What "Home" Means To Me | The Odyssey Online
Start writing a post
Entertainment

What "Home" Means To Me

My home away from home: Ireland

44
What "Home" Means To Me
Wikimedia Commons

Whether your parents are born and bred Irish or you are. there is always a special feeling when you hear the word "Ireland." It makes you think of the people you know, the places you've been, and the nights you've had back home. Being Irish is one of the things I am most proud of; it's almost a personality trait at this point. Growing up, I had the privilege of being able to travel to Ireland and spend my summer's there. It was my second home, but I always referred to it as "Home." Whether I was here in America or anywhere else in the world, Ireland was "Home." Living my life in New York was completely different to my summers in Ireland. It was bigger and everything was done quicker, but it was most certainty not as much "craic."

The memories I've had while there will forever stay with me, just as they will for everyone that's away from home now. I've put together a list of things that may seem small to those back home, but to those outside of the "+353," they mean the world. So whether you are home or not, here's the daily reminders and thoughts of those who would do anything to be home, but are a little busy.

1. Irish Slang

For Americans, the word's "craic" or "sesh" are unheard off. But for those who had the privilege of spending time in Ireland, they know exactly what they mean. Outside of the 32 county country, you will very seldom hear words like these. But when you do, you know you've found a new friend.

2. Penney's

The hardest part about growing up in America?? Not having a Penney's to spend all my money in. Whether I went shopping in Athlone, Galway, or Dublin, Penney's was the first hit (and the last.) The purses were empty and the bags were scoured for the last cent, and still we wanted to buy more. Pajama's for €8? Tops for €5? Prices like these you'd never see anywhere else.

3. Tea

I don't know if its the cold weather or the fact that everyone who is Irish is addicted to tea, but it's drank and it's drank some more. Between the drink and the cups of tea, you will never find an Irish person dehydrated. "Calling in for a cup," is not actually going to be cup, but a pot of tea, or two. You know you're home when tea is pronounced "tay'" and a cup turns into a pot.

4. Sweets

If I didn't spend all my money in Penney's, the last of it was spent in Lennon's or Kenny's of Ballintubber. Every village has it's sweet shop. It's the place where you pick up the milk if you've ran out, the newspaper if you forgot if for Granddad, or the sweets if you simply just want Irish chocolate. There is no where in the world that has better chocolate than Ireland and it is one of the most missed things when you leave home. (Probably why I stack my suitcase full of it)

5. Being able to go from one end of the country to the other in a normal amount of time.

Dublin? Shannon? Galway? No matter where you are headed, you'll get there in a few hours. Over here it'll take you the same amount of time to get home from work. Traffic lights and traffic are unheard of back home, but here it is the norm. Whether you have to post on Facebook for a lift to Sligo or Galway, nothing is too far out of the way.

6. Mass

You were born and raised in a house where attending mass was not even questioned. You went and that was it. No fighting Mam or Dad on it, you're going. Back home going to mass is a social event. The grannies sit at the front getting the gossip, the kid's sit round hoping it's over soon, and the lad's are well probably in the pub across the road.

7. Irish music

Christy Moore, The Dubliners, or Mike Denver, every song was either a jive or a waltz and every song is good for a late night sing song. The music back home is unlike anywhere in the world, and over here you're only opportunity to hear it is on "90.7" Sunday mornings for the Irish music, sports, and news.

8. The sights and smells

Nothing compares to the green fields, the cold but fresh air, and the smell of freshly cut grass. It's not until you leave home and see the garbage on the side of the roads and the smell of pollution in the air. Nothing compares to the green grass, cattle, and sheep while driving along the curved country roads.

9. Touching down in Dublin/Shannon

Being away from home is hard enough as is, but the feeling you get when you start to see the green from above and then feeling the plane touch down is unlike anything else. If you have family picking you up, you begin to feel butterflies and impatient to see them. But if you are renting a car and driving home, it's a sense of being back home again and nothing compares.

10. "Home"

Ireland is home to me and no matter how many times you correct me it will always be home. That's where my family is, it's where my parents grew up and met, and it's where I've made most of my memories. There is no better way to describe it as home.





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

This is for the girls who have dealt with an emotionally, mentally, physically or verbally abusive father.

The ones who have grown up with a false lens of what love is and how relationships should be. The ones who have cried themselves to sleep wondering why he hurts you and your family so much. This is for all the girls who fall in love with broken boys that carry baggage bigger than their own, thinking it's their job to heal them because you watched your mother do the same.

Keep Reading...Show less
Blair Waldorf Quote
"DESTINY IS FOR LOSERS. IT'S JUST A STUPID EXCUSE TO WAIT FOR THINGS TO HAPPEN INSTEAD OF MAKING THEM HAPPEN." - BLAIR WALDORF.

The world stopped in 2012 when our beloved show "Gossip Girl" ended. For six straight years, we would all tune in every Monday at 9:00 p.m. to see Upper Eastside royalty in the form of a Burberry headband clad Blair Waldorf. Blair was the big sister that we all loved to hate. How could we ever forget the epic showdowns between her and her frenemy Serena Van Der Woodsen? Or the time she banished Georgina Sparks to a Christian summer camp? How about that time when she and her girls took down Bart Bass? Blair is life. She's taught us how to dress, how to be ambitious, and most importantly, how to throw the perfect shade.

Keep Reading...Show less
Student Life

11 Moments Every College Freshman Has Experienced

Because we made it, and because high school seniors deserve to know what they're getting themselves into

189
too tired to care

We've all been there. From move-in day to the first finals week in college, your first term is an adventure from start to finish. In honor of college decisions coming out recently, I want to recap some of the most common experiences college freshmen experience.

1. The awkward hellos on move-in day.

You're moving your stuff onto your floor, and you will encounter people you don't know yet in the hallway. They live on your floor, so you'll awkwardly smile and maybe introduce yourself. As you walk away, you will wonder if they will ever speak to you again, but don't worry, there's a good chance that you will make some great friends on your floor!

Keep Reading...Show less
laptop
Unsplash

The college years are a time for personal growth and success. Everyone comes in with expectations about how their life is supposed to turn out and envision the future. We all freak out when things don't go exactly as planned or when our expectations are unmet. As time goes on, we realize that the uncertainty of college is what makes it great. Here are some helpful reminders about life in college.

Keep Reading...Show less
students
rowanuniversitypublications / Flickr

1. "If I'm wearing black tomorrow, it's because I'm mourning my grade."

2. "Do you want to try ordering Chinese takeout to take back to the stacks?"

3. "This final paper has me questioning if this professor just sucks or is Satan himself."

4. "Is that person over there OK? They've been sleeping for a while."

5. "Why are you online shopping?"

"I want to motivate myself to study."

"Since when do you have money to buy something anyway?"

6. "I wonder how much I could make as a stripper."

7. "There are no stress relief dogs, and I feel conned. My stress today is worse than yesterday."

8. "Rate My Professor screwed me over."

9. "I wore these clothes yesterday, and maybe even the day before, but it's fine."

10. "I wonder if I could sneak a beer in here."

11. "I just really want chocolate chip cookies."

Subscribe to Our Newsletter

Facebook Comments