°´°*ø,¸¸,ø*°´°*ø,¸¸,ø*°´°*ø,¸¸,ø*°´°*ø,¸¸,ø*°´°*ø

		IN THIS ISSUE
~~~ Foreword
~~~ Keep us Free!
~~~ News Snaps from Ireland
~~~ New Free Resources at the Site
~~~ The Life of Saint Patrick
~~~ The Irish-American Thanksgiving Day 
			 by Patrick Kevin Quinn
~~~ What Is It You see?         by Molly Harris
~~~ Gaelic Phrases of the Month
~~~ Irish Quotations of the Month
~~~ Monthly free competition result

°´°*ø,¸¸,ø*°´°*ø,¸¸,ø*°´°*ø,¸¸,ø*°´°*ø,¸¸,ø*°´°*ø


FOREWORD
~~~~~~~~

A very Happy Saint Patrick's Day to you and yours!
The Irish Tourist Board had gone overboard this 
year with no less than 4 days of Saint Patrick's 
Day celebrations and a national holiday to boot!

The loss of the festival to Foot and Mouth disease 
last year has meant that the celebration this year 
has taken on even more fervour than usual.

Enjoy the day!

 'Health and long life to you, 
  land without rent to you, 
  a child every year to you, 
  and death in Old Ireland!'

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 
us 'free'.

Got something to say? Don't keep it to yourself!
Why don't you submit an article for inclusion
in the next edition? Email to:	
 
newsletterarticle@ireland-information.com

If you have an AOL or HOTMAIL account then you 
will get much better results by viewing this 
newsletter online here:
 
https://www.ireland-information.com/mar02.htm

The only way that you could have been 
subscribed to this newsletter is by filling 
out a subscription form at the site whereupon 
a confirmation notice would have been issued.

If you wish to unsubscribe then go here:
 
https://www.ireland-information.com/newsletter.htm

°´°*ø,¸¸,ø*°´°*ø,¸¸,ø*°´°*ø,¸¸,ø*°´°*ø,¸¸,ø*°´°*ø

KEEP THIS NEWSLETTER ALIVE!
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

GET YOUR COAT OF ARMS NOW!

Authentically researched and reproduced and backed 
up by a lifetime guarantee our family crest prints, 
rings, watches and more make the perfect gift for 
a friend or relative - or get them for yourself!

Saint Patrick's Day concession! Order 2 of our 
family crest Prints and get 2 extra completely 
free of charge!

We usually offer 'buy 2 and get an extra 1 free' 
but just for readers of this newsletter you can 
get and extra 2 free! Insert the following code 
into the 'extra comments or instructions' box 
that appears at the end of the ordering process: 
 SP2002

This offer is valid for 3 days only!

Go here to find out more:

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

°´°*ø,¸¸,ø*°´°*ø,¸¸,ø*°´°*ø,¸¸,ø*°´°*ø,¸¸,ø*°´°*ø


NEWS SNAPS FROM IRELAND
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

IRISH CITIZENS WARNED OF NUCLEAR THREAT

Every citizen in Ireland has received a copy of 
the Government's leaflet that informs of the 
best course of action in the event of a nuclear 
calamity. While the chances of Ireland being 
targeted with nuclear weapons may seem remote, 
the chances of a terrorist attack against England, 
and against the Sellafield nuclear power plant in 
particular, are very real. 

Should Sellafield suffer an explosion, whether by 
accident or design, the radioactive clouds would 
definitely make their way across the Irish sea. In 
an unprecedented move supplies of Iodine tablets 
are to be sent to every household in the country. 
In the event of a disaster the taking of Iodine 
would help to prevent the effects of radiation.

IRELAND & NORWAY TRY TO CLOSE SELLAFIELD

Ireland has established an embassy in Oslo as both 
countries continue their fight to close the nuclear 
power facility located in Cumbria in England. The 
plant discharges radioactive waste into the sea 
which contaminates the coastlines of both Ireland 
as well as the Nordic countries, and is viewed by 
