Living in Ireland

Cost of Living in Ireland

Going to college is an exciting time whether you are staying at home or moving away but it can be tough financially if you don't have a regular income and you are on a tight budget. With so many new costs and financial products to consider it can be hard to manage your cash. - See more at: http://www.consumerhelp.ie/going-to-college

Rent is likely to be your largest item of expenditure but prices can vary greatly depending on the type of accommodation chosen. Rates can start at €400 per month
For food, including some meals bought on campus or in cheaper restaurants, you will probably spend between €70 - €100 a week on these items
Other costs include transport & Travel, phone, books, clothes, laundry, entertainment & medical.
To help you manage your money draw up your personal budgetat: http://www.consumerhelp.ie/budgeting-calculators

Attractions/ Things to do

• Bunratty Castle and Folk Park
• The world famous Durty Nelly’s bar and restaurant
• Knappogue Castle
• Craggaunowen
• King John’s Castle
• Hunt Museum
• Thomond Park - Home of Munster Rugby (Also Concerts & Sports Events)

Within an Hour:

• Cliffs of Moher
• The Burren
• Aillwee Caves
• Doolin Cave
• Lough Gur
• Lahinch Seaworld and Leisure
• Dolphin and Whale Watching
• Doolin Traditional Music Centres and from here you can take a ferry to the Aran Islands or a Cliffs of Moher cruise.

Travel in Ireland

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Explore the country

Ireland is a small island with huge opportunities to explore. Due to Ireland’s size it is very easy for students to get around and discover the many sites and experiences Ireland has to offer. We encourage all our students to take advantage of the opportunity any time they can.

Here are a few suggestions for day or weekend trips:

• Cliffs of Moher and the Burren
• Aran Islands
• Killarney National Park
• The Ring of Kerry
• Blarney Castle & the Blarney Stone
• Kinsale Co Cork
• The Dingle Peninsula
• Bunratty Castle & Folk Park
• The English Market, Cork
• New Grange, co Meath
• The Giants Causeway, Co Antrim
• Slieve League, County Donegal
• The Guinness Storehouse, Dublin
• The Titanic Experience, Belfast

Festivals

Throughout the year, festivals are held throughout the country. These events are great fun and cater for people will a huge range of hobbies and interests. These events offer a great opportunity for students to meet new people, discover a new interest or develop a passion they already have. Take a look at the small sample of festivals below: 

• International Literature Festival
• Electric Picnic
• Doolin Folk Festival
• Kilkenny Cat Laughs Comedy Festival
• Sea Sessions
• Body & Soul
• Limerick food Truck Festival
• Galway Film Fleadh
• Galway Arts Festival
• Riverfest, Limerick
• Willy Clancy Festival
• Galway Comedy Carnival
• Fleadh Cheoil na hÉireann
• Bloom, Dublin

Getting Around :

Public Transport
There are many options available to students who want to travel in Ireland.

Bus

Bus Eireann is national bus service for Ireland and offers routes throughout the country.
http://www.buseireann.ie/
Dublin Coach is a very reasonably priced service. This service has a bus stop located right beside the Shannon College Student Accommodation.
http://www.dublincoach.ie/
City Link offers a service from Limerick City
https://www.citylink.ie/

Rail

The train is a great way to travel throughout Ireland. Rail tickets are good value when booked in advance online.
http://www.irishrail.ie/

Discounted student travel

Students are offered special discounted rates on many travel services around the country. To avail of the student discount , you will be asked to provide your valid student Id.
You may also choose to apply for a student travel card, which offers exclusive discounts of up to 40% on some services. Please visit the website below for further details.
http://www.studenttravelcard.ie/

Travel in Europe 

Ireland is an island located off the west coast of mainland Europe. While Ireland is not connected by land, there are great opportunities to travel around the rest of Europe travelling. Many airline offer flights at very reasonable prices throughout Europe. 

Airports near you: 

Shannon International Airport 

The Campus of Shannon College is located on the grounds of Shannon International Airport which offers flights to destinations all over the world. 

Take a look at the destinations you can fly to from Shannon Airport on the below link: https://www.shannonairport.ie/gns/passengers/flights.aspx

Dublin International Airport 

Dublin Airport is Ireland largest Airport. Dublin Airport is approximately 2.5 hours from Shannon College by Car.  Students can easily reach Dublin Airport by bus. The Dublin Coach bus offers a service from Bunratty Village (beside the student accommodation) to Dublin Airport. This service runs every hour throughout the day. 

Take a look at the destinations you can fly to from Dublin Airport on the below link: 

https://dub.fltmaps.com/en

Cork International Airport 

Cork International Airport is approximately 2 hours from Shannon College by car. You can reach Cork Airport by bus from Cork City. Cork City is easily accessible by bus or rail. 

Take a look at the destinations you can fly to from Cork on the below link: 

https://www.corkairport.com/destinations/route-map

Kerry Airport 

Kerry Airport is 1.5 hours from Shannon College by car. You can also travel to Kerry airport by bus from Limerick City. 

Take a look at the destinations you can fly to from Kerry on the below link: 

http://kerryairport.ie/website/flights-from-kerry-airport/destination-guides/