Ireland with its deep green hills steeped in history.  The land swallows up the memories of the dead and she holds onto her ancient history like a child holds onto her favorite doll.  Much blood has been spilt on the green earth and many have toiled through hard times.  Some left their homeland to seek out a better life but Ireland was never taken out of their hearts.  Irelands first settlement date from 8000 B.C. and before that she was covered in cold ice.  Agriculture began around 4000 B.C. when cattle and other domestic animals where brought over from Europe.

Ireland has seen the Celts, Gaels, and the Romans on her land.  There where the Druids and then the Christians with the learning of Greek and Latin.  She gave us the Book of Kells and survived the Vikings as they plundered towns.  By 1603 she had been swallowed up by the British and it would take decades for part of her lands to be back in Irish hands.  Men like Michael Collins that fought hard for Ireland’s independence and died trying.  The south is on her own but to the north she is not.

Irish people are proud and hardworking.  Never having backed down from a fight she is a country that invokes pride.  For she is rich in history and her people know that the richness that she delivers will go on beyond their lives.  Knowing that those that went before did so gladly to see their country smile on a bright spring day. 

As time drew on and the people fought amongst themselves fading from what was held true.  For those that do not work together die alone.  As Ireland rolled over and wept at the blood being spilt only some realized what they have done.  Some men starved themselves to death to make their point.  While mothers buried their husbands and sons violence prevailed where it should not.  When time comes to finally give up what it cannot hold onto maybe then the healing can happen.

What Ireland and its people need to hold onto is the rich history of stories, music, and art.  Let the words of Yeats, Butler and Lewis inspire their pride and devotion to a country that has always stayed true to her people.  George Bernard Shaw once wrote “You see things; and you say, ‘Why?’ But I dream things that never were; and I say, ‘Why not?’”.  So dream big but strive to make those dreams come true.  There have been those that have given so much and should not be forgotten for their devotion.  To out shine all the wrongs, the positive influences and deeds must outweigh them.

“Making peace, I have found, is much harder than making war.”
- Gerry Adams

“We have always found the Irish a bit odd. They refuse to be English.”
- Winston Churchill

“When anyone asks me about the Irish character, I say look at the trees. Maimed, stark and misshapen, but ferociously tenacious.”
- Edna O’Brien

Quotes from: http://www.ireland-fun-facts.com/irish-quotes.html