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

  The Information about Ireland Site Newsletter 
                   October 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  

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

		IN THIS ISSUE

=== News Snaps from Ireland 
=== New free resources at the site
=== Great Irish Families: O'Brien
=== Brian Boru - High King of Ireland
=== Irish Halloween Traditions
=== The Bonfire Dance by Michael Ryan
=== The Alternative Ring of Kerry
=== A Dream of Inis Mor by Brian O'Raleigh
=== Gaelic Phrases of the Month
=== Monthly free competition result

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

FOREWORD
========

October in Ireland traditionally marks the 
transition from Summer to Winter (if you can call 
what we get here a Summer!) and once the clocks 
'go back' you know that the countdown to 
Halloween, Christmas and then Spring has really 
begun.

Despite the never-ending recession there are 
signs of optimism in the country. Perhaps the 
gloom and doom can only dominate for a set 
amount of time before people get tired of the 
dullness and begin to lift their spirits. Is 
it possible for people to boost an economy 
simply because they are tired of the 
dreariness of frugality? We are about to find 
out as, not just in Ireland but around the world, 
governments, employers and businesses hold their 
collective breaths to see what the next few 
months bring.

If you have an article, poem or story about 
Ireland or the Irish do send it in - we would
love to receive it!

Until next month

Michael

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

WE NEED YOUR HELP!

PLEASE - send this newsletter on to your friends 
or relatives who you think are interested in 
Ireland. By doing this you are helping to keep 
us 'free'.

Got something to say? Don't keep it to yourself!
Why don't you submit an article for inclusion
in the next edition? Go here for more information:

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

Do you have access to a website? You can help to 
keep this newsletter alive by adding a link to 
any of our websites below:

https://www.irishnation.com
http://www.irishsurnames.com
https://www.ireland-information.com
http://www.allfamilycrests.com
http://www.irishpenpals.com

If you have an AOL or HOTMAIL account then you 
will get much better results by viewing this 
newsletter online here:

https://www.ireland-information.com/oct09.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

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

SECOND LISBON TREATY PASSED

The Lisbon Treaty has been passed by the Irish 
electorate in a second referendum. The final 
result was 67.1% in favour to 32.9% against, 
which represents a 20.5% swing to the 'yes' 
campaign.

The result may have enduring consequences for 
Ireland with those in favour of the treaty 
arguing that voting 'yes' will assist Ireland 
in emerging from her economic woes. Many 
neutrals however remain bitterly despondent that 
the political elite were able to overturn the 
verdict of the original referendum with Irish 
democracy being the ultimate victim.

Needless to say the various political parties are 
lining up to take the credit for the victory 
(only Sinn Fein opposed the treaty). Had the 
treaty been rejected again then the government 
would surely have collapsed. The fact that Fine 
Gael and the Labour Party actually campaigned in 
favour of a 'yes' vote, and thus provided support 
for the government, is an irony not lost on many 
of their supports who so desperately want to see 
Fianna Fail removed from office.

Only the Czech Republic now stand in the way of 
full EU ratification of the Lisbon Treaty.

FIANNA FAIL GOVERNMENT SURVIVES

Despite now being ranked third in the opinion 
polls Fianna Fail continues as the main party in 
government thanks to a combination of factors. 
Firstly the Lisbon treaty was passed, thanks in 
part to the sharp focusing of the collective 
mind of the electorate on economic matters, 
with the underlying fear that rejecting the 
treaty (again) would be bad economically for 
Ireland.

Secondly the government has pushed through the 
bad bank (NAMA) legislation which will remove 
most of the toxic loans on the books of the 
major banks to a new government agency who will 
hope to recoup the state investment over time 
(a decade or even two). By doing this the banks 
will be free to start lending to businesses again 
and thus stimulate economic activity.

Thirdly the governments coaltion partners, the 
Green Party, have decided not to commit political 
suicide and have instead renegotiated a deal 
with Fianna Fail that they claim will result in 
their core polices being implemented. Had they 
rejected the revised deal and pulled out of 
government they would surely have been pummeled 
into oblivion by an electorate in very 
unforgiving mood.

