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Welcome to the Irish Culture & Customs newsletter which is published every week and sent out to more than 2000 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
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Greetings and blessings to all,
As always, it's great to be back and we hope this edition, as late as it is, finds you and yours on the pig's back. We'd also like to extend a warm welcome to all of our new subscribers. Many thanks for joining us and please feel free to forward our musings and meanderings on to your family and friends.
It's been another week of watching and worrying about the weather. The hurricane season from hell is only just about half over and here we are with Ivan the Terrible about to batter the Gulf Coast. While we're relieved that Florida may be spared the brunt of of it, we're now very concerned about friends in New Orleans and other laces in the storm's path. If you live in this region, please know that you are in our thoughts and prayers.
Well, it's Wednesday and we're several days later than usual. We hope this wasn't cause for concern on hour end as it wasn't any thing really serious which "stopped the presses." Our server was down for a while, and then herself seemed to need more shut-eye than usual; a quick trip to the doc indicated a change in pill dosage to see if that improves the stamina.
But enough about us...
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Help support our efforts -visit our good friends at the Celtic Attic
To make room for new holiday merchandise, they are having a huge store-wide blowout ale. Most items are discounted 25 - 80%! We took a look to see what's on offer and there are some brilliant buys available, but hurry, supplies are limited and the sale ends September 27th. Free shipping for orders over $100.
http://www.celticattic.com/contact_us/sales/sales_blowout.htm
Note: If you place an order, please mention the special code IC46 so the nice folks at the Celtic Attic know how you heard about them. Thanks!
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In news from Ireland:
General:
Metric Speed Limits To Debut In January. Transport Minister Seamus Brennan has set January 20 as the target date for the changeover of speed limits and road signs from mile to kilometres; all cars imported into Ireland would also have to have metric speedometers. In addition, the minister announced that breath testing for motorists would be introduced before Christmas.
Croke Park, Dublin - Who were you for? Kilkenny or Cork? It was fun tracking the match minute by minute on RTÉ. To read the full story, check out
http://www.rte.ie/sport/2004/0912/hurling.html
Star Bars! Nine Ulster pubs are celebrating being named among the best 500 in the British Isles for dining out. ut only one Belfast bar made the prestigious Michelin dining guide. The Ormeau Road's Errigle Inn, which has been in business for 70 years,is the only city venue in Northern Ireland to get a mention. That traditional favourite - the Ulster fry - comes highly recommended there.
Margaret Kelly, the Irish-born founder of the famous Paris dance troupe the Bluebell Girls, has died at the age of 94. Ms Kelly, who was born in Dublin, was orphaned at a young age. She left for mainland Europe in the 1930s and danced in Germany and then France. After the Second World War her company of long-legged and scantily-clad girls became a fixture at Paris' Lido music-hall, where they still perform.
Co. Antrim - Belfast will host the World Irish Dancing Championship for the third time in 2005.Among the other cities competing to host the event were Dublin, Galway Limerick, Derry and Glasgow.
Co. Clare - Burren National Park To Get Park-And-Ride Visitor . decade-long dispute over the provision of visitor facilities for the Burren National Park is nearing an end.The breakthrough has come with a decision by a local Fianna Fáil TD, Mr Tony Killeen, to agree to a village-based park-and-ridemodel for visitor access to the National Park.
Co. Dublin - Moving statues: The statues in the National Wax Museum on the corner of Dorset Street are to be moved to make way for a new hotel. Westmeath TD Donie Cassidy, the owner of the museum which has been open for the past twenty-one years, is to demolish the building and replace it with a one hundred and eighteen-bedroomed hotel.
Co. Kildare - Actor Paul Newman was back in Barretstown last week for the tenth anniversary celebrations of the camp he founded for children recovering from serious illness
Co. Kerry - Historic Mining Trail Opened To Public A mining trail which gives glimpses into 4,500 years of copper mining in Ireland has opened at Ross Island in Killarney. The site, part of the Killarney National Park, was recently found to contain the earliest known copper mines in north western Europe.
