Archives for July 2015

John Creedon’s Wild Atlantic Way

July 30, 2015 by Irish American Mom 6 Comments

Ireland’s Wild Atlantic Way is the longest defined coastal drive in the world, and believe me when I tell you, the scenery is simply spectacular.

Last year I shared an infographic on places to visit along the Wild Atlantic Way. But today I’m delighted to share news of a wonderful documentary featuring Ireland’s amazing coastline.

For anyone even thinking about visiting Ireland, this show is for you.

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Introducing John Creedon’s Wild Atlantic Way:

Here’s what the good folks at RTÉ say about John Creedon’s Wild Atlantic Way …..

Breathtakingly beautiful with captivating stories, John Creedon’s Wild Atlantic Way is a feast for the senses. This new three part series is available on RTÉ Player International and can be viewed around the world.

Immerse yourself in some of Ireland’s most breathtaking scenery and captivating stories with John Creedon’s Wild Atlantic Way which is not only exquisitely shot but provides the viewer with a feast of Irish landscape, seascape and cultures.

The world’s longest defined coastal touring route, the Wild Atlantic Way is a spectacular road trip that weaves its way from Derry to Cork.

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Discovering the magic, mysticism and beauty of this historic route, John Creedon’s new series transports us two and a half thousand kilometres along this magnificent West Coast route, from the historic and beautiful fishing town of Kinsale, as far as the furthest tip of the Island, Malin Head.

“My car is always happiest when it’s pointed west,” claims John.

But the Wild Atlantic Way is more than just a road trip. The sea will be John’s highway and he wants to discover why this beautiful yet savage landscape exerts such a hold on us.

Many modes of transport were used to follow this Atlantic route, from horseback, boats land and air, but for the most part of the journey John has chosen the trusty VW 1967 camper van, the favourite of West of Ireland surfers.

“Like myself she’s got a few miles on the clock

and like myself she’s built for comfort, not speed,” said John.

Accompanying John’s interviews, is truly spectacular drone footage of the Irish landscape from renowned photographer Peter Cox.

Here’s a sneak peak, where you can savor the hauntingly beautiful backdrop to this program.

Interviews Along The Way:

Enjoy a myriad of interviews, starting with Ireland’s adopted son, Jeremy Irons who from his house on the western seaboard explains ….

“The West is a long way from anywhere…

This is gold-dust and should be dealt with really carefully,

with great intelligence, because it is one of the last

remaining wild outposts of Europe”.

~ Jeremy Irons

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Some Interesting Facts:

Discover how a 400 year old coconut was found by archaeologists on a sunken Pirate ship believed to be owned by one of the most notorious Dutch Pirates and see Portuguese Pottery salvaged dating from 1613 – 1618.

Experience the Fastnet Lighthouse, the tallest and widest rock in Ireland and Britain, via helicopter where according to the Lighthouse keepers 180 foot waves regularly crash against the 100 year old structure.

Under the jet black canvas of the Kerry sky, John interviews the International Dark Sky association, with a front-seat view of the stars.

John also visits Dingle’s colourful Bealtaine Festival.

Forgotten flight 923, which saw 28 military personnel and their families lose their lives off the coast of Cork in 1962 is re-told with eye witness accounts of the tragedy and recovery.

With Ireland fast becoming the mecca for cold watersports, John looks at our new relationship with the Atlantic Ocean and how it is being re-discovered by a new generation of sports enthusiasts.

This three part series will also explore music, poetry, festivals and the everyday lives of those who live on this rugged but spectacular coastline.

I loved this piece about Dursey Island. I remember taking the cable car to Dursey with my granny over 40 years ago. We got stuck over the Atlantic for about 30 minutes on the way back. My land loving granny thought she’d never set foot on Ireland again. Luckily we were on our return journey, because we’d have had to put her on a boat back to the mainland, if she had dangled in the skies on the way out.

How To Watch The Show:

A not to be missed series for anyone who wants to discover or re-discover Ireland’s magical Western coast and its stories, John Creedon’s Wild Atlantic Way will be available on RTÉ Player International, Ireland’s only bespoken multi-genre online TV service, and will be free for the first seven days after initial broadcast.

