The Titanic, Peace Walls, Clan Knits 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.

FAVOURITE PLACES IN IRELAND
The city of Belfast – including The Titanic Museum (above). Belfast is a small city with an extraordinary range of cultural, heritage and historical sites. We visited one of our Green Room members from Belfast – who tells us all about the “Peace Walls” of Belfast here. Click here to watch the video.

FEATURED IRISH SURNAME
Our Irish surname of the week is O’Brien. The name comes from an individual who was once the High King of Ireland – Brian Ború. He cam out of the Dal gCais tribe in what is now County Clare. This surname is very numerous right across Ireland – but eventually became most numerous in County Cork but also in Counties Clare, Limerick, Tipperary and Waterford. To see where the name appears in Ireland in the mid 1800s go to this page on Johngrenham.com

BOOK I’M READING NOW
“Tara Road” by Maeve Binchy. Maeve was an amazing Irish author who captured the heart of Ireland and its people with her books. Reading her novels, I was struck by the warmth and depth of her characters and their exploration of family and relationships. “Tara Road” is a beloved work which tells the story of two women whose lives become intertwined after they swap homes for the summer. See the book on Amazon here.

IRISH WORD OR PROVERB

“Tá Mé Ar Muin Na Muice“
(pronounced “taw may ar mwin nah mwika”)

which translates as “I’m on the pigs back” meaning you’re feeling on top of the world. How are YOU feeling today?

Aran Sweater Market jpg - The Titanic, Peace Walls, Clan Knits and much more...

IRISH CRAFT/PRODUCT WE LOVE
We love a good Aran jumper…and the Aran sweater market – founded on the Aran island of Inishmore – have special knits for your Irish clan see more here. Or learn more about aran sweaters by clicking here.

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.