FEBRUARY 2017 ianohio.com 2 IAN Ohio “We’ve Always Been Green!” www.ianohio.com FEBRUARY 2017
Editor’s Corner so I do my best to lead and what they accomplish. Let within. Stories of Love, St. a few of the things awaiting rally my country; to limit the the best woman or man win, Valentine, Mumming, Sports, you inside – I bet if you try collateral damage; to embrace judged only by their actions. so many Bridgets, WB Yeats even a few, you will find new those who are in need, illumi- Then, we all will win. Puzzle, Inner Views and friendships too. nated by my own pain, my After all, St. Valentine’s Day Archives. We talk about the own experience and all those will be celebrated for many University of Revolution, God Bless America, and I have met and admired along this month; a few will might The Molly Maguires, the God Bless you. the way. I don’t envy them; I have a lonely soul, so a feel- Metroparks and a wonder- Go dtí an mhí seo chugainn, emulate them. ing of depression. It is the ful letter to our grandfather. slán a fhágáil We must abolish our po- month of love, if you believe Within you can learn Gaelic, (Until next month, good- John O’Brien, Jr. litical party system. The best Hallmark; feeling blue is nor- learn a prayer and learn, what bye) don’t win out, the privileged mal, and adding a little effort, lies ahead. A tribute to Dan John I don’t ever wanna feel, do. Term limits for Congress a little updating perhaps, will Corcoran and a fundraiser like I did that day… You live, will refresh those in Congress change to fill the holes in your for his passion, the parade, you learn, you upgrade; I am of their responsibility to make heart. which celebrates its 175th An- currently upgrading. I have a difference for everyone first; Many of our loves are niversary this year, are only “Follow me where I go, learned to Fight for what is then their own legacy will what I do and who I know; right, not who has the best write itself. If all you have is O’Bent batting average of beliefs money in the bank, you are Enterprises includes: compared to mine – very poor indeed. www.twitter.com/jobjr because I KNOW, in our There is nothing like experi- www.facebook.com/ political system, those val- ence to teach Congress how OhioIrishAmericanNews ues will change with the latest to live a life. You DO NOT www.linkedin.com/in/ wind blowing, appointment get that experience locking jobjr/ http://songsand- or donation. yourself away in ‘Hallowed stories.net/myblog/feed/ I no longer believe in politi- Halls”. I don’t care what your cal parties, but I do believe in race or religion, sex or sexual people. I don’t always agree preference, privilege or hair with my CEO; I will fight color is – it is ALL irrelevant wrong, but in the end, at least – the only judge of a person, for now, I know he is the CEO, the only one that matters - is FEBRUARY 2017 “We’ve Always Been Green!” www.ianohio.com 3
ACROSS 3 He married 25-year-old _____ Hyde-Lees in Answers on page 27 Oct. 1917. 6 “The Stolen ______” 7 “The ____ of Battle” 8 “ “Down by the _____ Gardens” 9 “Under Ben ______” 13 Yeats helped to found the _____ Theatre. 15 Later his body was re moved from France and buried in ______, Co. Sligo. 17 In 1877, the young poet entered the Godolphin school in ______. 19 He was interested in mysticism, spiritualism, _____and astrology 21 “Lake ____ of Innisfree”! 22 He chaired a coinage committee charged with selecting a set of designs for the first ______of the Irish Free State. 23 Yeats held back his poetry inspired by the Easter ______until 1920. 24 Between 1884 and 1886, William attended the Metropolitan School of ___ in Dublin. 27 ‘His later association with Pound drew him towards Benito ______, for whom he 30 1922, when he was appointed ______16 In December 1923, Yeats expressed admiration for the Irish Free State. was awardedthe ______32 In 1909, Yeats and the American poet in Literature. Ezra _____ worked together until 1916. 18 Yeats co-founded the 33 Merville, Sligo,was the home of his Rhymers’ Club, a group of ______, Susan Mary Pollexfen. poets who met in a ______to recite their verse. DOWN 20 `He was born in______, 1 The ______went on to have Co. Dublin. two children, Anne and 23 The ______on his headstone Michael. reads: Cast a cold Eye On Life, 2 In 1885, the Dublin ______on Death.Horseman, pass by! Review published Yeats’s first 25 His play Cathleen ni poems Houlihan was featured on the 4 In 1896, Yeats met Lady Abbey Theatre’s______Every Thursday is Irish Night 7 – 10pm ______who encouraged his night. Open Seisiún – nationalism.. 26 William _____Yeats was 5 In 1891, 1899, 1900,1901 and born on June 13, 1865. Traditional musicians of all ages welcome! 1917 Yeats proposed marriage 28 He spent childhood $ to Gonne, but was ______. holidays in County____. 3 Guinness & Jameson on Thursday Nights 10 Yeats was originally buried 29 He ____at the Hôtel Idéal Come enjoy our patio, in _____.. Séjour, in Menton, France, on 11 “The ______of Dooney” January 28, 1939. expanded wine selection and new dinner menu! 12 “The Wild _____ at Coole” 31 In 1889, Yeats met ____ 16719 Detroit Ave. Lakewood, OH 44107 14 Yeats was a member of the Irish Gonne Republican ______. . 4 IAN Ohio “We’ve Always Been Green!” www.ianohio.com FEBRUARY 2017
in 2016. the prayer request page again. Jim The idea for the page made the first prayer request. He came from Toledo Hi- asked for prayers for himself, because bernian member Jim his Cancer had returned. Goebel, who asked I reached out to Pete Doyle, State of “could it be done?” Ohio AOH webmaster, who put him Prayer requests and in touch with Rebecca Davey, State of follow-ups were sent Ohio LAOH webmaster. She designed The Prayer Request out by e-mail to over 300 people. the new website for the page www. Started in Toledo Almost as soon as it was set up it prayerrequestpage.com. Rebecca said, was obvious there was a need for the “As soon as I saw the e-mail asking I started the prayer request page as part website. My intentions in setting up if I had time to make a page, I was of the Lucas County Hibernian Newslet- a prayer page was to give hope to inspired to create a user-friendly page ter in 2004. anyone facing a problem, whether to reach more than just Ohio’s needs”. I sent the newsletter to as many people it be health, employment, family The Prayer Request site added a for whom I had e-mail addresses. Since matters or any situation that calls Facebook page and each request is for- then, the prayer request page has grown for prayers. warded to the Ohio State AOH~LAOH from a few hundred people to include The second intention was to give Facebook page. Most recently, the people from Ohio, Michigan, Florida, Ten- comfort and support to those in need, page has received comments from nessee, Arizona, Oklahoma, and Ireland especially going through the loss of a friends in Ireland, and prayer requests with over 3,000 requests made for prayers loved one. The prayer page was orig- friend of over forty years was put on the from as far as California and Arizona. inally intended prayer page when he was diagnosed with No money is requested to upkeep the for Hiberni- Pancreatic Cancer. He told the doctors site. Those who use the page are asked ans and their that he felt strong because there were a to return the favor of prayer and to friends and lot of Irish people praying for him. Un- give thanks for prayers answered. I feel family. With fortunately, he succumbed to the cancer. that being part of the Prayer Page is the the web site Prayers may not be answered in ways we epitome of living the Hibernian motto. and the Face- expect them, however when a strong net- Our prayers for Jim Magee were not book addition, work of people pray, miracles will happen. answered as we wished, but I have the concept of The prayer page was down for a short dedicated the Prayer Request Page to his the page has time due to my problems with the Lucas memory. Anyone interested can sign on reached many County division. It looked like it wouldn’t with a prayer request or a promise to pray Irish and Irish be back up, until Ohio State AOH Presi- for others at www.prayerrequestpage. at heart. dent Jim Magee called, asking me to join com, or by sending an e-mail to me at My best the Cincinnati AOH division and start up [email protected]. FEBRUARY 2017 “We’ve Always Been Green!” www.ianohio.com 5
using these pages to express you taught me at a young age. Grandma. When she slid the advertisement my thankfulness (in the form “In May, I will give a reading of my for the 2015 Ohio Rose Selection across the of a letter) for his continued thesis project: a novel inspired partially table to me, I looked to your chair at the influence on my life. by the letters you and Grandma sent each head of the table, imagining you encourag- “Dear Grandpa, Happy other during your time in the military. After ing me to apply. Birthday! As I begin to put reading some during an afternoon spent at “From that application and the two years following, I’ve met several incred- A Letter to My ible people; had the opportunity to write Grandfather monthly for a publication that circulates all around the state; and grow in our shared When I was younger (and still now), one Irish heritage through memories made at of my favorite things to do was bake with the St. Patrick’s Day Parade, Friday nights my Grandma. During the Easter season, at the IA, and the Mayo & Claddagh Balls. we’d make lamb cakes; around St. Patrick’s Without your continued influence on my Day, she taught me all about the Ginley life, and the lessons in bravery and tenacity family soda bread recipe; and for every fam- you taught me at a young age, I wouldn’t ily member’s birthday, we’d make a cake. have had the guts to do half of the things Now that we’re approaching the month of that now bring me so much happiness. February, I am thinking quite a bit about the “On February 8th, I will make a yellow birthday cakes my Grandma and I would cake with chocolate frosting, half the jar of make for my Grandpa. which will probably be eaten throughout At the beginning of February each year, the process, as it has been in years past. I my parents would drop me off at my grand- will reminisce on the February 8ths you parents’ home in Westlake, and I’d spend were here for, laughing at the memory of the day cracking eggs into a large, yellow you stealing a glance of the cake when you mixing bowl and fending off my Grandpa’s thought Grandma and I were otherwise inquisitive attempts to see his birthday cake together ideas for your birthday cake that your house, I knew they had to play a role occupied. I will listen to your favorite folk before it was finished. Some of my fondest Grandma, my Dad, and I will eat on the in my work. The openness, honesty, and songs, singing along loud enough for you memories of my Grandpa come from those afternoon of February 8th, I am thinking of pure love spoken in their pages rivaled the to hear. When it comes time to decorate the days; him stealing a taste of chocolate frost- all the exciting news/events/special occa- poems I’ve read in my countless creative cake, I will draw a heart on it with red ic- ing from the kitchen when my Grandma sions from the last few years that you have writing courses. I am inspired by what you ing– just like I did when I was younger. So and I had our backs turned, smiling widely played a major role in: starting (and almost and Grandma wrote to each other, and I you know that now, as always, I love and as he saw the heart I sloppily drew next to completing) graduate school, writing for hope that the characters in my novel can am thinking about you. the “Happy Birthday, Grandpa!” message, the Ohio Irish American News, my involve- reflect even a fraction of the love you and “Happy Birthday, Grandpa. I hope it’s a and sitting proudly at the head of the table ment with the Ohio Rose Centre -- these are Grandma shared. good one. as my family and I sang “Happy Birthday” all parts of my life that were (and continue “I became involved with the Ohio Rose Love, to him, are all Tommy-esque moments that to be) influenced by you and the values of Centre (and by extension the Ohio Irish Maureen” make me smile to this day. perseverance, empathy, and kindness that American News) at the encouragement of It’s been almost four years since my Grandpa passed, and not a day goes by that I don’t think about his laughter that filled an entire room, the way he looked at my Grandma like she was an angel on earth, and the silly (sometimes non-sensical) jokes that made me laugh so hard I cried. He taught me about the value of perseverance in the face of struggle. He told me stories of the kindness, warmth, and laughter shared with friends at the old West Side Irish American Club location on Madison Avenue. This is also where he met my Grandma, so whenever he told these stories, his eyes lit up more than usual. But most importantly, he showed me how to love my family and friends fiercely. As my Grandfather’s birthday (Febru- ary 8th) approaches, I’m thinking of all the exciting, stressful, and celebratory events that have happened over the past four years that I wanted to share with my Grandpa. Though I feel him at my side through all that life throws at me, I know he is with me every month when I write this “Growing Up Irish” article. He is one of the reasons I feel so strongly connected to my Irish heritage, and that is why I am 6 IAN Ohio “We’ve Always Been Green!” www.ianohio.com FEBRUARY 2017
On This Day in Irish History By Terrence Kenneally
