by HRHQ Editorial Team
New research has revealed the best Irish counties for work-life balance. The study is based on data like access to local amenities like primary schools, major supermarkets and leisure centres, services like broadband and mobile speeds, proximity to green spaces and transport routes, plus house prices and crime rates and was carried out by Switcher.ie
A new Code of Practice, launched in 2024, gives employees the right to request remote work carer’s leave and other flexible arrangements. With 32% working from home at least one day a week during 2022, it looks like the move towards a better work-life balance is here to stay.
Galway claimed the top spot as the best county in Ireland for striking the perfect work-life balance. With surprisingly affordable house prices outside the city, it offers a winning mix of excellent local amenities and good connectivity for hybrid working, plus lush green spaces and a scenic coastline to boost well-being.
Here’s a snapshot of the top 10. For the full ranking and more top 5 winners, see Ireland’s best counties for work-life balance.
|
Per 1000 population |
Distances to (km) |
|||||||||||
|
County |
House price |
Index score |
Broadband speeds |
Green spaces |
Supermarkets |
Cafes |
Primary schools |
GPs |
Crime rates |
Leisure & sports |
Transport links |
|
|
1. |
Galway |
€332,500 |
7.615 |
130.49 |
0.43 |
0.21 |
0.26 |
0.69 |
1.02 |
36.07 |
9.70 |
6.20 |
|
2. |
Cork |
€327,500 |
7.505 |
149.33 |
0.26 |
0.14 |
0.37 |
0.52 |
0.97 |
36.62 |
6.80 |
5.55 |
|
3. |
Carlow |
€254,950 |
7.190 |
137.32 |
0.58 |
0.11 |
0.18 |
0.69 |
0.86 |
23.71 |
7.50 |
7.80 |
|
4. |
Roscommon |
€187,000 |
6.910 |
79.03 |
0.54 |
0.14 |
0.06 |
1.24 |
0.70 |
18.53 |
8.90 |
6.50 |
|
5. |
Westmeath |
€285,000 |
6.820 |
121.25 |
0.45 |
0.08 |
0.28 |
0.76 |
0.98 |
46.89 |
7.10 |
6.70 |
|
6. |
Sligo |
€235,000 |
6.730 |
84.66 |
0.81 |
0.09 |
0.19 |
0.88 |
0.97 |
28.96 |
11.90 |
4.80 |
|
7. |
Dublin |
€492,500 |
6.375 |
158.16 |
0.24 |
0.12 |
0.14 |
0.30 |
0.90 |
47.95 |
5.10 |
3.78 |
|
8. |
Laois |
€265,000 |
6.200 |
180.38 |
0.41 |
0.08 |
0.11 |
0.69 |
0.75 |
36.51 |
8.70 |
5.80 |
|
9. |
Mayo |
€215,000 |
6.100 |
67.87 |
0.62 |
0.12 |
0.20 |
1.11 |
0.78 |
20.52 |
13.20 |
8.40 |
|
10. |
Wicklow |
€455,000 |
6.100 |
125.46 |
0.48 |
0.14 |
0.20 |
0.53 |
0.88 |
27.31 |
9.10 |
6.80 |
Leitrim was the most affordable county to buy a house in yjr study. House prices were based on the median house price in October 2024 (Residential Property Price Index).
Top 5 affordable counties to live & work: Leitrim, Longford, Donegal, Roscommon and Cavan
Sligo has taken the top spot for the best county to balance work with a family. To calculate the best town to work with a family, they summed index scores for house prices, crime rate, number of GP surgeries and primary schools.
Top 5 counties for families to live & work: Sligo, Roscommon, Leitrim, Mayo and Donegal
Dublin was the best place for hybrid working; the city counties of Cork and Galway also performed well. To calculate the best town for hybrid working, thry summed index scores for average broadband and mobile speeds and distance to major roads and bus stops.
Top 5 counties for hybrid working: Dublin, Cork, Laois, Galway and Kildare
