I mentioned on my favorite moments post a few days ago that I grew up very Irish. Long story short, my maternal grandmother’s father was straight from Ireland and upon his deathbed, the family found out that he had in fact had another family back in Ireland that no one knew about, including 2 half sisters to my grandmother and many more relatives. In short, this revelation created a life long bond to Ireland for my Grandma, including many trips back to visit family as well as taking her kids (my mom, aunts and uncles) to see where we were from.
I grew up hearing all the stories about Ireland and about our family there (many relatives and second cousins of mine still reside there and throughout the UK). “The Irish” as we’d call them, came to visit us in the States a handful of times and I always knew that there was a strong connection between myself and the Irish isle. The Irish connection has always run deep; my family grew up eating lamb at family dinners and I have numerous memories of showing up at my Grandma’s house on St. Patrick’s Day with her all decked out in Irish shamrocks. To say the least, the Irish in me has always weighed out over all my other heritage. And perhaps its because I got the pale Irish skin, the reddish tint to my hair and a love of rain, I’ve always fancied myself Irish, more than anything else.
So when Nick and I decided that our next trip should be to Ireland, my family (i.e. my Grandma) was beyond excited that we’d get to experience the “mother-land” so to speak. Because Ireland has such a strong relevance to my family and to me, I was hopeful but unsure of how I would feel about the country when there. I knew I’d like it, something in me just knew that, but I didn’t expect to fall so deeply in love with it as I did.
Ireland for me was like home. It felt right and it felt real and sort of suspended in time and space. Through all my travels, there is something inside of me that connects to a place. I have an immediate feeling when I arrive somewhere new and it’s a feeling that I truly can’t explain. It’s a feeling I get in Paris, the feeling I got in the middle of Iceland and wandering the streets of London. It’s a feeling that connects me to a place and without that feeling, that’s all it is, just a place. With it, it’s magic.
I got that feeling in Ireland and somewhere deep inside me, my time spent there this trip connected me deeply to my roots and my heritage. I felt Irish walking about Dublin and driving through the country sides of the Northern Coast.
But even more than that, more than how I felt about the country was how it reacted toward me and toward Nick. It was the welcome we got, the feeling of family, the energy of Dublin, the music pouring out of every crack of that city. It was the lights sparkling and the cold crisp air. It was the green fields upon green fields and the perfectly gray sky. It was the waitress that sat down at our table with us our first meal there, drawing all over our map of Dublin telling us where to go. It was the Irishman going about his day that stopped to take a photo of us on one of Dublin’s many bridges. It was the afternoon drinking Irish tea and having a snack of Irish soda bread. It was the sheep roaming the fields and the rocky cliffs jutting out over a rocky sea.
It was and is Ireland, there is no way else to put it.
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So I guess in the end, Ireland for me has always been more than just a place but it took my own trip there to connect myself to the land that I extend from. Ireland is now my heritage for more reasons than one and seeing it with my own eyes made me fall more in love with it than I thought I ever would. As I wrote in one of my Instagrams on the trip there, Ireland truly stole my traveler’s heart.
Leah says
That’s so amazing that you felt such a connection to Ireland.
Thanks for sharing these beautiful photos.
Casey Martin says
It was so wonderful to feel such a connection with my heritage 🙂
Ella Morgan says
Great post 🙂
Ella | http://www.towanderandtoroam.blogspot.com
Rachel Murphree says
Beautiful photographs! I’ve only spent a few days in Dublin, but I really loved it. Seeing the Book of Kels was overwhelming. I knew it would be cool to see, but it really blew my mind.
-Rachel @ With Love, Rachel
Casey Martin says
The Book of Kells was incredible! And the Old Library at Trinity college… just remarkable! I’ll have more info on that in the coming days 🙂
Tracy says
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Tracy says
I love Ireland! My husband is Irish so we visited for three days on our honeymoon. It was never on my list of places to visit but I am so glad we went. I instantly had that ‘love at first sight’ feeling and I can’t wait to go back. I’m so glad you enjoyed your trip!
Casey Martin says
Ahh so glad to hear that! It really is one of those place that is so easy to love!
Jane {In the Pink and Green} says
So glad you guys enjoyed it! I’d really love to go back and see more of the countryside, all your Instagrams looked amazing! 🙂
Casey Martin says
The countryside was gorgeous!!!
