Cead mile failte
(A Hundred Thousand Welcomes)
He was born in Wales around AD 385. His given name was Maewyn. He traveled throughout Ireland, establishing monasteries across the country. He also set up schools and churches which would aid him in his conversion of the Irish country to Christianity.
and guide you in whatever you do.
And may his loving protection
be a blessing to you always.
~Irish Blessing~
LEPRECHAUNS
According to legend, leprechauns are aloof and very unfriendly, live alone, and pass the time making shoes...they also have a hidden pot of gold. Treasure hunters can often track down a leprechaun by the sound of his shoemaker's hammer. If they are caught, he can be forced (with the threat of bodily violence) to reveal the whereabouts of his treasure, but the captor must keep their eyes on him for every second. If the captor's eyes leave the leprechaun (and he often tricks them into looking away), he vanishes into thin air and all hopes of finding the treasure are then lost.
Near misty stream in Ireland
in the hollow of a tree
Live mystical, magical leprichauns
who are clever as can be
With their pointed ears,
and turned up toes and little coats of green
The leprichauns busily make their shoes
and try hard not to be seen.
Only those who really believe
have seen these little elves
And if we are all believers
We can surely see for ourselves.
~Irish Blessing~
Q) Why can't you borrow money from a leprechaun?
A) They're always a little short. *smile*
SHAMROCK
A) Real rocks would look funny. *grin*
FOUR-LEAF CLOVERS
I know a place where the sun is like gold.
And the cherry blooms burst with snow;
And down underneath is the loveliest nook,
Where the four-leaf clovers grow.
One leaf is for hope, and one for faith.
And one is for love you know;
But God put another in for luck--
If you search, you will find where they grow.
But you must have hope, and you must have faith;
You must love and be strong' and so.
If you work, if you wait, you will find the place
Where the four-leaf clovers grow.
~Ella Higginson~
BLARNEY STONE
The origins of the Blarney Stone's magical properties are not very clear, but there is one legend that says, that a old woman cast a spell on the stone, to reward a King who had saved her from drowning. So by Kissing the stone while under the spell, gave the king the ability to speak sweetly and very convincingly.
I believe it is difficult to reach the stone - it is situated between the main castle wall and the parapet. People who wish to kiss the stone, have to lie on their back and bend backward and then downward, whilst holding onto iron bars for support. Not something I would wish to do :-)
THE POTATO
Old Folk Remedies About The Potato
2) It was also believed that if you ate potatoes with other foods, it would prevent indigestion!
3) Help a toothache by carrying a potato in your pocket!
4) Ease a sore throat by putting a slice of baked potato in a stocking and tying it around your throat.
5) Ease aches and pains by rubbing the affected area with the water potatoes have been boiled in.
from foodfunandfacts.com
A) When it was french-fried. *grin*
WHAT'S GOOD LUCK ON SAINT PATRICK'S DAY?
(Did you know...Four leaf clovers are well known for their luck but according to a old wives' tale, they are not found, but make themselves known to the lucky person...now you know.)
2. Wearing green they say is also lucky.
(And why not eat "green" also...serve food that are green, or nearly green...such as guacamole dip, pickles, green olives...)
3. And of course...Kissing the blarney stone...(I do not think so *grin*)
DECORATING IDEAS etc...
Find a small container, or a terracotta pot, and spray with gold, and decorate, and this can be your "pot of gold".
Find some gaelic or celtic music to play in the background.
IRISH SONGS AND POEMS
WEE BIT O' IRISH
You're the flash and sparkle in dark Irish eyes.
You're the whimsey and charm of leprechaun guise.
You're the treasured gold at the rainbow's end.
You're the beauty and mystery of emerald glens.
You're the top o' the mornin' ~ my cup of tea.
You're springtime adornin'...blessings on thee.
~Author Unknown~
***
I'M LOOKING OVER A FOUR LEAF CLOVER
I'm looking over a four leaf clover
That I over-looked before.
One leaf is sunshine, the second is rain,
Third is the roses that grows in the lane.
No need explaining the one remaining
Is somebody I adore.
I'm looking over a four leaf clover
That I over-looked before!
~Author Unknown~
***
A LITTLE BIT OF HEAVEN
Sure, a little bit o' Heaven
fell from out of the sky one day,
And nestled on the ocean
in a spot so far away;
And the angels found it,
sure it looked so sweet and fair.
They said suppose we leave it,
for it looks so peaceful there!
So they sprinkled it with star dust
just to make the shamrocks grow;
'Tis the only place you'll find them,
No matter where you go;
Then they dotted it with silver
To make its lakes so grand,
And when they had it finished
Sure they called it IRELAND!
~Author Unknown~
***
AN IRISH LULLABY
Over in Killarney, many years ago,
Me Mother sang a song to me
in tones so sweet and low.
Just a simple little ditty,
in her good old Irish way.
And I'd give the world if she could sing
that song to me this day.
Too-ra-loo-ra-loo-ral, Too-ra-loo-ra-li.
Too-ra-loo-ra-loo-ral, Hush now don't you cry!
Too-ra-loo-ra-loo-ral, Too-ra-loo-ra-li.
Too-ra-loo-ra-loo-ral, That's an Irish lullaby.
~Author Unknown~
***
WHEN IRISH EYES ARE SMILING
When Irish eyes are smiling
Sure it's like a morning spring.
In the lilt of Irish laughter,
You can hear the angels sing.
When Irish hearts are happy,
All the world seems bright and gay.
And when Irish eyes are smiling,
Sure, they steal your heart away.
~Author Unknown~
WEE LITTLE PATRICK
Patrick is a leprechaun
He has a sack of gold
He hides it in a special place
Between two stumps, I'm told
I think I once saw Patrick
Out in the woods at play
He smiled and laughed and winked his eye
And then he ran away
Don't try to follow Patrick
To find his treasure sack
He'll twist and jump and run away
And he never will come back.
~Author Unknown by me~
SUPERSTITIONS
a) If the palm of your hand itches you will be getting money;
if the elbow, you will be changing beds.
b) When yawning, make the sign of the cross instantly over your
mouth, or the evil spirit will make a rush down and take up
his abode with you.
c) Breaking a mirror brought seven years of bad luck,
while two people washing hands in the same basin at the same
time courted disaster.
Please visit my Irish Blessings page too.
*St PATRICK'S DAY GREETINGS to send*
| * Ireland - A little bit of Heaven | * Leprechaun story | * Wee Bit of Irish |
| * An Irish Blessing | * Four Leaf Clover |
I have removed my guestbook for the moment,
but do write to me via e-mail if you wish,
would love to hear from you.
Go mbeannaí Dia duit
Níl aon tintéan mar do thintéan féin
Sláinte
Sláinte chugat
(May God bless you)
(There's no place like home)
(Cheers)
(Good health to you)
Q. What do you get when you cross poison ivy
with a four-leaf clover?
A. A rash of good luck. :-))
