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Greetings & Blessings to all
Welcome to our March newsletter.
We are in the month of St. Patrick’s day but it won’t feel like it this year. Some of the celebrations are being cancelled due to the corona virus. I certainly hope they are over-reacting but better safe than. The last few year’s parades looked like Mardi Gra to me but this year, who knows? That’s a shame. I will have articles from previous years, of course and we’ll just have to look back at the festivities of yesteryear. We can still celebrate St. Patrick for ourselves though. I put out my Irish flag on the garage to show the Irish are still here and proud. I hope you will do something similar yourselves.
In addition to it being the month of St. Patrick it is also Women’s Month so I have a couple of articles about women. I love women and it’s not just because I adored my wife, Bridget. I feel that it would be a dull, gray, ugly world without women. Whether you are a man or a woman I hope you feel the same.
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:
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 Patrick's DayIrish: Lá Fhéile Pádraig or Lá 'le Pádraig
Pronunciation: law ay-leh paw-rig or law leh paw-rig
Note: The first is used in writing, the second in conversation, literally 'Patrick's Festival Day'.
1.Dúisigh Éire
Awaken Ireland
https://www.stpatricksfestival.ie/?fbclid=IwAR1J-EGagz9M4ExFKFtAeOcU03Zf-corQABqnGYCnhOPvTvDCXTfeBZEels
St Patrick’s Festival is back!!—Russ
2.Coronavirus: Grogan’s pub among several to close for two weeks
https://www.irishtimes.com/news/ireland/irish-news/coronavirus-grogan-s-pub-among-several-to-close-for-two-weeks-1.4203438
And so it goes—Russ
3.Varadkar and Foster discuss cross-border coronavirus approach
https://www.theguardian.com/world/2020/mar/14/varadkar-and-foster-to-discuss-all-of-ireland-coronavirus-approach
Here’s a specific mark of Brexit issues—Russ
4. Ireland and Britain added to United States travel ban
Speaking in the White House, vice-president Mike Pence announced the decision to expand the list, after US president Donald Trump implied at a press conference on Friday that he could do so.
Mr Trump also confirmed that he had been tested for coronavirus, as he took to the podium at the White House press room in Washington.
https://www.irishtimes.com/news/world/us/ireland-and-britain-added-to-united-states-travel-ban-1.4203468
What was the result of the test?—Russ
5. Coronavirus: Republic of Ireland to close schools and colleges
Taoiseach (Irish prime minister) Leo Varadkar said the measures take effect from 18:00 on Thursday until 29 March.
He said that Northern Ireland and the UK would be briefed on developments.
Some 27 new cases of Covid-19 were confirmed in Ireland on Thursday, according to the Department of Health.
There are now 70 total confirmed cases in the country.
https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-northern-ireland-51850811
And more to come, I think—Russ
6. Irish Cheltenham racegoers will not be tested amid Coronavirus panic
Several thousand Irish people are currently attending the festival which concludes today at around 5:30 p.m. local time.
Despite concerns over an outbreak of Coronavirus at the festival, Cheltenham has drawn crowds of more than 65,000 people since Tuesday, prompting fears that the virus will spread like wildfire.
https://www.irishcentral.com/news/irish-cheltenham-racegoers-self-isolate-coronavirus
The Irish won’t let anything get in the way of their horse racing—Russ7. Here’s to Ireland’s unofficial ambassadors flying flags around the world
Ireland has a network of diplomats working hard for the country all around the world, but ahead of St Patrick’s Day this year, even though events and celebrations have been cancelled due to the Covid-19 crisis, we are tipping our caipíní to Ireland’s unofficial ambassadors, to share the stories of just some of the men and women wearing green jerseys and flying flags for Ireland wherever they live https://www.irishtimes.com/life-and-style/abroad/here-s-to-ireland-s-unofficial-ambassadors-flying-flags-around-the-world-1.4195307 I’ve got mine up—RussQUOTES, TOASTS , CURSES AND BLESSINGS
When Erin first rose from the dark-swelling flood,
God bless'd the green island, He saw it was good.
The Emerald of Europe, it sparkled, it shone,
In the ring of this world the most precious stone!
