Travel Advice needed

Hello,

I'm going to make this semi short and sweet. Traveling from NYC>Dublin>Heathrow. Now, I know everything advised for the CTA and blahblahblah, I know the suspicion and rules. Fact of the matter is, it's my cheapest option, I'm JUST visiting (aka, no visa) and I'm taking it because it's the cheapest flight. Plain and simple. I'm not going to make myself crazy with worry over it. I'm visiting my SO again and I've already dealt with UK immigration before.

Anyways, here are my question(s). Can anyone tell me what ROI immigration is like? Or their own experience with Irish IOs? When they ask me, "How long are you staying?" do I say I'm passing through on my flight to London, and for how long I'll be in London? (Staying for about 3 or 4 weeks). Since I'm visiting my SO, do Irish immigration get as suspicious? I am relatively young, in my 20's, which makes me wish I was older since I know they look for us and are more so suspicious of us.  

Should I bring the same things I would bring to UK immigration? A letter from my employer (also, how does that work? should I just have my boss write out "She'll be back THIS date" on some random piece of paper? lol. Or what?) proof I have classes to be taking? ANYTHING showing ties to the US, like phone bills, gym membership, my money I have in the bank, my crapload of possessions, things of this type? Or are they going to look at me like I'm mad when I show up with a pile high stack of proof I'll be returning home? Sorry for all the questions, but just wanna make sure I'm prepared

Ahh, LDRs you are truly a pain in the rear end. -Shakes fist-

When they ask you how long you're staying tell the truth.  Are you going to stick around in Ireland at all?  Just curious.

My experience is varied, and I have flown into Shannon airport.  My first trip to Ireland I said I was staying 90 days which the IO did not like at all even though that's the maximum allowed time for a US visitor.  After a few stern questions she let me through, but I was afraid she wasn't going to at the time!

I didn't know anything about this site back then.  I suppose if I had brought proof of funds to support myself she wouldn't have been as concerned.

The next time the IO practically rolled out the red carpet for me when he saw my fiddle case (but that didn't work for the first IO--ha ha!).

So that didn't really answer all your questions, but I'd have the same proof of funds, and all the other things people on this site recommend.

Last time I flew through Dublin and continued on to Scotland on a flight, I was stamped, but they hand wrote next to it "In-Transfer".

Just tell the truth, bring what you need to for funds, return tickets, etc.   

When they ask you how long you're staying tell the truth.  Are you going to stick around in Ireland at all?  Just curious.

Oh, I will tell the truth, I am not so naive to think I would be fooling an IO, and even if I did, I don't want it to bite me on the @ss later when myself and my boyfriend decide to get married down the line. Noo, I'm not sticking around Ireland, being there is just apart of the layover. I was just wondering if I should bring along all kinds of evidence I am going to return.

I do get pretty worried but I'm trying not to this time because it does me no good to worry. Haha!! I wish an IO would roll out the red carpet for me! I'm more worried I'll get a sleep deprived IO with a bad temper or something, ya know? lol. I just want to have TOO much evidence that I'll be going home that it'll be ridiculous to think I'd overstay, ya know?

Last time I flew through Dublin and continued on to Scotland on a flight, I was stamped, but they hand wrote next to it "In-Transfer".

Just tell the truth, bring what you need to for funds, return tickets, etc.   

Did you say you were just passing through Dublin? Sorry if I'm asking very obvious questions, I'm just wondering what Irish IO's questions shall be. I wanted to be as prepared as possible.