garda college

shannonmc389 · 07-02-2014 6:06pm #1

ok so i have applied and done the first apptitude test. have had my heart set on the AGS since i was about 10 or 12.
but what im looking to ask about is the acomodation situation for when you're actually in templemore. do you stay on campus? do you share with someone? whats the conditions like?
and is it true theres an allowance paid to the college for your upkeep? is that separate from the training allowance of like €180?
answers are much appreciated
thanks

Santa Cruz · 07-02-2014 7:11pm

Each student has their own room. In the past when there was massive numbers there people actually stayed in lodgings with local people. The conditions are quite good with leisure facilities such as gym, swimming pool etc.

Scouser · 07-02-2014 8:06pm

tis pure palatial lads!

Santa Cruz · 08-02-2014 11:12am

Scouser wrote: »

tis pure palatial lads!

I believe that the morning maid service is outstanding

Shield · 08-02-2014 11:31am

For extra bragging rights, on your first day when you are assigned your room, go and tell your Drill Instructor: "This room just isn't me. Is there something East-facing so the Feng Shui chi can flow into the room as soon as the run rises? Oh, and that bed... far too close to the door because it will block the incoming morning energy of the new day. And OHH.. those DRAPES!! Do they come in Azure?".

Santa Cruz · 08-02-2014 3:27pm

Shield wrote: »

For extra bragging rights, on your first day when you are assigned your room, go and tell your Drill Instructor: "This room just isn't me. Is there something East-facing so the Feng Shui chi can flow into the room as soon as the run rises? Oh, and that bed... far too close to the door because it will block the incoming morning energy of the new day. And OHH.. those DRAPES!! Do they come in Azure?".

"Either that wallpaper goes or I go"

Can't remember who some ones last words

Scouser · 08-02-2014 4:38pm

'i dont do communal'

shannonmc389 · 08-02-2014 5:28pm

Aye ok so I take it I won't be the only one there with a sense of humour?
Was thinkin it was gunna be hard if I had to settled into a strict way of life but if there's Craic to he had, I'll have no problem haha
Must remember that bit about the wall paper though haha

goldie fish · 08-02-2014 5:37pm

Santa Cruz wrote: »

I believe that the morning maid service is outstanding

Only the Female Block has the morning Maid service. Male blocks have had a butler service since 1992 but only from 6am to 9am. Also, it is important to ensure your room has a minibar. Frequently it is moved/borrowed by the last occupant. If your room is missing a minibar, as a potential garda, it important to report this deficiency to College authorities immediately.

Scouser · 08-02-2014 5:39pm

goldie fish wrote: »

If your room is missing a minibar, as a potential garda, it important to report this deficiency to College authorities immediately.

i was told very early that 'a good garda never gets wet'

well he never goes dry either

remember to remind the college management of that law

Melbs · 11-02-2014 6:54am

I got a tour of templemore just after Xmas. There was trades people in there and cleaners getting it ready. It is a state of the art college. A lot of the buildings are new. 3 gyms swimming pool huge canteen and bar. The accommodation is grand. Your own room and there's a wash sink in there. I was told by the person that gave me the tour not to use the wash sink as it can be used as a toilet some times!! Also there is a communication room for training and driving school. Best of luck to all through the long process.

goldie fish · 11-02-2014 8:51am

Used as a toilet sometimes? Only when you can find it..... Having toilets at the ends of very long, cold halls was never the brightest idea

pk10216 · 13-02-2014 2:22pm

Just wondering is it mandatory to stay at the college accommodation or if you live within a half hour are you allowed to commute ?

Thecameraman · 13-02-2014 2:26pm

pk10216 wrote: »

Just wondering is it mandatory to stay at the college accommodation or if you live within a half hour are you allowed to commute ?

You have to stay in college, you can only go home at weekends.

shannonmc389 · 13-02-2014 2:38pm

So from what I've gathered, it's a single room with a sink and bed with dodgy wallpaper and curtains and a block of toilets miles away from the rooms and the showers are communal? Aye a right wee holiday package we have on our hands here

Thecameraman · 13-02-2014 2:40pm

shannonmc389 wrote: »

So from what I've gathered, it's a single room with a sink and bed with dodgy wallpaper and curtains and a block of toilets miles away from the rooms and the showers are communal? Aye a right wee holiday package we have on our hands here

Sounds more like a prison cell.

KERSPLAT! · 13-02-2014 2:46pm

What are the class hours? I'm guessing 9-5 or something? Long way off but really looking forward to it and hoping I make it all the way

Scouser · 13-02-2014 5:32pm

Thecameraman wrote: »

Sounds more like a prison cell.

theyre lovely little rooms

if youve ever spent time in the irish defence forces, youll agree that templemore is a palace in comparison to most military barracks

Kaffy · 15-02-2014 4:33pm

Sounds like Corrib Village in Galway - they were like mini barracks in first yearof college - great craic tho

goldie fish · 15-02-2014 7:32pm

Thecameraman wrote: »

Sounds more like a prison cell.

