Tír
na mBláth
Irish Seisiún Newsletter
Thanks to our past editors - Mary Gallacher
and Bill Padden
Editor Tommy Mac 
............
....Today's date and new proverb
Attention all Tír na mBláth members
Greetings members ,
Just an update from your Tir na mBlath promotions officer.
This year in honor of the Comhaltas convention being held in Florida, we have created shirts for our members.
Some members have already ordered at the Sunday Seisiun. If you will respond to me by Wed 03/05 , I will aim to have them available Sunday March 16th, or at least before the Fleadh. You may pay then .
Cost : 10$ current members 8$ members attending convention
Shirts are 100% poly non shrinking with the Logo on the Front.
Avail sizes Xsmall- through 3Xlarge. They tend to run a little large, but everyone who has tried them on said they fit comfortable
Email to : CCEirishcultureorgFL@yahoo.com
NAME : _______________________________ Male size _____________Ladies size_________________
If you will respond to me by Wed 03/05 , I will aim to have them available at Finnegan's Sunday March 16th, or at least before the Fleadh. You may pay then .
Thank you,
Angela Quinn
. . 
.
.
Ann Dillon brought several friends to an impromptu session last week.
One of her guests, Paul Groff, provided this clip with the following comment.....
Thanks Tommy!
Here's something you might enjoy as a rhythm player. Some reels at a moderate pace with my piano student, Shauna O'Hara from Miami Shores - she just turned 14 and has only been learning to back the tunes since October 2023.
I think she's got a great rhythm! She's also a champion step dancer and her parents run a dance academy so she can feel it in her feet
All the best Paul
Thank you Paul and we hope to see you and the entire O'Hara family at a future session at Finnegan's.....Tommy Mac
Sunday's Seisiún
for March 2, 2025
‘Tá
dúil ár n-anama sa cheol againn.’
Music is our soul’s desire.
.......Thanks again to
Bob Murphy, Pat Quinn, Randy Powell, Art Jacoby, and Kevin Westley
for supplying photos and info about our sessiuns.
Tom,
We had a great, rousing but short session today, some had to leave early, some had to attend the monthly Tir na mBlath meeting, so we fit in as many tunes and songs as we could in the short time.
Again, lots of talk of the upcoming Fleadh at the pub and the North American CCE gathering in Orlando at the end of the month, check it out!
Many good songs today by Randy, Kevin and Howie, thanks!
On fiddle were Bob, Anita and Ian, Randy on Bouzouki, Rosemarie, George, Polin, Rita, Bernie and Jeanie on Flutes and whistles, Tom and Jack on Bodhran, Noreen, Pat and Grace on Accordion.
Some of the tunes were: Tar Road to Sligo, Cliffs of Mohar, Brendan Tonra jig / New York jig, Geese in the Bog / Cammaronion, Donegal Reel, Miss Monaughan's / Wandering Minstrel, Humours of Ennistyman / Dusty Windowsills, Rakes of Kildare, Humours of Kiltyclogher / Killavils Fancy / Devaney's Goat, Galway Rambler, London Lasses / Fairies Hornpipe, Honeysuckle, Liverpool Hornpipe / Eight Dollar T Shirt / Cup of Tea, Earl's Chair / Haunted House, My Darling Asleep, Old Favorite / Lakes of Sligo, Gurteen Cross, Port Lairge Polka / Greenfields of Woodford, Hole in the Hedge / Merry Blacksmith, Maid behind the Bar, Sligo Maid / Bill Malley, Lucy Farr's Barndance, New Broom / Flat Water Fran / Down the Broom, Gatehouse Maid / Bag of Spuds among others..
Bob Murphy
Listen to Howie sing Finnegan's Wake
Bob's photos
.
Kevin's photos
.
Support Irish Culture
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COMHALTAS CULTURAL EXPERIENCE | NORTH AMERICA 2025
Registration for the CCE North America Convention
in Orlando, Florida, is now open!
Go to
and click on the "Register" button to start the process.
You can also reserve your hotel room at the host hotel
using the link provided on the web page.
The convention will be April 3 to 6, 2025,
in Orlando, Florida!Click here for details
...........
.
Click any of the above logos to go to that site
.
"That’s
How I Spell Ireland"
Saturdays at 7 to 8 PM EST.
You can listen on 88.7FM or WRHU.org.
For a request please text me on 917 699-4768.Kevin and Joan Westley
Note: Show will be preempted whenever the NY Islanders have a Saturday game
Finnegan's March Events
.
,
Check out their calander
They support us - Let's support them
E-Mails Received
The West Boynton Beach Library (9451 S Jog Rd.) presents An Old Fashion Irish Sing Along featuring popular Irish songs, such as Spancilhill, Four Green Fields, Haul Away Joe (a Sea Shanty), A Mother's Love Is A Blessing, Galway Bay, The Auld Triangle, I'll Tell Me Ma and more. It is a multi-media showcase by Kevin Westley. He will sing, play songs and videos by Irish entertainers of the most famous Irish songs. This includes entertainers such as Marie McVicker, Tommy Makem, Richie O’Shea, Carmel Quinn, Dubliners, Count John McCormack and many more. Words will be provided so you can sing along. It will be an In-person presentation on Tuesday, March 4 at 2PM. There is no charge. Kevin
Fireny@aol.com
Old Ireland
Photograph taken in County Antrim.
early 1900s.
Look at that beautiful hair. I'll guess it was red!!!!!
Ireland Travel
Note: Whenever clicking on a link you will be brought to another web-site. To return here you must click on the BACK arrow.
ON YOUR HIKE!
KILLINEY HILL PARK
Killiney Hill Park is a lovely park that overlooks Dalkey Island and Dublin Bay and is located about an hour from Dublin city center when using public transport. It is a great park for kids of all ages with a fine playground, a tea-room cafe, and some cracking views.
Killiney Hill Park
Travelling to the park from the city center involves getting the DART (or bus) to Dun Laoghaire and getting a local bus to Victoria Road in Killiney, leaving a 10 minute or so walk to the park entrance. Alternatively you can stay on the DART and go through Dun Laoghaire for a couple of more stops to arrive at Dalkey, where the walk to the park car park is about 25 minutes or so.
Dublin-Dun-Laoghaire-Dalkey-map
Both of these coastal towns (Dun Laoghaire and Dalkey), are well worth a visit in their own right, and with a little planning the Pier and seafront in Dun Laoghaire could be walked in the morning, with a visit to Killiney Hill Park in the afternoon making up a neat day-trip. Alternatively Dalkey is home to Dalkey Castle which is also well worth a visit.
It is even possible to walk along the coastline from Dun Laoghaire to reach Dalkey.
So, to get there:
Dublin City Center --> DART (heading South) --> Dun Laoghaire --> Bus #59 --> Exit at Stop 3099 --> Short walk to the park or
Dublin City Center --> DART (heading South) --> Dalkey --> 25 minute or so to the park.
I would recommend the second option since it only involves one interface with public transport.
