Why Ireland?

After visiting 13 countries around the world, 8 in Europe, I have decided to settle down in Ireland. Everywhere I go, especially when I meet Brazilian people, I am asked: Why Ireland?
I have decided to leave Brazil in 1999 when a crisis affected the area I worked. Many slaughterhouses from North to South of the country were closed. I have tried to redo my life there, but I had no success.
Usually people decide to move to another country when they receive an invitation from a friend or a relative. They promise to help you, but usually these are just words. When we arrive, the reality is completely different from what you were told.
My choice was a bit different. I was ready to move to USA when Bin Laden destroyed my dreams (Thanks God). I was on the phone, with a friend who lives in New Jersey, setting up the last details of my trip when I heard about the terrorist attack on the Twin Towers.
When my dream of living in USA was discouraged, my sociology professor told me about Ireland. The only thing I knew about the country was the IRA conflicts against the English domination and the divergences between Catholics and Protestants. Then, I surfed on the web to search for more information about the Island, such as its geography, history, politics and economy. It was love at first sight! The more I read about the more I wanted to move. For me, it was like the land of opportunities because I could work and study legally and besides that, it was possible to bring my family with me (at that time, I was married). So, I paid an English course and came to Dublin. The agency that sold me the package told me I would have a guaranteed job when I arrive.
However, the reality was totally different. I couldn’t find a job because I didn’t know the language and I didn’t have any experience. It was a very hard moment, in fact, one of the worst in my life. I was very far from home and I didn’t have any friend who I could count on. My only option was keep the faith in God and go on.
After experiencing bad times, I got my first job as a part-timer at the supermarket Tesco. My budget was very tight because I worked just 20 hours per week. It was not easy to afford the rent and the public transport expenses. After 5 months at Tesco, I found another job in a hamburger factory that belongs to Kepak Group, it was where I got my first Work Permit. After 5 years with Work Permit, I will gain the right to solicit an Irish Citizenship and became a European citizen (the dream of most of us).
Back to question: Why Ireland?, I would answer that I chose the country because here is the best place to make money and have a decent life. There are more than 10.000 Brazilians living in Ireland, according to non-official figures. (The estimative shows 2.800 Brazilians with Work Permit, 3.400 in irregular situation and uncountable students and tourists that came to Ireland just for a short period). Although the numbers are not official, we believe them because we are always in touch with leaders from North to South of Ireland.
The history of the Brazilian community in Ireland started with around 20 women that got married with Irishmen that were in Brazil on holidays or vice-versa. The Brazilian Embassy used to have the name of all these women, but in 1999, when the economic boom in Ireland started, the Embassy lost this control.
Brazilians were first hired to work with IT, unfortunately, just a few of them are still in Ireland because many companies transferred their base to other countries.
After that, the jobs that were offered to Brazilians were as factory workers. Kepak Group hired around 400 Brazilians all over Ireland. These workers, then, invited their family and friends to come to Ireland as well. This influence was so huge that the neighborhood Fabril, in Anapólis, Goiás, where many people that came to Ireland used to live, was completely transformed. Many houses and farms were bought in that area with the money they earned working for Kepak, in Ireland.
There is a impressive concentration of Brazilians in Cork, Limerick, Navan, Tallagh, Naas, Clonee, Galway, Roscomomn and Gort. In the latter one, it is said that there are more Brazilians than Irish people. Many ads in supermarkets are written in English and in Portuguese as well. Unfortunately, many Brazilians still don’t know the English language.
Talking to people around Ireland, I could notice that they are highly satisfied in living here. Many of them want to stay in the Island for at least 5 years. Other thing that I realized was that if someone is able to live in other country for more than 3 years, he/she can be considerate a successful person. After all, time is essential for making our dreams come true.
 Why Ireland? As I said before if you have a Work Permit, you have the right to bring your family with you, as long as you prove you are able to sustain them.
Besides that, the government offers free high quality education and gives you 125 Euros for each child that is in the school. Moreover, you will also be given a Medical Card which provides you and your family medical assistance for free.
The violence rate is low if compared to the Brazilian one and here you have much more job offers. If you are legal in the country and know how to communicate in English, the situation will be much easier than if you were in other European country such as Holland, Belgium, Portugal, Italy and France. And also there is no extradition of Brazilians, which is common in England.
The minimum wage in Ireland is 8.65 Euros and usually people are paid every week. I have never heard about bosses that didn’t pay correctly and I don’t know anyone who is unemployed. (Remember that I am referring to people that live in Ireland and are here for more than 90 days)
The public transportation is not very efficient and the night life can’t be compared to the London’s one. The weather in Ireland is not as good as it is in France, Italy, Spain or Portugal. On the other hand, this makes us focus on work and it facilitates to save money in order to make our dreams come true when we get back to Brazil.
Ireland has an excellent infrastructure in tourist area. There are many posh hotels around the country. Famous people such as the couple Vitoria and David Beckham chose an Irish Castle-Hotel for the wedding ceremony.
There are also many museums that tell the history of famous Irish people like James Joyce and Oscar Wilde. The rural areas of the country are very picturesque and there are wonderful landscapes, for example, the Lakes of Glendalough and the Cliffs of Moher.
For those who want to go to university here, can go to Trinity College, which is considered one of the best institutions in Europe, along with Oxford and Cambridge, in England. There are also other advantages: the cost (which is cheaper if compared to English and American ones), vacancies (they are not overcrowded and students don’t need to do a pre exam to enter in the University), work (as a full-time student, you are allowed to work 20 hours per week).
Besides the full-time courses, it is also possible to do part-time professional courses, which are usually cheaper. For instance, there are Brazilian people studying Arts & Drama. Rodrigo Rodrigues took part in the movie The King Arthur and starred in a play in Temple Bar. Ireland was the scenery of many movies such as Brave Heart, King Arthur and Michael Collins.  The government incentivizes productions in Ireland which is usually chosen because of its beautiful landscapes and castles.
The movie industry has also offered jobs, although, they are usually temporary. Among the famous Irish actors are Pierce Brosnam, Lian Nelson, Samantha Mumba, Adam Quinn and Colin Farrell.

Considering all the aspects I said above, I hope I have answered why I picked this cold country to live. I wish you understand my decision for Ireland. I am sure I chose the best for me and for my family. 

                                    Dublin, 12 de Outubro 2004
 
 

Marcio Chaves:.