The Truth About Living in a Derelict Cottage in Ireland (Pros & Cons) 

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Brilliant advice. Whilst many cottages in Ireland look lovely from afar. They're definitely not for the faint hearted 😊

You've taken me back fifteen years to when we decided to build a house in a village here in north-east Poland. It was just after Poland joined the EU and everyone with property to sell was waiting for Germans to come along and make them rich. So the market was stagnant. After living with the outlaws for a while we decided that the only option we had was renovating an old wreck or building a house. We bought a bit of land with a terrible old ruin on it. A surveyor said it would cost us as much to renovate it as it would to build a new house, so we did. It's not a palace, just 100m3, and it took us three years and a hundred headaches, but it's ours and we adore it. The street lights go out at eleven, and on a cloudy or moonless night it's black as coal, and silent. Not for everyone, but I love it. The only small concern is that when we get old it will be a problem to move snow and cut grass, but we'll cross that bridge when we come to it. In time we renovated that original house and use it for guests now.

You are a wise Ditch Witch to encourage folks to research well, before jumping in! The romance of bathing in a pot of hot water heater on the stove: will only last so long. I moved 1,000 northward, to be able to obtain some land , and peace, when I retired. Almost 22 yrs later & I still love it. I had carried a compass to guarantee a good/open SW exposure. My orchard & gardens are thriving, because of that wee bit o' wisdom that was gifted to me. I would wish, that everyone can (with hard work) achieve their dreams.

€1,750 a month here for a 2 bedroom apartment and an hour and a half commute into Dublin. It's insanity.

Sure getting basic services is expensive but that cost adds that value to your property. I love the peace and quiet of the countryside.

A wee thing to take into account is that most banks won't give a mortgage on a derelict or uninhabitable property.

Isolation is a huge one! I've lived out in the country side all my life in Ireland and in my late 20s now, I'm so bored!! I want to have the best of both, a house out in the country that's only 10 minutes drive from a town so I can dip in and out. The dream.

This was gold, you touched every concern of mine. This changed my entire viewpoint on this “dream house renovation”. I thought it will be way less expensive to get that old farmhouse and renovate.

Thank you so much for this very interesting video. I bought an almost derelict house in France, and, your for and against advice was similar to mine. It took a long time for me on my own to do up the property, but I got there in time (N0 bank loan, just saving as I went along) and it has been worth all the hassle with building planning permission, dodgy builders, cost etc. I chose to live in a tiny village with a bar, a church, a Mairie, a village hall, and 200 inhabitants as I did not want isolation being on my own. The house though is secluded. I live 20 mns from the beaches, and between 3 towns 15mn drive away. Yes, location is very important. There are two train stations also 10mns away that can take me to cities, like Paris, Rennes or Caen. I had one basic liveable room to start with with fire place, table chairs, bed, wardrobe, fridge & cooker. I put raffia floor matting over the cement floor for warmth and bought a state of the art paraffin heater for winter nights as the electrics were not adequate for big consumption. I have one acre of land, garden and orchard. I started by doing the roof, then waited 6 years to have the funds to do a complete rewire and complete water drainage, and install a bathroom, I was using a chemical loo in the meantime and washing in the old sink that was there. I lived in Ireland and always felt very sad that those lovely old cottages were left to rot as they represent the heart and identity of that beautiful country. It can be done.

good common sense , fair play.....FYI , I did a little research on the Croi Grant, you defiantly can do the work yourself, but you'll only be able to claim for materials....still its good thought, you'll have to get an electrician and Plummer anyways, so between their costs ,and the costs of the materials for yourself, you wont be long going through the 30,000 / 50,000 grant.....also, there is a 18 month time limit on doing the work, and you only get the grant when the work is finished.

Same horror story here in Quebec,Canada rental prices are ridiculous 😓! Like yourselves I dream of moving to the country. Bon courage mon amie xx.

Country life 😮s the way to go!! No neighbors, no noise private land I love my farmhouse, did her up Tudor style.

