From Dursey to Darrit-Uliga-Delap: an insular odyssey

Abstract

Let me begin by expressing my pride at being President of the Geographical Society of Ireland. As is immediately obvious from my accent. I was not raised in Ireland but on that larger island to the east. I am what used to be that rare thing, a migrant to Ireland. I am a migrant who has acculturated. 'We', i.e. Ulster, recently became the European rugby champions by beating a French side: 'we', i.e. Ireland, then just lost to France at rugby; a few days later England -no 'we'- lost heavily to France at soccer. To be acculturated is one thing; to be accepted is another, and to be accepted by my colleagues by being asked to become President of the Geographical Society of Ireland is an honour indeed and I thank the Society sincerely for it. My wife and I moved to Northern Ireland, for me to take up employment at Queen's University Belfast, in January 1976. Our three children were born and raised in Belfast and our family ties to Queen's were strengthened when our daughter read Geography and History there and we shared the unusual experience of her taking two of my courses. So my life - our lives - have become centred on this island of Ireland.