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Welcome to the Irish Culture & Customs newsletter which is published every weekend and sent out to nearly 1200 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,
Lovely to be back, and a warm welcome to everyone - especially our newest subscribers; many thanks for joining us - and if you find the following musings and meanderings totally fascinating, or even if not, please feel free to share them with family and friends.
We're way later than ususal with getting this week's edition out. Blame it on yet another wild and wooly week in the Haggerty realm. Often, we leave a door open for our cats to go in and out. Early in the week, a mother raccoon accompanied by her brood, decided to explore what was on offer in the way of dietary supplements. When we spotted Mum, she scurried back out the way she came in, but the youngsters scattered so fast, all we spotted was one, cowering in a corner. Thus commenced the capture of what we thought was just one baby. Hours later, as in 3 or 4 am, we finally managed to cajole and coax junior out the door. This is a long story and if you want to read the entire saga, drop us a line. But suffice to say, there were at least two, and may be three pups, cubs or whatever one calls these infant bandits. They're all gone now - we hope. And we're looking forward to a regular night's sleep, which we haven't had in a quite a while.
So, albeit a bit bleary-eyed, we hope this finds you happy, healthy, contented and in good company. If you're in Ireland, we trust you enjoyed a safe and happy bank holiday weekend - and, for all of you in the midst of those dreaded Leaving Cert. exams, we wish you good luck and pray you do well.
Did you enter our May Trivia Quiz? Judy Skapik was our winner, but the good news is that everyone wins because Irish Music International is generously offering a dollar off any purchase over $10 until the end of June. Simply make a purchase, then send Michael an email at sales@irishmusicinternational.com and tell him you entered the contest. A dollar off plus free shipping as well makes this great music source even more affordable! Click here to visit their great site: http://www.irishmusicinternational.com/main.htm.
For all of our readers in New York rooting for Funny Cide in the Belmont - sorry that your favorite didn't win; we didn't see the race, but it sure would have been nice to learn that we had another Triple Crown champion. Oh well, may be next year. On to notes from the mailbag:
George, the editor of the Irish Heritage newsletter, has begun a unique emailethon on behalf of the Ciarán Ferry family in Colorado. If you're not familiar with the deplorable situation they're in, please click here - and then help out if you can.
http://www.freeciaranferry.com
And, if you'd like to learn what George is willing to do in order to assist Ciarán, drop him a note at steeler059@aol.com
After posting the riddle in last week's newsletter, we were literally bombarded with guesses - great stuff! Tells us that a good many of you are actually reading this long-winded epistle! Since you seemed to like it so much, we've put in another riddle at the end which we think is a wee bit trickier. See if you don't agree.
Still looking for a Father's Day gift? We've gathered together some great suggestions in our "Men's Stuff" collection, including Pug-Ugly blackthorn sticks. One of a kind - and thank God they are! To take a gander, please click:
http://www.irishcultureandcustoms.com/Shop/1Shop5.html
With that, enough of the blather and on with the update:
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Help support our efforts - please visit The Old Irish Print Company:
See Ireland as your ancestors did! The Old Irish Print Company provides quality framed prints of Ireland from 1829-1910. Where is your family from? We can show you the hills they walked, the bridges they crossed, the roads they traveled to see family and friends. If we don't have a particular town or village in stock, we will find it. Remember, Father's Day is just a week away! Go to: http://www.oldirishprints.net
Use the code 333 and get free shipping inside the US (50% off shipping outside the US)
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IN THIS ISSUE:
A Bit of The Wit
Joke of The Week
Did You Know?
Quotes & Quips
Know Your Irish Writers & Books?
New This Week
The Week Ahead
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A BIT O' THE WIT
Bigamy is having one wife too many. Marriage is the same. Oscar Wilde
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OUR FAVORITE JOKE OF THE WEEK
While working on a lesson in world religions, a kindergarten teacher asked her students to bring something related to their family's faith to class.At the appropriate time, she asked the students to come forward and share with the rest of the students. The first child said, "I am Muslim, and this is my prayer rug."
The second child said, "I am Jewish, and this is my Star of David."
The third child said, "I am Catholic, and this is my rosary."
The final child said, "I am Protestant, and this is my casserole dish.
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DID YOU KNOW...
