The Dark Sides Of Living In IRELAND

Added: 2026-05-31

[00:00:00]The negative aspects of living in Ireland are quite significant. Ireland is a European nation renowned for its high GDP per capita and stunning natural beauty. Although most people are friendly and welcoming, there are certain difficulties that people encounter here, which is why 70% of young people are considering leaving the country.

[00:00:19]>> [music] >> The primary cause of this is the economic situation, which is not as good as one might anticipate.

[00:00:26]In addition to the economic issues, there are other challenging aspects of living in Ireland, such as the harsh weather and the stringent smoking bans.

[00:00:34]How did these difficulties arise? What are the drawbacks of Ireland? Let's examine the 15 reasons why young people decide to leave. Number 15, Ireland's infrastructure. It's no secret that Ireland struggles in many ways with poor management when it comes [music] to public services.

[00:00:51]Building roads and upgrading infrastructure has been difficult for them, >> [music] >> and it appears that not much progress has been made. If you want to get somewhere in a reasonable amount of time, owning a car is pretty much a there. Are buses, trains, airports, [music] and electric trains in Dublin city that travel the entire country.

[00:01:10]>> [music] >> But if you live outside of those areas, you're pretty much out of luck.

[00:01:15]>> [music] >> Dublin's suburbs have awful roads and inconsistent bus and train schedules, making it difficult for locals to commute to work every day. And let's not even talk about rush hour, which is the time of day when everyone in Ireland seems to be on the go and traffic becomes a nightmare. Even when you're driving to your university, you'll feel like you're standing still. [music] Additionally, Uber isn't available in Ireland, so you must rely on your own vehicle, taxis, [music] or public transportation.

[00:01:42]If you don't want to call a regular taxi, >> [music] >> you can try the Fro taxi service, which functions similarly to Uber.

[00:01:49]>> [music] >> When it comes to the internet and mobile communication, things can get expensive and annoying outside of major cities like Dublin.

[00:01:57]>> [music] >> Sometimes you might even lose your connection overall. The government says it's working to provide [music] internet access across the nation, but for the time being it's just a promise.

[00:02:07]Speaking of water, Ireland doesn't have water taxes, which is good news, but in some places the water supply systems haven't been updated in decades, >> [music] >> so tap water isn't drinkable, so you'll have to 14. Ireland isn't as rich as it seems despite having a high per capita GDP, Ireland's actual wealth isn't as impressive as you might think. The average salary in Ireland is lower than in many other countries despite the GDP suggesting otherwise.

[00:02:35]This is because many large although Ireland's economy appears to be doing well on paper, the majority of Irish people do not work for large tech companies like Google, which only employ a small number of people. This is because multinational corporations are based in Ireland, but their profits don't actually come from Irish businesses.

[00:02:54]>> [music] >> Instead, they simply move their money around to take advantage of Ireland's tax system.

[00:03:01]The average Irish worker earns less than highly skilled workers from other countries, particularly when compared to the US.

[00:03:08]>> [music] >> In fact, wages in Ireland are relatively low. For instance, a software developer in Ireland makes about 62,500 euros, whereas in the US, they make about 156,800 dollars.

[00:03:24]Ireland also has a significant national debt, which is frequently disregarded because it's reported in relation to the GDP is artificially inflated, so Ireland may not be as wealthy as it first seems.

[00:03:36]>> [music] >> Number 13 living expenses in Ireland Ireland is well known for its high cost of living. It is the second most expensive country in the EU in terms of prices for goods and services with costs that are 34% higher than the average.

[00:03:52]If you are relocating from the UK, you may already be used to high costs, but Ireland is even more expensive.

[00:03:58]>> [music] >> Prices are 21% higher than the UK average for things like auto insurance, fuel, and mortgages. The fuel tax in Ireland is extremely high. It is over 50%, >> [music] >> which raises the cost of gasoline.

[00:04:11]Prices can vary depending on where you fill up your [music] gas tank. In Ireland, it can cost twice as much as it would in the US.

[00:04:19]Unfortunately, even traveling to Northern Ireland won't save you money on fuel because prices there are also high.

[00:04:26]On average, a driver in Ireland spends 2,189 euros annually >> [music] >> just on What are your thoughts on the cost of living and fuel prices in Ireland? Please feel free to share your thoughts in the comments section below.

[00:04:41]Issue number 12, housing crisis in Ireland. In general, you can expect to pay about 180 euros for a liter of petrol to give you some perspective.

