05/04/2026
This is David Murphy, an Irish ex-pat who has come up with a genius way to reconnect with one of the great Ireland traditions ❤️ 🇮🇪
Having relocated to Portugal in 2017, David thought he had the dream all figured out, trading grey skies for sunshine and a slower pace of life, but a trip back home to Irish soil made him realise something was missing.
Having spent time with family and friends, David realised he was missing the chat and the humour and "the way Irish people just get each other".
It prompted a post on Facebook to see if any other Irish people in the Algarve were feeling the same sense of isolation - and that single post sparked the creation of 'Irish Yappers'.
Starting as a modest social group of a handful of folks meeting up twice a month, Irish Yappers has blossomed into a vibrant community of hundreds, all having the craic with laughter and storytelling.
David soon realised that, if Irish Yappers can be successful in the Algarve, then the likelihood is that there are other places in the world where it can blossom.
An Irish Yappers mobile app will be launching globally this month, designed as a digital lifeline for the diaspora, with Irish people across the world able to discover fellow ex-pats in their local area.
"Irish people all over the world were looking for the same thing — connection," David said.
He added: “Whether you’ve just landed in a new country or you’ve been living abroad for years, sometimes all you need is a familiar voice. With Irish Yappers, that voice is never far away."
