Late Nights and Berries

Clancy's Kitchen was a interesting and authentic experience. It was very wonderful to hear traditional Irish music sung live. There were so many people in the crowd, and they not only knew the songs but sang them with an indescribable amount of energy and emotion. The crowd was full of Irish, Scottish, Welsh, and American people. The point of Clancy's Kitchen was to involve the audience in the childhood memories that surrounded not only the Clancy's, but many other families like them. Families that told stories to their kids, recited poetry, sang, and talked all night knowing many of these conversations would end up at the table in the kitchen. I can honestly say that I relate to the Clancy's family dynamic. My family is very close and many times we ourselves have ended up in the kitchen or by a bonfire singing songs, telling stories, just talking and having the best time. These moments with my family are some of my favorite memories.

Another memory that I happen to hold dear to my heart is blackberry picking. For many years my brothers and I would go to my grandmas to pick berries and although it seems like a not so unique experience, it means everything to me. Seamus Heaney wrote "Blackberry Picking" which is a poem that is about the memories of childhood specifically blackberry picking. I could relate to the Clancy's and their late-night routine just like how I can relate to Heaney's poem. "You ate that first one and its flesh was sweet.../ Leaving stains upon the tongue and lust for/ Picking." Every year during blackberry season I'll still crave the sweet or sometimes tart berries. These berries remind me of my grandma whom I love very much and don't see nearly enough. Family and memories are two of the most important things to me. Ireland happens to also treasure those two things. I now have a week left in Ireland and although I know I have to leave, I also know there are many memories I'm going to hold dear to me for the rest of my days. I'll share the stories of the adventures I had and the ones I've learned here, I'll share the Irish music and maybe recite a poem or two.