Moving to Ireland where should I go?

Question

Hey!

I've never used Yahoo answers before but I know people who have had some really good advice on here so I thought i'd give it a bash.

I'm a 23 year old english girl living and working in London for the last 6 years and I have had enough! This city drives me crazy its too big, too unfriendly and wildly over prices. I'm dying to have a complete change while I have nothing to tie me down. No mortgage, boyf/kids and i'm not in a job I want to persue.

So having always loved Ireland and being a folk singer I've decided it's time for an adventure. The question is where to go, Ireland is my oyster :)

I would love to live on the coast as i've always had a thing for being by the sea. It would be nice to be somwhere with a bit of night life and i'm don't mean clubbing it every night or anything like that i'm quite happy to be somewhere a bit quieter, bit of scenery would be lovely combined with a few lively pubs...especially with live traditional music and i'd be in heaven! lol Seriously though i am trying to get somewhere as a folk singer so somewhere the scene is alive would be an advantage. I plan to work a normal job as well to pay the bills and things. I currently work in a theatre box office and am thinking of trying hotel reception desk as it's very similar to what I do now.

I have waffled on :-S Basically any advice on where to go. Somewhere that's beautiful and calmer than London where I will be welcomed and hopefully make lots of friends and finally get myself a gig or two!

Any answers/advice or simply saying hello would be greatfully received!

Mariam.

Answer 1

Schull ....!!! it's in Co. Cork (West Cork) It's beautiful & there are loads of apartments and new houses & housing estates there ....!!! it's the best place to live ever ....!!!

Type in Schull in google images & it will show you loads of pictures  

Answer 2

Don't go to belfast.

Reason :

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eB1wGQotj...

Ps. It's Hard for the Irish to except the English especially down South.

Answer 3

You've definitely made a good decision in choosing Ireland as a place to escape to!! In my opinion, West Cork is the most beautiful area to live! There are so many beautiful towns and villages dotted along the coast, and the area also gets the best weather during the summer! Also, you are never to far from Cork City!

I live in Kinsale, which is so beautiful and is famous for the culture and cuisine in the area. It can be a bit expensive to live in, but there are so many smaller villages surrounding the town.

Other beautiful areas are Schull, Cobh, Oysterhaven and Youghal!

There is always a huge demand for preformers in these areas because they all cater for tourists. Also, they all have a lot of hotels in the area due to the number of tourists that visit!!

I hope this helps, good luck!!

Answer 4

My Dad was born in a small town called Spiddal, which is about 10 miles from Galway City. We visited there for the first time 2 years ago, and I was blown away with the sernity and beauty of this place.

My Cousin plays the Irish whistle in a pub called Tigh Hughes,

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6YIrzeY9i...

where there was a band playing most nights. I decided to have a go myself, and bought a whistle at a music shop, in the craft centre situated in Spiddal. I was born to play that whistle, and now play in my local in Cornwall. I would highly recommend this lovely little town, and wish I could move there myself. Good luck.

http://www.flickr.com/photos/johnandrene...

http://www.connemara.net/photography/pho...

Answer 5

I think the best thing to do would be to move somewhere of a reasonable size until you settle down somewhat.

Galway is a reasonable sized city and has a lot of what you're looking for. It's a beautfiul spot and good fun and you should find it easier getting work there then at some of the smaller (albit more beautiful) towns suggested here.

Kinsale would also be a perfect spot. It's a beautiful town and isn't too far from Cork city so again your chances of finding work are increased.

My advice would be to try out one of these places first, travel around a bit and then move if you like somewhere else better!

Answer 6

conemara in galway is beautiful my unle has a house there and you cn see the coast and it's not covered in touristy things either. but there is a lovely irish theme pub in the nearest village (10 minutes walk away) called paddy coynes But donegal has to be the best. you have to be careful where you go because in some places the accent is very strong. letterkenny is really nice it's only about half an hour away from the beach

Answer 7

Galway is the place to go-it has the beach the scenery the nightlife and it suits the kind of job you would like to pursue there. barna is a small village just outside of galway and it is full of traditional things-such as people speaking irish

also a more rural setting is donegal in the north west...the nightlife might not be as good..but Rossnowlagh beach is one of the most beautiful in ireland http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rossnowlagh

Answer 8

Loads to choose from some of my favourite are:

Westport on the West Coast

Cork city if you want things it bit livelier

Kalarney - a tourist hub

Answer 9

its a big place, so many wonderful locations too, and so much room

Answer 10

What you described sounds exactly like Galway.  

Answer 11

I suggest Galway, it would suit your particular profession, and it's on the coast :-)

Answer 12

Hey Mariam,

I live in Dunmore East which is a fishing village in Waterford on the south east coastline of Ireland. It is a fabulous place to live and absolutely loves its music and good times.  We're not far from Waterford city which is the 3rd biggest city in the republic.  I  grew up here and am now rearing my own children here.  It is peaceful, scenic, friendly but not backward.

It is famous for its yearly bluegrass festival which was just this weekend and is a great place to have a laugh and make new friends! I dont think I'll ever move!!

Answer 13

Hello Mariam!

Answer 14

West Cork is beautiful.

Some lovely towns out there like baltimore.

Beautiful scenery.

