Traditions, folklore, history and more. If it's Irish, it's here. Or will be!

"People will not look forward to posterity who never look backward to their ancestors."
-Edmund Burke

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Readers Write

Many subscribers and readers have written to ask if they can see feedback on articles. We hope this page will take care of that request. We've had some great comments and we're proud to show you a selection of them here.

It's a great site. I just discovered it a couple of days ago and
have already explored a bit and checked out some of the links.
The Princess Grace Irish Library-which I'd heard of but of the
extent of which I'd known nothing-was an eye-opener.
Keep up the good work.
Best wishes, Dick Burns

I hope you truly know how wonderful this site is! It is easy to navigate and provides so much information in an attractive way. The trivia contest is great. I tried it for the first time and was surprised at all the information on the site! I haven't had the time to read it all but will definitely spend more time here. Bless you both for helping people like myself learn about Ireland and our Irish heritage.
Michelle, PA


I was directed to your site by Mike O'Hara of the Irish Times pub
in Whitby, Ontario, Canada. My name is Owen Duffy an immigrant son of the ould sod. Thank you for the effort you put into preserving the culture and
history of Ireland.

Wonderful site...great information.
Debbie Cottrell

I'm part Irish and learning it as a side, personal project, but your site has REALLLLY helped. Thank you so much!
SG

What a terrific site! Beautifully designed and so informative. I anticipate spending quite a bit of time poking about and soaking up information.
Nancy Rieser

I love what you are doing with the website. It is so warm and inviting.
Debbie aka Mollie

I just love this site and am so happy i joined the newsletter. I was thrilled to see an article on the Irish Tenors as my family and I are great fans of theirs here in the US. We are also huge fan's of Daniel O'Donnell.

Best wishes for a grand site.
Pat Conway

I LOVE your website and everything about it and have forwarded it to several friends. God bless you both.
Go raibh maith agat!
Anna

I recently discovered your website and am enjoying it tremendously! I'm the moderator of an online fan club for Frank McNamara. As soon as I found out about your site, I told Frank's fans all about it! Thank you for creating such a wonderful site. And keep up the great work!
Marjorie - Frank McNamara

I just joined your site yesterday. I am not Irish by birth, or ancestry, but I did grow up in Newfoundland. Newfoundland was settled by Irish and Scottish folk, and the accent there is still distinctly Irish. Your site is great - I really enjoyed going through it, and look forward to the newsletters.
Rick Koeninger

I really love your Irish Website. I just have to tell you that my Great Great Grandfather was from Dublin and his name was Lawerence Haggarty. It is a small world. I signed up for your newsletter and looking forward to revisiting your site.
Maureen Moore

This is the third time I have been to your site and I love it. I'm 1/2 Irish from both sides of my family. I want to adapt some of the wedding ideas for my anniversary in April. I'm from Cincinnati too. I also like the circle of prayer - my mother's family was Roman while my father's Irish kin were Prods (as I am), but like I've always said, "My Dad took me to church, but my Mother raised me." so I guess I 'm a mix of both.
Bonnie

I love your site.
Betsie

A fine site you have.
Karin Buchanan, Canada

Thanks for creating such a great website! I enjoy it so very much. My grandfather passed on before I was born. Last year my Aunt gave me the weathered copy of our family Coat of Arms {OhUiginn} that my Grandmother had kept in her scrapbook. I was so touched and proud. I am very proud of my 50% Irish heritage and will continue to visit your site often. Thanks Again.
Carol Higgins Pattillo

The pictures are exceptional and the text is wonderfully arranged.
I intend to visit it again until I find all the material you have packed in there. No wonder you got the Doris award. Thanks again. This is a page for a rainy day. You have so much to offer.
Slán agat agus beannacht, Jack (Seán) Hennessey

I love the new site index, it is much quicker to find what I want and there are so many different things to keep me glued to the screen when I should be working. Carry on the good work - but then I know you will.
Patricia, England

I found your wedding section wonderful. I was given a Claddagh ring and this (article) filled in a few of the blanks. Thank you for producing a wonderful website.
T. O'Neill

