‘When we visit Pakistan, we always say that we are going back home, Ireland is our home now’

Azaan Samar first moved to Ireland from Rawalpindi, Pakistan ten years ago with his family. His father already lived here since the early 2000s and suddenly fell ill, leading the family to leave everything they knew in Pakistan and move to the other side of the world.

Soon after, the family settled in and decided to stay as Azaan’s father recovered and now, a decade later, they call Ireland their home. Azaan received his Irish citizenship earlier this year, marking one of the most important days of his life.

Now living in Blanchardstown, Azaan recently took over Tierney’s Newsagents on Trimgate Street in Navan, continuing on a legacy of great service for the people in the town after owner Joe Tierney handed over his keys in his retirement during the summer.

When asked about what it has been like taking over a newsagent that has been so engrained in the town for over a century, Azaan said the reception has been positive and well-received.

“It has been a really positive experience working in Navan. I’ve been familiar with Navan for a long time, too. I’ve been in the service industry for a long time, and the shop has a great reputation.

“In 2020 I had a takeaway in Johnstown for a year, but then the pandemic hit. So being back has been good. People have been really friendly and the guidance we have gotten from everyone here has been so helpful.”

“We have followed what Joe was doing previously and it’s going well. People have been so welcoming and all of the neighbours have been really kind, coming in to say good luck when I started.”

Now, Azaan and his wife Mehnoor are raising their two year old daughter Batoon in Ireland, with the community of his parents, siblings, in-laws and extended family around them, and over 30 of his family members residing in Ireland as of 2026, with most of them having received their citizenship.

“When I first moved to Ireland, it was a little bit tough. It took some time to settle in but I had my family with me and the people here were very good to us. It was a culture shock. You come from 47 degree heat in Pakistan during the summers, and the culture is also so different. The people in Ireland helped a lot. They offered their guidance and without that, we would have been lost.

“If I ever need something here, there is always somebody to ask. Despite the language and culture being so different, it didn’t take too long to settle in.

“In Pakistan you learn English in school, but you don’t really have conversations in English. When I came here, I learned that. Back in Pakistan where I’m from, we speak Urdu.”

Before receiving his citizenship, Azaan had to live in Ireland for five years. Applying after seven years of living here, it took the process another two years on top of that.

“It was a really big achievement for me to finally receive my citizenship. I’ve been here for so long, and I was very emotional the day of the ceremony. It was a big celebration for my family afterwards. My wife came with me to the ceremony, she has been in Ireland for five years and we’ve been married for three years now.”

Azaan has only been back to Pakistan three times in the last ten years, most recently bringing his daughter to meet his huge family and group of friends he has over there.

“When we visit Pakistan, we now always say that we are going back home when we are leaving Pakistan and returning to Ireland. Ireland is our home.”

Despite Azaan and his family moving to Ireland due to circumstances out of their control, he and his family have built their life and business here.

When asked what is one thing he loves about Ireland and one thing he misses about Pakistan, Azaan said:

“Christmas time in Ireland is definitely my favourite time of the year here. I also love St Patrick’s Day, going out with friends and celebrating.

I do miss the food in Pakistan as it’s really difficult to find good Halal food here. I have had some good Halal food but our food in Pakistan is a bit different to what you get here.”

A decade after leaving Pakistan, Azaan has built a life in Ireland that he and his family are proud to call home.

As he settles into his new role at Tierney’s Newsagents, he hopes to continue the shop’s long-standing tradition of serving the people of Navan, with the same warmth and welcome that helped him find his feet in Ireland all those years ago.

And while he may still miss the food back home, there is one Irish staple that has certainly won him over: the humble chicken fillet roll.