[Question] Why move to Ireland to work?

kenjicpl

Has anyone moved to Ireland from a foreign country to take up a new job? What is it about Ireland that encouraged you to make that big move?

I know a few non-Irish friends who made that move, but they seem to struggle to explain exactly why they came here. Most of them seem to have drifted into their cities and gradually formed attachments. But I wonder if there is anyone who made a conscious decision that Ireland is the place to be.

artichoke

I never planned to come to Ireland. My sister told me how expensive the country is so I was warned. Didn't deter me though ;-)
It just happened by coincidence. I was in England first, didn't like it there (too crowded), then met a guy in a book shop telling me all about Ireland and how lovely the people are there. At the time there was a cheap offer for the train/ferry from UK to Ireland. I hopped on the ferry with my 2 bags and as soon as I arrived in Ireland I just fell in love with the country. Can't tell you what it was that attracted me to Ireland, it certainly wasn't the weather :-) it was just different from the UK...It didn't take long and I found work quite quickly. The timing was right too back then ,the Celtic Tiger was still roaring and jobs were aplenty :-) Mind you I had nothing organised , no flat, no job , and a limited budget,i am a risk taker ;-)

the_syco

A few come for the "high wage", and would often crowd a small house to get cheap rent. They often plan to stay for 6 months (or whatever the minimum is to get their move bonus), and then plan to go home.

However, many stay because of our attitude to drinking. For example; some French lads I knew would be scorned if they were seen to be drunk in public, but we don't really care here. Others would have their flight here paid by the recruitment company, see it as a summer job, but stay as our winters aren't that cold (compared to their winters).

PhoenixParker

If they're in sales, which a lot of foreign nationals are as native fluency in your target market is a requirement, then the wages are very good.

If you're in any form of IT having English language experience and a big brand name on your CV is a very good thing to get in your early career. Dublin offers lots of options.

Because we have so many US multinationals were a relatively low risk move. If the job you come over for doesn't work out, there'll be another one readily available.

For the French, Spanish and Italians the job market for new grads here is much better then at home.

Many international couples have English as their common language so Ireland is a convenient location, especially because compared with regional U.K. Locations we have a great range of international flights from Dublin.

For my husband he came to help the visa process for the US because working for a US multinational in an English speaking country would look good. He got the visa but stayed because he couldn't face the no holidays and always at work US culture.

kenjicpl

I see... I find the point about job markets paradoxical, because in terms of living costs Ireland (especially Dublin) is off the charts, only rivaled by London and a few other places across Europe.

It sounds like if you have a comfortable job in Italy or Spain and you do not mind drinking discretely, there is no particular reason for coming to Ireland... or is there?

I'm just wondering if there is something about Ireland that is not commonly understood that makes it a worthwhile place to work in. Apart from jobs, drinks, atmosphere, vibe, etc.

PhoenixParker

Dublin is more expensive then many other European countries but 1) there are jobs which there often arent in spain & italy and 2) the salaries are much higher in Dublin.

Jim2007

kenjicpl wrote: »

It sounds like if you have a comfortable job in Italy or Spain and you do not mind drinking discretely, there is no particular reason for coming to Ireland... or is there?

People end up in a country for all sorts of reasons. Some people go for economic reasons, but it is usually not enough to make them stay - something else happens: they meet the love of their life, the like the country, the culture and sometimes it's less hassle than moving back.

I knew a U.K. guy who came to Zurich for six months, which be came 12 months, 2 year... now 15 years. His main reason for putting of the return is just the admin hassle and the shipping!

In the Summer of 1990 I resigned my job as a (Chartered) accountant in one of the big 4 firms in Dublin to spend a season climbing in the Swiss Alps. At the end of the season a Swiss climber offered me a job as a programmer. I never practice accounting again and I've spent over half my life here.

Life happens, you just never know where you'll end up.

Moonbeam

There is a good standard of living here.
You can live very cheaply outside of the major cities.
It is a pretty safe country.
We have a pretty good education system.
English is the primary language.
There are alot of the big american companies here who pay very good money.

kenjicpl

Thanks for the great stories. The desire for unknown possibilities seem to be a common factor here...