Ireland's topics - tribe.net

Recession In Ireland

Eamon — Mon, 02 Nov 2009 21:48:13 GMT

I would like to know how the recession has hit Ireland and how it is when compared to the recession in the UK and other major countries around the world?

posted in Ireland - 0 replies

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Irish_central — Tue, 14 Apr 2009 00:37:29 GMT

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posted in Ireland - 0 replies

Government to impose draconian austerity measures with opposition support

Steven — Tue, 17 Mar 2009 03:04:31 GMT

Ireland: Government to impose draconian austerity measures with opposition support
By Steve James
16 March 2009

http://www.wsws.org/articles/2009/mar2009/irel-m16.shtml

Ireland's prime minister (Taoiseach), Brian Cowen, has warned of more savage cuts than expected in the emergency budget scheduled for April 7.

Speaking to the Dail, or parliament, Cowen of Fianna Fail said that there had been a "serious deterioration in the public finances," with the Department of Finance estimating a deficit €4.5 billion. This is a rise in the deficit from a predicted 2 percent to as much as 6 or 6.5 percent.

A bleaker picture still was painted by Central Bank Governor John Hurley, who said that Ireland is experiencing "an unprecedented contraction" in output, which is set to continue for the next two years. The 6 percent decline in Ireland's GDP would lead to unemployment topping 11 percent.

The decline had begun in the property and construction sectors, but had now "broadened out into a marked weakening of domestic demand, which is being significantly amplified by the contraction in export demand as a result of the movement into recession of all our main trading partners," Hurley said.

"No one should be in any doubt about the seriousness of the global situation, which is not easing, and the seriousness of our own difficulties," he added. At the end of the two years, Hurley said that the economy would have declined by 10 percent.

The government's emergency budget will impose devastating cuts in public spending, while raising large additional amounts through taxes on working people. These cuts will be in addition to the €2 billion pay cut already levied on public service workers via the "pension levy," and the €2 billion cuts in spending already announced for the 2009 budget.

Cowan said the cuts were necessary because Ireland had to deal with the crisis "in a way which would be seen to be credible by international markets."

Announcing the proposal, Finance Minister Brian Lenihan made clear that the new taxes will be levied on the lowest-paying workers. Currently, 40 percent of the workforce earns wages below the tax threshold. But in future, according to Lenihan, "Everybody will have to pay something."

State finances are perilous. The Irish exchequer posted a budget deficit of €2 billion in the first two months of 2009, in comparison with only €125 million over the same period of 2008. Tax receipts over the same period fell from €7.5 billion to €5.7 billion. Property-related taxes fell most dramatically. Capital gains tax receipts fell 73 percent, while stamp duty on house sales fell 59 percent. Corporation tax takes, based on Ireland's already very low rate of 12.5 percent, fell 37 percent, while VAT, based largely on consumer spending fell 17 percent.

Income tax receipts fell by 7.4 percent, but this is expected to accelerate as unemployment, already standing at 10.4 percent of the workforce, continues to increase. Last month showed in increase of 26,700. The government anticipate unemployment will reach as high as 450,000 by the end of 2009. Currently, it stands at 353,000. Additional welfare spending because of rising unemployment has so far cost around €1 billion. State officials claimed that some €25 billion will have to be borrowed in 2009. The total state budget is around €55 billion.

The Irish government currently has to pay 1.7 percent higher interest than, say, the German government, on bonds issued to raise debt. Government officials told the opposition parties, "We need to convince the markets that Ireland is committed to restoring the public finances to sustainable positions."

The government is also seeking to remain within the limits it outlined to the European Commission, under which the budget deficit would be restricted to 9.5 percent of GDP. It has appealed to the opposition Fine Gael and Labour parties for support, with Lenihan telling parliament that the state faced a "moment of national crisis"

Both Fine Gael and Labour have indicated that they are in fundamental agreement with the Fianna Fail/Green coalition government.

Fine Gael leader Enda Kenny offered a "guarded welcome for the decision, belated as it is, by Brian Cowen to accept my call for a new budget." Labour's Joan Bruton criticised the government's "miserable failure in stabilising our finances," but expressed no disagreement with the general thrust of the proposals.

Kenny and Labour Party leader Eamon Gilmore told Cowen that the opposition parties should be briefed on the detailed figures available to government, if he wanted their support for the tough measures ahead.

The government is also seeking to re-open talks with the "social partners," the employers and trade unions.

Thus far, the unions, in the face of considerable protests from large numbers of workers against unemployment and the pension levy, have not agreed to the resumption of talks. A nationwide strike is planned in Ireland for March 30. The unions are fearful that too open support for the government at this stage would seriously undermine their ability to maintain control over the working class.

The budget proposal follows a devastating few weeks for the Irish economy. Last month, the government were forced to announce the recapitalisation of Allied Irish Banks (AIB) and Bank of Ireland. This means handing over state funds to the banks to cover their bad debts and allow them to perform normal banking functions. Both banks are to receive €3.5 billion of state funds, following the collapse of previous efforts to recapitalise them with just €2 billion, simultaneous with the nationalisation of Anglo Irish Bank in January this year.

The money will be taken directly from the National Pensions Reserve Fund, with €4 billion of current resources, nearly 25 percent of total assets, to be handed over. Another €3 billion is to be found by diverting state contributions to the pension fund for 2010 and 2011 straight into the banks.

Even so, financial commentators doubt the sums offered are sufficient. The combined exposure to toxic debts of the two banks amounts to €10 billion of a total of €36 billion in property and development loans. As the economic situation worsens, their level of debt exposures grows.

A "fragility index" prepared by RBS on the financial position of each eurozone country through measuring nine indicators such as debt, foreign funding and current account balances, found Ireland the most vulnerable in five of the nine areas. Over the next three years, debt worth more than 100 percent of Irish GDP will have to be refinanced on far more expensive terms than currently available. Part of this debt includes €60 billion of bank bonds maturing by 2011, with RBS stating that "this poses a material risk for the stability of the Irish financial system."

Former International Monetary Fund chief economist Simon Johnson warned, "The G7...need to focus on this problem during their discussions.... We need a plan of action for Ireland and we need it now. What we don't need is another Iceland-type situation."

Others noted that the offer in 2008 by the Irish government to guarantee all bank deposits in the aftermath of the collapse of Lehman Brothers may prove to be catastrophic. Writing in the Irish Times, economist Morgan Kelly wrote that the government had nationalised Anglo Irish and recapitalised AIB and Bank of Ireland without even being fully aware of the extent of their possible liabilities. "The ability of the State to continue funding itself ultimately depends on the size of these bad debts," he said. "If they are of the order of €10-€20 billion, we will survive. If they are of the order of €50-€60 billion, we are sunk."

"We could expect cuts of one-quarter to one-third in public sector wages and social welfare benefits, and draconian tax rises to bring the deficit back to around 5 percent of national income in two years."

However, "There is actually a worse scenario where international bond markets suffer a general panic, like 1998. Not only does Ireland get torpedoed, but also Portugal, Italy, Greece, Spain and Austria. The IMF and [European Union] simply would not have the resources to bail out so many economies and we would be entirely on our own."

"In circumstances where the government could not even pay public sector salaries, the bank guarantee would immediately become worthless and we would see an uncontrollable run on all the Irish banks."

posted in Ireland - 1 reply

Bay Celtic Music and Dance Festival Sat Feb 21 Oakland Veterans Hall

scott — Sun, 15 Feb 2009 04:25:11 GMT

The San Francisco Bay Area Celtic Music and Dance Festival is happening this Saturday, February 21st at the Oakland Veterans Hall 200 Grand Avenue Oakland, 94610, X Harrison.

BayCeltic is an annual reunion of Bay Area Celtic musicians, singers, dancers and performers.

We have a wide range of very popular and well established musicians and performers.

The Black Brothers, Tempest, Molly's Revenge, Cullan's Hounds,Avalon Rising, Steve Baughman,and Siamsa, a bay area Celtic dance performance group, are in the main Ballroom.

In the musical showcase, new and emerging bands and musicians are are Three Mile Stone, Jim Nelson,Patrice Haan,Megan McLaughlin,Valerie Rose,West of Shannon,Susan Mashiyama and Lani Herrmann.

Steve Baughman will perform and lead the music session afterwards.

Dancing in the Dance Hall are an Irish Ceilidh with Ammy Hill, Irish Set dancing with Michael Murphy, hard shoes introductory dance class with Shirleigh Brannan.

We will have waltz and polka and irish dancing at 10pm to Culann's Hounds.

Lunchroom downstairs and Celtic vendors also.

The website is www.BayCeltic.com

Tickets available at the door: $20 general, $10 students, free under 12, $10 after 9:30 to waltz and polka dancing to Culann's Hounds

contact Scott at scottFNW@pway.com

posted in Ireland - 1 reply

Workers occupy Waterford crystal factory

Steven — Tue, 03 Feb 2009 23:29:38 GMT

Ireland: Workers occupy Waterford crystal factory
By Steve James
3 February 2009

http://www.wsws.org/articles/2009/feb2009/wate-f03.shtml

Two hundred workers have occupied the historic Waterford Crystal plant and visitor centre at Kilbarry near Waterford, Ireland. The occupation was launched on Friday in response to the decision by the failed company's receiver to cease manufacturing production, lock out and sack some 480 workers. Local shops have supplied food and drinks.

The move by the receiver, in conditions of deepening economic crisis in Ireland and internationally, emerged after David Carson, of receivers Deloitte, reneged on a previous pledge to maintain production at the site that produces luxury crystal for the world market.

Negotiations have been ongoing for some weeks with two prospective buyers. Both KPS Capital and Clarion Capital are considering buying the Waterford Wedgewood group, but reportedly only intend to maintain 300 jobs at the plant out of the current 800.

Union officials had made clear they would do nothing to protect workers' jobs. Clarion has now submitted a bid that has been given approval by the Unite trade union, with regional secretary Jimmy Kelly stating that the union was "encouraged". Clarion's plans for the plant would retain only 300 workers. It specialises in leveraged capital investment in luxury, healthcare, insurance and advertising industries. KPS do the same in basic manufacturing. Both are New York-based venture capitalists.

According to RTE, just 200 workers were asked to turn up for work yesterday—those who were not served with termination of employment letters on Friday evening. Unite urged the 200 employees to report for work as normal.

Waterford Wedgewood was placed in administration last month following a refusal by bankers to extend credit. The company employs 800 workers in Waterford and 6,000 worldwide, including 1,500 in Indonesia. Other outsourced operations are in Brazil, Romania and Slovenia. The company collapsed after missing a deadline on €449 million debt. The pension scheme is also €111 million in debt and is likely to be wound up. Some 367 redundancies have also been confirmed in Staffordshire in the UK, where 1,900 remain employed by the company.

The occupation is proof that broad sections of workers are seeking collective means to resist the sharp onslaught on living standards that the world financial crisis is bringing in its wake. The same day Ireland was warned that its state creditworthiness faced being downgraded on Moody's, the international credit agency.

Carson's intention to cease glass production and close the popular visitor centre was leaked by former managers to workers and union officials. Word spread quickly to Waterford Wedgewood workers and 60 or 70 rushed to the site to prevent the entire workforce being locked out. For others the first indication of a lock-out was when the security staff shut the doors. No official notification was issued to either staff, or apparently the trade union Unite.

Private security teams that had been on site over the last few weeks attempted to bar access, but workers were able to seize control of both the visitor centre and the production plant. One person reportedly received minor injuries when a pane of glass was smashed in scuffles.

Around 100 workers slept in the factory over Friday night. Colleagues and relatives brought bedding and food, while an eight hour shift rota was drawn to ensure up to 40 workers were on site at any time. Workers say they are committed to remain on site until the decision to close the plant is reversed. A demonstration was held outside the plant Saturday, which was attended by some 2,000 supporters.

Many of the older workforce have been employed at Waterford for decades, have built up pensions that are now imperilled, and have little prospect of alternative employment.

John Dooley, one of the workers involved, told the Irish Times that he is still due €30,000 in redundancy payments out of €55,000 from the company. "€55,000 is small enough money for 46 years service, and it would take small enough money from the government to keep this place open, at least until a new buyer can be found. We are going to stay here for the long haul. We have nothing to lose".

Dooley joined the company in 1962.

"Today they've pulled the plug on us", said Jean Croke to the Irish Independent. "We're being forgotten. A lot of us came here straight from school, we've worked nowhere else. How are we going to get jobs now? There's nothing out there for us".

Statements by union officials make clear that Unite has been working closely with the company since it was placed in receivership earlier in January. Throughout the decay of Waterford Wedgewood, a process in which many thousands of jobs have already been lost, relations between the company and Unite have been amicable.

Unite's primary concern is to ensure that job losses are packaged in a manner that can be easily foisted upon the workforce—through "natural wastage" and so-called "voluntary" redundancy. Kelly promised on January 5, "The union will work closely with any prospective purchasers of the business so as to ensure we save the maximum number of quality jobs".

Walter Cullen, another Unite regional official, told the press of a phone conversation he had with Carson, shortly after the closure was announced.

"I reminded him that he was breaking his word, that he had given us a firm commitment that there would be no large-scale redundancies similar to what was imposed in Wedgwood, and that if a decision was made to close the company, he would meet with us to hold discussions, because we have alternatives. What we need now is to re-establish the process, and this decision has to be reversed".

