Old Time Songs and Ballads of Ireland (1901) - The Siege of Ennis

 

Monaghan Men's Irish Dancing Class and their Partners

Library of Congress, Washington, D.C.

The Irish Dancing Masters went around Ireland between 1700 - 1800s revitalized Irish dances and songs.  One famous Irish dance was the Siege of Ennis.  Here is a version of it below.  Try it out!

The Siege of Ennis

Formation:

Dancers form in lines of four, facing another line of four, all holding hands, so you have two lines facing each other. This setup is repeated throughout the room.

The Dance

Advance and Retire (twice):

All dancers advance towards the opposite line (four steps forward), clap hands, and then retire back to their original positions (four steps back).

Repeat this advance and retire movement once more.

Swing (Right Hand in Right Hand):

Dancers face their partner, take right hands (or a two-hand hold), and swing around in place for eight counts.

Advance and Retire (once) with the Opposite Line:

After swinging, dancers face the next line of four (moving to the right of their original position) and advance and retire once with this new line.

Swing (Left Hand in Left Hand) with New Partner:

Dancers now swing their new partner (the person they advanced and retired with) using left hands (or a two-hand hold) for eight counts.

House Around:

Each set of four dancers join hands in a circle and move around to the left for eight counts, then switch directions and move to the right for another eight counts.

Repeat:

The dance repeats, with dancers moving to the next new line of four to their right after each cycle, allowing everyone to dance with different partners throughout the song.

 

To learn some great traditional songs and ballads from Ireland,

 click on the image below!

Library of Congress, Washington, D.C.

Victorian Flavors Reimagined: The 1859 Irish "Spice Bag"

 

Photo by Dan Dennis on Unsplash

Come with us as we embark on a culinary time-travel adventure, where flavors of the past and present collide into a “reimagined” dish. This 1859 recipe for “Spiced Beef in the Irish Style” has been created into a present day Irish spice bag.  The original historical recipe is listed following the reinvention. 

The Irish spice bag is a popular fast food dish in Ireland, particularly in urban areas. It typically consists of a mix of fried or battered meat, fries, and a variety of vegetables such as red and green peppers, and onions. These ingredients are tossed together in a spicy seasoning mix and then served in a paper or foil bag. The spice bag has become a common Irish “street food”, reflecting the multicultural influences from Chinese and Asian culinary traditions.

Simplified Beef Irish Spice Bag Recipe

1 lb beef strips (sirloin or flank steak works well)

3 large potatoes, cut into fries

1 red bell pepper, sliced

1 onion, sliced

Oil for frying

Spice Mix: 

1 tsp salt, 1 tsp black pepper, ½ tsp ground cloves, ½ tsp allspice, 

1 tsp brown sugar, 1 tsp chili powder, pinch of garlic

In a small bowl, combine salt, black pepper, ground cloves, allspice, brown sugar, and chili powder. Mix well. Place the beef strips in a bowl and sprinkle half of the spice mix over them. Toss until the beef is evenly coated. Let it marinate for at least 15 minutes, or longer if you have time. Heat oil in a deep fryer or large pan to 180°C (356°F). Fry the potato fries until golden and crispy. Remove and drain on paper towels. In a skillet or wok, heat a little oil over medium-high heat. Add the marinated beef strips and stir-fry until they are just cooked through (about 3-4 minutes, depending on thickness). Remove the beef and set aside. In the same skillet, add a bit more oil if needed, and stir-fry the sliced bell pepper and onion until they are soft but still slightly crisp.

In a large bowl, combine the cooked beef, fries, and stir-fried vegetables. Sprinkle the remaining spice mix over the top and toss everything together.

Serve immediately, either in a large bowl or in individual paper bags.  

(Original Recipe) Spiced Beef in the Irish Style - 1859

*Editor's Note:  The original recipe Below also included an ounce of "saltpetre".  this was a preservative used for meats, and is also used for toothpaste and explosives.  We do not recommend using it in this recipe.  We also recommend that you refrigerate the meat if you do not intend on baking it right away, contrary to the recipe suggestion.  