Hi! I REALLY enjoyed your site and will visit it often!
Catherine O'Reilly

Congratulations Bridget, your site is fantastic. I am now one of your readers and admirers.
Sincerely, Alex Gilmore, Australia

What a wonderful treasure trove your site is! I linked to it from a newsletter (non-Irish related) and was thrilled. I'll be using your site often for reference and research leads.
Pat Harrington, Mystery/Children's Author

Your site is a truly lovely creation. - thankyou.
Michelle

I cannot begin to express to you, how much your articles brighten up my e-mail list. They just give off this warm, sit down by the hearth feeling.
George - Irish Heritage Newsletter

Your newsletter and website are informative and well written.
Paula

We love your site with the wonderful heritage and recipes!
From Brian & Sandy

I have just spent the last couple of hours navigating through your
webpage. It really is brilliantly done and the content is inexhaustible....
Robert

You guys have a great site! Keep up the good work!
Jonathan McFadden

My first visit. Fun quiz & interesting site.
Donald Phillips

I came across your wonderful website while searching for the poems of WB Yeats. Your website has come in very useful indeed.
Tracey Kelliher - Dublin

Well, so much for getting my house clean. I just love reading through your
website. Thank you again!
Judy Ritter

Love your site and newsletter! A work of art in every respect. Congratulations on a job very well done.
Denise LeCroy

Re: New format for monthly Trivia Contest - I enjoyed the new format. I actually found it easier to navigate. Keep up the great work.
Wanda

Re: Trivia Contest: Thanks for the fun afternoon trying to find the answers. I learned alot, and was time well spent. I enjoy your site VERY much, and look forward to reading it every week-end. The new questions format is alot easier and makes learning about Ireland fun, and learning is always a good thing!
Colleen Dobbs

Your website is wonderful. Although I cannot say I am 100% Irish, my parents were and brought my brother and I up thinking we were.
May the best of everything be yours,
Josephine (Griffin) Zwick

I absolutely love your website, and visit it often!
Kerry
Argue not with dragons, for thou art crunchy and go well with brie

My Gaelic is horrible, as I failed to pay attention at the Friendly Sons of Saint Patrick Hall in downtown Detroit as a child. I didn't do well at dancing, either. Fortunately for us (or unfortunately, depending on your opinion) my mother's first cousin's son (my first cousin, once removed, so I have been told) did much better at learning the Irish step dance. His name is Michael Flatley. Take care, and God Bless.
Jim

The computer can be a blessing. For me it is - I found your web site and Joseph Mary Plunkett.
NG

With "gooseflesh" rising on my arms I just read Rosemary Maguire Nagy's article "Gathering The Threads." My grandfather and his parents worked at "the mill" in Paterson. Gramps often told the stories of the "riots" with a gleam in his eye and a big smile for his dad. Sadly, I was very young when "the little grandfather" died. He was almost a hundred and very funny. I remember asking him where in Ireland we came from. That would cause a verbal explosion complete with heavy brogue. He would say it was such a poor and terrible place that it didn't exist anymore and I should just be grateful that I was born in America. I know their sacrifice was god-awful. I'm slowly trying to put the pieces together or string the threads from the other side. This article has been so helpful. You know, I am the oldest grandchild who remembers "Little Grandpa" and sometimes I wish I had someone who also knew these stories. They were so true and moving and should not be forgotten. Thank you.
Christine

Go raibh maith agat! I'm trying to learn Irish and take advantage of all opportunities to use it. But I mean it sincerely as I only signed up yesterday and it's paid off already. We're visiting Clare
and Galway in August and I found your site researching hotels, etc. Thanks again.
Sincerely, Julia Mann

Keep writing your wonderful stories Bridget, I can't wait to read them.
Patricia from England

Let me thank you both for your wonderful website. It's easy appearance is very relaxing and nice. I'm a teenager who has always loved Ireland, and want to know more about it. I have just joined your mailing list, and am already much more knowledgeable about Irish culture and history. What I like most of all is the personal part of the emails. The little intro to each email is fun and interesting to read, one which I open as soon as I see it. To sum up all this blathering- thank you. :) Please keep it up.
Nevan

I have been having a wonderful time at your site! It is just what I have been looking for!
Carol
P.S. My family is from Galway!

