I don't look it, but I'm half Irish.  My mother Mary Agnes (Ryan) Burke, spoke with faint echoes of a brogue, wore her roots proudly on her sleeve, and imparted us all with the wisdom, values, humor, common sense and b.s. detectors passed down for generations.   We identified deeply with our Irish roots.  I take after her in many ways. 

This is a true story from a visit to Telluride, CO.  When I heard the Star of the County Down's timeless melody and “stranger in a strange land meets a beauty” tale, I had to put the two together.   It is too good to languish as a museum piece.  So here's my personal version.    

Dedicated to my mother, the Star of Telluride, and to the Star of your county.  You know who she is : >    Enjoy!