Co. Galway - Road on tilts? The National Roads Authority has put forward a suggestion that a new bypass be raised on stilts over an area on the route where a rare grass is to be found. The authority is attempting to avoid what they claim would be a ten-year delay in completion of the road if a new route has to be found. The habitat in question is located at Tonabrocky and north of Spiddal, on the west side of the River Corrib, where the protected species slender cotton grass is found.
Offaly: Bands across the midlands will be looking for their opportunity to taste fame and fortune when the Global Battle of the Bands comes to Tullamore. The biggest band competition in the world has announced that No. 1 Church Street in Tullamore is to be one of four Irish venues for the event. Local bands will have an opportunity to compete with bands across the globe for the $100,000 grand prize.
Co. Sligo - Award-winning Australian production company Hatchling Productions are coming to Ireland with Spike's youngest daughter, Jane, to properly revisit the importance of being Irish in Milligan's life. With a company like Hatchling at the helm, it seems that one of the finest minds of the last century will finally receive the kind of treatment he has always deserved but sadly seldom received.
News from all over:
Newfoundland - "Hatchin', Matchin', and Dispatchin'": Newfoundlanders know how to party - over the graves of their Irish ancestors! To read this great story, please click
http://www.emigrant.ie/article.asp?iCategoryID=299&iArticleID=35031
From the mailbag:
The latest news on Hartson Dowd our resident Irish culinary expert isis that he definitely has a bone infection. Please continue praying for him and for his dear wife Helen. They have been through so much over the past three months - but God willing, now that a diagnosis has been firmly identified, a cure won't be far behind.
Sr. Patricia McClellan, OMC writes: I wonder if you could ask your readers if they might be interested in assisting me with my senior thesis project. I'm writing a paper on the relevance of Celtic Christian spirituality for the 21st century. Anyone who might be willing to send me their thoughts on this topic, including any Celtic Christian aspects of their own worship, and how they think Celtic Christian spirituality may be relevant in the postmodern world, I would not only appreciate it, I'll add them to my prayer list, to be remembered at morning and evening prayer. I can be reached at patti.mcclellan@kyl.com, and here is my web site: http://www.freewebs.com/sisterpatti Thanks and God bless.
Thomas would like to know where he can find regular sized flags of all 32 county flags of Ireland. Each flag has the county crest design on it. He hasn't been able to find any flags like this.
Liam writes I'm in an internet cafe in Galway as I read this.* The Weather is Great, The banter and the guinness is flowing and the Craic is Mighty. Slainte.
*What Liam was reading was last week's newsletter!
Brian writes: "there was an article in the Irish News ( Sept 10th 2004) which explains that geneticists at Trinity College Dublin state that the Irish and Scots may be more closely related to the people of Spain and Portugal as the Celts of Central Europe.It was long believed that Ireland and Britain were swamped by a massive invasion of Iron Age Celts from Central Europe around 500BC. Their study also found people in such areas traditionally known as Celts, such as Ireland , Wales, Scotland, Brittany and Cornwall, had strong links with each other and people in Ireland have more in common with Scots than any other nation."
Mike was looking for a quote something like. . ." Being of the Irish, he was subject to occasional bouts of . . . . that saw him through the occasional periods of . . . . ." Jane seems to remember this: "Being Irish, he was subject to occasional bouts of depression that saw him through the occasional bouts of joy." But she doesn't remember who said it. Anyone recognize it?
A couple of weeks ago, we asked if you thought the interest in Ireland and the irish was waning. Shannon has kindly given us permission to publish her thoughts; you'll find her message at the end of the newsletter.
Dont' forget - Eileen O Duill, the generous Dublin genealogist who has kindly offered to help with your genealogy questions thinks it might be easier if you contact her directly at:
clan@heirsireland.com
She will send us the answers and we'll publish them on the website.
Links of the week:
The Irish Friendship Wish is one that we've seen many times before - in English. It is now available in Irish, thanks to Vivian and Jack, owners of The Irish Page:
http://www.irishpage.com/toasts/frenship.htm
Spotlight on our subscribers: Ohio photographer Kim Crotty invites you to take a look at his photos of Ireland (and his other photos, as well.
