ISSUE 29 VOLUME 2 Proudly Serving Celts in North America Since 1991 MARCH/APRIL 2020

THE FACES OF IRELAND (Clockwise L-R) – Children at the Saint Patrick’s Day parade in Dublin, Ireland; buskers at night on the streets of Galway, Ireland, 2020 European City of Culture; the spectacular Bullig Bay Loop on Ireland’s Beara Peninsula; stones are eternal as seen at Beaghmore, an early Bronze Age megalithic with stone circles and cairns, north west of Cookstown, County Tyrone in Northern Ireland. [Read more about Tourism Ireland and Galway, 2020 European City of Culture on pages 19 & 29]

INSIDE THIS ISSUE WIN FREE TICKETS • Celtic Fest Vancouver Win a pair of tickets to see the Irish supergroup Dervish on March 15 at Western Canada’s Kay Meek Arts Centre, West Vancou- Biggest Celtic Festival ver (see page 7 for details). Mark your entry ‘Dervish’ by March 6. • Seattle Irish Week Win a pair of tickets to see The Celtic Full Program of Events Tenors perform with VSO on Friday, PHOTO: Operio Photography March 27 at the Orpheum Theatre, SPRINGTIME is the season for GAA sports. Pictured above are • St. David’s Day Vancouver (see page 5 for details). members of the Vancouver Irish Sporting and Social Club Mark your entry ‘Celtic Tenors’ by camogie team soloing the ball out on the attack against Seattle Celebrations Vancouver March 19. Gaels at Emerald City Cup. [Read more pages 26 & 27] Win a pair of tickets to see M’Anam & • Reflections on a Chor Leoni on April 24, at Chan Centre St. Patrick’s Day VANCOUVER joined a growing for the Performing Arts, Vancouver cultural movement in 2020 with (see page 2 for details). Mark your Long Past the presentation of Lá Fhéile entry ‘M’Anam’ by April 3. Bríde: Celebrating the Creativity All entries by e-mail only to:

BE SURE TO CHECK OUT of Women at Simon Fraser Uni- [email protected] (only one entry per 40009398 Publication OUR ST. PATRICK’S DAY versity Harbour Centre. Read person to each event and must include Mail Agreement: Mail GREETINGS SECTION more about the presenters and your name and daytime telephone the event on pages 30 & 31. number). PAGE 2 www.celtic-connection.com MARCH/APRIL 2020 New Global Greening sites revealed ahead of St. Patrick’s Day VANCOUVER – Ireland holds a special place in the hearts of people around the world and it also enjoys a unique benefit of a global diaspora with one of the widely recognized and celebrated national holidays – St. Patrick’s Day. One of the most interesting fea- tures to emerge with this world- wide fete is Tourism Ireland’s famous ‘Global Greening’, which literally puts a spotlight on Ireland. This initiative, which marks its 10th anniversary in 2020, sees famous land- marks around the world decked out in green on March 17. Among the world-famous landmarks to light up for the occasion are the Empire State Building in New York, the National Museum of Qatar, City Hall in Bangkok, the National Theatre PICTURED outside the Bloedel in London, and City Hall in Toronto. Conservatory in Vancouver last In fact, over 300 sites have signed up year to mark the St. Patrick’s across more than 40 countries and this Day ‘Global Greening’ initiative, year the list just keeps growing with many new locations. Ciarán Cannon the Irish Minis- ter of State at the Department In western Canada, some of the recog- of Foreign Affairs and Frank nized landmarks include in Vancouver: the Sails of Light at Canada Place and Flood the Consul General of Ire- the Bloedel Conservatory. land, Vancouver, alongside two On Vancouver Island, the World’s Larg- Irish wolfhounds. est Hockey Stick and Puck will light up at the Cowichan Community Cen- Level Bridge, Edmonton will all be tre. bathed in green on the day. In Alberta, the world’s largest beaver And, we can’t forget Mac the Moose statue in Beaverlodge, Alberta; the in Moose Jaw, Saskatchewan, will also Calgary Tower, Calgary; and the High be part of the celebrations. MARCH/APRIL 2020 www.celtic-connection.com PAGE 3 PAGE 4 www.celtic-connection.com MARCH/APRIL 2020 CelticFest Vancouver 2020: Western Canada’s Biggest Annual Celtic Festival VANCOUVER – CelticFest The Great Irish Songbook, it celebrates the group’s 30th anniversary. Tickets Vancouver is western Canada’s are at the Kay Meek Arts Centre biggest annual Celtic festival. website [kaymeek.com/events/der- CelticFest is a rich cultural cel- vish]. ebration of the seven Celtic na- To round off the month of events there will be more live gigs. The Altan Irish tions’ kinship and community. Trad band will perform at the Rogue The festival showcases the best of Folk Club on Sunday, March 22. Celtic music, dance, spoken word and Altan continues to be one of the most supports the rich Celtic Community The acclaimed Vancouver Welsh important live acts to play traditional based here in Vancouver. Men’s Choir will perform at Christ Irish music in Ireland and on the world CelticFest Vancouver will return in Church Cathedral on Saturday, March stage. Tickets also available at The March 2020 with an ever-expanding 14, at 7:30 PM, their voices will lift Rogue Folk Club website line up of guests and events. the roof with their mix of traditional [www.roguefolk.bc.ca]. Celtic music and modern songs. Tick- On Sunday, March 8, Sharon Shan- ets are on the Welsh Men’s Choir The Celtic Tenors will perform along- non will be back in the Rogue Folk website and range from $15-$40 side the Vancouver Symphony Orches- Club again entertaining the crowd with [celticfestchristchurch.bpt.me]. tra on March 27 and 28 at the her accordion and fiddle technique. Orpheum Theatre from 8 PM. The much-anticipated St. Patrick’s Beginning with Irish folk music, her Family Day event will kick off on Sun- With a polished international reputa- work demonstrates a wide-ranging day, March 15, with a free daytime tion and with over a million CDs sold number of musical influences, includ- event for families and people of all worldwide, The Celtic Tenors offer ing reggae, Cajun music, Portuguese ages. something truly unique with the skill, music, and French Canadian music. Her range and ability of world-class per- gig is bound to sell-out so book your This year, the Family Day will take formers, combined with the personal- tickets fast at the Rogue Folk Club centre stage at Vancouver Art Gallery’s ity and fun of genuine entertainers. website [www.roguefolk.bc.ca]. front square, where there will be danc- ing, music, kid’s crafts, food vendors Tickets are at the Vancouver Sym- On Friday, March 13, the Hellenic and more to be announced! phony Orchestra website Community Centre will host the [www.vancouversymphony.ca/event/ CelticFest Ceilidh from 7:30 PM. Look out for a second announcement the-celtic-tenors]. on Facebook with the full list of the With traditional Irish performers and day’s events coming soon! All direct ticket links can be found at dances being taught throughout the [www.facebook.com/ the CelticFest Vancouver Facebook night, there is something for everyone CelticFestVancouver]. page events section. Keep an eye here here. to find out about other announcements On the evening of Sunday, March 15, and information. The beating heart of the CelticFest, the The Kay Meek Arts Centre will host • Ceilidh is central to the Fest’s ethos Dervish. [SPECIAL NOTE: Family Day will need and mission; to bring Celtic culture to a team of volunteers. If you are inter- Vancouver. A Ceilidh is the essential Described by the BBC as “an icon of Irish music” and The Guardian as ested in volunteering, email: Celtic tradition – so make sure not to [email protected]] miss out on this one! “simply brilliant,” Dervish has played its soulful folk drawing from the tradi- Any questions about sponsorship op- Tickets for this are on Eventbrite tion song cycles of counties Sligo and portunities, food vendors & general in- [www.eventbrite.com/e/celticfest- Leitrim in north-west Ireland. vancouver-ceilidh- 2020-tickets- quires, please email: 73040210235] On tour with its new studio release, [email protected]. Irish Folk Icons Dervish on tour with new CD The Great Irish Songbook The iconic Irish folk group Dervish is now on a North American tour to promote the release of their first studio album in more than a dec- ade, The Great Irish Songbook. Drawing from the traditional song cy- cles of counties Sligo and Leitrim in north-west Ireland, this much antici- pated album features performances by a remarkable array of guest singers and musicians from both sides of the At- lantic. Among those featured guest artists is Irish actor and director Brendan Gleeson – perhaps best known for his portrayal of Alastor ‘Mad-Eye’ Moody in the Harry Potter films – who lends his lilting baritone to the band’s spirited rendition of DK DERVISH – Michael Holmes, Cathy Jordan, Liam Kelly, Brian Gavan’s much-loved classic The Rocky McDonagh, Shane Mitchell, Tom Morrow, and Seamie O Dowd. Road To Dublin, which chronicles the adventures of a man as he travels from his home in Tuam, County Galway to from the United States, Steve Earle, Jamie O’Brien calls Dervish “one of Liverpool. Rhiannon Giddens, Vince Gill, Jamey the best bands in any genre to ever Johnson, The SteelDrivers, and Abigail come out of Ireland” and proclaims this Dervish – Michael Holmes, Cathy Jor- Washburn. album “their best so far.” dan, Liam Kelly, Brian McDonagh, • Veteran music scribe Jackie Hayden’s Shane Mitchell, Tom Morrow, and In the Vancouver area, Dervish will review in Hot Press recommends, “if Seamie O Dowd – is also joined on perform on Sunday, March 15 at the you need an urgent injection of nour- The Great Irish Songbook by fellow Kay Meek Arts Centre located at 1700 ishment for your mind, body and Irish musicians Andrea Corr and Imelda Mathers Avenue in West Vancouver. spirit, treat yourself to this invigorat- May; English singer Kate Rusby; Welsh For more information and tickets, see: ing excavation of The Great Irish singer-songwriter David Gray; and www.kaymeek.com. Songbook,” while The Irish Edition’s MARCH/APRIL 2020 www.celtic-connection.com PAGE 5 ‘A very good first year for the Consulate and hopefully an even better one in 2020!’ A chairde gael, which shows where the Irish are in Another little known statistic, reflect- The first Thursday of the month Irish B.C., the contact details for the around ing the modest trade in goods, is that business community breakfast events THIS is only the Consulate’s fifty Irish organisations in B.C. and Ireland has now risen in importance that started last September are prov- second St. Patrick’s Day and it helped to clarify what are the issues for B.C. exports from 61st place in ing both useful and popular so do try is great to see such a varied facing Irish emigrants. 2017 to 46th last year. and make it along. programme of events being An initiative to help raise awareness The significant level of interest in pro- After July most of our events, includ- held over all of March with of mental health issues is being under- moting Irish-B.C. trade linkages was ing our monthly business breakfast taken by the Consulate this year as highlighted in the online trade direc- events, will be held in the new Consu- events from White Rock to part of our response to this study. tory developed last year by the Van- late office rather than the Vancouver Kelowna. couver Chapter of the Ireland-Canada Club. It will be much less salubrious By FRANK FLOOD What is really encouraging on the busi- Irish Consul General Chamber of Commerce (see https:// but also far less more expensive! On behalf of the Irish Consulate ness side is that all of our trade mis- icccvan.ca). General Office in Vancouver, I Vancouver sions to B.C. are so impressed that Communications remains a key chal- would like to congratulate all in- they keep coming back! A first class trade directory, developed lenge as there is so much going on, it is but once a new government is formed, by Lar Quigley, it is a credit to all con- very difficult to raise awareness among volved in running this year’s pro- I am sure that a visit to the west coast Following the successful mission of gramme of activities that are being cerned. the Irish community let alone the of Canada will be high on their to-do five Irish institutes of technology to wider Canadian population, so we will held around St. Patricks Day in Van- list. B.C. last June organised by Enterprise The new committee with Ruairi be working on ways to meet this chal- couver and to wish them every suc- Ireland, we now have12 Irish univer- Spillane as interim president is mak- The past year has gone really quickly lenge in 2020. cess. sities and colleges coming back at the ing use of the directory and going from but very successfully from a Consu- end of March. strength-to-strength and well worth Our email contact list is helpful, so The Consulate has facilitated obtain- late point of view, thanks to the great supporting and attending the regular please sign up for our Consulate cir- ing Emigrant Support Programme fund- support we have received from the After our initial participation in the networking events. culation list on the Consulate’s website ing for a significant number of the Irish community and the warm and annual Roundup Mining and Explora- events page at www.dfa.ie/irish-con- events and we will continue to be as open Canadian welcome we have re- tion Conference last year, Ireland was The opening of the new office for the sulate/vancouver/news-&-events. supportive as possible, particularly ceived. the first European country to have a Consulate has been slightly delayed to for new initiatives such as the excel- stand at the exhibition this year reflect- July of this year but the final plans In line with data protection require- For example, in 2019 the Consulate ing our growing engagement and inter- and design are very impressive so it ments, anyone can unsubscribe from lent St. Brigid’s Day programme of funded and supported 26 Irish com- events organised recently by Maura est in this sector. will be well worth the wait. the list at any time by emailing the munity, business and diplomatic re- Consulate at [email protected]. de Freitas which was reportedly the lated events while I expect to have al- On the services side, Chartered Ac- The new office will be based on the biggest such event in western North ready attended over 30 similar meet- countants Ireland are launching a Van- 13th floor of the Manulife Building on Lá Fhéile Pádraig America. ings and functions by the end of Feb- couver Chapter on the 24 February Thurlow and West Pender with around sona dhaoibh go léir Likewise, I am sure the first St. ruary. following a visit to B.C. last Novem- one third of the floor space earmarked Frank Flood ber while over 20 percent of all Cana- for representational activities such as Patrick’s Day Family event in the Van- On the Irish community side, in 2019 Consul General of Ireland, couver Art Gallery Plaza on Sunday, dian tourists to Ireland now come from Irish community and business lunches. Vancouver the Irish Women’s Network led by B.C.! 15 March will be a great success and Eilis Courtney carried out an innova- hopefully it will get some well-de- tive mapping project commissioned by served fine weather. the Consulate. Unfortunately, it seems very unlikely The project involved the development that we will have an Irish minister in of a very useful website irishinBC.ca British Columbia for St. Patrick’s Day PAGE 6 www.celtic-connection.com MARCH/APRIL 2020 March is upon us...and yes, there will be music!

