i studied at pulse recording and windmill lane here in dublin. it was expensive (although still a lot cheaper than UK courses!) but then i did learn on an SSL g+ and a neve VR along with some amazing outboard and tape machines (studer, teletronix, urie, la audio, focusrite, drawmer, manley etc etc) so the price wasnt really an issue.

i'd rather pay to learn on the best of gear than do the state college courses on a imac and an mbox!