Irish Culture & Customs May 2012 Newsletter

Greetings & Blessings to all,

Welcome to our June edition. We hope it finds you and yours in good health, good spirits and good company. Just joined us? Many thanks for signing up and we do hope you will share Irish Culture and Customs - both the web site and the newsletter - with your family and friends.

Since last we wrote...

June was filled with all sorts of events - Father’s Day, Bank Holidays everywhere (it seems), Bloomsday. Leaving cert and other final exams, the summer solstice, the hopes for Ireland in the Euro 2012, and now the Irish Open going on this weekend. You might as well know before reading any further that this issue is dedicated to golf - from quips to jokes and more. It’s difficult not to climb on another sports bandwagon after the disappointment of leaving Poland without even one win. (And you can be sure that next month, we’ll be all about the athletes from Ireland in the Olympics!) In any event, we hope that June’s collection of reasons to celebrate - or not - made it a month to remember - or not! Onwards.

Please pardon us while we wipe the sweat from our brow

We browse the Irish newspapers every morning and we’re not sure which is worse - the floods there or the forest fires here in the US. If you live in any of the places affected by the extremes of Mother Nature , we hope and pray you and yours are safe. Meanwhile, here in our Ohio Valley, the record-breaking heat wave continues - and thank God for the AC. Sad to say, many communities are thinking of canceling the usual July 4th fireworks due to the dry conditions. But after seeing the videos and pics from Colorado, that seems like such a non-issue. Whatever happens to the celebrations where our American readers live, we wish you and yours a safe and happy Independence Day! And let’s not overlook our neighbors to the north who celebrate Canada Day on July 1st. Thanks to the Dowds in British Columbia, we learned that it’s Canada’s 145th birthday.

And now for something completely different

One of our favorite summer activities is to watch the hummingbirds visiting our feeder; to add to the visual treat from our kitchen window, this year we added a finch feeder. We weren’t sure if the special yellow spiral design would work, but sure enough, just as the maker said it would, we have been blessed with not only the lovely yellow birds that remind Bridget of her mother’s canaries, but also purple finches. Between the birds, the squirrels, the deer, and the chipmunks, It’s like a continuous Disney movie - all we need is Snow White!

Enough of the bltherin’ - on with the update:

IN THIS EDITION:

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 Was

Events

Leave 'em Laughing

A word from our Sponsor: Lollysmith

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http://search.store.yahoo.net/lollysmith/cgi-bin/nsearch?lollysmith

FROM THE MAILBAG

Adrian writes...

I am an Australian member of Irish Culture and Customs, and I have lost touch with my 19 y.o. daughter who lives in Nenagh, Co. Tipperary, Ireland, and I was wondering if any of your members live there or come from Nenagh.

God Bless

Mattie Lennon writes:

I'm trying to locate the script of a play who was written, I'm told, about 1929. It was based on Canon Sheehan's "Glenanaar" and as far as I know the play was also titled Glenanaar. I would be thankful for any information on it.

Arlene writes...

Could you please tell me the correct spelling and definition of Slainte Wallegah? My grandmother from Ireland said it often... among other not so nice things. Many here have never heard the Wallegah part. Thank you and God Bless you both for what you do for all of us.

ED. NOTE: Did we miss posting a message from you? Mea Culpa. We get so much email, it’s easy to overlook one or more - and we really don’t mean to. Please write again and put a thump on the head in the subject line.

LINKS

Eucharistic Congress 1932 recording

When the Eucharistic Congress was held in Dublin in 1932, former Palestrina chorister Count John MacCormack sang ‘ Panis Angelicus’ in the Phoenix Park, backed by a choir of 500, led by members of the Palestrina. This new recording, in a unique tribute to the past and present, includes an original performance of Panis Angelicus by Count MacCormack and a new recording of the famous hymn by the current Palestrina tenor, Jacek Wislocki.

http://www.dublindiocese.ie/content/25102011-palestrina-choir-launch-unique-choral-tribute-past-and-present

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zL1_-sR9x8A

Eucharistic Congress 2012 Opening Day

Audio and slide show put together by the Irish Times.

