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Column Here’s what you REALLY need to know before emigrating…

Pack a hood, forget the hairdryer and bring more money than you think – recent emigrant Claire O’Keeffe on what anyone following in her footsteps should know.

BEFORE I LEFT Ireland to work in Toronto, Canada last November, many wise words of advice were given to me from all the treasured people in my life.

“Don’t marry any foreigners Claire” and “Just grab the experience and then come home” and “Don’t eat yellow snow” and “Take every opportunity and run with it”.

All these kind words and many more, were comforting and great for calming those erratic nerves before embarking on a new and unfamiliar phase of life – but I wish someone told me to bring a coat with a hood.

There are so many fresh and interesting adventures to discover as an emigrant, and there are so many ways to prepare for them before leaving the homeland, so, with a little help from some Irish people working abroad, brace yourself for some necessary and practical advice.

When you arrive, you will be exhausted.

You will be absorbing an entire new way of life in warp-speed time-frame and it is nearly essential to accustom yourself with your country of destination as much as possible before you leave Ireland.

With technology, this is easily done. Use online converters to understand the specific currency and orientate yourself with programs like Google Maps and Street view. It’s also useful to keep in mind that many properties for rent in the US and Canada come unfurnished, so know where to find good furniture and deals.

Natasha Looney (27), “a proud Kerry gal, from Listowel” and now living in Toronto, Canada suggests, “Do your research, and make Google Maps and Craigslist your friend.”

‘Bring more money than you think you’ll need’

Do you know anyone who is already living in the place you intend to settle? Talk to them about the area, the lifestyle and their interpretation of that country’s people. If you don’t know someone, have a look at country-specific internet discussion forums on Facebook, boards.ie or IrishAlien.com and post any questions you may have there.

Research the best-suited accommodation and location for you. Most importantly, research and book the hostel that you’ll be staying in for the first few days or weeks, and make sure it that allows for a low budget, exploration of the area and friend-making.

Julian Fogarty (26) from Swords, Dublin and living in Sylvan, Alberta in Canada says, “Research what job opportunities are available in your field and where. Don’t head out to the oil sands in Alberta if you’re an accountant and the same if you want to be a roughneck on the rigs.  Don’t just blindly head to a city and say ‘I’ll take it from there’.”

You will experience the effects of living in a different environment.

The water in your country of destination may be very hard or very soft and harsh on Celtic hair.

To avoid a brittle frizz-mop bring a hair masque and moisturising hair products with you – because cosmetics are an expense you can do without after the move.

The air could be quite dry too and your skin will either become oily or flaky, so make sure to take a good moisturiser with you.

Also, pack your good clothes and sturdy underpants. At the beginning, it’s important to look the part while trying to find the right job and investing in new clothes is not ideal for a rarely-credited bank account.

Or as emigrant, Lorna Bertles (27) from Cobh Co Cork, advises, “Bring more money than you think you need [to] bring.”

The electrical current is weaker in many countries than it is at home so bringing Irish-bought items like a laptop, hair-dryer or hair-straightening iron will test your patience.

They will have to be constantly plugged in and not as powerful as they would be in Ireland.

Either buy your electrical items in your chosen country, or invest in a current converter.

Upon your arrival, watch the locals and see what they do. Copy them and you can’t go wrong – and when in doubt, follow the crowd.

‘You won’t be as exotic as you think’

You won’t be as exotic as you think. As you have been reading in much of the media, Irish people are emigrating a mile a minute to Australia, Canada, America and England. You will hear an Irish accent on every block and in every industry so order to find the appropriate employment in your field, you must distinguish yourself from the rest.

Emigrant Terri Rattigan (32) from Ballivor, Co Meath recommends, “Network network network . It’s not what you know it’s who you know.”

The charm and the accent will only get you so far so be willing to step out of your comfort zone and socialise with people you would like to work with, who are within the industry you would like to work.

If you are travelling to a country that has distinct seasons, it helps to arrive at a season when it’s possible to comfortably go outside.

But if you do arrive during extreme conditions, do purchase the relevant survival-items – a coat,  neck-warmers, ski-masks, long-johns, snow boots or sun cream, mosquito nets and repellant and breathable clothing – in that country because the people who have long-endured those conditions know how to best tolerate them.

