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 The Information about Ireland Site Newsletter 
                 February 2007
 
The Newsletter for people interested in Ireland 
 Now received by over 50,000 people worldwide 
      https://www.ireland-information.com 
          https://www.irishnation.com
              Copyright (C) 2007  

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		IN THIS ISSUE
=== Foreword
=== News Snaps from Ireland 
=== New free resources at the site
=== Symbols of Ireland: The Shamrock 
=== The Homecoming             by Mary Wilkinson
=== The Irish in Argentina
=== Gaelic Phrases of the Month
=== Shamrock Site of the Month: celticattic.com
=== Monthly free competition result

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FOREWORD
========

An early 'Happy Saint Patrick's day' to you all. 
Be sure to keep an eye out for the Saint Patrick's 
day edition of the newsletter. You should also 
check out our free resources section below, where 
you can access some simple kids games to teach 
them about Ireland!

until the 17th,

Michael


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NEWS SNAPS FROM IRELAND
=======================
 
OPINION POLLS ARE BAD NEWS FOR CURRENT GOVERNMENT

A recent boost in support for the Fianna Fail and 
PD coalition government has been negated by the most 
recent opinion polls which show the alternative 
'rainbow' coalition of Fine Gael, Labour and the 
Greens ahead in the opinion stakes. The General 
Election is expected to be held in May.

Fianna Fail seem to have been out-manoeuvred by 
their partners in government with regard to the 
thorny issue of stamp duty, the exorbitant rates 
of which are levied on house and land purchases. 
The PDs raised the issue before the December 
budget but Fianna Fail would not make any changes 
to the stamp duty regime. This allowed the PDs as 
well as the opposition parties to make promises to 
reduce the rates of stamp duty if they are 
elected to government.

The reduction of stamp duty would be a very 
popular measure with the electorate but Fianna 
Fail have scored an 'own goal' by allowing their 
election rivals to steal a march on the issue, 
especially when they had (and still have) an 
opportunity to reform the penal stamp duty rates 
while they are still in government.  

PROPERTY MARKET LOOKS SET TO STALL

The ongoing uncertainty about the huge rates of 
stamp duty which are levied on house and land 
deals has caused a real slowdown in activity in 
the housing market. By waiting until after the 
general election a prospective buyer could save 
tens of thousands of Euro if the stamp duty 
rates are reformed. A 'wait and see' game has thus 
developed which has reduced the number of sales 
that would normally be expected at this time of 
year. Those who are attempting to sell are still 
seeking 'boom prices' so it seems likely that the 
property market could stagnate for some months.

While demands continues to exceed supply it is 
unlikely that there will be any housing market 
crash. The real winners in this round of 
'cat and mouse' are those companies selling 
foreign property investments. Business has never 
been so good.

RUGBY & SOCCER IN CROKE PARK FOR FIRST TIME

Over 82,000 rugby fans were packed into Croke 
Park for the historic visit of England to see 
the home side triumph by 43 to 13. Ireland had 
previously been beaten by France in the first 
ever game played at Gaelic sports sacred ground.

The England game had been a sore point with some 
hard-line republicans and GAA members who are 
still unhappy with 'foreign' sports being played 
at Croke Park. A small protest outside the ground
on the big day attracted little support however.

Next up is the Irish soccer team who will play 
Wales and Slovakia in the huge venue in March.

IRISH WEDDINGS IN CROATIA TO BE CURBED

Church Officials in Croatia have sent a letter 
of complaint to a Archbishop of Armagh in Ireland 
regarding the behaviour of Irish people who 
married in that country.

The Diocese of Dubrovnik is disturbed at the 
'inappropriate' dress of some of the attendees at 
the wedding services as well as the lack of 
awareness of participants in the ceremony of the 
rules for receiving communion and Catholic 
theology in general.

The Irish Church has responded by stating that 
'touristic' weddings should be discouraged.

RURAL TRANSPORT SCHEME IS NOT JUST TO AID PUBS

The Minister for Rural Affairs has announced a 
pilot scheme that will facilitate greater 
transport accessibility in rural areas. The 
Minister has insisted however that the scheme is 
not just to assist pub-goers who would otherwise 
drive their cars while intoxicated but is also 
to help elderly and isolated people have access 
to State services.

