Welcome to the Irish Culture & Customs newsletter which is published every fortnight or so and sent out to going on 4700 readers all over the world. You are receiving this newsletter because you signed up for it - God Bless you! If you'd like to read past issues, they are archived at:
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Greetings & Blessings to all,
We hope this edition finds you on the pigs back and fit as a fiddle. And if this is your first issue, many thanks for joining us. We hope you enjoy our musings and meanderings and if so, please feel free to pass them along to your family and friends.
Where does the time go? Since last we wrote, Valentine's Day came and went. A very belated Beannachtaí na Fhéle Vailintín to one and all. Now, suddenly, Lent looms and with it the prospect for those of us who observe the old customs - the thought of "giving something up for the duration." There's many an old cynic, Bridget's Dad included, who were just a wee bit leery of the imbibers who gave up the 'crathur'; it was his opinion that they had indulged so much over Christmas and New Year's they used Lent as an excuse to clean out their systems! That said, he usually made the sacrifice of giving up his weekly pint or two of Guinness, mostly to humour the wife and set an example for the rest of the family. So, following a feast of Ted O'Flaherty's pancakes on Shrove Tuesday, when Bridget and her siblings were old enough, they dutifully announced what their 40 day deprivation would be. In Bridget's case, it was always the KitKat bar Dad brought home on pay day. But soothing the pangs of loss was the knowledge that Dad didn't stop buying the KitKats. One by one, the bars accumulated; saved for a far off Easter Sunday and a resurrection all its own of a sweet tooth buried in the name of Jesus. What a lovely memory that still is.
Onwards. In the old Teutonic lanuguage, Lent means spring. And while we still have patches of snow on the ground, the Tiger Lilies are already putting forth shoots. Last Autumn - our first in Tadpole Cottage - we planted about three dozen daffodil bulbs in front; so we are eagerly looking forward to seeing them come up. Fingers crossed they do after what has been a hard winter for these parts. It's been hard all over and we hope and pray that you and your loved ones have survived the extremes in both hemispheres. Especially in Australia. Please God, the fires are over and God willing, all of our readers and their families living in the affected areas are safe.
On a lighter note - the St. Patrick's Day countdown has begun in earnest. It's hard to believe it's less than a month away! And this year it has special significance for our readers. That's because on the big day itself, if you've made a contribution to our annual fund-raising effort, your name goes in the hat for a chance to win one of ten copies of the brand new novel "Galway Bay" by Mary Pat Kelly, PLUS, Daly Communications has sweetened the pot with 2 CDs of Come Follow Me by Druid and 2 CDs of An Irih Dream featuring Anuna soloist Emma Kate Tobia! A dime or a dollar, it doesn't matter. You're still in for a chance to win - and there's still time to help support our efforts. Donations can be made safely and securely via PayPal at:
http://www.paypal.com
and to this account:
bhaggerty@rishcultureandcustoms.com
or by snail mail to:
Bridget & Russ Haggerty
5814 Blue Spruce Lane
Cincinnati, OH 45224.
Go raibh maith agat in advance for your kindness. All winners will be listed in the newsletter after St. Patrick's Day. And if permission is granted, we'll give a special salute to our most generous benefactor.
Enough of the blather...on with the update:
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SPONSOR: Please help us keep our newsletter coming - visit our friends at the Celtic Attic:
They have just added a slew of new items for Saint Patrick's Day! And now through March 12th receive a $5.00 gift card with every order and a FREE GIFT with every order. Shop for St. Patrick's Day or stock up for next Christmas. All of their Christmas items are 5% off and that discount will be taken off After your order is placed.
Order on line or by phone - and tell them Bridget & Russ said hello!
Order by phone: Tel: 360-765-0186
Order on line:
http://celticcallings.com/shopping/merchant.mvc?CSC&Affiliate=Bridget
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IN THIS ISSUE:
News
From the mailbag
Links
Quips, Quotes, Proverbs & Toasts
A Bit of the Wit
Joke of The Week
Did You Know
Know Your Writers
Riddle
The week That Is
Events
Leave 'em Laughing
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NEWS
What follows are news clips from around the counties and elsewhere. Links for more news stories can be found on our web site where we post the latest headlines from Ireland every morning and we keep two week's of previous news: http://www.irishcultureandcustoms.com/01News/Home.html
And more county news can be found here:
http://www.emigrant.ie/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=69095&Itemid=23
GENERAL:
U2 joining the David Letterman Show for a whole week
Reuters reports that beginning on Monday, March 2nd, the band will perform each night on the show, with their final performance on Friday, March 6th.
