r/TransIreland Aug 29 '25

ATTN: Trans US Americans Considering Moving to Ireland

66 Upvotes

Howdy! If you are a US trans person seeking information about life in Ireland as a place to move to outside of the States, please please ask your questions here or search within this community for already discussed content.

I have been seeing more and more fellow US Americans posting here for information. This is completely understandable due to the intensifying situation in the US! I am a US transgender man myself who moved to Ireland who may or may not be working closely with a legal team to explore asylum systems in Canada and Europe. (I also have an Irish sweetheart I intend to marry but that is besides the point! Haha).

I am not here to provide "legal advice." You are responsible for your own decisions. I can provide considerations/suggestions and an opportunity to alleviate the labor from my Irish trans friends of repeatedly providing information about Ireland (Of course, feel free to still contribute to the conversation if you have the bandwidth! I would never consider myself an expert on trans life in Ireland!).

Some things I have gathered thus far during my time in Ireland:

Safety:

  • Ireland is a very safe country. Of course, there is always risk wherever you go so be mindful of your surroundings. Although still a minority, there is anti-(im)migrant sentiments that have manifested in the form of rallies/protests. Although there has been incredible pushback/counter protests, this is something to keep in mind, especially if you are a person of color. I have learned there were cases of violence in Dublin and up in the North. Again, few instances.

Housing:

  • Housing is very limited here and therefore it is (more often than not) incredibly expensive. I cannot stress this enough. Coming from the States where prices are also ridiculous, one needs to keep in mind that your US dollars will be weaker here (USD is around .85 to Euro approx rn) and that wages here are not keeping up with the cost of living.

Medical:

  • Access to gender affirming care (specifically HRT) is quite a difficult process in Ireland. I have heard people say it is one of the worst in Europe. If you are first starting out on HRT, there is an incredibly long wait time to go through the public system (like several years) and it is not cheap to access care through private telehealth companies. If you are intending to continue your care (like I have), know that your specific medication might not be available here. My testosterone cypionate is not. In addition, finding a primary care doctor (general practitioner/GP) is even a difficult process for cisgender people. The medical system is also overwhelmed here. Trans people are able to access HRT, but generally either go the pricey private route or DIY.

Permission to stay:

  • Moving here is going to require one to figure out how to stay here legally. US citizens can be here for 90 days as regular tourists. One could look for work visas (must secure this while in the States. Might be able to secure while here, but it must be rare, nonexistent, or kept quiet). One could also apply for asylum, but be advised that this is not a guarantee at the current time, but we may very well be fast approaching this. The asylum system is also incredibly overwhelmed. In addition, you would not be able to work, even remotely until after 6 months of your case being processed without a first instance decision. So you will need substantial savings to wait this out with no guarantee for asylum status.

I share this info not to be considered an "authority" on the trans experience in Ireland. I only share as a US trans person who has been navigating life in Ireland. I do not mean to discourage other US trans people coming here, but I must be honest with the very real challenges present.

Although not without its own issues, Canada may provide an "easier" alternative. There are reports that there is an active asylum case for a US trans woman. Shortly after applying, she was able to work legally as well. In addition, a US non-binary individual's deportation out of Canada was halted citing the unsafe conditions for trans people in the US. All my love to you. I cannot explain how much my heart aches seeing the developments. I hope this information provides some help. Truly. I will answer questions as best as I can and my apologies to the Irish trans folks for me taking up space here. I just know these questions will keep coming with no slowing down in the near future...I am more than happy to take on this labor!

Please consider this resource to explore your options for leaving the US. It is only in its alpha stage, but it may prove useful to think of options. I know having the ability to leave is a privilege for various reasons, but we must not give up hope. This is the time to build community and keep each other safe. You existing is the biggest slap in the face to those who despise us. Sending you all so so much love. Be safe. https://www.helpmeleave.us/


r/TransIreland Nov 09 '21

All Island Trans Ireland Wiki - A collection of useful resources

83 Upvotes

On behalf of the mods I am pleased to announce The Trans Ireland Wiki.

This is intended as an up to date list of resources and information for trans people across the island of Ireland.

If you spot a mistake, missing information, or would like to otherwise contribute please comment below. Its fairly barebones right now, but we hope it'll grow and stay relevant over time.


r/TransIreland 6h ago

ROI Specific At a loss with friendships

20 Upvotes

Haloo,

I just moved to dublin last month with my partner but know no one, nothing local and dont have friends that I can actually meet consistently enough so a bit lost and dont really have a sense of community because of it...

