March 2011 VOL. 22 #3 $1.50 Boston’s hometown journal of Irish culture. Worldwide at bostonirish.com All contents copyright © 2011 Boston Neighborhood News, Inc. Nineteen members of the Massachusetts Harp Ensemble, led by instructor Judith Ross of Burlington, grace the stage with their heavenly Irish sounds dur- ing “A Little Bit of Ireland” at the Reagle Music Theatre. Photos by Herb Philpott Singers, Dancers, Harpists Aplenty Conjure Up ‘A Little Bit Of Ireland’ at Reagle Music Theatre By R. J. Donovan Special to the BiR Revue Set for March 11-13 Take an international step- dancing champion, add a daz- Ballinasloe fiddler Larry Reyn- Rounding out the company zling fiddler from Galway, 19 olds who’ll appear with his are local comedian and Reagle heavenly harpists, one Broad- Boston-bred protégé, Brendan regular Harold “Jerry” Walker; way star, comedy galore and a Bulger, and the Celtic ensemble Reagle’s own Irish Tenors, of- 30-member choir and you’ve got Comhaltas. Also on board fering lullabies and romantic “A Little Bit Of Ireland,” the St. is step-dancer Liam Harney, ballads; and an impressive choir Patrick’s Day musical revue pre- who starred in the London incorporating solos by Katie sented by Reagle Music Theatre production of “Riverdance.” The Ford (“The Fields of Athenry”), March 11-13. two-time world champion and Christopher King, Erik Sachs, Now in its 13th year (make accredited teacher and adjudi- Al Feetham, Cara Green, Jane that Lucky 13th), the show is a cator with the An Coimisiun Le Corrigan, Gary Vincent, Jean Rince Gaelacha in Ireland heads Alfred Chavier, and John Mar- up the Harney Academy of Irish shall. What’s Happening This Month Step Dancing in Walpole. A In an evening of showstop- See Pages 14, 15 troupe of his students will also ping moments, one group that Larry Reynolds on fiddle and his musical troupe Comhaltas perform. provides a definite “wow” fac- play traditional Irish folk music during “A Little Bit of Ireland.” colorful celebration of Irish mu- One of Reagle’s favorite lead- tor is the Massachusetts Harp sic, dancing, and light hearted ing ladies is Sarah Pfisterer, Ensemble. While most people partment at the Longy School says, “and my birthday is com- comedy, conceived and directed who has starred on Broadway think of the harp as a single of Music, the Ensemble has ing up, so by the time we play, by Reagle’s producing artistic in “Phantom of the Opera” and entity in an orchestra, the En- been part of every Irish revue I’ll be 69 . I’m the old lady,” director and founder Robert J. “Showboat.” A mainstay in the semble blows that image out at Reagle since the beginning. she adds with a laugh. “There’s Eagle. Irish revue, she has also become of the water by showcasing 19 Ross herself has been playing another player in her sixties and Traditions are important in a fixture of Reagle’s summer harpists on stage at the same harp for Reagle’s summer mu- a few in their fifties. The gen- this show and Eagle believes productions, performing in “The time. sicals since the early 80s. erational thing is wonderful.” Music Man,” “Hello, Dolly!” and Founded by Judith Ross, The youngest member of the in giving his audience exactly (Continued on page 25) what they love. That includes “Carousel,” among others. former Chair of the Theory De- Ensemble is nine years old, Ross Flutist with a Heavenly Touch Angry Voters Space Station Endorse ‘Cool’ Place for New Deal Playing, Says for Ireland Astronaut By liam FeRRie the iRiSh emigRant By eD FoRRy GALWAY – The inevitable Trooper’s Widow: BiR puBliSheR collapse of Fianna Fáil came to American astronaut Cath- pass with the General election ‘Need to Step Up’ erine Coleman, of Shelburne on Feb. 25. With the results Falls in Massachusetts, roared For Maryellen Hayes Barry, of three constituencies still to June 15, 2006 marked the end into space in December along come at deadline, it looks as if with a Russian cosmonaut to of one life and the beginning of Catherine (Cady) Coleman, a flight engineer on NASA’s Ex- the party will be left with just another. Her beloved husband, dock on the International Space pedition 26 mission, playing Matt Molloy’s flute at a news 20 TDs, compared with 78 in Station, where she will be cir- Paul, a Massachusetts state conference in Kazakhstan in December before setting off to 2007. Fine Gael is, for the first trooper, wasn’t coming home to cling the earth until sometime the Space Station. Below, she dons a Russian Sokol launch and time, the largest party in the her and their seven children. in May. entry suit for training last year in Star City, Russia. country and could finish with While she will have much to Photos by Reuters, Gagarin