LUGHNASADH by Jeni Kubicek

ISSUE 24 VOLUME 6 Proudly Serving Celts in North America Since 1991 JULY/AUGUST 2015

MHAIRI BLACK, the 20-year-old Scottish Nationalist Party MP delivers an electrifying maiden speech in the British House of Commons on Tuesday, July 14. [READ MORE ON PAGE 9]

LUGHNASADH by Jeni Kubicek. [READ more about the artist on page 2]

Lughnasadh: The Journey A NATION IN MOURNING — Six Irish students died after a balcony collapsed in Berkeley, California. (Clockwise from top left) Eimear Walsh, Eoghan Culligan, Olivia Burke, Lorcán from Summer into Autumn Miller, Ashley Donohoe, and Niccolai Schuster. [SEE PAGE 15] UGHNASADH life aspects of gods and goddesses in Saxons from the Anglo-Saxon hlaf-mas virtually every culture and religion. or “loaf feast,” referring to the loaves (pronounced loo’- that are baked from the first grain har- na-sadh) is the Lughnasadh is the time of the barley vested. This is the first harvest festival moon. In older times, the last stalk of of the year and this celebration of the feast which marks grain was ceremonially cut and crafted L harvest of the first grain ties in nicely into a corn dolly, which could represent with Lughnasadh. the journey from summer into both the god and the goddess. autumn beginning August 1. One aspect of the god who is honoured [READ CYNTHIA WALLENTINE’S COLUMN ON PAGE 14 FOR MORE.] Now it’s time to get the crops har- by some Celtic traditions at this time of vested and brought in safely – into year is Llew Llaw Gyffes, a Welsh god of light who died and came back to life. FLOWERS on the beach near the Imperial Marhaba Hotel fol- the cool, dark storehouse of our He was the ripener of the grain, the sun. HOOP DREAMS: lowing the attack in Sousse, Tunisia. The British and Irish Gov- inner selves. ernments have warned against all but essential travel amid fears In Ireland, he was called “Lugh, the ON S OURNEY For our ancestors, the final harvest Long-Handed.” He owned a magic A S ’ J of a fresh terror attack. [SEE PAGE 11] meant wonderful fairs and markets, a spear which thirsted for blood, and TO THE SPECIAL time of sacred peace between tribes which flashed fire and roared aloud in WIN FREE TICKETS that might usually be in war. battle. Lugh was the first to use the OLYMPIC GAMES These events are connected and re- horse in warfare, and nobody could gaze Win a pair (2 tickets) to a Taste of called in one form or another in myths upon his face without being dazzled. By Ann Carr the Highlands at the Canmore surrounding life-in-death and death-in- August 1 was called Lammas by the Page 13 Highland Games in Canmore, Al- berta on September 5, plus a pair (2 • tickets) to the Canmore Highland Games (Ceilidh not included), on CONOR MCGREGOR: September 6. (See pages 3 & 6 for JOHNNIE FOX’S IRISH details). Entry by August 7. Mark your SNUG on Granville Street in IRELAND’S FIRST entry: Canmore Highland Games. Vancouver has announced CHAMPION Entries by e-mail only. Mark the name

UFC of the event on your entry, including a new ‘Fly to Ireland’ com- 40009398 Publication IN AS EGAS your name and daytime telephone petition for their valued cus-

Mail Agreement: Mail L V number. (Only one entry per person.) tomers. [SEE PAGE 4] Page 18 Send to: [email protected] PAGE 2 www.celtic-connection.com JULY/AUGUST 2015 In Memory of Tom Butler December 28, 1930 - June 25, 2015

ANCOUVER – Friends and family gath- He was my beloved step-father and he first came into my life about 22 years ered from far and wide on the morning of ago when he married my mother Catholine. From that time forward he Saturday, July 4, 2015 to say a final fare- took me under his wing and treated me well to a man who had a large presence in like another daughter. Vthe local Irish community for almost 60 years. I was never so proud to have him walk beside me as on my wedding day when he escorted me down the aisle to my By MAURA DE FREITAS bridegroom. We shared so many joyous and happy Tom Butler was born in Kilmaine, Co. family celebrations together and it was Mayo in Ireland on December 28, 1930 Tom’s generous spirit that will always and he passed away after a long illness leave a lasting impression. on June 25, 2015 in Vancouver at the PHOTO: Tony Butler age of 84. I am very grateful for all the support and AN honour guard of upraised hurley sticks by members of the encouragement Tom consistently Vancouver Irish Sporting and Social Club at the removal of Predeceased by his first wife Annie showed me with my work publishing The Teresa, he is lovingly remembered by Tom Butler’s casket from St. Patrick’s Parish in Vancouver. Celtic Connection. I know he was very his wife Catholine Butler, children Kevin proud each month to help distribute the Butler and Mary Ann Segarty (Grant), paper. The Boys of the County Mayo step-children Maura De Freitas (Jose) Far away from the Land And the friends of our youth, and Patrick McCay and grandchildren Over the years his presence brought us of the Shamrock and Heather may God always be with them. Angela Logan (James), Susie Segarty a great deal of stability and there were In search of a living They too are exiles from (Mike), Liam Segarty (Sandra), Teresa many moments when his very practical as exiles we roam. the County Mayo. Segarty (Chad) and his great-grandchil- common sense helped to guide us But whenever we chance dren, sisters and brothers, nieces and through some very turbulent waters. to assemble together From historic Killala, nephews and many friends in Canada, In more recent years it was because of We think of the land where from Swinford to Ballagh, the U.S.A. and Ireland. Tom that I worked to organize the Irish we once had a home. Ballyhaunis and Westport and oul’ Castlebar, It felt so appropriate to say farewell to seniors luncheons through the Irish Be- But these homes are destroyed Kiltimagh and Claremorris, Tom at St. Patrick’s Parish in Vancou- nevolent Society of B.C. and our soils cultivated. Belmullet and Erris, ver with Father James Hughes celebrat- I became aware of the great contribu- The hand of the tyrant brought Kilkelly and Knock, ing his funeral Mass. This was the par- TOM BUTLER – A proud Mayo tion so many of these earlier Irish immi- plunder and woe. that’s famed near and far. ish where so many Irish emigrants of man to the core. grants made to our community and in Our fires are long dead his era found a home and a community their golden years I wanted to help bring and our hearths desolated Balla, Ballinrobe, Ballina and Bohola, upon arrival in this city. donned their green and gold jerseys and Keel Oaks and Foxford, these lovely people together where once In our once happy homes formed a silent guard of honour with Over the years, Tom’s door was always again they could sing and dance and in the County Mayo. a few miles below, uplifted hurleys leading all the way out Newport and Cong open with a warm welcome for his fel- of the church. enjoy each other’s company. ’Tis many long years since and oul’ Straide and Manulla, low Irish exiles and many will remem- During the past few weeks I have read with hearts full of sorrow, Charlestown too, ber the legendary gatherings he and his That was an incredible tribute to a man so many of the numerous condolence The Land of the Shamrock in the County Mayo. late wife Teresa held in the Fifties and whose name graces the GAA Western messages received and the one quality we left far behind. Sixties. Canada Division men’s championship Chorus: that shines through all the grief is that The days of our youth award: The Tom Butler Cup. Their home served as the unofficial Irish Tom will be remembered as a gentle- it’s now we regret them, ‘Now Boys, pull together centre where so many wonderful gath- Thank you also to Catherine Flynn and man and a man of honour, and I think And the friends of our childhood in all kinds of weather, Ne’er show the white feather erings took place with music and songs Lee Cooke for their help putting together there can be no finer tribute. whom we still bear in mind. wherever ye go. shared. Loneliness and homesickness the wonderful slide show presentation On behalf of my mother Catholine But- Ah! The days of our youth Act each like a brother were dispelled in such fine company. at the reception afterwards. ler and all the Butler family, I would like we’ll never forget them and help one another, Tom played a key role in the formation Tom also will be remembered for all his to extend our warmest thank you to eve- They cling to our visions Like the stout-hearted men of many of the local Irish organizations, volunteer work with the Vancouver St. ryone who called or sent messages, and wherever we go. from the County Mayo. particularly the Sons of Erin and later Vincent de Paul Society where he who attended the prayers and funeral the Vancouver Irish Sporting and Social helped with meals for the Downtown Mass. Your support has been greatly ABOUT THE ARTIST Club (ISSC). Eastside and worked on many renova- appreciated. Our cover artist this month is Jeni Kubicek, a freelance artist based in North tion projects. Carolina, U.S.A. She has wanted to be an artist since she was five, but started One of the most remarkable demonstra- [The family has requested in lieu of being serious around age 14. She didn’t take lessons or classes but instead tions of support followed Tom’s funeral Personally, it was a privilege to know flowers, donations to the Vancouver drew what she loved and drew inspiration from other artists. Mass when members of the ISSC – him and I will never forget how very St. Vincent de Paul Society with the both men and women, young and old – good he was to me. Archdiocese of Vancouver.] She was home schooled K-12 then, instead of going to college, Jeni traveled the world, worked and continued to learn about art. Since then she got married and worked numerous jobs. She now works from home as a freelance artist. Her fanart features various books and series, including Wildwood Dancing by Juliet Marillier, The Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins, Warm Bodies by Isaac Marion, and the Harry Potter series by J.K. Rowling. For more information about Jeni Kubicek, visit her Facebook page at: www.facebook.com/jenikubicekart.

THE CELTIC CONNECTION

ISSUE 24 VOLUME 6 - 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 • Alison Moore • Linda Robb • Kathy Griffin and Frank Dudfield in Surrey • Neville Thomas in Burnaby & Coquitlam • Eifion Williams in Burnaby & Coquitlam • Doug Medley in North Vancouver • Gabriel Clark in Coquitlam & Port Moody • Joanne Long in Mission • Bill Duncan in Maple Ridge • Nanci Spieker and Heather Murphy in Seattle • Oliver Grealish in Edmonton. Published 10 times per year. Unsolicited submissions welcome but will not be returned. Please retain a copy for your files. Contents copyright 2015 The Celtic Connection. Opinions expressed here are not necessarily those of the publisher but rather a reflection of voices within the community. All correspondence must include a name, address and telephone number. Canada Post Canadian Publications Agreement 40009398 JULY/AUGUST 2015 www.celtic-connection.com PAGE 3

TOM GIBBONS Cup and the Tom Butler Cup— ladies and men’s GAA Western Canada championship trophies. Best of luck to all the GAA teams competing in the 2015 Western Canada Championships Best of luck to all the teams participating in the 2015 GAA Western Canada Championships in Edmonton, Alberta on the August long weekend. Eight distinct clubs spread through three provinces are preparing for the challenge, including: The Fraser Valley Gaels and the Vancouver Irish Sporting and Social Club from British Columbia; the Calgary Chieftains, the Edmonton Wolfe Tones, the RedBridge Eire Og, and Fort McMurray Shamrocks from Alberta; and the Regina Gaels and Chlann na Gael Saskatoon from Saskatchewan. SENDING BEST WISHES and A total of eight men’s teams are scheduled to compete for the honour of hoisting best of Irish luck to our West- the Tom Butler Cup, while five women’s teams will compete for the Tom Gib- ern Canada Rose 2015, bons Cup. Cassandra Sampson of Fort McMurray, Alberta, at the finals Congratulations as well to the EdmontonWolfe Tones whose 40th anniversary taking place in Ireland in Au- coincides with the championship weekend. gust for the International Rose No doubt it will be a tough competition and a weekend to remember as it is of Tralee Festival. predicted to be the largest tournament staged in the history of the division. PAGE 4 www.celtic-connection.com JULY/AUGUST 2015 Summer Festivals and Trad Sessions from Vancouver to Dingle

