When living in Dublin seems like half a world away from Wexford
HAVING NOT SEEN HER FAMILY SINCE MARCH, NIAMH HAS BEEN ADJUSTING TO LIFE IN LOCKDOWN 135 KILOMETRES AWAY
WEXFORD JOURNALIST Niamh Devereux is feeling the strain of living away from home and from county Wexford during the Covid-19 pandemic, having not seen her family since March before restrictions were implemented.
Niamh is currently living in Chapelizod in Dublin and has been there since 2015, when she took up an editorial position at VIP Magazine, but is originally from Davidstown, just outside Enniscorthy.
Last week she posted a Tweet online in response to the latest phased plans of lifting restrictions, explaining that when your loved ones live 135 kilometres away, it’s tough knowing you may not see them again until mid summer.
It sparked a response from those living away from home in different parts of the country during the crisis, questioning when they might see their families in person again.
‘I wasn’t surprised people related to the tweet, because so many people are in the same boat as me; living outside their home county and away from their loved ones. I last saw my parents Teresa and Mick, brothers Paul and Eoin and sister Aoife the night before lock down was enforced which was pretty well timed. My boyfriend, who I live with and have been isolating with since mid-March, drove us down for a few hours so we could all sit around the garden for a catch up, metres apart. I’m so glad we made that trip, as it’s looking like the next one won’t be until at least July 20, which is a bitter pill to swallow’.
Like the majority of families, the Devereux family have found new ways to keep in touch using technology.
‘We’ve been keeping in touch through phonecalls and our Whatsapp group. Whether it’s sending updates or funny memes, it’s a great way to feel connected throughout the day. I’m extremely close with my sister Aoife who is 19. I feel particularly sorry for her as she should be with her fellow first year college friends right now, having the time of her life. We use the app Houseparty to video call each other with a glass of wine, which feels like the next best thing to hanging out in person. Still though, it’s not the same as a big comforting hug. I think that’s the hardest part, knowing that even when you can see your family, you can’t touch them. It’s unsettling to think of the future, so I try not to, and force myself to stay as upbeat as possible. At the end of the day, everyone is healthy and safe at home, and that’s my calming reminder when I miss them’.
Niamh explained that there are parts of Dublin that remind her of home.
‘Thankfully, Chapelizod reminds me of home as it feels like a rural village. It has the beautiful deer scattered Phoenix Park on its doorstep. Going for walks through the trees is keeping me sane, and reminds me of walking our family dog Max on the roads of Davidstown. I’m also kept busy with VIP Magazine, which is business as usual. We’ve put two issues together from our dining tables, and magazines are thankfully proving to be popular during this time as people need a distraction. I’m grateful to be able to work from home, and I really feel for those who aren’t in this position, as well as those on the front line. Whether it’s those working in a hospital or the local shop, we know now who holds our society together’.
Not being able to go to Wexford and catch up has hit home for Niamh, and she said she has had bad days.
‘It’s easy to fall into a slump during all of this. There are days that I just want to stay in my PJs, eat pasta and binge a TV series, so I do. I let myself feel a bit crap, it’s important that we all allow ourselves to feel what we’re feeling. But, it’s also important to pick ourselves back up. To keep my spirits up.
‘I’ve been trying to bring the outside into my home as much as possible. I’ve done virtual cocktail making classes and online painting tutorials, watched live gigs via Facebook and have ordered takeaways from my favourite restaurants to emulate dining out again. I’ve tried to re-frame this lock down as a way to slow down my usual fast-paced life working in media. I’ve used the extra time to get back into reading, and writing for fun - I set up a blog on niamhdevereux.com which I aim to post on at least once a week. I seek out uplifting news stories, and limit the upsetting ones, as there’s just too much doom and gloom right now. I listen to joy-inducing music and true crime podcasts. I attempt, and usually fail, to bake. We all need to carve out time to do the things that make us happy, now more than ever.
‘I will miss visiting Enniscorthy over the summer. The sunny back garden barbecues, the fresh strawberries from Dad’s fruit and veg patch, the walks up Vinegar Hill with salt and vinegar soaked Mallocas chips. Seeing my god-daughter and aunts and uncles. But it’s all about perspective and this is a small sacrifice to make in the grand scheme of things. Anytime we falter, we need to remember that we are saving lives by staying put’.
Niamh does hope though that going forward people like her who have families living further away are considered.
‘For those living far away from their families and who won’t be able to avail of the visits allowed in phase one of the exit plan, I do think it would be fair to implement an online visitation application. The amount of times you can apply would be limited, and if approved, you would print out for the Gardai at check points. Of course, social distancing would apply at all times during the visit.
‘People may argue that this could be taken advantage of, but I think this system could really help those who are struggling with loneliness. As well as physical health, we need to prioritise mental health. Waiting another few months to see loved ones may be too tough to endure for some people self-isolating alone, and we need to consider ways to make this new and strange world that little bit easier,’ she said.
Former Enniscorthy Echo reporter, Niamh was offered the position of Online Editor of VIP Magazine in 2015, and two years later, she moved over to the print side of things as Deputy Editor, where she has happily remained since.
I WILL MISS VISITING ENNISCORTHY THIS SUMMER. THE SUNNY BACK GARDEN BARBECUES, FRESH STRAWBERRIES AND WALKS UP VINEGAR HILL.