The Information about Ireland Site Newsletter
May 2000
The Newsletter for people interested in Ireland
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Copyright (C) 2000
°´°*ø,¸¸,ø*°´°*ø,¸¸,ø*°´°*ø,¸¸,ø*°´°*ø,¸¸,ø*°´°*ø,¸¸,ø*°´°*ø IN THIS ISSUE ~~~~~ Foreword ~~~~~ Support us for free ~~~~~ New free resources at the site ~~~~~ News Snaps from Ireland ~~~~~ Gaelic Phrases of the Month ~~~~~ Irish History Articles at the Site ~~~~~ Irish Family Crest Claddagh Rings ~~~~~ Kerry Tour/The Jeanie Johnston by Ann H. Dockendorf ~~~~~ Readers Noticeboard ~~~~~ Shamrock Site of the Month: Celtic Dreams ~~~~~ Searcher Site of the Month: Irish Telephone Directory ~~~~~ Monthly free competition result °´°*ø,¸¸,ø*°´°*ø,¸¸,ø*°´°*ø,¸¸,ø*°´°*ø,¸¸,ø*°´°*ø,¸¸,ø*°´°*ø FOREWORD ~~~~~~~~ The wettest April in history has been followed by a mini heatwave - such is life in Ireland. The big news here is the breakthrough in the Northern peace talks which looks like it could be the real deal this time. Summer is on the way, so if you haven't booked your vacation yet then why not consider Ireland? There is a wealth of free tourist information at the site whilst Ann H. Dockendorf's article below gives a great insight into one of Ireland's most popular destinations: County Kerry. Our alliance with Irish craftsman Darren Ward has resulted in our being able to offer you one of our often requested items: Irish Claddagh Rings (that also features the family crest for your name!). See more below! Would you like to receive this newsletter twice monthly? We are considering a second edition but want YOUR feedback first - please let us know - good or bad. 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 This newsletter is available on-line at: https://www.ireland-information.com/may00.htm The only way that you could have been subscribed to this newsletter is by filling out a subscription form at the site whereupon a confirmation notice would have been issued. If you wish to unsubscribe then go here: https://www.ireland-information.com/newsletter.htm ......but you'll be missing out! best wishes from Ireland, Michael. °´°*ø,¸¸,ø*°´°*ø,¸¸,ø*°´°*ø,¸¸,ø*°´°*ø,¸¸,ø*°´°*ø,¸¸,ø*°´°*ø SUPPORT US FOR FREE ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Want to support us, keep us alive? Well you can and it won't cost you a penny! Do the 1,2,...... 1. VISIT THE LINK BELOW AND SIGN UP FOR MORE GREAT INFO, (ITS FREE!): https://www.ireland-information.com/list.html 2. TELL A FRIEND ABOUT US BY VISITING HERE: https://www.ireland-information.com/tellafriend.htm °´°*ø,¸¸,ø*°´°*ø,¸¸,ø*°´°*ø,¸¸,ø*°´°*ø,¸¸,ø*°´°*ø,¸¸,ø*°´°*ø NEW FREE RESOURCES AT THE SITE ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ COATS OF ARMS EXPLAINED Our new site that details the meaning of the symbols on Irish coats of arms can be found at: http://www.irishsurnames.com/heraldiccharges.htm NEW COATS OF ARMS ADDED TO THE GALLERY: The following 31 coats of arms images and family history details have been added to the Gallery: B: Bolton Brodigan C: Cochrane Collier Coyle D: Devine Dundon E: McElligott F: Forrester G: Gilroy H: Hennigan Holmes Howard K: Knight L: Lennon Long M: Mahon Martin McMeekin McMurray Morrissey Mullally Mulqueen N: Nunn O: Oliver P: Palmer Preston R: Reed S: Smiley O'Shea W: Wright View them at: https://www.ireland-information.com/heraldichall/gm.htm Get the screensaver featuring YOUR family name (or send it to a friend or relative as a gift) at: https://www.ireland-information.com/irishnamescreensavers.htm °´°*ø,¸¸,ø*°´°*ø,¸¸,ø*°´°*ø,¸¸,ø*°´°*ø,¸¸,ø*°´°*ø,¸¸,ø*°´°*ø PLEASE SUPPORT OUR SPONSORS ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Celtic Watches - Cairn brand watches, clocks and gifts: specialising