FINBAR FUREY in India, Sri Lanka, Bangladesh, Japan, World Turned Upside Down and Ed Three craft vendors, a busy cafe at the Malaysia, Indonesia, and Morocco. Pickford’s Workers Song. front serving bespoke pizza, a pub next The Rogue is delighted to door with sessions every night spilling bring Finbar Furey to St. These travels had a powerful impact He usually starts his shows with Si out into the courtyard by day. on their attitudes to both the world and Kahn’s What You Do With What James Hall on August 15! to song writing. You’ve Got and his renditions of bal- Dublin Porter (the original Guinness By lads like The Cruel Brother and recipe) and Smithwick’s Pale Ale on Finbar has left his mark on the music In 1990 they recorded Freedom And STEVE Glenlogie are spine-tinglingly good. tap, and the very popular Stella Artois of Ireland and indeed taken Irish music EDGE Rain with the great English folk diva Cidre in large bottles. around the world for more than 40 years June Tabor. His cover of Pete Seeger’s Waist Deep as the lead singer, banjo and uilleann In The Big Muddy is equally memora- Three nights of music and only half a pipes player for The Fureys, a group THE ROGUE Although essentially a trad and covers ble. mile to walk home to our B&B, which he shared with his brothers Eddie, Paul collection, the songs were shrewdly had views out to the Cliffs of Moher and George. FOLK CLUB chosen, and the album was very well We can’t wait to hear what he’s been (and we could hear the last bands play- received, particularly in the U.S. where up to lately. For more, see: ing on into the night from our room!). He has toured extensively in Britain, Rolling Stone commented “imagine if www.dickgaughan.co.uk. What great bands, too! America, Australia and Europe, treat- Aerosmith and Madonna announced ing audiences to evenings of pure Irish they were to tour together…!!” SUMMER FESTIVALS Doolin is basically one street with four magic, great music, good humour, and IN B.C. AND A LBERTA pubs and a few houses, a couple of the charm and sparkling wit associated The Rogue brought them to Vancouver shops and hostels and fields of cows in 1991: June Tabor in a chain mail vest We just got back from Island with one of Ireland’s great raconteurs. and sheep. singing White Rabbit with the Oysters Musicfest in Courtenay. I’m still buzz- From his early folk days in the late Six- rocking the backbeat and searing the ing from my first taste of Steeleye Span As we drove in, we spied Luka Bloom ties to his more contemporary, raw and air at 86 Street Music Hall with their in concert! walking along the road. We knew we emotional style today, his music is de- fiddle, melodeon, and guitars. Ah yes. The band that first rocked out on trad were in the right place! termined, irresistibly intriguing and re- Happy days! ballads like Thomas The Rhymer and We were amongst the first to arrive and flective and re-affirms his status as one Cold Haily Windy Night and went to of Ireland’s great folk heroes. Meanwhile in the UK the ground was set up camp in the comfy chairs in the shifting. the top of the charts with All Around wedding “lounge,” where Irish TV He was last here around 20 years ago, My Hat and a song in Latin (Gaudete) were conducting interviews with some As Oysterband expanded from their I think, at The Cultch. I still recall that made their first ever B.C. appearance of the performers. concert as the night I witnessed a com- folk background, others were expand- last weekend. prehensive master class on the uilleann ing from rock into folk, and the conver- Sharon Shannon was the big name on gence became a new scene including I spoke with Maddy Prior afterwards the Friday night, and she played with pipes. What a great player he is, and and she told me she would love to bring such a great communicator too! The Pogues, The Levellers, The three musicians – Jim Murray on gui- Waterboys, and Celtas Cortos. the band to Vancouver on their next tour. tar, Alan Connor on piano and guitar From earliest memory, music played an I’ll make it happen if I can! and vocals and I can’t remember the FINBAR Furey has left his The high-point from this period was essential role in Finbar’s family home PEI’s Ten Strings & A Goatskin was fiddler’s name but he was brilliant! in Ballyfermot, Dublin. mark on the music of Ireland probably Holy Bandits (1993); the first and indeed taken Irish music song When I’m Up I Can’t Get Down the only other Celtic band on view, and Next up was songwriter Declan His father played fiddle and pipes and around the world for more than was later a substantial hit for Great Big they were a huge hit with the crowd. O’Rourke – check out his gorgeous his mother played five string banjo. 40 years as the lead singer, Sea. This coming weekend I’m looking for- songs Galileo and Whatever Else Hap- Finbar won several all-Ireland champi- pens. banjo and uilleann pipes player In the early to mid-Nineties, ward to seeing Richard Thompson, onships on the uilleann pipes as a teen- Rory McLeod, Breabach, Ross ager. for The Fureys. He plays The Oysterband recorded collaborations The last band started at 12:45 AM each Rogue Folk Club in Vancouver with Eliza Carthy, The Handsome Fam- Ainslie & Jarlath Henderson, Sam night, and I just couldn’t stay awake As a duo with his brother Eddie in the on August 15. ily, and others, as well as establishing Lee, and The Once – amongst others long enough to hear the very excellent late Sixties, the two left Ireland and the hugely popular festival The Big – at the Vancouver Folk Music Fes- young band Moxie. were soon playing in folk clubs, col- Session. tival (www.thefestival.bc.ca). On Saturday we cruised over to Inis leges, then festivals and concert halls in RTE’s feted drama series, Love/ Then it’s Mission and more piping from throughout Europe where their ap- More recently the band have found re- Oirr in the Aran Islands and then un- Hate. markable success from their reunion Ross and Jarlath, Canadian fiddling derneath the Cliffs of Moher – what a proach to the music was soon noticed with Pierre Schryer and Jocelyn In 2013 Finbar won The Hit with the album with June Tabor, Ragged King- great way to see them! and influenced succeeding generations. Pettit, the Irish pipes of Martin Nolan, beautifully written The Last Great Love dom, released in 2011. and the amazing harmonies and Galician Made it back to the festival to see We Finbar has always experimented with Song and followed this with his album Twenty-one years after Freedom And pipes of Ialma (July 24-26). Banjo 3 (two sets of brothers and only instruments and designed and had made Colours becoming his first Number a set of pipes in stainless steel, the first Rain may seem perverse, but it was www.missionfolkmusicfestival.com. two banjos!) What a great band! One in 30 years since When you were well worth the wait. ever made. Sweet 16 in 1983. Next month it’s the Edmonton Folk Young guys having fun and playing and Ragged Kingdom earned no less than Festival, the Rolls Royce of festivals, singing brilliantly. Trad and related mu- In 1971 he designed a new style of flute Finbar’s back in the charts now with three BBC Folk Awards (Best Trad with Cape Breton’s Coig, Ireland’s sic delivered with lots of smiles. and commissioned Bernard Overton to his newly released instrumental and in- Track, Best Album, and Best Group). Sinead O’Connor and I Draw Slow, make it and so the Overton flute (or spirational album on pipes and flute, The We wandered around to the sessions Scotland’s Brian McNeill, Quebec’s low whistle as it is called nowadays) Slender Promise. For more, see: With a stunning new album, Diamonds and even managed to stay for the first Le Vent Du Nord, and England’s Ri- was born and is now played worldwide www.finbarfurey.com. On The Water, and after such a long half of the final set by Aldoc, compris- in every Irish and Celtic band. career, Oysterband can’t help feel that chard Thompson and Oysterband. ing two former members of Grada OYSTERBAND the most fruitful time might be right now. (August 6-9). www.edmonton (from Ireland and New Zealand) plus In 1978 they asked younger brothers, folkfest.org . Paul and George with their bandmate, Two days earlier, The Rogue presents musicians from Germany and Holland, Make sure you don’t miss this incred- I think. Davey Arthur, to join them and formed Anglo-Celtic Folk Rock pioneers, ible return to form. Then there’s the Princeton Tradi- The Fureys and Davey Arthur. Oysterband at St. James Hall. tional Music Festival Their CD, From Tallaght To Halle, is Currently, Oysterband consists of (www.princetontraditional.org) and The band achieved worldwide fame They make a kind of modern, folk-based excellent; a sort of trippy ambient blend founder members John Jones (vocals, Salmon Arm’s Roots & Blues Festi- of Irish trad and dub – a bit like Afro with Finbar as frontman, with such hits British music, acoustic at heart but not melodeon), Alan Prosser (guitars, vo- always quiet. They’ve been doing this val (www.rootsandblues.ca) to choose Celts perhaps. Live they didn’t quite as Finbar’s Lonesome Boatman and cals), and Ian Telfer (violin, keyboard, from (August 14-16). So much fabu- songs like Sweet 16, The Green Fields for a long time, and they’re pretty good carry it off, but the flute player is quite vocals) with Dil Davies (drums), Al lous music, so little time!! amazing. of France, The Red Rose Cafe and at it by now. Scott (bass guitar, mandolin, vocals), many more. At first purely a dance band (The Oys- and Adrian Oxaal (cello, guitar, vocals). DOOLIN FOLK FESTIVAL The tent was absolutely packed with In 1995, Finbar left the group to launch ter Ceilidh Band), Oysterband soon www.oysterband.co.uk. On our trip to Ireland last month we lovely young women dressed to the started experimenting with radical ar- took in the third annual Doolin Folk nines and young Irish lads as pissed as a solo career and his reputation as a DICK GAUGHAN solo artist has increased with every per- rangements of traditional songs and with Festival in Co. Clare newts! On September 12, The Rogue presents formance with his gutsy, emotional and home recording, determined that tradi- Scots singer Dick Gaughan at St. It was held at the Doolin Hotel on the A French visitor asked to take a photo innovative approach to music. His con- tional music should not be just a branch James. It’s been a few years since he main street (Fisher Street) in a wed- of the empty kegs as he’d never seen certs are nights packed with lots of of the heritage industry. was last here. ding tent and garden at the back. so much beer consumed in one evening! music, songs, passion and fun. Musicians came and went, the name Few singers can convey the raw power The tent holds around 700 people, I On Sunday we viewed the Cliffs from Finbar has also added acting to his cred- shortened, and in 1986 they released of traditional song and contemporary reckon. Maybe more. There are two the top and then headed back to the its, playing a singing role in Martin their first breakthrough album Step protest anthem with such authority, and bars in the garden, plus one upstairs in festival in time to see NoCrows, a Sligo Scorsese’s Gangs of New York fol- Outside. his guitar work is brilliantly intricate at a room with a second stage. sextet with a Siberian fiddler, a Swiss lowed by a lead acting role in Mark During the late Eighties Oysterband cellist and a Mallorcan guitarist! times, and mind-blowingly truculent at There was a huge open fire with a two- Mahon’s Strength and Honour along- toured across the globe, including Scan- others! metre pan on it cooking Thai Chicken Great stuff again, touching on trad and side Vinny Jones, Richard Chamberlain, dinavia, Eastern Europe, and North Curry. blending songs in Catalan with horas Michael Madsen and Patrick Bergin. America. His 1984 album Handful Of Earth was voted Album of the Century by readers from eastern Europe and excellent This was followed with a stunning role Big open braziers burning logs, the smell They have played alongside the likes of British magazine fRoots, a celebra- songs and original tunes. as a mentally ill ex-gamekeeper in the of woodsmoke disguising the smell of of Michelle Shocked and Billy tion of his versions of Burns’ Now short film Paris/ Sexy and then a part cigarette smoke. [Continued next page] Bragg, toured for the British Council Westlin’ Winds, Leon Rosselson’s JULY/AUGUST 2015 www.celtic-connection.com PAGE 5

“I thought they were starting to sound like an Irish trad version of Spinal Tap here, with band members disappearing suddenly!”

[Continued from page 4] Paddy Keenan, the master uilleann piper, was next, in an ever-growing band which featured local accordionist Dermot Byrne (ex Altan) amongst others. THE ROGUE presents Anglo-Celtic Folk Rock pioneers, They had the crowd dancing madly. Oysterband at St. James Hall in Vancouver on August 13. Luka Bloom then introduced his new trio O Sahara, singing Limestone singers living there. 8 AM to noon on CiTR FM 101.9 in Desert Blues – all new songs written • Vancouver and www.citr.ca to hear in his new home close to the Burren. Please tune in to my radio show, The music by all these performers and Edge On Folk every Saturday, from more! This incredible limestone landscape just north of Doolin is where exotic plants grow in the cracks of ancient rocks and underground rivers flow to the sea. The only song I’d heard before was the Don’t miss encore, Don’t Be Afraid Of The Light That Shines Within You. Johnnie Fox’s Irish Snug All the rest were new songs, many with a stirring Arabic feel reminiscent of Ali Farka Toure at times. Spellbinding! ‘Fly To Ireland’ Contest VANCOUVER – Johnnie Fox’s Irish Snug has announced a new ‘Fly to I spoke with him afterwards and he is Ireland’ competition for their valued customers. desperate to come back to Vancouver next year. Hooray! With every pint of Guinness, or featured entrée of the week purchased, customers will receive a ballot ticket with a chance to win a free trip for two to The last band we saw was Stockton’s Ireland. Wing with Kieran Hanrahan on guitar and vocals, Paul Roche on flute and Each completed ballot is entered into a contest draw box at Johnnie Fox’s on Tommy Hayes on bodhran. Granville Street and every two weeks a ticket will be drawn. Their fiddler, Maurice Lennon, was This will give the finalist a golden ticket valid for the big finale to be held on in hospital in Minneapolis (“He’ll be August 22. A total of eight golden tickets will be given out. fine,” said Kieran) and he was replaced Six will be drawn from the entry box at the pub over the course of the by Tara Breen a young fiddler from competition, the other two from a social media competition online. Watch Ennis who had never played with them Johnnie Fox’s Irish Snug Facebook page or drop in to the bar for more de- before that afternoon. tails. Guitarist Steve Cooney was taken ill The finale draw will take place on August 22 with all golden ticket holders on his way to the gig and was in hospi- present, or they can nominate a person to represent them. tal in Limerick. A big party will be held for the finale at Johnnie Fox’s Irish Snug with lots of (“He’ll be fine,” said Kieran. I thought Guinness prizes for all the people present. they were starting to sound like an Irish trad version of Spinal Tap here, with For more details, check out the Johnnie Fox’s Irish Snug Facebook page. band members disappearing suddenly!). Anyhow, they drafted in the excellent Jen Butterworth on guitar and the band sounded just as good as they did in 1985 when I first saw them. Walk Away, Beautiful Affair, and The Golden Stud were rounded out with the stirring Skidoo as an encore. A great way to finish this memorable event. DINGLE The next day we drove to Dingle and found even more music, notably from Tommy O’Sullivan, who now runs a wonderful pub there (The Old Court- house, with live music every night and superb local organic porter on tap ). We saw Teresa Horgan & Matt Griffin there. Teresa replaced Vancou- ver’s Norah Rendell on flute and vocals in the Outside Track, and she had just released her first solo CD – three days earlier. We also saw Seamus Begley’s daughter Maeve – again with Matt Griffin on guitar – the previous night. What a great accordion player and singer she is, too. There’s so much great music in Dingle, and so many great young musicians and PAGE 6 www.celtic-connection.com JULY/AUGUST 2015 The New Westminster Pipe Band welcomes new pipers and drummers NEW WESTMINSTER, B.C. – The mers who are interested in being part New Westminster Pipe Band was offi- of an active community pipe band. cially born in 1991 after the City of New Westminster, British Columbia passed The band enjoys performing at many a special resolution in council allowing local special events, and at Royal Ca- the British Ex-Servicemen’s Pipe Band nadian Legion, and Army, Navy and Air (which had originally been formed in Force functions, and joining with other 1979) to use the city’s name. bands such as the Metro Vancouver Firefighters’ Brass Band, the Royal The band currently consists of 18 mem- Westminster Regimental Brass Band, bers with 13 pipers and five drummers, the Port Coquitlam Legion Pipe Band, and a professional instructor. the Mission Legion Pipe Band, and Gibson’s Pipe Band in doing special The band practices Monday evenings parades and public performances. th from 7:30-9:30 PM and on one Sunday THE 25 annual Canmore Highland Games presented by the Three Sisters Scottish Festival afternoon per month from 12:30-3 PM Individual members of the pipe band Society will be held in Canmore, Alberta on September 5-6, 2015. in the hall at the South Burnaby Legion regularly volunteer their time for com- Branch #83, at 5289 Grimmer Street in munity events such as official ceremo- Burnaby. nies, installation of officers, piping in dignitaries, citizenship court, playing the Canmore Highland Games The pipe band wears the Military lament at veterans’ funerals, etc. Gordon tartan kilt, with either a full High- land uniform, or a formal day/evening Individual members of the band also th uniform. compete from time to time in piping and to Celebrate 25 Anniversary drumming competitions if they so wish, Serving as an on-going ambassador for such as at the B.C. Highland Games. ANMORE, Alberta – After uncertainty with The festival is prepping for a great pres- the City of New Westminster, and also entation of Celtic culture in all its forms The pipe band as a whole does not com- South Burnaby Royal Canadian Legion pete. financial difficulties, the Three Sisters Scot- – dance, music and sports. Branch #83, the band performs at a tish Festival Society announced in Febru- “We would like at least 25 bands this wide variety of community days, fairs, In August of 2014 the band travelled to year – a band for each year of this mile- fund-raisers, parades and Scottish cel- Prince Edward Island to participate in ary that they will present their signature sum- ebrations in and around the British Co- the 150th anniversary of the PEI High- C stone anniversary,” says Piping and Drumming coordinator Audrey Third. lumbia Lower Mainland, the Gulf Is- land Games and Scottish Festival. mer event this year. They are deeming their “Save lands, Sunshine Coast, Vancouver Is- “So bandsmen, please join us for the The band is a member of the B.C. Pip- the Highland Games” fundraiser a success. biggest event ever this year! land, as well as in the state of Wash- ington in the U.S.A. er’s Association and is available year- With this accomplishment, good ticipants who helped us start our Games “We have issued a Facebook challenge round for bookings for parades and spe- 25 years ago,” says Sally Garen, enter- to all fire, police, EMT, pubs and com- The band especially strives to play for cial events. budget control, and the help of a non-profit organizations involved in wor- bridging loan of $15,000 from the tainment coordinator for the festival. panies to enter a team for the tug of The band is a self-supporting, charita- war. Prize money is in place for both thy community programs such as serv- Town of Canmore, they are Hired talent for this year’s events will ice clubs, veterans’ clubs, seniors ble organization, and donations for per- th men’s and women’s division winners – formances are gratefully accepted. proudly saying that their 25 an- include Stratus (Alberta’s version of $2,000 in each division – winner takes groups (including those living in long niversary Canmore Highland Peter, Paul and Mary with some hilar- all,” says Bunch. term care facilities), and charities. To receive more information about the ity thrown in), local favourites Cabot’s Games will take place on Septem- The band also performs at annual Re- City of New Westminster Pipe Band, ber 5-6, 2015. Crossing of Calgary and St. James Gate Overheard at a drum major workshop or to book the band for an event, please of Red Deer. in Calgary earlier this year was a com- membrance Day Ceremonies on No- vember 11. call Pipe Major Mike Carpenter, at “We are thrilled with the support we ment by one of the participants saying (778) 988-9621, or Pipe Staff Sergeant have received,” says organization presi- Completing the line-up will be the Regi- that Canmore’s Games are undoubtedly mental Pipes and Drums of the Calgary The City of New Westminster Pipe and Secretary/Treasurer Patrick dent Sandy Bunch. held in the most beautiful venue in Band welcomes new pipers and drum- Buchannon at (604) 689-8639. Highlanders and performers from the North America. “The response has been tremendous, MJP Academy of Irish Dance. from the radio stations and newspapers “The thrill of the massed bands beneath to the private and corporate donations New to the festival this year will be the the rugged mountain peaks is beyond of amounts small and large. addition of several food truck vendors comparison, definitely the place to be to supply a wide range of fare for all on the Labour Day weekend.” “We are so happy to be in the planning palates at the Sunday games, and gour- stages of our event for 2015. met food items will be added to the Taste More at www.canmorehighland games.ca. “This year we salute the Alberta par- of Highlands events on Saturday, Sep- tember 5. Royal Family Gathers for Christening of Princess Charlotte ally gathers for Christmas service THE pipe band wears the Military Gordon tartan kilt, with either ONDON – Kensington Palace has released a full Highland uniform, or a formal day/evening uniform. the first official photographs from the chris- There were just 21 guests, including two-month-old Charlotte, her five god- tening of Princess Charlotte, showcasing the parents, the Queen, Prince Philip, newest addition to the British royal family. Prince Charles and the Duchess of L Cornwall, as well as grandparents They were taken by noted celebrity pho- Michael and Carole Middleton and tographer Mario Testino, who snapped Kate’s siblings Pippa and James. Charlotte’s late grandmother, Princess Charlotte’s godparents were named as Diana, for a famous 1997 Vanity Fair two cousins from both sides of the fam- issue. ily – Michael Middleton’s nephew, Adam Dazzling in her ornate christening gown, Middleton and Diana’s niece Laura the two-month-old princess is pictured Fellowes – as well as three close friends, alongside her parents, the Duke and James Meade, Thomas van Duchess of Cambridge, and older Straubenzee and Sophie Carter. A LARGE crowd of royal fans brother, George. For the ceremony, the Archbishop of passed through security to the The newly released photos give an inti- Canterbury sprinkled Charlotte’s head area around the Church of St. mate behind-the-scenes look at the with water from the River Jordan, in Mary Magdalene where Prin- family’s big day hours after thousands which Jesus Christ was said to be bap- cess Charlotte was set to be of royal watchers camped out near the tized, in the fabled silver gilt Lily Font, christened in front of the St. Mary Magdalene Church in Sandring- a part of the Crown Jewels on loan from THE first official photographs of the Duke and Duchess of Queen and close family. ham, where the royal family tradition- the Tower of London. Cambridge with their children Charlotte and George. JULY/AUGUST 2015 www.celtic-connection.com PAGE 7 Canadian police officer originally from UK shot dead in Edmonton EDMONTON – Shocked criminal harassment related to a lengthy hate crime investigation with evidence British police officers re- going back to February 2014. member their popular former Constable Woodall, originally from colleague who was shot dead Salford, started his career with Greater while on duty in Canada on Manchester Police (GMP) in August 2002 and left for Canada in December June 8. 2006. Father of two, Daniel Woodall “He was a truly ebullient man – always (35), was gunned down while volunteering for new challenges and searching a house in south Edmon- experiences,” said GMP Det. Insp. Jim ton to look for a suspect involved Faulkner. in a hate crime. “I can’t really comprehend this has hap- Constable Woodall had served with pened and I am in shock. It really is Greater Manchester Police for four tragic and my heart and thoughts go out years before emigrating to start a new to his family and colleagues.” life in Alberta with his wife Claire and Constable Woodall is the first Edmon- two young sons, joining the Edmonton ton police officer to be killed in the line Police in 2006. of duty in 25 years. His death led to an CONSTABLE Daniel Woodall outpouring of support and sympathy for Speaking to media at Edmonton Police was shot dead while search- Service headquarters, Police Chief Rod him on social media in Canada and the Knecht said more than 50 bullet holes ing for a suspect in Edmon- UK. were found at the scene, some going ton, Alberta on June 8. He served with Greater Manches- Hundreds of police officers from across through the house and into a garage Canada and around the world gathered across the street. ter Police for four years be- to march through the streets of down- fore immigrating to Canada Woodall was hit multiple times and killed town and fill the Shaw Conference at the scene. A second officer, Sgt. with his family to join the Ed- Centre in Edmonton to honour Woodall Jason Harley (38), was shot in the back, monton Police in 2006. at a regimental funeral on June 17. but survived because of the body ar- Trees throughout the city were wrapped mour he was wearing. Woodall was which burned to the ground after the with blue ribbons in his honour and resi- also wearing body armour, but it did not shooting. dents lined the streets and stood on protect him from his injuries. Knecht said officers were going to rooftops to watch the procession pass The killer, Norman Raddatz (42), took Raddatz’s home to serve a bylaw war- by. Many wiped tears from their eyes his own life. He died inside the home, rant and another warrant for “extreme” as they stood silently on the sidewalk. PAGE 8 www.celtic-connection.com JULY/AUGUST 2015 British weather never fails to underwhelm

