Moving to Ireland, in search of friends :)

I'm an American who's just gotten a working holiday visa for a year-long stay in Ireland. I know, it's not the best time to come to Ireland looking for a job, but unfortunately I don't have many opportunities for work and travel around the world as an American, so I'm taking advantage of this chance while I can! The visa is only available to recent graduates and my status expires in two months.. meaning I've decided all this in pretty big haste!

HOWEVER. I'm very optimistic and excited. I have a good deal of money saved up, so I figure, worst case scenario I can't find a job and I hang around Ireland for a couple months and make the best of it! I've had a lot of positive responses for living situations from Gumtree and a few interviews lined up from jobs I found on the jobs.ie site, so now my biggest hurdle is actually meeting people in Ireland!

Does anyone have any suggestions of how to go about meeting people in Ireland before I arrive? I've looked into couchsurfing, but I've never actually done it before.

Just a coupla questions from me....
What line of work are you thinking of doing in Ireland - and whereabouts in Ireland are you hoping to get your job?

If you like exercise join a walking club they are very sociable. I've done a couple of walks with my friend and her father with his club and it was good fun they also meet up and do other activities as well.

Couchsurfing ain't a half bad idea you know - are you aware that it's not even all sleeping over? Some people indicate they're happy just to show people around town or meet up for a coffee, that might be good for you?

Also, there's the pubs. Sorry to generalise here, I realise there's 300 million of you, but many of the Americans I've known are much chattier than your average continental european - and the same goes for the Irish.. I figure you wouldn't have to many problems meeting people in pubs as many are more than happy to talk for a while.

Also, it might not be with the crowd you're looking for but a lot of hostels do backpacker pub crawls, etc which I think are designed specifically to meet up with other people.

And then of course there's the standard advice - join a football (soccer) team or something else you like to do.. there's all kinds of activities around Dublin, including a lot of watersports. In fact, considering you are a native English speaker and Dublin is chockablock full of foreign students who want to learn English, you could try a language exchange? (ie, going for a coffee/pint at regular times in the week) check the web for websites with ads, or otherwise you could check noticeboards in Trinity (they're under Front Arch, or put on your student face and go up to the language departments in the Arts Block building - i've seen loads there!) I'm only suggesting this because I've just been on a year long exchange in Spain and many of my Irish friends met people that way.

Hope this is enough to keep you going bud, lastly and most importantly: WELCOME TO IRELAND! I moved there three years ago and it's a wonderful place. All the stereotypes (well... some of them) are true and I'm sure you'll have a ball. :)

Finn

Billy,
I've been a server and bartender for years, so I'm looking for jobs in the field, first. Also, I have a degree in public relations and have been looking at jobs in hotels/travel as well. I'm primarily looking in Dublin, but I'm trying to keep my options open. I'm getting a short-term apartment so that if I DO get a job outside Dublin I can pick up and move close to it! I do prefer cities to the country, though.

[Sorry for the SUPER late responses, I would get email notifications when my messages got responses!]

Finn, first, thanks for your detailed response, and apologies for not responding to it before now.

I suppose I didn't mention that I am female, which puts a slight damper on going to pubs solo, and I'm terrible at sports. However in general "join a group that likes what you like" is pretty sound advice :] And I'm definitely not offended by your generalization, I'm definitely a chatty pub-going type. I'm a bartender myself!

I've looked in the couchsurfing "coffee and chat" option and set up a few meet ups, which seem promising! Great suggestion! I don't plan on staying in hostels since my stay is going to be long term, so I never thought of hostel pub crawls, that sounds fun as well!

And since I've made my plans to visit and have been talking to friends from all over, I've heard nothing but warm, wonderful things about the Irish and how they treat travelers (even if they're American like me! ha!)

Have you made the move yet?

If you get involved in activities in Ireland you will have no problem meeting new friends, do you play sports? If so Google your sport and the location you will be living in and you should find plenty of clubs to choose from.

Also if it dating sites arnt taboo to you check out plentyoffish.com lots of girls/boys on the site willing to meet you.

Have you found a job yet ? You mentioned that you graduated? Gradpool.ie is a great site if you are looking for
graduate jobs check it out.

Best of luck in your new adventure,

Andy