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  The Information about Ireland Site Newsletter 
                   May 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  

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		IN THIS ISSUE

=== News Snaps from Ireland 
=== New free resources at the site
=== Great Irish Families: The O'Connors
=== My Tour of Ireland by Julie Crum
=== The New York Irish and the Police
=== An Irish Leader: Sean Lemass
=== Mothers of the Celtic Tigers by Pat Watson
=== The Irish Coins Proof Set
=== Gaelic Phrases of the Month
=== Monthly free competition result

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FOREWORD
========

Hello again from Ireland where all the talk is of 
the ongoing recession and the upcoming elections. 
The current government looks set to be punished!

Our limited time offering of a proof set of Irish 
coins have proved popular. We do have a few left 
though (see below), so why not grab yours before 
they are all gone.

Until next month

Michael


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=======================
NEWS SNAPS FROM IRELAND
=======================

ELECTION WIPEOUT BECKONS FOR FIANNA FAIL

Th mid-term European and local elections due to 
be staged in June will give the Irish electorate 
a chance to show their feelings towards the 
government, and the omens are not good for 
Fianna Fail.

An opinion poll has put support for the party 
at 20%, down by more than 50% from the general 
election. The Labour party polled at 23% with 
Fine Gael at 36%. The 'satisfaction rating' of 
the government is at 12%.

While it is clear that any ruling party would be 
unpopular during a recession with the attendant 
job losses and tax increases, the depth of the 
likely disaster that awaits Fianna Fail will surely 
raise questions about the leadership of Taoiseach 
Brian Cowen.

A scenario where both Labour and Fine Gael have 
made huge gains at the expense of Fianna Fail 
would increase calls for a General Election to be 
held. Such calls are unlikely to be heeded however, 
as it seems the only chance Fianna Fail has of 
avoiding a decade of oblivion is to hold on to 
power through these mid-terms elections while 
hoping that the economy recovers in time for the 
next national poll, due in 3 years time.

DRAMATIC PROPERTY PRICE REDUCTIONS CONTINUE

An examination of world property markets has put 
Ireland in tenth worst place in the Knight Frank 
Global House Price Survey. Prices here have fallen 
by 10% in the first quarter of 2009 with certain 
sectors of the market showing much steeper 
reverses. Dubai showed the steepest decline - a 
massive 40% in 4 months! Singapore was next with 
16%, with the US, the UK and Spain not far behind. 
Thailand, Israel, the Czech Republic and 
Switzerland actually showed gains.

These price surveys vary however depending on who 
is compiling the figures, with the Permanent 
TSB/ESRI index showing an overall fall of 20% in 
the Irish property market since the February 2007 
peak. The average price of a house in Ireland is 
now 248,000 Euro, down over 60,000 Euro from 2007.

RECESSION HITS ALCOHOL CONSUMPTION

Further job losses are expected in the drinks and 
hospitality trade with a huge 13% decline in 
sales in the first quarter of 2009. Suppliers have 
pointed out that although consumption has 
certainly declined the fact that visits by southern 
Irish shoppers across the Northern border have 
dramatically increased is the real cause of their 
problems. The big fall in the value of Sterling 
relative to the Euro has made Ulster a much more 
attractive place to shop.

SALES OF USED CARS INCREASES

The recession has provided a boost to the trade in 
used cars which has perked up considerably with 
34,000 used vehicles sold in the first half of 
2009, compared with 31,000 in the same period of 
2008. The importation of cheap used-car is its 
highest level since 1973. Sales of new cars are 
expected to be down by 66% according to the 
Society of the Irish Motor Industry. 

ITS OFFICIAL: THE IRISH ARE A NATION OF MOANERS

It has long been suspected that the Irish are 
both begrudgers as well as being world-class 
moaners and now their is proof to back up that 
suspicion. A recent study by Uniroyal Tyres 
involved 4000 European citizens of various 
nationalities. The study found that Ireland was 
second only to Britain in the griping stakes. 
The weather, traffic and work topped the list of 
things the Irish love to complain about. 59% of 
those surveyed agreed that women complain more 
than men!

HOUSE ALARMS AND NOISY PARTYS TO BE TACKLED

In a long overdue 'quality of life' exercise the 
Green Party Minister for the Environment, John 
Gormley, has proposed legislation that will enable 
Gardai to enter premises and manually disconnect 
noisy alarms that are left ringing excessively. 
The hosts of noisy parties will also be targeted 
and fined for their anti-social behaviour.


