Whew! It has been a busy and exhausting (almost) two weeks since I last posted. We've been running around like nuts trying to get everything together for our move.
Ryan's taken charge of the insurance and finalizing the actual house stuff. I've been searching angieslist.com for cleaning people and other workers to help us fix it up before the big move, posting some of our stuff on craigslist to get rid of it, and making sure we can be available for people to come and take it!
We spent over 14 hours last weekend, at about 20 different stores, debating on furniture we want to purchase...fun, fun!
Now, we are in the middle of buying/selling stuff and our apartment looks honestly like a cyclone hit it! We posted stuff on craigslist on Tuesday night, and haven't stopped coordinating since. We thought it would take a while, so we didn't clean anything out that we were selling. Yesterday, I had almost 20 people that said they wanted to stop by and pick stuff up. Not nearly that many people showed, but it forced us to empty everything out real quick. Now it is "dumped" neatly in boxes all over the place. It is going to be a long 3 weeks straightening that all out. Craigslist.com is a fantastic tool. Our junk is nearly running out the door!
And angieslist is awesome too. It is where you can find contractors and read other's comments on their work before contacting them. It is a $10 one time fee and $6 a month. If anyone wants to check it out, let me know and I can let you see our account. I really like it so far. They even have insurance companies, hair salons, and all kinds of workers. I think it is fairly new, so there are some contractors with only one rating, and some categories with no contractors at all. They don't pay to be on the list, it is up to the users to post their own experiences about the contractors, so it makes sense that it takes a while to get it populated with information, particularly since you have to pay to use it.
For anyone in Northern VA, you have to check our Belfort Furniture, if you haven't already. They have a whole complex of all types of furniture stores, cheap to expensive...the selection is amazing! I'll let you know how the service goes, as we are going back there tonight to attempt to place our order. Hamilton's Sofa Gallery is another good place. They have nice stuff, but it isn't outrageous, like many of the furniture stores in this area. We aren't going with them simply because Belfort has everything all in one location (and one delivery charge), but it is definitely worth your time to go to Hamilton's as well.
My biggest challenge though, is going to be getting Ryan to throw stuff away! After looking at all the crap in my desk, it appears I'm not that much better, but I'm all about pitching it all...Ryan on the other hand, believes there will be a use for everything someday or that everything will be a collector's item. That kind of thinking has made a huge mess all over the apartment, so it appears I am now tasked with convincing him we are not taking any "someday-useful" things or "collectors items." This is going to be a tough one!
Hope you all have a great weekend...
Friday, March 30, 2007
Busy, Busy!
Monday, March 19, 2007
Chicago was a blast!
When we arrived on Thursday night, Ryan and I headed to the John Hancock building to take in a night view of the city, which was very cool, then we went to an Irish pub to scope the place as a possibility for Saturday's events. We decided not to go there on Saturday, but the music live music on a Thursday night was very good!
On Friday, we got up early and started on a very long walk toward 'Little' Italy. We walked through Macy's, stopped for coffee and at the Sears tower for a day-time view of the city, took lots of city pictures, and then moved on toward our lunch-time destination. When we reached Little Italy about five hours after our trip began, we were exhausted and hungry. All I wanted for my birthday was a good Italian meal. Though 'Little' Italy was far less Italian than we expected (almost non-existent), we did find a fantastic Italian Restaurant called Francesca's on the corner of Taylor and Loomis. It was definitely worth the walk! After lunch, we took a cab back to the hotel and took a nap until Kristy arrived at about 5:30pm.
The three of us quickly got ready and took a cab far north in the city to the Riviera Theatre for the Great Big Sea concert, stopped by a sushi place for a light dinner and were about 45 minutes early for the show. It was a very old, slightly run-down theatre, and they had removed all the seats on the lower level. We were early enough to get a great view in the front of the second tier along the railing. The show was amazing! We all agreed that it was the best concert we've ever experienced, very engaging and always entertaining. Check out this post from Alan (the lead singer in the band) on his encounter in Chicago...you'll see why we love them so much, it is very typical of their style: Posted on Monday, March 19...post entitled: Tour Diary - March 17, 2007 - Highway to Minneapolis, MI
http://www.greatbigsea.com/theband/inthenews.aspx#c529ea8a-a564-43a1-bd66-0e146d8d38af:81551
We ended the night near our hotel, at Howl at the Moon and then got some pizza before turning in.
Saturday morning, we were up and out very early and found some "breakfast," finally at an Irish Pub, which consisted of green beers, french fries and sandwiched, fish or sausage at 9:00am. Not a breakfast I would have chosen, but we were limited on time and it was St. Patrick's Day after all, so we had to get to the festivities. We froze while we waited for the dyeing of the Chicago River, but it was worth the wait. We briefly met up with Ryan's friend Mike and his wife Amanda, who happened to be in Chicago for the same reasons we were...all the way from DC. We took some pictures before heading down to the parade.
The parade was also a cold, but fun experience, absolutely packed full of people for the most part. The Alexandria, VA St. Patrick's Day parade is still better, and much less crowded, but it was a fun time none-the-less. We went back to the hotel to warm up and pre-game a bit before going out. Mike and Amanda called at about 5:30pm, and we decided to meet them at the Kerryman for our first stop of the evening. We ended up at Celtic Crossing for the rest of the night, drinking and dancing until wee hours of the night.
Sunday we had brunch, did some window shopping and visited the Navy Pier before Kristy left for her flight back for Pittsburgh. Ryan and I continued window shopping (literally, as everything is closed on Sunday's) at some furniture stores, found an authentic Chicago pizza place for lunch/dinner and headed for the airport. Our flight was late getting out, and we got home at about 12:30am.
All-in-all, Chicago is a much larger city than I expected, but has a small city feel about it. I was impressed by how clean the streets and water were, but the subways were absolutely disgusting. The bars weren't that packed, and for the most part, the people were very nice. The windy-city is probably the most laid-back city I've ever been to, and we can't wait to go back!
