http://www.irishcultureandcustoms.com/index.html

 

Greetings & Blessings to all

 

Welcome to our February newsletter.

This month is the month of love. We can thank St. Valentine for that and there is an Irish connection to the Saint of Love. I have an article about that on the home page of the Web site. Sort of related to that is my trip to Ireland at the end of March. I’ll repeat the relevant part of last month’s Newsletter: Those of you who have been with me long enough know that my sweet Bridget passed away in June of 2017. Her last wishes were that I take her ashes to Ireland and pour them on her grandmother’s grave in Galway. Well, I’ve started making arrangements to do just that. At present, I have a ticket to Shannon airport booked for March 28^ththis year. I also have a tentative booking for a B&B in Galway city. There’s just one puzzle left: I’m not sure which cemetery her grandmother’s grave is in. I think it’s Mount St. Joseph’s in Rahoon just outside Galway city but I’m not certain. Of course I’ve been researching what I can through the Internet but I still haven’t found anything concrete. So, at the moment, I’m going over ‘blind’. All I can do is hope I come across the right place. I know the head stone I have to find. There are two women in the same gravesite. One is Bridget’s grandmother Louisa O’Flaherty and the other is Bridget’s great grandmother Lucy Scanlon. If any of you know anything to help, I would really be grateful for any information you can give me – thank you.

Now, I have a few ‘thank you’s. Some of you sent me mail with suggestions. I do appreciate that but, unfortunately, most I had already pursued, without result. I’m still searching and hoping to find something that will point me to the right place. So, keep thinking and let me know what you find—thank you.

I promise I will tell you all what happens when I go. I will be back with tears in my eyes or a big smile. I hope it’s the smile.

 

Again my thanks for the contributions. Please keep them coming. I would like appropriate news or other links more than anything.

We’re all in this together let’s make it as good as we can. Stay with me everybody.

 

Enough of the blather...

Is this your first edition?  Many thanks for joining us and if you like our musings and meanderings please feel free to share them with your family and friends. And do encourage them to sign up. The more of us, the merrier! And for all of our readers, we hope this issue finds you in good health, good spirits and good company. 

On with the update...

IN THIS ISSUE:

The Weather

Up to the minute forecasts provided by Ireland's official source for all weather-related news. Please click Met Eireann.
http://www.met.ie/forecasts/

 

Basic Irish

Links

Quips, Quotes, Proverbs & Toasts

A Bit of the Wit

Joke of The Month

Did You Know

The week That Is

Leave 'em Laughing

Last Words

Basic Irish

Phrase: Happy St Valentine's Day
Beannachtaí na Fhéle Vailintín
Pronunciation: Ban-ochth-thee na Fay-leh val-in-theen
Literally, Blessings of St. Valentine

LINKS

1.Irish official pushes for 'selfie seats' at tourist hot spots

An Irish politician is calling for the installation of “selfie seats” at potentially-treacherous tourist hotspots amid a rise in selfie-related accidents or deaths.

https://www.foxnews.com/travel/irish-official-pushes-for-selfie-seats-at-tourist-hot-spots

Another attempt to protect blithering idiots —Russ

2.No,  Irish workers aren't the most productive in the world

Ireland is apparently home to the most productive workers in the world, according to a new OECD report.

In 2017, Irish workers contributed $99.50 ($76.52) to the value of the economy for every hour they worked, making them officially far more productive than workers in the US, who contributed $72 (£55.37), and the UK, who contributed $61.10 (£46.99).

However, all is not what it seems.

https://finance.yahoo.com/news/no-irish-workers-arent-productive-world-133311036.html

The devil is in the details —Russ

3.Irish weather forecast: Met Eireann warns of 'potentially damaging' gusts as stormy weather to hit Ireland on Friday

Met Eireann has warned of "potentially damaging" gusts and forecasters issued a nationwide Status Yellow weather warning ahead of stormy weather on Friday.

The national forecaster says Ireland will be lashed by strong to gale force winds with a threat of coastal flooding in places.

https://www.irishmirror.ie/news/irish-news/meteireann-irish-weather-forecast-dublin-13964389

Even so, I’d rather Ireland’s weather than mine—Russ

4. Omission of fadas from Irish names by public bodies investigated

The State data watchdog is investigating the refusal of public bodies and private companies to properly spell Irish names after a television producer being treated for cancer alleged a breach of strict EU rules.

https://www.irishtimes.com/news/ireland/irish-news/omission-of-fadas-from-irish-names-by-public-bodies-investigated-1.3780757?localLinksEnabled=false&utm_source=Newsletter&utm_medium=email&utm_content=Inquiry+on+cost+of+children+s+hospital+could+apportion+blame&utm_campaign=morning_briefing_digest

Maybe they can’t find the fada on their keyboards—Russ

5. Conan O’Brien’s DNA test says he’s 100% Irish, stuns his doctor

In a recent appearance on The Late Show with Stephen Colbert, O’Brien recalled how he recently took a DNA test, and the results surprised his doctor.

