The Weekly Dose of Irish – January 30th 2025 Edition ☘️

Dia dhuit, a chara! 👋

Argh, I had it ready to go yesterday, but for whatever reason, I ran out of time to double-check, and it did not send. Anyway, I have updated the weekly dose today to reflect the 30th.

Another week, another mighty dose of Irish craic, history, and wit to brighten your day! Grab a cup of tea (or a pint if it’s that kind of day), sit back, and enjoy a little Irish magic to get you through the week. Let’s dive in!

☘️ This Week’s Irish Quote:

“A good laugh and a long sleep are the two best cures for anything.”

– Irish Proverb

And sure, isn’t that just the truth? So, if you're feeling a bit off, take a nap, have a good chuckle, and you’ll be grand!

🍀 Did You Know? – Strange & Wonderful Irish Facts

The World’s First Ever Submarine Patent 🛠️

• Believe it or not, the first working submarine was designed by an Irishman! John Philip Holland, from Clare, developed the first submarine accepted by the U.S. Navy in 1900. Talk about a man ahead of his time!
• Read more Irish inventions here

The Shortest War in Irish History Was... A Hurling Match? 🏑

• During the 12th century, an intense game of hurling between two rival clans in Galway escalated into a full-on battle. Swords were drawn, blood was spilled, and let’s just say it was the last time anyone invited those two teams for a rematch!

The Irish Invented Halloween! 🎃

• The ancient festival of Samhain (pronounced "Sow-in") was celebrated long before Halloween as we know it today. The Celts believed the veil between the living and the dead was thinnest on October 31st. So, the next time you see a ghost costume, thank an Irish druid!

• 🇮🇪 A Wee Bit of Irish History – The Great Donkey Derby of 1965 🏇

Ireland has its fair share of odd traditions, but did you know that in 1965, Ballygar, Co. Galway, held the first-ever "Great Donkey Derby"?

The idea? Put some of the slowest, most stubborn creatures on a racetrack and see who crosses the finish line first – if they even move at all!

What started as a joke turned into an annual tradition, and to this day, donkey races still pop up around Ireland. The moral of the story? Never underestimate an Irishman’s ability to turn anything into a competition!

😂 The Irish Joke of the Week ☘️

1) A Texas rancher comes to Ireland and meets a Kerry farmer.

The Texan says : "Takes me a whole day to drive from one side of my ranch to the other."

The Kerry farmer says:"Ah sure, I know, sir. We have tractors like that here too."

2) A Kerryman was playing Trivial Pursuit. It was his turn. He rolled the dice and landed on "Science & Nature." His question was, "If you are in a vacuum and someone calls your name, can you hear it?" He thought for a time and then asked, "Is it on or off?"

3) A man and a woman, who have never met before, find themselves assigned to the same sleeping room on a transcontinental train. Though initially embarrassed and uneasy over sharing a room, the two are tired and fall asleep quickly - he in the upper bunk and she in the lower. At 2:00 AM, he leans over and gently wakes the woman, saying, "Ma'am, I'm sorry to bother you, but would you be willing to reach into the cupboard to get me a second blanket? I'm awfully cold." "I have a better idea," she replies. "Just for tonight, let's pretend that we're married." "That's a great idea!" he exclaims. "Good," she replies. "Get up and get your own blanket."

☘️ The Irish Quiz – Test Your Knowledge!

This week’s challenge: Can you answer these Irish-themed questions?

1. What is the national symbol of Ireland?
2. What is the Irish word for whiskey?
3. Which Irish county is known as "The Rebel County"?
4. Name the famous Irish festival that celebrates music, dance, and storytelling?
5. True or False: There are more Irish people outside of Ireland than in it?

💡 Answers at the end – no cheating!

New Section: Irish Language

Every week, let’s add a little Gaeilge (Irish language) to our vocabulary! This week’s word is:

📖 “Ólta” (Pronounced: "OHL-tah") – Meaning "drunk" or "well-watered."

Example sentence:

🍻 “Tá sé go hiomlán ólta!” – He’s completely drunk!

Irish is full of charming and humorous words, especially when it comes to describing a night out! So, the next time you see someone a little worse for wear after a few pints, you’ll have the perfect word for it.

🎵 Irish Song Recommendation of the Week:

🎶 “The Rocky Road to Dublin” – The Dubliners

Listen here on YouTube

If you want to feel the energy of a true Irish ballad, this fast-paced, foot-stomping tune is the one! Give it a listen and try to keep up with the lyrics – good luck! 😆

📝 Answers to the Quiz:

1. The Harp, not the shamrock!
2. Uisce Beatha (literally "Water of Life")
3. Cork – Rebels through and through!
4. Fleadh Cheoil – The biggest Irish music festival in the world!
5. True – Over 70 million people claim Irish heritage worldwide, while only about 5 million live in Ireland!

💬 Final Thought – A Bit of Irish Wisdom

"May your troubles be less, your blessings be more, and nothing but happiness come through your door." ☘️

I hope you enjoyed this week's Dose of Irish! Let me know if you’ve got any good Irish jokes, facts, or stories to share – I'd love to hear them!

Sláinte! 🍻

Stephen

Irish Around The World 🌍☘️