Céad míle fáilte! Sit back, grab a cuppa tae (or a pint if you prefer), and enjoy your weekly journey through Irish wit, words, and wonder.

Ireland is currently basking in an extraordinary spell of sunshine, with temperatures soaring up to 25°C in parts of the west—making it warmer than many spots in Spain! Met Éireann has confirmed that this glorious weather is set to continue for at least the next 10 days, thanks to a high-pressure system keeping conditions dry and settled across the country.

In need of a good laugh? Here are some of my best Irish jokes!

📜 Irish Poem of the Week

“The Famine Road” – Eavan Boland

(From one of Ireland’s most powerful modern voices)

Idle as trout in light

Colonel Jones these dead men shall not be

the last to die

in winter, brogues beaded with

toenails, old loaves, old smells,

stale beer

and stale food.

‘You’ll know them by their

sunburnt thumbs, their love of

spicy food.’

How can I bless your legend

of copper-silver, hard-won bread

or not read in it

the stanza my daughters

will find to forgive me

for their past?

📝 Context:

Eavan Boland often gave voice to the silenced stories of Irish women and the forgotten toll of history. The Famine Road connects personal pain to national tragedy — referencing the Great Famine, during which starving Irish people were forced to build roads that led nowhere.

📅 On This Day in Irish History – May 14th

1798 – The United Irishmen prepare for rebellion

In the lead-up to the famous 1798 Rebellion, leaders across the country were gathering arms and building momentum. Just days before the rising, the tension in Ireland was electric—especially in Wexford and Ulster. The dream of uniting Catholics and Protestants under the banner of Irish freedom was close to ignition.

Did you know?

The rebellion was inspired by the American and French revolutions and was one of the most ambitious uprisings against British rule up to that time.

😂 Top Irish Jokes of the Week

While touring through rural Ireland, Rory McIlroy pulls his BMW into a quiet country petrol station.

The attendant, an older gent with a mischievous grin, strolls out and says,

“Good mornin’ to ya, sir — lovely car you’ve got there.”

Rory nods politely and reaches down to grab the pump. As he does, two golf tees fall from his pocket.

The attendant picks one up, inspecting it curiously.

“What are these yokes?”

“They’re tees,” says Rory.

“I rest my balls on them when I’m driving.”

The old fella raises his eyebrows, pauses for a second — then lets out a whistle:

“Well feking Jaysus… BMW really does think of everything.”

Bonus: Liam had left Dublin to go up to Belfast for a bit of skydiving; late Sunday evening, he was found in a tree by a 

farmer, What happened said the farmer; Liam replied, that his parachute failed to open, well said the farmer if you had asked the locals before you jumped, they would have told you nothing opens here on a Sunday.

☘️ Cúpla Focal – A Bit of Irish Language

Let’s brush up on some useful Gaeilge this week:

• Dia dhuit! – Hello!
• Slán go fóill! – Goodbye for now!
• An bhfuil tú go maith? – Are you well?
• Tá mé ar mhuin na muice! – I’m on the pig’s back! (Doing great!)

Use “Tá mé ar mhuin na muice” this week and watch people look at you like you’ve two heads – in the best way!

🧠 Weekly Irish Quiz

Test your Irish wits with this wee quiz:

1. What county is known as “The Kingdom”?

2. Who was the leader of the 1916 Easter Rising?

3. What Irish mythological warrior had a spear that could never miss?

4. Translate: "Sláinte!"

5. What river runs through the centre of Dublin?

(Scroll to the end for answers!)

🍀 Irish Quote to Carry With You

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

Slap that on a mug or just tattoo it on your soul—either way, it’s good advice.

📚 Quiz Answers

1. Kerry
2. Patrick Pearse
3. Cú Chulainn
4. Cheers / Health
5. The River Liffey

Thanks a million for reading this week’s dose! 💚

If it gave you a smile, a fact to share, or a new phrase to shout down the pub—job done.

Until next week…

Slán go fóill,

Stephen from Irish Around The World

🍀🇮🇪💌