As well as collaborating with potential buyers, the Irish trade unions are currently involved in talks with the Irish government to create a new "partnership" agreement to ensure that the costs of the collapsing economy and the huge bailouts to Irish banks are passed onto the working class in the form of an extended pay freeze.

At this point no agreement has been reached, since the government are seeking support for swinging public sector pay cuts, which the union bureaucracy do not relish seeking to impose. The government are seeking to save €2 billion immediately. But new agreement, formal or informal, there will be, following on from decades of partnership agreements between the trade unions, business and government.

Nothing can be defended through trade unions tied in every aspect of their existence to Irish and international capital. Rather the first steps taken by Waterford Wedgewood workers should be a point of departure in the development of independent workers' committees, aiming to mobilise the immense reservoir of support amongst the broader working population, in Ireland and internationally, who face the same pressures on their living standard from the same source—the breakdown of world capitalism.

posted in Ireland - 0 replies

Ireland: Anglo Irish Bank taken into state ownership

Steven — Tue, 27 Jan 2009 19:53:09 GMT

Ireland: Anglo Irish Bank taken into state ownership
By Steve James
27 January 2009

http://www.wsws.org/articles/2009/jan2009/irel-j27.shtml

The Irish government was forced to take the Anglo Irish Bank into full state ownership on January 15. The move came as fears that a collapse of the bank, one of Ireland's largest lenders, would bring down the entire economy.

The decision reversed a previous move to pour €1.5 billion into the bank while leaving it independent. This was part of a €5.5 billion package to prop up the three major Irish banks—Anglo Irish, AIB, and Bank of Ireland—agreed in December.

Speaking on the radio, Finance Minister Brian Lenihan made clear that full state control was the only way to prevent a catastrophic run on the bank, with cash demands from investors outweighing resources. This would not only ruin the bank and its depositors but, "The reputational damage to the country in trashing deposits and refusing to honour obligations will be enormous," Lenihan said.

Only a week before, however, Lenihan had warned, "were we to go from the last step before nationalisation to nationalisation itself, the taxpayer will be taking an awful lot of risk with no return."

In the intervening week, the bank's already dire position further deteriorated. Investors concluded that the extent of the bank's bad debts, particularly those on the collapsing Irish property market, meant that it would soon be unable to meet its obligations.

Lenihan confirmed that of the banks €100 billion in outstanding loans, €80 billion were in Ireland. But he would not comment on the extent of bad debt within this, claiming the information was "commercially sensitive." Currently, the bank has admitted that some 1.3 percent of its loans are "non-performing."

A finance professor at Trinity College Dublin, Brian Lucey told the Irish Times, "I would suspect that as time has gone on it has become abundantly clear that there are so many unexploded land mines in Anglo that the government had to throw something on it...."

The takeover of Anglo Irish is unlikely to offer much beyond a temporary respite from the impact of the global financial crisis on Ireland. Its purpose is primarily to buy time, allowing the Irish social and political elite to attempt to offload identifiable toxic assets and debts onto the public purse.

The government is even reported to be considering using Anglo Irish as a so-called "bad bank"—a repository for bad loans held by the other major banks, allowing them to be recapitalised at state expense.

Both AIB and the Bank of Ireland are reported to have similar volumes of bad debt to Anglo Irish, but, for the moment these banks remain outside full state control because of a somewhat larger asset base. Yet both are in talks with the government for an additional €1 billion of cash to be made available.

At its peak in 2007, AIB was worth €20.9 billion. It is now worth €528 million. Over the same period, Bank of Ireland's value has fallen from €18 billion to €341 million. In 2007, total Irish financial stocks together were worth €59.44 billion. Now they are worth €1.65 billion.

The nationalisation was pushed through following an emergency debate in the Dáil Éireann on the Anglo Irish Bank Corporation Bill.

Lenihan noted that "unacceptable practices which took place at Anglo Irish Bank in relation to loans to its former chairman and the consequent resignation of the chairman and a number of the bank's senior management team, including the CEO, compounded the weak position of Anglo Irish Bank in the eyes of investors and debt providers."

Lenihan was referring to the recently exposed practices of Anglo Irish senior management of issuing loans to themselves, and moving the loans to another bank, to avoid the figures appearing in annual accounts.

Richard Bruton, speaking for Fine Gael, restricted criticism of the bill to the curtailed character of discussion on it—only 10 hours of debating time was allocated. Bruton's only real difference rested on the claim that Fine Gael would have taken over the bank earlier.

Speaking for the Labour Party, former minister Joan Burton called for stronger regulatory powers and noted, "We need to draw a clear, blue line under this issue and state that the disgraceful practices which took place at Anglo Irish Bank must be sorted out and explained."

Economist David McWilliams, writing in the Sunday Business Post howled the "Anglo Irish Bank is Ireland's Enron, and those responsible for destroying shareholders' assets should be pursued accordingly."

He continued, "...dodgy banks are now contaminating everything associated with Ireland."

Incompetence, greed and swindling of the highest order are not confined to Anglo Irish. As the Madoff scandal in the United States has shown, outright criminality is endemic throughout the global "free market" financial system that was so long held up by the powers-that-be as the highest point of human civilisation.

Even now, while the interests of the banks and super-rich are being protected by governments across the world at taxpayers´ expense, millions of working people are being told that their jobs, wages and conditions must be sacrificed in the so-called national good.

Unemployment has already topped 300,000 in the Irish republic and is anticipated to reach 400,000 within a year. New job losses are announced daily. On Monday Ulster Bank announced it would lay off 750 staff. One week before, 800 redundancies were announced on one day alone, including 290 at Dublin Bus and 100 at car component Kostal.

Writing in the Irish Times under the headline, "The case for cutting public sector pay and numbers," Dan O'Leary reported on a Department of Finance report "Addendum to the Irish Stability Programme Update." This document anticipates a huge rise in state indebtedness with the total debt approaching 100 percent of GDP and demands substantial cuts in current capital spending, along with tax increases to avoid creditors refusing to lend Ireland more money.

O'Leary uses this to bluntly argue for pay cuts across the public sector. These, he says, are preferable to redundancy, which costs more. Only in this way can "[we] realign our pay with our productivity."

He concludes, "Ireland is now embarked on an enterprise that has many of the hallmarks of war, a war against powerfully adverse economic conditions. The last thing we need is to exacerbate those conditions by opening another front—against each other."

The latter remark is addressed to the trade union bureaucracy. While the government and big business must be free to wage war on workers´ jobs and conditions, the union tops are being warned they must ensure their members are prevented from fighting back.

posted in Ireland - 0 replies

Irish economy disintegrates

Steven — Mon, 19 Jan 2009 05:59:45 GMT

Irish economy disintegrates
By Steve James
19 January 2009

http://www.wsws.org/articles/2009/jan2009/irel-j19.shtml

Whether they manufacture personal computers, luxury cut glass and porcelain, or dig precious metals out of the ground, Irish-based corporations have responded to world recession by seeking to offload the consequences onto the working class.

The fate of US PC maker Dell’s Irish production base, Waterford Wedgewood’s historic luxury crystal plant in Waterford, or Tara Mines zinc mine in Navan all express particular forms of the impact of dramatically worsening global conditions on the Irish economy.

Dell’s closure of its Limerick production platform had long been rumoured, before the company finally confirmed earlier this month that 1,900 full-time production jobs would go by the end of 2009. Hundreds of temporary workers have already been laid off. The first tranche of 450 full-time jobs will go in April. Local economists estimate that between 5,000 and 10,000 jobs will directly be affected in the local area as Dell suppliers such as Flextronics, Banta and Sercom lay off workers.

These will join Limerick’s existing 4,000 unemployed, or around 14.6 percent of the workforce. Laura Ryan, an officer for the Limerick Co-ordination Office told the press “I have family working in Dell. Everyone in Limerick knows someone who works there. The Raheen suburb grew up around Dell--people bought houses, restaurants, shops, taxis and pubs [that] are all dependent on those jobs.”

Dell, hitherto Ireland’s largest exporter and responsible for about 5 percent of GDP, is moving its entire PC production operation from Limerick to Lodz in Poland, to take advantage of labour costs of around €3 an hour, one-third of what it pays in Ireland. The move is part of the €3 billion cost cutting drive by the company, which has been badly hit globally by the onset of world recession.

Dell’s departure has also raised fears that an exodus of US-based transnationals from Ireland is imminent. Intel employ 4,500 workers in County Kildare and its chief Paul Otellinni has said he expects sales over the last quarter to be down $10.7 billion in a year.

Writing in the Sunday Business Post, economist David McWilliams speculated, “Imagine the conversations going on now at Intel and Microsoft. We know that multinationals tend to cluster. They hang out together. When one of them bolts, we run the risk that the rest may follow.”

Waterford Wedgewood went into receivership the same week as Dell announced its move. The producer of luxury crystal, porcelain, crockery, cutlery and kitchenware, the group incorporates historic brand names such as Wedgewood. Charles Darwin’s grandfather Josiah Wedgewood and Royal Doulton in Lambeth established it in the 18th century in 1815. Waterford Crystal has its own visitor centre, and is one of the largest tourist attractions in Ireland. Rosenthal AG of Germany has been in existence since 1897. The company employs 800 workers in Waterford, and 6,000 worldwide, including 1,500 at PT Doulton Multifortuna, outside Jakarta, Indonesia. Other outsourced operations are in Brazil, Rumania and Slovenia.

Waterford Wedgewood finally collapsed after the company missed a deadline on its €449 million debt. The company’s bankers, Bank of America offered the board 16 additional days to hand over the company to asset strippers KPS, who the company have been in discussion with for months.

Whoever buys Waterford Wedgewood; the consequences are likely to be devastating for the town, where 800 workers remain. Moreover, the company pension scheme is £111 million in debt and is likely to be wound up. Ireland has no pension protection scheme. Some 367 redundancies have also been confirmed in Staffordshire in the UK, where 1,900 remain employed with the company.

In line with international trends, Waterford Wedgewood management asked for €39 million of Irish government support to defend its operations but was refused. By contrast, the Irish government has offered billions of euros to the banking system.

Tara Mine is the largest zinc mine in Europe and the fifth largest in the world. Located in Navan, County Meath, the mine produced 200,000 tonnes of zinc concentrate and 40,000 tonnes of lead concentrate last year. Six hundred seventy workers bring ore out of the ground at the rate of 570 tonnes an hour.

The mine is owned by Swedish group Boliden, Europe’s largest mining outfit employing 4,500 workers internationally. Tara opened in 1977 and many of the workers have been there for decades. A further 1,700 jobs in the local area are dependent on the mine.

Boliden is threatening to close the mine unless workers accept drastically reduced earnings and altered shift patterns to maintain profitability, caused by the collapse in world zinc prices. Yet, in 2007, Tara Mines Holding Ltd paid a €97 million dividend to Boliden and had a €197 million profit. The annual wage bill is only €52 million.

Navan itself, formerly a boomtown in the Dublin commuter belt, saw its population increase by half in five years. But the mine is the only large local employer, and the town now has the fastest growing dole queues in Ireland as multiple small businesses collapse under pressure from the banks, creditors and collapsing revenues.

Other companies that have recently laid off workers include Hibernia insurance, Howley civil engineering, retail groups such as Zavvi and Chartbusters, along with many smaller and largely unreported closures and redundancies.

Currently unemployment is around 7 percent, but there are predictions that in only a few months 10 or even 12 percent of the workforce will be on the dole. According to the Department of Enterprise Trade and Employment, some 3,350 redundancies were announced in December 2008, a 94 percent increase on 2007. Over the whole year, redundancies were 60 percent up on 2007, with the building and civil engineering sectors account for 25 percent of job looses. Tourism also recorded record losses--with 12,350 long-term jobs shed. The number of business failures has doubled from 370 company failures in 2007 to 753 in 2008.

Earlier in the week, the Irish government was forced to nationalise the Anglo-Irish Bank, the Republic’s third largest lender, after large-scale withdrawals threatened its collapse. Only in December the government had authorised a bailout worth between €2 billion and €5.5 billion to the three largest banks, including €1.5 billion to Anglo-Irish.

Even before this recent intervention, Finance Minister Brian Lenihan had said he anticipated that national income would shrink by 4.5 percent in 2009, and had demanded corporate “competitiveness” be restored through “collective effort”.

The government has now opened a “discussion” on public sector pay cuts, and €4 billion worth of savings by 2011, €16 billion by 2013. Mary Hanafin, Minister for Social and Family Affairs stated that she believed cost cutting, organised by the government committee, the so-called “An Bord Snip Nua”, would partly come at the expense of recently increased payments to carers and lone parents, while immigrant workers and their families would be particularly targeted by welfare snoopers.

For their part, the Irish trade unions have offered their immediate support to the government’s “collective effort” against the working class.

David Begg, head of the Irish Congress of Trades Unions (ICTU) called for a “sensible compromise” between pay cuts and tax changes.

At the Tara mine, unions have agreed with management to a package of cuts in overtime and a cap on bonuses. Workers are to ballot this week on the package, with the threat of immediate sackings if it is not agreed.

