Quotations
"The Irish are very emotionally moved. My mother is Irish and she cries during beer commercials."
-Former U.S. General Barry McCaffrey
I heard a rumor that the Irish Fest team is planning sack races throughout the weekend. They thought what better way to celebrate the potato than to have everyone dress up like potatoes and hop along! I think this is going to be a fun activity. Fun to do and fun to watch others do.
Saturday, June 30, 2012
Friday, June 29, 2012
Irish Thought for June 29...
Irish Blessings
May your troubles be less,
And your blessing be more.
And nothing but happiness,
Come through your door.
This is for someone who is having a bad week. I pray that she makes it through today, so she can finally have some rest after a bad week.
May your troubles be less,
And your blessing be more.
And nothing but happiness,
Come through your door.
This is for someone who is having a bad week. I pray that she makes it through today, so she can finally have some rest after a bad week.
Thursday, June 28, 2012
Irish Thought for June 28...
Learn Gaelic!
| seanathair | grandfather | seanmháthair | grandmother |
| athair | father | máthair | mother |
| uncail | uncle | aintin | aunt |
| mac | son | iníon | daughter |
| deantháir | brother | deirfiúr | sister |
| nia | nephew | neacht | niece |
| garmhac | grandson | gariníon | granddaughter |
Wednesday, June 27, 2012
Irish Thought for June 27...
Quotations
The English language brings out the best in the Irish. They court it like a beautiful woman. They make it bray with donkey laughter. They hurl it at the sky like a paint pot full of rainbows, and then make it chant a dirge for man's fate and man's follies that is as mournful as misty spring rain crying over the fallow earth.
- T.E. Kalem
The English language brings out the best in the Irish. They court it like a beautiful woman. They make it bray with donkey laughter. They hurl it at the sky like a paint pot full of rainbows, and then make it chant a dirge for man's fate and man's follies that is as mournful as misty spring rain crying over the fallow earth.
- T.E. Kalem
Tuesday, June 26, 2012
Irish Thought for June 26...
Limericks
There was an old lady of Brooking,
Who had a great genius for cooking;
She could bake sixty pies
All of quite the same size,
And tell which was which without looking.
There was an old lady of Brooking,
Who had a great genius for cooking;
She could bake sixty pies
All of quite the same size,
And tell which was which without looking.
Monday, June 25, 2012
Irish Thought for June 25...
Learn Gaelic
aimsir: weather
gaoth: wind
bogha ceatha: rainbow
fuar: cold
fliuch: wet
ceo: fog
sioc: frost
sneachtas: snow
Tá sé gaofar.: It's windy.
báisteach: rain
ceobhrán: mist
Nach breá an lá é? Isn't it a lovely day?
aimsir: weather
gaoth: wind
bogha ceatha: rainbow
fuar: cold
fliuch: wet
ceo: fog
sioc: frost
sneachtas: snow
Tá sé gaofar.: It's windy.
báisteach: rain
ceobhrán: mist
Nach breá an lá é? Isn't it a lovely day?
Sunday, June 24, 2012
Irish Thought for June 24...
Irish Trivia
Allegedly, Richard Daly, a Dublin theater owner, invented the word "quiz." The legend states that Daly made a bet n the 1830s that he could popularize a nonsense word throughout the city in under 48 hours, and he even went so far as printing up cards with the word on it for his employees to distribute, as well as instructing them to write the word on walls.
Allegedly, Richard Daly, a Dublin theater owner, invented the word "quiz." The legend states that Daly made a bet n the 1830s that he could popularize a nonsense word throughout the city in under 48 hours, and he even went so far as printing up cards with the word on it for his employees to distribute, as well as instructing them to write the word on walls.
Saturday, June 23, 2012
Irish Thought for June 23...
Learn Gaelic!
the seasons - na ràithean - næ raa-yæn
spring - an T-earrach - an tsharræch
Summer - an Samhradh - æn sow-rægh
Autumn - am Forghar - æm faohær
Winter - an Geamhradh - æn gyow-rægh
the seasons - na ràithean - næ raa-yæn
spring - an T-earrach - an tsharræch
Summer - an Samhradh - æn sow-rægh
Autumn - am Forghar - æm faohær
Winter - an Geamhradh - æn gyow-rægh
Friday, June 22, 2012
Irish Thought for June 22...
