Best town in Ireland to live in

Zelda247

There have been a lot of posts about the worst town, how about the best town. To my mind it would have to be Howth, Dublin. Beautiful scenery, great transport and lovely pubs and restaurants.

Sleepy

I'll give Clontarf a vote, love living there and, had I the money, would definitely be looking to buy here.

draiochtanois

This post has been deleted.

Greystones its got everything including a dart, downside is it is very expensive. I like Skerries and around there as well but don't like the transport options plus from what I have observed the traffic from Clontarf on wards on the north-side is horrendous and getting worse.

Moonbeam

It depends what your priorities are.
Maynooth is a great family town,near Dublin but also beside the countryside.
It has restaurants,pubs,schools and everything that you could want.

If being near town is important then Clontarf or Grand Canal Dock.

Zelda247

Agree with Clonakility and Kenmare for sure.

Zelda247

Moonbeam wrote: »

It depends what your priorities are.
Maynooth is a great family town,near Dublin but also beside the countryside.
It has restaurants,pubs,schools and everything that you could want.

If being near town is important then Clontarf or Grand Canal Dock.

I have never been to Maynooth, must pay it a visit.

The Mulk

Zelda247 wrote: »

I have never been to Maynooth, must pay it a visit.

Take a trip over to Castletown House when you're out that direction, I was up there last night for a run, it was lovely.

keane2097

As far as Dublin goes, Ranelagh is a great spot.

Citroen2cv

Belturbet

Moonbeam

I only discovered Castletown a weeks ago and then about 2 weeks ago discovered how huge the place is

washburn73

Agree with Moonbeam - Maynooth is a great place to live.

It still has a village feel with a strong sense of community despite being one of the most desirable locations along the western commuter belt. It has excellent transport links (well served by train and bus), and a very good selection of restaurants and some nice pubs. The university adds an extra dimension to the place - busy during term, but quiet in summer. The town has a vibrant GAA club, North Kildare offers a wide selection of sports (rugby, cricket, hockey, tennis, even American football) and Carton House is a great spot for a round of golf. Throw in the Castle, the Canal and the old university campus and there's no shortage of walking options either. Finally, my favourite is the cycle from Maynooth out the Moyglare Rd, past the stud farm and round the back roads to Kilcock - a great way to spend a Sunday morning (after Mass!!)...

SteelyDanJalapeno

Cork

Zelda247

TiltedBrain wrote: »

Cork

That's interesting, do you mean Cork city?

Zelda247

Citroen2cv wrote: »

Belturbet

What do you really like about it?

Kintarō Hattori

mariaalice wrote: »

Greystones its got everything including a dart, downside is it is very expensive. I like Skerries and around there as well but don't like the transport options plus from what I have observed the traffic from Clontarf on wards on the north-side is horrendous and getting worse.

In regards to Skerries what do you mean? I live a little further north in Balbriggan but with Skerries you have:

Regular trains into town
Dublin bus
Bus Eireann
You have access to the M1
The old Dundalk road, the R132 is close by as well

I'd have thought it had excellent transport links.

CorkonianBoy

I think it depends on how you define best? Best for beauty, best for work, best for convenience, best people?

My favorite towns are Killarney, Kinsale and Killorglin all for different reasons (although they all start with a K).

Kinsale for example is beautiful but also very accessible to Cork City, Cork Airport and the high tech jobs nearby so it works well on many levels. Any other towns like that come to mind?

Damadman

All the above are great but don't have the "Crosshaven Factor". Crosshaven is the best town in Ireland to live bar none.

CorkonianBoy

I like Crosshaven but why do you?

Damadman

Because I live there

CorkonianBoy

Good reason.

Mantis Toboggan

I'd love to live in either Malahide Bray or Greystones.

Failing that I'd make do with either killiney or Dalkey

Walter H Price

Live in Dublin and so for me its got to be Malahide ,coastal , great little village with nice bars cafes and restaurants, close to the beach in Portmarnock , it has a Castle , huge Park and an avoca , the Dart and it's where the Irish Cricket Internationals are often played. Close to Swords too for the Cinema , shopping and Nightlife, Ideal spot.

If i was to ever venture outside the City again think the only places id consider going are Galway or Kilarney too class places.

ted1

Tyson Fury wrote: »

I'd love to live in either Malahide Bray or Greystones.

