Irish Cultural Center at The Cairde Connection Elms College “Keeping the Irish Arts Alive!” Volume 11 & Issue 6 July 2011

College announces a second Irish Fulbright to teach the language e are pleased that for the the course, the cost is $100, plus a guage course will meet for two W second year in a row a Ful- $20 registration fee. hours on Tuesday evenings at 6:40 bright Teacher will teach Irish lan- On Wednesday evenings from 6:40- p.m. It is designed for those who guage classes for the school year 9:10 p.m. Padraic Deiseach will teach wish to begin a study of the lan- 2011-2012. an Intermediate: Advanced Practice guage. Padraic Deiseach will arrive from course, also either for The course will be taught by Profes- to the campus in late August; three credits or on a non-credit ba- sor Emeritus Tom Moriarty who has the Elms College classes begin Sep- sis through the Continuing Educa- long been associated with the Irish tember 7: the last class is December tion Office. Call 413-265-2218 to Language program at the Irish Cul- 16. enroll. tural Center. He will be assisted by Deiseach will teach the three-credit This course is designed for students Padraic Deiseach. course, Novice Irish 1, offered on who have studied with Tom Monday, Wednesday and Friday, Moriarty and Chip Costello over the 11:30 a.m. to 12:20 p.m. To enroll, years, and who wish additional op- Sympathy visit or call the registrar’s office at portunities to practice and develop 413-265-2314. For people 65 or their ability in the language. We extend our sympathy to older, or those who wish to audit A non-credit Introductory Irish Lan- Gay Reilly, her family and

friends on the death of her Wine Tasting with an Irish Touch: A Success Story husband Eddie Reilly. Socially and Financially by Kathleen Riordan

ore than 100 members and Assistant program; and to support the Center’s work to support Elms M friends of the Irish Cultural Cen- other Irish language events at the students and Irish language efforts. ter shared an evening of fine wines, College. She spoke highly of the successful Irish music, and a meal on Saturday, Gerald Costello emceed the program partnership between May 21 to support the Center’s empha- and began by thanking the Elms Col- sis on the study of Irish language and lege for its support of the Irish Cul- culture at the Elms College. This third (Continued on page 2) annual event raised $2500 to assist tural Center and its work for eleven Elms Irish Studies students with study years. Elms Presi- Thanks to the sponsors of the wine event: programs in Ireland; to contribute to dent Sr. Mary Reap, Joseph Maguire the College’s Irish Fulbright Teaching IHM, Ph.D. praised Blessed Sacrament, Holyoke, Rev. Robert Gentile Sacred Heart, Springfield, Msgr. George Farland Pictured to the right: David St. Mary, Westfield, Rev. Brian McGrath Doe, Kathleen Doe and Chip Ste. Rose de Lima, Chicopee, Rev. William Tourigny Costello Chicopee Savings Bank Coldwell Banker, Beth Costello Downey, Sweeney, Fitzgerald & Co, Keith Purcell Flower Box, Michael Moline Hampden Engineering,, John Flynn R & R Variety, Rosalie Pratt Sullivan, Keating & Moran, David Mathews Pictured to the left: Sarah Vinson Associates, Michael Bligh Michel and Keith Avery Wilbraham Family Dentistry, Stephen Root Page 2 Labhair í agus mairfidh sí! Speak it and it will live!

