Just Because!

Blessed Be

Beltane or Beltain[ (/ˈbɛl.teɪn/) is the Gaelic May Day festival. Most commonly it is held on 1 May, or about halfway between the spring equinox and the summer solstice. Historically, it was widely observed throughout Ireland, Scotland and the Isle of Man. In Irish it is Bealtaine ([ˈbʲal̪ˠt̪ˠənʲə]), in Scottish Gaelic Bealltainn ([ˈpjaul̪ˠt̪ˠɪɲ]) and in Manx Gaelic Boaltinn or Boaldyn. It is one of the four Gaelic seasonal festivals—along with Samhain, Imbolc and Lughnasadh—and is similar to the Welsh Calan Mai.

Beltane is mentioned in some of the earliest Irish literature and it is associated with important events in Irish mythology. It marked the beginning of summer and was when cattle were driven out to the summer pastures. Rituals were performed to protect the cattle, crops and people, and to encourage growth. Special bonfires were kindled, and their flames, smoke and ashes were deemed to have protective powers. The people and their cattle would walk around the bonfire, or between two bonfires, and sometimes leap over the flames or embers. All household fires would be doused and then re-lit from the Beltane bonfire. These gatherings would be accompanied by a feast, and some of the food and drink would be offered to the aos sí. Doors, windows, byres and the cattle themselves would be decorated with yellow May flowers, perhaps because they evoked fire. In parts of Ireland, people would make a May Bush; a thorn bush decorated with flowers, ribbons and bright shells. Holy wells were also visited, while Beltane dew was thought to bring beauty and maintain youthfulness. Many of these customs were part of May Day or Midsummer festivals in other parts of Great Britain and Europe.

Beltane celebrations had largely died-out by the mid-20th century, although some of its customs continued and in some places it has been revived as a cultural event. Since the latter 20th century, Celtic neopagans and Wiccans have observed Beltane, or something based on it, as a religious holiday. Neopagans in the Southern Hemisphere often celebrate Beltane at the other end of the year (~1 November).

Source: Wiki

Ireland: Did you know?

President: Michael D. Higgins (2011)

Taoiseach (Prime Minister): Enda Kenny (2011)

Land area: 26,598 sq mi (68,889 sq km); total area: 27,135 sq mi (70,280 sq km)

Population (2014 est.): 4,832,765 (growth rate: 1.2%); birth rate: 15.18/1000; infant mortality rate: 3.74/1000; life expectancy: 80.56

Capital (2011 est.): Dublin, 1.121 million

Monetary unit: Euro (formerly Irish pound [punt])

National name: Éire

Current government officials

Languages: English, Irish (Gaelic) (both official)

Ethnicity/race: Irish 84.5%, other white 9.8%, Asian 1.9%, black 1.4%, mixed and other 0.9%, unspecified 1.6% (2011 est.)

Religions: Roman Catholic 84.7%, Church of Ireland 2.7%, other Christian 2.7%, Muslim 1.1%, other 1.7%, unspecified 1.5%, none 5.7% (2011 est.)

National Holiday: Saint Patrick’s Day, March 17

Literacy rate: 99% (2003 est.)

Economic summary: GDP/PPP (2013 est.): $190.4 billion; per capita $41,300. Real growth rate: 0.6%. Inflation: 0.6%. Unemployment: 13.5%. Arable land: 15.11%. Agriculture: turnips, barley, potatoes, sugar beets, wheat; beef, dairy products. Labor force: 2.161 million (2011 est.); agriculture 5%, industry 19%, services 76% (2011 est.). Industries: steel, lead, zinc, silver, aluminum, barite, and gypsum mining processing; food products, brewing, textiles, clothing; chemicals, pharmaceuticals; machinery, rail transportation equipment, passenger and commercial vehicles, ship construction and refurbishment; glass and crystal; software, tourism. Natural resources: zinc, lead, natural gas, barite, copper, gypsum, limestone, dolomite, peat, silver. Exports: $113.6 billion (2013 est.): machinery and equipment, computers, chemicals, pharmaceuticals; live animals, animal products. Imports: $61.51 billion (2013 est.): data processing equipment, other machinery and equipment, chemicals, petroleum and petroleum products, textiles, clothing. Major trading partners: U.S., UK, Belgium, Germany, France, Netherlands, Switzerland (2012).

