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 

Sunday's Seisiún

for January 26, 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.

 

Bob Murphy and his son were off to a Fiddle contest. Best of luch Shamus and Randy was off playing with his radio in the woods so there are no notes from today's session.....However, here are a few photos.....

My girlfriend Ellen from Boston stopped by but I did not get a photo..

Next time!!!!!

Photos by Kevin

.

.

Photos by me

.

..

Note.

These photos are always reduced in size here.

If you would like a full sized copy of any one of them, let me know.

 

 

 

 

COMHALTAS CULTURAL EXPERIENCE | NORTH AMERICA 2025

Registration for the CCE North America Convention

in Orlando, Florida, is now open!

Go to

www.cceconvention.com

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

Here's a special treat for all my readers.....

Sit back, relax and listen to this beautiful music....

Then, when you're all rested, jump up and dance...

E-Mails Received

TY for including me in your email posting I enjoy reading about your events ! Patty Furlong

You're quite welcome Patty and thank you for taking the time to let me know... Tommy Mac

Fireny@aol.com

Old Ireland

Each week I will post a (new) OLD photo of what Ireland was like years ago. The photos are taken from a great website called Ireland in the Rare Auld Times. I highly recommend this site. You can sign up at https://www.facebook.com/groups/889110974518793/

If you have any photos of what things were like in old Ireland please send them in and include a story about it if appropriate.

Please don't send things from the above web site. I already have those.

click below to watch

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.

FAVOURITE PLACES IN IRELAND

Johnstown Castle, County Wexford.

(See it on a map here.)

Johnstown Castle is a magnificent Gothic Revival castle in County Wexford, surrounded by 170 acres of stunning gardens.

Built in the 1830s for the Esmonde family, it now houses the Irish Agricultural Museum.

The castle features intricate architectural details, ornamental lakes, and beautifully maintained Victorian gardens.

It's a perfect destination for history buffs and nature lovers!

Check out this podcast episode about the castle here.

Travel Quiz

Can you identify this site and it's location in Ireland?

Answer in next week's Newsletter

Last weeks Travel Quiz answer

Carrigaphooca Castle

County Cork

Irish Language

Hi all,Tommy Mac here....

I'm not an Irish speaker, but I do like to pick up a few Irish words every now and then.

I always used Slan for goodby but last week Pauleen said goodby to me with "Slán Abhaile"

What a wonderful sounding greeting.

So I looked it up and found this....

slán abhaile

Pronunciation: slawn a-wol-ya

Meaning: Safe Home

Then I went on Youtube and found this...enjoy

Slán abhaile to you all....Tommy Mac

IRISH PHRASE OR PROVERB

"Ní thuigim"

Which translates to "I don't understand."

Click here to listen to how a native Irish speaker would say it.

Tá mé go breá. Conas atá tú inniu?...........

(Tah may gp brah. Kon-nas a-tah two in-you)..........

I am fine. How are you?

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

..

Traditional Irish cod fish cakes recipe

from an Irish American Mom

Perfect delicious traditional Irish recipe for fish cakes.

Mairead Geary @IrishUSAMom Mar 20, 2023

Cod fish cakes may be simple, but are ever so tasty and a great way to use up leftover potatoes.

IRISH AMERICAN MOM

Treat yourself to this classic Irish fare that's ideal for Good Friday too. Codfish cakes may be simple but are ever so tasty and a great way to use up leftover potatoes.

A delicious traditional Irish recipe for fish cakes - Irish fare at its best. These little wonders are created by combining mashed potatoes, flaked cooked fish, and herbs, then formed into individual cakes and coated in breadcrumbs before frying. This is a perfect recipe for using leftover mashed potatoes if such a thing even exists.

But don't worry you can always boil a few spuds for mashing to make these delicious and economical fish cakes.

Codfish cakes may be simple but are ever so tasty. Traditional Irish fish cakes often use salmon or a mixture of salmon and whitefish but, for now, here's a recipe from my kitchen for Irish cod fish cakes.

Irish fish cakes recipe: " Serves: 4 " Prep time: 20 minutes " Cook time: 20 minutes " Total time: 40 minutes

Ingredients:

To poach the fish:

butter or oil (for frying the fish cakes)

1lb cod fillets

1/4 teaspoon black peppercorns

1 small onion (peeled and sliced)

1 cup milk

To make the fish cakes:

2 cups mashed potatoes

1lb flaked cooked cod

2 tablespoons finely chopped parsley

1 or 2 cloves minced garlic

1 small egg (for binding the fish cakes)

1/4 teaspoon black pepper

1/2 teaspoon salt

1/2 cup flour (for dusting the fish cakes)

2 large beaten eggs (for coating the fish cakes)

1 cup fine breadcrumbs (for coating the fish cakes)

(optional): " \1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese

Method

To Poach The Fish

Pour the milk into a large saucepan and add the sliced onion and peppercorns.

Bring the liquid to simmering point. Do not boil. Lower the heat and simmer for 5 minutes. Add the cod fillets and simmer for 7 to 10 minutes depending on the thickness of your fish.

Remove the pan from the heat and allow the fish to cool in the liquid. Remove the fish with a slotted spoon. Reserve the liquid, which may be needed to bind the fish cakes.

To Make The Fish Cakes

Flake the fish into a large mixing bowl, taking care to remove all the bones.

Add the mashed potatoes, minced garlic, parsley, salt, and pepper and combine well together. Add the Parmesan cheese if desired.

