St. Patrick’s Day is here, and what better way to acknowledge the day than by revisiting our interview with two Jamaican women living in Ireland? In this episode of Jamaicans to the World, Xavier Murphy sat down with Ethlyn Thomas and Sherene Powell-Okafor to discuss their experiences, challenges, and what life is really like as a Jamaican in the Emerald Isle.
How They Got to Ireland
Both Ethlyn and Sherene moved to Ireland through a work and travel programme. Sherene, who was studying at The Mico University College, initially intended to stay for just a few months but ended up making Ireland her home for over two decades. Ethlyn had a similar experience, initially drawn by the opportunity to earn money while studying, only to later decide to settle permanently due to the peaceful lifestyle and better economic prospects compared to Jamaica.
What They Love About Ireland
One of the biggest draws for both women was the safety and tranquility of Ireland. Coming from bustling areas in Jamaica, where crime and constant bad news weighed heavily on daily life, they appreciated being able to walk freely at any time of day without worry. The slower pace, friendly communities, and overall sense of security played a significant role in their decision to stay.
“I think one of the reasons why I stayed to be honest is the peace and quiet. When I was in Jamaica I use to live off Hagley Park Road, you wake up every morning to crime and somebody dying and it was just this constant bad news all the time and it does get you depressed.” – Sherene
“…for me it was the peace and the money. When I compare the wages I was earning like $60,000 a head of Jamaica doing what we call mediocre job compare to then.”– Ethlyn
Challenges of Life in Ireland
However, life in Ireland is not without its struggles. The biggest adjustment? The weather! Both women laughed about Ireland’s unpredictable climate, where you can experience four seasons in a single day.
“…you never get used to it, no matter what you can never get used to it. You leave your house, the place look sunny by the time you get in your car and go down the road it starts to pouring rain by the time you reach work it might start to snow hail stones, it’s just this constant. So you always have to be prepared, that’s just the way the weather is.” – Sherene
Another major challenge was adjusting to the reality of race relations. While Jamaica’s social structure is largely shaped by class rather than race, in Ireland, they faced moments of racism, particularly in the early 2000s when immigration from African countries was increasing. Shireen recalled that simply identifying as Jamaican often changed people’s attitudes towards her, thanks to Jamaica’s strong global cultural influence, particularly through Bob Marley.
Staying Connected to Jamaica
Like many Jamaicans abroad, food is a major connection to home. While it used to be difficult to find Jamaican ingredients, things have improved with more Afro-Caribbean and Indian grocery stores stocking essential items like ackee and jerk seasoning. Still, when visiting Jamaica, both women make it a mission to indulge in as many local dishes as possible before returning to Ireland.
“…we would have to go to London and bring over a big suitcase of Jamaican food when you go. Or anybody going over you know you fill your car and bring it back. The Indian shops lately, they have the local, and you get to really know the owners and they now start stocking Jamaican food and since lately also some of the big supermarkets start bringing in one or two items of Jamaican food so it’s a bit easier now for us to get it.” – Sherene
“.. I just make my own, I have to be creative about that. We don’t go over and bring them over, we would never get it.” – Ethlyn
Advice for Jamaicans Thinking of Moving to Ireland
For those considering making the move, Ethelene and Shireen had one piece of advice: be prepared to adapt. Career paths often shift, requiring further education or switching professions. But with hard work and resilience, they say that Ireland offers great opportunities and a supportive Jamaican community.
“My advice to anyone who wants to leave Jamaica to come to Ireland is, be ready to adapt and adjust. It’s a beautiful place, most people are friendly. You will get a little bit of racism, but at the end of the day it’s not the worst, but be ready to adapt and adjust if you want to stay. Because that’s what I had to do at the end of the day so yeah.” – Ethlyn
“…you might have to make up your mind that the job that you have done back home is something totally different than you will have to do here because there’s so much regulations. But you have to come to the conclusion if you’re here and you might have to go back to school, but the opportunity is really good.” – Sherene
Keeping the Jamaican Spirit Alive
Despite the distance, the Jamaican community in Ireland remains vibrant. Every year, Jamaicans in Ireland come together to celebrate Independence Day, ensuring that the culture, music, and food of home remain a central part of their lives. Whether through backyard gatherings or large organised events, the celebrations never falter, even after two decades.
“Every year we kind of do an independence party. So we go to a big independence party and everybody comes dressed up in their Jamaican outfit. You have to order from home so anytime anybody is going to Jamaica, oh you need to bring me my clothes from Jamaica for Independence Day. We all dressed up and we kind of be like, ‘yep we’re true Jamaicans’ that day. We have been doing that for years since we’ve been here, and that was one thing we’ve never falter on. Every single year for the past 20 years that I’ve been here we’ve been having Independence Day celebration.” – Sherene
Share Your Story!
Are you a Jamaican living, raising a family, or doing business abroad? Or are you married to a Jamaican or a Jamaican married to a non-Jamaican? We want to hear your story! Email us at info@jamaicans.com and let us share your experience with the world.
