I got back from a trip in December, and would recommend as others have, that you layer and bring a raincoat with a zip-out liner and a good hood (my raincoat goes down to my knees, so I get plenty of coverage and was never cold.) The weather wasn't as cold as I'd expected, but it was windier/gustier than I'd planned for... umbrellas are worthless. Rather than packing a bunch of bulky sweaters, I packed long silk underwear, cotton turtlenecks, a couple of light , thermal socks and gloves. I was plenty warm (most days, I didn't even use the long underwear.) You can ALWAYS buy a great sweater while you're over there if you find you've packed too light. Also, if you keep your feet dry, you'll keep warm. Bring waterproof shoes (I have Merrells). It WILL rain while you're there. Lots. (And if you tend toward dry skin, bring moisturizer/chapstick, etc.) As for the cell phone question, consider using Skype if you're bringing a laptop. It's free if you dial computer-to-computer, and there's a nominal charge for dialing from a computer to a land line (you have to buy minutes in advance for that). I never gave it much thought before, but am a rabid proponent of Skype after the trip. The software is a quick, free, online download (skype.com). You can do it with or without a webcam (I have one built into my laptop, and bought a $30 low-end webcam for hubby on his end.) You'll need a headset with microphone (which you can get for $10-20). The sound quality is excellent, and the technology is finally ready for prime time --- no choppy delays or dropped calls or anything --- I swear, it was just like a videophone (you can Skype without video). Every hotel I stayed in had wifi, although in my Killarney hotel, they'd give you an activation code that was only good for 30 consecutive minutes, and you'd have to walk down to the front desk to get a code for another 30 minutes, which sounds like it would suck --- and it did --- but I did get to be very good friends with Moira at the front desk, and all those trips up and down the stairs helped work off the Irish breakfast. But I digress. In short, Skype rocks. HTH, Karen