Why I Wanted to Up Sticks and Move to Ireland

Nestled on the edge of the Surrey Hills, our Ashtead home was a cyclist’s paradise. With some of the UK’s best road and mountain biking routes on our doorstep, it was a dream come true for an avid cyclist like myself.

After years of tinkering and rearranging, my studio had finally reached perfection.

Life was good, or so I thought.

👨🏾‍💻 A Jack of All Trades

For those who don’t know me, I’m a of a jack-of-all-trades and master in all of them 😜.

I’ve been immersed in the tech world for over 40 years (you can find the highlights on my ElmsPark website or LinkedIn profile if you’re curious).

My passion for photography has led me down professional paths, and I’ll be sharing more of my work on Instagram if that’s your social media platform of choice.

I’ve also dabbled in music production, a hobby I’m keen to revisit, especially with the advent of Apple’s Spatial Audio in Dolby Atmos.

And let’s not forget cycling – I’m determined to get back to my former glory of hundreds of kilometres a month. You can also track my progress (or lack thereof) on Strava.

🇮🇪 The Irish Proposition

Picture this: I’m in my newly perfected studio, putting the finishing touches on my Dolby Atmos upgrade (from 5.1.2 to 7.1.4, for the audio enthusiasts out there), when my wife Helen shows me a property listing. It’s a house in Wexford, Ireland.

Now, Helen is Irish and has always dreamed of moving back to Wexford to be closer to her family. She’d shown me Irish properties before, and I’d always politely dismissed them with a smile.

After 15 years of making our beautiful Ashtead house a real home, tackling every snag on the list, I was content.

But this property… it intrigued me.

✨ Too Good to Be True?

The property seemed to have it all: an immaculate house, high-standard furniture and appliances, a multi-acre plot, and its own well. The price was surprisingly affordable, especially when I realised it was in euros, not pounds.

🔍 Investigation Mode

I dove deep into research mode, using Google Earth, Apple Maps, and Street View. The more I discovered, the more impressed I became.

🚢 The Irish Adventure Begins

Before I knew it, we were on an Irish ferry. Within days of seeing the online listing, I found myself standing at the front door with the estate agent.

The reality surpassed my expectations: quality door handles, solid oak doors, a kitchen rivalling my beloved Ashtead setup, a mature garden bordered by a stream, and potential for the perfect Dolby Atmos studio in the garage.

🤔 The Big Question

As we stood there, taking it all in, a question formed in my mind: Was this secluded spot in Wexford the key to realising my off-grid dreams and fulfilling Helen’s wish to return to her roots?