Image by catzrule99 via Flickr
I agree that travelers are very badly treated in Ireland - but then the Irish can be very xenophobic in general and aren't very welcoming of "blow ins". I should know, I lived there for 10 years, my mum was born there and still I never felt truly Irish except when camping alone on the Hill of Tara. That was the only place I really felt part of my Irish ancestors.
An example of this exclusion of foreigners can be found here
... Dalkey is a compact town with a great deal of history and character. It was designated a Heritage Town in 1994. Timmy Ryan, an esteemed local, tells a story regarding his Grandfather Joe Ryan, who came to live in Dalkey age two. In the town, man and boy for a mere 68 years, Joe could be found with old pals on fine days, swapping yarns, sitting in the sun on the bench by Webster’s Corner as it was then known. (This same sunny bench can be found in front of the double hoardings down the end of town). One day a heated discussion on Dalkey matters arose, Joe offered his opinion and was immediately told to shut up, after all what did he know wasn't he only a blow in.
And yet, when a celebrity with tenuous links to Ireland like JFK or Bill Clinton visited, they were feted like long lost sons. It seems Irishness is an "honour" to be bestowed only when it suits. I suppose the fact that I don't have ANY nationalistic feelings of my own makes it so incomprehensible that people should feel proud of something that they had nothing to do with. Your nationality is an accident of birth and not an accomplishment! You might as well be "proud" you have blue eyes. Being proud to be Irish or English or American is the most useless of emotions and the cause of more wars than religion ever was.
Sorry, rant over and now for the article.
Cheers
James
Would You Raise Your Machetes Please In A Toast To The Bride And Groom? | Avalon5
An example of this exclusion of foreigners can be found here
... Dalkey is a compact town with a great deal of history and character. It was designated a Heritage Town in 1994. Timmy Ryan, an esteemed local, tells a story regarding his Grandfather Joe Ryan, who came to live in Dalkey age two. In the town, man and boy for a mere 68 years, Joe could be found with old pals on fine days, swapping yarns, sitting in the sun on the bench by Webster’s Corner as it was then known. (This same sunny bench can be found in front of the double hoardings down the end of town). One day a heated discussion on Dalkey matters arose, Joe offered his opinion and was immediately told to shut up, after all what did he know wasn't he only a blow in.
And yet, when a celebrity with tenuous links to Ireland like JFK or Bill Clinton visited, they were feted like long lost sons. It seems Irishness is an "honour" to be bestowed only when it suits. I suppose the fact that I don't have ANY nationalistic feelings of my own makes it so incomprehensible that people should feel proud of something that they had nothing to do with. Your nationality is an accident of birth and not an accomplishment! You might as well be "proud" you have blue eyes. Being proud to be Irish or English or American is the most useless of emotions and the cause of more wars than religion ever was.
Sorry, rant over and now for the article.
Cheers
James
Would You Raise Your Machetes Please In A Toast To The Bride And Groom? | Avalon5
Would You Raise Your Machetes Please In A Toast To The Bride And Groom?
July 29, 2007 (7 Responses)
WHEN YOU THINK of weddings and family celebrations the images which typically permeate your consciousness are probably along the lines of old aunts drinking a little too much sherry, old uncles grabbing the microphone and treating guests to various drunken renditions of Elvis classics, even perhaps kids sneaking the odd alcohol treat when no one is looking. All in all, you probably think of weddings as one of those events which brings the entire family together in celebration of starting a new branch of the family tree.
When you think of possible venues for such an event Tinakilly House Hotel - a four star victorian mansion set in the woods of County Wickow, Ireland - is one of those locations most people desire; secluded, steeped in history and elegant enough for the wedding event of your dreams.
Unfortunately, this is not the image which most people will be left with after the last wedding ‘event’ down in Tinakilly house. Rather than a wedding, it’s perhaps more accurate to describe the affair as a grudge match. Police were called to the scene when a brawl broke out between the two families gathered for a wedding last Friday. Not just any kind of disagreement however, this brawl involved the participants weilding machetes, pick axes, slash-hooks, knives, wheel braces and even a sawn off shotgun (no wedding pun intended!). Apparently up to 30 or 40 people were involved in the fight, which I’m sure must have looked like a scene from Apocalypse Now by the time the cops arrived.
You see this was a traveller wedding.
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