I would send it by courier. Look up cheap couriers on google and it works out a cost for you. Not sure whether it would be a lot to Ireland or not. Cost me £11 to send one from Essex to Dorset. Most courier companies offer and any weight over ..?.. for one price.
definitly a courier. I used this one - Transglobal - cost me £30 to send a very heavy WOW saddle all the way to the USA! They pick it up from your house at an arranged time.