Most Recent Post and Other Highlights

What Is A Limerick?

Have you ever wondered how limericks, those short, five-line rhyming ditties were named after one of Ireland’s counties? Are they really Irish? And how did the name limerick come to describe these comical verses? In today’s post you can learn all about the origins and history of this favorite Irish verse form…. Read more here.

 

 

 

 

County Limerick – The Treaty County

County Limerick lies at the heart of the Shannon region in Ireland with the City of Limerick built right on the banks of Ireland’s longest river. Limerick is a tourist’s paradise.  The county boasts beautiful mountains to the south. The Ballyhoura and the Galtees are spectacular inland mountain ranges surrounded by rich fertile plains and verdant valleys of green.  County Limerick boasts over 5,000 years of history with evidence of Neolithic life, amazing medieval castles and charming thatched cottages just waiting to be explored…. Read more here.

 

 

 

Irish Language Learning Project In Northern Ireland

Today, I’m delighted to publish this guest post from Trinity College Dublin, explaining their investigation of the “Turas” Irish language project in East Belfast that encourages exploration and study of the Irish language as a reconciliation initiative. Language-learning projects can help revise destructive understandings of history in a polarized society. A study by Dr. David Mitchell of Trinity College Dublin of the East Belfast ‘Turas’ Irish language project found language classes help groups in conflict find shared heritage…. Read more here.

 

 

 

 

Our Irish Heritage

Here in the Irish American Mom Community we love to celebrate our Irish heritage. But what is it about our heritage that makes us so proud? Is heritage the memory of our ancestors and the legacy they have gifted us? For some of us it surely is. But others have only recently discovered their Irish roots through DNA testing, and never knew their Irish forebears. A while back I asked a favor of members of our little Irish community.  I sent subscribers an email and posed a complex question in search of insights into the meaning of our Irish heritage. Here’s the question I asked: “What’s the most important thing to you about your Irish heritage?” In today’s post let’s explore some of the amazing answers I received….. Read more here.

 

 

 

 

Ice Cream Sandwiches

An ice cream sandwich consists of a slice of ice cream between two rectangular wafers and is a favorite summertime treat in Ireland. The ice cream layer for these little slabs of summer is sliced from a pint block of ice cream. And did you know the pint block of ice cream was first created in Ireland in the 1930’s. You can learn a little Irish ice cream history in today’s post….Read more here.

 

 

 

May God Give You For Every Storm A Rainbow

Today’s post explores an old Irish saying that’s perfect for wedding speeches. A reader requested I share a Gaelic or Irish language blessing so I created today’s post with a recording of this old Irish blessing recited in the Irish language. I also included a link for two free printables for the Irish and English versions of this saying, which feature old Gaelic scripting, and a Celtic border and knotwork…. Read more and get the free printables here.

 

 

 

 

Irish Potato Sayings

Potatoes holds such significance in Irish history, and therefore it’s no surprise that Irish folklore is replete with sayings about the potato. Today, I thought I would gather some of these potato sayings together in one blog post, so that we can all enjoy the wisdom of our forefathers, and further understand the significance of the potato in their lives….. Read more here.

 

 

 

 

The Rock of Dunamase

The Rock of Dunamase dominates the County Laois countryside. The ruined remains of an ancient castle stand atop a rocky outcrop in the middle of the fertile plains of this midland Irish county. Today’s post is a tour of this old Irish fort. I created a short video to help you feel as if you are right there, climbing amongst the castle walls and rocks of Dunamase…. Read more and check out the video here.

 

 

 

 

Be Thou My Vision

Camille Nelson is a fingerstyle guitar player and violinist from Utah. Her most recent album, “Lead Me Home” features a beautiful version of the Irish traditional hymn, “Be Thou My Vision.” Since today is Good Friday, I thought it would be the perfect day to share Camille’s magnificent video of this old Irish hymn, and good news, the video was shot in

 

 

 

 

The Gospel of Mary – Book Giveaway

The Gospel of Mary is a Celtic mystery and the third book in the Sister Deirdre series by author Philip Freeman. In 6th century Ireland, a young nun from the monastery of St. Brigid in Kildare, finds herself the guardian of a mysterious manuscript claiming to be the lost gospel of Mary.  Realizing leaders of the church are willing to kill to get their hands on it, Sr. Deirdre is faced with a dilemma.  Does she hand it over to the authorities or is she willing to risk her life to save the manuscript…. Read more here.

 

 

 

 

Putting The Kybosh On Things

“That put the kybosh on things!” Have you ever heard this phrase? I know it is one I often heard when I was growing up in Ireland. My granny loved to use the word “kybosh.” The word “kybosh” means to put an end to something, to stop or halt its progress, and I know it is a favorite word in County Cork. And so today, I thought we would dive into a little Irish linguistics and try to discover the origins of the word “kybosh.”…. Read more here.

 

 

 

Irish Words of Wisdom – Book Giveaway for St. Patrick’s Day

Irish Words of Wisdom is a wonderful gift book that truly lifts your spirits. Written by Irish woman, Kate Hamilton, this book is inspired and dedicated to the memory of her father, Jim McEvoy, who had a saying for every situation, good and bad. Jim taught his daughter that if you don’t have faith you have nothing…. Read more and enter the giveaway here.

 

 

 

Cod and Parsley Sauce

Cod and parsley sauce is a simple, traditional Irish meal. The cod is dredged in seasoned flour before frying, then smothered in a creamy white sauce infused with parsley and a hint of onion. Simply delicious…. Read more and get the complete recipe with step-by-step photo instructions here.

 

 

 

Irish Champ

Champ is a traditional Irish potato side dish. Mashed potatoes are mixed with green onion infused warm milk, and served with a knob of butter melting in the center….. Read more and get the complete recipe with step-by-step photo instructions here

 

 

 

What Is A Dolmen?

Dolmens are megalithic monuments found dotted around the Irish landscape.  Standing for millennia, they perch majestically on grassy hillsides,  on craggy cliffs, on winding roadsides, and even right between modern day homes. Ireland is home to over 150 of these ancient portal tombs, and so I think it is fair to consider these historic monuments as symbols of our ancient past. And so today, I hope you’ll join me as we take a little tour of Ireland’s wondrous dolmens, both great and small….. Read more here

 

 

 

Irish Coffee

Irish Coffee is a favorite after dinner drink all over the world and consists of sweetened coffee with a shot of Irish whiskey, topped off with a layer of lightly whipped cream. But did you ever wonder how on earth Ireland became famous for a coffee cocktail rather than a tea based tipple?… Read more and learn the history of Irish coffee here.