Author Archives: Glenn Kaufmann

About Glenn Kaufmann

I'm an American freelance writer, photographer, and web publisher. I specialize in writing about travel, food, arts, and culture. I also write dramatic scripts for stage and screen. I'm based in Ireland.

Why The Irish Drink: Is Ireland A Country of Alcoholics Or An Alcoholic Country

Posted on May 7, 2013

The world knows Ireland as a country of pubs, and happy, hard working, hard drinking folk.  Right, wrong, or indifferent, that’s the world’s impression, and it’s not entirely undeserved.  In fact it’s often a proudly displayed badge of honor for … Continue reading →

Posted in Irish History, Irish Life & Society, Pubs | Tagged , , , , | 5 Comments

Bank On It: International Banking For Immigrants

Posted on April 15, 2013

When the idea of moving overseas became serious, I, of course, had fantasies of multiple bank accounts spread around the world.  Perhaps we could even find a use for a Swiss bank account.  But the reality of arranging functional banking … Continue reading →

Posted in Dublin Life, Immigration & Emigration, International Moving, Irish Life & Society, Politics | Tagged , , , , , , , , | 4 Comments

Going Home: Reflections On Visiting Your Home Country

Posted on March 6, 2013

In early February I found myself headed back to the United States for the first time since we’d left for Ireland in July of 2011.  While I was excited to go, I was filled with questions, and knew that neither … Continue reading →

Posted in Home & A Sense of Place, Immigration & Emigration, Modern Life | Tagged , , , , , | 8 Comments

Ireland Works Well Enough – The Irish Tendency To Settle For Less Than the Best

Posted on January 15, 2013

In one of my early posts I listed “Institutionalized Disorganization & Shameless Lack of Accountability –The Irish Goat Rodeo“ as number one among the Five Tings I Hate About Dublin Ireland.  Now, after 18 months, I can still say that … Continue reading →

Posted in Uncategorized | 30 Comments

Outside Politics: Voting Away From Home

Posted on December 4, 2012

Now that I’ve had a month to process the frenzy and climax of the American election, I realize that I’m amazed both by how much my priorities have changed in just sixteen months, and by how keenly aware (and somewhat … Continue reading →

Posted in Immigration & Emigration, International Moving, Politics | Tagged , , , , , , | 3 Comments

Let’s Talk About The Weather – How Weather Affects The Immigrant’s Way Of Life

Posted on November 14, 2012

For an American “southern boy” who has developed a serious allergy to heat and humidity, moving to Ireland has been a godsend.  To say that the Irish look at me like my head is on fire when I tell them … Continue reading →

Posted in Dublin Life, Home & A Sense of Place, Immigration & Emigration, International Moving, Irish Life & Society, Modern Life, Pets | Tagged , , , , , , , | 13 Comments

Getting Better All The Time: Building a New Life Overseas

Posted on October 17, 2012

Just now, well into our second year of living in Dublin, I finally feel comfortable saying that life is going well.  I won’t say, “better”. That’s not exactly why we moved. Despite months of pre-emigration planning, and few (if any) … Continue reading →

Posted in Immigration & Emigration, International Moving, Modern Life | Tagged , , , , , , , | 6 Comments

Pets Abroad: Moving Overseas With Pets

Posted on September 25, 2012

For many of us, whether we have children or not, our pets are like our children. And, right, wrong, or indifferent, the thought of leaving them behind when moving overseas is unthinkable.  Fortunately, in recent years airlines seem to have … Continue reading →

Posted in Bureaucracy, Dublin Life, Immigration & Emigration, International Moving, Modern Life, Pets | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Seeing The Sights: Learning To Be a Tourist In Your Own Home

Posted on September 11, 2012

Like many who enjoy traveling to new places, when we moved to Dublin, I deliberately distanced myself, mentally, and often physically, from the millions of tourists who visit Ireland each year.  “I live here now. I’m no tourist.”  I realize … Continue reading →

Posted in Dublin Attractions, Dublin Life, Home & A Sense of Place, Irish Countryside, Irish History, Irish Life & Society, Things to See in Ireland | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , | 4 Comments

Patriot Games: Watching the Olympics in a New Country

Posted on August 26, 2012

For the last month or so, watching the Olympics and thinking more and more about life in a new country, I’ve found myself contemplating loyalty to country and differences between patriotism and nationalism. When you grow up in America watching … Continue reading →

Posted in Dublin Life, Home & A Sense of Place, Irish Life & Society, Modern Life | Tagged , , , , , , , | 10 Comments