Cullin
American expat in Ireland
Forum posts
31
About me
American
Registration: 16 March 2016
Property prices in Ireland by Priscilla
Hello everyone, Finding affordable housing in Ireland is number one priority for newcomers. Tell us more about the estate market in your district/city/region. What are the most desired places to live? What are the most affordable ones? What is ...
You may not be as happy as you hope, auddie. Ireland tends to be quite liberal socially and politically. We have universal health care, free higher education, free travel passes and GP care for the elderly, free GP care for children six and under, a ... Read More
Do you speak Irish? by Priscilla
Hi everyone, It is widely agreed that speaking English is essential for a successful integration in Ireland. Do you agree? What about Irish? Where can one attend a language course in Ireland? Is it easy to communicate in a different language ...
You don't NEED to learn Irish, even in the Gaeltacht in the town in which we live. English is the primary language. However, we're enjoying learning the language. My husband's doing better than I am, mostly because he's always been ... Read More
Car Insurance for Expats by romaods
Hello, anyone knows a good broker or company that can provide Car Insurance for expats in ireland. I`ve tried Clemments but they are no more providing their services here. thanks
Yes, we ended up with Liberty. Now that I remember they were the ONLY company willing to insure us. We hadn't made any claims for years in the US and our insurance company there (Horace Mann, a great company) provided them with a statement that ... Read More
Dual Citizen: Republic of Ireland and USA by wfbjjk
I am a dual citizen of the Republic of Ireland and the USA. I was approved as an Irish citizen (through descent) on July 8, 2016. I was born in the USA. I hold a full time job in the US and live in St. Petersburg, Florida. My husband and I plan ...
When you arrive you go register at the nearest Garda station. As long as he has his passport you don't need a visa, but you might need to write for permission to remain as a spouse. My husband had to do that because we were given a non-renewable ... Read More
Dual Citizen: Republic of Ireland and USA by wfbjjk
I am a dual citizen of the Republic of Ireland and the USA. I was approved as an Irish citizen (through descent) on July 8, 2016. I was born in the USA. I hold a full time job in the US and live in St. Petersburg, Florida. My husband and I plan ...
My situation was complicated by the fact my birth name and the name by which I'm known on all paperwork (pay checks, social security, driver's license, marriage cert, etc) is different. I've been known by my nickname since I was 14 years ... Read More
Car Insurance for Expats by romaods
Hello, anyone knows a good broker or company that can provide Car Insurance for expats in ireland. I`ve tried Clemments but they are no more providing their services here. thanks
Sheridan in Wexford did well by us. Read More
Dual Citizen: Republic of Ireland and USA by wfbjjk
I am a dual citizen of the Republic of Ireland and the USA. I was approved as an Irish citizen (through descent) on July 8, 2016. I was born in the USA. I hold a full time job in the US and live in St. Petersburg, Florida. My husband and I plan ...
Get your Irish passport now. It will take some time because the Irish passport office is inundated with UK residents applying for an Irish passport at the moment. My Registry of Foreign Birth citizenship certificate was treated as an interesting ... Read More
The holiday season in Ireland by Priscilla
Hello everyone, Are you about to celebrate the holiday season in Ireland? In many countries and cultures, the festive season is the time for happiness and reunions/gatherings. Is it so in Ireland? How do Irish celebrate this very special time of ...
A quick heads up for anyone planning to visit the country during the Christmas season. Everything (and I mean everything) will be closed for about a week. The entire country goes on holiday and that's that. We don't really do anything for ... Read More
Irish citizen born in USA. Never lived in ireland but work in EU by glennenglishnyc
Hi guys, I am an irish citizen born in USA. Currently looking to move with my 4 year old daughter and wife to Ireland. My 4 year old daughter got her passport but we haven't done any paper work for my wife. I have heard it's difficult to get ...
Good catch. I meant to mention credit unions, but forgot. It took us forever to find the local credit union. No one ever mentioned it so we didn't think of it. Usually we prefer credit unions. We've been happy with our bank so far, but I ... Read More
Pets in Ireland by Priscilla
Hello everyone, Many of us in Ireland have four-legged friends. What about you? Do you have one or more pets? Share your experience with us! What are the formalities to import pets in Ireland? What about pet adoption procedures in the country? ...
