Letter of the Month, 2006 - World Cultures European

Letters - 2006

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We receive many lovely letters from visitors to our web site and subscribers to our newsletter. As we’re fond of saying, your feedback helps to make all of the time and effort worth while. While we have a Readers Write Page where we post comments from time to time, we’ve decided to also select a Letter of the Month - one that for whatever reason, tickled our fancy. So,

December, 2006
Dear Bridget & Russ,
We tried out the Black Swap & Pub lunch* on our family and friends living in South Africa and it was great fun seeing everyone's expression when they opened their silly gift. Everyone had a wonderful time so we hope to continue with this tradition next year. South Africans are not as sentimental about Christmas and its various traditions as people living in the Northern hemisphere perhaps because of the heat. The Black Swap Lunch seemed to go down well as this was something different and the restaurant chosen was in the countryside so that we could enjoy the fresh air and being out of doors.
With our best wishes.
David & Adrienne O'Shaughnessy

*ED. NOTE: A Black Swap is an old Irish custom of giving someone something you don’t want and they in turn give you something they’d rather not have. We adapted the tradition to a pre-Christmas pub lunch for family and friends. Each person had to bring one wrapped “gift” to put under the tree. It is now one of the highlights of our holiday season and we always mention it in our newsletter - especially the outrageous presents.

November, 2006

As always, we enjoy your newsletter. The note on the declining of cottages with thatched roofs struck a note with my husband & I. His maternal family live in the Kilmore Quay area of Co.Wexford. Most of that lovely village is thatched. A few years back, Jack's cousin Rose Cleary who lives in Blackstone (near by) had started with her son Nick to restore the family homeplace.

The house dates pre 1798 Rebellion. When it came to the re-thatching, all the thatch had to come from Africa! There was not a goodly supply to be found in the Republic. In addition, the cost was a small fortune. Luckily, there was an assist with a special renovation fund provided by the government.

The house is now "picture" perfect. We were over the end of May to mid June. For the first time in years the weather was perfect. So much so that for me, the first time ever, we sat in Rose's lovely garden by her new house (on the family property built in the 1960s). I felt like I had a Maeve Binchy moment, drinking Shandy's while eating a special dessert made of Wexford strawberries! Occasionally, I would notice my husband glancing over to the old restored home in the Sunday afternoon light. I know he was imagining his grandfather & great grandparents having a similar occasion a century before. Lovely!

Have a wonderful holiday.

Mary Ellen & Jack Chambers
Lakewood, OH

Photo Credit: McMennamins Bed & Breakfast

October, 2006

Dear Bridget and Russ,

Thank you for the lovely e-card that you sent after I signed up for your newsletters. It is a beautiful reminder of Ireland.

My name is Gloria (O'Connell) Byrnes, and I have just returned from 12 grand days in Ireland. This was our first time there. I found your website just before we left. Ireland is beautiful!!! We started out in Dublin, as my husband's cousin lives there. We were fortunate enough to stay at her house so we were able to "live as the Irish do." We went to the General Records Office in Dublin and found the birth certificates of our Grandfathers', and the marriage certificates of our Great-Grandparents. We also went to the National Archives and I found the 1901 and 1911 census of my Great-Grandparent's home in Kenmare, Co. Kerry. I was so very excited and overjoyed to locate that information. It was a wonderful connection with my ancestors. My Grandfather was Felix Connell and when he came to the US, he added the O' to make our name O'Connell.
We took one day and went to Wicklow where my husband's family is from. We visited four or five cemeteries researching family names with Jim's cousin. The weather cooperated with us that day and we had much fun on the journey. A few days later, we took a train from Dublin to Killarney. We rented a car and drove down to Kenmare for a day. Despite the spurts of lashing rain, the scenery is absolutely beautiful along the way. (We saw two rainbows...one was a double.) We talked with some locals attempting to find any remaining relatives in the area. They provided us with some names of others that would know my family. Our leads did not pan out, but I'm sure there will be other opportunities. We took the train back to Dublin and then the following day flew back to the U.S.A.
Now I know why Ireland is called the Emerald Isle, as when we were flying into Dublin, the grass was green and lush, like velvet. The beauty of Ireland and the memories are etched in my mind. This was the most beautiful holiday that I have taken.
I also wanted to share with you that I have five sisters...Eileen, Maureen, Kathleen, Margaret and Bridget. (My two elder sisters chose my name.) And my Bridget is married to a Russ!
Keep up the great work with your website!
Go raibh mile maith agat

