The tired gag was ‘One letter and six months’ for Europe’s outliers, but who’s had the last laugh now with Iceland & Ireland the world’s most peaceful countries.
So who says so… well us, but also Condé Nast’s Global Peace Index.
Who mark countries on lack of corruption, a functioning government, a robust economy, fair distribution of resources.
A free flow of information and good neighbourly relations.
And that’s something to bang your saucepan about which is how the Icelanders expressed their dissatisfaction outside parliament.
Now full disclosure here there is more than a letter apart in my experience of Ireland and Iceland.
As we’ve yet to take the plunge into the Blue Lagoon or the bougie boutique hotels in the Land of Fire and Ice.
Or taken the Icelandair option of stop-off to America.
Irish solution
Aussie philanthropist Steve Killelea (and he must be Irish with a name like that) describes Iceland thus:
‘One of the most stunning countries in the world, like a moonscape covered in snow.
‘It also hasn’t had an internal conflict since 1008 AD when no more than 100 people died.’
As a lesson in conflict resolution Ireland is an example with nearly 30 years of sustained peace in the North.
And you can learn the secrets of that success in the reconciliation hub that is the haven that is Glencree in Co. Wicklow.
Condé Nast describes the Land of Saints and Scholars as boasting ‘striking vistas and storybook towns’.
Lands of bliss
We’ll leave Antipodean Steve to wax lyrical on New Zealand, third on the list.
‘Because of the way it’s honoured indigenous rights, the peace treaty with the Māoris when the British arrived is held to this day.’
And we can share Steve’s admiration for another country who have integration licked, the Swiss.
Fifth on the index Switzerland scores ‘with four official languages coexisting, it takes a remarkable political system to hold that together.
‘By its very nature, it shows us how different cultures can live harmoniously and respectfully within one system.’
In these Alpine parts, of course, No. 4 Austria is never far apart either geographically or in life experience.
Which we’d agree with too and the remarks ‘Austria’s majestic peaks, vast plains and postcard-perfect lakes are as peaceful as they look.’
Pointing too to Vienna’s top spot in the rankings in the 2024 Economist Intelligence Unit.
The ideal getaways
Now as our lives grow ever busier those who compile these listicles for us and do the heavy lifting for us are a Godsend.
Which leaves us to make our own links and ignore the simplistic jibes of those who don’t make these lists.
The ones that tell the real truth… Iceland & Ireland the world’s most peaceful countries.