The Irish Cultural Center Wine Tasting with an Irish Touch (continued ) strives to “keep the Irish arts alive.” the college and the Irish Center. The Irish Cultural Center… Also addressing the group were Maitiú de Hál, the Irish Fulbright • Serves as a public forum for Teacher who has been teaching Irish events, including lectures, musi- language classes and organizing cul- cal presentations, films and ex- tural events at the Elms for the hibits 2010-11 academic year. Maitiú • Promotes ties between the Cen- thanked the Elms College and the ter and educational organizations Irish Center for making this year a in Ireland, especially with the very successful one for him person- Blasket Cultural Center ally and professionally. Maitiú will Maitiú de Hál poses with two • Serves as an academic link with return to Ireland this summer and attendees. plans to begin doctoral studies in the Irish American social organiza- the Elms student liaison to the Irish fall. tions in Western New England. Center Board. The success of the 2010-11 Fulbright Director: In attendance were the three foun- Judith Kappenman, SSJ, Chicopee program has led to the acceptance ders of the Irish Center: Sr. Kath- of the College’s application for a leen Keating, SSJ. Ph.D., Past Presi- Board of Directors second Irish Language Fulbright dent of Elms College, Dr. Thomas Officers: Teacher for the 2011-12 academic Moriarty, Professor Emeritus of Chip Costello, E Longmeadow History at Elms College and Sean year. The teacher will continue the Fran Hennessey, Springfield Cahillane, the son of Blasket Islands Kevin Taugher, So Hadley work begun by Maitiú and bring his immigrants. Mary Ellen Lowney, Chicopee own personal talents and interests The event was made possible by a to the program just as Maitiú de Hál true partnership between the Irish Rose Baker, W Springfield did. An exciting year of Irish lan- Cultural Center, the Elms College, Jean Brigham, Palmer guage courses and programs is Jeff LeBlanc, Director of Aramark James Cannon, Holyoke planned and will be announced soon Food Services at the Elms, Jane Kate Daly, Westfield Rosso (Elms ’81) of Eddie’s Fine in our media releases, and on our Kathleen Doe, Northampton Wines and Liquors in Springfield, website and Face book page. Jerry Donovan, W Springfield and the local businesses and William Dziura, Chicopee Will Dziura, Elms 2011 graduate churches who sponsored the eve- Dennis Egan, Longmeadow spoke of the value of his study in ning. The Irish Center thanks all Christine Fay, Springfield Galway in the summer of 2010 made who helped plan and sponsor the event and all who attended this Sheila Foley, W Springfield possible in part by a grant from the Irish Center. Will has also served as evening of hospitality for a good Avery Freniere, Springfield cause. Kathryn Gallivan, So Hadley James Hoar, Holyoke Ann Lowe, Holyoke Kathleen Lynch, Chicopee Kellie Mayo, Enfield Kelly Moore, W Springfield Mary Ellen O’Brien, Springfield

291 Springfield Street Chicopee, MA 01013 265-2537 [email protected] www.irish-cairde.org Attendees listen to Maitiú de Hál as he thanks the college and the Irish Cultural Center for his experience here. Labhair í agus mairfidh sí! Speak it and it will live! Page 3

10-DAY SUMMER TOUR!

“Emerald Isle Classic” Notre Dame vs. Navy Game Tour August 25-September 3, 2012

The excitement is building! In 2012 the Irish The tour is well-rounded, with visits to some of Ire- Cultural Center will be heading off to the Emerald land’s most historic and romantic settings with multi- Isle for another grand 10-day tour, but this time we ple night stays for a more leisurely tour. Our hotels are offering a very rare opportunity to see the famed are in the colorful town of Dingle (2 nights), historic Notre Dame Fighting Irish play against the Naval Kinsale (2 nights), medieval Kilkenny (1 night) and Academy’s Midshipmen on Irish soil. This will be (3 nights) in the heart of Dublin’s fair city.

