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  The Information about Ireland Site Newsletter 
                  February 2006
 
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) 2006  

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		IN THIS ISSUE
=== Foreword
=== News Snaps from Ireland 
=== New free resources at the site
=== An Irish Leader: Sean Lemass
=== Tunnel of Light 	        by Bree T. Donovan
=== Dollymount Strand		by Barry Monaghan
=== A Musical Trip to Ireland  by Fr. James F. Barry
=== Gaelic Phrases of the Month
=== Monthly free competition result

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FOREWORD
========

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

IRISH POPULATION AT ITS HIGHEST SINCE 1871

A population census which will be carried out in 
April is expected to confirm that the Irish 
population has grown to over 4.2M, an increase 
of over 300,000 since 2002. A high birth rate, 
the huge numbers of migrant workers arriving 
here, especially from Poland and the new EU 
states, as well as the high volume of emigrants 
who have returned home, are being cited as the 
main reasons for the dramatic increase.

The population of Ireland before the 1845-1849 
famine was 6.5M. As recently as 1961 the 
population was only 2.1M.

GOVERNMENT TRIES TO WOO SSIA SAVERS TO PENSIONS

The pension 'time-bomb' that is ticking 
throughout Europe in general and Ireland in 
particular is a cause of huge concern for the 
Irish Government. Former Finance Minister 
Charlie McCreevey recognised the problem when 
he set up the National Pension Reserve fund, 
which is aimed at financing the cost of 
Ireland's imminent pension costs.

Another Charlie McCreevey scheme, the SSIA 
(a bonus-led savings scheme), is to be targeted 
by the Government as it attempts to persuade 
Irish people to take out their own pensions now, 
rather than rely on a Government State pension 
later in life.

The Government will give a bonus of EURO 2500 if 
a SSIA holder invests EURO 7500 in their pension 
scheme.

Over 15BN EURO will be released into the Irish
economy over the next year by the SSIA scheme.

EASTER RISING ANNIVERSARY TO GET A MILITARY PARADE

The 90th anniversary of the Easter Rising is to be 
marked with a military parade and speeches on April 
16th. Irish Taoiseach Bertie Ahearn has invited 
members of the opposition political parties to 
suggest ways in which the event can best be 
commemorated. The parade will travel from Dame 
Street to O'Connell street where the famous 
'Proclamation of Independence' will again be read 
outside the G.P.O.

IRISH SMOKING BAN ADOPTED BY ENGLAND

Smoking in England, Wales, Scotland and Northern 
Ireland is to be banned in public places from next 
year. Ireland was the first country in the world 
to introduce a total smoking ban in pubs, 
restaurants and clubs and this example is being 
followed throughout Europe.

Despite dire predictions of the thousands of jobs 
that would be lost the Irish people have adapted 
very quickly to the new laws in what is being seen 
as one of he most pro-active pieces of health 
promoting legislation in history.

RANDOM BREATH-TESTING INTRODUCED

In the continuing battle to reduce the alarmingly 
high fatality rates on Irish roads (one of the 
highest in Europe), the Minister for Justice has 
announced that random breath-testing may now be 
carried out by the Garda Siochana (police force).

Previously only motorists who had been involved 
in an accident or who were suspected of 
drink-driving could be tested.

SALE OF MAGIC MUSHROOMS BANNED

The Minister for health has banned the sale and 
possession of magic mushrooms with immediate effect. 
The boom in health-food shops and exotic markets 
had made access to the mushrooms much easier in 
recent years. From now on the mushrooms will be 
classed as a 'controlled substance' akin to other
banned drugs.

MORE WOMEN AVAIL OF 100% MORTGAGES

Single women in Ireland are taking advantage of 
the newly available 100% mortgages in far greater 
numbers than their male counterparts. In Dublin 
up to 57% of women account for all applications 
for the controversial mortgage product, including 
joint-applications by couples.

STATOIL TO PULL OUT OF IRISH MARKET

Scandinavian oil company Statoil is to withdraw 
from the Irish market. The entry into the 
lucrative market by supermarket chain Tesco is 
being cited as one of the main reasons the 
company is leaving Irish shores.

