Cold and flu season is upon us. But fear not! Ireland boasts a traditional cure for notorious winter viruses. Of course, the Irish answer to chills and fevers is none other than a hot whiskey. Whiskey’s medicinal properties are probably why it got its name “uisce beatha”, or water of life? In Scotland the preferred […]
Archives for January 2015
Bidding Farewell – A Not-So-Simple Irish Ritual
Saying goodbye and departing a friend’s home may be a simple act in America, but in Ireland there is an unwritten code of honor that guides farewell rituals. There are superstitions that must be adhered to, or God forbid you may draw some form of ill fate upon your unsuspecting self. I always remember my […]
Drop Scones
Drop scones are small, thick pancakes, so named because they are made by dropping spoonfuls of batter on to a hot griddle or frying pan. I loved drop scones when I was a little girl. Lemon and sugar pancakes, which are more like crêpes, featured on our Pancake Tuesday menu, but on other days we […]
What Is Irish Turf?
When most Americans hear the word “turf” an image of green grass immediately comes to mind, like the lush green turf of a golf course. For Irish people the word conjures up dreams of lapping flames, and the distinctive smells of a turf fire. And so today I thought I might introduce my American readers […]
Irish Wisdom And Sayings About Horses
Horses were highly prized in ancient Irish culture. Deference for our equine companions continues to this very day. Both Ireland and Kentucky, my two homes on either side of the Atlantic, are renowned for breeding magnificent racehorses. So I thought it was high time I explored the connection between the Irish and horses. This collection […]
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