I recently read on a blog about a love letter to Japan. This inspired me to write a love letter to Ireland and share my love for this country and its people with you:
“In Dublin’s fair city, where the girls are so pretty, I first set my eyes on sweet Molly Malone”… This is probably one of Ireland’s most famous songs and it features my favourite city. When I first set foot on your land, I immediately felt at home. The green, lush fields, the rough climate, the warm people… it didn’t take long to fall in love with you.
Your people have a wonderful humour and a lovely English accent.
You also know how to have a “craic” (a great time) as your pubs host fantastic Irish folk bands and are filled with people from all generations who just want to have a good time. “Slainte” being an important word to know. Your buskers bring magic to the streets.
Your cities display medieval and quaint buildings and make one feel welcome.
Out in the country, your beauty shows even more. Castles and manors take my breath away. So do the mystic landscapes with wide green fields and stone fences. Steep cliffs surrounded by the rough ocean help me clear my mind and breathe that beautiful fresh air.
The changeable weather keeps things interesting and helps you live in the moment. After a windy or rainy day, I can warm up by a wood burner in a cosy pub with some hearty food such as homemade soup and brown soda bread.
Even though you have a dark history, you never let this pull you down and you have come back even stronger. As the Irish say...
An Irishman's Philosophy
There are only two things to worry about:
Either you are well or you are sick.
If you are sick,
Then there are only two things to worry about:
Either you will get well or you will die.
If you get well,
Then there are only two things to worry about:
Either you will go to heaven or hell.
If you go to heaven, there is nothing to worry about.
But if you go to hell,
You'll be so damn busy shaking hands with friends
You won't have time to worry!
~ Author Unknown ~
Places such as Wicklow mountains, Glendalough, Howth, Galway, Doolin, Ring of Kerry, Cork… Make my heart yearn to come back and visit you again and again.
Ireland, you have given me so much pleasure and have been my home for the longest time I’ve been abroad.
I dedicate this love letter to my late host father from Dublin. I will keep you in my heart Paul.
