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Welcome to the Irish Culture & Customs newsletter which is published every weekend and sent out to over 1800 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 unsubscribe, instructions are at the end - but we do hope you'll stay with us.
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Greetings and blessings to all,
The warmest of welcomes, especially to our newest subscribers. We now number well over 1800! Many thanks for signing up and please feel free to share our musings and meanderings with your family and friends.
We hope this edition finds everyone in good spirits, good health, and good company. For those of you who celebrate Easter, undoubtedly it's been a very busy week, what with buying Easter outfits, dyeing eggs, putting baskets together, and so on. Now that our children are grown, it's been quite a few years since we spent the better part of an Easter Saturday at the mall shopping for Easter Sunday best while trying to stay within budget. We have to say we don't miss that part of the Holy Week ritual. But Bridget does wish she was still assembling baskets. Our kids were adults when Russ finally said enough's enough. Reluctantly, Herself had to agree. Of course, there are always the grandchildren...
It's been a glorious week here in the Ohio Valley observing a magnificent parade of spring flora - magnolias, dogwoods, grape hyacinths, tulips, ground violets - and the first dandelions! Great painting weather, too. And we've been busy with that, as well as trying our best to get all the revisions and corrections done for the 2nd edition of Bridget's book, The Traditional Irish Wedding. Fingers crossed all will go well and it will make its debut in early May. But enough about us:
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In news from Ireland
Co, Dublin - The first weekend of the smoking ban passed off relatively peacefully despite fears that non-compliance would result in confrontations in pubs throughout the country.
Co. Limerick - Munster booked their place in the Heineken Cup semi-finals after a whirlwind first-half performance earned them a 37-32 victory over Stade Francais at Thomond Park, today. Go Munster!
Co. Derry - Floating bookshop on its way this summer. Manned by a multinational crew and more than three hundred volunteers, MV Douros carries some half a million books and has welcomed aboard more than seventeen million visitors on its journeys all over the world.
Co. Antrim - Crawford McIlveen from Carrickfergus has been named as the Milkman of the Year for 2004. He received his prize at a ceremony in Belfast Castle from the Dairy Council of Northern Ireland.
Co. Offaly - Playing its part in commemorating the centenary of camogie in Ireland, there will be a camogie blitz on Bank Holiday Monday. Details of the event, to be known as "Le Chéile", were revealed at a well-attended meeting in Regan's and a number of clubs from throughout the county will be taking part.
Co. Roscommon - More than three hundred anglers are expected in Boyle this weekend for the Boyle and District Angling Club's Pike Angling Festival. With an overall prize of 3,000 and the Moonstone Jewellers' Perpetual Cup, the anglers will be aiming to land the biggest fish, though all will be returned to the water under the club's "catch and release" policy.
Co. Sligo - At six o'clock on Easter morning a Mass will be celebrated for the parishioners of Riverstown, Sooey and Gleann by Father O'Shea at the Union Rock, near Union Wood close to Ballygawley. The rock takes its name from the Union flag which used to fly to show that the landlord was in residence and rents were due to be paid.
In news from all over:
London, England - The first letter written by James Joyce offering his debut work of The Dubliners for publication sold for £32,265 at auction at Christie's. Other notable items among the 50-lot collection of Joyce artifacts, which included manuscripts, books and drawings, was the sale of one of only 25 copies of an Obelisk Press edition of Pomes Penyeach, which sold for £26,290.
Scotland - A farmer from Gortahork, Co Donegal is the central figure of a documentary film which has scooped an international film festival award. The documentary "Frank Ned and Busy Lizzie,"by Donegal-based Vinegar Hill Productions, won the Best Feature Documentary category of the Celtic Film Festival
From the mailbag:
Last week, we asked about the four US locations that don't go on DST. Doreen wrote Arizona, Hawaii & Indiana. We're still scratching our heads about #4?
Do you like to enter contests, but don't have much time to spare? Derek Waugh has started a newsletter which tells you how you could be winning lots of prizes and he does all the work! To find out more, write to Derek here: dwaugh2@shaw.ca
Links of the week:
It's spring - and if you like birds singing, you'll like this one:
http://www.cryofthespirit.com/birdsing.html
The smoking ban prompted this tongue in cheek link from Jane - The pipes, the pipes are clearing:
http://www.post-gazette.com/pg/04091/293825.stm
Jack and Vivian sent a 3rd O'Carolan tune: http://www.irishpage.com/songs/carolan/ohara.htm
Ever been to Canada? Betty says there are areas that remind her of Ireland:
http://www.travelcanada.ca
Just for kids - a site with Easter riddles, spring games and more
http://www.kidsdomain.com/games/spring.html
More silly Easter riddles
http://www.flowgo.com/funpages/view.cfm/2372
Paul Carr does CD reviews for the Irish Herald; you can read them here:
http://home.comcast.net/~eile
And 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 blither and blather - on with the update:
IN THIS ISSUE:
A Bit of The Wit
Joke of The Week
Did You Know?
