From Grey Skies To Golden Hills: Northern Ireland Man’s Bold Leap To Tuscany

When the last of Barry Torrens’ three children left for university in 2023, the North Coast native made a life-changing decision. He sold or gave away nearly everything he owned and moved to Tuscany — a leap many dream of, but few dare to take.

“I was fed up with grey skies and needed a new adventure,” Barry said.

Just two months later, the former barrister, pilot, and landlord landed in Italy, speaking no Italian but determined to make his new life work. His journey — from an empty home in Northern Ireland to a sun-soaked hillside in central Italy — is now captured in his debut memoir, Old Man Abroad: Trading Rain for Blue Skies.

The book offers a warm and witty account of Barry’s relocation, from navigating the infamous Italian bureaucracy and language barriers to discovering an unexpected following on social media. Under the handle #oldmanabroad, Barry shares slices of Tuscan life across TikTok, Instagram, and Facebook, connecting with thousands who are charmed by his humour, candour, and sense of adventure.

But Barry hasn’t just relocated — he’s reinvented himself. In his new hometown, he’s launched Toscana English Academy, helping locals learn English while building bridges between cultures. “It’s not just about living here,” he says. “It’s about becoming part of the place.”

A seasoned adventurer, Barry has trekked to Everest Base Camp, summited Mont Blanc and Gran Paradiso, and even survived the deadly 2015 earthquake in Nepal. Back in Northern Ireland, he founded The Causeway Shantymen and continues to serve as their honorary Commodore.

Now settled in Tuscany full-time, Barry is on a mission to help others experience the region he fell in love with over 30 years ago. Together with a team of passionate locals — known as The Sunflower Team — he’s creating opportunities for visitors to explore the hidden corners of Tuscany.

“I’ve never felt more alive,” Barry says. “And I want to share that feeling with others.”

With his memoir Old Man Abroad: Trading Rain for Blue Skies, Barry Torrens offers more than a travel story — it’s a heartfelt invitation to embrace change, chase dreams, and perhaps, one day, follow the sun.

Purchase the book here.