Why Tourists Love Ireland

When I Think Of Ireland …..

April 18, 2013 By Irish American Mom 8 Comments

“When I think of Ireland….” What comes to mind as you attempt to finish this sentence?

Last month, as part of our giveaway for My Ireland Box, entrants were asked what crafts come to mind when thinking of Ireland, or simply to tell us what they love about Ireland. The answers posted by readers were beautiful, awe inspiring, and lyrically poetic.

I thought I might share some readers’ words today, because they captured so much of what is good about Ireland.

When you search online for reasons to love Ireland, lists of the usual suspects like pubs, Guinness, shamrocks and leprechauns appear. While these are all valid reasons, I think all of you captured something more spiritual in your answers. So much so, I believe they are deserving of a blog post all of their own.

And so without further ado, here is a selection of your beautiful words:

“When I think of Ireland, I think of comfort food, great

scenery, awesome music, pride, and warm people. I think of a

homeland that I haven’t stepped foot on, but know my heart is

always there.”

- Christina

“I love how friendly the people are

and how beautiful the country is.”

- Beth

“When I think of Ireland, I think of the beautiful green

countryside and the wild sea, cozy pubs full of laughter

and smoke, foamy stouts, mouth-watering fish and chips,

creamy potato soup, and rustic breads.”

- Erin

“I studied abroad in Ireland last year, and cherish my

memories of walking around Galway enjoying the booths filled

with everything from jewelry to knitted garments to fresh

food. Now, each time I see an Irish-made good, it fills me with

comfort and happiness.”

- Emily

“I literally love everything about Ireland. I love

the green hills, I love the accents, I love the food,

I love the cozy atmosphere of the homes people

get to grow up in. I just love it.”

- Elizabeth

“When I think of Irish crafts, I think of wooden boats,

knitted sweaters, and musical instruments.

When I think of Ireland, I think of the beauty

of the land and the sea and the people.”

- Kari

“Since discovering Celtic Thunder 2 years ago my love for the

Irish and Ireland has grown. I have many Irish friends now

and the way they talk of Ireland makes me long for it too.

Everything seems magical and beautiful there – the feel of the

nature surrounding you! They are a very warm and friendly

people. They put a lot of care and love into what they do.”

- Elaine

“When I think of Ireland or any craft that may come from

there, I think of the purest happiness I have ever found, I

found on those shores. The most genuine people, the most

precious land and where my heart feels at its most real home.”

- Chrissy

“… My heart is Irish and I dream in GREEN!!!!”

- Marie

“…. We haven’t found an unpleasant person in Ireland.

They have all been very helpful, funny and just so nice.”

- Mary

“The beauty of Dingle and the whole peninsula is tough to

match. From the Sleeping Giant, Connor’s Pass, Beehive Huts,

Inch Beach and further inland the lakes of Killarney, they all

take you to a magical place. So much history, kindness that is

matched by none, and a richness in heritage, all shape this

area. Great products from the sea, brown bread, cheeses, Celtic

Cross jewelry, beautiful paintings, pottery, they abound.

An isle full of wealth, not necessarily always monetarily,

but a sincere pureness.”

- Catherine

“I am very proud of my heritage. I come from a line of

survivors. Passed down through generations was the love of

baking, cooking, writing, reading, crocheting…..all Irish.”

- Betty

“When I think of Ireland, I think of my Nana

and the stories she told me about the stories

and love woven into the items that were knitted.

I also wear her cross that has stones from Connemara.”

- Carol

I always think of wonderful handknitted sweaters, Irish

tweeds, and all shades of green when Ireland is mentioned.

I think also of hot scones and strong tea with a splash of milk.

Hope that one day I can visit.

- Wendy

“I think of beautiful scenery, emerald green fields,

a brisk wind weaving the grasses, the kiss of dew on leaves.

The food, the peat fires, the simple life.”

- Maile

Thanks to everyone for their lovely comments, and above all for your love of Ireland. And a big thanks to Katharine from My Ireland Box who sponsored our giveaway. Tomorrow I will reveal the lovely surprise contents of the April craft box. Subscribers received it by mail a few days ago, so hopefully I won’t need any spoiler alerts.

Feel free to continue this conversation in the comments section below. I love to hear what stands out about Ireland, what makes it different, and special for you.

Slán agus beannacht leat!

(Goodbye and blessings)

Irish American Mom

The Celtic Cross by SS Hampton, Sr.

March 14, 2013 By Irish American Mom 11 Comments

Today I am pleased to share a guest post from SS Hampton, Sr. a full blooded Choctaw Indian from Oklahoma. While researching the links between his tribe and the Irish he came across my blog and a post I wrote about the Choctaw Nation’s link to the people of Ireland at the time of the Great Hunger.

