A Family Connection to “The Emerald Isle”
In the spirit of Irish American Heritage Month, Fund Development Manager Sean Gallagher shares what it means for him to be Irish and his connections to Ireland, also known as “The Emerald Isle.”
The grass isn’t always greener on the other side, unless it’s “The Emerald Isle.”
My parents, me, and a family friend on my first St. Patrick’s Day
“It’s just a wee bit up the road …” – That is typically 5 miles or so on foot in Ireland! There are many things I appreciate about my paternal heritage, but the sense of humor far outweighs their sense of direction.
Growing up the second youngest cousin in a big family and celebrating “The Emerald Isle” was as natural (or moreso) than Christmas to the Gallagher family of St. Louis. Every summer, the entire clan would gather in a county park to catch up, hold a competitive horseshoe tournament, and enjoy each other’s company until the sun went down and the fire flies were out. This year will be the 54th annual Gallagher Irish Picnic.
Our family’s famous horseshoe tournament.
I’m fortunate my aunts kept great track of our heritage, and the American Gallaghers have been able to stay in touch with my immigrant grandparents’ family back in Ireland over the years. In college, I received a scholarship to study abroad in Galway, Ireland, the biggest city in the West of the country, and relished the opportunity to visit the cities my grandparents were raised in. Seeing the home my grandfather was born in was powerful for he passed when I was young, and I felt the tough elements in his region of Donegal, Ireland that my family characterized of him.
Kylemore Abbey, an old castle which was a convent last I visited. An extremely beautiful and peaceful creation, nestled among the splendid rolling hills of Connemara, one of the most serene places I’ve experienced.
Living in Ireland was amazing, but it also gave me gratitude for the courage it took my grandparents to immigrate (separately) to the U.S., and later meet at a dance hall in St. Louis.
I’d like to think I have some of their adventurous nature. I also seek to make the most of my opportunities as an American citizen because of their large sacrifice to make it here. This year, I realized a long-held dream of becoming an Irish citizen, in large part as an homage to my grandparents.
A statue of St. Patrick at the base of Croagh Patrick, before I started my ascent up the well known mountain.
The last time I visited, I climbed a mountain near my grandmother’s home that was famous for spiritual pilgrimages, called Croagh Patrick. It was a dangerous, rain-soaked climb, but I was glad I summited and accomplished a “rite of passage” in my family tradition.
Ireland is the start of my father’s lineage, but for me it is so much more. The tiny island known for great writers, hard-workers, and resilience to oppression from neighboring England, symbolizes the possibilities of what dreams can be realized.
Picture along the Dingle Peninsula, West Coast of Ireland
Thanks for reading, and wishing you find whatever the “pot of gold” is at the end of your rainbow! Slainte (good health in Gaelic) to you and yours this St. Paddy’s Day!
