They won’t be coming home for Christmas

WITH immigration levels once again mirroring those of the 1980s, a new generation of Irish people has been forced to seek employment overseas. This Christmas, less than half of them will get to come home and celebrate the festive season.

Thu, 05 Dec, 2013 - 00:00

Kelly O'Brien

Living in Hiroshima, Stuart Parsons from Limerick first discovered Japan when he lived there as a student. “I feel really fortunate that my choice to emigrate was not because I had to but because I wanted to. I work as an assistant language teacher in elementary and junior high schools. It’s really enjoyable. The students are great and no one day is the same.

“Homesickness really kicks in around Christmas but I’m trying to deal with it as best I can. Skype has been great for keeping in touch with people, but you’d miss the little things like Mom’s Sunday roast. The food in Japan is great of course, but sometimes all you want is a bag of Tayto!

“It was very difficult to decide not to come home for Christmas but I thought I had better make the most of being here and do some travelling around Asia while I could. ”

Limerick woman Claire O’Mahony has been living and working in Australia for almost two years. This will be her second Christmas away from home. After checking for flights, O’Mahony said coming home this yuletide just isn’t an option. Despite this, O’Mahony remains positive, and has plans to visit in the New Year. “My sister is getting married in April, so I’ll be home for that. I did look into flights for Christmas but the prices are ridiculous.”

O’Mahony says homesickness is hard to deal with, but her job and the weather go a long way towards making up for it.

“The majority of the time it’s great here, but sometimes the homesickness just cripples you. All you want to do is get on a plane home to Mam and Dad. I’m really close to my sisters too and it’s hard being away from them. My godson was only a few months old when I left and I feel like I’m missing out on him growing up. But I love Australia, and I love what I do.”

Originally, O’Mahony had planned on living the Australian life for just two years, but may now stay for another three. “I can’t see myself leaving, but at the same time I can’t see myself settling here. Australia is where I’ve built my life but Ireland will always be my real home.

“Even if I don’t stay in Australia, I won’t be moving back to Ireland until the country has pulled itself together and I won’t be faced with unemployment. I would rather stay away for 10 years than go home to that.”

More than 7,500 miles from O’Mahony is Kilkenny man Killian Holden. He’s been living and working in Alaska for the last four years. He wishes he could come home for Christmas, but won’t be able to because of work.

Holden works for Hope Community Resources, an organisation providing support to families and individuals who experience disabilities. “When I accepted the position, the Celtic Tiger economy was still good back home, so I was told how foolish it would be to leave. Within months the economy crashed and I was thankful I made the move.

“I love it here. I live in Anchorage, the biggest city in Alaska. Once the snow disappears, there’s so much to do. Fishing, hunting, hiking, ice-climbing, camping. There are moose roaming around the city also, and occasionally you’ll come across a black or brown bear digging through the trash.”

Holden says he misses his family, but doesn’t get as homesick as before. “Events like Christmas, birthdays and the All-Ireland do make you feel homesick, but there is a big Irish presence in Alaska at the moment. There are two Irish pubs and a store named Celtic Treasures that imports Irish chocolate and Lucozade.”

But Meghann will be heading back into the west

Meghann interviewing Rudimental for MTV

MEGHANN SCULLY is in London working for MTV News. After a year in her dream job, Meghann is planning her Christmas trip home. “My biggest fear when I began working for MTV was getting home for Christmas. Luckily I work in an amazing company and they were happy to let me go home. I get back a few days before Christmas and hope to stay for New Year’s.

“I’m probably the biggest home bird I know. My family are my life. My mother and I are inseparable and have a very strong bond. After losing my brother Marcus in 2005, and my Dad Maxie in 2006, we rely on each other a lot.”

“My home is a farm in Galway but in London I live in a house-share. Being Irish in London isn’t rare but I am the only girl from Galway in my office and I speak at a hundred miles an hour. It took my colleagues some time to grasp!

“Since starting the job I have interviewed some of the best in the industry. I have been trained on camera and have shot interviews, red carpet events, launches, gigs and more. Each day brings something new. I’ve just returned from the MTV EMAs in Amsterdam. It was incredible to be involved in such a massive event.

“This time last year I was unemployed, but I never let my burning ambition diminish. I was determined to get my dream job and that meant moving to London. It was the best thing I ever did.”