I have always loved everything about Ireland and its culture, from the music, to the dancing, and everything in between. I remember back in 2009 when I got to partake in my town’s St. Patrick’s Day parade and march with the Grand Marshal, my grandpa, whose ancestors once called Ireland home, as did my grandmother’s. I will never forget the afterparty at my church, when after doing some Irish dancing with my grandpa, we watched a traditional step dance performance from a local school. In that moment, I made a vow to one day travel to Ireland and see everything this beautiful country had to offer. And next thing I knew, 15 years later, I was on a plane to Dublin. Not only would I get to see Dublin, but I would get to visit Kilkenny and see medieval Ireland, I would get to visit County Kerry, and I would end the trip in Galway, the city my great-great grandparents called home 136 years ago. 

After the success of my European vacation back in March, I decided to travel with the same tour group. And I’m so glad I did. Ireland in and of itself was a beautiful country regardless of whether or not I went by myself, but I truly don’t think the experience would have been as great as it was without the 30 new friends I made on this trip. Most of us had traveled by ourselves, but by the end of the trip, we all became a little family. As someone who struggles with social anxiety, making friends has never been an easy task, but this group was extra special and took me right under their wing. It was so amazing getting to travel with a group of young people just like me. Saying our goodbyes at the airport was tough, but seeing as some of us are making plans to travel together next year, I guess it wasn’t really goodbye, just “see you later”. 

I spent the nearly two years of preparation for this trip looking up every blog and vlog I could find on the internet. And I must say, the photos and videos you see of Ireland don’t do the country any justice. From my first glimpse of Ireland which was the Temple Bar in Dublin, to my last, which was the Aran Islands, each view was more astounding than the one before. All I could think about in those moments was just how beautiful this world is. I constantly had to remind myself that the money I spent on this trip would surely come back, but the chance to travel and see the world might not. And I knew I’d regret it later on in life if I didn’t just hop on the plane and go. Seeing Ireland has certainly made me want to continue traveling and see everything out there. 

The only thing I loved more about Ireland than its magnificent views were the people who get to call Ireland home. The Irish are truly one of a kind. From our tour guide, to our bus driver, to the bartenders, even to the cashiers in each gift shop we visited, I didn’t meet a single unkind soul in Ireland. Every pub we walked into, the locals wouldn’t hesitate to strike up a conversation with us and share their stories. They are quite blunt too, but as our tour director told us, if they roast you, it means they like you. There was just this sort of merriment in the Irish pubs that I had never felt anywhere in America. I have never met a group of people filled with more friendship, camaraderie, and livelihood than the Irish. They are truly the salt of the earth. I think if there’s anything we can learn from them, it’s that sometimes life is too short to not kick back, have some good ‘craic’ and enjoy life’s blessings. 

Another thing I admire about the Irish is their unwavering strength and resilience. My ancestors left Ireland in the mid-1800’s shortly after the famine. Like most other immigrants who came to America at the time, especially Irish immigrants, they struggled to find work and make a living. At the time, America wasn’t too welcoming towards Irish immigrants like my ancestors. But they never gave up. They eventually made a new life for themselves and for their children, and their grandchildren, and their great-grandchildren, and so on until they made me. I’ve never been prouder to be Irish. 

Ireland was a lot of things to me. It was magical, it was charming…but most importantly, in a way it felt like I was home. I must say, 9 days in Ireland certainly wasn’t enough, and I know I will definitely be back one day…but I already have enough wonderful memories to last me a lifetime. And so, my parting message to Ireland: never let your culture, your heritage, your music, or your traditions die. 

Sláinte…or cilántro to another amazing trip! 🇮🇪💚