Being Irish

The global Irish family amounts to some 80 million people and at least a million are first born, and more likely than not, separated from their families back home. As we approach St Patrick’s day we asked them what being Irish means to them and what they miss most about home.

Irish celebrities have been missing trips to Ireland and even President Biden will have to wait awhile before a revisit to his ancestral home. Matt Damon, on the other hand, made Ireland his home for part of the lockdown enjoying visits to his local SuperValu and swimming at Dalkey. Rugby player Rob Kearney went into quarantine with his fiancé, Jess Redden, in Australia for a new chapter down under. The former Leinster fullback signed with Australia's Western Force. Now he’s out of quarantine and posting on instagram we can see the attraction of sunny beaches and normal life. Pierce Brosnan just narrated a new Tourism Ireland video to showcase Ireland - he’s living in Hawaii but he’s missing his home town of Navan. “What do I miss about Ireland? It’s the people. The sheer stamina and life force of Irish people from this great, beautiful landscape,” he said in the video. Meanwhile, Dara Ó’Briain, living in London but a regular on our screens (virtually), spoke for the first time in January about his experience of being adopted and his search for his birth mother. Dara stays close to Irish life and back when we were on track he said how proud he was of Ireland and it’s response to Covid-19. Another popular Irish man abroad is the One Direction mega-star, Niall Horan, who shares his time between luxurious homes in London and Los Angeles but never forgets his Irish roots. Last October, Niall made a €100,000 donation to Irish charity ALONE. He was inspired, he said, when he researched the incredible work that the charity does with the elderly in the country, and how they have worked tirelessly throughout the pandemic. Portmarnock native, Vogue Williams, said she was disappointed she had to cancel her plans to visit at Christmas due to the restrictions but she did make it to the Caribbean Island of St. Barth’s with her husband, Spencer Matthew, the children and his parents.

And sadly another of our well-loved Irish man abroad, Liam Neeson, missed his mother’s funeral in Ballymena back in June, with restrictions in place in Northern Ireland. Katherine ‘Kitty’ Neeson passed away at 94 at a nursing home where she lived, just one day shy of the actor’s 67th birthday.

With so many families separated because of the pandemic we asked some of the Irish living abroad what message they would like to send back home, what they miss most about Ireland and what it means to be Irish as we approach our national day.

Derek O’Halloran, 42, Geneva, Switzerland

1. What does being Irish mean to you?

I've lived on a few continents and even more countries. For me, being Irish is feeling grateful for having been born a part of this slightly mad tribe of people from a corner of Europe who seem to always punch above our weight. People who know how to have the craic, how to get things done, how to treat people, how to have a good ol' moan and how to work the immersion. We're not perfect, by any stretch - but sure who is?

2. How conscious are you of being Irish in your everyday life?

I wouldn't say I'm conscious of it as such but it's always there. I'm most conscious of it when people from an incredibly diverse array of other countries talk about the affinity they feel they have with the Irish.

3. What do you miss most about home?

Family, and then.... literally every cliche in the book! The people. Casual craic. Match day at Croke Park. Dublin pubs and bartenders. Rashers, sausages and yes - even the potatoes! My sister sent me a care package for Christmas this year with a box of Tayto in it. I nearly cried.

Clare Gilligan, 24, Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam.

1. What does being Irish mean to you?

Being Irish is special to me as you feel a massive sense of community. Knowing that wherever you are in the world, you are bound to meet the Irish and if you talk to them long enough you will find some sort of connection, it is daunting yet elating. When I think of Ireland, I think of its history, sport, childhood memories and our sense of humour as a nation.

2. What do you miss most about home?

As much as I love living in Vietnam there are a number of things I wish I had put in my suitcase. The first is my dog who is 15 years old now. It was hard leaving her as I do not know when I will be home again, and if she will even be still around. I also miss my family very much. It is hard hearing of them in a constant lockdown, but it makes me extremely grateful to live in such a wonderful place. And the last thing I miss is spending time with my best friend. I miss our car rides, especially to go get a coffee. I often think back to a day we spent in Glendalough. I think it was one of the happiest days of my life.

