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  The Information about Ireland Site Newsletter 
                   August 2009
 
 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) 2009  

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		IN THIS ISSUE

=== News Snaps from Ireland 
=== New free resources at the site
=== The Ancient Ogham Language
=== Great Irish Families: Kelly
=== The Legend of Fionn MacCumhaill
=== Shy Man by Pat Watson
=== The Irish Coins Proof Set
=== Gaelic Phrases of the Month
=== Shamrock site of the month: 
=== Monthly free competition result

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FOREWORD
========

Hello from Ireland where all the talk is of the 
governments plan to create a 'bad bank' - will 
this be enough to end the banking crisis?

If you have an article, poem or story about 
Ireland or the Irish do send it in - we would
love to receive it!

Until next month

Michael

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=======================
NEWS SNAPS FROM IRELAND
=======================

FORMER IRISH PRESIDENT AWARDED US MEDAL OF FREEDOM

Former Irish president Mary Robinson has been 
awarded the Presidential Medal of Freedom by US 
President Barrack Obama. The award is the highest 
US civilian honour. Mary Robinson was the United 
Nations high commissioner for human rights from 
1997 to 2002. There has been some opposition to 
this award from within the US, particularly from 
the powerful Jewish lobby who accuse her of having 
'a long public record of hostility and one-sided 
bias against' Israel - a charge which she denies. 
The White House was quick to point out that Mary 
Robinson was being honoured for her prominence in 
promoting women's rights around the world.

EUROPE STARTING TO EMERGE FROM RECESSION

There have been further signs of a recovery in 
the economic fortunes of European countries with 
the news that both Germany and France emerged 
from recession in the second quarter of this 
year, after 5 quarters of decline. News from 
Ireland is also more hopeful than it had been 
with a recent report detailing that retail sales 
are showing signs of recovery. June was the best 
month for sales since the recession began. Car 
sales continue to drag however and, just as 
elsewhere, this industry is in big trouble.

The Irish economy has other problems. The 
continuing banking crisis is being tackled head-on 
with the proposed establishment of a 'bad bank' 
to take the toxic loans off the books of the 
major retail banks at a discounted rate. There is 
no guarantee that the government will be able to 
proceed on this basis and should their coalition 
partners, the Greens, decide that the new bad-loan 
bank (NAMA) is not the way to proceed then there 
is a very real possibility of the government 
collapsing and a general election being held. It 
remains to be seen if the Greens do commit 
political suicide as, if they withdraw from 
government on the NAMA issue they still remain 
certain to be crucified by an electorate already 
reeling from big tax increases implemented by a 
government of which they are an integral part.

The property market is another problem. There 
still remains a big number of properties unsold, 
despite big discounts. Commentators still think 
the Irish property market has some way to fall 
although the more moderate observers think the 
bottom is in sight. If the property market gets 
moving again, allowing the construction industry 
to recover somewhat, then Ireland may well emerge 
from this recession relatively unscathed.

This optimistic scenario seems unlikely however, 
as persistent government chatter about a new 
property tax is likely to encourage undecided 
buyers to wait even longer to make a purchase. 
Would you pay 30,000 euro in stamp duty for a 
house if you thought that the stamp duty tax was 
likely to be scrapped in the near future, to be 
replaced with an annual tax imposed on all 
householders?

IRISH TEENAGERS AMONG EARLIEST TO START SMOKING

Heavy taxation of cigarettes and tobacco products 
has not deterred the youth of Ireland from taking 
up the smoking habit. A survey by 'Tobacco Atlas' 
has placed Ireland in the second worst tier where 
between 16% and 30% of teenagers have started 
smoking. In Europe only Germany, the Baltic 
countries, Belarus and Bulgaria are worse.

Scandinavian countries fare much better with less 
than 7% of teenagers smoking, with Greece, 
Switzerland and the US also at the healthier end 
of the smoking scale, if there is any such thing.