http://www.irishtimes.com/indepth/slideshows/eucharistic-slideshow/

The Irish Page

This time around the Hennessy’s continue with their efforts related to food. here they cover the different times we eat each day.

http://www.irishpage.com/talk/talk(37).htm

Catholic Prayer Cards

Not all of our readers ar Catholic, but for those of you who are, this link provides a way to print high quality prayer cards either for yourself or to give to family and friends. With many thanks to Hart Sager for sending us the information.

http://www.turnbacktogod.com/tag/wallpapers/

Today in Irish History

So comprehensive that it’s tempting to consider replacing our history page on the web site with this one! Curated by Conor Cunneen - An Irishman Speaks - and well worth taking a look:

http://todayinirishhistory.com

Irish History Podcast - The Rock of Dunamase

The Rock of Dunamase is a stunning medieval ruin perched on a rocky outcrop a few miles east of Portlaoise, Co Laois. Overlooking the surrounding landscape the ruinous castle was once a formidable fortress. To read this podcast, please click on the link

http://irishhistorypodcast.ie/2012/06/19/the-rock-of-dunamase/

Just a beautiful song

In searching for another Irish tune, we found this moving version of Eist a Stor performed by Brian Kennedy and Maire Bhreatnach. Enjoy!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zL1_-sR9x8A

New online media resource for Irish speakers

Meon Eile (meoneile.ie) was launched in Belfast last Monday and aims to give browsers regular written news, sport, music and cultural features as well as videos in Irish

http://www.meoneile.ie/

But Doctor, I hate pink

Earlier this year, we decide to list only those links that had relevance to Ireland. We’re making an exception with this one sent in by one of our long-time loyal readers and supporters, Pamela Boyd Shields. Truth is, breast cancer and cancer in general impacts everyone, including the Irish.

http://www.butdoctorihatepink.com/2010/02/free-stuff.html

QUIPS, QUOTES, PROVERBS & TOASTS

Long ago, when men cursed and beat the ground with sticks, it was called witchcraft. Today, it's called golf.

A BIT OF THE WIT

Even if the ball was wrapped in bacon, Lassie couldn't find it. Heard from an Irish caddie, after a particularly bad shot.

JOKE OF THE WEEK

An oldie but goodie well worth repeating:

A Catholic priest and a nun were taking a rare afternoon off and enjoying a round of golf. The priest stepped up to the first tee and took a mighty swing. He missed the ball entirely and said “****, I missed.” The good Sister told him to watch his language. On his next swing, he missed again. “****, I missed.” “Father, I'm not going to play with you if you keep swearing,” the nun said tartly. The priest promised to do better and the round continued. On the 4th tee, he misses again. The usual comment followed. Sister is really angry now and says, “Father , God is going to strike you dead if you keep swearing like that.” On the next tee, Father swings and misses again. "!”**** !, I missed.” A terrible rumble is heard and a gigantic bolt of lightning comes out of the sky and strikes the nun dead in her tracks. And from the sky comes a booming voice.........

“****, I missed.”

ED. NOTE: This is just one of many from seven pages of Irish jokes on the web site. Here’s the link to page 1:

http://www.irishcultureandcustoms.com/Jokes/Jokes1.html

DID YOU KNOW

1. Ballybunion Old is Tom Watson’s favourite Irish course? In fact, he’s an honorary member and has served as honorary club captain.

2. Royal Portrush is the only course on the island of Ireland that has hosted a British Open?

3. Ceann Sebeal located on the Dingle Peninsula has the distinction of being the furthest west in Europe? The next course to the west is in Newfoundland!

