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		IN THIS ISSUE
~~~ Foreword
~~~ Keep us Free!
~~~ News Snaps from Ireland
~~~ New Free Resources at the Site
~~~ Inspired by Magic	   	by Jade Fire
~~~ Ned Devine and the Irish Draw
~~~ Cara Irish Penpals News
~~~ Irish Halloween Traditions
~~~ Gaelic Phrases of the Month
~~~ Monthly free competition result

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FOREWORD
~~~~~~~~

Hello again from Ireland where winter has hit hard!
The talk here is of the Nice Treaty which will 
allow 10 more countries to join the European Union. 
There sure are interesting times ahead!

There is a free screensaver to download this month, 
a US$8 value, so make sure you grab it soon.


Until next time, HAPPY HALLOWEEN!

Michael


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KEEP THIS NEWSLETTER ALIVE!
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

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NEWS SNAPS FROM IRELAND
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

CATHOLIC CHURCH IN IRELAND IN CRISIS

Revelations made on an RTE television programme 
that the Church faces over 450 claims by 
victims of child abuse have rocked the Catholic 
Church in Ireland. The claim that Cardinal 
Connell knew of the abuse being committed by 
some of his clergy but did nothing more than 
transfer the abusing priests from one parish to 
another has led to calls for his resignation.

The State is to conduct a full enquiry into the 
matter which may result in charges being made 
against church officials. The Minister for 
Justice has made it clear that State law is 
superior to Church law.

The Irish Survivors of Child Abuse is trying to 
get an injunction against the Church to prevent 
them from disposing of their assets prior to any 
civil claim being made against the Church. The 
organiser of ISCA has claimed that there is 
evidence from other countries that the Catholic 
Church moved its assets abroad as soon as 
litigation against them became inevitable.

EUROPEAN UNION NICE TREATY IS PASSED

The French town of Nice was the venue for the 
meetings to discuss the enlargement of Europe and 
the reorganisation of the European Union (the EU). 
All of the other member states of the EU had 
ratified the Treaty of Nice by 2001 but the Irish 
electorate rejected the treaty last year amid 
voter apathy and confusion about the issues.

The second referendum just completed has seen the 
Treaty passed by 63% to 37%. This paves the way 
for Cyprus, the Czech Republic, Estonia, Hungary, 
Latvia, Lithuania, Malta, Poland, Slovakia, and 
Slovenia to be admitted to the EU, commencing 
in 2004.

The proposed addition of the new countries to the 
EU is not without its problems. The Russian 
enclave of Kaliningrad will be isolated from the 
rest of Russia should Lithuania and Poland be 
admitted. Citizens travelling from that territory 
may need Visas to travel the short distance back 
to Russia. The island of Cyprus is divided and has 
been the subject of conflict between Turkey and 
Greece for decades. Turkey has already expressed 
an interest in joining the EU and has recently 
removed the death sentence from its law books in 
an effort to improve its poor human rights image. 

Ireland is set to become a contributor to the EU 
instead of a beneficiary which may have some 
short term financial downsides. However, the 
expansion of the free market by millions of 
people is seen as a balancing financial 
opportunity for those countries who are willing 
to fully engage in the European Union experience.

NORTHERN IRELAND PEACE PROCESS NEARS COLLAPSE

The Northern Ireland Assembly has again been 
suspended and direct rule imposed from London. 
Despite the recent decommissioning of weapons 
by the IRA the Ulster Unionist party, led by 
David Trimble, has insisted that the IRA 
completely disband before it will continue its 
power-sharing arrangement with Sinn Fein and 
the SDLP nationalist parties.

The disbandment of the IRA is very unlikely to 
happen so it appears that new elections to the 
Northern Ireland Assembly will be called. It 
remains to be seen if the representatives of 
any newly elected Assembly will take their 
seats or if the new Assembly would again be 
suspended, perhaps bringing an end to the 
'Good Friday' Peace Process.

IRISH GOVERNMENT CONTINUES SELLAFIELD CLOSURE BID

The British government has accused the Irish 
government of attempting to cause public alarm by 
its statements regarding Sellafield. The Nuclear 
facility in Cumbria in England is seen as a 
potential terrorist target but, the British 
Government has claimed, is less likely to be a 
target for terrorists who want to build a nuclear 
device because of the nature of the Plutonium 
MOX pellets.

Ireland is taking legal action to try to force 
the British government to hand over documents 
which it considers are vital in its efforts to 
close Sellfaield and which have so far been 
withheld.

