ISSUE 26 VOLUME 3 Proudly Serving Celts in North America Since 1991 MARCH/APRIL 2017 CONNEMARA: My Journey into the Soul of Ireland by Marie Bruce

PHOTO: AP/Peter Morrison NORTHERN IRELAND ELECTION: Turnout to vote was the high- est since the 1998 Good Friday Agreement. Sinn Féin enjoyed a vote surge with just one seat behind the Democratic Unionist Party (DUP). [Pictured above] SF leader for Northern Ireland Michelle O’Neill celebrates with party members Francie Molloy (L) and Ian Milne (R) on Friday, March 3. [See page 13]

PHOTO: Eilis Courtney JIM KELLY recently made his first visit to western Canada in his new capacity as Ireland’s Ambassador to Canada. He is pictured above following his talk on Brexit at the University of British Columbia. He also met with members of the Irish com- munity in both Calgary and Vancouver. [For more photos and our interview, see pages 30 and 31]

Clifden Castle, County Galway viewed from the famous Sky Road. [Read more about Irish history and tourism inside on pages 6, 7, 14 & 19]

PHOTO: Maura De Freitas THE ORCHARD RECOVERY CENTER: “On a ferry from Horse- shoe Bay in West Vancouver to Snug Cove on Bowen Island, I contemplated how many people whose lives and families had been torn apart by addiction had made this journey filled with desperation and fear. It seemed a symbolic crossing from tur- INSIDE: OUR SPECIAL moil and despair to one of hope and a new beginning.” ST. PATRICK’S [Read more on pages 24 and 25] GREETINGS SECTION SEE PAGE 15 • CELTICFEST VANCOUVER OBSON QUARE R S PHOTO: David Cooper SEE PAGES 3, 4 & 5 • THINK Vancouver’s Celtic Festival is only for the Irish? Think again...there is much more! Get on board the train and meet 40009398 SEATTLE 2017 Publication the Scots at Robson Square on Saturday, March 18 for a Mail Agreement: Mail IRISH FESTIVAL & PARADE SEE PAGES 28 & 29 ‘Salute to Scotland’. [Read all about it on pages 2 & 11] PAGE 2 www.celtic-connection.com MARCH/APRIL 2017 Divinity awaits those who need support in trying times

N a handful of spring festivals, the Celtic The Vernal Equinox on Monday, March 20, at 3:29 AM PDT offers a symbolic wheel bolsters those buffeted by a year moment of balance to torn and battered already rife with discordant, misbegotten peoples. change. Unlike the fire festivals of the Celtic I year, which are lunar, equinox and sol- As the background to a world in stice celebrations look to the sun, the By CYNTHIA WALLENTINE daylight world. May the momentary bal- chaos, these festivals and their ance lend needed help to our deeply po- symbols bring forth from the larized world. past important qualities to guide Easter, this year on April 16, is the last our future. spring festival before the advent of the Emergence is the quality mani- Celtic summer on Beltaine, May 1. fested by Imbolg, the beginning of Born of the pagan tradition, Easter was the Celtic spring, on February 1. later attached to the Christian myth. A movement in the underground, the Today, the festival with its strong sym- festival celebrates and supports the bols and message of rebirth and fertility hearth and those who work hard to en- mixes with the story of the sky-god who sure their home fires are safe. returns to the heavens from the womb of the earth. Creative, enduring, and realistic, Brigid is the patron saint of this fire festival Co-existence of belief, whatever those intended to bring what is unseen, into beliefs are, is essential to any human the known world. grants forced to leave their own coun- community. try to make a better life for themselves From February into March, St. Patrick’s and their children. Far from irrelevant, the riches of these Day celebrates the indomitable spirit of festivals, and those of other traditions, the Irish immigrant and the ineffable In North America only First Nations and remain steadfast, offering wisdom, sol- richness of the Irish world. Native American peoples are indigenous ace, and strength during troubled and to this soil. Whether our families have peaceful times. Spread across the globe, the Irish been here for generations or for a year, Diaspora illustrate the value of immi- we are all immigrants. As ever and always, take what you need, give what you can. MARCH/APRIL 2017 www.celtic-connection.com PAGE 3 Sean Maher/Leane Lifely fundraiser: CALGARY CHIEFTAINS GAA ‘Meitheal’ evokes generous Calgary will host the community solidarity when neighbours 2017 Western Canada respond to each other’s needs and All-Canada GAA Tournament By SHARON WHELTON By Public Relations Officer MAURA - Western Canada GAA DE FREITAS CALGARY – This year is set to be an important one in the N June 2015 on history of Calgary Chieftains a visit to GAA Club as they ring in their Berkeley, Cali- 40 year anniversary celebra- This year’s celebrations will also include fornia, the Presi- tion. a veteran’s exhibition game, the unveil- ing of a new GAA homeground and a I dent of Ireland To coincide with this celebration, club formal dinner for club founders, Calgary will be the hosts for the 2017 Michael D. Higgins, evoked members, friends, family and support- Western Canadian and an all-Canada an old Irish saying, “Ar scáth ers. A GOFUNDME page was set up to support the family of Sean GAA Tournament. a chéile a mhaireann na Maher – a loving partner and father of four-year-old twin boys To stay up to date with club events, keep The event will take place over Canada – from Ballinglen, Co. Wicklow, after he was killed in a tragic an eye on the club website and daoine” – “In the shadow of Day Weekend (July 1-2) and invites will accident in Calgary on February 19. Facebook page. each other, we live.” extend to GAA clubs across Canada in Sean Maher’s funeral in Ireland was what should be a significant display of www.calgarychieftains.com/events and He was there following a tragic held at Annacurra Church, County Canadian Gaelic football and hurling in www.facebook.com/ accident where the collapse of a “Ar scáth a chéile a Wicklow on Sunday, March 5. Canada’s 150th year. CalgaryChieftainsGAA. balcony led to the death of five mhaireann na daoine” To help support the family, visit: All four codes will be represented in- young Dublin students and one www.gofundme.com/sean-maher- cluding juvenile games featuring MORE GAA NEWS Irish-American woman, injured – “In the shadow of leane-lifely-fund. Calgary Chieftains Óg members. PAGE 21 seven other students, and trau- each other, we live.” matised many more. The Irish word “meitheal” describes Family friend Eimear O Neill set up a moments when a community rallies GoFundMe page to support Sean’s part- around in a time of need. ner Leane and their children as they made arrangements to return to Ireland President Higgins said it expressed the for his funeral. solidarity within that “generous and close-knit” community. “Sean was a loving partner and father of twin boys. The money will go directly The term is used in various writings of to the family and will help them cover Irish language authors. It can convey costs such as flights to and from Ire- the idea of community spirit in which land, wage loss and funeral costs,” she neighbours respond to each other’s said. “Your donations are overwhelm- needs. ingly generous. I cannot thank you Meitheal is most pronounced in emi- enough.” grant Irish communities around the To date, the page has raised $63,757 world when an emergency calls for im- with a goal of $65,000. mediate support or assistance follow- ing a tragedy. Speaking to the Irish Independent, Sean’s sister Sandra said her family This was the case here in Canada last were devastated by the loss. “He was month when Sean Maher – a loving having breakfast with Leane and the partner and father of four-year-old twin boys and he went out to get more milk. boys – from Ballinglen, Co. Wicklow, died in Calgary, Alberta after his car “He told Leane he would be back in a slipped on ice and collided with a bar- few minutes but his car slipped on ice rier on Sunday, February 19. and his car collided with a barrier. It was devastating, absolutely devastat- Sean, who was described as a “gentle ing,” she added. giant” by friends, emigrated to Canada with his partner Leane years ago but A funeral Mass was held in Calgary on planned to return home to Wicklow so Saturday, February 25 at Our Lady of his twin boys could start primary school. the Assumption Church. THE CELTIC CONNECTION

ISSUE 26 VOLUME 3 - Established in 1991 #452 - 4111 Hastings Street, Burnaby, B.C. V5C 6T7 Tel: (604) 434-3747 • www.celtic-connection.com Maura De Freitas - Publisher - • E-Mail: [email protected] Catholine Butler - Advertising - • E-Mail: [email protected] Colleen Carpenter - Copy Editor • Ainsley Baldwin - Ad Production Distribution: Arlyn Lingat • Allison Moore • Linda Robb • Frank Dudfield in Surrey • Eifion Williams in Burnaby & Coquitlam • Laurie Lang in Coquitlam • Joanne Long in Mission • Bill Duncan in Maple Ridge • Deirdre O’Ruaric in White Rock • Nanci Spieker and Heather Murphy in Seattle • Oliver Grealish in Edmonton. Published 7X per year. Unsolicited submissions welcome but will not be returned. Please retain a copy for your files. Contents copyright 2017 The Celtic Connection. Opinions expressed here are not necessarily those of the publisher but rather a reflection of voices within the community. All correspondence must include a name, address and telephone number. Canada Post Canadian Publications Agreement 40009398 PAGE 4 www.celtic-connection.com MARCH/APRIL 2017 March is the Month of the Celts – Check out These Fantastic Upcoming Shows ANCOUVER – • Speaking of Folk Alliance, what a great First off I want event that was! With a theme of ‘For- to thank every- bidden Folk’ and songs of resistance, one who came and a cast including Billy Bragg, Ani diFranco, Tom Paxton, Bruce V along to the ex- By Cockburn, and with moving tributes to traordinary workshop / movie STEVE the legacy of Woody Guthrie, Pete EDGE Seeger, and more, this was always screening / concert last month going to be a very special weekend. If with Alasdair Fraser & anything, it exceeded my expectations! Natalie Haas. THE ROGUE FOLK CLUB My favourite band there was the Celtic Spending two hours in the work- quintet Doolin’, from, of all places, Toulouse in France! shop was mind-blowing, espe- are going fast, so I’d advise you to jump cially when the 50 musicians ended Their eponymous debut CD on Com- on to www.roguefolk.bc.ca to make pass Records was produced by Irish the workshop playing a new tune sure you get in! they had only just heard a few min- guitarist / singer John Doyle, and in- There are plenty of events at CelticFest cludes a Jacques Brel song, some rap, THE NORDIC FIDDLERS BLOC with Shetland’s Kevin utes earlier. throughout the week leading up to – and some very poignant songs of emigra- Henderson, Olav Luksengåd Mjelva from Norway, and Anders Neither Alasdair nor Natalie were play- including – St. Patrick’s Day and Sat- tion, and some scintillating musicianship Hall from Sweden will play The Rogue on Thursday, April 6. ing at that moment. Just the students. urday 18th as well. – notably on flute and bodhran. It sounded great and made me smile. A Highlights include concerts by some of Watch out for this band! I hope they lot. B.C.’s finest musicians and singers, in- come out to B.C. soon. The film, The Groove Is Not Trivial, cluding fiddler Jocelyn Pettit, singer / • was very moving – especially for the historian Bruce Coughlan (solo, and The Rogue is rapidly approaching its ex-pat Scots in attendance. with his trio Tiller’s Folly), Delhi 2 30th anniversary, and April is chock full Dublin, Pat Chessell Band, The of shows, covering a wide range of It’s about Alasdair’s music and his roots Wheat In The Barley, North Shore styles! in Scotland, and I’d recommend it Celtic Ensemble, and the band that strongly to anyone with Scottish roots It all starts with a Contra Dance on April rocked St. James in January in a fabu- Fools Day with The Sybaritic String – or indeed with an interest in Celtic lous fundraiser for the hall renovations music. Band (note the new start time of 7:30 – The Paperboys, who close the fes- PM!). The concert was equally marvellous of tival on Saturday night. course, with the duo showcasing many The following night Vancouver singer The Celtic Village will occupy the space Marisa Orth-Pallavacini teams up of the diverse styles which run through under the dome in Robson Square their new CD, Ports Of Call. with local jazz musicians Jill Scott and which is a skating/dancing venue at Rene Worst to present their special NEW RELEASES: Dave Gunning (L) from Pictou, Nova Scotia Sadly, they didn’t have the new CD with various times of the year. Heaps of ven- take on the songs of English songwriter has just released his new CD Lift and Ireland’s Sharon Shan- them. It was released this month on dors with tasty food, souvenirs, kids Leon Rosselson. The trio have a new non (R) also has a new CD Sacred Earth. Culburnie Records. I can’t wait to get activities, Irish wolfhounds, and lots CD of these songs, too. my hands – and ears – on it!! more. Sounds like fun to me! On April 6 there is a double bill with Michael Averill launches his new CD, Knight’s Hot Club Cabaret (29th). • Another event which is co-presented March is a big month for Celts, starting two brilliant trios: Toronto’s Andrew and the next night Doug Cox and Sam by CelticFest Vancouver is the return Hurrie – two of B.C.’s finest blues There’s some more amazing Canadian with the Welsh celebration for St. Collins Trio won a Canadian Folk blues on May 4 with Suzie Vinnick and of Galician piper Carlos Núñez with Music award in December for Instru- guitarists, who have just released a David’s Day on the 1st and continuing his amazing band on Friday, April 7 at Rick Fines from Toronto, that fabu- through St. Patrick’s Day on the 17th. mental Group of the Year for their new great CD, Old Friends – bring the 2017 The Vogue. edition of A Mighty String Thing to lous woman Cecile Doo-Kingue CD And It Was Good. They sing a bit again, and Vancouver’s Paul Pigat Vancouver has its own, distinctive cel- Carlos is the undisputed master of too! The Rogue. ebration – Celtic Fest Vancouver – singing and jamming in-the-round. Galicia’s signature musical instrument, The Nordic Fiddlers Bloc comprises Joining them are Cameroon / Quebec and this year’s event sees a few the gaita, or Galician bagpipes. Full details of all these shows can be changes from the traditional format, Shetland’s Kevin Henderson, Olav guitar diva Cecile Doo-Kingue, Los Texmaniacs Josh and Max Baca, and found on the Rogue website, and you most notably the absence of the St. From northern Spain’s Celtic coast, Luksengåd Mjelva from Norway, can hear music by all the above per- Patrick’s Day parade. Núñez connects the musical tradition of and Anders Hall from Sweden. We Brazilian guitar wizard Celso Machado. It should be quite a night! formers – and so much more – on my his native land with that of Ireland, Scot- saw this fabulous trio at the Tonder radio show, The Saturday Edge On Logistics and policing costs made this land, Brittany, and beyond. Festival in Denmark in August. spectacle impractical, which is a pity, We close out April with the 11th annual Folk, every Saturday from 8 AM to but there will still be plenty of colour You can read more about him – and There will be two great sets of distinc- April In Paris festival of gypsy jazz noon on CiTR fm 101.9 and and music and side shows and Celtic secure your tickets – by visiting Celtic tively different acoustic music, and I (April 27-29) with Van Django and the www.citr.ca. vendors in the new central venue of Performing Arts website (Rogue Folk hope we can squeeze all six of them Marc Atkinson Quartet (27th), Com- Slainte Robson Square. Club members get a discount) onto the stage for a rousing finale! pany B Big Band (28th), and Deanna Steve www.celticperformingarts.com/ Soulful American singer songwriter The first big event happens at St. James events/carlos-núñez-concert- Hall on Sunday, March 12, with Irish Karen Savoca is back with her guitar- vancouver. blazing partner Pete Heitzman on April accordionista Sharon Shannon bring- • ing her new quartet to the Rogue. 8. They will be joined by B.C. fiddler / Pat Chessell releases Meanwhile, back at The Rogue, we singer Shari Ulrich. They have a new Back in 2015 we got to see Sharon have a concert on March 17 with the CD. Two since their last appearance in Shannon at the Doolin Folk Festival in powerful Welsh troubadour Martyn town. a new single: Co. Clare, and fiddler Sean Regan fea- Joseph at St. James Hall. tured in her band that day. The next night we team up with In these troubled times boy do we ever Capilano University’s Global Roots Born and raised in Manchester, and now need our troubadours! There are none series to present the local debut of ‘The Mother in Law’ living in Galway, Sean is not only a bril- more relevant – and certainly none more young English blues guitarist Jack VANCOUVER – Just in time for Lyrics for The Mother in Law were passionate about their work – than this liant fiddler but also a remarkable inno- Broadbent, and on April 23 to present all of your Saint Paddy’s Day par- written by Pat and the music is based vator, adding boombox vocals to the mix. proud valley boy, I tell you! the stunning Cuban percussionist ties, local Celtic folk/rock musi- on a traditional melody. Pedrito Martinez and his superb band. Jim Murray remains in her band, play- Nova Scotia has produced some bril- The British Columbia based musician Both these shows are at St. James cian Pat Chessell has released his ing acoustic guitar. Pianist Alan Connor liant songwriters down the years, too, is joined by a few Celtic “all stars” on Hall. latest single, The Mother In Law, is not on this current tour, which has and Pictou’s Dave Gunning is rightly the track: guests on the song are Gerry taken them all over the planet from Mel- earning favourable comparisons with to digital music platforms on Fri- In between these we have two exhila- day, March 3. The song is avail- O’Connor on fiddle (current member bourne to Nashville and on to Vancou- the likes of Lightfoot, Cockburn, and rating folk duos on Good Friday (April of The Irish Rovers); Damaris Woods ver. Stan Rogers for his narrative songs of 14). Winnipeg’s Small Glories (Cara able on iTunes, Spotify, CDBaby, (Derek Warfield and the Young Wolfe ordinary folk and their everyday strug- Luft and JD Edwards) and Califor- Google Play, and more. Tones) on tenor banjo; Michael Viens The quartet is rounded out, instead, by gles to make a go of it in this wonderful guitarist Jack Maher (Van Morrison / nia’s Evie Ladin & Keith Terry. Pat Chessell has become known – es- and Tim Renaud of Blackthorn on – and sometimes harsh and unforgiving bodhran and bass, respectively; and fel- Mundy / Eddi Reader etc.). – land. Evie last performed in town a few years pecially in western Canada – for his high energy, upbeat shows reminiscent of low local musician Greg Schnider on the Sharon has a new CD coming out on back with her old band, The Stairwell Dave’s latest CD – Lift – contains some other Celto-Canadian bands such as uillean pipes. March 17 called Sacred Earth. It was Sisters. Her name is an anagram of of his strongest material to date. Great Big Sea and Spirit of the West. produced by English blues / African “evil diane,” which happens to be her Pat Chessell will be busy throughout the guitarist Justin Adams. We saw him the other week at the Folk publishing company. Only The Rogue He draws mainly on his Celtic influ- month of March with shows in Alliance in Kansas City. He was in could come up with Evil Diane on Good ences of bands like the Clancy Broth- CelticFest Vancouver as well as head- I’m hoping she will have some advance brilliant form! You can catch him LIVE Friday! ers and Dubliners while incorporating lining his own show at White Rock’s copies with her at The Rogue! Tickets Blue Frog Studios on March 18. at The Rogue on Saturday, March 25. On Friday, April 21 local songwriter elements from contemporary styles. MARCH/APRIL 2017 www.celtic-connection.com PAGE 5 5th Annual Celtic Persons of the Year Award Recipients VANCOUVER – CelticFest Vancouver Society has an- nounced the 2017 Celtic Per- sons of the Year Award – six- time world champion Simon Fraser University Pipe Band founders, Terry and Jack Lee. The award will be presented dur- ing CelticFest 2017 at the Vancou- ver Welsh Men’s Choir concert at Christ Church Cathedral on Friday, March 17. The Celtic Persons of the Year Award recognizes outstanding contributions made to Celtic culture and heritage in British Columbia. Terry and Jack Lee are both world-re- JACK AND TERRY LEE founders of the six-time world cham- nowned bagpipers who founded the Simon Fraser University Pipe Band al- pion Simon Fraser University Pipe Band have been named as most 40 years ago. the 2017 Celtic Persons of the Year Award The brothers have inspired the pipe Celtic Fest Vancouver will host a se- band to strive for great accomplish- ries of events celebrating the best of ments taking home six world titles at Irish music, dance, sport and art: the World Pipe Championship Compe- tition, and have also finished in the top • Irish Sports Night with Mick Galwey three of this competition 20 times. and Pat Spillane – March 10 at St. Mary’s Ukrainian Cultural Centre; Terry and Jack Lee are extraordinary pipers and long time performers, lead- • Vancouver Welsh Men’s Choir – ers and educators in their field. March 17 at Christ Church Cathedral; After 35 years, Terry retired as Pipe • Celtic Fest Ceilidh – March 18 at Major but continues to pipe at SFU St Mary’s Ukrainian Cultural Centre; Convocation Ceremonies and concerts Celtic Village at Robson Street and • Sharon Shannon – March 12 at St. along with mentoring young pipers Robson Square for more music, danc- James Hall; through the band’s junior Robert ing, piping and fun! Malcolm Memorial (RMM) Pipe Band. • Belfast Girls Play – March 15-18 at CelticFest Vancouver is presenting a East Vancouver Cultural Centre; Jack Lee remains as the band’s Pipe new free community event at Robson Sergeant and continues his amazing Square that runs March 17 and 18 from • Carlos Nunez – April 7 at the Vogue contributions to Celtic culture through 11 AM to 11 PM where you can come Theatre; his music. celebrate all things Irish! CelticFest Vancouver is Western Cana- The SFU Pipe Band has been one of The main stage will feature headlining da’s largest annual Celtic Festival. A the world’s leading pipe bands since its international award winning fusion band rich cultural celebration of the seven inception, and this band would not exist Delhi 2 Dublin on Friday, March 17 and Celtic nations’ kinship and community. without the leadership and dedication local legends The Paperboys on Satur- Founded in 2004, the cornerstones of of Terry and Jack Lee over the past 36 day, March 18, with special guests in- CelticFest Vancouver are community, years. cluding Tiller’s Folly, Wheat in the Bar- diversity, family and civic pride. ley, Pat Chessell Band and Eire Born CelticFest Irish Dancers. This urban festival has quickly, and at Robson Square, firmly, established itself as an annual Other programming includes the six springtime tradition in downtown Van- March 17 & 18, 2017 times world champion Simon Fraser couver’s vibrant entertainment district. You’re invited to come ‘paint the town University Pipe Band the “Salute to green’ at Celtic Fest with the St. Scotland” with pipers, dancers and ca- Since inception, CelticFest’s attendance Patrick’s Day celebrations. ber tossing, and more. has significantly grown year over year, drawing 250,000+ people each year and See these two brothers receive this The car2go stage will feature North appealing to a broad demographic base. prestigious award in a ceremony on Shore Celtic Ensemble, Jocelyn Pettit, Friday, March 17, then head over to O’Brien Dancers, and many more.... Full event schedules, information, and tickets available at www.vancouvercelticfest.com.

