twinklegem
Member
I was wondering if we have any irsih peopel here as we are thiking of moving over there and wanted some views and advice.
feel free to message me if you wish.
feel free to message me if you wish.
Anyone live in Ireland ?
- Thread starter twinklegem
- Start date
Lobelia_Overhill
Well-Known Member
We're in the throes of a Very bad Recession, just kicked out one government and replaced them with a whole new crowd.
House prices are still very high
Grocery shopping is getting more and more expensive
Petrol etc has gone up
But the sun is shinning!
House prices are still very high
Grocery shopping is getting more and more expensive
Petrol etc has gone up
But the sun is shinning!
twinklegem
Member
Where about in Ireland are you ?
Leaveittothediva
Well-Known Member
Hi there, I live in southern Ireland, and unless you are seriously minted I would avoid coming here. There are no Jobs. Food is expensive. House Prices are shocking. Car tax and Insurance are sky high, as is fuel. Buying anything for a horse over here is a total rip off. Our rural roads are shocking. You will also have to pay the customs and excise here to change over you english reg plates and that can run into some serious money. Livery fees here are staggering. Fencing and all other bits and pieces to do with land are a joke. Please I urge you to do some serious research before coming here especially with regard to the equestrian side. Vets cost a bomb also by the way. Sorry to have to put it this way to you but very few will tell you the truth about Ireland. English people are not treated the best either, ask my husband who is english.
only_me
Well-Known Member
Well, I live in Northern Ireland
Its not too bad here for prices, although most people prefer to deal in cash or swap items now. Petrol is 134 and I saw diesel yesterday for 140
Everything horsey wise if stay in north is usually less than 2 hours away, although cork is only 5 hours with a trailer on the motorway
Showjumping is big here, as is eventing, dressage not so much! Riding clubs are good, you can choose Irish or English associated ones. Pony clubs in the north are affiliated to pony club in england. Some PCs very active and run lots of events.
Livery wise, full livery & professional schooling (eventing) will cost £180 a week, but there are lots of little DIY yards and usually most houses in the country come with a few acres of land.
There are no jobs in the NHS, but people are still hiring for other areas of work.
A lot less people here (think its 1.7mill population in NI) which is great
The only thing that worries me atm is the increasing rate of tiger kidnappings
Its not too bad here for prices, although most people prefer to deal in cash or swap items now. Petrol is 134 and I saw diesel yesterday for 140
Everything horsey wise if stay in north is usually less than 2 hours away, although cork is only 5 hours with a trailer on the motorway
Showjumping is big here, as is eventing, dressage not so much! Riding clubs are good, you can choose Irish or English associated ones. Pony clubs in the north are affiliated to pony club in england. Some PCs very active and run lots of events.
Livery wise, full livery & professional schooling (eventing) will cost £180 a week, but there are lots of little DIY yards and usually most houses in the country come with a few acres of land.
There are no jobs in the NHS, but people are still hiring for other areas of work.
A lot less people here (think its 1.7mill population in NI) which is great
The only thing that worries me atm is the increasing rate of tiger kidnappings
Spins
Well-Known Member
Leaveittothediva is right.. I'm from Ireland too and prices are extremely high but its not as bad as all that! The quality of living is great and most people are nice and welcoming! (I live abroad for half the year and have noticed a BIG difference in how people treat each other and miss Ireland alot when it comes to people just being polite) Any questions just let me know
Oh and im just on the border between North and South
Oh and im just on the border between North and South
LadyLuck1977
Well-Known Member
It is really expensive over there but most houses in the country come with land. Weather is horrible I went home for the weekend and on Sunday we had rain, hail, sleet and snow and sun for about 30 sec. They say you get all the seasons in March but think thats taking the p**s. I love it and oh has found everyone friendly even if he is English, but then I am a scary old bat
.
Where are you thinking of moving to?
.Where are you thinking of moving to?
tigerlily12345
Well-Known Member
im sorry, am i missing something, "tiger kidnappings"? are these ACTUAL tigers? sorry if thats a really stupid question.. 