POSTCARD FROM BOURNEMOUTH

DORIS LONG aka ‘Daring Doris’ abseils down the Spinnaker tower in Portsmouth, Hampshire, on Sunday, July 12. By ELFAN JONES 101-year-old HE weather here is disap- woman abseils T pointing. One day it is 22 degrees and everybody from tower thinks “hurrah summer is LONDON – A 101-year-old Despite the inconveniences posed by British woman swung from a the weather, Long said she was “living here.” to hope” to suspend from the tower next 94-meter tower disregarding year, at the age of 102. The next day the temperature any feelings of fear as she sus- Long, who has a daughter, three grand- slumps to 12 degrees and moods pended from the tallest build- children, seven great-grandchildren and fall accordingly. PHOTO: Wendy McFadden two great-great-grandchildren, received ing in the UK outside of Lon- cheers and applause from the crowd I have no idea why I am surprised THE WALES WINDOW FOR ALABAMA, created by artist John don, the Guardian newspaper below, as a band played The when this happens. Petts, was a gift to the Sixteenth Street Baptist Church from reported. Proclaimers’ hit, I’m Gonna Be (500 the people of Wales, U.K., after the 1963 bombing. The Christ Miles) as she reached the bottom of This is British weather. This is why figure is rejecting injustice with one hand and extends forgive- Doris Long said, “I don’t feel afraid and the tower. barbecues are not a regular event, ness with the other. never have – I just have a placid na- and we all book holidays in Spain. ture.” Her fundraising efforts have gained • dow above the entrance is known by Long a coveted Order of the British Cambridge University was founded in the church members as “The Wales This is not the pensioner’s first time in Empire, or MBE, an award given to 1209 and is the second oldest univer- Window for Alabama.” the air. Nicknamed Daring Doris, she those who have provided distinguished sity in the English speaking world. started abseiling at 85 and has even service to the arts and sciences and Created by a Llansteffan artist, John abseiled alongside new Top Gear host, public services. Notable alumni include Sir Isaac New- Petts it depicts a Jesus with black skin Chris Evans. ton, Charles Darwin, Stephen Hawk- on the cross and a shining rainbow A 42-year-old mother of two, who coming, and dozens of men and women who above his head. Long’s stint is part of an effort to raise pleted the abseil earlier in the day, have pushed the boundaries of aca- money for the Rowans hospice in commended Long and described her as research on Google revealed that peo- On the bottom of the window are the Waterlooville, Hampshire. a “real inspiration.” demic research. ple have been converting carriages into words “Given by the people of Wales.” homes for at least a 100 years. “I have a look down at the crowd. I am “I think she’s amazing, a real inspira- This week the university has announced Back in those days many of the white they are appointing a Professor of Lego. normally looking to see how the other tion. You have to be quite agile to get The earliest reference I could find was community were appalled at the depic- person is getting on,” she said in refer- the ropes down, but it’s the bravery This new professorship will oversee the in a 1910 article in The Hamsworth tion of Jesus as a black man and re- study of “play in education.” ence to any accompanying daredevils. more than anything. How she does it I Magazine entitled: Railway Carriages garded it as blasphemous. have no idea,” Jennie Watson said. The Lego Foundation which is part as Houses – A seaside village of “It was very hard work, much harder strange residences by H.L.Adam. Today, hopefully they have realised that than last year,” she said after touching Event fundraiser Karen Kay said “Doris owner of the world famous Danish com- he was not from Sweden, but from the pany is donating £4 million pounds for ground. is an amazing lady and a huge inspira- I quote “A town of railway carriages – Middle East and consequently not likely tion. She has been abseiling for the a research centre within Cambridge’s “It was so windy I swung about a bit of carriages used as houses may be to have blond hair and blue eyes. Rowans hospice for more than 10 years Faculty of Education to explore how but oh yes, I enjoyed it, I feel it’s well seen on our Southern coast. • now and has raised over £11,000.” children learn through play. Back home, Penzance Council spent worth it. “It is situated on the Beach at Shoreham “We can’t thank her enough for sup- I have a mental picture of undergradu- more than £50,000 trying to beat the “My legs ache like anything – and my a few miles from Brighton.” porting local hospice care. Everyone at ates sitting on the floor making little world record for the number of pirates right arm where I hold the rope – and the Rowans hospice wishes Doris all bridges and houses from the coloured The article explains that disused car- on the beach at one time but fell short my hair is all sticking out.” bricks then going home to mummy and riages were left by the beach to rot and by 77. the best for this epic challenge.” fishermen used them to store their nets daddy with a B.A. Hons in advanced The record is held by Hastings who had until one of them hit on the idea of liv- Lego? 14,231 (mainly shopkeepers, hoteliers • ing in one. and café owners I suspect). Last weekend I visited friends in The An entrepreneur in Shoreham saw an • Wrongly released prisoner Witterings. A bonny little area on the opportunity and advertised them for Finally, there was big news from Bir- south coast, eight miles from Chiches- sale, as beach holiday homes, in sev- mingham, England, yesterday. Britain’s ter, with a history dating back to Ro- eral London newspapers. He received first National Sperm Bank opened enjoys a short beer break man times. 60 applications!! there. BIRMINGHAM – A prisoner Clifford said Harwood popped in “now and again” to the pub in Smethwick in East and West Wittering have a high A good place for it, because there is wrongly released from jail Apparently all the carriages were sold the West Midlands which is only 10 proportion of retired people and week- not much else to do in Birmingham. and the article mentions that an old lady walked to his old school friend’s minutes walk from the jail where he enders living there, as well as several People joke about it. paid £10 for a carriage plus £2 to have pub for a couple of beers before was being held. celebrities. it lifted onto the beach then soon sold it They say that the birds fly upside down handing himself in. for £40. It is a fun article, well worth a “He’s a nice lad, I’ve known him since Kate Winslett and Keith Richard are there because they can’t find anything read. he was a child,” added the landlady. two names I remember. Apart from the worth crapping on. Landlady of the Soho Foundry Tavern • Karen Clifford said Lewis Harwood beaches, the lovely old pubs and the She said Harwood knew he had been On September 15, 1963 in Birmingham I play golf with a chap from Birming- paid the pub a visit just after opening picturesque villages, it is the mix of wrongly released but had a bacon sand- Alabama, four members of the Ku Klux ham, nice fellah, but I can’t understand on Monday, June 29, hours after he was houses, and bungalows that makes the wich washed down with two bottles of Klan planted 15 sticks of dynamite out- a word he says. let out of HMP Birmingham. place charming. Budweiser beer at the pub, before vol- side the entrance to the Sixteenth Street untarily walking back to the prison. In one street there was a New England Baptist Church. They really have a weird accent. A cup Her son Darren Clifford, who helps run of tea is pronounced, “a kipper tie.” the bar, went to school with Harwood. style home next to classic Fifties bun- Harwood, of Rugeley, Staffordshire, Four children were killed and hundreds galow and then homes created from was supposed to be let out after serv- both inside and outside the church were The first time I played with him he G4S, which runs the jail, said it had cor- converted railway carriages, which ing a sentence for a motoring offence. injured. thought I was deaf because I kept say- rectly followed its release procedures were just beautiful. ing pardon. and put the error down to the late ar- However, he was then supposed to be I had never seen homes made from Two years later the church had been Enjoy the summer. rival of a court fax. kept in jail on remand for an unrelated converted railway carriages and a little restored and the new stained glass win- Elfan charge. JULY/AUGUST 2015 www.celtic-connection.com PAGE 9 Mhairi Black delivers fiery UK commons Maiden Speech ONDON – The Scottish Nationalist Par- On May 7 the SNP won all but three of Scotland’s 59 constituencies – leaving ty’s Mhairi Black proved on Tuesday, July Labour with just one. 14 that age is no barrier to dominating the SNP MPs filled their section of the L political agenda, setting the House of Com- chamber to hear Black speak and were told off for loudly applauding their col- mons ablaze with a barnstorming first-ever speech league after she pleaded with Labour’s interim-leader Harriet Harman to op- in the 300-year-old chamber. pose Osborne’s cuts to tax credits. PHOTO: Stuart Wilding GAELIC SIGNS on North Uist in the Western Isles. The 20-year-old, Britain’s “I have sat in this chamber for 10 weeks and I have very deliberately youngest MP since 1667, stayed quiet and have listened intently cited Tony Benn, William to everything that has been said. Gaelic board Wallace and even Margaret “I have heard multiple speeches from Thatcher in her Westminster Labour benches standing to talk about the worrying rise of nationalism in Scot- chief executive does debut, laying claim to La- land,” she said. bour’s mantle of social jus- “All these speeches have served to do tice. is demonstrate how deep the lack of not speak the language understanding about Scotland there is EDINBURGH – The new head when Moore takes over on Monday, It prompted a rapturous reception on within the Labour party. July 13. Twitter with support from Angus of Scotland’s Gaelic develop- Robertson, leader of the SNP in West- “I, like so many SNP members, come ment board does not speak the Chairman Allan MacDonald, who was minster, Owen Jones, the embattled so- from a traditional socialist Labour fam- language, it has emerged. appointed last month, said, “We warmly cialist and newspaper columnist, fellow ily and I have never been quiet in my welcome Joe and Bruce to the Bord MPs, and even The Sun newspaper. assertion that I feel it is the Labour Joe Moore was appointed interim chief and are grateful to them for their will- Party that left me, not the other way executive of Bord na Gaidhlig after ingness to support us at this unusual The newly elected 20-year-old SNP MP, about. former head Iain Campbell resigned in time. said Labour was run out of Scotland June, three months after starting the job. not because of nationalism but because THE youngest British MP since “The SNP did not triumph on a wave of “Both come to the Bord with excellent the party has forgotten what it is for. 1667, 21-year-old Mhairi nationalism, in fact nationalism has The board has recruited Gaelic-speak- skills in their respective areas and I have Black has captured national nothing to do with what has happened ing MG Alba finance director Neil no doubt these skills will be beneficial She attacked the Conservative Party as attention with a passionate in Scotland. Graham to support Moore part-time. to us. the most “uncaring, uncompromising and out of touch governments that the UK maiden speech in the House “We triumphed on a wave of hope. Hope Head of education Mary MacMillan, “Bord na Gaidhlig is a small organisa- has seen since Thatcher.” of Commons. that there was something different, who will step down is being replaced tion with a huge linguistic responsibility something better, to the Thatcherite on an interim basis by former Highland and we certainly welcome the additional And criticising George Osborne’s wel- Council education director Bruce Black delivered one of the landmark neo-liberal policies that are produced support.” fare cuts for young people, she noted from this chamber. Robertson, who also does not speak that as an MP with a housing allow- moments of May’s election when she Gaelic. Former chief executive Campbell, a ance she was “the only 20-year-old in defeated Labour’s election campaign “Hope that representatives could genu- native Gaelic-speaker born on South the UK the chancellor is prepared to chief Douglas Alexander to win the inely give a voice to those who don’t A spokesman for Bord na Gaidhlig in- Uist in the Western Isles, stepped down help with housing.” Paisley and Renfrewshire South seat. have one.” sisted it will be “business as usual” for “personal reasons” in June. Woman who lay in crashed car in Scotland for three days dies GLASGOW – The government has ordered an urgent review of all police call-handling in Scotland after the death of a woman who spent three days lying in a crashed car next to her dead boyfriend. Lamara Bell (25) was only found barely conscious in the car alongside her dead partner, John Yuill (28), on Wednesday, July 8. It emerged that a member of the public POLICE SCOTLAND chief Stephen House has apologized to contacted Police Scotland at about 11:30 families of a couple left in crashed car for three days despite AM on Sunday, July 5 to report they the accident being reported days earlier. could see the vehicle down an embank- ment near the M9 slip road at He posted updates regarding his sis- inquiry into how the mistake happened Bannockburn. ter’s health as she clung to life in hos- and whether it is connected to police pital, detailing her injuries and treatment, reorganization and budget cuts. The car was only found when officers including efforts to relieve a build up of Scotland’s Justice Secretary has called were called to the scene by another fluid in her brain. member of the public. This was about for a review into the department’s call- 72 hours after the accident was first He confirmed the bad news in a handling procedures. House said he re- reported to police. Facebook post one week after the quested the review “in light of recent crash, “My sister just passed away.” tragic events.” Bell was taken to Glasgow’s Queen Elizabeth University Hospital where she Police Scotland Chief Constable Scottish Lib Dem leader Willie Rennie was reportedly placed in a medically- Stephen House has apologized and is- has said the case for such an inquiry induced coma. sued numerous statements regarding the was becoming “unanswerable” and has incident. questioned the chief constable’s asser- She suffered kidney damage from de- tion that the incident centred around an hydration after lying in the wreckage “That we failed both families involved “individual failure” in the service. for so long. She died at about 6:50 AM is without doubt.” He confirmed the on Sunday, July 12. first call was answered, but “for rea- The MSP said workload pressure on the sons yet to be established” it was not police service has been “immense” since Bell’s brother Martin has been vocal on entered onto the police systems and no the reorganisation of the service into a social media, posting in disbelief regard- action was taken at the time. single force over two years ago – a ing the details of the police’s failed remove which included the centralisation sponse. Scottish politicians are calling for an of police control rooms. PAGE 10 www.celtic-connection.com JULY/AUGUST 2015 Swanky New Scottish Cultural Centre Proposed for Victoria, B.C.

