Whether your parents are born and bred Irish or you are. there is always a special feeling when you hear the word "Ireland." It makes you think of the people you know, the places you've been, and the nights you've had back home. Being Irish is one of the things I am most proud of; it's almost a personality trait at this point. Growing up, I had the privilege of being able to travel to Ireland and spend my summer's there. It was my second home, but I always referred to it as "Home." Whether I was here in America or anywhere else in the world, Ireland was "Home." Living my life in New York was completely different to my summers in Ireland. It was bigger and everything was done quicker, but it was most certainty not as much "craic."
The memories I've had while there will forever stay with me, just as they will for everyone that's away from home now. I've put together a list of things that may seem small to those back home, but to those outside of the "+353," they mean the world. So whether you are home or not, here's the daily reminders and thoughts of those who would do anything to be home, but are a little busy.
1. Irish Slang
For Americans, the word's "craic" or "sesh" are unheard off. But for those who had the privilege of spending time in Ireland, they know exactly what they mean. Outside of the 32 county country, you will very seldom hear words like these. But when you do, you know you've found a new friend.
2. Penney's
The hardest part about growing up in America?? Not having a Penney's to spend all my money in. Whether I went shopping in Athlone, Galway, or Dublin, Penney's was the first hit (and the last.) The purses were empty and the bags were scoured for the last cent, and still we wanted to buy more. Pajama's for €8? Tops for €5? Prices like these you'd never see anywhere else.
3. Tea
I don't know if its the cold weather or the fact that everyone who is Irish is addicted to tea, but it's drank and it's drank some more. Between the drink and the cups of tea, you will never find an Irish person dehydrated. "Calling in for a cup," is not actually going to be cup, but a pot of tea, or two. You know you're home when tea is pronounced "tay'" and a cup turns into a pot.
4. Sweets
If I didn't spend all my money in Penney's, the last of it was spent in Lennon's or Kenny's of Ballintubber. Every village has it's sweet shop. It's the place where you pick up the milk if you've ran out, the newspaper if you forgot if for Granddad, or the sweets if you simply just want Irish chocolate. There is no where in the world that has better chocolate than Ireland and it is one of the most missed things when you leave home. (Probably why I stack my suitcase full of it)
5. Being able to go from one end of the country to the other in a normal amount of time.
Dublin? Shannon? Galway? No matter where you are headed, you'll get there in a few hours. Over here it'll take you the same amount of time to get home from work. Traffic lights and traffic are unheard of back home, but here it is the norm. Whether you have to post on Facebook for a lift to Sligo or Galway, nothing is too far out of the way.
6. Mass
You were born and raised in a house where attending mass was not even questioned. You went and that was it. No fighting Mam or Dad on it, you're going. Back home going to mass is a social event. The grannies sit at the front getting the gossip, the kid's sit round hoping it's over soon, and the lad's are well probably in the pub across the road.
7. Irish music
Christy Moore, The Dubliners, or Mike Denver, every song was either a jive or a waltz and every song is good for a late night sing song. The music back home is unlike anywhere in the world, and over here you're only opportunity to hear it is on "90.7" Sunday mornings for the Irish music, sports, and news.
8. The sights and smells
Nothing compares to the green fields, the cold but fresh air, and the smell of freshly cut grass. It's not until you leave home and see the garbage on the side of the roads and the smell of pollution in the air. Nothing compares to the green grass, cattle, and sheep while driving along the curved country roads.
9. Touching down in Dublin/Shannon
Being away from home is hard enough as is, but the feeling you get when you start to see the green from above and then feeling the plane touch down is unlike anything else. If you have family picking you up, you begin to feel butterflies and impatient to see them. But if you are renting a car and driving home, it's a sense of being back home again and nothing compares.
10. "Home"
Ireland is home to me and no matter how many times you correct me it will always be home. That's where my family is, it's where my parents grew up and met, and it's where I've made most of my memories. There is no better way to describe it as home.