"To a round weighing from twenty to twenty-five pounds, take a pint of salt, two ounces of pepper, two ounces of cloves, one ounce of allspice, four ounces of brown sugar, all well pulverized, and mixed together; rub the round well with it, and lay it in a small tub or vessel by itself. Turn and rub it once a day for ten days. It will not injure if it remain a week longer in the spices, if it should not be convenient to bake it. When you wish to have it cooked, strew over the top of the round a small handful of suet. Be particular to bind it tight round with a cord, or narrow strip of muslin, which must be wrapped several times round to keep it in shape; put it in a dutch-oven, and add three pints of water when it is first put down; keep water boiling in the tea-kettle, and add a little as it seems necessary, observing not to add too much. It will require a slow heat, and take four hours to bake."

-1859 Domestic Cookery, Useful Receipts and Hints to Young Housekeepers, Elizabeth Lea

Luke Monihon (1841 - 1879) - A Murdered Rancher

 

PCA Archives

Luke Monihon was born November 15, 1841, in Waddington, St. Lawrence County, New York.  He was the son of James Monaghan and Ann Martin, immigrants from Ireland who had arrived in the United States between 1833 and 1837.  The Monaghans were farmers.

James Davidson Monihon, Luke’s older brother, caught ‘gold fever’ in 1854 and went off to California to become a placer miner.

In 1860, Luke was working as a hired hand for a Rutherford family, also in St. Lawrence County.  No evidence has been found that Luke himself served during the Civil War, although his brother James enlisted in Company F, 1st California Infantry, which brought him to Arizona in 1863.  Evidently James saw potential in the Salt River Valley and invited his brothers to join him.

Of Luke’s and James’s siblings, Joseph and Christopher also came to Arizona.  While their kin back in New York continued to spell their surname as Monaghan, the brothers in Arizona were known as Monahans, Monahons and, finally-- Monihons.

Luke Monihon was in Arizona by at least August 1875, when he filed on a homestead near his brother James’s, in the new Phoenix township.  After “proving up”, he received his homestead patent in May, 1878.

He married Sarah Elizabeth Wilcoxen, daughter of his neighbor Andrew Jackson Willcoxen, although the marriage appears to have been of short duration and there were no children.  Sarah had been married previously and had a son by her first husband.

On August 19, 1879, Monihon was driving home with a load of wood when he was shot in the back by an assailant who had been lying in wait along the road.  The team of horses continued home where a ranch hand, seeing no driver, backtracked and found Monihon’s body.

Luke Monihon is buried in City Loosley Cemetery, Block 2, Lot 6, north half.  Come hear the rest of the story at the Pioneer and Military Memorial Park!

-By Donna Carr

 

Irish Stew and Potato Soup - The White House Cookbook (1887)

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Irish Stew

Two and a half pounds of chops

eight potatoes

four turnips

four small onions

nearly a quart of water

Take some chops from loin of mutton, and place them in stewpan in alternate layers of sliced potatoes and chops.  Add turnips and onions cut into pieces, and then pour in nearly a quart of cold water. Cover stewpan, and let it stew gently until the vegetables are ready to mash and the greater part of the gravy is absorbed. Then place in a dish and serve it up hot.

Irish Potato Soup

eight medium-sized potatoes

a large onion sliced, some herbs, salt and pepper

Boil together and press all through a colander.  then thin it with rich milk and add a lump of butter.  Add more seasoning, if necessary.  let it heat well and serve hot.

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The Fairies' Dancing Place - An Irish Tale, 1892

 

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Lanty M'Clusky had married a wife, and, of course, it was necessary to have a house in which to keep her. Now, Lanty had taken a bit of a farm, about six acres; but as there was no house on it, he resolved to build one; and that it might be as comfortable as possible, he selected for the site of it one of those beautiful green circles that are supposed to be the play-ground of the fairies. Lanty was warned against this; but as he was a headstrong man, and not much given to fear, he said he would not change such a pleasant situation for his house to oblige all the fairies in Europe. He accordingly proceeded with the building, which he finished off very neatly; and, as it is usual on these occasions to give one's neighbours and friends a house-warming, so, in compliance with this good and pleasant old custom, Lanty having brought home the wife in the course of the day, got a fiddler and a lot of whisky, and gave those who had come to see him a dance in the evening. This was all very well, and the fun and hilarity were proceeding briskly, when a noise was heard after night had set in, like a crushing and straining of ribs and rafters on the top of the house. The folks assembled all listened, and, without doubt, there was nothing heard but crushing, and heaving, and pushing, and groaning, and panting, as if a thousand little men were engaged in pulling down the roof.

