The Information about Ireland Site Newsletter
    March 2009


    The Newsletter for people interested in Ireland

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      The Information about Ireland Site Newsletter 
                       March 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  
    
    =================================================
    
    		IN THIS ISSUE
    
    === News Snaps from Ireland 
    === New free resources at the site
    === Free Kids Games to Print
    === Irish Recipes and Irish Songs - free download
    === Another Cara Penpals Success Story
    === The Life of Saint Patrick
    === Good Whiskey Comes To Those Who Wait by J. Herbert Silverman 
    === Three Sisters Visit Ireland 	 by Dianne McDonald
    === Liquid Stockings 			 by Pat Watson
    === Gaelic Phrases of the Month
    === Monthly free competition result
    
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    FOREWORD
    ========
    
    Happy Saint Patrick's Day from Dublin where the 
    big day is almost upon us. Be sure to check out 
    the free Irish music and Irish recipes downloads 
    available from this months issue.
    
     'Health and long life to you, 
      land without rent to you, 
      a child every year to you, 
      and death in Old Ireland!'
    
    Beannachtai na Feile Padraig!
    
    Michael
    
    Help keep this newsletter alive at
    www.irishnation.com
    
    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
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    http://www.irishsurnames.com
    https://www.ireland-information.com
    http://www.allfamilycrests.com
    http://www.irishpenpals.com
    
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    =======================
    NEWS SNAPS FROM IRELAND
    =======================
    
    PRESIDENT OBAMA TO BE GIVEN IRISH BIRTH RECORDS
    
    When Irish leader Brian Cowen attends the White 
    House to mark Saint Patrick's Day he will present 
    President Obama with more than a bowl of shamrock. 
    The US leader is to be given copies of baptismal 
    records that prove his ancestral connection to 
    the town of Moneygall in County Offaly. 
    
    Fulmouth Kearney was great-great-great-grandfather 
    to the new US President. He was baptised at
    Templeharry Church in Moneygall before emigrating 
    to America in 1850, at the age of 19, shortly after 
    the Great Famine and at a time of great social and 
    economic upheaval in the country.
    
    It is expected that the Irish Taoiseach will invite 
    President Obama to visit Ireland although it may be 
    a while before the invitation can be taken up!
    
    GOVERNMENT TO TAX ITS WAY OUT OF ECONOMIC CRISIS
    
    The annual budget (or announcement of economic 
    measures) that was announced last October is to 
    be superseded by another budget this coming 
    April. Such is the scale of the economic 
    downturn in Ireland that massive tax increases 
    combined with huge public spending cuts are 
    expected in what is sure to be a very unpopular 
    package of measures to be introduced by Finance 
    Minister Brian Lenihan.
    
    Unemployment has been predicted to rise to 11% 
    in 2009 by the Governor of the Irish Central bank. 
    John Hurley also predicted that the economy would 
    contract by as much as 6% in what can only be 
    described as a spectacular reversal of the 
    economic fortune of Ireland.
    
    Although the banking sector seems to have 
    stabilised (temporarily at least) after the 
    massive government recapitalisation and its
    nationalisation of Anglo Irish Bank, the global 
    conditions that are affecting Irish exports are 
    hitting the economy hard. Combined with a huge 
    public sector wage bill it is clear that there 
    is going to be a big financial deficit this year 
    and in 2010, hence the April budget.
    
    Fuel, Alcohol and Tobacco products are likely to 
    be hit and hit hard. In the past it was feared 
    that greatly increasing tax on these items would 
    be inflationary but with the cost of living 
    declining the government has greater latitude 
    than usual to penalise the consumption of these 
    products, and can even cite health improvement 
    reasons for doing so.
     
    Income tax is also likely to be increased with 
    the possible introduction of a third higher tax 
    band, possibly at the 48% level. This tax is 
    aimed squarely at higher earners and would likely 
    not kick in until 100,000 euro had been earned. 
    Tax credits and social welfare allowances are 
    likely to be reduced.
    
    It remains to be seen if this strategy of 'tax 
    and cut' works. Several commentators have pointed 
    out that Ireland's recent path to prosperity was 
    marked by tax cuts and not tax increases. Time 
    will tell if the correct balance has been found.
    
