Couldnt figure were to post my 10,000th post, so I decided to start a thread with it.

Im always bashing things stateside, so to celebrate this landmark :D
its time you guys got yer own back a bit, but for post one, something
lighthearted.

Slan.

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/7460005.stm

well congrats on posting here so long.
I couldn't see the nudes but sure will check them out later on another box.

Holy Bejeezus, how'd you get so many posts? Shouldn't you be at the local pub fulfilling your duty as an Irishman?

The heads to ass shots were a little gross...

when did the Irish get Castles?

when did the Irish get Castles?
We didnt, it was foreigners responding to our friendly nature :D

Holy Bejeezus, how'd you get so many posts? Shouldn't you be at the local pub fulfilling your duty as an Irishman?
I know, Ive been told to cut down, big time, so :(

We didnt, it was foreigners responding to our friendly nature :D
yeah, weren't the Irish the badasses of Europe before the Vikings came to town?

yeah, weren't the Irish the badasses of Europe before the Vikings came to town?
In what way ?

I always thought the Irish were responsible for pulling Europe outta the dark ages.

This backs your claim Paulc
The best-known Neolithic sites in Ireland are the megalithic passage tombs of Newgrange and Knowth in County Meath. Both were built around 3200BC, making them older than Stonehenge in England, and the Pyramids of Giza in Egypt.

In what way ?

I always thought the Irish were responsible for pulling Europe outta the dark ages.
you don't know how St. Patrick got to Ireland (http://members.tripod.com/~Vonna_C/pat/index-6.html)?

you don't know how St. Patrick got to Ireland (http://members.tripod.com/~Vonna_C/pat/index-6.html)?
Yes, he was bagged in Wales, and woke up here. Kidnapping and slavery were common in those days, who knows what happened.

Yes, he was bagged in Wales, and woke up here. Kidnapping and slavery were common in those days, who knows what happened.
once the Irish were feared by free men, now they're only feared by men with an open bar at their daughter's wedding.:drinktoth

So the saga over the NO vote continues:

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/europe/7462857.stm

A lifesize replica of that boat or parts therof, are being lined up for construction in Belfasts new 'Titanic Quarter'.

Belfast City Council and Florida based WLM Inc have disclosed plans to build the project by 2012, if funding is secured.

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/northern_ireland/7464369.stm

I was wondering when they were going to build a replica.

With any luck, when Titanic II sails, she'll have a captain who takes care of her better than the other old girl had.

In other Titanic news, an unused lifejacket is expected to fetch big bucks at auction, maybe as much as $60, 000.

The old girl continues to make the news.

I was wondering when they were going to build a replica.

With any luck, when Titanic II sails, she'll have a captain who takes care of her better than the other old girl had.

In other Titanic news, an unused lifejacket is expected to fetch big bucks at auction, maybe as much as $60, 000.

The old girl continues to make the news.
wait until you see my Titanic themed casino;)

There is to be a major clampdown on fuel smuggleing from the Republic into the North :( again.

Bad news for drivers, especially of diesel cars like myself, getten dipped at checkpoints is becoming routine :(

http://www.rte.ie/news/2008/0619/northcrime.html

It looks like the EU isn't going to take Ireland's vote lying down. They are now suggesting that the only reason the Irish voted no is they are too dumb to know what they want so they are planning a revote. I guess their philosophy is, vote again and again until you get a result you like.