Gloria

September, 2006
We have returned from our first trip to Dublin.
We had a "Grand" time... (but) we didn't find the Dublin Pass (prepaid entry to major attractions) to be worth the money. Many museums and public buildings are free. And many places gave us the Old Age Pensioner (OAP) senior discount at age 60+. Just ask if they have the senior discount and what age qualifies.
The City Tour is run by the Dublin Bus Company, and has a three-day Freedom pass. It allows you to use their hop-on/hop-off tour buses and the regular city buses. This is a bargain for getting around Dublin.
There are two other Dublin tour buses running. So, be sure to get on at the right bus stop.
We didn't spend all of our time in Dublin. We took a tour to Co. Wicklow to Powerscourt, Gendalough, and Avoca village. We also took the Dublin Bay and Castle tour to Malahide and I went to Newgrange and Mellifont Abbey. In addition, we went to the Leopardstown Racecourse on a race day.
In 10 days we did a lot and saw a lot. And we still missed a lot. That just means we have to go back to Dublin again. We also want to go to the Ireland's west coast to visit Galway, the Burren, and Co. Kerry.
We enjoy your website for the information.

Thanks,
Frank Tipps

August, 2006
An avid reader of your wonderful newsletter, my first is to thank you for some "time-off" from a hectic life, my second to congratulate you on your witty, intelligent remarks, my third is to encourage you to continue this fantastic link; so that all of us, living away from the Emerald Isle may keep a taste of home in our mouths!!!!

I live and work near Paris, have married a Frenchie and we have two lovely children called Ryan and Suzanne McCarthy-Latre. We go home to see Nana and Grand-dad in BallyKnock, Dungarvan, Co. Waterford on a regular basis.

Bonnes Vacances & à bientôt,

Gail McCarthy-Latre

Photo Credit: Dungarvan Tourism

ED. NOTE: We truly appreciate Gail's kind comments! If you'd like to see if you might agree with her, you can sign up for our free newsletter by clicking Newsletter.

July, 2006
Hello,
I found this web-site by accident. I have been in and out of it for days now. I love it. It is the best one on Ireland. I e-mailed the link to my sister in New York. We went to Ireland a few years ago and have been several times now. My grandmother came from Kilworth, Co. Cork, and we never knew her. She died when my mother was 12.
My mother passed several years ago and never got to go to Ireland, so my sister and I took some of her ashes over there and buried her with her cousins. Now she is in Ireland.
I love it there so much. I would love to stay there for long periods of time. I will have to work on that. We have several cousins there. Anyway, I just had to let you know how wonderful your web site is. I would recommend it to anyone. I also subscribe to "Ireland of the Welcomes" magazine. A great magazine on Ireland.
Thank you for sharing your web-site with us,

Leslie Hannar

ED. NOTE: We also love Ireland of the Welcomes - one of the best bargains on the planet. If you would also like to subscribe, please click Ireland of the Welcomes.

June, 2006

We received this letter quite some time ago. We just came across it again and we’re still staggered - not by all the accolades which are wonderful - but by the fact that the message was copied to literally hundreds of people world-wide. There is no doubt that we must have had a huge uptick in new subscribers after this went out, for which we are very grateful. And so we nominate Tony & Colette for our June letter of the month spot, even though it wasn’t written directly to us!

Dear Friends!

This web site is the most comprehensive and informative on Irish culture and customs that I have ever come across, as you can see on the tabs (on the homepage) Blessings/Kitchen/Shopping/Poetry/Books/Music/Films and Basic Irish, etc. What more would you want to know about Ireland and the Irish. The Irish language page I have opened here is amazing, but no problem to a Gaeltóirí like me. And you can also listen to Midwest Irish Radio (better than Nashville). I have written to Bridget & Russ, the site owners, on a couple of occasions, and have found them to be very helpful, and their replies are warm and friendly.