From the poem "When Erin First Rose" by Dr. William Drennan, who is credited with being the first to refer to Ireland in print as "the Emerald Isle."
God bless'd the green island, He saw it was good.
The Emerald of Europe, it sparkled, it shone,
In the ring of this world the most precious stone!
From the poem "When Erin First Rose" by Dr. William Drennan, who is credited with being the first to refer to Ireland in print as "the Emerald Isle."
A BIT OF THE WIT
Who cares? When autumn birds in flocks Fly southward, back we turn the clocks,
And so regain a lovely thing
That missing hour we lost in spring.
Phyllis McGinley Well, its back—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. When St. Patrick died, his followers argued about where to bury him? To settle the dispute, they harnessed two untamed oxen to a cart carrying St Patrick's earthly remains. Wherever the oxen stopped was where the saint would be buried. According to the legend, the oxen stopped when they reached Dun-lethglaisse, the site of the present Church of Ireland Cathedral, Downpatrick
I always wondered where the poor oxen started—Russ
2. St. Patrick might not be buried in Ireland at all? One legend says he ended his days in Glastonbury, England and was buried there. The Chapel of St. Patrick still exists as part of Glastonbury Abbey and there is evidence of an Irish pilgrimage to his tomb during the reign of the Saxon King in A.D. 688.
I don’t know whether to believe this or not—Russ
3. St. Patrick's real name is believed to have been Maewyn Succat?
It’s welsh so don’t think you know how to pronounce 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.
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: A Powerful Woman
http://www.irishcultureandcustoms.com/AWomen/PwrfulWoman.html
2. Article: A Notorious Woman
http://www.irishcultureandcustoms.com/AWomen/GraceOMalley.html
3. Article: The Rose of Tralee How The Ballad Came To Be
http://www.irishcultureandcustoms.com/AWomen/RoseTralee.html
4. Article: Constance Georgina de MarkieviczSuffragette, Socialist, Soldier http://www.irishcultureandcustoms.com/AWomen/ConstanceMarvicz.html 5. Article: Women of Ireland - Catherine Hayes http://www.irishcultureandcustoms.com/AWomen/CathHayes.html 6. Article: Celebrating St. Patrick's Day in Old Ireland http://www.irishcultureandcustoms.com/ACalend/StPatsDay.html 7. Article: St Patrick gets the party, but there are many saints to honour in Ireland http://www.irishcultureandcustoms.com/ACalend/StPatGetsParty.html 8. Article: A Visit to St. Patrick’s Well http://www.irishcultureandcustoms.com/ACalend/StPatWell.html 9. Article: Madness in Melaque – Saint Patrick’s Day Mexican Style http://www.irishcultureandcustoms.com/ACalend/StPatsMalaque.html 10. The Irish Kitchen: Celebrate St. Patrick’s Day With A Real Irish Feast! http://www.irishcultureandcustoms.com/2Kitch/aStPatFeast.html 11. Basic Irish: Saint Patrick's Day http://www.irishcultureandcustoms.com/3Focloir/Lessons7.html#StPatricks 12. Kids’ Ireland: New St. Patrick's Day Custom for Children http://www.irishcultureandcustoms.com/1Kids/StPatpuzzles.html
So there you have it until we write again - sometime in April.
If you are planning on getting married between now and then or tied the knot in the month of March, here is your special verse:
If you wed when March winds blow,
Joy and sorrow both you’ll know.
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:
St. Patrick's BlessingAs he brought new faith to Ireland
So may he bring out in you
A touch of Irish kindness
in everything you do.
And through the good St. Patrick
May your home and life be blessed
with all the special favours
That make you happiest.
Adapted from a blessing by the Norbertine Fathers 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. DID SOMEONE FORWARD THIS ISSUE TO YOU? Subscribe for FREE! Send an email to: rhaggerty@irishcultureandcustoms.com OR click on this link: http://www.irishcultureandcustoms.com/Newsletter.html
The Book
Potion, 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
I know this isn’t strictly Irish but, at least, it’s Celtic and it’s too good not to keep
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."
Last WordsIf 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
