Welcome to the Irish Culture & Customs newsletter which is published every fortnight or so and sent out to more than 4700 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 & Blessings to all,
It's lovely to be back and we hope this edition finds you and yours as fit as a fiddle and in fine fettle. As is always the case in the weeks leading up to St. Patrick's Day, we were delighted to see a significant uptick in new subscribers. A warm welcome to you all and we hope you will enjoy our musings and meanderings. If so, please feel free to share them with your family and friends.
Meanwhile - what a grand couple of weeks it has been since last we wrote! How can you go wrong with the sun shining all over Ireland on St. Patrick's Day followed by Ireland winning the Six Nations Grand Slam at the weekend. We hope your St. Patrick's Day and Grand Slam celebrations were as much fun as ours.
Onwards.
Part of our St. Patrick's Day fun was drawing the names of fourteen contributors to our annual fund-raiser. By now, ten of you should have received the new book "Galway" and four others should have received CDs by Druid and Emma Kate Tobia. If you're one of of our winners, please let us know what you think of your prize. We might use your comments in a future review.
As for ourselves...
Of forty daffodil bulbs we planted at Tadpole Cottage last October, they ALL came up. They are now in full bloom as is the forsythia at the end of the driveway and also the Bradford Pear in the front of the house. Spring has definitely sprung in our Ohio Valley and there's no better time of year to be in this region. It's always a thrill to us how Mother Nature sets the stage to welcome April - and before we forget, pinch punch, first day of the month, white rabbit! Are you to be married in the next few weeks? Or perhaps you tied the knot this coming month? Here's your special verse:
Marry in April if you can,
Joy for maiden and for man.
Enough of the blather...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
What follows are news clips from around the counties and elsewhere. Links for more news stories can be found on our web site where we post the latest headlines from Ireland every morning and we keep two week's of previous news: http://www.irishcultureandcustoms.com/01News/Home.html
And more county news can be found here:
http://www.emigrant.ie/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=70500&Itemid=23
FROM AROUND THE COUNTIES:
Antrim: Last dance at Ballymena ballroom
Although it closed its doors almost thirty years ago, the Flamingo Ballroom in Ballymena was reopened for one last time recently to allow former patrons to relive their dancing days before the building is sold.
Armagh: Bar renovation brings 17th century memento
During the refitting of a pub near Armagh city a memento from the 17th century was uncovered. An extension to O'Toole's Bar in Ballymacnab by Portadown-based Deluxe Group unearthed a pair of shoes which have been dated by experts to the early years of the seventeenth century. According to the proprietor of the two hundred and ten year old pub, Bronagh O'Toole, the shoes probably belonged to one of her O'Toole ancestors. They have now been put on display in a glass cabinet in the Ulster Museum.
Cavan: Ballyjamesduff wants Paddy to come back
The annual Culchie Festival, which is scheduled for October, will this year take place in Ballyjamesduff, and the organisers are hoping to break a record by having the greatest number of people of the same name gathered in one place. Accordingly they have invited all Paddy Reillys to come to the town and hope to attract at least one thousand of them. Of course variants will be accepted, including Pat, Paudie or Patrick, and those Reillys with an 'O' in front of their names will also qualify. The original Paddy Reilly was immortalised in a song by Percy French.
Clare: Ceili Band celebrates its centenary
The village of Kilfenora will be lively over the last weekend in April when the Kilfenora Ceili band will be celebrating its centenary. However the celebrations began recently when the band played a centenary concert in the National Concert Hall in Dublin. Tracing its origins to a fife and drum band in the nineteenth century, the ceili band will play at the Community Hall, a venue that band members helped to build in the 1950s. Also as part of the celebrations a plaque will be unveiled at the Burren Centre after a Mass is celebrated to remember past members of the band.
Derry: Magilligan barman captures rare footage
Kevin Doherty, who lives in Martello Park at Magilligan Point, managed to catch about two minutes of footage of a rare weather phenomenon from his bedroom window. The twenty-four-year-old, who is a barman at the Point Bar, saw what seemed to be a tornado across the water in the hills of Co. Donegal. According to Point Bar owner Owen McLaughlin, he has never seen anything like it in the twenty years he has been at the Point Bar. And a Met Office expert has confirmed that what Kevin saw was a twister, which are reported about ten times a year in Ireland.