HIGH HOPES FOR IRISH MEDALS IN OLYMPICS

Despite the London Olympics still being three 
years away the hopes of Irish success have 
improved with the announcement that female boxing 
is to be admitted to the sporting showcase for 
the first time. Boxing had been the only Olympic 
sport from which women were barred. Katie Taylor 
from County Wicklow is the current European 
and world boxing champion having won 60 
of her previous 61 bouts and if she can remain 
injury free will surely be in with a shout of a 
medal. A further boost to Irish chances of Olympic 
honour came with the news that both Golf and Rugby 
are to be considered for inclusion in the 2016 
games. Ireland's long tradition of producing top 
golfers as well as success in rugby 'sevens' 
competitions augurs well for future Olympic glory.


Voice your opinion on these news issues here:


https://www.ireland-information.com/newsletter.htm

==============================
NEW FREE RESOURCES AT THE SITE
==============================

IRELAND HOUSE-SWAP LISTING

We are working on the online program to allow you 
to freely add and view details of other people who 
are interested in this service.

You can add your home-swap details to our new free 
listing service at:


https://www.ireland-information.com/irelandhouseswap.htm

IRISH HOLIDAY AND TOURIST BOARD

Post a question about holidaying in Ireland 
and we guarantee an answer will be posted on 
the board.


https://www.ireland-information.com/irishholidays-irishtourist/irishtouristboard.html

NEW COATS OF ARMS ADDED TO THE GALLERY:

The following 5 coats of arms images and family
history details have been added to the Gallery:

D: Deasy
G: Gaynor, Gallen
N: McNeice
S: Seymour
	
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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YOU CAN HELP TO KEEP THIS FREE NEWSLETTER ALIVE!

Visit: https://www.irishnation.com
where you can get great Irish gifts, prints, 
claddagh jewellery, engraved glassware and 
much more.

Anne MacDonald ordered a family crest plaque:

 Hello, Michael,

 Received my plaque, carefully wrapped, 
 in good order. It is splendid! I am 
 thrilled, and I know that my dad, for whose 
 81st birthday this was ordered, will love 
 it. I would like to order another one! 

 Everyone who has seen the plaque has been 
 really impressed, even those who, as my 
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 Again, my hearty thanks for this 
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 Best wishes for happy holiday season.

 Sincerely, Anne MacDonald

THE PERFECT WEDDING OR ANNIVERSARY GIFT!

View family crest plaques here:

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==========================
THE ANCIENT OGHAM LANGUAGE
==========================

The ancient Ogham script (pronounced 'oh-am') is 
most often found on Ogham stones that date back 
to the third century. Most examples of the writing 
is found on Ogham stones of which there are over 
350 found mostly in southern Ireland as well as 
in Scotland, the Isle of Man, Cornwall and Wales. 
The transition to the use of the Roman alphabet 
took place about the sixth century. Most examples 
of Ogham writing confer the name of person that 
they represent, thus the stones are often memorial 
symbols. When carved on stones the first letter 
was at the base and the inscription read from the 
bottom up. Ogham is occasionally called the 
'Celtic Tree alphabet' as many of the letters of 
Ogham refer to trees. The origin of Ogham is 
unclear with some scholars suggesting that the 
language was invented to allow the native Irish 
communicate in code that the Roman Britons would 
not understand. Other scholars contend that the 
language is of Christian origin and exists as a 
means of religious communication. 

View the Ogham alphabet, a picture of an Ogham 
stone in Kerry as well as Ogham jewellery here:

https://www.irishnation.com/ogham.htm

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Visit: 
https://www.irishnation.com
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===========================
GREAT IRISH FAMILIES: KELLY
===========================

The ancient families of Kelly rank as the 
second most numerous in Ireland, Murphy being 
the most numerous. The re-use of the prefixes 
O and Mac have widely occurred with this name to 
the extent that as many as 1 in 20 born in modern 
times now use either of these prefixes. It 
must be remembered that after the Gaelic order was 
destroyed most Irish names were crudely anglicized 
with the Mac and O prefix being dropped. After the 
Gaelic revival of the late nineteenth century the 
pointed re-use of these prefixes was successful to 
widely varying degrees across the many hundreds of 
native names.

