What are things I shouldn't leave home without when traveling to Ireland for a week?
Thanks!

Honestly its no different than the U.S. We have toilet paper here, all mod cons, Maybe an umbrella but it does not rain nearly as much as people think (At least not in Dublin where the sun is blasting all week here!) Its spring so bring a jacket or sweater as its not hot but comfortable.

Passport (+alternative photo ID if you don't like your passport picture);
Tickets to get you home;
Documentary proof of suitable insurance;
At least two of cash, credit card, ATM card;
Assortment of clothing to suit your preferences (including some suitable for showers or rain);
Trade goods (indian beads go down well, but don't bother with baseball cards);
An open mind (empty head?);
Sense of humour.

This I don't class as indispensible - even in my kitchen, but why do many people put ziploc bags on such a list????

Whatever you'd take on just about any trip

One thing you might not think of - if you use one - is a wash cloth, since most European/Irish B&Bs/hotels do not provide them. (That is one big reason for bringing a ziplok)

If we're renting a car, we always bring CDs.

or buy CDs there. I prefer rain gear to an umbrella because of the winds.

If you are walking for any length of time, you are likely to get some rain. Sure Siobhan, this year you have a dry May, when I'm not there. Last year was the wettest in history. This is all your fault.

Bill

I always buy my umbrella if needed in Ireland.

Bill; for that smile, blessings. Dry as a bone here just now....But who knows what next week will bring.

You might want to take a currency converter if you're taking anything electric or anything that needs to be charged.

I'm confused...currency converter? Though that was about money? Sigh...It is all very confusing, these American terms. Gardens are yards, and flowerbeds are gardens...

I'm probably using the wrong term. Voltage converter? It's the small device you plug into an outlet so that American electronic items will work. Necessary for anyone with a cell phone or IPOD that must be charged.

Currency converter = a cheatsheet or software program to compute € to $

Voltage converter (I'm sure that is what you meant - "current" converter) = a gizmo that lets you use electric appliances. This is not needed IF the appliance is dual voltage

Plug adaptor = what you need to plug your dual voltage battery charger/hairdryer, etc into the wall in Ireland.

thanks so much for all the info, guys!

and anchoress, your confusion about American terms makes me smile, because I am confused about quite a few European terms!
A yard is like the grass and stuff around your house or property. A garden is where you grow your vegetables, herbs, and sometimes flowers. Yes, a garden can be a flowerbed, but they are different in that flowerbeds strictly consist of flowers.
...not that you really wanted to know, I'm sure...

Don't know if I'd classify this as indespensible, but I always throw in a couple of plastic grocery bags as grocery stores don't give out bags and if you buy the makings of a picnic, it can be awkward trying to carry them without. You could also bring a string bag or one of those nylon totes that fold up to nothing. You can put them in your pocket to be handy whenever you need them.

Yes; there is a tax levied at the check out on plastic bags here, as Ireland tries to "go green" and recycle. The shops give sturdy paper carrier bags and most people now have reusable bags which the supermarkets sell.

without wings; ah, but these things are all a part of "being abroad"...Like the bright green post vans and letter boxes here; after an excursion "over the border" they are a sign of home too.

Ah bill poor you, come back soon, the weather has been amazing the past 2 weeks. Look set for a hot one this summer...long may it last. Saw my first sunburned person yesterday...ok maybe they were out all day and fairier than most of us but hey its getting there!

Just pack what you do for a normal trip and you will be ok. Make sure if you bring a hairdryer you have a current adapter as mentioned or it could catch fire....my mother's did years ago and nearly dset her hair on fire. My auntie was not impressed as well as it was her house and we melted the socket! At least her house is still standing

We are in rented accommodation; we borrowed a mixer from the landlord's wife. When we found it had a US 2 pin plug, we asked how she made it work. Apparently she stuck a pencil in the spare hole, she said.... Needless to say, we used the proper converter..

I promise, I'll be back ....