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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,
Belated Happy Victoria Day to all of our Canadian readers and a safe and happy Memorial Day weekend to everyone in the USA.
As always, it was another whirlwind week in the Haggerty household and we have lots of interesting items to share with you this time around. We'll begin with our efforts to save the lilies and the hostas.
We received a slew of suggestions and what seems to be really working well is slivers of Irish Spring soap sprinkled amongst the foliage. For the time being at least, it would appear that the Haggerty Deer Diner is closed for business. Many thanks to all of you who took the time to write to us - and a special nod of appreciation to about a half dozen readers who suggested the soap.
On Tuesday evening, we spent a very pleasant 45 minutes interviewing Joseph O'Connor, the Dublin-born author of 'Star of the Sea." It was a real treat meeting the man who has written such a terrific book - one that's been on the best-seller list in Ireland for several weeks now. Bridget isn't quite finished with it - not for the lack of trying, though! It's a very difficult book to put down. In any event, as soon as that's done, she'll write the review and we'll also share with you the highlights of a delightful conversation with Joseph.
As usual, our mailbag brought in some interesting messages; a young man in Holland needed to know the name of an Irish whiskey brewed by Catholics! That led to some fascinating facts we'll be incorporating into our existing whiskey article. If you're curious, we ended up recommending Kilbeggan - but you'll have to read the revised article if you want to find out why!
Bridget was pleased to get a couple of orders for her wedding book - and also very happy with a very nice contribution from a reader in New York. Compliments for our work are always a pleasure to receive, but when a reader shows their appreciation in a tangible way, it's especially rewarding. Believe me, we don't like asking, but these days, there are very few websites and newsletters like ours that remain free. And the only way we can cover our expenses is if you help us out. So, thanks again to those of you who have.
As you might imagine, we spend a great deal of time in looking things up and we're always finding intriguing bits and pieces about Ireland and Irish-related topics. This week, we're very excited about a cultural exchange scholarship program that appears to be targeted at anyone over 20 with a college degree or equivalent. In fact, while we can't consider this ourselves this year, we're going to apply for it in 2004. Here's the URL if you're interested:
http://homepage.tinet.ie/~westportclub/english/scholarship.htm
We also discovered a brand new web site about the Burren. Many of you have been there so you know first-hand how unique it is. And, here's your opportunity to share your Burren experiences because they're looking for reviewers. So do check it out - but, if the Burren is still on your must-see list, still take a look. This is a really well-done site - interactive and very enjoyable!:
http://www.burrenbeo.com
While we didn't have time to add much in the way of content to our web site, Russ has been very busy getting all of the various libraries sorted out. We've added quite a few new books, recordings and videos and put them in the appropriate slots. i.e recipe books in the Kitchen Library. He also did some fine-tuning on the left-hand navigation bar which we hope will make that part of the site easier to figure out.
One more thing, before we forget - and especially with Father's Day coming up. Our friend Owen at Lolly Smith wrote to let us know that he has a brand new batch of authentic Irish walking sticks. Now here's the funny bit; these are really ugly sticks - just as ugly as the last batch. So, what's so funny about that? Well, Owen can't keep them in stock! In fact, the worse he describes them, the faster they sell! We don't want to give Owen a swelled head, but we think his copy is brilliant and well-worth reading. If you'd like to take a look at the sticks and have a laugh over the descriptions, here's the URL:
http://store.yahoo.com/lollysmith/irblugst.html
With that, enough of the blather and on with the update!
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Help keep us going - 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 3 weeks 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
They invented the three-day bank holiday weekend because you can't lump all the bad weather into just Saturday and Sunday.
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OUR FAVORITE JOKE OF THE WEEK
Well, our lovely 90-year old Miss O'Leary is at it again....she was certain her horse would win the big race at the Curragh because the bookie told her it would start at twenty to one and the race didn't begin until a quarter past.
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DID YOU KNOW...
1. In the village of Ballyporeen, Co, Tipperary, there's a pub called The Ronald Reagan Bar?
2. Charles Stuart Parnell was known as the Uncrowned King of Ireland?
3. Irish women received the right to vote before American women?
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QUIPS, QUOTES & ANECDOTES - PROVERBS & TOASTS, TOO
In honor of Memorial Day:
"A nation reveals itself not only by the men it produces but also by the men it honors, the men it remembers." John F. Kennedy
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KNOW YOUR IRISH WRITERS & BOOKS?
