Irish History

Marie · Guru

Irish History

Michele Erdvig · Host

Marie,

There are not a whole lot of DVDs to choose from. I just did a search on Amazon and would recommend In Search of Ancient Ireland. It was a PBS series and pretty good. They had another listed called The Celts: Rich Traditions & Ancient Myths. I haven't seen that so don't know. They had a couple of others listed of the more modern history. Check your local video store or Netflix (if you belong to it) to see what they have.

Also take a look at www.lookaroundireland.com . I have a discount coupon on my "Discounts" page for them if anything there appeals to you.

Michele

Jerilyn Mc · Veteran Member

Marie.

I know you requested DVDs or tapes of Ireland, but I must recommend a book, titled Ireland, a novel by Frank Delaney. While it's a novel, it is a great way to learn Irish history. I loved this book (but must make a note: I thought Angela's Ashes was a hoot, I laughed my way thru it...most people didn't find it funny). Delaney's Ireland is a pleasant read, not a can't-set-it-down kind of book...more of a feel good kind of read. I plan to re-read it on the plane when we go to Ireland in June.

I'm also interested in any DVDs that might be out there, my teenagers just don't have the time to read a book, even if I keep telling them how good a book is. :)

Have fun planning your trip....my itinerary has been revised several times, this forum has been great help.

Marie · Guru

Michele:

Thanks. I saw those titles on Amazon. I will probably buy them both. Just can't seem to get enough of things Irish. My deceased mother is smiling down, I know. She had me taking Irish Step Dancing as a girl, singing the rebel songs, and bought me an accordion! Well, about 45 years later, I am finally taking an interest.

Jerilyn Mc:

Thanks. I have read Delaney's book. I loved it. Not only did I enjoy the Irish history and the wonderful writing, but I was also fascinated by the "Storyteller", as I am a drama teacher in a school for kids with emotional disturbance, and we just finished a unit on storytelling. Very timely...

I am both anxious to go and reluctant for it all to be over.

Marie

Jerilyn Mc · Veteran Member

Marie,

We must be kindred spirits...I'm involved with community theater...heading to rehearsal for 42nd Street in a couple of hours. I used to have the acting bug, but got vaccinated and now I'm a techie...stage manager for this show. But I still love playing dress-up. Ha!

I'm reading Malachy McCourt's History of Ireland right now...a bit dry, certainly not as humorous as his brother, Frank, but it is interesting. I just started reading The Irish Way, A Walk Through Ireland's Past and Present by Robert Emmett Ginna. At 74, he walked the length of Ireland and the book is about his journey. So far, it's good reading.

Happy DVD hunting....

CowboyCraic · Guru

Though there may not be time to read a book, perhaps they could listen to an audio book, either whilst in their cars prior to leaving or during the flight. How the Irish Saved Civilization: The Untold Story of Ireland's Heroic Role From the Fall of Rome to the Rise of Medieval Europe is a good one to listen to for back History. As for the culture, Tommy Makem is one of the best at bringing to life the stories, legends, poetry and songs. If you could find his Ireland the Road Taken: with Tommy Makem DVD before you leave, it would certainly whet your appetite. I listen to a plethora of Celtic music from Clannad to Flogging Molly. There is a local group here who are phenomenal, Round the House. If you want an excellent audio CD for learning the basics of Irish, Pimsleur's Quick & Simple Irish is the best I have ever found. I, too, have read the Delaney book. I found that I couldn't put it down for very long. It was like being at a ceili and being surrounded by master storytellers. As a poet & singer/songwriter, I love the mystic lore spun by a good storyteller.

Slan Go Foill,

Bit

Marie · Guru

Hi, Bit:

Thanks so much for the suggestions. I will look for them. I have been listening to a CD entitled Enough Irish to Get By. Wow. Irish is tough. No rhyme or reason to the pronunciation (at least not without an instructor). I must tell you I am fairly good with language, but my knowledge of foreign language does not provide me with a frame of reference for Irish. That said, I love many of the words, which sound very earthy and ancient to me. I will keep listening and practicing, and will try to make some new friends over there just by virtue of my bravery!

Go raibh maith agat,

Marie

CowboyCraic · Guru

Dia Duit, Marie

You will find that Irish is a bit different in each area in which it is spoken throughout Ireland, as is the case with English here in the States as opposed to Canada and England. On the Arans, where it is the primary language amongst the Islanders, it is vastly different than the sterilzed version you are taught on the CDs. What I like most about Pimsluer is that they have two or three different speakers, each with a slightly different pronunciation. I have a goal of attending one of the Irish course weeks on Inis Mor. I will just have to keep buying lottery tickets.

I had signed up for a Scot Gaelic course, which is taught at our local Junior College, thinking that I had the upper hand because I had grown up hearing it spoken by my Gran and her sister & brother in-law. I said as much to the teacher that first night. By the second class, I must have been looking very confused as she asked me if I was having a problem. It would turn out that the Gran who swore none of of her people ever had set foot in "all of Ireland" was raised up speaking Irish. I have since learned that both my Gran and Grandfather's families did indeed set foot in, were born & raised in as a matter of fact, Northern Ireland and the Republic.

Maireann croí éadrom i bhfad
(A light heart lives longer)

Bit

Marie · Guru

Hi, Bit:
Do you mind if I ask why she did not want to admit being born and raised in Ireland? My experience with my own (adoptive) family is that the pull of Ireland was always strong, and lots of Irish-Americans talked incessantly about the "old sod." My mother tried hard to turn me into an Irish girl. Now, more than 45 years later, I am feeling the tug of Ireland, although it is most likely not my genetic ancestral home. My daughters, Keely and Kasey, ARE part Irish, the great, great grandaughters of one MacAndrews, a privateer.
I know we will all find something magical in Eire.

God Bless,

Marie

CowboyCraic · Guru

Marie,

From what I understand, there was a stigma against Irish influx into Scotland & England. So, the families assimilated and gave up their Irish Roots. It happened here, as well, when the Irish immigrated over in the 1800's. To be Irish meant facing prejudice and poverty here. Many who came here left everything and everyone behind, never to be spoken of again. Others came here, encouraged others back home to join them and shared with all who would listen their stories, songs and heritage. I do lectures and workshops on the connection between the American West and Ireland. I have been fascinated by what I have found as I do my research.

Her family migrated to Scotland after the famine and during the tenant evictions which followed. The family Bible, which was to have been left to me by my gran, had all of the family written in from both Ireland & Scotland. It mysteriously disappeared upon her death. That bible wasn't kept out where guests could pick it up. They had a second which they kept out as a "company" bible. It only showed the Family lines from the time of the first birth in Scotland forward. That Bible is also missing. Having either would certainly make my tracing much easier.

There is a little bit of Irish in every heart, I think. Ireland draws so many people from so many cultures. I know that you will have a magical time, indeed!

Slan Go Foill,

Bit