Although the most important sept of Kelly was 
that of Ui Maine the name actually originated 
independently in a number of different locations 
in Ireland.

* O'Kelly of Ui Maine 
  (Counties Galway and Roscommon)
* O'Kelly of Breagh (in County Meath)
* O'Kelly of Cinel Eachrach 
  (Counties Antrim and Derry)
* O'Kelly of Leix (County Laoise)
* Kelly of Templeboy (Sligo)
* Kelly of Wicklow
* MacKelly of Connaught Province

The ancestor of these independent septs was 
Ceallach from which the Gaelic form of the name is 
derived, O'Ceallaigh. Ceallach is a first name 
that is likely translated as meaning 'strife'. The 
Kellys of Kilkenny are from O'Caollaidhe however,
which is also been anglicized as Kealy and Queally.

The most prominent of all of these septs was 
O'Kelly of Ui Maine (also called Hy Many). 
The ancient documents 'The Annals of the Four 
Masters' make many references to these families. 
Four of the sept were Bishops of Clonfert. In 1518 
the O'Kellys were named by Galway Corporation as 
one of the 'dangerous septs'. 

History is replete with famous bearers of the 
name. Father Malachy Kelly (died in 1684) founded 
the Irish College in Paris. Dennis O'Kelly 
(1720-1787) was part owner of the famous 
racehorse 'Eclipse' and became a colonel. James 
O'Kelly (1845-1916) was a war correspondent of 
renown. The playwright Seamus O'Kelly (1881-1918) 
supported Parnell when he became an M.P. William 
Kelly (1811-188) was an inventor who created a 
method of converting pig iron directly into 
inexpensive steel. Colonel Patrick Kelly 
(1822-1864) was the commander of the Irish Brigade 
at Gettysburg. Ned Kelly( 1854-1880) was the famous 
Australian bushranger who defied the authorities. 
Grace Kelly (1928-1982) was the famous Hollywood 
actress who became Princess of Monaco. Gene Kelly 
(1912-1996), was the Academy Award-winning 
American dancer, actor and singer. Sean T. O'Kelly 
(1882-1966) was the second President of Ireland.

The name Kelly has been dispersed to every corner 
of the globe and in modern times is of particular 
prominence in both Australia and America. 

View the Kelly family crest here:

http://www.irishsurnames.com/coatsofarms/gm.htm

Get the Kelly plaque, print, signet ring and 
more here:

https://www.irishnation.com/familycrestgifts.htm

==========================
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==========================

===============================
THE LEGEND OF FIONN MacCUMHAILL
===============================

Fionn MacCumhaill was a mythical Irish warrior. 
His name has a number of different spellings and 
anglicized forms including Finn McCool and Fionn 
MacUmaill. The name Fionn is taken from the 
Gaelic word that translates as 'fair' likely 
referring to lightly coloured hair. Fionn was 
the son of Cumhaill who leader of the ancient 
Fianna, a band of mercenary warriors who lived 
apart from the rest of Gaelic society.

Hi mother was Muirne, who was daughter to 
Tadg Mac Nuadat, a druid. Cumhaill kidnapped 
Muirne when her father refused him permission
to wed. Outlawed by the High King of the time, 
Conn of the Hundred Battles, the subsequent 
battle of Cnucha resulted in the demise of 
Cumhaill by Goll MacMorna, who assumed leadership 
of the Fianna. 

The now pregnant Muirne was exiled and was 
placed under the care of Fiacal MacConchinn, 
Cumhaills brother-in-law. After bearing her 
child Muirne left him in the care of his new 
family and a warrior woman named Liath Luachra, 
who was responsible for teaching him the ways of 
war and the Fianna. He was also tutored by 
Finnegas, the druid poet who had spent years 
searching for the 'salmon of knowledge', a 
mythical create that could endow all of the 
knowledge of the world. Eventually he caught the 
fish and instructed the young Fionn to cook it 
for him. While cooking the fish over the fire 
he scalded his thumb on the hot flesh and 
instinctively put the thumb to his mouth, 
instantly gaining the wisdom long sought after 
by Finnegas.

