Here's a fun story. I was in County Mayo last year and this makes me miss Ireland.
This is not something that would happen where I live in Santa Monica. Maybe a naked homelessman running through the store but no bull........
http://www.independent.ie/national-news/escaped-bull-on-the-loose-in-supermarket-1716755.html?r=RSS
http://www.clipser.com/watch_video/1307395
Sunday, April 26, 2009
Friday, April 24, 2009
Thursday, April 23, 2009
Personal Ramblings - Thank You Card
'...I dreamt I reached the Irish shore and felt my heart rebound
From wall to wall within my breast, as I trod that holy ground..."
-Thomas Darcy McGee (1825-1868), To Duffy in Prison
I received this great Thank You Card from my cousin Pat and his wife Judy for attending his birthday party and becoming part of the family after so long. It's a nice card with a nice section of a poem on the back. I wanted to share it here.....
Card - Courtesy of Pomegranate Communications, Inc
http://pomegranate.stores.yahoo.net/
Tuesday, April 21, 2009
Personal Ramblings - There's Always Hope
I'm in the middle of reading a book "Watching the Door" about the worst years in Northern Ireland and I just came across this article on Irish Central about a peace center in Ireland that brought Israeli and Palestinian combatants together to create understanding. No matter how long the road or how slow the process there is always hope that people can find their common humanity and find a way to achieve progress without violence.
Check out the article on Irish Central
http://www.irishcentral.com/news/Palestinians-and-Israelis-come-togther-in-Northern-Ireland-43287992.html
Check out the article on Irish Central
http://www.irishcentral.com/news/Palestinians-and-Israelis-come-togther-in-Northern-Ireland-43287992.html
Monday, April 20, 2009
Personal Ramblings - I Like This
Here is Irish Central's response to a Paul Krugman opinion piece about ireland. Enjoy it, I did....
http://www.irishcentral.com/news/Times-not-on-our-side-but-time-is-43262367.html
http://www.irishcentral.com/news/Times-not-on-our-side-but-time-is-43262367.html
Sunday, April 19, 2009
Saturday, April 18, 2009
Now you Know the Whole Story - Susan Boyle
It was very interesting to read that the Irish Catholic shrine in Knock, County Mayo, is the spiritual home for Scottish singing sensation Susan Boyle. I had the pleasure of visiting Knock last year with my cousins.
Susan Boyle touched millions this week with her performance of " I Dreamed a Dream" on "Britain's Got Talent" after it was posted on YouTube. Fascinating story and fascinating talent.
Story courtesy of MEGHAN SWEENEY , Entertainment Editor @ Irish Central
...."Speaking from his home in Scotland, her local priest Father Basil Clark said he first saw Boyle singing on their church's annual pligrimage to Knock.
Boyle, whose Irish mother Bridget passed away in 2007, visits Knock every year with the annual Legion of Mary pilgrimage. Boyle is the youngest of nine children of a family of Irish immigrants. Her father Patrick was a worker in a car factory, her mother Bridget a clerk/typist.
Father Clark described her as “a woman of great faith,” whose life revolves around her family and her parish of Our Lady of Lourdes."
The devout Catholic also paid tribute to her late mother Bridget. "I knew it was something I had to do," she said. "I had to get on with it. That's where the courage came from, my mother."
Check out the full story at Irish Central
http://www.irishcentral.com/news/How-opportunity-Knocked-for-singing-star-Susan-Boyle-43222092.html
Apr 20 And some more on Susan Boyle's roots in Donnegal and Couty Mayo at Shrine of Knock...
http://www.irishcentral.com/news/Susan-Boyle-Irish-photographs-43287937.html
Susan Boyle touched millions this week with her performance of " I Dreamed a Dream" on "Britain's Got Talent" after it was posted on YouTube. Fascinating story and fascinating talent.
Story courtesy of MEGHAN SWEENEY , Entertainment Editor @ Irish Central
...."Speaking from his home in Scotland, her local priest Father Basil Clark said he first saw Boyle singing on their church's annual pligrimage to Knock.
Boyle, whose Irish mother Bridget passed away in 2007, visits Knock every year with the annual Legion of Mary pilgrimage. Boyle is the youngest of nine children of a family of Irish immigrants. Her father Patrick was a worker in a car factory, her mother Bridget a clerk/typist.
Father Clark described her as “a woman of great faith,” whose life revolves around her family and her parish of Our Lady of Lourdes."
The devout Catholic also paid tribute to her late mother Bridget. "I knew it was something I had to do," she said. "I had to get on with it. That's where the courage came from, my mother."
Check out the full story at Irish Central
http://www.irishcentral.com/news/How-opportunity-Knocked-for-singing-star-Susan-Boyle-43222092.html
Apr 20 And some more on Susan Boyle's roots in Donnegal and Couty Mayo at Shrine of Knock...
http://www.irishcentral.com/news/Susan-Boyle-Irish-photographs-43287937.html
Monday, April 13, 2009
Happy Birthday Cousin Pat Gavin
Dancing the jig with my cousins Pat and James. Last time I danced an Irish jig was in a play in first grade......
