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  The Information about Ireland Site Newsletter 
                  October 2005
 
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) 2005  

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		IN THIS ISSUE
=== Foreword
=== News Snaps from Ireland 
=== New free resources at the site
=== 85th Anniversary of the Death of Kevin Barry
=== What's in a Word? 	     by Mary Ellen Lewis
=== Irish Halloween Traditions
=== Unusual things to do on your Irish Vacation #5
=== A Poem for Ireland 	by Margel Harbaugh
=== A little bit of Dublin - #7
=== Gaelic Phrases of the Month
=== Monthly free competition result

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FOREWORD
========

It is hard to believe that Halloween is upon us 
again. Back in my day (now I feel old!), it was 
the custom to visit house to house in the local 
neighbourhood asking for sweets and fruit to 
'Help the Halloween Party'. Nowadays 'Trick or 
Treat' is more likely to be uttered by the 
various goblins and fairies that darken our doors.

Another change from my day is the carving of 
'jack-o-lanterns'. In recent years Pumpkins have 
become widely available in Ireland, even grown 
here, which is a far cry from the turnips that 
were originally used in days long since gone....

until next month!

Michael


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

HOUSING CRASH VERY UNLIKELY

A report from one of Ireland's largest banks, AIB, 
has indicated that a crash in the Irish housing 
market is very unlikely. A recent slow-down in the 
rate of increase in house price inflation has ended
and prompted the bank to predict a 7% growth rate 
for 2005.

The Irish love affair with property looks set to 
continue with as much as 30% of new homes being 
snapped up by investors. Over 75,000 new housing 
units were built in 2004 and this figure looks set 
to be repeated in 2005. Low inflation, high rates
of employment as well as the release of SSIA funds 
(savings) in April 2006 are among the main reasons 
for the continued optimism.

GOVERNMENT MAY INTRODUCE COMPULSORY PENSIONS

Despite widespread advertising of the need for 
citizens to have adequate pensions, the uptake 
in private pensions is so low that the Irish 
Government may make pensions compulsory.

A recent survey has revealed that 47% of the 
workforce have no pension cover, with 60% of 
women in employment having no pension cover.

TITANIC DISINTEGRATING RAPIDLY

A deep-sea dive by Irish diver Rory Golden, has 
further revealed the extent of damage to the 
world's most famous shipwreck. Located in two 
pieces, hundreds of yards apart beneath 2.5 miles 
of ocean, the Belfast-built ship is disintegrating 
at a rapid pace.

A commemorative plaque from Harland and Wolff 
shipyard was placed on the wreckage during the 
dive.

VESTMENTS OF FAMOUS DUBLIN CHOIR THRASHED

The world famous choir of the historic 
Christchurch Cathedral, located in the heart of 
Dublin City centre, are having to make alternative 
arrangements for their clothing, after their 
vestments were thrown out with the thrash. 

The red cassocks and white surplices were being 
stored in black plastic bin bags prior to a 
visit to the dry cleaners. An over-enthusiastic 
helper seems to have put them out with the trash 
for collection by the City garbage trucks. Valued 
at over EURO 20,000 the Choir administrators are 
hoping that an insurance claim will cover at least 
part of the cost.

The Cathedral is located in the heart of 'Viking' 
Dublin and has a history of performing music since 
1493. It has existed since the eleventh century 
although the current building dates to 1172, the 
year of the Strongbow invasion.

ANTI-BIRD FLU MEASURES ARE TIGHTENED

The EU has implemented a complete ban on all 
birds into the EU, apart from commercial poultry. 
Private owners who wish to import birds from 
approved countries must place them in quarantine 
for 35 days.

Further regulations are expected in the global 
expansion of the measures to prevent the 
spread of avian flu.

IRELAND CRASH OUT OF WORLD CUP

The Irish soccer team crashed out of the World 
Cup and will not be playing in the finals in 
Germany in 2006. A hard-fought 1-0 victory over 
Cyprus was followed up by a disappointing 0-0 
draw against Switzerland at Landsdowne Road, who 
reached the 'play-offs' after finishing second 
in the group to France.

