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		IN THIS ISSUE
~~~ Foreword
~~~ Keep us Free!
~~~ News Snaps from Ireland 
~~~ The Life of Saint Patrick
~~~ Longing - A poem		by Scarlett Joyce
~~~ Irish Penpals Success Story
~~~ Retiring in Ireland
~~~ Play the Irish Draw
~~~ About Saint Patrick's Day 	by P.D. Dunlap
~~~ Gaelic phrases of the month
~~~ Monthly free competition result

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FOREWORD
~~~~~~~~

Happy Saint Patrick's Day from Ireland!

Many thanks to all who have contributed to this 
month's newsletter. We have included two of our 
most popular recent articles in this edition. 
The first is 'The Life of Saint Patrick'. 
The second is a guide to 'Living in Ireland'.

If you are looking for Saint Patrick's Day kids 
games and puzzles to print and color, etc. then
go here:


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

Until next time, WEAR SOME GREEN!!!!

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

IRA SET TO DECOMMISSION MORE WEAPONS

After hours of intensive talks between Irish 
and British leaders it has emerged that there 
is a prospect of a major decommissioning of 
weapons by the IRA. The Northern Ireland peace 
process has stalled in recent months and the 
power sharing executive has been suspended. It 
is hoped that a major destruction of weapons by 
the IRA will pave the way for new elections 
and the re-establishment of the executive.

ALCOHOL ADVERTISING TO BE FURTHER CURBED

Advertising of alcohol products are not to be 
allowed on Irish television before 8pm in the 
evening. Sporting events will be similarly treated 
with advertising on shirts and equipment by 
drinks companies also banned.

The new measures follow on from the recent outcry 
over the level of underage drinking and the 
expansion of a 'drinks culture' in Ireland. 
Reports from hospital chiefs now estimate that 
as many as 1 in every 4 admission to the Hospital 
Accident and Emergency wards are alcohol related.

The ban on smoking in Irish pubs that serve 
food is due to be implemented from next January.

GOOGLE TO LOCATE IN IRELAND

The world's biggest internet search engine is 
to create 200 jobs when it locates its European 
base in Ireland. Ireland won the deal despite 
facing stern competition from Geneva.

This success has implications beyond the 200 
jobs as it portrays Ireland as viable place 
for hi-tech companies to locate.

IRISH RUGBY STAR WANTED BY MIAMI DOLPHINS

Irish international rugby kicker, Ronan O'Gara, 
has been offered a lucrative 4 year deal with the 
Miami Dolphins. The penalty kicker has opted
to defer a decision on the offer until after 
the Six Nations Championships are concluded.


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 Pint Glass, Shooter Glass 
or Glassware set, and much more. Keep us alive! 
- visit https://www.irishnation.com

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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

