Irish and proud - Teaching us a lesson

BECAUSE this country has had a torrid year or two, with even more challenges to come, we may just have lost sight of some of the things we can be proud of.

However, almost 12,000 people all around the world have not and have reminded us that being Irish is not always about recession, cuts and bewildering price increases.

More than 11,500 people recognised this last year when they applied for Irish citizenship under the rule, beloved by Jack Charlton and his successors, known as the Granny Rule. Some may have been motivated by sentiment or opportunism but it is not hard to believe that the great majority saw something positive about celebrating and recognising their Irish heritage.

In welcoming the majority of the applicants to share citizenship maybe we should ask ourselves why, despite the failures of official Ireland, they find being Irish such an attractive proposition.

The answers — because there are very many — would be surprisingly reassuring and uplifting.