I worked in financial services after doing the Business Degree. Even though it was well paid and very interesting, the experience is not really 'valid' down the country.
I would recommend financial services if you would like to stay in Dublin.
Even though the financial services sector was going well, there were rumours of jobs being transferred to Eastern Countries. I did the other half of my CIMA exams. When the option of redundancy came, I took it. I got a job as an accounts assistant down the country. I did Debtors, Creditors, Wages etc, in a hotel for two years. I went to financial services straight from college, so my 'general' accounts experience was lacking. The accounts assistant 'all rounder' role was the best way to get a broad experience of how the invoices, payments, stock take etc, make up the P&L and Balance Sheet. I couldn't recommend this experience highly enough. Now I am working in another small company near home, bringing the accounts to B/S stage, stocktaking etc.
The big 4 training can open doors if you want to get into a multinational. Bear in mind that the multinational experience is more narrowly focussed and it may be hard to get a similiar type job in small rural areas.
Long term, I would think the best experience is to be an accountant in a fairly small company, as the experience is broad based and you can work anywhere in Ireland. Also, if the company grows, you are there to get experience of costing machinery and doing certain project work. I have never worked in practice, but if you liked practice, this too could mean you could work anywhere in Ireland.
I worked in financial services so