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IN THIS ISSUE
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=== News Snaps from Ireland

=== The National Museum of Ireland - Country Life, Mayo
=== Old Jameson Distillery, Dublin
=== Whispers by Pat Watson
=== YouTube Videos of Irish Interest
=== Gaelic Phrases of the Month
=== Monthly Free Competition Result

Popular Articles from Recent Newsletters:
The Huguenots in Ireland
The Rock of Cashel, Tipperary
Holy Cross Abbey - Tipperary





==========
FOREWORD
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Hi from Ireland where the month of July was recorded as being the hottest on record. Visiting tourists and locals alike could not believe it when the temperatures in Dublin and Cork exceeded those in the Canary Islands and Tuscany. It was a lovely change from the usual rainy-sunshine we get in Summer although some of the crimes against fashion committed by some Irish sun-worshipers will live long in the memory and hopefully will never be repeated. Do you have a story, anecdote, poem or article about Ireland? If so please do send it to us as we would love to include it in this newsletter. Until next month, Michael



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NEWS SNAPS FROM IRELAND
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LABOUR PARTY EXILE MAY FORM NEW POLITICAL PARTY Speculation is mounting that a new left-wing political Party may be formed in Ireland. The Labour Party are currently in a Coalition Government with Fine Gael that has effectively continued the policies of the Fianna Fail Party that it ousted at the last election. It is this position that has seen support for the Labour Party plummet in recent opinion polls. Labour is supposed to be the Party representative of the working classes and yet has supported the imposition of a property tax as well as the never-ending austerity measures. Against this backdrop the possibility of a new Party with a socialist backbone is very much alive. Roisin Shortall was a Junior Minister in the Government but resigned her position after further cuts to the Irish Health Service were implemented. She is very much a thorn in the side of the Labour Party leadership at the moment and could align with similar left-of-centre independent T.D.'s to form a new Party that would directly challenge her former colleagues. GOVERNMENT SET TO CLAIM VICTORY IN PROPERTY TAX SHOWDOWN The battle against the property tax that has been imposed in Ireland has been lost. Or won. Depending on your point of view. The tax was implemented by the Fine Gael and Labour Party Government who claimed that they had no choice and that 'the troika made us do it' (a reference to the EU/ECB/IMF troika who have funded Ireland's loans over recent years). At one stage it seemed possible that there would be big protests against the tax. In reality, the protests never really got going. There were no massive rallies, no violent demonstrations. In the end the power of the State successfully overwhelmed the wishes of its citizens who were alternately cajoled and then threatened into submission. The few remaining dissenters now face the prospect of having the tax deducted at source from their pay-packets with their Employers being press-ganged into service as tax collectors on behalf of the Government. Game over. OUTRAGE AS SEANAD POLITICIANS REVEAL THEIR TRUE WORTH The prospect of losing their priveleged and unelected positions as members of the Irish Seanad has become too much for some members of that body in recent weeks. Bluster and reasoning have been replaced with savage insult and raw emotion as the debate on the abolition of the Seanad House gathers pace. A referendum to abolish the Seanad will be held on October 4th. Opinion polls suggest the vote will be carried and the Seanad abolished but the result is by no means certain. Any kind of a protest vote against other Government policies might be enough to save the Seanad in what would be a bitter political blow to Fine Gael and its leader Enda Kenny. Historians, disgruntled politicians and even the Fianna Fail Party have lined out against the proposal suggesting that the Irish nation actually does require a second house of parliament to act as a counter-balance to the power of the main national parliament. The Government disagrees. Richard Bruton is the director of elections for the campaign: 'Abolishing the Seanad will reduce the number of national politicians by 30%, bring us into line with best practice in other small countries in Europe and save tens of millions of euro which could be better spent on other public services.' The campaign is well and truly under way with both sides certain to actively