Welcome to the Irish Culture & Customs newsletter which is published every fortnight or so and sent out to going on 4600 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.ymlpr.com/pubarchive.php?Herself
If, for any reason, you wish to unsubscribe, instructions are at the very end - but we do hope you'll stay with us. And if you need to update your info' or change your email address, you can do that at the end, too.
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Greetings and blessings to all,
A bit late but Pinch Punch, first day of the month, white rabbit! And if you're getting married this month, your special verse is:
Marry when June roses blow,
Over land and sea, you'll go.
Even if you're not walking down the aisle , many of you will be taking off on summer holidays - safe journey, safe home, and have lots of fun in-between! That especially applies to our nephew, Ian Shields who will be taking a course at NUI Galway and who will then be joined by his folks, Russ' sister Renee and our brother-in-law Dennis for a couple of weeks at the end of July ( Just in time for the Galway Arts Festival. Ask us if we're jealous.)
Go neiri an bóthar leat! - Have a good trip!
On the home front, our lovely mild spring has abruptly become a steaming hot and humid summer accompanied by violent thunderstorms, several of which turned into dangerous tornados. At least five were officially recorded in our area during the past week and many people were without power and or suffered damage from downed trees, roofs taken off and so on. Fortunately, there were no injuries or fatalities and we're happy to report that the Haggerty family is fine with just one exception - our eldest son Scott had the deck on the house he is buying blown apart. Fingers crossed it will be covered by insurance. We also hope and pray that if you live in areas where the weather has been bad of late that you and yours are safe.
On a lighter note - or maybe not, depending on whether or not you're prepared - we extend our good wishes and best of luck in the Leaving certs and other final exams taking place in schools and colleges everywhere. Just the idea of any kind of test gives us the willies and we do empathize.
Onwards. Father's Day is coming up fast and if you haven't already purchased a gift for Dad, might we suggest a barbecue apron or coffee mug featuring the irish Culture & Customs logo and a choice of sayings? You'll find them here:
http://www.cafepress.com/bridget
And if dad likes posters and puzzles, we've also had a very generous offer from Bob Fearon, the man behind the original Doors of Dublin poster and spin-off jigsaw puzzle. He is donating 50% of the purchase price to help support irish Culture and Customs until the stock is gone. So, while you'll be buying a gift that would please just about anyone, you'll really be helping us out as well. Check out the ads on our home page and go raibh maith agat in advance if you decide to buy one or both.
http://www.irishcultureandcustoms.com
In the meantime, we hope this edition finds you and yours in good spirits, good health and good company. And if this is your first newsletter, many thanks for signing up; we hope you enjoy our musings and meanderings and will forward them on to your family and friends.
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 the world. Links for more news stories can be found on our web site where we post two weeks worth of headlines which are updated every morning:
http://www.irishcultureandcustoms.com/01News/Home.html
And more county news can be found here:
http://www.emigrant.ie/summary.asp?iCategoryID=18
FROM AROUND THE COUNTIES
Armagh: "Time Wheel" for Lurgan Park
Lurgan Park, the second largest public park in Ireland after Dublin's Phoenix Park, will be celebrating its centenary next year. As part of the proposed events a "Time Wheel" is planned, and development officer Leanne McShane has appealed for material for the Wheel. She is looking for any old photographs of the park, which will be scanned in and the originals returned to the owners. She is also interested in hearing stories relating to the park over the past one hundred years, to be included in the form of articles and videos on the Wheel. The plan is to collect the material this year so that the Wheel is complete for the centenary.
Carlow: No time for speeders on Waterford roads
Anyone wishing to get to Waterford in a hurry Friday a week ago was in for a disappointment when more than forty tractors headed off on a charity run to raise funds for Our Lady's Hospital for Sick Children in Crumlin. The vehicles set off from two different starting points, in Carlow and Bagenalstown, with the former venue also hosting a display of some of the vintage machines outside Teach Dolmain in Tullow Street. After an overnight stop in Dungarvan, the convoy then headed for Cork, their final destination.
