Educating Your Children in Ireland

If you're considering a move to Ireland and have school-age children, your concerned thoughts may turn to a single, critical question: Will my children benefit from an education in this country?

As a father of three (now grown) children, and a grandfather of five (not so grown) grandchildren, this same thought passed across my furrowed brow oh-so-many years ago. As an American, I was educated for the most part in the United States. Back in the mid-80s and having established residency here - and as my kids reached those formative school-going years -  I too worried for their future. After all, to my Yankee ears even the Irish educational nomenclature sounded decidedly foreign.

Primary school, secondary school, transition year, third level...what did it all mean? And though  I was (and still am) Catholic, the realisation that many schools were run by the Catholic Church gave me a moment's pause for reflection. While I attended Catholic schools for a few years in years gone by, did I want my kids taught by an Irish Catholic Church which was beset with many woes? I was so worried that for awhile I considered abandoning Ireland all together and moving back to the United States.

I shouldn't have let my over-active imagination cause me worry. And neither should you. Because over the years I've discovered that Ireland offers one of the best educations around. To all of her people.

A Background

Primary School: Most kids here start school at about the age of 4 or 5. The first two years, Junior and Senior Infants, are sort of like the U.S. version of Kindergarten and prepare children for the balance of their education. Following that, children attend 6 years of Primary School.

Most primary schools are State run. Many are still administered by the Catholic Church. Other than reading, writing, 'rithmatic, and other foundation courses, the syllabus includes Catholic religion classes and important (to Catholics anyway) milestones such as First Communion and Confirmation.

However, if you are not Catholic your child is not required to take religion classes so rest easy.

That said, as more and more immigrants wash up on these shores, schools incorporating other religions, or multi-disciplinary religious theologies, or none at all, are also being developed. Too, many parents choose to send their children to schools run by the Church of Ireland.

Unless attending a private school, Primary Schools in Ireland are free (that said, parents are often asked to make contributions to schools to help them cope with ongoing expenses or new investments).

For more information on Ireland's Primary Schools please click here.

Secondary School: the Secondary School cycle typically accommodates kids from the ages of 12 and up and is 5 or 6 years long. Many schools offer the option of a 'Transition Year' (following the 3rd year  of secondary school) which is a sort of practical year enabling students to explore varied areas of interest outside of the typical curriculum. Most kids love Transition Year (though some profess to hate it.)

Once again, many Secondary Schools are State owned and run by the Church. However, others are private and run by other religions and organisations. Some parents also send their children to Boarding Schools. Many of these tend to be both prestigious and expensive. My kids all attended public Secondary Schools. They're free and offer a great education.

Note that some Secondary Schools are open only to boys. Some only to girls. While others are mixed. So take your pick, depending on what is on offer in your area.

Critical Irish Secondary School Exams: now here's where it gets very different from the United States. For many Americans, going to High School is a leap toward a college education. Entrance to the college or university of our choice is often based on a combination of results including High School GPA, standardised testing like the ACT and SAT, and often the quality of our application.

Here it differs completely.

Kids in Secondary School sit two major examinations. The first is the Junior Certificate. This tough examination usually takes place during a pupil's 3rd year of Secondary School. It is a multi-day series of tests across anywhere between 9 and 13 subjects.

The Junior Cert is a comprehensive examination which tests the skills and learning kids have received during their first 3 years of Secondary School. But does the Junior Cert have anything to do with College entrance? Not on your life. Instead, kids sit yet another exam. A more important exam. The nightmare of all exams:

The Leaving Cert: here's where the tough get going. The Leaving Cert is taken at the end of the last year of Secondary School. Kids spend almost a year preparing for it. Entire households go on prescription sedatives during this period because...

The Leaving Cert results, and only those results, determine not only where you can go to college or university, but if you can go at all. If your Leaving Cert results (the number of points you've obtained) aren't up to scratch, you simply can't compete in a country loaded with kids desiring a college and university education. Those with poor Leaving Cert results have options, of course. They can wait a year and take the Exam all over again. Or they can go on to a trade school or apply to foreign colleges and universities.

But make no bones about it: unlike the U.S., the single week of the Leaving Cert exam can determine the future for most students. And that is a daunting task, if I've ever heard of one.

Click here for more information on Irish Secondary Schools.

Higher Education

In my opinion, and for its size, Ireland has some of the best colleges and universities around. These so-called '3rd Level' institutions offer a breadth of education and learning required for today's highly competitive marketplace. From business degrees to Medicine; arts diplomas to computer science; practical degrees in construction to theology, Ireland has it all.

