Neolithic farmlands, Galway surnames, and an Irish-American story

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 Céide Fields, County Mayo. (See it on a map here.)

The Céide Fields in County Mayo are a remarkable Neolithic site featuring the world’s oldest known stone-walled field systems, dating back over 5,500 years. It’s been designated a UNESCO World Heritage site because of the unique glimpse it provides into the lives and practices of Ireland’s first farmers. We’ll let Carina tell you more about it here, or you can read more about it here. 

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

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FEATURED IRISH SURNAMES – County Galway Surnames

Do you have roots in County Galway? Your ancestors may have called this western county home, from the scenic Connemara countryside to the bustling streets of Galway City. Do names like Joyce, Kelly, or Burke echo in your family tree? Read more about it here – and see if you can spot your own surname in the mix!

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BOOK I’M READING NOW
“Finding Home: An Irish American Story” by Lois Farley Shuford

In “Finding Home: An Irish American Story,” Shuford weaves a part-memoir, part-history that follows one woman’s journey to uncover the life and story of her great-grandfather Patrick, who left Ireland in the 19th-century. Those of you who are looking into your own Irish ancestry might find this story familiar and inspirational! Check out the book on Amazon. 

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IRISH WORD OR PROVERB

“Capall na beatha an grá.”

Which translates to “Love makes the world go around”.

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

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IRISH CRAFT/PRODUCT WE LOVE

Banshee Silver is a modern Celtic jewelry-maker who turns Irish legends into wearable art. There’s simply something magical about their creations, and more than just being pretty to look at, they tell wonderful stories and legends from Ireland’s rich heritage. They have styles for all kinds of people and occasions and are well worth the price. Check out their shop here. 

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RIDDLE OF THE WEEK

“What has teeth and cannot bite?”

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!