Irish Toasts
Here's to the land of the shamrock so green.
Here's to each lad and his darlin' colleen.
Here's to the ones we love dearest and most.
May God bless old Ireland - that's this Irishman's toast.
Friday, October 31, 2014
Thursday, October 30, 2014
Wednesday, October 29, 2014
Irish Thought for October 29...
Irish Writers
Richard Brinsley Sheridan
After eloping with Elizabeth Linley (for whose honor he had already fought two duels), Irish-born dramatist Richard Brinsely Sheridan began living a fashionable life in London that was rather outside his means. He set about making his fortune through his pen, and his first play, The Rivals, became a great success and introduced the durable character of Mrs. Malaprop to the world. His later work, The School for Scandal, is now considered a masterpiece of comedic drama. Sheridan later took over ownership of the Drury Lane theater, and shortly after, he left his career as a playwright to become a member of Parliament.
Richard Brinsley Sheridan
After eloping with Elizabeth Linley (for whose honor he had already fought two duels), Irish-born dramatist Richard Brinsely Sheridan began living a fashionable life in London that was rather outside his means. He set about making his fortune through his pen, and his first play, The Rivals, became a great success and introduced the durable character of Mrs. Malaprop to the world. His later work, The School for Scandal, is now considered a masterpiece of comedic drama. Sheridan later took over ownership of the Drury Lane theater, and shortly after, he left his career as a playwright to become a member of Parliament.
Tuesday, October 28, 2014
Monday, October 27, 2014
Irish Thought for October 27...
Quotations
It's a lovely country, but very melancholy, except that people never stop talking.
-Virginia Woolf
It's a lovely country, but very melancholy, except that people never stop talking.
-Virginia Woolf
Sunday, October 26, 2014
Irish Thought for October 26...
Irish-American Heroes
Commodore John Barry (March 25, 1745 - September 13, 1803) was a her of the Revolutionary War. Barry, who was born in 1745 in County Wexford, adopted Philadelphia as his home. During the war he commanded a series of ships, including the Lexinton, which dealt the first naval defeat of the war to the British, and later, the Alliance, which fought in the final naval engagement of the war. After the war, when the Navy was reorganized, he was appointed first on the list of captains, and his commission was signed by George Washington. Congress passed a resolution in 2005 recognizing Barry as the first flag officer of the United States Navy; in 2011, the U.S. Naval Academy approved a memorial to Barry, as he is now considered the founder of the U.S. Navy.
Commodore John Barry (March 25, 1745 - September 13, 1803) was a her of the Revolutionary War. Barry, who was born in 1745 in County Wexford, adopted Philadelphia as his home. During the war he commanded a series of ships, including the Lexinton, which dealt the first naval defeat of the war to the British, and later, the Alliance, which fought in the final naval engagement of the war. After the war, when the Navy was reorganized, he was appointed first on the list of captains, and his commission was signed by George Washington. Congress passed a resolution in 2005 recognizing Barry as the first flag officer of the United States Navy; in 2011, the U.S. Naval Academy approved a memorial to Barry, as he is now considered the founder of the U.S. Navy.
Saturday, October 25, 2014
Irish Thought for October 25...
Irish Blessings
May the winds of fortune sail you,
May you sail a gentle sea.
May it always be the other guy
Who says, "This drink's on me."
May the winds of fortune sail you,
May you sail a gentle sea.
May it always be the other guy
Who says, "This drink's on me."
Friday, October 24, 2014
Irish Thought for October 24...
Irish-American Facts
The first successful daily newspaper in the United States, The Philadelphia Packet was founded by the Irish-born John Dunlap in 1771 and went daily in 1784.
The first successful daily newspaper in the United States, The Philadelphia Packet was founded by the Irish-born John Dunlap in 1771 and went daily in 1784.
Thursday, October 23, 2014
Irish Thought for October 23...
Irish Proverbs
There never wan an old slipper but there was an old stocking to match it.
There never wan an old slipper but there was an old stocking to match it.