Our (soon to be) New House
After months of multiple deliberations, searches and agonizing negotiations (with sellers not among ourselves ;-) Ryan and I have finally decided to stay in Northern Virginia (at least for now) and we have found a house that we are in the process of buying.
It is a 3 level, 3 bedroom, 2.5 bath, colonial-style townhouse in Reston, Virginia, built in 1976. The small enclave of 64 townhomes is in a neighborhood called Saddler Oaks. It is off the Reston Parkway exit of the toll road (Rt. 267). Reston is known for the best communities, clean, lots of neighbors who participate in the upkeep, festivals, and all kinds of other activities...and it is close to lots of shopping and restaurants. (We'll also be a minute from our friends, Kate and Bernard and at least 15-20 minutes closer to Robert and Amy.)
Our townhouse is red brick and has a traditional layout very similar to a regular house, with three bedrooms and full bath upstairs, living room, dining room, kitchen and half bath on main floor and family room in the basement (different from many townhomes around here). We fell in love with the traditional look of the place. It is a small, but very comfortable home. There are hardwood floors on the main level, and carpet on the second and lower levels. The lower level is a fully-finished walkout basement with a full bath and separate laundry room.
We are making one of the three bedrooms a guest room and hope to get a sofa bed for the basement as well....no more sleeping on our couch or floor or even blow-up mattress when you come to visit (that is, unless we do another big get-together)! So, guests are always welcome! (hint-hint)All contingencies have passed (inspection, appraisal, etc.), we just have to get home owners insurance and keep giving them pay stubs, and we close on April 20th. We hope to be fully moved-in by May 1st...just in time for fun summer get-togethers!
Here are a few pictures (all the current owner's stuff). I'll post updated pictures once we move in and get our stuff in there: http://share.shutterfly.com/action/welcome?sid=8BZM2zlq3csMa¬ag=1
Thursday, March 15, 2007
Goin' to Chicago...
I'm so excited to be heading out in a few minutes to go to Chicago for the weekend!!!
Not only is my 27th birthday tomorrow, but my favorite band, Great Big Sea, is playing tomorrow night and we found all kinds of exciting activities happening in Chicago on Saturday. The dyeing of the river at 10:45am, followed by the famous Chicago St. Paddy's Day Parade should both be a blast. We researched some Irish pubs, thinking they'd have a few but other bars would be doing stuff for the holiday too...who knew, Chicago has tons and tons of Irish bars, all doing traditional Irish breakfasts, and have live Irish Music all day...8am to 3am. Whew! It'll be a fun weekend!
More stories and pix to come...
Beannachtam na Feile Padraig!
Although he was born nearly 1600 years ago, St. Patrick's presence is still felt today around the world. St. Patrick is the patron saint of Ireland. He was actually Scottish, most of the story I've mentioned in another post (he was captured in England and made a slave in Ireland at about age 16, studied religion and when he escaped 6 years later, he brought Christianity to most of Ireland over the next 33 years.) The biggest celebrations for St. Patrick in Ireland outside Dublin are in Downpatrick, Northern Ireland, where Saint Patrick was buried following his death on March 17, 493. (Some say he was buried in Scotland...who knows)
We celebrate this day on March 17th to celebrate the day of St. Patrick’s death. As the Irish immigrated throughout the world, they took their history, beliefs and traditions with them – especially the celebration of St. Patrick’s Day. Even George Washington let his Army have a holiday on March 17th. It is known as the St. Patrick's Day Encampment of 1780.
Saint Patrick's Day has come to be associated with all things Irish, including luck, rainbows, leprechauns, shamrocks, and anything green or gold. It is celebrated by those who merely want an excuse for excessive partying. Traditionally, those who are caught not wearing green are pinched. We celebrate this holiday by wearing green, eating Irish food, imbibing Irish drink, and attending parades and parties.
As the Irish...Sláinte!
May the road rise up to meet you.
May the wind be always at your back.
May the sun shine warm upon your face;
the rains fall soft upon your fields
and until we meet again,
may God hold you in the palm of His hand.
Gift o' the Gab
Blarney is celebrated the world over for a stone on the parapet that is said to endow whoever kisses it with the eternal gift of eloquence (in Irish 'solabharthact') - the 'Gift of the Gab'.
The origin of the custom of kissing the Blarney Stone is unknown, though the word "blarney", meaning to placate with soft talk or to deceive without offending, probably derives from the stream of unfulfilled promises of Cormac MacDermot MacCarthy to the Lord President of Munster in the late sixteenth century. Having seemingly agreed to deliver his castle to the Crown, he continuously delayed doing so with soft words, which came to be known as "Blarney talk".
There's the Blarney Stone, on top of the castle, one small stone.
I think we expected something a little bigger.
You have to lay down, and kiss the stone upside down.
The massive castle, which looks even larger because of its picturesque situation on the edge of a cliff, was supposedly built in 1446 by Cormac MacCarthy "the Strong", probably on the site of a castle occupied by the Lombards, whom the MacCarthys had displaced. The building sequence is a little puzzling, but the slender tower containing the main stair and a tier of small rooms evidently predates the main block. The whole is crowned with high stepped battle ments, projecting more than 2 feet beyond the walls and carried by long inverted pyramid corbels.
Underneath it are caves, and all around are ancient Druid rock gardens.
Check out those stairs!
Éireann go Brách - Ireland Forever
I've lived the majority of my life with people either calling me "Erin Kelly" or "Erin go Braugh," so I thought this was an appropriate topic for the season as well as my birthday!
Erin Go Bragh (also commonly spelled Erin Go Braugh and technically pronounced: Erin guh brawk) is the Anglicization of a Gaelic phrase used to express allegiance to Ireland. That's about all the consensus I can dig up.
