=================================================

  The Information about Ireland Site Newsletter 
                  June 2005
 
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) 2005  

=================================================

		IN THIS ISSUE
=== Foreword
=== News Snaps from Ireland 
=== New free resources at the site
=== The life of Daniel O'Connell - the Liberator
=== Unusual things to do on your Irish Vacation #1
=== Irish-American theatre in the US heartland
=== Bloomsday - a poem	      by Darien Brooks
=== A little bit of Dublin - #3
=== Gaelic Phrases of the Month
=== Monthly free competition result

=================================================

FOREWORD
========

Many thanks again to all of our readers 
contributions. This month we have the first in a 
series of articles about unusual things to do 
while on your Irish vacation - hope you enjoy!

until next month!

Michael


WE NEED YOUR HELP!

PLEASE - send this newsletter on to your friends 
or relatives who you think are interested in 
Ireland. By doing this you are helping to keep 
us 'free'.

Got something to say? Don't keep it to yourself!
Why don't you submit an article for inclusion
in the next edition? Go here for more information:


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

Do you have access to a website? You can help to 
keep this newsletter alive by adding a link to 
any of our websites below:

https://www.irishnation.com
http://www.irishsurnames.com
https://www.ireland-information.com
http://www.allfamilycrests.com
http://www.irishpenpals.com

If you have an AOL or HOTMAIL account then you 
will get much better results by viewing this 
newsletter online here:

https://www.ireland-information.com/jun05.htm

The only way that you could have been 
subscribed to this newsletter is by filling 
out a subscription form at the site whereupon 
a confirmation notice would have been issued.

If you wish to unsubscribe then go here:
 
https://www.ireland-information.com/newsletter.htm

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

=================================================

NEWS SNAPS FROM IRELAND
=======================

IRISH ATTITUDES CHANGE WITH ECONOMIC SUCCESS

A study by Researchers at the University of 
Tilburg in the Netherlands conducted over 
the last 25 years has shown a big shift in 
Irish attitudes. Since 1981 Ireland has 
experienced much change, and especially in 
the economy which has boomed since the early 
nineties. 

With the new found wealth has come a major 
change in attitudes in Ireland. Irish 
Conservatism has been replaced by a much 
more lenient attitude to drugs, sex, 
homosexuality and a variety of other issues.

Over 75% of those Irish who were surveyed 
believed that their fellow citizens cheated on 
their taxes and that they were right to do so. 
Irish acceptance towards casual sexual 
encounters, whilst more liberal than in 1981, 
is still at the conservative end of European 
acceptability however.

In terms of the overall European standing 
Ireland ranks mid-table, well behind the 
liberal Scandinavian countries of Iceland, 
Denmark and Sweden.

One author of the report has hinted that 
the sudden economic success could cause 
future problems as expectations have been 
raised to unsustainable levels. A whole 
new generation of youth are emerging into 
the workforce without ever having 
experienced the recessions of the 70s and 80s.
When bad times do eventually hit the country
it is the 'whatever' generation who will be 
hit the hardest.

DUBLIN SKYLINE FINALLY SURRENDERS

The traditional low-rise Dublin skyline is set 
to change dramatically as the building boom 
continues. While some will lament the imminent 
loss of the famously low-level Dublin skyline 
there are others who maintain that in the face 
of traffic congestion and severe housing 
shortages, it should have been sacrificed years 
ago.

As the housing boom continues so too does the 
urban sprawl out into the suburbs of Dublin and 
to the fringes of Counties Meath, Kildare and 
Wexford. Whilst building large housing estates 
on the outskirts of cities might seem like a 
good idea it is not without its problems. One 
proposed solution has been to build upwards and 
it now seems that he city planners have finally 
relented with a string of high-rise apartment 
blocks set to be built within the heart of Dublin
city over the next few years. First off the 
drawing board is a 32-storey tower near Heuston 
Station, which will be Ireland's tallest building 
when completed. Plans for similar developments 
in Ringsend and Dun Laoghaire are under 
consideration.

Housing prices have continued to rise in Ireland 
albeit at a much reduced rate. As demand continues 
to exceed supply it is likely that this trend 
will continue for some time.

