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Here's what it's like being Irish and in Abu Dhabi for Christmas
As it’s Christmas, DailyEdge.ie got in touch with some Irish people spending the day in different parts of the globe. From the other side of the world in Australia, to across the pond in London, here’s how their Christmas measures up to ours at home.
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Location: Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates
Brian Cummins has been living in Abu Dhabi in the United Arab Emirates since August 2010, where he founded AbuDhabiPaddy.com, an online community for ex-pats in the area. He took a career break from teaching at a primary school in Dublin, and he’s been there ever since.
Brian Cummins Brian Cummins
His Christmas will be spent with his wife Caoimhe, sons Daithi and Tomas, and his brother in law Ciaran and his partner Rachel.
Getting home can be challenging
The young Irish community in Abu Dhabi is enough to make it feel Christmassy abroad. Sure he’s spent it in Australia, Thailand, and Dubai over the years.
The obvious benefits of being home in Ireland for Christmas will be missed, though.
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On Christmas day itself, the Irish craic just can’t be beaten.
But for some ex-pats, Christmas at home will have some sad memories.
Missing the little things
So what does a man living in sunny Abu Dhabi miss in our little country stuck in the freezing cold weather?
Brian Cummins Brian Cummins
Things are quite different in the U.A.E., but not worse
Christmas isn’t a public holiday in the emirates, but it’s still respected.
Christmas is often spent in the desert, with some cooking their own dinner, ordering from restaurants, or going to hotels to have the traditional Christmas dinner.
One of the main benefits, obviously, is the weather.
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Abu Dhabi Christmas Abroad UAE