Friday, November 30, 2012

Irish Thought for November 30...


Irish Food
Aunt Joan's Colcannon
Trust me, this mashed-potato-plus dish does not precision.  When Aunt Joan, gave me this recipe, I continually pressed her with questions like, “well, how much water?” And “What do you mean, ‘Not too much’?” and “can you give me any idea how long will it take?” It doesn't matter.  Colcannon it easy to make, and while it remains practically unknown, it is surprisingly tasty. Everyone always likes it.
1 Head cabbage (a nice size one)
5-6 potatoes (the kind that are best boiled: new potatoes, round red, white, or long whites) peeled (as Aunt Joan instructed) or unpeeled (as I like them)
1 bunch scallions 
Lots of butter (at least a stick)
Salt and pepper, to taste
Wash and cut the cabbage and potatoes into chunks.   Wash and chop the scallions.  Put all into a large pot, add about 1” of water (“not much, but watch it”), and boil.  When the potatoes are fork-tender (check at 20 minutes and then every 5 minutes), remove from the heat and mash.  Add butter, salt and pepper to taste.  Serve in a bowl, topped with more butter and freshly ground pepper to taste.  Yield 4 – 6 servings.

Thursday, November 29, 2012

Irish Thought for November 29...

Irish Writers

Clive Staples Lewis

Born in Belfast, C.S. Lewis was an academic, medievalist, literary critic, essayist, and a Christian theologian, but he is best known for his novels, especially The Screwtape Letters and the children's classic series The Chronicles of Narnia.

I hope all of you read this at some point in your life!

Wednesday, November 28, 2012

Irish Thought for November 28...

Irish-American Movies

Yankee Doodle Dandy

A stirring musical depicting the life of Irish-American George M. Cohan, who was a Broadway star of many talents.  It won three Oscars, including Best Actor and Best Music.  Starring James Cagney, Joan Leslie, and   Walter Huston.  Directed by Michael Curtiz.

Tuesday, November 27, 2012

Irish Thought for November 27...

Irish Proverbs

Youth shed many a skin.

Heck, I don't know why this is limited to youths.  I know some adults who are constantly learning or adapting to new situations in life, so they are shedding skin just as often.  I wish this proverb on everyone!

Monday, November 26, 2012

Irish Thought for November 26...

Irish Food

Irish Breakfast

An Irish breakfast is a large, hearty morning feast generally featuring bacon rashers, sausages, fried egg, toast (potato bread or soda bread), white pudding and black pudding, sauteed sliced potato, fried tomato, and sauteed mushrooms.  The popularity of the traditional liver that accompanied an Irish breakfast has declined. To wash down all that food, a strong breakfast tea may be necessary.

Sunday, November 25, 2012

Irish Thought for November 25..

Quotations

There is, for whatever reason, an international tendency to be well disposed toward Ireland - a tendency that elevates us beyond our actual standing on the world stage.
  -Ivana Bacik

Saturday, November 24, 2012

Irish Thought for November 24...

Irish Slang

Craic

Fun; entertainment; enjoyable conversation.  "What's the craic?" means "Tell me your gossip."


Friday, November 23, 2012

Irish Thought for November 23...

Irish Folklore

The Man of Hunger

The Far Gorta, also known as the Man of Hunger, appears in periods of famine, wandering the roads, begging for charity.  Even during the coldest nights of winter, he only wears tattered rags that provide no protection from the elements.  His face is flayed from the weather, and he appears so emaciated and weak that he barely can raise a beggar's cup.  Those who turn away from his pitiful appearance in disgust or selfishness are punished and cursed, but those who support him despite the famine are rewarded with blessings of prosperity.

Thursday, November 22, 2012

Irish Thought for November 22...

Celebrate Ireland (and Thanksgiving)!

Old Ireland by Walt Whitman

Far hence amid an isle of wondrous beauty, 
Crouching over a grave an ancient sorrowful mother, 
Once a queen, now lean and tatter'd seated on the ground, 
Her old white hair drooping dishevel'd round her shoulders, 
At her feet fallen an unused royal harp, 
Long silent, she too long silent, mourning her shrouded hope and heir, 
Of all the earth her heart most full of sorrow because most full of love. 