Cavan: Cavan Summer Festival
County Manager Jack Keyes was on hand in Cavan recently to perform the official launch of this year's Cavan Summer Festival, which will take place over the first six days of July. Assisting in the launch of the festival, which will coincide with Feile Peil na nÓg, were jugglers, stiltwalkers and mime artists. The event is sponsored by P. Elliott and will feature a Spiegeltent at Jackson's Garage in the town. Among those already lined up to make an appearance are Cathy Davey, winner of the Best Irish Female Meteor Music Award, and music group Kila.
Derry: Cannon goes on permanent display on Derry's Walls
A cannon dating back to the early seventeenth century was returned to Derry's Walls recently amid pageantry and demonstrations of musket and cannon fire. David Gilliland, the owner of the cannon, which was damaged during the Great Siege of Derry, presented it to Derry's mayor Drew Thompson, Minister for the Environment Arlene Foster, and David Lewis, mayor of the City of London, in Guildhall Square. The weapon is on loan from the Gilliland family and has now been put on permanent display on the city walls. The presentation ceremony was enlivened by a group of re-enactors, with the two mayors inspecting the volunteer militia.
Derry: Woodland Trust buys Ervey acres
The Woodland Trust has purchased fifty-eight acres of farmland at Ervey, south east of Derry city, for the creation of a new native woodland. The site borders the Ness Wood Country Park and is on the banks of the Burntollet River, and it is intended to plant more than twenty-five thousand native trees.
Donegal: Chance to star for Inishowen children
A total of fifty local children have been cast as extras in a film to be made on location in Inishowen and Letterkenny. "A Shine of Rainbows", which began shooting recently, will star Aidan Quinn and Connie Nielsen.
Donegal: Killygordon has first cow underpass
When the reopened Castlefin Road between Castlederg and Ballybofey caused problems for farmer Patrick Kelly in returning his cows to grazing after milking, he came up with a solution he first encountered in New Zealand. Patrick whose family has worked Waterwheel Farm in Killygordon for some two hundred years, set to work with his family and in a sixteen-and a half hour day managed to complete the underpass. One of those who rallied round the family project was Patrick's uncle, Father Seamus Kelly from Derry. Patrick believes that the new underpass, constructed with pre-cast concrete, will lead to an increased milk yield from his herd.
Dublin: Buses to enter the park
For the first time in its history public buses are to be allowed to drive through Phoenix Park if permission is granted Bus vehicles on the Castleknock and Blanchardstown routes would travel the length of a dedicated bus corridor on Chesterfield Avenue. Also proposed are a permanent roundabout at Mountjoy Cross and a pedestrianised zone at Dublin Zoo.
Dublin: Book celebrates 50 years of yacht club
A book has been published to celebrate the golden jubilee of the Malahide Yacht Club, compiled by journalist Graham Smith. The author of "Malahide - 50 Years of Sailing" was one of the first cadet members when the Malahide Sailing Club was founded, with one of the founding members being his father Jock. While covering all five decades, Graham believes that 1980 was the most notable year; in that year the club was voted Ireland's Club of the Year, and club member David Wilkins brought home a silver medal from the Moscow Olympics. In fact over a period from 1972 to 2004 Malahide had representatives at eight out of the nine Olympic Games.
Kerry: Third Bodhráin Championships launched
The third annual World Bodhráin Championships, which are due to take place in Milltown at the end of the month, were launched last week by Minister Martin Cullen. In attendance at the launch were Paddy Moloney of The Chieftains and last year's champion, Conor Lyons. The Milltown event will include concerts by The Chieftains, Beoga, and Moving Cloud from Denmark, while a series of master classes will be led by Kevin Conneff, Colm Murphy, Colm Phelan and Siobhán O'Donnell.
Kildare: IGS expresses concern over Celbridge development
Knight of Glin Desmond FitzGerald, who is the president of the Irish Georgian Society, has expressed the members' concern at the proposal for a major development on the opposite bank of the River Liffey from Castletown House. Saved by Desmond and Mariga Guinness forty years ago, Castletown is the earliest example of a Palladian house in the country. Now Devondale Ltd has applied to develop offices, shops, restaurants, a cinema and more than one hundred detached houses at Donaghcumper demesne in a development seen as a natural extension of Celbridge. The IGS says the scheme would be visible both from the house and from its avenue of lime trees.