Arriving at the park leaves the visitor with a number of trails. Perhaps the most popular is that which leads to the famous Obelisk at the very top of the hill (the purple trail on the photo), and which is visible for miles around. Reaching the top is a good place to admire the views (especially when the sun honors the local citizenry with its presence). Indeed this is also a decent place to admire the Aircraft and Jets racing by Bray during the annual air-show.
A small cafe is very popular with visitors and is located half way down the hill from the Obelisk viewing point. There is a pretty good kids playground with Zip-line at the very bottom near the large car-park.
Killiney-Hill-Park-Entrances
On the northern side of the park lies Dalkey Quarry that can also be explored via a well-marked trail. Those seeking some adventure can arrange in advance to scale the sheer rock faces (there are several local climbing clubs who can assist).
The exact trail chosen depends on which entrance you arrive into. If arriving from Dalkey then you can head straight into the main car-park adjacent to the playground. You can then take the Quarry walk to the left which loops back to the car park before taking the main park loop around to the left and then right up towards the Obelisk. Staying on that main trail will lead back down to the Cafe, and from there back to the car park.
Alternatively if approaching from the far side of the park there is an entrance quite near to the Cafe (the purple trail on the photo) and in this case you can proceed to the right, up the hill to the Obelisk before descending on the far side and then completing (or not) the Quarry loop (the orange trail on the photo).
The park is very popular with locals and is always busy (but never too busy). A great day out and quite kid friendly.
Travel Quiz
Can you identify this site and it's location in Ireland?
Answer in next week's Newsletter
Last weeks Travel Quiz answer
Clonmacnoise
county Offaly
Irish Language
Léann m'athair nuachtán gach maidin
(Lain mah-her new-tawn gawh maw-din)
My father reads a newspaper every morning.
"Céad míle fáilte"
Which translates to "A hundred thousand welcomes."
Click here to listen to how a native Irish speaker would say it.
Free Irish Classes
The classes are over zoom and are held at 12:00 eastern time the 1 st Sunday of every month.
It is basic conversational Irish and open to learners of all ages, especially beginners.
All are invited either to participate privately or to meet at Tim Finnegans at 12:00 prior to the regular Sunday session.
Hope to see you there!
slan go foill. Le dea ghui,
Anita
click here to register
..
This St. Patrick's potatoes recipe
is the ultimate comfort food for March
This indulgent St. Patrick's potatoes recipe comes directly from Ireland's food board, Bord Bia, and is an Irish twist on potatoes gratin.
IrishCentral Staff @IrishCentral Feb 29, 2024
This St Patrick's Potatoes recipe are delicious any time of year Bord Bia
This delicious and creamy St. Patrick's potatoes recipe from Bord Bia is the ultimate comfort food and one for the repertoire as the big day approaches! This dish is very rich so our top tip is to remember that a little goes a long way.
Plus the trick is to cook the potatoes very slowly so that the cream doesn't curdle.
St Patrick's potatoes recipe Serves: 6-8 people Time: 1.5 hours
Ingredients
1kg medium-sized potatoes
1 large garlic clove, finely chopped
100g well-flavored farmhouse cheese
Salt and freshly ground black pepper
300ml milk
300ml double cream
Method
Preheat the oven to gas mark 1, 140ºC (275ºF).
Peel the potatoes and cut them into thin slices. Overlap one-third of the slices over the base of a buttered 2.¼ liter shallow ovenproof dish and sprinkle with half the chopped garlic, one-third of the grated cheese and some salt and pepper.
Repeat the layers once more, then finish with a final layer of neatly overlapped potatoes.
Warm the milk and cream together in a pan with a little more seasoning to taste. Pour over the potatoes and sprinkle with the remaining cheese.
Bake for approximately 1½ hours until the potatoes are tender when pierced with the tip of a knife.
Cover very loosely with a sheet of foil part-way through cooking after the top has become nicely golden.
Bord Bia's Quality Kitchen
Bord Bia's Quality Kitchen has a large collection of recipes, a combination of both traditional and modern recipes, from party snacks and starters to main courses and desserts for every occasion. The emphasis is on lean meat and poultry, fresh fish and eggs, combined with high-fiber fruit and vegetables, lots of fresh herbs for added flavor, and much less dependence on high-fat sauces or too much salt. So whether the time factor, the budget, healthy eating, or just delicious meals are your concern, there are lots for you to enjoy. For more recipes visit Bord Bia.
* Originally published in 2021, updated in Feb 2024.
Enjoy
If you have a cherished family Irish recipie share it with us.
And if there's a story that goes with it.....even
better! mail click here
Fireny@aol.com
filíocht pronounced FILL-ee-uhkht meaning Poetry
The Days of the Brindled Cow
A poem concerning Irish Folklore, Cows, and March.
Charlie Bott Charlie Bott
Photo courtesy of Mathias Reding on Unsplash https://unsplash.com/photos/0wbl-5VZNkg
Through marrow-boned clenches,
a cow collects the morning dew.
A softly sweet treat upon the smog-laden grass,
droplet sustenance to quench a fevered thirst.
‘You won’t catch me, March,
it never rains on the righteous,
and I’ve served my masters well.’
All of us on the sombre stream know
not to count blessings under
a Nimbus-cloud.
March was known to be an
impetuous tempest stirrer,
swilling with spite,
spitting in the eye of pride.
For thunder did fall
to foil those bovine droves.
‘I shall pull through
and sup your losses on April’s first.’
Taunting makes the
heart grow fouler,
with wicked back-alley deals,
a day was taken.
April’s 31st — traded
by a sly acquiescence.
On that final day,
March swung with
the fury of Freyr,
splintering maelstroms
upon drenched pastures
until the herd was lost.
So here it be known,
no dangerous taunting
of elements beyond our realm,
and heed the warnings
of the Brindled Cow.
C.B
"seanchaí"
(pronounced "shan-a-key")
comes from the Irish words "sean" meaning old and "caí" meaning to tell.
Stories and Tales
Tulua Performs a Set of Reels|
McNeela Pub Corner Sessions
The tunes you'll hear in this set:
The Raheen
The Woman of the House
Trip to Cullenstown
All good ones that I think you'll enjoy as much as I do!
While you're over there, give TULUA's channel and our McNeela Music channel a follow
so you can keep up with more great traditional Irish music!
If you visit the store please let Paraic know you heard about it
from Tommy Mac and the Tír na mBláth. Tim Finnegan's Pub, Irish Seisiún Newsletter
This Week’s Irish Quiz –
A Longer One! Test your knowledge of all things Irish!
1- What Irish festival is celebrated on February 1st, marking the start of spring?
2- What is the Irish name for Ireland?
3- In what county would you find the Cliffs of Moher?
4- What famous Irish saint is associated with March 17th?
5- What’s the capital of Northern Ireland?
6- What river flows through Dublin?
7- Name the Irish-American actor who starred in The Quiet Man.
8- What is the most common surname in Ireland?
9= What year did Ireland officially gain independence from Britain?
10- What’s the Irish word for “whiskey,” and what does it mean in English?
(Answers at the bottom – but no cheating! ??)
