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So, What’s the Craic?

The Craic is back with an end-of-summer feeling deep down in its bones, bringing you stories concerning Irish folk at home and abroad. Get a little buzz of excitement when this email wings its way to your inbox on a Friday, do ya? Well, don’t be shy, and tell a friend to sign up here.

News from Home

Melting Pot. It appears that the evidence of Americans flocking here in large numbers is more than anecdotal. The latest figures show a 96% rise in US emigration to Ireland, up from 4,900 to 9.600 in the most recent 12-month period. Around 6,000 Irish left for the US in the same period, so we are now officially a net recipient of US immigrants. Wasn’t it supposed to be the other way? Incredible when you think of it. The reasons are unclear, although some claim that it is related to the current resident at 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue, but that probably only tells about half the story. Now, for decades, centuries even, we provided the world with a wonderful body of literature themed on escape and longing for America – it might be time to return the favor, lads.

New Potatoes. The perception that Ireland is obsessed with potatoes is exaggerated, but, you know, most of us know exactly what to do with a Dublin Queen or Kerr’s Pink. Yet, there is a bit of a crisis right now – a shortage in new potatoes. For those of you not educated in the mysterious ways of the spud, a ‘new’ potato is an immature tuber (sounds like an insult) with a waxy, more delicate taste and texture. Inclement weather has forced vendors to sell older crops that may have been warehoused for extended periods. It’s not quite a national emergency yet, but there’ll be a few grumpy aul das around the dinner table tonight.

Birdshit District. The wonderful Blindboy (Podcaster, writer, legend) applied the moniker “the Birdshit District” to Bedford Row in one of his many musings on his hometown, Limerick city. The nickname came about as huge murmurations of starlings would, err, defecate on the pavements. But thanks to the pull of Blindboy, Birdshit District has become an unlikely tourist destination, as fans (of Blindboy, not bird poop) flock to the area.

The Craic Recommends. Ciara Mary-Alice Thompson, AKA CMAT, is finally starting to receive the recognition she deserves outside of her native Ireland. She has just released her 3rd album, Euro-Country, and it’s fantastic. If you won’t take our word for it, the Guardian review called it “deeply relatable, gloriously catchy Celtic pop from a true one-off” in a 5-star review. Check it out here.

The Irish Influence

It's been a long time since we had an exciting soccer wonderkind coming through the ranks in Ireland. And while we don’t want to put pressure on young Victor Ozhianvuna, the kid is turning heads. He has just signed for Arsenal from League of Ireland side Shamrock Rovers in a 2 million euro deal that makes him the most expensive transfer in LOI history. We hope the Gunners give the 16yo all he needs to develop, and when he’s ready, he can come and help the Irish national team get back on its feet. Might be too soon to get us to America next summer, though.

Cúpla Focal

Féile {Fay-LA} – Festival or Party. Electric Picnic is Ireland’s most popular music festival (féile), and it takes place this weekend. And as CMAT has us feeling all musical this weekend, let’s skip the etymology lesson and point you toward this guide to the top ten Irish acts to see over the weekend instead.

Blast from the Past

Is there any figure in Irish history that looms larger than Michael Collins? The Corkman played an integral role in the Irish War of Independence, leading to our emancipation from British Rule, well, for 26 of the 32 counties anyway. Collins was shot dead by the Anti-Treaty IRA (those who did not accept the division of Ireland) on August 22, 1922, and six days later, his funeral was held in Dublin. 500,000 people attended the funeral procession, which, incredibly, was about 20% of the entire population of Ireland at the time. The video below is actually from the Michael Collins movie (worth a watch; has Big Liam Neeson in the lead role), but the filmmakers used footage of the real funeral. Gives you an indication of the massive scale.

And One Last Thing….

The Belfast rap-as-Gaeilge trio Kneecap is rarely out of the news. Whether it’s getting into trouble with the law, gig cancellations, or generally ruffling the feathers of the (usually British) establishment, the media is all over them. Yet, one member, Naoise O' Cairealláin AKA Móglaí Bap, has recently been speaking about an issue that should not be divisive – gambling addiction. He’s written a play about the subject, titled Naoise, which looks at the allure of gambling to young men, particularly in deprived areas where authorities turn a blind eye and where predators have a keen interest in getting youngsters hooked. You can, of course, disagree with Kneecap and their antics, but Naoise reminds us once again that these young men shine a light on areas where large swathes of the media and politicians fear to tread.

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