Good sound advice , I have done a few self builds in my time , don't get overwhelmed by the magnitude of the project, concentrate on one bit at a time , fliting from one thing to another will end up incurring mistakes and money , a very elderly builder gave me some great advice?........"always remember ten hundreds is a thousand" that's the mindset to bring a project in on budget

You've presented essential check lists to consider and analyze thoroughly before purchasing land. You did so with authenticity and charm, a challenging combination to master. I think your facts are straight. But I could not listen to that music and you at the same time. I had to mute the video and read the closed caption, which is an unfortunate compromise. Is there any chance, future videos can restrain music to the introduction and to the farewells? I went this route - land, built a cabin, raised a beautiful garden et al - when I was in my late twenties. You know what you're talking about. Excellent video, if the music is lost.

Were just outside of Winnipeg in canada on a small acreage in a mobile home from 1990 we bought for $38000 can funds After moving it, and building a gravel pad etc we were at about $54000 We renovated, new floors, windows, ikea kitchen, paint, marketplace scores for appliances and bathroom we are around $95000 Built a double garage 24x26 for $25000 Still have to build decks but we have 1148 sq ft of living space. For $200000 we could have built new house but at 720 sq ft no basement. Of course we had the land. If you get a mobile built after 1986 in Manitoba its easier to insure. Ours is 2x6 construction, and R40 insulation in the roof.

A group of us looked pretty extensively into rehabbing old houses or building on some cheap raw land here in the US and the potential expenses, utilities, and even roadwork needed were nooo joke. Rather than going that route, two of us just bought two houses and invited the rest to come rent there, and honestly, that's been *MUCH* easier. Living out in nature sounds so beautiful, but for now having a huge backyard and a lovely community is holding me over. I'm so glad you're enjoying the country cottage life!

Hang your washing out in winter and be amazed. My mother always hung it out in winter and it would dry and this was in NORWAY

Something I’ve seen that works good is to put up a little house with a wood heater in it next to the house and use ducts to blow the warm air into the house or trail

Honestly, it would be incredible just to see Ireland, but I think what you are doing is super cool!

We bought a not derepict, but not lived in either, cottage 6 years ago. I agree with you on all points! Personally, id never live anywhere else and love being close to nature and watching the seasons turn, its magic. But! It took us six years to even get a new roof on it - and we did that ourselves 😂 I would add another point too. Many oeople are buying these places but arent prepared for the difference in living standards. It can take years to get the house comfortable and fully dry. I dont think anything compares to the feeling of owning your own, quirky, historic cottage. They deserve to be lived in. Liked and subsribed in Wexford. Youre brill!

Great video Tara! One thing to add when speaking about access to services is internet/mobile phone coverage. The amount of white spots in rural ireland is brutal and it can break your neck if you're planning on working from home.

One thing you didn't mention is the health service. In rural Ireland this can be a bit of an issue. Expect long waiting lists and though people think it's free it's not. It not fair on the normal tax payers for people to live a subsistence life and apply for a medical card at the expense of others. Another thing is the running cost of cars. That can be very expensive, especially if anything does wrong. If you need a mechanic you're usually stuck with a local one whether they are good or not. It would have taken two weeks to get some suspension parts for my Nissan x-trail and a 90Km round trip to collect them. It was easier and cheaper to have them delivered from the UK to a relative in Northern Ireland and just drive up and collect them. There are difficulties getting anything posted to Ireland from the UK since brexit. All in all its not as easy as people seem to think!

Brilliant considerations Tara which I needed to hear as I look myself! Thanks a mil x Hope ye are well up there!

I had a great solution to buying a cottage in Ireland.... I bought one in Brittany . All the benefits of a beautiful Brythonic Celtic environment with a better climate...... and none of the shite ! 😆

Hello from Connecticut USA great video.People also dont factor in waste construction debris.They cost a fortune over here.Have to get to Ireland,we are looking at Isle of Wight in UK to relocate.We are choosing slowly! Youre very sweet and informative best of luck with your home.

