@Jim
I would love to hear from you if you have managed to get any further concrete answers to your questions. I am in I guess a similar situation.
I acquired British Citizenship years ago. Have never renounced it and currently still hold a British Passport, although I have dual citizenship (South African as well), and am currently living back in South Africa. My husband is a South African citizen and South African Passport holder.
We are looking to buy a self sufficient small holding in Ireland and move over with our three "children" (dogs), for similar reasons to you. In essence I will work the land and as such will not hold a concrete "job" in the sense of the word, and my husband will continue working for his current company - he does contract work - 6 weeks on 6 weeks off and the 6 weeks on could be anywhere in Africa / The Middle East / and occasionally Asia. That means he will only join me for 6 weeks every six weeks ...
So basically my question would be if we buy a place and I move over and he gains right to remain as my spouse - would that give him right to leave and enter as per his job requirements? Chances are he will always have to fly to and from South Africa has he has to do check out and check in calls before and after each tour. Man this is ALL SO DAMN COMPLICATED!
Again any help from anyone in the know how would be greatly appreciated.