in Celtic watches, jewelry and gifts; and Charles Rennie Mackintosh and Tartan watches, clocks and gifts. http://www.celtic-watches.com Celtic Shamrock - Irish Gifts for every occasion. The only Irish Import shop in Southeastern Michigan! http://www.celticshamrock.com Celtic Golf Corporation - Custom golf clubs and apparel Providing golf products that bring back the spirit, tradition and history of golf. http://www.celticgolf.com °´°*ø,¸¸,ø*°´°*ø,¸¸,ø*°´°*ø,¸¸,ø*°´°*ø,¸¸,ø*°´°*ø,¸¸,ø*°´°*ø NEWS SNAPS FROM IRELAND ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ FRESH HOPE IN NORTHERN PEACE TALKS New life has been breathed into the ailing Northern Peace agreement by the announcement by the IRA that it is willing to put its weapons permanently beyond use. Frantic behind the scenes negotiations have been going on ever since the Northern Ireland Assembly was suspended by the English Government. The Irish Government is hopeful that the initial inspection of the IRA arms dumps can commence before May 20th when the Ulster Unionist party is to meet. At this meeting the UUP leader, David Thrimble, will have to convince his colleagues of the IRA's sincerity in order for progress to be made. If he fails then their could be a permanent split within the UUP with the hardliners and moderates forming new parties. The statement by the IRA is the first in it's history to the effect that it is now committed to exclusively peaceful means to achieve it's objectives. REFUGEES TO BE GIVEN LITERACY CLASSES Junior Education Minister Willie O'Dea has announced that refugees are to be allowed to avail of classes in literacy and cultural supports through the network of VEC colleges countrywide. Further new measures were also announced by the Justice Minister that would allow for the quicker deportation of those individuals who not qualify for refugee status. These proposals are against the background of recent minor violence that occurred in the area commonly known as 'Little Africa' in the Inchicore/Kilmainham part of Dublin City. FALL OF THE EURO MEANS BARGAIN-SHOPPERS FROM THE UK. For the first time in recent memory UK shoppers are heading into Ireland in their droves to take advantage of the low value of the Irish Punt against Sterling. The new currency is now worth about 75 pence whereas only a few short years ago it was in the high ninties. Cars, petrol, clothes and even Cosmetic Surgery are among the most popularly purchased items by the bargain hunters. Foreign investors in Irish property have also enjoyed savings on the purchase of their investments that stretch into tens of thousands of pounds. IRISH TOURISM REACHES HIGHEST EVER LEVEL The number of tourists who arrived into Ireland last year increased by 6% on the previous year and is now rapidly approaching 2 visitors per year for every citizen in the country. Tourism remains on course to take over from Agriculture as Ireland's most important industry within the next five years. Problems still exist though, especially regarding the litter problem and the ever increasing pace of life has dented Ireland's famous 'hundred thousand welcomes' image. The low value of the EURO against Sterling and the US Dollar have greatly assisted visitors in achieving value during their stay. Just under 1 million North American visitors arrived into Ireland last year and the Irish tourism Minister, Jim McDaid, is confident that the magical 1 Million mark will be surpassed this year. Dublin is the fourth most visited European capital, after London, Paris and Amsterdam. SPORT: MUNSTER REACH RUGBY EUROPEAN CUP 2000 fans welcomed the Munster Rugby team upon their arrival back from Bordeaux as their team reached the European Cup Final by beating