The Information about Ireland Site Newsletter
April 2005
The Newsletter for people interested in Ireland
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Copyright (C) 2005
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The Information about Ireland Site Newsletter
April 2005
The Newsletter for people interested in Ireland
Now received by over 50,000 people worldwide
https://www.ireland-information.com
https://www.irishnation.com
Copyright (C) 2005
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IN THIS ISSUE
=== Foreword
=== News Snaps from Ireland
=== New free resources at the site
=== Eamon DeValera: an Irish Leader
=== Eire - A Poem by Anna Faustmann
=== Cover the Butter by Carrie Kabak
=== Erin - A Poem by Pam Lainhart
=== 15 Days in Ireland by Tina Loflin
=== A little bit of Dublin - #1
=== Travelling Heavy - A poem by Geraldine Rimmer
=== Gaelic Phrases of the Month
=== Monthly free competition result
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FOREWORD
========
Many thanks to all the good wishes we received on
Patricks Day - it is great to know this newsletter
is read by so many people around the world!
The talk here in Ireland is about delays at Dublin
airport and the ever increasing cost of living
- see the news snaps below. Ireland has changed
beyond recognition in the last decade...
Enjoy this months newsletter!
Michael
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NEWS SNAPS FROM IRELAND
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IRISH PEOPLE WORK HARDER AND LONGER
A recent report has found that Irish employees
work the longest hours in Europe. The report found
that 6% of male and 4% of female staff work more
than 60 hours per week. Britain and Portugal are
next in the rankings. Workers in Belgium and The
Netherlands work the least number of hours. A new
EU directive is seeking to limit the working week
to a maximum of 48 hours.
SMOKING BAN PROMPTS PUNTERS TO STAY AT HOME
The ban on smoking in pubs and restaurants
that was introduced last year has had the
effect of encouraging former pub 'regulars'
to stay at home more often. A recent report
into Irish drinking habits has revealed that
over one fifth of drinkers are drinking more
often at home, due largely to the smoking ban.
The overall consumption of alcohol is down as
a result of the recently introduced law.
The hospitality trade have claimed that over 200
pubs have close din the last year since the
smoking ban was introduced, and that over 7,6000
jobs have been lost. The Government remains
unimpressed however, and plans to introduce
several new kinds of licence to allow cafes to
serve alcohol.
HUGE DELAYS AT DUBLIN AIRPORT AFTER SECURITY TEST
Recent security tests carried out by the European
Civil Aviation Council have highlighted the slack
security at Dublin Airport.
Inspectors for the Council were able to smuggle 3
knives, a replica bomb and a replica gun past the
security measures that were in place. Airport
authorities have responded with much stricter
security checks which in turn have caused huge
delays for passengers while checking-in and have
also resulted in a huge increase in the number of
passengers missing their flights.
HEALTH SERVICE REFORMS TO CONTINUE
The Government has set out is plans to continue
the modernisation of the Health Service. The main
areas to be targeted include:
* reduction of long waiting times for admittance
* provision of more long-term elderly patient care
* the speedier building of health facilities
* more services for the disabled
* reduction in waiting time for operations
UNEMPLOYMENT REMAINS HISTORICALLY LOW
Unemployment jumped by 3,100 people in March,
although there has been a 6.6% drop in the numbers
of unemployed people in the last year. The rate of
unemployment is now 4.3%, equating to just over
170,000 people.
DUBLIN IS GETTING MORE EXPENSIVE
Dublin is now ranked 21st in the overall list of
the most expensive cities in the world, up 4
places. The bi-annual survey measures the cost
of living and working and has concluded that
Dublin is now more expensive than New York, Rome
or Beijing. Tokyo continues to top the list,
followed by Osaka Kobe, Oslo and then Paris.
London was placed seventh.
The continuing weakness of the US DOllar when
compared to the EURO has certainly contributed to
the relative expensiveness of the major European
capitals when compared to their North American
counterparts. No USA city featured in the top 20.
Tehran is the worlds most inexpensive major city
to work and live.
SOCCER AND RUGBY MAY BE ALLOWED INTO CROKE PARK
The GAA has recently voted by 227 votes to 97 to
allow the opening up of Croke Park to Soccer and
Rugby. Doubts still remain however. It is possible
that the GAA may make yet make it economically
unviable for any prospective sporting
organisations to use the facility. Landsdowne
Road is due to be redeveloped so the prospect of
the Irish soccer team playing home international
matches in England or Scotland is still very
much a possibility.