FROM AROUND THE COUNTIES:
Antrim: Drama festival celebrates seventy years
After being reduced to just three nights last year, the festival will return to a week-long programme beginning on March 7. Among groups announced for the event were the Clarence Players, Theatre 3, the Newpoint Players and the Rosemary Drama Group.
Armagh: Gaol to become luxury hotel
Recently, the owners of Armagh Gaol, the City and District Council, signed an agreement with property developer Trevor Osborne who is noted for his work on heritage buildings. According to Mayor Noel Sheridan the late eighteenth century gaol will become one of the most unusual hotels in Europe.
Cavan: Cavan plays host to literary festival
The Caomhnú Literary Festival took place recently in Cavan town. Among literary figures to take part was novelist Joseph O'Connor, and a poetry masterclass was led by poet and playwright Noel Monahan. Children's illustrator PJ Lynch was also in attendance, giving an illustrated talk on his work.
Clare: Killaloe Coast Guard Volunteers to march In New York Parade
Congratulations are in order for the Killaloe Coast Guard Unit on being appointed the first ever Coast Guard representatives to march in a New York St. Patrick's Day Parade. The volunteers were invited to march at the invitation of the US Coast Guard.
Derry: Old garden to be recreated
The National Trust has decided to try to recreate the late eighteenth-early nineteenth century garden at the Bishop's Gate entrance to Mussenden Temple near Castlerock and is appealing to members of the public for old photographs, maps and drawings to help the restoration. They are also looking for volunteers living in the Downhill area who would be willing to help in the actual work on the ground.
Down: Jerretspass post office closes its doors
Residents of Jarretstown joined postmistress Gillian Porter recently as she closed the doors of Porter's Post Office and Grocery Shop for the last time. First established on the Tandragee Road in the mid-nineteenth century, the post office was taken over by the Porter family in 1926, originally being run by Gillian's grandparents Thomas and Margaret Porter. They also purchased an adjoining coal yard and eventually handed over the business to her aunt Meta Hanlon, who was succeeded by Gillian's mother, Mabel Woods. Having helped both of them in the shop while she was growing up, Gillian took over twenty-six years ago.
Galway: Traditional festival for An Spideal
An annual cultural festival held in the picturesque village of An Spidéal is set to begin on Thursday 5 March. Eigse an Spideil 2009 features traditional music concerts, a traditional dance show, art exhibition, a poetry evening, sean-nos singing and sessions 'go leor' featuring some of the most talented musicians in Ireland.
Kerry: New gallery for Kenmare
Plans have been unveiled for a new gallery in Kenmare which, according to the promoters, will rival the Tate Modern in London and the Guggenheim museum in Bilbao. Backing the ambitious project are John Brennan of the Park Hotel, Moya Doherty, producer of "Riverdance", musician Philip King and Joe Dowling, former director of the Abbey Theatre. According to John Brennan the gallery will focus on "cuisine and culture" and is aimed at the younger globally orientated tourists.
Kildare: Newbridge pub is serving shorts - back and sides
An innovative approach taken by a Newbridge pub and restaurant owner will see patrons being able to have their hair cut on a trip to the pub, or to have a drink while at the barbers. Damien Doyle of Harrigan's Pub on Lower Main Street has opened The Basement Barbers at Harrigans, on Thursdays, Fridays and Saturdays, which is staffed by Reggie Darling from the Curragh and stylist Tasha Eston. Damien is hoping that a combination of all three aspects of his business, a hot-pot, a pint and a haircut, will encourage more customers to come to Harrigans.
Kilkenny: Kilkenny gallery on the move
A new location is planned for the Butler Gallery, at present housed in the basement of Kilkenny Castle, and plans are due to go on public display this summer. The new site for the gallery is the Evans Home at Barrack Lane, just off John Street. Evans Home is a former almshouse dating from the early nineteenth century and the gallery will be extended over two floors. A key feature of the new exhibition space will be a special room to honour the late Callan artist Tony O'Malley, while artists' studios and areas for permanent and temporary exhibitions will also be available.
