Irish Blessings
May you always have work for your hands to do.
May your pockets hold always a coin or two.
May the sun shine bright on your windowpane.
May the rainbow be certain to follow each rain.
May the hand of a friend always be near you.
And may God fill your heart with gladness to cheer you.
Thursday, May 31, 2012
Wednesday, May 30, 2012
Irish Thought for May 30...
Quotations
Rain is also very difficult to film, particularly in Ireland because it's quite fine, so fine that the Irish don't even acknowledge that it exists.
-Alan Parker
Rain is also very difficult to film, particularly in Ireland because it's quite fine, so fine that the Irish don't even acknowledge that it exists.
-Alan Parker
Tuesday, May 29, 2012
Irish Thought for May 29...
Timeline of Ireland
461 A.D.
St. Patrick died, after having achieved his dream of introducing both Roman civilization and the Christian Church to Ireland (supposedly on March 17...hence the celebration day).
Saints are identified with Catholicism since it is through the Pope that one usually is proclaimed a Saint. However, St. Patrick was so important to Ireland that in County Armagh, a county where St. Patrick is thought to have built his own church and proclamed it the most holy of all churches, the primary seat for both the Catholic and the Protestant Churches are located there. Also, both cathedrals in town are named after Patrick. I love when people are so important or so memorable that they can transcend a specific label. St. Patrick meant a great deal to all of Ireland and is celebrated accordingly.
461 A.D.
St. Patrick died, after having achieved his dream of introducing both Roman civilization and the Christian Church to Ireland (supposedly on March 17...hence the celebration day).
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| St. Patrick |
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| Downpatrick, where St. Patrick is believed to be buried. |
Monday, May 28, 2012
Irish Thought for May 28...
Irish Writers
Maeve Binchy
Born in Dalkey, the novelist Maeve Binchy focuses on themes such as the disparity between rural and urban living, the societal changes in Ireland after World War II, and the contrasts between Ireland and England. In 1995, her novel Circle of Friends was adapted into a Hollywood movie starring Chris O'Donnell and Minnie Driver.
Maeve Binchy
Born in Dalkey, the novelist Maeve Binchy focuses on themes such as the disparity between rural and urban living, the societal changes in Ireland after World War II, and the contrasts between Ireland and England. In 1995, her novel Circle of Friends was adapted into a Hollywood movie starring Chris O'Donnell and Minnie Driver.
Sunday, May 27, 2012
Irish Thought for May 27...
Irish Blessings
May you have warm words on a cold evening,
A full moon on a dark night,
And the road downhill all the way to your front door.
May you have warm words on a cold evening,
A full moon on a dark night,
And the road downhill all the way to your front door.
Saturday, May 26, 2012
Irish Thought for May 26...
Timeline of Ireland
432 A.D.
St. Patrick arrived in Ireland. St. Patrick is the patron saint of Ireland. His day of celebration has become a celebration for Ireland.
432 A.D.
St. Patrick arrived in Ireland. St. Patrick is the patron saint of Ireland. His day of celebration has become a celebration for Ireland.
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St. Patrick was rumored to have driven all snakes out of Ireland. Many scientists argue that there is no proof that snakes ever existed in Ireland, but for many believers the scientists lack of proof equals lack of proof for disbelief. In other words, all people know for sure is that there are no snakes in Ireland, but there are in Scotland which is but a hop, skip, and jump away. When people become loved and admired, stories of wonder abound. |
Friday, May 25, 2012
Irish Thought for May 25...
Quotations
Always forgive your enemies - nothing annoys them so much.
-Oscar Wilde
Always forgive your enemies - nothing annoys them so much.
-Oscar Wilde
Thursday, May 24, 2012
Irish Thought for May 24...
Limericks
There was an old maiden from Fife,
Who had never been kissed in her life;
Along came a cat;
And she said, "I'll kiss that!"
But the cat answered, "Not on your life!"
There was an old maiden from Fife,
Who had never been kissed in her life;
Along came a cat;
And she said, "I'll kiss that!"
But the cat answered, "Not on your life!"
