My Gift From Ireland | The Odyssey Online
Start writing a post
Lifestyle

My Gift From Ireland

People always joke about how going abroad "changes" you. But it really does.

164
My Gift From Ireland
Helen Horton

People always joke about how going abroad "changes" you. But it really does.

I was blessed enough to be able to take on the opportunity of exploring Ireland for a week. We covered the entire southern portion of the country, speaking of the Great Famine and the struggle the country went through during the years before, during and after. But I received so much more than a book of field notes and some Irish souvenirs.

We visited one of the three mass graveyards in Skibbereen, the hardest-hit town in all of the country. There is a patch of grass, no bigger than a fourth of a football field, that holds the bodies of 8,000 to 10,000 men, women and children who perished during the Famine Years.

Counties weren't well-equipped to deal with the mass amount of death surrounding them. Not only were people dying from starvation, but typhoid was rampant as well. Mass graves were the way to keep up with the high mortality rate. Just by standing within the borders of this graveyard, I could feel such an intense energy hover over me. It gave me just an inkling of the pain and suffering that those people and their loved ones went through.

That energy continued with me throughout the rest of my trip, especially at famine museums, the Famine Ships memorial, the Mass Rock, and the famine roads.


The belief during this Victorian Age was that in order to receive aid, one must earn it by working. So the starving Irish (mostly Catholic) were sent to break boulders and build roads to nowhere. This famine road in Glenville-Chimneyfield is the same road that was carved in the mid-1800s. Countless individuals died while working because aid was so scarce and their bodies were running on less-than-empty. What's even worse is that if you perished on the job, your family did not receive aid because you did not complete your task.

But Ireland is so much more than its past.

Ireland is about the Cliffs of Moher, the place I felt the most invincible in my life thus far. You feel like you're on top of the world with all of the beauty surrounding you. You're about 40 stories above the sea and it's breathtaking. The salty wind and the misty clouds really add to the awe of this location. (Pro tip: Get there first thing in the morning to beat the crowds and the rain!)

Ireland is about its rolling hills, rocky cliffs, and magical Emerald forests. I felt like I was walking into a storybook with every step I took. This trail led to a raging waterfall, and — history buff bonus — was directly on the famine trail. It sounds tacky, but I really was expecting some fairy or leprechaun to pop out. Pictures truly don't do this country justice.

Ireland is about its people, who have a robust spirit, a friendly demeanor, and the fire of a thousand suns in their souls. They really brought out the best in me and those around me. Everyone can come together and truly live in Ireland. I gained a dozen new best friends and memories for a lifetime because of this trip and I'm forever grateful.


I am proudly 22% Irish. My family came over from counties Galway, Roscommon and Tipperary before the worst of the famine had hit. They settled in various cities within the New World, bringing their language, customs, and pride with them. What the Irish went through during the mid-19th century is quite unfathomable. Their rulers were exploiting them, their crop had betrayed them, and their religion could only save them so much.

To be able to go back to the land of my ancestors and to connect with them throughout this trip has been absolutely incredible. I came across a brand of chips (crisps, as they call them) and it said, "O'Donnell's of Tipperary." The look on my face must have spoken volumes because my great-great-grandmother was Katherine O'Donnell— from County Tipperary. That moment, I knew my ancestors were with me. It was only fitting that I was wearing the necklaces of her daughter, my great-grandmother, all week.

Though I fell head-over-heels in love with Ireland, it helped me open my eyes to how Europeans run their countries and the commonplace ideas they share across the region. I had to get used to driving on the opposite side, having tea three times a day — which by the way, we NEED to start up in the states! — and the difference in tipping culture.

However, going abroad also made me miss some quintessential American things. I had Chipotle as my first meal back and I have no single regret about it!

Ireland gave me a whole new perspective on what my family went through. To see their land and to see the places they called home— no wonder they scratched and clawed to be on the Emerald Isle again. I can honestly say that Éire is truly the most beautiful country I have ever seen and I cannot wait to go back.


🇮🇪🇮🇪🇮🇪

Report this Content
This article has not been reviewed by Odyssey HQ and solely reflects the ideas and opinions of the creator.
Featured

15 Mind-Bending Riddles

Hopefully they will make you laugh.

198399
 Ilistrated image of the planet and images of questions
StableDiffusion

I've been super busy lately with school work, studying, etc. Besides the fact that I do nothing but AP chemistry and AP economics, I constantly think of stupid questions that are almost impossible to answer. So, maybe you could answer them for me, and if not then we can both wonder what the answers to these 15 questions could be.

Keep Reading...Show less
Entertainment

Most Epic Aurora Borealis Photos: October 2024

As if May wasn't enough, a truly spectacular Northern Lights show lit up the sky on Oct. 10, 2024

19764
stunning aurora borealis display over a forest of trees and lake
StableDiffusion

From sea to shining sea, the United States was uniquely positioned for an incredible Aurora Borealis display on Thursday, Oct. 10, 2024, going into Friday, Oct. 11.

It was the second time this year after an historic geomagnetic storm in May 2024. Those Northern Lights were visible in Europe and North America, just like this latest rendition.

Keep Reading...Show less
 silhouette of a woman on the beach at sunrise
StableDiffusion

Content warning: This article contains descriptions of suicide/suicidal thoughts.

When you are feeling down, please know that there are many reasons to keep living.

Keep Reading...Show less
Relationships

Power of Love Letters

I don't think I say it enough...

461561
Illistrated image of a letter with 2 red hearts
StableDiffusion

To My Loving Boyfriend,

  • Thank you for all that you do for me
  • Thank you for working through disagreements with me
  • Thank you for always supporting me
  • I appreciate you more than words can express
  • You have helped me grow and become a better person
  • I can't wait to see where life takes us next
  • I promise to cherish every moment with you
  • Thank you for being my best friend and confidante
  • I love you and everything you do

To start off, here's something I don't say nearly enough: thank you. Thank you, thank you, thank you from the bottom of my heart. You do so much for me that I can't even put into words how much I appreciate everything you do - and have done - for me over the course of our relationship so far. While every couple has their fair share of tiffs and disagreements, thank you for getting through all of them with me and making us a better couple at the other end. With any argument, we don't just throw in the towel and say we're done, but we work towards a solution that puts us in a greater place each day. Thank you for always working with me and never giving up on us.

Keep Reading...Show less
Lifestyle

11 Signs You Grew Up In Hauppauge, NY

Because no one ever really leaves.

28692
Map of Hauppauge, New York
Google

Ah, yes, good old Hauppauge. We are that town in the dead center of Long Island that barely anyone knows how to pronounce unless they're from the town itself or live in a nearby area. Hauppauge is home to people of all kinds. We always have new families joining the community but honestly, the majority of the town is filled with people who never leave (high school alumni) and elders who have raised their kids here. Around the town, there are some just some landmarks and places that only the people of Hauppauge will ever understand the importance or even the annoyance of.

Keep Reading...Show less

Subscribe to Our Newsletter

Facebook Comments