Carrick on Shannon is nice, but not all that cheap; plenty of work around there though, and also lots of opportunities just down the road in Sligo. New road from Carrick on Shannon to Sligo, and also good rail connection.
Have you thought about Boyle in North Roscommon, ten miles from Carrick on Shannon in the Sligo direction. I know someone who bought a house there a few weeks back and it was surprisingly cheap -- very nice 4 bed/2 bath home on over an acre with stables etc for 220k! Lots of places for sale there and appears to be very much a buyers market.
I was in that area a week or so ago and I was amazed at Carick on Shannon in particular -- loads of new stores, all the big names, and a great quality of life.
Are we all mad, living on the expensive east coast?[/quote]
Definitely! I've been telling people that for years!