Wednesday, October 22, 2014
Irish Thought for October 22...
Traveling Ireland
Since 1981, Slane Concert has been held annually on the grounds of Slane Castle, at the initiative of its owner, the 8th Marquess Conyngham. Slane Castle is located in the town of Slane, within the Boyne Valley of County Meath, Ireland. The castle has been the family home of the Conyngham family since the 18th century. Artists who have performed at Slane include David Bowie, Bob Dylan, Queen, The Rolling Stones, Bruce Springsteen, Guns N' Roses, R.E.M., The Verve, Robbie Williams, Bryan Adams, U2, Red Hot Chili Peppers, Madonna and Oasis.
Since 1981, Slane Concert has been held annually on the grounds of Slane Castle, at the initiative of its owner, the 8th Marquess Conyngham. Slane Castle is located in the town of Slane, within the Boyne Valley of County Meath, Ireland. The castle has been the family home of the Conyngham family since the 18th century. Artists who have performed at Slane include David Bowie, Bob Dylan, Queen, The Rolling Stones, Bruce Springsteen, Guns N' Roses, R.E.M., The Verve, Robbie Williams, Bryan Adams, U2, Red Hot Chili Peppers, Madonna and Oasis.
Tuesday, October 21, 2014
Irish Thought for October 21...
Limericks
There was a young maid of Tralee
Whose knowledge of French was "Oui, oui."
When they said, "Parlez vous?"
She replied, "Same as you."
She was famed for her bright repartee.
There was a young maid of Tralee
Whose knowledge of French was "Oui, oui."
When they said, "Parlez vous?"
She replied, "Same as you."
She was famed for her bright repartee.
Monday, October 20, 2014
Irish Thought for October 20...
Irish Symbols
The Book of Kells
A beautiful illuminated manuscript believed to have been created at the end of the 8th century, The Book of Kells survived Viking attacks, use as a ledger for 11th century property transactions, Cromwell's invasions, and the theft of its jewel-encrusted gold cover. It was sent to Dublin in the 17th century for safekeeping, where it was acquired by it current caretaker, Trinity College. It's a lage codex of the New Testament, with summaries, etymologies, prefaces, and most notably gorgeous decorations that clearly demonstrate the dedication and painstaking vision of the Irish monks who created it.
The Book of Kells
A beautiful illuminated manuscript believed to have been created at the end of the 8th century, The Book of Kells survived Viking attacks, use as a ledger for 11th century property transactions, Cromwell's invasions, and the theft of its jewel-encrusted gold cover. It was sent to Dublin in the 17th century for safekeeping, where it was acquired by it current caretaker, Trinity College. It's a lage codex of the New Testament, with summaries, etymologies, prefaces, and most notably gorgeous decorations that clearly demonstrate the dedication and painstaking vision of the Irish monks who created it.
 |
| Folio 32v shows Christ enthroned from http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Book_of_Kells |
Sunday, October 19, 2014
Irish Thought for October 19...
Irish Musicians
Van Morrison
The critically acclaimed and popular Northern Irish singer and songwriter Van Morrison was born on August 31, 1945. Known for his prickly and idiosyncratic personality, as well as his transcendental live performances, Van Morrison has make the studio albums Astral Weeks and Moondance, which are often regarded as among the greatest ever recorded.
Van Morrison
The critically acclaimed and popular Northern Irish singer and songwriter Van Morrison was born on August 31, 1945. Known for his prickly and idiosyncratic personality, as well as his transcendental live performances, Van Morrison has make the studio albums Astral Weeks and Moondance, which are often regarded as among the greatest ever recorded.
Saturday, October 18, 2014
Irish Thought for October 18...
Irish Proverbs
The person of the greatest talk is the person of the least work.
The person of the greatest talk is the person of the least work.
Friday, October 17, 2014
Irish Thought for October 17...
