The Emotions of Ireland

Ireland has more than its share of great poets, novelists and playwrights.

In a land where emotions run high and are valued, it is easy to understand why literature is important. People allow themselves to laugh or cry when reading good work.

All over Ireland there are places where authors are remembered and celebrated. When you close a book or the curtain comes down, you feel as if you have taken a journey with the writer.

There is also something about the country that is both soulfully melancholy and wonderfully happy. It may be the rain which is followed by the sun. Whatever the weather, the land is indeed green, the lakes are blue, and the ocean as foamy as a Guinness pulled by the pint.

It is nice to be around people who allow their good humor and deep passion stay close to the surface. You not only know where you stand, but there is an intellectual culture that deals with every issue as if it were the most important.

The Irish talk about most any topic with skill and fervor.

Rarely in our American niceness do we raise our voice in zeal only to be accepted no matter if right or wrong. The Irish just buy a round for the privilege.

It is unfair to characterize the Irish as all gab and gulp. While drinking is a major social activity, it is not the main one. The Irish are creative, enlightened, and articulate. They know their world.

You have to know yourself and others when you have a history of being overrun by enemies and are no larger than West Virginia. In the end you learn to pull together so you are not pulled apart.

We could learn a lesson here. You let out emotion a little at a time rather than holding it back until it erupts. You learn first to laugh at yourself so you have bought the right to laugh at others.

On the whole, it is a place of good literature, good humor, and good food.

We can learn much from the Irish. The most important would be to learn to see how amusing we really are and how serious it is to live life to the fullest.