May 2011 VOL. 22 #5 $1.50 Boston’s hometown journal of Irish culture.

Worldwide at bostonirish.com All contents copyright © 2011 Boston Neighborhood News, Inc. Double Honors Set for Mary Robinson Degree from Wheelock College; Gold Medal from the Eire Society By the BIR Staff May 13 will be a banner day in Boston for Mary Robinson, at right, the former president of the Republic of Ireland who has been a strident activist for human rights worldwide since her days as a young lawyer. At 11 a.m. that Friday, she will be at Wheelock Col- lege where she will receive an honorary degree and speak to the Class of 2011 by addressing the school’s commencement theme, “Advocating on Behalf of Chil- dren: Inspiring a World of Good.” Then, at 3 p.m. she will be at the Harbor View Ball- room at the World Trade Center for a reception, dinner, and awards ceremony sponsored by the Eire Society of Boston, which is honoring President Robinson with its 2001 Gold Medal for her “significant contributions to benefit society and her chosen field of expertise.” Said Jackie Jenkins-Scott, president of Wheelock, which was founded in 1888: “Mary Robinson is an inspirational leader and role model who has dedicated her life and her career to improving human rights in her own country and across the globe, and giving voice to the least fortunate among us.” Robinson served for some 20 years as a senator in the Irish Parliament before assuming the country’s presidency in 1990, the first woman to serve in the post. After she left office in 1997, she joined the United Nations organization as its High Commissioner for Hu- man Rights. Numerous awards followed from around the earth, capped by her reception of the Presidential Medal of Freedom from President Barack Obama. The Magic of Music Delights 32 Girls in Kenya ‘Lullabies of Love’ CD, Release concert a collaboration of artists on May 15 who care, will support at Club Passim will go to One Home Many ‘One Home Many Hopes’ Hopes. The experience of put- ting together the CD By Sean Smith labies for Love,” will in- clude previously released (produced by O’Donovan’s Special to the BIR husband Brian, host of The biggest ideas often tracks by such artists WGBH’s “A Celtic So- have the simplest begin- as Solas, Mick Moloney, journ”) and concert has nings. For Newton resi- Karan Casey, Altan, Liz been a rewarding one for dent Lindsay O’Donovan, Carroll, Susan McKeown O’Donovan, not only from the inspiration for a major & Johnny Cunningham, a musical standpoint but combination music project Navan, Skara Brae, Heidi because it has helped and fundraising initiative Talbot & Cherish the La- deepen the strong connec- came from the act of qui- dies, Seamus Egan, Sheila tion to One Home Many etly humming a tune for Falls & Keith Murphy Hopes that she forged a sleepy little girl named and Aoife Clancy. Other during the month she Lovie who lay cradled in contributors to the album spent there. her arms. include Dougie MacLean, “I’ve just been over- That tune – which Alasdair Fraser, Natalie whelmed by this show of O’Donovan literally made Haas, Lissa Schneck- love and support for the up on the spot – will be enburger, John Doyle, children,” says O’Donovan. included on a newly is- Christy O’Leary, Eamon “It’s wonderful how one sued CD, sales of which Murray, Sean Graham, Lindsay O’Donovan with children at One Home, Many Hopes in Kenya last group of friends -- the will benefit One Home Chico Huff and Lindsay’s year, an experience that inspired the idea for the “Lullabies for Love” CD. people I know through Many Hopes (OHMH), the daughters Aoife and Fion- music – has reached out to home for orphaned and nuala O’Donovan. – featuring O’Donovan endary 1960s trio Peter, and several other of the another group of friends, abandoned girls in Kenya Two tracks were written accompanied by Shannon Paul and Mary. album’s contributors at a including Lovie. where O’Donovan met and recorded especially for Heaton, Hanneke Cassel, Lindsay, Aoife, and CD release concert on May “What I found in Kenya Lovie last year while vol- the album: the aforemen- and Ariel Friedman – and Fionnuala O’Donovan 15 at 4:30 p.m. in Harvard was truly a home, made unteering. The CD, “Lul- tioned O’Donovan compo- “One Home” by Noel Paul will be joined by Clancy, Square’s Club Passim. All sition “Lullaby for Lovie” Stookey, part of the leg- Heaton, Falls, Cassel proceeds from the event (Continued on page 17) Judge Dolan ‘The Drowsy Know-Nothings Talks Judging Chaperone’ Then and Now “It is an incredible Karen Macdonald and Peter F. Stevens of- privilege to be a judge,” McCaela Donovan star fers his take on an ugly says the former presid- in the Speakeasy Stage episode in Massachu- ing justice at Dorches- Company’s production of setts history – the time ter District Court. “To the musical spoof that’s 160 years ago when the have a job where you playing from May 6 to American Party took go in every day and try June 5 at the Calder- over the state – and wood Pavilion at the the relevance of that to identify truth, which era to today’s political isn’t easy. That’s your Boston Center for the turbulence. job.” Arts. Page 6 Page 15 Paul Marotta, Perfect Bokeh Photography Page 5 Page 2 May 2011 BOSTON IRISH Reporter Worldwide at www.bostonirish.com

THE EIRE SOCIETY OF BOSTON PRESENTS TheThe GoldGold MedalMedal AwardsAwards

The Eire Society’s Gold Medal is awarded annually to a person who has made significant contributions to benefit society and to their chosen field of expertise. Previous recipients include filmmakers John Ford and John Huston, Irish actresses Siobhan McKenna and Maureen O’Hara, Irish poet Seamus Heaney, U.S. Ambassadors to Ireland William V. Shannon and Jean Kennedy Smith, former Speaker of the U.S. House of Representatives John W. McCormack and President John F. Kennedy. 2011 Gold Medal Dinner & Award Ceremony The Eire Society cordially invites you to attend the seventy-fourth annual Gold Medal Award Dinner honoring the 2011 Gold Medal Award Recipient MARY ROBINSON Please join us to honor Mary Robinson, who served as the first female President of Ireland, the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights, Founding Member & Chair of the Council of Women World Leaders, Chancellor of University College Dublin, and the 2009 recipient of the United States Presidential Medal of Freedom.

On FRIDAY, MAY 13, 2011 3:00 p.m to 9:00 p.m. at The World Trade Center, Harbor View Ball Room 164 Northern Avenue Boston, MA 02210 A Welcome Reception from 3:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m. Will Begin the Afternoon Event

The Banquet Dinner and Award Ceremony will Follow in the Harbor View Ball Room.

Please RSVP with check or money order for $150 per guest by May 6, 2011 to

Mrs. Kathleen Lawlor 172 Adams St, Milton MA 02186 Worldwide at www.bostonirish.com May 2011 BOSTON IRISH Reporter Page 3 ON THE TOWN WITH THE BIR Dot’s Rooney Raises Awareness About Aneurysms

By Bill Forry Managing Editor When the tenth annual 5k road race and walk to support the Brain Anuerysm Foundation steps off near Humarock beach next month, look for Dorchester’s Joe Rooney near the starting line. He’ll be the one running around, shouting instructions and making sure that all goes according to plan. The fact that the 37 year-old is even up and around — let alone managing a charity road race— is a wonder. That Joe, who hails from that famous clan of Rooney brothers (there are ten in all), is now back to work, driving, and building a new life in St. Margaret’s parish is nothing short of miraculous. Ten years ago this month, Rooney was bed-ridden, effectively paralyzed and, yet, lucky to be alive. In January 2001, Rooney was felled by a sudden seizure while visiting family in Vermont. The brain aneusysm which afflicted him came out of nowhere UMass Boston Honors the Sheridans and would have killed 9 out of 10 people. Senator Scott Brown, SBLI President and CEO Robert Sheridan, his wife Jean O’Hara Sheridan, and “I was given a very minimal likelihood to survive,” former New England Patriots linebacker Tedy Bruschi share a laugh at the University of Massachusetts Rooney recalls. “By the way its measured by grade, I Boston Scholarship Gala Tuesday night. Sheridan was honored with the Chancellor’s Medal for Exem- had a very serious grade of four. Grade five is death.” plary Leadership. UMass Boston has also set up the Robert and Jean O’Hara Sheridan Scholarship for Five hours of surgery saved his life. His parents Boston, Jamaica Plain, and Everett students. and nine siblings helped him slowly recover— along with teams of caregivers at Mass General and a rehabilitation center in Braintree. It took a few years for him to learn to walk and function normally again. Even learning to talk again was an enormous feat. “I knew exactly what I wanted to say in my head, but I couldn’t spit it out flowingly. Frustration sets in and anxiety sets in. It takes a very long time for the brain to heal and to recover from an injury like that,” said Rooney. “I went through tons of therapy: I had no choice with parents and nine brothers on my butt every day.” The Rooney clan also had the help and guidance of the Brain Aneurysm Foundation and its leader, Christine Buckley, who step in to educate and coun- sel families in their most difficult moments. These days, Rooney not only helps organize the annual road race, but he serves as a volunteer counselor, assisting families who find themselves in a hospital room— facing a seemingly hopeless prognosis. “My mission is to educate people who are out there about aneurysms. I understand what I went through and there people who are out there are going through the same thing,” said Rooney. The May 29th race and walk— known as the Arterial Challenge— raises money for research and supports the work of the foundation locally. More than 300 participants are expected to take The second annual Irish Hearts for Haiti dance benefit was held on Sunday, April 3. The event — which part. Registration is $25 and includes a t-shirt for supported the work of the Friends of the Orphans and The Saint Rock Clinic— was another huge success. all who pre-register by May 13. Participants can More than a thousand people turned out for the all-day event at the Marriott Boston Quincy. also register on the day of the event at 8 a.m. at the town parking lot at 3 River Street, Humarock. For more information on the event and to register, visit Members Fight Sale of Irish Social Club bafound.donorpages.com Officials with the Irish Social “It’s the end of an era,” Sheehan “One step at a time, that’s how I’ve had to schedule Club in West Roxbury plan to close told the Globe. “But what can you my life over the last ten years,” says Rooney. “I’m its doors permanently and sell its do when you don’t have money.” so lucky to have the family that I have.” Park Street property — a decision West Roxbury native Jon Cullen that has sparked protests from started a Facebook page to “Save members and neighbors who want the Irish Social Club of Boston” that the club to stay open. now counts more than 230 members. News of the sale — first reported “There’s a lot of will to keep this by West Roxbury Patch in April— place open,” says Cullen, a West stunned many members and pa- Roxbury neighbor who is not cur- trons, who say that the decision to rently a member of the social club. sell the building was made without “There has been a marked decline their input. in membership, but what I’ve heard “The members of the club were from younger folks is that there never notified that the club was hasn’t been any effort to reach out in financial trouble. The members to younger Irish families. My hope is were told on a Friday night that the that that they do have a vote and if last dance would be Sunday. They its’ decided that club will stay open, were never given a chance to fund there’ll be a rush to join the club and raise to keep the club open,” said have some influence on its future.” Brendan Adams, one of the activ- “It’s a great location,” adds Cullen. ists hoping to block the closure, in “It’s prime property and it could be an e-mail to the Reporter. “A small a great venue for lots of different group of elected officers made the things, but I also hope it keeps its decision for all the members.” Irish flavor.” Adams and other advocates say Cullen says that advocates for the that more should be done to keep the club have drawn some hope from the club open before a sale is attempted. work of local political leaders — Rep. The club boasts a history stretch- Ed Coppinger and City Councillor ing back to 1945 and has been in its Matt O’Malley— who have recently current home since 1978. spoken out on the issue. Club president Andrew Sheehan “It’s a great club,” said City Coun- are ways to engage the community told the Boston Globe that the club’s cillor Matt O’Malley. “It’s a private and I’ve tried to impress on the lead- finances were strained by poor at- club and we understand if it’s not ership the importance of having a tendance and that the organization sustainable, but I think there’s a meeting with the full membership.” Joe Rooney with his nephew Colin Rooney. Joe, 38, could no longer afford to stay in real appetite among the younger -Bill Forry nearly died from a brain aneurysm ten years ago. business. generation to keep this going. There Page 4 May 2011 BOSTON IRISH Reporter Worldwide at www.bostonirish.com

