How I fell in love with Ireland and finally moved there
Despite no family ties Ireland soon became my home
Published Friday, February 15, 2013, 7:23 AM
Updated Friday, February 15, 2013, 9:15 AM
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The extraordinary liberation of building a life for myself in beloved Ireland
Photo by Dave Walsh
Living here is terribly frustrating at times, and extraordinarily liberating at others. It is a constant challenge, and it teaches me more and more about myself with every passing day. For me, this year is very much about Annie+Kev, but it’s equally about exploration and growth. It’s a “year out” of sorts, but I am going to make sure it is productive in as many ways as possible.
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Radish_Salad | Feb 20, 2013, 10:22 AM EST
This is a refreshingly honest and thoughtfully crafted piece, thank you Annie.
Fear not the negative few; you will find plenty of people willing to slate anything in this world. If you were to listen to all of them, you would never get anywhere.
Looking forward to the next instalment!
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seamus60 | Feb 17, 2013, 04:11 PM EST
Best of luck for the future, where ever and with whom that may be. You have spoken kindly of Ireland yet some appear at ease to criticise. I am also sorry to hear anyone deem Ireland as non friendly to anyone, be they wealthy high fliers or on a sorrowfull budget back packers.
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puffin | Feb 16, 2013, 04:54 PM EST
Frosty congratulations, that means you are 25% Irish, now can we have some $ pleeease
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puffin | Feb 16, 2013, 04:54 PM EST
Frosty congratulations, that means you are 25% Irish, now can we have some $ pleeease
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Smyrnian | Feb 15, 2013, 09:59 PM EST
Stevenstar - you are going to have stroke if you keep this up. If either of her parents or grandparents were Irish born she has citizenship rights. Get a grip.
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anglo-norman | Feb 15, 2013, 07:05 PM EST
Wait til she becomes aware of the real Irish charm & intelligence
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anglo-norman | Feb 15, 2013, 07:01 PM EST
I'll give her 2 years tops
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bunkerisland | Feb 15, 2013, 06:21 PM EST
Annie,
You have received encouragement and criticisms from the readers, as enjoyable as the story is. Why not fill in a bit more to quiet the negativity and doubters?
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Searlit | Feb 15, 2013, 06:00 PM EST
Maybe she applied for citizenship?
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STEVENSTAR | Feb 15, 2013, 04:59 PM EST
I CANT FIGURE OUT WHEN SHE STOPPED BEEN A STUDENT HOW DID SHE MANAGE TO COME AND LIVE HERE, UNDER IRISH AND EU LAWS ITS VIRTUALLY IMPOSSIBLE FOR AN AMERICAN TO COME AND LIVE IN IRELAND OUTSIDE THEIR 90DAY HOLIDAY VISA AND THAT GOES FOR AMERICANS WHO CLAIM THEY HAVE IRISH ANCESTARY ALSO....UNLESS SHE MARRIED AN IRISHMAN?? OTHER THEN THAT ITS IMPOSSIBLE FOR AN AMERICAN TO COME LIVE IN IRELAND.. NOW I MET NOT MANY OF YOU KNEW THAT NOW DID YE !!
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Mairin67 | Feb 15, 2013, 04:36 PM EST
I would drop the "Kev" maybe...way too American.
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irishpjk | Feb 15, 2013, 04:15 PM EST
wtf. I am not too sure about the facts in the story, at 23 you are bragging about being responsible for yourself, yet you do not have job since you said you looking. I left Ireland for the US at 16 was working full time by seventeen and responsible for myself. I married at 22 and had our first son by 23. I think you are in for a big wakeup call soon.
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Silling | Feb 15, 2013, 02:22 PM EST
It is a total lie this story.
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IrelandNorth | Feb 15, 2013, 02:21 PM EST
Positive story, with regrettable negative reactions thereto. Ireland and the Irish are no better and no worse than any other country or people on the planet. My own expreince of Americans are invariably positive, and the more who come over here to study/work or retire the better, with or without resources. They're a lot less foreign than many who are being granted visas like snuff at a wake.
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