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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 and I still have to water my roses (Bridget’s roses, actually). I don't remember if I mentioned I'm doing this Newsletter with a new word processor and I haven't figured it all out yet. This is my excuse for being even later than I was before. Please forgive my delay again. I hope all of you are doing better than I am.
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
Up 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
Basic Irish: Horse Racing
Horse-racing is extremely popular in Ireland. To give an example - the attendance for Ladies' Day at the Galway Races is always in the tens of thousands, rain or shine.So, whether or not you fancy an occasional flutter, we hope you enjoy our latest lesson.
Phrase: Horse-racing
Irish: rásaíocht na gcapall
Pronunciation: raw-see-ukth nah gopp-ull
Word: Jockey
Irish: marcach
Pronunciation: mahr-kahkh
Links
1. Inishowen, Donegal: Ireland's poitin republic
Distilled from barley, poitin is a strong, clear alcoholic spirit, first outlawed in the 17th Century.
While it was ever-present across Ireland since first being produced hundreds of years earlier, poitin production reached its peak in the early 19th Century, with thousands of gallons being made annually after taxes on whiskey were increased.
https://www.bbc.com/news/world-europe-62590485
2. Urgent Ireland seagull warning as 'extremely aggressive' birds could 'spread infection'
Rentokil’s Richard Faulkner said: “We are issuing a warning to the public to treat gulls and other pest birds with caution this month.
“This period of the year sees increased activity from gulls as it’s their nesting period.
“The main proportion of callouts for gulls and other pest birds this year are originating from urban areas which offer birds easy access to food waste and tall buildings can mimic cliff tops where birds such as gulls would nest.
https://www.irishmirror.ie/news/irish-news/urgent-ireland-seagull-warning-extremely-27777194
3. ‘I Want The Players To Show Intent And Ambition’ – McWilliams
Everyone has worked incredibly hard on the pitch and it is a privilege for me to lead this group on a first tour,” he said.
“Off the field they’ve had the opportunity to get to know each other better and to grow as a group. This is a perfect place to be, in this incredible site.
“There’s a real sense of calm and I hope the players feel that going into the weekend.”
https://www.irishrugby.ie/video/i-want-the-players-to-show-intent-and-ambition-mcwilliams/
4. Cork hiker's body repatriated to be buried in Ireland
Laura Marcelin, 44, a healthcare worker, was taking part in the Great Wilderness Challenge on Saturday when she collapsed. Although emergency services rushed to her rescue at Inveran, Ms Marcelin could not be saved.
https://www.irishexaminer.com/news/munster/arid-40943240.html
5. Ireland's first LEGO store opens in in Dublin
The grand opening took place at 9am after it was announced earlier this year that the store would be coming to the capital city.
https://www.irishpost.com/news/irelands-first-lego-store-opens-in-in-dublin-238656
6. Suspected Russian 'spy ship' spotted loitering off coast of Ireland after 'going off track'
A Russian naval ship has been spotted off the coast of Ireland after appearing to go off its expected track.
It immediately came to the attention of experts who track Russian naval activity after it didn't turn south-west after leaving the English Channel as expected.
https://www.irishmirror.ie/news/irish-news/suspected-russian-spy-ship-spotted-27765381
7. AAIDN founder travels to Ireland to promote Black and Green common ground
Every Irish American is familiar with the searing images of a dispossessed people having to leave Ireland during the Great Hunger — an exodus that grew the Irish diaspora exponentially.
However, one aspect of the Irish Diaspora that hasn't (until recently) been extensively explored is the African-American Irish diaspora.
https://www.irishecho.com/2022/8/feile-2022-african-american-irish-links-examined-in-exciting-talk-on-our-shared-history
QUOTES, 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)
Mine too—Russ
JOKE OF THE MONTH
This one is adapted from one sent in by Barry at Kellys in the Bahamas - thank you!
Mike wakes up at home with a huge hangover. He forces himself to open his eyes, and the first thing he sees are a couple of aspirins and a glass of water on the bedside table. He sits up in bed and sees his clothing in front of him, all clean and ironed. He looks around the room and sees that it is in perfect order, spotless. He takes the aspirins and sees a note on the table which says "Breakfast is on the stove, dear. I left early to go shopping. Love you!" He goes to the kitchen and sure enough, there's a hot breakfast waiting for him, and also the morning newspaper. His son is sitting at the table, eating. Really curious by now, Mike asks, "Son, what happened last night?" His son says, "Well, Mam said you came home after 3 a.m, you stumbled in the door, threw up in the hallway, and passed out half-way up the stairs. Confused, Mike asks, "So, why is everything in order and so clean, and breakfast is on the table waiting for me?" His son replies, "Oh, that! Mam dragged you to the bedroom, and when she tried to take your trousers off, you yelled "Leave me alone woman, I'm a married man"
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
St. James's Gate Brewery is built on the site where, since medieval times, Dubliners held an annual drinking festival every 25th July to celebrate the feastday of St. James?
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:
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: Ladies' Day at the Galway Races
http://www.irishcultureandcustoms.com/ACalend/GalwayLadies.html
7. Article: The Galway Races - Enough Raw Material for A Trilogy of Novels
http://www.irishcultureandcustoms.com/ACalend/GalwayRaces3.html
8. Basic Irish: Horse Racing
http://www.irishcultureandcustoms.com/3Focloir/HorseRacing.html
9. Kids’ Ireland: The Remarkable Rocket
http://www.irishcultureandcustoms.com/1Kids/Rocket.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.
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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
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 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
