Come on over if you’re relocating there! (Congratulations!)
Ireland has something for everyone, from the breathtaking natural beauty to the culture that delights at every opportunity. Plus, it is still a member of the European Union.
Ireland has produced Grammy-winning musicians, Nobel Prize-winning writers, and Oscar-winning actors. Additionally, they had a ton of fun while doing it.
Ireland is expensive
Be prepared to spend more money than you anticipated while visiting Ireland.
With 34 percentage points over the average, the nation has the second-highest level of prices for goods and services marketed to consumers in the European Union.
Although the UK is pricey, it is just 21 percentage points more expensive than the global average.
Naturally, it will depend on where you live; Londoners are likely accustomed to most of the rates they encounter; nonetheless, be sure you can afford a life in Ireland before moving there.
Most of the action happens in Dublin
It’s difficult to contest the statistics, with all due respect to the other Irish cities, each of which has its charm and character.
The Greater Dublin Area is home to 1.9 million people or 39% of Ireland’s total population of 4.9 million. So, it seems to reason that the city’s capital would be the most exciting location.
It certainly lives up to its reputation. Dublin is a thriving, alive city that is brimming with fresh ideas, music, and artwork.
The capital, a UNESCO City of Literature, hosts the Dublin Fringe Festival, as well as international literary, culinary, and film festivals and a four-day Bram Stoker Festival to honor the Irish writer of Dracula.
And you’re in luck if you want to get away from it all. The National Botanic Gardens, Iveagh Gardens, and Phoenix Park—the biggest city park in Europe and the home of a herd of fallow deer—can all be visited.
Wherever you live, you should go exploring
Don’t stop moving since Ireland is overflowing with breathtaking man-made and natural scenery.
There is no reason to skip Ireland’s many attractions because of its tiny size, which makes it the ideal location for weekend getaways.
Take a stroll around the magnificent Cliffs of Moher, unwind in the Japanese Gardens of County Kildare, and spend a week driving and exploring the stunning Dingle Peninsula.
Spend the day at Murder Hole Beach, a hidden beach in County Donegal, whose ominous name belies its stunning nature, if you’re looking for an adrenaline rush, kiss the Blarney Stone (be ready; you must hang off the edge of the castle to reach it), and if you’re looking for a thrill, kiss the Blarney Stone.
Irish healthcare is excellent
According to a 2018 study supported by the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation and published in The Lancet, Ireland has the eleventh-best healthcare system in the world.
That puts them 12 spots higher than the UK, and as one might expect, the discrepancies don’t end there.
According to the OECD and the World Bank, Ireland has a lower child mortality rate than the UK, a longer average life expectancy (82.1 years), and more hospital beds per capita.
Following a different OECD research, the Emerald Isle also has reduced rates of preventable death, diabetes, and self-reported ill health among its populace.
Additionally, Ireland has 30.9 doctors per 10,000 inhabitants, which puts it ahead of countries like Norway, the US, and the UK, which each have 28 doctors per 10,000 people.
Alcohol is part of the culture
Brits shouldn’t find this to be a culture shock but be ready for serious drinking culture.
But don’t think you have to down beers or shots. In Ireland, drinking is much more than just getting wasted.
There is a huge selection of alcoholic beverages to try in Ireland. You’ll never run out of new drinks to try with options like Bulmers Irish cider, Baileys Irish Cream, and the popular Guinness.
After all, this is where Irish coffee originated.
