Happy St. Stephen's Day and the Second of the 12 days of Christmas

Today is St. Stephen's Day!  Celebrated all over Ireland. My friend Mary
Lyons always calls me with the verse that goes:

The wren, the wren, the king of all birds.
St. Stephen's day was caught in the furze,
Up with the kettle, and down with the pan,
give us a penny to bury the wren.

More about St. Stephen's Day on my next post as there is something else
I would like to note and that is that the song, "The Twelve Days of Christmas" actually starts with Christmas day and goes up to the EVE
of the Epiphany (January 6th).... (I always thought it was the l2 day countdown BEFORE
Christmas).. I have recently learned that it is a traditional old anglo song to be sung starting the DAY of Christmas.... This is the celebration of the glorious Christmas season...so
don't take your decorations down too soon...instead...invite over a friend
to help you eat up those cookies and just RELAX in the blessings of the
season....you've got until the Epiphany (when the wisemen brought their
gifts to the Baby Jesus...and continue to celebrate in a relaxed manner...no more shopping, decorating or baking...just pure joy and thanksgiving! 

Merry Christmas - Gaelic

NOLLAIG  NAOFA,

BEANNACHTAL  IOSA

NOLLAIG  CHROIUIL,

IS BLIAIN  NUA  MHAITH.

(English translation)

With best wishes for Christmas and the New Year

Maggie Daley - a true Irish granny

We've  lost one of our own today....Maggie Daley....wife of former mayor
Richard Daley.  She exemplified all the Irish grandmother holds dear--
faith, family and her extended community. 

You Just Never Know!

Last weekend, my husband Bill and I took the three grandkids to the Irish
Heritage Center for what they call the Shamrock Kids Club.  They had
a nice Thanksgiving dinner and crafts.  All was going well and then it
was over.  We were on our way home when I remembered that they have
set dancing with the seniors every Friday night at 8pm. So, I thought I'd
just show the kids what it was all about.  They watched very intently then
one of the seniors asked me to join in.  I thought maybe I should show the kids how it
went...and guess what...they joined in too!! Couldn't believe it...I was
thrilled.  I had so wanted them to learn how to do Irish set dancing  but thought they would be
too shy and not knowing how to do the dances, would just say "no".  They
totally surprised me and now they
can't wait to go again!! They thought it was fun! Talk about a WIN for granny!

Irish Granny Meets THE AUTHORS

Over the weekend, I atended the IBAM at the Irish Heritage Center in Chicago.  What a time!! Right up "ol granny's alley"!  Met my two
favorite  authors:  Patricia Falvey of the "Yellow House" and "Linen Queen"
and Mary Pat Kelly of "Galway Bay" and her brand new book .."Special Intentions".  Got a chance to "shake hands" with the famous fiddler...Liz Carroll...and to top it off...the last show of the night...featured the dancing
of the Cunninghams straight from Westport, Co Mayo and
the music of The Chicago Reel with Jimmy Keane.  I was "over the moon"!

Supersitions

I admit...as an Irish grandma...I have them.  Just recently read something
that I'd like to quote (although I don't know where I got it)...
The Irish have a great respect for logic, but an even greater respect for
things beyond logic.  Supersitions, premonitions and apparitions are
all part and parcel of our everyday reality.

IBAM

Big event at the Irish Heritage Center on the weekend of November ll, l2, and
l3th...IBAM stands for Irish Books, Arts and Music.  Tons of stuff going on
just go to the website for the Irish American News....going to go with my
husband Bill, my sister Eileen and a few of our friends.  We are especially
looking forward to meeting some of the authors of books we have enjoyed...
namely Mary Pat Kelly (Galway Bay) and Patricia Falvey (The Yellow House)...two of my favorite Irish reads.

genealogy

I never met either my maternal or paternal grandparents as they were all
deceased by the time I was born.  When I was 18, my dad gave me a box
filled with old -fashioned looking pictures.  He said these are your relatives
but with no names; I'm not sure who they are.  So began my quest to find
out who they were.  That was in 1961.  I now know who they all are thanks
to many trips back to Ireland and talking to the people who could identify
them.  This was all done in the days before computers.  The last relative
I found was my mother's father, Michael Ronan.  I found the place where
he was born and raised.  It was such a good feeling to put in that last
puzzle piece. Today we are lucky to have the access to so much information
but still don't have the actual stories told by those who remember them.
While you are blessed with the storytellers in your family, get a video or
recorder and just sit down and talk.  Someday you will be so happy you did.
Get them to recite a poem or sing a song they liked....what a treat to hear
their voices years after they are gone.  Do it today...don't put it off.
Do it as a Christmas present for yourself and your kids.