Publisher’s Notebook Commentary When the Words No Relaxing in Northern Ireland; Make a Difference Trouble Continues to Haunt Region By Ed Forry For those lingering lost souls who struggle accepting By Joe Leary It is noteworthy that all of these killings have taken that the American people voted to elect Barack Obama as Special to the BIR place outside of Belfast in the interior of Northern their president, there were a few public utterances made After nearly ninety years, so many deaths, and so Ireland. within a few short days this spring that speak volumes much anger and sorrow, the tragic partitioning of The Police Service of Northern Ireland (PSNI) issued about political discourse in our great country. Ireland in 1922 and the violence it created remain the a warning that the “Dissidents” (the name given these While his political opponents wasted chief causes of deep com- small groups that have defied the people’s vote on the much time and energy to distract our munity hostility across Good Friday agreement) were planning to kill more president from doing his job, Obama Northern Ireland. police during the following weeks. The PSNI asked revealed the true depths of his extraor- For the casual visitor, all citizens to be vigilant and report any suspicious dinary leadership skills and political the tension is not so activity they see. acumen. apparent, but at night, Less than a week after the warning was issued, a At this writing, it’s hard to believe otherwise healthy com- 500-pound bomb was found in a truck under a bridge in that just days ago, the chief media munities, both Catholic Newry, just over the border from the Republic. There story was a firestorm over whether and Protestant, live be- is much confusion as to how the bomb was found, why the president was born in the United hind 12- to 30-foot high it was left there, and where it was headed. It could Ed Forry States. Then, on May Day 2011, the walls to protect them- have been revealed by an unnamed police informant; world learned that even as the White selves from the other it could have been an accidental discovery (unlikely), House stooped to respond to the baseless canards thrown side. Fear rules the or the Garda in the South may have been watching around by one D. Trump, our president was in the midst streets after dark, es- the vehicle. In any case, if it had been detonated in a of authorizing an inspired military action that would take pecially in areas where crowded area, the bomb would have caused horrendous out the country’s Public Enemy No. 1. the two communities death and destruction. Consider these public comments, uttered just four days live close to each other. Just iImagine the world’s reaction to another Omagh apart: type bomb in Northern Ireland where 29 people were “Today, I’m very proud of myself because I’ve accom- There are now 140 of these walls, perhaps as killed and 220 injured. That there are men and women plished something that nobody else has been able to accom- Joe Leary in Ireland who would even assemble such a device plish… I am really honored, frankly, to have played such a many as 60 more than was the case before the should set the peace process back and question cur- big role in hopefully getting rid of this (the birther) issue.” rent government. — Donald Trump, April 27 “Good Friday” Peace agreement was signed. The walls are encouraged and paid for by a Government anxious One of the most hate-filled rivalries in sports is the “Tonight, I can report to the American people and to the one between Scotland’s Celtics and Rangers soccer world that the United States has conducted an operation to keep peace regardless of the cost. Residents welcome the walls for the feeling of security they provide. teams. The Celtics are the Catholic team and the that killed Osama bin Laden, the leader of Al Qaeda, and Rangers are the Protestant team and the fan bases a terrorist who’s responsible for the murder of thousands In 2009, two British soldiers were killed by sniper are far more radical than those of the Yankees and of innocent men, women, and children.” fire as they went to accept delivery of their weekend – President Obama, May 1 pizza on a Friday evening; a few days’ later, a Catholic the Red Sox. The Celtics and Rangers are not just two The “birther issue” was a sad and sorry spectacle that policeman, father of four, was assassinated with a teams; they are complete cradle-to-grave institutions played out on national TV one morning in late April. bullet to the head at close range. with programs for children and young men and women. There was blowhard businessman Trump on a tarmac in The latest victim, a recently qualified 25-year-old Last week, just before their big game, Neil Lennon, New Hampshire, unburdening himself of a whole stream Catholic policeman named Ronan Kerr, was killed the coach of the Celtics, and two high profile Celtic of self-important gibberish while national cable channels by a bomb placed in his car on the afternoon of April supporters received parcel bombs in the mail. The transmitted his vacuities around the globe. 2 by a new group of thugs calling for a return to a three packages were intercepted before any damage The scene took place while the TVs waited to bring up United Ireland – a cause sometimes used by men and could take place, but according to the Glasgow police, the president at the White House. He had just posted women caring more about power than about Ireland. all could have caused “real harm.” online his “long form” birth certificate, proving his birth Both Gerry Adams and Martin McGuinness, the Sectarian cheering including songs and chanting in Hawaii on August 4, 1961, and putting the lie once and leaders of Sinn Fein and no strangers to violent solu- are common at Celtic and Ranger matches. This is for all to the so-called “birthers,” who have long fostered tions themselves, intensely condemned the actions Scotland not Ireland, but in Belfast don’t get caught fiction about his legitimacy as president. of the new fringe group. The way forward is through wearing a Celtic jersey in a Protestant area or vice “Over the last two and a half years, I have watched constitutional government, not the killing of our own versa. It would not be seen as a peace gesture. There with bemusement,” the president said that day. “I’ve people, McGinness said in his speech in Derry at were several other instances of potential violence, all been puzzled by the degree to which this thing just kept Easter. In fact, leaders from throughout Ireland and in April that could be listed here. on going.” Mr. Obama said there would be a “segment of England condemned the violence. Still these fringe The sad conclusion may be that it is much too early people for which, no matter what we put out, this issue groups persist. to become complacent about Northern Ireland. will not be put to rest.” But he said that he was “speaking to the vast majority of the American people as well as to the press. We do not have time for this kind of silliness. Off the Bench We’re not going to be able to solve our problems if we get distracted by sideshows and carnival barkers.” Trump’s P.T. Barnum act served as a more-than-willing counterpoint to Obama’s sensible, statesman-like ap- Blessed ‘Bongo’ – Man, Priest, Teacher proach. After all, for Trump, the bottom line was that he soak up as much free media as possible. All the better to By James W. Dolan later changing his name to Salim Shakour. I once boost TV ratings, no matter what the cost to the nation’s Special to the Reporter asked him if he was still a Catholic. He replied that prestige. This is the season of acceptances and rejections he was but the name change was good for business. “I know how to make money — I’ve always known how when high school seniors experience the joy of victory When Father Scannell needed the right answer, he to make money,” Trump said. “This country is broke.” or the agony of defeat could always call on Louie, a class act. If there was This country is indeed broken in more ways than one when the dreaded anyone in our section in the National Honor Society, when its commander-in-chief has to interrupt his day to envelopes arrive. it was him. answer the basest of charges from the likes of Trump. My oldest grand- The rest of the class was made of misfits, most of But Mr. Obama refused to be distracted by such incon- child, a senior at BC whom had managed to become seniors after time spent sequential nonsense. “Thanks be to God,” as my mother High, applied to about in summer school. But, they were a delightful group would say, that we have such a good, honorable, and decent 10 colleges and, un- of guys and some of the funniest fellows I ever met. man in the White House. like me, got into most As seniors, the pressure was off and we were likely “And finally, last week, I determined that we had enough of them. It looks like to graduate. With his “easy-rider” reputation, we intelligence to take action, and I authorized an operation he will be studying knew Father Scannell would see to it. His classroom to get Osama bin Laden and bring him to justice. Today, engineering at Notre was fun; you never knew when someone would say at my direction, the United States launched a targeted or do something that would cause “Bongo” to smile. operation against that compound in Abbottabad, Pakistan. Dame next year. A member of the I remember one class when Charlie Kelly, a St. A small team of Americans carried out the operation with Gregory’s graduate and outstanding football player extraordinary courage and capability. No Americans were National Honor So- ciety, he invited me at the high school, fell asleep. Seeing this, Father harmed. They took care to avoid civilian casualties. After Scannell called on him. The fellow sitting behind a firefight, they killed Osama bin Laden and took custody to his induction last year. After the cer- nudged Charlie and he woke up. of his body.” Realizing he had been called upon, Charlie got to – Barack Obama, May 1 emony, he asked if I James W. Dolan had been a member. his feet, not having a clue as to what question was I smiled and said I asked. He looked desperately for a lifeline. don’t think they had such an organization when I was Someone near him whispered, “a stitch in time Boston Irish at BC High; at least I never heard of it. saves nine. Charlie’s eyes lit up and in a command- The truth be told I had about as much chance of get- ing voice, he said, “a stitch in time saves nine.” That ting into the National Honor Society as Father Frank having nothing to do with the question, the whole REPORTER class, including “Bongo,” broke up. The Boston Irish Reporter is published monthly by: Scannell, our beloved senior home room teacher, had of being pope. Unlike my grandson, I was spared having to make Boston Neighborhood News, Inc., Fr. Scannell always got the rascals in the “How did choices between colleges. The only one that accepted 150 Mt. Vernon St., Suite 120, Dorchester, MA 02125 we manage to graduate?” section. He was the prob- me was Boston College. Back then, if you graduated [email protected] www.bostonirish.com ably the only one with the patience and good humor from BC High, you were virtually assured admission Mary C. Forry, President (1983-2004) to put up with us. to BC. Edward W. Forry, Publisher I will always remember that solemn face breaking I remember my high school experience with great Thomas F. Mulvoy Jr., Managing Editor into a smile at someone’s antics in the classroom, affection. For me, it was more important then college. William P. Forry, Contributing Editor and the chorus of “We got him going” that always The combination of discipline, hard work, dedicated Peter F. Stevens, Contributing Editor provoked a laugh. A kind and gentle priest, he was teachers, few distractions (no girls), and great class- mates was what I needed. I appreciate it more now News Room: (617) 436-1222 Ads : (617) 436-1222 not cut out to be a disciplinarian. He acquired the nickname “Bongo” from his stu- than I did then. Fax: (617) 825-5516 [email protected] dents, the product of his many years as a missionary To the late Father Frank “Bongo” Scannell from all On The Web at www.bostonirish.com in Jamaica. When he started to smile, the entire class the boys he taught over the years: a thank you. Your Date of Next Issue: June, 2011 began to softly sing Jamaica Farewell: “Down the way kind and gentle spirit will not be forgotten. May you Deadline for Next Issue: Thursday, May 19 at 2 p.m. where the nights are gay and the sun shines daily on rest near a tropical beach, listening to the waves as Published monthly in the first week of each month. the mountaintops …” the gentle trade winds blow onshore. The Boston Irish Reporter is not liable for errors appearing in advertisements The smartest kid in the section was Louie White, James W. Dolan, BC High Class of 1956, is a retired beyond the cost of the space occupied by the error. The right is reserved by the only African American in the class. Now deceased, Dorchester District Court judge who now practices law. The Boston Irish Reporter to edit, reject, or cut any copy without notice. he went on to have a distinguished career as a lawyer, Worldwide at www.bostonirish.com May 2011 BOSTON IRISH Reporter Page 5 POINT OF VIEW / PETER F. STEVENS It was a Bitter Cup of Tea Then – and the Same is True Today I’m begging anyone in these parts with green blood- lines to please put down the “tea.” Every time anyone in or around Boston, or the rest of Massachusetts, imbibes the Tea Party brew, a historical fog envelops him or her. The lessons of the past evaporate, the concoction’s residue a soggy, sorry blend of simplistic bromides, cultural, racial, and ethnic epithets, and distortion of the past. What’s old is new – but your ancestors, who left behind the old sod in search of something better, would recognize and recoil from today’s Tea Party. In all likelihood they would let you have a proverbial piece of their mind if you are drinking from this fetid cup. They would remind you that in their day, a band of “real Americans” bellowed, “I want my country back!” They would remind you of the coffin ships that carried them from famine-wracked Ireland, of the “Irish Need Not Apply” signs they encountered, and of worse. In their day, the 1840s and 1850s, it was the Tea Party’s antecedent – the Nativists – who infected the local and national landscape, a hate-filled party that not only appeared locally and nationwide, but also ruled Massachusetts and other regions politically for a few years. They called themselves the “Know-Nothings.” What they knew all too well was that they loathed anything Irish, anything Catholic, any immigrant, anything they deemed “un-American.” They proclaimed that they needed to save the nation from going broke to pay for “Paddy and Bridget,” who were arriving in unprecedented waves. In short, the Nativists “wanted their country back.” Sound familiar? The Tea Party’s predecessor was attractive to many men in and around Boston, and in the spring of 1854, they carried elections in Boston, Salem, and other cities. With the fall Massachusetts legislative and gubernatorial races looming, the Know Nothings had their collective eye on higher office, from which they could enact laws targeting foreigners and Catholics. Across the nation, the movement’s ranks had swelled to over a million by 1854, their confidence leading them to anoint themselves the “American Party.” They always The American Party (aka The Know-Nothings) made clear where it stood in this credo published in the invoked the patriots of the American Revolution – the early 1850s. Library of Congress document real Americans. Again, sound familiar? We hear today’s Tea Partiers similarly evoking the many Tea Partiers for what they are. This is not to say U.S. House. heroes of the Revolution, anointing themselves as that there aren’t many of them who honestly believe I believe that for the Tea Party, and for our na- the modern incarnations of the men who so loathed that tax, debt, and policy issues drive the movement. tion’s future, there’s a historical lesson in the Know “taxation without representation” that they dumped The nation’s fiscal woes worry me, too. However, at Nothing/American Party’s fate. The ascendancy of British tea into Boston Harbor. They identify with Tea Party gatherings, the placards and portrayals the Know-Nothings proved mercurial. In 1856, the the “shot heard round the world” in April 1775 – even of the “other” who sits in the White House cannot be American Party ran Millard Fillmore in the presidential as their pinup Congresswoman, Michelle Bachman, dismissed as merely the “lunatic fringe.” While our election. While many Boston voters likely cast their crows that the legendary shot sounded above the green Boston Irish ancestors and all African-Americans ob- ballots for the former president, he won but one state, in Concord, New Hampshire. For anyone who needs viously have had a troubled history, the Irish of the Maryland. The onset of the Civil War would shove reminding about the real Tea Party, not the present- mid-nineteenth century in Massachusetts were most the Know-Nothings into the backwaters of history. day band, please pick up a copy of the great historian certainly “the other.” While prejudice toward immigrants would endure, the Jill Lepore’s The Whites of Their Eyes: The Tea Party’s In the 1854 gubernatorial race, Henry Gardner, a Boston Irish had been galvanized by what the Know- Revolution and the Battle over American History. It staunch Know-Nothing, won as his party took every Nothings had done: Seize power through the ballot was not simply about taxes. Massachusetts Congressional election, all statewide box. The immigrants proved far better at holding on But back to the Boston Irish. The immigrants of the offices, all forty Massachusetts Senate seats, and every to that clout than had the nativist bigots. Which is 1840s and 1850s were subjected to similar distortions Massachusetts House seat save three. Stunned by the why today’s Boston Irish should think long and hard about the Revolution, the Founding Fathers, and the rising tide of Nativism in Boston and beyond, Charles and remember their own families’ history before sip- new nation’s “Judeo-Christian” principles. Anyone Francis Adams wrote in his diary, “The political news is ping the tea. As countless adages preach, we ignore who was not a native-born, Anglo-Protestant was not amazing. The new mysterious order has carried every the past at our peril. Distorting and oversimplifying a real American, but, rather, the outsider, the other. office in the state. … There has been no revolution so the past carries similar danger. We hear that the Tea Party is about nothing more or complete since the organization of government.” Those less than America’s skyrocketing debt and taxation. same words ring true in regard to the November 2010 Peter F. Stevens is a member of the BIR staff. Our Irish ancestors would not be fooled. The words elections that swept Tea Partyers into power in the “I want my country back” would reveal the faces of Toibin Tip on Writing at BC Forum: ‘One Detail Should Get You Started’ By Patrick Gallagher occasional chuckle or reaction from a particularly interest the reader.” Special to the BIR intriguing passage. In response to a questioner asking if he ever For award-winning Irish author Colm Toibin, writ- Toibin laid out the origins of Two Women, which became caught up emotionally in a plot, Toibin ing is often about trying to distract readers from a stretched all the way back to when he was 16 and said, “The emotion is all mine. All I’m trying to do story’s true destination, only to catch them off-guard first saw the work of Samuel Beckett. “It was sour, is communicate that to the reader in a way that is when it is finally revealed. it was hilarious, it was meaningless,” Toibin said interesting. It’s there for me as I’m working and it’s Toibin did just that last of seeing Beckett’s work acted out for the first time. going to emerge in the story.” month at a reading before “That was my introduction to Samuel Beckett, but Asked how he first started writing Two Women, a packed Boston College it was also my introduction to that sort of acting.” Toibin said that before he even sat down to outline auditorium, transporting his At the time, an Irish actor by the name of Jack the work, he would go around telling the story of audience to the world created MacGowran played one of the lead roles in the Beck- MacGowran’s widow to friends of his. by his stories. ett production. Years later, when Toibin overheard “What happened was, I found myself telling people For the better part of MacGowran’s widow speaking about her late hus- the story [prior to writing it]. What I did then was I two hours, Toibin had the band, he was struck with the idea for Two Women, worked on it over a long period. I wanted that last members of the audience which was published this past January along with part to creep up on you.” listening intently as he read a number of Toibin’s other short stories in his book, Toibin’s appearance was sponsored by the Irish from his story Two Women, The Empty Family: Stories. Studies Department at Boston College as a part a tale about a domineering “It’s a funny process,” Toibin said of turning a of its Irish Writers Series. Prior to launching into Colm Toibin set designer who is abruptly singular idea into a story. All it takes, he said, might his reading, Toibin commended the department for reminded of a past lover as be one abstract detail, one random event, or in this keeping alive the bond between the university and she runs into a woman whom she never expected case, one snippet of a conversation. Irish writing. to meet. “One detail should be enough for you,” he con- “The connection that exists now – a real connection The renowned author of Brooklyn, The Master, and cluded. between Boston College and Irish writing – it’s a very The Blackwater Lightship, among other works, Toi- For Toibin, the most important thing when writ- important connection and it matters enormously to bin captivated his listeners with his decidedly Irish ing is first to be able to grasp onto an emotion, and us writers,” he said. prose style and his bright, animated wit, drawing the then “you turn it into something that you think will Page 6 May 2011 BOSTON IRISH Reporter Worldwide at www.bostonirish.com Profile For James Dolan, Judging Let Him See Up Close How Life Played Out for Real

By Greg O’Brien “Had I been good in math and science, I Special to the BIR would have been a doctor,” Dolan says. A local superman of sorts, James W. “My dad was a guy you always wanted Dolan has pursued truth, justice, and the to please, and I think he would have American Way for most his adult life. But been happy if I had gone into medicine.” there’s a little of a Tom Cruise character Left-brain, right-brain, the two aren’t in him, and, for that matter, in all of us, easily transferable on the family tree, but defined in the compelling courtroom mo- Dolan was richly blessed with creative ment in the classic movie A Few Good talents that his mother instinctively Men when Jack Nicholson as the crusty drew on. “My mother suggested that I go Col. Nathan R. Jessep turned to Cruise into law, noting that lawyers and judges in the role of prosecutor Lieutenant JG were interested in truth and justice. I Daniel Kaffee, and barked, “You can’t thought it was an appealing argument.” handle the truth!” After law school and working as an at- Maybe none of us can, at least when de- torney with the Boston Legal Assistance fined on our own terms, concedes Dolan, Project, managing the South Boston of- former First Justice of the Dorchester fice during President Johnson’s War on District Court. “It’s the enduring pursuit Poverty, Dolan became a State House of truth and justice that distinguishes lobbyist in 1970 for the Massachusetts an individual in life,” he observed in Bar Association, rubbing shoulders with a recent interview at his unassuming Beacon Hill’s political movers. When an Dorchester law office that overlooks the opening developed five years later on the clatter of the Red Line and houses Dolan Dorchester District Court bench, Dolan, Connly, a full-service firm featuring a Democrat and a compromise candidate this veteran judge, gifted mediator, and at the time, was appointed to the bench diligent arbitrator. by Republican Governor Frank Sargent. “How does one account for the funda- Ultimately, Dolan settled in with the mental flaw in human nature that makes ease of a gavel. His years on the court us incapable of perfection?” he wrote 11 shaped and refined him in ways he years ago in a Boston Globe commentary had never imagined would be the case. upon his retirement after 26 years as Looking back now at 72, he has become a Dorchester District Court judge and nostalgic about life and where society acting First Justice of the Lynn, West is heading these days. “We’ve made Roxbury, Roxbury, and New Bedford strides over the years in areas like civil district courts. “It has been said that capi- rights and gay rights,” he says, “and we talism and democracy are not visions of should be proud of that. But something man’s perfection but of his imperfections. has been lost in the process of progress. That is why they work. The same can be I have this theory that for everything we said of our system of justice. It acknowl- term today as progress, there’s an equal edges what is self-evident—humanity is and opposite problem it creates— it’s a flawed. Despite our meticulously crafted law of cultural physics, I suppose, ac- and carefully balanced efforts to adapt a tion and reaction. We live at such a fast justice system to the human condition, pace with cellphone, Facebook, Twitter we must recognize its weaknesses. We and the like. Constant chatter, but often struggle with our limited capacity to find nothing of significance. There’s no time the truth and do justice. The pursuit of for silence, no time for reflection. We’re truth and justice is not a sporting event always in the moment, driven by the or a board game despite the existence of spin of the day.” winners and losers. The system works James W. Dolan on judging: “The job is to try to do justice to the extent one He pauses for a minute, then looks best when the right person wins, and it can within the limitations of imperfection.” up at an observer as if he were about to fails when the wrong person loses.” make a comment, wise yet reflective of The journey for Dolan began back in past, the drama of the courtroom – far real life, and you have the opportunity to his age. His dad probably said the same grammar school in Dorchester where more importantly than his own. “I re- reach out and touch it, affecting someone, thing, and it was just as true then. “I tend he attended St. Mark’s, St. Matthews’s, member my days at the courthouse and and hopefully for the good.” to think people of my generation were and St. Gregory’s as the family moved looking up at the rows of framed black Dolan had reached the callow age of 33 better grounded,” he says. “Life was a to different parishes. Sister Rose Paula and white photos of retired Dorchester when he was first appointed to the court lot easier, simpler, and safer.” caught his attention in the third grade District Court judges, sepia in tone, on Washington Street after a successful Dolan today is grounded in his wife, his at St. Mark’s with her comments about and thinking that I never wanted to be tenure at the State House as Legislative children (four daughters and a son), and fundamental unfairness and the lack of remembered as that,” he says. “Most Counsel to the Massachusetts Bar Asso- his grandchildren. He’s blessed, he says, accountability in life. “There, but the judges, I suppose, would love to have ciation, and he wasn’t sure if he was up that they live nearby. Many years ago, grace of God, go I,” she taught, forever their pictures hanging in a courthouse. to the task. Briefly on the job, he spoke in true Irish form after four daughters, stressing “a final day of reckoning before I had no interest in it. You do your job with seasoned Justice Paul King about he longed for a son. His wife told him God.” and move on.” his youthful hesitation. King looked at that if he ran in the Boston Marathon, The self-effacing Dolan, whose glib Dolan’s job, as he saw it, was to take him and instantly replied, “Beats prac- she’d conceive a boy. He did, and she nature often conceals an introspective a “transformational view” in the court- ticing law!” did. Individuals of their word, it pretty man, has been preparing ever since. room. “It is an incredible privilege to be a Dolan was sold. The rest is judicial much sums up close to a half century of Asked what’s most important to him judge,” he says of his years on the bench, history. marriage. now in life, he replies without hesitation, adjudicating mostly criminal cases, many But there was a time when Dolan With family, friends, and colleagues “Dying gracefully!” of them tragic. “To have a job where you thought he might want to be a physi- still cheering him on, Dolan goes about Now you’re getting the point. go in every day and try to identify truth, cian, following in the footsteps of his late his legal work with partner and son-in- A father of five, grandfather of nine, which isn’t easy. That’s your job—try to father, the venerable Dr. Ralph Dolan, law Greg Connly with the same focus and the dutiful husband for 49 years do justice to the extent one can within a Dorchester general practitioner for 50 and dispatch as demonstrated on the of Joan (Sullivan), the Milton resident the limitations of imperfection. That’s a years, the old school type with a black court. In a November 2000 letter, Mar- views the life around him – and in years privilege to see life played out every day, bag who made house calls. The judge’s garet Marshall, then Chief Justice of grandfather was the founder of Dolan’s the Massachusetts Supreme Judicial Funeral Home operation in Fields Cor- Court, wrote to Dolan, “You have been ner, now located in Lower Mills and East exemplary in serving so long and faith- Milton and run by his cousins Craig and fully in some of the busiest courts. You Paul Dolan. have shown us all that efficiency in the “I wanted to be a doctor,” Dolan recalls, management of the court’s business need “But I just didn’t think I had the skill.” not be at the expense of fairness to those Born on Gallivan Boulevard and who appear before you, or with whom schooled in street smarts at the hand of you work every day.” his mother, Mary Ward, a first genera- Dolan still ponders that day of reckon- tion Irishwoman from Sligo, Dolan, after ing with the Lord; it drives his existence. graduating from Boston College High He points to a copy of the Globe com- School and Boston College with a degree mentary he wrote years ago that was in English, took up the law. While his headlined “Confessions Of A Judge.” dad was easy going, “unflappable,” as he The philosophy applies uniformly to says, Dolan’s mother was a disciplinarian him today. with a purpose that she instilled in her Without belief in a day of reckoning, five children. There must be a mission “it would be difficult to participate in the in life, she counseled. By his own admis- [legal] process,” he writes. “Without belief sion, Dolan as a youth was reaching for in ultimate ‘absolute justice,’ I would the handle on his life; he had an undis- see myself simply as an instrument of tinguished career in sandlot sports and life’s imperfections and its unfairness. schoolwork early on. For me it is a comforting belief and, yes, “As in most Irish families, being the even a necessary one. Some might call it oldest, I was the target,” he recalls. “If superstition, myth, or a crutch. I prefer anyone else did anything wrong, it was to call it faith.” my bad example.” Greg O’Brien is editor and president So when it became time to choose a of Stony Brook Group, a publishing and career, his pragmatic mother pointed political consulting company based in him on a parallel track with his father. Brewster on Cape Cod. Worldwide at www.bostonirish.com May 2011 BOSTON IRISH Reporter Page 7 Boston Irish Reporter’s Here & There