Publicans have long argued that the lack of 
rural transport is one of the main reasons why 
so many smaller Irish pubs have closed down in 
recent years. 


Voice your opinion on these news issues here:

https://www.ireland-information.com/cgi-bin/newsletterboardindex.cgi

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NEW FREE RESOURCES AT THE SITE
==============================

FREE KIDS GAMES TO PRINT:

Go here to print off some simple games to teach 
kids about Ireland:

https://www.ireland-information.com/freegames.htm

FIND OUT ABOUT SAINT PATRICK HERE:

https://www.ireland-information.com/saintpatricksday.htm

NEW COATS OF ARMS ADDED TO THE GALLERY:

The following 6 coats of arms images and family
history details have been added to the Gallery:

C: Carr, 
G: McGadey, Gaffney
L: Lawrence
P: Purves
S: Samson

View the Gallery here:

http://www.irishsurnames.com/coatsofarms/gm.htm

THE PERFECT WEDDING, ANNIVERSARY OR BIRTHDAY GIFT!
We now have over 100,000 worldwide names available.
Get the Coat of Arms Print, Claddagh Ring,
Screensaver, Watch, T-Shirt Transfer or Clock for
your name at:

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SYMBOLS OF IRELAND: THE SHAMROCK
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			  by Bridget Haggerty 

According to the Concise Columbia Encyclopedia, 
the identity of the true shamrock has long been 
debated, but the plants most often designated as 
the emblem of Ireland are the white clover, the 
small hop clover, and the wood sorrel, or oxalis.  
 
It's likely that some or all of this information 
was provided by the botanist, Nathaniel Colgan, 
who endeavored to identify 'the real shamrock' 
at the turn of the 20th century.

He asked people all over Ireland to send him 
living, rooted specimens which he carefully 
planted and labeled. When the plants matured and 
blossomed, he was able to identify four different 
types - the three already mentioned and one called 
Black Medick. Compared to the American plant, 
which is oxalis, the leaves on the sprigs from 
Ireland were tiny and featured a dark stain on the 
green. Undoubtedly, whatever the botanists call it, 
this was, and still is, the shamrock that the 
majority of Irish people wear in their lapels on 
Saint Patrick's Day.

So how did the shamrock become a symbol of 
Ireland? It may surprise many readers to learn 
that the plant's international association with 
the Emerald Isle is relatively recent.

It wasn't until the seventeenth century that it 
became the custom to wear the shamrock on the 
feast of Ireland's patron saint. Until then, the 
Irish wore a special St. Patrick's cross, made 
just for the occasion. Then, in the late 
eighteenth century, the shamrock was adopted as 
a symbol by the Volunteers of 1777. But it didn't 
really become widely popular until the nineteenth 
century, when the emerging nationalist movements 
took the shamrock, along with the harp, as their 
symbols.

Viewed as an act of rebellion in Victorian 
England, Irish regiments were forbidden to display 
it. This one single act may have done more to 
establish the shamrock as Ireland's national 
symbol than anything else. It was also the 
catalyst for the creation of the famous ballad 
that became known as 'The Wearin' O' The Green':

'Oh Paddy dear, and did ye hear the news 
that's going round?
The shamrock is forbid by law to grow 
on Irish ground!
No more St. Patrick's Day we'll keep, 
his color can't be seen, 
For there's a cruel law agin' 
the wearing o' the Green!'

While the lyrics may have stirred the souls and 
hearts of rebellious Irishmen, there are a couple 
of strange contradictions in this verse: it's very 
likely that Saint Patrick wore vestments of blue, 
not green and since the plant wasn't cultivated 
but grew wild, there was no way the Crown could 
have successfully banned its growth!

As for Saint Patrick using it to teach us the 
mystery of the Holy Trinity, it was never 
mentioned in any of his writings. So, that of 
itself, remains a mystery. On the other hand, 
Triads, or groups of three, were of major 
significance in ancient Ireland so it is quite 
possible that the shamrock may have been used by 
early Christian teachers because, not only could 
it instantly illustrate and explain an important 
belief, it would also have been symbolically 
acceptable.

But that was then.

