Welcome to the Irish Culture & Customs newsletter which is published every fortnight or so and sent out to going on 4700 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.ymlpr.com/pubarchive.php?Herself
If, for any reason, you wish to unsubscribe, instructions are at the very end - but we do hope you'll stay with us. And if you need to update your info' or change your email address, you can do that at the end, too.
ED. NOTE: To ensure that future mailings you receive from us aren't
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Greetings & Blessings to all,
We hope this first edition of the new year finds you in good health, good spirits and good company. And if this is your first issue, many thanks for joining us. We hope you will enjoy our musings and meanderings and if so, please feel free to pass them along to your family and friends.
Since last we wrote, the big news is the weather. It would seem that the entire planet is experiencing amazing extremes. Global warming? Not in Ireland. Or here in our Ohio Valley! For the last few days it's been bitter with temperatures below zero. This seems to be affecting our internet connection which has been on again, off again, and incredibly frustrating. One technician has already been and another one is due this coming Tuesday. Fingers crossed the problem will be fixed once and for all! Perhaps if we move to Florida?
Meanwhile, being off line gave Bridget time to clean up files which she had been meaning to do anyway. From close to 2000 emails filed away to be dealt with "later" she is now down to 200. We're more than a wee bit red-faced that some messages were nearly two years old! If you wrote to us and we haven't responded, please be patient. We do try to answer everyemail that comes in, even if it looks like we have taken Irish procrastination to a different level altogether!
Onwards.
Fourth quarter figures for 2008 are in and we'd like to thank all of our readers who helped support our efforts by purchasing products through Irish Culture & Customs. But, reflective of a tough economy, we didn't do as well as we did the year before. Thus, the following appeal:
It's January. And that means we do what we always do and reluctantly ask you to pass the hat. Many of you send us wonderful comments telling us how much you enjoy receiving our newsletter. We are truly appreciative of your kind words. But it would be really helpful if a small contribution was included with the compliments.
There are rewards:
For every donation over $5.00 we will send you an Irish Blessing lucky coin. And, for ALL contributors, even just a dollar, we'll be putting your name in a drawing to win one of several copies of the brand new novel - "Galway Bay" by Mary Pat Kelly. Bridget's Dad was from the Claddagh and she is eagerly looking forward to reviewing this story of people living through incredibly turbulent times who have everything taken away from them, yet somehow they survive and triumph. There are more details here:
http://www.littlebrown.co.uk/Title/9780446579001
As in past years, we will run our appeal for a month or so and we thank you in advance for any help you can give us. Donations can be made safely and securely via PayPal at:
http://www.paypal.com
and to this account:
bhaggerty@rishcultureandcustoms.com
or by snail mail to:
Bridget & Russ Haggerty
5814 Blue Spruce Lane
Cincinnati, OH 45224.
Go raibh maith agat! As always, Bridget imagines lines of postmen coming up the driveway with sacks of mail! We'll take pictures if it happens!
Enough of the blather...on with the update:
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IN THIS ISSUE:
News
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 Is
Events
Leave 'em Laughing
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NEWS
What follows are news clips from around the counties and elsewhere. Links for more news stories can be found on our web site where we post the latest headlines from Ireland every morning and we keep two week's of previous news: http://www.irishcultureandcustoms.com/01News/Home.html
And more county news can be found here:
http://www.emigrant.ie/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=68763&Itemid=23
General: Royal Dublin closes
It was with a great deal of sadness that we learned the Royal Dublin had closed and all of the contents where to be auctioned off. This was where Bridget met up with her cousins for the first time in 40 years. Fortunately, we still have the fond memories of a lovely afternoon sitting in the lounge over many rounds of drinks and lively conversation. On the other hand, Russ still cringes when he remembers trying to park the rental car in the hotel's liliputian parking lot under the building! If you'd like to read about the auction, please click
http://www.herald.ie/national-news/end-of-an-era-as-contents-of-historic-hotel-are-sold-off-1594117.html
And if you'd like to read about parking the car, please click here:
http://www.irishcultureandcustoms.com/Atravel/Driving1.html
Green light for longest bridge
Ireland's longest bridge is to be built as part of a new town bypass. An Bord Pleanala has approved the New Ross bypass, which will mean a second river crossing for the Co Wexford town. The new bridge from Ballymacar to Glenmore Hill will be 900 metres long and rise 40 metres above the water to allow ships to continue into New Ross port.
