Author: brennan brooks
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World’s Worst Irish Tenor Contest Brings Out Wannabees
By Robert Hughes Perrizo (This article originally appeared in our March 2005 issue.) Sean T. Kelly, front right, sang “Take Me Out to the Ballgame” backwards for the Worst Irish Tenor contest in the 1980s. Glen Olson, front left, and Bill Farmer, back left, emceed the event. Tom Hectal provided the accompaniment on his trumpet….
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The Celtic Cross
The History, Meaning and Symbolism of the Irish Celtic Cross The Celtic Cross is known throughout the world as a symbol of Irish Heritage. Find out more about the distinctive features, origin, history, uses and symbolism of these magnificent stone monuments below. Crosses are features of the Irish Countryside On any road trip around the…
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Kissing the Blarney Stone for the gift of the gab
The legendary Blarney Stone is said to have the power to bestow people with the gift of the gab – the ability to speak with wit, charm and persuasion. The stone is built into the wall of the medieval Blarney Castle in Co Cork. The story goes that by kissing the Blarney Stone you will…
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2024 Rent of Ireland’s Three Largest Cities
As of the third quarter of 2024, the average monthly rents in Dublin, Galway, and Cork are as follows: • Dublin: €2,344 • Galway City: €2,189 • Cork City: €1,793 These figures indicate that Dublin remains the most expensive city for renters, followed closely by Galway, with Cork being relatively more affordable. It’s important to…
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Crash Course Irish Mythology
Crash Course Irish Mythology Irish Mythology Irish mythology is divided into four “Cycles”. Each cycle is set in a different time period and follows a different set of characters. The cycles are as follows: 1. The Mythological Cycle/The Cycle of Gods 2. The Ulster Cycle/The Red Branch Cycle 3. The Fenian Cycle/The Ossianic Cycle 4….
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Irish Folklore? What you Thought you Thought.
An Admonishment By Dave Hogan A lot of people think of Irish folklore as quaint; a kind of sweet quirk of Irishness. This is to denigrate an area of serious study. We are constantly bombarded by a stream of happy Irish images – green hats, russet beards and commercial lies. However, ‘Folklore Studies’ is…
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Across The Bay
And well kick the auld enemy outa the way. This is the start of an old chant that my father used to sing when gay meant something else that in does today. It was used to summon up the spirit for the feast day of our national Saint. Back in those days the only notice taken of…
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Snow White and growing up in a big Irish family: a personal story
BY DAN GANLEY Special to the Irish Gazette My brother and I went to the St. Patrick’s Day parade in St. Paul in 1967. We have been going to that celebration every year since and we have the parade buttons to prove it. Through thick and thin, chil- dren and grandchildren, we have marched and…