Leagaigí oraibh!  Bring it on! 

To celebrate our impending 3,000th Facebook fan, we are launching a contest to test your knowledge of Irish culture! Each day, until we hit that 3,000-follower mark, we will post a question here, on a range of Irish topics! Stop by each day to see the latest!  Our top three winners at the end of the game will each receive a gift pack of prizes!

Remember, only members can send private messages -- so you'll have to sign up to be a member (it's free!) to participate! Come join us and play along, only one of the ever increasing roster benefits we’re looking to create for members of The (New) Wild Geese!

* Note: This competition wrapped up on June 3rd, 2013. The final results can be seen below, and a final wrap-up of the competition can be found here.  Thanks for playing, everyone!

 

Questions & Answers

Monday, June 3: What is the longest placename (as written in the Irish language) in Ireland, and in which county would you find it?

*  AnswerSliabh Phlochóige agus Leadhb Reannach Thuaidh (41 letters); a townland found in County Donegal.

Sunday, June 2: What was the name of the master horticulturalist who laid the Japenese Gardens at The Irish National Stud in County Kildare?

AnswerTassa Eida laid out the gardens between the years 1906-1910.

Saturday, June 1: There are four provinces in modern-day Ireland. In the Irish language, what is the word for "province," and what is its literal meaning?

*  AnswerCúige literally means "fifth part", and indicates that there were once five provinces in Ireland. The fifth province, Meath, was once distinct from Leinster.

Friday, May 31: Name the man who in June of 1912 transported two of his own Connemara Ponies from Connemara to London to take part in the 1912 World Exhibition of Breeds, thus bringing awareness to what was, at the time, a rare breed and saving it from extinction.

*  Answer: Michael O'Malley of Rosmuc transported his stallion, Irish Dragoon, and his mare, Eileen Alannah, to London revealing Ireland's traditional pony to the outside world for the first time.

Thursday, May 30: Dearbhfhorghaill, wife of 12th century King of Bréifne, Tigernán Ua Ruairc, is buried in Mellifont Abbey (County Louth) facing west instead of the traditional east. Why is this?

*  Answer: As a "punishment" of sorts for her elopement with Diarmait Mac Murchada (King of Leinster) in 1152, which precipitated the Norman invasion in 1169 thus altering the course of history in Ireland from that point forward.

Wednesday, May 29: Name the Irish composer, born in Cork City, who is credited with the revival of Irish traditional music during the 1960s.

*  Answer: Seán Ó Riada

Tuesday, May 28Name the Tyrone-born general who went on to serve several states in the U.S. Senate.

*  Answer: James Shields

Monday, May 27In which lough would you find the actual island of Inisfree featured in the famous W.B. Yeats poem?

*  Answer: Lough Gill

Sunday, May 26: What is the name of the diacritical marking used to elongate vowels in the Irish language?

*  Answer: Fada

Saturday, May 25What is the title of the 1952 film set in the west of Ireland which starred John Wayne and Maureen O'Hara?

*  Answer: The Quiet Man

Friday, May 24: What is the name of the artificial mound, near Quin, County Clare, which was the inauguration site of the Dalcassian Kings?

*  Answer: Magh Adhair

Thursday, May 23: Which Irish county has won the most All-Ireland Senior Hurling Championships?

*  Answer: County Kilkenny, with 34 Championships

Wednesday, May 22: What was the name of the blind harper considered by many to be Ireland's national composer?

*  Answer: Toirdhealbhach Ó Cearbhalláin.  Sorry, we cannot accept the anglicised version.  Just kidding. :-)  Turlough O'Carolan is fine, too.

Tuesday, May 21: What was the name of the Rapparee who guided Patrick Sarsfield on his raid to intercept the Williamite artillery train at Ballyneety in 1690?

*  Answer: Michael "Galloping" Hogan

Monday, May 20: What is the name of Ireland's holy mountain where St. Patrick fasted for 40 days in A.D. 441?

*  Answer: Croagh Patrick (Cruach Phádraig)

Sunday, May 19: Who first introduced stout/porter beer into Ireland?

