A Hilltop Fort, Irish-Norse Surnames, and Custom Jewellery….

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
Grianán of Aileach, County Donegal. (See it on a map here.)

The Grianán of Aileach is the ruin of an hilltop fort on the Greenan Mountain in Inishowen, County Donegal. When translated, its name means ‘stony place of the sun’, and the sunsets and sunrises here are certainly one of the most beautiful in the country! You can read more about the fort here, or watch this video about it here. 

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

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FEATURED IRISH SURNAMES – Viking Names in Irish Surnames

When the Vikings first arrived in Ireland in the 9th century, they did more than just raid and pillage. Eventually, they settled and intermarried with the local Irish population and gradually, some Norse names found their way into Irish surnames. Read more about it here – and see if you can find your own name among them!

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BOOK I’M READING NOW
“The Heart in Winter” by Kevin Barry

This is a gripping tale set in the wild American West of 1891. In the gritty copper mining town of Butte, Montana, Irish poet and troublemaker Tom Rourke’s life takes a dramatic turn when he falls for Polly Gillespie, the bride of the town’s mining captain. The story captures the raw spirit of frontier America – think Irish immigrants, copper mines, forbidden love, and the unforgiving Western landscape. It’s perfect for fans of historical fiction who love their romance with a side of danger and grit. Check out the book on Amazon.

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IRISH WORD OR PROVERB

“Ní neart go cur le chéile“

Which translates to “There is strength in unity.” Important to remember in these times!

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

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IRISH CRAFT/PRODUCT WE LOVE

By Leahy is a wonderful jewellery brand from Galway. They’re all about creating meaningful pieces with a personal touch. Each handcrafted item can be customized with special messages – either in their signature font, or even in your or your loved one’s actual handwriting! Inspired by a cherished family heirloom, they make the kind of jewellery that’s meant to be worn daily and passed down through generations. Think of them as wearable memories, filled with stories of their own. Check out their shop here.

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RIDDLE OF THE WEEK

“What gets larger the more you take from it?“

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!