Welcome to the Irish Culture & Customs newsletter which is published every week or so and sent out to over 4000 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:
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Greetings to all,
May the blessings of Easter be upon you!
Irish: Beannachtaí Ná Cásca ort (singular) or oraibh (plural)
Pronunciation: Bann-akh-thee nah caw-skah urth (singular) or ur-iv (plural)
Also, the joys of Passover to you and yours and if you're in Ireland or the UK, a safe and happy Bank Holiday weekend!
Keep the suntan lotion handy as it promises to be a scorcher. Of course, it's all relative. Whenever Russ reads headlines that say heatwave in Ireland and then discovers what the highs will be, he's always reminded of Bill Bryson's comment in his book The Mother Tongue. Bryson has framed on his wall a London newspaper headline that read Britain sizzles in the seventies!"
Here, in our Ohio Valley, we'd welcome any degree of warmth as we've plummeted down from 80 on Tuesday to freezing on Friday; we even have a light dusting of snow on the ground. It always seems to happen on Easter weekend, no matter whether the holiday is early or late. Ah well, whatever the weather where you are, we do hope and pray you and yours enjoy all of the festivities.
As for ourselves, we'll be taking it easy following a couple of weeks of illness which hit us right after St. Patrick's Day. If you were wondering why the newsletter is so late, that's part of the reason. But we're much better now, TG! Before it gets away from us altogether, we'd like to thank the hundreds of you who sent us St. Patrick's Day cards - yes, hundreds! We'd also like to extend a very belated "Pinch punch first day of the month , white rabbit" - and what a remarkable month it's been so far!
Did anyone think that in our lifetime we'd witness the happenings at Stormont with Gerry Adams sitting down for a face to face meeting with Ian Paisley? And then that handshake between Bertie and Ian in Dublin? To have these momentous events happen during Easter week which culminates in that ultimate symbol of hope, the Resurrection, it all seemed so appropriate. But enough of the politics. We hope this edition finds you and yours in good health, good spirits and good company! A warm welcome to you all and a special hello to our new readers. If this is your first edition, we hope you enjoy our musings and meanderings enough to share them with your family and friends. And many thanks for joining us - we're now well past the 4.000 mark!
Enough of the blitherin'. On with the update!
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IN THIS ISSUE:
News
From the mailbag
Links
Quips, Quotes, Proverbs & Toasts
A Bit of the Wit
Joke of The Week
Did You Know
Know Your Writers
Riddle
The week That Is
Events
Leave 'em Laughing
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NEWS
FROM AROUND THE COUNTIES:
Antrim: Artists campaign to save old mill
Creative Exchange, an artists' collective who for the past ten years have been located on the top floor of Loopbridge Mill on the Castlereagh Road in east Belfast, are among those campaigning to save the building from demolition. Dating from the mid-nineteenth century, the mill was part of the flourishing linen industry, being used as a flax spinning mill and weaving factory
Antrim: Grandfather clock to strike once again
Thanks to a Portrush man a grandfather clock which stood on the platform at the old Portrush railway station for some eighty years has been returned to the town. The clock, which is seventeen and a half feet high, was removed when the station was renovated in the 1970s.
Antrim: New life for old mill village
Hidden Mill just outside Lisburn, once a major centre for the linen and thread industry, is to be transformed into a self-contained community village. A proposal would see the Mill itself, which officially closed last year after more than two hundred years of continuous production, will be converted into apartments, while in the surrounding area houses, shops, a restaurant, a health club and a creche will be built.
Clare: No houses on historic railway line
The county council has refused planning permission for the construction of sixteen houses at Dough, Kilkee, as the land includes part of the old west Clare railway line immortalised in the Percy French song. Although the line was closed in 1961, a one and a half mile stretch to Moyasta has already been restored, and plans are progressing for the provision of a steam railway service between Kilrush and Kilkee.