To download the RTÉ Player International App visit the Apple App Store.

You can check out all the updates on Twitter by entering #rtewaw, or you can also follow John Creedon on Twitter.

A big thank you to John Creedon and RTÉ for sharing this fabulous program with us today, and for providing me with text, images and links to help highlight their amazing work.

Slán agus beannacht!

(Goodbye and blessings)

Irish American Mom

Hay Foot, Straw Foot

July 28, 2015 by Irish American Mom 24 Comments

“Hay-foot, straw-foot” was a term my late granny loved to use as we marched around her West Cork farm.

“Let’s go east for the pigs. Come on now. Hay foot, straw foot.”

I remember asking granny why she said “hay-foot, straw-foot”, and she explained that years ago in Ireland hay and straw were used to teach Irish dancing.

Teaching the Irish To Dance:

I pondered what hay and straw had to do with a few jigs and reels.

Granny’s hypothesis proposed hay was tied to one foot, and straw to the other foot so that country folk could tell their right from left, as they learned to step dance.

I never knew whether to believe Granny – she could tell a tall tale with the very best of storytellers, but to my pleasant surprise I discovered she really did know what she was talking about when it came to “hayfoot, strawfoot” dance steps.

A Handbook of Irish Dances from 1934 — Cover from a 1934 publication of Irish Dances – public domain image from Germany

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RTE (the Irish broadcasting company) recorded a radio documentary called Hayfoot, Strawfoot, Dancing Masters. This wonderful presentation about the history of Irish dancing can still be listened to on their website.

Here’s a quick summary of what I learned ……

In eighteenth century Ireland wandering dance masters traveled from village to village, spreading their love of step dancing wherever they roamed. Teaching intricate Irish dance steps is no easy feat when your pupils can’t tell their right foot from their left foot.

To solve the problem these flamboyant dance teachers would tie hay to one foot, and straw to another. Then they simply issued instructions to “lift hay foot” or “lift straw foot” to get dancing prodigies frolicking around the dance floors with flying feet.

Differences Between Hay And Straw:

To urban dwellers of today who cannot tell straw from hay, this may seem a very unusual way of teaching right from left.

A bale of hay — The fine strands of a hay bale

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Anyone with a little farming background will understand the distinctive difference between both. No farmer’s son nor daughter would ever mistake a bale of hay for a bale of straw.

Hay is made by cutting and drying grass. Straw on the other hand (or foot) is the dried stalks of cereal plants like wheat. It is usually used for animal bedding and thatching. Straw can be used as fodder, but hay would be any cow’s preference for feed.

The thicker and hollower strands of a straw bale.

I’m sure you never thought you’d be learning the differences between hay and straw when you stopped by my little corner of the world wide web today.

As I researched this post I learned this term is not used in Ireland alone ….

‘Hayfoot, Strawfoot’ In The American Civil War:

Being Irish born I assumed this phrase to be exclusively Irish, but as I investigated further I discovered the phrase was used extensively in the United States.

At the time of the Civil War teaching new recruits to march was as difficult as teaching Irish peasants to dance. Wisps of hay and straw once again came to the rescue – hay on the left and straw on the right. By chanting “hay-foot, straw-foot, hay-foot, straw-foot” the squad learned to step off on the left foot as all soldiers are required to do.

The term “strawfoot” was even used to describe a green recruit.

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Here’s a little rhythmic chant used by soldiers at that time.

“March! March! March old soldier march!
Hayfoot, strawfoot,
Belly-full of bean soup—
March old soldier march!”

You can read more about the Civil War usage of this term on the American Heritage website, a wonderful resource for American history.

A Silent Movie:

In 1919 Paramount Pictures released a silent movie called Hay Foot, Straw Foot. The survival status of this comedy is unknown, which means it may well be a lost film.

The use of this phrase as a movie title suggests to me the term was easily recognized and accepted by the American public in the early 20th century.

Books:

In 1967 the Viking Press published a children’s book called Hay-foot, Straw-foot by Erick Berry, recounting the story of the French and Indian War, through the eyes of a young boy eager to be a recruit in General Abercrombie’s (1706 – 1781) army. This British general suffered disastrous losses in the Battle of Carillon in 1758.