Irish Trivia
The phrase "Emerald Isle" first appeared in print in the poem "Erin" written by radial patriot Dr. William Drennan in 1795.
“When Erin first rose from the dark-swelling flood, God blessed the green island, he saw it was good. The Emerald of Europe, it sparkled and shone In the ring of this world, the most precious stone.”
The phrase "Emerald Isle" first appeared in print in the poem "Erin" written by radial patriot Dr. William Drennan in 1795.
“When Erin first rose from the dark-swelling flood, God blessed the green island, he saw it was good. The Emerald of Europe, it sparkled and shone In the ring of this world, the most precious stone.”
Thursday, June 21, 2012
Irish Thought for June 21...
Irish-American Movies
Far and Away
Set in the early 1900s, a poor Irish farmer travels with a spoiled heiress to settle in the American West. Starring Tom Cruise and Nicole Kidman. Directed by Ron Howard.
Far and Away
Set in the early 1900s, a poor Irish farmer travels with a spoiled heiress to settle in the American West. Starring Tom Cruise and Nicole Kidman. Directed by Ron Howard.
Wednesday, June 20, 2012
Irish Thought for June 20...
Irish Trivia
The last and arguably greatest of the famous Irish harpists was named Turlough O'Carolan, who was born in 1670 near Nobber, County Meath, and died March 25, 1738, This blind genius supposedly composed the music that eventually became the tune for the "Star-Spangled Banner."
Happy first day of summer!!!
The last and arguably greatest of the famous Irish harpists was named Turlough O'Carolan, who was born in 1670 near Nobber, County Meath, and died March 25, 1738, This blind genius supposedly composed the music that eventually became the tune for the "Star-Spangled Banner."
Happy first day of summer!!!
Tuesday, June 19, 2012
Irish Thought for June 19...
Irish-American Facts
From the 1830s into the 1960s, Irish Catholics voted with the Democratic party 80 to 95 percent of the time, with the exception of the election of 1920, when Irish Catholics were particularly outraged at the policies of outgoing Democratic president Woodrow Wilson, and so voted for Republica Warren G. Harding over Democrat James M. Cox in the election.
From the 1830s into the 1960s, Irish Catholics voted with the Democratic party 80 to 95 percent of the time, with the exception of the election of 1920, when Irish Catholics were particularly outraged at the policies of outgoing Democratic president Woodrow Wilson, and so voted for Republica Warren G. Harding over Democrat James M. Cox in the election.
Monday, June 18, 2012
Irish Thought for June 18...
The Beauty of Ireland
The Aran Islands or Oileáin Árann
The islands are in Galway Bay on the west coast of Ireland. So foreboding is the landscape that islanders had to make their own soil our of seaweed and rocks. From west to east they are Inishmore (Inis Mór), Inishmaan (Inis Meáin), and Inisheer (Inis Oírr). J.M. Syne captured the bleakness in his plays. Today you can tour the islands by minibus or bike. Important things to look for on these islands are prehistoric stone forts, currachs (Aran boats), and their famous sweaters. The Gaelic language predominated on these islands longer than the rest of Ireland due to the isolation of the islands. It was not until the 1960s when teenagers were more likely to go to Ireland for a college eduation that the language ceased to be the predominate language.
The Aran Islands or Oileáin Árann
The islands are in Galway Bay on the west coast of Ireland. So foreboding is the landscape that islanders had to make their own soil our of seaweed and rocks. From west to east they are Inishmore (Inis Mór), Inishmaan (Inis Meáin), and Inisheer (Inis Oírr). J.M. Syne captured the bleakness in his plays. Today you can tour the islands by minibus or bike. Important things to look for on these islands are prehistoric stone forts, currachs (Aran boats), and their famous sweaters. The Gaelic language predominated on these islands longer than the rest of Ireland due to the isolation of the islands. It was not until the 1960s when teenagers were more likely to go to Ireland for a college eduation that the language ceased to be the predominate language.
Sunday, June 17, 2012
Irish Thought for June 17...