http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/news/w ... 188278.ece

After the resounding victory for the No campaign 10 days ago, the air is thick with the noise of plots and plans to turn that No into a Yes. Irish voters, it seems, only rejected the Lisbon treaty because they were too dumb to understand it or, in the version favoured by France’s President Sarkozy, because they had been frightened by Peter Mandelson’s trade negotiations. Or maybe the Yes camp was too complacent and did not try hard enough.
Never mind. Ireland’s electorate may not have delivered what Brussels wanted the first time, but there will be a second opportunity. Robert Mugabe reruns elections when he does not get the right result and so, it seems, does the European Union.
After consorting with President Sarkozy and Angela Merkel, the German chancellor, it appears Brian Cowen has a plan. Concessions may be granted to Ireland over the number of European commissioners, the country’s right to set its own corporate tax rates, and abortion. These will be presented as significant victories.
Irish voters will probably get to vote again next spring, and if the Sarkozy-Merkel plan works, will say Yes in time for full ratification of the treaty by all 27 members next summer. The French president even plans a visit to Dublin next month to see what all the fuss is about and to use his charm to try to ensure the “right” result next time. After all, how could Ireland, alone of those 27 member countries, have found fault with the treaty?
It is nonsense; and it is arrogant, insulting nonsense. Ireland rejected the treaty because it was the only country whose people got to vote on it. Irish voters did not reject the treaty because they failed to understand it; only those trained as constitutional lawyers could do so anyway. They knew enough about the treaty from others’ interpretations to be aware of three things.
First, they knew this was simply a reheated version of the constitution previously rejected by French and Dutch, with well over 90% of its content identical. Second, they rejected as false claims that voting No to Lisbon would stall the operation of the European Union. The EU has continued to work normally while supposedly handicapped by the organisational limbo that followed the rejection of the constitution.
Most importantly, they knew enough about this centralising treaty to reject it on principle. It is an insult to the voters of Ireland to suggest that national issues alone — such as tax, abortion or the number of commissioners — lay behind the No vote. Polls showed that this was not the case. Ireland voted for what it believed in, and what it believed in was that it did not want powers to be directed to the centre; exactly the opposite of the brief Valéry Giscard d’Estaing, the former French president, was given when he embarked on writing a constitution all those years ago.
The other insulting aspect is that Ireland is being accorded small-country status in all this. When France and the Netherlands rejected the constitution, it stayed rejected, and Europe’s leaders had to at least pay lip service to coming up with something slightly different, which is why we had the Lisbon treaty. But that treaty’s rejection by Ireland is something that can be fixed, in time-honoured EU fashion, by fudge and sleight of hand. Indeed, if anybody wanted confirmation of the way Europe is heading, it is in the way the big boys are ganging up to steamroller Ireland’s voters into submission.
Ireland should reject the Sarkozy-Merkel “try, try, try again” plan. The EU needs to be clear that its treaty is neither workable in its present form, nor capable of being revived with a few concessions. For Ireland’s voters, this was surely a case of No definitely meaning No. If Mr Cowen, after talking to his friends in Europe, is determined to give it another go, there can only be one response. A No vote next time has to be even more decisive than earlier this month. Anything less would be a travesty.

It looks like the EU isn't going to take Ireland's vote lying down. They are now suggesting that the only reason the Irish voted no is they are too dumb to know what they want so they are planning a revote.

An all to common attitude by bureaucrats worldwide, I'm afraid. I'm sick of the government trying to protect me from myself because they think I don't know what's best for me.

Its a constitution how hard can it be. I can see the Cooperate tax rates being part of the constitution as mindbogglingly and vote NO as well.

An all to common attitude by bureaucrats worldwide, I'm afraid. I'm sick of the government trying to protect me from myself because they think I don't know what's best for me.
or you won't go with what's best for them.

The Irish electorate dont fancy interference from Brussels any more than is now going on.
They dont want a single EU President speaking for them,
they dont want to join any EU defence force as this would effect nutrality.
They sure dont want corporation tax levels taken away, as that is what has made them prosperous.
They dont want legalised abortion.

In a recent survey, the YES camp admitted thay ran a poor campaign, and only knocked the door of 10% of households, wheras the NO campaign ran an aggressive campaign, its strange, European Governments are left scratching they're heads wheras the majority of Europeans are saying 'well done Ireland'

Its a major risk to re-write portions of the Treaty and send it back for a second ballot, if it were rejected again, it would be dead in the water.

The Czech Republic isnt happy either, and may cause opposition to it also.

Good for Ireland! The treaty seems like a bad idea to me, hands down.

Ah DF, I havnt seen ya around of late, busy busy busy.

I was camping for a week... No internet access out in the woods.

I was camping for a week... No internet access out in the woods.

I thought all of Maryland was 'out in the woods'.

It used to annoy me when people said the Irish were stupid, then other times I can understand them.

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/northern_ireland/7472490.stm

I thought all of Maryland was 'out in the woods'.
Haha... No not really.... Have you ever heard of Baltimore?

Yeah, Baltimore is in County Cork :D

Here it is.

US Presidential hopeful John McCain seems to come from 'good stock' as Presidents go.