Voice your opinion on these news issues here:
https://www.ireland-information.com/cgi-bin/newsletterboardindex.cgi
https://www.ireland-information.com/cgi-bin/newsletterboardindex.cgi
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NEW FREE RESOURCES AT THE SITE
==============================
NEW COATS OF ARMS ADDED TO THE GALLERY:
The following 6 coats of arms images and family
history details have been added to the Gallery:
B: Baldwin
C: Cantwell
K: Kincaid
M: O'Meara
P: Pell
S: Seay
View the Gallery here:
http://www.irishsurnames.com/coatsofarms/gm.htm
THE PERFECT WEDDING, ANNIVERSARY OR BIRTHDAY GIFT!
We now have over 100,000 worldwide names available.
Get the Coat of Arms Print, Claddagh Ring,
Screensaver, Watch, T-Shirt Transfer or Clock for
your name at:
https://www.irishnation.com/familycrestgifts.htm
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EAMON DEVALERA: AN IRISH LEADER
===============================
Foreword: Eamon DeValera was one of the most
important figures in the history of Ireland. His
relationship with the people of the country was
often strained and his attitude and motives have
frequently puzzled historians. The fact remains
however, that without his involvement in the Irish
Nationalist movement the course of Irish history
would have been radically different.
He was born in New York on the 14th of October in
1882 to Catherine Coll (a young Irish immigrant from
County Limerick) and Juan Vivion DeValera (an
immigrant of Spanish origin).
Little is known of his early childhood except that
his family moved from America in 1885 to Ireland
where the young Eamon studied at Blackrock College
in Dublin and was largely reared by his
Grandmother. He studied languages and mathematics
and was, like Michael Collins, a student of
English Rule in Ireland. The early 1900s was a time
of the great Gaelic cultural revival in Ireland as
literature, drama, sport and the language of the
Gaelic nation were all revived.
The main spearhead of the revival was The Gaelic
League which he joined in 1908. He was greatly
influenced by the League and learned the Irish
language whilst immersing himself in the Gaelic
culture. The Gaelic League was an obvious
recruiting ground for the various revolutionary
organisations of the time and it was not long
before DeValera became a member of the Irish
Republican Brotherhood. DeValera was second in
command to Thomas MacDonagh of the Dublin Brigade
during the Easter Rising of 1916.
The Rising failed and the seven leaders, MacDonagh
and Pearse among them, were executed, along with 9
other rebels. DeValera was also sentenced to death
as an organiser of the revolt but was to escape the
firing squad because of the confusion surrounding
his ancestry (the English authorities did not want
to risk the execution of an American citizen).
DeValera was elected as the leader of Sinn Fein
upon his release and set about the formation of an
Irish parliament (the Dail). He was arrested in 1918
for subversion and imprisoned in England in Lincoln
prison. With the help of Michael Collins he escaped
to America to raise both funds for and consciousness
about, the Irish plight. In his absence the War of
Independence was being waged by Collins. The
English Prime Minister of the time was Lloyd
George who wanted to see an end to the violence.
DeValera returned to negotiate with Lloyd George
and soon realised that his ambition of a free and
independent Ireland would not be granted. He
returned home and sent a delegation led by Michael
Collins to negotiate a settlement.
The subsequent Anglo-Irish Treaty was ratified by
the Dail in 1922 but DeValera opposed both the
partition of the country and the Oath of
Allegiance to the English crown that the Treaty
required. A bloody Civil War followed which saw
both the defeat of the Anti-Treaty side, led by
DeValera, and the death of Michael Collins.
DeValera was again imprisoned but released in 1926
when he formed the Fianna Fail party. He now
attempted to achieve his aims by the use of
constitutional politics. By 1932 he had removed
the Oath of Allegiance and sought about
establishing an independent Ireland. He created an
Irish Constitution in 1937 but an Irish Republic
was not declared because of the partition of the
country.
DeValera resisted both bribes and threats from
Churchill during the war years, ('the emergency'),
and it was not until the Costello led Government
declared a Republic in 1949 that the effects of
the Anglo-Irish Treaty were finally removed from
the Southern part of Ireland. Partition remained.
DeValera was Taoiseach of Ireland for much of the
fifties and on 25 June, 1959 he was inaugurated as
President of Ireland, a position he held for 14
years. He retired in 1973 and died shortly
afterwards, on 29th August 1975 at the age of 92.
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EIRE - A POEM by Anna Faustmann
=============
Many years ago my heart flew away.
And I know it still lies on this place.
In my dreams it´s so near to me.
There in a country across the sea.
There where my heart was suddenly free
and history whispers in every tree.
They told us legends and things
of creatures and mystical happenings.
And often they spoke about the little one's traces.
Here in this country on mysterious places.
My heart is still there and waits for me
in this country called Eire across the sea
Anna Faustmann
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COVER THE BUTTER by Carrie Kabak
================
Carrie Kabak is a former children's book
illustrator. Born and raised in the United Kingdom,
she now lives in Kansas City, Missouri, with her
husband where she lives with her husband and five
sons. The following excerpt is taken from
'Cover the Butter', her first novel.