What It Means to be in an Irish Family

Saw this somewhere and thought it was pretty cute....
"What it Means to be in an Irish Family"

At least one of your cousins is a cop, fireman, bar owner or a politician...
and you have at least one aunt or uncle who's a nun or priest

Many of your childhood meals were boiled
You spent a good portion of your childhood on your knees praying
You're strangely poetic after a few beers
You can't wait for the other guy to stop talking before you start talking
Childhood remedies for the common cold often included some form of whiskey
You think you sing very well
You have no idea how to make a long story short
There's no leaving a family party without saying good-bye for at least
45 minutes
Many of your sisters and/or cousins are named Mary, Catherine, or Eileen
and there is at least one member of the family who is named Mary Catherine Eileen.
Got any more to add to the list?

A Poem for Toasting

It's always good to have a "toast" in your back pocket.  Today I taught my
9 year old grand daughter an Irish toast...of course I did have to "bribe" her
with a dollar but hey...it works! She learned it in 5 minutes....here it is:
May the road rise up to meet you
May the wind be always at your back
May the sun shine warm upon your face
and rains fall soft upon your fields.

The Rosary

My mother taught us the rosary.  She was a firm believer in the power of prayer.  Every July we made the novena to St. Anne (mother of Mary).  I've
always had a special place in my heart for Mary and always felt closer to
my own mother who died when I was 13.  I think somewhere along the line
they just merged together.  I feel closer to my earthly mother when I pray to
our heavenly mother.  If people only really knew the power of the rosary,
they'd say it every day.  There are so many graces and blessings that Mary
herself promised us at Fatima and Lourdes and many other apparition sites...like Knock in Ireland.
Two of my grandchildren are rather young but still I want them to know
about Our Lady.  They have been here for prayer and yes they fidgeted and
"acted" bored....but they were here.  While here, they experienced others praying the rosary. They saw for themselves that the people who
came opened their hearts in prayer and left their intentions with her.   Everyone who was here commented on the peace they felt while praying. That is one of her blessings for us.  We can come in all worried but leave
with a peaceful feeling knowing that she understands our worries and burdens and that she
petitions her Son on our behalf.

The Lady of Fatima Pilgrim Statue

The Pilgrim Statue of Our Lady has been at my house all week....more later

Faith

Whatever would we do without our faith!  We take it for granted. My father and ancestors, in spite of all they went through, clung to it. They passed it
on to us.  When I was young, it was just part of who I was. Now that I am
a "granny", I realize just how it sustained me throughout my life and I am
truly grateful.  I try to be part of the community of people it takes to raise a
child in their faith by sharing my own stories and making sure they are confident in their prayers. 

Irish Grannies on Retreat

Spent a wonderful weekend with 3 of my favorite "Irish Grannies".  We were able to spend some quality time just catching up on girl talk plus lots of
stories re our parents (who were all from the same part of Ireland)....County Mayo.  Will be back with more in a day or so....just catching up with emails
and all the things that await us after a few days away.

Dad's Poems

I was always surprised at how my dad could remember the poems of his youth.
He could recite Longfellow's "The Village Blacksmith" perfectly.  A few years before he died unexpectedly, I taped him reciting that poem.  I am so glad I have
it now. When we had him in our lives, I never heard his brogue but it is so evident  now on these tapes.  I guess your ears just don't hear it after so many years together.  I LOVE hearing his brogue now...and so thankful that I took
the time to record him.  Do yourself a favor and record those voices whether it is your young child or elderly parent, you will treasure them after they are gone. Make it a date on your calendar and just do it!  You'll be so glad you did.  We all have the family videos saying "hi" but get them talking about family tree stories or for your younger ones, a little song they learned or even a poem.  No one teaches poems anymore. There minds are sharp as tacks and they'll never forget the words in their adult years.  They'll remember you teaching them as well so it's a "win win".

Irish Hospitality per my dad

Whenever someone came to the house, even if it was the insurance man,
you'd offer them something....tea, coffee, a cool drink of water. You asked also if they'd like something along with it.  It could be as simple as a cookie.
  If the person said, "no thank you", then  you'd  ask again. "Would
you like something to drink or eat?".  If they said, "Thank you, I'm good";
you'd say, "Are you sure?"  That dialogue on for a minimum of  three times.  It was the "Irish way".  Now if you entered a house that DID NOT offer you anything, then you "skiddaddled" out  of there as fast as you could.  They weren't  hospitable!

passport picture of my dad

I look at his picture and I see hope and great expectations. He had so little in Ireland.  He always told me that the people  told him you will find
streets in American paved in gold! Dad always had a sense of adventure and fun.  He always loved a good joke or laugh.  He had an easy disposition but
would not back down from a fight either. He LOVED horses and taking chances. He was an optimist so he  always believed that things were "half full".  He never met a stranger and would "light up a room" with his presence. He was bigger than life to my sister and me.  We were lucky to have  had him until we were in our late thirties...but we still miss him.  He got to meet his grandchildren and that is a blessing.  He taught us so much on what it meant to be Irish and which I'll share in future blogs. Just thought you'd like to see his photo.

