Have a substantial lump sum to secure/invest for 12 months

[putsch]

Having (finally)sold my house I have c.500K to mind/invest for 12 months.

I had intended to divide it among 3 Irish institutions EBS/INBS and ILP - but now I'm just wondering if I should look at putting a small amount offshore (I have a US account from when I lived there) in the event of total meltdown - on the other hand I really don't want any currency risk. I could open an account in france as I need to do that anyway but as far as I can see interest rates there are close to 0%.
BTW my intention is to use it next year to buy a house so I don't want any risk and don't want to have to be minding it during the year e.g. swapping accounts.
I'd be grateful for any thoughts - stick with the Irish institutions or look abroad?

 

[twofor1]

If it was me I would split it between one of the Irish banks you mention, and a bank covered by the English guarantee scheme, Northern Rock maybe, and Rabo covered by the Dutch, and NIB covered by the Danes.

You might not get the best return but your money is covered between four different guarantee schemes.

Return of savings rather than return on savings would be my priority.