Irish Seisiún Newsletter
The Catskill Irish Arts Week (CIAW) is July 13 to July 18th in East Durham, NY.
Click here for more information
George and Pauline will be there for some evening set dancing and daytime sessions from the 13th to the 15th.
If you are there too, let’s be in touch!.
If you plan to be there let others know. Please email Tommy Mac at [email protected] with your name and the dates you plan to be there, and I’ll post it here so we’ll know who’s going….
This Week’s Session 3
Check out the beautiful photo by Art Jacoby below of Ronan looking up to his Dad.
With his new fiddle, he’ll be leading the session soon!
Art is a professional photographer. Visit his site by clicking here.
Shoe the Donkey
I originally thought it was called Shoot the Donkey
Click below to watch and click the speaker for sound
Find out what’s happening at Tim Finnegan’s this month.
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Click here to view calendar
Click either event below to view
Finnegan’s supports us…Let’s support them!
Click either link to visit the site
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“That’s How I Spell Ireland”
Saturdays at 7 to 8 PM EST.
You can listen on 88.7FM or WRHU.org.
For a request please text me on 917 699-4768.Kevin and Joan Westley
Note: Show will be preempted whenever the NY Islanders have a Saturday game
Old Ireland
Recent Mail
Travel in Ireland
Ireland’s six national parks to check out
From Killarney and the Burren, to the Wicklow Mountains, outdoor enthusiasts will savor Ireland’s six national parks.
Ready to spend time in the great outdoors and connect with nature? Why not consider a trip to one of these national parks in Ireland on your next vacation?
Ireland’s six national parks offer ancient woodland, diverse flora and wildlife, historic sites, and stunning vistas of mountains and lakes.
Killarney National Park
Killarney, County Kerry
Killarney National Park was the first national park established in Ireland. The park was created when the Muckross Estate was donated to the Irish Free State in 1932, and Muckross House and Gardens remain a focal point for many visitors.
Located in the southwest of the country, the park spans 41 square miles and features Ireland’s largest expanse of ancient oak woods. At the foot of Macgillycuddy Reeks, the highest mountain range in Ireland, lie the world-famous Killarney Lakes, which make up about a quarter of the park. The Ring of Kerry intersects with the park.
In 1981, Killarney National Park was designated as a Biosphere Reserve by UNESCO.
Wicklow Mountains National Park
Glendalough, County Wicklow
At 85 square miles, the Wicklow Mountains is Ireland’s largest national park and also the most visited, due to its proximity to Dublin. It is also the only national park on the country’s east coast.
The park, which has two nature reserves within its boundaries and nine walking trails, is a popular spot for wild camping, according to Lonely Planet.
Its most historic site is Glendalough, an early medieval monastic settlement founded in the 6th century by St Kevin.
Glenveagh National Park
near Gweedore, County Donegal
Glenveagh, at 66 square miles, is the second-largest national park in Ireland.
The park, known for its wildlife, is home to the largest herd of red deer in Ireland and also the golden eagle, which was hunted to local extinction in the 19th century but was reintroduced in 2000.
The park developed from the estate once belonging to John George Adair, who evicted his 244 tenants in 1861 because their presence obstructed his view of the landscape. Glenveagh Castle and Gardens were donated to the Irish State in 1981 by Henry P. McIlhenny of Philadelphia, who had purchased the estate in 1937.
The Burren National Park
Mullaghmore, County Clare
The Burren, at only 5.8 square miles, is Ireland’s smallest national park and is just a 35-minute drive from the Cliffs of Moher.
It gets its name from the exposed limestones throughout the park, reports TravelAwaits.com. Burren comes from the Irish word Boireann, meaning “a rocky place.”
The park is known for its extraordinary flora, the megalithic Poulnabrone Dolmen (Ireland’s most photographed ancient monument), and Dromore Wood, which features the 17th-century O’Brien Castle and two ring forts.
Connemara National Park
Letterfrack, County Galway
Connemara National Park, which spans 2,000 hectares of mountains, bogs, heaths, grasslands, and forests, is known for its bird diversity.
Songbirds that can be seen in the park include meadow pipits, skylarks, European stonechats, robins, and wrens. Native birds of prey, such as the kestrel and sparrowhawk, merlin, and peregrine falcon, can also be spotted. In the winter, native birds such as the song thrush and woodcock can be seen, as well as migratory birds from northeastern Europe.
