The west and northwest of Ireland are often described as the country’s hidden gems, and in 2025 and 2026 international job seekers are increasingly choosing Donegal, Mayo, and Roscommon as places to build careers and enjoy a high quality of life. These three counties combine strong employment opportunities in healthcare, education, agri food, tourism, and renewable energy with affordable living and welcoming communities. While they do not have the scale of Dublin or Cork, they provide balance for those who want work, lifestyle, and authentic Irish culture. With expert CV preparation from The CV Doctor, your application can meet Irish standards and help secure opportunities across the west and northwest.
Visa and employment permits are required for work in Donegal, Mayo, and Roscommon, just as in the rest of Ireland. The Critical Skills Employment Permit covers in demand roles in healthcare, engineering, and IT, while the General Employment Permit applies to many other positions when employers cannot recruit locally. The Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment provides up to date details at enterprise.gov.ie. Immigration Service Delivery manages visa applications at irishimmigration.ie, and newcomers register their permissions at Garda immigration offices in towns such as Letterkenny, Castlebar, and Roscommon town.
Recruitment agencies support job seekers in these counties. CPL at cpl.ie lists healthcare, multilingual, and business roles. Sigmar Recruitment at sigmarrecruitment.com works with engineering, finance, and IT. Hays Ireland at hays.ie advertises teaching and construction jobs. Morgan McKinley at morganmckinley.ie also covers finance and technology across the west. Senior management positions are handled by Odgers Berndtson at odgersberndtson.com. While agencies are helpful, employers in rural counties often hire directly, so a strong CV from The CV Doctor is essential to make a strong impression.
Donegal’s economy is driven by healthcare, tourism, and renewable energy. Letterkenny University Hospital employs international doctors, nurses, and allied health professionals. The Health Service Executive at hse.ie provides details of public healthcare services. Tourism is another pillar, with the Wild Atlantic Way drawing visitors to towns such as Donegal town, Bundoran, and Dungloe. Hospitality jobs are plentiful in hotels, restaurants, and outdoor activity centres. Donegal is also developing renewable energy projects, particularly in wind power, creating opportunities for engineers and technicians.
Mayo combines healthcare, agri food, and medical devices. Mayo University Hospital in Castlebar recruits international staff, while companies like Baxter Healthcare in Swinford employ professionals in pharmaceuticals and medical technology. The county also has strong tourism, with attractions such as Croagh Patrick, Westport, and Achill Island creating hospitality jobs. Agri food production provides roles in farming, processing, and logistics. Enterprise Ireland at enterprise-ireland.com supports start ups and innovation across Mayo, especially in green energy and digital services.
Roscommon is well known for agriculture and food processing, with dairy and beef farming central to its economy. Many jobs exist in production, logistics, and quality control. Healthcare is also a key employer, with Roscommon University Hospital hiring international staff. The county has been growing in renewable energy, particularly biogas and wind projects, which create engineering and environmental science opportunities. Education roles are available in schools and training colleges, and teachers must register with the Teaching Council at teachingcouncil.ie.
Living in Donegal, Mayo, and Roscommon is significantly more affordable than in Dublin or Cork. Housing costs are lower, and availability is better, though demand is rising in towns such as Letterkenny, Castlebar, and Roscommon town. Many expats choose coastal villages in Donegal or Mayo for quality of life, while others prefer market towns in Roscommon for a quieter lifestyle. The Residential Tenancies Board at rtb.ie provides updates on rental prices and tenant rights. Families and individuals alike find the cost of living more manageable in these regions.
Groceries, utilities, and transport follow national averages, but lower housing costs make life more affordable overall. The Central Statistics Office at cso.ie publishes data on inflation and wages. Childcare is less competitive than in Dublin, though still an important budget consideration. Schools are of good quality, and details are listed by the Department of Education at education.ie. Public and private healthcare options are available, and expats often combine both systems for flexibility.
Transport links connect these counties with the rest of Ireland. Donegal is served mainly by buses and road routes, with direct services to Dublin and Derry. Mayo has rail links from Westport and Castlebar to Dublin, along with road and bus connections. Roscommon town sits on the Dublin to Galway rail line, making commuting possible. Ireland West Airport Knock, in Mayo, provides flights across Europe and is accessible from all three counties. Driving is common, and details on bus and rail services are available at transportforireland.ie.
Cultural life is rich in the west and northwest. Donegal is famous for traditional music and festivals, Mayo hosts events such as the Westport Arts Festival, and Roscommon has theatre, heritage centres, and agricultural shows. Sport is central to life, with Gaelic football and hurling popular across the counties, alongside rugby and soccer. Outdoor activities are plentiful, from surfing in Bundoran to hiking Croagh Patrick and exploring Lough Key Forest Park. Expats often find it easy to integrate through clubs, volunteering, and local events.
Networking opportunities are supported by local chambers of commerce, enterprise centres, and community groups. Industry clusters in medical devices, life sciences, and renewable energy are active in Mayo and Donegal, while Roscommon has growing business networks in agriculture and green energy. Employers across the west value qualifications, but they also place emphasis on personal connections. A strong CV prepared by The CV Doctor ensures you are ready when opportunities appear.
The future of Donegal, Mayo, and Roscommon looks promising. Government strategies at gov.ie highlight investment in housing, renewable energy, and regional enterprise. Life sciences firms in Mayo and Donegal continue to expand, while Roscommon is developing as a hub for sustainable agriculture and energy. Tourism in all three counties remains strong, boosted by the Wild Atlantic Way and Ireland’s Hidden Heartlands. These trends mean international job seekers will find consistent demand for skills in healthcare, engineering, agri food, and hospitality throughout 2025 and 2026.
For expats, life in Donegal, Mayo, and Roscommon means affordability, community, and natural beauty. Families benefit from safe towns, good schools, and access to healthcare. Individuals enjoy lively cultural life, outdoor activities, and manageable living costs. These counties may not have the scale of Dublin or Cork, but they offer balance and authenticity. With planning, the right visa, and the professional guidance of The CV Doctor, international job seekers can build rewarding careers and fulfilling lives in the west and northwest of Ireland.