From the Irish Roots Cafe & Hedge School

The Half-Way Irish
Now, in genealogy, "half-way Irish" is not a bad thing.
It can mean one ancestor was Irish and others were
German. It can mean your family moved to
Ireland for awhile, then came to North America.
You might wear a Guinness T-shirt, but never drink
guinness.... and so on. All in good fun, really.

St. Patricks Day Irish
Here is a term that can be good, and can offer room
for growth. It stands for those of us who come
out on St. Patricks day, to celebrate our heritage.
We may not know much else, but we know we
have an Irish connection. We meet new friends,
have a good time, and more importantly, get
the opportunity to learn more about from whence
we came.
This comes about by going beyond the Shamrocks,
which are a good beginning. The books, the Irish
groups, the first trip to Ireland, the song, the dance.
You might even learn a little more about your
father, your grandfather, and yourself. It can be a
grand journey. It is first step of many.

Plastic Paddy
Well, this is another term entirely. It is an
insult in these parts. Perhaps you wear a plastic
green hat on St. Patricks Day, and that would be
the best meaning you could hope for.

Hurling Insults
It is usually cast as an insult on an American or
other person not 'born' in Ireland. The one
delivering the caustic attack would most likely
be born in Ireland, (or at least thinks he was).
It means, I think, that you are superficial, have
no real understanding of Ireland or her history.
You go merrily on your way however, and think
that you are brilliant !
Yet, remember, even 'plastic Paddys' can go on to
higher levels of development. Just because you
are having a bit of childish fun, does not mean
you deserve such harsh criticism. (unless, that is,
you have done nothing else in your entire life).

My Half-way Irish
Our latest podcast actually honored those I
referred to as Half-way Irish. These were those
who stuck around past St. Pats day, to celebrate
'half way to St. Patricks day', and help inform
others about Irish history, dance, sports and
song. So goes the turn of a phrase, for in this
case it was a compliment.
The podcast can be found at:

http://www.irishroots.com/podcast/podcast198.mp3


Other Curious Notes from the Cafe

The Irish Families project has released 12 Irish

county books, each includes a detailed color

map of the county in question. Great by the way,

for the St. Patricks Day Irish, and half way Irish

in search of their ancestors. The 12 books are:


v28.Co. Wexford Genealogy ... (0940134-55-1)

v25.Co. Tipperary: Genealogy.. (0940134-543)

v23.Co. Roscommon: Genealogy....(0940134-519)

v31 Co. Limerick Genealogy...(0940134-83-7)

v33 Co. Galway Genealogy...(0940134-82-9)

v30 Co. Dublin Genealogy....(0940134-81-0)

v34 Co. Donegal Genealogy...(0940134-80-2)

v13.Co. Derry (Londond.)...... (0940134-67-5)

v12.Co. Cork Genealogy ..(0940134888)

v32 Co. Clare Genealogy....(0940134-87-X)

v11.Co. Cavan & Co. Leitrim :..(0940134-640)

v26.Co. Tyrone Genealogy ..(0940134-79 9)

The Irish Families Project Video:

http://youtu.be/KRcizEdwVSE


Books on the Irish hedge school web page:

http://www.irishroots.com/content/view/18/133/



See you next St. Pats,

Mike O'Laughin

www.Irishroots.com


P.S. You can add your own definitions below.