Greetings & Blessings to all,

(Pronunciation: Ban-ochth-thee na Fay-leh val-in-theen)

Literally, Blessings of St. Valentine

 

Welcome to our St. Valentine's Day special edition; we hope it finds you in good health, good company, and good spirits. If this is your first  newsletter from Irish Culture and Customs, many thanks for signing up and we hope you enjoy our musings and meanderings. And please feel free to share them with your family and friends.

 

So...what are your plans for the day that’s in it? Years ago,  we used to throw caution to the budgetary wind and book ourselves into a favourite local hotel for a couple of days. There was an amazing steakhouse within the hotel complex and we just totally indulged ourselves. What lovely memories to look back on - and whatever your circumstances in 2014, we hope that God willing, you and yours might also have the pleasure of sweet recollections from past St. Valentine's celebrations that we do - and that you have the opportunity to make many more!

 

It's that time of year when we reluctantly ask for your financial support. But, if you love what we do and want to help us continue to promote Irish Culture and Customs, There are  several ways you can assist us: become a patron of our newsletter sponsors, buy products from our web site advertisers,  make a donation via PayPal, or send a contribution in the mail. No donation is too small - a euro, dollar, pound or whatever your currency  would be so welcome,  AND, to sweeten the pot, when we receive your contribution we will put your name in Russ’ old top hat for a chance to win the latest High Kings CD, a Best of Loreena McKennett CD, A Barleyjuice CD, a signed copy of Russ’ book, or whatever other incentive we can come up with it! Drawings will be held on St. Patrick’s Day...and we’ve always said that if every subscriber sent a dollar, we would far exceed what we need. So, if that’s all you can afford, please don’t be shy about sending it. And again many thanks in advance for your kindness.

Contributions can be made via PayPal:

http://www.paypal.com

Our account there is this address:

bhaggerty@irishcultureandcustoms.com

 

Or by snail mail to:

Bridget & Russ Haggerty

5814 Blue Spruce 

Cincinnati

Ohio 45224

USA

 

 Enough of the blitherin, on with the Valentine's Day special edition.

 

 

Only a few more shopping weeks until St. Patrick's Day! We have hats, sunglasses, tee shirts and a wide variety of fun products plus a ton of great products for your shopping pleasure. Take 10% off your order now at the Celtic Attic and order $50.00 or more and your shipping is FREE. The discount will be removed AFTER you place your order. We will be processing all credit cards in the store so that we can take make any price adjustments. Plus get a candy bag and a FREE gift with each and every order. http://celticcallings.com/shopping/merchant.mvc?Screen=SFNT&Store_Code=CSC&Affiliate=Bridget

 

 

Links

Quote

Toast

Joke

Did You Know

Web Site Update

Leave Em Laughing

 

 LINKS

The title of just one of many RTÉ videos devoted to romance in Ireland. We hope you are as thoroughly entertained as we were!

http://www.rte.ie/archives/exhibitions/1405-valentines-day/363944-the-myths-of-valentines-day/

 

Video clip filmed at the church in Dublin where the saint’s remains are kept

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8Hq5LLgMv_w

One of our all-time favourite Irish love songs, Bridget first heard it being played in the gift shop at Blarney Castle - and had to have it. What is that lovely song, she asked the young girl behind one of the counters. Oh, that’s Grace by Jim McCaan. Just go to the recordings department and ask for number 143. Bridget  replied, I just say 143 and they’ll know what I want? Oh yes, they’ll know. Our version is a solo - but this one with the Dubliners is mighty as they might say in Ireland!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4Skg36SrAG4

 

Sung in Irish - but with subtitles. The photos of Ireland are breath-taking

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Hx4etzMFeFI

Air - You're The One  Our daughter's bridesmaids walked down the aisle to this beautiful melody performed by the Chieftains. If it sounds familiar, it's from the movie Circle of Friends. In this clip, a tour of Dublin accompanies the music. Enjoy!

 http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=J-taZx8KTY4

 

Lauren from Gaelic Girls TV asks the question of a  wide variety of Irish people

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cVHh4x8SBYc

 

It’s all about romance and in this video you’ll see and hear the answers to the question..

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=th8f9Hn45kU

 

 

SPONSOR: Please help us keep your newsletter coming - visit our good friends at the Irish Lottery:

In operation since 1988, it's one of the oldest online sites in the world. With subscribers in 89 countries it is also among the most reliable. Jackpots are never lower than US $1,500,000 and are frequently worth in excess of US $5,000,000 Here's the best part - you don't have to live in Ireland to play and all winnings are Tax Free! It’s always been a fantasy of ours that one of our readers would scoop the big prize, but you can’t win it if you’re not in it. Play from the comfort of home here:

http://www.irishlotto.net/

 

 

 “In the kingdom of love there is no competition; there is no possessiveness or control. The more love you give away, the more love you will have.” 

