12 Best Places To Live In Ireland

The Republic of Ireland is located off the coast of England and Wales and occupies most of the island of Ireland. The country is known for being the birthplace of Guinness, as well as having stunning natural landscapes and historic sites.

We’ll be taking a look at the best places to live in Ireland for families, singles, immigrants and more.

Lets take a look at the best places to live in Ireland.

Sections

Best Places To Live In Ireland

City	Reason
Dublin	Best for work
Sligo	Best for affordability
Killarney	Best for families
Dublin, Ranelagh	Best for immigrants
Galway	Best for retirement
Cork	Best for young adults
Cork, Bishoptown	Best for students
Cork and Dublin	Best for food and nightlife
Galway	Best for singles
Dublin	Best for the LGBT+ community
Waterford	Best for the weather
Lahinch	Best for beaches

Best Places To Live In Ireland for Work

Dublin is one of the best cities in the Republic of Ireland for those looking for work opportunities. Dublin is the capital of the Republic of Ireland and is located on Ireland’s east coast at the mouth of the River Liffey.

The main industries in Dublin are retail, tourism and food and drink. There are good opportunities available but the competition for skilled jobs is high. Despite this, many expats who have relocated here have said their career prospects have increased since moving to Dublin.

As the largest city in Ireland, Dublin is very business-centric and as a result, the market is very robust. It is also more expensive than other cities in the country so do keep that in mind if you’re relocating on a smaller budget.

Another good choice of city for those who want to prioritise work opportunities is the city of Limerick. This city is fast-growing and has a vibrant and welcoming atmosphere as well as a good job market; Limerick is also good for those who have an interest in the arts and culture.

Cheapest Places To Live In Ireland

There are several affordable cities in Ireland. The town of Sligo is located in the north of Ireland and straddles the Garavogue River where it meets Sligo Bay.

Sligo is nestled between the mountains and comes with beautiful views of the countryside and ocean. As well as this, it’s also a very affordable place to live. Costs are estimated at $1,100 to $1,300 per month depending on what kind of accommodation you choose.

Sligo also has a thriving arts and cultural scene for those who want to indulge in the atmospheric scene that Ireland offers. Writing, art, and music are all an important part of Ireland’s heritage and Sligo is a great place to explore the culture while sticking to your budget.

Those hoping to live with easy access to Dublin and Belfast could consider Drogheda. Drogheda is located in County Louth on the east coast of Ireland and is another town bursting with culture and arts but at an affordable cost.

Best Places To Live In Ireland for Families

Ireland is spoilt for choice when it comes to good cities for raising a family in. Before relocating to a new country with your family, you’ll want to take into account the crime rate, the education systems, and the amenities offered in the surrounding neighbourhoods.

Killarney has a great reputation for being a safe and affordable city that has exceptional natural views of the countryside. The city is located on the shores of Lough Leane in southwest Ireland’s County Kerry.

It’s officially known as Ireland’s ‘Adventure Capital’ due to the range of outdoor activities available. Some of the attractions on offer are the Purple Mountains, the Gap of Dunloe or the Lakes of Killarney.

Killarney is also known for being very clean and well-kept and there is a strong community feeling in the town.

Those who want to be a little bit closer to the action could consider the city of Cork. Cork has some of the best educational institutions in the country and is popular among expat families – the job market here is good too.

Best Places To Live In Ireland for Immigrants

Dublin is one of the best cities in Ireland for immigrants due to the size of the city and the opportunities available. Dublin has a lot of culture and heritage; there’s a wide range of museums, galleries and historical landmarks.

There are plenty of work opportunities, with many expats choosing the city specifically due to the active job market. Dublin is also a good base for getting access to further Europe, so those who may wish to travel will benefit from settling in the city.

The population in Dublin is diverse and there are plenty of different cultures and communities who live in the city that are welcoming. English is also widely spoken in Dublin.

Ranelagh on the south side and Clontarf on the north are both popular choices of districts with expats – they both have easy access to public transport and are close to the city centre.

Galway is another city that is a great option for expats. It has a welcoming population that is very friendly, as well as outstanding natural scenery and a high-quality lifestyle.

Best Places To Live In Ireland for Retirement

Home to some of the most amazing natural beauty in the world, it’s no surprise that retirees are eager to settle in the country. The Irish are friendly and welcoming, making it easy to settle in and find a new community.

Galway is a city on Ireland’s west coast where the River Corrib meets the Atlantic Ocean. The city is the perfect mix of urban and rural and Ireland is a great country for easy access to the United States and the rest of Europe.

There are an endless number of activities available in Galway, such as horse racing, exploring the outdoors, settling in a cosy pub for a night of live music, or adventuring through Connemara, Ireland’s National Park.

As the country’s culture and heritage hub, Galway is the perfect place to take in some incredible arts and theatre performances or watch some of Galway’s iconic sunsets.

Kinsale is another popular choice for retirees. The city is located on the southern coast of County Cork and has a peaceful and relaxed lifestyle which is perfect for those who are hoping for a quieter life.

Best Places To Live In Ireland for Young Adults

Cork is located in southwestern Ireland in the province of Munster and is a fantastic city for young adults. There is plenty of amenities in Cork for young adults such as pubs, bars and an existing expat community.

