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It’s just going to be really good, the timing is perfect for us – if we waited another 10 years we wouldn’t be able to do it.
FOR THE TWELFTH year in a row, Janet and Eugene Bennis are getting ready to spend Christmas without all of their children.
But this time, they know that in two months, the family will be reunited forever in Brisbane. That’s because the Limerick-based parents have taken the huge step of deciding to move to Australia permanently, and they anticipate setting off for Oz in February 2015, once their visas are in order.
In March, we brought you the Bennis family’s story. Back then, they had recently made the tough decision to leave their Irish and Liverpudlian families and make the trek to Australia, after finding the distance from their four children and grandchildren too hard to bear.
Their daughter Jennifer left for Oz when she was 19. She turned 30 in July. Eoin (29) is gone about seven years, while Claire and Cian emigrated in the past two years. Three of the siblings are married to Australians.
Since then, there have been many changes in the Bennis household, and that permanent move is edging closer.
“We’ve sold our house, and we’ve exchanged contracts. We’ve applied for our permanent visas, and we’ve wrapped up the furniture,” said Janet from Ballincollig in Cork this weekend.
The bucket list
They were in Ballincollig to visit musician Rory Gallagher’s grave. It’s one of a number of goals on a ‘bucket list’ they put together before their move. They fill the car with petrol, make a packed lunch, fill a Thermos with tea, and travel the country every Sunday.
They’ve already climbed Croagh Patrick – “which nearly killed me,” jokes Janet – journeyed to Achill Island, visited Kilmainham Jail, and will soon be going to the Giants’ Causeway.
The pair have been sharing their experiences on their Facebook page, which has helped Janet express her feelings about the big move. They’ve also filmed some footage for a TV documentary, which has captured their lives over the past few months.
Emigration is an expensive business, and their budget trips and the kind help of others (A Ace Removals has offered to transport their belongings for free, for example) are lessening the financial impact. ”I just cannot believe how nice people have been to me,” said Janet.
But aside from the practical aspects, there are the difficult emotional ones. “I left my job on Friday,” said an emotional Janet. “It was bittersweet, but it was really, really hard.” She received extremely thoughtful gifts from her colleagues, who told her about her positive impact on the team at the University of Limerick’s Café Allegro.
After working with Janet this year, the crew and cast of UL’s panto gave her a framed and signed picture. Little gestures like this show her how much she will be missed. “I was just bawling crying yesterday when they presented it to me,” said Bennis. A bubbly and glass-half-full person, her tears show how deeply emotional a time it is for the family.
We’re very excited about it. It’s very bittersweet for us because we’re going to Liverpool on Christmas Eve for our fourth Christmas in Liverpool, and our last Christmas with my sisters and brother, so that will be really emotional.
Leaving two lives
Janet describes herself as “leaving two lives”. “I’m leaving my life here in Ireland – I’ve been here for 36 years – and I’m also leaving my other life in Liverpool. It’s a double whammy for me because I’m leaving both.”
It’s particularly tough for her to leave her cousins in Ireland, who she says are like her adopted sisters.
“It’s not just about us leaving - it’s the ripple effect of this emigration, of us leaving. We’re leaving all our uncles, who are in their 70s. We all die, we’re all going to die, but because they are in their 70s, I am very conscious of that.”
They’re devastated we’re leaving them. It’s like a grieving process for all of us. None of us are getting any younger… 16,000 miles, it’s a long way if one of us gets ill or Eugene or myself gets ill. You can’t just jump on a plane. People say ‘it’s just a flight away’, but it’s not – it’s a world away, that’s the tough part.
“My Irish sisters have come to the house and seen all the stuff boxed up and really got upset. I say to them: ‘it’s a celebration’. It’s really hard for me to see my cousins and neighbours upset.”
The move became ‘real’ for them when their house went on the market. “The minute we put the house up for sale and the house went up, that was another reality that this is really happening. The way Eugene and myself are looking at it is it is a step closer to the airport, to Australia.”