Much of the park’s land, which opened to the public in 1980, was once part of the Kylemore Abbey estate.
The Twelve Bens mountain range is also located in the park.
Ballycroy National Park
Ballycroy, County Mayo
Ballycroy National Park, established in 1998, is Ireland’s newest national park.
The park comprises the largest remaining expanse of peatland in Europe, covering 117.79 square kilometers of Atlantic blanket bog. Its unique habitat features a diversity of flora and fauna.
The park is also considered a great spot for stargazing, and on a clear night, you can reportedly see over 4500 stars.
*Originally published in July 2021. Updated in June 2026.
Irish Language
Tír gan Teanga, Tír gan Anam:
A land without a language is a land without a soul.
Submitted by our own
Anita
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English |
Irish |
Pronunciation |
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Hello! |
Dia dhuit! |
Deeya GWAIT! |
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How are you? |
Cad é mar atá tú? |
Cad EH mahr atAH too? |
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Great! |
An-mhaith! |
An-WHAH! |
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Welcome! |
Fáilte! |
FOILteh! |
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Excuse me, sorry |
Gabh mo leithscéal |
Gahv mo LASHkehyahl |
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Thank you |
Go raibh maith agat |
Go rev MAH aGUT |
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Please |
Más é do thoil é |
MASH eh de hull EH |
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Congratulations! |
Comhghairdeas! |
KoHAIRdehs! |
Free Irish Classes
The classes are over zoom and are held at 12:00 eastern time the 1 st Sunday of every month.
It is basic conversational Irish and open to learners of all ages, especially beginners.
All are invited.
Hope to see you there!
slan go foill. Le dea ghui,
Anita
click here to register
This week’s Irish Recipe
Northern Irish comfort food –
a soda bread farl recipe
This simple soda bread farl recipe brings one of Northern Ireland’s best-loved griddle breads to the table, perfect with an Ulster fry or a spread of butter and jelly.
Light, quick, and deeply traditional, soda bread farls have long been a homey Northern Irish staple made from just a few ingredients and cooked on a dry skillet or griddle. Served warm and golden, they are the kind of comfort food that feels both everyday and special.
A soda bread farl is one of Northern Ireland’s unique griddle breads and is commonly eaten as part of an Ulster Fry (bacon rashers, sausages, fried eggs, white pudding, black pudding, and fried tomato). They’re also divine with some Irish butter (which is salted) and jelly.
Traditionally, they were a quick and easy way to make a snack or provide freshly baked goods if visitors popped in unexpectedly.
Farls are made by rolling out the dough, flattening it into a circle (about 8 inches in diameter), and cutting it into four pieces. The farls are then baked in a dry frying pan or fried on a griddle.
Soda bread farl recipe
Makes 4 farls
Ingredients:
2 cups all-purpose flour
1/2 teaspoon salt
1 teaspoon baking soda
1 cup buttermilk
Method:
Preheat a heavy-bottomed flat griddle or skillet over medium-low heat.
Place flour and salt in a bowl and sift in baking soda. Make a well in the center, and pour in the buttermilk.
Work quickly to mix into the dough and knead very lightly on a well-floured surface. Form into a flattened circle, about ½-inch thick, and cut into quarters with a floured knife.
Sprinkle a little flour over the base of the hot pan, then cook the farls for 6 to 8 minutes on each side, or until golden brown.
* Originally published in 2014, and updated in June 2026.
Poem of the Week
June
by by Francis Ledwidge
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Yes, today is the Summer Solstice, Midsummer’s Day, the longest day of the year.
It is also the turning point. Now, though roses are blooming, the days will grow increasingly shorter, the nights longer again. Time does not pause a moment in its passing.
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We see that reflected in a very colourful poem with a remarkably rural feeling by the Irish poet Francis Ledwidge (1887-1917), who, from family need, had to leave school for work at age 13, and who, like so many young men of his time, died in the First World War.
First, let’s look at the whole poem:
And plant this bee-sucked bough of woodbine there,
And let the window down. The butterfly
Floats in upon the sunbeam, and the fair
Tanned face of June, the nomad gipsy, laughs
Above her widespread wares, the while she tells
The farmers’ fortunes in the fields, and quaffs
The water from the spider-peopled wells.