He wrote this guest post about his heartfelt connection to the Celtic Cross, a well loved symbol of Ireland. I am honored to share his story with you today, to celebrate the connection so many people all over the world feel with Ireland.

I am a Choctaw Indian from Oklahoma. Aside from the historical connection between my tribe and the Irish as a result of the 19th century famine known as “The Great Hunger,” I have always appreciated many things Irish, to include the music, dancing, and mythology. A friend and I even went to see Riverdance when they performed in Denver, Colorado many years ago.

Among the many things Irish that I appreciate is the Celtic Cross. I have no explanation why, I just do.

The Celtic Cross, carved from stone or wood, consists of a cross superimposed over a ring, and both are often decorated with Celtic-styled artwork. According to legend the cross was introduced by Saint Patrick during his conversion of the Irish, though Saint Declan is sometimes credited with its creation (he “preceded Saint Patrick in bringing Christianity to Ireland” and founded Ardmore Monastery). There are various theories regarding the origin of the cross design, such as the supremacy of the Christian Church over paganism as symbolized by the ring (sun worship). Regardless of purpose the cross is beautiful in design and stylized artwork.

As my biography mentions, I serve in the Army National Guard (my initial enlistment took place when I was 50 years old). I deployed to Iraq with a SECFOR battalion, security force, in 2006-2007; we were stationed at a convoy support center in northern Kuwait a mile south of the Iraqi border. Every day our Soldiers went north escorting supply convoys to various destinations throughout Iraq. Those first 30 days were rough—the battalion we were replacing lost a Soldier to an IED. The first two weeks on our own there were more casualties from IEDs, including the first death in our battalion.

Such a beginning was enough to make anyone cautious.

During our deployment I was a Human Resources NCO in the company HQ, so I didn’t have to go north. I went north three times. I had served with these Soldiers for years—how could I sit in camp in safety every day without going north, without sharing the danger my comrades faced? Fortunately, when I went north nothing happened.

Was I lucky? Was it simply that it wasn’t my time to experience the danger of combat? I don’t know.

After I volunteered for the upcoming SECFOR mission I had an urge to hunt for something special. Not specifically a good luck charm but something that would give me a feeling of comfort…and maybe safety and strength. I immediately knew when I found what I was looking for—a Celtic Cross.

Every Soldier is issued a set of rectangular metal “dog tags” that contain important information such as blood type and religious preference; they are attached to a thin chain worn around the neck. I put the Celtic Cross on the chain with my dog tags. I wore these through pre-deployment training, and when we boarded the aircraft to deploy overseas. I wore my dog tags and Celtic Cross throughout my tour. When I was on a convoy mission it was a comfort to reach within my uniform shirt under my body armor, and grasp the dog tags and Celtic Cross. Every movement triggered a tiny “clink” of those small objects on a chain that I wore around my neck.

I removed the dog tags and Celtic Cross upon our return to the States and arrival at the demobilization center.

Because I still serve in the Guard, though I may soon retire, I keep uniforms and personal equipment close at hand, ready for immediate packing. My dog tags and Celtic Cross are close by—they are the first things I will pick up if I ever receive orders again.

So, although I enjoy Saint Patrick’s Day as celebrated, and I enjoy many things Irish, there is something wonderfully Irish that I will always appreciate above all: the Celtic Cross.

You know, I really hope to one day visit Ireland before I die. Maybe I can place my hand upon a real stone-carved Celtic Cross.

SS Hampton Sr.

SS Hampton, Sr. is a full-blood Choctaw of the Choctaw Nation of Oklahoma, a divorced grandfather to 13 wonderful grandchildren, a published photographer and photojournalist, and a member of the Military Writers Society of America. He is a serving member of the Army National Guard with the rank of staff sergeant. He served in the active duty Army (1974-1985), the Army Individual Ready Reserve (1985-1995) (mobilized for the Persian Gulf War), and enlisted in the Army National Guard in October 2004; he was mobilized for Federal active duty for almost three years after his enlistment. He is a veteran of Operations Noble Eagle (2004-2006) and Iraqi Freedom (2006-2007). His writings have appeared as stand-alone stories and in anthologies from Dark Opus Press, Edge Science Fiction & Fantasy, Melange Books, Musa Publishing, MuseItUp Publishing, Ravenous Romance, and as stand-alone stories in Horror Bound Magazine, Ruthie’s Club, Lucrezia Magazine, The Harrow, and River Walk Journal, among others. His books are available from Amazon.com. He is an aspiring painter and is studying for a degree in photography and anthropology—hopefully to someday work in underwater archaeology. After 12 years of brown desert in the Southwest and overseas, he misses the Rocky Mountains, yellow aspens in the fall, running rivers, and a warm fireplace during snowy winters. As of December 2011, in Las Vegas, Nevada, Hampton officially became a homeless Iraq War veteran.