Finally, there are signs that the government is 
about to tackle the big thorn of public sector 
pay. Despite repeated threats of strikes by the 
public service staff unions there is little 
sympathy for the public sector workers from 
those outside of what is seen as a cushy protected
golden circle. The vast majority of recent job 
losses and economic pain has been endured by 
those in the private business sector and not by 
state employees who are rarely fired. Irish public 
servants continue to be among the highest paid in 
Europe.

The government must privately acknowledge that 
while these pay cuts will be unpopular among 
public service staff, that the other half of the 
country (in the private sector) will be cheering 
them on as it is they who have suffered most. This 
divide and conquer strategy will likely get the 
government through 2009 and into 2010 at which 
time NAMA will be up and running and the banks 
may be lending. By 2011 the economy should be 
improving, just in time for the next general 
election. That seems to be the government plan.

RECESSION PUTTING MORE BUSINESSES AT RISK

The budget that is to be announced later this 
year by the Finance Minister Brian Lenihan is 
having an effect even before the details are 
made public. In anticipation of further tax 
hikes and reduced benefits consumers are 
spending less in the shops than at any time 
over the last two years. The average spend in 
retail outlets is now 46 Euro, down from 67 euro 
in 2008. A report by Retail Excellence Ireland 
has found that sales of mens-wear is down 24%, 
ladies-wear by 16%, footwear down by 18%, 
giftware and homeware by 19% and even the sale 
of groceries is down by 11%. Further job losses 
and business closures are inevitable.

DRINK-DRIVE ALCOHOL LIMIT TO BE FURTHER REDUCED

Despite protests from rural publicans and even 
some T.D.s the legal blood-alcohol level for 
drivers is to be reduced from 80mg to 50mg.
Several other countries in the EU have opted for 
a 0mg limit but this seems unlikely to be 
proposed in Ireland.

IRELAND TO FACE FRANCE IN WORLD CUP PLAYOFFS

A 2-2 draw with Italy in Croke Park by the Irish 
soccer team has meant that the 'boys in green' 
must settle for a play-off berth to try to secure 
qualification to the World Cup finals in South 
Africa next year. A fine display by the Irish team 
against the world champions was followed up by a 
drab 0-0 draw against Montenegro in what had 
become a meaningless final group match. Ireland 
was drawn against France in a two-match playoff to 
decide who travels to the worlds biggest sporting 
event.

The wheels of political cynicism had been turning 
in FIFA prior to the final game. Aware that the 
big guns of France, Portugal and Russia could be 
drawn against each other in an open draw for the 
four play-offs, FIFA decided to seed the draw in 
order to give these more favoured teams a better 
chance of qualifying. It remains to be seen if 
this blatantly partisan decision backfires on 
footballs ruling authority. Lets hope so.


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/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.


https://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:

F: Flood, Foy
M: McManus
R: Roe
S: Shields

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:

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



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

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

=============================
GREAT IRISH FAMILIES: O'BRIEN
=============================

The history of the families of O'Brien will always 
be dominated by their famous ancestor Brian Boru. 
It was he who became High King of Ireland and 
defeated the Vikings at the battle of Clontarf in 
the year 1014.

Prior to the rise of Brian Boru the sept of Ui 
Toirdealbhaigh, from which the O'Briens originate, 
had been of only minor importance. They were 
located in the Limerick area and later divided 
into a number of branches in Munster Province, 
located in Tipperary, Limerick, Aherlow, and at 
the Comeragh mountains.

The use of surnames was only becoming popular at 
the time of Brian Boru and after his death his 
descendants adopted O'Brien as their name. The 
ancient manuscripts 'The Annals of the Four 
Masters' are littered with references to the 
O'Briens and their exploits. They have a long 
history of achievement and prominence. 

