5 Tips for Soaking Up the Magic (and the Mist) of Ireland

Ireland is equal parts fairytale and hangover, oftentimes in the same afternoon. It isn’t just rolling green hills and Guinness posters. It's damp socks from the morning mist, a stranger sliding you into a conversation you didn’t know you wanted, and a quiet countryside that feels like you’ve stumbled into someone else’s dream. 

Our newest colors, Kelpie and Selkie, were inspired by the folklore of Ireland and Scotland, and it has us daydreaming of visiting the land of mossy glades and bustling pubs. Luckily, a few members of the factory have already spent time there, so we asked them for their top 5 tips to make the most of your time in Ireland. 

Pack a rain Jacket (or Windbreaker)

If you’ve ever lived in or visited Seattle, Ireland’s weather might feel oddly familiar.

Ireland is damp. Not in a dramatic, torrential-downpour kind of way, but in the quiet, creeping mist that seeps into your socks and sleeves by the end of the day. Even on the warmest summer days, the weather can turn sideways in a heartbeat. Locals know better than to trust a clear sky for too long, and you’ll often see folks tucking a light rain jacket or windbreaker into their bag “just in case” it decides to start drizzling. It doesn’t need to be heavy-duty gear – something lightweight, packable and water-resistant will keep you comfortable as you wander along the cobblestone streets or hike along the Cliffs of Moher. 

The Packing Cube Shoulder Bag makes an excellent travel companion here – you can tuck your rain jacket into it and carry it inside any bag you already have. Plus, if you choose a colorful option, it’ll be easy to spot when you need it most. 

Embrace Pub Culture

Pubs are Ireland’s true living room. 

Step through the door – whether it’s in the middle of Dublin or the smallest roadside village – and you’ll be greeted with a wall of warmth: chatter, music, and maybe the sour tang of spilled beer on old wooden tables. Order a pint, and sooner than later, a stranger will slide into your space with a story, a joke, or a question about where you’re from. Don’t hold back. Striking up a conversation is part of the experience, and it’s one of the quickest ways to feel at home even thousands of miles away. You’ll quickly learn that in Ireland, strangers don’t stay strangers for long. Half the magic of Ireland happens when you’re shoulder to shoulder in a crowded pub, talking over a pint and a football game. 

For nights out on the town, a smaller bag like the Side Effect or Bantam is all you need – just enough room for your wallet, phone, a small camera and maybe a journal to jot down whatever wild tale you hear before you forget it in the morning.

Take Things Slow

If you’re used to the “GO, GO, GO” rhythm of travel in the U.S., Ireland offers a refreshing change of pace. 

Life moves at a slower speed. It’s more conversational, more about being than doing. The best moments aren’t always at the tourist sites – they’re in the meandering walk to town, the hours spent over tea and scones in a café, the countless stories between you and the shopkeeper, who tells you about their cousin who moved to Boston. Let yourself sink in. There’s a certain kind of magic in taking things slow – when you stop treating travel like a checklist and start treating it like an opportunity to become absorbed. 

The Daylight Backpack shines for slow-paced days – ultralight weight and packable, it’s the bag you forget you’re carrying until you need it, leaving you free to wander without worrying about the weight on your shoulders.

Learn the Local Lingo

Irish slang is its own kind of poetry – playful, sharp, and always delivered with a cheeky grin. 

There is a ton of local lingo in Ireland, and based on the duration of your trip, it may take some time to catch on. But we’ll give you a head start on a couple of the most popular local slang terms: “Grand,” which is just another way to say good, and “What's the Craic,” is a fun way to say what's up/what's going on, or simply just “Craic” (fun, enjoyment, etc). Once you start using the lingo, you stop feeling like a tourist and start feeling like you belong, at least for a little while. Because that's the fun in traveling – allowing yourself to get absorbed in the culture. Before you know it, you might find yourself sprinkling these words into your everyday conversations back home, which may result in some confusion, but your friends and family will soon catch on.  

Tuck a Vertical Packing Cubelet into your bag with a notebook and pen – you’ll have a handy place to jot down new phrases, favorite words or even the names and numbers of new friends you meet along the way. 

Venture Beyond the Cities

Dublin is lively and full of history, Galway hums with music and energy and Cork has its own unique charm – but some of Ireland’s most breathtaking experiences lie beyond the city limits. 

The countryside is where you’ll feel the wind of the Atlantic on your face, where sheep clog the roads, and where you start to understand why so much poetry has been written here. Rent a car or hop on the bus to explore winding country roads, dramatic cliffs and small villages where time seems to slow down. The cliffs of Moher, the Ring of Kerry or even the Giant’s Causeway can give you a glimpse of Ireland that feels worlds away from the hustle and bustle of city life. If you want to see the Ireland of storybooks and folklore, you’ll find it in the countryside. 

If you ask Maia, our Marketing Manager, who lived in Ireland for some time, head up to Donegal County – rugged, raw, almost otherworldly in its beauty. Or spend time in Derry, a city layered with history and grit, and the setting of the iconic show Derry Girls. You’ll see another side of Ireland here, one that feels closer to real life and further from the postcards you’d find at the tourist shops in downtown Dublin.

The Synik 22 or Synapse 19 is built for this kind of exploring – structured, versatile and rugged enough for some rural adventures. Pair it with a small day bag, like the Side Kick or Small Zip-Top Shop Bag, and you’ll be set for whatever the countryside throws at you. 

Traveling to Ireland is magical (and a little muddy). It’s late nights that turn into slow mornings, unexpected friendships, the sting of rain followed by the shock of sunlight breaking through the clouds. Travel isn’t just about seeing things – it’s about letting a place absorb you, reshape you, and remind you to live differently for a little while. 

So, pack your rain jacket, bring a sense of humor, and don’t forget to leave a little room in your bag for souvenirs and stories. Whether you’re chasing history, landscapes, a full Irish breakfast, or simply good craic, Ireland invites you to slow down, open up, and enjoy the journey.

Have you traveled to Ireland before? Or is it on your bucket list? Share your own tips, favorite memories, or dream destinations in the comments below! 

Bon Voyage!