DINBURGH – Some years ago a government report on the Scottish diaspora coined ‘affinity Scot’ as a way of describ- Eing people who were not born in Scot- land but felt a strong connection to the place. The THE KELPIES – The 30 metre tall sculptures are the centre- term could have been invented for Theresa Mackay. piece of the £43 million Helix She has two teenage daughters, one of parkland project in Falkirk, whom Highland dances and the other Scotland. is a beginner Highland snare drummer in the junior band program with the Vic- toria Police Pipe Band. Princess Anne led As Theresa explains, “I have Scotland flotilla of boats in my soul and I think when you have By that, you know how deeply that reso- along canal as she HARRY nates and how complex it can be. McGRATH “Scottish culture is part of my every- opens the Kelpies Theresa is a second genera- day life and it stems far beyond Nessie, FALKIRK, Scotland – Princess tion Scottish-Canadian who haggis, heather and shortbread, which Anne led a flotilla of boats along formed my early understanding of the a canal as she officially opened was born in Montreal, lived land where my ancestors came from.” the Kelpies visitor attraction. in Toronto, grew up in Van- British Columbia is, of course, particu- couver and now resides in larly rich in affinity Scots, and there are More than one million people have vis- others on similar journeys. ited the giant horse head sculptures, Victoria. known as the Kelpies, since they However, I have yet to meet anyone opened to the public last April. She is the executive director of the BC else with a family, social, cultural and Museums Association and owner of the professional life that connects to Scot- It is estimated that the 30 metre tall Larchgrove Marketing Group, a con- land in quite the same way. sculptures, the centrepiece of the £43 sulting company which offers “contem- million Helix parkland project, have porary advice rooted in Scotland’s past Theresa’s Larchgrove company pro- boosted the local economy by £1.5 mil- with an eye on today’s global Scottish vides “consulting services for projects lion per year. culture.” with Scotland in their soul, primarily in the areas of marketing, operations, Princess Anne unveiled a plaque dur- It’s no coincidence that Theresa’s events, tourism, and history.” ing the official opening event on July 8, grandfather was born in the Scottish THERESA MACKAY is on the board of the Victoria Highland which also marked the launch of the village of Glenlivet (home of a famous Her group includes experts in their fields Games Association and a key member of the team responsible new Forth and Clyde Canal extension whisky) in a house called Larchgrove who also have a Scottish connection and for the association’s successful acquisition of a long-term lease over which they stand guard. which still exists today as a private are as passionate about Scotland and of historic Craigflower Manor and Lands and the plan to de- home. Scottish culture as she is. velop a Scottish Cultural Centre there. Kelpies sculptor Andy Scott was present for the occasion, as was Her great uncle Bert worked in bank- As she explains, “This expertise com- Clydesdale horse Duke – one of the ing in the same village and it was he bined with a Scottish connection cre- long-term lease of historic Craigflower revitalizing the manor, lands and water- models for the structure. who came to Canada, subsequently ates a spark and dedication with our Manor and Lands and the plan to de- front. persuading his brother, William, to fol- clients that isn’t seen with more generic velop a Scottish Cultural Centre there. Scott said, “It’s been fantastic today. The proposed centre is 6,000 square It’s kind of the conclusion of almost 10 low. William’s son, Robert (Bob), consultants. It is the cultural connec- Craigflower Manor is a federally and feet and is envisioned to include a grand Theresa’s father, was born in St. Albert, tion and mutual understanding that years, since I first did little sketches for provincially registered heritage site and entrance with a lobby that honours the these sculptures. An event like today Saskatchewan. makes the difference in the work we historic house museum that includes the heritage impact of the Scottish and do with companies and people, both lo- has just been wonderful. Theresa is studying for a Master of Hudson’s Bay Company-built home of Celtic people on Vancouver Island. cal and abroad.” Kenneth McKenzie. “I remember writing in one of my first Letters with Scotland’s University of It will have a large community hall and the Highlands and Islands and plans to Of all the remarkable work Theresa reports that they had the potential to McKenzie was originally from East kitchen for banquets and other func- become icons and internationally-known start her PhD with them in 2016. does, however, one thing stands out. She Haddington near Edinburgh and numer- tions; outdoor festival space; adminis- is on the board of the Victoria Highland landmarks, and that turns out to kind of And if all of this is not enough, Scottish ous farm hands from Scotland settled trative offices for the VHGA and other be the case, so I’m absolutely delighted Games Association and a key member on the farm in 1853 with McKenzie tak- long-term, non-profit tenants; and a affinity has now moved into a third gen- of the team responsible for the asso- with the response.” eration. ing the role as the first farm bailiff on museum and archives, gift shop, thea- ciation’s successful acquisition of a Vancouver Island. tre and library. Covered in almost 1,000 steel panels and standing at the same height as six- The home’s architecture mirrors the Once built, the venue may be used for and-a-half double-decker buses, the design of McKenzie’s childhood home professional theatre, music, or dance Kelpies weigh more than 600 tonnes. called Rentonhall, which still exists and presentations or competitions, film is now privately owned. The VHGA screenings, lectures, panel discussion, It is estimated more than 50 million peo- maintains a connection with educational courses and small confer- ple see the landmark every year from Rentonhall’s current owner. ences, many of a Scottish or Celtic na- the canal, the motorway and The Helix ture. Fundraising has begun and con- itself. Plans for Craigflower in the short term struction is set to get underway in 2018. include improvements to visitor path- Keith Brown, secretary for infrastruc- ways, rest areas, wharf construction, Theresa sees the Centre as “a legacy ture, investment and cities, said, “I am historic plantings, dry stone walls and project that is perfectly positioned in a delighted to be part of today’s event to new signage. geographical region filled with Scottish mark the official opening of the Kel- diaspora.” pies and the new Forth and Clyde Ca- Once the grounds are open, the space nal extension. will be programmed to include public She said, “The presence of the historic tours, arts events, educational classes, Craigflower Manor will help us to tell “This ambitious project, thanks in part and interpretation activities to foster the story of Scottish emigration to the to a contribution of over £9 million from Scottish and Celtic culture. west coast of Canada and connect us Scottish Canals and the Scottish Gov- to the past while the centre itself will ernment, is an excellent example of Long-term plans include the construc- act as a gathering place, giving us partnership working. tion of a Scottish Cultural Centre on the spaces to teach our children.” site, transforming the area into a hub of “Culture can be an important catalyst Celtic culture and community activity In an age when Scottish centres all over for economic development and a pow- through the continued engagement of the world are struggling to cope with erful force for regeneration. Scottish and Celtic cultural groups. diminished memberships and reduced resources, this is a brave and ambitious “As well as attracting more tourists and The vision for this development includes venture. further inward investment, the Helix driving tourism into the Pacific North- and the Kelpies will support and shape west through concentrated marketing, It’s going to need a steady hand on the the local area, fostering and reinforc- sponsorship and partnership arrange- tiller. Fortunately ‘Manu Forti’ (With a ing people’s sense of identity and comments, and programming of year-round strong hand) is the motto of the Clan munity cohesion for many years to Scottish and Celtic-themed events, thus Mackay. come.” JULY/AUGUST 2015 www.celtic-connection.com PAGE 11 TUNISIA EVACUATION: British and Irish Governments warn another attack is ‘highly likely’ LONDON – Both the British and Irish Govern- ments have told tourists to leave Tunisia – with the UK Foreign office forcing travel companies to airlift holidaymakers home. Foreign Secretary Philip Hammond warned a further terrorist attack was “highly likely” following the June 26 massacre in the coastal resort of Sousse. Gunman Seifeddine Rezgui murdered THE Imperial Marhaba Hotel in the coastal city of Sousse in 38 people – including 30 UK nationals Tunisia where a gunman killed 38 people on June 26, includ- – in an outrage for which the Islamic ing Tunisians, Germans and Belgians along with Irish and Brit- State group has claimed responsibility. ish citizens. Three Irish tourists were killed in the same attack outside the Marhaba Ho- tel. Three months earlier, attackers fired on tourists and others at the National Bardo Museum in the capital, Tunis, killing 22 people. A major operation has now been launched to fly more than 3,000 tourists home after Hammond warned it was “too big a risk” to allow Britons to remain in the country. The Republic of Ireland has followed the UK’s example, advising citizens to avoid all non-essential travel to Tuni- sia – its second highest threat level. Foreign Affairs Minister Charlie Flanagan said “relatively few” Irish tourists are believed to be in Tunisia at present. But Tunisia’s ambassador in London, Nabil Ammar, warned that the move was playing into terrorists’ hands. He said, “This is what the terrorists want. By damaging the tourism, by having foreigners leaving the country, they damage the whole sector and put “I strongly encourage Irish citizens so many people out of work and on the streets.” in Tunisia who are not yet registered The Association of British Travel Agents (ABTA) has advised that holiday companies will not send Britons to with the department but who plan the country after the government im- posed travel ban. to remain in Tunisia to register A spokesperson said the vast majority of Britons who have booked a pack- without delay” age holiday will be offered alternative destinations or a full refund by their tour operator. Gillian Edwards said thousands have unusual, particularly for a very popular already flown back to the UK or tourist destination. Irish diplomats now rank Tunisia along- scrapped plans to visit Tunisia follow- side a number of countries where war, ing the attack in Sousse. “The Foreign Office would have taken terrorism, political instability or disease a huge amount of information into con- is a danger including Lebanon, Egypt, She said, “We estimate there are sideration that has come to light since Pakistan, North Korea, the Democratic around 3,000 British tourists out in Tu- the attacks, they won’t make this deci- Republic of Congo, Eritrea, Sudan and nisia at the moment – that is dramati- sion lightly, so it is a very unusual situa- Guinea. cally lower than you would normally tion to do this.” expect for this time of year because Irish citizens travelling abroad are be- of the incident. Foreign tourism accounts for around 15 ing urged to register their details on a percent of Tunisian GDP. Britons are special registration website – dfa.ie/ “Normally it would be around 20,000 among the biggest customers of the travel/citizens-registration – in order to to 25,000 British holidaymakers out country’s tourist industry, and the travel provide them with quick consular as- there.” warning will seriously damage trade, she sistance in the event of an emergency. Edwards said it is very unusual for the warned. “I strongly encourage Irish citizens in Foreign Office to take such a drastic Since the attack, Tunisia has declared a Tunisia who are not yet registered with step, and she thought the vast majority state of emergency and announced that the department but who plan to remain of British tourists will heed the advice it would build a wall around its border in Tunisia to register without delay,” and head home, but a “small minority” with Libya to keep out extremists. Flanagan said. who know the country very well might stay. The barrier will cover about 105 miles “We keep our travel advice under con- of border with Libya and include fenc- stant review and will continue to moni- She said, “For the Foreign Office to ing, a sand wall, trenches and surveil- tor the situation in Tunisia very closely.” issue this kind of travel ban is highly lance posts. PAGE 12 www.celtic-connection.com JULY/AUGUST 2015 Ireland has become RCMP seek Cork tourists fastest-growing who saw crash near Pemberton WHISTLER, B.C. – The Sun Peaks Resort when they happened EU economy RCMP has issued an appeal upon the fatal collision. for Irish tourists who wit- “Police believe the three visitors BRUSSELS – Eurozone lead- reform can quickly stabilize the stopped to assist at the collision and may economy and prepare the ground for a nessed the aftermath of a road have information to provide investiga- ers have agreed to offer return to growth. crash in which three people tors.” Greece a third bailout, after At the height of the crisis, Ireland’s died to contact them. According to the RCMP, the investiga- marathon talks in Brussels. tion is being led by Sea to Sky Traffic government cut public-sector salaries In a statement issued on its website, the and pensions, raised the retirement age Services with support from other sec- Amid one of the worst crises in the Royal Canadian Mounted Police said tions of the British Colombia police and (to 68 by 2028), slashed welfare ben- they wanted to speak to three holiday- EU’s history, the head of the European efits, and increased the value-added tax. from the local coroner’s service. Commission said the risk of Greece makers from Cork who came across All of the victims in the road crash were leaving the eurozone had been averted. Of course, there are important differ- the scene of the accident north of ences between Ireland and Greece. Pemberton in British Columbia on May male and local news reports claimed the Greek Prime Minister Alexis Tsipras 31. driver of the car was “impaired”. said that after a “tough battle,” Greece Austerity was bound to hurt Greece’s It is understood that a car hit three cy- Corporal Ronda Rempel of the B.C. had secured debt restructuring and a rigid economy – one of the least flex- number of resources to this investiga- clists, killing two of them, as well as a RCMP Traffic Services said, “We are “growth package.” ible in Europe – much more than Ire- tion and the investigators are hoping to land’s, where a flexible labour and prod- passenger in the vehicle. The driver of speak to the occupants of a black Jeep hoping that, through social media and The bailout is conditional on Greece uct markets allowed massive job losses the car was airlifted to hospital, while a Cherokee who were vacationing in this news release, someone will be able passing agreed reforms by Wednesday, in the housing, construction, and bank- third cyclist escaped unharmed. B.C. from Cork, Ireland at the time of to connect us with the three visitors July 15. These include measures to from Cork.” ing sectors to be offset gradually by job The collision took place just before noon the collision. streamline pensions, raise tax revenue gains in other sectors. local time on Highway 99 in British Anyone who has any information about and liberalise the labour market. “The witnesses are described as an The Irish economy also benefitted from Columbia, 25 kilometres north of older male and female married couple these holidaymakers from Cork is asked An EU statement spoke of up to EU86 its strong emphasis on exports and close Pemberton. along with a female relative. to contact Cpl. Elizabeth Lynn of Sea billion of financing for Greece over to Sky Traffic Services at (604) 815- ties with the relatively thriving econo- According to the police statement: “The three years. mies of the United Kingdom and the “The three visitors had been vacationing 8261 and reference police file # 2015- RCMP has dedicated a significant in Whistler and were on their way to 3228. Though it included an offer to resched- United States. ule Greek debt repayments “if neces- But Ireland still holds important lessons sary,” there was no provision for the for Greece – beginning with the need reduction in Greek debt – or so-called to regain the confidence of financial THE IRISH CLUB OF WHITE ROCK “haircut” – that the Greek Government markets. had sought. An unwavering focus on putting its pub- German chancellor Angela Merkel has lic finances in order and cleaning up the ‘Interdependence is the mutual said all 19 eurozone members believe banking sector enabled Ireland to exit the bailout deal agreed with Greece can its EU67.5 billion bailout program as work. planned at the end of 2013. reliance between two or more groups’ Taoiseach Enda Kenny admitted the Moreover, the yield on 10-year Irish By ANNE BOYLE being separated from family, friends, negotiations were difficult. “This has government bonds, which peaked at al- WHITE ROCK, BC. – Time and the familiar. been a pretty bruising experience,” he most 15 percent in mid-2011, now does not stand still, and that Tom Butler will always be remembered said, “but it will allow the Greek stands at an all-time low of less than for this, and this made me think about economy to thrive and prosper and con- one percent. becomes more apparent as we what we try to do when we come to- tinue to remain a member of the grow older. We are more than gether at our Irish Club events. Eurozone.” Though the European Central Bank’s large-scale bond-buying program helped half way through 2015, and it The event is just an excuse for us to The deal means that the European Cen- to lower bond yields, the Irish Govern- is time once again to let you spend time together, and it helps us to tral Bank can continue to support ment’s success in returning to the capi- stay connected. Greece’s beleaguered banks, which tal market without the safety net of a know what has been going on have come close to collapse. precautionary credit line from its inter- with our club. The Irish are very special and Irish humour cannot be easily imitated. In my The crisis has plunged Greece into a national creditors – an example that The Irish style karaoke evening was an opinion, it provides the tonic often spiral of deflation and austerity. But, Portugal later followed – should not be enjoyable evening and well attended. needed when things are not as “grand” while no one disputes that things have overlooked. This was the first time we have hosted as they could be. gone wrong in Greece, the argument Once investor confidence returned, Ire- such an event, and we will probably host Is mise le meas, that fiscal consolidation necessarily It was this that often helped the new land was able to repay the EU12.5 bil- another one in the future. Anne Boyle - President leads to never-ending recession is not lion it owed to the IMF early. It was immigrants deal with the loneliness of borne out by the facts. able to refinance itself more cheaply in The summer months are typically slow with not much going on, but there are a Consider Ireland, which was among the the markets, helping it to reduce its in- few dates to be added to the Irish cal- countries hardest hit by the global eco- terest-rate bill further. endar. nomic crisis. And, for Ireland, confidence and growth Calgary Businesses: Keep Sunday, July 26th free for our an- Having become exceptionally bloated have gone hand-in-hand. Having shrunk nual summer picnic –more details to during the pre-2008 boom years, Ire- by as much as six percent in 2009, the follow. This will be a family event, so Thinking outside the box land’s banks buckled under huge losses Irish economy was outperforming the we are hopeful you will take the time when the property bubble burst. other bailout countries by 2011. CALGARY – Necessity is the Attendees left with a heightened sense to join us to spend the afternoon relax- of the potential that could be harnessed Last year, Ireland recorded a 4.8 mother of invention. Overcom- To avert a devastating bank run, the ing and enjoying a bit of ‘ceol agus by connecting businesses in Canada growth rate – by far the highest in the government guaranteed the entire out- craic’. ing economic challenge by with Ireland, and indeed other EU coun- standing stock of deposits and liabili- eurozone. And it is on course to grow Last year, the weather did not cooper- fueling invention, innovation and tries. ties. by 3.5 percent this year, double the eurozone average. ate, and unfortunately that is something design, was the message that “Taking a more global approach to how As a result, government debt soared beyond our control. Todd Hirsch left with business we trade, sparks creativity,” said from 25 percent of GDP in 2007 to more This growth has been driven by a vari- I recently attended the funeral for Tom leaders in Calgary. Hirsch. “It also allows businesses to tap than 120 percent in 2013. Add private ety of factors. Wage restraint and pro- Butler, an Irishman well respected for into ideas and talent that they never debt, and the Irish sit on a debt moun- ductivity gains have improved competi- Todd, who is the Chief Economist at his kindness and his contribution to pro- would have, had they taken the same tain worth nearly 400 percent of GDP. tiveness, thereby boosting exports. ATB Financial, addressed members of moting Irish culture and sport in Van- old, same old approach.” And now that lower oil prices and a Ireland-Canada Centre for Commerce In Greece, where private debt is much couver. Alberta, a province rich in local natural five-percentage-point drop in unemploy- last month on how businesses can find lower, total debt amounts to around 300 resources, can be particularly inclined ment are bolstering consumption, the The Mass was celebrated by Father opportunities for growth even during percent of GDP. to look inward for business success. recovery is expanding to other sectors. James Hughes and during his homily he Alberta’s current economic slump. Nonetheless, Ireland regained access spoke about dependence, interdepend- And given the current challenges being In short, the credibility that Ireland The event, attended by business lead- faced with the oil and gas prices, busi- to capital markets in early 2013, and ence and independence. ers and professionals from a wide range investors have few qualms about the gained through resolute fiscal policy and nesses in Alberta need to be looking to “Interdependence is the mutual reliance of industries, was focused on how in- country’s prospects. reforms helped to restore confidence, new markets to access opportunities – facilitating a return to growth and thus between two or more groups. In rela- ternational trade not only allows access now more than ever. Indeed, the economy is growing briskly, fiscal consolidation. tionships, interdependence is the degree to new markets, it also provides access unemployment is below the eurozone to which members of the group are to a broader more creative approach to The Ireland-Canada Centre for Com- average, and the government’s borrow- Of course, the precise policy approach mutually dependent on the others.” thinking. merce (ICCC) Calgary has been ar- ing cost is one percentage point lower taken in one country cannot be imitated ranging regular events with business He talked about this concept in the con- He identified “internationalization” as than the U.S. Treasury’s. elsewhere. But Ireland’s can-do attitude leaders and professionals for five years and steadfast approach can serve as text of how Tom Butler always had an one of the most important things we can now. For further information on events, Ireland has proven that even in a sean inspiration for Greece and other open door and how he provided a wel- do to add value to existing business visit iccccal.com or follow the vere crisis, resolute consolidation and struggling eurozone countries. come to all Irish men and women. processes. ICCCCal on LinkdedIn. JULY/AUGUST 2015 www.celtic-connection.com PAGE 13 Hoop dreams: A son’s journey to the Special Olympics