ANCOUVER – Stan Rogers, Gordon Lightfoot, etc. Well, as we are The Rogue also celebrates the Blues approaching the with Shakura S’Aida (March 5) and the annual Hornby Blues show – with month of March four Canadian Blues singers on April at a frantic pace – By 25 (Angel Forrest, Rick Fines, Paul V Pigat, and Steve Marriner); and even though there is an extra STEVE Bluegrass with Toronto’s Slocan day to come in February – there EDGE Ramblers and Seattle’s Downtown is a plethora of Celtic music Mountain Boys (March 30); musical THE ROGUE comedy with The Arrogant Worms events coming up! (March 10, and a sold out show on FOLK CLUB Since this is a combined March/April March 13); and strong voices like edition and the next issue of The Celtic America’s Eliza Gilkyson (April 9), PEI’s Rachel Beck & Vancouver’s Connection won’t be out until the end Sarah Wheeler (April 5); and Cana- of April, there is much to tell you! da’s Good Lovelies (May 3!) First off, The Rogue Folk Club has There will also be two Friday evenings had a blockbuster start to 2020, with of Gypsy Jazz on April 17 and 24 for no less than six sold out shows at the April In Paris. Visit Mel Lehan Hall at St. James in the first www.roguefolk.com for all the details. few weeks! As if this wasn’t enough, it’s also Concerts are coming thick and fast! CelticFest Vancouver from Febru- • February 27 – J.P. Cormier and SHARON SHANNON plays The ary 20 to March 22, with special Daniel Lapp. The opening night of Rogue on Sunday, March 8. events including Blackthorn’s Cei- our fiddle festival – The Driven Bow lidh at the Hellenic Community Cen- – sees the amazing Cape Breton singer tre on Arbutus (March 13), songwriter and multi-instrumentalist Family Day on the Art Gallery Fore- J.P. team up with Victoria’s mercurial court on Georgia Street on March 15 fiddler Daniel Lapp. We first saw this from 12:30 to 6 PM (with music by combination at Celtic Colours a few Fionn, Cannery Row, and Shoreline years back and have been trying to bring – and a host of family and adult activi- their incredible show to The Rogue ties including a parade and a beer gar- ever since. den). www.celticfestvancouver.com. • February 28 – Pierre Schryer and Irish supergroup Dervish make a wel- Adam Dobres plus Calvin Vollrath. come return to B.C. with a concert at You may have seen Pierre and Adam West Van’s Kay Meek Theatre on as David Francey’s backing band last Sunday, March 15 at 7:30 PM. Not month. You might have seen them at to be missed! https://kaymeek.com/ the Mission Folk Festival last sum- events/dervish. mer. Pierre is a multiple Canadian fid- dle champion and Adam is a brilliant There are two important Saints’ Days guitarist. – March 1 is St. David’s Day and IRISH MYTHEN is at The March 17 is St. Patrick’s Day and I’m This is the official release of their first Rogue on Thursday, March 26. sure there will be some music that day album together, Mandorla. Calvin somewhere around town! (There’s Vollrath is a prolific tunesmith and re- • April 10 – The Fretless. Canadian also Roguelele Night at The Rogue, markable fiddler with over 70 albums but I don’t think it’s on an Irish theme. to his credit. string quartet blending Celtic tunes with chamber music arrangements but Not my fault!!) • February 29 – The Paperboys plus above all playing searing medleys with Finally, Festival du Bois runs at Shane Cook. The festival concludes two fiddles and viola driven by fiercely Maillardville’s Mackin Park on March with the wonderful, rollicking Celtic rhythmic cello. 6-8, with The Sybaritic Stringband stomp of Vancouver’s Paperboys and playing for a dance on opening night. special guest, Shane Cook from On- • April 16 – Madison Violet. Cape tario – one of Canada’s finest young Breton’s Lisa MacIsaac is Ashley’s The headliners include Yves Lambert fiddlers and composers. sister: a fine singer songwriter who Trio (Quebec), Tipsy 3 (NB/PQ/NS), also plays fiddle. She is joined by Blackthorn (BC), and Gervais/ • There are seven participatory work- Brenley MacEachern (from Ontario, Dallaire/McDade (AB) shops for fiddlers – and accompanists with Cape Breton roots) and they have www.festivaldubois.ca. – on Saturday, February 29 as well. a new CD, Everything’s Shifting. You can hear music by all these per- • March 8 – Sharon Shannon. Al- • April 23 – Dave Gunning. From formers – and much more – on my ways a delight, the accordion diva from Pictou, NS, Dave is one of Canada’s weekly radio show, The Saturday Edge Co. Clare has sold out The Rogue most impressive songwriters. His nar- On Folk on www.citr.ca and 101.9fm every time! This will also sell out. She rative style and poignant lyrics place every Saturday from 8 AM to noon. is touring western Canada and starts him comfortably alongside such es- Slainte, her tour in Vancouver. She will be teemed Canadians as David Francey, Steve joined by Jim Murray and Jack Maher on guitars. • March 12 – Martyn Joseph. This Welsh troubadour is a proud valley boy and one of the most passionate and committed singers and advocates of the downtrodden you could ever wish to hear. • March 22 – Altan. The Donegal pow- erhouse trad quartet led by fiddler/ singer Mairead Ni Mhaonaigh is still at the peak of its creativity. This prom- ises to be another sold out show so book early. • March 26 – Irish Mythen. Wick- low-born, and now making her home in PEI, Irish possesses one of the most powerful voices you will ever hear! She is also a unique voice for the op- THE DONEGAL powerhouse trad quartet Altan, led by fiddler/singer pressed and one of the most engaging Mairead Ni Mhaonaigh, will be another sold out show for The Rogue performers you could wish to hear. on Sunday, March 22, so get your tickets as soon as possible. MARCH/APRIL 2020 www.celtic-connection.com PAGE 7 World-class performers The Celtic Tenors will perform with the VSO Pop Series VANCOUVER – The Vancou- They have appeared on television ver Symphony Orchestra across the U.S. and Canada, as well as Europe, and produced their very own (VSO) will present The Celtic German TV special which aired to mil- Tenors at The Orpheum on lions of viewers. March 27 and 28. Founded in 1919, the Grammy and The acclaimed tenors – Daryl Simpson, Juno-award winning Vancouver Sym- PHOTO: Nejc Rudel James Nelson, and Matthew Gilsenan phony Orchestra is one of the largest M’ANAM – Ireland’s super-choir takes a curtain call following a – will perform as part of the VSO Pops arts organizations in western Canada. concert. Series sponsored by London Drugs. It is Canada’s third largest orchestra, As the most successful classical and one of the few orchestras in North crossover artists ever to emerge from THE CELTIC TENORS will per- America to have its own music school. Ireland’s latest Ireland, The Celtic Tenors have a pol- The VSO and Music Director Maes- form at The Orpheum Theatre tro Otto Tausk celebrated the orches- ished international reputation with on March 27 and 28. over a million albums sold worldwide. tra’s 100th anniversary season in 2018- 2019. super-choir M’Anam The program will consist of a unique with renowned opera companies, and blend of classical, folk, Celtic, and pop headlined several festivals across the For more details about the VSO Pops songs combined with the personality globe. Series and to purchase tickets for The make Vancouver and fun of genuine performers. Celtic Tenors, visit www.myVSO.ca. They will perform classical arias, a capellas, hauntingly beautiful Celtic debut this April harmonies, along with popular con- VANCOUVER – Ireland’s lat- With repertoire ranging from 9th-Cen- temporary songs. est super-choir, M’Anam (“My tury Icelandic elegies to dead Vikings, The program, led by conductor John to classic Irish folk songs and brand- Smith, features such favourites as Soul”) will make their North new works written for them by Nessun Dorma, Galileo, Red-Haired American debut in Vancouver McGlynn, M’Anam brings a fresh new Mary, Calypso, and many more. approach to the tradition of male-voice on April 24. singing. The Celtic Tenors first appeared on the musical map in 2000 when they They will perform in a joint concert Their North American debut will fea- with Vancouver’s Juno-nominated performed an off-the-cuff audition at ture M’Anam alongside Chor Leoni as EMI in London, UK. Chor Leoni Men’s Choir to open the opening concert of the annual the VanMan Male Choral Summit VanMan Male Choral Summit. To the surprise of all witnesses, they at the Chan Centre for the Perform- were signed on the spot to an interna- ing Arts. VanMan draws 300+ male singers to- tional record deal. The trio has now gether for a weekend of rehearsals, released five albums, sung leading roles M’Anam is an all-male ensemble of workshops, and performances. eight singers led by conductor/com- poser Michael McGlynn. McGlynn For more tickets and more informa- is famous for his work with the legen- tion about M’Anam and Chor Leoni dary Riverdance and also leads the re- online at: www.tickets.ubc.ca, or call nowned mixed choir, Anuna. Chan box office: (604) 822-2697. In the short time since M’Anam’s founding in 2018, the ensemble has Famous Quotes been featured on the soundtrack of “It is in the cultivation World of Warcraft, sung on the latest of instrumental music I consider album by Japanese jazz-rock ensem- the proficiency of this people to be ble Mouse On The Keys, released sev- worthy of commendation; and Put on your eral stunning videos, and enjoyed a in this their skill is, beyond all successful album-launching European comparison, beyond that of dancing shoes tour. any nation I have ever seen.” for an Irish ceili The group draws on a huge range of Giraldus, Cambrensis musical experiences, from rock to clas- (Gerald of Wales) sical, folk to indie – but what excites St. Patrick’s Day [c. 1147 - c 1223] VANCOUVER – Put your green danc- them most are the connections between The Topography of Ireland the lands of Iceland and Ireland. ing shoes on for the annual St. Patrick’s Day ceili presented by the Vancouver Irish Ceili Society on Sat- urday, March 14, 8-11 PM. Experienced callers teach the dances step-by-step and beginners are very welcome. All dances are done to live traditional Irish music. Wear comfort- able shoes that can slide. A 50/50 draw and special performances will be featured at the break. Refresh- ments will also be available. Wear green or festive St. Paddy’s day accessories! The ceili will be at the Victoria Drive Community Hall, 2026 East Avenue, Vancouver (43rd Avenue at Victoria). Doors open at 7:30 PM. Tickets are available through Brown Paper Tickets until 12 hours before the event, and then they will be avail- able only at the door. [www.brownpapertickets.com/event/ 4502600]. You don’t need to come with a part- ner, but why not invite a friend? For more information, e-mail: [email protected], call: (604) 812-4131, or visit online at: ceili.vcn.bc.ca. PAGE 8 www.celtic-connection.com MARCH/APRIL 2020 A wonderful cross-cultural afternoon featuring Welsh and Irish music By EIFION WILLIAMS In earlier years, Dewi was Principal VANCOUVER – An overflow crowd Horn of the National Youth Orchestra enjoyed an afternoon of Welsh and of Wales and is currently associate di- Irish music and hospitality at the rector of the ‘Hidden Pianos’ series Cambrian Hall on Saturday afternoon, launched by fellow performer Máire February 8. Carroll in 2018. The occasion was a visit by interna- The Saturday afternoon event at the tionally acclaimed guest artists Dewi Cambrian Hall was an overwhelming Garmon Jones, a French horn player success. from Wales, and concert pianist Máire Carroll from Ireland. Audience members, predominantly VANCOUVER WELSH SOCIETY President Lynn Owens-Whalen from the Lower Mainland Welsh and with concert pianist Máire Carroll, Dewi Garmon Jones, a French The event was hosted by the Vancou- Irish communities, were very appre- horn player from Wales, and the Consul-General of Ireland Frank ver Welsh Society and supported by ciative of the guests’ performance while Flood. the Consulate General of Ireland, Van- enjoying a convivial atmosphere that couver. included a bar service and snacks pre- pared by Welsh Society members. Vancouver Welsh Society President Lynn Owens-Whalen was initially in- Lynn Owens-Whalen opened the event formed by the Irish Consulate that the ACCLAIMED GUEST ARTISTS by welcoming the audience to the two performers planned a visit to Van- Dewi Garmon Jones and Máire Cambrian Hall and by reminding all couver while on a current tour. Carroll. those present how valuable an asset the hall was to the Welsh community. With the support of Irish Consul-Gen- eral Frank Flood and the Welsh Soci- Music. She graduated with an M.Mus. She invited everyone present to visit ety’s Social Committee, Lynn then degree with distinction at London’s the hall during an open house on St. proceeded to organize an informal af- Royal Academy of Music. David’s Day, March 1. ternoon of music and hospitality in the Red Dragon lounge at the Cambrian She was later awarded an LRAM de- Before introducing the two guest art- Hall. gree and was the 2016 winner of the ists, Consul-General Frank Flood em- Royal Academy of Music’s Franz phasized the importance of maintain- Pianist Máire Carroll has an impres- Reizenstein Award for outstanding ing social and cultural connections be- sive list of performances and academic achievement. She is currently complet- tween the two Celtic Nations and said achievements. ing her doctorate studies at Trinity he was pleased to see so many repre- College, Dublin and the Royal Irish sentatives of the Irish community in She has played in venues all over the the audience. world, including Carnegie Hall, Academy of Music. Wigmore Hall, London’s Barbican Cen- French Horn player Dewi Garmon The Cambrian Hall audience was hon- tre, Dublin’s National Concert Hall, Jones also studied at the Royal Acad- oured to be entertained by these two and many other venues throughout emy of Music, London. He has per- distinguished and talented performers. Europe, Asia and North America. formed with Ireland’s RTE National Both included in their repertoire mu- Symphony Orchestra, the Halle Or- sic resonant of their respective home- Máire is also very innovative. In 2018 lands. she launched a concert series called chestra, the Liverpool Philharmonic, ‘Hidden Pianos’, where she played to the Dublin Brass Ensemble and the Máire’s program included piano pieces Wexford Opera Festival Orchestra. ELECTION 2020 Fianna Fáil leader Micheál Martin, Mary-Lou audiences in unfamiliar spaces such as she had composed or arranged herself McDonald Sinn Féin leader, and Leo Varadakar. Sinn Féin won the Dublin Port Waterways and intro- Dewi has also played for musical and other classical pieces inspired by the popular vote while Fianna Fáil narrowly won the largest duced the series to primary schools in shows in London’s West End and on Irish composers, while Dewi included the Dublin Docklands. UK tours in productions such as The in his program a couple of familiar number of seats. There have been bitter clashes between the Welsh folk tunes. leaders to determine the next taoiseach. Her most recent project was called Lion King, Les Miserables, West Side ‘Classical Collision’, which included a Story and Little Miss Sunshine. He regu- Following their musical presentations, performance at Ireland’s annual Body larly tours with Ensemble Cymru and Máire and Dewi spent some time so- and Soul Festival last summer. Sinfonia Cymru. cializing with audience members and both promised to return to Vancouver Máire began her studies at the age of In 2019 he performed Puccini’s Tosca and the Cambrian Hall in the near fu- Bertie Ahern: No Irish four at the Royal Irish Academy of in Abu Dhabi, with Bryn Terfel in the government in place leading role. ture. before end of March I/CAN: Offering cross-Canada DUBLIN – Former Taoiseach Bertie Sinn Féin topped the first preference Ahern has predicted a new Irish Gov- poll following the February 8 General ernment will not be formed before the Election with a total of 37 seats – just support with immigration end of March. He said work on creat- one fewer than that of Fianna Fáil. ing a “stable and sustainable” coalition had not yet properly begun. Taoiseach Leo Varadkar’s Fine Gael won 35 seats. and wellness/mental health Sinn Féin surged during Ireland’s Gen- eral Election on a manifesto promising No single party has enough seats to TORONTO – The national We recently upscaled services to Van- again I was a panelist, this time at Lá govern and Sinn Féin appears to have change in housing and health saw it mandate at The Eamonn couver and now offer a monthly semi- Fhéile Bríde (the St. Brigid’s Day Fes- become the third major party in the failed to muster enough support from nar that addresses immigration and tival) organized by the Irish Benevo- Republic. a coalition of small left-leaning parties O’Loghlin Irish Canadian wellness/mental health supports. lent Society of B.C., the Irish Wom- and independent members of the new en’s Network of B.C., and Simon The first meeting of the Dail parlia- Irish parliament. Immigration Centre (aka I/ As I write this, I have just landed back Fraser University. ment on Thursday, February 20 is un- CAN) includes provision of in Toronto following three rain-soaked likely to elect a new government. Fianna Fáil has ruled out entering a (records were broken!), inspiring days In a conversation moderated by Maura coalition with Sinn Féin because of services across Canada. in Vancouver. De Freitas, Suzie Newman (Orchard Ahern told RTE’s The Week in Poli- historic links to the IRA and wide Recovery Centre), Dr. Máire Durnin tics, “When you are putting a govern- policy differences over issues like how Outside of Toronto, we currently In addition to hosting a large format (Orchard Recovery Centre), Amy ment together we have to look to the to run the economy. have a critical mass of clients in workshop on Express Entry (Canada’s O’Sullivan (Darkness into Light-Van- future as well. Vancouver (some of you might re- system for processing PR applications couver) and I addressed “Mental It is reportedly veering towards dis- for skilled workers), I had the privi- “It is not just about sorting out the cussions with Fine Gael aimed at form- member we used to provide on the Health and the Irish Diaspora from a lege of joining the Ireland Canada Cham- women’s perspective.” present position. It will have to take ing a grand coalition of two parties ground outreach in Saskatoon, ber of Commerce-Vancouver into account the election result and from opposite ends of Ireland’s Civil Edmonton, Calgary, and Fort (ICCCVan) event ‘Women Leading This proved to be a considerable, rel- what is the policy formulation.” War divide a century ago. McMurray, but since 2015 we re- Change’, participating as a panelist evant two hours as women from the He said negotiators and party strate- The pair have dominated power since ceive fewer queries from those lo- alongside Pauline O’Malley and Gerri floor shared insights and asked tough gists needed to focus on housing, home- the state’s formation. cales). Sinclair. questions and panelists sign-posted to lessness and health. “Otherwise they critical services in Vancouver. Though clients may reach out at any Event organizers Bríd Dunne and Aoife will lock themselves into a major prob- Sinn Féin president Mary-Lou time via our toll-free line or email, our Dowling programmed an impactful I commend organizers for their vision lem.” McDonald has spoken out against more of the same political coalitions team travels to Vancouver throughout evening with thought-provoking ques- in programming events with real pur- While taoiseach and Fianna Fáil leader, when the people have voted for change. the year to provide in-person outreach tions inviting robust feedback from the pose and actionable take-aways. audience. Ahern helped create the 1998 Good She has called her political rivals “ar- and information on immigration (par- If you know of anyone who could avail Friday Agreement which largely ended rogant’ in denying her party a place in ticularly with respect to permanent The following day on February 1, once of I/CAN’s service, please do send violence in Northern Ireland. the next Irish Government. residency). them our way: www.irishcdn.org. MARCH/APRIL 2020 www.celtic-connection.com PAGE 9 ICCCVan presents excellent discussion on the topic ‘Women Leading Change’ VANCOUVER – Thursday, were excited to be able to bring together tion Centre that offers outreach and contemplating where next the panelists For all the details, and to get your tick- an incredible panel of women, with ex- information in areas such as employ- and the audience wanted to lead ets, check out www.icccvan.ca/events. January 30 saw the Ireland periences from both side of the Atlan- ment, social services, and immigration. change. Tickets are limited, so be sure to get Canada Chamber of Com- tic Ocean. Cathy is also VP of the European Un- yours early. ion Chamber of Commerce Canada. Even after the panel discussion had merce Vancouver (ICCCVan) And with that, the three panelists took ended and the panelists had left the Don’t forget the Ireland Canada Cham- host a panel discussion on the to the stage at the Vancouver Club. Moderating the panel discussion was stage, the conversations continued as ber of Commerce Vancouver topic of ‘Women Leading Aoife Dowling, Director, Digital Bank- guests mingled throughout the room (ICCCVan) is a not-for-profit organi- • Pauline O’Malley developer of ing Solutions with Vancity. introducing themselves and making sation so all ticket sales go towards Change’. RevTurbo, a business development impactful connections. the costs of running the business net- methodology based on behavioural It was an amazing evening of thought- working events they hold. ICCCVan Vice-President Bríd psychology. O’Malley is also the au- provoking conversation. The next ICCCVan event will be their Dunne opened the evening speak- thor of Lifestyle Selling Women and is annual St. Patrick’s Day Breakfast Cel- Membership is currently as little as ing of the Chamber’s mission to the Founding Chair of the Greater Van- The discussion opened by asking ebration on the morning of March 17 $50 for 12 months and entitles you to couver Board of Trade’s Leaders of “Why do we still need to have Gender in the Terminal City Club. heavily discounted tickets to their bring professionals in our Irish Equality conversations?” and ended by community together so that they Tomorrow student mentorship pro- events. can learn from and support each gram. other. • Dr. Gerri Sinclair, Managing Direc- The Chamber was founded in 2017 and tor of Kensington Capital Partners, is has grown from strength-to-strength responsible for directing the $100 BC over the last number of years, includ- Tech Fund. ing the launch of the BC/Ireland Busi- Dr. Sinclair is also a digital strategy ness Directory and a doubling of their adviser at Vancity Credit Union. Gerri membership. was the founder and CEO of Dunne spoke of the Lá Fhéile Bríde NCompass Labs, the digital content festival providing the ideal opportu- management company acquired by nity to celebrate a day that is increas- Microsoft in 2001. At this year’s Busi- ingly seen as an opportunity to com- ness in Vancouver Influential Women mend and applaud the strong women in Business Award Gerri will receive of Ireland. the Lifetime Achievement Award. Seeing that through their Ireland- • Cathy Murphy, Executive Director Canada lens, organizers with ICCCVan I/CAN – the Irish Canadian Immigra-

GUEST PANELISTS: Cathy Murphy, Pauline O’Malley, Gerri Sinclair.

GUESTS at the ICCCVan ‘Women Leading Change’ event. [Fore- ground] Vice Consul General, Jennifer Bourke with Joanne McAllister. [Background] Consul General, Frank Flood.