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“Hay Foot, Straw Foot” – An Irish And American Legacy:

And so I believe this little phrase may have origins both in Ireland and in America. My quick research gave me cause to wonder if Irish immigrants to the United States brought the phrase with them.

However, the use of the phrase in America can be traced back to the 18th century, so perhaps it is a term that started in America and was brought to Ireland by returning immigrants. But very few immigrants returned to Ireland in the 18th century.

Or was it a term used primarily during the American Civil War, but writers and historians assumed it was also used earlier when training soldiers to fight in the American Indian wars?

I do not have the answers to these questions. It’s amazing how one little phrase I learned in Ireland, when briefly researched, opened up a whole new world of shared Irish and American experiences.

I hope you enjoyed my exploration of this Irish and American phrase and hope my ramblings today gave you some food for thought.

Slán agus beannacht!

(Goodbye and blessings)

Irish American Mom

The Meaning Of the Trinity Knot Plus A Giveaway for a Celtic Mother’s Knot Necklace

July 24, 2015 by Irish American Mom 59 Comments

Celtic patterns and knots are beautiful, mystical symbols of Ireland used to represent faith, love, and unity. The trinity knot, a simple interwoven loop with neither a beginning nor an end, is an exquisite emblem of infinity and eternity.

In today’s post we’ll explore the history and significance of the trinity knot.

And I’m delighted to host a little giveaway sponsored by the good folks at The Irish Jewelry Company.

One lucky winner will receive a magnificent Celtic Mother’s Knot necklace. But before I share the details of our giveaway and prize, let’s explore the symbolism of trinity knots.

Meaning of the Trinity Knot:

This simple continuous woven knot pattern represents the cycle of life. Like many Celtic traditions, this knot’s origins are sometimes disputed.

Some attribute its creation to our early Christian forebears, while others prefer to assign its creation to our pagan ancestors, the Celts.

I accept both interpretations of its history as founded in reality.

Before Christianity arrived in Ireland the Celts believed in triads of life-giving and spiritual forces. The three stages of womanhood were represented by maiden, mother and crone. The world was united by three elements of earth, fire and water.

When our forebears were introduced to Christianity it’s no surprise their love of triplet symbolism was adopted to explain the existence of a triune God. It was a match made in heaven.

The unbroken lines of the Celts’ beautiful trinity knots were easy to identify with God’s undying love, our spiritual growth and the promise of eternal life.

Reasons To Love The Trinity Knot:

Let’s explore some of the reasons why I find trinity knots to be so meaningful and a perfect emblem of our Irish heritage ….

1. It is an iconic symbol of Ireland, an expression of an ancient and enduring culture.

2. It is an emblem for all eternity, with no beginning and no end, reflecting the timeless nature of our spirit.

3. It represents the Holy Trinity, the three forms of God in a single being, the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit, mirroring St. Patrick’s use of the shamrock to represent one God in three persons.

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4. It is an authentically Celtic symbol featured in ancient metal work and stone carvings from previous centuries and millenniums.

5. Trinity knots illuminate magnificent Irish manuscripts such as the Book of Kells and the Book of Durrow.

6. Their endless intertwining curves perfectly represent never-ending love.

7. The loops of the trinity knot wrap under and over each other symbolizing honor and protection.

8. The infinite path of this trefoil pattern speaks of an uninterrupted life cycle. When given as a gift it conveys blessings of longevity.

9. The three points or corners of the knot can designate mind, body, and spirit, woven together and interlinked to form life.

10. This tiquetera may signify the three lunar or solar phases, honoring the Great Mother, a Celtic lunar goddess.

11. It depicts a woman’s journey through life – youth, motherhood and old age.

12. When a circle is placed around and through this Celtic knot it represents our spiritual union with the Divine. This deep eternal connection is one that can never be broken.

10. Past, present and future mesh together to form one intertwined existence.

14. The trinity knot is also known as the Irish love knot.

15. A trinity knot is a beautiful emblem and gift for mothers, mother’s-to-be, engagements, weddings, and anniversaries.

Phew! I got to 15 reasons. I thought about listing 10 reasons to love the trinity knot, but decided my total should be a multiple of 3. (Now there’s proof I’m a superstitious old Celtic crone).