By ANN CARR ANCOUVER – In 2001, my son A RECRUITMENT campaign by a Dublin-based marketing Shane was 18 agency has led to some people believing the message is racist V and anti-Irish, while the actual intention is to call young Irish and passionate about the workers to come back home to new job opportunities. game of basketball. Throughout his youth, Shane was integrated into his favourite sport Torontonians confused with his typical peers in P.E. class and community programs. and angered by anti-Irish’ He learned many skills and could hold his own on the court – despite the fact that he has Noonan Syndrome (a de- recruitment campaign velopmental disorder) Shane became a very talented player. TORONTO – A large sign ing talented Irish workers who’ve been telling Irish people to “go living abroad. However, Shane’s physical ability and A PROUD MOM – Ann Carr holds the top place medal her son cognitive understanding of the game home” was spotted on the The company says it believes that it’s would not allow him to continue play- won at the Canadian Special Olympics National Summer Games time for all those who emigrated during ing within the typical basketball pro- in Vancouver. Now Shane and team Canada are heading for back of a truck moving the economic crash to now come home grams offered in his community. the 2015 World Championshps in Los Angeles in August. through downtown Toronto, as there are many new job opportunities springing up in Dublin. The sport he had become so passion- leaving behind it a trail of ate about, and had learned so much very confused – if not down- In a blog posted on their website, the from, was no longer an option for him. company addresses the thousands of “At that moment I thought, anything is right angry – Canadians. young Irish citizens who’ve moved to For this reason, I started the first bas- Containing only the words “GO HOME Canada for work in recent years, says, ketball program in British Columbia for “We want you to come home. Not as possible…and it was. Shane’s team won IRISH!” and the URL youth with developmental challenges. much as your mum, but still.” “PleaseLeaveCanada.com,” the ad Any parent knows that when your child the entire National tournament!” drew immediate criticism among those While the ad agency may have had good finds something that makes them ex- who saw it live and those who saw pho- intentions, the feedback on social me- cited, motivated and happy you want to tos of it uploaded to Facebook on July dia has been mixed with many express- encourage them to pursue it. as she had no previous experience with DCYBA players to the Vancouver Spe- 9. ing a view that the campaign was ill- advised. This was how Shane was with basket- coaching individuals with challenges and cial Olympics program where they now Others were confused by the presence ball. He learned everything through this would give her the confidence she play every Saturday. of such a sign in Canada, where more Some Canadians feel that the campaign basketball: social skills, academic skills, required to continue on. than 4.5 million residents listed them- could be misunderstood by people who physical skills. They competed in the Provincial Games We all learned so much; I saw what I and made it to the Canadian Special selves as being of Irish ancestry during see the poster as anti-Irish sentiment. He lived for basketball, and he shone needed to see, which was the abilities Olympics National Summer Games, the most-recent National Household Others called out the agency for mak- when he was on the court like any other and courage of athletes from all over which were being held at UBC last year. Survey. ing light of or trying to capitalize on the teenage athlete. I was not about to see the world playing a sport at often the Of course, it didn’t take long for people “anti-Irish sentiments that were ram- him sit back and lose interest in some- same level as college basketball. As the Nationals got closer, Shane turned to me and said “mom, maybe we to figure out the sign’s actual purpose pant in Canada and the U.S. in the 19th thing that became an integral part of by visiting the URL it displayed. and early 20th Centuries.” his life. It was in Ireland that Shane decided he will have a chance to make it to the wanted to play for Special Olympics at World Games and play teams we saw PleaseLeaveCanada.com redirects to The Social House blog reads, “We are My program, the Developmentally the World Games one day! in Ireland.” the homepage of a Dublin-based mar- looking to hire Irish people who have Challenged Youth Basketball Associa- From 2001 to 2014 the DCYBA pro- At that moment I thought, anything is keting agency called The Social House. worked in other parts of the world. tion (DCYBA), gave young men like We’re not anti-emigration, but we’d Shane the opportunity to play the sport gram took on a life of its own. We ex- possible…and it was. Shane’s team won An overlay currently in place on the site panded from one program of 10 play- the entire National tournament! love to lure some of these internation- they loved with non-challenged peers. reveals that the billboards are part of a ally seasoned brains back home by pre- Shane was able to continue with his ers to three programs with a total of 55 recruitment campaign aimed at attract- players participating. The excitement and tears were flow- tending to be Anti-Irish-Canadians.” passion…and it was only the beginning! ing on that day! During this time, Special Olympics In 2003, the Special Olympics World Little did I know that my son’s dream Summer Games were being held in Ire- Canada sanctioned three new sports, one being basketball. of playing basketball and my dedication land (my home country!). to making it possible for him would lead Basketball was played all over the world Of course, Shane was thrilled! He to him playing for Canada at the 2015 within Special Olympics (and was one would now have another avenue to pur- Special Olympic World Summer of the largest team sports that would sue the sport he is so passionate about. Games. be showcased at this event). I led Shane and some of the other Dreams do come true! At the time, however, basketball was not offered by Special Olympics in Canada. News for Irish drivers I decided I wanted to attend the World applying for B.C. driver’s license Games as a volunteer to see individuals with challenges similar to Shane VANCOUVER – RoadSafetyBC and the Insurance Corporation of British compete; I wanted a measure for Columbia (ICBC), has confirmed the introduction of simplified driver li- where we could go in developing our cence application for new residents who hold a licence from Ireland that program. permits the operation of passenger cars and/or motorcycles. Volunteering at the World Games be- The holder of a valid Ireland driver’s licence who applies for a British Colum- came my quest. Eventually, I received bia driver’s licence must meet all requirements including residency in British confirmation that my sister, Shane and Columbia. I were accepted as volunteers within The·applicant must surrender their Ireland driver’s licence to ICBC. If the the sport of basketball and off we went! applicant has lost or otherwise misplaced their Ireland driver’s licence, writ- Little did I know I would be taken on a ten confirmation of the licence from Ireland’s National Driver Licence Serv- journey of a lifetime. ice may be accepted in lieu of surrendering the actual driver’s licence. Needless to say we were all very ex- Surrendered Ireland driver’s licences will continue to be securely destroyed cited, especially Shane. by ICBC upon issuance of a British Columbia driver’s licence, unless provided with instructions to periodically return these licences to the home driver My sister, who coaches our DCYBA licensing authority. players, was probably the most excited PAGE 14 www.celtic-connection.com JULY/AUGUST 2015 William Butler Yeats: ‘Sex and death are the only things that can interest a serious mind’ THE VIEW FROM HARVEST TIME by John Emanuel Shannon. IRELAND Life Sets in the Twilight of Summer By CYNTHIA WALLENTINE ity, and appreciation for all that can yet By still be done. MAURICE Summer too shortly will turn FITZPATRICK to autumn. Life always does. Deeper and deeper the experiences of life coil at our feet, tripping us in the Page after page, stories begin, dark. Or the brilliance of birth, joy, and ILLIAM Butler stories end. love, blinding us – even momentarily – to a tougher road ahead. Yeats, who was The profundity of life is captured by born on June 13, those who suffer real joy, sorrow, or I wonder and weigh it all, weeds push- W A FAMOUS Irish love story: William Butler Yeats and Maud pain. The highs and lows of life – the ing through concrete and lush flowers 1865, has just fin- Gonne. When the poet first met the Irish Nationalist revolution- summer is nothing if not a season for pendulous in deep green mystery. Both ished celebrating his 150th ary Maud Gonne in 1889, he was enthralled by her beauty and such things. have their rights. fire. He proposed to her four times between 1891 and 1901. birthday. Every day it becomes more difficult for This issue of The Celtic Connection, She turned him down each time, choosing instead to marry a me to reconcile the clear beauty of this bridges summer and autumn, for In the case of most of us, death fellow Nationalist, Major John MacBride, in 1903. world, with its shocking, insatiable, pain Lughnasadh arrives in the twilight of has a pesky way of interfering and horror. August 1. So these words too – shall bridge summer into autumn, light into meshed in the particularly troubled poli- After a series of proposals, pining verse with the onward march of our At home, abroad, in the community, in longer shadow, growing season into tics of the republic. and attempts to woo her, he finally re- social calendar. the news, sorrow and pain far outweigh harvest. lented a little and went to work on His lines on the Easter 1916 Uprising, joy. Still – joy rarely sells newspapers, Gonne’s daughter – who wouldn’t have The celebrants of Yeats’ in response to the action of rebels who so it likely my observations are skewed. For those who suffer – may loving arms him either. sesquicentennial birthday, however, are seized a handful of significant buildings find you, and may better times lie ahead. For those who pass, an ending could Be not accursed for deep feeling – high quite unperturbed by the fact that the in central Dublin including the General Meanwhile, he had turned 50 and bring sweet release, or an abrupt shock or low – but be happy you are alive, birthday boy is no longer with us. Post Office and proclaimed the repub- started a family with an ever accom- that life ended all too soon. and have the gift to notice, and nod, and lic, will be quoted ad nauseam next modating English woman named Between public readings, Georgian shuffle on. houses in Dublin enlivened with year during the centenary. Georgie Hyde-Lees who very soon un- For those in pain, a distancing from the derstood the disposition of the man she physical being, a reckoning of mortal- Yeatsian spirits and seances, academic Yeats’ marrying of ancient Celtic myth Blessed be. th lived with (“he would cut the wings of conferences and studies, Yeats’ 150 with radical, revolutionary politics in his an angel to write a good poem”). has been a hooley all round. later verse will be less discussed and This blowout may risk the charge of less understood: She realised too that their marriage of convenience would not stop Yeats’ wan- being crass and exploitative, but not a When Pearse summoned Cuchulain to Irish Catholics can now dering eye, so she oversaw his monkey bit of it. For Yeats, death itself was sim- his side. ply a man-made construct that any art gland surgery (Steinach operation) to trace ancestry online worthy of the name could outface: What stalked through rejuvenate Yeats sexually and arranged the Post Office? meetings for him with his girlfriends in Death and life were not (The Statues) London. back to 1740s Till man made up the whole, Made lock, stock and barrel In his later years, the civic-minded And he continued to rave about Maud DUBLIN – Almost 300 years of parish registers are now available online and Out of his bitter soul, Yeats became, in the words of one of Gonne – even on his death bed, he was people of Irish Catholic ancestry can trace their origins back almost 300 years. Aye, sun and moon and star, all, his biographers, Brenda Maddox, ‘a vir- still writing love poems for Gonne. Very Taoiseach Enda Kenny and Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht Heather And further add to that tuoso of the committee table’, and he good ones too. Humphreys officially launched the entire collection of Catholic parish register got appointed to the Senate. That, being dead, we rise, That is the point about Yeats. While sil- microfilms held by the National Library of Ireland (NLI). Dream and so create… If a censorious and patronising tone still liness permeates his work, it never over- (The Tower) More than 370,000 digital images of the microfilm reels on which the parish clung to his Senate speeches, it never- whelms it. registers are recorded will now be accessible free of charge. theless stands as a noble record that he Yeats also claimed that death was an Every Irish person who has found his defended the Protestant minority in the These parish register records are considered the single most important source of inexhaustible fount of inspiration for disdain for Irish people problematic, South, and spoke in favour of the right information on Irish family history prior to the 1901 census. good poetry: “sex and death are the might nevertheless address themselves to divorce – civilising and modernising only things that can interest a serious to the corpus of work he created and Dating from the 1740s to the 1880s, they cover 1,086 parishes throughout the issues that rattled the complacency of mind.” acknowledge the magnificent achieve- island of Ireland, and consist primarily of baptismal and marriage records. the newly-founded Dublin government. ment that it constitutes. Such high-mindedness forced a wedge The NLI has been working to digitise the microfilms for more than three years Yeats became a spokesman on artistic between he and some of the Irish read- He was certainly one of the greatest under what is described as its most ambitious digitisation programme to date. and moral issues – the excitable young ing public. In response to this, Yeats, poets of the century and his unceasing poet’s elevation to the status of a “smil- more than any other writer, was respon- energy to create the possibility of a new Ciara Kerrigan of the NLI said: “We have received a hugely enthusiastic re- ing public man” would seem to have sible for the creation of a vision of Ire- beginning was hugely important to Ire- sponse from people worldwide with an interest in Irish family history.” been complete in his later life. land that bore scant relationship to the land during its transition to independ- Further information is available at registers.nli.ie. country where peasant farmers strug- Not in the poetry, and the poetry attests ence. gled under the imperial and clerical to the power of his imagination to with- For all his crazy notions and undigni- kosh. stand, and to stand aloof from, the flurry NOVENAS fied love pursuits, thankfully there still He was explicit about his view of Ire- of his other mundane concerns. is the poetry: NOVENA are our Mother and our inspiration. Hear land’s proper identity: “A Druid land, a The catalogue of Yeats’ sillinesses and Had I the heavens’ TO OUR LADY OF GUADALUPE our prayer and answer us. Amen. – C.C. Druid tune.” snobberies is as long as it is offensive. Dear Mother, we love you. We thank you for • embroidered cloths, your promise to help us in our need. We NOVENA TO ST. ANTHONY He wanted to create an audience for it His reputation in Ireland suffers to this Enwrought with golden too, his vehicle being the Abbey Thea- trust in your love that dries our tears and “Blessed be God in His Angels and in day for his unfair judgements of Irish and silver light, comforts us. Teach us to find our peace in His Saints” tre, the new national theatre of an emer- people and for his poses; his flirtation The blue and the dim your Son, Jesus, and bless us every day O Holy St. Anthony, gentlest of Saints, your gent nation forged partly to reflect his with fascism does him no favours ei- and the dark cloths of our lives. Help us to build a shrine in love for God and charity for his creatures, view of what Ireland truly should be. ther. Yet there is still the poetry. Of night and light and the half-light, our hearts, make it as beautiful as the one made you worthy, when on earth, to pos- I would spread the cloths built for you on the Mount of Tepeyac. A sess miraculous powers. Encouraged by All the blather about fairies and a whim- W. H. Auden said this well in his won- shrine full of trust, hope, and love of Jesus this thought, I implore you to obtain for me sical, poetical peasantry would be diffi- under your feet. derful elegy for Yeats, “You were silly (He Wishes for growing stronger each day. Mary, you have (request). O gentle and loving St. Anthony, cult to bear were it not for Yeats’ vi- like us; your gift survived it all.” chosen to remain with us by giving us your whose heart was ever full of human sym- sionary brilliance in imagining the land the Cloths of Heaven) most wonderful and holy self-image on pathy, whisper my petition into the ears of anew: A censure and a pardon in one breath. At 150, Yeats has long outstripped the Juan Diego’s cloak. May we feel your lov- the sweet Infant Jesus, who loved to be And what was the spur that honed his standard Irish language platitude – go ing presence as we look upon your face. folded in your arms; and the gratitude of Imagining a man, gift? Like Juan, give us the courage to bring my heart will ever be yours. Amen. And his sun-freckled face maire tú an céad/ that you may live to your message of hope to everyone. You – CTKB, PMKM, MJF, C.C. And grey Connemara cloth Yeats, at the age of 23, fell for a fiery be a hundred. (The Fisherman) woman, a prominent revolutionary, Bring on another 150 birthdays and his Publication of this prayer is $25 monthly named Maud Gonne who would not work will still be read. (Canadian residents include 5% GST) Yeats’ vision of Ireland became en- have him. JULY/AUGUST 2015 www.celtic-connection.com PAGE 15 Berkeley balcony collapse that killed six Irish students caused by ‘rotting’ wood beams DUBLIN – The New York Times has apologised for an article on the Berkeley balcony tragedy, admitting some of the language used “could be interpreted as insensitive” PSNI officers lifted this car to rescue young girl in an incident to the victims’ families. outside an Ardoyne shop during a clash with Loyalists in North Belfast. The 15-year-old girl was taken to hospital with serious The article referred to a tragedy in injuries. The driver of the car was arrested. Berkeley, California where a fourth floor balcony collapsed in the early morning hours of Tuesday, June 16, killing six young Irish students. Another Orange Order parades: seven remain injured in hospital. The dead were named as Eoghan Missiles hurled Culligan, Nick Schuster, Lorcán Miller, MOURNERS lay flowers at scene of a deadly balcony collapse Eimear Walsh and Olivia Burke, all 21 in Berkeley, California. years old and friends from south Dub- as PSNI block march lin. paper’s editor saying the article had Following the tragedy, Philip Grant, the BELFAST – Loyalists hurled The sixth fatality is Irish-American caused “deep offence,” and also con- Irish consul in San Francisco, spoke to missiles at Police Service of Ashley Donohoe (22) from California tained “inaccurate” statements about U.S. media and explained that Ireland who was a cousin of Olivia Burke, a the J1 program. was a small country where “very few Northern Ireland (PSNI) of- summer student on a J1 work visa. of us have been left untouched by this “At this time of searing grief, the mes- tragedy.” ficers on the evening of July Ashley’s parents are originally from Ire- sages of condolence and offers of sup- 12 when Orangemen were land. port which are flooding in to the em- He spoke as families of the young vic- prevented from parading past Tragically, the trauma has not ended as bassy and our consulates are balm to tims began arriving in the city outside Thousands were expected to some of the injured remain in critical the soul. San Francisco and said the country was the Ardoyne shops in North take part in over 800 parades condition with some being treated for “frozen in shock and disbelief” and “They reflect far more accurately the “overwhelmed by the outpouring of sup- Belfast. across Northern Ireland with what are regarded as life-changing in- feelings of the American people than juries. port that we have received from all the Police erected steel barriers in the many more expected to watch does your article,” she wrote. communities here. Woodvale Road about 300 metres the spectacle marking the vic- The injured students are Hannah Wa- The New York Times declined to re- ters, Clodagh Cogley, Niall Murray, “There are very many questions we from the shops to prevent more tory of protestant King William move the article online, its public editor of Orange’s victory over Sean Fahey, Jack Halpin, Conor Flynn would like to know the answers to, but than 3,000 Orangemen, loyalist Margaret Sullivan said, adding, “It is not right at the moment what we are con- Catholic King James II at the and Aoife Beary, all aged between 20 the Times’s policy to take a published bands, members and supporters and 22. centrating on is finding out how every- Battle of the Boyne in 1690. story off its website.” body is, to make sure that all those who parading on up the road to the An investigation has since revealed that shops. However, she said in a posting on the need to know how their loved ones are, shops. Police responded with water the collapse was caused by “rot and site, clearly the journalists involved are informed,” said Grant. There was a stand-off between police cannons and a number of police offic- decay” in wooden supports on the bal- “would write and edit the story differ- There are currently around 700 Irish and protesters, with demonstrators ers suffered injuries. cony, causing it to swivel 90 degrees ently now.” and slam into the wall below, throwing students in the Bay area of San Fran- taunting and shouting at the PSNI of- Earlier, the morning feeder parade to ficers when the parade arrived at the off 13 people who fell 40 feet down to Sullivan noted her office had “fielded cisco. The Irish consul said there were the main Belfast parade, which was al- very few who wouldn’t know someone barriers shortly before 7:30 PM. the pavement. hundreds of complaints” from readers lowed by the Parades Commission, con- who were “quite understandably” up- at the tragic party. Tensions were high and after eight min- cluded peacefully. In its report of the tragedy, New York set about the article. utes missiles started raining down on Times reporters said the J1 visa pro- Two republican protests were staged gram had been “not just a source of police and reporters who were cover- in the morning. The Crumlin and ing the parade. aspiration, but also a source of embar- Ardoyne Residents’ Association rassment for Ireland.” Some of the demonstrators sang the (CARA), which supports Sinn Féin, Priests robbed at gunpoint Sash and the Famine Song – “the Fam- unveiled a large banner stating “Reso- They stated that the scheme was ine is over why don’t you go home” – lution is Possible” as the parade went “marked by a series of high-profile epi- at their home in Omagh as others pelted police with beer bot- by. sodes involving drunken partying and tles, full cans, bolts and other missiles. the wrecking of apartments in places OMAGH, Co. Tyrone – Two priests are recovering after they The Greater Ardoyne Residents Coali- like San Francisco and Santa Barbara.” Police quickly moved in with Land Rov- tion (GARC), which is viewed as being were robbed at gunpoint in Omagh. ers to strengthen the lines. Eileen M. Murphy, vice-president of sympathetic to dissident republicanism, Both priests were in the home on Brook Street when two men, one During the incident it appeared that a also protested at the shops. corporate communications for the New York Times said the article in question armed with a suspected firearm, entered the properties looking for young girl was struck by a car. Police Protesters at that demonstration, which had to turn over the car onto its side so “was a second day story” that sought money on the morning of Saturday, July 11. was more heavily policed, carried post- to contextualize the collapse 24 hours they could access the girl. The girl, who One of the two men was brandishing a gun and they stole an undisclosed sum of ers with messages such as “March after the deaths had taken place. police said was 15, was taken to hospi- where you’re welcome,” “Treat our money and made their getaway. Neither of the priests was harmed. tal. The driver of the car was arrested. “It was intended to explain in greater community with respect” and “No pa- Monsignor Joseph P. Donnelly, the parish priest of St. Joseph’s, Drumragh, was detail why these young Irish students Local Sinn Féin Assembly member rades, no violence.” one of two priests held up by assailants. Gerry Kelly spoke to her family and said were in the U.S. One protester was arrested and charged It is understood he went on to officiate at a wedding and mass following his he understood her injuries were not life “We understand and agree that some with assaulting police and disorderly ordeal according to a local MLA. threatening. behaviour. He was released on bail and of the language in the piece could be A number of missiles were fired at po- ordered to stay away from further pro- interpreted as insensitive, particularly in The second priest was Father Piotr Zimnoch. lice by nationalists as they sought to tests. such close proximity to this tragedy,” she said in a statement. West Tyrone Sinn Fein MLA Barry McElduff called into the the parochial house maintain the scene. The Orange Order condemned those to convey his support for the priests. He said local people were horrified at this A police helicopter hovered overhead engaging in violence and also appealed “It was never our intention to blame the attack. while police dogs and two large water for calm in north Belfast. victims and we apologise if the piece left that impression. We will continue “My thoughts are with the two priests. I totally condemn this outrageous criminal cannon trucks were placed on standby “Those involved in violence should de- act and I would appeal to anyone with information as to the identity of the cul- at the top of the Woodvale Road. to cover this story and report on the sist. It is not only counterproductive but young people who lost their lives.” prits to pass it on to the PSNI. also plain wrong. Such actions are only There was a huge police presence at “I was speaking to Monsignor Donnelly and the most amazing thing was that, strengthening the hand of those who Labour Minister of State Aodhán Ó the scene, with many in full riot gear despite his trauma, he was just getting on with ordinary pastoral duties. He had a wish to further curtail our parades,” a Ríordáin was among those who called and bearing shields to protect them from wedding to take later that day and he was continuing with mass as normal on the bottles and cans. spokesman said. on the paper to remove the article from its website and apologise to the fami- Sunday.” Thousands were expected to take part As well as the standoff on Woodvale lies involved. He described the paper’s McElduff said such a reaction was typical of Monsignor Donnelly who always in over 800 parades with many more Road there was also trouble at the top coverage of the collapsed balcony as went “quietly about his business” and was highly respected by parishioners and expected to watch the spectacle mark- of Twaddell Avenue where loyalists “completely insensitive and outra- the wider community in Omagh. threw heavy bricks at police lines. ing the victory of protestant King geous.” William of Orange’s victory over Detective Sergeant Ian Lyle said, “The two men involved in the armed robbery Missiles were also thrown in the direc- Catholic King James II at the Battle of The Irish Ambassador to the U.S. Anne are described as being aged in their 30s, with local accents and were wearing tion of nationalists gathered at the the Boyne in 1690. Anderson wrote a letter to the news- green jackets and had their faces covered.” PAGE 16 www.celtic-connection.com JULY/AUGUST 2015 SEATTLE IRISH NEWS

