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Greetings & Blessings to all

Welcome to our January newsletter.

Well, here we are in the New Year. Now comes all the tedious work of taking down Christmas. It may seem later to you all but that’s because we don’t give the grandchildren their presents until Epiphany (January 6^th). We even postponed that until the 12^th(last Sunday) because everyone was working.

I’ve taken down the lights in the windows and some of the loose decorations indoors but I still have a lot to do; not least the tree.

With all the chaos this newsletter is late; I apologize.

You’ll find when you click through on the web site articles that it’s a bit prematurely St. Valentine oriented. I still have a few additional articles I’ll be putting up after a couple of weeks. I want that to be prompt and last a long time. Bridget loved Valentine’s day and we had many wonderful celebratory days in his honor. Yes, I still miss her very much. I suppose I always will.

Enough of my nattering.

Again my thanks for the contributions. Please keep them coming. I would like appropriate news 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

Phrase: St Valentine's Day
Irish: Lá Fhéle Vailintín
Pronunciation: law ay-leh val-in-theen
Phrase: Happy St Valentine's Day
Beannachtaí na Fhéle Vailintín
Pronunciation: Ban-ochth-thee na Fay-leh val-in-theen
Literally, Blessings of St. Valentine

LINKS

1. Irish island looking for two people to manage coffee shop

Great Blasket Island, Ireland — Calling all coffee and travel lovers. We’ve found your dream job.

A remote island in Ireland is looking for two people to serve as management for the island’s accommodation and coffee shop.

https://myfox8.com/2020/01/15/irish-island-looking-for-2-people-to-manage-its-coffee-shop-tmw/

This sounds like fun to me—Russ

2.Ireland to receive €30m in grants to help with move away from peat production

Ireland is set to be allocated €30 million in grants from a European Union green fund to help ease the transition away from peat production.

The money is expected to help with retraining workers at power plants like Moneypoint in Co Clare.

https://www.irishtimes.com/news/environment/ireland-to-receive-30m-in-grants-to-help-with-move-away-from-peat-production-1.4141041

This is smart – before all the peat is gone —Russ

3.Britain to commit two billion pounds to new Northern Irish government

"The UK Government will provide a 2 billion pound injection of financial support to the new Northern Ireland Executive which will end the nurses' pay dispute, transform public services, turbocharge infrastructure investment and address Northern Ireland's unique circumstances," it said in a statement.

https://kfgo.com/news/articles/2020/jan/15/britain-to-commit-two-billion-pounds-to-new-northern-irish-government/974891/

I can’t tell whether this will unite Ireland or not—Russ

4. First Look: Ireland’s new tiki bar gears up for opening

“I’ve been waiting years for the spike in demand. Every drink has a cycle.” Doug Leddin is talking about a shift towards rum. Vodka, whiskey and gin have all had their runs in the sun, and he believes rum’s time has come.

https://www.irishtimes.com/life-and-style/food-and-drink/drink/first-look-ireland-s-new-tiki-bar-gears-up-for-opening-1.4140583

Whoa, Ireland copies Tahiti? The weather doesn’t match—Russ

5. WATCH: Aer Lingus unveils new crew uniforms for the first time since 1998

Aer Lingus has revealed their new cabin crew uniforms, designed by Louise Kennedy, as the final piece to their brand refresh which began in 2018.

https://www.irishcentral.com/news/aer-lingus-uniform?utm_campaign=IC+FAV+-+Jan+15+-+2020-01-15&utm_content=Story1&utm_medium=Email&utm_source=Mailjet

Have a look they’re not very different to my eyes—Russ

6. WATCH: This 89-year-old has been teaching Irish dancing in Australia for 75 years

Geraldine Ryan, a native of Melbourne in Australia, is putting people half her age to shame as she maintains a busy schedule teaching Irish dancing, something she’s done for around 75 years.

https://www.irishcentral.com/culture/geraldine-ryan-irish-dance?utm_campaign=IC+FAV+-+Jan+15+-+2020-01-15&utm_content=Story6&utm_medium=Email&utm_source=Mailjet

Extrordinary—Russ

7. Tractor protest: Major traffic disruption expected in Dublin today

Gardaí have warned the public to expect major disruption to traffic in Dublin city centre on Wednesday due to a large protest by farmers over beef prices.