KNOW YOUR WRITERS

First off, the answers to our last quiz:

1. Other Ireland by Mary Jones

2. Wild Ireland by Brendan Lehane

3. Irish Round Towers by Hector McDonnell

A round of pints and applause to the following Irish bibliophiles:

Don Kennedy

Tom McGuire

Kathleen Grady

Patrick Hayes

Eileen Buckley

Catherine Sheehan

And now for our next quiz. Who wrote:

1. A Course Called Ireland: A Long Walk in Search of a Country, a Pint, and the Next Tee

2. Emerald Fairways and Foam-Flecked Seas: A Golfer's Pilgrimage to the Courses of Ireland

3. The Life of O'Reilly: The Amusing Adventures of a Professional Irish Caddie

Hint: All three titles are on amazon. Click through the following link to find these and many other books about golf in ireland:

http://www.amazon.com/s/?_encoding=UTF8&tag=irishcultucus-20&linkCode=ur2&camp=1789&creative=9325&field-keywords=Irish%20golf&url=search-alias%3Dstripbooks

Please send your entries to:

bhaggerty@irishcultureandcustoms.com

It would be very helpful to put Book Quiz in the subject line. Thanks!

RIDDLE:

To begin with, the answer to our last Brain Bruiser:

Q: Come guess me this riddle, what beats pipes and fiddle

What's hotter than mustard and milder than cream

What best wets your whistle, what's clearer than crystal

What's sweeter than honey and stronger than steam?

If you know your Irish music, this would have been easy to solve. These are lyrics from the tune The Humours of Whiskey which continues:

What'll make the lame walk, what will make the dumb talk,

The elixir of life and philosopher's stone

And what helped Mr. Brunnell to build the Thames Tunnel

Wasn't it poteen from ould Inisowen.

As always, a toast to our Riddle People who came up with potcheen, poitin, the cratur, and crathur - all acceptable answers in addition to whiskey. But first in was Karin from Massachusetts who not only had the correct answer but also knew the song was written by Andy M. Stewart to the tune of the Battering Ram. Cheers, Karin!

And now for our next Mind Mangler:

You are in a car at a constant speed.

On your left side is a wall and on your right side is a fire engine traveling at the same speed as you.

In front of you is a galloping pig which is the same size as your car and you cannot overtake it.

Behind you is a helicopter flying at ground level.

Both the giant pig and the helicopter are also traveling at the same speed as you.

What must you do to safely get out of this highly dangerous situation?

HINT: Don't take this one too seriously.

Please send your answers to Bridget and put Riddle in the subject line. Thanks!

bhaggerty@irishcultureandcustoms.com

SPONSOR: Help support this newsletter and our web site by visiting our friends at The Celtic Attic:

What ever the celebration, from graduations to weddings, you will find the perfect gift at the Celtic Attic. Come browse and buy- PLUS, exclusively for our readers, take 10% off your order and get FREE shipping on orders over $50! The discount will be removed after you place your order. Just put the code IC01 in the ‘add a gift card’ section!

Contact the Celtic Attic on line or by phone - and tell them Bridget & Russ said hello!

Tel: 1-360-286-2307

On line:

http://celticcallings.com/shopping/merchant.mvc?Screen=SFNT&Store_Code=CSC&Affiliate=Bridget

THE WEEK THAT IS

1. Shopping Section: Naturally, we hope you and yours will do all of your shopping through Irish Culture & Customs and and the advertisers in our newsletter because for every sale, we make a small commission which goes a long way toward helping us cover the expenses of maintaining the web site and sending the newsletter. Many thanks in advance for your kindness!

ED. NOTE: Have you visited our newest advertiser - Celtic Collections? We encourage you to take a look at what’s on offer and to give you an idea, their slogan is Food & Finery from across the Pond. Plus, they provide something unique - the opportunity to host a Cupán Tae Home Show. Find out more here:

http://www.celticcollections.net/host-a-home-show.html

2. National News: We keep two week’s worth of headlines and links here: And we try to keep it all positive. http://www.irishcultureandcustoms.com/01News/Home.html

3. County News: The bits and bobs that used to come by mail are now on line here:

http://www.irishcultureandcustoms.com/01News/HomeCounty.html

4. New Poll Question : Who is your favorite golfer from Ireland? You’ll find the the link to the poll in the right hand margin of our home page