Have you spent much time in prison cells lately?

Lady Kitkat103 · 19-02-2014 11:01pm

Thecameraman wrote: »

You have to stay in college, you can only go home at weekends.

Unless you have a special dispensation. You can apply to live outside the college for certain reasons. Prob frowned apon tho!

Lady Kitkat103 · 20-02-2014 1:46am

Scouser wrote: »

theyre lovely little rooms

if youve ever spent time in the irish defence forces, youll agree that templemore is a palace in comparison to most military barracks

RDF or PDF???

Lmklad · 20-02-2014 6:22pm

The old system was you had to be in the college before 10pm on Sunday night I think. Married or parents were compensated by being allowed come back Monday morning. Usually 9-5, bank holidays not included. Curfew each night too. I'd imagine it will be something similar this time around. Best of luck to ye.

WilcoOut · 20-02-2014 6:36pm

Lady Kitkat103 wrote: »

RDF or PDF???

Same accom for both

Scouser · 21-02-2014 12:23am

WilcoOut wrote: »

Same accom for both

sure is!

audidiesel · 24-02-2014 2:03am

found these old pics from when I was there. just to give you an idea of what the rooms are like anyways...

ann.lewis · 24-02-2014 9:13am

audidiesel wrote: »

found these old pics from when I was there. just to give you an idea of what the rooms are like anyways...

Great pics. Thanks for that.
Bed looks comfy enough, I think !

D Trent · 24-02-2014 10:57am

audidiesel wrote: »

found these old pics from when I was there. just to give you an idea of what the rooms are like anyways...

In 2nd pic why is the window blacked out?

stargazer9 · 24-02-2014 11:03am

Hmm. If I manage to get to templemore I will defo be asking for permission to live off campus!
I'm just too old to live like that! Clearly the accommodation has been designed with school leaver age people in mind.
Are there communal areas such as a sitting room or kitchen? Where do the students cook their dinner?!?
The thoughts of communal bathrooms is making me gag. Even in regular college residences you usually have your own bathroom

OscarWhiskey · 24-02-2014 11:09am

Its actually not bad at all. Had a few stints down there when I did the training for the reserves. A bathroom at either end of all corridors, with two showers and a few toilets. The only negative I can remember was that the pipe work was ferociously loud throughout the building. Once one fella was up and turned on his sink the rooms surrounding him were woken.

The accom is good though, communal canteen/kitchen, no need to be worried about it IMO.

Scouser · 24-02-2014 11:11am

its a great set up and all you need for your time down there

stargazer - stop being a princess! wait till you see some of the stations round the country youll be working for 30years in :eek:

Leml123 · 24-02-2014 11:18am

I'd sleep on the floor if I had to!! Don't understand why some people bothered applying...

Chem Lord · 24-02-2014 3:22pm

If classes are from 9-5 each day, what is done in your spare time besides studying/sitting around on your arse?

OscarWhiskey · 24-02-2014 3:34pm

Theres plenty to do by all accounts. Gym/pool/tv room/campus bar/Pollys, not to mention all the sports and things that will be on offer.

Thurles is a 10 min drive..

Im jumping the gun here big time, but I hope there is a decent wifi connection down there. Or else ill end up having to socialise with people, god forbid.

D Trent · 24-02-2014 4:27pm

OscarWhiskey wrote: »

Theres plenty to do by all accounts. Gym/pool/tv room/campus bar/Pollys, not to mention all the sports and things that will be on offer.

Thurles is a 10 min drive..

Im jumping the gun here big time, but I hope there is a decent wifi connection down there. Or else ill end up having to socialise with people, god forbid.

Campus Bar? I've never heard of that

audidiesel · 24-02-2014 5:48pm

D Trent wrote: »

In 2nd pic why is the window blacked out?

You could see the person's reflection that's all.

mfergus · 24-02-2014 7:46pm

stargazer9 wrote: »

Hmm. If I manage to get to templemore I will defo be asking for permission to live off campus!
I'm just too old to live like that! Clearly the accommodation has been designed with school leaver age people in mind.
Are there communal areas such as a sitting room or kitchen? Where do the students cook their dinner?!?
The thoughts of communal bathrooms is making me gag. Even in regular college residences you usually have your own bathroom

You're in for a serious awakening...

Andrea345 · 24-02-2014 8:13pm

Right so how does the showers work. The rooms are grande but how many in a corridor and how do we all have showers before class.
I assume there's plenty to be doing with study and gym and pool.

mycro89 · 24-02-2014 8:18pm

Again, a lot of cart before the horse talk going on.......

Andrea345 · 24-02-2014 8:22pm

mycro89 wrote: »

Again, a lot of cart before the horse talk going on.......

Oh I'm not even in band one I'm just curious about it and joking. No harm asking otherwise this thread would be made redundant.
Still, let people ask their questions for god's sake.

