Have you ever pictured your great great grandfather alongside a german shepard? How about cradling a 2 pound yorkie? FindMyPast is an Irish ancestry site that has used dog records to locate family histories. In Irish, furry pets came with a tax. Since 1865, families had to register their dogs with the state paying 2 […]
Do you know where the most Irish town in America is?
On America’s east coast, almost every bar and restaurant has an “Irish” theme and it seems everyone has Irish heritage. While Americans chug green beer on St. Patrick’s Day and makes wishes when they see rainbows, their Irish heritage is questionable. So where is the most Irish place in the States? Have the Irish stayed on the […]
Can You See the Trees for the Forest?
Images of Ireland tend to show rolling green hillsides dotted with sheep, narrow country roads, colorful pubs and villages and beautiful ruins of castles, towers and monasteries. You don’t see many photos of Irish forests, largely because they mostly destroyed long before the camera was invented. Farming began in Ireland about 6,000 years ago when […]
A Lady Never Outgrows Birthstone Rings: June
June the month that welcomes in the season of summer has finally arrived. Those who are blessed to have birthdays during June have their choice of stones because this month has three different official birthstones. The first birthstone known of the June babies is the pearl. Pearls are traditionally found when shucking oysters. They are […]
June Giveaway: Win a Celtic Trinity Knot Pendant
The June giveaway is now over. The winner this month is Amy Murphy. Congratulations Amy. Thanks to everyone that took part this month. Be on the lookout for our next giveaway, coming soon! We have great news for June! We will be giving away a Celtic Trinity Knot Pendant to one lucky ShanOre fan! This unique […]
Two Appealing Plays
Summertime is a great time for outdoor recreation and vacationing. Many people have more time to partake in social activity as well such as dinner and theater. Several plays have been written by the Irish and gone on to become world renowned. One that you may have heard of is “All the King’s Horses” which was […]
Celebrating Maeve Binchy’s Literary Legacy
Today would have been Irish author Maeve Binchy’s 74th birthday, so it is a good time to celebrate the literary legacy of this incredible artist. Binchy was never the stereotypical Irish writer. She wasn’t tormented or edgy, and she didn’t feel she had to flee Ireland to write as she wished. Renowned for her warmth […]
Picture Perfect Pearls
Summer time is fast approaching and it is a time of year where photos are in season. Graduations are happening at this time and so are weddings. Other festivities that happen include parties and showers for those closest to you. Whenever you get together with those you love the most you will most likely bring […]
Enya: A Celtic Legend
I first heard Enya’s music when I was a mere art student in high school or perhaps it was during a drafting class. There were moments during these classes at my high school in the South where we were meant to focus on our craft and our teachers would put on music that was meant […]
What’s the Appeal of Water that You Probably Shouldn’t Drink?
You might think water wouldn’t be anything special in a country famous for how much it rains, but not all water is equal. Some is potable, some isn’t – and some is holy. Catholic churches worldwide have holy water fonts, but Ireland takes it a step further. We have holy wells. Used not just for […]