Mother's Day & St Patrick's Day 2015

With Mother's Day and St Patrick's Day in the same week it got me to thinking anew about the meaning of being Irish. Last year we published a blog about what it means to be Irish with quotes from members of our team. This year our monthly musings drifted more to what traditions/habits/beliefs make us so Irish. 

For me it is family, the importance of family and the role that family play in our lives. Ireland is

without a doubt a matriarchal society with our Irish Mammies shaping past and future generations of Irish adults. A key contributor of who we are and widely used as the subject matter for many literary greats, there is also a fun 'Irish Mammies' book dedicated to these all powerful beings by Irish comedian, Colm O'Regan, as well as a website and twitter page (@irishmammies). Family is at the centre of all things Irish from christenings to weddings to funerals. The final goodbye is sometimes the largest family gathering of all. Officially a time for grieving, we also reminisce with family members, laugh together, cook together, drink unending cups of tea and above all, we mind each other. An Irish family gathering will be at times irreverent, at times somber but at all times comforting and inclusive.

The Irish are one of the most loved nations in the world. Over 70 million people claim Irish ancestry throughout the world. Over 70 million people are proud to have even the smallest drop of Irishness. We work hard and our willingness to 'give it a go' has helped to achieve so much throughout the centuries. Many Fortune 500 companies have Irish senior management such as Anne Sweeney, president at Disney/ABC group, named by Forbes magazine as one of the most powerful business women in America. One of our own sons of Galway, Billy Lawless, is well known and respected in Chicago and a great friend of President Obama. Speaking of which, the Irish have 'provided' Presidents to the U.S. on a number of occasions. An Irishman, James Hoban, even designed the White House! 

We have proudly contributed to the wine dynasties of France, Australia and America. Galway in particular features strongly with the famous Lynch and Kirwan families having fled to France and built the Chateau Lynch Bages and Chateau Kirwan vineyards. Other famous Irish names include Phelan, Barton and Hennessy - collectively known as Ireland's 'Wine Geese'.

And of course, every year the entire world celebrates with Ireland

on 17th March  for St. Patrick's Day. In recent years, to mark the occasion, Tourism Ireland have orchestrated a massive marketing campaign based on the greening of well-known landmarks around the world. From the Great Wall of China and Sydney Opera House to the Niagara Falls and the Colosseum in Rome. It is the single biggest stroke of genius by any international tourism agency and an indication of the determination and reach of our tiny nation. Use the hash tag  #GoGreen4PatricksDay to tag your own global greening images. Listen to Liam Neeson as he lent his dulcet tones to this promotional video for Ireland which brings me back to Mother's Day as I first met this wonderful Irish acting giant with his Irish Mammy, Kitty. No matter who you are, no matter where you go - your Irish Mammy will find you!! 

For a small country of 84,421 sq. km and an island wide population of approx. 6.5 million, our influence on the world around us is phenomenal and inspiring. Have a great weekend all, celebrate your Mums - past, present or soon to be. They have a profound affect on us and given the successes of the Irish across the globe, our Irish Mammies are helping to shape the world! Be proud of your Mum and be proud to be Irish!

What it Means to Be Irish - St Patrick's Day at the g Hotel, Galway

With St Patrick's Day upon us, many people overseas are reminded of their Irish heritage - almost 70 million people ....to put a more exact number on it!

Ireland is a tiny island of less than 5 million people yet through the centuries we have reverberated throughout the world in so many ways. We have provided the words of plays, books and poems thanks to Wilde, Kavanagh, Joyce, O’Casey, Behan, Yeats, Friel, the recently lost Maeve Binchy and Seamus Heaney, Edna O’Brien and the humorous Roddy Doyle to name but a few..

Those words have been brought to life by a host of actors including Richard Harris, Pierce Brosnan, Colin Farrell, Saoirse Ronan, Daniel Day Lewis, local Galway boy, Peter O’Toole and Cillian Murphy soon to reappear in a Galway Arts Festival production this July.

Our renowned wit has made the world a brighter place through the wonderful Graham Norton, the inimitable Father Ted, the giggle worthy Republic of Telly and many more…

Colour and creativity are part of Ireland’s legacy with celebrity milliner and designer of the g Hotel, Philip Treacy, leading the long list of Irish fashion designers recognised throughout the world.

U2 are the biggest rock band on the planet and paved the way for our modern musical exports such as Sinead O’Connor, Westlife, The Pogues, Glen Hanzard, Imelda May, The Script and an ever increasing list of successful Irish musicians. Yet we all remember our roots with greats such as Willie Clancy, Luke Kelly and The Chieftains. Even Justin Timberlake is getting in on the act reviving the ‘Auld Triangle’ for his recent movie with the Coen Brothers.

May our list of sporting achievements continue to grow even longer and join legends such as Eamonn Coghlan, Packie Bonner, Ken Doherty, Christy O’Connor Junior, Pádraig Harrington, Roy Keane, Sonia O’Sullivan, Brian O’Driscoll, Ruby Walsh and Katie Taylor.

But before all of the above amazingly talented Irish people, the island of Ireland was the land of Saints & Scholars – giving the world the Book of Kells, St Brigid, numerous inventors with the Beaufort Scale and Submarine to their credit and of course, the most famous Irish symbol in history – St Patrick.

This week, and in some cases this entire month, we celebrate our Irish heritage, that of the past that has helped to mould who we are today as well that of the now, which will help to create our future. To all of the Irish living in Ireland……..to the Irish living overseas……..to those who are newly making Ireland your home……..from all of the team at the g Hotel in Galway;

Lá Fhéile Pádraig Sona Daoibh - Happy St. Patrick’s Day!

What it means to be Irish from Team at the g Hotel

“To be Irish is to be connected to my family and my home” – Tommy (Restaurant)

 “Living in Ireland has allowed me to make many new friends, friendships formed with respect and trust” - Elizabeth (ESPA)

 “Being Irish means being a genius” – Noel (Reception)

“The weather is beautiful and life in Ireland is easy going“ - Samy (Kitchen)

 “Living in Ireland is all about new adventures, new experiences and new friends” – Natalie (Reception)

 “Friendly warm people which makes up for the rain and the wind!”- Rachel (Events)

 “Being Irish is about having a great sense of humour and the willingness to give a helping hand when needed” - Arcadia (Administration)

“I am glad to have made Ireland my home thanks to the great job opportunities and close religious bond with the Philippines” Marcelina (Accommodation)

“We Irish have a sense of loyalty and are always looking out for each other”- Rosin (Reception)

 “We are known worldwide for our traditions, our friendliness and we know how to have the craic!” - Louise (Accommodation)

“The personality of us Irish is laid back - we do not stress but always get the work done” - Finbarr (Accountant)

 “I am very happy in Ireland and the people are very nice”. - Hajinaika (Restaurant)

 “Being Irish is all about being happy, family and fun times “– Caitlin (Reception)

“Beautiful scenery and seaside - I might even retire here!” – Merli (Administration)

“When I think about what it means to be Irish I immediately think of our history, culture, arts, and our passion for sports. Our fighting spirit and how we never give up” – Adrian (Concierge)

CLICK HERE #IrelandInspires Video from Failte Ireland - Reminding us all just how proud to be Irish we should be!