FROM AROUND THE COUNTIES:
Antrim: Chandelier returns to City Hall
The chandelier which was destroyed by a German bomb hitting Belfast City Hall in 1941 has been recreated and is now hanging once more in The Great Hall. The original fixture, with its one hundred bulbs, was damaged beyond repair, however, London-based craftsmen Dernier & Hamlyn were able to recreate the piece from the original drawings, which survived the bombing.
Carlow: Bagenalstown to fight for Georgian house
The residents of Bagenalstown are vehemently opposed to plans by a local businessman to demolish The Poplars, an early nineteenth century house in the centre of the town. The proposal has already prompted a petition signed by one hundred local people who want to see the house added to the list of protected structures.
Cavan: Culchie King to bring festival home
This year's King of the Culchies is Adrian McCabe from Ballyjamesduff, and he has ensured that the 2009 Culchie Festival, the twentieth anniversary of the event, will take place in his home town. The news was welcomed by Councillor Paddy Smith, who congratulated Adrian on his work in bringing the festival to the town, while festival organiser Paddy Rock spoke of the injection of capital and tourists the festival would generate for Ballyjamesduff.
Clare: Special event for Carrigaholt couple
The newspapers each year feature stories of babies born on New Year's Day, but one couple from Carrigaholt can claim a national first. Charlotte Bradley and Enda Roche became the proud parents of the first set of twins born in the country this year when Lauren and Amber arrived in the afternoon of New Year's Day.
Cork: Family friend provides cake surprise for Tracy
When Tracy Ahern married Kevin Cronin at Christmas, one of the talking points of the day was the wedding cake provided by an Ahern family friend, Brian Mulcahy. Brian is a pastry chef now based in London and his surprise gift to the couple was a ten-tier wedding cake which had been shipped in stages from London to Cork over the past few months. The final, and largest, tiers, had their own seat on a flight to Cork on Christmas Eve with Brian. The ten tiers featured some two hundred fresh red roses, as well as being decorated with snowmen made from icing, and other Christmas themes.
Donegal: Arranmore man expands his ferry service
Seamus Boyle, a soldier based at Finner Camp who set up his own ferry business in order to reach work in time, has just added a third vessel to his fleet to meet demand. The Arranmore islander found that the existing ferry did not leave early enough to allow him to get to his job as a fitter on time, and to return home in the evening. Beginning with twelve passengers each day, he expanded the service in the summer and added eco tours and angling trips. The newest ferry can carry small trucks and cars as well as some ninety-seven passengers, and Seamus is planning to leave his army job in a year or two to concentrate on further developing the ferry service.
Down: One New Year "baby" delivers another
There was a pleasing symmetry to the delivery of the first New Year baby at Daisy Hill Hospital in Newry this year, for the midwife who delivered the baby was herself a New Year baby forty-three years ago. Mary Jordan, who has worked as a midwife for the past eighteen years, was born in Daisy Hill and she was delighted to be on hand to deliver a baby daughter to Fave O'Reilly, originally from the Philippines but now living in Rostrevor with her husband and son. The little girl was born at just two minutes into the New Year, and weighed eight pounds seven ounces.
Dublin: Group retrace great escape
Recently, a group of runners and walkers set out from the gates of Dublin Castle to make their way to the Wicklow mountains, retracing the route taken by Art and Henry O'Neill and Red Hugh O'Donnell when they escaped from the castle in 1592. The event, which attracted some three hundred people, followed the route south over the Dublin and Wicklow mountains, covering a total distance of fifty-two kilometres.
Galway: The High Street loses a familiar face
High Street in Galway is to lose a familiar face, with the decision by the Kenny family to move their art gallery to join the bookstore on the Liosbán estate on the outskirts of the city. The Kennys have had a presence on High Street for almost seventy years, but the need to cut down on costs has prompted the move. The bookshop became an online service when it moved to Liosbán, but popular demand has meant that Des Kenny is now overseeing a new bookstore there. He will now be joined by his brother Tom, who will continue to oversee the Art Gallery.
Kilkenny: Emily follows in ancestor's footsteps
Emily Phelan from Michigan has followed in the footsteps of her great-great-great-great-grandfather when she walked down the aisle of St Mary's Cathedral in Kilkenny to marry Richard Thompson from Belfast. And not only did Emily marry in the same church as John Phelan, she also married a Protestant; John Phelan, a Catholic from Ballyragget, also married a northern Protestant, Susana Whittaker.
