There’s no one reason why I love living in New York.
I could give the same answers that most of my fellow Irish here might, the great weather, the energy of the city, or the fantastic shopping and Broadway shows right on our doorstep. While these things certainly make my list, sometimes it's hard to put the reasons why I love living in New York into words.
It’s the changing seasons, from the first snowfall to the endless blue skies of summer, crisp red leaves falling on the streets and everything in between.
It’s the sense of silent camaraderie I feel power walking up 6th Avenue with the other 9-5ers.
It’s standing at the edge of Battery Park and seeing the Statute of Liberty, with her torch aloft in the evening light.
It’s walking up the steps to the arrivals hall of Ellis Island, feeling the dip in the marble worn by the shoes of millions of Irish immigrants who came before you.
It’s the sight of the skyline as you look back through the taxi window at night, or when the 7 train rounds the bend coming up from underground. Even after almost six years, this view has not lost its lustre.
I love how I’m reminded of home while living here, whether its hearing snippets of conversations in Irish accents on the subway, the display of county colours when J-1 students arrive for the summer, or seeing “Tipperary” etched into a stone in the Famine Memorial site.
I'm originally from Clonmel, CoTipperary and have lived here with my husband David since 2010. We live in Sunnyside in Queens, which continues to be one of the go-to places in New York for emigrating Irish.
I work as a paralegal in a midtown law firm, like Rachel Zane on Suits. I just wish I had more outfits like hers!
The Butcher Block Irish deli just off Queens Boulevard provides us with a taste of home, from Barry’s and Hunky Dory’s to “real” Cadbury’s chocolate.
People often ask if it was difficult to up and move halfway across the world. Of course it’s hard to leave behind family, friends and everything familiar, but it’s also so exciting to experience living somewhere new, and to have friends and family come over and enjoy it with us.
I’m looking forward to discovering many more new ways to love New York.