pursue their agenda. If the language and behaviour of some of those currently sitting in the Seanad House continues as it has over recent weeks then the Seanad is surely doomed. HOPES FOR FURTHER GAS FINDS OFF IRISH COASTLINE The longest gas pipeline in Europe at 4.5km is currently being built by Shell off the Mayo coast in the west of Ireland. It is estimated that the pipe will supply as much as two thirds of Ireland's gas requirements when it is fully operational. Against a backdrop of vociferous local opposition to the project there is no disputing the fact that the gas discovery has created both revenue for the Government (estimated at 5BN euro value to Irish GDP so far) and jobs for Irish people, some 1400 according to Shell. If further exploration can uncover similar reserves of gas then the boost to the Irish economy would be immeasurable. TOURISTS CAN RENT A CAR BY THE HOUR IN DUBLIN In what could be another great success for the Irish tourist industry the go-ahead has been given to allow cars to be rented 'by the hour'. The 'car club' initiative allows members to rent cars on a pay-as-you-go basis and is already proving popular in the US and several European cities. 50 cars are now ready for rental at 31 locations around Dublin. The cars are also allowed free parking at some of the parking facilities provided by the local Councils. The logic being applied is that fewer cars will need to be brought into the city if there is a pool of rentable cars available to both locals and tourists alike. The GoCar scheme offers cars for rent at just under 5 euro per hour during the day and half of that amount at night.






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IRELAND'S MOST POPULAR TOURIST ATTRACTIONS
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FREE ATTRACTION #13: THE NATIONAL MUSEUM OF IRELAND - COUNTRY LIFE, MAYO Turlough Park in Castlebar, County Mayo is home to one of the National Museums of Ireland. The impressive buildings offer views of Irish history from a 'country life' and rural perspective focusing on the 100 years between 1850 and 1950. Video and interactive presentations are offered in conjunction with a huge array of artifacts and exhibits including wickerwork, spinning wheels, boats, traditional clothing, a variety of hand-operated machinery and a blacksmith's forge. The main Collections in the Museum include: * Folklife and Folklore * The Times , putting the collections into a historical context * Natural Environment, and how living in the countryside was influenced by the physical environment * Activities, including building,m crafting and working on a farm * Working on Land and Water * Community Life, the importance of religion and ceremony in rural locations The Museum is located four miles east of Castlebar so you will need a car or a tour bus to get there. Admission is free and there s cafe on-site. Guided tours are available for a modest fee. If visiting with children it may be worthwhile checking the calendar of events as you may be able to time your visit to coincide with a kid-friendly activity. The grounds and gardens of Turlough Park stretch to 80 acres and offer a great location for a stroll after being indoors in the Museum. The grounds are home to a lake, a greenhouse, and an ancient Round Tower. The Museum is certainly worth a visit and could make a great full-day or half-day out. Castlebar is located in County Mayo which is also home to much of Connemara, and is north of Galway city. Castlebar is also home to the Linenhall Arts Centre, Lake Lannagh Hiking Trails and the Mayo Memorial Peace Park. Find out more here: http://www.museum.ie/en/info/find-us-national-museum-ireland-country-life.aspx FEE-PAYING ATTRACTION #13: OLD JAMESON DISTILLERY, DUBLIN The Old Jameson Distillery is located on Bow Street in the heart of the Smithfield district of Dublin City Centre. It is a little bit off the beaten track in Dublin City taking perhaps 20 minutes to walk from O'Connell Street. The site is well served by buses while the Luas tram system stops very close by. The Distillery is home to one of Ireland's most famous whiskey brands - Jameson. Visitors can learn about the life of John Jameson as well as the secrets that go into making the famous Irish whiskey. The audio visual presentation is followed by a guided walk through the building. The tour concludes with some whiskey tasting that always proves popular. A fine restaurant, bar and gift-shop complete the experience. Find out more here: http://www.tours.jamesonwhiskey.com/Home/The-Old-Jameson-Distillery-Dublin.aspx




