The blackthorn walking stick (or Shillelagh) is cut from the sloe bush. It was once more a weapon than a walking stick. In Irish folklore it was believed that the fairies or "little people" lived in Blackthorn bushes.

Also known as moonshine, poteen or homemade wiskey, was outlawed in Ireland in 1760. The purpose of the law was not to save the peasant from some potential harm from the homemade brew but to levy a tax on whiskey. The Irish ignored the law and went ahead making poteen for generations.

The Illustrated London News, Apri 24, 1886

Posted 1908 from Ontario, Canada to Buffalo, NY

Green was a simple of revolution in the late 18th century. An unofficial Irish flag with a green background and a gold harp served from 1798 to the early twentieth century as a symbol of Irish nationalism.

Associated with the Fenian movement in the 1860s it was also used by the supporters of Home Rule from Parnell's time to the fall of the Irish Parliamentary Party in 1918.

In many instances Erin Go Bragh (Ireland forever) was printed on the flag under the harp.

This version includes the ancient Irish goddess, Eire, instead of just a simple gold harp.

SURRENDERING ARMS IN A PROCLAIMED DISTRICT, The Illustrated London times, July 30, 1881

The above image is a sketch from County Galway where as a result of an Act of Parliament people were apparently required the surrender their arms.

"It is the room of the local police barracks, where a sergeant and one constable are seated to receive the fire-arms, guns and pistols of various description, which all unlicensed persons, in the district are strictly required to bring in, and to deliver into the charge of the guardians of the public peace. A label is written and attached to each weapon so received, stating the name and address of its owner, and the price he would pretend to claim for it; but. Whether from sheer ignorance, or from impudent cunning, or with a derisive purpose, some of these people do not scruple to mention preposterous sums of money as the value they set upon worthless articles, which could be dangerous only to the shooter- old flint-locks, rusty barrels tied on with wire or sting, and some pieces lacking the hammer or trigger, priced at many shillings, when they are not worth as many pence for mere old iron. There are, however, a number of the old Enfield muzzle-loading rifles formerly used in the Army. The inspector will afterwards come to the barrack and make a correct valuation."

Irish Petty Sessions

February 12, 1853

A local court hearing a complaint between two individuals where one accuses the other of beating him up. The accused was find 5 shillings for misconduct.

Bridget

One of the most common female names in Ireland. Almost every family in Ireland had a Bridget. However, the name was less used by the Irish American immigrants.

Pet forms of Bridget were: Bride, Dideia, Delia, Beesy, Biddy.

Biddy was the name usually given for the "typical" Irishwoman of the lower class.

• Bridget Walsh, the daughter of John Walsh and Fanny Feeney was baptized on December 28, 1881.
• Bridget Langan was baptized on November 19, 1879 in Ballinrobe parish, the daughter of Mathias and Penelopa Langan.

Ellen

Ellen, Eileen, Nellie, Nell, Helen, Ellie and Ella are all variations of the same name.

• Ellen Walsh, the daughter of John Walsh and Fanny Feeney was baptized on December 15, 1877.
• "Helenam" (Latin for Ellen) Walsh daughter of Joseph Walsh and Margaret Langan at 196 E 76th Street born May 13, 1906 baptized June 30, 1906 at St Jean Baptiste, 184 East 76th Street, New York City.
• Eileen Marie Goehle, daughter of Frank Goehle and Isabell Walsh, was born February 21, 1926.

Penelope (Nappy)

Finnguala (f'un-ual-a) "fair shouldered" popular in Ireland until the late middle ages. Almost obsolete since the beginning of the 18th century. The name has been anglicised as Flora, Penelope, Penny, Nappy and Fenella.

• Nappy of Michael Berrin and Nappy Naughton, Thos Swift and Honor Boyle, May 16, 1836, Mohorra

Irish males traditional did not help with the house work.

Girls were often responsible for the rearing of younger siblings.

The priest went and said mass in a country house.

The priest would often baptize children at the station houses.

Paid work for laborers was scarce and men would walk ten or twenty miles on the rumor of available work. "Every spring, workers from the poorer western provinces traveled eastward looking to earn cash and broad as extra hands for hay-making and harvesting. By the mid-eighteenth century some Irish were making their springtime migration to England, where wages were higher and returning in autumn with the money they had saved.

Rain average rainfall in the west of Ireland 60 inches a year, mostly in the fall and winter. The winters and springs are generally mild because of the gulf stream.

An intense windstorm, struck Ireland during the night January 6 to January 7, 1839 causing severe damage and hundreds of deaths. Heavy snow had fallen on January 5. In the morning an Atlantic warm front arrived - causing the temperature to rise. This was followed by an Atlantic depression bringing a cold front. The two fronts collided resulting in heavy rains and winds. The first reports were in Mayo. As the storm moved across Ireland it gather force reaching hurricane strength. The Night of the Big Wind became part of Irish folklore.

Heavy snow fell in November 1846.

According to the local custom a woman retained her maiden name even after marriage. However, when written records were concerned it depended, I believe, on how well the person recoding the record knew the woman. Unfortunately, the written record both civil and religious are not consistent.

The priest went and said mass in a country house.

On St. Johnıs Eve, they made bonfires in accordance with the ancient custom. Then they took coals from the fires and carried them around the boundaries of their gardens, to ward off evil from the earthıs fruit.