What do Irish people living abroad miss most about Ireland? We asked some contributors to Irish Times Abroad for their thoughts to mark St Patrick’s Day. For many, it’s the people, the fun and the laughing through hard times.
It’s no surprise that the weather on this rain-battered island made an appearance more than once in what emigrants don’t miss, while the sun shone through when asked about what they love about where they live now.
Carol O’Donovan: From Co Cork to Sydney
What do you miss the most about Ireland? The people, just the way you would have a laugh with a cashier or a bartender casually and without agenda. I feel like people at home don’t take themselves too seriously and have a kind of natural charisma that is refreshing to be around.
What do you not miss about Ireland? The rain – great for the grass, a little bit depressing for the spirit though.
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What do you love about where you live? The mornings – I never thought I would say that as I was a night owl and late riser at home, but in Sydney, where the nightlife is average at best, it’s all about the mornings. Coffee, meeting friends for breakfast, a walk on the beach, sunrise yoga – I’m excited to get out of bed mostly. That said, my ability to stay up after 10pm is now pathetic – a source of much mockery from my siblings in Cork!
Gavin Pollock: From Co Derry to South Africa
What do you miss the most about Ireland? Endless Rhubarb – pies, crumbles and old fashioned rhubarb and ginger jam with cellophane and an elastic band protecting it from the elements. South African rhubarb if you can find it is spaghetti thin and virtually tasteless.
What do you not miss about Ireland? Growing up in Northern Ireland the omnipresent trying to pigeonhole what tribe you fitted in to – if your name didn’t give it away-a few more questions on schooling and favourite sports team would slot you into place.
What do you love about where you live? The vastness of South Africa – massive skies – huge plains and big seas – space everywhere!
Avril King: From Co Meath to France
What do you miss the most about Ireland? Christmas. They don’t do it well over here. So I miss the whole Christmas in Ireland with everyone celebrating across the country and everywhere covered in decorations.
What do you not miss about Ireland? I don’t miss how expensive it is. A lot of my friends are not on property ladder.
What do you love about where you live? The food is what I absolutely love. I’ve just tried so many new things. The quality of the fruit, veg, pastries here, even the milk!
Sorcha Swan: From Co Kildare to London
What do you miss the most about Ireland? I miss the humour the most. We’re a funny bunch and tend to laugh through difficult times to get on with things
What do you not miss about Ireland? I don’t miss is how small it felt at times. I went to school near Dublin and I couldn’t walk down the street without bumping into someone I knew. I don’t miss how long things take when you wanted something done and there’s no sense of urgency.
What do you love about where you live? What I love about where I am is probably the opposite to that. Any thing I want is at my fingertips and on my doorstep. I like the anonymous lifestyle – you don’t know everyone and everyone doesn’t know you.
Margaret O’Donoghue from Co Limerick to the United States
What do you miss the most about Ireland? Every time I drive on the New Jersey Turnpike and take in all the industrial smog, I really miss driving Irish roads. I love the smallness of the country roads with the beautiful flowering hedges, the fields and the villages that you can stop in for a coffee or a pint.
I miss the pubs where you can bump into people who know you or at least a member of your family and take the time to chat and share stories.
Mostly I miss the Irish facility for turning life events into interesting stories and jokes.
What do you not miss about Ireland? The times when it rains non-stop for days. However, I do think the rain is overstated and exaggerated and I have had plenty of visits where the weather was bright and the walks great.
I don’t miss that interpersonal communication among us Irish can be less than direct and can lead to misunderstandings and disconnects. I don’t miss turning off and on the immersion heater, I like my showers and baths really, really hot!
What do you love about where you live? I love that I live by the sea and can take a walk to the beach every day. I like that I am guaranteed a hot summer. I like the music and diversity of Asbury Park and that I am close enough to New York City to go to the Irish Repertory Theatre to see an Irish play or visit the Met museum and walk in Central Park.
Ray Farrell from Co Limerick to Sydney
What do you miss the most about Ireland? The way big sporting occasions consume the entire country is unique. Ireland v England in any sport will stop the country and an Olympic gold medal is cause for beatification. I also love the way local ordinances like “no dogs on the beach” are treated as guidelines rather than rules.
What do you not miss about Ireland? What I don’t miss is easy. Should I mention the weather? Touchy subject at the moment. When they’re complaining about the rain before you even shake hands you know you are in a dark place.
What do you love about where you live? What I love? Breakfast in the morning sun listening to John Creedon (as I’m doing now as I write) or dinner on a balmy evening under the stars.
Lauren Fay: From Co Galway to Poland
What do you miss the most about Ireland? I miss the craic the most and the soundness of people.
What do you not miss about Ireland? I don’t miss sideways wind, it has to be sideways!
Odhran Dowling: From Co Kerry to France
What do you miss the most about Ireland? The landscape. Ireland has a lot of a character to its landscape. In Kerry you can travel a few kilometres in any direction and wander a field or a valley that you’ve missed before
What do you not miss about Ireland? I don’t miss the weather. I am from Tralee, which is in a basin. If it’s lashing rain in Tralee it can be sunny in Killarney.
Rita Burke (Carolan), From Co Mayo to London
What do you miss the most about Ireland? I actually miss the rough weather. The sound of the storm and rain against the window while curled up with the fire on.
What do you not miss about Ireland? I like the anonymity of being in the UK. It’s always a nice treat though when you randomly bump into someone you know.
Read their stories in full:
- Carol O’Donovan: Grieving my parents abroad: ‘A different kind of hard in a world that never knew they existed’
- Gavan Pollock: Scattering seeds with my granny felt like magic. What would she make of my exotic garden?
- Avril King: I am grateful our son is growing up here, on the beach in Longeville-sur-Mer
- Sorcha Swan: I had always intended to return to Ireland, but it feels ever less likely
- Lauren Fay: From Galway to Gdansk: ‘I see the amount of Poles moving back. I want the same for Ireland’
- Odhran Dowling: How moving to France has drastically changed my Irish attitude to drinking
- Ray Farrell: Under the weight of the grey Limerick sky I’d forgotten, I realise there’s no coming home
- Rita Burke: Work brings me all over the world, but it’s chats over tea in Mayo that cleanse my soul
Are you Irish and living in another country? Would you like to share your experience in writing or by interview? You can use the form below, or email abroad@irishtimes.com. Irish Times Abroad submission guidelines here.
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