Home stories: immigrant narratives of place and identity in contemporary Ireland

(Un)settling home during the Brexit process

“…Importantly, older migrants have been understood to have chosen to live in Spain not as a “mere position on a migration trajectory but a final destination” (O'Reilly, , p. 5). Therefore, there is potentially a strong emotional attachment to place, reflected in how older migrants construct their home and sense of belonging (Gilmartin & Migge, ; Torkington, ). As Ahmed et al (, p. 9) argue, “… being at home and the work of home‐building is intimately bound up with the idea of home: the idea of place (or places) in the past and of this place in the future” (original emphasis).…”

“…By focusing on two narratives from one social club—the Seniors Club—the importance of these clubs for lifestyle migrants is emphasised (Oliver, ; O'Reilly, ). The focus on social networks reflects the nature of these social opportunities as central to older British migrants' performance of their national identity, sense of belonging, and negotiation of their shifting concept of home (Gilmartin & Migge, ; Haas, ). William and Lily's narratives demonstrate the importance of these social networks and shared experiences within their daily lives while demonstrating the unique and complex nature of home (Blunt & Dowling, ).…”

“…Instead, she is adamant that her future will not involve Brexit's consequences. She explained, in no uncertain terms, that “I will live and die in Spain.” Such a statement was surprising as Lily was one of the most vocal group members about retaining a sense of British identity within her day‐to‐day life in Spain, an identity that had been strengthened rather than lessened through her experiences as a migrant (Gilmartin & Migge, ; Rose, ; Torkington, ). However, this statement reflects Lily's awareness of her own mortality and the limited time she has (Oliver, ).…”

A Place for Other Stories: Authorship and Evidence in Experimental Times

“…Over the last two decades, geographers have often referred to empirical work as a way of telling stories (Revill and Seymour 2001;Gilmartin 2015). Yet writing stories and writing empirics are very different endeavors.…”

Placing immigrant identities

“…The formation of supranational entities such as the European Union has enhanced mobility across national borders, but within the region. Additionally, countries (such as Ireland) that experienced out-migration as late as the 1980s are now attracting immigrants (see Gilmartin and Migge (2015) and Kusek's (2015) articles). While they seek to attract "desirable" immigrants, countries use policy to restrict "undesirable" immigrants and penalize those who entered illegally or overstayed (Standing 2014; see Lobo's (2015) article).…”