Leitrim: The Oarsman gets the nod from food critic
The Oarsman pub in Carrick-on-Shannon has been named as serving his favourite affordable pub lunch by food critic Paolo Tullio. In addition to praising the food, including the sausages made by Fingal Ferguson, Tullio also commended the menu itself, which had all the suppliers of the ingredients listed. The pub is run by Conor and Ronan Maher, whose parents Tom and Rosaleen run the Hollywell country house in the town. In addition to Paolo Tullio's recommendation, the pub has also won the inaugural Taste of the Waterways Award in this year's edition of "Georgina Campbell's Ireland - The Guide" and was included in both "Bridgestone's 100 Best Restaurants in Ireland 2008" and the "Michelin 'Eating Out in Pubs' Guide 2008".
Roscommon: Three designers head to Dublin fair
Three designers from the county are taking part in Showcase Ireland, the craft, gift, fashion and interior trade fair at the RDS. Ethel Kelly of The Claypipe Centre in Knockcroghery will present handmade clay pipes and the award-winning range of Ogham Wishes. Strokestown-based Naomh Padraig Handcrafts will have on display rushwork featuring St Brigid's crosses, baskets, willow creels and walking sticks, while Willow Design & Publishing will be showing their range of greeting cards, stationery, garden and gift products.
Tipperary: Abbey to undergo repairs
Athassel Abbey is to undergo the first stage of repairs to make it safe for visitors. Four years ago it was named as one of the world's one hundred most endangered cultural heritage sites but now the first part of a plan drawn up by conservationists is to be carried out. The walls of the abbey will be stabilised in the initial phase, while other work to be carried out includes the provision of a footbridge over the River Suir, the closure of burial sites beside the eight-hundred-year-old abbey, and protection against lightning and flooding.
Tyrone: Ghost-watching at Brackaville
The apparent spotting of a ghostly form in the Brackaville area of Coalisland led over the holiday period to a line-up of some sixty cars on the Mullaghmoyle road with people eager to spot the ghost. One local story is that the apparition is related to a woman who lived locally, while another has it that it is the form of a female hitchhiker. According to local councillor Desmond Donnelly, who is of a more sceptical frame of mind, the sighting is more likely to be a reflection of the moon on the river that flows through that part of the county.
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SPONSOR: Please help us keep your newsletter coming - visit our good
friends at Lollysmith:
Special days on the Irish calendar are just around the corner - St. Brigid's Day and the feast of St. Patrick! At Lollysmith, they offer appropriate gifts, including St. Brigid's Crosses, and St. Patrick rosaries. And for year round gift-giving, you'll find a wide array of fine Irish merchandise, from Hanna Hats & Caps to genuine Blackthorn Walking sticks, Connemara blankets and much, much more more. We're told a brand new shipment of walking sticks is due in any day; they're all different and what makes the Lollysmith site even more enjoyable is the name and description they give each stick!
http://store.yahoo.com/cgi-bin/clink?lollysmith+waspish+teandgrgi.html
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FROM THE MAILBAG
In our previous newsletter, Pat had a query about whether or not a ritual her mother repeated every New Year's Eve is Irish: At the stroke of midnight and after all the hugging and kissing is done her mom runs and opens the front door then goes to the back door and opens that as well. By the time she gets back to the front door the new year has breezed into the house pushing the old year out. She closes the front door then runs and closes the back door capturing the new year in our home.
Many readers wrote in to corroborate this custom as definitely being Irish! Grainne Rowland also said that she thought it originated on the Aran Isles. Another reader said her mother used a broom to sweep out the old year at the back door. Many thanks to all of you who sent in a response.
ED. NOTE: We were fascinated by a news item in the Irish Examiner which described New Year's traditions from all over the world:
In Venezuela people give each other yellow underwear to wear into the new year for good luck.
In many cultures fireworks are a symbol of light in the new year. While they are restricted the rest of the year in Iceland, on New Year’s Eve anyone and everyone is allowed to light the explosives.
Colombians and other South Americans who would like to travel in the coming 12 months walk around their house with a suitcase.
A tradition that began in Spain has been adopted in many Spanish-speaking countries: At midnight people eat one grape for every stroke of the clock, symbolising luck for each month of the year.
On New Year’s Day, in parts of Switzerland, people allow a drop of cream to hit the floor, to ensure overflowing abundance in the coming year.