*  Answer: James Farrell of Dublin

Saturday, May 18: What Wexford-born man, many would argue, should be known as "The Father of the American Navy"?

*  Answer: Commodore John Barry

Friday, May 17: What is the name of Ireland's only fjord?

*  Answer: We were looking for Killary Harbour, which Ireland's only natural fjord (which is an important distinction).  Since we should have been more specific with the whole "natural" thing, we've also accepted those who took the time to research the matter and submitted Lough Swilly and Carlingford Lough.  :-)

Thursday, May 16: Which country has the largest number of individuals of Irish descent?

*  Answer: The United States of America

Wednesday, May 15: How many counties comprise the historic nation of Ireland?

*  Answer: 32

Final Results

 

Want to test your knowledge of all-things-Irish even further?  Check out our newly debuted crossword puzzles feature, "Crosswords at the Crossroads."

 

Views: 1784

Tags: Competitions, Contests, Facebook, Games, Members, Membership, Prizes, Trivia

Comment by Ryan O'Rourke on June 2, 2013 at 12:59am

Hi,Janet.  I believe the ultimate source of this account of Dearbhfhorghaill's elopement with Mac Murchada is found in "The Annals of the Four Masters."  You can find a great deal more about the incident and the succeeding events by doing a Google search for her husband, Tiernan O'Rourke (or Tighearnán Mór Ua Ruairc).  The bit about Dearbhfhorghaill being buried facing west was passed down orally to me, and confirmed by a woman working as a guide at Mellifont Abbey when I visited there in 2008.  Dearbhfhorghaill apparently spent the second half of her life trying to make amends in various ways.  She paid for the construction of what is now known as "Nun's Church" in Clonmacnoise as well as being a major benefactor for other abbeys, friaries, etc.  She lived until the grand old age of 86, then was buried at Mellifont where she had provided much financial assistance.

Comment by Janet L Lloyd on June 2, 2013 at 4:33pm

Ryan,  was it really a fair question then if the answer could not be found online?  I have read the information about her husband and about Dearbhfhorghaill and her charitable works.  I have also read that Dearbhfhorghaill 1) went willingly, 2) was a pawn in a power play on the part of her paternal family (the royal family of Meath), and 3) she was a victim of abuse and was glad to get away.   I know that the only information I found said that her remains have not been positively identified.  The following is taken from the book Mellifont Abbey, Co. Louth: A Guide and Popular History published by James Duffy &Co.,Ltd.,Dublin 1897  "... southern side, are the piscina surrounded with a dog-tooth moulding, and the remains of the sedilia or stalls, which were occupied by the celebrant, deacon, and sub-deacon at High Mass. Under these sedilia a tomb was discovered during the excavations. A skull and some bones, together with a gold ring, were raised from their resting-place; the bones were replaced and covered with the slab of concrete now seen at this spot, but the ring was sold by a workman and could never be recovered. No inscription or tradition identifies the occupant of the hallowed grave. Could it have been that of the famous Dervorgilla? She was certainly buried at Mellifont, but unfortunately, we do not know the spot where her remains were laid when “life’s fitful fever” was over;".

 I must add that I am enjoying  the questions and searching for the answers . :-)

Comment by Ryan O'Rourke on June 2, 2013 at 6:07pm

Janet, the question being asked was regarding her elopement with Mac Murchada.  The one person who received credit answered that portion correctly.  The other surrounding details (which are admittedly difficult to come by on the internet) were not really a part of the question being asked.  As you've said yourself, history attests to the fact that she was a willing participant in the elopement to the south with Mac Murchada ... and this is why oral tradition says that she was buried in an honourable place in Mellifont, but facing west as opposed to the traditional east preferred in Christian burials of that day.

Again, one person did correctly answer the part we were really looking for about her elopement -- which can be found on the web far and wide.  So yes, I do believe it is a fair question.  We wanted to give a couple difficult questions to offset some of the easier ones we've been asking.  Hopefully we all learn some interesting facts along the way.  Besides, not everything can be found on the internet. :-)

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