Of turnips and tears...
It is important to acknowledge and remember our ancestors.
I have a soft spot for Ireland, both my great great grandmother and great great grandfather emigrated from Limerick to arrive at Port Adelaide in 1840, their first child Mary having been born on the journey out. It is said that the young couple had some gold sovereigns stitched into the hem of Margaret's petticoat to start them off, and they also bought with them two bags of turnips so they would not starve in their new country.
In two years, 15,000 immigrants arrived in Australia, with or without turnips I'm not sure!
Many many years ago, when I sailed away on the ferry from Ireland on a trip overseas, I cried to see the shoreline recede in the distance thinking of so many who witnessed that haunting and emotive sight in the 1800's.
Only recently my husband came home from work to see me in tears.
"What's wrong?" he asked.
I pointed to the television."Look at the scenery. Ireland!" (aerial views and emotive music not helping) "It makes me cry!-( sob! sob!)
Beautiful too, are these Celtic harps .
O.K.,it may be my imagination but does this, in the Adelaide Botanic Gardens remind you of an Irish harp? With the Irish ancestors on my mind at the time, it almost seemed uncanny to come across this. You know what they say, an Irishman's imagination never leaves him alone.
Made me do a double-take!!
7 comments:
At first I thought it looked like an alligator :)
My Nana was from Ireland and I have so many happy memories of childhood summers there. It is such a beautiful country with warm friendly people. I also feel the connection.
I can definitely see the resemblance. I love this story of your heritage and the strong connection you still feel.
The small island of Ireland seems to have produced more than it's share of magic and beauty. There are Irish roots in my family tree and someday I hope to visit there. I can certainly see the resemblance to a Celtic harp in the angles of the trees in your photo.
I am overcome with joy when I arrive in Ireland but I ALWAYS cry as the boat leaves, it's a blood thing, inescapable.
PS I can see the harp for sure.
Not sure about a harp...go for a holiday and catch up with the kid. I've just been tearing up over pictures of Galapagos and my girl so close to iguanas and sealions that it makes my heart jump. Funny how we feel connections sometimes to places so far in our past. Although I never have a hankering for the old dart.
Heavens, YES, it does!
I have been to Ireland four times. The first time I set foot on The Burren, on the West Coast of Ireland, I had an electric flash course through my body that convinced me reincarnation exists. I'd been there before.
Clearly, from the reactions of your other commenters, that small island has had undue influence!
YES it is an Irish harp, bringing love from the ancestors. What an incredible story. Can you imagine having a baby on board a big ship. Holy cow.
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