Ulster Scots, or Scotch Irish as they are known in America have been elected to the Presidency on at least 22 occasions

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/northern_ireland/7476058.stm

While on the subject of Presidentials, a life size statue is to be unveiled in New Ross County Wexford on Sunday, to coincide with the 45th anniversary of JFKs visit to his grand fathers place of birth.

http://www.newrossecho.ie/news/story/?trs=cwsnojidcw&cat=news

While on the subject of Presidentials, a life size statue is to be unveiled in New Ross County Wexford on Sunday, to coincide with the 45th anniversary of JFKs visit to his grand fathers place of birth.

http://www.newrossecho.ie/news/story/?trs=cwsnojidcw&cat=news

Interesting, Paul. Please post a photo of the statue when one is available... I'd like to see it.

;)
SMW

The big story of the day here is the aquittal of Terry Davidson in the murder of Robert McCartney.

Some background.

McCartney and his friend were drinking in a downtown Belfast bar, Magennis's.
An argument broke out between McCartneys friend and some Republicans in the bar, and McCartney interveened.
Things spilled out onto the street and Mr McCartney was stabbed to death in the alley which runs up the side of the bar.

It has been stated that IRA members were involved and that all the drinkers in the pub were warned not to speak to the PSNI about the killing.

Of 71 patrons drinking, none came forward with information. A passing motorist claimed she say McCartney and the accused Davidson fighting outside the bar, but the court ruled that that wasnt enough to convict him.

Robert McCartneys sisters took an extensive tour of the United States to highlight they're brothers murder, claiming a Republician cover up was at play, as a result, for a time senior US politicans refused to meet with Sinn Fein delegations.

http://www.rte.ie/news/2008/0627/mccartneyr.html

Interesting, Paul. Please post a photo of the statue when one is available... I'd like to see it.

;)
SMW

No probs, will do.

It used to annoy me when people said the Irish were stupid, then other times I can understand them.

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/northern_ireland/7472490.stm
don't feel bad, there's plenty of ppl on this side of the pond that'll pay that kinda money for a Toyota-in-a-dress too.:rolleyes:

The big story of the day here is the aquittal of Terry Davidson in the murder of Robert McCartney.

Some background.

McCartney and his friend were drinking in a downtown Belfast bar, Magennis's.
An argument broke out between McCartneys friend and some Republicans in the bar, and McCartney interveened.
Things spilled out onto the street and Mr McCartney was stabbed to death in the alley which runs up the side of the bar.

It has been stated that IRA members were involved and that all the drinkers in the pub were warned not to speak to the PSNI about the killing.

Of 71 patrons drinking, none came forward with information. A passing motorist claimed she say McCartney and the accused Davidson fighting outside the bar, but the court ruled that that wasnt enough to convict him.

Robert McCartneys sisters took an extensive tour of the United States to highlight they're brothers murder, claiming a Republician cover up was at play, as a result, for a time senior US politicans refused to meet with Sinn Fein delegations.

http://www.rte.ie/news/2008/0627/mccartneyr.html
if somone seeing them fighting isn't enough for a conviction, what are 71 ppl seeing them leave at the same time or both being in the pub gonna do? that's working backwards.

Paul,

I have no doubt that there is a cover up by Republicans. Even disregarding this incident, the U.S. government should boycott any talks with Sinn Fein. It is allied with a terrorist organization the Irish Republican Armh.

It is allied to the IRA thats true, but Sinn Fein is not regarded as a 'terrorist' group.

It is a political party with elected representatives in every constituency in Ireland, from Deputy First Minister of North Ireland to local councillor in Kerry.
There wouldnt be a peace deal in the North if the United States Government hadnt intervened.

A massive gold mine has been discovered :)

http://www.rte.ie/news/2008/0701/monaghan.html

Paulie!!!!! My fav poster on the whole internet!!

Just read on the elevator news monitor that there's been a discovery of a huge amount of GOLD in them thar hills of Ireland! Quick... go dig in your backyard and if you come up with shiny yellow stuff, we can split it 50/50!

Deal?

Paulie!!!!! My fav poster on the whole internet!!

Just read on the elevator news monitor that there's been a discovery of a huge amount of GOLD in them thar hills of Ireland! Quick... go dig in your backyard and if you come up with shiny yellow stuff, we can split it 50/50!

Deal?

LOL... that's what I get for posting a reply without looking at the last post.

Deal still goes though, right??

:hug:

Paulie!!!!! My fav poster on the whole internet!!
I find myself agreeing with ya on this issue for a change :)

Just read on the elevator news monitor that there's been a discovery of a huge amount of GOLD in them thar hills of Ireland! Quick... go dig in your backyard and if you come up with shiny yellow stuff, we can split it 50/50!