PASSINGS sical favorites such as Some En- • TOM BUTLER - Members of the chanted Evening and more. Seattle Gaels were sorry to hear Information and tickets online at: about the recent passing of Tom But- emmetcahill.com. ler in Vancouver, B.C. GALWAY TRADERS – The closing A native of Co. Mayo, Tom was a date for the sale of the building hous- great GAA man all his life and always By ing Galway Traders, Seattle’s pre- gave a friendly and warm welcome JOHN miere Irish import store, has been to members of the Seattle Gaels. KEANE pushed back until next spring (ten- Over the years he provided beds and tatively early May). breakfasts for many Seattle football- As a result, the store will host an- ers and he was a great representa- other Samhain Harp concert in Oc- tive of Ireland. Sincere condolences tober, the usual Christmas activities to his wife Catholine and his wide cir- IRISH NIGHT at the Seattle Mariners on June 17. (L-R) [Front] and the St. Patrick’s Festival next cle of family and friends. Judge Mike Heavey, Seattle Police Chief Kathleen O’Toole, March. and John Keane. [Back] Frank and Mary Shriane, Dean Arnold, • TOM BEIRNE - A native of Owner Evi Murray is still hoping Jane Sepede and Candace Dunne. Knockcroghery, Co. Roscommon, someone will buy the shop and find Tom Beirne died in Seattle on June 7 a new home for it so that she can at the age of 90. retire! For details, visit: For the past 40 years, Tom and galwaytraders.com. Susie were active members of FOSP SCHOLARSHIP – On June 24, Seattle’s Irish community, and were members of the Friends of St. Patrick very well known and liked. presented a $5,000 check to the He was always genuine and warm, Seattle University Law School to fund and his passing is widely mourned in the Costello Irish-American Scholar- Seattle’s Irish community. ship. IRISH TENOR Emmet Cahill, Ar dheis Dé go raibh a n-anam dílis the former member of the world This year’s Costello Scholarship stu- – May their faithful souls rest at God’s renowned Irish music show dent is Catherine Connell, editor-in- right hand. Celtic Thunder, performs in a chief of the Seattle University Law Review. Catherine carries a 3.81 PRESENTING A check for $5,000 from the Friends of St. Patrick JULY 19 PICNIC – Seattle’s Irish solo concert at Youngstown GPA, and is a summer associate (in- to the Seattle University Law School to fund the Costello Irish- community picnic is Noon-6 PM, Sun- Cultural Arts Center in Seattle tern) at Seattle law firm K&L Gates. American Scholarship. (L-R) Mary Jo Costello, John Costello, day, July 19, at Lake Sammamish on Thursday, August 6. Leo Costello, Kip Toner, Law School Dean Annette Clark, Carol State Park in Issaquah (exit # 15 off NEW OFFICERS – David Jacobsen Costello, Don Luby, and FOSP President Ryan Gallagher. I-90). EMMET CAHILL – Irish tenor Emmet was re-elected president of the Irish Heritage Club and most other offic- Games and fun for the entire family, Cahill, the former member of the ers and board members up for elec- and all are welcome. Free hot dogs world renowned Irish music show tion were also re-elected at the club’s and hamburgers will be provided but Celtic Thunder, performs in a solo recent annual general meeting. bring your own drink and a dessert concert on Thursday, August 6 at 8 to be shared. PM at the Youngstown Cultural Arts Newly elected to the board of direc- Center, 4408 Delridge Way SW, tors was Diana Jacobsen replacing There’s a covered picnic area and Seattle. Justin McMahon who was also nomi- several BBQ grills if you bring char- nated but deferred to Diana. coal. The hurling games start at 1 This is a one-night only concert! PM followed at 3 PM by games and Widely regarded as Ireland’s most For more information, visit fun for the entire family – tug-o-war, exciting young tenor, he will take his irishclub.org. sack-races, water balloon toss, etc. audience on a journey through the classic Irish songs like Macushla, I’ll CELTIC CENTER – Congratulations For more information, email Take You Home Again Kathleen, Irish [email protected] or call (425) Eyes are Smiling, as well as old mu- [Continued on next page....] 290-7839. CASCADIA CONCERT – The Reel Tradition – Ireland in the Northwest, SEATTLE GAELS members Terry Creighton, Shawn Springer the Cascadia Irish Music Week Fare- and Paul McGarry in the Turf Club with track bugler Dan well Concert, is Saturday, July 25, 8 Harrington at Irish Day at the Races at Emerald Downs on PM at Phinney Center Community June 28. Hall, 6532 Phinney Ave N, Seattle. Performances by some of the world’s finest Irish traditional musicians including Patsy Hanly – flute; Antoin MacGabhann - fiddle; Sean Gavin - flute; Josh Dukes - guitar; Josephine Marsh - button accordion; Angelina Carberry - tenor banjo, tenor guitar, mandolin; Randal Bays – fiddle and program director. Tickets at BrownPaperTickets.com/ event/1692043 – adults $22; seniors $18; youth (under 12) $12, under five free. For more information, visit cascadiairish.org, or call (206) 235- 2061. IRISH BASEBALL NIGHT – The first annual Irish Night at the Tacoma Rainiers at Cheney Stadium in Tacoma is Thursday, July 16 at 7:05 PM for the game Rainiers v MEETING Seattle’s new Irish-born Assistant Police Chief at a Sacramento. Tickets are $15 which recent Seattle Police Foundation Breakfast (L-R) John Keane, includes a hot dog and chips. Christine Adkins, Chief Lesley Cordner, Aly Shelby-Gardner, For tickets and more details, e-mail: Bríd Nowlan, and Noreen McCormack. Chief Cordner was born [email protected], or in Portadown, Co. Armagh and has been with the Seattle Po- check the Tacoma Rangers on SEATTLE GAELS players Jenna Volcko, Kerry Rezmer and lice Department since 1989. Facebook. Aoife Blake at the Seattle Gaelic Games on June 13. JULY/AUGUST 2015 www.celtic-connection.com PAGE 17 New Irish Postal Code Service Launched DUBLIN – Communications Minister proposed more than a decade ago. Alex White has launched Ireland’s first Dublin’s codes will start with the letter national post code service. D. For example, the postcode Dublin 1 The country’s 2.2 million homes and will becoming D01. Cork City is ex- businesses will be assigned individual pected to get the letter T - while Gal- seven-digit ‘Eircodes’, which they will way to get H. receive in the post in the coming weeks. The Eircode system will be optional. Homes do not have to use their codes The optional service has cost EU27 if they don’t want to and the system million so far and is aimed at reducing will not eliminate any existing lines in confusion surrounding non-unique ad- addresses. dresses. About 35 percent of addresses in the State are not unique. All 2.2 million properties will be mailed their codes in the coming weeks. Codes An Irish post code service was first can also be checked on Eircode.ie.