At midnight the Danes make a wish as they jump off chairs, literally leaping into the new year.
Many Filipinos wear new clothes with deep pockets. They fill their pockets with coins and fresh bills on New Year’s Eve, and at midnight they shake them noisily to attract prosperity in the coming year.
In Ashikaga, Japan, people participate in the Akutare Matsuri, or the Festival of Abusive Language: They climb a hill to the 1,200-year-old Saishoji temple while screaming curses and railing at employers, teachers or politicians. After that catharsis, they welcome the new year with ceremonies in the temple to allow happiness to flow in the coming months. (We rather like this last one!)
Onwards:
Marta writes: I am trying to find out the meaning of something in a letter sent from Killyleagh, Ireland to a relative in the U.S. dated Nov. 1847. In the letter, the woman says, "Neither George's or Savage's people would the cup of ointment be taken to you." The "cup of ointment" was mentioned again in another letter she wrote. Do you have any knowledge of the significance of the "cup of ointment?" It was not close to any sentences that mentioned illness or death.
David Rafferty in Australia writes: I was told that there is an irish tradition whereby when a son is half his fathers age, the son has to do something special for the father. I will be 40 years of age in 2009 and my father will be 80.If this is true can you please let me know what it is called and what I am expected to do?
Paul Harvey writes: I have been trying to track down a quote by Patrick Pearse which said, "the only thing the Catholic church ever did for the Irish people was to put them on their knees." I've made several attempts to locate this through advanced google, coming up with nothing. Can you help me?
June Korte writes: I have inherited a set of 4 (napkins??) in Irish linen damask. They measure 31" x 20" and each one has a 3" silk tab sewn on the end. They are all hand hemmed. I have no idea what they are for, but think they are very old. Could you perhaps have an idea what they are and what is the silk tab for? Thanks.
Dee Bertsch writes: I was going thru a book and a poem fell out and I am trying to find out about it....
The poem's first few lines are:
Now all true men from hill and glen
that fought both far and near
to free our land from black and tans
And all that life holds dear.
God Bless the men that never gave in
but died on land to save now sleeps today
in hallowed clay within Their silent grave.
Paddy Boland who a soldier true would never bend the knee
at Erins call he gave up all that yet she might Be free.
Is this something you may be familiar with?
ED. NOTE: A brief search on the internet revealed the possibility that these might be lines from a song called the Legend of Paddy Boland, But we failed to turn up a complete set of lyrics or any confirmation of this.
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LINKS
Write a story for children competition
This is the most prestigious competition for unpublished authors of Children’s books in the UK, with over 2,000 entries received last year. For complete details, please click
http://www.theirishworld.com/article.asp?SubSection_Id=4&Article_Id=8144
The Irish Page
This time around, Jack & Vivian offer "Sadly the Blackbird calls". Her nest was shattered, her eggs broken, and her fledglings killed by a callous cowboy (cowherd). The poet who wrote the poem compares himself and his situation to that of the blackbird. A sad one indeed.
http://www.irishpage.com/poems/blakbird.htm
Irish Word a Day
If you'd like to learn irish one word at a time, here's a great way to do it. These good people will email youu the irish word of the day, plus an audio file so you can hear how it's pronounced, as well as how the word might be used in a phrase or sentence.
http://talkirish.com/blogs/wordaday/archive/2009/01/08/irish-word-a-day-teaghlach-family.aspx
The Story of Wrong Way Corrigan
This You tube video link sent in by our good friend Audrey tells the tale of Douglas Corrigan who never admitted that he purposely flew his plane east instead of west to end up in Ireland. Please click
The story of wrong way corrigan:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ttIEtl7j7k0
Jim Crotty launches new book
Jim is one of our generous Trivia Contest sponsors and we're pleased to announce that he has published a book called Beauty in Black and White. Take a peek here:
http://www.blurb.com/bookstore/invited/367014/83103221c9bdc377781d79688e81d39e
Cleary Brothers' Irish Pub
A daily cartoon strip about two brothers, Ian and Declan Cleary, the sons of Irish Immigrants, who own a neighborhood Irish bar. Please click
http://clearybrothersirishpub.com/aboutus.aspx
Calling Bands in Dublin & Vicinity
Do you need people to know of your upcoming Gigs? Are you a Band looking For Gigs? Does your band have news to share with people? Simply make a Post to Our Live Band Feed! and let people know you are out there. Please click
http://www.cityofdublin.ie
Free Mammograms
Do you know of a woman who can't afford a mammogram? Here's how you can help. Go to the Breast Cancer site and click on their free mammogram link; if they get enough clicks , they'll be able to donate at least one free mammogram a day to underprivileged women. It takes just a minute and there's no cost involved:
http://www.thebreastcancersite.com
ED. NOTE: Maria Eryaatz advises that free mammograms are also available in all states via the VNA (visiting nurses association).
http://www.vnaa.org/
Click on 'Find A VNA' for the your nearest location.