Cathy Murphy is the director of the newly launched Irish Canadian Immigration Centre in Toronto.

“Have a plan,” she advises.

“Know your long-term plan and have an emigration strategy that goes beyond where you live and where you work.”

Meanwhile Ger Gilmore (28) offers advice that someone offered him before he left his native Dromcollogher, Co Limerick over two years ago. He says, “Keep an open mind and try everything once.”

Claire O’Keeffe is working in Toronto, Canada. She writes a blog at Cocklenuggets.

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57 Comments
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    Mute Lizzie Day
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    May 7th 2012, 9:26 AM

    “I wish somebody had told me to bring a coat with a hood”

    Dear me, this article does little to inspire me. Unless the emigrant in question is socially inept and a complete idiot, I cannot really see how anything written here is of use.

    “When in doubt, follow the crowd” Let’s be honest, that’s just shocking advice. How about:

    Bring you birth certificate
    Certified copies of your Passport
    Certified copies of your qualifications and transcripts.
    A good lap top with decent battery life that will be of immeasurable use when you look for work or anything, free wifi etc.
    Not leaving without your full drivers license.
    A set of interview quality clothes that can be used at any interview.
    Enough cash to last at least two months on your own.

    In the meantime, if you want a good laugh, read the article above!

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    Mute Orla Brady
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    May 7th 2012, 11:23 AM

    More useful information in this comment than in the entire article.

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    Mute Itchy Brain
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    May 7th 2012, 1:16 PM

    Well done Lizzy, having given me some very useless advice a couple of weeks ago this comment nearly makes up for it!

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    Mute Lizzie Day
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    May 7th 2012, 1:51 PM

    What advice was this Itchy Brain? Please send link.

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    Mute Shanti Om
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    May 7th 2012, 4:04 PM

    Can I just add something else?
    It’s great to bring copies, but worth either having copies stored in a cloud account or with a friend or relative you can trust back home is a good idea too – in case you lose them.. That way there is always a back up.

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    Mute Cliff Grebouwski
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    May 7th 2012, 9:02 AM

    Not trying to be mean, but there is literally no useful information in this article.

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    Mute Compare Travel Ins
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    May 7th 2012, 9:31 AM

    Very generic!

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    Mute Roy Batty
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    May 7th 2012, 10:03 AM

    Especially if you’re a person with oily skin who is going to emigrate to a humid country.

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    Mute Paul Oh
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    May 7th 2012, 11:33 AM

    But my Celtic hair appreciates it!

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    Mute Pádraic O'Callanáin
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    May 7th 2012, 9:05 AM

    Buy moisturizer, AND “sturdy underpants”? “investing in new clothes is not ideal for a rarely-credited bank account”. But…. “buy your electrical items in your chosen country” Yeah, that’s great advice! Save money buy bringing a pair of jocks, but blow the bank by leaving your laptop at home and buying a new one there!

    Sounds like the total idiots guide to emigration! Is this article a complete and utter piss take? Honestly, I live abroad 9 years now and I think most people have enough nous and cop on to know what needs to be done in order to give one the best possible opportunity of success. If there is ONE thing we as Irish people can do RIGHT! It is populating other peoples countries and making a good job of it!

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    Mute Raymond Connolly
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    May 7th 2012, 8:35 AM

    What a load of crap.

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    Mute Gay Pea McManus
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    May 9th 2012, 1:30 PM

    More glorification of forced emigration to keep the government’s jobless figures down. If we had another decent famine I’m sure public spending could be cut even more dramatically.

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    Mute Roy Batty
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    May 7th 2012, 9:36 AM

    Umm… you know the little box that hangs off your laptop’s power cord? That handles the power conversion for you. All you need is an adaptor for your plug. An “Irish” laptop is identical to one bought anywhere else in the world.

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    Mute Nucky Thompson
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    May 7th 2012, 9:46 AM

    The voltages may be different but the current is irrelevant. She must not understand Ohms Law (V=IXR).