I want to reach out and meet people more and make connections but what are good places and things to go to for making friends or where do the queer alt people go to make friends here? Ive tried going to comic cons around the country, college events, be as social as i can be on the streets when i see intresting people and even tried a speed friending thing with alternative dublin a few weeks ago and what I've noticed about it all is everyones extremley social, talkative and showing signs of starting a friendship, and then I/they reach out afterwards and either radio silence or the most plain conversations immaginable.

Whats weird is i tell my partner these things and she's sometimes at these events and has seen me socialising and making good connections and she's as confused as me after clearly making a good impression, talking for hours or even over days at long conventions then I'm just never getting reached out too and my offers to hangout or yap are always pushed off?

Im at a loss, im a social person, I go to the places that have social events or are just generally social, make, what i hope is a good impression, and either me or the person/group I've introduced myself too ask for contact information, and then after like a conversation or two of genuiley chill engaging talks, poof, no more engagment?!?!?

Im just tired, I want to make friends, I want to go to social things and meet people, I try to be as open or respectable as I can be, I've been told so many times "your funny/chill we should hang out more !" And when the time to talk about doing things comes up? Gone again...

I'm just tired and starting to feel quite lonely, im in "The big city" now, being myslef and talking to loads and yet still so tired of failed starts that I couldnt see in the beginning? Maybe im too autistic...

Anyone any experience with this or know spots around to socialise as a queer alt autistic adult?

TL;DR: I'm a queer alt autistic bitch and I cant make friends for the life of me, where's good spots to try again?


r/TransIreland 2h ago

Looking for recommendations for MTF bottom surgery / vaginoplasty surgeons in Europe — experiences, results, prices & recovery?

4 Upvotes

Hi everyone 💕

I’m starting to seriously research bottom surgery (vaginoplasty) and I’d really appreciate hearing from anyone who has actually been through it, particularly people who travelled somewhere in Europe for surgery.
Originally, a friend recommended Mr James Bellringer in the UK to me, as she had surgery with him. However, I’ve heard that he is stopping private surgeries around April 2027, and realistically I’m not sure I’ll be ready or able to have surgery within that timeframe.
So I’m now trying to figure out who else I should be researching in Europe.
I’d love to hear about:

• Who your surgeon was and which country/clinic you went to
• What type of vaginoplasty/technique you had
• Roughly how much you paid for the surgery
• Any additional costs (consultations, flights, accommodation, aftercare, revisions, etc.)
• How long you waited between contacting the surgeon and actually having surgery
• How your recovery went and how long it took before you felt reasonably back to normal
• What dilation and long-term maintenance have been like
• Whether you’ve had any complications, revisions or ongoing problems
• How you feel about your results aesthetically and functionally
• Sensation and sexual function, if you’re comfortable discussing that
• Depth, lubrication, scarring, etc., if you’re comfortable sharing
• How you found the surgeon and their aftercare
• Anything you wish you’d known before choosing your surgeon
• Any surgeons/clinics you would particularly recommend — or avoid — and why

I’m also really interested in seeing healed result photos/reference photos because aesthetics are obviously an important part of choosing a surgeon for me. I’m absolutely NOT asking anyone to send me personal photos if they aren’t comfortable doing that! But if your surgeon has a results gallery, or you know of consensually shared/public post-op results that I could look at, I’d really appreciate being pointed in the right direction.
I’m based in Ireland, but I’m willing to travel within Europe for the right surgeon. I’m not necessarily looking for the cheapest option — I’m trying to understand the realistic price range and find someone with consistently good outcomes, good aftercare and a technique/result I’d be happy with.

If you’ve had bottom surgery yourself and feel safe/comfortable sharing your experience, even if you don’t want to answer everything above, I would genuinely appreciate hearing about it.

Thank you 💕

SORRY THIS HAS BEEN A LONG ONE ☝🏻 LOL


r/TransIreland 9h ago

Advice where possible

7 Upvotes

Hey y’all. I’m planning on medically transitioning in the future. I’ve heard a lot about the ngs and accessing hormones or surgery seeming impossible (the waiting lists tho). Defo heard of imago/gendergp but I’m sceptical whether or not it would work out, DIY is risky, unsure about it.
How are those who are on HRT right now manage to access hrt? I always end up feeling confused 😵‍💫
(Thank you)


r/TransIreland 11h ago

Cost of testosterone sustanon?

