Whiskey.. thank you clergy!

Celtic Monks enjoying the "water of life"

So we really have the monks to thank for spirits, dare I say a kind of holy spirit? I often giggle that you have to drink when you're Catholic. But did these inspired monks get bored and enjoy the "water of life" in both preparation and in partaking,  OR were they using the distillation process for medicinal purposes.  I know where I'd put my money! Come on really!

It is widely believed that the Arabs invented the original distillation process to strip oils from plants to create perfumes somewhere around 500AD.  But it was the Celtic Monks who encountered the distillation process from the Spanish Moors somewhere in 700 and used distillation to produce alcohol. These traveling Celtic distillers then took the process to Europe.  Local available components were used when to produce many of the great spirits we see today.  Grapes in France, barley in Ireland. You get the idea!

Knappogue Castle 12 yr Single Malt Irish whiskey

So in keeping with our religious tradition we like to explore Celtic spirits at The Celtic Ranch.  We sell over 30 kinds of Irish Whiskey for many tastes and pocketbooks.  I generally feel a little bit of heaven when I take a sip of the Knappogue Castle 12 yearr single malt Irish Whiskey.  Thank you Father Charles, you and your religious forebears of this gift of spirits.

What's up with the Corned Beef?

What is up with that corned beef on St. Patrick's day? You ask the Irish in Ireland they have no idea.  They will tell don't eat corned beef and it is not a typical Irish meal.  Many theories exist on the origins of partaking corned beef on St Patrick's day. After researching I find this historical rendition the most pausible.   The Irish descended upon the US in droves during the Great Famine of the 1846 to 1851.  The Irish lucky enough to arrive alive  (and we aren't talking car wrecks while texting) were starving and obviously unemployed.  Many arrived in New York through the famed Ellis Island. They filled the slums of New york in search of a better life, which at the time, I think, meant not being hungry. As a charity to the poor, the butchers took their cheapest cut of meat, the brisket, ready to rot and brined them as a means to extend the life of the meat.  This brining process with a brisket and some spices creates corned beef. These corned beef briskets were donated to the multitude of indigent Irish.  Cabbage was cheap.  So a typical meal for the Irish was corned beef and cabbage. But wait, wait don't ever forget the potatoes!

We love St Patrick's Day!  What a celebration!  It's all about fun.  In honor of the great Irish spirit Saturday March 16th (day before St Pat's) the Celtic Ranch is offering FREE corned beef, cabbage and potatoes from 12-4pm  We have 89 lbs of corned beef so we should be okay.  Our infamous Joe & Rose King will present you with a nice taste of the Irish American tradition.  Praise be to the Irish.  Praise be to the undeniable spirit of a people, who created a new life in this great country, so that so many of us can sit warm & comfy in our homes today.  And if you are IBM (Irish by marriage) that's okay.  We take in anybody!

Back in the USA.

Drinking Jameson in the Jameson factory

Home sweet home.  Everybody gets that right? The problem is I am not sure if home is here or...Ireland. Glad to see my family, dogs, horses and friends.  Not always in that order. But I have to say that reminiscent longing for Ireland is once again a constant nag on my psyche. How can a little green, rainy island create such a attachment to the soul?  A soul born and bred in the USA.  Wish I knew but I am here.  Yes the drop dead middle of the USA.  Good news though, I still have Jameson.

Boru Celtic Warrior Collection

With the snow finally hanging out awhile, my Irish sweater warms my body while thoughts of Ireland warm my soul.  I realize, totally realize (again) why I sell Irish products.  With it brings my connection that other place I call home.  I am enamored with Boru's Celtic Warrior Collection.  It is so bold and Celtic that the warrior in me bellows loudly "Chaaaarge". Not as in charge my credit card but race my chariot and trusty steed across the squishy green field.  My heritage awaits, demands immediate attention.  While my chariot awaits, my heritage awaits this ring.  Jewelry fulfills the calling.  A lot simpler than buying a chariot. A ring from Ireland now calls my hand "home". Aawwwhhh.

A Happier Hour

So in the states we have a "Happy Hour".  In Ireland you have  "HAPPIER HOUR!  Cause they are pretty dang happy anyway.  And well, the pub hour with friends and Guinness, it just makes you happier!  And this photo I titled "Happier Hour" also includes toilets which are not easy to find in Ireland.  But Ireland, I speak to you! I (and many others I have to believe) would be happier if you would heat your bathrooms (toilets, in Irish vernacular). Does that really seem a lot to ask?  I mean really!  Your bum is exposed and there you are in a bathroom with 32 to 45 degree heat and it is, unsurprisingly... not pleasant.  Steve, a new pub friend from Lowry's in Clifden, County Galway,  told me he uses toilet paper on the seat to keep his bum warmer (usual pub talk!).  I asked another respected Irish person and she said well, "just get in there and do your business, that is no place to relax".  I had never looked at it like that.  But,  after the exposure my bum has had the last two weeks I can promise you I will.  Nevertheless, I am happier!  Ireland is incredibly beautiful.  The people absolutely fantastic! And here I am amongst it all!