Wednesday, May 23, 2012
Irish Thought for May 23...
Learn Gaelic!
Mí Eanáir - January - pronounced an or
Mí Feabhra - February - pronounced flowra
Mí Márta - March - pronounced mawrta
Mí Aibreán - April - pronounced abrawn
Mí Bealtaine - May - pronounced byowltineh
Mí Meitheamh - June - pronounced methive
Mí Iúil- July - pronounced yule
Mí Lúnasa - August - pronounced loonasa
Mí Meán Fómhair - September - pronounced man for
Mí Deireadh Fómhair - October - pronounced derra for
Mí na Samhna - November - pronounced me na sowna
Mí na Nollag - December - pronounced me na nullig
Mí Eanáir - January - pronounced an or
Mí Feabhra - February - pronounced flowra
Mí Márta - March - pronounced mawrta
Mí Aibreán - April - pronounced abrawn
Mí Bealtaine - May - pronounced byowltineh
Mí Meitheamh - June - pronounced methive
Mí Iúil- July - pronounced yule
Mí Lúnasa - August - pronounced loonasa
Mí Meán Fómhair - September - pronounced man for
Mí Deireadh Fómhair - October - pronounced derra for
Mí na Samhna - November - pronounced me na sowna
Mí na Nollag - December - pronounced me na nullig
Tuesday, May 22, 2012
Irish Thought for May 22...
IRISH FEST NEWS!!!!
I wanted to talk about someone we are proud to have as an addition to the Irish fest performers this year. Her name is Sharon Kennedy and she is a gifted storyteller. Boston-based storyteller (or in Irish: Seanachie, pronounced shawn-a-key) Sharon Kennedy performs stories from around the world, but is best known for those drawn from the Irish oral tradition: tales of the "little people" and the fairy world, of shapeshifting seals known as "selchies" who can assume human form, of giants and wizards, and of magical encounters between ordinary people and extraordinary worlds. She is also known for a one-woman dramatic monologue called "Mary Margaret O'Connell: Lowell Mill Girl," in which she assumes the persona of a teenaged immigrant from County Cork, Ireland, describing her journey and the circumstances of her family's life in 19th century Massachusetts.
She also has a wonderful CD in stores called "Irish Folktales for Children" in which Sharon has tales of leprechauns and wizards that are accompanied by the music of harpist Barbara Russell, fiddler Johnny Cunningham, accordionist Evan Harlan, and bodhran (a traditional Irish percussion instrument) player Grant Smith.
I am quite excited at the thought of the spell she will weave for us at our Irish Fest!
I wanted to talk about someone we are proud to have as an addition to the Irish fest performers this year. Her name is Sharon Kennedy and she is a gifted storyteller. Boston-based storyteller (or in Irish: Seanachie, pronounced shawn-a-key) Sharon Kennedy performs stories from around the world, but is best known for those drawn from the Irish oral tradition: tales of the "little people" and the fairy world, of shapeshifting seals known as "selchies" who can assume human form, of giants and wizards, and of magical encounters between ordinary people and extraordinary worlds. She is also known for a one-woman dramatic monologue called "Mary Margaret O'Connell: Lowell Mill Girl," in which she assumes the persona of a teenaged immigrant from County Cork, Ireland, describing her journey and the circumstances of her family's life in 19th century Massachusetts.
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| Sharon as Mary Margaret O'Connell |
She also has a wonderful CD in stores called "Irish Folktales for Children" in which Sharon has tales of leprechauns and wizards that are accompanied by the music of harpist Barbara Russell, fiddler Johnny Cunningham, accordionist Evan Harlan, and bodhran (a traditional Irish percussion instrument) player Grant Smith.
I am quite excited at the thought of the spell she will weave for us at our Irish Fest!
Monday, May 21, 2012
Irish Thought for May 21...
Irish Trivia
An Irishman named Fulmuth Kearney emigrated from Moneygall in County Offaly to America in 1850. He was President Barack Obama's great-great-great-grandfather on his mother's side.
