"...to seek and to find the past, a lineage, a history, a family built on a flesh and bone foundation."

Wednesday, October 26, 2011

Wordless Wednesday, not quite: The Spirit of Ireland

When I returned from Ireland in September my plan had been to get straight back into blogging and share some of the discoveries I made on my trip.  Of course, the universe has a funny way of reacting to the best laid plans.  Sometimes the less desirable side of life jumps in and you find yourself dealing with something that doesn't fit into those plans.

Anyway...the train is now almost entirely back on the rails, and with today's post I am ready to begin anew.

The Spirit of Ireland

The Spirit of Ireland is the spirit of her people. No matter how beautiful the landscape, in my opinion, it is the spirit of the Irish people which enhances that beauty. Irish spirit comes in all shapes and sizes, and that spirit is imbued with the power of positive energy. I truly believe this is what draws me back to Ireland again and again. Here are some of the ways in which the spirit of Ireland have manifested for me.  I hope they bring a smile to your face.

For the first nine days I was away, I was very fortunate to have my husband with me. On one particular day we happily spent hours traipsing through Glasnevin Cemetery, Dublin and St. Colmcille's Churchyard in Swords, County Dublin.  Near the end of the day, (it was getting dark so I could no longer photograph gravestones), we stopped for supper at the Star Pub at the end of Chapel Lane at Main Street in Swords.  By chance, we happened to choose the very pub in which the Swords Historical Society were celebrating the launch of the latest edition of their periodical 'Swords Voices'.  I was happy to be able to introduce my husband to Bernadette Martin. In 2010, Bernadette helped to confirm for me some connections in the maternal branch of my family tree.  Music often forms a part of celebrations in Ireland, and the Historical Society celebration was no exception. The Historical Society has their own Mummers group. Here is a small sampling of their performance (by the way, the man on the left is playing castanets):



When I headed out to Westport, County Mayo in the west of Ireland, on the train trip back from there, at Athlone station this group of men boarded the train. They were headed into Dublin for the European Championship Football Qualifier, Ireland vs. Slovakia, at Lansdowne (Aviva) Stadium, and they kindly agreed to pose for me.  I think it's safe to say they're football super fans.


On Grafton Street in Dublin you will see buskers of all kinds, such as musicians, singers, magicians, and a few fellows such as this one posing as a statue. He was so convincing even a pigeon was fooled.


In St. Stephen's Green I met a new little friend, and her dad allowed me to photograph her engaging in her favourite pastime of feeding the birds. Contrary to popular belief, the streets of Dublin are not filled with red-haired beauties, so I just had to photograph this little one.


Click on photographs to view larger version.
All materials Copyright©J.Geraghty-Gorman 2011.
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