Rebuilding Lives in Northern Ireland
Posted in This and That on Aug 5th, 2015
The expression “I don’t give a rap” originated in Dublin in the 18th Century when the counterfeit sixpence were dubbed “raps” or “bad” in reference to the famous “Drapier’s Letters” in which Swift writes “of many counterfeits passed under the name of “raps”.
Posted in This and That on Aug 4th, 2015
Riverdance began as a half time show on the Eurovision Song Contest, an annual event in which European countries compete for the best musical act. The country that wins, hosts the contest the next year and gets to feature one of its home acts. Ireland won several years in a row and a group of […]
Posted in This and That on Jul 31st, 2015
Irish whiskey is a catch all name for many different kinds of whiskey made in Ireland. The word itself is from the Gaelic “uisce beatha” which translated means “water of life.”
Posted in This and That on Jul 29th, 2015
Steve “Crusher” Casey was one of seven brothers. He was born in 1909 and they became known as the “toughest family on earth.” As wrestlers they were undefeated in Europe and won the All-Ireland Rowing Championship. Steve “Crusher” Casey was crowned world heavyweight champion in 1939, a title he defended for the next nine years […]
Posted in This and That on Jul 15th, 2015
The famous “Belfast Bap” is named after Bernard Hughes, a laborer who made a fortune creating this sandwich. It is a big crusty roll famed throughout the north of Ireland and can be stuffed with various fillings. Today the best known uses Irish bacon, Irish sausage and scrambled eggs smothered in Irish butter and folded […]
Posted in This and That on Jul 10th, 2015
Craftsmen in many areas of Ireland are skilled in the making of tweed. They produce soft, lightweight material that comes in lovely colors. Donegal is the most famous of the areas producing tweed but it is also produced in Dublin, Connemara,, Kerry and Wicklow.
Posted in This and That on Jul 2nd, 2015
The art of Blarney set the Irish immigrant in good stead for the world of politics in America.
Posted in This and That on Jul 1st, 2015
The sport of boxing has always been a vehicle by which the poorer minority could make names for themselves.
Posted in This and That on Jun 23rd, 2015
Glenveagh National Park in Co Donegal is almost 24,000 acres of protected wilderness. In the middle of the park is a 19th Century castle and behind this are unusual gardens and a footpath that leads to a glen.
Posted in This and That on Jun 22nd, 2015
The many ruined castles along the River Boyne are a reminder of Cromwell’s invasion. The Boyne is the site of the battle between William of Orange and the catholic King James in 1690 that assured England’s dominance over Ireland.
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