IrishBeat.com

I came across an old Irish film the other day that I thought was fantastic. It’s the story of the Howth Tram that ran along the coast in Ireland. The film is called “Once Upon a Tram”. It was created in 1958 and has some wonderful scenes of Irish life at the time.

Here’s the link and a brief excerpt from the site. I hope you enjoy.
http://www.europafilmtreasures.eu/PY/261/see-the-film-once_upon_a_tram’

Directed by John Sarsfield and James Maguire between 1958 and 1959, Once Upon a Tram immortalizes one of the last runs of the Howth Tram that linked the villages of Howth and Sutton that lie along the County Dublin coast, 9 miles from the city centre. Families escaping the hustle and bustle of city life would head there for an afternoon at the seaside.
Life passes gently by from one tram stop to the next, in the midst of the Irish countryside glorified by the inimitable Kodachrome film. Some passengers get off, others climb on, for a round of golf before teatime.
Narrated with old-fashioned elegance by the smooth voice of renowned Irish actor Cyril Cusack, Once Upon a Tram is a nostalgic film that moves along like an old lady taking her time.

Happy Holidays!

Our sincerest wishes and hopes to all of our families, friends and visitors for a very Merry Christmas and a wonderful New Year! We appreciate all of your support and prayers. We hope this special season brings you peace, joy and everything you need, and even most of what you want:-) [No good Irishman would wish you everything you want, because that would leave you with nothing left to hope for.]

Regarding the upcoming year…
A lot of exciting changes are occurring throughout the StPatricksDay.com™ family of sites, and this blog serves to highlight just a few. First and foremost, the long awaited release of the new and improved StPatricksDay.com will include:

• The addition of a new shopping section with Irish clothes, music, DVDs, jewlery, books, and more;
• FREE Downloads including OVER 2,000 FREE ONLINE Games and custom MySpace backgrounds;
• A brand new Events Database to help you promote or learn about all the coolest Block Parties, Pub Crawls, Parades, Festivals, and other events going on in your local neighborhood and around the World;
• A completely redesigned user interface to help you better access all your favorite Irish Toasts, Travel deals, Shopping, News Sources, and Social Events;
• AND, MUCH, MUCH MORE.

Also, StPatricksDay.com Official Gear™ is NOW AVAILABLE for purchase online. Read about the legends that inspired our famous custom “Irish Karate©,” “IRISHINYA?©,” “Holy Shamrock©,” “Irish Cougar Hunter©,” and other great t-shirts. Make sure to order one today for yourself, friends, and family.Finally, StPatricksDay.com™ would like to announce its official co-sponsorship of Shamrockfest 2008. This event promises to be the biggest StPatricksDay event in the Washington, DC area, and will include a “Pub Games” festival area located in the StPatricksDay.com Village.

SHAMROCKFEST 2008
TICKETS ON SALE NOW!

JUST 80-DAYS AWAY!
THE HOTTEST SPRING FESTIVAL IN AMERICA!

Take advantage of the early-bird pricing! With over 40 bands, DJs & performances this will be the most amazing entertainment lineup in Shamrock history!

For full ShamrockFest details, or to buy tickets click here www.Shamrockfest.com
Check back often as we will be continually announcing acts over the next few weeks.

All of us at StPatricksDay.com extend our sincerest appreciation for your support, and we promise to continue to earn it by bringing you the best in Irish-themed content coming your way in the New Year!

Best Wishes and Happy Holidays,

StPatricksDay.com Team

I’m writing this post to the now-unemployed Rosie O’Donnell.Consider it a message from one overly opinionated Irish American blogger to another.