As an adult Fionn traveled to Tara, seat of the 
High Kings of Ireland. For 23 years the fairy 
Aillen razed the site to the ground every Samhain
having first lulled its guards into slumber with 
her music. Fionn managed to defeat Aileen however, 
by keeping himself awake by piercing his own skin 
with the point of his spear. His nobility was 
recognised and Goll MacMorna, who was still leader 
of thr Fianna, stepped aside to allow Fionn assume 
his rightful place. Gol even gave Fionn his home 
at the Hill of Almu as recompense for the death of 
his father.

His most famous wife was Sadbh who had been turned 
into a deer by the druid Fer Doirich. While out 
hunting, the hounds of Fionn, Bran and Sceolang, 
recognised the deer as a once-human form, since 
they too had once been human. Fionn did not kill 
the deer who was immediately transformed into his 
beautiful wife. She bore him a son, Oisin, who 
later became one of the greatest of all of the 
Fianna. The druid Fer Doirich returned however and 
re-cast Sadbh as a deer who then vanished into the 
forest forever.

Later in his life the reigning High King, Cormac 
Mac Airt, promised Fionn the hand of his daughter 
Grainne. It was not be however as Grainne and 
Diarmuid Ua Duibhne, another of the Fianna, eloped 
with Fionn in pursuit. The mater was resolved when 
Fionn allowed the lovers to be together, only for 
him to take revenge in later life by not using his 
powers to heal Diarmuid and prevent his death, 
after he had been gored by a boar.

Fionn is credited with creating the Giants 
Causeway as stepping stones from the North of 
Ireland to Scotland. Another legend tells how he 
threw a large piece of the land into the sea at an 
enemy, that piece of land becoming the Isle of 
Man. The hole left behind by the clump of land 
he threw became Lough Neagh.

The death of Fionn MacCumhaill is shrouded in 
mystery. One legend suggests that he is not dead 
but merely sleeping in a cave under Dublin, ready 
to strike back against Ireland's enemies.

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=====================
SHY MAN by Pat Watson
=====================
           
Even though he was seven years her senior, Paddy 
had been admiring Mary from a distance for many 
years. Not that it did him any good because he 
lacked the courage to do anything about it. Oh he 
had plenty of courage on the football field or 
handling livestock but with girls it was 
different. He often started out determined to 
carry through but always chickened out at the 
last minute. Whenever he practised a few sentences 
in front of the mirror they sounded great but he 
could never repeat the words when faced with Mary, 
her half smile, her feminine gait, her air of 
serenity, her gentleness just melted his heart and 
tied his tongue. With a mumbled hello his jellied 
legs always scuttled him away.

Now it was different, his Mother had died six 
long months ago last spring, the loneliness was 
unbearable, Mary was always on his mind and he 
would turn forty before Christmas. He just had to 
kick himself into action. He thought of a plan. 
Mary lived with her brother Tom who played cards 
in the village every Tuesday night. 

At that time the carbide lamp was the latest 
status symbol of dashing young men. It was a 
sophisticated piece of equipment. It had a bottom 
chamber for white carbide powder, a higher chamber 
with water that dripped on to the powder, forming 
a flammable gas, a jet protruding into the light 
chamber where the gas would be lit by a match and 
finally a little glass door to protect the flame. 
There was a screw tap to accurately control the 
water flow as too little or too much yielded no 
gas. There was also a built-in pump to keep the 
gas pressed through the jet at the right speed to 
create a perfect blue flame. The mirror type 
reflector then threw the light onto the road 
ahead when the whole contraption was clipped on 
to the bicycle. In the event of power failure, it 
would be necessary to call to the nearest house 
for a light to reset the whole thing.