The Irish are known to be a literary people.  Ireland boasts more Pultizer prize winners than any other country in the world.  Just ambling around the English Market in Cork City I spied a quote from an Englishman you may know, William Shakespeare.  I don't know about you, maybe it is my wild Irish nature, but I need little reminders like this to emphasize what is important. Yep,  Ireland is my destiny. They just do it right!  Where I came from.  Where I love.  Who I am. Visit and you will most likely feel the same.  My friends and family do.  God knows I cannot talk my kids into anything.  But, they do agree, they love Ireland!

And just one final point.  Can we add this sign to all our cities in the US?  Can Weston take this into consideration?  I know my horse is not allowed to soil the streets of Weston.  Why is dog fouling less offensive?  Who hasn't unknowingly stepped into doggie fouling and been offended? (Who makes nappie disposal bags, I thought you used glad plastic bags turned inside out????)  Good on you Ireland.  Say it the way it is. And charge the offenders!  I think the world can get on board with that philosophy. Irish doggie lovers unite!  Save the world from doggie fouling! Cheers.
P.S. Can you tell I am drinking Guinness right now?

Ireland Continues

Fashion from Ireland.  The Irish value creativity and design.  The fashion show in Dublin at Showcase 2013 was incredible.  Designed and made in Ireland only!  Siobhan Wear from County Cork, one of our designers at the Celtic Ranch was proudly displayed on the runway.  I bought their runway coat for the fall 2013 because my customers deserve it!

The more time I spend here, the more I am unbelievably happy that I am Irish.  The people are so warm and welcoming that it constantly amazes me.  Just go to eat at a restaurant and people will stop and talk to you.  Most have family in the states in one place or another and are very interested in why you are here and just want to meet you and chat. While in Clifden, County Galway, at O'Malley's Pub and Restaurant enjoying a dinner of freshly caught haddock, Joan a patron from County Mayo told us not to miss Ashford Castle. Great tip Joan, another horseback riding adventure in a pristine forest outside of Cong, County Mayo. OMG! 

While traveling to Westport (awesome) in County Mayo to video Carriag Donn Manufacturer we drove by  Croagh Patrick.  This is a half day's walk up the hill or mountain that St Patrick climbed to pray for the Irish people.  It was raining and the wind was blowing wildly but I saw Croag Patrick Stables.  What a way to go up the mountain and follow St Patrick's steps but on horseback? (Don't call it going for a ride that has a whole different meaning! And not a good one!)  When I travel to Ireland in a decent weather month, I have to ride up Croagh Patrick again, that is on my bucket list for sure!

Laura O'Rourke Laiben(my traveling companion) of the Culinary Center of Kansas City and I are thinking about putting together a tour of culinary and/or riding activities across Ireland.  How does that sound...anyone??

Here fishy, fishy, fishy...

OMG the food is so good here.  Every time I come it improves! I might have a food baby.  I know, I know what you are thinking.  It is probably a Guinness baby.  NO, I had the Guinness baby last week.  But when traveling Ireland the fish offerings are incredible.  Fresh out of the sea there is not a fishy taste.  Just unbelievably tender, flaky fish.  How can a land-locked, Midwestern, food loving, girl say "No" when it just is there for the taking? The Irish pride themselves on local produce too.   In their temperate, rainy land produce grows virtually year round.

Tonight we ate at the Cornstore  in Cork City and had the early bird special with three courses.  Mussels in a garlic vermouth broth. They were LARGE mussels. Incredible meaty things.  Yumm! And that was just the appetizer.  Dinner was baked salmon with organic onion and pea risotto and sauteed spinach. Dessert was sticky toffee pudding.  Stuffed at this point, there was no turning back, I just snarfed down that incredible delight. Well, I did let Laura have two bites!  Thank God for elastic waist pants.  Traveling with a foodie like Laura Laiben of the Culinary Center is delightful and painful.  She can advise and choose on menus, restaurants and food like nobodies business. A culinary tour with her has really opened my eyes to the gastric Ireland and I want more!

Check out the fresh seafood market in Westport County Mayo.  The seafood monger brings this fresh, not frozen daily.  The taste is almost as if I have never eaten fish before. What a gift to be able to eat fresh fish like this regularly?  And the Irishmen I have talked with often just go catch their own own in the lake and seas around their home, especially the mussels, so no cost, no $$ at all.  That has to be something my ancestral unconscious memories long for. Food, good and free!  And I might not need to watch the waistline either.  Isn't fish diet food? Yep, you best think about eating in Ireland. The soup is incredible. The fish is unbelievable. Oh yeah and wash it down with a Guinness or Irish Coffee! Slainte.

