Profiles on new Irish immigrants
to Vancouver Lower Mainland
 SARA SANDS
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VANCOUVER – As part of a continuing series of profiles, The Celtic Connection presents a second interview by Michéal Donnellan on some of the new Irish immigrants arriving in western Canada.
A recent surge of young Irish professionals is bringing new vitality to local Irish communities. Over the next few months, we will introduce some of these talented young people, giving them a voice to speak about their hopes and dreams in a new country.
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Sara Sands: Newly arrived
in Vancouver from Belfast
Why did you come to Canada, Sara?
I’ve always wanted to come to Canada. I have citizenship through my dad because he was here for 10 years before.
I’ve worked really hard over the last six years, in different agencies, and I wanted to take that experience and see what I could do with it.
I’m so glad to have citizenship. Best move I’ve ever made in my life, Ireland’s great, but it’s good to spread the wings a bit.
And what did you do in Ireland?
Oh, it was all pretty mad. I studied management and then went into public relations and media planning and worked for an advertising agency called Ogilvy & Mather.
Are they a good company?
Yeah, they’re the top advertising in the world. That was in Dublin.
Did you always live in Dublin, then?
No, I lived in East Belfast for about six years.
What was that like?
Brilliant city. Fantastic city.
No issues up there now?
No problems up there at all now. Absolutely not. It’s more peaceful in Belfast now than anywhere I can think of at the moment, nothing going on at all. It’s kind of sad that people still think it’s dangerous, when it’s not at all, it’s so great, some real people up there, some great characters.
So six years in Belfast, but you’re originally from Down?
Yeah, Newry, County Down. Down is beautiful. Absolutely gorgeous. We live in the country, and it’s great to chill out there at the weekends. Rostrevor is where the Sands family are all from. Beautiful place!
That’s right, the Sands family, you’re related to Tommy Sands….
Tommy Sands is my uncle. All my family are musicians. Not necessarily what I wanted to get into but I do a bit of singing. My brothers play guitar and I sing every now and then.
Tommy is a great social activist, big into promoting peace and a great inspiration. I grew up with his music on the road that we lived, fantastic musician.
And at Christmas time we’d all go out and play Road Bowls and then come back to the house and have a session of music and beer. Massive part of our life, wouldn’t change it for the world!
Sounds great, so how long are you in Canada now, Sara?
Just over a month. I love it. Haven’t stopped smiling since I got here!
Do you miss anything about home?
Only thing I’m homesick about is my parents. And my best friend, Maedh, is getting married next year, so I’m looking for a dress. Apart from that, I’m ok, just looking for jobs, but it feels a hundred percent right that I’m here.
And how’s the job hunt going?
Yeah, well, I’ve had an interview for a job in the Chamber of Commerce so fingers crossed something will come out of that! It would be an amazing opportunity, the kind of job that would take 10 years to get at home!
And when you’re doing interviews here, do you find your accent is a problem?
Well, I have an adaptable accent. Obviously there’s a few words that don’t translate. Like, it’s hard to talk about ‘The Craic’ in Vancouver!
Any other major differences you see?
The standard of living out here is so much better. The ability to ski, snowboard, kayak, canoe etc. is all on your doorstep.
It’s an amazing feeling because it would be an absolute trek to do these things at home. It’s even a wee bit overwhelming at times. Social things are limited at home, you know yourself, in Ireland you’d have to get a flight just to go skiing.
And what about the differences between city life, say compared to Dublin or Belfast?
Belfast a bit different. Dublin was hit really hard in the recession. Belfast too, I have some really good friends out of work up there, but Belfast has been through so much before, it’s a strong kind of city and it’ll pull through.
Still there’s a big push to come to Canada for Irish people now. You know, the banks are secure here, not as bad as Ireland and other places….
Do you think Ireland has lost some of its traditions since The Celtic Tiger?
I don’t know, really, I don’t think so. My family are so musically orientated anyway, and everyone gets together for sessions, like my cousins and friends. I haven’t experienced any lack of tradition, so I suppose I’m lucky in that sense!
And what do you think of the Irish culture in Vancouver?
It’s ok, I’d like to see a place with more live music. I have one or two Canadian friends and about 15 Irish out here.
Irish people attract each other. Genuinely look out for each other and that kind of keeps the culture alive. Nice to have one or two things that remind you of your own culture at home. Be nice to see a bit of céilí!
Do you see much of the older generation, that came out years ago?
No, but I’d like to. My dad was here for 10 years before, it was good back then for the trades and a better life.
It would be nice to sit down and talk to other people that arrived around then too, to see how they got on, I’m always interested in those kind of stories!
I’m sure your dad would like to hear some stories too.
Oh, yeah. Definitely!
So what’s your plan now, if you get this job with the Chamber of Commerce?
I’ve always had it in my head, what I wanted to do even before I came out here. I’ve it all researched and everything: get the job, move out to West Broadway in Kits, beside the beach there. It’s absolutely beautiful, you know, live the dream!
Well, fingers crossed. When will you know if you got it?
They should call tomorrow. Yeah, it’d be great!
[POSTSCRIPT: The good news is Sara got the job! She is now working for the Richmond Chamber of Commerce. She is happy to share her experience and newly acquired contacts with anyone just arriving from Ireland. If you would like to contact Sara, e-mail her at: sarasands1@hotmail.com.]
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 MICHÉAL DONNELLAN
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[Michéal Donnellan is a freelance writer from Ballinrobe, Co. Mayo who has been living in Vancouver for the past nine months. He holds an M.A. in Writing from NUI Galway and worked as a full-time writer in Ireland for two years before coming to Vancouver.
Having secured an agent to represent his first novel, he taught writing in Mayo and worked as a playwright with the Druid Theatre Company in Galway. He decided to travel with the intention of gathering writing material for a new book.
Using modern technology, he blogged his experiences along the way and they can be read on his site at www.mickdonnellan.com under the heading The Great Search for Truth. Having just recently finished the search, Michéal is eager to break into the journalism scene here in Vancouver. When not writing for The Celtic Connection, he writes extensively for a new and exciting Vancouver paper called Urban Pie.]
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