After nearly 30 years in Denmark I have decided to apply for Danish citizenship. Why now? Because Denmark is enabling dual citizenship. The demand came from Danish citizens living abroad, who struggled with the same issues that foreigners face in Denmark.
Rationally, it would have made sense for me to become a Danish citizen long before this. I choose to live here. I came here on a short visit; then Cupid’s bow hit. Once I met my partner, who is now my husband, I made a decision not just to stay here but to make it work. This decision was cemented when our daughter, Sarah, was born.
I arrived in Denmark in summer, when Copenhagen’s sidewalk-cafe culture was in full swing. The Danes hibernate in winter; with the first sign of sun there’s a vibrant outdoor life. I’m not mad about the cold, but by the time I realised that Denmark could reach minus 19 degrees it was too late. Besides, the temperatures enabled me to waltz on the frozen sea with the new-found love of my life. Try doing that in Ireland.
Other things attracted me to my new country, too. When I left Ireland in the 1980s the first divorce referendum had been defeated. As a student I was involved in fighting for women’s and gay rights. A few years earlier I’d been active in the anti-amendment campaign. On these issues Denmark was way ahead of Ireland. I know Ireland has changed dramatically on many of them, which is great. And I love and miss family and friends, the more easy-going and cheerful way of being, the cliches of the craic, the mountains and the rugged nature – Denmark is beautiful, too, but flat – and the ease of being in a familiar environment.
I grew up on a diet of songs about emigrants longing for the old country, but it’s not like that for us any more. Denmark is just a hop from Ireland, and when I go there my college friends are so busy with their lives that they tend to get together only when I go over.
I love showing my husband and daughter my birth country, and as well as seeing family and friends we travel to spend time in different parts of the country. They visit me here, as well, and I love showing them Denmark. Our daughter has grown up bilingual and bicultural.
There were challenges, too. I found Danish pronunciation difficult. Getting qualifications recognised and retraining, looking for work, making new friends and simply getting used to Danish customs could all be challenges. The unfamiliarity made life a bit tiring at times. But that’s what stepping out of one’s comfort zone does.
Gradually, though, I became part of the weft of Danish society, more Danish in my thinking and way of doing things. I still love visiting Ireland, but Denmark is now my home, and I cannot imagine living in Ireland now. It has changed so much, and I have changed, too.
I still feel proud of my Irish background and identity, and getting Danish citizenship will not take that away from me. Not having it means I am disenfranchised in Danish national elections.
I have never felt a desire to vote in Irish elections since moving here, despite all the campaigns for emigrant voting rights. Why should I have a say in Irish political decisions when I no longer live there?
I live in Denmark and want to have my say here, but giving up my Irish citizenship seemed like too high a price to pay. Now I have the opportunity to have both. I can fully participate in Danish life while maintaining legal recognition of my Irish identity.
