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Greetings & Blessings to all
Welcome to our August newsletter.
I’m ready to face the rest of the summer. My weather is still very hot and I have to get to Autumn. What’s hot? Over 90 farenheit (that’s a little over 32 Celsius) just like last month. The rain has slacked off but I still have to water my roses (Bridget’s roses, actually). I hope all of you are doing better than I am. This is an unusual month for me. My niece is getting married. The logistics are somewhat confused. I don’t drive anymore so I’m, let’s say, luggage. Still, I’m looking forward to it. Wish me luck.
Enough of my nattering.
Again my thanks for the contributions. Please keep them coming. I would like appropriate jokes 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
Basic Irish
Basic Irish: Oysters
In the Irish calendar, there's always something special going on. In September, Oysters are back on the menu!
Of course, this is the first month after summer with an 'R' in it and an old rule (still a wise rule) insists 'never eat shellfish unless the month has an 'R' in it.' After avoiding oysters for months we have the Galway and Clarenbridge Festivals; both in September and celebrating the Galway Oysters with gusto. So, let us talk about it.
In the Irish calendar, there's always something special going on. In September, Oysters are back on the menu!
Of course, this is the first month after summer with an 'R' in it and an old rule (still a wise rule) insists 'never eat shellfish unless the month has an 'R' in it.' After avoiding oysters for months we have the Galway and Clarenbridge Festivals; both in September and celebrating the Galway Oysters with gusto. So, let us talk about it.
Word: Summer
Irish: samhradh
Pronunciation: sow (as in cow)-rah\
Irish: samhradh
Pronunciation: sow (as in cow)-rah\
Links
1.Catholic Archbishop of Dublin says belief has ‘vanished’ in Ireland
Evidence of Christian belief in Ireland today “has for all intents and purposes vanished,” Catholic Archbishop of Dublin Dermot Farrell has said. This “underlying crisis of faith” was “particularly acute among the younger generations,” he said.
https://www.irishtimes.com/news/social-affairs/religion-and-beliefs/catholic-archbishop-of-dublin-says-belief-has-vanished-in-ireland-1.4648399
This is old news—Russ
2.Covid-19: Relaxation of social distance rules under consideration
Rules on social distancing could be relaxed as part of a significant shift in how Covid-19 is managed in the State, away from regulation and population-wide restrictions and towards a focus on public health advice and personal judgment.
https://www.irishtimes.com/news/politics/covid-19-relaxation-of-social-distance-rules-under-consideration-1.4647842
Don’t hold your breath—Russ
3.Florence Pugh hails 'gorgeous, kind' Irish people
Black Widow star Florence Pugh has thanked Ireland for being "so generous and welcoming" as she films her upcoming movie The Wonder in Wicklow.
https://www.rte.ie/entertainment/2021/0815/1240990-florence-pugh-hails-gorgeous-kind-irish-people/
Of course they are—Russ
4. Irish overtakes French as second most popular language at A-level in Northern Ireland
The Queen’s University-based organisation says French has now slipped into third place behind Spanish and Irish.
https://www.irishpost.com/news/irish-overtakes-french-as-second-most-popular-language-at-a-level-in-northern-ireland-218235
I think French would be easier—Russ
5. The lessons from Ireland that could help save Gaelic in Scotland
Anna Nic Dhonncha is at work at a florists in Carraroe, County Galway, where folk drift in and out of the shop, exchanging the polite chat of the day in Irish.
https://www.scotsman.com/news/national/the-lessons-from-ireland-that-could-help-save-gaelic-in-scotland-3345923
6. Cross-Border meetings held on Covid certs for Irish citizens in North
Bilateral meetings have been held between officials from both sides of the Border to “scope an agreed solution” regarding EU Digital Covid Certificates for Irish citizens in the North, Northern Ireland’s Department of Health said on Thursday.