Welcome to the world 1 February 1815 - Duel between Claire Elizabeth Pittman! John D’Esterre and Daniel O’Connell Born 1/19/17, to (the “Liberator”). D’Esterre is fatally Katie and Zach Pittman wounded and O’Connell stricken with remorse, vows never to FEBRUARY 2017 Vol. 11 Issue 2 fight again. 2 February 1881 - Birth Publishers of James Joyce, poet, nov- John O’Brien Jr. / Cliff Carlson Editor John O’Brien Jr. elist, playwright. Website and layout 6 February 1685 - James Cathy Curry Carlson II becomes King of England, Scotland, and Columnists Ireland - the last Catholic Behind the Hedge- John O’Brien, Jr. monarch to be crowned. Blowin’ In- Susan Mangan 7 February 1867 - Wil- Cleveland Irish- Francis McGarry liam Dargan (68), engi- Cleveland Cohmra- Bob Carney neer and railway-builder Crossword Puzzle- Linda Fulton Burke who at one time em- Don’t Forget Us-Lisa O’Rourke ployed 50,000 men on Growing up Irish- Maureen Ginley various projects, died in Illuminations- J. Michael Finn poverty. Inner View- John O’Brien Jr 11 February 1926 - Riot- Ire. Past & Present- Niamh O’Sullivan ing greets the Abbey The- Madigan Muses- Marilyn Madigan atre performance of Sean Off Shelf/On This Day-Terry Kenneally O’Casey’s “The Plow and Our Sports Man- David McDonnell: the Stars” due to what is Out of the Mailbag- John O’Brien, Jr. viewed as its anti-heroic Terry From Derry- Terry Boyle treatment of the 1916 Toledo Irish - Maury Collins Easter Rising. 18 February 1992 - In what became IAN Ohio Inc. is published monthly (12 issues a year) on the first day of each known as the “X case”, the attorney month. Subscription is by first class general obtained an injunction prevent- mail. 1 year $30, 2 years at $55 3 years ing a fourteen–year-old rape victim from $80. To subscribe go online at www. traveling to Britain for an abortion. ianohio.com, or Email us at subs@ 21 February 1803 - Edward Despard, ianohio.com, or call us at 708-445-0700 Irish-born British colonel turned revo- or mail to address below. lutionary, is executed for High Treason IAN Ohio is available for free at over THE SCOTS IRISH TOUR for his part to seize the Tower of London 240 locations throughout Ohio. For and assassinate George III. information on the locations go to www. June 25 – July 5 22 February 1892 - The first perfor- ianohio.com and click on the Ohio mance of Oscar Wilde’s ‘Lady Winder- Distribution button. • Special Dinner/Shows in Edinburgh and Belfast mere’s Fan’ at the St. James Theatre. • Knappogue Castle Medieval Banquet 28 February 1884 - Sean MacDear- Contact: IAN Ohio Inc. • Royal Yacht Britannia mada, revolutionary, is born in Kiltycol- PLEASE NOTE OUR NEW PHONE • Isle of Skye gher, County Leitrim. He was one of the NUMBER: 216.647.1144 • Cliffs of Moher seven signatories of the Proclamation of e-mail: mailto:[email protected] • 2-Night Stay in Kilronan Castle the Republic, was court-martialed and or mail to: IAN OHIO INC • Ferries from Isle of Skye and executed on May 12, 1916. PO Box 7, Zion IL 60099 from Scotland to Ireland 847-872-0700 • Sightseeing by luxury coach e-mail: [email protected] • Professional tour director Subscriptions: [email protected] About Our On the Internet www.ianohio.com $3,179 LAND ONLY per person based on double occupancy www.facebook.com/OhioIrishAmerican- 11 Days / 10 Nights / 19 Meals Single Room Supplement $690 Cover News www.twitter.com/jobjr Airfare is additional (current price approximately $1300 pp) Optional Travel Protection Insurance $199 pp The downtown PUBLISHERS STATEMENT Optional Pre-night in Edinburgh – June 24-25, 2017 approx. $180 per person, double occupancy (price & space pending) Cleveland Firefighter’s The opinions and statements ex- Memorial marks the pressed in this newspaper are entirely For more information contact: influence of the those of the authors, and do not reflect 330-562-3178 in any way the opinions of IAN Ohio. [email protected] Irish in the ranks 199 S. Chillicothe Rd , Aurora, OH 44202 Circulation: 7,500-For a list of distribu- tion points, go to www.ianohio.com and click on the word “Distribution.” FEBRUARY 2017 “We’ve Always Been Green!” www.ianohio.com 7
West Side Irish American Club Upcoming Events: Live Music & Food in The Pub every Friday 5th Super Bowl 10th Las Vegas Cabaret w/ entertainer Billy 18th Annual Night @ the Races 25th Junior Marching Units Exhibition Dance Ceili Dance Lessons every Thurday except meeting night, 7-9pm General Meeting 3rd Thursday of every month. Since 1931 8559 Jennings Road Olmsted, Twp, Ohio 44138 440.235.5868 www.wsia-club.org
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of prisoners refusing to dress or Irish became the chief method answer roll call. joint effort by the Liverpool of communication in the camp. Accounts of camp life were branch of the Gaelic League The men also played a lot of made public in the British and and the Welsh Language Society, sport when the rains stopped. Irish press, and on December as well as, Welsh businesses in This was mostly Gaelic football. 21, 1916 a general amnesty for the Frongoch area. The inscrip- They had cleared an area of those who were interned was tion reads in English, Irish and University the South Camp and named it announced by the government. Welsh: 1,800 Irishmen were Had the prisoners decided to “Croke Park.” Huge crowds gathered in Dub- interned here after the Easter Ris- of Revolution escape from Frongoch, it’s likely But conditions in the camp lin to witness the return of the ing, Dublin, 1916. While a small Unintended Consequences they could have done so success- were not all fun and games. Rats Frongoch men at Christmas. The ceremony takes place every year – A useful phrase defined as fully. But given the remoteness of were everywhere in the camp. In men were proclaimed as heroes on Easter Monday by the plaque, “outcomes that are not the ones the camp, it was almost 20 miles fact, the prisoners renamed the of Ireland. the villagers marked the 1916 foreseen and intended by a pur- away from the nearest large place Francach (Pron: fran-cack), What then were the Unintend- Easter Rising centenary with a poseful action.” This occurs often town, the escape was considered which is the Irish word for rat. ed Consequences? The British week-long series of various com- in Irish history. Most often it is to be not worth the risk. The seemingly constant rain intended to establish an intern- memorative events, including a applied when the British took a The prisoners at Frongoch left the area a mass of slippery ment camp where the Irish could parade, erecting flagpoles flying specific action against the Irish, were a mixture of men directly in- and shifting mud. There were be removed from their homeland the Irish tricolor and the Welsh only to find out later that the volved in the Easter fighting and problems with the food quality. and punished for treason against flags, a wreath-laying ceremony action caused something quite others who were and a GAA match. unintended. new to republi- If you would like to As a result of the 1916 Easter canism. Michael read more about the in- Rising, thousands of Irish men Collins wrote in ternment at Frongoch and women were arrested and a letter from the you can read, Frogoch: held by the British without trial. camp in Septem- University of Revolution, The prisoners were spread across ber 1916 that in his by Sean O’Mahoney, FDR a variety of English jails. estimation, at least Teoranta, 1995. A more Eighteen hundred men were a quarter of the recent and less expensive sent to an internment camp in men in the North option might be Frong- Wales. The camp was located Camp were com- och and the Birth of the near the remote Welsh village pletely ignorant IRA, by Lyn Ebenezer, of Frongoch. It was known as of the Easter Ris- GCW London, 2006. Frongoch Internment Camp. ing. They simply *J. Michael Finn is the Shortly after the beginning of found themselves Ohio State Historian for World War I, the British took over in the wrong place the Ancient Order of Hi- the vacated Frongoch Distillery at the wrong time bernians and Division as a place to house German and were assumed Historian for the Patrick prisoners of war. With the sur- to be involved in Pearse Division in Co- render of the Irish republicans the Rising. lumbus, Ohio. He is also in May 1916, the British needed Along with Mi- Chairman of the Catholic a place to intern the captured chael Collins, at Record Society for the rebels. The German prisoners Frongoch were many who would One involved the camp doctor, the Crown. What the British Diocese of Columbus, Ohio. were quickly relocated (except become significant players in Dr. Peters, who condemned a de- created was actually University He writes on Irish and Irish- for seven soldiers who were dy- Irish republicanism. The list livery of meat as unfit for human of Revolution, where the men American history; Ohio history ing of Tuberculosis) and 1,800 of included William T. Cosgrave, consumption after the prisoners instructed each other in the theo- and Ohio Catholic history. You the captured Irish were shipped Sean Hales, Dick McKee, Rich- were told to wash it in vinegar ries of revolution. may contact him at FCoolavin@ to the Frongoch camp. ard Mulcahy, Terence MacSwin- to remove the stench of rotting It was Michael Collins intent to aol.com. The camp was divided into ey, and Sean T. O’Kelly. meat. Complaints went as far as re-establish the Irish Republican two sections. The North Camp When the first batch of men the British House of Commons, Brotherhood once he returned was made up of wooden huts arrived in June 1916, they estab- where Irish MPs lobbied on to Ireland. The Frongoch men, at the far end of a muddy field. lished an internal organization behalf of the prisoners welfare. many of whom were newly The dampness and the buildup to help them through the long Food conditions, both quality converted to Irish re- of carbon dioxide in the huts days, largely under the guidance and quantity, remained a con- publicanism, helped contributed to breathing prob- and direction of Collins. Some stant problem for the prisoners. him to accomplish this Gaelic Imports lems among the prisoners. The believed they would be held here Over the summer months, goal and went on to as- 5633 Pearl Rd. South camp consisted of the rat for years. the numbers of those interned sist in the Irish War of Parma, OH 44129 infested distillery where the pris- Many of the internees were dwindled rapidly as many were Independence. Frong- 440-845-0100 fax 440-845-0102 oners were crammed into poorly teachers, linguists and academ- allowed to return to Ireland, och also contributed to 800-450-2725 ventilated crop storage rooms. ics. Irish history and language satisfying British officials that Michael Collins’ reputa- The Irish prisoners were classes were quickly established, they had little to do with the tion and credibility as a guarded by British soldiers and by August of 1916, the pris- Rising. As the months dragged leader and organizer. Irish Sausage, Irish Bacon, Soda Bread, deemed too old or unfit to fight oners had access to French, Latin, on in the camp, tempers frayed Today, little remains Black Pudding, Sausage Rolls, Pork on the front lines in France; writing and mathematics classes. over attempts to discover if any at the site of the Frong- Bangers, Potato Scones, Imported an elderly guard became so A branch of the Gaelic League of the inmates were eligible for och Internment Camp. Groceries, Flags, Buttons, Jewelry, exhausted taking the men for a was founded by the prisoners to conscription into the British There is a roadside me- Music and much more! walk that the prisoners carried teach the Irish Language to those Army. There was also a three- morial plaque, erected www.gaelicimports.com his gun back to camp for him. who did not have it. day hunger strike and incidents in June 2002. It was a 10 IAN Ohio “We’ve Always Been Green!” www.ianohio.com FEBRUARY 2017
LABHAIR AN TEANGA GHAEILGE (low-er ahn tang-uh gay-ling) Speak Irish Ó labhair an teanga Ghaeilge liom, ( oh low-er ahn tang-uh gay-ling lee-um) A chuid mo chroi a stór, (ah kayd muh kree ah store) Labhair Gaeilge An teanga a leabhair mo mháithair liom, (ahn tang-uh ah low-er muh maw-er lee-um) In Éirinn ghlas fadó. (in err-in lahs fah-do) By Bob Carney ‘Sí teanga bhinn ár sinsear í, (she tang-uh veen are seen-shur ee) An chaint is milse glór: (ahn kayhnt iss mill=shay glore) Ó labhair an teanga Ghaeilge liom, (oh low-er ahn tang-uh gay-ling lee-um) St. Valentine’s Day as Gaeilge Is bain dem’chroí an brón. (iss bayn dem-kree ahn brawn) On February 14, people from around the globe cel- Ó labhair an teanga Ghaeilge liom, (oh low-er ahn tang-uh gay-ling lee-um) ebrate the joy of relationships. Modern St. Valentine’s ‘Sí teanga cheart na nGael: (she tang-uh kyart nah nagayle) Day traditions have been derived from both Roman and An teanga bhinn is ársa ‘ta (ahn tang-uh veen iss orr-suh ta) Christian festivals. The rise of Christianity in Europe saw Lé fáil ar fud an tsaoil. (la fayl ar fude ahn sale) many pagan holidays renamed and dedicated to early A stór mo chroí is beannacht ort, (ah store muh kree iss bah nocht ort) Christian martyrs. The Roman festival of Lupercalia, a A chailín óig gan cháim, ( ah kah-leen ohg gahn kayhm) fertility celebration was no exception, in 496 AD, Pope Cá bhfúil sa saol aon teanga mar ( ka will sah sale ohn tang-uh mar) Gelasius turned Lupercalia into a Christian feast day Ar dteanga féin ledteangaféinle fáil? honoring St. Valentine, a Roman cleric who was mar- (are dang-uh fayne la fayl) tyred in the third century. His crime was conducting secret marriage ceremonies, this was in direct opposition Bean chéile (ban kay-la) wife beautiful to a decree by Claudius the Second who had prohibted Fear céile (far kay-la) husband Airím uaim thú (areem oom who) I miss you the marriage of young men. Álainn (awl-inn) beautiful Ní theastaíonn uaim imeacht (nee eesh-te-on oom Claudius felt married men were too attached to their An-álainn (ahn awl-inn) very beautiful im-ocht) I don’t want to go families and made soldiers weak. The people of Rome Dathúil (da-hool) handsome Tá brón orm (taw brawn orr-um) I’m sorry were afraid to protest the decree, and the bishop Valen- Barróg (bah-rowg) hug Tá áthas orm (taw ah-hass orr-um) I’m happy tine, seeing the grief of young lovers, decided to secretly Cara (carr-uh) friend Do chara ( doe carr-uh) my friend wed those who came to him. Eventually, Claudius found Anam (ahn-um) soul Cara liom (carr-uh lee-um) a friend of mine out about this friend of lovers and had him arrested Mo mhíle grá (moh veela graw) my thousand loves and executed. FRÁSA (frah-sa) PHRASES: Mo rún (moh roo-in) my secret (love) A second account of Valentine refutes this story and Tá grá agam duit (taw graw agum ghitch) I love you says he was martyred for refusing to renounce his faith. Anam cara (ahn-um carr-uh) soul friend Valentine is believed to have been executed February An bhfuil grá agat dóm? (un- will graw ah-gut dom) 14, 270 AD. I’d like to think there is a little truth in both do you love me? stories. Whatever the truth, the 14th of February, despite Tá tú ag féachaint go hiontach ( taw too ahg fay-cant attempts by the Church to sanctify the the holiday, be- guh ee-un-tahk) you look great came a day to celebrate romance and courtship. To help Tá tú an-álainn (taw too ahn awl-inn) you are very us celebrate, our vocabulary and phrases can be shared with our own “secret valentine”. I’ve also included a The OhIAN welcomes new advertising partners love poem to the Irish language, mó rún. * Flanagan’s Wake * St. Pat’s Bridge Fundraiser * Music Box Supper Club FOCLÓIR (fohk-lore) VOCABULARY: * 41st Cleveland International Film Festival * Brite Winter * Sober Seventeenth Grá (graw) love * Lakewood Catholic Academy * Little Brothers & Sisters of the Eucharist Grá geal (graw gal) sweetheart or darling * Walk of Life * Coakley Real Estate Croí (kree) heart Caidreamh (caw- driv) relationship together we bring you the OhIAN.