And bobbing poppies flare like Elmo’s light,
While siren-like the pollen-staind bees
Drone in the clover depths. And up the height
The cuckoo’s voice is hoarse and broke with joy.
And on the lowland crops the crows make raid,
Nor fear the clappers of the farmer’s boy,
Who sleeps, like drunken Noah, in the shad
That snares your little ear, for June is short
And we must joy in it and dance and sing,
And from her bounty draw her rosy worth.
Ay! soon the swallows will be flying south,
The wind wheel north to gather in the snow,
Even the roses spilt on youth’s red mouth
Will soon blow down the road all roses go.
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Now here’s a running commentary on all the lines:
The setting is Ireland in June, the time when the weather warms and the roses bloom.
A country school is closing up for the summer, freeing its students into the warm June air. Someone is speaking, perhaps the teacher, perhaps the poet just speaking in his mind:Broom out the floor now, lay the fender by,
Sweep the floor, put aside the fireplace fender…
And plant this bee-sucked bough of woodbine there,
And place this bough of honeysuckle in the now unused fireplace…
And let the window down.
And close the window.
The butterfly Floats in upon the sunbeam,
A butterfly flutters into the room, an invitation to the bright outdoors.
….and the fair Tanned face of June, the nomad gipsy, laughs Above her widespread wares,
The month of June is likened to a nomadic gypsy, just passing through, who smiles over all the wonderful things she offers, all the joys of June spread out before youth…
the while she tells The farmer’s fortunes in the fields,
The state of the crops in June predicts what a farmer’s income and security is likely to be, just as a gypsy predicts the future.
and quaffs The water from the spider-peopled wells.June as “gypsy” is manifested in the the country people, easing their thirst from wells that when the cover is lifted, reveal spiders that have taken up their webby residence within.
The hedges are all drowned in green grass seas,
The hedges that edge the fields and roads are all surrounded by high, green grass…
And bobbing poppies flare like Elmo’s light
And wild red poppies in the fields bloom like “St. Elmo’s light,” a natural electric discharge sailors see on masts of ships at sea…
While siren-like the pollen-stained bees…Drone in the clover depths.
While the buzzing of the pollen-coated bees in the clover call temptingly to the child like the voices of sirens in the old Greek story of Odysseus….
And up the height…The cuckoo’s voice is hoarse and broke with joy.
And on the nearby hill the cuckoo’s call seems hoarse and broken with the joy of repeated singing…
And on the lowland crops the crows make raid,
While in the farm fields below, a flock of crows is flying in to feed,
Nor fear the clappers of the farmer’s boy,
And the crows are unafraid of the wooden noise-maker the boy set to guard the field uses…
Who sleeps, like drunken Noah, in the shade.
Because the boy, in the intoxicating warmth of June, has fallen asleep in the shade of a tree, just as Noah, in the Old Testament story, got drunk from the wine of his vineyard and fell deeply asleep.
And loop this red rose in that hazel ring…That snares your little ear,
So stick a red rose in the ring of bent hazel-twig around your ear…
for June is short….And we must joy in it and dance and sing,
Because June is all too brief, and we should enjoy it while it lasts…
And from her bounty draw her rosy worth.
And get all the pleasure that we can from it in this time when roses bloom and the world is young…
Ay! soon the swallows will be flying south,
Because, sad to say, the swallows all too soon will be migrating southward as the weather turns cold again…
The wind wheel north to gather in the snow
And The warm winds that blow now will become cold northern winds that bring the snow.
Even the roses spilt on youth’s red mouth…..Will soon blow down the road all roses go.
And even the rosy lips of youth will soon fade and pass away, just as the roses of June fade and drop their petals in the wind, passing away as all young things will do with the passing of time.
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This poem is striking in its “homely” depiction of the joys of June, and reminiscent of both Herrick and Housman in its “Gather ye rosebuds while ye may” sense of the shortness of June and youth, and its reminder that “The rose-lip’t girls are sleeping in fields where roses fade.”
Analysis (ai): The poem personifies June as a wandering gypsy, aligning with Romantic and Celtic Revival tendencies to animate nature. This figure both observes and participates in rural life, blending sensuality and transience. Unlike some of the author’s war poems, which focus on loss and duty, this piece centers on pastoral abundance and fleeting beauty.
