Festival of Irish Arts and Music Day 3

Celtic Cross History and Symbolism http://www.celtarts.com/celtic.htm

 

Van Morrison, the Irish lad from the North.

  Van Morrison - Be Thou My Vision 

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=H9V3YPoBUC8 

More traditional version by Enya:

Be Thou My Vision 

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5XZ3ja-quhA&list=PL0C95F563AFD7F3DF

 Be Thou My Vision

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

A friend of mine sang this lovely hymn at my wedding. Although my grandmother who raised me was 100% Irish, she was from Denver, and a western, All-American girl;   I can't say we really lived the Irish culture, although I did have some interesting family stories and a deep belief in Christ and His precepts from Irish Catholicism. I continue to do  my research on Ireland, and incorporate Irish richness of soul, thought, and talent in my life.

You can purchase these treasures of Irish art and skill which are reknown throughout the world.

Irish Chantilly lace www.chantillylacebridal.co.uk/‎

My wedding dress was made of Chantilly lace... so elegant for just a simple girl such as myself.

www.waterford.com/index.jspx‎

One of my children had the privilege of visiting Ireland, and brought me back Waterford Crystal with stories of Irish friendliness. She says I would love it there. I'm surely planning a trip back to the Old Sod, especially County Cork.






This last treasure is from the Aran Islands off the west coast of Ireland. I will someday purchase this pattern (one of my Irish clans, the O' Sullivans) in a nice, cozy merino sweater, I think.

Irish wool knitting pattern, O'Sullivan clan www.aransweatermarket.com/‎

www.houseoftartan.co.uk/‎

There are numerous sites to purchase clan tartans if you have connections to Ireland. It is very fun to claim your heritage because the Irish are magnanimous and welcoming--no questions asked, no geneologies or DNA required. In our family, we have several Celtic surnames to choose from--kind of a typically American experience. Spme sites allow you to design your own original tartan.

This is the O'Sullivan tartan.