I'm taking in a lot about Irish culture and customs, and also about its past. Until now, I didn't understood the impact of so many Irish leaving their home country.
We visited EPIC The Irish Immigration Museum yesterday and the exhibits further informed me about the Irish diaspora. Consider these words on the EPIC website, "...you’ll discover that what it means to be Irish expands far beyond the borders of Ireland through the stories of Irish emigrants who became scientists, politicians, poets, artists and even outlaws all over the world."
The wonderfully engaging exhibits started with the hows and the whys of their goodbyes. After that, we stamped our passports as we completed exhibits about Irish impact, storytelling, eating and drinking, and dance and music. At the end, my mind and heart were full. I can't shake the feelings that come from saying goodbye. Think about it: 10 million men and women left Ireland for employment, to escape religious persecution, or to avoid dying from hunger. And then, to be unmoored from all you know and hold dear ... that required bravery.
One museum placard stated Ireland is a land of departure. For me, that is both thrilling and incredibly sad.
Yes, so many Irish people, in so many places in the world, changed mine.