What's more, compared to equivalent U.S. university education, Ireland's institutions cost a pittance. If you are an Irish citizen or legally residing in Ireland, fees for most universities (including Trinity, UCD, DCU, University College Ireland, and many others) are €3,000 per year. I'll write it again:

€3,000 per year!

Okay, you'll have to add other costs to that: books and computers, living quarters and subsistence, but what a bargain! And trust me: the quality of education in this country does not reflect that bargain basement price. Instead, and depending on what you want to do and where you go, it's some of the best around. Just ask my son who recently graduated from NUI Maynooth with a PhD in the Irish language. He's more than a little pleased.

The Bottom Line

I was right to stay in Ireland if for nothing else than the quality of education which has substantially benefited my children. Okay, many Secondary Schools may not have the state-of-the-art infrastructure some U.S. High Schools have: most don't have an indoor swimming pool or indoor track or huge stage.

But they have something else: a high quality education delivered by teachers and teaching professionals who still consider their profession to be one of the best around. In return, most Irish respect those teachers, knowing that their diligence and skills provide a pathway to a future for their children.

If you're considering a move to Ireland I hope you take my advice: don't worry about your children's education. Ireland, I think, has some of the best in the world.

A Survivor's Guide to Living in Ireland 2017 Kindle Edition Now Available!

If this blog interests you and you want to learn more about Ireland why not consider purchasing A Survivor's Guide to Living in Ireland 2017 Edition. Are you thinking about living and working in Ireland? Would you like to move to Ireland? Do you want to know how to get an Irish work visa in this country? Do you need to know how Brexit and Trump policies may affect your plans? If so, consider purchasing the 2017 edition of A Survivor's Guide to Living in Ireland by Tom Richards. Now almost 90,000 words long, this book could make the perfect gift for  those interested in this wonderful country. Over 14,000 people have now learned how to live, laugh, and drink like the Irish by reading this Kindle ebook. I hope you enjoy, and my very best - Tom

Meeting the Demand for IT Jobs

Most weeks I receive a question or two from people looking to come to Ireland hoping to study, work, and live. I thought I'd post my response here hoping other folks might find it of benefit.

The questions, received this morning, are:

 

Hi,

I am planning to take masters in ireland. I got an offer from NCI in MS cloud computing. I have also applied to Univ of cork and Trinity, waiting for them to revert with a confirmation.

Sir can you please share me the Job market in IT sector ? competition will be high ?
Even if I land up in a job in IT sector , will I be able to get a PR.

Awaiting for your response.

The Answers:
 First - congratulations to this person on your offer from NCI (National College of Ireland). It's a great school and I surely hope you'll enjoy the experience. And I must say I wish you luck with the University of Cork and Trinity. You might look at CIT (Cork Institute of Technology) which also has a fine IT programme.

Too, your choice of studying for an MS in cloud computing seems to me to be spot on. So many companies are hiring in this area. After all, cloud computing is a burgeoning area of growth, and companies simply cannot find enough qualified people to keep up with their requirements.

With regards to your questions: "Can you please share with me the job market in the IT sector in Ireland?  Answer: do a simple Google trawl. This morning I used only one key phrases: IT CLOUD COMPUTING JOBS IN IRELAND. Google came back to me with any number of pages. Here's just one: http://www.irishjobs.ie/Cloud-Computing-Jobs. Take a look and you'll see a good few opportunities on this page alone. Take a look at the other links and you'll find any number of great prospects.

You ask if competition will be high? The answer is Yes, of course it will. But not for the reasons you might expect. Right now there is a shortage of skilled IT personnel in Ireland. Companies seem to be falling all over themselves to attract the right people. But the key phrase here is: "The right people." They're looking for smart, motivated, hard-working folks who will bring needed skills to fill a resource gap. And I'm certain that if you study hard and connect with people and companies during your studies, you'll do just fine.

Finally you ask about Permanent Residency. That's tougher but not impossible. I suggest you go to a previous post I've written to answer this question. Go to: http://survivingireland.blogspot.ie/2016/11/getting-job-and-living-in-ireland-trump.html for more information. Too, when you start your studies Career Guidance people at your college or university will be able to help.

Wishing you so much luck!

Tom

A Survivor's Guide to Living in Ireland 2017 Kindle Edition Now Available!