The Irish Jewelry Company:

The Irish Jewelry Company specializes in designing exclusive copyrighted Irish jewelry, celebrating our Celtic heritage. Their stylish and original jewelry collection reflects Celtic symbolism and old Irish traditions.

Each and every design expresses a love of Ireland and a deep and meaningful connection to our ancient past.

I love how their imaginative twist on traditional designs has resulted in a unique range of Irish inspired jewelry.

Founded by an Irish American husband and wife team, they offer high quality Irish jewelry and gifts to their customers, and today they have graciously sponsored a gorgeous prize for one lucky reader.

The Prize:

Today’s prize is a beautiful Celtic Mother’s Knot necklace. Here’s the description of this lovely piece of jewelry:

“This unassuming stylized holy trinity with a parent and child embrace is representative of the Madonna and child. Combined with a Celtic trinity knot it is a true testament to the enduring bond between a mother, her child, faith and their Celtic heritage.”

“A mother holds her children’s hands for a little while

and their hearts forever.”

This old Irish saying perfectly expresses the infinite nature of a mother’s love represented by this gorgeous pendant design.

One lucky winner will receive a sterling silver Celtic Mothers knot pendant and chain.

The Giveaway:

To enter just leave a comment on this blog post by noon on Wednesday, August 5th, 2015. Any comment will do, but if you need inspiration why not tell us if you are the proud owner of a piece of Celtic jewelry.

A winning comment will be chosen randomly. Remember to leave your e-mail so that I can contact you should you win. Your e-mail won’t be published or shared, just used to contact our lucky contestant.

Winners will be announced on Wednesday August 5th, 2015, at the bottom of this blog post.

You may check out Irish American Mom’s complete terms and conditions for sweepstake entries by clicking here.

Thanks to everyone who supports and enters this little giveaway.

Feel free to tell your family and friends by sharing this post.

Thanks a bunch for spreading the word about Irish American Mom.

August 5th, 2015 – We Have A Winner:

Good news. Our winner have been chosen using the random “Pick Giveaway Winner” WordPress plug-in.

Congratulations to …..

Shannon

I’ll send you a quick e-mail, Shannon, to let you know you are our prize winner.

Thanks to everyone who joined in and entered this little giveaway.

And a big thank you to the Irish Jewelry Company for sponsoring this wonderful prize and for introducing their unique Celtic inspired jewelry designs.

Slán agus beannacht,

(Goodbye and blessings),

Irish American Mom

Disclosure: Irish American Mom received a Celtic Mother’s Trinity Knot necklace for review and photography purposes. No cash payment was received for publishing this giveaway post. I wish to thank The Irish Jewelry Company for graciously sponsoring the prize for this Celtic Jewelry giveaway.

Easy Summertime Strawberry Mousse Dessert

July 21, 2015 by Irish American Mom 2 Comments

Summertime is berry time, and strawberries are some of my favorite summer berries. I love to whip up this delicious, easy strawberry mousse dessert for a summer treat.

No bake desserts are best for hot summer days and this one is cool, and refreshing served straight from the refrigerator.

No cooking, no baking, only cleaning up. Oh, and you do have to boil some water to make the jello or jelly or gelatine (whatever you call the wiggly, jiggly stuff). Luckily, I’m an expert at putting the kettle on, being an Irish tea drinker.

Now, this strawberry gelatine dessert with a mousse and cream layer is definitely not one from my Irish mother’s recipe collection. This is a recipe I learned from my aunt, who moved to the United States from Ireland in the 1940’s.

I visited her from Ireland long, long ago, in 1986, before I ever finished college in Ireland, and one of the recipes I remember from that summer is this smooth and delicious layered strawberry trifle.

Ingredients:

2 regular packets of strawberry gelatine powder
Boiling water per gelatine packet directions
1 packet of frozen strawberries
2 x 10 ounce tubs of frozen whipped cream topping (Truwhip or Coolwhip).
Fresh strawberries to decorate

Halve the frozen strawberries and place them in the bottom of a large trifle bowl. Cutting the strawberries isn’t absolutely necessary, but little ones find it difficult to eat if the strawberries are too big.

