Ireland

The literary tradition and folklore related to the iconography of Ireland is one of the noblest figures and characters that qualify the unmistakable fairytale.

Elves, leprechauns, elves, fairies, goblins ... there is something for everyone and always mentioned in a limbo of the border between the legend and the reality to which the Irish people of all generations are linked and influenced a lot.

Rarely, an Irishman, however, there will talk willingly and never will directly referring to the characters of a story but use of the turns of phrase of which the most common are the "Happy People" or "good people". The Irish still believe deep down and in fact do everything to not disturb "others" and let the fairy conduct their lives in that world of magical fantasy parellel.

There are countless testimonies of Irish people who swear to have seen an elf or to have witnessed some of his amazing joke. And you? And 'ever?

Christmas is still far away, but I want to talk about the experiment that I conducted last year and that of Regla to all our friends a 3 pack of mince pies, or one of the most traditional Irish Christmas docletti.

Here is the original recipe that includes the preparation of the Mince Meat (filled) and Mince Pies (small pies).

Recipe for Mince Meat

Ingredients:

• 225 g raisins
• 225 g currants
• 125 g raisins
• 125 g apples, peeled
• 125 g mixed candied fruit
• 50 g margarine
• 1 lemon, juice and grated rind
• 125 g brown sugar
• 1 tablespoon of molasses
• 1 tablespoon chopped mixed spices (cinnamon, nutmeg, cloves, ginger)
• 1 tablespoon cinnamon
• ¼ teaspoon of brandy or whiskey
• 15 g butter

Procedure:
Finely chop the apples.
Melt the butter in a frying pan and put to dry apples.
Add the other ingredients and mix well.
Put the mixture into sterilized jars without filling up the board.
Cover with waxed paper discs and seal.
Keep in cool, dark place, preferably not later than three months.

Recipe for Mince Pies

Ingredients:

• 275 g of flour
• 25 g of almonds, finely chopped
• 175 g of butter
• 75 g of sugar
• finely grated zest of 1 / 2 lemon
• Turlo 1 egg
• 3 tablespoons milk
• Mincemeat mixed with 450 g of 1 or 2 tablespoons of brandy

Procedure:
Mix the flour with ground almonds and butter in small pieces and mix well.
Add sugar, lemon zest, egg yolk beaten with milk and mix well until a homogeneous mixture that you will rest in the fridge for about half an hour. Roll out the dough on a floured board and cut into 24 rounds with a diameter of 7.5 cm and 24 other diameter of 5 cm.
24 lined or greased molds tartelette a special non-stick baking tray with 12 holes (in this case we will send you bake in two) with the circles of dough larger, Fill the center with a teaspoon of Mincemeat, being careful not to put too much.
Wet edges of dough, cover with the smaller circle, seal well by pressing with your fingers and bake at 200 degrees for about 15 minutes when the dough will become golden.
Sprinkle with icing sugar and serve warm.

Linked to the tradition of Mince Pies are numerous legends. I've collected for some more superstitious

• The mince pie is the favorite dessert of Santa Claus, so children should leave a plate at the foot of the chimney.
• Stir the mix Mincemeat clockwise as counterclockwise brings bad luck for the coming year.
• While eating the first mince pie of the season, the tradition is that it expresses a wish.
• The mince pies are eaten in silence.
• Eating a mince pie each of the twelve days of Christmas brings luck for the coming year.
• The mince pies should have a star above, depicting the Christmas star that led the Magi to the baby Jesus
• Mince pies, "mincers" or "minces" are rhyming slang for "eyes".

As in literature, the cinema has often worked in Ireland is linked to its history (often tragic if we think of contemporary history) and lifestyle and some stereotypes.

Here is a brief filmography recently that I have drawn from memory.

Title: Michael Collins
Year: 1996
Plot: In 1916, during the revolt known as the Easter Uprising, Irish revolutionaries surrendered after having opposed for six days, at the headquarters of items in Dublin, the English army overwhelming military force. Among the revolutionary leaders only to Eamon de Valera, an American citizen, is spared the firing squad ..

Title: The Secret of Roan
Year: 1994
Synopsis: Fiona, the mother of an orphan, goes to live in my grandparents' house on the west coast of Ireland. From his bedroom window to see the island of Roan Inish, which comes from his family and to which are linked to some legends: the brother of Fiona, slipped into the sea with the cradle during transfer from the island, would still be alive, and inhabit the island. Fiona tries to convince the grandparents to return to the island of Roan.

Title: Angela's Ashes
Year: 1999
Synopsis: Frank McCourt was born and raised in America, but his blood is Irish. The story of a family narrated by one of the protagonists, a journey through Ireland of the '30s. The misery and poverty seen in the spirit of a child, without hypocrisy or false truth.

Title: Bloody Sunday
Year: 2002
Synopsis: One of the deepest wounds of the conflict between Catholics and Irish: the day that marked three decades ago - the beginning of a long and painful civil war. A demonstration ended in blood, an army that defended the law of violence. The story of that day and the testimonies of the protagonists in a film not to forget the injustices of the past and to build tomorrow's justice.

Title: Ned Svelgiati
Year: 1998
Synopsis: Ned Devine is the lucky winner of first prize lottery, but soon after discovered the excitement dies. Some of his countrymen and try to discover it incassre the prize in its place ..

Title: The Wind That Shakes the Barley
Year: 2006
Synopsis: At the beginning of the twentieth century in Ireland, two brothers, Teddy and Danien along with their friend Dan, driven by their patriotism, enlist in the army to fight for the independence of their country.

Title: The Commitments
Year: 1991
Plot: Jimmy Rabitti be posted on journalism, can form a complex of soul music, to try to make a fortune. But there will be disappointments.

Title: In the name of the father
Year: 1993
Plot: Gerry Conlon and his father are arrested for an attack by the IRA (Northern Irish independence party) to a pub that has caused many casualties. Despite the evidence of their innocence is condemned. Only 14 years after the process is reopened.

Title: The Boxer
Year: 1997
Plot: After spending fourteen years in prison as a member of the IRA, Danny back to Belfast where he finds the world of boxing and his ex-girlfriend who is married and has one child, but she still loves him.

Title: Dancing at Lughnasa
Year: 1998
Synopsis: Summer 1936. In Ballybeg, a small town in the county of Donegal Irish, Mundy family lives, five unmarried sisters and a brother, Jack, a Catholic priest missionary in Africa. Then there is Michael, the teenage son of Christina, the youngest, who was not married, defying the strict moral environment. After twenty-five years in Africa, has announced the return of Jack, and the whole group goes to the village to welcome him.

Title: Rebel Hearts
Year: 1992
Synopsis: End of the last century. Joseph and Shannon, two young Irish people from different social classes, they share the same dreams. They decide to leave for America to find land to cultivate. Arriving in Boston, Joseph, is taken for some time to boxing, but eventually decided to leave for Oklahoma, where, after so many sacrifices will be able to realize their dreams.

Title: The Field
Year: 1990
Synopsis: A little masterpiece! A film that highlights the harshness of life of the Irish people after the Great Famine that struck the island in 1848, perhaps the best representation of rural life in the place ever.

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