Winter In An Old Irish Cottage. Surviving Snow & Power Outages

[@AdeleMcAlear]

Canadian here. I'm chuckling about your snow. But you've given sound advice about heat and cooking during a power outage. Be mindful that if your water is from a well, your pump may be electric so a power outage means you can't draw water. If you think you might lose electricity, fill up your (clean) bathtub with cold water. Likewise, fill up your biggest soup pot and empty bottles. If you don't have a reserve of water before you lose power, collect snow in pots to melt. Don't flush the toilet unless necessary. You can bail a pan of water from the tub into the bowl to flush once the reservoir had been used. It's also a really good idea to get a carbon monoxide detector in your house if you plan on using camping equipment for cooking or heating indoors. Ventilation is recommended while camping equipment is in use.

[@maryconroy1771]

Carbon monoxide monitor very good advice

[@trevorwills3356]

@@maryconroy1771 They're an absolute nuisance and will go off constantly even If there is no monoxide gas.

[@gillymcilroy]

@@trevorwills3356 I've had mine for several years sitting near my gas cooker and it never goes off (yes I've tested its working) maybe there is something wrong with yours?

[@trevorwills3356]

@@gillymcilroy Each time the council service my boiler they leave a new detector and it's as I describe. I've had to wrap the current detector in thick cloth and hide it in the cupboard as it goes off even when it's in the bathroom.

[@tarsneyisleestrelas4659]

Canadian born,lived in Ireland most of my life,(Irish Mum),we have log burners for heating in a power cut and a gas cooker,we collect rain water and charge our phones in the car.Great advice but we don,t really get real snow here unlike you guys.

[@thegoodcremeveganicecream7869]

OMG, you are just the cutest! Love the BBQ in the snow and the mail carrier coming by. 🤣😂🤣

[@lorraine9309]

Is it ok to be envious? You live the life I've always dreamed of.

[@CheapIrishHouses]

Aw Lorraine you’re so kind! It’s a lovely life. But not an easy one at times. Days like this make it all worth it though. Maggie xx

[@A_O_Leary]

We boil the kettle and fill all thermos. If the electricity goes the kettle goes and if the kettle goes the tea goes and if the tea goes I don’t know what happens and don’t want to find out.

[@nicolasdejager7845]

Oh how jealous am I now of you and the snow,busy sweating my butt off in Southern Mozambique.

[@bernadettedunne118]

Hi Maggie, I'm enjoying your video so much, both for the information and the laughs. You're making me homesick with your accent and sayings! I grew up, "just up the road" from you in rural Westmeath. I'm now living in Germany but hoping to find my forever home back in Ireland one day. Keep safe and well and keep the videos coming.

[@julibeswick-valentine3690]

Fairly heavy snow and ice here on the Shehy mountains at the moment, a regular event. Its all boreens around me and they are treacherous when iced up. So of course the presse is now well prepared for the winter. This has evolved over the years because like you we lose everything, if there is a storm or heavy wind its the same. I am at the end of the line for electricity so I am the last to be repaired. I got rid of the electric cooker after the first year and bought a Calor gas one, I often use the multi fuel stoves to cook or boil water. I already had the Super Ser heater which helped too, I didn't have central heating for a few years. I learnt to keep 5ltr bottles of water in the barn and there are water butts full of water for flushing the loo or for the animals. I have battery operated lights even the Christmas ones handy as well as candles and oil lamps. 5 years ago I invested in 2 diesel generators to run the water pump, freezers, chargers for devices etc etc and 1 for the milking parlour. They are not the whole answer but they make life very bearable. I must mention insulation, lag every pipe you can find as well the water tanks in the attics and don't forget the water pump house. Do it before winter sets in.

[@Nursewhilomena]

Great advice Maggie. A bit of hardship does you good! We went without electricity for 2 months when we first got our little houseen. Thinking of how our ancestors lived made us realise we shouldn't complain. BUT boy did we appreciate it when we got it!

