Life in Ireland?

Question

What is life like in Ireland, I want to move to Ireland someday, how does an American become a citizen of Ireland? Best places to live, traditions, holidays, cost of living, etc?

Answer 1

Life in Ireland is very different to life in the UK. The cost of living here is very expensive. Its not called rip-off Ireland for nothing. Food shopping alone is expensive and the because there is not a lot of competition then the prices stay high and its difficult to find bargains. Dublin is grossly expensive and is one of the most expensive places to live in Europe. Ireland reminds me of Britain some years ago and they have a long way to go before they catch up.

The health service is a joke over here and deadly expensive. I have been hospital several times and its common to see people stretchered out on the floor and wating to be seen. To visit a Doctor or a Dentist is ridiculous and if you have a well paid job then money is not an option but for everyone else its a sore point.

Also several places are really rough and Dublin and Limerick can be dangerous places at night. The drugs and the criminal underworld thrive and recently there have been hits and feuds between them with gun crime really becoming popular. The police or Garda as they are called are a little backwards in enforcing crime and tend to be more criminal than the criminals.

The jobs on offer here are on the increase though but as has been said earlier if you live in the city there is plenty to do but in the country there is virtually nothing to do but drink. There is also a problem of racism between the different communties that live here, of which there is a lot of Eastern European and African descent. It a big unfortunate problem.

I would choose somewhere else if I had an option but I must admit I do enjoy living in Dublin because of its cosmpolitan appeal I have many friends from different parts of the world and most people are friendly.

Answer 2

Ireland can be expensive, it all depends where you want to live. It's more or less the same, cost wise, as living in a large US city, i.e. Boston or San Francisco.

About becoming an Irish citizen, have a look at this web page, it will tell you what you need to know.

http://www.citizensinformation.ie/categories/moving-country/irish-citizenship/your_right_to_irish_citizenship

Scroll half way down the page and you find:
How can I become an Irish citizen?

The best of luck

Answer 3

I moved to Ireland from England 3 years ago. I'm stuck in England at the moment but you'll not be making a mistake if you do decide to make the move.

Property prices are high, cost of living is high too, but when you meet the people and receive the welcome they give, it's all worth it.

I wouldn't move back to the UK for all the tea in China. I've never felt so at home in my life.

Answer 4

Ireland is off the dam hook so unreal and so beautiful the craic is great so many beaches the beer is always flowing weather is great in the south ie cork! but forget buying a house some of the highest house prices in europe even more than the uk! ive been all over tha world and dublin is just the coolest city in the world! in every major city in the worl you will find an irish pub!!

Answer 5

I moved here in January from England. It was a very easy country to move to. Same language (Same for you). I saw a job on the internet, phoned up, put my things in the car and drove over and started work a few days later. Loads of accommodation at all prices and everyone very friendly. You will need a work permit though, which an employer will help you with if they need/like you. I'm from EC and all paperwork was done in one day.We have a South African working with us and he had no real problems with a work permit.

There is plenty of work all over Ireland at the moment. The economy may have peaked though and that is subject to change. This is a relatively safe country especially compared to inner cities in the US. Weather is very wet, can rain everyday for months on end and often does. It's not called the 'Emerald Isle' for nothing. Very scenic and plenty of space especially outside Dublin. House prices high, fuel cheap, but not as cheap as US.

If you are open, people will warm to you in my experience. It can get boring here though at times, especially in the country. If you are into fishing, hunting, walking or sport though, you will find plenty to do and make friends quickly.

My advice... Try it, what have you got to lose? Even if it doesn't work out, you will have a rich experience by just coming here and finding out.

Answer 6

High property prices and expensive in general - compared to the rest of Europe Ireland is considered on the pricey side. The only thing cheaper here than in Europe is, surprisingly, fuel for the car (petrol and diesel).

To find out how to become an Irish citizen, contact the Irish Embassy in your country. I think it takes a few years.

Answer 7

My views on my country

1) The Government - biggest pile of gob-shites that you will ever come across, not content with letting developers build towns and villages without providing proper infrastructure(e.g roads, schools etc), they are hell-bent on destroying our heritage by building a motorway through one of the most ancient and archaeologically important sites in the world. On top of that they will happily leave you lying on a hospital trolley in the car park of A&E for a week before being seen to(and you should be grateful that your not lying on the floor may I just add). They are giving public land and taxpayers money to private hosiptals all the while filling their own pockets with the big brown envelopes containing lots of green lil notes(which they seem to 'forget' about when questioned about in tribunals).

2) Cost of living - Very expensive place to live, prices of houses are very high especially in urban area's. But as it is in many countries, the further out of the city you go, the cheaper life is.

3) Crime - on the increase. Still signifitically lower then the US, but drugs are readily available here now and shootings are almost a weekly occurence.

4) Nightlife - You will not find a better nightlife anywhere.FACT!

5) Scenery - Amazing, most Irish don't appreciate it(Fianna Fail, our government is included in that) but we have one of the most beautiful landscapes in the world.

6) The people- The funniest, friendliest bunch of dossers that I will ever meet in my life. The one main thing that keeps me here. I'd miss the humour, the craic and general personalitys of the Irish more than anything else.

7) Sport - We've two national sports native to our country, hurling and gaelic football. If you move here, make sure you support Dublin in both!!

8) Language - Mainly English speaking, although a lot of the foreigners moving here can't seem to be arsed learning it. Gaeilge(the Irish language) is dying out and only really spoken in Gaelthacht area's(irish-speaking area's). Government needs to change the way its thoguht in schools before its lost to us forever.

9) Music- As well as U2 Thin Lizzy etc, we have a great music scene. Unprompted music and dancing sessions in pubs are common. Start practising your singing voice, you'll be expected to be able to hold a tune ;-)

To summarise all the above, we have our faults, but I wouldn't live anywhere else!

Answer 8

I resent those who say that there's nothing to do in the countryside. Pardon us for our clean air, low crime rates, carp loads of beautiful scenery. In rural Ireland there is a sense of community and we have a proper pub culture, where the pub is part of the community instead of a place to get absolutely blotto as it is in the cities.

To become a citizen of the Republic of Ireland you should view this site: http://www.irelandemb.org/living.html#iri

You best option is to live in rural areas, especially if you want to be more relax and not have to deal with traffic. Traditions not many come to mind, but it is true cost of living is expensive but wages match it, holidays we have St. Patrick's Day, Christmas and Easter. Halloween is celebrated similar to that in the UK and US. We don't really have an independence day, St. Patrick's Day is our national holiday.

Oh yeah and unemployment is not going through the roof, its still one of the lowest in Europe at around 4.5%. Construction is winding down, but services is still growing and infrastructure developments will also be taking off more so now.

Answer 9

well its not one of the best countries on the planet....its THE best country....granted I have only been to 3 others but who cares. I mean england,france and belguim all smelled wierd(no joke) eh, contrary to popular belief everyone here isnt an alcho, St. patricks day is on the 15th this year not that that matters, and its one of the most expensive places to live in europe apparently, but trust me france and the other mainland europe coutries are much more expensive. The people here are (for the most part) amazingly friendly. Its a great place to live(especaily cork,sligo and dublin) It was actualy voted the plae most europeans would love to live (in a all europe poll) Hope this helps

Answer 10

Believe it or not, there are more Irish in America than Ireland. It IS pretty but also expensive. The myths are just that - much better in books & movies than real life.