Annual Michael Collins commemoration takes place at Beal na mBlath

The annual commemoration of Irish hero and cultural legend Michael Collins takes place every year outside of the town of Clonakilty at a place called Beal na mBlath.
It is a celebration of the achievements of this military master mind and political genius during very turbulent times in Irish history.
It is at a commemoration where he was assassinated by opposition forces. This character of Irish history is often referred to as the Che Guevara of Ireland.

There is a Hollywood movie about Michael Collins1996 the movie with Liam Nealson, directed by Neil Jordan, Michael Collins plays a crucial role in the establishment of the Irish Free State in the 1920s, but becomes vilified by those hoping to create a completely independent Irish republic.

Global downturn is Ireland's economic collapse

Global downturn is Ireland's economic collapse:

The recent global slowdown has resulted in a reversion to the Ireland of the 1980's or even the 1950's

Whilst the problems are serious and severe one website has offered an aluminum shawl marketed along the lines of an old Irish tradition of shawl wearing offering protection.

It protects against the rain and the cold and is perfect for late night spreadsheet calculating and is moderately sustainable in the fact that it does not burn fossil fuels, unlike the coal fires of the 1950s in drafty post war housing estates in urban Ireland.
Not only does it protect from the elements it also might protect you from the current global downturn.
You can purchase your shawl by clicking the link above or you can check out www.rebelcounty.com



Happy Shopping!

Irish, Eu, IMF and calm discussion taking place regarding banking crisis!

Vision of Irish discussion with IMF
This is a quick preview of some of the possible discussions and leveraging regarding the recent banking crisis in Ireland a result of its downfall post the recent voluptuous Celtic tiger! It outlines some of the high price to paid for playing at the table with the big boys amongst other items of contention.


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So do you know how to Irish Dance

It's a little difficult to explain, but I'll try!

The first thing to remember is that at all times during the dance your arms must be straight and held down by your sides (Like a soldier at Attention) Basic Position Start with your feet together with the heel of your right foot by the toes of your left foot. Feet at 90° to each other. This will mean your right knee has the left tucked behind. This position is the normal position after each step, changing to ending with the left foot in front instead, and vice versa.

The Basic Steps There are three basic steps to Light shoe dances, around which all dancers are built. Teachers weave these into their choreography in different ways and vary them slightly, but if you can't master them in their basic form you will never really make the grade as a step dancer. The basic steps are the Jump Threes, the Hop Threes and the Sevens or Side Step.

Jump Threes (basic step) Start in Basic Position 1) Now lift the front leg (in this case the right) keeping it dead straight with the toes curled forwards, so don't try to lift too high. (The worst thing you can do is point your toes up so that people see the soles of your shoes) Jump off the foot still on the floor onto the raised foot, landing just in front of where it started. As you jump bring the back foot up to kick your behind. This is all done at the same time so takes practice! 2) As you land, step forward onto the original back foot, placing it just in front of the other foot. 3) Tuck the original front foot "behind" to end up in "basic position" but with the other foot now in front Jump threes are always started from whichever foot is in front. Do threes very slowly to start with and build up speed. One Three per bar of music. Once you have the hang of them try the lead round

Hops threes (basic step) Start in Basic Position 1) Hop on the back foot as high as possible, landing back on the same foot. At the same time the front foot is brought up across the knee of the other leg, as high as possible (try to touch your hip with your toes) 2) step very slightly forward on front foot 3) tuck back foot behind Hop threes are always started by hopping off whichever foot is behind. One three per bar of music.

Sevens or side step (basic step) 1) is a hop or jump 2) The leading foot is moved to the side (for example, the leading foot is the right one so move right, left foot move left) 3) back foot moves the same direction but crosses behind 4) front foot again 5) back foot behind again 6) front foot again 7) back foot behind again

All Irish Step dances follow the same basic pattern. There are usually several components : The Lead Round The First Step The Second Step (or Lead Back) As the dances become more advanced these become a little harder to distinguish. However in the early stages they are very easily defined. Below is a basic beginners reel.

