“Dear Tayto…” One Irish Woman in England Writes a Letter of Love and Longing

When we confirmed the news that a Tayto chocolate bar was coming to a shop near you earlier this week, we expected a big reaction, but we had no idea just how big it would be…

Since then, the Irish population have been divided, and Tayto fans all across the island have rushed out to get their hands on some so they can weigh in on the great debate. 

Spare a thought, though, for our poor Tayto fans abroad. Emma Leahy is one such Tayto fan, and she took to Facebook yesterday to pen this pretty epic note to Tayto. In less than 24 hours, the post has attracted thousands of likes, but Mr. Tayto and his team have yet to respond. Surely they’ll have to look after her, after this?!

 

 

 

And just in case you can't make out the text, the post reads;

Dear Tayto,

My name is Emma Leahy, I am a 21 year old A&E nurse in London. I moved away from my native County Limerick in 2009 to begin a new life.

Leaving Ireland was by far the hardest thing I've done in my life. I wasn't only leaving behind family, friends and clothes, but I was leaving the culture and tradition I grew up with. 

I was leaving behind a language what was considered normal to me, unfitting to the rest of the world- Such as "craic", "Jaysus", "goway" and the occasional "Feck off". Not to forget those sayings such as "Now we’re sucking diesel" or "isn’t there a grand stretch in the evenings?’"

I was leaving behind the gossip, headaches, and fry ups on a Sunday morning after the Saturday night.

I was leaving behind the copious amounts of tea drank in a day. Not because it was a social lubricant, but because if you refuse a cuppa, you would be considered an ignorant odd ball. 

I was leaving behind being late for the GAA match because of a John Deere tractor herding cattle up the road.

I was leaving behind the preparation of the lunch box’s for outtings such as the ploughing championships, school tours, GAA matches, and a day of "cruising".

These lunch box’s would have 3 crucial ingredients in them. Number 1 being a bit of white bread. Number 2 being the bit of butter, And Number 3 being a packet of Taytos.

Little did I think of these things when I moved away. Little did I know that Taytos were only a part of the Irish Culture and not the rest of the world. Little did I know what a huge impact this would make in my everyday life.

A few weeks into my new life, I became familiar to my surroundings, and started to socialise in my local Irish pub. I decided to go in after a day at work to watch the 6 O clock news, sure what harm would it do.

To my astonishment, a man of about 70 years was sitting there with a pint of Guinness and a pack of The original Irish crisp. My heart nearly jumped out of my mouth! I ran to the bar and ordered 6 packets of Tayto. It came up to £4.80. I didn’t care if it had came up to £100! I was having a packet of Taytos, In London. 

Four years on, I’m living with 5 friends from Different parts of Ireland. Taytos are a part of our weekly diet without fail.
On facebook I saw a picture of Taytos in the form of a chocolate bar. I didn’t believe it! I googled tayto bars, and, to my astonishment, they were real! They exist! 

Upon reading about these bars, I went to the local pub to see if they had heard. But one of the locals informed me that there was only 10,000 made. This made me realise that the bars would be like golddust to get in Ireland, not to mind the UK.

And this is why I’m emailing you Tayto. I have looked online, in the shops and in the pub for these Tayto bars. I can’t find them.
So I am asking you a favour. A favour that would change not only my appreciation for your company, but the rest of the Irish emigrants in the World too.

I am asking you to send me a Tayto bar.

 

Emma, we think you deserve a Tayto bar for that. If Mr. Tayto hasn't responded by the Monday, we'll post you one ourselves.