An Irish Story

A little personal note about why I decided to naturalize and make Ireland my home

Today, I become an Irish citizen. At approximately 3pm, I along with hundreds of other people seeking better lives and opportunities, will pledge an oath of fidelity to the Republic of Ireland.

I am so excited that the gracious, warm, and welcoming people of Ireland have granted me the honor of naturalization. It fills me with hope about what is possible, and how most humans, despite the odds, are good, actually.

Husbot and I originally came here in 2015 on what we lovingly refer to as a ‘study abroad program’ through his work. We lived in Dublin for six months, made friends and enjoyed ourselves, travelling, exploring the country, and discovering how the stereotype of Irish people present in the US is completely divorced from reality.

Me visiting Newgrange (which is older than Stonehenge and really neat!) with hubs and his mum in 2015. I’m wearing a stained glass patterned shirt, and looking much, much younger than I am now.

In 2015, I bore witness as the citizens of Ireland overwhelmingly voted by referenda to change the Constitution and recognize same-sex marriage — the first country in the world to do so by popular vote. This from a country that is, and still remains overwhelmingly (culturally) Catholic.

New Life, New Possibilities, New Cats

It's a weird thing to pick up one’s life and move halfway around the world to a new place. A lot can go wrong. Finding a job, and a home, and a new group of friends can be stressful. You might need to learn a new language. Even fitting into a place takes effort, and even sometimes, with the best of intentions, it doesn't always pan out.

But Ireland seems to get me. And most people seem to either tolerate, or actually embrace my weird sensibilities.

There's something humbling about that. And something deeply gratifying. Over the 7 years I've been here, I've watched Dublin specifically, and Ireland more generally change. Ireland's welcome has extended to people from all over the world, and it's become a melting pot of so many cultures & ideas.

I love that the cultural diversity that has taken hold in this country has made it richer, more vibrant, and more alive, while still keeping itself Irish.

It's exciting to be here. I love it when people visit and really see the Ireland I've fallen in love with. I’m grateful for the opportunities I've had, and the trust and hospitality that so many Irish people have provided to me and others. The friends I've made. The places I've visited. The eight cats we've adopted (all but Leroy are Irish-born kitties!).

David is in bed with seven of our nine cats. In clockwise order from David: Joi, Beaker, Rosie, Max, Leroy, Octopus (in blue), Bunsen. Not pictured: Kerry & Daisy

I love that I feel safe here.

I love that culturally, most Irish people I meet embrace sarcasm, and not taking themselves (or each other) too seriously. I love that taking the piss is a cultural pass-time, and that no matter where I go, good craic is almost inevitable.

I love that the rest of Europe is a short plane flight away, which gives me an even greater opportunity to learn about the world. I love that most Irish people I've met hold passports and actually use them.

I love that you can go down to a proper Irish pub and still hear trad music basically any day of the week in most biggish cities. That Guinness remains an institution.

I love that the hills are literally as green and beautiful as all the shitty romcom movies featuring Ireland make them out to be.

A picture of Phoenix Park (one of the largest in Europe), with a stunning rainbow against a beautiful blue sky. I’m on a bike to the right side.

So Much Growth, So Much Promise

Now, Ireland isn't perfect -- the weather is generally shite, it rains almost daily, and the summers are depressingly mild. There are still some right-wing assholes here, and some people are insufferable bigots. In 2023, Dublin experienced a pretty nasty riot, largely motivated by racial hate and opportunism.

Parts of the government drive me batty, and there are loads of chancers that ply their trade on the unsuspecting public. In some aspects, things move painfully slowly and the country lags 5-10 years behind other parts of the world. Dublin still doesn’t have a developed public transportation system or subway, and Irish trains absolutely blow. The healthcare system is a bit of a disaster (though it is largely subsidized by the government, which is good).

Still, I love that Ireland has imported some of the best parts of America, and largely kept the shit and toxicity at bay. As so many Irish people have lived in the US, or have family there, most of the 'good' American things have come over, but Irish people generally take a dim view to the bullshit peddlers, race-baiters, and demagoguery that has steadily infected the US. Unlike America, nationalism is more about pride of place, rather than some sort of perverse sense of racial superiority or purity.

Even with its warts, I will take Ireland over the constant fear of being shot, having no rights to bodily autonomy, or watching rights enshrined in the US Constitution be steadily eroded by a Supreme Court that would rather crown a king instead of ensuring a functioning democracy.

BTW, did you know that in 2018, Ireland repealed the 8th Amendment of its Constitution, which banned abortion? The right to choose could be a bit more fleshed out, but the importance of that vote is immense. Ireland has spent the last 20 years reckoning with some nasty parts of its past, but the important thing is they are reckoning with them, instead of pushing them under the rug.

I like knowing that I don't have to worry about the system collapsing, or the people heading towards a civil war (they had one recently enough, and still culturally remember how devastating it was. They aren’t yearning to go back).

Above all, I love that Ireland remembers its past, but doesn’t yearn to return to it. It’s a country constantly in motion, constantly evolving, and striving to be better.

I like knowing that the taxes I pay go to actually providing services for people, instead of just propping up the military industrial complex or giving tax breaks to billionaires. Sure, they could tax tech companies more, and improve social supports for housing, healthcare, and humanitarian aid, but Ireland is still way ahead of other places.

I like that Ireland has very few billionaires, and that most Irish look down on people with 'notions' — people who think too much of themselves or their lofty pursuits. There are few Elons here.

It's comforting to live somewhere that is stable, and sane, and friendly; a place that welcomes people and fresh ideas. I'm so excited that in a few short hours, I'll be able to tell people that I'm a citizen of Ireland. Now, just to get myself a proper jumper, and learn some Irish. And jump on getting that passport.

A collage of some of the beauty of Ireland.

Go raibh maith agat, Ireland. Thank you for welcoming me.