Fresh strawberries work just fine too, but the great advantage with frozen strawberries is that the gelatine sets really quickly.

Make one packet of strawberry gelatine, using 1/4 cup less boiling water than the package directs. This is a little trick I discovered over years of making this trifle.

Frozen strawberries add extra liquid to the gelatine layer, and when you use the full amount of water this layer can get a little too jiggly. For nicely set jelly (as we say in Ireland) or jello (as we say in America), simply use a little less boiling water.

You can use any brand of gelatine dessert you wish. Jello works wonderfully. I choose a mix with no Red 40 food dye, since one of my kiddos is very sensitive to food colorings.

Pour the gelatine over the strawberries in the bowl.

Place the bowl in the fridge and allow this layer to set.

Thaw the frozen whipped cream in the refrigerator according to the directions on the packet.

Next make up the second strawberry gelatine dessert packet with the amount of boiling water called for on the package.

Let it stand for about 30 minutes to cool. Do not let it completely set to form a gel. You should still be able to pour it.

Now it’s time to make the easiest ever strawberry mousse layer. In a mixing bowl, simply combine the room temperature gelatine with one of the tubs of frozen cream topping.

Spread the mousse layer on top of the strawberry and gelatine layer.

Let it set in the refrigerator for 30 minutes.

Then, simply add the last tub of whipped cream topping over the mousse.

Voilà, you have a lovely layered summer strawberry trifle.

It couldn’t be easier.

Use hulled and sliced fresh strawberries to decorate the top. This dessert will steal the show at any potluck, or even at a fancy dinner. No need to confess you really only had to boil the kettle to pull this one off.

I make a raspberry version of this dessert too. Simply substitute raspberry gelatine, and frozen raspberries for the strawberries, and you have a true crowd pleasing treat.

In fact the sky’s the limit. I wonder how it would look in green, white and orange layers for St. Patrick’s Day. I may have to do some recipe testing …..

Anyway, I hope you all enjoy this strawberry trifle – it may not be Irish, but it was a firm favorite with my Irish American aunt, and one that brings back lovely memories of a glorious American summer in the 1980’s.

It’s hard to believe the desserts of my childhood and teenage years are now considered vintage recipes. As a child of the 60’s, I still love these quick and easy, throw-it-together-in-double-quick-time dishes from the 70’s and 80’s. And not only were they simple to make, they tasted delicious too.

Wishing everyone happy summer days, full of cool treats and sweets.

Slán agus beannacht!

(Goodbye and blessings)

Irish American Mom

Here’s the printable recipe:

Yum

Easy Summertime Strawberry Mousse Dessert

Prep Time: 2 hours

Total Time: 2 hours

Yield: 10

Easy Summertime Strawberry Mousse Dessert

Easy strawberry gelatine dessert with a mousse and cream layer.

Ingredients

2 regular packets of strawberry gelatine powder
Boiling water per gelatine packet directions
1 packet of frozen strawberries
2 x 10 ounce tubs of frozen whipped cream topping (Truwhip or Coolwhip).
Fresh strawberries to decorate

Instructions

Halve the frozen strawberries and place them in the bottom of a large trifle bowl.
Make one packet of the strawberry gelatine, using 1/4 cup less boiling water than the package directs. Pour the gelatine over the frozen strawberries in the bowl.
Place the bowl in the fridge and allow this layer to set (30 to 45 minutes).
Thaw the frozen whipped cream in the refrigerator according to the package directions.
Make up the second strawberry gelatine dessert packet with the amount of boiling water called for on the package. Let it stand for about 30 minutes to cool.
Combine the cooled but pourable gelatine with one of the tubs of frozen cream topping.
Spread the mousse layer on top of the strawberry and gelatine layer. Let it set in the refrigerator for 30 minutes.
Spread the last tub of whipped cream topping over the mousse layer.
Decorate with fresh strawberries. Chill for at least 30 minutes before serving.

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Giveaway Time – Enter To Win A Signed Copy Of “Dancing To An Irish Reel”

July 16, 2015 by Irish American Mom 85 Comments

Dancing To An Irish Reel is an intriguing novel about a single American female, Hailey, who leaves the record business in Los Angeles, and relocates to Connemara on the west coast of Ireland.

