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  The Information about Ireland Site Newsletter 
                  September 2006
 
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) 2006  

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		IN THIS ISSUE
=== Foreword
=== News Snaps from Ireland 
=== New free resources at the site
=== The Folk Park at Omagh, County Tyrone
=== Cara Penpals Success Story
=== The Ribbon 		      by Arlene Anderson
=== Come Home to Me 		by Chris Shannon
=== When God was at Good Cheer 	by Alice Safarik
=== The History of Irish Signs
=== Gaelic Phrases of the Month
=== Monthly free competition result

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FOREWORD
========

This month we have shelved our series on Ancient 
Ireland until next month when the subject will be 
the famous Firbolg. Instead we have to thank 
three of our readers who have sent us in three 
very different types of poem - I am sure you 
will enjoy.

Please DO send us in your stories, poems or 
articles about Ireland for the next edition 
- we love including reader contributions,

until next month,

Michael


WE NEED YOUR HELP!

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or relatives who you think are interested in 
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NEWS SNAPS FROM IRELAND
=======================
 
IRELAND MOST VULNERABLE TO US ECONOMIC PROBLEMS

The imminent slowdown in the US economy that is 
being part-caused by a drop in house prices there
is likely to have a serious effect on the Irish 
economy. Ireland exports over 14% of GDP to the 
US, a figure which is far in excess of most other 
EU countries. Any serious reduction in exports to 
the US caused by a drop in consumer confidence 
stateside could possibly trigger a worldwide 
recession which would trouble Ireland more 
than most.

WORKFORCE CONTINUES TO EXPAND RAPIDLY

The economic prosperity that Ireland currently 
enjoys continues to attract workers from around 
the world. Irish emigrants are returning in 
significant numbers but the real influx has come 
from the new EU states of Poland, Lithuania and 
Latvia.

87,000 migrants arrived into Ireland in the 12 
months up to April of this year. During that time 
the Irish population grew to over 4.2M, the 
highest figure since the famine and an increase 
of 2.5% - a staggering increase by any evaluation.
The Irish workforce grew by 4.6% to over 2M for 
the first time.

The focus in recent months has been the number of 
construction workers that are flocking into the 
country but the real focus should perhaps be on 
the 13,200 and 12,500 new jobs that were created 
in the healthcare and education sectors 
respectively. Unemployment continues at record 
low levels, at 4.4%. During the 1980s the 
unemployment rate in Ireland topped 17%.

GENERAL ELECTION FEVER HOTS UP

Campaigning for the General Election next year has 
begun in earnest despite the date of the ballot 
not yet being announced by Taoiseach Bertie 
Ahearn. The ruling Fianna Fail and PD coalition 
are in real trouble with successive opinion polls 
showing a big drop in support for their 
centre-right government. Despite the economic 
prosperity that continues to wash over the country 
the public has a real sense of dissatisfaction with 
the current government that has been in power for 
the best part of a decade. Opposition parties have 
been effective in publicising Government failures 
and have teamed up as a potential new Government. 

A Fine Gael and Labour coalition would certainly 
represent a lurch to the left in Irish politics 
but it remains to be seen if their current good 
showing in the opinion polls translates into Dail 
seats (parliamentary seats) when the votes are 
counted in next years election, which is likely 
to be held in March or April.

The PDs have been given a boost recently with 
Michael McDowell taking over as party leader. 
He immediately attacked the excessive stamp duty 
on property purchase as unnecessary, thus 
identifying his party as the 'tax-cutting' party, 
stealing a march not only on the opposition but 
on Fianna Fail, the PDs partner in Government.The 
continued slide in support for Fianna Fail must 
be a mystery to leader Bertie Ahearn, who no doubt 
will try to tap into the 'feelgood factor' that 
a generous November budget and the maturation of 
the SSIA saving scheme will provide.

IRISH WORK MORE THAN THE SWEDES OR GERMANS

An international survey by the European Industrial 
Relations Observatory (EIRO) of annual leave 
entitlements has placed Ireland near the bottom 
of the 'annual leave' league table.

Irish workers receive almost 3 weeks less 
vacation-time than their Swedish counterparts, and 
two weeks leas than the Danes and Germans. Of the 
original 15 EU member states only Belgium allows 
its workers less time off than Ireland does. 
On average Irish workers get 20 days off annually, 
while British workers get 20.4 days.

JUNIOR SCHOOLS CLASS SIZES AMONG EU BIGGEST

An OECD report has shown that the number of 
primary pupils per classroom in Ireland, at 24, 
is among the highest in the EU. The EU average is 
20.3. The situation for second level schooling 
seems to be much better however, with Ireland 
beating the EU average of 23.8 with an average 
of 19.8 students per classroom.

