With the preparations commencing for our national feast day, gearing up to celebrate this day seems in a time when feelings of anger, cynicism, and deep resentment are resonating though society, is far from a plausible notion, with even the most patriotic among us questioning the notion of being proud to be Irish. As we haplessly watch the country crumble around us, the fact that the world will be focusing their attention on our little land on St Patrick’s Day to laud praise upon us seems all the more iniquitous.
But perhaps there has never been a better time than this Paddy’s Day for us as a nation to unite and celebrate what is fundamentally good about being Irish, instead of continuing to harbour vexation — which is understandably palpable — towards those who have brought the country to its knees. These perpetrators should, and hopefully will, pay for their actions, because our indignation resonates from a concern about our jobs, incomes, and sense of security, which has been pillaged, alongside a mini-budget looming around the corner. However being constantly critical and negative about the future will not help our economic transition. We need to be positive, something which the Taoiseach even adhered to at last week’s Árd Feis, where he used the emotive words voiced by JFK: “It is that quality of the Irish, the remarkable quality of hope, confidence, and imagination, that is needed more than ever today.”
This along with Mr Cowen's further rhetoric that “we are a brand”, is true. For what makes us recognisable worldwide is not the state of our economy, but for our endearing characteristics and rich cultural heritage which is celebrated the world over. The warmth of our hospitality, our breath taking scenery, the unrivalled atmosphere, the ceol agus craic, our close parochial and family ties, our beautiful language, and our intellectual and yarn telling abilities, all make us an enviable brand and it is for these reasons why Ireland is a tourism haven — something which needs to be constantly capitalised upon in order for us to economically reflourish.
The Irish are also known as entrepreneurs, with Ireland rating high in a recent entrepreneurial league among our European counterparts. With 350,000 people in Ireland on the Live Register, perhaps now more than ever those with any entrepreneurial skills who can find a niche brand or untapped market will blossom, as it is often said that business gurus come into their own in a recession. This was reiterated by Frank Fullard, director of the Mayo County Enterprise Board, at the planning and economic development SPC this week, who said that small businesses in Mayo are withstanding the economic adversity and Mr Fullard positively indicated that this trend will continue. For existing local businesses, utilise the local parade this St Patrick's Day to your advantage by highlighting your services, with Gnó Mhaigh Eo and local Chambers of Commerce encouraging this self promotion.
We need to turn this general consciousness of cynicism around, every one of us has challenges to face in this economic adversity, but we need to “rise above the anger to improve Ireland’s reputation” — which were sentiments echoed by President Mary McAleese this week which concurred with Mr Cowen's wish to “build ourselves up” from this incredulous state, so “Ireland will rise again” — where once again we will all be proud to be Irish.
Geraldine Carr [email protected]
