Irish immigrant adjusts to life in Canada

Why did she leave Ireland?

I asked Margaret why she left Ireland. She explained that it was because of work opportunities and the religious conflicts going on at that time. “Northern Ireland and the rest of Ireland fought against each other because of different religions. There was also no work there.”

During the late 1960s, the Unionists wanted Northern Ireland to stay in the United Kingdom. The Nationalists wanted Northern Ireland to join a United Ireland.

What were her experiences in Canada?

I asked Margaret what it was like in a new country and she explained, “There were lots of new foods and cultures. There was no peanut butter in Ireland. For the first year or so, people didn’t understand my accent.”

Later into Margaret’s journey to Canada, she got three jobs. I asked her about her job experience. She explained, “For my first job in Canada, I worked at a clothing store where I made clothing. After that, I worked as a nanny, and before I retired I worked as a school janitor.”

Why did she choose Canada?

I asked her why she chose Canada. She answered, “Me and my boyfriend thought it would be a nice place to live with the warm weather in summer and pretty snow in winter. It seemed like a nice country overall.” Soon after Margaret and her boyfriend got to Canada, they got married.

I asked Margaret if she would ever go back to Ireland, and she replied with “If I won the lottery, then yes.”