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LONGING				by Scarlett Joyce
~~~~~~~

Melancholy sadness
reaches out to embrace the future
Is God's hand in this?
Will sorrow be avenged?

Faith calls to the lonely
Grieve no more
Believe your time has come
Ireland, lovely home of the ancients
Poets, mystics, souls burned with pain
Cry out!  Thy God will deliver
Rise up!  for the least of you
will become a mighty fortress

Pain comes before Glory
Tears pave the way for Joy
No more the exile
Contentment is home


Scarlett Joyce

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CARA IRISH PENPALS SUCCESS STORY
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Hi Michael.
May I congratulate you, once more, on an 
exceptional newsletter. I especially enjoyed the 
two stories of penpals who had met and corresponded 
through Cara. Imagine, you being responsible in 
part, for true love! I too have a wonderful Irish 
penpal. She lives in Cork, where my ancestors came 
from. She is like a daughter to me and we have 
kept in touch for well over a year now. I live in 
Canada myself but have been to Ireland once and 
just loved the country and its people. I am so 
grateful to have such a wonderful penpal. Her 
name is Tara. She and I enjoy the gift of a good 
sense of humor. We have fun trying to make each 
other laugh! We share many of our thoughts and 
feelings with each other. Thanks to Cara penpals, 
you help to create some wonderful friendships.  

JONI   

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

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RETIRING IN IRELAND
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

It is a well known fact that if you ask an Irish 
man or woman where they are from, they will tell 
you where they were born! The fact that they 
haven't lived in that place for most of their 
lives, indeed the fact that they haven't lived 
in Ireland for most of their lives is, to them, 
irrelevant. They seem to have mastered the art 
of 'living in two places at once' as the Irish 
psychologist Maureen Gaffney says. And it was the 
fervent wish of every Irish emigrant to return 
to live in Ireland. 

An ever increasing number of people are opting to 
spend their retirement in Ireland, and not all of 
them have any family connections here. They may 
give many reasons for this - the relaxed pace of 
life in many parts of this country (particularly 
away from the cities and large towns), the low 
crime rate in the more rural areas, and the fact 
that it is cheaper to live in Ireland with a 
fixed income for many of them. 

These are valid and prudent considerations when 
contemplating a move to retire to Ireland, but 
there are other important considerations which 
must be taken into account as well. Most people 
who work outside the home have up to 80% of 
their acquaintances there and on retirement these 
will disappear - a fact that may cause us great 
joy! The other 20% are family, close friends and 
the people we interact with in our social life. 

Before you move permanently, ask yourself the 
following questions:- 

* How often will you see family again? 

* Will you miss too many of the great family 
  occasions? 

* Will your grandchildren have children of their 
  own by the time you return or meet them again? 

* How good are you at making friends? We Irish 
  have a reputation for being friendly, but 
  there's a big difference in being friendly and 
  making friends. 

* Do you know anyone in Ireland - other than 
  relatives? 

If you hesitate about the answers to any of these 
questions, you must be careful about making a 
permanent move. TRY IT OUT FOR SIX MONTHS FIRST. 
Then if everything is working out, make the move 
permanent, if not, think again. Many people who 
transfer to Ireland do so for the better months 
- April to October - and change to warmer 
climates for winter months. 

Here are some important considerations you have 
to take account of in making your decision: 

CITIZENSHIP 
As far as the Irish government is concerned, you 
can hold dual citizenship if you wish. However, 
your own government may take a different view so 
it is vital that you check with them before you 
do anything to start the process of taking out 
Irish Citizenship. You would not want to lose 
your own citizenship in the process. 

What are the benefits of taking out Irish 
Citizenship? 

* You can vote in all Irish elections and 
Referenda, i.e. Presidential elections, various 
referenda, elections to the Dail - the Irish 
parliament - to the European parliament and in 
local government elections. 

* You have all the privileges enshrined in the 
Constitution and all the duties of citizens 
listed there and in law. 

* You can have virtually unrestricted travel to 
any part of the world - the Irish government 
places no obstacles in the travel plans of its 
citizens so much so that you will probably bump 
into an Irish person in the most unlikely places. 

TAX 
No one likes paying taxes, but just like the 
weather they are always with us. Details of the 
treatment of people residing in Ireland and their 
tax liability are covered in 'Leaflet RES 1' from 
the Revenue Commissioners, at +353 1 8780100. 

The following conditions apply to you if you set 
up residence permanently in Ireland: 

* All income arising from sources in Ireland 
except for certain exempt government stocks is 
liable to Irish income tax. 

* No part of a visitor's income from sources 
outside Ireland is subject to income tax unless 
that person is deemed to be resident in Ireland, 
i.e. they spend 183 days in the State in a tax 
year or 280 days in the State, combining the 
number of days in the current tax year and the 
preceding tax year. The tax year starts on 1st 
January each year.

* You would do well to consult an accountant or 
a lawyer versed in tax law if you feel you might 
have problems with this. This would be 
particularly important in the area of inheritance 
tax. 

* Ireland operates a double taxation agreement 
with many countries and you will receive a tax 
credit on the tax paid in your country of origin 
when calculating your tax liability in Ireland. 
You should have proof of the tax deducted from 
your country of origin. 

PENSIONS 
Most of us will live on pensions of one sort or 
another when we reach retirement age. Most 
countries allow their citizens to transfer their 
pensions to where they are living. Company 
pensions can normally be paid into a bank and 
transferred to you without any trouble. 

USA Pensions 
Social Security pensions from the USA will suffer 
a 15% withholding tax from the IRS, but can be 
paid outside the USA. Just give three to six 
months' notice of your intention to move. 

Australian Pensions 
If you are entitled to a Social Security pension 
from Australia, you can have it paid in Ireland. 
The pensions are distributed from England to 
addresses all over Europe and are posted on a 
monthly basis. 

If you are entitled to a pension from Veterans 
Affairs it must be paid into an Australian bank 
first, and then transferred. PAYE ('Pay As You 
Earn tax') will be deducted at source on all 
Australian Pensions. 

Irish Pensions 
