In our April bulletin, we begin with Ross Hoey sharing his experiences of acclimating to a life devoid of his native Irish accent, following his migration. Despite being settled in London now, a derogatory encounter in Bristol with an Briton who claimed being “more Irish” than him due to his grandmother’s Cork origin, pronounced without an ‘r’, left a bitter taste of xenophobia. He also unfairly blamed Hoey’s ‘ancestors’ for his granddad’s death who served in the British Forces. Even though Hoey brushed it off with a laugh, it was indicative of the hostility lurking in his adopted homeland.
Then there’s Mark Duffy, who has spent almost 27 years with the same engineering firm in the Nordics, much to his own surprise. Looking back, he never anticipated leaving home for Stockholm, or climbing the ranks as he did – a chance he’s grateful for. In 2021, Duffy’s move had more to do with the compatible work-life equilibrium in Sweden which suited his and his family’s needs. His words of wisdom to the youth suggest not eliminating the possibility of apprenticeships, an option, he believes, lacks ample discussion.
Claire Molloy shares her insights on living in Germany, where she relocated with her soon-to-be spouse. According to Claire, her companion Daniel’s desire was to live somewhere distinct, and Munich checked all boxes. Despite its scenic beauty, sunny outdoor ambience, and fantastic beer gardens adding a southern European overtone, there are certainly cultural distinctions to observe. From Claire’s home town of Bellmullet, Co Mayo, she slips seamlessly into the German way of life, owing to her language skills acquired from school and university years. However, unlike the Irish, she noticed that Friday evening post-work socialising isn’t popular in Munich. Social circles are more inclined to spend time with close ones or retire early with family.
A construction industry professional based in London, Patricia Morrison, is contemplating the possibility of returning to Ireland. The key motivation for this potential move is the prospect of reconnecting with her family. However, the financial strain of Ireland’s ongoing housing crisis might deter her from making the move. In her view, the initiative which aims to attract Irish construction personnel operating abroad to return home is an absolute fiasco in terms of monetary expenditure. “Ireland-based recruiters have suggested that with my London experience, it would be easy for me to secure employment in Dublin. Yet, the financial demands of residing in the city are too great. My budget won’t cover the rent,” she admits. Furthermore, securing a childcare facility with an available spot for her children while hunting for jobs is a challenge she faces. One of her daughters, for instance, has been on a waiting list for a childcare centre for as long as nine months.
Meanwhile, traditional Irish food items such as chicken rolls and spice bags are proving to be a hit among London food enthusiasts. Among the pioneers of this trend is Dubliner Emma Moran, who erected a stand in Broadway Market 11 years after moving to London. “We weren’t expecting such an overwhelming response,” she recalls of their venture, which was initially a casual pub discussion. Their venture, Emerald Eats, gained popularity on TikTok, leading to wider recognition. They’ve developed their custom spice blend and included ingredients such as onions, red peppers, and scallions in their dishes. Moran explains: “We have to serve the food in takeaway boxes suitable for office employees.” Simultaneously, Laura Kennedy laments the lack of awareness about the spice bag among Australians, expressing her longing for the dish.
Fiadh Molloy, a Dubliner established in Australia, discusses how her unusual name can leave people scratching their heads as she’s yet to encounter somebody with the same name there. However, she has a deep affection for her name, valuing the unique cultural connection it provides to her Irish roots, despite the recurrent need for explanation to Australians confused by the ‘dh’.