Laois emigration stories: From Clonaslee to Copenhagen

Throughout history, Ireland has seen its people emigrate in droves. Be it due to the Famine of the 1840's, or the economic crisis of the 1950’s, we have always seen our people leave to pursue a better life elsewhere.

Why are our family and friends still forced to leave home to achieve a comfortable existence? 

The Leinster Express/Laois Live spoke to young people from Laois who have emigrated as part of our series on their stories and reasons for leaving. 

Niall Foyler, originally from Clonaslee, emigrated to Copenhagen almost a year ago.

Working for an Irish engineering company, Mr Foyler and his partner decided to move for better opportunities and living conditions.

“I moved from Laois to Dublin for college, and I was living in Dublin while we started considering Copenhagen. My partner and I visited a few times and we could see how much better it is here than it was in Ireland,” he said.

“I was living at home and commuting up to Dublin for work. I couldn’t see anything for me in Laois, and I had a few friends in Dublin, so I found somewhere to rent in Dundrum. I was really lucky to have found a double room to rent at the time, but there were no prospects for my partner and I to move in together in our own place- it was just totally out of the question.”

Mr Foyler and his partner are loving Copenhagen, and find it a completely different environment to Ireland.

“Copenhagen is a capital city, but it has the feeling of a small country town. There's so much to do and see, we have a beach and loads to do in the city. It's so much easier to get around too. Anyone that has come to visit us, has said yeah, we can see why you moved here,” he said.

“I do miss home. Ireland is a beautiful country, and it’s home for me, but beautiful doesn’t pay the bills. You can’t get forward in life, I just saw zero prospects. I’m a qualified engineer, and I realised I was just slaving away and getting nothing for it.

“In Ireland, you’re always giving up something. If you’re living at home, you’re saving up money, not loads though- but you’re giving up your social life.

“If you live in Laois, you’re giving up your time every day to commute. If you live in Dublin, you do have a better social life and you’re spending less time commuting, but you’re spending a ridiculous amount on rent. The only way around it is to own a house, but sure to own a house you need to save money,” said Mr Foyler.

Pictured: Niall Foyler is originally from Clonaslee, and emigrated to Copenhagen almost a year ago.

Mr Foyler told us that he and his partner do see themselves returning to Ireland, but living abroad has changed their priorities.

“In Copenhagen, no one owns a car, while in Ireland it’s a necessity, even in Dublin. In the future, I’d like my kids to have good opportunities, like schools and sporting amenities.  Life over here is just easier and more comfortable. With healthcare, I injured myself playing football, and went up to the local hospital. I was seen to, x-rayed and given my results in under 45 minutes, and didn’t pay a dime,” he said.

“The cost of living is basically the same, but we don’t have the crazy rent situation like we do at home. Salaries are also about 50% higher, for the same job. A friend of ours has a one-bed apartment right in the middle of the city centre, and she pays €600 a month. And she was complaining about how expensive it was!” said Mr Foyler.

“People have more money to spend treating themselves, while at home I feel like everyone’s pinching pennies at the minute.

“If you’re thinking of emigrating, don't just look to Australia or Canada. They're very far away from home, and I know I'm not getting as good weather as down south, but I'm definitely living a good life here,” he said.

“If I could afford to live in Ireland, I’d still like to travel and see the world, but I wouldn’t have left,” Mr Foyler said.