If this blog interests you and you want to learn more about Ireland why not consider purchasing A Survivor's Guide to Living in Ireland 2017 Edition. Are you thinking about living and working in Ireland? Would you like to move to Ireland? Do you want to know how to get an Irish work visa in this country? Do you need to know how Brexit and Trump policies may affect your plans? If so, consider purchasing the 2017 edition of A Survivor's Guide to Living in Ireland by Tom Richards. Now almost 90,000 words long, this book could make the perfect gift for  those interested in this wonderful country. Over 14,000 people have now learned how to live, laugh, and drink like the Irish by reading this Kindle ebook. I hope you enjoy, and my very best - Tom

Brexit Slams Irish Food and Drink Exports to the Tune of €570 million in Lost Potential Sales

Ireland is caught in an economic vice. Brexit hasn't even happened yet and already the Irish economy is feeling the bitter winds inbound from just over the Irish Sea.

A few days ago, Bord Bia - that wonderful state agency responsible for monitoring Ireland's food and drink industry - reported that the fall in the value of Sterling has already wiped out €570 million in potential exports within this industry. That's a hell-of-a-lot of euro. (see RTE reporter George Lee's article on additional downsides due to Brexit). What's shiveringly possible is: the spectre of Brexit could result in yet another wave of unemployment sweeping into this country.

The impact of Brexit is difficult to fully predict. We do not yet know if the United Kingdom will push tariffs on a variety of products down our throats. If they do prices of Irish exports into the UK will skyrocket, further dampening the suddenly fragile Irish economic recovery. The government is taking some action by pro-actively consulting with Irish exporters. Many companies here depend largely on UK exports to make a profit and survive. The Irish government is suggesting it's time to diversify to other nations in order to mitigate risk. However, gearing up to serve the needs of other countries can be a relatively long process. In the meantime, those employed by Irish companies who are dependent on Britain as a key export market are going to have to take a huge breath and cross their fingers, hoping they'll be able to keep their jobs as the ramification of Brexit becomes clearer.

Job Opportunities Due to Brexit

But all is not lost. Ireland is still hiring big-time within key industries. It turns out that Brexit may have a silver lining after all. Many UK-based companies, fearing a loss of free-trade movement throughout the EU, are considering a relocation to Ireland. For that reason, legal, accounting, and professional services could see a significant rise in employment opportunities.

Other industries are also gearing  up despite - or because - of Brexit. Folks with skills in digital marketing, engineers of all types, pharmaceutical specialists, guys and gals with experience in global sales and marketing, IT, nurses and doctors, people with construction experience - all are still in great demand.

So much so that many companies are recruiting Irish citizens who left this country to immigrate abroad during the bad years in order to survive. Today, businesses are reaching out to the great Irish diaspora, hoping to lure many of these people back home to fill their skills shortages.

So yes. The impact from Brexit will certainly shake Ireland's economy and the job prospects that go with a recovery. But - the uncertainly of Brexit could also deliver more opportunities to this country.

For more information take a look at a December article by The Irish Examiner. A thoughtful - and hope-filled - piece.

A Survivor's Guide to Living in Ireland 2017 Kindle Edition Now Available!

If this blog interests you and you want to learn more about Ireland why not consider purchasing A Survivor's Guide to Living in Ireland 2017 Edition. Are you thinking about living and working in Ireland? Would you like to move to Ireland? Do you want to know how to get an Irish work visa in this country? Do you need to know how Brexit and Trump policies may affect your plans? If so, consider purchasing the 2017 edition of A Survivor's Guide to Living in Ireland by Tom Richards. Now almost 90,000 words long, this book could make the perfect gift for  those interested in this wonderful country. Over 14,000 people have now learned how to live, laugh, and drink like the Irish by reading this Kindle ebook. I hope you enjoy, and my very best - Tom

Thank You for 105K+ Visits

When I started this blog in 2009, and if I'm honest, I did so for a fairly simple reason. Since moving to Ireland in 1982 many of my (mostly) American friends kept asking me the same questions over and over again:

"Why in God's name did you ever move to Ireland? You must have been mad!"

"Can I move to Ireland too? Like, I mean, it's simple, right?"

"How can I get a job in Ireland? I'm sure all I have to do is show up, don't I?"

"Ireland must be so quaint! Do people still use donkey carts to get around?"

The simplicity (and complete lack of knowledge) behind some of these questions could only make me smile. Anyway, I got tired of answering the same questions and in a moment of knee-jerk response started this blog. The results have been beyond my wildest dreams.