Kilkenny: Fourth Dawn Choral takes place in Kilkenny
The event began three years ago, at the gates of Kilkenny Castle, to replicate the dawn singing from the top of Magdalen College tower in Oxford. The original event featured the Kilkenny College Choir and they also took part this year.
Laois: College celebrates centenary
Portlaoise College celebrated its one hundredth anniversary recently with the unveiling of a plaque and a new sculpture, and a tree-planting. Originally known as Maryborough Technical School, the college moved to its present location at Mountrath Road from Railway Street two years ago.
Leitrim: Launch of third Leitrim Trail
The Turlough O'Carolan Trail, the third of the Leitrim Trails, was launched during the recent Mohill O'Carolan Weekend. Marking significant locations associated with the harpist and composer, the new trail covers areas in both Leitrim and Roscommon. Speaking at the launch Mr Brennan paid particular tribute to Father John Quinn and Bernie Reynolds for their contribution to the completion of the project. Father Quinn later led a tour of the new trail, through Carrick-on-Shannon, Cootehall, Ballyfarnon, Kilronan Cemetery, Sheebeg and Sheemore, and Keshkerrigan, finishing at O'Carolan's Cottage in Drumboy.
Limerick: Franciscans set a date for move
It is two years since the news first broke that the Franciscan Friars were to leave their friary in Henry Street Limerick, but it has only now been confirmed that their departure date will be June 13. The church and friary are to be passed on to the Bonaventure Trust while the Bedford Row Family Project will be given the hall to the rear of the Henry Street building; the project provides support services to prisoners and their families. Speaking on behalf of the friars, Father Joe McMahon said they were pleased that the Franciscan presence will remain in Limerick, with the arrival of the Friars of Renewal in Moyross.
Meath: Restoration for Ledwidge home
The childhood home of poet Francis Ledwidge in Slane, which adjoins the museum, is to be fully restored. The Museum Committee is at present in the process of acquiring the cottage which they hope will in future house the museum, allowing the poet's Janeville home to be restored to its original condition. Visitors would then be able to see Ledwidge's home as it was at the time of his birth, before going to the adjoining cottage to view the artefacts and memorabilia associated with the poet. These now include two letters written by Ledwidge in 1916 to the director of his publishing company.
Louth: Calls for upkeep of old graveyard
An old graveyard near Dundalk has become so overgrown that the few families who still have graves there are finding it difficult to make their way through it. And now parish priest Father McElwee has called on the county council to undertake the clearance of the site, which contains St Brigid's Well and the grave of Edward Bruce, who died in battle at Faughart at the beginning of the fourteenth century. Father McElwee is particularly keen that the council carry out any clearance work before the annual Blessing of the Graves, which takes place in the first week in July
Monaghan: Tipperary trout for Miltown lake
Some five hundred brown trout and an equal number of rainbow trout, from the Central Fisheries Trust fish nurseries at Roscrea, Co. Tipperary, were deposited at Milltown Lake in Castleblayney recently. The fish movement was part of a major restocking exercise carried out by the Castleblayney Anglers Association in conjunction with the Central Fisheries Trust. And the venture was completed in time for the major Trout Competition held recently for the Frank Bruton Cup, a competition confined to members of the Anglers Association.
Offaly: Fleadh launched in Tullamore
The official opening of the Offaly Fleadh has taken place in the Millennium Room of the Bridge House Hotel in Tullamore. The first music of the night was provided by Scoil Mhuire, and they were followed by members of the Comhaltas groups in Ballyboy and Brosna. The Fleadh ran over four days and nights in Tullamore and Rahan.
Roscommon: Antrim dancer finds real Roscommon welcome
An Antrim woman who is dancing her way from Malin Head to Mizen Head over a ten-week period was delighted with the welcome she received while moving through Roscommon. Anthea McWilliams' route took her from Boyle and Tarmonbarry and on to Roscommon town via Lanesboro, using by-roads for safety. She also visited Keadue where she met two musicians, who advised her to visit the Bog Side Inn in Ballyfarnon. There she met the flute player Patsy McNamara and as well as accompanying him on the spoons, she also gave a solo dance performance.