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    Mute Charlotte Phelan
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    May 8th 2012, 2:42 AM

    I lived in Australia and my hair straightener was definitely not as hot as at home… So there might be some truth in that! But other than that I agree this article is complete drivel

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    Mute Aurfur
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    May 11th 2012, 8:14 AM

    Loads of laptops power supplies are ‘universal’ and can take voltages from 110 volts to 240 volts. Just buy an adapter for the plug. (check the writing on the adapter and verify)

    A transformer can be used to convert 110v to 240v, a building site transformer suitably modified for example could be used. Current is measured in amps and is not changed or converted, it is the voltage that is needed to be changed. The ‘current’ in other countries (using 110v) is just as powerful as in Ireland it’s just the voltage is halved so twice the current is required. 240 motors have twice the number of windings that their 110 volt counterparts do and take half the current. Hence the windings are also of smaller diameter.

    Current x volts = watts. IV=W.

    What a load of misinformation in the article. Doesn’t appear very well researched.

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    Mute Kerryspirit Chris
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    May 7th 2012, 9:21 AM

    Oh my what kind of article is that? Long johns and moisteriser? Nothing really useful. With this article you have the impression all milk and honey when you arrive. What about reality? Not useful at all and I have experience in emmigrating…

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    Mute Gerard
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    May 7th 2012, 9:37 AM

    Worst article ever..

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    Mute Audrius Neviera
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    May 7th 2012, 9:59 AM

    Is this article about emigration or holidays???..looks like somebody wrote this article sitting in the pub having his/her Sunday dinner and goooood few pints.

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    Mute Michael O'Higgins
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    May 7th 2012, 9:58 AM

    What utter drivel.

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    Mute Tom Callaghan
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    May 7th 2012, 10:26 AM

    Sturdy underpants? How old are you, are you like 12? give up the writing and maybe get your irritable bowl syndrome under control

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    Mute Raymond Connolly
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    May 7th 2012, 10:49 AM

    Ok, do what the natives do, ya good idea…. I was in Dubai ,act like a native??? You serious? Ya want get me locked up or hanged

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    Mute Kevin Quinlan
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    May 7th 2012, 9:33 AM

    Recently moved back from Canada. Being Canadian originally I thought I knew what I was getting into. One word of advice, the cost of living is expensive. I made $150k in two years and was worse off than living here in Ireland working a pub. So we came back. Out of choice.

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    Mute James Hickey
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    May 7th 2012, 9:29 AM

    I’m in oz now looking to do regional work! My advice is don’t expect to get it done in 3 months I left 4 months ago to do it and I’ve only half the days done give yourself as much time as you can

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    Mute Seamus McDermott
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    May 7th 2012, 11:10 AM

    A semi-automatic pistol.
    A realistic, silicone rubber clown mask.
    A quart bottle of bourbon.
    A briefcase full of cash.
    A pair of roller blades or a Harley Davidson.
    Don’t forget to get an “Aces and Eights” tattoo ASAP on arrival.
    Your success will be assured in the new world. Good luck!

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    Mute ponythegringo
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    May 7th 2012, 11:31 AM

    Sorry to say this but this article is crap.
    Next time ask someone who has actually gone abroad to look for work to do the article.
    Advice?

    Do talk to Irish folk already there even if it is down the pub .

    Bring as much money as you can and live as frugally as you can .

    Talk to locals about all the good things about their country, you will be amazed how far a bit of national flattery will get you.

    Don’t go partying before you have secured employment and accommodation and don’t expect foreign bosses to be happy about a worker pitching up for the day’s work with a hangover and stinky breath .

    Don’t worry about being an ambassador for Ireland , be an ambassador for yourself instead.

    And as the above poster said , what is the point if your quality of life is no better .

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    Mute Conor Gallagher
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    May 7th 2012, 11:03 AM

    What one really needs to do before emigrating: learn German (strong stable economy, high standard of living, very low unemployment, good public services, 3 hours from home).

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    Mute Pa McGarry
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    May 7th 2012, 10:32 AM

    Wear warm clothes and network…… Well that really helps!!!!!!!

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    Mute Declan Noonan
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    May 7th 2012, 11:52 AM

    Do all you can to get yourself in a “witness protection program”. The FBI will set you up in a new place, new job, new apartment and a new identity. Downside is you won’t ever be able to go home again and see your mates or write to your mammy. :)

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    Mute Craig Walters
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    May 7th 2012, 12:33 PM

    Poor Claire …

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    Mute Claire O'Keeffe
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    May 8th 2012, 6:44 PM

    For those who would like hard facts, I can only relate to the Toronto experience and they are as follows:

    I moved to Toronto, Canada six months ago and in that time, I’ve moved from a hostel to a house to an apartment. Many people I’ve come across have moved more than four or five times in the space of a year.

