The Irish in My Heart

On March 17 it seems anyone and everyone can choose to be Irish if they wish! It is a day to celebrate the Irish and Ireland but also a fun day of lively music, beautiful songs, good food and coming together. And the Irish know how to do it better than most. They revelled in

the opportunity to rejoice and it seems on St. Patrick’s Day to matter very little just how Irish you may be. Everyone is welcome.

According to the Ancestry DNA test, I have 20 percent Irish heritage. At least on the latest update. There is also genealogical evidence to suggest a fourth great grandfather on my paternal grandmother’s side, Robert Dickson, was born along the Altrium coast and became a sea captain who found his way to the shores of Newfoundland.

On my mother’s side there is also lots of Irish heritage as her mother’s maiden name was Malloy, which has the dual meaning of noble chief and big and soft. My mom had

chestnut hair with some auburn highlights, probably from her red headed mother and striking eyes of the most rare shade of light sea green.

She clearly had an Irish look. She also had an “Irish” charm that was lovely, authentic and fun; a sparkle and a love of life that was demonstrated in her openly affectionate manner; her loving, freely given compliments, her generosity and care in gift giving and she was a heck of a dancer. She also knew how to listen and was a safe haven, and shoulder to cry on. And could be fiercely protective and a bit feisty. It seemed the best of the Irish poured out of her in many ways.

It is strange how one’s ethnicity can sometimes show through. Is it through nature or nurture, a longing and a belonging or a combination of all four? I believe that it varies for each of us and takes shape in its own way. Other parts of my DNA reveal ancestors connected to England, Wales and Scotland. The English is the biggest percentile but when you add the Scottish, Irish and Welsh together- it is a dead heat. And then there is a splattering of Norse and Spanish.

Despite being from a province called New Scotland, a town called New Glasgow and a background in highland Dancing, and a good dose of Scottish ancestors in my family tree, when I visited Scotland on several occasions- I repeatedly got the same response- “You look Irish!” My dark almost black hair with pale skin and hazel brown eyes were the reason

Clearly an influence of what is known as the “black Irish”.

The term “black Irish” refers to persons of Irish descent who are supposed to be descendants of the Spanish Armada, which sailed around the middle of the 15th century, and had dark hair and or dark eyes.

Because the vast majority of Irish people have light brown hair (about 65 percent), and only 15 percent have black hair while the vast majority of Irish people have fair skin and either blue or green eyes, this was a way to distinguish sub groups. Seems to add up with the bit of Spanish showing up in my DNA but who’s to say?

When my husband, son and I visited Ireland four years ago, I did feel a compelling connection with the raging sea and the emerald green rolling hills. We booked our trip to include Dublin, Belfast,the Wild Atlantic Way, Galway and Killarney. How eerie that after we arrived, I discovered the ancestor mentioned above was born very near one of the areas we were visiting. It was as if we had been directed there. And there was something about the people that felt so familiar. Perhaps it was because of my mother’s ways. The Irish we met were so proud of their homeland, content with themselves and as my grandmother would say, their “lot” in life, identified themselves by who they are, not by what job they had and took time to rejoice. They like to chat and they say they are “grand” or will be grand no matter what stress, hardship or burden they may have to bear. I call that the power of hope and resilience. They were witty, friendly and welcoming, making you feel like you were just given a big hug.

The wonders of the Cliffs of Moher and the Giant’s Causeway took our breath away, we were enthralled with the raging Wild Atlantic Way, marvelled at the emerald hills & pristine lakes of Killarney, were dazzled by the streets of Galway & Dublin and in awe of the architectural beauty and Titanic story of Belfast and bewitched by the ancient natural beauty and power of the

Ring of Kerry with views fit for a queen.

And we know there was so much more beauty to be experienced.

Anyone who knows me, knows I am a tea totaler which definitely is not the Irish stereotype, but they too are known to love a visit over a cuppa tea or a quick conversation on the corner or in the driveway as much as a sit down in a pub. The Irish don’t like to be rushed and despite their revelry there is a certain reservedness. There is a great passion in them that is hard not to admire as it sends a signal to seize the day. I love their essence, their warmth, their spirit, their banter, spunkiness and capacity to put their energy & passion out there for all to see.

There are a few more Irish traits I inherited such as fairies truly intrigue me; in fact I have long had a collection; flat Seven Up cures a lot of stomach ills, tea solves your problems, you can’t leave the house without your jacket; I pray to Saint Anthony when I you lose things (even though I am a Protestant) and the Irish Jig was one of my top two dances, albeit it is the Scottish version and love of the written word. And finally there is no such thing as one goodbye when you are saying bye to family or friends - there are usually ten.

How can one not be lured by the haunting sounds of Ireland’s national symbol - the harp, be drawn to the promise of a three leaf clover aka the shamrock, imagine the thought of a pot of gold at the end of a rainbow, the beauty of an Irish harmony and the intricacy of Irish dance, be transformed even for a moment by the fanciful folklore stories of myths, leprechauns and faeries and moved by the indomitable spirit of its people?

At the end of the day, I am most proudly Canadian and so grateful for all the diversity and geographical beauty that our nation embodies while embracing all of my heritages yet very interested in and respectful of others. Ireland has garnered a certain place in my heart and on St. Patrick’s Day the world shares my love.

Source for info on the "black Irish"- Irish Jewellery Co.