AER LINGUS BOUNCES BACK

Aer Lingus, the national Irish airline, is on the 
road to recovery after its recent difficult year 
and has announced that it is to restart its 
flights to Baltimore/Washington from Dublin and 
Shannon from next March, having shelved the 
routes in the wake of global uncertainty 
surrounding airlines.

The company may well become a hot target for a 
sell-off by the Government if it's situation 
continues to improve.

COMPENSATION DISEASE STRIKES

Recent reports have shown that, after America, 
Ireland is the country whose citizens are most 
likely to sue given the slightest opportunity.
 
The outbreak of Foot and Mouth disease last 
year resulted in airports, ferries and train 
stations placing disinfectant mats outside 
their premises in an effort to prevent the 
spread of the disease. 

A new disease has taken the place of Foot and 
Mouth disease however - Foot and Mat disease! 
So far twelve Irish citizens have made claims 
against the State resulting from trips and 
falls made in or around the disinfectant mats. 

The willingness of the Irish to sue is a cause 
of great concern for the government who are 
trying to crack down on those who make false 
claims, and who raise the cost of insurance 
for everyone else as a consequence.

One Limerick family have no less than 16 
different family members who are involved in 
claims against various State agencies. It is 
the main source of income for the family. An 
official in one such office that is being sued 
by this family, for the umpteenth time, has 
suggested that the family does not need a 
solicitor but in fact would be better served 
by an exorcist, given their propensity to be 
victims of an accident!

The Government is setting up an independent board 
to assess personal injury compensation claims. 
Under the new plans, if a claimant exaggerates 
their claim then they will lose all of their 
entitlements to compensation and possibly face a 
prison term of up to 5 years.

NATIONAL STADIUM MAY GO AHEAD

The national stadium which the Government 
recently withdrew funding from may go ahead after 
all as 23 'expressions of interest' to build the 
stadium have been received by the Government from 
the private sector.

Ireland is preparing a joint bid with Scotland 
to host the 2008 European Soccer Championships 
and the final decision by UEFA to award the 
championships is to be reached in December. The 
provision of a new stadium is seen as crucial 
although the Government is still trying to 
persuade the GAA to allow Croke Park to be used 
on a once-off basis.

SPORT: EUROPE REGAINS THE RYDER CUP

Golf's premier team event was landed by the 
unfancied Europeans by 15.5 to 12.5 recently with 
Ireland's very own Paul McGinley sinking the putt 
that clinched the cup. A dip in the lake beside 
the eighteenth green on the Belfry course was in 
order afterwards for the affable Irishman but 
only after the result was certain.

Unlike the last time, there were no repeats of the 
disgraceful scenes when supporters ran onto the 
green before the event was concluded. Curtis 
Strange, the US captain, was generous in defeat. 
Sam Torrance has since declared that he will not 
be captaining Europe the next time out as his 
charges attempt to retain the trophy. The Ryder 
Cup takes place in the K-club in Ireland in 2005.

SPORT: IRISH SOCCER TEAM SUFFERS SUCCESSIVE DEFEATS

Mick McCarthy's Irish soccer team have suffered a 
major World Cup hangover as they lost 4-2 to Russia 
in Moscow and 2-1 to Switzerland in Dublin to make 
qualification for Portugal 2004 a very difficult 
task indeed.

Inevitably there were calls for Mick McCarthy to 
resign, despite the fact that he has just lead the 
team to the World Cup finals in Japan and Korea, 
only exiting the competition on penalties to Spain 
in the last 16 stage.

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
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

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:

B: Breheny, O'Boyle,
D: Doran
S: Stroud
W: Walton

View the Gallery here:

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

Visit our new site where you can view thousands of 
family crests from around the world:

 http://www.allfamilycrests.com

We now have over 20,000 worldwide names available.
Get the Coat of Arms Print, Claddagh Ring,
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FREE SCREENSAVER:

Download our 'Irish Authors from the Past' 
Screensaver for free! This screensaver was 
previously offered for US$8 at our website but 
you can get it for free until the end of October 
from here:

 https://www.irishnation.com/oct2002download.htm

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INSPIRED BY MAGIC		by Jade Fire

Like most young Americans, I have seen my fair 
share of movies and have been caught up in the 
story that the writer weaves through pictures. 
When I saw the film, 'The Matchmaker with David 
O'Hara and Jeanne Garofolo, not only did I enjoy 
the story but I seemed caught fast by the beauty 
and magic of Ireland. 

