A beautiful night sky, Irish nicknames, and artistic postcards….

Céad míle fáilte, welcome to your Letter from Ireland “Shorts”.  Each Tuesday we’ll bring you a quick-read of some of our favourite and interesting Irish things for this week.

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FAVOURITE PLACES IN IRELAND
Mayo Dark Sky Festival, County Mayo. (See on a map here.)

Credit to Brian Wilson for the featured image above.

The Mayo Dark Sky Festival is a great opportunity to relax, unwind, and take in the natural, unrivalled beauty of a clear night sky. You can learn more about it in this video. Usually held in Newport, Mulranny and Ballycroy (also called the Mayo Dark Sky Park) in County Mayo, the event also features speakers and classical musical performances, all coming together to create a magical event! You can visit the official festival site here. 

For Letter from Ireland Plus members: Also check out our County Mayo Revisited Homelands Feature here for much more.

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FEATURED IRISH SURNAMES – Irish Nicknames

Do you have a nickname of your own? Did you know that some nicknames found their way into Irish surnames over the years? Take a look at some Irish nicknames that became surnames here – and see if you can spot your own surname in the mix!

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BOOK I’M READING NOW
“Reading in the Dark” by Seamus Deane

A haunting coming-of-age story set in Northern Ireland. It follows a boy growing up in Derry, grappling with a dark family secret rooted in political conflict and betrayal. Critically acclaimed, the novel offers a poignant exploration of how political tensions and family secrets shape a child’s understanding of the world, creating an unforgettable portrait of Irish childhood amid troubled times. Check out the book on Amazon.

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IRISH WORD OR PROVERB

“Oíche mhaith”

Which translates to “Good night.”

Click here to listen to how a native Irish speaker would say it.

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IRISH CRAFT/PRODUCT WE LOVE

Searching for the perfect little postcard of Ireland? Well, look no further! Kelly Cards brings the best of Irish art to your mailbox. These folks are all about quality Irish greeting cards and museum-grade prints. They team up with places such as the National Gallery of Ireland and the Ulster Museum and work directly with talented Irish artists. So whether you’re sending a card or decorating your space, you’re getting a little piece of authentic Irish art. Check out their shop here. 

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RIDDLE OF THE WEEK

“What three letters in the alphabet would turn a boy into a man?”

Click here to see the answer.

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That’s it for this week. Send us an email with any of your own favourites for inclusion in future emails, or if you’re a plus member leave a comment below.

Slán for now,
Mike & Carina.

*Note: The above article may contain some affiliate links (for example Amazon) which means we get paid a small amount should you choose to purchase, at no extra cost to you. This helps us keep the show on the road!