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  The Information about Ireland Site Newsletter 
                   November 2008
 
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) 2008  

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

		IN THIS ISSUE

=== News Snaps from Ireland 
=== New free resources at the site
=== Bridie Kearns' First Job
	by Josephine Doherty McTague 
=== Ireland House-Swap
=== Grace O'Malley - Gaelic Warrior Princess
=== Blackrock Castle - a poem by Roxie Fischer
=== Gaelic Phrases of the Month
=== Shamrock Site of the Month: irishsurnames.com
=== Monthly free competition result

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FOREWORD
========

Many thanks to all those who entered our recent 
competition to win 1 of 5 copies of Pat 
Watson's book 'Original Irish Stories' which has 
60 of his 'lyrical yarns'. The winners were:

 Stephen Lynch of Puxico, Missouri, USA
 Bud Dennis of Bowling Green, Ohio, USA
 Henry Ennis of Moctezuma 664, ARGENTINA
 Roger Ferguson of Tempe, AZ, USA
 Pam Scanlon-Hutton of Homewood, IL USA

The new house-swap service will go live early in 
the new year. I guess the idea of cutbacks and 
recession make this service an even more relevant 
idea - will keep you posted!

Such was the popularity of our last competition 
that we are running another! Enter your name to 
win 1 of 5 traditional Irish music CDs. This 
competition will be available for the next 3 days 
only and only to those readers who enter their 
email here:

https://www.ireland-information.com/cgi-bin/quickcompetition.cgi

Good Luck!

Michael

Help keep this newsletter alive at
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=======================
NEWS SNAPS FROM IRELAND
=======================

PRESSURE EASES ON IRISH GOVERNMENT

The huge pressure that had been building on the 
coalition government following their poor handling 
of the recent budget seems to be dissipating.

The ruling Fianna Fail party are in coalition with 
the Green Party and a number of independents. The 
recent budget announcements were met with fury by 
opposition parties and the public alike. Street 
protests were followed by media condemnation of the 
performance of the government which scrambled to 
contain the damage before finally getting its 
act together to diffuse the crisis.

Despite repeated attempts by Fine Gael and Labour 
to drive a wedge between Fianna Fail and the Green 
Party the coalition looks safe for the time being. 
Recent opinion polls have shown that Fine Gael now 
have a 34% to 30% lead over Fianna Fail, which 
indicates that if there were an election tomorrow 
then there would almost certainly be a change of 
government. Perhaps this is not too surprising. 
The economy is already in a serious downturn and 
looks to be getting worse. It is typical that the
ruling government party would be unpopular in 
recessionary times.

Nevertheless the immediacy of their unpopularity 
must be a cause of great concern for Taoiseach 
Brain Cowen, who is now presiding over the biggest 
economic downturn in nearly two decades and this 
hot on the heels of his failure to 'deliver' a 
favourable Lisbon Treaty vote to the European 
Union.

Adjustments to the budget have been hurriedly 
announced including a new 3% tax on people earning 
over 250,000 Euro annually - a move that is sure 
to be popular with lower earners! The propaganda 
war being waged by teachers who are railing 
against the 'cutbacks' in the education service 
seems to be swinging the governments way also. 
They have repeatedly pointed out that the 
reversal in the trend of reducing class sizes 
puts class sizes at 2006 levels - hardly a major 
u-turn. By releasing details of the amount of sick 
leave taken annually by teachers it is clear that 
the government hopes to swing support away from 
the teachers, with pay and conditions in the 
public service currently under the microscope.

Cutbacks in the health service (or more correctly, 
the non-commencement of previously announced 
schemes) have proven much more unpopular and 
difficult for the government to manage.

While it is widely appreciated that cutbacks and 
increased taxes are inevitable in the current 
economic climate, nobody wants the cutbacks or 
tax rises to affect them. The future of the current 
government depends largely on their ability to 
communicate their message and to create a 
consensus opinion among the Irish public regarding 
the economy. Much to do.