The following is the link to the page where these images can be viewed:
http://www.picturesqueohio.com/ireland.htm
Pauline sent us a cute link she hopes will make you smile
http://www.mamselle.ca/error.html
Patricia sent us a sweet greeting you might like to share with your friends
http://321greetings.com/iappreciateyou.htm
Eileen sent us a link she thought children, parents and children might enjoy
http://school.discovery.com/
World's Largest Pink Ribbon
3M Corporation is building the "World's Largest Pink Ribbon"on a billboard in Times Square this October. For every person who clicks on this link and signs up, Post-It will donate $1 to breast cancer research and place a Post-It in their name on the billboard.Here's the link:
http://www.3m.com/us/office/postit/research/largest_pink_ribbon.jhtml
Last, but definitely not least - our on-going 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
Enough of the blather- on with the update...
IN THIS ISSUE:
Quips, quotes, proverbs & toasts
A bit of the wit
Joke of The Week
Did You Know
Riddle
New This Week
The Week Ahead
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QUIPS, QUOTES, PROVERBS & TOASTS
Drink is the curse of the land;
It makes you fight with your neighbor;
It makes you shoot at your landlord;
And it makes you miss him. Irish saying.
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A BIT OF THE WIT
Are you going to come quietly, or do I have to use earplugs? Spike Milligan
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OUR FAVORITE JOKE OF THE WEEK
This one was sent to us by our resident Irish speaker, Aideen. Co raibh maith agat!
Two Irish men are in a plane. The roof comes off! Mick says to Paddy, "If this plane turns upside down will we fall out??""No way Mick" says Paddy, "we'll still be best friends."
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Please help us to keep this newsletter free - visit our good friends, LollySmith:
Come take a look at our wide range of authentic Irish gifts - from great-looking Guinness gear to genuine blackthorn walking sticks. Explore what we have on offer, browse to your heart's content, and remember, when you buy from Lollysmith, you'll always enjoy great prices, quick shipping, and friendly, personalized service.
http://store.yahoo.com/cgi-bin/clink?lollysmith+wSpfhS+index.html
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DID YOU KNOW
1. Irish-born poet and citizen of New Zealand, Thomas Bracken, wrote the New Zealand national anthem, God Save New Zealand, in 1878.?
2. Robert Barton of Co. Fermanagh composed the tune to the unofficial anthem of Australia, Waltzing Matilda?
3. Jimmy Kennedy of Omagh, Co. Tyrone wrote Red Sails in the Sunset?
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IRISH WRITERS AND BOOKS QUIZ
To start with, the answers to last week's quiz:
Historic Pubs of Dublin" - Aubrey Malone
"Irish Pub Crack" - Eileen Boyle, James Campbell
"Irish Shopfronts & Pubs" - John Murphy & Patrick O'Donovan
A tip of the hat and a pat on the back to:
Patricia Edwards
I love sifting through the family crests on this site:
http://www.ireland-information.com/
Debbi Felker
Dreaming of Ireland? Anyone whose spirit comes alive in the midst of all things Irish will be right at home on Fantasy-Ireland.com. Irish and Celtic symbols guide, collection of easy Irish recipes, unique and popular Irish baby names, and more!
http://www.fantasy-ireland.com
Marjorie
Ireland's beloved Maestro, Frank McNamara, has gone country! He'll be touring with country music star LeAnn Rimes as the Music Director of her 2004 Symphonic Christmas Tour this Nov/Dec.
