Fitzpatrick, Druid Sculptures, Cullahill and much more…

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 
The ruins of Culahill Castle, County Laois. Stronghold of the Fitzpatricks of Ossary. You can see Carina tell us more in this youtube video.

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FEATURED IRISH SURNAME
Our Irish surname of the week is Fitzpatrick. The surname Fitzpatrick is unusual as they were originally a Gaelic family known as the MacGiolla Phádraigs (sons of the follower of Patrick) and would more likely be anglicised as Gilpatrick – but they chose the “Fitz” – maybe to curry favour with their more powerful Norman neighbours? To see where the name appears in Ireland in the mid 1800s go to this page on Johngrenham.com

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BOOK I’M READING NOW
“Paddy Clarke Ha Ha Ha” by Roddy Doyle. Roddy is a brilliant Irish novelist and screenwriter well known for capturing working-class life in Dublin. This is one of his most famous books about a 10-year-old boy growing up in Dublin during the late 1960s. It’s a really heartwarming, gritty and relatable coming-of-age story that takes you on a journey through Paddy’s family life and friendships. See the book on Amazon here.

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IRISH WORD OR PROVERB

“Níl aon amadán mar sheanamadán“
(pronounced “neel ane amadawn mar han amadawn””)

which translates as “there’s no fool like an old fool“.

What do you think? I’m inclined to think that acting “sensibly” is not always the best way forward these days – no matter what your age. Maybe this is a proverb for a different era!

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IRISH CRAFT/PRODUCT WE LOVE
Louis Mulcahy makes exquisite pottery out in the Dingle peninsula in Kerry and has been called the “godfather of Irish craft”. He makes some amazing “druid” sculptures, but we personally always go for a lamp! Read his story here.

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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.