We bring you the overseas bulletin for September. As the daylight becomes shorter and the temperature starts to drop, dreaming of a life in warmer, sunnier areas is pleasant. Gillian Moore shares a bit about her life in Colombia, where she resides with her spouse, Santiago Lopez. It was 18 years ago that she travelled to the South American nation, a time when even her Colombian relative advised against due to safety concerns. However, she fell in love with the country instantly and met her husband, Santiago. A few years later, they made the decision to stay in Colombia and started a tour guide business, specifically personalised tours for those keen on experiencing the authentic Colombian lifestyle.
On the other side, John McGrail is based in Madrid, where he works in finance. He says, “Majorca is a flight away on a Thursday night. You have the option to work remotely on Friday and spend the weekend there.”It’s this freedom to explore different parts of Spain so effortlessly that has sparked a deep-seated ‘love affair’ with the country.
Deirdre McGlone from Donegal advises people to “savour the present.” She recalls the purchase of a hotel in France with her husband. Although the hospitality industry was not new to them, having run Harvey’s Point in Donegal for 3 decades. In 2020, while Storm Dennis hit their country, Deirdre and her spouse were enticed toward an old mill in the southwest of France because of a captivating video that kept showing up while navigating various sites. Fast forward five years, their hotel, Le Moulin, is flourishing and both Deirdre and Marc are content with their more tranquil way of life.
Amy Byrne chats with Olivia Powell about her experiences in Australia and how they compare to her previous life in Ireland. Byrne spent three months working on a pumpkin farm in the countryside in order to extend her work visa. Regardless of her enjoyment of the additional time in Australia, Byrne intends to return to Ireland, primarily for career-related reasons. “If I could land a job I truly enjoy that provides career advancement, I might have stayed a couple more years. I feel now is the right time for my career progression, and this could be achieved more at home.”
‘Cherishing the easy-paced life’: From Donegal to Southern France.”
Relocating to Australia provided a sense of freedom that was missing in Ireland, according to an individual. This person met their spouse at a Colombian bus stop. The journey also took them to Tunisia where they arrived by themselves, freshly graduated, with no established connections or a predetermined plan.
Helen O’Sullivan, a native of Cork, emphasised the difficulties of securing a job in Australia given the high cost of living, and the trials of doing so on a brief visa, suggesting it does not appeal to potential employers.
Jonathan O’Connor, residing in Atlanta, Georgia, remarks on the huge contrast to Ireland, particularly the absence of public transport, making car ownership essential. O’Connor’s banking career took him across the globe to places such as Haiti, South Africa, Malta and Poland. A health issue in 2023 anchored him, subsequently, he now sits on the boards of two fintech firms.
Milena Minta Barnes recounts her move to Tunisia where she contributes to NGO projects based in Syria. She shares that she has garnered a deep understanding of the intricate dynamics of the international aid system. Despite initially being accepted in Tunis as a young Irish woman, the war in Gaza and international relational breakdowns stirred feelings of uncertainty. Despite this, she discovered a shared bond with a neighbour from Gaza, an oud player and producer, through music. Barnes said their compositions were symbolic of the harmony and conflicts of their individual experiences as Irish and Palestinian today.
Meanwhile, Patricia Killeen, an Irish woman residing in Paris, reflected on her sentiments during the recent Paris Olympics. Living close to the Olympic Village, she was filled with pride for Team Ireland and Paris 2024. Despite some controversy around artist Thomas Jolly’s “Festivities” scene’s resemblance to Leonardo da Vinci’s Last Supper which upset some, Killeen still revels in the unity brought by the Olympics and Paralympics.
Ultimately, Belfast’s cinematographer, Maeve Murphy, shares her experiences from her journey to Los Angeles and the hearty reception she got from the Irish-American community. “In New York, I had a taste of the Irish-American hospitality, however, this display of goodwill was beyond my expectations.” She made an appearance at the Silicon Beach Film Festival on the west coast. “The pinnacle of the event was indeed the festival’s announcement that my succinct film had bagged the Best International Short award.”