http://www.frankmcnamara.com <http://www.frankmcnamara.com>
Terry McManus
The website of the McManus families of Ireland and worldwide:
http://members.aol.com/manus/mcmanus.html
Katie Donahue
Irish Festivals/Holidays/Observances - Festivals of the Seasons: Autumn, Spring, Summer, Winter Festivals, and other Holidays and Observances:
http://www.irishfestivals.net/festivals.htm
Want to see your name on next week's list? Try finding the following. (We assure you, it's really easy):
1. An Irish Blessing for the Home
2. Reilly's Heart (Irish Blessing)
3. Before the Devil Knows You're Dead - Irish Blessings, Toasts and Curses
All correct entries will be listed in the next newsletter in the order in which they are received. Hint: All 3 titles can be found here:
http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/0762404787/qid%3D1095160213/sr%3Dka-1/irishcultucus-20
http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/redirect?tag=irishcultucus-20&path=tg/detail/-/0937702218/qid%3D1093702877/sr%3D1-1
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Help us keep this newsletter free by visiting our good friends at The Irish Lottery. Did you know that 34 Millionaires were created by the Irish lottery in 2003? You could be next! One of the most trusted lotteries in the world, drawings are held every Wednesday and Saturday. Best of all, you don't have to live in Ireland to play and all winnings are tax-free. Do you have the luck of the Irish? Play the Irish lottery and find out! Please click here for full details:
http://www.irishlotto.net
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Back in Print!!!!
The Traditional Irish Wedding. Updated, expanded and revised 2nd edition now available:
http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/redirect?tag=irishcultucus-20&path=tg/detail/-/0937702218/qid%3D1093702877/sr%3D1-1
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THIS WEEK'S RIDDLE
To start off, - the answer to last week's noggin' nagger:
Q.: My first is a number, my second another,
And each, I assure you, will rhyme with the other.
My first you will find is one-fifth of my second,
And truly my whole a long period reckoned.
Yet my first and my second (nay, think not I cozen),
When added together will make but two dozen.
How many am I?
A: Four Score. Congrats to Jim Holmes from the UK who was first in with the correct answer. And now for this week's cranium crusher:
A horse is tied to a five meter rope in front of the village pub. Six meters behind the horse is a bale of hay. Without breaking his rope, the horse is able to eat the hay whenever he chooses. How is this possible?
THE WEEK THAT WAS
Re-published - September 11 Tribute. This will remain on our home page until 9/18.
http://www.irishcultureandcustoms.com/index.html
New - Sunday Blessing
New - Wednesday Quote
On-going: September Trivia Contest - All entries must be in by midnight, September 30, whatever time zone you're in.
http://www.irishcultureandcustoms.com/TriviaContest.html
On-going: . Circle of Prayer; please keep little Sebastian in your prayers; also the mother of Greg Courtney who was just diagnosed with cancer, the families and friends of all those who lost loved ones in the Russian school atrocity, and all of our military personnel stationed all over the world.
NEXT WEEK, GOD WILLING: Bridget is till working on a review of a CD by Aran Isle singer, Lasairfhiona Ni Chonaola. She's also working on a new Artisans of Ireland article, considering several of your submissions and feeling very guilty about the Kids' Ireland page. We'll do what we can
So that's the long, he short and the late of it for another week, except for the "essential" goings-on in our crazy calendar - many of em' frivolous, but some serious:
September 11 - Third anniversary of the World Trade Center terrorist attack; Patriot Day (official state holiday in Massachusetts; Make Your Bed Day; No News is Good News Day;
September 12 - Grandparents Day; ; National Pet Memorial Day; Chocolate Milk Shake Day; birthday of Louis McNeice, poet and classical scholar who was born in Belfast in 1907
September 13 - National Peanut Day; Defy Superstition Day; Positive Thinking Day
September 14 - 1752 - The Gregorian calendar is adopted in Ireland and Britain, 170 years after mainland Europe: 2 September is followed by 14 September. There are protests and riots by people who are convinced that they have lost 12 days out of their lives; National Cream-Filled Donut Day; Felt Hat Day - On this day, men traditionally put away their felt hats.