many as perhaps the single most prominent 
potential terrorist target in Western Europe.

ABORTION REFERENDUM IS DEFEATED

In a second successive referendum defeat for the 
Government the complex proposal to amend the 
constitution with regard to the country's tight 
abortion laws has been defeated. A mere 10,556 
votes, or less that 1% of those who voted, was the 
majority in favour of rejecting the proposal which 
sought, among other things, to remove the threat 
of suicide as a grounds for an abortion in 
Ireland. 

In an unlikely alliance both anti-abortion and the
pro-choice factions joined forces against the 
Government. The anti-abortion side felt that the 
proposed changes did not do enough to protect the 
unborn fetus while the pro-choice groups were 
outraged that the life of a suicidal teenager 
would be put ahead of that of an unborn fetus and 
that the same teenager might be jailed for seeking 
an abortion.

This complex and emotive issue in Ireland thus 
remains unresolved. The situation is such that a 
pregnant suicidal woman is entitled to an abortion 
in Ireland but, in the absence of any legislative 
framework to allow for the procedure, will have to 
travel to England to have it carried out. Every 
year, thousands of Irish women travel to England 
for an abortion.

IRELAND'S BIGGEST FINANCIAL SCANDAL AT AIB

The fallout from the AIB scandal involving the 
bank's US subsidiary, Allfirst, continued with the 
suspension of two Citibank employees who dealt with 
the rogue trader John Rusnak. Citibank was one of 
the main banks who traded with Rusnak, who is 
responsible nearly US$700 in foreign exchange 
trading losses.

The report into the affair resulted in the 
dismissal of 6 Allfirst employees amid a culture 
of intimidation, coercion, inefficiency and sheer 
laziness within the US bank. The AIB Chairman and 
Chief Executive both offered to resign in the wake 
of the affair which exposed serious shortcomings 
in the banks accounting checks. Rusnak was able to 
keep his fraudulent trades secret by bullying back 
office staff and by enjoying a favourable 
relationship with David Cronin, Allfirst's head of 
treasury and the man responsible for keeping tabs 
on Rusnak's activities. The AIB board decided to 
reject the offer of resignation and to back their 
beleaguered senior executives. All speculative 
trading at the US subsidiary as well as at AIB's 
Polish subsidiary have now ceased.

ANNUAL INFLATION RATE FALLS BACK SLIGHTLY

The annual rate of inflation has fallen back to 
4.7% from 4.9% despite an actual rise in prices 
which many consumers attribute to the introduction 
of the Euro. The Irish government is hoping for a 
speedy return to health for the US economy which 
has serious implications for the economy in 
Ireland as well as in mainland Europe.

NURSES STRIKE AS TEACHERS LOSE OUT

The overcrowding in the Accident and Emergency 
services in Ireland's main hospitals has prompted 
a walkout and 'work to rule' by the main Nurse's 
Unions who are amazed that their members have to 
take such action in order to prompt the Government 
to improve the situation.

The Nurses have repeatedly complained about the 
chronic overcrowding in the emergency wards and 
accounts of patients waiting for days on hospital 
trolleys for beds to be come available at a time 
are not uncommon. The Government has already 
pledged the single largest investment in the 
Health Services in the history of the State 
but the Unions maintain that action is required 
immediately. They want 'elective' surgery to be 
postponed and the beds that would be freed up 
assigned to accident and emergency cases.

In a quite different industrial relations showdown 
the School Teachers Union that is refusing to 