Cork: Two for one in Douglas golf club exchange
The members of Douglas Golf Club have agreed to sell their present course in exchange for two new courses. Some four hundred and fifty members voted on the motion and a majority voted in favour of selling the one hundred and sixteen acres at Maryborough Hill to Castlelands Construction of Mallow. In exchange the club will receive 68m for the land, a further 50m in cash and a new site just over a mile away at Carr's Hill. This new site will comprise two eighteen-hole courses, one parkland and one heathland, and a nine-hole course, along with a clubhouse and putting and chipping greens.
Derry: Golden jubilee for former bishop
Bishop Edward Daly recently celebrated a Mass in St Eugene's Cathedral in Derry to mark the fiftieth anniversary of his ordination to the priesthood. The Mass was concelebrated by Dr Seamus Hegarty, Bishop of Derry and Dr Francis Lagan. Dr Hegarty read out two messages of congratulations, one from Pope Benedict XVI, who also sent a Papal Blessing, and one from the Papal Nuncio to Ireland, Dr Giuseppe Lazarotto.
Donegal: Despite setback, Dohertys will gather next year
Although their archives have been seriously damaged in a fire, members of the Doherty clan from all over the world will meet next year in Inishowen to mark the four hundredth anniversary of the death of Cahir Rua O'Dochartaigh, the last Irish chieftain. Earlier this month a large section of the archive stored at the genealogy centre in Buncrana, and compiled by retired professor Pat O'Dougherty over the past forty years, was destroyed by fire. However he is confident that many of the records are also held on computer files. Buncrana will be the centre for next year's gathering at the beginning of July.
Dublin: Sudden fame for Dublin brothers
Until two weeks ago it's fair to say that very few in Ireland would have been familiar with the names of Niall and Kevin O'Brien, but that was before the success of the Irish cricket team in Jamaica. The two brothers learned their cricket at the Railway Union Club in Sandymount, where their father Brendan, himself a former Ireland cricket captain, played, and it was their partnership in the game against Pakistan which saw victory for Ireland.
Fermanagh: Enniskillen monument to be moved
The more than one-hundred-year-old monument to those who fell in the Boer War is to be moved for a second time. Some years ago the monument, which is located in Gaol Square on the A4 entrance to the town, was moved a few yards but this time it is to be relocated to the museum.
Fermanagh: Golden Jubilee of Enniskillen school
Fifty years of St Michael's College in Enniskillen have been celebrated at a Golden Jubilee Mass attended by staff and pupils both past and present. Following the Mass the congregation gathered in the college for refreshments.
Fermanagh: Belleek stays local for commemoration
A range of anniversary candles produced to mark the one hundred and fifty years of Belleek Pottery will be made by a company in Enniskillen. The candles, which were launched recently, have been designed by Celebration Candles, a Ballinamallard-based company run by Harry Stuart and Doreen Buyers. They have been supplying Belleek with trademark candles for the past eight years and the Celebration Candles will be on sale at the Visitor Centre. They are also supplying candles for delegates attending the Belleek Collectors International Society Convention.
Galway: Celebrating 75 years in the priesthood
And how better to do that than by saying Mass? Originally from Kilnadeema, Fr Anthony Cummins, Ireland's longest-serving priest recently did exactly that, God bless him!
Kerry: Kerry relatives welcome long-lost cousin
A group of Kerry people have welcomed into the family a seriously ill American woman who was anxious to trace the family of her immigrant great-great-grandfather. After writing to The Kingdom newspaper Judy Sullivan-Bowers from Virginia was contacted by one of her cousins and has discovered that the house from which James Sullivan emigrated, at Loughfooder near Castleisland, is still lived in by a family member, and she has other cousins in Castleisland and Killarney. And to make the reunion really special, one of the cousins has sent Judy a round-trip ticket to Ireland and she will visit Kerry soon.
Kerry: Tarbert the new focal point for Easter Mass
At this year's Dawn Mass on Easter Sunday in Tarbert there will be a new focal point for worshippers in the resurrection monument which was unveiled in St Mary's Cemetery more than a year ago. The Mass is part of a four-day celebration which includes a procession by the young people on Good Friday to dramatise the Stations of the Cross. Last year more than one thousand people attended the Dawn Mass on the banks of the Shannon and parish priest Father Francis Nolan is expecting as many, if not more, this year. An Easter fire will be lit for the occasion and warm drinks will be served after the ceremony.
