Greetings to the audience of the August instalment of our Overseas newsletter. This day commenced with CSO sharing data that detailed the exodus of over 69,000 individuals from Ireland in the annual period ending April 2024; revealing a rise of 5,000 in comparison to the corresponding period in 2023. This exodus figure has marked the highest since 2015. The breakdown illustrates that from those who left, 34,700 were Irish nationals, 10,600 hailed from EU, 3,000 were British nationals, and 21,500 were nationals from various nations inclusive of Ukraine. Concurrently, the immigration figures to Ireland in the matching period touched 149,200 – a height unseen in 17 years.
Earlier in the month, a narrative was penned down by Vanessa Schaefer which took the readers through the stages of transitioning life abroad. The various stages ranged from recurrent checks on Google Maps out of confusion, to bouts of homesickness. She vividly paints a picture of how her and her partner adapted to their new locale – Vancouver. The initial phase was dominated by work routines, however, as savings began to run low, their connection to their Irish roots grew stronger. While there were instances where they reminisced their Irish life, eventually, they embraced their new identities as ‘Vancouverites’, engaging in activities like training for half marathons and November camping.
With the recent American college football classic at Aviva Stadium, Evan Cannon emphasises the advantages of receiving high-grade coaching via sports education scholarships in the US. He suggests that the fraternity woven amongst alumni extends beyond sports and is commonly seen coming to each other’s professional aid. He cites the US golf as a prime example, where all the four major titles of the year were carried by the United States. All the winners of these major titles trace their skills back to college golf courses.
In Spain, Colm Rush, a bird observer, spent time volunteering with Elbro Delta Nature Reserve group. His role was largely focused on the flamingos of the region. His article walks us through his experiences at the reserve, discussing the importance of quietude during bird observation. There were various people involved in the operation apart from volunteers; ranging from park rangers and organisers to photographers and biologists. Rush points out an interesting fact – young flamingos exhibit a grey colour which eventually turns into the hallmark pink after consuming crustaceans, a staple in their diet.
Kerry O’Shea contrasts the living circumstances between Ireland and Singapore. Both are regional business hubs and once colonies, yet they have notable differences. Singapore, closely packed with an Ireland-surpassing population in an area slightly less than the size of Co Dublin, notwithstanding ensures affordable housing, unlike Ireland. Government policies in Singapore seek to create a diverse neighbourly community, explains O’Shea, despite having stringent laws including the death penalty for severe drug offences.
This month, Irish resident Peter Benson helps us better understand the recent UK general elections held in July. In his view, July 5th was the day the masses voiced their opinion and instigated a change in leadership at 10 Downing Street, which he equates to a break from the Tories. Benson deems it comparable to the turmoil experienced in England during the Brexit phase. “Downing Street now houses mature individuals,” he believes, who comprehend the state, Northern Ireland and the impact their decisions have on the public.
In his pursuit of the American dream, Seamus Keane from Louisburgh, Co Mayo, went to New York. He became a trained salesman, got disenchanted with Wall Street, came back to Ireland, and got his personal training certification. It was then when he found what he’s passionate about, opened a gym in New York, launching it with seven others amidst a snowy February night. He and his business associate John Collins now run Clann Health successfully.
Brian Horgan, who visited the US as a student at 18, knew his destiny belonged there. Determined to make a life in the US, Horgan returned to Ireland and after earning his degree at University College Cork, he moved to South Carolina. What fascinates him about the US are its diverse “countries within countries.” Now a Rhode Island resident, he enjoys the blend of beaches and minimal city congestion. Yet, the attributes of Ireland he misses include its people, humour, warmth, and the courtesy experienced in his homeland.
Thanks for reading.