Brianna Parkins: The thing I like most about Ireland is that it preserves its heritage, but the new plan for Stephen’s Green Shopping Centre is the latest symptom of beige-ification

As an Australian living in Ireland for six years, I was asked the same question again and again. “And why would you leave there and come here?” I was quizzed by taxi drivers, TDs, TV presenters, strangers at the bus stop, neighbours and one gynecologist trying to make the situation less awkward with friendly chat. People were mad to know. They’d ask me why I gave up Sydney for Dublin in a polite but “Are you OK?” way. As if I hadn’t made a very conscious choice to settle on the literal other side of the world instead of just ending up here after hopping on the wrong bus.

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