'Come,' said a voice which spoke in a tone of command, 'work hard: you know we must have Lanty's house down before midnight.'

This was an unwelcome piece of intelligence to Lanty, who, finding that his enemies were such as he could not cope with, walked out, and addressed them as follows:

'Gintlemen, I humbly ax yer pardon for buildin' on any place belongin' to you; but if you'll have the civilitude to let me alone this night, I'll begin to pull down and remove the house to-morrow morning.'

This was followed by a noise like the clapping of a thousand tiny little hands, and a shout of 'Bravo, Lanty! build half-way between the two White-thorns above the boreen'; and after another hearty little shout of exultation, there was a brisk rushing noise, and they were heard no more.

The story, however, does not end here; for Lanty, when digging the foundation of his new house, found the full of a kam of gold: so that in leaving to the fairies their play-ground, he became a richer man than ever he otherwise would have been, had he never come in contact with them at all.

by William Carleton

Irish Fairy Tales, 1892

 

Dennis Flynn (1849 - 1906) - Construction Foreman

 

PCA Archives

Dennis Flynn was born about 1849 in Ireland.  He came from Ireland to Boston at a young age, and an uncle provided for his schooling.  He was in Virginia City, Nevada, during the height of the Comstock Lode in the 1870s.  From there, he moved to Austin, Nevada, and Grass Valley, California.   His name being a common one, it has not been possible to document his movements before he arrived in Arizona.

After moving to Arizona, he resided mostly in Yavapai County.  He was a construction foreman on the Walnut Grove Dam at some point between 1886 and 1890.  From about 1898 on, Flynn lived in Yarnell. 

The 1900 census recorded Flynn living in a boarding house in Wagoner, Yavapai County.  He was single, said he came to the United States in June 1884 (perhaps he meant Arizona?) and was not a citizen, although he had registered to vote in Arizona from 1892 on.  In 1900, he was a foreman at the Crown Point mine owned by Alexander Brodie.

Flynn was a miner for about 25 years, although he apparently supplemented that income with other jobs.  In 1905, he was road overseer for the county road from Kirkland to Congress and Octave.

Somewhere along the way, Flynn contracted tuberculosis and his health began to fail.    Seeking a warmer environment, he came from Peeples Valley to Phoenix on December 7, 1906, and took lodgings at the Commercial Hotel.   Scarcely a day later, he was stricken unexpectedly and taken to Sisters hospital by his friend Ross Moore.  That hospital being full, he was taken to the County hospital, where he died on December 9th.   Another friend, Leopold Wallrath, arranged the funeral.   Flynn’s obituary describes him as being of a pleasant and kind-hearted disposition who would be missed by those who knew him.  He had no known relatives in this part of the country.  

come see him in Porter Cemetery! 

-by Donna Carr

 

Happy St. Patrick's Day! - 2024

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Happy St. Patrick's Day to all our cherished readers! Today, we embrace the luck of the Irish, a day when green isn't just a color but a state of being, and when finding a four-leaf clover in your backyard isn't just luck—it's practically a mandate. So, don your most vibrant shades of emerald, chartreuse, or lime (because let's face it, on St. Patrick's Day, every green is the new black), and let's raise a glass (or three) to the leprechauns who've yet to lead us to a pot of gold. May your day be filled with mischief, your pints never empty, and your hearts as full as a leprechaun's treasure chest. Sláinte to a day of folklore, fun, and perhaps a little folly!

Irish Ginger Ale and the "Shandy Gaff" (1887)

 

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Irish Rose, No Alcohol

1 oz of cherry or raspberry juice

1 oz of lemon juice 

3 oz of soda water

Stir, and pour over ice.

Shandy Gaff

Use a mug for measurements.  

Pick your favorite Irish ale, or any ale for that matter.  

Fill the mug half full.  Fill the rest of the mug with ginger ale.  

