'My mum asks me to come home all the time': Why we joined the exodus from Ireland

Almost 70% of young Irish people are considering moving abroad. Arlene Harris talks to some who already made the leap to find out why they did it

Gráinne Duffy in Australia: 'Of course, there is a trade off with being away from home and I really miss my family and friends dearly — but I haven’t considered moving home, even though my mum asks me all the time.'

Many people were shocked when a recent survey revealed almost seven in 10 young adults are considering moving abroad for a better quality of life.

That hankering for greener pastures among the 18- to 24-year-old cohort came out in a survey last month by the National Youth Council of Ireland.

Those are pretty stark figures, but as the parent of three young people who are all living abroad, I know only too well what it feels like when your adult children decide the best option for work, study, and/or lifestyle is to leave home and start afresh in a different country.

My children weren’t alone either — an estimated 62,500 people emigrated from Ireland in the 12 months up to April this year,

On the one hand, it offers me great opportunity for travel — all of my sons live in Europe so it’s only a short flight away. But at the same time, the fact getting together takes planning, can be expensive, and does not take place as often as we would all like, is tough.

Evelyn Rochford: 'When I get really homesick I imagine that I am standing in a lush green field, breathing in the air, wrapped up in a thick woolly fleece, hat and scarf.'

Time will tell whether they will decide to move back to Ireland at some stage, but for some people, the decision to up sticks and forge a life elsewhere is a permanent one, as they don’t see a future for themselves in this country.

‘I was wasting time’

Eoin O’Brien is one such person. Having finished university in 2022 with a degree in psychology, he hoped to get a job in the public health system before “maybe one day moving to private practice”.

But despite his best efforts, Eoin was unable to find any openings in Ireland and has instead moved to the UK where he is ‘in the system’ and has prospects for the future.

“I got a very good degree and when I finished college, applied to work as an assistant psychologist with the HSE, as that is the route you need to take in order to work in the field,” says the Dublin man. 

“But although I got accepted onto the ‘panel’, I was told that it could take up to two years for a suitable opening as there were around 100 others who were also accepted, and 60 from the previous year who were still looking for a job.

“Initially, I didn’t think it would be that long, but after months of hanging around, I realised that I was wasting time, so, last year, decided to go to the UK as I have friends living there.”

Eoin got a job as a support worker, and although it is hard work, he explains: “I am gaining experience and will hopefully move up when an assistant psychology role opens.

“It’s crazy that because there are no jobs available for someone with my qualifications in Ireland, I’ve had to move away. And I’m not the only one, I’d say most of the friends I went to school or college with are now either in the UK, Australia, New Zealand, or America.

“There are definitely more opportunities abroad,” adds Eoin. “And if you are somewhere where the job prospects are good, why would you return to Ireland?

“Once I get my full experience under my belt, I might even move further afield, as there isn’t much point in returning, unless things change for the better.”

’The best thing I ever did’

Gráinne Duffy left Ireland nine years ago for Australia. The Dubliner, who lives with her Australian-born partner in Perth, says the decision to move was motivated by his desire to return to his homeland, but she doesn’t regret a thing.

“The time was right and I felt the need for adventure, so that prompted my decision to move,” she says. “I didn’t think I would end up settling here, but life is full of surprises and you never know what is around the corner. 

"It has opened up a whole new world for me. The weather is fantastic, the sunsets are epic, the sky is full of stars, and there is so much space. There is also such a good community, with people meeting up for dips in the ocean, coffees, walks, or just getting together — which I absolutely love. 

"And there are a lot of Irish people here, both settled and those just coming in the door — we are a big Irish family here, which is really beautiful.”

Gráinne says: “When I was at home, I had a good career as a make-up artist before moving into cosmetic tattooing, and I continue to do that here, along with some age care support work. And I also started painting — I was inspired by all of the colours here and so began to paint and now I sell my work at a market and also in cafes. Sometimes, being away from home gives you the chance to expand and find your self-expression in the right environment.

“Of course, there is a trade-off with being away from home, and I really miss my family and friends dearly — but I haven’t considered moving home, even though my mum asks me all the time.

