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Land of Lore


In Dublin, Ireland at the Champions Challenge, an International field hockey tournament. Here's my take on Ireland, the Land of Lore.



There are some places I really like. Ireland is one of them.

Not sure why. Maybe it’s that quirky Eye-ish twang – “I-dink-day-cullit Ingish” or those abundant rolling hills of lush green. Heck, maybe, it’s just the Guinness - I love an impeccably smooth pint.

Whatever it is, it enchants me. There’s something special about the people here. The Irish are made of durable character, modest in their work and tireless in their effort. They are refreshingly practical in their perspective - humorously stoic yet deviously witty.

Aside from the red hair, freckles, and fair complexion, most of the Irish are equipped with three things - a good sense of humor, a solid imagination, and a strong liver. It's Darwinism at its finest - these genetic traits are survival necessities - the daily weather is absolutely abysmal. Cold, dreary, rainy.


Yet there is something cynically magical about the weather. I swear it's trying to hide some great, mystical truth. A truth born in Celtic times, yet hidden from modern sight. Because, when the clouds part, and sun shines, the gods give us a glimpse of that long forgotten truth.

Huge, majestic, vibrant bands of light stretch across the sky. Rainbows.

And, somewhere beyond the rainbows, I swear lives the mystical land of Irish lore – a secret thoroughfare of fantasy - a world of leprechauns, gold, fairy trees, giants, and magic. It’s a world I long for...a world I am going to find...and if I can't find it, I'll do what any great "imaginator" does, I'll pretend...

And when I'm done pretending, I'll do what every great explorer does, I'll chronicle the adventure.



Comments

  1. AnonymousOctober 10, 2012 at 1:12 PM

    Hi Rachel,

    Very nice post about Ireland. I studied at University College Cork for a semester and have very fond memories. I'm writing because I'm working on a campaign promoting your hometown of Camden, NJ, which desperately needs some positive press. If you would be interested in sharing a few of your positive memories of Camden, I would like to discuss them. Feel free to email me at jeffiorio710@gmail.com.
    Sorry for the informal outreach—I wasn't up for the red tape of going through Team USA.
    Many thanks—enjoy Ireland!

    ReplyDelete
  2. AnonymousNovember 1, 2012 at 7:51 PM

    Hello!!
    You are my role model and I always look to you for inspiration! My high school team is playing in the state semi game tomorrow. any words of advice?
    Haley Yeager
    Ohio

    ReplyDelete

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