    IRISH PUBS DECIMATED BY CHANGING ATTITUDES
    
    As many as 1500 pubs have closed in Ireland in 
    the last 5 years as a number of factors have 
    combined to decimate the pub trade. First to 
    impact the trade was the smoking ban which 
    outlawed smoking in all work-places and not 
    just pubs. Many bar-owners responded by 
    installing outside smoking areas and canopied 
    gardens. The new law was a serious blow to 
    the trade although generally a very popular one 
    with the public.
    
    The big clamp-down on drink-driving has also 
    seriously reduced the number of visits made by 
    Irish people to their 'local'. The reduction in 
    the blood-alcohol level together with a visible 
    increase in police enforcement has gone a long 
    way to convince many people that they are better 
    off staying at home, rather than risk arrest. 
    The result has been a big bonus for the off-licence 
    trade which has now overtaken pubs in terms of 
    volume of alcohol sold. Previously pubs sold as 
    much as three times the amount of alcohol as 
    off-licences sold, but now the situation is 
    reversing.
    
    Irish people are drinking at home with city 
    centre pubs and clubs being left to the younger 
    generation who are facing into their first taste 
    of a recession. Gone are the days when work was 
    abundant. Now people are actually queueing up for 
    jobs! All of which is likely to cause more pain 
    for the Irish pub industry.
    
    IRISH DIVORCE RATE IS LOWEST IN EUROPE
    
    Statistics compiled by Eurostat have revealed that 
    Ireland has the lowest divorce rate in Europe. In 
    2004 there were 7 divorces per 1000 people, 
    compared with the EU average of 21 per thousand. 
    Estonia, Belgium and the UK had the highest rates 
    of divorce while Italy had the second lowest rate.
    Ireland only allows divorce after four years of 
    legal separation which is likely part of the 
    reason why marriages last longer.
    
    GOOGLE TO MAP IRISH STREETS
    
    Dublin, Cork, Galway, Limerick and Waterford are 
    among the latest cities to be targeted to be 
    photographed and added to Googles famous 'street 
    view' project. This amazing application allows 
    online users to zoom down into a map to street 
    level and view actual pictures of the streets, 
    zooming around and scrolling in either direction. 
    
    
    Voice your opinion on these news issues here:
    
    https://www.ireland-information.com/newsletterboard/wwwboard.html
    
    ==============================
    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:
    
    C: Coogan, Cornwell
    H: Haney
    J: Jenkins
    W: Whitmore
    
    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
    
    ========================
    FREE KIDS GAMES TO PRINT
    ========================
    
    Go here to print off some simple games to teach 
    kids about Ireland:
    
    
    https://www.ireland-information.com/freegames.htm
    
    FIND OUT ABOUT SAINT PATRICK HERE:
    
    
    https://www.ireland-information.com/saintpatricksday.htm
    
    =================================================
    IRISH RECIPES AND IRISH SONGS - FREE DOWNLOAD
    =============================================
    
    IRISH RECIPES
    
    Our free Irish Recipes electronic book is packed 
    with 25 of the very best Irish Recipes to try 
    out on Saint Patrick's Day. Corned beef and 
    cabbage, Irish Pound Cake, Wicklow Pancakes 
    - try them all!
    
    You can download it from here:
    
    
    https://www.ireland-information.com/irishrecipes/index.htm
    
    You can send these ebooks to a friend from here:
    
    https://www.ireland-information.com/postcardnew.htm
    
    IRISH SONGS
    
    You can view the lyrics to 74 of Ireland's most 
    popular traditional, drinking and folk songs AND 
    you can listen to the music online too.
    
    The music tune is supplied in MIDI files that are 
    easily understood by the majority of Internet 
    Browsers so:
    
    * Make sure that your PC speakers are connected 
      and working
    * Turn the Volume up
    * Select the song you want 
    * All together now....
    	'in Dublin's fair city 
    	 where the girl's are so pretty, 
    	 I first set my eyes on 
    	 sweet Molloy Malone...'
    
    There's More!!!!
    
    You can download ALL of the Music files and ALL 
    of the Lyrics onto your PC in the form of a free 
    'ebook' that you can print off and keep forever! 
    You can even send the ebook to your friends and 
    relatives or offer it at your website.
    
    ALL COMPLETELY FREE!
    