There are good job opportunities in Cork as several international companies have offices there, and the market is relatively robust – particularly for digital nomads.

Cork is also dubbed the food capital of Ireland, so there are plenty of outstanding restaurants, thriving food markets and cosy high-quality pubs.

Galway is another great city for young adults, particularly those who might fancy a slower pace of life and more access to Ireland’s natural landscapes.

Best Places To Live In Ireland for Students

Cork is also a good city for students – there are a range of public and private primary and secondary schools as well as three universities which offer 118 study programs.

Some of the most notable schools are University College Cork, Munster Technological University and Cork College of FET.

The residents of Cork are welcoming and friendly and extremely used to non-nationals; a lot of Cork’s population is made up of immigrants or international students.

Cork has an interesting history with plenty of culture. It’s a compact city that is easy to travel around with lots of entertainment options as well as being highly renowned for its food scene.

The Bishopstown neighbourhood typically is home for a lot of students and it is close to two of the city’s universities as well as public transport.

Galway and Dublin are both cities that cater to international students with high-quality educational institutions and fun and exciting nightlife scenes. Dublin is likely to be more expensive than Galway, as the capital of Ireland, but the atmosphere and opportunities in the city balance out the cost.

Best Places To Live In Ireland for Food and Nightlife

As mentioned, Cork is known for being Ireland’s food capital. There are plenty of restaurants, shops and markets to explore in Cork, including the English Market.

The Market has been trading since the 1700s and is important to Cork’s food culture as it emphasises fresh produce and food that is a staple to Ireland and Cork.

Some of the staple dishes and food of Cork include Ardrahan cheese and Toons Bridge mozzarella and the famous dish of Skirts and Kidneys – a traditional Cork stew of pork skirts, potatoes, onions and kidneys with white pepper, salt and thyme.

When it comes to nightlife, Dublin is usually a party-lovers favourite choice. Dublin takes a good night out seriously and there are a whole host of options when it comes to choosing a bar, pub, or music venue (Dublin is known for its love of live music!).

The Temple Bar district is known for being the main drinking street in Dublin and is packed with pubs, bars and hotels.

Best Places To Live In Ireland for Singles

Galway has been consistently named as one of the best cities in Ireland for single people. Not only is it a cultural hub with lots of arts and music to take part in and enjoy, but it has the highest population of single people in the country making it an ideal city for those looking for friends, community or romance.

Galway is also less expensive than Dublin, so it works perfectly for singletons who may be working on a smaller budget than those with a double income.

Galway also has a university near its historic centre which means there are many younger adults from different cultures and communities living in the city. It’s a very welcoming place with a relaxed atmosphere and lifestyle.

Belfast and Cork have also been named as good cities for young people – both are more affordable than Dublin and have their own cultures and heritages.

Best Places To Live In Ireland for the LGBT+ Community

Ireland is typically a welcoming country and members of the LGBT+ community are likely to have a hassle-free time if they choose to relocate to Ireland.

Dublin is the best city in the country for the LGBT+ population. Though there isn’t a ‘gay village’ as such there are establishments throughout the city which cater for the queer community specifically.

Dublin also hosts an annual Pride parade which attracts thousands of visitors each year. Dublin’s oldest gay bar is called The George and other bars put on drag performances and cater for queer audiences.

Belfast is another good choice of city for the LGBT+ community. The city isn’t as expensive as Dublin and though it’s not as large, there are still bars, pubs and venues that cater for the LGBT+ community.

Best Places To Live In Ireland for the Weather

The weather in Ireland is typically mild and moist, with some temperature extremes during the seasons. The summers are generally warm and the winters are typically mild due to Ireland’s location in the Atlantic Ocean – it is warmed by the Gulf Stream all year round.

When it comes to the best city in Ireland for weather, Waterford usually has some of the driest weather in the country. The port city is located in southeast Ireland and has its peak weather from June to August.

Waterford is the oldest city in Ireland, so alongside taking advantage of the mild climate, there is plenty to explore and enjoy. Waterford has some stunning historic architecture as well as being close to some of the iconic coastal cliffs.

Dublin is another city which enjoys warm weather throughout most of the year. Peak weather takes place from June to August, and the winters in Dublin are mostly mild with the potential for some rain, especially towards the New Year.

Best Places To Live In Ireland Near Beaches

There are several beautiful cities in Ireland which are close to beaches, as well as a multitude of quaint towns that are located right on the edge of the coast.

Dingle is one of the bigger port towns that is very close to some of Ireland’s most stunning beaches. The city is located on the edge of the Dingle Peninsula on the southwest coast of Ireland’s Wild Atlantic Way.

The coastal town is known for its aquarium which is home to penguins, otters and sharks and its love of the water. One of the favourite beaches near Dingle is Inch Beach which is one of the longest beaches in Ireland and is great for swimming, surfing and long, mindful strolls.

Lahinch is another city that is perfect for beach lovers. This small town is located on Liscannor Bay, on the northwest coast of County Clare and some of the best beaches nearby include Lahinch Beach, Fanore Beach and the Cliffs of Moher.