Publication Date: June 20, 2005
Available from Amazon and all good bookstores
COVER THE BUTTER
Thursday, November 22nd
Longshank Farm, Cloondray
'Good morning, Katie, aren't you the early bird?
Did you sleep well?
Will I fetch you some breakfast?'
'That would be great. Thanks, Oona.'
She wipes her hands on a chequered apron and holds
out her arms, so I respond by taking two steps
closer.
'You're very welcome,' she says, hugging me.
'It's grand meeting you at last, Katie. Pity it has
to be at such a sad time. Last night it was too dark
to see, but it's clear you're Bernadette Geraghty's
grandchild.'
I slide onto a long bench and rest my elbows on
the table, my head in my hands. And that's when I
see a neat pile of kittens sleeping in a cardboard
box. 'Where's their mother?' I ask.
'Prudence will be after a drink in the parlour,
she's always there at milking time.'
I watch Oona slicing bread and putting eggs to
boil. 'I plan to get a cat,' I tell her.
'I'll probably call her Dinah.'
Oona bends down to lift one of the kittens. She
spreads a tiny paw between her finger and thumb.
'Will you look at this?'
'Wow, six toes!'
Oona kisses the squirming bundle before placing it
in my lap. 'Only one girl in this litter, and
she's for you. Take her home.'
I gather the tiny limbs and body in my hands and
ask Oona if she's sure?
'A gift from me,' she says.
'Thank you!'
'I'll get Barney to find a wooden box for your
Dinah. Sure, it'll be no trouble taking her back
to England.'
She pushes a strand of damp hair from her forehead,
and I see the shine of perspiration above her
green eyes. 'Well, Katie, I've cooked two roasts
and a leg of ham, and I have a churn of fresh
butter ready. With all the bread and cakes and
beer, let's hope we have enough for the visitors
and mourners.' She wipes a tear from her cheek
with the back of a hand. 'God rest your
grandmother's soul.'
Oona's a lump of a woman, as lazy as they come,
and didn't she always have her eye on every
penny of Mammy's money, let alone the land?
'Oh, here are the cows now,' she says. 'The
milking is done. Now Barney will want his
breakfast.' She works flour and cold potatoes
together in a bowl to form a dough.
'Potato cakes?' I ask.
'Will you try some?'
I put Dinah back with her brothers and smile a
yes, and Oona waddles to the sink to swill her
hands. Then I hear a shuffle, a clatter, a
squelch and Barney's yip-yip. Black and white
cows sway past the open door, lowing softly.
There's a pungent odour of milk and hay and a
few of the cows step out of line to gaze into the
kitchen. They flare pink nostrils, roll their eyes
and swish their tails before they're moved on with
more yip-yips.
'Now, aren't they nosy?' says Oona, setting my
breakfast down.
I watch the procession until Barney slaps the last
cow on the rump to send her through the gate to
the field.
I love it here.
'How did you get on with my grandmother?' I ask
Oona.
'Well now, Kate, I'll tell you the truth. She had
a vicious tongue, and she controlled with an iron
fist. So strange. She'd love me one minute,
despise me the next. And then the sweet would
follow the sour again.'
So like Biddy.
Oona laughs, but it's a sad laugh. 'You're Mam
doesn't like me much, either.'
She freezes.
'Oh, Katie, I'm sorry, I shouldn't have said
that.'
Covering her mouth with a plump hand, she sits at
the table. I dip a spoonful of egg into the tiny
heap of salt on my plate, then eat it with a bite
of toast.
Here goes.
'I don't think my mother likes me much, either.
But why, Oona?'
'Where exactly is your father's heart?' whispers
Oona. 'It's obvious he's obsessed with you, Katie.'
Our eyes meet. She's jealous?
But no more can be said, because Josie walks in.
Oona squeezes my arm and nods, then strokes the
back of my head.
A sinister wail intrudes our silence.
'What the hell was that?' asks Josie.
Oona scrapes her chair on the stone floor as she
jumps to put the kettle on. 'Take no heed, that
will be old Mrs. Rooney.'
Mrs. Rooney started keening after our poor Gran
was laid out on Monday, says Oona, as she rolls
out the potato dough, then cuts circles with an
old jam jar. Keening's not done much around these
parts any more, but the old lady insisted. She's
been at our Gran's side all night. She must have
had a little sleep in the armchair and just woken
up to start her wailing again. Oona had better
take her a cup of tea and a slice of something as
soon as she's browned these potato cakes on the
griddle.
She leaves the kitchen. Her skirt is a mass of
gathers, and her brown hair, a haphazard mess, is
strung together with a ribbon. How in the world
could anyone dislike her?
Josie has her backside to me, warming her hands
over the Aga. 'Aunt Biddy says Barney and Oona
could give me a few items of furniture, at least.
After all, Colin and me are getting married soon,'
she says.