Down: Re-enactment of official opening of Down railway
Last weekend the chairman of Downpatrick and County Down Railway, Cameron Robinson, donned the clothes of one hundred and fifty years ago to deliver the speech first heard when William Anketell declared open the railway line from Belfast to Downpatrick. A silver band also played to mark the occasion and visitors were able to board a steam train for the short journey to Inch Abbey. The railway line closed in 1950 but a short stretch was reopened in 1987 and now the society runs weekend and summer steam train trips.
Dublin: Reissue of Bernard's book on Cabra
A book written by Bernard Neary, and first published in 1991 is to be republished due to an increasing demand. "Waiting for the 22" gives a history of Cabra and was prompted by the fiftieth anniversary celebrations of Cabra West parish. The original run of more than three thousand copies soon sold out and such has been the demand lately, from at home and abroad, that one copy was offered on eBay for €125. Bernard contacted Futureprint of Baldoyle, the original publishers, and they had also received requests for copies, so now another fifteen hundred have been printed and are available locally.
Galway: Inis Mór brothers take top talent spot
In the finals of RTÉ's All-Ireland Talent Show the top spot went to the Mulkerrin brothers from Inis Mór in the Aran Islands. The three boys, fourteen-year-old Padraig, eleven-year-old Éamonn and Seán, aged eight, expanded their set for the final to include sean nós dancer Séan on the banjo and fiddle-player Éamonn step-dancing. Their prize for winning the long-running competition is a cheque for €50,000. The brothers don't devote their entire time to music; each Saturday they catch the ferry to the mainland to attend rugby training sessions and matches with An Ghaeltach
Galway: Las Vegas success for Michael
Michael Harnesse of Bistro Bianconi on Galway's Westside made it to the top when he and fellow franchisee Fran Carroll took first and third places in the Open Region category of the World Pizza Championships in Las Vegas. Michael and Fran produced their Jameson and Black pizza, made with Jameson Whiskey dough, Clonakilty black pudding, bacon, Cashel blue cheese and Jameson infused apple, and it took first prize. Their Michaelangelo pizza came third in the same category. This week the winning pizza had been added to the menu at the pizza outlet in the Westside Shopping Centre.
Kerry: Tralee pub claims cheapest drinks
The proprietor of Quirkies bar in Tralee is claiming to be selling not only the cheapest pint in Ireland but also the cheapest soft drinks, wines and spirits. Tom Quirke has set the price of a long-neck beer at just €3, while tea, coffee and soft drinks are on offer for €1.50. He still maintains that he is making a profit since he has cut down on many amenities, including live music, and has noticed an increase in business.
(Hmm)
Kerry: More than an inch to be bared at Inch?
A campaign has been launched by the Irish Naturist Association to have part of Inch Strand designated as a "clothing optional" beach. The association is to write to all the candidates running in the local elections to gain their support for the proposal. While Inch Strand already features on the association's website as being suitable for nude sunbathing, the practice is still illegal in this country. As part of their proposals for a few locations around the country in addition to Inch, the INA has stressed the benefits to tourism, as they have many requests for information on "clothing optional" beaches in this country.
Kilkenny: Holy Saturday launch for Kilkenny 400
April 11 is the official date of the City charter being granted to Kilkenny by King James 1 in 1609, and the programme of events will be launched on that day this year, which coincides with Holy Saturday. In addition to street theatre, music, dance and family fun on the day, the organisers hope to procure a licence to hold a fireworks display in Kilkenny Castle in the evening. The year's events, to include public lectures on archaeology, history and heritage, films in the castle, and marching bands, are being co-ordinated by Welcome Marketing.
Laois: Durrow goes doubly green
The village of Durrow has once again gone doubly green, not only celebrating St Patrick's Day but also having a non-motorised parade. A total of forty-two floats took part in the parade, with the theme "Hump the Recession", and were watched by more than two thousand people, some who had travelled from Cork for the day. Among the entrants were puppets of Barack Obama and Brian Cowen. One particularly enjoyable part of the day was a race involving six pigs in six races, with a betting shop adding interest to the competitions.