Communications: Telephones: main lines in use: 2.007 million (2012); mobile cellular: 4.906 million (2012). Broadcast media: publicly owned broadcaster Radio Telefis Eireann (RTE) operates 2 TV stations; commercial TV stations are available; about 75% of households utilize multi-channel satellite and TV services that provide access to a wide range of stations; RTE operates 4 national radio stations and has launched digital audio broadcasts on several stations; a number of commercial broadcast stations operate at the national, regional, and local levels (2014). Internet hosts: 1.387 million (2010). Internet users: 3.042 million (2009).

Transportation: Railways: total: 3,237 km (2008). Roadways: total: 96,036 km; paved: 96,036 km (including 1,224 km of expressways) (2014). Waterways: 956 km (pleasure craft only) (2010). Ports and harbors: Cork, Dublin, Shannon Foynes, Waterford. Airports: 40 (2013).

International disputes: Ireland, Iceland, and the UK dispute Denmark’s claim that the Faroe Islands’ continental shelf extends beyond 200 nm.

Croagh Patrick Reek!

Happy St.Patrick’s Day!!

Croagh Patrick (Irish: Cruach Phádraig, meaning “(Saint) Patrick’s Stack”),nicknamed the Reek, is a 764 metres (2,507 ft) mountain and an important site of pilgrimage in County Mayo in Ireland. It is 8 kilometres (5 mi) from Westport, above the villages of Murrisk and Lecanvey. It is the third highest mountain in County Mayo after Mweelrea and Nephin. It is climbed by pilgrims on Reek Sunday every year, which is the last Sunday in July. It forms the southern part of a U-shaped valley created by a glacier flowing into Clew Bay in the last Ice Age. Croagh Patrick is part of a longer east-west ridge; the westernmost peak is called Ben Gorm.

Croagh Patrick comes from the Irish Cruach Phádraig meaning “(Saint) Patrick’s stack”. It is known locally as “the Reek”, a Hiberno-English word for a “rick” or “stack”.In pagan times it was known as Cruachán Aigle, being mentioned by that name in sources such as Cath Maige Tuired,Buile Shuibhne, The Metrical Dindshenchas,and the Annals of Ulster entry for the year 1113.Cruachán is simply a diminutive of cruach “stack”, but it is not certain what Aigle means. It is either from the Latin loan aquila “eagle” (more usually aicile or acaile)or a person’s name. In addition to its literal meaning, cruach in the pagan name may also have some connection with Crom Cruach.

The Marquess of Sligo, whose seat is nearby Westport House, bears the titles Baron Mount Eagle and Earl of Altamont, both deriving from alternative names (Cruachán Aigle; high mount) for Croagh Patrick.

Croagh Patrick has been a site of pagan pilgrimage, especially for the summer solstice, since 3,000 B.C. It is now a site of Christian pilgrimage associated with Saint Patrick who reputedly fasted on the summit for forty days in the fifth century A.D.Thousands of people climb the mountain every Reek Sunday, which is the last Sunday in July. The climb is led by Archbishop of Tuam every year.

Source: WIKI

Friday the 13th!

Whether you believe in superstitions or not almost everyone you know takes note when it’s Friday the 13th and is more careful crossing the road, pouring hot coffee, or walking down the stairs.

Silly or not it is all in the name of warding off what bad luck might come their way. The Irish are big believers in this kind of caution.

On Friday the 13th some people even take to their beds or refuse to leave the house. Believe it or believe it not this behavior is actually a diagnosed phobia of Friday the 13th called “Paraskevidekatriaphobia.”

It’s not certain where the superstition about Friday the 13th comes from but one of the most common theories is that there were 13 people at the Last Supper and Christ died on Good Friday, hence Friday the 13th. There are also Spanish, Norse and Old English theories but this is one of the most quoted.

There’s not much you can do about Friday the 13th but there are some old Irish superstitions you can take note of to avoid some bad luck. You never know when they might come in handy to spare yourself a little extra bad luck.

Superstitions on Death

– If you trip and fall in a graveyard you will most likely die by the end of the year.

– If you meet a funeral on the road you must turn and walk with the funeral party for at least four steps to warn off bad luck.

– If you open your front door and are greeted by a magpie and it looks at you. Then there is absolutely not thing you can do. This is a sure sign of death.

Animal Superstitions

– A black cat crossing your path is very bad luck. To counteract this make a triangle shape using your thumbs and forefingers and spit at the cat through the hold. This method will also work when you accidentally walk under a ladder.

– If a rooster comes to the threshold of your house and crows then you can expect visitors.

