The Bluegrass Music Festival at Ulster Amer Folk Park takes place
September 3-5. For more information go to www.nmni.com/bluegrass.
Bluegrass Music Festival
Sep 1st, 2010 by admin
Letter In A Bottle
Aug 31st, 2010 by admin
While playing with her dog on the beach at Portrush, Co. Antrim, 6 year old Sophie Scott found a bottle with a message inside. It had floated 2,089 miles from Newfoundland. The letter was from another 6 year old Hayley Hayes. Sophie wrote back, and the two are now pen-pals.
Red Head Contest
Aug 29th, 2010 by admin
The first ever Red Head Contest was held on August 25 in Crosshaven,
Co. Cork. Activities included carrot tossing and red head speed dating. Prizes were awarded for most freckles per square inch and best red eyebrows. John O’Malley from Blarney was named “King of the Red Heads.”
Poem of Thanks
Aug 24th, 2010 by admin
You’ve blessed me with friends
and laughter and fun
With rain that’s as soft
as the light from the sun.
You’ve blessed me with stars
to brighten each night
You’ve given me help
to know wrong from right.
You’ve given me so much
please, Lord, give me too,
A heart that is always
Grateful to you.
Did You Know?
Aug 18th, 2010 by admin
In Celtic mythology, the salmon is the most important fish.
Pierce Brosnan was born in Navan, Co Meath.
The longest place name in Ireland is Muckanaghederdauhaulia, Co Galway.
Ireland’s smallest church is located in Portbradden, Co Antrim. It is
10 ft. x 6 ft. and ironically it is dedicated to St. Gobhnan, the patron saint of builders.
Tara was the seat of the High Kings of Ireland.
St. Patrick’s remains were wrapped in a shroud woven by St. Brigid.
A “snug” is a small, private room in a pub. In the 19th Century it was used by women who didn’t want to be seen in the main pub.
Historical Anniversary
Aug 13th, 2010 by admin
August 22, 1922 — Michael Collins is shot and killed at Bael na m Blath, Co Cork while on a military tour of West Cork. Collins was the brains behind the guerilla strategy that smashed the British intelligence network in Dublin. In 1921 he signed the Anglo-Irish Peace Treaty, ending the War of Independence.
Every year in Killorglin, Co. Kerry a group of people go up into the mountains to catch a goat for the annual “Puck Fair.” A young girl from the 6th class is named “Queen” and she is the one who will crown the goat. The goat is put in a cage in the middle of the town, and this signifies the start of the merry making. There is a horse fair on the first day (August 10) and a cattle fair on the second (August 11) with singing, dancing, etc. continuing on into the night. There are amusement rides for the children and pubs are open until midnight.
There are several theories as to the origins, the most popular being that while Oliver Cromwell’s “Roundheads” were pillaging they routed a herd of goats that were grazing. The animals fled but the he-goat or “Puck” broke away and lost the herd. The other goats headed for the mountains but “Puck” went to Killorglin. His arrival in a semi-exhausted state alerted the townspeople of the danger, and they were able to protect themselves. In recognition of this the people decided to have a festival in his honor.
Actually, there is no written record stating when the fair started but a fair can be traced back to a charter from 1603 by King James granting legal status to a fair in Killorglin (before Oliver Cromwell).
It has also been linked to pre-Christian celebrations of a fruitful harvest, and the male goat was a pagan symbol of fertility, like the pagan god Pan.
Whatever the origins, the fun lasts for three days when the goat will be “crowned” and then released. Source: www.puckfair.ie
Irish Cultural Events – August
Aug 5th, 2010 by admin
August 6 – 15 — Kilkenny Arts Festival: music, art, literature and children’s events.
August 10 – 12 — Puck Fair, Killorgin, Co. Kerry: A group of people go into the mountains to catch a goat who is then brought to the town square and crowned at the end of the three days of merry making.
August 15 – 22 — The FLEADH CHEOIL NA hEIREANN, Cavan: Competitions and concerts of the best traditional music.
August 20 – 24 — Rose of Tralee Festival, Co. Kerry: “Roses” are chosen from the Irish diaspora around the world. The festival celebrates the modern young woman in terms of her Irish heritage, intellect, goals and that quality which is captured in the words of the song, “The Truth In Her Eyes.”
August 30 — Old Lamas Fair, Ballycastle, Co. Antrim: Ireland’s oldest market fair features entertainment, horse shows and local foods.
August Celebrations
Aug 1st, 2010 by admin
Lughnasa is the Irish word for August and since this was the beginning of the harvest season, it was a time to celebrate. Usually the first weekend of the month was set aside for gatherings. Games and sports were tried by the young men and the girls picked berries. “Pattern Days” were observed also. This was honoring a favorite saint by visiting a holy well or shrine, and the faithful would walk around the well or shrine while reciting prayers. The ritual also included drinking water from the holy well or washing an afflicted part of the body. A token, such as a coin, cloth or a medal was left. Superstitions about the weather also played a role during Lughnasa. If the mountain peak looked blue and distant, a good harvest was expected. If it appeared clear and close, the worst was feared. So offerings were left on the mountain as well as placing garlands of flowers on the largest pillar stone to ensure a good harvest.
Another ritual observed during August was bathing in the ocean on the feast of the Assumption (August 15). This was thought to be beneficial to the health. An added benefit was drinking three mouthfuls of water from the sea,which aided the digestive system. Source: Irish Culture and Customs
Ode to Age
Jul 29th, 2010 by admin
When I was young,
My slippers were red
I could kick my heels
Right over my head.
When I grew older,
My slippers were blue
And still I could dance
The whole night through.
Now when I’m old,
My slippers are black
I walk to the shops
And puff my way back.
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