ISSUE 24 VOLUME 3 Proudly Serving Celts in North America Since 1991 APRIL 2015
GALWAY Mayor Donal Lyons stops during Seattle’s St. Patrick’s Day parade to say hello to some “dressed for the occasion” revelers on the sidewalk. The mayor was a guest of honor during Seattle Irish Week festivities. [For more about Seattle Irish Week, see pages 20 & 21]
THE NEW Western Canada Rose Cassandra Sampson of Fort McMurray, Alberta with RCMP Constable Scott Kirychuk (L) of the Jasper detachment and Constable Andrew Brock (R) of the Fort McMurray detachment. Cassandra was selected as the new Western Canada Rose at the Edmonton Irish Centre on Saturday, March 28. [For more, see page 13]
JACK OF THE GREEN by Amanda of Sacredpathart. [For more about the artist, see page 2] The living mythology of the Green Man found in the story of Gawain and the Green Knight READ ABOUT IT INSIDE ON PAGE 2
WIN FREE TICKETS MAURA De Freitas publisher of THE RCMP ‘E’ Division Pipes and Drums and the Buffalo Celtic The Celtic Connection newspa- Music Society will present their annual Tartan Day concert/ Win free tickets to the RCMP E Di- per was honored as the 2015 ceilidh on April 25. [Read more inside on page 6] vision Pipes & Drums - Tartan Celtic Person of the Year by the Day Ceilidh at the Riverside Palace Vancouver Celtic Festival Soci- Banquet Hall, Richmond, on April 25 ety. She was also this year’s (see pages 5 & 6 for details). Entry Honorary Grand Marshal at the by: April 17. Mark your entry: Tartan 10th annual St. Patrick’s Day Day. Entries by e-mail only. Mark the parade in Vancouver. name of the event on your entry, in- [For more about
40009398 Vancouver CelticFest
Publication cluding your name and daytime tel- and the St. Patrick’s Day Mail Agreement: Mail ephone number. (Only one entry per parade, see pages 16 & 17] person.) Send to: [email protected]. PAGE 2 www.celtic-connection.com APRIL 2015 The story of Sir Gawain Season Passing from Spring into Summer and the Green Knight etween March and May comes
By GARY R. VARNER “Gawain had been spared be- April, the blush of spring that car- When we hear the word cause he had honourably re- ries us toward Beltaine on May 1. frained from making love to B “mythology” we think of Bercilak’s wife and had shown stories, fables, fairy himself to be the most faultless Like all months, April is also a By CYNTHIA knight in the world.” state of mind. It is a time when tales. But myth is not green shoots spring from concrete WALLENTINE make-believe. Myths An interesting note about the Green Chapel, according to J.D. and creative thought plays upon a have been used to trans- once-blighted landscape. In the and in your life? Long before a seedling Wakefield, is that it was not a pushes up, roots go down. mit oral history, natural structure but rather a green deep of time, our ancestors gave phenomenon, to tell of mound situated in a valley be- thanks for survival and sowed the Underway somewhere, the circum- side a stream of bubbling water. ground for seed. stances of your life are growing near. important people – they Can you feel or see them? Where are are based on fact and Wakefield believes that the A measure of greatness is the ability to your challenges, what is your hope? Green Chapel was, in reality, live with ambiguity, or so they say. are as important and Silbury Hill – a sacred man- Surely the uncertainty of daily life, or a In your marvelous body, how can you valid as any “history” made mound in Cornwall not far lifetime, constitutes living with ambigu- attune what you see without, with how from West Kennett Long Bar- you feel within? we fill our libraries with ity. We all carry a measure of great- row and Avebury – two other ness in our willingness to wake to each In the Old World, April brought a light- today. ancient sacred sites. day, and to hope each night for another ening of days and a slightly more plenti- just like it. The mythology of the Green Man is a it rolling to the floor. How do we associate the green knight ful food supply. Chronic hunger remains living mythology. The “meaning and to the Green Man? This was obviously What began with Imbolg on February part of the human condition. Hunger “The green knight calmly picked up his value” it gives to our lives continues to a test for Gawain, and one he passed, eve ends with Beltaine on May eve. for food, safety, health, and stability. head by the hair and turned the face unfold and evolve for us. but this is also a story of “truth-bring- Flowing through it are markers of emer- towards Gawain. The eyelids opened Maturing but still quixotic, April offers ing” through a mixture of pagan ritual gence at St. Patrick’s Day, the Vernal One of the best-known stories of the and the mouth spoke, telling Gawain to time to change a step or two, plant a and the confused teachings of medieval equinox, and Easter. different seed – reap a different har- Fourteenth Century is that of the nephew meet him for the return blow a year later Christianity. of King Arthur, Sir Gawain. at the Green Chapel.” No other season strings its message in vest. The poem also is an alliterative telling such a way, from festival to festival, The story of Gawain and the Green “Eventually the year passed and Gawain By Beltaine, seed, thought, and effort of the turning of the year, taking place telegraphing the importance of the new, Knight was written during the peak of set out on his journey to the Green entwine with life and love. at a time between two winters, which rising from the old. popularity of the Green Man stone and Chapel to meet the gigantic green knight. signifies a time of death of vibrant veg- New in the old, hope in the cold. On- wood carvings. The author of this fa- etation, and then a changing back to life Where are you at this time? In your day ward to Beltaine. mous poem remains unknown but is be- “After a long journey he came to a no- ble castle, where he was welcomed by through renewed growth, and then lieved to have been a resident of north- again, returns to death. western England. the jovial Sir Bercilak and his lovely young wife. The green knight is beheaded and The poet is also a sophisticated and tal- “He stayed there until New Year’s Day, through his sacrifice he shows that life ented alliterative stylist, which was a still goes on and, as John Matthews common style during the older Anglo- royally entertained by Bercilak and, though sorely tempted, resisting the per- notes, “he challenges us to honour the Saxon period. The poetic story, as sum- sacrifice he makes every winter.” marized by Richard Cavendish: sistent attempts of Bercilak’s wife to seduce him. In addition, according to Matthews, the “At Camelot on New Year’s Day there “On New Year’s Day Gawain went as poem tells us that “one of the gifts of A BLESSING OF SOLITUDE rode into Arthur’s hall a gigantic green the Green Man is that he instructs us in May you recognize in your life the presence, power and light of your soul. warrior on a towering horse, holding a he said he would to the Green Chapel. There the green knight appeared and how to face our deepest fears and con- May you realize that you are never alone that your soul in its brightness and holly branch in one hand and an im- quer them. In this way he becomes a mense battle-axe in the other. Gawain bravely bared his neck for a belonging connects you intimately with the rhythm of the universe. stroke of the axe. companion as well as a challenger, a “His skin was green, his hair was green, dual role that is present in the arche- May you have respect for your own individuality and difference. and even his horse was green. He had “The green knight raised the axe high, type in virtually all of its manifestations.” but struck Gawain only a glancing blow, May you realize that the shape of your soul is unique, come to play what he called a game. [An excerpt from The Mythic Forest, the which nicked his skin. that you have a special destiny here, “Any champion who dared could strike Green Man and the Spirit of Nature, pub- him one blow with the axe, on condition “He then explained that he was Sir lished by Algora Publishing.] that behind the facade of your life there is something beautiful, good and Bercilak, transformed into the green • eternal happening. that a year later the champion submit to Gary Varner is a folklorist with a back- a return blow from the green knight. knight by the magic of Morgan le Fay, who had planned the whole adventure ground in archaeology and anthropology. May you learn to see your self with the same delight, pride and expectation “Gawain took up the challenge and in the hope of discrediting the Round He writes of the continuation of ancient with which God sees you in every moment. – By John O’Donohue struck the green knight a blow that cut Table. traditions into contemporary society. To Anam Cara: A Book of Celtic Wisdom read more about his work, see: http:// his head clean off his shoulders and sent www.freewebs.com/garyrvarner. ABOUT THE ARTIST THIS month’s featured cover artist is Amanda of Sacredpathart who primarily uses the medium of acrylic to produce images of Myth, Magick, Gods and Sacred Places. She is a self taught artist, who lives in Read- ing, England. For more information about Amanda, or to view more of her exquisite artwork, visit: http://www.sacredpathart.com.
THE CELTIC CONNECTION
ISSUE 24 VOLUME 3 - Established in 1991 #452 - 4111 Hastings Street, Burnaby, B.C. V5C 6T7 Tel: (604) 434-3747 • www.celtic-connection.com Maura De Freitas - Publisher - • E-Mail: [email protected] Catholine Butler - Advertising - • E-Mail: [email protected] Colleen Carpenter - Copy Editor • Ainsley Baldwin - Ad Production Distribution: Arlyn Lingat • Tom Butler • Allison Moore • Linda Robb • Kathy Griffin and Frank Dudfield in Surrey • Neville Thomas in Burnaby & Coquitlam • Eifion Williams in Burnaby & Coquitlam • Doug Medley in North Vancouver • Gabriel Clark in Coquitlam & Port Moody • Joanne Long in Mission • Bill Duncan in Maple Ridge • Nanci Spieker and Heather Murphy in Seattle • Oliver Grealish in Edmonton. Published 10 times per year. Unsolicited submissions welcome but will not be returned. Please retain a copy for your files. Contents copyright 2015 The Celtic Connection. Opinions expressed here are not necessarily those of the publisher but rather a reflection of voices within the community. All correspondence must include a name, address and telephone number. Canada Post Canadian Publications Agreement 40009398 APRIL 2015 www.celtic-connection.com PAGE 3 PAGE 4 www.celtic-connection.com APRIL 2015 Let the music keep your spirits high this spring
By STEVE EDGE
THE ROGUE FOLK CLUB VANCOUVER – At the end of last month we thought St. James Hall was going to be sold to developers and we would lose not only The Rogue’s “home” venue, but THE big news for Celtic music fans is the impending concert also all the other wonderful by Co. Clare fiddler Martin Hayes and his guitar-toting buddy programs that take place there Dennis Cahill on Sunday, May 3 at St. James Hall in Kitsilano. every week would be lost. The Vancouver Youth Symphony slip jig and build in intensity and speed Daithi Sproule wasn’t quite as con- until they hit top gear in a blinding flash vincing as is his norm. TWO amazing sisters Cassie & Maggie MacDonald from Nova Orchestra, Phoenix Gymnastics, of reels, driven by Martin’s pounding Scotia have just released a new CD Sterling Road. It features St. James Daycare, Japanese Pre- feet and illustrated by his flying curls Perhaps this was more to do with the some very spritely medleys of polkas, jigs and reels and a few sound system and / or operators at The school, and all the other choirs as he conjures breathtakingly beautiful songs in English and Gaelic. Since its release last year they and AA meetings and Contra notes out of his fiddle. Centennial. Apparently they were hav- ing problems with their monitors and have gone into musical overdrive and they perform at The Rogue Dances etc. would be homeless. Dennis propels the rhythms with the there was some horrendous feedback on Friday, May 1. We organized a petition to rally local most tastefully understated yet super- in the first half. support and put pressure on the build- charged guitar and mandolin chords and picking. Strange, because they tour with their ing owners and the city to save it. We own sound engineer and the theatre has While recordings by Hayes and Cahill are very pleased to report that it looks This is not your everyday Celtic music; a fabulous new sound system. like the building will be saved! this is more like a musical trip on hallu- are rare as hen’s teeth – just three since cinogens or tantric sex or transcenden- Anyhow, musically they were great, However, there is a lot of fundraising tal meditation! and the dancers were incredible! The required and a lot more effort is needed turnout was OK, with the venue around 1996 – they are both kept incredibly busy to persuade the city to help St. James Exhilarating and consciousness-altering half full. Community Square Society to pur- music played by two of the most gifted with other projects, including chase the building. musicians around. With another 50 tickets sold we would • have broken even. Disappointing to lose Masters of Tradition and The Gloaming. The society has run the building at To get you in the mood why not check money on such a fine band with such a break-even for the past 21 years – with out the local debut of the amazing sis- great new album, but that’s life. no operating funds from any level of ters Cassie & Maggie MacDonald • government. We are so happy to welcome him back and Tom Neville (Fear of Drinking) from Nova Scotia. There are some great shows coming up. On Friday, April 10, Pharis and to The Rogue! and flute / sax / harmonica “windgod” Now they / we must come up with a These young women have come on Jason Romero launch their new CD, • Mark Dowding (The Wheat In The huge amount of money to keep the build- leaps and bounds since I first encoun- A Wanderer I’ll Stay, with a concert at On Sunday, April 19 Montreal’s Barley). ing and to preserve all those marvel- tered them at a Folk Alliance Confer- St. James Hall. Michael Jerome Browne brings his lous programs. We need your help. Cam Wilson will bring his amazing ence in Memphis a few years ago. new CD, Sliding Delta – an homage Please visit www.sjcommunity Their music is a sumptuous blend of to the Blues legends of the 1920s and string quartet Van Django on the Sun- square.org to see how you can help Their latest CD, Sterling Road, is quite original songs in trad. style, Appalachian 1930s who inspired him to pursue a day night, and will also guest with Marc save this amazing venue! wonderful, featuring some very spritely ballads and folk blues, and Old Time musical career when he was growing Atkinson (The Bills) and his trio on • medleys of polkas, jigs and reels and a banjo tunes. up in Quebec, the son of English pro- the Saturday. The big news for Celtic music fans is few songs in English and Gaelic. fessors at a local university. Mark Dowding and Tom Neville will the impending concert by Co. Clare fid- Their harmonies are simply gorgeous, perform with Deanna Knight & The dler Martin Hayes and his guitar-tot- Since its release last year they have and the songs are so atmospheric and Michael is a superb player on six and Hot Club Of Mars on the opening ing buddy Dennis Cahill on Sunday, gone into musical overdrive! Recent mesmerizingly beautiful! 12 string guitar – with and without slide. night, which is the big cabaret / bur- May 3 at St. James Hall in Kitsilano. reports on their concerts are progres- He is also a fine singer and songwriter sively more replete with praise. They Pharis used to front a fabulous band lesque night with magicians and swing from Victoria called Outlaw Social. and plays gourd banjo, Cajun fiddle and Many of you will have seen them in perform at The Rogue on Friday, May harmonica. dancers and a chorus line – and a viva- their new “supergroup,” The 1. Now married to Jason Romero, one cious burlesque dancer – weaving in Gloaming, at the Chan Centre in No- • of the most in-demand banjo makers in He is often seen accompanying his good and out of the music provided by vember. Speaking of young innovators in Celtic the world, she lives in Horsefly, B.C. friend Eric Bibb (who is also a long Deanna and the boys. music, I must say I thought Goitse were time musical partner of Guy Davis.) Many more of you will have seen them Parisian guitar goddess and singer absolutely incredible last month! Her sister, Marin Patenaude, will open at The Rogue down the years, dating for them. The show will very probably Michael and Guy will deliver two of the Christine Tassan returns with the out- back to Martin’s first solo gigs in 1993. There was a good crowd at St. James sell out, so get your tickets now! finest Blues concerts you could ever standing combo Les Imposteures, so to witness their local debut, and it re- wish to hear. named because gypsy jazz is a notori- In all, Martin has played 13 times at The • ally showed them to be right at the fore- ously male-dominated genre, but these Rogue since then! Most recently in Next up we have two quite different Tickets for all Rogue shows are on sale front of Irish music. approaches to acoustic Blues. On Sat- incredible women from Montreal are 2012. at Highlife Records, Prussin Music, Red more than a match for any gypsy jazz If you don’t believe me listen to their urday, April 11 New York’s Guy Davis Cat Records, Rufus’ Guitar Shop and He was also at the Mission Folk Music plays a Rogue gig for the first time in combo on the planet! new CD, Tall Tales & Misadventures. online at www.roguefolk.bc.ca. Festival a couple of years ago with John six years. • Vancouver’s Company B Jazz Band Doyle and Kevin Crawford (in a trio A few days earlier we saw the return April is a great month to be in Paris. were such a big hit last year that we called The Teetotallers. None of them of Donegal quintet Altan after around This compelling singer and storyteller is the son of actors and civil rights ac- Not everyone can manage to get there have invited them back for the Sunday drink!). 