I agree with everything you said and have been trough every you said. Had to laugh about the mould in the cariban. I slept in one 3 days a week with no water or electric. One thing do was my septic tank wasn't as expensive. 3600 for the tank. 3 grand for pipe work and stone. And then the fee for the digger. I enjoyed your vid

You are looking lovely as ever Tara. Tis more radiant you are getting. I love listening to all your shared wisdom, they're nuggets xxx

That's a fantastic list of pros and cons.

Well Tara, You're living My dream, and I can't think of Anyone better than you and Dave, to Have it ! You're looking Wonderful, Everything will work out Fine ! ❤️💚💖🐝xx

Im planning to return back to Ireland (3 years so far, just the paperwork issue) I found a place that ideal as I am use to very remote and isolated locations as spent many years travelling and working. I was told by solicitor that I am a loon in Irish (access issues) but too have land I can start up a business but planning and councils are the main headache as it is basic living which Im use too. So watching this video and reading comments (getting some idea of direction where to go next and some advice) Im waiting to see what support there is to make dream into reality as this would be my first home at age of been in 40's bracket.

Lovely and practical lady, many thanks.

Great video Tara and brilliant advice!

with regards to mobile home we have had exactly the opposite experience! When we bought our derelict house...1 year 1/2 ago we made 2 rooms "livable" and moved straight in the house...after a 1 year mold was everywhere and us, very sick. So now we got a mobile home...but the first thing we installed was the wood burning stove, we did it ourselves (never did it before) and it does make a hell of a difference! she works wonders :). so, after a year living in the house while working on other rooms we had to move out in the mobile to regain some health. I have other friends who have been living for more than 6 years on mobile home and again, the first and best thing they ever did was installing the stove....no problem in that front. So just keep that in mind :) P.S. both mobile homes in question are definitely not new fangled ones ;)

As of Aug, 2023 the MEDIAN price of a home in Los Angeles is $1million. No typo. $1 million dollars, passing San Francisco. In San Diego, where I live, its $910,000. A one bedroom rental averages $2000. Its madness. At this rate, it'll soon be time to pick up a brick!

Excellent video filled with so much information, and not just for Ireland. A lot to think about when making that romantic dream a reality.

You detailed everything fantastically. Well done.

Here is one for you Tara, I have recently come into an inheritance after my mothers death. Since then I have been searching for the right place. I finally got him to come around a bit when I suggested living on a boat and I have a few years served with the Irish naval reserves. But my main problem is my brother is a retired cop so he wants me paying as much tax and crap as possible. Can I ask you and others for some advice on this matter

Your SOLID Advice is priceless, Ditch Witch (gr8 name). The current cost of materials is eye watering post covid as compared to 5 years ago..and yes the government policies has a huge impact on this..for empty nesters who wish to down size the problem is the same.so the market is stalled.for everyone.good luck with finish of your 🏡

Number 1 should be for all dreamers a planning permission. Mostly rural sites, are for so called local needs. This means if you are not from here, or not working in rural enterprises, your dream may be squashed by local council. You are not from this community so local would not allow you to be in here.

AT LAST! a realistic down to earth beautifully put together piece of very sensible advice Thank-You.

Great video, I hope you are going to document the whole renovation, warts and all.

Good solid advice. Enjoy your adventure living in your cottage ❤

Awesome video! Subscribed and looking forward to checking out your cottage and reno work. I left the big city for a rural life with bears and other critters in Canada 10 years ago!

I looked up the prices of derelict cottages in County Leitrim & was shocked. I moved 2000 miles away from the beautiful place I lived to have a beautiful, affordable home. The world is a tough place these days.

Very practical and down to earth advice.

