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		IN THIS ISSUE
~~~ Foreword
~~~ Keep us Free!
~~~ News Snaps from Ireland 
~~~ New free resources at the site
~~~ Remembering Philip Lynott 	by Sarah Tracy
~~~ Two Irish Penpals Success Stories
~~~ Play the Irish Draw
~~~ Gaelic phrases of the month
~~~ Monthly free competition result

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FOREWORD
~~~~~~~~

Hello again from Ireland where the first signs of 
Spring have finally appeared! Preparations for the 
Saint Patrick's day parade in Dublin are well 
advanced with March 17th being the day of the 
official opening of the world's tallest sculpture, 
the 'Spire of Dublin' (or the 'Brian Boru Tower' 
if some local councillors get their way!)

The next issue of the newsletter will be sent out 
on Saint Patrick's Day itself so keep an eye out 
for it!

Until then, stay safe, wherever you are,

Michael


WE NEED YOUR HELP!

PLEASE - send this newsletter on to your friends 
or relatives who you think are interested in 
Ireland. By doing this you are helping to keep 
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NEWS SNAPS FROM IRELAND
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

IMMIGRATION RULES TIGHTENED

Non-Irish parents of children who have been born 
in Ireland are no longer to be allowed to stay in 
Ireland, if the sole basis of their application 
is that they are the parents of an Irish citizen.

Following on from the recent Supreme Court ruling 
the Government has reacted by blocking off this 
particular route to Irish citizenship. Many 
observers felt that the original regulations were 
being exploited and that undue strain was being 
placed on Maternity Hospitals throughout the 
country. At the end of 2002 there were over 
10,000 such applications made by immigrants.

DRINK ADVERTISING TO BE CURBED

The Irish Government has pledged to tackle 
advertising in the drinks industry, especially 
such advertising that is aimed at young people. 
The practice of having representatives of alcohol 
firms in Colleges and Universities is to be 
curtailed as are 'happy hours' and other cheap 
drink promotions.

Further proposals seek to make it compulsory for 
people under the age of 25 to carry identification 
when in pubs and nightclubs. Non-compliant Bar 
owners may face hefty fines and even closure if 
the proposed regulations are brought into effect. 

The Government is also pressing ahead with its 
plans to ban smoking in all pubs, clubs and 
restaurants by the start of 2004.

BERTIE AHEARN AND TONY BLAIR DISCUSS PEACE PROCESS

The Irish and English leaders have met with a view 
to kick starting the ailing peace process. The 
Northern Ireland Assembly is still suspended and 
it is hoped that the forthcoming elections in 
Ulster will facilitate a way forward. There are 
still large issues of contention between Unionists 
and Nationalists, such as demilitarization and 
policing.

IRISH MONEY STILL HIDDEN AWAY

Over IR£ 336 million or EURO 426 Million has been 
lost or is being held by Irish people, over a year 
after the introduction of the EURO. The Central 
Bank is still visited by over 200 people every 
week who cash in their old currency for the new 
EURO.

STANDARD OF LIVING IN IRELAND IS 5TH LOWEST IN EU

Despite a burgeoning economy in recent years, high 
prices in this country means that the standard of 
living here is among the lowest in the European 
Union. The average income is EURO 27,000 which is 
a higher figure than that achieved in Germany, 
but high inflation means that these earnings have 
less purchase power.

House price inflation, wage inflation, poor public 
transport system and associated compensatory costs 
have all added to an overall lowering of the 
standard of living.

The Irish economy has suffered badly in recent 
months with several high profile job losses. The 
weakness of the US Dollar against the Euro has 
also had a big impact, with the relative expense 
of the EURO now making Ireland a less attractive 
destination for tourists.

NEW IRISH SOCCER MANAGER OFF TO A WINNING START

The new Irish Soccer Team Manager is Brain Kerr, 
who has an excellent record at youth team level. 
His first game in charge was a friendly away to 
Scotland and it was a victorious start. Goals from 
Kevin Kilbane and Clinton Morrison gave a bright 
and energetic Irish team the perfect boost before 
the two crucial upcoming European Championships 
qualifiers. Ireland face away games in Georgia and 
Albania in March.