10 years away. (I can’t remember this month, so Paris is coming to Van- show, which starts a little earlier than when they were last here; some time in tivists Ossie Davis & Ruby Dee. While recordings by Hayes and Cahill couver in April by way of the Rogue’s the usual start time (7 PM instead of 8 the mid noughties. Their last Rogue are rare as hen’s teeth – just three since He has presented one-man shows on 9th annual April In Paris Festival of PM). Full details of the event can be show was in 1999!) 1996 – they are both kept incredibly Broadway and has a string of superb Gypsy Jazz, Friday, April 24 to Sun- found on www.roguefolk.bc.ca. busy with other projects, including Mas- Instrumentally they were absolutely albums to his name – most recently day, April 26 at St. James Hall (3214 • Juba Dance (Red House Records). ters of Tradition and The Gloaming. fabulous, with their twin fiddles and new West 10th Avenue). It’s a great life if you don’t weaken – accordionist Martin Tourish in espe- and the music at The Rogue will defi- There is something truly magical about He was a big hit at last summer’s Mis- There are plenty of Celtic connections cially fine fettle. sion Folk Festival and travels around the nitely keep your pecker up as spring fills Martin’s music. Some of their pieces between gypsy jazz and the west coast the air! are rambling medleys of traditional tunes Vocally it seemed that Mairead Ni world bringing his music and message acoustic music scene, notably fiddle to the people just about every day. Slainte, which start with a slow air or a moody Mhaonaigh was struggling a bit, and players Cam Wilson (Mad Pudding) Steve APRIL 2015 www.celtic-connection.com PAGE 5 Tributes after Cynthia Lennon dies LONDON – The surviving Beatles have paid tribute to John Lennon’s first wife, Cynthia, who has died from cancer. Her family said she died on April 1 at her home in Spain with her son Julian at her bedside. A message on Julian’s website said the 75-year-old died “fol- lowing a short but brave battle with cancer.” Born Cynthia Powell, in Blackpool, she met Lennon at art school in Liverpool JULIAN LENNON was by his mother’s bedside in Majorca, in 1957 and the couple married just before Beatlemania transformed her Spain when Cynthia Lennon passed away on April 1. husband from a jobbing musician into one of the most famous men in the world. “The news of Cynthia’s passing At the height of The Beatles’ early suc- is very sad. She was a lovely lady cess, she was kept so far in the back- ground that many of Lennon’s female who I’ve known since our early days fans were not even aware of her ex- istence, and she stayed at home bring- together in Liverpool.” – Paul McCartney ing up Julian while the Fab Four toured the world and topped the charts. “She had such a strong zest for life and “She was a good mother to Julian and The couple divorced in 1968 after I felt proud how we two women stood will be missed by us all but I will al- Cynthia discovered her husband’s re- firm in the Beatles family. Please join ways have great memories of our times lationship with Japanese artist Yoko me in sending love and support to Julian together.” Ono. at this very sad time. Love, Yoko.” The Beatles’ drummer, Ringo Starr, Lennon’s second wife, and widow, Lennon’s former bandmate, Sir Paul tweeted a message from him and his Ono, said in a statement, “I’m very McCartney, said, “The news of wife Barbara Bach, which read: “Peace saddened by Cynthia’s death. She was Cynthia’s passing is very sad. She was and love to Julian Lennon God bless a great person and a wonderful mother a lovely lady who I’ve known since our Cynthia love Ringo and Barbara xx.” to Julian. early days together in Liverpool. PAGE 6 www.celtic-connection.com APRIL 2015 ‘The Sinclair Set’: Fallen VPD Police Officer Remembered as a Gifted Piper and Drummer T was an early December evening in 1955 when them from wearing their clan tartan or “Highland clothing,” banished the pipes Vancouver police constable Gordon Sinclair fin- and required school children to pray for ished his supper, kissed his family goodbye and the English king and royal family. began his regular evening shift patrolling the city. The Act was one of many draconian i laws imposed on the Highlanders after A call came in to investigate sus- By MIKE CHISHOLM an uprising against the English crown picious men lurking in a back al- by the Jacobite clans under “Bonnie” ley near West Third Avenue. Prince Charles Stuart, and the devas- tating defeat of the clans at Culloden As it turned out, the two men were cas- nerve with me. As a police band, we Moor in 1746. ing the area for a potential theft when honour both his sacrifice and his com- Constable Sinclair showed up. mitment to the pipe band world as presi- The imposition of the Act of Proscrip- dent of the B.C. Piper’s Association.” tion was one reason for the collapse of Within minutes of arriving, Sinclair was the centuries old clan system in the dead from two fatal gunshot wounds. On Saturday, April 25, 2015, the RCMP Highlands which prompted huge waves A massive manhunt that lasted two E. Division Pipe Band, under Pipe Ma- of emigration from the Highlands over months eventually snared the perpetra- jor Peden, a former VPD pipe sergeant the next 100 years to the New World. tors, one of whom was hanged for pull- himself, will open their 2015 Tartan Day It took a while, but 230 years later, ing the trigger. Ceilidh medley set with the march Con- stable Gordon Sinclair. someone finally decided to celebrate the Gordon Sinclair was more than just a repeal of the Act. family man and Vancouver police of- It is one of a number of tunes that the pipe band has been practicing during the One of the first Canadian Tartan Day ficer. He was also a gifted and skilled events was held in Nova Scotia (New bagpiper, teacher, drummer and a past several months as it prepares for its now annual spring concert. Scotland) in 1986 after descendants of former president of the B.C. Piper’s Scottish Highland immigrants convinced Association. On April 25, 2015, the Buffalo Celtic the Nova Scotia Legislature to recog- His daughters were Highland dancers Music Society and the RCMP E. Divi- nize April 6 as Tartan Day. and his son, now retired VPD Inspec- sion Pipe Band will present their an- PHOTO: VPD Memorial: Saluting the Heroes nual Tartan Day concert/ceilidh at the It has since spread around the world tor Ian Sinclair, a piper. VPD Constable and gifted piper Gordon Sinclair was killed in and is celebrated in many countries like Riverside Palace Banquet Hall, 14431 the line of duty on December 7, 1955. He is memorialized in a Today, Gordon Sinclair is not only re- Knox Way in Richmond. the United States and Australia with a membered by his colleagues in the VPD pipe tune written by VPD pipe sergeant and composer Jim large Scottish Diaspora. honour rolls, but also in a pipe tune writ- The event will showcase the music the McWilliams. That two-part march of what the RCMP E. Divi- band has been working on for the past The Tartan Day ceilidh will also include ten by well known VPD pipe sergeant sion Pipe Band now calls its “Sinclair Set” is the opening tune collaboration on an Irish air, called and composer Jim McWilliams. year, along with old favourites familiar at the annual Tartan Day concert/ceilidh on Saturday, April 25. to most people. Inisheer, with a fiddle and keyboard That two-part march is the opening tune player. The band will be led into the venue by “Last year was our first Tartan Day friends and music the tartans that are of what the RCMP E. Division Pipe The tune is a beautiful air that was origi- Band now calls its “Sinclair Set.” Drum Major Mike Guillemin and joined event and it was a resounding success,” so unique to Scotland and those of Scot- by new lead drummer Sgt. Gregor says Tartan Day chair and tenor drum- tish ancestry.” nally played by the Scottish Youth Pipe “In formulating our new pipe band med- Merry. mer Brent Jette. Band and will be performed by the band ley, I came across a great tune written International Tartan Day is recognized for the first time. The event concludes by Jim McWilliams, a former band col- Also joining the band will be the Shot “This year we intend to improve upon annually in April and is held to com- with pipes, drums and the communal league in the Vancouver Police Pipe of Scotch Highland Dancers of Van- that with a great show, great dancing memorate the repeal of the Act of Pro- singing of Flower of Scotland. Band,” says RCMP E. Division Pipe couver and other performers. and music and of course, a fantastic scription of August 12, 1747. meal. It’s a great opportunity to dust Tickets to the Tartan Day ceilidh are Major Hugh Peden. The evening begins at 6 PM with a si- The Act had a devastating effect on the $60 and can be obtained by contacting lent auction and scotch tasting prior to off your kilt and tartan, don a plaid tie, “The tune is very melodic and struck a scarf or sash, and celebrate with great Scottish community after the rebellion Brent Jette, phone: (604) 308-1424 or a full meal and performances. of 1745. It disarmed the Scots, forbade e-mail: [email protected] The Skye Boat Song "The Skye Boat Song" is a Scottish folk song, which can be played as a waltz, recalling the escape of Prince Charles Edward Stuart Epic battle to star (Bonnie Prince Charlie) from Uist to the Isle of Skye after his defeat at the Battle of Culloden in 1746. in Bonnie Prince Charlie film The song tells how Bonnie Prince Charlie, disguised as a serving maid, escaped in a small boat after the defeat of his Jacobite rising EDINBURGH – The biggest battle begin at the end of June with the battle said Moffat, who has worked on 24 fea- of 1745, with the aid of Flora MacDonald. The song is a traditional scene ever shot in Scotland is to be the scene involving more than 500 extras. ture films, including Red Rose, about expression of Jacobitism and its story has also entered Scotland bloody centrepiece of a new movie the life of poet Robert Burns. as a national legend. about Bonnie Prince Charlie. The Battle of Stirling Bridge which in- volved 2,000 extras in Braveheart was “This film is more about being British – Dumfries and Galloway is to be the ironically filmed in Ireland. it was a civil war. It was about either setting for the Battle of Culloden for being British or Jacobean. There’s a lot the new £6.5 million film and the Dumfries and Galloway has been cho- of politics going on in the film. The Brit- prince’s subsequent flight to Skye. sen by producers of The Great Geta- ish Empire started with Culloden and it way because the topography resembles was the battle that in the end united Already actors Peter Mullan – the Culloden. The historic protected battle- Britain.” award-winning Peterhead-born star field cannot be used for such a major who appeared in My Name is Joe, War re-enactment. He added, “I have had the idea of mak- Horse and Neds – and Brendan ing this film for 15 years and have had The battle will be constructed by Seoras Gleeson, who starred in Braveheart, it in development for three. I think this Gangs of New York and the Harry Wallace, who shot to fame when he di- story has everything. It will have ro- Potter films - and won an Emmy Award rected the fight scenes in Braveheart. mance too. He has worked on more than 100 ma- in 2009 for his portrayal of Winston Churchill in the film Into the Storm – jor films including Gladiator and Sav- “The fight scene will be the biggest ever have been lined-up. ing Private Ryan. shot in Scotland. It will be spectacular. The part of Flora MacDonald, who The new film is the first major movie “The Prince is very much a spoilt brat helped the Young Pretender escape to on Charles Edward Stuart since initially who knows nothing about Scot- Skye, has been offered to Kristen Bonnie Prince Charlie, the 1948 pro- tish culture until after he goes native. duction starring David Niven and Stewart, who played Bella Swan in the “The 1948 film was too sweeping in the internationally successful Twilight Margaret Leighton – legendary for its nightmarish shoot and catastrophic box- story and more about romance. This will films. help correct some of the myths.” office takings. The prince has not yet been cast. The Great Getaway has been written Scenes will also be shot in Skye and Negotiations are continuing with the by Glasgow-born Robbie Moffat (60), South Uist – the route followed by the “Hollywood A-Listers” who have been who said it will not be “anti-English in fleeing Prince – as well as the remote earmarked for the key roles as well as any way.” Knoydart peninsula, the mountains that of Culloden victor the Duke of where Bonnie Prince Charlie is sup- Cumberland. “Even the bad guys are Scottish. It was posed to have taken refuge after Scot against Scot. There will be no anti- Culloden. Lewis will also be one of the Filming on The Great Getaway will English feeling or sentiment in the film,” locations. APRIL 2015 www.celtic-connection.com PAGE 7 Two worlds connect at acclaimed Celtic Connections concert VANCOUVER – The recent concert at the Chan Centre in Vancouver featuring Zakir Hussain’s acclaimed Celtic Connections: The Pulse of the World project was especially meaningful for Donald and Wilma Paton of West Vancou- ver. Appearing on the programme was the Scottish traditional fiddle player Patsy Reid whose home in Perth, Scotland is only a few steps away from Donald and Wilma’s WILMA and Donald Paton with Patsy Reid at the recent Zakir Scottish home. Hussain’s Celtic Connections concert at the Chan Centre in Vancouver. Indeed Patsy, Donald and Wilma all performed on the same programme in ognized as one of the greatest musi- Making their Chan Centre debuts, in January of this year at the Annual Din- cians of our time and a classical tabla addition to the aforementioned fiddle ner of the Perth Burns Club (one of virtuoso of the highest order. player Patsy Reid, were Ireland’s famed Scotland’s leading Burns Nights) when John Joe Kelly (bodhran); fiddle player Patsy was the fiddler, Wilma was one He was joined by Rakesh Chaurasia Charlie McKerron of the Scottish band of the singers and Donald gave a can- (bansuri player) and Ganesh Capercaillie; Scottish piper Fraser dlelit rendition of Tam o’ Shanter. See Rajagopalan (Carnatic-style violinist) in Fifield; Dublin guitarist Tony Byrne and www.perthburnsclub.org.uk. an outstanding programme of Celtic and French flautist Jean-Michel Veillon. inter-cultural music. At the Vancouver concert, part of a It was truly a performance which high- two-week North American tour, the In addition to Hussain, Chaurasia and lighted the distinctive percussive sounds Chan Centre was filled to capacity as Rajagopalan, the performance featured of regions worlds apart, a mesmerizing Zakir Hussain again displayed his mas- a wonderfully talented group of Celtic collaboration between lively table beats terful talent and showed why he is rec- musicians. and ethereal Celtic tunes. PAGE 8 www.celtic-connection.com APRIL 2015 Welsh Society to hold annual spring sale at Cambrian Hall
By EIFION WILLIAMS
