Off The Grid Ireland: Getting prepared to go 'Off The Grid'

What We Plan To Build

We want to build a wooden cabin 25 square metres (270 square foot) wooden cabin that we can use all year round both summer and winter for weekends and weekly beaks from the 'Rat Race'.

After some research and looking at a number of suppliers in Ireland we decided to go with 'Cabins 4 U' www.cabins4u.ie. Cabins 4 U offer flat packed cabins that you build yourself.

The cabin we selected is called 'Model 11'. Wall thickness is 44 millimetres logs with a 100 millimetre space for insulation and another wall of 44 millimetre logs. So the total wall thickness will be 188 millimetres (recommended log wall thickness without insulation is 70 millimetres).

The cabin we selected will cost €5970.10 flat packed and without wall and roof insulation.

The insulation we selected to use in the walls and roof is 80 millimetre 'Ballytherm Cavity Wall Insulation' which is €47.72 per sheet (8 foot by 4 foot) at www.build4less.ie. This insulation size leaves breathing space for the wood (this is very important).

*Please note our 'Off Grid Cabin' is for weekend and short term use and not for permanent residency.

The cabin we plan to build

My Off The Grid Essentials

As part of my normal day to day, market research is a norm so I am not afraid of a little research.
Our cabin is going to be off the grid so I felt the best way to active this in modern Ireland is by looking at what is in Ireland that functions off the grid.
Caravans (mobile homes, camper vans) and boats is what I thought of, so that's where I began my research and I came up with the list of essentials we need below for our cabin.
I've decided to go with 12volt lighting, with an inverter for a single 240volt socket and a log burning stove for heat. All the items on my list below have a link to where I purchased them.
*Please note our Off Grid Cabin is for weekend and short term use and not for permanent residency

1. 200w Solar panel kit: €117.13 each shipped from Spain in under 2 weeks and bought from here: Click Here (I may need a number of these depending on what extra power is needed)