I watch a few Irish youtube gamers and they've said the same things you have about the Irish people. One day, hubby and I hope to come and visit and see the country.
"Like many of our traits, it’s probably down to the 800 years of occupation."
I was training a crew of the Irish Navy at the base near Cork, and was having a tea break with the Captain (a woman) and the Chief Engineer (a gay man with Dutch roots--just to say that the Irish Navy, as far as a I can see, is truly equal opportunity). They asked about my home town and I told about how the liberation of Den Bosch marked the beginning of the end of our 80 year war with Spain back in the 16th and 17th Centuries.
Dry comment from the Captain: "It took us 800 years to get rid of the British."
That was both eye-opening and humbling.
Having said that: throw off those old chains, Ireland. You're part of the EU (and we supported you unfailingly throughout Brexit) and your economy is doing much, much better than that of the UK right now. I think some optimism is warranted.
Jetse, sorry to take so long to get back to you. Yes, the 80/800 difference is large, and it also contains a huge amount of hidden issues papered over in the Irish psyche. Ireland has always had a strong ties to Europe - via trade/politics/etc and I don't see that diminishing. If anything it is increasing. Since Northern Ireland is part of the UK Brexit is a live issue for our country on both sides of the border. Personally, I think there is definitely space for optimism, and of course no country is without its struggles and challenges.
I watch a few Irish youtube gamers and they've said the same things you have about the Irish people. One day, hubby and I hope to come and visit and see the country.
Wonderful! Let me know if you ever arrange it.
Quote:
"Like many of our traits, it’s probably down to the 800 years of occupation."
I was training a crew of the Irish Navy at the base near Cork, and was having a tea break with the Captain (a woman) and the Chief Engineer (a gay man with Dutch roots--just to say that the Irish Navy, as far as a I can see, is truly equal opportunity). They asked about my home town and I told about how the liberation of Den Bosch marked the beginning of the end of our 80 year war with Spain back in the 16th and 17th Centuries.
Dry comment from the Captain: "It took us 800 years to get rid of the British."
That was both eye-opening and humbling.
Having said that: throw off those old chains, Ireland. You're part of the EU (and we supported you unfailingly throughout Brexit) and your economy is doing much, much better than that of the UK right now. I think some optimism is warranted.
Jetse, sorry to take so long to get back to you. Yes, the 80/800 difference is large, and it also contains a huge amount of hidden issues papered over in the Irish psyche. Ireland has always had a strong ties to Europe - via trade/politics/etc and I don't see that diminishing. If anything it is increasing. Since Northern Ireland is part of the UK Brexit is a live issue for our country on both sides of the border. Personally, I think there is definitely space for optimism, and of course no country is without its struggles and challenges.