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Welcome to the Irish Culture & Customs newsletter which is published every weekend and sent out to more than 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
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Greetings and blessings to all,
A warm welcome to all of you - especially our newest subscribers. Thanks for signing up and please feel free to forward this issue to family and friends.
We hope this week's edition finds you and yours healthy, contented and in good company. Happy first official day of Summer to all of our readers in the States and Canada - and happy Midsummer's day to everyone else enjoying the season. Weather-wise, it couldn't be more perfect; we have almost cloudless skies, temps in the mid-seventies, and virtually no humidity. It's the kind of day when we should be out playing in the dirt (as our friend Judith describes her gardening activities!) And that's the plan as soon as we send this off.
If you're in Ireland, this is truly a landmark day with the official opening of the Special Olympics in Dublin - the first time it's been held outside the USA. It's estimated that more than a billion people will be watching the ceremonies which are being broadcast in their entirety by RTÉ. To tune in, please click:
http://www.rte.ie/tv/index.html
It's also the beginning of Summerfest in Killarney, the celebration of the Summer Solstice on Tara Hill, and the day when Galwegians vote yes or no on saving the trees in Eyre Square. There's 90 of them, and from what we've heard, they're all perfectly healthy; they just don't fit in with a new scheme for the square! (We're in favor of keeping the trees!)
Will you be travelling to Ireland from the USA, or vice versa, anytime soon? Much tighter security measures have been put in place and you should warn any Irish people you know who may be in the US without proper documentation - ff they leave the country, they will be blocked from re-entry. Also, as of October 1, 2003, visitors on an Irish passport must have a machine-readable passport if they wish to enter the US. (US citizens and green card holders are not affected by this change); and US citizens with an Irish passport must leave and enter the US on their US passport. Such is the way of the world we live in these days. Sigh.
On a much lighter note - A New Zealander just failed to beat the sheep-shearing world record during the All-Ireland Sheep Shearing Championships in Wexford last weekend. James Fagan sheared a sheep in 19.6 seconds and helped his team win the first-ever New Zealand-Ireland International Test. The three-man teams each had to shear 15 sheep, and were judged on the quality of shorn wool, appearance of shorn sheep and speed.
And as always, we received interesting messages in the mailbox: Clara Byrne entered our Writer's Quiz, but didn't include a favorite website; so, we wrote and asked her to nominate one. Here's what she told us:
"On Saturday, June 21 the Irish ambassador and other dignitaries will be in Tilting (Newfoundland) to declare it an historic village. I will be there. I have been to Ireland a couple of times and visited the town of Dungarvan where my ancestor Thomas Burke came from in 1752 (or thereabouts). I am president of The Tilting Expatriates which is an association that began almost 20 years ago here in St. John's where many of us live and wanted to get together for something other than wakes. We have expanded and now have an annual magazine, a quarterly newsletter and the annual Colcannon (Food, liquid refreshment and music)."
We hope you're having a great time today, Clara! (BTW, if you'd like to visit the Tilting website, it's listed below under the Writer's Quiz.)
We also heard from IRISH AIRES in Houston, Texas. If you listen to this radio program, they want you to know that the time has been changed to Saturday evenings from 6:30 pm to 7:30pm.The management of KPFT says this is a summer schedule and they hope to return to Sundays in the future. If you'd like to tune into Irish Aires, here's the URL:
http://ourworld.compuserve.com/homepages/Irish_Aires/homepage.htm
And then there's the riddle. You'll find this week's poser and answer at the end.One more thing before we get on with the update - statistics appear to confirm that the Irish are among the most talkative of peoples. The average Irish mobile phone subscriber spends 188 minutes per month talking on the phone! With that, enough of the blather!
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Please help us keep this newsletter free by visiting this week's sponsor: Celtic Attic Summer Sale Spectacular has been extended through June! Purchase $50.00 or more from the Celtic Attic throughout the last week of June and receive a FREE Window Sticker! Varieties available are: Ireland or Scotland! Retail
Value $2.50. To see these stickers - follow the link:
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Celtic Attic also announces the final week of the Ring in the Summer Free Giveaway Spectacular! Click on the link below to enter now!
