Ireland Wall Art
Ireland Wall Art
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 IRISH Wall Clock shamrock pub clover ireland art gift  US $14.24
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 Irish Blessing May Your Pockets Be heavy Wall Art Print 10X 8 inch Ireland US $12.56
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Cultural Exchange and Social Networking in a Rural Pub in Ireland
It's a small place in a beautiful part of the country and I am very fond of it and my extended family. However, every time I go I am made aware of how out of touch I am. How my interests belong in a small, confined, self absorbed little world that has little to do with most people living in this country. In Cork (where I presently live) I, like most people, surround myself with a group who are generally interested in the same things whether that be books, films, music, sport, politics. This bubble is always burst when I get off the bus in Tipperary. There' I am the fellah married to the daughter of...' and I'm on my own in a place saturated in the culture of hurling and farming. Two things I know little about but have become increasingly interested in over the last number of years. It's as if I walk from one culture into another. I am teleported into another world and it's very satisfying. It's great to know that we're all so different, that our relationship to our country, our traditions are lifetimes apart yet make up a whole; a living breathing and endlessly interesting life continuum.
This difference is most exemplified in the local pub. I have been going there for nearly 20 years, over half my adult life, and although people know my face I am nevertheless a square in a round hole. This came home to me on Sunday night when I walked into the pub for a few pints with my brother - in - law. A darts game was being organised and the X-factor was screaming for attention from the TV screen high up on the wall. I was asked to join the game and although I initially refused (I'm half blind) I was finally convinced when I was told it was actually a game called LIVES. A great game and this is how it worked; everyone paid in €2 and was given a number (which you kept secret). All the numbers were then written on a whiteboard with 6 lines (denoting your number of lives - everybody has 6) along with the names of the competitors. Everyone then took turns to throw three darts at the darts board. If your number was hit one of your lives was lost. Once you were dead you announced your demise and your name was wiped out. This went on until there was only one winner left who then collected the winnings. It's a fantastic game and one of many that the lads in the bar play during the week. Just on a side note I'm delighted to report that the despicable X-Factor was unloved throughout and was eventually drowned out by one of the drunken locals singing badly to the young lads at the bar.
See, the thing is, what I love about the place is that the pub is the central hub of the village. It is there that the hurling teams celebrate, that bands play, that you can play poker, 45, darts, pool and whatever else you care to organise. The owner is a great guy and the whole place is a kind of unofficial support network for most of the village (there are those that don't darken its doors). Best of all there is no talk of 'culture' only gossip and mutterings about the weather, jobs, the economy, hurling, family and so on. For me it's a relief to walk in there. I forget about my - self important bubble and most importantly I am made fully aware that online communication will never be able to replace real world social interaction, especially in a pub in rural Ireland.
This article is part of The Mutation, an Irish arts and culture ezine
The Mutation is the voice of http://www.mutantspace.ie. We're an online arts co-operative, based in Ireland, that freely resources its members in the development and production of independent arts projects. We view our ezine as an ongoing collective project, a vehicle that enables our members to show their work and write on subjects that interest, amuse and irritate them.
So, if you want to get involved, help out, become a feature columnist, submit an essay, video, sound piece or if you have an idea for something completely different email me at admin@mutantspace.ie
The Mutation can be found @ http://themutation.com
About the Author
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Map of Ireland $59.99 Map of Ireland Wall Decal by Abraham Ortelius. Product size approximately 24 x 32 inches. Available at Art.com. Embrace your Space - your source for high quality fine art posters and prints. |
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Headstones and Rock Wall of Cemetery, Ireland $129.99 Headstones and Rock Wall of Cemetery, Ireland Wall Decal by Panoramic Images . Product size approximately 24 x 72 inches. Available at Art.com. Embrace your Space - your source for high quality fine art posters and prints. |
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Stone Wall on a Landscape, Republic of Ireland $129.99 Stone Wall on a Landscape, Republic of Ireland Wall Decal by Panoramic Images . Product size approximately 24 x 72 inches. Available at Art.com. Embrace your Space - your source for high quality fine art posters and prints. |
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Stone Wall on a Field, Wicklow, Republic of Ireland $129.99 Stone Wall on a Field, Wicklow, Republic of Ireland Wall Decal by Panoramic Images . Product size approximately 24 x 72 inches. Available at Art.com. Embrace your Space - your source for high quality fine art posters and prints. |
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IRELAND Political Wall Map $69 Exclusively developed by Maps.com and GRAPHI-OGRE and not available in any store, this wall map was created using high resolution vector digital imagery with state-of-the-art print on demand technology. This process allows Maps.com to offer over-sized laminated wall maps. Ideally suited for light reference, this political wall map includes cities, airports, rivers, lakes, and major roads (not numbered). Each province may be individually color-coded. A unique component of this map series includes portions of adjacent areas, bringing an almost regional map feel to a country map presentation. Before purchasing this map click on the Detail Example links next to the preview image above to view the detail typically available on this type of map. Printed on 24lb. premium coated bond paper and laminated on both sides using 3mm laminate through a hot lamination process, this map is markable using dry erase pens and can be easily cleaned. |
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Ashford Castle, Ireland $129.99 Ashford Castle, Ireland Wall Decal by Panoramic Images . Product size approximately 24 x 72 inches. Available at Art.com. Embrace your Space - your source for high quality fine art posters and prints. |
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Seascape with Boats in Harbor, Ireland $129.99 Seascape with Boats in Harbor, Ireland Wall Decal by Panoramic Images . Product size approximately 24 x 72 inches. Available at Art.com. Embrace your Space - your source for high quality fine art posters and prints. |
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Dunluce Castle, Antrim, Ireland $129.99 Dunluce Castle, Antrim, Ireland Wall Decal by Panoramic Images . Product size approximately 24 x 72 inches. Available at Art.com. Embrace your Space - your source for high quality fine art posters and prints. |
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Seascape with Coastal Cliffs, Ireland $129.99 Seascape with Coastal Cliffs, Ireland Wall Decal by Panoramic Images . Product size approximately 24 x 72 inches. Available at Art.com. Embrace your Space - your source for high quality fine art posters and prints. |
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