15 Best Places To Stay In Ireland as a Student | 2023 Study Abroad Guide

Ireland has emerged as one of the top study-abroad locations as more and more international students seek master’s degrees abroad. Hence, students need to ensure they secure a good place to stay. Thus, we’ve provided you with a good list of some of the best places to stay in Ireland

International students come to Ireland for a variety of reasons, including its prestigious colleges, top-notch schools, top-notch amenities, and high standard of living.

Many multinational corporations, including Google and Amazon, have made Ireland their European headquarters, creating a surge in employment possibilities.

Students who decide to attend school in Ireland will have the opportunity to live in charming cities with stunning settings. Irish cities combine modern and historical elements, providing students with a culturally rich experience amidst modern conveniences.

We’ll discuss the best places to stay in Ireland as a student in this blog.

Why study in Ireland?

Ireland is a great place for overseas students to study because of its top-notch schools, wide range of course options, and plentiful job possibilities. The following are the main arguments for choosing Ireland as a location for higher education:

Quality institutions: Using the National Framework of Qualifications (NFF), the Irish government keeps an eye on the level of education. This indicates that the education quality is the same regardless of the university you attend.
With contributions in 19 fields, including the social sciences, natural sciences, humanities, and healthcare, Irish universities and colleges rank in the top 1% of research institutions worldwide. Undergraduate and graduate students now have a tremendous opportunity to apply for research programs that are fueled by innovation and many opportunities.
Community safety: According to the Global Peace Index 2022, Ireland is among the safest nations in the world, coming in at number three.
Irish culture: The Irish are renowned for their hospitable and outgoing demeanor. They enjoy talking, and they are perhaps the best at making you laugh. Ireland was ranked as the tenth most social nation in the world in 2017.
Opportunities for employment: While studying in Ireland, you can work part-time. During the academic year, you are permitted to work 20 hours per week, and from mid-December to mid-January, you are permitted to work 40 hours per week.

What are the Best Places To Stay In Ireland as a Student?

Ireland is renowned for its wild and breath-taking nature and is home to some of the world’s most gorgeous landscapes. Ireland was used for filming famous motion pictures including Harry Potter, Star Wars, and Game of Thrones because of its rugged aspect.

However, there are numerous cities that are teeming with arts, culture, and entertainment in addition to undulating hills and rocky coasts.

Here are 15 places you absolutely must see while studying in Ireland to fully immerse yourself in this fascinating and endearing nation.

1. Dublin

2. Galway

3. Maynooth

4. Cork

5. Limerick

6. Cliffs of Moher

7. Blarney Castle

8. The Dingle Peninsula

9. Killarney National Park

10. Giant’s Causeway

11. Derry/Londonderry

12. Belfast

13. The Guinness Storehouse

14. Kilmainham Gaol

15. The Rings Of Kerry

1. Dublin

There is no reason Dublin should not be the top choice for students looking to study in Ireland since the city is home to some of the best universities in the country. Dublin is home to prominent colleges, the best nightclubs, and stunning natural scenery.

Dublin, to start with, has a rich history, beautiful settings, and numerous fantastic sites to explore, including museums, botanical gardens, and more. Second, you’ll discover a number of quiet study locations, such as libraries, coffee shops, and gardens, where you may relax and concentrate on your work away from the busy metropolis.

However, if you enjoy participating in activities, there are many events and activities in which you can take part.

Dublin is undeniably an expensive city to live in, but there are still plenty of student housing alternatives that are reasonably priced. Since Dublin is connected to every location in Ireland, getting to any other location from Dublin won’t be an issue.

One of the greatest places in Ireland for studying is Dublin, which is regarded as Ireland’s educational center and home to some of the best universities.

2. Galway

One of the friendliest cities in the world is thought to be Galway. It is a safe place in Ireland for foreign students to pursue their education because of its low crime rate.

It’s referred to as “Ireland’s most charming city” by The New York Times. Every year, the city draws thousands of visitors from all over the world to its fun festivals and activities.

Due to its vibrant and varied culture, the city was just named the 2020 European Cultural Capital.

More international students than any other Irish city are drawn to Galway.

Global research and innovation are forging new ground at the NUI Galway. In addition, the university has the best success rate for receiving EU research funding.

