An American Expat in Dublin: Not Quite Irish, But Here’s the Craic

Hey there, Yanks! Imagine this: I’m sipping a pint in Dublin, legally resident in Ireland since 2023, yet still a New Yorker at heart. So, how does an American expat in Dublin like me decode Ireland for you? Let’s break it down.

How I Became an Irish Citizen

A century ago, my mom’s parents left County Meath (her dad) and Limerick (her mom) for the States. Decades later, I leaned on their docs to join Ireland’s Foreign Births Register. After 18 months and $200, I snagged an Irish passport pre-Internet days. Fast forward to 2023—I’m now living in Dublin as an American with full rights to work, vote, and even serve on a jury. Pretty cool, right?

But here’s the kicker: I would never tell anyone here I’m Irish. No amount of Guinness at Temple Bar or hurling matches changes that. I’m an American expat in Dublin with the citizenship through my mom.

Living in Dublin as an American: Identity Check

My dad, a Notre Dame grad and Fighting Irish fan, dreamed of being Irish. He’d chat up my mom’s extended family on trips here, never correcting folks who assumed he was full-blooded Irish. (Spoiler: He was half English/Scottish, half Italian/Czech.) Meanwhile, I’ve been here nearly two years, and my uncles still tease me for lacking a brogue.

When locals ask, I’ve got my line ready: “I’m from New York but live here now. I’ve got Irish citizenship through my mom’s parents from Limerick and Meath.” It’s my way of decoding Ireland for Americans—honest and to the point. Irish people are more than happy to welcome people of Irish ancestry — the Irish diaspora — but take care on this point.

Looking for More Like This?

Curious about more expat tales? Check out my American Expat Life in Dublin: Unraveling Irish Enigmas or Decoding Ireland for Americans: Lessons from Netflix’s Bodkin.