Rowreach
Adjusting my sails
I'm on the border too, but just in the North so we have the advantages of NHS and cheaper (relatively speaking) food prices but can nip over the border for fuel. Seen diesel in the North last week at 145p
There are a lot of positives - house prices are cheaper than much of the UK, people are friendly and fairly laid back still, education is absolutely fab, much better than rest of UK, and scenery is often breathtaking. It does rain a lot though
There are a lot of positives - house prices are cheaper than much of the UK, people are friendly and fairly laid back still, education is absolutely fab, much better than rest of UK, and scenery is often breathtaking. It does rain a lot though
only_me
Well-Known Member
im sorry, am i missing something, "tiger kidnappings"? are these ACTUAL tigers? sorry if thats a really stupid question..
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tiger_kidnapping
have heard of a really awful recent case beside my friends CBFan
Well-Known Member
It does rain a lot though
My Irish OH says it's Tropical!! lol! gotta love the irish humour!
I have to echo the others... people are lovely, scenery great but it is darn expensive right now...
Why don't you pop over for a weekend and find out for yourself?
Rowreach
Adjusting my sails
You could stay at a certain self catering establishment lalalalala
amandap
Well-Known Member
I'm English and have lived here for three and a half years now and love it. I've heard of some areas being a little resentful of English (fair enough) but where I live Mayo/Roscommon border it's fab everyone is very friendly.
Cost of living in general is higher but there is currently no Council tax which is a huge bill in England. Waste and recycling does have to be paid for though through buying bins and bags.
Roads are quiet, everywhere is quiet compared to England (rural areas of course). Roads round us are good but there is a lack of signs on minor roads so it's very easy to get lost if you're not careful.
Hay for me is currently 35 euro a large round bale or 4 euros for small bales. I don't buy much feed but the selection of commercial horse feed is very limited and it's taken me a while to find reliable source of speedibeet etc. I buy any supplements and wormers etc. on line but if you search you may well find a good local feed store who will source stuff. The local creameries (Farm shop equivalent) are not very reliable or helpful near me, it's a case of grab it if they've got it in.
Fencing and stuff... ask locally.
Vets... you must fnd a horse vet. many vets over here in rural areas do mainly cattle and know little about horses. Also for serious conditions needing surgery or other proceedures or specialists you may well have to travel a long way. I've found a good vet who is also very reasonable, word of mouth is a good way. Be very aware that things and attitudes to horses are quite different in some areas and you need to have a good basic first aid knowledge if you are thinking of rural.
I love it.
Ps. The roads aren't gritted much in winter so do beware of hard winters here on the roads.
Cost of living in general is higher but there is currently no Council tax which is a huge bill in England. Waste and recycling does have to be paid for though through buying bins and bags.
Roads are quiet, everywhere is quiet compared to England (rural areas of course). Roads round us are good but there is a lack of signs on minor roads so it's very easy to get lost if you're not careful.
Hay for me is currently 35 euro a large round bale or 4 euros for small bales. I don't buy much feed but the selection of commercial horse feed is very limited and it's taken me a while to find reliable source of speedibeet etc. I buy any supplements and wormers etc. on line but if you search you may well find a good local feed store who will source stuff. The local creameries (Farm shop equivalent) are not very reliable or helpful near me, it's a case of grab it if they've got it in.
Fencing and stuff... ask locally.
Vets... you must fnd a horse vet. many vets over here in rural areas do mainly cattle and know little about horses. Also for serious conditions needing surgery or other proceedures or specialists you may well have to travel a long way. I've found a good vet who is also very reasonable, word of mouth is a good way. Be very aware that things and attitudes to horses are quite different in some areas and you need to have a good basic first aid knowledge if you are thinking of rural.
I love it.
Ps. The roads aren't gritted much in winter so do beware of hard winters here on the roads.
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amage
Well-Known Member
I'm in the Sunny South East. House prices are improving depending on where you buy or if you are renting depending on where you are EG I rent a stunning four bed house, all mod cons right by the beach in a desirable location for 500 a month. After bills are added in my total outgoing on house is 598 monthly including rent so very very very reasonable. If you are going to a city like dublin expect to pay 500 per month for a room! Fuel prices are expensive and rising however I live in the cheapest place for fuel in the country averaging about 4-5cent cheaper per litre! To be honest it depends on where in the country you go....some places are mental expensive and some are fine. Livery prices etc will vary according to where you go to. Finally jobs wise....what area do you want to work in. Agriculture is fairly strong and there are jobs out there in certain areas of industry...you just have to find them!
twinklegem
Member
Thankyou all so much for yoru replys been very helpful.