This morning, the statistical tools of this simple humble blog hit 105,000 unique visits. That's a heck of a lot a visitors and I'm glad you didn't show up at my small house in Eyeries all at once. I'm certain I would have run out of tea, coffee, beer, and anything else I can think of.

So thank you. Thank you for visiting. Thank you for your support. And as always: if I can answer a question let me know. I'll get back to you and do my best to point you in the right direction.

With my very best regards to all of you,

Tom
Eyeries, Beara, County Cork Ireland

A Survivor's Guide to Living in Ireland 2017 Kindle Edition Now Available!

If this blog interests you and you want to learn more about Ireland why not consider purchasing A Survivor's Guide to Living in Ireland 2017 Edition. Are you thinking about living and working in Ireland? Would you like to move to Ireland? Do you want to know how to get an Irish work visa in this country? Do you need to know how Brexit and Trump policies may affect your plans? If so, consider purchasing the 2017 edition of A Survivor's Guide to Living in Ireland by Tom Richards. Now almost 90,000 words long, this book could make the perfect gift for  those interested in this wonderful country. Over 14,000 people have now learned how to live, laugh, and drink like the Irish by reading this Kindle ebook. I hope you enjoy, and my very best - Tom

In 2017, Why Not Visit Us in Eyeries? We'd Love It

I don't think I've ever mentioned it but here where we live, in the small village of Eyeries, way out on the Beara Peninsula in Southwest Ireland (just about as far southwest as you can get), we run a small tent camping operation. And when I say small, I mean small.

Each summer we turn the back garden into a campground. Visitors from all parts of the world make their way here mostly by foot, bicycle and even kayak (yes, we've had visitors come to us that way). God knows how they hear about us or learn that we even exist. We don't advertise nor do we want to. Most see the small sign which hangs on the front of the house. These poor souls, usually exhausted by their staunch efforts of journeying to Eyeries, often set up tents in the backyard, then stagger the few feet up the hill to Causkey's, our local pub, for much needed refreshment.

Not many stay with us. And frankly that suits us just fine. That way we can spend real time getting to know the people who live in our garden if only for a night or two, and along the way we've made so many friends - guys and gals travelling on their own from Holland or Germany. Couples hiking the Beara Way along the coast who came from South Africa and made it over the rugged hills between us and the coastal village of Allihies further down the peninsula. The older couple from New Zealand who stayed with us for two nights, went on their way, then came back to us a few nights later because they missed it so much.

We've had families from Dublin and painters from France. College students taking a break from their studies in Spain, and retired people visiting from England. We've had Americans, Canadians, Egyptians, folks from Israel, Scouts from Switzerland, a bunch of German lads who sent us bottles of Pilsner when they returned home to thank us, and even a family from the Isle of Man who unfortunately did not bring along their Manx cat. All are people with good hearts and good tales of their travels, and each one has provided us with a memory we cherish.

People like Johan (pictured above), a Dutch traveller on a bicycle who landed in Dublin and made his way down, down, down into the Southwest to finally land on our doorstep to spend some time with us. Fully rested, he continued his tour around Ireland. His trip was obviously rewarding. Only today, on this final day of 2016, he sent us a video of his travels.

What a trip! And if you want to see what you could be enjoying on a visit such as Johan's' simply view his YouTube slide show by clicking here.

Sometimes I forget how fortunate we are to live in Eyeries. The people who visit with us constantly remind me of the natural glories which surround us: The startling views of nearby Coulagh Bay in the first light of dawn. The shrill voices of gulls crying as they circle overhead, gliding on the soft winds without effort. The curtained gales which march in from the west, blasting the village in a ferocious frenzy.

Then the sunset, and a glory rarely beheld. Only to be bettered by the darkness of the night. The sky bejewelled in a million glittering pin drops of starlight. The Milky Way a gossamer curtain painted with a telling brush across the firmament. Sometimes, standing in that quiet, I truly believe I can reach up  through the night sky and touch the face of God.

That's what it's like, living here in Eyeries. We don't have to travel far to be one with nature. Instead, we live in it. I guess that's what people remember when they visit us. They remember the humbling views of the Bay and the soft evening song as birds fall asleep. They remember, I think, the starkness of the white cumulus clouds rolling overhead. They also remember the people of this small village nestled between rocky hills and a vast ocean. And for a moment I like to think that we can all simply breath.

Thank you for visiting us, Johan. Thank you everyone who has visited with us and stayed in our small back garden. We hope your travels here have given you peace. Certainly, you all have given us memories to treasure.

