My name is Stacey McKenna, and I’m originally from Fountainstown. At 18, I moved to Limerick to study Business at the University of Limerick. From there, I moved to Luxembourg for a few years to kickstart my career and continue with the exams I needed to finish to become fully qualified. I have always loved to travel, so when Australia came up in conversation with the girls, we decided to go for it.
In September 2019, three of the girls and I bought a one-way ticket to Melbourne, Australia, with absolutely no plans on where we would live or how long we would be here. But here I am, five years later, still living in Melbourne with my boyfriend Eoin and my golden retriever Rolo. I met Eoin in Melbourne; he’s originally from Cork himself. Everyone laughs that I went to the other side of the world and met a boy from Cork. At least it will be an easy decision on where to live if we ever decide to move back.
I’m working as a financial accountant with Ticketmaster Australia. I started in a temp role in 2019 and then got a four-year sponsorship when I returned from my regional work in 2021. I absolutely love my job. I work at some of the major sporting events, such as the Australian Open and the Australia Formula 1 Grand Prix. We’re aiming to apply for our permanent residency early next year.
Life on a daily basis consists of me working Monday to Friday, spending the evenings taking Rolo for a walk or playing tennis at my local club. On the weekends, we enjoy going for coffee and meeting our friends for dinner and drinks. Your friends are like your family out here, so catching up with them fills the void of missing home. Australia has a very active outdoor lifestyle, so I find myself going on more day trips for hikes or weekend camping.
The Irish community is massive in Melbourne, so there are plenty of Irish pubs to eat and drink. They have events every night, so you can never be bored. Nights out in the pub can sometimes feel like you’re at home.
Growing up in Fountainstown, I’ve lived next to the sea my whole life, so out here is the same. I’m currently living a fifteen-minute walk to the beach.
While I’ve been here, I’ve been fortunate enough to do a road trip along the East Coast and, just recently, a road trip along the West Coast. The places we’ve visited and seen have been breathtaking. I won’t forget those experiences for as long as I live.
I definitely miss home, and I miss all my family and friends. Being able to contact them frequently through Facetime is great, but it’s not the same as being able to see them in person. The time difference can sometimes be difficult to navigate. It’s more about the small things you miss, like going for a stroll with your mum or popping down to Nanny for a chat.
My sister Shauna moved out here at the beginning of this year, so it was so nice to have her and her boyfriend Kieran staying with us for a few months before they embarked on their own Australian adventure.
Having to miss any special occasions at home can be very difficult. It’s not that easy to jump on a plane and go. Taking a trip back to Ireland is always months in the planning, the cost of flights is not cheap, and you will always dread the nearly 30-hour journey ahead of you. The journey home is always easier; you are so excited to see everyone, but the journey back is difficult after saying goodbye to everyone once again. I don’t think that part will ever get easy.
I miss the Irish food; it just doesn’t taste the same out here. When you’re out here for so long, you adapt to its taste, but the minute you land home, you notice the difference immediately. The Anchor Inn in Crosshaven and Chinese are always first on my list when I do come home.
A major difference would be the weather; you are guaranteed nice weather in the summer.
Christmas in the sun isn’t the same; I don’t think it will feel like Christmas again until I spend it back in Ireland. It feels weird sitting in the heat with your Christmas decorations up.
In summer, there is something every weekend, whether that is a festival, concert, run club, orb, or fitness event you can attend. I will say Melbourne is not always sunny like some parts of Australia, and our winters can be freezing. There are a few months of the year when you feel like you’re living in Ireland.
It’s so easy to live independently here; everyone can find an apartment to rent. However, it always stresses me out a little bit if we were to ever move back to Ireland. Where would we live?
That seems to be one of the topics of conversation when I’m talking to anyone back in Ireland.
Happy Christmas to my Nanny, can’t wait to see you in a few months and to have a small drop with you. Happy Christmas to my Mum Annette, Dad Sean, brother Kevin, Aunt Trina and nephew Olan. I miss you all and can’t wait to see you too. Hello to all my aunts, uncles, cousins (I won’t start naming because as most people will know there’s a lot).
A big hello to all my friends back home, counting down the days till I’m home to see you all. A big shout out to Savanna and Nicole who started this Australian journey with me
but have since moved back home. I miss having them both by my side but will cherish all the memories we made on our crazy little adventures.