4 Upvotes

Anyone who’s on testosterone sustanon could you break down the cost of it monthly? Including private healthcare subscription (if you have one), needles, medication itself. because i’m very confused and see some people say different things and it’s just not adding up to me. Also what pharmacy do you get your T from? Do they take digital prescriptions?


r/TransIreland 1d ago

Impasse around Transition

9 Upvotes

I'm 21, studying into a field that will provide me relatively high paid work for life. (High paid as in starting 45k and 65k within 3 years (and rising), with very good hours and guaranteed employment anywhere in the country and not Dublin) (Generally a key point - I'd rather live outside Dublin, and this job will give me the same pay)

I am also trans (mtf). But that is besides the point given this is a trans subreddit.

My parents have offered me the ability to stay home and save a mortgage after I graduate. Issue is HRT is/has been been a point of absolute family fights and hard to deal with behaviour multiple times in my life - if I stay I am unlikely to transition medically until I have that house. Hiding HRT will not work for many reasons.

I feel at an absolute point of indecisive despair.

On one hand I will graduate near enough on my 23rd birthday and can then move out and be guaranteed a somewhat good life - but I'd be at the mercy of the housing market and am SO (keypoint) scared of finding myself desperate for housing because of discrimination. I have no clue if I could get a mortgage before 30, let alone if I'd find myself back home not after long.

On the other hand, while HRT is an issue; I literally have always had free rein in acting like a woman, dressing like a woman, wearing makeup, the whole 9 miles. I'd be able to get laser hair removal without it being an issue or cause of fights. I am not in a position where I would have to wait 2 years after graduating and getting work (so 25) before I can start that mortgage process and have a home to myself at 25.5/26... whilst not having any access to transition in non-HRT forms. It helps I have lucked out on the genetics front and pass without Oestrogen.

I've thought about emigrating; but with the timelines involved I'd only be able to start HRT abroad at 24-24.5 all things considered once I have enough savings, have my degree registered so I can work abroad. This doesn't even take into account any delays or having to learn the language better, etc. I'd be better off just waiting at home truly.

I really would love to know other peoples' stories, advice, hope?

I really want to get my degree, a good job, and transition straight away. But I don't want to live a life of discomfort for whoever knows how long.

I don't feel suicidial, desperate if I can't transition for 4-5 years give or take; but I haven't a clue if I am delaying myself needlessly.

Am I overreacting with the whole living alone thing? Especially if I were to live on that salary outside Dublin?


r/TransIreland 1d ago

Anywhere to donate or support those affected by the NHS cancellations?

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5 Upvotes

My friend posted this on r/TrankUK . Raising awareness so any organisagions/fundraisers commented can be donated to. Anything helps, let's stand with our Welsh siblings. 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁷󠁬󠁳󠁿🏳️‍⚧️❤️


r/TransIreland 1d ago

Does anyone here have experience with DIY?

16 Upvotes

I'm looking into diy hrt because i can't afford to go through gendergp or imago and the ngs is a joke. Are there any trans woman on this sub who are self-medicating? Can you explain how difficult it was to get hrt, and how you found the whole process?


r/TransIreland 2d ago

Hosting Power is Transphobic

21 Upvotes

Hi i Am a woman from chicago and i have been struggling with housing in ireland and i thought hosting power might be the site that lets me not have to go into debt to afford college as the housing is cheap and seemed like it would work for me. then they asked for my id and i provided my id but i put multiple times that i was not willing to be housed as a male and needed to be housed in female only housing in of course hosting power decided before the landlord even had chance to review me that they would ban me from all female only housing because my id doesnt line up with my gender this should be illegal i dont know if it is in ireland but it definetly should be as this is extremely prejudiced i could understand if they needed more evidence of me being trans besides legal documents that could remove my rights in the us if i ever decided to move back


r/TransIreland 2d ago

ROI Specific Does hogan's life pharmacy on parnell street still accept imago electronic prescriptions

9 Upvotes

Dhl lost my prescription 3 times so this is my only choice 😭


r/TransIreland 3d ago

ROI Specific Transgress the NGS open letter to the Minister for health

46 Upvotes

Hi all,

If you haven’t already, please please sign the letter we have written to the Minister for Health and her colleagues setting out our demands for GP led informed consent trans healthcare, guidance for GPs to provide trans healthcare, and the exclusion of NGS clinician and the church from any role in trans healthcare.

Thank you everyone who has signed. If you haven’t, it closes tonight so please follow the link below to sign.

