Shop for the best of Irish products from the comfort of your home

We combed the internet to find reliable resources for the most popular Irish products: Aran Isle sweaters, Guinness glasses, Waterford Crystal, genuine blackthorn walking sticks, the flag of the Republic and more. Some of these shops have become friends; others we trust from their reputations and some offer products that are completely unique. We hope you enjoy browsing through what's on offer and We are confident you will find gifts for any occasion or person, all with an Irish flair.


St. John's Eve in old Ireland
by Bridget Haggerty

At sunset on June 23rd, another of the ancient fire festivals begins. This midsummer festival was known as St. John's Eve, or Bonfire Night, and not that long ago, it was a wide-spread tradition throughout Ireland.






St. John's Eve in old Ireland, Part 2
by Bridget Haggerty

The large communal fires of St. John's Eve were carefully tended so they would burn brightly long into the night. One of the favorite games for the youngsters was to snatch a burning stick from the fire and throw it high into the air — very exciting for the kids, but incredibly dangerous for the spectators!

Uisce Beatha - The Water of Life!
by Bridget Haggerty

Whether it's a wedding or a wake, what Irish celebration would be complete without "uisce beatha" or the water of life - Irish whiskey!

As a child growing up in London of Irish parents, I remember that my mother always had "a drop" in the house, just in case our parish priest paid us a visit. My dad wasn't allowed to touch it, unless it was a very special occasion, as in toasting a newborn at the christening reception. At other times, such as Christmas, he'd drink Guinness - never the whiskey. This was true of many Irish households - the man would do his drinking at the pub and the priest would do his drinking in private, as would be the case in wealthier homes where whiskey was considered a lot more respectable than either wine or stout.

Emblems of Ireland: The Harp
by Bridget Haggerty

It once graced the flag of the Republic, it still appears on official government documents as well as the Presidential flag, and it is displayed on Irish coins. For centuries, the harp has been a beloved emblem of Ireland. In fact, it is said that the Irish concentrated so much of their musical ability into playing the harp, that for many years, the development of music in Ireland was brought to a relative standstill.








A Dandy of an Irish Yankee...
by Bridget Haggerty

...born on the Fourth of July? While the birth certificate says July 3rd, 1878, George M. Cohan's parents, who were famous for their honesty, insisted that he came into the world on Independence Day.

George Michael Cohan was born in Providence, Rhode Island, the second child of Jeremiah and Helen Costigan Cohan, better known as Jerry and Nellie. Both New England natives of Irish descent, these dedicated variety entertainers interrupted their tour so Nellie could give birth in her hometown.



From our Front Porch - July 4th
by Bridget Haggerty

On the Sunday afternoon closest to the 4th of July, they descended on Haggerty's Toad Hall - the McCloys, Calhouns, Kellys, Aherns, and O'Flahertys. Armed with coolers, fireworks, lawn chairs, extra grills, and dishes to share, the stage and cast were set for an old-fashioned Independence Day picnic.





Basic Irish: Travel

It's that time of year when many people are packing their bags and leaving for a holiday in Ireland. Whether it's your first trip or you've been many times before, our collection of words and phrases might come in handy. At the very least, they'll be fun to practise on the tour bus or in the car!




The Irish Kitchen: Memories of Tea Time
by Bridget Haggerty

When I was growing up, tea-time around 4:00 pm was a regular part of our daily routine. During the week, it was simple fare - mostly bread and butter and a cuppa, with perhaps a few biscuits (cookies). But, on Sunday, my mother usually put on a nice spread.

Kids' Ireland: Leary's New House
by Grainne Rowland

Leary was wild with excitement! He had just married the most beautiful wife, Aine. Better yet, he had bought six acres of the best land in the county. He would build the prettiest house for Aine.

Leary, his wife, and some friends walked over the six acres searching for the best spot on which to build the home. Leary looked at a spot in the middle of a large field. It had a ring of mushrooms and many wild flowers growing in it. It was a well-favored spot!




Music Review Ghosts of our Past - The Bible Code Sundays
by Bridget Haggerty

"Bottle Slammin' London irish Rock" - that's how this band describes itself. It's no word of a lie - especially the bottle slammin' bit.




Letters
We receive many lovely letters from visitors to our web site and subscribers to our newsletter. As we’re fond of saying, your feedback helps to make all of the time and effort worth while. While we have a Readers Write Page where we post comments from time to time, we’ve decided to also select a Letter of the Month - one that, for whatever reason, tickled our fancy.



Hello,

I have finally been able to make time to do the trivia again!  The trivia contest is one of my favorite aspects of your site as it gives me a chance to learn things I never would have thought of otherwise.  Thank you for you great site and all the enjoyment you provide by giving it to us.  God bless you throughout the New year and every year.

Tex

Book Cover: So You Think You're Irish by Margaret Kelleher.

Image: The Letter by Kirsten Soderlind, Note card from All Posters
Caption: We lost a lot when we stopped writing letters. You can't reread a phone call.
To read our previous letters, please click Letters of the Month



Live Music from Mayo

A link to the internet service from Midwest Radio out of Mayo. Broadcasting from their state of the art studios; Midwest Irish Radio plays nothing but the best Irish music. No matter where you are in the world, you are never too far from Ireland when you listen in.
Click here for: Irish Midwest radio.



Notices

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We try to send one out every week or so. If you aren't receiving it, something is wrong. Let us know and we'll try to solve the problem. Note: subscribers are automatically deleted from the data base if the newsletter bounces back multiple times. Full or disabled mailboxes will also cause a subscription to be cancelled. If you have any questions, please contact Bridget.
If you think you may have missed an issue, newsletters are archived here: Archive.

The June(?) Trivia contest is posted! We're so late with the June contest we've decided to go early for July. Is that Irish or what? Sometimes, procrastination can be worked to advantage. Thus, the current contest will run from now until July 31st. - click here for the Trivia Contest.

Brian was the twelfth son of Kennedy of Thomond. His eldest brother Malachi succeeded to the throne of Munster. Both Malachi and Brian were exceptional men. When the Danes began to overrun the country, the two brothers united, and swept them back inside their walled cities.Of the two brothers, Brian was more forceful, capable and energetic. When Malachi was killed by treachery, Brian was undisputed king. He reigned for thirty-nine years.
It was a time of unsurpassed glory, prosperity and happiness. He promoted the arts and learning. He is credited with having originated surnames. His patriotism and personal sacrifice brought the clans together, under one king, for the only time in Irish history.
He was eighty-nine when his army faced the armies of the Norsemen at the
Battle of Clontarf. Brian's warriors won the day, but Brian was dead, as were his son and grandson. The days of Ireland's finest king were gone.
In the words of his eulogist, "Brian was the last man in Erin who
was a match for a hundred."

Source: Irish Story Teller
Image Credit: PatriArts

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