Stories and Tales
Another special musical treat
Click below to view and click the speaker for sound
When done, click “back arrow” to return here.
Magical natural event captured at Cliffs of Moher
A magical light display in County Clare from the 214-meter Cliffs of Moher along the Wild Atlantic Way. Isn’t nature magic!
Have you ever seen the like!? A “Brocken Specter” looms over the Atlantic Ocean waters at the Cliffs of Moher. What a special sight!
The image above was snapped by one of our readers, Sean Tomkins, at the Cliffs of Moher, in County Clare. In addition to capturing the natural beauty of the cliffs, the photograph shows a rare optical phenomenon called a “Brocken Specter”.
The Cliffs of Moher are the most visited natural attraction in Ireland. Back in 2015, the County Clare national attraction was also voted the best ‘cliff-view’ on the planet by Condé Nast Traveler. What better reasons to visit a place than stunning views and the recommendations of over 1.5 million visitors annually?
The Cliffs of Moher’s height reaches 214 meters (702 feet) at their highest point at Knockardakin, just north of O’Brien’s Tower. At the southern end of the Cliffs of Moher stands Hags Head, a natural rocky promontory, which is said to resemble a seated woman when viewed from the north.
It’s little wonder so many travelers visit the 5 miles of coast on the Wild Atlantic Way, which offers dramatic views of the ocean that will take your breath away.
The viewing platform at O’Brien’s Tower is said to be the best place to see the sunset if you’re lucky enough to visit in the evening. The Tower was built at the highest point on the cliff edge in 1835 as an observation point for tourists by farsighted landowner Cornelius O’Brien.
Before arriving at O’Brien’s Tower, you could try a guided walk along the cliff paths with a Cliffs of Moher Ranger. The walks take just over an hour and, depending on the time of year, you’ll see puffins, guillemots, kittiwakes, chough, peregrine falcon, fulmar, and shags, among other birds.
Céad Míle Fáilte, and welcome to your Letter from Ireland for this week.
BOOK I’M READING NOW
“Modern Ireland: 1600-1972” by R.F. Foster
Despite the title ending in 1972, this is still widely regarded as one of the best single-volume scholarly histories of modern Ireland. It gives excellent context for plantations, the Penal Laws, the Famine, nationalism, independence, partition, and the early Troubles, all written in a balanced, thoughtful way. Click here to see the book on amazon.
Modern Ireland by R.F. Foster
On This Day: Éamon de Valera becomes President of Ireland in 1959
Éamon de Valera became the third President of Ireland in 1959.
Éamon de Valera became the President of Ireland on June 25, 1959.
De Valera – nicknamed ‘Dev’ – was the third president of Ireland and one of the country’s most dominant political leaders of the 20th century, particularly during Ireland’s fight for independence.
He was active in politics for over half a century. After Ireland gained independence, De Valera founded the Fianna Fáil party, oversaw the drafting of the Constitution of Ireland, and led Ireland during the dangerous years of WWII. He served three terms as Taoiseach (Prime Minister) before becoming President of Ireland (a largely ceremonial role) in 1959. He held that position for 14 years.
Over the years, his political creed evolved from militant republicanism to social and cultural conservatism. While he has many supporters, he also has many detractors who’ve raised an eyebrow at his character, calling him austere, anxious, or devious.
Questions have also been raised about his behavior during the Easter Rising. His supporters claim he demonstrated excellent leadership and meticulous planning, while his detractors claim he suffered a nervous breakdown.
Though he was arrested and placed in Kilmainham Gaol with the other leaders of the Rising, he was not executed as were Patrick Pearse, James Connolly, and fourteen others, since he was born in America.
Author John Turi claims in his book, provocatively named “England’s Greatest Spy: Éamon de Valera,” that de Valera actually became a British informant during the Rising to save his own life.
De Valera was born in New York and died in Blackrock, Co Dublin, at age 92. He is one of the many famous Irish people, along with Charles Parnell, Daniel O’Connell, and Michael Collins, buried in Dublin’s Glasnevin Cemetery.
His iconic 1947 Dodge, which he often drove around Clare during his presidency, was fully restored in 2011 and is now a tourist attraction in Clare.