Yet a word ancient mother, 
You need crouch there no longer on the cold ground with forehead 
between your knees, 
O you need not sit there veil'd in your old white hair so dishevel'd, 
For know you the one you mourn is not in that grave, 
It was an illusion, the son you love was not really dead, 
The Lord is not dead, he is risen again young and strong in another country, 
Even while you wept there by your fallen harp by the grave, 
What you wept for was translated, pass'd from the grave, 
The winds favor'd and the sea sail'd it, 
And now with rosy and new blood, 
Moves to-day in a new country. 

Wednesday, November 21, 2012

Irish Thought for November 21...

Timeline of Ireland

1993-1994

In December 1993, UK Prime Minister John Major and Republic of Ireland Prime Minister Albert Reynolds issued the Joint Declaration on Peace (commonly known as the Downing Street Declaration).  In August 1994, the Provisional IRA announced a cessation of military operations, which Albert Reynolds accepted as implying a permanent ceasefire.

Tuesday, November 20, 2012

Irish Thought for November 20...

A Wee Bit O' Irish History

The oldest occupied castle in Ireland is Killyleagh Castle in County Down.  It was built in the 13th century, with parts of it dating back to 1180, and today it's in use as a private home for the Hamilton family, who have owned it since the 17th century.


Monday, November 19, 2012

Irish Thought for November 19...

Irish-American Movies

Million Dollar Baby

A veteran boxing manager reluctantly trains a female boxer and she gradually earns his respect as she rises through the ranks.  The movie won four Oscars, including Best Picture, Best Director, Best Actress, and Best Supporting Actor.  Starring Clint Eastwood, Hilary Swank, and Morgan Freeman.  Directed by Clint Eastwood.

Sunday, November 18, 2012

Irish Thought for November 18...

Timeline of Ireland

1985

The Anglo-Irish Agreement was signed between the United Kingdom and the Republic of Ireland, which aimed to help bring an end to the violent unrest in Northern Ireland called "The Troubles."  The Irish government was given an advisory role in Northern Ireland's government, while pledging that no change in the constitutional position of Northern Ireland would be considered unless a majority of the Northern Irish agreed to join the Republic.

Saturday, November 17, 2012

Irish Thought for November 17...

Quotations

My father was totally Irish, and so I went to Ireland once.  I found it to be very much like New York, for it was a beautiful country, and both the women and men were good-looking.
  -James Cagney

Friday, November 16, 2012

Irish Thought for November 16...

Timeline of Ireland

1972

The United Kingdom and the Republic of Ireland join the European Community.

Thursday, November 15, 2012

Irish Thought for November 15...

Irish-American Artist

Georgia O'Keeffe

Receiving widespread recognition in her lifetime, Georgia O'Keeffe challenged the boundaries of modern American art and was celebrated for her technical skills.  She was known for her vibrantly colored paintings, including many large-scale works in which a flower was enlarged to overflow the canvas then abstracted to essential shapes.  With strong Southwestern influences, O'Keeffe's other famous subjects included adobe buildings and farmhouses, desert panoramas, and cow skulls.


Wednesday, November 14, 2012

Irish Thought for November 14...

Learn Gaelic!

sráide - street
tigh - house
ospidéal - hospital
banc - bank
scoil - school
musaem - museum
aerphort - airport
oifig an phoist - post office
óstán - hotel
leaba agus bricfeasta - bed-and-breakfast (guesthouse)
leithreas - toilet

Tuesday, November 13, 2012

Irish Thought for November 13...

Irish Trivia

Surprisingly, although the national symbol of Ireland is widely thought to be the shamrock, it's officially the Celtic harp.  Ireland is the only country in the world to have as its national symbol a musical instrument.


Monday, November 12, 2012

Irish Thought for November 12...

