Hi, my name is Emma O’Brien and for this blog, I’ll be
talking all about me and my childhood growing up in Dublin, Ireland. I will
tell you about my parents, my household, my school, some common traditions in
my life, and also just things about me. I have lived in Dublin, Ireland my
entire life and I love it. I am an only child and lived with my parents, Jack
and Sophie. We lived in an apartment. My mom and dad both worked outside of the
home as I grew up. My mom was a nurse at a close clinic and my dad was a
engineer (McCabe,2007). The parenting style of my parents was authoritative(Minister,2009).
They were fair with me but at the same time also firm and had reasonable.
Growing up, discipline was defined as not spanking, but sitting down with one
of my parents having a conversation about why the behavior was wrong
(Minister,2009). I think this was very effective.
When I
think about how I grew up and if I was temperamental or not, I find it hard to
answer but in regards to emotions, activity levels, shyness, and sociability, I
showed more emotion and was more shy then the boys (Minister,2009). I think
this is common in the Irish culture. I noticed this when I went to school. My
schooling did begin at home with my mom and then I went to a primary school
when I was age 6 and completed school when I was 16. The education system
consists of primary, secondary, third-level and further education (Citizens,
2013). I am now attending college at the Trinity CollegeDublin: School of
Nursing & Midwifery (Trinity,2014). My learning style while going through
school was very visual.
Growing
up in an Irish household, I thought was very fun but that is probably because I
didn’t know anything else! During a normal day, we do have three meals.
Breakfast usually consists of eggs, bacon, sausages, baked tomatoes, mushrooms,
white pudding, black pudding, pancakes, porridge, brown bread, toast with
butter and jelly. Also it could consist of fruit, tea or coffee. The main meal
of the day in Ireland is dinner which is eaten at lunchtime 12:00 pm- 2:00 pm
and we eat steak, potatoes, cabbage, chicken, pork, or other things. Our supper
is later in the evening around 6:30-8:00 and it is usually something lighter
like tea and coffee. My favorite food to eat here is Dublin Coddle which is
sausage, bacon, onion, and potatoes (AngloInfo, 2000-2014). So good!
The
Irish culture has a lot of customs and traditions in language, music, art,
literature, cuisine, and sports and growing up in Dublin, I was able to witness
many different things. The main language in Ireland is Gailic then followed by
Irish and English. My mom and dad both speak Irish and a little bit of English
and I speak both languages (Kwintessential, 2013). Roman Catholic is the most
common religion in Ireland and that is what my parents and I are (True Nomads,
2013). When meeting someone for the first time in Ireland, it is traditional to
give them a hand shake with eye contact. Eye contact means trust and that is a
big thing in the Irish culture. Irish dancing is very popular and during the
most known holiday St. Patricks Day on March 17th, the towns are
filled with Irish music and Irish dancing (Kwintessential, 2013). The most
popular sport in Ireland is Gaelic football, which is then followed by hurling,
soccer, and rugby. I enjoy playing these sports and also watching them. A
common birthday Irish tradition is people hold the birthday child upside down
and bump the head slightly on the floor. The number of bumps corresponds to the
age of the child and it is believed to bring the child good luck. I have had my
fair share of bumps on the head. The harp is a national symbol of Ireland, so
when I was 9 years old, my parents got me into harp lessons and I still play
today (True Nomads, 2013).
Living
in Ireland is wonderful. The weather is great and of course the scenery is
beautiful. Well, that’s all for now! Can’t wait until next time.
Sources
AngloInfo. (2000-2014). AngloInfo:
Mealtimes and Celebrations in Ireland.
Citizens Information Board. (January 22, 2013). Citizens Information.
Kwintessestial. (2013). Kwintessential:
Ireland- Language, Culture, Customs, and Etiquiette.
http://www.kwintessential.co.uk/resources/global-etiquette/ireland.html.
McCabe, Conor. (September 20, 2007). Occupations in Ireland:
Class Analysis. Dublin Opinion.
http://dublinopinion.com/2007/09/20/occupations-in-ireland-a-class-analysis/.
Minister for Health and Children. (2009). Growing Up In
Ireland.
Trinity College Dublin, College Green, Dublin 2. (February
18, 2014). Trinity College Dublin School
of Nursing & Mdwifery. http://www.nursing-midwifery.tcd.ie/contact/.
True Nomads. (April 15, 2013). True Nomads: 26 Interesting Facts About Ireland.
