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Here's what it's like being Irish and in London for Christmas
As it’s Christmas, DailyEdge.ie got in touch with some Irish people spending the day in different parts of the world. From Australia, to across the pond in London. Here’s how their Christmas fares up to ours at home.
Google Maps Google Maps
Location: London, United Kingdom
With London just an hour from home, many Irish emigrants choose not to stay.
One of them who stayed before is Vanessa Monaghan, presenter of The London Ear on 2XM. This will be her fifth Christmas living in London, having lived there for a year in 2002, and returning for good in 2013. She’s only been away from home for one Christmas.
Missing home
While Ireland isn’t so far from their new home, Irish emigrants still miss it.
If you think Dublin is mad, try Oxford Street.
Paul Robertson Paul Robertson
While older traditions are left behind, there’s plenty of room to adopt new ones, like a nice stroll along London’s Southbank on the Sunday afternoon before Christmas to take a look at the markets.
Christmas wouldn’t be Christmas without being at home
Russell James and Patrick Hanlon aka the GastroGays run a popular food blog and have been living in London since 2013.
They return home to Ireland every Christmas for at least a week, Patrick’s from Drogheda, Co. Louth and Russell’s from Balbriggan, north Co. Dublin.
gastrogays.com gastrogays.com
They say flying home is “extortionate”, but it has to be done.
The differences with Dublin, though tiny, are plain to see.
New Years Eve is a big deal in the English capital, and many emigrants return to experience it. But only after they’ve taken in a massive feed at home.
gastrogays.com gastrogays.com
But can they get the festive build-up quite right? They say there’s “nothing quite like the buzz of Dublin on the 23rd or 24th, as people are milling about collecting their last bits before the shops close”.
You can beat the pubs at Christmas in Ireland
Youtuber Sean Burke is also heading home, he’s been in London just over a year. He’s spending Christmas at his sister’s house in Swords with the family.
Sean Burke Sean Burke
But what stands out for him in terms of differences? Pantos.
As for traditions at home… you can beat the Old Schoolhouse in Swords for a few Christmas Eve pints.
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abroad at christmas Christmas irish in london