– If you see three magpies on the road it is very unlucky but if you see two of them on your right-hand side then that it’s good luck.

– If you kill a robin redbreast you will never have any good luck ever again.

– If the first lamb of the year is black then someone in the family will die within a year.

– If you meet a magpie, a cat or a woman with a limp while you’re on a trip it is bad luck.

– Never ask a man going fishing where he is going.

– If you find a horse shoe and nail it to the door it will bring good luck. This will not work if the shoe is bought or given as a gift by someone else.

Random Superstitions

– It is not safe to pick up an unbaptized child unless you make the sign of the cross.

– If you stand up and your chair falls over you’re in for bad luck.

– If you own a four-leafed clover you will have good luck in racing, and witchcraft will have no power over you. However the rules are that you must always have it with you, you cannot pass it on to another owner and under no circumstances should you show it to anyone.

– If the palm of your hand itches you’re going to come into some money. If it’s your elbow you will be changing beds. If your ear feels hot someone is talking about you. If it’s your nose that itchy you are going to have a fight with the person nearest to you. To remedy this punch them in the arm and shake them by the hand. Fight over!

– Handing someone a knife is bad luck. Always put it on the table in front of them never in their hand.

– If you get your shirt wet while you’re washing the dishes you will marry a drunk.

Source: Irish Central

Wordless Wednesday!

Veda Bread!

It is still impossible to find a recipe for a Veda loaf, over a hundred years after it was invented. However, devotees have had good results by following the instructions for a malted fruit loaf but without the fruit or alcohol.

Although a sweet bread, Veda is often eaten toasted with butter and cheese, although many prefer to add jam or marmalade. It is usually eaten as a snack.

Veda Bakeries hold all the original recipes for Veda bread. Veda Bakeries is a company registered by law. The company is based East Lothian, and is owned by Jim Kerr of forthestuary cereals.

The formula for Veda was allegedly stumbled upon by luck when a Dundee farmer’s house-keeper accidentally used damp wheat which had sprouted to produce malted wheat. When she used the malted wheat for the farmer’s bread it produced a sweet-malted flavoured bread – and Veda bread was born.

Veda Bread

Veda bread is a malted bread sold in Northern Ireland. It is a small, caramel-coloured loaf with a very soft consistency when fresh. Since it is only available in Northern Ireland, many people rely on their relatives to send them veda to other parts of the UK.

In the North West of England, however, veda bread is something quite different: a sweet, sticky loaf made with black treacle. It is eaten sliced, dry, or with butter or margarine. The molasses in the treacle help to preserve the mixture, and veda bread connoisseurs will leave a freshly baked loaf for several weeks in a closed cake tin to allow the flavours to mature before they eat it.

The following is of course not the real recipe for Veda bread but about as close as I could find:

Ingredients
1 tbsp brown sugar
3 tbsp malt extract
2 tbsp black treacle
25g/1oz butter, plus extra for greasing
350g/12oz strong white bread flour, plus extra for flouring
100g/3½oz strong wholemeal flour
pinch salt
14g/½oz fast action yeast
225g/8oz sultanas
250ml/9fl oz warm water
1 tbsp warm honey, to glaze
Preparation method
Place the sugar, malt extract, treacle and butter in a pan and heat gently until the butter has melted and the sugar has dissolved. Leave to cool.
Mix the flours, salt, yeast and sultanas in a mixing bowl.
Pour in the cooled malt syrup mixture and the warm water. Mix thoroughly; the mixture will be soft and sticky.
Turn the mixture onto a floured surface and knead gently for a few minutes to bring the mixture together.
Grease two 450g/1lb loaf tins and divide the mixture among them. Smooth the mixture with the back of a spoon so that the top is smooth and level. Cover each tin with a plastic bag so that it is loose and not touching the top of the tin. Leave for a couple of hours, or until the dough has risen to the top of the tins.

Preheat the oven to 190C/375F/Gas 5. Remove the plastic bags and bake for 30-40 minutes. If the top of the loaf starts to brown too quickly, cover with a sheet of foil and continue baking.
Remove from the oven and brush the top with warm honey to glaze. Cool on a wire rack.
Slice and eat with butter.

I intend to make this one day, hope you do too!!

Sources: WIKI and http://www.bbc.co.uk/food/recipes

Wearing o’ the Green!