The direct descendants of Brian Boru have held 
three main titles. They were the Earls and 
Marquises of Thomond, Barons and Earls of 
Inchquin and Viscounts of Clare. Irish history 
of the time witnessed many Gaelic chiefs and 
septs alternate loyalty to the crown and then 
back to their native kinsmen. It was the Viscounts 
Clare who remained loyal to the cause of Irish 
freedom with Daniel O'Brien (1577-1663) being a 
member of the Supreme Council of the Irish Catholic 
Confederates. The O'Briens of Thomond and Inchquin 
sided with the English, most notably Murrough 
O'Brien (1614-1674) who was known as 'Murrough of 
the burnings'. Another Viscount Clare, also Daniel 
O'Brien (1690), raised the Irish army known as 
'Clares Dragoon's' and who became distinguished in 
continental conflicts. William Smith O'Brien 
(1803-1864) was one of the original 'Young 
Irelanders'. William O'Brien (1852-1928) founded 
the 'United Irish League'. Fitzjames O'Brien 
(1828-1862) was an author who was killed in the 
American Civil War. Jeremiah O'Brien (1740-1818) 
was well regarded for his naval exploits against 
the English during the American War of 
Independence.

In modern times the name O'Brien remains the sixth 
most populous surname in Ireland with over 30,000 
individuals bearing the surname, mostly found in 
Counties Clare, Limerick, Tipperary and Waterford.

View the O'Brien family crest here:

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

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

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

=================================
BRIAN BORU - HIGH KING OF IRELAND
=================================

The line between Irish Legend and Irish Myth 
have often been blurred, especially as the 
retelling of heroic deeds has been passed on 
through generations. 

Brian Boru was no legend although his life deeds 
were legendary. He was very much a real man and 
was in fact the last great High King of Ireland 
and perhaps the greatest military leader the 
country has ever known. 

Brian Boru was born Brian Mac Cennetig. He mother 
was sister to the mother of Conor, the King of 
Connaught. 

His brother, Mahon, had become King of Munster in 
951, upon the death of their father, Cennetig. 
Together they fought against the invading Norsemen, 
who had imposed taxes in Munster. This struggle 
eventually led to the murder of Mahon in 975 Mahon 
by the Ostermen (Norse). Brian avenged his 
brother's death by killing the King of the 
Ostermen of Limerick, King Imar. 

From this point onwards Brian held Munster as his 
own, including the pivotal trade-centre of 
Limerick. He marched into Connaught and Leinster 
and joined forces with Mael Sechnaill II in 997. 
Together they divided Ireland between them. 

The Norse settlers in Dublin especially ranged 
against Brian but were defeated at Glen Mama 
where the King of Leinster was captured. The 
King of Dublin, Sitric Silkenbeard, was soon 
defeated too. 

In 1002 Brian demanded of his comrade Mael 
Sechnaill that he recognize him as King of 
Ireland. Mael agreed, partially because many of 
his own people viewed Brian as a hero who had 
restored Ireland to greatness after the Viking 
invasions. The rule of the UiNeill's was thus 
at an end as a non-O'Neill was proclaimed as 
King. The O'Neill's had been rulers for over 
600 years. 

He earned his name as 'Brian of the Tributes' 
(Brian Boru) by collecting tributes from the 
minor rulers of Ireland and used the monies 
raised to restore monasteries and libraries 
that had been destroyed during the invasions. 

The Norsemen were not done yet however, and 
once more waged war on Brian Boru and his 
followers at Clontarf in Dublin in 1014. The 
King of Connaught, Tadhg O'Conor refused to 
ally with Brian against the Ostermen although 
Ui Fiachrach Aidne and Ui Maine did join with 
him. 

Despite the lack of backing from the men of 
Connaught, the Munstermen won the day but 
lost Brian Boru in the battle. This battle was 
a major turning point as it finally subjugated 
the Norse presence in Ireland who were 
henceforth considered subordinate to the 
Kingships of Ireland. Their military threat 
had been ended and they retreated to the urban 
centres of Dublin, Waterford, Limerick, Wexford, 
and Cork. They eventually became completely 
hibernicized and integrated into Gaelic culture. 

After his death and the death of one of his sons, 
his remaining sons, Tadg and Donnchad, were 
unable to assume the kingship which was assumed 
by Mael Sechnaill. He died in 1022 after which 
the role of High King of Ireland became more of 
a position in name only, rather than that of a 
powerful ruler. 

Perhaps the best that should be said of Brian 
Boru therefore, is that he was the last great 
High King of Ireland. 

==========================
KEEP THIS NEWSLETTER ALIVE! 

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

==========================
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!