Toulouse. IRELAND'S PAPILLION WINS ENGLISH GRAND NATIONAL HORSE RACE The Irish horse Papillion romped away with the English Grand National for the father and son team of Ted and Ruby Walsh. The pair added to their remarkable success by later winning the Gold Cup at Punchestown with Commanche Court. SISTERS SOLVE CAMOGIE TEAM'S SELECTION PROBLEM Having sisters take part in a camogie match is not that unusual in Ireland but a record has to have been achieved by the Treacey sisters of County Kildare who will line out for their County in the National Junior League. There are no less than 7 of them on the same team, ranging in age from 37 to 18! °´°*ø,¸¸,ø*°´°*ø,¸¸,ø*°´°*ø,¸¸,ø*°´°*ø,¸¸,ø*°´°*ø,¸¸,ø*°´°*ø GAELIC PHRASES OF THE MONTH ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ PHRASE: Conas atá tú? PRONOUNCED: kuniss ah-taw two MEANING: How are you? PHRASE: Tá mé go maith PRONOUNCED: Taw may go mawt MEANING: I am well PHRASE: Oíche mhaith PRONOUNCED: e-ha whawt MEANING: Good night PHRASE: Níl aon tintéan mar do thintéan féin PRONOUNCED: Kneel ain tin-tin mar duh yin-tin feign MEANING: There's no place like home PHRASE: An bhfuil bean sa chistin? PRONOUNCED: On will ban sa khish-tin? MEANING: Is there a woman in the kitchen? (replace 'bean' with 'fear' (pronounced 'far') to ask 'is there a man in the kitchen?') °´°*ø,¸¸,ø*°´°*ø,¸¸,ø*°´°*ø,¸¸,ø*°´°*ø,¸¸,ø*°´°*ø,¸¸,ø*°´°*ø IRISH HISTORY ARTICLES AT THE SITE ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Just in case you missed them , or were so busy you did not read them (shame on you!), here is a quick list of some of the Irish history articles that have appeared in recent issues:
A Brief History of Ireland 3000bc-1998ad
https://www.ireland-information.com/apr99.htm
Grainne Ni Mhaille - The Gaelic Warrior Princess
https://www.ireland-information.com/jun99.htm
Charles Stewart Parnell
https://www.ireland-information.com/jul99.htm
Padraig Pearse - An Irish Nationalist
https://www.ireland-information.com/aug99.htm
Michael Collins - An Irish Rebel
https://www.ireland-information.com/sep99.htm
Saint Brigid - The Other Irish Saint
https://www.ireland-information.com/oct99.htm
Eamon DeValera - An Irish Leader
https://www.ireland-information.com/nov99.htm
Brian Boru - The Last Great High King of Ireland
https://www.ireland-information.com/mar00.htm °´°*ø,¸¸,ø*°´°*ø,¸¸,ø*°´°*ø,¸¸,ø*°´°*ø,¸¸,ø*°´°*ø,¸¸,ø*°´°*ø IRISH FAMILY CREST CLADDAGH RINGS ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Darren Ward is a very busy man. With over a decade of experience in the Irish craft jewelry business he knows all about what is required to create superb gift items. The latest creation is no exception - each piece takes up to 6 weeks to create. Engraving an image of a family crest by hand onto a Gold Claddagh or Signet Ring is not the sort of thing that can be rushed you know! These are not inexpensive items but hand crafted quality utterly unique items are not to be found everywhere. Judge for yourself at: https://www.ireland-information.com/heraldichall/irishheraldicjewelry.htm °´°*ø,¸¸,ø*°´°*ø,¸¸,ø*°´°*ø,¸¸,ø*°´°*ø,¸¸,ø*°´°*ø,¸¸,ø*°´°*ø A KERRY TRIP AND THE JEANIE JOHNSTON by Ann H. Dockendorf ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Two couples visited County Kerry in Ireland last Summer - This is what happened. TRALEE: The Dingle peninsula held several treasures for us. 