Answers and Explanations
Christmas and New Year Quiz - 1999-2000
1.
Cullen, or Cuillionn means 'holly', or 'holly land' in Irish.
2.
Arthur Wellesley, Duke of Wellington was a member of the Irish and English Parliaments during his political career.
3.
Samuel Johnson's opinion of Dublin was that it was "not so bad as Iceland", which one imagines is not much of a recommendation from the famous Doctor.
4.
Holly branches were thought to be effective against evil spirits, which were frightened off by the red berries.
5.
The members of Clannad hail from around the Donegal town of Gweedore, hence the Clann as Dobhar
6.
The Duke of Wellington was born an Irishman, but was not overly proud of the fact.
7.
The Rose of Tralee is an annual beauty pageant, and also a song, which celebrates the beauty of Irish women.
8.
'Harry's Game' was set primarily in the north of Ireland.
9.
The Clancy Brothers are a major force in Irish traditional music.
10.
The Wellington Monument is sited in Phoenix Park in Dublin.
11.
'Wren Boys' traditionally set out after the birds on 26th December in bloody commemoration of a defeat by Cromwell which was blamed on noisy birds.
12.
'Thin Lizzy' recorded 'Whiskey in the Jar', and brought Irish folk music to the attention of many rock fans worldwide.
13.
Oscar Wilde's Christian allegory is titled 'The Selfish Giant'.
14.
The Girona, which foundered on its way to aid the United Irishmen in their abortive rebellion.
15.
The first Irish sunrise of the new Millennium will be seen in the east (as is traditional, the sun rising in the east, setting in the west).
16.
New Year in Irish is 'An Bhliain Nua'. The others translate (very roughly) as New Ear, New Dear, New Beard.
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