Settling in · Clare
Landing in Clare? Start here.
The first fortnight in Clare, in order: the paperwork that has to happen, then the places that make it feel like somewhere you could stay.
Week one and two
The order to do things in
1
Ring your Sama contact when you land
Whoever placed you. Tell them you arrived and that you are all right. We check in on you, but ring anyway.
2
Get your PPS number started
You cannot be taxed properly without it and emergency tax is expensive. You need proof of address and your job offer.
3
Open a bank account
Bring your passport, your permit or IRP, and a letter from your employer with your address. Some branches are easier than others, which is exactly the kind of thing worth telling the next person.
4
Get an Irish SIM
A local number makes everything else easier, including the bank.
5
Register with a GP
Do it before you are sick, not after. The HSE finder is below.
6
Register for tax with Revenue
myAccount, then give your employer your details. Otherwise emergency tax eats your first pay.
7
Sort your immigration registration
If your permission needs an IRP, book it early. Appointments go quickly.
8
Find the nearest shop, place of worship and club
This is the part that decides whether you stay. It is also the part nobody puts in a handbook, which is why the rest of this page exists.
Official, and free
Official finders
Run by the State, so they stay current. Search each one for your own town.
Find a GPThe HSE list of GPs, searchable by area. Ring a few: some practices are full and some are not.Get a PPS numberYou need one to be paid properly and to be taxed properly. Apply through MyWelfare once you have a job offer and an address.PPS allocation centres by countyWhere to go in person, county by county.Citizens Information centre near youFree, independent, face to face help with anything: rights, benefits, housing, tax, immigration. Phone 0818 07 4000.Register your immigration permissionIf you need an Irish Residence Permit, this is where it is done and where the appointments are.Find your local Garda stationWorth knowing before you need it. Emergency is 112 or 999.Register for taxRevenue myAccount. Do this early or you will be on emergency tax and your first payslips will hurt.Exchange or apply for a driving licenceThe NDLS decides whether your licence can be exchanged or whether you start with the theory test.Renting: know the rulesThreshold gives free advice to tenants, and the RTB registers tenancies and settles disputes.Public transportTimetables and fares for bus, rail and Luas across the country.
Near you
71 places in Clare worth knowing in week one
From OpenStreetMap, the map that locals build, plus places our team knows. Every card has a map link. If one has closed or moved, WhatsApp us and it comes down.
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Places of worship
Every faith near you, listed so people can find a community when they arrive. Sama Talent Group is not affiliated with any religion or religious organisation.
Churches
Ennis Evangelical Church
Christian, Evangelical
Unit 6, Block, Quin Road Business Park, Ennis, V95 XK03
Foundation Ministries
Christian, Roman catholic
Fergus Manor, V95 AK68
Apostolic Work Killaloe Diocese
Christian. Hours: Mo,We,Fr 10:00-13:00,14:00-17:00; Tu,Th,Sa-Su off
Station Road
Mosques and prayer rooms
Other places of worship
Iglesia ni Cristo
Iglesia ni Cristo, Limerick City
About 31 km away
96A O'Connell street, Limerick, V94 X0V6
Worship services: Thu 9:00pm · Sun 5:30am · Sun 11:00am · Sun 1:30pm (children)
Addresses and worship service times from the Iglesia ni Cristo directory, checked October 2026. Times can change, so check the locale's own page before you go. directory.iglesianicristo.net
Food and takeaways
Bonfire Indian Curry House
Indian. restaurant. Hours: Mo-Th,Sa-Su 13:00-23:00; Fr 15:00-23:00
Parnell Street, V95 RK3C
The Silver Oak
Indian. restaurant. Hours: 17:00-22:30
Wood Quay, V95 DC82
Tulsi Restaurant
Indian. restaurant. Hours: Mo-Sa 17:00-23:00; Su 13:00-22:00
Clare Road, Ennis, V95 C6C4
Royal Court Chinese Restaurant And Takeaway
Chinese. restaurant. Hours: Mo-Th 16:00-23:00; Fr-Su 13:00-23:00
Banner Court
About 2 km away
Sports and clubs
Éire Óg Inís GAA Academy
