******************************************************************************
Welcome to the Irish Culture & Customs newsletter which is published every weekend and sent out to nearly 1200 readers all over the world. You are receiving this newsletter because you signed up for it - God Bless you! If you'd like to read past issues, they are archived at: http://www.yourmailinglistprovider.com/pubarchive.php?Herself
If, for any reason, you wish to unsubcribe, instructions are at the end - but we do hope you'll stay with us.
******************************************************************************
Greetings & Blessings to Everyone,
Well, here we are again, and it's lovely to be back. The warmest of welcomes to each and everyone of you - including those of you who signed up this past week. We've probably mentioned this before, but just in case we haven't, Bridget checks the numbers every day and it's always a source of great pleasure to see that we have one or more new subscribers. All of you are near and dear to us and we hope that these weekly newsletters will bring you a small bit of diversion from your cares and worries.
It was definitely a week that will go down in history - but we're not sure we'd place the toppling of one statue on a par with the fall of the Berlin Wall. However, the mass media loved the shot and all of the papers made it front page news last Wednesday. We took it in stride. As dramatic as it was, for us it was not the end - just the beginning. This isn't a forum for our politics, but we are gravely concerned about the aftermath of the past three weeks. Enough said - except that we will continue to keep the soldiers and the people of Iraq in our prayers.
On a lighter note - did our US readers remember to set their clocks forward last Sunday? Or change the batteries in the fire alarms? It took us a day or two to adjust, but we're now getting up and going to bed at the new official time. Well... actually, we're not. Russ says that next year we're going to ignore the whole thing entirely; we're going to invent Bridget and Russ time - i.e. we'll most likely awaken when the light hits the windows and we'll probably go to bed not long after dark. Or may be not. Such is the luxury of not having to pay attention to a time-clock - but, then, being self-employed, we have a few downsides - like no work and still having to pay taxes!
We predict that many of our American subscribers won't read this newsletter until about next Tuesday or later. That's because, as with us, they'll be nubbing a pencil eraser to death, trying to keep as much from the infernal revenue service as they can. Any good real estate lawyers out there? We'd like to sell our house - but, we just found out that if you take a home office deduction, there's a huge penalty to pay on profit from the sale. Aaaagh!
Enough already with war, taxes and whatever other woes that will always be with us.
Weather-wise, we've been able to count on the usual April unpredictability. But, while it's been cold enough to need a fire at night in the wood-stove, during the day, we've enjoyed venturing outside - albeit slow, like hedgehogs coming out of hibernation. What a joy it is to see the grape hyacinths cast their regal blue shadow over the crocus, now fading. And the snowdrops, here for just a short while, are now gone. But, turn the head, and there, under the Catalpa tree is this massive array of buttercups (we're not sure if that's the real name - we'll try to find out; years ago, a neighbor took Bridget to a nearby stream and they dug up a few plants) All around us, trees are in bloom and tulips are trying to usurp the daffodils. But, before we wax too bucolic, the grass needs a haircut. So, for the first time since last year, this weekend, the dreaded lawn-mower will interrupt the tranquility.
But enough of the blather...on with the update:
==================================================================
Please help to keep this newsletter free by visiting the following sponsor:
Lollysmith is one of our favorite affiliates! Here you will find over 300 Irish and Celtic gifts from Celtic and Claddagh jewelry to shamrock seeds, Connemara marble, Guinness pint glasses, tin whistles, and much more, including their best-selling authentic Irish caps! Known worldwide for their great quality, great prices, quick shipping, and friendly personalized service, please stop by - they're adding new items all the time!
http://store.yahoo.com/cgi-bin/clink?lollysmith+wSpfhS+index.html+
==================================================================
IN THIS ISSUE:
A Bit of The Wit
Joke of The Week
Did You Know?
Quotes & Quips
Know Your Irish Writers & Books?
New This Week
The Week Ahead
__________________________________________________________
A BIT O' THE WIT
Sign on an Irish gate:
The farmer allows walkers across the field for free, but the bull charges.
__________________________________________________________
OUR FAVORITE JOKE OF THE WEEK
Two men walked into a pub late one afternoon and noticed that, among the few customers, was one individual sitting quietly at the end of the bar. The two ordered some beers. The bartender brought them and said, "that will be 50p please." They put it on the slate and a short time later ordered two more beers; again they were charged 25p each. The two could not believe the price and after having a third beer for the same amount, they decided to ask the bartender what the catch was. The bartender replied, "there is no catch, gentlemen. I have just started brewing this beer on the premises and I'm selling it below cost to introduce it to my customers. I'm happy to see you're enjoying it." Indeed, they noticed that almost everyone was enjoying the beer and the remarkable price except for the one man at the end of the bar. He had not ordered anything since the two came in. Becoming very curious about this individual, the two asked the bartender, "Doesn't he ever order anything?" "Oh yes," said the bartender. "That's Patrick Curran, our local accountant. He's waiting for happy hour."