Sunday, April 12, 2009
Sunday, April 5, 2009
Sunday, March 29, 2009
Wednesday, March 25, 2009
Genealogy - County Mayo, Irleand
My mother was born in 1909 in Glanduff, County Mayo. If you need to do any family research on relatives from County Mayo, here is a place to start your search.
http://mayo.irish-roots.net/
Tuesday, March 24, 2009
Personal Ramblings - James Hayes Author
I would like to recommend the founder of the Friends of Ireland group on Linkedin. He is a prolific Irish Writer. I look forward to meeting him one day in Dublin. Check out his website and books..... And join us on Linkedin.com
Friends of Ireland group.
http://www.jameshayes.ie/
Friends of Ireland group.
http://www.jameshayes.ie/
Monday, March 23, 2009
Personal Ramblings - "Poteen Making"
When I was in Ireland last year I had a shot of Poteen or Potcheen (Irish moonshine aka White Lightning in the US), well okay I had a few shots or drops of the cratur. Apparently my grandfather used to produce and sell it in the early 1900's. One of my cousins was very knowledgeable on the topic and shared some stories about it. I recently discovered this documentary about it.
Here is the synopsis of the film "Poteen Making":
In almost every country youll find an alcoholic drink which is illegally made. In Ireland its Poitín or Poteen - a clear and potent unmatured whiskey that has been made here illegally for at least 200 years. Though no written proof exists from before the late 16th century, it is widely accepted that uisce beatha originated in Ireland sometime toward the end of the first millennium. It is said that in the 12th century, soldiers of Henry II encountered the fiery spirit during the Norman invasion of Ireland but unable to pronounce the word uisce beatha, anglicised it to whiskey.
By at least the 17th century whiskey-making was commonplace in Ireland. In rural parts almost everyone distilled and consumed their own while at the same time there was likely to be at least one small distillery in each town. For some Christmas Day 1661 marks the beginning of the long history of illicit distillation in Ireland as taxation on alcohol, at a rate of four pence per gallon of spirit, was first introduced by the British Government on that date and applied to Ireland shortly after. Others trace the origins of illicit distillation to 1760 which was when the British Government supposedly outlawed private distillation; all distillers had to obtain a licence and this, the British hoped, would make it easier for their Excisemen or guagers as they were known, to collect the tax. Whether it all started in 1661 or 1760, Poteen, as the illicit whiskey became known, has been with us ever since (it found its way to the US and became moonshine).
However, like so many other things, Poteen-making was modernised in the middle of the 20th century. The modern Poteen-makers no longer had any use for the kiln, ruins of which are now the only visible pointers to the traditional craft of Poteen-making.
Poteen-Making is a one-hour documentary which traces the history of illicit whiskey distillation in Ireland and shows how Poteen, as the illicit whiskey became known, was traditionally made. In it there are stories and folklore associated with Poteen as well as an account of how Poteen-making was modernised during the 20th century and why the tradition of Poteen-making has declined in recent times.
You can read more and purchase a copy of it here....
http://www.mandy.com/1/film3.cfm?id=4656
Here is the synopsis of the film "Poteen Making":
In almost every country youll find an alcoholic drink which is illegally made. In Ireland its Poitín or Poteen - a clear and potent unmatured whiskey that has been made here illegally for at least 200 years. Though no written proof exists from before the late 16th century, it is widely accepted that uisce beatha originated in Ireland sometime toward the end of the first millennium. It is said that in the 12th century, soldiers of Henry II encountered the fiery spirit during the Norman invasion of Ireland but unable to pronounce the word uisce beatha, anglicised it to whiskey.
By at least the 17th century whiskey-making was commonplace in Ireland. In rural parts almost everyone distilled and consumed their own while at the same time there was likely to be at least one small distillery in each town. For some Christmas Day 1661 marks the beginning of the long history of illicit distillation in Ireland as taxation on alcohol, at a rate of four pence per gallon of spirit, was first introduced by the British Government on that date and applied to Ireland shortly after. Others trace the origins of illicit distillation to 1760 which was when the British Government supposedly outlawed private distillation; all distillers had to obtain a licence and this, the British hoped, would make it easier for their Excisemen or guagers as they were known, to collect the tax. Whether it all started in 1661 or 1760, Poteen, as the illicit whiskey became known, has been with us ever since (it found its way to the US and became moonshine).
However, like so many other things, Poteen-making was modernised in the middle of the 20th century. The modern Poteen-makers no longer had any use for the kiln, ruins of which are now the only visible pointers to the traditional craft of Poteen-making.
Poteen-Making is a one-hour documentary which traces the history of illicit whiskey distillation in Ireland and shows how Poteen, as the illicit whiskey became known, was traditionally made. In it there are stories and folklore associated with Poteen as well as an account of how Poteen-making was modernised during the 20th century and why the tradition of Poteen-making has declined in recent times.
You can read more and purchase a copy of it here....
http://www.mandy.com/1/film3.cfm?id=4656
Sunday, March 22, 2009
Saturday, March 21, 2009
Personal Ramblings - Irish Passport
I just sent away for my daughter's Irish Passport. I got mine 10 years ago. It was an easy process since both my parents were born in Ireland and I am a first generation Irish-American.