ICCCVan Board: Alan Cosgrave, Brid Dunne, Ruairi Spillane, Aoife Dowling, Brendan Dalton (not pictured Mary Hatch). PAGE 10 www.celtic-connection.com MARCH/APRIL 2020 Deal or no deal, UK consumers face higher prices post-Brexit LONDON – A British retail group has warned that even if the UK negotiates a trade agreement with the European Union, it will face higher tariffs and extensive checks. Following the UK’s official departure from the European Union on January 31, 2020, formal negotiations will be launched next month to begin the proc- ess of forming a new trade relation- ship. FORMER DEPUTY at the Treasury, Chief Secretary Rishi Sunak During its membership of the EU’s has been appointed to replace the British Chancellor of the Ex- Customs Union and Single Market the UK was able to import and export chequer Sajid Javid following his dramatic resignation. goods seamlessly. But the UK Gov- ernment has said that border controls will be needed to ensure the right cus- toms and excise duties are collected and Sajid Javid quits borders are kept secure after the 11- THE UK’S LONG-SUFFERING FISHING FLEET were expecting month transition period ends on De- to finally catch a break with a prospective Brexit bonus instead cember 31, 2020. they’re getting torpedoed according to Jim Pettipher of the Coastal as British Chancellor The British Retail Consortium (BRC) Producers Organisation. said that without practical agreements with the EU, companies could be re- services provisions and deals on non- new Catch Recording App in a bid to amid disagreement quired to produce a mountain of pa- tariff barriers that a big exporter of pro- collect more detailed information on perwork at border crossings – VAT fessional services such as Britain will how much fish is being caught by sales tax and excise documents, freight almost certainly require. small-scale fishermen. with Boris Johnson documents, health and veterinary pa- perwork, export health certificates, Deals between larger economies such Concerned industry representatives LONDON – Sajid Javid has dramati- aide Dominic Cummings. as the US/EU Transatlantic Trade and say the technology roll-out could cally quit as British Chancellor of the exit and entry summary declarations, In August he had fired Javid’s aide Investment Partnership (TTIP) and the sound the death knell for traditional Exchequer in a disagreement with Boris and safety and security permits. Sonia Khan and it appears Number 10 US/Asia deal known as the Trans Pa- fishing, just as Britain prepares to cut Johnson over his closest aides. wanted to go further in keeping a closer “The issue is simple – higher tariffs cific Partnership (TPP) proved so com- itself from the European Union’s Com- The British prime minister had been eye on the chancellor. and extensive checks will harm con- plicated and controversial that they mon Fisheries Policy (CFP). expected to keep Javid in his post and sumers, retailers, and the UK have collapsed under their own politi- In appointing Sunak, a 39-year-old Furious officials have accused the fish- news of his resignation shocked West- economy. The government must set cal weight. former investment banker who won his ing regulator, the Marine Management minster on Thursday, February 13. about to negotiate a zero tariff agree- seat in Parliament only in 2015, Meanwhile, just when the UK’s long- Organisation (MMO), of having “tor- ment that minimizes checks and red Allies of the former chancellor said the Johnson is out to make sure that the suffering fishing fleet were expecting pedoed” the survival chances of the tape otherwise it will be consumers prime minister had ordered him to fire Treasury will not curb his free-spend- to finally catch a break with a pro- English industry with the imposition who suffer as a result,” said BRC chief all of his senior aides if he wanted to ing agenda. spective Brexit bonus, instead they’re of its £1.8 million Catch App. executive Helen Dickinson. remain at the Treasury – something getting torpedoed according to Jim Javid said that “no self-respecting min- Under 10 metre boats, which account Javid refused to do. Almost 80 percent of all the food that Pettipher of the Coastal Producers ister” could accept the condition being for 80 percent of all UK vessels, are UK retailers import comes from the Organisation. He resigned rather than have many of imposed. being forced to use the app to record EU. The lobby group said the govern- his powers stripped and handed over Skippers of more than 2,100 vessels the weight of their catch accurately – ment must establish import and export to Johnson’s aides in 10 Downing He had walked smiling into Number in England have been ordered to use a or risk a criminal record and fine. processes along with the infrastructure Street. 10 in a sign that he expected to remain needed to conduct the necessary in place ahead of the March 11 Budget. checks. The chancellor is considered Britain’s second-most powerful official after the His departure came after Julian Smith It said staff will need to be hired and prime minister and now his former was unceremoniously dumped as Northern Ireland Secretary, Andrea trained to carry out these checks, while deputy at the Treasury, Chief Secre- IT systems will need to be adapted Boris Johnson appoints tary Rishi Sunak, will take the job hav- Leadsom was sacked as Business Sec- and tested. Holding facilities for lor- ing reportedly agreed to a joint Number retary and Theresa Villiers lost her job as Environment Secretary. ries, particularly at the key ports of 10-Number 11 team of advisers. Dover and Folkestone in southern new U.S. ambassador Other senior ministers axed by Boris England, will also need to be built. The bombshell came after long-stand- ing rumours of tensions between the Johnson included Geoffrey Cox from Meanwhile, European Commission amid Donald Trump ex-chancellor and Johnson’s closest his post as attorney general, and President Ursula von der Leyen and Esther McVey as housing minister. chief negotiator Michel Barnier have both cast doubt on Boris Johnson’s ‘fury’ over Huawei aim to reach a comprehensive agree- port for Bashar al-Assad’s regime has rect denial of the claims. But the claims ment by the end of the year. LONDON – Boris Johnson has appointed a new British ambas- weakened Vladimir Putin’s moral au- add to the sense that Dame Karen – The EU has repeatedly warned that thority. one of Britain’s most senior diplomats the UK cannot expect to enjoy contin- sador to the United States amid – may have her work cut out when she reports of a furious row with Pierce has a blunt speaking style when takes up her new role once her appoint- ued “high-quality” market access if it necessary and fought back strongly insists on diverging from EU social and President Donald Trump over ment is formally approved by the against suggestions that British influ- Americans. environmental standards. Chinese tech giant Huawei. ence at the UN was on the wane be- cause of Brexit. As well as the differences over Huawei, The European Parliament has called Dame Karen Pierce, currently the for the UK to follow EU rules in a the two countries are at odds over the UK permanent representative to Her appointment comes amid reports UK’s plan to impose a tax on U.S. tech host of areas, such as chemicals regu- that the president was “apoplectic” at lation, food labelling and subsidies for the United Nations, will become the giants, with the Americans threaten- first woman to hold the post, Johnson’s decision to give Huawei a ing to retaliate with tariffs on the UK companies, as part of a process of “dy- role in building the UK’s 5G network. namic alignment.” But UK ministers Downing Street said. car industry. have repeatedly ruled out such a close She replaces Sir Kim Darroch, who The Financial Times reported that The UK is also pressing for the extra- regulatory relationship. was forced to stand down last year British officials were taken aback by dition of the wife of a U.S. intelligence the force of Trump’s language when A Downing Street spokesperson said, after diplomatic cables he wrote criti- official charged with causing the death cising the Trump White House were the prime minister telephoned to ex- of 19-year-old motorcyclist Harry “Our approach is clear – we are not plain the move. asking for anything special, bespoke leaked to the press. Dunn, whom the Americans are refus- or unique, but are looking for a deal Since joining the Foreign Office in It followed intensive lobbying from ing to hand over. like those the EU has struck previously 1981, Pierce has been posted to To- Washington that allowing a Chinese At the same time, the government in with other friendly countries like kyo, the Balkans and Geneva. She supplier access to the country’s criti- London is anxious to secure an early Canada. served as the UK’s ambassador to Af- cal communications networks would post-Brexit free trade deal with the constitute a major security risk. It should be noted however that CETA ghanistan in 2015 and 2016. U.S. now that the UK has formally DAME KAREN PIERCE will be- (the “Comprehensive Economic and She became political director at the U.S. officials repeatedly warned that left the EU. come the first woman to hold the they would withhold intelligence-shar- Trade Agreement” between Canada and Foreign Office, a leading domestic dip- Pierce said she was “honoured” to have post of British Ambassador to the European Union) took years to ing from any ally which did so. lomatic position, before heading to the been asked to take up the post. “I think the United States. One of Brit- negotiate and was about 22 years in UN. Downing Street refused to be drawn it is the UK’s single most important the making and is yet to be ratified. directly on the report, insisting that relationship. There is a deep bond be- ain’s most senior diplomat she There she has regularly crossed is now the UK permanent repre- But this was a relatively simple trade swords with Russia over its conduct the relationship with the U.S. remained tween Britain and the U.S., built on agreement that does not include the in the Syrian civil war, arguing its sup- “excellent.” However there was no di- many pillars,” she said. sentative to the United Nations. MARCH/APRIL 2020 www.celtic-connection.com PAGE 11 Major incident declared in South Wales after Storm Dennis ing the village’s Oxford Street since around 5 AM and were still working midday on Sunday. Paul Mason, group manager of South Wales Fire and Rescue Service, said the scene his team had faced was the worst he had experienced in his 31-year ca- reer. He said, “We started getting calls at 5 AM. The water was up to the win- dow sills in some instances, so we sent a number of boats and crews down here VANCOUVER WELSH SOCIETY to assist with our partner agencies, systematically going through each of the houses, knocking on doors, trying March 1 is St. David’s Day to prioritise individuals. IN SOUTH WALES, residents of Nantgarw in a rescue boat being evacuated by emergency teams. “This weather is unprecedented. We haven’t seen this, it’s incredible, and and you’re invited THOUSANDS were left with- Police there declared a major incident it’s right throughout the South Wales as people were moved to emergency Valleys. In my 31 years in the service to join the festivities out power on Sunday, Febru- rescue centres after their properties and this is the worst I’ve ever seen. I’ve ary 16 after Storm Dennis businesses were devastated by water never experienced anything like this VANCOUVER – The Van- swept across the UK and the from overflowing rivers. before.” couver Welsh Society will cel- Republic of Ireland, bringing Some areas sustained heavy damage as In the Scottish Borders people were ebrate St. David’s Day on Sun- heavy rains and strong winds. streets were evacuated with the help advised to evacuate from their homes day, March 1 with an open of lifeboats in some of the worst-hit on the night of Saturday, February 15 house in the Cambrian Hall’s In the UK roads and flooded railway areas. as Storm Dennis swept through the lines were shut down. Flood warnings area. Red Dragon lounge. By EIFION South Wales Fire and Rescue Service WILLIAMS reached an all-time record, with a stag- The Scottish Environment Protection gering 594 in place across England as area manager Ian Greenman said the The event is open to the public service had received an “unprec- Agency (SEPA) issued the advice for along with members of the evacuations took place across the residents in Hawick due to the condi- country. edented” 1,300 calls during Sunday and Welsh Society and everyone is Connor on classical guitar, at the had carried out 76 life rescues. tions. Cambrian Hall’s 90th anniversary con- Severe flood warnings were issued for invited to enjoy a day of enter- cert at West Point Grey United Church One of the worst-hit areas in South SEPA flood duty manager Mark the Scottish Borders and for the River McLaughlin said, “Severe Flood Warn- tainment and activities. Refresh- last October. Neath in South Wales, while local me- Wales was the village of Nantgarw, Rhondda Cynon Taff, near Cardiff, ings for areas in the Scottish Borders ments will include traditional On Saturday, March 7, there will be dia reported the River Taff had burst have been issued tonight as we con- its banks at Pontypool. which had seen entire streets left un- Welsh cakes and leek soup. another Ceilidh/Twmpath/barn dance derwater since the early hours of Sun- tinue to see rivers respond to the im- at the Cambrian Hall featuring the The situation was said to be “life- day morning. pacts of Storm Dennis. As in years past, there will also be a popular Rattlebone Band. threatening” in South Wales, where the ‘Druid’s ceremony’, a simulation of the Emergency teams including firefight- “These warnings mean that extensive Welsh National Eisteddfod’s Gorsedd This event has become popular with Met Office issued a red warning due flooding is expected to properties and to heavy rainfall and flooding risk. ers and volunteers had been evacuat- ceremony, ending with the archdruid’s participants of all ages, providing lots businesses with many roads impass- call for ‘Peace’. of fun and social interaction. able. Some evacuations have been ad- vised. Doors will open at 2:30 PM for the Dance steps are taught and called on open house which is expected to con- the spot. Refreshments including beer, “The Severe Flood Warnings have been tinue into the evening. wine, soft drinks and snacks will be issued for Teviot and Slitrig at Hawick available for sale. and Newcastleton. We advise people The traditional St. David’s Day din- to stay away from flood water and to ner will be held on the evening of Sat- In addition to the above events, the not take unnecessary risks.” urday, February 29 with guest of hon- Vancouver Welsh Society offers sev- our Surrey-based harpist and classi- eral monthly activities, including a bi- Over the weekend, the military was cally trained singer Leanne Page. lingual church service, Welsh learning deployed to build flood defenses in classes and Welsh speaking classes, a West Yorkshire in areas where people Leanne will be making a welcome re- genealogy group, a book club and were still struggling to repair their turn to the Cambrian Hall after delight- Welsh Spirit events. homes after the floods caused by ing audiences at previous perform- Storm Ciara just days earlier. ances with her melodious playing and Further information on all the above beautiful voice. events can be found on the Vancouver It was estimated that more than 40,000 Welsh Society’s website: travellers were affected by the disrup- Many will remember Leanne’s per- www.welshsociety.com. tion on air, rail and road networks and formance, together with her son ABERYSTWYTH seafront in Ceredigion, Wales is battered with more than 700 homes in westerly Corn- gigantic waves from Storm Dennis on Saturday, February 15. wall were left without power. Wales won’t be intimidated in post-Brexit negotiations, says First Minister CARDIFF, Wales – Wales will but we are yet to step out into that Drakeford said Wales and the other not be intimidated out of fight- brave new world. devolved nations should be given a “guaranteed place” in the forming of ing for its interests in future ne- “And while Brexit may be done in that the UK’s negotiating mandate, and be gotiations with the European narrow sense, the impact of Brexit, the part of negotiations which depended Union after Brexit, Mark form of Brexit is with us for years to on devolved matters. come. Drakeford has said. He added, “If the UK Government “Here in Wales and in the Welsh Gov- thinks the way to sustain the UK af- The Welsh first minister also said the ernment, we will not be hoodwinked UK Government would have a “fight ter the EU is to act unilaterally, to ride by any simplistic assertion that Brexit roughshod over the responsibilities on its hands” if it decided to retain is now over and done. powers returning from the EU which that have been devolved to Wales – fell into devolved areas of law. “We will not be browbeaten by the devolved because of two referendums assertion that the decision to leave the – then I say here, as I’ve said directly Drakeford was speaking at the EU is a decision that brings an end to to them, they have a fight on their Pierhead Building in Cardiff Bay, where debate or to discussion. hands.” he said Wales would “remain a proudly European nation” but warned it and “And we will not simply be bored into Drakeford also warned those who the rest of the UK would experience submission by the reality that Brexit complained about being “rule takers” “stresses and strains” in the coming is with us not just for today but for in the EU would instead now have to years. years and years to come.” be rule takers to the U.S. in order to trade with it in the future. He said “Brexit may have happened During a question and answer session, PAGE 12 www.celtic-connection.com MARCH/APRIL 2020 Royal watching in Victoria, B.C. ...but not as we know it!