Ed Sheeran smashes Spotify records with ‘Divide’ LONDON – Ed Sheeran has smashed Spotify records with his new album ÷ pronounced Divide. The world’s largest streaming service said that the pop singer’s album was heard nearly 57 million times on Friday, March 3, its first day of release. The 26-year-old Sheeran performed es- pecially well in his native Britain and in Ireland, where he traces ancestry and whose traditional music he incorporated in two songs on Divide. In both Britain and Ireland, all 16 songs on Divide were the top 16 on Spotify’s chart of the country’s most-streamed songs. PAGE 6 www.celtic-connection.com MARCH/APRIL 2017 Connemara: ‘My Journey Into the Soul of Ireland’ It was only a short drive to Ballynahinch T was a bright sunny morning in Castle where we often stopped for November when we left Dundalk to lunch and sometimes a drink in the bar. Ballynahinch is a beautiful hotel with drive across the middle of Ireland, our the country house vibe big fires roar in eventual destination was the lounges and rows of boots and rain- I coats are available for guests to ven- Roundstone, County ture outside in the rain. Galway. It offers the kind of old fashioned com- fort and homeliness that made me long In Ireland everyone talks to spend at least a week there. about the weather and when By The history of Ballnahinch Castle goes the day is fine and sunny, peo- MARIE back to the 1300s and is intertwined ple give thanks for it and com- BRUCE with the clan O’Flaherty and the famous pirate queen of Connaught Grace ment on it – weather is never O’Malley. taken for granted. We had lunch another day at Kylemore We were on a road trip – just three The history of Abbey and visited the large restored of us my sister, brother-in-law and Ballnahinch Castle Victorian garden. myself. Kylemore Abbey is owned by the Ben- goes back to the edictine order of nuns but is no longer a Everything I saw as we drove along girls boarding school for the privileged pleased and delighted me – herds of 1300s and is few. cows, freshly ploughed fields, more fields of fat sheep and well kept farms. intertwined with the The scenic situation of Kylemore on the lake and the romantic history of the There was a feeling the harvest was clan O’Flaherty and castle makes it a busy place for tour- saved and an air of prosperity about the ists to the west of Ireland. It is Ireland’s small towns and villages. the famous pirate answer to the Taj Mahal. We had decided on a stop at Kells, queen of Connaught We came back to Roundstone via the County Meath. Grace O’Malley. famous Sky Road. Kells has a Round Tower and the rem- We were glad we were driving in day- nants of ancient Celtic ruins, associated light, while the road is very scenic and with St. Colmcille and the Book of Kells. Roundstone. Now we were in wild narrow with the inevitable sheep wan- We had the site to ourselves, I love Connemara and the scenery was stun- dering around, looking over the stone wandering around these old sites and ning. wall there is a very steep drop down into the roaring Atlantic. touching old stones absolutely in awe The mountain range called the 12 Bens of their great age and survival. glowed in purple green hues and the low MAAM CROSS has a famous horse fair spread out along a We just had a little taste of Connemara crossroads where people come from far and wide to buy and The journey to Roundstone is long by stone walls and reeks of turf were a and left lots of places unvisited for the Irish standards and while we drove on scenic wonder. sell horses, sheep and mostly donkeys. This fair goes back to next time I come over. main roads to Galway, then on to coun- ancient times and draws crowds of horse fanciers, buyers and Black-faced sheep grazed where they sellers with an assortment of sheep, goats, hens and musi- I know I will be back because Conne- try twisting roads – much slower but could among the faded heather and mara is not easy to forget, it is a jour- very beautiful. patches of grass. This scenery was cians to keep everyone happy. ney into the soul of Ireland. We passed a sign telling us we were in wild Ireland at its very finest. Galway – home of the tribes. The We made it to Roundstone while it was Joyces and O’Flahertys are the clan still daylight. names in Galway in ancient times. The village of Roundstone has a pier Sean-Nós Northwest Festival Our aim was to make Maam Cross fair for boat launching which makes it a fish- on time before the evening closed in. ing village and it is situated on the Wild It was November 2 and Maam Cross Altanic Way. will be held in Olympia, WA has a famous horse fair spread out along We were loaned a beautiful purpose- He has an undergraduate degree in tional music world with her first album a crossroads where people come from built holiday home and all we had to do The Irish Cultural Society of Applied Languages and is currently Linnet in 2008. far and wide to buy and sell horses, was move in our cases and head down the Pacific Northwest will working at the University of Montana sheep and mostly donkeys. to the pub for drinks and dinner. present the sean-nós North- as a Fulbright Foreign Language Her 2013 release Here This is Home is without question one of the finest This fair goes back to ancient times and The local pub – O’Dowd’s just steps Teaching Assistant. west Festival April 7-9. works in recent years. draws crowds of horse fanciers buyers away is highly recommended and, even He recently completed a thesis on the and sellers with an assortment of sheep, though it was November, it was packed. It will be held at The Evergreen State hurling pitch as an Irish language learn- Shannon Dunne is a renowned teacher goats, hens and musicians to keep eve- College, just west of Olympia, Wash- of sean-nós dance. She has studied It is a small pub with several little rooms ing space and will be teaching a ses- ryone happy. ington. Located about half-way be- Connemara sean-nós dance with off the bar and since it was November sion on hurling! tween Seattle, Washington and Port- Pádraig Ó hOibicín, Róisín Ní Mhainín, I am in my element in the countryside the fires were lit making it cosy. and even more so where there are ani- land, Oregon. Olympia is the Washing- Doimnic Mac Giolla Bhríde is a well Mick Mulkerrin and Máiréad Casey; mals involved. The food is fresh and wholesome with ton State capital. known sean-nós singer from Gaoth Clare battering with Aidan Vaughan; the selection of stews and meat pies The festival celebrates and promotes Dobhair, County Donegal who was the and Munster (old-style) step dance with There was a huge selection of donkeys and a special of the day fresh fish lo- winner of Corn Uí Riada, the Patrick O’Dea. She also studied and Connemara ponies up for bidding. three aspects of traditional Irish culture: cally caught. sean-nós singing, sean-nós dancing, and Oireachtas sean-nós singing competi- flatfooting/clogging with Eileen Carson, tion, in 2009. Megan Downes and Christine Galante. I wandered around chatting to the sell- We had five days ahead to tour around the Irish language, otherwise known as ers and taking photographs. One seller Connemara and Galway and there was Gaeilge. He has been immersed in the culture of Randal Bays is an American musician offered me a six month old jackass for no shortage of places to go. his native home from a young age and who’s been playing Irish fiddle for more free – he said he had too many and was These cultural treasures are incredibly rare to find anywhere outside of Ire- has taken guidance from well known than 30 years. anxious to get rid of a few for the com- The only meal we ate in the cottage local sean-nós singers like Caitlín Ní land and the aim is to sustain a vibrant He’s now widely recognized as a mas- ing winter. was breakfast and then we headed out Dhomhnaill and Lillis Ó Laoire. on our sightseeing tours. community for these and other Irish ter of that complex and ancient art, in He probably knew he was safe in that cultural arts (including storytelling, po- Colleen Raney who is currently on tour particular the fiddle styles of rural west- offer because I assured him the jack- The coast road to Clifton is beautiful etry, and decorative arts) throughout the with Irish supergroup Solas will present ern Ireland. ass although tiny wouldn’t fit in my suit- but one has to pay attention because Pacific Northwest. traditional singing. case. those black-faced sheep wandering He has worked with such greats as across the road, they are so used to cars Guest instructors include: Colleen was born into a family where James Keane, James Kelly, Gearoid Admiring and stroking donkeys makes they take their time. • Pa Sheehan -- Gaeilge and culture Irish music and dance were part of the O’hAllmhurain, Roger Landes, Martin me happy, despite the fact that they are fabric of everyday life, learning songs Hayes, John Williams, Daithi Sproule, mostly unresponsive animals. We were in no rush anyway. • Doimnic Mac Giolla Bhríde -- sean- nós singing from her older siblings was very much and the late Michéal O’Domhnaill. a part of Raney’s formative years. I have never seen so many donkeys Clifton is the big town thereabouts with • Colleen Raney -- traditional singing Accordionist Felim Egan was born collected in one place all with different good shops and restaurants. I was look- and bodhrán She began her musical career with her Ballinasloe, County Galway and raised characteristics, colours and sizes. ing at the craft shops and there was no • Shannon Dunne -- sean-nós dance oldest brother Mark, who studied with in Cloghan, County Offaly (west Of- shortage of pubs around. • Randal Bays -- fiddle The traders were weatherbeaten Gal- legendary singer and song collector Joe faly). He comes from a family of five • Felim Egan -- accordion way men with craggy faces who wore We enjoyed a lovely lunch of soup and Heaney. children, all well accomplished musi- cians. hats and smoked pipes but all were fresh crab salad, it came with that won- Pa Sheehan who is originally from After attaining her MFA in Acting from steeped in horse breeding – country derful brown bread, every restaurant Sixmilebridge, County Clare and is an the University of Washington, and work- For more details and to register for the men to the core. has their own recipe but it is always Irish and French second level teacher ing as a professional actor for a dec- sean-nós Northwest Festival, visit: http:/ delicious. in Ireland. It was time to continue along to ade, Colleen dove back into the tradi- /www.seannos.org. MARCH/APRIL 2017 www.celtic-connection.com PAGE 7 Lonely Planet declares Ireland’s Wild Atlantic Way one of the top regions in the world for 2017 THE Skellig Ring drive, on Also highlighted in the book is Skellig Michael’s sister isle, known as Little the southwestern tip of Ire- Skellig, “an even craggier outpost that land’s Wild Atlantic Way, has hosts a colony of 50,000 gannets.” been named one of the top re- Both are located on the Wild Atlantic gions in the world for travel- Way, often referred to as the world’s lers in 2017. longest coastal touring route – a 2,500km stretch of glorious rugged The region receives the accolade coast along the west of Ireland. in Lonely Planet’s ‘Best in Travel The Skellig islands are located off the 2017’, the highly anticipated col- coast of Kerry and the book recognises lection of the world’s hottest that “nothing beats actually landing on trends, destinations and experi- Skellig Michael and climbing the 600 ences for the year ahead. treacherously steep stone steps to reach the intriguing, beehive like-chambers.” The bestselling, travel yearbook from [PHOTO: Tourism Ireland] one of the world’s leading travel authori- LITTLE SKELLIG, Co. Kerry, When the isles are out of bounds due ties highlights the top 10 countries, cit- seen from the ruins of the mon- to inclement weather, the string of vil- lages from which the boats depart also ies, regions and best value destinations astery on Skellig Michael. offer a host of distractions – from cosy that Lonely Planet’s experts recom- pubs and Blue Flag beaches, to historic mend travellers experience in 2017. Heritage Site and a “remote, wave- pounded hunk of rock rising out of the ruins. The Skellig Ring is a coastal drive that Atlantic like a giant triangle,” made the Lonely Planet spokesperson, Nóirín is an extension of the famous Ring of new Star Wars location list. Hegarty, said, “The Skellig Ring should Kerry on the Wild Atlantic Way de- be on every traveller’s must-see list. scribed in Lonely Planet’s ‘Best in As the book recognises, “Glimpsed at Travel 2017’ as “perhaps Ireland’s most the end of The Force Awakens, Skellig “It’s a spot of timeless beauty and now charismatically wild and emerald Michael will play a bigger role in this that it’s coming to prominence on the stretch of coastline.” year’s sequel and local businesses are silver screen, 2017 really is the year to gearing up for the expected visitor get out there and see it for yourself.” Skellig Michael, a UNESCO World bump.”

THE CASTLE NEIGHBOURHOOD GRILL Restaurant & Public House 319 Governors Court, New Westminster, BC (604) 544-5020 PAGE 8 www.celtic-connection.com MARCH/APRIL 2017 Theresa May to trigger Article 50 on March 15 despite Brexit bill defeat LONDON – A defiant British the UK, but will only issue that guaran- European Commission president Jean- tee once the EU has granted reciprocal Claude Juncker said it was time for a Prime Minister Theresa May rights to the 900,000 Britons living in “united Europe of 27 to shape a vision is determined to push ahead member states. for its future”. and trigger Article 50 as Labour’s amendment to the EU (Noti- The first scenario envisages the EU sim- planned despite the House of fication of Withdrawal) Bill, tabled with ply carrying on as it is. The second fo- SUSAN LE JEUNE Liberal Democrat and crossbench sup- cuses solely on the economic benefits D’ALLEGEERSHECQUE Lords inflicting her first par- port, calls for ministers to bring forward of the single market, in the event that liamentary defeat over Brexit. proposals ensuring the rights of EU citi- there is a lack of agreement on closer zens living in the UK will continue post- co-operation on areas from migration, New UK High Peers voted on March 1 to amend the Brexit, within three months of trigger- to security, to defence. bill to force the UK Government to ing Article 50. Commissioner guarantee the rights of EU citizens liv- The third scenario builds on the first, ing in Britain. Seven Tory peers backed May intends to notify the EU of Brit- and talks of “coalitions of the willing” in Ottawa the amendment. ain’s intention to leave on March 15, in which states that want to, can do triggering two years of negotiations that more together in specific areas. OTTAWA – Susan le Jeune However, May is confident it will be would end with Brexit in 2019. d’Allegeershecque CMG has been ap- rejected by the House of Commons later The fourth scenario focuses on doing pointed British High Commissioner to this month and Downing Street insisted BRITISH PM Theresa May. Meanwhile, the European Commission much less, but more efficiently, and al- Canada in succession to Howard Drake the timetable for opening negotiations is outlining five scenarios for the future lowing member states to have more free- OBE, who will be retiring from the Dip- to leave the EU remained unchanged. direction of the EU without the UK, dom at national level. But it still envis- lomatic Service. The new British High from one centred on the single market ages new institutions, including a Euro- Commissioner will take up her appoint- Lords who voted to alter the bill were face a fresh Tory rebellion when the bill returns to the Commons. only to a more federal approach. pean Telecoms Authority and a Euro- ment in August 2017. accused by critics of “playing with fire,” pean Counter Terrorism Agency. pointless “posturing” and “a disservice Conservative whips are confident, how- The scenarios outlined in the policy pa- Most recently, she was the British am- to the national interest.” ever, that no more than a handful of Tory per published yesterday will form the The final scenario is the most ambitious. bassador to France in Paris and previ- MPs will support the amendment. backdrop for talks when EU leaders That would see EU states pooling more ously she served as ambassador to Aus- The scale of the government’s defeat meet in Rome at the end of the month power and resources. In this case, de- tria and UK Permanent Representative in the Lords, where the proposal to The prime minister has already told MPs for a summit marking the 60th anniver- cisions would be agreed faster at Eu- to the United Nations and other Inter- amend the bill was passed by 358 votes that she wants to protect the rights of sary of the signing of the Treaty of ropean level and be more rapidly en- national Organisations in Vienna. Other to 256, prompted speculation May could the three million EU citizens living in Rome. forced. postings have included Washington, Bagota, Caracas, Singapore and Brus- sels. ‘We must stop institutionalising mentally ill UK upholds young people and using them as Guinea pigs’ income rules for REETINGS last moment as a punishment for “mis- The man shouts back, “Oh come on foreign spouses POSTCARD FROM behaving” i.e. self-harming or refusing everybody urinates in the swimming LONDON – Income rules which stop from a dismal, BOURNEMOUTH to eat. pool.” thousands of British citizens bringing cloud cov- She physically deteriorated to an alarm- The lifeguard replies, “Not from the top their foreign spouse to the UK are law- ing life threatening state and her weight diving board they don’t.” ful “in principle” the Supreme Court has Gered, cool, ruled. But children’s welfare must be fell to below 80 pounds. You can tell it’s a slow news week over promoted in immigration decisions, damp Bournemouth. Finally, after three years the hospital here, because a report on urinating in judges said. admitted that they did not have the ex- swimming pools has been one of the Over the years I have written about pertise to treat anorexia and proposed top stories. As of 2012, Britons must earn more our National Health Service and moving her to an institution in North- than £18,600 ($23,140) before a hus- Apparently students at the University how grateful I am for the wonder- By ampton, 250 miles away. band or wife from outside the European ful treatment I have received. of Alberta have conducted a survey in Economic Area can settle in the UK. ELFAN The cost of her treatment in Cardiff was two public swimming baths, tracking It is a source of national pride that de- JONES approximately C$5,000 per week. levels of an artificial sweetener, Judges rejected an appeal by families “Acesulfame potassium” which is com- who argued that the rules breached their spite its many problems, the seriously Cardiff was a two hour journey for her ill will have world class treatment free monly found in processed food and human right to a family life. family and Northampton is nearly six passes through the body unaltered. of charge. “She obviously had hours each way. Seven Supreme Court justices hearing Sadly there is a part of the NHS that is Haven’t they got anything better to do? the case said the minimum income re- Despite family opposition to her being quirement was “acceptable in principle.” coming under a growing amount of mental problems, sent so far away, she was transferred They calculated that in a large pool criticism. But they criticised the rules around it, 15 months ago. swimmers released 75 litres over a saying they failed to take “proper ac- three week period. Interestingly they This is the treatment of young, men- but was bright, Her treatment is now unarguably bet- count” of the duty to safeguard and pro- tally ill patients and I know there is a did not say how many swimmers con- mote the welfare of children when mak- ter but we are protesting and trying to tributed. I presume there was more than great deal of truth in the allegations stop the hospital from administering ing decisions which affect them. being made. fun loving and one. Clozapine, an anti-psychotic drug which And they ruled there should be an Teenagers with various mental prob- intelligent. After has been named as the one having pos- I was never that keen a swimmer be- amendment to allow alternative sources lems are being institutionalised and sible deadly side effects. fore and will not be rushing to Alberta of funding, other than a salary or ben- treated like criminals. to take up the sport. efits, to be considered in a claim. two years in the In both hospitals the “carers” have • They are given experimental drugs and been kind and cannot be faulted but the Back in wholesome Britain, where no The rules were introduced by the former a recent documentary exposed that pa- doctors have been arrogant and defen- one would dream of doing such a thing, coalition government to stop foreign tients have died as a result of being put hospital, being sive. we have a host of events to look for- spouses becoming reliant on taxpayers. on these drugs. It is a frightening situation and a televi- ward to. The minimum income threshold, which Five years ago my sister’s, now 22- given a cocktail sion documentary last week actually One important day is, of course, 17 also affects people settled in the UK featured the Northampton hospital. year-old, granddaughter was admitted March, St. Patrick’s Day. as refugees, rises to £22,400 ($27,870) to a hospital in Cardiff suffering from We just hope that the programme if the couple have a child who does not anorexia and bouts of self-harming. of drugs, she was There will be a great deal of interest in have British citizenship – and then by proves to be a catalyst to change this Wales, because there is evidence to Before being admitted to hospital she Victorian policy of institutionalising an additional £2,400 ($2,986) for each reduced to a pitiful support the theory that St. Patrick was subsequent child. painted, wrote poetry, baked, cooked young people and stop psychiatrists born in Banwen near Neath and was and helped her mother look after horses. from using them as Guinea pigs. later enslaved by the Romans and taken The markers replaced a previous, more shaking shell.” • to Ireland. This means he is Welsh!!! general, requirement to show the Home She obviously had mental problems, but Changing the mood I have a joke for was bright, fun loving and intelligent. Office that the incoming partner would you... There is not much I can do about St. not be a drain on public resources. After two years in the hospital, being carer and was being kept in isolation. George, because I think he was Portu- given a cocktail of drugs, she was re- A lifeguard shouts at a man in a swim- They do not take into account the earn- For over a year she slept on a mattress guese, but if I could prove that St. duced to a pitiful shaking shell. ming pool, “Get out, do not come back Andrew was born in Llandeilo, I would ings of the overseas partner – even if on the floor in a bare converted bath- you are banned from this swimming have the set. they have higher qualifications, or are I visited her and it was heartbreaking room, and months would go by without pool.” to see what she had become. She sat likely to be employed in higher-paid her being allowed outside to the little Time for a Guinness, which we all know work than their British spouse. And the there with her thumb in her mouth, cud- enclosed garden. The man replies, “Why?” is brewed in Swansea. dling up to her mother. threshold does not apply to spouses Her weekly visit from her mother and The lifeguard answers, “You know why. Cheers, from within the European Economic We were told that she had attacked a grandmother was often cancelled at the You urinated in the pool.” Elfan. Area. MARCH/APRIL 2017 www.celtic-connection.com PAGE 9 VANCOUVER WELSH SOCIETY Celtic Studies Association St. David’s Day celebrated of North America Conference in Vancouver with music, food and a Proclamation By EIFION WILLIAMS Welsh Society. VANCOUVER – The Celtic As comparatively few institutions in Studies Association of North America offer the chance to discuss issues relevant to the Celtic North America (CSANA) countries, CSANA provides a forum will hold its next confer- that is largely unavailable else- ence in Vancouver, April where. By EIFION 27-30. The program will consist of many WILLIAMS aspects of the language, literature, CSANA is a non-profit organization history, folklore and culture of the VANCOUVER – The first which sponsors a multi-day confer- Celtic peoples from the ancient ence each spring. It has members world, medieval times, the early event of the year at the interested in Wales, Ireland, Scotland, modern period, and from contempo- Cambrian Hall was the cei- Brittany, Cornwall and the Isle of rary culture. Man, including their interactions with lidh/twmpath/barn dance on other peoples and their representa- Among the distinguished Celtic Friday, January 28. PHOTO: Ruth Baldwin tion to the rest of the world. scholars giving presentations at the RATTLEBONE BAND and caller JD Erskine at the ceilidh/ Vancouver conference will be Pro- The first dance last November twmpath/barn dance on Friday, January 28. Although most of its meetings are fessor Paul Russell, an expert in was a great success and this one held on university campuses, mem- early Irish, Welsh, and Latin from proved to be equally successful. bership in the organization is open to the Department of Anglo-Saxon, anyone with a serious interest in Norse and Celtic Studies at Cam- Dancers from eight to 80 took to the Celtic studies. bridge University and Professor floor to dance to the folk tunes of This year, the Vancouver Welsh So- Joseph Nagy, Professor of Irish Rattlebone Band, with caller JD Studies at Harvard University. Erskine. ciety will partner with the Associa- tion in hosting the conference, with In the call for papers, the organiz- The ceilidh/twmpath/barn dances have all the events held in the Cambrian ers stated, “We are delighted to part- proved to be very popular sell-out Hall, generously donated by the ner with the Vancouver Welsh So- events, drawing seasoned dancers and Welsh Society for the duration of the ciety in hosting the next CSANA rookies alike. conference. conference in Vancouver, British Participants will be pleased to know that The conference is also sponsored by Columbia. the dance will be a regular fixture at the Centre for Scottish Studies at “We are excited not only to bring the Cambrian Hall, the next one tenta- Simon Fraser University, whose di- CSANA to Vancouver for the first tively planned for May. rector, Dr. Katie McCullough, is one PHOTO: Kathy Thomas time but also to work more closely The annual St. Dwynwen’s Day event DRUIDS Paul Lievesley and David Llewelyn Williams at the St. of the invited speakers. than ever with partners in the Celtic at the Cambrian Hall on February 4 oc- David’s Day Open House event at the Cambrian Hall in Van- The organizers of the event are two community.” curred during an especially severe couver. local Celtic scholars, Dr. Jessica More information about the confer- snowstorm. Nevertheless, those attend- Hemming of Corpus Christi College ence can be found on the confer- ing greatly enjoyed the evening’s en- Vancouver Welsh Society, presided over Rogers at: [email protected]. in Vancouver, and SFU’s Dr. Antone ence website at https:// tertainment. the evening’s events. Minard, who is also active in the csana2017.wordpress.com. Other events planned for the coming St. Dwynwen is honoured in Wales as The next major society event will be months are a pub quiz night on April 7 the patron saint of Lovers, the Welsh the grand spring sale on May 8. This is and the regular meetings of the geneal- equivalent to St. Valentine. always a popular and profitable event ogy group, the Cambrian bookworms David Llewelyn Williams recounted the for the society. Anyone wishing to do- and the Welsh classes conducted by familiar story of Dwynwen, who, hav- nate items for the sale can e-mail Gillian Antone Minard. ing been thwarted in love, retreated to Llanddwyn Island off the coast of An- glesey, where she founded a nunnery. This year the Cambrian Hall event fea- Large gathering pays tribute tured Washington State special guest poet Griffith A. Williams (Gruffydd to the late Neville Thomas Hirwallt), who delighted the audience with readings of his poems. By EIFION WILLIAMS his home in Boise, Idaho, to sing it one VANCOUVER – There was stand- more time in an emotional tribute to In keeping with the theme of the Neville. evening, Sharon McGinty Burrell, ac- ing room only at the Cambrian Hall companied by pianist Tae Maedon, sang on Saturday afternoon, February Neville would also have appreciated the a number of love songs, ending with the 11, as over 200 people attended a reading of Dylan Thomas’ Fern Hill ever-popular The Rose. celebration of life for the late by well-known actor Russell Roberts, representing the Dylan Thomas Circle, St. David’s Day, March 1, fell this year Neville Thomas. which Neville co-founded. on a Wednesday. An open house was The large gathering was a testimony to The poem, with its rich imagery, is reso- held at the Cambrian Hall on the Neville’s involvement in so many com- evening of February 28 to celebrate the nant of a young boy’s memories grow- munity organizations, the love of his ing up on a farm, as Neville himself did. patron saint of Wales. wife Kathy and other family members, Following the annual Druid’s procession, and the many friends he had made over Members of the Vancouver Orpheus the Vancouver Welsh Men’s Choir sang the years, including colleagues and stu- and the Vancouver Welsh Men’s Choirs a selection of songs from their reper- dents from his teaching years. sang another favourite Welsh song, Myfanwy, followed by a final tribute and toire and Vancouver City Councillor In the words of Welsh Society repre- Geoff Meggs read the Proclamation blessing by Kathy’s brother Anton sentative Jane Byrne, who opened and Koschany, who read out some of the designating March 1 as St. David’s Day closed the tributes, “Neville did not have in Vancouver. tributes and reminiscences of Neville acquaintances, only friends.” from his many friends in British Colum- The annual St. David’s Day Dinner was A moving tribute to Neville was given bia, Wales, England, Australia, New held on Saturday, March 4 at the by Tom Sigurdson, who recounted his Zealand and the United States. Cambrian Hall, catered by Jordan’s In- experiences working with Neville in ternational Food Designs. The celebration ended with a look back political campaigns and their many years at Neville’s life in a photo tribute com- Greetings from Kindred Societies were of close friendship. piled by Willie Ritson-Bennett, followed read by Antone Minard, toasts were Neville’s nephews Kristian and Nicolas by a few final words from Jane Byrne. given to Canada by Christine Hunter, Koschany gave very eloquent testimo- After the service, refreshments were to Wales by Eifion Williams, and to St. nials of their love and respect for their David by John Cann. served in the Red Dragon and an open uncle. mike was provided for Neville’s many The soloist was Sarah Henderson, ac- Neville’s favourite Welsh song was friends to share stories of times spent companied by Nina Horvath. The Unwaith Eto’n Nghymru Annwyl, with Neville and Kathy. evening, as is customary, ended with which describes an expat’s visit to his The stories bore witness to the impact community singing with accompanist home in Wales. Ray Batton. Neville had on the lives of all those who His favourite rendition of the song was knew him and how much he will be Paul Lievesley, vice-president of the given by John Owen who travelled from missed. PAGE 10 www.celtic-connection.com MARCH/APRIL 2017 Challenging times continue for Scotland’s libraries despite exaggerated claims of the demise of the book

