Corkonians Abroad: I miss home... but love London sun

CORKONIAN Muireann McSwiney left Inniscarra for Cambridge in England, and spent four years there before moving to London in 2013.

What is life like in your new home, Muireann?

Life is busy, primarily because I’m a mother, to Allegra, and because my work is demanding, but it’s great.

It’s not much different to what life would be like in Cork, but with just fewer amazing Cork accents and Cork humour around me and more air pollution.

A massive positive factor is that south-east England is so much warmer and drier. The summers here are typically very good. 

It hits 40 degrees sometimes, which I know is too hot for some, but I love heat and sunshine.

What has been the biggest challenge you have faced?

Initially, it was the isolation involved in moving to a new country where you don’t have any friends or family.

Not having any friends or family around was really hard as I had never lived away from home before in a place where I knew no-one.

I think that, certainly in the south of England, people are initially more reserved so it can take a little longer to get to know people.

I tackled it by making the most of the inexpensive Ryanair flights back home every few weeks and by getting involved as much as I could with local activities like drama, as well as staying in close contact with my friends and family in Ireland.

How might you spend your weekends in London?

Because of how intense my work tends to be, weekends are focused primarily on relaxing and socialising.

The house I bought a few years ago required a lot of renovation so now that it’s had a lot of work done, I love to host and have friends over.

In the summer, I try to go on day trips to places on the coast like Brighton or west Sussex.

One of the things that I love about living here is how dog-friendly places are. 

There are dog-friendly cinema screenings, dogs are allowed on public transport, and in some shops, pubs and restaurants. It’s not unusual to see people browsing around Zara with their dogs on the lead and it definitely enhances the shopping experience for dog fanatics like me.

I have two dogs, are Molly and Monty, that I adore and I love being able to bring them places with me.

Tell us a bit about the culture of where you live?

Where I live, there is a strong Afro-Caribbean population and I’m on the periphery of a very gentrified area. I think one of the biggest challenges of moving to the UK from Ireland was not being prepared for the relatively small but quite striking cultural differences.

The sense of humour is different, people are generally more reserved, the class system here is bonkers and so prominent… there are lots of things that I hadn’t quite anticipated when I first moved to England.

I think the general lack of awareness of the history between England and Ireland surprised me too.

The gap between rich and poor is especially stark and striking here. 

The child mortality rate in England for the under 5s is the second highest in Europe and poverty is the leading cause of this.

If that mortality rate is not a damning indictment of the Tory government, I don’t know what is. I think, like most countries, the political system gives a huge insight into the cultural problems being faced. Politics are so divided here. They really need the PR system we have in Ireland!

Some of the UK government policies regarding the vulnerable are so cruel and mean- spirited. I find it hard to believe that someone like Robert Jenrick (the British MP who ordered that murals in child refugee asylum facilities should be painted over, reportedly because they sent ‘too welcoming a message’) is allowed to remain in office.

I feel that if an Irish TD were to have such contempt for vulnerable children, it would surely, and rightly, cause national outrage in Ireland.

Tell us about your line of work/career?

I am a consultant educational and child psychologist. I work with clients across the lifespan but about 60% of my work is with those aged 18 and under.

My specialisms are mental health, specific learning difficulties and corporate wellbeing. 

I’ve developed a lot of specialist knowledge in the area of Special Educational Needs.

I use therapeutic approaches as well as assessment and coaching in my work. My role also involves a lot of report-writing but I have always enjoyed writing, fortunately.

My work can be very intense as I’m often seeing people who are distressed, are trauma-experienced and who are often facing systemic injustices.

I work in private practice exclusively now, having worked in the NHS and local government (state sector) for over a decade. I see clients in clinic as well as in schools and community settings.

Public services, including schools and the NHS, have really suffered as a result of the Tory government, and the impact on people’s wellbeing, education and opportunities has been very negative. This is especially true for the less wealthy.

Early intervention services have been decimated, meaning that problems are becoming more complex and entrenched, often reaching crisis point, where before this would have been avoided. Hence why I feel so strongly about the political aspects of life in the UK!

But I really love my work, it matters a lot to me to play a role in helping someone to reach their goals and overcome whatever obstacles they may be facing.

I love advocating for my clients and supporting them to have their voice heard and have their needs met. I care a lot about my work, it’s hard not to be emotionally invested in this line of work.

What has been your most memorable moment in your new location so far?

Having my daughter, Allegra. The most memorable and best by far.

If you were back in Cork for one day, what would the ideal day for you?

This is a really tough one as Cork has an abundance of amazing spots and things to do.

I think beyond prioritising seeing my family and friends, an ideal day would involve a trip to Dunnes and Penneys, followed by some food at one of the very many amazing restaurants in Cork that seem to have sprung up in the last three or four years. The food in Cork is excellent.

I’d have to get chowder somewhere as well as garlic, chips and cheese. 

Simple pleasures are the best.

If there were 48 hours in the day, I’d love to get to Gougane Barra, Inchydoney and Kinsale as well as walk up Patrick’s Hill, and just soak up the city atmosphere - ideally on a sunny evening.

Is there anything that you especially miss about Cork?

Yes: my mom, my family, my friends, the accents, the Cork humour and slang, the multitude of beautiful outdoor spots and scenery, the food, the cleaner air...

Cork is a magnificent place and I’m super proud to be from Cork. I wouldn’t be where I am or as happy as I am if it wasn’t for the family and friends I have in Cork or the excellent education and multiple opportunities my parents made available to me.

I used to be very involved in theatre and I really miss that aspect of my life in Cork too.

How will you be spending St Patrick’s Day?

We will be making a weekend out of it in our house.

My daughter will be going in to school with green, white and gold in her hair and party bags for her classmates.

We will be wearing green, white and gold throughout the weekend, the two dogs as well of course, as well as hosting a Patrick’s Day party at our house.