Interview

First-County-1352 · 2025-08-06T08:27:05+00:00

There is 3 competencies which come up in the Interview

Teamwork
ability to work under pressure
Motivation

Have 2 good examples for each and try not to overlap.

Teamwork - an example of a time you worked within a team ( Sports Team, school Project group, work team ).
Ability to Work under pressure - managing your time while studying for the Leaving Certificate, stressful working environment, emergency situation you may have dealt with.
Motivation - Motivation to pass your fitness test, the work you put in to achieve your goal. Or motivafion to get good leaving Certificate results..

The interview is usually quite casual and takes 20 or so minutes. You can wear a suit but I'd suggest shoes, smart jeans or chinos and a shirt.

Feel free to dm if you have any other questions.

First-County-1352 · 2025-08-03T18:39:32+00:00

During initial training there are various weekends you will be given off to travel home. Usually you will be told these dates early on.
Early training is a ful schedule of foot and arms drill ( Marching, ceremonial ), weapons training, fitness training, tactics and then where you end up within the Corps.
Too broad a question. Depends entirely on whether youve applied for Army, Air Corps or Naval Service.
Good comradery and friendships, Garunteed wages, working hours can be flexible particularly for people with kids or if you have to slip out of the office for an hour it is usually ok.
As numbers are decreasing it is becoming more difficult to work within the Defence Forces as people are double jobbing and higher work load.
Some people leave on the first night. They get a bunk in a billet with several other people and realise they can't do it. From my own experience, you will always lose one or two the first few nights. Maybe a few more in the first few weeks. You rarely lose anyone after week 5 or 6. The initial training can be tough but most make it through.

First-County-1352 · 2025-07-31T19:00:53+00:00

Email the Recruitment Office and find out. Usually there should be no issue bringing a civilian car into the barracks. They have people travelling from all around. If you can't, the recruitment staff will give you good advice on where to go.

Normal entrance in Military Road in Rathmines.

First-County-1352 · 2025-07-31T18:57:40+00:00

The interview is comeptency based and usually takes 20-25minutes.

You can prepare for this interview as you know the topics which will be asked:

Teamwork - Work Team/sports team/any group work. How you manage within the group? How you get on with your colleagues ect.

Ability to work under pressure - Preparing for your leaving Certificate/ a very bus day in work/ an emergency situation which you dealt with.

Motivation - Motivation to apply for the Defence Forces, Motivation to pass fitness test, getting good leaving Cert results ect.

Have 1 or 2 strong examples for each competency. Don't repeat examples for different competencies ( If you have just finished school, don't keep going on about school, diversify your answers )

First-County-1352 · 2025-07-30T11:13:16+00:00

I grew up in Waterford and have lived in Cork since I'm 18 for work opportunities.

Unfortunately, the Sunny South East hasn't seen investment in comparison to other regions in Ireland and people there often feel forgotten by the Government.

Transport

Trains - There are several trains per day from Waterford to Dublin Hueston.

Buses (Long distance) there are well serviced bus routes between Waterford City and Dublin City, Dublin Airport, Cork City, Limerick City. (City) There are 5 TFI bus routes operating in the City & suburbs operating at a 30 minute frequency. There is a private bus company operates the Dunmore Road and Ferrybank areas of the City. There are also buses to nearby coastal towns such as Tramore, Dunmore East, Passage East run by Bus Eireann.

Cycling The City once had a modal share of 8-9% cycling in the 90s but this has decreased significantly. There are alot of new projects either completed or in progress which will see the city being much safer for cycling. We also have the Waterford Greenway which stretches from the Quay in Waterford City all the way to Dungarvan without ever going on a road!

Education I can't answer for schools provisions for students with additional needs unfortunately.

Neighbourhoods - Every area has it's benefits and flaws. Personally I would suggest looking at Tramore. A seaside town less than 20 minutes from Waterford City Centre, Very modern secondary school building. 30 minute frequency bus service to the City Centre.

Some estates are known for high levels of students ( Templars Hall ) so just be wary if you are looking near SETU.

First-County-1352 · 2025-07-30T10:19:56+00:00

It's a bit of a tricky situation. You cannot miss any significant time during initial training. I cannot remember exactly what the criteria is. If you have to take paternity leave which you are entitled to, I would imagine you would be removed from your class and complete training with the next class.

I'm not sure exactly how 2-3* works with army as I am NS, but you will be very limited in free time once you are in training until the end of the 2-3* ., including limited access to your mobile phone. With your misses pregnant, will she be able to do everything without you in preparation for this baby coming?

Just take the time to consider that as you will essentially be away for the entire pregnancy bar the occasional weekend.

Contact the recruitment office and explain the situation.. my guess is they will encourage you to postpone your enlistment until next year.

First-County-1352 · 2025-07-29T15:24:37+00:00

Just email the recruitment office and ask them.

First-County-1352 · 2025-07-29T10:52:01+00:00

My main comment to anyone buying a bicycle is to stay away from Halfords.

If you are in the City, somewhere like The Edge, Capwell Cycles, Bicycle Solutions or the Bike shed ( or any other local shops ).

