Inspiring Women Magazine November 2023

Trinity
Graduation,
fall 2022 (top)
Arlene and
grandson
(bottom)
I had planned to
move back west
once I graduated,
but love changed
that when I
met and then
married my
husband. Our
two children,
friends and
careers kept us
firmly planted in
Central Canada and kept us plenty busy.
I spent most of my career working as a cardiac
critical care nurse, which I loved. However, I
wanted to be more available for our growing
pre-teens so I changed careers in my forties.
I began working for a small computer company,
but kept my nursing license active, and began
volunteering at the Children’s Hospital of
Eastern Ontario (CHEO). I retired from both
careers when we decided to move to Ireland
in 2021.
In June 2020, during the midst of COVID-19, our
first grandchild was born. Then in the spring of
2021 our daughter told us she wanted to return
to college for a graduate degree. We assumed
she meant to attend a local university. Not so.
She had been accepted at Trinity College in
Dublin for a “professional” master's prior to her
application for a PhD program. “Wouldn't you
love to relocate?" she asked us. "You do love to
travel." I couldn't imagine living so far from our
new grand-baby so we jumped with both feet
into a new and totally unplanned adventure.
We thought it would be for a year as our
daughter finished her second master’s degree,
but she was accepted into a PhD program at
Trinity and we are here for the duration. We
are establishing roots and friendships here in
Ireland. Our now three-year-old grandson may
have been a considerable part of that decision
to stay as well.
What was something about your new country
that you were not expecting? What surprised
you the most?
Upon arriving in the Republic of Ireland, we
did not expect the warmth and friendliness
of the locals. We were pleasantly surprised
by the welcoming nature of the Irish people.
Additionally, the unpredictable weather,
which can change rapidly, even within a single
day, took us by surprise. Now we shrug our
shoulders, grab our raincoats and just head
out. Forget the umbrella, too. The wind will
just destroy it.
As Canadians we were delighted to learn that
our drivers' licenses were fully exchangeable
due to Ireland and Canada’s treaties regarding
licensing. Our expat American friends do not
have that privilege and need to participate in
the whole Irish licensing process. A time
consuming process! Having traveled to the
UK, Australia and New Zealand, we have
experienced driving on the wrong side of the
road before and have found the transition
fairly seamless. We have even purchased a
small car in our new country. We do not use it
in exploring our city of Dublin, which has a
fantastic public transit as compared to what
we have been used to, but rather to explore
the island itself.
What are the biggest challenges you have had
to overcome adapting to your new country?
We did find a few challenges while adapting to
our new country. The first was the cost of living
and adjusting to the difference in currencies.
The delays pertaining to visa applications or
anything else related to the government is
also a challenge. We’ve learned if a deadline
for a document says October be sure to have
everything in by early August or it won’t be
done in time.
How have you embraced your new culture? Is
there something you can tell us about your
new culture that makes you happy?
We love attending activities like traditional music
sessions in pubs, participating in local festivals
and enjoying Irish cuisine, including dishes like
seafood chowder with soda bread, fish and
chips and even trying coddle. Unfortunately
I’m not a fan of white pudding, but the black
pudding reminded me a lot of a dish we often
had at home. We enjoy checking out the local
pubs and foods as we discover more about the
city of Dublin and the country, too. History is
integral to every part of this country and we
enjoy listening to and learning more about
Ireland as we explore. Have you checked out the
sheep dog trials, Viking reenactment festival or
the horse show? We have! Have you explored
the Ring of Kerry, Dingle, Sligo, the Giant’s
Causeway? We have and intend to return and
explore much more of our new country.
What is the most unusual cultural tradition
you have encountered?
While not a tradition per se it is an interpretation
of words and speech with the Irish. If it’s
“pouring out” here the rain is “lashing”. If you
have got everything finally arranged to your
satisfaction, it’s
“sorted”. If something
is correct it’s “100%”.
If you live in Dublin,
you would be part
of or from the Pale,
anywhere outside you
may be referred to
as “Culchie”. Finally,
if someone says “we
really, really must get
together,” you most
definitely will not.
Language is a great
way to communicate
but only if everyone is
on the same page!
Christmas wreaths with
AWCD, 2022
42 INSPIRING WOMEN INSPIRING WOMEN 43