[@vargavideo]

I'm in central New Jersey/US, and dreaming about getting snowed in in my future Irish cottage... Love and Appreciate your videos, Maggie!

[@lynwill65]

Such beautiful scenery to watch as I sit here in Melbourne Australia and it's 39C / 102F

[@douglasadventures7417]

I laughed so hard when you said that about us irish mammies my kids are always saying if they are ever stuck just go to the supermarket under the stairs lol

[@PurdyBear1]

My grandma was the same, she came from the country side.

[@helenoreillylong9497]

You’re gas. I am loving your videos and enjoying hearing the words that were once a part of my daily vocab. Can’t wait to be able to come home for a holiday.

[@davidoconnor8769]

Great tips! Beautiful surroundings too.

[@cynthiahamblin-perry5880]

My mother's parents were both born in Tipperary. I haven't been there since 1973 and there were no sitka pines then. My auntie heated and cooked with peat and we used an outhouse then! Living in New England I got a chuckle about your snow! We don't lose our electric very often but we heat with wood anyway. This was fun! Enjoying the houses you show - brings back memories.

[@maryjohnston1326]

Oh my gosh what a lovely video to watch ! You make snow look fun ! Thank for this ! 😉😉😉😉

[@sunnyspring5105]

Loved the video and advice. To save fuel you can bring your food to the boil then put into an isulated bag or box to retain the heat and it will continue to simmer for hours. Cooks great stews. There are special pots out now to do that but a le crueset or similar into an isulation box or anything you can drum up works as well. Happy and hopefully warm and well lit Christmas to all.

[@nualarosth8448]

I am Irish living in Sweden we have Winter tires on our cars it makes driving so much safer. I just found you and I am so excited to go back to look at all your videos🇮🇪💚☘️

[@malachy1847]

"As an Irish man Living in Ireland" we have ,"All Season Tyres" on our Cars when people were laughing at me preaching the need for same but when , "The Beast from the East" hit us it was a different story we were the only Car leaving a Hotel in Wexford that day as most were spinning their wheels in the car park, those tyres coupled with an old School Honda CRV which had 'Real Time' four Wheel Drive got us through same... we were one of the very few cars to get back up out of Wexford into Waterford and down to Cork we were in the thick of same, but it was great road trip on the way back was just like the Austrian Tyrol...best wishes to you from ,"The Rebel County."

[@sarahstrong7174]

If you have a reasonable fireplace you can use a Dutch Oven. Make a fire, place your Dutch Oven in put your bread (or whatever) in, put embers on top. Cook!

[@JeanReinhardtWriter]

Great video and advice. We did that in our twenties, our thirties and now we've moved into a small town cottage that we're renovating in our sixties. You're right about the fun of it. Lot's of hard work on a tight budget but so many great memories.

[@Plasterer1]

Sounds fantastic !! great info maggi keep em coming 👍👍

[@CheapIrishHouses]

Thanks Anthony! Any excuse to get out in the snow 😂

[@lisamitchell7070]

I’m of Irish background that moved to Canada in the 1830s onward. These hints are absolutely correct. Weather/climate in western Canada is even harsher than Ireland. She’s got this absolutely spot on.

[@sowenchantedirishkitchenga8282]

I was 12 in the snow of ‘82 in Tallaght army dropping bread etc having to walk into the city to mind my mams aunt and walking home again!!! Scarred for life 🤣🤣🤣

[@florahibernica]

We grew up with a petrol generator in the shed! The electricity it produces would kill a computer, but it kept pumps and freezers juiced.

[@avidsquarehead]

I always keep a mobile phone or tablet on charge so I’ll have at least two fully charged if there’s an outage. Also, I can heat a kettle or pan on the wood burner so I have heat and cooking facility when there’s no electricity. Plus, camping stove + lanterns are kept inside the door of the attic for easy access. Finally, a landline with a basic phone plugged into it means you have telephone even if your power/internet/data/reception fails you. 4WD /tyre snow sleeves / ice-grips for shoes!