Louth: Three fewer dignitaries for New York this year
Three officials in the county have announced that they will not be travelling to New York this year for the traditional visit to the St Patrick's Day Parade. Mayor of Drogheda Frank Maher has decided that the money that would have been spent on his visit will go back into the council treasury, and he has been joined by chairman of the county council Declan Breathnach and the chairman of Dundalk Town Council, Seamus Keelan. It will be the first time in more than ten years that the county officials have not attended the New York parade.
Tipperary: Michael discovers a sweet family connection
A beekeeper from Nenagh who is due to begin teaching other people the art of beekeeping soon in Thurles has discovered that his passion for harvesting honey has been in his family for a long time. Michael Gleeson has six hives on his farm in Kilcoleman and discovered that his great-grandmother was equally enthusiastic about the process. He found a letter dated Shrove Tuesday 1852 written by Nora Gleeson to her brother James Molony in America, in which his great-grandmother recounts her success with the bees which she had fed on porter and sugar.
Westmeath: Change of outlook for Multyfarnham publicans
Una and Pat Weir, who run Weirs pub in Multyfarnham, have had to change their policy with regard to business since the financial constraints hit. According to Una they are now welcoming the booking of a 21st birthday party where once they would have spared the patrons of their restaurant the disturbance. Weirs has been in Pat's family since the mid-nineteenth century so the couple are determined to stay in business, but it has meant reducing the quality and price of the wine they serve, which they source from Paddy Keogh's Wines Direct in Mullingar.
Wicklow: First ski rescue recorded
The Wicklow Mountain Rescue team are claiming a first after two of their members donned skis to reach four people stranded in the Sally Gap during the recent snow. According to Rescue member Anne Fitzgerald, it is the first time anyone has had to resort to skis as part of their rescue work in this country. Having been unable to reach the motorists through Laragh or Roundwood as the roads were completely blocked, the rescue team managed to come within three miles of the cars and their occupants before two of the team completed the journey on skis with emergency supplies.
FROM AROUND THE WORLD:
Allentown, PA, USA -St. Kieran's saved
The Catholic diocese of Allentown has agreed to hand over St. Kieran's Church in Irish Valley,
Heckscherville, Pa., to a local committee, which plans to hold historic tours of the area. The 1857 church was built by Irish mine laborers at the direction of John Neumann, the Czech bishop who was canonized in 1977.
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SPONSOR: Please help us keep your newsletter coming - visit our good friends at Lollysmith:
Tis that time of year again when our thoughts turn to - what to wear to all the St. Patrick's Day Parades and Parties. No fear - everything you'll need is here, from genuine Blackthorn Walking sticks, to authentic Hanna Hats and much, much more . We're told a brand new shipment of walking sticks is due in any day; they're all different and what makes the Lollysmith site even more enjoyable is the name and description they give each stick!
http://store.yahoo.com/cgi-bin/clink?lollysmith+waspish+teandgrgi.html
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FROM THE MAILBAG
Doris Daly writes.... A little note from London about St. Brigid.
St. Brides Church in 14. Bride Lane, Fleet Street spans two thousand years of history. It was built on the ancient site of a St. Brigid's Well and this area over the years became known as The Bridewell. It was lost to the Catholics at The dissolution of the monasteries. It is also the site of a notorious Debtor's prison.
The present church is the eighth on this spot, begun by Sir Christopher Wren in 1673 and completed in 1703. The famous steeple became the model for the traditional wedding cake when a baker of repute on Ludgate Hill, William Rich, (1751--1811) was asked to design a special cake for a bride. William inspired by the title Bride's church based his design for the cake on the soaring towers of the spire. The idea caught on and has hence forth become the shape of the familiar "bridal cake" we know to day. Every time you see a wedding cake think of it as a legacy from St. Brigid.
St. Bride's Church, off Fleet Street, is the Journalists Church in London. There is also accommodation there for The Media Society and a famous amateur Dramatic Company, The Tower Theatre along with many other organisations. The Tower Theatre seeded the first Pub theatre in London, The Irish Sugawn Theatre founded by the late J.M.O'Neill, novelist and playwright 1965--1982. (www.sugawtheatrememorial.com)
Not far from St Bride's church we have Ludgate Hill named after King Lud, or Luagh of the Long Arm from Celtic mythology. This area has a very strong Celtic history not often recognised..
2,000 years ago a well of pure water was essential to life and small hamlets grew up around a well. Did St.Brigid or her deciples go afar having wells dug or blessed because of this?. Did she travel to London or as some would have it, did she originate in London!