Today, the shamrock is firmly established as the 
most instantly recognizable symbol of Ireland. 
For good luck, it's usually included in the 
bouquet of an Irish bride, and also in the 
boutonniere of the groom. It's the symbol of a 
quality B & B that's earned the right to display 
it. It's part of the Aer Lingus logo, as well as 
those of many other companies, sports teams and 
organizations. It is also an integral part of an 
old tradition called 'drowning the shamrock'.

This takes place on Saint Patrick's Day, when the 
shamrock that has been worn in the hat or lapel 
is removed and put into the last drink of the 
evening. A toast is proposed and then, when the 
toast has been honored, the shamrock is taken 
from the bottom of the glass and thrown over the 
left shoulder. 

Slainte! 

About the Author: Bridget Haggerty is the author 
of 'The Traditional Irish Wedding' - see here:

https://www.ireland-information.com/articles/irishweddingtraditions.htm

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THE HOMECOMING		    by Mary Wilkinson
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Mine was a passionate pilgrimage
To quench the thirst of my Celtic soul,
And to satisfy my hunger for Heritage.
Like Saint Brendan the Navigator so long ago
I braved the challenge of 'The Great Unknown',
And returned to mystical ancient Ireland,
My brave and troubled ancestral home,
Which yearns yet for Freedom and for Peace.

Erin's place names drip from the tongue
Like intoxicating, fragrant, honeyed mead:
Kildare. Killarney. Kingdom of Kerry.
Connemara. Galway.  Donegal. Tipperary,
Waterford. Wexford. Mayo.  Meath.
Each gave a loving benediction 
to the Pilgrim's feet.
Each provided nourishment for the Seeker's soul
Each shared her songs and stories generously.

Limerick offered a timeless treasured gift,
Deeper knowledge of my family's history.
While green and gracious Glendalough
Provided still a peaceful, perfect sanctuary.
Dear old Dublin teased and tempted,
Shoved and shouted, a strange and busy place.
Newgrange, Nowth and Tara made my heart soar,
While Blarney bestowed its own special grace.

Lovely Clare alone knew and remembered me.
Flinging wide her strong, comforting arms
She gave this Prodigal a hearty welcoming.
There in the golden glory of East Clare
Where the Shannon hurries down to the Sea,
There where my ancestors lived and loved,
Worshipped and worked, struggled and starved,
My Pilgrimage was satisfied. I found an Epiphany.

Now, like the poet Yeats, I can truly say,
'When I am old and gray and nod by the fire',
I will remember and cherish my Pilgrimage,   
And share with those nearest and dearest to me
The places I've been and the things I have seen.
I will tell them that when the internal ache
Becomes intolerable, 
what is needed is a Homecoming
To the bountiful blessings 
of 'Sweet County Clare'.   

Mary Wilkinson

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THE IRISH IN ARGENTINA
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		by Santiago Boland / Bahia Blanca

16th January, 1875, The Southern Cross published 
the following: 
 'In no other region of the world is the Irishman 
 more respected and esteemed than in the Province 
 of Buenos Aires. And in no other part of this 
 planet have the Irish immigrants prospered with 
 such good fortune...'

Don Pedro de Mendoza's fleet arrived at e Rio de 
la Plata in 1535, and founded the city of Buenos 
Aires. Among its crew members were two men of 
obvious Irish origin Juan and Tomas Farrell. 
Three years later other Irishman arrived, Juan 
Gordon, along with Royal Inspector Cabrera. When 
Buenos Aires was destroyed, they moved to 
Asuncion, and a couple of years later their 
descendants, Rafael Farrell and Diego Gordon, 
participated in the foundation of Corrientes 
by Don Juan Torres de Vera y Aragon.

When Henry VIII separated the Church of England 
from the Roman Catholic Church (due to the Pope's 
denial to his request to Catalina of Aragon) a 
religious persecution began in Ireland, which 
had remained faithful to Rome. These persecutions 
were much worse under Elizabeth 1, his daughter, 
and Cromwell took them to the extreme. It was not 
surprising, therefore, that Irishmen would serve 
the Catholic royalty after fleeing to Spain or 
its colonies.

The first Irish to settle in the Rio de la Plata 
were Fathers Thomas Field, from Limerick, and 
Thomas Falkner, son of an Irishman. They were 
followed by many, some who kept their original 
family name - such as the names Lynch and 
O'Gorman - and others who adopted a Spanish 
version of their names, as was the case 
of Kennefick, who translated it into Reinafe.

