http://www.irishcultureandcustoms.com/index.html

 

Greetings & Blessings to all

 

Welcome to our April newsletter.

Those of you who have been with me long enough know that my sweet Bridget passed away in June of 2017. Her last wishes were that I take her ashes to Ireland and pour them on her grandmother’s grave in Galway. Well, I did it. I promised I’d tell you all about it when I got back so here we go.

I flew over on March 28^thand arrived at Shannon airport on Friday the 29^th. By the time I actually left I had a lot of company. Everyone loved Bridget and a good crowd wanted to come along. I rode with a couple of old friends to Galway city.

When we got there we had trouble finding the house we had booked (I had to ask a postman). We waited for Terry, Bridget’s brother coming over from England, then when he arrived, Terry, Chris and I went to the cemetery and poured the ashes on the gravesite. The gravesite was a mess. It was overgrown and had a lot of grass on it. The headstone was covered in bird poop and lichens. We decided to come back the next day and clean it up and we went back to the house. On the way I insisted we stop and have a Guinness so we did that. I needed it.

The next day (Saturday) we went to a hardware and garden center and bought more white marble chips. We went back to the gravesite and cleaned everything up. We pulled up the grass and weeds; scrubbed off the headstone; poured a fresh layer of marble chips on the ‘bed’ and planted some daffodils on the bed.

I said I would be back with tears in my eyes or a big smile and I hoped it would be the smile. I didn’t think about how I would feel and I came back without the smile. In spite of everything going the way it should it did hurt to leave her behind. I did keep some of the ashes on my mantle piece, so she can’t get away. So now I have to get on with my life. Again, I just don’t know what that will be (except writing to all of you, of course). 

 

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 to 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

The time has come to put away the Winter clothes.*
Irish: Tá an t-am tagtha éadaí an Gheimhridh a chur ar leataobh.
Pronunciation: thaw on thahm thah-gah ay-dhee on yeev-ree ah khur err lah-theev

*A word of caution: According to Bridget’s mother “you should never cast a clout until May is out!” a ‘clout’ is a coat

LINKS

The Irish Famine Museum / Exhibition at St. Stephen's Green in Dublin captures the history and tragedy of the Irish Famine, also known as Ireland's Great Hunger

Between 1845 and 1851 approximately one million Irish people died of starvation and disease and millions more fled Ireland in search of a better life. The tragic period of the Great Hunger in Ireland will forever be remembered by the Irish people and diaspora around the world as a grief-stricken time of intense loss.

https://www.irishcentral.com/roots/history/irish-famine-exhibition-dublin?utm_campaign=Best+of+IC+-+April+10++-+2019-04-10&utm_medium=Email&utm_source=Mailjet

I wish I could see this —Russ

2.Bacteria found in Irish soil destroyed four out of six superbugs, say scientists

A  team of researchers discovered that soil from a place in County Fermanagh, which had a history and reputation among locals as having healing powers. 

https://www.irishcentral.com/news/soil-irish-help-fight-worlds-top-superbugs?utm_campaign=Best+of+IC+-+April+10++-+2019-04-10&utm_medium=Email&utm_source=Mailjet

How long will it be before this becomes available? —Russ

3.Sport Ireland suspends FAI funding

Football Association of Ireland president Donal Conway has described Sport Ireland’s suspension of funding to the association as “unfortunate” as the row about the governance of the organisation deepened on Tuesday.

https://www.irishtimes.com/sport/soccer/international/sport-ireland-suspends-fai-funding-1.3854814

Ouch!—Russ

4. National Siblings Day 2019: Ireland’s biggest sibling chart stars

April 10 is National Siblings Day, a day to share with your nearest and dearest brothers and sisters. For many of us, siblings are the only enemy we can’t live without, while for others it can result in fame, fortune and massive chart success.

To celebrate, we look at some of Ireland’s most successful sibling partnerships in the charts…

https://www.officialcharts.com/chart-news/national-siblings-day-2019-ireland-s-biggest-sibling-chart-stars__26030/

My sister and I get along great—but no fame or fortune—Russ

5. MIXED BAG Irish weather forecast – Ireland to be hotter than Madrid as temperatures hit 15C before plunging below freezing as Met Eireann warn strong winds on way for weekend

Met Eireann predicts mainly dry and settled conditions up to Saturday before it turns cooler and nights get colder and more frosty

https://www.theguardian.com/sport/blog/2019/mar/09/ireland-horses-winners-cheltenham-festival-willie-mullins

When I was just there the weather was beautiful—Russ

6. Lost dog who snuck onto train in Ireland reunited with family through social media

People across the world are sharing the story of "Hamish," the dog who mysteriously ended up on a train all by himself. Irish Rail staff took the dog in and started a social media campaign to find his family. After days of searching, Hamish's long journey has a happy ending — and it's been revealed his name isn't really Hamish.

https://www.cbsnews.com/news/hamish-the-lost-dog-who-got-on-a-train-in-ireland-reunited-with-his-family-through-the-power-of-social-media/

I kind of liked ‘Hamish’—but it is more Scottish than Irish—Russ

7. GEAROID MCDAID WINS IRELAND'S BEST WAVE OF 2019 AT DOOLIN SURFEST

The inaugural Doolin Surfest has wrapped up with the event hailed a resounding success. A weekend of surf films, culture, talks and more all went down at the Hotel Doolin in Ireland – the event also acted as a platform for those hardy Emerald Isle chargers to showcase what they've been up to over the winter, with Gearoid McDaid picking up the win for Ireland's wave of the season.

https://magicseaweed.com/news/thats-a-wrap-inaugural-doolin-surfest/11336/

My hat is off to anyone who surfs in Ireland—Russ

QUOTES, TOASTS , CURSES AND BLESSINGS

I live again the days and evenings of my long career. I dream at night of operas and concerts in which I have had my share of success. Now like the old Irish minstrel, I have hung up my harp because my songs are all sung. 
John McCormack 
June 1884 – September 1945

A BIT OF THE WIT

Samuel Johnson once said "the Irish are a fair people, they never speak well of one another." So, naturally, Brendan Behan, that bad boy of Irish literature, had the Irish insult down to a fine art:
"If it was raining soup, the Irish would go out with forks."