Irish-American Writers
Pete Hamill
Born in Brooklyn to Irish-immigrant parents, Pete Hamill combined a native New Yorker's love of his city with the Irish gift of gab to become a voice of the city, most notably as a longtime columnist for the New York Post and the New York Daily News. Over the course of his career, he wrote for a wide variety of publications on many subjects, ranging from Vietnam and Northern Ireland to rock 'n' roll and boxing. Hamill is the author of 11 novels, as well as the memoir A Drinking Life and several other works of nonfiction.
Pete Hamill
Born in Brooklyn to Irish-immigrant parents, Pete Hamill combined a native New Yorker's love of his city with the Irish gift of gab to become a voice of the city, most notably as a longtime columnist for the New York Post and the New York Daily News. Over the course of his career, he wrote for a wide variety of publications on many subjects, ranging from Vietnam and Northern Ireland to rock 'n' roll and boxing. Hamill is the author of 11 novels, as well as the memoir A Drinking Life and several other works of nonfiction.
Thursday, October 16, 2014
Irish Thought for October 16...
Quotations
For, as the Roman Empire fell, as all through Europe matted, unwashed barbarians descended on the Roman cities, looting artifacts and burning books, the Irish, who were just learning to read and write, took up the great labor of copying all of Western literature - everything that could lay their hands on ...Without the Mission of the Irish Monks, who single-handedly refounded European civilization throughout the continent in the bays and valleys of their exile, the world that came after them would have been an entirely different one - a world without books. And our own world would never have come to be.
- Thomas Cahill
For, as the Roman Empire fell, as all through Europe matted, unwashed barbarians descended on the Roman cities, looting artifacts and burning books, the Irish, who were just learning to read and write, took up the great labor of copying all of Western literature - everything that could lay their hands on ...Without the Mission of the Irish Monks, who single-handedly refounded European civilization throughout the continent in the bays and valleys of their exile, the world that came after them would have been an entirely different one - a world without books. And our own world would never have come to be.
- Thomas Cahill
Wednesday, October 15, 2014
Irish Thought for October 15...
Irish Blessings
May you have all the happiness
And luck that life can hold -
And at the end of all your rainbows
May you find your pot of gold.
May you have all the happiness
And luck that life can hold -
And at the end of all your rainbows
May you find your pot of gold.
Tuesday, October 14, 2014
Irish Thought for October 14...
Irish-American Movies
A Tree Grows in Brooklyn
The impoverished Irish-American Nolan family struggles to survive with a father battling alcoholism in 1900s New York as their intelligent daughter Katie (Dorothy McGuire) comes of age. James Dunn, as the father, won the Academy Award for Best Actor in a Supporting Role. Directed by Elia Kazan.
A Tree Grows in Brooklyn
The impoverished Irish-American Nolan family struggles to survive with a father battling alcoholism in 1900s New York as their intelligent daughter Katie (Dorothy McGuire) comes of age. James Dunn, as the father, won the Academy Award for Best Actor in a Supporting Role. Directed by Elia Kazan.
Monday, October 13, 2014
Irish Thought for October 13...
Irish Folklore
Leprechauns
The leprechaun is a solitary creature, focusing all of his attention on making shoes. He can usually be found holding both a shoe and a cobbling hammer. Leprechauns are the size of a bulky young boy, with wrinkled faces, gleaming eyes, and surprisingly graceful movements. They're also known for their love of beer, foul language, and smoking pipes called dudeens. Besides making shoes, leprechauns guard fairy treasure from mortals, although their hidden stashes are revealed by rainbows. If a mortal can catch a reclusive leprechaun and demand its treasure, the leprechaun has no choice but to comply, but this happens rarely. There is no such thing as a female leprechaun.
Leprechauns
The leprechaun is a solitary creature, focusing all of his attention on making shoes. He can usually be found holding both a shoe and a cobbling hammer. Leprechauns are the size of a bulky young boy, with wrinkled faces, gleaming eyes, and surprisingly graceful movements. They're also known for their love of beer, foul language, and smoking pipes called dudeens. Besides making shoes, leprechauns guard fairy treasure from mortals, although their hidden stashes are revealed by rainbows. If a mortal can catch a reclusive leprechaun and demand its treasure, the leprechaun has no choice but to comply, but this happens rarely. There is no such thing as a female leprechaun.