THE PUB YOU'VE Steak • Seafood • Prime Rib BEEN TRAINING FOR Irish Specialties and Spirits The Unicorn Restaurant & Pub
Open from 11:30 a.m. Tuesday - Friday & 4:00 p.m. Saturdays
423 Main Street (Route 57) Grafton, Ohio 44044 440-926-2621 FLANNERYS.COM East 4th and Prospect Minutes South of 480 and Route 10 West (Elyria-Medina Exit) FEBRUARY 2017 “We’ve Always Been Green!” www.ianohio.com 11
Coming Next Month: March Bringing you the movers, shakers and music makers in our community each month. Every Sunday: Irish Music Sundays @ Pj McIntyre’s 12-3. 2nd Saturday 2pm @West Side IA.
4th - West Side IA Sr. Marching Units Exhibition Dance - Helen 21-251-4075. 4th – AOH Medina Beer Run for Charity - Bus, food, drink, prizes. For tics/ info: [email protected] for tickets or further info 4th – The Prodigals Guinness & Harp Nite 7:30. Irish American Club East Side 9th – Lunasa @MusicBoxCLE 11th – Akron AOH Annual St. Patrick’s Day Parade 12th – St. Paddy’s Hooley @MusicBoxCLE w Portersharks, Roundabouts & More 15th – To Kill the Irishman Author Rick Porello @MusicBoxCLE 17th - Family Friendly St. Patrick’s Day Party 4pm–10pm. St Clements, Community Center 2990 Tremainsville Road, Toledo. 17th – Sober St. Patrick’s Party @ Ahern Catering Center, Avon. 17th – West Side IA Celebration starts w Mass at St. Coleman’s, marching in the 175th Annual United Irish Societies St. Patrick’s Day Parade, then back to The Club for refreshments. 17th – Irish American Club East Side: Mass @ 10am St. Williams; At The Club: Food 2 – 8, Neal Jacobs 1:30 to 5:30, viewing of the parade; Mad Macs 6:30 – 10:30. 19th – Teada @West Side IA, 6:30. 3rd – West Side IA Friday Fish Fries Start 12 IAN Ohio “We’ve Always Been Green!” www.ianohio.com FEBRUARY 2017
and with humble beginnings global reach of the Cleveland have followed his dream. made it a reality. By 1902, he was Metroparks Zoo. 2017 marks the 100th Anniver- appointed chief engineer of the Educational programs are very sary of the Cleveland Metropoli- City Parks Dept., starting the diverse and offered at five edu- tan Park District. The park will process of establishing Cleve- cation centers within the park be presenting numerous pro- land’s Emerald Necklace. as well as its Nature Tracks mo- grams and events throughout the He soon enlisted the help of bile outreach programs. Nature year, with special events planned Olmsted Brothers Landscape Tracks environmentally based for the days surrounding July 23, Architectural Firm in designing programs have been presented the official anniversary. Cleveland Sometime around 1895, a the layout of what would be- to many urban children who The woods are my church; I young self-taught engineer, who come our Cleveland Metroparks. otherwise might never experi- find I can put things in perspec- Metroparks was working as a surveyor for With a start of just three acres, the ence what nature offers. Nature tive after spending time there. the City of Cleveland, envisioned Metroparks are now over 23,000 centers are open daily and are The pressures of work diminish “In every walk with nature, one a system of connecting parks en- acres situated in Cuyahoga, Lo- staffed by friendly and knowl- and become opportunities in- receives far more than he seeks” circling the city. William Albert rain, Lake and Medina counties. edgable people with a passion stead of obstacles, relationships - John Muir Stinchcomb pursued that vision In 1921 the park district acquired for the outdoors and the park become dearer and family bonds for the next twenty-two years the land that would become system. stronger. This time of year, the Rocky River and Big Creek Res- Since 2013, the Metroparks crispness of the air tickles your ervations. has acquired nearly 1,000 acres senses, the quiet of snow falling Between 1920 and 1930, the of wetlands, streams and forests. allows you to feel your heart system grew through invest- Bordering Lake Erie, Cleveland beat and hear your thoughts. ments of capital from tax levies. Metroparks knows the impor- Spring brings the promise of Purchased for just under four million dollars, the land for Hinckley, Brecksville, Bedford, South Chagrin, North Chagrin and Euclid Creek reservations increased the park from just over 100 acres to more than 9,000 in that decade. Today, most of us are familiar with the recreational aspects of the Cleveland Metroparks, but that was only one part of Stinchcomb’s vision. Speaking to Cleveland City Council in 1909, he said, “The importance of conserving our natural resources tance of watersheds. They have life as plants push through the is now well recognized, received national attention for snow. Summer life surrounds cannot it be truly said their work in this area, and a re- you, people running, biking that these natural, wild, sult of their effort was a decrease and enjoying summer outings. beautiful valleys and in regional stormwater manage- Autumn, the colors abound and glens which lie adjacent ment costs of $5.12 million a year. astound and make me wonder to our rapidly growing Cleveland Metroparks Zoo at the power of the artist that urban centers are a kind has a global impact as well as wields the brush. of ‘natural resource’ of a regional one. It is securing a Nature was an important part ever increasing value to future for wildlife through its of early Celtic life; you can make the public?” partnerships with wildlife and it part of your life as well.There The mission and vi- animal conservation groups. is so much to do and enjoy. By sion statement of Cleve- Supporters of the Zoo have con- supporting the Cleveland Me- land Metroparks states tributed more than six million troparks, you are showing your they will conserve dollars to wildlife conservation support for a brighter future. natural resources and efforts. “A true conservationist is a enhance people’s lives The Parkway encircles the man who knows that the world with education, recre- Cleveland area, providing access is not given by his fathers, but ation and zoological to hundreds of miles of walking, borrowed from his children,” opportunities. To be bicycle and horse trails, picnic said John James Audubon. a national leader for areas education centers, golf More information on the his- sustainable green in- courses and countless fishing tory of Cleveland Metroparks frastructure that pro- areas. There truly is something and all that it has to offer can vides environmental, for everyone regardless of age. be found by visiting any of the economic and com- From scenic drives to rigorous twelve exhibit locations or on munity benefits for the hikes or trail runs or just leisurely the web at clevelandmetroparks. people in its core service walking and talking, we can all com. area and surrounding enjoy the determined efforts of I’m off for a walk! Slán go Foill! regions as well as the William Stinchcomb and all that [email protected] FEBRUARY 2017 “We’ve Always Been Green!” www.ianohio.com 13
every day. I’m reminded that the meaning Terry From Derry of ‘repentance’ implies a turning by Terry Boyle away from evil and a turning to- wards goodness. Our yearly New Year resolutions are a pale shadow of this gut wrenching desire to do What Lies Ahead? clusions dished out to us by the change our lives and in turn the unscrupulous publications who lives of others. Instead of giving Always at the beginning of the are more interested in sales than up chocolate, or going to the gym, year, we look backwards at what truth; as perfectly illustrated by what about unmasking the forces has gone before, and ahead at what recent phenomena of ‘fake news’. whose aim it is to drive us further is to come. While we pledge not What I love about ‘fake news’ is away from questioning whom to repeat the same mistakes, we other news outlets that show no exactly it is pulling our strings? hope that if we do they will not morality when it comes to ‘trial by Let’s take the mask off the com- have quite the same devastating media, are criticizing them’. Fake mercial drive towards selfishness Sober 17th, Inc. consequences. news exposes our love of the lie. (because we’re worth it) because This ritual of review and prom- Why? Because it’s more entertain- that in fact infers that we don’t ise making is never ending. It ing, and more interesting than the have to have any social responsi- ST. PATRICK’S DAY PARTY doesn’t help that our own flawed bland, mundane truth. bility for those can’t afford such 5 p.m. to 8 p.m., March 17, 2017 thinking is capitalized on by Are we so gullible? Are we so thoughts of self-actualization. the savvy business moguls who naïve? The answer to that is too Let’s not ignore the elephant in the Ahern’s Banquet Center, Avon Lake promise us new diets, concoc- awful to contemplate. When we so very white house, and fuel the tions to heal our every ill, and accept a world leader of who is cause of racists and misogynists. Music by the James Kilbane band ultimately new bodies to replace racist, sexist, and minimize those If we really want to change, then the old mortal coils if they seem damning traits as patriotic and it’s time to cut the strings and direct from Ireland to be running out. Every year we manly then we have reached the not be manipulated into buying allow ourselves to be conned into nadir of gullibility. or electing what will inevitably [email protected] • sober17.org some scheme that we later regret. If a man can boast of being able destroy our critical faculties. The tickets: sober17.brownpapertickets.com It’s time to deprogram ourselves to deceive a whole nation, and then great burden of freedom is to live from the exploitation of com- does it, how should we react? With with the responsibility to ‘think’ mercial economics and switch off applause? Should we give him for ourselves. those annoying ads that push all authority to govern us as mind- the wrong buttons in our psyche. less sheep? While I’m not into conspiracy Or should we ‘name and shame’ theories, I do think that we are the culprit? Have we become so being manipulated into a certain unquestioning about the world mindset that is designed to make around us? What about the hype? us dissatisfied with ourselves. If we really want to change, or Women have known for decades amend our ways in a meaningful how foolish this push for perfec- way, then we should be prepared tion really is. For years they have to take the blinders off and face the watched the media, particularly fact that we’re being duped. The those with a male agenda, deter- businessmen want your money mine what makes the perfect wom- and will go to no expense to get an. To stand against such depic- you to buy what you don’t re- tions is to be deemed as feminist, ally need. They pay psychologists, and somehow that is perceived as economists, and cyber experts to a term of derision (again, another track your daily habits, interests, example of indoctrination). so as to line their own pockets. Those who kick against the Success is measured, or so we ideal are branded, and ostracized are told, in terms of luxury, or ma- to realm of being retrogressive terialism, though not exclusively. when in fact the opposite is true. Unfortunately, even the spiritual The prophet’s role is to remind us aspect of our society has become of who we really are, and not to mass produced, and marketed for reinforce the illusion of who we the ‘consumer’. think we are. Pop psychology, combined with In this war of words, whether pseudo-spirituality, has found political, commercial, or religious, itself a nice little earner with the the drive to demonize the critical uncritical mind. Magical stones, mind is key to understanding what sacred herbs, and all sorts of su- the real motivation is. Why, if we perstitious practices have become believe in the idea that someone a substitute for real faith, and stop is innocent until proven guilty, do the soul from exploring the more we readily accept the rash con- perplexing questions that face us 14 IAN Ohio “We’ve Always Been Green!” www.ianohio.com FEBRUARY 2017
in Ohio and In class, nomadic young schol- on May 4th, 1836. Each division Daniel O’Connell opposed Indiana. ars would be entwined to their was formed within two months secret societies and trade unions. She would chairs with Red, white and blue of the St. Patrick’s Day Parade He did campaign for Catholic later marry a plastic jump ropes. Unduly ora- meeting. emancipation, tenant’s rights and Miami Chief torative young scholars would We don’t particularly care for economic development. His top and live the have their mouths duck taped. In the NY Yankees, but we appreci- aide, Thomas Steele, confided Molly Maguires rest of her days with the Miami. retrospect, our teacher displayed ate the historical significance in O’Connell his hope for the Frances Slocum was a Quaker Her Quaker name is now at- some classroom management of NYC in the Irish American disbanding of such groups like from Luzerne County, Penn- tached to a Trail and Forest in issues. Diaspora. The Five Points, Hell’s Molly Maguires and the end sylvania. In 1778, a young Indiana and a State Park and If the rope and tape failed, the Kitchen, and McSorley’s are an to agrarian violence. It did not Frances was captured by a few Lake in PA. The school was cloakroom was next. The cloak integral part of the narrative of subside. Delaware and raised by them closed after my third grade year. room was a continuum of swing- the Irish American. James Cag- In the year that followed, the ing doors with ample space for ney, former AFL-CIO President Mollies historically notated de- a coat or galoshes, but no more; John Sweeney, 1928 Democratic but transgressions associated Orlando Patterson’s Social Death Presidential nominee Al Smith, with the Molly Maguires, White- for a second grade student. I and St. Patrick’s Cathedral all boys, Ribbonmen; all secret soci- would like to tell you all I never have their roots in the Big Apple. eties increased despite the yearn- experienced the rope or the tape; Fair enough, it makes the list. ings of O’Connell. Tipperary had neither curtailed those dual Schuylkill County, Pennsyl- 254 reported crimes, Roscommon aspects of my behavior at that vania? I wager a pint most of 93, Limerick 73, and Leitrim had point of my life, nor as of yet. The us cannot name three Irish folks 72. The culmination was the cloakroom has proven unrelent- from Schuylkill, and I just gave brazen assassination of Captain ing in its timorous effects. Small you one. In 1633 Arendt Corssen MacLeod at Garadice Lodge in spaces and darkness; I could of the Dutch East India Company Leitrim. The newspapers blamed have never been a miner. described the Schuylkill River as the Mollies. It was rumored the Luzerne County is adjacent “Skokihl,” the Dutch term for hid- gunman fled to America. to Schuylkill County, both in den stream. Arendt was not Irish. In County Longford, an en- the coal region of Northeast PA He purchased land on the tire village’s population was where the Molly Maguires were east bank of the Schuylkill River, removed by landlords. The active. There were no Quakers in where he established a trading response by the Molly Maguires the mines one hundred years af- post to “restrain the encroach- was to shoot some of the Protes- ter young Frances was abducted. ments of the Swedes who were tant tenants who replaced them. There were no Quakers swinging boldly pushing their boundaries It did not take long for all of the on the wrong end of a hangman’s seeking to monopolize the trade replacement tenants to flee. noose. Those were Irish men and with the Indians.” Those bold Longford landlords continued boys dying in the mines. They Swedes. a policy of consolidating hold- were the men on the rope. In the late nineteenth century, ings and dispossessing Catholic If you make the anthracite coal region of PA tenants. Retribution continued it to the Ancient was not limited to its geographic at the hands of the Ribbonmen. Order of Hiber- locale or Dutch terminology; the London newspapers had already nians website, Swedish problem subsided. It adopted the term Molly Magu- it notes that in now represented the confluence ireism to describe any and all 1836, a coterie of of Irish Catholic immigration, Catholic resistance. miners from the English owned coal companies, The Molly Maguires in Ireland anthracite region Civil War protest, and the emer- were a secret society. Modern of Schuylkill gence of the American labor. scholarship has been able to County PA Schuylkill became the epicenter discover twelve general rules for made a trip to for the battle to establish unions Mollies that are focused on land the St. Patrick’s in America. What does any of rent, tenants’ rights and the social Day Parade in this have to do with the Molly contract of tenant and landlord. New York City. Maguires? It is clear that these issues were It was there that The Molly Maguire’s first ref- prominent in the activities of the they met with erence in the historical record Mollies. Other rules such as not members of the was on December 10th, 1844, in traveling by night or taking arms St. Patrick’s Fra- the Freeman’s Journal in Dublin. appear to have been more a mat- ternal Society. It was reported that “armed ter of interpretation. Jeremiah Reil- bodies of men marching by It is also clear that, despite the ly of Schuylkill night” exacted their own form generalizations of the newspa- County founded of justice in County Cavan and pers, secret societies in Ireland the first AOH di- County Leitrim. Molly Maguire existed in different form, pur- vision there, ac- was used synonymously with pose and name dependent upon cording to oral “Whiteboys.” To quell the distur- location. Counties like Cavan, history, and in bances, a Captain John MacLeod Leitrim and Roscommon expe- NYC the first was dispatched for Fermanagh rienced economic pressure from division of the with a military detachment and population growth in the begin- AOH in America thirty-six additional constables. Continued on next page FEBRUARY 2017 “We’ve Always Been Green!” www.ianohio.com 15
