So lately I've been submersing my self in a Morgan Llywelyn novel called Grania: The she king of the Irish seas. So far it's really good, I'm about just over half way through it. I think Llywelyn is quickly becoming one of my favorite authors or at least one to look to for further reading. Considering how she has basically devoted all her written works to having to do with Irish History while throwing a slight fiction twist on the material making some bits less of a bore. So once I finish this book, I plan on reading her novel 1916, which of course begins dealing with the troubles. Although I am a big fan of the tales of old and very interested in learning about the "old ways" at the same time I think I need some more modern feel to the reading. That being she has previous novels released about Brian Boru, Strongbow, & Druids, along with the horse goddess and many more. Though like said to keep it lively I think I need a fresh taste of something more modern for now at least, assuming one considers 1916 modern at least more so than say the 16th century.
Anyways one thing I love about reading these books about old Irish history and culture is the names and meanings behind them. As for last winter when I was reading "the princes of Ireland" I fell in love with the name Caoilinn & Finnolula though with this Grania book I seem to have fallen for the names Ruairi and Evleen. Oddly enough Ruairi meaning the redheaded king... that who knows might be me, ha since I'm a redhead. At the time a strange yet interesting thought came to mind that since knowing the meaning I thought If I were to ever have children Ruairi would be a grand name for a son that is if her turns out a redhead. Ha though as goes my current or near relationship history that seems awfully far off in the future.
Either way I find my self being more and more interesting in Ireland though I believe I have considerably calmed down since last spring which I believe is appropriate since before some ideas and dreams were a fair bit far fetched where as now I think I have a better grasp on things, tangible ones at least.
09 December, 2008
28 September, 2008
Can I start over? oh ok thanks...
Even though there isn't any readership I'd still like to keep this going for my own personal accounts. On that note, lately I some what made a deal, well not a deal but offered the agreement to help a fellow Ireland fan along with my self to stay on top of our facts and knowledge. That being I send a text message to her everyday with facts and info on Ireland. Anything ranging from terms and slang along with historical, geographical and or meteorological facts that either I find interesting or would think she would find interesting. It's something small and simple but I think the daily habit will keep my Irish knowledge sharp.
Glorious Killary Habor, Ireland only Fjord
Though I do have a Cultural Anthropology Mid-term in the morning therefore I won't be posting any of the facts or recent Info I've come by at this moment but shall once I find my self some spare time.
On that note I'll leave you with some Images:
20 February, 2008
Pleasant Moments
Alright so this might be a little bit of a side note but truly just some insight to who I am.
Tonight is the perfect night in the aspect of;
And the best part of all is
Tonight is the perfect night in the aspect of;
- Got to use the new Canon 1Ds Mark III
- Went out and took long exposure photos
- Froze to the point that I was really starting to worry
- Though got back and warmed up
- Took a hot shower
- Started to get all cozy
- Ate some rice cakes with peanut butter
And the best part of all is
- Watching Stand By Me
- One of my all time favorites
- And now I will fall asleep
- And Sleep in a tiny bit
18 February, 2008
Misconceptions of Riverdance
As I 'm well aware the famed show/performance Riverdance has received great international praise for bringing Irish dancing to the masses of the worlds population. For the most part I my self think Riverdance is a great thing regardless of its fame and notoriety because It truly gives a taste and visual representation to what has been performed for hundreds of years in Ireland.
The Irish dance is usually put into categories of céilí/set and stepdance. Céilí dances being a more social dance in groups or couples, very typical at social gatherings such as festivals or even friendly nights at the pub, less technical and along the lines of a square dance. Stepdancing is more along the lines of the competition circuit though still practiced in non-competitive manner. Riverdance the show encapsulates both of these styles of dance which I believe gives a fairly well rounded view of the Irish dancing. Along with the dancing there must be music and all in all I think Riverdance music is quite exceptional in the Celtic sense, sure enough there are different types of Irish music ranging from the more theatrical sounds of Riverdance, all the way to the Chieftains, Dubliners, and then the songs of the Clancy Brothers.