DINBURGH – My first job af- ter immigrat- e ing to Canada was as a peripatetic librar- By HARRY ian in the Burnaby Public McGRATH Library system. Duties included manning the informa- tion desk and checking the washroom in case the guy who entered it half an hour earlier had passed out or passed away. The librarian who appointed me was a relaxed individual, fond of telling sto- ries about library provision in other parts of British Columbia where books were delivered by boat in the Gulf Islands or across frozen tundra in the north of the province. The eclectic nature of library work is much in evidence in a recently published PHOTO: City of Vancouver Archives book called Voices of Scottish Librar- THE Carnegie Building in Vancouver opened as the Carnegie Reading Room in 1903 and it ians. became the city’s first public library after a $50,000 donation from Scottish-American philan- It is a collection of interviews with re- thropist Andrew Carnegie. tired folk, the majority of them public librarians from working class back- Fisher, however, also has some inter- fession. He sees library “managers” are rapidly changing or disappearing, or grounds. They were conducted from esting things to say about the Mitchell’s with business degrees but no qualifica- that the volume that preceded this one 1996 to 2002 under the auspices of the hiring practices. tions in librarianship and he worries that featured journalists. librarians are not properly trained in Scottish Working People’s History They wouldn’t “take” women librarians However, these interviews demonstrate Trust. modern methods of storing and dissemi- in the Mitchell and the women who nating information. that librarianship has faced serious chal- It is not clear why it has taken so long worked in clerical positions had a sepa- lenges in the past and has already had to publish the interviews, but they are rate staffroom “about the size of a scul- At the same time, he is seduced by a to prove its worth in a variety of ways. lery.” new technology which can provide 16 now informed by developments in librar- Where Vancouverites once looked to a ianship since they were first conducted. pages of information on a hotel in Paris He also says that the Mitchell had a before he arrives at it. Scot for their library, Scottish librarians The implications that modern technol- proscription on Catholics: “Roman could now look to Vancouver for inspi- ogy would have for libraries were just Catholics were excluded. I should im- “Librarians,” he concludes rather ration. agine that they would look at the name glumly, “act as a gateway so that the beginning to dawn on some of the sub- The VPL at Library Square, which is jects. of your school and if you came from readers can make their way through to St. Philomena’s or St. Augustine’s you information. What if the readers don’t regularly voted one of the best and most They are also published against a back- kicked wi’ the left foot ... Do you know need the gateway? What if the readers beautiful libraries in the world, is only 22-years-old. drop of cuts in library budgets and the how many Catholics were in the can ask a computer?” news that library staff working in Scot- Mitchell? Three.” It may not be of much comfort to li- It is also comforting to note that the land’s high schools has dropped by a demise of the book, so widely predicted third. Fisher, like several of the interviewees, brarians that the Trust that made these is concerned about the future of his pro- recordings focuses on professions that when these interviews were first re- It was not always thus. In fact, librar- corded, has not yet come to pass. ies have a long and storied history in Scotland. PHOTO: U.S. Library of Congress ANDREW CARNEGIE [Novem- From the establishment of Innerpeffray ber 25, 1835 – August 11, Library in Perthshire in the 17th Cen- 1919] was a Scottish American RNLI scramble to sinking tury, to the Public Libraries (Scotland) industrialist who led the expan- Act of 1853, to Andrew Carnegie fund- sion of the American steel in- ing a library in his home town of Dun- fermline in 1883, Scotland is rightly dustry in the late 19th Century. fishing boat off Shetland proud of its support for universal ac- He built a leadership role as a LERWICK – Five fishermen have him making that decision they got off cess to books and reading. philanthropist for the United been rescued from the water after their and it sank, so it was a good call by the States and the British Empire. trawler sank in bad weather off Scot- skipper. Scottish-American Carnegie believed During the last 18 years of his that “a library outranks any other one land’s Shetland Islands on March 3. “The rescue was made much easier life, he gave away to charities, thing a community can do to benefit its The crew called for help when the because the Ocean Way’s crew were people.” foundations, and universities Lerwick-registered vessel Ocean Way all wearing the correct safety equipment about $350 million (in 2015 began taking on water at 6:50 AM. and had undergone safety training. It This eventually inspired him to estab- share of GDP, $78.6 billion) – was a good outcome even though the lish 2,509 libraries around the globe. almost 90 percent of his for- Lerwick Royal National Lifeboat In- vessel was lost, all the crew were un- One of these was in Vancouver where FIVE FISHERMEN were res- tune. stitution (RNLI) lifeboat and the Coast- harmed. the council requested C$50,000 from the guard search and rescue helicopter cued from the water after their industrialist to establish the Carnegie from Sumburgh both went to the scene. trawler sank in bad weather off “The lifeboat crew performed very well, Public Library at Main and Hastings body who was knocking around...but if especially the two men who were in the Two lifeboat crew, one of whom works Scotland’s Shetland Islands on (now the Carnegie Community Centre). there was any query or somebody March 3. water with the fishermen.” wantin’ help or advice we [the profes- on the Ocean Way, were transferred Back in Scotland, many of the people The fishermen were checked over by sional staff] were whistled through.” to the trawler with a salvage pump, They were picked up by the lifeboat, interviewed in the book worked in li- ambulance crew in Lerwick but did not while Norwegian fish carrier the Gerda crewed by eight volunteers, and taken brary systems for close to half a cen- The interviews blend amusing anecdote need medical treatment. Saele had already put a pump on back to Lerwick. tury in an era when books and other and serious social history. Joe Fisher board. Mark Rodaway, commander for the UK printed materials were still the undis- spent most his career in the Mitchell The trawler crew were all wearing life Coastguard, said in a statement, “This puted foci. Library in Glasgow, one of Europe’s The helicopter began winching a third jackets and had an Emergency Posi- was a difficult rescue in awful weather. largest lending libraries. pump on board, however Ocean Way’s tion Indicating Radio Beacon on board Andrew Fraser’s job as an assistant li- In the sea conditions, the lifeboat had a skipper decided to abandon ship when the vessel which went off, pinpointing brarian in Midlothian, for instance, in- He recalls the book hoist which trans- difficult time trying to safely get along- it became apparent that the vessel was their position. cluded dropping books off at schools in ported slips with book requests to the beyond saving. side the fishing vessel which subse- the Scottish Borders from the back of upper floors on a rope and pulley with Rescuers praised them for having the quently sunk. a flatbed truck. the books lowered by the same method. Due to the sea conditions, it was too correct equipment. dangerous to take the lifeboat along- “But I’m delighted to say that all five His description of the provision of in- Occasionally they arrived at the ground side, so the five crew and two RNLI Lifeboat coxswain Alan Tarby said, fishermen are safe and well and the fact formation before Google is one for the floor accompanied by the false teeth of volunteers jumped into the water min- “While the third pump was being that they were all wearing life jackets ages: “The books at the lending section the “old lad” who manned the first floor utes before the trawler sank at 8:20 winched on board the skipper decided ensured that they had the best chance in Headquarters were issued by any- stack. AM. to abandon ship and within minutes of of survival.” MARCH/APRIL 2017 www.celtic-connection.com PAGE 11 Robson Square to resound with ‘Salute to Scotland’ in Vancouver VANCOUVER – The sound of the massed pipe bands, the intricate steps of Highland dancers and stirring songs of Scotland; find all of these at the ‘Salute to Scotland’ dur- ing the 2017 Vancouver Celtic Festival in downtown Van- couver on the Saturday of St. Patrick’s Day weekend. “When many people think Celtic, they think Ireland,” says Mike Chisholm, chair of the BC High- land Games & Scottish Festival. VANCOUVER POLICE Pipe Band and the RCMP E Division Pipe Band at Robson Square on Saturday, March 18. “But there’s a lot more to Celtic cul- ture. That’s why we teamed up with the Vancouver Celtic Fest this year to promote our biggest event of the year, the BC Highland Games & Scottish Festival in June. “And what better way to do that than to fill the downtown core with B.C.’s best Scottish musicians and dancers.” Three major pipe bands from the Van- couver area will perform in Robson Square outside the Vancouver Art Gal- lery on Saturday afternoon March 18. The Robert Malcolm Memorial Pipe Band from the SFU Pipe Band organi- zation begins the salute at 1 PM, showcasing some of the best young pip- ers and drummers from the region. THE RCMP E Division Pipe Band in Beijing China. This consistent winner in competitions around the Pacific Northwest is a key about our growing Highland games and And this year, getting to “the Games at element of the strong piping and drum- festival.” the End of the Train” will be easier than ming presence in B.C. ever. The new Evergreen Line is now Tickets for the June 17, 2017 BC High- Vancouver’s official pipe band, the Van- open so leave your vehicle behind and land Games & Scottish Festival will be take Skytrain to the Lafarge Lake- couver Police Pipe Band, will also available at ‘Salute to Scotland’, along march into the square to deliver their Douglas station in Coquitlam, steps with Games t-shirts and other merchan- away from Percy Perry Stadium. rousing music from decades of perform- dise. ing all over the world, including last year’s Royal Edinburgh Military Tattoo and the changing of the guard at Buck- ingham Palace in 2014. The world’s oldest, continuous serving RSCDS presents police pipe band celebrates more than 100 years of providing music to the citi- zens of Vancouver and around the Luke Brady globe. Pipe Major Cal Davis and his band will be a highlight of the afternoon, filling direct from Scotland Robson Square with the soul-tingling VANCOUVER – Every spring sounds of the pipes and drums. the Vancouver branch of the Kilted dancers from the renowned Royal Scottish Country Dance Heather Jolley Highland Dance School and the Stave Falls Highland Dancers Society organizes a Heather Ball will also be on hand for jigs and reels; and invites a special overseas strathspeys and lilts, along with some band to play. Scottish country dancing involving the audience. This year Luke Brady and his band And BC Highland Games 2016 per- will come from Dundee, Scotland. former Sarah Ann Chisholm and friends The lively sound of these young musi- will inspire you with songs from “the cians can also be enjoyed by all lovers old country.” of Scottish music at a concert on Sun- The final band performance will be the day, March 19. RCMP E. Division Pipe Band (BC). Grandson of an accordion band leader, Based in Surrey, this band is composed Luke grew up with Scottish music and of former competitive pipers and drum- his versatility has made him popular mers from B.C. along with current and throughout the UK and beyond. retired members of the RCMP and ci- His concert will reflect his life and trav- LUKE BRADY and his band vilians. els as a musician and honour those who from Dundee, Scotland will Hosted by CKPM radio announcer Rod have inspired him. perform at this year’s annual MacBeth, the afternoon ‘Salute to Scot- His exciting Scottish tunes and range Heather Ball hosted by the Van- land’ ends with a rousing massed pipes of musical styles are sure to please the couver Branch of the Royal and drum performance that is sure to audience, and you will enjoy an after- Scottish Country Dance Soci- raise the roof off buildings in the down- noon well spent, with tunes ringing in ety. town. your ears long after you’ve left the con- “Everyone will know that the Scots are cert hall! in the square,” says Chisholm. “It will Holy Trinity Anglican Church, 1440 Tickets $20 from www.rscds be a great afternoon that costs nothing West 12th Avenue, Vancouver at 3 PM vancouver.org/calendar.events or at the to enjoy and delivers a great message on Sunday, March 19. door while available. PAGE 12 www.celtic-connection.com MARCH/APRIL 2017 Scotland’s Magdalene Asylums for ‘fallen women’

