Irish baby names, an Irish poem, and handknit heirloom pieces…..

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
Vinegar Hill, County Wexford. (See it on a map here.)

Overlooking the town of Enniscorthy in County Wexford, Vinegar Hill is a powerful symbol of Irish rebellion. This historic site witnessed the bloody conclusion of the 1798 uprising, where outnumbered Irish rebels made their final stand against British forces. Today, its peaceful slopes offer beautiful panoramic views of the Wexford countryside. Watch this short video summarizing the battle at Vinegar Hill here, or read more about its history here. 

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FEATURED IRISH SURNAMES – Irish Baby Names

Expecting a new member of the family soon but don’t quite know what to name them yet? You might get some ideas from the Irish Central Statistics Office’s top baby names of 2024. Check out the top Irish baby names here.

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BOOK I’M READING NOW
“Plentiful Country: The Great Potato Famine and the Making of Irish New York” by Tyler Anbinder

This illuminating book reveals the stories of Irish Famine refugees who settled in New York City and how they shaped it over the years, based on a decade of research and newly discovered records. It highlights these immigrants’ stories and acknowledges their impact on American history through their resilience and contributions. An insightful historical read! Check out the book on Amazon. 

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IRISH WORD OR PROVERB

“Na Gaotha”

Today we have a wonderful Irish poem from Bitesize Irish! “Na Gaotha”, meaning “The Winds.”

Click here to hear it recited in Irish.

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IRISH CRAFT/PRODUCT WE LOVE

Bawn Knitwear has been making authentic Irish knitwear for generations. Now managed by the original owner’s granddaughter, every single piece from Bawn is hand-knit by talented women who learned it from their predecessors and continue to pass on the craft to their successors. Each piece, like their signature long cardigan, is designed to be an heirloom piece that will last for a long time. It’s slow fashion at its finest.

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RIDDLE OF THE WEEK

“What fish does a married woman like best?”

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!