I thought this might be of interest to your members across the globe, or, visitors to London might care to visit this sacred place.
Le gean agus gac dea guide i gcoir na Blianta Nua.
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LINKS
The official St. Patrick's Festival web site
Here's what they say in the intro: Stand back for an explosion of entertainment and a chemical reaction of fun at St. Patrick’s Festival 2009.
http://www.stpatricksfestival.ie/cms/home.html
The Irish Page - Mise Éire - I am Ireland
This time around, Jack & Vivian offer a poem written by Patrick Henry Pearse (Pádraic Mac Piarais), 1879–1916. He was an Irish educator, patriot and poet, educated for the law but early in his career made himself part of the Gaelic movement in Ireland.
http://www.irishpage.com/poems/miseeire.htm
Ireland has chosen
Sinead Mulvey & Black Daisy have been selected as the Irish representative for the Eurovision song Ccontest in Moscow. What do you think? Decide for yourself - watch the performance here:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Jl8Zxy1B-0I
Nós Nua seeks Submissions
Nós Nua is a song competition in Celtic and Scots languages, which will take place in Inverness, Scotland on 20 June. Meaning 'new style', the competition follows the format of the Eurovision Song Contest, with entries generally from the UK, Ireland and Brittany. The languages featuring in past entries include Scottish Gaelic, Irish, Scots, Ulster Scots, Manx, Welsh, Cornish, and Breton. The deadline for submissions is 28 February. The event will also feature a conference on minority languages.
http://www.nor-ur.eu
Ireland's National Music Park
An idea put forth by Dubliner Maurice Colgan which is gaining momentum. Read about it here:
http://www.irelandtoo.blogspot.com/
Koala Bear rescued
This video has been viewed by people all over the world - but just in case you missed it, here is one of the sweetest rays of hope during an other wise hellish time in Oz:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=35FT5DymIHU
Free Mammograms
Do you know of a woman who can't afford a mammogram? Here's how you can help. Go to the Breast Cancer site and click on their free mammogram link; if they get enough clicks , they'll be able to donate at least one free mammogram a day to underprivileged women. It takes just a minute and there's no cost involved:
http://www.thebreastcancersite.com
ED. NOTE: Maria Eryaatz advises that free mammograms are also available in all states via the VNA (visiting nurses association).
http://www.vnaa.org/
Click on 'Find A VNA' for the your nearest location.
Free Pet Food!
Last but certainly not least - our ongoing gift to AG in California and all friends to animals, please click this link today and everyday. It only takes a second to feed an animal. Thanks!
http://www.theanimalrescuesite.com/cgi-bin/WebObjects/CTDSites.woa
Free People Food!
It only takes a second to feed hungry people, too:
http://www.thehungersite.com
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SPONSOR: Please help us keep your newsletter coming - visit our good
friends at the irish Lottery:
In operation since 1988, it's one of the oldest online sites in the world. With subscribers in 89 countries it is also among the most reliable. Jackpots are never lower than US $1,500,000 and are frequently worth in excess of US$5,000,000 Here's the best part - you don't have to live in Ireland to play and all winnings are Tax Free!
It's always been our fantasy that one of our readers will scoop the jackpot; but, as they say in Ireland, you can't win it if you're not in it. To play on line, please click
http://www.irishlotto.net
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QUIPS, QUOTES, PROVERBS & TOASTS
This one dates back a long ways and is in observance of when the Roman Catholic church forbade the consumption of meat during Lent but apparently allowed partaking of a pint:
"Good luck and long life to the
Council of Trent,
It took away meat but it left
us the drink!"
Source: The Year in Ireland by Kevin Danaher
ED. NOTE: If you're curious about the Council of Trent, there's a good write-up here:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Council_of_Trent
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A BIT OF THE WIT
Appropriate to the current economic situation?
"All money is tainted, tain't none of it mine."
Thomas Francis McGuire
This was sent in by one of our readers, Rosemary Nagy. Mr. McGuire was her dad. Thanks, Rosemary!
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JOKE OF THE WEEK
Two men were in a restaurant and ordered fish. The waiter brought a dish with two fish, one larger than the other. One of the men said to the other, "Please help yourself." The other one said "Right then", and helped himself to the larger fish. After a tense silence, the first one said, "Really, now, if you had offered me the first choice, I would have taken the smaller fish!" The other one replied, "What are you complaining for; you have it, don't you?"
