Ireland, long on my bucket list of places I must visit and now memories, glorious memories of the almost 3 weeks of touring with OAT (Overseas Adventure Travel). As usual, (our 9th trip and more booked) The tour was brilliant, fully encompassing and led by a brilliant 24 year old, Rowan, well advanced in his experiences and knowledge, a quick wit and punster and gave our group of 15 much to ingest about his country. To write a long review in a minute is impossible, so my decision is to offer several iconic glimpses of the Island (photos as proof) and to urge those of you who still have a trip to Ireland in your future to sign up now with OAT and ask to join Rowan as your tour leader.
Icon #1; The color green; How intensely green it is, emerald, glowing and infectious as expected by its nickname the Emerald Isle. The grasslands, the pastures, the countryside, the trees, the flora, the clothing, everywhere you look, the emerald green is a presence and glows brilliantly in your eyes.
Icon # 2; The Celtic Harp,
Celtic harps derive from the medieval (pre-1700) period. The oldest is the one on which the ‘official’ national emblem of Ireland is based: the Trinity College Harp. The 15th century harp design is on display in the Long Room of Trinity College, Dublin. The symbol is often seen anywhere you go, (facing left or facing right depending upon its use) on monuments, memorials, the country’s Coat of Arms, historical documents, on menus, book covers, souvenirs, on and on.
Icon # 3; The People, The lore, music and dance, the highly complex and convoluted history of Ireland is laced with tales of fantasy and lore and the Irish literary history includes many writers of note, the music is lilting, bright and full of life, the dance, intricate, tripingly fast, highly energetic with legs going in every direction, seemingly at once. I know a bit first hand having been chosen along with another (younger lady) to learn and perform a reel–a broom dance with live band and award winning dancers. I did it without a fall or a glitch after several practices and with such a smile on my face.
Icon # 4; Voted by myself as the most uttered word on the Island. It has to be spoken a million times a second, 24 hours a day as someone orders a pint, deliveries are made to all of the pubs, restaurants, shops, cafes, stores and individuals as they place orders for more, by people recommending that you order it, people praising the drink, on the distillery tours, by tour guides, tourists, natives and by the people. The word is Guinness. No more needs to be said and their logo is the Celtic harp imprinted on every bottle’s label.
Thusly, I offer my impressions of Ireland in the short form but will be processing the tour for years to come. The same as the utterances; “bottoms up, La Chayim, to your health, salut or Cheers” declared as one shares a drink and clinks glasses or bottles, in Irish the word is Schlonchia. Good times to you all.
Ann Carol Goldberg