Sligo: Butler is assured of Mullaghmore home
The man who worked as a butler at Classiebawn Castle in Mullaghmore when it was owned by Lord Mountbatten has been assured of a home for his lifetime. Hugh Tunney, the present owner of the castle and estate, has agreed that Peter Nicholson, of Lower Bunduff, Castlegal, can remain living in the cottage on the estate. Peter worked for Lord Mountbatten from 1963 until his death in 1979, and he has now been assured that, should he predecease her, his wife Margaret and their children Maria and Alan will be allowed to remain in the house for a period of five years after her husband's death.
Tyrone: Artefacts saved but thatched roof gone on Wilson home
Firemen from Strabane and Newtownstewart managed to save artefacts from the former home of US President Woodrow Wilson, though much of the thatched roof was destroyed when the cottage caught fire. Located at Dergalt near Strabane, the cottage is owned by the Ulster American Folk Park, while part of the land surrounding the building is still owned by the Wilson family. It was from this cottage that Woodrow Wilson's grandfather emigrated to America at the beginning of the nineteenth century.
Waterford: Crane becomes a protected structure
The Derrick Steel Crane located on the north quays in Waterford city is one of one hundred and thirty eight structures in the county to be granted protected status by Minister for the Environment John Gormley. The crane, long in disuse, was erected in 1910 and is seen as a reminder of the maritime industry of the area. Three years ago it received a new coat of paint prior to the arrival of the Tall Ships and it still has its original mechanism. It is one of a pair of surviving cranes, the other being situated at Custom House Quay in the city.
Westmeath: Wedding style with a difference
One man who was married in Galway recently arrived at his wedding in an unusual 'limousine' part-owned by Harry Horan from Moate. Harry, a local butcher, and three of his friends decided to track down the Reliant Robin car used by Del Boy and Rodney in the series "Only Fools and Horses". They found it was with a dealer in Southampton and subsequently imported it. Although the three-wheeler had to be re-registered the trio still own the original number plates. And the Reliant still has "Trotter's Independent Trading Co." emblazoned on each side.
FROM AROUND THE WORLD
Belgrade, Serbia: Ireland's turkey roasted
Ireland will not appear in this year's Eurovision Song Contest final after its entrant, Dustin the Turkey, failed to qualify from the first semi-final. For more details and to watch the performance, please click
http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/entertainment/7411958.stm
New York City: Longford: native celebrates 50 years as an emigrant
Although he has been fifty years away, Seamus Smyth from Aughnacliffe has never lost contact with his native county, mostly through the pages of the Longford Leader which he buys each week in New York. He is also in constant contact with his brother Frank, who now lives in Ballinamuch, Co. Westmeath. A former member of staff in Mulligan's Post Office in Colmcille, Seamus continued his career with the US Postal Services. He also attend the Longford Dance every year in Queens and this year had the pleasure of joining the Longford Association as they marched down Fifth Avenue on St Patrick's Day.
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FROM THE MAILBAG
Our reader Cindy Stewart Burdwell is back from China. She took her laptop with her and created a fascinating travel journal on her blog. If you'd like to read it and see some gorgeous photos, please click
http://www.higherviewblog.blogspot.com
Cyndi Matyi, a Cinciinnati-based artist musician and now children's book illustrator/writer is looking for travelling companions to the Milwaukee Irish Festival to help off-set the pain at the petrol pump. If you are interested, please write her directly at:
matyi@fuse.net
ED. NOTE: If you'd like to check out Cyndi's new book, The Little Town of Spirals , which she will be presenting and promoting at Irish Fest, here's the URL to her web site:
http://www.matyiart.com/little_town_of_spirals.php
Last time, Patty wrote: I'm trying to find a saying I recently read. It goes something like: God gave us the Italians for cooking, Germans for ? Chinese for ? And when God saw no-one was having any fun, that's when He made an Irishman.
ED. NOTE: So far, no-one has come up with the complete saying. But we did receive the following from Melissa & Adele:
What's the difference between heaven and hell ?
In European heaven the French are the cooks, the Germans are the mechanics, the English are the police, the Italians are the lovers and the Swiss are the administrators. In European hell the English are the cooks, the French are the mechanics, the Germans are the police, the Swiss are the lovers and the Italians are the administrators." (from a Barcelona newspaper)
What's the difference between heaven and hell ?
In heaven, the French cook, the Italians are servants and the British run the railroads.
In hell, the British cook, the French are servants and the Italians run the railroads.