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DID YOU KNOW
1. The first Irish film to be nominated for Best Picture was My Left Foot in 1989? It didn't win. That honour went to Driving Miss Daisy.
2. Contrary to popular belief, Victor McLaglen wasn't Irish? But sure he could play the part well as evidenced by his starring role in the Informer which won him an Oscar for Best Actor and also his part in the Quiet Man which won him a nomination for Best Supporting Actor.
3. John Ford won Best Director Oscars for both The Informer & The Quiet Man? He has won the most Best Director Oscars with four to his credit. The other two films were How Green was My Valley and The Grapes of Wrath.
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KNOW YOUR IRISH WRITERS
First off, the answers to our last quiz:
1. Ireland's High Places: From the Mountains to the Sea by Rob Beighton
2. Where Clare Leads by Richard Fitzpatrick
3. Remembering Mayo's Fallen Heroes by Michael Feeney.
A round of pints and applause to the following Irish literary sleuths
Irish literary sleuths:
Helen Dowd
The ONE, the ONLY -- Irish site is:
http://www.irishcultureandcustoms.com
ED. NOTE: And in all fairness, the ONE, the ONLY Christian site is:
http://www.occupytillicome.com
Hart Dowd
An Irish site I enjoy is Irish Emigrant Publications:
http://www.emigrant.ie
Michael Donahue-McGing
Michael didn't nominate a site, but part of his name reminded us of one of the best Irish dancing school's in the Midwest. Their site is worth exploring:
http://www.mcgingdancers.com/home.htm
Want to see your name and favorite web site in our next newsletter? Who wrote:
1. Secret Scripture
2. Angels in My Hair
3. Irish Farmers Market Cookbook
Please send your answers to Bridget:
bhaggerty@irishcultureandcustoms.com
Don't forget to nominate a favorite Irish site and it would be helpful if you put "Know Your Writers" in the subject line of your email. Thanks!
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RIDDLE
To start off, the answer to our previous Thinker Stinker:
Q: If you were to spell out numbers, how far would you have to go until you would find the letter 'A'?
A: Thousand
This one turned out to be a bit more of a stinker than we had anticipated. Cara and many more Riddle People sent in the solution one hundred and one. Others sent in one and two. But we were looking for a numeral spelt out. That said, we'd like to give an honourable mention to Brian Fitzwater and Mike F for Negative One and also to Bill Smith and Gary Jenson for sending in the irish word for number one a haon. All brilliant answers.
And now, while literally hundreds of you did have the answer we were looking for, first in was Fernando Frias. Well done Fernando.
Ready for our next mind mangler?
Soldiers line up spaced with pride,
Two long rows lined side by side.
One sole unit can decide
If the rows will unite or divide.
Tell me, tell me, scream it out.
What's the thing I talk about?
Please send your answers to:
bhaggerty@irishcultureandcustoms.com
It would be helpful if you put riddle answer in the subject line.
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THE WEEK THAT IS
SHOPPING SECTION: St. Patrick's Day is right around the corner. Celebrate your irish heritage with an appropriately unique gift from one of the best Irish and Celtic shops on the internet or anywhere else:
http://www.irishcultureandcustoms.com/Shop/1Shop2.html
ED. NOTE: Every purchase through our shop links, helps support our efforts. Many thanks in advance
1. Article: Shrovetide - the Marrying Season!
http://www.irishcultureandcustoms.com/ACalend/Shrovetide.html
2. Article: Shrove Tuesday Pancakes
http://www.irishcultureandcustoms.com/ACalend/ShroveTues.html
3. Article: Ash Wednesday & The Lenten Season in Old Ireland
http://www.irishcultureandcustoms.com/ACalend/AshWed.html
4. Article: What if you were still single by Ash Wednesday?
http://www.irishcultureandcustoms.com/ACalend/SinglebyAshWed.html
5. Article: Marry in May & Rue the Day
http://www.irishcultureandcustoms.com/ACalend/MarryMay.html
6. Article: Emblems of Ireland - The Shamrock
http://www.irishcultureandcustoms.com/AEmblem/Shamrock.html
7. Basic Irish: Words & Phrases related to Lent & Easter
http://www.irishcultureandcustoms.com/3Focloir/Lessons8.html#Gael33
8. The Irish Kitchen - Recipes for Shrove Tuesday
http://www.irishcultureandcustoms.com/3Focloir/Lessons8.html#Gael33
9. Kids' Ireland - St. Patrick, from slave to saint
http://www.irishcultureandcustoms.com/1Kids/StPatrick.html
10. Music Review: Celtic Lovers - Máire Breatnach's third solo album takes us on a journey through Irish mythology, with great romances as its central theme.
http://www.irishcultureandcustoms.com/Libr/zCelticLovers.html
11. February Trivia Contest. All entries must be in by midnight February 28 no matter what time zone you live in.
http://www.irishcultureandcustoms.com/TriviaContest.html
January's Winner: Congratulations to Michelle Ortz, USA who chose for her prize the Penny Whistle set generously provied by Lollysmith.
