I live in Singapore, work for a French company, am married to a French woman, my children speak to me mostly in French and most of our friends are French. But I am Irish.
Before moving to Singapore in 2013, I had lived in France for 18 years, which explains the presence of French but makes answering questions like "where are you from" slightly longer than normal. When I say Ireland, people are sometimes confused or surprised as they mostly associate me with the French community.
When we lived in France, there were fewer variables, so it was easier. The change to Asia (and reading Generation Emigration) has made me think of the meaning of that simple question “where are you from?”.
I am Irish; my family is in Ireland, I grew up in Mullingar, was educated and trained there and in Dublin. I prefer when Ireland beats France in the Six Nations, especially in Paris. I read The Irish Times online and always "return" to Ireland rather than just "going" there.
Being Irish inevitably colours my view of the world, and I consider that a bonus when I’m abroad. Having moved to Singapore, I find that my time in France, and marriage to a French woman add another, different perspective. Surely, when I return to Europe, Asia will have given me a third.
I don’t know many Irish people here in Singapore, probably because I would actually have to go out of my way to meet them. So it does make you wonder if “I’m Irish” is enough. At the end of the day, it’s not. I am Irish but I am mostly just me, and being Irish is just part of being me. If you are just Irish, you don’t adapt to new surroundings, or enjoy a new view of the world.
In France or Singapore, I never thought of emigration as a negative thing: the world is our oyster, full of opportunities that we should not refuse. We are lucky to live in an age where travel and communication mean that “leaving” only means that I will be back, soon. When you’re away, you just have to be yourself, and keep in touch with home.
