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Welcome to the Irish Culture & Customs newsletter which is published every weekend and sent out to more than 1400 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
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Greetings and blessings,
A warm welcome back to all of you and a special hello to our new subscribers. We really appreciate you signing up - and please feel free to send our musings and meanderings to your family and friends.
We hope this edition finds you all in fine fettle. As for ourselves, and we're sure it was the same for all of you as well, it was a time of sadness as we observed the second anniversary of the 9/11 attack on the World Trade Center. It's all still so fresh in our minds that it's difficult to believe two years has gone by. A reader wrote to ask why we hadn't mentioned it in last week's issue and we explained that sandwiching that awful date in-between frivolous observances seemed inappropriate. But, we did forget to mention Patriot's Day and our apologies for that oversight.
After the flurry of activity that always heralds the beginning of the month, the past week wasn't nearly so frenetic. That gave us time to go through a huge backlog of emails. We're still playing catch-up, so please bear with us if we haven't yet responded to your message.
In news from Ireland
This past week, Council workers in Dublin began handing out free portable ashtrays to smokers as part of anti-litter efforts in the city. Dublin City Council said it hoped to hand out 20,000 ashtrays. By the way, throwing a cigarette butt on the ground in Dublin can lead to a 125 euro on-the-spot fine.
In Cork, Chef Darina Allen has warned that Ireland is moving too slowly to protect its traditional and ethnic foods from imitation. The criticism came as it emerged that Ireland has one of the shortest lists of protected foods in the EU. Only Irish Whiskey, Irish Cream Liqueur, Immokilly Regato Cheese, Clare Island Salmon and Timoleague Brown Pudding have been registered. Ms Allen said "We should be registering items like the barm brack, potato cakes, fadge from the North and many more of our cheeses. We also have very rare breeds of Irish apples, and vegetables like the Tipperary turnip and some of our breeds of cabbage and potato."
In Co. Donegal, hundreds of people went to the Inishowen Maritime Museum in Greencastle, Co Donegal to watch a unique rocket show hosted by a US-born laser physicist. More than a dozen rockets of various sizes, designed and built by Mr Ashleigh McFadden, were launched into the skies over the river Foyle in an event organised to popularise science education.
In Co. Carlow: The Kildavin Post Office, the only shop in the village, has closed its doors for the final time. Maura Kinsella from Ballinakill, Ferns, retired after working in the post office and shop for the past forty years. Villagers must now travel to Clonegal, three miles away, or to Bunclody, Co. Wexford for the same services. Conway's bar and lounge in the village is now the only retail outlet in Kildavin.
In Co. Mayo: The two families residing on Clynish Island in Clew Bay have an improved link to the mainland with the official opening of a new pier by Minister for the Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht Eamon Ó Cuiv.
And in Sligo: Four dolphins came right up to the harbour in Mullaghmore last week, delighting bystanders with their performance. Dolphins were last seen this close to shore about two years ago, but they only stayed a very short time. This time the visitors jumped and frolicked in the area for about four hours.
In news closer to home
We're delighted to welcome the Irish Lottery as one of our sponsors. The lottery replaced the Irish Hospital Sweepstakes several years ago and Bridget well remembers her dad buying tickets. He never won the sweepstakes, but wouldn't it be brilliant if one of our subscribers won the lottery? The ad is the one after our sign-off at the end, so please show your support for us by clicking through for more information and/or buying a ticket. Thanks!
In news from all over
The life-sized statue of James Joyce on North Earl Street in Dublin has a Croatian counterpart after a bronze statue of the writer was unveiled in Pula last Saturday. The unveiling ceremony of the statue, which shows the writer sitting at a coffee table, was attended by the Ceann Comhairle of the Dáil, Dr Rory O' Hanlon, who described the tribute to Joyce as a "cultural bridge between our two countries".
Links of the week
Alex in Australia sent us:
http://www.antrimhistory.net/index.htm
She told us it has wonderful stories - and indeed, it does! Appreciate the info' Alex.
From Penny we received:
http://www.searcs-web.com/
Just the list of journals, alone, looks like hours of good reading. Thanks, Penny - we'll be submitting Irish Culture and Customs - fingers crossed, they'll list us!