The Football Association of Ireland have confirmed 
that they will not be renewing the contract of 
manager Brian Kerr who must surely be ruing the 
points that were dropped by his team in the two 
drawn matches against Israel.

Voice your opinion on these news issues here:

http://www.ireland-information.com/cgi-bin/newsletterboardindex.cgi

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

NEW COATS OF ARMS ADDED TO THE GALLERY:

The following 6 coats of arms images and family
history details have been added to the Gallery:

A: Archer, Ashe
G: Garvin, Gavaghan
I: Impett
Q: McQuaid

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

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85TH ANNIVERSARY OF THE DEATH OF KEVIN BARRY
============================================

Kevin Barry was 18 years old when he was hanged 
in Mountjoy Jail on November 1st 1920. 
His death at such a young age is possibly the 
most poignant in recent Irish history.

He was born in 1902 in Dublin and grew up both 
in the capital and in County Carlow. He enrolled 
in Belvedere College in 1916 and joined the Irish 
Volunteers, a nationalist organisation. In 1919 
he enrolled in Dublin University to study 
medicine. The Michael Collins led War of 
Independence was developing and Barry, as Section 
Commander, played his part in various raids 
around Dublin city.

On September 20th 1920 he took part in one such 
raid that went badly wrong. A street gun battle 
ensued and three British soldiers were killed. 
This was very significant in that these were the 
first British soldier deaths in Ireland since the 
1916 Easter Rising led by Pearse and Connolly. 
Barry hid under a truck as the British searched 
for him but was discovered when a passer-by, 
concerned for his safety underneath the huge 
vehicle, inadvertently warned the soldiers of 
his whereabouts.

Reports of his torture in Mountjoy Jail soon 
circulated but Barry refused to name his comrades. 
He was given a death sentence but it was widely 
believed that this sentence would be commuted, and 
that the British authorities would not dare to 
execute an eighteen year-old. 

As the deadline approached it became clear that 
Kevin Barry would be executed. A planned rescue 
by Michael Collins came to nothing when 
reinforcements from Dublin Castle were ordered to 
the prison because of the large crowds that had 
gathered outside. It was reported that Barry had 
requested to be shot by firing squad rather than 
hanged, which he viewed as a death not befitting 
a soldier. The hangman, Ellis, had to be brought 
into the country from England, as no-one in 
Ireland could be found for the job. The calmness 
and bravery the young Barry showed in the hours 
leading up to his execution has become the 
stuff of legends. Despite protestations from 
clerics and politicians alike he was hanged in 
Mountjoy Jail on November 1st, 1920. 

Just as in the aftermath of the 1916 Easter Rising 
the British military in Ireland had badly 
misjudged the situation. Had they simply 
imprisoned the leaders of 1916 it is likely that 
the huge upsurge in support for Irish nationalism 
would not have taken place. By executing someone 
as young as Kevin Barry in 1920 they handed the 
Irish Republican Army a huge propaganda victory. 
Young recruits flocked to join the IRA in the War 
of Independence, which in turn led to the Treaty, 
The partition of Ireland, the Civil War, 
Independence and all that has occurred since.

It was reported that, for the rest of his life,
Michael Collins bitterly regretted not being able 
to save the young soldier.

~~

The famous song 'Kevin Barry' was penned shortly 
after his death and is still revived in ballad 
sessions in Ireland to this very day:

In Mountjoy jail one Monday morning
High upon the gallows tree,
Kevin Barry gave his young life
For the cause of liberty. 
But a lad of eighteen summers,
Still there's no one can deny,
As he walked to death that morning,
He proudly held his head on high. 

2. Just before he faced the hangman,
In his dreary prison cell,
The Black and Tans tortured Barry,
Just because he wouldn't tell. 
The names of his brave comrades,
And other things they wished to know.
'Turn informer and we'll free you'
Kevin Barry answered, 'No'. 

3. 'Shoot me like a soldier.
Do not hang me like a dog,
For I fought to free old Ireland
On that still September morn. 
'All around the little bakery
Where we fought them hand to hand,
Shoot me like a brave soldier,
For I fought for Ireland.'
 