VANCOUVER – The Vancou- ver Welsh Society will hold THE CAMBRIAN HALL has been home to the Vancouver Welsh Society since 1929. its annual spring sale at the Cambrian Hall on Saturday, April 18 from 10 AM to 2 A Warm Welcome PM. This is one of the most successful fundraising events in the society’s calendar. at the Cambrian Hall JANE BYRNE and Pat Morris GILLIAN ROGERS is the main By EIFION WILLIAMS During the evening a video recording Proceeds from the sale help de- serve at the baking and pre- organizer of the annual spring VANCOUVER – A large gathering of the previous Saturday’s Ireland- fray the costs of maintaining the serves table. sale. of members and guests enjoyed a Wales international rugby game, which 87-year-old Cambrian Hall, a Wales won, was viewed with great en- Grade 2 listed Vancouver heritage pleasant social evening in the thusiasm by the many rugby enthusi- building. Cambrian Hall’s Red Dragon asts present. (Their enthusiasm was no Lounge on Friday evening, March doubt dampened the following day when The Welsh Society has faced increas- 20. Ireland emerged as the Six Nations ing maintenance and repair costs to the Champions). building in recent years. The event was held to welcome new and potential members to the Vancou- Refreshments were served by the Last year, spring sale customers lined ver Welsh Society. Welsh Society’s social committee, led up outside the hall before the 10 AM by Gillian Rogers, together with a very opening and for the first hour the hall A convivial mix of current members and large welcoming cake donated by Jane was packed with buyers, resulting in visitors enjoyed socializing in a pub at- Byrne. brisk sales. mosphere with many vowing to return and participate in future society events. Musical accompaniment throughout the The Cambrian Hall is located at 215 th evening was provided by Ray Batten, East 17 Avenue, just off Main Street, A particularly gratifying aspect of the who attracted many of those present to which has become a popular and trendy evening was the substantial number of sing some traditional Welsh tunes thoroughfare for Vancouverites, boast- young people in attendance, largely due around the piano. ing a variety of boutiques, antique shops, to the efforts of society member cafes and vintage stores. Neville Thomas. The next social event at the Red Dragon Last year, spring sale customers lined up outside the hall be- will be a trivia night in the near future. The Cambrian Hall’s spring sale offers Neville has campaigned vigorously in The society’s trivia nights have proved a convenient stopping place for the fore the 10 AM opening and for the first hour the hall was favour of encouraging an infusion of popular in the past and guests are wel- many shoppers on Main Street. packed with buyers, resulting in brisk sales. younger members to assure the soci- come to test their knowledge and win ety’s future. He introduced the visitors “fabulous” prizes. On the day of the sale, customers and and ensured all were warmly received. visitors can enjoy home-made cakes and As an added touch, the ladies who bake Last year over 50 businesses and indi- sandwiches in the tea room set up in and sell these items are dressed in tra- viduals donated items for the silent auc- the Cambrian’s lower hall. ditional Welsh costume. tion. Prospective buyers can place their written bids throughout the day of the As in past sales, many potential cus- Other items for sale include collectibles, sale. tomers first head to the homemade bak- china, books, kitchenware, toys and ing and preserves table where tradi- electronic goods. The ‘White Elephant’ Further information on how and when tional Welsh fare such as bara brith, a and ‘Things Welsh’ tables have also to donate items or contribute to the si- loaf liberally infused with dried fruit, and proved popular in past years. lent auction (items over $25) can be the ever-popular Welsh cakes sell out obtained from Gillian Rogers at (604) During the sale there will also be a si- quickly. 742-1378, or contact the Welsh Soci- lent auction of goods valued over $25. ety’s online at: www.welshsociety.com. Welsh Society member discovers
family roots in Welsh settlement CARDIGAN in New Brunswick is the first Welsh settlement in By EIFION WILLIAMS then British North America. Teifi Estuary in Wales to New Bruns- Canada. It was founded in 1819. VANCOUVER – In recent years there wick and Nova Scotia. has been a great upsurge in the number These immigrants braved the long and of people seeking to discover their fam- dangerous ocean crossing to an un- Thomas describes them as “a little clus- known as Welshtown. By a fortunate coincidence, Lynn and known land for basically the same rea- ter of Welsh emigrant sailings from Wilf happened to arrive at the chapel ily roots. A major reason for this in- According to Peter Thomas, most im- creasingly popular pastime is that re- sons as those that motivated the people Cardigan and Carmarthen between on one of the two days in the year when on the Mimosa – the dream and prom- 1817 and 1822.” migrants on these ships sailed on to St. descendents of the Central New Bruns- searching one’s ancestry has become John and then up river to Fredericton one of the more positive benefits of the ise of owning their own land, the pres- wick Welsh community held a church ervation of their language and culture Lynn was particularly interested in the and finally to what became known as Internet. voyage of the brig Albion. She found service to celebrate their Welsh herit- and the freedom to practice their own the Cardigan settlement. that among the many Welsh names age. Vancouver Welsh Society member dissenting religions. Last fall, Lynn and her husband Wilf Lynn Owens-Whalen has used the listed in the passenger list was an Lynn and Wilf were delighted to be in- Lynn Owens-Whalen has a special in- Owens family that disembarked in decided to visit the Cardigan settlement. vited by members of the congregation Internet and other tools to search for Following the road north from her paternal roots on Canada’s east terest in the story of the Welsh immi- Shelbourne, Nova Scotia in 1819. to join a potluck dinner where they gration to the east coast as she believes Fredericton they eventually arrived at coast. Lynn surmises that this may very well shared their Welsh roots with one an- that among them were several of her a white clapboard chapel and a grave- other. In the process she has reminded us of forebears. Lynn’s paternal grandfather explain her Owens family link with yard. the founding in New Brunswick of the was born on the Eastern Shore of Nova Wales. Summing up their visit to Cardigan, The names on the chapel grave stones Lynn wrote, “After almost 200 years, Cardigan settlement, the first Welsh Scotia. Also during her research, Lynn discov- and those in a church cemetery further settlement in Canada. ered that a direct ancestor, Richard we were a gathering of Canadian-born In his book Strangers from a Secret along the road matched the names on Welsh from coast-to-coast who, on this Almost 50 years before the much cel- Land, published in 1986, the late Peter Owens, sailed from the port of New- the passenger list of the Albion. port, Pembrokeshire in 1822, probably day, celebrated our Welsh roots to- ebrated 1865 voyage of the Mimosa, Thomas, an English professor at the She and Wilf then knew that they had gether. carrying 153 Welsh migrants to University of New Brunswick, docu- on another brig called The Active. found the Cardigan settlement. A plaque “And in finding Cardigan and its Welsh Patagonia, several groups of Welsh mi- mented the origins and destiny of the At the age of 14, along with many oth- in the cemetery commemorates these grants sailed from the west coast of passengers on these little ships on their ers, he jumped ship in Halifax and set- community we may very well have dis- settlers who established the first Welsh covered more of our Owens roots too.” Wales to the east coast of what was voyages from communities around the tled in Shelbourne, which later became settlement in Canada. APRIL 2015 www.celtic-connection.com PAGE 9 Fraudster conned his way out of UK prison LONDON – A serial fraudster man- aged to con prison guards into letting him walk free from jail by sending them e-mails from the ‘courts service’ de- manding his release. Neil Moore (28) set up a fake website and sent e-mails purporting to be from the courts service to trick Wandsworth Prison into thinking he had been freed on bail by a judge. However, the ‘consummate and practiced’ conman appeared to have a ‘change of heart’ just three days after his release and was re-arrested after informing his solicitor of his actions. Moore was on remand at Wandsworth Prison in south west London, when he sent a letter to wardens posing as the NEIL MOORE walked out of Wandsworth Prison after faking a court service. letter saying he had been released on bail. In it he claimed that he had been granted bail, ensuring he was able to walk out Judge John Price said, “He does it and Lloyds and the Bank of America to dupe of prison, London’s Southwark Crown then regrets it – realizes it is a silly thing major organizations such as Cambia Court heard. to do.” Autos and Thomas Global Exchange into handing over between £1.5 million But according to Chloe Gardner defend- Moore had been on remand accused of and £2 million between February 2012 ing, Moore had “a change of heart” five counts of fraud, before he made and November 2013. around three or four days later. “He his escape. Moore was remanded in custody in re- spoke to his instructed solicitor and sur- He posed as bank staff from Barclays, rendered himself.” lation to these offences on January 21, 2014, but by March 10 had set up a website and corresponding e-mail ac- count purporting to be the prison serv- Tartan Pride Host ice. Ian Paton, prosecuting, told London’s Annual Celtic Ceilidh Night Southwark Crown Court, “He acquired SURREY, BC – Tartan Pride Highland Dance Team will host their annual Celtic bail forms that he adapted for his pur- Ceilidh Night on Saturday, April 25 at the Cloverdale Catholic Parish Hall in poses.” Surrey. But within a week of his escape he was After a short concert with the Joan Murray dancers, everyone is invited to sing back before a judge remanded in cus- and dance along to the rousing music of Blackthorn and special guests the Van- tody and sent to a high security wing at couver Police Pipe Band. There are games, door prizes, silent auction, bar and Belmarsh Prison. concession. Detectives initially believed the frauds Tickets are $10 and $15. For more information, call (604) 576-1619 or (604) 513- had been committed by Moore’s 8407. E-mail [email protected] or [email protected]. transgender partner, Kristen Moore, and she was also charged with fraud, but the charges against her were later UK election guidelines dropped. in case of hung parliament Free movement LONDON – Following the General Election of May 2010, the United King- dom found itself with its first hung parliament since 1974. between This result was widely expected, but also feared across the political estab- Commonwealth lishment, the media and the wider public as having the potential to lead to political and economic chaos. Countries VANCOUVER – James Skinner is the How to transition to a stable government, in a country with little recent expe- founder and executive director of the rience of hung parliaments was unclear. Commonwealth Freedom of Movement Now, the Political and Constitution reform committee has recommended Organization. Whitehall should urgently set out the constitutional principles over which He is calling on politicians in Canada, leader holds the key to Number 10 if no party wins an overall majority at the the U.K., Australia and New Zealand May 2015 general election. to loosen restrictions on visas and work The Cabinet manual, which sets out the “rules of the game,” must address permits between the four countries. the convention that the need for a prime minister to be in place at all times is Skinner says citizens within the Euro- “unambiguous,” the Political and Constitutional Reform committee insisted. pean Union can work and reside indefi- Labour’s Gordon Brown ordered the document to be drawn up in the months nitely in each of the 28 member states, before the 2010 poll as civil servants turned their attentions to how to re- and a similar policy occurs between spond if a coalition had to be formed. Australia and New Zealand. In the days after the result, the former prime minister found himself branded There’s no reason why something simi- a “squatter” when he remained in office as the parties held talks to strike a lar can’t happen between Canada, the deal. U.K., Australia and New Zealand, he argued. Since then the draft Cabinet manual has been refined but MPs called for more revisions to be made. When Skinner moved from the UK to Australia, he fell in love with Melbourne, Committee chairman Graham Allen said, “We are aware that there is very landed a great job, met a great group of little understanding of what the Cabinet manual is or does, but it actually friends, settled down in his new home performs a central constitutional function in our democracy. As such, the – only to leave because permanent resi- public should be better informed about it and it should be improved to fulfil dency was much harder to obtain than this role better.” he anticipated. The manual also deals with wider constitutional issues, such as the decision Skinner fears the same experience to go to war, and acknowledges that a “convention had developed in parlia- could happen again. “We are virtually ment that before troops were committed the House of Commons should the same people,” he told Rick Cluff of have an opportunity to debate the matter.” The Early Edition on CBC radio, re- But the committee said the document must go further to “fully and unam- ferring to countries within the Com- biguously reflect the scope of uncertainty over the use of the convention.” monwealth. “The only thing that divides us is the cover of our passports. PAGE 10 www.celtic-connection.com APRIL 2015 Pipers in the Sand: My Extraordinary Experience as an Ex-Pat in the Desert
ELOWNA, BC – In 1971 after I’d left I still have a print given to me by John when he returned to the UK. It’s by a the British Royal Air Force, I joined an British military and wildlife artist, David Shepard, and shows the front of Jahili aviation company in Britain. The next Fort at Buraimi Oasis. year I was asked if I would be inter- It depicts the last camel corps patrol K with three armed Trucial Oman Scouts ested in a contract in Abu Dhabi in what is now the on their camels looking across at a Land United Arab Emirates. Rover. Abu Dhabi in 1972 was nothing like By DOUG GRANT I also have the red and white chequered the luxurious splendor that exists there shemagh (head dress) with the Trucial today. There were very few roads, Oman Scout’s regimental badge of The underground water system dates crossed jambiyas (Arab daggers). paved or otherwise, only one hotel, and back to 500 A.D. but it is thought that a souk (market). In the height of sum- there are ones in very arid areas that I feel quite privileged having had the mer there were long power outages. may date from 2,500 B.C. This system opportunity of staying in this magnifi- The only entertainment was provided runs anything from ground level to 65 cent fort. According to the website, it by the various ex-pat camps on the is- or 200 feet below in channels into deep has been totally renovated and does not land. Very few ex-pat families lived caves. AN ILLUSTRATION by British military and wildlife artist, David look like the fort I stayed in 44 years ago. there. We left the oasis and headed out into Shepard, and shows the front of Jahili Fort at Buraimi Oasis. It During my time there I made friends the desert – luckily John knew his way depicts the last camel corps patrol with three armed Trucial [*Note: The Delta Police Pipe Band with John, a staff sergeant in the Royal around because taking a wrong turning Oman Scouts on their camels looking across at a Land Rover. played at the Edinburgh Tattoo in 1994 Electrical and Mechanical Engineers could have sent us into the Empty Quar- when the Queen’s Own amalgamated (REME), British Army, seconded to the ter. with the Gordons to become the High- Queen’s Own Highlanders*, com- sound of the pipes in the middle of the landers and today is known as the High- Trucial Oman Scouts, who was based This runs down through Saudi Arabia manded the training regiment of the desert or that I would meet such inter- landers 4th Battalion of the Royal Regi- at Fort Al-Jahili, Buraimi Oasis, 120 kilo- to the Dhofar region of southern Oman, ADDF. esting pipers. ment of Scotland.] metres (74 miles) south of Abu Dhabi. a distance of about 1,200 kilometers On retiring from the British Army, he John looked after the army’s vehicles (770 miles). was very prominent in the piping cir- along with a British major who ran the We set off into the desert to try the bikes cles both in Scotland and overseas. An infantry training. John invited me and a in the sand dunes which created quite accomplished piper, he had judged many few friends to come and spend the a few spills, luckily on soft sand, and solo piping competitions as well as pipe weekend. then it was time to stop for a drink and bands. In Abu Dhabi the Muslim weekend con- bite to eat. Abu Dhabi had strong ties with Paki- sisted of Thursday afternoon and Fri- Laying there in the peace and tranquility stan and Colonel Murray knew that the day. He advised that we would need a of the desert a sound on the wind caught country would be a good source of re- Land Rover or Toyota Land Cruiser to my ears. tired ex-army pipers, so he went on a get to the fort. recruiting drive coming up with a pipe I turned around to the others and said, I talked to a few friends and the four of band whose pipers were all well ac- “You are not going to believe