Most Recent Post and Other Highlights

Our Virtual Cuppa Tea And A Chat – October 2019

Here’s a new monthly feature – a little recap to keep you updated on everything that happened on and off the blog this month. I’m calling it our virtual cuppa tea and a chat, so pour yourself a cuppa and let’s have a chat about our little corner of the internet… Read more here.

The Celtic Festival of Samhain

Samhain is an ancient Celtic Feast and seasonal festival that dates back to pre-Christian times in Ireland, and other Celtic nations like Scotland and Wales. In modern times, people all over the world celebrate Halloween, but very few are aware of its roots in the Celtic festival of Samhain… Read more here.

Origins Of The Jack O’Lantern

Did you know that our Halloween Jack O’Lanterns have Irish origins? These beloved symbols of Halloween are carved throughout the United States and Canada each and every year, but their roots are firmly Irish. Did you know this annual Halloween tradition of carving out pumpkins or rutabagas to create light-up lanterns was a tradition brought to America by Irish immigrants in the 19th century?… Read more here.

The Dog Who Lost His Bark By Eoin Colfer

Eoin Colfer is an Irish Children’s Laureate. His new book, The Dog Who Lost His Bark, is a poignant, uplifting story of a young boy, his new puppy, and the power of music to heal. This short novel boasts beautiful hand-drawn, emotive and detailed illustrations by PJ Lynch,which bring the story to life for young readers…. Read more and enter for a chance to win a copy of this Irish children’s book.

Strong Roots And HOME: Irish Trees And A Giveaway From My Irish Jeweler

You could reasonably say that trees are firmly rooted in Irish culture. The ancient Celts revered them, with sacred trees located in the heart of their settlements, rooting them to their home. In today’s post we’ll travel back through Irish history, through the lens of Trees in Ireland. From the time before the era of the Celts, through to today, with a look to Ireland’s forested future. Plus we have a beautiful Sterling Silver Tree of Life Pendant from My Irish Jeweler for one lucky reader to win…. Read more and enter the giveaway here by Sunday, October 13th, 2019.

Canvas Ireland Shoulder Bag Giveaway

If you love your Irish heritage, why not display your pride with a lovely canvas shoulder bag with a fun, and funky Ireland logo. Today I’m delighted to share a lovely canvas shoulder bag, designed with the traveler in mind, as a prize for one lucky reader to win….. Read more and enter the giveaway here by Sunday October 6th, 2019.

Words Of Wisdom And Faith Found In Saint Patrick’s Breastplate Prayer

St. Patrick’s Breastplate is a faith-filled prayer from the 5th century, and is attributed to Ireland’s patron saint. This litany or invocation is said to have been written by Saint Patrick in the year 433 A.D. as he appealed for divine protection… Read more here.

Visual Proof You Must See Sherkin Island

Visiting an Irish island can be a truly memorable experience, especially when the sun shines. Ireland is an island itself, but did you know there are about 80 large islands off the coast of the Emerald Isle, and about 20 of these islands are still inhabited? Today we’re going to take a photographic tour of one of these small isles off the Irish coast…. Read more and check out my short video photo gallery here.

A Tribute To My Irish American Mom

Irish mothers are unique and exceptional, supportive and attentive, caring for us in their uncomplicated and quiet ways. Here is a poignant tribute to one reader’s Irish American Mom…. Read more here.

Celtic Christening Gowns As Family Heirlooms

Christening gowns are part of our Irish cultural heritage. For centuries these gowns have been a meaningful way for Irish families to express their faith and family traditions. They’re symbolic works of art. This post introduces the beautiful work of Helen Marie Moore from County Galway who designs hand crafted christening gowns with embroidered Celtic designs…. Read more here.

Old Irish Boreens

Boreen is a word used frequently in rural Ireland. It’s a beloved term, conjuring homesickness and nostalgia for many. But have YOU ever wondered what this frequently used little word means? And so, today I thought we might explore, WHAT is a boreen?…. Read more here.

Irish Salad

What is an Irish salad you may ask? An Irish salad is an ensemble of cold vegetables, meat, eggs and cheese, carefully arranged on a plate, and not tossed or mixed in any shape or form. For any readers who grew up in Ireland, I’m quite certain you frequently ate salad for tea or your evening meal during the summer months… Read more and get the recipe here.

Irish Style Coleslaw

Irish coleslaw is a creamy, crunchy delight that’s perfect for summer feasting, barbecues, and pot-luck get-togethers. Irish coleslaw! You probably think I’ve lost my mind. You may believe there’s nothing Irish about the origins of coleslaw, and you would be correct. But trust me! Irish people LOVE coleslaw….. Read more and get the complete recipe here.

Irish Immigrant Song Tugs On The Heartstrings

Remembering those who have gone before us, and paved the way for us here in America, is important in this little corner of the world wide web. Today I have a lovely immigrant tale to share with you, one that is memorialized in a touching folk song that tugs on the heartstrings….. Read more here.

