what not to take...

kushaiah · Member

what not to take...

tony2phones · Guru

Ireland has a large variety of shops and supermarkets to meet your needs in any and all departments without having to break the bank.

Michele Erdvig · Host

Kush,

Prices in Ireland are more expensive for most everything. But as Tony says it won't break the bank! Have you looked at my Packing page?

Have a fantastic trip to Ireland!!

Michele

kushaiah · Member

of course ;) The Packing List in your book as well, but you mention taking things I don't normally pack because of carryon restrictions, like shampoo and razors...

We will be there 15 days, too long for 3oz ... just wanted to see if you or your readers had advice. Can I get good generic brands there? What's a good store to shop in? We will be renting a car at the airport and staying in dublin for 2 days before heading to Kilkenny...

stewh · Guru

You can of course buy everything you will need in Ireland. If you google one of the grocery stores (like Super Valu) you can probably check the 'specials'. Dunnes Stores is a chain of Department Stores; my wife particularly likes the ones in Downtown Ennis and Kilkenny Town. There are plenty of grocers and Pharmacies. Many of the same brands we see in North America are available in Ireland. While I would not make a major electronic or camera purchase in Ireland the cost difference of the sorts of things you ask about is negligible. Have a great trip. We'll be in the West from mid September to mid October.

egnolive · Veteran Member

We always do carryon. You should double check but last time I did, you could bring razors and blades. Depending on how long you will be there, one disposable razor may do the trick. I've always carried on small toothpaste and small hand lotion to tide me over until we land and find a store.

You will have no trouble finding shampoo, conditioner, lotions, mouthwash, etc. in Ireland. There are variations in prices as there as is the US, but even though they may be more expensive than the cheapest brands in the US, its not that much more. Even in the smallest town, there will be some sort of store with the items. Plus we always enjoy going to the store, looking at their brands and mingling with the locals.

Don't worry!

Michele Erdvig · Host

I agree that it is fun looking around Irish stores. You never know when you will find that jar of goose fat you were looking for or a pocket watch near the wellies display.

Michele

kushaiah · Member

I guess I put my question wrong.. what I was trying to find out is which of you that travel to Ireland alot, and were going for a 2 week stay, would bother with bringing stuff from home even if it meant you had to check baggage. Do you feel it is worth it to bring stuff or better to not have the hassle of checking?

For example, when we fly to HI, we always have to check because we bring a large amount of stuff for use in our condo.

So I guess my real question is... to check or not to check?

egnolive · Veteran Member

No need to check. Its just a hassle carrying all that stuff around. And there is no need for lots of clothes and stuff. Plus the car will probably be smaller so you may not be able to fit several large bags without going to a larger car. And that you don't want with the Irish roads and added expense.

We always bring a small fold up bag to store our laundry. There are launderettes available to wash your clothes. If you end up buying a lot of souvenirs, you can use the bag to check your laundry on the way home and carry all your gifts in your carryon.

We've gone as long as three weeks with a small carryon. Would never check on luggage, especially with the added expense.

Michele Erdvig · Host

Kush,

I've traveled for a month with just carry-on. I usually bring a week's worth of clothes and then plan on doing laundry at a launderette. Actually, you just drop the dirty clothes off and pick up freshly laundered and folded clothes later in the day. But plan it out so you do the laundry mid-week. Not a good idea to do it on weekends or a Sunday (could be closed).

Since I like certain un-scented products I do take them along. Otherwise you can buy things in Ireland including many brands we have here in the USA. Since I usually don't go shopping on the first day, I take along tiny products like shampoo, etc. to get me through a day or two. You can find travel-sized things at Wal Mart, Target, drugstores, etc. I also take a full-size bar of my favorite bath soap since B&Bs tend to have tiny little bars that wouldn't wash a mouse.

Michele

CowboyCraic · Guru

Kush,

I use a carry-on bag for my trips, as they fit in the boot of most car rentals handily. I, too, carry a large fold up carry-on for my laundry. The drop-off laundry service, available in most twons, is wonderful! I can drop off the dirty laundry on my way out for a day of photography and pick up "Grandma Clean" clothes enroute back to my B&B

Michele,

Thanks for the smile and a memory. One of my travel companions once commented of a typical B&B bathroom shower "My, isn't this shower a grand size....(dramatic pause)...for a mouse! biggrin biggrin biggrin

-- Edited by CowboyCraic on Tuesday 30th of August 2011 06:09:35 PM

Michele Erdvig · Host

Bit,

I call them "coffin showers" since they are about the same size as a coffin. Although I have never tried a coffin on for size and hope not to for quite some time.

Michele

CCJPO · Member

Take half the clothes, and twice the money. That is the best advice I can give. LOL

kushaiah · Member

Good idea to go ahead and bring my "travel" sizes.. you are right I probably won't feel like drug store shopping my first day!

I lent my normal "laundry" folding bag to my daughter.. really nice one I got on a trip to Disney world.. never see that again!

My home shower isn't much bigger than a coffin.. so I'll probably feel right comfortable!

Thanks for the info.. Can wait to touch down on Green!!! (live in an area in TX that is in the drought..)

Michele Erdvig · Host

Kush,

Better prices at supermarkets like Tesco, Dunnes, etc. rather than the smaller "chemist shops" (drugstores). I just take a few large black garbage bags and put my laundry in them. I keep them in the trunk (boot) of the car and tote the laundry from my room into the trunk each day.

Hope you love green damp Ireland after the drought.

Michele