My father's passport photo 1920's

My dad, my inspiration....Dominick James Sweeney.  Photo taken in Dublin, Ireland for his passport picture.  More later.

Interesting Comparison

As you can tell, Irish Granny loves to read.  I am now reading a book called
The Namesake by Jhumpa Lahiri (Indian writer...as in India).  Found their way of life  so similar to the first generation Irish.  They try to take their children back to India. Teach them the Indian traditions. Associate mainly with Indian people. Cook Indian foods and then....their children become Americans!  I am halfway through but seems so familiar with how we were brought up...(following Irish traditions)...at this point in the book the children are young professionals responding to the American culture. I'll have to let you know if somewhere along the way they go back to what their parents instilled in them.

Irish Granny Book Picks (so far)

Looking for a great read ....real page turners...here they are!!  Do you have any Irish book suggestions?  Just comment.  Would love to hear from you.
I'm going to be talking about some of the aspects of these books and how they related to my Irish upbringing.

The Yellow House

This Irish story is the easiest and most enjoyable book that I have read in awhile.  I raced through it.  Found out that the author Patricia Falvey knows the author of Galway Bay ...it is a similar format.  Galway Bay focuses on the time of the famine while this book concentrates more on the time of the "troubles" about 1917-22.  As much as I LOVED Galway Bay, this book just flows.  The characters are real and you can really get caught up in the story. I've always been a bit confused on the things that went on with all of the politics (the names of the groups etc) but by putting the story in a family format and following along with their lives, it turns out to be an easy way to understand the times and struggles. 

Irish Soda Bread

Made Irish Soda Bread today with my oldest grand daughter, Dunovan.  She is nine and loves to bake.  The other younger grandchildren were here but that soon proved to be a total disaster  with them so I concentrated on Dunovan. She copied the recipe onto a piece of paper.  She is keeping her "recipes" together.
She misspelled a couple of the words as she copied it but I didn't say anything.
I wonder if she will keep these and how fun it will be to look back at them when she
is older.  The good news is that it came out GREAT. I had the oven nice and hot when she came over so after mixing everything together (the liquids and the drys),  we popped it into the oven at 360 for one hour.  Not sure if I mentioned how long to bake in my last post but if the oven is good and hot, then one hour would be perfect esp if baked in the lower part of the oven.

Hospitality

I haven't posted in awhile because I had out-of-town company. I get quite a lot of company (the staying- over kind) because it is partly who I am.  The Irish are famous for their hospitality.  When I was a kid growing up, there were always people staying at our house.  During the war years, soldiers who were friends of friends were given our number so they'd have a place to stay.  People who were "down on their luck" also had a meal and lodging.  It always seemed so natural to me.  When I first went to Ireland as a young woman of 21, I understood where all this came from.  It is a part of the culture.  No matter how poor or how little there is in the house, the guest is always served tea and something else...whether it is a sandwich or baked goods but always something.  More on this in my next blog.

Ice Cream Social at Heritage Center

Sunday's ice cream social was a huge hit.  The kids LOVED it. For only $5 or
$4 for a family.,...we had hot dogs, ice cream, face painting and crafts plus little prizes....from a kids' point of view...what's not to LOVE!!  Will let you know about the next event so you can mark your calendar!  Plus they had Irish accordian music. Also met a woman by the name of Maureen O'Looney who does an Irish radio show on Weds evenings.  Lots of grandparents with the parents and grandchildren.  Good family bonding!  Will post a picture soon.

going out to my great grandfather's island on Clew Bay

Mary Pat Kelly

Author of Galway Bay....got all my grown children, nieces, sister all reading it. I'm glad because they
are telling me that they didn't know how much the Irish had suffered.  Decided
to blog Mary Pat Kelly (the author). I'll let you know if I hear from her.  Hear
she comes to Chicago as this was where she grew up.  Now she lives in New York.  Heard she is in the process of negotiations for the book  to be made into a movie.  If anyone wants to contact me re any other Irish books  or movies they  loved...please pass along to me.

pizza

Met up with some Irish granny friends for pizza last night.  We all started
laughing about how our fathers (from Ireland) never thought of pizza as
a food.  We were teenagers when we were first introduced to it but our dads
wanted no part of it...they thought it was too spicey.

