Settling in · Louth
Landing in Louth? Start here.
The first fortnight in Louth, 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 Louth 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
Saint Patrick's Cathedral
Christian, Roman catholic
Rampart Road, The Municipal District of Dundalk
The Redemptorists
Christian, Roman catholic
Saint Alphonsus Road, The Municipal District of Dundalk
Church of the Holy family
Christian, Roman catholic
Hoey's Lane, The Municipal District of Dundalk
About 2 km away
Mosques and prayer rooms
Dundalk Muslim Community Centre
Muslim
Glenmore Park, The Municipal District of Dundalk
About 2 km away
Iglesia ni Cristo
Iglesia ni Cristo, Navan
About 42 km away
Claremont Stadium Macgabhann Suite, Commons road Balreask Old, Navan County Meath
Worship services: Sat 7:00pm · Sun 2:00pm
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
Oriental Cook-In Takeaway
Chinese. restaurant
Hazelwood Avenue, Dundalk
About 2 km away
Guru Indian Cuisine
Indian. restaurant
3 Kildare Street, Newry, BT34 1DQ
About 20 km away
Shapla
Indian. restaurant. Hours: Mo-Su 16:30-23:00
11D Monaghan Street, Newry, BT35 6BB
About 20 km away
Ka's
Chinese. restaurant. Hours: Su-Th 16:00-23:30; Fr,Sa 16:00-24:00
50 Monaghan Street, Newry, BT35 8DN
About 20 km away
Taj Mahal Tandoori
Indian. restaurant. Hours: Th-Tu 16:00-23:00
5 Monaghan Street, Newry, BT35 8HF
About 20 km away
Sports and clubs
Mc Geough Park (Geraldines GFC)
Gaelic games. Sports centre
Marlbog Road, The Municipal District of Dundalk, A91 AP98
About 4 km away
Glenmuir Park - Sportsground of Glenmuir FC
Soccer. Sports centre
Rockfield Manor, The Municipal District of Dundalk
Clann Naofa Boxing Club
Sports centre
29 Slieve Foy Park, The Municipal District of Dundalk
About 2 km away
Ardee Rugby Football Club
Rugby union. Sports centre
The Municipal District of Ardee
About 18 km away
The Grove Field
Gaelic games. Sports centre
R132 The Municipal District of Ardee
About 12 km away
Ardee Boxing Club
Boxing. Sports centre
John Street, The Municipal District of Ardee, A92 HD58
About 18 km away
Roche Emmets Gaelic Football Club
Gaelic games. Sports centre
L7112 The Municipal District of Dundalk
About 6 km away
Community and support groups
Patrick Kavanagh Centre
Community centre
Inniskeen Road, Carrickmacross-Castleblayney Municipal District
About 11 km away
Ti Chulainn Cultural Centre
Community centre
Bog Road, Mullaghbawn, BT35 9TT
About 13 km away
Muirhevna Mór Community Centre
Community centre
Slieve Foy Park, The Municipal District of Dundalk
About 2 km away
Crossmaglen Community Centre
Community centre
44 O'Fiach Square, Crossmaglen, BT35 9AA
About 16 km away
Barbers and hair specialists
Curly and wavy hair
Hot towel and traditional shaves
Close Shave
Hairdresser
O'Neill Street, Carrickmacross-Castleblayney Municipal District, A81 H425
About 21 km away
Barbers and salons
Sailor Sharkey Barber
Hairdresser
Main Street, Dundalk, A91 H9X3
About 5 km away
Colourcode Hairdressing
Hairdresser
Aghameen Park, The Municipal District of Dundalk
About 2 km away
Cinemas and libraries
Dundalk Library and Library HQ
Library, free to join, warm, and with wifi. Hours: Tu 10:00-20:00; We 10:00-20:00; Th 10:00-20:00; Fr 10:00-17:00; Sa 10:00-17:00; Mo 13:00-20:00
Roden Place, The Municipal District of Dundalk, A91 RC44
Omniplex
Cinema
Dundalk Inner Relief Road, The Municipal District of Dundalk
About 2 km away
Ardee Library
Library, free to join, warm, and with wifi
The Municipal District of Ardee, A92 XH22
About 18 km away
Warrenpoint Library
Library, free to join, warm, and with wifi
61 Summer Hill, Warrenpoint, BT34 3JB
About 15 km away
Crossmaglen Library
Library, free to join, warm, and with wifi
44 O'Fiach Square, Crossmaglen, BT35 9AA
About 16 km away
Newry City Library
Library, free to join, warm, and with wifi. Hours: Mo,Fr 09:30-17:00; Tu,We,Th 09:30-18:00; Sa 10:00-17:00
79 Hill Street, Newry, BT34 1DG
About 20 km away
Bessbrook Library
Library, free to join, warm, and with wifi
22 Church Road, Bessbrook, BT35 7AQ
About 22 km away
Carrickmacross Library
Library, free to join, warm, and with wifi
Riverside Road, Carrickmacross-Castleblayney Municipal District
About 20 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 Louth
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