In pre-Christian Ireland, the spring celebration on May 1 was called Bealtaine. Household fires were extinguished several days before the feast and people were forbidden to rekindle them until Druid priests lit a ceremonial bonfire on the Hill of Tara, stronghold of the High King. When Christianity supplanted pagan customs a new spring celebration was introduced: Easter, … [Read more...] about Sláinte! Lent and Easter: The Fast and the Feast
In This Issue 1995
Irish Roots: The Kennedys
The name Kennedy or O'Kennedy is derived from the Gaelic O'Cinneide, which is itself derived from the original Gaelic form Cean Eidig meaning "rough head." This was the name by which the father of Brian Boru was known, and the name refers specifically to the line of Dunchad, who was one of the sons of Cean Eidig and a brother of Brian Boru. Brian Boru was perhaps the most … [Read more...] about Irish Roots: The Kennedys
A Bit of Blarney: A Visit to Blarney Castle
Oddly enough, Elizabeth I of England made an unintentional contribution to the English language when she coined the word "blarney." Tired of the Lord of Blarney's constant filibustering with "fair words and soft speech," the exasperated queen shouted, "Blarney, Blarney--it's all Blarney. What he says he does not mean, and what he means he does not say." Blarney, a village … [Read more...] about A Bit of Blarney: A Visit to Blarney Castle
Hibernia: Gallagher’s Irish Pub
In the end, it came down to who wanted it more. By all accounts, that distinction went to Bronx native Frank Gallagher. In his attempt at last month's second annual "Win Your Own Pub in Ireland" contest, sponsored by Guinness, Gallagher, 65, turned up wearing a custom-made T-shirt bearing the name of the Bantry, County Cork pub which was up for grabs. While other contestants … [Read more...] about Hibernia: Gallagher’s Irish Pub
Hero Pilot Visits His Irish Cousins
All of America was waiting for the heroic return of Air Force Captain Scott O'Grady, plucked from Bosnian Serb territory on June 8th, but O'Grady wanted to make one quick stopover -- at Shannon Airport, in the west of Ireland. "Ireland is my second home," O'Grady, aged 29, told reporters after touching down on Sunday morning, June 10. "What a thrill this is. I consider myself … [Read more...] about Hero Pilot Visits His Irish Cousins