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============= WHISPERS by Pat Watson ============= Having just qualified as a national teacher, Jimmy applied for a number of jobs, permanent and temporary. In the nineteen thirties jobs were scarce and all he got was a temporary post in a two-teacher country school. The Master, who was also the principle, had got a heart attack. The aging female assistant taught the infant classes so he took third, fourth, fifth and sixth classes, six to thirteen-year-olds. The mixed school worried him a bit as he had only ever attended all boys schools. The management board, which consisted of the Old Parish Priest, assured him that good digs had been booked for him adjacent to the school. On the Sunday evening, having taken himself, his luggage and his bicycle off the Dublin train at Athlone, he cycled the ten miles to Coolmore parochial house that was beside the school. 'Just a mile up the byroad there,' the Parish Priest said after he showed him the school. The Widow Malone's house is the one with the slated room. The poor woman's husband died last year and she needs the money and of course she has the slated room. At that time whenever a legacy came from America people who lived in thatched houses would build a two-story-slated room on to the end of the house. Having cycled for a few miles he arrived for the evening meal. The widow, a buxom woman in her forties introduced him to her seven daughters, all striking redheads ranging in ages from nine to nineteen. Starting with the youngest she gave their names as, Mary, Third Class, Meabh, Fourth Class, Mina, Fifth Class, Maureen, Sixth Class, Nance, Delia and Lorna who worked in the local pub. She had auburn hair, huge brown eyes and the most dazzling smile he had ever seen. Where were they all going to sleep? Not to worry, Upstairs in the slated room was his. It was en suite, that is, it had a wooden washstand, complete with basin, ewer full of water and waste bucket. The privy was out behind the cowshed. As well as underwear she would wash three shirts and seven collars weekly for him. Shirt collars were held on with studs in those days. Jimmy had grown up in Dublin with all modern conveniences, electricity, running water and proper bathroom. He and his younger brother had their own rooms. He had been thrown in at the deep end a week before his twenty-first birthday. School went grand even though he had four children with whom he lived. As they sat down for the evening meal, Mary announced that the turkey was lying. From the glances that ran round the table he felt he should say something. 'Is she sick?' Peels of laughter followed. He felt his face redden. 'Stud' said Delia from under the laughter. 'Did she swallow a stud'? This time the laughter went totally out of control. 'Is that how they do it in Dublin?' followed by more laughter. 'Leave the poor man alone,' said the widow. 'He's from Dublin and doesn't understand those things' At this time every rural village had a strong farmers wife who held a turkey cock at stud. Noticing his extreme embarrassment, Lorna tried to smother the laughter. For five years now she had been ogled by beer swilling, bar stool boors, none of whom enhanced her view of men. Now she had her very own tall, tame, tanned, teetotal teacher living in her house, she was not about to let him escape. She was sure she would have the support of her mother and sisters, except perhaps, Nance and Delia who might fancy their own chances. She would ask her mothers advice. 'Take him to the whispering arch at Seven Churches' her mother said but 'Don't tell him anything about it, just start a little whispering and take it from there.' Seven Churches was the local name for Clonmacnoise. In the fifteenth century Dean Odo Malone of Clonmacnoise commissioned a great sculptor to carve and fit a new stone door surround on the north side of the cathedral. Into this surround he cut several half pipes going right over the top and down both sides. If words are whispered into one of those half pipes on one side, a listener with an ear to the other side can pick up the whisper clearly. However a voice will not carry in the pipes. The speaker has to face the wall but the listener has a rear view of the whisperer. A conversation between a young couple is much more romantic when whispered through ancient stone pipes even if one party didn't realise that the chat was meant to be romantic in the first place. They would cycle there after school. He always wanted to visit Saint Kieran's holy city. The ruins of the cathedral that was burned down by the British hundreds of years ago stand in the middle of a walled graveyard. There are the various superstitions that have grown since. That's why the mother advised the special visit. When he had climbed to the four steps to the top of the stile he turned and took her outstretched hand to help her up. As there was very little space on the top step and she was afraid of heights he had to hold on to her as he helped her down. She giggled and he blushed. As the ground was uneven across the graves they had to hold hands for balance. There was nobody about only old Mary Martin down in the new graveyard tending her husband's grave. By the time they reached the doorway Lorna thought she had a midge in her eye. While bending over her upturned face he thought he removed it with his handkerchief. Again she giggled and again he blushed. Jimmy was enthralled by the complete round tower and even more so by the incomplete round tower. 