Hey, it’s Maryann… some of you know me from my hometown of Bozeman, Montana, many of you know me from college at Anderson University or from my former job at Heartland Truly Moving Pictures in Indianapolis, Indiana… some of you may not know me at all! But whoever you are, you are welcome here to read my thoughts and revelations in this continuing chapter of my life: The American Girl Lives in Ireland!
Let me preface this by saying I’d always dreamed of moving to Europe and often wished I’d studied abroad in high school or college. Then one day, during the 2006 Heartland Film Festival, I met a handsome young Irish filmmaker. His name was Frank Kelly, and you can probably guess the rest of the story. We corresponded, phoned, texted and occasionally visited each other for a year after we met. In October 2007, he proposed, and in January of 2008, I moved to Ireland to begin making a life here with him.
Now, over 4 years later, we are married and have our first child, Evelyn, who was born Dec. 18, 2009. In the meantime, I am continuing to discover more wonders in this welcoming country. And of course, I’m still finding that there’s a lot to learn about being Irish! I hope you enjoy reading along with me as I find myself more and more at home abroad.
Please feel encouraged to leave comments! You don’t have to be a member to do so. Hope to hear from you soon!
Maryann
17 Comments so far
Leave a comment
Maryann:
I must say just how proud I am that you took this leap of faith and love. I too a similar leap almost 12 years ago…moving from Alabama to Indiana…and well, you see how it turned out for me…a wonderful husband, a beautiful daughter and a job I love.
Its funny how in spite of the futile lectures, warnings and non-support by many when God’s plan is truly in motion it can’t be stopped. I continue to pray for you and Frank and know that if it were not God’s plan you would not be in Ireland.
We miss you at E91 and our hope is to one day see you and Frank moving forward with your life plans. Amy and I still say we will come over and help give you the perfect wedding you have dreamed of having.
Until we meet again remember the love or your friends from church and the support we have for you can only be surpassed by God’s love for you and Frank and his plan is perfect.
Love and God Bless,
Leigh Ann Bussell
Comment by Leigh Ann Bussell January 21, 2008 @ 1:19 pmHello My Queen!!!
I think about you constantly and pray for you daily! I am so excited that you have made it safely and have created this blog! I have so much fun checking it! I feel as if I made the treacherous journey with you! The pictures are beautiful! I hope that one day I can come for a visit and you can show me all of the places that you speak about.
You know, as I read your blog I begin to think how you should turn it into a book! Seriously, you should make all of your entries into a travel diary or something. As I read it…I feel as though I am reading out of a hard bound journal of one woman’s journey to a new world…a new life! It would be a BIG HIT! I would buy it!
Nonetheless, I look forward to seeing you! Continue to take pictures and journal! Just remember, when you begin to feel discouraged…don’t because you are not alone! May the Lord bless you and keep you and Frank! Until we meet again!
Love you,
Comment by Lauren Kossack January 28, 2008 @ 6:27 pmLauren
Comment by bibomedia March 5, 2008 @ 12:15 amMaryann:
The puppy is adorable!! Sophie would love to have one just like Georgie, but mom and dad are not ready for the responsibility. More noticeably, your thoughts and the pictures, although not many of you, indicate that this was the right move for you.
I am still so amazed and proud of your courage and determination to not let anything(one) stand in the way of love. God brought Frank into your life and put it on your heart to move to Ireland. His plan is truly perfect.
Any date yet? We still would love to be there to support you and Frank, but will have to start putting away the Starbucks money for the trip!!!
Wishing you continued happiness, support and prayers,
Leigh Ann Bussell
Comment by Leigh Ann Bussell March 11, 2008 @ 12:58 pmuanlufsu@aol.com
I happened across your blog via An American in Ireland and the first thing I had noticed was that you’re from Montana (I live in Bigfork). I’ve been wanting to go to Ireland for years now (and will hopefully be visiting this Autumn). It would be interesting to hear what someone who is from MT thinks of the differences between here and there. I know a couple of Irishmen who left Ireland for MT and love it and others who wouldn’t leave. So wonderful that you found a reason to be there.