[@ldg2655]

Ok... I need Granny Malloy’s fantastic bread recipe, please!!! I LOVE to bake, and breads ( or scones) are my favorite. As to baking and cooking with no electric.. I have a couple of camp stoves and one has an oven... I don’t know if the little propane bottles would be available in Ireland, but you could hook them to a regular barbecue size bottle. You all don’t have wood- burning or pot-bellied stoves in Ireland? Thanks for the lovely video! I remember snow days as a child when living in Virginia... Such FUN!! It STILL sounds like fun to me..

[@lindawilson8434]

I am a new subscriber here in the USA Would love the bread recipe

[@Midnightmeatrain88]

I’d love to get the recipe as well. My best friends family name is Molloy

[@bolton544]

I love all the cottages!! I want one!

[@angelabyrne154]

Here in Australia it gets so hot in the summer that a lot of meals are cooked on the barbecue- including roasting meat.

[@nawniep8471]

Lovely video, can't wait to be living life like you soon!

[@CheapIrishHouses]

👏👏👏 I remember being there! It’s so exciting! And everything you think it’s going to be xx

[@christopherforder8966]

Your energy is amazing and I love your attitude to life. You seem to have such warmth around you that people are drawn too. Your accent is the best in the world and I could listen to you all day. Your very knowledgeable as well and it’s really interesting to listening to you

[@carollackhansingh2732]

I love you Maggie for your practical ideas and your honest simplicity ❤you just know how to save an old cottage and to transform it into a warm cozy place and call it home sweet home 😊

[@jms8346]

I don’t live in a rural place, I’m in a town, but sitting in lockdown last week we suddenly had a power cut and couldn’t do anything, no lights, no heating, no cooking facilities. I suddenly realised we weren’t prepared. I’ve made a list of things I need to put together just in case. Listening to you confirmed I was heading in the right direction, the only thing I can’t have is an open fire. I don’t mind the cold and could manage a couple of days without heat in the winter. Thank you for your advice.

[@malachy1847]

Get a DRY Multi Fuel stove [without a Back boiler] fitted if you have an open fireplace have same sitting proud in a Hearth then WHEN the lights go out you can cook on the top of same, Boil a Kettle make stuff, that and a load of Tea Candle Lights and of course plenty of Wine and you're Sorted...

[@dishmurphy6539]

All great tips but I was expecting to see inside your home to see how you survive. Is there a home tour video? Its absolutely freezing her in New England ( 2 nights ago it was -13 temp & -46 wind chill Fahrenheit ) but thankfully no snow this go around. You can still lose power so we prepare. We have natural immunity, furnace heat to that’s usually not an issue but since our home is over 100 years we still have 1 open fireplace. I’d love to see your home so if anyone can point me there I’d appreciate it. My 85 year old Mum is from Cork City. I worked in Dublin in the early 90’s and I miss it so much. I love watching your videos. There’s a hope to one day move to Ireland but not sure. If I did, I couldn’t afford city prices so your videos are wonderful to see what out there. ✌️🥶💙

[@susanchappell796]

Kelly Kettle and Ecozoom. Plus candles and your good to go.

[@Bettys_Eldest]

We have a village house in France's Planquette valley, no mobile or TV signal at all in the valley. A few years ago we went to a gig in Roubaix sixty miles away. Whilst at the gig it started to snow. We span the car twice in the four hour drive back home. Six inches of snow by the time we got back, by ten in the morning the local authorities had cleared the snow even from our little village. We do keep a portable calor gas heater in case we ever lose power and a battery powered radio. We have a gas cooker, LED emergency lights, and a large drinks cabinet.

[@thomascunniffe1]

Hi-I am in America and recently saw your show on Tubi. I love you videos and channel. I recently got my Irish citizenship and would love someday to buy a house there. Keep these videos and show coming! You do a great job.

[@sowenchantedirishkitchenga8282]

Oh how I loved this 😍💚

[@TXJan0057]

Get yourself a Coleman camp stove that can sit on top of your camp stove or a wood burner. Works for bread or cake.