Deal?[/QUOTE]

Yeah, there was talk on the radio today, an expected $1.8 billion.

Tho its low grade and the green brigade will have a field day with open cast mining.

Kildare County Council are testing new anti speed devices. What a country :D

http:www.rte.ie/news/2008/0630/roads.html

Well, like you told Prae... agreeing = boredom. ;)

Low-grade gold, eh? Wonder if that means one's Rolex would turn green?

Low-grade gold, eh? Wonder if that means one's Rolex would turn green?
Ya mean its not supposed to, shit, Ive been had :(

Ya mean its not supposed to, shit, Ive been had :(

Yeah, well you shoulda known something was wrong when you looked at the face and it said Nolex.

A lady at the family reunion I just attended was wearing a Presidential Rolex. Sure were a lot of whispers about whose money she had... family $ or hubby's $.

I vote hubby's.

My family's confederate money isn't worth much these days.

A Presidential Rolex.
A wristwatch made in Switzerland, doesnt sound very American :(

Just wanted to make sure you saw this, Paul... it's a good 'un I found in my email box this morning.

***

Advice from Ireland

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

THOUGHTS FROM ACROSS THE POND

An email from Ireland to their brethren in the States...a point to ponder despite your political affiliation:

We, in Ireland, can't figure out why people are even bothering to hold an election in the United States .

On one side, you have a pants wearing lawyer, married to a lawyer who cant keep his pants on, who just lost a long and heated primary against a lawyer who goes to the wrong church who is married to yet another lawyer who doesn't even like the country her husband wants to run.

Now...On the other side, you have a nice old war hero whose name starts with the appropriate Mc terminology married to a good looking younger woman who owns a beer distributorship.

What in Lords name are you lads thinking over there in the colonies??

Yes, well when some Irish logic is brought to the subject its pretty clear.

No doubt youve sent it round Texas and beyond by now.

You may or may not know, but the 'Running of The Bull's' takes place in Pamplona, Spain this week.

Unfortunatly, the first casualty was Irishman Aiden Holly.
The whole thing is fucken nuts.

http://www.rte.ie/news/2008/0707/pamplona.html

You may or may not know, but the 'Running of The Bull's' takes place in Pamplona, Spain this week.

Unfortunatly, the first casualty was Irishman Aiden Holly.
The whole thing is fucken nuts.

http://www.rte.ie/news/2008/0707/pamplona.html
i don't want to seem like i'm demeaning his death, but falling off a 30m high wall isn't likely to be related to the bulls.:(

no less stupid, but a different stupid way to go.

Chaos at Dublin Airport.
If youve never been, trust me, its bad enough at this time of year, more like a cattle market.

But dozens of flights were cancelled or re-routed, peoples vacations ruined, and holiday makers stranded.

http://www.rte.ie/news/2008/0709/air.html

Chaos at Dublin Airport.
If youve never been, trust me, its bad enough at this time of year, more like a cattle market.

But dozens of flights were cancelled or re-routed, peoples vacations ruined, and holiday makers stranded.

http://www.rte.ie/news/2008/0709/air.html
if they're having problems like that at 65% of capacity, i think they over estimate their capacity.

http://i156.photobucket.com/albums/t33/texrose752/Hallutinations.gif

Paul??? Darlin, is that YOU????

OK SMW, lets hear it.

OK SMW, lets hear it.

Nuthin to say... just saw the smilie and he reminded me of you!

:flowers:

Nuthin to say... just saw the smilie and he reminded me of you!

:flowers:

Its da gaelic charm :)

Its da gaelic charm :)

Without a doubt.

:thumbs:

In the North Bombardier Aerospace has announced an investment of $1 billion in its Belfast Plant.
Which will sustain 800 jobs.

A total of £519.4m will be used to design and manufacture wings for their 110 and 130 seat C-series aircraft at the factory.

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/northern_ireland/7504123.stm

the only thing that keeps me from moving somewhere in erupe or ireland, england, etc, is they just ain't enough trees, and too restrictive on hunting n guns n bows in arrows n such.

Europe is the most regulated place on Earth, your right, stay were ya are.

Its seems, once again, that theres one law for the rich and one law for everyone else.

U2s Bono and The Edge have secured the go-ahead for they're infamous hotel project in central Dublin, even tho a planning inspector initially refused the application.

http://www.rte.ie/news/2008/0717/clarence.html

Its seems, once again, that theres one law for the rich and one law for everyone else.