Leitrim: Patience is rewarded in Kinlough
It has been a long wait for the members of Melvin Gaels in Kinlough who became Leitrim Senior champions forty-seven years ago. The team overcame Aughavas in the final but a controversy arose when the Ballinamore side lodged an objection. They had been due to play Melvin Gaels in the semi-final and claimed they had not been notified of either the date or the venue. Subsequently the Leitrim County Board declared the championship void. However last year the Connacht Council was persuaded to declare Melvin Gaels the 1962 champions and last week the members, or their families, were finally presented with their medals.
Limerick: The city as seen through young eyes
An exhibition entitled "The Limerick I Love" will display photographs taken by children from Limerick primary schools. The children and their teachers gathered at City Hall last week for the launching of the exhibition by Mayor John Gilligan.
Louth: Going, going - down
A significant price reduction has been applied in the sale of a seventeenth century castle that featured in an RTE reality television programme. Bellingham Castle in Castlebellingham, which has been run as a hotel since the 1960s by the Keenan family, was first put on the market two years ago for €8m, but this was reduced by half last October, with an asking price of €4m. Now it is on the market for just €2.75m and will possibly attract nursing home operators or private purchasers. The castle is still a functioning hotel and is booked up for the entire year for weddings.
Louth: Art exhibition causes controversy
An art installation at the Droichead Arts Centre in Drogheda has caused some controversy, but it has also had a happy ending. "If Art Could Save Your Life", the work of artist Seamus Nolan, featured two stray dogs from the local pound in cages. The installation was first cleared with local county veterinary surgeon Garret Shine, who said the conditions were better than the dogs would experience at the pound. While many animal rights activists objected to the installation, it had to be removed before the official closing of the exhibition, since both dogs found new homes.
Mayo: Rare dolphin stranded at Purteen
A rare breed of dolphin that became disorientated in Purteen Harbour on Achill last week was successfully returned to deeper waters. Although the bottle-nosed dolphin is often seen in Achill waters, this was a striped dolphin which was spotted by local fishermen in the harbour. It appeared to have damaged its sonar system, since it constantly hit its nose off the harbour wall. John O'Shea, who is the local representative for the Irish Whale and Dolphin Group, organised the rescue of the dolphin and it was the Achill lifeboat crew, using a D-Class RIB, who threw a net over the dolphin, placed it in the boat and took it to sea.
Monaghan: Carrickmacross to honour famous harper
Patrick Byrne was a famous nineteenth century harper from the south of the county and he will be honoured next weekend with the Féile Patrick Byrne, to be headlined by traditional group Téada. The festival will be launched in the Fiddler's Elbow by Councillor Rose McMahon, prior to a lecture by Fintan Vallely. Saturday night's concert, which was originally to have taken place in the Carrick Court Hotel, has now been switched to Corduff & Raferagh Community Centre. In addition to Téada, the evening will feature Gerry Murray from Scotstown and harper Gráinne Hambly. Workshops will take place throughout the weekend, which will conclude with a music session in the Shirley Arms Hotel.
Sligo: Rare whale washed up in Strandhill
It is no longer that unusual for whales to be washed up on Irish beaches, but one that was found on Strandhill beach last week was one of the world's rarest species. The True's Beaked whale, weighing some two tonnes, is the first recorded in this country for twelve years. It required the presence of a JCB at the site for four hours to remove a number of boulders before the dead animal could be removed from the beach. Its identity was confirmed by Dr Don Cotton of IT Sligo, with the help of the presence of two distinctive teeth on the lower jaw.
Waterford: Plaque unveiled to 18th century poet
The Mayor of Dungarvan, Teresa Wright, recently unveiled a plaque to commemorate the eighteenth century poet and theologian Tadhg Gaelach Ó Suilleabháin. The poet lived for much of his adult life in the town and died in Waterford Cathedral in 1795. Also taking part in the unveiling was Sister Deaglan de Paor, a Presentation nun who had initiated the campaign to have the poet remembered; some years ago Sister Deaglan published a study of the work of Tadhg Gaelach Ó Suilleabháin. Some of his songs were sung by Anne Mulqueen, and music was supplied by Eimear Fahey and Danielle Lonergan.
