“I arrived in Ireland when I was 19 years old because of my future husband, who was already working here. When the plane took off, I didn’t even know where Ireland was on the map! I hadn’t a clue, but I didn’t care because I was going to meet my love.

It was hard being in a country where I couldn’t speak or understand anyone around me. My first impression of the country was the people. The Irish are very friendly and very helpful. I was lucky probably because anyone I met in Ireland was always more than happy to help me, especially with the language. I had Russian and Latvian only and not a word of English. I was lucky to get a job in the Tullamore Court Hotel, where I worked as a pastry chef assistant for four years. People who were working with me were helping me daily with the language. They helped me a lot. I still remember all of them, even though some have passed away. When my English started to improve, life here improved too. At last, I could go independently to the shop and see the Doctor.

Ireland has given me many opportunities for an excellent stable quality of life. Here I don’t have to think about what I will give my kids for breakfast tomorrow. In my own country, the situation is entirely different. People are working hard but only surviving. We can go on holidays as a family where we could never afford to go on holidays when I was a child, even though I was an only child. I can go to the shop and pick up what I want for my kids. I don’t think, “oh no, I can’t afford to buy bananas today”.

My husband and I work hard. We work six days a week, but if you work hard here, you can afford a good life for yourself and your family. Three years ago, we bought a house which was my dream. We would never be able to buy a house in Latvia. I want to stay here and bring my children up here. This is their motherland. They were both born here, go to school here and have Irish friends. When we go to Riga, they feel like strangers. I don’t miss Riga now. I have lived in Tullamore for 16 years, and I never want to leave. When buying a house, we had to decide if we were staying in the town or moving elsewhere. Homes were a bit more expensive in Tullamore, but I love this town and know every inch of it. Offaly people are so friendly and laid back too, and there is always someone willing to help you”.