I wasn't even going to look up the phrase: Éireann go Brách because I've always heard it means 'Luck of the Irish' (at least that's why my parents told me they called me "Erin go Braugh," so I just assumed that's what it meant). So you can imagine my amazement to find as many different meanings as there were pronunciations. The truest translation I've come up with in my research, is 'Ireland Forever.' However, some research says that 'Ireland Forever' is actually 'Erin go deo.' Some other translations I've found say that it may mean 'Ireland be Free' or 'Ireland go Brave.'
In my research, no argument is raised that the phrase, Éireann go Brách, was at one time a battle cry, so most of those translations make sense in some way, with the exception of what I thought it was originally. I'm glad I looked it up!
Just as any other nationality, Irish culture and allegiance to our 'birth' place means something different to each of us. I hope you've enjoyed my tribute to Ireland...one more posting all about St. Patrick's Day and I'm done. I've enjoyed the experience and think it may be valuable for me to become passionate about something else so I can learn as much as I have over the past couple of weeks.
Sláinte!
Kilkea Castle, Co. Tipperary, one of the oldest
perhaps my lack of decision making skills are in fact inherited!
Wednesday, March 14, 2007
Leprechauns
The name leprechaun may have derived from the Irish "leath bhrogan" (which means: shoemaker), although its origins may lie in "luacharma'n" (Irish for pygmy). These apparently aged, diminutive men are frequently found in an intoxicated state, caused by home-brew poteen. Leprechauns are the most well-known elves of Ireland, they live in the large grassy hills, wild areas and in the forests. They will also harness sheep, goats, dogs and even domestic fowl and ride them throughout the country at night. They are quite fond of smoking tobacco-filled clay pipes which are never too far away from reach.
Leprechauns have become self-appointed guardians of ancient treasure, burying it in crocks or pots. If caught by a mortal, he will promise great wealth if allowed to go free. He carries two leather pouches. In one there is a silver shilling, a magical coin that returns to the purse each time it is paid out. In the other he carries a gold coin which he uses to try and bribe his way out of difficult situations. This coin usually turns to leaves or ashes once the leprechaun has parted with it. However, you must never take your eye off him, for he can vanish in an instant. Although the leprechaun has been described as Ireland's national fairy, this name was originally only used in the north Leinster area. Variants include lurachmain, lurican, lurgadhan.
Near a misty stream in Ireland in the hollow of a tree
Lives mystical, magical leprechauns,
Who are clever as can be
With their pointed ears, and turned up toes and little coats of green,
The leprechauns busily make their shoes
And try hard not to be seen
Only those who really believe, have seen these little elves,
And if we are all believers,
We can surely see for ourselves.
Fun Sites:
http://www.irelandseye.com/leprechaun/index.htm
http://www.irelandseye.com/animation/intro.html
Resources:
http://www.altananam.freeserve.co.uk/Leprechauns.htm
Tuesday, March 13, 2007
Irish Harp
The harp has long been a symbol of Ireland. This ancient folk instrument with its beautiful, delicate sound is played today despite being ignored, derided and proscribed for centuries. Perhaps the legends of it's magical powers comes from the time when the bards would sing and tell stories of famous events to the Irish kings and chiefs.
During the early 1500s, under the rule of Henry VIII, the harp was first depicted on Irish coins. That tradition is carried on today and the harp is also used for other official duties such as the Irish state seal, official documents and uniforms. The Trinity College Harp and Queen Mary's Harp are the oldest surviving Celtic harps and both date from the 15th or 16th centuries and illustrate the similarity between the Irish and Scottish harps.
Monday, March 12, 2007
Celtic Cross/Book of Kells
The history of this powerful symbol is ambiguous. There are many variations of interpretations and legends about the original meaning. In our modern multicultural world the ringed cross is as much a symbol of ethnic heritage as it is of faith and it is often used as an emblem of ones Irish, Scottish or Welsh identity. in Ireland, many a tombstone is marked with the Celtic Cross.
The meaning of the Celtic Cross is told in legend of Ireland's St. Patrick. He was shown a sacred standing stone that was marked with a circle. St. Patrick took this opportunity to show the union of old and new ways. He marked a cross through the circle and blessed the stone.I haven't been able to locate any additional information about "St. Patrick's Cross" and I seemed to have packed away our information from Ireland, but when Ryan and I were at the Rock of Cashel we saw St. Patrick's Cross.
Book of Kells
The book of Kells is an ornately illuminated manuscript, written by Celtic monks around AD 800 in the style known as Insular art. It contains the four gospels of the Bible in Latin, along with prefatory and explanatory matter decorated with numerous colourful illustrations and illuminations. Today it is on permanent display at the Trinity College Library in Dublin.
Today it consists of 340 vellum leaves, called folios. The text is accompanied by incredibly intricate full pages of artwork, with smaller painted decorations appearing throughout the text itself. The book has a broad palette of colours with purple, lilac, red, pink, green, yellow being the colors most often used. Surprisingly, given the lavish nature of the work, there was no use of gold or silver leaf in the manuscript. The pigments used for the illustrations had to be imported from all over Europe. (Wikipedia)
I was surprised at how amazingly gorgeous the Book of Kells appeared after all these years. Unfortunately you were not allowed to take any pictures of the pages or in the main chamber of the Long Room in the Old Library (largest library in Ireland). It was a rare and fascinating experience that I would highly recommend.
Here is a great website to learn more about the Book of Kells: http://www.bookofkells.ie/
Resources:
http://www.celtarts.com/celtic.htm
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Book_of_Kells
http://www.snake.net/people/paul/kells/
Sunday, March 11, 2007
The Symbol of the Claddagh Ring
Since we will be away for the weekend, I decided to post all three postings this morning...I wanted to keep on track for the "posting a day" until St. Paddy's Day, even though it is sort of cheating...
An original symbol of the fishing Kings of of Ireland's Galway town of Claddagh, whose motto was "in love and friendship let us reign," it was first fashioned into the traditional ring back in the 17th Century during the reign of Mary II. Later in the 17th century the symbol was made into a ring which became a popular gift throughout Galway.
