Ireland: Living Authentically & Transparently & Loving Life!

Please click to enlarge to see the full beauty!
Drombeg Stone Circle, Co. Cork, Ireland
And there it was again.

That complete feeling of being 'home' the moment I stepped off the plane and onto Irish soil.  I've felt it there before and the pull of my ancestoral roots was never stronger than the 17 days I spent in Ireland in September.

I went by myself, set my own schedule, did my own adventures, and soaked in every single second.  There wasn't a moment I was afraid in Ireland, nor was there a moment when I was lonely.  Every day was filled with adventure, exploration and joy.

 If I felt like climbing a steep cliff to explore castle or stone age fort ruins, I climbed it.
The castle of "the pirate queen",
Grace O'Malley
Outside of Newport, Co. Mayo, Ireland

If I was hungry, I pulled over and went into a pub and tried delicious brown breads and stews or fresh-from-the-Irish-sea chowders.

I had the best salmon meals of my life while there.


 I met people at the pubs...

 and on boats, in the streets and in libraries and on country paths.

 I drank more Guinness (one pint or glass a night...lol!) than I ever have before (mainly because I don't especially like beer and don't drink it at all in the States!)

  
and, whenever I could, I stopped and listened to traditional Irish music sung in Irish (they don't call it Gaelic when you're there) and English and sighed with happiness when the ballads were over and clapped and whooped to the fiddles and pipes and bodhrans! 

And in the midst of it all, I took the time to pause and enjoy the moment.

The Irish in the small towns are so authentic, so openly transparent.  They don't try to put on airs to impress anyone.  They are who they are - farmers, shop owners, bakers, musicians.

They are deeply rooted to the towns they live in and are always looking for a better day, always expectant of good things to come and never forgetting, however, those that went before them.

Ireland is a land of myths and legends and astonishing history of overcoming those who have tried - again and again - to oppress them.

The Irish love a good story, want to hear yours, and want to tell you their's.  If you take the time to listen, to understand who they are, where they have been, where they want to be... you can't help but fall in love with the land and the people.

And - if you're very lucky - as I was - you'll find new friends who you can be your authentic self with, who will not judge you or try to sum you up, they are content to let you be you, whoever that is, wherever you are on life's journey.


I was 'home' for all 17 days I was 'away'.


Dream.
Believe.
Achieve!
Jan/HealthyLoserGal

PS:  This is only the 'tip of the iceberg' (yes, I went to the 100th Anniversary exhibit of Titantic!) on my Ireland trip. I'll be posting more photos with captions and other tidbits on my ancestoral blog: Come Out, Come Out, Wherever You Are! sometime in the next few weeks.  :)

4 comments:

Anonymous October 22, 2012 at 9:24 AM  

I love the fact that you shared your trip. I have been to Ireland once and hope to go back someday. I too am on my own after 35 years of marriage and I commend you for your great attitude and capability of going to Ireland on your own. Maybe I will get the courage to do the same.

HealthyLoserGal October 22, 2012 at 10:27 AM  

I hope you begin to make plans to go to Ireland soon! It may well restore you to YOU and you won't feel alone while there. Everyone in Ireland is friendly... if you smile at them, they return the smile, offer you a good day and then look hopefully at you because they'd like to strike up a conversation. You have the courage within you to do it! :)

Crazy Southern Woman November 1, 2012 at 4:07 PM  

New follower here- I absolutely LOVE that you went to Ireland by yourself! I look forward to reading more!

Unknown November 8, 2012 at 4:31 AM  

Quite informative post, the experience you shared about the Irish people, is really great for those who are planning to visit the place, your trip was really exciting and full of fun.
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