Voice your opinion on these news issues here:


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

==============================
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/newsletter.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/newsletter.htm

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: Crafts
F: Frend, Fee
L: Ling, Loftus

View the Gallery here:


https://www.ireland-information.com/newsletter.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:


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=================================================
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 
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 Best wishes for happy holiday season.

 Sincerely, Anne MacDonald

THE PERFECT WEDDING OR ANNIVERSARY GIFT!

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===================================
GREAT IRISH FAMILIES: THE O'CONNORS
===================================

The great families of O'Connor have their 
descendants spread throughout the world, 
disguised under various spellings of their 
original name. The Conners, Connors, Conors and 
Coners all trace their heritage to one of the 
most illustrious of all of the Irish families.

The name was borne by six distinct septs. A sept 
is similar to a clan, and refers to a group of 
people who inhabited the same locality and who 
shared the same name. The O'Connors of Connaught 
were the most powerful with three separate branches 
of the sept developing: O'Conor Don, O'Connor Roe 
and O'Conor Sligo. These were all descended from 
Conchobhar who was King of Connaught in the tenth 
century. One of his descendants was Roderick 
O'Connor (1116-1198) who was the last High King 
of Ireland.

The Munster O'Connors were led by O'Connor Kerry 
who took his name from a different Conchobhar than 
the originator of the Connaught septs. He held 
vast lands in Kerry but was forced northwards 
after the 1172 Anglo-Norman invasion led by 
Strongbow. A renowned descendant of this sept was 
Arthur O'Connor (1763-1852) who was a United 
Irishman and later a general in Napoleons army. 
Patrick Edward O'Connor (1820-1871) was a pioneer 
and Indian fighter who also fought in the US Civil 
War on the Confederate side.

The O'Connors of Corcomroe, located in County 
Clare separately evolved from Conchobhar, Lord of 
Corcomroe who died in the year 1002.

O'Connor Faly was the Chief of the Offaly sept and 
was a descendant of Cathaoir Mor who was King of 
Ireland in the second century. These were a 
fighting sept who constantly battled the English 
invaders before being all but wiped out in the 
sixteenth century.

A further sept of O'Conor was that of Keenaght 
located in Derry in the very north of the country. 
They were defeated in battle by the O'Kanes in the 
twelfth century. Modern day O'Connors in Ulster 
are often descended from the O'Connors of 
Glengiven who were descended from Cian, son of the 
King of Munster in the third century.

In modern times the Kerry sept is much more 
prominent than the Munster sept. There are over 
30,000 people of the name in Ireland, most located 
in Kerry and Cork.

The history of the O'Connors could fill volumes. 
It is worth noting the degree to which the septs 
of O'Connor have heritage dating back to the 
times of ancient Irish royalty. High Kings 
dominate their ancestry. A truly 'royal' Irish 
family.

View the O'Connor family crests here:


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

Get the O'Connor plaque, print, signet ring and 
more here:

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

================================
MY TOUR OF IRELAND by Julie Crum
================================

In April of 2008 I took my long awaited trip to 
Ireland to the land where my grandparents came 
from. I had dreamed all my life of getting to 
Ireland and it finally came true. When we started 
to plan the trip their were five of us going but 
the day we left it was just myself, my daughter 
Cami and my Granddaughter Breanna.

We started our trip in Dublin with the CIE tour 
group. Our first night their my granddaughter 
and I got picked up so to speak. That was a first 
for me. We enjoyed our dinner at O'Neels pub and 
walking all around the city. We traveled from 
Dublin south and around the west coast and up to 
Northern Ireland where we had such a great 
experience. We met two of the most wonderful 
people in all of Ireland: the Watersons. I had 
spoken once to Mae online about my ancestors and 
while in Galway my daughter got online and there 
was a note for us to call Mae when in Derry.

Upon our arrival we called and they offered to 
pick us up and drive to the towns of Knockcloghrim 
and Maghere where my grandparents were born. We 
visited many Presbyterian church's where we found 
many grave sites of Ewings and Scott's. My 
grandfather was Thomas Ewing and my grandmother 
was Agnes Scott. My grandparents came to the USA 
around 1900. I will remember meeting Arnold and 
Mae that day forever. We had dinner together and 
a cuppa and I never dreamed I would have such an 
experience. We have remained very good friends 
and I can say they are family to us. We write 
back and forth every week and find we are so much 
alike. Who knows maybe we are related!