Legend has it that Richard Joyce, bound for the West Indian slave plantations was kidnapped by a band of Mediterranean pirates and sold to a learned Moorish goldsmith who over the many long years of Joyce's exile helped him perfect the skills of a master craftsman. When in 1689 King William III negotiated the return of the slaves, Joyce returned to Galway - despite the master goldsmith's offer of his daughter's hand in marriage and a princely dowry of half of all his wealth.
Traditionally handed down as a gift from a mother and worn by her daughter on her wedding day to become a family heirloom. The Claddagh ring has also become a symbol of our ties with the past and generations gone by. Irish people remember the many who had to leave Ireland with nothing but their lives during the Great Famine of the 19th Century - many leaving from Cork harbour to make the long voyage across the Atlantic to America. The Claddagh ring was to become an enduring link with their home country and practically their only savings and family inheritance.
The hands are there for friendship, The heart is there for love. For loyalty throughout the year, the crown is raised above.
If the ring is worn on the right hand, with crown and heart facing out, this shows that the wearer is "heart whole and fancy free." While dating and under love's spell it is worn with heart and crown facing inwards (still on the right hand.)
Wearing the ring on the left hand, with the crown and heart facing inwards, signifies that your love has been given to one, and only one through marriage.
Here's a link to the original makers of the Claddagh. You can see the original design, as it has changed slightly over the years. I bought a Thomas Dillon ring from them when we were in Galway. I treasure it and wish I'd have purchased more.
http://www.claddaghring.ie/
Saturday, March 10, 2007
Tara Brooch
Made under the new Christian influences, the Tara Brooch is a circle of cast silver gilt covered with sheets of gold foil, and beautifully decorated with beads. The design is miniaturist in detail and is complemented by four raised knobs, presumably amber or glass. The patterns running along the surface are gold filigree with interlace. The brooch adopts stylistic elements from the La Tène tradition, in its appropriation of animal heads and silver and copper intaglio design on the underside. It is noted that originally the underside was a copper red set against a silver background.
All of this in a piece less than 2 inches in diameter! It dates from the 8th century approximately. The monasteries at this time became great centers of cultural activity and were responsible for many of the treasures we now regard as important pieces, the Book of Kells, Ardagh Chalice and so on.
Although given the name the Tara Brooch, this Irish national treasure was not found at Tara, but was found at Bettystown, County Meath. The discovery at Bettystown resulted from the collapsing of cliffs due to wave erosion. A jeweler who studied the brooch is credited with the misnomer. Given the exquisite nature of the brooch it is not surprising that it was thought to come from Tara, since Tara was the official residence of the High kings of ancient Ireland.
The Tara Brooch is an annular brooch, synonymous with the term ring brooch. It is termed an annular brooch since its ring completes a full circle and closes in on itself. The brooch was recently restored at the laboratories of the British Museum in London where they identified minute details of human heads as well.
The Tara brooch epitomizes the high quality among Irish brooches of the Early Medieval period. This brooch has served as a prototype of eighth century skill in jewelry making, and has been copied many times. This surviving brooch is one of a pair of brooches. Brooches were often worn in pairs, linked by a chain, in order to hold a cloak on the shoulders.
"This is one of the masterpieces of the Early Christian epoch: the simplicity of its general outline counterpoints an amazing complexity of techniques and assemblage of materials--gold, silver copper, amber, glass, enameling, filigree, wire-beading, granulation, inlaiyng and soldering are all used." Frank Mitchell, Treasures of Irish Art.
Here's a great site with a lot more detailed information:
http://artcafenetwork.net/ah/tarabrooch/index.html
Resource: http://www.unc.edu/celtic/catalogue/brooches/tara.html
Friday, March 9, 2007
The Symbol of the Shamrock
The word Shamrock comes from the old Irish word "seamrog" which means "summer plant."
When St. Patrick came to Ireland he used the Shamrock to symbolize the meaning of the church's teaching on the Trinity. Legends say the leaves will stand upright when a storm approaches and that no snake will be found among them.
In ancient Ireland the Shamrock was thought to have magical powers and the number 3 was considered a powerful number. Three may have signified totality: past, present and future or behind, before and here or sky, earth and underworld. Everything good in Ireland comes in threes. The rhythm of story telling in the Irish tradition is based on threefold repetition. This achieves both intensification and exaggeration. Even today in quality pub talk, a raconteur can rarely resist a third adjective, especially if it means stretching a point.
"Three accomplishments well regarded in Ireland: a clever verse, music on the harp, the art of shaving faces."
The Shamrock is used in the logos of the Irish Tourist Board and Aer Lingus. The use of the Shamrock is restricted to use by the Irish State or its licensees by its registration with the World Intellectual Property Organization as a symbol of Ireland. "If Ireland was to pursue this and file suit against everyone that uses the likeness of the shamrock or charge a fee for its use I would image Ireland would be one of the wealthiest nations in the world!"
Thursday, March 8, 2007
Official Flag of Ireland
Ireland’s flag has possessed a lasting relevance and is rich in Irish history. This flag is known as that of the "Tricolour," the national flag of the Republic of Ireland. The tricolor flag of Ireland was introduced by Thomas Francis Meagher in 1848, when it was officially recognized as it was first unfurled. 
This flag has three equal stripes that illustrates the Irish political landscape.
Green — signifying Irish Catholics and the cause of the republic
White — representing the hope for peace between them
Orange — standing for Irish Protestants
Orange is associated with Northern Irish Protestants because of Willliam of Orange (William III), the King of England, Scotland, and Ireland who in 1690 defeated the deposed King James II, a Roman Catholic, in the fateful Battle of the Boyne near Ireland's capital of Dublin. William's victory secured Protestant dominance over the island. Sometimes called Orangemen, Protestants in Northern Ireland celebrate the anniversary of the battle each July 12th.