IRISH ECONOMY STILL UNDER PRESSURE

Despite the recent cuts in interest rates 
announced by the European Central bank the Irish 
economy in general and the housing market in 
particular are still heading into the doldrums. 
The decline in property prices across the country 
seems to have bottomed out with some areas and 
markets actually showing increases. There is still 
a big overhang of unsold and unrented properties 
however so it is unlikely that any overall 
improvement will be possible until the end of 2009 
at the earliest.

Inflation in the eurozone as well as in Ireland 
is decreasing rapidly as fuel and mortgage costs 
plummet. The underwriting of deposits held by 
Irish banks resulted in a some much needed 
stability in the sector although it seems likely 
that some banks may yet have to merge. The clamor 
of calls for the government to recapitalize the 
banks so they can start lending again have so far 
been resisted by the Minister for Finance, Brian 
Lenihan. Unemployment is definitely on the rise 
with no sign of any exodus of foreign workers from 
the country, although it is clear that emigration 
to places such as Australia is on the increase.

All of which points towards a very difficult year 
ahead for the Irish economy. The perfect storm of 
falling property price, a worldwide recession and 
the currency crisis is plenty to severely damage 
any economy, never mind the tiny economy of a 
country like Ireland on the fringe of Europe. The 
ability of Ireland to continue to attract foreign 
direct investment as well as a willingness to 
improve competitiveness (wage-control!) will be 
crucial to the performance of the country during 
this economic storm.

IRISH DEFENCE FORCES WITH UN FOR 50 YEARS

2008 has marked the fiftieth anniversary of the 
involvement of Irish peacekeepers with United 
Nations peacekeeping missions. Irish President 
Mary McAleese inspected soldiers at Cathal Brugha 
Barracks and noted in her remarks that Irish 
soldiers were originally deployed to the  
Lebanon as long ago as 1958. They have been 
stationed there from 1978 to the present day 
with over 30,000 Irish soldiers serving have 
served in that country.

The recent focus of Irish peacekeepers has been
in the African country of Chad. Other missions 
have included the Congo in 1960, Cyprus in 1964, 
the Iran-Iraq border in 1991, Somalia in 2001 
and Liberia in 2003. 86 Irish soldiers have 
died while on UN peacekeeping duty. On a per 
capita basis Ireland has volunteered more 
peacekeepers to UN missions than any other 
country.

ANTI-LISBON GROUP MAY CONTEST EUROPEAN ELECTIONS

The Libertas organisation that was set up by 
business-man Declan Ganley looks set to contest 
the upcoming European elections. The poll is due 
to be held in June of 2009 and it seems likely 
that the man who spear-headed the anti-Lisbon 
campaign will himself stand for office with the 
possible creation of a new political party along 
the way. It has also been speculated that the new 
party may contest 2 of the other 3 European 
parliament seats that are put to the electorate.
 
It has been estimated that Libertas spent over 
1 M-illion Euro on their ultimately successful
anti-Lisbon campaign. The Standards in Public 
Office Commission wants to know how they were 
funded and are demanding documented proof. 
Libertas are claiming that their organisation is 
now firmly in the firing line of the Irish and EU 
authorities because of their anti-Lisbon stance.

IRELAND TO HOST TOP SCIENCE EVENT IN 2012

Ireland has been chosen as the European City of 
Science for 2012. Up to 8000 delegates will attend 
the Euroscience forum where it is expected that up 
to 50,000 scientists, researchers and 
business-people will attend. The decision to award 
the event to Ireland is being seen as recognition 
of the great advances that have taken place in the 
country over the last 2 decades, especially in the 
fields of bio-technology and pharmaceuticals.


Voice your opinion on these news issues here:

https://www.ireland-information.com/newsletterboard/wwwboard.html

==============================
NEW FREE RESOURCES AT THE SITE
==============================

IRISH HOLIDAY AND TOURIST BOARD

Post a question about holidaying in Ireland 
and we guarantee an answer will be posted on 
the board.

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IRELAND HOUSE-SWAP LISTING

Our new free service lets you find or list a 
home for a house-swap:

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

A: Alexander, McAlinden
P: Parrish, Patten
T: Trant

View the Gallery here:

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

THE PERFECT WEDDING, ANNIVERSARY OR BIRTHDAY GIFT!
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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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 Again, my hearty thanks for this 
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 Best wishes for happy holiday season.