Need a giggle? Hartson always finds great links:
http://makesmesmile.com/
From the mailbag:
Names for Anne's horse-farm:
Our resident Irish speaker Aideen writes: Doreen in PA suggested Cothrom na Féinne láthair - Sportsmanship Ring (arena). She's got the words right, but in the wrong order. In Irish, unlike English, the adjective comes after the noun and, in this case, the noun takes an aspiration. It should be: Láthair Chothrom na Féinne and pronounced Law-hirr Khuh-rum nah Fay-inn-yeh
And Anne writes:
Thanks, everyone for your suggestions. We've decided on the name Dundrum Stables, after Tommy Wades fantastic little horse; fingers crossed the name hasn't been taken.
Enough of the blither and blather - on with the update:
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Please help us to keep this newsletter free by visiting our sponsor: Celtic Attic
Our Founder and Head Irish Lass would like to announce a September Gift Spectacular! This Giveaway is dedicated to the memory of Kristin's Mum, Shirley, who died Jan 23rd, 2003. Shirley's 71st birthday would have been September 21st. This will be the Ultimate Mum's Basket! To enter the drawing, please click
http://www.celticattic.com/contact_us/free_giveaway.htm
We will also be Donating a Portion of all Sales to the state of Washington's Alzheimer's Foundation in my Mum's Name.
Note: If you order an item from Celtic Attic, please mention the special code number IC46 on the order form. We earn a small commission on all purchases - but only if you mention the code number. Thanks!
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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?
Riddle
New This Week
The Week Ahead
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A BIT O' THE WIT
Eileen Finney was so enamored of Sean O'Faolaín's literary works that she wrote him a letter: "I hear that your writing yields you a retail price of $1.00 per word. I enclose $1.00, for which please send me a sample." Much amused, the witty O'Faolaín kept the dollar and sent along one word: "Thanks." But O'Faolaín had no monopoly on Irish wit. Shortly afterward, he received another letter from Miss Finney: "Sold the 'Thanks' anecdote for $2.00. Enclosed please find 75 cents in stamps, being half the profit on the transaction, less postage and handling."
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OUR FAVORITE JOKE OF THE WEEK
Our first blond guy joke sent to us by Hartson:
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." __________________________________________________________
DID YOU KNOW...
1. The password for George Washington's troops in Boston on March 17, 1776 was "St. Patrick"?
2. Catherine McCarthy, known as the "jolly Irishwoman of the Lower East Side" was the mother of notorious outlaw Billy the Kid?
3. Comedic genius and creator of the Keystone Cops, Mack Sennett, was the son of Irish immigrants?
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QUIPS, QUOTES & ANECDOTES - PROVERBS & TOASTS, TOO
What is he saying? What does he mean? Does he mean what he says - or does he say what he means? From De Little Book of Bertie, (the Irish Taoiseach), are cringeable quotes, the deft doublespeak and the downright confusing. For example, he's the man who had to eat humble pie for saying something "would upset the Apple Tart."
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KNOW YOUR IRISH WRITERS & IRISH-RELATED BOOKS?
The answers for last week:
1. The Irish Way: A Walk Through Ireland's Past and Present - Robert Emmett Ginna
2. Down All The Days: The Life & Music of Shane MacGowan - Niall Stanage
3. It's A Long Way From Penny Apples - Bill Cullen
In the immortal words of one Irish emcee, please "clap your feet" for our literary gumshoes:
Norma Mackey
As always my favorite site is yourselves, I have so much fun on it. I save the site so that if I spend too long on it and have to go off and do something, I can always come back to it. I read part of the book to the first question:"The Irish Way." What wonderful exquisite writing! Just the first page put a lump in my throat, the clear description of the coast brought an equal clear picture in my mind of what it looks like. Beautiful to say the least. (Thanks for the nice comments about our site, Norma)
http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/tg/detail/-/0375504303/ref=ase_irishcultucus-20/002-0208429-6780032
Déirdre McKiernan-Hetzler
According to Terry Flynn Tours of Ireland, the McKiernans of Irish Books & Media have the longest continuously running tour from the States to Ireland:
http://www.irishbook.com/tours.htm
Helen Dowd
In honor of "Teddy Bear Day", September 9, you might want to read:http://www.occupytillicome.com/articles/messages/46.html - "A Tangled Tale of Teddy Bears" Thank you, Judith Flynn, for promoting Hart/Helen's website: http://www.occupytillicome.com/articles/messages/46.html
Kathleen Cowan
http.//ireland-information.com/irishjokes.htm
Judith Flynn
http://www.sellwritingonline.com/
Patricia Edwards
Here's another site for finding out all about your ancestors:
http://www.irishclans.com/surname/
Hartson Dowd
A long way in, but one of the best sites for anyone seeking information on the Great Famine. Along with photos, prints, and drawings, the site contains reportage and commentary from the time:
http://www.avery.med.virginia.edu/~eas5e/irish/famine.html
Pat Murphy
Biddy McGraw's the Pacific Northwest's only authentic Irish pub and the home 'O the "perfect" pint':
http://www.biddys.com
Want to see your name and favorite site on our list? Try to find the following authors - we assure you, it's really easy! Who wrote:
1. Families of Co. Donegal
2. The Magdalen
3. At Swim, Two Boys
Hint: All three titles can be found here:
http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/redirect?tag=irishcultucus-20&path=tg/detail/-/0312264038/qid%3D1062336681/sr%3D1-1
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!)