Kilkenny: May opening projected for Castlecomer facility
The new Castlecomer Discovery Park is well on its way to completion, with the museum and visitors' centre expected to be open for the main tourist season in May of this year. The eighty-acre park will feature a "Footprints in Coal" interpretative centre, giving the history of coal-mining in the area.
Laois: Daniel Day Lewis unveils Famine memorial
Daniel Day Lewis, whose father poet laureate Cecil Day Lewis was born in Ballintubbert near Stradbally more than one hundred years ago, unveiled a Famine and emigration memorial wall on St Patrick's Day in the village of Durrow. The memorial stands on the site where a soup kitchen was run during the Famine of the 1840s and the wall itself will include an inscription of part of a poem written by Cecil Day Lewis entitled "The Whispering Roots". His son read the poem at the ceremony following a talk on Famine and Emigration in Laois by local historian Dr Jack Carter.
Longford: Sisters on the move in Granard
The Sisters of Mercy, who for the past one hundred and twenty years have occupied the convent on the hill in Granard, are to move to smaller houses in the town and the convent is to be sold to the Sue Ryder Foundation as a care home for the elderly.
Louth: Facelift for Dundalk church
St Patrick's Church in Dundalk, known locally as the Cathedral, has at present a faceless clock in its tower. The clock, which was built more than one hundred years ago, has not been a great timekeeper of late and Father Gerry Campbell decided it was time to have it overhauled. Artie McManus is overseeing the project, which saw the removal of the hands and the shafts they were attached to; the hands are made of copper and are covered in gold leaf. Artie expects to have the clock back in working order in four weeks' time and in the meantime the local priests are spared the regular chimes, which ring out every fifteen minutes.
Meath: Trim house takes starring role
Higginsbrook House in Trim has been used in the filming of "Becoming Jane", the story of the eighteenth century novelist Jane Austen. The owners, Christopher and Hanne Gray, had to move out of their home for two months while the film was being shot, although both of them, as well as their son Aidan, daughter Camilla and her husband Tim, were extras in the movie. Almost one hundred and sixty of the locals also had their parts in the film as extras for a crowd scene. And Higginsbrook itself benefited from the venture as it was given a new conservatory as part of the film set.
Meath: Work in progress for Trim
Sculptor Joe Burns from Oldcastle will be set up this summer on Castle Street in Trim where he will spend two weeks working on a piece of five thousand year old bog oak. During the two weeks at the end of July and beginning of August, local residents and visitors will be able to observe Joe working on the seventeen-foot piece of oak, with a theme to be agreed with Trim Historical Society.
Offaly: Charleville to star once again
Having been used recently for one scene in the film "Becoming Jane", Charleville Castle is set to be the location for at least three more productions. The castle has featured in some eight films and at least three television series. During the filming of the ballroom scene for the Jane Austen film, a number of Tullamore people were employed as extras so there will be an added interest for local cinema-goers.
Roscommon: Will Cruise put in an offer?
Local people in Kilteevan are wondering if Hollywood actor Tom Cruise will make a bid for land which is believed to have been once owned by his ancestors. Thirty-three acres are for sale, along with old stone buildings and part of a ruined house, at Kilteevan and the house was once occupied by members of the Mapother family; Tom Cruise's real name is Tom Cruise Mapother IV. The Mapother family is believed to have settled in Kileenboy in the early seventeenth century and to have remained there until the 1930s. The company dealing with the sale say they have notified the actor's agents but to date have not had a reply.