We brought our dog with us from the US. Aer Lingus will only deal with ONE company. I understand that. The regulations are so rigid and complex and the stakes so high, both for the individual dog and the rabies-free, unprotected animals of Ireland, ... Read More
Irish citizen born in USA. Never lived in ireland but work in EU by glennenglishnyc
Hi guys, I am an irish citizen born in USA. Currently looking to move with my 4 year old daughter and wife to Ireland. My 4 year old daughter got her passport but we haven't done any paper work for my wife. I have heard it's difficult to get ...
Definitely get your wife's passport BEFORE the move. It will expedite things greatly. You do need to be living continuously in Ireland in order to establish residency. Once you do that, then you can travel/work within the EU. Establishing ... Read More
Property prices in Ireland by Priscilla
Hello everyone, Finding affordable housing in Ireland is number one priority for newcomers. Tell us more about the estate market in your district/city/region. What are the most desired places to live? What are the most affordable ones? What is ...
We live on the southeastern coast. House prices seem very high to us, but rents are about half what they'd be in New England, where we came from. I do not recommend buying too quickly as you need to know what town or area really suits you long ... Read More
Are you happy in Ireland? by Priscilla
Hello everyone! According to the 2016 UN World Happiness Survey, Denmark, Switzerland and Iceland are the happiest countries on earth. How about you? Are you happy in Ireland? Do you feel happier today in your host country than before in your ...
Ridiculously so. Very happy to have made this move, suits us right down to the ground. Read More
How to find job opportunities for a couple in Ireland by downshifter
Hi all, we are a couple and we are considering to change our job/lives and expat in a country like Ireland to work together. The question might appear too simple, but how (and if) is possible to find some opportunities for couples in Ireland or to ...
Ah, I suspect the kind of job you're thinking of is a word-of-mouth affair. I've started to pick up the casual work I prefer by getting to know people in my community. I wonder if you might not meet with success if you brought an IT job ... Read More
How to find job opportunities for a couple in Ireland by downshifter
Hi all, we are a couple and we are considering to change our job/lives and expat in a country like Ireland to work together. The question might appear too simple, but how (and if) is possible to find some opportunities for couples in Ireland or to ...
Yes, it will help greatly. I'm not terribly up on work issues but you might try a head hunter (employment agency) or responding online or by phone for jobs advertised. I do hear over and over that being on the ground is more than helpful. We ... Read More
Common misconceptions and clichés about life in Ireland
The weather. I remind all and sundry you never have to shovel rain. And, as an added benefit, you can grow mushrooms in your shoes! (well, joking on that--but not by much some days) We came from snow country, had ten feet of snow the winter before ... Read More
How to find job opportunities for a couple in Ireland by downshifter
Hi all, we are a couple and we are considering to change our job/lives and expat in a country like Ireland to work together. The question might appear too simple, but how (and if) is possible to find some opportunities for couples in Ireland or to ...
First thing to think about is your citizenship status? Are either of you EU citizens or have Irish citizenship? Read More
Bring US boyfriend to Ireland
Unfortunately he's one generation shy of being able to obtain Irish citizenship by foreign birth. And being a couple holds no weight without a marriage cert. If you think marriage is in the cards perhaps your best shot would be to take a year ... Read More
New members of the Ireland forum, introduce yourself here 2016 by Julien
Hi all, Newbie on the Ireland forum? Dont know how to start? This thread is for you ;) We invite you to introduce yourself on this topic, to share with us your expat story if you are already living in the country, or to tell us more on ...
Tyler, The Irish passport will GREATLY ease the way. It was the key element in our immigration process. My Registry of Foreign Birth citizenship certificate aroused great interest but was always meaningless in terms of meeting documentation ... Read More
Dealing with homesickness in Ireland by Priscilla
Hello everyone, Being an expat in Ireland can turn out to be a wonderful human, social or professional adventure... with potential moments of nostalgia and homesickness along the way. What are your personal tips to prevent homesickness? How ...
Hi mav! Always nice to run into you. Your talking about going to an Asian grocery to hang out reminds me of two situations when I lived in the US, both in New England--one of the most vanilla places on the planet. About ten years ago the lower ... Read More
Customer care in Ireland by Priscilla
Hello everyone, The way customer services are handled can greatly affect your views on certain brands, products, companies or stores. As a consumer, it is important to get familiar with local practices regarding client assistance in Ireland and ...
We've found consumer protection kind of lacking here, especially as it applies to any transaction implemented by phone. When you go to disconnect a phone or other service the company suddenly produces a contract you supposedly signed up for when ... Read More
Adapting to the climate in Ireland by Priscilla
Hello everyone, Adjusting to new climatic conditions is key in any expatriation process. Moving to Ireland is no exception. What are the climate characteristics of Ireland? How does the local weather impact your daily life, mood or ...