NOTE: It would be very helpful if you would send your entries to: bhaggerty@irishcultureandcustoms.com
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THIS WEEK'S RIDDLE
Last week's head-banger: What is the only 11 letter word in the English language that ends with the same three letters with which it begins? The answer is: entitlement. This proved to be as tough as we thought it would be. Just one reader got it right - Bill Smith of Asheville, North Carolina. Well done, Bill! And now for our next bedevilment:
My life can be measured in hours,
I serve by being devoured.
Thin, I am quick
Fat, I am slow
Wind is my foe.
What or who am I?
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NEW OR FEATURED ON OUR HOME PAGE:
1. Home Page - See what's new at a glance:
http://www.irishcultureandcustoms.com/index.html
2. New: Article - Meet Joe O'Connor, author of Star of The Sea
http://www.irishcultureandcustoms.com/AWriters/JosephOConnor.html
3. New: Book Review- Star of The Sea by Joe O'Connor
http://www.irishcultureandcustoms.com/Libr/zStarofSea.html
4. New: Article - Ireland's Holy Wells
This will be published early next week
5. New: The Irish Kitchen - Spiced Pork Roast with Apple & Thyme Cream Sauce
http://www.irishcultureandcustoms.com/2Kitch/1Home.html
6. Featured Article: Season of the Corn
http://www.irishcultureandcustoms.com/ACustom/SeasonCorn.html
7. Featured: Article - Making a Match in Lisdoonvarna
http://www.irishcultureandcustoms.com/AMisc/Lisdoonvarna.html
8. Featured: Article - The Galway International Oyster Festival
http://www.irishcultureandcustoms.com/2Kitch/aGalwayOysters.html
9. Ongoing: Circle of Prayer. Our seventh Novena in this cycle began on September 8 and continues through September 16. The eighth one will begin next Wednesday. Please keep Eileen's brother Bob in your prayers as well as C.J. (who is home after 7 weeks in the hospital); also Christopher, Sam, Steven & Margaret, Priscilla's family, and our military personnel stationed all over the world, especially in Iraq. Whatever your spiritual leanings, we hope you will join us in prayer or meditation each day
http://www.irishcultureandcustoms.com/Blessings/CirclePrayer.html
10. Trivia Contest. The September contest is posted and all entries must be received by midnight on 9/30, whichever time zone you live in.
http://www.irishcultureandcustoms.com/TriviaContest.html
11. On-going: Irish News: Headlines for the past week
http://www.irishcultureandcustoms.com/01News/Home.html
12. On-going: This month in Irish History:
http://www.irishcultureandcustoms.com/02Hist/9September.html
NEXT WEEK, GOD WILLING:
Last May, we had the pleasure of meeting and interviewing Joseph O'Connor, author of Star of the Sea. At long last, we have finally finished transcribing the interview and both Russ and Bridget have written reviews. These will make their appearance on the home-page tomorrow. As always, we'll have a new blessing (posted today) and a new quote on Wednesday. A new recipe will go up next weekend.
So that wraps it up for another week except to tell you of our big announcement - we're grandparents for the second time. Our son Scott and his partner Christina had their first baby yesterday - a nine-pound baby boy. Mother, dad and the wee one are doing great and we'll be visiting them later today.
Until next time, we hope everyone will be extra friendly in celebration of International Day of Peace on September 16, enjoy a sweet treat on National Apple Dumpling Day (17th), and perhaps indulge in a few pints in honour of Octoberfest in Germany (20th).