*Originally published in 2016. Updated in June 2026.
On This Day: Charles Stewart Parnell married Kitty O’Shea
Charles Stewart Parnell, an Irish political hero, and Katharine “Kitty” O’Shea tied the knot after a tumultuous start, to say the least.
On June 25, 1891, Charles Stewart Parnell and Katharine ‘Kitty’ O’Shea – one of Ireland’s most famous couples – finally got married.
In the 19th century, Parnell, originally from Cork City, was known as the “uncrowned king of Ireland.” A brilliant politician, he represented Ireland in the House of Commons in London, where he held great power and influence and campaigned for the rights of the Irish people who were living under British rule.
However, in 1880, at the height of his power and influence, everything he had built for himself came crashing down when he met Katharine ‘Kitty’ O’Shea, the wife of a member of parliament, Captain William Henry O’Shea.
Kitty and Captain O’Shea had separated around 1875, but he refused to divorce his wife, believing that her aunt was set to leave them a hefty inheritance.
Parnell and O’Shea embarked on an affair that was later dubbed ‘the worst kept secret in London.’
Indeed, Katharine is quoted in the 1931 book “Parnell Vindicated: The Lifting of the Veil” as saying: “Did Captain O’Shea know? Of course he knew. .. There was no bargain; there were no discussions; people do not talk about such things. But he knew, and he actually encouraged me at all times.”
While Captain O’Shea knew about the affair, its public disclosure effectively ended Parnell’s political career.
The Captain had kept quiet about the relationship as he was waiting to receive his cut of an inheritance from one of Kitty’s aunts. However, when Kitty’s aunt died, and the money was instead put into a trust, he filed for divorce in 1889.
Parnell, who had now fathered three children with Katharine, was named as co-respondent.
At the time, divorce was almost unheard of. It became a national scandal.
Although Parnell knew the damage the scandal could cause to his career, he was not prepared to give up Kitty. He allowed all proceedings to go ahead in public, and the effect on his career was massive.
The Irish Party called a meeting to decide if Parnell could stay on as leader. Many turned against him because of the affair. The British Prime Minister, William Gladstone, told Parnell that if he did not resign, the alliance would be ended, along with the prospect of Home Rule for Ireland.
Parnell was ousted from the party, and his political career was destroyed.
But on June 25, 1891, Parnell and O’Shea were married in a registry office after failing to obtain permission to hold the wedding in a Church.
Just four months later, Parnell, 45, died in his wife’s arms, having succumbed to pneumonia. It was reported that 200,000 people attended his funeral.
O’Shea lived the rest of her life in relative obscurity.
After her husband’s death, O’Shea wrote her reminiscence of when she first knew she loved Parnell. It was the autumn of the year 1880. They had met earlier that summer and carried on an affair despite her being married.
“On the platform for Eltham at Charing Cross (train station) stood Mr. Parnell. As our eyes met he turned and walked by my side. He did not speak. He helped me into the train and sat opposite me.
“I leant back and closed my eyes and could have slept but that the little flames deep down in Parnell’s eyes kept flickering before mine though they were closed.
“He took off his coat and tucked it around me but I would not open my eye to look at him.
“He crossed over and leaning over me to fold the coat more closely around my knees he whispered, ‘I love you’ and I slipped my hand into his and I knew I was not afraid.”
*Originally published in 2016. Last updated June 2026.
News From Ireland
Gardaí launch appeal on abuse
relating to the Presbyterian Church in Ireland
The Gardaí appeal comes after the Presbyterian Church in Ireland announced in November that it had identified safeguarding failures.
An Garda Síochána launched an appeal on Wednesday, June 24, on abuse relating to the Presbyterian Church in Ireland.
In its appeal, Ireland’s national police force encouraged anyone who believes they were a victim of a criminal act relating to the Presbyterian Church in Ireland to contact either their local Garda station or the Garda National Protective Services Bureau.
Reports can also be made by emailing [email protected], calling the Sexual Crime Management Unit on (01) 666 3430 or (01) 666 3435, or calling the free and confidential Garda Child Sexual Abuse Reporting Line on 1800 555 222.
Contacts will be handled with “sensitivity and empathy,” Gardaí said on Wednesday, adding that, where possible, they will progress matters through investigation.