Add the beaten egg and bind the mixture. If the mixture is too dry add some of the reserved poaching milk. If the mixture is too wet and sticky add a little flour. Using floured hands form the mixture into flat cakes.

Set up 3 bowls, one with flour, one with beaten egg, and the other with breadcrumbs.

Coat each fish cake in flour. Dip it in egg and then coat in breadcrumbs. Repeat with the rest of the fish cakes.

Heat the butter or oil in a large skillet. Fry the fish cakes for about 5 minutes on the first side or until nicely golden brown. Flip the fish cake and brown for 4 to 5 minutes on the other side. Cook in 2 separate batches.

Serve hot with a side of vegetables or a crisp green salad.

*Mairead Geary came to America for one year 20 years ago. She now lives with her husband and children in Kentucky and is proud to be an American citizen. Read more on her blog here.

*Originally published in 2017. Updated in March 2023.

Subscribe to IrishCentral

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

“He Wishes for the Cloths of Heaven”

by W.B. Yeats

Had I the heavens' embroidered cloths,

Enwrought with golden and silver light,

The blue and the dim and the dark cloths

Of night and light and the half-light,

I would spread the cloths under your feet:

But I, being poor, have only my dreams;

I have spread my dreams under your feet;

Tread softly because you tread on my dreams.

"seanchaí"

(pronounced "shan-a-key")

comes from the Irish words "sean" meaning old and "caí" meaning to tell.

Stories and Tales

Ireland's Ancient Round Towers

photos below added by Tommy Mac

Céad Míle Fáilte - and welcome to your Letter from Ireland for this week as we'll explore a fascinating piece of Ireland's heritage that stands as a testament to our medieval craftsmanship and resilience.

We're over the cold snap here in Ireland and the weather is back to its normal mild self. How are things in your part of the world today? I'm enjoying a cup of Lyons' tea as I write, and I do hope you'll join me with whatever you fancy.

Today I want to share with you the fascinating story of Ireland's round towers - those unique stone structures that have watched over our landscape for nearly a thousand years. These slender, tapering towers are perhaps the most distinctive feature of Ireland's medieval monastic sites, and they never fail to capture the imagination of visitors to our shores.

Reaching for Heaven: Ireland's Ancient Round Towers

Picture this: you're standing in a peaceful valley somewhere in medieval Ireland. The air is crisp, filled with the faint scent of wildflowers and the soft murmur of a nearby brook. Birds chirp gently in the distance as the morning mist begins to lift, revealing the outlines of ancient stone structures around you. Rising above the monastery's churches and crosses, you see a tall, elegant tower reaching skyward - sometimes up to 110 feet high. Suddenly, a bell rings out from the top of the tower and the people all around you drop what they are doing and look towards the tower...

Today, about 70 of these round towers still stand in various states of preservation across Ireland, with about 25 of them remaining largely intact. They're a testament to the remarkable engineering and architectural skills of our medieval Irish builders.

But these towers weren't just architectural follies - they served multiple purposes in monastic life. Their primary function was as bell towers (the Irish term "cloigtheach" literally translates as "bell house"), calling monks to prayer and marking the intervals of the monastic day. But they were also used as lookout posts, places of refuge during Viking raids, and secure storage for precious manuscripts and religious treasures.

Each tower typically follows a similar design: a round, tapering tower built of local stone, with a single doorway positioned several meters above ground level (some say to make it harder for raiders to enter). Inside, wooden floors divided the tower into levels, accessed by ladders. Near the top, four windows faced each of the points of the compass, and a conical stone roof crowned it all.

A Journey to Devenish Island

A couple of years back we had the good fortune to visit Devenish Island in County Fermanagh. This remarkable island monastery, founded by Saint Molaise in the 6th century, sits serenely on Lower Lough Erne and boasts one of Ireland's finest and most complete round towers. (Right)

On that misty morning, we took a short boat journey from Enniskillen to reach the island. The round tower seemed to materialise out of the mist as we approached - a perfect sentinel standing tall and remarkably well-preserved. What makes this tower particularly special is that it's one of the few that visitors can still enter (with a guide, of course).

I'll never forget climbing the external wooden stairs, unlike the ladder the medieval monks would have used. The craftsmanship was extraordinary - the tower was built without mortar up to the first floor, with the stones fitting together so precisely that they've held firm for over 800 years. The doorway faces northeast and sits about 8 feet above ground level - a typical defensive feature of these towers.

What makes the Devenish tower truly unique is its decorated romanesque doorway and its distinctive features near the top - a carved human head and a celtic cross on the conical cap. These architectural details make it one of the finest examples of round tower construction in Ireland.

Best-Preserved Examples of Irish Round Towers

While Devenish's tower is certainly remarkable, Ireland has several other outstanding examples. You may already have visited the tower at Glendalough in County Wicklow (Right) or maybe the one in Kilkenny City. How about Clonmacnoise in County Offaly with its two round towers? The tower at Kilmacduagh (left) in County Galway is famous for its noticeable lean - it actually leans more than the Tower of Pisa!

These towers continue to captivate visitors and locals alike, standing as proud reminders of Ireland's golden age of learning and spirituality. They've weathered Viking raids, countless storms, and the passage of time itself, yet still stand guard over our monastic sites, linking us to our medieval past.

How about you? Have you visited any of Ireland's round towers? If so, what stood out for you the most? Perhaps you recall the intricate stonework, the towering presence, or the stories tied to these remarkable structures? Do feel free to reply with your own thoughts and memories of these beautiful ancient towers.

Slán for now,

Mike.