JOKE OF THE MONTH

—A woman goes to the post office to stock up on stamps. She says to the clerk, "May I have 50 stamps please? The clerk says, "What denomination?" The woman says, "God bless us, has it come to that? I'll have 18 Protestants, and 32 Catholics."

 

—A surgeon and an architect, both English, were joined by an Irish politician, and all fell to arguing as to whose profession was the oldest. Said the surgeon, "Eve was made from Adam's rib, and that surely was a surgical operation." "Maybe," said the architect, "but prior to that, order was created out of chaos, and that was an architectural job." "Sure now," interrupted the politician, "but wasn't somebody after creating the chaos first?"

Two because the first is so short—still good though—Russ

DID YOU KNOW

1. According to Irish custom, cold and wet weather was welcomed on Good Friday. It was interpreted as a sign of nature in mourning for the death of Christ.

Well, that figures —Russ

2.If a boy was born on Easter Sunday, he was destined for high office in the Church?

Humm, I wonder how often that turned out true—Russ

3. It was on Easter Monday, April 18, 1949, that Éire became officially known as the Republic of Ireland?

I like that Christ is resurrected and the republic is born—perfect–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:

https://www.amazon.com/Irish-Culture-Customs-Book-Jokes/dp/1986506800/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1524578623&sr=8-1&keywords=irish+culture+and+customs+book+of+jokes&dpID=31oLHT0zknL&preST=_SY291_BO1,204,203,200_QL40_&dpSrc=srch

 

 

 

 

 

THE WEEK THAT IS

1.Article:Palm Sunday in old Ireland

http://www.irishcultureandcustoms.com/ACalend/PalmSunday.html

2.Article: Good Friday Haircuts and Seaweed for Dinner

http://www.irishcultureandcustoms.com/ACalend/GoodFriday.html

3. Article: Easter Saturday and a Funeral for a Fish

http://www.irishcultureandcustoms.com/ACalend/EasterSat.html

4. Article: Easter Sunday: The dance of the Sun at dawn and a cake dance in the afternoon

http://www.irishcultureandcustoms.com/ACalend/Easter.html

5. Article: Easter Monday Mirth & Merriment at the Market

http://www.irishcultureandcustoms.com/ACalend/EasterMon.html

6. The Irish Kitchen: An Irish Easter

http://www.irishcultureandcustoms.com/2Kitch/rEaster.html

7. Basic Irish: Lent & Easter

http://www.irishcultureandcustoms.com/3Focloir/Lessons8.html#Gael33

8. Kids’ Ireland: The Selfish Giant

http://www.irishcultureandcustoms.com/1Kids/SelfishGiant.html

 

So there you have it until we write again - sometime in May.

If you are planning on getting married between now and then or tied the knot in the month of April, here is your special verse:

Marry in April when you can,

Joy for maiden and for man.

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:

A Blessing for Beltane Eve
Bless , O God, true and bountiful,
Myself, my spouse, and my children,
Everything within my dwelling 
From Beltane Eve to summer’s ending;
With goodly progress and protecting,
From sea to sea, and every river mouth,
From wave to wave, and every waterfall,
Bless the kine that leave the stall,
Bless the sheep that depart the fold,
Bless the goats on the mount of mist,
May Thou attend them and keep them blest, 
Thou Being who attends to me 
as I bend my knee to Thee.
Adapted from The Beltane Blessing by Carmina Gadelica, p. 183

 

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

—Father O'Malley arose one fine spring morning, walked to the window of his bedroom to take in the beauty of the day and noticed there was a jackass lying dead in the middle of his front lawn. He promptly called the gardai. The conversation went like this: Dia Dhuit, this is Sgt. O' Flaherty and how might we be of help to you?" Good day to yourself, Sergeant. This is Father O'Malley at St. Brigid's. There's a jackass lying dead on our front lawn. Would you be a good man now and send a couple of the lads to to take care of the matter?" Sgt. Flaherty considered himself to be quite a wit and the rest of the conversation proceeded: "Well now, Father, it was always my impression that you took care of the last rites!" There was dead silence on the line for a moment and then Father O'Malley replied: "Indeed, indeed, Sergeant O'Flaherty, but we're also obliged to notify the next of kin!"

— A Kerryman and an American were sitting at the Shannon Airport.
"I've come to meet me brother", said the Kerryman, "he's due to fly in
from America in an hour's time. It's his first trip home in forty
years."
"Will you be able to recognize him?" asked the American.
"I'm sure I won't", said the Kerryman, "after all these years."
"I wonder if he will recognize you?" said the American.
"Of course he will". Said the Kerryman, "sure I haven't been away at all."

 

There are many ‘Kerryman’ jokes but I found Kerrymen to be just as smart as anyone else —Russ

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