The Spirit of Meitheal in Co. Waterford
The Irish word Meitheal means ‘work team’ and was used to describe the practice, in rural Ireland, of neighbours helping one another during harvest time. Using the concept that many hands make light work, this communal work ethic benefited everyone involved. Flash forward several decades to the arrival of the Celtic Tiger. Things were good in Ireland, money was gushing in and people were too busy counting their cash to consider their neighbours. A distinct ‘me féin’ attitude prevailed and the spirit of Meitheal retreated into the shadows of the ambitious tiger. Then came the crash that took the wind from our sails, yet, as with everything in life, there is a silver lining to this murky, dismal cloud and that is the return of the community, the return of Meitheal.
A Little Taste of Ireland
For those of you who missed my interveiw with Myles on RTE 1 yesterday, you can listen to it below. I mention some recommended places to visit, great family destinations, gourmet get-aways and the places that surprised me the most.
To listen click the link below.
Taking Time Out
During my travels around Australia and New Zealand, my friends and I decided we’d pursue careers that would allow us to travel the world in uniforms of sarongs and flip-flops. My preference was to be a travel writer. I thought wistfully of all the cities I would visit, oceans I would swim and mountains I would climb. Not to mention five star hotels, fancy restaurants and romantic getaways.
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Julianne Mooney 