Soup, Guinness and the RDS

Soup and Guinness equates to warm soul and happy heart. Laura Laiben, of the Culinary Center of Kansas City, a food aficionado and my traveling companion, and I have been doing our best to check out both. Why soup? First, because in my world soup is a perfect food. Second, because most bars have soup and, of course, we are already there. And third, because soup and brown bread are incredibly cheap.  And of course the Guinness in Ireland is unbelievablely good.  NOT the same Guinness as in the states and that is the truth.  It is not just the scenery making it better. And get this, apparently the Guinness Choir and Ochestra is doing the music from one of Handel's operas.  Who knew a beer based choir could do classic German music?  See what the Guinness does to the soul...Drink a Guinness and you are superman or choirman!

Forgot about sunshine in Ireland.  NO sunglasses required. And the rain has not fallen gently in fact it has been turning to snow. Sure glad the people are so SUNNY!  I am so proud my heritage is a welcoming and really accommodating culture.  And people happy all the way to the soul, or are the just      full of Guinness?  Does it really matter?  Uhmm.. not right now.

The Irish craft trade fair every January is called Showcase. It is in Dublin where the Royal Dublin Society (RDS) have their annual high society horse show. How appropriate for an Irish horse girl, huh? And this is the point of my sojourn.  With snowy weather I traversed the RDS to find new and interesting products to delight and bring Ireland to life for my great customers. Have some awesome new product and some crazy stuff for this year.  Jewelry and fun stuff will be in by March, but sweaters will not be in till fall.  YOU are my inspiration.  Ready.. set go.. What do you want?

Finding Myself on the Irish Trail

+Mucros Weavers Ruana on a horse girl

Discoveries Along the Irish Trail 

Is it Ireland for you?  It is Ireland for me. A passion that guides me and my choices.  A passion that pervades daily life.  Yet I hear this passion regularly from other people too.  Of course, I work and own an Irish store, so Irish lovers tend to gravitate towards my personal universe.  

Perhaps for me, it started with the fact that my gregarious mother was 100% Irish.  She spoke wistfully about her grandmother who emigrated with her two sisters from Ireland during the famine, and her pervasive homesickness for Ireland.  My mother confided that as a young girl she knew 3 things: 1) She was Irish.  2) She was Catholic.  3) Her family were Democrats (she actually bragged that her police uncles voted two or three times to make sure the Democrat got into office…whoops).  Thus in my earliest memories, the basis of my familial education promoted the heritage and spirit of the old country, still alive in us as their Irish-American ancestors. 

But why the love of Ireland and the Irish?  Who are we?  Who are they?  Through my experiences as an Irish retail store owner, I have come to develop a deeper sense of this land and what it has to offer.  Not only in its history, and the well-known parts of its culture, but in its vibrant arts and crafts communities and its fine goods sold around the world.  

As a lifelong horse enthusiast, I was amazed to find that the Irish, and the ancient tribe of the Celts from which they descended, had a rich equestrian culture.  It seemed that my passions were more deeply entwined than I knew.  And if there is one word often used to describe the Irish, it is "passion."  This took on new meaning for me the first time I visited.  It seemed that my past was all clicking into place.  I was overwhelmed finding myself feeling like I was finally "home" in a foreign country.  

I first visited when my children were leaving the house, and I was getting out of my corporate job of 20 years.  Awestruck by the warmth of the people all over the country, and the merging of my most vivid memories of family stories and my own lifelong work with horses, I knew that my past was meant to become integral to my present.  

I bought some samples of leather bracelets I found being sold in Galway, which I thought were really cool.  I went to a festival and the response was clear.  People back home loved them too.  I got more of them, and soon began to develop an aesthetic, based on horses and contemporary Irish crafts you can't find everywhere, a commercial market which was more than shamrocks and leprechauns.  Soon, I had a retail store, and my passion became my work.  Running a small business is hard work, so luckily for me my love ran deep.  

It is in this way I came to discover my sense of what the Celtic Ranch is.  Not only the combination of my own two personal drives, but an invigorating retail experience.  I came to see the care and expertise involved in making Irish knits and woolens.  I now source leather goods, and personalize my own Celtic horse products.  

Thursday I travel to Ireland to continue finding and promoting items that contain a part of the people and the land I am so fond of.  The land that "I am."  Is deirinn me, an Irish gaelic phrasing which translates as "I am of Ireland."  I look for things in which people can share in the majesty of Ireland, and convey their own love of the land and its people.  Beyond that, its just cool stuff.  

I want to share my experiences of "Irish" through this blog.  Let's share the ride, I promise laughs, drinks, and some great finds.  Cheers to you!  Cheers to the Irish!  Cheers to Ireland!  Slainte. . .