Free Pet Food!
Last but certainly not least - our ongoing gift to AG in California and all friends to animals, please click this link today and everyday. It only takes a second to feed an animal. Thanks!
http://www.theanimalrescuesite.com/cgi-bin/WebObjects/CTDSites.woa
Free People Food!
It only takes a second to feed hungry people, too:
http://www.thehungersite.com
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SPONSOR: Please help us keep our newsletter coming - visit our friends at the Celtic Attic:
Top O' The Morning to one and all. We want to express our sincerest gratitude for another wonderful year at the Celtic Attic. Thanks to everyone of you - our customers. As a small token of appreciation, until the end of January receive a $5.00 gift card with every order and a FREE GIFT with every order. So stock up for next year or buy early for St. Patrick's Day. All our Christmas items are 5% off and that discount will be taken off After your order is placed.
Order on line or by phone - and tell them Bridget & Russ said hello!
Order by phone: Tel: 360-765-0186
Order on line:
http://celticcallings.com/shopping/merchant.mvc?CSC&Affiliate=Bridget
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QUIPS, QUOTES, PROVERBS & TOASTS
"Most modern calendars mar the sweet simplicity of our lives by reminding us that each day that passes is the anniversary of some perfectly uninteresting event."
Oscar Wilde
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A BIT OF THE WIT
In deference to the upcoming inauguration, we thought a witty comeback by an Irish-American president would be appropriate:
Little Boy: Mr. President, how did you become a war hero?
President Kennedy: It was absolutely involuntary. They sank my boat.
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JOKE OF THE WEEK
This one came in just this morning from Rosie Jeffrey. Thanks, Rosie - we're still chuckling!
Red Headed Babies
After their baby was born, the panicked father went to see the Obstetrician.
'Doctor,' the man said, 'I don't mind telling you, but I'm a little upset because my daughter has red hair. She can't possibly be mine!!'
'Nonsense,' the doctor said'. 'Even though you and your wife both have black hair, one of your ancestors may have contributed red hair to the gene pool.'
'It isn't possible,' the man insisted.' 'This can't be, our families on both sides had jet-black hair for generations.'
'Well,' said the doctor, 'let me ask you this. How often do you and your wife make love?'
The man seemed a bit ashamed 'I've been working very hard for the past year. We only made love once or twice every few months.'
'Well, there you have it!' The doctor said confidently. 'It's rust.'
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DID YOU KNOW
Since winter is associated with colds and flu, here are some Irish "cures for common ailments:
1. To relieve a sore throat, you should chew a clove of garlic?
2. Some wool taken from a black sheep, and worn constantly in the ear, is a sure remedy for earache?
3. To cure a fever, place the patient on the sandy shore when the tide is coming in. The retreating waves will carry away the disease and leave him well?
ED. NOTE: We love that last one. Bridget's interpretation is that Russ should win the lottery and whisk her off to a beach in Bali!
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KNOW YOUR IRISH WRITERS
First off, the answers to our last quiz:
1. King Dan by Patrick M. Geoghegan
2. Cré Na Cille by Mairtin O'Cadhain
3. The Secret Scripture by Sebastian Barry
A round of applause and a couple of cyber pints pints to the following Irish literary sleuths:
Patricia Edwards
Here is one I don't think I've mentioned before but I've always loved folk songs that we used to sing at school.
http://www.musicanet.org/robokopp/irish.html
Hartson Dowd
A favourite Irish Site is
http://www.paddymagic.com/blessings.php
Helen Dowd
Kind lady that she is, she has been nominating our site. In all fairness and because it really is worth a visit, we nominate hers!
http://www.occupytillicome.com/
Larry McArdle
ED. NOTE: The McCardle family are from Alberta Canada. Larry writes: 'Im from Armagh, and came to Canada 51 years ago for what I thought would be a couple of years, but still here; I like it here, but my heart is still in Ireland even after all these years, God Bless, Larry and Claire McArdle.(They didn't nominate a favourite Irish site, but they did say some nice things about the newsletter. Thank you!)