By Bill O’Donnell up making the former minister sound person whom you will be talking about 13 years of Ahern-Cowen, never saw a Breakaways/Dissidents Buoyed like a whiner and revisionist. Linehan’s seeing and listening to for decades to contribution too small or too heavy not By IRA Veterans -- The rules of en- claim is that the European Central Bank come, something to tell your children to tuck away for safe-keeping until the gagement and the “forced” Ireland into taking a bailout and grandchildren about. For tickets tent at the Galway races opened for identity of those and that the bank’s actions hurt Ire- ($150 each) contact Kathleen Lawlor, business, has proposed (one hopes with leading the anti- land and constituted a “betrayal.” This 172 Adams St., Milton, MA 02186, or a straight face) a ban on corporate dona- government assault assessment by Lenihan flies in the face check the Eire Society web site. tions to political parties and politicians. in the six coun- of mistakes in judgment that he and EU Air Travelers Have Rights If You can’t make this stuff up! ties is changing Taoiseach Brian Cowen made, chief Bumped, Delayed --Regulations for- The Eight Year Itch -- In Ireland and the threat to among them the 100 percent guarantee mulated by the European Parliament every seven or eight years there is a peace and stabil- to make whole any and all Irish banks (EC 261/2004) mandate that if you are hue and cry about the possibilities of ity in the North and their bondholders. bumped, delayed, or your EU flight is locating and extracting millions of euros is presently at a Enda Kenny and the Fine Gael-led cancelled, you have specific minimum worth of oil that enthusiasts claim could high-water mark. coalition government sharply dismissed rights that cover you. If your flight is change the face and fortune of Ireland. The booby-trapped Lenihan’s claims and others described cancelled the airline has to offer you a Most often something interferes: low fuel Bill O’Donnell bomb murder of a the Linehan charges as trying to “revise choice between a refund, a re-routing prices, non-commercial small finds, drill- Catholic member history.” EU officials charged Lenihan at the earliest opportunity (with hotel ing costs, etc. and nothing comes of it. of the Northern police (PSNI), Ronan with “trying to shift the blame on to any and meals when overnight stays are However, beginning almost imme- Kerr, has publicly highlighted what organization.” necessary). If a flight is delayed entail- diately in the Celtic Sea, there will be security forces have known for some Did You Know … that one of the ing a wait of more than 2 hours, you are extensive and concerted drilling in what time: old line, veteran members of the unsung heroes of the American Civil entitled to hotel, meals, etc. if necessary. preliminary studies suggest could be a provisional IRA have been defecting War, begun 150 years ago last month, is A delay of 5 hours or more calls for a trillion dollars worth of oil. Energy and from the Adams-McGuinness politi- Father Peter Whelan, an Irish Catholic complete refund and possible flights fuel prices are currently high, which cal operation and are now playing an priest who was born in 1802 in County back to your original departure point. makes drilling a good proposition. This increasingly major role in the campaign Wexford? Ordained in 1830, Father The regulations call for the airline to could be the itch Ireland scratches. of violence. Whelan served as a pastor and chaplain provide an explanation of the traveler’s RANDOM CLIPPINGS It had been thought that the leader- exclusively to Confederate soldiers in options. Bad news for Ireland’s senior citizens. ship and bulk of the republican physical Raleigh and other parishes in North If EU airlines are not cooperative, Since early in April seniors who have force opposed to the Good Friday Agree- Carolina, in Savannah and throughout keep a log with dates, time and employee been receiving passports for free now will ment and the presence of British forces Georgia, in South Carolina and across names if possible and remember also to have to pay for them due to the austerity in Ireland had been made up of young the South during the war. Later, as contact EUclaim.com, a Dutch firm that budget. … British Prime Minister David people, many frustrated by the economy, a 62-year-old veteran priest, he was fights airlines on consumers’ behalf. It’s a Cameron is saying that royal succession and some middle and lower ranking Pro- asked and agreed to serve as chaplain new ball game in the air travel world. If rules barring Catholics from succeeding vos who opposed Gerry Adams and Sinn at notorious Andersonville Prison and it’s the airlines fault that you are delayed to the throne should be canned. David, Fein policy. However, the alleged access minister to Union Catholic troops who or bumped or your flight cancelled you leave well enough alone. … The Ulster to decommissioned IRA bomb material, were confined in the Georgia hell hole. have incontestable rights and they have Unionist Party, which is featured on fresh public statements by Kerr’s killers For months Father Whelan was the to deal with you fairly and expeditiously. milk bottle for the lost, is battling the claiming responsibility for the police at- only humane contact for the starving The Ireland We Know -- Irish Presi- Democratic Unionist Party for unionist tack, and the assertion by the dissidents and dying prisoners there. His only dent Mary McAleese met recently with votes by using campaign posters showing that they constitute the reinvigorated access to many was by crawling on his organizers of the Chernobyl Children Chuckle Brothers 2, with McGuinness Irish Republican Army have created a hands and knees to reach prisoners in International to mark the 25th anni- and Peter Robinson featured. … Pe- new and dangerous dynamic. shebangs, on dirt floors, as they lay dying versary of the Chernobyl nuclear plant ter Meade, new to the BRA, is bright, The belief among dissidents in the from malnutrition, heat stroke, disease, disaster. The children of Chernobyl have knows Boston and its politics, is well North is growing that not only the and ill-treatment, He heard confessions, been a special charity close to the heart wired, and has a mind of his own. But Omagh police officers, but also other administered Last Rites, and provided of the Irish. Since 1986 more than $120 I’m still betting on Mayor-for-Life Tom security elements and the British queen whatever meager comfort he could to the million has been donated by the Irish Menino to make the decisions on Boston herself, who will be visiting Ireland Union soldiers for long hours every day. people to medical, housing and edu- development. this month, are legitimate targets and Of the 45,000 Union prisoners quartered cational programs in Belarus, Russia, St. Patrick’s Catholic College in North will continue to be until “British oc- at Andersonville, 13,000 died. and Ukraine. Belfast awarded its inaugural reconcilia- cupation” is over. All of this, of course, His kindness to the enemy soldiers After a hiatus of several years the tion & Peace Award to an Orangeman. … intensifies the threat not only to the over long months became the stuff of Irish parliament has newly authorized Two senior members of the Presbyterian island of Ireland but also to the British legend and he was widely referred to as Irish Army personnel to serve again as Church founded by Ian Paisley have mainland. And it clearly complicates the the “Angel of Andersonville.” peacekeepers in the United Nations force accused Unionist political leaders Peter situation facing Sinn Fein and Adams. Philadelphia Latest Scene of in the Middle East. In all a total of 440 Robinson and Tom Ellliot of “idolatry” If, as charged, the dissident leader- Clerical Abuse Charges --With each soldiers will be ready to patrol and keep for attending a Catholic funeral Mass for ship is now at least partially made up passing lawsuit or criminal prosecution the peace in southern Lebanon stretch- slain police officerRonan Kerr. Still a of former senior colleagues of Adams of child sexual abuse by priests and re- ing to the Israeli border, 87 square miles way to go, I guess. … Pop star Justin and he has information that could be ligious, I think “maybe this is the end of Hezbollah-controlled territory. The Bieber has been caught hailing Charlie helpful to tracking those paramilitaries of it; maybe we have reached bottom.” deployment is initially for 12 months Sheen as “the most influential person down, things could get dicey and deal a But that quiet hope is more often than and subject to renewal. Since the first in the world.” Wow, wouldn’t you like blow to Sinn Fein’s all-Ireland political not defeated by the reality of events deployment of Irish soldiers by the UN a glimpse at Master Bieber’s reading ambitions. in Europe, Ireland, Belgium, and the as observers to the Middle East in1958, list. …Things are tough all over. The July Kicks Off Irish Festival Time United States. The latest accusations a total of 47 Irish troops have lost their stunning and historic Lahinch Golf Club -- The best way to help Ireland through involving Catholic clergy in Philadelphia lives in UN service. had to ask members for a 17 percent the bruising economic crisis is to book a have seen charges brought against five Correction: In this space last time I increase in annual dues following a two- family trip to the Green Isle. Once there, people: an active monsignor, two active was taking New York Congressman Pe- year loss of $1.3 million. … Al Jazeera tourists will find breathtaking scenery, priests, one former priest and a parochial ter King to task for holding committee should have a spot on national TV cable English-speaking new friends, a warm school teacher. All have been charged hearings that impugned the character network. I watched Mubarak’s downfall welcome, and some of the cheapest hotel with conspiracy, some with rape, and and patriotism of Muslims living in the in Egypt on Al Jazeera on the internet. rates in the EU. Also on tap is a summer the monsignor with covering up and United States. I haven’t changed my Best, straightest coverage, it says here. full of that unique Gaelic treasure, the child endangerment. All are, of course, mind on the opportunistic King but my The list of candidates so far for the Irish festival. The season includes the presumed innocent and await trial. old pal and mentor on all things New Irish Presidency is better than the US Galway Arts Festival (July 11-24), the In looking into the details of the Yorkish (his ties to Columbia & Fordham Republican roster of stretcher cases and West Cork Literary Festival in Bantry Pennsylvania case, it dawned on me ( I give him standing) tells me from Belfast crazies, and Fine Gael candidates seem (July 3-9), Punchtown Races in Kildare later confirmed it), that the monsignor that King, who represents Long Island, on the early line to have the upper hand ((July 8-10), Kinsale Arts Week (July being charged, William Lynn, 60, is the cannot run for New York mayor (as I given the scope of Enda Kenny’s victory. 9-17), Earagail Arts Festival in Done- highest ranking Catholic clergyman ever suggested) because to run a candidate … London will host the 30th anniver- gal (July 9 -24), Kilkenny Arts Festival accused of a crime in the 30-year-long must be from one of the five boroughs, sary of the Hunger strikes with a major (Aug. 5-14) and wrapping it up in late abuse scandal in the United States. Can which Long Island very definitely is not. conference at the Irish Centre on June summer, the Dublin Horse Shoe at the we say that again? A monsignor -- not Fianna Fail Defeat, Let Me Count 18. … Galway city had such a smashing RDS (Aug.3-7). a bishop, archbishop, or cardinal — is The Ways -- If anyone is still baffled by success as host city for the 2009 Volvo Linehan Charges On Bailout the highest ranking person ever to be the totality of the defeat at the polls that Ocean Race that it will be doing it once Self-Serving -- The Finance Minister officially charged for clerical abuse, the Soldiers of Destiny suffered three again in 2012. Some 600,000 spectators under Brian Cowen in the previous enabling abuse, or conspiracy, or any months ago, consider these last-minute and 50,000 corporate sponsors are hoped Irish government, Brian Linehan, is abuse-related crime. political schemes by Fianna Fail as the for in Galway in July next year. … It a good and decent man who was faced A number of good people, many of party tried desperately to keep loyalists happened back in March when two gay with the worst task a political leader can them priests or members of the Catholic away from the dreaded private sector. gals became parents of quints, 2 boys and face: Going hat in hand to the European Church hierarchy, might look to that The exiting Fianna Fail leadership in 3 girls, with some help for Australian Union and the IMF looking for a bailout simple fact when trying to understand its final hours in office appointed almost Melissa Keevers ,who was inseminated to avoid national insolvency. Linehan or make sense of why so many ordinary 200 supporters, councillors, former TDs, by a donor from the United States. Her has an impressive political pedigree. Catholics remain angry and alienated. etc. who were facing political extinction partner is Waterford-born Rosemary His father was a much beloved minister One sad, sorry monsignor is booked, the to whatever state board or agency that Nolan and the multiple births beat 60 and Taniste under Charlie Haughey, rest all skated and some have even been had an unfilled seat. The virtual no-show million to 1 odds. … This year’s ICC Irish and his aunt, Mary O’Rourke, a feisty richly rewarded with dioceses to run and annual fees for serving on these boards Festival is slated for the Cultural Centre veteran Fianna Fail TD and minister. special Vatican sinecures. is $8,000 to $20,000. grounds on Father’s Day weekend, June Add to all that the fact that Linehan A May to Remember – There’s the Another Fianna Fail gift that keeps 17-19. … Jameson is flying high these was struggling with an economy that good news that former President of on giving is the huge pay raises for days. The Irish whiskey firm is making was essentially doomed by a lack of bank Ireland Mary Robinson will be the semi-state agency directors granted a $135 million investment in its east regulations and a development boom Eire Society of Boston’s Gold Medal by the departing government. These Cork facility. Sales have increased from that fed on greed and instant paper mil- recipient at the World Trade Center ranged from hikes for Bord Gais and 450,000 cases in 1989 to over 3 million lionaires while at the same time dealing Harbor View Ballroom on Fri., May 13, ESB honchos of $45,000 and more, and cases last year. with a diagnosis of cancer, and you have from 3 to 9 p.m. Mary Robinson is one of generalized pay raises of 26 percent for Finally, following last winter’s severe a perfect, personal storm. the most honored women in the world, other executives. Meanwhile, to balance snow and icy weather, Irish insurance Having said that, it remains that the first female Irish President, UN the books, Cowen-Linehan and company companies are paying out close to $300 Brian Lenihan’s ill-considered interview Commissioner for Human Rights, the imposed pay cuts on working stiffs across million to home and business owners. in the Irish Times (April 23) didn’t do recipient of the US Medal of Freedom, the public and private sector. Combined damage over the past three anything to rehabilitate his reputation and a world renowned activist. This is But the final, cringe-provoking irony severe Irish winters since has passed or Fainna Fail’s and may well have ended a woman who deserves our attention, a is that Fianna Fail, which, under the the $1 billion mark. Page 8 May 2011 BOSTON IRISH Reporter Worldwide at www.bostonirish.com Immigration Q & A Irish International Center Where to Keep An agency accredited by US Department of Justice My Green Card? 100 Franklin Street, Boston, MA 02110 Q. I just received my US permanent resident card Telephone (617) 542-7654 Fax (617) 542-7655 (“green card”) in the mail from US Citizenship and Im- migration Services (USCIS). I was thinking of putting Website:iicenter.org Email: [email protected] it in a safe deposit box at my bank to make sure I don’t lose it. Is this a good idea? A. Actually, the law requires that you keep your Matters Of Substance original green card with you at all times. So you should not store it in a safe deposit box or at home. Instead you should make a clear, legible photocopy of the front A Silent Witness and back of the green card and store that in a safe place By Danielle Owen of their parents or care- ents with alcohol problems in case the original ever is lost or stolen. Permanent givers alcohol use. That’s might abuse their children residents should likewise keep the original of their IIIC Staff “One in ten Irish teen- 4 in 5 clients. emotionally or physically, home-country passport in a safe place when not travel- Children living in while others unwittingly ing. The same goes for US passports for US citizens. agers says their parents’ drinking affects their homes where there is pa- may neglect their children When traveling, everyone should make a photocopy rental substance abuse by not providing sufficient of passports and other necessary immigration-related own lives in a “hugely negative way” while a can find life difficult, care and guidance; usually documents and take them on the trip along with the unpredictable, and con- because the stress in their originals – but packed in a separate place. Copies also quarter of teenagers admit to binge drinking fusing. Sometimes they home distracts them from should be left with your emergency contact person in come to believe that the meeting their children’s the United States. This will make replacement easier themselves,” the Irish Times noted recently in alcohol or drug abuse is vital needs. if the documents are lost or stolen. their fault. Teenagers, Although each family We often receive inquiries about what to do with a story about a National Children’s Consultation already dealing with the is different, children and Danielle Owen other documents from USCIS and other authorities. ups and downs of adoles- teens with alcohol depen- Here is a summary: survey published in Dec family? 2010 by the Irish Society cence, who live with alco- dent parents almost al- Are you in recovery and People who are not US citizens or permanent US hol dependent parent/s ways report feeling alone, residents should store the original of their passport for the Prevention of are trying to rebuild your Cruelty to Children.” To might feel anger, sad- unloved, depressed, or relationship with your and the I-94 (or I-94W) Record of Arrival and Depar- ness, embarrassment, burdened by the secret life ture (the card that US Customs and Border Protection add to this context, the children? loneliness, helplessness, they lead at home. staples into the passport when you enter the country) American Academy of Are you worrying about and a lack of self-esteem. However, there is good in a secure place such as a hotel safe or bank safe Child Adolescent Psychi- your children and how they For example, many alco- deposit box. They should make copies of the pages of atry estimates that one news: Alcohol dependent will handle alcohol and hol dependents behave their passports showing their photograph and identity in five adult Americans parents who quit before drugs in their teen years? data, the page with the US entry stamp, any current lived with an alcoholic unpredictably, and kids their children are teenagers If you have answered yes visa, and the I-94 card. while growing up. When who grow up around not only improve their own to anyone of these ques- Thus they would have evidence of their immigration I review the stories of them may spend a lot of health, but they also lower tions, we can help! We are status if they are required to show it to US immigra- the hundreds of people I energy trying to feel out their child’s risk for drug running an Active Parent- tion authorities. In cases where someone needs to have been privileged to a parent’s mood or guess and alcohol abuse. Change ing Course over 3 weeks in present the original of a passport, such as in cashing offer counseling to since what he or she wants. is always possible. We are June 2011. Call Danielle traveler’s checks, great care should be taken not to lose 2004, I discovered some- Living with a parent or here to help if you have any at 617-542-7654, Ext. 14, the document. thing equally as star- caregiver who has an al- of the following concerns: for more information or to Permanent residents and others, including natural- tling: in a key sample of cohol problem may mean Are you worried about register for the course. ized citizens, should retain copies of each and every clients, who attended six children and teens feel what your own use of alco- document ever sent to or received from immigration or more sessions in the like they are walking on hol may be having on your authorities. Even for cases that are closed, it is always last two years, 80 per- eggshells to avoid an out- The Irish In- possible that a situation will arise in the future that cent of this group noted burst because the dishes Business Breakfast Invitation: requires that a copy of a document be produced (such they had been negatively aren’t done or the lawn ternational Immigrant Center’s Business Leaders as when a citizen is petitioning for permanent residence impacted by at least one isn’t mowed. Some par- Breakfast features Congressman Edward Markey as for a relative, for example). guest speaker on Fri., May 20. A native of Malden, the These records should be kept wherever other impor- congressman has represented the Massachusetts 7th tant family documents – birth and marriage certificates, district in the United States House of Representatives insurance policies, deeds, mortgages, tax records, etc. since 1976 and is dean of the state delegation. He is – are kept. A bank safe deposit box is the best place; a the ranking member of the Natural Resources Com- fireproof safe at home would be the next best. mittee, pursuing clean energy jobs and technologies. Some of our clients have indicated that they carry their For 21 years, the Irish International Immigrant Social Security card with them. That is not a good idea. Center, formerly the Irish Immigration Center, has You should never carry the card, or any other piece of provided high quality program services to an increas- paper showing your Social Security number, on your ingly diverse constituency, developing the ability to person. If your wallet or purse is stolen, a thief would meet emerging needs, while strengthening its core be able to use the number to commit identity theft. The services and remaining true to its Irish roots. The IIIC same goes for items such as bank account PIN numbers has earned an excellent reputation in the community as or any other passwords. So you need to memorize your Immigration and an advocate, a service provider and a thoughtful voice Social Security number in case you need to provide it. of issues of immigration and integration. In addition, (Be careful, by the way, of giving out the number unless Citizenship Services - the IIIC is well known for its international programs you are absolutely sure of the identity of the person Free Legal Clinics: and outreach, building bridges in Northern Ireland requesting it and the legitimate reason for doing so. and promoting a global vision of an inclusive society. For example, never give the number to anyone who has May 3, 4-6 p.m. Congressman Markey has been a good friend of called you on the phone, no matter what government the Irish International Immigrant Center, and we agency they may claim to represent.) At the Center are fortunate to have him as our Business Leaders With regard to USCIS documents establishing your (100 Franklin St.) Breakfast speaker. Please join us and call 617-542- immigration status, it is not just inconvenient if you 7654 for more information. should lose them. There are substantial fees and long May 9, 6:30 p.m. Immigration and Citizenship Services - Free waiting periods for applications to replace lost green The Green Briar Legal Clinics: The Irish International Immigrant cards, work authorization documents, I-94 cards, and (304 Washington St.) in Brighton Center provides comprehensive, professional, and so on. So guard them carefully. confidential legal assistance on immigration, and Disclaimer: These articles are published to inform May 25, 6:30 p.m. citizenship issues. We provide specialized individual generally, not to advise in individual cases. Areas of law St. Marks Parish Hall consultation and immigration case assistance and are rapidly changing. US Citizenship and Immigration (1725 Dorchester Ave.) education. For free assistance with legal questions Services and the US Department of State regularly amend please attend one of our free weekly legal clinics and regulations and alter processing and filing procedures. meet with our dedicated and experienced immigra- For legal advice seek the assistance of an IIC immigra- tion attorneys. Please call in advance: 617-542-7654. tion specialist or an immigration lawyer. Clinic dates: May 3, 4-6 p.m. -- At the Center (100 Franklin St.) May 9, 6:30 p.m. -- The Green Briar (304 Washing- ton St.) in Brighton May 25, 6:30 p.m. -- St. Marks Parish Hall (1725 Dorchester Ave.) Community Counseling and Education -- The IIIC’s Community Counseling and Education Services offers counseling, free health clinics, job skills work- shops, and other resources. Director Danielle Owen, a licensed substance abuse counselor, can assist you if you are experiencing issues such as substance abuse, domestic violence, anxiety, depression, lack of access to healthcare, or homelessness. Contact Danielle, in confidence at 617-542-7654, Ext. 14, or by e-mail at [email protected]. We also offer a range of classes and courses. Call Kielan at Ext. 42 to get more information: Free Health Screening: May 2, 3-6 p.m. at the IIIC with a dentist and a dermatologist. Free Citizenship Classes: An eight-week course to help you prepare for the exam Navigating the US College Admission Process: Begins May 10, runs through May 31 from 7 to 9 p.m. This course is designed for Irish immigrants who plan to attend college in the United States. The course will help you access your educational records from Ireland, learn about financial aid, and lots more. Worldwide at www.bostonirish.com May 2011 BOSTON IRISH Reporter Page 9