DINBURGH – They were refuges for “fallen women” of Scotland in the 18th and 19th Century with prostitutes, sin- E gle mothers and even socialists admit- ted to the Magdalene Asylums to be “trained by the habits of industry and sobriety.” At their height the Magdalene Asylums, which were run around the world, had 20 ref- uges in Scotland. The first, in Edinburgh, opened in 1797 with the Glasgow branch opening 15 years later given ris- ing concerns about vice, venereal diseases and the moral health of the country. In the capital, the charitable organisa- tion, funded by church collections and private donations, opened in the Canongate in the Old Town, a popular location for street prostitutes. PHOTO: Wikimedia Originally a half-way-house for women MAGDALENE ASYLUMS were run to distil habits of “industry and sobriety” in “fallen women” in PHOTO: Creative Commons coming out of prison, it officially became Scotland. a refuge for women wanting to leave THE MAGDALENE Asylum opened on Canongate in 1797. prostitution with a good dose of Chris- deal with court appearance of women at the Magdalene Institute by parents ent to the Scottish system. tian teaching helping its residents to re- who refused to be checked for vene- or probation officers until 1958. A scandal broke in 1993 after a mass pent their ways. real diseases by policemen. A chaplain and two superintendents In September that year, the Glasgow grave containing 155 corpses was found Playwright Morna Burdon researched gave daily religious instruction in the The secretive Lock Hospital was also Herald reported women escaping from in the convent grounds of one of the the Edinburgh Magdalene Asylum ahead “neat, clean and commodious house. set up in Rottenrow Lane in 1805 to the Institute, alleging ill treatment. laundries in Dublin. of a show on women’s resistance The women are comfortably maintained, treat women with venereal disease. staged at Dundee’s Verdant Works. decently cloathed (out of part of their The matter was looked into by the Sec- A formal state apology was issued in Meanwhile, the Magdalene Institute retary of State for Scotland and the in- 2013 and a £50 million compensation Burdon said, “The asylum was about own earnings) and have good beds,” the report said. took women who were free from syphi- stitution was closed shortly after. scheme for survivors of abuse was set the great and the good trying at some lis, not pregnant, to be newly ‘fallen’ up. level to help people they considered to In Glasgow, the Magdalene Asylum and willing to submit to discipline. In Ireland, the Magdalene Asylums, or be fallen women. evolved into the Magdalene Institution Magdalene Laundries, were usually run [Read more about the Magdalene In Glasgow, wayward girls were placed by Roman Catholic orders and differ- Laundries in Ireland on page 26] “Quite often these women were just with a new Glasgow System created to young girls and teenagers who didn’t have anyone to look after them. “Some of them were brought to the city by industrialisation, some from the High- lands, sometimes pregnant and some- times forced into prostitution. “The idea was somehow to cleanse these women and rehabilitate them . But it wasn’t really about rehabilitating them from their suffering, it was much IRISH LANGUAGE ACT A NECESSITY, more about moral cleansing.” In the early 1800s, there were around 200 brothels in Edinburgh with Dr. SAYS COUNCIL OF EUROPE William Tait, who took over the Magdalene Asylum in 1842 and moved An Irish language act in North- "The apparent gridlock in the Irish proach to minority issues, because they used as an excuse "to set aside politi- it to then leafy Dalry, publishing an ac- ern Ireland is a necessity that is power-sharing arrangement has pre- could not agree on a submission. cally contentious issues, such as legis- count on prostitution in the city. vented adoption of the Irish language lating on the Irish language, and to jus- being prevented by "sectarian bill," it says. "This is the consequence of the lack of tify a 'do nothing' attitude." He described three classes of brothels: politics," says a human rights agreement on minority and human- "The lack of progress on language rights rights related issues between the two It also accuses the executive of not the first for noblemen, merchants and body. military officers; the second for busi- of persons belonging to a national mi- largest parties of the executive," says doing enough to cater for the needs of nessmen, clerks and theologians; and A new Council of Europe (CoE) report nority is emblematic of a wider prac- the report. ethnic minorities. tice of sectarian-driven policy making the third for soldiers, sailors and coun- is critical of how Stormont promotes the Instead, the report is based on infor- "While the number of other, numerically try folk. Irish language. that appears to dominate the political process." mation from the UK Government and smaller minorities has increased over Most of the women working in brothels The report also calls for the govern- a range of non-governmental organisa- the last decade in Northern Ireland, the were just teenagers and some were as ment to encourage the Executive to in- As a result, the report calls the Irish tions. executive has not been addressing the young as nine or 10, Dr. Tait found. troduce language legislation. language a "hostage of sectarianism." rights of these newcomers," says the However the CoE also questions the report. The Magdalene Asylum was “a sharply The council is a human rights organisa- The DUP's Nelson McCausland said UK government's role in facilitating lan- segregated place,” according to Scot- tion founded in 1949 with 47 member there must be "equality" over language guage legislation, saying opposition from It calls for stronger racial equality rights Pep, a sex worker’s rights organisation states. issues. unionists could "be bypassed if the UK and legislation, and criticises the authori- based in Edinburgh, with prostitutes kept government used its parallel legislative ties for failing to collect accurate data Sinn Féin MLA Carál Ní Chuilín said "This report covers both Ulster Scots competence." about ethnic minorities including trav- away from those women of a “better and Irish language but a lot of the fo- order.” the report highlighted the British Gov- ellers, gypsies and Roma. ernment's shortcomings on issues of cus as been on one part of the report It subsequently calls on the "UK Gov- Women were kept in solitary confine- legislation, strategy and provision after and the other part has been almost com- ernment to help create the political con- The council's framework convention for ment for the first three months “to eradi- it had committed to bring forward an pletely ignored," he said. sensus needed for the adoption" of an the protection of national minorities was cate the taint of moral contagion.” Irish Language Act. Irish language act. signed by the UK in 1995 and sets out "We have a number of different politi- a number of principals to be respected A report by William Lothian, a clerk to "If the current political talks are to have cal and cultural perspectives. If North- The council is also critical of the failure by states to protect minorities. the Edinburgh Magdalene Asylum, to any value then agreements need to be ern Ireland is to work, all of them need to introduce a strategy for Ulster-Scots the Lord Provost of Edinburgh in 1819, implemented," she said. to be respected and unfortunately, I language, heritage and culture. But the CoE cannot force the UK Gov- would suggest, people in the unionist ernment or the Northern Ireland Execu- details how around 40 women would Additionally, the CoE report criticises be resident there at any one time. No information from Executive community feel they are being treated tive to implement its recommendations. as second class citizens." aspects of the executive's 'Together Its operation was also supported by the The criticism is contained in the CoE's Building a United Community' (TBUC) That has previously led some critics to payment for work done at the asylum, fourth report on how the UK is com- The Executive failed to provide the strategy. accuse the council of being a talking such as laundry and sewing. plying with its convention for the pro- council with information on their ap- shop with little power, other than diplo- tection of national minorities. It says that "good relations" could be matic pressure. MARCH/APRIL 2017 www.celtic-connection.com PAGE 13 NI Assembly Election: DUP finish Stormont Talks just one seat ahead of Sinn Féin Underway in Belfast BELFAST – Ireland’s Minister of that he wanted to see a solution as soon Turnout to vote was the highest since Foreign Affairs has warned talks as possible. to restore Stormont's institutions The secretary of state said he wel- the 1998 Good Friday Agreement were operating under a "tight time comed the £120 million funding for frame." Northern Ireland announced in the BELFAST – The Democratic The election – the second in 10 months budget, adding that this "underlines the Charlie Flanagan met NI Secretary need for an executive to be in place in Unionist Party (DUP) has been – was called after the collapse of a James Brokenshire and also talked to coalition led by Arlene Foster’s DUP order to take that work forward." narrowly returned as the biggest some of the parties at Stormont on and Sinn Féin’s Martin McGuinness. March 8. Speaking after meeting Sinn Féin, DUP party but Sinn Féin was the big- leader Arlene Foster said more meet- McGuinness resigned over Foster’s re- Talks are being held to restore the gest winner in the Northern Ire- fusal to step aside as first minister pend- ings were planned. “The dialogue con- power-sharing executive, but parties tinues in a very good nature, I think land Assembly election. ing an inquiry into the Renewable Heat have just three weeks to reach a deal. Incentive (RHI) scheme, which could that's positive and obviously the focus The party has come within a seat cost the Northern Ireland tax payer Flanagan said, "I detect a willingness is on getting devolution up and running of drawing level with the DUP, COUNTING gets underway at £490 million. on the part of all parties involved to sit again and as quickly as possible,” she which came into the election with the Titanic Exhibition centre in down and engage constructively in what said. Belfast for Belfast East, Bel- Under Northern Ireland’s power-shar- 10 more seats. is a challenge.” But, he said, “with The parties described their two days of fast North, Belfast South and ing agreement, the government must be Brexit around the corner there is an There were a number of electoral sur- run by Irish nationalists and unionists talking as business-like, but said there Belfast West constituencies on urgent need for an effective executive was no sign they were close to resolv- prises – the most dramatic was the an- together. to be in place.” nouncement by Ulster Unionist (UUP) Friday, March 3. ing the big stumbling block - Sinn Féin's leader Mike Nesbitt that he was to re- The largest unionist and nationalist par- Brokenshire, who arrived in Belfast af- refusal to work with Arlene Foster as “Some day Northern Ireland will vote sign after his party failed to increase its ties after the election will have three ter having heard the chancellor deliver first minister while her role in a botched as a normal democracy,” he said. “We share of the vote. weeks to form a power-sharing gov- his budget in London, said there was a renewable energy scheme is being in- will vote in a post-sectarian election, but ernment to avoid devolved power re- sense of urgency to the talks, adding vestigated. Sinn Féin and the DUP have three it’s now clear it will not happen during turning to the British parliament at weeks to establish a government. the duration of my political career.” Westminster for the first time in a dec- ade. A total of 64.8 percent of the elector- While Nesbitt held his Assembly seat, ate voted – up 10 points on last year’s other high-profile MLAs were not so A total of 1,254,709 people were eligi- Serious concerns assembly election. lucky. ble to vote for 228 candidates compet- ing for 90 seats in 18 constituencies. Former first minister and DUP leader The SDLP’s Alex Attwood, the UUP’s as McGuinness Arlene Foster, Sinn Féin’s northern Danny Kennedy, and the DUP’s Nel- The final Northern Ireland-wide total leader Michelle O’Neill, Alliance Party son McCausland and Lord Morrow of first-preference votes – the core leader Naomi Long and Social Demo- were four former executive ministers measure of party popularity – showed hospitalised cratic and Labour party (SDLP) leader who failed to secure a return to a the Democratic Unionists narrowly on after resigning as deputy first minis- Colum Eastwood are among those Stormont legislature that is being cut top with 28.1 percent, down one point ter. elected. from 108 to 90 members. from the last election 10 months ago. Although Sinn Féin has declined to Mike Nesbitt won his seat at the Other casualties include the UUP’s Jo- Sinn Féin trailed with 27.9 percent, up comment on the nature of his illness, Strangford count but shortly afterwards, Anne Dobson, former DUP minister four points, the narrowest sectarian gap he is believed to be suffering from a he announced that he was to stand Jonathan Bell, who stood as an inde- in Northern Ireland electoral history. genetic condition. down as Ulster Unionist leader. pendent, and People Before Profit’s Eamon McCann who was elected as Many analysts forecast that the Demo- A report in The Irish News indicates Indicating that he will remain in posi- an MLA last May but lost his seat in cratic Unionists will stay barely ahead he was admitted to Altnagelvin Hos- tion until his successor is found, he said Foyle. of Sinn Féin in seat numbers in the 90- pital in Derry because of the severe his real regret was that Northern Ire- member Assembly when the final win- side-effects of his ongoing treatment. land’s society appeared to have The turnout for the election was the ners are declared, but it could come emerged from the election more polar- highest since the vote which followed down to unpredictable handfuls of trans- McGuinness (66) appeared particu- ised. the 1998 Good Friday Agreement. ferred votes. larly frail at the January press con- ference at which he announced his decision to resign, triggering the March 3 election. Derry factory girls’ sculpture MARTIN McGUINNESS The former IRA leader played no vis- DERRY – There are serious con- ible part in the election campaign and did not attend the count at the Foyle cerns for the health of former deputy given council lifeline Arena in Derry where his party cel- first minister Martin McGuinness as ebrated a significant success, PLANS to commemorate the it emerged following the Northern outpolling the SDLP in its heartland. Ireland election that he has spent the Derry shirt factory workers last two weeks in hospital. A Sinn Féin spokesman reiterated the with a sculpture have been party’s original view that McGuinness retired from politics in McGuinness’s health was a private thrown a lifeline after more January on health grounds, shortly matter. than 10 years of red tape. Planners had recommended that Derry City and Strabane District Council re- ject the proposal to remember the thou- sands of women who worked in the city’s bygone textile industry. On March 8, councillors rejected that recommendation and backed the art- THE women shirt factory workers were immortalized in the Phil work. Coulter song The Town I Loved So Well. Artist Louise Walsh said it made for a Derry once boasted nearly 30 shirt fac- a large steel wheel and a decorative very happy International Women’s Day. tories, one of which is the now demol- steel archway to resemble a needle ished Tille and Henderson’s. panel. “What was fantastic was the sense of people coming together, and it was so The rectangular, red brick-building, lo- Stonework would be laid on the ground fitting that it was International Wom- cated at the end of the Craigavon between the two, depicting the surface en’s Day,” said Walsh. Bridge, was thought to be the largest of a sewing machine. shirt factory in the world. “I know there is expertise in the plan- The cost of of installing the artwork was ning, but there’s also expertise in our It allowed factory girls to become the last projected to be about £150,000. working backbone of their families in a councillors’ experience and there was “I think it would have been a travesty so much expertise in our factory work- city where there were little or no jobs for men. for the city if we didn’t overturn that ers ability to pull the economy through planners’ decision,” said Sinn Féin coun- awful times. They were immortalised by the song- cillor Patricia Logue. “I got phone calls from factory work- writer Phil Coulter in The Town I Loved So Well. “I am extremely proud to be able to pro- ers yesterday, there were women cry- pose that we do overturn it for the rec- ing on the phone to me.” “In the early morning the shirt factory ognition that the women of this city have Walsh had threatened to walk away horn called women from Creggan, the contributed to the makings of this city. Moor and the Bog.” from the project because of the plan- “This has been a long time in the mak- ning delays. The factory girls’ sculpture consists of ing.” PAGE 14 www.celtic-connection.com MARCH/APRIL 2017 Dublin Coddle – Irish Sausage, Bacon, Onion and Potato Hotpot With St. Patrick’s Day on the whole. Finely chop the parsley. Boil the horizon....why not cook up a tra- water and in it dissolve the bouillon cube. ditional Irish coddle (sometimes called Dublin coddle). Grill or broil the sausages and bacon long enough to colour them. Be careful This is an Irish dish which is often made not to dry them out! Drain briefly on to use up leftovers, and therefore with- paper towels. out a specific recipe. However, it most When drained, chop the bacon into one- commonly consists of layers of roughly inch pieces. If you like, chop the sau- sliced pork sausages and rashers (thinly sages into large pieces as well (some sliced, somewhat fatty back bacon) eaten in the winter months. people prefer to leave them whole). with sliced potatoes and onions. In the days when Catholics were not Preheat the oven to 300F/150°C In a Coddle is particularly associated with allowed to eat meat on Fridays, this large flameproof heavy pot with a tight the capital of Ireland, Dublin. It was meal was often eaten on Thursdays, and lid, start layering the ingredients: onions, reputedly a favourite dish of the writ- it allowed a family to use up any re- bacon, sausages or sausage pieces, po- ers Seán O’Casey and Jonathan Swift, maining sausages or rashers. tatoes. and it appears in several references to Dublin, including the works of James Here’s a very nice recipe for St. Season each layer liberally with fresh- Joyce. Patrick’s Day dinner. Serve it with Irish ground pepper and the chopped fresh soda bread, cabbage, and green parsley. Continue until the ingredients The dish is braised in the stock produced peas...... delicious! are used up. Pour the bouillon mixture by boiling the pieces of bacon and sau- over the top. sages. Ingredients: 2 kg potatoes On the stove, bring the liquid to a boil. Some traditional recipes favour the ad- 2 large onions, peeled and sliced thickly Immediately turn the heat down and dition of a small amount of Guinness to 450 g good quality pork sausages cover the pot. (You may like to addi- the pot, but this is very rare in modern 450 g bacon, piece thick cut tionally put a layer of foil underneath versions of the recipe. 500 ml water the pot lid to help seal it.). The dish is cooked in a pot with a well- 1 ham stock cube or 1 beef or 1 chicken Put the covered pot in the oven and fitting lid in order to steam the ingredi- stock cube, if ham stock isn’t available cook for at least three hours (four or ents left uncovered by the broth. The 3-4 tablespoons fresh parsley, chopped five hours won’t hurt it). only seasonings are usually salt, pep- salt (to season) per, and occasionally parsley. coarse-ground pepper (to season) At the two-hour point, check the pot Directions: and add more water if necessary. There Coddle could be considered Irish com- should be about an inch of liquid at the fort food, and it is inexpensive, easy to Peel the potatoes. Cut large ones into bottom of the pot at all times. prepare and quick to cook. It is often three or four pieces: leave smaller ones MARCH/APRIL 2017 www.celtic-connection.com PAGE 15

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Page 4 Page 4 MARCH/APRIL 2017 www.celtic-connection.com PAGE 19 An Experience to Last a Lifetime: Three months at the Dublin PagePage 5 Cookery School Page 5