An Irishman named Fulmuth Kearney emigrated from Moneygall in County Offaly to America in 1850. He was President Barack Obama's great-great-great-grandfather on his mother's side.
Sunday, May 20, 2012
Irish Thought for May 20...
Learn Gaelic!
uaine: green
dubh: black
bán: white
dearg: red
gorm: blue
corcra: purple
bán-dearg: pink
donn: brown
oráiste: orange
buí: yellow
liath: gray
uaine: green
dubh: black
bán: white
dearg: red
gorm: blue
corcra: purple
bán-dearg: pink
donn: brown
oráiste: orange
buí: yellow
liath: gray
Saturday, May 19, 2012
Irish Thought for May 19...
Irish-American Movies
In America
An Irish family with two young daughters illegally squats in a tenement in a notoriously bad part of New York City and tries to start a new life for themselves. The film was nominated for three Oscars including Best Original Screenplay, Best Actress for Samantha Morton, and Best Supporting Actor for Djimon Hounsou. Starring Paddy Considine, Sarah Bolger, and Emma Bolger. Directed by Jim Sheridan.
In America
An Irish family with two young daughters illegally squats in a tenement in a notoriously bad part of New York City and tries to start a new life for themselves. The film was nominated for three Oscars including Best Original Screenplay, Best Actress for Samantha Morton, and Best Supporting Actor for Djimon Hounsou. Starring Paddy Considine, Sarah Bolger, and Emma Bolger. Directed by Jim Sheridan.
Friday, May 18, 2012
Irish Thought for May 18...
Irish-American Facts
Jefferson Davis, who was the first and only president of the Confederate States of America, and Sam Houston, who was the president of Texas from 1836 to 1838 and again from 1841 to 1844, were both Irish-Americans.
It might seem strange to some that we should be proud of Jeffereson Davis as being an Irish-American because for many, except some southerners who still celebrate the fact that their families were Confederates, we equal the Confederates as people who were fighting for slavery. Slavery is an evil that most people stand against. However, the truth is that there are a multitude of reasons that the Civil War happened. I am proud that abolitionists (those who sought to make slavery end) persuaded the North to make slavery an important issue; thus, the importance forced President Lincoln to act on the issue. However, for Jefferson Davis and many others of the South, slavery was not the biggest issue. One can get a sense of that fact from Gone With the Wind, but that book and movie are also fit with many inaccuracies of the time. Like the Civil War or any person or even throughout time, there are attributes to celebrate and attributes to dislike. He may have stood up for the side that many of us see as wrong, but there was more to him than the Confederacy. The best answer I can give you for whether or not this man should be celebrated is to learn what you can about him and make your own decision. I personally would recommend reading some of the letters that were written by the people of the time. Knowing someone's words and thoughts can help us see that there is always more to a person that one side.
Jefferson Davis, who was the first and only president of the Confederate States of America, and Sam Houston, who was the president of Texas from 1836 to 1838 and again from 1841 to 1844, were both Irish-Americans.
It might seem strange to some that we should be proud of Jeffereson Davis as being an Irish-American because for many, except some southerners who still celebrate the fact that their families were Confederates, we equal the Confederates as people who were fighting for slavery. Slavery is an evil that most people stand against. However, the truth is that there are a multitude of reasons that the Civil War happened. I am proud that abolitionists (those who sought to make slavery end) persuaded the North to make slavery an important issue; thus, the importance forced President Lincoln to act on the issue. However, for Jefferson Davis and many others of the South, slavery was not the biggest issue. One can get a sense of that fact from Gone With the Wind, but that book and movie are also fit with many inaccuracies of the time. Like the Civil War or any person or even throughout time, there are attributes to celebrate and attributes to dislike. He may have stood up for the side that many of us see as wrong, but there was more to him than the Confederacy. The best answer I can give you for whether or not this man should be celebrated is to learn what you can about him and make your own decision. I personally would recommend reading some of the letters that were written by the people of the time. Knowing someone's words and thoughts can help us see that there is always more to a person that one side.
Thursday, May 17, 2012
Irish Thought for May 17...
