I’m not an emigrant who pines for Ireland; I’ve made another home abroad
“You will never be completely at home again, because part of your heart will always be elsewhere. That is the price you pay for the richness of loving and knowing people in more than one place.” – Miriam Adeney
I consider myself lucky.
I am fiercely proud of being Irish, of my Irish passport, of my three children’s Irish passports, of my accent, of my Irish rugby jersey, of my family, of Leitrim and of Ireland.
I am fiercely proud to call Johannesburg and South Africa home; of Lisa my South African wife; of Sean and Kieran my two boys, and of Hannah my little eight-month-old girl (who has utterly stolen my heart), all three of whom were born in South Africa; of my South African business; and of my South African friends and colleagues.
I make absolutely no apologies for supporting Ireland loudly and passionately when they play South Africa (in any sport), and of supporting South Africa whenever they play anyone else.
When I go on holidays back to Leitrim, I tell people in South Africa I am going home. When I am about to return to South Africa, I tell everyone in Leitrim that I am going home.
I believe Ireland and Leitrim, which I call home, are among the most beautiful countries and counties in the world.
