The Irish Proclamation 1916

In preparing this blog, I realise how little I know about the 1916 Proclamation, the Signatories and the Easter Rising. While this blog only touches the tip of the story of the Proclamation I hope it is of…

Born in the land of Saints and Scholars, our Irish monastic settlements are a very important part of our Irish heritage.

New in stock, this beautiful '…

Wicklow town has a cute celeb who we discovered on a walk-about in the town during our trip last week - Sammy is a young male seal who has been visiting the south quay of Wicklow town harbour since June 2013. Initially Sammy followed the local fishing boats into the harbour so he could feast on the throw offs from…

The region of Connemara is the very edge of Europe on the west coast of Ireland, spanning the majestic Twelve Bens mountains, embracing lakes and pre-historic bogs, bounded on the west, south and north by the Atlantic Ocean. This beautiful region is the essence of Ireland, with unspoilt and ever changing invigorating…

Fionn mac Cumhaill is a main character from ancient Irish legend from the 3^rd century AD. He was a warrior, a chieftain, a poet and seer. Often referred to as Finn McColl, Finn MacCoul, Finn Mac Cool, Finn McCul, Fin McCool or Fionn…

Many ancient brooches have been found in Ireland, but the Tara Brooch is the most impressive and best preserved. Found in 1850, this Celtic designed Tara Brooch dates back to A.D. 700, the Iron Age. If you are ever in Dublin take a visit to the National Museum of Ireland where this brooch is on…

The Irish for dowry is "spré," literally meaning "fortune."

My husband maintains he is still waiting for his dowry -- 26 years on, it has been a standard joke in our family all…

"Here's to your roof, may it be well thatched;

And here's to all under it, may they be well matched."

At…

Legend has it that the ancient Irish game of Fidchell (literally translated as ‘Wood Wisdom’) was invented in the 9^th century by Lugh, the Irish god of light, master druid and warrior – predating the game of chess as we know it by c300 years!  Fidchell would have played…

The game of 'Rings' is a traditional Irish game, brought to the four corners of the world by the emigration of the Irish during the famine years.  The other traditional Irish games of Bowls, Skittles and Horseshoes are played during the summer, while…

Here is a lovely story from Celtic mythology about the Luck Child, a baby found abandoned in a forest and found by three cattle herders.  The story tells of the loving relationship and bond these three men developed with the child as they brought her up and cared for her until she eventually…

When the Tuatha system of rule was replaced by Gaelic rule the areas of Ireland were known as 'cúige',  which in Irish means 'portion' or 'fifth', indicating the original division of the five areas:

Mide * Ulster * Munster *…

How is Valentine’s Day celebrated around…

Claddagh Gifts at Totally Irish Gifts         …

The shrine of St. Valentine is found at the beautiful Whitefriar Street Church, Dublin, Ireland.

Fr. John Spratt was an Irish Carmelite and a well-known preacher, who worked among the poor in the Liberties in Dublin, Ireland. He…

"Be my valentine" in Irish = “A bheith ar mo vailintín”

14^th February is Valentine’s Day, but how did it all start?

There was more than one, but this is my favourite story about…

St. Brigid is the second patron saint of Ireland, whose feast day is her birthday -- the first day of spring, 1^st February (Lá Fhéile Bhride). Brigid is also known as Muire na nGael or "Mary of the Gael," which means Our Lady of the…