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8. 9. 10. BRETT’S BOSTON By Harry Brett Exclusive photos of Boston Irish people & events

Rev. Dan Finn, pastor of St. Mark’s parish in Dorchester, was the guest of honor at an annual spring social hosted by the Boston Beara Society on Sunday, April 17 at Florian Hall. The society was formed in 1995 to celebrate the history, art and music of the Beara peninsula in County Cork, Ireland, and the achievements of her people in Ireland and the US. The event included a buffet dinner, door prizes and dance music with the Andy Healy Band. The honoree is a native of Kanturk, County Cork who moved with his family to Lowell, as a young child. An Archdiocese of Boston priest, he has been a leading figure in Irish and Irish American orga- 11. nizations for four decades. 1.) Fr. Dan Finn; Michelle Dwyer, Quincy; Jim O’Brien, Lowell; Larry Lowenthal, Brookline; Mike Dwyer, Westwood; 2.) Jack Kelly; Fr. Dan Finn; 3.) Bridie and John Sullivan, W. Roxbury’ Eileen and Jeff Tarpy, W. Roxbury; Sr. Margue- rite Kelly, IPC; Alicia Connors, IPC executive director; 4.) Maureen Lon, Weymouth; 5.) Brian McCarthy, Weymouth; Kathy Sullivan, Dedham; 6.) Dan O’Shea, Roslindale; Bill O’Connell, Dux- bury; 7.) Pat Dwyer, So. Boston and Patrick Dwyer, Quincy; 8.) Brian McCarthy, Weymouth; Michael Sherlock, Roslindale; Jim O’Brien, Low- ell; Larry Lowenthal, Brookline, Mike Dwyer, Westwood, Michelle Dwyer, Quincy; 9.) Mur- ray Forbes, Beverly Farms; 10.) Fr. Dan Finn; 11.) Mike Dwyer, Westwood; Kathy Sullivan, Dedham; Brian McCarthy, Weymouth; John Harrington, Dorchester; Pat Dwyer, Quincy; Patrick Dwyer, So. Boston; 12.) Andy Healy Band 12. Page 10 May 2011 BOSTON IRISH Reporter Worldwide at www.bostonirish.com St. Pat’s brunch raised funds for food pantry The grandson of Rob- Joseph P. Kennedy III ert F. Kennedy spoke at is an assistant district at- Dorchester’s fifth annual torney on Cape Cod whose St. Patrick’s Day brunch, speech on the Massachu- held on March 19 at setts State House floor a Blessed Mother Teresa week after the shootings Parish Hall on Columbia in Arizona and 50 years Road. The brunch is co- after his great-uncle John chaired by former state F. Kennedy gave the “City Rep. Jim Brett, who is on a Hill” speech raised the president of the New eyebrows. England Council, and He was profiled recently Larry Ronan, a Savin Hill in the Boston Sunday doctor. The event raised Globe, which noted, “The funds for the Mary Ann Kennedy era in politics Brett Food Pantry. may be over. But as long as Three people were hon- there are tall, well-spoken ored during the brunch: R. Pauline Wells belts out young Kennedys in Mas- J. Valentine, City Council- a tune. sachusetts, they will be lor Maureen Feeney and of Carney Hospital. seen as likely candidates.” Bill Walczak, president -Reporter Staff The honorees: R. J. Valentine, City Councillor Maureen Feeney and Bill Wal- czak, president of Carney Hospital.

Gerard Adomunes, Fr. Jack Ahern and Joseph Kennedy III.

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By R. J. Donovan them again in “The Drowsy Chaperone.” Special to The BIR MD: SpeakEasy is an amazing company . . . There’s McCaela Donovan (no relation, by the way) has had a something really special about them and the family connection to Boston since she was a child and used to that they’ve created. . . They really respect actors. They come here from upper state New York with her father really respect what actors do and that makes a huge to soak up local history. Today, the actress has carved difference because you feel that . . . I remember go- out a nice spot for herself in Boston’s theater commu- ing to Boston College and coming in to see “Bat Boy” nity, having appeared everywhere from New Rep and when they did it at the other Black Box Theater (at Commonwealth Shakespeare to the Brandeis Theatre the Boston Center for the Arts) – the tiny one before Company, Reagle Music Theatre, and SpeakEasy Stage they (moved into) The Calderwood. First of all I love Company, among others. that show, and second, I was like, ‘I love this company She attended Boston College, transferred to Ithaca, and I’d love to work for them someday’ . . . So it’s kind then returned to earn a master’s in theater education of full circle for me. at Emerson. This month she’ll receive her Master of BIR: You’ve been very warmly embraced by the Fine Arts in Acting from Brandeis. Boston theater community over the past few seasons. At the moment, she’s also kicking up her heels playing That has to feel good. fictional Broadway star Janet Van De Graaff in “The MD: That’s so nice of you to say. I just feel so lucky. Drowsy Chaper-one” at SpeakEasy Stage. The Tony It’s a difficult profession and I think when you can find Award-winning show-within-a-show musical spoof a community that not only values the work for the sake is all about an obsessed musical theater fan who longs of the work, but also values the local people who do it to share his favorite show with the audience. When – not just people from New York who have New York he plays the cast album, the entire show bursts to life credits – but really form a sense of a community, that’s in his tiny living room. really rare. And I think we do have that here in Boston. We spoke during a break in her day at Brandeis. Here’s I also think we have audience members and subscribers McCaela Donovan who love to see familiar faces and love to come back an edited version of our conversation. ing outside the box. It really helps. In New York, if to see specific people, and that’s really exciting. I just BIR: Your first name is unique. Is there a story there? you’re lucky, performing is your job. But most likely, feel lucky to be part of it. MD: Actually I didn’t have a name for the first three auditioning in your job. BIR: You worked in New York for a time. Any life days I was born. My maiden name is Curran, so I guess BIR: Speaking of New York, tell me about your lessons from that experience? I was Baby Girl Curran for three days. My father had family. I understand you were very close to your I learned really invaluable things about the a coworker who had a daughter named McCaela and MD: great-grandparents. business and how to market yourself. I think that’s my parents really loved it. They spent a whole day MD: I was very lucky that (I had) my father’s one of my strengths; I hope so any way. Self market- trying to come up with their own spelling of it . . . and grandparents – my great-grandparents who passed ing and knowing myself enough to know where I fit. they named me right before I left the hospital. away at 96 and 99 – for most of my childhood, until I BIR: So you finished a run in the musical “Nine” Basic things. How to dress for an audition and how at SpeakEasy in February and now you’re back with to get creative with material to audition with. Think- (Continued on page 15) A ‘Beanpot’ for Irish Dance? Please Stay Tuned

By Sean Smith locus for Irish culture. one of their dances. One Special to the BIR “Boston has a high of BC’s signature pieces Is it too soon to call it concentration of people (although they didn’t “The Greenpot”? of Irish heritage, and a present it at Harvard) is Irish dance – rather lot of dancers as a result, a salute to Boston’s sports than hockey – was the fo- so if any college town was teams – the dancers wear cus of a recent local show- going to have a big Irish Red Sox, Celtics, Patriots, case for several dozen stu- dance presence, it makes Bruins and BC t-shirts or dents representing Boston sense to me that it would replica jerseys and dance area colleges. The event, be here,” says Claire to the Dropkick Murphys’ titled “We Got the Beat,” Schenkel, choreographer “Shipping Up to Boston.” took place April 2 at Har- for BU’s Irish dance team “Some take a more tra- vard University, featuring Step About Boston. “I ditional approach, some a Irish dance teams from know many dancers in more modern, but mostly Harvard, Boston College, our group who grew up we’re all trying to figure Boston University, and in Massachusetts ran into out how to interweave Tufts University (a troupe some old dance friends at both of those in our danc- from Massachusetts In- ‘We Got the Beat.’ But I ing,” says Lewis. All have stitute for Technology think it’s wonderful that their own identities “and also had been scheduled so many colleges have it’s always fun to watch to participate but was enough interest to get a what fellow dancers have unable to appear). Their group together for some- come up with.” pieces showcased Irish thing unique.” Since most local col- dance steps and figures, Brittany Lewis, legiate Irish dance teams or in some cases incor- president of Boston Col- have substantial numbers lege Irish Dance, says, Irish dance groups from Harvard, Boston College, Boston University and Tufts porated these traditional performed at “We Got the Beat.” – BC alone counts some elements into modern “We were surprised at Photo courtesy of Harvard College Irish Dancers three dozen members – choreography. To cap off first to find that schools students say there is every the one-and-a-half hour like Tufts or BU had Irish aspect which comes with reason to believe they can production, performers dancing teams, but it it. So now we have this survive and replace the from the four colleges makes sense considering opportunity to rediscover drop-off from graduation also invited dancers in the how many students are Irish dance, and it’s also or other attrition. If that’s audience to join them on involved with competi- a way to make new rela- the case, Boston could see stage for a grand finale. tive Irish dancing in their tionships, or even build an annual reprise of “We This was the second youth. College is a great on old ones – I found out Got the Beat.” such collaboration in as place to enjoy Irish danc- that I knew one of the BU “We were encouraged many years, and while ing without the competi- dancers because we had by the turn-out, so hope- it has a ways to go be- tive aspect, and it’s nice carpooled to lessons for fully it’ll happen next fore attaining the sta- to see so many students five years when we were year,” says O’Brien, who tus of Boston’s storied in the Boston area really kids!” is graduating this spring. intercollegiate hockey having fun with it.” As the students note, “Doing some other events tournament, participants Alana O’Brien, who is college Irish dance teams together would be fun, too say the show could be a co-president of Harvard are about exploration -- like maybe a college Irish Dance, reiterates ceili. Organizing these Beanpot-like tradition in rather than competition, The college Irish dance groups used traditional the making. More impor- Lewis’s observation. “I and thus feel empowered kinds of things can be think everyone who ever steps and figures as part of modern choreography. tough, because obviously tantly, they say, the fact to add creative twists, Photo courtesy of Harvard College Irish Dancers that the event involved was an Irish dancer con- often going beyond tradi- everyone is focused on such a large gathering of tinues to identify as one, tional costumes and musi- their studies and other even if they stopped after the April 2 show, for exam- of popular singer Beyonce things going on at their students demonstrates cal accompaniment, and ple, Tufts combined styl- for their performance, the popularity of Irish elementary or middle incorporating the steps school. But it’s very ex- school. A lot of us find we ish modern apparel with while Harvard concocted a citing to see how many dance – and underscores and figures into a larger the familiar competition short dramatic scene that Boston’s eminence as a miss the dancing, both for choreographic context. At college kids in Boston love itself and for the social wigs and used a recording served as a prologue for Irish dancing.” Page 12 May 2011 BOSTON IRISH Reporter Worldwide at www.bostonirish.com