==========================
KEEP THIS NEWSLETTER ALIVE! 

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

=================
THE BONFIRE DANCE 
by Michael Ryan
=================

On one of our trips back to Ireland my wife 
Kathleen and I found ourselves at the farm just 
outside Tuam, County Galway. We had a lovely 
dinner with my cousins and then the clan decided 
it was time to go out to have a pint. We wound 
up in a small pub in, I hope I spell it right, 
Corfin. The front part of the pub had a bar and 
stools for the men. Then there was a doorway that 
lead to the back room. The rule is that you are 
not allowed to go 'trolling' in the back room. If 
you are male you must be accompanied by a female 
to go into the back. So there we were with 4 of 
my cousins and their spouses having a pint. There 
was a man named Kenny Ryan (no relation that we 
knew of) who was playing a guitar and singing for 
the entertainment of all gathered. There was a 
window cut into the wall dividing the bar from 
the back room where one ordered drinks for the 
back room. There was no waitress - you got your 
own drinks, thank you very much. As I was 
waiting for my order of ten drinks to be 
completed, I heard Kenny Ryan announce that for 
the listening enjoyment of those in the pub there 
would be a guest singer all the way from Maryland 
in Amerikay. So he called for Mickey Ryan to come 
up and sing. 

I froze and prayed that there was more than one 
of us in the pub that night with that name. There 
wasn't! I took the tray of drinks to the table 
and my cousin Peter Ryan told me 'go on man. Ye 
said that ye can sing. Go sing' It was then that 
I promised myself to never try to lie to my family 
in Ireland, for sure they would call you on every 
statement made. So I walked to the small stage 
and introduced myself to Kenny (who assured me 
that we were not related). He asked me if I wanted 
to sing country western songs or jive songs and I 
asked if he knew The Fields of Athenry and his 
eyes got big and he said that he did. I asked if 
he would play that and that when we got to the 
chorus if he would sing the melody. So it was 
done. After the first verse when we got to the 
chorus he sang the melody and I sang harmony, 
and so it went for the 3 verses. It was a good 
thing that I had a few pints before singing, or 
I would have never been able to do it! Amazingly 
there was a fair amount of applause from the 
crowd. In fact your man with the guitar asked if 
I would do another song (he just wanted to get 
paid for me singing!) and I asked that everyone 
sing along with me and we did Danny Boy with 
himself singing the harmony on that one also (it 
was a shock to find that a lot of the gathered 
did not know the words to the second verse). I 
did well enough that I didn't pay for another 
pint or short one the rest of the night, and 
there were too many consumed. 

There was a silence of all there at about one in 
the morning and people were getting up and 
walking out the back door and saying nothing, 
but taking a drink with them. I looked up and 
saw the tallest policeman in the world, sporting 
a full head of thick gray-white hair standing in 
the doorway between the bar and the back room. 
He just stood there as the masses exited the pub. 
Not one word was said nor was it needed as 
everyone knew the routine that I was quick to 
learn. Outside there was a huge bonfire in the 
field next to the pub (I found out later that it 
was St. John's feast day that was coincidentally 
also the beginning of Summer). Since your man had 
consumed enough of the drink for two of me, I 
decided this would be a good time to do the 
bonfire dance that I had learned just a few months 
before this, our second trip to Ireland. Kathleen 
(the sober and sensible one of the two of us) 
convinced me that it was not a good idea to try to 
organize a dance around this 10 foot flaming fire, 
what with the world's largest policeman not far 
behind us. Well, I allowed my wife to prevail and 
we all got back to the farm where I tried to teach 
the rest of my cousins the dance. But for some 
reason it just wasn't the same without the bonfire. 
But I must have been doing a good job, since they 
were all laughing and having such a grand time!

Michael Ryan, 
Baltimore, USA

==========================
KEEP THIS NEWSLETTER ALIVE! 

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

=============================
THE ALTERNATIVE RING OF KERRY
by Nathan Kingerlee
=============================

The Ring of Kerry with its classic stops and view 
points is of world renown, but here are some 
alternative hidden gems along the way. 

Visit Kerry Bog Village on the main road between 
Killorglin and Glenbeigh. Here you can explore a 
traditional 1800s replica thatched bog village, 
complete with Irish wolf hounds and rare Kerry 
bog ponies - a great family trip.