Waterford: Native tree planted in People's Park
A Fennessy Oak, a species which originated in a nursery in the townland of Grange in the early nineteenth century, was planted at the entrance to the People's Park in Waterford during National Tree Week. One of these oak trees dating from that time is still thriving at the entrance to the park.
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FROM THE MAILBAG
Don writes: As you say* corned beef was not a food staple in Ireland. I thought the connection to Ireland was from their export of corned beef in cans. I read somewhere that Ireland was the biggest exporter of this product until 1825.
ED. NOTE: Does anyone have any details on this? We'd really like the information. Thanks!
*Don is referring to our article, Corned Beef & Cabbage - The Feeding of A Myth
http://www.irishcultureandcustoms.com/2Kitch/aCBeefCabge.html
Joe McPartland writes: As an 83-year old Irish-American of Leitrim, Longford and Tipperary descent, I enjoy your newsletter. I have been a singer all my life, have sung in Ireland in many venues with Josef Locke, Dermot O'Brien and on Irish radio and am still the soloist at the 10 o'clock Mass every Sunday at my New Jersey Church. Over the past 13 years I have done a good bit of recording of my singing. My eight CDs include 120 songs of which about 90 are Irish and Scottish songs -- along with religious songs -- which might be enjoyed by your readers. They can find out about these songs and get some free downloads at my website -- www.joemcpartland.com
ED. NOTE: We visited Joe’s site and listened to samples. He has a fine voice as well as a very interesting background. We are now hoping to do an article on him and his singing career.
ED. NOTE: Will the lovely man who sent us material for an article on the Derry Boats please get in touch with us? When Bridget ‘s disc died, we lost all of the info and the photos. Please, please write to us as soon as you can.
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LINKS
Rugby Team Homecoming
Sound on, sit back and and watch a great series of slides taken when the team returned home to a heroes welcome:
http://www.irishtimes.com/indepth/slideshows/six-nations-homecoming/
Easter in Dublin
Looking for a fun filled family getaway or Easter break!? Dublin has over 50 visitor attractions, outdoor activities, festivals, arts & events to keep parents & children entertained! Explore Dublin Zoo, discover Dublin by land & sea on a Viking Splash Tour, visit the Easter Bunny at The Chocolate Warehouse, learn at our National Museums & much more! Be there in spirit if you can't be there in person:
http://www.dublinevents.com/easter/
Unleash the goo
Unleash the Goo is an annual competition put on by Cadbury's to find the most creative way to break a Creme Egg .Here for your enjoyment are several pages of entries:
http://www.unleashthegoo.co.nz/
The Big Parade by Nanette Mary
Nanette is one of our long-time subscribers who lives in Wexford. She is also an accomplished poet and has had several books published. She sent us a lovely piece written especially for St. Patrick's Day which we thought you might enjoy: Please click
http://www.fanstory.com/displaystory.jsp?id=262925
From Vivian & Jack of the irish Page
Here are the words and music of one of Ireland's most celebrated
songs. "Eibhlin, a rún!" means "Evelyn, my secret love! and was written by Carrol O'Daly."
http:www.irishpage.com/songs/aroon.htm
Debut single from JJ Daly
The new video for the debut single, "Playing the Game" by young Irish artist JJ, is available to watch now online. Not our style of music, but the scenery shot in Wicklow and Dublin is beautiful and some of you might like the song.
http://www.screenscene.ie/index.php?/grade_and_telecine/jj_daly_playing_the_game/
Web site of web sites
Our daughter sent us this link and we think it's a keeper. Check it out:
http://www.allmyfaves.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
ED. NOTE: Maria Eryaatz advises that free mammograms are also available in all states via the VNA (visiting nurses association).
http://www.vnaa.org/
Click on 'Find A VNA' for the your nearest location.
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
In view of all the shenanigans going on in the world of banking and finance, this one seems most fitting:
If all economists were laid end to end, they would not reach a conclusion. George Bernard Shaw
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A BIT OF THE WIT
Sign on an Irish gate:
The farmer allows walkers across the field for free, but the bull charges.
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JOKE OF THE WEEK
In a small Kerry village, a businessman began to construct a building for a new bar. The local church started a campaign to block the bar from opening with petitions and prayers.
Work progressed, however, right up until the week before opening, when a lightning strike hit the bar and it burned to the ground.