this, but I complished. us arranged a weekend out with John. can hear bagpipes.” Some of these pipers had attended a On arriving at the fort, we thought we They responded as you would expect, were back in Algeria at the Beau Geste short pipe majors’ course at Edinburgh “Oh sure Doug, and we can hear Big Castle in the Fifties and Sixties under Fort (PC Wren’s story of three broth- Ben chiming away in London.” ers joining the French Foreign Legion), Captain John McLellan, MBE, who and we expected at any minute to see “No listen very carefully,” and sure was head of the Army School of Bag- Gary Cooper appear at the gate in his enough the distinct thump of a bass pipe music from 1959 until 1977. HIGHLAND dancers compete at the annual BC Highland Games legion uniform. drum and bagpipes could be heard He had taken over from the great piper, held in Coquitlam, B.C. The date this year date is June 20. somewhere in the distance. It was a beautiful old fort that was built Willie Ross who had founded the school in 1891 to protect the Oasis’ precious John told us that there was an Abu in 1919 and ran it until his retirement in palm groves. John took us in and Dhabi Defence Force (ADDF) camp 1958. showed us around; it was quite a place about two miles away, so we set off One of the older pipers told me that he B.C.’s largest celebration and he did have a big supply of cold following John. had also taken Pibroch (Ceol Mar) in- beer in the fridge. We came over a ridge and there below struction from Willie Ross in the early of Scottish culture The ex-pats could get alcohol from a us was an army camp and on the pa- 1950s. I had a grand time talking to By MIKE CHISHOLM Division Pipe Band. special liquor store with the correct rade square was a pipe band marching these gentlemen and could have spent COQUITLAM – Planning for B.C.’s permit but locals were not allowed al- up and down. all day with them listening to their sto- largest and most colourful Scottish Tossing the caber, Highland dancing, cohol and woe-be-tide any ex-pat ries. We drove to the gate entrance and once Highland Games and festival in June is playing strathspeys and reels on the bag- caught selling it to the locals. We had a pipes, tasting great whisky, enjoying the John had shown his military ID the I did some research recently and found well underway. good evening with a few other ex-pats guards let us past the barrier. that the Pakistan Army has a piping camaraderie of the beer garden and joining us. school in Abbottabad in northern Paki- The B.C. Highland Games and Scot- engaging children with special events We went over to the square and tish Festival is an opportunity to cel- are just some of the activities at the B.C. They lived in the town of El Ain and stan. watched as the band did counter- ebrate Scottish and Celtic culture in Highland Games. were eager to meet any new face. marches, playing old favourites like This was the city where a notorious British Columbia and to commemorate An all-day family event, the B.C. High- I do remember late in the evening all of Heiland Laddie, Bonnie Dundee, person lived until a few years ago but great Scottish individuals who have land Games conclude with the stirring us sitting out in the desert looking up at Cock of the North, Skye Boat, and a he clearly wasn’t interested in the bag- played a pivotal role in the history of sounds of the largest massed pipe band the clear starlit sky and singing Hey few unrecognizable tunes which were pipes. British Columbia. performance in British Columbia, a Jude at the top of our voices along with probably local compositions. The school run courses for pipers, drum- From explorers Simon Fraser and competition between two of the best the Beatles. You could tell that their bagpipes were mers, and drum majors. The pipe ma- David Thompson to first governor pipe bands in the world today, and a The desert is an amazing place at night. made in Pakistan because of the dis- jor’s course is 21 weeks and they have James Douglas and Vancouver’s first grand finale showcasing some of the tinctly higher pitch compared to the had British Army pipe majors seconded mayor, Malcolm Alexander MacLean, best Scottish entertainment in the prov- John had a large collection of military Scottish pipes. After about 10 minutes for a year to help with the organization. Scots have been a major influence on ince. 4x4s and trail bikes in his charge that they stopped for a break so I thought I the province, providing political, reli- were used for moving army patrols The Pakistani Army holds a pipe band Access is easy via Skytrain and bus, would go over and introduce myself. competition in Lahore with as many as gious, musical and business leaders for around the desert during the week. centuries. with plenty of free parking at the Their pipe major told me that each piper 28 bands participating each year. Coquitlam Mall and a free shuttle to the We loaded up a cooler of cold beer, had been a pipe major in a Pakistani This year, Simon Fraser University cel- B.C. Highland Games field. Gates open crash hats, goggles, and water and off The Queen’s Own Highlanders indi- army regimental band and was retired. vidual piping trophy and the Duke of ebrates its 50th anniversary at the High- at 9 AM. we went. land Games, with special events on the In 1971 Sheikh Zaid, the crown prince Edinburgh’s pipe band trophy are The B.C. Highland Games and Scot- John took us to see some of the ar- of Abu Dhabi, decided that he wanted awarded annually. field, in the cultural tent and even a special beer to commemorate the oc- tish Festival will be held on Saturday, chaeological ruins dating back 4,000 a pipe band in the Defence Force. June 20 at the Percy Parry Stadium in years and to an interesting natural min- The judges are flown out from the UK casion. Colonel David Murray, who had com- and are usually senior pipe majors and Coquitlam. eral spring which led to the aflaj, an New events include non-competitive ancient underground water system that manded the Queen’s Own Cameron drum majors from the Royal Regiments More information is available on the Highlander until its amalgamation with of Scotland. band performances from the Vancou- irrigates the oasis and surrounding ver Police Pipe Band, the Irish Regi- festival website: http://bchighland the Seaforths in 1961 to become the games.com. farms. I never thought that I would hear the ment of Canada, and the RCMP E. APRIL 2015 www.celtic-connection.com PAGE 11 Revived interest in Boswell in his homeland DINBURGH – James Boswell’s name isn’t on refrain from groaning and weeping bit- terly.” Even when crying out, Boswell many ‘top ten famous Scots’ lists. Perhaps that is dealt in extremes. not surprising with competition like Watt, Hume, E Zaretsky reminds us what a piece of Bell, Smith and Carnegie. work Boswell was; a natural subject for modern psychoanalysis. More surprising is the fact that he doesn’t always appear on lists of great His father, Lord Auchinleck didn’t rate Scottish literary figures either. He’s not him, objecting to his incessant journaling only eclipsed by Burns and Scott but in particular and his mother was prone to mollycoddling and strict Calvinistic also modern Scottish writers like Ian doctrine in equal measure. Rankin and Alexander McCall Smith. By The son they raised was a welter of And yet Boswell’s Life of Samuel HARRY contradictions: vain and self-doubting; Johnson, in which he faithfully records McGRATH restrained and debauched; high spirited the wisdom and foibles of the great and prone to debilitating melancholy; writer, poet and lexicographer, is gen- physically courageous and terrified of erally regarded as the greatest biogra- ghosts. This, of course, is why he is so phy written in English. fascinating. In recent years, however, there are Boswell’s contact with great men was signs of renewed interest in Boswell. not restricted to Johnson or to yelling One of these is the Boswell Book Fes- names from the top of Arthur’s Seat. tival which started five years ago. On his grand tour of Europe, which “The World’s Only Festival of Biogra- Zaretsky examines in detail, he met phy and Memoir” is the brainchild of Voltaire, Rousseau, Hume, Wilkes, the the Boswell Trust whose trustees in- Corsican freedom-fighter Paoli and oth- clude Margaret Boswell Elliott, a direct ers. descendent of the great man. Whenever possible he made copious The festival was previously held in the notes on their appearance, personal grounds of Auckinleck House in Ayr- characteristics and conversations. shire which was Boswell’s childhood home, but it proved so popular that it is It was Johnson who inspired him to self- moving to nearby Dumfries House to improvement through journalizing (his accommodate more sessions and larger father was, an improver of a different crowds. order who, when Boswell was in PAINTING of James Boswell of Utrecht, wanted “to be informed of the The success of the festival has been Auchinleck [1785] by Sir method by which they [the Dutch] keep matched by the publication of an in- their cows so clean”). creasing number of books about Joshua Reynolds. Boswell, the most recent being Johnson also instructed his young friend in step with the two young men and Boswell’s Enlightenment by American on the task of the biographer which, he describe the tumult that was Scotland’s academic Robert Zaretsky. believed, is to lead the reader’s mind capital: sellers and sewage, cathedral “into domestic privacies and minute Zaretsky’s book initially sounds rather and tenements, Kirk and brothels. details of daily life.” It was advice that high brow as he intends to “trace one Boswell and Temple are on their way Boswell put to good use even before particular aspect to the Scots life: his to ascend Arthur’s Seat where, on he employed it on his mentor. struggle with the great questions deal- reaching the summit, they yell “Voltaire, ing with the sense and ends of life The secret of Boswell’s remarkable Rousseau, immortal names!” brought into being by the Enlighten- access to great men is difficult to pin ment.” Boswell is clearly in a state of high ex- down. His explanation was that “I have citement but this is only one of several the art to be easy and chatty” but there However, any worries about Zaretsky examples of his use of spontaneous dec- is surely more to it than that. drying out Boswell are assuaged by a lamation. colourful prologue when the author fol- He declared on several occasions, that lows young James and his friend William On approaching London for the first he was “no bigot” as far as religion was Temple down Edinburgh’s High Street. time, for instance, he surprised his fel- concerned (Boswell was drawn to Ro- low travellers in the stagecoach by man Catholicism much to his father’s The invisible companion is a device loudly expressing his pleasure. horror) and he was liberal in his ap- much favoured by American academ- proaches to men of contending ideas. ics when describing Eighteenth Century In Utrecht, however, he “went out to Edinburgh and Zaretsky uses it to fall the streets and even in public could not This was a stark contrast to his mentor Johnson who hated the very idea of Wilkes and considered that Rousseau and Voltaire were indistinguishable in their iniquity. One thing that Boswell and Johnson had in common was the black dog of de- pression which, in turn, was fuelled by a mutual fear of death or “annihilation.” Zaretsky’s book leaves Boswell after the death of David Hume in Edinburgh when he [Boswell] “drank himself nearly blind ... and took a prostitute to the top of Castle Hill.” Boswell had previously visited the can- cer-stricken Hume in the hope that he would renounce his scepticism in the face of death, but the philosopher con- founded him with his good cheer. Boswell himself would die at 54, re- duced by the long term effects of gon- orrhoea and drinking. But by then this romantic, rational, scep- tical, believer had already ensured his own immortality. Not bad for someone that Horace Walpole once dismissed as “the quintessence of busybodies.” This year’s Boswell Book Festival takes place May 8-10. PAGE 12 www.celtic-connection.com APRIL 2015 ST. PATRICK’S WEEKEND AT THE EDMONTON IRISH CENTRE
‘DUELLING’ MARIE MARTIN AND SHEILA SMITH GARY, BRONA AND SEAN MOLNAR, LEPRECHAUNS AND FRIEND HEATHER
AELA MARTIN AND MERV BELL
PAT LARKIN AND MARY MORRIS JOHN AND JENNY CASSIDY
HEATHER AND DAVID INGRAM
SHEENA DOYLE, ANNE HOGAN DAVID AND PATRICK GALLAGHER AND CHRISTIE DOMINIUK WITH UNCLE SHAUN HARLEY CHRIS BRADEN AND NEIL CONNELLY
MIKE COUGHLAN, DAVID ROWLEY, DIANNE O BYRNE ULTAN PETERS AND SEAMUS TRACY AND DAUGHTER AOIFE JEN AND MATHEW MARTIN WITH PATTI BELL APRIL 2015 www.celtic-connection.com PAGE 13 Edmonton’s Irish Centre celebrates St. Patrick By BILL MORRIS group Grace O Malley and some more Rinnce Mahony dancers, and once EDMONTON – The Edmonton spectacular dancing. again, as they so generously do every Irish Centre was a green hive of year, the Knock and Matterin dancers It was a great opportunity for young and made the day a complete cultural ex- activity around the St. Patrick’s old to get together and enjoy their her- perience. Day weekend. itage. The ever-popular group The Chancers On Saturday, March 14, their annual St. On Tuesday, March 17, the day began rounded out the entertainment for the Patrick’s dinner and dance was held. with Irish breakfast and Gaelic games. evening with their rousing and cheerful The full house were treated to a double Throughout the day the centre saw a repertoire. tonic of Irish dancing with spectacular steady stream of people who just The busy month ended with the Rose performances by the Knock and wanted to be among the Irish on this of Tralee selection on March 28, and Matterin dancers, many of whom were special day. the following day with the selection of heading to compete in the World Cham- The president of the Irish Club, Martin a new executive at the AGM. pionships in Montreal. Doyle, said it was a special day for the April offers a quieter schedule, and A delicious meal was followed by dance Irish, but it was also a day when all time to recover from a hectic month. music until the wee hours, supplied by Canadians were invited to enjoy the THE NEW Western Canada Rose Cassandra Sampson (L) with The Celtics. hospitality and friendship of the Irish On May 6 the Irish Centre is proud to 2014 Rose Catharine Joyce (R). community. feature in concert Martin Hayes and On Sunday, March 15, an open house Dennis Cahill. An evening of top class again saw a capacity crowd of all ages, There was a full day of entertainment traditional music, not to be missed. who enjoyed the music of new local from artists Peter Kelly, Brian Maxwell, Double Western Canada Rose Win for Fort McMurray By BILL MORRIS the West Coast Trail this summer. EDMONTON – For the second “I’m excited and humbled to be se- year running, a Fort McMurray girl lected Western Canada Rose, and be- has been chosen as the Western ing involved has already provided me Canada Rose for the 2015 Rose with a more in depth understanding of of Tralee Festival. my family and their history.” This year, 26-year-old Cassandra She was inspired by the successful young women she met at the event in Sampson was selected at the Edmon- Edmonton and is looking forward to ton Irish Centre on Saturday, March 28. meeting some more remarkable young Cassandra is a Bachelor of Arts Psy- women in Portlaoise. chology graduate from the University Cassandra is also looking into possibly of Alberta. She also holds a diploma in researching her ‘Malone’, ‘O Brien’ and physical/occupational therapy and ‘Bruce’ ancestors, and her ties to works as an injury prevention educa- Kilfinnane Co. Limerick. tor. “I have only been the 2015 Western Last year’s Rose, Catharine Joyce, also GARY O BRIEN, MIKE QUIRKE AND RAY HAMILTON Canada Rose for a short period of time, SEAMUS DONAGHY from Fort McMurray, was proud to but I have already met such a lovely present the winner’s sash to her former and encouraging bunch of people. schoolmate. “ I can’t wait to represent our beautiful Cassandra will now go forward to the country and our breathtaking western regional selection in Portlaoise on May provinces in Ireland.” 31 and, if successful, will represent Western Canada in Tralee on August Cassandra is the ninth Rose selected 17 and 18. to represent Western Canada, and plans will soon be under way planning the 10th Addressing the large crowd, Catharine anniversary event. All eligible young said her year as 2014 Rose was an un- ladies are encouraged to get involved forgettable experience that has forever in what could be a great experience. enhanced her life. For more information, visit the official She thanked everyone at the Irish Cen- Rose of Tralee website at tre, the past Roses, Moira Quirke, her www.roseoftralee.ie. Alternatively, call family and friends for their tremendous the Irish Sports and Social Society at support. (780) 453-2249, or Moira Quirke at Cassandra is active in running, yoga and (780) 918-6331 or e-mail: recreational sports, and intends to hike [email protected].