Dan Murphy, head of the Public Service Executive Union (PSEU) has said that the unions would be “constructive provided no unilateral actions are taken that would render our co-operation impossible.” Jack O’Connor, speaking for Services, Industrial, Professional and Technical Union (SIPTU) agreed that the unions “have a responsibility to play our part”. He refused to oppose a suggestion that previously agreed pay increases would be deferred.

posted in Ireland - 1 reply

Who wants to go to West Africa?

zvonko — Sun, 14 Dec 2008 15:32:15 GMT

...to study drumming/song/dance/kora/balafon ,for 2 to 6 months,this spring or next fall/winter? I'm looking for 2-5 people to share costs.
Thanks
Zvonko

posted in Ireland - 0 replies

Young Family with Pets Seeks Caretaking position in Ireland

Mon, 17 Nov 2008 00:02:09 GMT

We are a young, eco-concious family with experience in mantinence, farming, carpentry, gardening, animal care, landscaping and housekeeping. Starting in June 2009, for a min. of 6 months. References upon request. call or email (541)846-0848 (USA) dragonflybabyorganics@gmail.com.

posted in Ireland - 0 replies

Advice on Trip!

Niamh Ni Ghaia — Wed, 20 Aug 2008 14:14:13 GMT

Hi All!! I am going to be spending 2 weeks in Ireland in mid september! My first trip to Europe! Here is where I will be : Starting in Dublin, then down to Wicklow, then off to Tipperary, then finishing the trip in Cork. If anyone knows of any secret places to vist off the beaten "tourist" path...please let me know!!!! I will really aprecciate any hints, tips, or tricks to enhance my trip ad make it more real!!! Thanks! ~Niamh

posted in Ireland - 2 replies

History class on youtube - Irish Independance.

Cáemgen — Wed, 27 Aug 2008 04:55:29 GMT

I wanted to test this link as it should just play back all the parts
one after another. It's also a great lecture with heated exchanges, I
almost thought the speaker was going punch a guy.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=77gpnn3u8Mw&feature=PlayList&p=83D3F4381706175B&i\
ndex=0&playnext=1

Cáemgen

posted in Ireland - 1 reply

anyone from tallaght or a housing estate im sure can appreciate this...

fire_in_the_sky — Wed, 16 Jul 2008 07:10:32 GMT

best craic ive seen in a long time...... check out the youtube video "The Skanger me Banger Trailer." hahahaha

posted in Ireland - 2 replies

SPIRITUAL COLONIALISM; New Age, Same Old Story.

Caridad Del Cobre — Mon, 07 Apr 2008 18:47:29 GMT

SPIRITUAL COLONIALISM; New Age, Same Old Story.

So.African Simon, (of Tribenet; Iboga) Publicly Denounces Gabons' Premier Nganga, Mallendi .

So.African Simon, Apprentice of Sorcery, Subjects Nganga Mallendi of Gabon to the Erronous Criteria of A NewAge Plastic Techno Shaman.

Simon, A So.African, Nganga wanna-be, has to gaul to Subject Multi- Generational Nganga Mallendi to NewAge Concepts & Criteria of Neo-Shamanism.

Is this Spiritual Genocide? Get Ready.

Simon's Super Plastic Shaman Criteria is an Assault on the Prior Art of Nganga Mallendi. Simon & the likes are going for the throats of Traditional Practitioners to eliminate the competition. Simon & other Spiritual Neo-Colonists are patently damning African Indigenous Knowledge into Oblivion.

T.R.I.P.s ; Will Nganga Mallendi's great great grandchildren be presecuted by the WTO for patent infrigement for using Iboga? or perhaps be forced to use Sythetic derivitives at a high cost?

Contrary to SyntheticSimon's BS.....Iboga is safer than ibogaine and being treated in Gabon by an Nganga would be first on my list just because of the history of Pentagon funded 'Skunk Projects' aimed at data collection, & duping unwitting guinea pigs into submitting to experimentation & unnessessary screening. Can you say Medical Apartheid?

Go for treatment from SyntheticSimon, & he won't even give you a little soup after, what a Schlump!

Simon could learn alot from Mallendi. Nganga Mallendi fed us after Iboga.

iboga.tribe.net/thread/d62...307723b628c

posted in Ireland - 10 replies

Cultural Colonialism & Plastic Shamans http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0T5jHEmGJa8

Caridad Del Cobre — Wed, 09 Apr 2008 11:36:38 GMT

On Enthogens, Maria Sabia, &Plastic Shamans http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0T5jHEmGJa8

Recall your history all!

posted in Ireland - 0 replies

Help Save Tara!

FyreChyld — Mon, 21 Aug 2006 12:40:25 GMT

Please help save Tara (Irelands most sacred place) by signing the worldwide petition at the link below and stop them from building the Motorway through Tara. All info is in the petition. Be sure to cut & paste this petition on all your Pagan groups & Forums. get your Covens & Groves to sign it. This is very important! PLEASE FOR THE LOVE OF THE GODS SIGN! Thank You!

http://www.petitiononline.com/hilltara/petition.html

go na Tiarna agus Bantiarn coill glas beannacht glas tu!
(Irish Gaelic for)
May the Lord and Lady of the Green Wood Bless you!

/|\ Gypsy /|\

posted in Ireland - 25 replies

Trip to Ireland in March- Sacred sites, Singing, and places to stay

Maryanna — Sat, 26 Jan 2008 20:14:30 GMT

Hello fellow Ireland lovers,
I am traveling to Ireland during the month of March and plan to be there on St. Patrick's day. The two things I want from this trip is to visit Sacred sites and to find other singers and musicians( I sing Celtic and folk music) - live music, traditional and contemporary, but also people who just like to sing and play for fun and would include me. In addition I am on a tight budget so any suggestions for bed and breakfasts, hostels or other rooming arrangements would be much appreciated. I will be visiting friends in UK first week in March then on to Ireland.
Thank you so much,

posted in Ireland - 6 replies

irish tattoos

Maev — Mon, 03 Mar 2008 16:21:28 GMT

Is it taboo to say celtic also? :)

I'm looking for people that have irish/celtic cross tattoos. I am planning on getting one, and have some ideas of what i would like. but if anyone has pics i'd love to see them too. I have irish heritage and adore the culture, and hope to visit very soon (first time).

if you would like to email a pic, i'm at maev81 AT gmail DOT com

Thanks!

posted in Ireland - 2 replies

Planning a family trip to Ireland

discerning_images — Mon, 30 Jul 2007 19:09:23 GMT

Can anyone recommend a good travel agent for planning a family trip to Ireland....also, if anyone knows of some really good places to eat and enjoy local music and art it would be much appreciated. Thanks.

posted in Ireland - 13 replies

advice on traveling to Kildare for Imbolc...

documentedprism — Sat, 24 Nov 2007 22:01:13 GMT

anyone know any useful tips, for traveling there for cheaps? (mainly lodging)

posted in Ireland - 0 replies

ALDI Castlebar are a complete mess today

Sun, 18 Nov 2007 12:33:23 GMT

They sold a notebook to woman customer then took it off her because she didn't have a ticket and refunded her money in cash.

To the best of my knowledge it is against the law for a business to do that to a customer.

The shop only had 5 notebook pcs for sale.

I queued up for an hour to find out that they didn't have the "Notebook Accessories" or the "PC/Notebook Download Accessories".

Generally it was a complete balls up.

posted in Ireland - 1 reply

NCEF! Media sabotaged! Hijacked by lone wingnut! Accused of fraud and embezzlement!

White Rabbit — Wed, 07 Nov 2007 04:03:57 GMT

NCEF! Media in Humboldt County, Ca. is accused of fraud and donation embezzlement. Caution! Do not support this lone wingnut's scam! Other legitamate groups exist in the area. Caution! Do not be fooled by NCEF! Media and his fraudulent outreach. Shunka Wakan exists completely seperate from any active affinity group. Read about how he perpetuated a lawsuit under the guise of EF! against a legitamate environmental nonprofit:

Dog Days
From: http://northcoastjournal.com/100407/cover1004.html
October 4, 2007
Money On Trees

Big cash nearly fell into Shunka Wakan's lap. Other Earth First!ers are kinda happy it didn't.

by Heidi Walters

As the jury trial for the civil suit Kathryn Miller v. the Trees Foundation puttered to a start last week inside Courtroom 3 at the Humboldt County Courthouse, Shunka Wakan — a key witness for the plaintiff — spent mornings sitting on the hard wooden benches in the long hallway outside the courtroom. During breaks, Miller's attorney Linda Mitlyng, would come out of the courtroom to join him. But otherwise, as other people and their legal affairs swirled around him in a warm, odiferous bath of humanity, Shunka sat alone. Or, sometimes, he stood alone, straight-spined, his small, stocky body swallowed by the huge, stiff blue suit out of which his newly shorn, razor-scraped bald head poked vulnerably — as if, at any moment, the suit could gulp once more and he'd disappear completely. Always, he clutched a paper folder with a wolf's face on its cover.

The North Coast Earth First! Media guru had shaved off his woolly rust-tinged brown hair and beard the night before jury selection started, after discussing it with attorney Mitlyng. Now, it took an uncertain moment to recognize him. Then, of course: Shunka's light blue eyes in the pink-pale face, Shunka's closed-lip smile, Shunka's trademark husky murmur, "Mm-hmm, for sure," in response to a comment.

In Courtroom 3, the amiable but no-nonsense Judge Christopher Wilson's domain, the fate of a $185,000 donation dangled. Would the plaintiff, donor Kathryn Miller, prevail in her claim that the defendant, the Trees Foundation, was not in fact the intended recipient of her generous gift? That Shunka Wakan's NCEF! Media Center and the treesitters were? Or would the Trees Foundation convince the jury that, in fact, the money was intended all along for Trees, with no instructions attached for funneling it elsewhere?

Richard Idell, left, who is defending the Trees Foundation against a lawsuit filed by Kathryn Miller, confers with Doug Wallace, community support coordinator for Trees. Photo by David Lawlor.

In her opening arguments, Miller's attorney, Mitlyng, said the case came down to "fraud and broken promises." "She believed [Trees] would hold [the money] in trust, for the benefit of North Coast Earth First!" said Mitlyng. The defense's attorney, Richard Idell, countered in his opening argument that the donation was an unconditional gift and Miller never wrote letters of instruction — as Miller claims she did. "Ms. Miller ... didn't do anything. She took the check [from her mother's estate] and flipped it over and wrote on the back, 'Payable to the Trees Foundation,'" said Idell.

Miller's claim sought the return of her $185,000, plus interest.

Out in the hallway, Shunka waited to tell his side of the story. Maybe he thought about the magical donation that never materialized, and now probably never would. Maybe he thought about the other times he'd been in this courthouse — dozens of times, along with other activists, often before Judge Wilson, answering to charges of trespassing and other forms of civil disobedience in the woods. Likely, he wondered when they were finally going to call him in to testify — it was taking forever in there. He'd even sent out an e-mail prematurely to the several hundred subscribers to his NCEF! online group erroneously announcing he would be first up to testify.

By the end of Friday's court session, Miller was still on the stand. Perhaps Monday it would be Shunka's turn. Whenever it was, he would be testifying on Miller's behalf; but he wasn't a party to the lawsuit. And in the end, after hearing all of the evidence, the jury would be determining who was telling the truth about intentions and letters of instructions. Shunka was just there to provide context and evidence in a contract dispute.

But to a number of forest activists, including a half dozen or so who appeared in the audience last Friday to watch the trial unfold, that context matters more to them than the legal questions. They say this lawsuit has placed a strain on the environmental community that could do as much damage as an ill-felled redwood that takes down other giants in its descent. They disapprove of the lawsuit, and they blame Shunka for it. And, they say, it's just another example of how Shunka has commandeered the North Coast Earth First! identity and used it for purposes that nobody else in the amorphous but consensus-driven local Earth First! movement has agreed to.

"For a lot of us, when we read about the lawsuit, this is kind of like Shunka on trial," said long-time forest activist Deane Rimerman last Friday, calling from Olympia, Wash. "And, to what extent is he worthy of that money?"

Kathryn Miller wanted her money to go toward saving trees, she said on the witness stand last Thursday. The slender 59-year-old was dressed in a pink print skirt and white sweater, with her gray-streaked dark hair pulled back into a neat, thin braid tinted slightly green. (Little did the jury know that Miller had spent the night in jail, in blue jail duds, and then had been "dressed out," in court lingo, in her street clothes before being escorted into the court by the bailiff. Miller had been arrested the week before, on Sept. 17, when she arrived in civil court for the pre-trial readiness hearing; according to the misdemeanor criminal charges filed against her, Miller allegedly had made annoying phonecalls to Barbara Ristow of the Trees Foundation all hours of the day and night.)

On the stand, Miller described how she became an activist. She remembered how, when she was a child in Orinda, her mother decided to stop spraying the beautiful oak trees on their property after reading Rachel Carson's Silent Spring. "And then, when my son was 9, we were watching the news on TV about the Chernobyl nuclear power plant meltdown. And my son said to me, 'I wish I'd never been born. I don't think I'll get to live a full life.'"

She protested the building of the Diablo Canyon Nuclear Power Plant. She started a peace action group in the late 1980s in San Jose. She did nonviolent protests at the Nevada Test Site. And in 1990, she came up with some of her fellow protestors to help set up the camp for Redwood Summer, and to take part in demonstrations. She's been on and off involved in Earth First! actions in Humboldt ever since, she said, including huffing in supplies for treesitters and huffing out their garbage. She'd also, at one point, bought a condo in Arcata.

In 2004, Miller sold her condo and bought an acre of farmland, already planted with coffee, in Guatemala. She put in fruit trees to shade the coffee. That same year, her mother, who lived in Sonoma, died. "The last time I saw her was in 2003," said Miller. "She told me when she died, she was going to leave me some money. I told her I'd use it to further my work for the forest. And she was pleased, because she loved the treesitters and the forest."

