We’ve never had it so good
It was a column of whingeing and moaning about the “good old days” (Irish Examiner, March 17). Colette didn’t live through those times and doesn’t appreciate enough that this is a golden time for Ireland. She should thank her lucky stars to be living in the prosperity we now enjoy. Isn’t it great to be dealing with the problems of success and freedom, instead of deprivation, suppression and poverty?
Sure, we have problems to deal with today, but isn’t it a joy to realise the Irish have moved up from the bottom of the ladder - that most everyone has been given an opportunity to achieve.
We have a new generation of educated young people; we have a cushion of financial assets; we have full employment; we now travel the world for pleasure, not for work.
Of course we don’t spend hours on our knees in church anymore praying for happiness and prosperity in the ‘next life.’ As a fella who has seen both sides I’ll take the Ireland of today, thank you very much.
Yes, our youngsters do go off the rails, but most of them get back on track to become good citizens and achievers. We all know that youth is wasted on the young. We should always remember that we had 700 years of genocidal attacks on our people.
“To hell or to Connaught,” the Great Famine... it is all ingrained in our psyche and gave us determination, the will to win, the humour and wit to take us through tough times. Those characteristics are what make us special, and that’s why we are looked up to around the world. It’s why everyone wants to celebrate St Patrick’s Day with us.
Yes, we were once known as the Island of Saints and Scholars and, more importantly, it was the Irish who saved civilisation back in the 12th century.
That part of our genetic make-up is still with us, and Robert Emmet can rest peacefully because Ireland has taken her place among the nations of the earth.
The Irish people are flourishing again, and Colette needs to give our young people a chance to prove themselves.
May I remind her of John Fitzgerald Kennedy’s amazing speech to the Oireachtas in June 1963. Not just reminding us of our unique contribution to America and the world of the arts and literature, he also said: “I believe profoundly in the future of Ireland, that this is an isle of destiny, that that destiny will be glorious, and that when that hour has come we will have something to give to the world.”
We should be encouraging our young people to give that something special that we’ve got. Those are the words we should be passing on. We adults have the responsibility to guide and nurture the youngsters. Embrace them and encourage them because they are terrific. “Mol an óige agus tiochfaidh said.”
Bill Cullen
President
Irish Youth Foundation
Airways Industrial Estate
Santry
Dublin 9