Have just read the article on "Ireland, the land of milk and honey". Again, an excellent read. I have always been a honey fancier and now, will have a special treat for friends and family, thanks to your website. Keep up the good work!
Kathy

I love your website, it is the most comprehensive website on Irish culture I've seen. I hope you keep this quality website up for ages. As a devout Irish American Catholic I really can relate for the need for prayers and me being in the military, we need them more than ever. Thank you.
Rob S. Carroll, SSgt, USAF

You did it again didn't you - I sometimes think you are inside my head!!! In "The Irish Link to St Valentine", I knew exactly what you were talking about, as I too grew up in England in the 50s and loved receiving those 'anonymous' cards and wondering who sent them!!!
Patricia Edwards


Thanks for a great web site
Bob Meehan, Georgia USA

You have a great website. It is always a pleasure to read your articles, Bridget, and to see the new changes, Russ. A site like yours is clean, pure, beautiful and uplifting. I read your many articles and visit the links connected. Work of this quality is an asset to the Internet. I visit your site often - I have to - it's my desk-top!
H. D, British Columbia

Your web site is a breath of fresh air! Ahhhhh. After living in Cork and working for a time at the pottery at Kylemore Abby in Galway...I'm so looking forward to a return visit to Ireland in May.
Theresa Gilliam, USA

I love your site!
Karen Brundage

I'm from a Galway dad (Glenamaddy) and a Kilkenny mother. I looked at the web site and i must say, I'm very impressed. It's a nice tribute to the shuttle crew.
Tony, UK

I have browsed through parts of your site and am thoroughly taken with it. You have an excellent range of materials and interests.
Bonnie Hamilton, USA

i won omy god! no i didnt know thank you very much !!!!! let me know how i go about claiming prize thank you yahoooooooo!
Comment from Linda Barbour on winning our December 2002 Trivia Contest.

Thanks once again for 2 wonderful stories. An Advent Memory - I didn't realise you went to boarding school. I always felt sorry for those children who had to be away from their parents for Christmas. Luckily you were able to spend them at home aye! It must have been great the year you thought you weren't going home when your dad turned up!!! An Irish Christmas - Waiting for St Nicholas, was also wonderful to read. My Nan had always told me the story of St Nicholas and December 5th became a special date for us later on when our eldest daughter was born on that day.
Your stories really cheer me up and bring back so many memories. Thanks once again for making my day.
Your friend in England, Patricia.

I just wanted to drop you a note to thank you for the invaluable resource your Irish Wedding book was for us. My husband and I live in Columbus and were married this past July. We used your book to create our own Irish wedding and used many of the resources and customs from your book. The ceremony and the reception were so unique and everyone had a wonderful time: it was good craic! Thank you so much! The festivities were capped off with a 3 week honeymoon to the Emerald Isle. We couldn't have done it without you!
Slainte!
Christy and Steve Dean

Thank you so much for the opportunity to learn more about my Irish Heritage. I haven't visited your site as much as I'd like over the past few months. Today's visit was truly delightful, as usual. Best Wishes for a Peaceful & Happy New Year.
Lynda East, Media, PA

I love all the Irish blessings on your website. I printed two of them on Christmas computer paper as part of a gift for our two priests - pastor and assistant. Have a happy, joyous and blessed Christmas and successful new year.
Jane

Hello, just noticed your site & since I am a "Hagerty" (yes with one G) I thought I'd send you a note.....my family came from Wexford & settled in Minnesota & I have quite a lot of background but haven't been lucky enough to find "cousin"...would love to find someone so am searching! Hope to come to Ireland in the next couple years, it's my dream anyway!! Thanks for the neat website, will visit often....
Warmly, Bonnie Hagerty Hoffman

Dia Duit!
I'm a 17-year-old student from the Czech Republic. I find your site really great! It's the best irish site I have found.
Despite I have never been in Ireland, I love this country, I think the Irish must be quite cheerful and friendly :-)
I'd like to learn more about the irish way of life.
Oldrich Spacil