Anyways It's seems as though some people hate on Riverdance for its success, simply because of it being so renowned and widespread that In their eyes it must be faulty and subjective to the masses and changed from its original roots. This seems the case because ones have stated that Celtic/Irish music or dancing is not bad but Riverdance is. I suppose it is judging what one does not know but I surely know I have been guilty of that in the past. Either way, I suppose people just really don't understand the greatness of Irish stepdancing. It's technicality and rigid movement, you will see dances from around the world that are running and moving all of the place, doing impressive movements with their bodies. But with Irish stepdancing it is all about structure and posture. Standing up straight and tall, hands down your sides, with only your feet moving like lightning holding your chin high and proud in the air. The greats have said that you should be able to dance on the surface around of a dinner plate, further proving how controlled and technical the footwork must be.
I suppose the argument for such things like Michael Flatley's Lord of the Dance because it's less strict to the principal rules of the dance being the posture and foot work rather than ballet. Though there has been some comparisons to Riverdance that do not fit the part. For instance, comparing Riverdance to musicals such as Rent or Cabaret which I just think is totally ridiculous and unfounded for in those musicals and others there is a specific story line and dialogs between main characters. As for with Riverdance yes there is a mild story line but there is no dialog between any of the performers nor are their and specific characters, there are no names....all there is, is music, dancing, and mild plot of the Irish emigrating to America. So on those facts alone I would not consider Riverdance to be a musical on the same comparison to the greats like Les Miserables, The Phantom of the Opera, Or Oklahoma.
Here is an image that I found surfing the web one day, a nice little take off on the popular iPod advertisements, I thought it was cute.
The Irish dance is usually put into categories of céilí/set and stepdance. Céilí dances being a more social dance in groups or couples, very typical at social gatherings such as festivals or even friendly nights at the pub, less technical and along the lines of a square dance. Stepdancing is more along the lines of the competition circuit though still practiced in non-competitive manner. Riverdance the show encapsulates both of these styles of dance which I believe gives a fairly well rounded view of the Irish dancing. Along with the dancing there must be music and all in all I think Riverdance music is quite exceptional in the Celtic sense, sure enough there are different types of Irish music ranging from the more theatrical sounds of Riverdance, all the way to the Chieftains, Dubliners, and then the songs of the Clancy Brothers.
Anyways It's seems as though some people hate on Riverdance for its success, simply because of it being so renowned and widespread that In their eyes it must be faulty and subjective to the masses and changed from its original roots. This seems the case because ones have stated that Celtic/Irish music or dancing is not bad but Riverdance is. I suppose it is judging what one does not know but I surely know I have been guilty of that in the past. Either way, I suppose people just really don't understand the greatness of Irish stepdancing. It's technicality and rigid movement, you will see dances from around the world that are running and moving all of the place, doing impressive movements with their bodies. But with Irish stepdancing it is all about structure and posture. Standing up straight and tall, hands down your sides, with only your feet moving like lightning holding your chin high and proud in the air. The greats have said that you should be able to dance on the surface around of a dinner plate, further proving how controlled and technical the footwork must be.
I suppose the argument for such things like Michael Flatley's Lord of the Dance because it's less strict to the principal rules of the dance being the posture and foot work rather than ballet. Though there has been some comparisons to Riverdance that do not fit the part. For instance, comparing Riverdance to musicals such as Rent or Cabaret which I just think is totally ridiculous and unfounded for in those musicals and others there is a specific story line and dialogs between main characters. As for with Riverdance yes there is a mild story line but there is no dialog between any of the performers nor are their and specific characters, there are no names....all there is, is music, dancing, and mild plot of the Irish emigrating to America. So on those facts alone I would not consider Riverdance to be a musical on the same comparison to the greats like Les Miserables, The Phantom of the Opera, Or Oklahoma.
Here is an image that I found surfing the web one day, a nice little take off on the popular iPod advertisements, I thought it was cute.
16 February, 2008
Michael Collins
I was out the other night, my friend John had a bottle of whiskey. Michael Collins whiskey in fact, since I'm really not that familiar with alcoholic beverages just yet... I was like "Hm, Michael Collins, that sounds awfully familiar"
Then it dawned on me, he was an Irish Hero fighting for Ireland independence, founding the IRA being apart of the civil war then falling to his death in 1922.
After rembering that I made of point of it to not just allow my friends to enjoy the Irish whiskey but also inform them of who the great Michael Collins really was and how his contributions helped make the Ireland today...
Also apparently Michael Collins in that last independent distillery left in Ireland...Independent being the key word since there are plenty around, the Famed James Jameson.
Here's My Tribute to that:
I probably talked about Ireland that night with about 4 different people, though I left my Tin Whistle in the car on this night unlike most nights.