Quotes & Quips
Know Your Irish Writers & Books?
Riddle
New This Week
The Week Ahead
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A BIT O' THE WIT
From the Catholic Dictionary:
Relics: People who have been going to Mass for so long, they actually know when to sit, kneel, and stand.
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Please help us to keep this newsletter free - visit our good friends, LollySmith:
Don't forget - Mother's Day is right around the corner - May 9th! Come take a look at our wide range of lovely gifts - from Bewley's coffee and tea (just for the talkin') to beautiful gold and silver jewelry reflecting the artistry and craftsmanship of Irish designers, ancient and modern. Browse to your heart's content and remember, when you buy from Lollysith, 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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OUR FAVORITE JOKE OF THE WEEK
Hartson is a prolific contributor - recipes, links, quotes , jokes and more. We have him to thank for the following:
A man and a woman, who have never met before, find themselves assigned to the same sleeping room on a transcontinental train.Though initially embarrassed and uneasy over sharing a room, the two are tired and fall asleep quickly - he in the upper bunk and she in the lower. At 2:00AM, he leans over and gently wakes the woman, saying, "Ma'am, I'm sorry to bother you, but would you be willing to reach into the cupboard to get me a second blanket? I'm awfully cold." "I have a better idea," she replies. "Just for tonight, let's pretend that we're married." "That's a great idea!" he exclaims. "Good," she replies. "Get up and get your own blanket."
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DID YOU KNOW
1. Buncrana, Co Donegal, is the most Catholic town in the Republic, with 94.3 per cent of its population belonging to the denomination? Greystones, Co Wicklow, has the highest Church of Ireland population, at 11.3 per cent.
2.New York's Central Park was modelled on St. Stephen's Green in Dublin?
3.You can only call yourself a true Dubliner if you were born between the North and South Circular Roads?
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QUIPS, QUOTES & ANECDOTES - PROVERBS, CURSES AND TOASTS, TOO!
If you're in Amerikay, 'tis the week to pay the piper. We've been saving the following ditty sent in by Hartson for nearly a year:
Tax his tractor, tax his mule; tell him, taxing is the rule.
Tax his oil, tax his gas, tax his notes, tax his cash
Tax him good and let him know, that after taxes, he has no dough.
If he hollers, tax him more; tax him till he's good and sore.
Tax his coffin, tax his grave, tax his sod in which he's laid.
Put these words upon his tomb, "Taxes drove him to his doom."
Once he's gone, we won't relax. We'll still collect inheritance tax.
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Help keep our newsletter free - visit Go Ireland:
Go Ireland are delighted to offer a very wide range of Walking and Hiking Tours in Ireland, in some of the most scenic, historical and culturally rich regions on this beautiful island of ours. Enjoy the natural beauty, the cultural diversity and the Heritage of Ireland and everything else which makes Ireland so special - the people, the humour, the hospitality, the unforgettable scenery, the history and yes - the passion, the poetry, the creativity. Check out:
http://www.walking-tours-in-ireland.com
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KNOW YOUR IRISH WRITERS & IRISH-RELATED BOOKS?
First off, the answers to last week's quiz:
1. The Easter Rising: Dublin, 1916 by Neil Grant
2. Agony at Easter - The 1916 Irish Uprising by Thomas M. Coffey
3. 1916 - The Easter Rising by Tim Pat Coogan
As one Irish wag once said, please clap your feet for this week's Irish bibliophiles:
Hartson Dowd
Set the tone of your Wedding by sending unique Irish wedding invitations to the people you want to gather close to you on your big day.
http://www.wedding-invitations-ireland.com
Ellen Parodi
Namely Gifts at http://namelygifts.com
Personalized Name Keepsakes and Gifts
Something for every name on your gift list!
Helen Dowd
Have A Blessed Easter
http://www.occupytillicome.com/poetry/messages/251.html
Déirdre McKiernan Hetzler
"Glorious Ireland in May" - May 25 - June 8, 2004
View this year's itinerary:
http://www.irishbook.com/tours.htm
Claire McManus
Check out this site for Irish Roots, music & culture, property and other websites on tourism and business in Ireland, including a links section for every county:
http://www.mayo-ireland.ie
Nancy Riordan
For readers down under, here's my favorite link to Irish-Australian sites:
http://www.users.bigpond.com/kirwilli/aussie_irish/aussie_irish.htm
Want to see your name and favorite site on our list? Try to find the following authors - we assure you, it's really easy! Who wrote:
1. Ireland since the Rising
2. Grace Gifford Plunkett and Irish Freedom
3. The 1916 Proclamation
Hint: You'll find all the titles here:
http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/redirect?tag=irishcultucus-20&path=tg/detail/-/0951422987/qid%3D1081630555/sr%3D1-58
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!)