September 15 - Rosh Hashanah begins at sunset September 15 and ends at nightfall on September 27. Happy New Year to all of our Jewish friends; Independence Day (Costa Rica, (El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras and
Nicaragua); Respect for the Aged Day (Japan;
September 16 - Independencia de Mexico (Mexican Independence Day) also Independence Day for Papua New Guinea) ;Collect Rocks Day; Step Family Day; Mayflower Day; Working Parents Day; Women's Friendship Day
September 17 - Halfway to St.Patrick's Day, Citizenship Day/Constitution Day in the USA; Apple Dumpling Day; POW/MIA Recognition Day (National, US) - Observed each year on the third Friday of September
September 18 - 18 International Peace Day; wife appreciation day; Independence Day in Chile
Celebrating a birthday, anniversary or other special event this week? We hope it's a joyous occasion for you and your loved ones! Want to find out what wild and wacky holidays are on tap for September? Check out:
http://www.butlerwebs.com/holidays/september.htm
http://www.holidayinsights.com/moreholidays/september.htm
http://www.holidays.net/dailys.htm
http://www.party411.com/holidays-funky09.html
Until next time, may the Good Shepherd of us all bless you and yours with good health,, good fortune, and good company - 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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Are you a loyal reader of our newsletter? Your voluntary donation will help us keep sending it around the world each week. Please give whatever you can to Russ and Bridget, 5670 Meryton Place, Cincinnati, OH, 45224. Donations can also be made via PayPal at
http://www.paypal.com
Our email address there is bhaggerty@irishcultureandcustoms.com
FREE shamrock seeds for any donation over $25! Many thanks in advance for your kindness.
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Events & Classifieds
To avoid duplication, we list only those events not already mentioned in the Irish Heritage Newsletter - if you'd like to subscribe, just send a note to George at Steeler059@aol.com
And, if you're in Ireland, or lucky enough to be visiting, you can see what's on offer here:
http://www.irishtravelideas.com/Calender2004.asp
Houston, Texas - September 18 The third annual 'Tis Great to Be An Irish American Celebration will be held on Saturday, Sept. 18th, from 2:00-6:00pm
at the VFW Club in Spring Branch (Long Point and Campbell). Call (281) 492-8780 for more information or e-mail
patpmcmahon@aol.com.
Dublin Fringe Festival - September 20 to October 10
Now in its ninth year, the Fringe is an event of both national and international significance, attracting audiences in excess of 50,000. It is the fastest growing cultural event in Ireland and one of Europe's leading independent arts festivals with over 125 different events and attractions and more than 700 performances. Details here:
http://www.fringefest.com/index.asp
Dervish
New York City, September 24
Joe's Pub presents Dervish performing songs from their latest recording "Spirit."
425 LaFayette Street; 9:30 P.M. For more info, please contact Anita Daly: anitadaly@yahoo.com
or visit the Dervish web site:
http://www.dervish.ie
Cincinnati, Ohio September 25 & 26 Coney Island Celtic World Festival Enjoy traditional Celtic music, dancing and food as well as three plays of Irish interest : Last Epitaph of a Wise Man, Lady Gregory's Ingredients and Maggie Murphy's Home. For details about these and other attractions, please click:
http://www.cincinnatifolklife.com/
Sligo, Ireland - Early October
The Sligo Heritage and Genealogy centre is hosting a 4 day international conference on Irish genealogy, heritage and culture. Even if you come from another county, this conference will be of interest as experts in various fields of study from all over Ireland will be speaking on a wide range of topics. Preliminary details of the conference are available at:
http://www.sligoroots.com
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Shannon's message
I just wanted to express my opinion. I truly do not think it has faded. I don't know if this is a new prospective but this is what I have found.
Growing up Irish is So. Calif. there was not much here about being Irish other than family pride. I felt privileged on St. Pats day. My other niche was my name, Shannon B. Reilly, my whole life my name had been the best conversation started. It helps with the brown hair and blue eyes. I don't think there has been a day in my life someone has commented on it and being Irish. I got asked..."Have you ever been to Ireland? With a name like that....you'd be the toast of the town."
Well..... for my 40th birthday I sent my self to Ireland, something I have dreamed of my whole life. I even went as far as to get a Credit card with the American flag so when I mad my purchases, I was Irish "American" and my name said that as well. Boy was I wrong!!!
