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Sven Gossow and Ballymac native Paudie McCarthy.
NOW here’s a little story to cheer you up even more on a Friday.
Siobhan Saracbasi (nee McCarthy) sent us in a letter written by a German friend of her brother, Paudie McCarthy from Ballymac.
Paudie moved to Germany many years ago when the building trade took off there. He met a German lady, got married, and now they have three children, living just outside Berlin.
In this open letter to Ireland, entitled ‘FRIENDS FOR ÉIRE – an Irish-German Bromance’, his friend Sven Gossow writes about the strange coincidences that connect their lives and why he’s grateful to Ireland for sending him to Germany.
It’s well worth reading below…
Dear Éire,
My name is Sven Gossow and I come from a small town located northwest of Berlin called Werneuchen. I would like to tell you a story:
A few years ago, I had just dropped off my son for his first day at nursery school for and it was then that I met a “real Irish” person for the very first time.
His son was also starting his first day at nursery school and as chances would have it, both boys shared the same name. We had a good chat that day and met some time later for a barbecue and drank one or maybe two beers together.
It was on that day that we both realized that we celebrate our birthday on the same day!
Over the years, a very close friendship developed between us. On the day of my mother’s funeral, he stood as a friend by my side. My brother is also buried at the same grave. As my Irish friend noticed this, shivers went down his spine. Why? Because his own sister died on the same day as my brother.
No, that it not all. The coincidences continued to mount, as we discovered that one of his brothers has the same birthday as my sister.
And as if that were not enough, I have slightly reddish hair and could easily pass as an “Irishman” out in the world.
So why I am I telling you this, you may ask?
Because on behalf of my compatriots and myself, I would to thank you, Ireland, for sending Paudie McCarthy my way and for allowing our paths to cross. Without Paudie, our lives would be a lot poorer.
This week, Paudie has invited four friends and I to come and visit the land he loves so dearly, to show us his beautiful country and to meet his lovely family.
In this sense, it only remains for me to say “Thank you Paudie” and remember that good friends will always be there for one another.
Sven
The group of friends flew to Dublin on Wednesday and toured Dublin. On Friday they headed to Galway and Clare before coming to Kerry where they’ll enjoy Paudie’s mammy’s home baked scones.
A trip to Dingle for a night to see Fungie and to hear some live music will complete the Irish tour, before Monday they head back to Berlin on Monday.
Fáilte Ireland should give you a job Paudie!
