Corkonians Abroad: 'Life in Spain is brilliant...there is always a buzz around'

This week, I caught up with Corkman Simon Kavanagh, who grew up in Friars Walk in the city, and now calls sunny Spain his home.

Where are you from, and where do you currently live?

I’m from Cork city, Friar’s Walk is where our family home is, and I have my own house in Ballyphehane, which I bought just over seven years ago - a fixer-upper which I was looking for and I was lucky to find one in a great location.

I spent about a year or more renovating it (with lots of help from my family, who played a big part in helping me do it).

I’m currently living in Torremolinos in Spain.

How did you end up in Spain?

I moved here in February, 2024, so I’m coming up on one year now.

I lived in Australia in 2011/2012 and when I came back to Cork, I always wanted to live abroad again.

Unfortunately, when I was thinking about where to go and when, covid came about and put those plans on hold for a while.

During that time in limbo, I completed a course online with MTU and managed to get some more renovations done on my house.

I’d been on many holidays to Spain, ever since we were kids we would come here a lot on family holidays, and more recently with my own friends in the last few years, so for me, it was an easy choice of where I wanted to move to.

The warmer climate was one of the main reasons for moving, but also to experience what it would be like to live in a country that I would usually only visit for a holiday once or twice a year.

That, and the ease of getting home or friends and family coming to visit is a big help too, with it being less than three hours of flying between here and Cork.

What is life like in your new home?

Life here is brilliant! I live in the centre of Torremolinos in my own apartment so there is always a buzz around, and everything I could possibly need is at my doorstep.

Everything here is more chilled and relaxed, which was a bit frustrating at times at first. But I think that is just because of the way Irish people are wired. 

We’re always in a rush, and it took me a while to realise that, and to learn to adapt to the way things are done over here... which feels great.

What has been the biggest challenge?

The biggest challenge is the language barrier for sure.

Everyone knows the basics, to say hello, goodnight, and thank-you, etc, when they go on vacation, but when you’re living in a new place, it’s good to at least try and learn the language of that country.

Even if you’re not very good at it, it is appreciated that you are making an effort, and everyone is very friendly and helpful so they will point out the incorrect word or pronunciation you’re using... but in a nice way!

I have a long way to go with my lessons, but hopefully in a few months it will be a lot better!

How might you spend your weekends?

I usually work on the weekends, but I’m very lucky in my job here to have Saturdays off, so spending the day at the beach or just taking a nice long walk on the promenade is always a good start, then a nice dinner and a few drinks, depending on whether I have family or friends visiting from home, or just a night out with my friends that I have made since I moved here.

Sometimes, though, a Netflix and chill night is just as good.

Tell us about your line of work/career?

Back home, I worked for a medical device company in Carrigtwohill and I knew when I was moving that I would more than likely be looking for work in the hospitality sector, which was what I was hoping for... a big change from what I was used to.

I was very fortunate that a friend of mine told me about a bar that was recently after being taken over by a fellow Cork man, John McCarthy, and his partner Sarah, so I sent in my resume and started working there in April of last year, and I had an unforgettable nine months working with them.

I couldn’t have found a better place to work... and I am very appreciative of them. They’re not just bosses to me anymore, we’ve become really good friends too.

Like any business, customers are the driving force for its success and we had some fantastic ones last year, which added to the enjoyment of work.

Hopefully, this year will be just as good, if not better for us all!

So, if anyone is making a trip over to Torremolinos/Benalmadena... be sure to call into us in McCarthy’s Bar for a nice cold one.

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

I don’t have a specific moment, but I do feel very lucky to have so many friends and family coming to visit.

I think last year I had only three or four weeks with no visitors from home, so each of those visits will always be very memorable for me.

Any special mentions to friends or family back in Cork?

Just a massive hello to everyone, friends and family... especially my niece and nephews. I miss you all, and if I could move everyone over here with me, I would in a heartbeat!! xx

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

One day would not be long enough... but a family dinner and catching up with friends would be an ideal day back home.

What are you looking forward to in the coming months?

Getting back to work after the Christmas break, getting back to lessons to help with my Spanish, and just to the year ahead in general.

Friends and family have already booked in their weeks to come and visit, and hopefully I will get to visit some other parts of Spain that I have not yet been to.

Is there anything that you especially miss about Cork?

Family and friends for sure. It can be difficult sometimes seeing things on social media that you’re missing out on, like birthdays and other special events that I would always try my hardest not to miss when I was living back home.

But, when everyone keeps telling me that this was a great decision I made, and they can see why I took the chance, it makes it all worthwhile.