Dia daoibh agus fáilte!

Mixing things up again with this week's weekly dose of Irish. Similar format but expanded on a few parts and changed a few other parts. Hope you enjoy it! Stephen

This Week’s Irish Joke ☘️

A young man from America went to visit his 90-year-old grandfather, who lived in a very secluded, rural part of Ireland. After his first night, his grandfather prepared a traditional Irish breakfast consisting of eggs, bacon and black pudding. The young man noticed a filmy substance on his plate, and he asked his grandfather: "Are these plates clean?" His grandfather replied: "Those plates are as clean as cold water can get them, so go on now and finish your meal." Later in the day, while eating the sandwich his grandfather had made for lunch, the young man noticed tiny specks around the edge of his plate and what looked like dried egg yolks. So he asked again: "Are you sure these plates are clean?" Without looking up from his sandwich, the grandfather says: "I told you before, those dishes are as clean as cold water can get them - stop being so fussy -you're in Ireland now, not back in America!" That afternoon, the young man was on his way out to the pub in a nearby village. As he was leaving, his grandfather's dog started to growl and would not let him pass. "Granddad," the young man called, "your dog won't let me out." Without diverting his attention from the newspaper he was reading, his grandfather shouted: "COLDWATER, get out of the way!"

This Week’s Irish Saying 🍀

"Ní hé lá na gaoithe lá na scolb."

(The windy day is not the day for thatching.)

A wise reminder to choose the right time for tackling challenges.

Irish News Highlights 📜

Trump Begins His Second Term

Donald Trump has officially taken office as the 47th President of the United States, a historic return to the White House. The Irish-American community will no doubt play a key role in shaping U.S.-Irish relations during this unique term.

Ireland and Fast Fashion

Calls for action are growing as Ireland faces criticism for hosting the European headquarters of fast fashion giants like Shein. MEP Barry Andrews has urged the government to lead in tackling unsustainable fashion practices.

Farewell to a Sligo Institution

Murrays Spar in Ballydoogan, Co. Sligo, has closed its doors after 52 years. Beloved by the local community for its warm atmosphere and iconic deli, its closure marks the end of an era.

This Week in Irish History 📖

On This Day – January 22nd 📅

1972 – Death of Éamon Broy

On this day in 1972, Éamon "Ned" Broy passed away. As a Detective Sergeant in the Dublin Metropolitan Police during the Irish War of Independence, Broy played a crucial role by secretly providing information to Michael Collins, aiding the Irish Republican Army's efforts against British forces.

1987 – Birth of Shane Long

Irish international footballer Shane Long was born on January 22, 1987, in Dublin. Known for his speed and agility, Long has had a successful career in the Premier League and has been a key player for the Republic of Ireland national team.

1998 – Discovery of Gold in County Monaghan

Plans for Ireland’s largest gold mine were announced on this day in 1998 after the discovery of up to one million ounces of high-grade gold in County Monaghan. This significant find marked a notable moment in Ireland's mining history.

January 24, 1943 – On this day, Éamon de Valera delivered his famous wartime speech reaffirming Ireland’s neutrality in World War II. Despite external pressures, his policy of neutrality became a defining moment in Ireland’s history.

Irish Poem of the Week 🌟

“He Wishes for the Cloths of Heaven” by W.B. Yeats

Had I the heavens' embroidered cloths,

Enwrought with golden and silver light,

The blue and the dim and the dark cloths

Of night and light and the half-light,

I would spread the cloths under your feet:

But I, being poor, have only my dreams;

I have spread my dreams under your feet;

Tread softly because you tread on my dreams.

Did You Know? 💡

A picturesque scene from County Mayo, where lush green fields meet the Atlantic's azure waters. Ireland at its finest!

Hidden beneath the layers of peat in County Mayo lies one of Ireland’s most extraordinary treasures: the Céide Fields, the oldest known field systems in Europe, dating back over 5,000 years.

Discovered in the 1930s by a local schoolteacher, Patrick Caulfield, the fields were accidentally uncovered when he noticed ancient stone walls beneath the bog while cutting turf. What followed was one of the most remarkable archaeological discoveries in Ireland.

The Céide Fields consist of an extensive network of stone walls, field systems, and dwelling enclosures preserved in the bog’s unique conditions. This site reveals a highly organized agricultural society, suggesting that Neolithic farmers cultivated these lands with great care.

Today, the Céide Fields are part of an award-winning visitor center that offers breathtaking views of the Atlantic Ocean and explains the history of Ireland’s early inhabitants. The site also highlights the fragility of the landscape and the impact of human interaction with the environment over millennia.

Fun fact: The Irish word “Céide” (pronounced kay-juh) means “flat-topped hill,” perfectly describing the area’s geography.

Next time you’re in Mayo, take a trip to the Céide Fields for a fascinating glimpse into Ireland’s ancient past. It’s living proof of how the Irish have been shaping their land for thousands of years.

Your Irish Quiz 🧠

Let’s test your knowledge of Ireland!

Q: What is the oldest licensed distillery in the world?

• A) Bushmills
• B) Jameson
• C) Midleton
• D) Powers

Answer at the bottom!

This Week’s Irish Quote 🍀

"There is no language like the Irish for soothing and quieting."

– John Millington Synge

Reader Spotlight 📬

This week, we heard from Anne in Boston, who shared:

"I’ve been reading your newsletter for years, and it always reminds me of my grandparents’ tales from Galway. Thank you for keeping us connected!"

Got a story or message? Hit reply – I’d love to hear from you!

Quiz Answer: The oldest licensed distillery in the world is A) Bushmills, established in 1608. Sláinte!

Le gach dea-ghuí,

Stephen Palmer

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I've made an online version of the weekly dose of Irish on my blog, so you can always read earlier editions. Read them online here.