When David, a Dublin native, moved to Portugal in 2017, he thought he had it all figured out — sunshine, a fresh start, and a slower pace of life in the Algarve.
Like many Irish people abroad, he quickly fell in love with the country. But after a visit home to Ireland, something shifted.
“I came back to Portugal after seeing family and friends, and after a few days, I realised something was missing,” he says. “It wasn’t the weather — it was the connection. The chats, the humour, the way Irish people just get each other.”
Determined to recreate that sense of belonging, David took a simple step — he posted in a Facebook group asking if any other Irish people in the Algarve felt the same.
They did.
That one post led to the creation of Irish Yappers, a social meetup group that started with just a handful of people meeting twice a month in Portimão Marina. Within a few years, it grew into a thriving community, with hundreds of members and regular meetups filled with laughter, storytelling, and that uniquely Irish “craic.”
But something unexpected happened.
People from outside the Algarve — and even outside Portugal — began joining the group online.
“That’s when I realised this wasn’t just a local thing,” David explains. “Irish people all over the world were looking for the same thing — connection.”
That idea became the foundation for the next step: the Irish Yappers app, launching on iOS and Android in April.
The app is designed to help Irish people — and anyone who enjoys Irish culture — find community wherever they are in the world. Using geolocation, users can discover nearby Irish people (“yappers”), locate Irish pubs and businesses, and even start conversations instantly.
Whether it’s finding a good pint of Guinness, tracking down Barry’s Tea, or simply hearing a familiar accent, the goal is simple: make sure no one feels alone abroad.
“It’s not about stereotypes,” David says. “It’s about connection. We’re known for our storytelling and openness — Irish Yappers just brings that into the digital age.”
The platform also offers value for local businesses, particularly Irish pubs and venues, helping connect them directly with their community.
Starting in Portugal, David has ambitious plans to expand the app across Europe and beyond. For him, the mission is personal — but the impact could be global.
“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,” he says.
“With Irish Yappers, that voice is never far away.”
The Irish Yappers app will be launched in the next few weeks, but in the meantime you can connect with other "yappers" on the #irishyappers social media channels below:
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/IrishYappersAlgarveSocialGroup and https://www.facebook.com/IrishYappersGlobalpage
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/irishyappers
Tik Tok: https://www.tiktok.com/@irish.yappers
