Ning offtopic.
Long time no see.

I'm moving to Ireland next week. Anyone got any useful advice on living on the edge? Edge of Republic/Northern Ireland that is... And being an English immigrant over there too. Right now it all seems too confusing by far.
The logistics and red tape are starting to strangle me because I don't know what the fuck I'm doing and trying to find out is taking time up which I really need to be using to rid my house of 15 years worth of stuff and dirt.

I've done an odd lurk here over the last couple of months, glad to see you're all as b3ta as usual.
( warmfuzzies Isn't here, Thu 4 Mar 2010, 18:46, 16 replies, latest was 16 years ago)

My family live in Ireland
Useful advice? Don't talk politics or religion. Ever. Not even if you're certain everyone in the same room is of the same affiliation. It will always cause trouble. Do get all paperwork sorted. Gardai will cut you slack at first if you have foreign plates on your car because they'll assume you are a tourist, but when they realise you are resident they'll come down harder on you, so be sure to bang up to date on everything like dog licences and tv licences etc
( Amberl was stripey and dominated Europe, Thu 4 Mar 2010, 18:52, Reply)

Politics and religion - agreed - do not discuss
But the car is bullshit - half the fucking cars in this country are foreign johnny cars.

If you genuinely need any help with matters Irish, gaz baz.

rafter
baz
(bazmorningstar efil4nat3b, Thu 4 Mar 2010, 19:08, Reply)

Where my parents live
admittedly Kerry so not border country, having a foreign car gets you immunity for about six months. Same with every other immigrant we've met. When the local guards realise you're local as well that goes.
( Amberl was stripey and dominated Europe, Thu 4 Mar 2010, 19:15, Reply)

Wow!
So that was the cryptic message you posted on Facebook a month or so back. Best of luck!
( Boss Keloid Got your mother's maiden name tattooed on my arm, Thu 4 Mar 2010, 20:20, Reply)

Never praise Thierry Henry.
In fact don't even mention him.
(Tugnut Ex of this parish, Thu 4 Mar 2010, 20:33, Reply)

Buy your booze in the North.

( crackhouseceilidhband Fuck off back to Mumsnet, Thu 4 Mar 2010, 20:41, Reply)

Alas, I've only been to Ireland once
so the only advice I can give is that if you ever end up in the centre of Dublin and you want to head off to Dublin Connolly trainstation, don't head too far north or you'll end up in a chav-infested petrol-station instead.

Had you been moving to the other side of the border, I'd be more qualified to give you advice coz I've been there twice.

But I'm glad to see your plans are all coming together. Hopefully, this will be the year everything comes out Fuzzy!
( mistaspakkaman and the inedible shifting caterpillars, Thu 4 Mar 2010, 20:58, Reply)

Thanks b3ta
I knew I could count on you.

Boss - thanks! yup, I took a deep breath and handed in notice at work, then handed in notice on the house I've lived in for 15 years, but didn't want to make a big announcement coz I felt too weird about it. Still do in fact but as my one-way ferry ticket is booked for a week tomorrow I think it's about time I outed myself! I'm pooing bricks but I'd rather grab the opportunity to do it than spend the rest of my life wondering what I missed out on if I don't. Golden beaches, Atlantic ocean, a tall, red-bearded mad Fella, organic potatoes, under floor heating and babies... that's what's waiting out there for me.

Amberl, Baz, DrT - I wouldn't talk politics, religion or Thierry Henry by choice in England let alone over there, so hopefully I'm in little danger of making that mistake. The car thing worried me a bit today though, I discovered that it's impossible to get an insurance quote for my lil old vintage Bluebird with UK plates. Also I was perturbed by having to state my employer's business when I listed my occupation as housewife...

Kano - I am taking my mattock and shovel. I'll try digging in Muff.

CHCB - that's one useful thing I've picked up while visiting. Sound advice indeed.

Mista - thanks! My internet connection might be intermittent but I'll keep you posted!
( warmfuzzies Isn't here, Thu 4 Mar 2010, 21:06, Reply)

So is the intermittency going to be before or after the move?
And once you get there, will you have more time for posting?

But if your village is too remote to have Internet access, don't worry, help is at hand... What I plan to do is to give my iPhone a fixed I.P. address and shove it right up my arse. I will then move to rural Ireland and wander from remote village to remote village offering the locals a chance to hook up their Internet-enabled devices to my bumhole so they can access the 'net. For the duration of my stay in each village, the locals will have a chance to surf the 'net with a fixed Internet-address while they feed and clothe me (a bit like a geekier Barefoot Doctor) before I move onto the next village. Amongst the country-folk, my bottom will be known as the I.P. Hone.
( mistaspakkaman and the inedible shifting caterpillars, Thu 4 Mar 2010, 21:47, Reply)

Spazzmo!
You really are a whacky funkster ;-)
( blaireau69 , the Cumbrian Travis Bickle., Thu 4 Mar 2010, 22:34, Reply)

Happy for you but sad too cos you is leaving this island for a smaller one.
Under-floor heating?
It'll be fine!
Everything is better with UFH
;-)
( blaireau69 , the Cumbrian Travis Bickle., Thu 4 Mar 2010, 22:36, Reply)

If you're moving to Ireland
'The Edge' is the last fucking place you want to end up.
( Monty Boyce, My cheese game is strong, Thu 4 Mar 2010, 23:11, Reply)

ending up at Bono would be worse

( Vipros. clever got me this far, then tricky got me in, Fri 5 Mar 2010, 9:06, Reply)

Tru dat

( warmfuzzies Isn't here, Fri 5 Mar 2010, 9:50, Reply)