'Kerry the Kingdom' was our first stop, a sort of three-in-one museum experience. We struggled past a funeral cortege to eventually find car parking. The first stage of the museum was a 20-minute audio-visual tour of Ireland, organized into pictorial sequences of stones, fields, water, faces, doorways, houses, etc. In the darkness, as I sat upon the 'stone' steps absorbing the beauty of the pictures flashing and blending before me, with the accompanying music, tears streamed down my cheeks. I realized the sight of the funeral had touched me deeply, reminding me of the recent passing of my Dad and how I missed him. He would so enjoy hearing the adventures of my Ireland travels. I thanked him for being present with me in the ways that he was, and my heart was very open as we moved on into the 'regular' museum of artifacts and exhibits tracing early Irish history. We took great time reading through the information and looking closely at the treasures, marching all the way through the turmoil of tribal conflicts, numerous invasions, right up to present day. We were impressed that in one of the final galleries, sports was given exclusive tribute. The third element of the museum was downstairs: the reconstructed medieval village of Geraldine Tralee. We sat in a cart that moved along a track, passing by life-size village scenes full of town and animal noises overlaid with narrator's taped voice. It was very well-done and gave one a minor sense of time travel. BLENNERVILLE: No time to visit the aquarium in Fenit, so we headed the short distance to Blennerville and the shipyard of the Jeanie Johnston rebuilding project. She was the most famous of the Irish emigrant barques, operating from 1847-58. Owned by the Donovan family of Tralee, she was built in Quebec in 1847 and sailed on the North American route transporting timber and food stuffs to Ireland and returning with passengers. Unlike the infamous coffin ships of the period, Jeanie was a well-built and well-run ship. She carried a full complement of 200 passengers (who had undergone health screening) and a crew of 17, including a doctor and made 16 trans-Atlantic voyages from Tralee to Baltimore, New York and Quebec. After several interruptions and distractions for the overworked tour guide, we donned yellow hardhats and went on a tour of the construction site. Since the original Jeanie Johnston sank off of the coast of North America in the 1800s, this is a new replica of her. Current maritime laws dictate that she must now have electricity, running water and an engine, even though the intention is to only sail her. Once the great ship is finished, they are going to have to break through the banks to the inlet and flood the shipyard with seawater in order to get her out to the ocean. I wonder if the landmark windmill will remain? One aspect that struck us greatly was that the shipwrights, craftsmen and apprentices are from Ireland, both North and South, as well as Irish communities in Canada and the US. Thus the project is an assembly beyond political borders and a tribute to the true themes of comraderie and seamanship. If the plans hold true, the great ship will be a part of the Tall Ships sail-in commemorating July 4th in the US, and will stop in Washington DC, Baltimore, Philadelphia, Quebec, and Chicago. We hope to be able to see her on that side of the pond! DINGLE: It was somewhat foggy and very windy by the time we reached the summit beyond Conor Pass, and the views were majestic. Meandering back down the other side along narrow roads, we were treated to sights of Dingle Bay. On the drive back to Killarney we passed by Inch Beach, a long expanse of walkway and sand inviting play in the surf. Several families were doing just that. Upon returning our car to the B&B, we walked into town and found an agreeable pub for reflecting on our day in the usual Irish way: with a nice pint of Guinness! Ireland has called to me for a very long time, and I immensely enjoyed our trip. Indeed, I would like to come and live there for a while, but then again, who wouldn't! Ann Dockendorf. Ann