Musings on Life in Ireland
Apart from driving on the wrong side of the road (ha, ha), Ireland presents some interesting and amusing facts of life.
The first and, I think, the most amusing is the report on the Irish Meterological site. I use this site for their accurate weather reporting, the satellite pictures, and the radar to track the rain.
The other morning, I got up to check the weather on the Irish Met site, and low and behold, there was an alert. Under their category of environmental warnings: “potato blight warning”. They provided information on the intensity, the local area most affected, and when it was expected to disipate. Now, where else in the world would they provide a potato blight warning? It could only be in Ireland!
I know we are not in Africa, where wild animals roam freely. Here in Ireland, it’s the sheep! This morning, on the way to the washroom block, I ran into three sheep wandering through the caravan park. Had a great conversation with one of them and then left them to their wanderings.
Okay, we all know what the colour green is. However, green in Ireland is not the green we know. It’s brilliant,it’s pervasive. Green is in the flag, it’s on the souvenirs, it’s on the professional sports gear, it’s everywhere, and it’s beautiful. Obvious – that’s what Ireland is known for. However, there’s a downside to the green – it rains consistently and intently. Despite Irish Met reporting sunny periods, one has to be outside all the time to catch those few moments. Not complaing, just stating a fact!
Stopping to stock up for what we were thinking was wild Achill Island we went shopping at the local Lidl. Having been into numerous grocery stores, we have noticed prices for fruits, veggies, and meats is way more reasonable than in Canada. However, what has struck me is not only the over packaging of food but the variety of prepared foods available. Everything is packaged. It’s hard to find a shelf of unp ackaged fruits and/or veggies. But this is also true for deli items. There are few deli counters at the grocery store, and instead, they package up pre-selected chacuterie items like the spanish cheese and ham packages. But what really struck me was the pre-packaged mashed potatoes! Really? Yes….why?
One last item. This one is the sport of hurling. Now, I remember at university, we practiced hurling on a regular basis, but this sport is definitely healthier. It’s played by both men and women. However, when women play it’s called Camogue but for both men and women it’s played with a hurl (a stick that is a cross between a golf club and a lacrosse stick) and the ball is called a sliother. Oh yes, up until 2025, women were only allowed to play the game wearing skorts, but now they can wear shorts.
I haven’t actually seen a game played, but we do see lots of kids out in the fields wielding their hurls somewhat like the vikings did with swords on the battlefield.
Well, that’s the last for now, but I am sure we will find some more interesting items of interest as we come into the last 2 weeks in Ireland.
Sage on sail 
Fuckin hilarious that one! Loved it. Keep it coming travellers Enjoying this alot Wayno
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Now there it is: Creamy mashed potatoes in a plastic box during a potato blight. Oh how the Irish are fallen! Apart from in the belly, how is Guinness transported? It all sounds feckin’luvely so!
All these years I thought Kermit the Frog was the greatest living philosopher-advocate for Color-Green … and now from out of nowhere comes YOU !!! Maybe go easy on packaged spuds until they lift the blight-warning.
Hurling eh?
From Tom: Hmm, sounds interesting. Tell me, when they are hurling, either the males or females, do they make a lot of noise or can they do it quietly? If it’s the latter perhaps you two could redirect your energies when you return and convert your pickleball disciples to hurling.
From Liz: Love yours musings. Love the pics.
Tony and Connie, I have been impressed with all your aricles and comments ! You should forward some of them to Travel magazines! We don’t get potato blight warnings… we get fire outbreaks and flooding reports! British Columbia is costantly in the news..
Years ago Rick and I did get to see the south of Ireland but not the north. In those days we were introduced to power windmills and to pub grub!
I don’t have to deal with traffic congestion although all the seniors and their walkers do cause traffic jams – especially in the dining room!! Thanks to Sophie I do get at least 5 walkies every day with Sophie. Almost all the residents know her name and some want to pet her and give her cookies that I carry in my pockets! It won’t be so much fun when winter arrives.
I was intrigued with the game of hurling… and the fact that women were subject to rules that men weren’t.
Enjoy your last two weeks in Ireland! ________________________________