Firstly Brendan, welcome to the site.
Its a great resource for sea anglers of all experiences/abilities.
Regarding tackle, there is a for sale/wanted section here
viewforum.php?f=22 that should be of benefit to you and lots will buy tackle through ebay and such aswell. I'd say you would just want to start off with a standard 12 - 13ft beachcaster, but I'd say your better to buy something of decent quality 2nd hand than buy brand new.
What reel do you intend to use?
Veals are great for bulk buying hooks, line, weights etc
http://www.veals.co.uk/Most anglers will make up their own end rigs in preference to buying ready made ones, it should work out cheaper that way, and you are in control of the quality of the components and how well they are made. Rigs would be a little more complicated to your average course stuff, as common sea rigs would have anywhere between 1 and 3 hooks on a rig. 3 is the accpeted maximum, unless using feathers for mackerel.
Here is a site which shows some of the more popular rigs.
http://www.gemini-tackle.co.uk/rigs.htmlSome great videos here for bait presentation.
http://www.gofishing.co.uk/Top-navigation/Sea-Fishing/There is a section here for meeting up with other anglers
viewforum.php?f=8You'd be welcome to tag along with me and a few others sometime but I dont know anybody who lives out your way sorry mso you would have to make your own way as far as dublin atleast, the sea fishing is generally poor around dublin/wicklow during february and march, but should start to improve come april with an increase in the water temp.
This is only my 3rd year sea angling so I'm by no means an expert, but some of the lads who use this site are extremely good at the sport and always generous enough to share their knowledge and experience.
A few other parts of this website that will aid your introduction to sea angling listed below incase you hadnt seen them yet.
http://sea-angling-ireland.org/specimen%20list.htmhttp://sea-angling-ireland.org/map%20of ... 0shore.htmhttp://sea-angling-ireland.org/bait%201%20-%20lug.htmhttp://sea-angling-ireland.org/rods.htmThat lot should keep you going for a while anyway, and any other questions dont be afraid to ask.
Regards
Mark