Along with London, Ireland is also one of the most popular destinations for those who decide to do an au pair work experience. The Emerald Isle is attractive for its verdant nature, streets crowded with street musicians and pubs packed with customers, intent on drinking beer and watching rugby matches on TV. Dublin, Cork, or Galway are ideal places to stay in Ireland as an au pair, and an au pair job on the island is also a good opportunity to visit it and discover its beauty.
But how can you visit Ireland while saving money? Here are some tips to help you avoid having to give up your entire au pair salary.
Get your fill of culture at Dublin’s free museums
In the Irish capital you can get your fill of culture without spending a cent. In Dublin, in fact, many museums are free to enter, such as the Museum of Archaeology and Ethnography, the museum dedicated to James Joyce, or the museum-hospital of dolls and teddy bears. However, if during your au pair stay in Ireland you also want to discover museums outside of Dublin, the best thing to do is purchase a Heritage Card which allows access to places of interest for an entire year.
Enjoying the greenery of the parks
Greenery is something that is certainly not lacking in Dublin and throughout Ireland. In the Irish capital, public parks pop up on every corner, and those who want to enjoy a bit of greenery are spoiled for choice, even without straying too far from the city center. And the same thing happens in other cities too. In Cork, for example, there is Fitzgerald Park which houses a public museum that can be visited free of charge. Near Galway, Connemara National Park is also free to enter, but given its size, there are organized tours available. It hosts events throughout the year, also free to enter.
Save on transport in Ireland
If you’re working as an au pair in Dublin, a great way to save on transportation is to use bike sharing. This way you can use and pay for the bike only for the time you need, saving money and staying fit at the same time! However, if the weather conditions are not favorable or you have to travel long distances, you can take public transport and, in this case, a good way to save a few euros is to buy a Leap Card. In practice, it is a rechargeable card that allows you to pay for public transport a little less than you would if you bought individual tickets. Finally, if you want to travel from Dublin and visit the entire island, you can travel by train: by purchasing tickets online, you can take advantage of discounted rates.
In Ireland in September for Culture Night
Finally, if you have the opportunity to choose the time of year to do your au pair experience in Ireland, choose September. Every year during this month, Culture Night takes place across Ireland. It’s a week-long event featuring free music, art, theater, dance, culture, and sports events at numerous venues across the country. A truly unmissable opportunity to have fun and discover lesser-known sides of Irish culture at no cost!
Have you chosen Ireland as your au pair destination but aren’t sure where to go? Read our tips!
