Moving to Dublin

[Honnomushi]

My husband has been offered a office transfer to the Dublin branch of his office and we are trying to decide whether to accept it. We know the cost of living and housing is going to be higher but maybe the quality of life may be better?

We have 2 children 9 and 6 so our biggest concern is finding school places and which areas surrounding Dublin will be best to narrow our search. OH will be working in central Dublin so needs to be commutable. Which areas are we likely to get school places? Are there areas to avoid? We currently live in a urban suburb which is quite cosmopolitan so looking for something similar. We are a little worried the children may be subject to anti English sentiment, is that something that we need to take into account?

Thanks for any advice!

I would look at the transport to his work destination and then look at properties in a reasonable commuting distance for him along the way. Tallaght and Blanchardstown and some other place near Blanch used to be no-go areas. Not sure what they're like now.

An alternative would be Mullingar in Co. Westmeath. Train service into Connolly (which is within the IFSC) and there's a Church of Ireland school just outside Mullingar called Wilson's I think? It's an hour train commute though?
It depends really on your budget, your priorities etc.

I'd also look at whether the remuneration package includes private healthcare (or at least subsidises it).

Darndale, Crumlin and Dolphin's Barn would be places I would have avoided though I'm not sure what they're like now.

The Wilson's school has boarders and is probably a school with a lot of international students. It really depends on more specific detail, what I'd recommend.

I always think Louth is gorgeous!

Oh my. I'm a twit. You've mentioned your children's ages! I would look at Kildare, Meath, Westmeath, Louth (Biffo did a lot for the county lol). It does however depend on your priorities really. There a lot of non-denominational schools. Catholic ones (I'd avoid like the fucking plague) and COI. Oh and the ones you won't want i.e. the Gaelscoileanna (Irish language school). Btw, your children, being English, should be exempt from having to study Irish.

It is a long time since you lived here 😂

The Dart runs from Howth (Northside) to Bray (Southside)

The Luas doesn't go anywhere near Clontarf. (Two lines: Red: Tallaght - the Point; Saggart - Connolly and Green: Brides Glen to City Centre v Broombridge)

Tallaght and Blanchardstown and some other place near Blanch used to be no-go areas. Not sure what they're like now.

Seriously why post if you don't know?

Parts of both are absolutely fine. Blanchardstown was never a 'no-go' area 🙄 some parts were & are problematic, like many places.

But neither will suit OP

It won't be anti-English sentiment per se (though there is a lot of anti-England, rather than anti-English sentiment), it will be like on this thread - everyone just assumes you're a Protestant and will want to send your children to an overtly religious school. Now you may well be a church-goer, but Irish people have no idea that most English people aren't just automatically actively Protestant, and non-religious state schools are the norm in the UK. It is this type of well-meaning ignorance you will face.

I'm not sure what part of England you're moving from, but the weather wouldn't be as sunny as London for example. Dublin doesn't get as much rain as the West Coast of Ireland however. Temperatures are typically a lot lower than the South of England. I'd recommend adding Dublin to your weather app for a few weeks so that you can compare temperatures and weather and see whether rain would traumatise you!

Apologies for any misinformation lol. Thanks for the clarifications above.

'Biffo' was a previous Taoiseach from Louth and it's surprisingly well-developed as a result of his tenure!

Seriously. You need to stop if you've no correct info to give.

'Catholic' schools are fine.

Exemption from Irish is for students 12 and over. Younger children do great studying Irish & pick it up quickly.

I’ve lived in Dublin for a few years now and am originally from Sydney. Dublin housing is crazy! It’s so hard to rent and buying is so expensive. We’ve always lived on the South side and have a 5 yr old at school in the city centre.
School places are a bit tough to come by unless you’re willing to pay for private school.

Schools won't be a problem getting into really.

Again this is completely untrue. It is very common to move areas to get into a primary school at JI level to be in a feeder school for a decent secondary school.

Where exactly are all these areas in Dublin that are ‘no problem’??? I don’t know of ANY of apart from ones you wouldn’t want your children attending!

You have to be 12 now to qualify for the education out of the State exemption from Irish. Unless your DC meet the other ones.

And most schools aren't set up to teach remedial Irish, which is ridiculous if they really do consider both languages important.

But otherwise very happy with the schools.

She asked and I'm saying where used to be no-go areas! I did say that I'm not sure what they're like now.

Really? That's crap. 9 is not a good age to have to try to learn the cúpla focail!

Irish people have no idea that most English people aren't just automatically actively Protestant, and non-religious state schools are the norm in the UK. It is this type of well-meaning ignorance you will face.

It's actually this ignorance we face.

Most Irish people are fully aware that many English people are not 'actively Protestant' and we know plenty re non-religious schools in the UK.

Plenty of Irish families choose non-denominational education for their DC

COI schools here are often easier to get into for people of that faith hence why it is recommended here as an option for OP in over-subscribed areas of Dublin.

(COI and Catholic schools accept all faiths, too, by the way).

Have a look at Howth. It's nice round there.

I'm saying where used to be no-go areas!

Well you are wrong! Blanchardstown always had lovely areas. (As well as more problematic ones).

That's crap. 9 is not a good age to have to try to learn the cúpla focail!

It's absolutely fine. A Spanish boy in my DC school moved here with limited English & learnt both English & Irish really quickly at that age. He has lovely Irish now at nearly 11

I am a Dub. Housing is atrocious and unless you are in a position to buy (cash) then I would ensure your DH employer sorts access to rental property - you are looking high 2k to 3k per month for places referenced for three bed. buying budget 600k to 700k+. Also remember we don't have the same access to cheaper cost furniture, I do be doing a double take when I see advertising on UK Tv for sofas 😂

Schools are generally limited by location as demand outstrips supply in areas where housing has exploded.

Religion I can't comment on we are atheists and kids attend educate together schools. There is a lot of English accents around and other than rugby ribbing there appears to be no issues.

Ideally one parent should be able to drive a lot of childrens entertainment places are typically off the M50 motorway. There are Go Cars , short rental cars that you can rent by the hour. So car ownership wouldn't be a must but license would be beneficial.

Dublin is a small city so city issues can be concentrated. Living expenses have rocketed, health care is very expensive - there is a whole sector of people flying out to have procedures done in turkey etc.

I love Dublin, it's history, culture, music, vibe and it's voice. But if I was being objective there is other places in Ireland I would choose to raise children to give them a better standard of living.

It's gorgeous! Coast, hilly, on the Dart line but will cost a fair few quid to rent in! Fabulous fresh fish. Lovely restaurants. It's idyllic really. There, Dalkey, Lansdowne Road, Blackrock or Malahide would be my ideals but fuck knows what your budget is!