negotiate with the Government about 'Supervision 
and Substitution' until their pay claim is met, 
are facing growing criticism about their stance.

The teachers maintain that supervision of students 
outside of the classroom is not their 
responsibility and also maintain that they should 
not be obliged to substitute for teachers who 
cannot take their classes for reasons of sickleave 
or whatever.

The Government has agreed to pay the teachers for 
this work but want the process dealt with within 
the existing industrial relations mechanisms. 
The Teachers have refused and the Government 
responded by hiring on thousands of non-teachers 
to carry out the supervision and substitution work.

The tactic has so far proved successful, if 
expensive. Already cases have arisen where 
non-teachers engaged on the extra duties have 
earned as much as EURO 1000 (approx US$870) per 
week. Past leaders of the union have called on 
the present administration to review their 
tactics.
 
IRELAND'S NEUTRALITY TO BE UNALTERED BY EU TREATY

The Nice Treaty (named after the city in France) 
allows for the expansion of the European Union 
which already has a host of States eager to 
join. A vote in Ireland to ratify thr treaty was 
rejected in a recent referendum, much to the 
chagrin of the existing members of the EU as well 
as to the dismay of those who are attempting to 
join.

The government has accepted that it did not do 
enough to inform its citizens of the consequences 
of ratification of the treaty and also failed to 
address the issue of neutrality which it 
considers was a major factor in the referendum 
being rejected.

The Taoiseach, Bertie Ahearn has therefore 
sought confirmation from the EU that in the event 
of the ratification of the treaty in a second 
referendum that the neutrality of the Irish State 
would not be compromised. It seems very likely 
that such a confirmation will be forthcoming as 
the EU is anxious to press ahead with its 
expansion plans.

IRELAND'S FIRST EVER ATHLETICS SPRINT MEDAL IS WON

Karen Shinkins secured Ireland's first ever 
athletics medal in a sprint event when she 
finished third in the European Indoor championship 
in Vienna. The 25 year old looked to have the 
silver medal in the 400 Metres event within her 
grasp but was overtaken on the line and had to 
settle for the Bronze.

°´°*ø,¸¸,ø*°´°*ø,¸¸,ø*°´°*ø,¸¸,ø*°´°*ø,¸¸,ø*°´°*ø

PLEASE SUPPORT OUR SPONSOR

 http://www.abitoblarney.com

Just as the name implies!! And just in time for 
the St. Patrick's Holiday! Screensavers, jokes, 
toasts and blessings, wedding and Irish gifts 
galore. We deliver Irish smiles, minus the Irish 
miles, and that's no Blarney!

°´°*ø,¸¸,ø*°´°*ø,¸¸,ø*°´°*ø,¸¸,ø*°´°*ø,¸¸,ø*°´°*ø


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

NEW COATS OF ARMS ADDED TO THE GALLERY:

The following 8 coats of arms images and family
history details have been added to the Gallery:

C: Cotter, Crabtree
F: Feury, Fitzsimons
G: Gogerty
H: Howell, O'Hare
W: Wilde

View the Gallery here:

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

We now have over 20,000 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

SAINT PATRICK'S DAY

Screensavers, kids games and information about 
Saint Patrick!

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

NEWSLETTER FORUM

Voice your opinion at the Newsletter Forum here:

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

°´°*ø,¸¸,ø*°´°*ø,¸¸,ø*°´°*ø,¸¸,ø*°´°*ø,¸¸,ø*°´°*ø


THE LIFE OF SAINT PATRICK
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

The Patron Saint of Ireland was born into either 
a Scottish or English family in the fourth 
century. He was captured as a teenager by Niall 
of the Nine Hostages who was to become a King of 