4. 'Kevin Barry, do not leave us,
On the scaffold you must die!'
Cried his broken-hearted mother
As she bade her son good-bye. 
Kevin turned to her in silence
Saying, 'Mother, do not weep,
For it's all for dear old Ireland
And it's all for freedom's sake.' 

5. Calmly standing to attention
While he bade his last farewell
To his broken hearted mother
Whose grief no one can tell. 
For the cause he proudly cherished
This sad parting had to be
Then to death walked softly smiling
That old Ireland might be free. 

6. Another martyr for old Ireland,
Another murder for the crown,
Whose brutal laws to crush the Irish,
Could not keep their spirit down. 
Lads like Barry are no cowards.
From the foe they will not fly.
Lads like Barry will free Ireland,
For her sake they'll live and die. 
 
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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

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

WHAT'S IN A WORD? 		by Mary Ellen Lewis
=================

We all learned a bit of Irish as we toured that 
lovely isle, with its forty shades of green. As we 
rode along the highway on the left side of the 
road, we learned to be aware of 'Calming Traffic 
Ahead', and even to go 'Dead Slow'. We observed 
'Diversion' signs, found 'Car Parks' and places 
where our coach could 'Set Down Only'.

We discovered 'Family Butchers' who are really 
peaceful folks, and we enjoyed 'Carvery Meals' and 
'Take Aways', and 'Pubs', and, sure, a glass of 
Guinness to 'take us over the top'.  At Kathleen's 
Pub we found 'ceoil' and 'craic' meaning music and 
good atmosphere, a lovely way to spend the time.

We knew when house-deals were made by the sign 
'Sale Agreed', and we learned to set our clocks 
at 'half four', and 'To Let' meant a house is 
'For Rent'.

We started each day with 'Dia Duith' and learned 
to 'go with the flow'.