By TARA LEITCH

AVE you ever dreamt of packing your bags and jet- H ting off to Ireland for a few months, leaving all your worries be- hind and experiencing a dream come true? I did. And it was amazing. My dream, or rather my pipe dream as I first thought it was, was to attend cooking school in Ireland. The Dublin Cookery School, owned and run by the very talented chef, Lynda Booth, advertised a three month inten- sive certificate course. I spent years, literally, drooling over the website and reading everything I could about it. Never thinking I would ever actually be able to go. And then, my circumstances changed and I made it work. It was a financial challenge for sure, but one I thought would be worth it. We cannot after all take our money when we leave this life for the next. I had come to view life and the pursuit of our dreams as a very important thing to do, if at all possible. The last five years of my life had been a challenge with the loss of both of my parents, loss of my job, relationship trou- bles and my own cancer diagnosis. If it weren’t the time to live life to its fullest, when would it be? So, I took the leap. I financed the money, I paid my way, Skills that I continue to use in my daily at least while I was at the school. I set up lodging with my favourite auntie life and bring with me into the work I would just see what happened. And in Dublin and boarded the plane. I was now do in product development and in nothing did. I felt great! nervous! helping people find that delicious bal- Turns out, it all came down to what we What if it wasn’t what I’d dreamed it ance between eating healthy and truly enjoying food. add to our North American flour to would be? What if I didn’t like it or if make it produce breads and pastas more the people were unpleasant? It was a fantastic discovery for myself quickly. What a shame. I pushed all of those thoughts aside and that I could, at least while in Ireland, enjoy bread and pasta again. So many people are suffering now and became determined that the next three it predominantly comes down to addi- months were going to be fantastic. And Being told I was gluten intolerant fol- tives. do you know what? They were. lowing my cancer diagnosis, I thought I was done with real bread forever. Thank you Lynda, and everyone at the I’m home now, back in Ontario and not Dublin Cookery School and all of my a day goes by that I don’t think about I love bread! I didn’t want to give it up. family and new friends for helping to the wonderful experience I had at the make my three months an experience Dublin Cookery School and all of the So, I decided I wouldn’t give it up, not to last a lifetime. wonderful people I met of all ages and from all over the world many of whom I hope to remain friends with and see A PRAYER ON ST. PATRICK’S DAY again soon. One of the most powerful prayers attributed to St. Patrick is The Deer’s Most of all and best of all was the food Cry, also known as The Breastplate of St. Patrick and The Lorica. I learned to make and the time I was The following is an abbreviation of that prayer: Christ with me, Christ before able to spend with my aunt and cousins me, Christ behind me, Christ in me, Christ beneath me, Christ above me, in Ireland. Christ on my right, Christ on my left, Christ in breadth, Christ in length, I can’t express how wonderful it was Christ in height, Christ in the heart of every man who thinks of me, Christ in to wake up each day and make my way the mouth of every man who speaks of me, Christ in every eye that sees me, to the school, to set-up my cooking area with my partner for the day and to get Christ in every ear that hears me. to work on preparing some of the best foods I have ever tasted; and I had made it! The school is clean, sleek and modern. It felt like arriving home each day and instead of feeling like work, I felt like I was just taking on a new adventure, one that I always looked forward to. I learned so many new recipes and ways of doing things in the kitchen to improve upon taste, quality, time, tech- nique and aesthetics. PAGE 20 www.celtic-connection.com MARCH/APRIL 2017 Irish PM under pressure to name date for departure following crisis in handling police corruption allegation Page 6 DUBLIN – Amid criticism Superintendant David Taylor, a former give him space to attend the traditional chief of the police press office, has St. Patrick’s Day celebrations in the over his handling of allega- claimed the existence of a smear cam- White House. tions of corruption in polic- paign against McCabe was widely Voters last went to the polls February ing and after almost six years known within the force and by his su- periors, including O’Sullivan. O’Sullivan 2016 but had to endure two months of as taoiseach, speculation is has vigorously denied the allegations. painstaking negotiations for a minority government to be agreed. mounting that Enda Kenny’s The campaign was allegedly orches- days at the helm of a fragile trated by senior officers, and included The coalition only took power thanks to a handful of independents, three of and minority coalition govern- the compiling of an unfounded and false report of child sex abuse against whom got cabinet seats, and the sup- ment are numbered McCabe. port of Fine Gael’s traditional rivals in Fianna Fail. He is coming under deepening His minority coalition government has pressure from within his own ranks been forced to launch a public tribunal First elected to the Dail in 1975, Kenny into the treatment of McCabe by sen- has been leader of the centre right Fine to name the date when he will Gael party since 2002. stand down. TAOISEACH ENDA KENNY MAURICE MCCABE ior gardai. The leadership issue reared its head at After years languishing in the opposi- One of the favourites to replace him, In 2013 McCabe’s name mistakenly Kenny told the Daíl the allegations tion benches he led colleagues to a land- a Fine Gael parliamentary party meet- Social Protection Minister Leo appeared on a state-sponsored child against McCabe were “appalling” and mark general election success in 2011 protection agency website. he apologised for the hurt caused to him ing last month as the taoiseach faced Varadkar. Another of the frontrunners down a motion of no confidence in the when Fianna Fail was decimated at the and his wife. ballot box for their stewardship of the to replace him is Simon Coveney, The ensuing controversy shook the Fine government. Housing Minister, while rising star Gael-led coalition and almost precipi- The crisis of confidence in policing and country as it descended into bankruptcy. Focus will now switch to whether Simon Harris, the Health Minister, has tated a general election, as further the justice system has also put the po- But while Kenny declared a “demo- claims of smear tactics against the po- sition of the police chief, Nóirín Kenny is willing to set a date for his also been named in some circles as a departure and whether colleagues will cratic revolution” six years ago, he failed potential candidate. lice officer emerged. O’Sullivan, in doubt. to sustain the electoral momentum. Kenny had already committed to step- ping down as leader of his Fine Gael party ahead of the next election. His supporters and colleagues will now Undocumented Irish in U.S. Face be looking for a candidate to fill his size- able reputation on the European stage as Brexit looms and Ireland needs someone at the helm of government to a Fraught St. Patrick’s Season keep issues affecting relations with Britain, such as the border, customs, By RAY O’HANLON trade and travel, front and centre throughout negotiations. NEW YORK – Trade and Finance Minister Michael Noonan ech- Brexit will be top of oed that sentiment. He said another Taoiseach Enda Kenny’s election was closer but added that Kenny has a “skill set that is very valu- agenda when he visits the U.S. able for the country.” for St. Patrick’s Day celebra- The move against the taoiseach was tions. sparked when he was forced to cor- rect responses over what he knew and The undocumented Irish, and when about a smear campaign against what they now face, will be the garda whistleblower Sergeant Maurice elephant in the room regardless McCabe. of whatever else is being dis- The policing controversy centres on cussed. unfounded allegations made against McCabe and claims that he was And that includes the East Room of the smeared by senior figures in govern- White House where, if ceremony and ment. form is repeated, the taoiseach who is likely heading out of office will present McCabe raised serious charges of cor- a bowl of shamrock to the American ruption, namely that officers failed to president who has just taken office. prosecute influential people charged with offences including traffic violations. That ceremony is set for Thursday, March 16 as Kenny is planning to be in McCabe’s allegations suggested that New York on St. Patrick’s Day itself. “friends in high places” in the Republic were being “let off” traffic offences. Kenny has raised the matter of the un- documented Irish more than once on PHOTO: Chuck Kennedy/White House The 55-year-old said he and his wife his visits to the United States. TAOISEACH Enda Kenny and President Barack Obama in the White House on St. Patrick’s had been subjected to a “long and sus- tained campaign to destroy our charac- He raised it most recently in post-elec- Day, 2015. ters” for raising allegations of secrecy tion phone conversations with both and corruption within the force. Donald Trump and Mike Pence. And as the Department of Homeland of a crime (that is, still presumed “inno- rather like the birds, was feeling ener- Security put it, “Department personnel cent”) or have done something that gized by the arrival of spring. Three years ago the former Irish Jus- And he will doubtless raise the issue have full authority to arrest or appre- makes an immigration agent believe that tice Minister Alan Shatter resigned af- again during his St. Patrick’s week stay. hend an alien whom an immigration of- they might possibly face charges.” By coincidence, or maybe not, the INS decided to mount a series of raids in ter the preliminary state commissioned But this time with an even darker cloud ficer has probable cause to believe is in Guerin report found that both the gov- violation of the immigration laws.” March is typically designated Irish Her- Boston and New Hampshire that coin- hanging over the prospects of an un- itage Month by the incumbent president. cided with the Haughey visit. ernment and the Garda had failed to documented Irish community that, by properly address McCabe’s allegations. Suffice it to say, “probable cause” will higher end estimates, could number as probably be something of an open-ended This year’s third month might be a time Agents led six young Irish women out However, a Statutory Commission of many as 50,000 souls. term under DHS’s new battle plan. for some Irish to play down that herit- of a Boston bar in handcuffs. Investigation – the O’Higgins Commis- age. St. Patrick’s Day might seem like a During his campaign, President Donald Four Irishmen were picked up on a con- sion – exonerated Shatter and found holiday to many Americans. St. Patrick’s Day in the United States struction site in New Hampshire and that at all times he had dealt “profes- Trump pledged to unleash the federal authorities on the roughly 11 million who has long been a high point in the year put on a London-bound flight in prison sionally” and “appropriately” with But it isn’t. for Irish taoisigh. garb and cuffs. McCabe’s concerns. live in the immigration shadows. And on March 17 it will be just another And his eye was cast well beyond what But all the fuss and attention can have The shamrock presented by Haughey In addition, the Irish Court of Appeal working day for U.S. Immigration and its drawbacks. to President George H.W. Bush looked the Obama administration defined as later ruled that the author of the first Customs Enforcement which, as of this a little limp that year. report into the McCabe controversy, week, has been charged with ramping “criminal aliens.” There was that St. Patrick’s Day some Sean Guerin, should have interviewed up the removal from American soil of Opined the New York Times in an edi- years ago when Taoiseach Charles Enda Kenny, one can assume, will be Shatter before reaching adverse con- undocumented and illegal persons. torial, “The targets now don’t even Haughey arrived for all the usual bally- hoping for rather better Irish luck on clusions against him and that the rules hoo and bonhomie. the big Irish day this year. As the New York Post put it, “The U.S. have to be criminals. of natural justice and fairness in the can give the boot to virtually every ille- It wasn’t Haughey’s fault that the then [Reprinted with permission treatment of him had been breached. “They could simply have been accused gal immigrant in the country.” Immigration and Naturalization Service, The Irish Echo, New York.] MARCH/APRIL 2017 www.celtic-connection.com PAGE 21 Ireland Canada Monument Project VANCOUVER Proceeds to Public Consultation GAA SEASON VANCOUVER – The Ireland Canada Monument Society is March and April 2017 delighted to announce that By TADHG EGAN • March 18 – The annual St. Patrick’s Vancouver Board of Parks VANCOUVER – Now that March is Day game of Gaelic football between and Recreation have recently upon us and even with the continuing the Vancouver Cougars Aussie Rules confirmed that the Ireland wintery conditions, focus turns to warm team and the ISSC will take place in Canada Monument project – summer days playing GAA. Van Tech field at 1 PM. The GAA scene in Vancouver contin- • March 24 - May 5 – The annual proposed for George ues to grow year by year and based on Gaelic Football Spring League as or- Wainborn Park in Vancouver early interest, 2017 will see many new ganized by the ISSC men’s Gaelic foot- – is scheduled to proceed to players grace the “GAA” fields of Van- ball team will commence with games in couver. Capilano Rugby Grounds, North Van- Public Consultation on April couver every Friday evening for 6 The principal GAA club in Vancouver weeks (weather permitting) starting at 4, 2017. is the Irish Sporting and Social Club 6:30 PM. The consultation period will extend for (ISSC). The ISSC has promoted GAA a period of three weeks at the Round- in Vancouver for over 40 years with • April 8 – The JP Ryan’s Hurling Team house Community Arts and Recreation teams in men’s Gaelic football, ladies of the ISSC are scheduled to attend the Centre in False Creek located in down- Gaelic football, hurling and camogie. Highland Games in Victoria, an event they have attended in recent years. town Vancouver’s Yaletown neighbour- The other club playing GAA are the hood and about a 500 metre walk from Fraser Valley Gaels who have a men’s The ISSC have recently launched a the actual Monument site. PHOTO: Al Harvey AERIAL PHOTO of Wainborn Park in Vancouver where the Gaelic football team and are this year fundraiser to help support its costs in During the consultation period, local launching a ladies football team. 2017, which is currently on sale proposed Ireland Canada Monument will be located. throughout March. Full details are avail- businesses, residents adjacent to the Schedule of events for March and April: park and the general public will have able at www.isscvancouver.com. the opportunity to review the proposed • March 10 – An evening with Pat Your support would be greatly appreci- design schemes for the monument hon- Spillane and Mick Galwey. This is an ated. ouring the contributions of the Irish to event organized by the ISSC and Canada during the last 500 years. CelticFest. The Monument Society is grateful to • March 13 – The ISSC men’s and New ISSC Executive the following for making this historic day ladies football teams will be playing an for the Irish in Canada possible: exhibition game for Pat Spillane and The Vancouver Irish Sporting and So- Mick Galwey in Andy Livingstone Park cial Club (ISSC) elected a new execu- • The City of Vancouver and Vancou- lived on the land known as Vancouver wainborn-park. at 7 PM. tive last month. The following are the ver Park Board for the offer of a site today since time immemorial. The society has forwarded the current new directors: at George Wainborn Park and Park • March 14 – The hurling academy for • PWL Partnership – Landscape Ar- design schemes to two local contrac- Board staff who have assisted the newcomers to camogie and hurling, as Chairman – Tadhg Egan chitects Inc., Vancouver, sincere thanks tors with much expertise in the building Monument Society since 2005 when the organized by members of the ISSC, will Treasurer – Stephen Halpin in particular to J.W. Wegburn and Anna of projects like the Ireland Canada project was inspired by the historic visit be continuing. On this evening Pat Secretary – Colin O’Flynn Babych for their efforts in assembling Monument – IRL Construction Ltd. of then President of Ireland Mary Spillane and Mick Galwey are sched- Club Development Officer the proposed design schemes and their General Contractors and Stone Age McAleese to Vancouver. uled to attend. – Ghirseach Enright assistance in coordinating matters be- Cobblestones Landscape Contractors. • Leaders of the Musqueam, Squamish tween the Vancouver Park Board and In recent weeks both firms have sub- and Tsleil-Waututh Nations who in No- the Monument Society. mitted budget cost estimates for the vember 2015 gave the monument monument. Visit the PWL website and see the de- project the green light to proceed. sign work completed by the firm. PWL For more information on the public con- The park is located within the unceded are the designers of George Wainborn sultation process, visit: http:// territories of the Musqueam, Squamish Park. See: www.pwlpartnership.com/ vancouver.ca/your-government/ and Tsleil-Waututh peoples who have our-portfolio/parks-plazas/george- publicconsultation.aspx. Canadian citizenship applications decline after processing fees triple OTTAWA – Experts say pro- Griffith’s brief points to a broader pat- tern of declining naturalization rates. hibitive cost is causing some He warns that a growing part of the immigrants to delay becom- population may not fully integrate by ing new Canadians becoming citizens due to financial or other barriers and that could lead to A sharp fee increase has helped fuel a marginalization. dramatic drop in the number of immi- “We’ve always prided ourselves where grants applying to become Canadian citi- we have a model where we don’t just zens, according to immigration advo- encourage immigration, but we encour- cates. age immigrants to become citizens so In the first nine months of 2016, there they be fully part of society. They can were 56,446 applications filed for citi- take part in political discussions, they zenship, a decrease of nearly 50 per- to a tripled price tag when the additional can vote and do all the things that are cent from the same period a year ear- $100 “right of citizenship” fee is added. part of it,” he said. lier, when 111,993 applications were Bill C-6 reverses reforms brought in by submitted. “If you’re a professional doing reason- ably well, you may not like it, but you the previous Conservative government The figures are included in a briefing pay it. It’s important to you,” Griffith and takes steps to streamline and by former Immigration and Citizenship told CBC News. strengthen the integrity of the citizen- director general Andrew Griffith pre- ship process. pared for the Senate social affairs, sci- “But if you are a struggling immigrant Those include reducing the time per- ence and technology committee, which or refugee, suddenly $630 may become manent residents have to live in Canada began hearings on Bill C-6, a law to prohibitive, and especially if you’re talk- to become eligible for citizenship, count- amend the Citizenship Act. ing about a family of four or more.” ing time for work or study in residency Griffith, an author on immigration issues Newcomers face other costs associated requirements, and reducing the lan- and fellow at the Canadian Global Af- with the citizenship process, including guage proficiency requirements for fairs Institute, calls it an “alarming” language testing, he said. He recom- younger and older immigrants. trend that can be linked directly to a mends cutting the processing fee to But the government does not appear steep increase in fees. $300, abolishing the right-of-citizenship fee, and considering a waiver for refu- prepared to reverse the fee hike brought The processing fee jumped from $100 gees and low-income immigrants. in by the Conservatives. to $530 in 2014-2015, which amounts PAGE 22 www.celtic-connection.com MARCH/APRIL 2017 CELTIC LIFE & HERITAGE FOUNDATION Preserving Irish Heritage for Future Generations By RYAN TIPPER scripted resources while students find internet which enables us to reach both themselves responding through writing a national and international audience. From the gray skies, green stories, drawing, even participating in a pastures and ancient stone staged sword fight! “The original work was not in vain though as it created the foundation and structures, I find myself ex- “All of our Education Modules are free framework for Celtic Life & Heritage ploring the vast beauty of the and our most recent actually teaches as it is today.” students to dance!” said Anne Tipper, Aran Islands in Ireland. president of the Foundation. With several free educational modules and numerous free vignettes currently ANNE TIPPER overlooking the 330’ drop of Dún Aonghasa on With the sounds of Irish music envel- Partnering with The Seattle Dance available to the public on the Founda- Inishmore of the Aran Islands. oping me in the traditional feelings of Company, the Foundation recently re- tion’s website, Celtic Life & Heritage the country’s culture, I soon look upon leased their Intro to Irish Dance Instruc- is making inroads with their mission, but the rustic coastland followed by the tional module that also includes addi- much more is planned for the future. endless horizon of the Atlantic Ocean tional activities for a presentation, a “We have so many new and exciting and can almost feel the wind upon my show, art, reading, and research. face and the smell of the sea’s spray. products to preserve Irish Heritage com- “Our modules incorporate a variety of ing in the next couple of years.” Anne As my journey ends and the music learning objectives,” said Anne. “In said, excitedly. stops, I take a moment to realize I many cases students don’t even realize wasn’t in Ireland at all, but absorbed they are learning because activities are “Between 2017 and 2018, we (the Foun- within Celtic Life and Heritage Foun- fun!” dation) are planning on expanding our dation’s website after becoming lost in education modules and vignettes. We one of the many resources available to In its first full year providing free edu- are in the process of publishing a card their visitors. cation modules to teachers and parents game and making our way to the mo- via the internet, Celtic Life & Heritage bile world with apps right on your phone. Formed in 1990 by the late Timothy Foundation education modules received Michael Johnston, the non-profit foun- over 4,000 hits nationwide. As their “Going digital has been a fantastic step in the right direction and where we will dation preserves Celtic Irish heritage for internet presence continues to grow TEAMPALL BHEANÁIN on Inishmore, Aran Islands. anyone looking to discover more about they expect that number to double this continue to focus. Digital venues al- their Irish heritage and the culture that year. low us to reach more people with a va- and expand, 2017 and beyond is look- celticlifeandheritage.org for more infor- their ancestors celebrated generation riety of resources enabling us to fulfill ing bright. For anyone of Celtic or Irish mation and access to the rich resources after generation. While 2016 has been the most expan- our mission on a much larger scale.” decent, or anyone interested in Irish Celtic Life & Heritage provides. sive and successful year for the Foun- culture, head over to www.CelticLifeandHeritage.org. Starting with educational modules and dation so far, it wasn’t always that way. As the Foundation continues to grow vignettes, the Foundation continues to expand their cost-free offerings and “When I began working with the Foun- outreach for anyone that wants to learn dation in 2013,” says Anne, “a tremen- more about this robust and depth-filled dous amount of resources and research culture. had been collected with the purpose of Hemochromatosis: Otherwise preserving ancient Irish artifacts for One example is the Bunratty Castle future generations and then continuing Module which takes students on a walk with museum exhibits. about the castle as well as involving known as The Celtic Curse them in many ways to make the learn- “The original goals were met with chal- ing fun, interactive and ultimately, edu- lenges and setbacks and made it diffi- By MARY LENNOX day, setting up the registration and all That sealed the deal for me mentally. I cational. cult to reach a larger audience. My story is summed up by the follow- the details that go with the event. I called my doctor’s office the next day ing quote: “Tis healthy to be sick some- pushed through knowing I was not quite to report the genetic possibility. Ar- Following the module’s guidelines, “Since I joined, we have been expand- times.” right. I would rest later. rangements were made for the DNA teachers convey the information from ing digitally; taking advantage of the test to be completed. I lived a busy lifestyle as a professional It took me the entire week to recover. who when asked about my health would I received guidance and valuable infor- often respond, “I am in excellent As the fall went along, I knew the flu- mation from the Canadian NOVENAS health!” like symptoms I had suffered the pre- Hemochromatosis Society through their vious winter were back. Something was Facebook page and other correspond- Novena to the Blessed (never known to fail). O most beautiful As a 59-year-old woman who had a wrong and I was going to get to the Virgin Mary flower of Mount Carmel, fruitful vine, ence, and finally got to the right tests demanding career that took a great deal bottom of it. and the right diagnosis. Novena to the Blessed Virgin Mary splendour of Heaven, Blessed Mother of energy, I was always proactive in (never known to fail). O most beautiful of the Son of God. Immaculate Virgin, my well-being. In October, I decided to book an ex- On December 18, 2012, I was given flower of Mount Carmel, fruitful vine, assist me in this my necessity. There ecutive health appointment using my the news that I have a double C282Y splendour of Heaven, Blessed Mother are none that can withstand your I was, and still am, a lifetime member company’s benefits plan to use the data of the Son of God. Immaculate Virgin, power. O show me herein you are my mutation, the gene combination that puts of Weight Watchers for the past 16 as a second opinion. me most at risk for iron overload. assist me in this my necessity. There Mother, Mary, conceived without sin, years. I exercised at least four days a are none that can withstand your pray for us who have recourse to thee week. Walking was my favourite thing. My doctor had been tackling my issues My ferritin level was 474 ng/mL. My power. O show me herein you are my (three times). Sweet Mother, I place one-by-one and was considering thy- transferrin saturation level was 80 per- Mother, Mary, conceived without sin, this cause in your hands (three times). I also began a regime of weights and roid or adrenal issues. cent. I was in the early stages of iron pray for us who have recourse to thee Holy Spirit, you who solve all resistance to fend off osteoporosis. And As part of the executive medical pro- overload. (three times). Sweet Mother, I place problems, light all roads so that I can then, I got my “inheritance.” this cause in your hands (three times). attain my goal. You gave me the gram, I received a comprehensive re- I felt terrible most days. I cannot imag- port called Preventative Health Assess- Holy Spirit, you who solve all problems, Divine gift to forgive and forget all evil The feeling of being unwell really be- ine if this diagnosis had dragged on for light all roads so that I can attain my against me. This prayer must be said gan during the fall and winter of 2011/ ment. I studied the report from cover years as is often the case. goal. You gave me the Divine gift to for three days, even after the request 12. I felt like I was constantly going to to cover and two things jumped out. get the flu. I experienced my first phlebotomy in forgive and forget all evil against me. is granted and the favour received, it 1) I now had something called Meta- This prayer must be said for three days, must be published. – SVS early February 2013. My first one did I went to my general practitioner and bolic Syndrome. 2) My ferritin levels not make me feel any better, but it was even after the request is granted and • was encouraged to track my symptoms had doubled in the past six years. the favour received, it must be Novena to St. Joseph a simple procedure. for at least a month. published. – PMK, MJD, CC, CB, Oh glorious St. Joseph, thou hast I had no clue what either meant. I went APW, L, K, L, K, S, MF, DC power to render possible even things Fast forward to 2017....after about 15 I took my temperature every day and to work researching for hours. I kept phlebotomies I reached maintenance • which are considered impossible, wrote down these vague statements – coming back to one thing: Novena to St. Anthony come to our aid in our present trouble levels. However, no real improvements fatigue; sore muscles; chest congestion; Hemochromatosis – the Celtic Curse. came for a number of months. Slowly O Holy St. Anthony, gentlest of Saints, and distress. Take this important and tender abdomen. your love for God and charity for his difficult affair under thy particular pro- “This is what I have,” I stated to my things started to improve. creatures, made you worthy, when on tection, that it may end happily. (Name Winter turned into spring and things husband. “It all fits!” Today, I can tell by my energy, brain earth, to possess miraculous powers. your request.) O dear St. Joseph, all improved. I felt like my vibrant self all My heritage matched, as both parents fog and overall well-being if it’s time to Encouraged by this thought, I implore our confidence is in thee, let it not be summer. you to obtain for me (request). O gen- said that we would invoke thee in vain were descendants of the British Isles. drop a pint. tle and loving St. Anthony, whose heart and since thou art so powerful with Fall began. On Saturday morning Sep- I was postmenopausal and the symp- If I can give a bit advice, the keys for was ever full of human sympathy, whis- Jesus and Mary, show that thy good- tember 15, I began a new exercise class toms were similar to the ones I found me were to self-educate and be your in my research. per my petition into the ears of the ness equals thy power. Amen. St. with my sister. own advocate. It’s a complicated con- sweet Infant Jesus, who loved to be Joseph, friend of the sacred heart, During the class, I felt like I was strug- I posted an article with respect to the dition and knowledge is power. folded in your arms; and the gratitude pray for us. – For favour received. gling a bit to keep up. The next day on “Celtic Curse” one day on my Facebook It truly is healthy to be sick sometimes. of my heart will ever be yours. Amen. Sunday, September 16, I woke up a bit page. – SVS My entire family has been alerted. I can sore. • Publication of this prayer My first cousin responded saying that be an advocate for this condition. Novena to the Blessed is $25 monthly But it was Terry Fox Day. Terry Fox is she was experiencing iron overload and Virgin Mary (Canadian residents And most of all, I will never take my my hero! I organize the Terry Fox Run had been doing blood donations from “excellent health” for granted! Novena to the Blessed Virgin Mary include 5% GST) in my community and was up early that time to time. MARCH/APRIL 2017 www.celtic-connection.com PAGE 23 In Memory of My Friend Fr. Boland ‘His simple presence always counselled a more polite mood’ By FR. HARRY CLARKE He came in a fancy MG car and the In the afternoon of Monday, February brothers observed an open box of 6, Father Brendan Boland concluded chocolates in the front seat. his life on Earth at the age of 92. They were about to intercept at least He was well known and loved in the two of the chocolates when his sister Kelowna area as a man of charm, wit came on the scene. and decency. She immediately saw the danger of fam- As pastor of Holy Spirit Church in ily disgrace, inter-church chaos and Rutland and as a revered member of worst of all the sin of stealing. the Irish Society he was reminiscent of She simply said: “I will say only one the Gaelic Saggart Aroon – the “dear thing: those are Protestant chocolates.” priest” – who had stood by the Irish Slowly the brothers altered their deter- when they were persecuted for their mination and withdrew with honour; faith. FR. BRENDAN BOLAND they were not going to deny the true I met him for the first time in 1976 and faith. immediately saw in him a priest of in- As he came to the end of his life, there terest to me. was no superiority in him. He came to He was born in Aughoose, a coastal be a simple priest and his finest terri- part of County Mayo in 1925 and had a tory is how we welcome mysteries and great memory of a childhood full in blessings. spontaneity. Any day in Vancouver, you could find In those days, there were no programs him in the chapel praying in early morn- for children outside school time, just ing, enjoying some students at UBC at THE view from Saint noon, blessing an Irish pub in the early wide open fields, Irish-style football, riv- Deirbhile’s Church, Co. Mayo ers, animals, the Atlantic Ocean and the evening, and gaming among the Chinese thrills of energetic, imaginative and at the horse races later on. creative comrades. Hope and zeal came through every- where and a new confident Ireland kept When he knew that in old age, life had taken its shape he particularly enjoyed At the age of 16 a vision of a fulfilling, emerging. ongoing adventure attracted him to a the school Masses, he was present as religious community founded to bring Then for 10 years, because of an easy a spectator in the great drama of chil- people into direct contact with Christ, adaptable manner, he was chosen to dren and prayer joined together. the Redeemer. His father was not im- serve the church in India; a land driven by a relentless desire for God. Those of us who knew of his trips to mediate in supporting this step. Ireland can recall that returning to his However, in early July he said to the He never had a dull day in those years home area around Belmullet always lad: “you and I are going to make the and his memory of those people and awakened in him sensations that would annual pilgrimage to climb the Reek.” places matured his appreciation for all lie dormant elsewhere. human beings. He saw there how uni- This meant ascending on foot the holy versal is the search for truth. He was another Raftery the poet re- Mountain where St. Patrick consulted turning to Mayo and singing “…and the direction of God for his work in Ire- When he was assigned to western were I to be standing in the centre of land. Canada in the mid-1960s, he took a sab- my people again age would depart from batical course in Berkeley, which I sus- me and I would be young again.” Late one Saturday, they set off by car pect gave him a thorough shaking up, He did not focus on fixing situations, as on the 60-mile journey and like 100,000 alerting him to future self-delusion pop others on that last Sunday in July ful- ups. if it was all about him, the hero, but by filled the rituals proscribed. paying attention to the person in front Soon after that, he got a rebuke from of him. He simply connected. On returning home his father gave his Mother Teresa after saying Mass in permission. All his life Fr. Boland won- West Vancouver. He had a healthy realism about the dered how his father knew that he church in its human aspect. He never needed that blessing. It was a sure sign He was feeling a bit awkward about all abandoned friends who left the priest- of how much his father honoured and the local wealth, so he said to her: hood even when new spouses did not loved him. “Mother, this is a far cry from Calcutta!” encourage his attention. She replied: “Father, God is every- The community of priests that he joined where!” He had no interest in programs, he re- fulfilled an important role in bringing lied on “grace,” what God’s love is peace to Irish parishes after the terri- That became a mantra for him, but he ready to offer each of us all the time. ble civil war years. also felt the weight of the decline in faith which goes deep into the church. To the end he loved to read Cardinal This war led to many terrible resent- Newman who always freshened his ments among neighbours and within The Irish of my vintage have had their perception of what was really impor- families. In parish missions, they also highs and lows with priests, but despite tant. all this, they are more at home in their dealt with the inferiority complex I am always more interested in the in- caused by colonialism, which forced gatherings when the priest is not miss- ing. ternal profile of a person. The central untruths from people to protect one an- event in his life was and is the call of other and there were the painful memo- This was certainly true of Fr. Boland Christ: “Come, follow me.” ries of the famine. with the Irish Society. His simple pres- Faith did not disappoint his humanity. It One of the side effects of these things ence always counselled a more polite mood. would be a false love if I was to give led some to an overindulgence in a home the impression that weakness and fail- brew called poteen. This stuff had de- He was also able to fulfil something ure was missing from his life, especially monic power to drive people crazy in James Joyce lamented about his Dub- in the trials of loneliness. the promise of comforting them. lin priests, something to the effect that His core belief helped him to persevere These priests were driven not by coun- sermons mined in utopia miss out on the fact that most are ordinary people, liv- with his “call;” that the meaning of life selling skills but by a conviction; Jesus is disclosed in our friendship with Christ. has overcome all that is destructive in ing an ordinary day with ordinary us and among us, we take Him at his thoughts and struggles. Sickness before death was the artist that word. He had such high regard for human gave the final touches to meet the one experiences that many times, he just to whom he gave his life at the age of Their tough style used strong sermons, 16. pledges and confessions demanding self talked in stories that always favoured renewal, the renewal of the person, the high drama of human life. His life proclaimed the honour it is to which God will perform as the central When one of his sisters died, he told be a simple priest, never looking down work of a Christian community. me that she often averted grief when on anyone as if he was a superman, but rather letting his own weaknesses be a Fr. Boland was part of this outreach for he and his brother were wild young boys. way of being close to others in their three years, from 1951 to 1953. It was weaknesses. at one of these missions that the young On one occasion, the Church of Ire- Boland himself experienced a light to land minister came to see his dad, who His only claim to success on leaving this guide his soul. was the local school principal. world is that Jesus is his friend PAGE 24 www.celtic-connection.com MARCH/APRIL 2017 A sanctuary of healing and recovery for people struggling with substance abuse

