It’s said that it’s the little things in life that matter, and for the last few weeks in Ireland, it appears that this is true. Since the Icelandic volcano Eyjafjallajökull began erupting, European travellers have become anxious about their summer holiday plans.
According to Met Éireann, this is not a short-term problem but one that could interrupt our lives for the next few months at least. If we accept this statement as truth, then we must realise that there will be families and couples travelling to the airport to be told that no flights will be operating to or from the country.
This is a quite a big problem, when we think of parents with small children who only get one chance to holiday a year. Unfortunately, no-one has any power over this volcano and we can’t even blame the government for this particular problem.
As a result of all of this, I think we need to start thinking of solutions to this problem.
It came to me the other day while looking up flights that I’ve not seen every corner of our beautiful country. I spent the summer holidays of my youth with my family camping in France. I will never forget the long, hot, bright and peaceful days we spent there. But there are some hidden holiday gems in Ireland I have yet to visit. I have never been to County Clare, a place known for its music, culture and breathtaking views.
Maybe the people of Ireland should take a look at what surrounds them this summer. This is a two-dimensional suggestion; firstly, it would reduce the disappointment of many people who are looking forward to a holiday abroad and who won’t be making it past the gates of the airport. Secondly, these ‘staycations’, as they are so-called, could make a lot of needed money for our economy.
I feel that these holidays at home would do Irish people a lot of good. I realise that we cannot depend on the weather but there are so many cultural festivals and tourist spots that don’t require the sun’s rays, to be enjoyed.
If a family visited the Dingle Peninsula, spent time on the gorgeous beaches and absorbed the peaceful atmosphere of the area, some of the clouds of worry could be wiped away.
It would give people a chance to revisit the soul of the country and to make a positive experience out of one that might have been completely negative.
Siún Ní Dhuinn is a writer and lecturer at UCD
