For the Love of an Irishman

There were brothers and sisters I envied him for, tales of the centuries of striving for freedom I could not comprehend. Then there was the coming to America and a piece of land of his own. fileId:3096224743834332;size:full;

My earliest memories of my Grandfather Ryan are of these things – and a patchwork quilt of songs and stories about Ireland.

Fifty years gone from it, the land remained a magical place in his mind and in the telling; in reserved tone he otherwise only used in talking of things heavenly.

In the Ireland he spoke of, peat bogs, wooded glens and glorious rocky places overlooking the sea were empty only at first glance.

Not so clearly seen in the mists were fairies and wee people that would bedevil you or delight you if they got the chance.

Sheep on green lush hillsides, spinning beside a turf fire, neighbors to share joys and sorrows; it sounded better than home to me.

When the story simply could not get any better - there would be pipes and tin-whistles; tall men with dark hair and beautiful girls.

Then dancing - there was always the dancing.

Today, as if inborn; these memories seems to live on in an akmost cellular, genetic level. Or the smells and the mists, the blue sky over wide ocean, the lilt of the tunes, Ireland became a reality in my mind during those days of listening and enchantment.

Forty years in his grave, my grandfather speaks to me; and perhaps through me to another generation.

And every March as Saint Pat's day reminds us all of the joy and laughter that is Ireland; I celebrate the love of a grandfather and of a heritage treasured.

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An artistamp sheet tribute to Ireland which you can print out of your desktop printer is waiting a free download in the Artsy Asylum blog http://tinyurl.com/mc4td

Comments: 9

0000-gonzo20-0000 Mar 3, 2006, 8:02pm EST

Excellent as always. One question though. Is Ryan his first or last name? I have Ryan great grandparents from Ireland. Have not done much research on them yet but am curious.

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Stephen Schneider Mar 3, 2006, 9:41pm EST

I think I smell the Guinness

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Susan Reynolds Mar 3, 2006, 11:10pm EST

Aw - you guys are sweet. Becky, my grandfather was Tim Ryan from County Tipperary. His father was John Ryan which I swear i's the most common name in the county. Wait til you start to research the Ryans! Eeek.

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Carol Voigts Mar 3, 2006, 11:15pm EST

I'm thinking of going and getting me pennywhistle and playin' it for ye! How about Sweets o' May?

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Susan Reynolds Mar 4, 2006, 12:25pm EST

carol i'm seriously thinking of learning to play the bodhran and it fits right in with my granddad's stories in that part of the instructions read thus:
"One important point - always have two or three sticks, as the fairies have a tendency to run off with your stick just when you need it most."

(A most interesting note since I'd be looking to find some fairies to help me with my playing.)

How about an artistamp block made up of four stamp images including Bodrhain, Pennywhistle, Fiddle and Concertina? Tis an apropriate month for something of the sort.

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Karen W. Mar 4, 2006, 6:33pm EST

I like the peat bogs, etc. I read a lot of Seamus Heaney and he weaves a lot of this into his poems as well. As for the fairies, etc. People who live in northren lands really seem to have a lot of folktales and modern tales about wee people, ghosts, demons, trolls and the like. It's the weather I tell you!

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