side her name in sentenced to seven years Trans- came a reluctant historian of Kil- Molly Maguires the Prison Reg- portation in 1842 for “attacking the mainham’s B Wing, which housed ister. It reads dwelling house of Patrick Burns Anti-Treaty prisoners during the ning of the 19th Century. These “113” and refers and assaulting him with a pistol.” Civil War. Bridget left an excellent counties were Molly Maguire to the number Today it is believed Sheahan’s albeit brief account of the horrors strongholds. Ribbonmen in of times Bridget act was carried out in an attempt of this oldest prison wing, writ- Monaghan, Louth and Armagh So Many Bridgets has already been to keep potatoes at an affordable ing: “Conditions were bad, B Wing were not focused primarily on imprisoned. This unfortunate price. Sheahan arrived in Tasma- was unfit for habitation: rats were land issues and their actions I always look forward to Febru- woman was serving life – by in- nia in 1843 and was certified free plentiful and no light save that of have been attributed to sectarian ary 1st, feast day of Saint Brigid of stallments. in 1854. He married and settled candles was available.” issues. Counties more integrated Kildare. It marks the first day of the In the early years of Kilmain- in the central Victorian goldfield Her colleague, Bridget Reilly, into the British economy and Celtic spring. Amongst Irish saints, ham Prison, we come across two at Campbells Creek, raising nine wrote a fiercely political verse in with higher Protestant popula- Brigid is second only to her friend young girls, Bridget Butterly (19) children. One of these was his a 1923 Kilmainham Prison au- tion experienced fewer overall al- Saint Patrick, whose preaching and Bridget Ennis (20). On May daughter Bridget Sheahan, whose tograph book: “May God above tercations regardless of causality. inspired her greatly. Saint Brigid 4, 1821 the girls were hanged life was heavily influenced by send down a dove with wings as This is the cultural milieu that was born sometime around the together above the entrance door a prison in Ireland she would sharp as razors, to cut the heads of Irish Catholics imported to the year 450. She was an Irish nun and of the prison, before an estimated never see. the Free State dogs who shot our coalmines in Pennsylvania. It founder of several convents, most crowd of 3,000, for their roles in a After the 1916 Rising, Brigid Republican leaders.” is the cultural milieu that the notably Kildare Abbey. She died burglary during which a woman Davis and Bridget Lyons were Bridie Brophy’s family left her English coal company own- around 525, aged roughly 70 years. was killed. among 77 women briefly held in Detention Order to the Kilmain- ers utilized to their benefit. It Saint Brigid is a patron saint of Scenes of great anguish in Kil- Kilmainham. Brigid Davis was a ham Archives. Under the Free clearly indicates that the Irish Ireland, and also of many groups mainham had preceded their nurse in uniform stationed in City State’s Public Safety (Emergency Diaspora was more than the including scholars, the poor, and deaths. It was reported that their Hall during the Rising, where she Powers) Acts, 1923, Minister for journey of Irish people and Irish babies. Born near Dundalk, Coun- terrified cries could be heard held her colleague Sean Connolly Defence Richard Mulcahy could culture. This migration included ty Louth, she is frequently de- throughout the prison. The Gov- in her arms as he died. further detain prisoners by sign- the transference of historical picted holding her own unique ernor, George Dunn, requested Bridget Lyons, a Galway medi- ing their Detention Order. Bridie’s relationships and antagonisms cross, which was specially woven Mother Mary Aikenhead, who cal student, fought in the Four reads in part: “…And whereas to America, even in rural PA. together with rushes and some- was the founder of the Sisters of Courts. In the Civil War, Bridget, I am of opinion that the public These antagonisms defined the times even straws. People make Charity, to come to Kilmainham now a qualified doctor, held the safety would be endangered by emergence of the American labor these crosses for their houses even to attempt to console the two girls. rank of 1st Lieutenant in the medi- the prisoner being set at liberty… movement. today, believing in their power to During the years of the Great cal service of the Free State Army. Now I, Richard Mulcahy… do For additional reading see preserve homes from fire. Hunger (1845-1852) 38 year old She became Free State Medical hereby order and direct that the Mark Bulik’s The Sons of Molly This belief originated in the days Bridget Callaghan found herself Officer in Kilmainham Prison. prisoner be detained in custody… Maguire: The Irish Roots of when most dwellings belonging captive in Kilmainham for “root- Many female prisoners on the until further order…” America’s First Labor War; Sid- to the poor were constructed with ing potatoes.” Many unfortunate Anti-Treaty side had been former Eleven of the Bridgets among ney Lens’ The Labor Wars; and thatched roofs. Saint Brigid shares souls were imprisoned during colleagues of hers and some had Kilmainham’s prisoners. All with Timothy J. Meagher’s The Co- the name of and is often linked those hungry years for food re- been her fellow prisoners in Kil- different lives, different loves. All lumbia Guide to Irish American with, an important Celtic goddess lated offences such as “stealing mainham after the Rising. named after St Brigid; Happy St History. of fire, healing and childbirth. greens from a garden, onions from In 1923 Bridget Connolly be- Brigid’s Day. Both Brigids also share the same a farmyard, turnips from a field.” feast day. The Vagrancy Act of 1847 made it Today still, many places in Ire- illegal for people to beg. land reflect Saint Brigid’s name In 1860, one year before the and countless Irish women have American Civil War broke out, 11 been called after her through the year old Bridget Kelly was sen- ages. The name Bridget (the most tenced to 14 days in Kilmainham popular spelling) can also be fre- followed by five years in one quently found in the old registers of the newly established reform of Kilmainham Prison. In honour schools. These schools were first of February and Saint Brigid, here opened in 1859. follows a brief account of some of Henceforth County Dublin the Bridgets associated with the child prisoners would receive jail’s history. sentences of between 14 days I would like to mention Bridget and four months in Kilmainham, Needham first. Her story is tragic followed immediately by two to and I can’t ever quite succeed in to- five years in reform school. Little tally evicting her from my mind. In Bridget Kelly had stolen four bibs 1879, the year Patrick Pearse was and a workbox. born, 30 year old Bridget Needham, Kilmainham was used as a a prostitute from Church Street Transportation Depot from its in Dublin, was sentenced to one opening in 1796 until the late month in Kilmainham for being 1850s, when this practice ceased. drunk and disorderly. Some 4,000 prisoners began their What makes her story so heart journey to Australia/Van Die- wrenchingly sad is the small men’s Land through Kilmainham. note that has been written be- Limerick man John Sheahan was 16 IAN Ohio “We’ve Always Been Green!” www.ianohio.com FEBRUARY 2017
Would You Want to I recently added an- Meanwhile, her editor other name to my list, a held a contest for readers Dine with Nellie Bly? Victorian woman best to predict her arrival down by Ashley Speaker known as Nellie Bly. Born to the last second. She was Elizabeth Cochran in able to send short messages Have you ever wanted to have lunch 1864, Nellie Bly was the through telegraph and lon- with a dead person? Perhaps, you have granddaughter of an Irish ger ones through the post. dreamed of discussing politics with immigrant. She grew up Despite some setbacks, the Thomas Jefferson over dinner or serving a in Cochran’s Mills, Penn- twenty-five-year-old Nellie meal to those in need next to Saint Teresa sylvania, a town founded Bly made it back to Califor- of Calcutta. As someone who loves his- by her father. nia and then to New York, tory, I have an infinitely-growing list of Bly is best known for completing her expedition names, all of whom would be fascinating her work as an investiga- in just 72 days. companions to dine with. Sharing a meal tive journalist and was Of course, Bly’s fame with notable historical figures would be cutting-edge in her field. from the record-setting ad- an intimate experience, allowing for a Her editor suggested her venture inspired others small glimpse into their everyday lives, pen name, Nellie Bly, and to take on the challenge. values and priorities. How I yearn to hear it referenced a popular folk song of the Pittsburgh, but grew discontent with Between ambition and improved trans- their stories from a first-person perspec- time, called Nelly Bly. writing about gardening and fashion for portation, many went on to break her re- tive and gain insight from their journeys! In her early twenties, she worked in the women’s magazine, so she packed her cord. After her journey, Nellie continued bags and headed to New York City. With to carve out her own path in the world, some convincing, Bly managed to land marrying, becoming an industrialist and an investigative story, which exposed doing charity work. She lived a short life, the horrible conditions of a large insane dying at age of 57, but it was a life well asylum in the city. Nellie Bly investigated lived, with many accomplishments. by faking insanity and being admitted as It is in the story of this woman’s life a patient. that I find inspiration, hope and em- Her articles were compiled into a book powerment. Nellie Bly broke barriers titled, “Ten Days in a Madhouse,” which and demonstrated that women could has a movie adaptation. In her column, think, write and achieve. Reflecting on Bly painted a picture of the wretched filth, her life brings so many questions to my rotten food and daily life spent sitting on mind. Where did she learn to be so bold? hard benches for hours. She also embar- Was it her upbringing or her education? rassed the doctors and court officials that Perhaps, it is in her genes. admitted her into the asylum without What drove her to be in the public catching onto her deception. sphere, when women were often ex- Her work led to many reforms of law, pected to be in the home? How did she policy and monetary funding for asylums handle those disapproving comments in the state and beyond. Nellie Bly became and looks from others that wouldn’t un- a familiar name with readers across the derstand her position or cause? How did country. she spend her quiet time? What things Bly’s popularity sky-rocketed after did she reflect on? Did she have a role an even more daring idea; inspired by a model of her own? popular novel by Jules Verne, she won- Alas, I can only imagine and fantasize dered if she could circumnavigate the of our lunch date, but I know she is a world in less than 80 days, quite a feat person worth knowing. Her life adds for anyone of the time. In 1889, Nellie another set of lenses through which I convinced her editor to fund her travel, can view the world. Bly was a person of designed her own outfit for the journey courage, intellect and ambition. and set out on her own without a travel As an Ohio Rose, I imagine her to be an companion, something a woman of this excellent candidate for the Rose of Tralee. era would not have done. I see her as a role model for women try- With one small bag and an overcoat, ing to make their way in careers often Bly followed the route of Verne’s fictional dominated by men. She showed that she character, Phileas Fogg. She travelled could not only be a journalist, but that she from New York to Europe, even meet- could do it with passion and creativity. ing the author Jules Verne in France. By From her life, I am inspired to be true to steamship and rail, Bly went across the my own passions and calling. I hope you Suez Canal, through Asia to Japan. too are inspired by Nellie Bly! FEBRUARY 2017 “We’ve Always Been Green!” www.ianohio.com 17
