Moving to Dublin from Bristol

[Bristol07]

Hi All

I’m looking for a bit of advice as we’ve decided to take the plunge and move from Bristol to Dublin in the New Year. I am originally from NI , my DH is English and we have three children 10,7&4.

I suppose It would be good to hear from people who have made similar moves recently and how that has gone. We have jobs , schools and house sorted outside Dublin so wanted to know what it’s been like moving back with English DH and three kids - I’m hoping the anti English posts I’ve read here are in the minority. I’d hate for us to have to deal with that especially with the kids.

Many thanks

I have done it the other way around.
We loved living in Dublin (Howth). My kids were all born there and if things had been different we would still be there.

It is a lovely country and amazingly supportive people. I wish you well x

Huge mix of nationalities around Dublin (and lots of the rest of Ireland).

Biggest thing you'll probably notice is the expense of living in Ireland compared to UK , but obviously that depends on your wages.

Where abouts outside of Dublin are you moving? That could be anywhere in the rest of the country. Generally I don't think you'll have any problems, but perhaps it'll be easier in some places than others.

I think the fear of anti English sentiment is outdated tbh

@BillyBarryBoo

I think the fear of anti English sentiment is outdated tbh

Are you British?

I found the "British" stigma more relevant in the North than the south.

Just while I think if it make sure if you are planning on taking your cars over to Dublin that you have owned them for more than 6 months or you will be liable for tax. Car prices in the South are very high.

@Bookwormfromhell (can't quote your post, sorry). I'm Irish, living in Ireland.

[quote BillyBarryBoo]@Bookwormfromhell (can't quote your post, sorry). I'm Irish, living in Ireland.[/quote]
Ok. I’m English, living in Ireland and just to say, anti English sentiment is very much alive and kicking. Worse than it ever was in my opinion.

Op, I hope it works out well for you but do bare in mind that it may/may not be as easy for your husband and kids. Just be aware of it. Hopefully you’ll all be fine.

Make sure you register with a GP asap. Depending where you are you may need to go on a waiting list to join a Practice or may have to travel a fair bit out of your way. Do not wait until someone is sick to register.

@purplecorkheart

Make sure you register with a GP asap. Depending where you are you may need to go on a waiting list to join a Practice or may have to travel a fair bit out of your way. Do not wait until someone is sick to register.

On this point, remember there is no NHS so check if your work benefits include health insurance & if not arrange private health cover.

@Bookwormfromhell I can’t quote your post either but just wanted to add so the OP is not worried unnecessarily that I think you must be very unlucky. Certainly where we are (south Dublin) this is not an issue at all, and there are many, many part English, part Irish families (and all combinations of Irish/English/Welsh/Scottish!) around here living happily for a long time, of whom we are one.

@Bookwormfromhell I'm sorry to hear that.
Whereabouts are you ? ( You may not want to say).

I have not come across anti- English sentiment in Dublin (where I grew up) or where I currently live (Midlands). There are many English people in this town and they have never said anything about this, everyone seems to blend in. I'm sorry you have had the opposite experience

I moved to Dublin 3 years ago, and haven't encountered any anti-English sentiment - closest was my eldest had one kid teasing him for his accent (the youngest didn't even realise he had an English accent and when I told him, started walking around the house saying 'pip pip, would you like a cup of tea' in an exaggerated manner!)

Perhaps I'm sheltered - I work from home, and my friends are all other mothers at the school my kids go to, although my neighbours are lovely too. In fact I've encountered nothing but friendly interest across the board.

Nice and all as your comments are - I think you have to be it to see it. In my experience it’s pretty much across the board and English people tend to keep quiet about it. I’m not in dublin but another biggish city.

Anyway, I’m bowing out. Different people will have different experiences. Good luck op, hope all goes smoothly.

I am English, both my kids have English accents - I honestly haven't had any issue with it. I believe you have, but I guess OP will just have to pick her spot well as I expect it's different in different places. My kid's school has everyone from people who were born and raise generations back in the local area, to kids born in Ireland to foreign parents, to straight immigrants like me so someone with an axe to grind probably would hang around with us lot anyway.

We moved over this year. Although I’ve always considered myself Irish having Irish parents I sound very much English. I was definitely worried about the anti English thing, my DF was from a very big sin fein stronghold. Even he faced problems when he visited after living in England for several years. I visited his hometown several times in the last few years and there are definitely very open wounds still. That’s north, close to the border though.

