We’re Back
After almost a month away from Ireland and a website redesign we are back in our homeland and back online again.
We decided to move away from Wix and onto Squarespace as we are heartbroken and enraged at what is happening in Palestine and we are doing our small part in boycotting Israeli companies and companies who support the ongoing genocide. It is a small contribution but we believe every little counts. We urge you to do the same.
On the 6th of November we travelled to New York and then onto Mexico - Mexico City, Oaxaca, Puerto Escondido and Cancún. We had an amazing time away travelling, working and exploring. November was perfect time to get away as it is quiet on the gig front and it’s a way to skip some of the dreary winter months.
While we were there, Palestine was constantly on our minds even as we were enjoying ourselves. I think these last few months have really put into perspective how unbelievably lucky and privileged we are. We had the freedom to travel to places that we love, we have a warm home that we could come back to, enough food to eat, we have family and friends around us supporting us, a decent (if imperfect) health system, we have no ongoing threats in our lives, a stark contrast to what is happening in Gaza. We are so lucky.
If I took nothing else home with me it’s that feeling. I try to always remind myself that I’m privilged but I feel it even more at the moment.
This was our second visit to Mexico and as always the people are warm and friendly, the culture is vibrant, the nature is beautiful, we were so welcome. Mexico, like Ireland and Palestine, were colonised and fought for their freedom so we have a lot in common.
Not a lot of people know this but during the Mexican revolution, a primarily Irish contingent of soldiers fighting with the American army decided to change sides and join forces with the Mexican army. They understood what was happening to Mexico, they were called the San Patricios. Our histories are intertwined, we knew how it felt to be oppressed, to have our culture taken from us.
I can tell you from our visit to Oaxaca, their culture is very much alive and well. It is preserved. They retain their amazing traditions and their various languages inspite of globalisation and the American influence. It was quite admirable to see. The way they celebrate their holy days and occasions is unlike anything I have ever seen. The death of a loved one is a 9 day event, a wedding must be celebrated big and bold with the entire town, local brands and shops prevail, they are so proud of their food, their textiles and their heritage.
Unfortunately, in Ireland we have lost a lot of our traditions, we have, in a way, become slaves to the big brands and trends. We no longer take a day of rest on Sundays, our language is barely spoken and is dying in every passing year, our local shops are diminishing, it has become almost impossible to run your own business due to inflation and global crises. For example in the last year or so in Sligo, we have lost three locally run cafés, Sweet Beat, St. Honoré and Branch. In contrast, right now we have five foreign franchise stand alone cafés in Sligo, it’s not hard to see the problem. Personally, I would much prefer to support local, the service is genuine and the coffee is always better.
In spite of the depressing news, there is still a sense of magic in the air that can only be associated with Christmas. People are out and about celebrating the end of the calender year, shopping for their loved ones and enjoying some festive live music.
We have a lovely gig coming up this Sunday in the Pink Clover Café, 1pm, as part of the Christmas Tree Festival in Drumcliffe. If you’re free come join us and support a local café and local musicians.
We hope to see you there !
