The Celts are known all around the world for many things, not the least being for their charity work. Irish Absolutely continues this tradition by contributing a minimum of 5% of all sales to our charity program. At a time when, despite whatever hardships we may be experiencing, we must remember how fortunate we are compared with so many others in poorer countries and do something to help. As the Irish say, "If you are lucky enough to be Irish, you are lucky enough”.

The Celts are also known for their love of the arts and especially music. So you will understand our enthusiasm for a delightful magazine called Celtic Life that not only encourages us all to remember our roots, but also has a strong musical emphasis.

We are impressed by its well written articles illustrated by outstanding photographs. We encourage you to visit their web site and see for yourself. If you should decide to subscribe – they have 4 issues a year – as our special friends be sure to mention Irish Absolutely by entering IRISH09 in the "Comments” box on their Order page or, if you decide to phone instead, give them this special code. We won't benefit ourselves, but we have made an arrangement with Celtic Life that, as a thank you, they will send you 5 issues of their magazine when you place an Order for just 4! They will also make a contribution of 5% of their sales to Irish Absolutely's charity program which just makes everything perfect!

Why not trot over right away to www.celticlife.ca and have a look for yourself. When you are done, be sure to come back to us. What could be better than reading a Celtic magazine while sitting in an Irish cottage beside a turf fire! And sipping a strong cup of tea! Oh, the stories! The memories! Your roots!

Primrose Hill Productions

Condominiums aren't as big thing in Ireland as they are in North America. Indeed, in the United States and Canada it seems they are sprouting up like mushrooms everywhere. Especially in big cities where land is expensive and in holiday towns where everybody wants to live by the sea. At least that used to be the case.

Sadly, now many places are suffering terribly from the real estate crash. Large construction cranes have become like tall insects with long arms watching over what have become eerily quiet construction sites. For everybody's sake, let's hope things recover soon.

Back in Ireland it's a bit different. Condos never really caught on, even during the fantastic building boom that went on for so many years. That is until the Celtic Tiger got it's wings clipped - if you will pardon the mixed metaphors!

It seems in Ireland they held on longer than in North America to the idea of owning one's own cottage or house and a garden, even if both were small and even if the pace of life was too frantic to be able to find time to grow roses to admire or vegetables for the evening meal.

So, for those thinking of moving up from one of our cottages to a condo, especially for those immigrants recently arrived from dear 'ol Ireland, we thought it would be helpful to provide a little guidance for those planning to buy a condo over here. Accordingly, we have much pleasure in recommending a new book on the many key questions you must make certain you ask before buying any condo.

This is a book everybody even thinking about buying a condo should read. It's a reference book and guide for all condo buyers. It's good! Impressive testimonials and, as it's an ebook, it's available instantly as a download. So swing by PrimroseHillProductions.com and check it out. You can tell them we sent you. They will look after you.

We were thrilled when we came across the treasure boxes that are designed, made and sold by Onora Island. Valerie, a former distinguished Irish opera singer and her husband Gary, are a delight and their enthusiasm for their traditional Irish treasure boxes is infectious!

They tell the story of how many Irish families came to America with a treasure box. Inside would be placed special items, not necessarily of great monetary value but of inestimable personal significance as each item would be chosen because of its meaning to the donor. The purpose was to ensure that the family stories and traditions would never be forgotten. The astonishing emigration from Ireland, particularly after the Great Potato Famine in the mid 1840's drastically reduced the population, which at the time was a little over 8 million. Even today, the population, despite a recent surge in immigration has only recovered to a little over half what it was in 1840!

Probably the combination of suddenness of departure and the sheer numbers that left, has helped build an astonishingly strong sense of longing for Ireland, even amongst those whose ancestors left 6 generations ago. The Treasure Boxes are a reminder of both the hardships of the past as well as the hopes for the future. Be sure to visit www.OnoraIsland.com. We think you will be equally delighted!