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NOTE: If you make a purchase, please include the code IC46 on the order form; this will tell all the nice folks at Celtic Attic that you came from Irish Culture & Customs. Many 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?
New This Week
The Week Ahead
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A BIT O' THE WIT
Father O'Malley was going through the post one day. Drawing a single sheet of paper from an envelope, he found written on it just one word: "FOOL." The next Sunday at Mass, he announced, "I have known many people who have written letters and forgot to sign their names. But this week I received a letter from someone who signed his name and forgot to write a letter."
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OUR FAVORITE JOKE OF THE WEEK
Father Murphy went out one Saturday to visit his parishioners. At one house it was obvious that someone was home, but nobody came to the door even though the priest had knocked several times. Finally, he took out his card and wrote "Revelations 3:20" on the back of it, and stuck it in the door: "Behold, I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears my voice and opens the door, I will come in to him and dine with him and him with me." The next day, the card turned up in the collection plate. Below Father Murphy's message was the notation "Genesis 3:10": "I heard your voice in the garden and I was afraid because I was naked; and I hid myself."
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DID YOU KNOW...
1. Guinness's fermenting vessel ferments 2,304,000 pints at one brewing?
2. According to old custom, a piece of candle, a coin and a small quantity of wine or spirits should be placed next to someone who has died? The candle was to give the deceased light, the coin was to pay the fare over the river of death, and the liquor was to sustain him or her on their journey.
3. Mass has been celebrated every Sunday at Ballintobber Abbey in Co. Galway since 1216?
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QUIPS, QUOTES & ANECDOTES - PROVERBS & TOASTS, TOO
Hartson sent us an old, familiar toast - and a recipe!
"Here's to being single.... drinking doubles....and seeing triple."
Recipe: Bailey's Float - definitely not for the kiddies; and not for dieters, either!
3 scoops vanilla ice cream
1/4 cup Baileys Irish Cream
3/4 cup cola
Place the ice cream in a tall soda glass, pour the Bailey's over the ice cream, and fill the glass with cola. Serve with a spoon and a straw.
Makes 1
But don't indulge too much - Hartson also sent this old Irish proverb:
Is milis dá ól é ach is searbh dá íoc é. It is sweet to drink but bitter to pay for.
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KNOW YOUR IRISH WRITERS & IRISH-RELATED BOOKS?
The answers to last week's quiz:
1. In My Father's Time - Eamon Kelly
2. Changing Fathers: Fatherhood and Family Life in Modern Ireland - Kieran McKeown, Harry Ferguson, Dermot Rooney
3. Faith of our Fathers: the formation of Irish nationalist ideology, 1890-1920 - Maurice Goldring
Clap your feet for this week's Irish bibliophiles:
Dallas Franklin
Sell Writing Online - Come feast your eyes upon a writing smorgasboard and sub*scribe to Dallas's Fr*ee SWO Newsletter. Sharing Writing markets, Articles to help you, and a cornucopia of goodies. Promote your Website/Book for Fr*ee in each issue. Come taste a sample and sub*scribe at:
http://sellwritingonline.com/newsletter.html
Clara Byrne
My favourite website is rather dated but has quite a few interesting items about the village where I was born. It is on the northeast coast of Newfoundland and was settled in the mid 1700s by Irish fishermen from the Waterford, Cork and Wexford areas.
http://www.geocities.com/tiltingexpatriates
Hartson Dowd
For Irish Clipart for your letters & cards
http://www.eirefirst.com/clipart.htm
Helen Dowd
For a story out of the past, click on: http://occupytillicome.online-ministries.com/storypoems/messages/17.html
Also, for a lot of good reading by several authors, go to: http://missionmagazine.tdlofton-ministries.net/ - Mission Magazine. And, if you need an angel today, please visit my website at: http://occupytillicome.online-ministries.com/
Diedre McKiernan-Hetzler
According to Terry Flynn Tours of Ireland, who has the longest continuously running tour from the States to Ireland? The McKiernans of Irish Books & Media:
http://www.irishbook.com/tours.htm
NOTE: We only just learned that Diedre is an ordained minister and today she will be the celebrant at her daughter's wedding; we hope all goes well and send our congratulations and very best wishes to the bride and groom.