'Why is it incomplete' he asked. 'Put your ear to the wall and you'll hear what happened.' When he did he heard her whispered reply, 'A lovers tiff, when his lover jilted him for the builder he climbed up and started knocking the tower. All efforts to stop him failed until the lover promised to come back to him but then the builder refused to repair the damage and so it remains to this day.' 'Is this true?' 'Many people round Seven Churches think so.' 'Do you believe it?' 'It's a good romantic story and I love romance.' 'Have you much experience?' 'Very little, where would it come from in a place like this, but sure we live in hope, what about you? 'Totally lacking experience but now that I'm working I might make up for lost time.' Every time he turned his head to listen and watch, she became more desirable. Little did he know that her mind was made up since Sunday evening when first she set eyes on him? Then again, hadn't he been completely bowled over by her beauty from the start? That was how their conversation continued over the next half hour, each whispering their piece to the wall then watching the back of the others head while listening to the reply. They didn't notice old Mary approaching from behind. 'It's grand to see young lovers using the arch', she said, 'Fifty seven years ago my Paddy whispered his proposal and I whispered my yes. Fifty seven years of love and contentment we've had, thank you Dean Odo' she said looking up at the arch. 'How long is he dead now?' 'He went with the daffodils, he's making a straw sugan chair for me in heaven, he'll have it ready for me for Christmas.' She then turned to Jimmy, placed a bony hand on his arm and with the slanting September sun from Connaught shining on her face, she looked him straight in the eye and said, 'This is the most important day in your life, don't let it slip away.' This time they both blushed. After she left Jimmy found himself saying to the stone 'Give me a kiss!' as he turned to seek reaction instead of answering she was smiling up at him in gorgeous, glowing, glorious anticipation. Before she rounded the corner of the cathedral old Mary looked back at the embracing couple, smiled a wrinkly smile, turned and shuffled off toward heaven. ~~~ 'Whispers' is one of sixty lyrical yarns from 'Original Irish Stories' by Pat Watson, Creagh, Bealnamulla, Athlone, Ireland. First published in March 2006. Order your copy by email from here: pjwatson@utvinternet.com KEEP THIS NEWSLETTER ALIVE! Solve your gift problem at: https://www.irishnation.com ============================== YOUTUBE VIDEOS OF IRISH INTEREST ============================== You can view our archive of Videos of Irish interest here: https://www.ireland-information.com/irishvideos.htm Country Life Museum, Mayo Old Jameson Distillery, Dublin Clonmacnoise   KEEP THIS NEWSLETTER ALIVE! Get Great Family Crest Gifts at: =========================== GAELIC PHRASES OF THE MONTH =========================== PHRASE: Maidin mhaith PRONOUNCED: modjin mot MEANING: Good morning PHRASE: Ar chodail tú go maith? PRONOUNCED: air cuddle two guh mot MEANING: DId you sleep well? PHRASE: Tá sé in am éirí PRONOUNCED: taw shay in amm eye-ree MEANING: It is time to get up View the archive of phrases here: https://www.ireland-information.com/irishphrases.htm ================== COMPETITION RESULT ================== The winner was: oconnorkillackey@mac.com who will receive the following: A Single Family Crest Print (US$19.99 value) Send us an email to claim your print, and well done! Remember that all subscribers to this newsletter are automatically entered into the competition every time. I hope that you have enjoyed this issue. by Michael Green, Editor, The Information about Ireland Site. https://www.ireland-information.com Click here to contact us Google+     PLEASE 'LIKE US' ON FACEBOOK! KEEP THIS NEWSLETTER ALIVE! Visit https://www.irishnation.com (C) Copyright - The Information about Ireland Site, 2013 P.O. Box 9142, Blackrock, County Dublin, Ireland Tel: 353 1 2893860