Sir, – The current largescale emigration from Ireland is inviting much media attention, and rightly so. Unfortunately, much of its focus is negative and portrays it in bereavement-like terms.
My father and mother left Longford and Kerry, respectively, in the 1960s to find work in England. They met there, courted and married. They worked for their entire time and raised a family. They forged lifelong friendships and experienced myriad things they might never have encountered at home. They retired to Kerry 10 years ago. I was fortunate enough to meet my wife, an emigrant from Galway, in London over a decade ago. We are now raising our young family in Galway.
Emigration is not a death sentence, it’s a new beginning. As can be seen from the Rugby World Cup in New Zealand, our young ambassadors will bring their humour and optimism to many places. They will meet and marry, make friends for life, learn new skills and start businesses. Some may become millionaires and some may return, but all will have enriched their lives and the lives of others. And my vested interest in all of this? If it was not for emigration I, and millions like me would never have been born. – Yours, etc,