babble
Monday, March 17, 2003
As you may know, I'm Irish. I'm not just regular Irish, I'm hella Irish. So in honor of St. Patrick's day, I present: Fun Irish Facts!
The modern submarine was invented by an Irishman named John Philip Holland. He was funded by the Fenians, who were fighting to liberate themselves from the dirty English.
The first divorce ever granted by the Irish government was in 1997.
The word "whiskey" originated from the Irish Gaelic words "Uisce Beatha" (pronounced ish-ka ba-ha), which means "water of life". Damn skippy.
The newt is Ireland's only indigenous reptile.
The term "honeymoon" originated from an Irish tradition. The word for honeymoon in Gaelic is "mi na meala", which means "the month of honey". Irish monks used to produce a fermented honey brew called mead and would give enough to a bride and groom to last them a month after their wedding. It was believed that this drink enhanced fertility and was the best way to ensure a good beginning for a new marriage.
The use of the rosary in Catholic prayer originated in Ireland. Irish monks would pray 150 psalms each day, and the lay people who wanted to pray along with the Irish monks began carrying a pouch with 150 pebbles so that they could keep track of all the prayers if they were not at the monastery. This soon evolved into a thin rope with 150 knots, and the rosary was born.
The wolfhound is the official dog of Ireland. It is the largest of all dogs and can be up to six foot four when standing on its hind legs.
The original Guinness Brewery in Dublin has a 6,000 year lease. A full seven percent of the Irish barley crop is used solely for the production of Guinness beer.
Irish monks were almost entirely responsible for maintaining Western culture and literacy in Europe after the fall of Rome.
If you have a parent that was born in Ireland, you automatically have Irish citizenship. If you have a grandparent who was born in Ireland, you are eligible to apply for Irish citizenship.
I leave you with this Irish blessing: May you be in Heaven a half hour before the Devil knows you're dead!
babbled by Kat @ 9:57:00 AM |
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