Comment by Melinda July 24, 2010 @ 6:22 pmHi Maryann,
I’m Andrew Dunkle and I currently serve as the senior editor of GoOverseas.com. We are contacting you with regard to your blog, which the editorial staff at GO! Overseas has selected as one of the top travel related blogs in Ireland. As recognition of your outstanding writing skills we are delighted to include your blog in a select list of websites representing Ireland. We select only the most exceptional blogs that meet our exacting standards and we hope you feel a sense of pride that you have been recognized for your efforts. You may view this list on our website here:
http://www.gooverseas.com/ireland-blogs
You are welcome to display one of the image badges we have created specifically for blogs we feature in Ireland. This is an easy way to let your readers know that you have been recognized as an outstanding blogger. Contact us to receive a badge via email.
Thank you for all the high quality content you have contributed to the global online community. We look forward to continuing to follow your experiences abroad in Ireland. If you have questions about GO! Overseas please don’t hesitate to contact us.
Warm regards,
Comment by Andrew Dunkle August 27, 2010 @ 3:33 amAndrew Dunkle
[...] More About Maryann… [...]
Pingback by 2010 Stats « View From an Irish Back Yard January 2, 2011 @ 12:59 pmHi Maryann,
I am just enquiring if you have an email address and telephone number for the above blog? I am part of the Waterford Harvest Festival Team, Waterford City and would like to have an email address and number to contact you on nearer to the festival. Also do you write any other food blogs?
Warm Regards
~ Hannah B. Foley
Comment by Hannah B Foley April 21, 2011 @ 3:14 pmCommunications Assistant
Destination Waterford City
051 849767
http://www.discoverwaterfordcity.ie
[...] two wasn’t nearly as bad as the first. Perhaps it was a better experience because it was for Maryann, one of my dearest friends, and not for myself. There’s just something about making a gift [...]
Pingback by Amy Butler Fringed Hobo Bag No. 2 « cottage revolution May 31, 2011 @ 3:19 amHi Maryann:
Comment by Esther Fishbaugh June 16, 2011 @ 2:28 amLeah and I are going to be in Ireland from Aug 20 to Sept 4, 2011. We will be staying in or around Drogheda our last night before we head back to Dublin to fly out. Stephanie told us about your blog and we find you are in Drogheda or close by(?)! Anyway, if you are around on that day we would like to get together for supper of even just a quick visit. We would also like to get your thoughts on things to do around Galway as we will be staying there for the first week. We will be reading your blog too. Its exciting to find someone who has our taste (Montana outdoors) in recreation that can recommend some activities we would enjoy and sites we “must” see. We are getting a bit overwhelmed with the tour guide books. Great photos on your blog. See you. Esther Fishbaugh
Esther – what is your email address? Sorry it’s taken me so long to get back to you on this. I’d be happy to help out where I can!
Comment by maryannk July 22, 2011 @ 10:50 amHi Maryann. I don’t know if I’ve ever commented on your site; but I read often.
I write a site called Ireland with Kids and have just finished the 7 links project- and would like to nominate your blog to take part.
http://irelandwithkids.com/7-links-ireland-travel-tips/planning-your-irish-vacation/
Best,
Comment by Jody July 21, 2011 @ 4:30 pmJody
Wow, thanks so much Jody – I was just looking over your site and it is great! Right up my alley! But thanks for the nomination, I will give it a think and post something soon! I’m also going to include a link to your blog if that’s OK? cheers!
Comment by maryannk July 22, 2011 @ 10:51 amHey Maryann,
You have an interesting blog here and some interesting things to say. If you’re interested in making your blog into your own site I could be able to help you.
http://evershark.com/web/
It’s all explained in the link and there is contact information there as well. If you have any questions please feel free to ask. Thank you.
Comment by http://evershark.com/web/ August 25, 2011 @ 2:39 am[...] two wasn’t nearly as bad as the first. Perhaps it was a better experience because it was for Maryann, one of my dearest friends, and not for myself. There’s just something about making a gift [...]
Pingback by » Amy Butler Fringed Hobo Bag No. 2 Cottage Revolution November 19, 2011 @ 10:05 pmHi Maryann,
I’m getting in touch to ask permission to use one of your quotes in our advertising, I’d really appreciate it if you could get in touch with me at the provided email address, thank you!
Janice
Comment by Janice November 25, 2011 @ 10:58 amHI I was referred to your site from Corey over at Irish Fireside – do you have an email address I can use – my husband and I will be relocating over there in Feb & I’d love to be able to ask a few questions – if you didn’t mind
Comment by elizabeth holder March 6, 2012 @ 6:47 pmthanks