By HARRY McGRATH

PRO-EU CAMPAIGNERS take part in a ‘Missing EU Already’ rally DINBURGH – outside the Scottish Parliament on January 31, 2020 when the UK Looking for news officially left the European Union. stories from west- DOWNTOWN VICTORIA, B.C. – The Victoria Inner Harbour is one ern Canada in the of the most beautiful harbours in the world and serves as the gate- British media is way to the city’s historic streets and distinctive architecture. It is E also just steps from the Parliament Buildings, home to the Legis- Report says Independent like watching for a blue moon, but with less expectation of suc- lative Assembly of British Columbia. cess. the fact that investigative journalists I was in Victoria when the news broke Scotland ‘would face five and royal correspondents are entirely that the royals were around and, while I have been on the lookout since different breeds but I suspect there is I had no luck spotting the other Harry returning to Scotland 12 years ago more to it than that. from my barstool perch in the Bard year wait to rejoin EU’ and can count the number of sto- and Banker, I did watch some local tel- When the news first broke that the EDINBURGH – An independ- ries that I have spotted on one evision interviewees insisting that that hand. royal couple had “gone to Canada,” the couple’s privacy should be re- ent Scotland would take four to there was an outbreak of speculation spected. five years to rejoin the EU, a For instance, there was a brief flurry about how cold they would be and re- “Scotland will be markably little interest in where ex- Friends have since told me stories of major new report has revealed. of British press interest in Vancouver in a strong position after the hockey riot of 2011 though, actly they were in the world’s second small Victoria businesses that were And it warns that Scotland would generally speaking, there was a lot largest country. closed to paparazzi and people refus- more ‘in pictures’ coverage than report- ing to talk to British media outlets. Belatedly narrowing it down to Victo- effectively be forced to adopt the to satisfy the political ing or analysis. euro or see its influence shrink ria didn’t stop the snow and ice cari- And this is no small thing. Most royal within the EU. Looking back at The Guardian’s catures despite the fact that Victoria’s watching is mere stuff and nonsense and economic ‘world gallery’ of fires, fights and po- weather is broadly similar to London’s. but everyone remembers the treatment The report, entitled ‘The EU Blue- lice horses, it’s not hard to understand Princes Diana received from some in And descriptions of Vancouver Island print Pathway for Scotland’s Acces- dimensions” why even broadsheets couldn’t resist Britain’s media, not least Prince Harry were sometimes excruciating with one sion to the European Union Under In- the temptation to prioritise images himself who is now openly talking journalist describing it as “a resort is- dependence’, was published by politi- over text. From there things were quiet about it. land near Vancouver.” cal scientist Anthony Salamone in Ed- for a long time. The news just broke here about the inburgh. votes south of the border swung the It was something of a relief, then, when The detention of Huawei’s global chief suicide of a former host of a ‘dating outcome in favour of Leave. my friend and Victoria resident It urges Scotland to rejoin the Brus- financial officer, Meng Wanzhou, in reality’ television show called Love Michael Elcock popped in the Scot- sels bloc after a Yes vote as this would Nicola Sturgeon is demanding the right Vancouver in 2018 got some media at- Island. tish Review with some actual knowl- be in the country’s “economic, social to hold a fresh referendum on inde- tention here. But the fact that it took edge to impart. When her death was announced one of and geostrategic interests.” pendence this year in response to place in Vancouver was secondary to Britain’s more virulent tabloids took Brexit and would seek to rejoin the EU the international power play between Michael pointed out that while Victo- Scotland will be in a “strong position after independence. down a story that mocked her. to satisfy the political and economic China and the United States. ria may not be on a resort island, it has often been a place of refuge for high dimensions” of EU membership, the The Scottish Government has insisted Prior to the Huawei story, it was Vic- It was originally published on St. Val- profile people who need a break from report adds. it has no plans to join the EU single toria that made headlines here when it entine’s Day, the day before she died. currency if it becomes member state. public scrutiny. “Scotland’s accession would not pose was discovered to be the home of Ag- So more power to the collective elbow a challenge to the EU’s integration ca- The report accepts that the EU would gregate IQ, a small marketing company These include Bob Hope, John Wayne, of Victoria’s citizens as they politely pacity,” it states. not require Scotland to join the euro at which had been lavishly funded by Winston Churchill, Franklin spurn British media advances and a “particular time” and it would be up Vote Leave and other groups with an Roosevelt, Shirley Temple and Prin- guard the privacy of the now former And although the length of accession to Scotland to determine this issue. interest in Britain departing the EU. cess Margaret. royals. process is not defined, it would not happen immediately. But new members must eventually The story ran on as the main actors in Michael ascribes Victoria’s popular- And here’s hoping Harry and Meghan “participate fully” in the Economic and AIQ were subject to political enquir- ity with famous types to the fact that stay where they are and wait for the “Scotland will reasonably take 4-5 Monetary Union (EMU) which in- ies in Britain and in Canada. the locals leave them alone. British press to forget (again) where years to join the EU,” it adds. “The cludes joining the euro. Victoria is. Shouldn’t be long now. government should adopt a target to While the big story was the contribu- EU accession of four years.” “The eurozone is a core aspect of the tion a small Victoria company made to Union and the locus for most dimen- Brexit, it was also fascinating (at least In the meantime, Scotland should seek sions of future political integration,” to me) to watch the British press strug- to broker an “Association Agreement” it adds. gle to understand anything about Vic- on issues like customs and trade. toria, not least the fact that it is some- “The longer the Republic were to re- thing of a tech hub. A majority of Scots (62 percent) voted main outside of the euro, the less in- to Remain in the EU in the Brexit ref- fluence it will have in its operation and, Instead British Columbia’s capital city erendum on 2016, but the weight of by extension, the Union.” was routinely described as “the back of beyond” or “the middle of no- where.” Eventually Channel 4 sent a journalist over to the “Canadian backwaters.” He travelled around on a small boat, mis- pronounced Cowichan, stared through the window of recently vacated offices in downtown Victoria and met some Canadians who politely informed him that they weren’t keen to help him find anyone. Eventually he ran into a conspiracy theorist who saw dark forces at work everywhere and had to settle for inter- rogating him. Which brings us in a roundabout way to Harry and Meghan and whatever JUST HOURS before the UK formally left the European Union, the British press learned about Victo- Scottish First Minister Nicola Sturgeon addressed SNP support- ria via the AIQ story doesn’t seem to ers in Edinburgh to unveil new measures as part of a push towards have taken root. an independent Scotland. This may have something to do with MARCH/APRIL 2020 www.celtic-connection.com PAGE 13 The Outlander Effect: The popular book and TV series is increasing travel to these Scottish sites EST-SELL- Claire peers in the window of the iron- Preston Mill, East Linton, near Edin- monger (a term used until the 1970s in burgh: This is another site that has ben- ING author Scotland to mean “hardware store”) at efited from needed repairs. a blue vase. Diana The old mill’s wheel, under which Gabaldon “Look over her shoulder and you’ll see Jamie hid from English soldiers, was the gatehouse of Falkland Palace,” jammed, but Steele said Outlander fans B hadn’t even Allison says. responded enthusiastically to a fund- set foot in Scotland when ing appeal for restoration work, and Doune Castle, Doune, Perthshire: This the target was reached quickly. she began the book that medieval stronghold that plays Castle Leoch on TV conveys visible poign- Astonishingly, all the locations for launched the popular ancy: Claire and Frank visit it in ruins Outlander, excepting South Africa, in the show’s “modern day” 1940s, were filmed in Scotland. The Outlander series. and Claire returns when it is in its hey- VisitScotland website features 42 But she’s made the country so day. shooting sites up through Season 4, and after Season 5 ends, its locations attractive to readers – and to Visits to the castle have increased 227 will be added, too. watchers of the Starz television percent since the Starz series debuted program – that the Scottish gov- in 2014, according to a report called The Scots praise Gabaldon not just for “The Outlander Effect & Tourism,” the tourists she’s brought but for her ernment’s tourism agency gave commissioned by VisitScotland last generosity of spirit and sense of kin- her an honorary Thistle Award WITH ITS CONICAL ROOF, Preston Mill is unusually shaped. In year, the highest rise for the filming ship with the country. sites in the study. for generating a flood of visitors the show, Jamie hides under the wheel. There are tales of book signings that to the fens, glens, jagged moun- Some sites are off the tourist path for didn’t end until 2:30 AM, benefits for tains and soft jade landscapes other reasons. hospice associations, sandwich shops she so alluringly describes. that gave her food on the house be- The Reverend Wakefield’s home, where cause she did so much to raise the lo- According to numbers from characters settle into the library to cal economy. VisitScotland, Outlander has in- conduct research, is a private house creased tourism by an average of not open to visitors, according to Jenni “People may go to Scotland thinking Steele, the film and creative industries of Jamie and Claire, but when they 67 percent at the sites mentioned manager at VisitScotland. come home, it’s Scotland in their minds, in the books or used in filming. because of the way Diana has repre- “There are a lot of locations in the se- sented Scotland in the books,” Gabaldon, who is from Phoenix, Ari- ries that I cannot promote,” she said. zona, wrote the first book and part of Lowstuter says. the second before traveling to Scotland. “They might be on private land, or a “She kept very true to the history and historic structure delicate in its fabric As a research professor pre-Internet, magic of Scotland, embellished by her that can’t cope with too many visi- ability to bring it to life on the page.” she read exhaustively to craft indelible tors.” images of Scottish places for the “prac- tice novel” she kept secret from her husband. When the unfinished draft sold in a three-book deal for a “staggering amount of money at the time,” Gabaldon let her professorship lapse THE MEMORIAL CAIRN at Culloden Battlefield, near Inverness. and headed to Scotland. There are also memorial stones for the various clans that fought Despite having no Scottish heritage, there. she says, “I remember seeing the green land rising and thinking, ‘This feels like home.’” She and her husband parked at Carter Bar, where she posed for a photo in front of the England-Scotland border stone. This stone appears in Book 3, Voy- ager, where the character Jamie says of it, “Looks like the sort of stone to last a while,” according to fan Karen Henry, who blogs at Outlandish Ob- servations. If you long to visit after being exposed to the sweeping vistas and compelling history in the books and the show – for which Gabaldon (68) is consultant and wrote several episodes – here are some spots to include on the itinerary. Inverness: “It’s called the heart of the DOUNE CASTLE, a medieval courtyard fortress built around 1400 Highlands,” says Gabaldon of the city by Robert Stewart, Duke of Albany, stands in for Castle Leoch in she names as her first recommenda- the “Outlander” TV series. tion, “and has reverberations through the third book and on into the rest of the series. kilts or play bagpipes; the whole cul- At Culloden, various clans have me- “It’s where the entire clan system came ture was extinguished.” morial stones on the battlefield. Al- to a screeching halt.” In the show, how- though the character Jamie Fraser is ever, Inverness is played by another A battlefield is a somber place to visit, fictional, his clan is not. city, Falkland but Hugh Allison, former property manager at Culloden who now owns And yes, that clan has a stone on the Culloden Battlefield, five miles from Inverness Tours, says he’s found a battlefield as well. Inverness: Here, the Jacobite rebellion way to help U.S. visitors relate to the ended in one hour of brutal bloodshed site. Falkland Palace, Falkland, Fife: This in 1746. beautiful hunting palace has marvelous “You could make the argument that this gardens and the oldest tennis court in “The Scots really didn’t have a chance,” is the battle that formed the United Scotland, where Mary, Queen of Scots, says Judy Lowstuter, owner of Celtic States of America,” he says. and her father played. Journeys travel company. Its repercussions emptied English and Besides serving as an apothecary in After the loss to the English, Scots French treasuries, which meant Eng- the show’s “Hail Mary” episode, the “were not permitted to speak Gaelic, land’s King George III called for more palace appears in the inaugural episode and in the Highlands that’s all they taxes in the American colonies, “and if you know where to look for it, ac- spoke. They wouldn’t let them wear we know where that went.” cording to Allison. PAGE 14 www.celtic-connection.com MARCH/APRIL 2020 Reflections on a Vancouver St. Patrick’s Day Long Past FRIEND reminded me recently of a St. Patrick’s Day many moons past when we first met down at Heritage Hall on Main Street and I started thinking back A to those days with a bit of nostalgia. I had almost forgotten those By MAURA DE FREITAS MARIE MORRIS and Pat Warren presenting Pat McCay with the high-spirited young times when coveted door prize: A beautiful painting of Killarney town by Dick we were busy being the bad Morris. boys and girls in the crowd. We were always up to something...usually not good, and having such a great laugh doing it. That particular celebration was a day- BILL FORBES onstage singing long event and, of course, I was there his heart out on St. Patrick’s Day with my little booth selling Jimmy MARIE MORRIS with Veronica with Pat Warren at Heritage Hall. Reddy’s exquisite Celtic jewellery. I Stabler, two of the original mem- They are both departed now for was always working at something on bers of the local Irish theatre St. Patrick’s Day. greener pastures but never for- group, Stage Eireann. gotten by friends and family. From one end to the other, the room was festooned in green, white and gold attention but nobody cared and every- later it all had to come to an end. and literally hummed with raised Irish one just kept dancing. voices as people talked and joked and Such is life....and, as I reflect back on bantered back and forth.....and enjoyed Finally, exasperated, he pulled the plug those days, I think of so many of those a few drinks. on the PA and shut down the music. lovely people who have also now left our lives forever. There was a warm greeting at the door He was nearly beside himself trying for everyone and all the familiar char- to get a handle on the scene and roared Those of us who were once so full of acters were on the scene. out that the room was dangerously mischief have now grown older but we overcrowded so the party was over. look back with fondness on times we The Stage Eireann ladies were selling thought would never end. hot dogs for $1 and engaged in the usual Everyone was very obliging once the minor squabbles. situation became clear and one-by-one, We didn’t realize how fleeting were the with a shrug and good humour, they days and how soon they would all be Bernie Percy was behind the bar lining began to drift away. It was a great night just memories. How glad I am to have up the Irish coffees and keeping a close but everyone accepted that sooner or shared them with such friends. eye on the cash. Marie Morris and company were on the door with a warm Irish welcome to the festivities for everyone. Pat Warren was up on stage as the usual genial host and master of ceremonies. Some of the usual actors stepped up to perform their party piece, while other talented volunteers sang their hearts out. Then Vi Moore arrived with a flurry surrounded by her dancers but couldn’t get her music to work, so everyone ran around trying to somehow get it hooked up to the PA system. A few eyes rolled to the sky while others tut- tutted that some things never change. LOCAL Celtic artist Brian MacIsaac [now owner of Crannóg Ales], Sharon Brown, Patricia (Warren) Burke, and Janet Feirin [former Earlier in the day it was mostly fami- lies with troops of kids and young owner of Aran Bakery] at a St. Patrick’s Day celebration at Herit- dancers running through the place, but age Hall hosted by Stage Eireann on Main Street in Vancouver. as day stretched into evening, the chil- dren began to fade from view and still more people crammed into the old hall. By nighttime the room was literally rocking with the band blasting out all the favourite tunes. The dance floor was so packed you couldn’t move, and it was impossible to hear anything co- herent over the music. Hopeful crowds kept lining up out- side trying to get in the door to join the craic, but chances were fading fast in that department. Finally, as a prank, late in the evening, someone decided to pull the fire alarm but you couldn’t hear a thing over the din, so everyone just carried right along. (I swear to God by the way it wasn’t us....but I have my suspi- THE HERITAGE HALL is an historical building on Main Street in cions!) Vancouver, dating back to 1914. It has served many functions over Then, the fire department arrived in the years, having originally opened as a civic Post Office. For a full gear but still no one noticed as the period of time it fell into disrepair until a passionate community party was in full swing. group in the early 1980s spearheaded the reconstruction and the When the fire marshal arrived and saw development of the site into the multipurpose resource space that the state of the room, he nearly had a it is today. The interior boasts a 3,300 square foot, French-inspired fit with people hanging from the raft- ballroom that features many re-conceived details, including a large ers. He tried to get someone to pay mural, a tile floor, and stained glass chandeliers. MARCH/APRIL 2020 www.celtic-connection.com PAGE 15

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Irish Quotes When I came back to Dublin I was court martialed in my absence and sentenced to death in my absence, so I said they could shoot me in my absence. – Brendan Behan [1923-1964] (Irish author noted for his earthy satire and powerful political commentary.) MARCH/APRIL 2020 www.celtic-connection.com PAGE 19

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FRANK FLOOD the Consul General of Ireland was a guest at the Tourism Ireland event. He is pictured above (centre) with (L-R) Sandra Moffatt, Alison Metcalfe, and Dana Welch.

vates them to travel although Australia “WestJet also flies from Calgary di- TOURISM IRELAND representatives toured western Canada earlier this month with a delegation of and New Zealand visitors do tend to rect to Dublin, it’s not year round yet 14 Irish and Canadian industry trade partners. The group included: Sandra Moffatt, Tourism Ireland; stay a long time since they are typi- but hopefully that will be extended. cally coming to Europe for five or six Rebecca Graham, Adams and Butler; Ellen Mitchell, Irish National Stud; Jennifer Bond, CIE; Dana “There are other options in that you Welch, Tourism Ireland; Eugene Garrihy, Doolin 2 Aran Ferries; Mark Odwyer, Secret Ireland Es- weeks and on average spend about two weeks in Ireland. could fly to Toronto and connect with capes; John Higgins, National Trust; Alison Metcalfe, Tourism Ireland; Avril Collins, Ireland’s blue flights to Ireland, that are year-round, book; Fiona Delahunty, Griffin Group; Jonathan Sargeant, Royal Irish Tours; Aidan McNally, Teeling She said, “Tourism Ireland is trying to or go to Seattle and fly direct with Aer Whiskey; Jason Powell, Mid & East Antrim. encourage them to start or finish their Lingus.” vacations in Ireland. Now they can get to Dublin with one stop whereas be- Dana also indicated a big market in- crease from Canada in 2014 when year- fore they had to fly to London or Amsterdam. Now it’s through the Gulf round direct flights became available ‘Fill Your Heart With Ireland’ from Toronto to Ireland. and direct into Dublin, so it’s much easier and you can start or finish your She said, “In 2018 we had 244,000 trip in Ireland. Canadians travelling to Ireland , last and discover your heritage She pointed out a number of key points year we had about 250,000 and when that play a very important role in con- all is said and done we will probably VANCOUVER – Tourism Ire- Ireland specializes in sumptuous su- have larger numbers this year.” pernatural foods from the sea and farm tinuing to grow visitor numbers to Ire- land led a delegation of 14 Irish and the video highlighted some of these land. Canadians generally stay from nine to and Canadian industry trade mouth-watering creations. • Tourism is the island of Ireland’s larg- 10 nights and they are interested in partners on a tour across west- est indigenous industry, responsible ancient history, so that is a real moti- And, of course, who could forget to vator as they like to explore their own for in excess of four percent of GNP ern Canada earlier this month. By mention the pub night life in Ireland ancestry. One in four Canadians will with the music, dancing and singing. in the Republic of Ireland and employ- The group showcased the island CATHOLINE ing around 325,000 people across the also travel to Northern Ireland. of Ireland to travel agents and me- BUTLER Two drinks that come to mind: Guin- island; Asked about any impact Brexit might dia in Vancouver, Langley, Calgary ness – that legendary black creamy have on tourism to Ireland, particu- ourful and impressive video showing beverage for which the Emerald Isle is • In 2019 almost 11.2 million overseas and Edmonton. visitors were welcomed to the island larly to the North of Ireland, Allison breathtaking landscapes from the famous – and delicious Irish coffee replied, “The good news is that there of Ireland, delivering revenue of almost Tourism Ireland is the organization Cliffs of Moher to the Giants Cause- topped with real whipped cream. is no hard border, you can just drive responsible for promoting the island 5.8 billion euro. way and everywhere else in between. For anyone who has previously vis- across since there is no border stop. of Ireland overseas as a leading holi- In the course of the presentation, Dana day destination and representatives Each delegate spoke about their area ited the island of Ireland, it could be “You just need a valid passport as far of tourism expertise and explained the time to plan a return visit and for those Welch spoke about the west coast as a included: Dana Welch, manager for key market for Tourism Ireland with as tourism is concerned, but there is Canada; Alison Metcalfe, vice presi- various types of accommodations contemplating a first visit to the Em- no change whatsoever. It’s business as available such as hotels, bed and break- erald Isle...there is no better time! 675,000 Canadians with Irish heritage dent of North America and Australia/ in British Columbia. usual and there is no interruption in New Zealand; and Jocelyn Black, pub- fasts, home farm stays, or booking to Alison Metcalfe manages what is service.” licity and communications executive. stay in one of the many castles of Ire- called the long-haul market and she said She said access from western Canada • land. there are quite a lot of similarities be- has never been better. “In Vancouver, Tourism Ireland’s international website The Vancouver event and workshop Air Canada is flying direct from April attracted 23 plus million visitors in 2019. took place at the Hotel Georgia in Various types of tours are available tween what motivates consumers for around the island from bus tours to travel in the United States, Canada, to October but we are hoping they will It offers 29 market sites available in 11 downtown Vancouver and the theme extend the service to year-round, es- language versions around the world. this year was ‘Fill Your Heart With every part of Ireland by bus, train, car Australia and New Zealand. rental, as well as boat tours to the Aran pecially with the number of Irish here For more information, visit: Ireland’. Australia and Canada are quite alike in now that are flying to and from Ire- www.ireland.com. Islands with Garrihy’s Doolin2Aran terms of market size and what moti- The presentation included a very col- Ferries or Dublin Bay Cruises. land. Keeping Faith in the Season of Spring