Megan writes: My daughter, Lillian Reasor, recently placed in solo harp and accompaniment for the Fleadh in Ireland in August. We are going!We live in the Chicago area. Looking forward to a great trip. Lillian has a web site,
http://www.LillianRoseReasor.weebly.com
She has some traditional Irish tunes you can listen to.
Speaker needed
An Irish ancestry group located near Youngstown Oh (about halfway between Cleveland and Pittsburgh) is in need of an educational and entertaining speaker to round out their program on October 11. They already have a band lined up as well as an MC. If you know of someone who might like to entertain a group with mostly Mayo roots, please contact Mary Anne Creatore at:
mcreatore02@msn.com
Karin writes: Just a mention about the Blarney Stone. When my sister was kissing the Blarney Stone in 1971, the attendant held her tight as she leaned back. She said, "don't be squeezing me so tight!" He retorted: "I have better than you to squeeze at home!"
Also, I am American born but my mother was Irish born. When I was young, my mother always wore a white flower on her lapel on Mother's Day. White if your mother was deceased and red if your mother was living she told me. She had a little vial that was a pin so a live flower was inserted. I believe it was a carnation.
Is this an Irish tradition?
ED. NOTE: We live in Ohio and churches here hand out both red and white carnations. You take the color that's appropriate. Does anyone know if the custom came over from Ireland with the emigrants?
Jim Crotty writes:
My apologies to a few of my local competitors, but guess what ?!? I'm staying in Dayton ! Yeah !Yup, despite the challenges I've faced over the last five years (I started Picture Ohio, llc in April 2003), I have worked hard to build my reputation as a professional photographer here in Ohio. If anything, I think it has become more clear to me recently that I've been selling myself short when it comes to my reputation and the quality of my work. Previously I announced that I was going to relocate to Dallas, Texas. But all those plans have changed.
ED. NOTE: We love Jim's work and for the past several years, he has been a generous sponsor of our Trivia Contest. We're thrilled Jim is staying. He definitely has the eye and you can see for yourself here:
http://www.picturesqueohio.com/
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LINKS
The Burren
Visitors can browse through and choose from a range of Burren related material, from general guides to specialist books on the Burren's renowned Botany, Archaeology, Flora and Fauna. Leaflets about the various services and items of interest in the area are also made available to tourists.
http://www.burrenconnect.ie
Terrace Talk Ireland
Terrace Talk Ireland is the official on-line archive of Weeshie Fogarty's renowned Radio Kerry show, Terrace Talk. Featuring audio interviews with some of Ireland's greatest sporting legends and personalities, this website was the result of Weeshie's own desire to archive all of these classic interviews and make them available to Irish sports fans around the world.
http://www.terracetalkireland.com/index.htm
Irish Art Awards 2008.
Have you voted for our friend and generous Trivia Quiz sponsor Roger Cummiskey in the Irish Art Awards 2008? He quips: You do not have to be Irish but I grant you Honorary Irish status during the voting process! For complete details, please click
http://www.irishartcompendium.com/awards_howtovote.php
A Wedding Song from The irish Page
A lot of us have friends or relatives who are planing a marriage. Jack and Vivian share a beautiful song for marriage which is a spin off of the familiar toast "May the Road rise to meet you."
http://www.irishpage.com/wedding/wedtoast.htm
A warm welcome to all people of the world with Irish ancestry
Everyone is welcome here to meet with other people from around the world who share your unique Irish Heritage.
http://irelandsworld.com/
Activities for Kids
Now that they are out of school, you might be looking for ways to keep the children amused. This link will take you to a site with activities related to Ireland:
http://www.dltk-kids.com/world/ireland/index.htm
Free Mammograms
Many women can't afford the test, but here's how you can help: Go to the Breast Cancer site and click on their free mammogram link; if the site gets 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
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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We wish all the best for our Dads, and Grads. "Health and long life to you!" Sláinte agus saol agat - Prounciation: Slaw-in-che ah-gus seel ah- guth.
Gift ideas for dads: Caps, Connemara Ties, Connemara Socks , Blackthorn & Hazel Walking Sticks , Irish, English, Scottish, and Welsh Coin Walking Stick Badges - Genealogy Maps , Jewelry , Tie Clasps and Celtic Flasks.