Want to see your name and favorite web site in our next newsletter? Who wrote:
1. The Clatter of Forks & Spoons
2. From Tide to Table
3. Celebrity Kitchen: Recipes and Stories from Famous Irish
People
Send your answers to Bridget:
bhaggerty@irishcultureandcustoms.com
Don't forget to nominate a favorite Irish site and it would be helpful if you put "Know Your Writers" in the subject line of your email. Thanks!
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RIDDLE
To start off, the answer to our previous Mind mangler:
Q.What's the sociable tree, and the dancing tree,
And the tree that is nearest the sea;
The most yielding tree, the busiest tree,
And the tree where ships may be?
A. Sociable tree - Tea
Dancing Tree - Caper
Tree nearest the sea - Beech
Most Yielding tree - Rubber
Busiest tree - Medlar
Tree where ships may be - Bay
This is just one section of The Tree Riddle - a multiple set of posers which dates from the 19th. century. To solve it completely, you are required to identify 65 names of trees!
Congratulations to "Big Mama who not only was first in, but gave us a link where you can find the entire poser plus many others:
http://www.archive.org/stream/everybodysillust00lemoiala/everybodysillust00lemoiala_djvu.txt
And now for our next cranium cruncher from the same source:
Behead an animal and leave a grain
Behead a dance and leave a fish
Behead a gulf and leave a cave
Behead part of the neck and leave an animal
Behead a useful article and leave a beam.
The beheaded letters will form the surname of a famous American general.
Please send your answers to:
bhaggerty@irishcultureandcustoms.com
It would be helpful if you put riddle answer in the subject line.
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THE WEEK THAT WAS
SHOPPING SECTION: Please come visit some of the best Irish and Celtic shops on the internet or anywhere else:
http://www.irishcultureandcustoms.com/Shop/1Shop2.html
1. Article: A Cold Day in Hell
http://www.irishcultureandcustoms.com/AMisc/ColdayHell.html
2. Article: Counties of Ireland - Antrim
http://www.irishcultureandcustoms.com/ACounty/Antrim.html
3. Article: Poetry Corner - Padraic Colum
http://www.irishcultureandcustoms.com/Poetry/PadraicColum.html
4. Article: Emblems of Ireland:The Book of Kells
http://www.irishcultureandcustoms.com/AEmblem/BooKells.html
5. Article: Oiche na Gaoithe Moire
http://www.irishcultureandcustoms.com/ACalend/BigWind.html
6. Irish Kitchen: Traditional Bacon and Cabbage
http://www.irishcultureandcustoms.com/2Kitch/1Home.html
7. Basic Irish: A New Year
http://www.irishcultureandcustoms.com/3Focloir/Newyear.html
8. Kids' Ireland: A Wolf Story
http://www.irishcultureandcustoms.com/1Kids/WolfStory.html
9. Music Review: Whiskers in the Jar. If you're a cat lover and you like Irish trad, this parody of famous songs is a must have!
http://www.irishcultureandcustoms.com/Libr/zWhiskersintheJar.html
10. January Trivia Contest. The new contest is posted. All entries must be in by midnight January 31 no matter what time zone you live in.
http://www.irishcultureandcustoms.com/TriviaContest.html
December's Winner : Congratulations to Cathy Knapp, USA, who chose the James Joyce print generously provided by Dublin artist Roger Cummiskey.
11. Circle of Prayer: The eighth Novena in this cycle began on January 16th and will continue through January 24th. These continue to be very difficult times for so many people, especially families who have lost loved ones and those who have lost their jobs. Whatever your spiritual leanings, please keep the following in your prayers and meditations: Bill Smith's friend Karl; Irish Mary; Hartson; Mickey; the Mulvihills; the Dowd's missionary friends in India; Christy Banik, Joe Colum, Patricia's daughter Heather, the family and friends of the McTiernans, Pauline Dewberry, our daughter Catherine, Cyndi, Laureena Blankenship, Sierra Mitchell, Michelle Lester, Katie Lacinak and so many others including all military personnel serving their countries all over the world. Dear Heavenly Father, please keep them safe and bring them home soon.
http://www.irishcultureandcustoms.com/Blessings/CirclePrayer.html
12. Obama drawing. In recognition of this historic US election, Dublin artist Roger Cummiskey is offering just seven prints of a signed and numbered charcoal drawing. You can see it in the right-hand margin on our home page. If you are interested in this collector's item, please contact Bridget about how to purchase:
bhaggerty@irishcultureandcustoms.com
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So there you have it until we're back in touch. If you're celebrating a birthday, anniversary or other important event between now and then, we hope it's an occasion filled with joy and happiness.