Shortly after learning of her mother's death, Kathryn Miller sought out Shunka Wakan in front of the food co-op in Arcata, where he "tabled" to raise funds for the North Coast Earth First! Media office — selling T-shirts, and stickers, offering pamphlets, accepting donations. She'd known Shunka for about five years, she said.

"I said to him, I was going to inherit some money: What was the best way to get that to the North Coast Earth First!?"

In the spring of 2005, Shunka Wakan was floating above the treetops. "I was so excited," the 32-year-old said in an interview a few weeks ago, sitting inside his tiny but colorful North Coast Earth First! Media office in Arcata, walls covered in art and topo maps — including one of Buckeye Mountain, where in 2000-2001, during the "Mattole Free State" action, Shunka and others hiked 14 miles through waist-high snowdrifts to save trees.

Kathryn Miller, he recalled, had come up to him excitedly as he walked along the sidewalk outside the Arcata Co-op and said, "I just donated $185,000 to North Coast Earth First!'"

She'd talked to him the year before about making the donation — she'd said she was anticipating an inheritance from her mother's estate, and she wanted to make a big donation to his group. He'd told her to make it through the Trees Foundation, which handled the NCEF! Media office's finances through an arrangement that had been established years ago. (The Trees Foundation is an umbrella organization formed in 1991 to assist smaller environmental groups. As a 501(c)3 nonprofit, it can accept large, tax-deductible donations on behalf of affiliates, and provide professional resources. And it can lead large campaigns, like the one to save the Headwaters Forest back in the '90s.)

Well, now she'd finally done it.

Miller and Shunka agreed to meet at Fiesta Café in Sunny Brae, so she could tell him how she wanted the money spent: She wanted, straight away, for someone to organize a mediated workshop for the local Earth First! activists on ageism and sexism, issues she thought were fracturing the movement. And, she wanted the bulk of the donation to help support the forest activists who blockade logging roads and hunker up in ancient redwoods to fend off loggers' saws.

Not long after, Shunka was on his way to have lunch with some folks from the Trees Foundation, where they'd talk about Miller's wishes.

"Our media outreach was going to get a big boost," Shunka said. "The donation would keep the EF! office going for many years. So I walked into the Wildflower Café feeling elated, thinking we got all this money."

Barbara Ristow and Doug Wallace of the Trees Foundation were there. "I was super excited," Shunka said, "and I said, 'This is great, this big donation. Isn't it wonderful?' We ordered food, and still I'm all excited, talking about the money, but I notice they're looking nervously at each other. [Finally], they said, 'Well, we're just shocked that you think this money was for you.' And I was like, 'I just met with the donor, and that's what she said.' And they're like, 'Well, let's go ahead and plan the workshop and deal with that later.' I remember that, because it put me at ease."

After that, Shunka said he gave Trees a list of people he thought might benefit from the mediator-run workshop. "Some were people I knew had beefs with me, but I was willing to bring 'em into the circle and talk about it."

According to some vague accounts, the workshop was a disaster. One person who was there claims that Shunka, at one point, pounded his fists on the floor, blustered, then got up and stormed out, yelling as he walked away. Shunka says that's overblown.

"The letter from Kathryn Miller to Barbara Bristow said she wanted the mediation to be a safe place, safe to be emotional," he said. "And I think people are saying 'I freaked out.' The freak-out reports are exaggerated. It's just part of this ongoing character assassination. People say I was 'red-faced.' But my face is naturally red."

In late 2005, while Shunka was in Seattle, a friend called him from Arcata to say a woman had come by asking for the office key. She had a list of equipment she wanted to take away. The friend didn't give her the key.

When Shunka got back from Seattle, he discovered his reimbursement funds from Trees had been "frozen." He also learned about a letter someone in the NCEF! movement had circulated for signatures and then sent to Mark Knipper, who handled the Trees Foundation transactions for the NCEF! Media office. It said, in essence, "We don't want Shunka running EF!"

"I called the Trees Foundation," Shunka recalled. "I was sick, it was the middle of the winter, I'm trying to table, it's raining, it's cold. And Barbara Ristow told me, 'You just need to have a meeting [with the other Earth First!ers] and come to a group consensus on what the Trees Foundation funding should be used for."

The meeting never happened — nobody could agree to meet, said Mark Knipper, also in an interview last week. Knipper is a social worker and a long-time activist who had been the contact person between Trees and NCEF! Media. "So it ate itself," Knipper said. "And although I'm former Navy, a mariner, I said I'm not going down with this ship. So I divorced myself from it ... and signed it all back to Trees."

The NCEF! Media office was dropped from the Trees Foundation altogether.

Shunka and the NCEF! Media office never did see any of the big donation. Miller didn't even know that, he said, until she phoned him up in the summer of 2006, more than a year after she made the donation, to ask about a guy named "Jungle," who had been reported as missing on the NCEF! hotline. Miller was spending much of her time in Guatemala now, where she was raising fruit trees; after she'd made her big donation, Hurricane Stan had struck — she spent the ensuing year mopping up the mess.

First, Shunka told her Jungle was still missing. Then he told her about the money.

"I said, 'Yeah, they told me it wasn't for us,'" said Shunka. "And she said, 'I meant for all of it to go to you guys.' She sounded real upset. And I was like, 'I knew it! I knew it!'"

Shunka tried to sue Trees in small claims court, but it went nowhere.

Miller filed a claim against the Trees Foundation on Oct. 5, 2006, in Humboldt County Superior Court, seeking the return of the $185,000 plus interest so she could distribute the money herself.

And if she wins? "She may just spread it out more," said Shunka. "She's got tree planting ideas. Maybe she could buy a grove. She'd maybe not give it all to Earth First! this time. It was a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity that Trees blew for us."

On an uncomfortably hot afternoon last week, four forest activists who'd agreed to an interview for this story — Jeff, Shaggy, Sparrow and Farmer — sat on the ground at the Arcata Marsh next to a log bench on which a teeming crew of red ants worked a splintered notch. Someone had come along here in 1999 and carved a grouping of faces — bearded, grimacing, possibly mourning faces — onto the log and signed it Daniel. The carving had been drenched in red paint, and burnished by years of sitters.

"It kind of reminds me of the memorial for Gypsy," said one of them. "With the red paint."

Gypsy was the forest name of David Nathan Chain, who in September 1998, during an Earth First! action at Grizzly Creek, was crushed to death by a tree felled by an enraged logger. Farmer, actually, was there — he was just 16, but had a year of activism already under his belt. And Shunka was there — it was Shunka's first forest action.

Farmer, Shag, Sparrow and Jeff first made it clear that they spoke for themselves alone, although they participate in various forest defense affinity groups: Farmer works for the Mattole Wildlands Defense Group now, watchdogging the California Department of Forestry for new timber harvest plans, and keeping an eye on a Pacific Lumber Co. watershed analysis. Shag, who saw his first redwood about five years ago, helps keep the Fern Gully treesit village in Freshwater functioning. Jeff, who grew up in the high desert, and fell in love with the woods, works with the Nanning Creek treesit just outside of Scotia, as well as other groups. Sparrow, who was drawn to forest action because the cultural landscape was "like a folktale" he couldn't resist, is with the Fern Gully affinity group. These groups are all part of the Humboldt Forest Defense Association, a collective with a website but no formal structure.

The HFDA sprang into being six years ago — about the time the entity called North Coast Earth First! had essentially dissolved. It would take a book to describe that drawn-out dissolution — a book of lost causes, won causes, waning media interest, Judi Bari's death, Gypsy's death, ego-spurred squabbles, interpersonal catastrophes, a war overseas, hurricanes. And while the HFDA activists might still cherish the Earth First! name — the movement — in their hearts, it's now been further complicated by what you might call the Shunka effect.

"I still feel in many ways solidarity with the greater Earth First! movement abroad," said Farmer. "But in this county, in this climate, if you say you're with the North Coast Earth First!, many people associate you with North Coast Earth First! Media."

Shunka revived the North Coast Earth First! office around 2002. And he did what previous office managers had done — tabled, put out news releases, wrote articles for other publications. But it wasn't like the old days, in the '90s, when hundreds of people were getting arrested in forest actions and the jail support phone and legal resources were in constant use.

Shunka first worked in an office in Eureka, then later moved to Arcata. He called his outfit the NCEF! Media Center. For a time, he and other "affinity groups" tried to work together. But he alienated some people. He took over the North Coast Earth First! website. He controlled the North Coast Earth First! email list of 300 or more subscribers to the news alerts. He sent out press releases on his own.

"I felt the North Coast Earth First! Media Center was a unilateral effort on Shunka's part," said Farmer. Whereas, in the old days, "spokespeople were decided on by the group. And if you wrote an article it was passed by everyone. I feel Shunka appointed himself spokesperson at some point."

Many also claim they've been subject to a lashing anger from Shunka.

"I won't work with him because I pledge nonviolence in my actions," said Shag. "I don't believe he pledges the same thing. He has exhibited violent behavior towards me and towards other activists in my presence."

"He's a bear," said Jeff, making claw-fists with his hands.

But the sad thing is, all of this infighting probably has done nothing to help the actual trees. And the mediation workshop Kathryn Miller wanted didn't fix matters. Now, there was her lawsuit.

"When I heard about this lawsuit, I thought, the Trees Foundation does not deserve to be attacked in that way," said Farmer. "There's much bigger issues that need to be dealt with — with Maxxam and old-growth logging. ...If you look at Fern Gully and Nanning Creek (the Bonanza timber harvest plan), there's hundreds of old growth acres still standing whose fate is unclear."

Shag put it more bluntly: "If [Miller] knew Shunka and wanted to get the money to North Coast Earth First! Media, she should've given it to Shunka. But if she was trying to get it to treesits and forest defense, then the money went to the right place.

"My problem is this whole representation thing. There's people in the trees — how do you know who to get the money to, to help them?"

Shunka knows that a lot of fellow activists aren't happy with his role in the donation dispute. He also knows how some people talk about him and say he's hard to get along with. "I'm just standing up for the truth," he said. "And people don't like it. To me, it feels like a small clique of people who don't like me. I feel a lot of love and support in this community."

He certainly doesn't come off right away as someone who's angry, or who lashes out, or who locks the office and doesn't let people in. Why, recently, he helped a young woman hook up with the treesitters so she could learn the ropes. (Shaggy said that's proof Shunka doesn't have direct connections with the people doing direct action; but you can't deny it's a connection.)

It's probably a bad idea to ask Darryl Cherney, one of the founders of the local Earth First! movement, what he thinks of Shunka Wakan, whose real name is Jason Wilson. (Shunka tells a story of how he was named by a Lakota medicine man on the banks of the Cheyenne River in South Dakota in 1995. "Shunka Wakan," meaning "great dog," is only part of it. There's a secret part after that — altogether, his name means "the humble man called horse.")

"Shunka's a wingnut," Cherney said over the phone last Friday, sounding cheerfully vitriolic. "I have a 10-verse song about Shunka."

Here are the last few verses:

Who's at the co-op spanging a donation
Shunka, Shunka
Who's got a lawsuit 'gainst the Trees Foundation
Shunka, Shunka
Shunka, Shunka
Who's gonna keep on fighting the fight
Shunka, Shunka
With four of his friends at swimmers delight
Shunka, Shunka
Shunka, Shunka (Shunka voice: It's the last of the revolution)

There's no other word for it but "mean." But Cherney and Shunka have history — not all of it sour. Cherney said Shunka laughed when he heard the song, at least the first time.

"I met Shunka in 1998," Cherney said. "And I know he knew Julia ["Butterfly" Hill, whom Shunka had come west to find]. That was a good thing, helping Julia. That was good Shunka."

Cherney had even pushed for Shunka to go to Houston to talk with Charles Hurwitz, whose Maxxam Corp. bought out the old Pacific Lumber company back in 1985 and quickly became the forest activists' number one villain. Shunka went.

But now? "The current status of Shunka and me," Cherney said, "is that Shunka has sent me five or eight or nine e-mails threatening to sue me. Shunka is a joke."

Cherney can talk for hours about the problems he's had with Shunka over the years. His main point, though, is what has Shunka done for the trees lately?

"My question is, where's your topo maps?" he asked. "Where's your wilderness preservation proposal? Where's your lobbyist team in Sacramento?"

It has to be that, on some level, even the people in the movement who don't like Shunka understand somewhat where he's coming from. So he's emotional. Passionate. Perhaps he's caught up so completely in the cause he can't let go. Or, who knows — maybe he's a phony, like he accused Knipper of being back in 2005.

But being a forest activist comes with perils beyond the obvious physical ones.

"I'm really trying to have compassion for Shunka, even though he's kind of attacked us," said Susy Barsotti by phone from Laytonville a couple of weeks ago. Barsotti is president of the Trees Foundation board, and she says the lawsuit has held Trees hostage, unable to function fully. "I've been mystified and dismayed that he's participated like this in the suit. But Shunka witnessed Gypsy's death. And I think he may have post-traumatic stress syndrome. I don't think he's recovered from it. And that can affect your behavior."

A number of people mentioned this, actually, about Shunka. And he often refers to Gypsy's death himself. In an article titled "What Luna has taught me," posted on the website of Julia "Butterfly" Hill's organization, Circle of Life, Shunka writes: "I decided to commit to doing ground support after witnessing the death of David Nathan "Gypsy" Chain on September 17, 1998 ... I remember looking across the valley as we hiked up that day, seeing the rolling hills of forests and clear-cuts, and thinking out loud, "That's why we're here!" Seeing Gypsy's life taken from him, and then seeing the corruption and lies of the Humboldt County Sheriffs ... really opened my eyes to the situation our old-growth forests face."