An Garda Síochána said they “endeavour to effectively deal with all contacts, however there may be limitations as to the action that could be taken in some cases due to matters such as the unavailability of evidence over time or suspects and/or witnesses being deceased.”
The Gardaí appeal comes after the Presbyterian Church in Ireland announced at its Belfast headquarters in November that a review had identified several safeguarding failures between 2009 and 2021, and one in 2022.
Among the failures were “situations where we failed to make referrals to statutory authorities when these were required” and “situations where some offenders returning to worship in Church, following referrals to us by statutory bodies, were inadequately monitored.”
In the days after the announcement, the Police Service of Northern Ireland launched its own investigation into the Presbyterian Church in Ireland.
PSNI Assistant Chief Constable David Beck, Crime Department, said at the time that the PSNI had “formalized a coordinated response working with statutory and support agencies to address the matters that have come to light as a result of the recent announcements by the Presbyterian Church in Ireland.”
ACC Beck said he established a dedicated PSNI investigation team under the supervision of an experienced senior investigating officer from our Public Protection Branch to lead a criminal investigation.
In an update in February, the PSNI said it had received 101 referrals into the ongoing investigation, including direct reports from victims and referrals from safeguarding partners and other parties.
The PSNI continues to appeal for anyone who wishes to make a report or disclose information to contact police directly on 101 or via [email protected]. The Victim Support NI helpline is also available at 028 9013 0405.
An Garda Síochána said on Wednesday that it has been liaising with the PSNI on this matter since late 2025, but has not received any direct complaints to date.
Irish officials issue safety advice as High Temperature alert in effect through Friday
All of Ireland is under a Status Yellow – High Temperature alert, with Met Éireann predicting the heat spell could see the thermometer top 30°C by Thursday.
Met Éireann’s Status Yellow – High Temperature warning came into effect for all of Ireland at noon on Tuesday, June 23, and remains in effect until 9 am on Friday as the heat spell lingers on.
Maximum temperatures could exceed 27°C (80.6°F), while night-time minima in excess of 15°C (59°F) are expected, Met Éireann said in its warning.
Potential impacts include heat stress, uncomfortable sleeping conditions, and water safety issues due to increased use of lakes/beaches.
⚠️ Yellow High Temperature Warning issued for Ireland ⚠️
Potential impacts 🌡️
• Water safety issues due to increased use of lakes/beaches
• Uncomfortable sleeping conditions
• Heat stressValid: 1200 Tue 23/06/26 to 0900 Fri 26/06/26
Details ➡️ https://t.co/GYji547FKt pic.twitter.com/WMq4w8dJvn
— Met Éireann (@MetEireann) June 22, 2026
Met Éireann meteorologists said that, overall, this week’s hot spell will see temperatures climbing through the week, with expected values in the high 20s or even rising to 30°C (86°F) or higher by Thursday.
It will also be “extremely mild and humid,” which will make for some “uncomfortable conditions, especially at night.”
The high temperatures will also increase the risk of thunderstorms developing, and Thursday is expected to see some in the northwest.
Met Éireann noted that “much of Europe” is under a heatwave, which will cause temperatures of 40°C (104°F) or higher.
“A plume of extremely hot air from Europe will move towards Ireland, bringing with it hot and humid conditions,” Irish meteorologists said.
Met Éireann said that maximum temperatures on Thursday are likely to reach 30°C or higher in parts of the country, though cautioned that “these figures may creep even higher.”
Relief is in sight, as Met Éireann is forecasting that the hot weather will break on Friday with cooler conditions arriving and temperatures falling back to the low 20s.
The #MeteorologistsCommentary on our website provides more details on the high temperatures expected for this week 🌡️
Follow this link to read details, and stay up to date with current weather events. 👇 https://t.co/wTcluW2zfu pic.twitter.com/y88KJH0oJv
— Met Éireann (@MetEireann) June 22, 2026
Safety advice
Amid the high temperature warning, Ireland’s National Directorate for Fire and Emergency Management (NDFEM) is coordinating with key stakeholders to prepare.
“While the warm weather will be welcomed by many, it also brings risks that may not always be obvious or anticipated,” Keith Leonard of NDFEM said on Tuesday.
“The public should plan ahead, keep up to date with Met Éireann forecasts and warnings, and take appropriate precautions in relation to heat, water safety, thunderstorms, and the possibility of localised flooding.”
