It is early morning in Dungarvan, 6:00 am, and I am having toast and coffee. Both bread and beverage are wonderful in Ireland. The brown bread, flat bread, rolls, and scones are all fresh, rich, and hearty. The juice and milk seem richer as well. The coffee is strong.
This morning I will be travelling with students to Waterford for them to begin their class on Irish Culture and to get to know Waterford Institute of Technology. WIT has allowed us the use of their campus, health center, library, and student center. My hope is that our students will be able to mix with the local students here.
What I am really thinking about this morning, though, is my father. He is turning 85 today. One of the regrets of being on this trip is that I cannot be with him on his 85th birthday. He is a great man, a truly excellent father, and an honest, brave, and kind man. When we look to the Irish mythical heroes, like Fergus or Cuchulainn, they attempt to convey a sense of model masculinity. In their didactic form, stories hope to show what it means to be a successful and productive man. Usually what we find in these tales is that models of masculinity have multiple characteristics. They are brave, passionate, strong, and cunning. But this isn’t all they are. They are also hospitable, honest, thoughtful, and kind. In the 18th century we felt that models of masculinity should be “men of parts.” They should have many strengths, including the ability to be sympathetic and charitable. My father has all of these traits. He is a truly great man, and that’s no blarney.
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