    Irish people aren’t settled in any one particular area – they’re spread out across the city from east of the city at the beach to west of the city at High Park to the city-centre. All regions are linked by public transport.

    Rent is high. You will pay from $2200 a month for a one bedroom apartment in the city centre to $1900 for a three bed apartment in High Park, to $1500 for a two bedroom house at the beach. It depends what you’re looking for but a reasonably priced-accommodation is difficult to find. Try and be aware of where you’ll be living and what you want before you arrive.

    Most places will not include bills and hydro in the rent so that can come to around $120 extra per month for two people. The bill depends on how much energy is being used.

    And bear in mind that credit history in Canada is important to landlords as are employer references.

    Having spoken with other Irish, the Canadiana Hostel, located on 42 Widmer Street, downtown Toronto, is the best hostel to settle wit in the interim stay in terms of meeting other people, friendly atmosphere clean rooms. It is also very central.

    Phone providers include Wind, Fido, Rodgers, Virgin, Solo. All have various plans and most have regular promotions, where you may get a free phone, lower rate or free international texts.

    You will have a huge choice of banks but TD Canada Trust bank is the best to go with. They are new-comer-friendly and they will issue credit cards without as many conditions as the rest of the banks.

    Toronto Transit Commission (TTC) is the public transport service in Toronto. It covers bus, subway and streetcar and it’s old, expensive and far from efficient. Invest in a bike because it will save you $40 a week for a TTC travel pass or $3 for every journey you make. If you intend to get a car, know that gas prices are higher than America and at 147 cents a litre, prices are about 8 per cent higher that they were last year.

    Alcohol is expensive. You will pay upwards of $7 for a non-domestic beer and upwards of $5 for a domestic beer plus a $1 tip. Tipping is expected here and 15 per cent is the norm. Last call for serving alcohol is generally 2:00 a.m.

    The LCBO is a government – run alcohol shop and you’ll have to search for one because they’re not easy to find. There will be one LCBO on every fifth or sixth block.

    Bring appropriate (passport) identification everywhere. You will be turned away from most places that serve alcohol regardless of how old you are if you haven’t id with you.

    There are countless restaurants, bars, pubs, cinemas and theaters here and all are as high-priced activities as you’ll find in Dublin, if not higher.

    Despite rumblings of a Canadian recession, countless Jobs are available here, specifically financial-based, administrative, trade-based and construction positions.

    Canadians are quite friendly and will help you if you ask. There is a massive contingent of successful Irish people here, who came in the 70’s with the last emigrant wave. They too will be happy to help whether it concerns finding a job or asking advice – Meet ups with these older generation of Irish are regular and are organized by organizations like the Irish Canadian Immigration Centre (ICIC). There are also meet ups for new comers to meet one another and these are broadcast through Facebook page ‘Irish and New in Toronto’.

    In Toronto, organizations like The Ireland Fund of Canada and the Irish Canadian Immigration Center (ICIC) can also help with dealing with the Embassy and any other immigration related problems you might have.

    Rules are changing all the time regarding the Canadian visa. Currently, under the IEC (International Canadian Experience) visa, you are eligible to stay in Canada for one year if you are under 35. If after the first year you want to stay for another year you can apply again using the same processes as the last time. If your application has been rejected once, you may only apply once more. After a two year stay under IEC, you can apply for permanent residency. Most people use the services of a lawyer to gain permanent residency. The next phase is citizenship.

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    Mute Lizzie Day
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    May 9th 2012, 9:34 AM

    Excellent post Claire! Some really useful tips there! Hope it all works out over there.

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    Mute Gay Pea McManus
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    May 9th 2012, 1:28 PM

    More glorification of forced emigration to keep the government’s jobless figures down. If we had another decent famine I’m sure government public would fall dramatically.