 Sincerely, Anne MacDonald

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============================
BRIDIE KEARNS' FIRST JOB
by Josephine Doherty McTague 
============================

In 1933 at the age of 14, Bridie Kearns got her 
first paying job in the town of Balla, in 
County Mayo, Ireland. It was early summer and 
the McEllin's daughter, Mrs. O'Grady was home 
from County Clare with her husband and their 
three young children. They were in great need of 
a nanny. The McEllin Family owned the largest 
shop in town. It was a one-stop shopping store 
in those days and you could buy all your 
necessities under one roof. The McEllin's were 
the 'big shots' in the town. They were the upper 
crust of the Balla society, the high and mighty 
city folk who wanted a simple country girl to 
take care of their grandkids.  

Well, young Bridie got the position but the 
McEllin's and O'Grady's got much more. Bridie, 
being the oldest daughter and the second oldest 
of the 13 Kearns kids had a wide array of skills. 
She could sew, knit, clean, cook, bake, organize 
activities and take great care of these new 
children. Her job was to mind these children 
twenty four hours a day seven days a week. 
Bridie proved to be an excellent nanny. That 
being said, she never forgot her mother and 
father and her siblings back up at Fargureens. 
At every chance, she would squirrel away an orange 
or an apple at mealtime to pass on to her brothers 
or sisters as they came into town. If she didn't 
see them coming in the Balla Road, they would 
toss a pebble up to her bedroom window at the 
McEllin Residence. Bridie would come to the window 
and drop down the fruit and some pennies which 
were received with great delight. A penny went far 
in those days. It got the lucky recipient a 
handful of sweets at the nearby store. 

Bridie was away from her home but was always 
thinking of her mom and finding ways to help. On 
her spare time, she started knitting for her 
mother. Underclothes, socks and long johns were 
all knitted in those days. Ouch! Well, soon after 
getting the job Bridie's boss discovered her 
knitting talents. They supplied her with wool and 
requested her to knit outfits for the children 
under her care, thus putting a stop to her 
family's needs. Bridie as I said before had many 
skills and 'slight of hand' was one of her secret 
talents. Unbeknownst to the McEllin's, Bridie kept 
knitting for her own family. When in the eye of 
the McEllin's or the O'Grady's, she would knit for 
them but as soon as she was out of their 
scrutinizing view, she would retrieve her own 
knitting project from under the mattress of the 
baby pram and resume knitting. 
(Ah, what a trooper!)

At the end of the summer Bridie was so well liked 
that the O'Grady family asked her to return with 
them to County Clare and continue her duty as the 
nanny. Bridie sadly accepted. Having a job and 
being able to help support her family was of 
utmost importance. Bridie had to leave the 
familiar surroundings of Balla, Mayo and move to 
Clare. Although miles away, Bridie sent her meager 
salary home to her mother each week in the mail. 
Bridie knew so well that her parents had many a 
mouth to feed and that they all were depending on 
her to help. Fortunately for Bridie, the O'Grady 
Family returned to Balla each Christmas and spent 
the summers there as well. Bridie worked for this 
family for three years and during that time was 
able to visit with her family on their trips to 
Balla.

Bridie enjoyed her job as nanny. But as we know 
life has many bumps and turns. Bridie had to move 
on. She kept in touch with the O'Grady's for many 
years. Bridie Kearns' next position would lead her 
across the Atlantic to New York.......
but that is another story to tell.

===
This story was told to me by my mother, 
Bridie Kearns Doherty many years ago.

Josephine McTague
October 9, 2007

==================
IRELAND HOUSE-SWAP
==================

We had a great response to our article about 
house-swapping which you can view in a 
recent newsletter:

https://www.ireland-information.com/jul08.htm

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

========================================
GRACE O'MALLEY - GAELIC WARRIOR PRINCESS
========================================

Ireland's contribution to female heroines includes
the 16th-century Grainne Ni Mhaille who was known 
as the 'Queen of the Irish Seas'.

She was called Mhaol (meaning 'cropped hair'),
but was called Grace O'Malley by the English. 
Born in the Province of Connaught, Grainne 
married and had three children before she 
commenced her famous career on the high seas, 
marshaling three pirate ships and up to 200 men 
as she opposed the English attempts to remove her.