choice was Lysol. Then in 1993, at the By MAURA DE FREITAS height of the AIDS crisis, she arrived in Vancouver to work at St. Andrews- UCKED Wesley. The church is located right next door to away amid St. Paul’s Hospital which became the serenity ground zero for treatment of those af- flicted with the disease. of Bowen Is- Shelagh remarked on the healing atmos- T phere on Bowen Island where she was land is a sanctuary of heal- ing and recovery for peo- drawn to the peace and tranquillity. It was a huge change from the chaos ple struggling with sub- of constant sirens and traffic of down- stance abuse. town Vancouver. Here, she has found a great deal of spiritual inspiration in The Orchard Recovery Center Celtic mythology. is a world-class private resi- Several years ago she started the Green dential treatment facility es- Man Festival in the month of May. tablished in 2002 by co- She said, “the biggest Green Man cel- ebration is held in Wales and it’s evolved founder Lorinda Strang. to include Reggae and other cultural Surrounded by rain forests and lush influences, but we’re not there yet.” green fields, with a majestic view that According to Shelagh this is quintessen- oversees the Island’s mountains, it fea- THE ORCHARD RECOVERY CENTER is a world-class private residential treatment facility tial Bowen and it’s one of those prac- tures private and shared rooms, a highly established in 2002 by co-founder Lorinda Strang (second from right). tices that she can use in speaking about qualified primary care team, and com- spirituality with clients at the Orchard. fortable areas for clients to work on Many are involved in deep searching, their recovery steps. facing trauma in their lives, and nature is a way to help ease the pain. Recently, Catholine and I took the ferry from Horseshoe Bay in West Vancou- “The Green Man to me is an example ver to Snug Cove on Bowen Island to of walking two paths. I feel a bit like visit the Orchard and learn more about St. Columba who spent many years the treatment options available there. working on the Island of Iona in Scot- land. I try to find ways to have conver- I contemplated how many people whose sations with people to introduce other lives and families have been torn apart realities.” by addiction have made this journey filled with desperation and fear. It It’s about re-connecting with core iden- seemed a symbolic crossing from tur- tity and finding ways to discover a moil and despair to one of hope and a Higher Power – some of which involves new beginning. SUSIE NEWMAN SHELAGH MacKINNON JOANNA JOURNET little pilgrimages for people who feel really battered by life. Upon arrival we learned it was intake day, and it was clearly an emotional “We’ll take them for a walk to visit Opa experience for both clients and their “I really think that Celtic spirituality is going to be a bigger our 1,000-year-old tree here on the is- families – many with tears in their eyes. land,” said Shelagh. “I just trust the energy of that tree....that living thou- We were met by communication direc- resource in the Twenty-First Century than many people sand year old, been through it all, and tor Cassandra Steiner who introduced still growing tree. us to some of the wonderful and caring realize yet.”— Rev. Shelagh MacKinnon people working at the treatment cen- “I’ve had people come back to me and tre. say ‘I used Opa as my Higher Power to get the Alcoholics Anonymous 12- “One of my favourite Irish quotes is ‘Tír zation within that knows why they’re for my first year’.” Shelagh MacKinnon, the spiritual direc- step program, and there are meetings gan teanga, tír gan anam’, meaning here, and that they have a tor who has a strong Scottish back- at every hour of the day throughout the ‘a country without a language is a coun- choice.....whether they’re going to live She said, “Sometimes we will go out to ground, addiction counsellor Susie country. try without a soul’. or whether they’re going to die. the labyrinth here on Bowen and walk Newman, who emigrated from Ireland that path. How old is that experience? in 2004, and general manager Joanna While working in Dublin, Susie facili- “So I think when people are oppressed “You can get rid of all the other These are all little pilgrimages.” Journet were among the people we tated groups at St. Patrick’s Hospital and ridden over with no power....what bull....but ultimately that is the choice.” met. and in the Central Mental Hospital for do they turn to? So I think that is a huge • Through her work with recovery, the Criminally Insane, where she piece of the Irish psyche’s culture of REV. SHELAGH MACKINNON Shelagh discovered strong parallels be- Dr. Patrick Fay, who is also Irish, took worked with inmates having concurrent addiction. And then there was the Fam- greeted us wearing a beautiful full- tween the First Nations and Celtic peo- time from his busy schedule to speak addiction issues. ine.” length Highland tartan skirt. ple. to us about his work at the Orchard and about the current opioid epidemic that St. Patrick’s provides a wide range of Denial and shame have always been In addition to her work at the Orchard, She said, “First and foremost is the has claimed almost one thousand lives treatment programmes including for close companions of addiction. she is also the Minister of the Bowen strong resonance with Mother Earth. A mood disorders (depression and bipolar healing, hopeful connection with nature. in just over a year in British Columbia. Fortunately, in Ireland this has started Island United Church (the Little Red depression), anxiety disorder, and alco- Church in the Apple Orchard). He is a former Vancouver area Medi- to change with many artists and musi- “So, I think that spirituality of creation hol dependence/ substance abuse pro- that is such a huge part of the Celtic cal Advisor on Addiction services to the grammes. cians such as Adam Clayton of U2, Shelagh trained with the Saskatchewan Provincial Government and has over 30 Christy Moore and Luka Bloom now Alcohol and Drug Abuse Commission expression and the First Nations expres- years experience working in the field While Ireland’s complicated relationship speaking openly about addiction and the (SADAC) and has been providing spir- sion is a very helpful one for people of Addiction Medicine including detox, with alcohol is well known, Susie said, road to recovery. itual advice and support to people in who perhaps grew up in a totally secu- “Quite a lot of research indicates that lar world view. outpatient clinics and dealing with co- At the Orchard, Susie has a reputation recovery since being ordained in 1980. occurring disorders (mental health and everyone’s drug of choice is there for “It is a way back to spirituality for peo- a reason and alcohol is considered the for cutting through the fog. She said In the 1970s during the course of her addiction) for Greater Vancouver Men- after working in this field you get to ple who have lost a sense of awe and tal Health Services. drug of powerlessness.” studies, she spent time at Queen’s Uni- recognize the similarities. versity in Belfast during the height of wonder. The way back to spirit is often • “If people have felt incredibly power- the Troubles but was compelled to leave to connect with that experience.” less in their lives...some have perhaps “There is a familiar streak that goes SUSIE NEWMAN, who began her through people in addiction, whether it’s when it became too dangerous to con- She said, “I really think that Celtic spir- been the victim of divorce or changing own journey of recovery at home in Ire- the lying, the shame or the anger. tinue. ituality is going to be a bigger resource land, said there is a huge movement to schools, many have had huge decisions She has worked in some of Canada’s in the Twenty-First Century than many address the issue of drug and alcohol imposed on them with little or no con- “Some people feel abandonment hav- people realize yet. abuse in a country with a pervasive sultation. ing never been heard, others are an- grittiest neighbourhoods, bringing her message of healing and recovery from “I see my own children and grandchil- drinking culture. “And the Irish have had their power gry,” she said. “They’re mad with them- selves, mad with their circumstances.” addiction. dren and their relationship with the earth With St. Patrick’s Day on the horizon stolen from them for generations. Their and creation is such a nurturing one. It and all the usual references to green land was taken, their language was re- Others arrive at the Orchard filled with Prior to working at the Orchard, she beer and drinking, it is worth noting that moved and for generations the people resistence, but Susie said, “if you can served at St. Thomas-Wesley United Ireland was actually the first in Europe were forced to emigrate. connect with some spark, some reali- Church in Saskatoon where the drug of [...Continued page 25] MARCH/APRIL 2017 www.celtic-connection.com PAGE 25 Dr. Patrick Fay: ‘There is a very fine line between enabling and treating’ VANCOUVER – Irish-born Interview by we should. So, I think it needs to be the Patrick Fay is a highly re- availability of treatment. spected physician working Catholine Butler Up until very recently, if I had some- body in my office who needed detox with the addicted population and I called Vancouver Detox, I was in British Columbia. told to have the patient call at midnight or 8 AM, and they would eventually find He is one of the doctors very familiar a bed for them. THE ORCHARD MEMORIAL GARDEN is a space where alumni with the current opioid fentanyl epidemic that has resulted in so many overdose If they can phone at eight in the morn- can honour those who have passed away. Many will leave little deaths. ing or at midnight, then they don’t need copper metal tags with the names of the people they have lost you. Most of them [addicts] don’t even on the trees and shrubs around the garden. Doctor Fay has more than 30 years have phones. experience in all areas of addiction That policy at the Detox Centre has [....continued from page 24] isn’t the right path for them. medicine, including detox, outpatient addiction clinics, and as Vancouver’s changed because you really have to Joanna emphasized that even if they pick the flower when it’s ripe and peo- is such a call to action and then they Medical Advisor on Addiction to the decide to leave, the door always re- Provincial Government. ple are ready for treatment. look for resources. And where do you mains open for them to return. find that? In the ancient forms of wor- He was one of the founding physicians PATRICK FAY Here at The Orchard in a very short ship.” “Sometimes you get people who will go of the Vancouver Detox Centre (est. period we will have the patient in, even and then they come back again, espe- 1978) and a co-founder and member of if we have to bulge a little bit for a few The other parallel between Celtic and cially the young ones. Things get worse, “One of the things days. And I think government needs to First Nations culture has been the loss the Advisory Committee on Opioid De- or they just think about what they’ve pendency (ACOD) of the B.C. College respond like that. of language, and thus the loss of cul- done, and they come back, often with a they have got to stop tural identity and spiritual access. of Physicians and Surgeons for 15 years There is a very fine line between ena- completely changed attitude. (est. 1989). talking about is bling and treating, and that line is often For many in the past it was a path to “I’ve had a few people say ‘I can’t do He is also a board member of Pacifica most difficult for treatment. We should survival to shed their culture, but the this’, or ‘this isn’t for me’, and they’ve fentanyl overdoses. not allow people to overdose and die. tide is turning and recovery of identity Treatment Centre located in east Van- left. Then a week later or two weeks couver which offers residential treat- CB: Isn’t fentanyl mixed with a lot of has been key to healing for many indi- later, you’ll get a phone call. Sometimes There is no correct viduals and cultural groups. ment to individuals with alcohol and/or drugs now? with tears asking to come back. drug dependencies. In addition, he is a dose....it’s fentanyl • PF: Absolutely it is. It’s put into all sorts “Sometimes they just need to go out physician on staff at The Orchard on On the day of our visit JOANNA Bowen Island. poisoning.” of stuff from marijuana to cocaine. The JOURNET was very busy with intake because they’re not quite done, but big risk is that they [the dealers] are as general manager at the Orchard, but these days that’s quite deadly. That’s Recently while visiting The Orchard, I not able to do the correct measurements. she took a few moments to speak to us the scary thing. had an opportunity to speak with Dr. or downtown Vancouver, but then there about the process. Fay about the opioid/fentanyl crisis and is no treatment available for a week, or There have been some good moves “It used to be ‘well so and so just needs made in trying to get rid of these pill to go out and do more research’. But the staggering number of overdose a month, or whenever. Most treatment programs are 28 to 42 deaths reported in the news almost presses. It’s really a joke that someone days, while 90 days is highly recom- now, often they don’t get a chance to What happens is they [addicts] will go can import a pill press. Who keeps a come back.” daily, with fentanyl involved in over 60 mended. percent of cases. right back to using fentanyl. That’s a pill press? The younger generation are most often major issue – the lack of available treat- The Orchard offers extensive after-care CB: Is the fentanyl overdose crisis ment and the efficiency of getting peo- One of the things they have got to stop support including phone, e-mail, text on OxyContin or heroin and, whether talking about is fentanyl overdoses. they know it or not, pretty much 100 an epidemic? ple into treatment. This is a really big messaging, and online chat. barrier to people getting well. There is no correct dose....it’s fentanyl percent test for Fentanyl according to PF: Totally, it has taken over. It’s very poisoning. A monthly newsletter, and weekly and Joanna. hard to get regular heroin now, fenta- I think the people who work on the monthly alumni days, and weekly nyl is what’s out there. The dealers will downtown eastside are now looking at It’s not therapeutic like Tylenol or an Friends of the Orchard (FOO) support In fact, Fentanyl is often their drug of antibiotic...there is absolutely no dose choice, and they will seek it out. cut it with whatever is there, marijuana the availability of suboxone – an opioid meetings are held in Calgary and West as well, whatever they feel they may substitute like methadone – for people that’s correct or therapeutic. Vancouver. She said as hard as this might be to have competition with from the next addicted to fentanyl. One of the challenges with the addict understand, “When you get a report on dealer. They even cut cocaine with One significant bi-annual event is the CB: How can this be accomplished? is that they believe an overdose will Honour A Life ceremony to remember television or in the media that a drug is crystal meth just because it’s there. never happen to them. bad....to an addict that means good.” those alumni who have passed away CB: What needs to be done? PF: There really needs to be a com- either from their disease or from other mitment by government. When you CB: What do you think will happen While drugs have been killing people for when marijuana is legalized? causes. decades, the overdose crisis is now be- PF: I believe the police have it abso- read in the papers that there are not lutely right – there must be treatment enough treatment beds....the govern- PF: The challenge will be when the le- This is a solemn event with candles and coming more visible. options available. ment promised this but didn’t follow gal marijuana is sold with the fentanyl a slide show with photographs of those “Different populations are being af- through and provide them. who have passed on. They can narcan [a nasal form of marijuana on the street. It’s very hard fected, more people are dying, and more to prosecute someone who has mari- people are hearing about the crisis,” she naloxone for the emergency treatment So the reasons that places like here For some, being at that ceremony is the of a known or suspected opioid over- [The Orchard] flourish is we have no juana on board if it’s legal. first time they have actually been able said. doses] someone in downtown Calgary competition from the public side...and This is a huge mess right now, and if to grieve a friend or lost loved one and “That’s what has brought it to the fore- get through it without using alcohol or you look at the downtown Vancouver front – young, healthy kids are dying eastside...no one gets well down there. drugs. and that’s what’s getting the press. Even people who are in recovery now It gives them an opportunity to light a “Potentially more people are dying, but who come to the methadone clinic on candle in memory of someone who has this is not the hundreds and thousands passed on – not necessarily in addic- Commercial Drive...if they go near the of addicts dying on the back streets downtown eastside it’s really trigger- tion but just anyone meaningful in their every day...they don’t get the press. lives. ing for them. “Definitely the drugs are getting One of the challenges for them [addicts] The Orchard Memorial Garden is a stronger and they’re getting infiltrated space where alumni can honour those is that you can live down there for very into other substances. People think cheap. You can live for a couple of who have passed away. Many will leave they’re just using cocaine, and then we little copper metal tags with the names bucks a day because everything is on test them and they’ve got fentanyl in hand. of the people they have lost on the trees their system, so they mix it with a lot of and shrubs around the garden. other drugs. It’s very hard to get people out of there so they get well. They get food, cloth- Then, on the flip side, there are the cer- “Obviously, it has got worse, but I think ing, and maybe pay a bit for accommo- emonies to mark the success in recov- it’s definitely got a lot more publicity as ery and these are fun-filled days with dation, and the rest can go into your well. It’s awful but maybe the result is arm or up your nose. It’s a community balloons and cake. that we’re going to get more resources where the addict feels normal. The Orchard also offers extensive fam- to help people who suffer from drug TREATMENT at The Orchard is based on the 12-Steps of Alco- ily programming to provide guidance and addiction.” We had one patient here recently from • holics Anonymous. Most treatment programs are 28 to 42 days, a wealthy family. She had an apartment complete support to the individual in while 90 days is highly recommended. It offers extensive after- recovery. To learn more about The Orchard in Vancouver’s west end, but she pre- and the programs offered as the care support including phone, e-mail, text messaging, and ferred to live with her friends in the Although there is often great turmoil residential treatment facility, call 1- online chat. A monthly newsletter, and weekly and monthly downtown eastside instead. For me this within with new arrivals at the Orchard, 866-233-2299, or visit online at: http:/ alumni days, and weekly Friends of the Orchard (FOO) sup- really emphasizes the insanity of addic- occasionally someone will decide this /orchardrecovery.com. port meetings are held in Calgary and West Vancouver. tion. PAGE 26 www.celtic-connection.com MARCH/APRIL 2017 Mass grave of babies and children found at Tuam care home in Ireland GALWAY – A mass grave The women were separated from their Under the Freedom of Information Act, children, who remained elsewhere in Corless requested Galway county containing the remains of ba- the home, raised by nuns, until they council’s records on the home from bies and children has been could be adopted. 1925 to 1961. She was refused. discovered at a former Catho- In October the Commission of Investi- But she was given documents from the lic care home in Ireland gation into Mother and Baby Homes 1970s, including an official map of the began to excavate the site of the former present-day estate the council built on where it has been alleged up home and those involved declared them- the site. to 800 died, government-ap- selves “shocked” at what they found. “They obviously didn’t see the impor- pointed investigators said on The discovery confirms decades of sus- tance,” said Corless. “There is an area Friday, March 3. picions that the vast majority of chil- across the map marked ‘burial dren who died at the home were interred ground’,” she says. “First, the houses Excavations at the site of the former on the site in unmarked graves, a com- were built, around that area. Finally a Bon Secours Mother and Baby Home mon practice at such Catholic-run fa- playground was built on part of the burial in Tuam, County Galway, have uncov- cilities amid high child mortality rates in ground itself.” ered an underground structure divided PHOTO: Aidan Crawley/EPA early 20th Century Ireland. into 20 chambers containing “significant ENGINEERS use ground-penetrating radar to search the mass The government’s commissioner for quantities of human remains,” the judge- grave at the former mother and baby home in Tuam, County The Irish Government in 2014 formed children, Katherine Zappone, said the the commission following the work of a findings were “sad and disturbing” and led mother and baby homes commis- Galway. sion said. local Tuam historian, Catherine Corless, promised that the children’s families who found death certificates for nearly would be consulted on providing proper The commission said analysis of se- 800 children who were residents at the burials and other memorials. lected remains revealed ages of the facility but burial records for only two. deceased ranged from 35 weeks to “We will honour their memory and make three-years-old. “Everything pointed to this area being sure that we take the right actions now a mass grave,” said Corless. to treat their remains appropriately,” It found that the dead had been mostly Zappone said. buried in the 1950s, when the facility She recalled how boys playing in the offered shelter to orphans, unmarried field had reported seeing a pile of bones Paul Redmond, chairperson of Coali- mothers and their children. The Tuam in a hidden underground chamber there tion of Mother and Baby Home Survi- home closed in 1961. in the mid-1970s. vors (CMABS), released a statement to the media. The home, run by the Bon Secours Sis- Corless discovered that in 1975 two ters, a Catholic religious order of nuns, boys, playing in wasteland at the former He said, “The Survivor Community is received unmarried pregnant women to home site, fell into a tank containing not shocked by the latest news that hun- give birth. children’s skeletons. dreds of bodies of babies and children have been ‘discovered’ at the site of An estimated 35,000 unwed mothers Local residents erected a little grotto IRISH WRITER John Pascal Rodgers (L), born in the home for the former Mother and Baby home at are thought to have passed through the near the site. “Most of the deceased Tuam. This is something we have known doors of the home in its 36-year exist- unmarried mothers, with a photograph of his mother Bridie were newborns up to two-years-old,” for many years.” ence. It was one of 10 such institutes Rodgers. Up to 800 babies and children were buried near the says Corless. in Ireland. home run by nuns. (R) Irish abuse survivor Sixth Annual Flowers accuses Vatican of for Magdalenes: Ceremonies DUBLIN – The sixth annual across the nine homes had died, he ‘shameful’ resistance claimed. DUBLIN – Irish abuse survivor Marie Despite the full support of the Pope and Flowers for Magdalenes Collins has accused the Vatican of his approval of all the commission’s rec- event took place throughout “We know at least 796 infants died at Tuam, but other homes, such as “shameful” resistance to fighting cleri- ommendations, she said there had been Ireland in all cities and towns cal sex abuse in the Catholic Church “constant setbacks” inside the Vatican. Castlepollard in Co. Westmeath, are as she resigned from a key panel set where there were Magdalene thought to hold the remains of up to up by Pope Francis to deal with the is- She described the blocking late last year 3,200 babies. of “a simple recommendation approved Laundries. sue. “The worst is yet to come as details of by Pope Francis” by Vatican officials The main event to remember the Collins’ shock resignation on March 1 as “the last straw” for her. the huge behemoths of St. Patrick’s, is a huge setback for the Pontifical women and girls who were incar- Bessborough and Sean Ross Abbey Commission for the Protection of Mi- The Pope has declared “zero tolerance” cerated in Ireland’s Magdalene have yet to be revealed, but it is likely nors which was set up by the Pope in for clerical abuse and begged forgive- Laundries was held at Glasnevin that the total for these three homes alone 2013 to counter abuse in the church. ness but victims’ groups claim he has Cemetery in Dublin on Sunday, will be well over 4,000 babies and chil- not done enough to hold bishops and dren buried in shoe boxes and rags.” “There are people in the Vatican who priests accountable for the abuse scan- March 5 to coincide with Wom- do not want to change or understand dals that have swept through Ireland, en’s History Month. In Dublin the Sisters of Our Lady of the need to change,” said Collins. “I Germany, the U.S., Australia and other Charity of Refuge and the Congrega- The poignant ceremony featured an tion of the Sisters of Mercy, ran the can’t stick with it any more. They are countries in the past 15 years. address from Claire McGettrick of Jus- not co-operating with the commission.” largest laundries in Dublin. In a statement Boston Cardinal Sean tice for Magdalenes Research, Mary Collins, who was raped at age 13 by a O’Malley, the head of the commission, Lou McDonald TD and Donnchadh à in 1993, the Sisters of Our Lady of A PREVIOUS Flowers for Charity had lost money in share deal- hospital chaplain in Ireland, was the thanked Collins for her “extraordinary Laoghaire TD. Magdalenes remembrance only active abuse survivor on the com- contributions” and said she would be ings on the stock exchange. To cover This was followed by the laying of flow- event in Glasnevin cemetery, their losses, they sold part of the land in mission after British abuse survivor, missed. ers on the graves and monuments to Dublin. Peter Saunders, was stood aside by the their convent to a property developer. Collins has campaigned for a better the women, many of whom lived and Vatican panel last year for his outspo- This led to the discovery of 133 corpses understanding of the effects of sexual died inside the walls of these institu- Homes run by religious orders in Ire- ken criticism, even though he has not tions and are buried in unmarked graves. in a mass grave. resigned or been formally dismissed. abuse on children. She is a founder of land from the foundation of the State the British-based charity the Marie One of the speakers, Mary Merritt, who until the late 1990s. The sisters arranged to have the remains The Irish activist said it was “soul-de- Collins Foundation, which helps children cremated and reburied in another mass is now 86-years-old, said she was 14- In a statement the group said, “This stroying” dealing with resistance in the who suffer sexual abuse and exploita- years-old when she worked as a slave grave at Glasnevin Cemetery, splitting Curia, the Vatican administration, and tion via internet and mobile technolo- year’s Flowers for Magdalenes events the cost of the reburial with the devel- in High Park laundry in Drumcondra. hold particular significance as new prop- church officials who did not want to co- gies to recover. She knows of 1,600 people who died in oper who had bought the land. operate. erty developments are planned on three She also helped the Archdiocese of the laundries. former Magdalene Laundry sites at It later transpired that there were 22 “I find it shameful,” Collins said. “The Dublin set up its Child Protective Serv- She said, “They took my hair; they took Donnybrook, Sean McDermott Street more corpses than the sisters had ap- work we want to do is to make chil- ices in 2003. my human rights; they took my clothes; and Sunday’s Well.” plied for permission to exhume. In all, dren and young adults now and in fu- 155 corpses were exhumed and cre- Paying tribute to the work Collins has they took my name; but they never took Paul Redmond, chairman of the Coali- ture safer in the church environment my spirit.” mated. from the horror of abuse.” done, Archbishop of Dublin Diarmuid tion of Mother and Baby Home Survi- Martin said few people in Ireland have It is estimated that at least 35,000 un- vors, said Tuam was “the tip of the ice- Though not initially reported, this even- Her resignation was announced by the made such a consistent contribution to married mothers spent time in the 14 berg”. tually triggered a public scandal, bring- Vatican as she released her own state- the change in the Church’s response to municipally funded Mother and Baby ing unprecedented attention to the se- ment on her personal website. child sexual abuse. At least 6,000 babies and children cretive institutions MARCH/APRIL 2017 www.celtic-connection.com PAGE 27 A Verdict on the Great Hunger: The most traumatic event in Ireland’s history

