Jackets in Ireland

When you’re living in Ireland, a jacket, a wearable shield against wind, rain, and cold that’s more necessity than fashion choice. Also known as a coat, it’s not something you pick based on trends—it’s something you live in. This isn’t about looking good. It’s about staying dry, warm, and not catching a cold on your way to the bus stop in Galway or the office in Dublin. The right jacket here doesn’t just cover you—it holds the line against weather that changes by the hour.

What makes a jacket work in Ireland? It needs to be waterproof, a must-have feature that stops rain from soaking through to your clothes and skin. Not water-resistant. Not splash-proof. Fully waterproof. That means sealed seams, a hood that actually fits over a beanie, and a fabric that doesn’t turn into a soggy sponge after three days of drizzle. Then there’s wool, a natural fiber used for decades in Irish-made jackets for its warmth, breathability, and ability to stay cozy even when damp. You’ll find it in pea coats, field jackets, and even hybrid layers sold in local shops in Cork and Limerick. Wool doesn’t need to be fancy—it just needs to be thick enough to trap heat without making you sweat when you’re walking uphill in the rain.

And then there’s the fit. A jacket that’s too tight won’t let you layer up underneath. Too loose, and the wind gets in like it’s invited. Irish people don’t buy jackets for the logo—they buy them for the pockets, the length, and whether the sleeves cover their wrists when they’re reaching for the bus handle. You’ll see people wearing them over jumpers, over thermal shirts, even over light down vests. It’s not fashion. It’s strategy.

You won’t find many people in Ireland wearing lightweight puffer jackets in winter unless they’re tourists. The real winners? Heavy-duty waxed cotton, waterproof nylon with a fleece lining, and classic wool blends from Irish mills. Brands like Barbour, Karrimor, and local makers like Claddagh Outerwear get repeated buys—not because they’re expensive, but because they last. And when they do wear out, people take them to repair shops, not the dump. Repairing a jacket here isn’t a hobby—it’s a habit.

What you won’t see? Thin, trendy jackets with no hood. Jackets that look good in a photo but turn into a wet blanket after 20 minutes outside. Jackets that claim to be "all-season" but fall apart in a Dublin downpour. The truth? Ireland doesn’t have seasons in the way other countries do. It has wet, colder wet, and slightly less wet. Your jacket needs to handle all three.

Below, you’ll find real stories from people who’ve tested these jackets in the worst weather Ireland can throw at them. From students in Dublin who wear the same one for five winters, to farmers in Mayo who swear by their waxed cotton coats, to workers in Belfast who need waterproofing that lasts through 12-hour shifts. These aren’t reviews from influencers. These are lived-in truths.