Comments on: Learning from the Irish

By: Tim Mcdonald

Tim Mcdonald — Fri, 05 Dec 2008 10:04:10 +0000

My parents were born in Ireland and moved to America and started a family. Ive been fortunate enough to spend many of my summers in Ireland. I can say that the Irish are much more friendly and willing to sit down and have a chat.Unlike in America where most people are to busy with what they are doing. I guess it depends who you are though because ive had relatives come to the states and say that the people here are much more friendly. That was news to my ears.

By: New Condominiums

New Condominiums — Fri, 01 Feb 2008 01:57:41 +0000

Advantages to Buying or Owning a Condominium

Condos have become an increasingly attractive home ownership option for singles, young couples, families and retired couples (that’s just about everybody!). A condo is a viable option for anyone who wants to own a home without the worry of repairs, ma…

By: ThemePassion - Best stuff about design! » Learning from the Irish

ThemePassion - Best stuff about design! » Learning from the Irish — Thu, 01 Nov 2007 14:04:25 +0000

[...] Dymphna wrote an interesting post today!.Here’s a quick excerptSure, sure, there are more housing developments here and there, and the Irish will happily tell you tales about Germans who try and live in Ireland, only to move away after a year or two because they can’t stand the laid-back, … [...]

By: hot92 » Learning from the Irish

hot92 » Learning from the Irish — Wed, 31 Oct 2007 09:26:19 +0000

[...] more here [...]

By: travel south america » Learning from the Irish

travel south america » Learning from the Irish — Mon, 29 Oct 2007 22:50:49 +0000

[...] Read the rest of this great post here [...]

By: Hugh O'Donovan

Hugh O'Donovan — Mon, 29 Oct 2007 21:30:10 +0000

Being Irish born it’s intersting to hear the perspective of others on my country. Notwithstanding the different social context that is Ireland it is an increasingly more complex work space and expecially that space that I occupy as a business / coaching psychologist.

In embracing the modern world of the Celtic Tiger we too run the risk of losing some of the traditional values that fortunately are still to be found in the West of Ireland. I quote the following from Dervla Murphy in “Eight feet in the Andes” in the context of some time I spent recently with a group of American Visitors in West Kerry on one of my “Walk and Talk” programmes.

“But I know and have always known that human beings need to escape at intervals from the alien world which has so abruptly replaced the environment that bred us. We need to be close to, and opposed to and sometimes subservient to and always respectful of the physical realities of the planet we live on”

Our american visitors found that West Kerry still affords one the R.A.R.E opportunity for Relaxation, Activity, Reflection and Exploration and all in close priximity with the enduring ancient and historical realities of that place. As an Irish Psychologist I am passionate about making sense of both worlds.

By: John M. Grohol, Psy.D.

John M. Grohol, Psy.D. — Mon, 29 Oct 2007 16:39:29 +0000

After writing that entry, I realize I wasn’t very specific on what I was looking for or found valuable in the Irish countryside.

Sure, it’s the small family-run farms, that’s a part of it. But it’s something greater, something found more often I think in many European countries (not just Ireland) than I’ve found here in the U.S. And I think what it boils down to for me is something along the lines of a “sense of community.” A smaller community, without being closed.

In most areas of the U.S., we’ve simply lost that. We’ve traded it in for our suburbs and Walmarts and never thought twice about what we’re giving away in order to obtain “low, low prices.” It just happens and has been happening here in the U.S. now for decades, an entire way of life slipping away, being replaced by Madison Ave’s idea of a good, “buy, buy, buy!” life.

I’m not sure that captures what I’m getting at either, but it’s closer. And that’s not to say you can’t find great small towns in America, like those in Wisconsin or Oklahoma… Just that they no longer define America in the way they did even just 50 years ago.

By: jen_chan, writer SureFireWealth.com

jen_chan, writer SureFireWealth.com — Mon, 29 Oct 2007 16:23:55 +0000

I think a lot of people take agricultural wealth for granted. Many countries which possess rich natural resources are throwing them all away in exchange for condominiums and malls. These countries have been strongly influenced by Western standards of development. Unfortunately, not many realize that cars, technology, bright lights and tall buildings don’t necessarily equal to development.

By: L P

L P — Mon, 29 Oct 2007 11:06:01 +0000

You can also find the values you say you miss by coming to rural Oklahoma. We are wheat farmers who are trying our best to hang on to our land. We had a complete crop failure this last year due to weather conditions. That is like not getting a paycheck for a year while working a corporate job. Now we are trying to put out next year’s crop with soaring fuel costs, repair costs, equipment costs, fertilizer costs, etc. IF we can find seed wheat, the price is unbelievable!

By: travel central america » Learning from the Irish

travel central america » Learning from the Irish — Mon, 29 Oct 2007 01:46:54 +0000

[...] Read the rest of this great post here [...]

By: CB

CB — Mon, 29 Oct 2007 01:42:20 +0000

You need to come make a visit to a Wisconsin dairy farm. They’re still largely family-owned, with all the values you say you’re missing.