On St. Patrick’s Day it is customary to wear shamrocks and/or green clothing or accessories (the “wearing of the green”). St Patrick is said to have used the shamrock, a three-leaved plant, to explain the Holy Trinity to the pagan Irish. This story first appears in writing in 1726, though it may be older. In pagan Ireland, three was a significant number and the Irish had many triple deities, a fact that aided St Patrick in his evangelisation efforts.The wearing of the ‘St Patrick’s Day Cross’, especially in the World War I era, by the Irish, was also a popular custom. These St Patrick’s Day Crosses have a Celtic Christian cross made of paper that is “covered with silk or ribbon of different colours, and a bunch or rosette of green silk in the centre.”

The colour green has been associated with Ireland since at least the 1640s, when the green harp flag was used by the Irish Catholic Confederation. Green ribbons and shamrocks have been worn on St Patrick’s Day since at least the 1680s.Green was adopted as the colour of the Friendly Brothers of St Patrick,an Irish fraternity founded in about 1750. However, when the Order of St. Patrick—an Anglo-Irish chivalric order—was founded in 1783 it adopted blue as its colour. This led to blue being associated with St Patrick. In the 1790s, green became associated with Irish nationalism when it was used by the United Irishmen. This was a republican organisation—led mostly by Protestants but with many Catholic members—who launched a rebellion in 1798 against British rule. The phrase “wearing of the green” comes from a song of the same name, which laments United Irishmen supporters being persecuted for wearing green. Throughout the 19th and 20th centuries, the colour green and its association with Saint Patrick’s Day grew.

Source: WIKI

Molly Malone!

“Molly Malone” (also known as “Cockles and Mussels” or “In Dublin’s Fair City”) is a popular song, set in Dublin, Ireland, which has become the unofficial anthem of Dublin City.

The Molly Malone statue in Grafton Street was unveiled by then Lord Mayor of Dublin, Alderman Ben Briscoe during the 1988 Dublin Millennium celebrations, declaring 13 June as Molly Malone Day. The statue was presented to the city by Jury’s Hotel Group to mark the Millennium.

Since July 18th 2014, it has been relocated to Suffolk Street, in front of the Tourist Information Office, in order to make way for Luas track-laying work to be completed at the old location.

In Dublin’s fair city,
Where the girls are so pretty,
I first set my eyes on sweet Molly Malone,
As she wheeled her wheel-barrow,
Through streets broad and narrow,
Crying, “Cockles and mussels, alive, alive, oh!”
“Alive, alive, oh,
Alive, alive, oh,”
Crying “Cockles and mussels, alive, alive, oh”.
She was a fishmonger,
But sure ’twas no wonder,
For so were her father and mother before,
And they wheeled their barrows,
Through the streets broad and narrow,
Crying, “Cockles and mussels, alive, alive, oh!”
(chorus)
She died of a fever,
And no one could save her,
And that was the end of sweet Molly Malone.
But her ghost wheels her barrow,
Through streets broad and narrow,
Crying, “Cockles and mussels, alive, alive, oh!”

Dublin Coddle

Coddle (sometimes Dublin coddle) is an Irish dish which is often made to use up leftovers, and therefore without a specific recipe. However, it most commonly consists of layers of roughly sliced pork sausages and rashers (thinly sliced, somewhat fatty back bacon) with sliced potatoes and onions. Traditionally, it can also include barley.

Coddle is particularly associated with the capital of Ireland, Dublin.It was reputedly a favourite dish of Seán O’Casey and Jonathan Swift,and it appears in several Dublin literary references including the works of James Joyce.

The dish is braised in the stock produced by boiling the rashers and sausages. Some traditional recipes favour the addition of a small amount of Guinness to the pot, but this is very rare in modern versions of the recipe.The dish should be cooked in a pot with a well-fitting lid in order to steam the ingredients left uncovered by water. The only seasoning is usually salt, pepper, and occasionally parsley. It could be considered a comfort food in Ireland, and is inexpensive, easy to prepare and quick to cook. It is often eaten in the winter months. In the days when Catholics were not supposed to eat meat on Fridays, this was a meal often eaten on Thursdays as it allowed a family to use up any remaining sausages or rashers.

The name comes from the verb coddle, meaning to cook food in water below boiling, which in turn derives from caudle, a warm drink.

Recipes

http://britishfood.about.com/od/adrecipes/r/Coddle-Dublin-Coddle-Recipe.htm

http://homecooking.about.com/od/porkrecipes/r/blpork20.htm

Source: WIKI