Roscommon: Record price for Roscommon medal
At an auction in Dublin, one of the top prices was paid for an All-Ireland medal dating from Roscommon's first senior final victory. The name of the holder of the medal, awarded following the 1943 All-Ireland final, was not disclosed. There are just four survivors of the team following the recent death of county captain Jimmy Murray. They are John Joe Nerney, Liam Gilmartin, Brendan Lynch and Hugh Gibbons. The nine-carat GAA medal was sold to an anonymous telephone bidder for the sum of 20,000. Among other items on offer at the auction was a ticket for Croke Park on November 21, 1920, the original Bloody Sunday.
Tipperary - the last post for Lily's shop after 112 years
Recently, the key was turned for the last time in the door of a post office that has been open for 112 years. The post office and shop, in the village of Ballypatrick in south Tipperary, had been in the same family for three generations. It has closed due to post-mistress Lily O'Neill retiring because of ill health. The premises were opened by Lily's grandmother Bridget Moloney in 1895. Her daughter, also Bridget, succeeded her behind the counter.
Tyrone: Castle Hill in Dungannon to be preserved
Once the seat of Hugh O'Neill, the site will be developed as a historic park, and the two towers, all that remain of the O'Neill castle, will also be preserved. Castle Hill is linked to the Flight of the Earls, which celebrates its four hundredth anniversary this year.
Waterford: Sisters come down from the hill
The Little Sisters of the Poor in Limerick are to vacate their convent on Manor Hill in Waterford for a move to a new premises in Ferrybank. The sisters, who came to the city one hundred and thirty-three years ago, are planning to buy part of the Sacred Heart of Mary order's site at Abbey Road on which they hope to build a nursing home to house some fifty elderly people and accommodation for the twenty sisters at present living at Manor Hill.
Waterford: Residents halt demolition
An Bord Pleanála has upheld the refusal of planning permission for a development on Doyle Street in Waterford, originally handed down by the county council. The development would have involved the demolition of two one-hundred-year-old buildings, which each have two storeys and are in the middle of a row of single storey cottages. Developer Patrick Winters was hoping to replace the houses with a three-storey building divided into six apartments, but the project received objections from a number of quarters including the adjoining Sunshine Bread & Confectionary company and the Residents of Doyle Street group.
Wicklow: Dunlavin pub closes its doors
Seamus and Florence Grace have decided to call it a day and call time for the last time. Teach de Gras was bought by Seamus' parents, Thomas and Sheila Grace, who handed the running of it over to him in the early 1960s. Teach de Gras was noted for the quality of traditional music sessions held there on a regular basis. With their children all now reared the couple have decided there are other things they would like to be doing in the future.
Westmeath: Lissywoollen stadium opened
Minister for Sport John O'Donoghue was in Lissywoollen last week for the official opening of Phase One of the new Athlone Town stadium, and the first game to be played there, against Kilkenny City. The Army Band was on hand to provide music for the event and after the new stadium had been blessed the first team, youth team and ladies' team were all introduced to the assembled crowd. Three flags were then raised, the FAI eircom National League flag by Caoimhe Dunning, the Athlone Town Football Club flag by Kimberley Finlass and the national flag by Aine McCaul. Finally project team manager Tony Kilmartin presented the keys of the new stadium to club chairman Ken Bryan.
Wicklow: Well in perfect order for feast day
St Patrick's Blessed Well at the Millbank in Blessington was given a good clean-up by Transition Year students from the Community College as part of a President's Gaisce Award, in time for St Patrick's Day.
FROM AROUND THE WORLD
Colorado, USA: Dublin's loss is Kilkenny's gain
Although one American band had to march in the Dublin St Patrick's Day Parade minus its instruments, this meant that the members played their only Irish concert in Kilkenny. The one hundred and seventy three members of the Horizon High School in Denver, Colorado, arrived in time for St Patrick's Day but unfortunately their instruments didn't, but they elected to march in the Dublin parade anyway. However by the time they reached Kilkenny, the instruments had turned up and the band gave their only live concert in the Ormonde Hotel, which had been made available free of charge for the occasion.