The answers to last week's quiz:
1. The Irish Spirit - Proverbs, Superstitions and Fairy Tales by Laurence Flanagan
2. Irish Tales and Sagas by Ulick Oconnor
3. The Lie of The Land - Irish Identities by Fintan O'Toole
A tip of the hat to this week's Irish literary sleuths:
Hartson Dowd
Canadian Association for Irish Studies http://www.usask.ca/english/cais/index.html
Dan Hennessy
I don't have a favorite Irish website other than yours, but I would like to let you know of a music group my wife and I enjoyed very much, called "Lunasa" out of Dublin, who tour the States frequently. Their website is:
http://www.lunasa.ie
(Thanks for the nice comment, Dan!)
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
Mary Lou Brooks
I don't have a web site but would like to nominate:
http://www.theirishgazette.com/
This is an Irish newspaper published in St. Paul, MN and dedicated to Irish culture, current events and the Irish-American experience.
Deirdre McKiernan-Hetzler
Who has the longest continuously running tour from the States to Ireland? According to Terry Flynn Tours of Ireland it's the McKiernans of Irish Books & Media: http://www.irishbook.com/tours.htm
NOTE: Deirdre sent in her entry right before she left for Ireland. Please pray that she and the tour group have a great time and return home safely.
Helen Dowd
A poem to encourage you:
http://occupytillicome.online-ministries.com/poetry/messages/167.html
Judith Flynn
The Celtic Attic has everything you need to decorate your home and life with a Celtic Twist!
http://www.celticattic.com Phone orders 360-765-0186
NOTE: If you visit this site and buy anything, please be sure to enter the code IC46 in the comment area of the order form so that they know you came from the Irish Culture and Customs newsletter. This helps support out efforts and keeps this newsletter free. Go raibh maith agat!
This week's quiz - who wrote:
1. Irish Traditions
2. Irish Voices - 50 years of Irish Life, 1916-1966
3. The Irish World - The History & Cultural Achievements of the Irish People
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. Article: Pattern Day in Old Ireland
http://www.irishcultureandcustoms.com/ACustom/PatternDay.html
2. Article: An Essential Guide for the First-Time Traveler to Ireland
http://www.irishcultureandcustoms.com/Atravel/TravelGuide.html
3. Article: The Irish Wolfhound
http://www.irishcultureandcustoms.com/AEmblem/Wolfhound.html
4. Article: Is Your Shillelagh a Sham
http://www.irishcultureandcustoms.com/AEmblem/Shillelagh.html
5. Article: The Bees Who Would Not be Left Behind
http://www.irishcultureandcustoms.com/ASaints/Modomnoc.html
6. The Irish Kitchen - A new recipe from Hartson will be published over the weekend
http://www.irishcultureandcustoms.com/2Kitch/1Home.html
7. Basic Irish - the lesson this week is words and phrases related to Irish dancing
http://www.irishcultureandcustoms.com/3Focloir/1Home.html
8. Circle of Prayer - Novena #4 in this cycle began yesterday and will continue through May 31. 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; and Steve in New York who was critically injured in an accident. If you would like to join us in prayer or meditation, please click
http://www.irishcultureandcustoms.com/Blessings/CirclePrayer.html
9. Library: Russ has finished revamping this section - take a look and let us know what you think
http://www.irishcultureandcustoms.com/Libr/Home.html
10. Irish Trivia Contest. Just one week left to send in your entries:
http://www.irishcultureandcustoms.com/TriviaContest.html
11. Did You Know - this is a new page which is essentially a compilation of all the bits of trivia we've included in these newsletters over the past year
http://www.irishcultureandcustoms.com/TriviaDidyouknow.html
12. News & Headlines
http://www.irishcultureandcustoms.com/01News/Home.html
13. Today in Irish History
http://www.irishcultureandcustoms.com/02Hist/Home.html
14. Antique solid-wood panel 'Pocket' Doors - What is this?
Well, we have them and we've decided to sell them. Russ finally confessed he's not going to find the time to put them to good use. Complete details and photos are here:
http://www.irishcultureandcustoms.com/personal/misc.html
NEXT WEEK, GOD WILLING:
What with the holiday weekend and a major paying project, it's hard to predict what we'll have time to post. But, you can always count on the daily news and headlines, the quote and the blessing. We'll do more if we can. Definitely on the agenda will be Danny Boy - an Irish World War II Memory and The Irish in World War I.
In the meantime, we expect that many of you in the USA will follow the time-honored Memorial Day tradition of visiting family graves and placing fresh flowers in memory of all those who have gone before us. More than 130 years have passed since this day was set aside in memory of those who died in the American Civil War - a good many of them Irishmen. What's so hard to absorb is the number who have made the ultimate sacrifice since then. So, while many of us will be enjoying the modern day customs of celebrating the beginning of summer - opening the pool, enjoying that first barbecue, and so on - we hope you'll take a few minutes to think about what the holiday really means. As one of our loyal subscribers said in a recent message - ignore the sales!