[@Skarfp]

I love your hat! You look so cozy!

[@islanddweller3674]

Looking at that ominous sky behind you! After a decade in an all electric house in coastal Cornwall? Never again! Now after nearly 20 years in deepest rural West Coast Ireland I moved out here to an offshore island. Always as often I have been cut off, I keep a "pantry"; enough dry goods and tins for around 2 months.. oh and plenty of cat food for my rescues.. These weeks the ferry cannot always get over in gales etc. . It just is second nature. I cook on bottled gas and always a full spare. Solid fuel stove that also heats the water and will run radiators. Island turf...My ESB bill is tiny... Oh and lots of candles etc in stock. It is the most comfortable and comforting way to live. And ESB are wonderful. As I am a pensioner they class me as vulnerable and we get priority in a power cut, so in comes the helicopter. We get very little snow out here. But just over the water is a different matter so even if we got over.

[@sowenchantedirishkitchenga8282]

Beautiful sentiment, we can do all of this and it’s an adventure 💚

[@philmiller2269]

Great tips. Ireland needs more tips for small emergency preps for sure. Blankets, hot water bottles, tins of beans, soups, spaghetti...won't go astray tins never expire and can be used passed use by date if tin is in good condition. A small portable power generator would also be handy but phones can be charged in your car with a usb cable and cigarette lighter USB charger.

[@kayaker9912]

Ahhh wonderful video! I lived in a very snowy state (Ohio/US) with what they call lake effect snow, which can dump snow in feet in a short time, but we had city water and a gas stove in which to cook. I moved then to (Maine/US) on an island, to a tiny cottage on the water, we had a well, so no power, no water, but I have a wood stove, and that was my only source of heat. I learned how to cook on the wood stove and gathered enough water to get me and my kitties through power outages, which are very often here on the coast. If you can't get to the store to get water, fill every bowl, bucket and put snow in it to melt, to clean dishes, flush the toilet and to drink. You learn fast to get water and keep some on hand after trying to melt enough snow to do the above things. I love snow storms, but it can be a challenge the first few times, now when we are snowed in it is finally time for me to sit still and enjoy the landscape unless, like back in 2014 or 2015 in my (house no longer my cottage) when we got 26 inches one day, two days later got 32 inches and three or four days later got 30 inches, a bit much to handle when you can no longer shovel high enough or the truck gets stuck just getting out the garage door. Winter is coming, so get prepared and sit back and enjoy a snow day with a great cup of tea. Thank you for the great video!

[@dianethompson115]

Have cooked on our wood burner and on bbq when our electric has gone out

[@junegarner6980]

Just love your sharing love Ireland would love to have second home there Thankyou

[@geraldineross5168]

Maggie you are so right a person has to think if you loose electricity etc. how are you going to function

[@guyinpajamapants6892]

Dutchess County NY here. Snow is fine up to your soles, but that is few and far between! I’d love to experience a winter in Ireland. Real estate prices seem very reasonable. Great information! Keep it up!

[@norawhite6612]

Sure your sound with the open fire. All you need is the old triangle with the three legs. Hot coals under it and your iron pot oven on top and your soda bread in the oven, lid on top and coals on top. Fantastic bread. Bake potatoes in the hot ashes. I guess my age shows.😂

[@mskazz642]

This sounds so good. I lived in Sligo for a while as a child. Rural no running water,outside loo. The food was amazing. I can smell freshly baked soda bread even now.☘️😋

[@cookiemonster6401]

Hello from rural Alberta Canada, weather gets to -35-40 every winter and winds 120k. Great advice on how to survive a winter storm. Might be worth investing in a generator for your home. Also we put winter tires on our trucks and cars. They make a HUGE difference in driving on the icy and snowy roads. Always keep extra winter wraps in your vehicle just in case you need them.