all Ireland.

He was sold into slavery in Ireland and put to 
work as a shepherd. He worked in terrible 
conditions for six years drawing comfort in the 
Christian faith that so many of his people had 
abandoned under Roman rule.

Patrick had a dream that encouraged him to flee 
his captivity and to head South where a ship was 
to be waiting for him. He traveled over 200 
miles from his Northern captivity to Wexford 
town where, sure enough, a ship was waiting to 
enable his escape.

Upon arrival in England he was captured by 
brigands and returned to slavery. He escaped 
after two months and spent the next seven years 
traveling Europe seeking his destiny.

During this time he furthered his education and 
studied Christianity in the Lerin Monastery in 
France. He returned to England as a priest. 
Again a dream greatly influenced him when he 
became convinced that the Irish people were 
calling out to him to return to the land of 
his servitude.

He went to the Monastery in Auxerre where it 
was decided that a mission should be sent to 
Ireland. Patrick was not selected for this task 
to his great disappointment. The monk that was 
selected was called Paladius, but he died before 
he could reach Ireland and a second mission was 
decided upon.

Patrick was made a Bishop by Pope Celestine in 
the year 432 and, together with a small band of 
followers, he traveled to Ireland to commence 
the conversion.

Patrick confronted the most powerful man in 
Ireland, Laoghaire, The High King of Tara, as 
he knew that if he could gain his support then 
he would be safe to spread the word throughout 
Ireland. To get his attention Patrick and his 
followers lit a huge fire to mark the commencement 
of Spring. Tradition had it that no fire was to 
be lit until the King's fire was complete, but 
Patrick defied this rule and courted the 
confrontation with the King.

The King rushed into action and traveled with the 
intention of making war on the holy delegation. 
Patrick calmed the King and with quiet composure 
impressed upon him that he had no intention other
than that of spreading the word of the Gospel. 
The King accepted the missionary, much to the 
dismay of the Druids who feared for their own 
power and position in the face of this new threat. 
They commanded that he make snow fall. Patrick 
declined to do so stating that this was God's 
work. Immediately it began to snow, only stopping 
when Patrick blessed himself.

Still trying to convince the King of his religion 
Patrick grasped at some Shamrock growing on the 
ground. He explained that there was but one stem 
on the plant, but three branches of the leaf, 
representing the Blessed Trinity. The King was 
impressed with his sincerity and granted him 
permission to spread the word of his faith, 
although he did not convert to Christianity 
himself.

Patrick and his followers were free to spread 
their faith throughout Ireland and did so to great 
effect. He drove paganism (symbolised by the 
snake) from the lands of Eireann. 

Patrick was tempted by the Devil whilst on a 
pilgrimage at Croagh Patrick. For his refusal to 
be tempted, God rewarded him with a wish. Patrick 
asked that the Irish be spared the horror of 
Judgment Day and that he himself be allowed to 
judge his flock. Thus, the legend that Ireland 
will disappear under a sea of water seven years
before the final judgment, was born.

Patrick died on March 17th in the year 461 at the 
age of 76. It is not known for sure where his 
remains were laid although Downpatrick in County 
Down in the North of Ireland is thought to be 
his final resting place.

His influence is still felt to this day as Nations 
the world over commemorate him on March 17th of 
every year.

