Conway Mill Trust » Irish Trivia

Legend of Red Hand of Ulster

admin — Thu, 19 May 2011 13:26:45 +0000

According to legend, the term ‘Red Hand of Ulster’ refers to the first member of the O’Neill clan who sailed to Ulster in a contest. The first to land could claim the kingdom.

O’Neill cut off his right hand and threw it onto the land, thereby being the ‘first.’

Friday the 13th Superstitions

admin — Fri, 13 May 2011 12:13:50 +0000

There is no definitive date or time when this day became unlucky, but some legends say it was because there were 13 at the Last Supper and Christ died on Friday. So, never seat 13 people at a table as one will soon die. Other legends say it was because on October 13, 1307, King Philip of France ordered the arrests of the Knights of Templar because they had become too popular with the people. The Knights were imprisoned, tortured and some were burned at the stake. Beware of anyone with 13 letters in their name, this is not good (Charles Manson, Jack The Ripper, Jeffrey Dahlmer). Many cities do not have a 13th Street, and some hotels omit a 13th floor. Irish superstitions include: If you meet a funeral on the road, you must turn and walk with the procession four steps to ward off bad luck. If you see three magpies on the road, this is bad; if you see two on your right, this is good luck. If you trip in a graveyard you most likely will die before the year ends. And, of course, the black cat — this is doubly bad on Friday the 13th. To minimize the bad luck, make a triangle shape using your thumbs and forefingers and spit at the cat through the hole. Better to stay in bed!

December Trivia

admin — Mon, 20 Dec 2010 17:06:42 +0000

Spiced beef is traditionally eaten on St. Stephen’s Day, December 26th.

The Battle of Kinsale was fought (and lost) on Christmas Eve 1601, marking the beginning of the “Flight of the Earls.”

A snowman is known in Ireland as “Fear-sneachta.”

Irish Trivia

admin — Mon, 08 Nov 2010 16:37:06 +0000

Wool from a black sheep worn constantly in the ear is a sure remedy for earache.

To cure a fever, place patient on a sandy shore when the tide is coming in. The retreating waves will carry away the disease and leave the patient well.

Did You Know?

admin — Thu, 30 Sep 2010 16:58:27 +0000

The Irish are the world’s greatest consumers of tea, ranking even above the English. It is pronounced “tay” which is the 18th Century pronunciation and is also said this way in other European countries.

Sugar is consumed in large amounts by the Irish. Ireland is self-sufficient with respect to sugar, manufacturing it from the millions of tons of beets collected at harvest time. Why do the Irish love sugar? It soothes (especially the chocolate variety) those suffering from depression. Could that be weather related?

Source: “Things Irish” by A. Bluett

Did You Know?

admin — Tue, 28 Sep 2010 16:57:34 +0000

Mutton and lamb are the principal meats eaten in Ireland. Sheep farming was one of the only ways of life in mountain areas unfit for cattle.

The Irish are Europe’s number one consumer of potatoes.

Dulse (laver) is a flat, red-brown seaweed that can be eaten raw in salads.

Sloke or sea-spinach requires a long cooking period. It is dark green and very nourishing.

Irish Moss or Carrageen Moss is the best known of Ireland’s algae. It has a high vitamin content and is good for thickening soups and making jellies.

Tripe or sheep’s stomach is usually cooked for several hours, sliced and eaten with plenty of onions in milk.

Source: “Things Irish” by A. Bluett

Easter Thought

admin — Sun, 28 Mar 2010 20:07:13 +0000

The following is the last stanza of a poem written by Dominic Crilly to commemorate the 50th Anniversary of the Easter Rising of 1916:

There were no deaths in Dublin on that
Easter day some fifty-years ago
Such music makers cannot die
As many mercenary soldiers do
With battles lost or won.
They have but set the music to a song
That ever holds us bound,
Yet leaves us ever free.
Like Pearse of Plunkett,
MacDonagh and MacDiamada,
Ceannt and Clarke
And Connolly.

St. Patrick’s Day Interesting Fact

admin — Mon, 01 Mar 2010 17:44:35 +0000

The Island of Montserrat in the Caribbean celebrates St. Patrick’s Day as a national holiday (as does Ireland) and has a full week of festivities. A traveler to the island will have his/her passport stamped with a shamrock and will be greeted with a banner that proclaims “Cead Mile Failte.” The flag has a woman (representing Ireland) dressed in green and a harp on it. Many surnames and town names reflect the Irish influence of the slaves sent there by Cromwell from Galway, Kerry and other Irish counties.

Valentine and the Irish Connection

admin — Wed, 10 Feb 2010 13:38:17 +0000

In the 300 A.D. era, the Roman Emperor decreed that no marriages should take place on the grounds that unmarried males made better soldiers. Valentine, a priest, ignored the decree and married young lovers. He was arrested, beaten with clubs and sentenced to death. He refused to denounce his faith and converted his judge to Christianity. Before his death by beheading, he wrote a letter to the judge’s daughter and signed it “Your Valentine.” This was February 14, 290 A.D.

In 1835, an Irish priest, Fr. Spratt, visited Rome to preach. Pope
Gregory XVI was so impressed that he made him a gift of St. Valentine’s remains, and in 1836 he was brought to Whitefriar St. Church. His relics are placed in a specially designed altar and shrine with a carved statue depicting the Saint holding a crocus plant, the symbol of Spring.