Irish-American Celebrities
Pierce Brosnan
The handsome television and film actor Pierce Brosnan holds both Irish and American citizenship. After first rising to popularity in the TV show, Remington Steele, Brosnan moved to movies, and has starred in crowd-pleasers Dante's Peak, The Thomas Crown Affair, and Mamma Mia! He also starred as secret agent James Bond in four films from 1995 ti 2002.
The things for which I love Pierce the most like Thomas Crown, James Bond, and Mr. Steele all have shared traits that make me believe the traits really belong to Pierce. He is always suave, smooth, and dressed impeccably. Like a Cary Grant, he exudes the traits with which all women aspire to fall in love. He is even a voice of a robot-controlled house in a Simpson Halloween episode in which the house falls for Marge. He may be a voice controlled robot, but that voice is pretty powerful. He gets a wow factor from me!
Pierce Brosnan
The handsome television and film actor Pierce Brosnan holds both Irish and American citizenship. After first rising to popularity in the TV show, Remington Steele, Brosnan moved to movies, and has starred in crowd-pleasers Dante's Peak, The Thomas Crown Affair, and Mamma Mia! He also starred as secret agent James Bond in four films from 1995 ti 2002.
The things for which I love Pierce the most like Thomas Crown, James Bond, and Mr. Steele all have shared traits that make me believe the traits really belong to Pierce. He is always suave, smooth, and dressed impeccably. Like a Cary Grant, he exudes the traits with which all women aspire to fall in love. He is even a voice of a robot-controlled house in a Simpson Halloween episode in which the house falls for Marge. He may be a voice controlled robot, but that voice is pretty powerful. He gets a wow factor from me!
Wednesday, May 16, 2012
Tuesday, May 15, 2012
Irish Thought for May 15...
Irish Writers
Eoin Colfer
Born in Wexford, Eoin (pronounced "Owen") Colfer gained fame as the creator of the Artemis Fowl series of children's books. Colfer was also given permission to write the sixth book in the late Douglas Adams's Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy series, entitled And Another Thing..., which was published in October 2009.
Theses books are awesome. If you don't know anything about the AF books, I would recommend going to the website http://www.artemisfowl.com/ and checking out what is there. The art, the stories, and someone's keen imagination made the website cool. Check it out!
Eoin Colfer
Born in Wexford, Eoin (pronounced "Owen") Colfer gained fame as the creator of the Artemis Fowl series of children's books. Colfer was also given permission to write the sixth book in the late Douglas Adams's Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy series, entitled And Another Thing..., which was published in October 2009.
Theses books are awesome. If you don't know anything about the AF books, I would recommend going to the website http://www.artemisfowl.com/ and checking out what is there. The art, the stories, and someone's keen imagination made the website cool. Check it out!
Monday, May 14, 2012
Irish Thought for May 14...
Irish-American Celebrities
Stephen Colbert
The political satirist, writer, actor, and television host Stephen Colbert gained attention on the television sitcom Strangers With Candy, during with he was also working as a correspondent on the news parody program The Daily Show. After winning three Emmys as a writer on The Daily Show, Colbert gained his own spin-off, The Colbert Report, in which he hosts as a caricature of a conservative political pundit.
I remember when Colbert first started his show. Comedy Central would use the last few minutes of the Daily Show to have Jon Stewart and Colbert talk or, more commonly, argue. They were funny together. Then, when Colbert starting doing well enough, he gained his independence and soared to new heights. I can not imagine how hard, or how good of a satirist one must be in order to interview amazing people while staying in his character. In recent times, I was elated to see Colbert do an interview with author Maurice Sendak (Where the Wild Things Are amongst other wonderful books) just before Sendak passed away. It always a treat to see someone like Sendak reacting to Colbert's of-the-wall comments. We will always have his books, some of which I can recite by memory, but now I also have a moment in time with Sendak engraved in my mind. All thanks to Stephen Colbert.
Stephen Colbert
The political satirist, writer, actor, and television host Stephen Colbert gained attention on the television sitcom Strangers With Candy, during with he was also working as a correspondent on the news parody program The Daily Show. After winning three Emmys as a writer on The Daily Show, Colbert gained his own spin-off, The Colbert Report, in which he hosts as a caricature of a conservative political pundit.
