I had to work while doing the PPL and could only do it at weekends so the weather was a big problem, one time I was 6 weeks trying to get weather good enough to get my solo X-country qualification flight done! I have friends that got theirs finished in 7 months fulltime that's a realistic time in Ireland. Also do not expect to get your PPL in the minimum 45 hours, the average would be 60 to 70 hours so factor that into your cost and also the small things add up such as paying the IAA crazy prices- 275 euro to get the MEIR added to your licence which is one slip of paper added to your licence book! I got the MEP,CPL,MEIR finished in minimum time but if you have a bad day during your MEIR test in a twin that costs 460 euro per hour it will cost the bones of 2 grand before you do the test again.
As for the PPL ground school it took me 4 months doing 2 classes of 2 hours, per week and did it at the same time as the flying.