Final thoughts on Ireland

Today is my last full day in Ireland. I can't believe it had already been 3 weeks. I guess the adage is true: time does fly when you're having fun.

Yesterday saw the All-Ireland final of Gaelic football at Croke Park between Dublin and Kerry (I'll refer you back to the Kilkenny entry for the wind up to this match). As I've already explained hurling in detail, I have neither the time nor inclination to go through Gaelic football. Short version: scoring identical to hurling, rules similar, think soccer where you can use your hands as well. Yippee! Again, I will refer you to the Wikipedia article for a more indepth explanation: https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gaelic_football
The match was played in the pouring rain and it made for some hilarity. Men tripping, sliding, squishing their way down the pitch and many, many a dropped ball. It was like some kind of awkward ballet. This amused me to no end, which was good because he game itself, while usually exciting, was less so (I'll assume due to the rain). Dublin

ended up the victor, final score 12-9. There is a lot of light blue and navy blue being flown in Dublin at present (the teams' colours).

Irish curses. The Irish are impressively creative with their insults - a trait, for better or worse, I wish I had. That said, one of my all time favorites is not necessarily creative, but it works for so many instances, I cannot help but love it. The problem is, however, it only sounds good (at least to my ears) when said with an Irish accent. Damn. Maybe while I'm learning Gaelic I can learn an Irish accent. The curse that has me all aflutter? "For fucks sake." Simple, direct, and versatile. Man, do I love it. Love, love, love.
One that you will hear thrown around often and could almost be a term of endearment (but it's not) is "eejit" (think idiot). I like it as well, but not as well as that mentioned above.

I would be remiss to spend all this time talking about Ireland and not talk about the music. The music and the pub scene (as they usually go hand in hand) bring a smile to my face just thinking about it. Music is everywhere - and usually every night. There have been very few nights over the past 3 weeks when I have not heard some sort of traditional music (trad) prior to ending my day. There are sessions (instrumental only) vs tunes (lyrics). You may have two people playing or a large group, but the atkoshere is often the same: feet thumping, a strong beat, the wood floors beneath you pulsing in time with the musicians and a true passion for what they are sharing with those lucky enough to be present. There is audience participation at times, and if anyone breaks into an acapella song or lament, the bar goes quiet out of respect for the singer. One word of advice, however, should you find yourself in the glorious midst of a trad session. Do not, under any circumstances lest your goal is to be branded an extremely annoying tourist, request "Wild Rover." Musicians hate it, namely because they get the request a mere three times a night. One

hates the song so much, he changed the lyrics just to keep him from going crazy: "And it's no, nay, never/ no, nay, never no more/ will I sing while I'm sober/ no never, no more!" Creative.
I found that if you are lucky enough to sit near the musicians and show a true interest in what they are providing (either by listening quietly or singing along when appropriate), the musicians will often start talking to you, and even more fun begins! I fear I am going to miss the music greatly upon my departure. It stresses the fact that I was actually born a European (just on the wrong continent) and that I really, truly am an Irish lass at heart. I have had such an amazing time these past 3 weeks, I am already planning my next trip here - that is, if I actually return to the States ;) and let's be honest, I'm going to miss the Guinness as well.

Go dtí an chéad uair eile, Éire; j'arrive Paris.