Over 400 tractors are expected to take part in what organisers are hoping will be the biggest turnout to date in a series of demonstrations to highlight low prices for beef farmers.

https://www.irishtimes.com/news/ireland/irish-news/tractor-protest-major-traffic-disruption-expected-in-dublin-today-1.4139952

It’s good to see the farmers are still going—Russ

QUOTES, TOASTS , CURSES AND BLESSINGS

They invented the three-day bank holiday weekend because you can't lump all the bad weather into just Saturday and Sunday.

A BIT OF THE WIT

My grandmother made dying her life's work.
Hugh Leonard

JOKE OF THE MONTH

A young lad had just gotten his provisional license. (learner's permit) He asked his father, who was a minister, if they could discuss his use of the car. His father said to him, "If you bring your marks up, study your bible, and get your hair cut, we'll talk about it." A month later the boy came back and again asked his father if they could now discuss his use of the car. His father said, "Well, son, I see that your marks have improved, you've studied your bible diligently, but you didn't get a hair cut!" The young man waited a moment and then replied, "You know dad, I've been thinking about that. Didn't Samson have long hair, Moses have long hair, Noah have long hair, and even Jesus himself have long hair?" His father replied, "They did so, and they walked everywhere they went!"

DID YOU KNOW

1. An Irishman, Jimmy Kennedy, from Co. Tyrone, wrote the song Red Sails in the Sunset?

And many others we never realized were written by an Irishman—Russ

2. The crocus, which flowers about this time in Ireland, is St Valentine's Flower?

I think the only one that blooms sooner is the snowdrop—Russ

3. According to Irish folklore, it's bad luck to take the Christmas decorations down before January 6?

That must be where Bridget got it—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. Text Box:

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:Oiche na Gaoithe Moire..

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

2. Article: The Turning Of The Sovereign Seal

http://www.irishcultureandcustoms.com/ACalend/1.21GreatSeal.html

3. Article: The Irish Link to St. Valentine

http://www.irishcultureandcustoms.com/ASaints/Valentine.html

4. Article: The Irish In Love

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

5. Article: The Irish In Love - part two

http://www.irishcultureandcustoms.com/ACalend/IrishinLove2.html

6. The Irish Kitchen: A Romantic Irish Menu for Valentine's Day

http://www.irishcultureandcustoms.com/2Kitch/rValentines.html

10. Basic Irish: The Language of Love - in Irish

http://www.irishcultureandcustoms.com/3Focloir/Lessons1.1.html

11. Kids’ Ireland: The Nightingale and the Rose

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

So there you have it until we write again - sometime in February.

If you are planning on getting married between now and then or tied the knot in the month of January, here is your special verse:

Marry when the year is new,

Always loving , kind and true.

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:

Blessing for the New Year
May the new year bring
The warmth of home and hearth to you.
The cheer and goodwill of friends to you,
The hope of a childlike heart to you.
The joy of a thousand angels to you,
The love of the Son and God's peace to you.

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

The Book

Potion, pope and perfidy

The second and final version is complete and available on Amazon. Text Box:

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

Two Irish women walking through the forest one day hear a voice coming from near a log."Help me." They lifted the log and underneath found a frog. "Help me " said the frog "I am an investment banker turned into a frog by an evil curse. I need to be kissed by a woman and I will turn back into an investment banker." One of the women grabbed the frog and stuffed it into her handbag. Aghast, her friend said, "Did you not hear the frog? He needs to to be returned to being an investment banker." "Listen", her friend said."these days a talking frog is worth a lot more than an investment banker."

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