Later, he did ground support for Hill in her second year in Luna. And in the same article on her website, something else Shunka writes indicates how ready he was to devote himself to a cause: "Being on the support team was the top priority in my life, and I was happy knowing that everything else revolved around when I'd be needed for the next supply run. I never felt lost because I knew what I was doing. That was a feeling I had not felt in years, between feeling dissatisfaction with life in college, and then more dissatisfaction with life as a minimum-wage worker after college. Before joining Julia's ground support team I was unhappy, even to the point of tears, wondering if my entire life was going to be a minimum-wage nightmare ...."

Pure devotion, without benefit of a little hypocrisy, could drive anyone batty. Deane Rimerman, the activist from Olympia who said it is Shunka who is on trial, said it's not uncommon for intense, stressful movements like Earth First! to produce an army of walking wounded. And he's been around, in forest actions up and down the coast, for long enough to know; he was the one, in fact, who "got the maps and led the first hikers up to the hill" to the Gypsy Mountain campaign and Luna treesit.

"In the forest activist movement, there's very little that's rewarding," Rimerman said. "There's a lot of post traumatic stress syndrome. All of us get it. Once you've been through the court process, and the jail process, and seen 1,000-year-old trees get cut down that you really cared about and thought you could save — it's devastating."

That alone, setting aside the troubles with Shunka, could explain the many rifts that have occurred within the local EF! ranks over the years. Josh Brown, who moved to Humboldt in 1995 right before the peak of the Headwaters campaign, said one of the unique qualities of Earth First! is that it "is primarily a youth movement."

"A lot of people that come through are young, are passionate — and it's a wonderful thing," he said. They get thrown into leadership positions quickly — and then they get burned out. Many move quickly on to other things. Brown stayed in longer than most. "When I left [in 2001], I was 30 years old. And I'd been a full-time activist since I was 18."

Paradoxically, said Brown, the youthful draw and the departure of seasoned activists leaves the movement with "no elders to kind of sit around and coach the [new kids]."

The movement also draws strong personalities, he said. Tenacious ones, too, like Shunka's.

"Shunka, I think he really does have a big heart," said Brown. "And I think he does care for the forest."

Last Friday, following the morning session of Miller v. Trees, a group of the Humboldt Forest Defense Association activists stood on the courthouse steps talking. The door opened, and Shunka walked out and down the steps toward the group. They didn't greet him. After a time, he tried to talk to one of them, Jeff. Jeff walked away. Shunka followed him, then stopped and talked to another guy. Then he stood alone again.

From: http://northcoastjournal.com/101107/news1011.html

Trees Foundation Wins

October 11th, 2007

The jury in the civil case Kathryn Miller v. the Trees Foundation decided in favor of Trees, after deliberating all day Tuesday. (See "Money on Trees," Oct. 4).

Miller is the long-time forest activist who inherited a bundle from her mother and then signed $185,000 over to the Trees Foundation. In her lawsuit, she claimed she had intended the money to be passed through Trees to one of its affiliates, North Coast Earth First! Media, run by Shunka Wakan. She claimed she had made her intentions clear, verbally and in writing, and that Trees had agreed to the conditions, then broken its promise and kept the money. Trees denied making such promises, and said it had never seen any letters or heard of instructions to give the money to NCEF! Media. (Also, somewhat relatedly, in criminal court on Tuesday Miller pleaded no contest to charges that she had made annoying phonecalls to Barbara Ristow of the Trees Foundation.)

So, that's that. Now, there are only the pieces to pick up.

For Shunka Wakan — featured in last week's Journal as a central figure in a messy nest of infighting that has fractured the current ranks of local Earth First!ians — it could be a long, lonely patching together of lost friends and broken alliances. Not only did he and Miller lose their attempt to retrieve her donation, but now he's been banned from the North Coast Co-op.

Yes, that happened last week. It was Thursday, around 4:15 in the evening, and two activists with the Humboldt Forest Defense Association were tabling — hawking brochures and such — outside the Co-op. It's an activity Shunka himself has spent many a day doing in that very same spot, raising cash to pay for his NCEF!Media outreach work and other causes. And, well, these two fellows, Jeff and Farmer, were on Shunka's shit list, now. They'd spoken gently, but unfavorably, about Shunka's doings in the North Coast Earth First! arena — said he lashed out at people, said he commandeered NCEF! resources, and so forth. Here's a snippet of Jeff's account of what happened, which he sent to the NCJ in an e-mail on Friday:

"Shunka was removed from the Arcata Co-op yesterday after a scuffle with myself and another activist around 5 p.m. Well, he wasn't exactly removed, but APD was called. He was asked to leave after threatening to flip over the HFD donation table while stating he was 'like Jesus in the marketplace ...'"

Sue Coulter, manager of the Arcata Co-op, recounted on Friday how an employee walking by heard the argument and went inside to get her. "So I went out to talk to [Shunka], because it's not the first time we've had problems," she said. "Most of the time, he's fine. Most of the time, I stick up for him." One time, she said, she even called the police to protect Shunka after someone had threatened him. "But he gets into arguments. I tried to talk to him. I told him to leave. ... He was causing a scene, right by the door, and I can't have it. He refused to leave. ... I said, fine. I went into the store. He followed me into the store, and he was still yelling at me, 'Oh, now you're going to call the police on me.'" Coulter called the police, but Shunka left before they arrived.

Shunka, waiting in the courthouse for the jury verdict Tuesday, said Coulter did indeed ask him to leave and he did, indeed, refuse to. As for the HFD tablers, he said he merely asked them why they had Trees Foundation literature on their table. "I said, 'Why do you want to represent these people?'" And then, he said, "Jeff accused me of embezzling — he said this in public. He said, 'You've embezzled thousands of dollars from the Earth First! movement through the years.' And I complained to one of the employees who was walking by. Because that's serious, accusing someone of embezzling."

But Shunka said the whole thing's yet another attack on him. "I don't consider I was yelling. We were talking. I'm an emotional person, I concede to that. I speak from my heart. I don't scream at people. I would love to — but I don't."

In his email, Jeff with HFD predicted Shunka would leave town within weeks, if not sooner. But at the courthouse, even before the verdict, Shunka said he wasn't going anywhere.

"I'm just going to continue to run the Earth First! office and continue to call Humboldt County home," he said. He's also going to write a letter to the Co-op, complaining about how he gets scapegoated and booted out of there even when other people, he says, are the culprits. And, as for the Miller v. Trees case, he said, he and Miller may now take their complaint to another venue.

-- Heidi Walters

posted in Ireland - 2 replies

Traveling to Ireland in November.

Chelsea — Tue, 18 Sep 2007 17:50:31 GMT

I'm taking my first trip to Ireland this November (during Thanksgiving, actually). I'm starting in Dublin, then going up to Belfast, then back down to Dublin, then to Cork.

There are a few specific things I'm looking for when I go there. My dad loves shillelaghs and I'd love to get him an authentic one while I'm in Ireland. Can anyone recommend a place that has hand carved shillelaghs?

Also, tattoo shop. Can anyone recommend a good one in any of the cities I'm going to?

Thank you!

posted in Ireland - 8 replies

Dublin Burning Man Decompression

Ian Alex — Thu, 27 Sep 2007 21:48:37 GMT

The Dublin Decompression party will take place in tailors hall in christchurch on the 10th of November

Tickets are very limited
€15 6pm to 6am
For details, tickets or to request a slot to perform contact me or get on to the irishburners tribe

posted in Ireland - 6 replies

Fight of the Earls (on youtube)

Cáemgen — Wed, 26 Sep 2007 22:34:57 GMT

Irish history with Pat Flannery. This was filmed in 9/3/07, appropriately in the month of Sept. at 400th year aniversary. Pat gave Irish history with Pat Flannery. This was filmed in 9/3/07, appropriately in the month of Sept. at 400th year aniversary. Pat gave a great presentation of the event which signaled the final blow to the Gealic world in Ireland and it's aristocracy in particular.

Part 1

http://ie.youtube.com/watch?v=5CtZzusd-gg

Part 2

http://ie.youtube.com/watch?v=Gu_AxnHkRNc

Part 3

http://ie.youtube.com/watch?v=dpIbEJOs8jk

Part 4

http://ie.youtube.com/watch?v=LO7l7D1jxws

Part 5

http://ie.youtube.com/watch?v=PogEk8RHf8I

Part 6

http://ie.youtube.com/watch?v=Of5B5eUCF5o

Part 7

http://ie.youtube.com/watch?v=g8IQjWWeJuY

Part 8

http://ie.youtube.com/watch?v=E-gv2BVxsHU

Part 9

http://ie.youtube.com/watch?v=ofc78OYj9x8

Part 10

http://ie.youtube.com/watch?v=QgFMXZDaySg

posted in Ireland - 0 replies

Place to rent in Kerry?

ry~an of the woods {elfstar~} — Fri, 20 Jul 2007 19:29:36 GMT

Hello all ~ my love Kristin and I are coming to spend the month of October in Ireland. We're planning to retreat and finish writing our books. Does anyone know of an inexpensive cottage / flat to rent for a month, preferably in Kerry (Dingle would be ideal)? Thanks for any leads!

slainté,

Ryan

posted in Ireland - 8 replies

Guess who just found original pictures of Michael Collin's funeral... ME !!!

Sat, 10 Mar 2007 23:45:01 GMT

I am now the proud owner of original pictures of both Michael Collins and Arthur Griffiths Funeral procession. Along with other classic photos..

I liberated them from a site that was being demolished and redeveloped into a concrete monstrosity. This bit of history was sitting in a box on the wet floor.Damp books full of history just left to rot.

Not anymore, the gracious members of the National Photographic Archive verified the authenticity of the pics..
I am so happy i could burst.....

*Pop*

Ahh that's better..

posted in Ireland - 20 replies

Niall of the Nine Hostages on (YouTube).

Cáemgen — Fri, 07 Sep 2007 01:13:57 GMT

Irish history with Pat Flannery. This was filmed 7/2/07. Pat continues on the theme of the history of the O'Neill with one of their greatest ancestors, Niall Noigíallach, better known as "Niall of the Nine Hostages." The O'Neill theme will culminate with a talk on "The Flight of the Earls" in September (which will be the 400th aniversary of the event). Again, Monsignor O'Neill contributes to the lecture with his unique insight.

Part 1
http://ie.youtube.com/watch?v=R9aoc6_zLtQ

Part 2
http://ie.youtube.com/watch?v=C6cLYFiIXsY

Part 3
http://ie.youtube.com/watch?v=8Yt8auMFFdI

Part 4
http://ie.youtube.com/watch?v=3Duly1CNntI

Part 5
http://ie.youtube.com/watch?v=e2gP_Y2ZhI4

Part 6
http://ie.youtube.com/watch?v=rxZVtFlZk_U

Part 7
http://ie.youtube.com/watch?v=b0K8aPTuklk

Part 8
http://ie.youtube.com/watch?v=QNzlzGPn0x0

Part 9
http://ie.youtube.com/watch?v=E1g5NsuxHws

Part 10
http://ie.youtube.com/watch?v=aAmt-zvUzj4

posted in Ireland - 0 replies

bike touring ireland/possibly scotland spring 2008, looking for bike partner

Jessinana — Sun, 02 Sep 2007 19:49:23 GMT

i'm curious about ireland's pagan roots, my own having been slightly torn from living in u.s. culture for so long. will stay in hostels, possibly camping.

posted in Ireland - 0 replies

Irish language classes on youtube.

Cáemgen — Thu, 26 Apr 2007 06:56:04 GMT

Here's the link.

www.youtube.com/caemgen51

posted in Ireland - 6 replies

What do I need to know? (Trip to Ireland planned for October)

Culann — Thu, 28 Jun 2007 00:32:25 GMT

Being this is my first trip out of the country ever, and first real one on my own. What do I need to know, like do I need to convert my money, what do I need to bring clothes wise and is there any changes enviroment-wise I need to be aware of What are no-nos in Ireland. Any research I need to do to make my time more enjoyable. What American type thing will I not find there. What food/item/place.. is a must for a first timer.

My idea so far (I'm waiting on my pastport before I actually get to ordering and buying tickets) is as follows

1) fly to New York (I live in Fresno, Ca.), stay the night before my flight, enjoy staying there and mark another state of my list
2) fly to ireland
3) Meet up with Tour
4) Take 14 day tour
5) Any sourveniers I get, mail back to Ireland, and not carry with me
6) If I have time and money plan and extra week and go to Scotland to met up with friends who will be there around that time.

I'm real basic in my plans.. sure I'd like to see Blarney Castle, Guiness factory, some pubs, and as many ancient landmarks as I can go to.

I hope this will be one of many trips to Ireland where each time I'll go further and further away from the mainstream tours and such and really explore. I'd love to go to one of the recreation sites and go to a Gaelic speaking village so I can really get a handle on it.

Any help would be appreciated I've bought a number of books for travel.. inculding "Ireland for Dummies".

I've been advid in my research of ancient Irish history and culture due to my heritage and my guilty pleasure of being an actor in a Irish Renassaince troupe that portrays the O'Neills during the 16th century, but when it comes to modern Ireland I'm a dunce, and don't know what would be basics for most.

