A New Jersey-based family had the opportunity to witness first-hand Ireland‘s renowned hospitality during an unforgettable road trip through County Cork. A minor travel mishap turned out to be a touching testament of the kindness and generosity of the Irish.
Erika Hernandez was celebrating her 35th Birthday when she and her family went to Southern Ireland. Their daughter, who is four years old, joined them. The journey of Erika Hernandez and her family took a surprising turn after they visited the Blarney castle, known as ‘the Blarney stone.
Erika said, “We are from New Jersey and it was the first time my husband drove on the left hand side.” The accident happened on a narrow Irish street. At the time we did not think too much about it, and we kept going towards Blarney castle.
They discovered that their tire was flat after visiting Blarney Castle. The parking lot was closing, so we had to move the car fast. As the car was without a spare, my husband called the company after pulling up to the nearest road. While we waited for help, a remarkable thing happened. No less than 14 locals offered their assistance.”
Erika’s heart was touched by all the concern. It was heartwarming. The pace of the life in America can be very rapid. While there are many great people we have met, it is also a fast-paced country. It’s true that sometimes we are too busy to see or respond to someone who is in trouble.
Erika’s post on social media highlighted the fact that locals were offering rides to bike shops, and others suggested changing the tire by themselves.
Traveling through Ireland really shows the value of genuine human contact and presence,” wrote she. “We were just sitting in the car, not visibly distressed – nothing that would particularly draw attention – yet so many people still stopped to check if we were okay and if we needed any assistance whatsoever.”
Ireland is a top destination for U.S. visitors seeking breathtaking landscapes and cultural experiences. According to the Irish Central Statistics Office (ICSO), American travelers constituted the second most significant group of tourists to Ireland in the year 2023. Only the United Kingdom was larger.
In the comments, many people expressed their feelings about the Hernandez experience.
@satanswarriorcharlie proudly stated, “That’s just the Irish for you. “We’re good people.”
@thisisfreewheeling said, “And we will be worried for you forever!”
@jbenit55 also shared the experience: “We both had it.” Many Irish helped us when we had a flat.