We'll take our leave with this lovely old irish blessing:
Warm be the love that surrounds you;
Good be your friends, and true;
Constant be hope and promise;
Useful the work that you do;
Close be your family about you;
Good health be yours day by day;
Long be the life that you're living,
And full of much joy on the way.
And as they say in Ireland, mind yourself!
Slan agus beannacht,
Bridget & Russ
Get down on your knees and thank God you're still on your feet!
Celtic Blessing - sung by the St. Coca's Choir, from Kilcock, Co. Kildare
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CrS3kYW6du4
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ANNOUNCEMENTS & EVENTS
Please check with the Wild Geese - they have a huge listing of events and we don't want to duplicate their efforts:
http://www.thewildgeese.com/
If we receive a unique event not mentioned there, we will be happy to list it here.
Winston-Salem, North Carolina - Through January 30
Reflection: Politics and Religion in Art - an invitational exhibit featuring works by 16 women artists including two of Amy Funderburk's paintings: Mother and Child and Well of the Creatrix
For more details, please visit:
http://www.AmyFunderburkArtist.com
Dublin, Ireland - January 19
The Hep Cat Club, a new Swing/Jazz/Lounge club in 4 Dame Lane opens on January 19 and promises to be fun, friendly and relaxed with regular guest DJs playing a range of fabulous swing, jazz, jump jive, blues and lounge music from 9pm til 11pm. Check out this short film "Swing Talking" at
http://www.rte.ie/danceonthebox/films.html
Hollywood, Florida - February 21
The IRISH-AMERICAN CEILI CLUB presents SHARON O'MEARA & TOMMY GOODWIN at the American Legion Hall 211 North 21 Avenue, Holywood-FL Saturday, February 21, 7pm-11pm. Admission $12 members & $14 guests. Call 954-522-4948 for more info or Email Patrick: irish32@aol.com
For details about the club, please click
http://www.irishamericanceiliclub
Los Alamitos, California -1st Tuesday of every month
Friends of Ireland of Southern California Monthly Breakfast. Events are held on the 1st Tuesday of the month. Please call in 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
Portland, oregon - 1st Friday of the month
Ceili of the Valley Society - First Friday of the month Céilís and on-going 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.
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LEAVE 'EM LAUGHING
The following was sent in by "Irish Royal" - go raibh maith agat!
Newspaper misprints:
From The Irish Times:
" A whiskey museum will open, along with restaurants, pub and a magnificently plastered members lounge"
" Violence Delays Peace"
"Dead Man Injured In Crash"
"There is a high level of dissatisfaction among Irish Catholics with the sermons they hear at Sunday mass. The least favoured topics are appeals for money, sex and drugs."
Or how about the following headlines from various papers:
"Government Moves On Horses" (Dublin Northside People)
"Ballymun Garden Talks" (Dublin Northside People)
"Fish Study Agreement " (Irish Independent)
Or some misspelt adverts such as:
" Terminal knitwear half price" (from a Dublin clothes shop)
" Live Dancing every Thursday" (a Galway niteclub)
"For Sale--Male Donkey In Foal--Cheap" (Killarney Advertiser)
What about politicians - they seem to make mistakes all the time (or is it our fault for voting for them)?
Dessie Ellis ( a Sinn Fein councillor) placed an ad in a local paper which read,
" Dessie Ellis is available to provide practical assistance with housing, social welfare, rent, industrial relations and anti social behaviour "
The Drogheda Leader carried an advert for the failed Labour candidate, Shane Cassidy thanking all those who voted for him in the recent elections, which read:
" I look forward to call on you for your vote in 5 years Tim and I will be watching the premises of elected councillors on your behalf". It would appear that only one person, Tim, voted for Shane.
And we'll end these bloopers with one from the Sunday Tribune which described a dish in a menu as
:"Fresh mussles served with shite wine and cream. 