I Feel Related

Anyone who has searched for his/her roots does so because of a need to feel connected. John Steinbeck undertook such a journey (much like Rosie O'Donnell whose search for her roots was just profiled on the show Who Do You Think You Are.) Most Americans have bloodlines reaching back to several ethnic groups. When Steinbeck went looking for his roots, he acknowledged that he was only half Irish. But he said, "Irish blood doesn't water down very well; the strain must be very strong."

Alister McReynolds and Wilson Burgess at the gravesite of Steinbeck's ancestors in Ireland. They followed Steinbeck's journey for a BBC program.

Steinbeck visited Ireland in search of his roots according to Alister McReynolds's book, Legacy, The Scots Irish in America. I'm proud to say that Alister is a friend of mine. He's a scholar and a native of Northern Ireland.

Apparently Steinbeck, during his journey to Ireland, proclaimed, "I feel related." In the January 31, 1953 edition of Collier's Magazine, Steinbeck talked about his journey in an article called, "I Go Back to Ireland."

If you didn't see last Friday's Who Do You Think You Are episode where Rosie O'Donnell finds her Irish roots, no worries, you can watch it here. Please let me know what you think. There were a couple of things Rosie said I thought were pretty profound and spoke to what every family historian feels.

Speaking of Presidents

On Monday I mentioned that Barack Obama has Irish roots. You may have heard about that. His mother's ancestors were from Ireland. The Irish Fireside put together this video on the subject. It's very entertaining. They take you on a Google Earth tour of the region where Obama's family lived. Let me just say that the roads really are like that! And get a load of the music. It's hilarious how the Irish singers pronounce Barack. :-o

When I was in Ireland some of the Irish people I met wanted to know what Americans thought of Barack Obama. My response was, "Uh, it depends on who you ask."

Enjoy!

American Presidents with Celtic Roots

Happy Presidents Day!
Most of the American presidents with Irish roots are Scots-Irish with ancestors who came over in the 17th and 18th centuries from Northern Ireland. These include:

• Andrew Jackson whose parents were born in Carrickfergus in Co Antrim.
• James Buchanan whose father was born in Ramelton in Co Donegal.
• Ulysses Grant whose grandfather was from Dergenagh, Co. Tyrone. 
• William McKinley had roots in Dervock in Co. Antrim.
• Woodrow Wilson's grandfather was from  Dergelt, near Strabane in Co Tyrone.
• Richard Nixon had ancestors from Ballymoney in Co Antrim and also from Carrickfergus in Co Antrim.
• Bill Clinton's Irish roots are not as clear cut. He is said to have a distant cousin in Kinawley in Co Fermanagh.
• The Bush presidents have roots from Rathfriland, Co Down as well as in Co Cork (in the Republic of Ireland) and possibly from Co Antrim as well.

President Obama with Brian Cowan, Taoiseach of Ireland*

Presidents with roots in the Republic of Ireland include:

• James Polk, whose great grandfather came over from Lifford in Co Donegal.
• John F. Kennedy with roots in Co Wexford and Bruff, Co Limerick and Kinawley, Co Cavan.
• Ronald Reagan's great grandfather was from Ballyporeen in Co Tipperary.
• President Barak Obama has ancestry from Moneygall in Co Offaly.

There are many other American patriots with Irish roots who were not president but who made significant contributions to our country including my husband's ancestor, Charles Thomson who was secretary of the Continential Congress and designed the Great Seal of the United States of America. The designer of the White House was James Hoban, from Desart, near Callan, County Kilkenny.

It's safe to say that Ireland paid an important part in the building of country.

Most of the information for this post came from this blog.

*Taoiseach of Ireland is the prime minister of the Republic of Ireland appointed by the President of Ireland.

Romance in Ireland

In ancient times, before the church, couples were wed outdoors in front of a king at a site of some spiritual significance. Large trysting stones were part of the ceremony, at least one was on Cape Clear, an island off the southern coast of Ireland. On this island native Gaelic is spoken. A five thousand year old passage grave can be found along with a 12th century church ruin, and a 14th century castle. St. Ciarán, one of Ireland's earliest Christian fathers, is the patron saint of the island. This island is on my list for my next visit to Ireland.

There is a standing stone on the island with a hole right through it. Apparently a man and woman would stand on each side, stick their arms through, and hold hands while declaring their intention to marry or the actual marriage ceremony in front of the king would be conducted there. How sweet is that?

Contemplative Prayer

In light of the previous discussion here on Celtic Voices, I thought it might be good to look at contemplative prayer. Contemplative prayer is not so complicated as it might seem. It's simply being in relationship with God, being present, being open to hear God's voice. The Celts sometimes called this centering prayer. The early Celtic Christians were influenced by the Desert Fathers. A 4th century monk named John Cassian introduced the eastern monastic practices to the western world.

Psalm 119: 9-16 NIV
How can a young person stay on the path of purity?
   By living according to your word.
 I seek you with all my heart;
   do not let me stray from your commands.
I have hidden your word in my heart
   that I might not sin against you.
Praise be to you, LORD;
   teach me your decrees.
With my lips I recount
   all the laws that come from your mouth.
 I rejoice in following your statutes
   as one rejoices in great riches.
 I meditate on your precepts
   and consider your ways.
I delight in your decrees;
   I will not neglect your word.

This is a passage I'm contemplating right now. The psalmist probably wasn't reading his Bible all day. There weren't any Bibles back then. People had to memorize what little scripture they knew, and they sought God through prayer and contemplation. We are fortunate to have Bibles today, but I wonder, am I memorizing and contemplating less because I have a Bible at my fingertips? Am I thinking about who God is and trying to seek Him, less?

Just some food for thought!

The Contemplative Life

Much of what Thomas Merton, a Trappist monk, had to say is very Celtic in nature. I will just leave you with this snippet. Let me know what you think. I'd love some comments!

Christ Church in Dublin

At the end of our trip to Ireland last October, my father passed away. I think that is the reason I took very few pictures in Dublin. We were fortunate that Patrick Comerford met us and gave a tour of Christ Church in Dublin. We enjoyed it very much, but had no pictures. But fortunately, others have been there and took pictures and posted them on the Internet. Below is slide show of Christ Church someone posted on YouTube. It moves quickly. Just a few things I want to point out. The memorials--something you find a lot of in these churches--were at some point all moved down below to the crypt. So when you see those statues (with the exception of Strongbow--the figure lying down) know that they are below the catherdral. That means the catherdral is less cluttered and more beautiful.

And toward the end of the slideshow there is the mummified cat. I'm so glad I can show it to you! Patrick told us that there was some problem with the pipe organ (not sure when; I'd have to research that) and they found the cat and rat who died stuck in the chase and flee mode. He says it's very popular with the kids!

So, enjoy!