Dobrodošli   

Ker sem hotela Irsko predstaviti tudi iz drugega zornega kota sem naredila intervju z Joan McIntyre, učiteljico irskega plesa. V Sloveniji živi že kar nekaj časa.

 

How do you see Ireland and what would you suggest for people to see first?

 

If I was recommending Ireland to someone for a visit I would suggest going to Dublin, the capital as it is a very vibrant, multicultural, lively city with so many things to see and do. There are many great museums, art galleries, exhitibions and other activities for tourists but also it is just a great city to walk about and absorb the atmosphere and listen to and watch people.I would also always recommend that people get out of the city and go to the West (Galway, Connemara) or the South west (Kerry) as the countryside is just so beautiful and the way of life very different to that of the city.

 

What do you most like about it and why?

 

I think the characteristic that makes Ireland so special is the warmth of its people. When you visit Ireland, you are are made to feel so welcome and people are open, friendly, warm, chatty and personable.

 

I know that Irish music can be quite vivid. Do you like listening to traditional Irish music? And perhaps do you have a favourite singer or group?

 

Although I work with Irish music I don't listen to it a lot outside of work related activities. However I do love the group called 'lunasa' as their music is lively, soulful and very pleasant on the ear. I also like the groups Clannad and Enya as there music is mystical and good for the soul.

 

Irish food can be diverse. Which is your favourite dish, what do you like to eat every time when you get back to Ireland?

 

Traditional Irish food is very simple with just meat and vegetables that are grown in Ireland (potatoes, cabbage, carrotts, turnip etc.,). However with such a huge influx of foriegners to Ireland in recent years, they have brought with them their cuisine. Irish peoples desire for different tastes has increased sginificantly with Italian, Spanish & Asian cooking becoming very popular. For me, when I go home my favourite food to eat is my mothers soda bread (bread made with no yeast), Irish butter (which is salted and so faboulas and creamy) and my mothers homemade loganberry jam. I eat it morning noon and night and just love it.

 

You have been dancing Irish dances for a long time. Why did you decide to start dancing, what fascinated you the most?

 

I started Irish dancing as a child aged 5 or 6 as it was part of our cirruculum in school and I remember doing Irish dance classes on a Saturday also. Then when I was 12 I stopped, which was quite common back then. I only took an interest in Irish dancing again when I was living in Slovenia. I think being an Irish person living in Slovenia, I wanted to find a way to connect with my 'Irishness' and so Irish dancing was a good way to do this. What fascinated me the most was Slovenes interest and knowledge of Irish culture in terms of music, song and dance. I think I learned to really appreciate and love my own Irish culture while living here in Slovenia. I love the rhythm of the dance, the lively music, the energy require to do the dances and the way it brings people together.