Dubai: Ennis man buys "Ireland"
Ennis property developer Raymond Norton has purchased one of the islands in an ambitious project in Dubai named The World. A development of islands by Dheik Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum has been designed to look like a map of the world, and Raymond's company has purchased the island called "Ireland". Developers are charged with ensuring their property reflects the country it represents, and Raymond's plans include Irish limestone and Kilkenny granite to be used in construction, in addition to slate roofs on the buildings. The architecture to be used in the more than one hundred dwellings will reflect both Georgian Dublin and the cottages of Connemara. Already five of the dwellings have been purchased by an unnamed Irish buyer.
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FROM THE MAILBAG
A while back, a reader asked about the origins of Tis himself, Tis herself; Elizabeth FitzGerald writes:
Can't really explain it properly but will give it a try - and am open to correction by anyone who's better up on Irish than me! In the Irish language, the pronouns mise, liomsa, seisean/sise, sinne, sibhse and siadsan are used when you wish to emphasise the pronoun. " I said it" becomes "Is mise a dúirt é" which can be translated as "It is myself who said it." "Is eisean a rinne é" could be translated as "tis himself who made it". So, in Hiberno-English, we might say "it's yourself, is it?" when we see someone arrive, just as we might say "I've a fierce hunger on me" - it's English translated directly from Irish, which is why English-speakers don't always understand us!
Cindy Vickerson writes: I am in the U.S. and have acquired a cold cast bronze wall hanging of the Parliament House, - or maybe it's the Bank Of Ireland. It has the info' on the back and says it was made at studio Erinart Dublin. Does this place still exist? And how much would something like this cost?
So far, we have not had any response to the following query from Jamie: I am interested in finding a window décor tint with an Irish symbol or saying etched that you can put on a sliding glass door. We haven't a clue. Can anyone help?
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LINKS
Think you know your Paschal Mystery from your Pentecost?
Then get cracking on this great Easter quiz from the Telegraph:
http://www.telegraph.co.uk/global/main.jhtml?xml=/global/2007/04/06/nosplit/ftquiz106q.xml
Easter greetings From Jack & Vivian of the irish Page
Every Easter they send a special article to their readers and friends. This year it contains a unique illustration which they call the Glory of Easter. It is a very rare astronomical event which occurs very seldom in nature.
http://www.irishpage.com/psalms/easter.htm
Easter Egg Game
This is harder than it looks!
http://www.tartanplace.com/easter/eastergames/egame1.html
Congratulations to Jim Crotty!
Jim is celebrating four years in business and he's come a long way since he started out as a sole proprietorship working out of a spare bedroom in his home. Today, Jim is enjoying well-deserved recognition as an outstanding award-winning photographer. We're also very proud to have Jim as one of our contest sponsors.
http://ohiophoto.org/
Congrats as well to subscriber Harold Curtis
He's going to be published and the targeted release date is May 07. The name of the book is "The Tribunal of the Rose." To see a trailer for the book, he invites you to visit his website and click the book's link. Be sure and leave feedback for him.
http://www.hecurtis.com
Like to go kite-flying? ?
Did you know that the home of the world's smallest kite is in Ireland? Check it out!
http://www.kitecompany.com
Achill Island Yawl Festival
This event takes place from July to early September; so, if you are planning a visit to the area around that time, you might be able to catch some of the events.
http://www.achillyawl.com
And then there's the Raftery Festival in Kiltimagh, Co. Mayo
It runs from 31st May to 3rd June and you can find all the details here:
http://www.rafteryfestival.com/
Free Mammograms!
Do you know of a woman who can't afford a mammogram? Here's how you can help. Go to the Breast Cancer site and click on their free mammogram link; if they get enough clicks , they'll be able to donate at least one free mammogram a day to underprivileged women. It takes just a minute and there's no cost involved:
http://www.thebreastcancersite.com
Free Pet Food!
Last but certainly not least - our ongoing gift to AG in California and all friends to animals, please click this link today and everyday. It only takes a second to feed an animal. Thanks!
http://www.theanimalrescuesite.com/cgi-bin/WebObjects/CTDSites.woa
Free People Food!