CLÍODHNA OF THE BANSHEES
Clíodhna - pronounced: 'kleen-ah' Tuatha Dé Danannan - pronounced: 'two-hah day dan-onn'
Clíodhna was the mythical Queen of the Banshees, the female spirits of the Tuatha Dé Danannan, and forever will be associated with the southern part of Ireland and Cork in particular.
Cliodhna
She was a Goddess of love and beauty and is surrounded by three birds whose fabulous songs could cure all ills. Those who heard the songs were lulled into a deep sleep and when they awoke found that their sickness had been cured. She was a fabulous beauty, perhaps the most beautiful woman in the world.
Other tales of Clíodhna are not quite so benign. She is said to have lured sailors to the sea-shore where they would drown, unconcerned as she was with the fate of mere mortals.
But it was one such mortal who was to cause her downfall. She left the 'land of promise' in the Otherworld, known as 'Tir Tairngire', to be with her mortal lover Ciabhán (Keevan of the Curling Locks). It was an amazing sacrifice for a Goddess from the Otherworld to remain in the mortal realm but that is what she chose.
When one day Ciabhán went off to hunt, Cliodhna remained at the seashore but was swept away by a wave incanted by Manannán MacLir, the sea Deity.
Ever since that time the tide in Glandore in Cork is known as 'Tonn Chlíodhna' meaning 'Clíodhna's Wave', especially when a fiercely loud braking wave thunders out from the sea.
And since that time Irish legend has it that every ninth wave in a sequence is the strongest, and is known as 'Clíodhna's wave'.
Clíodhna was revered by many of the strongest Gaelic families of old. In the 'Annals of the Kingdom of Ireland', Donal III O'Donovan, one of the great ancestors of the O'Donovan families, is referred to as the 'Dragon of Clíodhna':
Domhnall's son, dragon of Cliodhna, is guardian of the ancestral name, he will remit his authority to none other - he has accepted the law of his dynasty. O'Donovan, Four Masters, vol. V, p. 1548
She is also associated with the McCarthys of Desmond, who adopted Clíodhna as their fairy woman. One member of the O'Leary sept was named Conor Clíodhna, again showing how well known and respected Clíodhna was among these ancient southern families.
Perhaps one of the most enduring stories of Clíodhna relates to the famous Blarney Stone.
While building his castle in Cork, Cormac McCarthy became involved in legal difficulties and appealed to Clíodhna for her help. In a dream she instructed him to kiss the first stone he found the following morning, and if he did so his problems would be resolved.
McCarthy did as instructed and when he argued his cause in the courts found that he was possessed of such eloquence and convincing language that he easily won his case. He honored Clíodhna by having the stone he had kissed set into a wall, where today it is visited and kissed by countless thousands of visitors from all parts of this world.
The legend of Blarney was enhanced even more when Queen Elizabeth I found that she could not successfully persuade Cormac McCarthy to surrender his castle to her. Such was his delaying tactics and now superior negotiating skills and turn of phrase that the frustrated Monarch of England described his communications as 'Blarney, as what he says he does not mean'.
And so it is that Clíodhna is well remembered in Ireland. Her Palace was near Mallow in Cork at a place that is still called 'Carrig-Cleena', meaning 'Cliodhna's rock'.
And every time a massive thunderous wave breaks on the seashore her memory rises from the history of Ireland, echoing from the mythic era that, although now at an end, is never forgotten.
Read more amazing Stories of Irish Legends and Mythology.
WOOLWORTH'S
by Pat Watson
Smart, well-travelled people, who had been to Dublin, knew all about Woolworth's nick-knack shop.
They sold everything under the sun, from a needle to an anchor. Anybody who had never been there was backward. Then, wonderful news arrived. They were going to open a shop in our town.
Woolworth's in Ireland
Even the war, the rationing and the coupons could not dampen our enthusiasm at the great news. They had acquired the building, work on its renovation was proceeding, and it would be open for Christmas. Santa Claus would be there, we had heard, but we did not really believe that he visited the Dublin shop every year. Now we could see for ourselves. Just because you were only seven didn't mean you were stupid.
When the sign over the new shop went up everybody said that the spelling was wrong, 'Wellworths'.
They supposed it would be noticed and put right by next week but it wasn't. Instead we heard that it was not the real Woolworth's at all but a copycat company. However they would have many of the same things, nearly as good.
The question was would they have packs of small playing cards selling for sixpence. A full size pack cost a half a crown.
Old Playing Cards'
Haven't ye your father's playing cards, aren't they good enough.' That's what Mammy said.
Daddy's playing cards were several years old and there were only thirty-seven left out of the original pack and even those were in poor condition. They were dog-eared and marked so that many of them were recognisable from the back. This led to cheating by the older members of the family.
I had learned to count on the cards long before I went to school. There were forty-five in the pack then. I heard there were several games you could play if you had all fifty-two cards but we had only two games, strip-jack (beg of my neighbour) and casino.
Only two could play strip-jack so casino was usually played. In this game every player got four cards and there were four cards placed face up on the table. If the first player had a card in his hand matching one on the table, he could put both in his bank.
Sometimes he could pick two or three cards off the table if their number added up to a card in his hand, for instance a two a three and a four could be picked up by saying two plus three plus four equals my nine. He could then put all four cards in his bank. If he had no match he just had to leave down a card. Deals continued until all the cards were gone and whoever had the biggest bank won.
When my aunt gave me sixpence in town, during the Christmas week that Wellworth's opened I decided to look for the little playing cards.
That was the first day Santa was there and the crowds were huge. Behind the two girls at the door there was a long queue of children and parents and at the end of the line was a fake Santa. I might have been only seven years old but everybody knew Jim Farrelly. One of the door girls grabbed me.
'Give me your shilling and then you can join the queue for Santa.'
I glared at her. 'I don't want to go to Santa I just want a pack of playing cards for my six pence.'
'You cannot go to Santa unless you have a shilling.'
'I don't want to go to Santa' and I ducked under her arm and ran down the shop with her after me.
The manageress appeared, 'What's all the fuss?'
'He won't line up for Santa.'
'I want a pack of playing cards and I only have sixpence.'
She took the sixpence and gave me the most beautiful little box with a king of diamonds on the outside.Now it was the door girl's turn to glare.
Now! We'd see who would cheat, who would claim that three and four was eight, who would read the backs of the cards. The owner of the cards would call the tune. Anybody caught cheating would be put out of the game.
It was great to be a man in charge of his own cards.
Pat Watson 'Shy Man' is one of sixty lyrical yarns from 'Original Irish Stories' by Pat Watson, Creagh, Bealnamulla, Athlone, Ireland. First published in May 2006.
Visit: Barnes & Noble or you can email the author here: pjwatson77@gmail.com
CHARLES STEWART PARNELL -
THE UNCROWNED KING OF IRELAND
The Great Famine of 1845 to 1849 left over 1 million dead with a further 1 million emigrating over the following 10 years. One of the effects of the disaster was to demonstrate to ordinary Irish people that the English Government had failed them in their time of need and that they must seize control of their own destiny.