Her husband was an O'Flaherty who was executed by 
Queen Elizabeth's colonists who attempted to 
completely subjugate the Irish way of life. In 
1556 she married again, this time to Iron Richard 
Burke and had a son named Tibbot. Captured
and jailed for two years she returned to her 
homeland in Connaught to continue her defiance.

In 1558 Elizabeth I pardoned her in an attempt to 
bring peace to the region but this attempt failed 
as the local English administrators continued to 
goad the woman who had been a thorn in their side 
for years. They even interned her son and brother 
despite Elizabeth I instructing that they be 
released.

Fighting was her only means of survival and this 
she did until the Irish defeat at the Battle of 
Kinsale in 1601 checked her dominance. She died in 
1603 and has since been, to a large degree, 
overlooked as a genuine heroine of Irish history.

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

==========================================
BLACKROCK CASTLE - a poem by Roxie Fischer
==========================================

I was inspired to write this poem after 
meeting an archaeologist who told me what 
he uncovered at Blackrock Castle in Cork.

For David Antony - 'The Dream Weaver'

===
Blackrock Castle                                                             
                                                                                
"My son watch as far as the sun rises for one day 
this will belong to thee
My son watch as the sun sets blazing orange in 
the emerald green sea
For one day I shall leave and you will reign over 
the Kingdom of Blackrock 
with all of her secrets and dark beauty
You must hold your ground and be ready 
to defend her to the death bravely

When the time comes your mother and I 
shall barter a bride 
and you and your princess will be nobility
As it is only your happiness and position in life 
that matter to me
You must keep the serfs and slaves lean and 
bending at the knee
As a hungry man is a willing mule 
and less likely to flee

Make them work hard 
and pay homage and their tax fee
Keep their lives simple 
do not give in to their selfish plea
Rule with a strong hand 
and keep the peasants loyal it is for your safety
Remember my son your station in life is above them 
do not grant charity."

These were the last words spoken to the boy child 
as the king was struck down by the peasantry
Father and son perished at Blackrock Castle 
Christened in the moat 
condemned by their affluence and hypocrisy
For five hundred years they slumbered 
anchored in time, air, and sand 
emerging from their chrysalis into history
That is how the archaeologist found them 
shrouded deep in hardened clay 
with the arrow head once aimed precisely

With gentle hands he makes love to the hard sand 
as if he is caressing his lover's breast gently
He weaves father and son's dreams paying homage 
to their lives and memory
As they are released from their 
once water-filled grave 
their redeemed spirits soar 
on their mystic journey

The Dream Weaver meditated and gave honor to the 
owner of the arrow head 
that left it's mark so deadly
The courageous peasant did not kill 
out of spite madness or jealousy
He was content with his lot in life 
but sickness had consumed his wife and children 
leaving his soul raw and empty
He was driven by his grief, rage, hunger, 
his humanness, and the bitter taste of poverty
Cloaked in an armor of rags the peasant archer 
raised his arrow and delivered his unforgiving 
absolution with swiftness and secrecy
 
Roxie Fischer

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

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

PHRASE: 	An mor ata air?
PRONOUNCED:	on moor ah-taw err
MEANING:	What price is this?

PHRASE:		Ceannoid me e  
PRONOUNCED:	kyann-owid may a 
		('a' as in USA)
MEANING: 	I will buy it

PHRASE:		An dtogann tu cartai credit? 
PRONOUNCED:	on dowg-inn two kartee kredit
MEANING:	Do you accept credit cards?

View the archive of phrases here:

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

=============================================
SHAMROCK SITE OF THE MONTH: IRISHSURNAMES.COM
=============================================

Find the family crest for your name of Irish
origin. Over 1000 listed - free to view and print. 
Great for using in school reports, as desktop 
backgrounds, for general research or fun!

http://www.irishsurnames.com

==========================
NOVEMBER COMPETITION RESULT
==========================

The winner was: nicole_yendle@nag.national.com.au
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 time,

Michael Green,
Editor,
The Information about Ireland Site.

https://www.ireland-information.com

Click here to contact us