THE SEATTLE GAELS Womens’ Gaelic Football team that played at the Seattle Gaelic Games on June 13. [Continued from page 16] to The Celtic Arts Foundation in Mount Vernon on the opening of the Littlefield Celtic Center, located at 1124 Cleveland Avenue, Mount Vernon. The beautifully designed building will accommodate seated meals, concerts and lectures for up to 150 people, and other events celebrating all things Celtic! Already being held at the Center are regular Irish stepdancing classes. The Celtic Arts Foundation also runs the annual Highland Games in Mount Vernon. CALENDAR • Scoil Rince Slieveloughane present FATHER Tom Marti celebrated the 50th anniversary of his ordi- the 18th Annual Dance for Life Feis nation on June 14. Among the Irish who helped him celebrate on July 17 - 18 at the Great Wolf were (L-R) [Seated] Maureen Keane, Mary Jo Costello, Fr. Lodge Grand Mound in Centralia. Tom Marti, and Mary McKevitt. [Standing] John Keane, John For information, visit: Costello, Bernadette and Pat Noonan, Dónal McKevitt, Mary srsirishdance.com. and Jim Sammon. • Although the new statue of St. Novilhos Steakhouse, 901 Fairview way is Councillor Frank Fahy who Patrick was erected last May at St. Ave N on lovely Lake Union. For in- visited Seattle as Deputy Mayor in Patrick’s Cemetery in Kent, the offi- formation, visit: 2013 and who has already commit- cial blessing and unveiling of the irishnetworkseattle.org. ted to visiting Seattle again in 2016. statue will be held on Thursday, Sep- tember 3, at 10 AM. • Irish Reels Film Festival will be Sep- • Join the Irish language choir which tember 25-27 at the SIFF at the will be singing for the Mass in Gaelic • Irish Network Seattle will have their Seattle Center. in October. New voices welcome, with very popular annual end of summer a little Gaelic or a lot! E-mail: party on Friday, September 12 at the • The newly elected Mayor of Gal- [email protected]. Search underway for Irish woman who is heir to a fortune AN IRISH woman born Marie to Phyllis Veronica Hilton from Dub- He added that if Marie has since passed lin’s Mountjoy Square. Phyllis was born away, she could have children who Hilton is the last remaining in 1924 and died in 1979. She had three would be entitled to inherit the estate. heir to an estate worth at least children by different fathers and gave them up for adoption. Grennan said there are hundreds of EU700,000 and she might not unclaimed estates in the UK which are even know it. Marie’s younger sister, Phyllis Junior, waiting to be inherited by Irish relatives. married a man called Patrick O Driscoll Finders International, who help unite from Ballyfermot. He remembers trav- A website called unclaimedestates.ie has almost 600 cases of people of Irish heirs with money owed to them, have elling to Drogheda about 10-15 years been trying to track down the woman ago with his wife to meet her sister origin who have passed away in the UK born on May 17, 1943 in North Dublin. Marie. and have left behind estates. Padraic Greenan from Finders Interna- Phyllis Junior has since passed away, “There is a search engine on it and you tional told Today FM’s Anton Savage as did her brother Michael P. O’Hanlon, can see if any of your distant relatives Show, “A man by the name of Michael who owned the estate to which Marie who have moved to the UK are on it,” P. O’Hanlon passed away in Hilton is the last remaining heir. he said. Southhampton in 2008. We were work- Greenan said, “We have reason to be- If you know of a Marie Hilton, or who ing away on the case but came to a was born Marie Hilton, daughter of a dead end, until recently.” lieve that Marie is living in either the Drogheda or Dundalk area. Phyllis Veronica Hilton, half-sibling to Marie Hilton is the last remaining heir Phyllis Hilton and Michael P. O’Hanlon, to the estate of her half-brother and it’s “We don’t know if she is still alive, we quite possibly living in the Drogheda understood that she could living in Co. don’t know if she goes under the name area, contact Finders International on Louth. Marie Hilton or an adoptive surname, 011-353 (1) 691-7252 or via the Find- she might have married, but we can’t ers International website at: Marie was one of three children born find a marriage certificate.” www.findersinternational.co.uk. PAGE 18 www.celtic-connection.com JULY/AUGUST 2015 Conor McGregor: Ireland’s first UFC champion LAS VEGAS – Conor McGregor has hailed the amazing support of his Irish fans following his epic, bruising win over Chad Mendes in Las Vegas on July 11. The 26-year-old floored Mendes with just three seconds left in the second round to be crowned interim feather- weight champion at the memorable UFC 189. PRESENTATION of jerseys to the newest club in the GAA West- ern Canada Division, the Fraser Valley Gaels, by their spon- A brilliant right-left punch combination sor Graham Construction. (L-R) Phil Gardner (originally from from the Dubliner sent Mendes to the canvas, proving to be the pivotal mo- Belfast) construction manager Graham Construction; Denis ment of an enthralling main event that Ryan secretary Fraser Valley Gaels; and Jason Glue district saw the more-experienced Californian AN EMOTIONAL McGregor celebrates after his interim feath- manager Graham Construction. use his wrestling prowess to very good erweight championship win in Las Vegas on July 11. effect with some big takedowns and Afterwards, an exhausted McGregor do the talking and come through the dominant grappling. said, “I’m absolutely blown away by the toughest test so far in his UFC career. Mendes had taunted the Irishman for support. I can’t put into words how After raising the interim belt with his dropping too much weight and looking grateful I am. family, coaches and training partners Dail will not quiz FAI scrawny, and in the first part of the fight “There were so many crazy, mixed around him in the octagon, McGregor it seemed his words were being borne emotions. So just to come in here and now has his sights set on a mouth-wa- out. chief over FIFA pay-off hear all the support, yesterday and to- tering unification clash with Brazilian McGregor was his usual self, taunting day, I’m shaking with it.” Aldo later this year. Government. Mendes and posturing for the Irish- DUBLIN – Irish politicians Fighting in place of injured champion An emotional McGregor gave a spe- dominated crowd, while Mendes have decided not to grill the But, following a private meeting in Jose Aldo (who was ruled out with a cial mention to the fans who travelled seemed calm and answered Leinster House, a spokeswoman con- bruised rib), Mendes looked mightily to support him in Las Vegas, as well as country’s football chief about McGregor’s antics with a grin. firmed, “the committee have opted not impressive in the first round, taking the people closest to him on this jour- the five million euro pay-off to ask the FAI to appear.” But the partisan Irish fans in the MGM McGregor to the mat to force him on ney to becoming Ireland’s first UFC from FIFA for a Thierry Delaney has not answered any ques- Grand Garden Arena watched the defensive. champion. McGregor answer the ‘wrestler ques- Henry handball that cost the tions publicly since the revelation but the He landed an elbow which left the Irish- “I just want to thank my team, my fam- tion’ in defiant fashion, as he launched FAI issued a lengthy statement outlin- man bleeding above his right eye. ily, everyone that’s come up with me. Republic a place in the 2010 a powerful left hand to Mendes’ chin ing the chronology of the FIFA pay-off It’s a tight, tight circle, people since day that sent his opponent toppling and ref- World Cup in South Africa. and where it was recorded in its ac- However, McGregor knuckled down in one are here with me now. And the Irish eree Herb Dean was quickly in to stop counts. the second round, breaking out of a people that support me...I swear to God, John Delaney, the Football Association the fight. three-minute hold to finally let his fists of Ireland(FAI) chief executive, re- He disclosed that the funds were se- I’ve done this for us,” he added. vealed last month the money was ar- cured from FIFA after a heated ex- ranged by the FIFA president Sepp change with Blatter in his office. Blatter after the team controversially lost a play-off against France in 2009. Delaney claimed the money was paid to stave off a threatened lawsuit against England’s Lionesses welcomed It was classed as a loan and used to FIFA after officials missed the double pay off debts for the redevelopment of handball by Henry to set up a goal for the old Lansdowne Road into the Aviva William Gallas. home with ‘sexist’ FA tweet stadium. Such a courtroom claim would have LONDON – A tweet from an Delaney was facing the prospect of a been unprecedented in soccer history. account run by the Football potentially tricky Q&A in front of a parliamentary committee over his han- The terms were originally confidential, Association was quickly de- dling of the secret deal, even though the FAI has said. But the money was leted on July 6 after immedi- the FAI is not regulated by the Dublin also due to be repaid if Ireland qualified for last year’s World Cup. ately running into controversy – although the organisation behind England’s national Aer Lingus misplaces clubs football team says the message was taken out of context. for Canadian PGA golfer It was meant to be a tribute, but ended ST. ANDREWS, Scotland – Cana- sports, but lots of “regular” people wait up being criticised as “patronising” and dian professional golfer Graham days to get their baggage found (or not “sexist.” found at all).” DaLaet can finally practice with his The Twitter feed @England – the offi- own clubs at the British Open…right To which DeLaet replied, “do ‘regular’ cial feed of the England national foot- ENGLAND’s Women’s World Cup team arrive home at after he gets them cleaned. people have a job worth a potential $1.8 ball team, run by the FA – tweeted: Heathrow Airport after clinching bronze. million this week? It’s a little “Our #Lionesses go back to being moth- The Weyburn, Saskatchewan native ar- different...sorry.” rived in Scotland on July 12 for the ers, partners and daughters today, but you wondering what twitter would have ish at the World Cup in Canada – but major without his golfs clubs after Aer DaLaet is scheduled to tee off at The they have taken on another title – he- looked like in the 50s, @england has most of the top retweeted messages Lingus misplaced his bag during his Open on July 16 at 6:54 AM in Scot- roes.” helpfully obliged.” were discussing the controversy. travels. land. The message was deleted soon after Martin Belam comments, “Imagine the The FA defended itself saying the tweet After using some replacement clubs in The Open Championship, or simply The posting, but not before being captured people signing off on that @england linked to an online article on the FA’s a practice round, DeLaet finally got his Open (often referred to as the British and circulated on social media. tweet and going ‘Nope, no problem website about the players being reunited own set when his bag arrived two days Open), is the oldest of the four major Soon criticism was heaped on the or- here. Can’t see anyone thinking this is with their families. later. championships in professional golf. patronising’.” ganisation behind what a Washington The line about “mothers, partners and While no damage was done to the bag Held in the United Kingdom, it is ad- Post reporter called an “appalling, sex- “Maybe they go back to having actual daughters” originally appeared in that itself, a protein powder explosion inside ministered by the Royal and Ancient ist tweet.” jobs & lives which DON’T revolve story as well, but was later edited out. the bag left the clubs a little dusty. Golf Club of St. Andrews and is the only Ishaan Tharoor wrote, “England’s ‘Li- around them being subservient to other major outside the United States. people???” asks Josephine Liptrott. “The full story was a wider homecom- After DeLaet shared his lost luggage onesses’ – who are professional ath- ing feature attempting to reflect the story on Twitter, countless people The Open is currently the third major letes – managed to make it to the semi- The @England account has nearly 1.2 many personal stories within the play- weighed-in to pressure Aer Lingus, of the calendar year, following The finals of a major tournament, something million followers, and had been men- ing squad as has been told throughout send their best wishes, and crack a few Masters and the U.S. Open, and pre- the ‘Lions’ haven’t done in nearly three tioned about 1,000 times within an hour the course of the tournament,” says an jokes. ceding the PGA Championship. decades. Yet their great triumph has of the “mothers, partners and daugh- FA spokesman. yielded this sort of condescension. The ters” tweet being posted. But not everyone understood why The current champion is Rory McIlroy, reaction on social media to @England’s “However, we understand that an ele- DeLaet’s lost luggage story was get- who won the 143rd Open in England in tweet was wonderfully swift.” Not all of those referenced the tweet – ment of the story appears to have been ting so much attention. 2014. The 2015 Open is scheduled for many were simply welcoming the Li- taken out of context and the opening July 16-19 on the Old Course at St. Some of the tweets in response included onesses home after their third-place fin- paragraph was subsequently revised to One person tweeted: “I’m in tune with Andrews in Scotland. Lee Jenkins who wrote, “For those of reflect that fact.” JULY/AUGUST 2015 www.celtic-connection.com PAGE 19 1916 Rising events to go global as multi-million euro plan unveiled by Irish Government DUBLIN – The Irish Govern- other countries – experiences that ment is planning a multi-mil- shaped their thoughts and actions. lion euro program of cultural “We should remember that what happened in Ireland a century ago echoed events around the world to around the world and became a refer- celebrate the centenary of the ence point for other countries seeking 1916 Rising. independence.” At the launch, Humphreys said the arts Concerts, plays, exhibitions and EASTER RISING international commemoration program has been unveiled by the Irish Gov- would be used “as a unifying force that ernment. film events are planned in Wash- brings people together at home and ington, New York, London, Paris, abroad”. Rome, Buenos Aires, Brasilia, She said the best of Irish arts would be Canada Programme Dubai, Hong Kong and Sydney. brought to the world’s greatest cities. Details of the programme were an- The minister said it was “vitally impor- nounced by Foreign Affairs Minister tant” that the diaspora be included in for 1916 commemoration Charlie Flanagan and Arts Minister the 2016 celebrations. There needed to Heather Humphreys. be a recognition of their contribution to By RAY BASSETT include the commemoration in their cal- also a concert in Ottawa on April 23. Flanagan said the programme of events Ireland over the past 100 years, she Ambassador of Ireland endar of events for 2016. said. In addition, the embassy will look to the was aimed at encouraging “reflection to Canada Some organisations have already indi- authorities in Dublin for some funding on the international dimension of the The international events will run along- OTTAWA – The 100th anni- cated to us that it will an intrinsic ele- to support community initiatives. Rising”. side over 40 major events in Ireland, versary of the Easter Upris- ment in their 2016 programme. I would with the centrepiece being a wreath lay- greatly encourage this approach. As I have told a number of groups my He said, “Many of the leaders of 1916 ing in Ireland takes place next personal preference is to support a large spent time in the United States and in ing ceremony and parade in Dublin city centre. Against that background, I would en- number of local activities rather than year, 2016. visage a year long list of