Charles Stewart Parnell
Out of the Famine grew several revolutionary movements which eventually culminated in the 1916 Easter Rising. Yet in the second half of the nineteenth century the main concern of the Irish people was their land and the fact that they had no control whatsoever over it ownership.
Charles Stewart Parnell was the son of a Protestant landowner who organized the rural masses into agitation against the ruling Landlord class to seek the 3 Fs: Fixity of Tenure, Freedom to Sell and Fair Rent.
Violence flared in the countryside but Parnell preferred to use parliamentary means to achieve his objectives and the result was a series of Land Acts which greatly improved the conditions under which the Irish agricultural class toiled.
Parnell's main ambition was Home Rule for Ireland (local Government) and he led the Irish Party, deposing Isaac Butt in the process to achieve this aim. He and colleagues such as Joseph Biggar made a science out of 'fillibustering' and delayed the English parliament by introducing amendments to every clause of every Bill and then discussing each aspect at length. His popularity in Ireland soared to great heights.
Trouble loomed for Parnell however, in his private life. He had secretly courted a married woman, Kathleen O'Shea, the husband of whom filed for divorce, naming Parnell as the co-respondent. He tried to ignore the scandal and continued his public life. Public pressure in Ireland and from Gladstone in England eventually brought his downfall and he died shortly afterwards, in 1891.
The Home Rule Bill that he had forced Gladstone into introducing was passed in the House of Commons, but defeated in the House of Lords. In the years that followed the fight for Home Rule continued in Ireland but was overtaken by the outbreak of World War One and the 1916 Easter Rising that changed Irish history forever.
In his last speech in Kilkenny in 1891 Parnell said: 'I don’t pretend that I had not moments of trial and of temptation, but I do claim that never in thought, word, or deed, have I been false to the trust which Irishmen have confided in me.'
But perhaps he will be most remembered for the quotation that can be found on his statue at the junction of O'Connell Street and Parnell Street in Dublin City Centre: 'No man shall have the right to fix the boundary to the march of a Nation'.
5-Tune Friday
Hi Thomas,
Paraic here with this week’s Five Tune Friday! This week’s selection is full of energy, mischief, and plenty of charm: a mix of reels, jigs, a slide, and a playful slip jig to keep things interesting. There’s something here for every instrument and every mood, whether you’re looking for something light and bouncy or bold and inspiring.
Let’s get into it! divider
"Wing Commander McKenzie’s" - Reel
A nice upbeat reel to start off the weekend selection, "Wing Commander McKenzie’s" has all the lift and drive you’d expect from a great session tune. This version, played by the brilliant band Goitse, appears as the first reel in one of their fantastic sets. The melody is led on the accordion by Tadhg Meachair, with Neil Fitzgibbon on guitar, Áine McGeaney on fiddle, James Harvey on banjo, and Colm Phelan on bodhrán. As a percussion instrument, it's not often the bodhrán gets a chance to shine front and centre. It’s nice to see it at the forefront of this tune with Colm's excellent playing!
"The Old Flail" - Jig
"The Old Flail" is a wonderful jig with plenty of range, taking you across the higher and lower registers of your instrument. A fun one to get under your fingers! We were lucky enough to have Robert Harvey join us in the McNeela Studio to play this one on the flute. His rendition captures the natural movement and swing of the tune beautifully. Be sure to like and subscribe to our YouTube channel for more great Irish music content, performances, and instrument demos!
"An Phis Fhliuch" - Slip Jig
A tune as intriguing as its title ("An Phis Fhliuch" literally translates to "The Wet Fish"), and its mysterious, mischievous energy makes it a truly unique slip jig. This week’s version is performed by Zoe Conway, Méabh O'Hare, and John McIntyre, whose playing brings out all the charm and movement in the melody. In this set, it’s followed by another slip jig, "An Tiocfaidh Tú Abhaile Liom", making for a gorgeous pairing of tunes.
"The Lispole Slide" - Slide Also known as "Sleamhnán Lios Póil" (literally "The Lispole Slide" in Irish), this tune is full of character and playfulness. This week’s version is performed by The Whistler, who brings out the mischievous bounce that makes slides so much fun to play.
"The Teetotaller’s" - Reel Also known as "The Temperance Reel", this cheeky reel is the perfect way to keep the spirits high heading into the weekend. This week’s version is played on 5-string banjo by James Henry, who adds plenty of triplets to spice up the rhythm. The banjo’s extra bluegrass twang gives this rendition a bit of a unique twist.
That’s all for this week, folks! I hope you enjoy this lively and playful mix of tunes—there’s plenty here to keep your fingers busy and your session sets fresh.
As always, feel free to reach out if you need anything!
Have a great weekend!
Slán go fóill,
Paraic
McNeela Instruments
I bought my Bodhran from Paraic and I am very satisified with the quality and the service.
If you visit the store please let Paraic know you heard about it
from Tommy Mac and the Tír na mBláth. Tim Finnegan's Pub, Irish Seisiún Newsletter
Céad Míle Fáilte -
and welcome to your Letter from Ireland for this week.
The morning frost is sparkling on the fields here in County Cork, but there's a taste of spring in the air as we come to the end of February's chill. How are things in your part of the world today? I'm enjoying a cup of Lyons' Tea as I write - I do hope you'll join me with a cup of whatever you fancy as we start into today's letter.
Earlier this week, we were driving towards the seaside town of Kinsale when we passed through a cross-roads known locally as "Begley's Forge". The old forge building still stands at the crossroads, though the rhythmic ping of hammer on anvil hasn't been heard there in over sixty years. It got me thinking about a message I received from Seán in Denver:
"Mike, my grandfather often spoke about growing up in County Clare in the 1920s. He mentioned how every village had its own craftspeople - the blacksmith, the cooper, the harness maker. His own father was a carpenter. I'd love to know more about these old trades and what happened to them. All the best, Seán."
What perfect timing, Sean! Do you know, your grandfather's memories open a window into an Ireland that's largely disappeared - a time when every village and small town had its essential craftspeople, each playing a vital role in keeping rural life running smoothly.
The Heart of the Village: Essential Crafts and Trades
Let's start with the blacksmith - known as the 'gabha' in Irish (translates as "smith"). Every village had its own forge, and the blacksmith was often considered one of the most important craftsmen in the community. Beyond shoeing horses, he made and repaired everything from farm tools to household items. The forge itself was a gathering place, where farmers would catch up on local news while waiting for the work to be done.
Then we have the shoemaker - or 'gréasaí' - who was equally essential to village life. Most of their work was not actually making new boots and shoes, but repairing footwear until it was beyond saving. I remember my mother telling how the local shoemaker could tell which family a child belonged to just by looking at the similar wear patterns on their shoes! They worked with everything from the finest leather for Sunday shoes to the toughest hobnailed boots for farm work.
Just as crucial was the cooper - a maker of wooden barrels and buckets. Before the days of plastic and steel containers, everything from butter to beer was stored and transported in wooden vessels. A good cooper needed to know the properties of different woods and how they would behave in various conditions. Like other trades, the skills were passed down through generations, with apprentices learning the trade over many years.