    Here are some of the songs available:
    
    * Amhran na bhFiann (the Irish National Anthem)
    * She Moved Through the Fair 
     (Julia Roberts sang this in the film 'Michael Collins')
    * Back Home in Derry (Bobby Sands)
    * Black is the Colour (of my true love's hair)
    * An Irish Lullaby 
      (Barney Gumble sang this in 'The Simpsons')
    * Cockles and Mussels (alive-alive-oh!)
    * Erin Go Bragh
    * I'll Take You Home Again Kathleen
    * Rocky Road to Dublin
    * The Fields of Athenry
    * The Rose of Tralee
    * When Irish Eyes are Smiling
    * Whiskey in the Jar (Thin Lizzy classic)
    
    ........and over 60 more!
    
    View and Listen here:
    
    
    https://www.ireland-information.com/irishmusic/irishsongs-music-lyrics-midis.htm
    
    
    
    =================================================
    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 
     daughter says are 'not into ancestor 
     worship!'
    
     Again, my hearty thanks for this 
     first-class product.
    
     Best wishes for happy holiday season.
    
     Sincerely, Anne MacDonald
    
    THE PERFECT WEDDING OR ANNIVERSARY GIFT!
    
    View family crest plaques here:
    
    https://www.irishnation.com/familycrestplaques.htm
    
    ==================================
    ANOTHER CARA PENPALS SUCCESS STORY
    ==================================
    
    I had been visiting Ireland on and off on holiday 
    with my parents for a couple of years and decided 
    to join the Cara Penpals website with a view to 
    gaining penpals so that when I visited, I could 
    meet up with them. I am from the UK.
    
    I joined the site in 2002 and spoke to many people, 
    some of whom I still remain good friends with. I 
    then started talking to a guy on the site. We 
    chatted for a month or so and arranged for him to 
    come to the UK to visit me for a weekend. When he 
    arrived we got on so much better than expected that 
    we became boyfriend and girlfriend! We were 
    together for six months but things werent working 
    so we decided to split up but remained good 
    friends.
     
    A couple of years went by and I made a trip to 
    Ireland to see my penpal and once again we got on 
    great, realised how much we enjoyed being 
    together, and decided to give our relationship 
    another go.
     
    After a year together I moved over to Ireland to be 
    with him, where we bought a house together. After 
    another year in our house, my boyfriend proposed to 
    me! We are now coming up to our 3 year anniversary 
    and are getting married in September!
     
    I went on the site looking for friends. I did not 
    expect to find my husband on it!!! so I would advise 
    everyone to check it out as you never know what you 
    might find!!
     
    Jen
    
    
    You can join Cara Irish Penpals for free:
    http://www.irishpenpals.com
    
    =========================
    THE LIFE OF SAINT PATRICK
    =========================
    
    The Patron Saint of Ireland was born into Roman 
    Britain 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
    
    ==========================
    KEEP THIS NEWSLETTER ALIVE! 
    
    Visit: 
    https://www.irishnation.com
    ==========================
    
    ========================================
    GOOD WHISKEY COMES TO THOSE WHO WAIT 
    by J. Herbert Silverman 
    ========================================
    
    The old adage, 'All things come to him who waits' 
    has been fulfilled in recent times with the 
    resurgence of Powers premium Irish whiskey on the 
    American market and a favorite at such Manhattan 
    pubs in the likes of Kennedy's and The Old Stand, 
    as well as elsewhere throughout the country. 
    
    Normally that would not be earth-shattering news 
    since Gotham's Irish restaurateur community has 
    survived the disappearance of Paddy Whiskey and 
    Murphy's.
    
    But the reappearance of Powers, to join its 
    siblings, Bushmills and Jameson, after an absence 
    of many years, was a cheery occurrence 
    particularly because the label has one of the 
    most colorful histories in the whiskies bottled by 
    Irish Distillers in its Middleton and Bushmills 
    distilleries. 
    
    It was founded by James Power's son John who 
    achieved a kind of immortality in the world of 
    drinking by inventing the 'miniature' whiskey 
    bottle and then calling it the 'Baby Power'. 
    Today, the child they created is as much a part 
    of a contemporary drinking culture as coffee, tea 
    and milk. The concept of the miniature was 
    simplicity itself. John Power reasoned that Irish 
    women would form a new market for his distillate.  
    But custom dictated that women could enter a pub 
    via a 'snug' and that had obvious limitations. 
    
