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Greetings & Blessings to all
Welcome to our December newsletter.
Well, here we are in the month of Christmas. This is a heart-plucker for me. I put up Bridget’s articles for Christmas. She wrote them years ago and I read them all every year. I don’t know why but every year when I read those articles I’ve read over and over it makes me cry. I know them all, of course but I still cry.
This year my health has been pretty bad. I’ll probably just stay home with my cat, Juniper. This is easier for me but not as much fun, I think. I’ll find out.
I hope all of you have a wonderful, Happy Christmas and New Years. Yikes! I still have to buy the presents for my seven grandkids.
Enough of my nattering.
Again my thanks for the contributions. Please keep them coming. I would like appropriate news or other links more than anything.
We’re all in this together let’s make it as good as we can. Stay with me everybody.
Enough of the blather...
Is this your first edition? Many thanks for joining us and if you like our musings and meanderings please feel free to share them with your family and friends. And do encourage them to sign up. The more of us, the merrier! And for all of our readers, we hope this issue finds you in good health, good spirits and good company.
On with the update...
IN THIS ISSUE:
The Weather
Up the minute forecasts provided by Ireland's official source for all weather-related news. Please click Met Eireann.
http://www.met.ie/forecasts/
Basic Irish
Links
Quips, Quotes, Proverbs & Toasts
A Bit of the Wit
Joke of The Month
Did You Know
The week That Is
Leave 'em Laughing
Last Words
Basic Irish
Word: Christmas
Irish: Nollaig
Pronunciation: null-ahg
Phrase: Happy Christmas to you
Irish: Nollaig Shona dhuit/dhíbh*
Pronunciation: null-ig hun-ah gwich/yeev
*singular/plural
Phrase: Seasons Greetings
Irish: Beannachtaí an tSéasúir
Pronunciation: BAN-ock-tee on Tay-zure
LINKS
Irish government report sets out “renewable powerhouse” in Shannon Estuary
The Shannon Estuary could be Ireland’s prime location for offshore renewable energy and a key transportation hub, according to an interim report by the government’s Shannon Estuary economic task force.
2. Half of Irish News readers believe now is the right time to call a border poll
Half of Irish News readers believe the time is right to call a border poll, according to a new poll.
https://www.citizensinformation.ie/en/health/covid19/public_health_measures_for_covid19.html#la9b8b
Why not?—Russ
3. Weather: Ireland sees ‘coldest day’ in 12 years as freezing temperatures set to continue
Ireland experienced its lowest temperatures in 12 years on Monday, with freezing conditions expected to continue for most of the week.
That's in Celsius BTW—Russ
4. Irish Economic Growth Set to Slow Significantly Next Year
Ireland’s economic growth will slow significantly in 2023 due to high inflation and weaker consumer confidence, according to the OECD.
Hum could this hurt me in the US?—Russ
5. Validity of Irish Residence Permits extended
IRPs that were valid in March 2020 are now valid until May 31, 2022.
Foreign residents with currently expired IRP cards can continue to use their expired cards to travel to and from the country until Jan. 15, 2022.
https://www.bal.com/bal-news/ireland-validity-of-irish-residence-permits-extended-2/https://www.bal.com/bal-news/ireland-validity-of-irish-residence-permits-extended-2/
At least it's after the Holidays—Russ
6. New documentary will explore Ireland's incredible street art, from Derry to Dublin
Art in Ireland has always been integral to our culture-- from the Book of Kells to the Free Derry mural, our inherent need to express ourselves often finds itself materialising as a colourful, powerful statement on the side of a wall in the city.
Looks like this is a potential for better subjects—Russ
7. Invaluable Irish archives burnt during 1922 civil war retrieved
Irish records once thought lost forever have been successfully recreated and will be available online by 2022.
In June 1922, a massive explosion during the Irish Civil War destroyed the Public Records Office attached to Dublin’s Four Courts. Documents representing hundreds of years of history, including 19th century census records, centuries of Church of Ireland parish records, and thousands of wills and title deeds, were destroyed in the fire.
Thank God—Russ
QUOTES, TOASTS , CURSES AND BLESSINGS
Irish whiskey was first developed for its medicinal benefits. It's just lucky for the rest of us that the Irish are such a sickly bunch.
Indeed — Russ
A BIT OF THE WIT
"Burn everything British," he once advised his Irish countrymen, "except their coal."
Jonathan Swift
JOKE OF THE MONTH
Teachers' Version: Twas The Daze Before Christmas
'Twas the days before Christmas,
And all through the school,
The teachers were trying
To just keep their cool.
The hallways were hung
With Christmas art
(Some made in November
to get a head start!)
The children were bouncing
Off ceilings and walls,
And seemed to forget
How to walk in the halls.
When out of the teacher's lounge
With "jingle bell jewels,"
The teachers looked festive
Enforcing the rules.
Suddenly, from down the hallway
There came such a chatter,
The principal went in
To see what was the matter.
The teachers were hiding
And trying to refuel,
On coffee and cookies
And treats from the Yule.
When what to their wondering
Ears do they hear,
But the ringing of school bells
- It's the children they fear!
More rapid than reindeer
The little ones came,
And the teachers all shouted
And called them by name;
Walk, Vincent! Walk, Tanner!
