Ever since stepping off the airplane in Ireland, I have been impressed with the warmth and affection I received from the Irish people. In the Cork airport, an Irish lady invited me to her church after seeing me reading my Bible in the previous airport. I felt welcomed into the country by such simple kindness and generosity. The feeling
was not isolated to this event; it has continued with each Irish person I have
met. The morning after flying in, three of us went to pick up our rental van. Along the way, we became curious about hurling, and asked the rental car representative. She was more than happy to explain the sport and its
history, which sparked a long and genuine conversation.
The owner of our bed and breakfast and I chatting before the event. was not isolated to this event; it has continued with each Irish person I have
met. The morning after flying in, three of us went to pick up our rental van. Along the way, we became curious about hurling, and asked the rental car representative. She was more than happy to explain the sport and its
history, which sparked a long and genuine conversation.
Later that evening, our group went to a Heritage Week event, “The Boldest Fenian Man,” that began with a play about Jeremiah O’Donovan Rossa. The play included the singing of a classic Irish song, and the audience joined in! They sounded good, too! I was amazed by the vulnerability each person had with each other. Following the play was a talk about the Irish scholar John O’Donovan. The main theme was his desire for the truth: to hear it, witness it, and discover it. Truth was an esteemed value, and I believe it is the same quality I have admired in the Irish people I have encountered: the willingness to share part of themselves honestly and engage with others humbly. It is beautiful to witness the true essence of a person, and even more so to have it warmly received. I am grateful to witness such admirable traits among the Irish people whom I have met.
-Charley Jo DiBartolomeo
-Charley Jo DiBartolomeo