Rory Fitzgerald
Hibernia is in hibernation. Outside the window, torrents of rain gush from grey November skies, while the wind groans through drunken trees. The stream is a torrent of white water cutting a path towards the distant sea, as though trying to escape the onslaught. The summer foliage has been torn violently from all but the most obstinate trees. The freshly naked and troubled trees reach their branches plaintively towards the glowering skies, as though begging for mercy.
On days such as this, it’s easy to see why the Romans called Ireland Hibernia, the land of winter. The etymology of the word hibernate shares similar origins, coming from hiberna which means ‘winter quarters’. The best and only psychological defence against the assault of winter in this, the very land of winter, is to make your winter quarters defiantly cosy. To that end, as I write, I’ve a small fire lit in the grate while the dog sleeps serenely next to me on the sofa. Suddenly, the logic of the storm is inverted: the worse the weather outside, the cosier it is inside.
By law, all of Ireland is currently in police-enforced hibernation, as we pass the midway point in the second lockdown of 2020. The Russians have long had their great ally, General Winter, who helped them defeat both Napoleon and Hitler. An Garda Síochána are now in a similar alliance with old General Winter, whose meteorological efforts to keep the population indoors are in reality far more effective than any amount of Garda checkpoints. For unlike An Garda, General Winter does not police by consent. He has no compunction about the arbitrary use of water cannon, or the use of extrajudicial meteorological violence to keep the populace under house arrest. He routinely metes out cruel and unusual punishment to anyone who has the temerity to walk to the shops.
For a time, at least, we adults can embrace hibernation. Indeed, we often secretly welcome an excuse to huddle indoors. It’s not quite as easy for children to do so, but it is possible to help them to find new ways of passing the time indoors. Thankfully, our kids love being outside, climbing trees, playing on the beach, swimming, running, fishing or playing sports. Some of these things are continuing, during this time of hibernation: for example, the girls’ weekly Irish dancing classes now take place in our living room via Zoom. Through the screen, they can even see their friends practising their steps in their own homes.
The kids are encouraged to curl up with books. Each has a nest for reading in their rooms. We have a movie night, complete with fresh popcorn, on the weekends. They’ve been given plenty of materials for art, and they spend a lot of time painting, drawing or designing things. Making models is another great way to pass the time indoors, while developing new skills. An evening game of chess has become essential for some of the kids. Hide and seek is always fun, especially when the dog gets involved in scenting out those in concealment around our rambling old house. The judicious use of technology has its place too. It can provide fun, education and a way to chat to those we love, as though they were in the same room.
Of course, we make a break for the outdoors when the weather permits. Yet the winter, the lockdown and the dark evenings mean that new habits of hibernation are being formed. There is a beauty to this more indoorsy life, as the house begins to take on the cosy characteristics of a nest. Its old stone walls stand firm against the weather and cold the world outside. Beyond our little rural valley, the wide world may be troubled, but in this little world, our home, we are warm.