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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 
      http://www.ireland-information.com 
          http://www.irishnation.com
              Copyright (C) 2009  

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		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

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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be superseded by another budget this coming 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:

http://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:

http://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.

http://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:

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

========================
FREE KIDS GAMES TO PRINT
========================

Go here to print off some simple games to teach 
kids about Ireland:


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

FIND OUT ABOUT SAINT PATRICK HERE:


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

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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:


http://www.ireland-information.com/irishrecipes/index.htm

You can send these ebooks to a friend from here:

http://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:


http://www.ireland-information.com/irishmusic/irishsongs-music-lyrics-midis.htm



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YOU CAN HELP TO KEEP THIS FREE NEWSLETTER ALIVE!

Visit: 
http://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:

http://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:


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

==========================
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==========================

========================================
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:


http://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.) 




 
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===============================
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

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================================
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

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===========================
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:


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

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========================

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. 

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I hope that you have enjoyed this issue.

Until next month, HAPPY SAINT PATRICKS DAY

Michael Green,
Editor,
The Information about Ireland Site.

http://www.ireland-information.com

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