Leaving a sinking ship?

Sorry about the video (above). I know it's cheesy but was the only one I could get. It says nothing about Irish life, nice views though......



The Ireland of today is a much more prosperous place to be than in the past. Undoubtedly the influx of foreign workers has helped the country and fewer ‘locals’ are applying for jobs, that they would have taken 20 years ago. There is now ample choice to the shopper and items (luxury as well as necessities), meaning that leaving the auld sod is no longer a foregone conclusion for our sons and daughters.

But Robert Carry, ('Going down with the ship',Metro Eireann, 24th December 2009 – 6th January 2010), writes: “Us Irish are wedded to this wet little rock” (meaning Ireland). He cannot understand why it is that more of those living in places such as Ballybrack or Bantry don’t emigrate. I beg to differ.

There should be no shame in wanting to remain living here. Granted much of the country is currently mired in economic depression, but would I like to leave? The answer is no. For all its myriad of problems this ‘wet rock’ is my homeland and it would take a lot to make me emigrate.

Look at the madness across the world:

China killing those with poor mental health

Nearly every US citizen carries a weapon of some sort

FGM is commonplace in certain African countries

In the UK civil liberties are being steadily eroded by uber-tough police forces displaying less and less accountability (with the honourable exception of the PSNI)

I am happy to say that none of that is applicable to Ireland. The pace of life here is another bonus: No matter how sophisticated we are, there will always be those in Irish society who care. Busy Manhattan has nothing to offer except dollars $$$ and people’s welfare is of no interest. One example of that is the herculean efforts of the Obama administration to bring in healthcare reform; everything must be paid for in the land of Uncle Sam.

Ireland, of course, has many drawbacks but I love living here. Should Irish people be forced, King Herod-like, to get out of their native land once they reach a certain age? Of course not. However we must acknowledge that emigration is a personal matter and many will want to leave, that is their decision and is to be respected. I would rather stay on a ‘wet rock’ any day than move to an arid, dry country where chatter and craic are almost non-existent.

There are many positive reasons for residing here, even if we have rather dull weather most of the time. As a country we must create more reasons for people to stay than to go. Ireland has many strengths, strengths that Mr Carry obviously fails to recognise in the rush to get his passport stamped.