Ireland has reciprocal agreements with several 
countries including Austria, Canada, Australia 
and the United States. These agreements protect 
the pension entitlements of Irish people who go 
to work in these countries and they protect people 
from those countries who work in Ireland. They 
cover pensions only, i.e., Old Age Contributory 
Pension, Retirement Pension, Invalidity Pension 
and the Widowed Person's Contributory Pensions. 
They allow periods of insurance and or residence 
which were completed in one country to be taken 
into account by the other country so that the 
worker may qualify for a pension. It is even 
possible for some people to qualify for payments 
from both countries at the same time. 

FREE BENEFITS 
The good news is that if you do qualify for a 
payment under any of these Social Security schemes, 
you may also qualify for the following free 
benefits in Ireland from the Irish Department 
of Social, Community and Family Affairs when 
the pensioner reaches age 66: 

* Free electricity allowance (1500 units per year)
  or you can opt for an equivalent Natural Gas 
  Allowance or a Bottled Gas Refill allowance 

* Free Television licence

* Telephone Rental Allowance

* Fuel Allowance 

* Free Travel (open to everyone resident in 
  Ireland...see explanation below) 

For these you must be residing permanently in 
Ireland and fulfil the conditions. For further 
information and to see if you would qualify write 
to: International Operations Section, Department 
of Social, Community & Family Affairs, Floor 1, 
O'Connell Bridge House, D'Olier Street, Dublin 1, 
Telephone: ++353 1 874 8444 

Free travel: Everyone residing in Ireland is 
entitled to Free Travel within the state if they 
are over the age of 66. It entitles you to travel, 
without charge, on all the trains and buses of 
the state transport companies. Some private bus 
operators are also involved in the scheme. There 
are some restrictions. You must use the commuter 
buses and trains outside rush hour times and 
during specific hours. One downside - if you live 
in a remote area there may be no bus/train 
available to you. Application forms are available 
from post offices or local Social Welfare Services 
offices. One other benefit of the Free Travel Pass 
is that you can use it for reduced entry charges 
to race meetings, cinemas and theatres on 
specified occasions. Always ask! 

REGISTERING WITH THE ALIENS OFFICE 
If you are a citizen of Ireland you do not have 
to register. If you were able to obtain Irish 
Citizenship because either you, one of your 
parents, or one of your grandparents was born on 
the island of Ireland before 1921, or in the 
Republic of Ireland if born after 1921, 
(great-grandparents no longer count since the law 
was changed in 1984), but your spouse does not 
qualify, then it will take your spouse some years, 
before he or she can apply to become a citizen. 

If you are not an Irish citizen then you must 
register during office hours with the Aliens 
Office, Harcourt Square, Dublin 2, if you are 
living in Dublin. If you are living outside 
Dublin you must register with the local Garda 
Station. You must register after three months 
to seek permission to stay longer, then on a 
yearly basis. 

Can I hire a car in Ireland? Yes, if you are 
under 75 years of age. If you are older you will 
not be able to buy car insurance and will be 
unable to drive legally. Remember to bring an 
International Driving licence with you. 

Can I bring my dog or other pet with me? Yes, but 
it will be subject to six months quarantine at 
your expense). There are no exceptions and if you 
arrive without the necessary arrangements made, 
you will be sent back at your own expense. 
Recently a lady made arrangements to set up a 
private quarantine kennel near her own home for 
her dog, but it was costly. You must contact the 
Department of Agriculture, Kildare Street, Dublin 2 
before you arrive, to find out the necessary 
requirements and obtain a licence to bring the 
animal into the country. The reason for the 
strictness on pets is that Ireland and the 
United Kingdom are free of rabies. The U.K. has 
introduced a Pet Passport scheme but there is no 
such scheme in Ireland currently.

Can I get free medical attention in Ireland? The 
short answer is yes. Emergency treatment is free 
after payment of an initial hospital charge of 
EURO 30 in all hospitals; however, non emergency 
treatment could mean a very long wait, sometimes 
months. Private medical insurance is a virtual 
necessity. 

MEDICAL INSURANCE 
If you have medical insurance now, check if you 
can transfer it to one of the health care insurers 
in Ireland (VHI or BUPA). VHI (the Voluntary Health 
Insurance board - a semi-state company) will 
continue to give you medical cover after the age of 
65 (there is no upper age limit for EXISTING 
subscribers), but will not take on NEW members if 
they are aged 65 or over. BUPA International - the 
other main medical insurer operating in Ireland - 
has similar conditions. 

Normally you pay for all visits to your doctor, 
and for all prescribed drugs. But if your total 
income is modest, and you are residing permanently 
in Ireland, then you may qualify for a medical 
card which will entitle you to free medical 
treatment in Ireland. This means you would not have 
to pay for any prescribed drug, visit to a doctor 
on the medical card panel, or a consultant's public 
hospital clinic. Contact the Health Board in your 
area to learn the current earnings limits and for 
an application form. If you come to Ireland from 
another European Union (EU) country, and have a 
Social Security pension from that country, you 
will receive a medical card as of right. 

HOUSING
Perhaps the greatest challenge you will encounter 
when considering your retirement in Ireland is where 
to live! The huge increases in the cost of property 
over the last decade has been well documented with 
most properties more than doubling in value over 
that time. Some have trebled or even more in value.

If you intend to live in a city, especially Dublin, 
then be prepared to pay at least EURO 250,000 for 
a 3 bedroom house. Prices decrease and value for 
money increases greatly the further into the 
countryside you are willing to travel. It is still 
possible to buy 'fixer-upper' bungalows and cottages 
for EURO 100,000 or less.

The poor performance of the EURO versus the US 
Dollar and other currencies has recently been of 
great advantage to foreign people wanting to buy 
property in Ireland. This trend has been bucked in 
recent times with the EURO enjoying parity with 
the US Dollar. The exchange rate changes on a 
daily basis and by the time you do decide to move 
the pendulum may have swung back the other way! One 
advantage of the EURO is that it can be used in 
France, Germany, Spain and other European countries 
without having to visit a bank first and pay those 
annoying Bureau de Change charges!

If you intend to rent accommodation then stick to 
your budget. Renting a modest 3-bedroom house in 
Dublin can cost EURO 1200 per month or more 
depending on the area. Renting the same house but 
1 hour outside the city can cost EURO 450 or less!