GUINNESS FAILS TO LEARN ITS LESSONS

Those who forget the mistakes of the past are 
doomed to repeat them. Tell that to Guinness!

Diageo, the company who own the Guinness brand, 
are attempting to again launch an alternative to 
the famous 'pint of plain'. Despite the disaster 
that was 'Guinness Light' in the 1970's the 
company is once more trying to steal some of the 
lager market from its rivals by launching a 
lighter version of its most famous brew.

'Guinness Mid-Strength' will have less alcohol 
than regular Guinness but will look exactly the 
same. It remains to be seen if history repeats 
itself for the brewing giant.

NEW DUBLIN UNDERGROUND METRO LINK TO AIRPORT

The new Metro link from Dublin city centre to 
Swords via the Airport is expected to take more 
than 41,000 cars per day off the roads, with an 
expected 30M passengers using the service 
annually. The new rail link will run underground 
in the city centre and emerge overground on the 
outskirts of the city. The terminus will be 
located at St. Stephens Green. The new service 
will be a huge addition to the city's creaking 
transport system and will be especially useful 
for tourists arriving into Dublin Airport who up 
until now have had to rely on buses and taxis.
 
IRISH DRAW TOUGH GROUP IN EUROPEAN CHAMPIONSHIPS

Newly appointed Irish soccer manager Steve 
Staunton will get a baptism of fire when Ireland 
face up to Germany in the opening qualifying match 
for the European Championships which will be held 
in Austria and Switzerland in 2008. The top 2 
teams in each group qualify for the finals.

The away date with Germany in September will be 
followed by a trip to Cyprus a month later before 
home games to the Czech Republic and San Marino 
in Landsdowne Road.

The first ever soccer match to be held at Croke 
Park will take place in 2007 with Wales the 
opposition. Slovakia are the seventh team in a 
tough group, which ends with an away game in 
Wales.
 

Voice your opinion on these news issues here:

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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:

D: Davies, Drake
H: Heslin
J: Jenkins, Jameson
P: Patrick

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

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AN IRISH LEADER: SEAN LEMASS
============================

Sean Lemass was Taoiseach (leader) of Ireland 
from 1959 to 1966. He is regarded by many 
historians as the greatest of all political 
leaders of Ireland and is credited with laying 
the foundations of the modern economic success 
in Ireland.

Born in Dublin in 1899 Lemass was a veteran of the 
Easter Rising in 1916. He fought in the War of 
Independence and was imprisoned in Ballykinlar in 
County Down for a year. He opposed the Anglo-Irish 
Treaty and fought against the Michael Collins Free 
State in the subsequent Civil War. He was among 
the rebels who occupied the Four Courts which 
were famously bombed by the Free State forces. He 
was again interned in Mountjoy and the Curragh. 

He was first elected to the Irish parliament in 
1924 as member of Sinn Fein and was re-elected 
from his Dublin South constituency at every 
election that followed, up until his retirement 
in 1969. With DeValera he was a founder member of 
the new Fianna Fail party in 1926 which had 
abandoned armed struggle in favour of using 
political means to achieve its goals. He served 
as Minister for Commerce, Minister for Supplies 
and finally as Tanaiste (Deputy-Taoiseach) before 
being elected leader in 1959. His dealings in 
economic matters on behalf of the State were to 
serve him well. 

Ireland during the 1950s and 1960s was an economic 
wasteland with little industry and huge 
emigration. Costello worked incessantly to develop 
industry and trade. His Programme for Economic 
Development saw the creation of Bord na Mona, Aer 
Lingus and the Irish Shipping industry. He worked 
to develop and expand the tourist industry, to 
extend the supply of electricity countrywide, to 
develop the sugar industry, and a myriad of other 
schemes and developments.

Irish society was changing at a rapid pace, with 
RTE being set up in 1961. The old conservatism 
was being challenged as never before. Ireland had 
applied for membership of the EEC and was becoming 
part of the wider modern European society.

