The Pat Kenny Show Emigration is on the rise among older people too
Dec 4, 2025
In this engaging discussion, journalist Sarah Madden explores the rising trend of older Irish emigration, highlighting a significant increase in those aged 45-64 moving abroad. Aidan Pienar, an emigrant from County Meath now living in Australia, shares his experiences, from practical benefits like housing improvements to the emotional toll of being away from family. The conversation also delves into the motivations behind this trend and reframes emigration as an adventure, considering modern connectivity that keeps families close despite the distance.
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Middle-Aged Emigration Has Grown Significantly
- The share of Irish emigrants aged 45–64 has roughly doubled since the 1980s to about 10% today.
- Mary Gilmartin highlights this as an unexplained but significant demographic shift in migration patterns.
Distance Makes Bereavement Harder
- Aidan Pienar describes the emotional cost of being far from home for events like funerals.
- He says watching funerals over streams and missing sudden losses makes distance particularly painful for middle-aged emigrants.
Visa Routes Are Enabling Older Migration
- Migration advisers report rising older applicants through skilled, corporate and partner visa routes.
- Audrey O'Connor notes corporate and partner visas (no age limit) have surged, enabling more middle-aged moves.