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* Visit www.ambest.com to learn more. SBLI and The No Nonsense Life Insurance Company are registered trademarks of The Savings Bank Life Insurance Company of Massachusetts. © 2010 The Savings Bank Life Insurance Company of Massachusetts, Woburn, MA. All rights reserved. Worldwide at www.bostonirish.com May 2011 BOSTON IRISH Reporter Page 13 Page 14 May 2011 BOSTON IRISH Reporter Worldwide at www.bostonirish.com The album’s title track – Weldon’s over his destiny as the child’s scatter- McMorrow shows himself adept at BIR Music best-known piece – is an apt showcase ing of the jinny joe. All is wistfulness, playing all manner of guitars, keyboards, for all of his qualities. Written on the anxiety, and hope. and rhythm instruments (plus an occa- eve of the 50th anniversary of the 1916 Where you will be my blue-eyed son, sional banjo). It’s the more understated, Easter Uprising, the song is an indict- Oh, when your daddy’s race is run? sparsely arranged tracks like “Follow You CD ment of what Weldon saw as hypocrisy When your sire his song has sung Down,” “From the Woods!!” and the title in commemorating this signal event in Where will you be my little one? track that best display his virtues; given Irish history amidst blithe, deliberate ig- the characteristics of his voice, he really Reviews norance of a gathering storm of economic James Vincent McMorrow, “Early needs to be far from the madding crowd. and social problems. It’s chilling and, as in the Morning” – Dublin singer- By Sean Smith Liam Weldon, “Dark Horse on it turned out, more than a little prophetic Brongaene Griffin, “Three Colours the Wind” – There are any number of of the coming conflict that would wrack Ginger” – You don’t have to be a cat reasons to cheer the reissue of this jus- Ireland for decades: fancier to appreciate this first release tifiably legendary 1975 album, not least In grief and hate our mother land from Griffin, a mainstay of the Portland, because it serves to raise awareness of her dragon’s teeth has sown. Now Ore., old-timey and Irish music scene, Liam Weldon (1933-950, surely one of the warriors spring from the earth, the modern Irish music revival’s most to maim and kill their own. Oh rise, fascinating characters. rise, rise, Dark Horse on the wind, Weldon was forced to go to work at age For the one-eyed Balor still reigns king, 14 when his father died, yet he developed in our nation of the blind. The album’s other much-celebrated highlights are “The Blue Tar Road,” Weldon’s cri de coeur for the travelers and their struggle against attempts to marginalize them (with its memorable line “But the man who died for love/ nailed unto a tree/sure wasn’t he a songwriter-guitarist McMorrow has a traveler the same as you and me”), and wispy, high-pitched voice that has invited “James Connolly,” widely acknowledged comparisons to Justin Vernon of indie as the benchmark for the many subse- rockers Bon Iver – if that’s a little too quent renditions of this paean to the obscure a reference, think along the lines 1916 martyr. The latter song is one of of Nick (“Pink Moon”) Drake. “Early in only three on the album that feature an the Morning,” his debut, was recorded “in but it can’t hurt. Griffin has organized accompaniment, with Paddy O’Brien’s a secluded house by the sea,” according traditional and contemporary tunes into accordion providing a suitably elegiac to the publicity material, with McMorrow sets that, with a few exceptions, play on backdrop (producer Donal Lunny plays handling all the instrumentation and a feline theme: “Black Cat” includes the bouzouki on “Via Extasia” and “Wild vocals. So there’s a kind of Thoreauesque traditional tunes “Where’s the Cat,” “Be- Croppy Tailor”). dynamic to this project: solitude, simplic- hind the Bush in the Garden,” and “The “Dark Horse” also includes songs ity (well, except for the instruments and Cat Rambles to the Child’s Saucepan,” for an extraordinarily literate and lyrical Weldon learned from travelers and tra- recording equipment), serenity, etc. instance, while “Calico” comprises harp- writing style, influenced a great deal by ditional singers, rare gems like “Smug- Similarly, McMorrow writes a lot, and ist Elizabeth Nicholson’s “Tail Chasers” the songs of the traveling people he met gling the Tin,” “Wild Croppy Tailor” and vividly, about nature as an ever-present and the Peadar O’Riada session favorite (including the families that encamped “The Town of Castle D’Oliver,” as well as force – metaphorical or literal – in every- “Sport”; and at various points, fiddler on his grandmother’s property). Their the venerable “Barbary Allen.” But it’s day life, especially when that life is shared Kevin Burke displays his heretofore plight – specifically the efforts to force Weldon’s own compositions, gritty yet (or meant to be shared) with someone: little known skills as a reader of kitty them into urban areas – also helped passionate, that ultimately attract one’s “Down low, down amongst the thorn poetry, essaying the likes of “The Cats fuel Weldon’s already profound social attention, notably “My Love Is a Well” rows of Kilkenny,” William Rand’s “The Cat of conscience and his interest in issues of and “Via Extasia,” love songs whose use of Weeds grow, through the lilies and Cats” and, yes, Edward Lear’s “The Owl poverty and injustice. He found his way metaphors seem derived from traditional the vine and the Pussycat,” which appropriately into the nascent 1970s Irish folk music form but have a modern feel to them Birds play, try to find their own way enough segues into “The Wedding Reel” scene, and although poor health kept as well. Then there’s the album finale, Soft clay, on your feet and under mine” – yeah, you get the idea. him from performing regularly, he was “Jinny Joe,” utilizing a Dublin children’s (“If I Had a Boat”) Griffin’s more-than-competent fiddling a member of 1691, a precursor to the phrase for the dandelion’s seed parachute “Sparrow and wolf lay still as the blades is aided and abetted by such worthies Bothy Band, and considered a mentor to describe fatherhood – sending a child of the grass as Burke, Nicholson, Gerry O’Beirne, and influence for numerous singers. out into the world with as much control Like worn weather boots, of colour and Johnny B. Connolly and Jim Chapman. size that would last.” All in all, this CD is very pleasant on the (“Sparrow and the Wolf”) ears and falls well short of being overly “They are coming from the woods cloying or precious, which may seem like Riding horses cloaked in grey damning with faint praise. So how about Make their way, to my door this: I’ve been avoiding the overly obvi- BLACKTHORNE RESORT Lay their boots upon my floor.” ous simile, but it’s rather like sitting in (“From the Woods!!”) a sunbeam with a purring puss on your Located in the Irish Catskills “Delicate in grasses, bright and ashen, lap; sure, maybe you should be doing breathing sweet a ruby nest other things that seem more important, Early in the morning, in the morning, but – darn it – you can’t help yourself. withered, singing we will rest.” (Also, a portion of the profits from the (“Early in the Morning, I’ll Come CD sales go to benefit The Feral Cat Calling”) Coalition of Oregon and Indigo Rescue. NOW OPEN! 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EIRE August 6: May 27-30: Catskill Mountain Feis pub Memorial Day Weekend Black 47 • Derek Warfield & The September 2-5: Young Wolfe Tones • Bible Code Labor Day Weekend 795 Adams St. • Dorchester Sundays • Gobshites • Padraig Blackthorne’s Celtic Festival “President’s Choice” Camping and RV Sites Available BOOK EARLY! Serving Lunch & Dinner www.BlackthorneResort.com Every day, 348 Sunside Road – East Durham, NY 12423 518.634.2541 7 days a week Worldwide at www.bostonirish.com May 2011 BOSTON IRISH Reporter Page 15 McCaela Donovan Kicks Up Her Heels (Continued from page 11) parents? was in my early twenties, MD: My grandfather on which I think is really my father’s side was also rare. They are our main Patrick Curran. He was Irish connection. My a very strong participant father’s side is very, very in Hibernia down on Long strong and proud. My Island. He was the Grand great-grandparents were Marshall in the St. Pat- unbelievable. rick’s Day Parade three BIR: Where were they or four times and we used from? to march in the parade a MD: My great-grand- lot. There were like four mother was named De- generations of us at one lia Ferry. She was from point marching together. Enniskillen in County BIR: So your current Fermanagh, I believe, in show, “The Drowsy Chap- the north. And my great- erone,” is all about one grandfather was named die-hard musical theater Patrick Curran. He was fan’s favorite show. Do from County Meath out- you have any favorite side of Dublin. They roles of your own so far? met in America actually, MD: The role that I after they came over here. played in Reagle’s “Into We still own my great- The Woods” was really grandfather’s farmhouse special. I played Cinder- in County Meath. They ella – I had done that lived in Flushing their show twice before but had whole lives – they never never played Cinderella. got a driver’s license or Going into it, I didn’t anything like that. They expect it to be such a were just really beauti- wonderful experience. I ful, simple people and was excited about it, but (Left to right) Karen MacDonald and McCaela Donovan in the SpeakEasy Stage Company production of “The they were so kind to I didn’t expect the cast to Drowsy Chaperone,” playing through June 5 at the Stanford Calderwood Pavilion at the Boston Center for the Arts. everyone. At my great- bond as well as we did. I Paul Marotta, Perfect Bokeh Photography grandfather’s funeral really enjoyed that. there were hundreds and BIR: Anything else? With George” that Scott was incredibly special be- and also because that’s one *** hundreds of people. MD: I also played Dot Edmiston directed. That cause I had wanted to work of my two dream roles that “The Drowsy Chap- BIR: And your grand- in “Sunday In The Park was here at Brandeis. That with Scott for a long time, I had always wanted to erone,” from SpeakEasy play. To be given that op- Stage Company, May 6 - portunity was so amazing. June 5 at The Calderwood BIR: And your other Pavilion at the Boston ‘Celtic Fusion 2011’at Berklee May 3 dream role? Center for the Arts, 527 A free concert featuring ers, all of whom live will present readings of is presented by Fusion MD: Eliza Doolittle in Tremont Street. Tickets: some of Greater Boston’s in the Greater Boston Irish poetry and selec- Magazine and Irish & “My Fair Lady.” 617-933-8600 or boston- finest Irish and Celtic area: Oisin McAuley and tions from James Joyce’s Celtic Studies. For more BIR: Well, you never theatrescene.com. musicians will take place George Keith (fiddles), Finnegan’s Wake. Nugent information, see know what the future May 3 at the Berklee Col- Shannon Heaton (flute, is the organizer for BC’s berklee.edu/events/ might bring. *** lege of Music. vocals), Matt Heaton (gui- annual “Bloomsday in detail/8196/fusion-irish- MD: I know. (Laugh- R. J. Donovan is pub- “Celtic Fusion 2011,” tar, bouzouki), Maeve Gil- April” celebration of the edition. ing) If it doesn’t happen, lisher of OnStageBoston. which will be held at 7:30 christ (harp, vocals), John life and work of Joyce. -- SEAN SMITH I’m going to put it on at com. p.m. in the David Friend McGann (mandolin) and “Celtic Fusion 2011” my house. Recital Hall, 921 Boylston Sean Gannon (accordion). Street, also will include In addition, Boston Irish literary readings. College English Profes- The musical roster reads sor Joseph Nugent, also like a veritable who’s-who a member of BC’s Irish of accomplished perform- Studies Program faculty, Page 16 May 2011 BOSTON IRISH Reporter Worldwide at www.bostonirish.com and Shannon Heaton will take the Club Passim stage Old Town’ and ‘Shoals of Herring.’ to present songs and tunes that, while they go back “I also think of modal songs with ambiguous lyrics only a few years or decades instead of centuries, have suggestive of windswept landscapes and reluctant a definite connection to the traditions in Celtic music. departures – like ‘Farewell, Farewell’ by Richard Vocalist-guitarist Sanders grew up in a family of Thompson. Or humorous songs full of wordplay and English folk singers and performed at numerous con- triple meters that recount great sporting achievements, certs and festivals around the UK. Since her arrival in stolen virtue, skirmishes and ambushes, piety gone Boston, she has formed a popular duo with Liz Simmons, awry, or the consequences of excessive drinking. That and the two have begun to make their mark around the pretty much relates to anything by Christy Moore.” Northeast, appearing at Caffe Lena, Headroom Stages, Some subject matter simply evokes associations A column of news and updates of the Boston Celtic Club Passim and Elysium Arts Folk Club, as well as with traditional song material, continues Bradshaw: Music Fest (BCMFest), which celebrates the Boston area’s this year’s BCMFest in January. “Horses. The devil. Working in the fields. Orphans. I rich heritage of Irish, Scottish, Cape Breton music and Bradshaw is a singer-guitarist from Cork who, al- think of, say, ‘Ride On’ by Jimmy McCarthy, or Gillian dance with a grassroots, musician-run winter music though he has spent the past 20 years in the US playing Welch’s stuff.” festival and other events during the year. mostly American music (rock, country, bluegrass and And sometimes it might be a case of the singer as – SEAN SMITH Western swing), is always happy to explore his native much as the song. “Mark Knopfler, who is familiar to Calling All Performers: BCMFest is sounding the Irish traditional roots. A graduate of Berklee College most people as the guitarist with Dire Straits – you call for singers, dancers and instrumentalists who play of Music, he appeared on the Ron Kavana album “Irish know, ‘Money for Nothing’ – wrote a marvelous song Scottish, Irish, and Cape Breton music in the Boston Ways,” which also featured such performers as Shane called ‘Done with Bonaparte.’ Obviously, Napoleon is area to apply for BCMFest’s ninth annual festival, Jan. McGowan and Paddy Keenan. He made his BCMFest a figure in a number of traditional songs, but when 6 and 7, 2012. This is your chance to pitch new or exist- debut in January. Niamh Parsons recorded her version she really made ing acts, cross-genre collaborations, participatory and/ Heaton, who performs with her husband Matt and Knopfler’s composition seem like it belonged in the or family events for BCMFest 2012. Think outside the as part of the all-female band Long Time Courting, is tradition, too.” box. BCMFest is a home for the things you’ve always firmly rooted in Irish traditional music but has emerged Of course, quips Bradshaw, performers like Dolores wanted to try. Just go to bcmfest.com, click on the head- as a masterful writer of songs and tunes. Last year, she Keane or Dick Gaughan are in a league by themselves ing marked “Performers,” and download an application. released “The Blue Dress,” an album of instrumentals when it comes to the contemporary-traditional crossover. Old Sound Made New – Sometimes, the best descrip- that included her compositions as well as traditional “Any song about anything at all – Japanese anime, roller- tion for traditional music is a variation on a familiar and contemporary material. blading, tofu, Bill Gates – they sing it and it sounds like phrase: “I know it when I hear it.” There are more than a few ways for contemporary something that was collected hundreds of years ago.” But hearing isn’t necessarily believing, as will be songs to resemble traditional ones, says Bradshaw. “You Admission for “Sounds Like Trad (But Actually Isn’t),” evident at the May 9 BCMFest Celtic Music Monday have songs composed in the last 50 years or more that which begins at 8 p.m., is $12, $6 for members of Club concert, “Sounds Like Trad (But Actually Isn’t).” Local are so established in the folk scene that over time they Passim, WGBH and WUMB. For reservations and other performers including Hannah Sanders, Bob Bradshaw, entered the tradition steadily, surely, and naturally. information, see clubpassim.org. For example, the work of Ewan MacColl, like ‘Dirty For more information on BCMFest, see bcmfest.com; you can also sign up for the BCMFest e-mail list via the website.