was the hallmark of that great Lions coach Warren Gatland. In unbeaten. Coach Eddie Jones Munster team that brought such the second row, Devin Tonor has brought the bite back into enjoyment and many rugby fol- and Iain Henderson look to be English rugby and they are play- lowers to the game from the turn the first choice pairing with in ing with the sort of arrogance of the century. Donnacha Ryan or Ultan Dil- that saw them win a World Cup Leinster is also coming back lane waiting to be sprung from back in 2003. to their best. Their pack is full the bench. This year they will be missing Ireland of internation- Joe Schmidt’s most difficult backrowers Billy Vunipola and backed up with a als on a weekly selection will come in the back- captain Chris Robshaw through Aiming for Six November victory basis, as a new row, where Munster’s Peter injury. The former in particular Nations Victory against Austra- generation of O’Mahony and CJ Stander, along will be a significant loss as his Beginning annually on the lia to add further young talent in with Leinster’s Sean O’Brien, carrying and off-loading ability first weekend in February and weight to such the backs gets Josh Van der Flier and Jamie has seen him become the stand- continuing for five of the next thinking. blooded. The Heaslip will fight for three start- out player in his position over seven weeks, there will be a Added to that, emerging cen- ing places and one spot on the the last few years. He will be re- sense of hope weaved with a the provinces of tre partner- bench. All five are terrific players placed by Wasps Nathan Hughes, dash of expectation as the Irish Munster and Lein- ship of Robbie in top form and it will be inter- who was impressive in the win rugby team begin another Six ster have been fly- Henshaw and esting every time the Irish team against Australia in December. Nations campaign. It is a ter- ing it in the Pro 12 Garry Ringrose is named to see which three will The loss of Robshaw will likely rific time of year for those who and particularly will likely see occupy these spots. see the second-row powerhouse pertain a love of the sport on this in the Champions action as a pair- In the backs, Conor Murray Mauro Itoje will the vacancy in side of the Atlantic, as this great Cup. A year ago, ing during this and Johnny Sexton will start at the backrow. rugby carnival is to be enjoyed as neither of them year’s competi- scrum half and out-half respec- Wales and France are third and the wet weather blows us from made it through tion. There are a tively. Henshaw will start at 12 fourth favourites respectively winter to the promise of summer. to the quarterfi- host of players and the other big call will be and it is very difficult to predict The Six Nations is still the most nals, but this year with their hands whether Jared Payne resumes how they will fare. Welsh club celebrated annual rugby compe- both have taken up for a place where he left off in November rugby has had another poor year, tition in the world, where rival- some of the big- on Ireland coach at 13, or whether the prodigious yet in the past the Walsh players ries have been forged throughout gest scalps that European club Joe Schmidt’s starting XV. Ringrose is pencilled in. always seem to play their best generations. It is a time of rugby rugby has to offer. At the moment, the front row The back three will most likely rugby in these circumstances. indulgence, both for the avid Munster, significantly since picks itself in the form of Leinster feature Simon Zebo, Andrew Their head coach, Warren Gat- follower as well as for the spring the passing of Heineken Cup props Jack McGrath and Tadgh Trimble and Rob Kearney. land, has vacated his post for a time supporter. winning captain and former Furlong bedding either side of The Challengers: The bookies year to manage the Lions tour It is a magical time of year that Head Coach Anthony Foley, has captain Rory Best. Furlong is one have made England the favou- to New Zealand in the summer. binds the country in a way that been in tremendous form. They who has come from the edges rites for the competition. Last His understudy, Rob Howley, politics never has, as the four have been playing with a spirit to being a certain starter and he year they took the Grand Slam will keep the seat warm in his provinces come together to take and a single-mindedness that received positive reviews from before finishing out the year Continued on page 26 on the best that European rugby has to offer on the international stage. The pubs will be routinely packed and most every televi- sion screen in the country will be watching. It will be the talk of the schools, factories and work- places throughout the land. Only one country can win out, but as the narrative unfolds, new stars will emerge throughout the tour- nament to become household names on the back of a tackle or a try. Each year brings with it the assurance of an untold story, and for the victor and their country- men, that inner feeling that all is well with the world. Ireland: Irish rugby is in a better place than where it stood 12 months ago, and for certain a sense that there is a team good 13920 Triskett Road 13801 Triskett Road enough to triumph this year. Cleveland OH 44111 Cleveland OH 44111 The confidence has sprung from that historic and wonderful Sat- Phone (216) 251-3130 Phone (216) 251-4242 urday in Chicago when Ireland conquered the All-Blacks in Sol- dier Field. That encounter was 18 IAN Ohio “We’ve Always Been Green!” www.ianohio.com FEBRUARY 2017
feelings for love, commitment, are grown and out of the house. Market in Cleveland. Tall and and security sated, especially I did learn one important les- lanky, with a characteristic red when February winds chill our son from my brief stint at medita- beard favored by young men bones, and yet another St. Valen- tion - the dining room was sacred of this generation, he delights tine’s Day arrives upon Winter’s to me. Filled with my grand- his customers with his love for wings? mother’s antique furniture and the perfect apple. He is a rock Rather than lament the lack of painted porcelain teapots, dimly star among produce vendors. At a valentine, or the bouquet of red lit by my Waterford chandelier, Christmas, I brought him slices A Different our expectations. Reality may carnations that lie limp in a vase this room was indeed a place of rustic apple cake, showcasing trump romance. of fetid water, I suggest that one of peace. Memories of family the pure taste of his wares, and Kind of Love There are those unrequited lov- look toward philautos, or self- dinners and the promise of fine he leant me his favorite read, Eros, Agape, Philia are three ers who love, but whose feelings love. Please be cautioned that meals to come helped me real- “Apples,” by Roger Yespen. types of love more commonly are not returned. Other lovers self-love does not mean selfish, ize that I can achieve a sense of As a seeker of quality, organic, known as romantic, uncondition- may experience great romance, narcissistic love, but rather the Nirvana by enjoying those things whole food, I devour cookbooks, al, and brotherly love. Ancient but are then enmeshed in an acceptance of ourselves that can that I most love, food and family. which read more like memoirs Greek scholars sought to define even greater unraveling of seem- lead not only to inner peace, but And so it is, I am a gourmand, or essays on the joy to be had in and defend the mysterious feel- ing love. At times, our brothers also allows others to see how a gastronome, a bon vivant. I simple pleasures: a crisp apple ings of the heart. People, however, can betray us, and children can wonderful our spirit is. The prac- am a lover of food. In fact, gas- on a fall day, a bowl of curry and can sometimes come up short of disappoint. How then are our tice of self-love was put to verse tronomy is actually the study of jasmine rice on a frigid February in American poet Walt Whit- the relationship between food evening. man’s famous, “Song of Myself”: and culture. Perhaps this ex- I shared with our apple seller I celebrate myself, I plains why I opted to watch the words of British food writer sing of myself. Julia Child rather than Sesame Nigel Slater; he is my champion What I assume, you Street at the tender age of five. of both food and verse. From shall assume . . . I would obsessively interrogate Slater, I learned the glorious I am satisfied – my mother over menu selections names of true apples: Peasgood I see, dance, when she and my dad would Nonsuch and Cox’s Orange Laugh, sing. meet friends for dinner. Every Pippin, Ashmead’s Kernel and It appears that those who pos- Valentine’s Day from the time I Esopus Spitzenburg. sess love of self are engaged in could reach the stove, I would In fact, Esopus Spitzenburg the world because life is their prepare breakfast for my mother, was a favorite of Thomas Jeffer- lover. Each day may project chal- elaborate dishes of brown sugar son, while George Washington lenges, but there is goodness to and spiced oatmeal, eggs with favored Newtown Pippins. Such be had and rewards to reap. toast and raspberry jam. I would names remind one of J.K. Rowl- Lovers of self are life-long fill delicate glasses with fresh ing’s Hogwarts, rather than an learners. They are seekers who squeezed orange juice, pressed apple that has fallen in an unas- quest challenge, pleasure, se- from our vintage juicer. Even as suming American or English renity, and faith. It has become a child, I had a culinary eye for field. trendy to openly discuss our detail and quality. What bliss is there to be had in “Bucket Lists,” those marked situ- Food makes me happy. I enjoy good, honest food and the words ations that we wish to experience looking at the artful arrangement that cast a spell of pure delight! and perhaps incorporate into our of fresh rosemary sprigs and slic- Imagine, that feeling of pleasure lives. Meditation was at the top es of lemon, vivid yellow, nestled when St. Valentine’s Night beck- of my list. alongside delicate shavings of ons you to a darkened dining One January, I scoured the precious fleur de sel. Rather than room, lit only by candlelight, library for books on different use prepared pizza dough, I mix valentine optional, because all philosophies and techniques flour, yeast, and water, kneading you need is your joy of self, your of meditation. I learned how to patiently until alchemy occurs. joy of self-discovery, and perhaps contort myself into the Lotus po- For me, this process is truly a frothy, baked Northern Spy sition while chanting “Namaste.” meditative. With each slap of dripping in heavy cream. While I waited, legs crossed in the the dough, I gain perspective of *Susan holds a Master’s Degree darkest corner of my dining room the small problems that needle in English from John Carroll Uni- for my muddled brain to clear, I at my brain. versity and a Master’s Degree in could sense enlightenment. Fortunately, we live in a so- Education from Baldwin-Wallace Was this to be the moment that ciety of gourmands. Good food University. She may be contacted all seekers long for, that moment is no longer reserved for the at [email protected]. of transcendence? I must have rich. Rustic, peasant cuisine has Sources Consulted: Slater, Ni- been a prodigy, as surely no one replaced stuffy fair arranged on gel. “Ripe: A Cook in the Or- has achieved such serenity after plates much larger than the por- chard.” Ten Speed Press: New only a few minutes. It was then tions. A glass of good red wine, York, 2010. that I heard doors slamming and a perfectly ripe Seckel Pear, fine Yepsen, Roger. “Apples.” W.W. a discordant chorus of teen-agers crusty bread, and a wedge of Norton & Co: New York, 1994. arguing over cell phone chargers. melting Brie is truly all one needs Internet Source Consulted: Mentally, I crossed meditation to achieve transcendence. Krznavic, Roman. “The Ancient off the Bucket List, only to be There is a delightful bohemian Greeks’ 6 Words for Love.” Yes reconsidered when the children apple merchant at the West-Side Magazine. December 27, 2013. FEBRUARY 2017 “We’ve Always Been Green!” www.ianohio.com 19
Where Do YOU Read Send us a pic of Your OhIAN? you with this or a Send us a pic of you with this or past month’s copy a past month’s copy of the Ohio of the Ohio Irish Irish American News or post American News or it on our Facebook page and post it on our Face- Winners will receive a $20 book page and gift certificate for the Hooley Winners will House, Pj McIntyre’s or receive a $20 gift any of our other OhIAN certificate for the advertisers, Hooley House, Pj courtesy of your Ohio McIntyre’s or any of Irish American News. our other OhIAN advertisers, Traditional Irish Social Dance courtesy of Opportunities with the your Ohio Irish Cleveland Ceili Club CCC promotes the musical traditions of Ireland by American News. providing opportunities for adults to enjoy traditional Irish music and dance. Cohen Speaker-Wilcox Third Grader Winter Ceili, Friday, February 17, 2017, 8 pm, Irish American Club--East Side Traditional music by the Kilroys, $10.00 admission, under 18 free Set dancing lessons, Tuesdays 8-10 pm, St. Clarence Church, North Olmsted Wednesdays 7-9 pm, Irish American Club - East Side Ceili dancing lessons, Thursdays 7-9 pm, February 2, 23 - West Side Irish American Club. For information, contact [email protected]
Ongoing Traditional Irish Sessiúns - Bring your instruments and play along! •Unitarian Universalist Church of Fairlawn, 3300 Morewood Dr. 7:30 p,m Wednesdays. All skill levels welcome. •Bardic Circle @The Shamrock Club of Columbus Be- ginner - friendly, intermediate level Irish session meeting every other Thursdays 8:00 pm - 11:00 pm •Briquette’s - 1st Saturday of the month, 2 -4 pm. Ashtabula on the Harbor •The Harp – 1st Friday of every month, 9pm. 4408 Detroit, Cleveland •Logan’s Irish Pub – 3rd Wednesday of the month, 414 S. Main St., Findlay, 7:30 pm •Oberlin’s Traditional Irish Session – 2nd Monday of the month 7 - 9 Slow Train Café, 55 East College St., Oberlin. Informal all experience welcome: www.oberlin. net/~irishsession •Plank Road – Every Thursday 7 – 10. All ages and ex- perience welcome. 16719 Detroit Road, Lakewood, 44107 •Tara Hall -Traditional Irish music w General Guinness Band & Friends 2nd Friday 8:00 - 11:00pm. 274 E. Innis Ave. Columbus, 43207 614.444.5949. 20 IAN Ohio “We’ve Always Been Green!” www.ianohio.com FEBRUARY 2017
they can survive. The name McNulty will be familiar to readers of Barry’s fiction; earlier nov- els have traced the indi- vidual journeys taken by Days Without End By Sebastian Barry Faber & Faber ISBN 978-0-571-27700-1 2016 pp. 259 This month’s Off The Shelf book recently won the prestigious Costa Novel Award, which annually recognizes English language books by writers based in England and Ireland. It is the second time Sebastian Barry has won the award, having previ- ously won in 2008 for The Secret Scripture (previously reviewed in OhioIANews). The story is about two young men named members of this Irish family who hail from Thomas McNulty and John Cole. McNulty Sligo, in the West. Those books include, is telling the story looking backward over The Whereabouts of Eneas McNulty and 50 years, “and wondering where the years Annie Dunne. went.” The tale traces their lives together Days Without End reminds this writer of through the Indian wars of the 18950s, the Barry’s prize-winning The Secret Scripture Lincoln presidency, and the tragedy of the in terms of style. Barry’s writing extends civil war to their lives in Ten- beyond intense and visceral de- nessee in the 1870s. McNulty scription to encompass through is a Sligo-born Irish Ameri- a narrative, the American Civil can who emigrated to the War and it’s horrors, which United States from Ireland were legion. in the aftermath of the “Great This is a startlingly beautiful Hunger.” novel which was well deserving The two men, orphans of of the Costa Novel of the year terrible hardships themselves, award. I rate it a TOP SHELF become intimate with each selection. other in a fashion that does *Terry is an attorney and nothing to diminish the story. owner of Terrence J. Kenneally Their companionship allows & Assoc. Co. in Rocky River, them to survive the horrors Ohio. Terry defends insureds they see and even are complicit in during and insurance companies in insurance the most fateful years in American history. defense cases throughout the state of Ohio. Along the way they ‘adopt’ a young Sioux He received his Master’s in Irish Literature girl, Winona. Both men share in the belief from John Carroll University and teaches that when their paths crossed with the Irish History and Literature at Holy Name young Indian girl, the possibility of happi- High School. He is also President of Holy ness as a makeshift family emerged, if only Name High School for 2016-2017.