I ignore the silly bitch and when I finish eating,
I leave to get dressed. I'll help Oona get things
ready for the funeral. I don't think she slept at
all last night.
I meet her in the hallway. 'Old Mrs. Rooney will
start the lamentation again soon, so don't be
alarmed,' she whispers. 'Will you help me feed
the chickens and calves when you're dressed?'
As I'm saying, 'I'd love to,' Biddy appears,
fully dressed.
'Morning Kate,' she says, offering me a brief
smile.
'Morning, Oona,' she says, not offering her a
glance.
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We feed the calves from buckets, and I help Oona mix a meal-mash for the hens. And it's above the clucking as they feed that she tells me Biddy can be a cruel woman. How many a time she would watch Oona cry when she made it obvious she didn't want her a member of the Geraghty family, when she and Barney were engaged. Go home, she said, to your seventeen brothers and sisters, do you think Mammy can help you support squads of children when you give birth to them? 'Well, Oona, Biddy only had me,' I say. 'What do you think she did? Abstain? She's a staunch Roman Catholic.' 'Here's the sad thing, though,' says Oona, scraping out the last of the mash to the floor. 'I can't have children. God didn't even grant me one wee baby of my own.' Poor Oona. And dear God, I hope I haven't been granted one. That would be so unfair. * * At twelve o'clock, the visitors and mourners file into the dark bedroom to pay their last respects. Biddy is there, stroking the solid oak casket with its superior quality linings, raised lid, and fitted die-cast brassed furniture complete with hand-painted nameplate. Yes, it is a lovely casket, she says. She and Shauna decided only the best was good enough for Mammy, who would have chosen the very same one herself. I go to the kitchen to help pass out rolls filled with slices of beef and ham. Josie's fiancé Colin is having a hard time pouring the drinks. His face is a flushed tomato as he tries to keep up the pace. 'A whiskey, Sir? Right away.' 'Ah now, will you give us a decent measure?' asks a toothless character, nudging the neck of the bottle with his glass. 'Keep your ice,' says a massive bear stuffed in a black suit. 'Are you trying to spoil a good drink?' 'A large Guinness will do nicely,' whispers the frail Mrs. Rooney. 'Sweet sherry here.' 'A drop of Scotch.' 'One red, three white wines.' 'Another Guinness over here. Do we need a new bartender, boys? Sure, aren't we standing in line dying of thirst?' Poor Colin. When I say I'm family, sympathy is expressed, condolences are offered, and I'm left with words that build a picture, teach me a little more about my grandmother. She had the thickest hair, the rosiest of cheeks, the deepest eyes for miles around. She cooked a fine roast, could dig a field of potatoes in one day. Could raise turf in the bog along with the most burly of workers, help bale hay, man a tractor. A strong soul, a tough soul-no one would dare cross her, may she rest in peace. Cheers, Kate, and don't you have your grandmother's eyes? She does, doesn't she, Oona? Will you just look? Longshank House is soon milling with people celebrating the full and fiery life Bernadette Geraghty enjoyed on this earth. When Father Rafferty arrives, each decade of the rosary is recited en masse, ending with -et lux perpétua lúceat ei. Requiéscat in pace. Amen. Amen. My grandmother is carried to the sterility of a hearse. And that's when I cry. Biddy adjusts my black hat, a little pillbox with a feather, and steps back. 'Pull you're skirt down, it's rising up at the back. Do you have a spot of red lipstick? You look as pale as paper. Let me see now. Good. Pull your shoulders back. Shauna, will you bring a box of tissues for the church?' Dad is all starched and upright. His hair is neatly plastered, and he sports a new side parting. Biddy licks her finger and rubs at something on his collar, then says, 'Tom, lead me out.' Uncle Frank and Aunt Shauna follow, then Josie and Colin, and when I look around, there's Barney with his hands on his hips. 'Take my arms, girls,' he tells me and Oona. 'It's time to say goodbye to Mammy.' We pass the musicians on our way out, who sit on a stone bench in the yard, drinking stout. 'We'll put on a good show,' they assure Barney, raising their tankards. 'Mammy always loved a decent jig,' says Barney. * * After the service, when we stand in the graveyard for the burial, I take Biddy's gloved hand. 'Kate,' she whispers, 'you must let go. I need both my hands to pray.' I watch as she fingers her rosary beads with a quiet ferocity, mouthing a silent prayer. The authority, the discipline. I cling to the belief that this translates to love and her need to protect. Whatever it is, there's an odd security about it all. Especially now. 'O God, by Your mercy rest is given to the souls of the faithful,' says the priest, 'please bless this grave. Appoint Your holy angels to guard it and set free from all the chains of sin the soul of Bernadette Geraghty whose body is buried here, so that with all Thy saints she may rejoice in Thee forever. Per Christum Dóminum nostrum.' * * |
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