New York City is a long way from Ireland, so it’s natural to feel a little or a lot homesick. There’s no shame in that, but it doesn’t erase the fact that homesickness is no fun for Ireland.
Sometimes you don’t realize how much you miss Ireland until you’ve been there. But the great thing about living in New York is that there is a huge Irish community within the city.
Irish culture isn’t hard to find in New York City. The Big Apple is home to many great Irish pubs, and GAA clubs and community members organize Irish events throughout the year. If you live in New York City and are feeling homesick for your beloved Ireland, there are several ways to deal with it.
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Join a GAA club
There are approximately 30 GAA clubs in New York, each helping Irish people adjust to life in the United States. Clubs like the Manhattan Gaels say their communities are like a second home.
“Since its start, it’s had a huge impact on my life. I haven’t really looked back at all,” member Niamh told IrishStar.com.
Whether you like hurling or Gaelic football, you can find your nearest club at GAANewYork.com.
Get to know your local Irish pub
New York has some great Irish pubs in Brooklyn, Manhattan, Queens, and the Bronx. Although the center of Manhattan is dotted with tourist attractions around Times Square, many local hanuts can be found outside of the bustling downtown area.
Brooklyn in particular has some great Irish pubs where you might be able to strike up a conversation and feel like part of the community. Examples that come to mind include Irish Haven, Hartley’s, and New York’s new Irish LGBTQ+ bar, Mary’s.
Attend an event at the New York Irish Center
The New York Irish Center is located at 1040 Jackson Avenue in Long Island City. It was opened with the aim of being a place where local people can gather.
The center hosts numerous events and offers many ways for people to get involved. Classes taught here include Irish language and Irish music, and there are also regular concerts, talks and other community events.
Go to pop-up Gaeltacht
The Irish language is thriving not only in New York but all over the world. The concrete jungle of New York City is very different from the rolling green hills of Ireland’s Gaeltacht region, but that doesn’t mean you can’t be surrounded by Irish-speaking people.
Pop-up Gaeltachts are held regularly in New York. Stay tuned for announcements about these events at Aisling Irish Center, New York Irish Center, and more.
Enjoy the taste of home with Irish cuisine
One of the things Irish people really miss about their homeland is food. In New York, you can’t walk five minutes to buy a spice bag, three-in-one, or chicken fillet roll.
Irish food isn’t all that plentiful in New York, but you can certainly find it. You can find spice bags at Long Hall Pub and Grocery in Queens and chicken fillet rolls at Shelly’s Deli & Cafe.
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