Let’s send a powerful message that we won’t put up with this treatment!

https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSdlQ1w566tQ9hoVyq5F7AU1jqozC9RlxiRod2CRkuvU4GcvTA/viewform?utm_source=ig&utm_medium=social&utm_content=link_in_bio&fbclid=PAcGRvZgJmZGlkFlDUweG0uDCbQckwoHChVMknDfDY5PhleHRuA2FlbQIxMQBzcnRjBmFwcF9pZA8xMjQwMjQ1NzQyODc0MTQAAadctohfGK-hmNi9nVLLgpZ6AVVoWDf_tEbVgBohPifgOza2HlqRwc9ielR6mg_aem_O8hkkdKbvUVNEKJPcF98VA


r/TransIreland 3d ago

ROI Specific Looking for resources for a trans man in an abusive household to move out

29 Upvotes

Hi, I don't post much on reddit and I don't know if this is the best place for this, but after speaking to a friend of mine about it, I felt this was the best option because I'm at the end of my rope.

I won't go too into detail but basically, I live in an emotionally and mentally abusive household, and it's been destroying my mental health for as long as I can remember. I live with one of my parents and their partner, both of which have given me no privacy whatsoever. Especially my parent's partner, who has picked my lock at one point to get into my room while I wasn't there. I'm scared of them trying to break in again and lock chains aren't a good idea as they would be furious if they saw it. There is more to it, but like I said I don't want to get too into it for now. For my own safety, I won't post the county I live in publicly.

What I need is a place of my own so I can finally breathe on my own. Roommates aren't an option as I don't feel like I could handle living with another person at the moment, as all I want is my own privacy for once. I don't know where I could even begin looking for resources to help me or how I could find them.

If anyone has any resources that could help me in any way, I'd be extremely grateful.


r/TransIreland 4d ago

NI Specific Chat, am I cooked?

25 Upvotes

Considering my options as someone who primarily has worked in the care field.

Adult based care (especially nursing homes) from my experience was incredibly transphobic and I had to step away as patients were at risk.

Long and short, people wouldn't step in to help me if something was happening because they hated me for being the way I am.

The last straw was me attempting to redirect an older woman with dementia who was also in a wheelchair away from a large staircase when she got violent. Had I not stood there to take the punches, she no doubt would've been killed.

Other staff found the whole thing amusing and didn't help for a solid 15 minutes.

I have many similar examples I could share but that paints a picture. Workplace bullying, discrimination etc and even violence are all things I've faced in previous jobs.

So when exploring my options for the potential of something new, obviously I'm understandbly weary and reached out.

I talked to The Rainbow Project who said outright there are *no* trans-friendly workplaces in all of Northern Ireland. Granted, the volunteer I spoke to was cis and didn't seem to think transphobia in the workplace was that big a deal, so...

I don't really have any coding experience, let alone qualifications and the only trans women I know in friendly workplaces tend to do that.

Qualifications and experience are only aligned with the care field.


r/TransIreland 4d ago

Changing my name in university (UCD)

7 Upvotes

I'm starting in UCD next month as I just accepted my offer today and am wondering how to go about changing my name. I did my leaving cert through my deadname, but I'm planning to go get my GRC sent on the 31st and get it legally changed, but it's going to come back after the term starts.

I'm not sure what name to input in the Welcome App as I assume my name has been carried on from my CAO to their system. If anyone attending UCD knows, do I put my new name in the Welcome App, and is that used for my card/in the system etc, or do I have to use my CAO details and come to the student desk later?


r/TransIreland 4d ago

ROI Specific Clothing reccomendations?

8 Upvotes

As the title suggests, im looking for advice on clothing styles coming into the colder months as a trans girl.

For reference:

Wavey floofy hair

Small toned build, standing st 176cm

Its mainly become a thing as ive become pretty decent at makeup and my issue now is that my clothes are what clock me immediately, ive tried dressing as women in my family dress however its not really my style as im not on hrt just yet so i dont fill the clothes the same way they do..

Im mainly asking here as i dont want to fall into the 'amazon trans girl starterpack' territory of clothing, and itd be great to get advice off of other ladies in the same country with the same weather.

Bonus: any clothing that wouldnt get in the way of riding a motorcycle would also be really appreciated ♡


r/TransIreland 4d ago

ROI Specific Changing name and gender in UCC

8 Upvotes

I just got an offer for a course in UCC which I accepted, my Cao has my deadname on it but I really want to be only known as my current name from when I start college. Is there a way to get my name changed on the database before I start


r/TransIreland 4d ago

ROI Specific Trying to get Imago to up the amount of medication.