EASTER 1916 DOCUMENT LEAVES IRELAND

The surrender document signed by Padraig Pearse
in 1916 has been sold at auction for the amazing 
sum of 700,000 Euro. The unknown buyer is believed 
to be of American origin. The 'reserve price' set 
by the auctioneer was 80,000 Euro.

The famous 1916 Easter Rising was the catalyst 
for the War of Independence, the Civil War and 
the 1949 Declaration of Independence that followed 
it. When Pearse and his colleagues embarked on 
their campaign of rebellion they must surely have 
known that defeat was inevitable. Their subsequent 
execution however, dramatically swayed public 
opinion towards them and the course of Irish 
history was changed forever.

AER LINGUS TO BE SOLD

it has been announced by the Government that a 
majority stake in Aer Lingus is to be sold for 
up to 540 M Euro. The privitisation of the 
Aer Lingus will allow it to open up new 
long-distance routes. A stock market floatation 
is likely rather than a private sale since the 
Government does not want the national airline 
to end up in foreign control.

IRELAND STUTTER ON WAY TO GERMANY 2006

The Irish soccer team have stumbled in their bid 
to qualify for the World Cup finals to be held in 
Germany in 2006. 

Leading Israel 2-0 at Landsdowne Road the 
advantage was surrendered as Israel rallied. 
Despite battering the Israeli defence for the 
last half hour the visitors refused to wilt and 
together with some time-wasting tactics, some good 
luck and some fine goalkeeping they left Dublin 
with a priceless point.

After beating the Faroe islands 2-0 Ireland now 
top the group. With home games against France and 
bogey-team Switzerland to follow qualification is 
still in Irish hands, although some big 
performances are now needed if Brian Kerr's team 
are to book their passage to the world's biggest 
sporting event next year.


Voice your opinion on these news issues here:

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

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

=================================================

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

NEW COATS OF ARMS ADDED TO THE GALLERY:

The following 5 coats of arms images and family
history details have been added to the Gallery:

D: O'Donaghue
L: Lenaghan
M: Massey, Morrison
S: Shaughnessy

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:

https://www.irishnation.com/familycrestgifts.htm

=================================================



=================================================

THE LIFE OF DANIEL O'CONNELL - THE LIBERATOR
============================================

Daniel O'Connell was born in 1775 in Cahirciveen, 
County Kerry. Although he was born into the native 
ascendancy, he was raised among the Catholic 
peasantry and thus learned not only the Gaelic 
language, but also the many tribulations faced by 
the poorer class. 

As a teenager he was sent to France for further 
education but travelled to London in 1793 on 
foot of the French revolution. His experience of 
the violence that was part of the revolution 
forged his lifelong commitment to peaceful means 
to achieve social change.

He qualified as a barrister and built a successful 
practice in Dublin. O'Connell abhorred the 
violence of the Wolfe Tone led 1798 rebellion but 
agreed with the overall aims of thr United 
Irishmen.

In 1802 O'Connell married his cousin Mary. The 
marriage was a good one with 12 children being 
born, although only 7 survived.

The 1800 Act of Union had raised hopes of Catholic 
emancipation but these remained unfulfilled. 
O'Connell soon got involved in political 
activities and in 1823 founded the Catholic 
Association with the express aim of securing 
emancipation. 

O'Connell was known a famous orator, debater and 
a sharp wit. He was a regular thorn in the side of 
the Dublin authorities and when in 1815, he called 
Dublin Corporation a 'beggarly corporation', the 
authorities thought they had a chance to discredit 
him. One member of the Corporation, D'Esterre, a 
noted duelist, challenged him to a duel. If 
O'Connell accepted the challenge then it was 
thought he would certainly be killed. If he backed 
down then he would be politically damaged and 
discredited.

To everyone's surprise O'Connell accepted the 
challenge and fatally wounded D'Esterre. O'Connell 
always regretted his death, and later assisted the 
D'Estere family financially.