It only takes a second to feed hungry people, too:
http://www.thehungersite.com
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QUIPS, QUOTES , PROVERBS, TOASTS & SAYINGS
"They were like two auld farmers at a mart, striking a deal over a bullock."
Miriam Lord of the irish Times, referring to Taoiseach Bertie Ahern and DUP Leader Dr. Ian Paisley shaking hands in public for the first time prior to their meeting at Farmleigh House in Dublin.
It's a good piece of reporting and if you'd like to read the story in full, please click
http://www.ireland.com/newspaper/frontpage/2007/0405/1175720802417.html?digest=1
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A BIT OF THE WIT
Part of the problem with Ireland is that everything is named after someone. In Dublin, there is a railway station called Sydney Parade, and for many years, I thought Sydney Parade was one of the leaders in the 1916 Rising.
Author Joseph O'Connor
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FAVORITE JOKE OF THE WEEK
First, a funny one-liner - or may be not so funny!
The nice thing about getting older and more forgetful is you can hide your own Easter eggs.
And now for the joke:
A friend was in front of me coming out of church on Easter Sunday and the preacher was standing at the door as he always is to shake hands. He grabbed my friend by the hand and pulled him aside. The Pastor said to him, "You need to join the Army of the Lord!" My friend replied, "I'm already in the Army of the Lord, Pastor." Pastor questioned, "Then how is it that I don't see you except at Easter or Christmas? He whispered back, "I'm in the secret service.
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DID YOU KNOW
1. Prior to A.D. 325, Easter was celebrated on different days of the week, including Friday, Saturday, and Sunday? In that year, the Council of Nicaea was convened by emperor Constantine. They issued the Easter Rule which places Easter on the first Sunday after the first full moon on or after the vernal equinox (first day of Spring). Therefore, Easter must be celebrated on a Sunday between the dates of March 22 and April 25.
2. Over the Easter holiday, the Irish will eat more than 1,000,000kg of chocolate. That's equivalent to 2,204,622,62 pounds - or the weight of more than 300 hippos!
3. If a wind blows on Easter Day it will continue to blow throughout the year? Also, a shower or rain promises a good crop of grass, but little hay.
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KNOW YOUR IRISH WRITERS
But first the answers to our last quiz:
1. Mother ireland - A Memoir by Edna O'Brien
2. Never Throw Stones at your Mother by David Ross
3. The Mammy by Brendan O'Connell
A tip of the hat and a clap of the hands to our latest list of Irish bibliophiles:
Jody Ayres
Your site is my favourite.
http://www.irishcultureandcustoms.com
ED. NOTE: Thanks, Jody!
Rita T. Roche, Baltimore MD
Rita didn't nominate a site, so we found one we thought she and you might like: Ireland Literature Guide
http://www.irelandliteratureguide.com/
Laura FitzGibbons
My favourite site of the moment is Ireland's Eye which is currently featuring a great article on the Titanic:
http://www.irelandseye.com/titanic/index.htm
Margaret Sheldon
I'm planning a trip to Ireland next year and the official site for tourism is proving to be very helpful.
http://www.tourismireland.com/
Helen Dowd
I would like it very much if you visited my site - and many thanks to those who have.
http://www.occupytillicome.com
Hartson
As always, Hartson didn't just give us the answers, but also a write-up on Mother Ireland. See below. If this description tempts you into wanting to buy it, be sure to click through any of the books on our library pages and enter the title in the search page on amazon:
http://www.irishcultureandcustoms.com/Libr/1BkHist1.html
Mother Ireland - A Memoir - Edna O'Brien Seven essays are seamlessly woven into an autobiographical tapestry of growing up in rural County Clare. Weaving her own personal history with the history of Ireland, she effortlessly melds local customs and ancient lore with the fascinating people and events that shaped her young life. The result is a colorful and timeless narrative that perfectly captures the heart and soul of this harshly beautiful country. Rendered with grace and beauty, resonating with emotion and passion, Mother Ireland is an ode to a time, a place, and a people that one can leave, but never leave behind.