Cosmonaut Training Center He had died that morning of a 78 seats, an increase of 27. coronary event while he was on do as a working station man- Although many independents ager, she has planned for the Jethro Tull. patrol. Story, Page 8. Molloy said he and Moloney were elected, it now is clear times when she can relax. An that Enda Kenny will lead a amateur musician, she has four got to know the Coleman more than 10 years ago after they had coalition Government involving flutes to pick from when she the Labour Party. wants to play. One is her own, played a gig in Houston. “We had done a concert and as always Labour did extremely well and the other three are on loan and so far has 36 seats, up from three well-known musi- we had a tune afterwards with local musicians,” he said. “It from 20. Sinn Féin surprised cians: a tin whistle from Paddy everyone by taking 13 seats Moloney, leader of the Irish trad transpired that she played the flute and we have been friends and could add to that (the party group the Chieftains; a priceless had four after the 2007 election traditional Irish concert flute ever since.” A recently retired US Air and added one in a by-election). from Chieftains member Matt Independents and others hold Molloy; and a flute from Ian Force lieutenant colonel, Cole- Anderson, founder of the band (Continued on page 10) (Continued on page 13) Page 2 March 2011 BOSTON IRISH REPORTER Worldwide at www.bostonirish.com THE IRISH AMERICAN PARTNERSHIP OUR WORK FOR EDUCATION IN IRELAND — THANK YOU Over the past ten years, Irish American Partnership donors have provided grants to over 300 mostly rural Primary Schools and educational institutions in Ireland totaling over $2,800,000. Your participation and contributions to our library enhancement and science awareness programs help continue this targeted funding in Ireland, North and South. PRIMARY AND SECONDARY SCHOOLS IN IRELAND AND NORTHERN IRELAND RECEIVING PARTNERSHIP SUPPORT. ANTRIM CORK GALWAY (cont.) KERRY (cont.) MAYO (cont.) Ballymoney Model School Ballinspittle NS Scoil Mhuire St. Erc’s NS JGortjordan NS Beechfield PS, E. Belfast Cahermore NS Scoil Naomh Iosef St. Finian’s NS esus NS Bunscoil an Sliabh Dubh Inchigeela NS SN An Cheathrair Alainn, St. Joseph’s Girls NS Kilkelly N.S Bunscoil Dalriada Inishannon NS Inishmore Aran Tarbert NS Killasser NS Cliftonville Integrated Primary Kilcrohane NS, Bantry SN An Eanaigh Cailini Tulloha N.S Kiltimagh CS School Ovens NS SN Ard Carna KILDARE Kinaffe N.S Crumlin Primary School SC Mhichil Naofa Bantry SN Baile An Leasa Ballyadams NS Meelick NS Edenbrooke PS Scoil Chaitigherin SN Caomhain, Inisheer Aran St. Carban’s BNS Midfield N.S. Edenderry Nursery School Scoil Na Nog SN Ceathru na Laithigh Tuam KILKENNY Murrisk NS FortHill Primary School SN Ath na Lionta SN Doire Ui Bhriain Bailr Graig Na Manach Buac NS Neale NS Harmony PS SN Faill O gCofaigh Ballydes- SN Gort Na Leime Scoil Naomh Joseph Robeen Central NS Holy Cross Girls PS mond SN Inis Meadhoin, Inishmaan Aran SN Colmain SN Coill a tSidheain Our Lady of Mercy Girls PS SN Naomh Sheamuis SN Eoghaniochta , Inishmore Aran SN Lisnafunchin SN Croiiosa Park Hill College St. Killian’s Special School SN Naomh Padraig LEITRIM SN Druim Slaod St. Mary’s Christian Brothers St. Mark’s BNS SN Ronain, Inishmore Aran Cortober NS SN Lainn Cille Grammar School St. Brendan’s GNS St. Patrick’s NS Craoibheleithe NS SN Thola Tullycarnet Natianal School Togher NS Sylane N.S Differeen NS St. Anthony’s Special Schl. St. Aidan’s C.B. PS DERRY KERRY Drumnamore NS St. Dympna’s NS St. Bernadette’s PS St. Brigid NS Aghatubrid NS Drumshambo NS St. John’s NS Claremorris St. Joseph’s PS, Ahoghill St. Patrick’s PS Ballyduff CS Fenagh NS St. Joseph’s NS St. Louise’s Comp. College DONEGAL Boheshill MXD N.S Mohill 2 NS St. Mary’s NS St. Mary’s PS Ballyheerin NS Bouleensheare NS Scoil Brid Naofa Tourmakeady NS St. Matthew’s PS, Short Strand Belcruit N.S. Boy’s NS, Quay Street SN Achadh Mhaolain Garadice Tourmakeady College ARMAGH Browneknowe NS Caherciveen Convent Schl. SN Beal an Atha Mhoir MEATH Annaghmore PS Dromore NS Cahir N SN Naomh Brigid St. Patrick’s NS Birches PS Glentogher NS Clochar Daingeen NS LIMERICK ROSCOMMON St. John the Baptist PS, Porta- Inver NS Coars NS Coolcappa NS SN Lasair Naofa down Keadue N.S. Convent of Mercy NS Feale View NS SN Padraig Naofa CAVAN Meenagown N.S., Cromane NS, Killorglin Martinstown NS Sooey NS Crosserlough NS Scoil Chroine, Dungloe Town Dromerin NS Listowel Scoil Lile Naofa SLIGO Kilnaleck Mixed NS Scoil Roisin, Maghery Gap of Dunloe N.S SN Loch Guir Holy Cross Castlerock NS SN Rosan Corriga SN Beal na Cruite Holy Cross College SN Naomh Padraig Cloonacool NS St.