Irish-American Celebrities

Grace Kelly

In 1953, beautiful icy-blonde Grace Kelly gained fame in the movie Mogambo, and won an Academy Award for her performance in The Country Girl.  She only appeared in a handful of movies, including Alfred Hitchcock thrillers Dial M for Murder, Rear Window, and To Catch a Thief, before she retired at age 26 when she married Prince Rainier III and became Her Serene Highness the Princess of Monaco.  Princess Grace died in a car crash at the age of 52.

Sunday, November 11, 2012

Irish Thought for November 11...

The Famous and the Great!

St. Columba or Colm Cille (521-597)

Of royal blood, he was the outstanding figure among the Gaelic missionary monks who reintroduced Christianity to Scotland during the Dark Ages, as well as a writer, publisher, warrior, scholar, and one of the three patron saints of Ireland.

St. Columba, Apostle to the Picts

Saturday, November 10, 2012

Irish Thought for November 10...

Irish Food

Goody

Part of the traditional ritual midsummer celebration on St. John's Eve, goody was cooked in a large pot over a communal bonfire and shard amongst revelers.  The dessert consisted of fresh white bread bought from a baker (because it was important for the bread to be as fresh as possible), and was boiled in milk flavored with sugar, cinnamon, and spices.

Friday, November 9, 2012

Irish Thought for November 9...

Timeline of Ireland

1969

British troops were dispatched to quell rioting between Catholics and Protestants.

Thursday, November 8, 2012

Irish Thought for November 8...

Irish Writers

Bram Stoker

Born in a suburb of Dublin, Abraham "Bram" Stoker was known during his lifetime as the personal assistant of an actor named Henry Irving, and as the business manager of the Irving's Lyceum Theatre in London.  Now his popularity endures from the many novels and short stories he wrote, including 1897's classic Gothic novel Dracula.

Wednesday, November 7, 2012

Irish Thought for November 7...

Irish Blessings

Walls for the wind,
And a roof for the rain,
And drinks beside the fire -
Laughter to cheer you
And those you love near you,
And all that your heart may desire!

Tuesday, November 6, 2012

Irish Thought for November 6...

Irish Folklore

The Lianhan Shee

The Lianhan Shee is a formidable fairy considered by many to be the embodiment of desire.  She is the femme fetale of the fairies, using her power to gain dominion over mortal men.  It is thought that if a mortal man can refuse her, she will become his slave...but if he succumbs to her magical desire, he is hers for eternity.  The more a man desires the Lianhan Shee, the more elusive the fairy becomes.  Men are compelled to follow the Lianhan Shee to the land of the fairies, even though they must die to reach that realm. 

Monday, November 5, 2012

Irish Thought for November 5...

Timeline of Ireland

1922-1923

Civil war erupts following the establishment of the Irish Free State as an independent entity within the British Empire, separate from the United Kingdom.  The Free State forces, who represented the provisional government supporting the Anglo-Irish Treaty, defeated the republican opposition, who saw the treaty as a betrayal of the Irish Republic. 

Sunday, November 4, 2012

Irish Thought for November 4...

Irish-American Celebrities

Art Carney

Gaining fame for his portrayal of the original wacky neighbor Ed Norton in the classic television show The Honeymooners, Art Carney won six Emmy awards.  He also won a Best Actor Oscar in 1974 for his role in the film Harry and Tonto.

Saturday, November 3, 2012

Irish Thought for November 3...

Irish Food

Cruibins

Cruibins are pig's feet, also known as trotters.  They're often boiled with carrots, onions, and spices until the meat is tender.  Dipped in seasoned breadcrumbs and fried, cruibins are a popular late-night snack in pubs or from stands outside of drinking establishments, as the greasy, salty pork helps to soak up excess alcohol. 

Friday, November 2, 2012

Irish Thought for November 2...

Quotations

Ireland, thou friend of my country in my country's most friendless days, much injured, much enduring land, accept this poor tribute from one who esteems thy worth, and mourns thy desolation.
   -George Washington

Thursday, November 1, 2012

Irish Thought for November 1...

Learn Gaelic!

tír - country
contae - county
cathair - city
baile - town
sráidbhaile - village