Here we are, almost at the end and we've yet to say welcome back to all of you and a special hello to our new subscribers! Many thanks for joining us. Russ says that we tend to ramble on and on about all sorts of things except Irish customs - or culture! Bridget's not sure she agrees with him. In any event, we hope this newsletter finds you happy, healthy and in good company. And, if you've enjoyed today's edition, please feel free to pass it along to family and friends.
Well - that does it for another week - the last week of May already. If you believe in the old saw that time flies when you're having fun, then here at the Haggertys, life must be a barrel of laughs. Hmm. On that note, we are thankful for all of our blessings and we wish for you and yours a shower of them in the coming week. We especially hope that our friends in the USA enjoy a safe and happy holiday weekend and that for everyone of our lovely readers, it will be a week of joy and contentment. May God hold you all in the palm of His hand, but not close His fist too tight upon you.
All the best,
Bridget & Russ
Get down on your knees and thank God you're still on your feet
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Celtic Attic announces a Summer Sale Spectacular! Purchase $50.00 or more from the Celtic Attic throughout the last weeks of May and receive a FREE Window Sticker! Varieties available are: Ireland or Scotland! Retail Value $2.50. To see these stickers - please follow the link:
http://www.celticattic.com/treasures/home_decor/celtic_stickers.htm
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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
New York City
Joseph O'Connor, author of the Irish best-seller, 'Star of the Sea", will be at the following locations for readings and signings:
May 27 - Irish Arts Center
May 28 - Barnes & Noble Upper West Side
May 28 - Ireland House
Mariemont, Ohio
The New Gate Celtic Theatre Co. is presenting "The Playboy of the Western World" by J.M. Synge at the Walton Creek Theatre on June 6 at 8 p.m., and June 7 & 8 at 2 p.m. and 7:30 p.m. For more information, please click
http://www.geocities.com/NewGateCelticTheatre, or by e-mail: new.gate@fuse.net.
Note: one of our subscribers has a small walk-on part and another is the producer.
Washington D.C.
The Jeanie Johnston will be arriving in Washington D.C. on Wednesday, May 28 and departing Monday, June 2.
http://www.jeaniejohnston.ie/voyage.asp?id=3
Las Vegas, Nevada
Sons of Erin Semi-Annual Golf Tournament
Desert Rose Golf Course - Saturday, May 31, 2003
For more information and sign-up call Jack Howard 458-5715 or Steve Morrissey 454-1738
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
Rockville Center, New York
Patricia Wallace Bone Marrow Drive
Your Help is Needed: Patricia Wallace (nee: Kiernan) is a member of the staff of Hearing and Vision Services of Nassau B.O.C.E.S in Long Island, New York. She has been a teacher of hearing impaired youngsters for over twenty years and is now Curriculum Coordinator for the program. She is admired, respected, and loved for her compassionate nature, her dedication, and her professionalism.
In January 2002, Pat was diagnosed with acute lymphocytic leukemia. She began an aggressive treatment of chemotherapy immediately after the initial diagnosis. In April of that year, Pat went into remission and it appeared as if the progress of her disease had been arrested. Unfortunately, last month she had a relapse of the leukemia and as this letter is being written, she is once again undergoing an aggressive regimen of chemotherapy. The critical nature of Pat's disease has her in need of a bone marrow transplant. In her own words, "a bone marrow transplant is my only hope for a cure." Pat is listed with the National Marrow Donor Program Registry in the hopes of finding an unrelated bone marrow donor. None of her immediate family members have been found to be a potential match. Pat is of Irish descent from County Leitrim. Research from Marrow Foundations and Leukemia Societies has indicated that since tissue types are inherited, patients are MOST LIKELY TO FIND A MARROW MATCH WITHIN THEIR OWN ETHNIC GROUP.
Her paternal grandfather was Bernard Kiernan of Aghavas in County Leitrim.
If you can help, here are the details:
Patricia Wallace Bone Marrow Drive
June 7th, 2003 - 11am to 4 pm
John A. Anderson Recreation Center
111 North Oceanside Road
Rockville Centre, NY
516-766-8002
Like to write? Time's running out for the 2003 Cincinnati Celtic Music and Cultural Festival writing contest. If you're interested, you can get the rules and other details here: http://home.fuse.net/cfl/writers-contest.html 