Ronan Anthony Portley

I received my Morrison Visa in 1993 while living in Limerick City and settled in Dorchester, Boston. At the time, life in Ireland was tough. Work was scarce, money was tight, and opportunities felt limited. I didn’t want to look back years later and regret never having used the chance the Morrison Visa gave me. So I took the leap, and I am so glad I did.

One of the most memorable moments of my early days in Boston came when I visited the Parker House Hotel. As I was leaving through a side door, I spotted a sign for the Last Hurrah bar. On a whim, I went in, had a drink, sat at the piano to play a few tunes, and left my phone number with the manager. Just days later, he called to say they were looking for a resident piano player. I got the job, and within just five weeks of arriving, I had two positions: playing piano at the Last Hurrah and working a day job at Putnam Investments. It was a fantastic start, one that gave me confidence that I had made the right move.

Making new friends was another big part of building a life in Boston. I found that by engaging with customers at the Parker House and by frequenting both Irish and American bars, I was able to meet people quickly and build a social network that made me feel at home.

Looking back now, the move gave me far more than just work experience.

It gave me the financial foundation to buy an apartment in Ireland and set up investments for my future, something I don’t think would have happened had I stayed in Ireland. Before I left, I wasn’t an investor. The United States not only changed my immediate circumstances but also reshaped the way I thought about planning for the future. That’s something I’m deeply proud of.

The Morrison Visa gave me dual citizenship with the United States, broadening my horizons and giving me security I would not otherwise have had. For me, the program was an extraordinary gift not just to me, but to the 45,000 others who received it. It offered a second chance, expanded Irish culture in the U.S., and provided opportunities that continue to resonate to this day.