Gaelic games. Sports centre
Clonroadmore V95 TF82
Inagh-Kilnamona GAA Club
Gaelic games. Sports centre
Callan View, West Clare Municipal District
About 14 km away
Community and support groups
Ennis Men's Shed
Community centre. Hours: Tu,We 10:00-13:00
Quin Road, Ennis
Inagh Community Centre
Community centre
Inagh River Walking Trail, West Clare Municipal District
About 13 km away
St. Patrick’s Hall - Corofin Community Centre
Community centre
R460 West Clare Municipal District
About 12 km away
Barbers and hair specialists
Barbers and salons
Longhair Studio Ennis
Hairdresser. Hours: Mo,Su off; Tu-We 09:30-18:00; Th-Fr 09:30-19:30; Sa 09:30-17:00
Cornmarket Street, Ennis, V95 DW74
Eden Hair And Beauty
Hairdresser. Hours: Mo-Th 10:00-18:00; Fr 10:00-19:00; Sa 08:00-15:00; Su off
60 Parnell Street, V95 X754
Top Cuts Barber Shop
Hairdresser. Hours: Mo-Sa 09:30-18:00; Su off
Parnell Street, V95 RK3C
Cosmo Hair Salon
Hairdresser. Hours: Mo,Su off; Tu-We,Sa 09:30-18:00; Th-Fr 09:30-19:00
Hallorans Lane, V95 RK3C
AK Barbers
Hairdresser. Hours: Mo-Sa 10:00-17:00; Su off
25 Parnell Street, V95 RK3C
Barber's Ali
Hairdresser. Hours: Mo-We 09:30-18:00; Th-Fr 09:30-19:00; Sa 09:00-17:30; Su off
Old Mill Road, Ennis, V95 YV67
Cinemas and libraries
De Valera Public Library and Gallery
Library, free to join, warm, and with wifi. Hours: Mo,We,Fr 10:00-17:30; Tu,Th 10:00-20:00; Sa 10:00-14:00
Harmony Row, Ennis
Clare County Library Local Studies Centre
Library, free to join, warm, and with wifi. Hours: Mo-Fr 10:00-13:00,14:00-17:30; Sa 10:00-14:00
Harmony Row, Ennis
William Smith O’Brien Public Library, Newmarket-on-Fergus
Library, free to join, warm, and with wifi
Kilnasoolagh Park, Newmarket on Fergus
About 11 km away
Seán Lemass Public Library, Shannon
Library, free to join, warm, and with wifi
Brú na Sionna, Shannon, V14 WK50
About 17 km away
Corofin Public Library
Library, free to join, warm, and with wifi
R460 West Clare Municipal District
About 12 km away
Map data © OpenStreetMap contributors. We do not make places up: if the map has it wrong, fix it on openstreetmap.org and it comes through at the next refresh.
Saving money
What locals use to spend less
The shops and sites people here use for cheap clothes, second-hand furniture, a car, and the weekly shop. We are not paid to list any of them.
DoneDealIreland's biggest site for second-hand cars, vans, tools and furniture. Check a car's history before you pay.Adverts.ieSecond-hand everything, often for very little, with plenty given away free.Facebook MarketplaceFurniture, bikes and household things from people near you. Meet in public, and never pay before you see it.PenneysCheap everyday clothes, work basics and bedding.Aldi and LidlThe cheapest big supermarkets for the weekly shop.Mr PriceDiscount stores around the country for household bits, cleaning products, toiletries and snacks.DealzHousehold bits and snacks for a euro or two.Too Good To GoSurprise bags of food from cafes, bakeries and supermarkets at the end of the day, at a fraction of the price.Charity shopsClothes, coats and furniture, and the money goes to a good cause.Bonkers.ieCompare phone, broadband, energy and bank costs, free.
Getting around
Getting around from Clare
Transport for IrelandThe national journey planner, Leap card and the TFI Go app.Irish RailTrain times, tickets and the commuter routes.Bus ÉireannTown and intercity buses across the country.
Driving here on your licence
A licence from the EU or EEA can be used while it is valid and exchanged for an Irish one. A licence from a state Ireland has an exchange agreement with can be exchanged when you take up residence. From other countries you start with a learner permit and take the theory test, lessons and the driving test. Professional drivers may also need their Driver CPC.
Check your licence with the RSA Exchange it through the NDLS
Hiring a car
Each rental company sets its own rules on age, how long you have held your licence and which licences it accepts, and young drivers often pay more. Check those rules before you book, and bring your licence and passport to the desk.
Driving rules taken from the official pages linked above, checked October 2026. They change, so the official page is the one to rely on.
While you are here