    He also believed that since Irishmen rarely, if 
    ever, stocked whiskey at home preferring to drink 
    with their cronies in pubs, women were being dealt 
    'a bad hand.' By creating the 'miniatures' he 
    enabled the countryman with the ability to provide 
    for his wife without being spied upon by the 
    neighbors who could clearly identify a large, 
    obviously visible bottle. The concept caught on 
    immediately and the rest is history. 
    
    By way of background, Irish whiskey has 
    traditionally been a major 'cash crop' in Erin. 
    
    It was always popular in the United States in both 
    the ethnic and non-Irish community but during Word 
    War II, its exports were reduced to a trickle. GIs 
    returning from the European theater brought with 
    them an acquired taste for the smokier Scotch, thus 
    establishing what was to become an elitist drinking 
    status symbol in the late 194Os and early 195Os. 
    
    By 1966, the leading whiskey families in Ireland, 
    who dominated the field, decided to amalgamate as 
    Irish Distillers Ltd., in order to end financially 
    expensive competition and to join in a mutual fight 
    to regain what they regarded as a fair share of 
    the American market.  
    
    Several years ago, in the world-wide takeover trend 
    of privately-held companies, France's Pernod Ricard 
    acquired the Distillers Group, and ownership passed 
    into foreign hands for the first time in history.  
    In the process, Murphy's and Paddy whiskeys 
    disappeared from the U. S. scene, although Paddy is 
    still exported to Canada. 
    
    The Irish had an historic French connection, the most 
    illustrious being emigre James Hennessey who 
    established his famous cognac distillery near 
    Bordeaux in the late eighteenth century.  
    
    
    This article is continued in the online 
    edition of this newsletter:
    
    
    https://www.ireland-information.com/mar09.htm#article
    
    
     

    The roots of Irish whiskey marketed on a grand scale were planted by a Scottish émigré, John Jameson, who arrived in Dublin to start up a distillery on Bow Street in 178O. That monument to his skills exists to this day. Conceivably, his career was aided by his marriage to one Margaret Haig, a member of the illustrious Scots whisky family.

    "Old John" as he was known, created not only a majestic brand but also generations of Jameson's to come with his progeny of 16 children, firmly establishing the family as a shining light of local society. Proof positive is an extensive listing today in the annals of Burke's Irish Family Record, the closest thing there is to a blue book of Irish "nobility."

    James Power was not far behind Jameson. He built his coal fires in John's Lane, Dublin, by 1791. Son John, ultimately knighted by Queen Victoria, became Sir John and High Sheriff of Dublin. With infinite energy, he built the renowned Power's Gold Label brand, the most popular spirituous drink eve. And his distillery was the first to bottle its own brew.

    The second baronet, Sir James Power, grandson of the founding father had five children. The three boys, all titled, died without issue.

    Two daughters, Frances and Gwendolyn, married respectively an O'Reilly and a Ryan

    Today, the presence of the founding Irish Distillers' families have almost Thus two new and very Catholic family names were introduced to the "spirit" hierarchy which had been predominantly Protestant and regally British in orientation completely disappeared from public view as professional managers have been installed by Pernod-Ricard.

    John Ryan, a member of the Powers family and a scholar of Irish history remained as public relations director of the group until his recent retirement. On St. Patrick's Day, he continues to be a major spokesman on behalf of the virtues of Irish coffee in America.

    Some of the illustrious family alumni bear recognition even though only their names are a reminder of a halcyon past.

    Frank O'Reilly is a sixth- generation Powers successor and until a few years ago the most visible prominent whiskey magnifico as the highly respected Irish Distilleries chairman. O'Reilly was the first Catholic to become chairman of the Ulster Bank in Belfast, part of the National Westminster Bank of England and one of the five largest in the world.

    In 195O, he married Teresa Williams, daughter of Capt. John Williams, and a member of still another distilling family at Tullamore. His father, D.E. Williams, started his distillery career in true Horatio Alger style as a boy of 15. Under his 6O-year reign, the operation flourished and Tullamore Dew became a household word. Possibly he is best remembered for the acronym of his initials "DEW" which provided that immortal slogan, "Give Every Man His Dew." He was interested in a traditional Irish beverage called heather wine (mead) made from Boyne honey and whiskey.