~~~~~

This article has been adapted from an article 
written by Hilary Shannon for the 'Inside Ireland' 
publication.

This is a simple 2-colour production which usually 
runs to 32 pages (but is sometimes more) of 
articles packed with interest and information 
presented in a crisp, literate, readable style. 
Hardly any ads – just plenty of fascinating 
reading to sit down and relax with. 

Subscribers receive Special Supplements on Real 
Estate (Summer), Recommended Accommodations 
(Spring) and a great value Discount Voucher 
(Winter). 

Brenda Weir is the founder and editor of this 
service that has been going for nearly 25 years!

To find out more and to subscribe go here:


http://www.insideireland.com/subscribe.htm

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

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ABOUT SAINT PATRICK'S DAY 
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
			by Patricia Donovan Dunlap

foreword:
This was written by Mai O'Higgins. I thought you 
might like to use it in your St. Pats day edition. 
It says it all.

Patricia Donovan Dunlap
Delaware

~~~

On this day it is music, not the music of marching 
bands but the deep music in tune with countless 
generations that only an Irish heart will know.

It is to live the history of our ancient race 
between a dawn and a dawn.

The wrongs, the hurts, the joy, the victory.

It is the heart and hand reaching out across the 
world in joyful harmony on St. Patrick's Day to 
be Irish.

Is to know more glory, magic, gratitude than any 
other man can experience in a lifetime.

It is to walk in mystic understanding with God 
and Patrick for twenty four wonderful hours.

Slainte!

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

PHRASE:		Beannachtai na Feile Padraig
PRONOUNCED:	bann/ockt/tee nih fail/eh pawd/rig
MEANING:		Happy Saint Patrick's Day

PHRASE:	 	Siochan leat
PRONOUNCED:	shee/oh/con lat
MEANING:		Peace be with you

PHRASE:		Slán agus beannacht leat 
PRONOUNCED:	slawn og/us ban/ockt lat
MEANING:		Goodbye and blessings on you

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

The winner was: belgarath28@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. 

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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