Category Archives: Irish Life & Society

What Binds Us Together

Posted on January 19, 2012 by Glenn Kaufmann

Even before we moved to Ireland, one of my constant refrains has been that the Irish seem to be universally friendly and welcoming.  I knew there would come a day when that feeling would be tested.  And earlier this week … Continue reading →

Posted in Dublin Life, Home & A Sense of Place, Immigration & Emigration, Irish History, Irish Life & Society, Modern Life, Politics | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , | 3 Comments

Resolutions in a New Country

Posted on January 10, 2012 by Glenn Kaufmann

I’ve never been a big fan of New Year’s resolutions.  I figure that if you really want to change a pattern of behavior there’s no need to fetishize a particular date? Just start changing.  To me picking a resolution start … Continue reading →

Posted in Dublin Life, Home & A Sense of Place, Irish Countryside, Irish Life & Society, Writers & Writing | Tagged , , , , , | 8 Comments

A Christmas Story

Posted on December 27, 2011 by Glenn Kaufmann

With no trendy shoes left, and supplies of the Xbox 003 running low, Mary wailed, and Joseph, stoned to the gills on frankincense, bludgeoned the Magi with an urn full of Myrrh before storming the doors of the Bethlehem Wal-Mart. … Continue reading →

Posted in Dublin Life, Friends & Family, Irish Life & Society, Modern Life | Tagged , , , , , , | 6 Comments

Dublin Cabbies – The Mobile Opinion Poll

Posted on November 17, 2011 by Glenn Kaufmann

When we moved to Dublin we made the conscious decision not to have a car.  Lack of personal transportation coupled with the fact that we’re still learning our way around has meant that we’ve leaned on Dublin’s network of cabs … Continue reading →

Posted in Dublin Life, Irish Life & Society, Modern Life | Tagged , , , , , | 2 Comments

Electing a President – Irish Presidential Politics

Posted on November 9, 2011 by Glenn Kaufmann

Few things make you feel more isolated, non-assimilated, and, at times, deeply amused, than watching a presidential election take place in your new home when you have nearly as much at stake as any other local resident, and absolutely no … Continue reading →

Posted in Dublin Life, Irish Life & Society, Modern Life, Politics | Tagged , , , , , | 2 Comments

Out In the Country

Posted on October 28, 2011 by Glenn Kaufmann

From friends, family, and casual acquaintances we hear: “I LOVE Ireland.  It’s so green. I’m definitely going someday.” Yes.  It is.  It really is as green as everyone imagines it to be.  And the cottages, stone fences, and the fields … Continue reading →

Posted in Dublin Life, Irish Countryside, Irish History, Irish Life & Society | Tagged , , , , | 1 Comment

Shaw Didn’t Blog – A Writer is Humbled by Dublin’s Literary Heritage

Posted on October 19, 2011 by Glenn Kaufmann

As someone who has suffered the fevered sickness of literary aspiration for more years than I care to count, I was firmly put in my place this week during a visit to the Dublin Writers Museum.  When held up against … Continue reading →

Posted in Dublin Attractions, Dublin Life, Irish Life & Society, Writers & Writing | Tagged , , , , | 3 Comments

A Look at Dublin Expat Life After Three Months

Posted on October 12, 2011 by Glenn Kaufmann

After living in Dublin for only a month, I had the temerity to post a list of five things I hated about living in Dublin and Ireland.  Two months on, I have three times the perspective I had at that … Continue reading →

Posted in Dublin Life, Friends & Family, Home & A Sense of Place, International Moving, Irish Life & Society | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 13 Comments

Take Two And Call…..? A Look At Irish Health Care

Posted on October 6, 2011 by Glenn Kaufmann

Caveat – What follows is all entirely my assessment, because nobody, even the Irish Government’s website, can give you a lucid, easy to digest description of what is and is not covered, when, by who, and for how much. One … Continue reading →

Posted in Bureaucracy, Health Care, Irish Life & Society | Tagged , , | 13 Comments

Five Things I Love About Dublin Ireland

Posted on August 17, 2011 by Glenn Kaufmann

Well, last week’s post seemed to stir up a bit of interest on all sides of the issues, not least of which was my use of the word “hate”.  Many of the people who left comments felt that after living … Continue reading →

Posted in Dublin Life, Irish Life & Society | Tagged , , , , , , , , | 25 Comments