Want to see your name and favorite web site in our next newsletter?
Who wrote:
1. The Hill of Tara
2. The Kingship & Landscape of Tara
3. Tara: The Monuments on the Hill
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RIDDLE
To start with, here's the answer to our last mind mangler:
At a recent visit to the reptile house at the local zoo, we counted a total of 27 heads and 70 feet. We were counting snakes, lizards, and people. We know that there were exactly twice as many lizards as people.
Q: How many snakes did we count?
6 snakes 7 people, and 14 lizards.
Our Riddle People were brilliant as usual but first in was Jack Doherty in New Jersey - well done! We'd also like to give a special mention to Shaun G. Lynch in Québec who was next in by seconds!
And now for our next skull scrambler in honour of Easter:
Q. What do you get if you pour hot water down a rabbit hole?
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THE WEEK THAT IS
1. Article: April Fool's Day
http://www.irishcultureandcustoms.com/ACalend/AprilFools.html
2. Article: Palm Sunday in Old Ireland
http://www.irishcultureandcustoms.com/ACalend/PalmSunday.html
3. Article; Good Friday haircuts and Seaweed for Dinner
http://www.irishcultureandcustoms.com/ACalend/GoodFriday.html
4. Article; Easter Saturday and a Funeral for a Fish
http://www.irishcultureandcustoms.com/ACalend/EasterSat.html
5. Article: The Dance of the Sun at Dawn
http://www.irishcultureandcustoms.com/ACalend/Easter.html
6. Article: The Borrowed Days
http://www.irishcultureandcustoms.com/ACalend/BorrowedDays.html
7. The Irish Kitchen: An Easter Feast
http://www.irishcultureandcustoms.com/2Kitch/rEaster.html
8. Basic Irish: Lent & Easter
http://www.irishcultureandcustoms.com/3Focloir/Lessons8.html#Gael33
9. Kids' Ireland: A Plate at Howth
http://www.irishcultureandcustoms.com/1Kids/PlateHowth.html
10. April Music Review: Van Morrison at the Movies
http://www.irishcultureandcustoms.com/AMusic/Ramoutar/atthemovies.html
11. March Letter of the Month - scroll down to almost the end
http://www.irishcultureandcustoms.com/
12. Culture Corner: The Easter Lily Pin
http://www.irishcultureandcustoms.com/
13. Easter Irish Shop: It's a bit late for this Easter, but may be next? Go ahead and click through anyway - these shops have beautiful gifts from Ireland for all occasions
http://www.irishcultureandcustoms.com/Shop/1Easter.html
14. Circle of prayer - Our 7th Novena in this cycle began on March 30 and continues through April 7. This past week, we heard that our "Cat Lady" Pauline Dewberry had suffered some setbacks following her treatment for leukemia; she's better, but please continue to keep her in your prayers or meditations. Also, Louise in Galway, Alice Savage, Ellie, Josephine and her mother in Waterford, Patricia Edward's daughter Heather; Bob Kelly; Simon Shepherd.; baby Joseph; little Emma Josephine, Mickey, Jane Fitz., Scott H and so many others, especially our men and women in the military serving their country all over the world God willing, they will all be home safe and sound soon.
http://www.irishcultureandcustoms.com/Blessings/CirclePrayer.html
So there you have it until we write again. If you're celebrating a birthday, anniversary or other important event between now and then, we hope it's filled with joy. And you're planning a wedding for April or tied the knot this month, here's the old Irish verse:
Marry in April if you can,
Joy for maiden and for man.
Meanwhile, here's a special blessing for you and yours:
At the breaking of the Easter dawn may the Risen Saviour bless your home with grace and peace from above, with joy and laughter, and with love And when night is nigh, and day is done Make He keep you safe from all harm.
And as they say in Ireland, mind yourself!
Slan agus beannacht!
Bridget & Russ
Get down on your knees and thank God you're still on your feet!