Slán go léir,

Tony agus Colette

May, 2006

Dia dhuit Bri'd,

Thank you so much for the prayers.* I couldn't believe my ears when I heard them. I felt very emotional and shed a few tears. It is the first Irish I have heard spoken in nearly fifty years. The memories of Ireland and childhood came flooding back. You have given me a priceless rich experience - a great gift which I will share with my sisters.
Believe it or not I could still rhyme them off like a 6 year old but I was astonished when I saw the complicated spelling. I couldn't believe how I could have learned to ever get my tongue around the sounds. I feel as though I have a head start with pronunciations thanks to the nuns who taught me. My pronunciation is not perfect of course and when reading I do not understand the sound system yet or the phonics.
I think that the speaker is not from the North (I am from Ulster) maybe this is part of it. I did have a giggle when I realised that when I blessed myself and touched my forehead I have been saying "In nan a ma knocker ..all these years. " I think a bit of English must have crept in there.
When I looked at your 'Basic Irish' this time I remembered how to pronounce 'Dia dhuit' and 'God be with you' answer "God and Mary be with you" unfortunately I can't spell them in Irish. YET!! Lots is coming back to me.
I am a Junior primary teacher ( 5-7 year olds) and of course teach reading and writing. I hope to apply my skills to myself for a change.
Once again thank you very, very much. If ever you feel a bit down in the dumps just think of the joy you have given to me.

I will keep in touch.

Kindest regards
Bri'd Laheney
Australia
PS This is how the nun would spell my name. She always called me Bree or Breage)

We would just like to compliment you on your wonderful site and thank you
for all your entertaining newsletters. It is interesting to read what is happening in and around the counties. We've been fortunate to visit Ireland on several occasions and just love the country and the people. As you celebrate the coming of spring we're getting ready for winter.

Regards and best wishes.
David Shaughnessy & Adrienne Ethel O'Shea
South Africa

March, 2006

Dear Bridget & Russ,

I receive your newsletter - Go raibh maith agat.
I am in Toronto, yet my heart/mind and very soul are in Ireland.
Your mail is a breath of Irish air and I sincerely thank you for all you are and all you do to get the news/stories out to those like me who await them and the pleasure they bring.
Your mail outs have that personal non-political touch. A touch of Ireland that all exiles appreciate i.e the ‘Real stuff” - the warm family touch that we all remember fondly. AGAIN, Go raibh maith agat!
May you live a long and happy life and may you continue to bring Irish hope in your stories/news.
Best wishes to you and yours. Please know that all you do is appreciated and sincerely welcomed by this writer.
Ta ar la anois,

Kate

February, 2006

Hello,

I just wanted to tell you how much I love your site! I've
always been interested in Irish history (being a Kelly and a Murphy,
and having an Irish grandmother as the family matriarch) and stumbled across your site one day. Now I visit it every week to see what's new.

I'm currently studying abroad, and my three female American
friends and I have dinner together once a week to catch up and keep in touch. We rotate cooking for each other, and this week it was my turn. I decided to make the St. Brigid's Oatcakes you featured as an accompaniment to the main dish (I like celebrating Irish feast days and holidays when I can, especially since I'm currently in the U.K.). I had to add a bit more milk to get a manageable dough, but the cakes came out wonderfully! They were dense and moist and perfect with a little bit of butter and some raspberry jam - they disappeared very quickly!

Thank you for including such great recipes, and for keeping
your site going!

Sincerely,

Amy Feduska

Click here for the recipe for St. Brigid’s Oatcakes.

January, 2006

Hi Bridget and Russ,

I tried to send you an email a few days ago, but I believe it did not make it as I was experiencing difficulty with my computer. Ah, sometimes I long for life B.C.---Before Computers!! But on the other hand, I would not have access to your wonderful newsletter and website and that would be a shame. I really enjoy all the features you include---especially the origins of holidays and feasts, and Irish history---they are my favorites. I have viewed other Irish culture websites and from my experiences, I must say your website is the absolute BEST, hands down! It is so comprehensive and also easy to navigate. Thank you for putting in many long day's work to keep the Irish culture alive for those of us who care!! I have not yet been able to make my own personal pilgrimage to Eire, I am very much wishing to do so, as I do have ancestors from County Clare. One day, I will!!

Thank you for your dedication and keep up the good work!!

Sincerely,
Maureen Maloney

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Image: The Letter by Kirsten Soderlind, Note card from All Posters
Caption: We lost a lot when we stopped writing letters. You can't reread a phone call.