The Gathering 2013

[Billys Boots]

You're barred.

[heffo]

Who's fed up with it? I love this country, and I love living here. I hate that we are in trouble at the moment, and I hate that it was our politician's ineptitude and our financial greed that got us here, but that does not mean the country is a mess.

There are parts of the world in a far bigger 'mess' than Ireland is, and sometimes we need to get a bit of perspective. Times are tough now, but it's a relative term. Times were a hell of a lot tougher years ago, and times are a hell of a lot tougher in many countries right now.

This gathering is harmless, and could be a very good thing. The Notre Dame weekend was brilliant. People just having a good time, and Irish people welcoming and being nice to our visitors, as we should be and as we have a name for being. So what if this is a bit tacky, it is only a big tourist promotion. No harm, and may do a lot of good.

But 'fed up'? I'm not fed up of this country. The country is about more than the money in the bank. It's about the people, the culture, the pace of life and everything else that makes up 'Ireland'. I'm not fed up of that by a long chalk. What I am fed up with is cynicism, defeatist, 'cool' rubbish that people love to spout. There's far, far worse places you might have to live in.

So smile, welcome our visitors, make an effort, and it might just make a difference, and if it doesn't so what? It'll still be a bit of craic, and it's nice to be nice.

Very good post.

Agreed

[JUst retired]

Billy Boots,please don`t bar me,it is the only place I am allowed into. I`m sorry i mentioned the decor.

[Billys Boots]

Take your Cavan Cola, go sit in the corner and not another peep out of you.  Jaysus, I'm getting soft in me old age. 

[JUst retired]

Cavan,who would come from there?

[Hardy]

It's a good place to come from. Not a good place to go to ...

[gerrykeegan]

http://youtu.be/N4U9ow7hiIU


This is what it is all about!