Hi Aoife,
I have done about 10 hrs in one of the more well know flying schools in dublin, but decided to give up because i was tired at being messed around all the time. As well as that it was just too expensive. Instead I'm heading out to South Africa in May to do my PPL, it's much much cheaper!! total cost €3500, which is almost a 1/3 less than what you have to pay in this country. I have heard good reports about the school I'm going too, and the good thing is that you can fly in Ireland on a South Africa PPL, no conversion need on your return.
Good Luck with what ever you decide to do! :-)