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“Serving Greater Boston since 1971” 1060 N. MaiN St., RaNdolph, Ma 02368 phone: 781-963-3660 fax: 781-986-8004 www.miltonmonuments.com email: [email protected] Worldwide at www.bostonirish.com May 2011 BOSTON IRISH Reporter Page 17 The Magic of Music Delights 32 Girls in Kenya (Continued from page 1) up of girls who came from challenging circumstances but who are loved and cared for, encouraged and educated in ways that be- lied the immense -- some would say, insurmount- able -- odds. And now everyone at One Home Many Hopes knows there are many, many people out there in the world who care about them.” OHMH provides not only shelter and care for the girls, but also gives them an education and – perhaps most impor- tantly – the support and motivation to be agents of change in their community and help end the cycle of poverty and desperation. When O’Donovan heard about the organization and its mission, she was deter- mined to bring them a gift that had enriched her fam- ily’s life and hoped would do the same for the 32 girls at OHMH: music. “It seems like a small thing, and perhaps in the great scheme, it is,” she told Bos- ton Irish Reporter prior to her departure. “But if one kid thinks someone loves them enough to sing and dance with them, talk with them, listen to them, Navan is among the performers who donated tracks to the “Lullabies for Love” CD they can carry that with them – and maybe it will companying Cassel as she donate tracks from their (Seamus Egan), “Gartan Keown plans to be there, a hot toddy, curl up and help empower that child to played fiddle and called recordings. Mother’s Lullaby” (Aoife and Anthony Mulongo, watch the show, and do- help others.” the dances. “Our friends “ T h e r e s p o n s e Clancy), “John of Dreams” who first established the nate,” she says. With support from the Diane, Sarah and Ian was amazing,” says (Mick Moloney), “Cradle orphanage, also hopes to In addition, follow- All Newton Music School were leading the girls, who O’Donovan. “Aoife Clan- Song” (Aoife O’Donovan, attend), O’Donovan notes ing the concert Tom- and other donations, counted out ‘1, 2, 3, 4! Back, cy said, ‘If it has anything Jed Wilson, Jake Silver that the event will be my Doyle’s Irish Pub & O’Donovan made the trek 2, 3, 4!’ with wide smiles as to do with helping chil- and Lissa Schnecken- streamed live via the In- Restaurant in Harvard to Kenya, bringing along they danced the figures.” dren, I’m in.’” burger) and “Seothin Seo ternet on Concert Window Square (96 Winthrop St.) 25 recorders given by O’Donovan enjoyed Tracks on the CD Ho” (Navan). [concertwindow.com]. (Continued on page 18) the school and a Yamaha working and playing with include “Queen Maeve’s For those who cannot “People can have a ‘lul- keyboard purchased by her all the children at OMHM, Slumber” (Sheila Falls attend the one-and-a-half- laby party’ -- invite some four children. She used but wound up spending and Keith Murphy), hour CD release concert friends over, make some the instruments to teach time with three particular “When Juniper Sleeps” (OHMH founder Thomas hot chocolate, or perhaps the girls simple tunes and girls, all around the age of songs, but found she had 5, Reheema, Riziki -- and more students to reckon Lovie. “They kind of ran with than she thought. the place, because even “I was struck by the though they were small “Mrs. O’Brien” interest on the part of the they had big personali- adult staff in wanting to ties,” says O’Donovan with learn music,” she says, a smile. “so I spent time teaching One evening, riding them piano and guitar the OHMH bus back with the hopes that they home after a trip to town, could pass it along to the O’Donovan found herself kids. Having been trained with Lovie on her lap, both as a pianist, but not a of them tired from the day’s piano teacher, this was activities. “She started a baptism by fire for me. to doze, and I just began But somehow everything humming to help her fall Every Sunday worked, and by the time I asleep -- it felt like the Traditional session left, the children and staff most natural thing in the w/ Skip Toomey alike were playing ‘Jingle world. I don’t know where 10AM - 2 PM Bells,’ ‘Jesus Loves Me’ the tune came from, but Billy Downes 4PM – 8PM and other songs.” it stayed in my head and Sean Gilmartin 8PM When Cassel -- known started to expand. When Every Tuesday equally for her verve and I got up in the morning I Open mic night spirit as well as her prize- wrote the notes down on a w/ Jackson Wetherbee scrap of paper, and there winning fiddle-playing -- Every Wednesday joined her for the last week it was: ‘Lullaby for Lovie.’” The Session of her visit, “things really After an emotional took off,” says O’Donovan. farewell to her friends Thursday, May 5th “I’ll never forget the look at OHMH and her re- Justin Beech on the faces of two toddlers, turn home, one night Friday, May 6th Jamilla and Junior, as O’Donovan played her Brightest Lights they stood in the doorway new composition for her Saturday, May 7th watching in amazement husband, and the idea to Devri as Hanneke played a tune compile a benefit album of lullabies -- “Lullabies for Thursday, May 12th on the fiddle, never having Dave Foley heard this sound before in Love” -- was born. They their lives.” began contacting sing- Friday, May 13th Another highlight was ers and musicians they’d The Gobshites an evening of set danc- come to know over the Saturday, May 14th ing, with O’Donovan ac- years and asked them to Comedy Show / Smoking Jackets Thursday, May 19th Mrs. O’Brien, Oil 8” x 10, 2005 Derrick Keane Friday, May 20th The Dons Saturday, May Erin OG FOLEY LAW OFFICES, P.C. Thursday, May 26th Attorney John Philip Foley 229 Lincoln Street (Rt. 3A) Hingham, Massachusetts, 02043 Andy Friday, May 27th Permanent Residency & Citizenship • Family & Business 800-752-9389 Spit Dudes BBQ Party/ Immigration • Labor Certification & Temporary Visas Hours: Tues. - Sat. 10:00 a.m. - 6:00 p.m., Sunday noon - 5:00 pm Fumble Tongue ALL Nationalities & AILA Members email: [email protected] • www.aisling-gallery.com Saturday, May 28th Twang ‘Em High Page 18 May 2011 BOSTON IRISH Reporter Worldwide at www.bostonirish.com Flavin to play ‘Tip’ Role in Revival of 2008 Play According to Tip, the O’Neill. I have ever done,” Flavin original one man play “I began writing it ten said. written by Boston’s Emmy years ago, in 2001.” Flavin The play traces the Award-winning politi- said. It was last staged in colorful and historically cal commentator, Dick 2008, in the middle of that memorable career of for- Flavin, will return to year’s presidential races, mer Speaker of the House the Boston stage for four and drew strong reviews. Thomas P. “Tip” O’Neill, weeks at the Lyric Stage “It was a very successful from his roots in Barry’s Theatre on Clarendon run, but it got caught up Corner in Cambridge, to Street in Boston. in the economic collapse,” his roles in the Massa- Opening night will be Flavin said. “The week chusetts House and the Thurs., June 9, with five we opened, the stock United States Congress. weekly performances to market went down 2,500 The production is pro- follow on Thursday, Fri- points-- that was the week duced by Paul Bogosoian day, and Saturday nights, that Obama and McCain of Belmont, who is also and Saturday and Sunday stopped their campaigns collaborating with Flavin matinees through Sun- and went back to Wash- on a new musical project day, July 3. Flavin himself ington to vote. on the life of lyricist Doro- will play the title role of “I really believe this is thy Fields. Speaker Thomas P. “Tip” the most important work

Michael Durant (at right in picture) of the NYAC The Magic of Music Rugby Club with his also provides an opportu- brother Brian of the nity to truly appreciate Boston Irish Wolfhounds the lullaby as a piece of following their match this music with its own special spring. Both are residents virtues. “There’s a kind of Savin Hill and both of a misperception about graduates of BC High. Mi- lullabies. People tend to chael is currently attend- view them as geared for ing Fordham University children. But they’re good where he is a freshman. for all of us: They help us He has been selected to slow down and reflect, play for the USA Under 20 they put us in a calm, rugby team in the Junior peaceful frame of mind, World Cup Tournament and they help us sleep. in Tiblisi, Georgia this And in today’s world, late May and June. The isn’t peace and relaxation USA will face Samoa, something we need?” Russia and Uruguay in To reserve tickets for their pool. Michael comes the May 15 show, which from a long line of rugby Noel Paul Stookey and Karan Casey are among the are $40 apiece, go to pas- players. In addition to performers who donated tracks to the “Lullabies sim.org and click on the his brother, his mother , for Love” CD father, uncle, both sisters calendar of events, or call and his late grandfather (Continued from page 17) representatives from the 617-492-7679. have all played rugby. will host an open reception orphanage. For information about with cash bar, offering O’Donovan says the One Home Many Hopes, an opportunity to meet CD not only represents a and the “Lullabies for the performers as well as means to help others, but Love” CD, see ohmh.org.

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A mother giraffe kisses her baby at the Fota Wildlife Park in Co. Cork and wishes all a very happy Mother’s Day. A Baringo giraffe from the savannas of Africa lives happily at the Fota Wildlife Park in Co. Cork. This odd-looking creature is a Mara, an Argentinian guinea pig with the body form of a hare, and wanders freely all around the Fota Wildlife Park in Co. Cork. Mara are monogamous and females produce one to three young that may be cared for by the Mara community in a creche. An ostrich is among a series of birds and animals that live together and wander the tropical savannas at Fota Wildlife Park in Co. Cork. Judy Enright photos

By Judy Enright the park. These Argentin- sheep will be sheared plans to continue touring Special to the BIR ean guinea pigs look like during the two-day event. Europe and the US. Could there really be large rabbits but without There will be crafts and Shannon Development wildlife in Ireland? You bet the long ears. They feed on food and anyone interest- is marketing Limerick’s and it’s not just confined to grass, herbs, and shrubs ed in more details should status as an EU City of the pubs or city nightclubs. and, while you can’t actu- visit sheepshearing2011. Sport and is showcasing If you are anywhere ally get close enough to pat ie. Sounds like fun. Limerick internationally near Co. Cork in your Irish them, they are not terribly FIGHTING IRISHMEN as a top quality location travels, visiting the Fota timid around visitors. Memorabilia from Bal- for sports-related events Wildlife Park and nearby We also enjoyed watch- lymena-born actor Liam and conferences. Four high attractions on Fota Island ing the stately Baringo Neeson’s amateur boxing profile events have already is highly recommended. giraffes and the Grant’s career are included in a been planned for the city, The 100-acre wildlife zebras, all of which com- new exhibition that re- including: the European park, in Carrigtwohill, mingle and thrive in the cently opened at the Uni- Duathlon Championships near Cobh, is well sign- Irish climate along with versity of Limerick Arena (held in mid-April); the posted and easy to find, Oryx, Ostrich, Emu, and and will be on display EPC European Powerlift- has lots of parking, and is others. there until Sept. 30. The ing Championship (June a great place to spend some We tried to photograph “Fighting Irishmen” cel- 2-5); the Single Speed time. Just 15-minutes the cheetah – Fota has ebrates Irish prizefighters World Championships cy- from the center of Cork Ireland’s only cheetah based in the US from 1820 cling event (August 26-28) City, the park is home to family – but the big cats to the present and features and the World Powerlift- some 30 mammal and 50 were having none of that the mummified right arm ing Championships (Nov. bird species represent- foolishness. And, the red of the Irish fighter Dan 11-19). ing every continent and panda, which we had re- Donnelly as well as an as- TRAVEL ecosytem. ally hoped to see, slept sortment of robes, gloves, It’s nearly high season Once home to the Smith- soundly despite our pleas boxing bags, prints, pho- (summer) and there are Barry family, which ar- to wake up. tographs, paintings, and so many activities to enjoy rived in Ireland in the Fota has many fun film footage. in Ireland as the country 12th Century, the once-ex- activities planned for The exhibit is open comes alive after a long, the spring and summer Indicator shows where Fota Island is in County Monday to Saturday from very cold and snowy win- tensive holdings dwindled Cork. over time until confined to season and you can find 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. ter. just Fota Island. The prop- out more at their website: without offending. services plaza on a 12-acre Objects on display in- Tourism Ireland’s web- erty was sold to Univer- fotawildlife.ie. The park is The castle’s Rock Close site along the M7 in Mon- clude pieces from such site – discoverireland.com sity College Cork (UCC) open all year, Monday to Gardens are a great place eygall, which is between sporting greats as John L. – is constantly updated in 1975 along with the Saturday 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. to stretch your legs and Dublin and Limerick. The Sullivan, Jack Dempsey, and has the latest activi- Smith-Barry’s residence, and Sundays, from 11 to 6. amble along the many proposal would include Gene Tunney, Barry Mc- ties going on around the Fota House. The house, The non-profit organi- walks through the arbo- fuel pumps, a Supermac’s, Guigan, Freddie Gilroy, country. Deals on flights gardens, and arboretum zation’s mission is, “to be retum and woodlands. of course, as well as a Papa Bobby Cassidy, Gerry and ground transportation are also open to the public. a leading contributor to There are several souve- John’s pizza, a food court, Cooney, Billy Graham, are offered on the Aer Lin- The house and café are the conservation of wild- nir shops at Blarney, as and a convenience shop. Billy Conn, John Duddy, gus website and the sites open Monday through life through conservation well as refreshments, a I’m not sure anyone had Maureen Shea, and more. of other airlines that fly in Saturday from 10 a.m. to education, the breeding of restored stable, and old ever heard of Moneygall The exhibit first opened and out of Ireland. 5 p.m. and Sunday from endangered species and farm machinery. before the last US election. in 2006 at the Irish Arts When you’re in Ireland, 11 to 5. The arboretum the promotion of conserva- The castle and gardens SHEEP SHEARING Center in New York and be sure to stop by the Failte and gardens are open daily tion worldwide.” Fota is open at 9 a.m. year-round. The All-Ireland and In- was later featured at the Ireland tourist board of- from 9 to 5. a great place to spend a For details, visit: blarney- ternational Sheep Shear- South Street Seaport Mu- fices (marked with a big In addition to the House day with the kids or with castle.ie ing and Wool Handling seum in lower Manhattan green shamrock) around and Wildlife Park, the anyone who appreciates MONEYGALL Championships will be (2007), the Burns Library the country for details island is home to the animals. Isn’t the tiny town of held June 4 and 5 at the at Boston College (2008), about area activities, to se- famed Fota Island Golf BLARNEY CASTLE Moneygall in Co. Offaly Cillin Hill exhibition cen- the Ulster American Folk cure accommodation, and Club’s three championship Have you kissed the so very lucky that Barack ter near Kilkenny City. Park in Omagh, Northern to learn about the county courses in a 780-acre es- Blarney Stone and been Obama’s roots are there? Included among the Ireland (2009), and Croke in which you’re traveling. tate that includes a luxury blessed by the gift of elo- The town is buzzing with competitors will be sheep Park at the GAA Museum And, enjoy your trip hotel, spa and more. For quence and gab? If not, activity already in antici- shearers from across Eu- in Dublin (2010). Follow- to Ireland whenever and details, visit fotaisland.ie. the castle is only 8 km pation of the president’s rope, Australia, and New ing the Limerick exhibi- wherever you go. WILDLIFE PARK from Cork City and well visit this month and his Zealand and some 2,000 tion, the exhibit organizers The Wildlife Park has worth a visit. The word security forces have made undergone a 4-million Blarney, for the uniniti- their presence known as euro revamp that was of- ated, was introduced into they scouted out the area. ficially dedicated by Irish the English language by Now the fast food Phillips Candy House President Mary McAleese Queen Elizabeth I and is chain Supermac’s has fine chocolates since 1925 last month. Despite Ire- described as pleasant talk announced plans for a land’s challenging econ- that is intended to deceive 7-million euro motorway omy, the Park enjoyed a healthy 2010 by welcom- ing 377,000 visitors, an 8 percent increase over 2009. The improved and expanded facilities are ex- pected to draw even more visitors this year. So, what is there to see at Large Format Printing the Park? Although there are many animals living Billboards • Banners there, our favorites were 1022 Morrissey Boulevard, Dorchester the funny little Maras (more formally known as 617-282-2100 Dolichotis patagonum) carrolladvertising.com that wander freely all over Page 20 May 2011 BOSTON IRISH Reporter Worldwide at www.bostonirish.com Thirty-Two Counties

