St. Patrick’s paschal fire, Irish saints & scholars, and a happy St. Patrick’s Day….

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
Hill of Slane, County Meath. (See it on a map here.)

The ancient ruins that stand proudly on top of the Hill of Slane mark where St. Patrick lit his paschal fire in 433 AD, boldly defying the High King at nearby Tara. Once home to a 16th-century Franciscan monastery, this historic site offers breathtaking views across County Meath and holds centuries of Irish heritage in its weathered stones. Check out this video of John Creedon,a Corkman, recreating St. Patrick’s paschal fire on the hill. 

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FEATURED IRISH SURNAMES – Saints & Scholars

Did any of your Irish family surnames come from an old Irish scholarly family? The “saints and scholars” of early Ireland were an essential part of passing down our traditions and culture, and are still venerated in Ireland today. Read about the Irish saints and scholars here – and see if you can spot your own surname in the mix!

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BOOK I’M READING NOW
“The Great Hunger” by Cecil Woodham-Smith

The definitive account to what really happened during the Great Hunger, perhaps the darkest chapter of Irish history. Cecil Woodham-Smith combines artful storytelling with the grim realities of history. This is one of the best reads to learn more about this harrowing period of history. Check out the book on Amazon. 

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IRISH WORD OR PROVERB

“Lá fhéile Pádraig sona duit”

Which translates to “Happy St. Patrick’s Day!”

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

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IRISH CRAFT/PRODUCT WE LOVE

Turas d’Anam, meaning “Journey of Your Soul,” offers immersive experiences that blend music, poetry, myth, and storytelling to create a deep connection with Ireland’s heritage. Led by Nóirín Ní Riain and her sons, Owen and Mícheál Ó Súilleabháin, these journeys foster reflection, community, and a sense of place. To truly understand the magic behind them, visit their website where Owen’s explanation captures it perfectly.

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RIDDLE OF THE WEEK

“Luke has it in front, Paul has it behind and Mrs Molloy has it twice in the middle. What is 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!