|
|
| |
My Heritage.. A Tribute to
the Irish Lass in Me
by Jan
Murphy
July, 2004
Preface: I always loved being Irish and
growing up it just seemed part of our everyday
life. From the food on the table to the music we
listened to, especially around St Patrick’s Day, we
were “Irish to the Core”. My first trip to Europe
didn’t include Ireland and, although I was a little
disappointed, it just didn’t fit with the tour my
girlfriend an I were taking. When I married my
wonderful Swedish/German husband, Gary, we began to
travel extensively. Finally in 1993 we decided to
go to England and Ireland. I was so excited I
couldn’t believe it and, although Gary is not Irish,
he was excited for me as well. We spent seven
days driving around Ireland and I was
|
|
|
|
|
Feature Story:
|
| |
|
My Heritage... A Tribute to the Irish Lass in Me
by Jan Murphy
|
|
|
| |
so
often emotionally moved, Gary would
turn to me and say “Are you crying
again?” They were mostly tears of
joy and pure emotion for this place
which was such a part of me. When
we left, I felt an incredible sense
of pride and I knew I wanted to make
an attempt at putting my feelings
into words. We stayed at a
beautiful Hilton hotel in London
and, while Gary was sleeping the
next morning, I ordered coffee and
muffins and sat down at the desk.
What follows is what came out of my
heart and, except for some
punctuation, not a word was ever
changed. I wonder how other people
feel when they visit the land of
their ancestors. I hope all who
take the journey, feel as wonderful
as I. |
| |
|
|
IRELAND, the Emerald Isle, the Old
Country, the Land of my Ancestors
birth; Incredible feelings welled up
inside me as we moved through this
ancient country. Being Irish
is so imbedded in my soul, and now I
have tapped the source, and I am
brimming over with all that is
Ireland. I felt a real
connection somehow with those that
have gone before me, and a bit of
sadness for not having the
opportunity to know them.
|
 |
As we moved from
Dublin's St. Patrick's Cathedral and
Molly Malone to Blarney Castle , the
Cliffs of Moher, Dan Murphy's Store
and Galway Bay, the words to so many
songs filled my head, and my heart
was singing.
Winding narrow roads with stone
fences and sheep everywhere.
The |
|
desolate mountainous area of
Connemara could well have been a
distant planet. Piles of peat
along the roads to warm their meager
cottages.
|
|
The towns along our journey had
streets lined with pubs and the
assurance of Guinness and Irish
whiskey flowing freely. The
Irish pub, a source of comfort,
conversation, music and perhaps, a
warm meal to all who enter.
The beautiful scenery will be kept
in my mind forever, but the true joy
of Ireland is its people, charm and
warmth that are truly a gift from
above. It's not possible to
teach it, it just is, and you feel
it from everyone.
|
 |
|
As we left this special place, I had
a sense of sadness knowing the
struggle that still remains for
these people. A feeling of joy
prevailed for having had this
experience and a desire to share
this with those I love.
I did not need to see any
Leprechauns to know that IRELAND is
a magical place.
 |
|
|
|
"If you are really living... you are enjoying the Punta Gorda
Life"
|