from the famine by lying in wait for land THE VIEW FROM to be vacated and sold cheaply. IRELAND Some land grubbers even offered to pay tenants’ arrears in return for posses- sion of the land. The severance in the fabric of Irish society caused by such opportunists reverberates to this day. Amnesia and revisionism about the ravages of the By famine took many forms. MAURICE Fintan O’Toole has written of Eugene FITZPATRICK O’Neill’s father whose romanticisation of the Emerald Isle led to his telling lies THE Great Hunger was the most about the precise year in which he left traumatic occurrence in Irish his- Ireland. tory. O’Neill’s father concealed the fact that It was an event of such extraordinary GEORGE VILLIERS, the 4th the opal tinted Ireland of his infancy was horror that it has been difficult even to Earl of Clarendon served as marred by a period of mass starvation describe, partly because the use of the Lord Lieutenant of Ireland from of which he was a victim, a buried hor- ror that pervades the plays that his son, term ‘genocide’ is so linked in public 1847-1852. He urged the Brit- Eugene, would write. awareness with clearly intended mass ish House of Commons in vain murder of an ethic group that commen- not to “coldly persist in a policy The weighing up of genocidal intent of tators bristle at referring to the Irish of extermination.” the famine was, in 2013, the subject of famine in the same way. a mock tribunal on the Great Famine, the British authorities. held at Fordham University, New York, So, to what degree was the Great Irish What were the consequences of up- presided over by Irish Supreme Court Famine a genocide and on what basis holding a theory and a system as a pre- Judge Adrian Hardiman. could we make such a conclusion? text to suit Britain’s import demands? It is hugely regrettable that such a his- The official British response to the fail- As the Atlas of the Great Irish Fam- torically aware legal mind as Hardiman ure of the potato crop, upon which the died last year without publishing a re- Irish poor utterly depended, in 1845 is a ine points out, in June of the worst year of the Great Famine, 1847, The Poor sponse on the genocidal dimension of stunning indictment of a government Law Amendment Act “transferred the the famine. into whose union Ireland had, half a century earlier, been corralled. major responsibility for poor relief to Hardiman may well have found that the Irish property owners [which was a] British regime was guilty of genocide One of the British Government’s eco- potentially ruinous liability.” in the second degree? nomic advisers, Nassau Senior, feared that the famine of 1848 in Ireland “would That Act’s ‘Gregory Clause’ ruled that those who held more than a quarter acre not kill more than a million people, and of land were ineligible for relief, unless that would scarcely be enough to do much good.” they first surrender their land. Women and girls transported John Mitchel, treating of the poor laws The following year, the Lord Lieuten- in his The Last Conquest of Ireland ant of Ireland, Clarendon, urged the (Perhaps), hit the nail on the head: House of Commons in vain not to as convicts to Australia “They were a failure for their professed “coldly persist in a policy of extermina- purpose that of relieving the famine; but DUBLIN – Women and girls trans- bour at Kilmainham prison for stealing tion.” were a complete success for their real ported as convicts in prison ships to a coat. Then, at the age of 14, she was When the relief money Clarendon purpose – that of uprooting the people Australia were commemorated at a sentenced to seven years transporta- sought was refused, his last available from the land, and casting them forth ceremony in Dublin on March 3. tion to Van Diemen’s Land for stealing response to the crisis was to urge Irish to perish.” a woman’s cloak. people to emigrate. Schoolgirls wearing bonnets stood in the The British Government’s refusal to rain at Grangegorman DIT college at Young Alicia was one of 144 females Commenting on British policy in Ireland provide assistance proportionate to the the site where more than 3,000 women who, along with 36 of their dependent during the famine, renowned British his- catastrophe was juxtaposed with gen- and girls were imprisoned in the 1800s children, were put on board the torian A.J.P. Taylor claimed that “all erous international donations and fellow- before being sent to Van Diemen’s Mexborough sailing ship at Dun Laoghaire, then named Kingstown, on Ireland was a Belsen” – a reference to feeling on the part of, for example, the Land, which is modern day Tasmania. PHOTO: Damien Eagers the infamous Nazi concentration camp. Turkish and Choctaw peoples. August 12, 1841. Many girls exiled in prison ships from HUNDREDS of people at- Taylor was pilloried in Britain for such Ottoman Sultan Abdümecid gave Ireland were the same age as the tended a ceremony to remem- The voyage lasted almost six months claims, yet it is a fact that the endeav- £1,000 towards famine relief and today schoolgirls that stood together during the ber thousands of women incar- and two of the female convicts died ours of famine relief volunteers were Turkish symbols have been incorpo- wet and windy morning. cerated at Grangegorman prior while at sea. inadequately supported, and forced into rated into Drogheda town’s coat of to their transportation to Van “I feel very emotional looking at these The ship dropped anchor off the coast bankruptcy. arms (the Turkish relief ships moored Diemen’s Land (Tasmania), of Van Diemen’s Land on December in Drogheda). girls as I think of how young so many As against the prevailing laissez faire girls actually were when they were put penal colony. 26, 1841. economic theory, prohibiting interven- The plaque unveiled in Drogheda reads: on board those prison ships,” said Like the other female convicts, Alicia tion in the natural running of economic “The Great Irish Famine of 1847 – In drews also wore a bonnet. The event Rhonda Lynch. was also attended by Dublin Lord was made to work without pay for set- affairs, Taylor’s perspective that land- remembrance and recognition of the tlers. lords who refused to be lenient “refused generosity of the People of Turkey to- Rhonda (69) travelled from Brisbane in Mayor Brendan Carr. to recognise that only the gigantic op- wards the People of Ireland.” Australia to honour her husband Ian’s The Grangegorman site was formerly In 1844, she was sentenced to six eration of an artificial cause – the ex- ancestor Catherine Duggan, who was months imprisonment with hard labour Yet only the greenest of nationalists a women’s prison where 3,216 women ertion of British power – prevented the transported from Grangegorman in for “being absent without leave.” could portray the famine as a straight- and girls were detained between 1840 Irish people from adopting the natural 1852. forward plot to exterminate Irish peo- and 1852 prior to being exiled. The following year, she was sentenced remedy and eating the food which was ple. The ceremony of remembrance was “It was marvellous that so many peo- to six months imprisonment for the available for them.” organised by Australian artist Christina crime of giving birth to a child out of No malice aforethought can be docu- ple came today to remember all those Taylor is quite right: throughout the fam- Henri who has sought to increase pub- women who showed such resilience wedlock. mented since the Phytophthora lic awareness of thousands of women ine there was a steady exportation of and courage. One in seven Australians She eventually married a settler farmer grain and livestock to England which, infestans in potatoes rather than West- transported as convicts to Australia. minster’s policies caused the potato are descended from convicts, including named John Gardiner and was granted despite any norm, should have been blight; there was no Wannsee resolu- In recent years, she has promoted the a prime minister and high court judges,” a certificate of freedom. consumed in Ireland. tion to determine the course of the making of bonnets to remember each said Henri, who travelled from Tasma- female prisoner transported. Each bon- nia to organise the event. She gained custody of her first child and Neither does the laissez faire capitalist Great Famine. the couple went on to have three chil- defence plausibly explain all the misery net bears the sewn-in name of individual Besides, bitter truths, which counter- Debbie Biglin (55) travelled from Mel- dren. of the famine. prisoners. bourne in Australia for the event and balance such uncomplicated portrayals “By all accounts, Alicia must have been Property of little value to anyone – the of the event, include the role of thou- Hundreds of people, men, women and told the gathering of her ancestor Alicia schoolchildren, wore bonnets in the Kelly who was born in Earl Street in a remarkably strong character and we small thatched cottages of the poor – sands of strong Irish farmers (whose are very pleased to have discovered she were repossessed in industrial quanti- financial backing the Catholic clergy women convicts’ honour at the cer- Dublin in the 1800s. emony. had a place in our family heritage,” ties during the famine, and as many as gladly received to build churches dur- She was just eight-years-old when she Biglin said as the crowd applauded. half a million of them were razed by ing the Great Famine) who benefited Australian Ambassador Richard An- was sentenced to six months hard la- PAGE 28 www.celtic-connection.com MARCH/APRIL 2017 2017 IRISH WEEK IN SEATTLE

tests and activities, Irish language and genealogy work- Friday, March 10 shops, a photography exhibit and more. • 7:30 AM, Seattle Galway Sister City Association Business Family-oriented activities include wonderful Irish musi- Breakfast, Washington Athletic Club, 1325 6th Avenue, cians along with champion Irish stepdancers from around Seattle; the Pacific Northwest. • 12 Noon, Mayor’s Irish Week Proclamation Luncheon, F X Events for children include the “Smilingest Irish Eyes Con- McRory’s; test” and the “Most Irish-Looking Face Contest,” and • 6 PM, St. Patrick’s Landing, South Lake Union; there’s a hands-on children’s activities center with new • 7 PM, John Doyle Bishop Green Stripe, on 4th Avenue; games for children such as giant versions of Connect 4, THE TRAVELLER MOVEMENT Tweeted a photograph of crowds giant versions of Jenga, a monster head game, ring toss, waiting outside Leinster House saying: “Rain can’t dampen the Saturday, March 11 and tic tac toe. All games designed to entertain and edu- cate both the young and the young at heart. energy.” • 12:20 PM, Irish Flag-Raising, the Irish and U.S. National anthems, and the St. Patrick’s Day parade; Special festival features include a Doug Plummer Irish • Noon-6 PM, Irish Festival 2017, Seattle Center Armory; photography exhibit. Doug has been a Seattle-based Republic of Ireland professional photographer for over 30 years. • 6-9 PM, Matt Talbot Dinner, F X McRory’s; Since the mid-1980s he has done work for corporate grants Travellers • 7:30 - 11 PM, “Love, Seattle” St. Patrick’s Day Party! Sat- and advertising clients, and for magazines such as Dis- urday, 7:30 - 11 PM at the Cornish College of the Arts, 1000 cover, Bon Appetit, Smithsonian and Sunset. Lenora Street. The Coopers exhibit their wonderful display of thousands formal state recognition Sunday March 12 of antique Irish postcards, plus 48 original reproductions to die in infancy than non-Travellers of ‘Bartlett’s Views of Ireland’ dating from the 1840s, done DUBLIN – Travellers have been for- • 8:30 AM, St. Patrick’s Day Dash - Use Discount Code while they leave school an average of IRISH5 for $5 off your entry at www.stpatsdash.com; just a few years before the Great Potato Famine. mally recognised as an indigenous eth- five years earlier than non-Travellers. nic minority by the Republic of Ireland. • 10 AM - 6 PM (8 hours), Irish Festival 2017, Seattle Center SUNDAY RAFFLE – A lucky winner will go home after “Recognising Traveller ethnicity will In his statement to the Dáil, Taoiseach Armory; winning a week’s vacation in Ireland for two people (one not fix these problems overnight but it room, etc.) at the Blooming Wildflower Cottage B&B. Enda Kenny said: “It is a historic day will help Ireland get to grips with the • 5-9 PM, Friends of St. Patrick 77th Annual Banquet, Knights for our Travellers and a proud day for discrimination and disadvantage that of Columbus Banquet Hall, 722 E Union, Seattle. For tick- Located on the shores of Dingle Bay in Co. Kerry, it is Ireland.” many Traveller children face in their ets, call (425) 821-3044. near gourmet restaurants, traditional pubs, craft shops, There was sustained applause and a lives. Friday March 17 art galleries, harbor tours, etc. You must visit the Irish standing ovation as Kenny formally rec- “It sends a clear message of respect Heritage Club booth in order to participate. • 12 Noon, St. Patrick’s Day Mass for Peace, St. Patrick’s ognised, in both Irish and English, the for the rights of the Traveller commu- Church, 2702 Broadway E (one block NE of Roanoke & I-5), IRISH REELS – Irish Films will be screened in the Armory community’s ethnic status. nity,” she said. “We applaud the many Seattle. Loft Room during the Irish Festival. The public gallery of the Dáil and an Traveller groups and individuals who overflow room were packed as mem- have been steadfast in their advocacy Saturday, March 25 Now in its 20th year, Irish Reels presents a wonderful for years to achieve this change. collection of refreshing and exciting new works in Irish bers of the Traveller community • 9 AM - 5 PM, Irish Genealogy Workshop at Luther Memo- watched the announcement. cinema. Free admission both days. See the full sched- “In particular, we would like to acknowl- rial Lutheran Church Hall, 13047 Greenwood Avenue N, ule at irishreels.org. At the end of Kenny’s speech, Travel- edge our member organisations, includ- Seattle. A full day of Irish Genealogical Research classes ler activist Bernard Sweeney shouted ing Pavee Point, the Irish Traveller conducted by regional specialists STEVEN W. MORRISON, SPECIAL GUESTS FOR IRISH WEEK from the public gallery: “Taoiseach, of- Movement and the Traveller Visibility and JEAN A. ROTH. A detailed workshop schedule can be MAYOR NOEL LARKIN – First elected to Galway City fer an apology on behalf of the State to Group for their incredible hard work and found at www.irishweek.org, or email the Travellers.” firm belief that this day would come.” [email protected]. Council in 2014, Noel Larkin was elected mayor of Gal- way City on June 10, 2016. The government’s recognition of the Former Minister of State for Commu- Sunday, March 26 Traveller ethnicity has been heralded as nities, Culture and Equality Aodhán A successful businessman and entrepreneur, Noel is a “grievous wrong that has been O’Riordáin said the State’s recognition • 12 Noon - 3 PM, the annual Seattle Gaels Gaelic Games managing director of Larkin Engineering, a leader in the righted” by the head of the Children’s was an important day for members of Open Field Day at Magnuson Park, 7400 Sand Point Way Irish steel fabrication and street furniture markets. the travelling community. NE, Seattle. For details, visit SeattleGaels.com. Rights Alliance. He established the company in 1985 and produces a Tanya Ward, chief executive of the “It’s going to be a very emotional day see www.irishweek.org for all the details. full range of high-quality street furniture and outdoor Children’s Rights Alliance said, “Today today in Leinster House. We’ve spent IRISH WEEK HIGHLIGHTS street products at his 20,000 square foot premises out- is an extraordinary day for Ireland and so long working on this,” the Labour side Galway City. momentous for the thousands of Trav- Senator said in a video posted on Twit- PARADE MARCHING GROUPS – A salute to the fact eller children who have suffered for too ter. that many scenes in the most recent Star Wars films He is married to Rita and they have three children. This is his first ever visit to Seattle. long from exclusion and discrimination. “Maybe today is a yes equality moment were shot in Ireland, two different Star Wars costume for our Traveller brothers and sisters,” groups will be in the parade (Star Wars 501st Legion PARADE GRAND MARSHAL – Timothy Egan comes from Ward said, “Traveller children are more and Mandalorian Mercs), and both groups will be at the than three and a half times more likely he said, referencing 2015’s marriage a family of nine, from a mother who loved books and a equality referendum. Irish Festival afterwards. father with the Irish gift of finding joy in small things. There will be about 60 unicyclists from Whittier Elemen- He is the author of eight books, his most recent being tary School; four different pirate groups (including the The Immortal Irishman, about Thomas Francis Meagher, Seafair Pirates and their Moby Duck who will also be the Irish revolutionary who led the Irish Brigade in the Who are the richest people going over to the Irish Festival afterwards); the Seafair U.S. Civil War. Clowns; both firefighter and police officer pipe bands; mounted police and the police motorcycle unit. Egan’s books have won the Carnegie Award for best and families in Ireland? non-fiction, and the 2006 National Book Award. DUBLIN – The Irish Times has pub- The wealthiest individual on the list is Also: seven Irish dancing schools; various drill teams lished a list of Ireland’s richest and Denis O’Brien at EU7 billion. The 58- including a La Senoritas drill team; groups of Irish wolf- A lifelong journalist, Egan now writes for The New York Ryanair boss Michael O’Leary has year-old, who was born in Co. Cork, hounds and Irish setters; Irish autos (made in Ireland Times where he shared a 2001 Pulitzer Prize with other joined the billionaire club for the first made his fortune in telecoms and now De Loreans) and Irish motorcyclists; Irish family groups reporters. time. has interests in media companies, prop- and Irish organizations; Gaelic footballers, hurlers and Egan is very proud of his Irish heritage, and is descended erty and golf resorts. Golfer Rory McIlroy tops the list as the camogie players; stunting, jumping, tumbling, dancing, on his mother’s side from the Galway Lynches, one of wealthiest sportsman and singer Niall U2 topped the list of the richest enter- CHEER Seattle gymnasts; Ultimate Disc players. the famous 14 Tribes of Galway. Horan has become the youngest on the tainers in Ireland with a combined Plus: Fighting Irish from O’Dea High School and the Uni- list. wealth of EU645 million. PARADE HONORARY GRAND MARSHAL – Mary versity of Notre Dame Alumni; the Keystone Kops; Honor Charles is a proud native of Aughavas, Co. Leitrim. Liam Neeson was named the the rich- People Before Profit TD Richard Boyd Guards from the USS Nimitz and from the Department est Irish actor on the list. Barrett said the figures from the list of Adult Detention; a Ride-the-Ducks Boat Shamrock She came to the Seattle area in 1951 as a nursing stu- showed the high levels of inequality in Shuttle carrying seniors unable to walk the parade route; dent at St. Joseph Hospital School of Nursing in Tacoma. The latest Irish rich list, showed the Ireland. combined wealth of 300 people and in addition to four pipe bands and three high school Until retiring about 20 years ago, she was active in the families reached EU77 billion in 2016. “These figures showing the enormous bands, all accompanied by Warm 106.9’s sing-along Mental Health Community in Tacoma and Seattle. and dramatically increased wealth of seranaders. Mary is also very active in St. Thomas More Parish, The Westons, who topped the list, run Ireland’s multimillionaires and billion- a transatlantic retail empire from Eu- Please come down and walk with your favorite group or Lynnwood, and in the local Irish community. aires are truly scandalous and obscene. rope to Canada which includes busi- behind your Provincial Banner. Wear your colors with nesses such as Penneys, Brown Tho- “When you consider the extent of pov- pride! She has been a board member of Irish Immigrant Sup- mas, Selfridges and Fortnum & Mason. erty, deprivation, homelessness and un- port for over 10 years and during that time has also an- IRISH FESTIVAL 2017 – Admission to all activities on nually sewed the sashes for the St. Patrick’s Day Pa- necessary hardship being suffered by both days is FREE. The family’s interest is valued at so many in this country, it is utterly scan- rade Grand Marshals. EU12.353 billion. Galen Weston senior dalous to learn that just 300 people have The festival features non-stop Irish music, singing and stepped down last year and Galen This year, Mary is being recognized for her contribution enough wealth to solve all those prob- dancing, booths selling Irish and Celtic products, Irish to the community by being asked to make her own sash! Weston junior, who was born in Dublin, lems, 10 times over,” he said. took over in September 2016. workshops, lectures, cultural displays, children’s con- MARCH/APRIL 2017 www.celtic-connection.com PAGE 29 SEATTLE IRISH NEWS