And for the grads: Pocket Coins, Photo Albums, coffee mugs, figurines. Claddagh, Shamrocks, Celtic Cross Key Chains - Shamrock Wallet Cards, St. Bridgid's Cross - Blessing Pins, Pocket Crosses, and more. To see all of what's on offer for every occasion please click:
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QUIPS, QUOTES, PROVERBS & TOASTS
I gliobach í an chearc go dtógann sí a hál.
The hen has ruffled feathers until she rears her brood.
Source: Island Ireland (where you will find many more)
http://islandireland.com/Pages/folk/sets/proverbs.html
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A BIT OF THE WIT
"Those who drink to forget, please pay in advance."
Sign at the Hibernian Bar, Cork City.
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JOKE OF THE WEEK
Another good one "borrowed". edited and adapted from our friend Pete McDonald at http://www.petemcdonald.com/:
Sister Mary went to the doctor's office, where she was seen by a young, new doctor. After about 4 minutes in the examination room, the doctor told her she was pregnant. She burst out screaming as she ran down the hall. An older doctor stopped her and asked what the problem was & she told him her story. After listening, he had her sit down and relax in another room. The doctor marched down the hallway to the back where the first doctor was and demanded, 'What's the matter with you? That woman is 56 years old, she has two grown children, several grandchildren is widowed and, just took her vows as a nun and you told her she was pregnant?' The new doctor continued to write on his clipboard and without looking up said, 'Does she still have the hiccups?'
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DID YOU KNOW
1. One of Ireland's top stars in the sport of hurling is Sean Og O'Hailpin, who was born to an Irish father and Fijian mother? O'Hailpin, whose very Pacific appearance is a bit of an anomaly in Irish sports, was "Hurler of the Year" in 2004 and "Sports Personality of the Year"in 2005. He plays for the Cork County team.
2. Catherine Kelly, who died in 1785, was allegedly the smallest Irish woman ever? With a total height of just 34 inches and a weight of 8 pounds, she was known as "The Irish Fairy."
3. A single day of good weather that pops up in a long stretch of bad days is known in Ireland as a "pet day?" The phrase is also found in Scotland and Canada
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KNOW YOUR IRISH WRITERS
To begin with, the answers to our last quiz:
1. Kathleen O'Byrne by Declan Carville & Brandan Ellis
2. Flying Feet - The Story of irish Dance by Anna Marlis Burgard & Leighanne Dees
3. Liffey Rivers and the Mystery of the Sparkling Solo Dress Crown by Brenna Briggs
A tip of the hat and a pat on the back for the following irish bibliophiles:
Hartson Dowd
For a good read, take a look at this article: Does the Real Ireland Still Exist?
http://travel.nytimes.com/2008/05/18/travel/18ireland.html
Helen Dowd:
Please come browse a wide assortment of writings including bible quizzes, devotionals, inspirationals,stories and more.
http://www.occupytillicome.com/
Susan O'Murphy
Since my ancestors were from Cork, I'd like to share one of my favourite web sites: Murphys!
http://www.murphys.com/index.php?page=home
Maureen Cassidy
One of my favorite sits is Mythical Ireland
http://www.mythicalireland.com/
Jack Grady
While researching our family roots I camd across this great site for finding out about first names - their meanings and origins:
http://www.namenerds.com/irish/
Want to see your name and favorite web site in our next newsletter
Who wrote:
1. The Dying Breed
2. Taking Pictures
3. The Secret Scripture
Send your answers to Bridget here:
bhaggerty@irishcultureandcustoms.com
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RIDDLE
To start off, the answer to our last head banger:
I have two arms, but fingers none. I have two feet, but cannot run. I carry well, but I have found I carry best with my feet OFF the ground.
Q: What am I?
A: Wheelbarrow
That was the official answer, but we would have also accepted an airplane and we give an honorable mention to Hartson Dowd who said he preferred helicopter to wheelbarrow.
As is always the case, our Riddle People didn't let us down. We had an avalanche of correct answers, but first in was
Jim Turley in South Bend, Indiana. Good job, Jim!
ED. NOTE: When Jim sent in his answer he also told us about his recent trip to Ireland. We enjoyed it so much that we've chosen it as our letter of the month for May. We'll be posting that in the next day or so - as long as Jim doesn't mind. We haven't asked him yet!