__________________________________________________________
DID YOU KNOW...
1. An Irishman, Jimmy Kennedy, from Co. Tyrone, wrote the song Red Sails in the Sunset?
2. Singer, Eyna's real name is Eithne Ní Bhraonáin
3. Bram Stoker, the author of Dracula, was born in Dublin?
__________________________________________________________
QUIPS, QUOTES & ANECDOTES - PROVERBS & TOASTS, TOO
"A wise man should have money in his head, but not in his heart." Jonathan Swift
__________________________________________________________
KNOW YOUR IRISH WRITERS & BOOKS?
The answers to last week's quiz:
1. Almost There - Nuala O'Faolain
2. Somewhere in Ireland - David Feherty
3. Ireland on Three Million - Declan Lynch
A salute to our literary sleuths:
Deirdre McKiernan-Hetzler
Who has the longest continuously running tour from the States to Ireland? According to Terry Flynn Tours of Ireland it's the McKiernans of Irish Books & Media:
http://www.irishbook.com/tours.htm
Judith Flynn
A sweet site about Annie, a Springer Spaniel and Max, her pal
http://www.maxandannie.com/
Debs
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/EzinesEtc-HFF/?yguid=135192422
Hunting up the very best in Freebies! Come and join me! Lots of love and angels to you!
Dallas Franklin
http://sellwritingonline.com <http://sellwritingonline.com
An interactive ezine for writers. Discover paying markets, writing/marketing tips, and more. You also get the chance to promote your Website/book in the following issue. Sign up at the Website!
Hartson Dowd
Your Irish Roots: The Irish Famine
http://www.youririshroots.com/famine.htm
Helen Dowd
Need an angel today? Visit my website at: http://occupytillicome.online-ministries.com/ You will find stories of comfort, poems of encouragement and inspiration, items for children, Bible stories, devotionals, and much more.
Anne Mulvey
Ciaran Mc.A.
http://genforum.genealogy.com/mcallister/
This week's quiz - who wrote:
1, Agony at Easter - the 1916 Irish Uprising
2. Easter 1916 and other Poems
3. Grace Gifford Plunkett and Irish Freedom
Hint: All three titles can be found on amazon - please click here:
http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/0385418493/qid%3D1041089301/sr%3D2-2/irishcultucus-20
Send us the correct answers to two out of three and the rewards are:
1. If you have a web site, send us your URL plus a short description and we'll publish it in the next newsletter. If you don't have a web site, please nominate a favorite. Also, please remember that we list our sleuths in the order of entries received.
2. Receive a correct entry into the current "So You Think You're Irish" trivia contest. (In fairness to those of you who go to the trouble of actually finding the answers to the trivia contest, you'll get a bonus entry!)
Hint: All three titles can be found on amazon - please click here:
http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/0385418493/qid%3D1041089301/sr%3D2-2/irishcultucus-20
Send us the correct answers to two out of three and the rewards are:
1. If you have a web site, send us your URL plus a short description and we'll publish it in the next newsletter. If you don't have a web site, please nominate a favorite. Also, please remember that we list our sleuths in the order of entries received.
2. Receive a correct entry into the current "So You Think You're Irish" trivia contest. (In fairness to those of you who go to the trouble of actually finding the answers to the trivia contest, you'll get a bonus entry!)
__________________________________________________________
NEW OR REPUBLISHED FROM OUR INDEX THIS PAST WEEK:
To visit our Home Page, please click: http://www.irishcultureandcustoms.com
1. Article: Gathering the Threads by guest contributor, Rosemary Maguire Nagy
http://www.irishcultureandcustoms.com/AMisc/Threads.html
2. Article: Palm Sunday in Old Ireland
http://www.irishcultureandcustoms.com/ACalend/PalmSunday.htmlThe Irish
3. Article: Good Friday Haircuts and Seaweed for Dinner
http://www.irishcultureandcustoms.com/ACalend/GoodFriday.html
4. The Irish Kitchen: More Irish appetizers for your next hooley!
http://www.irishcultureandcustoms.com/2Kitch/1Home.html
5. Kids Ireland: A new story from our resident teller of Irish tales, plus a wee test!
http://www.irishcultureandcustoms.com/1Kids/1Home.html
6. Basic Irish: The lesson this time is on words and phrases related to Easter
http://www.irishcultureandcustoms.com/3Focloir/1Home.html
7. Circle of Prayer: Our eighth Novena in this cycle began last Tuesday and will end on April 16th. Our ninth one will begin next Thursday.