12. Circle of Prayer: The third Novena in this cycle begins on February 21. All over the globe, people are feeling the effects of the economic downturn. Thus, our specific request this time around is that we keep in our prayers and meditations all those who are suffering as a direct result. We also ask that guidance be given to our world leaders in their efforts to bring about a speedy end to the crisis. In addition, please keep the following in your prayers and meditations: Bill Smith's friend Karl; Irish Mary; Hartson; Mickey; the Mulvihills; the Dowd's missionary friends in India; Christy Banik, Joe Colum, Patricia's daughter Heather, the family and friends of the McTiernans, the prayer circle of Sassycat, Pauline Dewberry, our daughter Catherine, Cyndi, Laureena Blankenship, Sierra Mitchell, Michelle Lester, Katie Lacinak and so many others including all military personnel serving their countries all over the world. Dear Heavenly Father, please keep them safe and bring them home soon.
http://www.irishcultureandcustoms.com/Blessings/CirclePrayer.html
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So there you have it until we write again in a week or so. If you are celebrating a birthday, anniversary or other special occasion between now and then, we hope it's an occasion filled with joy and happiness ( and if you're reading this, Finty Cahill, Happy 10th birthday on the 23rd!)
We'll take our leave with this lovely Irish blessing:
May a rainbow gladden your eyes;
May soft winds freshen your spirit;
May sunshine brighten your heart;
May the burdens of the day rest
lightly upon you;
And may God enfold you
in the mantle of his love.
And, as they say in Ireland, mind yourself.
Slan agus beannacht,
Bridget & Russ
Get down on your knees and thank God you're still on your feet!
Celtic Blessing - sung by the St. Coca's Choir, from Kilcock, Co. Kildare
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CrS3kYW6du4
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ANNOUNCEMENTS & EVENTS
Please check with the Wild Geese - they have a huge listing of events and we don't want to duplicate their efforts:
http://www.thewildgeese.com/
If we receive a unique event not mentioned there, we will be happy to list it here.
Dublin Ireland - Fringefest 2009
The 15th Dublin Fringe Festival invites submissions for its annually anticipated, culture jamming line-up of contemporary arts this September. As in previous years, the call for applications has been heard around the world, as the Fringe continues its search for new, exciting and challenging work through all arts communities. Closing Deadline for applications is: Friday 3 April. For more details, please click
http://culturebot.org/2009/02/05/dublin-fringe-festival-wants-you-–-applications-2009/
Hollywood, Florida - February 21
The IRISH-AMERICAN CEILI CLUB presents SHARON O'MEARA & TOMMY GOODWIN at the American Legion Hall 211 North 21 Avenue, Holywood-FL Saturday, February 21, 7pm-11pm. Admission $12 members & $14 guests. Call 954-522-4948 for more info or Email Patrick: irish32@aol.com
For details about the club, please click
http://www.irishamericanceiliclub
Florence, KY - March 7
Irish Day at the Races - Turfway Park Race Course, organized by the Fenians of Northern KY. In addition to the excitement of watching the races, also enjoy Irish musicians and dancers, irish food and drink, and many other irish activities and attractions including a wide variety of vendors displaying fine irish goods. For more details, please click
http://www.irishdayattheraces.com/events.htm
Cincinnati OH - February 26-March 12
AOH IRISH FILM FESTIVAL
OUR LADY OF KNOCK HALL 8070-1 READING ROAD, CINCINNATI, OH
Donation: $8.00 includes soft drinks and pretzels/chips
For complete details, please contact Jim McGee
jmagee@fuse.net
Philadelphia, PA - March 14th
