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

 

Greetings & Blessings to all

 

Welcome to our June newsletter.

June was my favorite month. ..Um, this year, excepting the Cicadas, because June 14^this my sweet Bridget’s birthday. Unfortunately now it’s also the anniversary of my sweet Bridget’s passing away on June 4^th . On the Irish side it’s also about Bloomsday, that is the name of James Joyce’s protagonist from Ulysses. I wish I was in Ireland to join the celebration or, should I say, memorial, of Leopold Bloom’s saga. Bridget would have been 75 this year. I know, if Bridget was here, there would have been more hilarity and bad jokes. I have to keep myself busy to get passed it all. I hope you will all celebrate all these historic events. I still haven’t finished Ulysses but I Intend to keep at it. It’s not an easy read; even Joyce acknowledged that. Oh, my daughter, Catherine who is very much like her mother, sent a bouquet of flowers for Bridget’s birthday which, of course, is just what her mother would do. I have to call her later and tell her thank you.

 

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:

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

Word: Gardening
Irish: garraíodóireacht
Pronunciation: gar-ee-uh-dhohr-ukth

Word: Garden (in the US Yard)
Irish: gáirdín or garraí
Pronunciation: gawr-djeen or gahr-ee

Word: Gardener
Irish: garraíodóir

Pronunciation: gar-ee-uh-dhohr\

Links

 

1.Timetable for 'as Gaeilge' act now a reality - McDonald

Sinn Féin leader Mary Lou McDonald has said her party will be "vigilant" in ensuring that the DUP will not obstruct any Irish language legislation that is passed by Westminster.

She was speaking after the British government agreed to introduce an Irish language act in Northern Ireland if the Stormont Assembly fails to do so by the end of September.

https://www.rte.ie/news/2021/0617/1228582-new-stormont-agreement/

Here’s a good start; I’ll try to follow it—Russ

2.I expected everyone in Ireland to be drunk and Dublin to be dangerous, but I’m a big fan now

When Stewart Moll was in his mid-30s he wrote a list of exactly what he was looking for in his dream woman. It was 2001 and he had been offered a work transfer to Ireland, where he would spend three months in Dublin. Before leaving, his mother urged him to try to find a wife in Ireland. When he brought this up with a friend, she suggested he jot down what he wanted from a life partner.

https://www.irishtimes.com/life-and-style/people/i-expected-everyone-in-ireland-to-be-drunk-and-dublin-to-be-dangerous-but-i-m-a-big-fan-now-1.4590865

I wasn’t surprised when I went the first tiem—Russ

https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-northern-ireland-57492549

mmmm—Inch by inch—Russ

4. Sharp increase in trade across Irish border in April

The value of NI exports to Ireland more than doubled year-on-year from €137m to €296m (£117m to £255m).

Those figures are likely affected by a generally reduced level of trade in April 2020 due to the pandemic.

However for the whole January to April period NI exports to Ireland were up by 60% to more than €1bn (£859m).

https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-northern-ireland-57484741

This figures—Russ

5. NI Assembly approves Irish/Ulster-Scots translation plans

If it’s not one thing—it’s another—Russ

6. James Joyce mural unveiled in New York ahead of Bloomsday

The new James Joyce mural in New York is part of an initiative to raise awareness about the University at Buffalo James Joyce Collection.

https://www.irishcentral.com/news/james-joyce-mural-new-york?utm_campaign=IC+FAV+-+June+15+-+2021-06-15&utm_content=Story1&utm_medium=Email&utm_source=Infusion&inf_contact_key=40a93924d5782769d14e0bed1f3cf3847e470d92b8b75168d98a0b8cac0e9c09

This is timed well—Russ

7. Belfast to host Ireland's largest whiskey festival

IRELAND'S largest whiskey festival will take place in Belfast in July.

Belfast Whiskey Week will run over nine days from July 23 to July 31 with most events operating virtually.

Developed by Belfast-based businessman Paul Kane and backed by Belfast Whiskey Club, the event is now in its third year.

https://www.irishnews.com/business/2021/06/15/news/belfast-to-host-ireland-s-largest-whiskey-festival-2354606/

Sounds good—Russ

QUOTES, TOASTS , CURSES AND BLESSINGS

I've put in so many enigmas and puzzles that it will keep the professors busy for centuries arguing over what I meant, and that's the only way of insuring one's immortality.
James Joyce on Ulysses

A BIT OF THE WIT

You know it's summer in Ireland when the rain gets warmer.
Hal Roach

Same here—Russ

JOKE OF THE MONTH

This joke is so old it doesn’t have the same ‘bite’ anymore but it is still good (it was my favorite for years).

Have you heard about the Irish boomerang?
It doesn't come back, it just sings sad songs about how much it wants to. 

DID YOU KNOW

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:

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

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

2. Article: Joyce's Dublin

http://www.irishcultureandcustoms.com/AWriters/JoyceDublin.html

3. Article: How to Savor Ulysses this Summer

http://www.irishcultureandcustoms.com/AWriters/Ulysses.html

4. Article: St. John's Eve in old Ireland

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

5. Article: St. John's Eve in old Ireland, Part 2

http://www.irishcultureandcustoms.com/ACalend/StJohnsEve2.html

6. The Irish Kitchen: Simnel Cake

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

8. Basic Irish: Father's Day and Graduation

http://www.irishcultureandcustoms.com/3Focloir/Fathersday.html

9. Kids’ Ireland: A Visit With Nessie

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

 

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

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

Marry when June roses blow,

Over land and sea you’ll go.

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:
Bless us oh Lord, You who are
the peace of all things calm
the place to hide from harm
the light that shines in dark
the heart's eternal spark
the door that's open wide
welcoming all to come inside.
We ask this blessing
God be willing.
Adapted from the Celtic oral tradition - 1st millennium

 

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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LEAVE 'EM LAUGHING