The Gate to Hell, County Clare surnames, and whiskey-flavoured tea
Your Letter from Ireland shorts from the 29th of October 2024.

Cรฉad mรญle fรกilte, 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.
FAVOURITE PLACES IN IRELAND
Oweynagat Cave, County Roscommon. (See it on a map here.)
Did you know that the Gates of Hell are right here โ in County Roscommon?! Oweynagat Cave, or the “Cave of the Cats” may appear like an unassuming hole in the ground, but it is actually the entrance to a complex series of caves โ and may also contain the entrance to hell, or so they say. Check out this video where Carina has a chat with one of the cave’s guides, or read more about it here.
For Letter from Ireland Plus members: Also check out our County Roscommon Homelands Feature here for much more.
FEATURED IRISH SURNAMES – County Clare Surnames
Do you have heritage from County Clare? This county is well-known for the towering Cliffs of Moher to the otherworldly Burren, and are also known for surnames like O’Brien, McNamara, or Moloney.ย Read more about it here – and see if you can spot your own surname in the mix!
BOOK I’M READING NOW
“The Pull of the Stars” by Emma Donoghue
In yet another thought-provoking read from Irish-Canadian writer Emma Donoghue, “The Pull of the Stars” takes us to pandemic-stricken 1918 Dublin, as seen through the eyes of a maternity ward nurse. Despite the dark subject matter, Donoghue makes sure to highlight human resilience, compassion, and hope, and it’s a masterpiece that is sure to resonate even in modern times.ย Check out the book on Amazon.ย
IRISH WORD OR PROVERB
“Oรญche Shamhna shona daoibh”
Which translates to “Happy Halloween!”
Click here to listen to how a native Irish speaker would say it.
IRISH CRAFT/PRODUCT WE LOVE
While any loyal reader of the Letter will know that I normally fancy myself a cup of Barry’s or Lyon’s tea while I write, thisย Connemara Kitchen Whiskey-Flavoured Teaย might just be a close third!ย Connemara Marbleย also offers jewelry, gift items, and food items like Irish coffee fudge and toffees. It’s sure to be a hit with kids and any adult with a sweet tooth!ย Check out their shop here.ย
RIDDLE OF THE WEEK
“Why is the letter E like the close of day?”
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.
Slรกn 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!
Only Plus Members can comment - Join Now
If you already have an account - Sign In Here.