A Dainty Irish Maiden -Postcard Friendship Friday #496

I love the wearing of the Green.  I'm a quarter Irish and love all the traditions of Ireland.  The Irish are fierce, loyal and rather wonderful.  This postcard is particularly lovely.

Have a fabulous weekend and Happy Postcard Friendship Friday!

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Dancing on the Green -Postcard Friendship Friday #494

I have always loved Irish Dancer.  When I was a tiny child I would dance a little jig without even knowing what it was--it was by instinct.  Later I realized it was actually an Irish dance.  Somehow my feet knew exactly what to do.

I suppose it is the Irish in me!

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A Bunch of Shamrock for Luck! -Postcard Friendship Friday #447

Isn't this little one sweet with her "bunch of shamrocks."  I know "gay" means something else these days, but back when this card was made it simply meant joy or happiness.

I am still very ill.  This is a bad flu.  I didn't get this up in time, either.  I apologize for that, sweet Friends.

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Let Erin Remember -Postcard Friendship Friday #446

Hello sweet Friends.  I have been very ill with the flu, so this didn't posted on time.  Thank you for your patience.

I adore the gown this delicate Irish maiden is wearing.  Being Irish myself, green is one of my favorite colors, and I have tons of  white clover in my lawn.  Shamrocks are indeed lovely.

Have a wonderful holiday, sweet Friends!

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Beautiful Blarney Castle -Postcard Friendship Friday #445

On Daddy's side of the family, we are as Irish as they come.  When I was a little girl I knew Dad was part Leprechaun.  Indeed--that is what he used to tell us.  A bit of the "blarney." for sure.

One of my dreams has been to visit Ireland, specifically Blarney Castle.  It is the home of the famous Blarney Stone. Built by one of Ireland's greatest chieftain, this magical place has been attracting attention ever since. Over the last few hundred years, millions have flocked to Blarney making it a world landmark and one of Ireland's greatest treasures.

To kiss the Blarney stone, one must hold tight to an iron railing and lean backwards from the parapet walk. It is said once a person has kissed the stone, it bestows the gift of elegant speech.

There are all kinds of interesting stories of the stone's origin.  Some say it was Jacob’s Pillow, brought to Ireland by the prophet Jeremiah. There it became known as the Lia Fail or ‘Fatal Stone,’ used as a "coronation stone" for Irish kings. Others say it may be a stone brought back to Ireland from the Crusades – the ‘Stone of Ezel’ behind which David hid on Jonathan’s advice when he fled from his enemy, Saul. It was often called the Stone of Destiny.

So, how did the Blarney Stone end up in Ireland?  When the King of Munster sent five thousand men to support Robert the Bruce in his defeat of the English at Bannockburn in 1314, a portion of the historic Stone was given by the Scots in gratitude – It was returned to Ireland and set into the wall of Blarney Castle.

The story of the Blarney stone's peculiar power begins during the reign of Queen Elizabeth I, who sent a deputy to Cormac MacDermot MacCarthy, Lord of Blarney.  The Queen demanded that Lord MacCarthy give up his lands to English rule.

In response to her ultimatum, Lord MacCarthy set out for England to talk to the Queen.  Now Lord MacCarthy was notoriously known for his lack of fluent speech.  Even so, though he doubted he could win the favor of the Queen, his love for Ireland took him to England to attempt to plead for the traditional right to his good land.

He began his journey to England with a heavy heart.  He had only traveled a short while when the weather took a turn for the worse.  He spied a campfire along the road tended by a little old woman.  Shivering with cold, he asked if he could sit next to her fire and offered to share some of his provisions with her. As they sat in silence, tears coursed down his face.  The old woman noted his sadness and asked why he looked so forlorn.

In halting speech, he told her of his sad predicament and the elderly woman, having compassion upon the man, said "Lord Cormac, when Blarney Castle was built, one stone was put into place by a man who predicted no one would ever be able to touch it again. If you can kiss that stone," she explained, "the gift of eloquence will be conferred upon you."

Filled with hope, Lord MacCarthy immediately journeyed to Blarney Castle where he succeeded in kissing the Blarney Stone.  As a result, the legend tells us he was able to address the Queen with speech so soft and words so fair, that as long as he lived he never had to renounce his right to his lands.

