Irish Thought for February 28...

Irish Lore

Flower of Life

Sometime deep in the days of antiquity, a curious map or diagram of circles was contrived.  Although simple in appearance, to those with eyes to see it, the map revealed complex geometries by which energy and matter interact to create the world, and it showed how all things spring from once source.

It has potency and power, and it spread to divers peoples.  Today, we are told is has been found in places as widespread as Israel, China and India - and even Mount Sinai.

Today, it is called the Flower of Life.

The strength of the Celtic way has always allowed it to absorb into itself many different gifts with betraying its own essential nature.

Irish Thought for February 27...

Irish-American Celebrities

Olivia Wilde

Olivia Wilde is an Irish-American fashion model and actress, appearing first in television roles in The O.C. and House, and moving on to films in Tron: Legacy and Cowboys & Aliens.  She attended The Gaiety School of Acting in Dublin, Ireland.

Irish Thought for February 26...

Irish Etymology

Galore:  from the Irish go leor, which means "enough" or "plenty".

Irish Thought for February 25...

Irish-American Heroes

The most decorated soldier in World War II was Irish-American Audie Murphy.  He received 28 citations for bravery, including the Medal of Honor.

Irish Thought for February 24...

Irish-Americans by the Numbers

In 2009, 24 percent of Massachusetts residents reported Irish ancestry, compared to 12 percent throughout the entire United States.

Irish Thought for February 23..

Irish Proverbs

Never bolt the door with a boiled carrot.

That is an odd proverb.  Reminds me of something that would end up in a Lego game.  I just played Lego Lord of the Rings and I believe I got a few carrot weapons like a bow that shoots carrot arrows.  Lego world is a fun world.

Irish Thought for February 22...

Quotations

The Irish seem to have more fire about them than the Scots.
  -Sean Connery

Irish Thought for February 21...

Irish Toasts

Here is to never making hay on a windy day.

Irish Thought for February 20...

Limericks

There was a young man who said, "There,
I will sneak out during this prayer!"
But the squeak of his shoes
So enlivened the pews,
That he sat down again in despair.

Irish Thought for February 19...

Irish-American Movies

The Luck of the Irish

Tyrone Power stars as an American reporter who meets a beautiful woman (Anne Baxter) and a leprechaun while traveling in Ireland.  The leprechaun follows the reporter back to New York City and acts as his conscience and guide.  Directed by Henry Koster.

Irish Thought for February 18...

Irish-American Celebrities

Stephen Colbert

An American political satirist, writer, comedian and television host, Stephen Colbert is the host of Comedy Central's The Colbert Report, a satirical news show in which Colbert portrays a caricatured version of conservative political pundits.  Colbert was the youngest of 11 children in an Irish-Catholic family.

Irish Thought for February 17...

Irish Folklore

The Will-O'-the-Wisps

Mysterious, eerie lights that flicker at night in marshes, bogs, and mountain forests are known as Will-O'-the-Wisps.  There is much debate over whether these fairy lights are beneficial or malevolent.  Some say that the Will-O'-the-Wisps are associated with spirits of the dead who could not enter heaven or the devil's realm, and who now lead travelers from the well-trodden paths into treacherous marshes.  Other accounts consider the Will-O'-the-Wisps to be peaceful and helpful, recounting tales of the lights appearing in the misty mountains to help locate someone lost.  Other stories suggest that seeing Will-O'-the-Wisps may foretell danger coming for a relative.

Irish Thought for February 16...

Irish Blessings

May the frost never afflict your spuds.

Irish Thought for February 15...

Irish Food

Soda Bread

This simple, quick-to-make bread uses soda as a leavener instead of yeast, and is a classic Irish staple.  The basic recipe includes flour, baking soda, salt, egg, and buttermilk, sometimes with raisins, caraway seeds, or various nuts, and the dough is only gently mixed and not kneaded.  Irish soda bread is rather dry, not particularly sweet, and light on salt because it is usually served with rich Irish butter or cheese.

Irish Thought for February 14...