The thatcher - 'tuíodóir' in Irish - was another skilled craftsperson found in most rural parishes. Their work wasn't just about keeping homes dry; but an art form that helped define the Irish rural landscape. Each region had its own thatching style, and today a good thatcher could tell you where a roof is from just by looking at the pattern of the straw or reed work. They knew exactly when to harvest the materials and how to prepare them - and that knowledge that took years to perfect.
Then there were the stonemasons - you might call them the craftsmen who quite literally built Ireland. From the humble farm walls to the grandest churches, their work still stands as a testament to their skill. Every mason had their own signature style of working with stone, and they could read a rock like others read a book, knowing instantly how it would fit into a wall or arch.
The carpenter - or 'siúinéir' - was perhaps the most versatile of all the craftspeople. From cradle to coffin, they created the pieces marking every stage of life. They made everything from furniture to farm gates, windows to weather vanes. Handily, a skilled carpenter was also often the local undertaker, bringing an extra dimension of respect to their role in the community.
The harness maker or saddler crafted and repaired the leather goods essential for working with horses. Every strap and buckle had to be perfect - a farmer's livelihood depended on reliable equipment. Many also branched into making other leather goods, from belts to bags.
And let's not forget the wheelwright, making and repairing cart wheels - a job that required incredible precision. A poorly made wheel could mean disaster for a farmer transporting his harvest to market.
What's fascinating is how these trades were interconnected. The blacksmith would make tools for the carpenter, who would make handles for the mason's tools. The harness maker might need the blacksmith's brass buckles, while the shoemaker might share leather with the saddler. It was a web of skills and relationships that kept the community functioning.
The Modern Transition and Preserving the Knowledge
By the 1960s, many of these trades began to fade. Tractors replaced horses, plastic containers replaced wooden barrels, and mass-produced shoes and goods started appearing in shops. The change wasn't sudden - it happened gradually, but most definitely.
Today, while many of these trades have declined, some have found new life. Stonemasons are in high demand for both boundary walls and conservation work on historic buildings. Thatchers, though few in number, command high prices for their increasingly rare skills. Some shoemakers have transformed into high-end craftspeople, creating bespoke footwear for those seeking something unique.
The good news is that there's a growing movement to preserve these traditional skills. The Heritage Council of Ireland has been recording and documenting these crafts, while several folk parks around Ireland, like Bunratty in Clare, Muckross in Kerry, the Ulster Scots centre in Omagh, the Museum of Country Life in Mayo and the Ulster Folk Museum in County Down, maintain working demonstrations of traditional crafts.
But perhaps what's most important to preserve are the stories - the knowledge passed down through generations about how things were made, fixed, and maintained. Each craft carried its own folklore, its own set of customs and superstitions. Did you know, for instance, that many blacksmiths would refuse payment for curing minor ailments in horses? They believed their healing touch was a gift that shouldn't be sold.
That's what I find most fascinating about these old trades - they weren't just jobs, they were part of the social fabric that held rural communities together. The craftsperson wasn't just someone who made or fixed things; they were keepers of knowledge, tradition, and community memory.
How about you? Do you remember any of these traditional craftspeople from your childhood or from family stories?
Do let me know - I'd love to hear your stories. Send them to Tommy Mac at Fireny@aol.com
Slán for this week, Mike.
Speaking about different trades.......
Tommy Mac here......
I always ask you to send in comments or life stories from Ireland that our readers might find interesting. Unfortunately, I very seldom get any replies.
Pat Lyons had I have known each other for some 20+ years and very often he, or his lovely wife Nancy, would pass along some story of growing up in Ireland.
Often Pat would relate stories of the many talents that his father had.
Now Pat's father was employed by the Irish railroad to act as a switchman at the local station. Whenever a train was due, he would walk to the station and then along the tracks to adjust the switch that would direct the train onto the proper track. That was one of his trades.
He also became so proficient at cutting his families hair that whenever a train would be stopping at his station he would also offer to cut the hair of the trainmen and any passenger needing a trim. So, he was also a barber.
In addition to this he also owned and ran a farm which he worked on when not needed at the train station. In addition to crops he also maintained the livestock consisting of cows and pigs, and I think he also had chickens.
Still another craft in which he was quite talented was being a shoemaker. Pat said that he would re-sole any of the family's shoes as good as any regular shoemaker could do.
Pat also said that he could fix anything. Being a farmer and a home owner this was not only a valuable talent but an economic necessity.
Well, Pat must have been watching very closely all throughout his childhood, because he has acquired all the many talents of his father. And then some!
Why the British were hated by the Irish
All about the Irish surname O'Hara
Members of the O'Hara clan include archbishops, writers, and movie stars.
Do you have O'Haras in your life? Here's their history.
Shauna O’Halloran @Irelandofthewel Sep 22, 2024
.The Irish star Maureen O'Hara in 1960. Getty
Members of the O'Hara clan include archbishops, writers, and movie stars. Do you have O'Haras in your life? Here's their history.
History of the Irish surname O'Hara
Variants: Ó hEaghra
Hailing from County Sligo, O’Hara’s are descendants of Eaghra, once Lord of Luighne (an ancient territory in the province of Connacht) and a member of the household of Ollum, King of Munster.
Eaghra died in 976, but O’Hara clan remained an important sept, and held their ranks as Lords of Luighne (today called Leyney) until the 17th century, and held lands in Sligo up until as recent as the 19th century.
By the 14th century, the clan had divided into two distinct septs, led by two chiefs known as O’Hara Buide (yellow, or fair, presumably referring to his hair) and O’Hara Reagh (rough-faced) and center of septs were held at the village of Ballyharry (from ‘Ballyhara’).
As landlords, O’Haras held over 20,000 acres (8,000 hectares) of land in Sligo, and at one time a branch migrated north to County Antrim, where there were numerous marriages between O’Haras and great families of the area.
Descendants could be found therein later years under the name O’Haran or Haren. Today, most O’Haras are still found in Sligo and Leitrim.
Famous O'Hara's through history
Of famous O’Haras throughout history, there have been a number of Bishops, including Bishop William O’Hara, first bishop of Scranton, Pennsylvania after whom there is a school named and John Francis O’Hara, Archbishop of Philadelphia who was named Cardinal by Pope John XXIII.
Bishop William O'Hara, 1893. (Public Domain / US Library of Congress)
James O’Hara, an entrepreneur from Co Mayo, went on to be a supporter of General Washington in the American War of Independence. The Irish man is credited with the development of business in Pittsburgh and the development of the West.
In more recent years, celebrated bearers of the name include John O’Hara, distinguished short story writer, and novelist whose works include Appointment in Samarra and Butterfield 8 (latter was made into an Oscar-winning movie, starring Elizabeth Taylor). O’Hara, who wrote regularly for New Yorker magazine, died in 1970.
John O'Hara in 1945 (Public Domain / US Library of Congress)
Screen icon Maureen O’Hara, star of The Hunchback of Notre Dame, Miracle on 34th Street and classic The Quiet Man, was born Maureen Fitzsimons in Dublin. After training at the famous Abbey Theater, she was scouted and taken to London for a screen test with actor Charles Laughton, which led on to fame and fortune.