Today, kissing the stone is said to endow the kisser with the gift of the gab. My sweet friend Peggy visited Blarney Castle, kissed the stone and of course, is gifted with the "Blarney."  Whether it is a natural gift, or one conferred upon her the day she kissed the Blarney Stone is anyone's guess!

Have a lovely day, and Happy Postcard Friendship Friday!

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May You Always be Found

I love Ireland--it is the land of my ancestors on Dad's side.  I also love St. Patrick's Day with all it's fun and tomfoolery.  This postcard is especially cunning--the artwork is beautiful and exemplifies the spirit of the Irish.

The Irish are full of life.  Their history is filled with heroes and hardships.  I am proud to be of the Irish and to wear the green.

Best Wishes on St. Patrick's Day -Postcard Friendship Friday #399

I have always loved St. Patrick's Day.  We would always wear green to school on that day because one of the traditions kids LOVED,  was the idea that people could pinch the person who forgot to wear green.

Some say this tradition started as a reminder to wear green to honor the Emerald Isle. 

However, it is said the tradition actually started in the United States. In the early 1700's St. Patrick's Day revelers believed that wearing green caused a person to become invisible to leprechauns and fairy creatures.  These fairy tale beings supposedly pinched anyone they could see--which were the folks NOT wearing green. 

Some mischievous individuals began pinching those who didn't wear green to remind them that if they weren't wearing the color green, they would be pinched by leprechauns.  Kind of silly really, but cute.  LOL

Thank you for dropping by my funny little blog.   Happy St. Patrick's Day and Happy Postcard Friendship Friday!

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The Wearing of the Green -Postcard Friendship Friday #398

Though this postcard is lovely, the phrase the wearing of the green has a troubled past.  The phrase is actually the title of a street ballad written in Ireland during one of its' darkest times, the Irish Rebellion of 1798.

There are many versions of this song, but the best, it is said, is by songwriter Dion Boucicault, which proclaims "they are hanging men and women for the wearing of the green."

During the uprising, the Society of United Irishmen adopted green as its color.  Folks who supported the rebellion wore green colored ribbons, or rosettes of green ribbon called cockades, worn on a hat as a badge of office, or party.  The punishment for many of those who showed their support was cruel and ruthless.

Though the song below is of later origin than the original, these lyrics vividly describe the sadness and terror in Ireland at that time.

Wearing of the Green

Oh, Paddy dear, and did you hear
The news that's going round?
The shamrock is forbid by law
To grow on Irish ground!

St. Patrick's Day no more we'll keep,
His color can't be seen,
For there's a bloomin' law agin'
The wearing of the green.

I met with Napper Tandy
And he took me by the hand,
And he said, "How's poor old Ireland
And how does she stand?"

"She's the most distressful country
That ever yet was seen;
They're hanging men and women there
For the wearing of the green."

Then since the color we must wear
Is England's cruel red,
Sure Ireland's songs will ne'er forget
The blood that they have shed.

You may take the shamrock from your hat now,
Cast it on the sod,
But 'twill take root and flourish still,
Tho' under foot it's trod.

When the law can stop the blades of green
From growing as they grow,
And when the leaves in summertime
Their verdure dare not show,

Then I will change the color that I
Wear in my canteen;
But 'till that day, please God, I'll stick
To the wearing of the green.

Thank you for dropping by.   Happy St. Patrick's Day and Happy Postcard Friendship Friday!

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Oh the Green Shamrocks -Postcard Friendship Friday #396

I love Ireland and all things Irish.  Green is one of my favorite colors--and this charming postcard by artist Ellen Clapsaddle is one of my favorites.

The man for whom St. Patrick’s Day is named was born into an aristocratic family in Roman Britain around the end of the fourth century. As a teenager, he was kidnapped by Irish pirates and taken to Ireland, where for years he was a slave. Eventually he escaped, only to return later on as a missionary who brought Christianity to the Emerald Isle.  After his death he was named the patron saint of Ireland. 

The celebration of St. Patrick’s Day, which began as a religious holiday, is celebrated March 17 on the Feast of St. Patrick. 