River Terrace Building 19111 Detroit Rd, Ste 200 Rocky River, OH 44115 440-333-8960 [email protected] FEBRUARY 2017 “We’ve Always Been Green!” www.ianohio.com 21
the beginning, Cliff, who also most Irish events going on in the Cleveland those in or coming to our community to publishes the Chicagoland area; do you ever sleep? “make it”; the fostering the Irish in America Irish American News and JOBJr: I am blessed, but not in the sleep and across the Diaspora have survived by, is founder and director of department. 2-3 hours per night keeps me for more than 800 years. by Bob Carney Irish Books, Arts and Music functioning. h M (iBAM) showcase, has been OhioIANews: What would you like to see L Iris u a huge mentor, supporter, in the future for the OHIOAN and Cleve- ive sic! and friend. land’s Irish community? OhioIANews CoFounder, OhioIANews: The work and the dead- JOBJr: Our tagline is “We bring you the Publisher and Editor John lines, the publication process, and the de- Irish movers, shakers and music makers O’Brien, Jr. livery require an extraordinary amount of each month”, and “Where ever the Ohio Irish gather, there is the Ohio Irish OhioIANews: Most of us are American News”. I would be at those Hours: aware of some of the things that you events if there were no paper; I love the Mon-Wed 11am-Midnight 414 South Main St. are involved with in Cleveland’s camaraderie, love meeting new people Thur-Sat Findlay, OH 45850 Irish community, but how did you and sharing auld stories, and especially, 11am-2am 419-420-3602 get started? songs. Sun 10am-10pm JOBJr: I grew up in a house im- We started at 16 pages, and are now www.LogansIrishPubFindlay.com mersed in Irish culture. My dad is consistently at least 24 pages, often 28 Facebook.com/LogansIrishPubFindlay from Atteagh Mills, near Athlone, pages, up to 40. Preserving, present- in the Co Roscommon. My mom is ing and promoting the Irish culture is from Montreal, with her folks from ingrained in me, and gives me great joy Skerries, in Dublin. Dad has been and great opportunities. I want to go President of the West Side Irish from Success, to significance. American Club for 20 years, and For the content, I would like to add we spent a great deal of time at the more humor, finding good writers who club on 93rd & Madison and the can meet deadlines is a challenge. Your “new” club in Olmsted Twp, which columns: Inner View, Cleveland Com- opened in 1990, growing up, literally and time and perseverance on your part, what hra, and Speak Irish, all arrive in my inbox symbolically there. makes it worth the effort? near the first or 2nd of the month, for the I also grew up with Cleveland Irish JOBJr: I am fortunate to be very deadline following month. Though due BY the 10th, Cultural Festival, that dad and a group of oriented already, which helps me to keep most others arrive on the 10th, or 11th! Then friends started in 1982, when I was 16. We going forward. Most Columnists write on a they have to be edited, go through layout, will celebrate our 35th Annual July 21-23, theme. On the 1st of the month, the rest let proof etc ... 2017, at the Berea Fairgrounds. me know what they are going to write about We are always accepting submissions as When I was young, we often woke up to next month, so I can shield for duplication. we seek writers who are a great fit for the many bands and Irish visitors that dad had The columns all arrive by (usually ON) the OhioIANews. I would like to have more brought home from a dance at the IA or a 10th of the month. I organize them, edit them time to be more creative with the paper, help Gaelic Football game. The people and the and seek advertisers, sending everything to more people. I am searching for a salesper- stories stay with me. our layout artist on the 15th. son to help, but even in a tough employment OhioIANews: January 2017 marked the We go thru 3 proofs, then go to print by market, driven sales people are hard to find. 10th anniversary of the OhioIANews. What the 22nd. It is delivered to Scene Magazine My day job as spokesman for the Sheriff’s prompted you to undertake the commit- the following Tuesday, and they deliver it Office does not allow me to get involved in ment in putting out a monthly publication? to 230 sites all over Cleveland on the first the political process or commentary, but I JOBJr: I had written on and off for a or last Wednesday of the month, depending hope to some day – The Irish always have while, a few memorials and such, but I was on where that falls. The rest of Ohio and the been involved in politics, and have much not writing broadly with a purpose. I had other 5 states that we are in, as well as the to say. They wield an enormous amount broken my back and was out of work for a subscriptions, go via mail. of political power, that is not harnessed for while recuperating. I was a banker then. To You never really know how many are good often enough. We can and should be make money, I started writing. reading it, and most importantly, are im- a force for good in the world, and have the My first book [John has 4, with a 5th on pacted by it, but marketing studies say we numbers and civic-minded smarts to do so. the way], a biographical work on Irish Music have 24,000 readers per month between For the Cleveland Irish community: My legends, is titled Festival Legends: Songs & the print edition and the online archives. generation is, for the most part, the last Stories. I was signing copies at the Milwau- I get a LOT of comments in person, and a First Generation, the last generation whose Ahern Ca tering kee Irish Fest, then went on tour with the few emails. Our 16 columnists do too, and parents are from Ireland. There are a few book. The mighty Shay Clarke in Chicago share them with me. Every once in a while, new Irish in Cleveland, but not even a blip Banquets, took me around Chicago and introducing I get stopped in my tracks by someone who compared to New York, Boston etc., or that We ddings, me and my book to Irish import storeown- tells me what an impact a story or the paper came here a generation ago, and before. I am Clamba kes or ers. We were driving down I65 and Shay, as has had on them. That is very sweet. The hell-bent on showing the Irish in Ireland and Your Special E v ent is his wont, stopped talking mid-sentence, success of the paper has allowed us to help across the Diaspora, what a great commu- To ny Ahe rn made a phone call and said, “Cliff, I know organizations, to the tune of about $18,000 nity, and great opportunities we have for the 440-933-7500 you wanted to start a paper in Ohio, I have per year. THAT matters to me. Irish, and all immigrants, here in Cleveland. your man.” And handed me the phone. I OhioIANews: You and your family put on 1.4 million people of Irish descent on Fax : 440-933-7507 didn’t know Cliff Carlson. Cleveland Irish Cultural Festival, you’re an Ohio, 450,000 in Greater Cleveland, 176,000 [email protected] We met a month later, in October, and the author and a poet, a proponent of the Irish in Cuyahoga County have open arms and a ww w.Ahe rnCaterin g.com first issue appeared January 2, 2007. Since language in Cleveland and you seem to be at strong pay it forward belief system to help 726 Avon Belden Rd., Avon Lake, OH 44012 22 IAN Ohio “We’ve Always Been Green!” www.ianohio.com FEBRUARY 2017
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Flanagan’s Wake is Back! Findlay The Hilarious Interactive Irish Logan’s Irish Pub Wake is Every Friday & Saturday& Trad Sessiún 3rd Wednesday. at 8pm and Kennedy’s Theatre at 414 South Main Street, Findlay Playhouse Square, Downtown - Diana Chittester; 26th-Top 45840 419.420.3602 Cleveland. 216-241-6000 or Hat Black. 820 College Avenue, logansirishpubfindlay.com New Barleycorn: 10th & 11th – Flannery’s, 17 – Hooley 866-546-1353 Cleveland, 44113 www.tree- House Westlake, 18th – Pj McIntyre’s, 25th – Sully’s, www.playhousesquare.or housecleveland.com 26th – Irish American Club East Side, PJ McIntyre’s Lakewood Brooklyn 1st - Monthly Pub Quiz W Plank Road Tavern Shaker Heights @John Carroll 12th – Blood Drive; 18th – Clann Mike D 7pm, 3rd - Michael Craw- Open Sessiún Every Thursday University na nGael Annual Banquet; 19th ley & Brent Hopper, 4th - Abby 7 – 10. $3 Guinness and Jamieson. 23rd - Guest speaker Tim – General Meeting; 25th – Irish Brooklyn – Hooley House! Normal, 5th – Super Bowl Party 16719 Detroit Avenue, 44107 White will present on Theo- Triathlon. Happy Hour every Fri- 3 - Old Skool, 10 - Abby Nor- $40 all you can eat & drink plus a ries of International Relations day from 5-7pm! 60 W. Castle Rd. mal, 17 -Disco Inferno, 18 - Ab- square; 10th - Charlie In the Box, and Northern Ireland. 5:30 in Columbus 43207 614-491-4449 bey Rodeo, 24 - Sunset Strip. 11th - Marys Lane, 18th - New Medina Room 258 of the Administration shamrockclubofcolumbus. 10310 Cascade Crossing, Brook- Barleycorn, 24th - Craic Brothers, Building. To learn more: http:// com lyn 216-362-7700. 1FunPub.com 25th - Ace Molar. Sully’s www.manchesteruniversity- Tara Hall T-Shirt Tues: wear any PJs T- 3rd - The Other Brothers, 4th press.co.uk/9781784995287/ Traditional Irish music w Gen- Shirt get 15% off bill! Whiskey - Donal O’Shaughnessy, 10th eral Guinness Band & Friends Cincinnati Wed: ½ off every whiskey in - Crawley & Hopper, 11th - West- 2nd Friday 8:00 - 11:00pm. No the house. Thurs - Craft Beer side Steve, 17th - Music Men, Valley City Cover. Tara Hall 274 E. Innis Ave. Cincinnati - Irish Heritage $2.50. PJ McIntyre’s is a Local 10 18th - Ray Flanagan, 24th - Smug Gandalf’s Columbus, 43207 614.444.5949. Center Union establishment. Home of Saints, 25th - The New Barley- 4th - “Uncle Jay” Wonkovich. Irish Teas/Library /Geneal- the Celtic Supporter’s Club and corn. Medina Ice Festival Feb Join us for Brunch every Sunday. Kristine Jackson: 3rd – ogy Detective/ all three by ap- the GAA. Book Parties & Events 17th - 20th. Our Pancake Tues- Great food, atmosphere, staff Flannery’s, 17th – The Harp, pointment. Irish Heritage in our Bridgie Ned’s Irish Parlor day Feb 28th. 117 West Liberty and fun. 6757 Center Road Valley Center 3905 Eastern Avenue Party Room. 17119 Lorain Road, Medina, 44256 City, 44280 513.533.0100. www.irishcenterof- 44111. www.pjmcintyres.com www.sullysmedina.com. www.gandalfspub.com. cincinnati.com. 216-941-9311. Music Box Supper Club Mentor Westlake 1148 Main Avenue, Cleveland, Hooley House Cleveland OH 44113. http://www.mu- Hooley House Montrose 3 - Where’s Jimmy, 10 - School- sicboxcle.com 10 - the Other Brothers. 145 girl Crush, 17 - New Barleycorn, The Harp Flannery’s Pub Montrose West Avenue Cop- 24 - Big in Japan. 24940 Sperry 2 - Lonesome Stars, 3 - Irish 3rd - Kristine Jackson, 4th - Bar ley, Oh 44321 (234) 466-0060 Dr Westlake 44145. 1FunPub. Session, 4 - The Porter Sharks, 8 Flies, 10th & 11th - The New Bar- www.1funpub.com com (440) 835-2890 - Chris & Tom, 10 -Kelly Wright, leycorn, 17th - Austin “Walkin” Hooley House 11 - Chris Allen, 15 - Lonesome Cane, 18th - No Strangers Here, 3 - Sunset Strip, 10 - Big in Columbus Stars, 17 - Kristine Jackson, 18 - 24th - Brent Kirby, 25th - Claire Japan, 17 - Almost Famous, Shamrock Club Events Hurley, Taylor & Custy, 22 - Chris Stuczynski. 323 East Prospect, 18 - Post Road, 24 - Schoolgirl 4th – Quiz Night; 5th – Gen- & Tom, 24 - Bill Fox, 25 - The Cleveland 44115 216.781.7782 Crush. 7861 Reynolds Rd Mentor eral Meeting; 11th – McIans; Auld Pitch. 4408 Detroit Road, www.flannerys.com www.1funpub.com 44113 www.the-harp.com (440) 942-6611. Crawley & Hopper: 3rd – Pj McIntyre’s, 10th – Sully’s Stone Mad Avon Lake Traditional Irish Session 1st Olmsted Township Sunday of ea/month, Happy Ahern Banquet Center Hour Monday-Friday 4 to 7. 1306 Ahern Banquet Center is book- West Side Irish American Club West 65th Street Cleveland 44102 ing weddings and special events. 5th - Super Bowl, 10th - Las 216-281-6500 Call Tony Ahern / Lucy Balser @ Vegas Cabaret w/ entertainer Flat Iron Café 440-933-9500. 726 Avon Belden Billy, 18th - Annual Night @ the 3rd - Donal O’Shaughnessy, Rd, Avon Lake 44012. Races, 25th - Junior Marching 10th - Jim & Eroc Classic Rock www.aherncatering.com Units Exhibition Dance, 3/3 - Duo, 17th - Erin Nicole Neal & Fish Fries Start, ¾ - Sr. Marching The Chill Factors, 24th - Cats On Units Exhibition Dance Great Holiday. 1114 Center St. Cleve- Euclid live music and food in The Pub land 44113-2406 216. 696.6968. Irish American Club East Side every Friday. WSIA Club 8559 www.flatironcafe.com 3 - Mad Macs (Pub), 17 - No Jennings Rd. 44138 www.wsia- Treehouse Strangers Here (Pub), Kilroys club.org. 440-235-5868. 5th -Hollywood Slim Band Ceili 8PM $10. 26 - New Barley- duo; 12th - brokeENglish; 19th corn 6 PM in Phil Walsh Cabaret FEBRUARY 2017 “We’ve Always Been Green!” www.ianohio.com 23