Judith Flynn
Decorate your home with a Celtic twist - visit my new favorite place to shop: Celtic Attic!
http://www.celticattic.com
Ellen Parodi
Namely Gifts at http://namelygifts.com
Personalized Name Keepsakes and Gifts
Featuring gifts for the Graduate:
http://namelygifts.com/Graduation.htm
Sheelagh MacCarthy
I really enjoy the writings of novelist Cormac MacCarthy and this is my favorite site. (No, I'm not related!)
http://www.cormacmccarthy.com
Peter Herlihy
If you're planning on playing a round or two of golf in Ireland, this is a great site:
http://www.bunkers-ireland.com/enq.html
Want to see your name and favorite site in our list of literary sleuths? Try to find the following authors - we assure you, it's really easy! Who wrote:
1. The Rain at the End of Summer
2. West of Ireland Summers
3. No Shoes in Summer
Hint: All three titles can be found here:
http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/redirect?tag=irishcultucus-20&path=tg/detail/-/0835608158/qid%3D1056203519/sr%3D2-3%3Fv%3Dglance%26s%3Dbooks
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. Home Page - See what's new at a glance and note our new navigation bar at the top. We hope this will make it easier for you to find what you're looking for:
http://www.irishcultureandcustoms.com/index.html
2. Article: The Raccoon Caper - Ms. Half & Company: Many of you have asked for this, so we've published the story at a special URL accessible only to you and by clicking through here:
http://www.irishcultureandcustoms.com/personal/racoons.html
3. Article: In My Father's Time
http://www.irishcultureandcustoms.com/AWriters/EamonKelly.html
4. Article: St. John's Eve, Part 1
http://www.irishcultureandcustoms.com/ACalend/StJohnsEve.html.
5. Article: St. John's Eve, Part 2
http://www.irishcultureandcustoms.com/ACalend/StJohnsEve2.html
6. The Irish Kitchen: Rhubarb Crumble
http://www.irishcultureandcustoms.com/2Kitch/1Home.html
7. Basic Irish - Our bi-weekly lesson is devoted to golf; this is the first of a two-part lesson
http://www.irishcultureandcustoms.com/3Focloir/1Home.html
8. Circle of Prayer: Novena #7 in this cycle began on June 19 and will continue through June 27. We are delighted to report that our prayers for "Steve" appear to have been answered. He was critically injured on the job a few weeks back, but is now home from the hospital; while he still has a ways to go, the prognosis seems to be good. If you would like to join is in prayer or meditation, please click:
http://www.irishcultureandcustoms.com/Blessings/CirclePrayer.html
9. Irish News: Headlines for the past week
http://www.irishcultureandcustoms.com/01News/Home.html
10. This month in Irish History:
http://www.irishcultureandcustoms.com/02Hist/6June.html
11. Shop Irish: We've had some very positive comments on our new arrangement of products; so, go take a look and if you see something you like, by all means indulge. Every purchase made through the site helps to support our efforts. Thank you.
http://www.irishcultureandcustoms.com/Shop/1Shop1.html
NEXT WEEK, GOD WILLING:
Bridget has in mind to do a piece on Gregory Peck who had very close ties to Ireland; we'll also have part two of our golf-related Irish lesson; tomorrow, we'll have a new blessing; on Wednesday, we'll have another quote; a new recipe is in the queue, and daily, we'll update the news and history.
