A US Expat’s Move to Ireland: Citizenship through Foreign Birth & Making a Plan with Tom Lennon

Expats from the US can have a harder time than most if they want to move to Ireland. With his calm approach and a propensity to plan ahead, it's easy to think Tom Lennon had it all figured out! In this episode, I’m joined by Tom Lennon, one of our clients who recently made the move from North Carolina to Limerick with his wife, Mary Lane. What started as a family connection to Ireland turned into a very real pathway through the Foreign Birth Registration process and, ultimately, a full relocation. Tom shares how that journey unfolded, from gathering documentation to that moment where it all starts to feel very real. The key thing to note here is that this wasn’t a rushed decision. We talk through the practical steps they took to test the move before committing: short stays, different locations, and giving themselves permission to change their minds along the way. Tom also shares how they approached choosing where to live, what surprised them about Ireland today, and why Limerick ended up being the right fit for them, even though it’s not the most obvious choice for expats. This is one of those areas where the emotional and practical sides of a move really overlap. Tom gives an honest account of what settling in actually looks like. If you’re thinking about making a similar move, there’s a lot here that will help you think it through and plan ahead for what’s important. Main Topics Discussed in this Episode: 💡 The Decision to Move to Ireland: Tom shares how a long-standing connection to Ireland, combined with a push during COVID, turned a “what if” into a real relocation plan. 💡 Navigating the Foreign Birth Registration Process: A practical look at how Tom secured Irish citizenship through ancestry, including the timeline, documentation, and what made the process feel achievable. 💡 Planning the Move with Flexibility in Mind: This comes up a lot with clients - Tom explains their step-by-step approach, using trial stays and keeping an “exit strategy” to reduce risk and pressure. 💡 Choosing Where to Live in Ireland: Tom walks through how they tested different locations across Ireland and why Limerick ultimately stood out as the right fit for their lifestyle. 💡 Adjusting to Life in Ireland as an Expat Retiree: An honest reflection on settling in, from housing challenges to cultural expectations, and what it really feels like to start building a life in a new country. Resources Tom Recommends for Expats: Citizens Information service: https://www.citizensinformation.ie/en/ Expat Taxes: https://expattaxes.ie/ Crosscare Irish Diaspora Support Project: https://diasporasupport.ie/ ***** If you loved this episode or have a similar story, we'd love to hear from you! You can get in touch with us directly at [email protected] or leave a rating and review on Apple Podcasts or Spotify. Taxbytes for Expats is brought to you by ExpatTaxes.ie. If you're considering moving to or from Ireland and would like support with your taxes, book a consultation today: https://expattaxes.ie/book-a-consult/.... Chapters: 00:00 Introduction to Taxbytes for Expats 00:30 Meet Tom Lennon & His Move to Ireland 02:31 The Decision to Relocate During COVID 04:28 Irish Citizenship & the FBR Process 06:31 Making the Move Feel Real 07:25 Trial Runs & Having an Exit Strategy 09:25 Choosing Where to Live in Ireland 10:44 Discovering Limerick as the Right Fit 11:39 Life in Limerick: Surprises & First Impressions 13:47 Diversity & Changing Ireland 15:02 Finding Community & Avoiding Tourist Traps 16:18 Settling In: Housing, Lifestyle & What’s Next