Ireland’s Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage is advising people to stay in the shade, avoid going out or partaking in strenuous activities during the hottest part of the day, drink plenty of fluids, and apply UVA and UVB sunscreen to skin that is not covered, factor 30+ for adults and 50+ for children.
Additionally, the Irish Coast Guard, Water Safety Ireland, Waterways Ireland, and the RNLI are urging the public to stay safe and remember that water safety is not limited to swimming or water sports, but extends to coastal walks, cycling beside canals, angling, or visiting parks and beaches.
“Drowning data shows that most accidental drownings (65%) follow land-based activities such as walking, angling, cycling, or simply spending time near the water,” the group said on Tuesday.
“Now is the time for families and communities to have important conversations about staying safe near water. Awareness is a Lifesaver.”
The group shared these water safety tips:
- Swim at a lifeguarded waterway if possible.
- Swim within your depth, stay within your depth.
- Avoid entering the water in locks, marinas and harbours where hidden hazards may be present.
- Supervise Children: Never leave them unattended near water.
- Avoid alcohol before swimming, operating watercraft or being near water, as it impairs judgment, coordination, and reaction time.
- Be aware that cold water temperatures can also cause cold water shock, increasing the risk of drowning.
- Pay attention to all water safety signs and warnings and carry a means of calling for help.
- Check tides and updated weather warnings.
- Always wear a correctly fitting serviced lifejacket or buoyancy aid when boating or participating in water sports.
- Let others know where you are going and when you expect to return.
The water warnings come as 40 drowning fatalities were recorded in France in the past week.
Regarding water supply, the public is being reminded that “every individual water-saving action counts,” and “using only what you need really helps to make a positive contribution that can benefit everyone and avoid water restrictions.”
The public is further being encouraged to help to reduce the risks of fire by keeping the following in mind:
- Do not light fires in or near woodland. Use only designated barbecue points where available. Thoroughly soak BBQ embers after use and make sure that they are extinguished completely.
- Do not block forest entrances or roads when parking – access may be required by the fire service or forestry personnel in the event of an emergency.
- If you see a fire, report it immediately to the emergency services – Dial 999 or 112.
- Report any illegal and suspicious activity to the Gardai. Note that the burning of growing vegetation on uncultivated land between March 1 and August 31 each year is prohibited by law.
- Do not approach fires or attempt to extinguish fires yourself. Wildfires can be extremely dangerous and can rapidly change direction and behaviour.
New Irish passport launches with advanced security features
Ireland’s new passport celebrates nature, culture and innovation.
Ireland’s next-generation passport combines cutting-edge security with a celebration of the country’s landscapes, wildlife and culture.
On Friday, June 26, the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade, Helen McEntee TD, unveiled Ireland’s newly designed passport , introducing one of the world’s most advanced travel documents.
Available now, the new passport combines world-leading security technology, including several features being used in a passport for the first time anywhere in the world, with artwork inspired by Ireland’s natural heritage, history and culture.
Designed in collaboration with Irish companies and artists, the passport reflects the changing seasons across Ireland through native wildlife, flora and landscapes. Many of the featured designs were chosen by the public, with more than 15,000 people taking part in a nationwide consultation. The Irish wolfhound, one of the public’s favourite selections, appears throughout the passport.
The redesigned passport also supports Ireland’s sustainability ambitions through new production techniques and environmentally friendly security inks, while maintaining the highest international standards of document security.
Ahead of launching the new passport, Minister McEntee said: “The Irish passport is recognised around the world as one of the most trusted travel documents, giving Irish citizens visa-free access to 186 countries.”
“This new passport ensures Ireland remains at the forefront of identity security for years to come. It combines some of the world’s most advanced security technology with a design that proudly reflects who we are as a nation, our heritage, creativity and natural beauty.”
The Minister also highlighted the contribution of Irish industry and creative talent: “This passport showcases the innovation, expertise and artistic excellence that exists in Ireland today. Together with Irish companies and artists, we have created a travel document that is both technically outstanding and unmistakably Irish.”
For generations, the Irish passport has represented opportunity, identity and connection for millions of Irish people at home and abroad. The new design continues that tradition while reflecting a modern, confident Ireland.
Further information on the new Irish passport imagery is available here.
