We’re taking a leap forward in time on the BeastieBlog this week – after meeting a prehistoric proto-Beastie in the last post, you’re probably ready for something new and exciting! So here they are… the first two Barróg Beasties of 2016!
For anyone who doesn’t yet have a working knowledge of the various species of Beastie out there, Barróg Beasties are a subspecies native to the island of Ireland. Their skin is made from 100% Irish wool, and they can be recognised by their slightly smaller size (we Celts are generally a diminutive people) and their typically Irish accessories… Like Irish humans, they’re prepared to travel pretty much anywhere, but they always like to bring a piece of home with them. And that word “Barróg”? That’s Irish for hug, which seemed to sum these friendly little monsters up perfectly!
So, first up from this pair is Aran Beastie!
Remind you of anyone?
I’ve noticed that a lot of Irish knitwear companies have started to think outside the woolly box lately, and make traditional-style Aran sweaters in colours other than cream! So I thought I would hop on the bandwagon myself, and give this Beastie a jumper in fresh spring green…
And as for his friend…
Meet Leabhar Beastie! “Leabhar” is the Irish word for “book”, and this literary little monster has taken on quite the reading challenge…
Yes, that is a hand-embroidered copy of the rambling Beastie yarn “Spin-egans Wake”… This monstrously convoluted, near-impenetrable book is loosely based on James Joyce’s novel “Finnegans Wake”, often cited as one of the most difficult, complex pieces of fiction ever written. In fact, there’s a book group in Cambridge, Massachusetts who have been reading “Finnegans Wake” for the last 18 years! They’re currently on their second read-through, which began in 2010… Their first reading took 13 years. I wonder if we’ll have to set up a book club here to help Leabhar Beastie tackle his own literary adventure?
He seems to be getting on fine so far though – just look at that contented smile.
There will be more new Beasties joining these two soon… And tune in next week to see another hidden Dublin treasure with Explorer Beastie! See you then…
Couldn’t be more adorable! ❤
Thank you! I always love introducing new members of the Beastie family to the world 😀
What a fun and wholly appealing pair. I have never managed Finnegan’s Wake, I must admit, but I am a massive fan of Ulysses and Dubliners. I used to teach Dubliners to my High School students in fact. I would be happy to chat to a friendly wee beastie about Joyce.
I’m sure that could be arranged 😀 I’ve never tackled Finnegans Wake either… My copy remains sadly unopened, even though I’ve had it for about 8 years! Reading about the book group did make me want to give it a go though – like you, I really enjoyed Dubliners and Ulysses 😀 Thanks for stopping by!
Oh, how marvellous – I especially like the Barróg Beasties with their full Irish pedigree
Why thank you! I should probably make one with a full Irish breakfast to celebrate… YUM! Thanks for your comment 😀
Spin-Egan’s Wake!! HAHAHAHA :))) How in the world do you not drown in a pool of your own creativity and cleverness?!
Aaah, I so rarely meet a fellow connoisseur of the noble (or really terrible) pun! Hooray! Thanks for being EXACTLY the audience I want 😀 I’ve more books to add to my Beastie library over the next while – any requests?
Wool-iver’s Travels? A Picture of Beastie Gray?
Don’t get me started on this or I’ll get nothing done today!
Ooops! Sorry about that! Clearly we’re on the same wavelength, because…
I might indeed stitch up “The Picture of Beastie Gray” next…the Beasties love anything by Oscar Woolde.
😂😂😂
I keep coming back to Maeve Binchy…I mean Meave Beastie and her classic Circle of Wooly Friends. Or is it Circle of Threads? Can never remember.
Hahaha! If I delve into Maeve Beastie’s back catalogue I could have pun fodder for a month 😀 I’m going to have to hire a Beastie librarian…
Where do I send my application!? 🤓
Sounds like you aleady have! 😀 👍
What fabulous additions to your Beastie clan! Aran beastie is looking very smart in his lovely cabled jumper and I love Leabhar beastie’s special book. (BTW – 18 years to read a book?! I don’t think I’ll be borrowing that one from the library any time soon, haha!)
Why thank you! “Finnegans Wake” is certainly supposed to be a real challenge – they quote part of a sentence in the article I linked to, and even that blew my mind! Hopefully Leabhar Beastie will have more luck with the Beastie version!
Love the Aran sweaters. Those beasties could give the orange haired Irish Leprechauns a run for their money!
Thank you! We certainly don’t see many leprechauns hanging around Beastie Towers, I wonder if they’re afraid of little woolly monsters? 😀