Up to 4000 new teachers have been added in recent 
years to the primary school system which caters 
for children up to 13 years of age. A massive 
program of refurbishment and new builds is still 
underway.

The problem of a very young population, an ever
increasing birth rate and the continued influx of 
migrant workers and their children represent 
serious challenges for the Irish educational 
system in the years to come.

FREE TRAVEL SCHEME IS EXPANDED

Ireland is one of a limited number of countries
 that allows free travel on public transportation 
for pensioners and other qualified groups. The 
scheme that was introduced in the late 1960s by 
Charles Haughey, is to be expanded to allow 
pensioners to use public transport, buses, Luas 
and rail, at all times. The original regulation 
only allowed for free off-peak travel.

RYDER CUP CONCLUDES IN COUNTY KILDARE

The famous K-Club in County Kildare was home to 
the Ryder cup of Golf which resulted in an 18.5 
to 9.5 victory for the European team. The extent 
of the winning margin surprised many with the US 
team sporting the likes of Woods, Furyk and 
Mickelson and especially as Europe only had one 
team member who has actually won a 'major'. 

Irishman Darren Clarke was the star of the show, 
displaying real emotion as he won his singles 
match on the sixteenth green. The US were 
gracious in defeat with captain Tom Lehman 
citing the European team as the best ever.

IRISH SOCCER TEAM LOSE TO GERMANY

The Irish soccer team kicked off their European 
Championship qualifying matches with an unlucky 
defeat in Germany. Despite rarely threatening the 
German goal it was a lucky deflected free-kick 
that separated the two sides as the Germans ran 
out 1-0 winners. Irish manager Steve Staunton was 
pleased with the fighting spirit showed by his 
team. His enthusiasm got the better of him however 
as he was sent off by the referee and will now 
have to marshal his charges for the next match 
from the grandstand.


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 7 coats of arms images and family
history details have been added to the Gallery:

B: Burnett, Buckley
G: McGonagle
H: Hodge, Hartnett
M: Murtagh
T: Teague

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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THE FOLK PARK AT OMAGH, COUNTY TYRONE
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In May of 2004 I had the privilege of spending two 
weeks in Omagh, County Tyrone where my ancestor's 
emigrated from to Ontario, Canada. I would like to 
comment on the 'Folk Park' at Omagh as one of the 
best pioneer villages that I have ever visited. In 
particular, the wharf and replica ship that are a 
part of this display are very thought provoking. 
When I went below to view the small narrow bunks 
and was told that as many as 6 people would sleep 
per bunk I tried to mentally envision my family 
in these cramped conditions on their route to a 
new land. When my ancestor's left Ireland they had 
7 children, but only 5 survived the journey, 2 
were buried at sea. 

As a mother of 4 children I can't even begin to 
imagine how these people accepted the cruel 
situations that were thrust upon them. They left 
their beloved country knowing that they would 
never return and would never see family or friends 
again. There is no doubt that our ancestor's were 
of a very strong nature and determined to make a 
new life in a new country. My visit to the Folk 
Park has evoked feelings of understanding as to 
how my ancestor's lived and these memories will 
last me a life time.

Marilyn Palmer 

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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!

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CARA PENPALS SUCCESS STORY
==========================

Hi my name is David and about 4 years ago I 
visited your site. I read a message from a woman 
in Germany and replied to it. We found that we 
had a lot in common and wrote to each other for 
about a year. We were both divorced and neither 
one of us were looking for any kind of 
relationship other than emails. To make a long 
story short I met the love of my life through 
your web site and we have been married for 
2 and a half years now.

Thanks,

David Ison 
Miami 
Florida

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THE RIBBON 		       by Arlene Anderson
==========

They sat on the rocky Burren 
Overlooking a windswept Galway Bay
Two young lovers sadly parting
As the war tore them astray
She gave to him a ribbon
To carry near his heart
To know that every moment
In spirit they would not part.

His orders were to hold his ground
Protect the white, orange and green
The battle was the fiercest fight
That 'ere the war had seen.
She knew he loved his country
As much as his love for her
A strong, caring lad and patriot 
A brave man of character.

Not too long after she was sent 
A parcel with a ribbon and a note
The last message from her lover
In the haste of battle that he wrote:
'My love, I die for country
But will always be with you,
When you sit upon the rocky Burren
Galway Bay will see you through.'

To this very day a woman
On the Burren will be seen
Looking out from windy Galway Bay
Her expression so serene.
In her hand she has a ribbon
Matching one tied in her hair
Her love fondly remembered
And for him she says a prayer.

