Born and raised in Bozeman, Montana, I pursued a degree in Mass Communications/Journalism at Anderson University in Anderson, Indiana. I graduated in 2004 and jumped right into a job as Film & Research Coordinator with Heartland Film (then called Heartland Truly Moving Pictures) in Indianapolis. It was there I met my husband, Irish filmmaker Frank Kelly, and he swept me off my feet in the following months.
On New Year’s Day, 2008, I moved to Drogheda, Co. Louth, Ireland, which is about the same time I started writing this blog for friends and family “back home.” Later that year, I married Frank and we went on to have two lovely children, Evelyn (2009) and Shea (2013). My employment in Ireland included everything from nannying to washing dishes to answering phones and more, and all the while I learned to appreciate and love my adopted home of Eire. In Autumn 2013, our family decided to emigrate back to the USA, where we lived in Indianapolis, IN, Cupertino, CA, and Menlo Park, CA, adding a new baby, Isla, to our family in 2017. While in California, I worked for Prof. Carolyn Bertozzi at Stanford University as an editorial assistant on the premiere Chemistry journal, ACS Central Science.
Ten years later – it is Summer 2018 and we have decided to settle back in Ireland for good. I hope you’ll follow our adventures, be they in Ireland, the USA, or somewhere in between. Please feel encouraged to leave comments! You don’t have to be a member to do so.
Maryann
View From an Irish Back Yard 
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
Hello 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,
Lauren
🙂
Maryann:
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
uanlufsu@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. 🙂
Hi 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,
Andrew Dunkle
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Hi 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
Communications Assistant
Destination Waterford City
051 849767
http://www.discoverwaterfordcity.ie
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Hi Maryann:
Leah 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!
Hi 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,
Jody
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!
Hey 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.
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Hi 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
HI 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
thanks
Hello Mary. My name is Jena. My boyfriend and I are thinking about moving to Ireland with our daughter. I’m trying to research things. What advice do you have? Is it a good move?
Hi, Maryann! I’ve nominated your blog for a Liebster Award: http://mondaydiaries.com/2016/01/05/a-monday-diaries-special-post-the-liebster-award/
Congrats, from a fellow American who also fell in love with a guy from the Emerald Isle. 🙂
Hi Maryann,
I have a film coming out nationally in theaters soon and would love to get it to you for review. Please email me back and I would be happy to send it your way.
Thank you,
David Hunt
Maryann, Great article. I can empathise with all of it! I am from Ireland but lived in the States for a number of Years. The weather is tough here…especially in the West …thats for sure, so I would agree with Your suggestions about travelling etc…to break up the long spells of poor weather. If You are outdoorsy…its best to pick appropriate sports….and remember that the season for some sports is Year Round in Ireland – with no snow to speak of etc….so there are some upsides to the weather.
One final thing …You mentioned using Bank Drafts to pay bills back in the US…They are a very cheap way of transferring money…and although You had Your mother deposit them for You, I have done it several times…by simply sending it direct to my bank there with no need for any “personal intervention”. Great way to pay bills! Thanks again and keep up the good work! Aidan.
Thank you, Aidan! I appreciate your thoughts and thanks for reading!
Thanks for your thgouhts. It’s helped me a lot.