‘If we could lift Mullingar and drop it in Australia…'

Regan Kelly

One constant on this Island has been the push to emigrate and even in modern times, not much has changed. Different periods have given people reasons to go, and the cost of living crisis and a lack of housing is now pushing people to other countries.

The destinations for ex-pats remain similar, and, while the UK is where most Irish people move to, according to the CSO figures this year, 35,000 Irish citizens moved abroad and there has been a significant surge in numbers going to Australia.

We spoke to one of those emigrants, Mullingar woman Orla Corcoran, who moved to Melbourne with her husband, PJ.

“We left in July 2024, the main reasons were to experience something new, better weather, better wages, and the chance to save for a mortgage.” When asked what would convince them to come back home, Orla said: “A substantial drop in the general cost of living and house prices.

“But either way, we would try to return when it is time to start a family. Our lives are great here, but we would need the support of our families.”

On life in Melbourne, Orla said: “To remove emotion from the equation, it’s clear that life is better here. We have better wages, more opportunities, and our money goes a lot further.

“Just for example, we live in a three-bedroom detached house, our rent is cheaper than what we were paying for our below-ground-level basement apartment in Dublin.”

Married to a Tipperary man, Orla is a proud Westmeath Woman, and she misses home: “If we could lift Mullingar and drop it in Australia, we would never come home. It’s difficult because we miss our families, and video calls just don’t cut it.

“There is a lot to be said for feeling like you belong. Australia could never be home. Let’s face it, there’s not much in this world that would beat Lingi’s for a bag of chips after a night out in Mojo’s!”