New research by Switcher.ie 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.
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.
Top 10 counties for work-life balance
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.
Most affordable
Leitrim was the most affordable county to buy a house in our 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
For families
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, we 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
For hybrid working
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, we 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
For health, fitness & well-being
Tipperary came in tops for access to leisure facilities and green spaces, essential for achieving a good quality of life. To rank our towns, we summed the index scores for distance to leisure centres and outdoor sports facilities, the number of public parks, and access to national parks and coastlines.
Top 5 counties for health & well-being: Tipperary, Monaghan, Carlow, Westmeath and Roscommon
For shopping & eating
Galway was the best place for your weekly shop, grab a bite to eat, or catch up over coffee. To find our top counties, we summed the index scores for the number of major supermarkets and cafes in the area.
Top 5 towns to shop, eat and refresh: Galway, Cork, Kerry, Wicklow and Mayo
Commercial Director of Switcher.ie, Eoin Clarke says:
“The Work-Life Balance Act 2023 and its Code of Practice have ushered in a new era of working arrangements for many employees. This means that workers with families or caregiving responsibilities can now seek remote or flexible work options, providing a better quality of life and even financial benefits.
Property price is often a crucial factor for house buyers, but broadband and mobile connectivity, easy access to local amenities, and proximity to green spaces can make all the difference when juggling work with family or other commitments.
Switcher’s research highlights several counties across Ireland that offer young professionals and working families a combination of affordability, an appealing way of life, and better-than-ever broadband and mobile connectivity for remote working.
Our top performers spanned the country, with Galway and Sligo on the scenic west coast, Cork in the south, Roscommon and Westmeath in the heart of Ireland and Carlow and Dublin in the industrious east, to name just a few.
So, if you’re in the market for a new home, consider casting your net a little wider. While affordability and commute times are still essential for most house hunters, seek a location that makes life easier, brings you and your family joy, and strikes the perfect work-life balance”
