My Journey So Far

My name is Damien, and I am originally from Ireland. I have created this blog to document and share my experiences while traveling. Over the years, I have had the opportunity to live in several countries, including the Dominican Republic, Spain, the United Kingdom, Peru, and China. I live and work in Peru; however, my Irish heritage remains an integral part of my identity.

My Home Town – Skerries

I was born in a picturesque town north of Dublin called Skerries. This charming coastal town is known for its three islands, a harbor, a lighthouse, and several martello towers dating back to the Viking era. Despite its beauty, Skerries is characterized by social and economic contrasts, with some areas considered affluent and others less so. I was born in one of the less privileged areas.

Specifically, I grew up in Mourne View, an estate often associated with hardship. The community was predominantly made up of individuals relying on government assistance or working in low-paying jobs. Many families faced significant challenges, with single mothers often working two jobs to provide for their children.

I mention this background to highlight that very few individuals from our community pursued higher education. I count myself among the small number who managed to break that cycle and attend university, an achievement that underscores the importance of resilience and opportunity.

My School Years

I attended primary school in Mourne View, which welcomed students from across the community, including those from more affluent areas. Many of the teachers were based in Dublin City and commuted to Skerries to work. During the 1990s, Skerries had a population of approximately 7,000 people. Today, as of 2024, the town has grown significantly, with nearly 11,000 residents. It remains a beautiful and ever-expanding coastal community.

To return to my earlier point, I attended secondary school at what is now known as Skerries Community College. My time there spanned from 1995 to July 1999, culminating in my graduation. Starting in my first year, I had the opportunity to meet new people and form new friendships, gradually distancing myself from my childhood friends in Mourne View. At the time, I felt that their lack of direction and productivity could negatively influence my own aspirations.

My new circle of friends was deeply passionate about sports, particularly football (soccer). We formed a group of about nine individuals and played together almost daily after school. These connections allowed us to engage with others from different parts of Skerries, organizing weekly matches. Beyond soccer, we also played Gaelic football (GAA) on the same team, with each of us earning a spot as a starter.

Those years were among the most formative and rewarding of my life. I learned valuable lessons and surrounded myself with peers who shared my goals and ambitions, fostering a sense of camaraderie and purpose that remains significant to me.

Spanish Love?

In Ireland, as I imagine still occurs today, Spanish students often arrived during the summer months to immerse themselves in the language and culture. In 1997/1998, my hometown hosted many of these students, who stayed with local families and attended English classes or summer camps at nearby schools.

One memorable evening, at an under-18s disco called Shinnagans—a venue now known by a different name—I met a delightful 17-year-old Spanish girl named Elena, from Salamanca. This was long before the era of the internet, and we became penpals, exchanging handwritten letters every two weeks. It was a case of puppy love, a genuine connection forged despite my complete lack of Spanish.

Elena returned to my hometown every summer for the next three years. It is worth noting that this was a time before the convenience of low-cost airlines; most holidays were arranged through travel agencies or via Teletext.

To make a long story short, after graduating from high school in the summer of 1999, I decided to spend a year in Spain. That experience proved to be a true eye-opener, shaping my perspective and broadening my horizons in ways I had not anticipated.

First Time Leaving Home

I arrived in Madrid in August 1999, reconnecting with several Spanish friends I had met in Skerries three years earlier. The intense summer heat was overwhelming, and I quickly noticed the language barrier. Based on my later experiences as an English teacher, I observed that the Spanish, at least at that time, had some of the lowest levels of English proficiency among Europeans. Compounding the challenge, I knew no Spanish myself.

Elena, meanwhile, was still in Dublin with my family. My flight left approximately six hours before hers, so I waited for her arrival in Madrid. Together, we traveled to her aunt and uncle’s home in a quiet town on the outskirts of the city. Her uncle, a police officer, was an intriguing character, and staying with them was a pleasant experience.

After a few days, we traveled to Salamanca, where I stayed with Elena’s family for about six weeks before moving into shared accommodation in the city center. I found work at an Irish bar, where I worked grueling shifts—12 hours a day, six days a week—with Mondays typically assigned as my day off. I found the work unfulfilling, and after just two weeks, I was fired—a turn of events that I later saw as a blessing in disguise.

Following this, I began my career as an English teacher, instructing children between the ages of 4 and 8. This role not only provided me with the same income as the bar job but also required just 19 hours of work per week, leaving me ample time to enjoy life. Moreover, I began learning Spanish from my young students.

Elena, who was studying to become a primary school teacher, was dedicated to achieving top marks at university. She ultimately succeeded and continues to work as a teacher to this day. We remain in occasional contact through Facebook.

That year was a transformative experience. It marked my first time living away from home and navigating life without the comfort of family support. While it was undoubtedly challenging, it was essential for my personal growth, maturity, and language learning. Ultimately, I realized that my relationship with Elena had reached its natural conclusion. Our paths and aspirations were diverging, and I decided to return to Ireland to continue my journey.

Education

After spending a year in Spain, I secured a job as a data entry clerk in Dublin. Although the job title might sound impressive, the work itself was monotonous. After ten months, I moved back to Spain, this time to Almeria in the south, to improve my Spanish. I worked at an academy, which allowed me to focus less on private tutoring. This period was enriching as I met numerous expatriates with diverse educational backgrounds, which inspired me to pursue further education. Between my experiences in China, Spain, and Peru, I managed to complete a Bachelor of Arts in Education at the age of 28, a decade after finishing high school. By then, many of my peers had already graduated from university, settled down, and started families. However, I chose a different path, one that didn’t align with the conventional societal expectations of university, marriage, homeownership, and parenthood. Now, in 2025, at the age of 42, I hold not only a degree in Education but also two master’s degrees, an MBA, an MA in Educational Leadership, and a postgraduate certificate in education. My journey has been one of prioritizing personal growth and career development over traditional life milestones. This choice has led me to forgo potential relationships with three remarkable women, but I am content with the path I’ve chosen, as it aligns with my true aspirations. In the upcoming posts, I will share insights from my past and present experiences during my travels, reflecting on how these have shaped my life and career.