WITH the festivals of spring While each unique wish is deeply per- By CYNTHIA WALLENTINE sonal, someone who walked this earth comes emergence, a time when before you has wished for something faith must hold against the cold From them, though, come some of the similar, once upon a time. before the sprouts of the grow- archaic beliefs and fragments upon We are the present, but we are not so ing season are seen. which we hold to authenticate our fes- far from our past. Keeping faith in that tivals and locate ourselves in their great which is becoming heals the past and Our kind has forever celebrated the river of time. Belonging is as impor- creates a path for us, and others, into return of light to our hemisphere. tant as becoming. the future. Imbolg, Candlemas, Groundhog Despite the removal of time, we are from a cave, or the rambunctious fer- yond, something we cannot yet see. Day, Valentine’s Day, St. Patrick’s tility of hare and egg these expressions May your heart be answered in the never far from the electricity that While we may not recognize the form coming seasons. Blessed Be. Day, the Vernal Equinox, Easter or formed their thoughts, and kept their of spring speak to change that is rarely seen, but which we know will take of the return, something will in time • Eostre perhaps you can add to this hearts beating. reach back to us as a result of our quest- place. A NOTE: I had the opportunity recently list from your own traditions. We feel the cold, fear lack of food, gasp ing energy. to return to Vancouver for the confer- at the turn of worldly events, and love This process by itself is the essence ence, Lá Fhéile Bríde: Celebrating the The spring months of any year are of faith holding at arm’s length the What is it that you wish to emerge in loaded with opportunities to recognize our family and friends. We live and we this spring season? Creativity of Women. I wish to thank die. Our names and our selfies will be worry of a hungry season with eyes Maura de Freitas and all those who the importance of what is becoming scanning the horizon for the new thing Perhaps you await the birth of a child, while it is yet a seed. forgotten. Are we so different? organized and attended the confer- that will change the current course of a new job, a return of health or a vac- ence. I feel genuinely blessed to have We cannot know the traditions or The festivals of spring recognize and life. cine to stem a pandemic. met and mingled with so many beauti- celebrate change. meaning behind the actions taken by St. Patrick’s Day celebrates one form Maybe you seek the return of the lost, ful souls during the conference. Thank those whose feet crossed this earth Whether the birth of lambs, a celestial of faith. Another is the trust we have a more stable life, a new love, or change you so very much. thousands of years before ours. moment of balance, the rebirth of man when we reach out to something be- just for the sake of change. [Read more on pages 30 & 31] PAGE 20 www.celtic-connection.com MARCH/APRIL 2020 Our wonderful whirlwind visit to Dublin reminds me what a truly great city it is GREETINGS from a wet and large signs regulating speed and scrap- windy Bournemouth. POSTCARD FROM ping what was known as the “hard BOURNEMOUTH shoulder”– a lane which you pulled into We are finally out of the European if your car broke down or for any other Union and there is a political calm af- emergency [ie: Desperate comfort ter the idiotic Brexit storm. stop, child unwell etc.). Boris Johnson’s emphatic victory in The ‘hard shoulder’ has been replaced the election means he has a large ma- with ‘emergency refuge areas’ which jority and with the exception of the are between a mile and two and a half Scottish Nationalists all the other op- miles apart and are 109 yards long, position parties are in disarray. Uncle By including the entry and exit approach. Boris can do what he likes for the next ELFAN So far over 400 miles of motorway have four years. A scary thought. JONES been converted at considerable cost and So far there appears to be no differ- 38 people have been killed because they broke down outside the emer- THE STATUE of Molly Malone and her cart is affectionately nick- ence to our lives, there are no food We had time to spare so we took a named “The Tart with the Cart’ by Dubliners.” Located on Suf- shortages, house prices have not tum- gency refuge area and with no hard tour on the Hop on Hop off Bus Tour. shoulder to pull into got hit by a truck. folk Street, just a short walk from Trinity College and the fa- bled, the bank interest remains the This was brilliant. same...and it is still raining. mous Grafton Street, it commemorates a young woman who Another 1,485 near misses have also worked as a fishmonger but also as a working girl and who died • The driver and guide informed us that been recorded. In Scotland there has been another we had arrived during the rainy season in one of the outbreaks of Cholera that regularly used to sweep sighting of the Loch Ness monster. which starts on January 1 and ends on Work on “smart motorways” has been the city of Dublin. December 31. put on hold for a safety review. On January 18, Eoin O’Faodhagain, an Irish hospital clerk, spotted not one We didn’t hop on and hop off but re- It beggars belief that no one would have but two large objects splashing around mained on board and laughed for two thought that this could happen. hours all around Dublin. on Loch Ness and captured it all on a The boss of Highways England has webcam. There were so many interesting places said that the smart motorways are too The video shows something rising to see we will just have to return and complicated to use. visit them, hopefully when it is not from the water then disappearing. This My advice is that if you do break down raining. is good news as the mythical creature on a smart motorway, say half a mile is reputed to be worth £41million a We followed the tour with a pint in a from the emergency refuge area (which year to the Scottish economy. pub next to the statue of Molly would be very inconsiderate of you A second giant creature has been spot- Malone that the driver referred to as considering the cost of it all), you ted in the Nahuel Hauapi Lake in Ar- “The Tart with the Cart.” should put on your hazards lights, exit gentina whose economy is flagging. the vehicle from the passenger side, Why does Guinness taste so much and run like hell. I believe Lough Neagh is the largest better in Ireland? I’m glad I don’t live lake in Ireland. Watch this space. there because I would have drunk my- As a constant user of the smart mo- • self to death by now. torway, I confess it confuses me. • Two weeks ago my wife and I made a Warning lights tell you to slow down EOIN O’ FAODHAGAIN (54) was watching a live stream of Loch In 2014 a genius in Highways England flying visit to Dublin. for no apparent reason, signs tell you came up with the idea of a “smart Ness in the Scottish Highlands when he spotted something that the motorway is closed at a given Our Canadian friends John and Laurie motorway.” unusual. He immediately started his own recording of the live had flown over from Canada to cel- junction and when you get there you stream to show the world what he had seen. ebrate Laurie’s sixtieth birthday. A new type of motorway to manage find it isn’t. traffic in a way that minimises cost, My favourite is a notice board which We decided to turn up at their hotel environmental impact and construction appears at the beginning of road works. Having been stationary for 20 minutes, I was warned that on reaching 75 men and surprise her. I had forgotten what time by avoiding building additional It shows a picture of a little girl and I become obsessed with the idea of get grumpy and I think they could be a great city Dublin is although for us lanes. impoverished Brits the price of a pint the caption reads: “My Daddy is getting out of the car and writing: “Tell right. of Guinness there is almost (but not These wonder motorways are the old working here so please observe the your daddy to pull his finger out and All for now, quite) prohibitive. motorways but modified to include speed limit.” get on with it.” Elfan St. Patrick’s Day dinner and dance is always a highlight of the year WHITE ROCK – One of the Upcoming events and information are highlights of the year for the THE IRISH CLUB posted on the Irish Club of White Rock OF WHITE ROCK Facebook page. Better yet, become a Irish Club of White Rock is the member and receive all the news up- annual St. Patrick’s Day dinner dates by e-mail. provide a strong social network for its and dance. members. The Irish Club of White Rock contin- ues to support and promote all the This year it will be held on Saturday, Everyone is invited to come and visit events hosted by other Irish groups in March 14 at the Hazelmere Golf and and also to share this information with the Lower Mainland and shares that Tennis Club located at 18150 - 8th friends and family living in the area. information with its members. Avenue in Surrey. ORLA NÍ BHROITHE and Larry Ryan at the Irish Club of White A warm welcome céad míle fáilte [a For more information or suggestions, Doors open at 5:30 PM, dancers with traditional hundred thousand wel- contact president Sharon Woods by Rock Celtic Christmas celebration. the Steele School of Irish Dance per- comes] will always be extended to all phone at (604) 338-3553 or e-mail: form at 6:30 PM sharp, and music is new arrivals. [email protected]. by Pat Chessell Band – the best Celtic music in the Lower Mainland. The Irish Club of White Rock also had a very successful Celtic Christmas din- ner at Beecher’s Place, Crescent Beach, Surrey, on Friday, December 6. A big thank you to all who came out to the event and who helped make it pos- sible. The club has been in existence for over 40 years in the beautiful seaside town of White Rock, about an hour’s drive east of Vancouver, which boasts a strong local Irish community. The main focus of the Irish Club of KATHLEEN PEDERSEN, Sharon Woods (president) and Deirdre White Rock is to promote Irish cul- MARGARET RYAN and Mary Schlote socializing at the Celtic O’Ruairc at the Irish Club of White Rock Celtic Christmas celebra- ture and arts in the community and Christmas celebration. tion, one of many events the club hosts throughout the year. MARCH/APRIL 2020 www.celtic-connection.com PAGE 21 My Winter Visit Home to Old Dublin ‘The old heart of Dublin is alive and well, it has the elegance of a capital city but a young vibe’ ARRIVED in perfect for the time of year. By MARIE BRUCE Dublin in mid- I can’t tell the difference between good November fully pints of Guinness and not so good, because any I tasted in Dublin were expecting the wonderful and creamy. Dubliners are I weather to be connoisseurs of the pint of Guinness, wintery and miserable but I was and they will tell you the difference. I walked over to St. Stephen’s Green pleasantly surprised. to visit University Church built in The Irish are well used to bad 1855 by Cardinal John Newman in Byzantine style which reminded me weather and dark evenings, so of a small church in Italy. I was lucky the life of the city continues una- to hear the choir practicing for Christ- bated in winter. mas services. A few grey days here and there and Almost next door is the Museum of several cold sunny days – this kind of Literature called Moli. All the greats weather suited me perfectly. I brought of Irish literature like Joyce and Yeats with me a puffy coat and all the usual are celebrated there. warm comfortable clothes for travel- THE AWARD-WINNING EPIC Festivals continue throughout the win- ling. ter and I was lucky to be there for the Irish Emigration Museum was Christmas decorations were up in ear- Swift Festival with 10 days of packed nest and the shop windows were named ‘Europe’s Leading Tour- events in some very historic Georgian packed with every kind of temptation ist Attraction’ at the World Travel buildings. to entice shoppers. Awards in Lisbon last year. MARIE BRUCE lighting a candle at St. Valentine’s Shrine at I managed a choral concert at the old Whitefriar Street. I was on a mission to see what Dublin Aungier Street and especially to light Church of Trinity College and a won- had to offer the off-season visitor. In candle at the Shrine of St. Valentine. derful evening of discussions at St. the end, I came to the conclusion that Patrick’s Cathedral where Dean Swift any time of year is a good time to visit The sacred remains of St. Valentine, is buried. Dublin and Ireland. patron saint of love and lovers, was gifted to this church by Pope Gregory The panel who spoke consisted of the Dublin tourism made no concession to XVI. It is a beloved church in a very Reverend Justin Welby, Archbishop of winter and all the hop-ons and tours old part of Dublin and one much vis- Canterbury, Dr. Mary McAleese, and were roaring around the city and – to ited around Valentine’s day. several other prominent speakers. A my amazement – most of them were brilliant evening in that wonderful an- almost full. Back in the day, many a single woman cient church. living in a bedsit in Rathmines trekked All the “must see” tourist sites were over to Whitefrair Street weekly to Dublin is the capital city of Ireland open for first-time visitors, offer novenas and light candles to St. and has attracted many hi-tech and Kilmainham Goal, Guinness Brewery, Valentine in the hope of meeting a good multi-national companies lured by the the Dublin Zoo, Jameson’s Whiskey, husband. young, well-educated workforce, and as well as the two great churches Christ the open economy. I doubt if that tradition still exists in Church Cathedral, and St. Patrick’s It is said the Irish are the most highly built 1192 – both churches in the liberated 2000s, however A PRESERVED Iron Age bog DELICIOUS baking on display at Whitefriar is always busy with peo- educated and employable graduates in body on display at the National Avoca Food Market in Dublin. remarkedly good conditiion. the world – quite an achievement for a ple praying for their special intentions, Museum of Ireland. Taking a walking tour is a good way to offering novenas and lighting candles. small country with a population un- get the feeling of the city and a chance der five million. The old centre of Dublin is packed with visit the pubs in Temple Bar where the evening was my mode of trans- to get your bearings. There are also Ireland is committed to its member- guided tours with special themes such bookshops, gourmet food stores, ca- music roars on day and night. port. fes and good pubs. Warm and welcom- ship in the European Union and the as pub tours and literature tours. A Music should be on everybody’s list The old heart of Dublin is alive and ing fires are lit in the pubs, making them current conversation is all about the visit to the local tourist office or hotel when in Dublin, check the listings on well, it has the elegance of a capital homely and cosy. border between Northern Ireland and lobby usually has all this information. Éire. the current “what’s on” to find out city but a young vibe. My choice of drink in winter is hot times and venues. My own choice was the new EPIC As the Irish say – céad míle fáilte – port and lemon studded with cloves. I only touched the surface of what I Museum, which is all about Irish emi- Dublin is fairly compact, so walking come anytime, winter or summer, and It is quite delicious, warming and just could do and what was on offer in the gration, the role it played in the world, city, I didn’t have time to see a play or and buses during the day, and taxis in a warm welcome awaits. and how it impacted the homeland. It is a very well designed and engaging museum built by the same people who IRISH WOMEN’S NETWORK OF BC created the Titanic exhibits in Belfast. It’s more of an experience than the PAMELA (PAM) FRANCES GLASS usual walk about and read. October 23, 1929 – January 24, 2020 There were heartbreaking stories of hard times and terrible struggles, but By EILIS COURTNEY Pam was always in attendance and the Irish emigrant nearly always pre- President, Irish Women’s every year she brought a gang of Glass vailed one way or another. Network of BC women – daughters, granddaughters, I was honoured to be invited to say a daughters-in-law – as she wanted to They sent money home and despite few words on behalf of the Irish Wom- share her enthusiasm for celebrating all odds, they laid down roots in for- en’s Network in tribute to Pam Glass Irish women. eign soil. They also remembered the and her involvement with the IWN. homeland and held Ireland very close, In order to encourage attendance from especially in their music and religion. I first met Pam when I got involved the White Rock group, she came up with the IWN about 15 years ago and with the idea of getting a limo to bring After four hours of being totally ab- from the start I could see that she was them in and home so they could have a sorbed in the exhibits, I realised it was passionate about her connection with glass or two and kick up their heels long past lunch time and I was hungry. her homeland and very proud to be a but always get home safely. She loved I prowled around the city leisurely Dub (particularly a North-sider like to dance and was always first on the PAM GLASS with Declan Kelly, the former Ambassador of Ireland visiting the Art Gallery, the National myself). dance floor. to Canada, in October 2009. Museum, the National library all situ- She was hugely supportive of every- Pam had a great sense of humour and ated around Kildare Street, they are thing the IWN did and after I became was always up for the craic and her where she was the judge in the photo, 2020. She is predeceased by her lov- free and have good cafes serving lunch president, would often call to strategize involvement in the 2008 calendar was highlighting her position as a citizen- ing husband Cecil (2013), and her be- with excellent soups and coffee. about how to get more people in- a great example of that. ship judge. loved daughter Kelli (2009). She is survived by daughters Maeve (Steve), I never pass an old church in Dublin volved and attending our events. When I asked other members of the For those that don’t know, in 2008 and Siobhan, and son Eamonn (Ma- without going in to light a candle, this IWN what words came to mind when She was awarded the IWN Woman of the IWN celebrated their 10th anni- rina), her adored grandchildren, Dan, is not because I am a deeply religious they thought of Pam, they said she the Year in 2003 in recognition of her versary by producing a calendar based Liam, Caitlin, Sam, Connor, Eilish, person but because lighting a candle or was a mentor, a role-model for women, contributions. on the movie Calendar Girls. Ciaran, Kaja, and Kata, and great- two brings me back to childhood, and a community builder, open-minded, granddaughter Delilah, her brother Jim to remember my departed friends and Every January, the IWN celebrates an Pam was totally game to be involved positive and enthusiastic for every- Kelly (Kitty), nephew John Carr (Ann), family. event called Nollaig na mBan – Wom- from the start and, in fact, one of the thing. She will be sorely missed. the Harrold family in Dublin, and nu- en’s Christmas. During the early 2000s calendar pictures was in her garden and • I made a special detour to visit the merous family and friends nationwide we held a big dinner downtown and then changed to White Rock City Hall, Pam passed away on January 24, Whitefriar Carmelite Church on this was one of Pam’s favourite events. and internationally. PAGE 22 www.celtic-connection.com MARCH/APRIL 2020 Governments North and South of the Border

