I am second generation Irish, my father hailing from Co Kerry. The minute I set foot in Ireland for the first time, at the age of 20, I felt like I was home. I felt as if belonged there and couldn’t believe what a beautiful country it was. I knew I had to get an Irish passport (already having both a British and Australian one) as I actually feel more Irish than either of my other nationalities. That sense of identity was very strong. When my Da sold the land in Ireland I was mortified and said to him “but that’s our land”. I don’t think he realised how much affinity I had for what I considered to be “MY country” so he kept a field for me. I was ecstatic, even though I was living in Australia at the time. I return once or twice a year and am slowly getting my land sorted for when I go back “home” to live. I love the craic there! The Irish sense of humour is born in me. I am sure I can speak for many second plus generations when we say: “We are Irish not because we were born in Ireland, but because Ireland was born in us”.