the second time in their 86-year history that the rivals This is an exclusive, “one-of-a-kind” customized have played in Ireland at the “Emerald Isle Clas- tour. Land cost is only $2,049 pp/sharing room and sic”—the only other time they played in Ireland was includes hotels, transportation to and from the airport in November of 1996! This time they will be playing from Elms College as well as all transfers and touring on September 1, 2012, in the brand new state-of-the- in Ireland, 8 full Irish breakfasts, 3 table d'hôte din- art Aviva Stadium in Dublin. This incredible 410 ners including a welcome drink the first night, plus 1 Million Euro stadium, which opened on May 14, Farewell Dinner with Irish entertainment in County 2010 and built on the grounds of the old Lansdowne Meath, game ticket with boxed lunch, all hotel tips/ Road Stadium, is home to the Irish Rugby Union taxes. Our special group airfare & departure tax is Team & National Soccer Team. The stadium has additional and will be available October 2011, 11- been described by Naval Athletic Director, Chet months prior to the tour. Gladchuk, as “one of the finest venues in the world… few stadiums anywhere have attended to the detail, A $500 deposit per person will secure your spot. Op- aesthetics and fan comfort as in Aviva Stadium.” All tional travel protection ($144). Space is limited to 51,700 spectator seats are covered. A much more ONLY 45. intimate stadium than what the teams usually play in that hold over 80,000 spectators. DON’T BE DISAPPOINTED RESERVE EARLY! Enjoy Ireland’s history, scenic beauty and rich cul- tural traditions–and witness a game of a lifetime! For more information visit our website: Built-in flexibility to explore on your own or to en- www.Irish-Cairde.org gage in other options such as golf, historic walking Or call Kathy Gallivan at (413) 536-9709 or tours, harbor cruises, culinary delights (especially in E-mail: [email protected] Ireland’s Gourmet Capital-Kinsale), etc. HOTELS: Visits/tours included: Dingle Benners--Dingle Breathtaking Dingle Peninsula tour, Blarney Woolen www.dinglebenners.com Mills, Old Midleton/Jameson Distillery, 400 year old Carlton Hotel & Spa—Kinsale English Market in Cork City, Adare, the magnificent www.carltonkinsalehotel.com Gardens of Powerscourt in County Wicklow, Priority River Court Hotel—Kilkenny Tickets to the Notre Dame vs. Navy Game with box www.rivercourthotel.com lunch, and more! Mont Clare Hotel—Dublin on Merrion Square www.ocallaghanhotels.com We’ve secured top-rated hotels in Ireland’s most sought after locations! This is truly a “Journey of Adare*Dingle*Blarney*Kinsale* the Soul Tour” (our 7th!) not to be missed! A once *Cork City*Midleton*Kilkenny* in a lifetime unforgettable experience! *County Wicklow*Dublin*County Meath* Page 4 Labhair í agus mairfidh sí! Speak it and it will live!

Trip to Great Hunger Exhibit moves and educates visitors by Kathleen Riordan n Saturday, June 11 thirty seven dren, the coffin ships, and the arrival in food supplies available to the Irish and O ICC members and friends trav- America. to reverse their prejudicial economic elled to Quinnipiac University in Between 1845 and 1850, more than a policies. Hamden, CT for a guided tour of the half million Irish men, women and chil- The participants left the library with a An Gorta Mor (The Great Hunger) dren died of starvation and disease. fuller understanding of the Great exhibit in the Arnold Bernhard Li- Two million Irish citizens eventually Hunger and its implication on Ireland brary. Thanks to the invitation by Dr. fled the country, many by crowding and Irish-Americans. We felt very John Lahey, President of Quinnipiac, themselves in “coffin ships,” poorly fortunate to have had the opportunity who spoke at the 2010 ICC brunch, fitted vessels from which large num- to visit this collection with the profes- we were hosted by Charles Getchell, bers of the sick and emaciated passen- sional guidance and personal enthusi- Jr., Director of the library, and Dr. gers would not leave alive. The famine asm shared by the two experts. The Janice Swiatek-Kelly, Associate Direc- situation was protracted by prejudice, ICC is most grateful to Dr. Lahey for tor. ineptitude, and indifference. Some refer inviting us and for allowing his profes- The special collection is sponsored by to this period as “the first genocide.” sional staff to make the visit such an the Lender family as a way to expand Until recently this historical event was outstanding learning experience. public awareness of this great tragedy referred to as the . His- Of great interest is the website which in the history of the . torians now name it the Great Hunger. the staff is developing on the Great Assisted by the expertise of the two The word famine implies that there is Hunger- www.TheGreatHunger.org. library professionals we saw the no food. That was not the case in Ire- The website is currently available and printed resources which include land. There was plenty of food as will be updated and improved regu- books, maps, and family letters. The proven by the historical records show- larly. Interested persons will find this collection also includes commissioned ing the amounts of grain and animals of great value. sculptures and paintings depicting the being shipped from Ireland to England. The day also included time at the tragedy of the hunger, the deaths, the Historians now tell us that Great Brit- Westfarms Mall for lunch and shop- resulting departure of adults and chil- ain intentionally refused to make the ping time. Ni Shúilleabháin brings history to life by Mary Ellen Lowney rish author and historian Brenda duced. spanned the two countries. Her pho- I Ni Shúilleabháin brought her Despite tographs and videos, both past and blend of folksy but meticulously de- technical present, made for a lively backdrop tailed storytelling to the Elms Col- difficul- on the big screen behind her. lege in May, drawing a crowd that ties that The highlight of her talk included de- more than filled the Alumni Library muted tails of her new documentary, “Irish Theater. the video Women at Home and Away,” stories Ni Shúilleabháin, a retired educator portion from women who left the Dingle area from Ventry, Co. Kerry, Ireland, who of her years ago, and made their lives in has found her life’s passion in re- presenta- places like Springfield, Boston, Hart- cording and writing stories about the tion, Ni Shúilleabháin’s stories were ford and . aging Irish-speaking people whose music to the ears of the masses. She spoke of women who left home, memories reach well before the Irish “I absolutely loved it, every word of often younger than 16, with no Eng- Tiger, spoke for nearly two hours on it,” Noreen Cavanagh Collins, whose lish and little education or the urban May 11 at the event. own move from Ventry to Springfield skills they would need to assimilate. Ni Shúilleabháin is the author of in 1959 is chronicled in Ni Shúilleab- Here in the , they estab- “Bibeanna: Memories from a Corner háin’s work. lished Irish communities where they of Ireland,” the stories of Irish- “It was wonderful. I just love the old found support, friendship and often, speaking women from the Dingle stories,” Cavanagh Collins added. love. Peninsula. The book was the subject Ni Shúilleabháin managed to work Many of those same immigrants set- of an award-winning series on Irish around the technical problems, shar- tled in the Western Massachusetts television, which she wrote and pro- ing lifestyles old and new that area, (Continued on page 6) Labhair í agus mairfidh sí! Speak it and it will live! Page 5 Diverse events bring together Irish enthusiasts through the year