http://www.irishcultureandcustoms.com/Blessings/CirclePrayer.html
8. Think You're Irish? Try our Trivia Contest! All entries must be in by midnight, EST on April 30. To enter. please click:
http://www.irishcultureandcustoms.com/TriviaContest.html
NEXT WEEK, GOD WILLING:
If Bridget can stop being distracted by the research, she just might get around to writing an article or two! There are a couple she has been noodling with (not counting Co. Cork!) As usual, regular features will make their appearance on the appropriate days - Wednesday quote, Sunday blessing, and so on. Headlines and history will go up each day and we'll post a new recipe over the weekend.
So, that's about the extent of it for another week, (except to mention the several new events listed at the end); we do hope this edition has found you all in good health, good spirits and, in good company! Until next time, may you and yours be showered with an abundance of blessings, may you be held safe and warm in the mantle of God's gentle love and protection, and, as they say in Ireland, mind yourself.
All the best,
Bridget & Russ
Get down on your knees and thank God you're still on your feet
==================================================================
Please help to keep this newsletter free by visiting the following sponsor:
Spring is in the air and to celebrate, Irish Shop is offering a free shipping coupon good through the end of April. The special code is FSA3 and to use it, you just add your items to your shopping cart; when you check out, enter the special code in the box provided on the shipping information page. To visit this excellent merchant, please click http://store.yahoo.com/cgi-bin/clink?irishop+FvBdxj+index.html ==================================================================
DID SOMEONE FORWARD THIS ISSUE TO YOU? Subscribe for FREE!
Send an email to: bhaggerty@irishcultureandcustoms.com
OR click on this link:
http://www.irishcultureandcustoms.com/Newsletter.html
==================================================================
PROTECTING YOUR PRIVACY IS A TOP PRIORITY. WE PROMISE NEVER TO
SELL OR SHARE YOUR EMAIL ADDRESS WITH ANYONE. PERIOD.
OUR NEWS-LETTER HOST HAS GUARANTEED US THEY WON'T EITHER.
==================================================================
Events
The Provost of Trinity College, Dr John Hegarty and his wife, Neasa Ni Chinneide, would like to invite graduates from the University of Dublin, Trinity College, to a lunch in the Charles Carroll House and Gardens in Annapolis, Maryland at noon on Sunday, May 4, 2003, by kind permission. Families are welcome. This get together for graduates and friends living in the States of Pennsylvania, Maryland, Delaware, Virgina and in Washington DC will be the opportunity to bring to life an active TCD Alumni Branch in the region. RSVP to Brenda Kelliher by e-mail:
mailto:bkelliher@comcast.net (Confirmation of receipt of e-mails will
be after April 25).
Re-Imagining Ireland
A ground-breaking international conference and festival will be held May 7-10, 2003 in Charlottesville, VA. Major arts events will include concerts by "De Dannan" and "The Green Fields of America" and by "Solas" and "Cherish the Ladies." For more information, please click http://www.re-imagining-ireland.org/
The Brazos Valley Celtic Association meeting on Tuesday May 13 will feature
Keltic Cross-Fire doing a presentation consisting of traditional Celtic dance tunes, vocal stories and original music. As always, the meeting will be held at 7:00pm at Carney's Pub, located at 3410 S. College in Bryan. Open to the public - No need to be a member to attend meetings or to be Celtic to be a member. The BVCA is a non-profit organization dedicated to the promotion of the appreciation of all Celtic Cultures. For more information, please contact Claire Byrne - bvcelt@alpha1.net
Eighteenth-Century Ireland Society
Cumann Éire san Ochtú Céad Déag
2003 CONFERENCE - Dublin, 2-4 May
Religious and Political Identity in Eighteenth-Century Ireland
http://www.mic.ul.ie/ecis/Conf2003programme.htm
7th Clann McKenna Rally - June 25th through Sunday June 27th 2004
For details, please write plunkettmckenna@eircom.net
or click on the following link:
www.omagh.gov.uk/historypark.htm
Like to write? Our Cincinnati Celtic Music and Cultural Festival has just announced a brand new writing competition. If you're interested, you can get the rules and other details here: http://home.fuse.net/cfl/festival.html 