3. Maynooth

Maynooth City is the ideal blend of tranquility and excitement with its lush, calm woodlands, a ton of restaurants, and 24-hour nightclubs.

The distance between the city and Dublin’s city center is only a few minutes, and there are many ways to go from Maynooth to Dublin. If you prefer taking walks in the great outdoors, you can travel to the Royal Canal Walk, which runs from Maynooth to Leixlip.

There is no doubt that “Maynooth University” is the town’s principal draw. Many domestic and foreign students prioritize attending university. International students are drawn to this university year after year by its top-notch facilities, amenities, and lectures.

4. Cork

A little city in Ireland’s southwest called Cork is referred to as the “Rebel county.” The University College Cork (UCC) and Cork Institute of Technology are two of the top European universities that have campuses in this city, which has a reputation as one of Ireland’s leading cities for technology and education.

The city also serves as Ireland’s center for science and technology. As a result, numerous multinational corporations, including Apple, Amazon, and Siemens, have established their European headquarters in this city.

The city is regarded as both the nation’s food capital and the technology center.

If you ever travel to Cork, be sure to check out “The English Market,” where since the 18th century, vendors have been selling locally made organic food. You will get lost in the extensive selection of scrumptious gourmet meals, bread, and seafood.

Cork is the ideal location for international students to enjoy the most of what Ireland has to offer thanks to its technological advancement, cultural events, and gourmet markets.

5. Limerick

Since it was recently named one of the best metropolitan areas in Western Europe to invest in, Limerick has earned a reputation as a city of opportunities.

Limerick is the ideal city for students and young professionals to study and pursue a career in Ireland since it offers inexpensive housing as well as inexpensive goods and services. Some of the best universities in Europe, notably the University of Limerick, are located in the city.

The University of Limerick is a popular choice for many international students because of its exceptional educational quality, vibrant campus life, breathtaking scenery, and reasonable cost.

There are many award-winning restaurants and a wide variety of food available in Limerick. You can participate in a variety of artistic, musical, and cultural pursuits at Limerick.

6. Cliffs of Moher

Along the breathtaking cliff tops of the west Clare coast, a well-traveled road and popular tourist destination. The Cliffs of Moher are a nearly 14-kilometer stretch of land that rise 214 meters above the Atlantic Ocean.

For many years, poets, singers, and artists have been moved by its magnificence. It takes two hours to drive from Galway to the cliffs, but if you want a more memorable experience, you can take a boat from the sleepy village of Doolin and see the cliffs from a different angle.

7. Blarney Castle

One of the 30,000 castles in Ireland, Blarney Castle is famous for the Blarney Stone, which, according to mythology, can provide you the ability to speak with eloquence if you kiss it while hanging upside down. This is only one of the many myths, tales, and folktales from Irish culture that are still prevalent today.

There are many castles scattered throughout the island that can take you back in time even if you are unable to see Blarney Castle. Blarney Castle, which lies nearby the city of Cork, is surrounded by 60 acres of lovely gardens and parkland.

8. The Dingle Peninsula

The Dingle Peninsula, which is on the southwest coast of Ireland, was named “the most beautiful place on earth” by National Geographic and is renowned for its sand beaches and craggy black cliffs.

It is simple to get to by automobile, and you may appreciate the winding roads that ascend to the coast as they pass through a variety of lush green landscapes.

When you get there, be sure to check out the ancient beehive huts that were originally inhabited by settlers more than a thousand years ago.

9. Killarney National Park

Killarney National Park, which is situated in Kerry in the southwest and encompasses 25,000 acres, is home to stunning lakes, waterfalls, woodlands, and towering mountains. Red deer, 141 different bird species, and Muckross House and Gardens, a late 19th-century estate, may all be found in the park.

Killarney National Park is a fantastic day trip and an excellent place for hikers and adventurers. The largest mountain range in Ireland, McGillycuddy’s Reek, which is nearby, has 11 summits. This hike should not be done if you have no prior mountaineering expertise because it is tough for the faint of heart.

10. Giant’s Causeway

The Giant’s Causeway, Northern Ireland’s sole UNESCO World Heritage Site, is a surreal environment along the Causeway Coast Route made up of magnificent interlocking rock formations.

Others prefer the legend of the Irish giant Finn McCool, who is supposed to have used these rocks to make a bridge in order to reach a Scottish giant named Benandonner, over the theory that these were formed by volcanic eruptions.