As I forked over my euros and credit card, signed into hotels, filled out entry forms no one said a word. Finally in Blarney, at the woolen mills, I said. I cannot believe all the time I have been here no one person has mentioned my name. She took my card and said, " It's Shannon B. Reilly, correct" I said yes proudly....she gave me this blank stare. I told her that my whole life my name has been a big deal and especially because I was Irish. She still gave me that blank stare and said " Well hun.. you are in Ireland, Shannon is as common as it gets here, so if it we Matilda, I would be saying was a unique name it is."
I came to the conclusion while coming back into the us, via immigration that my name is special to me and especially in the us. The inspector said to me "Ahhh Shannon B. Reilly, how did you like your home land and with a name like that you could not be any more Irish" I told him " Yap your right, I am more Irish here in American then I was there, at least my name is."
What I really took away from my trip was this. I longed to go my whole life for many reasons, when I got there I realized my destiny was here at home in the us. I was numb while I was there, so much to take in I could not get enough. But I felt more Irish in the US then I did there. Proud of where my family came from and proud to be Irish and a longing to go back again to remind me of this again.
I guess being Irish in Ireland they take for granted, history, folk lore.. they have it all there. Every time we go there we bring a piece of it back here and it only makes us more Irish, if possible. So to this day when someone sees my name or I meet them and tell them my name, I think, I am Irish and proud of it and it is something!!!
So... my fascination is on Ireland and how when I am there I felt Irish but nothing like I did when I got home and knew I had been there. I told my friend to write a book call "Don't take being Irish for granted" Or " Being Irish in America vs being an Irish american in Ireland"
Thanks for your time.
Shannon B. Reilly
I just wanted to express my opinion. I truly do not think it has faded. I don't know if this is a new prospective but this is what I have found.
Growing up Irish is So. Calif. there was not much here about being Irish other than family pride. I felt privileged on St. Pats day. My other niche was my name, Shannon B. Reilly, my whole life my name had been the best conversation started. It helps with the brown hair and blue eyes. I don't think there has been a day in my life someone has commented on it and being Irish. I got asked..."Have you ever been to Ireland? With a name like that....you'd be the toast of the town."
Well..... for my 40th birthday I sent my self to Ireland, something I have dreamed of my whole life. I even went as far as to get a Credit card with the American flag so when I mad my purchases, I was Irish "American" and my name said that as well. Boy was I wrong!!!
As I forked over my euros and credit card, signed into hotels, filled out entry forms no one said a word. Finally in Blarney, at the woolen mills, I said. I cannot believe all the time I have been here no one person has mentioned my name. She took my card and said, " It's Shannon B. Reilly, correct" I said yes proudly....she gave me this blank stare. I told her that my whole life my name has been a big deal and especially because I was Irish. She still gave me that blank stare and said " Well hun.. you are in Ireland, Shannon is as common as it gets here, so if it we Matilda, I would be saying was a unique name it is."
I came to the conclusion while coming back into the us, via immigration that my name is special to me and especially in the us. The inspector said to me "Ahhh Shannon B. Reilly, how did you like your home land and with a name like that you could not be any more Irish" I told him " Yep your right, I am more Irish here in American then I was there, at least my name is."
What I really took away from my trip was this. I longed to go my whole life for many reasons, when I got there I realized my destiny was here at home in the us. I was numb while I was there, so much to take in I could not get enough. But I felt more Irish in the US then I did there. Proud of where my family came from and proud to be Irish and a longing to go back again to remind me of this again.
I guess being Irish in Ireland they take for granted, history, folk lore.. they have it all there. Every time we go there we bring a piece of it back here and it only makes us more Irish, if possible. So to this day when someone sees my name or I meet them and tell them my name, I think, I am Irish and proud of it and it is something!!!
So... my fascination is on Ireland and how when I am there I felt Irish but nothing like I did when I got home and knew I had been there. I told my friend to write a book call "Don't take being Irish for granted" Or " Being Irish in America vs being an Irish american in Ireland"
Thanks for your time.
Shannon B. Reilly 