By JOHN KEANE

PHOTOS: Brendan Shriane JOAN FLANAGAN (R) watches dancers from the Tara Acad- emy of Irish Dance at the Irish Heritage Club’s annual Irish Soda Bread Contest at T S McHugh’s on March 4. (L-R) Gabby Bandy, Hailey Holmquist, Jazmine Lee, Marguerite Cottington, Sasha Nelson, Ceili Kaczmaracik and Sarah Bradburn. GALWAY MAYOR Noel Larkin will be marching in Seattle’s St. Patrick’s Day parade.

AUTHOR Tim Egan is the St. Patrick’s Day parade Grand Marshal on March 11.

THE THREE First Place winners with their prizes at the Irish Heritage Club’s annual Irish Soda Bread Contest – (L-R) [Front] Calvin Lui, 1st in the white soda bread division; Evanne O’Donahue, 1st in the brown soda bread division; and Annamarie Kirkpatrick, 1st in the glorified division. [Rear] The judges: Mary Charles, Mick McHugh, Mike McQuaid, Brigid Morkel and Maureen Keane. At right is contest organizer Mary Shriane.

LEITRIM NATIVE Mary Charles is the St. Patrick’s Day Parade Honorary Grand Marshal. PASSINGS • Fr. Tom O’Callaghan (88), a native of Cork, died in Bremerton, WA February 16. • Michael McGuane, who lived in Co. Limerick and was a sibling of Pat McGuane and Mary Langan of Seattle, died in Seattle February 14 while attend- ing the funeral of his sister Bridget ANNOUNCER AND JUDGE Mick McHugh at the Irish Heritage Lunning. Club’s annual Irish Soda Bread Contest at T S McHugh’s on March 4 offers a congratulatory handshake to Annamarie • Bridget Lunning, a native of Co. Limer- Kirkpatrick who took 1st in the “glorified” category, and 2nd in ick, died in Seattle February 5. She was a sibling of Pat McGuane and Mary both the white and brown bread categories. Langan of Seattle. • Peter Spieker (91), the father of Nanci Spieker, died in Seattle on February 4. • Michael Joyce, the father of Regina Joyce of Lynnwood, WA, died in Co. Mayo on February 2. • David Bartholomew (81), whose wife Greta is from Derry, died January 4 in Bothell, WA. • Jimmy Commins (72), a native of Co. Down and former resident of Seattle, died in California on January 4. His mother Maura and four brothers, Mervin. CARL CRAFTS takes photos of father and son contest winners Peter, Noel, and Eamon, live in the Dan and Shawn Devine at the annual Irish Soda Bread Con- Seattle area and his deceased wife Jetta test. Dan took 3rd in the “glorified” category, while son Shawn taught Irish dancing is Seattle in the bested dear old dad with a 2nd place finish. 1970s. PAGE 30 www.celtic-connection.com MARCH/APRIL 2017 Jim Kelly, Ireland’s Ambassador to Canada, says: ‘Our future is part of the European Union’

ANCOUVER – Jim Kelly recently made his first as well as significant challenges. We visit to western Canada in his new capacity as don’t shy away from that. Ireland’s Ambassador to Canada. We spoke to The whole Brexit issue is one that I have been engaged with personally go- V him in Vancouver at a reception hosted by the ing back almost two years when no- Embassy of Ireland on Thursday, February 23. body was paying too much attention to it. It was last September when we first met Ambassador Kelly, his INTERVIEW BY I was working on the policy planning wife Anne and their two daughters Maura De Freitas side in Dublin and I wrote an internal Orla and Ciara at the Martindale analysis piece on Brexit, back before Pioneer Cemetery in Quebec, country....the size and diversity of the British election. shortly after their arrival in Canada. You have to accept that for At a time when we were already see- Canada. what it is, but I am very conscious of ing that this was something that could the need to push outside of Ottawa be- potentially happen and we began to turn Kelly first joined the diplomatic service ing a government town, to get to know our minds to what would it mean for of the Department of Foreign Affairs Canada in all its aspects. Ireland. in Dublin in November 1993 after work- For me, one of the thing that strikes you ing in private industry for a number of The issues that I would have identified most is the power of the provinces and years. AMBASSADOR Jim Kelly in Calgary, Alberta with Deirdre in that analysis then are pretty much the municipalities and the important role Halferty Honorary Consul, Laureen Reagan Vice Honorary the same issues that come through now He had a very interesting first year as they have on settling Canadian opinion Consul, and Dana Welch from Tourism Ireland along with del- and are reflected in our priorities. he served in the Anglo-Irish division on and policy on so many issues. egates from Ireland who represented tourism within Ireland. the security side in 1994 – the year of So, there are four things I would say in So, with that in mind, I’ve been very the paramilitaries ceasefires. essence. keen now having gone through an ini- While he served in a junior role, Kelly tial phase to begin a program of visits Firstly, there is that we safeguard and said this was a fascinating experience. to other parts of the country. preserve the important trading relation- It was a great time of hope as finally ship between the UK and Ireland. This week was kind of a first foray into there was a move away from the con- the west. I was in Calgary on Tuesday The percentage of our exports that goes flict that had dogged that island for so [February 22] in support of a Tourism to the UK these days is a lot smaller long. Ireland mission there which was very than historically when we joined the His first diplomatic posting was in Co- successful in bringing people from key European Union together in 1973. penhagen, Denmark, a small bilateral Irish attractions from the hospitality in- At the time, I’d say about 55 percent post. Next, he took up a post at the dustry over to meet Canadian tour op- of Irish exports went to the UK, now European Union in Brussels where he erators. it’s more like 15 percent or thereabout, worked on development co-operation Yesterday, I went to Victoria for a se- with about 40 percent going to other issues. ries of political meetings. I met a European Union member states. His third posting was to the Irish mis- number of provincial ministers, I went But, particularly for small and medium sion to the United Nations in New York, to parliament and met the speaker, I had enterprises, the UK remains a hugely as the deputy permanent representative. lunch with a number of MPs, including [PHOTO: Ireland Canada Business Association] THE Ireland Canada Business Summit at Iveagh House, Dub- significant market so we have to find the leader of the opposition, and that ways to mitigate any damage that Most recently, he served as director of was an opportunity to do two things. lin, on October 22, 2016 – Chairman Garrett Monaghan ad- the newly established Policy Planning would result from a deal on British exit dressing panellists Irish Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade to those smaller producers. function at Department of Foreign Af- First, to set out Ireland’s messaging on Charlie Flanagan, Irish Ambassador to Canada Jim Kelly, and fairs headquarters, reporting directly to key issues of the day like Brexit and former Quebec Premier Jean Charest. And, secondly, and possibly the most the secretary-general of the Ministry. CETA, and to communicate those to serious and significant challenge is the economic and political stakeholders. In January 2016, he was nominated to whole question of Northern Ireland and serve as Ireland’s next ambassador to And the other is that it’s a learning op- this clear to colleagues in Dublin, and We have a good base of trade with the border. Canada, a position which he formally portunity for me to better understand the agency representatives in Canada but we think much more could There are a few different dimensions took up on September 6, 2016. how the provincial government in B.C. Canada....their agenda is our agenda in be done and we want to try to use the in this regard. For a start, obviously works and to understand the place of the embassy. opportunity of the visibility that CETA MD: That last time we met was up in again the economic dimension for the the City of Vancouver in all of this – a gives to these relationships to try to build small and medium enterprises on either the Gatineau Hills. It’s very nice to big economic engine. There is only one Ireland in that sense on that. welcome you here to Vancouver. How and we’re all part of Team Ireland and side of the border. have you settled into your new post? So, what I’ve done is try to design a we need to make good use in a coher- Of course, this comes at a time when They are each other’s market, so if first model of a visit like that around ent way of the resources that we can rather turbulent political developments there were some kind of return to a for- JK: Thank you very much Maura. In- political, economic and cultural commu- bring to bear. in the world probably increase the in- deed, that Sunday in Martindale was a malized barrier, that would be very se- nity concerns. terest in Canada engaging with Europe rious from an economic perspective. very special day for me and for my fam- So the trip to western Canada is sort of and on the European side engaging with ily and it will be a lasting memory. One And, just to finish on this point, another a first model of that type of visit and I Canada. We have made it clear, and indeed our of our first big days in Canada. key driver for me, and it’s something intend to try to replicate that in building friends in the UK have made it clear that I’m very anxious to do....we’re a similar networks and contacts in other So we want to try to build on the excel- So as you say, I’ve been here now a that they don’t want to see the return very small system in Ireland obviously parts of the country in the coming lent relations that we have. When I look of any kind of hard border of the sort little over five months and I’ve had a as a foreign ministry in our agencies and months once we’re over the St. at Ireland’s relationship with Canada, I chance to orient myself and get a sense we saw in the past in very different so forth. Patrick’s Day month. think that there are two aspects that are times. of the country, the community, and the worth bearing in mind. different dimensions involved. Our footprint in Canada is modest, so MD: You mentioned CETA – the But there are real challenges in how to try to make the most use of that, and Canada-European Union Compre- One is the deep historical ties and this can be achieved. I suppose for the most part I have been to involve all aspects of Team Ireland hensive Economic and Trade Agree- friendship that we have which are very mainly focused on Ottawa, Toronto and in this kind of outreach, both in terms ment – which was ratified by the EU important and which we celebrate in a I think it’s impossible to preempt what Montreal where there are large num- of messaging and in terms of gaining Parliament last month. What benefit community in a cultural sense and which the negotiations will bring about but it is bers of Irish cultural groups, societies understanding and access and contacts, do you see with this agreement for are also very important to us economi- something that we are addressing very and sports and business organizations. and building a network in different parts Ireland? cally. closely both in terms of our conversa- I’ve had a chance to do a number of of the country. tions with the UK but also in terms of JK: How we see it at the moment is a But then, like all relationships, even the our partners around the group to en- things working with them. We had an With that in mind, joining the Tourism sort of catalytic way. I mean CETA is comfortable ones, they need work if Ireland Canada business summit in sure that our concerns are fully under- Ireland mission was part of that, along a new type of trade agreement. they are to thrive. So we need to look stood as the European Union prepares Dublin which involved the former Que- with our colleague Dana Welch who to the future as well. It’s built on sustainability with full re- for the negotiations. And, we will be bec Premier Jean Charest and our manages Tourism Ireland in Toronto, to spect for climate change considerations, Things like CETA, and indeed some of part of the European Union side of Minister Charlie Flanagan and I went support what she is doing there. back and spoke at that. so it’s not simply a trade deal. It takes the issues around Brexit, will also af- those negotiations. I’m joined on this trip to Vancouver by in clean energy and those types of sec- ford opportunities as well to build on the So, that’s the second aspect. In addi- A number of business chambers from Neil Cooney the country manager with tors as well. relationships of the past and build a different parts of Canada came to that tion to the economic dimensions of that Enterprise Ireland in Toronto. stronger one for the future. That’s my aspect, there is the political dimension. and it was a chance ironically in Dublin What it will do is abolish about 98 per- mission. to connect with people beyond the ar- We’ve been meeting today with eco- cent of the tariff barriers between the As you probably know if you cross the eas that I had visited as well as the con- nomic and business contacts and we’ll Europe Union, including Ireland, and MD: You mentioned turbulent politi- border now, the only way you know you nections that I had already built in Mon- do that tomorrow as well. There is an Canada. cal times. Brexit will definitely bring have crossed is when your mobile treal and in Toronto which obviously added value for Neil’s perspective to change. Do you see this as positive So, we see this as an opportunity, and phone beeps and a provider changes. have a gravitational pull on Ottawa. have the embassy visibly supporting his for Ireland? this is a view that my colleagues in En- agenda. But, I have to say as someone coming terprise Ireland and in the IDA would JK: I suppose what I would say about in new to this is the scale of the At the end of the day, and I’ve made share. it is that there are opportunities in Brexit [...Continued page 31] MARCH/APRIL 2017 www.celtic-connection.com PAGE 31 are no misunderstandings about this and it’s something that reflects public opin- ion as well. Polling shows that anywhere between 80-90 percent of people say that a Brit- ish departure should not in any way af- fect our membership. To move to the other side of the ledger – the opportunities that may come with this. It will be important in trying to manage those challenges to find ways to miti- gate these, but there will be opportuni- ties. JIM KELLY with Deirdre Halferty, Honorary Consul Ireland for TONY McCAMLEY, George McDonnell of the Irish Heritage We’ve already begun to see some in- ward investment resulting from this as Calgary and Southern Alberta and past president Irish Cultural Society of Canada with Ambassador Kelly and Eilis Courtney Society (ICS) Calgary. of the Irish Women’s Network. companies who want to maintain a pres- ence in the European Union look to [....continued from page 30] ion itself. For Ireland, our membership other locations from the UK. to the Union is central to our continued When you contrast this with the awful Actually, in relation to Canada this is a prosperity. As I mentioned earlier, about message that we have been sending: If situation that pertained in the past of 40 percent of our exports go to mar- large security towers and troops with you are a Canadian investor and you kets in the European Union outside of think of Ireland – a member of the Eu- machine guns, razor wire and all this, I the UK. think I can say with confidence that ropean Union, a member of the there is nobody who wants to see a re- And there are so many other ways in Eurozone, English speaking, a young turn to those borders of the past. which we have benefitted and continue and talented workforce available in the to benefit from our membership in terms technology sector as well, with a com- This is something that we are very fo- of the common agricultural policy, in mon law tradition – I think it provides a cused on as well. terms of research funding, the huge in- very economically and culturally com- Then, the third issue is the whole ques- frastructure development in Ireland patible environment for Canadian busi- tion of the common travel area between that’s been supported over the years by nesses and Canadian investors who will Ireland and the UK, which of course is the Union. want to maintain or gain a presence in something that pre-dates our member- the European Union with minimum dis- So, continued members of the European ruption and turbulence. ship in the EU and indeed goes back to Union for us a sine qua non for our the 1920s. That’s a message that the IDA has been prosperity. Our future is part of the AMBASSADOR Kelly with ICS board president David Price Union so our relationship with the EU getting out as well. but as ambassador Again, it is about trying to gain an un- and other directors – Chris Kane, Colleen Devlin and Marise derstanding and to look at ways in which is very different from the UK for whom to Canada I think there is a particular we can preserve that particular ar- it was more about the economic as- resonance for this here. Kelly. This was after the ambassador was presented with the traditional “White Hat,” which he accepted in the spirit of a rangement in a future situation. pects. MD: And, of course, following Brexit Calgary cowboy. There are major challenges around this For us it goes a lot further. The Union Ireland will be the only English and we’re not naive about that but we was also an important push factor in speaking country in the Eurozone. want to ensure these things are han- terms of social and cultural development JK: That is correct. There is a huge dled as best they can be within the ne- in Ireland in very many ways. amount of Canadian investment in the gotiations. The Government sees continued mem- UK for historical and for many other And the fourth issue is the general ques- bership in the European Union as an reasons, and I’m sure that will continue tion about the future shape of the Un- important message to send so that there to be the case, but there will be aspects of that investment that companies will feel needs to be kept inside the EU sin- gle market and we feel that Ireland is a natural location for such companies. • For more information about invest- ment in Ireland, visit the Enterprise Ireland website at: www.enterprise-ireland.com. If you are planning a trip to Ireland, visit the Tourism Ireland website at: www.ireland.com. To contact the MEMBERS of the Ireland Canada Monument Society with the Embassy of Ireland in Ottawa, call Irish Ambassador Jim Kelly – (L-R) Catherine Flynn, Sarah (613) 233- 6281 or for more infor- Ann Chisholm, Teresa McDonnell, Brendan Flynn [Executive mation, visit online at: www.dfa.ie/ Director], Theresa Thoreson, and Dr. Perry Lydon. irish-embassy/canada.

MEMBERS of the Vancouver Irish Sporting and Social Club John O’Flynn (L) and Tadhg Egan (second from right) with Neil Cooney [Enterprise Ireland] (second from left), and Am- bassador Kelly.

RONAN DEANE of the Vancouver Irish Sporting and Social Club with John Cheevers the Honorary Irish Consul of B.C.

SPECIAL thanks Deirdre Halferty, Eilis Courtney and Bernard Ward for photo submissions. More photos on our Facebook page at: www.facebook.com/celtic.connection.vancouver/ PAGE 32 www.celtic-connection.com MARCH/APRIL 2017