Lemass favoured an attitude of co-operation with 
the new political entity that was Northern Ireland. 
In 1965 he became the first Irish leader to visit 
Stormont for talks with Prime Minister Terence 
O'Neill. The subsequent controversy as well as 
failing health may have convinced him that it was 
time to step down.

Sean Lemass retired as Taoiseach in 1966 and 
eventually retired from politics in 1969. 
He died in 1971.

His legacy of economic reform in Ireland is 
perhaps his greatest achievement and is being 
evidenced in the economic boom which began in 
the mid-1990s.

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TUNNEL OF LIGHT 	        by Bree T. Donovan
===============

It had been a long day. The train's movement was 
as soothing as a mother's lullaby. Fatigue and 
sadness clouded Gillean's tired eyes. He hated 
the idea of leaving his family, but the music 
playing inside his head would not be silenced. He 
was finally free to compose songs for his own 
recently acquired record label after more than 
two decades of being a commodity for others. The 
constant demand for 'hit albums' from smug 
business men who appreciated artistic expression 
about as much as Gillean did being cooped up in 
Board rooms, was gone. The particular, long 
standing discomfort mercifully extracted like a 
throbbing tooth. Instead, an inner calling 
beckoned him back to the days of his musical 
roots as a soulful story- teller. The fruition of 
this creative endeavor weighed heavily upon him 
for the past few months, but there never seemed 
to be enough hours in the day to accomplish all 
he wanted. After completing a successful and 
exhausting World tour, he took great pleasure in 
idle days spent with his wife and children in 
their beautiful home nestled in a hamlet of 
Western Ireland. Gillean made the difficult 
decision to leave the comforts of hearth and 
family to take an unaccompanied journey. He 
believed the time in seclusion - away from all 
the distractions that fame brought would 
provide him with a clearness of vision.

Gillean didn't lack for material. He knew what he 
wanted to say. A vast array of emotions had been 
gnawing at him for a great while. He had simply 
closed the door on the unmanageable feelings. 
They were unwelcome guests. He was afraid of what 
embracing them might mean. Most of all, he was 
fearful that his musical message would fall upon 
deaf ears. His treasured fans were always 
supportive, but the Media could be so very 
critical. He was beginning to feel like a rag 
doll pulled from all directions. Although his 
loyal listeners clamored for more, they differed 
on what it was they wanted from him- who each 
considered to be their own personal singer. 
Pressure was building in his core like the heat 
in the train's engine, and like the steam that 
eventually has to be released in a great 
expulsion of smoke, Gillean knew that he must 
discharge the negative energy he was lugging 
around. He was deeply puzzled that so many wanted 
so much from him all the time. He just wanted to 
write and perform songs; not the burden of 
concern with whom or how many people approved 
of his work.

He had unknowingly spent an hour staring into 
the darkness as town after town sped by in a blur. 
The large window he was seated next to offered the 
perfect view - himself. Night crept across the sky 
stealth as a highwayman. All he could see when he 
looked out the window was his own face so much 
older than he recalled staring back accusations. 
He slowly dragged a hand across his cheek shaking 
his head at the drained man regarding him. Where 
had all the time gone? He considered. Where had 
Gillean Faraday gone? His head fell against the 
cold glass as his leaden eyes closed without 
consent. The clacking of the train's wheels 
against the track provided the rhythm to the 
music that played over and over in his mind. Words 
came to him shrouded in the gauzy veil of sleep. 
Hear with the heart, and there it will start.