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Help keep the newsletter coming
Officially, our annual dollar drive is over but we are always happy to receive donations at any time of year. If you'd like to help us out you can send a little something through PayPal:
http://www.paypal.com
and to this account:
bhaggerty@irishcultureandcustoms.com
or by snail mail to:
Bridget & Russ Haggerty
5670 Meryton Place
Cincinnati, OH 45224.
Go raibh maith agat in advance for your generosity and kindness.
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ANNOUNCEMENTS & EVENTS
Please check with the Wild Geese - they have a huge listing of events and we don't want to duplicate their efforts:
http://thewildgeese.com
If we receive a unique event not mentioned there we will be happy to list it here.
Mirabella, Spain - April 14-29
ARTROGER - An exhibition of Roger Commiskey works: at the Hotel Park Plaza, Puerta Banus.Check Roger's site for full details of this event and others in new York and Dublin:
http://www.rogercummiskey.com/
Co. Letrim - April 14 through April 20
Leitrim Roots Festival 2007. Are your ancestors from "Lovely leitrim?" Have you yearned to return and find your roots? That's what this festival is all about! To find out more, please click
http://www.leitrimroots.com
Hollywood, Florida - April 21
IRISH-AMERICAN CEILI presents "The Life of the Party" NOEL KINGSTONon Saturday, April 21, 7pm-11pm. American Legion Hall. For reservations or more information, please call 954-432-8292 / 954-522-4948, send an email:: irish32@aol.com
or visit our web site:
http://www.irishamericanceiliclub.com
Dublin, Ireland, May 17th
Look West Expo. Look West will host an exhibition event in the Davenport Hotel, Merrion Square to highlight the advantages of living and working in the West. A range of companies and agencies will be present, with the emphasis on employers and agencies currently offering jobs in the seven counties of Donegal, Leitrim, Sligo, Mayo, Roscommon, Galway and Clare. More details to come.
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LEAVE 'EM LAUGHING
These are supposedly true student answers to both Christian and Jewish religious tests.
In the first book of the bible, Guinessis, God got tired of creating the world, so he took the Sabbath off.
Adam & Eve were created from an apple tree.
Noah's wife was called Joan of Ark.
Noah built the ark, which the animals came on in pears.
Lot's wife was a pillar of salt by day, but a ball of fire by night.
The Jews were a proud people and throughout history they had trouble with unsympathetic Genitals.
Sampson was a strongman who let himself be led astray by a jezebel like Delilah.
Sampson slated the Philistines with the axe of apostles.
Moses led the Hebrews to the Red Sea, where they made unleavened bread, which is bread made without any ingredients.
The Egyptians were all drowned in the dessert.
Afterward, Moses went up on Mount Cyanide to get the Ten Amendments.
The first commandment was when Eve told Adam to eat the apple.
The Fifth Commandment is humor thy mother and father.
The Seventh Commandment is thou shalt not admit adultery.
Moses died before he ever reached the UK. Then, Joshua led the Hebrews in the Battle of Geritol.
The greatest miracle in the Bible is when Joshua told his son to stand still and he obeyed him.
David was a Hebrew king skilled at playing the liar. He fought with the Finkelsteins, a race of people who lived in the biblical times.
Solomon, one of David's sons, has 300 wives and 700 porcupines.
When Mary heard that she was the Mother of Jesus, she sang the Magna Carta.
When the three wise guys from the East Side arrived, they found Jesus and the manager.
Jesus was born because Mary had an emaculate contraption.
St. John, the Blacksmith, dumped water on his head.
Jesus enunciated the Golden Rule, which says to do one to others before they do one to you.
He also explained, "Man doth not live by sweat alone."
The people who followed the Lord were called the 12 decibels.
The epistles were the wives of the apostles.
One of the opossums was St. Matthew, who was by profession a taximan.
St. Paul cavorted to Christianity. He preached holy acrimony, which is another name for marriage.
A Christian should have only one wife. This is called monotony.
ED. NOTE: Whether or not these are really true, we think the list whould be printed and read out during your Easter or other celebratory dinner. 