if i bought a sim free i phone x would i work in ireland

That is, if you got it there. There's a huge difference. This forum is littered with people that want the X from the States and want to take it back to their countries to use, and have the warranty. It is not international. But in your case should you buy it in Ireland, yes you would have the warranty and the phone.

This is the first instance that I know about where someone is actually waiting.

It would.

However, Apple is not currently offering any such model so the issue is moot for now.