So, you've probably heard the whispers. Maybe you saw a random TikTok or a headline that looked like clickbait. But let’s cut to the chase: yes, it’s true. Rosie O’Donnell lives in Ireland now.
She didn’t just go for a vacation or a quick Guinness-fueled heritage trip. On January 15, 2025, the former "Queen of Nice" packed up her life, sold off her American real estate, and moved across the Atlantic. It wasn't a sudden whim, either. Rosie had been prepping for this "self-imposed exile" long before the boxes were even taped shut.
The Move to the Emerald Isle
She’s currently settled in Howth, a picturesque seaside village just outside Dublin. Originally, she had her eye on a place in Glengarry, but—get this—it had massive mold issues. Can you imagine? You move halfway across the world only to find out your new house is a health hazard.
Rosie eventually landed in Howth because of the community. She’s been very vocal about how much she loves that the local grocer and the cashiers actually know her name. It’s a total 180 from the high-octane, paparazzi-heavy life of Los Angeles or the sheer scale of her old $8 million New York penthouse.
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Why She Really Left
Why did she leave? Honestly, it’s a mix of politics and personal safety. Rosie has never made any secret of her feelings about Donald Trump. Following his 2024 election win, she felt that the U.S. was no longer a "safe" or "sane" place for her family.
- Political Climate: She stated she wouldn't return until it's "safe for all citizens to have equal rights."
- Family Safety: A huge driver was her youngest child, Dakota "Clay" O’Donnell. Rosie felt the environment in the U.S. was becoming increasingly hostile for a non-binary, autistic child.
- A Fresh Start: After losing her Malibu home to the California wildfires just a week before her move, there wasn't much holding her back.
Is It Permanent?
Kinda seems that way. While she originally hinted the move might be temporary, she’s since told The Washington Post that Clay is so happy in Ireland that she promised they would stay for good. She's even in the middle of applying for Irish citizenship.
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She qualifies through her grandparents, which is a lucky break if you're trying to escape the American political circus. Being 100% Irish Catholic by heritage, she says being there feels like "coming home" in a way she can't quite describe. She’s even looking at work there, including a potential role in an Irish sitcom and rumors of a new weekly talk show.
What Her Life Looks Like Now
Life in Ireland isn't all rainbows and leprechauns, though. Rosie has admitted that moving to a new country is "not easy."
She bought a used car to "tool around the countryside" and had to learn how to drive on the left side of the road—which she joked about on Instagram. She misses her older kids and her friends back home, but she claims she's sleeping better and her health has actually improved because the "stress and anxiety" of American politics have vanished from her daily life.
She recently attended the St. Patrick’s Day parade in Dublin, blending in with half a million other people. For a woman who was once the biggest face on daytime TV, the anonymity of a small Irish village seems to be exactly what she was looking for.
What to Know About Celebrity Relocation
If you're looking at Rosie's move as a blueprint for your own "escape," there are a few things to keep in mind.
- Citizenship by Descent: If you have an Irish parent or grandparent, you might be eligible for the Foreign Births Register. It’s one of the most powerful "Plan B" options in the world.
- The "Vibe" Shift: Moving for politics is a major life decision. Rosie’s move worked because she had the financial means (selling an $8 million penthouse helps) and a deep cultural connection to the destination.
- Logistics Matter: From moldy houses to driving on the "wrong" side of the road, the transition is rarely seamless, even for celebrities.
Rosie O’Donnell’s move to Ireland represents a growing trend of "political migration," where people are choosing their home based on values rather than just career. Whether she stays forever or eventually returns to the U.S. after 2028 remains to be seen, but for now, you’re more likely to find her in a pub in Howth than on a red carpet in Hollywood.
If you are curious about your own ancestral ties, your first step should be gathering the birth certificates of your parents and grandparents to see if you qualify for a secondary passport through descent.