[ajtaylor]

I was working in Ireland until 2011, under the older work permit scheme. The major downside to this scheme was that the permit was tied to the employer - lose your job and you have to start all over. This is what happened to me right as the housing bubble was bursting, so we decided to leave the country rather than try to find a new job and deal with the time, expense and hassle of new paperwork. The Green Card sounds like a nice upgrade. I wish it had been available when I was first applying for my job.

Paperwork aside, Ireland is a fantastically beautiful country. I suggest you leave Dublin and head West to see the postcard Irish countryside. Get off the Motorways and onto the backroads. It will be well worth your while. :)