Image Copyright: Cariska Dicks
Making the decision to move to Ireland was an easy one.
I have an 8 year old daughter who is in SA private school and it costs a fortune. She needs a better future and opportunities.
Secondly, with the development and township work that I do, it was a safety issue too since after the umpteenth hijacking, money stolen, frustration of the safety - decision made.
The process was also fairly easy since I am on an EU passport, however we decided to come on a 2 week holiday - stay with a friend - check out the schools and what ever needed to be checked out for our final decision. That was March 2020 - the 17th (which turned out to be one of the last flights out of SA pre-lockdown)
So armed with a holiday suitcase, 12 days worth of clothes for myself and my 8 year old. We were off.
My daughter travelled on SA passport and I travelled on my EU passport.
Our thought process was - 2 week holiday. Return to SA to pack up the house, sort everything out, get paper work done and sorted - and then move over in July.
Great plan - then Covid Shmovid had different plans.
So on arrival on the 18th March in Dublin, we trained it down to Killarney in County Kerry. Mutters and under breath murmering already denoting possible lockdown, we needed nerves of steel.
By that weekend our Emirates Flights were cancelled, lockdown measures were put into place and South Africa had closed its borders. We were here to stay (at least until travel restrictions lifted) - which means 24 weeks ago we landed and now calling Eire home.
That has its own challenges since we were home schooling via Crawford, in lockdown at a friends place, no more than a few holiday clothing items and a mountain of admin to sort out knowing that we had no way to get back - mind shift requirements at highest levels. A rollercoaster is about the best way to describe it.
PPS numbers, drivers licenses, bank accounts, car, insurance, and packing up a home and life in SA remotely (via video call) was not for sissies. But here we are and life goes on.
Firstly had a letter written by a friend (my host) to state that we are living here with their Utility bill to get the necessary paper work done, was not acceptable to the bank. However, online PPS application during Covid lockdown was fairly simple. Applied online, received email in response (was amazed at the reply efficiency) - and within 3 weeks had confirmation that the PPS number for both myself and my daughter was approved. They did ask me to re apply for my daughter with a Child benefit form (which was done too). Needless to say that we never received the posted letter with the PPS number for some strange reason (because the postal service was amazing). Applied online with friends address and letter and that was perfectly acceptable.
When restrictions lifted allowing masked visits to the Intreo Centre (local PPS office) it was quick and easy to ascertain that the PPS numbers on a letter head was printed to ensure Bank Account opening ability.
The PPS card which is required too will only be available in the next few weeks since that office / counter is not open yet.
Off to the bank with the official PPS letter which has the address (of friend) on it, and we are off to the races. Bank account at AIB opened within a few minutes and within 3 days the pin arrived by post and 2 days after the bank card. Victory.
Having met a few locals along the way (walking daily within the 2km allowable radius) it was quickly evident that the Community culture in Rural Ireland is alive and well. We heard about the local schools, and someone who knows someone knows the principal. We got his mobile number, gave him a call and within 2 days kindly met us at the closest school (mask and sanitiser and all) and promptly made a space available for my 8 year old to attend when schools open again. Since that moment, the relief of knowing that my daughter will actually be able to go to school, i made a decision to allow her off the homeschooling hook and enjoy the 2 month summer holiday that the Irish kids have.
In the meantime, video calling home (SA) and having my house packed up and car sold and furniture distributed etc, we have a container (that still has not left the sunny shores of SA) but sometime soon we will receive the notification that it will leave. Holding breath. I guess the win of not actually being there to go through every last item in your home to pack the "absolutely Essential" items that are actually not really that essential in the greater scheme of things - is a good thing. Less stress, but someone on the other side of the pond needed to do the heavy lifting - so a huge shout out to the amazing peeps who actually packed up and moved our home for us.
From City to Country - Corporate to Farm, was a huge adjustment in any event, but we went from 100 miles an hour in Fourways, Johannesburg to minus 10 miles an hour in lockdown in the country - Mind was blown. BUT my first outing, to Tesco of all things was quite an exciting day. Got the supplies required and all things necessary, but OMG there were certain things that you just could not find. Knives were like hens teeth during lockdown - NO ONE sold knives. So i was hacking the potatoes and veg with a spoon literally - until a very awesome community member gifted us some knives oooh and toys for my daughter. Love this community - books and toys and other things for her knowing she has a few holiday clothes in hand, I'm overwhelmed at the generosity and kindness of the Community.
Now the 3 months had expired on my daughters SA passport and her EU passport was not issued in SA yet due to lockdown, which made things a little difficult - but a trip to the garda station would be required to notify them of the intention to stay - awaiting the EU passport in Ireland. Funny that very few courier companies will post passports across the waters from a security perspective and the embassy will not change the collection point. Luckily a dear Friend who was just emigrated 2 weeks ago (still in self isolation) was able to bring it with her.
We have a bank account, a PPSN number, appointment for Drivers license change (and eye test done for Euro 25), a car and car insurance, and the odd item of clothing from Tesco (and more recently Dunnes and TKMaxx - which thankfully opened) and still running my SA business from here - Ireland is home.
Today marks a momentous occasion - my daughter started school in Ireland which could have been quite a traumatic experience, but was the easiest transition which surprised us all. The principal personally walked her around the school, arranged play dates with children from the school prior to day 1, allowed her to spend some time with the teacher pre day 1 and we have success. Transition was easier that a Tesco Shopping spree.
Horse riding lessons, watching lambs being born, feeding cows on the farm, walking more than we have every walked in our lives through the greenest of green country side, meeting strangers that stop and actually want to know how you are, having the farmer and his wife being more than hospitable in every way, having the local pub as your go to space in terms of getting things done (from the oil guy to the butcher to the off license guy to the wood guy) - i have assimilated and transitioned so well that it feels like we have been here forever.
The weather has certainly been a huge adjustment, with the Irish summer being equal to South African Autumn / winter (with less sun than the beautiful sunny winter afternoons in SA) but with a good pair of walking shoes (aka gumboots) and a sexy ass rain coat, life on the Emerald Isle is amazing. Just means that a padded jacket (coat) is an essential item for every outing come rain or shine.
The moral of the story.
It will be a huge adjustment emotionally (especially since your support system is now at arms length) but if you are open and friendly and willing to do what needs to be done, you will prosper.
You never realize how 'stressed" South Africans actually are daily - living with a perpetual angst of all things Economic and Political and Safety, until you no longer need to look over your shoulder on the daily. Money cannot buy the feeling of safety being the norm and community togetherness being a support unrivalled.
Taking each day one step at a time is the only way. It is what it is, it will all happen in due course. A check list of to do items and daily tick one team off that list!
Important links:
#MapMyMove- Our coaching Services - Confused or lost and need some direction, book a session with us to help untangle the confusion and work out your route of immigration
How much does it cost for children to grow up in Ireland
Steps to take in the Immigration process
If you have a story to share please email us a blog at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