Antrim: After becoming the training school for release. from the public. Photographer first student in his school to pass Derry: Social Development Paddy, whose studio is in a GCSE examination James minister Alex Attwood an- Jocelyn Street in Dundalk, es- Young has now sold one of his nounced last month that 10 tablished the competition last paintings to Assistant Chief million pounds will be made year. Noeleen, from Kilcurry, Constable of the PSNI Duncan available to the city of Derry and Francis were married last McCausland. A student at Glen- for its year as City of Culture. July and their wedding photo at veagh Special School in south The money will be used for a Roche Castle was the most ad- Belfast, the eighteen-year-old number of different projects as mired. The couple have received achieved an A in his GCSE Art the minister said he wanted a framed print as their prize. exam, a feat celebrated at the communities to benefit as much Sonya Donn, meanwhile, won school according to principal as possible. A demountable a 300-euro portrait voucher for Fionnuala Leneghan. The pavilion will be erected, able to leaving the best comment online painting will hang in the PSNI accommodate eight thousand during the voting process. training college at Garnerville people, and a number of retail Mayo: When Brian Farren and proceeds from the sale will areas on both sides of the Foyle took part in the Croagh Patrick be divided between James and will be enhanced. A second piece Challenge last month there his school. of good news was announced was more on his mind than Armagh: The five daughters by the minister, with the news just reaching the summit. For of Gerald Hamill from Portad- that ninety-five Social Security Brian had decided to propose own, who was seriously injured Agency jobs are to be transferred to his girlfriend Lee Kennedy in a gas explosion last year, were from Belfast to Derry. in the church at the top of the among those who took part in Donegal: International fash- mountain. Unfortunately the a sponsored walk recently for ion model Faye Dinsmore has church was locked so it was in Craigavon Hospital. Catriona, been selected by Rootstein the open air that Brian went Gemma, Rachel, Michelle and Mannequins to be the basis down on one knee to propose. Megan were in the group which for a new dummy. The twenty- The organizers of the climb had set out from Shillington’s Quay three-year-old from Laghey, been told of Brian’s plans, with to walk eleven and a half miles who is now based in New York, the result that the proposal, along the towpath to Madden has had her double created by and acceptance, were broadcast Bridge, Tandragee. Damian British sculptor Steve Wood live on Mid-West Radio as well Byrne, a friend of Mr Hamill, and the company has donated as receiving the cheers and ap- organized the walk to raise the first mannequin made to plause of their fellow-climbers. funds for two wards at Craiga- the National Wax Museum in Meath: The first year pupils von Hospital, where Mr. Hamill Dublin, where it will remain on in St. Fintina’s Post-Primary received his treatment. He and display for a number of weeks. School in Longwood have be- his wife Karen waved the walk- Rootstein have been providing come the first in the country ers off at the start. department stores and fashion to be provided with tablet PCs. Carlow: The Burrin Rangers houses with dummies based on The sixty students each have Juvenile Club has received a famous models for more than a Fizzbook Spin tablet-style donation of a perpetual cup from fifty years. the next week or two who will and stores for the Donoghmore laptop which has seven of their their parish priest, Father Bren- Down: An invention that will be accepted to rent the kiosk. It Co-operative Society, which was textbooks installed, meaning dan Howard. This year the cup monitor the amount of harmful is hoped that whoever takes it founded in 1927, and a museum they no longer have the heavy will be presented to the winners radiation people are exposed over will have it open for busi- featuring the society, as well as schoolbags most students suf- of the under-twelve camogie to from mobile phones was so ness by the June Bank Holiday an Agricultural Museum, are fer. The students in the school’s blitz, while next year it will be admired by the Duke of York weekend. also included on the site. The second year were given Dell the turn of the victorious team in at a London exhibition that he Kerry: A picnic table and county council also has plans to Netbooks when they started the under-fourteen girls’ football made sure that its commercial plaque were unveiled recently restore the church that belonged at the school, with four of their blitz. On an as yet unspecified application was noted. Now at Glanageenty to honor four to the mid-nineteenth century textbooks uploaded. The Fizz- date in the next few weeks a Blackberry is considering devel- people from Ballymacelligott workhouse. book Spin laptops were imported formal presentation ceremony oping the idea of Ciara Mooney who have excelled at mountain Leitrim: The County Fleadh from China. will take place at which Father from Newry Grammar School. racing. Eoin McKenna, John this year was hosted by the Monaghan: Instead of the Brendan will hand over the It has already won her the UK Lenihan, Ann Reid Mangan, Killargue/Manor and Glenfarne honor going to a celebrity with perpetual cup to the committee, Key Stage 4 CREST award and Mary Lenihan are the four branches of Comhaltas, and a a big fan following, the title of coaches and players of the club. in the Science, Mathematics, who were honored, with the raffle took place at an event in Ireland’s leading Tweeter goes Cavan: Two events were held Engineering and Technology former three attending the oc- the Clubhouse in Dromohair to to Sinead Duffy from Montfort. recently to celebrate the tenth category of the Big Bang com- casion. The table was designed help raise funds for the event. Sinead began tweeting in April anniversary of the ministry petition in London. Ciara, who by Lilly Lenihan and made by The evening was a celebration 2009 to publicize her website of Bishop Ken Clarke in the lives on Rathfriland Road in carpenter Tom McCarthy, and it of the sixtieth anniversary of and she now has more than Dioceses of Kilmore, Elphin, Newry, is hoping to gain a place is hoped that more tables can be Comhaltas Ceoltoiri Eireann. 425,000 followers, with most and Ardagh. A service was held in engineering at Queen’s or the erected in the location in future The Ballroom of Romance in of them overseas. Her web- in the Cathedral Church of St. University of Ulster. to honor other sporting legends Glenfarne and St Clare’s Com- site, Greatest Quotes, directs Fethlimidh in Kilmore where a Dublin: The Walt Disney from the area. Funding for the prehensive School in Manor- traffic to her business, Great composition by John Rutter was Company is to open its first table and plaque was raised by hamilton were among the ven- Minds, through which she has sung by the Cavan Royal School superstore in Ireland in May. the Munster Mountain Racing ues for the various competitions developed a series of personal Chamber Choir. More recently The store on Grafton Street Association. that took place over the weekend development courses and work- a meal was enjoyed in the Bush will have two floors of technol- Kildare: A shop with a differ- of April 15-17, while a ceili was shops; with overseas clients she Hotel where Bishop Ken and ogy, interactive story-telling ence has opened on Kilcullen’s also being held. conducts sessions on Skype. his wife Helen were joined by and merchandise exclusive to main street after the couple Limerick: The Redemptorist Offaly: A claim that Tipper- some three hundred guests Disney. However, no Disney involved decided it provided a Community in Limerick has ary can claim President Barack from all the parishes in the emporium would be complete good window. The Dresser Shop, applied to carry out a multi- Obama rather than Offaly has diocese. Their four daughters, without its characters and the as the name suggests, sells tra- million euro development of been refuted by his cousin Henry Ali, Tanya, Lynda, and Nicki, company is now hoping to re- ditional Irish dressers, but these their monastery. A protected Healy. The controversy has made a surprise appearance at cruit Snow White, Mickey, and are all handmade by Brendan structure, it is located beside arisen as Moneygall plays its the event. Minnie Mouse, and a number Talbot at his joinery in Kilmead Mount St. Alphonsus Church hurling in Tipperary but Henry Clare: The “Walk the Walk” of other well-known characters. near Athy. He and his wife and the priests and brothers has declared categorically that event, which takes place at the Other facilities at the store will Mairead have spent the last few have moved to temporary ac- Obama is an Offaly man. The vil- end of May, is expected to at- include a Disney theatre and weeks doing up the premises, commodation while work is lage is greatly looking forward to tract 1,000 women to take part magic mirrors. with the name prompting the carried out. While there will be the presidential visit and Dulux to raise funds for those being Fermanagh: Since they have curiosity of potential customers. a decrease in the accommoda- paints have offered to give it a treated for breast cancer. The a similar ceremony in Poland to Now Brendan and Mairead are tion offered by the building, the facelift free of charge. Among ten-kilometre Killaloe Pink mark the spring equinox and the hoping that their shop, which facilities will be refurbished to the places it is hoped will be on Ribbon Walk will follow a route end of winter, a significant num- opened for business last month, make them more user friendly the itinerary are the Kearney along the shore of Lough Derg ber of Polish people attended will continue to attract both at- for the elderly. The application ancestral home, in front of which and all walkers will be dressed the burning of the wickerman tention and paying customers. is on a smaller scale than was an information board has been in pink, while many of the shops effigy carried out by the Mum- Kilkenny: Three Kilkenny originally envisaged, given the erected, the school house, and in the town will also dress their mers Foundation. The burning Special Olympics athletes downturn in the economy, but Templeharry Church. No agree- windows with pink items. Bar- of the thirteen-foot effigy took helped to launch this year’s Father Adrian Egan hopes work ment has yet been reached as bara McMahon, patron of last place at the Aughakillymaude fundraising campaign in the will begin next year. to whether President Obama year’s event, is hoping that the Mummers’ Centre and, follow- city last month. Swimmers Di- Longford: Longford County will sink a pint in Ollie’s or Joe May walk will raise more than ing the ceremony, a lecture armaid O’Flynn and Ciara Trait Council signed a contract for Healy’s bar. the 80,000 euro gathered in last was delivered by Seamas Mac were joined by Bocca player the construction of the new Roscommon: Following the N5 Longford Bypass, one of year for Action Breast Cancer. Annaidh on the history of mum- Connor Ryan and all were on successful boat-only Open Pike only four major projects in the Cork: Youghal fisherman ming in Fermanagh, traditional hand to launch the campaign competition held by Boyle & country at present. Construc- Kevin Murphy was hauling in music was enjoyed, and every- before they head to Athens in District Angling Club in March tion work was expected to his nets just over a mile offshore one was treated to a hot cross the summer. Music for the event on Lough Skean, the club held begin by mid-April to link the when he discovered an excep- bun supper. was supplied by the Kilkenny another competition three N4 and N5 national roads and, tionally big lobster among the Recently Galway Gospel Choir. The day when weeks later. The Paddy Sharkey Galway: it is hoped, divert heavy goods catch. Named Lucky by Kevin, City Council offered for rent collectors were going to hit the Perpetual Memorial Cup was vehicles away from the centre the lobster was thirty-one inches a kiosk on the Promenade in streets of Kilkenny city was vied for in a boat-only fishing of Longford town. The two- long and weighed more than Salthill which had lain empty for April 15, and they wee to be contest on Lough Gara, with en- kilometre stretch of road will ten and a half pounds, with the some twenty years. More than out in Gowran, Thomastown, tries taken at Templeronan Pier. pass through the townlands of average length of a lobster about twenty calls were received by the Callan, Castlecomer, Ballyhale, Sligo: After completing in the Aghareagh, Ballyminion, Mul- twelve inches. Kevin took his council about the kiosk and nine and Graignamanagh. final of the 2011 Connacht Gold lagh, Cartrons, Moneylagan, catch to Aherne’s restaurant in submissions of interest were Laois: The county council has Junior Chef competition against and Aghadegnan. the town where it just fitted into received from local businesses. purchased the old buildings of twenty-five other students, An- Louth: Noeleen Casey and a special holding tank. Lucky Most people seem to see it as an the workhouse in Donoghmore, gela Nally from Ballymote was Francis Bellew have been was eventually marked with a V opportunity for a cafe or for the Portlaoise, and has plans to named as this year’s Connacht named as the winners of Paddy to indicate he should be thrown sale of seaside articles such as refurbish them for use as coun- Gold Junior Chef. A student at Clarke’s Wedding of the Year back if caught again, and sent buckets and spades, and an as- cil offices. In later years the Coláiste Mhuire in Ballymote, 2010, after gaining most votes to John Griffin’s Aquatrek sea sessment panel will decide over buildings were used as shops (Continued on page 21) Worldwide at www.bostonirish.com May 2011 BOSTON IRISH Reporter Page 21 News Direct From Ireland

EU/IMF critical of Ireland’s claimed that Majella was caught the Green Party should have a high public sector salaries – A in the crossfire when he came place in Irish politics, who will report in the Sunday Indepen- Ireland Today: under attack from the IRA. At also be willing to contribute. dent last month claimed that the time locals insisted that no The party employed up to 50 the European Union and the In- other shots had been fired and staff when it was a Government ternational Monetary Fund are Moneygall Awaits the Obamas Britain’s Ministry of Defence party in coalition with Fianna concerned by the high salaries President Barack Obama and his wife Michelle are planning now accepts that the IRA was Fáil. Upon the party leaving being paid in the Irish public to stay overnight in Ireland on May 23, prior to a three day not active in the area on the day. Government, this fell to 20 and sector. A survey by senior EU visit to the UK. The president will later travel to France for G8 Titanic launch centenary since the election, in which all six and IMF officials shows a huge summit meetings. The Presidential visit will follow several days approaches –Celebrations to Green TDs lost their seats, it has disparity between pay rates en- after a three-day royal visit to Ireland by Queen Elizabeth. mark the 100th anniversary of fallen further to two. With less joyed by senior public servants In Ireland, the President will visit Dublin, and also travel to the launch of the Titantic started than 2 percent of the national in Ireland and those in the rest Moneygall in County Offaly, a village about 90 minutes from in Belfast on April 6 and will vote in the election the Green of the EU. Dulin on the Limerick road. which claims the ancestral home continue for two months to cul- Party no longer qualifies for The newspaper also refers of the president’s great, great, great grandfather. The BBC minate on the day of the actual financial support from the State. to recent surveys that confirm reported last month: “Preparations for President Obama’s visit anniversary, May 31. One of Fine Gael and Labour that Ireland’s doctors, nurses, are meticulous. The village has no bank, no cash point, no cof- the highlights is an exhibition disagree over political dona- police and teachers “are among fee shop and a population of less than 300 people. However, it of a series of photographs by RJ tions – With Taoiseach Enda the highest-paid public servants does have two pubs, including Ollie Hayes’s bar in the middle Welch, official photographer at Kenny promising to ban corpo- in the world.” The same is true of the main street.” Harland & Wolff, that follows rate donations to political par- for university lecturers, judges, the construction of the vessel ties in response to the Moriarty and hospital consultants, who from the laying of the keel on Report, Fine Gael and Labour often earn twice as much as their Lucan are experiencing severe threatened with closure as the March 31, 1909 to the launch are already disagreeing on what European counterparts. dampness, cracks, crumbling space it currently occupies is 26 months later. The large-scale constitutes “corporate.” When These figures are apparently plaster, electrical faults and needed for a school expansion. photographs are on display on Minister for Agriculture Simon regularly cited at meetings of sewage problems in houses that The other half of the jackpot the lawns of Belfast City Hall. Coveney was interviewed on the EU and ECB when Irish won a “best housing design” went to a six-strong syndicate Guided tours on land and wa- RTÉ radio he was asked if such ministers complain about the award from the Royal Institute that purchased its winning tick- ter will take visitors to relevant a ban would cover donations interest rate being paid on the of Architects of Ireland in 2004. et in Kingscourt, Co. Cavan, and parts of the city while there will made by trade unions to the EU/IMF loan. Photographs in the Irish elected to remain anonymous. also be a second exhibition focus- Labour Party; he was emphatic John Drennan, who wrote the Times showed an interior wall De Valera sought proof ing on the SS Nomadic, which that it would. Sunday Independent article, blackened with dampness and that IRA leader was paid by was also built at the Harland & Labour views such donations noted that “Ireland also has the a large mushroom like growth Soviets – Papers released from Wolff yard in 2011 and used as as affiliation fees and, while its highest-paid electricity workers from where a wooden floor the British National Archives a tender to bring passengers to response to Coveney’s comments in the world.” meets a wooden skirting board. show that in 1939 the then Tao- and from the Titanic. The No- were muted, it had already Concern, too, over high The council is working with the iseach, Éamon de Valera, sought madic is currently being restored made it clear it would oppose salaries in state-funded vol- builders, the Turkish firm Gama help from the British Govern- in Belfast. any attempt to classify union untary organizations – The Construction Ireland, to resolve ment in exposing IRA leader Unhappy woman loses donations as corporate donations Irish Times reports that the the problems. Seán Russell as being on the case against matchmaker – A when the Green Party started Government is reviewing the International award for payroll of the Soviet Union. At Letterkenny woman, Annmarie to go down this road while in salary levels of senior staff in Irish charity worker – Mark the time the IRA strategy was to McBrearty, 35,failed to win Government. State-funded voluntary organi- FitzGerald of estate agents use explosives to bomb electricity damages from a dating agency Aer Lingus celebrates 75 zations dealing with people with Sherry FitzGerald has been pylons in Britain. As a result, that arranged meetings with years in the air – Aer Lingus disabilities. Following questions named as International Philan- a number of IRA members had four men whom she considered is celebrating its 75th anniver- about the large salaries being thropist of the Year for his work been arrested and were likely to to be highly unsuitable. Ms sary this year and to mark the drawn by senior management, with the Amawele charity. The receive long prison sentences. McBrearty paid 600 euro to The occasion it has had its latest former Minister of State John son of former Taoiseach Gar- Concerned that this could lead to Happy Matchmaker of Ballintra, aircraft, an Airbus A320, painted Moloney sought details of the ret FitzGerald, Mr FitzGerald widespread protests in Ireland, Co. Donegal, for introductions in the livery of the 1960s. On salaries of senior executives in helped in the operation of a De Valera wanted to discredit to 12 men who were looking for hand to greet it on its arrival a number of bodies; his succes- cultural twinning program be- their leader. partners. She considered her were CEO Christoph Mueller sor, Kathleen Lynch, will have tween Irish and South African British apology for shoot- experience with the first four and 11 members of the airline’s to consider the findings. schools that has now seen 85 ing of 12-year-old girl in 1976 so unsatisfactory that she sued cabin crew, dressed in different Salaries in excess of 100,000 Irish schools twinned with South – The British Government has the agency for 6,348.99 euro, uniforms from the 1940s on. It euro for chief executives are not African counterparts. formally apologized to the family claiming negligence, breach of was reported during the week uncommon and some go as high Latest Lotto multi-million- of 12-year-old Majella O’Hare, duty, and fraudulent misrepre- that Mueller received total re- as 200,000. Angela Kerins, CEO aire collects his winnings who was shot and killed by a sentation. muneration of 1.13 million euro of the Rehab Group, is said to – Postman Pat Broderick and British soldier in south Armagh Reports of the case fail to in 2010. have a package worth 400,000 his wife Mary, accompanied by in 1976. The letter was signed say how such a precise figure New rules for learner euro per year. Rehab makes other family members, travelled in February by Minister for was arrived at, but in any case, drivers – New drivers have the case that none of this comes to Dublin during the week from Defence Liam Fox but Majella’s Judge Kevin Kilraine dismissed additional criteria to meet be- from the 50 million euro it re- their Kinsale, Co. Cork home to elderly mother was unable to the claim. fore they can pass their driving ceives from the State; the group collect a check for 7,018,618 euro, travel to London to accept it. POLITICS test. On presenting themselves generates revenue of some 150 his half of a lotto payoff. Pat has On April 4, she received it from Greens try to resolve finan- for their test they must provide million euro from a number of been using the family ages for Northern Secretary Owen Pa- cial difficulties – The Green the examiner with a logbook, commercial initiatives. his tickets, and one number is terson at Hillsborough Castle. Party, which has about 1,000 signed by a recognized driving New local authority houses due to change next week when Majella was on her way to paid up members, hopes to raise instructor, showing that they experience range of prob- his own birthday falls. His only confession in the church at 100,000 euro in funding by ask- have completed 12 hours of driv- lems – Some 400 local authority plan so far is to buy a set of golf Whitecross and had just passed ing each member to donate 100 ing lessons. The advice given to houses, built for South Dublin clubs for his 15-year-old son through an army checkpoint euro. Acknowledging that not all the learner driver by the Road County Council less than ten Timothy, and he may just take when a soldier with a machine- will be willing and able to come Safety Authority is that each les- years ago, are now the source up golf again himself. gun shot her twice in the back. up with the money, party chair- son should be followed by three of most housing complaints His wife, on the other hand, He subsequently appeared in man Dan Boyle believes that hours of driving practice under received by the council. Resi- hopes to save a local children’s court and was acquitted on a there a number of non-members, the supervision of a qualified dents of the Balgaddy area of creche in which she works. It is charge of manslaughter when he who believe strongly enough that sponsor.