I hope many more will visit us in 2017 and for years to come. Tom :)    For more information on Eyeries by all means go to www.eyeries.ie.http://www.eyeries.ie

A Survivor's Guide to Living in Ireland 2017 Kindle Edition Now Available!

If this blog interests you and you want to learn more about Ireland why not consider purchasing A Survivor's Guide to Living in Ireland 2017 Edition. Are you thinking about living and working in Ireland? Would you like to move to Ireland? Do you want to know how to get an Irish work visa in this country? Do you need to know how Brexit and Trump policies may affect your plans? If so, consider purchasing the 2017 edition of A Survivor's Guide to Living in Ireland by Tom Richards. Now almost 90,000 words long, this book could make the perfect gift for  those interested in this wonderful country. Over 14,000 people have now learned how to live, laugh, and drink like the Irish by reading this Kindle ebook. I hope you enjoy, and my very best - Tom

2017 Edition of A Survivor's Guide to Living in Ireland now available!

2017 EBOOK KINDLE EDITION NOW AVAILABLE! 

A Survivor’s Guide to Living in Ireland by Tom Richards gives you the insight you need  to move, work, and visit Ireland. 

Come for a week – stay for a lifetime! That’s the lure of Ireland. Essential reading for anyone considering a move or visit to Ireland. 6th edition! Over 14,000 copies already sold! 

How will Brexit and Trump’s presidential policies affect your plans to move and work in Ireland? Are you entitled to an Irish Work Visa? If so how can you get one? Is Ireland the land of your dreams? Have you ever thought of staying for a prolonged visit, establishing residency, or creating an Irish business? Have you ever wondered what it would be like to live in Ireland? Find out in this rich volume of almost 90,000 words devoted to the ever-changing tapestry of living and working in Ireland. This fun, easy to read book contains (among other things) a brief history of Ireland, the opportunities present here for would-be immigrants, and tips on how to get a work permit, become a citizen, buy a home, cope with taxation and the cost of living, and enjoy this amazing country for yourself. As an added bonus, a Dictionary of Irish Slang and Phrases is also included! 

In 1982, American Tom Richards, fresh out of UCLA, took a four-week holiday in Ireland. He’s been here ever since. Witty and insightful, Tom tells how he overcame the culture shock of living in the Ol’ Sod, learning to twist his middle-class American thinking into a more European point of view while managing to pay his bills at the same time. Along the way, he’s learned some practical lessons that he now shares: From how to understand the Irish to how to drink a perfect pint; from finding a job to how to get a work permit; from purchasing your fist dream home to learning to take soaking walks on a soft Irish day. 

Here, he reveals that to survive in Ireland all you have to do is discover the magic of this wonderful country for yourself. A Survivor’s Guide to Living in Ireland has already sold over 14,000 copies. With it you can learn to Talk like the Irish, Drink like the Irish, Work like the Irish, and Live like the Irish. Essential reading for anyone considering a visit or move to this fabulous country.

A Survivor's Guide to Living in Ireland 2017 Kindle Edition Now Available!

If this blog interests you and you want to learn more about Ireland why not consider purchasing A Survivor's Guide to Living in Ireland 2017 Edition. Are you thinking about living and working in Ireland? Would you like to move to Ireland? Do you want to know how to get an Irish work visa in this country? Do you need to know how Brexit and Trump policies may affect your plans? If so, consider purchasing the 2017 edition of A Survivor's Guide to Living in Ireland by Tom Richards. Now almost 90,000 words long, this book could make the perfect gift for  those interested in this wonderful country. Over 14,000 people have now learned how to live, laugh, and drink like the Irish by reading this Kindle ebook. I hope you enjoy, and my very best - Tom

Getting a Job and Living in Ireland: The Trump Effect

The backlash from Trump’s recent win was anticipated. Yet I’m astounded at the tidal wave of queries I’ve received about working and living in Ireland from American’s who are more than a little perturbed by the election's outcome.

Due to simple demand, I’ve put together a list of rules and websites that should answer a couple of often-asked questions: As an American, can I get a job in Ireland and live there? If so, how do I go about that process?

Before moving to these answers I would encourage any would-be immigrant to pause for a moment, take a deep breath, and reflect on what such a move might entail. Having lived in this country for 34 years now, I will be the first to tell you that an immigrant’s life is hard work. Though the Irish speak English, don’t think for a minute that the culture will be the same as what you experience in Peoria Illinois, Walnut Creek California, or Boston Massachusetts. This is a fascinating country of contradictions: a wonderful people who can still be deeply misunderstood by outsiders simply because you’re not Irish and have not grown up here. Depending on where you live, you might feel the place insular and foreign. Loneliness due to separation from friends and family is common. Making a living here can be difficult even with a good job because taxes are high and the cost of living even higher.

