WHEN people think of Ireland, the first thing that seems to pop into their heads tends to be something to do with rainbows or leprechauns.
This is an unfortunate scenario considering that our culture is so vast that it doesn’t need a dancing man in a green suit to make it interesting.
I could probably rant forever about all the misconceptions people have about our country but instead I would like to focus on a mistake that we are making ourselves.
I think that Ireland is never really appreciated for all the people that it has ‘produced’; per se. We don’t tend to celebrate the people that have achieved great things in this country.
I’m not talking about Yeats, or anyone else that has been dead and buried for years and years; but rather the people that are achieving things right now.
Obviously, we have our local celebrities or heroes, but we tend to sweep them under the rug for whatever Angelina Jolie was seen doing yesterday.
Then of course, we have the major superstars, the ones who have made it to the big leagues all around the world. Micheal Fassbender and Hozier, I’m looking at you.
We only tend to celebrate these amazing people (local or international successes) on a rare occasion; or perhaps only on their death do they make their debut on the nine o’clock news. I think that this is incredibly unfair considering the things that these people are achieving.
Yet, all the things that they are achieving, doesn’t seem to be the thing to gossip about on street corners.
Maybe it is just our Irish mindset that we prefer to bring people down than lift people up. A mindset that I would really love to change, because I don’t even think that we realise how much the people around us are acomplishing.
Don’t worry, we are all guilty of a little self promotion, so if you achieve something great then never be afraid to tell people about it.
It’s not being self-involved or any other label that people would like to throw at you; but instead it is that you are giving yourself a little pat on the back.
Which can never really hurt anybody, now can it? (Unless of course you the person who is giving you that pat on the back, doesn’t realise their own strength. So in that case, “ow”.)
Now that we are all clear on the whole ‘celebrating our fellow Irish men and women’s achievements’, let’s begin with a story from the fashion world.
Orla Diffily and Marietta Doran are currently over in New York, and they are about to run the inaugural ‘Ireland Fashion Showcase’, which is supported by Irish Design 2015, in the Irish Consulate in New York City.
They are going to be showcasing ten different designers from around Ireland, including Una Burke, Helen Steele and Chupi Sweetman Jewellery. Don O’Neill, who is the Creative Director of Theia (from our very own Ballyheigue) will also be a special guest on the evening.
Now if that isn’t an achievement, I don’t know what is.
So don’t forget to keep an eye on all your social media feeds for all the news on the event, this Thursday.
Or, alternatively, it’s not too late to book a flight…
• Check out Zoë’s website teentimes.eu here or follow her on Twitter here
