Guess the old separation of church and state doesn't really apply in Ireland, as today is the religious celebration of St. Patrick's Day. Speaking of religion, when I was in Ireland, in Dublin actually, I went to St. Patrick's Cathedral for mass. As it is quite a popular place, I was walking around trying to separate myself from tour groups to find where mass was actually to be held. I finally had to ask, and quickly found out that mass was the wrong word, CLEARLY. The woman looked at me in disgust and replied that "There ARE no masses here, if you are looking for SERVICE, then it is over there." I had been aware that there had been many years of fighting over religion on the island (Protestant and Catholic), and was especially cognisant having driven from Northern Ireland to Ireland. I thought with this seemingly innocent comment that I had just reignited something. Thankfully, that was all that was said and I slipped into service. (St. Patrick's in Dublin is actually Anglican- I mean tomaYto tomaHto, right?) Now for my completely unrelated love!
Of all things Irish, I especially love...
THE JIG! We're almost there, and that calls for a jig. So does the fact that it is Saturday and that the weather has been beautiful (if windy) and everything else is spectacular! The Irish jig is something that many try, few master, but all enjoy! It is always enhanced when attempted among a rowdy bunch! That way everyone can get involved! I've shared a jig or two in my day and I am bound to share more, as the music justs makes me want to dance. I've tried the Irish step dance (my cousins and aunts actually took lessons!) but normally I like to just get jiggy. Something about that fiddle, that gets 'me legs moving, know what I mean?
In honor of there being only 2 DAYS TILL ST. PATTY'S get your jig on tonight for practice! Surely you'll have an audience on Monday and you wouldn't want to look absolutely ridiculous, would you?!?!?!?! The jig just may even have to carry you over to the 17th, as tomorrow is YOGA ALL DAY, and after practicing my jig, I may not have the pep to post! XOM
Saturday, March 15, 2008
Thursday, March 13, 2008
Kiss Me I'm Irish!
Of all things Irish, I especially love...
My lineage! Whilst in Ireland, I traced what I could of my ancestors back to their homeland. My family is 3rd generation Canadian, but that 4th generation (or was it 5th) came over from Ireland. Apparently 'McCaffery' is an altered name, so while I was not able to find much out about that portion of my Irish heritage, I found some things out about my Nanny's side.
Nanny's maiden name was Moran. Interestingly, Moran means 'descendant of great one,' and I couldn't agree more, as Nanny was surely great! Until I reached Ireland, I had prounounced the surname 'More-Anne.' At the coat of arms store in Dublin, the owner told me that in fact it is pronounced 'More-in.' He was able to trace the name to an area that Lex and I had driven through, Sligo. While that was as deep as I got (I did not try to find any distant rellies!), just the experience of having spent time in my ancestral land was satiable to my lineage thirst. That and a pint of Harp, of course!
I love Ireland for many reasons, as you have been reading in the past couple of days, but my heritage is certainly a central reason. My Aunt continues the research of our descendants and keeps us updated. Apparently, she recently discovered that someone living in the US, whom no one in my direct family knows, has a picture of my great-grandfather. I had thought we were all in Canada. Makes the world a little smaller. Perhaps a grand ole' family reunion is in order, on greener pastures! Ireland- here we come!
4 DAYS TILL ST. PATTYS!
(Unless you are following the edict by the bishops of Ireland- they moved St. Patrick's Day this year- all religious celebrations of St. Patrick's Day will be celebrated on the 15th, so as not to conflict with Holy Week. Don't believe me? Check out this link..
http://www.catholicnewsagency.com/new.php?n=9917 I say we start celebrating on the 15 and continue through the 17th- who's with me?)
My lineage! Whilst in Ireland, I traced what I could of my ancestors back to their homeland. My family is 3rd generation Canadian, but that 4th generation (or was it 5th) came over from Ireland. Apparently 'McCaffery' is an altered name, so while I was not able to find much out about that portion of my Irish heritage, I found some things out about my Nanny's side.
Nanny's maiden name was Moran. Interestingly, Moran means 'descendant of great one,' and I couldn't agree more, as Nanny was surely great! Until I reached Ireland, I had prounounced the surname 'More-Anne.' At the coat of arms store in Dublin, the owner told me that in fact it is pronounced 'More-in.' He was able to trace the name to an area that Lex and I had driven through, Sligo. While that was as deep as I got (I did not try to find any distant rellies!), just the experience of having spent time in my ancestral land was satiable to my lineage thirst. That and a pint of Harp, of course!
I love Ireland for many reasons, as you have been reading in the past couple of days, but my heritage is certainly a central reason. My Aunt continues the research of our descendants and keeps us updated. Apparently, she recently discovered that someone living in the US, whom no one in my direct family knows, has a picture of my great-grandfather. I had thought we were all in Canada. Makes the world a little smaller. Perhaps a grand ole' family reunion is in order, on greener pastures! Ireland- here we come!