Failing that I'd make do with either killiney or Dalkey

Jesus Bray is an awful kip. Killiney or Dalkey rank far higher than it

Zelda247

Walter H Price wrote: »

Live in Dublin and so for me its got to be Malahide ,coastal , great little village with nice bars cafes and restaurants, close to the beach in Portmarnock , it has a Castle , huge Park and an avoca , the Dart and it's where the Irish Cricket Internationals are often played. Close to Swords too for the Cinema , shopping and Nightlife, Ideal spot.

If i was to ever venture outside the City again think the only places id consider going are Galway or Kilarney too class places.

Have to agree Malahide is a terrific place, wish I had the money to live there!

Zelda247

CorkonianBoy wrote: »

I think it depends on how you define best? Best for beauty, best for work, best for convenience, best people?

My favorite towns are Killarney, Kinsale and Killorglin all for different reasons (although they all start with a K).

Kinsale for example is beautiful but also very accessible to Cork City, Cork Airport and the high tech jobs nearby so it works well on many levels. Any other towns like that come to mind?

You are kidding me.... .KILLORGLIN..... no way! Why on earth is it one of your favourite towns... please tell me.....

MarkAnthony

Just because it would disappoint Athtrasna if I didn't say it - Kilbarrack.

Closer to town than Howth/Malahide but close to the Sea and a nice park down the road. Working class area (I can't stand snobs) with nice polite kids and a sense of community. It's one of the last bastions of, affordable, decent sized houses in Dublin at the moment although that's changing now.

Lia_lia

I grew up in Killarney and really do think it's a great place to live in. The scenery is amazing, loads of places to go for walks. Not too far from the beach. Nice little town too. Touristy, yes. You get used to it though. Down here now actually. Would love to settle down here but not easy to get find well paid work.

I live in Cork City at the moment and if I were to move somewhere else in Cork it would probably be Kinsale. Very expensive though! I also like Blackrock. Again, expensive.

MilesMorales1

Malahide!

Zelda247

MarkAnthony wrote: »

Just because it would disappoint Athtrasna if I didn't say it - Kilbarrack.

Closer to town than Howth/Malahide but close to the Sea and a nice park down the road. Working class area (I can't stand snobs) with nice polite kids and a sense of community. It's one of the last bastions of, affordable, decent sized houses in Dublin at the moment although that's changing now.

I agree, I like Kilbarrack, has lots to offer.

athtrasna

The best town is surely the one that suits you and your needs. Schools will never be on my radar as there won't be kids in my future yet they could be first priority for someone else. I like living in a built up area as it makes be feel safer but some people prefer isolation and quiet, and so on.

Don't think there's a one size fits all best town.

Kia_Kaha

+1 for Clonakilty!

- Great pubs and live music
- Amazing beaches
- People are very friendly
- Airport / Cork city not too far away

I'd move there in a shot!

Mantis Toboggan

Think it's safe to say all the good towns are around the coast.

PMBC

Skibereen, Kinsale, Carrick on Shannon, Carrick on Suir, Maynooth, Galway City (summer only), ditto Clifden, ditto Kilkee

CorkonianBoy

Zelda247 wrote: »

CorkonianBoy wrote: »

I think it depends on how you define best? Best for beauty, best for work, best for convenience, best people?

My favorite towns are Killarney, Kinsale and Killorglin all for different reasons (although they all start with a K).

Kinsale for example is beautiful but also very accessible to Cork City, Cork Airport and the high tech jobs nearby so it works well on many levels. Any other towns like that come to mind?

You are kidding me.... .KILLORGLIN..... no way! Why on earth is it one of your favourite towns... please tell me.....

Well, when I say Killorglin I really mean the Killorglin area. There is Caragh Lake which is so beautiful. Killorglin Town has less to shout about except for the annual Puck Fair which I hear is amazing (I will try to go this year). Also, Killorglin is in close proximity to great beaches, famous golf courses, Kerry Airport, Killarney Town and the Dingle Peninsula. For my interests, that's a lot of beauty and fun to be packed in one area.