We are going over to view a house just outside Waterford about 30 mins away land stables etc.
Just wanted peoples views as we know things are hard there at the moment
We are going over to view a house just outside Waterford about 30 mins away land stables etc.
Just wanted peoples views as we know things are hard there at the moment
Lobelia_Overhill
Well-Known Member
Bottom left hand corner. LOL
Trish C
Well-Known Member
Horsey stuff is do-able on a budget here, but you have to be prepared to search for what you want... I was giving up hope of finding livery cheap enough to keep any prospective horse at - all the yards local to me were over 100, until I was lucky enough to find the amazing place I now have my boy at... 50/wk, all feed/bed included and the only thing I have to do each day is muck out. 15 mins from my house and they have a large, floodlit outdoor arena and amazing hacking.
The main financial problem for me (aside from fuel but that's a problem everywhere) is the cost of living... just go into any store that has UK/Ire shops and compare the prices... exchange rate goes out of the window then. Clothes and food are the main culprits (I only ever buy clothes when I go up North to the parents) but electrical/household items are very pricey too. I buy almost everything bar food online, as it's almost always cheaper to pay for the postage from the UK than it is to pay full whack over here. And if you like a drink or two then forget it, alcohol is stupid money over here. Buy a bottle of Mickey Finn's up north for £4 in Asda, 15 at least here, and Smirnoff is almost twice as expensive
Weather is completely variable but to be honest it's just weather... yes the roads aren't as well maintained in the winter but then there's nothing like the snow over here that other places get (it's just that Irish people can't drive in the winter, and I'm allowed to say that cos I learned to drive in Derbyshirian winters).
Pluses - you'll never be short of friends or company, great craic (amazing musicians), nowhere is really very far away, the recession can't last forever and the new government can't be worse than the old one (can they?!)
Waterford, by the way, has one of the most annoying one-way systems in the world!
The main financial problem for me (aside from fuel but that's a problem everywhere) is the cost of living... just go into any store that has UK/Ire shops and compare the prices... exchange rate goes out of the window then. Clothes and food are the main culprits (I only ever buy clothes when I go up North to the parents) but electrical/household items are very pricey too. I buy almost everything bar food online, as it's almost always cheaper to pay for the postage from the UK than it is to pay full whack over here. And if you like a drink or two then forget it, alcohol is stupid money over here. Buy a bottle of Mickey Finn's up north for £4 in Asda, 15 at least here, and Smirnoff is almost twice as expensive
Weather is completely variable but to be honest it's just weather... yes the roads aren't as well maintained in the winter but then there's nothing like the snow over here that other places get (it's just that Irish people can't drive in the winter, and I'm allowed to say that cos I learned to drive in Derbyshirian winters
).Pluses - you'll never be short of friends or company, great craic (amazing musicians
), nowhere is really very far away, the recession can't last forever and the new government can't be worse than the old one (can they?!) Waterford, by the way, has one of the most annoying one-way systems in the world!
rambling
Well-Known Member
I have lived in Ireland all my life so can't really compare with anywhere else.
Cost of goods and services definitely more expensive . Although big efforts are being made at the moment to offer better value.
Horses probably cheaper if you can find a suitable one.
Its difficult to find jobs here at the moment so I would caution you against coming without one if not two jobs.
People here will talk to you without being introduced and theres no standing on ceremony .
If you have children at school it is very easy to get to know people , if not joining a club or something will help . Schools are generally good , they are technically non feepaying but all expect a "voluntary " contribution. Very little equipment is provide for pupils which might come as a shockif you are coming from the UK.
In a rural area people are usually very neighbourly and will help out if you're stuck. They keep to themselves more in the towns.
The best of luck with your move if you decide to come.
Cost of goods and services definitely more expensive . Although big efforts are being made at the moment to offer better value.
Horses probably cheaper if you can find a suitable one.
Its difficult to find jobs here at the moment so I would caution you against coming without one if not two jobs.
