Please or to access all these features

Add post

Watch this thread

Save thread

Start a new thread

Flip thread

Hide thread

My feed

Active Unanswered threads

Getting started FAQ's

Unanswered threads Acronyms Talk guidelines

Hide shortcut buttons

Talk

Craicnet

Flip

Original poster

Moving to Ireland with 16 yo dd

21 replies

Wartie123 · 12/03/2021 13:31

We lived in Ireland when dd was 4 to 11, moving back to UK for DH job. We now want to move back to Ireland after Brexit and Covid. We have family in both places, but feel Ireland is a nicer place to live. DD is in GCSE year at the moment and would move school anyway. We haven't sorted out a school yet, but am worried it will be hard to find a place at short notice. She would be going into 5th year and it may be difficult for her to fit in? Looking at moving to South Dublin/North Wicklow. Any ideas for schools? Thanks

OP posts:

rosyvalentine · 12/03/2021 13:40

Hi. What kind of school are you looking for? Mixed? Single sex? Fee paying or public? Is your DD interested in particular sports? Would you be looking for a school with any specialities such as music etc? That kind of info would help in terms of recommendations.

partyatthepalace · 12/03/2021 13:48

Will you be able to get help with university fees having been away so long? Worth double checking on all that.

Original poster

Wartie123 · 12/03/2021 15:36

Thanks - she's really into squash, but no schools in Dublin offer it. We're looking for a mixed school that has good sports facilities and at this stage one that has a place. Goodness hadn't thought of university fees!

OP posts:

rosyvalentine · 12/03/2021 18:25

Depending on where you're living, you could consider Wesley College or St. Andrew's College. Both are in South Dublin, are mixed and have good sports facilities but both are fee paying. There are very few mixed schools in South Dublin that are not fee paying. Your choice will really depend ultimately on where you're living. Feel free to PM me if you'd like more specific info. I live in SD

rosyvalentine · 12/03/2021 18:27

EU citizens/Irish residents get subsidised University fees in Ireland. You're probably looking at about €5k per annum.

Decorhate · 12/03/2021 20:23

It may be different when looking for a place for a 5th year pupil (though I don’t think many spaces really come free at that stage as most kids stay on for LC & don’t move schools). However, as others have said, South Dublin is notoriously difficult for schools. My sister had huge folders of paperwork when applying for her kids. I think it’s particularly hard for girls for some reason - has had to go private for dn.

I know a family who moved back to S Dublin when there kids were that age & one got a place eventually at a Jewish school & one at a Church of Ireland school (family had no affiliation with either religion).

It might be easier in a town outside Dublin...

doctorhamster · 12/03/2021 20:34

I would honestly wait a couple of years until she's finished her education and then move.

SionnachRua · 12/03/2021 20:38

I think it's a really awkward age to move schools and join a completely different school system. Personally I'd wait a couple of years until she's finished school, if you can.

I've the opposite experience to a pp though - live and went to school in SD and ime, school places open up in 5th year as kids move towards the Institute. More again open up in 6th. But that might just be a very specific cohort.

anomletteandaglassofwine · 13/03/2021 23:15

Mixed school with good facilities and a place available for 5th year in September is asking an awful lot in South Dublin. You would have to go private. Andrew's, Columba's, Wesley, Gerards in Bray. Newpark is non fee paying with reasonable sports facilities, but a long waiting list for 5th year places.

There is the Institute, in the city centre, originally a grind school but has 4th/5th/6th years now. Great teaching but I think sports would be an afterthought.

Would she consider all girls? There are lots of those in the area. Let me know if you'd like some suggestions

N4ish · 13/03/2021 23:22

I would also recommend Newpark if you’re looking for mixed and non fee paying but I agree with others that the timing doesn’t seem good for a move like this.

Bluekeeker · 19/03/2021 19:03

St conleths would be worth looking into buts it's in Donnybrook so not south county Dublin. Has some sports but I mention it because the school principal happens to be an ex Ireland squash player and I'd say would be a great help in identifying good squash clubs / programs for juniors etc

mathanxiety · 19/03/2021 19:40

Newpark Comprehensive, Blackrock, might be your best bet for admission. Check the catchment area. It's a good school for anyone interested in arts/ humanities/ fine art.

Shankill isnt a bad place to live - it's pretty far south in Co Dublin. It has no secondary school but Bray has a few. It's on the motorway, there's a Luas stop not too far from the main drag, and a Dart station.

Greystones is also nice, well into wicklow but has bus and train connection to Dublin.

mathanxiety · 19/03/2021 19:56

Check Rathdown school for places. Also Holy Child Killiney and Loreto Dalkey and Foxrock. Maybe Loreto Stephens Green too, and Muckross and Teresians in Donnybrook.

There has been a little financial upheaval as a result of covid and some places might unexpectedly open up . The above are all single sex.

Sadly, most schools say they need names on a waiting list for a few years, but try to talk to someone in each school to get a feel for the situation on the ground.

mathanxiety · 19/03/2021 20:31

I agree with SionnachRua wrt the exodus to the Institute.

Focalpoint · 19/03/2021 20:41

Does it have to be south Dublin? Sutton Park School and Sutton Tennis Club for the squash.

121SarahB · 19/03/2021 21:21

How does your daughter herself feel about it?

I moved to Ireland as an older teenager, socially it was super easy to make great friends , the Irish are so friendly and great fun. I really enjoyed the nightlife as I felt generally “ safer” in Ireland.

But... the school system and subjects were so different . Irish history . Irish geography . French instead of German . English - study of Irish poetry . I found maths the most difficult in Ireland.

I was very academic and had to work night and day to catch up- which I did but I am a little bitter about all the extra work.

Could you wait until her A levels are finished ?

turkeyboots · 20/03/2021 12:37

Is she young for her school year? You could put her in TY/4th year which would give her time to adapt and catch up on the different areas for the LC. No idea of it helps find a school place though as not all schools offer it to all their kids.
There isn't the same rules about age for Irish schools compared to England, plenty of 18 year olds starting 6th year here.

mathanxiety · 21/03/2021 03:25

YYY - TY might be a good option.

JustAMum2003 · 09/12/2023 21:14

I know this is an old post but just wondering did OP ever make the move in the end? We are thinking of moving our DD when she finishes her GCSEs. Wondered if this worked out - hopefully so!

DeanElderberry · 10/12/2023 14:52

I'd strongly urge letting her do Transition Year, whatever school she goes to. There'll be no exam pressure, she'll have a chance to get to know people before the pressure of Leaving Cert preparation, and she and you and the school will be able to identify the gaps between what she was studying before and what she'll need for the Leaving (ie, six subjects including English and Maths).

DeanElderberry · 10/12/2023 14:52

oh, I didn't realise it was a zombie thread.

Flip