The church folks were rather smug in their outlook after that, until the bar owner sued the church on the grounds that the church was ultimately responsible for the demise of
his building, either through direct or indirect actions or means.
In its reply to the court, the church vehemently denied all responsibility or any connection to the building's demise.
As the case made its way into court, the judge looked over the paperwork at the hearing and commented, "I don't know how I'm going to decide this, but as it appears from the
paperwork, we have a bar owner who believes in the power of prayer, and an entire church congregation that doesn't!" _____________________________________________________________
DID YOU KNOW
1. The Union Jack was first flown not in England but over Dublin, on January 1, 1801, to celebrate the Act of Union? The Irish Rugby Football Union were so attached to it that they flew the Union Jack and not the tricolour at all matches until 1932, when the President of the Executive Council, William T Cosgrave, intervened.
2. According to Irish folklore, if you take molasses melted in water, it will prevent varicose veins?
3. Handel's Messiah made its debut in Dublin on April 13, 1742?
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KNOW YOUR IRISH WRITERS
To begin with. the answers to our previous quiz:
1. Wild Plants of the Burren & Aran Islands by Charles E. Nelson
2. Ireland's High Places by Rob Beighton
3. Ireland's Ocean a Natural History by Michael Viney & Ethna Viney
A round of pints and applause to the following Irish literary sleuths:
Helen Dowd
A favorite Irish site - The ONE, the ONLY - Irish site is:
http://www.irishcultureandcustoms.com
Helen Dowd
ED. NOTE: And naturally, we have to reciprocate:
http:www.occupytillicome.com
What is becoming exciting to watch is Helen slowly but surely asvancing to the first spot on the top Christian sites. Take a look at her site, and then please vote for her if you think shas we do that she deserves to be number one!
Hartson Dowd
Nominating A Favourite Irish Site : "Welcome to Sligo Heritage “
http://www.sligoheritage.com
Ruth Craig
I want to nominate Midwest Irish Internet Radio:
http://www.midwestirishradio.com/mwir/index.php
Patricia Edwards
There is only ONE Irish site that beats all others & that's THIS ONE:
http://www.irishcultureandcustoms.com
Miriam Smith
Miriam didn't nominate a site so we went ahead and found one about the Smith name in Ireland:
http://www.irelandseye.com/irish/traditional/names/family/smith.shtm
Tammy M. Donahue-McGing
Tammy also didn't nominate a site. She was one of our winners in the book and CD drawing and wrote to tell is how much she is enjoying Druid:
http://www.druidworld.com/
Lee Patterson
Favourite Irish Site: Tommy Murphy's Shamrock Radio:
http://www.shamrockradio.com/
Déirdre McKiernan Hetzler
There’s still room on their next tour: "Glorious Ireland" 21 May - 31,May 2009: To view the itinerary, please click:
http://www.tours2ireland.com
If you’d like to see your name in our Irish bibliophile’s list, tell us who wrote the following:
1. The men that God made mad: A novel of the Dublin Easter uprising
2. Agony at Easter: The 1916 Irish uprising
3. Easter 1916: The Irish Rebellion
Please send your answers to Bridget:
bhaggerty@irishcultureandcustoms.com
Don't forget to nominate a favorite Irish site and it would be helpful if you put "Know Your Writers" in the subject line of your email. Thanks!
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SPONSOR: Please help us keep our newsletter coming - visit our friends at the Celtic Attic:
Top O' The Morning to one and all! Now through April 7th receive a $5.00 gift card with every order and a FREE GIFT with every order. Shop now for Next St. Patrick's Day or stock up for next Christmas. All our Christmas items are 5% off and that discount will be taken off After your order is placed. Some items are already priced under $5.00 so pickup some great gifts for 2009 events. And don't forget, Easter is April 12th.
Order on line or by phone - and tell them Bridget & Russ said hello!
Order by phone: Tel: 360-765-0186
Order on line:
http://celticcallings.com/shopping/merchant.mvc?CSC&Affiliate=Bridget
ALSO: Celtic Attic is pleased to announce its New Tours to Ireland program. For more details visit to have details forwarded to you
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RIDDLE
First off, the answer to our last cranium cruncher:
As a whole, I am both safe and secure.
Behead me, and I become a place of eating.
Behead me again, and I am the partner of ready.