People here will talk to you without being introduced and theres no standing on ceremony .
If you have children at school it is very easy to get to know people , if not joining a club or something will help . Schools are generally good , they are technically non feepaying but all expect a "voluntary " contribution. Very little equipment is provide for pupils which might come as a shockif you are coming from the UK.
In a rural area people are usually very neighbourly and will help out if you're stuck. They keep to themselves more in the towns.
The best of luck with your move if you decide to come.
Millyard Rejects
Well-Known Member
Living in Roscommon- havent found it that pricey although I did move from a very expensive spot in yorkshire!
House prices round here have dropped steadily- current property in the village 190,000 euro 5 bedroom house,with 11 acres has just dropped even further to 120,00-no takers!!
3 bed cottage with 4 acres and 3 stables and barns-farmer is desperate to sell it-and at the moment hes looking at dropping the price another few thousand
you do need to have job or plenty of savings. Health care over here is paid for by yourself. no NHS in these parts!
vets are fab for cattle- thankfully 2 local ones to me are horsey so im very lucky.
Car tax and insurance is high for 4x4s,vans,and teenage boys.
roads are erm...well a bit rough so dont bring a flash lowered suspension car-it will be dead within a week!
Feed for animals i buy in bulk at the local creamary-likewise fence posts,wire and electric fencing is around same price as uk anyway?
Horse feeds-i can get quite a decent range-from feeding foals to oldies to shetlands to tbs,condition cubes,straights,beet pulp ask the guy he can get me most things! even got him stocking wormers hed never heard of!
Some people who are anti english- generally have met some twonk brit thats made them a bit narky.
i live in rural area-most the farmers and their families have been brilliantly welcoming and like seeing a house with the lights on and someone living in it than been empty.
Neighbor hood watch consists of speaking to the postie on the morning and by teatime everyone in the village knows whats been happening!!
the pace of life is much slower-dont expect plumbers to turn up this week....more like next week?
oh and the horses? they are cheap!!!!
House prices round here have dropped steadily- current property in the village 190,000 euro 5 bedroom house,with 11 acres has just dropped even further to 120,00-no takers!!
3 bed cottage with 4 acres and 3 stables and barns-farmer is desperate to sell it-and at the moment hes looking at dropping the price another few thousand
you do need to have job or plenty of savings. Health care over here is paid for by yourself. no NHS in these parts!
vets are fab for cattle- thankfully 2 local ones to me are horsey so im very lucky.
Car tax and insurance is high for 4x4s,vans,and teenage boys.
roads are erm...well a bit rough so dont bring a flash lowered suspension car-it will be dead within a week!
Feed for animals i buy in bulk at the local creamary-likewise fence posts,wire and electric fencing is around same price as uk anyway?
Horse feeds-i can get quite a decent range-from feeding foals to oldies to shetlands to tbs,condition cubes,straights,beet pulp ask the guy he can get me most things! even got him stocking wormers hed never heard of!
Some people who are anti english- generally have met some twonk brit thats made them a bit narky.
i live in rural area-most the farmers and their families have been brilliantly welcoming and like seeing a house with the lights on and someone living in it than been empty.
Neighbor hood watch consists of speaking to the postie on the morning and by teatime everyone in the village knows whats been happening!!
the pace of life is much slower-dont expect plumbers to turn up this week....more like next week?
oh and the horses? they are cheap!!!!
Lobelia_Overhill
Well-Known Member
Gawd yeah, be prepared to tell a complete stranger your entire life story the first time you speak to them, we're fierce nosey like that!
Spins
Well-Known Member
Never a truer word was spoke!!
Nothing like havin a bitta scéal on the newbie! hehe Ah you'll love it and will have more trouble getting people to stop talking to ya!! Its a terror when your in a rush! I don't think I've ever been on time for anything and its not because i dont leave early enough!!
twinklegem
Member
Thankyou all so much for your replys made interesting reading !
I do have some Irish conection my mum was born and bought up in Ireland all her family still over but never lived there myself always went as a child and young adult but not been back since
One of the reasons we wnated to go was to have a bit of a quieter way of life and to have the horses at home which is so expencive here to obtain.
We have been thinking about ireland for a while not sure which part need to be close to an airport within an hour don't want to be too rural cose to a village.
