Settling in · Kerry
Landing in Kerry? Start here.
The first fortnight in Kerry, 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
67 places in Kerry 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.
Nothing nearby matches that yet. Try a shorter word.
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
St. John The Baptist
Christian, Roman catholic
R551 Listowel Municipal District
About 16 km away
Ireland Revival Fellowship
Christian. Hours: We 19:00-21:00; Su 11:00-14:00
28 Church Street, V92 KV90
About 17 km away
The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints
Christian, Mormon
Pembroke Street, Tralee, V92 KHD7
Church of the Immaculate Conception, Rathass
Christian, Roman catholic
R875 Tralee, V92 C6CY
About 2 km away
Mosques and prayer rooms
The nearest Iglesia ni Cristo to Kerry
Iglesia ni Cristo, Limerick City
About 85 km away
96A O'Connell street, Limerick, V94 X0V6
Worship services: Thu 9:00pm · Sun 5:30am · Sun 11:00am · Sun 1:30pm (children)
Iglesia ni Cristo, Cork
About 106 km away
Carrigtwohill Community Council, Main Street, Carrgitohill, Carigtwohill Co., Cork
Worship services: Wed 8:00pm · Sat 11:00am · Sat 1:30pm (children)
Iglesia ni Cristo, Galway
About 124 km away
Moycullen Community Centre, Church Road, Moycullen, H91 A5DV, Galway
Worship services: Wed 9:00pm · Sun 11:00am
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
Shops from home
Food and takeaways
Lana Tralee Asian Street Food
Asian. restaurant. Hours: Su-Th 13:00-21:30; Fr-Sa 13:00-22:00
3 Ashe Street, V92 W268
Sunshine Palace
Chinese. restaurant. Hours: Mo-Su 15:00-23:30
19/20 Castle Street Lower, Tralee, V92 AD60
Indian Castle and Takeaway
Indian. restaurant
21 Castle Street Upper, Tralee, V92 Y578
Umme's Grill
Burger, grill, kebab, pizza. restaurant. Hours: Su-Th 16:00-00:00; Fr-Sa 16:00-01:00
50 Boherbee, V92 YW71
Rustic Boowa Family Café
Polish. restaurant. Hours: Tu-Fr 07:30-17:30; Sa 08:30-15:00
Clash Cross, Tralee, V92 RY6V
Dream Chinese Restaurant
Chinese. restaurant
Mill Road, Kenmare Municipal District, V93 FW14
About 19 km away
Harmony
Chinese. restaurant
Mill Road, Kenmare Municipal District, V93 FW14
About 19 km away
optp restaurant & take away
Pizza, burger, kebab. restaurant. Hours: Mo-Th 16:00-24:00; Fr-Su 16:00+
Main Street, Kenmare Municipal District, V92 N2F7
About 22 km away
Sports and clubs
Castleisland Rugby Club
Rugby union. Sports centre
Old Butter Road, V92 VH79
About 17 km away
Killorglin Football Club
Soccer. Sports centre
Melrose Grove, Kenmare Municipal District
About 20 km away
Ballyheigue Sports Field
Gaelic games. Sports centre
Main Street, Listowel Municipal District, V92 D584
About 16 km away
An Riocht Health & Leisure
Sports centre. Hours: Mo-Tu, Th 06:45-21:00; We, Fr 09:00-21:00; Sa-Su 09:00-14:00
Old Butter Road
About 17 km away
Community and support groups
Castleisland Family Resource Centre
Community centre. Hours: Mo-Th 09:00-16:30
33A Church Street
About 17 km away
KCYS Killorglin
Community centre
Lower Bridge Street, Kenmare Municipal District, V93 W861
About 19 km away
Castleisland Community Centre
Community centre. Hours: Mo-Su 08:00-23:00
Newmarket Road
About 17 km away
Abbeydorney Community Centre
Community centre
Riverside Close, Listowel Municipal District
About 8 km away
Barbers and hair specialists
Barbers and salons
Peter Marks
Hairdresser. Hours: Mo-We 09:00-18:00; Th-Fr 09:00-20:30; Sa 09:00-17:30
The Square, Tralee, V92 H603
Benny's Barbers
Hairdresser. Hours: Tu-Fr 10:00-18:00; Sa 09:00-17:00
Main Street, V92 XH66
About 17 km away
Cinemas and libraries
Castleisland Library
Library, free to join, warm, and with wifi. Hours: Tu-Sa 10:00-17:00
Cahereens West, Castleisland, V92 RP74
About 17 km away
Kerry Library & Kerry Library HQ
Library, free to join, warm, and with wifi. Hours: Mo,We,Fr,Sa 10:00-17:00; Tu,Th 10:00-20:00; Su off
Moyderwell Tralee, V92 AXV1
Killorglin Library
Library, free to join, warm, and with wifi. Hours: Tu-Sa 10:00-17:00
Library Place, Kenmare Municipal District, V93 HPV0
About 19 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.
Before you accept an offer
What would be left each month?
Put in the wage and the county. It works out the tax, the rent where you would live, the bills and the food, and shows what is left to save or send home.
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 Kerry
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.
Who hires from abroad here
773 employment permits went to Kerry employers so far in 2026
527 in all of 2025. These are the employers in Kerry already set up to hire people on permits, from the Department's own list. If you are here on a permit and want to move, these are the places that know how.
110University Hospital Kerry
68Kellor Services (IRE) Limited
41TLI Group Limited
22KQ Accommodation Limited
19Killarney Precision Engineering Limited
17Kellor (Joinery) Services Limited
13Kenmare Nursing Home Limited
13JRI America, Inc.
While you are here