OK I have processed my stuff for the District court. There are many threads relating to the above but none are clear and concise. If this can be of any use to any one - well and good!
STEP 1.
www.courts.ie
step 2. go to Rules and Fees.
step 3. go to District court schedules (RULES)
step 4. Schedule c forms in civil proceedings
step 4 go to schedule c. PDF (at the bottom of the page)
step 5 civil summons are on pages 6 and 8 (print off)
step 6 Notice of intention to defend on page 25 (print off 2 copies)
step 7 Go to commissioner for oaths / solicitor and swear affidavitt (10 euro)(if you need help here pm me)
step 8. Back to district court (aras ui dhailagh) four courts. get forms stamped (20 euro)
step 9. Go to District Court (Civil Office) in Dolphin house (temple bar) and get a date.
step 9. if suing a private individual send registered post. (post civil summons and 2 copies of notice to defend) if a company, ordinar prepaid post will do , but get a receipt from the post office.
step 10 wait 14 days and see if you get a reply on the Notice to defend.
Hope that the above saves someone all the wasted time I had to go through .