If you visit the site please let Mike know you heard about it

from Tommy Mac and the Tír na mBláth. Tim Finnegan's Pub, Irish Seisiún Newsletter

Irish Quiz –

Test Your Irish Knowledge!

Q: What is the oldest licensed distillery in the world?

A) Bushmills

B) Jameson

C) Midleton

D) Powers

Answer at the bottom!

Did You Know?

The Céide Fields

A picturesque scene from County Mayo, where lush green fields meet the Atlantic's azure waters. Ireland at its finest!

Hidden beneath the layers of peat in County Mayo lies one of Ireland’s most extraordinary treasures: the Céide Fields, the oldest known field systems in Europe, dating back over 5,000 years.

Discovered in the 1930s by a local schoolteacher, Patrick Caulfield, the fields were accidentally uncovered when he noticed ancient stone walls beneath the bog while cutting turf. What followed was one of the most remarkable archaeological discoveries in Ireland.

The Céide Fields consist of an extensive network of stone walls, field systems, and dwelling enclosures preserved in the bog’s unique conditions. This site reveals a highly organized agricultural society, suggesting that Neolithic farmers cultivated these lands with great care.

Today, the Céide Fields are part of an award-winning visitor center that offers breathtaking views of the Atlantic Ocean and explains the history of Ireland’s early inhabitants. The site also highlights the fragility of the landscape and the impact of human interaction with the environment over millennia.

Fun fact: The Irish word “Céide” (pronounced kay-juh) means “flat-topped hill,” perfectly describing the area’s geography. Next time you’re in Mayo, take a trip to the Céide Fields for a fascinating glimpse into Ireland’s ancient past. It’s living proof of how the Irish have been shaping their land for thousands of years.

On This Day –

January 22nd1972 –

Death of Éamon Broy

On this day in 1972, Éamon "Ned" Broy passed away.

As a Detective Sergeant in the Dublin Metropolitan Police during the Irish War of Independence, Broy played a crucial role by secretly providing information to Michael Collins, aiding the Irish Republican Army's efforts against British forces.

Quiz Answers

The oldest licensed distillery in the world is

A) Bushmills, established in 1608.

Sláinte!

De Valera’s Wilderness Years:

A story of betrayal and rebirth coming to TG4

"De Valera San Fhásach," a gripping, dramatic story about a key pivotal period in Irish history, premieres on Wednesday, Jan.22

IrishCentral Staff @IrishCentral Jan 22, 2025

Marcus Lamb as de Valera.Marcus Lamb as de Valera. TG4

"De Valera san Fha´sach" is a new cutting-edge historical documentary series that presents the vital story of de Valera’s Wilderness years from 1924 to 1926 when he was imprisoned, in poor mental health and stripped of his political power.

It’s the story of the radical, revolutionary women activists who supported him during this difficult time. These women had been involved in the 1916 Rising and the War of Independence. Among them were Countess Markiewicz who fought in 1916, Mary MacSwiney, sister of Terence MacSwiney who died on hunger strike in 1919 and Kathleen Clarke, wife of the executed 1916 leader, Tom Clarke.

Then the Anglo-Irish Treaty happened. As suddenly as he had gained power, de Valera was locked out of it. Opposing the Treaty gave these women common ground with de Valera, but who would end up the losers in this political game?

"De Valera san Fha´sach" looks at the part these women played in helping de Valera create one of the most spectacular political u-turns in history – the birth of Fianna Fa´il, the party which went on to dominate Irish politics for the next 100 years.

We watch how de Valera’s political rebirth unfolds in this incredible story of power and demise. In stark contrast to de Valera’s rising star, we witness the last great swansong of many of the radical women who had been so active in politics and had supported him right up to the foundation of Fianna Fa´il and beyond.

Claire Loy as Dorothy MacArdle. Credit: TG4

"De Valera san Fha´sach" reveals the ultimate betrayal of these women by de Valera and his new party, how they were silenced and pushed out of public life, simply relegated to the home. The women find themselves in an Ireland, far removed from the vision of equality as laid out in the 1916 proclamation.

Through the poignant stories of these women and of de Valera during his wilderness years, this documentary also takes a sensitive look at the legacy of trauma and the mental health impact of the Irish Revolution. This is cutting edge history that applies new thinking and takes a totally new angle on this formative time in Irish history.

"De Valera San Fhásach" is a gripping, dramatic story about this key pivotal period in Irish history, a period that, arguably, subsequently changed the entire course of Irish history.

Director Ciara Hyland stated that "while much attention hasn't been paid to De Valera's Wilderness Years, they are really pivotal in creating the Ireland we still have today. These were the years where anything could have happened and it could have gone any which way. Instead de Valera staged one of the biggest political comebacks ever and regained power. Unfortunately his rise meant the last swansong of an entire generation of revolutionary women who had been fighting for equality and we have lived with that legacy ever since".

Contributors in the documentary include Anne Twomey, Brian Hughes, Caoimhe nic Dha´ibhe´id, David McCullagh, Fearghal Mac Bhloscaidh, Gabriel Doherty, Leeann Lane, Lindsey Earner-Byrne, Mary Harris, Mary MacDiarmada, Niall Murray, Si´obhra Aiken, Tadhg O´ Su´illeabha´in, Toma´s MacConmara and U´na ni´ Bhrome´il.

"De Valera san Fha´sach" was funded by Coimisiu´n na Mea´n with the Television Licence fee.

"De Valera san Fha´sach" will air on TG4 & TG4.ie on Wednesday, Jan. 22 and 29 at 9.30pm.

