Ireland is a country that was on my hit list of places to visit for ages. Anything I knew of, or had heard about, Ireland always sounded right up my alley- lots of rain and overcast weather, live music everywhere, cobblestone streets, warm hospitality, a national appreciation for tea, and a general social conduct code of ‘just don’t be a jerk and you’re welcome here’. I knew when I finally managed to get there, I’d be right at home.
In 2022, I decided to venture to Ireland for a hiking/touring holiday. The time I spent there was, as tacky as it sounds, like a breath of fresh air for my soul. I can honestly say that it may be one of the first places where I felt like I was ‘home’, while not being home, as soon as I stepped off the airplane. Perhaps I was just experiencing an elevated level of projection and subconsciously convincing myself that the hype in my mind was coming to life, but I felt so welcome and at ease. The people, the landscape, the cities and towns, the food, the live ‘feckin’ music, and the overall vibe were a dangerous combination that hooked me on Ireland pretty quickly. I managed to get back to Ireland in 2023 and, once again, it was such a wonderful visit.
Who knows, one day I may manage to convince the Irish government that my 25% Irish heritage and the money I’ve pumped into their economy are reason enough to let me stay. Until then, though, I’ll conspire to travel there again at some point. In the meantime, I’ll continue to leaf through my GoPro footage, notes, and journal entries so I can turn them into blog posts. As always, I hope that I’m able to accurately convey my stories about the people I met, the places I was lucky enough to see, and the memorable experiences I had. Enjoy!