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Over 60,000 former U.S. citizens now call Ireland home. Don’t move to Ireland without considering this insightful book. If you’ve ever considered telling the boss to take a hike, then sell everything and load yourself onto the nearest transport in hopes of moving to the green island of Ireland, this is the book for you. Originally from Chicago, American Tom Richards did exactly what you might be dreaming of doing: in 1982, he sold up the farm, loaded his wife and first-born child onto a draughty charter plane, and moved to Ireland. He’s lived there ever since. In this humorously written book, Richards gives you the benefit of his mistakes, misfortunes, and eventual successes while telling you exactly what to expect and how to survive if you too decide to move to this country.  In The Survivor’s Guide to Living in Ireland, Richards outlines the real facts about moving to and living in this country including:

• That elusive work permit: how to get one. Did you know that you will have to get your hands on a work permit to be allowed to work? Richards lets you in on the secrets of obtaining one for yourself.

• Making a living in Ireland: unless you have a rich Uncle, you probably have to work for a living. Did you know that Ireland has one of the fastest growing economies in the world? Richards gives an on the ground analyse of Celtic Tiger Ireland and the opportunities that are available in its modern, fast-paced economy.

• The virtually free Medical System: Ireland has socialised medicine, one that won’t strip away your retirement nest egg if you happen to get sick. Richards gives you some examples of its incredible entitlements.

• A School and University system to die for: the author’s three children have all grown up with the benefit of a system with which Richards has fallen in love. His glowing but realistic account illustrates how your offspring can also benefit from what he considers to be one of the best school systems anywhere......
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But in addition to the facts of this country, Richards gives you the benefit of his twenty-plus years of residency by painting a tapestry of prose that tells you exactly what it’s like to live here: from the warmth of its welcoming people to their tendency to talk your ear off; from the magic of Ireland’s mystical heritage and architecture to romantic walks along its misty-covered rivers; from how to properly drink a pint of Guinness like the Irish do, to the sympathy that these sensitive people gave to this American author following September 11th: The Survivor’s Guide to Living in Ireland provides you with the story of a young man who learned to become one with the Irish. And if he did it, Richards believes that you can too.  Richards writes, ‘The trouble with Ireland is simple. If you come here, you might never ever find the strength to leave no matter if you suffer from misfortune or experience an incredible stroke of luck. You might moan about the place. You might find yourself to be intolerably homesick. You might even find perfectly logical reasons to journey back to the States.

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‘But move here and the odds are that you’ll never go back. I say this because it’s something to think about before you choose the path of immigration, and it’s an issue that I find is rarely discussed. Immigrating is hard work. It can be an emotional roller coaster out of which few emerge unscathed. But something magical happens when a person moves here. Despite all of the difficulties of immigrating to this country, Ireland seems to root itself into the very fabric of your being. And once the roots have become established it’s very difficult to shake yourself loose.’

Due to strong reader demand and feedback, The Survivor’s Guide to Living in Ireland has been substantially reworked and is now over twice as big, twice as valuable, and twice as entertaining as the original version. Its 150 pages of humour and insights also includes important Internet references to help with further research, as well as Richards’ personal Dictionary of Irish Slang and Phrases to help you to talk like the Irish do.

Loaded with facts, anecdotes, and lessons learned by a fellow American from Chicago – a regular guy just like you – The Survivor’s Guide to Living in Ireland is necessary reading for those who are thinking of either visiting this country for a prolonged stay, or those determined enough to move here permanently.

The picture that Tom Richards provides in this book is much clearer and experiential than those written only from a perspective of rose-colored poetry.  The Survivor’s Guide to Living in Ireland provides factual information written in a style that travel writer Bill Bryson would appreciate, illustrates what a move to Ireland requires...and captivates the reader by explaining exactly what living in Ireland is really like. 

Tom Richards' wouldn't leave Ireland on a bet. Written without any punches pulled, this is the book to read if you've ever thought about moving to that marvellous country.
 

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