Subscribe to IrishCentral

5-Tune Friday

Hi Thomas,

Paraic here with your Five Tune Friday! This week, I’ve handpicked a mix of reels, jigs, and other favorites to add some zest to your weekend. From lively reels to bouncy hornpipes, these tunes showcase the joy and versatility of traditional Irish music. Let’s dive in and have a look. divider

“The Humours of Tulla” - Reel

We start with “The Humours of Tulla”, a lively reel with a fantastic melody seasoned with triplets. It’s a brilliant tune for any session and guaranteed to get feet tapping. This week’s rendition features Joe on the banjo, delivering an energetic and precise performance that truly brings the tune to life:

Sheet Music and ABC

“Jimmy Ward’s” - Jig

Next up is the gorgeous “Jimmy Ward’s", a tune with a lovely, flowing melody that’s as fun to listen to as it is to play. In this rendition, the legendary Donal Lunny on Irish bouzouki and Paddy Glackin on fiddle capture the heart of the tune perfectly:

Sheet Music and ABC

“A Fig for a Kiss” - Slip Jig

“A Fig for a Kiss” is a slower slip jig, offering plenty of space for ornamentation and creative expression. Its unique rhythm makes it stand out in any tune set. This version, played by Sarah Loughran on the fiddle, showcases the tune’s range and depth beautifully:

Sheet Music and ABC

“Merrily Kiss the Quaker” - Slide

Slides are always a joy to play, and “Merrily Kiss the Quaker” is no exception with its playful 12/8 time. The tune starts with a lilting melody before opening into higher sections, giving it great range and energy. This week’s rendition is brought to you by the man himself Fergal Scahill, whose lively playing truly does this slide justice:

Sheet Music and ABC

“Off to California” - Hornpipe We round out the week with the wonderful “Off to California”. Its jovial melody is the perfect pick-me-up for any day of the week. Paul Young’s accordion rendition highlights the hornpipe’s joyous nature and syncopated rhythm:

Sheet Music and ABC

That’s all for this week, folks! I hope these tunes bring some extra energy and inspiration to your weekend. As always, if you have any questions or need help with your instruments or sheet music, don’t hesitate to reach out. Have a great weekend! Slán go fóill,

Slán go fóill,

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

50% Off Sale Throughout January

...click below

This Week in the History of the Irish:

January 19 through January 25

Posted by The Wild Geese

DOMHNAIGH -- On January 26, 1799, Thomas Charles Wright, an officer in Simón Bolívar's South American army and founder and first commander-in-chief of the Ecuadorian navy, was born in Drogheda, Co. Louth. Wright joined the British navy as a teenager and served against the United States in the War of 1812. In 1817 he was moved so strongly by Bolívar's struggle for South American independence that he sailed for Venezuela to join his army. Wright found many other Irish among Bolívar's troops, including his aide-de-camp, Colonel O'Leary. Wright served in a number of land battles with Bolívar's army, including Carabobo, Bombino, and Pichincha. Like Bernardo O'Higgins in Chile, Bolívar had come to understand the need for a naval force to combat the Spanish and was encouraging the formation of revolutionary naval forces. In early 1824, Wright transferred to the Peruvian navy of Admiral Guise and was made captain of the 18-gun-brigantine Chimborazo. Guise praised Wright's conduct when his fleet captured Callao from the Spanish, and Wright then commanded his own fleet of small vessels. With these, Wright helped Antonio Jose de Sucre win the final victory at Ayacucho on December 9, 1824, effectively freeing Peru. As often happens after revolutions, the departure of the colonial power led to fighting among the factions that once were united against the common foe. In 1827, Peruvian President José Lamar invaded Bolivia, then Ecuador. Wright had settled in Ecuador after the ouster of the Spanish, and now he took up the cause of his adopted home, forming the first Ecuadorian navy. Wright's navy fought two battles with the Peruvians in the Gulf of Guayaquil, breaking their blockade of the port and defeating and killing Wright's revolutionary comrade, Admiral Guise. Wright would spend the rest of his days helping to build the Ecuadorian navy and taking part in the politics of the country. It was said he always supported the cause of poor Ecuadorians, perhaps driven by memories of the downtrodden people of his native land. Thomas Charles Wright died in Guayaquil on December 10, 1835.

MÁIRT -- On January 28, 1967 , Helena Moloney, republican and trade unionist, died in Dublin. Moloney was born in Dublin in 1884. While only at teen-ager Moloney heard Maud Gonne give a pro-nationalist speech near the Customs House. Inspired by Gonne, Helena began a lifelong commitment to republicanism. Moloney joined Inghinidhe na hÉireann (Daughters of Erin) in 1903 and five years later was named editor of Bean na hÉireann (women of Ireland), a republican - as well as feminist - monthly founded by Moloney's role model, Maud Gonne. Helena began an acting career at this time as well, joining the Abbey Theater, but her commitment to political and then labor activism would eventually end her acting. During this time Helena also became more active in the Irish labor movement, where she worked closely with James Connelly and Countess Markievicz. Connelly made her secretary of the Irish Women Workers' Union in November 1915. She was jailed in 1911 for throwing stones during the protest of a royal visit, making her the first woman jailed in the cause of Irish freedom since the days of the Ladies Land League some three decades earlier. Moloney took an active role with Connelly's Citizen's Army during the 1916 Easter Rising. She took part in the attack on Dublin Castle, where her commanding officer, Sean Connolly, was killed. She was arrested and held until December of that year. Moloney opposed the treaty and supported the republican side during the Civil War. She continued to work for labor causes after the Civil War and was the first woman to become president of the Irish Trade Union Congress. She did not abandon the republican cause, however. She was active with the Women's Prisoner's Defense League and the People's Rights Association during the 1930s. Moloney continued to work for the causes she believed in until illness forced her to retire from public life in 1946.