With the backing of the clergy O'Connell stood 
for election to the English parliament in County 
Clare in 1828. A massive victory for O'Connell 
followed as the momentum for reform gathered pace. 
O'Connell refused to take the Oath of Allegiance 
to the English crown and the crisis point had 
been reached. With 6 M-illion supporters backing 
O'Connell the English government feared an 
uprising was on the cards and eventually granted 
Catholic emancipation in 1829. O'Connell was 
now the undisputed hero of Ireland and a year 
later became the first Catholic in modern history 
to be take his seat at the English parliament.

By this time O'Connell had given up his legal 
practice and was concentrating fully on politics. 
He set his sight on repealing the Act of Union 
and the establishment of an Irish parliament. His 
Repeal Association organised monster meetings that 
attracted hundreds of thousands. An estimated 
three-quarters of a m-illion people attended the 
Hill of Tara meeting. The authorities responded 
by banning a similar meeting scheduled for 
Clontarf in 1843. Despite cancelling the meeting 
O'Connell was arrested and charged with conspiracy. 
He served 3 months in prison before being released 
but the damage had been done. The tactics that 
had achieved emancipation could not be used to 
achieve an Irish parliament. His stay in prison 
had also adversely affected his health.

The more radical 'Young Irelanders' withdrew from 
the Repeal Association. In the countryside the 
potato crop was already beginning to fail. The 
Great Famine of 1847 devastated the Irish 
countryside. O'Connell tried to help and spoke 
in the London parliament, appealing for aid for
his desperate starving countrymen. 

O'Connell will always be known as the 'Liberator' 
and Catholic emancipation was indeed his greatest 
success. It is unknown if his peaceful mass 
protests could have achieved any further 
concessions on the road to Irish independence. The
famine that resulted in over 1 million deaths from 
starvation and a further million taking the 
emigrants boat stopped any political momentum 
dead in its tracks.

At 70 years of age O'Connell was advised to move 
to a warmer climate to placate his ailing health. 
He set off for Rome but only made it as far as 
Genoa. He died in May 1847 and was buried in 
Glasnevin cemetery in Dublin. His funeral was 
among the largest ever seen in Ireland.

===================================================

UNUSUAL THINGS TO DO ON YOUR IRISH VACATION #1
==============================================

IRELAND'S WOMEN'S MINI MARATHON  by L. Boland

I'm aiming to inspire you to join me for some 
'Craic agus Ceoil' (fun and music) in Dublin 
next June.

Read on....
The first Monday in June is a much loved 
traditional holiday here in Ireland that opens up 
our summer months and festivals. Many people 
reward themselves with a short break and 'pray' 
for good weather - which isn't always guaranteed 
here in Ireland as you may know. But as we say, 
it never rains in the pub. Ha ha....

I live in Dublin, Ireland's capital city and every 
year at this time we host the Women's Mini 
Marathon. The marathon is the biggest all-women's 
event of its kind in the WORLD. Some forty 
thousand women participate and it is no less than 
a 'Festival of Women', a truly inspiring event. 
Women of all ages, all sizes, all fitness 
abilities take part. All you need to do is be fit 
enough to walk, jog, run, crawl, hop, skip or jump 
the 10 kilometre - 6 mile course. There is a 
separate starting line for runners, joggers,
walkers, wheelchair users and the blind. Once 
you finish the course you receive a commemorative 
medal and ribbon to mark your achievement. I now 
have a collection. The winner of this years race 
was Sonia O' Sullivan, who is Ireland's Olympic 
runner. However, the truth is that the real 
winners of the event are the charities. Since its 
debut in 1983 the event has raised over 80 million 
Euro for Irish charities.

The day itself is loaded with fun and music so 
we're getting to the 'Craic and Ceoil' I promised 
you. Most people seem to arrive early to meet 
with friends. The excitement is palpable. 

The carnival atmosphere is friendly and fun as 
the city centre fills with women, each sporting 
the tee shirt of their chosen charity. Its also 
fun to see the many people who dress in costume 
and hilarious to see the few brave men who dress 
in the most outlandish women's costumes in order 
to take part. There are organised fun events on 
the different roads to keep us amused until the 
race start time of 3pm, but most of the time is 
spent chatting to everyone, and just enjoying 
the sights and sounds.