I am sure you can each add some phrases you 
picked up along the way. It was a great time 
all-together, wasn't it?

~~~

Compiled by Sister Mary Ken, S.L and her sister 
Mary Ellen Lewis after a bus tour in Ireland.

p.s.
The actual Irish weather report is really a 
recording made in 1922 which no one has had 
occasion to change: 
'Scattered showers, periods of sunshine'  
(Wilfrid Sheed)

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IRISH HALLOWEEN TRADITIONS
==========================

The Celts celebrated Halloween as Samhain, 'All 
Hallowtide' - the 'Feast of the Dead', when the 
dead revisited the mortal world. The celebration 
marked the end of Summer and the start of the 
Winter months. 

During the eighth century the Catholic Church 
designated the first day of November as 'All 
Saints Day' ('All Hallows') - a day of 
commemoration for those Saints that did not have
a specific day of remembrance. The night before 
was known as 'All Hallows Eve' which, over time, 
became known as Halloween.

Here are the most notable Irish Halloween 
Traditions:

Colcannon for Dinner: Boiled Potato, Curly Kale 
(a cabbage) and raw Onions are provided as the 
traditional Irish Halloween dinner. Clean coins 
are wrapped in baking paper and placed in the 
potato for children to find and keep.

The Barnbrack Cake: The traditional Halloween 
cake in Ireland is the barnbrack which is a 
fruit bread. Each member of the family gets a 
slice. Great interest is taken in the outcome as 
there is a piece of rag, a coin and a ring in
each cake. If you get the rag then your financial 
future is doubtful. If you get the coin then you 
can look forward to a prosperous year. Getting 
the ring is a sure sign of impending romance 
or continued happiness.

The Ivy Leaf: Each member of the family places a 
perfect ivy leaf into a cup of water and it is 
then left undisturbed overnight. If, in the 
morning, a leaf is still perfect and has not 
developed any spots then the person who placed the
leaf in the cup can be sure of 12 months health 
until the following Halloween. If not.....

The Pumpkin: Carving Pumpkins dates back to the 
eighteenth century and to an Irish blacksmith 
named Jack who colluded with the Devil and was 
denied entry to Heaven. He was condemned to 
wander the earth but asked the Devil for some
light. He was given a burning coal ember which he 
placed inside a turnip that he had gouged out.

Thus, the tradition of Jack O'Lanterns was born 
- the bearer being the wandering blacksmith - a 
damned soul. Villagers in Ireland hoped that the 
lantern in their window would keep the wanderer 
away. When the Irish emigrated in their millions 
to America there was not a great supply of turnips 
so pumpkins were used instead.

Halloween Costumes: On Halloween night children 
would dress up in scary costumes and go house to 
house. 'Help the Halloween Party' and 'Trick or 
Treat' were the cries to be heard at each door. 
This tradition of wearing costumes also dates back 
to Celtic times. On the special night when the
living and the dead were at their closest the 
Celtic Druids would dress up in elaborate costumes 
to disguise themselves as spirits and devils in 
case they encountered other devils and spirits 
during the night. By disguising they hoped that
they would be able to avoid being carried away at 
the end of the night. This explains why witches, 
goblins and ghosts remain the most popular 
choices for the costumes.

Snap Apple: After the visits to the neighbours the 
Halloween games begin, the most popular of which 
is Snap Apple. An apple is suspended from a string 
and children are blindfolded. The first child to 
get a decent bite of the apple gets to keep their 
prize. The same game can be played by placing 
apples in a basin of water and trying to get a
grip on the apple without too much mess!

The Bonfire: The Halloween bonfire is a tradition 
to encourage dreams of who your future husband or 
wife is going to be. The idea was to drop a 
cutting of your hair into the burning embers and 
then dream of you future loved one. Halloween was 
one of the Celt 'fire' celebrations. 

Blind Date: Blindfolded local girls would go out 
into the fields and pull up the first cabbage they 
could find. If their cabbage had a substantial 
amount of earth attached to the roots then their 
future loved one would have money. Eating the 
cabbage would reveal the nature of their future
husband - bitter or sweet!
 
Another way of finding your future spouse is to 
peel an apple in one go. If done successfully the 
single apple peel could be dropped on the floor 
to reveal the initials of the future-intended. 

Anti-Fairy Measures: Fairies and goblins try to 
collect as many souls as they can at Halloween but 
if they met a person who threw the dust from under 
their feet at the Fairy then they would be obliged 
to release any souls that they held captive.

Holy water was sometimes anointed on farm animals 
to keep them safe during the night. If the animals 
were showing signs of ill health on All Hallows 
Eve then they would be spat on to try to ward off 
any evil spirits.

Happy Halloween from Ireland!

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UNUSUAL THINGS TO DO ON YOUR IRISH VACATION #5
==============================================

GO ROCK-CLIMBING!

Rock-climbing in Ireland, like most adventure 
pursuits, has greatly increased in popularity 
in recent years. A hugely popular climbing 
destination can be found at Dalkey Quarry, 
along the south coast of the Dublin city, beyond 
Dun Laoghaire. More than 300 climbs have been 
developed in the quarry making it the most popular 
climbing destination in the country. The Irish 
Mountaineering Club holds Thursday evening 
sessions for beginners. 

Streaky Slab is another fine climbing destination 
located near Bray, County Wicklow, not far along 
the coast from Dalkey. Nearby Glendalough in 
Wicklow, home to the famous monastic settlements, 
also has 300-foot climbs, while a greater 
challenge can be found at the coastline off the 
Burren, near the Cliffs of Moher. Perhaps the 
ultimate challenge for climbers in Ireland can be 
found on Achill Island, which is home to some of 
Europe's tallest sea-cliffs.

For those who want to try some indoor climbing 
there are facilities at Dublin City University 
(Santry, North-City Dublin), UCD (Belfield, 
South-City, Dublin) and at the University of 
Limerick at Plassey (just outside the city at 
Castletroy on the Dublin Road).

Useful websites:

www.irishclimbing.com
www.climbing.ie
www.indoorclimbing.com

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CHAD'S IRISH TOURS
==================

Chad's Irish Tours is a Certified Ireland 
Specialist with Tourism Ireland. Plan a group 
trip or self-drive vacation. 

Call today 1-877-6-IRELAND.

Click to Visit: http://www.chadsirishtours.com

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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.

Wendy Walker of Columbia, Missouri got a
family crest signet ring with the Donnelly family 
crest engraved on it for her son

 Michael,
 I received by registered mail today the ring I 
 ordered for my son with the Donnelly family crest.

 I am very impressed and thrilled with the ring. 
 It is beautiful and the service I received 
 throughout the whole process of ordering and 
 receiving this unique gift has been superb. Thank 
 you for all your assistance and prompt responses 
 to my questions.

 I will most certainly order other items from you 
 and will highly recommend you.

 Thank you

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THE PERFECT WEDDING, ANNIVERSARY OR BIRTHDAY GIFT!

See here for family crest gifts:
Visit:

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

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A POEM FOR IRELAND 	by Margel Harbaugh
==================

Note: The Irish word for Ireland is Eire which 
is pronounced 'air-eh'.

