Still A Welcome On The Mat
Many years ago when I was studying the politics of the Soviet Union I came across a most interesting thesis. Essentially the view was put forward, that not withstanding the huge political changes that took place after 1917 - as the country moved from rule by Tsars to rule by communists - the continuities in Russian society were far more striking than the changes. The accuracy of this proposition was, in my view, borne out by events following the fall of the Soviet Union when it became apparent that decades of Soviet rule had made very little real impact on the consciousness of the people.I often reflect on this when I hear people talk about Ireland since the Celtic Tiger. So many people put the forward the view that the country has changed utterly. There are those who bemoan the loss of a Golden Age, whilst others rejoice at the arrival of what they would describe as a modern European society.
For me, however, the continuities are far more striking than the changes. To my mind whether Irish society is rich or poor many significant aspects of national character remain unaltered. A small piece of empirical evidence provides some support for this thesis.
Ireland has just topped a list of the World's Friendliest Countries in a survey drawn up by the Lonely Planet travel guide group.
The Lonely Planet Bluelist books are annual collections of the top trends, destinations and experiences around the world. In the latest survey, Ireland comes in above Fiji, Indonesia and Malawi as the friendliest travel destination.
People were said to have 'a deliciously dark sense of humour'. Ireland has 'a welcoming attitude towards strangers' and the Irish can find craic in boom or bust eras, Lonely Planet said.
Visitors are always 'in for a treat' and with 'The Troubles' ended, 'a cautious optimism reigns supreme, infecting the land once again with the sense that anything's possible'. The US and Malawi were judged to be the next most-friendly countries.
Visitors are always 'in for a treat' and with 'The Troubles' ended, 'a cautious optimism reigns supreme, infecting the land once again with the sense that anything's possible'. The US and Malawi were judged to be the next most-friendly countries.
So there we have it - it appears that one of Ireland's most distinctive features has endured despite the impact of the Celtic Tiger.
(PS Can someone please tell Irish Post writer Joe Horgan?)