Thomas Meagher on the meaning of the Irish flag said, "The white in the center signifies a lasting truce between the Orange and the Green; and I trust that beneath its folds the hands of the Irish Protestant and the Irish Catholic may be clasped in heroic brotherhood."
Wednesday, March 7, 2007
Symbols of Ireland
The people of Ireland, whether native or not, take pride in the symbols that represent their culture. Some of these symbols are famous world-wide, and most are well-known to Americans. Some Irish symbols are tangible items that represent a variety of ideas within the culture. Other symbols are fictitious and fun representations of Celtic mythology.
I plan to provide a little bit of information on a new Irish symbol each day. You'll be surprised at the reasons behind some of these symbols. I'd like to start with the most basic of all of the symbols: the significance of the color, green.
The Emerald Isle (Ireland) has long considered green to be it's national color. Rural Ireland's green landscapes are famous world-wide. Green was the color of sympathy for independence in the late 18th Century when Ireland was still struggling for independence from Britain - so much so the Britain actually banned the "wearing of the green" around that time.
For the past 31 years on Saint Patrick's day, New York's Fire Fighters also wore green berets instead of their usual blue caps. The berets date back to 1970, when the mother-in-law of a Bronx firefighter knitted dozens of the caps for St. Patrick's Day. 2005 was the first year the tradition was banned, as officials decided the firefighters should wear their proper uniform with the blue caps. The firefighters responded by wearing civilian clothes and their green berets instead of their uniform!
An of course, on St. Patrick's day it is common for people in Ireland and abroad (especially those with Irish ancestors) to wear green.
Nicknames for Ireland:
The Emerald Isle - from the lush green of the Irish landscape
Erin - from the Irish name for Ireland (Éire), most commonly used in the expression 'Erin Go Bragh'
Hibernia - Latin name for Ireland
Land of saints and scholars - from the strong educational and religious tradition in Ireland in the middle ages
Poor old woman - from the Irish Sean Bhean Bhocht, a traditional nationalist song (also spelt phonetically as 'Sean Van Vocht')
Silk of the kine - from the Irish síoda na mbó
The Old Sod - faux-maudlin term used by the Irish abroad
Tuesday, March 6, 2007
Céilithe
A céili (pronounced 'key-lee' or 'kay-lee" - I've found an equal number of each pronunciation) is, in America, a celebration of Irish music, dance and food. It is a fantastic way to learn about Irish traditions. Céilithe is plural for céili. The Irish word céili originally referred to a gathering of neighbours in a house to have an enjoyable time, dancing, playing music and storytelling. Today, in Ireland, it refers to an informal evening of dancing. The céili can be traced back to pre-famine times, when dancing at the cross-roads was a popular rural pastime. These dances were usually held on Sunday evenings in summer when young people would gather at the cross-roads. Since I've already discussed Irish music, I thought I'd touch on dance and food and touch on the three areas of an Irish-American céili.
Traditional Dance:
Irish dancing traditions changed as often as the new peoples who inhabited the island. Irish dancing was accompanied by music played on the bagpipes and the harp. Dancing was also performed during wakes. The mourners followed each other in a ring around the coffin to bagpipe music.
Three Irish dances are mentioned often in early writing: the Irish Hey (where female dancers wound in around their partners, in a fore-runner of the present day reel), the Rinnce Fada (long dance similar to today's Riverdance) and the Trenchmore (which was an adaptation of an old Irish peasant dance). One of the first references to dance is in a letter written by Sir Henry Sydney to Queen Elizabeth I in 1569. "They are very beautiful, magnificently dressed and first class dancers," Sydney wrote of the girls he saw dancing enthusiastic Irish jigs in Galway. Sydney went on to describe the dance formation, observing the dancers in two straight lines which suggests they were performing an early version of the long dance.
Group dances were developed by the masters to hold the interest of their less gifted pupils and to give them the chance to enjoy dancing. The standard of these dances was very high. Solo dancers were held in high esteem and often doors were taken off hinges and placed on the ground for the soloists to dance on. Today, jigs, reels, hornpipes, sets, half sets, polkas and step dances are all performed. Solo dancing or step dancing first appeared at the end of the eighteenth century. Today, when step-dancing is performed (particularly as a solo dance), it is generally characterized by a stiff upper body and the quick and precise movements of the feet.
There are currently two forms of Irish dancing, social dances or performance dances. Irish social dances can be classified as either Céilithe or Set Dances. A céilí dance may be performed with as few as three people and as many as sixteen. Céilí dances may also be danced with an unlimited number of couples in a long line or proceeding around in a circle (Such as in Shoe the Donkey or the Gay Gordons). Céilí dances are often fast-paced and may be quite complicated. Set dances are folk dances of Ireland based on French quadrilles. Most are done in square sets of four couples and consist of several "figures" each of which has a number of parts. Throughout the dance, as they perform the figures, the dancers use various steps, with the style of the step varying from place to place and from set to set.
The costumes worn by Irish dancers today commemorate the clothing of the past. Most of the dresses are adorned with hand-embroidered Celtic designs, copies of the Tara brooch are often worn on the shoulder. The brooch hold a cape which falls over the back. The clothes worn by men are less embellished but steeped in history- they wear a plain kilt and jacket, with a folded cloak draped from the shoulder. Male and female dancers today wear hornpipe shoes, and for reels and jigs, soft shoes similar to ballet pumps are worn.
Traditional Food:
Rumor has it, that Ireland is currently having a gourmet revolution. But, I have to say, when we were in Ireland, the traditional fare was often the most popular. We were advised to eat in the pubs as they had the best food...and our advisers were correct.