Beannachtaí na Féile Pádraig

(St. Patrick’s Day Blessings)

Irish American Mom

Filed Under: Land and Culture, Lessons for Tourists, Why Tourists Love Ireland Tagged With: Land and Culture, Why Tourists Love Ireland

A Snowy Mount Errigal

January 24, 2013 By Irish American Mom 20 Comments

Mount Errigal is County Donegal’s highest peak. A few years ago my brother-in-law captured some beautiful shots of a snow clad Errigal. I thought I would share these pictures with you today.

Donegal people look towards the mountains for signs of snow.

Here, the snow seems to reveal an etched face in the mountain side.

Pristine blue skies reflect in the stillness of the lake.

County Donegal is beautiful, come rain or shine, but snow adds an extra luster to her scenery.

And finally a black and white shot, which I think is magical.

Hope you enjoyed these photos of Donegal as winter wonderland.

Slán agus beannacht leat!

(Goodbye and blessings)

Irish American Mom

Filed Under: Lessons for Tourists, Why Tourists Love Ireland Tagged With: Lessons For Tourists, Why Tourists Love Ireland

Why Are Irish Americans So Captivated By Ireland?

January 11, 2013 By Irish American Mom 19 Comments

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

Filed Under: Lessons for Tourists, Why Tourists Love Ireland Tagged With: Lessons For Tourists, Why Tourists Love Ireland

Hillwalking In County Donegal

November 8, 2012 By Irish American Mom 25 Comments

Hillwalking is one of my favorite things to do in Ireland. I have trudged through misty rain and gray skies savoring fresh, mountain air. But sometimes, the weather cooperates, the sun adds its splendor, and each step through the springy peat of Ireland’s mountainous terrain reveals the splendor of her spectacular scenery.

Last month my husband visited Ireland on a quick five-day trip to see his uncle who is visiting Ireland from Australia. Before he left I put in a special request. As I packed his camera I pleaded:

“If the weather cooperates, if the sun shines, and if you have a spare moment, please try to catch a few good shots of Ireland and your favorite place on earth, Co. Donegal.”

And believe it or not, after one of the worst summers on record in my homeland, the sun actually cooperated and shone for one whole day during his trip.

Once the first ray of sunshine peeped through his bedroom window, he packed a picnic, stuffed his feet into his climbing boots, and took to the hills of Donegal. Here are some photos he snapped as he wandered through the Poison Glen.

“The Poison Glen” is such an unfortunate name for this spectacular place. It truly seems like a slice of heaven on earth. It turns out in Irish this beautiful place is really called “The Heavenly Glen” or “Gleann Neaimhe”.

The Irish word for heaven is “neamh” and the word for poison is “neimhe”. However, the pronunciation of the word “neamh” changes slightly when it is associated with the word glen in the genitive case. Hence, some poor English translator in years gone by mixed up the word for heaven and poison when naming the glen.

The views of this valley from the surrounding Derryveagh mountains really do confirm it is a heavenly glen.

The large summit in the photo above is Donegal’s highest peak, Mount Errigal.

Errigal is one of the largest of “the seven sisters”, a mystical mountain chain looking over the Poison Glen and Lough Dunlewey.

The views are breathtaking from above the valley…..

….. and from below looking upwards to the imposing mountains.

A wild deer watched my husband and his best friend on their happy trails, as the sun began to set.

An old church ruins stands in the center of the valley. Clannad, the famous Donegal band, known for their fusion of traditional Celtic sounds with a New Age rhythm, sing of this valley in their song “The Poison Glen.”

“Way up there in the poison glen

The sun’s going down on the misty mountain

And I’m watching

And wondering

Feeling something from long ago.”

- Clannad

“Haunted echo that surrounds the glen

The heather creeping through

The burned out ruins

And I’m watching

And wondering

Feeling spirits of long ago”

- Clannad

If you like the thin air of mountain peaks, the glorious windswept freedom of heavenly summits, and the ability to leave humanity for just a few short hours, then Ireland, and especially County Donegal, is your kind of place.

Just keep praying for the sun to peep out from behind the clouds!

Slán agus beannacht leat!

(Goodbye and blessings)

Irish American Mom

Filed Under: Lessons for Tourists, Why Tourists Love Ireland Tagged With: Lessons For Tourists, Why Tourists Love Ireland