Cork woman living in New Zealand 50 years says farewell to son as he emigrates to Ireland

A Cork woman who emigrated to New Zealand has revealed that it was never her intention to stay long-term, but she is now preparing to wish her son well, as he ironically makes the move to Ireland.

Sheila Creedon first visited New Zealand in December 1980, where she stayed for a year to get to know her boyfriend’s family.

Despite never foreseeing a life abroad, she jokes that her now-husband ‘just got lucky.’

Sheila met her now-husband Maurice on the Innisfallen, a ferry between Cork and Swansea, two weeks after Munster beat the All Blacks 12-0 in 1978.

Sheila met her now-husband Maurice on the Innisfallen, a ferry between Cork and Swansea, two weeks after Munster beat the All Blacks 12-0 in 1978.

Originally from Baile Mhuirne (Ballyvourney) in southwest County Cork, the pair returned to the Rebel County in 1982, folllowing a trip to NZ, and got married in her hometown.

The newlyweds had intended to stay in Ireland but made the move to London, where there was ‘plenty of work’ at the time.

Speaking to Extra.ie, Sheila, who is a Registered Nurse, recalled how she became pregnant in 1983 when the pair were living in a flat with others.

‘[It] didn’t seem like the best option to bring up a child, so in February 1984, seven weeks before our baby was due, we returned to New Zealand, where it was easy to get work, rent accommodation/ buy a house and generally set oneself up,’ Sheila shared.

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The family are based in Tokoroa, where Sheila’s husband was born and raised — making it an easy feat for her to make friends.

‘My husband was a member of the local rugby club, so that also helped, but sadly, no Irish community — maybe one or two older Irish people in the town, but that’s about it,’ Sheila shared.

‘In recent years, I have had a few younger Irish friends here, which is a real help, nothing like your fellow countrymen and women to share the craic with and support Irish rugby while all around you are shouting on the All Blacks.’

Living so far away, Sheila says the things she misses the most are her family and friends from home, and admits that not having them close by to share the highs and lows of life is ‘the hardest.’

She said: ‘Having spent 45 years here, I’m somewhat a displaced person, I don’t fully belong here in NZ, nor in Ireland when I go home.’

The mother and grandmother added that she also missed Irish pubs and the sing-alongs that often break out in them; Irish cuisine — including Barry’s tea and Clonakilty sausages — and ‘the craic that goes with the GAA and the hype around big games.’

In terms of cost of living, Sheila noted it was hard to compare as wages had to be taken into consideration, but surmised that food was slightly cheaper in Ireland while eating out was a ‘bit more expensive.’

She explained: ‘Generally, wages are not considered to be high in New Zealand, housing is expensive at present — an average home in Auckland is approximately ten times the average salary — over 40% of household income goes on housing, which I understand is much higher than in Ireland.’

Sheila added that the housing crisis and high rents in New Zealand were similar to those in Ireland, branding it ‘unbelievable’ how the headlines in New Zealand local papers and The Irish Examiner were often so similar.

One interesting aspect of life in New Zealand was superannuation, which Sheila explained was an old-age pension for those who turn 65.

‘This is not means-tested and non-contributory,’ she shared, adding that there was no children’s allowance in NZ, on the other hand.

In a twist of bittersweet fate, Sheila revealed her only son was making the move to Ireland along with his family, as he wanted to ‘experience Irish culture.’

‘It’s bittersweet,’ she admitted, noting that her son, a mechanical engineer, had a good job and beautiful home but ‘got the call’ to Ireland.

* This article was originally published on Extra.ie.