Irish Trivia
Designed in 1848, the green, white, and orange tricolor flag of Ireland has an optimistic political meaning. The purported meaning of the flag is that Irish Catholics are represented by the green stripe and Irish Protestants are represented by the orange and the white stripe represents the hope for peace between the two groups.
Saturday, June 16, 2012
Irish Thought for June 16...
Irish History
Around A.D. 80, the Roman general Agricola looked across to Ireland from Scotland (which he had just conquered) and sighed. "But a single legion would be enough for the conquest of Ireland," he said (as told by Roman historian Tacitus). However, while the rest of Celtic Europe fell to the Romans, Agricola thought Ireland was not worth the trouble, and so he let it be.
In other words, laziness by Agricola and what I am sure is the luck of the Irish led to Ireland maintaining itself while Romans trampled so many others!
In addition to today's tidbit I have another piece of Irish history for today...today is Irish Bloomsday! Irish Bloomsday was first celebrated on June 16, 1954 for the 50th anniversary of the release of the James Joyce novel Ulysses. The name is derived from the protaganist of the book Leopold Bloom. The celebration was originally organized as a walk along the path of the book, but now is also celebrated with performances of the book or readings. James Joyce is a wonderful author and I hope everyone will read him during your life!
Around A.D. 80, the Roman general Agricola looked across to Ireland from Scotland (which he had just conquered) and sighed. "But a single legion would be enough for the conquest of Ireland," he said (as told by Roman historian Tacitus). However, while the rest of Celtic Europe fell to the Romans, Agricola thought Ireland was not worth the trouble, and so he let it be.
In other words, laziness by Agricola and what I am sure is the luck of the Irish led to Ireland maintaining itself while Romans trampled so many others!
In addition to today's tidbit I have another piece of Irish history for today...today is Irish Bloomsday! Irish Bloomsday was first celebrated on June 16, 1954 for the 50th anniversary of the release of the James Joyce novel Ulysses. The name is derived from the protaganist of the book Leopold Bloom. The celebration was originally organized as a walk along the path of the book, but now is also celebrated with performances of the book or readings. James Joyce is a wonderful author and I hope everyone will read him during your life!
Friday, June 15, 2012
Irish Thought for June 15...
Irish Blessings
Leprechauns, castles, and laughter
Lullabies and love ever after
With pipes and drums,
A thousand welcomes...
If it's the Irish you're after!
Leprechauns, castles, and laughter
Lullabies and love ever after
With pipes and drums,
A thousand welcomes...
If it's the Irish you're after!
Thursday, June 14, 2012
Irish Thought for June 14...
Irish Trivia
Famous film set designer Cedric Gibbons, who worked on more than 1,500 movies from the
1920s to the 1950s, was and Irish-American. His father immigrated from Dublin. Not only did Cedric win a dozen Academy Awards, he also designed the Oscar statuette.
IRISH FEST NEWS!!!! I am happy to announce that this year kids will have the option of getting henna tattoos at Irish fest. Henna tattoos are a longer-lasting version of temporary tattoos. They remove as the skin sheds. I got a picture of Kansas City Irish Fest Children's Area boss Shawn trying out a tattoo to make sure everything was safe for kids. Oh, and remember, even though they are not permanent or dangerous, your parents will need to assure the artists that they grant permission for a henna tattoo because they do last for a lengthy period of time.
Famous film set designer Cedric Gibbons, who worked on more than 1,500 movies from the
1920s to the 1950s, was and Irish-American. His father immigrated from Dublin. Not only did Cedric win a dozen Academy Awards, he also designed the Oscar statuette.
IRISH FEST NEWS!!!! I am happy to announce that this year kids will have the option of getting henna tattoos at Irish fest. Henna tattoos are a longer-lasting version of temporary tattoos. They remove as the skin sheds. I got a picture of Kansas City Irish Fest Children's Area boss Shawn trying out a tattoo to make sure everything was safe for kids. Oh, and remember, even though they are not permanent or dangerous, your parents will need to assure the artists that they grant permission for a henna tattoo because they do last for a lengthy period of time.
Wednesday, June 13, 2012
Irish Thought for June 13...