“I've never seen a 100 percent anything,” the doctor told O’Brien. “I've been doing this a lot, I've seen 93.5 [percent], I've seen 96.1, I've seen 97. No one is 100 percent Irish.”

https://www.irishcentral.com/roots/watch-conan-obrien-dna-test-100-percent-irish?utm_campaign=IC+FAV.+FEB+6+-+2019-02-06&utm_medium=Email&utm_source=Mailjet

This stuns me too. I’m not 100% but surely there are many who are—Russ

6. POLL: Should Ireland join the United Kingdom?

A new online petition wants to see Ireland join the United Kingdom as a way to solve the Brexit impasse.

Created by Scott Packer, the petition entitled “Offer the Republic of Ireland full UK membership so they can rejoin the Union” has amassed more than 2,600 online signatures.

https://www.irishcentral.com/news/politics/poll-ireland-join-united-kingdom?utm_campaign=IC+FAV.+FEB+6+-+2019-02-06&utm_medium=Email&utm_source=Mailjet

Aagh, what a choice—Russ

7. Planning a trip to Ireland? Have an authentic Bed & Breakfast experience

B&B Ireland has launched a new video to highlight some of the many reasons to choose a bed and breakfast stay in Ireland. The video showcases the B&B experience, highlighting the magic moments from the warmest of welcomes to the grateful goodbye. It follows the path of two guests enjoying their stay in an Irish bed and breakfast.

https://www.irishcentral.com/travel/travel-tips/bed-breakfast-ireland?utm_campaign=Best+of+IC+-+Feb+5+-+2019-02-05&utm_medium=Email&utm_source=Mailjet

Authentic? — as opposed to what?—Russ

QUOTES, TOASTS , CURSES AND BLESSINGS

"Ireland, thou friend of my country in my country's most friendless days, much injured, much enduring land, accept this poor tribute from one who esteems thy worth, and mourns thy desolation."
- George Washington, speaking of Ireland's support for America during the revolution.

 

A BIT OF THE WIT

They invented the three-day bank holiday weekend because you can't lump all the bad weather into just Saturday and Sunday.

The times I was there the weather wasn’t too bad—Russ

JOKE OF THE MONTH

Sean goes into the pub and asks for three Guinness. He sits there and sips from the first one, then the second, and the third. He does this until finally all three pints are finished. He pays the bill and leaves. A couple of nights later he comes back and repeats the ritual. This goes on for a while and finally the bartender's curiosity gets the better of him and he asks why the three Guinness and why drink them all together the way he does. "Well, " says Sean, "My brother Michael is in the USA and my other brother Liam is in Australia. We can't meet in the pub and share a Guinness, so we have an agreement that whenever we go have a drink, we order three pints and pretend we're together." The bartender thinks to himself, "What a wonderful idea." A few months go by and one night Sean comes in and he orders two Guinness. The bartender is afraid to ask, but Sean seems fine, so finally the bartender says, "I see you've only ordered two Guinness tonight. Did something happen to one of your brothers?"No, no," says Sean, "They're both fit as a fiddle and healthy as horses!" "So why only the two Guinness?" asks the bartender. "Ah, well now," says Sean, "I've given up Guinness for Lent."

This one is quite old but it’s one of my favorites—Russ

DID YOU KNOW

1. The Popularity of Patrick as a Christian name in Ireland is due to the great 17th century general, Patrick Sarsfield, not our patron saint?

This is news to me —Russ

2.St. Patrick might not be buried in Ireland at all? One legend says he ended his days in Glastonbury, England and was buried there. The Chapel of St. Patrick still exists as part of Glastonbury Abbey and there is evidence of an Irish pilgrimage to his tomb during the reign of the Saxon King in A.D. 688.

Here’s a trigger for good debates—Russ

3. I love you in Irish is Tá cion agam ort? Pronunciation: thaw kiuhn ag-gum urth

I needed to put this in, after all St. Valentines is coming up–Russ

 

Sponsor

I’m my own Sponsor again this month.

Announcing the Irish Culture and Customs Book of Jokes

 

This is the collection of our Jokes. It was built up over many years and, now, is gathered here for your enjoyment. With this in your hand, whenever the day is dull or dreary you can open it up and have a good laugh, you'll feel better.