to overshadow his female peer and Lyrics to Saint Brigid’s Prayer and English journalism. native Irish lass, Brigid. She was not I’d like to give a lake of beer to God. In the basement of the that thor- his contemporary. However, his I’d love the Heavenly oughly modern neighborhood, stands conversion of the people of Ireland Host to be tippling there the font of a very old well attributed to is a big part of her story, as she For all eternity. Brigid, tracing back to the 6th century would have been an early adopter. I’d love the men of Heaven to live and showing architectural similarities Patrick’s ability or good sense to with me, to the church in Kildare. Brigid, and Brigid morph the new Christianity into the ex- To dance and sing. or clergy devoted to her, got around I am not a huge fan of the multitude of saints. My Catho- isting pagan traditions has hopelessly If they wanted, I’d put at their disposal in the early days of Celtic Christianity. lic school education and trips to the library in that school muddled her story. Brigid has been Vats of suffering. Researching this saint led to some con- taught me that the shortest path to sainthood was a death relegated to fictional status by some, White cups of love I’d give them, fusing reading, but also this beautiful at the hands of some pagan Roman gory enough to impress mythological by others and in others With a heart and a half; prayer and once I stumbled onto this a “Game of Thrones” fan. Those stories were the ones that still, had her sainthood revoked- my, Sweet pitchers of mercy I’d offer prayer, I was hooked. stuck with me, so I was pretty content not thinking much it hurts to be a woman even in saintly To every man. If those are not the words of a sound about them. Except, of course for the big exceptions, St. quarters. I’d make Heaven a cheerful spot, Irish woman, I never heard them. Yes, Patrick every March and St. Anthony every time my absent- For all of these dismissive attitudes, Because the happy heart is true. there is drinking in the prayer, but a minded self loses something, which is often. Brigid or at least her name, certainly I’d make the men contented for their pervasive sense of love, bounty and However, during my travels around Ireland, I became got around. There are absolutely thou- own sake gratitude for the gifts of life are the curious about Saint Brigid. The sheer number of things sands of wells, churches, abbeys and I’d like Jesus to love me too. ideas that are really at the heart of the named after her in Ireland would be enough to promote schools named for her, both in Ireland prayer. There is also a familial tracing to that curiosity in anyone. and in any other country touched I’d like the people of heaven to gather the generosity and hospitality that are Ireland is a country that is associated with saints. How- by Celtic culture. There was a pagan From all the parishes around, such a big part of the Irish DNA. The ever, they can’t lay claim to an inordinate number of native matriarchal deity who was the patron- I’d give a special welcome to the Brigid’s Cross is made by people and saints, outside of some long suffering dears too long at the ess of the same things that St. Brigid women, school children across Ireland on her pub. When most people think of Irish saints, Saint Patrick claim; the arts, fire, birth of animals, The three Marys of great renown. feast day, and offers those who hang gets all the glory and he may well deserve it. He certainly milkmaids, poetry, an incomplete but I’d sit with the men, the women of God it in their homes, her many blessings made an impression on his pagan contemporaries. impressive list. There by the lake of beer and protections. I don’t care if she never Patrick made such an impression that people forget that Her feast day, February 1, replaced We’d be drinking good health forever existed or is not exactly what I think; the he wasn’t really Irish, at least by birth. He also has come in the Christian calendar the pagan And every drop would be a prayer. idea of her is good enough. festival Resources: http://www.beliefnet. Making a Brigid’s Cross of Imbolc, the beginning of com/faiths/christianity/2000/03/a-lake-of-beer-for-god. You will need reeds, straws etc., something pliable. farming and spring. There aspx#i2jjDGcepfpBXySe.99 1.Hold one of the straws vertically. Fold a second straw in half as in the diagram. really doesn’t seem to be any http://www.ipcc.ie/discover-and-learn/resources/ 2.Place the first vertical straw in the center of the folded second straw. credible life accounts of the how-to-make-a-st-bridgets-cross/ 3.Hold the center overlap tightly between thumb and forefinger. Christian nun who founded *Lisa O’Rourke is an educator from Akron. She has a BA 4.Turn the two straws held together 90 degrees counter clockwise so that the open the abbey in Kildare, but in English and a Master’s in Reading/Elementary Educa- ends of the second straw are projecting vertically upwards. there were nuns devoted to tion. Lisa is a student of everything Irish, primarily Gaeilge 5.Fold a third straw in half and over both parts of the second straw to lie her that tended fires in her and runs a Gaeilge study group at the AOH/Mark Heffernan horizontally from left to right against the first straw. Hold tight. name for hundreds of years. Division. Lisa can be contacted 6.Holding the center tightly, turn the three straws 90 degrees counter clockwise so Kildare means “church of at [email protected]. that the open ends of the third straw are pointing upwards. the oak”, a tree venerated by 7.Fold a new straw in half over and across all the straws pointing upwards. the Druids, yet another link 8.Repeat the process of rotating all the straws 90 degrees counter clockwise, adding to the pagan past of Ireland. a new folded straw each time until all nine straws have been used up to make There was a powerful woman the cross. who was abbess of Kildare, 9.Secure the arms of the cross with elastic bands. Trim the ends to make them all she was born around 454 the same length. The St Bridget’s Cross is now ready to hang. AD and died in 525 AD. That abbey in Kildare generated the first female Christian re- ligious institution in Ireland, and the story is that Brigid was a female bishop. Her remains were later moved to the foot of Croagh Patrick in Mayo and placed beside those of Patrick and Colum- cille. Her status and pagan an- cestry is shown by her direct connection to so many wells, the source of life in early civilization. Once on a walk- ing tour that was focused on ancient London, we went into St. Bride’s church in Fleet Street, the heart of London 24 IAN Ohio “We’ve Always Been Green!” www.ianohio.com FEBRUARY 2017
Ireland Network USA: also now a dual passport holder. his inauguration, he singled out phar- Irish-made movies and a recent tour by About five years ago, he heard about maceutical firms and questioned why the Abbey Theater Players, which staged Where it is Today and joined the New Jersey chapter of drugs are not made in America if they their production of Sean O’Casey’s By John Breslin the Irish Network. And not long after are consumed in America. This has obvi- Plough and the Stars in Massachusetts, Steve Lenox is truly an Irish-American that he was elected co-president of what ous implications for Ireland given this Ohio and New Jersey. global traveler. He commutes between quickly became Irish Network USA (IN- industry’s large footprint in the country, They played at Montclair State Uni- the two countries, literally. USA), the umbrella organization for all both in terms of investment and jobs.But versity in New Jersey. The New Jersey So the president of Irish Network USA chapters in the country, then about 12. Lenox is not overly concerned, arguing chapter promoted the event and orga- is in a unique position to lead the grow- “We restructured, formalized it as Irish the ties that bind are too close, and that nized social gatherings around the trip. ing organization, as someone with a foot Network USA as opposed to different works both ways. It was “thrilling” for people to see the in each country, and connected hands networks in the various cities,” Lenox “Ireland is going to continue to be a players and the event for the Irish Net- across America. said. “We wanted to make sure we had a very attractive place for inward invest- work to organize around. As Chicago, the birthplace 14 years bit more structure, connect the chapters ment for lots of reasons,” he said. “And Overall, the Irish Network is not about ago of what is still known in this city a bit more strategically, not just in their Irish businesses are coming here and palming out cards and hustling for busi- as the Ireland Network, prepares to cel- own cities.” creating jobs.”\ ness, said Lenox. ebrate its annual ball Feb. 18, Lenox took From its genesis in Chicago, Irish Net- The Irish Network USA president said “Good networking is never quite so time out from running his New Jersey- work USA now has 22 chapters under the organization is not all about business, obvious; it’s not so transactional, it’s headquartered Lenox Consultancy busi- its umbrella, not only in what might be but also about promoting the arts, sports about building relationships that matter.” ness to talk about the state of play with regarded as the more traditional Irish- and education. he added. “We prefer the lighter touch the organization, and its future. American cities, but also in such places He cited as examples the promotion of networking.” But Lenox also revealed details of the as Cleveland, Atlanta, Seattle, Houston, unique, and many might say enviable, and Austin. work-life-travel balance, including the And, Lenox said, people have ex- regular transatlantic commute back to pressed interest in setting up in such
Steve Lennox photo by William Fry
Cork where he, his wife, Aoife, and three diverse places as Portland, Ore., Dallas, boys have a home. Holidays are spent Kansas City, Mo., and between the two countries.“My wife, Jacksonville, Fla. having grown up in Ireland, always It’s not a coincidence that Ireland wanted, was yearning to go back home,” Network chapters have more recently Lenox said. “And we got the opportu- sprung up in high tech hubs, where the nity about eight years ago. She has her Irish government, and Irish businesses, own business there and my business are developing deep contacts, including allows me to travel. It has worked for with the opening of consulate generals our family.” and appointing honorary consuls.. It’s a global Irish tale, the family with Lenox said the Irish government gives feet in each country, and comfortable the organization “wonderful support,” in both. not just financial through the Emigrant And that’s an advantage for Lenox as Support program, but also personal the Irish Network, now with 22 chap- backing from Ambassador Anne Ander- ters and approximately 5,000 members son and the consuls around the country. spread across the country, though Most recently, Minister of State Dara sometimes viewed as simply connecting Murphy attended a gathering in Seattle Irish-America, is also about connecting where a panel discussed the implica- Ireland and America. tions of Brexit and other topics. Lenox, whose great grandmother And so to President Donald Trump, came from Donegal, admits that being where conversations about business, Irish was “never something we wore on and other matters, tend to land at some our sleeves” when growing up. point. Concerns have been voiced in But courtship and marriage 15 years Ireland over the president’s protection- ago to a Cork woman quickly led to him ist rhetoric, and his stated commitment connecting much more closely to the to bringing jobs back to the US, and Irish-American community. Apart from punishing companies that do not do so. moving between the two countries, he is At a recent news conference prior to 25 IAN Ohio “We’ve Always Been Green!” www.ianohio.com FEBRUARY 2017
