Eight years ago, Peter Kane left Philadelphia and moved to Dublin to take up a temporary teaching post. When his contract expired, Peter was offered a full-time position with the college, which he gratefully accepted.

He had by now fallen in love with Dublin and made up his mind to settle here indefinitely. Last year, the settlement became official when Peter was granted Irish Citizenship. “I was surprised at how easy it was,” says Peter recalling the application process, “I thought I would be required to speak a little Gaelic or at least have some knowledge of Irish History.”

The only real requirement Peter needed to gain Irish citizenship was to have worked here for a certain number of years. Applying for the citizenship was for practical reasons, not some romantic notion he had of being an Irish man. Being a citizen meant he could enter other European countries on his Irish passport.

Just recently, Peter gave up teaching English literature to concentrate on a writing career. At some stage, he plans to return to college, but not as a lecturer. He would like to do a PHD in ‘the American identity combined with the works of Ernest Hemingway’.

Since moving here, Peter has noticed a huge shift in Irish culture which saddens him. “I fell in love with Ireland because it was everything America was not,” says Peter talking about why he hopes American culture stops infiltrating the simple ways of Irish living. “When I moved here first, I loved the fact that I could walk into a bar without worrying if I had a washboard stomach or super white teeth. Sadly, the world is catching up with America in its obsession with aesthetic perfection.”

But Peter is not put off. His partner Frank lives in Dublin so he won’t be moving anywhere too soon. Speaking openly about his sexuality, Peter was pleasantly surprised to find that Dublin provides a good home for gay people like himself.

For him, it highlights the hypocritical ideals of where he originated from. “America is a constant bleat about freedom of speech, the land of the brave and free, and the American dream– but that’s ok if you fulfil everyone else’s dream– just not your own,” says Peter with a wry smile.

But Peter is not idealistic about his future in Dublin. Marriage and adoption is a dream of his but he may have to go elsewhere to realise those dreams. “Providing a child with love is the easy part, providing him with answers as to why he has two dads is the difficult part,” says Peter.

It’s not surprising, that Peter’s appreciation for all things Irish extends to the weird and wonderful world of art. In his Ballsbridge home hangs a Francis Bacon and a collection of works from his favourite artist Louis Le Brocquy (whose James joyce portrait is shown on left).

Never in his wildest dreams did he think popping out for a pint of milk would result in a chance meeting with his favourite artist. “He was standing at the check out till next to mine,” says Peter recalling the day he met Le Brocquy in Tesco. “After packing their bags, Louis and his wife realised they had both left their money at home. To save them the hassle of having to go back home (Louis’s wife was on crutches at the time), I stepped in and offered to pay for the groceries for which they were very grateful.

“I gave Louis my address and a week later he sent me a cheque and a beautiful letter of thanks. I framed them and they now hang beside his James Joyce and W.B Yeats heads.”

Peter hopes that living in Ireland will continue to inspire him as he continues his passion for short story writing.