My mother never became an American citizen as she always believed she would return home to Ireland. But like the irish song "Because We Were Poor" that tells the story of why Irish families were broken up and forced to emigrate, she remained poor in America and never could afford to return home.
The last time she was in Ireland was 1932. My family made the journey back home for her last year and were reunited with our O'Donnell family and now both myself and my daughter will have Irish citizenship.
I feel lucky and blessed that my parents made the difficult journey to America in 1928 during the Great Depression and gave me all the opportunities I have. Now I am able to give my daughter the gift of dual citizenship so she can go to school or work in either Ireland or Europe if she ever chooses to. Life has went full circle.
Funny how life turns out....
My mother never became an American citizen as she always believed she would return home to Ireland. But like the irish song "Because We Were Poor" that tells the story of why Irish families were broken up and forced to emigrate, she remained poor in America and never could afford to return home.
The last time she was in Ireland was 1932. My family made the journey back home for her last year and were reunited with our O'Donnell family and now both myself and my daughter will have Irish citizenship.
I feel lucky and blessed that my parents made the difficult journey to America in 1928 during the Great Depression and gave me all the opportunities I have. Now I am able to give my daughter the gift of dual citizenship so she can go to school or work in either Ireland or Europe if she ever chooses to. Life has went full circle.
Funny how life turns out....
Friday, March 20, 2009
Thursday, March 19, 2009
Personal Ramblings - Friends Of Ireland - Linkedin
I am a member of Friends of Ireland on Linkedin. It's a great group to connect with friends of Ireland all over the world. Go to Linkedin and join Friends of Ireland. Tell them I sent you....
http://www.linkedin.com
http://www.linkedin.com
Tuesday, March 17, 2009
St Patrick's Message from President of ireland
ST PATRICK'S DAY GREETINGS FROM PRESIDENT MARY McALEESE
Beannachtaí na Féile Pádraig ar chlann mhór dhomhanda na nGael, sa bhaile agus ar fud na cruinne, ar ár lá náisiúnta ceiliúrtha.
I am delighted to send St Patrick’s Day greetings to all those taking part in this year's celebrations, whether at home in Ireland or around the world. St Patrick's festival is our special opportunity to deepen and celebrate the bonds of heritage and affection which link the global, Irish family and its friends worldwide. It is a great showcase of the Irish love of life and this year, more than any in our recent past, is one to savour with special joy. The welcome return of devolved government to Northern Ireland has brought to the island of Ireland a promising era of peace, prosperity and partnership. Thank you for all the support and encouragement you invested in our long, hard journey to this time of concord. There can be little doubt that the best is yet to come!
I hope that the many new immigrants to Ireland who will be joining the celebrations this year will take inspiration from the most influential immigrant of them all, St Patrick himself. Today his name and that of Ireland are synonymous and each year as we gather in his honour, we can see the widening global reach and richly diverse character of his extensive family. To each one of you I wish a wonderful St Patrick's Day 2008. Enjoy it wherever you are! May St Patrick long continue to bless you, his beloved Ireland and her people.
MARY McALEESE
PRESIDENT OF IRELAND
Beannachtaí na Féile Pádraig ar chlann mhór dhomhanda na nGael, sa bhaile agus ar fud na cruinne, ar ár lá náisiúnta ceiliúrtha.
I am delighted to send St Patrick’s Day greetings to all those taking part in this year's celebrations, whether at home in Ireland or around the world. St Patrick's festival is our special opportunity to deepen and celebrate the bonds of heritage and affection which link the global, Irish family and its friends worldwide. It is a great showcase of the Irish love of life and this year, more than any in our recent past, is one to savour with special joy. The welcome return of devolved government to Northern Ireland has brought to the island of Ireland a promising era of peace, prosperity and partnership. Thank you for all the support and encouragement you invested in our long, hard journey to this time of concord. There can be little doubt that the best is yet to come!
I hope that the many new immigrants to Ireland who will be joining the celebrations this year will take inspiration from the most influential immigrant of them all, St Patrick himself. Today his name and that of Ireland are synonymous and each year as we gather in his honour, we can see the widening global reach and richly diverse character of his extensive family. To each one of you I wish a wonderful St Patrick's Day 2008. Enjoy it wherever you are! May St Patrick long continue to bless you, his beloved Ireland and her people.
MARY McALEESE
PRESIDENT OF IRELAND
Happy St. Patrick's Day
I have very fond memories of going to the St Patrick's Parade in New York every year with my mother Ann when I was a kid living in the Bronx. Last year I spent St Patrick's Day in Foxford Ireland at a very special reunion of my family. It was my first time in Ireland and very magical. A few months before, my cousin Sharon in the UK found us through the Internet and reunited us with our family that we never thought we would ever find. A St Patrick's Day miracle. So here's to my newly discovered and large family.
I now have family in Ireland, England, Germany, Australia, Canada, and here in the USA.
So on this St Patrick's Day....Up the "O'Donnell's, Duffy's, Burton's, Cassini's, Quinn's, Prescott's, Foran's and Up the Irish
and Slainte........
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