To learn about the Irish language, visit Daltai na Gaeilge. Daltai na Gaeilge (translated: students of Irish; pronounced: daltee na gwayl-gya), is a non-profit organization dedicated to teaching the Irish language and culture. They have daily and weekly immersion programs in locations across the United States, where people take classes in Irish, music, literature and other aspects of Irish culture, and have a good time to boot. Irish is called 'Irish' now, because there are other Gaelic languages, such as Scots Gaelic, Manx, Welsh, Cornish and Breton.
The Irish phrase for hello is: Dia dhuit. (Pronounced: jee-ah ghwich. Literally, it means: God be with you.)
The response to dia dhuit is: Dia is Muire dhuit. (Pronounced: jee-ah iss mwir-ah ghwich. The 's' in 'is' is soft. Literally, it means: God and Mary be with you.)
The Jeanie Johnston
During the years 1845-1851, the Irish famine caused many people to emigrate to other countries, either because of hunger or eviction from their tenant homes. Many of those people came across the Atlantic Ocean in old, unseaworthy or disease-infested sailing ships, the worst of which were known as coffin ships. Untold numbers of the poorest of the poor died on the way to North America, from contagious disease and other illnesses. Most ships had no doctor on board, and many had insufficient food for the passengers. The record of these ships was a tragic one.
The Jeanie Johnston, however, which sailed across the Atlantic many times carrying Irish emigrants to Canada and America, lost not a single person on her voyages. There was a doctor on board, and conditions were much better than on most other ships.
Her proud legacy has been celebrated by the building of her replica in Tralee, Ireland, which was paid for with contributions of many people and organizations on both sides of the Atlantic. She set sail on her voyage across the ocean, arriving in West Palm Beach, Florida on April 15, 2003. In the next few months, she sailed along the east coast of North America, stopping at 20 ports in the U.S. and Canada. Visitors were able to tour the ship. This was a celebration of the lighted candle in the darkness.
Conas ta tu? means How are you? (Pronounced kun-us taw too).
Ta me go maith means I am well. (Pronounced taw may guh mah).
To say your name, you say, Is mise (________) (Pronounced iss mee-shuh _____) (Fill your own name here.)
To ask another person's name, you say, Cad is ainm duit? (Pronounced kod iss an-im ditch)
Go raibh maith agat (Pronounced guh rah mah-agit) means thank you.
Ta failte romhat (Pronounced taw fawl-cheh row-at) means you are welcome.
Le do thoil (Pronounced leh duh hull) means please.
This digital image of the Jeanie Johnston was made with photographic images, artwork, and computer effects, and represents Jeanie as she appeared on her commemorative voyage in the spring of 2003. Her specially made figurehead appears in this image. A two-page written history is included.
8-1/2" x 11" inkjet copy, $25.00 (includes shipping and handling). To order, please click on the Add to Cart and View Shopping Cart buttons below. (Buyers outside the United States, please see International Order Information.)
Buyers living outside of the United States can order a Jeanie Johnston print by sending an American Express gift or travelers check for $25.00, made out to Nancy Doyle. Please also include your name and shipping address, and specify that you would like to buy a color Jeanie Johnston print. Please send the check to Nancy Doyle, 120 Jenners Pond Rd., Apt. 3314, West Grove, PA, USA. As soon as I receive your check, I will ship your print to you.
For updates, see www.focuskerry.com/jeanie/. Tom Kindre, the 80-year-old American on the voyage, expressed his hope that in the future Jeanie will be used as a 'ship of peace.' Her crew on this voyage included young crewmembers from the north and south of Ireland; it would be great if she could continue this tradition, involving culturally diverse crews from other war-torn areas of the world.
http://focuskerry.com/jeanie (Recent pictures of the Jeanie Johnston, showing life-size replicas of passengers, and conditions below decks on the original voyages.
Above and right: Some Irish dancers perform at the Scottish and Irish Music Festival and Fair in King of Prussia, Pennsylvania in February 2004. This festival was put on by East of the Hebrides (Bill and Karen Reid) until 2017. The dancers' costumes are made by hand, and cost well over $1,000 apiece.