Also, we're praying that hurricane Isabel won't bring harm to any of our readers - she's supposed to make landfall by this Friday and it's still not certain where she's headed. So, do keep a close watch on her. In the meantime, may God grant you and yours a week filled with good health, good spirits, good humor and good company, and may He cradle you gently in the mantle of His eternal love.
All the best - and as they say in Ireland - mind yourself!
Bridget & Russ
Get down on your knees and thank God you're still on your feet
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Please help us to keep your newsletter free by visiting this week's sponsor: The Irish Lottery.
Remember the Irish Hospital Sweepstakes? It was replaced by the Irish Lotto in 1988. Since then it has become one of the most trusted lotteries in the world. Drawings are held every Wednesday and Saturday. Best of all, you don't have to live in Ireland to play and all winnings are tax-free. Do you have the luck of the Irish? Play the Irish lottery and prove it! Please click here for full details:
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Events & Classifieds
Note: To avoid duplication, we list only those events not mentioned in the comprehensive listing put together by The Wild Geese. To check their Events Page, please click: http://www.thewildgeese.com/pages/events.html
The Irish Heritage Newsletter also lists events - if you'd like to subscribe, just send a note to George at Steeler059@aol.com
The Voyage of the Jeanie Johnston
She is on her way to Montreal and will be there from Thursday, September 18 to Monday, September 22. For more details, please click:
http://www.jeaniejohnston.ie/voyage.asp?id=3
Houston, Texas - Friday, September 19
An Evening to Celebrate Traditional Celtic Music
Knights of Columbus 803, 2616 Louisiana St.
For more info contact Dianna Shipman at diannashipman@att.net
http://home.att.net/~ceilidhmusic/CelticConcert.htm
Houston, Texas
Monday, September 22, 2003
The University of St. Thomas Center for Irish Studies presents
Dr. Donnchadh O'Corrain, Professor of Medieval Irish History at
University College Cork, Ireland speaking on the early Irish Brehon
Laws. For more information, contact the Center for Irish Studies (Lori
Meghan Gallagher, Director) at 713-525-3592 or irishstudies @
stthom.edu
http://www.stthom.edu/irishstudies/
Dallas, Texas - Wednesday, September 17, 2003
Beyond the Pale with Michael Harrison
Halfway to St. Patrick's Day Party
Pocket Sandwich Theatre, 5400 East Mockingbird
For more info', call: (214) 821-1860
http://www.beyond-the-pale.com/
A Celtic Pilgrimage to Sacred Ireland
Sept 30 - Oct 8 2003
Learn. Pray. Observe. Meditate. Eat. Explore. Experience the beauty and mystery of Ireland in a unique spiritual journey to the Emerald Isle's sacred sites. For more details, please click
http://www.beliefnet.com/features/ireland_main.html
Aran Isles - Traditional Basket-Making - a journey into the past!
6 - 13 October 2003
You still can book for this last programme. October is a beautiful exciting month in Ireland, with wild seas, rainbows and ever- changing skies. For more details, please email Elizabeth Zollinger: info@irish-culture.ch
Samhain International Poetry Festival Friday 31 October & Mon 3 November in Gort a'Choirce, Co. Donegal. Email: info@samhainpoetrycompetition.com
or info@maggiedans.com
Wine Courses
Do you know a bit about wine but wish you knew more? The Wine Development Board of Ireland has announced its annual programme of wine courses for 2003/2004. In a major educational programme, the Board is facilitating the delivery of no less than one hundred separate courses, with more than half of these outside Dublin.For more information check out
http://www.wineboard.com <http://www.wineboard.com
Ancient Order of Hibernians Historical Tour of Ireland
January 27, 04- February 4, 04
In conjunction with Our Lady of Knock Division No. 2; Ancient Order of Hibernians, Cincinnati, Ohio. For more information, please call James V. Magee, Jr., President (513) 621-9660
Texas Dulcimer Cruise - February 5-9, 2004
Galveston to Cozumel on the Carnival Celebration. There will be workshops, jam sessions, talent show and more. These spots will go fast, so book early! Inside cabins are $430.80 pp, double occupancy and oceanview cabins are $480.80 pp, double occupancy. Delesandri Tours, booking agent for this trip Ask for Marcy: 281-535-5703 or e-mail marcy@delesandri.com
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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