Word: irelanders
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COUNTY CORK, Ireland—Since Ireland is one of the most Catholic countries in the world and I’ve missed one mass too many, it’s probably a good time for confession. I’m only 25 percent Irish. Now, don’t worry, it’s not a mortal sin—I have never tried to pass myself off as anything more. But the combination of my full-Irish grandmother and my preoccupation with Irish culture is enough to convince everyone that I’m at least half Irish...
It’s easy to gravitate towards one side of your heritage when the other’s roots are far less clear—I’m a European hodgepodge on my father’s side. But Ireland also appeals to me with its history of dance, drink and the intoxicating notion of clanship. Besides evoking memories of long ago battles and ruthless warriors, a clan name has intrinsic meaning. When someone says “O’Dea,” my ears instantly perk up and I want to explore another...
Returning to Ireland has been something of a clanfest, highlighted by my journey to see the O’Dea Castle. Actually more of a feudal tower, I pranced about it with a sense of ownership, and I imagine at least a few of the O’Dea/O’Day visitors in the guestbook came to stake their own claim to this ancestral abode. Crossing the country to visit relatives—cousins once or many times removed—presents me with open arms and hugs from people only rarely seen. What begins as an awkward...
Clanship is simply an extension of the kinship that is found every time we visit Ireland. The local doctor treats us like one of her longtime patients on first visit, while my great uncle’s friend’s wife welcomes us to her bed and breakfast as if we were old family friends. I feel at home in Ireland because I’m treated as if I am home...
...reform program could be a casualty of the ruling conservatives' loss Germany The Christian Democrats' big win bodes well for three state elections in September The ruling Social Democrats' worst-ever loss in a national vote ratchets up the pressure on Chancellor Gerhard Schröder's government Ireland Voters elected Sinn Fein's first M.E.P.; the opposition Fine Gael had its best-ever result Premier Bertie Ahern's Fianna Fáil tumbled to its worst showing in 80 years, marring the government's six-month term as E.U. President Italy Small parties left and right gained; those...