5. Article: A Dandy of an Irish Yankee...

http://www.irishcultureandcustoms.com/AMusic/GMCohan.html

6. Article: From our Front Porch - July 4th

http://www.irishcultureandcustoms.com/AMisc/FromFrontPorch.html

7. Article: What the Twelfth means to me

http://www.irishcultureandcustoms.com/ACalend/12thJuly.html

8. Article: Watching the weather on St. Swithin's Day

http://www.irishcultureandcustoms.com/ACalend/StSwithins.html

9: Article: Driving In Ireland Part Two

http://www.irishcultureandcustoms.com/Atravel/Driving2.html

10. The Irish Kitchen: Grilled Mountain Lamb and Salad

http://www.irishcultureandcustoms.com/2Kitch/rLamb1.html#GrilledLambandSalad

11. Basic Irish: Golf - Part 1

http://www.irishcultureandcustoms.com/3Focloir/LessonsB.html#Gael38

12. Kids’ Ireland: Never Forget Ireland

http://www.irishcultureandcustoms.com/1Kids/NeverForget.html

13. Music Review: The Dubliners

http://www.irishcultureandcustoms.com/AMusic/Ramoutar/Dubliners.html

ED. NOTE: We are hoping to have a new review soon

14. Circle of Prayer. Our third Novena in this cycle began on June 25th and continues through July 3rd. Whatever your spiritual leanings , please remember the following in your prayers or meditations: Denise Rose, Char Marshall and her family, Mary Quinn who just lost her mom and her brother Tim who was paralyzed in an accident; Gail Sweeney who also just lost her mother, the wife of Jack Donahue, Hartson Dowd who continues to stoically suffer through a series of on-going infections, JoAnne Kelly, the family and friends of the McTiernans, and so many others who are going through serious health problems as well as severe economic stress and strain. And last, but certainly not least, please ask God to watch over our men and women in the military; that He will keep them safe and bring them home to their families soon. http://www.irishcultureandcustoms.com/Blessings/CirclePrayer.htm

15. Trivia Contest: All entries for the June contest must be in by midnight tonight , whatever time zone you live in.

http://www.irishcultureandcustoms.com/TriviaContest.html

June’s winner: To be announced in the next newsletter.

SPONSOR:

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So that’s the long and the short of it until we write again...

In the meantime, Pinch Punch First day of the month, White Rabbit - and if you’re celebrating a birthday, wedding or anniversary in July, we hope it’s an occasion filled with joy, love and laughter. Before we forget, if you tied the knot this coming month or plan to, here’s your special verse:

Those who in July do wed

Must always labour for their bread

ED. NOTE: This somewhat sad saying probably stems from a time long ago in rural Ireland known as “Hungry July” which was right before the harvest and food was starting to become scarce.

We’ll take our leave with this appropriate Irish blessing:

May hungry July find your haggard full

And may the God of plenty watch over us all.

And, as they say in Ireland, mind yourself.

Slán agus beannacht leat!

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.

Celtic Blessing - sung by the St. Coca's Choir, from Kilcock, Co. Kildare

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CrS3kYW6du4

DID SOMEONE FORWARD THIS ISSUE TO YOU? Subscribe for FREE!

Send an email to: bhaggerty@irishcultureandcustoms.com

OR click on this link:

http://www.irishcultureandcustoms.com/Newsletter.html

ANNOUNCEMENTS & EVENTS

Irish Abroad publishes a list of events here:

http://events.irishabroad.com/List.aspx?public=1&event=1.

The Wild Geese also publishes events on its Facebook page:

http://www.facebook.com/IrishHistory?ref=ts

If you would like us to promote an event, please send details to Bridget and include the word event in the subject line:

bhaggerty@irishcultureandcustoms.com

Galway. Ireland - July 1

Ceili Mor in the Global Arena, South Park, Galway City from 1:00 - 4:00 pm Music by: Matt Cunningham Band. For more details, please visit the following web site:

http://letsdoitglobal.ticketsolve.com/

http://www.volvooceanracegalway.ie

Dublin, Ireland - July 11 & 12

Aidan Killian’s show "Take The Red Pill" has toured Ireland, and has sold out in the UK and New York; it will open your mind and then blow it by revealing how the banks & courts are complete frauds as well as leaving you with sore cheeks and a happy smile on your face. Really! For more details, please visit the web site:

http://www.10daysindublin.com/portfolio/aidan-killian-take-the-red-pill/

Cincinnati Oh - July 26

It’s Irish Book Club Night at the local chapter of Celtic Women International. What are you reading? Bring your favorite book to share - fiction, non-fiction, poetry or plays. 7:00 pm at the Irish heritage Center, 3905, Eastern Avenue.

