Potential move to Dublin - your experiences and schools, etc

[Coco9]

We have a possible move to Dublin on the cards. If you've done it, how was the experience, were people friendly, where are the best areas to live. The company would pay for private schools so any info on these would help. Also, is there much to do in Dublin and outside at weekends, etc. Haven't been there before so would need to check it out first.

any one out there who can help PLEASE - would be grateful for any information positive or negative

thanks in advance bran. we are catholic but open minded re schools etc.

DH doesn't know as they haven't set the office up but we would want to be walking distance of some shops ideally but not so much in the centre we wouldn't have much of a garden.

also though I'm not a big shopper it's nice to have the choice so would be good to know what shops there are.

thank you Bran for being so generous with your time - this has given me plenty to look into! really appreciate your help. we're looking at primaries at this stage so will check these out and all the living areas you've mentioned.

yes we'd be moving back to the uk again in a couple of years. Didn't realise the primary system was different in Dublin - sounds like quite a practical system. Still looking into all the information as the process will take a little time. thanks again.

Moved to Ireland 5 yrs ago from london with two kids 9yrs and six yrs. Schools unbelievably better here! One of the few things Ireland does really,really well. Very flexible and schooldays are really happy here while at same time giving an excellent education.My kids both doing far better here than in uk and much happier. So much so that my DH has gone back to work parttime in uk as we couldnt even contemplate moving them from here and he commutes fortnightly. Way of life very friendly and relaxed too. I think you'll find you'll like it a lot. Pity bout the rain!

Coco9

I am so glad I found this post. I have just found out that we may be moving to Dublin in Sept.

My daughter is three and is enrolled over here in a school which has a nursery included in the reception class. My research so far is that all the nurseries are montessori based. I am not particularly comfortable with that and think that my daughter might be bored. She has had a full academic year learning her alphabet and numbers and writing her name etc and the montessori seems very rigid.

Does anyone know of any non-montessori preschools? Alternatively does anyone have experience of the International School?

In terms of areas, we are very familiar with South Dublin and love the area around Dalkey and Sandycove. We have family in Dublin so have spent a lot of time over there. I can therefore happiley recommend those areas!

Does anyone have a view on how to find a nursery that isn't Montessori based?

Coco09 - I am pretty nervous about meeting other mothers and not having all my current routines how are you feeling?

I almost posted the same question as we have a possible move to Dublin this year with husband's work. We're very settled here but practicalities with work may well mean we all have to move. Moving from the North West where my eldest is going into Year 1 in September and my youngest is about to start Reception. I am very interested to keep up with you girls on this thread as I have no idea about schools, areas etc.

My husband has reservations about the economy over in Ireland at the moment - would this be a concern for any of you and how has it affected house prices etc? We'd probably rent to begin with. We are also looking at South - I think the company is based near Leopardstown Racecourse - any nice areas/schools around there?

Thank you so much, glad I found this thread!