The course itself begins in the city centre and 
stretches out to some of Dublins oldest and
finest suburbs. All along the route spectators
line up to wave and cheer. At various intervals
bands are playing music and encouraging us along.
Last year we even had the gorgeous young firemen
of the Dublin Fire Brigade out to cheer us along.
After many cat calls from the crowd they promptly
began to hose us down. That gave me a sudden 
burst of energy and I ran like the wind!

As you near the finish line the atmosphere is 
electric and the city is abuzz with friends and
family all here to celebrate the day. Its time
now for the reward after all the hard work.
The hotels, restaurants, pubs and even the 
streets are overwhelmed and the city is just
one giant party for the evening. Its great
fun.

So, if you're thinking of visiting Ireland next 
Summer why not start your vacation in Dublin 
and join us either for the Marathon itself or
the celebrations afterwards. Not only would 
it be a great way to start your holiday but its
an ideal way to meet Irish people from all over
the country. 

Overseas entries can be downloaded on the
official website www.womensminimarathon.ie  
These are generally available in March or April.

If you go touring afterwards not only will you 
have something to talk about, but you'll be 
guaranteed to meet up with people who were also 
there. If you have a romantic notion of meeting 
us Irish, then what better opportunity than the 
evening of the race. A more relaxed atmosphere 
you'll never find!

L. Boland,
Dublin, Ireland

===================================================

YOU CAN HELP TO KEEP THIS FREE NEWSLETTER ALIVE!

Visit: https://www.irishnation.com
where you can get great Irish gifts, prints, 
claddagh jewellery, engraved glassware and 
much more.

Anne MacDonald ordered a family crest plaque:

 Hello, Michael,

 Received my plaque, carefully wrapped, 
 in good order. It is splendid! I am 
 thrilled, and I know that my dad, for whose 
 81st birthday this was ordered, will love 
 it. I would like to order another one! 

 Everyone who has seen the plaque has been 
 really impressed, even those who, as my 
 daughter says are 'not into ancestor 
 worship!'

 Again, my hearty thanks for this 
 first-class product.

 Best wishes for happy holiday season.

 Sincerely, Anne MacDonald

THE PERFECT WEDDING OR ANNIVERSARY GIFT!

View family crest plaques here:

https://www.irishnation.com/familycrestplaques.htm

=================================================

IRISH-AMERICAN THEATRE IN THE US HEARTLAND
==========================================

by Vivian Lermond

At stage center in the American heartland, you'll 
find a bit of Ireland. The Columbus Ohio Irish 
Theatre Project, a semi-professional troupe 
formed in 2002, offers a unique brand of 
Irish-American theatre. The company produces 
new one-act plays penned by Columbus playwrights.

The company is the cultural arm of Central Ohio's 
largest Irish-American women's organization, 
The Daughters of Erin - which was founded with 
the following aims:

* to fill the theatrical void for promoting the 
  Irish arts
* to provide a forum for local writers

The company initiated an annual Daughters of Erin 
College Scholarship for Scholastic Excellence for 
members and their daughters and was looking for a 
way to raise revenue. In an era when small theatre 
companies are struggling, The Irish Theatre 
Project's first production in 2002 sold out all 
six performances, with standing room only at the 
final two shows. That success led to further 
recognition and an invitation to be part of the 
theatrical performance venue at the Dublin (Ohio) 
Irish Festival. 

With an annual attendance of 80,000, the DubFest 
is one of the largest Irish festivals in North 
America. The ITP returns to the festival this 
year, August 5-7, with IRISH SHORT SHORTS - a 
trio of ten minute plays written and directed by 
Vivian C. Lermond. THRU A REAR VIEW MIRROR, 
directed by award winner Pam Hill, features 5 
one-act plays that are a reflective comedic 
interpretation of both the past and the present 
from an Irish-American point of view. The show will 
be performed at The Shamrock Club of Columbus, 60 
West Castle Road, October 14-23. ALL WELCOME!