For those of you who may not have been brought up on traditional Irish foods, some typical Irish dishes include: potato soup, Irish stew, potato cakes, beef stew, shanty potatoes, corned beef and cabbage, scones, soda bread and my least favorite of all, black and white pudding. I've decided to let you do your own research on what these famous dishes entail. But I can tell you, they aren't all so tasty. In fact, (keep in mind, I'm a picky eater) as much as I love all things Irish, I don't like the food. I did enjoy the ever-popular fish and chips though.
With meager resources for the kitchen (traditionally), Irish cooking is based on simple, but hearty dishes. Irish cooking is poetic cooking, however, and a simple dish of potatoes and cabbage is lifted from the ordinary by calling it 'bubble and squeak' after the music heard in the pan. When fair Molly Malone sells her cockles and mussels, she doesn't shout that the mussels are fresh, she sings out that they are 'alive, alive-o.' There are even rhymes based on Irish food, such as the potato pancake, called Boxty: "Boxty on the griddle, Boxty in the pan, If you don't eat your boxty, You'll never get your man."
George Bernard Shaw said it best: "There is no sincerer love than the love of food." That pretty much sums up the philosophy of the Irish and their cuisine...and our (I mean "their") dress sizes.
A few fun and traditional recipes:
Barm Brack
Cream the yeast and the sugar and allow to froth up in the milk, which should be at blood heat. Sieve the flour, caster sugar and spice and rub in the butter. Make a well in the centre and add the yeast mixture and the egg, beaten. Beat with a wooden spoon for about 10 minutes until a good dough forms. The fruit and the salt should be worked in by hand; the gold ring wrapped in greaseproof paper should then be added, and the whole kneaded. Put in a warm bowl, cover and allow to rise in a warm place for about an hour until doubled in size.
1/4 pt/ 125 ml/ 1/2 cup lukewarm milk1 tsp sugar1 tsp fresh yeast8 oz/ 250 g/ 2 cups plain flour1 tsp mixed spice, pinch salt 1 egg, 3 tbsp butter6 oz/ 200 g/ 2 cups mixed fruit(currants, sultanas, raisins, candied peel)1 gold ring (in greaseproof paper)2 oz/50 g/2 tbsp caster sugar
Knead lightly and place in a lightly-greased 7 in /15 cm diameter cake tin and allow a further 30 minutes rising time. Bake near the top of a pre-heated oven at gas mark 6, 400°F, 200°C for 45 minutes. On removing from the oven the brack can be glazed with a syrup made from 2 tsp sugar dissolved in 3 tsp boiling water.
From the Appletree Press title: A Little Irish Cookbook.
Irish Stew
Irish stew is easy to make and if made with mutton and cooked slowly will be both flavorsome and tender. Mutton, being an older meat, has more flavor than lamb but does need to be cooked for a couple of hours over a low heat with liquid. It should not be allowed to boil or the flavor will be spoiled. There is little agreement as to the classic recipe - should there be carrots? Should the meat be browned? Should mutton, lamb, beef, bacon or even kid be used? The following dish will be found to be hearty and nourishing and traditional enough.
2 1/2 lb boned mutton4 large potatoes2 large onions3 or 4 medium carrotssprig of parsley2 cups watersalt and pepper(serves four)
Cut the meat into good size chunks. Peel the vegetables and slice thickly. Chop the parsley. Choose a pot with a well-fitting lid and put in the ingredients in layers, starting and finishing with potatoes. Pour in the water and season to taste. Cover and put on a very low heat for about 2 1/2 hours until the meat is tender and the potatoes have thickened the liquid. The dish may also be made with lamb, in which case it requires only 1 1/2 hours cooking time.
From the Appletree Press title: A Little Irish Cookbook.
Potato Soup
The basis of a good soup - especially a simple soup such as this - is a good stock. The soup should be made with a white stock, that is, water in which a chicken, ham or bacon has been boiled. Alternatively, stock can be made from a ham bone or chicken carcass boiled with a few root vegetables and herbs as available, and an onion. The stock should be drained, allowed to cool and the fat removed from the surface.
6 medium potatoes2 medium onions3pt/ 1/2 l/ 6 cups stock or milk and water mixed1tbsp butterparsleysalt and pepper(serves six)
Peel and dice the potatoes and chop the onions. Melt the butter and gently cook the onions and potatoes in a covered saucepan until soft but not coloured. Add the liquid, adjust the seasoning to taste, sieve if wished and serve in bowls decorated with a little chopped parsley.
From the Appletree Press title: A Little Irish Cookbook.
Very cool Irish website I just found today: http://www.irishabroad.com/
Resources:
http://www.inmamaskitchen.com/SEASONS/Irish_cooking_SainntPat.html
Monday, March 5, 2007
Irish Music
One of our absolute favorite things about the Irish culture is the music and the heart that goes into the whole experience. Most traditional Irish musicians put their stories to music. Ireland's musical tradition dates back as far as those early storytellers. When in Ireland, we found that the traditional music that is currently the center of many of the pubs, is either instrumental or what we would consider ballad-like music, and is played in a setting very similar to what storytelling may have been. In Ireland, pub sessions are now the home for much of Irish traditional music. Oh how we wish they would be similar here in the Irish pubs. The music of Ireland helped to shape much of Western music as it exists today. Modern Irish musicians play a number of stringed instruments, many of which can be found in today's bluegrass and country music bands.
Elvis Costello
Great Big Sea (favorite - from New Foundland)
Liam O (O'Riordian - currently performs in pubs in Ireland and has done a few in Philly)
Off the Boat (another favorite - from Ireland)
Gaelic Storm (good, but not as good as Great big Sea)
The Saw Doctors (from Ireland, better at small venues)
The Dublin City Ramblers (more traditional)
The Dubliners (more traditional)
The harp is among the chief symbols of Ireland. The Celtic harp, seen on Irish coinage and used by Guinness, was played as long ago as the 10th century. In ancient times, the harpers were greatly respected, considered to have near-magical powers and assigned a high place amongst the most significant retainers of the Irish lords and chieftains.
