So, this is my blog. Welcome to it. I’ve started it to document a journey, that of an Irish-American, born and raised in the US who, after nearly 18 years of living outside the US, has decided to pursue his teenage dream of living and working in Ireland. Irish nationality, obtained through my maternal grandparents, has greatly facilitated this.
I am not yet in Ireland. I plan to move there next month, June 2018. I’m actually in Africa — South Africa, to be precise — coming to the end of a remarkable other journey with the United Nations.
I arrived at a crossroads in my life, faced with a choice: spend the remainder of my working days as an itinerant international civil servant, or listen to the inner voice that has been nagging at me to pursue my dream of living and working in Ireland. With a vibrant economy, and my children not only entitled to Irish nationality through me, but still young enough to learn the Irish language, what better time than now?
I’m under no illusion that this will be easy. But I intend to embrace the challenges, to the best of my abilities, as a vital part of the journey. I realize that despite my efforts to gather as much information as possible, I am flying a wee bit blind on this. But isn’t that true of life in general?
So, without further ado, let’s get this journey started. Welcome aboard.
We will discuss your plans for Ireland at dinner on Saturday.
You’ll be very welcome 🙏 and I hope Ireland will be all you’ve dreamt of , best of luck 💚
I am an Irish woman who spent 13 years in Africa and I struggled to re- establish an identity back in Ireland. So if you feel out of step it may well be your 18 years outside the US that is contributing to the disconnection as much as not being Irish born. Be patient and you will find your tribe.
Best of luck