A Beginners Reel this is a Beginners Reel, so choose Reel music. Try not to make it too fast, as this is hard work! A Reel is a soft shoe dance so either get some proper Irish shoes, or use ballet shoes or the like (preferably black) For a costume you need something with a shorter skirt (above the knee) with plenty of material so that you can lift your legs freely. A Sports skirt would be fine, although something a little more colourful would be better. A simple white blouse with loose sleeves would also suffice. If you really want to look traditional then take a simple scarf and pin it onto the left shoulder. Then drape it across the back and pin it at the waist on the right side. Count the bars in your mind, stood in basic position.(the bars are usually easy to count in Irish music) At the first note of the sixth bar point your front foot and toes forward moving the leg ahead of the back foot so that only the toes touch the ground. Keep your feet in the same turned out position as in basic position. You do not start dancing until the first note of the ninth bar

LEAD ROUND The lead round is simply Eight continuous Jump threes in a circle, alternating leading legs. You must end up back where you started, facing the front again. As each persons jumps are different don't try to follow someone elses circle.

FIRST STEP A Hop three twice Hop Seven side step to right Jump three twice Jump seven side step back to left B repeat A but to opposite side C Repeat A again but this time move forward more with each hop three (on step 2 of the three) D repeat C but opposite (your sevens should be along the very front of the stage)

LEAD BACK Repeat Lead round (eight jump threes), but instead of creating a circle just curve back to end your last three facing the front again in your original starting place in basic position

FINISH To finish any Irish Step dance do the following : Point your front foot as if starting, and bow from the waist, head and face up, arms still by your side. Then turn towards the musician (or person running the music machine) and bow in the same way to them. This is a recognised show of respect that all Irish dancers uphold, and it looks very smart. Stand up straight, turn left and walk off stage with arms still by sides, and still straight legs and pointed toes.

Irish Christmas greetings

Here is a selection of Christmas greetings, drink it up safely.

1. May your giving hand never fail you.

2. May we all be alive at this same time next year.

3. May the Lord keep you in the palm of His hand, and never close his fist too tight!

4. May you live as long as you want and never want as long as you live!

5. May the best day of your past be the worst day of your future.

6. Here's to a long life and a merry one. A quick death and an easy one. A pretty girl and an honest one. A cold beer-and another one!

7. May your troubles be less, And your blessings be more. And nothing but happiness come through your door.

8. May your neighbors respect you, trouble neglect you, the angels protect you, and heaven accept you.

9. Merry met, and merry part, I drink to thee with all my heart.

10. Dung hills rise and castles fall, we are all equal one and all.

Welcome to Cork Time

Living abroad wonder if its too late to ring the Mammy?Use Cork time! had a few pints in Timbucktoo need to call the Girlfriend back in Mayfield? Don't be a langer, give her a call but not at 4am local time.Rebel county endorses responsible behavior at every level right down to the baby sitter. Check this interative map to make sure you get your story right as well as you're time!

Architect Discusses His Projects and Creative Process During Lecture ‘The Architecture of Hope’

World renowned architect Daniel Libeskind explores his ideas about architecture and hope

When we build things - especially beautiful things - we do so with the expectation and the wish that they will last, and through them, that we will last। Daniel Libeskind, celebrated architect of the Contemporary Jewish Museum, as well as master planner of the World Trade Center site in New York, the Jewish Museum in Berlin, and many other buildings, will speak about "architecture-as-hope" at the Commonwealth Club. He will also elaborate on his creative process and the opening of his most recent project, the Contemporary Jewish Museum, San Francisco's newest cultural landmark.

It was a delight and pleasure to met Daniel Libeskind and as always there is an Irish connection as one of his project is the Grand Canal Square Theatre and Commercial expected completion 2009.