U2s Bono and The Edge have secured the go-ahead for they're infamous hotel project in central Dublin, even tho a planning inspector initially refused the application.

http://www.rte.ie/news/2008/0717/clarence.html
they're keeping it open! would you rather see it close or get run down?

No, but you or I try and get planning permission for a project similar to this and we'd have no chance.

No, but you or I try and get planning permission for a project similar to this and we'd have no chance.
we don't have the money to see it thru.

In an effort to slow down, or even stop the exodus of young people from the islands resident of the Aran islands have forwarded an idea to The Dept of Finance in Dublin.

Tax Haven.

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/europe/7513283.stm

Gang violence continues in Dublin with the second shooting in 12 hours in the Finglas area.

http://www.rte.ie/news/2008/0719/finglas.html

Gang violence continues in Dublin with the second shooting in 12 hours in the Finglas area.

http://www.rte.ie/news/2008/0719/finglas.html
where did you get that it was gang related? i think you're profiling!:(

where did you get that it was gang related? i think you're profiling!:(

Trust me, it was gang related.

Ned Kelly's ancestral home to be saved.

The cottage at the center of the deportation to Australia of Ned Kelly's father is to become a monument to the notorious bushwhacker.

Irish human rights barrister and writer Brendan Kilty,SC, will pay for the restoration of the farmhouse in Tipperary, from which Ned Kelly's father, John 'Red' Kelly stole two pigs, an act which led to the Kelly's ending up in Australia.

http://www.news.com.au/heraldsun/story/0,21985,24049056,00.html

Iris Robinson MP MLA is continuing her attack on Gays and Lesbians.

On June 6 she claimed that members of the Gay community could be
'turned around'.
http://www.belfasttelegraph.co.uk/news/local-national/iris-slammed-for-offering-gay-8216cure8217-13507748.html

Paul,

I just want to thank you for these little bits of Irish information. It is interesting stuff that I would not read were it not for you.

Thanks very much Frogger, appreciate that :)

Ned Kelly's ancestral home to be saved.

The cottage at the center of the deportation to Australia of Ned Kelly's father is to become a monument to the notorious bushwhacker.

Irish human rights barrister and writer Brendan Kilty,SC, will pay for the restoration of the farmhouse in Tipperary, from which Ned Kelly's father, John 'Red' Kelly stole two pigs, an act which led to the Kelly's ending up in Australia.

http://www.news.com.au/heraldsun/story/0,21985,24049056,00.html

Wasn't Mick Jagger in a movie about Ned Kelly and actually played Ned?
Good lord, what a terrible instance of miscasting.
Kinda like having Paris Hilton play the Queen Mum.

the only thing that keeps me from moving somewhere in erupe or ireland, england, etc, is they just ain't enough trees, and too restrictive on hunting n guns n bows in arrows n such.

I wouldn't want to live there because

A. it's too crowded and too old. Everywhere you go, 9 zillion people have gone before, and 90 gazillion more watch your every step

B. gas costs too much, cars are too small, streets are too narrow

C. I'd miss America. It's be cool to visit, but not live there. Wierd looking houses too.:D

weird looking houses ?

Post a pic of a house that looks somewhat like yours to we see what ya mean.

Three men were sentenced this morning for the biggest drug bust in the history of Ireland.
A whopping e440m worth of cocaine.

Perry Wharrie
Martin Wanden
Joe Daly
were convicted of possession.

Wharrie 30 years
Wanden 30 years
Daly 25 years.

http://www.rte.ie/news/2008/0723/drugs.html

weird looking houses ?

Post a pic of a house that looks somewhat like yours to we see what ya mean.

Here's a house that's now for sale in Germany.


http://img355.imageshack.us/img355/6987/10791930867423feug1qo4mce2.jpg

House?
It looks like a warehouse that Frogger uses to store his toupees.

Here's a pic of a house that's similar to ours--style known as "Cape Cod"--very popular in America.


http://img168.imageshack.us/img168/3738/sssip911502wq0.jpg

Found a nice house for ya Ren.
Its in Dunquin Co Kerry, overlooking the Blaskett Islands, ya know them islands in Ryans Daughter.

Here is the house.
Only e480,000


and the view.

That is a beautiful place, paul. I'd almost give up my home where the buffalo roam for that--if only it weren't so expensive. But the scenery alone is worth the price.