MURRAY CONNOR, BERNIE DEVEREUX AND SUSAN MCKENNA JESSICA BELL AND CHRIS NIXON Landlord takes out an ad over lack of support DONEGAL – A pub landlord has their business, he thanked them for not caused outcry in a seaside village after coming through the doors. publicly slating locals who failed to drink in his bar. The advert read “Big Paddy’s Bar has closed its doors. I would like to take this William Flood took out an advert in his time and personally thank the people of local newspaper thanking customers for Rathmullan for supporting me in this not drinking in his pub, Big Paddys. venture over the last 18 months NOT!! Thanks.” The bar opened 18 months ago in Rathmullan in Co. Donegal. However, Locals have been left bemused by the the bar was forced to close its doors advert and the sudden closure of the recently because of a lack of trade. bar. Flood, who leased the premises, was One said, “I was in it a couple of times so incensed at the failure of the busi- but I don’t go out a lot these days and I ness that he decided to get it off his don’t think most people do. chest. So he contacted the Tirconail Tribune newspaper and paid for an ad- “I’m sorry his business has failed but I vert of a very different kind. don’t think he can slag off an entire vil- UNA BRADY, JENNIFER DE FORREST, LINDA INGRAM ANITA NIXON lage because they choose not to drink AND DON LECKY AND FRIEND Instead of thanking his customers for in his bar.” PAGE 14 www.celtic-connection.com APRIL 2015 Ceremonies in Dublin to mark 99th anniversary of the Easter Rising DUBLIN – Ceremonies to mark the 99th anniversary of the Easter Rising took place around the coun- try on April 5. It was on Easter Monday, April 24, 1916, when Padraic Pearse stepped outside the General Post Office, head- quarters of the Rising, to read the Proc- lamation of the Irish Republic. After six days of fighting, heavy civil- ian casualties and great destruction of property, Pearse finally issued the or- der to surrender. Pearse and 14 other leaders, including his brother Willie, were court-martialled and executed by firing squad. COMMEMORATION celebrations for the 1916 Rising were held Thomas Clarke, Thomas MacDonagh in Dublin on Sunday, April 5 as President Michael D. Higgins and Pearse himself were the first of the led a ceremony on O’Connell street. rebels to be executed, on the morning of May 3, 1916. CEO of Glasnevin Cemetery George “Partition has retarded and distorted the McCullagh said several countries were political, social and economic life of this Pearse was 36 years old at the time of represented at the event – the French island. But politics in both parts of this THE HONOURABLE Rob Nicholson (R), Canada’s Minister of his death. ambassador because of their connec- island is now in flux. tion to the tricolour, and the British am- Foreign Affairs and Ireland’s Minister for Foreign Affairs and Roger Casement, who had tried unsuc- “The message of the Proclamation, the Trade, Charles Flanagan (L). The two ministers met in Toronto cessfully to recruit an insurgent force bassador because of the history be- tween the two countries. symbolism of our national flag and the to discuss bilateral relations and to officially launch the James among Irish-born prisoners of war from challenge for republicans today is to M. Flaherty Scholarship Program. the Irish Brigade in Germany, was Members of the Defence Forces pa- unite Orange and Green in equality and hanged in London the following August. raded through Dublin in the country’s mutual respect. Following his execution, Pearse came centrepiece event marking the anniver- sary of the Rising. “I would appeal directly to working to be seen by many as the embodiment class unionists and loyalists to examine Canada’s Minister of the rebellion. The parade went from Dublin Castle to the economic and social price now be- The ceremony in Dublin to mark the the GPO, where the tricolour was low- ing paid for the union. 99th anniversary of the Rising was at- ered and President Higgins laid a wreath. A minutes silence was also ob- “Austerity policies imposed by an Eton- of Foreign Affairs tended by President Michael D. educated English elite is no more in the served to remember those who died in Higgins, Taoiseach Enda Kenny and interests of people of the Shankill Road the Rising. Minister for Defence Simon Coveney. than it is for residents of the Bogside. Speaking in Fermanagh at an Easter meets with his Irish Earlier in the day, wreaths were laid by “I believe next year’s Centenary events Minister for Arts, Heritage and the 1916 Commemoration Gerry Adams said, “Ireland today needs another Ris- should be a catalyst for a national con- Gaeltacht, Heather Humphreys, and versation on these issues,” he said. counterpart British Ambassador Dominick Chilcott ing – a peaceful rising to take control at Glasnevin Cemetery. of the ideals of the Proclamation and to For more information, see the official TORONTO – During the St. put them into practice. Ireland 2016 website at: http://ireland.ie. Patrick’s Day global outreach initiative, Ireland’s Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade, Charles Flanagan met with Rob Liam Neeson to narrate TV series Nicholson, Canada’s Minister of Foreign Affairs on March 13. to mark centenary of Easter Rising The meeting was aimed at bolstering ACTOR Liam Neeson will narrate a commercial relations between the two new three-part documentary television countries and this was Minister series, produced by the University of Flanagan’s first official visit to Canada. Notre Dame’s Keough-Naughton In- The two ministers discussed a number stitute for Irish Studies, to mark the The James M. Flaherty Schol- centenary of the Easter Rising. of topics of mutual interest, including arship Program is a premier the Canada-EU Comprehensive Eco- international exchange pro- Directed by Pat Collins and written by nomic and Trade Agreement, the threats gram developed by the Irish Professor of Irish Studies at Notre posed by the so-called Islamic State of Dame Bríona Nic Dhiarmada, 1916: Iraq and the Levant, Russia’s provoca- and Canadian Governments in The Irish Rebellion will follow a tions in Ukraine and the nuclear threat partnership with the Ireland chronological narrative while present- posed by Iran. Canada University Foundation. ing the historical, political and cultural The ministers also announced the es- events of the uprising and the new and lasting relationships among the United tablishment of an educational scholar- The James M. Flaherty Scholarship ship program, developed by the Irish and States, Ireland and Britain that it Program is a premier international ex- brought about. Canadian Governments in partnership change program, designed to stimulate with the Ireland Canada University and support educational exchange and Airing on American Public Television Foundation, to support an academic partnership between Canada and Ire- (APT) in the United States and Raidió LIAM NEESON in the 1996 biopic film Michael Collins which exchange between the two countries. land at the highest level of academia. Teilifís Éireann (RTÉ) and the British was written and directed by Neil Jordan. The James M. Flaherty Scholarship Broadcasting Corp. (BBC) in Ireland, Canada has committed $150,000 annu- the series also is intended to air on other “We have the unique talent, expertise worldwide, screening and discussing the Program was named in honour of the ally for five years, while the Govern- late Jim Flaherty, Canada’s minister of broadcasters in Great Britain, Australia, and connections with scholars world- documentary. ment of Ireland has committed New Zealand, India, Canada and Eu- wide to tell this story in a way it has not finance from 2006 to 2014, in recogni- EU100,000 annually for three years, “We look forward to being an integral tion of his considerable work in support- rope. been told,” Fox said. “For more than with the option of extending funding for 20 years, the Keough-Naughton Insti- partner in Ireland’s celebration of the ing Canada’s relations with Ireland dur- A 70-minute film version of “1916” will the fourth and fifth years, in order to tute for Irish Studies has been bringing centenary,” Fox said. “With the world’s ing his lifetime. be screened globally to the world’s Irish make this scholarship available. Ireland to Notre Dame and Notre leading program of Irish studies, and embassies during the centenary cel- Canada and Ireland share deep histori- Dame to Ireland. This project allows Notre Dame’s global recognitions and A centrepiece of the James M. Flaherty ebrations as part of the Irish Govern- networks, we can help Ireland reach cal ties, with over 4.5 million Canadi- Scholarship Program will be a high-pro- us to bring Ireland to the world.” ans claiming Irish heritage. ment’s outreach to the 70 million peo- and educate her diaspora.” file annual lecture, to be given in Ire- ple of the Irish diaspora. “1916” will be featured in a series of In recent years, there has been a grow- land by a leading figure in the Irish- international academic events spon- Neeson is originally from Northern Ire- According to Christopher Fox, director land. The 62-year-old actor has a past ing dialogue and increased co-opera- Canadian field. sored by Notre Dame in cooperation of the Keough-Naughton Institute, tion and sharing of best practices be- with Irish embassies and consular serv- associated with the portrayal of Irish The speakers, selected in conjunction “1916” is an unprecedented attempt to tween the two countries on development ices during Ireland’s centenary celebra- history in the media as he starred as with Foreign Affairs, Trade and Devel- present the Easter Rising as a pivotal the Republican leader Michael Collins assistance, education, parliamentary tion. Collectively titled Reframing opment Canada (DFATD), will speak event in world history before a global reform, health care and other social and 1916, the series will bring several Notre in the 1996 historical biopic of the same on a subject of interest to both coun- audience. name. economic policies. tries. Dame faculty to speak at universities APRIL 2015 www.celtic-connection.com PAGE 15 Planning Underway in Vancouver for 1916 Centenary Celebrations VANCOUVER – A small group recently gathered in downtown Vancouver to dis- cuss how to mark the cente- nary of the 1916 Rising as members of the Irish diaspora. At the inaugural meeting, John Coughlan, Bernard Ward, George McDonnell and Pat Chessell discussed possible venues and events such as sporting activities, Irish music and dance, and a reading of the Proclama- tion of the Republic of Ireland. Bernard Ward said, “If it wasn’t for the men and women of 1916, we wouldn’t have the right to vote, to own property or even the right to speak. We need to PAT CHESSELL, John Coughlan, Bernard Ward and George plan a cultural event for this celebra- McDonnell are on the planning committee for the 1916 Rising tion.” commemorations in Vancouver. John Coughlan said, “we need to set- up committees and we need a secre- Pat Chessell spoke about an album re- The meeting was adjourned with the tary.” corded by Danny Doyle which has a next meeting planned for April 21. For The group was in agreement, and lot of the songs on it about the 1916 more information, or to help in any ca- George McDonnell said, “there are no Rising. He said it would be a good ref- pacity call Bernard Ward at (604) naysayers here, everyone wants to see erence point for music for the planned 929-7607 or e-mail: bernardward it go.” celebration. @shaw.ca.
Top Irish dancers in Montreal for the 45th World Championships MONTREAL – Traditional Irish dancers from around the world in- vaded the Palais des Congrès in Montreal over the Easter long weekend. It was the first time the championships have been held in IRISH IN VANCOUVER Canada. Dearbhla Lennon, former professional dancer with Riverdance, said most of Welcoming Irish the 5,000 competitors train as much as world class athletes. “They practice up to two, three, or four hours a day,” she Newcomers on May 9 said. “Irish dancing is really different be- By MAIREAD FOLEY Downtown campus, 555 Seymour Street cause we have two different types VANCOUVER – Organizers from 2 to 5 PM. Following the seminar, shoes,” said Alliyah O’Hara from Eng- there is usually a social gathering in a land, who won the title of world cham- with Irish in Vancouver are pub close by so that more informal net- pleased to announce the date for pion in the under 12 category. “Hard working can take place! shoe which is all rhythm and light shoe their next Irish newcomers in- An outline of the afternoon will be which is more athletic.” formation and networking semi- posted closer to the day on the Irish in A group of girls from Boston hoping to nar – Saturday, May 9. Vancouver Facebook event page.For a make it to the podium said their secret link, see: www.irishinvancouver.com/ to success is nothing but hard work. Sponsored by the Irish Government’s whats-on.html. Emigrant Support Program, this semi- “It’s hard at first but once you get the hang of it, it’s really fun!” said Maddie nar provides advice to Irish newcom- All Irish newcomers are welcome to Ryan from Boston. ers on job hunting, preparing resumes attend this event – please register at www.surveymonkey.com/s/ and information interviews as well as Organizers are thrilled with the turn May9event. information about networking and set- out.The event has attracted an esti- tling into Vancouver. Registration is vital not only for space mated 20,000 people, and it’s expected but so organizers can do their best to to generate millions of dollars for the On the day there will be some estab- link you up with others from the same city. It also gives young local talent a lished members of the Irish community profession or line of work. chance to win the world title. in attendance to provide advice and con- nections for the newcomers. All members of the Irish community are “This is fantastic, particularly for my invited and encouraged to attend the school here,” said Bernadette Short, These events have been very popular networking part of the afternoon (3:30 “because we have lots of children who in the past and organizers have received PM onwards) – please register as a may never get the opportunity to travel some very positive feedback from pre- resource person at to a world championship so we we’re vious attendees. www.surveymonkey.com/s/ really pleased to give that opportunity Among the comments are: “the pres- May9event. to our teams!” entation on resume tips was extremely Meeting people who are already estab- This year, eight Canadian members of helpful,” “the atmosphere was so re- lished in the Lower Mainland helps our An Coimisiún le Rincí Gaelacha, the laxed and friendly,” “very helpful and newcomers feel connected and sup- Irish Dancing Commission, will be practical information about job hunting, ported. honored at the event. They are Mary as well as hearing stories from others Bryan, Brigid Grant, Paula Woodgate, who have come to Canada and what For more information, contact Geraldine and the Butler Family from eastern they learned along the way.” at [email protected]. Canada. Sally Houston, Finnuala Irwin, The event will take place at BCIT Looking forward to seeing you all on Violet Moore and Margaret Mullen May 9. from western Canada. PAGE 16 www.celtic-connection.com APRIL 2015
2015 ST. PATRICK’S DAY PARADE IN VANCOUVER
THIS ILLUSTRATION shows a benevolent attempt to mitigate the suffering in Cork City by the Society of Friends’ Soup House. There were many simi- lar establishments in operation throughout the country. ‘Famine Soup’ featured on THE VANCOUVER Police Department mounted squad. IRISH HERITAGE Society of Canada entry. CBC Rewind VANCOUVER – Interesting piece about Ireland’s Great Hunger on a seg- ment about recipes on CBC’s Rewind series. James Bannerman on assignment in 1959 discusses the work of French chef Alexis Soyer who created a “Famine Soup” to help ease the suffering of the Irish during the Great Hunger. In his report about Soyer, who is de- scribed as a flamboyant character, Bannerman recounts how the benevo- lent chef took up the cause of the Lon- don poor, particularly the Huguenot émigré silk weavers in Spitalfields and the starving millions in Ireland. CARRYING the banner for the B.C. Genealogical Society. AN ENTRY with the Welsh contingent. When the British Government sought him out in 1847 to deal with the starv- ing Irish, he stepped up to the stove and doled out 6,000 meals a day in less-than- ideal conditions. Making the most of the media of the day, Soyer wrote copious letters to The Times. He tried to create nutritious food, using some of the nutritional knowledge emerging from the work of scientists like Justus von Leibig, who touted the benefits of beef extract and who pro- posed its use for labourers and people suffering from illnesses. Thus was born Soyer’s famous “Fam- ine Soup.” Soyer claimed that this soup THE IRELAND CANADA Monument parade entry. MARCHERS with the Vancouver Irish Sporting and Social Club. could sustain a healthy working man. Ingredients for Famine Soup: 12-1/2 lbs leg of beef 100 gallons of water 6-1/4 lbs drippings 100 onions and other vegetables 25 lbs each of flour (seconds) and pearl barley 1-1/2 lbs brown sugar 9 lbs salt Ideally, in looking at the ingredients, the drippings, sugar, flour, and barley would provide energy and spare the protein in the beef from being used as energy. THE CELTIC CONNECTION entry distributing copies of the Depending upon what types of vegeta- POLICE marching band reaching the finish line. bles the cooks threw into the pot, the March 2015 issue along the parade route. soup also likely provided vitamins and minerals in some quantity. Unfortunately, many critics pounced on Plans for Epic Ireland in Dublin Soyer and upbraided him for misrepre- DUBLIN – Neville Isdell, the former Coca Cola chief executive who owns the senting the nutritional value of his soup. CHQ building in Dublin has revealed plans for a diaspora-themed visitor attrac- Twelve pounds of meat to 100 gallons tion in the vaults beneath the building. of water does make a pretty “skinny” Formerly known as Stack A, the CHQ building was built in 1820 as a wine and soup. tobacco warehouse with vaults beneath to store wine. It was made famous “It is to be regretted that men of sci- when it hosted the Crimean War Banquet in 1856 celebrating the return of 3,000 ence do not interest themselves more Irish soldiers. than they do on a subject of such vast The building has been magnificently restored and revamped and offers a loca- magnitude as this; for I feel confident tion like no other in Dublin, overlooking the River Liffey and George’s Dock. that the food of a country might be in- creased at least one-third, if the culi- The new EU12 million Epic Ireland project will target 400,000 visitors a year nary science was properly developed, which would make it the sixth most popular paid tourist attraction in Ireland. It instead of its being slighted as it is now,” will include a genealogy exhibition sited close to the river end of CHQ and an wrote Alexis Soyer. interactive multimedia exhibition. APRIL 2015 www.celtic-connection.com PAGE 17 2015 CELTICFEST VANCOUVER Working to keep the vibrant Celtic spirit alive in Vancouver VANCOUVER – It was a glorious day in downtown Vancouver as the annual St. Patrick’s Day parade kicked off down Howe Street on Sunday, March 15. Thousands of colourful spectators lined the streets to watch pipers, drummers, ENDA KENNY presented President Obama with the traditional dancers and Celtic groups from far and bowl of shamrock at the White House on St. Patrick’s Day. wide proudly wave their flags and cel- ebrate their heritage. The 11th annual parade is the jewel in Immigration reform the crown of the annual CelticFest Van- couver festivities – a 10-day event filled with music, dance, and family fun. top of the agenda at The festival ran from March 6-17 and offered a celebration of traditional and contemporary Celtic culture with great St. Patrick’s Day meeting CELTICFEST Vancouver festival director Nicole Sirockman (L) concerts and performances, workshops, WASHINGTON – Taoiseach has always been the willingness to wel- special events, and, of course, the wildly with Maura De Freitas (centre) and John Coughlan at the Fri- come immigrants to our shores. That’s popular Celtic Village and St. Patrick’s day, March 13 concert at Christ Church Cathedral featuring Enda Kenny told U.S. Presi- what’s made us unique and special,” he Day parade. the Vancouver Welsh Men’s Choir and dancers with Scoil Rince dent Barack Obama that Ire- said. de Danaan. One of the highlights for The Celtic land will be heavily involved “And no-one has contributed more to Connection newspaper on Friday, in lobbying for reform of the growth and dynamism than Ireland.” March 13 was an award presented to publisher Maura De Freitas. American immigration sys- Kenny said he would like to see undocu- tem. mented Irish immigrants have the abil- She was awarded the 2015 Celtic Per- ity to travel in and out of the United son of the Year and Honorary Grand He made the pledge at the St. Patrick’s States. Marshal of the St. Patrick’s Day pa- Day reception at the White House, rade by John Coughlan, president of where he made the annual presenta- He said such a proposal could only be the Vancouver Celtic Festival Society. tion of a bowl of shamrock. dealt with if politicians took a leader- ship role. The event was held in the historic 125- Both leaders discussed the issue of un- year-old Christ Church Cathedral on documented Irish in America and the Echoing earlier remarks by Vice Presi- Burrard Street and featured entertain- president said he wished he had the luck dent Joe Biden, Obama also said work ment by the Vancouver Welsh Men’s of the Irish in finding agreement with to solidify the peace process in North- Choir and dancers with the Scoil Rince Republicans in Congress. ern Ireland is not yet finished – but de Danaan. commended the efforts of the taoiseach Obama said nobody has contributed to and the Irish Government. A huge thank you to all the organizers the American economy more than Ire- and volunteers who worked so hard to land and he still wants to push for im- Alongside the shamrock, the taoiseach present this year’s Vancouver migration reform. also gave the president a book of po- CelticFest. TRANSPORTATION for the Honorary Parade Marshal was a ems from Yeats, some of whose poetry “The great strength of the United States was inscribed in the bowl of shamrock. This important annual event helps keep vintage 1928 Ford Model A provided compliments of Gerry O’Neil the vibrant spirit of Celtic culture alive of Stanley Park Horse Drawn Tours. in our city and it is a credit to all those who made it another resounding suc- cess. Enda Kenny’s attempted handshake with Obama goes sideways WASHINGTON – Taoiseach Enda Kenny and Barack Obama met for their annual St. Patrick’s Day festivities in the White House on March 17. THE CELTIC CONNECTION banner at the St. Patrick’s Day The two men chatted in front of the cameras at the Oval Office. parade in Vancouver on Sunday, March 15, 2015. Enda Kenny went to shake the hand of the U.S. president for the cameras, but Obama was looking away and didn’t see Kenny extend his hand. Realizing he had mis-timed his approach, Kenny quickly took back his hand, extended his fingers outwards and looked at his nails. The moment was caught by an NBC News camera who put the footage up ST. PATRICK (aka Mark on their website. Keane) with that mischievous leprechaun (aka Deirdre Keohane).