Thirty-Two Counties From Tipperary to Wicklow

(Continued from page 22) tion of a foot and cycle bridge in Westmeath: The Irish name Oyster Lane Theatre Group and two men are both members of the fourteen-year-old won a Strabane, to be known as Melvin for Mullingar, ‘An Muileann Festival Productions, and the Wicklow RNLI, with Nick be- specially commissioned trophy, Bridge. The seventy-meter span gCearr,’ translates as ‘The musical societies in Rathnure ing Coxswain and David third a one-day working scholarship bridge will be situated 250 yards Lefthandwise moving Mill,’ and and Taghmon. Coxwain, and they both immedi- at Neven Maguire’s McNean upstream from the current road the name has given the people Wicklow: In St. Patrick’s ately left the church to assemble House Restaurant, a 100-euro bridge on the River Mourne. In of the town an idea for a unique Church in Wicklow town, Nick at the lifeboat station. However voucher for Ticketmaster, and addition to providing greater festival. Since Mullingar is seen Keogh and David O’Leary had the two men were able to return a Connacht Gold super family access to the sporting facilities as the left-handed capital of the just attended the joint christen- to the christening celebrations hamper. Meanwhile a trophy in Melvin Park, the new bridge world, Aug. 13 will see the start ing ceremony of their daughters after they had contributed to the will also be presented to her will also offer safer routes for of the Left-Handed Festival, Gracie and Megan when a successful rescue of a kayaker school and a weekend away to students going to local schools. when it is hoped that lefthand- number of lifeboat pagers began who had capsized off the Wick- her teacher, Helda Griffin. Funding of 3-million pounds for ers will gather from around Ire- sounding in the church. The low coast. Tipperary: Shellikybookie, the construction was announced land and overseas to celebrate a local slang name for the snail, by Minister for Social Develop- their difference. This year also is the name of a new artistic ment Alex Attwood during the marks the 1,400th hundredth group that hopes to bring street week. anniversary of the town. Ireland’s Weather entertainment to Clonmel and Waterford: In June the Free- Wexford: Celebrations took other towns around the country. dom of the City of Waterford place in the Ramada Hotel in Reported Monday, May 2, 2011 Artistic directors Anthony Law- is due to be conferred on two Dublin and in Taghmon to mark less, Des Dillon, Ciara Connolly, musicians, Brendan Bowyer Val the winning of the All-Ireland It was another fine week in which temperatures and Ursula Mullins are joined Doonican, in a joint ceremony Talent Show by thirteen-year- remained above normal and the sun shone for most by musical directors Laura at City Hall. Brendan Bowyer old Daniel Furlong. He is not of the time. A few scattered showers were recorded before rain Cotter and Peter Taylor, and was the lead singer with the sure yet just how he will spend reached the south west on Sunday. choreographer Alison Cronin, Royal Showband, the first Irish the 50,000 euro in prize money all under the direction of Shane artists to have a number one in but some will certainly go into Temperatures will remain above average. Sunday rain will Dempsey. The group has al- the Irish charts, with “Kiss Me voice training and he is plan- continue in the southern half of the country for a time on ready been booked for a Walled Quick.” He now performs on a ning on buying presents for his Monday. Tuesday and much of Wednesday should be generally Towns Festival and for the Field regular basis in Las Vegas. Val parents, and his brother and fine before rain arrives on Wednesday evening and remains Shows in the summer staged by Doonican has recorded more sister. Daniel is no stranger to with us on Thursday and much of Friday. The outlook for the Banna Chluain Meala. than fifty albums, with many of the stage, having appeared in weekend isn’t great. Tyrone: Consultants are his songs making the Top Ten, productions with the Wexford Latest Temperatures: expected to be appointed soon including “The Special Years” Light Opera Company, the Day 13C (63F) Night 4C (46F) to begin work on the construc- and “Elusive Butterfly.” Tops group in Taghmon, the Page 22 May 2011 BOSTON IRISH Reporter Worldwide at www.bostonirish.com The Irish Language by Philip Mac AnGhabhann Celtic Is sí an Bhealtaine i. /iss shee uh VAHL-tuhn- ross uh ee/ “It is May”, the traditional beginning of the C Celtic “New Year.” Just for review, here are the months of the year in the order we now have them. ords The gender of each is given as (m.) or (f.). W Notice that Bealtaine is feminine so the initial B- is lenited (“aspirated”) after the article An “the”. The Irish Eanáir (m.) EY-nahr/ Feabhra (f.) /FyAU –ruh/ crosswords are Márta(m.) /MAR-tuh/ Aibreán (m.) /EY-brahn/ a service of an Bealtaine (f.) /BYAL-tuhn-uh/ Meitheamh (m.) /MyEH-uhw/ Ireland-based Iúil (f.) /yool/ Lúnasa (m.) /LOO-nuh-sah/ website which Meán Fómhair (m.) /mown FOO-wer/ Deireadh Fómhair (m.) /JER-uh FOO-wer/ provides Irish Samhain (f.) /SAU-uhn/ Nollaig (f.) /NOHL-uhk/ Family Coats of You may hear “March, April, and May” preceded by the article: An Marta, Arms by email. An t-Aibreáin and An Bhealtaine. Others are often be preceded by Mi “Month” as in Mi Lúnasa You are invited and Mi na Nollag. In our last column we reviewed how to make to visit adjectives from verbs – verbal adjectives. Now we will go a little farther. Recall that the simple way www. is to do this is by suffixing, adding to the end, -ta or –te. Both final vowels are pronounced /uh/, but the bigwood.com/ pronunciation of the t depends on the “quality” of the surrounding vowels (a, o, u or e or i),. If the vowels heraldry are “broad” then the -t is a /t/. If the vowel preceding is “slender” (e, i) then it is like a t in the British English t, as in “tune” /tj/. The closest American English is like the ch- in :Church.” ©-bigwood.com This holds for one syllable verbs ending in –c, -f. IRELAND IN CROSSWORDS –l, -m, -n, -r and –s. Glan an pláta! /glahn uh PLAH-tuh/ ACROSS Wye in South Wales. (7,5) “Clean the plate!” 1. Cake to start with, but no ham following on the way 10. Bear they beat rears up in Dublin entertainment An pláta glanta /uh PLAH-tuh GLAN-tuh/ back in Waterford fishing village where whales have place burnt down in 1951 and reopened 1966. (5,7) “The cleaned plate” been known to beach. (8) 13. In an informal way chartered accountant leads Cuir an síol! /kuhr uh SHEEL/ 4. Elk Ike disposed of in attractive Clare resort shel- Saul astray. (6) “Plant the seed!” tered from the Atlantic by the Duggerna Rocks. (6) 16. Disorderly M.C. able to issue instruction not to An síol cuirte. /uh SHEEL KUHR-chuh/ 9. Cut ham in pieces for she who wanted Oisín to stay panic. (2,4) “The planted seed” in Tir na nOg. (5) 17. This is made up of unsolicited circulars about milk, However, if the verb ends in –b, -bh, -d, -g, 10. Mr. Baba seen in Donegal incident. (3) Juan. (4,4) -mh, -p, or –t then the suffix is–tha or -the, both 11. Pins that sound like a scot back in Lusk categori- 18. Play a sneaky trick on a German night in one of pronounced /ee/. cally. (5) the Ireland’s four green fields. (8) Scuab an orlár! /SKOOAB uh OR-lahr/ 12. Get a rub of this old thing for luck in Tramore 19. Religious doctor outside the untidy room in Leitrim “Sweep the floor!” licensed premises. (5) site of old ironworks on shores of Lough Bofin. (6) An orlár scuabtha /uh OR-lahr SKOOAP-ee/ 14. The two of them are in Drumshanbo, then. (4) 20. Fast musical makes rope tangle around the saint. (6) “The swept floor.” 15. “The —— things a man is ashamed of, the —— 24. Piece of computer information inclusively concealed Fág an nota! /FAHG uh NOH-tuh/ respectable he is.” Shaw. (4) by Templemore establishment . (4) “Leave the note!” 17. A jig can’t run around, but this will take you on a 27. “There’s no such thing as — publicity, except your An nota fágtha.” /uh NOH-tuh FAHK-ee/ trip around the lakes of Killarney. (8,3) own obituary.” Brendan Behan (3) “The left note” 21. Garden tool, one of those from Mallow? (4) Like all rules there are exceptions – Scríobhtha / 22. Young creature hidden in Ballinakill ambulance. (4) CROSSWORD SOLUTION ON PAGE 23 SKREEF-ee/, “spelled”, can now be spelled scríofa. 23. Fool will moor up facing north. (5) More on the reason later in this column. 25. Dish of powdery boiled potatoes is insincere when Scríobh an scéal! /SKREEV uhn skael/ mouthed. (5) “Write the story!” 26. Sunshine lad! (3) Irish Sayings An scéal scríobhtha /un skael SKREEF-ee/ 27. Arts graduate so Roman as to be fundamental. (5) An scéal scíofa. /uh skael SKREEF-ee/ 28. Old men get confused as to the megalithic monu- Even a tin knocker will shine on a dirty door. “The written story” ment, with a fine example in Kilternan, Co. Dublin. (6) Every patient is a doctor - after his cure. If the verb has more than one syllable and ends 29. The do far out in small East Galway town near “The Windy day is not a day for scallops (thatching).” in –l, -n, or –r it can follow the simple rule that you Ross Abbey beside the Black River. (8) “People live in each other’s shelter.” suffix–te. This is optional but far easier. imir “play” /EEM-uhr/ “The world would not make a racehorse of a donkey.” cluife imirte /KLEEF-uh EEM-uhr-chuh/ “You are not a fully fledged sailor unless you have DOWN sailed under full sail,” “and you have not built a wall “game played” 1. A burn can meander in sheltered Donegal resort on oscail “open” /OHS-kuhl/ the shores of Lough Swilly under Slieve Snacht. (8) unless you have rounded a corner.” /uhn DOR-uhs OHS- an doras oscailte 2. Len comes over with 26 across, almost. (6) “There is no strength without unity.” kuhl-chuh/ “You must live with a person to know a person. If you “the opened door” 3. Hurl off this tree? (3) For other two syllable verbs the going gets tougher 5. I, to a confused Greek character, of little conse- want to know me come and live with me.” as there are two steps: quence. (4) “Praise the young and they will blossom” First, drop the second syllable, or at least the 6. Lose control and do this to the traces, that’s one “The raggy colt often made a powerful horse.” vowel of the second syllable, and then suffix –aithe point! (4,4) “Age is honorable and youth is noble.” or -ithe, both pronounced /ee/: 7. Shifty eye, ask inside for small Sligo seaside resort “Youth does not mind where it sets its foot.” Beannaigh /BEYN-uh/ “(to)Bless” near a number of dolmens and ring forts. (6) 8. Brain bent, yet wanders to Co. Wexford Cistercian “Both your friend and your enemy think you will Duine beannaithe /DOON-yuh BEYN-ee/ never die.” “Blessed person” church near Clonmines, having a ruined twin on the Dúisigh /DOOSH-uh/ “Wake up” Duine dúisithe /DOON-yuh DOOSH-ee/ ADVERTISEMENT “Awakened man.” Finally, why is scuab, “sweep”, pronounced / SKOOAB/ when a verb but /SKOOAP-ee/ with a /p/ sound on the end instead of a /b/ when made into a verbal adjective ? Photography by This type of change is called “homorganic” – it happens naturally for people when speaking. Think of English “inept” but when the negative in- is added to “possible” it becomes “impossible.” You cannot Image Photo Service say. “in-possible” without making a pause between “in-“ and “possible.” /m/ and /p/ are made at he same place – with two lips together. “Homorganic” means • Weddings • Anniversaries natural to our mouth muscles. In Irish verbs that end in these sounds change when suffixes are added just to keep the “flow of • Banquets • Portraits speech”. –b is pronounced as /p/ • Reunions -bh is pronounced as /f/ -d is pronounced as /t/ • Groups • Families -g is pronounced as /k/ -mh is pronounced as /f/ • Special Occasions scuabtha /SKOOAP-ee/ scríobhtha /SKREEF-ee/ goidthe /GEHT-ee/ fágtha /FAHK-ee/ (617) 291-6609 snámh /SNAHF-ee/ Goid is “steal” therefore “stolen”; snamh is “swim”, “swimming”. The official photographers of the Boston Irish Reporter Worldwide at www.bostonirish.com May 2011 BOSTON IRISH Reporter Page 23 Boston Irish Reporter Book Briefs Reviews of books recently published in Ireland, courtesy of readireland.com

The Sunday Game unflinchingly honest look at how today’s superstars, the role of By Michael Lyster such a great team can come so the Irish manager has changed Punchy, incisive, and fearless, close to major triumphs but still and this book charts their expe- The Sunday Game 2010 brings walked away without the top riences as both players and as to book all the virtues of a long honors. In over sixty interviews managers in the dugout. The established and celebrated RTE with key players, backroom Irish Football Manager is a high programme. The Sunday Game staff, selectors and managers profile and prestigious position is RTE’s sport flagship GAA including Justin McCarthy, Paul with many dramatic highs and program. It runs throughout the Flynn, Davy Fitzgerald, Dan lows. Including over 55 personal summer until the end of the all- Shanahan, Eoin Kelly, Stephen interviews from all the key per- Ireland championship. Fronted Molumphy, Ken McGrath, Ger- sonalities and the people who by Michael Lyster, it features a ald McCarthy, and many others, knew them best, this book gives series of well-informed, provoca- Tiernan examines the controver- a long overdue insight into what tive and particulate analysts, sies that have dogged Waterford it’s like to be the manager of among them Pat Spillane, Ger hurling in recent years. Who the boys in green. For lovers of Loughnane, and Joe Brolly. The are the leaders? What are the statistics (and there are plenty!), Sunday Game 2010 is a review key moments around which the book lists results for all the of the GAA season drawing on victory and defeat revolve? And managers during their time in the resources and personalities (by Brian Jaffray); Bernard Fly- what, ultimately, are the les- charge as well as their win/loss of the television program. It nn (by Kieran Shannon, Sunday sons learned? The Ecstasy and ratio, so we can finally decide features match reports on the Tribune); Eamon O’Donoghue the Agony is the full and honest who was the greatest manager (by Diarmuid O’Flynn, Irish account of a team who will never modern era. Darragh’s name is Ireland ever had... major games in hurling, foot- synonymous with his county’s ball and camogie, generously Examiner); Ciarán Whelan (by stop believing. Philip Lanigan, Irish Mail On unrelenting appetite for success, illustrated with over 120 full but throughout his illustrious The Club color photographs and covering Sunday); Gerard McGrattan Brothers in Sport: GAA (by Dermot Crowe, Sunday In- career he has held his counsel, By Christy O’Connor the entire GAA season from the By Donal Keenan allowing his football to do the In 1999, the hurlers of St Jo- latter stages of the national dependent); Anthony Molloy (by Karl O’Kane, Irish Daily Star); talking. Until now. This is the seph’s Doora-Barefield won the leagues to the completion of the story of a modern Kerry icon who All-Ireland club championship. championships. It also contains and Jimmy Barry-Murphy (by Denis Walsh, Sunday Times). has helped carry the torch for the That winter, they became only feature articles by the celebrity home of football. Uncompromis- the second club in history to win analysts writing on issues of Each player profiled in Voices from Croke Park has helped ing, passionate and possessed successive Munster club titles, major interest that have arisen of a savage wit, Darragh talks and the following March they in the course of the season. shape the rich history of football and hurling, and their stories openly for the first time about became the only Munster club to are vividly brought to life by the his life in the green and gold, reach successive All-Ireland club writers who reported on their and about his constant drive to finals. Ten years on, St Joseph’s heroic deeds on the playing field succeed. Elsewhere in the book, is in a totally different place, first time around. he details his setbacks, reflects well down the pecking order not on a family tragedy and reveals just nationally, but in County Clare. The senior team is still The Ecstasy & the how his upbringing on the fringe of West Kerry helped shape his spearheaded by many members Agony: The True character, steeling him for a of the 1999 All-Ireland winning Story Behind career in the toughest position in team, who are raging at the dying Gaelic football. This is the story of the light. At the beginning of Waterford Hurling the 2009 season, the team, club, By Damien Tiernan of Darragh Ó Sé – a life in the engine room. and parish were deeply wounded In 1998, a determined Water- by two family tragedies. One of ford hurling team made their those – the sudden death of one way to their first All-Ireland Gaffers: 50 Years member of the 1999 team – cut semi-final in almost forty years, The GAA’s tradition is rooted of Irish Football deep into the soul of the senior their sights firmly set on the in families. Since its foundation Managers team. And that was not the last final, which would be their first in 1884 many sets of brothers such event to strike the club ... since 1963. But destiny con- By Trevor Keane have battled with and against Did you know that an Irish As part of the healing process, spired against them and they each other for the pride of par- the senior team made a pact to Voices from Croke lost. Over the next twelve years ish and county. In a game rich honor the memory of those lost Park: Stories of 12 they would, time and time again, with sibling talent and ability, by defying the odds and becoming play spell-binding hurling, reach Donal Keenan offers a fascinat- county champions once again. GAA Heroes the Semi-Finals seven times, ing examination of the game’s A campaign fuelled by emotion By Sean Potts Player of the Year Awards and rich family relations. Profiling and pain began promisingly, Croke Park is the spiritual multiple All-Star honors and some of Ireland’s most famous but slowly began to unravel home of Gaelic football and hurl- come agonizingly close to win- hurling and football brothers, into one of the stormiest and ing, where the dreams of ambi- ning one of the biggest prizes in Brothers in Sport provides an controversial in the club’s his- tion are realized. The essays in Irish sport. In The Ecstasy and insight into lives and times of tory. The story of St Joseph’s Voices from Croke Park chart the Agony, Damien Tiernan goes these famous sporting brothers Doora-Barefield is unique; but the journey of 12 true greats of behind the scenes and takes an who achieved success and fame it is also a story that anyone the games: men who pursued through their sporting prowess connected with one of the 1,700 that elusive glory in Ireland’s in Gaelic football and hurling. other GAA clubs will relate to. greatest sporting arena, play- With interviews of famous From player infighting to player- ers whose passion and vision brothers like the Ó hAilpins, the management stand-offs, team- were embodied in their county’s Earleys and the Canavans, as bonding and on-pitch battles, jersey. With contributions from well as memories of past heroes The Club is a chronicle of the Ireland’s leading and award- like the Foleys and the Rackards, 2009 season told with unflinch- winning writers, this collection these profiles of brothers from ing honesty by Christy O’Connor, is a celebration of each player’s across the country reflect their who covers GAA for the Sunday achievements in the GAA. It is triumphs and disappointments Times and who has been the St a paean to the heroes who take throughout their careers. Joseph’s senior team goalkeeper to the stage every year carry- manager did not pick the Irish football team until 1969? Do you for 20 years. This is a story like ing the hopes of their county. My Story no other, a fly-on-the-wall tale of Featured are: Mikey Sheehy (by know who that manager was? by Daire O Se Contrary to popular opinion, the effort, agony, and struggles Tom Humphries, Irish Times); that define the journey under- Tony Keady (by Vincent Hogan, For 16 years, Darragh Ó Sé Irish football management did has worn the No. 8 jersey for not begin with Jack Charlton! taken every season by every club Irish Independent); Peter Cana- side. This is grass-roots GAA at van (by Brendan Crossan, Irish Gaelic football’s most celebrated From the early days when Irish county, stoking the fires in footballers travelled across its purest and rawest, a great News); D. J. Carey (by Garry story brilliantly told. Doyle, News of the World); Liam Kerry’s engine room. With six t h e I r i s h McHale (by Frank Roche, Eve- All-Ireland medals, he is the Sea on ships ning Herald); Michael Duignan most decorated footballer of the through to PUZZLE SOLUTION FROM PAGE 22 SAVE $$$ ON YOUR HOMEOWNERS INSURANCE! YOU MAY QUALIFY FOR UP TO A 33% DISCOUNT JUDITH M. FLYNN Insurance Agency, Inc. Call me for a quote today! Judie Flynn • 617-296-0350 1152 Washington Street, Dorchester Lower Mills Page 24 May 2011 BOSTON IRISH Reporter Worldwide at www.bostonirish.com