Many Irish Americans feel a deep, spiritual connection to Ireland, my homeland and the birthplace of our ancestors. This affinity intrigues me.
What amazes me most is that many American’s ancestors left Ireland because of dire poverty and starvation. Yet despite the difficulties of their lives in Ireland, they brought a great love of their homeland with them to the United States. I think there are few groups of immigrants so deeply linked to their homeland by nostalgic memories. This spiritual, mystical connection has been passed down through the generations.
In my twenty something years living in the US, many American friends have recounted fond memories of their Irish grandparents or great-grandparents. They attribute their great admiration to a warmth, wit, turn-of-phrase, or generally pleasant outlook on life.
In November 2012 I featured a guest post on the topic of Celtic Religion. It generated some wonderful, thought-provoking comments. One reader asked:
“What do you think it is that all of us of Irish descent, many of
whom have never been there or are now generations from our
ancestors who left the old country, are so attracted to?”
-Question By Spencer
This question generated some very interesting responses. So interesting, I thought they deserved a blog post all of their own. Here are some responses from other readers:
“It not an attraction, it’s an anchor in a spinning universe. And it matters little that some of the ‘stuff’ is twee beyond words (little people). Some of the stuff downright physically painful( Irish dance). Some crazy. But it is mostly genius, loyal and ancient, all with grit and gumption. And part of you.”
- Response By Vince
“After visiting Ireland in 2011, I would have to agree with you on it being an anchor, Vince. It’s an anchor that has a constant pull on me and I really want to return. It also haunts everything I do and enjoy!”
- Response by Chris
“My Grandad- whose Dad was Irish- was my absolute favorite person in the world. Since he passed away, everything Irish has taken his place in my heart as #1. So basically a love of our relatives, of our families, and a desire to know more about who we are and where we come from is what I think attracts us most.”
- Response By Aimee
I believe part of the attraction is an instinctual desire to honor all of God’s creation. After so much time of modern human disrespect and delusions of controlling the Mother Earth and her inhabitants that balance is longed for. We have ventured so far from what feeds us both physically and spiritually.”
- Response By Penny
A big thank you to everyone for their wonderful responses. A special thank you to Vince for his insightful comment and for coining such a magnificent phrase, when he declared Ireland to be “our anchor in a spinning universe”.
And so today I am asking you to join in this conversation and tell us why Ireland is your “anchor in a spinning universe”. Feel free to add your two cents worth in the comments below. I’m looking forward to your answers.
Slán agus beannacht leat!
(Goodbye and blessings)
Irish American Mom
My Mom is from Ireland and she instilled in my brother and me a strong love for the country she emigrated from – the music, dancing, etc. Her entire family stayed behind in Ireland so we visited most summers throughout our youth and that really strengthened the connection and allowed us to create great memories there. It’s hard to explain but I feel “at home” whenever I go back – even now as an adult!
Colleen – I hope I can keep the connection to Ireland as strong for my kids, as your mom did for you. My kids are already looking forward to their next trip. So happy to hear you feel “at home” in Ireland.
Best wishes,
Mairead
Hi Mairead, I had a long post ready to go but changed my mind as you know how i think. Ireland lies as a kitchen chair in your mother’s house. The door is always open though we sons and daughters have traveled the four corners of the world. Occasionally, we send a letter, and hopefully set a time for a visit.
Cheers,
Brian.
Brian – I love the image of Ireland as the kitchen chair in your mother’s house. The door is truly always open, and every son and daughter of Ireland is always welcome, no matter how far back their ancestry may go.
All the best,
Mairead
I live in Argentina, a country where most people descend from Spanish and Italian inmigrants. When I found out I had Irish ancestor, I felt special and became interested in everything Irish. And that made my love for the country grow. I hope to able to visit Ireland some time.
And I don’t know if you are aware, but there is this thing called The Gathering during this year, where people with Irish ancestors is invited to go to Ireland: http://www.thegatheringireland.com/
Mariana – When I was home in Ireland a few years ago I watched a documentary about the Irish diaspora in Argentine. I had not realized until then there are so many people of Irish descent in your country. I was amazed to learn that Argentina’s Irish community is the fifth largest worldwide. I hope someday you get to see Ireland.
I hope to visit Ireland this summer during The Gathering. I hope many people of Irish descent will take the opportunity to see my homeland. Thanks so much for stopping by and for adding to the discussion.
Best wishes,
Mairead
My grandma’s parents moved here from Ireland.She is the reason I have a fondness for the country.i remember Irish blessings on the walls of her home.she loved limericks,shamrocks and also had a green thumb . I remember her teaching me how to pull weeds.
I named my daughter Maeve because my gram loved Maeve Binchy books. I often wonder if Irish people would find this strange!
I don’t think anyone in Ireland would think it strange to name your daughter Maeve because your granny loved Maeve Binchy books. I think it is a lovely reason to choose a name you feel connected to, and that has special meaning for you.
Many Irish people love to garden, and pulling weeds is a well-honed skill in Ireland. They grow extra fast with all that Irish rain. I can just see your granny teaching you the details of how to pull them up, root and all.
Thanks so much for stopping by and for your lovely comment.
Best wishes,
Mairead
i was raised in SOUTHERN INDIANA , USA.
AS I GROW OLDER (I’M 62), I FEEL MORE DISPATCHED WITH WHERE I’M LIVING, IN INDIANA. I DON’T FEEL THIS IS MY HOME. THE NAMES OF MY ANCESTORS, ARE FOUND ALL ACROSS THE BRITISH ISLES.
MY G-G-GRANDFATHER KING WAS FROM SCOTLAND. THE OTHER NAMES, HANSON, WHITE, AND BROCK.