Thanks in advance for your help.

posted in Ireland - 16 replies

video of St. patrick's day in Vancouver Canada

chycho — Sat, 28 Jul 2007 19:14:17 GMT

I accompanied my friend on St. Patrick’s Day of 2007 and recorded what transpired. The following is a video I put together from the footage I shot

Chronicles of a Leprechaun
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gZWCAUNwUcw

Enjoy :-)

posted in Ireland - 3 replies

Anyone going to the Waterford Spraoi?

bouticheval — Tue, 24 Jul 2007 16:53:44 GMT

On the first weekend of august (3,4,5) there will be a big street festival in Waterford. I'm planning to go there and try to do some stuffs in the street, but i haven't prepared anything and i'm on my own. I want to wear a funny outfit (what i like is silly hiphop stuffs) i have a nice kiddy piano (10 notes) and i will declaim Charles Baudelaire's poetry "les fleurs du mal" in french. So if anyone would like to do some silly stuff with me, like playing my tiny piano, beatboxing, or even make real music (i can't rap or speak while playing , and i can't realy play) you are very welcome. Don't worry if you are bad musician, so do i. The point is having fun and giving smill to the people on the street (and if people offer us some beers it's even more perfect)
By the way if someone lives in Waterford and can host me for a night it would be great as well

PEACE !!

posted in Ireland - 0 replies

Irish History - Gráinne Mhaol "The Pirate Queen" (youtube)

Cáemgen — Sat, 14 Jul 2007 19:57:58 GMT

posted in Ireland - 1 reply

new addition to my top 5 all time favorite movies

Doll_Parts — Sun, 21 Jan 2007 23:09:43 GMT

Goldfish Memory

posted in Ireland - 42 replies

Greatest Irish hit of all time

Sharon — Mon, 12 Mar 2007 22:21:32 GMT

2 FM question of the week is "What is the greatest Irish hit"

I have dithered between:
The boys are back in town by Thin Lizzy
Whiskey in the Jar by Thin Lizzy
In a lifetime by Clannad with Bono
Teenage Kicks by The Undertones
Ride on by Christy Moore

I think I finally come to my decision after lots of decisions!!

Other suggestions I have had are:
parisienne walkways by Gary Moore (which I love)
With or without you by U2
Nothing compares to you by Sinead O'Conner
Beautiful day by U2

Now my final choice because it epitomises all things Irish is:http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=p2TzwPn0lMI

posted in Ireland - 17 replies

Lecture on the 'Great O'Neill' on youtube.

Cáemgen — Sun, 03 Jun 2007 01:11:29 GMT

I just put this on youtube. It's a very interesting talk on the history and background of the last great chieftains of Ireland. Most fascinating is the complex role that religion played on the events. I hope everyone makes some time to watch all 12 parts of this hour and forty minute presentation by Pat Flannery.

Part 1

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-rOt9VvMWtI

Part 2

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=w4SfXfS0z4w

Part 3

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5u6BpIOLnVk

Part 4

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kBHHb7KHYnQ

Part 5

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lF5W7m2dQOU

Part 6

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KJrhg6Te17k

Part 7

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=A93h62H0lHs

Part 8

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fczjsWI4JmU

Part 9

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Vv1p8BS39u0

Part 10

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3rbkf7EPcMw

Part 11

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0vEyQSe6lPM

Part 12

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ve8dfJVAgfA

posted in Ireland - 0 replies

Trip to Ireland coming up

Culann — Thu, 29 Mar 2007 21:10:17 GMT

My finances are finally to the point I should be able to make a trip to Ireland in the next 6-8 months. My question is, that because this is my first time, and I plan on making repeated trips to Ireland in the future I want to get the touristy things out of the way.. I don't drive, and so I'm thinking of going on a tourbus type thing. Can anyone recommend a get travel Agent who can set me up on one. Here's some of the places I'd like to go..

Blarney Castle, Guinness Factory (I want to go to the pub at the top), Giants Causeway, Hills of Tara (the stone they apoint kings on) and as many other sites As I can think of. Jameson's factory, and as many historyal sites as I can find espexcially on ancient Ireland. If you can think of things I should include on my first time or why I shouldn't do some of the ones I'm thinking of.

This first Tour I looked at had me going through WAterford, and while I may love Waterford, and when I do end up visitng there someday may want to move there and live there forever.. looking at Crystal isn't my idea of a good time. Also I'm keen on seeing St PAtrick's historical places just not so keen on the first trip.

posted in Ireland - 2 replies

Easter Weekend

~J~ — Thu, 29 Mar 2007 14:52:46 GMT

So I'm heading to Ireland next week and rumor has it Good Friday is right up there with Christmas in regards to its status as a holiday. From what I've read no alcohol may be sold that day. Does the whole country shut down or will I still be able to get into museums, historical sites, petrol stations (I'm renting a car), pubs, and so on? Does the same go for Sunday and Monday?

Worst case I go hiking in the glorious outdoors and eat a cold dinner...just wondering what my options were! =)

Thanks!

John

posted in Ireland - 3 replies

The Wearin' o' the Green...

seosamh32 — Sat, 17 Mar 2007 05:26:45 GMT

Beannachtaí na Féile Pádraig agat!

Bhí Seosamh anseo!!!

posted in Ireland - 2 replies

St Patrics Day in Ireland

Tuatha — Wed, 28 Feb 2007 17:33:55 GMT

Hey Guys

Question for the locals of the Dublin area, If you wanted to spend St Patrick's day in a nice pub outside of Dublin which area would you choose, I was thinking of heading up to Drogheda or down to Wicklow, though im really open to suggestions, We are just looking for a nice area to celebrate the day in a local pub away from the madness that is Dublin on the day :)

posted in Ireland - 10 replies

Anything Going on April 5-15?

~J~ — Thu, 01 Mar 2007 01:46:19 GMT

I'll be in Ireland April 5-15th and would love a heads up on any festivals, events, riots, or anything else planned for that time period. Thanks!

posted in Ireland - 3 replies

18 more days!

Rainbow — Thu, 01 Mar 2007 23:55:45 GMT

Well in 18 days I will be boarding a plane on my way to Ireland. Thank you everyone that added commits about where I should go and what to see. My next question is there anyone that would like to chat and meet up over there?

~Rainbow

posted in Ireland - 2 replies

Big day for Ireland

Sharon — Sat, 24 Feb 2007 23:33:17 GMT

They beat England 43 V13.
I am very emotional. Big day in history....!

posted in Ireland - 6 replies

Favorite new buildings and places

~J~ — Wed, 31 Jan 2007 21:34:53 GMT

I'll be visiting Ireland for about 10 days in April and want to know about your favorite NEW buildings or places created in recent years. I'm a city planner by trade and enjoy seeing how other countries are shaping themselves (that being said it's still a pleasure trip). I plan on renting a car for at least part of that time so access to remote sites shouldn't be a problem. Thanks! =)

posted in Ireland - 6 replies

Sassy and Caoimhe..You might be interested

Sharon — Mon, 29 Jan 2007 11:10:42 GMT

this was part of a project I was doing..It might bring back memories.

How the world sees us (Ni)
http://uk.pg.photos.yahoo.com/ph/sharon.smith60@btinternet.com/album?.dir=6431&.src=ph&store=&prodid=&.done=http%3a//uk.photos.yahoo.com/ph//my_photos

How we see ourselves--The Real NI
http://uk.pg.photos.yahoo.com/ph/sharon.smith60@btinternet.com/album?.dir=b0a8&.src=ph&store=&prodid=&.done=http%3a//uk.photos.yahoo.com/ph//my_photos

The Murals of Ulster:
http://uk.pg.photos.yahoo.com/ph/sharon.smith60@btinternet.com/album?.dir=1ba7&.src=ph&store=&prodid=&.done=http%3a//uk.photos.yahoo.com/ph//my_photos

I hope you enjoy
xoxo

posted in Ireland - 18 replies

No Béarla

spidra — Tue, 30 Jan 2007 07:27:28 GMT

I got a tip on this series from the Irish Abroad newsletter and started trying to track it down. Basically, the host decided to test how alive the irish language is today by traveling around Ireland speaking nothing but Irish. It is a fascinating 4-part series on TG4. Some of it has been posted in segments on YouTube. I don't understand Irish at all but it is an amazing show and I highly recommend it. (For those of you who DO understand Irish, TG4 has an archive of a week or two's programs). I believe the fourth and last episode airs this Wednesday night in Ireland.

NO BÉARLA ON YOUTUBE WITH SUBTITLES

PROGRAMME ONE (PARTS 1 TO 3)

No Béarla, Clár a hAon, Cuid a hAon 08:30

No Béarla, Clár a hAon, Cuid a Dó 07:36

No Béarla, Clár a hAon, Cuid a Trí 09:21

PROGRAMME TWO (PARTS 1 TO 3)

No Béarla, Clár a Dó, Cuid a hAon 08:34

No Béarla, Clár a Dó, Cuid a Dó 08:22

No Béarla, Clár a Dó, Cuid a Trí 08:27

PROGRAMME THREE

No Béarla, Clár a Trí, Cuid a hAon 08:25

No Béarla, Clár a Trí, Cuid a Dó 08:33

No Béarla, Clár a Trí, Cuid a Trí 08:20

posted in Ireland - 0 replies

RAG magazine, by anarcha-feminist women in Dublin

Colin — Sat, 21 Oct 2006 01:05:15 GMT

The RAG is a magazine produced by a diverse group of anarcha-feminist women in Dublin. We are all feminists, united in our recognition that women's subordination exists. Our struggle needs to be fought alongside the struggle against other forms of oppression, not treated as an afterthought or as a distraction. We are all anarchists, united in our belief for the need to create alternatives to this capitalistic, patriarchal society wherein all are dominated and exploited.

Although anarchism is, in theory, inherently feminist, the reality is often quite different. RAG was created out of a need to bring feminist issues into mainstream anarchist sphere. We hope the magazine will contribute to a change in anarchists' organising, on all levels. We desire a fully participatory role for women in anarchism.

This first issue of the magazine has taken over a year to produce, and has been an important and fulfilling process. We have taken time to get to know one another, to become comfortable talking in groups and to discuss and develop our ideas. While some women in RAG have been long-time political organisers, others have approached the group from a range of diverse backgrounds.

We have remained committed to non-hierarchical structures within the collective, with revolving facilitators, skill sharing, group editing, mutual support and respect, and, whenever possible, consensus decision making.

As time goes by members come and go but the spirit of the collective remains constant and, we hope, welcoming, involving and empowering. Over the past year and a half we have held discussions on a variety of topics from motherhood to the sex industry, watched feminist films, had a pro-choice stickering campaign, organised an
anarchist assembly and workshops, swapped and shared books and zines, built friendships and supported one another.

We hope that this magazine will provide food for thought and provoke discussion. We hope that readers will be inspired to set up their own feminist collectives, organise workshops, start and continue writing, and otherwise bring the anarcha-feminist gospel to the streets where they live. Please contact us with your feedback and ideas to tell us what you think about the magazine, and what you would like to see addressed in future issues. If you are a woman* living in our area interested in writing or organising for the revolution, please come get involved.

This is just the beginning!

Love and Solidarity,

RAG

http://www.ragdublin.org/text.html

posted in Ireland - 2 replies

Visiting Ireland in March '07

Rainbow — Mon, 22 Jan 2007 01:21:32 GMT

Hello

I plan on visiting Ireland in a couple months and I was wondering where I should go. I would like to see all that the country offers.

Any ideas would be wonderful :)

~Rainbow

posted in Ireland - 14 replies

Happy Mischief Night!

Unsilent — Mon, 30 Oct 2006 22:14:00 GMT

That's what the lads in Eire call tonight, what Yanks know better as Devil's Night:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mischief_Night
Oddly enough, folks in Yorkshire don't celebrate it till November 4.

posted in Ireland - 7 replies

Where is the best place to visit in Ireland?

Julie — Mon, 29 Dec 2003 03:43:24 GMT

Thinking of spending just a few days in Ireland on the way back from Israel. Looking for a place where I can find my Irish roots meet other artists, and perhaps meet some other Jews. Any thoughts?

Thanks.

posted in Ireland - 28 replies

Anarchism Not Chaos mini-festival in Derry, Ireland

Colin — Sat, 07 Oct 2006 08:17:20 GMT

Saturday 30th of September saw Derry's Dungloe bar play host to a day of anarchist talks, films and music hosted by the Workers Solidarity Movement. The event which was organised by a local Derry WSM member saw people from Dublin, Switzerland, Copenhagen and Belfast as well as locals gather to discuss anarchist ideas.

Gregor Kerr, Secretary of the Federation of Dublin Anti-Water Charge Campaigns, kicked things off with a discussion on how the water charges were defeated in the Republic and the role anarchists played in that struggle. The current campaign in the North to defeat the tap tax was discussed with updates on the campaign provided by a comrade from the Belfast anarchist group Organise! and Eamonn McCann of the SWP. Julia Doherty of the wsm then gave an introductory talk on Anarchism covering history, theory and practice and a lively debate ensued over violence, white-male dominance of anarchism and republicanism.

Stalls by Just Books, WSM and Mujeres Libres Derry were on hand stocking everything from pamphlets and books to flags and t-shirts. The mujeres libres had the most creative stall offering t-shirts commemorating free Derry, the Paris commune, Spain 1936 and the limerick soviet as "temporary autonomous zones" with cool front and back logos.

Ramor Ryan, author of "Clandestines: The Pirate Journals of an Irish Exile" gave a reading of his book to a packed upstairs room with a discussion afterwards. The book covers his life from the squats of west-Berlin to Chiapas via a number of hairy and exciting situations, well worth checking out when it's launched in Dublin this Thursday.