Sunday, March 4, 2007
Another Low-key Weekend
This weekend was pretty relaxing for us. I'm very thankful that I'm getting used to not being so busy all the time, or creating things to make me busy. On Friday night, we just stopped on the way home, for happy hour at Reston Town Center and crashed early.
Last night we hung out with some friends. Kate and Bernard and their little cutie, Nuri came over. Our realtor, Ken also stopped by. We had dinner, which we ordered from Piazano's (very yummy)...played a few hands of Uno and Spades and played with Nuri. The conversation was light and fun and the company was great! We love hanging out with you guys...we should do it more often!
I didn't take any pictures last night, but here's a picture of the Songer-Johnson family and one of Nuri, both from a few months ago...they still look great, but Nuri is getting SO big! 
Irish Storytelling
One of Ireland's earliest traditions and ancient Celtic art form is storytelling (one of the "High Arts" formerly). Thousands of years ago, Irish storytellers told great tales of heroes, fairies, and the gods. In fact, the oldest epic poem of Europe is an Irish story. About 400 AD, when writing was introduced to Ireland, many of the stories were recorded and new ones were created.
Storytelling has a multifaceted history of use including, education of both children and adults, history-keeping, law making, conflict resolution, community decision making and mental healing. Many of these uses are still applied by tellers today. As such, storytellers were (up until the last 300 years) members of the elite class in many cultures were equal in status to the Kings and Queens.
The old people had a way of coming together in the Celtic Lands - the Cèilidh (Kay-lee). The Gaelic word means "a gathering of the people." They would collect, young and old, around the hearth of one of the villagers, or perhaps the hearth of a Chieftain's House. There would be songs sung and music to dance to. The oldest, Seanachaidh (Shan-ah-kee - means storyteller) if present, would tell the Tales they had learned from their elders - Tales of their people, Tales of honour, of battles, of magic, of love, of sorrow. The Cèilidh and these Tales, older than the languages which now recall them, weave the people together, give the people a sense of who they are and where they come from.
The Irish have developed a "gift of the gab," a delight in parody, satire and the grotesque and a unique sense of humor that is still extent today. Wherever you go in Ireland, you will encounter a storyteller who will entertain you with legends, history and tall tales told in the special Irish lilt that is so endearing and entertaining. Ireland, for good reason, is known as the land of storytellers.
I don't think I have ever met an Irishman who didn't have the gift though...my dad is an amazing storyteller (most of his stories are make-believe)...but my favorite storyteller of real life events is my Pap Rice. It is an amazing gift to be able to share with your children's children, the events and the history of your life. It is storytelling that has given me strong ties to my family, and given me a sense of who I am, where I've come from, and who I want to be. I sincerely hope I can perfect that "gift" and create a home where storytelling will help my children to pass on the stories of our families to their own children.
Saturday, March 3, 2007
Wee Irish Folk
Each of us have a certain pride in the nationalities we represent. Our pride rests mostly in our Irish descent (Erin has more than I, but I keep looking for those key ancestors to prove my heritage). Irish Americans have had a huge impact on many facets of our society. They were pioneers of early America, contributers to our arts and participants in our politics. What they have given to America in the past can now be seen in their own country. In recent years, the once woebegone Irish have pulled their country from a land ruined by religious and political oppression and pushed themelves into the 21st century, ahead of their European neighbors. Ireland is now a world leader in cultural expression, culinary development and economic force.
Many well-known people are of Irish descent. I've listed a few of the more well-known and notable Irish and a link to where you can find additional information if you are interrested. Additionally, I've listed a few (some were a surprise to Erin and I) Irish Americans that you may remember from your American History classes.
Famous Irish Folk:
Samuel Beckett - 1906-1989 Playwright, Author and Nobel Laureate
http://www.kirjasto.sci.fi/beckett.htm
Oscar Wilde - 1854-1900 Author
http://www.cmgworldwide.com/historic/wilde/
James Joyce - 1882-1941 Author
http://www.themodernword.com/joyce/
Arthur Guinness - 1725-1803 Brewer
http://www.gallot.co.nz/Guinness/Arthur_Guinness.htm
Daniel O'Connell - 1775-1847 Politician
http://www.victorianweb.org/history/oconnell.html
Michael Collins - 1890-1922 Revolutionary
http://www2.cruzio.com/~sbarrett/mcollins.htm
George Bernard Shaw - 1856-1950 Author
http://www.spartacus.schoolnet.co.uk/Jshaw.htm
Thomas Moore - 1779-1852 Author and Balladeer
http://www.kirjasto.sci.fi/tmoore.htm
Henry Ferguson - 1884-1960 Inventor
http://www.ulsterhistory.co.uk/harryferguson.htm
Saint Oliver Plunkett - 1625-1681 Archbishop
http://www.hoganstand.com/general/identity/extras/famousgaels/stories/plunkett.htm
Irish Americans:
President John F. Kennedy
Presdent Ronald Reagan
Presidents: Jackson, Polk, Buchanan, McKinley, Wilson, Nixon (and several others)
Daniel Boone - who started Kentucky settlement
Davy Crockett - served in Congress
Henry Ford - son of an Irish immigrant who started the Ford Motor Company
Marrion Morrison - (aka: John Wayne) a legend of American Western Films
Maureen O'Hara - dual citizenship in both the US and Ireland; American citizen in 1946
Judy Garland - "Dorothy" in Wizard of Oz; The Irish American St Patrick's Day anthem "Its A Great Day for the Irish" was written especially for her and was one of her biggest hits.
And let us not forget: Colin Farrell, Rosie O'Donnell, Mia Farrow, Grace Kelley, Mickey Rourke, Art Carney, Carroll O'Connor, Audie Murphy, James Cagney, Shirley Maclaine, Jackie Gleason, Mary Tyler Moore, Warren Beatty, Angelica Huston, Bing Crosby, Spencer Tracy, Jack Lemmon, Burt Lancaster, Gregory Peck, Patricia Neal, Robert Redford and Walter Brennan.
