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St Patrick's Day Greetings from President McAleese
 Beannachtaí na Féile Pádraig ar chlann mhór dhomhanda na nGael, sa bhaile agus ar fud na cruinne, ar ár lá náisiúnta ceiliúrtha.
I am delighted to send St Patrick's Day greetings to all those taking part in this year's celebrations, whether at home in Ireland or around the world. St Patrick's festival is our special opportunity to deepen and celebrate the bonds of heritage and affection which link the global, Irish family and its friends worldwide. It is a great showcase of the Irish love of life and this year, more than any in our recent past, is one to savour with special joy. The welcome return of devolved government to Northern Ireland has brought to the island of Ireland a promising era of peace, prosperity and partnership. Thank you for all the support and encouragement you invested in our long, hard journey to this time of concord. There can be little doubt that the best is yet to come!
I hope that the many new immigrants to Ireland who will be joining the celebrations this year will take inspiration from the most influential immigrant of them all, St Patrick himself. Today his name and that of Ireland are synonymous and each year as we gather in his honour, we can see the widening global reach and richly diverse character of his extensive family. To each one of you I wish a wonderful St Patrick's Day 2008. Enjoy it wherever you are! May St Patrick long continue to bless you, his beloved Ireland and her people.
Mary McAleese
President of Ireland
Teachtaireacht La Fhéile Pádraig ón Uachtarán Mhic Ghiolla Íosa
Beannachtaí na Féile Pádraig ar chlann mhór dhomhanda na nGael, sa bhaile agus ar fud na cruinne, ar ár lá náisiúnta ceiliúrtha féin.
Ta ríméad orm beannachtaí na Féile Pádraig a chur ar gach duine atá páirteach i gceiliúradh na bliana seo, is cuma cé acu in Éirinn nó thar sáile atá siad. Tugann ceiliúradh na Féile Pádraig deis ar leith dúinn ár naisc oidhreachta agus ceana a threisiú le clann dhomhanda na nGael, agus lenár gcairde ar fud an domhain. Is léiriú iontach é ar an lúcháir sin na beatha atá ag na Gaeil, agus is mó an chúis atá againn ceiliúradh a dhéanamh i mbliana ná mar a bhí le tamall de bhlianta. Cuireadh fáilte roimh an déabhlóidiú rialtais arís i dTuaisceart Éireann, agus tá tús á chur anois le ré nua ar oileán na hÉireann, a thugann geallúintí síochána, ratha agus comhpháirtíochta dúinn uile. Ba mhaith liom buíochas a ghabháil libh go léir as an tacaíocht agus an spreagadh a thug sibh dúinn le linn ár dturais fhada dheacair go dtí an pointe comhaontaithe seo. Níl aon cheist faoi ach go bhfuil an barr feabhais le teacht fós!
Ta súil agam go mbainfidh na hinimircigh nua iomadúla chun na hÉireann, a bheidh ag ceiliúradh inár gcomhluadar i mbliana, inspioráid ón imirceach sin ba mhó tionchar ar fad, Naomh Pádraig féin. Ta a ainm agus ainm na hÉireann ceangailte go dlúth lena chéile sa lá atá inniu ann, agus éiríonn a chlann níos flúirsí agus níos ilchineálaí gach bliain. Guím gach rath oraibh go léir ar an ócáid ceiliúrtha seo na Féile Pádraig 2008. Bainigí taitneamh as, cibé áit a bhfuil sibh! Go gcuire Naomh Pádraig a bheannacht de shíor ar oileán na hÉireann agus ar a mhuintir.
Máire Mhic Ghiolla Íosa
Uachtarán na hÉireann
Photo Credit: RTÉ
For President McAleese St. Patrick's Day Greetings of previous years, please click below:
President McAleese St. Patrick's Day Greetings 2007 and 2006
President McAleese St. Patrick's Day Greetings 2005 and 2004
President McAleese St. Patrick's Day Greetings 2003 and 2002
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Thu, Mar 27, 2008
Irish Furze
Called whin in the north and gorse in the east, furze was once a symbol of wealth and fertility of land as is emphasized by the saying: "gold under furze, silver under rushes and famine under heather."
As indigenous to the early summer landscape as rhododendrons, it is despised by farmers because of its invasive properties; but in the past, it had many good uses.
It ignites quickly, so it was used for starting the fire: it was also used for cleaning the chimney, tilling the soil, dyeing wool and fabric, and as a flavouring for whiskey (which may have improved its rating with the farmers!). It had medicinal powers and its magical powers were undisputed in preventing the good people from stealing the butter on May day. And, at mid-summer, blazing branches were carried round the herd to bring good health to the cows for the coming year.
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