Where would you live if....

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I'm considering a move to Ireland from England, thinking Republic but also open to the North. I have family dotted around, some in Dublin, Galway, and Armagh so fairly familiar with some areas but I'd love some suggestions.

Where you would you go if.... you were an unmarried couple with two children needing primary school, not religious so ideally school wouldnt be tied to the church, it not being a big deal in the community that we aren't church goers, used to living a reasonably big city with lots of amenities and green spaces, partner would want to keep up his sports/ be active, we're a mostly vegetarian family who like to eat out.
I think they're the big areas of concern for me.

Any pointers would be a massive help

Thanks!

Lots of places would fit the bill, really. An educate together primary and ideally secondary would be what you're looking for. We live in Meath and our child isn't baptised. She goes to the local protestant primary. Not too worried about secondary. In Ireland nowadays no one is going to care if you're married or religious. In terms of being veggie, living in or near a city like Galway, Cork or Dublin will give you more restaurant choice. South Dublin like Rathmines/ Ranelagh etc... would be lovely but extremely pricey. Lots of choice. If money is an issue look at the commuter towns. I love Cork city, Limerick City, rural Clare and even though Dublin is dirty and stinky, I do kind of love it too. And of course, Meath. Some parts of Meath you'll still get a house for less than 300,000 euro.

I think in most schools those who do go to mass are very much the minority. Approx. 42% of births are outside marriage/civil partnership and that's rising year on year so no one bats an eye.

I think a lot depends on what the employment prospects are for your line of work, cost of housing etc.

This is reassuring! A fair number of my family are quite traditional and catholic so I've always been a bit odd in comparison 😂
Technically my partner could work remotely with his current job so we'd have to look at how far his wage would stretch. I'll take a look at the areas suggested, Dublin would be lovely but I doubt we could afford what we'd need.