What Sinn Féin’s very long period in Secondly, there is a card they could THE VIEW FROM opposition has finally taught the party play to outmanoeuvre Sinn Féin on the IRELAND is to tailor its message to the dominant constitutional question (and I acknowl- mood of the people rather than to fix- edge that there is no evidence that the ate on its less popular (in the South) parties have been discussing this idea). constitutional aspirations. The most Machiavellian move for such The constitutional question always a coalition would be to put Irish unifi- takes precedence in Sinn Féin’s agenda cation centrally on its agenda. SINN FEIN returns to devolved government with Stormont leader and, while that garners votes in the Michelle O’Neill becoming deputy first minister. North, it is not nearly as important in Given Prime Minister Boris Johnson’s By the South. decreasing commitment to unionism MAURICE and the potential of the EU to help to FITZPATRICK Assuming Sinn Féin has properly ab- finance the transition, they might just sorbed that lesson it now stands to achieve that historic and increasingly endure as the third force in Southern inevitable feat during the five-year THE threat that forced the two politics, representing the left of centre lifespan of a government. voter. biggest parties to return to the The All-Ireland agenda under any guise Northern Ireland Assembly in Paradoxically, though, Sinn Féin has is anathema to unionists, but it is a consistently supported austerity meas- diabolical prospect when it is spon- January was the prospect of an ures in the North. So how can it posi- sored by Sinn Féin, which continues assembly election if they did tion itself to the left in Southern poli- to provide unionists with reasons to not. tics? distrust them: on being elected in Wa- terford, a Sinn Féin candidate cheered Terrified by the pounding they would Either it has a left-wing identity or it for the IRA. likely receive from the electorate, the has a cross-border identity, but main- Democratic Unionist Party (DUP) and taining both does not stand up to scru- Sinn Féin, in opposition, would be both Sinn Féin did a deal to restore the as- tiny. In truth, its pull to the left the unable to oppose the motion they are sembly after a three-year hiatus. central reason it won the popular vote in politics to realise and unable to claim is merely a vehicle to ride to power. it as their achievement if it happens. ARLENE FOSTER of the DUP leads her party into the chamber at Sinn Féin had recorded three consecu- the Parliament Buildings. She has been reappointed first minister. tive electoral slippages in the preced- Ireland will now have a caretaker gov- Doubtless, Sinn Féin would find a way ing 18 months and it would have been ernment (the same government) until to cavil about the form of unity nego- delusional to expect to be rewarded by another government can be formed. tiated while not opposing the motion in itself, but such objections would be an angry public deprived of public serv- It is plausible that Fianna Fáil, the small beer. ices as a consequence of the moribund party that won the most seats, will Powersharing returns assembly. maintain its stance of refusing to form Unification by this route would put So Sinn Féin cowered from the elec- a government with Sinn Féin. Sinn Féin in a bind and force them to toral blowback and signed up. How, accept that accomplishing unity is to Northern Ireland If it does, then a grand coalition’ be- more important to them than deliver- then, did the same party, in the Irish tween Fianna Fáil and Fine Gael with BELFAST – Powersharing has re- development. The last executive prior general election in February, notch up ing it themselves. support from the Greens could turned to Northern Ireland as all five to Stormont’s collapse in 2017 did not by far its greatest electoral success in emerge. In that case, the parties that In this scenario, one of the paradoxical include the three smaller parties. living memory? of the main parties have taken seats in form the government of the 33rd Dáil consequences for Sinn Féin of this the region’s new executive. must do two things, or face dire con- earthquake election would be that, hav- Powersharing returned after the DUP As the only party that operates in both and Sinn Fein, the region’s two largest jurisdictions on the island of Ireland sequences in the next general election. ing finally won a compelling mandate The Assembly sat once again on the to participate in government, its ulti- afternoon of Saturday, January 11 af- parties, agreed to re-enter a mandatory and whose raison d’être is to unite Ire- Firstly, they must position themselves coalition ministerial executive. land, Sinn Féin would be loath to ad- mate agenda would be best advanced ter the landmark agreement to restore significantly to the left of the outgoing by remaining outside of it. It would devolution. mit the reason it stood to do so badly government. If drastic economic change They both signed up to a deal, tabled in the North in January and did so well also give the other parties an ambitious MLAs were in the chamber for around by the UK and Irish Governments, that is what the public wants and voted agenda that they badly need. in the South the following month is for, it must now get it. two hours to conduct the business of offered compromise resolutions to a partition. • electing and appointing speakers and range of long-standing disputes on is- Sinn Féin would make hay out of be- Irish filmmaker and writer Maurice ministers. sues such as the Irish language. If issues such as Brexit, Sinn Féin’s ing thus marginalised, so only a major Fitzpatrick is the Heimbold Chair of Irish violent past and its record of govern- economic overhaul would enable the Studies at Villanova University. His DUP leader Arlene Foster resumed the The endorsement of the two parties ing in Northern Ireland were game- government to survive and to justify book, The Boys of St. Columb’s, has first minister role she lost when the was essential for the formation of an changers in the minds of the Southern itself to the public for not incorporat- been recently re-published by the Uni- last administration collapsed in 2017, executive, as peace process structures electorate there would have been no ing the winners of the popular vote. versity of Notre Dame Press. while Sinn Fein’s Stormont leader mean an administration can only func- surge in support for the party. Michelle O’Neill has become deputy tion if it includes the largest unionist party and largest nationalist party. But those issues are alarmingly remote first minister. from the Southern electorate’s priori- Prime Minister Boris Johnson and The “New Decade, New Approach” ties. Final Penal law in Ireland Taoiseach Leo Varadkar hailed the lo- deal will also be accompanied by what cal politicians for backing a compro- the UK Government has promised will That electorate is completely preoc- finally repealed after 283 years be a major investment package. cupied with its own remediable crises mise deal to revive the institutions. in housing, cost of living (particularly BELFAST – After 283 years, the last ter the Battle of the Boyne in order to The DUP has also taken the economy, Government funding is set to help childcare and insurance) as well as the of the Penal Laws in Ireland has been quiet the Catholic upper and middle education and agriculture ministries; tackle a host of acute problems facing dysfunctional health service and ever- repealed by proposals to restore class. They were meant to force Irish Sinn Fein the finance and communities a public sector that has been flounder- longer commutes. power-sharing that was backed by Catholics and Protestant dissenters to portfolios; while the SDLP, Ulster ing amid the governance vacuum. Stormont parties on January 10. accept the Church of Ireland. For over a decade, government policy Unionists and Alliance Party fill infra- One of the most high-profile of those has deprived young people of the right The proposals put forward by “The Act really said only English could structure, health and justice respec- is an industrial dispute in the health to a decent standard of living. Tánaiste Simon Coveney and North- be used in a court of law in the King- tively. service that has seen nurses take strike ern Secretary Julian Smith will repeal dom of Ireland. It actually didn’t even action on three occasions in the last So Sinn Féin’s strategists put these Foster said she was “deeply humbled” the Administration of Justice Act name the Irish language, which was then to be reappointed first minister. month. concerns into the machine and found (Irish Language Act) 1737. spoken by the vast majority of the that the word tying them all together people on the island even in Ulster, The DUP leader said there was plenty Under the terms of the deal, the new in the minds of voters is change; and It will establish a Commissioner for Irish was widely spoken in the 17th of blame to go around for the three- executive will also take action to re- campaigned on that platform. the Irish language in Northern Ireland Century” said Dr. Phoenix. year powersharing impasse, but she duce spiralling hospital waiting lists; and there will be legal recognition of extend mitigation payments for ben- Naturally, the two main parties that insisted it was now time to look to the the language, translation services and They stopped people in Ireland from future. efit claimants hit by welfare reforms; have formed governments since the speaking through Irish or Ulster Scots going to school or university, going to increase the number of police officers foundation of the State, Fine Gael and in court will be permitted. mass publicly, holding jobs in public Despite the titles, Foster and O’Neill on the beat; and resolve an industrial Fianna Fáil, also understood that the office or running for parliament. Most hold equal standing at the top of the dispute involving teachers. people wanted change. Historian, Dr. Eamon Phoenix said, of the laws were repealed by Catholic ministerial executive. “About 36 percent of the population Emancipation between 1766 and 1829. The last DUP/Sinn Fein-led coalition But they were considerably disadvan- in the 2001 census in the North said O’Neill said it was a “defining mo- government collapsed in January 2017 taged from presenting themselves as they spoke Irish to some degree…you Dr. Phoenix said he feels the executive ment” for the region. She said she was over a row about a botched green en- credible agents of it: Fianna Fáil sup- meet so many people who have a love in Northern Ireland can now get down honoured to follow in the footsteps of ergy scheme. ported Fine Gael in a minority gov- for the language and now they can say to the ‘bread and butter’ of what peo- the late Martin McGuinness and be- ernment arrangement since 2016 and it has parity with the other traditions ple need: “The Irish Language act has come deputy first minister. That row subsequently widened to the public was so thoroughly sick of it in the North of Ireland.” very much been something that has take in more traditional wrangles on that it was willing to punt for Sinn been blocking progress over the last The inclusion of all five of the main matters such as the Irish language and Féin to clean the Augean stable. The Penal Laws were put in place af- three years.” parties in the executive is a significant the thorny legacy of the Troubles. MARCH/APRIL 2020 www.celtic-connection.com PAGE 23 Seamus Mallon, former leader of the SDLP and architect of Good Friday agreement, dies aged 83 who was a key player in the Good Irish politics and the Good Friday Friday agreement, hailed Mallon as a agreement. “hero of the peace process in North- ern Ireland” and “a profoundly good Born in Markethill, County Armagh, man.” Mallon was a school principal who en- tered politics via the civil rights move- He said, “As his party’s chief negotia- ment in the 1960s. tor in the talks leading to the Good Friday agreement, he was respected by As deputy leader of the SDLP from all parties for his intelligence and in- 1979 to 2001 he served – and often clashed with – the party’s mercurial, tegrity, his candour and convictions.” towering leader, John Hume. Lord Empey, the Ulster Unionist peer, lauded Mallon’s sense of humour and After the Good Friday agreement principles. “I don’t believe the Good Mallon served until 2003 in the power- Friday process could have succeeded sharing administration at Stormont without him. with the unionist first minister David Trimble, another fraught but effective “He understood the practicalities and partnership. realities of politics and government, Last year with the journalist Andy something that some of his colleagues failed to appreciate ... I think all of us Pollak he published a book, A Shared have lost a champion of democracy and Home Place, which warned against a united Ireland unless and until at least justice today.” a substantial minority of Northern Ire- Mary Lou McDonald, the Sinn Fein land’s Protestants were in favour – a leader, issued a short statement ex- rebuke to nationalists who seek a unity pressing condolences to Mallon’s fam- referendum decided by simple major- ily and recalling his contribution to ity. SEAMUS MALLON leader of the SDLP and deputy first minister of the Northern Ireland Assembly is pictured (third from left) on the front steps of Stormont Castle with (L-R) First Minister David Trimble, U.S. President Bill Clinton and British Prime Minister Tony Blair in 2000. BELFAST – Seamus Mallon, Mallon was appointed by the then “In the darkest days of conflict, when Taoiseach Charles Haughey to the Re- hope was in short supply, Seamus rep- an architect of the Northern Ire- public's upper house, Seanad Éireann. resented the fierce thirst for justice that land peace process who served ran through the SDLP and through as deputy first minister, passed Tributes from across the political spec- communities that had lost so much to trum in Ireland and the UK poured in political violence.” away on January 24, 2020 in after the SDLP announced that its Co. Armagh at the age of 83. former deputy leader had died. Ireland’s president, Michael D Higgins, said Mallon possessed unsurpassed During the 1960s, he became involved Mallon was a nationalist who desired courage, civility and fairness. in the civil rights movement, especially Irish unity but was a scathing critic of in his native Armagh. republican violence. “He was instrumental in bringing into being a meaningful discourse that her- In 1979, when John Hume went from He described the 1998 Good Friday alded a new possibility of civil rights being deputy leader of the SDLP (un- agreement as “Sunningdale for slow within a shared island.” der Gerry Fitt) to leader, Mallon be- learners” – a withering rebuke to ex- came deputy leader. tremists on both sides who brought The taoiseach, Leo Varadkar, said, down the 1973 Sunningdale agreement “History will remember Seamus as an He was elected to the first power-shar- and extended the Troubles, costing architect of the Good Friday agree- ing Assembly in 1973, and to the thousands of lives. ment, a committed peace builder and a Northern Ireland Constitutional Con- tireless champion of an inclusive Ire- vention in 1975 representing Armagh. “Seamus Mallon was a force of na- land.” ture,” Colum Eastwood, the SDLP’s Between May and December 1982 leader, said in a statement. The former U.S. president Bill Clinton, The Economist publication says Irish unification becoming likely LONDON – The Economist says a the threat of food shortages to soften 20 million Americans. Parties to eth- United Ireland is becoming far more up the south in the negotiations, heed- nic conflicts across the world have long likely and it is “time to start thinking less of the famine in the 1840s when found common cause with Northern about what it might mean.” all of Ireland was under British rule. Ireland’s Roman Catholics, who con- tend that the separation from the south The influential magazine, “A change in demographics in North- is an illegitimate vestige of 500 years headquartered in London, says that the ern Ireland can also be attributed to of incompetent and often callous domi- recent Irish election result, anger over the growing conversation that sur- nation from London.” Brexit both North and South, and rounds Irish unification. quickly changing demographics in The editorial concludes, “The island Northern Ireland leading to a national- “Northern Ireland’s census in 2021 is of Ireland needs a plan. The priority ist majority has suddenly brought the likely to confirm that Catholics out- should be to work out how to make Irish Unity question to center stage. number Protestants for the first time. unionists feel that they have a place in The republic has also become more a new Ireland. “Until today, however, unification has welcoming. never been more than a Republican fan- “Work is needed on the nuts and bolts tasy,” says the editorial published on “The influence of the Catholic church of unification – including how to, and has faded dramatically and society has February 13. indeed whether to, merge two health become more liberal. systems (one of which is free), the But Sinn Féin’s success in Ireland’s armed forces and police services, and recent general election “is just the lat- “Over the past three decades, restric- tions on contraception have been lifted what to do about the north’s devolved est reason to think that a united Ire- assembly. land within a decade or so is a real – and gay marriage has been legalized. and growing – possibility.” “All this explains why support for “Politicians from Britain and Ireland unification in Northern Ireland appears need to start talking, too. The price of Of course, the Irish election results ending violence two decades ago was come after discussions about Irish unity to have risen in recent years. In some polls, respondents show roughly equal for Northern Ireland, the republic and galvanized during Brexit. support for it and the status quo.” Britain to jointly set out a political “The north voted against [Brexit], but route to a united Ireland. The impact of Irish unification, The the biggest unionist party and England “If the people of the north and the voted for. Nationalists were not the Economist says, would go far beyond the physical island. republic choose that path, the politi- only ones to be angered by the current cians must follow it.” home secretary, who suggested using “The Irish diaspora includes more than PAGE 24 www.celtic-connection.com MARCH/APRIL 2020 Parties and protests as UK leaves the EU on January 31 BELFAST – The UK’s depar- Standing yards from the Irish border, in any way in consideration by the Co. Armagh sheep farmer Seamus British Government or the people in ture from the European Union McDonnell said that communities Britain when they voted for Brexit. was marked with parties and have been left in limbo by the uncer- tainty following the split. “There are a lot of concerns from peo- protests in Northern Ireland on ple as to how this will unfold. People the night of Friday, January 31. The anti-Brexit campaigner, who farms in the government in the south (Re- on both sides of the border, said many public of Ireland) need to be very vigi- Pro-Brexit members of the public gath- people in local communities were lant that the protocols that have been ered at the front gates of Parliament against Brexit. agreed by the British Government are Buildings for a ‘Brexit Celebration’ followed. event at 11 PM, when the UK left the He said, “We will be left in limbo here EU after 47 years of membership. for the next 11 months because we “We do not want to see a hardening of DUP MLA Jim Wells joined Pro-Brexit members of the public don’t know if there will be a hard bor- the border.” gather at the front gates of Parliament Buildings, Stormont in DUP MLA Jim Wells was one of the der, soft border or no deal. No one The anti-Brexit campaigners also de- Belfast for a Brexit Celebration event. organisers of the event. knows. I don’t think Boris Johnson knows yet. manded for Northern Ireland to con- He said, “My first vote as an 18-year- tinue to have a voice in the EU after old was to vote to leave the European “We are out of Europe and I think in a the UK leaves. Union in 1975. I never thought in my few months time it will totally take life that I would see the opportunity effect. In an earlier protest, Border Commu- to leave. Here we are 47 years later nities Against Brexit activists unveiled and at last our nation is leaving the “We may have a free-flowing border a new billboard declaring the “fight European union.” now but it (the end of the transition goes on.” period) will make a big change. You They urged the Irish Government and Speeches and a countdown to the 11 have a big dread and we don’t know if PM exit were held, marking what or- we will be able to continue what we’re the restored Stormont Executive to ganisers described as “the historic doing.” push for some form of continued rep- event.” resentation in EU structures. Also attending the night’s protest was Meanwhile, the anti-Brexit protests Stormont finance minister Conor It comes as the region’s three MEPs organised by the Border Communi- Murphy. leave the European Parliament ahead ties Against Brexit group and Sinn of Brexit. Fein were held to mark the night. “This part of Ireland did not consent to Brexit, we voted significantly to Border Communities Against Brexit expressed relief that a hard border with Protesters gathered at six locations remain within the EU and we are being along the border in counties Louth, taken out of the EU without consent,” security check points appeared to have Cavan, Donegal, Fermanagh, Mona- the Sinn Fein representative said. been avoided but warned the process was not over and there remained the ghan and Donegal. Around 200 peo- SINN FEIN deputy leader Michelle O’Neill attends the unveiling ple gathered a few miles from Newry “People are very fearful of all the con- risk of a damaging no-deal on trade. to voice their opposition to Brexit. sequences of this, we know we weren’t of a Border Communities Against Brexit poster in Carrickcarnon.

