Television personality Rosie O'Donnell has decided to move to Ireland following the 2024 U.S. presidential election victory of Donald Trump over Kamala Harris.
According to Page Six, Rosie O'Donnell cites safety and equality concerns as key reasons for her relocation to Ireland.
O'Donnell made the move on January 15, 2023, just before the inauguration of Donald Trump, who was 78 years old at the beginning of his term. This was a significant event, as O'Donnell has been a vocal critic of Trump in the past.
Upon moving, Rosie O'Donnell immediately began the process of obtaining Irish citizenship, leveraging her Irish heritage through her grandparents. Moreover, this move was not just a personal shift but also involved her 12-year-old non-binary child, Dakota, whom she refers to as Clay.
Meanwhile, the transition to Ireland marks a profound change in O'Donnell's life. She has expressed mixed feelings about her relocation, highlighting both the newfound warmth she feels from the people in Ireland and, at the same time, the sadness she feels at leaving behind parts of her life in America.
Adapting to life in a new country has had its charming and challenging moments for O'Donnell. On social media, she shared her experiences learning to drive on the opposite side of the road, humorously noting several mishaps involving curbs which she mistook for a cat.
"I’m here in Ireland. And it’s beautiful and warm — not physically. It’s quite cold," said O'Donnell, describing her initial impressions of the country's climate contrasted with the warmth of its people.
"It’s been pretty wonderful, I have to say. The people are so loving and so kind, so welcoming. And I’m very grateful," O'Donnell said, expressing her relief and happiness in her new environment.
Despite her contentment in Ireland, O’Donnell remains critical of the political situation back in the U.S. that influenced her departure. "It’s been heartbreaking to see what’s happening politically and hard for me as well," she commented on the state of U.S. politics.
"You know, I’m happy. Clay is happy. I miss my other kids. I miss my friends. I miss many things about life there at home, and I’m trying to find a home here in this beautiful country," O'Donnell shared, painting a picture of her current state of mind amidst significant life changes.
The actress concluded with thoughts on her potential return to the United States, emphasizing the need for a safer and more equal environment. "When it is safe for all citizens to have equal rights, there in America, that’s when we will consider coming back," she stated firmly.
In her move, O'Donnell establishes a new life chapter in Ireland while advocating for the importance of social and political conditions as factors in her decision-making process. This relocation underlines the interconnected nature of personal decisions with broader political contexts, revealing the significant impact of leadership and policies on individual lives.