I have to write on the passing of Richard Harris. I have an older sister that took me to see Camelot at a very young age when it was showing in the theatre and even at that age I just thought he was so cool! Even though he got the raw end of the deal in that movie. Something about that man's eyes were just so soulful. I knew nothing really about him until I actually heard him interviewed-and Oh what a story teller he was-I was just crazy about him-He made me laugh and the talent he had was amazing-I think my favorite was when he was on the David Lettermen show and he was telling a tale about leaving to go get a newspaper and didn't come back for a couple of months and had to figure out what to tell his wife-anyway the story was so funny I never forgot it. If there is any Richard Harris fans out there that can share anything with another fan, please do. He always made me laugh and his character acting was incredible. Here's to Harris! What a guy!
Ann Adams

...just got to the Rose of Tralee article... It was wonderful. That story will be imprinted in my mind forever... I didn't have a clue about it. Well done.
GA - California

After reading the article about the diminishing number of thatched cottages in Ireland, it explains why we only saw one while on our visit to family in County Mayo in 2000. I must send you a photo of it in progress. Sad that the insurance companies are so greedy as a properly constructed and maintained thatch roof will last a good while. Many thanks for another interesting article.
JM - Ohio

Hello! What a wonderful website you have, so much interesting info, articles, links! Absolutely great! Kind regards, best wishes for a Happy New Year and- slán!
yours Nanna

"Great site! Hello, I am currently renovating my own site and have given you a link. You can find it at http://www.saintspreserved.com/brigid.htm If you have any questions or concerns, please let me know. Looking forward to having some time to explore your place further. Sincerely, Patricia PS: I am originally from Cincinnati, am married to a new Zealander by way of London"
Patricia Banker

"Your link was sent to me through my Irish Heritage Emailing. I am thrilled to have received it, and look forward to your coming articles."
Robin McDill Gleason

"I enjoy your site very much indeed. I consider enjoyable, entertaining and informative. Keep up the Grand Work! Thanks" 
A M Mustard

"I enjoyed the article as my husband's family is German and I'm Irish and they can't understand any irishman not eating corn beef which I don't like. I read a article a few years back and it said that Corn beef originated from Germany, would love to know just where it started."
Cathey Schonhoff

"Hi, I'm Cecilia, from Argentina. I know this may sound weird as you are all from Ireland, the UK or the US, but I wanted to let you know that I feel like you. My ancestors came from Galicia so I have celtic blood in mine. I think this site is really nice and complete, full of interesting information and other things. I appreciate all the things you post here and thank a lot for receiving me as a suscriber. Today, 17th March, I celebrated Saint Patrick's Day by cooking your Irish Apple Cake wich was delicious. Thanks a lot again and keep up wih the Irish Spirit. Greetings from Argentina."
Cecilia Bembibre

"Thanks for the description of the Claddagh Ring. My aunt just gave me one that was my great grandmas and has been passed down in the family but I didn't know the name of it or what it meant I just knew it was an "Irish Love Ring" so your aritcle helped me alot!"
Jennifer

"Dia Duit!! Hello people!, Oh... I´m sorry for my horrible English, but I'm from Argentina, and I´m a fan of irish culture, ´cos I´m an irish descendent.I think the site is amazing... and I´ll recommend it to my irish friends. God Bless you all!! And Erin Go braugh!! Bridgit" 
Bridgit

"Thaanks so much! This site has been brilliant help with my school project on Ireland. Dia dhuit!"
Imogen Hardy

"HI, everyone! I'm Cecilia again! I write this time to wish the Irish Soccer Team lots of luck in the World Cup. I know you are really good. I also expect that you feel the same about Argentina! hehe! Well, good luck and let me tell you that I feel very connected to you now! Ceci"
Ceci

"I so look forward to entering your site every day, there is so much to absorb. I have printed so many pages for future reference that I have filled two files already - lol. Keep up the good work!!!"
Patricia E Edwards

"I enjoyed your page very much and have visited it before. I added it to my favorites list. I particularly liked the Irish Lesson and apreciate the explanation regarding the dialects of Irish in Ireland as it can get confusing."
Dave Chamberlain