THE PARADE route was awash with green, white and gold during the 11th annual CelticFest St. Patrick’s Day parade. The parade kicked off on Howe Street and turned onto West Georgia as thousands of spectators waving flags and dressed BOTH of these guys know a good photo opportunity when for the occasion cheered from the sidelines. they see one – and yet it still went wrong. PAGE 18 www.celtic-connection.com APRIL 2015 Enoch Powell implicated Irish police save in Westminster pedophile ring six-year-old boy LONDON – Enoch Powell, His review also found that 114 docu- ments went missing between 1979 and who was sold for sex one of the most controversial 1999, though he claimed there was no British politicians of the evidence that they had been destroyed Twentieth Century, has been “inappropriately.” by his own parents implicated of involvement in In July 2014, Leon Brittan denied any DUBLIN – A six-year-old boy who was child sex abuse dating back wrongdoing, pointing to the Sedwill being prostituted by his parents has Home Office review that claimed, “ap- been rescued after an EU-wide inves- to the 1980s, the British press propriate action and follow-up hap- tigation into pedophilia. has reported. pened.” Brittan died on January 22, 2015. Detectives raided a house in Tipperary Powell’s name was handed to police in ENOCH POWELL who died in and placed the child into the care of the 2014 by Bishop of Durham Paul Butler, On March 16, 2015, the Independent State on April 2. 1998 is being investigated as Police Complaints Commission, the po- boy as the child who appeared in a an event which was only made public a member of an alleged West- Gardaí were acting on information re- number of disturbing pictures and vid- on March 29 this year. lice watchdog, launched an investiga- minster pedophile network. tion into alleged corruption over claims ceived by European police agency eos online. Gardaí believed there was “The name Enoch Powell was passed the Metropolitan Police covered up child Europol last December, after commu- an immediate risk to the child’s safety Children as young as 10 were thought to Operation Fernbridge on the instruc- sex offences due to MPs and police nication was made with the Garda and put him into foster care. to have been abused and officers at the tion of Bishop Paul Butler,” the Church officers being involved. These allega- Pedophile Investigations Unit. time said they found whips, chains and A month before contact was made be- of England said in a statement, refer- tions also arose from Operation ropes. Video footage of the abuse was discov- tween the two agencies, Europol hosted ring to the police operation into sus- Fairbank. ered online. It is believed the parents a Victim Identification Task Force to pected Westminster child abusers. In 1983, Geoffrey Dickens MP, a Con- ‘Rivers of Blood’ were prostituting their son online to be harness international co-operation. servative, handed a 40-page dossier, Powell, who died in 1998, was one of Enoch Powell was a member of parlia- sexually abused, according to an in- brimming with information with regards Over 12 days, experts in victim identi- the most divisive politicians of the late ment for the Conservative Party be- formed source. to establishment child sex abuse, to fication from 11 police agencies in nine Twentieth Century. tween 1950 and 1974. then-Home Secretary Leon Brittan, “This is the worst case we’ve ever dealt countries worked together at Europol A powerful orator, Powell’s time as a who suggested the police had been in- His political career was dominated by with,” the source said. “It involves the in an attempt to identify victims of frontline politician came to an abrupt end formed. a speech he made in 1968 on the topic absolutely horrific treatment of a child.” sexual abuse and exploitation. when he was sacked from the Shadow of immigration. Dickens, a renowned anti-child abuse The rescue came as a result of an emer- This Europol-coordinated effort led to Cabinet in 1968 the morning after the gency care order being granted at a dis- 240 new collections of material being “Rivers of Blood” speech. campaigner, told his family that the dos- In what became known as the “Rivers sier was “explosive” and would “blow of Blood” speech, he decried un- trict court hearing in Tipperary. uploaded to Interpol’s computer data- His name is the latest in a string of sen- the lid” on establishment figures, includ- checked immigration from Common- Detectives who had examined the online base and additions were made to more ior parliamentarians accused of being ing politicians, engaged in child sex wealth countries and attacked recently images and were involved throughout than 100 collections already present involved in alleged Westminster child abuse. He died in 1995. proposed anti-discrimination legislation. the investigation identified the rescued there. sex rings in the 1980s. Following the fallout from the Jimmy “We must be mad, literally mad, as a The scandal has shaken Britain’s po- Savile child sex abuse scandal in 2012, nation to be permitting the annual in- litical establishment to its core. Labour MP Tom Watson claimed dur- flow of some 50,000 dependents, who ing Prime Minister’s Questions that ‘Leave no stone unturned’ are for the most part the material of there was “clear intelligence suggest- the future growth of the immigrant de- In July 2014, Home Secretary Theresa ing a powerful pedophile network linked scended population,” he said at the Gen- May launched an inquiry into the ex- to Parliament and Number 10.” He was eral Meeting of the West Midlands Area tent public institutions, such as the po- referring to the so-called Dickens dos- Conservative Political Centre in Bir- lice, National Health Service and the sier. mingham. “It is like watching a nation BBC, failed in their duty of care to pro- busily engaged in heaping up its own tect children from sexual abuse. In late 2012, police launched Operation funeral pyre.” Fairbank as a “scoping exercise” into British Prime Minister David Cameron politicians and other public figures to In his infamous closing segment, the promised shortly afterwards that the in- determine whether there was sufficient quiry would “leave no stone unturned.” firebrand politician said, “As I look evidence for an inquiry. ahead, I am filled with foreboding. Like New Zealand judge Dame Lowell the Roman, I seem to see ‘the River ELAINE O’HARA GRAHAM DWYER In February 2013, the Metropolitan Po- Goddard was selected to head the in- Tiber foaming with much blood.” lice launched Operation Fernbridge to quiry. She had previously been ap- investigate allegations of abuse in the Following the allegations of abuse by pointed chairwoman of New Zealand’s early 1980s at Elm Guest House, claims Powell, Peter Saunders, CEO of the Independent Police Conduct Authority Dublin architect guilty which arose from Operation Fairbank. National Association for People Abused in 2007. in Childhood in the UK said, “The es- Operation Fernbridge has since closed A core part of her inquiry into historical tablishment in this country is renowned but the investigations into a pedophile of woman’s murder sex abuse in England and Wales will be for protecting itself and this issue is an network at Elm Guest House have been the purported Westminster pedophile issue that it never, ever wanted to come DUBLIN – A successful architect of graphic, chilling and disturbing evi- taken up by a new operation, called ring, whose activity is thought to date out the world of politics, the world of dence of sexual deviance in what the Operation Athabasca, and police are still with a deep-rooted sexual desire back to the 1980s. the establishment. for stabbing women is facing life prosecution claimed was “nearly the appealing for information — hence the perfect murder.” At least three members of parliament tip-off regarding Enoch Powell. “Nothing would surprise me in terms of in prison after being found guilty were questioned in 1982 after a police cover-ups or files being destroyed or Only for a near drought in the summer In 2014, Mark Sedwill, the Home Of- of an “almost perfect” murder. raid on Elm Guest House in Barnes, lost. It stinks, I have to say.” of 2013 vital evidence linking the cou- fice’s most senior civil servant, an- south-west London. In a sensational case that has revulsed ple including keys, phones, sex toys and nounced the result of a 2013 Home Commenting more specifically on the Ireland for months, Graham Dwyer rope may never have been found in the The house was reported at the time to Office review, saying that the so-called accusation leveled against the deceased (42), a married man from Kerrymount Vartry reservoir 20 kilometres from the have been used as a brothel for at least Dickens dossier had “not been re- anti-immigrant firebrand, Saunders Close, Foxrock, south Dublin, will serve murder scene – a stunning coincidence two years before the operation. tained.” adds, “Powell’s been dead a long time a mandatory life sentence for knifing in the days around the discovery of and I have not heard his name being to death mentally-ill childcare worker O’Hara’s body by a dog walker. implicated before, but anybody who is Elaine O’Hara (36), in the Dublin moun- implicated and who does have a cred- tains on August 22, 2012. Crucially, mobile phones, dubbed “mas- ible allegation made against them – ter and slave” revealed text messages whether they are alive or dead – I think At the end of a harrowing trial, with between O’Hara, who had a history of they should be investigated to the full unprecedented graphic evidence that self-harm going back to her troubled extent of the law.” forced the trial judge to clear the court- teens, revealed a manipulative, abusive room on several occasions, the jury took BDSM affair between the pair. With regards to claims that Powell was seven hours and 33 minutes to unani- a man of honour, Saunders said, “Many mously accept a prosecution case that State lawyers claimed Dwyer toyed child abusers throughout our history has unnerved the country like no other with the idea of three potential victims have been upstanding members of the in recent memory. including Darci Day, a young, previously community and they have a dark side… suicidal woman from Maine in the U.S. I am not saying that is the case with O’Hara was only released from psy- who also met Dwyer on the Internet. Powell, because I do not know. chiatric care in hospital hours before the murder. Her remains were found in a Others, the prosecution alleged, were “I think any credible accusation should forest on Killakee Mountain on Septem- O’Hara and an auctioneer who at one be pursued and investigated for the pur- ber 13, 2013. time worked near Dwyer’s former poses of both the victims and for future workplace, A&D Wejchert in Baggot child protection because this issue of She had been reported missing 13 Street, Dublin. LONDON Metropolitan Police have several ongoing investiga- months earlier after being last seen vis- tions relating to claims against suspected high profile abusers, abuse of children has been swept un- O’Hara’s father Frank embraced rela- der the carpet, has been kept at bay, iting her mother’s grave in Shanganagh including the former Liberal MP Cyril Smith. Detectives are cemetery in Shankill, south Dublin. tives in the packed court after the ver- has been denied for far too long,” he dict was delivered and said justice had also investigating allegations against former Home Secretary said. Leon Brittan. The nine week trial was an endurance been done. APRIL 2015 www.celtic-connection.com PAGE 19 Young GP and her husband NOVENAS NOVENA TO blessed St. Jude, to be ever mindful of this THE BLESSED VIRGIN MARY great favor, to always honor you as my spe- killed in plane crash Novena to the Blessed Virgin Mary (never cial and powerful patron, and to gratefully known to fail). O most beautiful flower of encourage devotion to you. Amen OBAN, Scotland – An Easter very sad, especially with them coming Mount Carmel, fruitful vine, splendour of – PMC, MJF, CB home for Easter. Heaven, Blessed Mother of the Son of God. • holiday trip turned to tragedy Immaculate Virgin, assist me in this my NOVENA TO ST. ANTHONY when a young couple’s private “It’s a major blow for the community. necessity. There are none that can Remember, O Saint of Miracles, that you Family and friends.” withstand your power. O show me herein have never failed to help and comfort any- plane crashed into a hillside you are my Mother, Mary, conceived without one who has ever sought you in a time of Dr. John Holliday, the island’s doctor sin, pray for us who have recourse to thee need. I too come to you, who are so rich in during bad weather in the (three times). Sweet Mother, I place this graces, and the favoured friend of the In- for almost 30 years and convener of cause in your hands (three times). Holy fant Jesus, confident that I do not pray in Scottish Highlands. Tiree Community Council, said, “I had Spirit, you who solve all problems, light all vain. Eloquent preacher of the Infinite Mercy known Margaret Ann since the 1980s. roads so that I can attain my goal. You of God, do not refuse my prayer, but take Engineer David Rous and his wife She captivated everyone that knew her; gave me the Divine gift to forgive and forget my request before the throne of God, so Margaret Ann, a doctor, of Newport- she was absolutely gorgeous in every all evil against me. This prayer must be that I may have help and strength in my on-Tay, were flying from Dundee to way. said for three days, even after the request present trial and necessity. Listen to my spend the weekend with family on the is granted and the favour received, it must voice, together with that of your friars who DR. MARGARET ANN and be published. ask you a grace for me. Amen. – SVS isle of Tiree when the accident hap- “She became a much-loved GP in Dun- David Rous died when their dee and I have no doubt that she was a – KLSMC, PMKMC, MJF, DF, ADB, CSKB, • pened on Saturday, April 4. light aircraft crashed into a CC, CKB, LC, SLMKR, CTK NOVENA OF CHILDLIKE CONFIDENCE wonderful doctor with her charm and • O Jesus, Who has said, ask and you shall Their PA28 Piper Cherokee light air- great empathy. She immediately touched Scottish hillside while flying NOVENA TO ST. JUDE receive, seek and you shall find, knock and craft crashed into a remote hillside at the hearts of everyone who came into from their home in Dundee to Most holy apostle, St. Jude, faithful serv- it shall be opened to you, through the in- Bein Nan Lus, Glen Kinglas, above Loch contact with her.” see family on the Hebridean ant and friend of Jesus, the Church honors tercession of Mary, the Most Holy Mother, I Etive south of Oban. isle of Tiree. and invokes you universally, as the patron knock, I seek, I ask that my prayer be Dr. Holliday added that he had also met of hopeless cases, of things almost de- granted. [Request] O Jesus, who has said, The plane went off radar at 1:50 PM David Rous (28) when he had visited spaired of. Pray for me, I am so helpless all that you ask of the Father in my name, and a huge air, land and sea search for Tiree. and alone. Make use I implore you, of that He will grant you through the intercession particular privilege given to you, to bring of Mary, the most Holy Mother, I humbly the missing aircraft led to the discov- visible and speedy help where help is al- and urgently ask Thy Father in Thy Name ery of the couple’s bodies just over six He added, “He was a really nice man and a very talented structural engineer most despaired of. Come to my assist- that my prayer be granted. [Request] O hours later. ance in this great need that I may receive Jesus, who has said, “Heaven and earth with a bright professional career ahead the consolation and help of heaven in all shall pass away but My word shall not Margaret Ann (37) was the daughter of him. my necessities, tribulations, and pass,” through the intercession of Mary, of Catriona Maclean, a widow, and had sufferings, particularly - (Here make your Thy Most Holy Mother, I feel confident that a sister, Joanne MacLean, who both live “Together they made a fine couple. We request) and that I may praise God with my prayer will be granted. [Request] – SVS on Tiree. can only imagine what the family must you and all the elect forever. I promise, O be suffering. A cloud has fallen over John Macaskill, vice-convener of Tiree Tiree, but the island community will Community Council, said, “It’s abso- come together as it always does at times SEARCHING after radar con- lutely tragic what has happened. It’s like this.” tact with the plane was lost. ‘71 – A new film set in Belfast at the height of the Troubles A new film set in Northern Ire- land takes place over a single night in the life of a young Brit- ish soldier accidentally aban- doned by his unit following a riot on the streets of Belfast at the height of the Troubles in 1971. Unable to tell friend from foe, and in- creasingly wary of his own comrades, he must survive the night alone and find his way to safety through a disorientat- ing, alien and deadly landscape. ‘71 has received positive reviews and with the critics consensus: Powerfully directed and acted, ’71 stays true to its JACK O’CONNELL stars as a British soldier in ‘71 fact-based origins while remaining as gripping as any solidly crafted action commanding officer being particularly in the superb prison drama, Starred Up, thriller. impressive but it is rising star Jack he brings a sense of vulnerability to the O’Connell who, once again, steals the role of a man lost and afraid in an unfa- The film is directed by Yann Demange limelight. miliar world and yet we can still believe and stars Jack O’Connell, Sean Harris, After his career making performance he can fight his way out of a situation if David Wilmot, Richard Dormer, Paul need be. Anderson, and Charlie Murphy. From the start, the film grips and never loses that grip throughout. It crackles along at a terrific pace and we are with Prince Andrew sex claims the leading character every inch of the way. struck out by U.S. judge The film isn’t flippant about the events of the time either. Although it never A judge in Miami has ruled that sexual allegations made against Prince Andrew rams down our throats the political rami- should be removed from the court records. fications, it does lay out the power strug- The allegations – which have always been denied by Buckingham Palace – gle within the fractions, whether it be were made by a woman who claimed she had been forced to have underage sex the army or the people of the city. The with the prince. IRA are after the Provisional IRA, the army are bickering among themselves, Judge Kenneth Marra said the “lurid” claims were “unnecessary” to decide the neither one helping the situation. civil case. At the heart of the film isn’t a story Andrew was named in a lawsuit against the wealthy financier Jeffrey Epstein, about the Troubles, not in the same way who still faces claims by two other women – named as Jane Doe No. 1 and Jane that Jim Sheridan’s In The Name Of Doe No. 2. The Father was, but a well executed The developments in the case have put an end to allegations against Andrew chase film that wouldn’t look amiss made by Virginia Roberts (Jane Doe 3) and another woman, Jane Doe 4. among The Warriors or Escape From New York. They said they were among dozens of women sexually abused by Epstein as teenagers at locations ranging from a Palm Beach mansion to a private Carib- The performances from the strong cast bean island to a sprawling New Mexico ranch. are excellent, with Sam Hazeldine’s PAGE 20 www.celtic-connection.com APRIL 2015 SEATTLE IRISH NEWS
By JOHN KEANE
BEFORE the start of Seattle’s St. Patrick’s Day parade – [Rear] MEMBERS of the Seattle Police Explorer Unit carrying a giant Parade Honorary Grand Marshal Cathryn Quinn, Galway Mayor Irish flag in Seattle’s St. Patrick’s Day parade followed by a Donal Lyons, parade Grand Marshal Seattle Mayor Ed Murray, vintage police car dating from the 1950s. U.S. Senator Maria Cantwell, and parade Honorary Grand Marshal Danny Quinn. [Front] The children are the Quinn grandchildren: Fiona Quinn, Siobhan Shannon, Stella Quinn and Danny Quinn.