It was sad to leave that next day but we had more 
to see and places to go. On our trip we saw Dublin, 
Newgrange and Knowth tomb, then traveled south to 
the Rock of Cashel and on to Cobh where we had a 
lovely tour. We stayed in Cork and then on to 
Blarney Castle and of course we did some shopping 
at Blarney Woolen Mills. Then on to see the 
Muckross House within Killarney Park and spent two 
nights in Killarney. The next day was spent seeing 
the Dingle Peninsula and the Blasket Center. Next 
we were off to the west coast to see the Cliffs of 
Moher and stopped in the lovely village of Adair. 
We went through the Burren and into Galway. One 
evening in Galway we were invited to a friend of a 
friend of my daughters for dinner and lovely 
evening. We had also never met Morie and we just 
were amazed how wonderful and friendly the Irish 
people are. Both encounters gave us a chance to 
know something about the people and not just the 
country. Morie gave me a beautiful tablecloth made 
by her late Aunt to remember my trip to Ireland.

We then went on to Connemara Crystal and Connemera 
Marble and traveled through the Connemore 
Mountains to Kylemore Abby. Back to Galway and 
touring the city.

We set off North to the Museum of Country life and 
then to Drumclift to Yeats grave sight. Traveling 
through the beautiful Blue Stack mountains we 
arrived in Derry where we walked through the 
walled City and went out to Giants Causeway. After 
spending the day with the Watersons we traveled 
south to the Ulster Folk Park and our final night 
at the Cabra Castle. What a treat that was with a 
five course meal and Irish dancing afterwards 
which I had to try.

I hated to leave the next day but when I arrived 
in Ireland I felt like I had come home but now 
had to get back to my family.

It was a trip of a lifetime for me and to enjoy 
it with my daughter and granddaughter was extra 
special. My daughter later became ill but is now 
doing well and it helps to look at our pictures 
and talk about our trip. My husband says I have !
developed the 'gift of the gab' but we found a 
greater gift in Ireland through the people we 
met everywhere we went. 

Julie Crum

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THE NEW YORK IRISH AND THE POLICE
=================================

One of the enduring images of the New York Irish 
community is their representation in the New York 
City Police Department. During the past hundred 
years, the NYPD has been led by an almost unbroken 
chain of command of Irish-American Police 
Commissioners. The current NYPD Police Commissioner 
is Ray Kelly. Few Irish New Yorkers have not had a 
relative in the department, and the NYPD continues 
to evoke a positive response among them.

The popularity of the NYPD among the Irish can be 
traced to the police department's establishment in 
1844. It was created on Sir. Robert Peel's 1829 
model of the London Metropolitan Police. The new 
department was to replace the ineffective watch 
system that was incapable of dealing with 
increasing crime and disorder in New York City 
that was exacerbated by an influx of poverty 
stricken Irish immigrants fleeing the Famine in 
Ireland. 

Although these impoverished Irish immigrants 
contributed to the crime problem, they also 
became part of the solution as they vied for 
appointments to the newly formed police 
department. The first police officer killed in 
the line of duty was an Irish New Yorker named 
James Cahill who was shot by a burglar at Tenth 
Street and Avenue B on September 29, 1854. 

However, with the changing ethnic composition of 
the metropolitan New york City area, today, less 
than 50% of new NYPD officers are of Irish 
heritage.


(The above was excerpted from an article written 
by Dr. Hugh O'Rourke, a retired NYPD Captain, for 
the NYPD Superior Officers Association Retired 
newsletter)

Jack Coughlan, Retired NYPD Det/Sgt. 
Newsletter Editor, 
NYPD Superior Officers Association Retired 

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

============================
AN IRISH LEADER: SEAN LEMASS
============================

Sean Lemass was Taoiseach (leader) of Ireland 
from 1959 to 1966. He is regarded by many 
historians as the greatest of all political 
leaders of Ireland and is credited with laying 
the foundations of the modern economic success 
in Ireland.

Born in Dublin in 1899 Lemass was a veteran of the 
Easter Rising in 1916. He fought in the War of 
Independence and was imprisoned in Ballykinlar in 
County Down for a year. He opposed the Anglo-Irish 
Treaty and fought against the Michael Collins Free 
State in the subsequent Civil War. He was among 
the rebels who occupied the Four Courts which 
were famously bombed by the Free State forces. He 
was again interned in Mountjoy and the Curragh. 

He was first elected to the Irish parliament in 
1924 as member of Sinn Fein and was re-elected 
from his Dublin South constituency at every 
election that followed, up until his retirement 
in 1969. With DeValera he was a founder member of 
the new Fianna Fail party in 1926 which had 
abandoned armed struggle in favour of using 
political means to achieve its goals. He served 
as Minister for Commerce, Minister for Supplies 
and finally as Tanaiste (Deputy-Taoiseach) before 
being elected leader in 1959. His dealings in 
economic matters on behalf of the State were to 
serve him well. 