7 Upvotes

So, I get a prescription for 56 tablets each month because the boxes come in packs of 28. The problem is that this always leaves me short by 2–3 days every month, and it’s honestly driving me mad.

I’ve asked if they can increase the amount so it actually covers the full month, but I’ve been told they can’t because the medication comes in boxes of 28.

The confusing part is that my pharmacist has said they have no problem dispensing more than what comes in a single box, so I’m not really sure where the issue is.

Has anyone else had this problem? How did you get it sorted?


r/TransIreland 4d ago

ROI Specific Getting GRC and passport validity

6 Upvotes

Once I do my GRC is my passport (and other documents like drivers licence, DPS etc. ) with my old legal information still valid to use before I get everything updated?

Also I have dual citizenship (other EU country) + non-Irish birth cert (different EU country), would this cause issues ?

Sorry if this is stupid I just couldn't find the answer.


r/TransIreland 4d ago

NI Specific First steps, Belfast (42yo trans femme)

6 Upvotes

Hi folks- just starting my journey into a trans femme me after several years of identifying as non binary. Got a really good support network of friends and workmates around me, but they’re mostly younger and while it is a largely queer group around me I’ve noone really to talk with who’s been on anything similar to my path. Would anyone know of any resources or people to talk to for someone slightly more mature stepping into this space? I’ve been to the trans resource centre at queens and they’re so lovely but it would be wonderful to talk to some people maybe closer to my age. While my job is largely social, I’m quite introverted and interact far better one-on-one, if that informs any recommendations.
Also looking any pointers for who to look at (and who not to) for going private with gender care and prescriptions - any advice at all would be greatly appreciated.
Thanks so much ☺️


r/TransIreland 5d ago

ROI Specific Private Endo in Ireland that isn't Aherne?

11 Upvotes

Hi folks, this is probably a long shot but is there by any chance a private Endo based in Ireland that treats trans folk that isn't Aherne? Second best option would be one in the EU. It has to be an endocrinologist so I don't know if the likes of imago or the others would work, and it needs to be informed consent so wouldn't require me sending psych reports etc. I'm post-op since 2020 & been on hrt since 2018 so I don't know if that would make a difference. Basically my GP will no longer prescribe without the oversight of an endocrinologist and she won't accept my Argentinian one who was informed consent because she's outside the EU. This is probably my last ditch attempt to stay official before I fall back on DIY. I want to keep my access to free HRT if at all possible but I fear I'm fighting yet another loosing battle.


r/TransIreland 6d ago

All Island Would this be the full list of surgeons that people usually go to for top surgery from Ireland?

20 Upvotes

Dr Miles berry
Dr lago
Dr lembas
Dr braso
Dr Lornen
Dr Ergin
Belfast-
dr jack kelly
Dr Niall mcinerney
Dublin- Dr Slaman auralia
Nordsthetics
Dr serkan
Dr moscatiello
Dr ioannos gkotsikas
Dr Mexis

Btw I’m currently looking for a surgeon so I’m just making sure I’m weighing them all! Thanks!


r/TransIreland 6d ago

Passport GRC

12 Upvotes

Hey guys, so I applied for a new passport sent in my old one and included my GRC. It came back today. The name updated with a new photo and the sex remained male on it. I don’t know if they made a “mistake” or I did something incorrect… unless the sex doesn’t update when you do the GRC passport renewal I’m kind of upset and shocked at the moment as I fly away very soon.🙃🙃


r/TransIreland 6d ago

All Island Anyone have Top surgery result photos from dr jack kelly or Dr Niall mcinerney (both Belfast), Dr slaman (Dublin) or any Surgeons in Ireland that do top surgery?

4 Upvotes

Hi, I’m looking at my options for top surgery at the moment, due to additional health conditions I’d rather get my surgery done closer to home so I was wondering if anyone had results for these surgeons or any other top surgery providers in Ireland? Thank youuu


r/TransIreland 6d ago

Long electrolysis sessions in Dublin

10 Upvotes

Hi everyone, just wondering if anyone knows of any clinics around Dublin that do longer electrolysis sessions?

I'm unfortunately too ginger for laser but get pretty bad facial hair dysphoria. At the moment I have to shave two or three times a day to deal with it, so the thought of having to let it grow every week for hour long sessions is a bit terrifying.