Irish Writers
William Butler Yeats (June 13, 1865 - January 28, 1939)
Born in Dublin, the poet and dramatist William Butler Yeats is considered to be one of the most important writers of 20th century literature. In 1923, he was the first Irishman to win the Nobel Prize in Literature, although he is often credited as being one of the rare writers who composed his best work, including 1929's The Winding Stair and Other Poems, after the award.
William Butler Yeats (June 13, 1865 - January 28, 1939)
Born in Dublin, the poet and dramatist William Butler Yeats is considered to be one of the most important writers of 20th century literature. In 1923, he was the first Irishman to win the Nobel Prize in Literature, although he is often credited as being one of the rare writers who composed his best work, including 1929's The Winding Stair and Other Poems, after the award.
The Second Coming
Turning and turning in the widening gyre
The falcon cannot hear the falconer;
Things fall apart; the centre cannot hold;
Mere anarchy is loosed upon the world,
The blood-dimmed tide is loosed, and everywhere
The ceremony of innocence is drowned;
The best lack all conviction, while the worst
Are full of passionate intensity.
Surely some revelation is at hand;
Surely the Second Coming is at hand.
The Second Coming! Hardly are those words out
When a vast image out of Spiritus Mundi
Troubles my sight: somewhere in sands of the desert
A shape with lion body and the head of a man,
A gaze blank and pitiless as the sun,
Is moving its slow thighs, while all about it
Reel shadows of the indignant desert birds.
The darkness drops again; but now I know
That twenty centuries of stony sleep
Were vexed to nightmare by a rocking cradle,
And what rough beast, its hour come round at last,
Slouches towards Bethlehem to be born?
This poem touched many a person. There is a Sopranos episode which is titled after and features the poem. Director Kevin Smith and his friend Walt Flanagan wrote a Batman comic Batman: The Widening Gyre which is named and themed after this poem. The poem is featured in Stephen King's The Stand. Even a story of African literature, Chinua Achebe's Things Fall Apart is titled from this poem. These are just some of the many examples of those who drew inspiration from this poem. Although I have read the latter two of these examples, I gave all of these examples to illustrate how varied and beautiful this poem is to people. The beauty of poetry is that people can analyze poems and discuss the various meanings and themes found in the poem. However, even intellectually knowing these themes, a person can still find that poems have a line or meaning that resonates with a reader for reasons known only to that reader.
The falcon cannot hear the falconer;
Things fall apart; the centre cannot hold;
Mere anarchy is loosed upon the world,
The blood-dimmed tide is loosed, and everywhere
The ceremony of innocence is drowned;
The best lack all conviction, while the worst
Are full of passionate intensity.
Surely some revelation is at hand;
Surely the Second Coming is at hand.
The Second Coming! Hardly are those words out
When a vast image out of Spiritus Mundi
Troubles my sight: somewhere in sands of the desert
A shape with lion body and the head of a man,
A gaze blank and pitiless as the sun,
Is moving its slow thighs, while all about it
Reel shadows of the indignant desert birds.
The darkness drops again; but now I know
That twenty centuries of stony sleep
Were vexed to nightmare by a rocking cradle,
And what rough beast, its hour come round at last,
Slouches towards Bethlehem to be born?
This poem touched many a person. There is a Sopranos episode which is titled after and features the poem. Director Kevin Smith and his friend Walt Flanagan wrote a Batman comic Batman: The Widening Gyre which is named and themed after this poem. The poem is featured in Stephen King's The Stand. Even a story of African literature, Chinua Achebe's Things Fall Apart is titled from this poem. These are just some of the many examples of those who drew inspiration from this poem. Although I have read the latter two of these examples, I gave all of these examples to illustrate how varied and beautiful this poem is to people. The beauty of poetry is that people can analyze poems and discuss the various meanings and themes found in the poem. However, even intellectually knowing these themes, a person can still find that poems have a line or meaning that resonates with a reader for reasons known only to that reader.
Tuesday, June 12, 2012
Irish Thought for June 12...
Famous Quotations
"We have always found the Irish a bit odd. They refuse to be English."