There she meets her love interest, Liam Hennessy, a traditional Irish musician, who in true Irish fashion is scared witless at the prospect of love.

Claire Fullerton previously shared her experiences of living in Ireland with us, and has graciously offered a signed copy of her book as a prize for one lucky reader of Irish American Mom.

But before I share the details of how to enter this giveaway, let’s first learn a little more about Hailey and Liam….

Dancing To An Irish Reel:

To whet your reading appetite, here’s a quick synopsis of the book from Amazon:

“On sabbatical from her job in the LA record business, Hailey takes a trip to Ireland for the vacation of a lifetime. What she finds is a job offer too good to turn down.

Her new job comes with one major complication—Liam Hennessey. He’s a famous Irish musician whose entire life has revolved around performing. And Hailey falls in love with him. Although Liam’s not so sure love is in the cards for him, he’s not willing to push her away completely.

And so begins Hailey’s journey to a colorful land that changes her life, unites her with friends more colorful than the Irish landscape, and gives her a chance at happiness she’s never found before.”

Spiddal, County Galway one of the rural Irish settings in *Dancing To An Irish Reel*

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Introducing Liam:

Dancing To An Irish Reel is written from Hailey’s point of view, the reader being privy to Hailey’s thoughts and aspirations, as she attempts to navigate the mixed up signals of an awkward courtship with an Irish man who lives with his mammy and daddy.

Here’s a little excerpt from the book introducing us to Liam …..

“At 27-years-old, Liam lived with his parents in the house in which he grew up. He was a world-class Irish traditional musician that traveled often to places like Germany, Austria and New Zealand. He was in demand as a player in touring bands because he was a master at playing the button accordion. As such, he was more than a musician: he was the bearer of a torch that represented the history of an old culture. He brought the language of Irish music to regions that otherwise would have never been enlightened.

Being an Irish traditional musician is a feat not easily arrived at. Rather, it is a feat painstakingly achieved. Most of the tunes in a traditional player’s repertoire have been memorized through listening and repeated execution, as opposed to memorization by reading musical scores. Traditional music has been passed down through generational lines, and with Liam’s family, there had been no interruption. His father was a player, and the world in which Liam grew up was one of constant exposure to traditional music as if it were a language. I came to realize much later that Liam’s first language was music, his second language was Irish, and his third was English.

“So, you must be another American looking for their roots, then,” Liam stated.

If that was a question, then it’s a fair one, I thought.

“Actually, I’m working at the Galway Music Center,” I said, then I followed with my poetry aspirations, hoping to impress upon him I was not just passing through.”

….. I like him already, even after just two paragraphs ….

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Galway:

Here’s a little excerpt from the book, where the author describes Galway, in poetic language that appeals deeply to my Celtic soul …..

“There is a feel about Galway you can wear around your shoulders like a cloak. It hangs in the air with its dampness; it walks the cobblestone streets and stands in the doorways of its gray stone buildings. It blows in with the mist from the Atlantic and lingers incessantly at every corner. I have never been able to walk the streets of Galway without feeling some unnamed presence accompanying me.”

Musicians:

Or how about this beautiful piece of prose as Hailey describes musicians …..

“There is a secret language musicians speak that does away with the need for articulation because it is intuitive and telepathic at its core…I felt as if I were in an insular bubble, privy to the secret internal mechanisms of a musician’s rarified gift…”

Praise For Claire’s Writing:

Claire Fullerton has garnered high praise for her writing, especially her deep and thoughtful insights into the nuances of Irish culture. Here are some snippets from the Amazon reviews that caught my eye …..

Claire Fullerton - Author — Claire Fullerton – Author of *Dancing To An Irish Reel*

“What drew me into Claire Fullerton’s book was the fresh and reflective narrative sung to us by her protagonist, Hailey, an American young woman quite suddenly immersed in an Irish culture so rich in rural tradition and language nuance that it almost seems as if she has been dropped into a previous century. Her love interest with the beautiful but conflicted Irish musician Liam seems but a subplot to the deeper story of Hailey’s budding romance with the Irish people, culture, and countryside.”

