It finally happened. After years of public feuding and hints that she might just pack it all up, Rosie O’Donnell moves to Ireland, leaving her American life in the rearview mirror. This wasn't just a vacation or a temporary retreat to a coastal cottage. It was a full-scale relocation.
She left on January 15, 2025. That was just five days before the inauguration of Donald Trump.
For some, it felt like a celebrity headline we’ve seen a thousand times before—the classic "if my candidate loses, I’m leaving" trope. But for Rosie, the move was deeply personal and, frankly, pretty complicated. She didn't just hop on a private jet and disappear; she sold off her iconic New York real estate at a massive loss and started over in a country where she’s now applying for citizenship through her grandparents' lineage.
The Real Reason Behind the Move
Why now? Honestly, it wasn't just about who was in the White House, though that was a huge part of it. Rosie has been very open on TikTok and in interviews about feeling that the U.S. was no longer "safe" for her family. Specifically, she moved for the sake of her 12-year-old child, Dakota "Clay" O’Donnell.
Clay is non-binary and autistic. Rosie felt that the political climate in America was becoming increasingly hostile toward the LGBTQ+ community.
"I know myself enough to know that this was something I needed to do for the safety and sanity of myself and my child," she shared in a candid video.
Interestingly, there was a physical catalyst too. A week before she left for Europe, her Malibu home was lost in the devastating California wildfires. With her West Coast base gone and her Midtown Manhattan penthouse hitting the market, the ties to the States were fraying at both ends.
Losing Millions to Find Peace
Moving your entire life across the Atlantic isn't cheap, even for a TV mogul. Rosie took a significant financial hit to make this happen. Her New York City penthouse, a stunning 3,400-square-foot triplex in Turtle Bay, had been on and off the market for a couple of years.
She originally bought it for about $8 million back in 2017.
She sold it in early 2025 for roughly $4.75 million.
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That is a $3.25 million loss. In the world of high-end real estate, that’s a "get me out of here" price. The property featured a Guggenheim-inspired staircase and a Swedish sauna, but none of that mattered compared to the goal of settling in Dublin.
Life in the Emerald Isle
So, what does life look like for her now? It wasn't all smooth sailing at first. She originally looked at a property in Glengarry, a suburb of Dublin, but it turned out to have major mold issues. For an autistic child with allergies, that was a dealbreaker.
They eventually settled in Howth, a gorgeous seaside village just north of Dublin city center.
Rosie has been spotted at the St. Patrick’s Day parade in Dublin and has even done interviews on Ireland AM. She’s leaning into her 100% Irish Catholic roots. She says she sees reflections of her own family everywhere she looks. It’s a complete 180 from the high-stress environment of American cable news and paparazzi.
- Citizenship: She is currently in the process of obtaining Irish citizenship via descent (Foreign Birth Registration).
- Career: She’s not retired. There are reports of her starring in an Irish sitcom and even talks of a new weekly talk show based in Dublin.
- Family: While Clay is with her, she’s admitted to missing her four older children back in the States.
Will She Ever Come Back?
Initially, Rosie said she might return when it’s "safe for all citizens to have equal rights." However, by late 2025, her tone shifted. She told the Washington Post that Clay is so happy in their new environment that she’s promised they will stay for good, even after the current administration leaves office in 2028.
It's a "self-imposed exile" that turned into a permanent home.
The tension hasn't entirely vanished, though. In early 2026, President Trump reportedly made comments about revoking the birthright citizenship of his critics, specifically naming O'Donnell. While legal experts say that’s nearly impossible for a U.S.-born citizen, it underscores exactly why she felt the need to put an ocean between herself and the American political machine.
Practical Insights for Relocating
If you're looking at Rosie's move as a blueprint for your own "Plan B," here are a few things to keep in mind:
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- Claiming Descent: If you have a parent or grandparent born in Ireland, you are likely eligible for Irish citizenship. The process takes about 9 to 18 months.
- The Cost of Speed: Selling assets quickly to fund a move often results in "fire sale" prices. Rosie’s $3M loss is a extreme example of the "exit tax" celebrities pay for privacy and speed.
- Health and Wellness: Rosie claims she’s sleeping better and feeling healthier. The "slower" pace of European life is a real factor in long-term expat success.
- Housing Hurdles: Even with millions, the Irish housing market is notoriously difficult. Mold and structural issues are common in older coastal properties—always get a professional survey.
Next Steps for You: If you are considering a move similar to Rosie's, your first step should be checking your eligibility for the Foreign Birth Register (FBR). Gather your grandparents' original long-form birth certificates and marriage licenses. Without these "golden" documents, the process cannot begin. If you don't have a direct Irish lineage, you might look into the Critical Skills Employment Permit, which is the most common route for professionals moving to Ireland in 2026.