You can use Irish whisky as well. 

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From the Jerry Thomas Bartender's Guide, 1887

Irish Point and Crochet Lace - Exceptional Irish Craftmanship (1910)

 

Library of Congress

Part of stereo 1s28055, 1910

Irish point lace is a magnificent form of needle lace that originated in Ireland during the 19th century, stands as a testament to the intricate artistry and skill of Irish lacemakers. This lace is characterized by its delicate, yet elaborate designs, often inspired by natural elements such as flowers, leaves, and vines, intricately interconnected with fine, mesh-like backgrounds. The technique involves using a needle and thread to create a series of intricate stitches and loops, forming a lace that is both robust and exquisitely detailed. Irish Point Lace not only played a crucial role in the economic development of Ireland by providing employment to many, especially women, during times of hardship but also contributed to the country's cultural heritage, 

Irish crochet lace is another type of lace that is made using a hook and thread, and is characterized by its three-dimensional motifs, such as flowers, leaves, and vines, which are crocheted separately and then assembled onto a mesh background. The motifs are typically more raised or reliefed compared to the flatter appearance of needle lace. Irish crochet lace became popular in the 19th century as a less expensive alternative to the more costly needle laces, providing a means for Irish families to earn a living during times of economic hardship, particularly during the Great Famine.

click on the book below, from the Library of Congress, to learn how to make Irish Crochet Lace!

Library of Congress

Irish Crochet Lace, 1910

Christopher Baine (1832 - 1899) - Carpenter and Firefighter

 

PCA Archives

Christopher Baine was born about 1832 in Dublin, Ireland—possibly to Lawrence and Ellen Bain.  It is not known when he immigrated to the United States but, by 1860, he was living in Sacramento, California, and working as a wheelwright and wagon-maker.  Several newspaper articles attest to the fact that, while living in Sacramento, Baine was a member of the city’s fire department.  He served in Engine Company #2.

 Baine was in Arizona City (now Yuma), Arizona, in 1868, when he married Jesus Dominguez Esquer, born 1844.  At the time of the marriage, Jesus Dominguez already had a little daughter named Maria Cruz by her previous relationship with Donaciano Cruz.  With Baine, she had a daughter Guadalupe, born 1869, a daughter Emilia, born 1871, a son Thomas/Tomás, born 1873, a daughter Sarah, born in 1875, and a daughter Juanita, born in 1879.

 The Baine family’s life in Yuma was thrown into turmoil on July 29, 1879, when Baine shot and killed his brother-in-law, Antonio Ruiz, who was married to Jesus’s sister.  At about 1 AM, Ruiz, drunk, appeared at the Baines’ house, from which he had been ejected a month before.  When told to leave, he did, but returned a few hours later.  Baine, fearing that Ruiz had come back with a gun, again ordered him to leave.  When Ruiz advanced instead, Baine fired four times.  Ruiz died several hours later.

 Baine immediately turned himself in to the sheriff.  The grand jury set his bail at $1000.  It does not appear, however, that Baine was charged with anything beyond defending his home from an intruder. 

There is more to this story!  Baine is buried in City Loosley.  Come find out more about him at the Pioneer and Military Memorial Park!

-By Donna Carr

PCA Archives

Before Daylight Savings Time - "The Day of Two Noons"

Taking the Time, Brooklyn Navy Yard. ca. 1890-1901. 

Detroit Publishing Company. Prints & Photographs Division

The advent of the railroad and telegraph systems necessitated a more standardized approach to timekeeping, as scheduling became increasingly complex with the multitude of local times. This led to the creation of standard time zones, which were first proposed by Sir Sandford Fleming in the late 19th century and gradually adopted worldwide. The United States, for example, adopted standardized time zones on November 18, 1883, an event known as "The Day of Two Noons," when railroad stations set their clocks to the new standard time as the sun reached noon.

 

Irish Card Game: "Twenty-Five"

 

Val Digital Art and AI

There is an Irish card game called "Twenty-Five," also known simply as "25." It is a trick-taking game that is widely played in rural Ireland, often considered the national card game due to its popularity. Twenty-Five is an engaging game that combines elements of strategy and skill, and it has been a staple of Irish social gatherings and pub culture for generations. there are many variations of the game.