The Greenest Wind – Children’s E-Book Giveaway

THE GREENEST WIND is a children’s book set in West Cork, where a young German girl changes from feeling alone in a strange place, to never wanting to leave. A common complaint for anyone who spends more than a few days in this magnificent corner of Ireland. Today I’m delighted to introduce you to Gesine Shculz’s middle grade novel, THE GREENEST WIND. …. Read more and enter the giveaway here.

7 Big Mistakes To Avoid When Planning A Trip To Ireland

Planning a vacation to Ireland comes with many challenges and indecisions that tend to overwhelm people. There’s so much to see and do in Ireland despite it being such a small country. Am I doing too little? Is my plan too much? Will I miss the important parts? Today I’m delighted to share some great trip planning advice from Conor of Donegal Thatched Cottages…… Read more here.

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Irish Famine Burial Pits In Skibbereen

Ireland is home to many Famine Memorials and Graveyards. Abbeystrewry Graveyard located in Skibbereen in County Cork is a beautiful, yet poignant memorial to the victims of the Great Irish Famine.  This unmarked, mass grave is the resting place of over 9000 men, women and children. Let’s explore the significance of this Irish Famine Memorial in Skibbereen, County Cork….. Read more here.

Turas Éireann – An Irish Tour Company That Goes The Extra Mile

Turas Éireann, a new Irish tour operator, is offering experienced, driver-guided, luxury tours of Ireland for groups of up to ten people.  The good folks at Turas Éireann bring you Ireland at your leisure. Dermot, the Irishman behind the company, contacted me to share the curated travel services he offers, so I asked him to write a guest post to help spread the word about his goals and dreams for these personalized tours of Ireland….. Read more here.

Galway: The Graveyard of Hopes and Dreams –

Guest Post by Rhian J. Martin

Something tragic happened in Galway. Something no one will talk about. Now that’s what I call a suspenseful introduction to a new book.  Rhian J. Martin, in her debut novel, A Different Familiar, transports you to Galway, Ireland, where the rainy city provides an authentic Irish backdrop for her contemporary characters to uncover an unexpected mystery…. Read more and enter for a chance to win a copy of this new book set in Ireland.

Brave Hearts By Jean Mahoney – Book Giveaway

Brave Hearts, by Californian author and fellow Irish American, Jean Mahoney is a novel of tenacity and resolution, bravery and love, recounting the story of her family’s American journey.  I’m thrilled to introduce you to this unforgettable story of grit and determination, set in the colorful San Francisco Bay area and to offer a copy as a prize for a lucky reader to win….. Read more and enter the giveaway here.

Famine Memorial At Ireland Park, Toronto

On Toronto’s waterfront you will find a poignant tribute to Irish immigrants, who made the harrowing transatlantic journey to Canada to escape starvation and disease during the Great Irish Famine of 1845 to 1850.  Created by Irish sculptor, Rowan Gillespie, this memorial creates an artistic link between his original sculptures on the banks of the River Liffey…. learn more here and take a photographic tour of Ireland Park, Toronto.

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The Many Names For Ireland

Ireland is a country of many names. For such a small island it bears an incredibly wide and varied array of titles, from the Ould Sod to the Emerald Isle, the Land of Saints and Scholars to Inishfail, and from Hibernia to Scotia, to name but a few. From the Greeks to the Romans people from far and wide have had their say when naming the island of Ireland. And so today to celebrate Saint Patrick’s Day, let’s explore the many names for Ireland…… Read more here.

Irish Blessings And Sayings About Faith

Faith flattens mountains is an old Irish saying and an example of the deep spiritual wisdom of our ancestors.  Pearls of wisdom found in old Irish proverbs were passed on by our forebears for centuries and millennia. I would go so far as to say, these old adages and dictums can even provide a reliable, moral framework to help guide us through life.  Today’s collection of sayings about faith, definitely fulfills that criteria…. Read more here.

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County Longford – The Heart Of Ireland

County Longford lies at the heart of Ireland and is steeped in ancient Irish mythology and lore.  From the reedy shores of Lough Gowna to the banks of the River Shannon, the quiet countryside of County Longford overflows with rural charm. Come join me today on a photographic tour of this inland treasure, which may seem off the beaten path to many.  However, County Longford is an area of great natural beauty, just waiting to be explored…. Read more here.

Potato and Leek Soup

Potato and leek soup is an Irish classic.  This creamy, filling soup is delicious, especially when served with Irish brown bread.  Learn how to make this simple, soup with step-by-step photographic instructions ….. Get the recipe here.

Irish Hot Whiskey

Hot whiskey is made by mixing smooth Irish whiskey with lemon and cloves and topped off with hot water to create an Irish style cure for colds and flus.  Known as a hot toddy in Scotland, learn how to make the perfect hot whiskey….. Get the complete recipe here.

Irish Proverbs About Proverbs

The Irish or Gaelic oral tradition is replete with numerous proverbs and sayings. Our ancestors composed many little nuggets of advice, and some of their words are overflowing with Irish wit and wisdom. There are thousands of wonderful Irish proverbs and sayings covering a wide variety of topics, so you won’t be surprised to learn our forebears even composed proverbs about proverbs, bearing advice about their own advice. And so, today I thought we might explore a few words of advice about advice from our wise old ancestors.…. Read more here.