| Leaprechauns say hello.
Well Miguel, there should be a big difference for you all when you
come to Ireland.
I am from Galway and I work in Ballybrit, but I spent almost 4 years
in Clonmel. To you those two place might look the same but I assure
you there are differences.
Weather : It never gets hotter than 70 F here in Summertime, and
we have had a terrible summer here, damp and rarely above that low
60's, but when the sun shines here, its the nicest part of the planet.
Winters are colder than P.R., but rarely ever gets too cold. 26F
is about the worst. Not much snow here ever. Plenty of damp rain.
It keeps the place green looking.
Our Summer days are very long (18 hours daylight in mid June), and
our winter days are the opposite.
I do not think that there is a spanish speaking school in the vicinity
of Clonmel, but 5 year olds learn the lingo very fast.
Practically all schools are publicly funded. You may have to buy
a school uniform and of course the school books (your 8 year old
should cost you less than $100 for the entire year.).
Our national school system ( 4years - 11/12 years) is very good.
In fact one of the best public system on the planet. Teachers are
like everywhere, but I would say that on balance the good ones are
in the majority.
8 year olds would learn basic Maths,numeracy, concepts, English,
religion (catholic) but you could work out a special arrangement
if you wanted in this area, civics, reading (most 8 year olds here
are proficient readers), singing, and Gaelic (again your
children would have an arrangement), writing, drawing, possibly
some history + geography.
Housing is not too difficult in Clonmel. When I left there in 1982
the prices were at their highest, in real terms, I'm no positive
about prices now, but a standard semi-detached house (3 beds)in town is
probarbly about �30,000 Irish pounds ( 1 �IR = $1.45 approx).
The natives are very friendly, but they won't be too friendly with
my people (Galway) after the big game to-morrow (Sunday 4th).
Clonmel is in Tipperary and they play Galway in the Hurling final.
Hurling is a part of the culture that you will learn about, as is
Guinness, but the stuff in Clonmel is not near as good as the Galway
stuff.
Snake will start the ball rolling.
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| Miguel, los irlandaises estan muy sympaticos, soy irlandais pero mi
mujer es espanol.
Para gente que vienen de los paises hispanicos, Irlanda es un pais
caliente.
The Irish are very warm and friendly. I know many Spanish people
in Ireland and I used to go every year to the Spanish embassy in
Dublin to celebrate "St Columbas" day. The weather might not be
warm but then you cannot have everything.
I doubt there is a Spanish school in Clonmel, you would be lucky
to find one in Dublin never mind Clonmel.
You should find most things in Clonmel.
El Gringo (Soy un gnomo)
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| Re. .1
> Winters are colder than P.R., but rarely ever gets too cold. 26F
> is about the worst. Not much snow here ever. Plenty of damp rain.
Many thanks for the information, however my kids have never seen
snow before, they will be dissapointed :-). I'd would be interested
in learning Gaelic, is it difficult to learn ?
Re.2
Porque te dicen El Gringo ? En Puerto Rico "gringo" es un "yanquee",
alguien de Estados Unidos. Are you from U.S.A ?
Miguel A. Alvarez
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|
Hi Miguel,
I worked in KLO before coming over to USA ... I know
a few USA DECcies who spend a year or so in KLO and enjoyed it for
the most part.
HOUSING
In KLO this is REALLY hard to find if you are renting - I assume
that you are renting if you are only on short term relocation...when
you move initially you will be staying in a hotel until you find
someplace to rent. the quality of rented houses isnt great, but
you could be lucky. Im sure personnel will help you, but apart
from going to the 2 or 3 real estate offices, reading the local
weekly newspaper (The Nationalist) is your best bet.
SCHOOLS
There are NO spanish schools in Clonmel, for your 5 year old
there is an EXCELLENT privatly run school on western road that caters
really well with foreign kids - little ones only - its a tiny 2
room school so that might help your little one
OTHER INFO
Clonmel is a small town, with good shops (nothing like USA
standards of couse, I dont know about Puerto Rico) the scenery around
there is marvellous....try to get a house outside the town if your
wife can drive! Clonmel has a few nice hotels and restuarants.
Its surrounded by some mountains so it seems to get lots of rain
and fog - no snow at least!! The KLO dec people are really friendly
and will help you settle in - ask the people in your group and the
will help you happily
If I can give you any other specific info Id be glad to help...
Salarywise you will be paid from 'home' - the policy is for
PER DM - expenses - while on temp. relocation...as far as I know.
oh and if you can select a hotel to stay in when you go there
first ask for KNOCKLOFTY - its a lovely place, and your kids will
enjoy it - pool, jacuzzi, excercise rooms, tennis etc etc
dont worry about the weather and you'll enjoy it!
Good luck
Ann
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| Ann,
Thanks for the information. I'm glad to hear it's a
small town, I moved to Aguadilla (a really small town), for the
same reasons. I don't like big cities for living.
Miguel A. Alvarez
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