~ Judith Ingram

These reviews describe the book as a celebration of hope, friendship and discovery. Poetic prose create an alluring story and a beautiful dance of the heart.

“Dancing to an Irish Reel is also a lyrically written story. Its language is fluid and beautifully descriptive with laser sharp intelligence and pacing without any gaps. It reads like a celebration of hope, youth, friendship, and discovery as the narrator confidentially shares her longing to connect and her awestruck appreciation for all that is Irish.”

~ Ellen Comeskey

The Giveaway:

Claire Fullerton has generously offered a signed copy of Dancing To an Irish Reel as a prize for one of Irish American Mom’s readers.

To enter our giveaway just leave a comment on this blog post by noon on Sunday, July 26th, 2015. You can leave any comment you wish. What you write does not affect your chances of winning.

If you need some inspiration, why not share your insights into the nuances of Irish love and courtship, both old and new, from matchmaking to dowries, or crazy marriage proposals. The sky’s the limit when the topic is love ~ Irish style.

A winning comment will be chosen randomly. Remember to leave your e-mail so I can contact you should you win. Your e-mail won’t be published or shared, just used to contact our lucky winner.

The winner will be announced on Sunday July 26th, at the end of this post. I’ll send the winner an e-mail so Claire can mail the book.

You may check out Irish American Mom’s complete terms and conditions for sweepstake entries by clicking here.

Best of luck to all our entrants and a big thank you to Claire Fullerton for sharing her book with Irish American Mom’s readers.

And a big thanks to all who enter and help spread the word to family and friends about this little giveaway.

July 26th, 2015 – We Have A Winner:

Good news. Our winners have been chosen using the random “Pick Giveaway Winner” WordPress plug-in.

Congratulations to …..

Kathleen

I’ll send you a quick e-mail, Kathleen, to let you know you are our prize winner.

Thanks to everyone who joined in and entered this little giveaway.

And a big thank you to the Claire Fullerton for sponsoring this wonderful prize. Wishing her every success with this novel and all of her writing endeavors.

Archives for July 2015

Introducing John Creedon’s Wild Atlantic Way:

“My car is always happiest when it’s pointed west,” claims John.

“Like myself she’s got a few miles on the clock

and like myself she’s built for comfort, not speed,” said John.

Interviews Along The Way:

“The West is a long way from anywhere…

This is gold-dust and should be dealt with really carefully,

with great intelligence, because it is one of the last

remaining wild outposts of Europe”.

~ Jeremy Irons

Some Interesting Facts:

How To Watch The Show:

Slán agus beannacht!

(Goodbye and blessings)

Irish American Mom

“Let’s go east for the pigs. Come on now. Hay foot, straw foot.”

Teaching the Irish To Dance:

Differences Between Hay And Straw:

‘Hayfoot, Strawfoot’ In The American Civil War:

“March! March! March old soldier march! Hayfoot, strawfoot, Belly-full of bean soup— March old soldier march!”

A Silent Movie:

Books:

“Hay Foot, Straw Foot” – An Irish And American Legacy:

Slán agus beannacht!

(Goodbye and blessings)

Irish American Mom

Meaning of the Trinity Knot:

Reasons To Love The Trinity Knot:

The Irish Jewelry Company:

The Prize:

“A mother holds her children’s hands for a little while

and their hearts forever.”

The Giveaway:

Thanks to everyone who supports and enters this little giveaway.

Feel free to tell your family and friends by sharing this post.

Thanks a bunch for spreading the word about Irish American Mom.

August 5th, 2015 – We Have A Winner:

Shannon

Slán agus beannacht,

(Goodbye and blessings),

Irish American Mom

Ingredients:

Slán agus beannacht!

(Goodbye and blessings)

Irish American Mom

Dancing To An Irish Reel:

Introducing Liam:

Galway:

Musicians:

Praise For Claire’s Writing:

The Giveaway:

July 26th, 2015 – We Have A Winner:

Kathleen

Slán agus beannacht!

(Goodbye and blessings)

Irish American Mom

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Recent Reader Comments

“March! March! March old soldier march!
Hayfoot, strawfoot,
Belly-full of bean soup—
March old soldier march!”