Born in USA to Irish Parents, raised in Paris, London, Dublin, Valencia and now living in the Costa Brava meet Catriona O’Curry. Catriona has shared a desire with us to one day own their current home and we believe in the power of making it happen. Read her story.
Why Spain?
My husband and I had moved to Ireland (after three decades in North America on my part, seven for him) to be closer to my family but after nearly six years there, the long dark damp winters, and many visits to Girona Province where my family had been visiting for over twenty years, we decided we wanted to make a permanent move here to the Empordanet, Baix Empordá.
We haven’t regretted it!
Tell us more about your area.
La Bisbal d’Empordá is a walkable town that’s bigger than a village yet smaller than a city. People are friendly and welcoming and we made more friends here in two and a half years than we did in nearly three times that time in Wicklow, Ireland.
The countryside is just a few minutes walk from our front door where we can let our Collie, Bosco off his leash.
What was the biggest challenge for your move?
So many challenges, from a diagnosis of prostate cancer for my husband to being the daughter living closest to my aging father, to the bureaucracy at the start because my husband is an American citizen…..
Also challenges with the home we live in. We have come through it all and we have come to deeply appreciate so many of the every day things that we mightn’t have before…. Like the hot shower (got a new hot water heater yesterday!!) I’m going to enjoy after this!!
Do you have any advice for Women thinking about making the move?
Trust your instincts, and if you feel called to a place, there will be plenty of support through the challenges.
Where do we find you most days?
I have a beautiful sanctuary within our sanctuary of a home, where I read and write, cook and play with our two pets, have long conversations with my husband or visiting friends from all over the world.
We both still work part time online as Psychotherapists. It’s a calling and I still enjoy the work. I started in 1994 and Bob began in 1987!!
What is something spectacular you would like to achieve in just one day?
I’d find the money to buy the home we live in and have put so much care into.
Something you have achieved?
I’ve managed to really settle into my home despite not owning it. Home means so much to me! Bob used to be a builder and my missed vocation is Interior Design, so…
Most visitors assume that we own the house.
Who would be at your special dinner party?
As we often do,there’d be loads of artists and musicians and creative people…
I’d include some of my favourite writers, mostly women authors and many people of colour. I find diversity invigorating and being around creative people is enlivening.
I have never really fit into the mainstream and I’ve met so many types of people from all sorts of backgrounds. I’ve collected a wide range of friends, starting with growing up in the seventies in Paris with Irish parents who had emigrated to America in the early sixties.
I was blessed with an education that was outside of the traditional French academic system where I made life long friends from literally all over the globe.
What’s your secret weapon or accomplishment?
My coming to terms with my varied background and the integration of the various aspects of my life. It’s inner work that leads to a sense of peace and a capacity for presence that enables me to be more comfortable with myself and others.
It’s an inside job for which there are no shortcuts.
What has kept you focussed over your life?
Gratitude has shifted my entire life and I have so much to be grateful for. It’s been a long journey but I wouldn’t trade it for anything.
One thing you had to bring to Spain and could never give away?
Our pets: Bosco our big goofy Collie, Mr Fox our fat wicklow tabby and his gorgeous brother Mr Tiger. They’re all so relaxed and friendly and love being together with each other and with us. They’re hilarious!
Do you have a favourite book?
Gosh that’s a tough question!! I loved The Hummingbird’s Daughter by Urrea, also The Covenant of Water by Verghese. Both male authors as it happens.
My life was transformed and hugely improved by reading all of Alice Walker and Maya Angelou’s books in my twenties and thirties.
Something you would tell your younger self?
You will find HOME. (For those of you who are interested in Astrology, my North Node is in Cancer)
Thank you Catriona O’Curry where can we connect with you?
My website: https://BobCatIntegrativeConsulting.com