Voice your opinion on these news issues here:

 https://www.ireland-information.com/cgi-bin/newsletterboardindex.cgi

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Get your Family Crest Cigarette Case, Hip Flask, 
Tankard and much more. Keep us alive! 
- visit https://www.irishnation.com

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NEW FREE RESOURCES AT THE SITE
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

NEW COATS OF ARMS ADDED TO THE GALLERY:

The following 11 coats of arms images and family
history details have been added to the Gallery:

A: Atkinson, MacAleese
C: Curtis
E: Everett
G: Gahan
H: Hendrickson
M: Marney, Meagher
P: Patten
R: Rowntree
W: Watts

View the Gallery here:

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

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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REMEMBERING PHILIP LYNOTT 

editor's note:

Phil Lynott was the founder and lead singer with
the world famous Irish rock group, Thin Lizzy. 
His music is commemorated every year with a tribute 
concert attended by thousands and held on the 
anniversary of his death.

His influence has had such a profound effect on 
Irish music that some commentators regard him as 
the father of modern Irish rock and pop music.

~~

Remembering Philip Lynott 	by Sarah Tracy
 
August 20th 1949 saw the birth of a unique Irish 
hero. One who could win you over with a smile and 
the wink of an eye, whilst dazzling you with a 
shining light and mesmerized you with powerful 
melodies of warriors and maidens who lived long 
ago in the land he adored - Ireland. His songs 
captured your heart and his grin made it 
impossible to put up a fight, you could only do 
one thing in his presence - surrender - to the 
rocker, the dub, Phil Lynott.
 
Philip was raised in Crumlin, Dublin. It wasn't 
easy for him being the illegitimate son of an 
Irish woman and a Brazilian man in the heart of 
a Catholic country, but Phil make it through, he 
was forged from the fires of Dublin, a 'true blue' 
in every sense. His love of music and the urge 
to write down his experiences proved a godsend 
to this unique Irish poet.
 
In 1971, Brian Downey, Eric Bell and Phil, decided 
to set up a band of their own. Eric came up with 
the name Tin Lizzie from a comic strip, but Phil 
added the H to Thin just for a laugh. He knew the 
dubs would still pronounce it as Tin and it was 
good publicity. Their first hit, 'Whiskey in the 
Jar' was meant to be the B-side to 'Black Boys on 
the Corner' but their manager, Ted Carroll, 
persuaded them to put it out on the A-side and 
bingo! Their first hit.
 
Phil was a showman and quickly learned how to 
dress to attract the attention of the audience. 
He knew how to melt their hearts and how to 
delight them. With a reflection of the spotlight 
on his guitar he would shine it into the audience 
to roars of Thin Lizzy! It seemed to be Phil's 
way of saying hello to them personally and giving 
them the spotlight for a while. The personal 
touch he was famous for.
 
Despite a quick turnover in band members the group
managed to keep the Thin Lizzy sound. The sound of 
the twin guitars was to prove almost magical on the 
string of hits, 'The Boys are back in Town', 
'Rosalie' and 'The Rocker' and made them immortal 
in the world of Rock. It showed Phil was a Rocker 
at heart. But he was also a Rocker who loved his 
family dearly and wanted the world to know it, 
hence the songs, 'Sarah', version one for his 
grandmother and two for his daughter, 'Philomena' 
for his mother and 'Cathleen' for his youngest 
daughter. It showed a deeply sentimental and 
romantic side to Phil.
 
And then there was Phil the patriot, the lover of 
Ireland and its legends of mystery and magic. 
Cuchulain was his favourite as was Tir na Nog, a 
land where none grew old or were sad. 'Emerald' 
has captured the heart of many an Irish lad.
 
Though we lost Phil on that sad day of Jan 4th 
1986 he will always be in our hearts, forever 
young, smiling and giving us a mischievous wink. 
He will remain there, in the land he loved - 
Tir na Nog - found in our hearts, the place 
reserved for all good men and heroes.
 
