Moving to Ireland with my SA spouse - need help/ad

Hi all,

I am a female British national living in South Africa at the moment with my Wife (South African national joined by a civil union for 2 years ). We are moving to Ireland next year and have no desire to leave or move on to the UK via the application as we want to live in Ireland. I have read about the Surinder Singh route but I believe that I, as the British (EU) citizen, have to have lived in the UK (or EU) for 1 months before I can make the application for my Wife to join me however, I could be wrong as the info is a little confusing for me and I would like to kindly ask for your help.

I was under the impression that I could move there from South Africa, secure work/living arrangements and then have my Wife join me and she could apply for a visa based on her marriage to me but now I am unsure of the procedure.

I have been living in South Africa for 8 years but worked for a British company up to 2 years ago and prior to that, I was living in England where I was born. It mat be of note to mention that my Grandmother was Irish from County Mayo. She is now deceased but I do have access to her birth and death certificate, should we be able to do it that way but I have also read that I need her deed poll for her change of name (via msrriage) which is impossible to get!

I happreciateave tried reading several websites etc but i think ive read so many that imnow just confusing myself and neef a fresh approach!
If anyone can help or offer advice, I would really appreciate it.

Thanks