 Irish immigrants who came to America were the first to honor their heritage while embracing their new homeland on this holiday. They held parades, ate wonderful authentic Irish foods, with more than a bit of a party thrown in.  Thanks to Irish folks in the United States and elsewhere, St. Patrick’s Day eventually evolved from a little known religious holiday into a secular celebration of all things Irish. The first St. Patrick’s Day parade was held in New York City in the 1760s.  

However, it wasn't until much later St. Patrick's Day was actually celebrated in Ireland itself.  Thankfully, today it has become a national holiday with schools and government buildings closed.

Because there are some 34.5 million Americans claiming to be primarily, or partially of Irish descent, the wearing of the green on March 17 is still going strong here.  Indeed, I am proud of my Irish heritage—as was my Daddy.

I wish you Happy St. Patrick's Day, dear Friends.  Blessings and joy to each of you and have a lovely Postcard Friendship Friday!

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Bedad and Begorra! -Postcard Friendship Friday #395

I love Ireland--someday I hope to visit there.  I am a quarter Irish, from Dad's Side.  His Mom--my Grandmother used to say "Bedad and Begorra."  I never knew what it meant, but I loved to hear her say it--there was always a twinkle in her eye...

From my research, it turns out Bedad was an Irish word coined in the 18th century, which expressed surprise, or emphasis.  The term Begorra was first used in Ireland in 1839, meaning, "By God."  Hurroo seems to have the meaning of goodbye, or good day.

So the translation of this wonderful vintage postcard might be, Surprise and by God!  Good day and good luck to St. Patrick and Good Luck to you.

Thank you for dropping by today, I hope this old postcard brought a  smile to your face.  March 17 is Saint Patrick's Day.  I have a bevvy of lovely postcards to post as the holiday grows closer.

I wish you Happy St. Patrick's Day, dear Friends.  Blessings and joy to each of you and have a lovely Postcard Friendship Friday!

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Dancing on the Green -Postcard Friendship Friday #303

Isn't she lovely?  I hear Irish music and I cannot keep my feet from dancing.  When I was a little girl I would dance for hours, with all the exuberance of the young--a foot fancy step.  To this day I can still do it--It turns out the dance I have always done, is a traditional Irish Dance. 

Have a lovely day, dear ones--I am sorry about the lateness of this post.  This past weekend has been a difficult one for me.  The grief of losing the love of my life crashed over me--and alas, I was a bit lost for a time.  Thank you for your patience.

God bless you all.  Happy Postcard Friendship Friday.  

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Erin Mavourneen! -Postcard Friendship Friday #302

This is one of the most lovely postcards I have seen for St. Patrick's Day.   The beautiful harpist with her flowing hair, blue dress and shaggy companion seem unusual.  I was quite intrigued by the little poem--I am sure it must be a song. 

Thy harp-striking bards

Sing aloud with emotion

Erin Mavoureen

Sweet Erin Go Bragh!

In the old Irish, the word movoureen is the possessive version of the word avourneen which means “darling.”  That means Movoureen would mean “My” darling.  The original Irish was a mhuirnīn, a diminutive of mūirn, which had the idea of affection and joy, or, the one for whom I have affection and who gives me joy.  Since Erin comes from Eirinn, the Irish word for Ireland, the phrase Erin Movoureen could likely mean "my darling Ireland, which gives me joy."   

That would likely mean the last two phrases of this poem would mean, "Darling Ireland, sweet Ireland live forever!"  Isn't that neat? 

Happy Postcard Friendship Friday, dear Friends. 

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The Charm of the Morn to you -Postcard Friendship Friday #301

The Irish are a tough independent people.  I am honored that on my Father's side, we can trace our family line directly from Ireland.  With a twinkle in his eye, Dad always said he was part Leprechaun.  As a little girl, of course, I believed every word.  Daddy  was a bit "fey."  

It is no surprise green is one of my favorite colors and that Ireland is an enchanted place I intend to visit one day.  

Have a lovely weekend, sweet Friends--thank you for dropping by and Happy Postcard Friendship Friday!