[00:04:50]>> [music] >> This price is nearly double what you would pay in the US. The government's policies have made it difficult for developers to build homes, particularly in crowded cities where people frequently protest against new construction.

[00:05:05]As a result, there is a severe shortage of houses in Ireland, and the majority of people cannot afford to buy or rent a place to live. This has been a major issue in recent years. The situation is getting worse. In 2022, there were only 851 rental properties available in the entire [music] 5.1 million person nation. This has resulted in some bizarre scenes of long lines on Dublin streets as people try to purchase homes.

[00:05:32]The government has promised to address this issue, [music] but not much has changed as of yet.

[00:05:37]Imagine how expensive it is to find a place to live, especially in Dublin, where renting [music] a two-bedroom apartment in the suburbs can cost around 2,000 euros per month. In order to save money, many students end up sharing rooms with friends, but even then it can be quite expensive in Dublin.

[00:05:56]They have to pay 2,100 dollars a month, and in smaller towns, it's typically around 1,500 dollars. Housing costs in Ireland are rising annually, >> [music] >> and getting a mortgage is difficult, particularly if you're not from Ireland.

[00:06:11]>> [music] >> Banks view foreigners as risky borrowers, so they may offer a higher interest rates or make it more difficult for them to qualify for a loan. Number 11.

[00:06:20]>> [music] >> Everyone in Ireland has access to health care, but there is a major issue.

[00:06:25]Medical procedures take a long time to complete. [music] If you require urgent care for a non-life-threatening issue, you may have to wait 10 to 14 hours.

[00:06:36]The reason for this lengthy wait is that the national, although it's difficult to find a doctor or dentist in Ireland and the hospitals are subpar, the health care system is constantly in crisis because there are too many people in need of care, not enough money, and many doctors leaving to work in other English-speaking countries.

[00:06:53]>> [music] >> I know someone who went to the hospital and had to wait. I was in pain for 5 hours before giving up because there were no doctors available.

[00:07:02]If you need to go to the hospital, it's better to use private health care services. 10 Irish people enjoy using slang when they speak. Although Ireland is an English-speaking nation, the Irish constitution states that Irish is the first official language.

[00:07:19]And even though the majority of people speak English, some places, particularly on the west coast, [music] consider Irish to be their primary language. In casual conversations, Irish people use a lot of slang. Instead of asking how you're doing, they might say, "Hey, what's cracking?"

[00:07:37]If you hear that, just know that they're being courteous and asking how another intriguing thing you're doing is that the word grand can mean different things depending on the context, such as thank you, perfect, okay, and don't worry.

[00:07:50]>> [music] >> In addition, there aren't many jobs outside of Dublin because it's a prosperous capital city that draws [music] people from all over the nation.

[00:07:58]With direct flights to major cities in Europe and the East Coast of the United States, Dublin is an international city with lots of shops, entertainment venues, restaurants, and tourism, so there are plenty of jobs available. With 2 million residents, Dublin has the most job opportunities live here, which makes up 40% of the nation's total population, but outside of Ireland's bustling capital, there aren't many employment opportunities.

[00:08:25]The country's rural areas have been severely impacted by the recession, so many young people have left smaller towns and villages >> [music] >> to either relocate abroad or to larger cities like Dublin.

[00:08:37]These smaller areas are gradually recovering, but there there are fewer jobs in factories and business [music] activities, which means there aren't many job opportunities.

[00:08:47]For the eighth reason, it's best to avoid talking about religion and politics in Ireland because of the country's history, which includes conflicts between Protestants and Catholics, and because the Irish have strong opinions on these issues. In conversations with locals, it's also important to note that the Irish have a humorous outlook on life and don't place much emphasis on formality. If you engage with locals, expect some friendly teasing. Just go along with it.

[00:09:15]The Irish also tend to use a lot of swearing in their speech, which is not intended to offend, but rather adds color and diversity to the language. The seventh is Ireland's approach to marriage. It's interesting that they don't handle divorce cases, but this doesn't mean that Irish couples are forced to stay together forever. The length of a marriage in Ireland can be negotiated by both parties and can range from 1 year to 100 years. What are your thoughts on this unique approach in Ireland?

[00:09:43]After the agreed-upon period of 100 years, they can [music] decide whether to continue their marriage or end it. If they still want to be together, they can continue to do so even after the initial period. Share your thoughts on Ireland's drinking culture in the section below.

