Over the last few decades, Ireland has become a true hub of technological innovation. The biggest players in the landscape have their European HQ in Ireland. The Emerald Isle has seen the likes of Apple, Google and Meta set up here, and alongside them, very exciting local companies have grown with success. Ireland’s thriving start-up community makes the country very attractive to Software Developers.
Whether you’re a local software development graduate or an experienced developer from another part of the world, Ireland is a great place to start or progress your career.
The Irish Job Market
Ireland has beautiful scenery, friendly people and a fantastic culture, but that’s not going to pay the bills right? So, why do so many people relocate to Ireland?
The Software Development industry in Ireland is valued at €66.5bn and is ranked 2nd in Europe as of 2024. The Software Development industry is the 2nd largest industry in Ireland, of 121 industries tracked (Software Development in Ireland - Industry Statistics | IBISWorld).
As we know, Ireland serves as a global hub for tech enterprises. In Dublin, while there are a few areas of concentration, the nicknamed ‘Silicon Docks’ in the city’s docklands area attracts the most attention. Silicon Docks is only a short stroll from the city centre and is home to a thriving collection of start-ups, scale-ups and national & multinational firms across the financial and technical sectors.
Dublin is home to:
- Meta
- Accenture
- Microsoft
- Salesforce
- PayPal
And many (many) more.
West Coast (Galway & Limerick)
Dublin isn’t the only Irish city with a large tech presence. Moving to the West Coast of Ireland, Galway has become an increasingly popular place to be based for those in the tech industry in Ireland.
An array of tech companies have a presence in Galway including Fidelity investments, Xperi, Tr3dent and more.
Another city on the West Coast to consider is Limerick. Today, Limerick is a ‘technology and R&D major hub, with a rich, thriving ecosystem boosted by a ready talent supply’ (Limerick.IE).
Limerick also has an impressive presence of Life Sciences & Healthcare companies, Financial & Professional Services institutions and Advanced Manufacturing (Limerick was chosen to host a new 30,000 square-foot IDA Advanced Manufacturing Centre or AMC).
Cork
Cork is Ireland’s second-largest city and has become one of Europe’s most notable tech hubs.
Apple’s EU headquarters are based in Cork, along with other international names such as Pfizer, Johnson & Johnson and Siemens.
Tech companies in Cork are particularly active in security, Artificial Intelligence (AI), Internet of Things (IoT), software as a service (SaaS) and MedTech.
What Skills Are Required For a Software Developer in Ireland?
Our consultants, Daniel and Oscar, provided us with some insight into what recruiters and hiring managers might look for in Software Developers in the Irish market.
In terms of specific skills or languages, Daniel tells us that ‘having one specialised language with other less specialised programming languages’ is important for ambitious software developers. For example, a Software Developer may specialise in C++ but be knowledgeable in C#, Java or Python to support.
Another thing hiring managers in Ireland may look out for when recruiting new Software Developers is impressive tenures with companies. Although job hopping is seen with less negativity now, displaying that you have experience completing projects in full is invaluable as a job seeker.
Oscar noted that a 'commitment to keeping pace with technological trends and continuous learning is essential for a career in Software Development.' Hiring managers will look for signals that candidates are genuinely passionate about bettering their skillsets as engineers. This can be demonstrated by personal side projects, participation in coding competitions and pursuit of extra-curricular certifications.
Daniel also finds that specific industry experience does not limit Software Developers from moving into new industries, as languages and skills are often highly transferable between fields. When looking for new opportunities in Ireland, don’t be afraid to branch out into new areas, for example, if you have experience in the automotive industry, there is no reason why you couldn’t move into MedTech if desired.
Lastly, recruiters and talent acquisition will look for signs of steady progression throughout your career. Hiring managers love to see a Software Developer who has progressed steadily within a company, as this demonstrates continuous professional development, increased responsibility, and an ambition for success.
How To Find a Job?
Many companies will advertise their jobs on regular job boards, social media or their website’s careers page. However, tech companies in Ireland will often use recruitment agencies like Reperio for their hiring needs. They often prefer to trust an agency with specialist consultants who have a database of impressive candidates.
Recruitment agencies will often be the first to know about new job openings before they are made public on job boards, so it is in your best interest to reach out to a specialised agency like Reperio!
If you would like to get in touch with one of our consultants, you can find their contact details here!
We also send out weekly newsletters to our subscribers with the most up-to-date job openings!
What Salary Does a Software Developer Make in Ireland?
The salary of a Software Developer in Ireland can vary depending on factors such as experience, location, and the company they work for.
On average, a Software Developer in Ireland can expect to earn between €35,000 to €75,000 per year. However, this figure can be higher for more experienced professionals, those working in larger tech companies or in Dublin City.
Cost of Living in Ireland
Similarly to salaries, the cost of living across Ireland will vary depending on location.
Daft.ie produces quarterly reports on rental and housing prices across Ireland. In Q4 of 2023, the average rent price in Ireland was €1,823 per month.
In Dublin 10 the average rent price for a 1-bed apartment was €1,322 and in Dublin 2 the average rent was €2,006. You can see how much rental prices vary across one county. This is no different between counties, with those on the West Coast being more affordable compared to Dublin City.
Daft.ie provides loads of great information on rental prices across Ireland. They also have resources on Irish house prices.
We have a detailed guide for those moving to Ireland, outlining the average cost of living in Ireland, including prices of everyday items, childcare, transportation & utilities.
Whether you’re already living in Ireland or are considering relocating, Reperio Human Capital would love the opportunity to help you find a Software Developer job in Ireland!
Get in touch with us today on +353 1571 3000.
Written by Elise Ralph