From NYC to Galway: Why Americans are Moving to Ireland
There has always been a connection between Ireland and the United States. Whether it was the Irish leaving for whaat they hoped would be a better life in the land of opportunity or to widen their horizons, there has always been a draw. With the world going through a seismic change in so many ways, from tech to pharma and travel it seems this country in Europe is now seeing to return the favour!
Having been in New York many times, I can see the appeal it has. The lights, the energy, the sheer will the city has to grow and the melting pot of people living and working from all over the world would lead anyone to want more, so why are people from the United States casting their eye across the water to the Emerald Isle of Ireland?
Well firstly many who have led successful careers in high powered positions have paid their dues, they have worked long and hard and seek something different and this is where Ireland can afford them something a little different, pace of life.
People like the idea that they can work to live rather than live to work and Ireland can provide that for them ( in many cases… not all!) Others wish to explore the role of their potential Irish heritage, their family tree or connect with something they feel drawn to (beyond the ancestry.com dashboard) that gives them something intangible.
The political climate is something that has been on the lips of many of our recent interactions with people who love their country but are choosing to explore simplicity over anxiety. The landscape in Ireland isn't perfect by any stretch of the imagination but it is less contentious (if that's the right word!).
A Transatlantic Connection That Runs Deep
The story between Ireland and the United States is one of shared history, family ties, and a certain understanding that transcends geography. For centuries, Irish emigrants crossed the Atlantic in search of opportunity, adventure, and a better life.
Now, in a historic reversal, Americans are making the journey the other way, swapping skyscrapers for thatched cottages, subway tunnels for green coastal roads, and the relentless pace of New York for the softer rhythms of Galway, Cork, and beyond.
It is not just a romantic notion. In early 2025, Ireland saw a 60% increase in US-based passport applications compared to the previous year, according to the Irish Department of Foreign Affairs. The reasons are as varied as the people making the move, but they tend to fall into a few compelling themes.
Two Cities, Two Tempos
Having spent time in New York, I understand its pull. The city is a living, breathing organism, one that feeds on ambition and thrives on motion. Its lights, energy, and cultural kaleidoscope draw people from every corner of the globe.
But for some, especially those who have reached the top of their professional ladder, that constant motion eventually starts to feel less like momentum and more like exhaustion. The same drive that once fuelled late nights in the office or bold entrepreneurial leaps begins to whisper something different: slow down.
Ireland, while connected and global in its own way, offers a very different tempo, especially outside Dublin. It is a place where “work to live” often takes precedence over “live to work.”
Why Americans Are Choosing Ireland
1. Work-Life Balance Worth Crossing the Atlantic For
Many of the Americans arriving in Ireland are seasoned professionals, executives, entrepreneurs, creatives, who have achieved success in high-pressure environments. They have worked long hours, navigated intense competition, and built impressive resumes.
Now, they want time. Time for their families, their health, their creativity, and their own peace of mind.
Ireland’s working culture, particularly in smaller cities and towns, can allow for that. Even in Dublin’s thriving tech and finance sectors, there is an increasing emphasis on flexible hours, remote work, and actual lunch breaks, an alien concept in some US industries.
“I did not realise how much my life revolved around work until I moved here,” one recent arrival from Chicago told me. “In Ireland, work matters, but so does living.”
2. Reconnecting with Irish Heritage
Over 30 million Americans claim Irish ancestry. For many, moving to Ireland is less about starting over and more about coming home.
Some begin their journey with a Foreign Birth Registration application, tracing their lineage back to an Irish-born grandparent. Others come without paperwork but with a strong desire to connect with the land and culture their family spoke about for generations.
It is about more than just tracing a family tree, it is walking the same lanes, hearing the same folk tunes, and realising that “home” can be a feeling as much as a place.
3. Political and Social Climate
In recent years, the US political landscape has been a factor for some movers. While many remain deeply proud of their country, there is a growing desire among certain Americans to experience a social climate with fewer daily flashpoints.
Ireland is far from immune to political debate, but for many newcomers it feels less polarised. Conversations over coffee in Galway are more likely to centre on community projects or the weather than on national division.
This is not about escaping, it is about choosing a place where life feels less defined by headlines and more by human connection.
4. Quality of Life and Community Spirit
Ireland’s appeal is not just slower pace, it is richer pace. The walkability of towns, the proximity of nature, the music spilling from a pub on a Tuesday night, the farmers’ markets, the book festivals, the unexpected conversations with strangers who quickly become friends.
The Wild Atlantic Way offers some of the most breathtaking coastal scenery in Europe, and even Ireland’s cities manage to blend historic charm with modern energy.
For Americans used to long commutes and urban sprawl, the compact scale of Irish life can feel like an upgrade, not a limitation.
The Practical Side: How Americans Are Making the Move
Visa and Residency Routes
The main pathways include:
Employment Permits (for in-demand skills in tech, healthcare, finance)
Ancestry or Citizenship by Descent (Foreign Birth Registration)
Spousal or Family Reunification
Study or Entrepreneur Visas
Ireland’s immigration system is structured but navigable, especially with the right guidance from experts like Rhatigan Real Estate, who work closely with relocation professionals and legal advisors to streamline the process.
Housing and Cost of Living
It is important to arrive with realistic expectations. Ireland’s housing market, especially in Dublin, Cork, and Galway, can be competitive. Rent is high relative to average wages, and the purchase market often involves multiple bidders.
That said, many rural and smaller-town locations offer excellent value, and a quality of life that more than compensates for being further from a city centre.
Rhatigan Real Estate specialises in sourcing prime properties for American buyers, from luxury coastal homes to investment apartments, ensuring you find the right balance of lifestyle and value.
Cultural Adjustments
There will be differences. The weather is famously unpredictable, locals often say you can experience four seasons in one day. Social integration can take time, as Irish communities are warm but often close-knit.
And while Ireland’s healthcare system offers strong public and private options, navigating it can be different from the US insurance-based model.
The Challenges Are Real, but So Are the Rewards
No relocation is without its trade-offs. But for many Americans, the promise of more time, deeper connection, and a calmer daily rhythm outweighs the challenges.
They come for the heritage, the lifestyle, the opportunities, and sometimes simply for a feeling they cannot quite name until they step off the plane and breathe in the Atlantic air.
Ireland May Not Be Perfect, but It Could Be Perfect for You
If you are considering making the move, whether to explore your heritage, pursue a new career, or simply embrace a different way of living, the next step is understanding your options.
From navigating visa applications to finding the right home and community, the process can be straightforward when guided by experts who know both sides of the Atlantic.
At Rhatigan Real Estate, we have helped countless clients make Ireland not just a destination, but a home. With deep local knowledge, exclusive property access, and a personalised relocation approach, we ensure your move is seamless, strategic, and rewarding.
The Atlantic may separate us, but the reasons to cross it have never been stronger.
Contact us now to get started on your journey.
