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Greetings & Blessings to all
Welcome to our September newsletter.
I’m sorry this month’s newsletter is a little late. I’ve had computer problems and it, let’s say, slowed me up. I know only some of you will notice but I try to post the newsletter by the 15thof the month—sorry about this month. This is Autumn and it is a favorite season for me. I can wear my tweed jacket without being too hot and I love the leaves colors as they turn. Of course I have to rake them up but it’s the price I have to pay.
Although the calendar disagrees, the weather still thinks it’s summer and my temperatures have been in the 90’s ƒ. I am hoping for rain (I never thought I’d be doing that) but I’m not getting any—sigh.
I hope all of you are having better weather and I hope you all had a very enjoyable summer. Now, we can look forward to an enjoyable Autumn before the ‘silly season’ envelopes us.
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
It's Trick or Treat in the USA and Help The Hallowe'en Party in Ireland, but wherever you are, this week's lesson focuses on words and phrases associated with the day before the Celtic New Year - Samhain (sow-en).
Word: Hallowe'en
Irish: oíche shamhna
Pronunciation: ee-heh how-nah
Word: Ghost
Irish: púca or taibhse
Pronunciation: pookah or thyve-sheh
LINKS
1.Emerald isles: Ireland's most beautiful islands
The coastline around Ireland is scattered with hundreds of islands, from tiny, unpopulated mounds to grand, mountainous isles.
While plenty of them are home to dazzling white sand beaches (which could easily pass for a tropical scene when the sun shines), inland you'll find a distinctly Irish charm, whether that's from a cozy thatched pub or an ancient monastic settlement.
https://www.cnn.com/travel/article/beautiful-irish-islands/index.html
Beautiful and worth looking at —Russ
2.Stoneybatter named Ireland’s ‘coolest neighbourhood’
Dublin’s Stoneybatter has been named the coolest place in Ireland and among the top 50 most exciting neighbourhoods in the world by Time Out, which has just published its annual hit list of happening places.
https://www.irishtimes.com/news/ireland/irish-news/stoneybatter-named-ireland-s-coolest-neighbourhood-1.4021338
I’ve never been there and I’m sorry —Russ
3.Irish households now officially wealthier than during boom
Irish households in the 35-44 age cohort remain highly indebted, whereas younger generations have lower debt levels relative to the rest of the euro area.
https://www.irishtimes.com/business/economy/irish-households-now-officially-wealthier-than-during-boom-1.3624704?localLinksEnabled=false
The young ones haven’t had enough time to build their debt—Russ
4. Heavy rain could put Ireland and Scotland clash in danger
Rugby World Cup organisers are keeping a close eye on the weather in Japan as heavy rain and thunderstorms potentially threaten some matches, including Ireland’s opener against Scotland on Sunday.
Yokohama, the venue for the meeting of the two Pool A sides, has been hit by heavy rain this week and a deluge is predicted for the day of the match. If the game has to be called off, it would not be rescheduled and put down as a 0-0 draw.
https://www.irishtimes.com/sport/rugby/international/heavy-rain-could-put-ireland-and-scotland-clash-in-danger-1.4020677
Well, I think that might be considered normal by both sides—Russ
5. ‘I can’t go to the bathroom in other people’s houses. I am unable to perform’
The plastic lobster might have had something to do with it. I just hadn’t expected to see it there, glowering on the cistern. It gave me an unholy fright. Why make (or buy) a life-size facsimile of a lobster with red plastic eyes?
I’m not afraid of real lobsters; I went fishing for them a couple of times with a cousin in Bere Island during my teens.
https://www.irishtimes.com/life-and-style/people/i-can-t-go-to-the-bathroom-in-other-people-s-houses-i-am-unable-to-perform-1.4014876?localLinksEnabled=false&utm_source=Newsletter&utm_medium=email&utm_content=Informal+British+solutions+fall+short+of+backstop%2C+says+Tánaiste&utm_campaign=morning_briefing_digest
I sympathize but I’m notthatbad—Russ
6. Teeth reveal important clues into diet of famine Irish
Clues into the Irish population's diet during the Irish potato famine were discovered in new research carried out on the teeth of famine victims from the 1840s. The new research, headed up by the University of Edinburgh, carried out scientific analysis of dental calculus—plaque build-up— on the teeth of 42 victims.
https://www.irishcentral.com/news/teeth-reveal-diet-during-irish-potato-famine?utm_campaign=Best+of+IC+-+Sept+17+-+2019-09-17&utm_medium=Email&utm_source=Mailjet
Interesting but did they get enough?—Russ
7. Survey of people in England, Scotland and Wales shows widespread support for Irish unity referendum
A NEW survey which asked voters in Britain if there should be a referendum on Irish unity found that a majority would be in favour of a border poll.