~~~

Saint Patrick screensavers, pictures to color and more can 
be found here:

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

°´°*ø,¸¸,ø*°´°*ø,¸¸,ø*°´°*ø,¸¸,ø*°´°*ø,¸¸,ø*°´°*ø


THE IRISH-AMERICAN THANKSGIVING DAY 
			by Patrick Kevin Quinn

Foreword: Patrick Quinn was born Saint Louis Irish, 
the fourth generation of his family in the United 
States. His family were all policemen, firemen, 
plumbers or priests, and for fifteen years he was 
one of the policemen. 

He and his family moved to Lee's Summit twenty 
years ago and he has since been very involved with 
the Kansas City Irish Community.

He is currently a member of the Heart of America 
Police Emerald Society, and has been a member of 
the Committee that is in the process of creating 
an Irish Cultural Center in Kansas City. He was 
Grand Marshal of Kansas City's Brookside St. 
Patrick's Parade in 1993, and was an organizer 
and the Chief Marshal of the parade for the first 
fourteen years of it's existence.
 
His reflection on the meaning of St. Patrick's Day 
to the Irish-American community was originally 
written as an invocation for a program at 
Greenwood Elementary School in the Kansas City 
suburb of Greenwood, Missouri. 

	The Irish-American Thanksgiving Day

Cead Mile Failte!  or in American, 'A Hundred 
Thousand Welcomes'

Most often, when one thinks of St. Patrick's Day 
they think of the parade, which is the largest 
single day event held each year in Kansas City, 
and they think some of the very Americanized 
stereotypes such as Corned Beef and Cabbage and 
green beer. But to Irish-Americans, St. Patrick's 
Day is a special day of thanksgiving. The 
following are just a few of the special things for 
which we Irish-Americans in Jackson County are 
thankful.

We started these remarks with a Gaelic greeting, 
and are thankful for the survival of that language 
in spite of the attempts to eradicate it.

We are thankful that in spite of many of the first 
Irish-Americans being brought to this country as 
slaves (they called us 'involuntary servants') that 
our forefathers desire and ability to escape made 
the proposition unprofitable, and it quickly came 
to an end.

We are thankful that when it came time to stand up 
for the United States, more Irish-Americans signed 
the Declaration of Independence than any other 
ethnic group.

We are thankful that our forefathers and mothers 
took a very active role in fighting to free our 
country, such as Henry Knox, the first Secretary 
of War and Commodore Jack Barry, who organized the 
United States Navy, as well as several generals 
and thousands of soldiers and sailors. In fact, 
one half of the Continental Army and three-fourths 
of George Washington's regiments at the decisive 
battle of Yorktown consisted of Irish-American 
soldiers and officers.

We are thankful for the Irish-Americans who 
explored this great country, identifying its 
potential and guiding its pioneers. Men like Daniel 
Boone and Davey Crockett, whose parents came from 
County Derry.

We are thankful and proud that no less than 38 
regiments of the Union Army in the War Between the 
States, the war to end slavery in the U.S., were 
manned totally by Irish-Americans.

We are thankful for the service of no less than 
nineteen Irish-Americans who have been elected to 
the Office of President of the United States, 
including Andrew Jackson for whom Jackson County was 
named. His parents came to this country from 
Carrickfergus in County Antrim.

We are thankful for an Irishman from Galway by the 
name of Charles Kearney, who pledged his fortune, 
and convinced others to do the same to build the 
first bridge across the Missouri River at Kansas 
City. Thus transforming a sleepy, dusty river town 
into the third largest rail hub in the nation, and 
the metropolis we are today.

We are thankful for the courage of our great 
grandparents who persevered during the times in our 
country when Irish-American children were refused 
an education in public schools because of rampant 
bigotry, and signs were openly posted in windows 
stating 'Help Wanted - No Irish Need Apply'.

We are thankful for the courage of our grandparents 
and parents who endured threats and assaults from 
mobs, because of their nationality. In 1922, one 
stated reason that some 14,000 members of the Ku 
Klux Klan assembled here in Jackson County was to 
drive Irish Catholics out of Kansas City. One week, 
a whole lot of hate speeches, a whole lot of 
marching and a whole lot of whiskey later, they 
left town having failed at their mission.

And finally, we are thankful that our parents and 
grandparents took the time to teach us the history 
of our families and our heritage.

So today, we would like to extend to you one of 
our special Irish blessings, that we seem to have 
for just about any occasion:

 'May there always be work for your hands to do,
 may your purse always hold a coin or two.
 May the sun always shine on your windowpane,
 may a rainbow be certain to follow each rain.
 May the hand of a friend be always near you,
 And may God fill your heart with gladness to 
 cheer you.'

Slainte!
(Good Health)

Pat Quinn

°´°*ø,¸¸,ø*°´°*ø,¸¸,ø*°´°*ø,¸¸,ø*°´°*ø,¸¸,ø*°´°*ø


WHAT IS IT YOU SEE?		BY MOLLY HARRIS

I wonder what it is you see
When you look into my eyes
Do you see the Rings of Kerry
Or the ragged Cliffs of Moher

Do you see beyond the placid waters
Teasing the pointed rocks into play
Or is a storm thrashing the Rings
With wind warring against waves

Do you see beyond the striking Cliffs
Against the sky that leads to forever
Or do you see the piercing edges
That forewarn you of their peril

Do you see the sign of Claddagh
Equating love, friendship, and loyalty
Or do you see straight into my soul
To my fears and truths that I hide