Jenn @ A Country Girl's World says
No words for this. My family is also from Ireland (I still remember my Nan’s accent) and it’s the number one place on my travel list along with the UK.
Casey Martin says
When you end up going, I know you’ll love it! 🙂
Chelsea @ Lost in Travels says
that’s awesome that you finally got to visit. i wish that i had one dominate nationality but alas, i am the epitome of the american ‘mutt’, a mixture of seven different european countries, all as pale as can be..thus my blonde hair blue eyes and tragically pale skin ; ) oh ps, love the coat ; )
Casey Martin says
Hahah… that coat is so warm! And funny thing, I saw about 12 girls on this trip with the same one. Must be popular!
Melissa Williscroft says
This all sounds so lovely! The pictures are gorgeous, as usual 🙂
Casey Martin says
Thanks Mel 🙂
Amanda @ Living in Another Language says
I love this!!! Although my husband and I have ZERO irish in our bloods, I’ve always been intrigued by Ireland! IT’s soooo gorgeous! Every Irish person I’ve ever met has been fun and loving! Ireland has been on my bucket list for quite some time. Can’t wait to go!!!
I am 3/4ths German (yeah that’s a lot) and my husband is 1/2 Italian! We plan on visiting both countries someday as tribute to our heritage! 🙂
Casey Martin says
It’s such a beautiful and lovely country!!! And yes, I think it’s important at some point or another to visit our heritage, see where we came from originally!
Casey says
So awesome! Makes me excited for our Ireland trip in March! 🙂
I’m half Scotch-Irish (crazy, I know), a quarter or something German. Thankfully I’ve gotten my fill of Germany, but I’m looking forward to someday visiting Scotland and celebrating my heritage!
Casey Martin says
I can’t wait for you guys to go to Ireland! If you have time, you should totally rent a car and drive out in the countryside, it’s so beautiful! But Dublin is wonderful too! And Scotland… totally took my breathe away! So beautiful!
ifs ands Butts says
I can’t even imagine how at home you felt with that crazy cool heritage, because I felt so at home with no Irish heritage. It’s just something in the air and it’s not even the Guinness or Jameson 😉 Nothing not to love about Ireland.
Casey Martin says
Totally, it must be something in the air!!! 🙂
Katie Cook says
Ahhh! My husband and I were in Ireland last year and LOVED it!!! Seriously, so mysterious and lovely!! Loved your pictures!! Love KAtie
Casey Martin says
Isn’t it magical!?!?! We loved every part of Ireland!
Bailey Elizabeth says
Wonderful Post!! I just came across your blog and love it! I am quite the travel addict as well! I have a post coming out tomorrow with some of my travel tips. I would love it if you would read it 🙂
Casey Martin says
Oh thank you and welcome! 🙂
Mind Of Mine says
Hailing from Ireland, its always thrilling to read an outsiders perspective of the the city. Admittedly, I don’t see the wonderful Dublin that you saw and for me, the music has long stopped. But that is just my personal view.
Casey Martin says
Very interesting to hear your thoughts as a local and of course you always see places differently when you live there. I’m sorry you don’t see the wonderful things that we did as I fell in love with your city!
Christina M says
Being of Scotch-Irish & English heritage, I look forward to the day I get to visit all three countries … photos can’t do it justice I’m sure 🙂 I hope I encounter as friendly & helpful of people as you did … the people in any destination definitely can take a great trip and make it an unforgettable one 🙂
Casey Martin says
You’re so right, photos really don’t do these places justice. Scotland in particular in the countryside, wow, just wow. My photos paled in comparison to its beauty!
Erica says
How cool to be able to go back to explore your roots! I haven’t been able to make it to Ireland yet, but it’s high on my list. Your instagrams definitely made my itch to go even worse!
Casey Martin says
It’s such a great place!!! 🙂
Sherbert and Stilettos says
I’ve visited Ireland twice now and I know what you mean by it being hard to describe the feeling you get there- its just Ireland! I certainly hope you made a trip to Queen of Tarts while in Dublin, its delicious! And while discovering more of your roots I also hope you took some Irish dance lessons!!
xo
http://sherbertandstilettos.blogspot.com
Casey Martin says
Ireland was so lovely and I know I’ll be back many times again! 🙂
Alyson says
Reading this gave me chills and makes me want to go back so bad!
Casey Martin says
Ireland is such a special place!!!