Yeah, Kerry is beautiful, and the most expensive county outside Dublin.

We can only dream eh.

Dream..... yes.
What's the going rate for an average dwelling in your part of the country, paul?

Say, a 3 bedroom, 2 bath, with a bit of land, and attached garage. Like, an average middle class home.

Around here, depending on the acreage, they sell for 100-125 thousand. The housing market here is good --for buyers--not sellers. Real estate's been in a slump lately and will prob only get worse--and of course, flood damaged homes, you can't GIVE away.

Dream..... yes.
What's the going rate for an average dwelling in your part of the country, paul?

Say, a 3 bedroom, 2 bath, with a bit of land, and attached garage. Like, an average middle class home.

Around here, depending on the acreage, they sell for 100-125 thousand. The housing market here is good --for buyers--not sellers. Real estate's been in a slump lately and will prob only get worse--and of course, flood damaged homes, you can't GIVE away.

Your looking around $300,000+
Thats with one bathroom.

Found a nice house for ya Ren.
Its in Dunquin Co Kerry, overlooking the Blaskett Islands, ya know them islands in Ryans Daughter.
Hey, I've been there! My grandma's friend has a house in Dunquin, and my grandma and I stayed there for 2 days. We went on a boat tour around the Blaskett Islands, stopped on one of them for a few hours and explored. It was pretty cool.

Hey, I've been there! My grandma's friend has a house in Dunquin, and my grandma and I stayed there for 2 days. We went on a boat tour around the Blaskett Islands, stopped on one of them for a few hours and explored. It was pretty cool.

I thought youd left here girl-nice to see your still about.
I suppose your trip to Dunquinn was another one ya did without the camera :D

I understand some people in Killorglin wanted to make PaulC Puck this year, something about his being a randy old goat.



Irish Town Honors His Goatness
In the town of Killorglin in County Kerry, the reins of power are handed to a wild billy goat once a year. It's an opportunity for the people to let out their inner beast -- and for tourists to party the night away, writes reader Desmond F. Kelly.

The crowning of a king has always been cause for celebration. In the small town of Killorglin in the south-west corner of Ireland, it still is -- with a hitch. The king in question is a goat.


PHOTO GALLERY: KING GOAT
Click on a picture to launch the image gallery (4 Photos)

"King Puck" is one of the last regents of Ireland, though his reign is a short one -- from August 10 to 12 every year. Nevertheless, the small Irish town of Killorglin (about 100 km. from Cork) has been crowing King Puck since (officially) 1610. The goat-fawning fair is one of the oldest of Ireland's traditional rural celebrations -- and one of its better known.

Still, despite the fair's fame, its origins are somewhat unclear. One theory has the fair dating back to pagan times. Puck, as the male goat is called, could have been seen as a symbol of fertility for a late summer harvest festival.

The more modern theory is that King Puck is a celebration of the fact that a herd of goats, which had been grazing in the countryside nearby, were scared up by pillaging “Roundheads,” the soldiers of Oliver Cromwell. One goat galloped off towards the town in a state of fear, thus alerting the townspeople to the approaching danger. (A third, and less romantic, version involves legal loopholes, greedy landlords and tax evasion.)


WE NEED YOU
Help us find Europe's Weird Ways

DPAHave you been to a weird European festival or do you know of an odd tradition? If so, we at SPIEGEL ONLINE want to hear about it. Please send your stories (and pictures) to survival_bible@spiegel.de or post them directly on the SPIEGEL ONLINE FORUM.

Please include your name and your city and country of residence. Whatever its origins, it has grown to be an interesting collection of traditions and customs. Some days before the fair begins, a group of the most fearless and strong lads from the town head off into the McGillycuddy's Reeks (as the nearby hills are called) and attempt to corner and capture one of the wild goats grazing there. Bumps, cuts and bruises suffered during the chase are, of course, worn as badges of honor.

While their fathers and brothers are off traipsing through the hills, the young girls of the town compete to be crowned as “Queen Puck.” The competition entails them writing essays and giving interviews about why they want to be queen, and why they think that they are the best choice for the role -- a rather gruelling selection process.