RYAN GALLAGHER, the in- coming president of the Friends of St. Patrick in Seattle, holds the official shil- lelagh as he assumes the presidency of Seattle’s oldest Irish organization from outgo- ing president Don Luby (R). The shillelagh is reported to BLOWING the Ceremonial Whistles to signal the start of have been brought from Ire- Seattle’s St. Patrick’s Day parade – (L-R) Seattle Police Chief land to Seattle in 1856. Kathleen O’Toole, U.S. Senator Maria Cantwell, Galway Mayor MIKE McQUAID, one of the judges at the Irish soda bread Donal Lyons, and Seattle Mayor Ed Murray. At right is Seattle’s PASSINGS contest, shows off one of the winning loaves. First Gentleman, Michael Shiosaki. • Kevin Moriarty (61) president of the Irish Heritage Players, died suddenly in Seattle on March 28. • Fr. Gerry Lovett (79) a native of Co. Kerry who served as a priest in Seattle since 1960, died in Seattle on March 21. • Megan Tormey (44) wife of Galwayman Mark Tormey and daughter of Dónal and Mary McKevitt, died in Seattle on March 5. • Ed Moriarty (81) “an Irishman by birth, Italian by marriage,” died in Seattle on February 28. 1916 TALK AT UW – UCD historian and lecturer, Dr. Conor Mulvagh, who is coordinating the Decade of Com- memoration Centenary for University College Dublin, will give a 1916 lec- ture at the University of Washington JANE SEPEDE (L) with Seattle’s Police Chief Kathleen O’Toole A LEPRECHAUN with his pot o’ gold marching in Seattle’s St. in Seattle on Monday, May 4, 7 PM, at the Mayor’s Irish Week proclamation luncheon. Patrick’s Day parade. in the UW’s Allen Library.
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HISTORY Lecturer Conor Mulvagh will give a talk at the University of Washington on May 4 about the 1916 Rebel- lion. The talk is entitled Intel- THE SEATTLE Police Pipes and Drums performing on stage at CHEF DON TREMBLAY and Mary Shriane at the Irish soda lectuals and Insurrectionists: the Irish Festival. bread contest at T S McHugh’s. Reasons for Rising in 1916. APRIL 2015 www.celtic-connection.com PAGE 21 SEATTLE IRISH NEWS
Admission is free but, because of lim- A fundraising auction and raffle is ited space, reservations are advised being held on Thursday, May 28, at by e-mail to: [email protected] or Fadó, with live music from The call (425) 290-7839. The title of the Kennedy Brothers. talk is: Intellectuals and Insurrection- Check the event out on Facebook ists: Reasons for Rising in 1916. (search under ‘A Pint for Sinéad’) or Dr. Mulvagh is a lecturer in Irish His- donate at: www.gofundme.com/ tory at University College Dublin qeeaa88. (UCD) specializing on commemora- BELLEVUE IRISH CLASS – A class tion and the Irish revolutionary dec- CAST MEMBERS dressed as in simple Irish is being offered at ON STAGE at the Irish Festival for the St. Patrick’s Day pa- ade (1912-23). 1798 Pikemen from the musi- cal Guns of Ireland march in Bellevue College Continuing Educa- rade closing ceremony – (L-R) Nanci Spieker, Ryan Gallagher, He has previously lectured on the Seattle’s St. Patrick’s Day pa- tion. Danny and Cathryn Quinn, Seattle Mayor Ed Murray, Galway Irish revolution, the Northern Irish Mayor Donal Lyons, Galway Chief Executive Brendan McGrath, rade. The musical will be per- The class is most suited for students Troubles, and Irish Studies at UCD. formed at Columbia Basin Col- with no or a little Irish and will be us- and Melissa Ryan. He holds an MPhil in modern Irish lege Theatre in Pasco between ing Buntús Cainte, Part 1 as the text. history from Trinity College Dublin April 30 and May 10. More de- No exams or worries, only good craic. and is a history and policy editor at tails are available at The class continues for nine Mon- www.HistoryHub.ie. gunsofireland.com. days through June 1. For more in- The website which makes the most formation or to register, call (425) recent academic research available 564-2263. online to everyone who loves history. The reduced price tickets include a NORTHEND IRISH CLASSES – New For details on the talk, e-mail: free Irish Night Mariners Cap, Irish Irish language classes start in a home [email protected]. entertainment in center field before on the border of Bothell and Mill the game by the Tara Academy Irish U.S. CITIZENSHIP MEETING – An Creek on Sunday, April 12. Dancers and the Seattle Police Pipes informational meeting is being organ- and Drums, and Seattle’s Irish Po- The class will offer two levels, Level ized in the next few weeks for those lice Chief Kathleen O’Toole throwing 1 for total beginners. members of the Irish community who out the First Pitch. Visit want to find out what’s involved in Level 2 for those with about a year www.mariners.com/Irish for details. becoming a U.S. citizen. of Irish already (can put simple sen- OUTSIDE MULLINGAR – Seattle’s tences together, has some vocabu- The purpose is to answer questions, Repertory Theatre performs an Irish lary and understanding of basic sen- outline the pretty simple application play from April 24 – May 17, Outside tence structure, may be lacking in process, how to apply, what docu- Mullingar, a Tony Award nominee for confidence in speaking or writing). ments are required, what’s involved Best Play that was written by John For times and details, e-mail: in taking the “test,” the ramifications Patrick Shanley. [email protected]. of dual Irish-US-citizenship, etc. It is a romantic comedy set in rural RANT & RAVE – For those who A date or location has yet to be de- Ireland about two lovelorn farmers missed it when it was published on termined, but if you’re interested in who haven’t got a clue when it comes March 17 in The Seattle Times, the attending, e-mail to love. Rant & Rave item had the following: [email protected], or call (425) 290-7839. These hopeless singletons will need RAVE To the Irish Heritage Club or- to overcome a bitter land feud, fa- ganizers of the St. Patrick’s Day Pa- MEMORIAL DAY MASS – An open- milial rivalries and their own roman- rade Saturday, one of our annual air Memorial Day Mass will be cel- tic fears to find happiness. family traditions that we enjoy very ebrated at the Seattle area’s Irish much (though we were disappointed Pioneer Cemetery, St. Patrick Cem- Full of dark humor and poetic prose, that the Seafair Pirates didn’t partici- etery in Kent, at 10:30 am on Mon- the tenderhearted portrait reminds pate this year). day, May 25. us that it’s never too late to take a chance on love. For tickets, call (206) MISCELLANEOUS The four and a half acre cemetery is 443-2222. located one mile east of I-5 on Orillia • The Emerald City Feis at the Wash- Rd at 204th Street, just east of Sea- GALWAY TRADERS – Seattle’s Irish ington State Convention Center at Tac Airport. import store, Galway Traders, is still Convention Place on April 18 and 19 operating at its current location at – visit www.emeraldcityfeis.com. Founded by Limerick-man Richard 7518 15th Avenue NW in Ballard, O’Connell in 1880, the cemetery is • The next Irish seniors’ luncheon is even though the Seattle Globalist the resting place for numerous Irish- Saturday, June 20 at 12 noon at the (www.seattleglobalist.com under Arts born Seattle pioneers and they are Wilde Rover Irish Restaurant in & Culture) recently wrote about plans especially remembered on Memorial Kirkland. Seniors and their guests to tear down the building and re- Day in addition to remembering those are welcome to attend at $10 pp for place it with a new housing complex. who have given their lives in service the buffet lunch. Reservations are to this country. Eveline Murray, who started the required, call (425) 290-7839. store in 1983 with her late husband All are welcome but bring a lawn • Irish Day at the Races at Emerald Hugh, is looking for a buyer and chair! For information, e-mail: Downs is Sunday, June 28, 2 PM. E- hopes to find someone to continue [email protected], or call (425) mail: [email protected] for free the tradition of serving the area’s Irish 290-7839. admission tickets. community. ST. PATRICK STATUE – The six-foot • Irish Community Picnic at Lake The store is a tremendous resource high statue of St. Patrick has arrived Sammamish State Park, Sunday, July for anyone looking for information as and is being erected on a two-foot 19, noon-dusk. Free admission. E- well as for authentic Irish goods, base at St. Patrick Cemetery in Kent. mail: [email protected] for details. whether it’s music, books, clothing, Funded by the Irish community and food (rashers & sausages), etc. Visit • Ceol Cascadia’s Irish Music Week the Knights of Columbus, the statue www.galwaytraders.com for more is July 19 - 25, 2015, at The Ever- will have a formal unveiling ceremony details. green State College in Olympia. later this year. Early registration has been strong PINT FOR SINÉAD – If you have and if you’re thinking of registering The Seattle area’s only Irish pioneer been to Seattle’s Fadó Irish Pub at don’t delay. Visit cascadiairish.org for cemetery was started in 1880 by Ri- 1st and Columbia in the past 10 years, details. chard O’Connell from Co. Limerick or the Owl n’ Thistle or the Irish Emi- when he set aside four a half acres grant in the years before that, you • Join the Irish language choir which on his farm to be a cemetery for the have probably come across bar- will be singing in October for the local Irish families. St. Patrick Cem- tender Sinéad Cadden. Mass in Gaelic. E-mail: etery is now administered by Catho- [email protected]. Sinéad, a native of Co. Clare, and lic Cemeteries. currently a bartender at Fadó, has • Congratulations to John Lenth of IRISH NIGHT – Irish Night at the been diagnosed with Non-Hodgkin’s Magnolia who won the Irish Festival Seattle Mariners is Wednesday, June lymphoma and her friends are trying raffle drawing for two round trip tick- 17, 7:10 PM, for the game vs. the to raise money to help cover her ets to Ireland. His daughter dances World Series Champs, the San Fran- medical expenses and to provide with the Tara Academy Irish Danc- cisco Giants. support. ers. PAGE 22 www.celtic-connection.com APRIL 2015
JASON KYLE, founder of Micro Footie in East Vancouver at the renowned International Coaches Convention in Glasgow, Scotland. He is pictured above holding the Canadian flag while PRESIDENT’S CUP Winners Club Ireland Celtic – The team defeated Elegant Flooring in the Willie McNab of Celtic is in the forefront. Richmond Adult Soccer League President’s Cup 3-1 to go along with their Chinese New Year tournament victory. East Van soccer club A Puff and a Bluff: joins Celtic FC’s Ireland vs Big Tobacco international club ARTHUR COX, one of the tailed. VANCOUVER – An East Vancou- Celtic Football Club is one of the big- THE VIEW FROM ver soccer club has joined Celtic gest and best-supported teams in the biggest legal firms in Ireland, That precedent greatly undermines JTI world. was the cat that got the cream IRELAND which is really hoping that the Irish Football Club’s international club partnership programme. Wearing their iconic green and white back in 2008. Government will relent, and that this issue will blow over with one threaten- Micro Footie was established in 1993 hoops, Celtic are instantly recognizable While most of Ireland was collapsing ing letter. as a grassroots soccer program for when they play and are renowned for in a heap, Arthur Cox was charged with players of all level ages in East Van- playing attractive football, their passion- Wouldn’t it be great to see their hopes ate fans and their many successes on the administration of NAMA (the Na- dashed? When the health of young Irish couver. tional Asset Management Agency) the field of play. people’s lungs is at stake, and the lungs Jason Kyle who founded Micro Footie property holdings. By of young people beyond our shores, They are currently champions of Scot- MAURICE was coaching inner city elementary NAMA, the Irish equivalent of TARP every mechanism available to discour- schools at the time. land and regularly compete in the UEFA in the U.S., was the Irish Government’s FITZPATRICK age people from starting a potentially Champions League, where they re- desperate attempt to salvage what rev- fatal habit should be deployed. He felt there was a need for a soccer corded one of their most famous victo- threatens to issue court proceedings league where each game and practice ries by defeating FC Barcelona 2-1 at enue it could after the property bust in It is a zero sum game for the tobacco against the Irish Government, Irish citi- took place on one field, thereby limiting Celtic Park in 2012. 2007/8. industry that still mourns the loss of the zens realise that JTI is in fact threaten- any kind of complicated travel. extraordinary power it used to wield in Celtic are previous winners of the com- And wherever there are torturous le- ing their loved ones. Public opinion is gal debacles, there are lawyers at hand peddling its wares. Registration in the first year was 36 in- petition when in 1967 they became the implacably against JTI on this question. ner city youth players, and the league first British team to be crowned Cham- with their fee structures. Given how Plain packaging really is the final as- So hang on a minute, Arthur Cox is will- quickly became a community institution pions of Europe. much shrapnel that needed to be pieced sault on Big Tobacco’s vestigial adver- ing to stake its reputation on the tobacco with 1,500 players and growing. together after the Irish property explo- tising might. JTI will cite freedom to Founded in 1887, the club was formed giants and risk losing the goodwill of the sion, NAMA was a very lucrative port- advertise, but there is no good reason The league now boasts over 200 as a means to alleviate poverty in the Irish public? folio for the firm. why it should work this time. coaches and ex-players of the program East End of Glasgow. Well, Arthur Cox is itself an international are becoming co-ordinators, referees, You would think that a legal company O’Reilly had moral justification in pass- The club now boasts 40,000 season concern with offices in New York and and coaches. Three graduates of Mi- on such a roll would be mindful of keep- ing the bill last year; he still has it, and ticket holders and millions of fans world- ing in with one of its best clients. Silcon Valley. cro Footie have signed professional con- he will win for as long as he sticks by tracts. wide. Its stadium, which is also known But Arthur Cox has other clients too. And JTI, worth 55 billion euro, would it. as “Paradise,” has a capacity of 60,506, seem to have enough grease to turn Jason is absolutely delighted to have making it the second largest club sta- Just now, Arthur Cox has threatened As soon as the threatening letter leaked Arthur Cox’s wheels, even if that po- Celtic FC, a team he supported as a dium in the UK. legal action against the Irish Govern- to the press in mid-February, agencies tentially means alienating the Irish Gov- wee boy, as an official partner. ment on behalf of Japan Tobacco In- that take legal advice from Arthur Cox The club remains true to its charitable ernment and Irish people. ternational. but also receive Irish Governmental The partnership with Micro Footie will roots via the outstanding work of the This action may see our Minister for But there is something more complex support clarified their positions. involve sharing club methodologies, Celtic FC Foundation which aids local involved here. Japan Tobacco Interna- coach education and coaching camps. charities and global appeals. Children and Youth Affairs, James Chris Macey, head of advocacy for the tional, an enormous conglomerate, is It will also present Micro Footie with