Mac_Lad71

I would go for Glanmire area just north east of Cork city. Good schools, good transport links, pubs, even got Aldi and Lidl. What more could you want.

catbear

Kilkenny. Loads of good coffee shops and pubs, great summers with all the festivals but the winters can be a bit boring.
Could do with some third level course although Carlow and Waterford aren't far, plus there's great all most hourly transport links to Dublin and the airport.

left Dublin in the 90s, would never go back.

lookslikely

Definitely Killaloe/Ballina...fabulous central location, delightful restaurants, lovely pubs - my favourite, Flanagans on the lake - beautiful scenery on the banks of the river Shannon adjacent to Lough Derg. Steeped in history too , Killaloe was the former seat of High King Brian Boru.
Stunning hill and forest walks on the doorstep and a great place for messin about on the water, sailing, fishing, cruising, jet skiing - you name it!
But shhh! don't tell anyone - Killaloe is one of Ireland best kept secrets!

tayto lover

Big town -- Dundalk and Cavan.
Medium sized town -- Carrickmacross and Newcastle, Co. Down.
Villages -- Carlingford is out on its own.

Zelda247

PMBC wrote: »

Skibereen, Kinsale, Carrick on Shannon, Carrick on Suir, Maynooth, Galway City (summer only), ditto Clifden, ditto Kilkee

Carrick on Shannon and Carrick on Suir, that's a new one....

Zelda247

CorkonianBoy wrote: »

Well, when I say Killorglin I really mean the Killorglin area. There is Caragh Lake which is so beautiful. Killorglin Town has less to shout about except for the annual Puck Fair which I hear is amazing (I will try to go this year). Also, Killorglin is in close proximity to great beaches, famous golf courses, Kerry Airport, Killarney Town and the Dingle Peninsula. For my interests, that's a lot of beauty and fun to be packed in one area.

I agree the area around Killorglin is lovely but the town is a bit of a dump, a lot of the shops are derelict and there are a couple of very shabby and iffy burger bars, plus a couple of the pubs are dire.

Zelda247

catbear wrote: »

Kilkenny. Loads of good coffee shops and pubs, great summers with all the festivals but the winters can be a bit boring.
Could do with some third level course although Carlow and Waterford aren't far, plus there's great all most hourly transport links to Dublin and the airport.

left Dublin in the 90s, would never go back.

I have heard lots of great things about Kilkenny, I have never been there but its on my list to visit for sure.

Zelda247

tayto lover wrote: »

Big town -- Dundalk and Cavan.
Medium sized town -- Carrickmacross and Newcastle, Co. Down.
Villages -- Carlingford is out on its own.

A lot of people seem to think Dundalk is a bit of a dump.

Larbre34

Tyson Fury wrote: »

Think it's safe to say all the good towns are around the coast.

Agree with that. There are a few exceptions like Kilkenny, but most of the prosperity and hence the facilities and the energised communities and the best all round environment are in some of our coastal or near coastal towns.

I'm a fan of Dungarvan, has most things you would need to live comfortably and never leave, lovely hinterland, handy to Cork and Waterford for healthcare, shopping, transport links.

Within Dublin where I live now, its hard to beat Howth, Clontarf or Blackrock

gizmo555

Everyone knows it's Westport

catbear

I am a fan of Westport and dungarvan but realistically I couldn't live move than an hour and half drive/bus to an airport with lots of euro connections. Perhaps if Waterford airport grew more I'd be enticed to the coast. Actually I'd probably just stay in Kilkenny.

I will say though that if it continues as is Kilkenny is likely to become victim of its own success. Its a small place and last summer it got very crowded. Thats why locally the rhythm n roots is the local favourite as its outside the tourist season.

Spanish Eyes

Chapelizod in Dublin. Strange name but a nice little village atmosphere. Pubs, shop, chemist. Twenty minutes to town by very frequent bus. Two minutes to the Pheeno, lovely walk/cycle along the Liffey, ten minutes to LV Shopping Centre and M50. Twenty minutes to airport, five minutes to Heuston and the Luas.

Palmerstown, just up the road (the old part) is very well kept too, older population now. Ideal too with the express bus to town.

Now why am I saying all this I wonder LOL. ( I grew up there, but cannot afford to live there now!!)

Zelda247

gizmo555 wrote: »

Everyone knows it's Westport

Thanks for this. Although in my opinion Killarney is way over rated.

Mantis Toboggan

Westport is overrated also, they buy those titles every year. It's a nice town but not in the same league as some of the towns mentioned on this thread.

gizmo555

Tyson Fury wrote: »

Westport is overrated also, they buy those titles every year.

What titles, from whom, for how much and who are "they" anyway?

IvoryTower

Zelda247 wrote: »

A lot of people seem to think Dundalk is a bit of a dump.

He/she is probably from Dundalk. You'd sooner see it on a top 10 worst towns list!