Why Ireland should be on your relocation radar

The Emerald Isle is typically associated with beautiful scenery, friendly locals and fine beer. But did you know Ireland is actually one of the major technology and semiconductor hubs in the world?

These are exciting times for the Irish semiconductor industry, whether you are a developing engineer or a graduate looking for your first step on the ladder. With St Patrick’s Day this weekend, now is the perfect time to celebrate everything Irish and take a look at the fantastic opportunities available and benefits of relocating to Ireland.

1. Growing Economy

Where to start? The Irish economy is the fastest growing in the Eurozone and the 6th most competitive in the world. The IMD World Competitiveness Yearbook report for 2017 saw Ireland considered the world’s number one in several categories, including Labour Productivity, Attracting & Retaining Talent as well as National Culture, demonstrating the diverse capabilities of the country delivering both in business and culturally.

2. Young and Talented

Ireland has the youngest population in Europe with almost half under the age of 35 and a third under 25; favourable reading when considering the fact that the quality of the education system is ranked within the top ten in the world. This should give you an idea of the levels of talent the country is producing and the educational opportunities a child has growing up in Ireland, with around 30% of college and university students enrolling in STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Maths) courses each year. Also ranking 10th in the 2017 Global Peace Index (24 places higher than the UK), Ireland has all the statistics to suggest it’s an ideal place to raise a family.

3. Beautiful Scenery

Everything the country has to offer can’t be all summarised by statistics though; Ireland is simply a very pretty country. Affectionately nicknamed ‘the emerald isle’ because of its rolling hills and vales of green, there’s plenty to see and do, whether it be visiting the stunning Cliffs of Moher, seeing it all on a drive through the Wild Atlantic Way, or appreciating the historical architecture of the cities and towns.

4. Further Your Career

While Ireland might not seem a massive move geographically or even culturally, working abroad always looks good on a CV, at the very least demonstrating your ability to adapt. Additionally, with Brexit raising a lot of question marks for the rest of the British Isles, Ireland will continue to be a member of the EU, which may make it an even more attractive proposition if you sided with Remain in 2016.

So where could you live?

Dublin may seem like the obvious choice. The capital is renowned the globe over, ranking an impressive 17th in a 2017 study looking at the world’s most reputable cities. Aside from the beauty of the city itself, Dublin is a hotbed for global tech companies. Headquarters for giants such as Google, Facebook, LinkedIn and Twitter have sprung up in recent decades, earning the Grand Canal Docks area the nickname ‘Silicon Docks’. Dublin is also home to many world leading semiconductor companies, offering plenty of opportunities for professionals within the industry.

There’s a lot to Ireland outside of Dublin. In fact it was the second largest city, Cork, which earned the title of most culturally vibrant city in Europe, ahead of the likes of Paris, Florence, Lisbon and Copenhagen. The cost of living in Cork is considerably less than in Dublin too, with rent prices in Cork approximately 35% lower. With a semiconductor presence from similarly big companies as Dublin, there are just as many opportunities if you’re willing to look beyond the capital.

That goes for Limerick and Shannon as well, with semiconductor companies located there too. If you want a quieter life, there is growing science and technology hubs in Kerry and in Clare, that while may not offer quite the opportunities of the major cities, they do offer a more rural lifestyle for those who seek it.
 

This weekend a lot of us will be celebrating Ireland with a drink, but don’t overlook the technological powerhouse the emerald isle has become. Not only a beautiful place to live, with the fastest growing economy in the Eurozone, it is one of the best places to be for semiconductor professionals right now. If you want to see what’s available, find our Ireland-based job listings here.