June • 2011 www.ianohio.com Festival Focus Issue Focus Festival Climbing the Reek... Page 6 An Irishman in New York on 9/11... Page 8 See Pages 12-13 Gaelic Sports in Ohio Schedule... Page 15 Joan Diver of the Screaming Orphans. Photo by Pete Maher. 2 ianOHIO www.ianohio.com irish american news • June 2011 In the im- mediate fu- I have taken “a walk in board of the Irish Ameri- ture, the cam- the Irish rain” almost dai- can Hall of Fame. The paign will be ly these past few weeks, induction ceremonies of concentrating it seems. The auld trusty the 1st class were held on arguing Farmer’s Almanac says May 14th, in Chicago. for the right 2011 will be a dry and hot Maureen O’Hara, Sr. to vote in the one. I think they forgot to Connolly, Mayor Daley, forthcoming spell check; I think they Henry Ford, John Ken- Irish Presiden- meant it’ll be a, “I’ll cry nedy and six more history tial election a lot” one. Hopefully, the changing and time tested Seeking the Vote for Expats in October. Professor Hickman added: only tear that will be shed contributors to the Irish in You may not believe it, dear readers, “Former President Mary Robinson lit a this festival season will be America were inducted. but it is impossible for an Irish citizen candle in her window to remember the when “The Parting Glass” Unfortunately, the cer- to vote in an Irish election if you are Irish who had left and as a message to is invariably sung at the John O’Brien, Jr. emonies were the same not present on the Emerald Isle on the the Irish diaspora. We say Irish citizens end of each night after an- day as the 2nd Annual day of the vote. Go away on holidays or everywhere should have the right to say other fantastic festival. Kamm’s Corner Hooley. Big thanks to follow your job (which might only be who should light such candles in the fu- In this, we bring our 4th Annual Fes- Pete Roche, who stepped in to cover a temporary position) and you cannot ture. But our long-term goal is for the tival Focus Issue, highlighting many the event for us. vote in a referendum, a general election right of all Irish citizens to vote in elec- great festivals in and around Ohio Pete is now a regular contributor to or a Presidential election here. tions for the Dáil (Irish Parliament).” this summer. There is at least one fest the OhIAN, photographing and writ- So it is with great delight I can tell I am sure there must be many Irish every weekend, and the July-August ing concert and CD reviews. You have you of the Irish community in London citizens living in America who would bridge once again is brightly lit from hopefully noticed a few other recent who have come together to launch a love to add their weight to this worthy Cleveland to Dayton to Dublin—three changes and additions to the OhIAN. campaign calling for the right of Irish endeavor. See www.votesforirishciti- weekends in a row. Cuyahoga Falls’ Your feedback has led to new columns, citizens abroad to vote in elections in zensabroad.com for more. Riverfront Irish Fest always kicks off new features and our new website the Republic of Ireland. Called Votes Queen and the summer festival circuit. Plan ahead (www.ianohio.com). If you can’t read for Irish Citizens Abroad (VICA), the to see some of the best Irish music and the OhIAN all at once, miss an issue, or campaign is fighting for the same rights Obama Visits Timely Boost entertainment available throughout the simply want to re read, all issues, plus enjoyed by citizens of at least 115 coun- With one of the most afflicted EU world, right here in and around Ohio. daily updates, breaking news, videos, tries throughout the world. economies due to the worldwide reces- Our center section gives some of the and things we couldn’t fit into the cur- Group chairperson, Professor Mary sion, coupled with the most expensive “Do Not Miss” groups and events at a rent issue are lodged there. Hickman, explained the group was bank bailout in history, it’s well known festival near you. This is our 54th issue. Our 5th An- motivated both that Ireland We are very fortunate to have a fan- niversary is just around the corner. We by general prin- has had plenty tastic cadre of writers as well. I some- continue to grow, continue to get bet- ciples and by of press atten- times forget I am “editing” when I re- ter, thanks to your support. Our vision recent events in tion in recent ceive a column, getting lost in the story is grande, our readers 100 grande! Ireland. She said: