Your Weekly Dose of Irish – January 15th, 2025
This week’s edition features Christy Moore’s “Ride On,” Seamus Heaney’s stunning poem “Postscript,” and a peek into the legend of the Rock of Cashel. Test your Irish knowledge with our fun quiz!
Dia daoibh a chairde, fáilte romhaibh! 🌟
Another week, another helping of Irish stories, jokes, and history to brighten your day! Whether you’re here for a laugh, a poem, or some Irish trivia, there’s something for everyone.
I’ve made an online version of the Weekly Dose of Irish so you can always catch up on previous editions. You can get them straight to your inbox every Wednesday right here.
This week’s edition has a bit of everything—history, poetry, laughter, and even a little quiz to test your Irish knowledge. So, grab a cup of tea (or something stronger!) and let’s dive in!
🍀 Did You Know? A Peek into Irish History
On January 15th, 1922, the first official meeting of the Irish Free State government was held. Imagine the emotions in the room—a mix of hope, pride, and remembrance for the many lives lost in the pursuit of freedom.
Here’s an interesting nugget: the first act of this government wasn’t a grand speech or a major law, but the appointment of a clerk! Small steps often lead to great journeys.
💚 An Irish Poem to Stir the Soul
This week’s poem is by Seamus Heaney, who captured the wild beauty of Ireland in every line. Here’s a poem that will take you straight to the west of Ireland:
“Postscript”
By Seamus Heaney
And some time make the time to drive out west
Into County Clare, along the Flaggy Shore,
In September or October, when the wind
And the light are working off each other
So that the ocean on one side is wild
With foam and glitter, and inland among stones
The surface of a slate-grey lake is lit
By the earthed lightning of a flock of swans,
Their feathers roughed and ruffling, white on white,
Their fully grown headstrong-looking heads
Tucked or cresting or busy underwater.Useless to think you’ll park and capture it
More thoroughly. You are neither here nor there,
A hurry through which known and strange things pass
As big soft buffetings come at the car sideways
And catch the heart off guard and blow it open.
Isn’t that stunning? You can almost feel the Atlantic wind and see the swans. Heaney’s words remind us that some moments can’t be captured—they must simply be felt.
😄 Irish Joke of the Week – For a Good Laugh!
The Speeding Ticket
A Garda pulls over a driver for speeding.
“I clocked you at 80 mph,” says the Garda.
The driver says, “Are you sure? I had the cruise control set at 60!”
Not looking up from her knitting, the man’s wife pipes up: “Now, dear, you know this car doesn’t have cruise control.”
The Garda starts writing a ticket. The man snaps at his wife: “Can you please keep your mouth shut!”
The wife smiles sweetly and says, “You should be grateful your radar detector went off.”
The Garda pauses. “Radar detector? That’s illegal!” He writes another ticket.
The husband glares at his wife: “Will you PLEASE stop talking!”
The Garda notices the driver’s seatbelt is unbuckled. “That’s another fine,” he says.
The man protests: “I only took it off to get my license!”
His wife chimes in: “Now, dear, you never wear your seatbelt.”
The Garda turns to the wife: “Does he always talk to you this way?”
She smiles. “Only when he’s been drinking, sir.”
☘️ Curious Irish Facts You’ll Love
- The Rock of Cashel: Legend has it that the Rock was formed when St. Patrick banished the Devil, who spat out a chunk of a nearby mountain—leaving us with the famous Rock of Cashel.
- Did you know that Queen Elizabeth II visited the Rock of Cashel during her historic 2011 trip to Ireland? It was one of the highlights of her tour and a symbolic gesture of peace and reconciliation between Ireland and the UK.
- St. Brigid’s Cloak: According to legend, St. Brigid asked a king for land to build a monastery. He agreed to give her as much land as her cloak could cover. When she laid her cloak on the ground, it miraculously spread across acres. Talk about making the most of what you have!
🎶 Irish Song of the Week
This week’s song is “Ride On” by Christy Moore—a ballad that tugs at the heartstrings with its beautiful, haunting melody. Treat yourself today if you haven’t listened to it in a while.
Please give it a listen and learn more about the song here.
🇮🇪 Irish Quiz – Test Your Irish Knowledge!
Let’s see how well you know your Irish history and culture!
1. What Irish saint is said to have rid Ireland of snakes?
a) St. Columba
b) St. Brigid
c) St. Patrick
d) St. Kevin
2. What’s the capital of County Clare?
a) Ennis
b) Limerick
c) Kilrush
d) Shannon
3. In Irish folklore, what creature is said to guard pots of gold at the end of rainbows?
a) Fairy
b) Leprechaun
c) Pooka
d) Banshee
4. What’s the traditional Irish instrument that features prominently in Irish music?
a) Banjo
b) Tin whistle
c) Fiddle
d) Bodhrán
5. Who is the famous High King of Ireland who defeated the Vikings at the Battle of Clontarf in 1014?
a) Brian Boru
b) Cú Chulainn
c) Fionn mac Cumhaill
d) Niall of the Nine Hostages
💬 Proverb of the Week
“Is maith an t-anlann an t-ocras.”
— Hunger is the best sauce.
A reminder that we often appreciate things most when we’ve had to wait or work for them.
🎉 Irish Tradition Spotlight – Nollaig na mBan (Women’s Christmas)
January may be halfway over, but we can’t forget Nollaig na mBan, or Women’s Christmas, celebrated on January 6th. Traditionally, this was the day when the women of the house got a well-deserved rest after the busy Christmas season, and the men took over the household duties.
Today, many still mark it as a day of gathering and celebration, raising a toast to the incredible women who make life brighter.
📝 Quiz Answers
- c) St. Patrick
- a) Ennis
- b) Leprechaun
- d) Bodhrán
- a) Brian Boru
How did you do? If you got 5 out of 5, you’re a true Irish quizmaster! If not, sure, there’s always next week to brush up.
A Final Thought
As we make our way through the long days of January, I leave you with this:
“May the road rise up to meet you, may the wind be always at your back.” – Irish saying
Remember to take time to appreciate the small, unexpected moments—they often turn out to be the most beautiful.
Thanks for joining me for this week’s Dose of Irish! If you enjoyed it, why not share it with a friend? And if you have a joke, poem, or quote you’d like me to feature, send it my way!
Slán go fóill!
Stephen Palmer
P.S. Don’t forget to play “Ride On” by Christy Moore today—you’ll feel all the better for it! 🎶