I watched the movie many times until I purchased 
my own copy. I found myself checking the planes 
fares, inquiring about accommodation, looking at 
train and bus schedules but never actually booking 
anything. The dream of actually going seemed as 
far away as my home in southern California was to 
Ireland and being a college student made it seem 
even farther away. 

By some odd twist of luck, I came into a small sum 
of money and I decided to take the plunge and 
actually go on holiday to Ireland. It happened to 
be September of last year that I made this 
decision that would forever leave an impression on 
both my spirit and heart, I purchased my plane 
tickets and my younger brother and I were set.

A week later September 11th happened and my family 
tried to persuade me and my brother not to go but 
there was just something pulling me to Ireland that 
I couldn't ignore. It was the history and most of 
all the magic that ensnared me. Being from the land 
of perpetual sun and beaches, people thought that 
we were totally crazy to go to Ireland in the 
middle of winter and arriving to temperatures in 
the low 30s I was beginning to think I was crazy 
also.

We arrived at our accommodation at the B&B in 
Ballyconneely in the late evening from Galway City 
and when I awoke the next morning, I really thought 
I was dreaming because the scene outside my window 
could only be the product of a dream and was far 
removed from anything that looked like the reality 
of my normal life. 

The magic once again astounded me. We spent a 
short but wonderful 8 days in County Galway, 
visiting Clifden, Roundstone and Galway City. 
Everyday since then I dream of being back again in 
Ireland, seeing the great people and taking in the 
beauty of the country. Someday I will go back to 
the place that has become such a fixed point in my 
heart, I will once again feel like I'm home when 
home is really thousands of miles away to the west 
and until then I'll keep my memories close at hand 
and never far from my thoughts.

Jade Fire,
California, USA.

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THE PERFECT CHRISTMAS GIFT

Celtic symbols on hand crafted copper - see here:
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CARA IRISH PENPALS NEWS

We have added a new feature that enables you to 
indicate if you are interested in a possible 
relationship or marriage. Log-in to your Control 
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and get 6 screensavers absolutely free!

The following CARA Irish Penpals are among those 
who upgraded their membership this month:

Name: David (full name available at website)
City, Country: Dublin, Ireland
Age: 32
Interests: I enjoy going for a drink with friends,
the cinema, going to a show or Sometimes just 
doing the simple things in life such as walks 
along a beach or in the countryside, I value 
family and friends.
Message: I am a happy - easygoing person, I am 
hoping to meet a nice down to earth girl who 
appreciates, and values good friendship....

Name: Marguerite (full name available at website)
City, Country: Cork, Ireland
Age: 59
Interests:  Holistic living, spiritual growth, 
walking, wining & dining, music & dancing
Message: I am interested in communicating with 
someone with similar interests

Name: John (full name available at website)
City, Country: Monterey, CA, USA
Age: 63
Interests: Dancing, travel to Lourdes, visiting 
churches, family , some bridge, cosy nights in. 
Message: I would love to correspond with a 
mature lady with a view to companionship or 
friendship.

Name: Cheryl (full name available at the website)
City, Country: New Freedom, USA
Age: 35
Interests: Outdoors, gardening, music, cooking, 
travel
Message: I am interested in chatting with people 
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friendship or possibly more.

Looking for a penpal to communicate with, either 
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first thing you need to do is to sign up for 
our FREE penpal service at:

 http://www.irishpenpals.com

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IRISH HALLOWEEN TRADITIONS
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

The Celts celebrated Halloween as Samhain, 'All 
Hallowtide' - the 'Feast of the Dead', when the 
dead revisited the mortal world. The celebration 
marked the end of Summer and the start of the 
Winter months. 

During the eighth century the Catholic Church 
designated the first day of November as 'All 
Saints Day' ('All Hallows') - a day of 
commemoration for those Saints that did not have
a specific day of remembrance. The night before 
was known as 'All Hallows Eve' which, over time, 
became known as Halloween.

Here are the most notable Irish Halloween 
Traditions:

Colcannon for Dinner: Boiled Potato, Curly Kale 
(a cabbage) and raw Onions are provided as the 
traditional Irish Halloween dinner. Clean coins 
are wrapped in baking paper and placed in the 
potato for children to find and keep.