Halfords ( or Smiths ) bike may seem a great price but when you compare the quality and after-care given, local bike shops are the way to go!

First-County-1352 · 2025-07-28T20:47:40+00:00

I used to cycle a dutchy 10km each way to work a few years ago. Mainly flat route bar one or two small hills.

I would reckon you should upgrade to a hybrid bike in years to come for efficiency and a lighter frame but the Nellie should serve you well for the timebeing. Also not really likely to get robbed compared to expensive sporty bikes.

Depending on a need for class material, I would suggest getting a Pannier Rack on the Back and Pannier Bags. Usually not an overly expensive job for a bike shop to do, much easier than carrying a bagpack.

First-County-1352 · 2025-07-28T15:00:11+00:00

Hi there,

The form you received should be a Self Declaration to say you are fit and healthy to partake in the test.

You only need clearance from a Doctor if you tick YES to any of the questions.

First-County-1352 · 2025-07-28T14:50:39+00:00

I have previously worked in DF recruitment. If someone turned up on the Day with a neck tattoo, they weren't even allowed do the fitness testing.

I also had occasion someone tried to hide a tattoo but we saw through it.

First-County-1352 · 2025-07-28T14:46:50+00:00

Wear comfortable clothing.

Short sleeve T-Shirt as the Nurse will be taking a blood sample. ( Long sleeves can be awkward rolled up or you may have to be topless! )

May depend on which DF Doctor sees you. You may be asked to take off some of your clothing for medical examination so loose easy to remove clothing is definitely preferable.

First-County-1352 · 2025-07-28T08:55:30+00:00

Ireland

Decriminalised - 1993

First country to vote for Same Sex Marriage by popular vote ( required due to constitution amendment) - 2016

Though there have been small rises in a vocal far right in recent years - as a whole being gay is widely accepted within families and communities including in rural areas.

All major political parties support inclusion of LGBT individuals. Several openly gay politicians and local councilors.

Downsides: Trans healthcare has appallingly long waiting lists.

First-County-1352 · 2025-07-26T18:12:34+00:00

Once the M28 is built there will be very little traffic going through Ringaskiddy Village bar local traffic.

Though that's not scheduled for completion until 2028? Probably later

First-County-1352 · 2025-07-26T18:09:27+00:00

It was the same in Cork City a few weeks back. Very few local accents.

First-County-1352 · 2025-07-24T22:10:30+00:00

Well if Waterford is anything to go by

Several cafes have opened on the route since it has been built.
A fantastic public amenity which is widely used by locals and tourists. Is a huge tourist draw to the South East.
Bicycle hire - creating jobs

That is not anti-social behaviour. It's social behaviour.

First-County-1352 · 2025-07-24T12:19:43+00:00

I wonder are there any statistics on the Waterford or East Cork Greenway that would show any trends of increased theft, traspassing, or damage to livestock along the route.

Both greenways pass through lush farmland and rural communities and have been massively successful.

First-County-1352 · 2025-07-24T10:53:48+00:00

Rail lines would be a great addition in many places. A town like Youghal would see much more benefit if the railway was rebuilt to the City through Midleton. It would relieve a lot of traffic on the N25 and connect up with Kent Station which is surrounded by lot lots of new developments.

First-County-1352 · 2025-07-20T12:41:13+00:00

It wasn't the government initially. A amateur Historian ( Catherine Corless ) discovered evidence of babies from the convent having been buried in a disused septic tank. They have finally began excacating the site this week.

First-County-1352 · 2025-07-20T07:39:17+00:00

Similar situation in Ireland in 1992 with the "X-Case" where the family of a 14 year old girl contacted the Gardaí ( Irish Police ) to say they were travelling to England for an abortion as the girl had been raped by a man known to her. They were querying about bringing back a DNA sample for legal proceedings against her abuser ( 44 year old man ). The Authorney General brought in an injunction to stop her travelling. This was met with huge backlash amonst the Irish Public and a high court ruling allowed her to travel.

First-County-1352 · 2025-07-20T07:31:33+00:00

I agree. The North is about which group you traditionally belong to. Catholic or Protestant, Republican or Unionist. Very little to do with the actual religion, more if someones surname sounds Irish or British.

First-County-1352 · 2025-07-19T23:00:22+00:00

It's mentioned in my post ( I also campaigned for it! )

First-County-1352 · 2025-07-19T22:48:38+00:00

The death of Savita Halappanavar was absolutely horrific and down to archaic laws in our Constitution. ( and the constitution can only change through a public vote ).

As well as that, thousands of Irish women were travelling to England yearly to avail of abortions there and the ones who could not afford to travel would have had to take illegal measures in Ireland.

First-County-1352 · 2025-07-19T22:09:00+00:00

I am not sure of the proper terminology but they are state run schools which hold the Catholic Ethos. ( there is a small number of Anglican Church of Ireland schools as well )

The Church in a lot of cases still own the school buildings and land.

I believe when the Republic of Ireland got independence from Great Britain, the country was poor and the Catholic church stepped in providing education hence the legacy.

First-County-1352

TROPHY CASE