Friendly locals.

Cant make any promises about night life, but i've holidayed there and it really is a fantastic place.  

Answer 15

Galway is by far the best. Good luck.

Answer 16

Ireland too is a very expensive place to live in. but im glad to here the great things said about Ireland from an English person.

anyways, Galway or Mayo would be a good place to go, its right at west coast of Ireland  :)

Answer 17

Waterford is your spot!

Im orginally from the midlands in Ireland and moved here to Waterford about 6 years ago- im now 24.

Waterford is right on the coast- with more than 25 beaches to visit..two of the best known being Tramore and Dunmore (which recently held its annual "Blue Grass Music Festival"). Tramore can get very busy during the Summer there is a fun fair, arcades, circus and many beach activities during this time.

Waterford is a popular place to visit by many tourists from all over the world because it is literally steeped in hundreds or years of history.

Waterford is also famous for its Crystal..should I have said world famous maybe?!lol

As for music and entertainment...Waterford has its own IT college so Mon - Thurs nights are usually very busy with college students and parties.There is a selection of night clubs, disco bars, bistros, and pubs to choose from.

Trad sessions and folk music can be found in the regular bars almost nightly and certainly on the weekends..Check out Bolgers, T & H  Doolans (apparently one of the oldest pubs around), Kitty Kiernans, The Cove, Oskars, just to name a very very few!

Because of Waterfords busy tourist market, there are plenty of hotels to pick and choose between as a means of work- if thats the interest you have. Most starting off rates average about €10 per hour.

Renting an appartment in Waterford City would cost you anywhere from €400 per month onwards.. check out these few :

http://www.daft.ie/searchrental.daft?s%5...

The people are very friendly, usually up for a "session" on the weekends, work pays well if you are willing to try hard. Its not a very big City compaired to say Dublin and definately has a more relaxed feeling. Eeverything is in very easy commuting distance, regular buses and taxis run almost everywhere.

As I said, I moved here 6 years ago- and Im definately staying for good!

Answer 18

That all sounds like what i want to do!! (but not the singing bit but would love to listen!!) I see exactly what your saying & sounds like a fantastic idea! i hope you get your answers!! good luck!

Answer 19

Well I'm English and visit Ireland often.   I have travelled almost every place and found the best traditional and folk music to be in county Clare.  Maybe you should look up somewhere around there, Doolin is lovely close to the cliffs of Mohair or Ennis, quaint little town.  Good Luck.

Answer 20

Galway Galway Galway.

It's got a great mixture of traditional and modern aspects of Ireland. The city is buzzing, particularly during the summer when the Galway Races & Arts Festival are on. People are friendly there and its a little cheaper that Dublin. Galway is also a university city which means theres quite a young population there. Loads of pubs and venues that specialize in traditional Irish music too.

Good luck x

Answer 21

Yeah, Galway or Cork are probably your best bets.

Cork is my own favourite, but I think that for you, Galway is the place to go. It has a really vibrant music/arts scene all-year round, is close to some amazing beaches and countryside (Connemara is breath-taking) and as a university town has a youthful population. The pace of life is very laid back, but there's also plenty to get involved in, from arts groups to extreme sports.

Galway also attracts a lot of tourists (without being touristy) and so there are plenty of hotels, hostels, theatres etc where you should be able to find work. Pay isn't great as a hotel receptionist (20-30,000 max) but there is opportunity to move up the ranks quite quickly and its also a h**l of a lot cheaper to live in Galway than in Dublin. Check out www.irishjobs.ie or for jobs in the arts try www.creativecareers.ie. Go to  www.daft.ie for finding a place to live.

Some of the other towns mentioned by previous posters may be a bit too small for you to crack the music scene. Galway is big enough to have its own scene without being clique-y and is very welcoming to newcomers.

Regarding the poster who claimed that English people have a hard time in Ireland, I don't know where they got their information. Ireland is a welcoming place. I have four British collegues (3 English, 1 Scottish) who between them have never had a negative experience here. The only hostility I have ever witnessed towards English people has been towards one group of extremely drunk stag weekenders who were being aggressive to staff and customers in a nightclub, and which did get a bit out of hand, with some typical 'Brits go home' comments being thrown at them. However, I think they would have experienced the same problems no matter what country they had been in. Galway has a diverse population and is well used to tourists, so I seriously doubt you will have any problems. With the enthusiasm you show in your question, you'll fit right in.

Maybe consider coming over for a weekend first before you commit to a full move? I've no doubt that you'll love it. Moving to a different country is a fantastic experience - I hope you have a brilliant time...

Answer 22

That sounds fantastic, I wish I was brave enough to start up somewhere on my own. I think I'll probably move there eventually. You've got plenty of choice in Ireland and you shouldn't have any trouble making friends, they're so friendly. If you want a city, I'd go for Kilkenny, it's busy but more relaxed than London. If you want to be by the sea, then I'd say south west and West coast.

-Kinsale is pretty big but is lovely

-Bantry is similar

-Kenmare is small and sleepy

-Kinvara is a beautiful little village

- Westport is probably most suited to your requirements. it's mid-sized, lively but pretty and it's on the Atlantic with some amazing scenery.

I hope you make a go of it and wish you luck.