Reuniting with family
Janet and Eugene say the time is right for them to leave.
“The time to go is perfect for us. We’re leaving one good life to start another one with our kids and grandkids. That’s the most important thing to us at our age.”
It’s the time with the grandchildren that they will really treasure.
Saoirse’s now 4 and a half and she’ll talk to you… you want to take her to the park, take her to the shops, you want to take her to the pantomime. The two two-year-olds, they’re talking to us now too.
Their story might be extraordinary, but Janet assures that the Bennis family are just like everyone else. “We still do the same arguing everybody does – we’re not the Brady bunch!” she laughs. And that normality is what has led their story to touch so many people.
But for all the difficulties their situation brings with it, it also brings the possibility of a new, brighter future, with a family united – and friends and relations back home in Ireland and Liverpool, missing them but wishing them the best.
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Irony does have a place apparently
All Trump statements should carry a disclaimer: “Does not reflect the President’s actual views, nor objective reality.” Trump is cunning and can get away with blatant contradictory statements, because there is a collective unwillingness to hold him to account.
@David A. Murray:
And just for the record we paid €10 million euro for his security when he came to Ireland a few months ago and all he did was stay at his own Hotel.
@David A. Murray: He went into the pocket of the NRA during his election to the tune of 30 millions dollars – he is not gonna say or do anything that doesn’t have their endorsement….welcome to America
@Dave Hammond: Build that wall..to keep terrorists in!
@Aine O Connor: and ?? Do you release how much money the US has invested in our wee country , why do the Irish think they are so special around the world , we are a F****n bleep of a place in the big world and wen the shit hits the fan some day Ireland will be begging the US to save our ass’s
@Karllye kripton: it was not a state visit, all he did was play golf at his own hotel and used it for a base for his engagements in Europe.
@Dave Hammond: Yes, US presidents are owned by lobby groups! Some of the big ones include the Israel lobby, the military industrial complex lobby and the gun lobby. They should be all banned from contributing to election campaigns and parties.
@David A. Murray: yea because any journalist who challenges him gets ostracized
@Karllye kripton: more shite from your know nothing skull. American companies set up shop in Ireland for two reasons lax taxes and an educated workforce who accept poor pay compared to other countries. You seem to believe that America is going to come calling for what exactly?
@Karllye kripton: and you think this was done altruistically???
@Jack Simpson: Jebus kid be careful. Your sensible comment might infect your other nonsense.
If these people with “mental illnesses “ weren’t able to access guns so easily maybe there would be less of these shootings
Black gunman – inherently violent
Brown gunman – terrorist
White gunman – mental illness
@Freezepeach: so Trump will be happy if both gunmen are found not guilty due to insanity ?
@Terry McSweeney: well one is terminated by police….
@Gus Sheridan: did his life matter???
@Terry McSweeney: if the one in Ohio is found not guilty, it won’t be due to insanity it will be down to reincarnation.
Absolutely nothing to do with easy access to high powered semi-automatic weapons?!
Nah, he was mental is all!!!
A lot of Trump tweets talking about the “invasion” at the border have been deleted. The fact is people are being radicalised in America by people like Trump and Fox News. If white supremacy is a mental illness then so is any other form of radicalisation but something tells me that these same people wont be putting mass shootings by non white,non Christian assailants down to mental health issues.
@Tom Thumb: What tweets have been deleted?
@Lester Jeffcoat: it’s a Twitter rumour, investigated by Snopes and declared false.
https://www.snopes.com/fact-check/trump-tweets-invaders-deleted/
@Tom Thumb: if you follow the Twitter handle @unfollowtrump they instantly tweet a copy of anything that Trump deletes. Handy for when he does actually delete tweets.
@Tom Thumb: turns out at least one of the shooters was anti-Trump. Maybe a lot of people are being radicalized also by the left?
@Declan Edward: One doesn’t make a pattern.
Of course he’ll blame someone else!!