activities, by major heavy invest expenditure on a sin- The events of 1916 had a seminal ef- necessity these will likely peak around gle big ticket item. Saint Patrick’s Day and even more es- fect on the long road to an independent That being said there is no monopoly of State in Ireland. pecially around April 23, the actual date of the Rising. wisdom so if any organisation has any Therefore, this historic anniversary will great initiative and/or idea, then please be marked in Ireland and throughout the While I have no desire to control events, share it with the rest of us. world as a major occasion. Those of us I would ask that organisations let us know about their plans and also to com- Brendan Behan is credited often with who are of an age, can remember viv- the observation that the first item on the municate with each other, including idly the commemorations in 1966 for the agenda of any Irish organisation is “The 50th anniversary. through social media, so that a full picture of the commemoration can be Split.” At the outset, I want to make it very readily available to the public. To prove that wrong, I would ask that clear that the commemoration of 1916 we have an inclusive, historically accu- does not belong to any group, individual The Embassy of Ireland will include a programme on its website to which rate and wholehearted commemoration or even the Irish State. It is part of our of an event which has shaped our coun- common heritage. events across Canada can be added, if organisations so wish. Elizabeth Keogh try and provided inspiration for many Therefore here in Canada, I am seek- at [email protected] is the con- other countries who wished to regain their independence. ing to promote the widest community tact point in the embassy. RYANAIR cleared the way for British Airways owner Interna- participation. The commemoration here The embassy will however be organis- For more information, visit the Depart- tional Airlines Group to take over Aer Lingus as it accepted an will, in the main, be decentralised and ment of Foreign Affairs website at: offer for its 29.8 percent stake in the Irish carrier. local. ing its own programme which I hope will be a major conference on 1916 and www.dfa.ie and click on the link: “Our We are requesting all organisations to Role and Policies.” Ryanair accepts Of Heaven and Earth: 500 Years Aer Lingus deal of Italian Painting from Glasgow Museums DUBLIN – Ryanair cleared the way for British Airways owner International VANCOUVER – Works by some of the greatest names in Euro- Airlines Group to take over Aer Lingus pean art will feature in an exhibition at the Vancouver Art Galley as it accepted an offer for its 29.8 per- from June 12 to October 4. cent stake in the Irish carrier. “Of Heaven and Earth: 500 Years of Italian Painting from Glasgow The low-cost operator said its board had Museums” offers some of the Scottish collection’s finest and most voted to accept the deal, saying the IAG popular Italian paintings. offer “maximises Ryanair shareholder This prestigious exhibition examines the thematic and stylistic de- value.” velopments in Italian art – from the religious paintings of the late Ryanair was left as kingmaker in the RYANAIR chief executive Middle Ages and Renaissance to the secular neoclassical and genre deal after a 1.4 billion euro offer was Michael O’Leary. paintings of the 19th Century. accepted by the Aer Lingus board and The remarkable breadth of the exhibition showcases the outstand- given the green light by the Irish Gov- fer for Aer Lingus is a reasonable one ing quality of works by figures such as Giovanni Bellini, Sandro ernment, owner of a quarter of the com- in the current market and we plan to Botticelli, Domenichino, Francesco Guardi and Titian alongside other pany, in May. accept it, in the best interests of Ryanair lesser-known masters. But the offer was conditional on accept- shareholders. The works range from a golden-hued 1500 masterpiece depicting ance by at least 90 percent of share- “The price means that Ryanair will Christ and the Magi to Francesco del Cairo’s tragic 1645-1650 por- holders and there had been speculation make a small profit on its investment in trait “Death of Cleopatra” to Luigi Garzi’s dramatic rendering of that Ryanair might choose to “play Aer Lingus over the past nine years.” the Roman legend of the “Sacrifice of Marcus Curtius.” hardball” and force IAG to return to the table with a higher bid. IAG said it He said the offer was “timely” because If you’re interested in history, religion, or mythology, there is some- would not raise the terms. its original strategy of using Ryanair as thing in this exhibition that will interest you. a mid-priced brand to compete with flag The background to the transaction is carriers at major airports had been over- PHOTO: Courtesy American Federation of Arts You can have a wide range of interest in the humanities or culture complicated by a long-running battle taken by its own Always Getting Bet- ARCHANGEL MICHAEL AND THE or even if you just want to look at art that’s just beautiful, there’s fought by Ryanair against UK compe- ter program with a similar aim. REBEL ANGELS [1592-93], by Cavaliere really so many ways that you can enjoy this exhibition. tition authorities, which have ordered it d’Arpino, is featured in the exhibition at to cut its stake in Aer Lingus. The revamp, also intended to improve The accompanying catalogue will feature essays on Glasgow’s col- its image and attract business custom- the Vancouver Art Gallery. This painting lections and the museum’s Italian paintings by guest curator Peter Ryanair chief executive Michael ers, is credited with helping latest an- was bequeathed by Archibald McLellan Humfrey, an internationally renowned specialist in Italian art his- O’Leary said, “We believe the IAG of- nual earnings soar by 66 percent. in 1856. tory who teaches at the University of St. Andrews in Scotland. PAGE 20 www.celtic-connection.com JULY/AUGUST 2015 Tidal lagoon power station planned for Swansea Bay By EIFION WILLIAMS The beautiful wide expanse of Swansea Bay has become a central focus of the continuing effort to develop more sustainable forms of energy in the UK. The Welsh Government gave planning permission last month for one of the THE RHONDDA TUNNEL was shut down in 1969. The photo most ambitious ‘green’ energy schemes above was taken during the first officially organized inspection ever seen in Britain. of the tunnel in more than 40 years. The project is not yet 100 percent confirmed as it must still wait on a separate decision by the government to guar- New lease on life for antee future subsidies. ILLUSTRATION of the proposed Swansea Bay Tidal Lagoon. If fully approved, the plan would be one of the most ambitious The UK Government has already indi- ‘green’ energy schemes ever seen in Britain. cated that it supports the project as it the Rhondda Tunnel promises to contribute to the Welsh length of the wall for pedestrians, cy- been opposition from several sources. economy by providing clean energy, clists and possibly electric people trans- SWANSEA – A two-mile Victo- jobs, investment opportunities and rec- porters. The Wildlife Trust has warned of the rian railway line which was shut reational facilities. possibility of a loss of breeding grounds The Company’s Chief Executive, Mark for birds or spawning areas for fish that down 50 years ago under a pro- The plan involves the construction of a Shorrock, said on receiving the planning the birds feed on. gram of sweeping closures could 9.5 kilometre U-shaped sea wall in permission, reopen as Britain’s longest cy- Swansea Bay that would harness the Some groups have also expressed con- strength of the tides. “Wales led the way providing the fuel cern over the visual impact of the cle tunnel. for the industrial revolution. project, although the company says that A number of hydro turbines would be The disused Rhondda Tunnel, which the outer wall will be barely visible from runs 1,000 feet beneath the Welsh hills, built under water, generating energy “We are now entering the era of the shore. THE TUNNEL was built by the from the incoming and outgoing tides. climate change revolution – de-carbon- was closed as part of the Beeching cut- demands of the coal industry Swansea Bay has one of the highest izing our world in time to avoid two de- More serious opposition has been ex- backs, a project which spelled the end for thousands of stations across the rail to run from pit villages tides in the world. grees of global warming – Wales can pressed in Cornwall over a tentative Blaencwm in the Rhondda Val- now lead this next revolution.” plan to mine stone for the Swansea Bay network in Britain. Tidal Lagoon Swansea Bay plc main- breakwater in an old quarry near St. ley under the mountains to tains that the power station could pro- Shorrock also maintains that if the Swan- But engineers visited the 3,148 mile tun- Blaengwynfi in the Afan Valley. Ives and shipping it through a marine nel this month for the first time since it duce enough zero-carbon electricity to sea Bay project is successful, more tidal conservation zone. power every home in Swansea for 120 energy projects could be built in other closed to see whether it is safe to use years. parts of the coast such as Colwyn Bay It has also been pointed out that the as a cycle route. in North Wales and Liverpool Bay. Swansea Bay Tidal Lagoon project will As an extra benefit, the project would Cyclists and walkers could retrace produce cleaner and more reliable en- steam locomotives’ route from Rhon- create a giant man-made lagoon in He says that such projects could gen- ergy than the 19 wind turbines being Swansea Bay that would attract thou- erate 10 percent of the country’s elec- dda to Swansea. It would be world’s proposed for Mynydd y Gwair Common second longest cycle tunnel, after 4,000 sands of visitors to enjoy water sports tricity by 2023. just north of Swansea, a project that has within the wall. mile Snoqualmie Tunnel near Seattle, Environmental groups have generally received a great deal of public opposi- Washington. A road will be constructed along the approved the plan. However, there has tion. Leanne Wood, leader of Plaid Cymru, said, “There is a real buzz about this project which could transform these Clydebank Shipyard to be transformed valleys if the tunnel is opened up.” The railway tunnel, the seventh biggest in Britain, runs beneath the mountains into homes and hotel development under the Dunraven Forest in the South GLASGOW – Hundreds of homes, a Patrick McGlinchey, convener for in- Wales Valleys. hotel and a public boulevard could be frastructure and regeneration, said, It was opened in 1890 during the coal built on a Clydebank shipyard that has “This deal sets Clydebank up for the boom, after a five-year building project, lain unused for more than a decade. most exciting period the town has en- which was overseen by the tunnel’s joyed for decades. West Dunbartonshire Council have chief engineer Sydney William Yockney, agreed to a £15.62 million regeneration “It is the biggest and most influential a pupil of Isambard Kingdom Brunel. deal of John Brown’s shipyard, paving project the council has ever been in- But both ends of the tunnel – at WORKERS at the Rhonnda the way for more than £250 million of volved in as we look to transform the Blaencwm in the Rhondda and Tunnel. It was a five-year build- private investment. former John Brown’s yard into a bus- Blaengwynfi in the Afan Valley – were tling community hub. ing project which began in After publicly-funded infrastructure and filled in during the 1970s. 1885. ground works are undertaken by the “To see over 1,000 new homes built at It came following a report by Richard council, land owners Clydeside Regen- this stunning location overlooking the Beeching, a civil servant from the Isle the tunnel, alongside the Mines Rescue eration are expected to build 1,000 new Clyde, as well as a range of other of Sheppy, who wrote a report called Service. homes (including 200 social homes) amenities, will help to drive population ARTIST’S IMPRESSION of the Reshaping of British Railways, which The feasibility study boosts the society’s alongside a retail unit, hotel and a pub/ growth and bring a number of economic led to far-reaching changes in the trans- diner. rejuvenation project where hun- benefits to Clydebank.” hopes for the tunnel and will help it de- dreds of homes, a hotel, and a port network. velop a business case. It will also help Also included in the developer’s pro- new public space will be built Council leader Martin Rooney said, “For The engineer had been employed to identify potential funding sources for the posal is a new public boulevard leading on the John Brown’s Shipyard too long our once proud shipyard has make the entire network more profit- project and will engage local communi- from Clydebank town centre to the riv- Clydebank. been a derelict site at the heart of Clyde- able, prompting him to recommend the ties. erside. bank, but that is all about to change. closure of stations and railway lines Society chairman Stephen Mackey said, The housing and retail development It is expected that works will start early “The potential benefits are huge and it which did not make money. “It’s a major step forward for us to see comprising 10 separate land packages in 2016 with the road infrastructure and is really exciting to see how the plans Although some 3,000 miles of railway it in black and white. To have it written will be known as Queens Quay. site enabling work due for completion to link up the Queens Quay site with lines were closed before the report, he down and confirmed and knowing that by summer 2017, and the remaining the existing town centre will progress became infamous for causing the clo- it’s commencing right now is very ex- The former John Brown’s shipyard was works by early 2018. in the coming years. the birthplace of some of the world’s sures of several rural stations. The re- citing indeed.” greatest ships including the Queen Eliza- Construction estimated at £250 million “A great deal of thanks must go to the port became commonly known as the He said, “The engineers will be walk- beth II, the Queen Mary and HMS is expected to create around 2,000 council officers for their hard work in Beeching Axe. ing the length of the tunnel across three Hood. short-term construction jobs and sup- getting us to this stage and to our pri- After falling victim to the report, the days looking at the safety of the struc- port more than 50 apprenticeships. vate sector partners for working with abandoned Rhondda Tunnel lay dormant ture to see what it’s like after 47 years After the last ship was built there in us to make this happen. 1972, the yard was used to build oil rig The work will support developments until the Rhondda Tunnel Society and to see if it is possible to re-open the platforms until the gates finally closed already under way on the site including “We still need to keep the momentum formed a few years ago in a bid to se- tunnel. in 2001. the Titan Crane visitor centre, the de- going and my focus will be on working cure funding for the tunnel’s excava- “As well as the structural integrity they velopment of West College Scotland with the Scottish Government to secure tion. will be checking for such things as sul- The site was bought by Clydeside Re- and a new £22 million leisure centre. partnership funding to support the so- generation in 2004 and the public-pri- The Highways Agency Historic Rail- phuric acid which can occur in stag- The council have also launched plans cial housing element of the development ways Estate has now contracted a con- nant water and to check carbon diox- vate Clydebank Urban Regeneration plans.” Company later spent £16 million on for a £19 million health centre and a struction and engineering company to ide levels to make sure it’s breathable clearing and decontamination. £10 million care home for the area. undertake the three-day inspection of down there.”