The view is wonderful either way. You have two options for driving there: from Belfast, which will take you one hour, or from Dublin, which will take you three hours. The causeway is also accessible by bus or coach.

11. Derry/Londonderry

The name of the city, the second-largest in Northern Ireland, is still up for debate between Irish nationalists (those who wished to stay part of Ireland) and unionists (who want to be part of the UK). The city has a rich but contentious past.

Although this political instability has subsided over time, there is still a trace of The Troubles in the striking murals that dot the city and its neighborhoods.

Nevertheless, Derry/Londonderry is a lively city that is absolutely worth a visit, despite its troubled background.

Take a walking tour, take a look at the 400-year-old city walls, and take pleasure in the booming culinary scene. Additionally, Ulster University has a campus nearby, thus Derry/Londonderry might be your permanent residence.

12. Belfast

Another city with a long and rich history is Belfast, which is evident in the street art and murals strewn all throughout the city.

To discover more about Belfast’s past, you may even take a black taxi tour of the city. Belfast, a British city, is close to the Northern Ireland border and provides access to the rest of the nation.

Belfast is also a thriving cultural center, home to lively bars, traditional music, books, museums, and shopping. Despite the abundance of things to do, Belfast is a small city, making it simple for visitors to navigate.

13. The Guinness Storehouse

One of the most popular tourist destinations in Ireland for college students is The Guinness Storehouse Ireland. Thus, it is situated in Dublin, Ireland’s city center. While, visitors have the chance to learn about the creation and history of Guinness beer at the Guinness Storehouse.

Furthermore, the structure is situated on St. James’s Gate, where Arthur Guinness established the brewery in 1759. It is essentially a museum devoted to the well-known Irish beer and is located in Dublin, one of the most popular tourist destinations in Ireland.

The Gravity Bar, which gives a panoramic view of the city, is a great place for visitors to learn about the history of Guinness and to relax with a pint.

14. Kilmainham Gaol

Former Dublin prison Kilmainham Gaol had a significant impact on Irish history. It was built on the site of a former prison and housed political detainees, notably Society of United Irishmen members, during the 1798 uprising.

It is now a museum dedicated to their remembrance. Visitors to Kilmainham Gaol have the option of exploring on their own or taking a guided tour because it is one of the most popular tourist destinations in Ireland.

In addition to interactive exhibits where you can learn more about them and what life was like inside this jail during its peak, there are displays that tell stories of the lives of these prisoners.

15. The Rings Of Kerry

A network of roadways known as The Rings of Kerry travels through the hills and valleys of southwest Ireland. The roads, which take their names from the Irish word for “ring,” create a circle that round a center cluster of cities and villages.

The Rings of Kerry are among the top tourist destinations in Ireland for both locals and students seeking a break from the hustle and bustle of the city.

The region is renowned for its breathtaking natural beauty, which includes verdant slopes, glistening lakes, and coastal views.

Frequently Asked Questions

In what parts of Ireland do students live?

International students typically submit a direct application to the institution for on-campus housing or university residences. Private landlords or rental agencies typically administer off-campus private housing. Additionally, you can submit an application for select hosted housing through your university or via a private advertisement.

What is the best way for international students to find housing in Ireland?

In Ireland, a lot of universities provide housing for students on their campuses. Particularly for international students, these houses frequently offer a practical and encouraging environment. To ensure a space, research the options at your chosen institution or university. Also, apply early.

For students, is Dublin affordable?

Ireland has expensive student housing. You should prepare to spend anywhere between 550 and 1,000 EUR per month because living expenses in Ireland are slightly higher than the average for the European region. Dublin: 1,100 to 1,800 EUR/month. Average monthly living expenses in Irish cities, including housing expenditures.

Is Ireland preferable than the UK for foreign students?

International students can enroll in top-notch educational programs in the UK and Ireland. Ireland or the UK may be a better fit for you, depending on the precise course and experience you’re seeking. Studying abroad has a variety of advantages as well as variances depending on the nation.

Does Ireland employ foreign students?

Before arriving to study in Ireland or the UK (which includes Northern Ireland), you must get a study visa. In Ireland, you are allowed to work up to 20 hours per week during the academic year and 40 hours per week during the summer.