Next stop, Ireland.
Where our ancestors came from, and why it matters. The second chapter: Ireland — green hills, sea cliffs, old music, and a pull toward the place your people left.
Most people start to explore their heritage in early adulthood and have questions about their ancestry. Some rely on companies, or start to ask the age-old questions — where did my ancestors come from, and by what means did we come to be here? For our family, we were told by grandparents and parents of our predominantly Irish ancestry, and those findings were confirmed as we got older. My younger brother found that our family was forty-eight percent Irish and fifty-two percent of other cultures — a fascinating way to learn of lineage going back generations.
Coupled with my husband's heritage of half Irish and half Czechoslovakian, it makes for interesting roots that should be further explored. It's no wonder our family has a deep connection to our European founders, and to how those families traveled and made their way over to the Americas. One day I would like to spend my days digging and chipping away at all the rich information of both our families.
The Emerald Isle
It's no wonder that the green, rolling hills coupled with seaside cliffs explain the beauty and wonder of what is now Ireland. West of England and Wales, across the Irish Sea, lies the island of Ireland in the North Atlantic. The Emerald Isle — its name a nod to the lush green landscape — is both picturesque and tranquil.
Dublin and the west
Day trips to explore the beautiful castles and the Cliffs of Moher on the western coast, or maybe a sip of the infamous black and tan at the St. James's Gate Brewery in Dublin. Interested in some eats at the culinary capital of Cork, or the festival capital of Galway — sure to entice your love for shops and pubs while listening to age-old music and tunes.
North and south
Just north is the city of Belfast, home of the world's largest Titanic exhibition. Walk through the medieval castles of Kilkenny, or the seventeenth-century streets of Derry/Londonderry if you're lucky. Armagh city, synonymous with patron St. Patrick, is entrenched with music, dance, and theater — or maybe head to the seaside at Dingle Bay for observing whales and dolphins.
Ireland is both enshrouded in green magic and Gaelic folklore, with many places and landmarks to explore.
It's no wonder our family has a deep connection to our European founders.
Until our next stop.
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