Ive expanded your title somewhat to reflect your question more fully.
Ill leave the question in the Miscellaneous Non-financial Questions
section for the moment and will move to a more appropriate sub forum if necessary at a later date.
During the boom years this type of question was asked here on a regular basis. You could search the board and might get some pointers.
Try this google search included in brackets and variations of it: ( "return to Ireland" site:www.askaboutmoney.com ) you could also try board.ie