~~~

On a cliff in Eire, just thinking,
One sides blue, one sides green,
There's things unheard of & places unseen.
A little man hiding, making a shoe for a fairy,
They're called leprechauns from the land of Eire.
Saint Patrick, Saint Patrick, by the Eire lakes, 
He was kidnapped by pirates and drove out the snakes.
Families of Eire can hear a banshee's cry, 
Most O's and Macs, she tells, someone will die.
The three leaf clover special and green, 
A lot of different things could mean what it means.
A big nice rock, called the blarney stone,
Bend back, kiss it, and you'll never be alone.
The flag, the flag, orange, green and white,
Protestant, Catholic, they'll always fight.
Unity, unity, stop fighting each other, 
Tis' Eire your friend just like it's your other.

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A LITTLE BIT OF DUBLIN - #7
===========================

The famous victory by Brian Boru over the Vikings 
at Clontarf in the year 1014 marked the end of 
the Viking raids on Ireland. By this time however,
the Vikings had already begun to assimilate into, 
and make their mark on Gaelic society.

One such Viking was Sitric Silkenbeard, the King 
of Dublin. Despite the reputation of the Vikings 
Silkenbeard was a devout Christian and was 
responsible for the founding of the famous 
Christchurch Cathedral at the top of Dame Street 
in Dublin City Centre. His reign saw the first 
coins ever minted in Ireland. They bore his 
image on one side and a cross on the other. He 
remained in power until 1036 and spent the last 
of his days on the island of Iona, Scotland.

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GAELIC PHRASES OF THE MONTH
===========================
 
PHRASE:	 	Oiche Shamhna
PRONOUNCED:	ee-ha how-nah
MEANING:		Halloween (the night before Samhain)

PHRASE:		Tabhair feirin dom no buailfidh me bob ort! 
PRONOUNCED:	tour ferr-een dum no booligg may bob urt
MEANING:		Trick or Treat 
	(give me a treat or I will play a trick on you!)

PHRASE:		Tine cramha/Cailleach/Taibhse
PRONOUNCED:	tinneh cravh-sheh/coll-yuk/tavh-sheh
MEANING:		Bonfire/Witch/Ghost


View the archive of phrases here:

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

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SHAMROCK SITE OF THE MONTH:	CELTICATTIC.COM

Shop online for everything you need to decorate 
your home and life with a Celtic Twist: Art, 
Crafts, Irish & Scottish Baskets, Suncatchers,
Wind-Chimes, Music and Celtic Gifts. We offer a 
delightful variety of Celtic Jewelry: Pendants, 
Crosses, Rings, Hair Ties & more. All your 
Irish Bath, Beauty and Herbal needs are in one 
convenient location! The Majority of our products 
are Irish, Scottish, Welsh made.

http://www.celticattic.com

Phone orders 360-765-0186

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OCTOBER COMPETITION RESULT
============================

The winner was: eileen.murray@saic.com
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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KEEP THIS NEWSLETTER FREE - GO HERE:

http://www.irishnation.com

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I hope that you have enjoyed this issue.

Until next time, HAPPY HALLOWEEN!

Michael Green,
Editor,
The Information about Ireland Site.


http://www.ireland-information.com

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