Once the goat has been wrestled down from the heights, he is paraded through the town on what is known as “Gathering Day,” the day before the fair starts. The goat is then placed onto the lowest tier of a three-tiered platform. The Queen then delivers the Puck Proclamation and crowns her new king. The newly crowned king is then elevated to the topmost tier of the platform, there to look down on, and survey his subjects below for the next 3 days. Three days of trading and drinking, and singing, and drinking, and storytelling, and drinking follow -- giving rise to the saying, “Where a goat acts the king, the people can act the goat!”

For the town of Killorglin -- population 1,359 -- the goat festival has turned into a cash cow. More than 100,000 people pass through during the three days of the fair, and festival organizers estimate the event is worth over €6 million to the local economy. Puck Fair is one of the only places, and times, of the year in Ireland that the pubs are allowed to stay open till three in the morning. At the end of it all, the king is dethroned (in a nice way) and returned to the wild to rejoin his comrades on the foothills of Ireland's highest mountain.

Your looking around $300,000+
Thats with one bathroom.
we still have some lots on the big local lake, but the $462K they're asking, isn't selling.

The last Sunday of July is the day tha pilgrims climb Croagh Patrick, County Mayo, its known as 'Reek Sunday'.
Many of the pilgrims climb barefoot.

http://www.rte.ie/news/2008/0727/croaghpatrick.html

Gardai in County Monaghan have arrested another man in conection with the grizzly murder of 21 yo Paul Quinn.

Quinn from South Armagh [in the north] had a faling out with some Republicans in the area.
He was lured to a cattle barn in rural County Monaghan [Republic] were up to 10 masked men beat him to death.
There was outrage in the hardline republican area of South Armagh over the killing, with locals saying the IRA had killed him, something denied by Sinn Fein.
After several arrests during the week all were released without charge.
This case simply wont go away, for the Republican Movement.

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/northern_ireland/7537074.stm

Teaching of Irish, cumpolsory in the Republic, is being undermined, by teachers.

An examination of Irish in primary schools has found significant weaknesses in the way it is taught and learned.

http://www.rte.ie/news/2008/0715/education.html

Teaching of Irish, cumpolsory in the Republic, is being undermined, by teachers.

An examination of Irish in primary schools has found significant weaknesses in the way it is taught and learned.

http://www.rte.ie/news/2008/0715/education.html
that's kinda sad. :(

Looks like Dublin and Washington are gonna do a deal regarding the undocumented.

http://www.rte.ie/news/2008/0718/cowenb.html

Today 9th August is the 27th anniversary of the introduction of internment in North Ireland.

I remember as a kid, 7yo, the front door getting kicked in about 3am and about 20 British Troops rushed in searching every room, pulling everything out of cupboards and wardrobes.

They pushed and shoved everyone downstairs, shouting and balling as they did.

We were lined up as the house was ransacked, my brother wasnt there at the time, and they didnt take the old man as they knew him, he worked in the bus station, which has been commandeered and used as a military base,
we were lucky.

They left soon after and I being the youngest was put to bed, tho in the morning the house was still a mess.
Outside, a line jeeps, armoured cars and trucks were lined down the road as far as ya could see, and troops were everywhere, there had been some serious violence for the week before, and burnt out houses and shops mixed with burnt out cars and buses, made the scene look like a battlefield.

Sorry Im rambling on here.

Just thought Id remember my 9th August.

Just thought Id remember my 9th August.Hmm ... no wonder you remember it.

Was your brother later interned?

Hmm ... no wonder you remember it.

Was your brother later interned?

No, he was fortunate enough to be in Tyrone with relatives when it started,
they live about 5 miles from the border he managed to get across and off to Dublin for a few years.

If memory serves, it was called 'Operation Motorman'

At first, hundreds of men were put on a British Prison Ship called
The Maidstone, which was berthed in Belfast Docks, then at Long Kesh
internment camp, which was transformed into a prison called The Maze,
tho Republicans kept the original name.

10 years later,its were the Hunger Strikers died.

The year following internment was the bloodiest of the troubles.

This ties in with my personal gripe regards Guantanamo.

Paul, in my opinion, your views on Guantanamo are among the most valid here, because of what you've seen firsthand. I should also add that I completely agree with everything you say on the subject. :)

Paul, in my opinion, your views on Guantanamo are among the most valid here, because of what you've seen firsthand. I should also add that I completely agree with everything you say on the subject. :)
Ah thanks DF, ya see, I told ya I missed ya round here.

Looks like Dublin and Washington are gonna do a deal regarding the undocumented.

http://www.rte.ie/news/2008/0718/cowenb.html
Congratulations