[00:09:58]If you're a drinker, you'll love Ireland. The Irish love their pubs, which are a big part of the country's charm.

[00:10:05]However, if you're not a drinker, you might find Ireland to be a little surprising because alcohol is deeply ingrained in Irish culture. Living in Ireland may be difficult if you don't embrace pub culture. According to PRCO 19 alcohol consumption statistics, 44% of Irish adults >> [music] >> drink alcohol at least once a week.

[00:10:27]Since ancient times, it's been common in Ireland to go to the pub after work to watch the sunset with a drink or even toast to someone's life after they pass away.

[00:10:38]The average Irish person drinks 10 L of alcohol annually, but the pleasure of drinking has diminished due to the recent sharp rise in alcohol prices.

[00:10:48]>> [music] >> The minimum unit pricing policy, which was put into place in 2022, set a floor price of more than $1 for every 10 g of alcohol, making Ireland the most expensive country in Europe.

[00:11:01]Additionally, Ireland has the Ireland has the highest alcohol [music] tax in Europe. The Irish are very amiable, but it takes time to develop a close relationship with them.

[00:11:12]They're very devoted to their family and friends back home, so they may not be very interested in making friends with foreigners, especially in smaller villages where everyone knows one another. Being a part of the community can be difficult. On the other hand, the Irish have a propensity for gossiping, which can be difficult to deal with in large cities because not everyone knows one another.

[00:11:35]However, small towns and villages are well known for their gossip sessions where people congregate to discuss the most recent news. This can be annoying for anyone who lives in Ireland, particularly if you don't want to hear the newest rumors every day or worse, if you are the target of those rumors.

[00:11:53]Issue number four, smoking is prohibited in Ireland.

[00:11:57]In 2004, Ireland became the first nation in the world to enact a strict law against smoking and anyone caught smoking in a workplace faces a fine of up to $3,347.

[00:12:10]In 2007, a nationwide ban on smoking in public places such as bars, restaurants, and parks was implemented.

[00:12:19]>> [music] >> Ireland believes that this ban will not only deter smoking in crowded areas, but also assist smokers in quitting because smoking in a pub requires going outside in the cold, >> [music] >> which is inconvenient. Additionally, Ireland passed a Public Health Act in 2020 that prohibits the sale of nicotine products such as vapes to anyone under the age of 18. Selling [music] such products to children is now illegal and can result in a fine of up to 4,000 euros or a 6-month jail sentence.

[00:12:48]Third, Ireland has difficult weather conditions that are comparable to those in the United Kingdom. Experiences wet and windy weather all year round. While earthquakes and storms are extremely uncommon in Ireland, if you intend to live in Dublin, Derry, [music] Cork, or Kerry, be ready for wet and rainy weather because these places are near the sea, which makes the weather very damp. Frequent rain [music] and wind from the ocean also bring fog. Winters are mild.

[00:13:15]Even if you live close to the coast, [music] Ireland's weather is unpredictable, so you might see a sunny sky and a heavy downpour on the same day or even in the same afternoon. However, when a storm does arrive, it usually doesn't last long, sometimes lasting only a few hours. Summertime temperatures average between 60° and 70° F for over 400 years.

[00:13:36]>> [music] >> Actors in silent theater productions in Ireland have been dressing up in straw costumes to celebrate Christmas.

[00:13:43]They go from house to house performing plays, reciting poems, singing, and even dancing. However, this tradition began to wane in the mid-1900s due to these theater performers who have a spooky appearance with their hidden faces, tattered costumes, and a stick in their hands visit various homes and perform.

[00:14:04]While some families welcome them with open arms, others dislike and even avoid them because of their frightening appearance, which can frighten children away, especially during the sounds of ringing bells, banjo tunes, flute melodies, >> [music] >> and the mysterious gaze behind those straw masks are a special aspect of the past. Therefore, anyone who witnesses this scene in Ireland during the holidays shouldn't be afraid to get a driver's license in if you're fortunate enough to be from a country where your license is accepted in Ireland, you'll be fine. But for people from the US or Brazil, it's a nightmare because you have to take a written test, learn to drive, and pass a driving test in order to We've discussed the drawbacks of Ireland. But it's still a fantastic place to live with excellent education, a safe environment, and lots of job opportunities. What do you think? Have you encountered anything? The system is overworked, so every step can take months. Car insurance is also very expensive, especially in the first year. Thank you for viewing our video. Please remember to like, share, and subscribe for more material. We'll see you in the next one.