Do you see the magic held within
From Far Darrig to the Lianhan sidhe
Do you see the Faerie lights shimmering
When my eyes sparkle with laughter

The magic of all impossibilities
Is what makes all mysteries viable
When you look into my eyes
I wonder what it is you see

Molly
storm1923@yahoo.com

°´°*ø,¸¸,ø*°´°*ø,¸¸,ø*°´°*ø,¸¸,ø*°´°*ø,¸¸,ø*°´°*ø


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

PHRASE:		Beannachtai na Feile Padraig
PRONOUNCED:	ban/ocked/tee nah fail/eh pawd/rig
MEANING:		Happy Saint Patrick's Day

PHRASE:		Fear/Bean ar do mhian agat
PRONOUNCED:	far/ban air duh vian ah/gut
MEANING:		A husband/wife of your choice to you

PHRASE:		Faol saol agat agus bas in Eirinn
PRONOUNCED:	fweel sail ah/gut og/us boss in air/in
MEANING:		Long life to you and death in Ireland.


View the archive of phrases here:

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

°´°*ø,¸¸,ø*°´°*ø,¸¸,ø*°´°*ø,¸¸,ø*°´°*ø,¸¸,ø*°´°*ø


IRISH BANKNOTES AND COINS SOUVENIRS FROM IRELAND

Looking for a souvenir to mark the departure of 
the Irish Punt?

Get a genuine Irish ten pound or twenty pound note 
together with a full set of Irish coins before 
they are gone forever!

Find out more here:

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

°´°*ø,¸¸,ø*°´°*ø,¸¸,ø*°´°*ø,¸¸,ø*°´°*ø,¸¸,ø*°´°*ø


IRISH QUOTATIONS OF THE MONTH
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

 It took 115 years and 6,000 miles and 3 generations 
 to make this trip, but I'm proud to be here

John Fitzgerald Kennedy, 1917-63, 
in Wexford while visiting Ireland in 1963

 Apostles of freedom are ever idolised when dead,
 but crucified when alive

James Connolly, Irish labour leader, 1898

 I met wid Napper Tandy, and he took me by the 
 hand, And he said 
 'How's poor ould Ireland, and how does she stand?'
 She's the most disthressful country that iver 
 yet was seen, For they're hangin' men an' women 
 for the wearin' o' the green.

Anonymous, 'The Wearin' o' the Green' 1795 ballad

°´°*ø,¸¸,ø*°´°*ø,¸¸,ø*°´°*ø,¸¸,ø*°´°*ø,¸¸,ø*°´°*ø


SUPPORT THE INFORMATION ABOUT IRELAND SITE
HELP US TO CONTINUE TO PROVIDE FREE RESOURCES

Get family crest gifts for your or a friends 
family name and get a free email account:

 https://www.irishnation.com


°´°*ø,¸¸,ø*°´°*ø,¸¸,ø*°´°*ø,¸¸,ø*°´°*ø,¸¸,ø*°´°*ø


SHAMROCK SITE OF THE MONTH: irishglobalgifts.com

Our genuine Irish Gifts, include Hand-Painted 
Coats of Arms, Crests and Family Name Histories, 
are made to the highest quality. Purchase any 
limited edition Irish artwork and receive a FREE 
map of ancient Ireland ($19 value)

 http://www.irishglobalgifts.com


°´°*ø,¸¸,ø*°´°*ø,¸¸,ø*°´°*ø,¸¸,ø*°´°*ø,¸¸,ø*°´°*ø


MARCH COMPETITION RESULT
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

The winner was: mphillips_1@hotmail.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. 

°´°*ø,¸¸,ø*°´°*ø,¸¸,ø*°´°*ø,¸¸,ø*°´°*ø,¸¸,ø*°´°*ø


I hope that you have enjoyed this issue.
Please keep the feedback coming!

Until the next time,

HAPPY SAINT PATRICK'S DAY

Michael Green,
Editor,
The Information about Ireland Site.

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