A Swiss comrade put on a "comedy" show about police violence which was very informative and gruesome although I didn't really see the comedy aspect. The dangers of baton rounds, tear gas and other "less lethal" weapons were explained and the gory reality of the damage these weapons cause was project on a six foot screen. The message was all the more relevant in Derry where many of these weapons are still in use.

A benefit gig for Belfast's Just Books collective finished off the night with Anti-State and Tin Pot Operation playing to a packed out bar. Hundreds of stickers and anarchist papers were distributed to the crowd as well as leaflets detailing the Justice for Terrence Wheelock campaign.

This was the WSM’s second public event in Derry and the positive reaction we received from many people attending was encouraging. Although anarchism is still a very small political current in Ireland it is currently growing and chaotic cities like Derry need a strong, organised and united working class to get beyond the dead end of both republican and loyalist ideas.

posted in Ireland - 0 replies

gothic clubs and witchy stores?

jessicat — Thu, 27 Jul 2006 21:25:59 GMT

Okay so my friend who's coming with is letting me sorta plan things but she has lil requests along the way... the lastest is to try and find a/some gothic clubs and witchy stores we can go to. Now this can be ANYWHERE in Ireland. Any ideas?!

posted in Ireland - 11 replies

Fabric stores in Dublin?

kathleenCrowley — Tue, 26 Sep 2006 07:07:11 GMT

Im heading over to Dublin in a couple days and last time I was there, I only saw one fabric store and I cant remember where it was. I looked online and saw a chain store, but was wondering if anyone knows of anything else around the town tucked away somewhere? Thanks!

posted in Ireland - 0 replies

New group for Irish flute & whistle players!

Mon, 04 Sep 2006 17:11:07 GMT

Hi, all,

I decided to make a new group for Irish flute & whistle players since Tribe didn't have one specifically already. Please join if you're interested & let's get some discussions going! :)

http://tribes.tribe.net/irishfluteandwhistle

posted in Ireland - 2 replies

Who wants CDs?

zvonko — Sat, 12 Aug 2006 14:33:36 GMT

I have CDs to give away,posting at my cost. QUALITY music. Whoever wants them write with posting address to: starcrazy969@hotmail.com Tha

posted in Ireland - 1 reply

trouble, nice inexpensive hostles around Galway

jessicat — Wed, 16 Aug 2006 05:26:11 GMT

Ok so like its almost time for the trip and one of the most important places we planned on staying a few dasy for free has fell through. We are strapped for cash as is and now need to figure out where to stay. Any advice?

posted in Ireland - 6 replies

renting a car in Ireland

jessicat — Sat, 01 Jul 2006 16:38:37 GMT

A friend and I are going to be in Ireland from 8/18-8/28 and we were thinking of renting a car to get around but I wonder how practical that would be. It doesnt cost much but how much is gas and will we get absolutely lost? Any advise would be cool!

posted in Ireland - 22 replies

FESTIVAL OF WORLD CULTURES !

zvonko — Fri, 25 Aug 2006 07:07:58 GMT

...The most important yearly event in Ireland starting today! The highlight-probably Transglobal Underground with Trio Bulgarka on Sunday,free outdoor concert. Cya there

posted in Ireland - 0 replies

Airport to Tyrrelstown

SnapesMistress — Mon, 07 Aug 2006 17:43:54 GMT

I understand that Tyrrelstown is 10 mins from the airport-
is it worth saving a bit of cash and taking a bus?

posted in Ireland - 0 replies

need an Electric Picnic ticket!!!!

karinakarina — Fri, 04 Aug 2006 07:26:29 GMT

Going to Ireland 1st of Sept for a few days and would love to buy 1 ticket to the eletric picnic!
Anyone have one they are trying to sell or knows someone who has one they are they to sell?

please do let me know!

thank u thank u,
karina

posted in Ireland - 0 replies

New kid

irish_dirt_princess — Wed, 02 Aug 2006 20:18:08 GMT

Dia Dhuit!

Just found this tribe and am very excited!

I'm a "cailin deas" (Irish for a nice girl....well I hope so anyway)

I'm from Killarney (check out my profile for some sweet photos) and have lived in Santa Cruz for about 10 years now.

Haven't been home in 5 years but am always there in spirit

Slan leat

Tracy

posted in Ireland - 0 replies

Irish at Burningman

Mon, 31 Jul 2006 22:51:03 GMT

So what kinda irish contingent will be at burningman this year? I didn't get to meet any of you while I was there, but hoping to meet a few of you at the Burn!

I'll be camping at 3:30 and Esplanade at The Lab-- stop by!!

posted in Ireland - 0 replies

How to Live & Work in Ireland?

Stacy — Fri, 16 Jun 2006 12:18:13 GMT

Hi,

I'm going to Ireland the first week of September for school and I'd like to stay, perhaps past the 90 allowed tourist visit.

Can you point me to info on living and working in Ireland? I don't necessarily mean Dublin. I'm not a fan of big cities.

I am also going to travel to London and to Chartres, France, in the next 3 years.

I am thinking of just staying in Europe during most of that time somehow. I'll need work. I have a master's in counseling. I'm working on a doctorate in non-denominational, very eclectic ministry (www.wisdomuniversity.org) I am fabulous with helping people organize homes & offices while handling the emotional issues as we go. I'll wait tables if need be. :)

Any ideas?

Thank you!
Stacy

posted in Ireland - 4 replies

A very happy 'anniversary' ...

Unsilent — Sat, 29 Jul 2006 16:34:23 GMT

My first trip to Ireland began on a July 29.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ireland

*warm smile*

posted in Ireland - 0 replies

Legalize the Irish

fire_in_the_sky — Sat, 29 Jul 2006 02:20:40 GMT

Want to help someone you know? Or perhaps you just want to help.... www.legalizetheirish.org

posted in Ireland - 0 replies

just going...lets see what happens

plastikseed — Sat, 22 Jul 2006 00:49:02 GMT

so ive decided to just pack some shit and get out of dodge...i just wanted to backpack around and see what happens to me. Ive done this all my life just not in a different country.
anyone out there have any thoughts on the subject.. or anyone like me planning on doing the same thing?...

posted in Ireland - 0 replies

Springsteen Tickets?

Melissa — Wed, 05 Jul 2006 08:24:22 GMT

Does anybody have two tickets to see Bruce Springsteen and the Seeger Sessions Band at the Pointe Theatre on November 17 or 18 they'd be willing to sell?
I'll pay extra for your help.
with thanks,
Melissa

posted in Ireland - 0 replies

any info about dual Irish-American citizenship?

eli — Mon, 14 Feb 2005 02:50:01 GMT

I'm interested, specifically, in citizenship for great-grandchildren of Irish citizens who immigrated to the United States, and whose children (my grandparent) were foreign-born (from the Irish vantage point). Is it possible without huge, insane amounts of hassle? Do the benefits outweigh the hassles?

I am the great-grandchild of two people from Ireland and Northern Ireland (great-gandfather = southern Ireland, great-grandmother = I believe the UK-controlled northern Ireland, but I could be wrong). But both my great-grandparents died more than a quarter century ago, before I was born, and my grandmother (their last surviving child, who was born in the US) died a few years ago. My understanding is that my grandmother automatically had dual citizenship despite being foreign born, and that my father is eligible but will have to apply for it. I also understand that, if my father applies for it, my mother may be eligible, but that there are more loops for her to jump through, and that, after November 29th, it'll be impossible without actual Irish residency. I also have a young son. Would he be eligible?

I don't remember my grandmother ever discussing it, though, and I'm not able to find the specific answers I need from the webpages that I've examined.

posted in Ireland - 24 replies

Plans in Ireland THIS weekend!!!

Thu, 01 Jun 2006 02:32:04 GMT

Hey you crazy Irish Folks!! I'll be arriving in Dublin this saturday morning at the ass crack of dawn (7:10am I think)

The game plan is to pick up the car and check into the hotel on saturday (Travelodge Castleknock 353 1 820 2626) and then meander around dublin. I'm heading over with my crazy and fabulous friend Marty (we're both burners since 2000) We would love meet up with any of you for some pints, travel tips, general debauchery!!!! I'll be checking my email sporadically, but trying to collect a few phone numbers/locations from any of you that would like to meet 2 crazy american burners in Ireland (sounds like a great title for a movie where things go terribly awry ;)

Then we have reservations on sunday (4th) at the Sligo Southern Hotel. Seems there is a music festival going on over there that weekend and we wated to check it out. Again, if you're game and wanna hang out-- we'd LOVE it. (Reservations are under my name aimee wright- if ya wanna leave a message)

Sligo Southern Hotel and Leisure Centre
Strandhill Road, Sligo, Co. Sligo.
Tel: +353 (0)71 9162101

After that, we are totally wingin it. No reservations, no plans and I would LOVE any suggestions, partners in crime and the like!! I'll be on email through tommorrow night late and then off on the plane!! (oh yeah, we are leaving from Dublin on June 11-- i think ;)

Thanks in advance!!
aimee

posted in Ireland - 13 replies

Happy Bloomsday!

Unsilent — Fri, 16 Jun 2006 20:47:48 GMT

June 16 is the calendar day depicted in James Joyce's "Ulysses" and is today considered a non-religious holiday in Erin.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bloomsday

To be in Dublin, quaffing pints at Davy Byrne's pub - that would be a fine way to spend a Friday.

posted in Ireland - 2 replies

RESEARCH OPPORTUNITY FOR MEN

Todd — Tue, 06 Jun 2006 16:23:13 GMT

ARE YOU A MAN WHO’S OVER 18 WHO HAS EVER BEEN IN A RELATIONSHIP WITH A WOMAN THAT LASTED FOR A YEAR OR MORE, WHERE FOR SOME OR ALL OF THAT TIME THE RELATIONSHIP WAS SEXUAL?
IF SO, TAKE PART IN AN ANONYMOUS RESEARCH STUDY ONLINE.
THE STUDY IS EXAMINING MALE PERSONALITY CHARACTERISTICS AND BEHAVIOR WITHIN RELATIONSHIPS.

TO PARTICIPATE IN THIS DOCTORAL DISSERTATION RESEARCH,
CLICK THE LINK TO THE WEBSITE WHICH CONTAINS MY

QUESTIONNAIRES:

http://www.surveymonkey.com/s.asp?u=448861769779

PARTICIPATION IS ANONYMOUS AND FREE OF CHARGE.

posted in Ireland - 0 replies

Sligo Event

Wed, 22 Mar 2006 18:54:38 GMT

Anybody on here heading to Sligo the first weekend in June? Have info?

posted in Ireland - 10 replies

Be in Ireland in less than 2 weeks-- Comunication?

Wed, 24 May 2006 01:17:54 GMT

So, there are some fab folks in Ireland that I would LOVE to hook up with for pints, conversation, giggles, tips......... I'm not sure how to go about getting in touch and making it happen. This will be my first international trip and I'm not sure about renting a cell/internet cafes etc. What's the best way to contact you guys when I'm in your area?

posted in Ireland - 10 replies

Packing List

Wed, 24 May 2006 22:13:40 GMT

Well, the time is drawing near and I'm gonna start packing this weekend. Any advice on stuff to bring, stuff not to bring? Are the outlets the same? Do I need a converter of some sort? Can I get Diet Pepsi in Ireland? (hope so cause it's my hangover breakfast...followed shortly by a guiness of course).

Thanks!

posted in Ireland - 2 replies

Ireland Must Do/See List!

Thu, 23 Mar 2006 18:13:06 GMT

Okay-- so I finally got my ticket and curious about what's on your Must see/do in Ireland list!

posted in Ireland - 28 replies

Cheapest Airfare to Dublin/Shannon?

Sun, 19 Mar 2006 06:29:14 GMT

So, I've got a thousand travel books, my handy dandy new Ireland Road Atlas, finished reading round ireland with a fridge, know the proper etiquette on guiness drinking and can properly pronounce Craic. Now, I need an airline ticket. Anybody got any suggestions on the best places to look for the cheapest fares? My dates are flexible-- I'm looking for sometime in June.

Cheers and thanks!
Aimee

posted in Ireland - 8 replies

SO how does one cute girl in SF...

Sun, 14 Aug 2005 19:30:18 GMT

meet a cute Irish boy in SF?

posted in Ireland - 31 replies

Local Site for Ranelagh

gothwalk — Thu, 04 May 2006 12:20:32 GMT

Hi folks - can I draw your attention to http://www.inranelagh.com/ ? It's a local information site I'm working on for Ranelagh in Dublin - seeing as there's a woeful lack of such local sites right across the country. It's still very much under development, so any suggestions you have will be very welcome.

posted in Ireland - 1 reply

Trip to ireland

Culann — Thu, 20 Apr 2006 08:11:07 GMT

I've currently in a bit of a quandry. I'm not sure how to go about planning a trip to Ireland and have no clue how much it will run me. I want to go for about a week, figure I'll stay in bed and breakfasts the whole time. I don't drive. Plus the main things I'd like to catch are Guinesses Factory, maybe a whiskey factory, do a pub crawl, go to Blarney Castle, as well as Shane O'Neil's castle and hopefully go see the sites of some famous Irish battles, like Kinsale, Yellow Ford, amongst others. The Travel agent I've talked to quoted me 2500 dollars and while I don't know if it included air faire, it did include several places I'm not really interested in seeing this time around like Waterford (I'm not into crystal and while the town is probably lovely, I'll save it for another trip). If anyone can point me in the right direction, either travel agent wise or trip planning or what-have-you.. I'd would thoroughly appreciate it.

posted in Ireland - 3 replies

Sligo?