Available on Amazon. Use this Link:

https://www.amazon.com/Irish-Culture-Customs-Book-Jokes/dp/1986506800/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1524578623&sr=8-1&keywords=irish+culture+and+customs+book+of+jokes&dpID=31oLHT0zknL&preST=_SY291_BO1,204,203,200_QL40_&dpSrc=srch

 

 

 

 

 

THE WEEK THAT IS

1.Article:The Irish Link to St. Valentine

http://www.irishcultureandcustoms.com/ASaints/Valentine.html

2.Article: The Irish In Love

http://www.irishcultureandcustoms.com/ACalend/IrishinLove.html

3. Article: Celebrating Candlemas in Old Ireland

http://www.irishcultureandcustoms.com/ACalend/Candlemas.html

4. Article: The Irish In Love - part two

http://www.irishcultureandcustoms.com/ACalend/IrishinLove2.html

5. Article: St. Brigid - The Giveaway

http://www.irishcultureandcustoms.com/ASaints/Brigit.html

6. Article: Constance Georgina de Markievicz
Suffragette, Socialist, Soldier

http://www.irishcultureandcustoms.com/AWomen/ConstanceMarvicz.html

7. The Irish Kitchen: A Romantic Irish Menu for Valentine's Day

http://www.irishcultureandcustoms.com/2Kitch/rValentines.html

13. Basic Irish: Basic Irish: The Language of Love - in Irish

http://www.irishcultureandcustoms.com/3Focloir/Lessons1.1.html#Gael5

14. Kids’ Ireland: Making Saint Brigid's Crosses

http://www.irishcultureandcustoms.com/1Kids/MakingBrigdXs.html

 

So there you have it until we write again - sometime in February.

If you are planning on getting married between now and then or tied the knot in the month of February, here is your special verse:

When February birds do mate,

You may wed, nor dread your fate

And, if you are celebrating a birthday, anniversary or other special event between now and our next edition, we hope it's an occasion filled with joy and happiness. 

 

We’ll take our leave with this blessing:

Blessing for St. Valentine's Day
May the saint of romance
intercede on your behalf
and God grant you
the love and affection
of a true Irish heart.
Happy St. Valentine's Day!
Beannachtaí na Fhéle Vailintín
Pronunciation: Ban-ochth-thee na Fay-leh val-in-theen
Literally, Blessings of St. Valentine

 

All the best & God Bless,

Bridget & Russ

Get down on your knees and thank God you’re still on your feet. 

Téigh ar do ghlúine is bí buíoch le Dia go bhfuil tú fós ar do chosa.

 

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The Book

Potion, pope and perfidy

The second and final version is complete and available on Amazon.

Don’t order through ‘Marketplace’ or you’ll get the first version which is incomplete. Use this link: https://www.amazon.com/Book-Potion-Pope-Perfidy-ebook/dp/B07BBVST69/ref=sr_1_2?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1531576170&sr=1-2&keywords=russell+haggerty&dpID=61BzUIHyd2L&preST=_SY445_QL70_&dpSrc=srch

If any of you bought and read the first version, I don’t want you to pay the higher price for the second. So, send me an E-Mail at the address below and I’ll buy one for you at my author’s price and mail it to you (and, yes, I’ll sign it). Even with the postage it will save you a bit of money.

Bless you all,

Russ Haggerty

 

LEAVE 'EM LAUGHING

An Irishman, a Mexican and a blond guy were doing construction work on the roof of a skyscraper. They were eating lunch and the Irishman said, "Corned beef and cabbage. If I get corned beef and cabbage one more time for lunch I'm going to jump off this building." The Mexican opened his lunch box and exclaimed, "Burritos again! If I get burritos one more time I'm going to jump off, too." The blond opened his lunch and said, "Bologna again. If I get a bologna sandwich one more time, I'm jumping as well." The next day the Irishman opened his lunch box, saw corned beef and cabbage and jumped. The Mexican opened his lunch, saw a burrito and jumped. The blond guy opened his lunch, saw the bologna and jumped. At the funeral, the Irishman's wife was weeping. She said, "If I'd known how tired he was of corned beef and cabbage, I never would have given it to him again!" The Mexican's wife also wept and said, "I could have given him tacos or enchiladas! I didn't realize he was so bored with burritos." Everyone turned and stared at the blonde guy's wife... 
wait for it.........
Hey, don't look at me," she said, "He makes his own lunch."

Last Words

If you or anyone you know can benefit from advertising in my newsletter or the Irish Culture and Customs web site please contact me. My E-Mail address is: rhaggerty@irishcultureandcustoms.com

Thank you in advance

For all of you who have supported Irish Culture and Customs all these years – thank you.

When you start to buy anything on the internet don’t forget to go through the web Site. If you use Amazon, click on ‘Shopping’ at the top of the Irish Culture and Customs Homepage and the next page you see will have Amazon at the top. Anything you buy from Amazon through our site pays a (very small) commission. It beats a blank and it doesn’t effect your price. Thank you again.

—Russ