A short history of the Irish Family's success

Whenever I used to hear of the Irish Mission, I always used to pity our missionaries working there, and thanked Father that I wasn’t there. Somehow I had the impression of Ireland being a nation of hot-headed, irresponsible gamblers, and charmers to boot — promising you the earth but with nothing substantial forthcoming,

When Dennis [Orme] asked me whether I’d like to work in Ireland I naturally said yes, as I was happy to do whatever Father wanted of me, but my heart missed a beat for a fraction of a second as I wondered what I’d be able to do with the rambunctious Irish.

After World Day Celebrations of 1972, Gertrude Bauer, John Touhy and myself departed for Dublin and Bill Somerville went on to Cork. We were full of high hopes and anticipation wondering what Father had in store for us.

My first days of campaigning in Dublin were full of trepidation as to how the Irish would react to Father’s word, and I implored Father to show me their good points, to help me love them and have faith in them.

My first week was one continual revelation about the Irish. On our third day I witnessed and taught a boy right through the main points of Principle in three hours in a cafe. His insight and enthusiasm and fire were really so inspiring and he was also a real fighter. I was so hopped up with excitement that I rang Dennis that night. Then another girl accepted and straight away started strong indemnities with such wholehearted earnestness and zeal for sacrificing for Father, that I felt really humbled by the spirit of sincere dedication that Father showed me in her. Then before the week closed another boy heard Divine Principle in two days and accepted, and that night we packed him off to our headquarters at Rowlane Farmhouse in England, to meet Dennis and Doris, and to gain the experience of living Principle in a larger Family, thereby seeing wider application of Principle from the more varied activities of the British Family. By this time when I phoned Dennis I could barely control myself, I was so excited and enthusiastic at the qualities of the Irish people, and the exhilarating way in which Father was working so dramatically.

The Irish people are wonderful. The title our Master gave them of being Korea of the West is truly apt. Korea incidentally is called Ireland of the Orient. There are many strong links between Ireland and Korea. The Irish Gaelic language sounds similar to Korean; according to legend the early Irish originated from Mongolia and to this day many Irish have strikingly Oriental facial structures; both countries are divided between North and South; and both have had a long history of unmerited oppression and suffering.

The Irish also have an immensely rich Christian heritage. During the Dark Ages of Medieval history it was the Irish schools and monasteries throughout Europe that relit the flame of learning and Christianity, and Ireland has kept the Catholic Church supplied with priests and nuns ever since, covering the four corners of the globe.

The people are very spiritual and superstitious and their folklore abounds with stories about the Little People. To this day some country folk still put out milk every night for the Leprechauns to drink. When we first moved to our present center in Dublin our neighbor’s wife thought we were witches as she swore she saw five black cloaks hanging on the clothes line!

The Irish are passionate, whole-hearted people and take everything to extremes. There is nothing half- hearted about them so when they are good they are really good, and when they are bad they are very bad.

They are very tender-hearted, loving people. Ireland translated from Korean means Loving Orchid, so Mr. David Kim told us, which is very apt as they are definitely people of heart. The· Irish are especially sympathetic to the oppressed and suffering, so that they were the only European country that provided aid to Tibet when it was occupied by Communist China.

The Irish history is one long record of oppression by the British, and continual rebellions to gain independence, which they finally achieved in 1922.

Their oppression has resulted in a certain melancholia of spirit, that expresses itself in mournful ballads and the world’s highest drinking problem. So that when they find the Principle and come to know Father’s love and our Master’s victory over Satan, it revives their thirsting souls. They really appreciate the Divine Principle as the suffering, struggling heart of Father is very real to their own experience.

Despite their underlying seriousness they are happy-natured and very open in heart. It’s very seldom that we don’t have at least one good laugh in the Irish centers every day. In fact I’ve never felt Father’s hilarity and aching sides from laughter so much as in Ireland.

I felt such confidence in the Irish people’s response to Father’s call that we made a condition to bring twelve people to Father by the end of 1972. So it was a great joy to be able to take 11 new people to meet Dennis and Doris the week before Christmas Day. By the end of 1972 there were ten people working for Father in Ireland and one Irish boy in Britain.

Since then the Irish Family has grown steadily in numbers each month, albeit the way has been stormy. The dramatic nature of the Irish ensures that no one joins Father’s Family without their due of persecution and opposition from every quarter.

At the beginning of May Ireland was very honored to receive Mr. David Kim and Dennis and Doris [Orme] for a three-day visit. Ireland was very blessed through their visit for Mr. Kim blessed Holy Ground in St. Stephen’s green on May first. He explained to us the full significance of that day for our Father as it was on 1st May 1954 that our Leader established the official foundation of the Holy Spirit Association for the Unification of World Christianity.

Mr. Kim portrayed such a depth of Father’s heart, inspiring us to great accomplishments. Mr. Kim’s dynamic zeal, deep love and understanding; and his humble obedience, faithfulness and respect to our Master made a mark on our hearts that we’ll never forget. It was like living in the Kingdom of Heaven while they were here, and we felt empty and hollow after their departure, as if part of our hearts were missing.

The heavy atmosphere of Dublin has lifted fantastically since the Holy Ground was blessed, so that it is a real joy just to be on the streets now.

We have a number of good people studying Principle at present in Cork and Dublin. These include students, a barrister of the Supreme Court, a successful solicitor, a businessman, and even someone influential in the government has expressed interest in our work.

So much has been showered on Ireland that we have to work even harder now to give it all out to the people of this nation, that they might experience the same joy of receiving Father’s love and of giving out to Father’s children.

We send our love and prayers to our Family all over the world, especially to our beloved Homeland, and America where our Master is working so hard.