“There are only two kinds of people in the world: The Irish, and those who wish they were.” – unknown quote

Erin go Bragh and top of the morning on this belated St. Patrick’s Day post! Did you know that “Erin go Bragh” means “Ireland Forever”? Well, you learn something new every day. (you’re welcome!)

This day, for obvious reasons, has more meaning to me now having learned my heritage in 2004. St. Patrick is the Patron Saint of Ireland, as well as immigrants, and he is credited with having “driven the snakes from Ireland” back in the 16th century. Of course, this is a thinly veiled reference to him actually converting the Pagans (i.e. the “snakes”) to Christianity. I am not Catholic nor religious, so I do not celebrate the religious aspects of this holiday.

The other main focus of St. Patrick’s Day is celebrating one’s Irish or Irish-American heritage. I always cook a big, traditional Irish meal to celebrate.

There are a lot of fascinating aspects to my biological, maternal story. After I “found” them (a story for another day), imagine my surprise when I was told that we (the biological fam) were owners of a castle and land in County Clare, Ireland! I was Irish royalty! Well, sort of. Allow me to explain.

Some time in the late 1960s, my biological great Uncle Jack and his wife, Anola, were vacationing in County Clare, Ireland. As the story goes…they were in a local bookstore in Corofin. Jack picked up a book randomly and saw that nearby was a castle and monastery, Dysert O’Dea. Dysert is the Gaelic word for castle. He inquired to the shopkeep, who gave them direction on how to get there. Jack and Anola drove over and to their great Irish good fortune, it was for sale. The property was quite run down but there was a priest on site, giving a tour. Long story short…my great uncle and aunt purchased the property. They spent the next 10-15 years flying back and forth from Wisconsin to Ireland, often with their sons and nephews in tow, and restored the property. The 15th century castle (really one tower and a couple of lower floors) at the time of purchase was covered in ivy. They removed all of the ivy in time, and eventually turned the property over to the county so it could be used as a museum.Irish Royalty! Dysert from a distance, July 2014. Note the Clan flag atop the turret. Up the Banner!

Today, the Clare Archaeology Centre is housed inside the remains of Dysert O’Dea. The property features the ancient remains of a monastery and graveyard, as well as 25 other historically important field monuments. One of the most impressive is a surviving Irish High Cross. It is made of stone and dates back to the 12th century. Only a handful remain in Ireland today, and this one is still mostly intact so is considered a rare treasure.

High Cross on the property of Dysert.

Even more extraordinary then finding out we owned this property was the fact that every three years, clan members from all over the world gathered at Dysert for a Clan Gathering. In 2014 my husband and I finally were able to attend. It was life changing for me. Standing atop my family castle, looking out over the hills where generations of my blood kin had walked before me, was quite overwhelming and inspiring. Not for a second did I take it for granted. I carried with me on that trip all of my many adoptee brethren who had not yet met their biological families, and those who may never meet them. Not all will have as dramatic or fascinating story as mine, but all adoptees deserve to know their truth and where they came from. I invite you to visit the Dysert website at: http://www.dysertcastle.com/home.htm

“Walking, I am listening to a deeper way. Suddenly all my ancestors are behind me. Be still, they say. Watch and listen. You are the result of the love of thousands.” – Linda Hogan