Sarah Philomena Tracy

	An Ode To Phil
 
His voice was soft, so beautifully rare,
Drenched with the lilt of Dublin's air.
With skin like gold and a curl hanging down,
O'er a twinkling eye of smouldering brown.
 
An ever-lasting star of original class,
Burning brightly among the ordinary mass.
Ignited by tales of those brave and true,
He engraved such a time for me and you.
 
When he'd smile or wink, it was really an art,
A mischievous way of melting your heart.
Or he'd shine a light to capture your eyes,
Just to let you know you're one of the boys.
 
Though his songs were many, there are still too few,
And the world is bereft of a beauteous view.
Let us not forget our one son of gold,
Who paid tribute to Ireland's brave men of old.
 
Sarah Tracy

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CELTIC GIFTS!

Shop on line for everything you need to decorate 
your home and life with a Celtic Twist: Art, 
Crafts, Irish & Scottish Baskets, Suncatchers,
WindChimes, Music and Celtic Gifts. We offer a 
delightful variety of Celtic Jewelry: Pendants, 
Crosses, Rings, Hair Ties & more. All your Irish 
Bath, Beauty and Herbal needs are in one 
convenient location!  The Majority of our 
products are Irish, Scottish, Welsh made.
Phone orders 360-765-0186

http://www.celticattic.com

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TWO CARA IRISH PENPALS SUCCESS STORIES
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

I, being a Canadian female aged 20, have always 
been interested in Ireland, so I joined this CARA
this past Summer. I saw a posting from a guy who 
lives in Scotland, also 20, and I sent him an 
email.

We emailed back and forth for a bit, then we 
started talking on the phone and did so for about 
three months. Last December I spent a month in 
Scotland with him. We are totally crazy about each 
other. He is coming over here in February and then 
returning in April to live permanently here in 
Canada. 

I just wanted to say thanks a bunch to CARA, 
because through you guys we were able to find 
each other. Keep up the good work!

Katie W.

~~~

My name is Sandra, I'm a German female who has 
been 'in love' with Ireland since ever. I came 
across the 'irish nation/irish penpals' site 
last year in June and just love it!! 

However, the main reason I'm writing to you is to 
share my happiness. I have 'met' a wonderful Irish 
girl who is my best friend now. We are in touch 
all the time, writing many emails, letters and 
having phone calls. We are like twin souls, 
sharing our lifes, thoughts and feelings with 
each other. She is a pure gem, brightening my 
life day for day. We are going to visit each other 
this year and she even will be there the day I 
get married!!

So, I just want to thank you so much!! With the 
help of your brilliant site I have met this 
wonderful Irish gem, who has become a friend 
for life.

I really hope this site will be kept alive 
forever, you do a great job. Thank you!

Best wishes from Germany,

Sandra

You can join Cara Irish Penpals for free here:
http://www.irishpenpals.com

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Get a Claddagh Ring from Ireland! Keep us alive! 
- visit https://www.irishnation.com

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GAELIC PHRASES OF THE MONTH
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

PHRASE:		Tuigim Gaeilge shimpli
PRONOUNCED:	thug/imm gale/geh him/plee
MEANING:		I understand simple irish

PHRASE:		Nil moran Gaeilge agam.
PRONOUNCED:	kneel more/on gale/geh ah/gum
MEANING:		I dont have much Irish

PHRASE:		De reir a cheile a thogtar na caisleain 
PRONOUNCED:	day rare a kayla a hug/tar nah cosh/lawn
MEANING:		It takes time to build castles

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FEBRUARY COMPETITION RESULT
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

The winner was: norrie.moore@btinternet.com
who will receive the following: 

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

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

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Keep us alive! - visit https://www.irishnation.com

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I hope that you have enjoyed this issue.

Until next time,

Keep the feedback coming!


Michael Green,
Editor,
The Information about Ireland Site.

https://www.ireland-information.com
Click here to contact us