Michaels Reisetagebuch: Leben und Arbeiten in Irland - Overview of Ireland

[Population][Area][Geography][Location][Peace][Language][Currency][Climate][Government][The Economy and Jobs][The Job Scene][Work Permits][Social Welfare][Tax][Visas and Passports][Cars][Pets and Animals][Apartment Rental][Building Your Own House][Education][Money][Religion in Irish Life][Electricity][Phones, Modems and Mobile Phones][Public and National Holidays][Smoking][Shopping][Tourism and Culture][Getting here][Duty Free/Customs]

If you are planning to move to Ireland, this site will save you time, money and hassles. It is not, however, an exhaustive guide to all aspects of Irish life. Rather, it concentrates on those things of most concern to Irish immigrants. And this page? Gotta start somewhere...

Population: 7 million cows, 8 million sheep, 3.6 million people. More than a third of the people live in the Dublin area.

Area: 70,282 sq. km. There's plenty of open space once you get out of the five main cities of Dublin, Cork, Limerick, Galway and Waterford.

Geography: Ireland is an island. You can't get more than 150 miles from the sea. The place is wet! If you're not near a beach, than a lake or river isn't far.

Location: The key thing about Ireland's location is that Britain is close. In fact, the northeast 6 counties of Ireland are part of the United Kingdom. This is the part of the island that always makes the news. Meanwhile, the peaceful and quiet 26 counties that make up the Republic of Ireland are what this site is about.

Peace: These days people hear the word Ireland and think of bombs and the peace process. Ireland is really two places - Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland. The Republic is the South, the 26 counties where peace has reigned for 80 plus years. The goings on up North do not affect the South save as a daily drumbeat of background news. The South is probably one of the most peaceful places on the planet. With continued luck, so too will the North.

Reportage aus Nordirland: Die Kathedrale ohne Konfession

Language: English is the language everyone speaks, but there's been an official push for decades to encourage the use of the traditional Celtic language called Gaelic. This is the everyday language in small bits of Ireland and you'll also find that road signs, television and radio use both languages. A fair percentage of the populace has some French, German, and more rarely, Spanish.

Reportage: Die Geschichte der irischen Sprache

Currency: Ireland's official currency is now the Euro (since 2001). The Euro is not only Ireland's money, but works equally well in -so far- 12 European nations.

Climate: Not bad. Moderate year round with winter temperatures averaging 39F and summer 61F. It does rain a far bit, but the weather is so changeable that a day that begins with showers often slides into sunshine.

Government: Ireland is a parliamentary democracy. For the past decade various coalitions of parties have ruled in turn. But, policy is notably stable since the populance is fairly uniform in its background and outlook.

The Economy and Jobs: The Celtic Kitty is what they're calling Ireland these days. After 5 years of unbroken double digit economic growth, the economy has slowed to an expected 3 % growth level for 2002. Which, mind you, if it comes to pass, will be roughly three times better than any other Euroland nation.
Wirtschaftsreportage: Irland - leicht angeschlagener Gewinner der Währungsunion

The Job Scene: »Real« unemployment is fairly low. Officially, it's under 5 %. But, harder times have seen this figure edging up ... and up. 2002 looks to be a tough year if you're in the job market. High and technical and medical skills are always in demand, however.

Work Permits: You can't apply for a work permit if you are a non-EU foreign national - unless you are a computer programmer, nurse, or architectural designer. Lacking these high end skills, your potential employer will have to make the application for you.

Social Welfare: All employees and self-employed workers, who are aged 16 or over, are liable for Pay-Related Social Insurance (PRSI) contributions, which are made up of Social Insurance, Health and Employment Levies. Information on Social Welfare (Allowances, pensions, children etc.) is available from the Department of Social Welfare.

Tax: Got to admit it's getting better. Personal tax credits in 2002 are € 1,520 for a single person and € 3,040 for a married couple. Mortgage interest up to 2,500 pounds (5,000 married) is deductible. There are no deductions for children.

Moving to Ireland - Visas and Passports: Before you sell your house or something, make sure that you can come and stay in Ireland. Most western passport holders can visit Ireland for 90 days without a Visa, and citizens of the European Union can work in Ireland without a work permit or a passport - a national identity card will suffice.

Cars: Cars that have been more than 6 months in your ownership may be brought in duty when you move here. You'll still have to pay Vehicle Registration Tax the same as everyone else.

Pets and Animals: Quarantine is still the rule for most family pets here in Ireland.

Living and Working in Ireland - Apartment Rental: While you get your feet on the ground, you'll be wanting to rent a place. Here are some guidelines. 99 % of rentals come furnished. If you're bringing your furniture over, you may need to store it somewhere. Here are rough price guides for modern, middle of the road, two bedroom apartments reasonably close in city centres (2004). These are standard prices, and of course, they will vary depending on location, view, luxuries, etc. Short term lettings of a few weeks are usually much more expensive, particularly in the summer. And the further out you go, the less expensive is the housing: