It’s time for your extra-large helping of Irish goodness to get you through the week. More jokes, more history, and a bit of Irish magic to brighten your January day. Here’s everything you didn’t know you needed – with a dash of craic and charm!
Greetings everyone! I hope you had a festive Christmas and New Year! I certainly did. My Dry January is starting a little bit later this year haha.
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Love all things Irish? Whether it’s a good laugh, a heartwarming quote, or a dive into Irish history, my Weekly Dose of Irish has it all! Every week, I send out a jam-packed email full of Irish jokes, fun facts, historical tidbits, music recommendations, and plenty of craic to brighten your day!
This week’s edition includes:
✅ A belly-laugh-worthy Irish joke
✅ Did-you-know facts steeped in Irish history
✅ Quotes that’ll warm your heart
✅ An Irish quiz to test your knowledge
✅ And, of course, a trad tune to tap your toes to!
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Remember—if you love Ireland as much as I do, you’ll feel right at home! Sláinte! 🍀
☘️ Did You Know?
The Cliffs of Moher were once “fortified”!
It’s true! O’Brien’s Tower, the famous stone structure overlooking the Cliffs, was built in 1835 by Cornelius O’Brien—a local landowner who thought the cliffs would become a popular tourist attraction.
Cornelius was ahead of his time because the Cliffs of Moher are now one of the most-visited spots in Ireland. Some say he built the tower so ladies visiting the cliffs had a place to rest without their skirts blowing up in the wind! Practical and patriotic—well played, Cornelius!
📜 On This Day in Irish History – January 10, 1922
On this day, Arthur Griffith was officially appointed President of Dáil Éireann after the signing of the Anglo-Irish Treaty.
Griffith was one of Ireland’s most pivotal yet often overlooked figures. Not only did he play a crucial role in securing independence, but he was also the founder of Sinn Féin in 1905. Known for his intellect and sharp wit, he navigated Ireland through the Treaty debates with steely resolve despite the heartbreak of the divisions it caused.
He tragically passed away just a few months later in August 1922—but not before helping to change the course of Irish history forever.
🍀 Irish Fact of the Week
Ireland is home to Europe’s oldest pub!
That’s right—Sean’s Bar in Athlone, County Westmeath, holds the official Guinness World Record for being Europe’s oldest pub, dating back to 900 AD. Archaeologists even found ancient coins and wattle-and-daub walls when they excavated the site.
What’s even more amazing? You can still pop in today for a pint (and maybe raise a glass to its 1,100-year history!).
😂 Irish Joke of the Week
Two Englishmen businessmen in Cork- were sitting down for a break in their soon-to-be new store. As yet, the store wasn’t ready, with only a few shelves set up. One said to the other, “I bet any minute now, some thick tourist is going to walk by, put his face to the window and ask what we’re selling.”
No sooner were the words out of his mouth when, sure enough, a curious Irishman walked to the window, had a peek, and in a Thick Irish accent asked “What are you selling’ here?”
One of the men replied sarcastically, “We’re selling arse-holes.”
Without skipping a beat, the Irishman said,
“You’re doing well … Only two left!”
🍀 Irish Quote of the Week
“In the shelter of each other, the people live.” – Irish Proverb
No truer words have ever been spoken! Life in Ireland has always been about community and togetherness. Even when the world feels stormy, there’s strength in finding your shelter in the people you love.
🇮🇪 Quiz Time: How Irish Are You?
- What’s the name of the mythical Irish warrior known for his Gae Bolga spear?
- Which Irish county is nicknamed “The Lake County”?
- What is the Irish Gaelic word for January?
- What famous Irish poet wrote “He Wishes for the Cloths of Heaven”?
- True or False: St. Brigid was known as the patroness of poets and scholars.
(Scroll down for answers!)
🎶 Trad Tune of the Week:
“Spancil Hill” listen to The Dubliners Live at The Tavastia Club (Helsinki, Finland – 1975)
This iconic Irish ballad tells the story of an emigrant longing to return home to Ireland. Written by Michael Considine in the mid-1800s, it’s a heart-wrenching ode to his native village in County Clare. If you listen closely to the lyrics, you’ll feel the bittersweet mix of homesickness and hope. The Dubliners’ rendition is especially powerful!
🧑🎨 Irish Word of the Week:
“Bodhrán” (pronounced bow-rawn): The Irish word for a traditional Irish drum.
You’ve probably seen it in trad sessions—the bodhrán player tapping away with their cipín (drumstick), adding rhythm and heartbeat to the music.
Fun fact: some say the bodhrán was originally used as a farming tool for sieving grain before it became an instrument!
🍺 Traditions Spotlight:
Women’s Little Christmas (Nollaig na mBan) – Celebrated on January 6th, this is a day when women in Ireland traditionally took a well-earned rest after the busy Christmas season while the men of the household took over the chores.
In many parts of Ireland, it’s still celebrated as a day for women to gather with their friends for tea, cake, or something stronger! It’s a beautiful way to honour the role of women and take a moment for some well-deserved relaxation and craic.
Poem of the Week: “The Old Woman of the Roads” by Padraic Colum
As the cold winds of January sweep in, there’s something comforting about dreaming of home—a cozy fire, familiar surroundings, and the simple joys of daily life. After the hustle and bustle of the holidays, January can feel like a time for rest, reflection, and a longing for warmth and belonging.
That’s why this week’s poem, “The Old Woman of the Roads” by Padraic Colum, feels so fitting. It captures the universal yearning for a quiet space of our own—a place to call home. Whether it’s a cottage by the sea, a farmhouse in the hills, or simply the feeling of being among loved ones, this poem resonates with anyone who cherishes the comforts of home.
“The Old Woman of the Roads”
Oh, to have a little house!
To own the hearth and stool and all!
The heaped-up sods against the fire,
The pile of turf against the wall!
To have a clock with weights and chains,
And pendulum swinging up and down!
A dresser filled with shining delph,
Speckled and white and blue and brown!
I could be busy all the day
Cleaning and sweeping hearth and floor,
And fixing on their shelf again
My white and blue and speckled store!
I could be quiet there at night
Beside the fire and by myself,
Sure of a bed and loath to leave
The ticking clock and shining delph!
A little house where I could live,
A house as fair as any seen,
With the red door and the half-door shut,
The woman cleaning in between!
🧐 Quiz Answers:
- Cú Chulainn (the legendary Irish hero known for his deadly spear, the Gae Bolga)
- Westmeath (famous for its many lakes, including Lough Ennell and Lough Owel)
- Eanáir (the Irish word for January)
- W.B. Yeats (the Nobel Prize-winning poet)
- True (St. Brigid is indeed known as a patroness of poets and scholars, among many other things!)
A Final Irish Blessing for You:
“May your troubles be less,
And your blessings be more,
And nothing but happiness
Come through your door.”
That’s it for this week’s Extra-Large Weekly Dose of Irish! I hope it brought you some joy and a bit of craic. Whether you’re wrapping up the week or just getting started, remember:
“Ní neart go cur le chéile.” – There is no strength without unity.
Until next time—slán go fóill!
☘️ Stephen Palmer