[@rachelbooth7507]

Love it. We think about a second source for everything and also what you can cook. Baked potatoes always good - wrap in foil stick in fire for a couple of hours. Think also of slow cooked stews - just allow more time for the stews. ALso re mobile phones and generators - the gennies are usually only fueled for a specific time - they would be diesel. But yes with you - its an urgent requirement these days

[@avaleonardava6139]

A food storage haul& a stocked pantry wit dried& tinned foods are NB

[@terencelillis547]

This was awesome, thank you. I am from Buffalo NY USA we are called the snow capital. I have lived through 7 feet (2.1336 meters). I didn't know Ireland got that amount of snow.

[@LiebeMoni1]

Hello from Canada. We’ve been watching you for ages. You’re fab! My husband comes from Midleton in Cork. I BBQ all year round. 😂

[@julieorr8098]

Love this one!

[@robertspeicher5047]

Can emergency generators be bought? When I lived in New York. There were bluzzards that knocked out power and it would be weeks before it would be restored. Now, living in New York state , one item is bought. Emergency generators.

[@anthonyhassett]

A few things. Wabasto diesel 5-8Kw heaters are cheap as chips. See Barrel Stove. Army Surplus is your friend

[@DreamyLele]

I'm loving these videos! Also, don't be shy, drop granny's sourdough recipe!

[@CheapIrishHouses]

Aw thank you so much! Granny Molloy’s bread is all yours! I will share it on my community tab during the week for you xx

[@DreamyLele]

@@CheapIrishHouses thank you so much! All these beautiful videos make me so excited to move to Ireland one day!

[@sarahstrong7174]

Hot water bottles are essential. Make sure you have a means to heat water if nothing else, outside if necessary. A little camping gas stove can do it but make sure you put it somewhere safe.

[@anthonyhassett]

Hot water bottles are only good from two years of the manufacturers date. To use after that is risky.

[@sarahstrong7174]

@anthonyhassett It is a good idea to inspect them regularly & be sure to never put boiling water in them as that damages the rubber.

[@helenoreillylong9497]

Would you consider doing a video or two on healthcare options in Ireland please?

[@catherinehegarty5078]

I'm having a chuckle, Hilarious - here in New Jersey/NYC we can get up to 1-2 feet of snow, and still have to go to work Here's a tip use cat litter before its starts snowing, parking the car & not sure if you have 'snow salt' (calcium chloride based) There's nothing more lovely than walking in the first snowfall, there is a hush around the fields - magical !! Mammy knows best, eh !! Cooking on the BBQ in the snow creates wonderful fun memories & I bet the meat tasted amazing- Thanks for sharing your adventures with Us xo

[@dasdasdsdasdasdasd363]

They don't get much snow in Ireland. It's more sleet than snow and only a few days a year where I lived.

[@emcc8598]

You can chuckle away. Access and condition of roads in Ireland and hugely varied topography may mean that even relatively small scale snow events can cause major disruption. Canada has the infrastructure and services to cater for snowfall. Not so much in deep rural Ireland.

[@fromireland8663]

You're having a chuckle ? Every time we have snow here, the Polish people living here are falling over laughing at us Irish trying to drive in 2 inches of snow.

[@emcc8598]

@@fromireland8663 Yes I guess thats because in Poland roads are gritted and snow on roads is removed. That does not happen in rural Ireland. Snow in Ireland is not the dry compact continental type snow either. Ireland gets wet slushy type snow which is lethal to drive on. There'd be no chuckling when your car is being pulled out if the local ditch for sure.

[@fromireland8663]

@@emcc8598 It's more the case that Irish drivers do not have much experience driving in snow. If we get snow at all, it usually only lasts for about a week. Main roads are gritted every year.

[@barbaraparsons4908]

Great video.. lovely personality

[@veronicasmith1147]

Love this so much 💕💜💙💖😁😁😁

[@waynemcauliffe2362]

Looks great mate

[@geraldineross5168]

Because living in Wisconsin in the USA and we have winter for six months and our temps get to minus 25 degrees like it will be tomorrow and 40 mile an hour winds with 1 to 3 inches of snow. We live in rural Wisconsin in the country every small town is 25 miles away from our Log home which is on 8 acres. So we are peppers because last year we could not get out of our 400 foot drive way for a month.