Restore me, and I become the domain of beasts.
Q. What am I?
A. Stable
As always, our Riddle People swamped us with the correct solution, but first in was Mary Ruggiero. Well done, Mary!
And now for our next head banger:
Since many of us are crunching numbers in anticipation of filing taxes, here's what we hope is an appropriate poser:
Five hundred begins it, five hundred ends it,
Five in the middle is seen;
First of all figures, the first of all letters,
Take up their stations between.
Join all together, and then you will bring
Before you the name of an eminent king.
Please send your answers to:
bhaggerty@irishcultureandcustoms.com
It would be helpful if you put riddle answer in the subject line.
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THE WEEK THAT IS
SHOPPING SECTION: Easter is April 12th. Find an appropriately unique gift from some of the best Irish and Celtic shops on the internet or anywhere else:
http://www.irishcultureandcustoms.com/Shop/1Shop2.html
ED. NOTE: Every purchase through our shop links, helps support our efforts. Many thanks in advance1
1. Article: Tribute to Tulough O’Carolan
http://www.irishcultureandcustoms.com/AMusic/OCarolan.html
2. Article: April Fool’s Day
http://www.irishcultureandcustoms.com/ACalend/AprilFools.html
3. Article: Palm Sunday in Old Ireland
http://www.irishcultureandcustoms.com/ACalend/PalmSunday.html
4. Article: Counties of ireland - Carlow
http://www.irishcultureandcustoms.com/ACounty/Carlow.html
5. Article: Landmarks Commemorating the 1916 Rising
http://www.irishcultureandcustoms.com/ALandmks/1916Landmarks.html
6. Article: Irish Linen - The Cloth of Kings
http://www.irishcultureandcustoms.com/AEmblem/Linen.html
7. The irish Kitchen: Recipes for the Lenten Season
http://www.irishcultureandcustoms.com/2Kitch/rLentSmelts.html
8. Basic Irish: Lent & Easter
http://www.irishcultureandcustoms.com/3Focloir/Lessons8.html#Gael33
9. Kids’ Ireland: Boand’s River
http://www.irishcultureandcustoms.com/1Kids/BoandsRiver.html
10. Music Review: Our resident reviewer William Ramoutar has sent us a fine review of Tommy Sand;s latest CD ‘Let the Circle be Wide. It will be posted later today.
11. March Trivia Contest. Time is running out! All entries must be in by midnight, March 31, whichever time zone you're in.
http://www.irishcultureandcustoms.com/TriviaContest.html
12. Circle of Prayer: The seventh Novena in this cycle began on March 29 and continues through April 6 . Throughout the world, we are continuing to feel the pain of the economic downturn. Thus, we ask that you keep in your prayers and meditations all those who are suffering severe financial losses. We also ask that you continue to remember the following:Bill Smith's friend Karl; Irish Mary; Hartson; Mickey; the Mulvihills; the Dowd's missionary friends in India; Christy Banik, Joe Colum, Patricia's daughter Heather, the family and friends of the McTiernans, the prayer circle of Sassycat, Pauline Dewberry, our daughter Catherine, Cyndi, Laureena Blankenship, Sierra Mitchell, Michelle Lester, Katie Lacinak and so many others including all military personnel serving their countries all over the world. Dear Heavenly Father, please keep them safe and bring them home soon.
On a lighter note, we give thanks that our prayers were answered for Hartson Dowd who has just been released from the hospital.
http://www.irishcultureandcustoms.com/Blessings/CirclePrayer.html
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So that’s the long and the short of it until we send out our Easter Missive. If you are celebrating a birthday, anniversary or other special occasion between now and then, we hope it's an occasion filled with joy and happiness.
Meanwhile, we'll take our leave with this lovely old Irish blessing:
The great God between
Your two shoulder blades
To protect you in your
going and returning
The Son of the Virgin Mary
be close to your heart,
And the perfect Holy Spirit
Be keeping an eye on you.
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!
Celtic Blessing - sung by the St. Coca's Choir, from Kilcock, Co. Kildare
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CrS3kYW6du4
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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://www.thewildgeese.com/
If we receive a unique event not mentioned there, we will be happy to list it here.