Did you know these people were of Irish descent too?
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_Irish-Americans
Irish Genealogy Resourses:
http://www.youririshroots.com/
http://www.tiara.ie/
Friday, March 2, 2007
Irish Americans and our History
March is a significant month for Irish-Americans. March 17th is the national holiday of Ireland, honoring Saint Patrick, the patron Saint of Ireland. Saint Patrick is commemorated for introducing Christianity to Ireland in the 5th Century. Coinciding with Saint Patrick's Day is Irish American Heritage Month, which was first proclaimed by the United States Congress in 1995.
The 2000 United State Census reported 30,528,492 persons claiming Irish ancestry, 10.8% of the total American population. This is over 7 times the population of Ireland itself, which was 4 million in the year 2003. Irish-Americans are the largest ancestral group in Washington DC, Delaware, Massachusetts, and New Hampshire. The states with the largest Irish-American populations are: California, New York, Pennsylvania, Florida and Illinois.
A Brief History of Ireland...
Ireland is only 32,000 sq. mi. and is comprised of the Republic of Ireland (Eire) which occupies almost 85% of the total land-mass, and Northern Ireland which is part of the United Kingdom. Within the traditional four provinces there are 32 counties, 26 of which are within the Republic. The partition of the island dates from 1920-22, before which the whole island was under British rule.
The first settlement of Ireland took place sometime around 6000 BC by hunters and fishermen along the island's eastern coast. The Gaels, a Celtic-speaking people from western Europe, found their way to the island sometime between about 600 and 150 BC and subdued the previous inhabitants.
About the time of Christ the island was organized into five kingdoms, the "Five Fifths of Ireland". The kings of these kingdoms often raided neighbouring countires. On one of these raids a lad of 16 was captured, returned to Ireland and sold into slavery. During his enslavement the boy turned to religion and at the age of 22 escaped. The man studied theology and in 432 returned to Ireland, and began a lifelong quest of converting the Irish to Christianity. This was none other than Ireland's patron, Saint Patrick.
In the 9th and 10th centuries, Ireland came under fierce attacks from the Vikings. In 853 the Danes invaded the island and were followed by Danish settlers who gradually assimilated with the local population and adopted Christianity. When the four ecclesiastical provinces were created in 1152, both Gaelic and Danish elements helped form a united Church. In 1168 the English invaded the island and soon thereafter began invoking reforms, many dealing with the granting of land, and many of which violated the traditional political and social structure.
Until about 1400, many Norman's from England moved to Ireland, particularly around Dublin. In 1495 Henry VII extended English law over all of Ireland and the existing Irish parliament. When Henry VIII became king, he tried to separate the Irish Church from the Papacy much as he had done in England, intensifying Irish resolve toward the English. By 1660 English law prevailed throughout the land and the distinctions of Irish, Anglo-Irish, and English became realigned to Catholic and Protestant. It was about this period that the emigration trend began.
When Cromwell took control of England, he took over Ireland and confiscated Catholic holdings. Following his death, the Irish renewed their claims on their historic lands. In 1727, Catholics were excluded from public office and denied the right to vote. In 1798, a revolt in Ireland led the Irish to relinquish their own parliament. On Jan. 1, 1801, the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland were created. In the 1830s, a movement began to repeal the union. Catholic areas fared less well and when the potato crops of the 1840s failed, a devastating famine resulted.
Between 1841 and 1851, Ireland's population fell from 8.2 million to 6.6 million through starvation, disease, and emigration, particularly to the United States. Following the famine, Catholic Ireland slowly increased in prosperity and the Catholics gained parliamentary power and a separate Irish parliament within the Union, gained popularity. Using their leverage in the British parliament, a home rule bill was enacted in 1914, but not put in effect until the end of World War I.
In the twentieth century, Ireland's situation has remained unsettled. In 1921 a treaty between southern Ireland and Britain established the Irish Free State, a self-governing dominion within the British Commonwealth of Nations. This allowed the Northern Ireland Parliament to take the six northern counties out of the dominion. A subsequent civil war broke out between pro-treaty and anti-treaty factions but ultimately the treaty stood.
In 1937 southern Ireland adopted a new constitution creating the new state of Eire. It lasted only eleven years until 1948 when the ties with the Commonwealth were severed completely and the Republic of Ireland was born. In the north, the Protestants and Catholics continued their unsettled relationship with one another. In 1972, the Republic of Ireland joined the European Economic Community (EEC) along with the United Kingdom and Denmark. That same year, the Northern Irish State was dissolved and the six counties were put under direct rule from London.
The unabridged version of the above story
http://genealogypro.com/articles/Irish-history.html
Irish American Heritage
http://www.irishamhc.com/
Irish American Magazine
http://www.irishabroad.com/irishworld/irishamericamag/
Irish Times - Online Newspaper
http://www.ireland.com/
Thursday, March 1, 2007
An Irish Welcome
Here's Céad Míle Fáilte to friend and to rover
That's a greeting that's Irish as Irish can be
It means you are welcome
A thousand times over
Wherever you come from,
Whosoever you be
Most of you know, how much I love to celebrate and share my Irish heritage. But do you know how Irish I am? When in Ireland, Liam O'Riordian (song writer) told me that he never would have guessed me to be an American, that my face is "a picture of Ireland." I always knew that to be true with 5 of my 8 (62%) great grandparents having come straight from Ireland (two others I'm sure had Irish, but I don't know how much). I figure myself to be at least 70% Irish and the other 30% is Irish at heart.
Throughout at least the first half of this month, I plan to share my love of the Irish culture with you. So check out the right side-bar for all the Irish (and Gaelic) quotes, proverbs, sayings, prayers, toasts and images you can handle...new postings each day until St. Patrick's Day (March 17th).
Sláinte!
(the Irish "cheers" literally means to your health - pronounced "slon' cha")