| Irish culture is alive and well on the "Emerald Isle" of | | | | prisoners, and African slaves blended a society that |
| the Caribbean. | | | | maintained the strong Irish influence mixed with the |
| St. Patrick's Day is celebrated as a national holiday in | | | | African culture. The present day society is certainly |
| only two places in the world - the country of Ireland, | | | | one of the most unusual in the history of the |
| and the Caribbean island of Montserrat. The national | | | | Caribbean islands. |
| flag of Montserrat depicts the legendary female Irish | | | | Montserrat is currently making a comeback with |
| figure Erin playing an ancient Irish harp. | | | | tourism. Visitors are surprised to find the island |
| And the green shamrock is stamped on every | | | | rebounding from the destructive volcanic eruption in |
| visitors passport upon entry to the island, and the | | | | 1997 which buried the former capital city of Plymouth |
| shamrock is also carved on the door of the | | | | in ashes. |
| Governor's house. | | | | While the former capital remains buried, and is an |
| The national dish of the island, Goat Water, also has | | | | unusual tourist site in the region, the rest of the |
| an Irish origin. It is a stew made of kidney or mutton, | | | | island offers breathtaking green scenery. Volcanos |
| and is spiced with cloves and rum. | | | | bring new life, and Montserrat is no exception with its |
| As you travel around Montserrat, you'll find familiar | | | | emerald green mountains, exotic dark sand beaches, |
| sounding Irish names such as Kinsale, Delvins, St. | | | | and pristine reefs just waiting to be explored. |
| Patrick's and Cork Hill on the streets, establishments | | | | Montserrat, prior to the eruption, was once a |
| and towns. And, the islands phone directory lists the | | | | vacation paradise for jet setters and movie stars. |
| generations of the Ryans, O'Briens, Daleys, | | | | This island is posturing itself for a renewed tourist |
| Sweeneys, Gibbons, and so many more. | | | | industry with a new capital city, and brand new |
| You have to go back to 17th century history to find | | | | airport. Visitors will find affordable lodging, plenty of |
| the first origins of this lasting Irish culture. The English | | | | restaurants, secluded beaches and a first class diving |
| defeated the Irish, and sent them to the island of | | | | destination. |
| Montserrat to serve as indentured servants, and | | | | This isn't a destination for everyone, but if your idea |
| they worked along side the African slaves. | | | | of a Caribbean vacation is lots of natural beauty, |
| As the Irish served out their servitude, some | | | | extensive hiking trails, first class diving, uncrowded |
| migrated to other islands in the Caribbean, but the | | | | beaches, and an opportunity to see a former city |
| majority of Irish decided to make Montserrat their | | | | that is a modern day Pompeii, then the Emerald |
| home. It was in this period that six of the islands 17th | | | | Green Isle is the only place in the Caribbean that will |
| century Governor's were of Irish descent. | | | | deliver all that, and perhaps a bit of Irish culture. |
| Together the decendants of the original Irish | | | | |