O’Reilly, in the High Court to answer Irish Heart Foundation had this to say, Through the Celtic Soccer Academy the taking two Irish Government ministers the opportunity to visit Glasgow, Scot- for a legislative bill that the Irish Gov- “We adopted a standard operating pro- club has many official partner clubs to court lest a bill the government passed land to experience what life is like for ernment passed last year. cedure in the last few weeks that we across the globe, taking the ethos of last year be rescinded? an academy player at Celtic Football At issue is the government’s move to wouldn’t use the services of companies Club. talent development, fair play and social impose a ban on any other than bland This would seem to be a very dispro- that further the aims of the tobacco in- interaction through sport into many com- packaging for cigarettes. Arthur Cox, portionate response. But when JTI dustry in relation to the influence of Micro Footie will also have the chance munities worldwide, teaching kids how representing Japan Tobacco Interna- deigns to swat the Irish fly, there is more public health policy.” to send their coaches to Celtic Football to play “The Celtic Way.” to play for than meets the eye; it is con- Club to attend the renowned Interna- tional, claims that such a move contra- Macey, unlike JTI, is not bluffing. For more information about Micro venes fair competition law. tagion. tional Coaches Convention in Glasgow Stronger still, the Irish Cancer Society, and receive a behind the scenes look at Footie online, see: http://micro- O’Reilly, whose new ministerial port- If Ireland sets a European Union prec- previously a beneficiary of financial how Celtic develops young players to footie.com. folio still entails a strong involvement edent – not quite a world precedent as donations from Arthur Cox, averred: reach their potential. with the bill, disagrees: “As Minister for plain packaging of cigarettes has been “Because Arthur Cox are now leading Children and Youth Affairs, my respon- in force in Australia since 2012 – of a a legal action, which has the clear aim sibility is to progress measures that will government repulsing the threat of to- of preventing the enactment of legisla- protect children and stop them from tak- bacco companies over their claim to tion which we consider crucial to the RANGERS DE-LISTED ing up smoking in the first place...not equal advertising rights, and if that prec- prevention of cancer, we will therefore to protect the profits of tobacco com- edent is upheld, then it will become a now decline any offer of a corporate panies.” trend that will undoubtedly spread in donation from Arthur Cox.” FROM STOCK EXCHANGE Europe and beyond. GLASGOW – Scottish club Rangers And Minister Varadkar chipped in, “I The club is currently in the second divi- So the battle-lines would seem to be has been de-listed from the stock ex- sion after back-to-back promotions. drawn between the government and JTI is almost certainly bluffing. Impor- do think it would reflect well on Arthur change after failing to secure a broker. Big Tobacco? Not quite. The govern- tantly, their bluff comes against the Cox if they didn’t represent tobacco Rangers said “failings in corporate gov- ment is fervidly supported by the Irish backdrop of huge legal defeats for to- companies.” Trading in shares was suspended fol- ernance” by previous regimes made it bacco giants. lowing the resignation of its former bro- public in this case, in a way that it would So, to Arthur Cox and JTI: less puffing difficult for it to find a new broker, add- not have been in the past. ker, WH Ireland, before a general meet- ing that “there is no reason why de-list- In the U.S., for example, the almost half and less bluffing please. ing on March 6. The club hasn’t found century of struggle of both individuals ing should adversely impact on the value The year is 2015, not 1985: Incontro- If the government does not capitulate a replacement within a 28-day dead- and collective groups culminated in the of the company’s shares or on the com- vertible medical proof has shown the and manages to ride out what could end line. historic Tobacco Master Settlement pany’s financial condition or prospects.” connection between smoking and can- up involving years of legal pressure to Agreement in 1998, in which Big To- Rangers, a 54-time league champion in cerous, cardiovascular and lung dis- uphold this principle, it will make for a Legal action has been threatened by bacco paid over $200 billion to victims, Scotland, was demoted to the bottom eases. proud day to be Irish. Sláinte mhaith / deposed Rangers directors who claim the U.S. medical system and also ac- tier of the country’s football pyramid in good health to you! cessation of listing is a blow to all seri- When Japan Tobacco International cepted that its marketing power be cur- 2012 because of financial problems. ous shareholders APRIL 2015 www.celtic-connection.com PAGE 23
THE LONDON Irish Rugby Club team - The London Geese - PHOTO: Judy Teasdale will be in Seattle to play their first U.S. match in over 20 years. THE SEATTLE Saracens team which recently beat James Bay Athletic Association. They take on the Seattle Saracens on May 23. Irish at the Forefront of Rugby in Both Seattle and the USA on the Saracens for an unprecedented tion game with the London Irish Rugby exhibition game. Club. This will be the first match in 20 years He said, “I moved to Seattle, just over played by the London Irish Rugby Club two years ago. Over the past 12 months in the United States. we have affiliated with the London Saracens, which is one of the biggest By So how did Seattle manage to make such CATHOLINE rugby clubs in the world. PHOTO: Judy Teasdale PHOTO: Judy Teasdale a scoop? The connection is two key JUSTIN FITZPATRICK Direc- BUTLER members of the Saracens club who “The Seattle Rugby Club has been here KEVIN FLYNN president of the played for the London Irish Club before since the 1960s when several smaller tor of Rugby with the Seattle Seattle Saracens. moving to Seattle. rugby clubs amalgamated and took the Saracens. name Saracens. The Seattle Saracens Saracens club president Kevin Flynn, Rugby Club have built a and Justin Fitzpatrick, director of rugby, “Both Kevin Flynn and I played with helped build the rugby program in the the London Irish Club as young men. fierce reputation as the Emerald City after moving from Lon- One of our old teammates is now the don. head coach with the London club and reigning U.S. champions. he is bringing his side across to us.” Kevin Flynn was born in Wexford and They also recently won a game against Justin Fitzpatrick in Belfast, and both Justin explained that while several of the James Bay Athletic Association in played for the London Irish Rugby Club the players in their club are Irish, it’s Victoria, B.C., who were last year’s before moving to Seattle. mostly American players. Premier League champions. Justin Fitzpatrick recently spoke to The He said, “We’re very proud of the On May 23, the venerable London Irish Celtic Connection about his club and amount of American players that we Rugby Club will be in Seattle to take their upcoming history-making exhibi- have been able to introduce in the last two years.” There are two distinct parts to the Saracens season. They play fifteens SIX NATIONS 2015: from September through until May, and then from June through to August, they play sevens. Ireland win title from In Vancouver they play against the James Bay, Burnaby Lake and Capilano England & Wales clubs. DEFENDING champions Ireland cel- “Every time we play the British Colum- ebrated retaining their Six Nations title bia teams, it’s so amazing for me to hear on points difference after an extraordi- so many Irish accents from home,” he nary final day on Saturday, March 21. said. The last round of games concluded with “We don’t have that many Irish on our England falling agonisingly short of the side, but it seems on the clubs in Van- 26-point winning margin they needed as couver it’s easier to emigrate to Canada. they beat France 55-35 in an epic. “It’s good for the clubs in Vancouver The day had started with Wales annihi- IRELAND players celebrate at that so many Irish are taking part in the lating Italy 61-20 in Rome. a presentation after the Six Na- games, but it’s a sad indictment of tions international rugby union what’s going on at home. Ireland needed a huge win and their 40- match at Murrayfield in Edin- “In the summer we do play some B.C. 10 demolition of Scotland was enough burgh, Scotland on March 21. to both pass Wales and set a target just teams but generally we play American beyond England. Ireland won the game 40-10 – teams and compete in the U.S. National their first back-to-back title Championship of which we are the With three teams on three wins apiece wins since 1948/49. champions.” going into the final round of games the stage was set, and what followed was Justin reflected that from an Irish stand- that England needed to beat France by point it’s interesting to know that there one of the most incredible days in the 26 points to take the title. tournament since it was first played in are two Irish guys working at the club 1883, with 221 points scored in the three In a see-saw encounter at and at the forefront of rugby in Seattle matches. Twickenham, England pulled steadily and rugby in the USA. clear but never managed to get into a England started as leaders – just – from Both Kevin Flynn and Justin Fitzpatrick lead that would have denied Ireland the are a key influence and part of USA Ireland on points difference with Wales title. some way further back, and they would World Cup. play in reverse order to decide who However, Jack Nowell’s try with five The exhibition game with the London would become champions. minutes remaining put them 20 points Irish Rugby Club will take place at ahead and meant a converted try would Magnuson Park in North Seattle, South In the opener, Wales only led Italy by a have given them the championship. point at half-time in Rome but cut loose Shoreline on May 23. This is also where in the second half, with George North’s They spent the closing moments ham- the Gaelic football games are played in hat-trick ensuring Ireland needed to beat mering away at the French line in search Seattle. Scotland by 21 points to take the lead of the winning points, and came within Kevin said, “We’re hoping to see a good on points difference. a foot of scoring, but in their despera- contingent of the Irish attending from tion they infringed and the final whistle The champions duly hammered Scot- Vancouver.” For more information meant that although they had won hand- about the Seattle Saracens Rugby Club, land by 30 points in Edinburgh, mean- somely, it was Ireland who are 2015 Six ing Wales was out of contention and check out their website at: Nations champions. www.seattlesaracensrugby.com. PAGE 24 www.celtic-connection.com APRIL 2015 Greetings from Rorke’s Drift legendary Zulu battlefield th to describe a killing field as beautiful, AST August I celebrated my 70 birth- but Isandlwana is beautiful. day and my friend Richard Craig an- The area has breathtaking panoramic nounced that my birthday present from views, and a gigantic rock in the shape of a lion’s head looks down on hundreds L him was a return flight to Johannes- of cairns (small piles of whitewashed rocks) and memorial crosses dotted burg, and we would have a boy’s week away visiting around on the spots where men fell. some of the Zulu and Boer War battlefields. Where once the terrible noise of guns and the screams of the dying were ELFAN JONES (R) and his friend Richard Craig (L) at Rorke’s If you saw and remember that heard, there is now a gentle peaceful Drift. epic film Zulu, then you may POSTCARD serenity. know that in 1879 Lord FROM S. AFRICA Before a Zulu warrior could take a bride he had to wash his spear in the blood of Chelmsford the commander of an enemy. British forces in South Africa, To this end, 4,500 celibate Zulus who invaded Zululand, for the had not taken part in the battle and most spurious of reasons, wanted to dip their spears in the blood of the enemy, headed for Rorke’s Drift confident of crushing the Zulu which we visited this afternoon. army in six weeks. By A few survivors from the battle made At the time the British had the ELFAN it back to the depot and warned the of- most powerful army on earth and JONES ficers of the impending attack and the men brilliantly used the ammunition believed the Zulus to be a bunch boxes and food sacks to build a verita- of savages armed with sticks. ble mini-fort approximately the size of troops 12 miles away in search of the six tennis courts. The central force of the British army Zulu army. comprised of 4,850 men and Chelms- The Zulus attacked for 10 hours and ford needed a makeshift hospital, and The Zulu general completely outma- the heroics of the day are now legen- MEMORIAL to the fallen Zulus at Rorke’s Drift. a depot to store the provisions and noeuvred Chelmsford and the troops at dary. enough ammunition for a six week Isandlwana awoke to find themselves surrounded by 25,000 Zulus. The famous film starring Michael Caine campaign. pretty well covers it, but no film can Despite murderous defensive fire, the To this effect he commandeered a match being there and imagining what Zulus ran through the guns and within it was like see thousands of disciplined, homestead near the Zululan border two hours wiped out the entire force, called Rorke’s Drift. six-foot-tall, screaming and sexually bar a handful of lucky men who escaped frustrated warriors charging and stab- A force of 94 regular soldiers from the and fled. bing at you with their assegai again and th B company of the Warwickshire 24 The most powerful army in the world again. Regiment of Foot were left behind at had suffered its greatest defeat in its Nor can it depict the bravery of men the depot and 32 of these were Welsh- history, inflicted by a force they con- men. running at loaded rifles and almost cer- sidered to be savages armed with tain death. The company’s headquarters was in sticks. The Victoria Cross is the supreme Brit- Brecon, Wales, and was later renamed Zulus believe that when a man dies in as The South Wales Borderers. ish award for gallantry, and 11 were battle the body must be opened for the awarded that day, six of them to Welsh- I went to school in Brecon and was a soul to return home and consequently men. cadet in this regiment. the fallen were mutilated creating a scene that no horror film could repli- Whilst climbing up some steps I tripped, On January 20, 1879 the army advanced cate. bruising my foot. I won’t get a medal, five miles to a place called Isandlwana but do have the honour to be the last where scouts had reported seeing a It is not known how many Zulus lost Welshman injured at Rorke’s Drift! contingent of Zulus, but on arrival the their lives, but it is estimated that by Zulus had disappeared. lunchtime on that fateful day at least Our next stop is Spion Kop which is 6,000 men lay dead. the site of another spectacular British Chelmsford made the decision to split cock up, but this time in the Boer War. MEMORIAL to the British who died at Rorke’s Drift. his force leaving nearly 2,000 men at We had a guided tour of the battlefield Happy Days. Isandlwana and marched his remaining this morning and it may sound strange
THE LION’S HEAD at Isandlwana.
A HISTORICALLY inaccurate depiction of Lieutenant Melvill and Coghill fleeing the Battle of Isandlwana with the Queen’s Colour, taken from the Illustrated London News. SOME of the graves at Isandlwana.