☘️ Your Weekly Dose of Irish – March 26th, 2025 ☘️
Mar 26, 2025 9:16 am
☘️ Weekly Dose of Irish – March 26th, 2025
From Stephen @ Irish Around The World
Welcome back to your favourite Wednesday tradition. Grab a cuppa (or something stronger – I am not judging), and let’s get into this week’s full dose of Irish history, humour, heritage, and a wee challenge for the brain.
Looking for a good laugh? Watch this short clip of Tommy Tiernan discussing different accents.
🇮🇪 This Week in Irish History
March 26th, 1922 – Handover of the RIC Barracks
On this day, British authorities officially began handing over Royal Irish Constabulary barracks to the Irish Free State, just months after the signing of the Anglo-Irish Treaty. It was one of the first visible steps in Ireland taking control of her own institutions.
But the air wasn’t exactly celebratory — civil war tensions were rising. The IRA was split between pro- and anti-Treaty forces. You could almost hear the nation holding its breath.
These buildings weren’t just bricks and mortar. They were symbols — and their handover meant the British grip on Ireland was loosening.
🤣 Irish Joke of the Week
🚗 The Galway Grandad and the Garda
A senior citizen in Galway recently treated himself to a convertible. He took off down Bishop Connell Road, flying along at 80 mph, wind tearing through the few tufts of hair he had left.
As he glanced in the rear-view mirror, he spotted flashing blue lights — a Garda on his tail.
"I can outrun him," the old lad thought, and floored it.
90 mph... 100 mph... 120 mph.
Then a voice in his head said, “What am I at? I’m too old for this kind of carry-on.”
So he eased off the pedal and pulled over, waiting for the Garda to catch up.
The Garda walked up, shaking his head.
"Sir," he said, checking his watch. "My shift ends in 30 minutes and it’s Friday. If you can give me a reason for speeding that I’ve never heard before, I’ll let you off."
The man paused, then said:
"Years ago, my wife ran off with a Garda... and I thought you were bringing her back."
The Garda laughed.
"Have a good day, sir."
And off he went.
🧠 Irish Quiz – 7 Tough Ones This Week
Let’s see how sharp you are. No Googling or you’ll be sent to peel spuds.
- In what year did Éamon de Valera first become Taoiseach?
- What’s the Irish name for Dublin?
- What infamous event happened on Bloody Sunday in Croke Park, 1920?
- Name the Irish island known for its monks, beehive huts, and recent Star Wars scenes.
- Who was the first President of Ireland?
- What ancient manuscript, created in the 9th century, is kept in Trinity College?
- What Irish county has the nickname “The Kingdom”?
Scroll for the answers below!
📸 Irish Around The World This Week
Top Post:
That drone shot over Skellig Michael — unreal. Skellig Michael – Where History Meets the Edge of the World
Rising out of the Atlantic like something from a dream, Skellig Michael is more than just a dramatic rock — it’s a window into Ireland’s ancient soul.
Over 1,400 years ago, monks settled here, building stone beehive huts at the very edge of the known world. No luxury. No comforts. Just raw devotion, isolation, and an unbreakable spirit.
Today, it’s a UNESCO World Heritage Site, and walking its steep stone steps feels like stepping back in time. Or maybe stepping into a galaxy far, far away... (yes, Star Wars fans, this is Luke Skywalker’s island too!)
But long before lightsabers, this place was holy. Wild. Irish.
Been there? Or dreaming of it?
#skelligmichael #ireland #irish #wildatlanticway #irish #irisharoundtheworld
#IrishAroundTheWorld in your pics!
💬 Irish Quote of the Week
“You’ll never plough a field by turning it over in your mind.”
– Old Irish proverb
Basically, stop overthinking it. Get stuck in.
🍀 Irish Spotlight: The Real Story of St. Brendan the Navigator
Long before Columbus was a twinkle in his Spanish mammy’s eye, St. Brendan of Kerry was (allegedly) crossing the Atlantic in a leather boat. Born around 484 AD, Brendan was a monk, seafarer, and probably mad altogether.
Legend has it, he sailed from the west of Ireland to a mysterious land to the west — what some believe may have been North America. He wrote about sea
monsters, volcanic islands, and talking birds. Was it fact? Fiction? Bit of both?
Either way, if he did make it to America, he beat Columbus by nearly a thousand years. And sure, that wouldn’t surprise you – the Irish are always early when there’s a pint at the other end.
You can read more about St. Brendan here.
🎵 Irish Music Recommendation
Track: “Spancil Hill” – The Dubliners version
A heartbreaking tune about emigration, lost love, and longing for home. Perfect if you’ve been away from Ireland too long — or just missing someone. Warning: may cause emotional flashbacks to Irish weddings or a late-night singsong.
💬 Quiz Answers:
- 1937
- Baile Átha Cliath
- British forces opened fire on the crowd during a GAA match – 14 civilians killed
- Skellig Michael
- Douglas Hyde
- The Book of Kells
- Kerry
That’s the full spread this week. No fluff, no filler, just pure Irish goodness.
As always – if you enjoyed it, pass it on to a mate.
And if you didn’t… I’ll speak with the fairies and try better next week.
Slán go fóill,
Stephen Palmer