4 DAYS TILL ST. PATTYS!
(Unless you are following the edict by the bishops of Ireland- they moved St. Patrick's Day this year- all religious celebrations of St. Patrick's Day will be celebrated on the 15th, so as not to conflict with Holy Week. Don't believe me? Check out this link..
http://www.catholicnewsagency.com/new.php?n=9917 I say we start celebrating on the 15 and continue through the 17th- who's with me?)
Wednesday, March 12, 2008
Somewhere over the Rainbow...
Of all things Irish, I especially love...
LEPRECHAUNS! You didn't think I would forget about these wee folk, did you?
These sprite fairies are crafty and like to get into mischeif. Who doesn't like some cunning shenanigans every now and then, right? They are said to be very rich, but hide their treasure- pot o' gold style. Though they will try to outwit you if you come in contact with one, they must reveal the location of their fortune if you ask. But don't let them out of your sight- literally. So long as you have the leprechaun in your vision, he will be entrapped in your stare. As soon as you look away, he vanishes. POOF! Keep your ear to the ground for sounds of a shoemakers hammer- that will alert you to the proximity of a leprechaun. If you are a shoemaker, it may be a little more difficult to distinguish between the rap of these folk and your own, but stay vigilant. The reward is said to be great. For increased odds of encountering one of these creatures, try hanging out in the vicinity of rainbows- because we all know that there is a pot o' gold at the end of every rainbow.
Good luck, happy leprechaun spotting!
5 DAYS TILL ST. PATTY'S!
LEPRECHAUNS! You didn't think I would forget about these wee folk, did you?
These sprite fairies are crafty and like to get into mischeif. Who doesn't like some cunning shenanigans every now and then, right? They are said to be very rich, but hide their treasure- pot o' gold style. Though they will try to outwit you if you come in contact with one, they must reveal the location of their fortune if you ask. But don't let them out of your sight- literally. So long as you have the leprechaun in your vision, he will be entrapped in your stare. As soon as you look away, he vanishes. POOF! Keep your ear to the ground for sounds of a shoemakers hammer- that will alert you to the proximity of a leprechaun. If you are a shoemaker, it may be a little more difficult to distinguish between the rap of these folk and your own, but stay vigilant. The reward is said to be great. For increased odds of encountering one of these creatures, try hanging out in the vicinity of rainbows- because we all know that there is a pot o' gold at the end of every rainbow.
Good luck, happy leprechaun spotting!
5 DAYS TILL ST. PATTY'S!
Tuesday, March 11, 2008
Leafy Greens
Of all things Irish, I especially love...
SHAMROCKS! Many a day in my youth was spent laying in a field of clovers, searching for the elusive 4-leaf cousin to the 3-leafed species. Though I never found a 4-leafed clover, I became quite fond of shamrocks.
Originally used by St. Patrick to represent the Holy Trinity in an explanation of Christianity (or so the legend goes), the shamrock has become a symbol of St. Patty's Day. We all know 3 is a magic number, and it is no different here, as a shamrock is said to bring about good luck. Along with the Celtic harp, the shamrock has become a ubiquitous representation of Ireland. So, in addition to your 'Kiss me I'm Irish' pin, why not try to find some 3-leafed clover to accentuate your St. Patty's attire- for luck, for reverance, and for patriotism!
6 DAYS TILL ST. PATTY'S!
Monday, March 10, 2008
Mystic Monday
Of all things Irish, I especially love...
FOLKLORE! I've always had a vivid imagination, so stories of giants and fairies are bound to intrigue me! Ireland is chockers full of such tales, and since I missed posting this weekend, I will give you three such fables.
Giant's Causeway, Northern Ireland. Naturally, this landscape was formed as a result of cooling lava from volcanic activity over 60 million years ago. Mythically, this landscape was created by a giant, Finn MacCool, that wanted to show how 'cool' he really was. He formed these columnal 'stepping stones' stretching from the coast of Ireland to Scotland so that he could fight a rival giant. He didn't even have to get his feet wet!
The Blarney Stone, Ireland. A hunk of limestone has garnered the reputation of being Ireland's
"lucky charm." Legend has it that an old woman cast a spell on a king for saving her life. If he smooched the slab, he'd gain great powers of eloquence. You too can lend your lips to some limestone and gain the gift of gab!
"lucky charm." Legend has it that an old woman cast a spell on a king for saving her life. If he smooched the slab, he'd gain great powers of eloquence. You too can lend your lips to some limestone and gain the gift of gab!
The Burren, Northern Ireland. Likened to a moonscape, the Burren is the name that describes 50 square miles of deeply cracked limestone blanketing the ground. Underneath the vista, are caves home to ghostly horsemen and wells of water thought to cure vision. Mysterious lakes are said to sometimes appear and disappear, taking with them maidens who turn into swans. It's also a great place to build and innushuk!
7 DAYS TILL ST. PATTY'S!
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