3. Click through on the Hint URL above, tell us the title and earn another entry into the Trivia drawing. NOTE: It would be very helpful if you would send your entries to: bhaggerty@irishcultureandcustoms.com
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THIS WEEK'S RIDDLE
But first, the answer to our previous brain bruiser:
Sean was describing his grand farm to everyone at the pub when cantankerous Patrick broke into the conversation saying it was probably just a two-horse patch in the bog. Sean straightened his shoulders and said, "I'll have you know that I have all horses but two, all cows but two, and all pigs but two."
Q: How many animals does Sean own?
A. Three - one horse, one cow and one pig
We received a flood of answers but first one in was Clara Byrne. Well done!
And now for our next mind-mangler:
Find the English word that can be formed from all these
letters: PNLLEEEESSSSS
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Help us keep this newsletter free by visiting the 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:
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NEW OR FEATURED ON OUR HOME PAGE:
1. Home Page - See what's new or recycled at a glance:
http://www.irishcultureandcustoms.com/index.html
1. Republished - Article: Palm Sunday in Old Ireland
http://www.irishcultureandcustoms.com/ACalend/PalmSunday.html
2. Republished - Article: Good Friday Haircuts and Seaweed for Dinnner
http://www.irishcultureandcustoms.com/ACalend/GoodFriday.html
3. Republished - Article: Easter Saturday and a Funeral for a Fish
http://www.irishcultureandcustoms.com/ACalend/EasterSat.html
4. Republished - Article: The Dance of the Sun at Dawn
http://www.irishcultureandcustoms.com/ACalend/Easter.html
5. The Irish Kitchen: An Irish Easter Menu
http://www.irishcultureandcustoms.com
6. Featured - Article: The Holy Wells of Ireland
http://www.irishcultureandcustoms.com/ALandmks/HolyWells.html
7. Featured - Article: Meet Ollie Sachs, New Zealand's #1 Irish Dancer
http://www.irishcultureandcustoms.com
8. Featured - Article: Emblems of Ireland, the Book of Kells
http://www.irishcultureandcustoms.com/AEmblem/BooKells.html
9. Featured - Article: The Connemara Pony
http://www.irishcultureandcustoms.com
10. On-Going - Our third Novena in this cycle ends today. Our fourth one begins tomorrow and continues through April 19. This week, we were stunned to hear about the sudden death of a dear friend and subscriber's husband. Larry Flynn was in good health, but collapsed last Monday and died of a massive heart attack. Judith has been a loyal supporter of ours since IC&C began and we ask that you pray or meditate for her and the family during this very difficult time. Please also continue to keep the following in your prayers or meditations: Doug, Ryan Declan, Eileen's brother Bob, her son Christopher, Maggie's family and friends, Bob and Kathy in Utah, Debbie's friend Bertha, Rita, Lindsey, Dianne, Claire, C.J., baby Christopher, Sam, Steven & Margaret, the Mulligans and our men and women in the military, especially Paul and Ashley serving in Iraq. Whatever your spiritual leanings, we hope you will join us each day:
http://www.irishcultureandcustoms.com/Blessings/CirclePrayer.html
11. April Trivia contest - and the entries are trickling in. As they say in Ireland, you can't win it, if you're not in it.
http://www.irishcultureandcustoms.com/TriviaContest.html
12. On-going - Irish News: Headlines for today and the past week. Note that we do our best to find the "good news"!
http://www.irishcultureandcustoms.com/01News/Home.html
13. On-going -This month in Irish History:
http://www.irishcultureandcustoms.com/02Hist/4April.html
14. Have a wedding coming up? Find a selection of lovely gifts here:
http://www.irishcultureandcustoms.com/Weddings/1Shop1.html
NEXT WEEK, GOD WILLING:
Bridget is in panic mode to get the second edition of her wedding book to the printer by next Thursday. Russ is equally as panic-stricken as he hasn't started the taxes yet! However, that won't prevent us from publishing the regular weekly or bi-weekly features; we'll have a new blessing on Sunday, we'll refresh the home page on Monday. we'll post a new Irish lesson on Tuesday (this one is cooking terms), there'll be a new quotation posted on Wednesday, and now that Lent is over, we'll be publishing a hearty meat and potatoes recipe from Hartson (or something similar!).
