Japal's Story

My father trained took me on as an apprentice carpenter when i was growing up in the Punjab region of India. I lived in a big house there, but my family was not wealthy and the areas around me started to get run-down and unsafe. There was no need for carpenters in India. So I moved to Ireland in 2003 business was booming and I worked as a carpenter for 5 years until the start of the recession.  I bought a house, became 

an official citizen, by then I had decided to open my own shop on Moore Street. 

The Irish are the most hospitable people I know. Ireland is very different to Punjab,but I know Dublin as my first home.

Visit Japal's Shop: 25 Moore Street, Dublin 1.

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Yanling's Story

My best friend Xjiang and I moved to Ireland in 2003 from Kowloon, China. We came here to study a business management course in Dublin Business School. Language was initially a barrier, after a while we got to grips with it. Originally we had intended to return to China and apply for work, but we found ourselves attatched and felt a part of Dublin. We couldnt bring ourselves to return to Kowloon, so we decided to set up an Oriental Food Emporium on Capel Street with our buisiness degrees. We wanted to bring a taste of Asia to Dublin and Irish people are very taken by what we sell. The local Chinese community also finds it great to have the taste of home in their new home.

Visit Yanling's Oriental Food Store: 107 Parnell Street, Dublin 1.

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Vicky's Story

I moved to Ireland with my family from my home in Dubai in 2003. I’m originally from Delhi in India.

I worked for a British company in Dubai, but I felt I needed more freedom, to own my own business was my dream. I chose to come to Ireland because my in-laws had settled here in the late 70’s and naturally they always wanted my wife and I to come join them, so we did. My kids are in school here, my DIY business has been successful despite the recession and becoming an irish citizen is the best decision i’ve ever made.

Ireland is my home now. 

Visit Vickys Store: 56 Moore Street, Dublin 1.

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Satchi's Story

I came to Ireland with my parents Aahna and Sajin in 1998. We lived in the town of Tuticorin in India, right across the sea from Sri Lanka. It had always been my fathers dream to move away and open an Indian cuisine restaurant in another country.

He decided on Europe, its economies was growing during the early 2000’s and it was where he considered the best money could be made. It was a culture shock when I first arrived here, it was a lot colder and the people so friendly. Our restaurant was set up the next year and became quite popular among the Irish community here. My mother still works the kitchens, my father the front of house and I wait on the patrons. We love what we do here and we would'nt return to India in the near future, Ireland is our home and our country.

Visit Satci's Indian Restaurant: 13 Parnell Street, Dublin 1.

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Lucky's Story

I have a special place for Ireland in my heart. I came here from the Delta state in Nigeria in October 1999. Tribal warfare forced us to move, the violence was getting more and more brutal each day. My sons and I chose to come to Ireland,because it was a Christian country, but mainly because it was safe. Ireland is such a beautiful place, so peaceful and welcoming. I wish more people would comehere from other countries and experiance the differance it has made to our lives.

My buisiness, the only Afro-Carribean foodstore in Ireland, is as popular as ever even in this dark recession. Nigeria is my birthplace but Ireland is my home.

Visit Luckys Store: 77 Moore Street, Dublin 1.

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Rama's Story

Where I’m originally from, The Central Plateau on the Island of Mauritius, farming is the main way of life. Life was hard there,but my father and I made a decent living 

selling the vegetables we grew at the local market. My father was a very knowlegeable man, he knew everything about farming and what health benefits each vegetable could provide. He taught me everything I know today. I moved to Ireland in 2007 to study english and to see what european life was like. I loved Ireland straight away, life was difficult in Mauritius but not here, it is easier here. I set up my green grocery after 

I finished my english degree, I love putting all the knowlege my father gave me to use. Customers come

to my store specially for certain fruits or vegetables that are difficult to find elsewhere in Dublin.

They are the ones that make me feel at home here and it is the reason I will stay for the future.

Visit Ramas grocery: 65 Moore Street, Dublin 1.

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"The Lads"