Basic Rules and Gameplay of Twenty-Five:

Players: Twenty-Five is typically played by two to five players, with the five-player game often involving partnerships where players sitting opposite each other are allies.

Deck: The game uses a standard 52-card deck, but with the cards numbered 2 through 9 removed, leaving 25 cards (hence the name). All cards are ranked from highest to lowest as follows: Ace (high), King, Queen, Jack, 10, and down to 5.

Objective: The goal of Twenty-Five is to be the first player or team to win three tricks in a round.

Dealing: Each player is dealt five cards, usually in batches of two and three, or three and two. The next card is turned up to determine the trump suit for that round.

Gameplay: The player to the dealer's left leads to the first trick. Players must follow suit if possible; if they cannot follow suit, they may play any card. The trick is won by the highest trump played; if no trumps are played, the highest card of the suit led wins the trick.

Scoring: The first player or team to win three tricks wins the round. The game continues until a player or team scores a predetermined number of points, often five or seven, to win the game.

Jinking: A unique feature of Twenty-Five is the option to "jink," which means to change the trump suit during a round. A player who cannot follow suit and has not yet played a card may declare "jinking" and lead a new trump, effectively changing the trump suit for the remainder of the round. This can only be done once per round.

 

John David Murphy (1830 - 1897) - Civil War Soldier

 

Bing AI

John David Murphy was a Roman Catholic of Irish descent.   Records imply that he was known throughout his life as John D, John David, or Jerry. 

In April 1853, John married Sarah C. Jacobus.  It was a ‘runaway marriage’ or elopement, so the young couple married in Essex County, New Jersey, where they were not known.

The Murphys had five children:  Jane, Sarah Elizabeth, Mary, Jerome Franklin, and Loretta.  The federal census of 1860 recorded the Murphys living in Orange, Essex County, New Jersey, where John was working as a carpenter.  The family seems to have been quite poor.

Notwithstanding his age, John D. Murphy volunteered to fight in the Civil War.  He enlisted on May 23, 1861, and was assigned to Company F, 72nd New York Infantry.  His unit fought in the Peninsular Campaign, and Murphy was reported as wounded at the Battle of Williamsburg on February 5, 1862.

After the war, Murphy was unable to work and, by 1880, he was no longer with his family.  Family members say that he had developed a mania for wandering around the country.  He lived for a time at the Old Soldiers Home in Dayton, Ohio, before heading out for Arizona.

Around July 1, 1897, Murphy was living in a boarding house in Phoenix when he fell ill.  His landlord cared for him for four days before sending him to the County Hospital.  Murphy died there on July 10, 1897, and was buried in the Salt River Cemetery.  check out more of his story at the PMMP!

-story by Donna Carr

 

 

Daylight Savings Time - Why is it Practiced?

 

Daylight Savings Time Ad

1918

Library of Congress

Daylight Saving Time (DST) originated from an idea proposed by George Vernon Hudson, a New Zealand entomologist, in 1895. Hudson's proposal aimed to make better use of daylight by shifting the clocks forward in the summer months. However, it was not until World War I that DST was widely adopted, initially by Germany and its allies in 1916, to conserve coal by reducing the need for artificial lighting in the evening hours. This practice quickly spread to other countries, including the United Kingdom and the United States, as a way to save energy during the war effort. The concept behind DST was to make better use of daylight during the evenings, thereby saving on energy consumption.

St. Patrick - Patron Saint of Ireland

 

Val Digital Art and AI

In Ireland, the month of March holds a special place in the heart of its people, not only for the arrival of spring but also for the celebration of St. Patrick's Day on March 17th. This day, dedicated to the patron saint of Ireland, transforms the country into a vibrant tableau of green, with parades, music, and dancing taking center stage in towns and cities across the nation. Beyond the festivities, March is a time when the Irish landscape begins to awaken, with the first signs of spring breathing life into the emerald countryside. It's a period of renewal and reflection, deeply rooted in Irish culture and heritage, where ancient traditions and modern festivities blend seamlessly. The month encapsulates the spirit of Ireland itself—joyful, resilient, and richly steeped in history and tradition.