https://www.irishtimes.com/news/ireland/irish-news/cross-border-meetings-held-on-covid-certs-for-irish-citizens-in-north-1.4645699 This doesn’t sound that different—Russ7. People urged not to approach walrus spotted off Co Cork coast
People should watch from a distance but not approach an Arctic walrus that has arrived off West Cork in the past few days, a zoologist has said. https://www.irishtimes.com/news/ireland/irish-news/people-urged-not-to-approach-walrus-spotted-off-co-cork-coast-1.4644164 This is a chinese source, so I Think it’s reliable—RussQUOTES, TOASTS , CURSES AND BLESSINGS
‘I was born on a storm-swept rock and hate the soft growth of sun-baked lands where there is no frost in men’s bones."Liam O’Flaherty
A BIT OF THE WIT
Peter O’ Toole was once asked what was his favorite Irish food: “My number one choice is Guinness. My number two choice would be Guinness. My number three choice would have to be Guinness.” Peter O'Toole. (b. August 2, 1932)
JOKE OF THE MONTH
A woman awakes during the night to find that her husband was not in their bed. She puts on her robe and goes downstairs to look for him. She finds him sitting at the kitchen table with a cup of coffee in front of him. He appears deep in thought, just staring at the wall. She watches as he wipes a tear from his eye and takes a sip of coffee. "What's the matter, dear?" she whispers as she steps into the room, "Why are you down here at this time of night?" Do you remember when I met you and you were only 16?" he asks solemnly. The wife is touched to tears thinking that her husband is so caring and sensitive. "Yes, I do" she replies. The husband pauses. The words are not coming easily. "Do you remember when your father caught us in the back seat of my car, making love?" "Yes, I remember" says the wife, lowering herself into a chair beside him. The husband continues... "Do you remember when he shoved a shotgun in my face and said, "Either you marry my daughter, or I will send you to jail for 20 years?'" "I remember that too" she replies softly. He wipes another tear from his cheek and says..."I would have gotten out today."
DID YOU KNOW
1. George Bernard Shaw bequeathed one third of his estate to the National Gallery in Dublin, claiming that he received his education there?
Of course—Russ
2. In 1948, Harry Truman was the first American president to attend the St. Patrick's Day Parade in New York City?
3. Louis H. Sullivan, the Boston-born son of an Irish immigrant is said to have created the modern skyscraper?
I don’t think you would recognize it as a skyscraper though—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: Lughnasa - Celebrating the Harvest
http://www.irishcultureandcustoms.com/ACustom/Harvest.html
2. Article: Haymaking in Ireland long ago
http://www.irishcultureandcustoms.com/ACustom/Haymaking.html
3. Article: Season of the Corn
http://www.irishcultureandcustoms.com/ACustom/SeasonCorn.html
4. Article: Putting out the hare, putting on the harvest knots
http://www.irishcultureandcustoms.com/ACustom/AfterHarvest.html
5. Article: Galway Races - Where the Pint is the Unit of Currency!
http://www.irishcultureandcustoms.com/ACalend/GalwayRaces.html
6. Article: The Galway Races - Enough Raw Material for A Trilogy of Novels
http://www.irishcultureandcustoms.com/ACalend/GalwayRaces3.html
7. The Irish Kitchen: The Galway International Oyster Festival - a joyous celebration of a native aristocrat
http://www.irishcultureandcustoms.com/2Kitch/aGalwayOysters.html
7. Basic Irish: Oysters
http://www.irishcultureandcustoms.com/3Focloir/Oysters.html
8. Kids’ Ireland: Singing with the Good People
http://www.irishcultureandcustoms.com/1Kids/GoodPeople.html
So there you have it until we write again - sometime in September.
If you are planning on getting married between now and then or tied the knot in the month of August, here is your special verse:
Whoever wed in August be,
Many a change are sure to see.
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:Like the gold of the sun, like the light of the day, may the luck of the Irish shine bright on your way. Like the glow of a star, and the lilt of a song may these be your joys all your life long. 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. DID SOMEONE FORWARD THIS ISSUE TO YOU? Subscribe for FREE! Send an email to: rhaggerty@irishcultureandcustoms.com OR click on this link: http://www.irishcultureandcustoms.com/Newsletter.html
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
Sean is walking through the park and notices an old lady sitting on a bench sobbing her eyes out. He stops and asks her what is wrong. She says, "I have a 22-year old husband at home. He kisses and cuddles me every morning and then gets up and makes me eggs, bacon, black pudding, toast and tea." Well then," Sean says, "Why are you crying?" She says, "He makes me homemade soup for lunch and then kisses and cuddles me for half the afternoon." Perplexed, Sean says, "So, why are you crying?" She says, "For supper, he always makes me my favourite meal and then kisses and cuddles me until 2:00 a.m. Astonished by now, Sean says, "Why in the world would you be crying, then?" Says she, "I can't remember where I live!"
Last WordsIf 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