'Excuse me, lad. I think this is me seat.' 
Gillean sluggishly turned to the sound of a 
mysteriously, familiar voice. Beholding the man 
standing next to the empty seat adjoining his, 
Gillean was both delighted and frightened. 
'Sully?' he rubbed his disbelieving eyes.
'What?' This can't be! Gillean?' the man looked 
down at his ticket as if it would confirm his 
presence. 
'What are you doing here, Sully?' Gillean was 
waking up with a sudden burst of adrenaline.
'What am I doin' here?' What are you doin' here?' 
Sully raised his head to the non-visible entity 
he addressed, 'What's he doin' here? Not again 
with the singer!'
'So nice to see you too!' Gillean reached out 
to place Sully's well-worn satchel into the 
overhead compartment. 'And what the hell kind 
of luggage would a... creature like you have?' he 
asked making room for Sully to sit. Gillean knew 
better than to believe there was any chance of 
escape. Resistance was futile. 
'Don't go askin' me about my baggage when 
obviously ya have plenty of yer own!' The feisty 
man plopped himself down with a great sigh. 
'What's that supposed to mean?' Gillean looked 
into the memorable, green eyes. This odd stranger 
first appeared while Gillean was out walking 
through the misty woods one lonely afternoon. He 
thought one of his mates, or manager must have 
been playing a joke on him. But he quickly came 
to the realization that Sully was not of this 
world. The mischievous, child-like man was 
apparently some sort of guide. Gillean's entire 
body quivered whenever he ventured to consider 
what or who Sully really was. Creating magical 
and ethereal characters for his songs was one 
thing. Irish Folk-singers had done that for 
centuries. It was their legacy. Confronting a 
being seemingly from the hallways of his 
imagination was too much to be believed. A few 
stiff drinks of Jameson did little to dispel 
Sully back into the parallel universe he had come 
from. After their first encounter in the woods, 
Gillean reckoned he would write a song about the 
bizarre occurrence, and be done with it. Now it 
proved none too simple a situation. Sully was not 
so easily rid of. Gillean had an idea this train 
ride would be one that would change his life 
significantly. 
He shuddered as the little man fired back, 'Looks 
like we're both goin' to find out why I got stuck 
with ya again!'
'Who? Stuck with me? You...I...ARGH!' Gillean 
exclaimed in total exasperation. 
Sully began to laugh - his wide grin like the 
Cheshire cat's. 
'Sod you, Sully! I came here for some peace!' 
Gillean grunted turning his back to the man 
offering him his bum. 
'Look here!' Sully smacked his companion on the 
rump with a considerable wallop. 
'Ouch!'
'We are clearly in this together, so there's 
no need to get in a snit! Come on then, let's 
sing a song, shall we?' Sully winked at the weary 
Gillean. 
'Sing a song? No! I'm exhausted. I'm going to 
sleep! I pray you will do the same.'
'You? Pray?' Sully feigned disbelief with a 
chuckle. 'Fine. Suit yerself!'
'I will, thank you!'
With that Sully burst forth-full throttle, 'Oh my 
old man's a dustman, he wears a dustman's hat!'
'Oh, Sully, please! Shut it!'
'Come on then, come on!' Sully shoved his elbow 
into the protesting man's side.
'Ouch!'
'Come on then!'
Gillean sighed with disgust, 'Okay, Okay, ya 
damned imp! 'He wears cold blimy trousers and he 
lives in a Council flat!' he offered with high 
theatrics.
'Now that's got it!' Sully exclaimed with delight. 

Together the two men filled up the silence of the 
otherwise empty compartment as the train propelled 
itself forward through the darkness into the 
undiscovered.....


Bree Donovan

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DOLLYMOUNT STRAND		by Barry Monaghan
=================

Oh grounded vessel upon the strand
your wooden planking made so grand
how you must have proudly sailed
across the sea in wind and gale
could you but speak, how many a yarn
protecting souls from mortal harm
until a fateful storm would see
your voyaging ended ore the sea
how grand it is to climb aboard 
young pirates armed with dirk and sword 
this eddy pool your bow has formed
a crystal pool to swim unharmed
even when the tide has gone
a place to swim and slightly warm
but how you must have felt such pain
to run aground in wind and rain
great vessels now go sailing by
it's enough to make a pirate cry

Barry Monaghan

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MY MUSICAL TRIP TO IRELAND
==========================
			by Father James F. Barry

Music has always been a part of the Irish scene.  
For some reason, I noticed it more on this, my 
nineteenth trip to Ireland.  A 'session' in Irish 
music terms is a group of musicians who gather 
and play, usually traditional music. Traditional 
in the sense of deeply rooted in Irish musical 
tradition. 