OscarWhiskey · 24-02-2014 8:29pm

Id say there's roughly 10 rooms per 2 showers...it was like that in the lads dorms anyway, didn't get the opportunity to see what the shower situation was in the ladies dorm......yet...

Joke

mfergus · 24-02-2014 8:31pm

Andrea345 wrote: »

Right so how does the showers work. The rooms are grande but how many in a corridor and how do we all have showers before class.
I assume there's plenty to be doing with study and gym and pool.

It's usually 2 per shower if you wanna go in the morning. Try not to pick a showering partner that's the same height as you for obvious reasons...

mfergus · 24-02-2014 8:33pm

OscarWhiskey wrote: »

Id say there's roughly 10 rooms per 2 showers...it was like that in the lads dorms anyway, didn't get the opportunity to see what the shower situation was in the ladies dorm......yet...

Joke

I take it your pre - op then?

Andrea345 · 24-02-2014 8:40pm

OscarWhiskey wrote: »

Id say there's roughly 10 rooms per 2 showers...it was like that in the lads dorms anyway, didn't get the opportunity to see what the shower situation was in the ladies dorm......yet...

Joke

That's not too bad could sort some kind of system where people get up earlier etc. I think it'd safe to say that sink in the ladies dorm should be safe enough.

northside girl · 25-02-2014 2:29am

Andrea345 wrote: »

Right so how does the showers work. The rooms are grande but how many in a corridor and how do we all have showers before class.
I assume there's plenty to be doing with study and gym and pool.

There's 4 showers on every floor, 2 at one end and 2 at the other. As far as I remember there's prob maybe 8 rooms on each floor. The showers are actually grand and I've never really had a problem queuing for one. Just don't shower before parade in the morning! Way too much pressure getting ready for that as there is lol

With regards the campus bar, I'm assuming the poster is referring to the rec? They don't really open that anymore unless maybe they're doing some kind of charity night. Most people just go to Polly's across the road.

stargazer9 · 25-02-2014 2:43am

Scouser wrote: »

its a great set up and all you need for your time down there

stargazer - stop being a princess! wait till you see some of the stations round the country youll be working for 30years in :eek:

Lol! I've worked in plenty of kips and have no problem doing so. I just prefer not to live in them. I'm in my 30s, so the thoughts of queuing to use a shower or toilet is just, ugh. I didn't realise there were separate men's and women's dorms though, that makes it a little less painful.
I'm big into cooking and am quite a fussy eater so I like to prepare my own food as much as possible. When there was no mention of kitchen areas I started to think that there were no cooking facilities and student Gardaí just ate sausage rolls and beans out of some grotty canteen!

25-02-2014 2:48am

stargazer9 wrote: »

Lol! I've worked in plenty of kips and have no problem doing so. I just prefer not to live in them. I'm in my 30s, so the thoughts of queuing to use a shower or toilet is just, ugh. I didn't realise there were separate men's and women's dorms though, that makes it a little less painful.
I'm big into cooking and am quite a fussy eater so I like to prepare my own food as much as possible. When there was no mention of kitchen areas I started to think that there were no cooking facilities and student Gardaí just ate sausage rolls and beans out of some grotty canteen!

Wait till you see the tea they provide at 5pm, sausage rolls on a plate of baked beans will just about be it!!!

Xios · 25-02-2014 10:43am

bubblypop wrote: »

Wait till you see the tea they provide at 5pm, sausage rolls on a plate of baked beans will just about be it!!!

Sounds amazing

Scouser · 25-02-2014 10:49am

i found the grub in the college to be excellent

loads of variety too

but i couldnt be further from fussy

OscarWhiskey · 25-02-2014 12:30pm

Stumbled across this link, gives a good insight into things. For a look at the college in particular watch the Ronan Quinn interview.

http://www.careersportal.ie/organisations/jobholder_interview.php?client_id=28&jobholder_id=44#.Uwx-Lvl_tqU

Santa Cruz · 25-02-2014 9:04pm

stargazer9 wrote: »

Lol! I've worked in plenty of kips and have no problem doing so. I just prefer not to live in them. I'm in my 30s, so the thoughts of queuing to use a shower or toilet is just, ugh. I didn't realise there were separate men's and women's dorms though, that makes it a little less painful.
I'm big into cooking and am quite a fussy eater so I like to prepare my own food as much as possible. When there was no mention of kitchen areas I started to think that there were no cooking facilities and student Gardaí just ate sausage rolls and beans out of some grotty canteen!

Maybe if you ask nicely the kitchen staff will organise a nice avocado salad for you with a cheeky Merlot.

You do realise that it is a police force that you are joining and attending a training institution. Have you done any research into this at all?
The worst thing is that you will probably take a place from some deserving young man or woman who is prepared to rough it for a while.

I'd love to see you stuck out on a border checkpoint for a few days.

garda college

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