DEARDAOIN -- On January 30, 1879, Edme Patrice de MacMahon (right) retired as president of France. MacMahon's ancestors had immigrated to France from Torrodile, County Limerick, in 1691, after the family's support of King James. His father, Maurice Francis, was a soldier in the French army. In 1790 Maurice's royalist politics nearly caused his head to become separated from his body, but he managed to survive until the Bourbon restoration. Edme Patrice was born on June 13, 1808, at Autum in Burgundy. He attended the military academy at Saint-Cyr and in 1827 he joined the French army. MacMahon served in Algeria until 1854. His performance there moved him steadily through the ranks; by the time the Crimean War began, MacMahon had been promoted to general and was transferred to the French army at the front. On September 8, 1855, he helped to plan -- and personally led -- a successful assault on the Russian fortress of Malakoff at Sebastopol. The plan included what was perhaps the first use of synchronized watches in a military attack. After the attack took the fort, MacMahon received a message from the French commander-in-chief warning him that the fort had been mined by the Russians. He advised MacMahon to withdraw, but MacMahon decided to risk the danger and remain in the fort. Sebastopol fell shortly after this victory, and the war was soon over. General MacMahon next commanded French troops against the Austrians in the Piedmont. Here he won his greatest fame, on June 4, 1859, when he defeated the Austrians at the battle of Magenta. "The Attack on the Malakoff" by William Simpson (click on graphic for a larger view). For this victory, Napoleon III conferred on MacMahon the title, duc de Magenta. MacMahon also performed well at the battle of Solferino on June 24. It is said that when news of MacMahon's victory at Magenta reached Ireland, bonfires were lit on hilltops in celebration, showing how much pride the native Irish took in their exiled sons. MacMahon was given command of the 1st Army Corps during the Franco-Prussian War.

Left "The Attack on the Malakoff" by William Simpson

He was heavily outnumbered and defeated at Worth and Sedan as the Prussian army overwhelmed the French in six weeks. MacMahon was wounded and carried from the field at Sedan, and emerged from the debacle with reputation intact. He later headed an army that crushed the Commune of Paris in 1871. In May 1873, he was elected president of the Republic. MacMahon was president for six fateful years in the history of France. Republicans, royalists, and other factions plotted and fought on all sides, but MacMahon brought France through this perilous period and helped establish a permanent democratic government. He retired to private life in 1879. Edme Patrice MacMahon, Duke of Magenta, died October 17, 1893. Read about the origin of the Irish Brigade of the French army in King James' Irish Army List, 1689 A. D.

DEARDAOIN -- On January 30, 1845, Katharine (Kitty) O'Shea, nee Wood, whose affair with Charles Stewart Parnell would cause his political ruin, was born at Bradwell, Essex, England. On January 24, 1867, she married Captain William Henry O'Shea. Their marriage does not appear to have been a happy one. In 1875, perhaps as a result of their poor financial situation, she and O'Shea began living apart, as she and their children moved in with a wealthy aunt, Mrs. Benjamin Wood, and he took an apartment in London. O'Shea only visited them occasionally thereafter. In 1880, her husband was elected to Parliament, and in July of the same year Kitty arranged to meet the leader of her husband's party, Charles Stewart Parnell; shortly, they were involved in an affair. Although it is rumored that he challenged Parnell to a duel in July 1881 (Kitty reputedly talked her husband out of it), it appears that O'Shea eventually accepted the affair between his wife and Parnell.

Perhaps access to money from Kitty's aunt and the fact that he could use the affair to pressure Parnell into helping to further his career convinced him to do nothing. Parnell fathered three daughters with Kitty between 1882 and 1884, and she also served as an occasional envoy from Parnell to William Gladstone. Though Parnell put his political career in jeopardy numerous times on his behalf, O'Shea began to develop a deep hatred of Parnell. In 1886, Parnell put his party leadership on the line to secure an MP seat for O'Shea in Galway, but, strangely, O'Shea resigned from the seat shortly afterward.

Right Hulton Picture Library Katharine 'Kitty' O'Shea

When Kitty's rich aunt died, depriving him of access to her money, the Captain finally made the affair public when he named Parnell as co-respondent when he sued Kitty for divorce on December 24, 1889. Although the publicity surrounding the case virtually destroyed Parnell's political career, Kitty felt optimistic about their future since they no longer had to hide their relationship. Kitty and Parnell were married in June 1891, but they were not fated to enjoy their new life. Exhausted from his political battles, Parnell became ill and died, age 45, in Kitty's arms at their home in Brighton, England on October 6, 1891. Kitty mourned Parnell the rest of her life, suffering some mental problems, perhaps caused by her heartbreak. She wrote a book about her life with Parnell, Charles Stewart Parnell: His Love Story and Political Life, in 1914. Katharine 'Kitty' O'Shea died in Littlehampton, Sussex, England, on February 5, 1921, apparently never once setting foot on Irish soil.

SATHAIRN -- On February 1, 1702, the Irish Brigade of France added to its growing reputation as elements of the Brigade fought at the battle of Cremona during the War of Spanish Succession. With the city nearly overrun by Prince Eugene's Austrians, only the taking of the Po Gate and its bridge stood between Eugene and complete victory.

