Newfoundlanders, like us, love talking about weather

Husband and wife team Monica and Colin Purcell moved from Mullingar to Newfoundland after the recession hit Ireland and discovered many new adventures there, including whale watching, hiking and snowshoeing.

This ‘Story from Abroad’ is recounted by Monica, the youngest of three siblings, who explains how emigration has been part of her family for generations, and how relocating is overwhelming and requires courage, strength and a great deal of common sense. 

Of Indian descent, Monica was born and raised in South Africa but moved to Mullingar to be closer to her sister after her brother and his family, along with her mother, left South Africa for Australia.

“My sister lives in Mullingar, and it was where I met my husband Colin, a Westmeath native, who was born and raised in Mullingar,” explains the pharmacy technician.

“Colin is one of nine siblings and the son of Eddie and the late Sheila Purcell. He attended St Mary’s CBS. And being proud of his town, played underage Gaelic football for Shamrocks. On finishing his Leaving Cert, he attended Dundalk RTC to study civil engineering and later went to the University of Dundee, Scotland, where he obtained his honours degree in civil engineering. We live in Newfoundland, Canada and this is our story from abroad.

“We never imagined that we would ever leave Ireland, but unfortunately, after the recession, like so many others, we had no choice. People found it very difficult to find employment and individuals in the construction industry, found it twice as difficult because the construction sector, in particular, suffered immensely.

“After a difficult couple of years, we decided to take the plunge and look into job vacancies overseas. It was then that a good friend of Colin’s, who had just relocated to Canada, suggested that he apply for a job with the construction company that he was working for, as they were looking to employ site managers.

“Colin went to Canada for the interview in January 2012 and a few months later we were packing up our home and making arrangements to move to Canada.
“Packing up your life is stressful and alarming. There are a million things to think about, one of them was our puppy, Digger. We had to leave him behind at a kennel, because he had to remain in Ireland, due to the necessary injections required by law here, and couldn’t leave with us. It broke our hearts to leave him...

“He was reunited with us a month later and thanks to our good friend Dylan, who brought him to the airport and had all the necessary paperwork, including a pup’s passport, it worked out well!

“But the move was bitter-sweet, of course. On the one hand, we were leaving behind our family and friends, our home, our life. And on the other, it was going to be a new beginning, a new country, new jobs, new opportunities.

“Newfoundland is a large Canadian island off the coast of the North American mainland. It is one and a half times the size of Ireland and its population, approximately half a million, is a small population for a large province.

“St John’s, the capital city, is the oldest city in North America and is also the sister city of Waterford city. These two cities share an historic link, for it was from the mid-18th century and onwards that there was a mass emigration from the south east of Ireland to Newfoundland.

“It is definitely an outdoor enthusiast’s dream here and has something for everyone, and for every season. From the hiking trails along the ocean, or whale watching in the summer, or picking berries and baking apples to snowshoeing in the winter, you will not be disappointed.

“Newfoundland can be compared to the west of Ireland with its rugged coastline, similar landscape and breathtaking beauty. The people are friendly and easy going. Like the Irish, they love music, whether it is the traditional Newfoundland music, Irish music or live music in a pub.

“They are generous too, and always willing to help, especially when they know you’re a foreigner here. They have a fascination with Ireland and will proudly tell you that their ancestors are Irish.

“Newfoundlanders, like Irish people, love talking about the weather! ‘Not a bad day’ is more of a statement than a question and it covers all seasons, be it 30 degrees in the summer, or -15 degrees in the winter. If the skies are blue and the sun is shining, it is, indeed, not a bad day!

“Emigrating is not easy. The idea of packing up your entire life in a suitcase is pure madness and terrifying. The thought of leaving behind sentimental things like wedding gifts and photo albums and even things that are not practical to bring with you, like your puppy’s treat container from Aldi, which has a Springer spaniel on it, breaks your heart! It is, in fact, leaving a part of you behind. So it made perfect sense to post all those boxes of our most priceless possessions, prior to us leaving Ireland.

“And then one day, when you are making soda bread and the doorbell rings and the postman is standing there with your boxes, it’s like Christmas morning! The excitement, the sheer delight and tears are electrifying. You will never fathom how much a salt and pepper set would make you cry, unless you have packed it away and unpacked it in another country. And this particular salt and pepper set, is special, given to us by my late Mam-in-law.

“In a nutshell, re-locating is very overwhelming. It is the fear of the unknown that gets you. It requires courage, strength and a great deal of common sense. It is easier when you have decided what you want in life and then to go after it.

“Personally, for us, we decided that we would not sit on the fence. Meaning, we were committed to making it work here, or go back home. We chose the former and are now residents here. It will be six years in July this year since we left the Emerald Isle. We do not know what the future holds, or if or when we will move back home.

“Words cannot describe how much we miss our family and friends. But for now, we are just enjoying this amazing adventure, and in general, just loving life, this journey and all the opportunities and blessings that come our way. Sláinte!”