NOTE: I am SO sorry, Friends--I had the Linky link all ready to go, too.  It is up now!  I apologize for missing on that.  Thank you for your patience.  I was getting ready to speak for a lady's retreat and I guess I just totally spaced adding the link.  

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A Wee Leprechaun -Postcard Friendship Friday #259

What a funny little fellow--He's exactly as I think a wee Leprechaun might look. One hears stories about the frolicksome ways of the Irish. I love the Irish and am proud to claim my ancestry. Aye, someday I shall visit Ireland and see it all for meself.

This postcard is one I bought for my collection in the late 1970's. It was printed in the USA, and was a reproduction of a postcard printed in the early 1900's.

Have a lovely weekend, dear Friends--and Happy Postcard Friendship Friday. 

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Ireland Forever! -Postcard Friendship Friday #111

Over the years I've wondered about the meaning of Erin go Bragh and how that phrase relates to Ireland and St. Patrick's Day.  I finally thought to look it up.  Erin go Braugh is the English translation of an Irish phrase Eirinn go Brach.  It is used to express allegiance to Ireland.  It is most often translated as Ireland forever, literally Ireland til' doomsday--or the end of time.

Considering the long and sometimes tragic history of the Irish, their allegiance to their country touches my heart.  As Dad once told me, once you win the heart of an Irishman, it is yours forever.  Their fierce loyalty to family, friend and country is a beautiful thing.

I am sorry I've put this up a little late.  We are still recovering from a frightening chimney fire.

I'm expecting the crew of folks who are cleaning away smoke damage to be here shortly.  (grin)  I had no idea what went into cleaning up after a fire.

The crew has been cleaning every nook and cranny of our house for almost two weeks!  These wonderful hard-working ladies are hoping to be done today.  I am in awe of what they've accomplished.  I believe our old house is cleaner than it has been since it was built over 100 years ago!

Have a lovely weekend and Happy Postcard Friendship Friday!

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Golden Harp of Ireland -Guest Heart Thursday

It does my Irish heart good to see all the wonderful cards one can find celebrating St. Patrick's Day.  I especially love this golden heart-shaped harp.  To someday play the harp, is on my "Bucket List!" 

There is quite a history behind the harp and the Coat of Arms of Ireland which  is usually seen as a golden harp with silver strings, on a blue background.  References to this emblem as being the arms of the King of Ireland can be found as early as the 1300's. 

They were adopted by King Henry the 8th of England when he ended the period of Lordship of Ireland and declared Ireland to be a kingdom in 1541.  When the crowns of England, Scotland and Ireland were united as one in 1603, the harp was integrated into the unified royal coat of arms. 

This became was adopted as the emblem of the Irish Free State when it separated from the United Kingdom in 1922.  They were registered as the arms of Ireland with the Chief Herald of Ireland in November, 1945.  

Have a merry-hearted day and Happy Guest Heart Thursday!

For more heart art, photography and altogether fabulous heart stuff from around the world, visit Clytie at Random Hearts for Guest Heart Thursday.

The Wearing of the Green -Postcard Friendship Friday #110

In the 1700's all of Ireland's lands were confiscated by the British.  Over 500,000 Irish Irish families were evicted, or were forced to pay rent for the homes and lands they'd previously owned.

In response to this injustice, a full-fledge rebellion broke out.  In 1791, in opposition to British rule, the Irish formed a political group called the "United Irishmen." The symbol of this group became the green banner with a golden harp on it.

After attempts by the British Government to extinguish the United Irishmen, a series of small battles broke out in the countryside. In 1798, the rebels stood their ground at the battle of Vinegar Hill, near Enniscorthy. The Irish were sadly outnumbered and many brave men died. From that time onward the "wearing of the green" has been a symbol of Irish unity and cultural identity.

During the great famine, when millions of Irish left their homeland for America, the "green" came with them,  symbolic of the Irish struggle for independence.

In the U.S, the first St. Paddy's Day parade took place in 1779.  Since that time there are parades all across America celebrating the wearing O' the green.

I am proud of my Irish heritage.  The Irish are big-hearted, sometimes hot tempered, spunky and tough--as well as innovative, smart and creative.  And not to mention a bit fey!

Have a lovely weekend, and Happy Postcard Friendship Friday!

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