For ticket and contact information, visit the 
Daughters of Erin website:
http://www.daughtersoferin.com/itp.html 

=================================================

BLOOMSDAY 		by Darien Brooks
=========

Sit beside me, Irish friend,
among patrons at Davy Byrne's
we'll eat gorgonzola cheese sandwiches
drink glasses of burgundy wine,
read selected passages of Ulysses,
pay attention to Joyce's words
sit beside me, Irish friend,
let's talk of James Joyce
why he wrote of Dublin
from Trieste, Zurich and Paris,
Joyce wrote in stream of consciousness,
words dictated in dreams
Leopold Bloom and Stephen Daedalus,
they walked all around Dublin,
all morning, all of evening,
the sixteenth of June, 1904
people talking, talking all day
drinking Guinness, praying to God,
Sandycove to Eccles Street,
Molly Bloom in bed dreaming.

Sit beside me, Irish friend,
among patrons at Davy Byrne's
we'll eat gorgonzola cheese sandwiches,
drink glasses of burgundy wine
if we know Leopold Bloom
shared his adventures with us,
he'll pay for our lunch,
walk us on O'Connell Street,
introduce us to Stephen Daedalus,
why James Joyce is important
in Irish and world literature,
he'll explain this to us.
Why Ulysses is his masterpiece,
Bloom will give his reasons,
including why, how June 16
is named in his honor.
Sit beside me, Irish friend,
among patrons at Davy Byrne's
let us toast James Joyce and
Leopold Bloom's namesake day.

Darien Brooks,
Wilmington, 
NC USA

=================================================

YOU CAN HELP TO KEEP THIS FREE NEWSLETTER ALIVE!

Visit https://www.irishnation.com

where you can get great Irish gifts, prints, 
claddagh jewellery, engraved glassware and 
much more.

Wendy Walker of Columbia, Missouri got a
family crest signet ring with the Donnelly family 
crest engraved on it for her son

 Michael,
 I received by registered mail today the ring I 
 ordered for my son with the Donnelly family crest.

 I am very impressed and thrilled with the ring. 
 It is beautiful and the service I received 
 throughout the whole process of ordering and 
 receiving this unique gift has been superb. Thank 
 you for all your assistance and prompt responses 
 to my questions.

 I will most certainly order other items from you 
 and will highly recommend you.

 Thank you

 Wendy Walker

THE PERFECT WEDDING, ANNIVERSARY OR BIRTHDAY GIFT!

See here for family crest gifts:
Visit:

https://www.irishnation.com/familycrestgifts.htm

=================================================

A LITTLE BIT OF DUBLIN - #3
===========================

Kilmainham Jail near Inchiore in Dublin was 
originally built on a site known as 'Gallows 
Hill'. A jail had existed on the site since the 
year 1210 but was in such neglect that it was 
demolished and rebuilt in 1796. By the time of 
the 1798 rebellion the jail was overcrowded but 
further development did not take place until 1863. 
Many famous Irish famous historical figures were 
imprisoned there including Robert Emmett, Charles 
Stewart Parnell, Padraig Pearse, Countess 
Markievicz and Eamon DeValera. The prison was 
closed down in 1924 and is now a museum heritage 
site, a national monument.

=================================================

GAELIC PHRASES OF THE MONTH
===========================
 
PHRASE:	 	Sean is ainm dom
PRONOUNCED:	Sean is ann-imm dum
MEANING:		Sean is my name!

PHRASE:		Ca bhfuil Maire/Sean?
PRONOUNCED:	caw will Maire/Sean
MEANING:		Where is Maire/Sean!

PHRASE:		Ta se/si sa teach/ostan
PRONOUNCED:	taw shay/shee sah chock/us-tawn
MEANING:		He/She is in the house/hotel

View the archive of phrases here:

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

=================================================

JUNE COMPETITION RESULT
========================

The winner was: shaunmoore@oxstalls.gloucs.sch.uk
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. 

=================================================

I hope that you have enjoyed this issue.

Until next time,

Michael Green,
Editor,
The Information about Ireland Site.


https://www.ireland-information.com

Click here to contact us