Special events • Big E exhibit • Brunch at Yankee Pedlar with lecture “The Irish Famine” by John Lahey • Christmas with an Irish Touch: Dan Kane and friends concert followed by Liturgy • Irish Ceili at Sons of Erin, Westfield with Leo Doherty and Paul Grzebien- iowski providing the music and Mary Ellen O’Brien leading the dancing • Irish Concert organized by Maitiú de Hál, Fulbright Teacher: Kiltie Band; Jonathan Kennedy, Amanda Bernhard, Maitiú de Hál; Tim Donoghue, Bill Dempsey, Sean Burke

Just for children Celtic Adventures for Kids

Travel • Journey of the Soul tour of Ireland • Mary Black concert at UMass • Great Hunger exhibit at Quinnipiac University

Films Waverider, Leap Year, The Yellow Bittern: the Life and Times of Liam Clancy Five Minutes of Heaven, Ondine, The Race, The Fight Prince of Donegal

Fundraising event Wine Tasting with an Irish Accent

Language • Introduction to Irish, Intermediate and Advanced Practice each semester taught by Fulbright teacher Maitiú de Hál • La na Gaeilge day-long workshop

Lectures and book readings • Life and Times of Michael Collins: an Irish Patriot by William Matthews • To Dakota and Back: the Story of an Orphan Train Rider by Judith Kappenman • Documentary: The Boys of St. Columb’s by Maurice Fitzpatrick • St. Brigid’s Night, talk and cross making with Maitiú de Hál, Fulbright Teacher • Documentary: Seven Shades of Green with Justin Bell • Documentary: Irish Woman at Home and Away and Dunquin 40 years with Brenda Ní Shúilleabháin

Page 6 Labhair í agus mairfidh sí! Speak it and it will live!