So that's about it, except for Herself to say thank you to all the nice folks who sent birthday greetings (and to one special GA who sent a present!) As for the riddle: The answer to last week's is Time - add two hours to 11 o'clock and you get 1 o'clock. Well done to all of you who figured it out. And now for the new stumper - we really like this one:
Curtail me thrice, I am a youth; behead me once, a snake.
Complete, I'm often used, in truth, when certain steps you'd take.
What Am I?
Until next time, we pray that you and yours will enjoy a week filled with abundant blessings, health and happiness. May God hold you in the palm of His hand, but not close His fist too tight on you - 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 keep this newsletter free by visiting one of our newest sponsors: O'Beans Irish Soda Bread Mix
Along with the potato, the mainstay of the traditional Irish diet was bread. We remember our mothers baking soda bread two or three times a week and now, with our authentic mix, you can do the same. It's extraordinarily easy to make - just add water. Choose white or wheat - they're both delicious and the perfect accompaniment to a wide range of dishes. Our mixes will also keep fresh for months on the shelf. So stock up now - great for gifts, fund-raisers, or use in a business, such as a pub, restaurant or B&B. To learn more, or to order, please visit us online:
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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 in Philadelphia until June June 23rd. She will then sail to Burlington City, New Jersey where she will be docked from June 23 until June 25. For details on her next ports-of-call, please click
http://www.jeaniejohnston.ie/voyage.asp?id=3
Ocean Grove, NJ - June 28
Ronan Tynan in Concert:
http://www.oceangrove.org/saturdaynights.htm
Covington, Kentucky
The 20th Annual Cincinnati Feis (pronounced fesh), will be held on Sunday, June 29, 2003 at the Northern Kentucky Convention Center in downtown Covington, beginning at 9am. Admissions is $5; children under the age of 12 are admitted free with an adult. The Northern Kentucky Convention Center is located at Rivercenter Boulevard and Madison in downtown Covington. For further information please call (513) 984-2308 or (513) 871-0083.
Cleveland, Ohio - Friday June 27, through Sunday June 29
The Ohio Irish Festival
Held at the Nautica Entertainment Complex
http://www.nauticaflats.com
Easton, PA - June 28:
Fourth annual one day Irish Fest
Entertainers for the day are Seamus Kennedy, the Willie Lynch Band and Celtic Crossroads. For more info', contact Jim McGinley at (610)
776-0630 or e-mail at jmcginley@rcn.com
Pittsburgh July 7-July 25
Celtic Camp Returns
The camp is a Celtic cultural immersion experience for kids 5 to 12. The campers receive instruction in: Irish Gaelic, Tin Whistle, Ceili and Step dancing, as well as workshops on the heritage and history of the 6 modern Celtic countries, making a variety of Celtic arts & crafts, listening to the stories, legends and music from the various countries, learning about Gaelic sports, cooking ethnic dishes, participating in Highland Games, learning about the bagpipes, visits from the likes of St. Patrick...all ending with a ceili on July 25th. The camp runs for 3 weeks, beginning July 7th and ending July 25th. Campers may attend all three weeks or one or two as suits your schedule. Camp activities are from 9-4, but we are open 8-6 to accommodate work schedules. The cost is $160 per week with a limited number of scholarships available. The location is the River Valley School in Regent Square, 1 block off the Parkway East. We are also offering a variety of other camps throughout the summer, you might consider joining us for King Arthur's Court, Colonial America, or Mythical Beasts. For information contact Peggy Dague at peigicsa@yahoo.com or by phone at 412-247-9133.
Dun Laoghaire, Dublin, Ireland
Festival of World Cultures - August 22-August 24
Arts festival celebrating cultural diversity through an extravaganza of internationally acclaimed acts including music, film, circus, theatre, dance performances, club nights, markets, exhibitions, workshops & children's activities.
http://www.festivalofworldcultures.com
Cultural Holidays on Inis Mór
Walking the Ancient Celtic Way - August 2-9 2003
For more information, please click: http://www.irish-culture.ch
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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