Welcome to the August edition of our Abroad newsletter. This morning, the CSO published statistics showing more than 69,000 people emigrated from Ireland in the 12 months to April 2024, an increase of 5,000 when compared with the same period in 2023 and the highest emigration figure since 2015. Of those, 34,700 were Irish citizens, 10,600 were EU citizens, 3,000 were UK citizens, and 21,500 were citizens of other countries including Ukraine. Meanwhile, about 149,200 people immigrated to Ireland in the same period, the highest figure in 17 years.
Earlier this month, Vanessa Schaefer wrote about the stages you go through when moving life abroad. From the confusion of checking Google Maps every five minutes to the pang of homesickness, she describes how she and her boyfriend settled into their new life in Vancouver. Once she settled into the routine of work, reality started to hit with savings dwindling “our Irishness became not only incredibly prevalent, but a lifeline”. They had moments when they looked back on life in Ireland with rose-tinted glasses, however, over time they began the “transformation into ‘Vancouverities’”, taking part in half-marathon training or camping in November.
In light of the American college football classic in the Aviva Stadium this month, Evan Cannon talks about the benefits of having access to world class coaching through scholarships in sports education in the United States. “This pride extends beyond sports – alumni networks are robust and supportive, with members often helping each other professionally.” Cannon says US golf is a prime example as all four major championships were won by the country this year. “All of the major winners during this period honed their skills in collegiate golf programmes.”
Birdwatcher Colm Rush writes about his time in Spain as a volunteer with Elbro Delta Nature Reserve, a group who – among other things – look after the flamingos in the region. Rush takes us through the job of looking after the flamingos from travelling with a group to ensuring “silence is paramount”. There are many different people in the group apart from volunteers; park rangers, organisers, photographers and biologists all form part of the convoy. “Young flamingos are grey, yet to take on the distinctive pink colour that comes from their staple diet of crustaceans,” says Rush.
Kerry O’Shea compares life in Ireland with Singapore; both former colonies and regional business centres, however, Singapore “squeezes a population larger than Ireland into an area smaller than Co Dublin”. Despite that, housing is affordable. This image of Singapore is in sharp contrast to Ireland. Policies enshrined in government law in Singapore ensure a neighbourhood mix of communities, Mr O’Shea says. However, laws are strict and people can face the death penalty for serious drug offences.
This month we got an insight into July’s UK election through Irish man Peter Benson’s eyes. He describes July 5th as the “independence day from the Tories” as the public spoke and the prime minister in number 10 Downing Street was replaced. He compared this election to the memories of England during Brexit. “We have grown-ups in Downing Street now,” he says, who appear to understand the State, Northern Ireland and the difference decisions will make to people’s lives.
Seamus Keane from Louisburgh, Co Mayo, went to New York to achieve his American dream. After retraining as a salesman and becoming disillusioned with Wall Street he returned to Ireland and became certified in personal training. This is when his real passion began to unfold, he returned to New York and created a gym business. “We started the business in a snowstorm on a cold February night. We had no premises and there were seven people with us outside, surrounded by eight inches of snow,” he said. Cold beginnings for what would become a fruitful business. Now, Keane runs Clann Health with his business partner John Collins.
Brian Horgan visited the US as an 18-year-old student and knew that he was meant to return there. When he went back to Ireland, Horgan had a bee in his bonnet about how make a life for himself in the US. After graduating from University College Cork he went on to take a place in South Carolina. “What blows your mind about United States is that you have countries within countries,” he said. Now living in Rhode Island he has the balance of beaches and little enough city traffic. However, there are parts of Ireland he misses; “I miss the people, the humour and the warmth and little things like the courtesy you experience on the roads in Ireland.”
Thanks for reading.