At the height of her career, Maureen was described as one of the world’s most beautiful women, and enjoyed, in particular, sparkling on-screen chemistry with John Wayne in five feature films they made together between 1948 and 1972. The Maureen O’Hara Foundation Museum is in Glengarriff, Co Cork not far from where the actress lived in the latter part of her life.
Perhaps the most famous O’Hara of all, however, is the fictional character of Scarlett O’Hara, played by Vivien Leigh in the Hollywood epic, Gone with Wind, based on the book by Irish American Margaret Mitchell. Scarlett is the spoiled daughter of a rich plantation owner who finds herself battling dire poverty during the American Civil War. Scarlett O’Hara, played by Vivien Leigh in Hollywood epic, Gone with Wind.
Scarlett O’Hara, played by Vivien Leigh in Hollywood epic, Gone with Wind.
* Originally published in March 2018. Updated in 2024.
Quiz Answers!
1- Imbolc (or St. Brigid’s Day)
2- Éire
3- County Clare
4- St. Patrick
5- Belfast
6- The River Liffey
7- John Wayne
8- Murphy (of course!)
9- 1922
10- Uisce Beatha – "Water of Life"
This Week in the History of the Irish:
March 2 through March 8
Posted by The Wild Geese
MÁIRT
-- On March 4, 1804, in Australia, former United Irishmen stage a small insurrection
that ended with a short fight at Castle Hill. Starting in 1799 the British had
been shipping many of the leaders and participants of the Rising 1798 Rising
to “Van Diemen’s Land” (Australia). Once there they did not change their anti-government
mindsets. Some saw their fight against the same foe as merely transferred from
Ireland to Australia.
(Left: Convict uprising at Castle Hill 1804, unknown artist. National Library of Australia.)
As evening fell in the 4th, Phillip Cunningham, a veteran of the 1798 rebellion, led about 300 Irish convicts in a rising at Castle Hill. They lit a fire as a signal to a much larger group of convicts, over 1,000, in the Green’s Hill area to join them in the revolt. It was not seen, however, leaving the Castle Hill rebels on their own. They overpowered the constables guarding them, seizing a small number of firearms. The plan was to meet up with the Green’s Hill group at Constitution Hill and then march on Parramatta, where they hoped to raid an arsenal. They would then march on Sydney with enough numbers to overwhelm government forces there, hoping to seize a ship to sail home. They split into small groups hoping to raid local farms for arms before reforming on Constitution Hill, but many got lost and never got there.
As it was the militia were alerted before the rebels could reach Parramatta and stopped them there. Major George Johnston of the New South Wales Corps arrived on the scene, and along with a number of armed civilians, confronted the rebel force. When asked to surrender the rebels replied “death or liberty, and a ship to take us home.” The far better-armed government forces routed the rebels. Fifteen were killed there and fifteen more as the scattered remnants were pursued. Seven of the returned prisoners were given 200 to 500 lashes as punishment. Nine were executed, including Cunningham. Two, William Johnston and Samuel Humes, had their bodies cold-bloodedly left hanging over the road at Parramatta. The whip and gallows “justice” system of Ireland had been directly transferred to Australia.
CÉADAOIN
-- On March 5, 1921, during the Irish War of Independence, an ambush by the
Irish Volunteers at Clonbanin, Co. Cork killed British General Hanway Cumming
and twelve other British soldiers. Seán Moylan, commander of the North Cork
Flying Column, had information that General Peter Strickland, the British commander
in Munster province, was on an inspection tour in Kerry.
(Right: Three members of a Cork Flying column.)
Knowing Strickland would have a large number of soldiers guarding his column, Moylan called in the Volunteers from the Millstreet, Charleville, and Newmarket battalions and also from the Kerry No. 2 Brigade.
Moylan selected the spot where he expected Strickland’s column to pass through at Clonbanin, Co. Cork, five miles east of Rathmore on the road from Killarney to Buttevant in Co. Cork and set up the ambush on the morning of the 5th. They were well-armed in comparison to most Flying Column ambushes during the war, with a Hotchkiss gun that had been captured from the British at Mallow, along with mines and perhaps as many as 100 armed troops. They set up two mines, planning to blow up one at the front and back of the British convoy. The plan was for Moylan to blow up a mine as a signal to open fire. At 10 am they saw three British trucks approaching from the east, rather than the west. Clearly, this wasn’t Strickland’s convoy. Fortunately for the men in those trucks, but not for General Cumming and the other victims of the later attack, Moylan decided to let them pass hoping for the bigger prize. The Volunteers were so close they heard an accordion being played in one of the trucks.
A little after 2 pm a larger convoy approached from the west. There were two trucks, then a staff car, an armored car, and another truck. This appeared to be the Strickland convoy they were waiting for, but in fact was the convoy of General Cumming, who was in the staff car. Moylan triggered the mine as the first truck reached it, but failed to explode. But the Hotchkiss gun opened fire to signal the attack and the first truck the convoy went off the road into the roadside ditch. The armored car went off the road as well. As Cumming excited his car he was hit in the head and killed. The fighting went on for about two hours, but the Vickers gun in the armored car remained in action and kept the IRA at bay. With their ammo running low, and always aware that British reinforcements could arrive at any moment, the Volunteers withdrew. British casualties were said to be 13 dead and 15 wounded. Some estimates were lower, but the British had definitely lost a general and the Volunteers had suffered no casualties at all. It was one of the IRA's more lopsided victories of the war. Read more about the ambush HERE.
DEARDAOIN
-- On March 6, 1831, Philip Sheridan, one of the greatest Union generals in
the American Civil War, was born. We know he was the son of Irish immigrants,
but his place of birth is uncertain, with Albany, New York; somewhere in Ohio;
at sea; and County Cavan, Ireland, all rumored as his birthplace. Less uncertain
is his place among Union generals; he was one of the finest of the war. Sheridan
had an undistinguished pre-war Army career, which came on the heels of a stormy
career at West Point, from which he was nearly expelled for fighting with a
fellow cadet.
(Left: Library of Congress: Phil Sheridan and his staff in the field.)