New Northern Ireland Secretary LYRA MCKEE was a re- spected young journalist and writer who was shot dead in declares no border between Derry as she observed rioting on April 18, 2019. Her death Great Britain and NI created widespread condem- BELFAST – The new Secre- nation and outrage from me- tary of State for Northern Ire- dia and the public, politicians land Brandon Lewis has said of all parties, and religious that there will be no border be- tween Great Britain and North- leaders. ern Ireland. Speaking to reporters in Belfast, ahead of his meetings at Stormont House, he said that there would be no border Man charged with down the Irish Sea after the Brexit tran- sition period. Lyra McKee murder Lewis said, “The United Kingdom is DERRY – Police in Northern land and the struggles of the genera- going to be one area and all will be able Ireland have charged a 52- tion of “cease-fire babies” raised after to benefit from our future global trade the 1998 Good Friday peace accord deals. BRANDON LEWIS was appointed new Secretary of State for year-old man in connection with that ended three decades of sectarian Northern Ireland by Boris Johnson on February 13 following the “I appreciate what Michel Barnier the murder of journalist Lyra violence. prime minister’s cabinet shuffle. McKee. says, he’s a very good man trying to Hundreds of people attended McKee’s do a good job for the EU, but this is funeral, including the prime ministers 13. He had previously served as Min- Paul McIntyre has been charged also the man who said we couldn’t On his first visit to Belfast, Lewis met with murder, although police say of Britain and Ireland and political lead- open the Withdrawal Agreement. Our ister of State for Security and Deputy with the Tanaiste Simon Coveney. ers from Northern Ireland’s Protestant prime minister got that agreement for EU Exit and No Deal Preparation. they believe several people were It comes weeks after Coveney helped and Catholic communities. open, got a new agreement. We’ve got involved and they are still seeking His appointment came after Julian secure the New Decade, New Ap- it through parliament, we’ve left the “evidence to bring the gunman to Her death helped spur a successful ef- Smith was sacked from the Northern proach deal to restore the NI Execu- European Union. justice.” fort to get feuding politicians to revive Ireland Office as part of the prime tive. Northern Ireland’s power-sharing gov- “And we’re going to build for a better minister’s cabinet reshuffle. He was He was arrested on February 13 and It was Coveney’s first visit to Belfast ernment, which had collapsed in 2017. economy for the whole of the United appointed in July 2019 and lasted 204 has also been charged with possession after Fine Gael suffered huge losses in Kingdom as one. We are absolutely days in the role. of a firearm with intent to endanger Her funeral heard what many regarded the general election in the Republic. life, and professing to be a member of as a public rebuke to politicians by clear. As a UK government, we will Smith took over from Karen Bradley not be having a border down the Irish Lewis has refused to to say whether a proscribed organisation. the presiding priest at her funeral, Fa- who was sacked by the new prime min- ther Martin Magill, who asked why it Sea.” ister Boris Johnson after 562 days as the government will introduce an am- McKee was shot dead in Derry as she nesty for British soldiers. observed rioting on April 18, 2019. had taken such a tragedy for them to Meanwhile, EU sources confirmed that NI secretary. come together in united purpose. the UK can be brought to the Euro- He oversaw a talks process that led to During a visit to Derry, he said, "I am McKee’s killing caused widespread pean Court of Justice if it fails to carry not going into the detail at the moment, shock in a region still scarred by dec- The cleric’s words were met with a the Northern Ireland parties agreeing a standing ovation by the congregation. out checks and controls on goods go- deal to restore a power-sharing gov- we will come forward as a government ades of violence known as the Trou- ing from Great Britain to Northern Ire- ernment at Stormont last month. He with an outline of what we want to do bles, in which more than 3,500 people Fresh talks were called in the after- land. was also praised for his role in helping in due course." died. math, which were to go on to last over Lewis was named new Secretary of legislation to provide compensation to Lewis also said Prime Minister Boris She was an increasingly influential jour- nine months until the new State for Northern Ireland by Prime historical abuse victims pass through Johnson wanted to make sure there are nalist who had written powerfully powersharing Assembly was finally Minister Boris Johnson on February Parliament. no "vexatious claims about veterans." about growing up gay in Northern Ire- restored this year on January 11. MARCH/APRIL 2020 www.celtic-connection.com PAGE 25 Storm Dennis: ‘Ghost ship’ washed up Travel advisory issued in Cork after drifting unmanned for Irish citizens for almost 18 months for Italy’s coronavirus BALLYCOTTON, Co. Cork – The ‘ghost ship’ which washed affected areas up on the Cork coast at the Irish citizens have been advised while the necessary additional fund- height of Storm Dennis boasts by the Department of Foreign ing will be provided if a case does oc- a story bizarre enough to rival Affairs not to travel to areas of cur, he added. that of famous phantom ships Italy affected by a coronavirus Reviews of mass gatherings are also including the Flying Dutchman outbreak. set to take place in the coming days, and the Marie Celeste. particularly the Ireland-Italy Six Na- In revised travel advice issued on tions rugby match, which is scheduled Until it was driven onto rocks west February 24, the department notes to take place in Dublin’s Aviva sta- of Ballycotton in east Cork on Sun- the increase in the number of con- dium on March 7, the minister said. day, the 80 metre MV Alta had in- firmed cases of coronavirus in Italy, and the restriction imposed by the Asked whether there were plans to credibly floated abandoned and cancel St. Patrick’s Day events in unmanned across the Atlantic for Italian authorities in specific parts March, Harris said all mass gatherings almost 18 months – avoiding major of the north of the country. were being kept under review but there shipping lanes and amazing those PHOTO: Irish Coast Guard/PA Wire The department says travellers, in or- were no plans to cancel events yet. mariners who viewed the vessel UNDATED Irish Coast Guard handout image of the abandoned der to ascertain whether their destina- “The rugby game is something that drifting silently on the horizon. cargo ship the MV Alta, that washed up on the coast of Co. Cork tion in Italy is in an affected area, needs considerable consideration,” he should consult the government website The ship is the largest ‘ghost ship’ to during Storm Dennis over the weekend. said. “This situation is evolving. The of the region in question or, if they are weekend’s activities have shown that have been driven ashore by a storm in in Italy, call 1500. Ireland for over a century. there is still an awful lot unknown in busy shipping lanes in the process. The combination of Storm Dennis’ The advice follows news of six deaths about the coronavirus and about the 120kmh winds and the storm surge Two years ago MV Alta survived a On September 3, 2019, the crew of the in Italy and the first major travel re- path it might take.” major engine breakdown that resulted drove it aground on rocks outside strictions to be imposed in Europe. Royal Navy ice patrol ship, HMS Pro- Ballycotton. In relation to possible airport screen- in its 20 strong crew having to be res- tector were so intrigued by the vessel cued by the U.S. Coast Guard – and, a Northern Italy has seen more than ings, Harris said public health doctors spotted on the horizon which ignored Now stranded on razor-sharp rocks 50,000 people in a number of towns in were “working around the clock” on few years earlier, had even survived its repeated communications that it around the headland from the famous two attempted hijackings off Africa. the Veneto and Lombardy regions quar- the issue while Ireland was following went to investigate. east Cork fishing village, MV Alta’s antined. World Health Organisation and the incredible journey is likely to end by One attempted hijacking was alleged The MV Alta was by now in mid At- European Centre for Disease Preven- to have involved pirates pretending to the ship being torn apart by future Italian officials have cancelled sport- tion and Control (ECDC) and control lantic and, despite having been aban- storms or being towed off the rocks to ing events, closed schools and busi- be a security crew hired by the own- doned almost a year earlier, was still for guidelines and advice. ers to protect the vessel. be brought to port for scrapping. nesses and cut short the Venice carni- drifting serenely through Atlantic dol- val. Italian officials have cancelled It’s important that the EU responds The ship was abandoned on October drums and violent storms. Cork Co. Council is liaising with the sporting events, closed schools and to the health emergency in a “uniform 3, 2018 when the U.S. Coast Guard Coast Guard and the Commissioner of businesses and cut short the Venice way” to avoid mass confusion, said The Royal Navy crew confirmed at Wrecks to ensure this Irish ‘ghost had to stage a major rescue operation close range that the MV Alta was carnival. Harris. to assist the multi-national crew. ship’ doesn’t leave a trail of polluted unmanned – and were so intrigued by fuel across east Cork beaches and fish- The chances of a coronavirus case oc- “Any action Ireland takes will be based The 20 sailors were successfully their find that they posted photos on ing grounds. curring in Ireland have “significantly on health evidence as opposed to be- evacuated from the MV Alta when the social media and formally recorded increased” in light of the Italian out- ing seen to be doing something for the vessel was 1,400 nautical miles south their sighting with marine authorities. An individual claiming to represent the break with the State now preparing for sake of doing something.” east of Bermuda. Amid confusion over owner of the MV Alta has reportedly the likelihood that there “could well Despite global interest in the story, the made contact with the Revenue Com- Meanwhile two Irish citizens have ar- the ships owners and registration, it freighter vanished into the Atlantic be a case in Ireland in the coming days was abandoned. missioner and a spokesperson said the rived at a quarantine block near Liver- mists and was presumed sunk until it and weeks”, Minister for Health Simon pool in England after being evacuated Receiver of Wreck will be pursuing the Harris said. For 17 months the freighter then suddenly reappeared in Storm Dennis matter further. Anyone who lays claim from the Diamond Princess cruise ship drifted as a ‘ghost ship’ across the on Sunday off the east Cork coast. to the vessel has one year to establish Harris’s comments followed a special moored off Japan. They were among a Atlantic – somehow avoiding disaster their claim. meeting of the national public health group of 32 people – the rest of whom emergency team in relation to the are British nationals – who arrived at spread of the virus in Europe. the centre on Saturday. Four of the group have tested positive for He said a number of his department coronavirus, according to British offi- officials were taking part in European cials. Just 29 percent in Northern Ireland level meetings while the national pub- lic health emergency team would meet It is understood that a number of sec- again shortly. ondary schools across Ireland have de- would vote for unity, major study reveals cided to cancel school trips to Italy in Isolation facilities have been made light of the latest travel advice. BELFAST – Despite optimistic pre- high. The restoration of the Assembly available by the HSE in all hospitals diction about the re-unification of and Executive was backed by 81 per- Ireland, a new study of voters in cent of people with a minuscule mi- nority of two percent opposing it. Northern Ireland reveals that less than a third of people would vote On the border poll, if the ‘don’t knows’ NOVENAS for a united Ireland if a border poll are removed from the overall result, was held tomorrow. the figures break down at 65/35 in fa- vour of maintaining Northern Ireland’s Novena to the Blessed Novena to St. Joseph The results are Northern Ireland’s current constitutional position. Virgin Mary Holy St Joseph, you were a man of Novena to the Blessed Virgin Mary largest general election face-to-face Support for the Union was higher great hope and faith. You faced many study ever carried out. Just over (never known to fail). O most beautiful difficult times in your life, fleeing into among unionist voters than support flower of Mount Carmel, fruitful vine, 2,000 people were interviewed for Irish unity was among nationalist Egypt, caring and fearing for Mary and splendour of Heaven, Blessed Mother Jesus, you lived like us today in un- across 18 constituencies between voters. of the Son of God. Immaculate Virgin, December 28 and February 11. certain times.Your strength came from Power-sharing with both unionists and assist me in this my necessity. There knowing that the power and faithful- A total of 29 percent would support The Liverpool University-led project nationalists in the Stormont executive are none that can withstand your ness of God would always be con- Irish unity but 52 percent would back was funded by the Economic and So- power. O show me herein you are my stant. governing together was also strongly Mother, Mary, conceived without sin, remaining in the UK if a referendum cial Research Council with interviews endorsed with 61 percent support and conducted by Social Market Research. pray for us who have recourse to thee Fill us with the confidence that you was held imminently. seven percent opposition. (three times). Sweet Mother, I place had in the Lord, Our God. Help us to The key to nationalist success in a Asked to define national identity, Irish But deep divisions remain on an Irish this cause in your hands (three times). know that God is close to us, that He border poll is winning over those who was the most popular with 35 percent Language Act with 36 percent of vot- Holy Spirit, you who solve all problems, will deliver us from the trials and trou- bles we are now encountering. define themselves as ‘other’ and vote of voters choosing it to 34 percent say- ers supporting one and 32 percent light all roads so that I can attain my for Alliance, the Greens and smaller ing they were British and 23 percent opposed. goal. You gave me the Divine gift to May the light of the Lord give us hope. parties. identifying as Northern Irish. forgive and forget all evil against me. May it guide us every day of our lives Both DUP and UUP voters were This prayer must be said for three and uniting our prayers with yours, Nearly three-quarters (73 percent) of Asked to label themselves ideologi- equally against the legislation with 74 days, even after the request is granted cally, 28 percent chose ‘unionist’, 25 may we be assured by the peace and those who define themselves as other percent opposed while 82 percent of and the favour received, it must be joy of the Lord, that will strengthen us – neither nationalist or unionist – percent ‘nationalist’ and 40 percent Sinn Fein and 77 percent of SDLP sup- published. said neither. in all our difficulties. Amen. Holy St would support remaining in the UK porters were in favour. Alliance voters – PMKJ, MJK, CC, CB, LMC, ST Joseph, pray for us. – CB with just 27 percent opting for Irish Despite the cash-for-ash scandal, sup- were 32 percent in favour to 25 per- • unity. port for devolution was remarkably cent against. Publication of each novena is $25 per issue PAGE 26 www.celtic-connection.com MARCH/APRIL 2020 Ireland’s national games thriving in Vancouver with the ISSC standing out from the crowd VANCOUVER – The Vancouver Irish Sporting and isting members to get all the informa- tion for the upcoming season and how Social Club (ISSC) has been hard at work prepar- we can prepare following the success ing for the 2020 season. of 2019. Why should you attend this event? We’ve already had a huge turn out Pure perseverance as Michael Sweeney at the induction events we hosted By GRÁINNE Mc DERMOTT shared in his Q&A. PRO/Irish Language at the beginning of the year with Tommy: Football has changed and is individual social meetings for foot- & Culture rep still growing in Vancouver. I think ball and camogie at the end of Janu- that’s safe to say, and the level of com- ary and a club-wide open night at petitiveness and standards have gone the beginning of February. up a lot in the last few years. How do you think we compare with the U.S. February was right down to business now, compared to maybe five years with an open house on Saturday, Feb- ago? ruary 1, where we hosted a skills dem- onstration to people who had never Michael: This is my third year play- played before, extending GAA sports ing, when I first came the ISSC had to the wider community of Irish, Eng- just the mass group of numbers. Fraser lish, Scottish, Canadian, Australian and Valley were just getting going and with Spanish. St. Finians now there’s four clubs and obviously then there’s three ladies Shauna Hilley exhibited all the basics football clubs as well. of football, while Amy Beecher dem- onstrated camogie. We had definitely So, yeah, the standard has risen and I peaked their interest as we doubled the think anyone that was at the Vancou- numbers on the first day of our annual PHOTO: Operio Photography ver final this year could see that. skills academy on Tuesday, February CAMOGIE TRAILBLAZERS I had friends that were over visiting at 11 than we had last year. Elmarie Cronin and Rita Ritchie. the time and they couldn’t get over Some of the women have played be- the standard of play and the level that fore but we had a lot of rookies which and we play against each other, but it’s got to now. is amazing to see. We have been busy sometimes the numbers aren’t there I suppose with the standard of the filling them with stories of our unique and fair play we have the ladies foot- U.S., they throw a lot of money with club, especially as our camogie women ballers who are always willing to make players, you’ve got the likes of your ended up winning more trophies in up another team or do a sticks in thing. Diarmuid Connollys coming over for football than camogie!! Actually we’re very lucky, we used to great money and we don’t have that, • have hurling and camogie days in but I think in a lot of ways we’re bet- Elmarie Cronin Rupert and we’d have mixed in with PHOTO: Operio Photography ter off for not having that approach. Those of you who were lucky enough the lads then, that used to be a great FOOTBALL CAPTAIN Shauna Hilley demonstrated all the basics I think the lads [JP Ryan’s] and the to be at our 45th anniversary dinner time. But, an hour playing with the of Gaelic football at the Open House hosted by the ISSC on Satur- ladies have shown that just hard work dance back in November, would have lads would toughen you up, but we and just work off the field in terms of heard emcee Tommy Bourke’s Q&A day, February 1, used to play with under 16 but these recruitment. session with camogie co-founder lads aren’t under 16 at all! Elmarie Cronin. And they were like tough El, you know all different types of personalities, we There’s a lot more people coming to We had to play with the juniors! So we are playing the both! So down we didn’t have any spats or confronta- Vancouver now, a lot of Irish, there’s a Tommy: You’re involved in setting up we just kept ploughing along. It is hard went and were playing 3/4 games, the tions, so I think that was really good bigger diaspora of people coming, so the camogie team for the club, how has but when you love a sport, and when same 7/8 of us that was there . . . and as well. in terms of how we compete with the the team developed and progressed you love playing it, and when you yeah we came out winners of the foot- What contributed to that as well was U.S. on the club basis I think we beat since it was set up and what helped have the hurley in the hand, you just ball! definitely the three lads that we had them hands down. you along the way? don’t care where you play, or how you We’ve also been telling our newest on our team this year. They deserve a When they can throw money at it, Elmarie: Well I do have to give some play, or who you’re playing against, ISSC members about our successes of hand for putting up with all the ladies which personally I don’t know if that’s credit to the hurling team, they have just once you’re out there and playing the last year for ladies football, echo- this year – Ronan, Owen and Oisin. the right way, if that’s what the GAA been behind us the whole way through. is the main thing at the end of day. ing captain Shauna Hilley’s praise for is about, I don’t think so, I think it’s contributing factors of good energy and Unfortunately we are losing Oisin this It took us a bit of time to get notice [*Until this year with the establish- more of a gratis kind of thing. mentorship in her Q&A with Tommy. year, but we can only thank him for from the board, especially when I came ment of Van Isles over in Victoria, Van- • everything that he’s done. Breaks my Yeah, the standard’s grown like crazy. along nine years ago there wasn’t even couver Island.] heart to lose a fellow Wicklow person Even if you look at the Vancouver fi- a camogie team. Shauna Hilley Tommy: Now that you’ve mastered but that’s okay, there’ll just be more nal on our team alone, we’ve got so Tommy: Vancouver Championship, rivalry on the pitch so we wish St. So myself and Rita Ritchie had a vi- camogie you seem to have moved onto many guys that played county, senior Western Canadian, North American Finians ladies the best of luck and can’t sion, we had never played ladies foot- football. What happened that made county, under 21s, county minor. victories all to your name. Can you wait to meet them on the pitch! ball before and we had to start playing you switch over and make football your new passion now? You won the tell us what contributed to your suc- Fraser Valley were the same, they had it because there was no camogie team. Everyone was so dedicated through- Spring League and then you won in cess? a ton of boys as well, Eire Og too. So out the year. Ronan who wasn’t actu- I remember being up on the field and San Diego, are you now in a ladies foot- the standard has grown so it’s only Shauna: It was a very successful year ally playing this year went to Seattle, someone goes ‘will anyone go in goals?’ ball club? going to be a matter of time before for the ladies for sure. And to be hon- Western Canadians and North Ameri- and I was like ‘yeah I will!’ And there we’re beating those American teams at est when I was thinking that I was go- cans just to support us, so I don’t think I remained until we formed a camogie Elmarie: Sorry, I’ve so many medals the higher level, and so it’s just going with both sports I just can’t keep ing to be asked this question it was it gets more dedication than that to be team!! simple, it was just really a combina- to grow as the numbers keep coming track! Ah yeah it’s gas. This year has fair. here. I think there were four of us one Sun- been a bit exceptional. tion of really simple things. We had I would like to point out that I think day morning in Strathcona and we just just a really positive energy within the Tommy: Winning the Western Cana- we had more competition this year, built it from there in 2011 and thank We put a camogie together and we just camp throughout the whole entire year. dians this year was a sweet victory across the board with new teams. God when 2015 came along we were came out winners of every football after the loss in the final last year. What I don’t think any of us felt that we Fraser Valley Gaels was in their third able to put a team into the North tournament and it was brilliant but I did you do to prepare this year that were pressured in any way or any- year this year and they had a really Americans and we just haven’t looked still wanted to win a camogie cup but was different from other years? thing like that it was just so positive strong panel. back since. we didn’t, but sure what can you do at the end of the day! It just goes to show and we never felt if you did something Michael: Yeah, last year the Western The ladies that were at the Westerns, But it all comes back to getting our people just want to play, we just want wrong that someone would ever say Canadians were on here in Vancouver, we had such a great competition against club behind us, getting the committee to be involved with a club, be out there anything. Everything was always posi- and I’d say we were the hot favourites them and that lit the fire in their belly behind us, getting sponsors behind us playing the sport. tive and constructive in a good way. to win. to play even better and go to the North and only for them we wouldn’t be Obviously as well we have such a great Americans and win! So we really It was kind of a freakish weekend, I where we are today. We went up to San Diego in May and we were just going in solely to play combination again of, I call them, the wanted to win this year and a nice think in the space of 10 minutes we Tommy: You’re the only camogie club camogie and sure Lorraine [Muckian] “cord oldies,” the old people who have happy camp! had like five guys injured, it was nuts! in western Canada*. What are the chal- threw a message in the group and was been here 3+ years (they’re the oldies • Oisin did his leg the first minute, we lenges in that and what do you do to like ‘ah sure, will we play the football. now in my book). Michael Sweeney had lads breaking fingers left, right and get people more involved in camogie? You know more games, who cares if Then you had people “fresh off the It’s not just the ladies that are centre! we play three games in one day!!’ Elmarie: Yeah, people ask me all the boat,” and then we had another few proactively pre-season prepping. Our Then we went out in the final, and fair time ‘who do you play against?’ and And everyone was like ‘yeah, yeah, that were only playing a year or so, so football lads are hosting their registra- play to Fraser Valley, they beat us. I’m like ‘Seattle are our local yeah!’ I was like ‘you know I’m the they were all into wanting in the West- tion night on Friday, February 28 at But that was a tough pill to take, espe- team’*...in another country. oldest now and I’m going in the goal erns and North Americans. Tap and Barrel, Olympic Village. cially at home. again (hand up again!), okay we’ll do Calgary is the other team, but they’re We were even joking at the end of the This will be an opportunity for any- it if I play in goal again!’ a bit far distance away. But we try, year that for a whole ladies group of one interested in joining as well as ex- [Continued next page...] MARCH/APRIL 2020 www.celtic-connection.com PAGE 27 Manchester City banned from Champions League sending shockwaves through football fans Manchester City has been banned from the Champions League for the next two sea- sons for ‘serious breaches’ of UEFA’s financial fair play regu- lations. The move sent shockwaves through football and may now see PHOTO: Operio Photography questions raised over their domes- CAMOGIE women at the ISSC Open House demonstrating their tic success. skills to people who had never played before, extending GAA sports The reigning English champions were to the wider community. found to have circumvented FFP rules between 2012 and 2016 and have been Do you think things have changed here fined £25 million. in GAA in Vancouver/the ISSC with regards to women’s sports and their Serious questions may now be asked “It was kind of a input and roles in the club? by the Premier League, with sources THE REIGNING English champions were found to have circum- suggesting they may impose a points vented FFP rules between 2012 and 2016 and have been fined freakish weekend, Shauna: 100 percent! For anyone deduction. that doesn’t know the 20x20 initiative £25 million and banned from the UEFA Champions League Fi- I think in the space has three basic goals: They want to Manchester City won their first title nal. increase ladies participation by 20 in 2012 and their second in 2014, both percent, be it referees, players and on within the time period UEFA adjudi- of 10 minutes we had cated upon. A UEFA statement said, “The Adjudi- desire to win European football’s top the administrative role; 20 percent catory Chamber has imposed discipli- prize, the Champions League, for the like five guys injured, more media across Ireland for wom- However, the Premier League may well nary measures on Manchester City first time and manager Pep Guardiola en’s sports; and 20 percent more at- decide to wait for the outcome of an Football Club directing that it shall be admitted last year that his tenure is it was nuts!” tendance. appeal Manchester City have vowed excluded from participation in UEFA likely to be judged on whether he suc- On the administrative role, this is ac- to launch before deciding whether to club competitions in the next two sea- ceeds in the competition or not, de- tually I can say for a lot of ladies is take action of their own. sons (ie. the 2020/21 and 2021/22 sea- spite having already won two league really personal in the sense of having Questions may also be raised over the sons) and pay a fine of EU30million.” crowns. [Continued from page 26] such a strong base on the executive future of manager Pep Guardiola, his City reacted furiously to the develop- The Premier League champions face committee for the ladies. players and potential signings. ment and say they will appeal to the Real Madrid in the last 16 of this sea- For the past three years we’ve had a City say they will appeal against the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS). son’s competition with the first leg This year I think what was different woman chairperson, Mev [Maria taking place at the Bernabeu on Feb- was we went up with probably the decision at the earliest opportunity via The club have made no secret of their Eviston] in the past and now Blá the Court of Arbitration for Sport. ruary 26. least numbers. [Bláithín Noone], and we have all the It was the first time we’ve ever went other roles such as secretary which are They accused UEFA of “initiating, up as underdogs in something, and we filled by women, so that has definitely prosecuting and judging” the case and weren’t too worried about who was been an instrument in and having say they are not surprised at the out- going because we knew that the guys greater participation on everything come. who were going were going to give eve- throughout all of the codes. UEFA launched a probe after docu- rything. They are pretty much like role models ments published by the German maga- On the day, especially the final, the for a lot of people because if we don’t zine Der Spiegel suggested the club had lads were nervous, I was nervous as have them then women in the sport falsely inflated sponsorship deals with well, after losing the year before and may potentially die out. So we have firms linked to their Abu Dhabi own- Fraser Valley was going for the three to make sure that there’s always going ership. in a row as well. to be women on the board for sure. City have won four Premier League I think on the day guys were commit- Elmarie: Shauna’s 100 percent right, titles since being taken over by Sheikh ted, guys were just focused on that I would agree. I know I keep saying Mansour, a member of the Abu Dhabi weekend and just getting the job done. nine years ago it was a very different royal family, in 2008. ISSC. I sat around a table of mostly On the day of the final as well our men fighting for this camogie team. forwards were absolutely unbelievable, Is there an like Jeff Sheridan, Carl Martin, Dan It was hard but I’m at the stage now Nea. that if one more camogie person goes organisation on the board, oh my God, because I For us it was an important victory, need them out playing and attending anywhere there were a lot of guys that hadn’t training and not attending meetings! actually won a Western, guys that had • comparable been here for a long time but hadn’t Of the ISSC Committee roles, five the won. nine positions are currently held by to the GAA? Even Mick O’Shea was there on the women: Run almost totally on a voluntary basis, the Gaelic Athletic Associa- sideline and he was wearing a top that Chairperson – Bláithín Noone was about four sizes too small for him- tion reaches into practically every self and shorts six sizes too small for Vice-Chairperson – Aisling Slevin community on the island of Ireland himself, to show how much it meant Secretary – Anne Buckley and with a success no other institu- for lads like that. Treasurer – Aoife O’Connor tion does. PRO/Irish Language & Culture No it was a great victory. Afterwards It is the only one of those three you act like you would when you’re rep – Gráinne Mc Dermott great pillars of nationalist Ireland – 12 again, jumping around and stuff. As well as player reps Shauna Hilley itself, the Catholic Church and and Michelle O Connor (football) and Fianna Fáil – to continue thriving It did mean that much for us for that uninhibited at home and abroad as particular reason. And just going back Amy Beecher and Laura Dwan (camogie). the third decade of the 21st century to your question, what was different beckons. was we knew we were underdogs, and Let’s not forget Lorraine Muckian, we just had to give it everything we who works tirelessly in refereeing, A huge source of the GAA’s had and it just worked out well for us training and development, is now vice strength is attachment and loyalty that weekend. chairperson for Canada GAA. Also to the local club, of which there are • former chairperson Maria Eviston is over 2,200 in all 32 counties of Ire- On the topic of “20x20 – she can’t see PRO for Western Canada GAA. land. There are a further 462 clubs it, she can’t be it,” the ladies had in- abroad, “wherever green is worn,” spiring words of encouragement. Looking to play ladies or mens foot- – 83 in the UK; 71 throughout Eu- ball or camogie, please contact us rope; 132 in the U.S.; 19 in Canada; Tommy: 20x20 is an all-inclusive through our Facebook or Instagram 64 in Australia; and, 22 in the Mid- movement to shift Ireland’s cultural page @isscvancouver or email dle and Far East. perception of women’s sport by 2020. [email protected]. PAGE 28 www.celtic-connection.com MARCH/APRIL 2020 SEATTLE IRISH NEWS

