Final Ireland Reflections – Famous Irish Authors

April 20, 2013

Final Ireland Reflections – Famous Irish Authors

Our two big overseas trips that we have taken since I retired in early 2011 so far have been our five week trip to New Zealand/Fiji and this about 19 day trip to Ireland. Both are English speaking, and both drive on the left side of the road, both have beautiful scenery (ok, as nice as Ireland is/was, New Zealand does get the nod on this – it was gobsmackingly beautiful), both have wonderful, friendly and fun people, Ireland has much more ancient history of course (score one for Ireland there), Ireland has a great pub/music scene (Ireland scores again), but New Zealand gets the nod for overall weather. Regardless of any Halffield ranking, they both are at the top of the list for return visits. Hopefully the next time we will be able to go for even a longer time (months perhaps at a time) to really soak in the culture of both countries.

Ireland is famous for its long history of literature, and while we were on the trip we came across a calendar for sale that had famous quotes by Irish poets and authors. Well, we have way more calendars than we need, but I did jot down many of the quotes. I leave you with reflections on life through the lense of well-known Irish authors and poets.

“It’s not that the Irish are cynical. It’s rather that they have a wonderful lack of respect for everything and everybody.” Brendan Behan, 1923-1964.

“Life is a journey that must be traveled, no matter how bad the roads and accommodations.” Oliver Goldsmith, 1730-1774.

“Education is an admirable thing, but it is well to remember from time to time that nothing that is worth knowing can be taught.” Oscar Wilde, 1854 – 1900.

“Use your health, even to the point of wearing it out. That is what it is for. Spend all you have before you die; do not outlive yourself.” George Bernard Shaw, 1856-1950.

“Better to pass boldly into that other world in the full glory of some passion, than fade and wither dismally with age” James Joyce, 1882 – 1941.

“Ever tried. Ever failed. No matter. Try again. Fail again. Fail better.” Samuel Beckett, 1906-1989.

“A sweeping statement is the only statement worth listening to.” Patrick Kavanagh, 1904-1964.

“Money does not make you happy but it quiets the nerves.” Sean O’Casey, 1880-1964.

“Blessed is he who expects nothing, for he shall never be disappointed” Jonathan Swift, 1667-1745.

“But I, being poor, have only my dreams. I have spread my dreams under your feet; tread softly, because you tread on my dreams.” William Butler Yeats, 1865-1939.

A few of the favorites pics from the trip revisited.