Ashamed to be Irish

HAVING spent more than 45 years working, living and travelling in many countries, my wife and I were always comfortable in and proud of our Irishness, our history and culture.

Last week, however, when asked in Spain where were we from, we both simultaneously recoiled from answering immediately.

When discussing it afterwards, it disappointed us that we felt ashamed and hesitant to declare our nationality. We were ashamed because our great country, Taoiseach and government are daily being lampooned and denigrated.