Irish Soda Bread

Here it is....the only KEY to the success of this bread is the heat of the oven.
It must be 350 and at that temp for about l0 minutes otherwise the middle won't be as done...also...let it sit for awhile after it is finished.

Kathleen's Irish Soda Bread (very easy)

3 cups of flour
2/3 cup of sugar
l tablespoon of baking powder
l TEASpoon of baking soda
l and l/2 cups or more raisins...if the kids like them
2 eggs beaten
l and l/2 cups of buttermilk
2 tablespoons of oil (I use corn oil)

I mix dry first then all of the liquids separate and then throw them all in
together and mix.  Lightly grease the pan (a little extra oil) so it will come
out easily....this makes one loaf.

back to school

one of my little traditions is to make Irish Soda Bread for the kids when they
go back to school.  In my next blog, I'll include the recipe.  This year however
will be even better because my oldest grandchild will be invited to join in.
She is nine....I hate to invite the 5 and 6 year olds because it is all about flour here and flour there. This time, though, I'll have some jam that I received as
a gift from one of my cousins in Ireland.  I've treated it like "gold" because they made the black currant jam from the same bushes my grandmother used
over l00 years ago...that little ol blackberry is still producing delicious berries year after year...isn't that just the best?  Of course, they will be asked to use it "sparingly".

Irish Eyes Are Smiling

Last night I taught my 3 grandchildren their "basic" Irish song.  This is
the one they sing when they all gather round in a party mode...someone always yells out....
let's sing "When Irish Eyes are Smiling"...

So here it is:
When Irish eyes are smiling
Sure it's like a morn in spring
in the lilt of Irish laughter
you can hear the angels sing

When Irish hearts are happy
All the world seem bright and gay
and when Irish eyes are smiling
sure they'll steal your heart away

did you just hummm it.....great song!!

p.s. to Ice Cream Social event

Social event is open to all families with kids aged 12 and under.  Hopefully
there will be other events for the older ones as well.  Will keep you updated.

Irish Blessing

In my last blog, I mentioned the children's event at the Heritage Center in Chicago.  What I envision is for us grandparents (parents too)...to have
an IRISH bonding experience with our families. We will meet up with others   who share  the same intention and create some great Irish memories.
As the note said, this is the lst Shamrock Kids Club Ice Cream Social so
let's support it and see what else they have on their agenda.  Let the fun begin!

          

something to think about for the kids

The Irish Heritage Center has a club for kids called The Shamrock Kids Club.
They are having their first annual ICE CREAM SOCIAL on Sunday,
August 28th from 2-5p.m. at the Heritage Center at 4626 N.Knox in
Chicago...RSVP  773-282-7035  ext l0  suggested donation would be
$5 and $4 for members. Their website is www.irish-american.org
There will be ice cream (kids can "accessorize their own), hot dogs,
music, face painting, arts & crafts, tours and more.  Sounds like a good way
to involve the kids in their heritage.  I'm hoping to attend.

Clew Bay, Newport, County Mayo

Galway Bay

Just finished this book.  Tried reading it a few years ago but it started slow so
I put it down.  If you get a chance, try it and get past the first 80 or so pages. It
is GREAT!! Author is Mary Pat Kelly.  I connected to it on so many levels. There were so many "mysteries" about the famine.  No one talked about it.
Many of my dad's generation, never wanted to go back to Ireland once they
were settled here.  I always wondered why?  Reading this book gave me a
clearer picture on where some of my dad's generation were really "coming
from"

A little about me

I am first generation Irish.  My father was born in Co. Mayo, Ireland.  My mother was born in Cleveland, Ohio. Her parents were also born in Ireland.
Many of the little traditions that are so part of who I am were because of
their Irish roots.  I believe in passing on tradition.  My children are also of
Irish descent; however, their children are mixed nationalities. Viva le difference!   Hopefully their other grandparents will help them to be aware of
whatever traditions they celebrate. My goal is to pass along what I know.

This house has a story....coming soon!

Grandchildren

I wanted my grandchildren to know more about their roots and Irish heritage.
They are young but I feel I need to start now.....there will be a time when they won't be as interested and so feel that this was the time to "seize the moment".

Why I am starting this blog....

Just came back from a trip to Ireland and the ancestral home of my father.
I've been visiting there for more than 40 years....since my first trip back with
him when I was a young girl.  So many memories that I want to be able to
pass along to my grandchildren.  Don't want them to lose any of their Irish heritage.