Inspiring Women Magazine November 2023

What cultural traditions have you
shared with friends in your new
country? Or, what cultural
traditions from your current
county would you take with you
and continue if you leave?
St. Brigid's Day, celebrated on
February 1, is a significant cultural
and religious holiday in Ireland,
although it is not a public holiday like
St. Patrick's Day. It commemorates
Saint Brigid of Kildare (Naomh Bríd in
Irish), one of Ireland's patron saints.
St. Brigid's Day was traditionally a
time to celebrate the arrival of spring,
the lengthening of the day and a
blending of traditions both Christian
and Pagan. People would make
"Brigid's crosses" from reeds or
rushes, symbolizing the sun and the
arrival of spring. These crosses were
often hung in homes to bring
blessings and protection. Today St.
Brigid's Day is often celebrated with
this same focus on Irish culture and
creativity. Communities and schools
share St. Brigid's story and their
shared heritage. When we leave I
would like to bring this sense of
community and shared history with
me. St. Brigid’s cross and the history
that is in every aspect of Irish life is a
quality I will bring with me wherever
I go.
The cultural tradition
that really took me by
surprise is that Ireland
celebrates Halloween
as a bank holiday. It
is in many cases
coincidental but a very
convenient way to let
the people celebrate
the Pagan Samhain
and the Christian All
Saints Day. We have
always enjoyed
carving pumpkins and
passing treats on to
the little ghouls and
ghosts that visit on
Halloween Eve.
Kayaking 2020 in Kauai, Hawaii. Every trip possible we do this, as we own
two 15ft sea kayaks. (above)
Halloween (below)
Our Irish family celebrating with Santa. (above)
Will paint on any surface! (below)
What advice would
you give to
someone planning
to embark on their
own move to a
new country?
Take time to explore
your options and
remember
everything takes
longer than expected.
Be patient and you
will find more
enjoyment in your
new life if you stop
and smell the roses!
Tell us something
interesting about
yourself that not
many people know.
If you haven’t
guessed I’m very
much a people person and enjoy my
time with others but conversely I enjoy
time to myself. I’m an avid reader and
find this to be one of my guiltiest
pleasures. You can often find me
with my nose in a book reading up
on murder and mayhem!
Where is the most beautiful place in
the world you have been? What made
it so special?
I really do not have any one favorite
place in the world as each has its own
fantastic memories or moments. I love
to do the planning, research and
implementation of my/our adventures.
Each phase gives me a great sense of
satisfaction and a feeling of a job well
done. Our move to Ireland and
adventures prior and since have given
us a greater appreciation not for the
things in life but rather the people you
meet on your journey. They are what
enrich our lives and make them more
complete. If I had to pick a place, again
it would be more about the people
and that would be Iceland. Our small
family came together there to celebrate
a major life event. We each ran/walked
a portion of the Reykjavik Marathon,
exploring yet more of another culture
and country.
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