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McGuinness Family

British families explore the idea of moving to Australia or New Zealand. Paddy McGuinness loves Australia and wants to live there, but his wife wants to stay.

When Erin McGuinness left Australia at the age of ten, she thought it was for good. She settled down in her mum's native Ireland, lost her Aussie accent and started to love life on a whole new side of the world. She then met Paddy, a Northern Irishman whose obsession with moving to Australia was taking over. This was giving Erin sleepless nights. Paddy is determined to convince Erin that now with two children of their own it's time for all four of them to move Down Under.

But Erin knows first-hand from her mother how homesick living so far away from family can be. After immigrating in the 1970s to Melbourne, her mum and dad returned back to Northern Ireland after 15 years - because they missed family too much.

But with her first son suffering from asthma - exacerbated by the Irish damp and cold, Erin's childhood memories of her healthy outdoor lifestyle in the warmth as she grew up in Melbourne is enough for her to agree to a trial week. She knows it would benefit Alex her first born significantly. Paddy hopes a move would improve their work-life balance and quality of family life. Their jobs in Armagh mean they work very different hours. Paddy is a barman in an Aussie-themed restaurant and loves absorbing the Down Under atmosphere! Erin meanwhile works in IT. They are like ships in the night - Erin returning from work as Paddy leaves. Something simply has to change.

Over the week they'll find out if the change includes living in Australia as they test the realities of living there and whether or not they can afford it.

There is a lot of uncertainty but both agree now is the time to decide once and for all. This week is make or break. What is certain - Erin is not going to be forced into any move.

45 minutes

The McGuinness family update

When we last caught up with the McGuinness family they were still living in Armagh. They have no plans in place to move down under at the moment.

Alex started primary one in September and Jude started preschool too.  With both boys in school, there is a little less pressure regarding childcare arrangements.

Paddy has also changed jobs, still with the same employer but in the Winestore. He now gets to spend a lot more quality time with the kids.

Credits

Role Contributor
Presenter Nicki Chapman
Editor Juliet Chantler
Executive Producer Paul Connolly
On-line editing Mick Clarke
Production Manager Joy Hines

Broadcasts