Introduction: Why I Love the Madness of House-Shares
I’ve always loved living in house-shares. Growing up as the fourth of five kids in a small town in Cork probably gave me a taste for the camaraderie that comes with shared spaces. A lonely, expensive Dublin bedsit feels like a punishment board game, whereas a bustling house-share is a constant source of texture and surprise. Over two decades, and with a revolving cast that tallies to 76 people, I learned that the right rules can turn chaos into community—and fear into funny memories.
House-shares aren’t perfect. They can be a battleground of trash-talking, late-night snacks, and the occasional existential crisis in the kitchen. But the life lived in those walls—midnight toast, a spontaneous film night, a crowded party before the first guest even arrives—teaches lessons that staying solo never does. Here are the ten rules that helped me survive and thrive in Dublin, Cork, Galway, and even San Francisco.
1) A Dishwasher Is Not Optional
It isn’t about being tidy or lazy; it’s about avoiding the Living Nightmare of a sink piled high with dirty dishes teetering like the Leaning Tower of Pisa. A machine-friendly kitchen reduces needless friction and keeps the vibe civil, even when the house smells of tea and teenage nostalgia.
2) Don’t Live with Just One Person
One roommate can morph into a coercive, hyper-privacy soap opera. The dynamic becomes intense, and you learn every creak of their routine a little too well. A larger group distributes the emotional load and cushions the awkward gaps that inevitably appear.
3) Read the Omens and Act Accordingly
Some houses carry a strange energy. I remember a kitchen crucifix, a locked door, and a fear that turned into a cautionary tale. Trust your instincts. If something feels off, consider stepping back or leaving before the situation escalates into something unmanageable.
4) Recast Misfortune as Opportunity
When the boiler breaks or the landlord ghost-writes the lease, use the disruption as a prompt to improve yourself—like hitting the gym for a post-shower victory, or simply learning to navigate a problem with grace. Small inconveniences can spark big personal gains.
5) A Bedroom Key Is a Hidden Treasure
Moving in, you quickly learn to investigate heating systems, bus routes, and the lock to your own door. A little hidden door-key symbolism: security equals freedom. The more you understand the place you call home, the less you’ll feel like a guest in your own life.
6) Friendship Is Not a Safe Bet in Shared Living
Moving in with friends—or with someone you fancy—can backfire. The lines between personal and shared space blur, and you might stop hearing each other’s boundaries. Clear agreements and healthy detachment help preserve both friendship and sanity.
7) If the Tastes Don’t Align, Don’t Ignore the Signs
A surfer with a bong-wielding reputation might seem like a harmless risk. But in a small Dublin house, these differences can become daily, loud, unavoidable realities. Be honest about compatibility before you sign a lease that lasts a year or more.
8) Humour Is a Superpower
When ceilings collapse, floorboards break, or mice infestations appear, laughter becomes the glue. Housemates who pivot to humour over chaos tend to become lifelong friends, and a Eurovision party can feel like a lifeline during a bad break-up.
9) Fortune Favors the Brave
Today’s Dublin rents push many toward locking in with parents or ghosting the housing market. If you’re from the countryside, you might not have that cushion. A little risk and discomfort can forge momentum—growth often hides in the margins of uncertainty.
10) Know Your Exit Date—and Celebrate the Move On
The inevitable day arrives when you outgrow a space. People move out, relationships shift, and the group chat that once ruled your life becomes a memory. Moving in with a partner or buying a home is a milestone worth celebrating, but soak up the rollercoaster era of house-sharing while you can. It’s not a loser’s game; it’s a foundation for the rest of your life.
Conclusion: The Memory Matrix of a Shared Home
Looking back, the 76-housemate chapter wasn’t just a housing solution; it was a training ground for resilience, humor, and a sense of community. The memories—some chaotic, some comforting—still shape how I engage with people and spaces today. Brianna Parkins may return with more stories next week, but the lessons endure: cherish the messy, learn from every conflict, and never underestimate what a well-timed joke can do for a room full of strangers becoming a family.