Ireland during the 1950s and 1960s was an economic 
wasteland with little industry and huge 
emigration. Costello worked incessantly to develop 
industry and trade. His Programme for Economic 
Development saw the creation of Bord na Mona, Aer 
Lingus and the Irish Shipping industry. He worked 
to develop and expand the tourist industry, to 
extend the supply of electricity countrywide, to 
develop the sugar industry, and a myriad of other 
schemes and developments.

Irish society was changing at a rapid pace, with 
RTE being set up in 1961. The old conservatism 
was being challenged as never before. Ireland had 
applied for membership of the EEC and was becoming 
part of the wider modern European society.

Lemass favoured an attitude of co-operation with 
the new political entity that was Northern Ireland. 
In 1965 he became the first Irish leader to visit 
Stormont for talks with Prime Minister Terence 
O'Neill. The subsequent controversy as well as 
failing health may have convinced him that it was 
time to step down.

Sean Lemass retired as Taoiseach in 1966 and 
eventually retired from politics in 1969. 
He died in 1971.

His legacy of economic reform in Ireland is 
perhaps his greatest achievement and is being 
evidenced in the economic boom which began in 
the mid-1990s.

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MOTHERS OF THE CELTIC TIGERS by Pat Watson
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It was just my luck to arrive in Carrignaros on 
pig fair day. The entire main street was full 
of tractors and trailers and a few horse carts 
full of pigs. This was a normal small town 
setting in nineteen seventy-four. I had to park 
my car two hundred yards from the hotel where I 
had a lunch appointment and walk through the 
fair. Luckily I was used to farm situations so 
I was not nauseated by the smell.

As I picked my steps through the throng, I noticed 
two tractor-trailers backed up to a dealer's 
lorry. There was a litter of finished pigs in each 
trailer, ten in one and eleven in the other. I was 
well aware that it took considerable skill and 
dedicated husbandry to bring those numbers to 
maturity. At the time the average litter would 
have been about eight. The floor of the lorry was 
three feet higher than the trailer's. Two men of 
advancing years were endeavouring, with little 
success, to lift the first of the fifteen-stone 
pigs onto the lorry. 

Just then two red-haired women hopped up on the 
trailer, said 'stand back men', and took over the 
loading. They both grabbed a front leg below the 
knee and a back leg above the knee and before the 
pig knew what hit him he had been thrown into the 
lorry. These were fine well built, well-padded, 
elegant women, perhaps early forties. They were 
evidently sisters and appeared to be spouses of 
the two much older men. No doubt they had married 
them in the depressed fifties when they were 
strong farmers financially, though physically past 
their peak. As they continued the work a small 
crowd gathered to admire.

I proceeded to my appointment while surmising 
their situation. Those animals had probably been 
brought to maturity with produce laboriously 
grafted from the stony grew soil of Monaghan. A 
lucky sow treated with tender loving care could 
produce two litters a year. It would supplement 
the children's allowance, the turkey money and 
other farm income. Even an aging man could manage 
a farm, operate a tractor, buy and sell things and 
keep a woman company, no use letting him strain 
his heart.

Just as we were finishing our lunch in the pub, 
the two men came in, followed a little way behind 
by the women. As he reached the bar one of the 
men turned and said, 
'Well women, what will ye have?' 

The reply came in unison, 'Whiskey'.                 


'Mothers of the Celtic Tigers' 
is one of sixty lyrical yarns from 
'Original Irish Stories' by Pat Watson, 
Creagh, Bealnamulla, Athlone, Ireland. 
First published in May 2006.
To get your copy email the author here:

pjwatson@utvinternet.com

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Visit: https://www.irishnation.com
=========================

=========================
THE IRISH COINS PROOF SET
=========================

The recent limited edition proof set of Irish 
coins produced by the Irish government is now 
available. We have a very small supply of these 
fantastic items which you can get from here:


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

===========================
GAELIC PHRASES OF THE MONTH
===========================

PHRASE:		Cad is ainm duit?
PRONOUNCED:	coad iss annim dwit
MEANING:		What is your name?

PHRASE:		An bhfuil tu damhsa liom?
PRONOUNCED:	On will two dowsa lum
MEANING:		Would you like to dance with me?

PHRASE:		Iocfaidh mise don gach rud!
PRONOUNCED:	uck-igg misha dun gock rud
MEANING:		I will pay for everything!

View the archive of phrases here:


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

======================
MAY COMPETITION RESULT
======================

The winner was: ball_coach@myfairpoint.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,

Michael Green,
Editor,
The Information about Ireland Site.

https://www.ireland-information.com