"Oh, it's winter, it's cold and the Christmas decorations are up way to early. Sure Christmas is too commercial these days anyway. I'll catch the vomiting bug on Christmas eve anyway, I always do." Ohh SHUT UP!
It was too hot three months ago... and you were complaining about summer flu then!
Anyway rant over ( I do realize the irony of complaining about complaints). The point of today's post is to list reasons why this country is still one of the best in the world. Yes, I said it, one of the best in the world. I have left out some obvious ones, such as not being under dictatorship or in the middle of the war.... Or the fact that despite a fair amount of homelessness most of us can still put food on the table. It's the small things you know.
Here are my top 5 reasons to LIKE Ireland...
1. Size, Transport, Places
Ireland is literally the perfect size, we often say it's too small but it's not. There are 6 major cities in the Republic of Ireland, Dublin, Cork, Limerick, Galway, Waterford and Kilkenny (yes Kilkenny has city status). All of these cities are reachable within a few hours. Not to mention all of the in-arguably beautiful tourist spots that lie in between. Not many countries can boast this level accessibility. Particularly not without the cities being on top of each other. As a Dubliner, I could leave my mothers house and be in Cork well within 3 hours, and I don't drive... how do I achieve this? by train... Ireland's train system is fantastic... always on time always comfortable... and always cheap (compared to anywhere else in europe). The point is I can easily get to Cork, on the other side of the country, and yet I am still far away enough that I don't have to talk to any Corkonians on a day to day basis, win! (Joke)
2. We Move Forwards... While Facing Backwards
The cities in Ireland, particularly Dublin are changing and have been for a while now. Dublin has embraced it's status as a European capital. There is an air of cosmopolitan there that has NEVER been seen in Ireland. The other cities are starting to follow suit... Ireland is an up to date, modern country. At the same time though, Irish people never forget their roots, it's not hard to find a traditional Irish pub. You do not have to travel far to go hiking and because we are an island there is always somewhere to swim (if you are brave). We still have all our iconic Irish traditions, while maintaining a strong grasp on the future.
3. We Entertain
It is our forté and probably always will be. I can honestly say that I don't know one Irish person who hasn't got a unique, usually overbearing way of dramatizing the most ordinary of events. It's brilliant. You go to any corner of this island and you are certain to be entertained. We love to make people laugh, even if it's a serious topic.... ESPECIALLY if it's a serious topic... Ireland's drama and passion for entertaining each other as well as outsiders is what has always made us special... because that is why people like us... and is definitely something to like about ourselves.
4. People Dream About Ireland
It's hard for most Irish people to believe, but it's incredibly true. People from all over the world think this place is beautiful, they think it's magical, they think it's fun... they even think it's home (when it's probably not). The crazy part is they are right... we have just been too busy complaining... Ireland is a truly aesthetic country, it is romantic.... sure, we have a way about us that could make dirt romantic. Women have dreamed of getting married here. Men have dreamed of drinking here.... Maybe we need to appreciate that a bit more sometimes.
5. We are not Britain
Now, hold on. I know it's easy to have a pop at the Brits, but that's not what I want to do. I want to make a genuine point here. Britain is still widely considered to be a world power and is formerly the largest empire in the world. It is also our closest neighbour and we are often mistaken as being part of it. But why?.... Despite all of this, Ireland's food, hotels, tourism, public transport are all considered to be of a higher standard then Britain's... Our houses are bigger and survey's show we are happier. There is less class discrimination here, less suicide, less crime. Our education system (at least at third level) makes the British system seem, well... unfair. These are facts, I'm not trying to insult anybody... It just begs the question why would we leave here to go there?
We have all heard the phrase "The grass is always greener...." but just remember this, when talking about Ireland, it is very possible that the grass actually is.
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