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Leave a happy birthday wish for my Brother, Josh! He turns 25 today!!!

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Please leave a greeting whether you know him or not....

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God Save Ireland

Manchester Martyrs, originally uploaded by CelticWander.

God Save Ireland
Timothy Daniel Sullivan

God save Ireland, said the heroes
God save Ireland, said they all
Whether on the scaffold high
Or the battlefield we die
Oh, what matter when for Erin dear we fall

High upon the gallows tree swung the noble hearted three
By the vengeful tyrant stricken in their bloom
But they met him face to face with the courage of their race
And they went with souls undaunted to their doom

God save Ireland, said the heroes
God save Ireland, said they all
Whether on the scaffold high
Or the battlefield we die
Oh, what matter when for Erin dear we fall

Climbed they up the rugged stair, rang their voices out in prayer
Then with England's fatal cord around them cast
Close beside the gallows tree kissed like brothers lovingly
True to home and faith and freedom to the last

God save Ireland, said the heroes
God save Ireland, said they all
Whether on the scaffold high
Or the battlefield we die
Oh, what matter when for Erin dear we fall

Never till the latest day shall the memory pass away
Of the gallant lives thus given for our land
But on the cause must go, amidst joy and weal and woe
Till we make our Isle a nation free and grand

God save Ireland, said the heroes
God save Ireland, said they all
Whether on the scaffold high
Or the battlefield we die
Oh, what matter when for Erin dear we fall

-------------------
The link in the first line of the song tells of the inspiration of this song. The Manchester Martyrs were one of the catalysts for the Easter Rising of 1916.

Tartan

MacConnell
Originally uploaded by CelticWander.

This is the tartan of my Kilt. It is the MacConnell tartan. That is my mom's side of the family.

Huzzah!!

GreatKilt
Originally uploaded by CelticWander.

My Kilt will be shipping today...hip hip...

Blood of Innocence

I just moved to the Andersonville/Edgewater neighborhood in Chicago. It is a very nice neighborhood. It is close to friends, Mom 'n Pop shops, church, transportation, theater, and many other things. If is a family friendly area. It has a sense of ease and tranquility in the midst of a major city. It is nice.

Last Monday, though, something happened that has altered this place. Something happened to prompt someone to scrawl disillusioned in red spray paint on the sidewalk. Something happened that caused pastor to look like they have not slept in a week. Something happened that has caused a normally jubilant 9 year old to sit by herself and reflect. Something happened.

There were 2 people whose blood was spilled. There were 2 people. A mother and a husband/father. A new widow. Newly fatherless children. A motherless woman. These tragic murders have rattled a normally calm and peaceful neighborhood. The Blood of Innocents.

These murders have been on the news constantly for the past week, and this is a good thing. As my pastor said, "Evil flourishes in silence." Evil spreads and strengthens its grip when it is not confronted. Headlines are a weapon that is quite powerful. News keeps eyes open. People are aware. People notice. There is help. People are looking for the culprits.

It is good that the news is following this story. This crime can not go unpunished. A family needs to heal. Families need to heal. Families whose loved ones die anonymously. Families who grieve, but are silenced by where they live. Families who mourn in solitude. These families, too, must have their stories told. We can not allow evil to grow in the silence.

It is my prayer that the Blood of the Innocents killed on Lakewood Avenue will not be spilled in vain, but will mix with the Blood of the Innocent Price of Peace and help to bring awareness and justice for ALL those whose blood is shed.

The Blood of Innocence has been shed, let us work to stop the flow.