I FEEL DRAWN TO PICTURES FROM SCOTLAND AND IRELAND. AND SPEND MANY HOURS LOOKING AT THEM ON FACEBOOK AND THE INTERNET..
Dear Steven – Isn’t it amazing how your ancestral heritage is drawing you to the British Isles, and especially Ireland and Scotland? I hope someday you get to visit these countries, and discover for yourself the beauty of the scenery and the warm welcome of the people. I live in Kentucky, not far from you in Indiana. I really like it here, but no matter how long I spend here, Ireland will always be my spiritual home. I wonder if my children will feel the same connection.
Best wishes and thanks for stopping by.
Mairead
There was a thing in the telly a few years ago where they did up a 1840′s C of I derelict . Since they are all the same design it’s hard to know if that one is the one, but it certainly looks like it from it’s site.
Vince – That picture is of the Old Church of Ireland in Dunlewey, near the Poison Glen in Donegal. My husband took that shot the last time he was home. It probably looks very like the old ruin that was done up for the TV program you mentioned. My husband has a dream. If we were a little wealthier (actually a lot wealthier), he would love to renovate an old castle or “Big House” in Ireland. I think this one will have to stay on his wish list, unless we win the lotto.
All the best,
Mairead
COULD YOU POST A PIC OF THIS.
Steven – It is the picture in the center of the black and white collage above. It is an old church ruin in the middle of a rugged mountain valley in County Donegal.
I become a lover of Ireland in a interesting way. I watched PS I love you with Hillary Swank and Gerard Butler( of course fell in love with him lol) I was at a point in my life were I wasn’t feeling great about my marriage and life and my older daughter had moved out. I started watching this movie over and over and yet it is a sad movie and Gerard not really being Irish gave me some sense of I liked the way they viewed life then when the scenery came on I was taken away by it. So I started wanting to know everything about Ireland history places religion legends all I could learn. I was 38 at the time. I turned 39 and felt what have I done for me. I was a mom at 20 and a daughter and a wife 3 times. I felt 40 coming and at 39 I decided to do something crazy I got my first tattoo of a Celtic shamrock and it says love, hope and faith. You have to understand im not full Irish I think I have ancestry to there but still doing research and I was raised Jewish in religion all my life so a tattoo was taboo my jewish mother got over it lol. So I got the tat and I love it it has meaning to me. I still felt I needed something more so in 2010 I got my passport for the first time and I booked a flight to Dublin I went by myself out of the country for the first time ever and stayed for 5 days. I saw the cliffs and I walked through little towns saw museums enjoyed the temple bar my fav place to drink and I just fell in love with Ireland and found myself because of it. I have such a draw to it I got another tat on my back of the claddah ring. (I swear I’m not going to cover myself) I came home and felt like I left part of myself there. So in 2011 I went back and took my husband so he could share in my love of Ireland he enjoyed it but didn’t grasp it like I did and he has more Irish in him. Ireland now calls to me so I do alot that is Irish and traditional my mom has enjoyed the things I’ve taught her and showed her and my girls love now that I’m cooking some Irish dishes. I got the call to go to Ireland again and I went sept 2012 I took my 21 year old daughter we had the best time and she understood my love of it too. Its amazing to me how I didn’t grow up with anything Irish nor did I ever hear about Ireland and now it’s part of me were I feel it call to me theres lots of other reasons it calls but all I know is it is part of me and I hope to do it again this year. Just wanted to share my story.
Erika – Thank you so much for sharing your story and your love for Ireland. I always enjoy hearing stories where people feel right at home in Ireland, and experience an amazing spiritual connection with my homeland. I hope you get the chance to visit Ireland many, many more times, and enjoy it more and more each time. Best wishes,
Mairead
I grew up sitting down to tea with my grandmother who came from Ireland. I loved listening to her stories of the Old Country. I longed to go to Ireland and never thought I could. My grandmother passed away in 2000 at the age of 99. It was then that I vowed I would visit her country and in 2005, at the age of 30, I finally made my first visit to Ireland by myself. I cried when I arrived at the airport. I felt like I was “coming home”. I’ve been to Ireland several times since then and have taken my kids. I am currently in the process of getting Irish citizenship and want to move there. Everyone thinks I am crazy, but I feel like I have been separated from my true land and can’t wait to go back. Is it really crazy that I want to move there, when everyone else wants to move here?
Shawn – It sounds like your grandmother left an indelible mark on your memory, perhaps even the Irish part of your subconscious. I think that may be why you feel like your are “coming home” every time you visit Ireland. I too long for my trips home to Ireland. There I seem to recharge my batteries. I understand how you might want to move to Ireland. The Irish way of living and our outlook on life is different to that of Americans. I think you grow to appreciate it more once you have been there and experienced it. For me the big issue with moving back to Ireland is an economic one. We have to make a living, and right now we can best do that here in America. I pray you get to live in Ireland someday – here’s hoping all your dreams come true.
All the best,
Mairéad
I completely relate to Ireland being an anchor. I couldn’t even tell you which generation of my ancestors came from Ireland to the States, but I know that something about the mystical isle I have yet to visit draws me like a magnet. I just read your post on your Americanization process, and learned that I have some of the same instincts that your Irish upbringing has afforded you. I always decline the first offer of drink upon making a call, and sorely regret it when another is never given; and I almost exclusively drink black tea with milk (though I substitute honey for sugar, like any good Californian would). There is something in the blood of an Irish descendant that can never be squashed: a fighter’s heart; a giving spirit; a love of green hills and blue sea; and knowing that laughter and a good meal can cure nearly anything. Plus, I think we all know deep down that Ireland would be ready to welcome any of us home, should we choose to go. I certainly hope that I get the chance to live in Ireland and raise a family there. I have long said that it would take a really great man with an even greater name to make me give up my own, as it is the anchor of “home” I hold on to tightest.