Left National Museum of Ireland The flag of Dillon's Regiment, Irish Brigade of France.

But guarding that bridge and gate were 600 men of Dillon's and Burke's regiments. Neither bribery, nor pleading, nor 12 hours of fighting could move them; the gate was held, and the town was saved. The brave soldiers of the Irish Brigade had won the day for France, but their courageous stand had cost them 60 percent casualties.

Read the full story of the Irish Brigade's desperate fight at the battle of Cremona

VOICES

"Wright, as always, behaved well." -- From the report of Peruvian Admiral Guise (later to lose his life in a naval battle versus Wright) after the battle of Callao.

"I was a young girl dreaming about Ireland when I saw and heard Maud Gonne speaking by the Customs House one August evening in 1903. She was the most lovely figure and she inspired me, as she did many others, with a love of Ireland." -- Helena Moloney recalling the night she dedicated her life to the cause of Irish freedom

'J'y suis, J'y reste.' (I am there, there I remain.) -- General Edme Patrice MacMahon's reply to the suggestion he evacuate the fortress of Malakoff, September 8, 1855 (This is one of the most famous quotes in French military history.)

Library of Congress Charles Stuart Parnell

''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.' -- Charles Stewart Parnell (left), lover and later husband of Katharine 'Kitty' O'Shea, December 18, 1890

'The Irish performed there the most important piece of service for Louis XIV, that, perhaps, any King of France ever received from so small a body of men since the foundation of that monarchy. This action by the Irish, by any impartial way of reasoning, saved the whole French army in Italy.' -- The English writer Forman, remarking on the battle of Cremona

News of Interest

Another fire breaks out at planned asylum centre site in Coolock

A Garda spokesman confirmed that there had been a "public order incident" at the premises marked for an asylum centre on the Malahide Road, Coolock.

Helen Bruce @ Extra.ie Jan 24, 2025

July 18, 2024: The site that was being renovated to accommodate international protection applicants (IPAs) in Coolock, north Dublin. RollingNews.ie

The Crown Paints site in Coolock, Dublin, which has been earmarked as an asylum centre, has gone up in flames again.

The site, which was previously the scene of several anti-immigrant protests, saw a fire break out in a storage container located beside the main building.

Gardaí and Dublin Fire Brigade rushed to the scene on Wednesday evening to tackle the blaze and start an investigation into its source. There were no reports of any injuries at the site.

A Garda spokesman confirmed that there had been a "public order incident" at the premises on the Malahide Road, Coolock.

A planning exemption was granted earlier this month by Dublin City Council to allow the site to be used as accommodation for International Protection applicants (IPAs).

Local groups reacted by reiterating their determination to prevent the project from going ahead.

Planned asylum centre site

The site has already experienced several fires and serious clashes between gardaí and protesters, with 30 arrests made during one incident in July last year.

More than 20 suspects were charged and brought before the courts, many for alleged public order offences and failure to comply with Garda directions to move on.

July 15, 2024: A digger that was set on fire at the former Crown Paints site in Coolock, Dublin. (RollingNews.ie)

A protest camp, which was on private grounds outside the former paint factory, had been established in March to block workers from renovating the property.

July 17, 2024: A barricade at the former Crown Paints site in Coolock, Dublin. (RollingNews.ie)

The protests escalated after gardaí began to clear the protesters’ camp in July and move in construction equipment and materials, as well as security personnel.

Petrol bombs were thrown and an excavator was destroyed by fire.

July 15, 2024: Garda presence at the Crown Paints site in Coolock, Dublin. (RollingNews.ie)

That same month, the High Court agreed to order an injunction, preventing "persons unknown" from engaging in threatening or intimidating behaviour at the factory or interfering with employees or contractors as they carried out their work.

The High Court was told that drones may have been used to deliver petrol bombs to locations close to the former factory, to be collected by unknown individuals.

It was reported that the repeated fires were a setback to efforts to ready the former factory as accommodation for about 500 IPAs.

*This article was originally published on Extra.ie.

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Storm Éowyn: Record winds in Ireland leave 715k without power

Ireland's Electrical Supply Board has said it will be "at least a week" before power is restored to all customers due to Storm Éowyn.

IrishCentral Staff @IrishCentral Jan 24, 2025

Fire & Rescue Service: Ashbourne brigade, in County Meathm attending a tree down on the N2. RollingNews / MCCFireService

Status Red Storm Éowyn has brought record-breaking winds to Ireland leaving at least 715k homes and businesses without electricity.

Storm Éowyn's Status Red warnings in the Republic of Ireland are set to end at 12 pm, but the destruction of this record-breaking storm will take time to overcome.

Ireland's Electrical Service Board (ESB) has announced that over 715k homes and businesses are without power and it will take "at least a week" for all customers' electricity to be restored.

This is a record-breaking number of outages in Ireland.

Storm Éowyn has also broken wind speed records. At 5 am, Met Éireann's synoptic weather station at Ceann Mhása in Connemara, Co Galway was registering gusts as high as 183km/h (113.7m/h).

The previous record of 182km/h was recorded in Foynes, Co Limerick 80 years ago.

Gerry Murphy, Senior Forecaster at Met Éireann, spoke to RTÉ's Morning Ireland and warned that winds have not yet reached their strongest speeds in the northern half of the country.

He added that more power outages are expected as well as structural damage to buildings. Murphy told RTÉ: "People should not be out this morning. This warning has been well heralded over the last few days. It is a red, and a strong red, it's broken records. That means that areas which don't normally get winds of this magnitude are getting them in this instance."

