Corkman: My 35 years of travels... but I miss Tanora and pints of Murphys

IN a world where people are often defined by their roots, Cork city northsider Paul Deasy is a refreshing reminder that we can also be defined by our wanderlust.

The 58-year-old adventurer, who hails from Cahergal in Mayfield, has spent the last 35 years exploring different corners of the globe, leaving behind a trail of fascinating tales and unforgettable experiences.

From the bustling streets of London to the dusty deserts of Saudi Arabia, and from the vibrant markets of south-east Asia to the wild plains of Uganda, Deasy has lived a life that most of us can only dream of.

Yet, despite his travels, there’s one thing that never left him: his unmistakable Cork accent.

Sitting on top of a sunny rooftop in Kampala, as we both desperately try (and fail) to swat away the incessant mosquitos, Paul, a former UCC student of Civil Engineering, tells me he left Ireland when he finished his studies back in 1986.

I did what everybody did. Everyone was leaving. And everyone was going to London. So I went there.

“But then I took a construction job in Saudi Arabia, which, of course, is half a world away - both in terms of distance but also in terms of culture,” said Paul.

“After some time in Saudi, I started taking contract work, most of it being in south-east Asia. I spent the next 20 years in Asia, going from place to place, contract to contract - Thailand, the Philippines, Indonesia, and Singapore, among other countries.”

In 2020, as we all know, the global coronavirus pandemic saw work grind to a halt right across the world. The situation in south-east Asia was looking particularly bleak for Paul at the time, so he decided his next adventure would be on a different continent entirely.

He packed his bags and took a job with Irish business The Lagan Group in Uganda - the Pearl of Africa.

“It was my first time in Africa, so I was excited and a little nervous to be coming here,” said Paul.

“But the Lagan Group is great to work for. They were in charge of the new runway at Cork Airport, you know? And they needed people here to do the infrastructure for an industrial estate on the east side of town.

“Before I arrived, I asked a few buddies who had worked in different places around Africa what they thought. They said Uganda would be a great placement because it’s relatively safe, the people are friendly, it’s English-speaking, and there’s a lot to do in terms of tourism.”

Though Paul has enjoyed the time he’s spent in Uganda, he intends to move once more - back to Vietnam to be closer to family.

“Ten years ago, I was going from job to job, place to place, but I’m actually married with kids now so I have to be a little more settled,” he explains.

Due to Covid, Paul was unable to bring his family with him to Uganda from south-east Asia, and was also unable to see them for two whole years.

“Yes, it was a long stint,” he says. 

We relied very heavily on Whatsapp messages and video calls to keep in touch. It was very tough but it had to be done.

Unfortunately, it is not the only expat heartbreak Paul has had to endure.

After finishing the Middle Eastern part of his adventures, he attempted to move back home to Cork. “I went back and worked with my dad for a short spell, building extensions… but it was no longer enough for me.

“I had been working on mega-projects - high rise buildings, projects that take four or five years to complete. Then suddenly I was back doing footpaths and small things. It wasn’t the type of work I wanted to do anymore,” said Paul.

“So, I got a job with a construction company. I had between 10 and 15 years of experience at that stage - doing large projects abroad - but the company said that because I hadn’t done the job in Ireland, I’d be starting at entry level.”

Paul took his time to consider the job offer, but he just couldn’t take the hit. He’d been doing more challenging and interesting work abroad, and was getting paid good money for it. He felt like if he stayed in Ireland, it would be many more years before he would work back up to the level he had already been performing at.

He felt he had no choice. Reluctantly, Paul left the country once more. This time, it was for good.

“No, I don’t have any regrets,” he says. “How could you regret seeing the world?

“And working in different places… it’s different from being a tourist because people treat you differently. They don’t treat you like a tourist. You get to see what’s real.

“But yes, I do miss Ireland sometimes. My family, of course. But also brown sauce… Tanora… and a dirty big pint of Murphy’s.”