Looked at a lot of propertys with some fantastic equine facitlities.
Planning to go over for a visit and view a couple.
What areas would you suggest ?
I do have some Irish conection my mum was born and bought up in Ireland all her family still over but never lived there myself always went as a child and young adult but not been back since
One of the reasons we wnated to go was to have a bit of a quieter way of life and to have the horses at home which is so expencive here to obtain.
We have been thinking about ireland for a while not sure which part need to be close to an airport within an hour don't want to be too rural cose to a village.
Looked at a lot of propertys with some fantastic equine facitlities.
Planning to go over for a visit and view a couple.
What areas would you suggest ?
Lobelia_Overhill
Well-Known Member
Never a truer word was spoke!!
Deffo! I remember when we came home (from the UK) first woman I spoke to here got my life story out of me and we were great friends for years until she sadly passed away
West Cork! I'm not much more than an hour from Cork airport, scenery, woodland, beaches, craic agus ceol ...
westcork.ie
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Equilibrium Ireland
Well-Known Member
I'm an American living in Ireland for 9 1/2 years. At first I hated it here. But now that I am on my own I love it! People are great and would do anything for you. Yup, horrible weather, high prices, no work, ect but I'm not sure anywhere is really better.
Like everywhere it is what you make of it.
Terri
Like everywhere it is what you make of it.
Terri
twinklegem
Member
Your so right there ! Its not much better here in the UK i am lucky i don't have to work we do run our home based business and hubby works own business so will commute.
gadetra
Well-Known Member
Well ur lookin at good land down near Waterford! I was born and brought up in Longford in the midlands and now am most of my time in Dublin. It is horrendously (sp?) expensive here but if you have your own land it shouldn't cost you a fortune. I'm lucky that i have never had to pay livery so can't comment on that. The Golden Vale is your best bet, good land etc. The border/Midlands are a bit shitty i have to say-I speak of Longford which has no jobs, thousands of ghost estates and horses being left tied to the gates of meat factories. It is a very deppresed place. People can be insular. I also spend half my time in Dublin which isn't a whole lot better to be honest, in a class of 50 people i graduated with, only 2 of our number have jobs, one in Spar and another in a jewellery shop!
However if you are breeeding /dealing with quality it is not this way. And if you have an independant income you will be fine.
Also be prepared to share your life story to everyone u meet untill you are 'known' around the place!!
On the attitude to English people, we don't get many where we are cos we are in the middle of nowhere and of the two that did come (hardy brave souls!) one turned out to be utterly divorced from reality-complaining that making silage etc. was-and i quote-'ruining their view' and spreading slurry (an essential activity) was upsetting their 'living conditions and enjoyment/quality of life'. I am not joking. they lasted about 4 years. The other came with horses and spoke of srtting up a training establishment but upon helping him to off load them it became clear that he didn't even know how a headcollar worked!!!! He's full of talk though and has been taken for a couple of expensive rides (not by locals u understand) as he hasn't a clue and it's mainly funny.
So i think attitude depend on previous expat experiene.
I am biding my time untill i can emigrate-(the horses are the only serious pull to home-can't wait to get outa here were it not for them!!)-wanna swap?!!! ;D
However if you are breeeding /dealing with quality it is not this way. And if you have an independant income you will be fine.
Also be prepared to share your life story to everyone u meet untill you are 'known' around the place!!
On the attitude to English people, we don't get many where we are cos we are in the middle of nowhere and of the two that did come (hardy brave souls!) one turned out to be utterly divorced from reality-complaining that making silage etc. was-and i quote-'ruining their view' and spreading slurry (an essential activity) was upsetting their 'living conditions and enjoyment/quality of life'. I am not joking. they lasted about 4 years. The other came with horses and spoke of srtting up a training establishment but upon helping him to off load them it became clear that he didn't even know how a headcollar worked!!!! He's full of talk though and has been taken for a couple of expensive rides (not by locals u understand) as he hasn't a clue and it's mainly funny.
So i think attitude depend on previous expat experiene.
I am biding my time untill i can emigrate-(the horses are the only serious pull to home-can't wait to get outa here were it not for them!!)-wanna swap?!!! ;D