Dublin Ireland - Fringefest 2009
The 15th Dublin Fringe Festival invites submissions for its annually anticipated, culture jamming line-up of contemporary arts this September. As in previous years, the call for applications has been heard around the world, as the Fringe continues its search for new, exciting and challenging work through all arts communities. Closing Deadline for applications is: Friday 3 April. For more details, please click
http://culturebot.org/2009/02/05/dublin-fringe-festival-wants-you-–-applications-2009/
Dublin Ireland - April 5
DANCE THEATRE OF IRELAND present High School Musical Workshops with the cast of
Disney’s High School Musical 6-7 pm. at Dance Theatre of Ireland Centre for Dance, Bloomfields, Lower Georges St.
Dun Laoghaire
Experience all the moves from High School Musical with one of the cast!
For more details, please visit:
http://www.dancetheatreireland.com
Zürich, Switzerland - April 4-5
Sean nós Workshop with Treasa Ní Mhiolláin of Inishmore, Aran Isl. In this workshop you can learn some of the old gaelic and some songs In English in the traditional way from the very fine sean-nós singer Treasa who is specially coming to Zürich for this workshop. For more details, please contact Elizabeth Zollinger:
irish-culture@yahoogroups.com
Raleigh, NC May 16 through June 6
Artspace Summer Arts Program Instructor Exhibition featuring the works of Amy Funderburk - Gallery 2, Artspace, 201 East Davie Street, Raleigh, NC 27601
For more details, please click
http://wwww.artspacenc.org
To view Amy’s whimsical paintings including Manifestation of Rabbit, depicting a Standing Stone in Cnoc Áine,
Knockainy, Co. Limerick,, please click
http://www.amyfunderburkartist.com/
Los Alamitos, California -1st Tuesday of every month
Friends of Ireland of Southern California Monthly Breakfast. Events are held on the 1st Tuesday of the month. Please call in RSVP to one of the contacts below one day in advance so we can accommodate you.
Barbara Walsh (714) 739-4195 Kathy Wisdom (714) 572-8277
Tom Kennedy (562) 425-2636 Jim O'Dea (626) 965-0307
Portland, oregon - 1st Friday of the month
Ceili of the Valley Society - First Friday of the month Céilís and on-going Tuesday night Céilí and Sean Nós dance classes. Our season runs from October through June and next season we may be moving the dances to Saturday rather than Friday nights. For more details, please click
http://www.myspace.com/ceiliofthevalley.
Inishmore, Aran Isles - 2009
House to rent. Because of my “time out” I won’t spend so much time in my house this year. So there are more dates available for renting, also in the summer. Available weeks in March, May and from end of July 09 on. Rent: 280-430 Euro/week. More Information on my website: www.irish-culture.ch/
Or ph.: 0041 (0)44 2520918
Or email:
irish-culture@yahoogroups.com
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LEAVE 'EM LAUGHING
While credit crunch jokes may seem callous, in times of adversity, humour is often the best medicine.
The credit crunch has helped me get back on my feet. The car's been repossessed.
The economy is so bad:
-CEO's are now playing miniature golf.
-Hotwheels and Matchbox stocks are trading higher than GM.
-Motel Six won't leave the light on.
AIG says they're trying to raise more money by selling their big office building in New York. It's 66 stories! And not one of them is the truth.
Talk about the age we live in. They have unveiled a totally new method of snow removal. What they do is they put A.I.G. in charge of it and the snow just disappears.
How do you define an optimist? A bank manager who irons 5 shirts on Sunday night.
A director decided to award a prize of £50 for the best idea of saving the company money during the recession. It was won by a young executive who suggested reducing the prize money to £10.
The only way to keep money in the USA is to buy beer and cigarettes, since these are the only products still produced there.
If gas prices get any higher, we could see something totally unprecedented in modern day Dublin - people actually walking.
Smart Investing
If you had bought $1000.00 worth of Nortel stock one year ago, it would now be worth $49.00. With Enron, you would have $16.50 of the original $1,000.00. With WorldCom, you would have less than $5.00 left.
If you had bought $1,000.00 worth of Budweiser (the beer, not the stock) one year ago, drank all the beer, then turned in the cans for the 10 cent deposit, you would have $214.00. Based on the above, my current investment advice is to drink heavily and recycle. 