After eight years in the Army, the diminutive Sheridan -- 5'5" -- was only a 2nd lieutenant when the Civil War began. He languished as a supply officer for the first year of the war. It seemed Phil Sheridan was destined for obscurity, but suddenly that destiny took a turn. On May 25, 1862, he was appointed colonel of the 2nd Michigan Cavalry. By September Sheridan was a brigadier general; in March '63 he made a major general. The brilliant assault of his command on Missionary Ridge brought him to the attention of U.S. Grant. In spring 1864, Grant brought Sheridan to Washington and put him in charge of all the cavalry of the Army of the Potomac. In the East he showed the same aggressiveness he had in the West, seeking confrontations with Stuart's cavalry. His troopers killed Confederate cavalry commander J.E.B. Stuart at Yellow Ford in May. Later that year Grant gave the 33-year-old Sheridan an independent command in the Shenandoah Valley. There Sheridan made his famous ride to the battlefield of Cedar Creek, saving his imperiled army. Returning to Grant's army, Sheridan was instrumental in the victory at Five Forks, which sealed the fate of Richmond, and later he cut off Lee's retreat at Appomattox. After the war, he rose to full general and commanded the entire army. Philip Sheridan died on August 5, 1888, in Nonquitt, Massachusetts, and was buried at Arlington National Cemetery. Read more about the life of Sheridan: Scrappy Phil Sheridan - The U.S. Army's Little Big Man
AOINE
-- On March 7, 1921, Limerick Mayor George Clancy was shot and killed in his
home. Clancy came from a family with a strong republican tradition. In college,
he joined the Gaelic League, forming a branch at University College Dublin and
recruiting other students to join. Among those others were Francis Sheehy-Skeffington,
Tomás MacCurtain, Terence MacSwiney, and James Joyce. It is said that Clancy
was the model for the character of Davin in Joyce's Portrait of the Artist as
a Young Man. After college, Clancy taught Irish at Clongowes Wood, a college
administered by the Jesuits, and was active in the Gaelic Athletic Association.
Clancy helped in Eamon de Valera's election campaign in East Clare. He nearly
died of swine flu during the 1918 epidemic but recovered and in January 1921
he was elected Mayor of Limerick. Though Clancy took no active part in the violence
of the War of Independence, on the morning of March 7, 1921, masked men burst
into his home and shot him dead. Suspicion immediately fell upon members of
the Black and Tans, but a British inquiry into the murder, like most such inquiries
through the years, absolved Crown forces of any blame.
AOINE
-- On March 8, 1700, or perhaps a year or two earlier, Anne Bonny (née Cormac),
destined to become arguably the most famous woman pirate in history, was born
in County Cork, Ireland. Anne was rumored to be the product of a liaison between
her mother, Mary Brennan, and lawyer William Cormac, by whom Mary was employed
as a housemaid. It was also rumored (nearly everything known about Anne's life
is a rumor) that Cormac's wife learned of the affair and drove Mary from the
house. Mary and Anne then traveled to the new world, settling in Charleston,
South Carolina. The teenage Anne ran off with a soon-to-be pirate by the name
of James Bonny. She and James traveled to the pirate haven of New Providence
Island in the Bahamas. There Anne had soon dumped her husband, perhaps because
he became an informer, and took up with pirate captain "Calico" Jack Rackam.
She may have become his lover and had a child with Jack and left it to be raised
by others in Cuba. Anne later became very "friendly" with another member of
the crew, whom she may have mistaken for a man, but whom she soon discovered
was actually Mary Read. It seems quite likely that the two of them became lovers.
Though there are few things in Anne's life that are certain, one that seems
to be, is that she was a fierce fighter. Perhaps this was a result of her feeling
the need to prove herself to the male crew. She and Mary were known to be "fierce
hell cats" in battle. Their battling days came to an end on November 16, 1720,
when their ship was captured by Captain Jonathan Barnett of the Royal Navy,
a former pirate himself. The entire crew was hanged, save Mary and Anne. They
were saved when they "pled their bellies," i.e. claimed to be pregnant, which
was confirmed by the court's doctor. That both were pregnant seems unlikely,
and thus another rumor inserts a friendly doctor here. Anne disappears from
history at that point. The various tales have her being hanged a year later,
returning home to South Carolina, returning to her husband, settling down on
some Caribbean island, owning a pub in the south of England, or living out her
days with Mary somewhere in Louisiana. Whichever of the rumors of her life are
true, there is no question that she lived a more adventurous life than most
women of her time.
SATHAIRN -- On March 8, 1903, Charles Gavan Duffy, Young Irelander leader, was buried in Glasnevin Cemetery, Dublin. Along with Thomas Davis and John Blake Dillon, he founded The Nation in 1842, the journal that was the soul of the Young Ireland movement. In 1855, despairing of Irish politics, he voluntarily emigrated to Australia. There he entered politics and rose to be Prime Minister of the colony of Victoria and was knighted by the Queen. He retired to France in 1880, spending his time writing until his death in Nice on February 9, 1903. His body was returned to Ireland and interred at Glasnevin.
VOICES
"You will find him big enough for the purpose before we get through with him." -- Ulysses Grant to a staff officer who thought Phil Sheridan was too small to lead the cavalry of the Army of the Potomac.
"Did Sheridan say that? He usually knows what he is talking about. Let him go ahead and do it." -- Ulysses Grant to Gen. George Meade, after Meade said Sheridan had insisted his troopers could beat Jeb Stuart if given a chance.
"I am sorry to see you here Jack, but if you had fought like a man, you need not be hanged like a dog." -- Anne Bonny to the imprisoned captain of her ship, and father of her child, "Calico Jack" Rackham.
News of Interest
IRISH PROPERTY PRICES STILL OUT OF CONTROL
The Irish property boom that went bust in 2008 and which resulted in French and German bondholders (gamblers) being bailed out to the tune of 64 Billion Euro is still one of the darkest moments in the relatively young history of Ireland.
Queueing to buy a house in Ireland
So it may come as a surprise to learn that the current inexorable rise in property prices in Ireland has long since surpassed the peak of the madness that occurred in 2007. At that time property prices reached their height before falling back slightly, and then entirely in the wake of the collapse of the main Irish banks.
Fast forward to 2025 and the most recent report on this subject from the Central Satatistic Office (CSO,) has revealed that property prices in Ireland in 2024 are at 112.7% of the 2007 peak. That is to say that property prices in Ireland are so out of control that even the heights of the appalling madness of 2007 have been surpassed. Prices have risen by 8.7% in the last 12 months alone.
Of course the situation this time around is somewhat different in that the banks are not saddled by massive property related debts (at least they say that they aren't and they surely wouldn't lie). The main issue currently is the lack of supply of housing, coupled with strong inward migration both from International Applicants seeking refuge and from those fleeing the war in Ukraine (numbering 112,189 as at Feb 2nd 2025, per the CSO).
Have no doubt about it, the current lack of housing is a complete failure of government policies for over a decade now and will very likely cause untold economic, political and social damage to the citizenry of this country for decades to come.
Irish language ban in Northern Ireland's courts
to be repealed this week
Irish language advocates have welcomed the news that the penal law era ban is to be repealed.
Kerry O'Shea @kerry_oshea Feb 25, 2025
January 15, 2024: Conradh na Gaeilge with CAJ, PILS, and community witnesses outside Court in Belfast. Conradh na Gaeilge
Conradh na Gaeilge, the democratic forum for the Irish-speaking community, has welcomed the news that the British Government is set to repeal a centuries-old law that forbids the use of Irish in courts.
Conradh na Gaeilge said on Tuesday that it has been confirmed by Northern Ireland's Secretary of State Hilary Benn MP that he will, this week, commence Section 4 of the Identity and Language Act (2022) to “repeal the Administration of Justice (Language) Act (Ireland) 1737," a penal-law era piece of legislation that bans the use of Irish in courts in the North.
