The Irish Welcome— Fáilte

WE HAVE ARRIVED IN IRELAND!! 

Oh, the welcome we’ve had!  I’m not sure we could have had a better embrace!

Fáilte— a Gaelic word meaning "welcome".  

For years, we have had an Irish door knocker on our front door with the Gaelic words “Cead Mile Fáilte”*  engraved in the brass foundation. We learned that it translates to mean “A Hundred Thousand Welcomes.”  

This week, we experienced the whole meaning of Cead Mile Fáilte when we arrived here in Blackrock— a quaint seaside community south of Dublin.  We found our apartment stocked with groceries and many kitchen necessities unpacked and put away.  In addition to the details of setting up our home, the welcome committee has been overwhelmingly kind and generous to us.  

As wonderful as it is to be here and begin our settling-in process, I must admit—the homesickness is real.  It feels a bit like a bandage has been ripped off.  I’m not ashamed to admit that I might have caused a scene as the plane lifted off in St Louis.  I couldn’t stop the waterworks.  Realizing I was leaving my children, my littles, my family, and almost 30 years' worth of dear friends was more than this heart could bear.  So I let the tears flow, which may or may not have alarmed my seatmates. #sorrynotsorry

The flights were easy and non-eventful, and sleep came easy after my cleansing cry.  With a window seat,  I loved looking down at the green island I was about to call “home.”  My stomach was doing somersaults from landing to baggage claim!

A friend met me at the airport and took me to our new apartment in Blackrock. Ciara (pronounced “Kirah) drove me through the village center to orient me to the shops and libraries in town. There’s a market just a mile away (much like a farmers market).  I think we will be hitting that today. 

I had to pinch myself as we pulled down the street to our apartment.  It feels surreal to think this will be our home for the next few months.  The Neptune House, formally called The Temple Hill House, was built in the 1700s and has a rich history—which Shannon will write about in the next post.  To say it is GRAND is a huge understatement!  The craftsmanship of this place is unmatched.  

The minute I walked through the front door, I envisioned a scene from My Fair Lady — where Audrey Hepburn is trying to say her vowels. I laughed and was positively speechless as I entered the front room.  I felt like Eliza Doolittle!   I will need to learn to speak like a proper lady if I’m going to live here.  It’s so regal I’m even considering calling Shannon “Mr. Darcy.”

Love my new key ring 

Last night, we walked to the village center to eat at a small  Italian restaurant— owned by a darling young couple from China, incidentally.  It was some of the best Italian food we’ve eaten.  Outside the restaurant was a majestic Church of Ireland, which lit up the square—adding to the ambiance of the evening.

Waking up this morning felt similar to waking up on Christmas morning.  I just wanted to get out of bed and go exploring.  By 6:30 a.m., we were heading down a beautiful ivy-covered walkway to the seaside park just 5 minutes from our home.

We were surprised and delighted to find so many people, our age and older, swimming there in the Irish Sea.  We stood there a little gobsmacked.  There, we were bundled in warm jackets and hats while people around us were changing into bathing suits right there on the steps and walking right out into the frigid waters.  This is a different breed of people, yet we have vowed to join them one day… after I purchase a wetsuit!!

Jet lag is hitting hard, so I’ll close for now.  We are grateful for our hundred thousand warm Irish welcome and feel humbled to call this home for now. 

Stay tuned — future posts may feature Mr Darcy swimming in the Irish Sea 
Cheers~ J 

Following are our favorite scenic views from Ireland so far…

* Cead Mile Fáilte! (Pronounced ‘Cade Me-luh Fall-cha’)