This week we are all Irish

Are you ready for this month’s Irish Green Ride?

Lord Mayor Dublin Ireland

Justin Triano and Lord Mayor Andrew Montague of Dublin, Ireland ham it up at the first annual Lord Mayors Ride.

Ireland is a land known for its beautiful countryside, its tasty brews, and the warmth of its people. But what sets this country apart more than most,  is the way the stories, the pain, and struggles of the Irish people are woven into song, literature, poetry, drama, and just everyday pub banter.

We spoke about story and its place at our Friday night rides, but when it comes to the shear art of storytelling the Irish are masters. Whether it’s a poem by Seamus Heaney (The Blackbird of Glanmore), that touches upon the life of his brother, James Joyce’s Ulysses describing a day in the life of Dublin, the shear grit of the The Cranberries’ Zombie, or just a story told to a stranger in a pub the importance of story is what it means to be Irish.

Lord Mayor of Dublin

The Lord Mayor Chatting it up at a stoplight. Photo: Richard Massoner

As any one who has been on our Lord Mayor’s ride know the Lord Mayor will strike up a conversation with just about every rider,  stopping at intersections to chat it up with any and all San Joseans.

So for this month’s Irish Green ride lets keep this theme going. Share the warmth. Share the gift of story. Make new friends. Do like a Dubliner. Strike up a conversation with a stranger. Connect with one another.

Yes its a bike ride. Yes its a party. But its just another way to connect with your neighbor. Another way to connect with a stranger.

Happy St. Patricks’s Day!

This week we are all Irish.

U2 Bono Jose Babcock

Nephew Jose  (center) chattin’ it up in a Las Vegas pub with U2’s Bono. photo: Jose Babcock

 

 

Metroactive’s Gary Singh describes Dublin’s One City, One Book program in Dublin in this article from last year.

Remember Route details released on Thursday.Â