-Winston Churchill
There are plenty of things I love about Winston Churchill and England, but I am still more than happy to be considered odd in Winston's mind!
"We have always found the Irish a bit odd. They refuse to be English."
-Winston Churchill
There are plenty of things I love about Winston Churchill and England, but I am still more than happy to be considered odd in Winston's mind!
Monday, June 11, 2012
Sunday, June 10, 2012
Irish Thought for June 10...
Irish-American Celebrities
Judy Garland (June 10, 1922 - June 22, 1969)
Born Frances Ethel Gumm, Judy Garland began as a performer at the age of two and a half, and continued as an actress and singer until her death at the age of 47. She had iconic roles in many films, including The Wizard of Oz, Meet Me in St. Louis, and A Star is Born. Garland was named eigth amond the "Greatest Female Stars of All Time" by the American Film Institute.
The Wizard of Oz was my first encounter with the magic that was Judy Garland and I will never forget it (especially because Kansas played a role in the movie)! It remains my favorite because it reached and touched me the earliest. However, she has left many more moments with me with her films and songs. My favorite Christmas song is easily "Have Yourself a Merry Christmas" because she sings it with such grace and feeling that it gives me everything a Christmas song should. With a voice such as hers, I feel like she should be equated with "Diva" status like Mariah Carey or Whitney Houston. However, Judy was too fragile for me to think of her as a diva despite the voice that lights up and conquers the world.
Judy Garland (June 10, 1922 - June 22, 1969)
Born Frances Ethel Gumm, Judy Garland began as a performer at the age of two and a half, and continued as an actress and singer until her death at the age of 47. She had iconic roles in many films, including The Wizard of Oz, Meet Me in St. Louis, and A Star is Born. Garland was named eigth amond the "Greatest Female Stars of All Time" by the American Film Institute.
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| Judy as Dorothy |
Saturday, June 9, 2012
Irish Thought of June 9...
Irish Trivia
For good luck in the coming year, Irish children who are celebrating their birthdays are traditionally raised into the air upside down, and their heads are bumped gently against the floor, one bump for every year of their age, plus an extra bump to grow on.
For good luck in the coming year, Irish children who are celebrating their birthdays are traditionally raised into the air upside down, and their heads are bumped gently against the floor, one bump for every year of their age, plus an extra bump to grow on.
Friday, June 8, 2012
Irish Thought for June 8...
Irish Blessing
May God give you...
For every storm, a rainbow,
For every tear, a smile,
For every care, a promise,
And a blessing in each trial.
For every problem life sends,
A faithful friend to share,
For every sigh, a sweet song,
And an answer for each prayer.
I would like to take a moment and wish Happy Birthday to the wonderful woman who masterminds the children's area at Kansas City Irish Fest. I have seen throughout the year that she gives so much of herself so that all kids may have the most wonderful time one day a year. Shawn this blessing is for you on your birthday!
May God give you...
For every storm, a rainbow,
For every tear, a smile,
For every care, a promise,
And a blessing in each trial.
For every problem life sends,
A faithful friend to share,
For every sigh, a sweet song,
And an answer for each prayer.
I would like to take a moment and wish Happy Birthday to the wonderful woman who masterminds the children's area at Kansas City Irish Fest. I have seen throughout the year that she gives so much of herself so that all kids may have the most wonderful time one day a year. Shawn this blessing is for you on your birthday!
Thursday, June 7, 2012
Irish Thought for June 7...
Irish Movies
Michael Collins
This exploration of the life and death of controversial Michael Collins, sometimes called the "Lion of Ireland," depicts his leadership of the IRA against the British and his founding of the Irish Free State. Starring Liam Neeson, Julia Roberts, and Aiden Quinn. Directed by Neil Jordan.
Michael Collins
This exploration of the life and death of controversial Michael Collins, sometimes called the "Lion of Ireland," depicts his leadership of the IRA against the British and his founding of the Irish Free State. Starring Liam Neeson, Julia Roberts, and Aiden Quinn. Directed by Neil Jordan.
Wednesday, June 6, 2012
Irish Thought for June 6...
Irish Proverbs
It is not a matter of upper and lower class but of being up a while and down a while.