St. Malachys College Belfast St. Patricks Tour. The group consists of 14 boys - a string quartet and 10 traditional folk musicians. The whole group can then also function as a choral ensemble and the folk group have an extensive repertoire. On Saturday evening March 14th, they will perform in a formal school concert at Archbishop Prendergast High School in Drexel Hill at 7p.m. admission is FREE. On Sunday,March 15, they will march in the Philadelphia St. Patricks Parade. If youlive in the area and would like more information and/or and can help with expenses, please contact Dan Harrell:
palestradan@yahoo.com
Glendale, California - March 14
Mark your calendar now for the Irish Center's St Patrick's Day Dinner Dance at the Glendale Hilton. For complete details, please click
http://www.irishcenter.org/calendar.html
Zürich, Switzerland - March 20 - 22
15 Years Setdancing in Zürich with Séamus O Méaloid (advanced) and
Tony Ryan (beginners) and the Fodhla Céiliband from Dublin. On Friday night we will celebrate with music, dance, food, drink and fun. It is worth coming to Zürich for this big Event. The flights are cheap if you book early and I will help with accommodation. Our dancers from Zürich
or around Zürich will offer free beds but I can also offer advice on Hotels. Interested? I can send you more information. Elizabeth Zollinger:
irish-culture@yahoogroups.com
Dublin Ireland - March 29 & April 5
DANCE THEATRE OF IRELAND present High School Musical Workshops with the cast of
Disney’s High School Musical 6-7 pm. at Dance Theatre of Ireland Centre for Dance, Bloomfields, Lower Georges St.
Dun Laoghaire
Experience all the moves from High School Musical with one of the cast!
For more details, please visit:
http://www.dancetheatreireland.com
Zürich, Switzerland - April 4-5
Sean nós Workshop with Treasa Ní Mhiolláin of Inishmore, Aran Isl. In this workshop you can learn some of the old gaelic and some songs In English in the traditional way from the very fine sean-nós singer Treasa who is specially coming to Zürich for this workshop. For more details, please contact Elizabeth Zollinger:
irish-culture@yahoogroups.com
Los Alamitos, California -1st Tuesday of every month
Friends of Ireland of Southern California Monthly Breakfast. Events are held on the 1st Tuesday of the month. Please call in RSVP to one of the contacts below one day in advance so we can accommodate you.
Barbara Walsh (714) 739-4195 Kathy Wisdom (714) 572-8277
Tom Kennedy (562) 425-2636 Jim O'Dea (626) 965-0307
Portland, oregon - 1st Friday of the month
Ceili of the Valley Society - First Friday of the month Céilís and on-going Tuesday night Céilí and Sean Nós dance classes. Our season runs from October through June and next season we may be moving the dances to Saturday rather than Friday nights. For more details, please click
http://www.myspace.com/ceiliofthevalley.
Inishmore, Aran Isles - 2009
House to rent. Because of my “time out” I won’t spend so much time in my house this year. So there are more dates available for renting, also in the summer. Available weeks in March, May and from end of July 09 on. Rent: 280-430 Euro/week. More Information on my website: www.irish-culture.ch/
Or ph.: 0041 (0)44 2520918
Or email:
irish-culture@yahoogroups.com
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LEAVE 'EM LAUGHING
With thanks to our good friend Judith Flynn.
Some of the artists of the 60's are revising their hits with new lyrics to accommodate aging baby boomers:
They include:
Bobby Darin: Splish, Splash, I Was Havin' a Flash
Herman's Hermits: Mrs. Brown, You've Got a Lovely Walker
Ringo Starr: I Get By With a Little Help From Depends
The Bee Gees: How Can You Mend a Broken Hip
Roberta Flack: The First Time Ever I Forgot Your Face
Johnny Nash: I Can't See Clearly Now.
Paul Simon: Fifty Ways to Lose Your Liver
The Commodores: Once, Twice, Three Times to the Bathroom
Marvin Gaye: Heard It Through the Grape Nuts
Procol Harem: A Whiter Shade of Hair
Leo Sayer: You Make Me Feel Like Napping
James Brown: Papa's Got a Kidney Stone
Abba: Denture Queen
Tony Orlando: Knock 3 Times On The Ceiling If You Hear Me Fall
Helen Reddy: I Am Woman, Hear Me Snore
Leslie Gore: It's My Procedure, and I'll Cry If I Want To
Willie Nelson: On the Commode Again
Jan & Dean: I'm the Little Old Lady From Pasadena
The Beatles: Help! I've Fallen and I Can't Get Up!
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