FINALLY! Good News on the Jobs Front

Following Five Years of Recession,
Ireland Finally Gets a Jobs Boost

Slowly, ever  so slowly, Ireland is crawling out of its economic nightmare.  Very recent economic data indicates that employment is picking up for the first time in years. Unemployment rates have fallen to just over 13 percent from their highs of 15 percent in 2012. For a complete report see http://www.tradingeconomics.com/ireland/unemployment-rate

What this possibly means to you, the would-be immigrant to this country, is that Ireland is finally starting to hire again. However, increased employment is apparently taking place only in certain sectors. 

Agriculture and the food industry are hiring again. Tourism, which was well up on last year, seems to be driving increased employment opportunities for hotel staff, restaurants, and similar. Tech is also up, with a wide variety of firms actively looking for qualified programmers and IT personnel. And that list reads like a Who's Who of Silicon Valley - Facebook, LinkedIn, Google, Microsoft - all of these giants, now located in Ireland, have reported a need for new staff.

Healthcare is always looking for good people including nurses and general practitioners.

Other industries aren't faring so well. Irish retail is still on its knees. A Ware, a well known fashion retailer that has been in this country since the 80s and which employs over 300 staff in outlets throughout the country, reported yesterday that it is closing its doors. Other recent retail casualties include HMV (which has gone into liquidation, but which is re-opening a small number of outlets in time for Christmas). 

Construction - a hothouse of activity in the roaring Celtic Tiger years - is still in the doldrums. So if you swing a hammer for a living think twice before moving to Ireland right now. That said, and due to some recent government incentives, work on extensions and home refurbishments are somewhat buoyant. 

But after years of struggle, it seems that Ireland may finally be turning a corner. And thank God for that is all I can say!

Want to learn more about living in Ireland? Are you thinking of traveling to Ireland or moving to Ireland? If so, you might consider the purchase of the 2014 Kindle ebook edition of A Survivor's Guide to Living in Ireland. Now 80,000+ words long, and having sold over 10,000 copies in its various editions, it could make the perfect gift for those interested in this wonderful country. Simply click on any of the links above to purchase this new Kindle version. You can also download various free aps to read this Kindle version on any PC or Mac. 

Thanksgiving Irish Style

An Irish Thanksgiving

A funny thing happens to many American expats - like your's truly - this time of year. Nostalgia creeps in. Longings for America and absent friends and family seep through tightly-locked emotional doors bleating for attention. We scan the far westerly horizon wishing - sometimes desperately - that we could grab hold of a passing cloud and drift  home.

It's Thanksgiving, of course, which is the cause of all the emotional ruckus. 

I'm amazed at how many Americans don't realize that Thanksgiving is a holiday not celebrated in Ireland. Only the other day, for instance, I was seated in my local having a pint when I noticed a small group of tourists standing at the back window admiring the view of Coulagh Bay in my new home of Eyeries. It's odd how I've learned to detect the presence of fellow countrymen and women over the years. They could have been from anywhere - England, Italy, Spain, or elsewhere - but I knew instantly  that they were American. 

I introduced myself. As usual, they could not believe that I had lived in Ireland for over 30 years. "You've lived here all that time? How lucky you are!" a woman from Iowa squawked. Yes, I agreed, I'm lucky. Mind, I still miss America.  "After all this time? Well don't you worry. Thanksgiving is around the corner. I'm sure you and the entire country will have a fine time then."

I had to explain that Thanksgiving is a decidedly North American holiday.  "What?" she gasped. "They don't celebrate Thanksgiving here? You poor person!"  No, I replied. Just like they don't celebrate the 4th of July.  

You'd thought that I'd shot her, such was her disbelief.

Of all the days that I miss from home, it's Thanksgiving. On this day, a day of family, a day of friendship and gratitude, a day of loving warmth, I scan the far horizon and wish I could transport myself to those far shores. I wish I could walk down a central Illinois neighborhood street and breath in the smell of basting turkey and hot pumpkin pie. I wish I could watch sons and daughters and grandchildren pile out of cars into the waiting arms of their parents and grandparents. I wish I could secretly march in the Macy's parade, proudly waving an American flag.  

Instead what I'll do today is work. Then later, I'll take out a TV dinner and sit in front of the fire and warm my toes. And I'll reflect on Thanksgiving's past, and of all the people that I miss. And then I'll walk up to the pub and wish my fellow villagers a Happy Thanksgiving. And they in turn, and even though they are not entirely certain of the significance of the day to a long-lost Yank, will return the compliment.  

It's Thanksgiving. And no, they don't celebrate it in Ireland. But that does't mean that Thanksgiving still isn't in my heart. And I'll say a prayer of gratitude for the life that I've been given and the family and friends that mean so much to me.

Happy Thanksgiving, everyone. Where ever you might be.

Want to learn more about living in Ireland? Are you thinking of traveling to Ireland or moving to Ireland? If so, you might consider the purchase of the 2014 Kindle ebook edition of A Survivor's Guide to Living in Ireland. Now 80,000+ words long, and having sold over 10,000 copies in its various editions, it could make the perfect gift for those interested in this wonderful country. Simply click on any of the links above to purchase this new Kindle version. You can also download various free aps to read this Kindle version on any PC or Mac. 

Just in Time for Christmas! 2014 edition of A Survivor's Guide to Living in Ireland!

Dear all,

Forgive me as I plug the most recent edition of my book, A Survivor's Guide to Living in Ireland.  The 2014 edition, now over 80,000 words long, is filled with information and anecdotes on what it's like to live in this beautiful country, how to get a job, how to buy a house, how to find that perfect pint of Guinness, and how to make it as an expatriate in a country that is slowly, ever-so-slowly, pulling itself out of Recession.

The 2014 edition of this book is now available on Amazon as a Kindle version. To take a look simply click here: A Survivor's Guide to Living in Ireland

Over the course of the past few months, I've received a number of questions from readers of this Occasional blog, particularly on how the country is doing, what industries are growing, and how they might make it in this country. A Survivor's Guide to Living in Ireland answers most of those queries.

Did you know for instance that Tech is growing like a weed here? That LinkedIn, Yahoo, Facebook, Google, and so many other are crying out for qualified staff? A Survivor's Guide to Living in Ireland gives you the insight you need.

Or are you a nurse or GP? Ireland is looking for those people. Or are you involved in the food industry? That's one of the areas that is growing rapidly even in the teeth of a crazy recession.

Simply click on this link for more information and to purchase the book: A Survivor's Guide to Living in Ireland.

My best to you all - Tom