Ireland: Don’t you just love it?

There is often talk about what a united Ireland is. It primarily is viewed as a political discussion. That is not the topic of this blog.

What I am proposing is to look at what does unite us as people and our need to have pride in our heritage.

What divides us?

Ireland has not escaped the social divide that is now trending across the world. The conservative and the liberal are just as opposed in Ireland as they are elsewhere.

In Ireland, there are those who look upon the age of the prominence of the Catholic church with frustration and anger. This anger led to various social and constitutional changes. The reaction to these changes has resulted in an alienated conservative group. They view the social and constitutional changes of recent times with equal anger and frustration.

Some don’t trust mainstream media, and those who believe citizen journalism is a source of dangerous misinformation.

Some have a reliable, sustainable income and those who are struggling to keep house and home together.

I used to believe that Ireland had four great unifying factors of identity: The Fianna Fáil political party, The Catholic Church, Radio Telifís Eireann (The national broadcaster) and The Gaelic Athletic Association (GAA). As we are now over quarter way through the 21st century, I consider it fair to say that the football and hurling of the GAA is all that is left.

We, like people in other nations, probably identify more with our social media connections than with the heritage, history and even geography of our own land.

What unites us?

I put it down to two simple words: location and history,

If you are Irish, you come from Ireland just the same as all other Irish people. You have had to put up with disappointing summers, wet and dark winters, and being nice to American tourists.

While we may have varying views on all kinds of significant issues, we all agree that a soft day of gentle intermittent rain is pleasant in its own way. And we like that it keeps the grass green all year long. We know that Ireland probably has the best beaches in the world, and we are secretly thankful that the bad weather keeps them relatively free for us to stroll along at our own pace.
While on social issues we are splintered, we still vote very consistently centre. We have never had an overtly left government. It is probable that after every election in Ireland, there has been the belief amongst us, “Who voted in those wasters?”. Reflecting the typical Irish behaviour of always blaming someone else for our troubles.

AND NEED IT BE SAID, NOTHING GETS THE PRIDE FLOWING MORE THAN BEATING THE BRITS AT … WELL ANYTHING!!!

Our history is a permanent record of who we are. We all share it. We all have learned it. Our interpretation of it may vary, and what we emphasise is probably due to our schooling and personal family history.
Still, though, the reality that we share is that history is what unites us. not our understanding of it. Our ability to argue about it is what gives life to the blood in our veins. For example, all Irish people know U2 and what they have achieved commercially. But get 10 Irish people over a black beverage on any given night discussing U2 and you will have a lively discussion about everything and anything vaguely related to Bono and the lads with no conclusion, and thankfully, no one really cares. All that matters is the craic.

So, is there any reason to be proud of being Irish?

Well, that is entirely down to you if you are proud to be Irish or not.

Many people aren’t and will quote our litter problem, the huge cost of living here, the depressing weather, the lack of political choice that we have, etc. What was perceived as an oppressive domination of our culture by the Catholic Church still has a tight hold on the older generations.
Then some value the rich heritage of our music, language and sport. Our cultural heritage is indeed vast and deep, and we have every reason to be proud of it.
Many of us also appreciate the bit of craic. The way we have talked together over the cup of tea on a wet day when there’s nutin’ on the tele and the fire has been lit. Though admittedly, that type of fireside chat is rare now.

For me, it’s not a question of whether I love Ireland or not, but do I have a fondness for my own place, my own people, my own heritage, my own life?
Cause you see if you are Irish, you are Irish. To feel hate toward Ireland is effectively to hate yourself. Why would you do that?

Perhaps the more we learn to accept ourselves, the more we will accept this rock upon which we live.
Can we not be proud of who we are?
We are Irish.