Abandoned Islands, Animal Surnames and Cozy Wool Slippers

Céad míle fáilte, welcome to your Letter from Ireland “Shorts”.  Each Tuesday we’ll bring you a quick-read of some of our favourite and interesting Irish things for this week.

---

FAVOURITE PLACES IN IRELAND 
The Blasket Islands, County Kerry. (see it on a map here)

The Blasket Islands, located just off the coast of the Dingle Peninsula in County Kerry, were once home to a thriving community who kept the old Irish language and customs alive. Today, the islands are completely uninhabited, but can be visited. Pictured above is “An Fear Marbh”, the northernmost island, or “The Dead Man” in English because it looks, well, like a dead body! Check out this moving video of a Blasket Islander returning to his birthplace for the first time in 60 years.

---

FEATURED IRISH NAMES – Animal Surnames

Yep, you read that right! Plenty of Irish surnames are derived from animals, such as “Heron” and “Dolphin”. Let’s have a look at some animal surnames – and see if you can spot your own surname among them!

---

BOOK I’M READING NOW

“Guerilla Days in Ireland” by Tom Barry. Tom Barry was a guerilla leader of the Irish Republican Army, or IRA, and his book, “Guerilla Days in Ireland”, is one of the best-kept, firsthand accounts of the Irish War of Independence, including the controversial Kilmichael Ambush. Click here to see the book on amazon.

---

IRISH WORD OR PROVERB

“Is fearr lúbadh ná briseadh“

Which translates to “It’s better to bend than break”.

Click here to listen to how a native Irish speaker would say it

---

IRISH CRAFT/PRODUCT WE LOVE

Sheep by the Sea slippers are some of the cosiest pairs of slippers you’ll ever find! Made from real sheep’s wool that’s lightweight and breathable, yet super comfy, you’ll never want to wear anything else again – unless you have to leave the house, of course!

---

That’s it for this week. Send us an email with any of your own favourites for inclusion in future emails, or if you’re a plus member leave a comment below.

Slán for now,
Mike & Carina.

*Note: The above article may contain some affiliate links (for example Amazon) which means we get paid a small amount should you choose to purchase, at no extra cost to you. This helps us keep the show on the road!