If you’re lucky enough to be IRISH, then you’re lucky enough! Today I am Irish, married to a Sweeney!
Sweeney is a surname that, though closely associated with Ireland, is of Scottish origin, derived from the Gaelic MacSuibhne meaning “pleasant” or “well-disposed”.
The Sweeney’s trace their ancestry from Niall of the Nine Hostages, the fifth century High King of Ireland, through the eleventh century King of Aileach in Donegal who was Flaherty of the Pilgroms Staff. Following a family dispute over the succession of the Aileach kingship, Flaherty’s grandson, Anrathan, saiiled across the sea to Scotland. There, according to a sixteenth century family history preserved in the Royal Irish Academy, he acquired extensive lands in Argyll and married a daughter of the King of Scotland. The Sweeney (Spelt Suibhne, pron. in Irish Swivnah) from whom the family derives was a great-grandson of Anrathan who built Castle Sween in Knapdale, reputedly the oldest stone Castle in Scotland.
Here are some of my favorite Irish quotes:
Your feet will bring you where your heart is.
For an Irishman, talking is a dance.
An Irishman’s heart is nothing but his imagination.
When Irish eyes are smiling, watch your step.
May the roof above us never fall in.
And may the friends gathered below it never fall out.
May your pockets be heavy and your heart be light,
May good luck pursue you each morning and night.
Bless you and yours
As well as the cottage you live in.
May the roof overhead be well thatched
And those inside be well matched.
Mothers hold their children’s hands for just a little
while…
And their hearts forever.