THE GOOD LIFE: A tale of two Irelands – which one to tell?
The country of Ireland is beautiful, so green, blissful coastlines transportive in their tranquillity, friendly people, always laughing and having the craic. I have a video of myself horse-riding in the Killeshandra countryside. I remember the day as if it were yesterday. Mid July, around 20 degrees, my mount was eager to move as his tail swished and swatted flies away, the clip clop rhythm was coming faster than normal. I stopped in a gap to help swat away some flies. A gust of wind took the lush grass by surprise as it swayed in unity. I took a video of the scene. I look at it from time to time, the saddle, the tame beast beneath me and the nature transports me to a peaceful place. We all have our calming rituals; this is one of mine.
Recently, I have been calling upon this video for a different reason. Having visited Türkiye to meet my boyfriend’s family, I wanted to show Ireland in all its glory at its purest form. Yes, my home country is beautiful, I can show you. I go to my camera roll and scroll through endless sunsets, lakes, rivers, animals, photos with family and friends to find the one. My goal has been achieved, they are impressed. It resembles the northern region of Türkiye apparently. As we launch into conversation about horse riding, kayaking, swimming, farming, etc. I am conscious about the story of Ireland that I chose to portray; its simplistic beauty that I choose to witness. I did not dare go near social media in their presence, especially in light of Dublin’s most recent spectacle. While Ireland is all of those things I mentioned, safety has been up for debate in the past few weeks.
We had spent November 23 out exploring, I hadn’t been using my data for fear of running up a massive bill and, to be honest, I am not annoyed about this. I enjoyed being able to completely disconnect. To talk without a phone in my hand or even near me. On this evening, we returned from the stunning Goreme where we drank Turkish coffee, while overlooking the fairy chimneys and caves of Cappadocia. I connected to the Wi-Fi and opened up X. Dublin city was ablaze, public services had stopped, a Luas tram was burning, a TFI bus had a similar fate and businesses were being looted. Gardaí were out with their shields, but what were they shielding off?
Social media was in chaos, with disinformation, condemnation and condoning, images and videos of blazing fires lighting up the streets. Three young children and a woman in her thirties were stabbed outside a school. My heart sunk, my faith in humanity with it. How and why? I remembered two conversations I had over the summer. In one, the subject was the rise of anti-immigration in Ireland, which was heading towards the kind of actions witnessed in Dublin. We spoke about the dangers of the suppression of genuine fears and concerns of people. How this fear can quickly lead to anger. Can this be a way of explaining what happened on Parnell Square?
Were these actions rooted in fear and frustration? Or were they carried out by opportunists hoping to cause public disorder and get a head start on Christmas shopping? Either way, I was appalled and disappointed. Usually a key talking point, questions about Ireland disgusted me. Should I show them what’s happening there now? I thought of another conversation with a person who was not originally from Ireland but has called it his home for a lot longer than I have. The topic was again of anti-immigration. He told me that Ireland was a good country, with good people. He reminded me of how dangerous it was to have my faith in humanity clouded by the minority who like to cause a spectacle. I should look to the majority. His advice now stays with me. I will still portray Ireland in a positive light, for the beautiful place I know it to be.
The attacks shouldn’t have happened, and I can only think of the trauma those three children and their carer will be left with in their aftermath. This is a reason for anger and for fear. The fact that stabbings are taking place on our streets, that people are afraid to even go for a walk. It is a severe cause for concern. Somehow, I don’t think those out on the night of November 23 had this in mind. For I can’t see how burning public transport and stealing from shops can help quell violence in our streets. Quite clearly, it does the opposite. What I saw on that night was not anger over the senseless stabbing of innocent people but the wasting of State resources, time and staff and I hope we don’t see either event taking place again.
* Gemma Good is from Killeshandra and a fourth year journalism student in University of Limerick
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