And now for our next mind messer:
Mr. Moody grumbles about trains keeping time from morning till night! On one particular morning he was quite justified. His train left on time for the one hour journey, to Dublin, and it arrived 5 minutes late. However, Mr. Moody 's watch showed it to be 3 minutes early, so he adjusted his watch by putting it forward 3 minutes. His watch kept time during the day, and on the return journey in the evening the train started on time, according to his watch, and arrived on time, according to the station clock.
Q. If the train travelled 25 percent faster on the return journey than it did on the morning journey, was the station clock fast or slow, and by how much?
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It's not too late to order for Dads & Grads - plus shop with us this week and Celtic Attic will pay your Parcel Shipping charges on all orders! That is right, no charge on shipping June 7 - June 14! If you would like faster shipping such as Priority or Express, there will be a charge, but Regular shipping is paid by US! Some International orders and Most orders over 2 pounds will be charged a minimum ship charge. We will deduct the shipping charge off your order AFTER it is placed online. We will manually process all orders during this special promotion to make sure Free or Reduced shipping is applied. Order on line or by phone - and tell them Bridget & Russ said hello!
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THE WEEK THAT IS
1. Article: In Search of Ancestors
http://www.irishcultureandcustoms.com/AMisc/Geneology.html
2. Article: The Holy Wells of Ireland
http://www.irishcultureandcustoms.com/ALandmks/HolyWells.html
3. Article: Sean-Nós - The Music od What happens
http://www.irishcultureandcustoms.com/AMusic/SeanNos.html
4. Article: The Legend of The Claddagh Ring
http://www.irishcultureandcustoms.com/AMusic/SeanNos.html
5. Article: An Old Custom That Still Exists - The Stations
http://www.irishcultureandcustoms.com/ACustom/Stations.html
6. Article: Remembering Larry O'Rourke and Why I Stopped Using Stage Irish
http://www.irishcultureandcustoms.com/AMisc/StageIrish.html
7.Article: Who was Behind the Doors of Dublin?
http://www.irishcultureandcustoms.com/ALandmks/DoorsofDublin.htm
8. Book Review: The Traditionl Crafts of Ireland
http://www.irishcultureandcustoms.com/Libr/zTraditionalCrafts.html
9. The Irish Kitchen: Lemon & Herb Crusted Fish With Parsley Mash
http://www.irishcultureandcustoms.com/2Kitch/1Home.html
10. Basic Irish: Going on Vacation
http://www.irishcultureandcustoms.com/3Focloir/1Home.html
11. Kids' Ireland: Old Whiskers Takes a Wife
http://www.irishcultureandcustoms.com/1Kids/OldWhiskrs.html
12. Music Review: Our good friend William Ramoutar and Irish music expert reviews Karan Casey's Ships in the Forest
13. June Trivia Contest. The new quiz is posted and all entries must be in by midnight, June 30 whatever time zone you're in. http://www.irishcultureandcustoms.com/TriviaContest.html
May's Winner: Congratulations to Kathy Fiddler, USA who chose as her prize the lovely Bewleys Teapot donated by our good friends and contest sponsor Lollysmith
14. Circle of Prayer The last Novena in this cycle began on May 27 and ends on June 4. Start and end dates for the next cycle have been posted. Meanwhile, the first Novena in the next of nine began on June 5 and continues through June 13. Since last we wrote, we have had a flood of prayer requests. Combined with the ones already on our list, it makes posting them all a bit unwieldy. Might we suggest that whatever your spiritual leanings you keep the family and friends of all Irish Culture and Customs newsletter subscribers in your prayers or meditations? Also our men and women serving in the armed forces all over the world. God in His wisdom will know best what to do. http://www.irishcultureandcustoms.com/Blessings/CirclePrayer.html
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So there you have it until we write again If you're celebrating a birthday, anniversary or other important event between now and then, we hope it's an occasion filled with joy and happiness.
And to all the dads, das, granddads and bumpas (what our grandchildren call Russ!) - Happy Father's Day!