Entering into Caherciveen take a right turn down 
past the old army Barracks, across the river to 
Cahergal Fort, an impressive Bronze Age stone fort 
with great views over Valencia Harbour. There is a 
second even more interesting fort nearby and also 
the ivy-clad crumbling ruins of fifteenth century 
Ballycarbery Castle, once the home of the 
McCarthy Mor's, now home only to jackdaws...

Back on the main road detour to the sleepy village 
of Portmagee. A must-see is the Skellig 
Interpretive Centre, dedicated to the history 
and stories of the sixth century monastic 
settlement of Skellig Michael. It's told by some 
that this was one of the last pagan sites in 
Ireland and one of the reasons it was inhabited 
for 600 years by monks was to drive out the last 
of the pagans.

Portmagee is named after an infamous pirate, 
Magee, who was shipwrecked on the coastline, met 
a local girl and settled down in the village to a 
life of married contentment and dangerous 
smuggling. The Bridge Bar serves delicious food 
and is a great lunch spot. On a fine day you can 
sit outside at the water's edge, watching the 
coming and goings of the brightly coloured fishing 
boats.

From Portmagee follow the narrow road over the top 
of Coonanaspig Pass and down to Saint Finan's Bay. 
Here you can swim in the fresh crashing surf at 
the sandy beach and call into Skellig Chocolate 
Factory where you'll be rewarded with sensational 
smells and free samples of delicious chocolates.

Continue to Derrynane Beach. Here long golden 
beaches, Daniel O Connell's family home, wetsuit 
and snorkeling hire from Derrynane Sea Sports and 
the ruined Abbey on Abbey Island are all calling 
to be explored. If you're into hiking, best of 
all, is a hidden mass path and secretive smugglers 
trail beginning at the pier and twisting along the 
side of Derrynane Harbour, through thick 
encroaching rhododendrons.

Finish your day with a homemade ice-cream from 
'The Green House' in Sneem!


This article was written by Nathan Kingerlee who 
organises Singles Adventure Weekends and much 
more at:

http://www.outdoorsireland.com

===================
A DREAM OF INIS MOR 
by Brian O'Raleigh
===================

I have known the longing, known that I was lost
I knew it as a child before the open door
I knew it as a stranger upon the foreign shore
That feeling left me only when the name came... 
Inis Mor

It brought with it a yearning, a calling from my soul,
A place I'd ever feared, I'd been so long alone
It carried with it sorrow, the opening of some door
When I heard the name I knew an angel stood on Inis Mor 

I lost my way long years ago, I faltered and I strayed 
I turned away from those I loved, 
these choices I have made
But now at night I wonder, could I return once more
Could I return to what I was by the cliffs at Inis Mor

Sometimes there is no logic as to meaning or to cause
Sometimes the heart must rule the head, 
unless we die as slaves
Sometimes at night I lie there, 
called by spirit to that shore
And know an angels waiting by the cliffs at Inis Mor

I swore an oath long years ago that I would follow soul
I've stumbled and betrayed myself more than I have told
Now I stand on foreign beaches and know I am no more
Yet hear the voices calling from the cliffs at Inis Mor...

Night waves turning seeking, a half open dark door 
Whispered lost memories from that hard broken shore
Black waves rolling over me, dark down from the deep
Where lies my purpose, where will I sleep    

===

The poem above is taken from my new book, 
'Passage to Inis Mor' subtitled 'A Tale From The 
Aran Isles'. It's a fictional story of a man born 
in Ireland, raised in Australia who returns to 
Ireland aged 38 to meet a seanachie on Inis Mor 
who helps him rebuild an old Galway Hooker and 
also to find the meaning and purpose of his life. 
Find out more here:


http://stores.lulu.com/brianoraleigh

Brian O'Raleigh

==========================
KEEP THIS NEWSLETTER ALIVE! 

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:	 	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:

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

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

The winner was: mary.ann.taylor@cummins.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. 

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

I hope that you have enjoyed this issue.

Until next month,

Michael Green,
Editor,
The Information about Ireland Site.

https://www.ireland-information.com