So that wraps it up for another week, except for the "essential" goings-on in our crazy calendar - most of em' frivolous, but some serious. Today is Encourage a Young Writer Day, Golfer's Day and National Sibling Day; the 11th is Easter, celebrated on the same date this year by both the Greek Orthodox Church and the Christian church - a very rare occurence. It's also Eight Track Tape Day (do you remember those?) as well as Barbershop Quartet Day. The 13th is Blame Somebody Else Day and Scrabble Day and the 15th is Tax Day in the USA. It's also National Rubber Eraser Day and Titanic Remembrance Day. Finally, the 16th is National Eggs Benedict Day, National Librarian Day, National Stress Awareness Day and for those of you wondering whether this is really an Irish newsletter, it's the birthday of John Millington Synge. Celebrating a birthday, anniversary or other special event this week? We hope it's a joyous occasion for you and your loved ones! Can't wait to find out what's coming up for the rest of the month? Check out:
http://www.butlerwebs.com/holidays/april.htm
http://www.holidayinsights.com/moreholidays/april.htm
In honor of Easter, we've also arranged for you to receive a special Irish greeting - no music. Just once in a while, it isn't needed
http://www.irishcorner.com/epickup.php?card_id=r4078afd6e7d4b
Until next time, Beannachtaí Ná Cásca ort oraibh - May the blessings of Easter be upon you; may God keep you and yours 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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http://www.paypal.com
Our email address there is haggertyr@primax.com
FREE shamrock seeds for any donation over $25! Many thanks in advance for your kindness.
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Events & Classifieds
Note: To avoid duplication, we list only those events not mentioned in the comprehensive listing put together by The Wild Geese. To check their Events Page, please click:
http://www.thewildgeese.com/pages/events.html
The Irish Heritage Newsletter also lists events - 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.emigrant.ie/Event.asp
http://texcelt.org/CalendarEastTexas.html
ReJoyce Dublin 2004
Celebrating the centenary of Bloomsday, the day on which James Joyce's masterpiece "Ulysses" is set. Ireland is planning a world-class, five-month festival lasting from 1 April 2004 to 31 August 2004. For more details, click
http://www.rejoycedublin2004.com/
Parsippany, NJ - from April 15 to18
Traditional Irish Weekend - Each year Comhaltas Ceoltoiri Eireann in North America holds a Traditional Irish Weekend in a North American city. The location this year is The Hilton in Parsippany, NJ, about 45 minutes outside of New York City. The event attracts over 3000 people, many staying the entire weekend to attend music sessions, ceilis and music/language workshops. Renowned traditional musicians, many All Ireland Champions, will be conducting the music workshops. For full details, please visit our websites:
http://www.ccenorthamerica.com or http://www.Comhaltas.com
You can also contact Jim Madden at NewJerseyIrish@aol.com
Hollywood, FL - April 17
Irish American Caeli Club April Ceili with Noel Kingston
For details, check our website:
http://www.irishamericanceiliclub.com
Cincinnati OH - April 17
Silver Arm, one of the area's most popular Celtic music groups, will play at the Dilly Deli, 6818 Wooster Pike. Please check their web site for more details about their performances: http://www.silverarmmusic.com
Dublin, Ireland Day of Welcomes from April 19 to May 1
The 'Day of Welcomes' on Saturday 1st May marks the historic day when 10 new countries join the 15 current member states of the E.U. For more details, click
http://www.visitdublin.com/events/events_detail.asp?eventID=912
Dublin, Ireland - May 4
Celebrating 21 years of journalism at DCU. This is an invitation, particularly to graduates of the Graduate Diploma in Journalism and the Masters in Journalism, to the DCU Media Round Table and a reception afterwards. For more details, visit:
http://list.dcu.ie/mailman/listinfo.cgi/alumni
To book a place please contact Mary Nulty at +353-1-7005220 or mailto:mary.nulty@dcu.ie
Boston, Mass - May 8
Irish Genealogy Seminar sponsored by the New England Historic Genealogical Society. Several speakers will lecture on genealogy topics and the husband of one of our readers, Sean O'Duill, is coming from Dublin (with Eileen, our reader) to present his talk on Matchmaking and Marriage customs in 19th century rural Ireland. The URL for further information is:
http://www.nehgs.org/events/events/
Aran Isles - The Celtic Way", 15 - 22 May 2004
There are still a few places left in this fascinating and beautiful programme which introduces you to the ancient culture of the Celts and the "Celtic Church." in Ireland). For more details, please click
http://www.irish-culture.ch
6th Int'l McManus Clan Association Gathering May 25th through May 31st
For full details please visit our website at:
http://members.aol.com/manusclan/mcm2004.htm
or contact Phil McManus at Manus@aol.com
June 7th through 14th - 100 Years of the Abbey Theatre in Galway and Dublin. Trip includes 3 nights in Galway and 3 nights in Dublin. For more information, contact Kathleen Dixon Donnelly, Ph.D at kdonnellycom@aol.com
7th Clann McKenna Rally - June 25th through Sunday June 27th
For details, please write plunkettmckenna@eircom.net
or click on the following link:
http://www.omagh.gov.uk/historypark.htm
Co. Sligo, Ireland - September
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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