I remember when Colbert first started his show. Comedy Central would use the last few minutes of the Daily Show to have Jon Stewart and Colbert talk or, more commonly, argue. They were funny together. Then, when Colbert starting doing well enough, he gained his independence and soared to new heights. I can not imagine how hard, or how good of a satirist one must be in order to interview amazing people while staying in his character. In recent times, I was elated to see Colbert do an interview with author Maurice Sendak (Where the Wild Things Are amongst other wonderful books) just before Sendak passed away. It always a treat to see someone like Sendak reacting to Colbert's of-the-wall comments. We will always have his books, some of which I can recite by memory, but now I also have a moment in time with Sendak engraved in my mind. All thanks to Stephen Colbert.
Sunday, May 13, 2012
Irish Thought for May 13...
Irish Lore
Blarney Stone
The Blarney Stone is a block built into the Blarney Castle. According to legend, kissing the stone grants the kisser the gift of gab, which is skill at being clever and flattering to others.
I think everyone should mentally kiss the blarney stone today so they can have the gift of gab and use it to tell their moms they love them!
Blarney Stone
The Blarney Stone is a block built into the Blarney Castle. According to legend, kissing the stone grants the kisser the gift of gab, which is skill at being clever and flattering to others.
I think everyone should mentally kiss the blarney stone today so they can have the gift of gab and use it to tell their moms they love them!
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| Blarney Castle
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Saturday, May 12, 2012
Irish Thought for May 12...
Irish Toasts
Here's to me, and here's to you,
And here's to love and laughter-
I'll be true as long as you,
And not one moment after.
Here's to me, and here's to you,
And here's to love and laughter-
I'll be true as long as you,
And not one moment after.
Friday, May 11, 2012
Irish Thought for May 11...
Irish Musicians
My Bloody Valentine
An alternative rock band from Dublin, founded in 1983 by Kevin Shields, who does guitar and vocals, and Colm Ó Cíosóig, who is the drummer, and later expanded to include Bilinda Butcher on guitar and vocals and Debbie Googe on bass. As the band's music evolved, their use of distortion, droning rifts, and reverb resulted in a sound that became very influential in the UK movement, known as "shoegazing."
My Bloody Valentine
An alternative rock band from Dublin, founded in 1983 by Kevin Shields, who does guitar and vocals, and Colm Ó Cíosóig, who is the drummer, and later expanded to include Bilinda Butcher on guitar and vocals and Debbie Googe on bass. As the band's music evolved, their use of distortion, droning rifts, and reverb resulted in a sound that became very influential in the UK movement, known as "shoegazing."
Thursday, May 10, 2012
Irish Thought for May 10...
Irish Slang
Fair play
Indicates approval of someone's actions or opinions.
It would be used like fair play to all my friends who read this blog for loving the Kansas City Irishfest so much!
Fair play
Indicates approval of someone's actions or opinions.
It would be used like fair play to all my friends who read this blog for loving the Kansas City Irishfest so much!
Wednesday, May 9, 2012
Irish Thought for May 9...
Irish Writers
Roddy Doyle
Born in Dublin, Roddy Doyle is a screenwriter, playwright, and novelist. The movies The Commitments and The Snapper were based on his novels. Also in 1993, Doyle won the Booker Prize for his novel Paddy Clark Ha Ha Ha, a book notable for its beautiful, childlike use of language.
Roddy Doyle
Born in Dublin, Roddy Doyle is a screenwriter, playwright, and novelist. The movies The Commitments and The Snapper were based on his novels. Also in 1993, Doyle won the Booker Prize for his novel Paddy Clark Ha Ha Ha, a book notable for its beautiful, childlike use of language.
Tuesday, May 8, 2012
Monday, May 7, 2012
Irish Thought for May 7...