Although it may seem an irony of fate, the coming 
into existence of the Irish-Argentine community 
begun with the British Invasions. In 1806 a fleet, 
under the command of Commodore Popham, came to 
shore at Quilmes and marched into the city of 
Buenos Aires. General Beresford was in charge of 
the fleet and infantry.

The city was taken with no resistance, no proper 
defenses or forces being available. During the 
occupation, many of the Irish soldiers, forced 
to fight for the English, felt a much deeper 
bond with the local population than with the 
invading forces and therefore decided to switch 
sides and fight alongside the improvised domestic 
troops. Beresford found himself obliged to 
threaten with martial law measures for any person 
encouraging his soldiers to desert. One, by the 
name of Skennon, who joined Pueyrredon' s army in 
Perdriel, did not cease to fire his cannon until 
the moment he was captured and taken prisoner. 
His fate was not a happy one: he was publicly 
executed in the Plaza de Mayo, after receiving 
the holy sacraments from the Bishop of Buenos 
Aires.

On August 12th, Beresford surrendered to Santiago 
de Liniers and the defeated soldiers, many 
Irishmen among them, were sent inland to 
different cities of the viceroyalty. In July, 
1807, twelve thousand men, under the command of 
John Whitelocke, tried once again to take 
possession of Buenos Aires; but this time the 
local forces massacred them with hot oil strewn 
from the roofs. The Basilica of the Virgin of the 
Rosary still treasures the captured British flags 
that were offered as a sign of surrender.

The capitulation established a definite withdrawal 
date for the British military and an exchange of 
prisoners, since many refused to rejoin the English 
army, because they had already decided to settle 
in the country. They swore allegiance to the King 
of Spain, and raised their families and even 
adopted Spanish surnames such as Perez, Garcia or 
Sanchez. These Irish soldiers may very well have 
been in the British battalion that were part of 
the Army that crossed the Andes.

Thus, a small community was formed, and it grew 
in size with the addition of other immigrants 
who arrived here for trading purposes or who 
landed here by mere chance as was the case of 
Brown himself.

The language differences and the special functions 
of priests in Irish society, were the basis of a 
request for priests to be sent from Ireland. 
Burke (a Dominican), Father Moran, who passed 
away a year after his arrival, and Father Patricio 
O'Gorman as from 1831, were successively the Irish 
chaplains in Buenos Aires. Father Antonio Fahy 
arrived in 1844 to help Father O'Gorman in his 
task.

The existence of a small community, the tragic 
situation of Ireland during those days, the 
expansion of sheep rearing under General Rosas 
and the unwavering work of Father Fahy were the 
main factors behind an increase in the number 
of people arriving from Ireland until 1860.

Aware of the possibilities offered by the 
Province of Buenos Aires and mostly having 
their passage paid by a countryman who had 
arrived before, they were received by the local 
Irish and then went to work in the rural areas, 
where they were periodically visited by the 
Chaplain. This country was a very alluring 
perspective for our ancestors, and here we 
are.....

The rest of this history is ours. This Irish 
community is the largest in any non-English 
speaking country in the world, and we still try 
to keep up the inherited traditions and to 
rescue those that have been lost.

Santiago Boland / Bahia Blanca

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GAELIC PHRASES OF THE MONTH
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PHRASE:		Beannachtai na Feile Padraig
PRONOUNCED:	bann/ockt/tee nih fail/eh pawd/rig
MEANING:		Happy Saint Patrick's Day

PHRASE:	 	Siochan leat
PRONOUNCED:	shee/oh/con lat
MEANING:		Peace be with you

PHRASE:		Slán agus beannacht leat 
PRONOUNCED:	slawn og/us ban/ockt lat
MEANING:		Goodbye and blessings on you


View the archive of phrases here:

https://www.ireland-information.com/irishphrases.htm

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SHAMROCK SITE OF THE MONTH:	CELTICATTIC.COM

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Phone orders 360-765-0186

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FEBRUARY COMPETITION RESULT
===========================

The winner was: njcollins@prtc.net
who will receive the following: 

A Single Family Crest Print (decorative) 
(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. 

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I hope that you have enjoyed this issue.

Until next month,

Michael Green,
Editor,
The Information about Ireland Site.


https://www.ireland-information.com

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