Walk, Tyler and Sammy!
Sit, Jamie! Sit, Laura!
Sit, Tara and Tammy!
To your desks in the room!
To your spots in the line!
Now walk to them! Walk to them!
No running this time!
So straight to their places
The children all went.
With fear of detention
Where they could be sent.
With manuals of lessons
Cradled in arms,
The teachers began
To use all their charms.
But the lessons presented
All fell on deaf ears.
The children were thinking
Of Santa's reindeer!
With a toss of their hands
They put manuals aside,
Went straight to the cupboards
Where videos hide.
And laying their finger
On the TV remote
They sat back to write
Their last Christmas note.
But you could hear them exclaim
At the end of the day -
Have a wonderful, happy and
L-O-O-O-O-O-NG HOLIDAY!!!
For any teachers out there.
DID YOU KNOW
1. Ireland's smallest church is at Portbraden in Co. Antrim? Only ten feet long by six feet wide, the structure is dedicated to St. Gobhnan - the patron saint of builders. (huh?!)
In the interest of giving the good saint a rest?—Russ
2. St. Patrick was the first person in history to speak out against slavery and he is the Patron Saint of the Excluded? By the time of his death, or shortly thereafter, the Irish stopped slave trading and they never took it up again.
Bravo—Russ
3. Robert Louis Stevenson, the author of Treasure Island, took a supply of Guinness with him on his travels to Samoa?
How did he keep it cool?—Russ
Sponsor
I’m my own Sponsor again this month.
Announcing the Irish Culture and Customs Book of Jokes
This is the collection of our Jokes. It was built up over many years and, now, is gathered here for your enjoyment. With this in your hand, whenever the day is dull or dreary you can open it up and have a good laugh, you'll feel better.
Available on Amazon. Use this Link:
THE MONTH THAT IS
Article: An Irish Christmas - Waiting for St. Nicholas
http://www.irishcultureandcustoms.com/ACalend/Xmas5th.html
2. Article: An Irish Christmas - The Day Before
http://www.irishcultureandcustoms.com/ACalend/XmasDec24.html
3. Article: Memories of Christmas Eve Past
http://www.irishcultureandcustoms.com/ACalend/XmasDec24b.html
4. Article: An Irish Christmas - Then and Now
http://www.irishcultureandcustoms.com/ACalend/XmasthenNow.html
5. The Irish Kitchen: An Irish Christmas - Food for the Feast
http://www.irishcultureandcustoms.com/2Kitch/aXmasFeast.html
6. Basic Irish: Words and Phrases for the Holiday Season
http://www.irishcultureandcustoms.com/3Focloir/Xmas.html
7. Kids’ Ireland: The Nightingale and the Rose
hhttp://www.irishcultureandcustoms.com/1Kids/NightingaleandRose.html
So there you have it until we write again - sometime in January, in the new year (whew).
If you are planning on getting married between now and then or tied the knot in the month of December, here is your special verse:
When December’s showers fall fast,
Marry and true love will last.
And, if you are celebrating a birthday, anniversary or other special event between now and our next edition, we hope it's an occasion filled with joy and happiness.
We’ll take our leave with this blessing:
During the coming
Christmas season
May you be blessed
With the spirit of the season,
which is peace,
The gladness of the season,
which is hope,
And the heart of the season,
which is love.
All the best & God Bless,
Bridget & Russ
Get down on your knees and thank God you’re still on your feet.
Téigh ar do ghlúine is bí buíoch le Dia go bhfuil tú fós ar do chosa.
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The Book
Potion, pope and perfidy
The second and final version is complete and available on Amazon.
Don’t order through ‘Marketplace’ or you’ll get the first version which is incomplete. Use this link: https://www.amazon.com/Book-Potion-Pope-Perfidy-ebook/dp/B07BBVST69/ref=sr_1_2?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1531576170&sr=1-2&keywords=russell+haggerty&dpID=61BzUIHyd2L&preST=_SY445_QL70_&dpSrc=srch
If any of you bought and read the first version, I don’t want you to pay the higher price for the second. So, send me an E-Mail at the address below and I’ll buy one for you at my author’s price and mail it to you (and, yes, I’ll sign it). Even with the postage it will save you a bit of money.
Bless you all,
Russ Haggerty
LEAVE 'EM LAUGHING
The Three Stages of Man
1. He believes in Santa Claus.
2. He doesn't believe in Santa Claus.
3. He is Santa Claus.
but don't forget the 4th stage....
4. He LOOKS like Santa Claus.
Received from Pastor Tim.
Last Words
If you or anyone you know can benefit from advertising in my newsletter or the Irish Culture and Customs web site please contact me. My E-Mail address is: rhaggerty@irishcultureandcustoms.com
Thank you in advance
For all of you who have supported Irish Culture and Customs all these years – thank you.
When you start to buy anything on the internet don’t forget to go through the web Site. If you use Amazon, click on ‘Shopping’ at the top of the Irish Culture and Customs Homepage and the next page you see will have Amazon at the top. Anything you buy from Amazon through our site pays a (very small) commission. It beats a blank and it doesn’t effect your price. Thank you again.
—Russ