Then it dawned on me, he was an Irish Hero fighting for Ireland independence, founding the IRA being apart of the civil war then falling to his death in 1922.
After rembering that I made of point of it to not just allow my friends to enjoy the Irish whiskey but also inform them of who the great Michael Collins really was and how his contributions helped make the Ireland today...
Also apparently Michael Collins in that last independent distillery left in Ireland...Independent being the key word since there are plenty around, the Famed James Jameson.
Here's My Tribute to that:
I probably talked about Ireland that night with about 4 different people, though I left my Tin Whistle in the car on this night unlike most nights.
14 February, 2008
Artists in Ireland
This is some what old news to me but I have yet posted anything on such topic but I have read in multiple sources that If one pursues a career in the arts with in Ireland they then are not required to pay income taxes. I suppose this is quite an incentive to bring artists of all walks of life to Ireland to keep the culture rich and full of life. Illustrators, writers, photographers, sculptors and the such would all be exempt from income taxes on this account.
Oddly enough I my self am pursuing a career in Photography so I would fit into that demographic though regardless of such an offer I'd still find my self lucky to be living in Ireland regardless of paying income tax or not.
Some people think this program isn't so great in the regards of much larger name artists; such as Bono of U2. Even though he is well known for his charity much like the rest of the Irish community, some still think it's going a bit too far for him to not pay taxes on his millions.
Oddly enough I my self am pursuing a career in Photography so I would fit into that demographic though regardless of such an offer I'd still find my self lucky to be living in Ireland regardless of paying income tax or not.
Some people think this program isn't so great in the regards of much larger name artists; such as Bono of U2. Even though he is well known for his charity much like the rest of the Irish community, some still think it's going a bit too far for him to not pay taxes on his millions.
Achill Island
Okay so there's this girl I know, I know this must seem really off topic but trust me this story finds it way back into the realm of Ireland some how, right ha
Anyways I met her in the summer of 2007 a random friends party on a fluke, we along from the start talking about heavy metal, the outdoors, Scandinavia, and then Ireland. After that first meet we planned to hang out further, so the next time I went to pick her up I was at her house and met her family and it was amazing. As soon as I got there her mother sensed I was Irish then asking of my Surname which she recognized as being quite Irish. Then we started to discuss which county each of our ancestors were from. She began mentioning her people being from a place in county Mayo, a place called Achill Island. Being a place that I had not heard of before I looked into it just to see its rough geography and landscape.
Here are some photos of this great island:
Upon this research I found this place is one of my most amazing places. Seeming so photogenic and wonderful in all aspects of scenery and life. I am proud of having ancestry from Ireland alone though I can only imagine being from such a place like this one Achill Island since learning about this place it has now been places on my list of must sees in Ireland. Of course I am interested in seeing and going to all places in Ireland, that goes with out saying but Achill Island is a must see.
Anyways I met her in the summer of 2007 a random friends party on a fluke, we along from the start talking about heavy metal, the outdoors, Scandinavia, and then Ireland. After that first meet we planned to hang out further, so the next time I went to pick her up I was at her house and met her family and it was amazing. As soon as I got there her mother sensed I was Irish then asking of my Surname which she recognized as being quite Irish. Then we started to discuss which county each of our ancestors were from. She began mentioning her people being from a place in county Mayo, a place called Achill Island. Being a place that I had not heard of before I looked into it just to see its rough geography and landscape.
Here are some photos of this great island:
Upon this research I found this place is one of my most amazing places. Seeming so photogenic and wonderful in all aspects of scenery and life. I am proud of having ancestry from Ireland alone though I can only imagine being from such a place like this one Achill Island since learning about this place it has now been places on my list of must sees in Ireland. Of course I am interested in seeing and going to all places in Ireland, that goes with out saying but Achill Island is a must see.
13 February, 2008
Aran Islands
So as usual I was cruising youtube.com looking for interesting videos of people playing the tin whistle and I found this father and daughter duo that really blew me away. One of the first videos of theirs I watched was of the classic Cooley's Reel which happens to be practically a favorite of everyone, I know I love it and am slowly but surely teaching my self how to play it on the tin whistle. Though the song that really caught my attention was a track by the name of Inisheer. At first I wasn't sure what to this of the song since it seemed more like a ballad than a fast reel. Either way just hearing time after time, it has seriously become one of my favorite Irish melodies and tunes to this date.
