So you have finally made the decision to move to the Emerald Isle. Whether it be a job opportunity, university studies, or the guaranteed creamy pints of Guinness that helped you settle on your choice – congrats, you’re in for the adventure of a lifetime!
Before you set foot on Irish soil, however, there are a few important things to know about this lovely island and the strange but charming standard practices you will begin to notice, and pick up, during your time here (*hint:* everything will always be grand).
To get you started on the right foot, Money Jar has put together a list of pretty much everything you should expect when living in Ireland.
There are plenty of transport options
While Irish transport can’t offer a 2.5-hour train ride directly to Paris like London’s Eurostar, we still have some good transport connections that can get you wherever you need to be across the country.
If you are staying in Dublin, it’s likely that you will become pretty familiar with:
- Dublin Bus: The only bus operator offering services in and around Dublin. Although it’s not always on time, you can be guaranteed that nearly every passenger will thank the bus driver as they get off – it’s seen as a common courtesy!
- Luas: This is a tram system that operates around the capital which is renowned for being packed during peak commuter hours. Even though it may seem like you could get away with not paying for a ticket, there is security that checks for tickets every so often so be sure to pay at the stop or tap on with your Leap Card (more on that below!)
Other transport that you will spot outside of the countries capital include:
- Irish rail: This is the national railway network in Ireland that will get you from one county to another. So if you are staying in Cork and want to see what Dublin has to offer, you can jump on a 2.5-hour train ride with Irish rail (yes, we know – the same time it would take to get from London to Paris).
- Bus Eireann: One of few bus and coach operators in the country, Bus Eireann is another option if you’re hoping to travel from county to county. Tickets are usually cheaper than Irish rail but expect the journey to take a little longer – it’s not unheard of to get stuck behind a tractor for 30+ minutes.
To hop on and off most transport across Ireland with ease, make sure to purchase a Leap Card – a prepaid travel card that can be used across trains, buses, and other select services across Ireland.
Locals are known to be friendly
It probably comes as no surprise that the Irish are known for being friendly. In fact, it might even be one of the main reasons you decided to make the move here. So if you are walking down the street, don’t be surprised if you are smiled at numerous times, and if you happen to catch eyes with someone while exploring your new local area – expect some small talk about the weather.
To prepare you for chatting with the locals, these are some phrases to be familiar with:
- Grand: For Irish people, everything is always grand. It’s a way to say that things are fine or not so bad.
- Craic: Craic means fun, good times, and good vibes. If you’re asked ‘any craic?’, you’re being asked how you’re doing or how things are going for you.
- Your one/Your man: ‘Your one’ refers to any woman and ‘your man’ refers to any man.
- C’mere till I tell ya: You will commonly hear this if an Irish person has some gossip or a story they want to tell you. Don’t be confused by the ‘c’mere’ part as (most times) they don’t actually expect you to come closer.
The weather is unpredictable
Irish weather is simply unpredictable. You may leave for work in the morning in the freezing cold and by the afternoon the sun will be shining. With this in mind, it’s important to always check the weather to avoid being unprepared (Met Eireann are probably the most reliable resource for this).
It’s important to know that if you do find yourself stuck in the rain even though there was sunshine an hour prior – don’t worry, even the locals haven’t gotten used to experiencing all seasons in one day. In fact, many of us don’t even own a fully functioning umbrella!
There really are a lot of pubs
No matter where you are staying in Ireland, the chances are that you will come across a lot of pubs scattered around the area. Despite popular belief, pub culture in Ireland is a lot more than just getting drunk – although that can be an aim for many when visiting a pub. It’s also about camaraderie, friendship, and good craic (see above).
Not sure what to expect when you walk through the doors of your first Irish pub? These are some things you might see:
- Trad sessions: Trad is short for traditional and is a genre of music that developed in Ireland and is played in many pubs across the country. It involves fiddles, flutes, banjos, accordions, and practically any instrument that the locals decide to bring along with them.
- Sports: Rugby, Gaelic, hurling, and football are all regularly played across the TVs in local pubs and are nearly always an excuse for people to get out and come together to support their team.
- Guinness: This Irish stout likely needs no introduction and it should come as no surprise that you will see plenty of it on the tables and at the bar of any Irish pub.
Things can be expensive
Like many countries across the EU, Ireland can be expensive. This doesn’t mean that it’s impossible to live comfortably here, it just means it’s important to shop around and get to know the prices of different items and deals to make sure you get the best bang for your buck!
These are just some of the expenses to expect and how you can try to find the best value for money for each:
- Rent: It is no secret that the cost of renting in Ireland at the moment is high. If you are hoping to rent a place to yourself or a private room, look on websites like Daft.ie, Rent.ie and Property.ie. If you are planning on studying in Ireland, reach out to your University for advice and recommendations.
- Food: There are plenty of supermarkets in Ireland which makes it easier to shop around for the best deals. Expect to come across Tesco, Supervalu, Aldi, and Lidl in nearly every town in the country. When you find the supermarket that best suits your needs, make sure to sign up for a loyalty card for extra savings!
- Utilities: This includes things such as electricity, TV, and broadband. Each can sometimes be covered in your monthly rent however if you are in the position that you need to source a deal yourself, you can read more about TV and broadband deals here and electricity deals here.
- Phone: Probably one of the first things on your list to get organised is your SIM card! Thankfully, there are plenty of reliable networks across the country and a number of good deals available – read more about the best phone deals in Ireland here.
There is an adventure on every corner
When you make the move to Ireland, make sure to immerse yourself in the events, festivals, and great food that is scattered across the island. That’s right, not everything in Ireland is centered around having a pint of the black stuff on a Friday night (even if the night often ends that way).
Some fun experiences to look out for include:
- Food markets: Ireland is fast becoming a foodie haven and you will almost always see a food market or a new food truck popping up in large cities and smaller towns. Check out Lovin.ie and Char magazine for the latest on all things food in Ireland.
- Music and culture festivals: The Irish have a love of music and all things culture which can be seen throughout the various festivals that take place across the country. Dublin Fringe Festival, International Literature Festival, Cork Jazz Festival, Other Voices, Electric Picnic, and Body and Soul are just some that you should keep your eye out for while living in Ireland.
- Plays and open-mic nights: One thing is for certain if you are a fan of theatre, drama or open-mic you will be spoilt for choice in Ireland! In the capital alone, there are plenty of theatres that host musicals and dramas and numerous pubs that host live music and open-mic nights throughout the week.
Keeping your finances in order isn’t complicated
If you haven’t already done so before leaving, opening an Irish bank account is a great place to start when trying to get your finances in order! The good news is that opening up a bank account is pretty uncomplicated. If you prefer to take the most simple approach, however, a digital account with Money Jar could be the best option for you!
At Money Jar, we aim to help you to be better with money and reduce financial stress – including any stresses that can sometimes come with setting up a current account the traditional way. That’s why we built a simple new approach to a current account that is entirely digital with all the benefits. All you will need to set up an account with us is government-approved identification and a postal address to receive your prepaid Mastercard.
If you have more questions about bank accounts in Ireland, get your answers here.
At MoneyJar, we have built a simple new approach to a digital account. This means that things that can sometimes be confusing when first moving to a new country like setting up a bank account can all be made a lot more simple with three simple steps.
- Download the Money Jar app
- Register your personal details
- Verify your identity using a standard form of identification
We provide so many ways to help you stay on top of your spending and make the process of setting up an account easy – the way it should be! Find out more about how we can help you have the freedom to be better with money here.