Totally agree. In New England we used to say "If you don't like the weather, just wait five minutes." By which, I now realize, we actually meant "wait an hour or two." In Ireland the five-minute parameter applies, which has ... Read More
Adapting to the climate in Ireland by Priscilla
Hello everyone, Adjusting to new climatic conditions is key in any expatriation process. Moving to Ireland is no exception. What are the climate characteristics of Ireland? How does the local weather impact your daily life, mood or ...
God yes. We had summer last Tuesday, with sun and temperatures in the mid 70sF to mid 80s someplace in the midlands (I think). We dropped all plans, hopped on our bikes and peddled 6km to the beach. Where I got to swim for the first time in over a ... Read More
Expand your social circle in Ireland by Priscilla
Hello everyone, Moving to Ireland means leaving one's family and friends behind. Creating a circle of friends or joining an existing one should therefore be paramount in order to fight loneliness in your host country. But how can one develop a ...
I was also realizing today that none of the Italians in our Irish-Italian Boston neighbourhood socialized outside of their families either. The women--mostly cousins-would get together during the day to play double solitaire at times. (They'd ... Read More
Expand your social circle in Ireland by Priscilla
Hello everyone, Moving to Ireland means leaving one's family and friends behind. Creating a circle of friends or joining an existing one should therefore be paramount in order to fight loneliness in your host country. But how can one develop a ...
Oh gosh, I must have sounded insulted. But I wasn't. Quite the opposite. Believe me, I've had to listen to people trash New Englanders--while I was sitting right in the room with them--and that sounds quite different from your helpful ... Read More
Expand your social circle in Ireland by Priscilla
Hello everyone, Moving to Ireland means leaving one's family and friends behind. Creating a circle of friends or joining an existing one should therefore be paramount in order to fight loneliness in your host country. But how can one develop a ...
Why thank you, Mav. I do know New England is not everyone's cup of tea. I also know that if you need someone to have your back you can't find a better people. But of course that isn't terribly obvious until/unless you've experienced ... Read More
Expand your social circle in Ireland by Priscilla
Hello everyone, Moving to Ireland means leaving one's family and friends behind. Creating a circle of friends or joining an existing one should therefore be paramount in order to fight loneliness in your host country. But how can one develop a ...
I think I'm lucky because I came from New England, home of God's Frozen People. You had to have lived in a town for at least five generations before you were considered a sort of native, so I'm used to being From Away (New England term) ... Read More
Adapting to the climate in Ireland by Priscilla
Hello everyone, Adjusting to new climatic conditions is key in any expatriation process. Moving to Ireland is no exception. What are the climate characteristics of Ireland? How does the local weather impact your daily life, mood or ...
I came from snow country. We had 10 feet of snow the winter before we left so I'm very happy with rain. You never have to shovel rain. You do, however, have to watch out for black ice here in winter. My body seems to be acclimatizing after ... Read More
Making phone calls in Ireland by Maximilien
Hi, When settling in Ireland, one of the priorities is to be able to make phone calls. How to proceed to get a landline installed in Ireland? What are the mobile operators? What is your average monthly budget? Thank you in advance for ...
We use Skype for 2.70 Euro a month to call the US unlimited. Free if the other person has Skype and happens to be online. I call my sister on her US landline all the time. We got a landline from Eir when we first lived here. I do NOT recommend ... Read More
Cats in cabin whilst flying into Dublin by Sultana77
Hello My husband and I are from Malta and we'll be moving to Ireland with our two cats in the coming months. We are presently looking for an airline that would allow us to take our cats with us in the cabin. We are too scared to leave them in ...
Sultana, Don't know what you ended up doing, but we've shipped dogs twice via Aer Lingus to and from the US. They were fine both times, although we worried a lot. The cargo hold they put animals in is pressurized. Also, Aer Lingus' ... Read More
Healthcare in Ireland by Julien
Hi, how does the healthcare system work in Ireland ? Is it efficient ? What are the main differences between public and private sectors? Is it recommended to purchase private health insurance in Ireland? Thanks in advance for sharing ...
We've had much better care in Ireland than in the US and far more cheaply. My husband has a card that enables him to free GP care because the Irish government has simply decided to take care of its citizens under the age of six (soon to be 12) ... Read More