Ireland’s society is steeped in values that have withstood the test of time—values that for thousands of years emphasise family cohesion, community support, and a deep sense of integrity. These principles are not relics of the past but living elements that continue to guide us. As modern policies increasingly influence our lives, it’s crucial to ensure they align with these enduring values rather than undermine them. By staying true to our heritage while thoughtfully engaging with contemporary challenges, we honour our history and secure a stable, prosperous future for generations to come.
I’m not here to antagonize or disrespect anyone, especially not those of you who hold leadership positions—ministers, doctors, council members, administrators, teachers, coaches—whose decisions shape policies and, by extension, our society. What follows is simply an observation of how our collective actions, often made without full awareness, influence the systems we rely on.
The system we’re part of.
As professionals, whether you’re teaching, prescribing medicine or drafting council regulations, your actions contribute to the intricate machinery of our society. Every decision you make, from the policies you implement to the care you provide, feeds into the system that affects countless lives. You might not realise it, but your role holds significant sway over both the positive and negative experiences of people’s lives.
Imagine a scenario where a policy you supported inadvertently leads to unintended consequences. It’s easy to distance yourself from the fallout, attributing it to broader systemic issues. However, every choice you make, every policy you endorse, plays a part in shaping the environment in which these outcomes occur. Awareness of this interconnectedness is crucial for fostering a more responsible and conscientious approach to your professional duties. By introspecting and adjusting your actions, you can contribute to a system that aligns more closely with equitable and sustainable values.
Modern Policies vs. Timeless Values
Today’s policies often present themselves as beneficial for society, yet many subtly manipulate our inherent good nature. Policies driven by trends or political agendas can overshadow the basic values we were raised on—values that have sustained Irish society for thousands of years. These foundational principles like family, community—are the bedrock upon which our society was built. When modern policies stray from these core values, they risk destabilising the very structures that provide certainty and guidance. You’ve already seen this change in our society, you, me and all the people you know have made the policies that have supported this change. Society can move like an independent organism, creating a collective result that no individual wants. That’s the harsh reality of things.
As we move away from the institutions and structures that once offered stability, we edge closer to self-destruction. Traditional frameworks have long provided a sense of purpose and direction, fostering strong families and cohesive communities. These are not old-fashioned ideas, they are fundamentals passed down over generations and our arrogance in dismantling these without thoughtful consideration undermines the societal fabric that holds us together. In times of rapid change, the erosion of these pillars can lead to confusion, fragmentation, and a loss of collective identity.
We bear a tremendous responsibility as adults navigating this era of transformation. Our decisions today will shape the future of Irish society. It’s imperative that we remain grounded in the enduring values that have guided us for generations. By doing so, we ensure that progress does not come at the expense of our cultural and moral foundations. Embracing our role means making deliberate choices that honor our heritage while adapting to modern challenges.
The Power of Small Changes.
Change begins with you. Every micro-action matters over time. Question what you are presented with. Does it align with the reality that you want to live – here in Ireland? Gobal thinking and populism will lead you astray, what’s good for someone on the far side of the planet might not be good for you. It doesn’t require grand gestures—just consistent, small actions that challenge the things that just do not feel right to you. Question policies, make conscious choices, and foster positive interactions. These tiny steps contribute to a larger shift, gradually transforming societal dynamics. By increasing your positive contributions and reducing friction within the system, you create a doubling effect. Over time, these small changes can lead to exponential impacts, shifting the uncertain tide you fear into something manageable that you want.
Look to your heritage for guidance.
Ireland’s society is steeped in values that have withstood the test of time—family cohesion, community support, love of tradition, love of the land, and music as the soul’s expression. These principles are not relics of the past but living elements that continue to guide us. Modern policies and laws that claim to be for the benefit of victims, actually create victims. Their superficial approaches and idealism, threaten to erode our foundational values and make you weak, vulnerable and dependent. By staying true to our heritage and relying on what has worked for society—the basic units of family and community—we can navigate change without sacrificing the greatness and love inherent in the Irish spirit. Let’s reject policies that seek to manipulate our good nature and instead move forward by embracing the true essence of being Irish: caring not because a policy says so, but because we are inherently human and strive to be better than any generic mandate.
Ireland for the Irish- controversial!
A statement as simple of that has become alarmingly sensitive in Ireland. Using the media, certain forces—including government—with preconceived agendas wish to brand you as a fundamentalist and right-wing fascist just for daring to suggest that you, as an Irish person, might somehow have the right to call Ireland yours. They brand you as anti immigrant backward and stupid. I’m none of those things. It’s a very sad thing when a government of the people turns on its own people. How can they possibly stand in front of the GPO every Easter and lay a wreath for the poets and teachers that died for them. I’ll bet they justify it without issue and sleep like babies.
We declare the right of the people of Ireland to the ownership of Ireland, and to the unfettered control of Irish destinies, to be sovereign and indefeasible. The long usurpation of that right by a foreign people and government has not extinguished the right, nor can it ever be extinguished except by the destruction of the Irish people. https://www.gov.ie/en/publication/bfa965-proclamation-of-independence/
Nationalism has become a dirty word, this is an example of your good nature being taken advantage of. Most people identify Mahatma Gandhi as a peacemaker, did you know that he was a staunch Nationalist? Does it seem odd that he wanted India to be Indian and not British? No of course not. You do not need to apologise for being a proud Irish person. You don’t need to be a flag waver either. A great Irishman, John Hume, once said – “You can’t eat a flag”. Very practical.
We cannot adopt policies whose stated goal is to Iron out and flatten differences, erode our identity under the guise of freedom. You are already free you just need to keep it. As humans, culture and difference are normal and natural. We celebrate these things, every nation celebrates it’s own heritage within its own nation and it is their just right to do so. We have no problem proclaiming our national uniqueness through sports, and in fact celebrate it and belt our national anthems, supported by a government minister. We travel across the world to experience other cultures but are made feel bad about wanting our own. Do you see the irony?
I don’t say all this with my green shamrock glasses on. We know all to well in Ireland that we cannot leave it to the institutions alone. They have betrayed our trust in the past, church, state and the enemy within has often been worse than any invasion. Our own instructions somehow always gravitate towards power and control. We must learn, we must be aware.
When you open your eyes you see how you are being manipulated. When you feel in your heart that something is not right then it’s time for you to take action – small actions by us all work. At the time of writing there’s a general election on the horizon. It’s very important that you let your representatives know what you truly feel. They work for you. Do not forget that. On the day of writing there’s a hate speech Bill in debate in the Dáil. Hate speech indeed, they hate speech because it threatens their power and control.
Awaken Ireland!
Dúisigh Éire!
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