Alicia, our special friend from Spain, had some important news for us. She was excited, nervous, and a little worried.
Alicia’s Dad on His Way to Help Ukranian People
Her dad and his friends are travelling from Spain to Poland to rescue some Ukrainian people seeking refuge from their war broken country. A trip that may be exciting and adventurous, but in a very different sense than in normal circumstances. No doubt by the time the small group arrive back in Santander they will be exhausted, and goodness knows what mixture of emotions they will experience.
Broken things can be fixed and all of the world is praying that one day the Ukrainian people can return to their homeland and try to repair their lives.
But for now, they are depending so much on their European neighbours for help and refuge. Groups such as the group Alicia’s dad is part of, are truly amazing. They’re giving up their time, their money and their respect for their fellow human beings.
Their WhatsApp group is called, “Ayudamos a Ucrania.” Translated in English; “We can help Ukraine.”
They left Santander on Thursday (two days ago) and they will soon arrive at their destination, Kraków.
First they will load their provisions onto a truck with their contacts at the border. The truck will drop the supplies inside Ukraine.
Then they will pick up a family of fourteen; women, including the grandmother, teenagers and five young children. They will take them to Spain where they will receive support and shelter.
Alicia is very proud of her dad, and rightly so!
Other ways to help Ukraine.
The Irish Red Cross have already received 14m in cash donations to help Ukranian people. Donate HERE.
The Voices of Children Foundation has been helping children who are victims of war. Today they are providing emergency assistance to the children and families of Ukraine. Find them HERE.
You can also help by raising awareness of this humanitarian crisis. Share posts like this one, and accurate fact-based news about the situation to your family and friends on social media.
“Ample food an sturdy drink, a pillow for your head. And may you be 40 years in heaven before the devil knows you’re dead!” – Irish Blessing
“Make it like Mammy used to.”
That’s what a husband dared to say long ago. He wouldn’t get away with saying it nowadays. If he insinuated in any way that his wife’s cooking wasn’t up to his Mammy’s standard, one of two things would happen; the tolerant wife would pretend she didn’t hear him and he’d eat what he was given, or the intolerant wife would send him home to his mammy with his suitcase!
“I’m not ignoring you…I’m practicing selective hearing.” Linda Poindexter.
But we must admit, there was something special about the Irish stew, the treacle bread, and the boxty. Even the jelly and custard was different back in the day.
What was the secret? Was it all the salt? Or the bitta sugar that went into everything. The Yummy Mummy of today wouldn’t dream of adding sugar to her carrots.
Maybe the secret is that it was made with love!
♡ ♡ ♡
Maybe boxty was so good because it was fried on a hot skillet or in a pan of lots of grease; probably lard. It tasted too good!
‘Boxty on the griddle, boxty on the pan, if you can’t make boxty, you’ll never get a man.’
Maybe that rhyme encouraged the young women to perfect the boxty recipe!
Here it is for anyone out there trying to grab the attention of a promising young Irish bachelor!
Peel and grate 4 potatoes. Mix with 2 oz of plain flour,1 egg, pinch of bread soda and a pinch of salt. Heat oil of your choice, (and a wee knob of butter) on a frying pan. When you ‘hear’ it sizzling, form your mixture into separate little patties and fry on the pan for about 3 minutes on each side.
There’s nothing more homely and comforting than the sight of a loaf of bread fresh out of the oven. I think the traditional Irish soda bread was so good back then because they didn’t measure the ingredients. Here’s how my mammy used to make it.
A couple of handfuls of flour, a good big lump of butter, a bit of salt, a few spouts of buttermilk, a small spoon of bread soda and don’t forget the sugar. Stick it in the oven until it’s nice and brown. If the oven gets too hot, open the door of the range a wee bit.
Coddle was a one-pot dish made with the leftovers from the week. Potatoes, onion, carrots, bacon and sausage. I’m sure it’s a stew you could put anything into.
Colcannon was another common dinner in Irish homes. Simple and nutritious. Creamy mashed potatoes with cabbage mixed through it. Often served with boiled bacon. Still a favourite today in some households. The good ‘old bacon and cabbage!
“There’s no place like home Bridie.”Nedzer
We can’t talk about Irish food without the mention of Irish beverages.
Irish Coffee. There’s a special way to make it. I’ve mastered it!
Lightly whip about two tablespoons of cream. Pour freshly brewed coffee into a hot mug or heatproof glass. Add 50ml of Paddy whiskey. Stir in ½ – 1 tsp of brown sugar. The next part is very important. Warm a teaspoon. Gently pour the cream onto the back of the spoon while holding it close to the coffee. As soon as it ‘touches’ the coffee, it should spread nicely across the top of it, rather than mix through it.
I forgot to take the photo before I started drinking it.
Guinness. Guinness is on the go since 1759. I will be dedicating a full post to Guinness sometime during my #100DaysOfOldDays.
I usually drink Guinness when I’m in a pub. It’s a good session drink because once I get to my 5th small glass I’ve had enough, and it never gives me a hangover. (Yes, I know I know…five small glasses is hardly a session)
They say there’s eating and drinking in Guinness, which is a good thing when you’re from Cavan.
Jameson whiskey. One of the oldest distilleries in Ireland and Stephano’s favourite whiskey! Like Guinness, I will be giving Jameson a post of its own at some point during our #100DaysOfOldDays
Hot whiskey. According to my in-house whiskey expert, Paddy makes a good hot one. (Not Paddy from over the road – Paddy the whiskey.) Now, you can’t have a hot whiskey without a slice of lemon studded with cloves. You just can’t. Your sense of smell will miss out on the true experience of a hot Irish whiskey!
One of my very own.
“Nothing is more memorable than a smell.”Diane Ackerman
I had a beginner’s typewriter when I was about 10. I was in my element with it. Apart from the times when the ribbon came loose and my words blurred on the page. I’d go to my dad for him to fix it.
They say that the River Moy ran red with blood on the 23rd of September 1586, after the slaughter of almost 3,000 Scots, half of which were women and children.
The Battle of Ardnaree was a battle in the Tudor conquest of Ireland. (Ardnaree is a suburb in Ballina, Co Mayo in the West of Ireland.)
An Irish-Scottish mercenary army, led by Donnell Gorm MacDonnell of Carey and Alexander Carragh MacDonnell of Glenarm, sons James MacDonald, 6th of Dunnyveg, were invited into Connacht by the Mayo Burkes to attack English settlements and forces. This mercenary army was fronted at Sligo, Coolony and Ballingafad by English forces for over fourteen days.
Scottish Mercenary Fighter by Lucy McBreen
The Gallowglass Scots camped for three nights on the banks of the River Moy en route to their final destination of Tyrawley in North Mayo. The governor of Connacht Sir Richard Bingham, and his army followed them there and surrounded their camp during the night. At 10am the following morning they launched their horrific attack.
Portrayal of The Battle of Ardnaree
This mural portrays the tragic event that is The Battle of Ardnaree. It is part of a project carried out by the volunteers of Ballina Community Clean Up Group to commemorate the defeated Scots.
The artwork of the huddling starlings protecting themselves against the hawks, portrays the story of the Scots and their assailants. Also represented in the mural are the women and children who witnessed the bloodshed.
Gloria McBreen 