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    Mute Marc Anthony Power
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    May 7th 2012, 12:01 PM

    in other words lessons learned in the school of the bleedin obvious combined with common sense will help your “survive” in these exotic shores….God help them if they ever end up in some of the places I have such as Kazakstan or Indonesia

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    Mute kennbarr
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    May 7th 2012, 3:30 PM

    I was eeeeeighteen years ooold when I went down to Duuublin, with a fistful of money and a cartload of hair masque

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    Mute HI SPRUIKER
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    May 7th 2012, 12:21 PM

    What a load of Sh1te.

    Do you really think that people who have been betrayed and practically exported by their leaders/protectors really want to hear this type of crap?

    Stomach Churning Rubbish!

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    Mute HI SPRUIKER
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    May 7th 2012, 12:24 PM

    Will someone tell the media and our government to stop these West Brit, Famine scare tactics.

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    Mute HI SPRUIKER
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    May 7th 2012, 12:33 PM

    Why don’t you go and write an article on something useful and true…..
    like the fact that
    ”Bankers and politicians are destroying Ireland and why is it that their kids do not have to emigrate”???

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    Mute Cliff Grebouwski
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    May 7th 2012, 5:24 PM

    If it concerns you that much, why don’t you write that article?

    Although looking at your comments, it’s clear that grammar and coherent thought patterns are not a strong point.

    Failing the above, could you please just stay quiet.

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    Mute HI SPRUIKER
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    May 8th 2012, 1:13 AM

    Please ad something to the debate Cliff, besides having a go at my Grammar.

    And no I will not stay quiet, but you can if you like.

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    Mute HI SPRUIKER
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    May 8th 2012, 1:21 AM

    If you want some good grammar Cliff.
    Go and ask one of the fine ”scholars” running the country.
    They are mostly made up of teachers ”having a go at politics”.
    However beware in spite of their good grammar, they could never make it in the real world.

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    Mute Mike Nolan
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    May 7th 2012, 10:08 AM

    any advice is always advice

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    Mute Roxy Blue
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    May 7th 2012, 3:35 PM

    Just like any apple is always an apple?

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    Mute Audrius Neviera
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    May 7th 2012, 4:11 PM

    Better no advice than the shiiiiiit one:)

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    Mute HI SPRUIKER
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    May 7th 2012, 12:49 PM

    It is sad to see heartbroken, native Irish parents saying goodbye to their kids permanently on a daily basis because of corrupt ”leaders/protectors” actions and inactions.

    Scenes that you would typically find in a corrupt 3rd World Country ran by a Criminal Dictatorship.

    Where is the media that told us ”that we were one of the richest countries in the world”?

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    Mute Sean Mc Avinue
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    May 7th 2012, 1:39 PM

    If your going to US make sure you get a health check. Piles removed $6000, 1 kidney stone $4000
    Appendix removed. $29,000, It’s a total rip off

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    Mute Marc Anthony Power
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    May 7th 2012, 1:49 PM

    my American friend of Irish decent left D.C. to come to Dublin as a pre existing medical condition would have killed him in the US after leaving him broke if the DC natives with their propensity for violence had not done so before..Ireland rocks

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    Mute censored
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    May 7th 2012, 4:23 PM

    Or get a decent job in the US with medical benefits (or just be a sponger, and head over to Ireland)

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    Mute Seamus McDermott
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    May 7th 2012, 6:06 PM

    Health insurance is what employers in America give you in lieu of wages–sometimes. You’ll get about 20,000 less each year in salary to cover your insurance costs. And you’ll STILL have deductibles and co-payments on your visits. I personally know people who died because they lost their jobs (because they were ill) and lost their health benefits.
    It is a damnable, corrupt and inexcusable system that operates entirely for the benefit of the pharmaceutical industry and the HMOs.
    And what is beyond belief is that congress, senators and most of the government get FREE medical care at the expense of those who are dying for it. It it an absolute disgrace. So enjoy your trip, but don’t get sick!

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    Mute censored
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    May 8th 2012, 4:40 PM

    Wages in the US are still pretty high, and with the ~30% tax rate you can afford to “purchase” medical insurance.

    This gets painted in a bleak light and I am sure there are hard cases – just like in Ireland where you can die before being seen by a doctor, and the “private” medical system is riddled with corruption.

    The Irish system is also a disgrace.