Irish: Lá na nAthar faoi shona dhuit
Pronunciation: law nah nah-hahr fwee hun-ah gwitch
We'll take our leave with lovely old blessing
May the raindrops fall lightly on your brow,
May the soft winds freshen your spirit,
May the sunshine brighten your heart,
May the burdens of the day rest lightly upon you,
and may God enfold you in the mantle of his love.
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.
Andalusian Artists Three Day Show-June 6-8
Summer Showcase at Valtocado
The Andalusian International Artists Group celebrates the arrival of Summer with a three day exhibition of members work at the studio of the artist Richard Wood in Valtocado, Mijas. The exhibition opens on Friday the 6th June between 7-9 pm and continues on Saturday and Sunday between 2-4 pm. urther information is available from the Chairman, Roger Cummiskey on 952 592 652 or their web site:
http://www.aia-group.net.
Sea Isle Cty, NJ - Every Friday this summer
Fintan Malone, Irish traditional musician extraordinaire from Milltown Malbay, Co. Clare and Pete McDonald will be teaming up on Friday evenings at Kix McNulty's, 6400 Landis Avenue from 5 5 to 8 p.m.
For changes and updates, please check the website schedule page, http://www.petemcdonald.com/schedule.html
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.
Eastern Caribbean Irish Genealogy Seminar Cruise - January 09
The Irish Ancestral Research Association is organizing an Irish genealogy cruise in January 2009 on Royal Caribbean's Independence of the Seas. Speakers include our friends Eileen & Sean O'Duill from Dublin. For complete details, please click
http://home.netcom.com/~megrogan/irishgenealogycruise/
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LEAVE 'EM LAUGHING
Since thousands of Irish students are sitting for their leaving Certs, we thought it might be fun to share some actual answers to health and science exams from all over the world and all grade levels - primary to college. We wish students everywhere the best of luck in their exams. And whatever you do, DON'T pay any attention to the following!
1 . H2O is hot water and CO2 is cold water.
2 . To collect fumes of sulphur, hold a deacon over a flame in a test tube.
3 . When you smell an odorless gas, it is probably carbon monoxide.
4 . Water is composed of two gins - Oxygin and Hydrogin. Oxygin is pure gin and Hyrogin is water and gin.
5 . A super saturated solution is one that holds more water than it can hold.
6 . Litre : A nest of young puppies.
7 . Magnet: Something you find crawling all over a dead cat.
8. Momentum: What you give a person when they are going away.
9 . Vacuum: A large empty space where the Pope lives.
10 . Artificial insemination is when the farmer does it to the cow instead of the bull.
11 . The pistol of the flower is its only protection against insects.
12 . A fossil is an extinct animal. The older it is, the more extinct it is.
13 . To remove dust from the eye, pull the eye down over the nose.
14 . For a nosebleed, put the nose much lower than the heart until the heart stops.
15 . For head colds, use an agonizer to spray the nose until it drops in your throat.
16 . Germinate: To become a naturalized German.
17 . The tides are a fight between the Earth and moon. All water tends towards the moon, because there is no water on the moon and nature abhors a vacuum. I forget where the sun joins in the fight.
18 . Blood flows down one leg and up the other.
19. When you breath, you inspire. When you do not breath, you expire.
20.Nitrogen is not found in Ireland because it is not found in a free state.
21. three kinds of blood vessels are arteries, vanes and caterpillars.
22. Mushrooms always grow in damp places and so they look like umbrellas.
23. To keep milk from turning sour: Keep it in the cow.
24. A vibration is a motion that cannot make up its mind which way it wants to go.
25. Genetics explain why you look like your father and if you don't why you should.
26. Some people can tell what time it is by looking at the sun. But I have never been able to make out the numbers.
27. We say the cause of perfume disappearing is evaporation. Evaporation gets blamed for a lot of things people forget to put the top on.
28. To most people solutions mean finding the answers. But to chemists solutions are things that are still all mixed up.
29. In looking at a drop of water under a microscope, we find there are twice as many H's as O's.
30. I am not sure how clouds get formed. But the clouds know how to do it, and that is the important thing.
31. Cyanide is so poisonous that one drop of it on a dogs tongue will kill the strongest man.
32. Isotherms and isobars are even more important than their names sound.
33. Wind is like the air, only pushier.
34. The process of turning steam back into water again is called conversation.
35. Algebraical symbols are used when you do not know what you are talking about.
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