My first impression of Ireland followed seventeen hours of traveling and about two hours of sleep, but I was still blown away by the town of Howth and the beautiful scenery. I greatly appreciated how kind and welcoming all the locals in Dublin are (and were, in Howth), and I have been nothing but excited since I got here. I had high expectations for Dublin because I have only heard good things about it, yet the city still exceeded my expectations.

Our tours today made me appreciate it even more, because I learned how passionate the Irish are about their country. On our walking tour today, we heard about the conflicts between the Protestants and Catholics in Ireland, however I was moved by the fact that no matter what, everyone here shares a common love for their country. Hearing about all the passion and pride that Irish people have had throughout history for protecting and maintaining the freedom and sovereignty of their country was incredible. We learned a lot about Ireland’s long fought battle for freedom from England, and how there were so many people willing to sacrifice themselves for the betterment of those who came after them.

One of the main things from the historical tour that both surprised and resonated with me was the number of women who were mentioned, especially Constance Markievicz. It was refreshing and inspiring to learn that so many women in Ireland’s history were allowed and encouraged to fight in their country’s battle for freedom against England.

The welcoming spirit of Ireland has helped me to understand that, in a business context, it is very important to be friendly, open, and welcoming. In Ireland specifically, I learned that professional relationships are based not only on skills and abilities, but friendship and camaraderie. I think that this is a smart and respectable way to do business, because it allows for more trust among coworkers and partners. Knowing the history of a country is important in a business context because it helps to better understand why people are the way that they are, and how their life is different compared to your own.

Today was awesome, and I can’t wait for tomorrow! Slán a chairde!