminate this problem. I also suggest bringing a
big scarf to bury your face in on those cold winter days.
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| Some of my favorite spots in Galway are along the water. |
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Take advantage of every sunny day
It may not sound like it, but Ireland does actually have sunny days.
Whenever the sun is out, it’s important to take full advantage of it and
spend some time outside. My favorite thing to do is walk along the
Salthill Promenade where you will
find great views of Galway Bay.
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Don’t let the rain interfere with your plans
One of the most important rules to follow. If you constantly let the
weather stop you from leaving your warm apartment, you will end up doing
nothing. Do not let the rainy weather stop you from experiencing
Ireland. Bundle up and think positively. You are only in
Ireland for a short time–make it count!
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One last word of advice
You may be reading this and thinking to yourself, “The weather in
Ireland sounds miserable. There’s no way I’m going there.” If you are
thinking anything along these lines,
stop. Do not let the
weather discourage you from coming to Ireland. Yes, it may take a couple
weeks to get used to the weather, but even on the worst of days,
Ireland is still one of the most beautiful countries in the world. I do
not regret coming here for one second.
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| Breathtaking views of Connemara National Park |