Whilst the new Identity and Language Act was passed in December 2022, the clause triggering the repeal of the 1737 legislation has been awaiting approval by Northern Ireland's Secretary of State.
Conradh na Gaeilge said on Tuesday that it has been officially informed that the Secretary of State will officially repeal the 1737 legislation this week.
In the same correspondence, whilst confirming it is his role to repeal the ban, the Secretary of State made it clear that “the implementation of the Act, including these provisions, is a matter for the Executive.”
It will, therefore, fall to the Justice Minister, Naomi Long MLA, to bring forward the guidelines setting out the use of Irish in legal, court, and tribunal settings following the removal of the ban.
"Incredibly historic"
Ciarán Mac Giolla Bhéin, the newly elected President of Conradh na Gaeilge, said on Thursday: “This is an incredibly historic moment for the Irish language community here in the north, a major victory against centuries of exclusion and discrimination that is testament to the power and resolve of our community.
"Whilst similar legislation was repealed in Wales, Scotland, and the south long, long ago, once again, Irish speakers here in the north were, as always, left behind, as an ongoing legacy of colonial policy designed to eradicate the Irish language from all vestiges of public life.
"Only the immense grass-roots campaign for language rights, which brought over 20,000 people onto the streets of Belfast, would bring us closer to a society where Irish speakers are afforded the same rights as everyone else.”
Mac Giolla Bhéin added: “The Irish language must have equal status in all of our public and shared spaces. That is what equality looks like.
"Now that this penal-era ban has finally been repealed, it is up to the Executive to ensure the provision underpinning Irish speaking rights in our legal arenas are based on best practice and equality.
"We have written to the Justice Minister, who is, from this point on, responsible for setting out the new Irish language policy of our courts and legal systems, to ensure we the needs and expectations of our community are realised in full.”
"Watershed moment"
Representing Conradh na Gaeilge, Niall Murphy from KRW Law, said: “This announcement from the British Government is a major milestone in the ongoing journey towards comprehensive language rights for Irish speakers here in the north. “It is now imperative that the Justice Minister brings forward robust guidelines that recognises the ever-growing community of Irish speakers across our society and facilitates their inclusion in our legal services and spaces. “This watershed moment in the Irish language movement must have a real-life and practical impact on all of those people who chose to live their lives through the Irish language, ending centuries of marginalisation and exclusion from public life."
Irish language community to strike
The news that the legislation is set to be repealed comes the day before Conradh na Gaeilge will join over 40 Irish-language and Gaeltacht groups in a half-day strike on Wednesday, February 26 as part of the RAIC (Solution Now, Fair Investment) campaign.
The strike, Conradh na Gaeilge said, is being organised to call on both Governments north and south to reverse the latest cuts of €820,000 announced recently by Foras na Gaeilge by providing the appropriate funding to Foras na Gaeilge now and to urgently develop a long-term solution for Irish language funding.
If you were born in Ireland, you probably either had this put on your Bum
or you put it on your baby's Bum
The fascinating history of Sudocrem, Ireland's national treasure
Sudocrem® Diaper Rash Cream has been soothing families for over 90 years and is now available in America. Find out how you can get your hands on a tub of Sudocrem® today!
The fascinating history of Ireland's Sudocrem
Sudocrem USA
A soothing history: Sudocrem® Diaper Rash Cream's brilliant Irish success story.
Developed by Irish pharmacist Professor Thomas Smith in 1931, Sudocrem® Diaper Rash Cream has been soothing families for over 90 years and is trusted by millions of parents and healthcare professionals around the world.
Now, available nationwide across the USA through Amazon.com, find out how Ireland's national treasure won hearts worldwide.
1931 - Thomas Smith, a Professor of Pharmacy and a retail pharmacist in Dublin developed a unique cream from the back of his humble shop. The healing cream was excellent at treating diaper rash, eczema, pressure sores, incontinence rash, and a variety of other minor skin lesions
1950s - The cream was originally called Smith’s Cream but is renamed Sudocrem®. The name comes from the Irish pronunciation of the cream’s nickname, “Soothing Cream".
Sudocrem Original Tub Sudocrem Original Tub
1960s - A promotional strategy of personally delivering Sudocrem® samples to new mothers turns the product into a steady seller in Ireland. 1970s - Sudocrem® is introduced into Northern Ireland and Northwest England.
1980s - Sudocrem® was launched nationally in Great Britain and over the next 20 years quickly established itself as the market leader for diaper rash cream in the UK and Ireland.
1995 – Leda Innovations launches Sudocrem® in Canada where it remains the number one selling diaper rash cream.
2007 - Sudocrem® celebrates its 30th year as the UK's number-one-selling diaper rash cream.
Sudocrem® Sudocrem®
2011 - Sudocrem® celebrates 80 years of skincare for all the family. Sudocrem® products are now available in over 40 countries worldwide.
2019 – To celebrate the birth of Prince George in the UK, Sudocrem® commissioned celebrity designer Theo Fennell to create an 18K white gold, charm bracelet with rubies, modeled on the iconic Sudocrem® pot with a closable lid with a retail price of over $5500. All proceeds from the sale of raised funds for a premature baby charity.
2023 – As part of the brand’s ongoing commitment to recycling and reusing, Sudocrem® launches the Sudocrem Pre-Loved Awards which was won by an international second-hand online marketplace, Vinted with small, independent thrift outlets also recognized.
2024 - Sudocrem® goes viral on TikTok with users praising its benefits in treating acne and breakouts.
2025 – Leda Innovations launches Sudocrem® in the USA.
Sudocrem® is available to purchase on Amazon and you can find out more information on Sudocrem®'s website. You can also keep up with their launch in the US by following them on TikTok and Instagram.
A Little Humor 
Anyone can do Irish dancing
click below
A few "One Liners"
I woke up this morning determined to drink less, eat right, and exercise.
But that was four hours ago when I was younger and full of hope.
Anyone who says their wedding was the best day of their life
has clearly never had two candy bars fall down at once from a vending machine.
Church Bloopers
From my wife Donna
Only in Ireland
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Welcome to
Tír na mBláth
(Land of Flowers)
Tír na mBláth is one of hundreds of branches
throughout the world of Comhaltas Ceoltóirí Éireann (CCÉ) pronounced "kol-tus
kyol-tori air-in", the largest group involved in the preservation of
Irish music, dance and song.
Our board and membership is made up of Irish, Irish descendants, and all those who support, celebrate and take pride in the preservation of Irish culture.
We also aim to promote good will and citizenship.
Interested in belonging to Tír na mBláth? Feel free to download our membership form
Facebook page is at Tír na mBláth
Our meetings and several events are held at Tim Finnegan's Irish Pub in Delray Beach Florida.
Well, that's it for this week.
Slán abhaile
Pronunciation: slawn a-wol-ya
Meaning: Safe Home
Fireny@aol.com
...
Sláinte, Tom Guldner (Tommy Mac)
Slán agus beannacht, (Good-bye and blessings)
Number of visitors to this website since Sept 2022
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