The Barnbrack Cake: The traditional Halloween 
cake in Ireland is the barnbrack which is a 
fruit bread. Each member of the family gets a 
slice. Great interest is taken in the outcome as 
there is a piece of rag, a coin and a ring in
each cake. If you get the rag then your financial 
future is doubtful. If you get the coin then you 
can look forward to a prosperous year. Getting 
the ring is a sure sign of impending romance 
or continued happiness.

The Ivy Leaf: Each member of the family places a 
perfect ivy leaf into a cup of water and it is 
then left undisturbed overnight. If, in the 
morning, a leaf is still perfect and has not 
developed any spots then the person who placed the
leaf in the cup can be sure of 12 months health 
until the following Halloween. If not.....

The Pumpkin: Carving Pumpkins dates back to the 
eighteenth century and to an Irish blacksmith 
named Jack who colluded with the Devil and was 
denied entry to Heaven. He was condemned to 
wander the earth but asked the Devil for some
light. He was given a burning coal ember which he 
placed inside a turnip that he had gouged out.

Thus, the tradition of Jack O'Lanterns was born 
- the bearer being the wandering blacksmith - a 
damned soul. Villagers in Ireland hoped that the 
lantern in their window would keep the wanderer 
away. When the Irish emigrated in their millions 
to America there was not a great supply of turnips 
so pumpkins were used instead.

Halloween Costumes: On Halloween night children 
would dress up in scary costumes and go house to 
house. 'Help the Halloween Party' and 'Trick or 
Treat' were the cries to be heard at each door. 
This tradition of wearing costumes also dates back 
to Celtic times. On the special night when the
living and the dead were at their closest the 
Celtic Druids would dress up in elaborate costumes 
to disguise themselves as spirits and devils in 
case they encountered other devils and spirits 
during the night. By disguising they hoped that
they would be able to avoid being carried away at 
the end of the night. This explains why witches, 
goblins and ghosts remain the most popular 
choices for the costumes.

Snap Apple: After the visits to the neighbours the 
Halloween games begin, the most popular of which 
is Snap Apple. An apple is suspended from a string 
and children are blindfolded. The first child to 
get a decent bite of the apple gets to keep their 
prize. The same game can be played by placing 
apples in a basin of water and trying to get a
grip on the apple without too much mess!

The Bonfire: The Halloween bonfire is a tradition 
to encourage dreams of who your future husband or 
wife is going to be. The idea was to drop a 
cutting of your hair into the burning embers and 
then dream of you future loved one. Halloween was 
one of the Celt 'fire' celebrations. 

Blind Date: Blindfolded local girls would go out 
into the fields and pull up the first cabbage they 
could find. If their cabbage had a substantial 
amount of earth attached to the roots then their 
future loved one would have money. Eating the 
cabbage would reveal the nature of their future
husband - bitter or sweet!
 
Another way of finding your future spouse is to 
peel an apple in one go. If done successfully the 
single apple peel could be dropped on the floor 
to reveal the initials of the future-intended. 

Anti-Fairy Measures: Fairies and goblins try to 
collect as many souls as they can at Halloween but 
if they met a person who threw the dust from under 
their feet at the Fairy then they would be obliged 
to release any souls that they held captive.

Holy water was sometimes anointed on farm animals 
to keep them safe during the night. If the animals 
were showing signs of ill health on All Hallows 
Eve then they would be spat on to try to ward off 
any evil spirits.

Happy Halloween from Ireland!

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THE PERFECT CHRISTMAS GIFT

Claddagh Chains, Rings and Crosses - see here:
 https://www.irishnation.com/irishjewelry.htm

Free delivery for a limited time only.

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GAELIC PHRASES OF THE MONTH
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

PHRASE:		Go hifreann leat!  
PRONOUNCED:	guh hiff-irr-in lat
MEANING:		To hell with you!

PHRASE:		Go dtachta an diabhal tu!
PRONOUNCED:	guh dock-tah on dee-veal two
MEANING:		May the devil choke you!

PHRASE:		Imigh sa diabhal! 
PRONOUNCED:	im-ihh sah dee-veal
MEANING:		Go to the devil!

View the archive of phrases here:

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

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OCTOBER COMPETITION RESULT
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

The winner was:  annepaxton@shaw.ca
who will receive the following: 

A Single Family Crest Print (decorative) 
(US$19.99 value)

Send us an email to claim your prize, 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.
Please keep the feedback coming!

Until the next time,

Keep Well!

Michael Green,
Editor,
The Information about Ireland Site.

https://www.ireland-information.com
Click here to contact us