I absolutely love Ireland. It's one of the most beautiful places

In the heart of Ireland, a land steeped in myth, history, and beauty, Emily Ratajkowski’s words resound with the reverence of a soul deeply connected to the earth and the roots from which she sprang. “I absolutely love Ireland,” she declares, echoing a sentiment that goes beyond simple admiration; it speaks to the profound ties that bind her to this ancient land. Ireland, with its rugged coasts, its green hills, and its ancient stones, is not merely a place on the map, but a spiritual home, a land that calls to her as it has to so many before her. For Emily, Ireland is more than a destination—it is a legacy, a connection to her ancestors that courses through her veins.

In the old tales of the Irish, the land itself was sacred, a place where the gods walked among mortals, and where the winds carried stories from the distant past. Much like Emily, the ancient Celts revered their heritage, understanding that the land was not a mere backdrop to their lives, but an active participant in their stories. The Gaels spoke of Éire not just as a country, but as a living entity, a mother whose spirit nourished the hearts of her children. When Emily speaks of her grandmothers being from Ireland, she connects herself to this eternal tradition—the same earth that sustained her ancestors continues to breathe life into her own soul. It is this deep-seated connection to her heritage that makes her love for Ireland so profound, for to love a place is often to honor those who walked it before us.

Yet it is not only the land that calls to Emily, but the story of her father, the artist who had the romantic idea twenty years ago to buy an old farmhouse on the west coast and breathe new life into it. This tale evokes the spirit of the ancient wanderers—those who saw beauty not in perfection, but in the potential for renewal. The farmer's house, perhaps weathered by time, has been transformed, much like a piece of art, into something new and beautiful. This is a story that mirrors the ancient practice of the Celtic builders, who wove their homes into the landscape, allowing nature to shape and mold their dwellings. Emily’s father, with his romantic vision, acts as a modern-day embodiment of the ancient artist who seeks to merge nature and humanity, creating something timeless.

In this act of renovation, there lies a deeper message—the desire to honor the past while shaping the future. As Emily spends her summers in Bantry, she is reminded not only of the love for the land but of the family ties that bind her. There is a deep wisdom in returning to the same place year after year, for in these moments of stillness and repetition, we are given the opportunity to reflect on the passage of time. History, much like a home, requires care, nurturing, and renewal. The act of spending each summer in Bantry is a ritual of renewal, of connecting with the ancient rhythms of the earth and the traditions passed down through generations.

Ireland’s beauty, as Emily describes it, is not merely in its external landscapes but in the spiritual bond it fosters between those who walk upon it. It is a land where the past and the present intertwine, where each stone, each hill, and each shoreline whispers stories of those who lived before. The Irish have long understood that the land carries the memories of the people, and in turn, the people must honor the land. Emily’s deep connection to this place is a reminder that we too must honor our own roots, whether they be in family, heritage, or the very soil we walk upon. It is not enough to simply live in a place; we must nurture it, respect it, and learn from it.

As you walk through the journey of your own life, ask yourself where your roots lie. What land, what story, what tradition shapes you? And as you ponder this, consider the lessons that Emily’s connection to Ireland offers: the importance of returning to the places that have shaped us, the value of heritage and family, and the need to care for the stories we inherit. Just as Emily’s father took a romantic leap to restore the farmhouse, we too are called to restore the things that are dear to us—whether they be relationships, memories, or our connection to the land that holds us. In honoring these ties, we honor ourselves, and in doing so, we ensure that the beauty of the past continues to shine brightly in the future.

Let Emily’s love for Ireland serve as a reminder that the ties of family and heritage are not merely sentimental; they are foundational. They provide us with a sense of belonging, a purpose, and a way to navigate the world. Embrace your roots, seek out the places that nurture your soul, and as you do, remember the wisdom of the land: that just as it gives us life, so too must we care for it, so that future generations may feel the same deep, enduring love.