Stories from Abroad: ‘Don't underestimate power of your Irish connections'

Heather McCormack and her boyfriend Gavin Byrne both play for St Pats GAA Toronto, and are on the St Pats committee, having moved to the Canadian city in September 2016.

They are among a group of seven players from Westmeath. Six of them, in fact, are all alumni of Moate Community School, including Heather, who is from just outside the town.

Speaking highly of her time there, Heather adds that as an avid lover of all things GAA, who played for the school team and has fond memories of winning two Leinster titles, for one of which she had the privilege to be captain, the skills she learned being on a team have stood her in good stead to this day, and especially when she made the move across the ocean.

“I finished my Master’s in International Management and Global Business at the University of Limerick, and I secured a marketing role just outside Drogheda. After three years living in Drogheda and driving home every weekend to Westmeath to be with family and friends, I decided it was time for a change of scenery.

“Anyone that has travelled the N52 from Drogheda into Westmeath will no doubt understand why, after three years, I had had enough.

“Australia was still hot on everyone’s lips at that time, and with many of my friends already there, it did cross my mind.

“However, I just couldn’t do it to my poor Mam, who insisted that it was just too far away. So with my partner’s brother already calling Canada home, it was an obvious next choice.

“Although, I had never been, I was assured I would love it – and love it I did. Gavin and I have been here a year and a half now and we have thoroughly enjoyed our experience so far.

“Before coming over we needed to attain a two-year working visa and now that we are approaching the end of that two years, we are applying for permanent residency to extend our stay.
Toronto

My first impressions of Toronto was that for a huge city, the fourth largest in North America, it was very clean and didn’t have much noise pollution. Having been to NYC many times, I was expecting much of the same; packed sidewalks, traffic jams and horns blowing, but it is a lot slower paced – which I like.

“I also found that everyone I met in shops and in public was very polite and friendly, which is important in making you feel welcome when you move to a new city.

“Once here I was expecting to be job hunting for up to three months as this was seen as the norm, but a fellow Westmeath man and friend of my boyfriend came to my aid.

“They offered to meet me and help me with my résumé and this ended up in me getting an interview for a position as social media specialist with their company… and I guess the rest is history.

“Don’t underestimate the power of your Irish connections, people!

Home for Christmas
“Part of the deal I made with my Mam before moving over was that I promised to come home every Christmas. So I have been home, as promised, the past two Christmases and also once more for a wedding, which I’m sure will become more common as I approach the 30 mark.

“I have also been lucky to have had my parents and my little brother come out to visit me here. I got to show them what my life is like here and take them to all the sites. They must have enjoyed it because they have planned another trip back to visit this summer.

“I think no matter how much you may enjoy your life in a new place, home will always be home.

“I miss sitting around the kitchen table with my family having the chats and also nights out with my friends. And all the home cooking, proper chocolate and Supermac’s.

“I still haven’t got used to the fact they sell milk in a plastic bag here – yes you read that right. Like, why?

“My support system over here is different. Because you don’t have your family around to call on when you need help, the people you meet and the friendships you make are fundamental to your overall experience.

“For me joining St Pats GAA Toronto has been key. The club has welcomed me with open arms and I have made so many new friends. St Pats GAA is essentially like our family over here.”
The weather

“In Toronto you get all four seasons, which I love. You are guaranteed snow in the winter (and lots of it) and sunshine in the summer.

“It means you can plan things in the summer because you are almost guaranteed it will be warm and sunny.

“It’s ironic but since moving to Toronto I spend much more time outside than I did living in the countryside of Westmeath. I guess I just drove everywhere before and now I walk.”

Do you think you’ll return one day to Ireland for good or is that out of the question?
“My Mam will be reading this so I better say yes! Realistically, that isn’t something I have given much thought to just yet.

“Right now I am happy with my life in Canada and can see myself being here for another few years at least, but who knows after that.

“I am a firm believer that you will be more disappointed by the things you didn’t do than by the ones you did do.

“Since moving to Toronto I have experienced so many firsts. Moving away from home pushes you to be more open to trying new things and that can only be a good thing.

“As I said, establishing a new support network is key to your overall experience. I would suggest joining a local team GAA team, like St Pats GAA Toronto.

“That will expose you to a whole new network of people, most of whom have been in the same situation as you, and are willing to lend a hand in getting you set up and feeling at home as soon as possible.”