A BMG Survey for The Independent asked a total of 1,504 people in England, Scotland and Wales if they would support an Irish reunification referendum, and over half of the respondents said they would.
https://www.irishpost.com/news/survey-people-england-scotland-wales-shows-widespread-support-irish-unity-referendum-171382
I’m not surprised, I feel the same way—Russ
QUOTES, TOASTS , CURSES AND BLESSINGS
A weary soldier fighting against Napoleon at Waterloo wrote in his diary: "When I [could] take some nourishment, I felt the most extraordinary desire for a glass of Guinness." Doctors wrote in to say that they found Guinness good for everything from "insomnia, neurasthenia, debility and constipation" to an "effective aid for nursing mothers."
Guinness tried to get stout admitted into the U.S. during Prohibition as a medicine, but the Treasury Department coldly said no.
Bureauocrats — Russ
A BIT OF THE WIT
New York is my Lourdes where I go for spiritual refreshment...a place where you are least likely to be bitten by a wild goat. Brendan Behan
New York uses Taxicabs—Russ
JOKE OF THE MONTH
"Which is the first and most important sacrament?" asked the Catechism teacher. "Marriage", avowed Moira. "No, baptism is the first and most important sacrament," corrected the teacher. "Not in our family," retorted Moira, in a haughty voice. "We're decent people!"
DID YOU KNOW
1. The Popularity of Patrick as a Christian name in Ireland is due to the great 17th century general, Patrick Sarsfield, not our patron saint?
2. In the village of Ballyporeen, Co, Tipperary, there's a pub called The Ronald Reagan Bar?
I assume he had a pint there—Russ
3.Robert Barton of Co. Fermanagh composed the unofficial anthem of Australia, "Waltzing Matilda?"
Of course, there were a lot of Irishmen sent to Australia–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.
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:The Clarenbridge Oyster Festival
2. Article: The Galway International Oyster Festival - a joyous celebration of a native aristocrat
http://www.irishcultureandcustoms.com/2Kitch/aGalwayOysters.html
3. Article: The Ould Lammas Fair
http://www.irishcultureandcustoms.com/ACalend/LammasFair.html
4. Article: Saint of 9/11: Fr. Mychal
http://www.irishcultureandcustoms.com/AMisc/FrMychalJudge1.html
5. Article: An Irish Halloween - Part 1
http://www.irishcultureandcustoms.com/ACalend/Halloween1.html
6. Article: An Irish Hallowe'en - Part 2
http://www.irishcultureandcustoms.com/ACalend/Halloween2.html
7. Article: How the Irish invented Hallowe'en
http://www.irishcultureandcustoms.com/ACalend/InventHalloween.html
8. Article: Ghosts
http://www.irishcultureandcustoms.com/ACalend/Ghosts.html
9. The Irish Kitchen: Irish Oyster Recipes
http://www.irishcultureandcustoms.com/2Kitch/rOysters.html
10. Basic Irish: Halloween and Samhain
http://www.irishcultureandcustoms.com/3Focloir/Halloween.html
11. Kids’ Ireland: The Changeling
http://www.irishcultureandcustoms.com/1Kids/Changling.html
So there you have it until we write again - sometime in October.
If you are planning on getting married between now and then or tied the knot in the month of September, here is your special verse:
Marry in September’s shine,
Your living will be rich and fine.
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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The BookPotion, pope and perfidy
The second and final version is complete and available on Amazon.
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
Old Scotland. Two nearby castles are at war. One shoots a cannonball at the other. Bang. A piece of wall breaks. In a while the second castle shoots at the first one. A part of a tower becomes a pile of stones. And so on for some time. Then there is a long silence. Suddenly from one of the castles a cry is heard: "Why don't you shoot?" And the answer: "You have the cannonball."
I know it’s Scots not Irish but it’s too good to ignore—Russ
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
