Ireland’s holidaymakers reveal their gadget obsessions - 30% of Irish people have forgotten to pack their passports according to Currys survey

Danny Joyce | Editor
Jul 1
3 min read

As holiday season heats up, a new survey from Currys reveals what really makes it into Irish suitcases - and spoiler alert: it’s not the toothbrush.

In fact, 85% of Irish travellers admitted they’d pack their smartphone before brushing up on the essentials. When it comes to airport priorities, it’s clear: TikTok > toothpaste.

Currys’ holiday gadget survey dives into Ireland’s packing habits and some truly tragic tales of gadget-forgetting chaos.

Tech before teeth - the gadget hierarchy

Let’s be honest - who hasn’t shoved a power bank into their bag and then remembered their socks? According to the survey:

The smartphone reigns supreme with 85% prioritising it over all else
Wireless headphones and hair straighteners, Nintendo Switches and power banks followed
Toothbrush? Not even in the running

We’ve all been there: The top forgotten essentials

When it comes to packing blunders:

Plug adapter tops the list (70%) – how are we still forgetting this?
Toothbrushes (43%) and chargers (38%) also mysteriously vanish
Passports? A nerve-wracking 30% have left theirs behind

Meltdown moments: When holidays go technologically wrong

From forgotten earphones on long-haul flights (with four small children) to mistaking your backup phone for your real one (and missing your wedding day assignment), the stories rolled in:

“No headphones. No entertainment. No book. Four kids. One airline strike. It was… painful.”
“I forgot my adapter and bought a cheap phone that took awful photos. It ruined everything I’d planned.”
“Missed all the cute couple selfies because I assumed my partner had all the tech, he didn’t.”

From budget to bougie: Hotel room upgrades, powered by tech

Who needs a five-star hotel when you’ve got five-star gadgets? Here’s what Irish holidaymakers bring:

Portable fans (34%) - because 23°C is too much
Bluetooth speakers and streaming sticks (26% each)
Mini iron (9%) - no wrinkles here

Ireland’s holiday tech personalities: Who are you?

A whopping 60% of Irish holidaymakers identified as snap-happy tourists, snapping thousands of pics and living their best Instagram life. Meanwhile, 17% prefer to kick back and stream their favourite TV shows with a cocktail in hand. 7% proudly unplug as tech-free hippies, switching off (and probably losing their phone in the process). And let’s not forget the 15% who pack every possible gadget “just in case” – you're not overpacking, you’re just prepared.