Thu, 13 Apr 2006 23:16:22 GMT

Okay-- I've been posting this everywhere I know and can't seem to get any info. I heard a whle back that there was a burner trip in sligo the first weekend in June? Any info? True/False? There's a big ole pint in it for ya!

posted in Ireland - 1 reply

Weather

Mon, 03 Apr 2006 23:12:12 GMT

I'll be in Ireland june 2 and was wondering what the weather is like there at that time. Also wondering if the pubs are generally warm or cold inside. Trying start planning what to pack.

Thanks!

posted in Ireland - 5 replies

TULLAMORE DEW!!!

Sat, 01 Apr 2006 21:28:13 GMT

I gotta say I have fallen madley in love with tullamore dew and I'm not even in ireland yet. It's got a great rich but smooth flavor, is great alone or on ice with a splash of water. And miraculously, I've never gotten the slightest bit of a hangover from it. Magic!

posted in Ireland - 4 replies

Trip to Ireland

Culann — Mon, 27 Mar 2006 04:54:48 GMT

I'm currently trying to plan a trip to Ireland. I will be coming into some money pretty soon, and if it's financially viable I want to make what I hope to be one of many trips to Ireland. I'm not sure how to go about this. I've contacted a travel agent who specializes in trips to Ireland. I do know what I interested in. I want to check out ancient historical sites, along with plenty of regular tourist type things. I want to accomplish plenty of things but I don't know what to do, how much would be a comfortable trip to Ireland without using a large amount of cash. I don't drive so just doing it on my own isn't feasible. Areas I want to visit.. Tyrone, in Ulster, things dealing with the O'Neills. I wouldn't mind visiting Blarney Castle or the Guiness Brewery, maybe do a pub crawl. Not that interested in Golf or Fishing, though visint the coastline would be cool.. Going to one of the Gaelic only villiages would be fun to. Not sure what else, as the thoughts of actually be able to do it, are still new to me. I have tried to save money for it before but something always came up. Nows the first time I'll have the money to do it. IF you guys could tell me how to go about planning this and what I should look to spend I'd appreciate it.

posted in Ireland - 1 reply

searching for a pen pal

melissainferrera — Thu, 09 Mar 2006 20:14:08 GMT

hello all! my name is melissa and i am from nj, usa. i am a first grade teacher. we are learning about ireland and i was wondering if anyone would be interested in being our class's pen-pal? please check out my tribe "multicultural classrooms" also! we are very eager to learn all about ireland from someone who lives there!

posted in Ireland - 5 replies

A Tropical Rain Forest Event

Punjab — Mon, 13 Mar 2006 03:22:54 GMT

Hello,

I’m letting all of the tribes know about a regional event coming up soon – Rebirth. Burning Man, but rather than radical desert survival – radical tropical rain forest survival. Details of the event can be found here:

http://www.kapilina.org/bigisland/rebirth2006.html

Hawaii… Fire spinning capital of the world… Big Island… Hot tub ponds heated by thermal vents… Black Sand Beaches… LAVA… REAL LAVA! And a Burning Man regional event.

I’ve tried to figure out how to reduce costs as much as possible for everyone coming over from the mainland (if you can think of anyother suggestions please post):

Rideshare thread from the airport to puna here:
http://kapilina.tribe.net/thread/5438fe28-b674-4c10-9bed-3334aae6f4e3

Cheap Airfare From Mainland:
vacations.travelzoo.com/hawaii.../229965

www.airtech.com/specials.html

Shipping Art/Supplies:
http://kapilina.tribe.net/thread/daca9206-f7a4-4c58-a763-49b96731a584

Again if you know cheaper means please repost. See you all there!

posted in Ireland - 0 replies

Looking for UCD students.

Mon, 13 Mar 2006 00:31:04 GMT

I am looking at the business school at UCD and would be interested in meeting students (especially Graduate-level business students) for an inside perspective on the school. I will be arriving in Dublin on 28 March, staying until 31 March. I will be back again 7 April and leaving on 11 April. PM me if you are interesting in meeting for a drink and sharing your experiences.
Thanks,
Jon

posted in Ireland - 0 replies

Ireland, here I come!!

josiepresley — Sat, 11 Mar 2006 18:30:22 GMT

I'm leaving for Ireland in a couple weeks!! We're planning on spending a lot of time driving around and exploring the small towns, countryside, and history of the country. Also looking to meet up with any awesome people while we're there. We arrive March 31st and though my companion leaves on April 11th, I will be there for at least another week after that, if not longer. If you know of any good events happening during that time, or if you are interested in meeting up with a couple of awesome travelers from the Pacific Northwest, please let me know!

posted in Ireland - 0 replies

Ireland in May

johnnynva — Tue, 28 Feb 2006 09:46:50 GMT

So, going to the emerald isle for the first time this May. Will be in Dublin the first and last day, and 4 days between will have a car and staying at local inns/B&B's. Anyones thoughts on things to do/see while I am there. Everyone must have their "OH YOU MUST DO THIS" list. Myself and my companion are up for pretty much anything. Also does anyone know of a good driving tour of Ireland? I know 4 days isn't a lot, but should be able to plan things out to at least see a few things and relax also. Thanks!

posted in Ireland - 7 replies

New Member!

Thu, 02 Mar 2006 23:19:13 GMT

Merry Meet All, I just joined the tribe and wanted to send some POSITIVE Blessings.

I wish you all Peace and Light,

CreoleMoon

posted in Ireland - 1 reply

Ireland here I come!

Sun, 22 Jan 2006 01:26:53 GMT

I finally applied for a passport and am finally gonna do some travelling and my first trip-- IRELAND!! I'm thinking 3 weeks in May or June. That's all i've got so far and am ready to start the planning. Anybody have any suggestions for a single girl travelling to Ireland? Good places to stay? Events? Times to go/not go?

I'm super excited and thirsting for info!

posted in Ireland - 8 replies

Whiskey!

Denisew518 — Sun, 11 Sep 2005 21:18:11 GMT

Hello, new to the tribe. My fiance's 30th birthday is coming up in about a month and a half and I was wondering if I could get a little advice on a really good bottle of whiskey. He loves Irish Whiskey and I wanted to get him a good bottle for his birthday, but I don't know the first thing about it. Nothing too terribly expensive, we have a wedding to plan... :-)
Any advice would be greatly appreciated!
Thanks.

posted in Ireland - 8 replies

Introducing me.

AmyfritH — Sun, 12 Feb 2006 10:50:49 GMT

Hi. I have just discovered this tribe. I am happy as I have some Irish ancestral roots and it is amazing to me that on my extensive travels throughout only north america so far...many people ask me if I am Irish.

I say yes and no. I am EARTH.

I would love to visit Ireland. Any ideas? Tips?

Eco communities?
Eco awareness?

Healing communities? Galleries? Music festivals and gatheRings?? ?? ? ?

posted in Ireland - 3 replies

Odd question for any locals.....

Mabjustmab — Sat, 11 Feb 2006 22:28:27 GMT

so, I'm heading to Ireland w/ my buddy. we got places to stay and a rental car lined up. Our plan is to hit as many neolithic sites as we can in 7 days. we have a (super long and entirely unrealistic) list of sites that we want to hit. This is going to be my first trip to Europe, and his first trip to Ireland.

sooo, my question is this....

since we are flying over, we can't bring our propane lantern that we usually take camping with us. well, actually, we can bring the lantern, but not the fuel. we are trying to figure out what kind of lantern fuel is easily accessible in Dublin and in Ireland in general. where are the good shops to get said fuel? the battery operated lamps that we have seen just won't fill the space/cairns with the light we want (they all pale in comparison to our propane lantern). I realize this a bit of an odd question. I have a fire eater friend who went to Italy and was planing on buying her torch fuel there, but had a hell of a time finding any place that sold white gas. I fear falling into a similer situation. ;-) Are there any local Dubliners around on this list?

oh, and for my own personal note - where are the good pubs/joints for odd folks, like myself, to hang out in Dublin?

Thanks much!
mab, just mab

posted in Ireland - 2 replies

Accents

mauinoel — Thu, 05 Jan 2006 23:50:27 GMT

So, in Match Point, Jonny Rhys-Meyers plays an Irish pro tennis player (wtf?!). When asked about the accent he uses, which doesn't sound like the typical movie Irish accent, he said "it's Irish, but not an Irish dialect." My question is, is there a particular region where people have the accent that he uses in the movie?

posted in Ireland - 2 replies

"The stress of our past"

Colin — Fri, 20 Jan 2006 14:19:05 GMT

Hi

I am from Belfast in Northern Ireland and I founder a group that deals with real life issues such as stress, worries, being alone, the inner mind, happyness, God, hypnosis as a for of relaxation. I have learned alot from past experiances and terrible things i know and have seen from our troubled past. Visit our site and drop be an email.

www.watchman.itgo.com

Kind regards
Colin

posted in Ireland - 0 replies

Getting around

shadow — Sun, 01 Jan 2006 21:58:00 GMT

I'll be traveling to Ireland among other places in May and was curious. Is it easy to get from town to town cheaply or is it a better idea to rent a car?

posted in Ireland - 5 replies

emigration/immigration

Tue, 29 Nov 2005 22:01:07 GMT

does anyone know where to find out about options of leaving America ... my mother's family traces back to Tipperary County (perhaps this could help) ... plus I've got red hair : D

posted in Ireland - 3 replies

Showbands/Showband Era

charlottekatt — Thu, 24 Nov 2005 12:46:23 GMT

If anyone's interested -- or has anything to share about the showband era... stop by:

http://www.jivenaires.com

posted in Ireland - 0 replies

Irish Female Baby Names

brighid — Sat, 24 Sep 2005 21:12:44 GMT

Any recommendations on Irish baby names? I like Shannon but read that it is more of an American name so not really used in Ireland....
Thanx~

posted in Ireland - 11 replies

new tribe

JohnWilly — Fri, 04 Nov 2005 23:07:05 GMT

If you're interested in topics such as synchronicity, dreamwork, precognition, Maya, Terence McKenna...

tribes.tribe.net/gracefulgod

posted in Ireland - 0 replies

Ireland's topics - tribe.net

Recession In Ireland

New Irish News and Culture Site!

Government to impose draconian austerity measures with opposition support

Bay Celtic Music and Dance Festival Sat Feb 21 Oakland Veterans Hall

Workers occupy Waterford crystal factory

Ireland: Anglo Irish Bank taken into state ownership

Irish economy disintegrates

Who wants to go to West Africa?

Young Family with Pets Seeks Caretaking position in Ireland

Advice on Trip!

History class on youtube - Irish Independance.

anyone from tallaght or a housing estate im sure can appreciate this...

SPIRITUAL COLONIALISM; New Age, Same Old Story.

Cultural Colonialism & Plastic Shamans http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0T5jHEmGJa8

Help Save Tara!

Trip to Ireland in March- Sacred sites, Singing, and places to stay

irish tattoos

Planning a family trip to Ireland

advice on traveling to Kildare for Imbolc...

ALDI Castlebar are a complete mess today

NCEF! Media sabotaged! Hijacked by lone wingnut! Accused of fraud and embezzlement!

Traveling to Ireland in November.

Dublin Burning Man Decompression

Fight of the Earls (on youtube)

Place to rent in Kerry?

Guess who just found original pictures of Michael Collin's funeral... ME !!!

Niall of the Nine Hostages on (YouTube).

bike touring ireland/possibly scotland spring 2008, looking for bike partner

Irish language classes on youtube.

What do I need to know? (Trip to Ireland planned for October)

video of St. patrick's day in Vancouver Canada

Anyone going to the Waterford Spraoi?

Irish History - Gráinne Mhaol "The Pirate Queen" (youtube)

new addition to my top 5 all time favorite movies

Greatest Irish hit of all time

Lecture on the 'Great O'Neill' on youtube.

Trip to Ireland coming up

Easter Weekend

The Wearin' o' the Green...

St Patrics Day in Ireland

Anything Going on April 5-15?

18 more days!

Big day for Ireland

Favorite new buildings and places

Sassy and Caoimhe..You might be interested

No Béarla

RAG magazine, by anarcha-feminist women in Dublin

Visiting Ireland in March '07

Happy Mischief Night!

Where is the best place to visit in Ireland?

Anarchism Not Chaos mini-festival in Derry, Ireland

gothic clubs and witchy stores?

Fabric stores in Dublin?

New group for Irish flute & whistle players!

Who wants CDs?

trouble, nice inexpensive hostles around Galway

renting a car in Ireland

FESTIVAL OF WORLD CULTURES !

Airport to Tyrrelstown

need an *Electric Picnic* ticket!!!!

New kid

Irish at Burningman

How to Live & Work in Ireland?

A very happy 'anniversary' ...

Legalize the Irish

just going...lets see what happens

Springsteen Tickets?

any info about dual Irish-American citizenship?

Plans in Ireland THIS weekend!!!

Happy Bloomsday!

RESEARCH OPPORTUNITY FOR MEN

Sligo Event

Be in Ireland in less than 2 weeks-- Comunication?

Packing List

Ireland Must Do/See List!

Cheapest Airfare to Dublin/Shannon?

SO how does one cute girl in SF...

Local Site for Ranelagh

Trip to ireland

need an Electric Picnic ticket!!!!