If you’re moving to Ireland from across the water, your instinct is going to be to aim for Dublin – but are you shooting yourself in the foot? With a comparatively high cost of living and a competitive rental market, for some, Dublin may not feel worth it.
If you’re looking for long term prospects, the rest of Ireland offers much, much more. In this post, I’ll be taking a look at Tralee as a place to live, work and grow.
Tralee is a large town in Kerry, in Ireland’s South West, with a population of roughly 25,000. If the area looks familiar, don’t be surprised; most of the shots of Ireland’s lush green countryside in major Hollywood movies were filmed here, and local tourist retreats like Killarney, Dingle and the Ring of Kerry are heavily featured in Irish Tourism ads.
Despite the countryside setting, Tralee is exceptionally well connected. Kerry airport links the town to international airports in Dublin and London, while local bus and rail services run to Dublin, Limerick, Cork and Galway.
If you’re looking to travel with no real destination in mind, though, you can follow the Kerry Camino through unspoilt mountainside and through several scattered villages before arriving at the seasonal fishing village of Dingle.
Eat piping hot battered cod by the evening sun before cooling your mouth (and your fingers) down with Murphy’s Dingle sea salt ice cream, while you watch for a glimpse of the village’s local dolphin, Fungi, on the horizon.
So why Tralee?
A developer’s salary goes miles further outside of the city, where a 3 bedroom house in Dublin’s west suburbs will put you back a hefty €1500. A modern house within walking distance of every local convenience in Tralee is, on average, €700 a month, without any of the competition people have come to expect from the city rental market.
Despite its size, Tralee still offers a great selection of shopping, with most major high street stores represented in the town’s bright, brand new Manor West Retail Park and the town centre. For a night out, you’ll be spoiled for choice with a broad range of restaurants and bars, from live music in the Blasket and An Teach Beag to the best pint of Guinness in town in An Chearnóg.
Those who love the outdoors (and don’t mind getting a bit wet) will feel right at home in Tralee Bay Wetlands Centre, paddle boating, fishing or canoeing, while the Sliabh Mish mountains just beyond the town offer some excellent climbing spots, from gentle hiking paths to steep, challenging climbs.
Culturally, Tralee is the home of Ireland’s most prolific and enduring festivals, the Rose of Tralee, which invites the country’s most beautiful and talented expats and home birds alike to compete in a pageant like no other.
The town lies on the edges of one of Ireland’s last remaining native Irish speaking communities, acting as a gateway to the country’s living history. It seems only fitting that it should be home to Ireland’s national folk theatre, Siamsa Tíre, hosting year-round acts, from contemporary theatre and dance to stand-up comedy, as well as vibrant gallery spaces.
Why Tralee for Developers?
Tralee is home to a surprising amount of international software and web development companies, representing a broad range of projects, tech stacks and talents. The town plays host to a broad number of international companies, from enterprise fintech solutions to industry leading IoT technology.
Looking to upskill? Tralee is home to a major technology-focused university, offering full and part time options to step-up your game.
Solas IT works with a number of clients in Kerry, and are proud to support some of the most progressive, innovative and welcoming companies in Ireland in building their teams. If you’re looking for something specific, or just more information, please don’t hesitate to call us on 01 2449520