Here it is:
After hearing this I went on a mad search for other professional versions, though much to my disappointment there were not many at all, one done by the fairly large group Cherish the Ladies though it wasn't of the same sound as the father and daughter duet. Cherish the Ladies played it on a lower irish flute I think which didn't replicate the sound I was looking for with the young girl playing the tin whistle. Mind you she's only about 7 years old and can play the tin whistle, harmonica, fiddle, and irish dances. Which I think is amazing and must be such a culturally rich family since they reside in the Netherlands. And so I kept looking for other versions, I found some others on the uilleann pipes but in all I only found about 4 version of this song Inisheer which I've learned it an island on the west coast apart of the Aran Islands.
In conclusion like said previously this has become one of my new all time favorites and am currently in the process of teaching my self to play this tune on the tin whistle. Eagerly awaiting the time where I am finding my self on a hill or cliff side playing this enchanting tune time after time.
Here is a link to the Father and Daughters youtube page:
http://www.youtube.com/user/choomanfoo
Here it is:
After hearing this I went on a mad search for other professional versions, though much to my disappointment there were not many at all, one done by the fairly large group Cherish the Ladies though it wasn't of the same sound as the father and daughter duet. Cherish the Ladies played it on a lower irish flute I think which didn't replicate the sound I was looking for with the young girl playing the tin whistle. Mind you she's only about 7 years old and can play the tin whistle, harmonica, fiddle, and irish dances. Which I think is amazing and must be such a culturally rich family since they reside in the Netherlands. And so I kept looking for other versions, I found some others on the uilleann pipes but in all I only found about 4 version of this song Inisheer which I've learned it an island on the west coast apart of the Aran Islands.
In conclusion like said previously this has become one of my new all time favorites and am currently in the process of teaching my self to play this tune on the tin whistle. Eagerly awaiting the time where I am finding my self on a hill or cliff side playing this enchanting tune time after time.
Here is a link to the Father and Daughters youtube page:
http://www.youtube.com/user/choomanfoo
Growing Old
Since getting my tin whistle this past Christmas I've been watching many many videos of more seasoned players, trying to learn a little bit here and there. I found this one video that I found some what comical though also inspiring in a way.
Here it is:
I guess it is comical in the regards that I've been telling some people that, that is what I want to become...
ha a seasoned old man just enjoying the Irish landscape playing his heart on the tin whistle. I might be that regardless of this old man, I just in general can't wait till I am old man. Seems like most people fear growing old but I for one am looking for it, possibly because I have this vision of wanting to be one of those white haired bearded old men telling stories left and right down at the pub...
Here it is:
I guess it is comical in the regards that I've been telling some people that, that is what I want to become...
ha a seasoned old man just enjoying the Irish landscape playing his heart on the tin whistle. I might be that regardless of this old man, I just in general can't wait till I am old man. Seems like most people fear growing old but I for one am looking for it, possibly because I have this vision of wanting to be one of those white haired bearded old men telling stories left and right down at the pub...
A bit more background
Though I have yet to make the journey at this time in my life, my Irish heritage has always been apart of my life. Growing up in Catholic family, celebrating irish holidays, enjoying tunes from the Clancy brothers, chieftains, as with the Dubliners. Along with many more on the more ambient and mystical side of music heavily incorporating the tin whistle, celtic harp, irish flute, along with many other tradition folk instruments. Of course being amazed with the class and precision of the Irish step dancers. All though some might not be fans of the very well known river dance and lord of the dance, I my self do enjoy it; seeing river dance a good 4 times and lord of the dance once. Although I am aware of the saying "too irish to be irish" I can't stop thinking about it and being in love with all aspects of the culture, the land, the history, and most of all the people. In past years it has been more of a fantasy and dream, though with in the last 6-8 months or so I had really started giving it a thought and thinking, yes It just might be a possibility for me to move to Ireland for an extended period of time. Beginning further research and reading on all aspects of past and current history of Ireland, going back to the druid times, 1921, Easter Rising, and bloody Sunday.
So people may say "what do i know about those event since not living there but all I can and am willing to do is to reading about it and familiarizing my self with what makes the irish people who they are. And in conclusion to this post; as of now it is my mission and all my concentration to learning as much as I can about Ireland and to really truly feeling apart of it.
So people may say "what do i know about those event since not living there but all I can and am willing to do is to reading about it and familiarizing my self with what makes the irish people who they are. And in conclusion to this post; as of now it is my mission and all my concentration to learning as much as I can about Ireland and to really truly feeling apart of it.
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