Submitted by Ami Feller of St. Mary's Villa in Cherry Hill, New Jersey
County Killarney Reunion by way of Cherry Hill this St. Patrick's Day
On the cusp of St. Patrick's Day 2017, joyous celebrations already are underway. Is that a concertina or a melodia? someone asked, as retired clergyman Monsignor Tim Ryan joyously demonstrates his musical acumen while a crowd spontaneously forms around him. "It is a melodia." As he plays a number of mostly Irish ditties, the music moves Sister Nora who loves to dance. "It makes me happy to see him and hear music. Every time I hear music I want to dance!" exclaimed Sr. Nora. Others questioned Monsignor, "How long has he known how to play this instrument?" Similar to an accordion, but smaller with a flutelike tone. He motioned with one hand low to the ground; when he was just a little boy. The unique fact: It's only been days that both Monsignor and Sister have been reunited in retirement from their schooling in Ireland and clergy days. Monsignor ordained back in 1957 in Ireland and Nora completed the convent following high school. "Our families were neighbors in the town of Killarney. He lived with his many sisters and brothers across the road. We belonged to the common church. Both of our families were farmers and were very busy. We attended grade school from the beginning until 8th grade, but the boys and girls were separated. When we were very young, I knew he was a good student," Sr. Nora comments about Monsignor Ryan." Monsignor Ryan was one of ten siblings and was the only clergy among them. He was about the fifth of his brood who emigrated from County Killarney to the United States to be with some family and received assignment with the Camden Diocese. Sr. Nora was one of six siblings and was the second oldest girl and had a couple of younger brothers too. "Both of my parents were good dancers and I rode a bicycle from home to the high school," she recalls.
Saint Patrick's Day was made an official Christian feast day in the early 17th century and is observed by the Catholic Church, the Anglican Communion (especially the Church of Ireland), the Eastern Orthodox Church, and the Lutheran Church. The day commemorates Saint Patrick and the arrival of Christianity in Ireland. Saint Patrick's Day is a public holiday in the Republic of Ireland and Northern Ireland. Patrick was a 5th century Romano-British Christian missionary and bishop in Ireland. It is believed that he was born in Roman Britain in the fourth century, into a wealthy Romano-British family. His father was a deacon and his grandfather was a priest in the Christian church. According to the story, at the age of sixteen, he was kidnapped by Irish raiders and taken as a slave to Gaelic Ireland where he spent six years working as a shepherd, and that during this time he "found God." The Declaration says that God told Patrick to flee to the coast, where a ship would be waiting to take him home. After making his way home, Patrick went on to become a priest. Similar to Patrick, Monsignor Ryan and Sister Nora came from a farming community and found their calling. According to tradition, Patrick returned to Ireland to convert the pagan Irish to Christianity. The Declaration says that he spent many years evangelizing in the northern half of Ireland and converted "thousands." Patrick's efforts against the druids were eventually turned into an allegory in which he drove "snakes" out of Ireland. Sister Nora was the one who heard the calling from the Lord when in high school and was determined to answer it. "My greatest joy as a nun was being a teacher and principal for many students." She arrived to the U.S. with an elderly Aunt Amadeus, who was also a sister. They became part of the Dominican Order. When the elder Aunt passed, Sister Nora relocated to New Jersey and was working in the Camden Diocese
Sister Nora knew Monsignor Ryan was a learned man. Back in their days in Ireland, she recalls he was the intellectual one. "He had a lot of knowledge." Father knew very early on it was his lifelong goal to join the Priesthood, yet this was after he knew how to play his dear Melodia by observing his Father. Father Ryan exclaimed being in the Priesthood is the best vocation on this spiritual journey. He has fond memories of several fine years conducting Mass in Wildwood with many parishioners. "Sister Nora and I would cross paths on occasion over the years. It has been many. I don't know when we saw each other last though." Monsignor Ryan was also clergy from the Camden Diocese, yet it has been many years since they have seen one another. Sister Nora states, "I am glad our paths crossed a few times; that's how it goes." Not only did their paths cross into retirement; Nora dances gleefully to Monsignor Ryan's Irish music merrymaking like days of yonder when they were mere lad and lass in the Emerald Isle.