Arlene Anderson

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COME HOME TO ME			by Chris Shannon
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She calls to me
when I'm alone
she calls to me
please come on home

I hear her whisper
in Gaelic tongue
come home to me
my Irish son

Come to the place
from whence you came
come to the place
that birthed your name

Come see the graves
of sons that died
but shed no tears
for their Irish pride

Come on to Dublin
to Shannon, to Tralee
oh son of Ireland
come home to me

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WHEN GOD WAS AT GOOD CHEER 	by Alice Safarik
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When God was at good cheer, he made the earth.
He looked at it and said: 'How wonderful!'
He looked at it from North, South, East and West-
But suddenly....
While looking at, he said:
'Oh, the blue, blue sea is too big. 
I miss something in it!'
He thought about...
Then he took a piece of soil 
and made an Island out of it.
He took his best colours for painting it.
He took the most friendly people, he could find
and set them on it.
And he gave them wonderful music
and a lot of good humour.
He painted the grass, the flowers and the rainbows.
He made a soft breeze and a warm sunshine
and a lot of funny rainshowers.
Then he looked at it again and said very pleased:
'What a land!'
And he called it E I R E
Witch might mean:
Everything Is Really Extraordinary.
And so it is.

Alice Safarik

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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!

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Visit:

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THE HISTORY OF IRISH SIGNS
==========================

The tradition of hanging signs inside and outside 
pubs is well established in Ireland but dates back 
to the fourteenth century when the English King 
Richard II decreed that landlords were compelled 
to place signs outside their commercial 
establishments, pubs, hotels, etc. Irish public 
houses did not comply as readily as their English 
counterparts and often the name of the owner alone 
adorned the tavern front. Irish pubs also acted as 
'spirit grocery' shops and some even acted as 
insurance agents and undertakers, a tradition 
which can still be found in some Irish towns in 
Ireland today. Signs began to develop and became 
more elaborate and decorative. 

Many of the earliest signs would not have included 
any text as the majority of the population were 
illiterate. Symbols and pictures were thus used to 
illustrate the function of the business displaying 
the sign. In latter years the name of the landlord 
was added. It was not uncommon (and is not 
uncommon in Ireland in modern times) for public 
houses to display the family coat of arms either 
on their pub-sign, or on the window of the 
establishment. Great battles and historical events 
also proved popular subjects for both pub signs as 
well as for naming the public house in question. 
Heroes of Irish literature such as Yeats, Kavanagh, 
Shaw, Joyce and Beckett also provide a great 
source of pub naming and signage. 

A fine example of this naming tradition is the 
'Bleeding Horse' pub which is located on Camden 
Street in Dublin city centre and dates from 1649. 
One explanation of the name is that horses used to 
be 'bled' after arriving at this stopping point as 
a means of reducing their blood pressure and 
calming them after their journey. Another legend 
relates to the 1649 Battle of Rathmines when 
injured horses were put to death nearby after the 
battle. A further explanation of the name tells 
how a bleeding horse wandered into the tavern 
after the Battle. 

The tradition of Irish pub signs was brought to 
the new world during the mass emigrations of the 
nineteenth and early twentieth centuries. The 
subjugation of the Irish people in certain eras 
is also evidenced by the use of (by now infamous) 
derogatory signs such as 'Help Wanted - No Irish 
Need Apply!'. Many of the modern Irish signs 
outside of Ireland reflect the tradition of the 
emigrants and can display a certain amount of wit 
or sentimentality. Shamrocks and Harps, the great 
symbols of Ireland, are often found on such signs. 

~~~

We are delighted to announce the availability of 
new hand-crafted and personalised Irish signs. 

Our Wood Signs are based upon late 19th century 
designs when use of text oriented trade and pub 
signs were at their height. While the signs are 
brand new, they conform in shape and lettering 
style to that of old time signs. To complete the 
look, all of the signs are given a hand rubbed 
stain to 'age' the sign appropriately. 

Don't wait until Christmas week to order!

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

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GAELIC PHRASES OF THE MONTH
===========================

PHRASE:		Ta suil agam go bhfuil tu i mbarr na slainte 
PRONOUNCED:	taw su-ill ah-gum guh will tu ih marr nah slawn-che
MEANING:		I hope you are in the best of health

PHRASE:	 	Ni raibh am agam scriobh go dti seo
PRONOUNCED:	knee rouh omm ah-gum skreevh guh dee shuh
MEANING:		I hadn't time to write until now

PHRASE:		Scriobh chugam go luath
PRONOUNCED:	skreevh coo-gum guh lu-ah
MEANING:		write to me soon

View the archive of phrases here:

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

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SEPTEMBER COMPETITION RESULT
========================

The winner was: christine_rogers@nps.gov
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 time,

Michael Green,
Editor,
The Information about Ireland Site.


https://www.ireland-information.com

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