Settling in · Kildare
Landing in Kildare? Start here.
The first fortnight in Kildare, 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
79 places in Kildare 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
Mountain of Fire & Miracles Ministries
Christian
Unit 13C, Newbridge Industrial Estate, Newbridge
About 8 km away
Open Arms Church
Christian
Unit 13, Newbridge Industrial Estate, Newbridge
About 8 km away
Iglesia ni Cristo
Iglesia ni Cristo, Portlaoise
About 19 km away
Link Road, Cooltederry, Portarlington, Co. Laois R32 AE68
Worship services: Tue 7:00pm · Sat 11:00am · Sat 2:00pm (children)
Iglesia ni Cristo, Dublin
About 44 km away
Bluebell avenue, Unit 4 Riversdale Industrial Estate Bluebell avenue Inchicore, Dublin 12 D12E2DP
Worship services: Wed 7:00pm · Thu 5:30am · Sat 10:00am · Sat 1:00pm (children) · Sun 5:30am · Sun 11:00am · Sun 1:30pm
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
Eastern Europe Food supermarket
Supermarket
Meeting Lane, The Municipal District of Athy, R14 R236
About 19 km away
Food and takeaways
Maharaja
Indian. restaurant. Hours: Mo-Th 16:00-22:00; Sa 13:00-23:00; Fr 16:00-23:00; Su 13:00-22:00
27 Main Street South, Naas, W91 PF34
About 17 km away
Sports and clubs
Portarlington RFC
Rugby union. Sports centre
Lea Road, Portarlington, R32 PR20
About 15 km away
Ryston Sports & Social Club
Multi, boxing, golf. Sports centre
Athgarvan Road, Newbridge
About 8 km away
Ros Glas GAA
Gaelic games. Sports centre
L7055 Monasterevin, W34 C897
About 9 km away
Saint Michael's Boxing Club
Boxing. Sports centre
Woodstock Street, The Municipal District of Athy
About 19 km away
Days out and things to do
Driving schools
Kildare Driving Academy
Driving school. Hours: Mo-Fr 09:00-17:00
Newbridge Road, Naas
About 17 km away
Community and support groups
Portarlington Community Centre
Community centre. Hours: Mo-Fr 09:00-22:00; Sa-Su 09:00-18:00
R420 R32 D797
About 18 km away
Barbers and hair specialists
Hot towel and traditional shaves
Barbers and salons
Strands Unisex Hair Studio
Hairdresser
2 Limerick Lane, Newbridge, W12 F795
About 8 km away
Cinemas and libraries
Rathangan Library
Library, free to join, warm, and with wifi
Barrow Blueway, Rathangan
About 9 km away
Kildare Town Library
Library, free to join, warm, and with wifi. Hours: Th 13:00-20:00; Fr 09:30-13:00,14:00-17:00; Tu,We 09:30-17:00; Sa 10:00-13:00,14:00-17:00
Claregate Street, Kildare
Monasterevan Library
Library, free to join, warm, and with wifi
Watermill Place, Monasterevin, W34 W225
About 10 km away
Monasterevin Public Library
Library, free to join, warm, and with wifi
Watermill Place, Monasterevin
About 10 km away
Kilcullen Library
Library, free to join, warm, and with wifi
New Abbey Road, Kilcullen
About 11 km away
Ballitore Community Library
Library, free to join, warm, and with wifi
Mill View, The Municipal District of Athy, R14 FP38
About 18 km away
Dunlavin Library
Library, free to join, warm, and with wifi
Main Street, Dunlavin, W91 V8X9
About 18 km away
Portarlington Library
Library, free to join, warm, and with wifi
Main Street, Portarlington, R32 PY59
About 18 km away
Athy Public Library
Library, free to join, warm, and with wifi. Hours: Mo,We,Fr,Sa 10:00-17:00; Tu,Th 10:00-20:00
Convent Lane, Athy
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 Kildare
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.
How they talk here
Understanding people in Kildare
Dublin
Fast and flat, with the middle of words often dropped. "Th" is usually a "t" or a "d": "three" sounds like "tree", "that" like "dat". Words run together: "d'ya know what I mean" becomes "jaknowharramean". People say "yeah" for yes and "no bother" for no problem. The north side and the south side of the city sound a little different from each other, and the suburbs are softer than the centre.
Hear how they talk in Dublinstory?Hello, how are things? Short for "what's the story?". You can answer "not much" or just "story?" back.budA friendly word for a man you are talking to, like "mate".grandFine, OK, good enough. The most used word in the country.gaffA house or flat.the jacksThe toilet.deadlyExcellent, brilliant. Nothing to do with danger.All 24 words, with audio and a check
Who hires from abroad here
1,616 employment permits went to Kildare employers so far in 2026
1,194 in all of 2025. These are the employers in Kildare 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.
138Nua Healthcare Services Limited
121Comfort Care Limited
112Applied Materials Ireland Limited
79Intel Ireland Limited
57CV Homecare Solutions Limited
56Murphy International Limited
41Tokyo Electron Europe Limited
39Parke House Nursing Home Limited
While you are here