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    Mute Sean Mc Avinue
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    May 8th 2012, 6:23 PM

    Censored. You don’t seem to kmow much about Health Ins over here in US, especially in southern states where wages are much lower. There are people working in Walmart just to cover for HS. Go to Google- Health Ins In US Rip Off.

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    Mute Ciara Ní Mhurchú
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    May 7th 2012, 11:23 PM

    This article is great if youre going to work in central Africa but as most emigrants are going to first world countries, its utter shite.
    Hows about registering with your countries embassy in the country you are moving too rather than worrying about whether or not your host country has electricity or conditioner?

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    Mute Baz Ryan
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    May 8th 2012, 11:37 AM

    Jesus, what a load of self-indulgent drivel.My generation emmigrated before the t’interweb, before regular skype calls home were possible, when rampant anti irish prejudice was evident virtually everywhere here in the UK, when you lived in places which would be condemned in a heartbeat today…christ get over yourself woman, you have it easy

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    Mute Seamus McDermott
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    May 7th 2012, 6:12 PM

    If you can memorize this and sing it in a pub over there in the sean nos style, everyone will start crying and you’ll get a lot of free drinks.

    The Green Fields of Canada:

    Farewell to the groves of shillelagh and shamrock
    Farewell to the wee girls of old Ireland all ’round
    May their hearts be as merry as ever I would wish them
    When far, far away across the ocean I’m bound

    Oh my father is old, and my mother is quite feeble
    To leave their own country, it grieves their heart sore
    Oh the tears in great drops down their cheeks, they are rolling
    To think they must die upon some foreign shore

    But what matters to me where my bones may be buried
    If in peace and contentment I can spend my life
    Oh the green fields of Canada, they daily are blooming
    And it’s there I’ll put an end to my miseries and strife

    So pack up your sea stores and tarry no longer
    Ten dollars a week isn’t very bad pay
    With no taxes or tithes to devour up your wages
    When you’re on the green fields of America

    The sheep run unshorn, and the land’s gone to rushes
    The handyman is gone, and the winders of creels
    Away across the ocean go journeyman tailors
    And fiddlers that play out the old mountain reels

    Farewell to the dances in homes now deserted
    When tips struck the lightening in sparks from the floor
    The paving and crigging of hobnails on flagstones
    The tears of the old folk and shouts of encore

    For the landlords and bailiffs in vile combination
    Have forced us from hearth stone and homestead away
    May the crowbar brigade all be doomed to damnation
    When we’re on the green fields of America

    And it’s now to conclude and to finish my story
    If e’er friendless Irishmen chance my way
    With the best in the house I will treat him and welcome
    At home in the green fields of America

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    Mute Seamus McDermott
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    May 7th 2012, 6:18 PM

    It’s actually a quite powerful lament. The melody is here:
    http://youtu.be/vphVICb8I-E

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    Mute Bob McShane
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    May 10th 2012, 9:27 PM

    Never swim with the waves! Never. Especially not in Australia… or you’ll break your flippin neck! Also, always wear a helmet while horse riding. Lastly, never lick a glacier.

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    Mute John Smith
    Favourite John Smith
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    Oct 22nd 2012, 8:37 PM

    How I wish someone had explained to me the concept of R.O.I. (Return on Investment) before I permanently departed to work and live somewhere far away and very different in climate, language, culture, geography and so on.

    In my case that place is Montreal, Quebec. I am an Irish outlier who fell for “La Belle Province” over “Toronto the good” or “Vancouver the rainy”.

    In fact, as a “northerner” – you know the cousins that you’d prefer not talk about – I also am also an outlier on various .ie emigration blogs.

    To get back to R.O.I., I am sure you know that it normally expresses the worthiness of a business project. And yet, I have not yet seen it applied to the emigration which nonetheless is most certainly a business project.

    My theory is that an emigration R.O.I. should blend “hard” monetary aspects with “soft” factors: families, relationships, emotions and much more.

    Unfortunately, we emigrants often tend to overlook until it is too late, the fact that “the soft stuff is the hard stuff”.

    Now, much, much, later, I know I could have benefited from thinking in ROI terms instead of rushing to emigrate and then spending the following 30+ years regretting a hasty decision. (“Decide in haste repent at leisure?”)

    I’m fine now tho’. It’s true what they say – the 1st 25 years are the worst!

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