A piece of history in a picture By Rosemary Foley

have a picture that I treasure. It I is of The West Mayo Brigade of the old IRA, taken at the foot of the Nephin Mountains in Northwest Mayo, during the War of Independ- ence. My uncle, Patrick McNamara, is in the picture and it hangs proudly in my home; family members have copies. Pat was jailed in the Currach of Kildare prison after which he went to live in the United States. He came to Clinton, Massachusetts and on to New York City where he re- sided until he died in 1982. We brought him back to Ireland and he the picture on the cover of a Clancy his nieces and nephews, letting us received a beautiful Military type Brothers LP cover, entitled "The know how hard men fought for free- funeral, much of which was said in Men of the West" and two years ago dom. Irish. in Shotgun News (an American pub- So that is my treasure. I found my original hanging in the lication) in a two-part article enti- bedroom of my uncle Joe's house in tled, "Guns of the Irish Wars." Carramore, Louisburgh, Co. Mayo, Family treasures Each year, I bring the picture to in 1974. Joe had died and we went our local Hibernian Center, in Two of our readers share stories back to bury him and I brought the Worcester, when we commemorate of their family heritage in this edi- picture home with me. The original the War for Independence. My fam- tion of the newsletter. We wel- was done by a photographer from ily and I are very proud of our un- come stories from our members Claremorris; at the time the men cle. Pat McNamara was a very proud and will publish additional submis- were "on the run." I have since seen Irishman and he instilled this pride in sions in future editions.

Ni Shúilleabháin (continued from page 4) and it is their children and grandchil- of her subjects who told her, "I have which Brenda O’Sullivan shared with dren who make up the backbone of two birthdays. June 30 1929 and May us,” Riordan said. the Irish Cultural Center. 12 1948." “Her speaking is conversational Ni Shúilleabháin said they were a re- “That was the day she came to and very engaging. She draws the lis- markable bunch of people. America. This pride is independent teners into the narrative. Her sense “They worked hard. Truly hard. They of politics. It is a pride in what the of humor kept the presentation lively raised families, in the traditional way, American dream has brought to re- and entertaining as well,” she said. with love, authority, and ambition. ality for them: comfortable homes, One of Ni Shúilleabháin’s recent pro- They were determined to educate loving families, caring communities. jects was the film “Dunquin - Forty their children to enable them to have There is in this no conflict with their Years,” a film double - she collabo- better lives than their own,” she said. love for Ireland,” she said. rated with Professor Paul Hockings, “This goes a long way towards ex- ICC board member Kathleen who in 1967 made a film on Dunquin plaining the fact that women of Irish Riordan attended the event, and said called “The Village.” The result is a descent are the most prosperous and she was moved by the presentation. fascinating showing of how the most upwardly mobile in the United States. “My grandfather came from Dunquin westerly parish in Ireland was in 1967 And they are fiercely proud of Amer- and my grandmother came from the and how it is today. ica,” she added. Blasket Island, so I was very inter- Ni Shúilleabháin’s current project is Ni Shúilleabháin told the story of one ested in the background knowledge called ‘Men of Ventry.’

Labhair í agus mairfidh sí! Speak it and it will live! Page 7

Learning the Irish language and all things Irish By Crystalline Ruby Muse ith my whole being I wish to Minneapolis for fifteen years, and I to perform songs in the language and W learn to communicate fluently participated in and performed at céilí teach classes like Celtic Tree Lore, in in Gaeilge, the Irish language. Keeping dances; attended Minnesotans for which part of the curriculum is learn- Irish culture alive and flourishing is United Ireland gatherings; enjoyed ing the trees’ names and other key part of my life’s mission. Learning the the séisiún scene; and became a cul- works and phrases in Irish. language and being able to communi- tural teacher for the European- Finally, for many reasons, including the cate with native speakers in the Gael- American branch of the Phillips- sparse Irish culture there, my husband tacht regions of Ireland is essential to Powderhorn Cultural Wellness Cen- and I decided to relocate to Western this mission. ter where I taught Irish culture. Massachusetts, settling near family I have been an active participant in I co-founded a now 12-year-old an- here. My husband grew up in this area Irish cultural events since I was a nual Irish festival in Minneapolis, the and we were excited about the op- teenager. I do have Irish ancestry on Féile Bhríde, and eventually a cultural portunity to live not too far from the both sides of my parental lineage. school, The Tree and the Well Insti- ICC, especially since I began to enter- However, this is not the only reason tute for Deep Cultural studies. The tain the notion of going back to for my interest. My love affair began school had Celtic Studies as one its school in Irish Studies. with music. I grew up playing the vio- major branches. I would like to take the Irish classes lin, studying with private teachers and I read Alexei Kondratiev’s writings offered at Elms College to use this performing with my father, a profes- about the importance of the language knowledge in a number of ways. I sional musician. to cultural survival. I committed to would use it in my performing of Irish When I was thirteen, I discovered learning Irish and began study at music and teaching of Irish culture. I Celtic music and fell head-over-heels, Gaeltacht Minnesota in the fall of would use it to learn from Irish- particularly with tunes and 2007. speaking elders in Ireland. ballads. I turned my studies on the I left Minnesota six months later, but I would share my learning in writings fiddle in this direction and began to continued to study on my own. At used to promote Irish culture in the learn of sean-nós singing as well. last in 2010, I discovered a study United States and Ireland. I would As a young adult, I traveled to various group that met bimonthly in Ashe- teach the language and speak it all op- Celtic music gatherings and studied ville, North Carolina. I was living in portunities, helping it to grow and the fiddle with renowned players Marshall and so made the half-hour spread. And I would raise my children such as Brian Conway, Liz Carroll trek twice a month to support my to speak Irish with the understanding and Kevin Burke, as well as learning studies. I continued to learn Irish bal- that Ireland is our sacred homeland the Irish whistle and beginning to lads in Gaeilge, studying with Dáithí and the Irish culture a treasure to cul- study the harp and bódhran. I lived in Sproule and Cathy Ryan. I continued tivate and strengthen.