times due to the told. I am sure you will read the paper Have a fantastic kickoff to the sum- “We believe it poor state of its from end to end before the next issue mer. Hope to see you out & about, in is only fair that economy. A lot arrives, but if you only have a minute front of a stage or in the connecting Irish passport of bad news, un- right now, take a read of Sean Mc- festival that is facebook, but please holders should fortunately. Cabe’s, Stories from the Corner Bard continue to send us your feedback, have the same H o w e v e r , column on page 8, and his on-site re- ideas and friends. rights enjoyed by some good membrances of 9/11. Slán, citizens of many news and a very It is my honor of serving on the John other countries, timely boost in including, for overseas tour- * www.ianohio.com, www.facebook.com/OhioIrishAmericanNews, instance those in ism, has been www.twitter.com/jobjr, www.myspace.com/ohian, Britain and the provided by the http://groups.yahoo.com/group/ohioirishamericannews USA who make visits to Ireland special arrange- by three major Offaly village of Moneygall. economic times to both countries. ments for their heads of state The focus of the media was not only Industry experts are hopeful the visit citizens to vote in their elections. in April and May. In April, Prince Al- on the symbolic significance of these will provide a much-needed boost for “But we also believe it is particular- bert of the principality of Monaco and visits to the Irish people, but also fo- Irish tourism. The UK has always been ly appropriate at this time to press for his fiancée made an official state visit cused on the beautiful attractions and Ireland’s strongest non-domestic mar- these rights, because of the large num- to Ireland fifty years after his mother, scenery just waiting to be explored in ket, and whilst US visitors have been bers of people who are being forced to Grace Kelly, and father, Prince Rainier, Ireland, and the warmth and friendli- dropping in recent years, 2010 saw leave Ireland through no fault of their made an official visit. Prince Albert ness of the Irish people. a strong improvement, with the final own—because of the economic crisis visited Newport, County Mayo, ances- The Queen’s visit marked the first quarter showing number of visits from brought on by others. These people are tral home of the Kellys. time to Ireland by the head of the Royal North America up by 13.9%. being penalized three times over—they Then, in May, the international me- Family since 1911. The visit of the head have lost their jobs or have no chance dia featured Ireland extensively when of the Royal Family shows that Ireland’s Mona Lisa’s Irish Links of getting one, maybe their homes and Queen Elizabeth II visited for the first relationship with the UK has never been An iconic woman who is recognized when they are forced to leave to look time, followed quickly by a visit by closer, nor more important. The com- worldwide and has been seen by mil- for work they are told they are losing President Obama, who traced the roots mon bonds of trade, growth and em- lions of people, has an Irish connec- their right to vote as well.” of his family, the Kearneys, in the South ployment are so critical in these harsh tion, according to new research. The June 2011 • irish american news www.ianohio.com ianOHIO 3 woman behind the famous Renaissance listed for Rating Legend: portrait, “Mona Lisa,” by Leonardo Da the Booker Vinci, is believed to have been Mona Award on Top Shelf Get it. A good story or recording, entertaining, an Lisa Gerhardini, the wife of an Italian five separate authentic setting and/or good educational content. silk merchant from Florence. A branch occasions as Middle Shelf of this family ended up as the historical well as hav- Worth a read or a listen if this particular subject/area/ Fitzgerald family of Kildare. ing won the person is of interest to you. Back in 1056, a man called Domi- Whitebread nus Other Gerhardini decided to travel Prize on to Normandy along with a caravan of New Irish Short Stories three occa- Norman Knights. He joined in the inva- Edited by Joseph O’Connor sions. sion of England and after the Battle of Faber & Faber, ISBN 978-0-571-25527-6; 2011; 404 pp. Other Hastings in 1066, was gifted some land. selections His descendants settled in Ireland about in the book include one by Roddy a century later and became known as Doyle, called, “Animals,” about a the Fitzgeralds.