Sir, – The holiday season is over and many Irish emigrants, having spent some time visiting their families, return to countries all over the world. We see many scenes of emotional stress and heartbreak and feel so sorry for all these young people being almost forced to leave their country because of the economic situation.
Allow me to give them a word of encouragement and hope for the future.
I left Ireland almost 56 years ago to become an opera singer in Italy. The heartbreak was just the same and the difficulties to overcome between language and cultural change were not easy. Just the same, I still managed to maintain my Irish personality and characteristics and in many ways instill a knowledge of my country in the heart and minds of the many Italians I met, both artistically and socially, over the years.
There is something very special about the Irish way of approaching life which is to be admired and even envied no matter where you live and, because of this, we seem to transmit a part of our culture to everyone we meet.
That is why I would like this new generation of Irish who are emigrating to remember that they are not leaving their country but bringing part of it with them to share with others wherever they go.
I have seen many changes in Ireland coming and going over the years, but nothing can change the sense of humour, hospitality, fighting spirit, artistic sensibility and cultural richness of the Irish. These are important facts to remember when one is feeling down and lonely and should compensate for any discomfort in trying to settle down in a foreign country.
Never forget you are Irish and be proud of it and hold you heads high.
May God bless all Irish emigrants. – Yours, etc,