Thanks so much to everyone for the advice. Jeez, Im starting to wonder why the hell I took the job! Nothing is ever as simple as you'd hope. I reckon my employer would do the tax relief thing (though I better ask) for the train, but I never even thought about pearse station folk takin all the seats. I suppose the worst thing I've heard is hearing how Drogheda station car park fills up so early, cause I would have been willing to live in the middle o nowhere if car parking was relatively simple.
I think the 1 bed place is the only option: my kids are old enough that apts are not a problem, and hell they can rough it when they come (sofa beds, sleepin bags, etc).
Still fancy the general idea of drogheda, but would be more than happy if someone can give a suggestion of a place generally to the north of dublin, that has handy access to public transport to/from the place, that I could get a 1 bed place (not in a slum) for 1000 euro inc travel (I know, Im not asking for much.....if ya dont ask, ya dont get my mum always told me). Didnt fancy sharing a place considering I'd like to have the flexibility to have my kids over, which wouldnt suit some, but I'm starting to have nightmares that it might be the only way.
Thanks again for all your help everyone!
chemi