About BlackMirror.ie

Ireland's first data-driven reality check platform

What We Do

BlackMirror.ie holds up a digital mirror to Irish society, showing us the uncomfortable truths about our financial health, career positions, lifestyle choices, and future prospects.

We combine official Irish data (CSO, Revenue, Central Bank) with user-contributed information to create personalized "reflections" - brutally honest assessments of where you stand compared to your peers and where you're headed if nothing changes.

Most importantly, we don't just show you the problems - we provide actionable "escape routes" with concrete steps to close the gaps and improve your situation.

Our Principles

Brutal Honesty

No sugar-coating. We show you the reality of your situation based on hard data, not aspirational platitudes.

100% Privacy

Your test answers are stored only in your browser. We never collect personally identifiable information. All comparisons use anonymized aggregate data.

Actionable Solutions

Every reflection includes personalized "escape routes" - specific, practical steps you can take today to improve your situation.

Irish-Focused Data

All benchmarks are based on official Irish government data and cost-of-living realities specific to Ireland in 2025.

How It Works

Data Sources

  • • Central Statistics Office (CSO) - Salary, housing, and demographic data
  • • Revenue.ie - Tax and income statistics
  • • Central Bank of Ireland - Financial health metrics
  • • Property Price Register - Housing market data
  • • User-contributed data (anonymized and aggregated)

The Algorithm

Your reflection score is calculated across four dimensions:

  • • Financial Health (30%) - Rent burden, savings ratio, debt levels
  • • Career Position (30%) - Salary vs. benchmarks, industry ranking
  • • Lifestyle Reality (20%) - Spending patterns, waste identification
  • • Future Projection (20%) - Home ownership timeline, pension gap

Privacy & Security

All quiz answers are stored locally in your browser using sessionStorage. We do not collect, store, or transmit any personally identifiable information. The only data we track is anonymized, aggregated statistics for the national dashboard.

Important Disclaimers

Not Financial Advice: BlackMirror.ie provides informational content only. Our reflections and escape routes are educational tools, not professional financial, legal, or career advice. Always consult qualified professionals for personalized guidance.

Data Accuracy: While we use official Irish government data sources, benchmarks are approximations and may not reflect your specific circumstances. Use this tool as one input among many when making life decisions.

Ready to Face Your Reflection?

Take the 2-minute test and get your personalized reality check

Take the Mirror Test