Sunday, October 12, 2014
Saturday, October 11, 2014
Irish Thought for October 11..
Irish Writers
Edna O'Brien
Her first novel, The Country Girls (1960), told the story of convent schoolgirls breaking away from the strictures of their youth. The book set off a huge scandal - it was prohibited, denounced from pulpits, even burned (in her home village, no less). She went on to write numerous novels and short stories, as well as plays and a recently published memoir titled Country Girl - clearly the firestorm did not stop her from writing. However, O'Brien has never since lived in Ireland.
Edna O'Brien
Her first novel, The Country Girls (1960), told the story of convent schoolgirls breaking away from the strictures of their youth. The book set off a huge scandal - it was prohibited, denounced from pulpits, even burned (in her home village, no less). She went on to write numerous novels and short stories, as well as plays and a recently published memoir titled Country Girl - clearly the firestorm did not stop her from writing. However, O'Brien has never since lived in Ireland.
Friday, October 10, 2014
Irish Thought for October 10...
Irish-American Celebrities
Rooney Mara
Rooney Mara was born into a notable Irish-American family. One of her great-grandfathers was Tim Mara, who founded the New York Giants; another, Art Rooney, Sr., founded the Pittsburgh Steelers. She had a brief but memorable role in The Social Network in 2010 - her character breaks up with Mark Zuckerberg in the opening scene - then Mara hit is big by landing the juicy role of Lisbeth Salander in the American version of The Girl With the Dragon Tattoo, playing opposite Daniel Craig and receiving an Academy Award nomination. Mara founded Faces of Kibera, a charity that worked to help orphans in a Nairobi slum; the organization later merged with Uweza Foundation, and Mara serves on Uweza's board.
Rooney Mara
Rooney Mara was born into a notable Irish-American family. One of her great-grandfathers was Tim Mara, who founded the New York Giants; another, Art Rooney, Sr., founded the Pittsburgh Steelers. She had a brief but memorable role in The Social Network in 2010 - her character breaks up with Mark Zuckerberg in the opening scene - then Mara hit is big by landing the juicy role of Lisbeth Salander in the American version of The Girl With the Dragon Tattoo, playing opposite Daniel Craig and receiving an Academy Award nomination. Mara founded Faces of Kibera, a charity that worked to help orphans in a Nairobi slum; the organization later merged with Uweza Foundation, and Mara serves on Uweza's board.
Thursday, October 9, 2014
Irish Thought for October 9...
Irish Folklore
Merrows
The merrow (also known as a mermaid, or sea maiden) uses her graceful beauty and irresistible siren song to lure sailors and fisherman to their doom for her amusement. The sight of her, or the sound of her song, ensures a disaster at sea, either by storm or accident. Merrows have been spotted lounging upon sea rocks, and they have been described as having a fish tail and webbing between their fingers. In some accounts, they are naked or described as wearing a foamy white gown. When a fisherman or sailor doesn't return home from the sea, it's said that he "married a merrow."
Merrows
The merrow (also known as a mermaid, or sea maiden) uses her graceful beauty and irresistible siren song to lure sailors and fisherman to their doom for her amusement. The sight of her, or the sound of her song, ensures a disaster at sea, either by storm or accident. Merrows have been spotted lounging upon sea rocks, and they have been described as having a fish tail and webbing between their fingers. In some accounts, they are naked or described as wearing a foamy white gown. When a fisherman or sailor doesn't return home from the sea, it's said that he "married a merrow."
Wednesday, October 8, 2014
Irish Thought for October 8...
Irish Food
Champ or Poundies
Also known as cally or pandy, champ is a dish of mashed potatoes mixed with milk and scallions, formed into a peak with a well of melted butter in the middle. The traditional method of eating champ calls of spooning the mashed potatoes from the outer edge and dipping each bite into the well of butter. The word champ can be defined as "to mash, grind, pound, or crush," which is how champ also got the name poundies.