He added: "People need to take the utmost care. It will all be over by this afternoon, so it's not much to give up this morning to stay safe."

Meanwhile, Ireland's National Emergency Coordination Group is to meet to consider how best to support ESB Networks and EirGrid. The group will seek the support of the Defence Forces and the Civil Defence, and local authorities to clear roads. Chairperson Keith Leonard said: "We can't emphasise too strongly how careful people need to be in the next couple of days."

He stressed that the western seaboard has been especially badly affected and motorists must be prepared for downed trees and powerlines on the roads.

While Storm Éowyn passes over, Ireland is in for a weekend of further turbulent weather with Status Yellow rain warnings in effect for much of the country on Saturday and wintery showers forecast for Sunday.

The destruction of Storm Éowyn is still being assesed. In Mayo, the Connacht GAA Air Dome "has been left in tatters" according to the Irish Mirror.

"The Connacht centre of excellence in Bekan, Mayo, stood no chance as winds ripped the facility to shreds," they report.

Also in Limerick, a section of a stand at Fitzgerald Park, the Kilmallock GAA Club was destroyed as winds ripped off a large section of its roof.

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Micheál Martin becomes Ireland's new Taoiseach, again

Micheál Martin returns to the post of Taoiseach after being nominated and winning the vote in Ireland's Dáil Éireann.

Kerry O'Shea @kerry_oshea Jan 23, 2025

January 23, 2025: Micheal Martin leaving Leinster House in Dublin after being voted to become Ireland's next Taoiseach. RollingNews.ie

Micheál Martin has - as expected - become Ireland's new Taoiseach following a vote today, Thursday, January 23, in the Dáil Éireann.

The vote, which was postponed from yesterday, the first sitting of the 34th Dáil, after a series of rows broke out, saw Martin win by a margin of 95 to 76.

As the leader of Fianna Fáil, the party that won the most seats in Ireland's General Election in November, Martin was considered the shoo-in to become the next Taoiseach.

Having previously served as Taoiseach from June 2020 to December 2022, Martin most recently served as Tánaiste and Minister of Foreign Affairs and Defense.

Speaking in the Dáil after winning the vote on Thursda, Ireland's new Taoiseach said: "It is a sad development, in my view, in many parliaments in the world that they have become more angry and divisive. They have become forums dominated by the inflated rhetoric of demonstrations rather than a place where different groups can argue in good faith and respectfully disagree.

"On the day where we carry out our most important constitutional duty as representatives of the people, we should take a moment to remember and respect those things which we share.

"It is a profound honor to be nominated to serve as head of the government in a free, democratic, and diverse Republic."

Martin said "We should never take for granted the freedoms and opportunities secured for us by the generations who sat here before us and by the men and women who fought and campaigned for the establishment of Dáil Éireann.

"Our democracy has remained strong through some of the gravest challenges of a turbulent century. We have continued to have free debate and free elections. We have never wavered in our commitment to the peaceful resolution of disputes."

After thanking his colleagues and family, Martin continued: "As I look at Ireland today, it is clear that there can be a degree of cynicism towards politics and too often we dismiss the motivation of others, especially those we disagree with.

"I reject this. I believe in the good faith of those who seek to serve their communities in elective office. And I believe that politics remains a force for good, a force for positive change.

"I hope that we can have a cooperative Oireachtas in the coming years where we try to emphasize positive discussion. For my part, I intend to remain open to constructive ideas from deputies from all parts of the House."

The Taoiseach then outlined the "core principles" on which he intends to lead the Government - protecting Ireland's strength and addressing critical social needs.

The Taoiseach said Ireland must "strengthen our three essential relationships" with Europe, the US, and the UK.

Regarding the US, Martin said: "Our relationship of kinship with the United States is older than our State. It has endured because we have continued to renew bonds of respect and cooperation. We are not naive about the realities of change, but equally, the Ireland-America relationship is one which benefits us both and it will emerge strongly no matter what."

He said internationally, Ireland will be "an active voice for the values of peace, cooperation, and development."

He further said that the new Government will "implement the largest-ever program of North-South research and investment opening critical links and building both engagement and understanding through a further strengthened Shared Island initiative."

He vowed for his Government to help people afford to buy or rent a home, increase resources for people with disabilities, deliver both resources and reform to help all children to get the best start in life, and move forward in tackling the existential problem of climate change.

"In all of this, the Government I will lead will reject the sterile politics of the extremes, the empty gestures of those who want to impose inflexible ideologies when addressing issues which are as complex and diverse as our people," the Taoiseach said.

"Mine will be a government which seeks to work in a spirit of practical republicanism, a spirit which has helped our country achieve so much in the past and which is essential if we are to meet the challenges of today, a spirit which will create equality of opportunities for all which will work to underpin and promote the status, the dignity, and independence of people with disabilities, a spirit that will build more houses at an accelerated pace and work every day to build reconciliation between the different traditions on the island of Ireland."

January 23, 2025: Micheál Martin after winning the Taoiseach vote in the Dáil Éireann. (Houses of the Oireachtas / Flickr

After winning the vote and delivering remarks in the Dáil, Martin traveled to Áras an Uachtaráin where President of Ireland Michael D. Higgins signed the Warrant of Appointment and presented the seal of the Taoiseach and seal of the Government to Taoiseach Micheál Martin in accordance with Article 13 of the Constitution.

The day now proceeds back in the Dail as the Taoiseach names the new Government ministers.