Irish Americans invited to share stories
for new digital archive ahead of US semiquincentennial
Irish America 250’s America Éire project will become a living archive of the stories, journeys, and histories of the Irish in America.
America Éire, a landmark storytelling initiative that will create a living digital archive of the stories, journeys, and histories of the Irish in America, was announced by Irish America 250 this week in advance of the 250th anniversary of the signing of the Declaration of Independence.
For the initiative, Irish America 250 is inviting Irish Americans, all those with Irish ancestry, and Irish-born immigrants to the US to take part by sharing their stories on America Éire from July 1.
There each story will receive its own dedicated webpage, preserving that journey from Ireland to America.
All who share a connection to Ireland and have a story to tell are welcome to participate, including many Americans who feel a strong affinity for Ireland through study, work, music, culture, film, and community.
Participants are invited to tell their story on the website, post about it on social media, and encourage others to do the same.
“By sharing their personal and family journeys, participants will help form a dynamic collective portrait of the Irish in America at a moment when the nation is reflecting on the pursuit of its founding ideals and its ongoing pursuit of democracy,” organizers said.
The America Éire website goes live on July 1, though participants can sign up for early access to submit their stories now.
“There are so many great stories to tell of the Irish in America over these last 250 years,” Kevin Sullivan, founder of Irish America 250, commented.
“With great deference to Jefferson, Franklin, and Adams, there were more than a few Irish Founding Fathers in Philadelphia in 1776. An Irishman from Cork was the first person to name the nation. Eight signers of the Declaration of Independence were of Irish descent. The father of the American Navy, Commodore John Barry, was born in Wexford. Over 20 Irish American generals served under George Washington.
“The story of Irish American women has yet to be told, and we will tell their story this September.
“There are scores of unsung Irish heroes, including the ‘mother of the orphans,’ Margaret Haughery from New Orleans, Fr. Thomas O’Reilly, who saved Atlanta from being burned to the ground during the Civil War, and the father of American soccer, Thomas Cahill of Saint Louis, and we will tell these also. All of their stories are relatively unknown, and there are thousands more out there.
“This project offers a rich lens on the extraordinary and epic Irish American experience from 1776 to today, and we’re calling on Irish America to add to that story.”
Sullivan added, “There is a perception out there that Irish America is aging out and we should be preparing for our demise. We wish to announce we aren’t quite dead yet.”
Irish America 250 is inviting cultural organizations, historical societies, Irish networks, and community leaders to help spread the word and encourage participation. To amplify the campaign, Irish America 250 is partnering with organizations and communities in cities across the country, including Washington, D.C., Philadelphia, New York City, Boston, Chicago, Nashville, St. Paul, Atlanta, New Orleans, Charleston, Milwaukee, Butte, and San Francisco.
The America Éire project is supported by the Irish Embassy and the Ambassador of Ireland to the US, Geraldine Byrne Nason.
“I’m proud to be Ireland’s 19th Ambassador to the United States, and this year delighted to be celebrating America’s 250th anniversary, a milestone that resonates deeply with Irish people,” Ambassador Byrne Nason said.
“Ours is a story that continues to evolve. It’s shaped by new generations, confident in their identity, proud of their heritage, of course, and connected to our land in a new and exciting way. I’m delighted to share my story, and I strongly encourage you to share yours.”
About Irish America 250
Irish America 250 is a non‑partisan national initiative created in response to America’s Semiquincentennial. Led by a national committee of leaders from academia, business, politics, the arts, and the wider Irish diaspora, the initiative is hosting commemorative and celebratory events throughout 2026 and early 2027. Its mission is to honor and highlight the extraordinary contributions of the Irish and Irish Americans to the United States over a quarter‑millennium. Learn more at IrishAmerica250.org.
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Tír na mBláth
Tír na mBláth is one of hundreds of branches throughout the world of Comhaltas Ceoltóirí Éireann (CCÉ) pronounced “kol-tus kyol-tori air-in“, the largest group involved in the preservation of Irish music, dance and song.
Our board and membership is made up of Irish, Irish descendants, and all those who support, celebrate and take pride in the preservation of Irish culture.
We also aim to promote good will and citizenship.
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Our meetings and several events are held at Tim Finnegan’s Irish Pub in Delray Beach Florida.
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