Outside the major cities, prices tend to be lower and finding somewhere to live isn't generally as problematic - though difficulties are starting to emerge in Dundalk for the first time. Most colleges send intending first-year students information on accommodation when they are offered a place, and students can contact their students' union or student service office directly.
Athlone
Contact the students' union at Athlone IT for a comprehensive list of houses to let, digs and self catering. The union also provides students with a housing pack, which includes a map, information on flat-hunting and guidelines on tenants' rights. Finding a place is not a problem: Athlone is apparently one of the few places in the country which has more housing than students. Digs cost between £47 and £55 a week, house-sharing is between £33 and £35 a week and self-catering costs approximately £33 a week.
Dundalk
The Students' Union at Dundalk IT advises students to get searching for accommodation as soon as they are offered a place at the college. Although there has never been a shortage of accommodation for students, developments in the town this year has meant an influx of workers on the new Xerox premises. "This year the availability is not that good and the list of accommodation is shorter than usual," warns the students' union. The union provides students with an accommodation pack which includes a rent book, a map, the USI housing-information leaflet and a list of accommodation. The price of digs has increased this year to between £50 and £55 for a five-day week. Rented accommodation averages out at around £30 a week.
Letterkenny
Letterkenny IT offers a list of accommodation through the students' union for all incoming students - and digs in particular are quite plentiful. However, given the restrictions of living in lodgings, they are less and less popular among students looking forward to a life of endless parties. At the moment availability is also relatively good for students who would prefer rented accommodation, but there is tight competition for good housing once the semester has started. A development of purpose-built student apartments called Celtic Apartments (tel: (074) 24203) consists of two- and three-bedroom units, each with a fitted kitchen including a dishwasher, cooker etc. Many students go for this option where rents work out at around £25 a week for five to six people sharing. Otherwise, house-sharing ranges from £20 to £30 per week while digs cost between £40 and £50, depending on the sort of accommodation.
Carlow
There is an accommodation officer available at Carlow IT to facilitate students seeking to make accommodation arrangements. First-years are sent out an information pack which includes guidelines, a map and a list of accommodation when they are offered a place. Students are encouraged to contact the accommodation officer to discuss their requirements. Most first-years go into digs. This costs between approximately £40 and £55 a week, depending on whether you stay five or seven days.
Sligo
The college student services office at Sligo IT provides a comprehensive accommodation service, and the students' union has a noticeboard with a list of affordable accommodation.
Under the urban-renewal scheme there are a lot of apartments being built. However, while much of the newer built accommodation in Sligo is not available to students, there remains enough aimed at students to go around at the moment. According to the union, things will get tight around mid-September, so you are advised to get hunting as soon as possible. First-years still tend to go for digs in the beginning, but increasingly seem to settle into the new environment very quickly and tend to move out and into rented accommodation by Christmas. Digs cost between £45 and £60 a week, depending on whether you are staying five or seven days. House-sharing starts at around £25 a week. The Sligo Champion comes out on Wednesday with adverts.
Tralee
Accommodation availability in Tralee is good, largely as a result of the booming tourist industry. According to the accommodation office at Tralee IT, "supply surpasses demand", and because much of the accommodation for tourists who spend the summer in the town is Bord Failte approved, the quality is quite good. Flats average out at £30 per week, apartments at £38.50 per week, and house-sharing at around £25 per week. Digs are still popular among some students. They cost on average £45 a week, depending on whether you stay five or seven days.
It is advisable to come to Tralee, pick up your information pack from the student union, and expect to spend a couple of days finding a place to live.
Waterford
Waterford IT offers good on-campus accommodation at £40 per week per student sharing. However, there is already a waiting list of 500 students, so you might be better off thinking about an off-campus option this year. Pastoral care and the students' union both provide accommodation services. This year the IT has a useful pack for students entitled Somewhere to Live. The advise from Waterford this year is: "You will get a place, as long as your expectations are reasonable." Come early, and be prepared. Digs cost much the same as they did last year - £45 to £60 depending on whether you stay five or seven days. Rented accommodation costs from £25 to £35 per week. All queries will be dealt with by the accommodation office and the students' union.
