There are some moments in time, some experiences that simply cannot be repeated.
They are the times in our lives when we wish we could hit pause and capture that feeling inside us. Being Irish, we have been blessed with moments where we have shown, on an international stage, our heritage, our pride and our passion that have become truly unforgettable. With thanks to MasterCard Priceless Ireland, which presents a collection of exclusive offers and experiences for you to choose from, we take a look at a few of the priceless moments that have resonated with us the most over the years.
Riverdance at the Eurovision
Remember the days when Ireland used to win the Eurovision? Yeah, it seems a long while ago now, in particular after how we performed the other week, but with the eyes of the world (at least Europe) on us in 1994, we came up with an interval act that has never been matched since, and probably never will be.
This is the moment when some guy called Michael Flatley appeared on stage in a big flowing shirt next to Jean Butler, and the two of them became instant celebrities with the biggest dance show the world had ever seen. The primal beat of the drums was matched only by the impossibly fast tapping of Flatley and Butler’s feet, the rousing music of Bill Whelan and the perfection of the choreography all came together to make the hairs on the back of your neck stand up, and as the final note of the performance struck, the audience couldn’t help but explode in to rapturous applause, rising to their feet spontaneously in reaction to the unique spectacle they had just witnessed. As Terry Wogan added in the commentary, “you don’t have to be Irish to love that”. It does help though.
Italia 90
The whole country went in to national pride overdrive during the World Cup in Italy in 1990. Our lads were in a World Cup for the first time, and before Saipan, before Trap, before we complained about the style of football, we were just looking forward to being there, as the old cliché goes.
That was never going to be enough for the squad however, and they exceeded expectations by getting to the quarter-finals and putting Irish football firmly on the map. It also left us with everlasting memories of the Packie Bonner grimace, putting ‘em under pressure and the penalty shootout against Romania that brought the nation to a standstill. If only Toto Schillaci hadn’t scored that goal…
England visit Croke Park in the Six Nations
Landsdowne Road was getting a facelift, and Irish rugby needed a new home for the Six Nations tournament in 2007. The only place that could house the game without it being sent abroad to neutral ground was Croke Park, and after much negotiation, the GAA and the IRFU came to an agreement that would see England’s rugby team come to the home of Gaelic games. No need to go into the history between the two countries, we all know what it is and how it has shaped Anglo-Irish relations over the years, but at this moment in time, sports took a key role in how we expressed our national pride.
With Croke Park packed to the rafters, Ireland stood not as an enemy nor as a political opponent to England, but as an equal among nations as ‘God Save the Queen’ was respectfully observed, despite the reservations and worries expressed beforehand. What happened next was a moment that was powerful enough to bring John ‘The Bull’ Hayes to tears, as Amhrán na bhFiann was blasted out by the crowd. With tears in our eyes and lumps in our throats, we all watched Ireland go on to the inevitable victory that the build-up deserved. Sure it couldn’t have happened any other way.
While these are just a few of the times that the whole nation together, there are plenty of other fond memories that are more personal to us and to you, whether you spent them with a family member, loved one or close friend. MasterCard want to help you create more of those moments with those closest to you, so to find out more, visit MasterCard Priceless Ireland for exclusive offers that will capture a priceless experience that money can’t buy.
Main pic via UEFA.org