It is not a matter of upper and lower class but of being up a while and down a while.
Tuesday, June 5, 2012
Irish Thought for June 5...
Irish Food
Barmbrack
Generally served toasted with butter as part of afternoon tea, this leavened, flattened round bread is not quite as sweet as cake, but has added sultanas (a pale green grape) and raisins to add flavor and texture. As an Irish Halloween custom, barmbrack is backed with small tokens embedded inside, and each charm found foretells the future for the finder. The name barmback come from the Gaelic báirín, meaning "loaf," and breac, which means "speckled" referring to the raisins in the bread.
Barmbrack
Generally served toasted with butter as part of afternoon tea, this leavened, flattened round bread is not quite as sweet as cake, but has added sultanas (a pale green grape) and raisins to add flavor and texture. As an Irish Halloween custom, barmbrack is backed with small tokens embedded inside, and each charm found foretells the future for the finder. The name barmback come from the Gaelic báirín, meaning "loaf," and breac, which means "speckled" referring to the raisins in the bread.
Monday, June 4, 2012
Irish Thought for June 4...
Irish Folklore
Selkies
These gentle fairy creatures can remove their sealskins, thereby taking on mortal forms of stunningly beautiful men or women with dark eyes and har, until they put their skins back on, transforming back into seals as they return to the sea. Like merrows, selkies sometimes have webbed fingers or toes. They are compelled to obey anyone who captures their shed sealskins, and because of their beauty, many people have become romantically entangled with selkies. Unfortunately, these romantic stories usually end in tragedy, as a selkie can only dally with a human for a short time before the sea starts beckoning the selkie to come back. While in their mortal forms, selkies frequent sea cliffs and sing melancholy songs. The movie The Secret of Roan Inish is a tale of a selkie.
Selkies
These gentle fairy creatures can remove their sealskins, thereby taking on mortal forms of stunningly beautiful men or women with dark eyes and har, until they put their skins back on, transforming back into seals as they return to the sea. Like merrows, selkies sometimes have webbed fingers or toes. They are compelled to obey anyone who captures their shed sealskins, and because of their beauty, many people have become romantically entangled with selkies. Unfortunately, these romantic stories usually end in tragedy, as a selkie can only dally with a human for a short time before the sea starts beckoning the selkie to come back. While in their mortal forms, selkies frequent sea cliffs and sing melancholy songs. The movie The Secret of Roan Inish is a tale of a selkie.
Sunday, June 3, 2012
Irish Thought for June 3...
Timeline of Ireland
795
The Vikings invade Ireland, raiding Iona, Rathlin Island, Inishmurray, and Inishbofin.
795
The Vikings invade Ireland, raiding Iona, Rathlin Island, Inishmurray, and Inishbofin.
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| from irelandstory.com |
Saturday, June 2, 2012
Irish Thought for June 2..
Irish Culture
The Abbey Theatre
The Abbey Theatre, also known as the National Theatre of Ireland, is a theatre located in Dublin, Ireland. The theatre first opened its doors to the public on December 27, 1904. The theatre served as a beginning or growing point for many Irish playwrights including William Butler Yeats, Augusta, Lady Gregory, George Bernard Shaw, and Sean O'Casey. The theatre is currently closed due to the need to remove some absestos, however, the closure is only temporary and the theatre will continue to house Irish playwrights.
The Abbey Theatre
The Abbey Theatre, also known as the National Theatre of Ireland, is a theatre located in Dublin, Ireland. The theatre first opened its doors to the public on December 27, 1904. The theatre served as a beginning or growing point for many Irish playwrights including William Butler Yeats, Augusta, Lady Gregory, George Bernard Shaw, and Sean O'Casey. The theatre is currently closed due to the need to remove some absestos, however, the closure is only temporary and the theatre will continue to house Irish playwrights.
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| The Abbey Theatre of Dublin, Ireland |
Friday, June 1, 2012
Irish Thought for June 1...
Quotations
St. Patrick's Day is an enchanted time--a day to begin transforming winter's dreams into summer's magic.
-Adrienne Cook
St. Patrick's Day is an enchanted time--a day to begin transforming winter's dreams into summer's magic.
-Adrienne Cook
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