@Sean Leonard: don’t remember anyone blaming mental illness and video games after 911
@Peter King: I think you’ll find Trump wasn’t in power then!
@Sean Leonard: The republicans were. Trump was boasting about how he had the tallest building in New York.
@Sean Leonard: I think you’ll find Trump spouted loads of lies about 9/11 including that groups of Muslims were cheering and that he was in the front line helping out
The Texas shooting was directly in response to Trumps anti migrant rhetoric….
@Richard Casey: but did Donald pull the trigger?
@Richard Casey: and the other shooting?
@Declan Edward: what about the other shooting? Elaborate exactly what your point is. And a question for ya. Don’t you think Trump should dial down a bit the rethoric and language on his speeches and rallies? Remember he is the president, not just another person but the leader of the country, we like it or not
Metal illness, he’d know all about it….
Xenophobia and anti immigration sentiments have always existed in the USA, but by using them as a political device to further his political career, President Trump has given oxygen to every white supremacist group and individual nutcase.
I don’t think this was done intentionally, but it was done without any concern for the logical outcome, of them seeking to demonstrate their dedication to their cause, by carrying out these type of attacks on a grandiose scale.
The mental health issues are of course a factor in mass shootings, regardless of the proclaimed cause, because believing that it is justified to kill people for no other reason than, just because they are different or, you are having a bad week is insanity.
Will Trump spend federal money on mental health care? Absolutely not.
@David Van-Standen: Unfortunately accessing mental health services depends on someone accepting they are mentally ill, not often the case with mass shooters I’d say.
@David Van-Standen: unfortunately it was done very deliberately drumpf preyed upon the base instincts of white pride/power/nationalism on purpose, to divide, conquer & sow fear into the american public. We see & are living the results on an hourly basis in this country. Don’t be fooled for a second that this was his aim from outset.
As Maya Angelou wrote “When someone shows you who they are, believe them the first time. People know themselves much better than you do. That’s why it’s important to stop expecting them to be something other than who they are”
Guns are to blame !!
@Treasa: yup, shooting people all by themselves they are.
@Treasa: American society is to blame.
@GrahamMManning: really ? Sorry I’ll post better next time YAWN !
@Treasa: good idea!
@GrahamMManning: I’d say ur great craic on a night out
@Dan2078: ur rite but I’m not sure what it has to do with guns. Is this you round about way of asking for a date?
@GrahamMManning: haha. I’ll politely decline ur offer. I’d rather go for a pint with trump than listen to u
@Dan2078: you brought it up kid not me but gotta admire the manners. And for a guy who doesn’t want to listen to me ya reply a fair bit….denial? Good luck with the Trumpy pint thing, he doesn’t drink. Imagine the mad stuff he’d get up to if he did though.
@GrahamMManning: I’ll take him to Coppers
@Dan2078: he’d never leave…
So true that’s one of them is sitting at the white house
C U next Tuesday
It’s definitely a mental illness. If you think it’s OK to sell high powered semi automatic weapons at the local mall, with or without background checks, you do have some brain injury for sure!
More like brainwashing by a false ideology that whites are a superior race.
His own mental illness I assume ?
The orange accomplice to mass murder.
I read and re-read but still amn’t clear. It’s Trump blaming his own mental illness for this? I can’t tell.
Very,very seriously.is that even proper English
@Dessie: Correct English!
Texas was taken by force from Mexico in the 1830′s. The Hispanics have a more right to be there than anyone else.
Their are none so blind and deaf as those who do not wish to see or hear.
Trump is quickly becoming the face of true evil. Innocents dying because of his rhetoric and he’ll happily attempt to mitigate the murders when the killers are the right skin colour.
Trump is to blame foe the increase of mass shootings NO MENTAL ILLNESS
Hate has no place? Even though your hate has directly lead to shootings targeting non-white people like this? Look in the f***king mirror you disgrace.