John O'Donohue, Anam Cara: A Book of Celtic Wisdom

 

For a young man contemplating marriage: That you might have nicer legs than your own under your table before the new spuds are up.

 

This one is a repeat, but so good, it's well worth reading again!

 

Mike wakes up at home with a huge hangover. He forces himself to open his eyes, and the first thing he sees are a couple of aspirins and a glass of water on the bedside table. He sits up in bed and sees his clothing in front of him, all clean and ironed. He looks around the room and sees that it is in perfect order, spotless. He takes the aspirins and sees a note on the table which says "Breakfast is on the stove, dear. I left early to go shopping. Love you!" He goes to the kitchen and sure enough, there's a hot breakfast waiting for him, and also the morning newspaper. His son is sitting at the table, eating. Really curious by now, Mike asks, "Son, what happened last night?" His son says, "Well, Mam said you came home after 3 a.m, you stumbled in the door, threw up in the hallway, and passed out half-way up the stairs. Confused, Mike asks, "So, why is everything in order and so clean, and breakfast is on the table waiting for me?" His son replies, "Oh, that! Mam dragged you to the bedroom, and when she tried to take your trousers off, you yelled "Leave me alone woman, I'm a married man."

 

 

SPONSOR: help us keep your newsletter coming - Please visit our good friends at Lollysmith

Whatever the occasion, birthdays, graduations, weddings or anniversaries, you’re sure to find the perfect present at  Lollysmith!  Stop by soon and tell them Bridget & Russ said hello. 

http://search.store.yahoo.net/lollysmith/cgi-bin/nsearch?lollysmith

 

 

 

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

 

2. W. B Yeats dedicated most of his love poetry to Maude Gonne?

 

3. According to Irish custom, A man should always be the first to wish joy to a bride - never a woman?

 

 

 WEB SITE UPDATE FOR VALENTINE'S DAY

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

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

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

 

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

http://www.irishcultureandcustoms.com/ACalend/IrishinLove3.html

 

http://www.irishcultureandcustoms.com/AEmblem/CladdaghRing.html  

 

http://www.irishcultureandcustoms.com/Weddings/MusicCeremony.html

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

http://www.irishcultureandcustoms.com/3Focloir/Lessons1.1.html#Gael5

 

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

 

 http://www.irishcultureandcustoms.com/AMusic/Ramoutar/LoveSongs.html

 

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

 

 

Celtic Collections is just what the name implies…a collection of beautiful Celtic themed giftware and delectable delights presented to you via their online catalog. . Items listed on line are in stock and usually ship within 24 hours. They ship anywhere within the USA and also offer free gift wrapping on any purchase.  A great resource for every gift giving occasion!

http://www.celticcollections.net/

 

  

 So there you have it until we send out our regular February edition toward the end of the month. Meanwhile, the snowdrops are up, the countdown to St. Patrick’s Day has  begun, and even though  it’s snowing out our office window, we can feel this lovely anticipation  of spring in the wings. May that delightful  sensation be yours wherever you are! We’ll take our leave with thissweet old blessing:

 

 May the saint of romance

 

And, as they say in Ireland, mind yourself.

 

Slan agus beannacht,

 

 

 

 

A family owned company based in Co Kilkenny,  they are dedicated to the world-wide promotion of Irish craft and design and work with well-known names and yet to be famous artisans and crafts people throughout the country. Their collection includes Irish designed and Irish made jewelry, pottery, ceramics, art, sculpture and more - all unique to the hands of an Irish artist, and all unique to the island of Ireland. Well worth a visit to see what’s on offer.

 http://www.irelandsshowcase.com/

 

 

Mrs. O'Reilly returned home from a vacation to France where she had taken a cooking class. She tells her husband Paddy she is going to prepare him a special meal for St. Valentine’s Day and he is to go down to Sean's Market and buy two dozen escargot, which she explains to Paddy are snails. Mrs. O'Reilly admonishes Paddy to come right home and no stops at the pub. Paddy buys the snails and is on his way home but alas, his route takes him right by his favorite pub. Just one he tells himself. Well, perhaps another he says after having the first pint. The company is good, the tales are tall, and Paddy finds himself having three or four. As Paddy heads home he realizes it has become dark and knows his lovely wife will be waiting and sharpening her tongue for him. As Paddy opens the gate to home the porch light comes on and he hears the door begin to open. Paddy empties the bag of escargot on the ground and says in a loud voice "Come on now lads! You're almost there."