Shane Mulligan: Postcards From Home – Palma de Mallorca

So Shane, why did you move?

I didn’t move away because of anything bad, it was just that there was nothing more I could have done in Dublin. An audition came up to be a dancer in Disneyland Paris, so two friends and I went to the audition and we all got offered the job, so of course we took it! We headed off to work in Paris for the first time ever. It was a great experience and to any young, striving performer it is a great place to start. Since then, I haven’t stopped traveling the world.

What do you miss about Ireland?

I miss my family and old friends, but with social media, it’s easy to stay in touch and I don’t have to miss out on much. Before smart phones, it was a lot harder to keep in touch and a lot more expensive. I do miss the Irish crisps – Tayto and King, they don’t have them anywhere!

What do you not miss?

Well, that’s easy! When I’m away, I’m beside the sea, surrounded by the sand and sun and ocean, beautiful beaches and lush weather. When I’m home, I’m in the city polluted with lights, noise and rain. So I think that explains it!

What do you love about your new city?

Writing this now, I’m sitting on the beach in Palma de Mallorca, the sun is shining and the beach is empty as most tourists are gone home. It is winter but it does not feel like it at all, just a little colder than summer maybe. It’s like a normal summer’s day at home in Ireland. It’s so peaceful and relaxing, I am going to miss it here as soon I come home.

Rate your queer scene.

No matter where you go there is always a queer scene, but here in Spain, it’s more freely expressed and open. It’s so nice. It’s kinda like our country says it’s open to gays and we are united but you still have that fear that homophobia is there. That’s not all gone. When I worked in Greece, it was so good to feel how you want and not need to look over your shoulder.

Don’t worry thinking you will be alone when you move away, the fact is you are never alone for long. Just keep your chin up, focus on your future and making it as bright and colourful as you can for yourself. It’s your life and you need to live it, no one else can do that for you but yourself. So pack that bag, pick up those heels and run for the horizon. When you look back you will see everything staying the same and your future in front of you changing.

Peace and love, Shane. xx

Look out for more Postcards From Home similar to Shane’s featuring postcards from the Irish LGBT+ community abroad and from new members to our queer family who have made a new home in Ireland inside the current issue of GCN.