3. Are you more conscious of your heritage when you are living abroad?

I believe I have become even more conscious of my heritage since I moved to Vietnam. I find myself referring to Ireland most days and I try to educate my foreign friends on what life in Ireland is like. At Christmas, I was particularly conscious of my heritage. I spent some part of Christmas Day watching Father Ted, eating Tayto crisps, and drinking cans of Guinness, which was a real comfort for me.

Laura McBrien, 38, London UK

1. What does being Irish mean to you?

Enjoying the right to talk away to my heart’s content, it is almost expected from us!

2. What do you miss most about home?

Aside from my family and friends, I miss simple pleasures, such as Butlers Hot Chocolate, batch bread with real Irish butter and just hearing the accent.

3. Are you more conscious of your heritage when you are living abroad?

Completely. I have realized how proud I am to be Irish, and I can honestly say I have learned more about my heritage in the two years I have been living out of Ireland than ever before. I am far more curious and interested in it now because it helps me feel connected to home. It’s mad, if I hear or see anything remotely related to Ireland, I am immediately intrigued. The delight I felt switching on CNN recently and hearing the Irish accent of a correspondent (Donie O'Sullivan) in the US made me instantly happy, proud, and connected to home for reasons I cannot explain.

4. Is there anyone in particular in Ireland that you would like to send a message to?

To anyone feeling lonely or lost now, a feeling I can relate to, please know you are never alone. My experience has shown me that there are so many lovely people in this world that would do anything to help if you just let them know.

Judith Hamilton, 39, Egypt

1. What does being Irish mean to you?

That question kind of threw me. I honestly could not answer what being Irish means to me. Eventually, I had to google ‘what are Irish people like?’ It turns out, even though I am not at all patriotic, I am indeed Irish. I love whiskey and potatoes. I cannot take compliments and I am also very indirect; God forbid, I might end up in a confrontation. And - my guilty pleasure - I really love the Leprechaun Museum. (Although maybe that last one means I am not Irish at all, I am actually a tourist)

However, this also describes a lot of my Egyptian friends, so what does that tell you? Living abroad in a multicultural community, I feel like our nationality does not define us, we all have our quirks. In ways, the Egyptian stereotype is close to home; I thought the Irish Mammy and Irish hospitality was unique to us, but they are the exact same here.

2. What do you miss most about home?

The thing I miss the most is people, of course! My mam and dad, my brother, my aunties, uncles, cousins, and friends are all so important to me, and although I am terrible at keeping in touch, I feel so grateful when I do get home and it is like we were never apart. And although I really love the beaches and deserts and the sunshine in Egypt, I miss the clean air and green countryside in Ireland.

3. Are you more conscious of your heritage when you are living abroad?

I would say not so much conscious of my heritage in terms of it playing a role in my identity, but I am aware of it in terms of how valuable our passports are, and I know we are very privileged to be able to travel wherever we please, (in non-COVID times of course).

John O’Reilly, 60, Virginia USA

1. What does being Irish mean to you?

I have always been very proud of my heritage. To me it is being part of an ancient race full of artistry and music. It generates a sense of pride to have such a rich history. I will always have the soul of a Gael - a warrior race that is never beaten and has shown its perseverance through the ages.

2. What do I miss most about home?

Family, friends, fish and chips, sport, most of all I miss the land and the smell of the air. Meeting with friends some of which have passed, and others have moved on with their lives without me being there The conversations with strangers after a Dublin match no matter what county we were in. Croke Park before, during and after a big game. Walking home from the pub eating your fish and chips. Solving the world’s problems over a few pints.

3. Are you conscious of your Irish heritage when living abroad?

Very much so. Although we are treated fine, we are still foreigners. That is always in the background. We hold on tight to our heritage and celebrate it at every opportunity. With pride we celebrate St Patrick’s Day with more exuberance than we would at home. We may live in America, but our souls are Irish.