Irish Movies

Veronica Guerin

Cate Blanchett stars as Veronica Guerin, a reporter  who in 1996 investigated Dublin's drug lords, leading to her assassination.  It is based on a true story.  The movie also stars Colin Farrell and Brenda Fricker, and was directed by Joel Schumacher.

Happy Valentine's Day!

Irish Thought for February 13...

Irish Musicians

Róisín Murphy

Known for her electronic dance music and powerful, soulful voice, the Irish singer-songwriter Róisín Murphy was born on July 5, 1973.  First gaining fame as half of the electronic duo Moloko, Murphy has since gone solo and garnered international attention with her albums Ruby Blue and Overpowered.  She is also know as being an influence on Lady Gaga's outrageous style.

Irish Thought for February 12...

Irish Proverbs

There is no fireside like your own fireside.

Irish Thought for February 11..

Quotations

I suffer from Irish-Catholic guilt.  Guilt is a good reality check.  It keeps that "do what makes you happy" thing in check.
  -Edward Burns

Irish Thought for February 10...

Irish Trivia

Carrantouhill, in County Kerry, is Ireland's highest mountain.  It stretches 3,445 feet above sea level.

Irish Thought for February 9...

Irish Symbols

Shamrock

The most common symbol of Ireland around the world, immediately recognizable as a logo of the Irish culture.  The small three-leafed plant was used by Saint Patrick to illustrate the concept of the Father, Son, and the Holy Spirit in the Catholic Trinity, and he helped convert the Druids by showing them that the Trinity could easily be found in every green field in Ireland.

Irish Thought for February 8...

Irish-American Heroes

The first American civilian to lose her life in the U.S. space program was Irish-American schoolteacher Christa McAuliffe.  She was one of seven killed in the space shuttle Challenger disaster.  On January 28, 1986, the spacecraft disintegrated 73 seconds after launch.

Irish Thought for February 7...

Quotations

When Irish eyes are smiling, watch your step.
  -Gerald Kersh

Maybe you should get an Irish eye at Irish Fest!

Irish Thought for February 6...

Irish Toasts

Health for life to you,
a wife of your choice to you,
land without rent to you,
a child every year to you,
and the light of heaven after this world for you.

Irish Thought for February 5...

Irish Writers

Oscar Wilde

Born in Dublin, Oscar Wilde was known during his lifetime almost as well for his witty repartee, dandyish dress, and dramatic scandal as he was for writing.  His novel, The Picture of Dorian Gray, brought him fame, and is still widely read.  His comedic plays, including the masterwork The Importance of Being Earnest, brought him great success.  Unfortunately, at the pinnacle of his career, Wilde suffered at the hands of the law.  He was convicted to two years of hard labor.  He died penniless at the age of 46 in Paris.

Irish Thought for February 4...

Limericks

There was an Old Man on some rocks,
Who shut his wife up in a box;
When she said, "Let me out!"
He exclaimed, "Without doubt,
You will bass all your life in that box."

Irish Thought for February 3...

Irish-American Celebrities

Tyrone Power

An American film and stage actor who appeared in dozens of films from the 1930s to the 1950s, Tyrone Power often starred in swashbuckler roles or romantic leads such as in The Mask of Zorro, Blood and Sand, The Black Swan, Prince of Foxes, The Black Rose, and Captain from Castille.  Though renowned for his dark, classically handsome looks that made him a matinee idol from his first film appearance, Power played a wide range of roles, from film noir to light romantic comedy.  In the 1950s, he began placing limits on the number of movies he would make in order to have time for the stage.  He received his biggest accolades as a stage actor in John Brown's Body and Mister Roberts.  Power died of a heart attack at the age of 44.

Irish Thought for February 2...

Irish-American Heroes

Maureen Connolly

Nicknamed "Little Mo", Connolly was renown for winning every tennis match she played, including three U.S. Singles and three Wimbledon championships.  She was inducted into the Tennis Hall of Fame in 1951.

Irish Thought for February 1...

Quotations

I think being a woman is like being Irish.  Everyone says you're important and nice, but you take second place all the same.
  -Irish Murdoch