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Post by bryangodfrey on Apr 29, 2006 16:50:16 GMT -5
Hey guys, i havent posted on here in a while, my backpacking trip got pushed back time and time again due to my car breaking and a bunch of other money traps, but now im finally setting a date for august 1st... me and a buddy are doing a work abroad program, so we plan to live in ireland for a while then do the backpacking afterwards....was just wondering for those who have been to ireland for extended periods of time, would you say dublin or cork would be a good place for 2, 21 year old guys....i dont wanna end up living in a town with an average age of 50  help me out if anyone can thanks  |
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Post by WillTravel on Apr 29, 2006 19:49:33 GMT -5
I remember reading a few years ago about the young population of Dublin compared to other European cities. I'd try to get some census data or something, though, before relying on that.
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Post by bryangodfrey on Apr 29, 2006 20:21:12 GMT -5
ya, ive heard that 50% of the population is under 26.....but it is almost one of the most expensive and dirty cities to live in.....im still kinda partial to dublin, im still tryin to keep my eyes open
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Post by jennifer on Apr 30, 2006 13:26:38 GMT -5
Going there in a week, cant wait! It is expensive though!
xoxo
Jen
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Post by Jules80 on Apr 30, 2006 16:52:51 GMT -5
it is expensive. however more than any other city i travelled to in europe, there were A LOT of foreigners working there. in all the pubs we went into, i wasn't served by a single irish person! french, polish, german.... i think its a popular city to go and learn english in for a lot of europeans. its a decent sized city with lots to do and while it is expensive it is nothing compared to london or other places in the UK. (IMHO). that said, i don't know if the large quantity of foreign EU citizens would make it easier or harder for you to find work. its a great city. not the prettiest but it has character and is fabulous!
Jules
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Post by bryangodfrey on Apr 30, 2006 17:12:20 GMT -5
awsome thats what i like to hear, things like that.....im going with my one friend, maybe 2...doing the swap.ca work abroad program, they should be able to help me get a job and housing, but id like to live in the downtown core of dublin, but obviously like any major city its gonna be rediculously expensive. but whatever it'll be worht it haha, then on the weekends or days off we travel around ireland, until we have enough saved to do the rest of our trip
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Post by madamtrashheap on Apr 30, 2006 21:59:15 GMT -5
From the sounds of what you've described you're looking for, I'd go with Dublin over Cork. Jules mentioned about being served in pubs by non-locals, which is true, and means that it's very easy to land a job in the service industry. Good point about the large EU contingent making it harder to find work, but the Irish are very happy to employ Canadians, Australians, New Zealanders...as they are hard workers and have fun at the same time.
Cork City is a large city, population-wise, and there are a lot of cafes, bars, etc to keep you occupied, but nowhere near the scale of Dublin. It was made a European City of Culture in 2005, which the cynical viewed as a way to get money to tidy up a sleepy town and inject some life into it. I was there last year for the 2nd time (previous time was 1998) and there is a marked difference in activity, but it's still a lot quieter than Dublin. That said, there are a lot of towns/sights in the area that you could visit in a day. Cork has more of the "diddly-dee" music pubs that people look for in Ireland than Dublin and you'll meet (and listen to) more locals there. Although you can do that on any trip out of Dublin too.
Dublin is probably your best bet as you can also use it as a base to do the odd day or overnight trip to places all over the country and into Northern Ireland too. Plus it has the kind of atmosphere you'll probably like.
Slainte! ;D
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Post by bryangodfrey on Apr 30, 2006 22:45:09 GMT -5
alright thanks, ya being from vancouver, im used to big city atmosphere and partyin, plus i have lots of experience in the service industry, so i shouldnt have a problem finding a job as a bartender as ive done it for just over a year a while ago.....so dublin it is |
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Post by Jules80 on Apr 30, 2006 23:21:35 GMT -5
just a suggestion, but as you'll be in dublin where there are cheap ryan air flights everywhere, you might want to do a weekend to edinburgh in august. there are two festivals in edinburgh in august: the fringe festival (theatre) and the edinburgh festival which is all arts.. ballet, opera, theatre, music...very cool. if this is something that interests you tho, i'd book now as hostels will already be getting booked  happy planning! Jules |
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Post by madamtrashheap on May 1, 2006 0:03:23 GMT -5
Good call Jules! Nice one! Try www.edinburgh-festivals.com/ for info. And if you really want to experience something quirky but cool, go to Lisdoonvarna (Co Clare) in September for the Matchmaking Festival. It's not as bad as it sounds! It's a great local festival with lots of bands, pubs, people and singing! And you don't have to enter just to attend either, so don't panic. www.matchmakerireland.com/Oh, and happy birthday too Jules! ;D |
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