My Trip To Ireland, part I

[thanmuwa]

More trivia: The pillar was replaced by the statue of Anna Livia (a Joyce character known to Dubs as "The floozie in the jaccuzi") which was moved so the Spike could be erected.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Floozie_in_the_Jacuzzi

I like her other nickname better . I hope they take her out of storage soon, she needs to be back out in sight of the Liffey .

[beloitpiper]

I hadn't realised that there was evidence for the Vikings coming downstream... They must have known the Midlands of Ireland pretty well, because (obviously) the Shannon-Erne waterway didn't exist back then, and that would have been 40 miles of wild and unfriendly country to carry a boat across in those days! They must have known about the Shannon and where it was. I suppose it would have been quicker than sailing around the coast though . I am no expert on Vikings (the reason I know about Clonmacnoise is because I am from Athlone), were there Viking settlements in Cavan/Fermanagh then?

I looked it up and you're right. There is evidence of Vikings in Limerick, so they probably did come up the River Shannon that way. BUT, in my defense, the Vikings did hit Kells and other inland monastic site and they never did go as far north (on the west coast) as Galway...because there was nothing there to steal!

[funlvnman]

Fabulous pics. Thanks. Brought back a lot of memories from when we used to tour with our folk rock band in Ireland. We used to spend about 3/4weeks at a time over there.
In all the times we have spent and travelled around Ireland, I have never seen anyone in a Kilt. Not even the buskers in Dublin had them. Where did you spot these fellow Kilt wearers.
Iechyd Da
Derek

The people I saw in kilts were typically outside a pub in Temple Bar. The first nite we were there was Gay Pride Day. I'm not sure if that had anything to do with the kilts but the gay community's reputation for fashion sense was prominently displayed. There were some really smart outfilts.

[GDub]

Great photos! Thanks!

Do you speak a little Irish? (An dtuigeann tú beagán Gaeilge?)

[funlvnman]

Great photos! Thanks!

Do you speak a little Irish? (An dtuigeann tú beagán Gaeilge?)

Jeez, I barely speak english. However, if you are fluent in Irish, there is a song I'm learning that has some Irish lyrics. perhaps you could both translate the lyrics and help me with the proper pronunciation! That would be awesome.

The song is "Westering Home" I will send you the lyrics if you agree to help me.

TIA
Rich

[funlvnman]

BTW, I'm really enjoying the debate regarding the origin of the "Viking" glyphs. Please continue to discuss it here. I LOVE this stuff.

[funlvnman]

I've run out of pics from my trip that I am willing to post. All the rest are either poor quality or repeats.


If anyone is interested I will post my pics of the EAT sessions. It's a very interesting concept with tremendous potential.

[GDub]

Jeez, I barely speak english. However, if you are fluent in Irish, there is a song I'm learning that has some Irish lyrics. perhaps you could both translate the lyrics and help me with the proper pronunciation! That would be awesome.

The song is "Westering Home" I will send you the lyrics if you agree to help me.

Here you go (I think):

"Westering Home" is the same tune as "Trasna Na dTonnta" ("Across the Waves")

Curfá:
Trasna na dtonnta, dul siar, dul siar.
Slán leis an uaigneas is slán leis an gcéan
Geal é mo chroí agus geal í an ghrian,
Geal bheith ag filleadh go hEirinn.

Chonaic mo dhóthair de thíortha í gcéin
Ór agus airgead, saibhreas an tsaoil.
Éiríonn an chroí 'nam le breacadh gach lae.'s mé ag druidim le duiche mo mhuintire.

Curfá

Muintir am Iarthair 's iad cáirde mo chroí
Fáilte is feile beidh romham ar gach taobh.
Ar fhágail an tsaoil 's é ghuím ar an Rí,
Gur leo sin a chínfear I gcill mé.

Curfá

English Translation:

"Across the Waves"

Chorus:
Crossing the waves going west, going west.
Goodbye to the loneliness & bye to the sadness
Bright is my heart and bright is the sun.
Bright to be returning to Ireland.

I saw my fill of unhappy lands.
Gold and silver, a wealthy way of life
The heart arises with the break of each day.
And me approaching the lands of my people.

Chorus

The western people are friends of my heart.
Welcome & hospitality before me on every side.
Having this life here I pray to the King.
To be stretched out in a churchyard with them.

Chorus


BTW, I'm just a newbie to the Irish language, but I play a lot of Irish music so I have a good source.

[GDub]

and here's another translation to the version of the song called "Westering Home":

Westering Home

Chorus..
And it's Westering home, and a song in the air,
Light in the eye, and it's goodbye to care.
Laughter o' love, and a welcoming there,
Isle of my heart, my own one.

Tell me 0' lands o' the Orient gay,
Speak o' the riches and joys 0' Cathay;
Eh, but it's grand to be wakin' ilk day
To find yourself nearer to Isla.

Chorus: And it's Westering home...

Where are the folk like the folk o' the west?
Canty, and couthy, and kindly, the best.
There I would hie me and there I would rest
At hame wi' my ain folk in Isla.

Chorus: And it's Westering home...

[funlvnman]

and here's another translation to the version of the song called "Westering Home":

Westering Home

Chorus..
And it's Westering home, and a song in the air,
Light in the eye, and it's goodbye to care.
Laughter o' love, and a welcoming there,
Isle of my heart, my own one.

Tell me 0' lands o' the Orient gay,
Speak o' the riches and joys 0' Cathay;
Eh, but it's grand to be wakin' ilk day
To find yourself nearer to Isla.

Chorus: And it's Westering home...

Where are the folk like the folk o' the west?
Canty, and couthy, and kindly, the best.
There I would hie me and there I would rest
At hame wi' my ain folk in Isla.

Chorus: And it's Westering home...

This is the one I have. I absolutely love this song.
Most of it is in English, towards the end they sing a part in Irish. I'll send it to you and perhaps you'll be able to teach me the meaning and pronunciation.

Rich