The Celtic Spring 🌻☘️

So, What’s the Craic?

The Craic returns this Friday with snippets of news and views from home and away. If you’ve been enjoying this wee newsletter, pass it on to friends and family by asking them to sign up here.

News from Home

Take a Hike, Pat. February 1st marks the Feast of St Brigid, who deserves to be celebrated just as much as her more famous ‘colleague,’ St Patrick. Brigid did more than just chase away a few snakes, too: she transformed muddy water into ale, opposed forced marriage (a ridiculously brave act in the 6th century), and performed more miracles before breakfast than most saints managed in a lifetime. While Patrick has the shamrock, Brigid has her signature woven cross, which became one of the symbols of nationhood when Ireland struggled against British rule. She’s the Mother Saint of Ireland, so raise a little toast tomorrow for Brigid of Kildare.

I Live With Me Mam. A nationwide study has found that 70% of Irish 25-year-olds still live in the parental home. Comparative figures in the US are around 44%; it’s 50% in the UK. All sorts of sociological theories have been floated for the trend, but it all comes back to the housing crisis. When it costs a gazillion euros per week to rent a teeny-tiny room in a city, you’re going to stay with Ma and Da. The food’s better, too.

After the Storm. Ireland continues to recover from Storm Éowyn. Tens of thousands of homes remain without power, water, and heating, and many schools remain closed. While there is a lot of anger towards the authorities stumbling to get things back to normal, there have been plenty of heart-warming stories about communities pulling together to help vulnerable folk.

Reaching for the Stars. We all know Belfast is famous for its historic shipbuilding, but there’s a growing industry for building a different type of vessel. A $900 million contract has been won for a company based in the city to build the Argonaut Lunar Lander, which will set off for the moon in 2030. Hope there are no icebergs up there.

The Irish Influence

This week’s Irish influence highlights several young stars of the screen. You’re all aware that there’s been an Irish invasion of Hollywood with the likes of Cillian Murphy, Saoirse Ronan, Paul Mescal, and the rest. Well, the Irish Film & Television Academy has highlighted the next generation ready to conquer the big screen through its nominations for the Rising Star Award. Michael Fassbender is among those who went on to superstardom after winning. You may have glimpsed some of the actors already in this year’s list, with Anthony Boyle (Say Nothing), Clinton Liberty (House of the Dragon), and Alisha Weir (Abigail) appearing in major films and television. There’s also a nomination for writer/director Aislinn Clarke. We wonder if, circling back a few years from now, we’ll find that some of these talents are household names.

Cúpla Focal

Me Aul Flower. With last week’s storm passing, Ireland’s been enjoying a few days of clear skies and a hint of spring. In fact, February 1st is the first day of the Celtic Spring (going by the old pagan calendar). You might even see some of the wildflowers teasing a bloom. This week, we thought we’d throw a colloquialism at you. “Me aul flower” (my old flower) is a tongue-in-cheek term of endearment. A bit ridiculous, we know, but that’s how it is, me aul flower.

Blast from the Past

It’s difficult to explain Peace Walls to anyone living outside of Northern Ireland. The walls, built to keep loyalist and nationalist communities apart and to act as a physical barrier against violent disorder between those communities, have served a purpose down the years, but it always feels like a symbol of hope when they are knocked down. Such was the case in Co. Armagh last week, when local communities on both sides agreed to demolish a Peace Wall in Portadown. The walls started to be constructed in the late 1960s and continued to spring up throughout the Troubles. Around 20 walls have been brought down since 2013, but dozens – some of which are several miles long – remain across the region.

And One Last Thing….

America isn’t alone in loving watching big, burly men chase an egg-ball around a field. While you’re all looking forward to the Chiefs taking on the Eagles at Super Bowl LIX next Sunday, back home it’s all about the Six Nations rugby tournament. It starts this evening, and it will feature Ireland, England, Scotland, Wales, France, and Italy in a bruising competition that lasts into the spring. The Chiefs aren’t the only team going for a three-peat, either, as Ireland has won the last two tournaments. Ireland’s first game is tomorrow against England. We aren’t saying it’s extra special to beat the English at any sport, but you know, let’s be honest, it’s always nice.

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