I have to say I’ve not had any problems at all where we are, in Maynooth, just outside Dublin. The town is very multicultural and everyone regardless of nationality seems to be very friendly.

We have 3 DCs, 9,7 & 4 who have all settled very well. They go to an Educate together school. It’s very different to English schools, so relaxed. I do love the lack of ridgedness compared to British schools.

The biggest problem for us is the cost of everything. Everything is so expensive, our rent is 5 times our uk mortgage. Then there is paying for healthcare. Because I have chronic health conditions I have several medications I’m on, I used my annual prescription allowance on our health insurance in less than 3 months. We’ve also not been able to register with a GP and can’t find one who takes the under 6 children’s card at all. We’ve travelled up north a couple of times just to stock up on non branded over the counter medications as you can’t buy non branded meds like paracetamol in the ROI, your looking at about €2.50 for paracetamol Vs 19p in the uk.

Right now we are weighing up the decision whether to move back or not, DHs job is now wfh permanently so we could move back if we wanted. Financially it definitely makes sense but our DCs have settled in so well and love living here. I also love the lifestyle here compared to the uk.

Hi All, thanks so much for your comments - it’s really appreciated.
We will be south of Dublin so I’m hoping , like many of you say, there will be many multinational families there so our English accents won’t be so much of an issue.
I’m really sorry to hear those stories where accents have been an issue - it’s such a shame in this day that there are folks who still have a problem. I never had a problem with my northern Irish accent in all 15 years of living in England so I’d hope it would be the other way around when we land in Ireland.
As for the price - well that’s another story and one I hadn’t realised was so bad. I’ve been wanting to be back in Ireland for many years now to be near family so hopefully that won’t put us off.
I wish everyone the best in all that they do and wish you all a merry Christmas. Thanks again for your advice.

@Bid876

We moved over this year. Although I’ve always considered myself Irish having Irish parents I sound very much English. I was definitely worried about the anti English thing, my DF was from a very big sin fein stronghold. Even he faced problems when he visited after living in England for several years. I visited his hometown several times in the last few years and there are definitely very open wounds still. That’s north, close to the border though.

I have to say I’ve not had any problems at all where we are, in Maynooth, just outside Dublin. The town is very multicultural and everyone regardless of nationality seems to be very friendly.

We have 3 DCs, 9,7 & 4 who have all settled very well. They go to an Educate together school. It’s very different to English schools, so relaxed. I do love the lack of ridgedness compared to British schools.

The biggest problem for us is the cost of everything. Everything is so expensive, our rent is 5 times our uk mortgage. Then there is paying for healthcare. Because I have chronic health conditions I have several medications I’m on, I used my annual prescription allowance on our health insurance in less than 3 months. We’ve also not been able to register with a GP and can’t find one who takes the under 6 children’s card at all. We’ve travelled up north a couple of times just to stock up on non branded over the counter medications as you can’t buy non branded meds like paracetamol in the ROI, your looking at about €2.50 for paracetamol Vs 19p in the uk.

Right now we are weighing up the decision whether to move back or not, DHs job is now wfh permanently so we could move back if we wanted. Financially it definitely makes sense but our DCs have settled in so well and love living here. I also love the lifestyle here compared to the uk.

No experience of OPs question, but didn’t want to scroll by this without saying - have you heard of the Drug Payment Scheme Card? It means no individual or family pays more than €114 for prescription meds per month. It’s not means tested. I know that’s still a lot in comparison to the UK but it was certainly a big help to me when I was getting ivf drugs.

Thanks @WomBat55 we’ve signed up to the drugs payments scheme, it definitely helps.

Also for new returners - afaik the NHS and HSE have arrangement where you can access services on your NHS number for the first 3 months & the HSE claim it back. So free GP, A&E etc

You will feel right at home the traffic and parking are fairly identically awful. Both cities that become very busy and with no real potential to relieve traffic. Both cities I live and would live in though you will be fine! And no one will care where you come from!

Love not live!

@Bid876
I was going to come on to tell you about the Drug Repayment Scheme but @WomBat55 beat me to it.

My Dad has Type 2 Diabetes and he gets free meds totally separate from the Drug Repayme Scheme. It's not means tested.
Ask your pharmacist.

Bookwormfromhell
Ok. I’m English, living in Ireland and just to say, anti English sentiment is very much alive and kicking. Worse than it ever was in my opinion.

I agree with you.

Also if you think the NHS is bad wait until you experience what our healthcare system is like.