But I make no bones about it: despite the difficulties I’m happy with my life here. Even happier when I think of what may happen to my fellow countrymen and women in Trump’s ‘Great America’. If you’d like to know more about living the life of an immigrant in Ireland you might want to read my book, A Survivor’s Guide to Living in Ireland which gives much deeper insight. 

With that out of the way, let’s move on to the rules for getting a job and residency in this fine country. As I’ve alluded, over the past two days I have seen a spike on this Blog of Americans wishing to move to – and work in – Ireland. For that reason I found it prudent to post this guide. However, first a warning: this is only a guide. Make sure you do your own research for accuracy because employment and residency legislation can change instantly. A good place to start for general information is: http://www.citizensinformation.ie/en/moving_country/moving_to_ireland/working_in_ireland/coming_to_work_in_ireland.html

The Rules

In general, visitors to Ireland are allowed to stay in this country for 90 days. During that time they are not allowed to work. To live and work here for a longer period, there are a number of rules and requirements:

·         For non-EU citizens: Ireland is a member of the European Union. Citizens of EU member states are legally entitled to work and live in Ireland. Non-EU nationals do not have this right and must instead jump through many hoops.

·         If you are a foreign, non-EU student and studying in Ireland on an approved course: you may take up casual work without an employment permit, but only a maximum of 20 hours per week.

·         Working holiday agreements: Ireland has reciprocal agreements with a number of other countries including the United States, allowing non-EU nationals to stay in Ireland for longer than 90 days and work here. To do so you must apply for a Working Holiday Authorization. For more information go to https://www.dfa.ie/travel/visas/working-holiday-visas/

·         If you have Irish ancestry: Ireland has a ‘grandfather’ law. That is, if you can prove that your parents or grandparents were Irish you have the right to Irish citizenship. With citizenship comes the right to live and work in Ireland and anywhere in the EU. For more information go to http://www.citizensinformation.ie/en/moving_country/irish_citizenship/

·         Employment permits: Ireland has 9 types of employment permits. Some allow non-EU nationals to work and live in Ireland: General Employment Permits are usually considered for occupations with an annual remuneration of €30,000 or more. Critical Skills Employment Permits are available in a number of categories. To apply, the prospective employee must have a job offer. Upon receiving a permit your family will usually be eligible to join you. Go to http://www.citizensinformation.ie/en/employment/migrant_workers/employment_permits/green_card_permits.html for more information.

·         Obtaining Irish citizenship through marriage: foreign nationals who are married to Irish citizens can apply for naturalization. For more information go to http://www.citizensinformation.ie/en/moving_country/irish_citizenship/becoming_an_irish_citizen_through_marriage.html

·         Obtaining residency through civil partnership: if you can prove you are in a long-term relationship with an Irish citizen, you are legally allowed to apply for long-term residency.

·         Retired and desiring to reside in Ireland: you may be granted permission to reside in Ireland for the longer-term if you can prove that you have: an annual income equal to €50,000 per annum and; savings equal to the cost of buying a home in Ireland and; comprehensive private Irish-based medical insurance. If you can prove that you will not become a burden to the state you can apply for longer-termed residency. For more information go to http://www.inis.gov.ie/en/INIS/Pages/non-eea-permission.

      Gaining long-term permission to live and work in Ireland if you are not an EU national is tough work but not impossible. If you haven’t been to Ireland make sure you visit first. Check out the place. See if you think you can fit in and survive in Ireland as I have. If your answer is yes, if you are determined and focused, you could well end up living the Irish dream just as I have. I wish you so much luck. 

A Survivor's Guide to Living in Ireland 2017 Kindle Edition Now Available!

If this blog interests you and you want to learn more about Ireland why not consider purchasing A Survivor's Guide to Living in Ireland 2017 Edition. Are you thinking about living and working in Ireland? Would you like to move to Ireland? Do you want to know how to get an Irish work visa in this country? Do you need to know how Brexit and Trump policies may affect your plans? If so, consider purchasing the 2017 edition of A Survivor's Guide to Living in Ireland by Tom Richards. Now almost 90,000 words long, this book could make the perfect gift for  those interested in this wonderful country. Over 14,000 people have now learned how to live, laugh, and drink like the Irish by reading this Kindle ebook. I hope you enjoy, and my very best - Tom