Now for the plan, he would call to Mary's house 
on Tuesday night to regulate his carbide lamp. 
He would call with the lamp in his hand, then 
even if his voice failed him, she would know 
what he wanted and she would invite him into the 
light. Then as he dazzled her with his dexterity, 
technical wizardry and ultra-modern equipment, 
speech would surely come. She might even offer 
him tea. He would look at her, admire her, and 
just be beside her. She would smile at him - oh 
that smile! No, no, this was too good to be true. 
Something would go wrong. Don't be negative, what 
can go wrong? There will be only the two of us 
and after a while his courage would come.

He knocked at the door. Mary opened it. He held 
up the lamp. 'Paddy, you want to regulate your 
lamp? come into the light, Lorna's girls are here 
visiting. They came to say goodbye, Meg and Peg 
are for America tomorrow.' 

The kitchen was full of big redhead girls, four 
of them, all late teens. They were nieces, her 
older sister - Lorna had married Big Red Hanrahan 
from the mountain over twenty years ago. They had 
wild sons who emigrated but not before they had 
made a name for themselves fighting at football 
matches and dances. He hoped the girls would be 
more agreeable. They weren't. 
'Did your little blue light go out?' 
Loud Laughter. 
'Was it ever lit?' More laughter.
'Is your carbide dry?' 
'No his pump is faulty' 
'I think it's his little jet' 
Hysterical laughter. They had certainly taken 
after their father, with a loud brash manner, 
roaring red hair, big noses and little beady 
eyes. Mary had disappeared. 

He ran from the house, clasping his lamp, a broken 
man, distraught, humiliated, broken-hearted with 
the salt-tears of anger, frustration and failure 
burning his eyes, the coarse, squealing, mocking 
laughter ringing in his ears. Talk about bold, 
bawdy, brazen lady-dogs, those were they. Nothing 
could go wrong, like always, nothing went right. 
He had really blown all his chances with Mary now. 
He would never live it down. He would have to 
emigrate. He would have to live his whole life 
without love or companionship, without Mary. The 
thought was unbearable. He was definitely a case 
for the foreign legion, without hope.

When he reached his bike, Mary was there. She left 
her hand on his and smiling said
'Yes is my answer to your question'. 

They needed no light after that.


'Shy Man' 
is one of sixty lyrical yarns from 
'Original Irish Stories' by Pat Watson, 
Creagh, Bealnamulla, Athlone, Ireland. 
First published in May 2006.
To get your copy email the author here:

pjwatson@utvinternet.com

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=========================

=========================
THE IRISH COINS PROOF SET
=========================

The recent limited edition proof set of Irish 
coins produced by the Irish government is now 
available. We have a very small supply of these 
fantastic items which you can get from here:

https://www.irishnation.com/irishcoinsandbanknotes.htm

===========================
GAELIC PHRASES OF THE MONTH
===========================

PHRASE:		Ni lia duine na tuairim 
PRONOUNCED:	nee lee-ah dinnah nah toor-im
MEANING:		Everyone has their own opinion

PHRASE:		Ni lia tir na nos
PRONOUNCED:	nee lee-ah tear no-iss
MEANING:		every country has it's own customs

PHRASE:		Is leir don saol e an firinne
PRONOUNCED:	iss lair dun sail a on firr-inyeh 
			(a as in a,b,c) 
MEANING:		everybody knows the truth

View the archive of phrases here:

https://www.ireland-information.com/irishphrases.htm

=========================
AUGUST COMPETITION RESULT
=========================

The winner was: bmsmith@turnkeysolutionscorp.com
who will receive the following: 

A Single Family Crest Print (decorative) 
(US$19.99 value)

Send us an email to claim your print, and well 
done! Remember that all subscribers to this 
newsletter are automatically entered into the 
competition every time. 

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I hope that you have enjoyed this issue.

Until next month,

Michael Green,
Editor,
The Information about Ireland Site.

https://www.ireland-information.com