Irish Food
Irish Stew
Originally a thick and hearty peasant dish created with readily available and inexpensive local ingredients such as lamb (or beef), potatoes, onions, turnips, parsnips, carrots, and parsley, Irish stew is so popular and nostalgic that recent recipes have been exalted to near-gourmet status. Called ballymaloe or stobhach gaelach in Gaelic, Irish stew is also sometimes favor with Guinness stout.
Irish Stew
Originally a thick and hearty peasant dish created with readily available and inexpensive local ingredients such as lamb (or beef), potatoes, onions, turnips, parsnips, carrots, and parsley, Irish stew is so popular and nostalgic that recent recipes have been exalted to near-gourmet status. Called ballymaloe or stobhach gaelach in Gaelic, Irish stew is also sometimes favor with Guinness stout.
Sunday, May 6, 2012
Irish Thought of May 6...
Irish-American Celebrities
Tyrone Power
The dashing actor Tyrone Power often starred in romantic or swashbuckling movies, including The Mark of Zorro, The Black Swan, and Blood and Sand. He was known for his stage work, too, particularly in the play Mister Roberts. At the age of 44, Power had a heart attack and died while filming a dueling scene for Solomon and Sheba.
Tyrone Power
The dashing actor Tyrone Power often starred in romantic or swashbuckling movies, including The Mark of Zorro, The Black Swan, and Blood and Sand. He was known for his stage work, too, particularly in the play Mister Roberts. At the age of 44, Power had a heart attack and died while filming a dueling scene for Solomon and Sheba.
Saturday, May 5, 2012
Irish Thought for May 5...
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 by accident. Merrows have been spotted lounging upon sea rocks, and described as having fish tails and webbing between their fingers. In some accounts, she is unclad or wearing a foamy white gown. When a fisherman or sailor never returns home from the sea, it is sead the 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 by accident. Merrows have been spotted lounging upon sea rocks, and described as having fish tails and webbing between their fingers. In some accounts, she is unclad or wearing a foamy white gown. When a fisherman or sailor never returns home from the sea, it is sead the he "married a merrow."
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| http://www.the-irish-path.com/merrow.html |
Friday, May 4, 2012
Irish Thought for May 4...
Irish-American Celebritites
Bing Crosby
Harry "Bing" Crosby's distinctive bass-baritone croon helped make him one of the most successful singers ever, selling more than 500 million records in his lifetime. His biggest hit was his version of Irving Berlin's "White Christmas," which remain the best-selling song of all time. Crosby also won a Best Actor Oscar for the film Going My Way in 1944.
I love Bing Crosby. Not only do I love his music, of which he has an Irish song album, but I am also a big fan of several of his movies. A Christmas would not be complete for me without watching White Christmas. I also love The Bells of St. Mary's and High Society. Although most people thing he first sang "White Christmas" in the movie of the same name, he actually first sang it in the movie Holiday Inn. A fun movie which costars Fred Astaire. The wonderful thing about Christmas music is that it does not matter what kind of music you like be it country, rock, or rap. When a person knocks it out of the part singing a known Christmas song, people who enjoy any type of music all line up behind that singer.
Bing Crosby
Harry "Bing" Crosby's distinctive bass-baritone croon helped make him one of the most successful singers ever, selling more than 500 million records in his lifetime. His biggest hit was his version of Irving Berlin's "White Christmas," which remain the best-selling song of all time. Crosby also won a Best Actor Oscar for the film Going My Way in 1944.
I love Bing Crosby. Not only do I love his music, of which he has an Irish song album, but I am also a big fan of several of his movies. A Christmas would not be complete for me without watching White Christmas. I also love The Bells of St. Mary's and High Society. Although most people thing he first sang "White Christmas" in the movie of the same name, he actually first sang it in the movie Holiday Inn. A fun movie which costars Fred Astaire. The wonderful thing about Christmas music is that it does not matter what kind of music you like be it country, rock, or rap. When a person knocks it out of the part singing a known Christmas song, people who enjoy any type of music all line up behind that singer.
Thursday, May 3, 2012
Irish Thought for May 3...
Irish History
A story of hope....