[@JulieWallis1963]

Peppers? Or preppers? Other than your _spelling_ mistake, you’re nothing special. 1-3 inch of snow, normal winter. Towns being far away, pretty normal if you live a _bit_ rural. Wales, Scotland, Norway etc. Minus 30+ means it’s bloody cold, but it’s not totally unusual. 40mph winds could be called a gentle breeze by some. 70+ is getting windy. Northern Europe is pretty damn cold, windy, damp etc.

[@SloggieBear]

Great advice

[@Master144.]

Lovely countryside you are in. Which part of Tipp is it?

[@KittyM-]

This is so useful

[@huub1989]

Hilarious! Love from Montreal!

[@carolinekaplan542]

Honey I grew up in south bend Indiana in the seventies and eighties . It where university of Notre dame is so can’t get more Irish than that. Snow is over a foot in drifts. It’s called lake effect here. Do you have solar solutions ? We also got food delivery via horse with sleigh 🛷 during the four day snow days. The snow mobiles couldn’t get through. I would love to buy Irish cottage but residency seems tough even though my family in English Irish and Scottish. Let me know when you are setting up home sales with Irish men to date. Looking at age 50 to 65. I have freckles too and can work remote.

[@alexandra2jerry]

Apart from buying a little generator, would a couple of solar panels be too cost prohibitive? We live in Florida and have gone through several Hurricanes where the power has been out for ten days. The generator kept the freezer and fridge going and we could cook! I heartily recommend! Love your videos especially when you take buyers around looking for a home. (My Grandfather, was from County Wexford, something I’m so proud of. )

[@anthonyhassett]

have a look at the Liam F1 wind turbine instead

[@dianethompson115]

Candles too

[@sarahstrong7174]

Tins. Tinned food can be cheap & dried beans can be too. So unles you are really broke put a few in the back of the cupboard.

[@dasdasdsdasdasdasd363]

You should by a little generator for when the power goes out.

[@JulieWallis1963]

She could _buy_ a generat. Likewise, you could learn to spell

[@o2bnov0307]

Would you share Granny Malloy’s bread recipe?

[@sowenchantedirishkitchenga8282]

I’m an Irish mammy doomsday prepper 🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣

[@Hanafimaslak-UK]

In our village 90% have no Ovan

[@JulieWallis1963]

*Oven* But if you live somewhere where salads are the usual cuisine then that’s not unusual. How often do you cook?

[@Hanafimaslak-UK]

@@JulieWallis1963 ..we cook every day fresh some tome second day...no salad..some time salad..most of the time curry .rice ..vegitables...its north pakistan near gelgit...no one jave Oven..maybe many women do,nt know how to uae oven..you see...mostly cooked on wood fire...

[@judithogiejko7142]

How much snow are we talking about here?

[@JulieWallis1963]

It varies. A dusting to several feet.

[@geraldineross5168]

Living in Wisconsin in the USA we have six months of winter which is none stop snow, cold, and high winds.

[@anthonyhassett]

Yeah but ye expect it, In Ireland we get caught with our pants down and have to suffer it because it does not happen often

[@kathyk479]

If you got a fire you can cook anything! Lol

[@martinjconnolly9452]

Buy a Generator, problem solved Mrs! 😁

[@davidh266]

non boiler stove with hotplate

[@o2bnov0307]

When the weather is nice prepare for winter (pinkbird.org/images/b/b9/Pompeii_oven_plans.pdf).

[@micpotato8158]

Jeez I bet your husband is glad when you go for a walk and he gets some peace and quiet !!

[@JulieWallis1963]

ODFOD. If you don’t like, don’t watch.

[@xagusd9292]

dürüst olmak gerekirse, videolarınızı ingilizce öğrenmek için kullanıyorum. 🤣 çok işe yaradığını söyleyebilirim. = to be honest, I'm using your videos in order to improve my english. i can say that it's very usefull.