My bloggy friend Thrifty posted a link on Facebook -
which is an article from the Irish Times about the recent HUGE exodus of Irish people from the Emerald Isle. I've ranted about my love hate relationship with Ireland before ->
here. When I first read the stories I thought to myself, shite - this is identical to my own set of reasons for leaving Ireland in 1988. I felt sorry for the new generation who would have to retrace my steps to find a better life. Ireland is fucked yet again - despite being the strongest economy in Europe only a short time ago. Celtic Tiger me arse - Kitten in a sack drowning in the river more like it!
Irish Work Ethic - Celtic TigerWhat went wrong?
Who fucked up?
Where do we go from here?
Good questions - which need answers and certain politicians and businessmen to be held ACCOUNTABLE!...but fat chance given Irish history of apathy and tolerance of fuckwads and being fucked over! - Granted, it's a role of the dice as to which political party is more corrupt.
This may seem a tad harsh and inconsiderate but these new emigrants will have it somewhat easier than in 'my day' because when I was a lad there was
NO....- Skype for cheap calls home
- Internet for emails home or to contact peeps in the country you were visiting
- Facebook for keeping in touch with friends and posting photos
- Budget airlines for cheap flights home and away
- Savings from when the economy was good
- Network of established successful Mick /Paddys to welcome you with open arms
- Exposure to foreign cultures - a black person in Ireland in 1988 was either a visiting diplomat or a Nigerian prophet
Most of these folks are walking into pre-arranged legit well paid overseas jobs and a welcoming reception from a network of established expats.
1980's expats walked into a black hole of uncertainty and frequent resentment from the local community with minimal and SLOW communication / travel mediums to home.
Don't get me wrong - I wish them much success and I wish they didn't have to leave home in the first place but they're actually half way up the ladder already. Get OUT of Ireland and you are better off - FACT! SAD! but TRUE!
So what's my point? - I'm horribly disappointed my country has fallen from amazing success, back into the abyss of poverty which drove me to leave my home in the first place. I'm glad I left and I'll likely never return to live there again - visit - yes sure, of course.
Even my parents told me tonight on the phone (Skype) they are glad I'm not living there and it's not because I'm an unruly delinquent but because it's a morbidly depressing place to be right now - suicide rates are sky high? - [
Update: up 43% year on year - according to official statistics] - I hate to project such negativity about my place of birth but it's a frikkin' mess and I feel even more detached from it now. Am I alone?
Tags: ..Ireland - Back to the Arsehole of Nowhere..
If you like what you've read, why not subscribe to updates click here
Read more...
---In Ireland---
Roy - Irish Taxi
---In Hong Kong---
Alex Hofford
Filination
Hongkie Town
---Around the Globe--
Runaway Guide
Road to the Horizon
Vagabumming
Y2Kemo
---In Argentina---
Argentine Post
Argentine Travel Guide
Asado Argentina
Sugar&Spice
Tango Cherie
Tango Spam
Thomas Locke Hobbs
Yanqui Mike
---Useful Resources for B.A.---
Subway Map
Google Map of BA
L.D. Bus Times/Price
Trains in BA #1
Trains in BA #2
BA Newcomers Forum
BA Expats Forum
Good Morning BA
Expat Connection
Expat Blog
.
.