@Keith O’Reilly: I would argue that it is the hate of your ilk in the US that is causing far more problems and divisions. Not content with the result of a fair election, they slander Trump supporters as red necks and deplorables. They even go as far as inventing stories to inhibit Trump as president + try and get him impeached. In addition to the looney libtards, add in the fake news corporate media that regularly engages in media malpractice and fake news.
@Jack Simpson: you can argue away, won’t make you right but crack on. Equating the hate Trumpy espouses on a daily basis with those who oppose him for virtually endless reasons is the the definition of false equivalency. His entire presidency is built on hate, fear, lies, nepotism, self-enrichment and golf. Opposition to that is not an equal or greater wrong no matter how you spin it. No doubt he won the election but American elections in their current form, no matter who wins, are objectively not “fair”. Anyone who’d vote for such a man (in the loosest sense of the word) should be ashamed of themselves. How many prosecutions have come thus far from the investigations u malign? As for your “fake news” waffle think you mean BS mountain, Breitbart, Infowars etc
@Jack Simpson: Are you saying Trump’s rhetoric isn’t to blame for this?
@GrahamMManning: 1) Trump condemned the shooting. So that is your definition of hate speech?
2) Personally, like you (I presume), I hope he does do more to tackle this issue (gun violence). However, gun lobby supports him massively so it will be politically very difficult for him to do much, I suspect.
3) Entire presidency is built on hate and fear – Both sides are engaging in this. The dems by: a) Adding fuel to the fire that is Trump by trying to inhibit his presidency via hoaxes and slander; b) Russophobic campaign (inc Russiagate); c) Identity politics.
4) ‘should be ashamed of themselves’ – Speaking of hate speech.
5) RG prosecutions have nothing to do with Trump or original accusation. All have been analysed and outline how investigation was a sham.
@Keith O’Reilly: Trump’s actions are to blame. IMHO, there are 2 sides in it. Are you saying the actions of Trump’s opponents are not to blame?
@Jack Simpson: Yes!
@Jack Simpson: ooh I love lists and numbers. 1. Nope just the other lies and bile he spews forth almost daily. Saying one, and I assume a few other, good things doesn’t suddenly negate all his other venom. 2. Agree entirely. Re-election before what’s right and people’s lives. Not that he’s alone in this camp. 3. Woeful false equivalency. 4. In my opinion they should be. Need a definition for “hate speech” or can ya google it urself? 5. They have to do with his campaign and presidency and ergo him. Not saying he’s been found guilty of anything yet. Have to wait til he’s outta office for that show. And no they haven’t just like mueller didn’t “completely exonerate” him either and saying it over and over doesn’t make it any more true.
The USA is a racist country with a constitution enshrined right to carry guns, those two combined has and always will be a deadly cocktail. Obama Bush Clinton did sweet fa when innocent people were slaughtered in similar shootings on their watch too. Blaming the current president for political gain tells you everything you need to know. Presidents will come and go, people will die every day in shootings right across America, Democrats and Republicans are only interested in power not human life.
@Michael Jerseys: Did Obama not propose stricter gun controls including assessing the mental stability of the purchaser and the Republican party blocked it followed by an election vow by Trump to reverse any such measures?
@Barry Evans: I think he did, more than likely to appeal to his base. IMHO, Obama isn’t anymore anti-gun than Trump. Sure didn’t his admin sell more than $115 billion worth of guns to SA?
@Michael Jerseys: excuse me but Clinton did do something about it, the Federal Assault Weapons Ban was passed under Clinton in 1994, it banned semiautomatic assault weapons. It actually reduced fatalities by 64% over the 10 years it was in force until bushie allowed it to lapse in 2004. Please get your facts right.
So when the call comes for the death penalty Trump will cite mental illness as the issue! Will not be a popular comment with his supporters!
Always mental illness when it’s a US terrorist…..
Easy access to military grade weapons has nothing to do with it at all.
He’s right you know. His mental illness is to blame. A Mentally ill president.
He has a mental illness
have your say