Orla Irwin

I received my Morrison Visa in 1993 at the age of 21 while living in Galway. Just four weeks after my father passed away, I stepped onto a plane bound for New York, not knowing what lay ahead. I had never been to the United States before and had no real plan—just a desire to expand my horizons and experience something new. What followed was a transformative journey that shaped the course of my life.

“Once in New York, I decided to attend college while working full-time. It was a challenging but rewarding experience, and in 1997, I proudly graduated from IONA College with a Bachelor of Science in Psychology.”

I embraced life in the city, running the New York City Marathon in 1998 and spending my summers sharing a house with friends on the Jersey Shore. Those years were filled with adventure, friendships, and personal growth—experiences I would never have had if not for the Morrison Visa.

One of my first memories of arriving in the U.S. still makes me smile. As we disembarked at JFK, I overheard airport staff speaking Spanish and was convinced we had landed in the wrong country. Little did I know then how diverse and multicultural New York truly was.

The biggest challenge I faced early on was homesickness. I had left behind my mother, who I had been caring for alongside my late father during his illness, and adjusting to life in a new country was overwhelming at times. However, the Irish community in New York was incredible. They welcomed me with open arms, helping me settle in and navigate my new life. Their support made all the difference in my transition.

Looking back, I am most proud of earning my degree and completing the New York City Marathon—two accomplishments that required perseverance, dedication, and a belief in myself. But beyond those achievements, I am grateful for the personal growth that came with my time in America. The Morrison Visa gave me the independence and confidence to stand on my own two feet as a young woman in my twenties.

In 1999, I returned to Ireland to pursue a master’s degree, fully intending to return to New York once I had completed my studies. However, life had other plans. While in Ireland, I met my future husband, and I chose to stay. We now have two wonderful children, and though I no longer live in the U.S., the experiences I had there continue to shape who I am today.

“Looking back, I realise just how privileged I was to have been given such an opportunity.”

Without the Morrison Visa, I may never have traveled to the United States, formed lifelong friendships, or experienced the incredible journey that defined my early adulthood. For that, I will be eternally grateful.