David Markey

I received my Morrison Visa in 1995 while living in Dublin and made my way to Washington, D.C. to validate it later that year. A graduate of UCD and Trinity College Dublin, I was drawn to the United States by the promise of opportunity; the chance to grow into, and perhaps beyond, what at the time I saw as being traditionally Irish. I never expected to stay almost thirty years, but as one tends to do, I got a life here.

Almost immediately, I fell in love with Washington, the city, the people, and the vibrant culture. There was something that reminded me of home: a warmth, a humor, and a deep joy for life. Over time, D.C. became my second home. I worked as an actor, director, and teaching artist, and eventually found my professional home as the education director at Imagination Stage in Bethesda, Maryland, a renowned theater for young audiences.

One of my students was a young man named Drew. I worked with him for two years and got to know his family. After Drew graduated from the program, I had lunch with his mother, Nancy. As we talked about Drew’s next steps, our conversation turned to Ireland. Something felt different, more connected. Soon, I realized why. Drew’s father wasn’t just Drew’s father, he was Congressman Bruce Morrison, the man behind the very visa program that had allowed me to be in the United States at all.

It was one of those extraordinary, full-circle moments that life gifts you when you least expect it.

Of course, adapting wasn’t always simple. I often joke that Ireland and America are divided by a common language. Everyday words, crisps versus chips, were one thing, but the cultural nuances ran deeper. Irish communication tends to be more oblique, while Americans are often far more direct. Learning to navigate those differences and to build cultural competency across so many diverse communities was one of the great growth experiences of my life.

The U.S. has been, for me as for so many immigrants, a land of boundless opportunity. I’ve availed of those opportunities, but I’ve also tried to contribute to the country I now call home. Today, I serve as deputy director at the D.C. Commission on the Arts and Humanities. Through my work, I strive to deepen understanding of the vital role the arts play in our lives, while also sharing a little of the magic of being Irish with everyone I encounter.

The Morrison Visa changed the entire trajectory of my career and my life. I still feel intrinsically Irish, but I have also established deep roots in the United States and in Washington, in particular. It has allowed me to blend the best of both worlds and to add another layer to the generational story of Irish influence in America.