“I feel really settled in Perth, and while it took a good year or so to find my tribe, I can’t see myself living in Ireland again.

“But who knows what the future might bring — never say never.

“If anyone else is considering moving abroad, I would say just go for it — it’s the best thing I ever did.”

’I’ve met so many people’

Evelyn Rochford has also been living away from home for the past few years. Having graduated in 2024, she said “the job market was impossible” and she would spend “days applying for jobs, writing cover letters, doing interviews, writing sample answers, and filling out the same questionnaires in different formats” — so leaving Ireland seemed like the only answer.

Evelyn Rochford in Vietnam: 'Ireland will always be my home and I always feel proud to be an Irish person. However, no matter when I decide to come home, Vietnam now holds a part of me too'

“I was working full time at a local coffee shop, and was miserable because I felt very lost,” she says. “I’ve always had a love for adventure and, in 2020, I spent two months in Germany living with a 75-year-old lady, who spoke no English, while caring for her horses. I was only 18 and had just finished the Leaving Certificate — but this random experience was just the beginning for me.

“I later completed the Erasmus programme in Switzerland, then finally took my first trip outside Europe in 2024, when I spent the summer in Uganda as a counselling volunteer.

For me, this was the beginning of my life abroad. And after coming home from such a life-changing experience, I just couldn’t stay. For me there was no choice. I had my degree; now it was time to see the world.

Evelyn, from Mayo, is now living in Ho Chi Minh city in Vietnam, working as a teacher, having received a English language teaching qualification from TEFL, and is a part-time post-graduate student. 

She says although it took time to settle in due to the initial culture shock and changes in weather, social norms, behaviours, and even the food, it has been an “exciting new chapter, full of opportunity for growth” and she has no desire to return any time soon.

“Right from the start, I loved that everything was completely different and unknown,” she says. “I got the job [teaching] with the help of some Irish expats I had connected with through TEFL [and decided to stay].

“I’ve heard things at home are much the same, if not worse, with regards to housing, jobs, and cost of living, while I’m fully financially independent in a studio apartment with a pool and a gym, monthly scheduled beauty appointments, and buying coffee out every day.

Call me pretentious, but I shuddered at the thought of returning to counting pennies for a bi-weekly
coffee date with friends.

She says of life in Vietnam: “Here, there is so much to love. The food is delicious, the energy of the city is bustling, the people are very receptive to any efforts you make to speak the language, and they have fully renewed my belief in human spirit.

“Generosity and helpfulness is rarely transactional. Your neighbours, peers, and even strangers will always go out of their way to advise or assist each other, and as long as you are humble and friendly, this grace extends to you.”

Evelyn says there is so much to do in her new home country, and over the past two years she has engaged in dance classes, horse-riding, pickle-ball, pottery, and more. She rides a scooter through the “chaotic traffic” and says there is a great social scene, regardless of “whether you are an introvert or an extrovert”. But she does admit to missing home, and may one day return.

“I’ve met so many people from all over the world and have challenged myself to learn Vietnamese — and with the help of my new friends and a great teacher I am making progress, and it is helping me to enjoy Vietnam to the fullest,” she says. 

“Of course, I get homesick and think of my family, my wonderful grandmothers, and my friends who I often miss. I wish I could teleport them to me so that I could show them everything that I have seen here, or that I could beam home and get a quick, deep breath of crisp, cold Irish air.”

Evelyn adds: “Ireland is a special place that I am proud to call my home — and when I get really homesick I imagine that I am standing in a lush green field, breathing in the air, wrapped up in a thick woolly fleece, hat and scarf. It has been a while since I had to wear such things.

“Other simple things like a tasty bag of Taytos, a freshly poured Guinness, belly-laughing with friends after an icy sea swim and chatting absolute nonsense phrases like ‘sure-look-sure-listen’ definitely cause a pang of homesickness at times. But I am comforted in knowing that when I am ready, these will all still be there. 

"Ireland will always be my home and I always feel proud to be an Irish person. However, no matter when I decide to come home, Vietnam now holds a part of me too.”