Remembering my time living in Ireland

My time in Ireland was spent as a performing musician, and it was there that I learned how to connect with the music and the audience. I played music in the pubs almost every night of the week and I was most impressed by the extremely passionate respect of both young and old for their history and their country. At the end of every gig we played the Irish National Anthem. I was always amazed how quiet the pub became and the respect shown towards the Anthem.

When I think about my time living in the little village of Tullaghan in County Leitrim, I laugh! All the great stories and memories bring laughter—maybe it’s because the Irish have an infectious sense of humor. Even throughout the hard times they have experienced as a country, they keep their sense of humor intact, and I believe it is a huge attribute of the Irish people.

Tullaghan is the only coastline in the county of Leitrim. It’s roughly three kilometers long and is located on the Donegal Bay. Out my back window I could see the cliffs of Slieve League (Sliabh Liag) and I walked the rugged coastline of Tullaghan almost every day—although rain sometimes hindered me. The scenery is breathtaking in this area of the world and I will continue to highly recommend that travelers visit it. Another aspect of Ireland I recommend travelers to experience is the traditional Irish pub. Even though the atmosphere inside the pubs is completely different than the serene outdoors, the story telling, drinking, singing, fighting, dancing, and laughter transformed my musical life forever.