A fair trade By Ellen Ezold

he crystal cruet holding a place comfort to Ellen Barrett whose jour- deal with the Gaughans, trading back T of honor in my china cabinet was ney to America in 1872 was, to say the farm and taking 16-year-old Ellen handed down from my great grand- the least, not her plan for the future. instead. Her mother Bridget Ni Man- mother Ella Ni Gaughan to my grand- Not long before their departure (but ning gave her the crystal cruet before mother Ella Ni Barrett to my mother long enough for "Irish twins" Sarah they sailed away as a link to Ireland Eleanor Ni Lawler, and to me Ellen Ni and Kate to be born) my great grand- and to home. The first Ellen carried Moriarty. father Thomas Barrett had purchased it to Ohio, then to Lancaster, Penn- It has the weight and craftsmanship of the Gaughan's farm in Belmullet, sylvania where my grandmother was very old Waterford. It stands about Mayo. Thomas, a Kerryman nearly born, and finally to the farm the Bar- five inches high including the pyramid- middle aged, had never traveled that retts built on Center Street, in Holy- shaped clear glass stopper and is di- far north before. It soon became oke, Massachusetts. vided into many inch sized planes with apparent that he had an allergy to the And the crystal cruet has remained a floral designs. Its true value was a Mayo hay. Consequently, he made a link between the Ellens for all these years. Irish Cultural Center NON-PROFIT ORG. U.S. POSTAGE at Elms College PAID College of 291 Springfield Street Our Lady of the Elms Chicopee, MA 01013-2839

Phone: 413-265-2537 Email: [email protected] www.irish-cairde.org

RETURN SERVICE REQUESTED

Congratulations to Congressman ICC Calendar of events Richard Neal who recently re- Ongoing: Language Classes offered November 2 ceived the Peace Builder Award each semester; call the Registrar at Dramatic recital “J.M. Synge: The marking the Irish Echo Index 30. 413-265-2314 or Continuing Ed Of- Aran Islands” Neal is currently Irish Echo’s fice at 413-265-2218. Irish American of the Year. December 3 Genealogy volunteer Christmas with an Irish Touch Ed Callahan 413-527-5091 or email

[email protected] For information on our The events committee is working on partner Irish organizations, additional programs and events for check out the programs on July 25-29 the fall. We will post information on Celtic Adventures for Kids our web site when finalized. these web sites.

AOH September 3-13 August 25-Sept. 3, 2012 www.AOH-Holyoke.com Journey of the Soul Trip to Ireland “2012 10-Day Ireland Notre-Dame/

September 15-October 2 John Boyle O’Reilly Club Big E exhibit www.jbo-club.com

September/October Sons of Erin Photography exhibit in Borgia Gal- www.sonsoferin.com lery, Mary Dooley Campus Center “To Love Two Countries.” Opening St. Patrick's Parade Commit- reception September 29 tee www.holyokestpatricksparade.com