The ceremony started off with the FSOS Pipes and Drums kicking off the event with several tunes It was then followed up by club members Chris Finnegan and Ron Keaveney singing the American and Irish national anthems. Many people were involved with the restoration and all were honored to see it unveiled to the public on Sunday Oct 12, 2008. It had fallen into disrepair when Charlie Donnelly chaired a committee to have the map restored and reinstalled in the main hall. The map which originally went on display at the 1964 New York World's Fair, as acquired by the Friendly Sons in 1985 and has been on display since its arrival and installation. The highly anticipated unveiling of the newly restored map of Ireland at the Friendly Sons of the Shillelagh took place on Sunday, October 12, 2008. IвЂ™ll close with Nollaig Shona Daoibh (pronounced, null-ig hun-a dee-if), 'Happy Christmas' in Irish.

V Twelve Drummers Drumming - Twelve points of belief in the Apostles' Creed V Eleven Pipers Piping - Eleven faithful disciples

V Nine Ladies Dancing - Nine fruits of the Holy Spirit V Eight Maids-a-Milking - Eight Beatitudes V Seven Swans-a-Swimming - Seven gifts of the Holy Spirit V Six Geese-a-Laying - Six days of creation before God's rest on theВ 7th V Five Golden Rings - First five books of the Old Testament V Four Calling/Collie Birds - Four gospels, Matthew, Mark, LukeВ & John V Three French Hens - The three virtues of Faith, Hope and Charity V Two Turtle Doves - The Old and New Testaments V A Partridge in a Pear Tree - Jesus Christ Here are the verses of the song, along with their supposed symbolism:

It was a memory aid in a time when being caught with Catholic writings could lead to imprisonment or even hanging. Holly grows wild in the south of Ireland and at Christmas houses are lavishly decorated with it.Дuring the centuries when it was a crime for Catholics to practice their faith it is believed the song, The Twelve days of Christmas, was written as a catechism song to help young Catholics learn the tenets of their faith. The glossy leaved holly with its clusters of red berries, popular as a door decoration in North America can be traced to the early settlers from the south of Ireland, who came to the United States during the Famine. This flickering symbol also served as a signal in times past to any priest seeking shelter and protection the he was welcome in this house and that it was safe to say Mass here. The door was left unlatched, offering hospitality to the Holy Family or to any traveler that might be on the road. On it a loaf of bread filled with caraway seeds and raisins, a pitcher of milk and a lit candle. It also could be lit by the youngest family member and snuffed out by someone named Mary.ДЇor Centuries it was the practice in Irish villages to set the kitchen table after the evening meal on Christmas Eve. The lighting of the candle is an ancient ritual during which prayers are said for the departed and the privilege of striking the match was usually given to a daughter named Mary. According to one belief, this candle served as a symbol of welcome to Mary and Joseph who sought shelter on that first Christmas Eve. A distinctive feature of Christmas decorations is the large candle placed in the front window and lit on Christmas Eve.

Sons of the shillelagh