    The formula had been lost with the defeat of the Irish armies by the forces of King William in the 17h century. That military disaster led to the great exodus to the continent of Irish fighting men known as the "wild geese."

    Long after D. E. Williams died (1921), the family was approached by an Austrian refugee with a recipe for a similar liqueur that he said had been in his family for generations. In its infinite wisdom, the plant management purchased the formula in what was to become a succès d'estime - "Irish Mist." The Tullamore Distillery was closed in 1954 and the Tullamore Dew label sold to Irish Distillers. The Williams family later sold the Irish Mist brand to the giant Allied Domecq distilling conglomerate.

    Which reminds this writer of a pub patron in Dublin who said, when I inquired as to whether he liked Irish coffee. "Yes," was the answer, "But only in two installments." (To discuss good whiskeys, you can reach J. Herbert Silverman at JHSilverman@worldnet.att.net.)
    ========================== KEEP THIS NEWSLETTER ALIVE! Visit: https://www.irishnation.com ========================== =============================== THREE SISTERS VISIT IRELAND AND FIND THEIR HOME AWAY FROM HOME by Dianne McDonald =============================== There comes a time in our lives when we investigate our family ancestry. Our time came in April 2008 when three sisters from Massachusetts set out to discover their Irish roots and decided to explore the land of our ancestors: Ireland. Although the weather was bitterly cold, our trip was warmed by the smiles and hospitality of every Irish person who crossed our path. We only had old photographs to guide our way through the Dingle Peninsula. With the help of friendly Irish citizens we found our family church: Saint Brendan's in Cloghane. We sat in the pews where our forefathers and mothers sat. We ventured further to Murrigrane to find our familial homestead, which was an abandoned, dilapidated stone house. We crossed an ocean and roamed a country-side and even learned how to drive on the 'wrong' side of the road to find this property. We stood in awe alongside painted sheep and marveled at the home that housed our great-grandfather Dowd. Martin Dowd was the last of our family to reside in this home. We found out he died here decades ago leaving a ghost trail for his brother's descendants to follow. Our souls felt at home We also explored Ennis, Killarney and Bunratty during our adventure. We were blessed to experience the Cliffs of Moher, Saint Brigid's well, a jaunting cart tour in Killarney, driving the Connor Pass, Bunratty Castle and many of Ireland's finest pubs. We even sampled Guinness beer daily, which we had never had before ...nor since. We are looking forward to going back to Ireland with our husbands and children next time. We are further investigating our Dowd family homestead as we are interested in having it be our own home away from home. We always knew it was good to be Irish, and after our trip we now know that it is GREAT to be Irish! PS. Our apologies to anyone with the last name Dowd whom we had interrogated and possibly accused of being our immediate family ....we blame it on the Guinness! Dianne McDonald Marshfield, MA, USA ========================== KEEP THIS NEWSLETTER ALIVE! Visit: https://www.irishnation.com ========================== ================================ LIQUID STOCKINGS by Pat Watson ================================ For over a year now Sheila had dreamed of getting silk stockings for her sixteenth birthday. Her mother had promised her. In spite of the war, in spite of the shortage of money, in spite of the ration books, she would have her silk stockings. But the war and the rations and the shortages won. Whatever few silk stockings got through to Ireland were mopped up by the big shots in Dublin. None were available for sixteen-year-old country girls. However, not to worry, there was a brand new alternative! Liquid stockings. They came in a sort of hexagon jam-jar with instructions on the jar. You need a competent assistant and a small brush. Luckily they had a two-inch paintbrush. If they had to borrow one, the word might get about. Next, stand on newspaper in underwear with legs apart, tucking in any loose garments to avoid contamination. Get assistant to apply the liquid, starting above the knee at the garter level and working downward to the feet. Just lightly apply with a brush, taking particular care to get to the bottom of any creases behind the knees. Stay in position for twenty minutes into allow liquid to dry. The imitation 'seams' down the back of the legs were put on with a pencil. She supposed, you have to suffer to be beautiful. Her mother, Mary, was appointed as brush-wielding assistant. She did a perfect job, not only in completing the liquid application but also in convincing Sheila that the whole project was worthwhile, that the stockings looked very real and that she would be the belle of the ball at the maypole that night. She was acutely aware that she had failed to get the real thing and she could only hope that this compromise would work. When Sheila did a twirl in the kitchen and said, 'How do you like my new silk stockings Daddy?' he looked out over his glasses and said 'In a whole jar full of instructions it never once mentions paint.' 