An open session means that any musician can come 
and sit in on the music. This was the case at 
the Crane Bar in Galway, when at least fifteen 
musicians were there with accordions, banjo, 
guitar, flute, fiddle, and a Bodhran (Irish drum, 
pronounced 'Bow-Rawn'). When the Bodhran player 
left, I asked to sit in and played the set of 
wooden spoons, which I just happened to have with 
me.

A closed session is when certain musicians are 
chosen and invited to play, such as at Tom Malone's 
Pub in Miltown Malbay, County Clare. There was Sean 
on the fiddle, his brother Fintan on the banjo, 
Theresa on the fiddle and flute and I played the 
Bodhran and spoons. We hosted a group of tourists, 
also from New Jersey, the Irish Heritage Society.

All this music is called 'craic' and yes, it is 
pronounced 'crack.' This causes some puzzlement 
for Americans who are invited to share some 
'craic.' I got a good taste of craic in the 
Preacher's Bar in Ennis, at Taffts Pub in Galway, 
and closing the hotel residents' bar in Galway.

There are ballad singers, such as Tim O'Reardon 
at Danny Magee's in Killarney. Down the street 
was a place with a rock Irish music band, with 
psychedelic lights and strobes, loud and noisy.

I felt right at home in the Great Hall Banqueting 
Center of the Temple Gate Hotel in Ennis: at one 
time it was St. Xavier's Chapel of the Convent of 
Mercy, and it looks like it. The Sisters moved 
from the Convent in 1995. We had another enjoyable 
session there on the tour's last night in Ireland.

After my tour with Blarney, I drove to the Glenstal 
Abbey in time for the Sunday morning Mass with the 
monks on the Feast of Christ the King. It was 
filled with music of all kinds: from the festive 
entrance hymn, to the joyous sounds of 'Gloria in 
excelsis Deo' (chanted in Latin), to the round 
sung by the boys choir and the congregation. The 
Mass concluded with a rousing organ piece.

One of the books I read, Divine Beauty: The 
Invisible Embrace, by Father John O'Donohue, says 
'Ireland has a great store of traditional music and 
there is a great diversity of style and nuance. 
Each region has a distinctive tradition. One can 
hear the contours of the landscape shape the 
tonality and spirit of the music. The memory of 
the people is echoed in the music. Traditional 
Irish music is joyous and lively. The reels, jigs, 
hornpipes, polkas and slides have tremendous 
energy and passion. In the 'slow airs' the 
wistfulness of loss and sorrow is piercing....
The music of a people offers a unique entry to 
their unconscious life.'

For the next three days, I was fortunate to be 
a part of the monks' prayer life as we gathered 
at 6:35 for morning prayer, at 10:30 for 
mid-morning prayer, and at 6:00 pm for vespers, 
and at 8:35 for night prayer. The prayers, some 
in Latin, most in English, were sung in plain 
chant and Gregorian chant. Central to the day, 
in time and importance, was the concelebrated 
Mass, likewise sung in Latin and English. We ate 
lunch in silence while classical music was played. 
Yes, there is much music in Ireland, and I enjoyed 
most of it!

Father James F. Barry

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much more.

Wendy Walker of Columbia, Missouri got a
family crest signet ring with the Donnelly family 
crest engraved on it for her son

 Michael,
 I received by registered mail today the ring I 
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 I am very impressed and thrilled with the ring. 
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GAELIC PHRASES OF THE MONTH
===========================

PHRASE:		Ba mhaith liom cupan tae
PRONOUNCED:	Buh wah lum cup-onn tay
MEANING:		I would like a cup of tea?

PHRASE:		Le bainne? Le siucra?
PRONOUNCED:	Leh bonn-yeh? Leh shu-kreh
MEANING:		With milk? With sugar?

PHRASE:		Ta se ro-laidir/ro-lag/an dheas
PRONOUNCED:	Taw shay ro-law-dirr/ro-logg/on djas
MEANING:		It is too strong/too weak/just nice

View the archive of phrases here:

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

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FEBRUARY COMPETITION RESULT
===========================

The winner was: efoley1957@optonline.net
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 time,

Michael Green,
Editor,
The Information about Ireland Site.


https://www.ireland-information.com

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