A walk through history...

Ireland is a land of contrast. I'm not just talking about the green fields and rock walls, but I'm really talking about how the ancient and modern live side by side without conflict. Ireland - a country the size of West Virginia - is one of the world's leaders in technology. People drive new cars, travel the world on vacation, watch TV from around the world, live in new homes, and have cutting edge jobs. All of this is mixed in with a slower pace of life that has echoes of years gone by...

We have had several chances over the past few weeks to step into one of these contrasts... Every fall, town fairs are held across Ireland. I know that many people will think of the county fairs in America - but they really have very little in common with them. They are a time of business and strict competition, and it really is not about rides or games. A few weeks ago we went to what is called the oldest fair still going in Europe. This horse fair was all about buying, selling, and competing horses. It is said that the horse Napoleon rode at the battle of Waterloo was purchased at this fair, and I doubt that much has changed since then.

The fair took place on a massive field in the center of the town. Thousands of horses and owners crowded every corner of the field with no organization at all. A living maze of kicking and neying horses was dotted with men and women that all looked so Irish I often wondered if I was on the set of a movie. Dee and I spent the day walking through mud and manure as deals were struck, men laughed, and horses traded hands all around.