Sally Gap, Wicklow County
Ireland is a gorgeous country, we all know that, but there is something beyond the aesthetic beauty that captivates me. With each visit, I dive deeper into the history of Ireland, especially the political and social history, and it makes me appreciate the culture and people even more.
On this last trip, I was lucky enough to be escorted by Michael O’Neil, a purveyor of Irish history. Michael was introduced to me by Christian Dupont, the librarian for special collections at Boston College. Christian told me that Michael would take care of me; and he was right! Michael was responsible for my introduction to the Lord Mayor of Cork and for an historical tour of Cork City and Dublin. He is a kind and gentle man who shared his knowledge and accommodated our every interest during our visit. One evening Michael brought us to the Imperial Hotel in Cork City, the last place Michael Collins (the Irish Revolutionary and politician) stayed before being shot and killed in an ambush by Anti Anglo-Irish treaty members. It was here at this historic, elegant hotel that I had dinner with my dear friends from Ballinhassig, including historian John L. O’Sullivan, author Damian Sheils, and his sweet mother Angela. We sat around the table sharing family stories, Irish history, Irish politics, and hilarious Irish tales. It was an evening I won’t soon forget, and it made my connections to the Irish folks I have known and recently met, even deeper.
Imperial Hotel, Cork City
Meeting the Lord Mayor of County Cork
Patricia, Angela, Damian, John, Mike and Michael at Cork City Library
But it was in Dublin where I became connected with the past, and not just my own ancestors, but the thousands of Irish Emigrants who left their homeland and influenced and impacted their new worlds. I was invited to speak at the EPIC Irish Immigration Museum, and I found this place to be spectacular! Not only is the museum fun and interactive, it is also deeply engaging and informative. It is a little like an historical novel because it truly brings history to life! Each guest is given a passport and then it’s time to pack your bags; because the journey is about to begin! My daughter and I were fortunate enough to experience the museum before it was open to the public (they were expecting 600 visitors on the the evening of Culture Night). It was like Night of the Museum, because we were alone with the Emigrants, experiencing their fear and hope, as they boarded crowded ships heading to foreign lands. This museum vividly portrays the emigrant’s journeys and experiences in their new worlds and I felt for my own emigrant great, great grandparents as they left their life and everything they knew behind. I am in awe of their bravery and I can only imagine how harrowing the journey across the Atlantic must have been.
EPIC Museum exhibit 1
EPIC Museum exhibit 2
As I mentioned before, magic always happens when I come to Ireland, and this visit was no exception. During my presentation at EPIC I had no idea that Mervyn Greene, the Managing Director of the museum, was in attendance. After the talk, he stayed behind and introduced himself and we chatted and shared stories about our ancestors from County Cork. But that is not all, Mervyn took the time to personally escort us around his enormous property, not only the museum, but the other projects he has created in the vast space on the Docklands in Dublin. I was amazed at the creativity in turning an old whiskey vault into an award-winning restaurant, and using additional space upstairs for café’s, coffee shops and an innovative, collaborative office space for technology start-up companies called Dog Patch labs. Our tour ended with passes to the Museum, allowing us to spend more time with the exhibits, and a delicious meal at one of Mervyn’s restaurants, The Urban Brewery. Mervyn made us feel like VIP guests, like Prince Harry and Princess Megan, who visited the museum just a few weeks previously.
Nathan Manion, Michael O’Neil, and Mervyn Greene
A memorable event at the EPIC Museum
It is these interactions with Irish people, both past and present, that make me feel like I am welcome here and it is where I belong. I know it is also the picturesque scenery, the traditional food and drinks, the music and vibrant culture that only adds to this amazing place I love. But, every time I visit I have a harder and harder time parting, and that is why I know a tiny part of my heart stays right there on the Emerald Isle, waiting for my return.
Baltimore Beacon, West Cork