Questions? Please contact Contact Cindi Matyi

matyi@fuse.net

Kilruddery House & Gardens, Co. Wicklow - July 29-August 5

Summer Festival of Opera presents the Veronica Dunne International Singing Competition. Advance booking required. For details, please visit the web site.

http://www.vdiscompetition.com/

Doneraile, Co. Cork - July 30th-August 5th

2nd Annual Literary Arts Festival. Following their highly successful inaugural festival last year they have expanded the event to include workshops in addition to the concerts, crafts, competions and more. For full details, please visit the web site:

http://www.literaryartsfestival.ie/index.html

ED. NOTE: Closing date for competition entries extended to July 15th.

Dublin, Ireland - August 1-August 18 (except Sunday)

Richard Ryan Productions and The New Theatre are delighted to announce the return by public demand of The Pitch by Shane Connaughton, Oscar nominated script writer of 'My Left Foot'

Previews Mon 30th and 31st July @ 8pm in The New Theatre, 43 East Essex St.

For complete details, please visit the web site:

http://www.thenewtheatre.com/tnt_php/scripts/page/show.php?show_id=90&gi_sn=4fef3239ad30f%7C3

Harriet Island, St. Paul, Minnesota - August 10-12

Join us on the banks of the Mississippi River for a three-day celebration of Irish heritage with music, dance, family activities and good craic. Since 2001, beautiful Harriet Island Regional Park in downtown St. Paul has hosted the Irish Fair. The festival is recognized as one of the most family-friendly events in the Twin Cities, one of the most authentic Irish festivals nationwide. For complete details, please click

http://www.irishfair.com/content/festival-information/

Esopus, New York - August 27-September 1

Daltaí na Gaeilge will hold their week-long Irish Language Immersion Program, from Monday morning through Saturday noon. This year Daithí Mac Fhlaithimh will be back to instruct the very fluent students. And they will be offering a pre-school program and separate classes for children as well. For General Information, Directions and a Registration Form, please click on the link:

http://www.daltai.com/shop/products.php?product=Irish-Immersion-Week-%252d-August-27-to-Sept.-1%2C-2012

ON-GOING

IRISH HERITAGE CENTER - CINCINNATI. OH

From Bodran Classes to Irish Fiddle sessions and much, much more, there is always something going on to celebrate Ireland & the Irish. For complete details about all events, please click

http://www.irishcenterofcincinnati.com/

IRISH AMERICAN CEILI CLUB - HOLLYWOOD , FL

Their 41st year is just around the corner. The venue has been booked. The bands have been signed. The next meeting is October 10, 2012. For the full schedule please visit the web site:

http://www.irishamericanceiliclub.com/nextceili.htm

Questions? Please contact Patrick O’Dea, President:

Irish32@aol.com

FRIENDS OF IRELAND - LOS ALAMITOS, CA

Friends of Ireland of Southern California Monthly Breakfast. Events are held on the 1st Tuesday of the month. Please call in an 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

CEILI OF THE VALLEY SOCIETY - Portland OR

First Friday of the month Céilís and ongoing 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.

ALWAYS LEAVE ‘EM LAUGHING

Sean met a woman at a luxurious resort and fell head over heels in love with her. On the last night the two of hem went to dinner and had a serious talk about how they would continue the relationship. Sean began by saying to his new lady friend that while she meant a lot to him, "It's only fair to warn you that when I'm at home I am completely consumed by golf. I eat, sleep and breath golf. so if that's a problem,you'd better say so right now." "Well, since we're being honest with each other, here goes," she replied. "I'm a hooker." "I see," replied Sean, and was quiet for a moment. Then he added, "You know, it's probably because you're not keeping your wrists straight when you tee off."

ED. NOTE: As of this writing, the only Irish golfer in the top ten at the Irish Open is Padraig Harrington. We’ll be rooting for him and all the other players from Ireland this weekend.