The move from Kerala in southern India to the rural Irish village of Shinrone has been a journey shaped by opportunity and a strong sense of community for Lowell Hinch. Arriving in Ireland in 2023 with his family, he has since built a new life that blends his roots in India with an active role in his adopted home.

Lowell describes a close-knit family background. His parents, both retired teachers, remain in India, while his brother has settled in the United States. “Me, my wife, and my kids, we are in Ireland now,” Lowell explains. Three of their children arrived with them, while their youngest daughter was born in Ireland marking an important milestone in their new chapter.

The decision to leave India was largely driven by the search for better opportunities. Lowell had been working as a placement officer in an engineering college, while his wife worked as a nurse. However, he points to economic realities as a key factor in their move. “If we think about the salary part comparing to European countries, it’s very less,” he says. Like many others from Kerala, they began to look abroad. “A lot of people are interested to migrate to different countries… so in that situation, we also thought to come here.”

His wife took the first step, moving to Ireland in 2022 after successfully completing the necessary exams. Lowell followed with their children on a dependent visa. The transition marked a significant shift—not just geographically, but culturally and socially. Everything was new: “Different country, different weather, and different people,” he recalls.

Despite these initial uncertainties, Lowell vividly remembers arriving in the village and going for a walk with his children. Drawn to a local soccer pitch, they approached a group of children playing there. “We just asked them how we can join them,” he says. The response was immediate and welcoming. “Immediately they added me in the soccer group here… next day itself they started their training.”

That moment set the tone for their integration into the community. “The community, the people in Shinrone is very helpful to us.” For a family arriving in a completely new environment, such openness made a lasting impression.

Over time, Lowell has become deeply involved in local life, particularly through the village school. He serves as a member of the Board of Management and has also trained as a Special Needs Assistant (SNA), occasionally stepping in to support children who require additional care. “We are very attached to the school,” he says, highlighting the central role it plays in both his life and the wider community.

His involvement in the school extends beyond formal roles. Lowell has also contributed culturally, sharing aspects of his heritage with students and staff. He recalls with particular pride two occasions that stand out as “good days” in Shinrone. On one, he visited the school to speak to students about the importance of reading, sharing stories from India. On another, he introduced the school community to Onam, a major festival in Kerala. “I gave a PowerPoint presentation… and I explained everything for them,” he says. The response was enthusiastic, with students and staff engaging with a culture that was new to many of them. “They were also part of that festival,” he adds, describing it as a meaningful exchange.

Lowell believes that acceptance has been a defining feature of their time in Shinrone. “We are very happy… acceptance is not a problem here,” he says. The support of both the school and the wider community helped his family adjust quickly to their new surroundings.

This sense of belonging is further reinforced by the trust placed in him. Within a few months of arriving, Lowell was invited to join the school’s Board of Management. “They chose me to sit on that chair,” he explains, interpreting the decision as a sign that the community recognised and valued his contribution.

While Lowell acknowledges that Ireland is now home, he maintains a strong connection to India. “At present, my home is Shinrone… my actual home is in India,” he says, capturing the dual sense of identity that often accompanies migration. His life now bridges both places, combining family ties in Kerala with a growing sense of rootedness in Ireland.

Looking to the future, Lowell’s plans are closely tied to his wife’s career. Like many nurses from Kerala, her goal is to secure a position within Ireland’s public health system. She has already attended multiple interviews and is on several panels, and the family is prepared to relocate within the Midlands if necessary. “Living here in Midland is the safest… the weather condition is also very good here,” he says, expressing a desire for stability after the upheaval of migration.

For Lowell, a “good day” in Shinrone is often one that involves connection, contribution and community. Whether speaking to students, sharing cultural traditions or simply engaging with neighbours, these moments have helped define his experience.

Lowell’s journey reflects both the challenges and rewards of starting anew. He and his family have found a sense of belonging far from home. As he continues to build his life in Shinrone, his experience stands as a testament to the power of community in shaping the migrant experience, turning unfamiliar surroundings into a place that feels, in many ways, like home.