Returning Irish wanted for University Study

IRISH EMIGRANTS who returned to the west coast during the Celtic Tiger years are being sought for a study by the University of Aberdeen in Scotland.

The motivation to return, migrants’ experiences of returning and the challenges involved in resettling are among the key issues identified by the research team, led by Christina Noble of the University of Aberdeen’s geography department.

The aim of the research is to develop a “clearer understanding of the social and cultural impact of migration on Ireland and its people over the last 20 years”, Ms Noble said yesterday.

Ms Noble, whose mother is from northwest Kerry, has experience of the issue as her own family emigrated to and returned from North America and England.

“The Celtic Tiger economic boom of the 1990s transformed Ireland from one of Europe’s poorer countries into one of its wealthiest,” she said yesterday, noting this coincided with a “surge in Irish emigrants returning home”.

However, there was little documentation of this, particularly of the experiences of those who moved back to rural communities on the west coast, she noted.

“Interestingly many people did not return to the industrial centres of Dublin and Limerick but chose to establish themselves in more rural areas,” she said.

“This would suggest they were often returning to their birthplace or where their family were located, and were prioritising this in their decision to return over any economic factors,” she noted.

“Their motivation to resettle will be just one of the factors I will explore in the study,” she explained. Her research will also explore whether “the Ireland they recalled from memory” had changed in reality, along with people’s experiences of fitting back into the local community.

Those interested in volunteering for the study should contact Ms Noble by e-mail (christina.noble@abdn.ac.uk)

Shauna is hoping to Move to Ireland

Another blog from a lady in America who is hoping to move to Ireland soon -  Blog Here
http://sensiswife.blogspot.com/

Ferry Sailings between Ireland and the UK

With the problems with getting flights because of the volcanic ash from Iceland - many travellers are turning to the ferry companies to get to their destination.


Stena Line ferries sail between Holyhead and Dun Laoghaire with Stena Line
Dun Laoghaire is just outside Dublin - about 8 miles South of the city.
Holyhead is in North West Wales on the Isle of Anglesey.
Stena also sail from Holyhead to Dublin port
Stena also run a Ferry route From Fishguard to Rosslare
Fishguard is located in South Wales.
Rosslare is in County Wexford in the South East of Ireland

Stena also run ferries between Fleetwood and Larne.
Fleetwood is in Lancashire - and Stena sail from there to Larne in Northern Ireland

Stena also have Ferries between Stranraer to Belfast with Stena Line
This is a 1 and 3/4 hr sailing time
Stranraer ferry port is on the southern edge of Loch Ryan in the south west of Scotland.
Book Stena Line Tickets Here


Irish Ferries
Sailings from Pembroke in South Wales to Rosslare in County Wexford.
Pembroke is situated close to the M4 making it the ideal port if you are travelling from London, or the South of England

Irish Ferries also sail from Holyhead to Dublin - you can choose the Swift or the slower cruise ferry.


You can get a Ferry between Liverpool and Dublin with P &O Irish Sea Ferries
Crossing time 8 hours. Book Here

P&O also run a Ferry service between Troon and Larne The Port of Troon is Located just north of Ayr on the West coast of Scotland .
You can Book Here at Ferry Cheap

The Swansea to Cork Ferry recently started up again - http://www.fastnetline.com/

NCT Booking Delays

Now that people are worried about penalty points fo not having an NCT - there are long waits for tests. The fact that most cars are first registered in the early part of the year has also increased waiting times.

If people are stopped by gardaí for not having a valid NCT - they need to provide proff of having booked an NCT test - but he NCT can't provide that until they give you a definite date.
You end up on a "priority list" - but they won’t issue a letter saying you’ve made an attempt to get an NCT. You’re ringing, ringing, ringing to see if you can get an appointment – it’s like a lottery, basically. You may get an appointment at a test centre which is miles away from where you live - but you don't have to accept that.

Applus+ - the company who operate the NCT have said that gardaí can ring Applus (NCT) to confirm that motorists in this position are on a priority waiting list for a test.
You can't book a test more than 6 weeks in advance. Which seems stupid.
There is a clause in the customer charter of NCT - that offers a free test if you have to wait more than 4 weeks for an appointment. I am sure there will be many people claiming the free test over the coming months. (€50 )

French Fried in Ireland

Another blog that I stumbled on this week - by an American , learning French in Ireland. The blog summary says she has moved to France - but the more recent posts are about living in Ireland. Problems getting the internet. high ESB bills, cold weather - all the usual problems of living in Ireland.

Read more at French Fried

Only Nigerians coming to Ireland have to provide fingerprints

From March 2010 The Irish Government has started collecting biometric data from certain visa applicants. From March 2010 all visa applicants aged 6 years and over residing in Nigeria must provide fingerprints.

This seems a bit discriminatory I think? Why just Nigerians??

Minnesota Man Moved to Ireland

Another blog - about moving to Ireland. This time it's a man called John O'Sullivan who has moved here from Minnesota. He is currently in Galway but is looking for a job in digital, marketing and media. With Google , Ebay, Facebook etc - all based in Dublin - he thinks he will end up there. He is using his blog and Twitter to help him find work. The blog gives a great insider's view on the ups and downs of moving to Ireland. See it Here

Kellie From Toronto Moved to the West of Ireland

A Canadian girl called Kellie is having some good times and bad times in the West of Ireland. After living in Galway for a while she tried her hand at working as an AU Pair in Co Mayo - but thay job ended afer 1 week. Read more about the Canadian in Ireland here

I thought I had mentioned this blog before - but can't seem to find that post right now.

From New York to Dublin

This blog I just discovered has been going since July 2009 - It's a lovely well written blog by Lauri - the tag line is "An Irish American Family moves from New York to Dublin, and creates Highlights in the place of their Roots."

Read more about their big move to Ireland here

Another American Moving to Ireland

We may be in the middle of a downturn in the economy here in Ireland - but still people want to move here. Take a look at this blog by a woman called Clare from Los Angeles who is moving to Drogheda. She is a writer/journalist - and is moving to Ireland in early 2010 if her plans work out.
Read more on her blog http://anamericaninireland.com/

She says ....

I’m going to Ireland because I want to put myself in a new environment, somewhere fascinating and unfamiliar, a place that I’ll grow into. Mind you, I’m doing it legally (I have an incredible paper trail to prove it) but without the reassurance of a sponsorship or husband or anything of the sort. While I do have a wonderful group of Irish friends who I will be depending on quite heavily for the first few weeks, I am determined to carve out a new life for myself there, on my own.

Best of Luck to Clare with her plans.