Dockendorf digital graphics · websites · brochures · logos · menu http://www.design-mine.com (805) 687-1738 °´°*ø,¸¸,ø*°´°*ø,¸¸,ø*°´°*ø,¸¸,ø*°´°*ø,¸¸,ø*°´°*ø,¸¸,ø*°´°*ø READERS NOTICEBOARD ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ THE DUNNE AND TIERNEY CLAN GATHERINGS: The Dunne gathering is in Co. Laois from 30th. June to 2nd. July. The Tierney clan gathering is in Co.Mayo from 28th to 30th. July. For more information visit: http://myhelppage.homepage.com/ or contact Dr.M.A.Tierney at drmat@indigo.ie TAIG AND CROPPY? Can anyone help Bill Rupert at sgtmajor@flanet.com with the following query? ' I have been asked by a number of people about the expression 'Taig' used in the North of Ireland to denote (derogatorily) Irish Catholics. Where does it evolve from? I have also been asked to try to determine what 'Croppy' refers to in the North. I understand an Old Orange Irish song has a refrain which contains the expression 'Croppy lie down' and I can't find anyone who can tell me where that expression comes from. ' °´°*ø,¸¸,ø*°´°*ø,¸¸,ø*°´°*ø,¸¸,ø*°´°*ø,¸¸,ø*°´°*ø,¸¸,ø*°´°*ø SHAMROCK SITE OF THE MONTH ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ CELTIC DREAMS Medievel history, mythology, culture and much more. http://www.ionet.net/~stormi/ °´°*ø,¸¸,ø*°´°*ø,¸¸,ø*°´°*ø,¸¸,ø*°´°*ø,¸¸,ø*°´°*ø,¸¸,ø*°´°*ø SEARCHER SITE OF THE MONTH ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ THE IRISH TELEPHONE DIRECTORY An unusual source of genealogical data is the Irish telephone directory which can now be found online at: It can be used to: * Establish the frequency of a particular name * Examine variant spellings of names * Possibly contact your lost relatives! Visit at: http://www.eircom.ie °´°*ø,¸¸,ø*°´°*ø,¸¸,ø*°´°*ø,¸¸,ø*°´°*ø,¸¸,ø*°´°*ø,¸¸,ø*°´°*ø SUPPORT THE INFORMATION ABOUT IRELAND SITE HELP US TO CONTINUE TO PROVIDE FREE RESOURCES BY TAKING ADVANTAGE OF THESE SPECIAL OFFERS * Get YOUR Irish family name Watch or Claddagh Ring: Over 1800 names now available, free worldwide delivery. To order visit here: https://www.ireland-information.com/heraldichall/irishheraldicwatch.htm and here: https://www.ireland-information.com/heraldichall/irishheraldicjewelry.htm * Get YOUR Irish family name Screensaver: Kelly, Murphy, Sullivan.... over 1800 names now available Only US$10 with free bonuses To order visit here: https://www.ireland-information.com/irishnamescreensavers.htm * Get the Ancestral Heraldic Map of Ireland and get FREE worldwide delivery. To order visit here: https://www.ireland-information.com/heraldichall/irishheraldicmap.htm * Report: How to start the search for your Irish roots, Only US$9 To order visit here: https://www.ireland-information.com/heraldichall/irishgenealogyguide.htm * Tourist Report: Ireland, 100 Places to See, 500 Places to Stay. Only US$9 To order visit here: https://www.ireland-information.com/irishtourismdownload.htm °´°*ø,¸¸,ø*°´°*ø,¸¸,ø*°´°*ø,¸¸,ø*°´°*ø,¸¸,ø*°´°*ø,¸¸,ø*°´°*ø MAY COMPETITION RESULT ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ The winner was: suziejoyce@hotmail.com who will receive the following: Irish Name Screensaver of their choice (from our 1800 names) Our 6-Pack of Irish Screensavers (US$42 value) AND our Irish Genealogy Report (US$9 value) Well Done! Remember that all subscribers to this newsletter are automatically entered into the competition every time. °´°*ø,¸¸,ø*°´°*ø,¸¸,ø*°´°*ø,¸¸,ø*°´°*ø,¸¸,ø*°´°*ø,¸¸,ø*°´°*ø I hope that you have enjoyed this issue. Please keep the feedback coming! Until the next time, Stay Safe. Michael Green, Editor, The Information about Ireland Site. https://www.ireland-information.com michael@ireland-information.com
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