Proud to be Irish
Student Gemma Good made the most of the long weekend...
For the first time in three years, Ireland was able to celebrate its national day. To be in Ireland on St Patrick's day is legendary. Anticipation was high in the lead up to March 17. People around the country were making plans to watch parades and to head out for the day.
In many conversations, shock was expressed at how around this time two years ago, the country began to first lock up. It’s hard to believe it. Fresh to working behind a bar at the time, I remember absolutely dreading the day, but not once did I think the country would be locked up due to a pandemic.
The story of Ireland’s pandemic experience was definitely reflected in parades around the country and also in the crowds drawn to watch them. Whether you headed to the capital, lined the streets in your local town or watched from the car, thousands donned the emerald green in support of the day.
It has to be one of the biggest turnouts I have ever seen. The streets of Killeshandra were full at midday, with the parade starting shortly after. As if on cue with the first toot of the bagpipe, the rain began to pour down. Despite this, nobody seemed to care. Kids from the football club and playschools marched on, as did those from the day care centre, local businesses, groups and organisations. They were drenched but spirits were high and that is all that mattered.
Many met those they haven’t seen since the pandemic began and that’s what St Patrick's day is really all about - meeting together and having a bit of craic; of course also to remember our patron St Patrick who brought Christianity to Ireland.
I find it hilarious how, on this day, people who aren’t even remotely Irish dig deep into their roots just to find that connection. It’s nice people are so eager to find that hint of Irishness in them. However, thankfully these days nationality doesn't factor in your ability to partake in the events. This is one thing in particular that stood out for me this St Patrick's day. I was delighted to see that, in many towns and cities, among the sea of green were hues of blue and yellow. The support for Ukrainian people was high with collections and floats representing the war-stricken country. Our caring nature is not just limited to St Patrick's day and this is what makes me truly proud to be Irish.
The support from Ireland to those in the Ukraine has been phenomenal. Communities have rallied together to come up with clothing, funding, food supplies and to provide a welcoming place to live for those fleeing their home country. To date, over 7000 people fleeing the war have entered Ireland. Upon entering Ireland, these people are provided with supports such as a place to stay, financial support and the right to work. Our Minister for Health also pledged that people entering Ireland will receive medical cards and full access to healthcare and mental health services. Possibly spending too much time in the comments section on social media, I gathered that some people are feeling quite sore about this. The questions, rants and disputes all centred around one theme: Ireland is in no fit state to be helping others.
While I know people are referring to the homeless crisis, the housing crisis, HSE waiting lists and many other issues in our society, we need to keep our minds clear. It is right to provide aid to Ukrainian people entering Ireland. I understand, in some ways, that seems like putting the needs of these people before our own. As a thankfully fit and healthy young person, people reading this may possibly be thinking that is easy for me to say, but I am not completely oblivious to other situations.
To somebody with a loved one suffering at home, or perhaps to somebody without a place to live, it must be difficult to watch others get the help and support you need. In saying this, none of us living in Ireland today know what it is like to experience what these women, men and children have seen. I can’t imagine what it is like to have our loved ones go to war, or indeed even go to war ourselves. It has to be the hardest thing in life to leave your hometown not knowing if you will ever see it in the same way again.
We don’t know what this is like and I think we need to be thankful for that. The least we can do for these people is give them a big, hearty Irish welcome.
To the born and bred shamrocks and to those in Ireland from different countries on St Patrick's day, I hope you enjoyed it.
* Gemma Good is from Killeshandra and a second year journalism student in University of Limerick.
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