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when people not from Ireland think of Ireland, what comes into your mind? Im guessing for most people it's Guinness, whiskey and guys in balaclavas with guns lol
Beautiful green misty mossiness and castles on cliffs by the sea and fields of sheep and ivy covered bridges.
How has no one said sheep yet?!
I went there for a week on a school trip and 2/3 of the girls wouldn't stop pointing out sheep every two seconds.
Green meadows, leprechauns and fairies, castles, beer and bar fights, attractive accents, Celtic music, potatos and magic. I've probably idealized it a bit, but I still think it'd be a lovely place to visit.
I visited there and I can honestly say what I had pictured in my mind was completely different from what I encountered. I loved it there.
what were you expecting and what was your general impression after having spent time here?
I honestly was thinking that everyone was going to have red hair that kind of thing. Which I was excited about to be honest because I am a red head myself and was thinking I'd fit in quite well.. :) The landscapes churches everything was beautiful. Just the feeling of history there was amazing. I spent most of my time in Belfast and Glasgow. Took a ferry and visited Scottland a couple of days as well.
I think about how terrific the Irish are. I spent a couple years traveling back and forth between the States and Dublin and I must say the Irish are very warm to Americans unlike, uh, pretty much the rest of the world except for Aussies perhaps.
Practically everyone I met had a personal story about America. Either they had visited or were planning a visit (invariably NYC), had lived and worked there or were trying to, went to school or were trying to, or had relatives in the US that were talking them into moving, etc. I'm just guessing that this fondness for the US is due to massive immigration over the years. Something on the order of 1 out 10 Americans claim Irish ancestry. That's 30 million people.
Just to demonstrate how well liked the US is in Ireland, in Dublin they actually celebrate the 4th of July. Not over the top like here of course, but a lot of shops will display US flags and they have a fireworks show over the bay. That's pretty cool.
But in addition, they're can do, get 'er done, just enjoyable to be around people. Love the Irish. Love that accent too. I like it when they "Third"
Kind of like Germany (girls in attractive black and green barmaid outfits) but with red hair instead of blonde. Villages that look like they were frozen in time. Rolling green hills. Celtic music. Sexy accents. Alcohol.
I know that in reality it's probably nothing like how I picture it in my mind, but I'll probably never be able to afford to go there anyway so I can dream right?
Oppression by the english, religious bigotry, alcoholism and beautiful music and scenery
I was a Flower of the mountain yes when I put the rose in my hair like the Andalusian girls used or shall I wear a red yes and how he kissed me under the Moorish wall and I thought well as well him as another and then I asked him with my eyes to ask again yes and then he asked me would I yes to say yes my mountain flower and first I put my arms around him yes and drew him down to me so he could feel my breasts all perfume yes and his heart was going like mad and yes I said yes I will Yes.
I sometimes also think of Americans who say things like "Hey, don't mess with me, punk! I'm 3/17's Irish! Bla bla I can drink bla fight bla bla we were discriminated against bla..." Sorry, Ireland, your Yank cousins have forever tarnished your reputation by embracing a caricature of your national identity.
I am a leprechaun and I think of me Lucky Charms. (See profile picture.)
I think of green as well, and a loyalty to country, right or wrong, that I envy.