Celebrating 10 years of my father's sobriety with an Irish road trip through his home

"“From around the age of seven until my mid-twenties, he slipped in and out of my life. The details blur now: a halfway house, a strict Christian rehab, a spell of rough-sleeping in a neighbour's shed. We stayed in touch here and there, but in 2015, I surprised him at his long-term hostel.”"

"“He was frail, shocked, and tearful, but that moment became a turning point. Soon after, he called home, committed to rehab, and last summer we celebrated his 10 years sober. I still can't quite believe it. I have my dad back.”"

"“Over the past decade, travel has become our way of rebuilding. Livin”"

Irish storytelling traditions are linked to pub conversation, song, and poetry, reflecting a long history of narrative craft. A writer with half-Irish heritage describes a father from County Cork who felt deeply connected to Irish culture despite being born in the UK. Childhood memories differ, with the father spending summers in Ireland while the writer grew up in Nottingham. The father’s alcohol addiction caused long absences and strained the relationship, including time in a halfway house, rehab, and rough sleeping. In 2015, a reunion at a long-term hostel became a turning point, leading to rehab and 10 years sober. Travel over the past decade became a way to rebuild their relationship through shared experiences.

Read at CN Traveller