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Irish immigration lawyer in Chicago

“inundated” amidst reports of potential "raids"

Undocumented immigrants in the US are concerned as the Trump administration launches its "targeted enforcement plans."

Kerry O'Shea @kerry_oshea Jan 21, 2025

Fiona McEntee, an Irish immigration lawyer who practices in Chicago, told IrishCentral on Tuesday that she has been “inundated” ever since reports spread that the new Trump administration was poised to mount "immigration raids."

"Inundated, inundated," McEntee told IrishCentral, adding that she's been fielding "nonstop calls" from both individuals and employers.

On Friday, the Wall Street Journal reported that the “incoming Trump administration is planning a large-scale immigration raid in Chicago.”

The following day, Tom Homan, former acting director of ICE and President Trump's 'border czar,' told the Washington Post that the incoming administration was reconsidering whether to launch immigration raids in Chicago after preliminary details leaked in news reports.

“ICE will start arresting public safety threats and national security threats on day one," Homan offered, adding, "We’ll be arresting people across the country, uninhibited by any prior administration guidelines.

" Homan added that he didn't know why Chicago was mentioned specifically in the reports.

“This is nationwide thing," he said. "We’re not sweeping neighborhoods. We have a targeted enforcement plan.”

The Washington Post noted that all administrations have made arresting criminals a "top priority" and that typically, lists of immigrants who have disregarded deportation orders are developed.

"Officers may also arrest other immigrants who cannot prove they have legal status, a tactic the agency refers to as 'collateral arrests,'' the publication added. "Biden largely banned such arrests in hopes that Congress would pass a law making undocumented immigrants eligible for citizenship."

In the fiscal year 2024, ICE reported 271,484 removals from the US, 60 of which were Irish citizens. It was the largest number of removals since the nearly 316,000 removals during the Obama administration in the fiscal year 2014. The most removals seen during the Trump administration were 267,000 in fiscal year 2019.

It's unclear how much the reported immigration raids could impact undocumented Irish people specifically, mainly because the details of the reported raids have been vague, by design. However, the Trump administration's focus does appear to be on people who enter the US illegally via the southern border.

By and large, Irish people do not enter the US illegally, rather, they enter legally on visas and become 'illegal' when they overstay their visas.

During his inaugural address on Monday, President Trump said he would be declaring a national emergency and the southern border and that "all illegal entry will immediately be halted, and we will begin the process of returning millions and millions of criminal aliens back to the places from which they came."

On Tuesday morning - the day the raids were reportedly set to begin - Homan told CNN that ICE was "out to enforce the law, out today" and that they would be concentrating on "public safety threats."

Homan said he wouldn't call the operations "raids," rather they're "targeted enforcement operations. "

"They [ICE] know exactly who they're looking for," he said, "they know pretty much where they'll find them."

Homan added that undocumented people with criminal records are the target, but that other undocumented people who don't have a criminal conviction will be arrested too.

"When we go find our priority target, which is a criminal alien, if he's with others in the United States illegally, we're going to take enforcement action against him," he said.

"We're going to force immigration law."

When asked what advice she was offering to those concerned about the raids, McEntee said she was thankful that a wealth of information was readily available online. Both the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) and the National Immigrant Justice Center (NICJ) have resources on immigrants' rights.

McEntee was keen to point out that ICE officers must have a warrant signed by a judge, known as a judicial warrant, to enter your home. These, the NIJC points out, are different from ICE 'warrants,' which are signed by ICE officers and do not grant authority to enter a home without the consent of the occupant(s).

Meanwhile, in the draft programme for Government agreed upon by coalition leaders last week, the next Irish Government aims to "advocate with the US Administration and Capitol Hill to advance the case of undocumented Irish citizens in the US."

The exact number of undocumented Irish people in the US is unknown. In 2023, Ireland's Department of Foreign Affairs told IrishCentral: "By virtue of their undocumented status, precise figures of undocumented citizens living in the US are not available."

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A Little Humor

A young man from America went to visit his 90-year-old grandfather, who lived in a very secluded, rural part of Ireland. After his first night, his grandfather prepared a traditional Irish breakfast consisting of eggs, bacon and black pudding.

The young man noticed a filmy substance on his plate, and he asked his grandfather: "Are these plates clean?"

His grandfather replied: "Those plates are as clean as cold water can get them, so go on now and finish your meal."

Later in the day, while eating the sandwich his grandfather had made for lunch, the young man noticed tiny specks around the edge of his plate and what looked like dried egg yolks.

So he asked again: "Are you sure these plates are clean?"

Without looking up from his sandwich, the grandfather says: "I told you before, those dishes are as clean as cold water can get them - stop being so fussy -you're in Ireland now, not back in America!"

That afternoon, the young man was on his way out to the pub in a nearby village. As he was leaving, his grandfather's dog started to growl and would not let him pass.

"Granddad," the young man called, "your dog won't let me out."

Without diverting his attention from the newspaper he was reading, his grandfather shouted:

"COLDWATER, get out of the way!"

Liam thought his new girlfriend just might be the one.

But after looking through her knicker drawer and finding a Nurses Outfit, a French Maid's outfit, and a police uniform, he finally decides;

If she can't hold down a steady job,

she's not for him.

Church Bloopers

From my wife Donna

submitted by John Spannbuaer

Paddy and Murray are working on a building site when a slate falls off the roof and slices off Paddy's ear.

Murray finds it and says

"Is this yours Paddy, we can get it sewn back on at the hospital."

"No!" says Paddy,

"Mine had a pencil behind it."

Only in Ireland

Free ride

No one will see me!

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(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

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