Laois emigration stories- missing home from Auckland, New Zealand

Throughout history, Ireland has seen its people emigrate in droves. Be it due to the Famine of the 1840s, or the economic crisis of the 1950’s, we have always seen our people leave to pursue a better life elsewhere.

Why are our family and friends still forced to leave home to achieve a comfortable existence? 

The Leinster Express/Laois Live spoke to young people from Laois who have emigrated as part of our series on their stories and reasons for leaving. 

Sinead O’Brien, originally from Stradbally, has been living in Auckland, New Zealand since 2017. 

Ms O’Brien lives there with her partner Tomas from Waterford and their four year old son Henry.

“My partner Tomas Wilson would be the reason for prompting me here,” said Ms O’Brien.

“I left Ireland in July 2014 with two friends and moved to Calgary in Canada on a two year visa. It was here that I met my partner Tomas who hails from Wexford. He wanted to travel more after Canada and didn't want to do Australia, so we chose New Zealand. We were only meant to stay a year or two, but are here over seven years now.”

Ms O’Brien works for a German company called Boehringer Ingelheim, who specialise in both animal products and healthcare products. 

“I have been at this company since October 2018. My first role was in customer service and then in September 2023 I moved to the Finance team having completed a certificate and diploma in accounting. They are a great company to work for,” she said.

“The cost of living in New Zealand is insanely high. I have never found it cheap here. We bought a house in November 2021 and interest rates are awful. We have an almost four year old son too. So after we pay the mortgage, bills, daycare fees etc, there is very little left for a social life.”

“To be honest, Kiwi people are lovely but they stick to themselves. They would walk by you and not say hello, which is not the case in Ireland.

“I have a lot of friends in Ireland compared to New Zealand. Over here I have work friends or friends I met at work and that's it really. My partner and I have no family here so getting out by ourselves is a mission as we need a babysitter, but I'm proud of us and the lovely boy we are raising.”

Pictured: Sinead O'Brien and her son Henry.

Ms O’Brien told us that she particularly misses home since having their son Henry in 2020.

“Since having Henry, my heart does scream for Ireland. I miss my family a lot, especially since having Henry. I feel guilty as he is missing out on grandparents and cousins to play with."

“I would move home tomorrow if I could but it's not just me to consider. I would love to say one day we will move home, but we both have good jobs here. Our house, freedom and moving home would be a massive massive change for us,” she said.

“If I never left Ireland back in 2014 I never would have met my partner and had my handsome boy. I have always been classed as a home bird and for me to have been living outside Ireland for 10 years now is a massive achievement for me, and one I never thought I could say,” she said.

“I am proud of how strong and resilient I have become, however Ireland will always be my home wherever I am in the world,” Ms O’Brien finished.