Modern Ireland

Happy St. Patrick's Day!  All around the world, we celebrate the Patron Saint of Ireland, who died March 17th, in the year 461.  It was St. Patrick who created the Celtic cross, by adding the Irish sun symbol encircling the cross.  Legend has it, that St. Patrick taught the Irish about the Holy Trinity, using the Shamrock - a three leaf clover - to demonstrate the unity of the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit.  North American celebrations are more likely to include someone dressed as a Leprechaun, downing a pint of Guinness, while attempting a River Dance high step.

With all of the ancient symbology, and modern day iconic images, it is not surprising that we still think of Ireland as a rural land, of sod cutters and milk maids.  The Emerald Isle is also the land of Waterford Crystal, and headquarters for all of the major high tech companies.    

   

Modern day Ireland is sophisticated, entrepreneurial and young!  The country has the highest proportion of people under the age of 25, of any country in the European Union.  They are connected, too.  Internet access is available in more than 88% of homes in Dublin, and 82% in rural parts of the country.

Ireland is the world's largest exporter of software, since it is the point of export to all of Europe and the Middle East.  Dublin is the European headquarters for Google, Facebook, Paypal, Microsoft, eBay, LinkedIn and Airbnb.  Apple is headquartered in Cork, and Intel's offices are in Kildare.

Government statistics for Irish enterprises show that nearly two-thirds are using social media. Statistics for 2014, show 62% of Irish enterprises use social media in business, compared with 36% of businesses in the 28 member European Union.

Last year saw an almost 30% increase in the number of cars being licensed.  More than 92-thousand new private car licenses were issued.  Retail sales also rose, though by only 6.4%. Surprisingly, even with all of this spending going on in Ireland, credit card debt went down by 8.3% in 2015.

These feathery Parrot Tulips and beautiful, rose-like Ranunculus create a sophisticated, and modern St. Patrick's Day bouquet.  I bought these at Florigens Design, one of my favourite Toronto floral and urban botanical design shops.  The milk maid postcard is from my own collection of antique postcards, and the dark green cloth on the floor, is my favourite old cardigan sweater (in another life, it was Sir Walter Raleigh's cape).

Photographs Copyright of:  Ruth Adams, Widow's Endorphins Photographic Images Incorporated.