Yep, an Irish priest of my acquaintance says he’ll never go back . . . believes the island is demon-possessed. Wouldn’t surprise me.
When I was there perhaps 20 years ago, I stopped at a nice little hotel in Kells merely to ask directions. When the proprietress heard my accent, she launched into a bitter tirade about George W. Bush. Warming to her task, she shouted, "When you go back, you march right over there and tell him I said so!"
Many Europeans simply cannot envision a country larger than their little towns. I had to suppress a strong urge to laugh right in her face.
Instead, I said, "Of course! I'll go right over to the White House and let him know just how you feel!" My companion and I turned and went out, got in the car, shut the doors, started the engine, rolled out of there and laughed so hard!
With the turn about in the abortion laws, possessed it is.