1. The reputed origin of the Blarney Stone is that it's Jacob's Pillow brought back from Ireland after the Crusades?
2. The word íochtar (eek-tur) literally means lower part and is often used for the youngest child in an Irish family?
3. George Bernard Shaw bequeathed one third of his estate to the National Gallery in Dublin, claiming that he received his education there?
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QUIPS, QUOTES & ANECDOTES - PROVERBS & TOASTS, TOO
As always, fact is often funnier than fiction!
Wicklow Councillor objecting to a proposal to boost tourism by putting gondolas on Blessington Lake: 'The idea is well and good in theory, but tell me this, who is going to feed them?'
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KNOW YOUR IRISH WRITERS & IRISH-RELATED BOOKS?
The answers to last week's quiz:
1. Between Innocence and Peace - Favourite Poems of Ireland - Brendan Kennelly
2. The Irish Roundtower - Origins and Architecture Explored - Brian Lalor
3. Luck of The Irish - Our Life in County Clare - Niall Williams
A round of applause for this week's literary sleuths:
Judith Flynn
If you're an aspiring writer, this is a great web site:
http://sellwritingonline.com/
Ellen Parodi
Namely Gifts at http://namelygifts.com
Personalized Name Keepsakes and Gifts
Featuring Father's Day Keepsake Special http://namelygifts.com/Father'sDaySpecial.htm
Kathleen Sullivan
Here is a great collection of Web Sites in Australia that have an Irish connection or content:
http://www.users.bigpond.com/kirwilli/aussie_irish/aussie_irish.htm
Martin Mullholland
Excellent site for learning about the Irish government:
http://www.irlgov.ie/
Susan Cassidy
Ireland Now - from Castles to Shamrocks
http://www.castlestoshamrocks.com/
Hartson Dowd
For anyone planning a trip to Ireland, RailTours can take you almost anywhere and will save you the headache of renting a car. Here are tour details with maps:
http://www.railtours.ie/ for anyone
Helen Dowd
If you are looking for a place to post your articles, stories, studies, poetry, or any other literary works, visit: http://missionmagazine.tdlofton-ministries.net/ or visit my site, "Occupy Till I Come" at: http://occupytillicome.online-ministries.com/
This week's quiz - who wrote:
1. Early Ireland - An Introduction to Irish Pre-History
2. Irish Game Fishing
3. Irish Pedigrees - The Origin of the Irish Nation
Hint: All three titles can be found here:
http://www.powells.com/cgi-bin/partner?partner_id=25857&cgi=search/search/&searchtype=kw&searchfor=Ireland%2C%20Irish
(Please be patient - it takes a while to load the page)
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!)
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NEW OR REPUBLISHED FROM OUR INDEX THIS PAST WEEK:
1. Artisans of Ireland, Maureen McKervey (note: Maureen's uncle is one of our subscribers and he forwards the newsletter on to Maureen's mum. We didn't know this when we wrote the article - small world! ) http://www.irishcultureandcustoms.com/ACraft/MMcKervey.html
2. Remembering Larry O'Rourke - and why I stopped using stage Irish
http://www.irishcultureandcustoms.com/AMisc/StageIrish.html
3. How to Savor Ulysses this Summer
http://www.irishcultureandcustoms.com/AWriters/Ulysses.html
4. Basic Irish: this lesson covers Reading and Books
http://www.irishcultureandcustoms.com/3Focloir/1Home.html
5. The Irish Kitchen: Carrigaline Thatched Pork Chops
http://www.irishcultureandcustoms.com/2Kitch/1Home.html
6. Circle of Prayer - Novena #5 in this cycle continues through Monday. The sixth one will begin on June 10. We are still praying for the intentions of little Sam in California who is just 5 and battling cancer; Gayla's brother-in-law whose cancer has returned; Steve in New York who was critically injured in an accident, and little 7-month old Christopher who has a brain tumor.To join us in prayer or meditation, please click
http://www.irishcultureandcustoms.com/Blessings/CirclePrayer.html
7. Irish Trivia Contest. New quiz posted for June. All entries must be received by midnight in your time zone on June 30.
http://www.irishcultureandcustoms.com/TriviaContest.html
We have a winner for the May Contest: Judy Skapik, USA. Well done, Judy!
