I will be staying in 3 seperate cottages in Ireland for a week each time. I just realized that quite a few things that are provided in B&B's/Hotels may not be provided in houses you rent such as toilet paper, paper towels, trash bags, can opener, to name a few.

Would someone(s) help me out on what I should take or purchase before arriving at our first stop? (I'm pretty sure from all I've heard and read on prices in Ireland that taking the necessary items will be cheaper than buying them over there. Unless of course my suitcase starts tipping the scales over 40/50/70? pounds then all bets are off!)

Speaking of luggage weight limits. Domestic limits are now 40/50 pounds and the international flight limits are 70 pounds. Does this mean that I'm limited to the domestic limit even though my actual destination is an international flight and vice versa coming back to the states?

Many thanks for your input... Ali

I would contact the owner/agency before buying anything and hauling it to Ireland. And quite honestly, if a house didn't have toilet paper, paper towels, trash bags, or a can opener (not to mention a host of other basic items) I wouldn't rent it.

You should find the house stocked with paper products to last you the first few days at least; then you buy more. Each property owner is different, of course, but we found a pint of milk, butter, sugar, s&p, coffeee, and some cookies waiting for us in our Sligo self-catering cottage.
The only way I'd pack paper goods across the Atlantic would be to be sure to have room in the luggage for new Irish woollens on the return trip.

I agree- contact the rental office to understand what will be provided. There's always toilet paper in the bathrooms- but not extra rolls for your stay. Most agencies will provice a grocery service as well. I've used this for the basic for the first night/day- milk, juice, eggs, and bread. I bring cereal and snacks. Since we travel with our horde of kids I throw in a bag of pasta for the emergency meal. Coffee and tea also travel. Don't forget packets of sugar for the morning coffee- I could never bring myself to buy a whole container of suger when I only needed a few spoonfuls in the morning.
Since you'll be in three different houses I pack zip bags, a soft sided cooler and ice packs to move the food from one place to another.

We've done self-catering twice in small privately owned cottages and both were well supplied with the basics i.e., toilet paper, garbage bags, paper towels. I believe you will find at least an initial supply of everything you need. We even found salt and pepper in the cabinet and "washing up" liquid under the kitchen sink. I would assume most self-catering places are similarly supplied. I sure wouldn't bother trying to pack any supplies. Anything that you need can be picked up at a local shop at minimal expense.

Well, there you go. I knew I could count you. You gave me just the kind of answers/ideas I needed.

To be honest, there's one cottage not far from Sligo that is only costing me E200 and another one in Slane (E250), that are such good bargains that I did wonder just how much might be provided.
A couple of years ago, my mom, brother and I rented a chateaux in France and the kitchen was well stock with the basics. Christine, the owner, even had wine and cheese for us on our arrival.

Highledge,I, too, never travel without my collapsible, insulated bag and of course many zip-lock bags.

Thanks.

We just returned from Ireland. We stayed in two different cottages. When the toilet paper was gone, there was none to refill it in the first cottage; there was in the second. You need to have your own soap. Some cottages do not supply towels. I don't think they use facecloths, so bring your own if you want them. If the previous renter has left dishwashing liquid, dishwasher or washer detergent, it will be there. Otherwise you are on your own.
One word of advise. The washing machine/dryer(it is one small unit) is not what we are used to. You can only do small loads and they take forever.
Having said all this, we loved our cottages!
Enjoy!