and are willing to share their knowledge with the Community. We are still in the Decade of Centenaries to re- member the significant events in Irish History from 1912-1922. Cleveland has held an important role in the struggle for Irish Independence. Stories are out there and need to be told. The Irish American Archives Society has already started to collect Archives those stories. I was honored to serve the Ladies Ancient Did you know that a woman from Cleveland Order of Hibernians as the National Irish addressed a Congressional Committee on the Irish Historian. During my term, I had the privilege Question? Adelia Christy representing the United of visiting the following Archives: John J Burns Irish Societies of Northern Ohio addressed the Library of Boston College, University of Notre Committee before women had the right to vote. Dame, Catholic University, New York Public Did you know that IRA veterans marched in our Library, American Irish Historical Society and St Patrick’s Day Parade? In 1966 to honor the 50th the Irish American Heritage Museum. All of Anniversary of the Easter Rising, the Parade Com- those archives hold special treasure of our Irish mittee invited a group to march and be recognized American Heritage. We are very fortunate in for their contribution in the struggle for Irish Inde- Cleveland and Northeast Ohio to have the Irish pendence. Many more stories are out there. Please American Archives Society, Western Reserve contact the Irish American Archives to share those Historical Society and the Cleveland Public stories for future generations. Library. In 2017, Cleveland will be celebrating two major started to celebrate St. Patrick’s Day 175 years ago! In 2015-2016, I had the privilege to work with milestones this St Patrick’s Day. The Ancient Order This is a long and proud history. A book will Irish Northern Aid, Friends of Sinn Fein, Irish of Hibernians and the Ladies Ancient Order of be produced so that future generations will be Network and the Irish American Archives in host- Hibernians will be celebrating the 150th Annual St. able to learn about this proud history and the ing events to commemorate the Centennial of the Patrick’s Day Banquet. The St. Patrick’s Day Parade organizations that contributed to this great event. Easter Rising and the involvement of women in Committee thought the Parade was also celebrat- Archives are treasures of our past and important the struggle for Irish Independence. Cleveland is ing 150 years. Margaret Lynch took on the task of for our future. Please consider donating to the Irish lucky to have individuals like John Conway, Jack researching for this important anniversary. During American Archives Society: for more information, Kilroy and Margaret Lynch, who love Irish History her research, she was able to reveal that Cleveland see www.irisharchives.org 26 IAN Ohio “We’ve Always Been Green!” www.ianohio.com FEBRUARY 2017
Six Nations Victory within their grasp. The 175th Cleveland St. Patrick’s Day Parade Pins Continued from page 17 Italy, who are managed by Irishman Conor O’Shea, beat South Africa for the are now on sale. Stamped with 2017 and a 175th absence, but there seems to be drama in first time in November. Anything better camp, with the early reporting of Sam than last place will be seen as progress. numeration, the pins are an annual tradition,cand Warburton thinking about relinquishing This is the first year the bonus point the main source of funding for the 5th oldest his captaincy. system will be in place. That makes four parade in America. Only $10. Send Check to UIS France have been awful by their stan- points for a win and an extra point for (United Irish Societies) & SASE to John O’Brien, Jr. dards over the last few tournaments, the team that scores four tries or loses by at 14615 Triskett Road Cleveland, OH 44111 yet in their final game of 2016 put in an seven or less. impressive performance against the All Already eyes are looking towards a Blacks. They are a side with talent and it potential winner-takes-all clash when Ire- will be interesting to if they are more flu- land host England on the final weekend ent and disciplined in coach Guy Noves’ in Dublin on March 18. This fixture will second campaign. be at the end of a week of Cheltenham Scotland has a good starting team, they festivities and during the St Patrick’s Day lack strength in depth but certainly are weekend. A tournament victory for the game enough to compete against the bet- Irish would round off the celebrations ter sides. An upset victory or two is well and is without doubt a tangible possibility. DANIEL M. “MICKEY” CORCORAN November 24, 1941 - January 07, 2017 By Roger S. Weist
loving father of Christina Seghy (Tony) still endeavored to participate. It seemed he and Shannon; grandfather of Bridget and never missed a meeting or an event. Alex Seghy; brother of Robert (deceased) They reminisced of his days as a Delegate (Sharon), Catherine Dyko (the late James) to the United Irish Societies, and his love and Rose Smith (James); the Uncle of many, of helping put our annual St. Patrick’s Day and friend to multitudes. Parade on ‘the Avenue’. The Parade held They spoke of the young man who joined a special place for Dan, and his tireless ef- “The Phone Company. Found his way to forts lead to the Delegates selecting him as Columbus, where with his commitment to Executive Director for the years 2007 – 2010. family, and faith, he brought his love of all In 2015 Dan was honored to serve as Parade things Irish. Here he joined The Shamrock Grand Marshall. It was a fitting tribute to Club. And it was in Columbus where his see the green sashes of Parade Delegates, Tuesday, January 10, 2017, a cold, rainy daughters started in Irish Dance. Deputy Directors, and past Executive Di- day in Cleveland. But in St. Raphael’s They talked of Dan making his way from rectors lining the walk from Church. Church in Bay Village, you wouldn’t know Columbus to Bay Village where they made Dan’s journey here has ended, and has it. Family and friends of Daniel M. Corco- a new home. They spoke of his involve- taken him to his eternal reward. It may ran were gathered to bid a final farewell ment with St. Raphael’s Parish. His daugh- have been cold and rainy on that January to their Husband, Father, Grandfather, ters Irish dancing continued, and Dan’s morning, but the memories and stories of Brother, Uncle, and friend. And while the involvement in Feiseianna grew with The this truly good man warmed all in atten- tears flowed freely, so did the smiles, the Cleveland Feis Society, where he served dance. We felt better having the privilege laughs, and the stories of a friend on the as Treasurer, Registrar, and President for and pleasure to have shared in his journey next leg of his journey of life. many years. Dan joined the Irish Heritage - a journey well lived! On the Altar, Rev. Tim Gareau was Center, the Ancient Order of Hibernians, In the words of his daughter Shannon, joined by Rev. Thomas Mahoney, and two the West Side Irish American Club, and the “I’m sure he’s in Heaven drinking a glass Priests from Dan’s hometown of Toledo, Gaelic Society, where he and his wife Diane of Middleton’s, and eating cookies and the Rev. Charles Ritter, and Rev. Marty learned to Irish Dance and often competed ice cream.” Nassr. Together they officiate a beautiful in adult ceili competitions. Dan, I think I am going to raise another Mass of Christian Burial. They spoke of a They spoke of a man, who even in retire- glass of Middleton’s in your honor, and dedicated, bright young man, who grew ment, continued working, consulting, stay- then wash it down with some cookies and up in Toledo. A young man who married ing involved. They spoke of a man who in ice cream. his soul mate Diane (nee Snyder); became recent times while fighting serious illness, Safe home Dan, safe home! FEBRUARY 2017 “We’ve Always Been Green!” www.ianohio.com 27
The Mumming celebrate the Wicca cycle of life, seamless intertwining of song, a fight between the brown bull of entertaining than putting over death and rebirth during the dance, poem and storytelling, Cooley, stolen by Queen Maeve, a message and were eventually Tradition change in the seasons: Samhain recounting sagas and folk tales. and the white bull of Connaught banned for being too popular. By John McAllister; (October) – the festival of the Words spoken are accompanied owned by her husband, King Masks are worn to give au- Photographs by dead; Imbolic (February) – the by music, which has all the ur- Ahill. The brown bull always thenticity to the tall tales and Stephen McGinn feast of Brighid bringing life; gency of traditional Irish music wins. to create an aura of otherness Beltane (May) – fertility and (Dara Vallely, Creative Director, The legend has it that the between the audience and the Mumming is a European wide growth, and; Lughnasadh or Armagh Rhymers). The poems brown bull, on its way back mummers. Involvement of the phenomenon, which goes back Lamas (August) – the harvest. are concerned with issues rel- from the fight, mistook Slieve audience in the performance is to the pre-Christian rites of the The dramatic content of the evant to the society in which they Gullion Mountain for a sec- one of the distinctive character- Druids, and is an excuse for a bit performance demanded only are performed, and are: poetry ond adversary. The brown bull istics of mumming. of craic, especially in the country three [main] characters: two composed for the ear, not the eye charged the mountain and hit The masks worn by the Ar- areas of Ireland. The word itself heroic champions who disputed [Information for Ireland, Thomas it so hard that the bull somer- magh Rhymers are a human and fought, one of whom was Smyth, 1561]. saulted over the mountain and representation of the gargoyles Folklore in Ireland has it that landed splay-legged to form in and around the Church of the mummers and the mumming what is now Armagh City and Saint Patrick in Armagh. While tradition stretches back to at least District. In landing, its hooves many groups use straw masks, the time of the Dana. The Dana scored rocks, and these rocks the Armagh Rhymers commis- or Tuatha Dé Danaan were the became the source of a Bull Cult. sion traditionally made masks people who inhabited Ireland The blood of a bull was poured of reed, willow and rye. before the Celts. When they were over the threshold of every new The mummers have different defeated by the Sons of Mil the house and the fight between the names in different regions and Dana retreated underground to two bulls was celebrated in the countries and even for different become ‘The Little People’. sport of Bullins. In Bullins, men seasons: Morris Dancers, Biddy Mumming was first men- wearing bull masks shoulder- Boys, Straw Boys, Wren Boys and tioned in writing in the 7th or 8th charged each other until a referee Buckocks. In Scotland: Guisers, century, when a scribe recounted declared a winner. Skelters and Galoshiams, and in the lay of the great Cattle Raid of When Christianity in the form Armagh: Rhymers. Cooley. There is reason to believe of Saint Patrick came to Ireland, The Armagh Rhymers are a that this was a copy of a much mumming, like many other pa- continuation of the mumming older manuscript. gan rituals, was “Christianized” tradition in the Armagh region. The Cattle Raid of Cooley is and used in the churches and ca- Not only have they travelled the may derive from Middle English one of the great traditional tales thedrals to ease the pagans into world to celebrate and keep alive mum (silent) or Greek mommo struck down or killed and was of Ireland recounted by the the Christian tradition. However, the mumming tradition, but their (mask), but is more likely to be returned to life or activity by mummers. The raid is shown as the mummers were more used to influence has reached the very associated with the Early High the ministrations heart of polite society. German mummer (disguised of a “doctor” (Ul- The young King Henry person). ster Folk Life Vol V111 was famous for tak- Ireland has scattered commu- 24, 1978). ing his court mumming, nities and of necessity the Rhym- In addition to probably as a form of ers follow the European tradition the main charac- incognito while he fre- of travelling from house to house, ters, there could a quented the alehouses to often over considerable distanc- supporting cast of dance, gamble and play es, to entertain the inhabitants. upwards on thirty cards with his friends. The kitchen floor becomes the people. No girls or Eventually it became an stage: If there was a house with ladies. The poteen excuse for people to go three girls in it, / It only took on offer at the vari- begging around houses three boys to make a dance (Céilí, ous houses they vis- and to commit crimes. Ciaran Carson). ited in the course of In the end, an ageing The mummers only stay for a their performance and now grumpy Henry brief while at each house before was “mans” work. passed a law that anyone moving on. This appears to be And when they mumming or in pos- the basis of the song, The Homes did get in, there’d session of a mummer’s of Donegal, by Sean Brady, and be a power of mask would be put in of the much older The Faughan poteen. A big tin prison for three months. Side: I’ve just called in to see you creamery churn, a More recently, the writ- all / I’ll only stay a while / I want ladle, those mugs er and editor AE Russell, to see how you’re getting on / I with blue and who was born near Ar- want to see you smile. white bars. Oh, and magh, formed a Rhymers Like the Pied Piper of Ham- good and clear [po- Club in London. Mem- lyn, the Rhymers, in going from teen], like the best bers included W. Butler house to house, collect enough of water. (At Slieve Yeats and Percy French. followers to end the evening Gullion Foot, MJ James Joyce, Thomas with an exuberant party, often Murphy) Hardy and Tolstoy were referred to as “a bit of a hooley.” Performance at least associated By tradition, the mummers is by means of a members.
St. Patrick’s Day is Coming! Photo by John O’Brien, Jr.