10 Years in Ireland ....

A month ago, I read this French Foodie blog post about her last 10 years in Ireland, only to realize that myself, I was going to celebrate my 10 years in Ireland in a couple months.

And here we are, 10 years ago, I debarked in Rosslare with my old french car. A long road trip, which took me from the French Alps to the west coast of Ireland.

From the boat bringing me to Rosslare

To be honest, I initially thought, I would only stay a year or two, before moving on with some enhanced knowledge.

A thought, that I now realize has been shared by many expatriate, not the ones who left - as planned - after a year, all the others. One year, leading to another then without as much of a whimper to a decade.

So I am still there, 10 years after. So why did I stay so long ? What is making me stay ?

First, as a matter of fact, I  like Ireland. And more and more, the longer I stayed... even if at the same time, I am becoming more and more infuriated by some aspects of Irish life - I have the same relationship with France.

For each year I stay, there was a different reasons, from the diving, the professional challenge and finally the girl.

So in summary ... "Putain 10 ans !!!"

So to celebrate those 10 years, and yes I am copying the idea from the foodie post, I hope she won't mind. I do concur with most of the items in her list, except for Penneys, hence the duplicates.

1. The Irish people. I am not a people person, but Irish are incredibly friendly. In particular, they are really easy to work with - especially when compared to my own compatriots. I felt welcome here from day 1, and continue to have that sense, every time I encounter someone here. 
2. Pubs. An obvious one, linked to the previous item. I like the variety of ambiance, atmosphere. Nothing better than ending the day, sipping a Murphy by the fire, chatting away with friends. Since my move to Dublin, I am on a quest to find my perfect local.
3. The west coast of Ireland. I loved living by the atlantic ocean, being able with an hour drive to be by the rugged coast, from the humbling stormy waves, to a serene blue sea.
4. Scuba Diving in Ireland. I probably had the best of my dives here and love being part of this vibrant community.
5. The extra long days. Nothing beat a late evening barbeque by the beach under a late sunset.
6. The gigs in Ireland - I love how the Irish public engage with the music, and the musicians.
7. How passionate the Irish can be about any particular subject. At first Irish can seems passive, but they are also passionate, either for gaelic sport in their own parish, food, sea activity or music.
8. Irish comedians: Just look for Dara O'Briain, Dylan Moran, Foils arms and hog or the rubberbandits.
9. Cosmopolitanism. An incredible change has happened, from a country of emigrant, Ireland is now attracting brilliant mind from all other the world. I lived in Grenoble which use to have a big contingent of foreigners, but I never felt so much diversity pouring in the local culture. I am actually curious to see what Ireland will be in the next ten years as a result of this immigration flow.
10. And finally the one.