Cathy Burke

“I have to say I’ve felt at home here since I arrived and knew I’d never live in the U.S. again.”

So, my story isn’t that exciting, but here goes! I’m from Ohio and my friends were Irish-American who celebrated the fact through being members of the local Irish club, Irish dancing, bagpiping, etc.

I was fascinated by it and took an Irish history course in college. I was working as a waitress but lost my job so was looking for a new one. One snowy Saturday a group of charity walkers arrived in Columbus, they were walking from California to Boston raising money for Concern.

Due to the weather they decided to stay in Columbus for a week, so my friends and I hung out with them day and night! I decided then I wanted to move to Ireland, so I moved in with my friends, sold everything I owned, and met the walkers in Boston. We flew to Shannon where I got a visitors stamp in my passport. I was supposed to work voluntarily at a place called Camphill here in Kilkenny. I met my now husband the first day in Ireland, and after a week, that was it!

I never went to work with Camphill, I went with him in his lorry around the country instead! I flew home when the three month visa was up and came back two weeks later. This continued for a year until we got married the following year, and here we are, 37 years married this month, I’m here 38 years next month. We have a grown daughter who has boys, and our son is married in Australia with their first baby due in April.

I have to say I’ve felt at home here since I arrived and knew I’d never live in the U.S. again. I haven’t even been back since ‘97.