8. Did You Know: Trivia culled from more than a year's worth of newsletters
http://www.irishcultureandcustoms.com/TriviaDidyouknow.html
9. Culture: Corner: The Irish Round Tower
http://www.irishcultureandcustoms.com/index.html8. News & Headlines for the past week or so
10. Kids' Ireland: A new story, The Terrible Secret of King Breas will be published over the weekend
http://www.irishcultureandcustoms.com/1Kids/1Home.html
11. News and headlines from the past week
http://www.irishcultureandcustoms.com/01News/Home.html
12. Today in Irish History for the month of June
http://www.irishcultureandcustoms.com/02Hist/5May.html
NEXT WEEK, GOD WILLING:
We're so doggone tired, we don't even want to think about it! But, we'll do our best to bring you something interesting - and may be even new! In any event, you can count on the regular features - a Sunday blessing , a Wednesday quote, and a new recipe.
As with last week, we'll leave you with a couple of fun things that came in the mail, The first was from Hartson - have you ever wondered on what day of the week you were born? Click here to find out:
http://www.maxxmktg.com/birthday.html
And, after so many of said how much you enjoyed last week's riddle, here's that other one we promised earlier. What is stuck in a corner and can travel the world? As for the answer to the previous poser - it's Nothing! We had dozens of messages and it was fun telling people that, like us, they had the mind of a 4 or 5 year old. Just 17% of Stanford students could figure it out, but 90% of the little kids had no trouble at all.
Until next time, may you enjoy a week of sun-filled days and sound sleep; flora and fauna that stays outdoors; and communing with nature on your own terms! Seriously, we hope the Good Shepherd of us all will watch over you and yours and keep you gently cradled in the mantle of His love and protection. And, as as they say in Ireland, mind yourself!
All the best,
Bridget & Russ
Get down on your knees and thank God you're still on your feet
And the following is for Mary in New York who misses our old signature line:
Go mba seacht bhfearr a bheas tú bliain ó inniu!
May you be seven times better a year from today!
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Please support our efforts by visiting our sponsor: The Celtic Attic:
Celtic Attic Sales Blowout! We need to make room for new products, so take advantage of terrific savings. An additional 5% discount for every sales page order will be deducted after the order is placed. Click here and save:
http://www.celticattic.com/contact_us/sales/sales_blowout.htm
Also - we've redesigned our website and we'd like to know what you think of our new look. In return for your feedback, one lucky person's name will be drawn at random on June 20th and they'll win a nice prize. Please click here to give us your comments - and thank you!
http://www.celticattic.com/contact_us/information/comment_form.htm
NOTE: If you buy something during your visit, please put the code IC46 in the comment section of the order form. That way, we'll know you came from Irish Culture and Customs
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Did you enjoy reading this edition of our newsletter? If so, please show your appreciation by sending a donation to Himself/Herself, 5670 Meryton Place, Cincinnati, OH 45224. Any amount is welcome - and many thanks for your kindness!
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Know someone who could use a bit of cheering up? Say it with flowers!
http://click.linksynergy.com/fs-bin/click?id=8Chg7xewkec&offerid=28738.10000064&type=1&subid=0
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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
THOSE DARN DOORS!
Doesn't anyone want them? Even if you don't, please do us a favor and pass along the URL to someone you think might be interested. They can see what they look like and get more details here:
http://www.irishcultureandcustoms.com/personal/misc.html
The Playboy of The Western World
Presented by the New Gate Celtic Theater at Walton Creek Theater, Mariemont, Ohio
Sunday, June 8 - 2:00 pm and 7:30 pm
For more information call Cincinnati Folk Life 513-533-4822
The Voyage of the Jeanie Johnston
She is in Baltimore until June 9. On June 12, she will be in Philadelphia. For details, please click
http://www.jeaniejohnston.ie/voyage.asp?id=3
Cultural Holidays on Inis Mór
Walking the Ancient Celtic Way - August 2-9 2003
For more information, please click: http://www.irish-culture.ch
6th Int'l McManus Clan Association Gathering May 25th through May 31st, 2004
For full details please visit our website at:
http://members.aol.com/manusclan/mcm2004.htm or contact Phil McManus at Manus@aol.com
7th Clann McKenna Rally - June 25th through Sunday June 27th 2004
For details, please write plunkettmckenna@eircom.net
or click on the following link:
www.omagh.gov.uk/historypark.htm
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