This is my third trip, and I’m in love with the Emerald Isle. These are my people. As an American, there are other nationalities mixed in, but enough Irish to feel it. You may know that I was raised in an Irish-American culture of Roman Catholicism. It’s where I heard the Gaelic accent I write in my stories from the surrounding priests in my childhood .
My critique partners wanted the accent simplified. Then, articles I read online prompted me to alter priest’s Irish accents, which I recalled in my mind for the way I wrote the dialogue. I did so out of respect for the Irish culture’s wishes and easier reading.
Here’s a photo I took at Blarney Castle from up above on my last trip in April 2002.
E.V. Sparrow 