Champ or Poundies
Also known as cally or pandy, champ is a dish of mashed potatoes mixed with milk and scallions, formed into a peak with a well of melted butter in the middle. The traditional method of eating champ calls of spooning the mashed potatoes from the outer edge and dipping each bite into the well of butter. The word champ can be defined as "to mash, grind, pound, or crush," which is how champ also got the name poundies.
Tuesday, October 7, 2014
Monday, October 6, 2014
Irish Thought for October 6...
Irish Blessings
May your mornings bring joy
And your evenings bring peace...
May your troubles grow less
As your blessings increase.
May your mornings bring joy
And your evenings bring peace...
May your troubles grow less
As your blessings increase.
Sunday, October 5, 2014
Irish Thought for October 5...
Quotations
I guess we thought we had to be crazier than everybody else 'cause we were the Irish guys.
-Mickey Featherstone
I guess we thought we had to be crazier than everybody else 'cause we were the Irish guys.
-Mickey Featherstone
Saturday, October 4, 2014
Irish Thought for October 4...
Irish-American Heroes
Mary Harris "Mother" Jones
The woman who would become a driving force in the American labor movement was an immigrant from County Cork. In the U.S. she worked as a seamstress and started a family, but her husband and four children died in a yellow fever epidemic in 1867 before her home and shop were destroyed in the Great Chicago Fire. Jones, whose social conscience was rooted in her compassion for the poor and afflicted, campaigned for the United Mine Workers Union, confounded the Social Democratic Party, helped establish the Industrial Workers of the World, and fought to abolish child labor. The progressive magazine Mother Jones is named for her.
Mary Harris "Mother" Jones
The woman who would become a driving force in the American labor movement was an immigrant from County Cork. In the U.S. she worked as a seamstress and started a family, but her husband and four children died in a yellow fever epidemic in 1867 before her home and shop were destroyed in the Great Chicago Fire. Jones, whose social conscience was rooted in her compassion for the poor and afflicted, campaigned for the United Mine Workers Union, confounded the Social Democratic Party, helped establish the Industrial Workers of the World, and fought to abolish child labor. The progressive magazine Mother Jones is named for her.
Friday, October 3, 2014
Irish Thought for October 3...
Irish Movies
Widows' Peak
When a newcomer moves into an area populated mainly by widows, her mysterious nature causes much consternation. Starring Joan Plowright, Mia Farrow, and Nathsha Richardson. Directed by John Irvin.
Widows' Peak
When a newcomer moves into an area populated mainly by widows, her mysterious nature causes much consternation. Starring Joan Plowright, Mia Farrow, and Nathsha Richardson. Directed by John Irvin.
Thursday, October 2, 2014
Wednesday, October 1, 2014
Irish Thought for October 1...
Irish Drink
Mead
Possibly first created by Irish monks during the Middle Ages, mead is a honey wine that has been celebrated in Gaelic folklore and poetry. The traditional home brew was simple: honey, water, and usually yeast, with added spices, fruits, or grain mash, depending on local recipes. According to taste variations, the result, after months of fermentation, could be still or sparkling, and sweet, semi-sweet, or dry. Mead has also been purported to act as an aphrodisiac, which explains its plaice in ancient and modern wedding ceremonies as the drink of choice for a toast. The tradition of newlyweds drinking mead for a month after their wedding may be the origin of the word honeymoon.
Mead
Possibly first created by Irish monks during the Middle Ages, mead is a honey wine that has been celebrated in Gaelic folklore and poetry. The traditional home brew was simple: honey, water, and usually yeast, with added spices, fruits, or grain mash, depending on local recipes. According to taste variations, the result, after months of fermentation, could be still or sparkling, and sweet, semi-sweet, or dry. Mead has also been purported to act as an aphrodisiac, which explains its plaice in ancient and modern wedding ceremonies as the drink of choice for a toast. The tradition of newlyweds drinking mead for a month after their wedding may be the origin of the word honeymoon.
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