In 1847, midway through the Great Famine, a group of Native American Choctaws collected money (either $710 or $170 - the amount is debateable but rather moot) and sent it to help starving men, women, and children in Ireland. For them, it had been just 16 years since they exprerienced the Trail of Tears (a horrible time for American history) and witnessed their families dying of starvation. Either amount might not seem like much to us today, but as many of you have learned in school or will learn, to them it was the same as donating what they earn over the course of YEARS. For the 150th anniversary of this donation, eight Irish people, who felt the same level of amazement and hope that I hope you are feeling, retraced the Trail of Tears and the donation was publicly commememorated by Irish President Mary Robinson.
This story moves me to tears. Tears for the hardship I know both groups of people faced during these times - and many Native Americans still face today. Tears for what the Choctaws must have sacrificed in order to send money to Ireland. But most of all tears of AWE... for one group who had just experienced their own years of starvation and forced eviction from their homes can feel so much empathy for a group of unknowns that they are prompted to do what they can for others who share their plight. It is a story that touches you and stays with you. That is the heart we all should hope to have. The spirit we aspire towards. The generousity that is so rare when you hear of it, you are forever changed.
A story of hope....
In 1847, midway through the Great Famine, a group of Native American Choctaws collected money (either $710 or $170 - the amount is debateable but rather moot) and sent it to help starving men, women, and children in Ireland. For them, it had been just 16 years since they exprerienced the Trail of Tears (a horrible time for American history) and witnessed their families dying of starvation. Either amount might not seem like much to us today, but as many of you have learned in school or will learn, to them it was the same as donating what they earn over the course of YEARS. For the 150th anniversary of this donation, eight Irish people, who felt the same level of amazement and hope that I hope you are feeling, retraced the Trail of Tears and the donation was publicly commememorated by Irish President Mary Robinson.
This story moves me to tears. Tears for the hardship I know both groups of people faced during these times - and many Native Americans still face today. Tears for what the Choctaws must have sacrificed in order to send money to Ireland. But most of all tears of AWE... for one group who had just experienced their own years of starvation and forced eviction from their homes can feel so much empathy for a group of unknowns that they are prompted to do what they can for others who share their plight. It is a story that touches you and stays with you. That is the heart we all should hope to have. The spirit we aspire towards. The generousity that is so rare when you hear of it, you are forever changed.
Wednesday, May 2, 2012
Irish Thought for May 2...
Irish History
1845-1852
The Great Famine or an Gorta Mór or as those outside of Ireland call it The Irish Potato Famine
In Ireland, the Great Famine was a period of mass starvation, disease and emigration between 1845 and 1852. During the famine approximately 1 million people died and a million more emigrated from Ireland, causing the island's population to fall by between 20% and 25%. The proximate cause of famine was a potato disease commonly known as potato blight. Although blight ravaged potato crops throughout Europe during the 1840s, the impact and human cost in Ireland – where one-third of the population was entirely dependent on the potato for food – was exacerbated by a host of political, social and economic factors which remain the subject of historical debate. The impact of the famine resulted in the Irish to refer to times as "pre-famine" or "post-famine" because the famine changed every facet of the country's actions.
1845-1852
The Great Famine or an Gorta Mór or as those outside of Ireland call it The Irish Potato Famine
In Ireland, the Great Famine was a period of mass starvation, disease and emigration between 1845 and 1852. During the famine approximately 1 million people died and a million more emigrated from Ireland, causing the island's population to fall by between 20% and 25%. The proximate cause of famine was a potato disease commonly known as potato blight. Although blight ravaged potato crops throughout Europe during the 1840s, the impact and human cost in Ireland – where one-third of the population was entirely dependent on the potato for food – was exacerbated by a host of political, social and economic factors which remain the subject of historical debate. The impact of the famine resulted in the Irish to refer to times as "pre-famine" or "post-famine" because the famine changed every facet of the country's actions.
Tuesday, May 1, 2012
Irish Thought for May 1...
Irish Blessings
May the saddest day of your future be no worse
Than the happiest day of your past.
May the saddest day of your future be no worse
Than the happiest day of your past.
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