My sense after living in rural Ireland for 10 years and doing a major project on a nearly derelict 300 sq meter farmhouse is that a decent warm dry 100 sq meter house with services will cost 150-160,000 anywhere on the island. If you buy a place for 40,000 expect to spend 100-120, 000 to get it to modern living standards. You can credit to those figures any work you can do yourself. Dont expect something;g for nothing. If it paid, someone would have already been there.

I have the council on my back at the moment. I been here a shave under 7 years before someone reported me, thing is I lived here but no septic tank And they expected a compost toilet till I showed them my cassette toilet in my van and my boyfriend present to confirm it’s emptied at his place. Grey water from sink empties into bucket (with lid)and goes down same septic. And I spend almost every night at his place unless my livestock are sick or birthing.( horses and chickens) I also stick around if prey are prowling about(foxes, pine martens) so if you move to a similar place, adopt a similar friend that doesn’t mind bending the rules to fit your narrative. Years ago everyone had their acre with a pig or cow or goat and survived. Today it’s all about keeping the taxman happy before your survival mode. And the council are the taxman’s flying monkeys. Shelter is a basic human need just like food or water or sleep according to Maslow hierarchy of human needs, and if it’s self funded why is it demonised🤔is it not better than getting benefits to shelf you up in some damp town hole?

Good luck to ya!

Exelant presentation upbeat and informative while all the entertaining kind regards Sean from the Burren

the septic tank thing is one thing i heard about.

I wish she didn’t have that music going on while she is speaking about the tips on buying. It is most distracting.

I believe theres a reason some of these old cottages werent inhabited again. My grandmother once mentioned to me that during the famine, some families became so desperate they locked themselves inside to starve and pray. Very difficult to think about. Buying an old cottage to reno sounds dandy. But I couldn't sleep with that degree of sorrowful energy. That being said...Im sure its not true of all old Irish cottages. I wonder if itd be palatable enough to feel before purchase if you did enounter one?

Great video. Very informative! Jim in California

Nice video, we did up a cottage in a town and even then it is really difficult to find tradesmen so you have to be handy. What about internet? It is terrible in remote areas, though a friend went with Elon's skynet , er I mean stsrlink and says it's great, and yeah there are a ton of grants out there Good luck

I just don't see how I can afford any house in this country! :/

Excellent advice - thank you! ❤️

Very useful...THANK YOU....

Very helpful video thankyou 💖💖💖

you are wonderful to do this for all the wannabes in Ireland

Great video. What's the accent? Not Louth . . . maybe Monaghan?

Pros: It's not outside. Cons: Everything else.

Isolation? Absolutely a positive :)

Does anyone know how to unblock a soak pit

Brilliant advice,tgank you 😊

You need power on it, otherwise you're into a rewire.

Hi Tara... So great to see your dreams come true Tara... you can see it in your face and countenance. I'm sure it's not always easy, but keep the big picture in heart!

Remember you move rural fkn rats in the roof ,cothere in the countryside to and them old cottages are great for having rat runs in the walls and roofs

♡ i LOVE your accent please please please .............. ~ whether I get to be your neighbor in Ireland (an absolute ♡ dream for me) or not .... with all my heart I pray we shall be in Heaven 🙏 🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏

I live in New York State in the United States. You're not telling me nothing. I don't know.

The background music is really not good and takes away from what you are saying

Happy int the USA. Dont wont to move anywhere

What do you do when there is no wind. Or no sun. Lol. Seriously

Bought a derelict thatched cottage on 3 acres an hour from Dublin 4 years ago. Have a 120 sqm extension. Suffice it to say, if anyone reading wants to buy it drop me a line.

You've told em the way it is sham, If they half a brain, they will listen to what u say.🍀

Don’t do it. You’ll never be accepted by the locals. Fact!!!! Are you Irish?????" Lol

feck.... sitting down and stayihng with my auld.....

Good info. Why all the stupid edits?

WITCH

You are awfully cute. Do you have a single sister by any chance?

$550-$1000/week for a smallish 2room place here in Adelaide. LouiseAustralia 🦘