Sunshine and sacrifices

Niamh McGovern finds out why young people from Tyrone continue to chase the Australian dream

“It’s a great lifestyle for the kids and a better place to bring up the family… I’d recommend moving to Australia in the morning!”

These are the words of Gortin native, Barry Brogan, who has had no regrets since he relocated to the land Down Under back in in 2009 with his wife and two children.

Australia, with its vast landscapes, laid-back lifestyle, and abundant opportunities, has been a magnet for young people from Tyrone for many years now.

According to the Australian Department of Home Affairs, over 21,000 Irish natives were granted working-holiday visas to Australia in the last 12 months. This was the highest recorded number of visas issued in 16 years and double the amount from 2022.

What makes the land Down Under so alluring for these individuals?

In a bid to find out, The UH spoke with three Tyrone natives who reckon the grass is greener in Australia than the emerald fields of home.

Eimear McCrory moved to Australia from Dromore with her partner Piaras in January of 2023, and currently works as an educator in a daycare. Outlining her reasons for moving, she said, “I think two reasons prompted my decision to move to Australia; one being the change of scenery from home. You can get up in the morning to go watch the sunrise, grab a coffee, and go for a walk on the beach… all before 7am. It is very relaxed.

“The second reason was simply that there are more opportunities and higher wages compared to home, which I think is the biggest draw for most people.”

Odhran Rafferty and his partner Kyla, recent emigrants to Australia, echo a common sentiment – a better work-to-live ratio.

“In Australia you work to live, not live to work. Back in Ireland, most people work five to six days a week and then come home in the dark and wet, not being able to do anything except think about work the next day.”

Barry Brogan relishes the thought of spending the rest of his life in Australia after becoming a permanent resident.

“It’s a great lifestyle for the kids and a better place to bring the up family – the weather and beaches are a just a huge bonus!”

‘Missing home’

While the promise of sunshine, beaches, and a better financial outlook is enticing, the Australian dream doesn’t come without its challenges. Eimear points out the competitive housing market, where dozens of applicants vie for the same apartment.

Sometimes the reality on the ground may differ from the idyllic images portrayed on social media..

“Being away from your family and friends at home can be tough, especially on big occasions like birthdays and Christmas,” she said.

“You feel guilty at times, because you’re missing out on important events at home

“Another negative is something we didn’t realise until we got here.

“When we were going to apartment viewings we had to queue, and there were 50-70 people standing in the line in front of us.

“Continuously getting declined can be very frustrating and dishearteneing,” added Eimear.

“We moved just before Christmas so it was probably a hard time to do it. We really missed home at Christmas with it being a big family occasion!

“The fact of not being able to have as much contact with home as you would like is hard and it can be difficult to settle in to work and accommodation.”

Long-term Aussie resident, Barry reflects on the aspects of home that he still yearns for.

“Things I tend to miss would be family – I miss mum’s cooking, the craic at home, and good pints of Guinness,” he shares.

Looking to the future

The lure of Australia lies in the promise of a different lifestyle, more opportunities, and fantastic weather.

However, those who make the journey must grapple with the emotional toll of being away from loved ones and the challenges of adapting to a new and competitive environment.

Still, the large numbers of Irish people who continue to move Down Under comes as no surprise to Eimear, Odhran and Barry.

“With the cost of living and the housing situation in Ireland, I think some people just feel like there isn’t much for them at home,” shared Eimear who plans to stay for at least another 2-5 years.

Odhran, with long-term plans to stay, offers a nugget of wisdom for those contemplating a similar move: “If you’re on your death bed looking back, you’re probably more likely to regret not doing something than doing something. It’s not for everyone to move to the other side of the world, but it’s definitely worth it to try.”