Searching for Our Dream Home in Ireland 🇮🇪

Journey Through Ireland

The travelers move from County Sligo to County Donegal, visit Beth and George as they renovate an abandoned Irish cottage, and then continue to Glendalough.

Preparing the Van

They reorganize their stored belongings and pack winter clothes, blankets, and dry food. They also wash a dirty solar panel to improve its power output. With enough water and food, they say the van can support extended off-grid stays.

Night temperatures have fallen to around 10°C, and a biting wind makes it feel colder. They bring out warm clothes and a fleece jacket for Bella, their dog.

Visiting an Abandoned Cottage

Beth and George bought an abandoned cottage at auction for €48,000. Because the property sits on wet, boggy ground, they built an access track and installed a French drain to carry water away.

Their renovation plans include opening up the interior, bringing in more natural light, insulating the walls, repairing the stonework, and fitting a red terracotta-style roof.

Fuel and Rubbish

Diesel costs about €2.119 per litre at the station they found. Filling the van cost €140 and gave them roughly 400 miles of travel.

They also try a paid “Big Bin” at a petrol station to dispose of household rubbish. They find it useful, although the code for the first bin does not work.

Glendalough

At Glendalough National Park, they walk a roughly two-kilometre nature trail with views across the mountain valley and lake. Later, they find a scenic overnight stop overlooking a lake.

The hosts describe Ireland’s weather as changeable and hope to explore the coast when conditions improve.

People and Places

• Locations: County Sligo, County Donegal, Glendalough National Park, and Beth and George’s cottage
• People and animals: Travelling hosts, cottage renovators Beth and George, and Bella and Bruce