'Daddy' she said very cross 'That's because it's not paint, it's liquid silk stockings.' 'Humm' was his reply . The Maypole was an open-air dance held in a sheltered garden with a maple floor and the band playing in a sort of tree house. It ran Sundays and Thursdays throughout the summer. This was Thursday. After dark Paddy would hoist three carbide lamps on a clothesline above the hedge, the low disco lights of the time. As Sheila and her friend Kitty walked the half mile to the dance, they passed by Mikey Joe's farm. Sheila and he had caught each other looking at each other a few times lately. Would he come to the maypole? Would he be impressed with her stockings? Would he dance with her? He was shearing sheep as they passed. Kitty noticed that they both spoke friendly, maybe a bit too friendly. She pretended not to notice. If he were coming he would be late as he had four more sheep to shear. The dance was great for a while until it began to cloud over and the midges arrived. They seemed to be attracted to the stockings, the sheen, the slight odour or the colour. They could not bite through so they headed for higher ground to an area that no respectable girl could be seen scratching in public. Here they launched an all out attack. They were starving and apparently drunk to boot. They were having a ball. Not so Sheila, she was being bitten, stung, itched and tickled. She had to grin and bear it. The night was a disaster, worse was to come. As they danced the 'feed of inions', that's what they called the Siege of Ennis, the rain came, a thick heavy mist. At least it got very dark and a girl could do a few unconventional steps and twists, murdering a few vicious midges in the process, but most of them clung on by the skin of their teeth. Just as the dance ended, Paddy raised the lamps and threw a little light on the scene. Sheila looked down. Her stockings were dissolving with the rain, brown streaks on her black shoes, like! like you don't want to know. She looked over at Paddy. Mikey Joe was standing behind him wearing a hat and a long coat thrown over his shoulders. He was looking straight at her and her run-a-way stockings. She was mortified. If only the ground would open and swallow her. What was he doing? Pulling the loop off the clothesline. The carbide lamps fell on to the hedge and quenched, the darkness swallowed them up. There was some shouting and confusion. She felt a mantle envelope her and an arm. She looked up through the half-light. Mikey Joe was smiling down from under his hat. 'Can I walk you home?' 'Yes.' 'We'll leave now before the lights are fixed.' An hour later, with the stockings washed off, the insect bites dabbed with disinfectant, she was sitting on her bed, puckering her lips and practising her smile in the mirror. This had been a tumultuous day in her young life. She had got her longed-for blooming stockings. She had cut a dash for an hour. Then she had been tortured tickled, teased, tasted, terrified and traumatised. She had been rescued by her hero, walked home under his coat and his big strong arm, kissed, told she was beautiful and kissed again. Life was good. She was in love. 'Liquid Stockings' is one of sixty lyrical yarns from 'Original Irish Stories' by Pat Watson, Creagh, Bealnamulla, Athlone, Ireland. First published in March 2006. To get your copy email the author here: pjwatson@utvinternet.com ========================== KEEP THIS NEWSLETTER ALIVE! Visit: https://www.irishnation.com ========================= =========================== GAELIC PHRASES OF THE MONTH =========================== PHRASE: Slainte PRONOUNCED: slawn-che MEANING: Good Health! PHRASE: Eireann go braugh (bráth) PRONOUNCED: air-in go braw MEANING: Ireland forever! PHRASE: Beannachtai na Feile Padraig PRONOUNCED: bann/ockt/tee nih fail/eh pawd/rig MEANING: Happy Saint Patrick's Day View the archive of phrases here: https://www.ireland-information.com/irishphrases.htm ======================== MARCH COMPETITION RESULT ======================== The winner was: marja@usadatanet.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. ================================================= I hope that you have enjoyed this issue. Until next month, HAPPY SAINT PATRICKS DAY Michael Green, Editor, The Information about Ireland Site. https://www.ireland-information.com Click here to contact us


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