Re: pedigree pups?
If you do decide to buy a pup (against the very sensible advice of the posters above) make sure you research your chosen breeder very carefully. Ireland has a dreadful, and entirely justified, reputation for puppy farms (i.e. pedigree breeding factories where there is scant regard for the welfare of the dogs, zero attempt at socialisation of the pups, very little healthcare for the dogs, and a total lack of interest by the breeder in keeping a watch out for genetic problems).
If you want to see the benefits of getting a cross-breed from a rescue, contact Allianz Pet Insurance or your local vet and ask them for a list of health troubles specific to your chosen breed. Allianz always charge more to insure pedigree dogs due to their far higher propensity to inherited health issues.
Post on Irishanimals.com - there are often breed-specific rescues which specialise in a particular breed - these rescues will be fonts of knowledge, and will individually assess each dog for health, temperament, suitability for re-homing etc., something lamentably few breeders do.
Also, AFAIK the Irish Kennel Club does not vouch for any of the breeders it lists - it merely provides a listing service and does not inspect their dogs/facilities.