PASSINGS Police Pipes & Drums host their Emer- • Mary Gaskin (93), mother of Seattle’s ald Evening 2020 on Saturday, April 4 Alan Gaskin, died in Co. Louth Janu- at the SPAA Pavilion, 11030 E Marginal ary 30; Way S, Tukwila. • Angela Cummins, a native of Co. The event to raise funds for the SPD Louth, died in Mukilteo January 16; Pipe band starts at 4:30 PM. Cocktail hour, program 5:45 PM, followed by a • Sister Elizabeth Linnane CSJP (94), By buffet dinner, hosted beer and wine a native of Co. Kerry, died in Bellevue JOHN bar, dessert dash, whiskey tasting bar, January 11; KEANE live auction, etc., as well as perform- • Maureen Nielsen (94), a native of Co. ances by the Seattle Police Pipes & Derry, died in Kennewick January 8; Drums with dancing afterwards! Tick- All-Ireland Finals. ets $40 at (253) 237-2811. • Allan Carson (91), a native of Bel- CCE PUGET SOUND – The Puget fast, died in Seattle January 4; MISCELLANEOUS Sound Branch of Comhaltas Ceoltóirí • For information on the next Irish Book • John O’Sullivan (90), a native of Co. Éireann (CCE) is affiliated with the in- Club meeting, contact Kerry, died in Tacoma December 29; ternational CCE organization, the pri- [email protected]. mary Irish organization dedicated to the FORMER President of Ireland President Mary Robinson was in • George Bradshaw (87), husband of promotion of the music, dance, song, • The Cascadia Irish Music Week is Seattle on Friday, February 14 where she addressed a group on Co. Leitrim native Celine, died in and language of Ireland. July 20-25 at The Evergreen State Col- climate change and signed her new book, Climate Justice: Hope, Edmonds November 26; lege, Olympia, Irish music classes Resilience, and the Fight for a Sustainable Future. In the Seattle area, CCE’s holds monthly based on your instrument and skill level. • Eithna Love (93), a native of Co. Irish set-dances at the Wilde Rover Down, died in Olympia November 26; More info and registration at Pub in Kirkland and Shawn O’Donnell’s ceolcascadia.org. • Isabel Beegle (76), a native of Co. in Fremont. Details at Down, died in Everett November 13; CCEPugetSound.org. • Best wishes to Seattle’s Randal Bays on his new album of Irish fiddle tunes, • Madge Peterson (93), a native of Co. ZAPPONE DEFEATED – Among those UP THE WEST, available at Armagh, died in Seattle November 9; members of the Dáil (the Irish parlia- upthewest.com. ment) who lost their seat in the recent • Julianne Carty (67), a native of Dub- Irish general election was Seattle-born • Congratulations to Seattle’s Irish glass lin, died in Ridgefield November 29; Katherine Zappone, the outgoing Irish artist, Paul Stokes, whose “1845: • Barney Gallagher (93), a native of Government Minister for Children and Momento Mori” Irish Famine exhibit will Co. Donegal, died in Puyallup Decem- Youth Affairs. be displayed later this year at the Irish ber 3; Famine Museum in Roscommon and Katherine was first elected to the Dáil also at Johnstown Castle in Wexford. • John Majeska, husband of Úna and as an Independent in 2014, the same brother-in-law of Martin O’Malley, both year she came back to Seattle to be • Irish musician Andy Cooney hosts a natives of Co. Mayo, died in Edmonds Grand Marshal of the St. Patrick’s Day 7-day cruise to Alaska leaving Seattle November 18; Parade. May 31 - details at FORMER President of Ireland President Mary Robinson signs her [email protected]. new book for Jane Sepede following a talk she gave in Seattle on • Father Kieran Heneghan (95), brother EMERALD EVENING – The Seattle the climate crisis. of Seattle’s Father Jarlath Heneghan, died in Co. Meath September 22; Ar dheis Dé go raibh a anam dílse – May their faithful souls rest at God’s right hand • SEAN-NÓS FESTIVAL – The 13th an- nual Sean-Nós Northwest Traditional Irish Festival at Evergreen State Col- lege in Olympia is Saturday and Sun- day, April 4-5. Two full days of workshops and classes on traditional Irish singing, dancing, language, music, and culture. Registration at seannos.org. GAELS GAA – The Emerald City Cup for men’s Gaelic football is named for the late Frank Shriane, one of the club’s founding members. THE IRISH HERITAGE CLUB Board of Directors recently met to GALWAY MAYOR Mike FORMER Irish Taoiseach Enda organize Irish Week 2020 in Seattle. (L-R) [Back row] David The Gaels’ new committee members for 2020 are: Chair - Joseph Lavy; Cubbard will be in Seattle to par- Kenny will be in Seattle to serve Jacobsen, Brendan Shriane, Janet Mount, Heather Murphy, Ralph ticipate in Irish Week 2020 and as Grand Marshal of the St. Kosche, Caron McMahon, and Seán Bailey. [Front row] John Vice chair - Oisín Desmond Keely; Registrar - Tom Va; Treasurer - Ryan to march in the St. Patrick’s Day Patrick’s Day Parade on Satur- Keane, Jane Sepede, Jean Roth, Nanci Spieker, and Corbin Parade on Saturday, March 14. day, March 14 Johnson. Clapp; Secretary - Bridgett Vechey. IRISH HUSKY – Sophie O’Sullivan, a runner who has competed internation- ally for Ireland, is a UW Husky Track & Field recruit in its 2020 class. Her mother, Sonia, a native of Cork, was one of Ireland’s greatest ever athletes. She set a world record in the 2,000-meters in 1994, won gold in the 5,000 meters at the 1995 World Cham- pionships, and a silver medal in the 5,000 meters at the 2000 Olympic Games. SOUNDER SIGNING – A recent Seattle Sounders signing is Shane O’Neill, a native of Middleton, Co. Cork. Shane has played six MLS seasons since his rookie debut in 2012, the past SEATTLE’S new Archbishop OFFALY NATIVE Jim Cummins, two at Orlando City SC. Paul Etienne will be the homilist an invaluable member of IRISH CONSUL GENERAL Robert O’Driscoll, Mary Shriane, Shane’s father, Colm O’Neill, was a and presider at the Irish Com- Seattle’s Irish community, will Maureen Keane, Mary Robinson, John Keane, and Jean Roth on star Gaelic football player in Ireland munity’s St. Patrick’s Day Mass serve as Honorary Grand Mar- February 14 following an address by the former Irish President at and played with Cork from 1984 until at St. Patrick’s Church on Fri- shal of Seattle’s St. Patrick’s K&L Gates in Downtown Seattle. 1991 during which Cork played in three day, March 13. Day Parade on March 14. MARCH/APRIL 2020 www.celtic-connection.com PAGE 29 2020 SEATTLE IRISH WEEK EVENTS Full Details at IrishWeek.org

Special Irish Week We are delighted and honored to have Honorary Grand Marshal. Reserva- IRELAND TICKETS RAFFLE – On the Presentations the former taoiseach as our 2020 St. PROGRAM OF EVENTS tions required to (253) 237-2811. afternoon of Sunday, March 15 at the Patrick’s Day Parade Grand Marshal. Irish Festival at the Seattle Center, there • Joanne McFall, with Cré Crafts (Cré PARADE HIGHLIGHTS – In Seattle’s SATURDAY, MARCH 7 will be a raffle for two round trip tick- is the Irish word for clay) in Ireland, HONORARY GRAND MARSHAL – Jim St. Patrick’s Day Parade on March 14, ets direct from Seattle to Dublin on Aer will conduct Celtic ceramics demon- Cummins, a native of Co. Offaly, has · 2020 Irish Soda Bread Contest there will be at least seven participat- Lingus. strations on both days of the festival. lived in Kennewick with his wife Eloise FRIDAY, MARCH 13 ing bands including the Seattle Fire- for the past 44 years. fighters Pipe Band, the Seattle Police Tickets at $5 each can only be pur- • Celtic Life & Heritage will present • St. Patrick’s Day Mass Pipe Band and the Navy Band North- chased in person from an Irish Herit- workshops both days on how to ig- He retired in 1995 as Warden at the • Mayor’s Proclamation Lunch- west. age Club and ONLY 1,000 TICKETS nite your child’s learning with presen- Walla Walla Penitentiary after 25 years CAN BE SOLD. tations on Irish History, an Irish card with the Washington State Department eon They will join about 60 unicyclists from game, and a video journey through Ire- of Corrections. • Pirates Landing of St. Patrick Whittier Elementary School, the Key- So pick up your tickets at any of the land. stone Kops, Irish Wolfhounds, Irish Irish Week events or at the Irish Herit- Jim helped found the Irish Immigrant • Green Stripe Laying on 4th Ave Terriers, Kerry Blues, the Seafair Pi- age Club booth during the Irish Festi- • At the festival, a Lego artist will rec- Support Group in Seattle in 2001 and rates, the Seafair Clowns, and many val. reate the historic Rock of Cashel us- served as chair for 15 years. SATURDAY, MARCH 14 other groups. ing Lego bricks, including the grounds, • Irish Flag-Raising The special drawing is on the festi- He served for six years as National graves and the wall, all on a green The Ride-the-Ducks Boat will again val’s main stage at 5:30 PM, Sunday, Treasurer of the Coalition of Irish Im- • 2020 St. Patrick’s Day Parade Lego hill! serve as a Shamrock Shuttle to carry March 15, and you do not have to be migration Centers around the U.S. and • Irish Festival Seattle seniors who are unable to walk the present to win. Ádh mór – Good luck!! • Dr. Tyrone Bowes, a biotechnologist still helps organize our senior lunch- parade route (seat reservations at and genealogist with Irish Origenes in eons. SUNDAY, MARCH 15 OTHER EVENTS – Other events of Irish (253) 2371-2811). Galway, will describe how to use the Week include the St. Patrick’s Day Mass Jim is an invaluable member of the • St. Patrick’s Day Dash latest technology and DNA results to All are welcome to walk with their on Friday morning, March 13, at 10 am Seattle area Irish community and we’re • Irish Festival Seattle decipher clues to your Irish ancestral favorite group or behind their Irish Pro- at St. Patrick’s Church, celebrated by delighted to have him as Honorary origins. • Matt Talbot Dinner vincial Banner. Parade starts at 12:30 Seattle’s new Archbishop Paul Grand Marshal of this year’s parade. PM, find all the details at irishweek.org. Etienne. PARADE GRAND MARSHAL – Enda GALWAY MAYOR – Mike Cubbard be- SATURDAY, MARCH 21 Kenny became Ireland’s taoiseach in FESTIVAL DETAILS – Admission is Then that afternoon at 5 PM, the Pi- came mayor of Galway City this past • Irish Genealogy Seminar: 2011 just as Ireland was trying to re- FREE to all Irish Festival activities on rates Landing of St. Patrick will be held June, the first time he was elected to cover from the economic downturn “Putting The Gene Back Into both Saturday and Sunday, March 14 at south Lake Union, near MOHAI, fol- serve as the city’s first citizen. caused by the housing crisis. Genealogy” and 15 at the Seattle Center. lowed at 7 PM by the Painting of the With nearly six years of political expe- Green Stripe on 4th Avenue. All events He stepped down as taoiseach in 2017 • Seattle Gaels Field Day The festival features non-stop Irish rience, he is an independent voice on are free and kids are very welcome. after Ireland’s economic recovery was music, singing and dancing, booths the City Council not belonging to any Information at irishweek.org. well underway. MAYOR’S LUNCHEON – Seattle Mayor selling Irish and Celtic products, work- political party. Jenny Durkan and Galway Mayor Mike shops, lectures, cultural displays, chil- DERVISH – Irish band Dervish per- First elected to the Dáil (Irish Parlia- He is visiting Seattle for the first time Cubbard will join Grand Marshal Enda dren’s contests and activities, includ- forms at Seattle’s Neptune Theatre, ment) in 1975, he was the longest serv- and with him are his wife Karen, and Kenny at the Mayor’s Irish Week Proc- ing contests to find the kid with the 1303 NE 45th Street, at 8 PM on March ing Dáil member when he declined to their three young boys. lamation Luncheon at noon on Friday, ‘Smilingest Irish Eyes’ and the ‘Most 17, St. Patrick’s Day. Dervish includes run for re-election in the recent Irish March 13, at the Ninety, 406 Occidental Irish Looking Face’. The festival runs six of Ireland’s finest traditional musi- General Election. We wish them all a sincere Céad Míle Avenue S., Seattle. noon to 6 PM on Saturday, and 10 AM cians. Tickets at EventBrite. Fáilte (One Hundred Thousand Wel- In 2013 he was the first serving to 6 PM on Sunday. comes) as they visit Galway’s sister Proclamations of Irish Week 2020 will taoiseach to pay an official visit to city of Seattle. be issued and their parade sashes will Seattle. be presented to the Grand Marshal and Galway: European Capital of Culture 2020 Galway will celebrate 2020 the Fire Tour of lighting ceremonies that have lit up towns across the European City of Culture with county.” over 1,900 events across 154 A large-scale fire-lit themed opening projects in collaboration with ceremony had been planned at South local, national, European and Park in the city’s Claddagh. international artists and cultural President Michael D Higgins, along organisations, in villages, with other Irish poets, artists and mu- towns, on islands. Sadly, the opening ceremony of Gal- sicians, was due to take part in a “fire way 2020, which was due to take place and flame” opening devised by a local Some of the highlights include: on the evening of Saturday, February team and Wonder Works, a UK events 8 was cancelled due to bad weather. company which has worked on Olym- • Wild Atlantic Women for Women’s pic ceremonies. Day, on March 7-8, featuring author Organisers said they were “extremely Margaret Atwood and Derry Girl ac- disappointed” to announce the cancel- More than 500 locals, including com- tor Siobhán McSweeney, sunrise per- lation due to the severe national weather munity groups, choirs, chanters and formance and exhibition inspired by warnings. drummers were due to have been in- court testimonies of domestic abuse. “In the interests of the safety of the volved. • Sruth na Teanga, Branar’s immersive public the weather warnings currently This designed to be the culmination of theatre about the evolution of the Irish in place mean that it has been deemed smaller fire ceremonies in Clifden, language, in Galway’s former airport unsafe to go ahead.” Spiddal, Tuam, Ballinasloe, Portumna building. Thousands had been expected to at- and Athenry. • The Connemara landscape illuminated tend the official launch of the event to Six hand-carved steel “town spheres” in an epic spectacle called Savage mark Galway’s year as European Capi- were due to arrive at South Park, joined Beauty by Finnish light artist Kari tal of Culture. Capacity for the free by the city’s sphere, transforming into Kola from March 14-17. event was 28,000, with scope to in- giant glowing orbs, lighting up the head- crease to 45,000. land. In the bay, Galway hooker fish- • The acclaimed Druid Theatre will ing boats were due to be lit up. take 20th-century Irish one-act plays “We are saddened for the community to local communities across the county cast, our volunteers and the whole team The full programme of events is avail- from May to July. who have worked so hard during the able at galway2020.ie/en/programme last weeks and months,” said a spokes- • • An epic telling of Gilgamesh by person. NOTE: Galway is the Sister City of Macnas, written by Marina Carr and Seattle, WA, and this year the Mayor designed by Julian Crouch will run “Today’s event would have marked the of Galway will be a special guest in April, June, November, and Decem- finale of what has been a hugely suc- Seattle during Irish Week 2020 in ber. cessful week-long series of events on Seattle on March 13, 14 and 15. PAGE 30 www.celtic-connection.com MARCH/APRIL 2020 Lá Fhéile Bríde: Celebrating the Creativity of Women: Vancouver joined a growing cultural movement in 2020

nized with one of her works presented ROM the blue skies that opened the day some years ago to the President of Ire- following torrential rainstorms the night land, Michael D Higgins. before, it felt like such an auspicious be- Finally, one of the most remarkable events happened just a few weeks prior ginning to St. Brigid’s Day. to the festival when keynote speaker F Ailbhe Smyth was forced to cancel due With the support of the Consu- to ill health. Her participation had been late General of Ireland, Van- eagerly anticipated so it was quite a couver, the first festival to hon- disappointment and a bit stressful to find someone who could possibly step our Ireland’s patron saint of By in as a replacement and fill that void. women was held at Simon MAURA It seemed near miraculous when Dr. Fraser University Harbour DE FREITAS Anglela Byrne, who is now with the Centre in downtown Vancou- Culture Unit of the Department of Foreign Affairs, Ireland, agreed on such FRANK FLOOD, Dara Culhane, Syexwaliya (the indigenous ver on Saturday, February 1, short notice to re-organize her busy elder who offered the Territorial Welcome) Jennifer Bourke, Maura 2020. schedule and travel from Dublin....and De Freitas, and Dr. Angela Byrne following the evening presen- The event was a collaboration between we could not have found a more per- tation at the St. Brigid’s Day Festival on February 1, 2020. the Irish Benevolent Society of B.C., fect guest speaker given her back- the Irish Women’s Network of B.C., ground. and Simon Fraser University. As former Historian-in-Residence at Lá Fhéile Bríde: Celebrating the Crea- EPIC, Ireland’s museum of emigration, tivity of Women is part of a growing Angela was the curator for ‘Blazing A annual celebration of Irish women Trail’ which was exhibited for the first around the world. time in Canada at the St. Brigid’s Day Festival in Vancouver this year. It began three years ago and has ex- panded to connect women from Lon- Dr. Byrne’s address that evening was don to Warsaw to Washington with focused on the women featured on events celebrating the talent and crea- those panels. Her talk brought their tivity of Irish women with art exhib- struggles and achievements to life, its, music, poetry, dance. helping us to understand in much more DEIRDRE KEOHANE is the depth how those brave and pioneering It is always people coming together to talented artist behind the beau- women helped to open a door for so create a sacred space that sets the tone tiful artwork of St. Brigid on dis- many of us to follow our own path. and that deep sense of community and play at the festival. I want to extend a huge note of appre- kinship was felt by many present at A RECEPTION followed the evening presentation with a talented the event in Vancouver. There was ciation to the Department of Foreign such warmth and openness in sharing Affairs, Ireland, for supporting the group of all-women traditional session musicians providing the so many experiences and issues which exhibit and facilitating Dr. Byrne’s wonderful background music. have touched all our lives. presence in Vancouver. This was particularly evident in the On the morning of the event, a flurry workshops and discussion groups. I of messages of encouragement and good cannot say enough about the wonder- wishes were received from far and ful women who brought their own wide, but it was the following from unique experience, strength and insight Ailbhe which was most poignant. to each session. She wrote: “I’m thinking of you on One of the most popular groups was THE EVENING event opened the day of your great festival and I’m Legends and Mythology of Brigid with a procession of women sure it will be beautiful and brilliant, which featured Philomena Jordan, an and only wish I could be there with bearing light accompanied by you. Beannachtai La Fheile Bride to Irish storyteller who captured the spirit evocative background music. of the day with her wonderful bodhrán you all – May Brigid’s strength, pas- and ability to skillfully weave a tale. sion, leadership and creative power now underway to continue the read- light up Vancouver!” This panel, moderated by Cassandra ings with an ever-growing group of The evening was brought to a close Steiner, consisted of Dr. Siobhán women joining the readings. McElduff, PhD Classics, University following Dr. Byrne’s presentation of British Columbia; writer Cynthia For more information, anyone inter- with a reception, hospitality and the Wallentine; and Reverend Marnie ested is invited to contact Dara sounds of Irish traditional music led Peterson with St. Brigid’s Ministry, Culhane directly for more details at: by an all-women group of talented Christ Church Cathedral. [email protected]. musicians. What a wonderful way to end an eventful day. Another standing-room only session Since the tradition of weaving St. Brigid’s crosses is so deeply ingrained Finally, I would be remiss if I did not focused on Mental Health & the Irish LETTERS FROM HOME led by Simon Fraser University professor Diaspora and covered such issues as in Irish culture it is not surprising that mention our admiration and gratitude psychological well-being, addiction the workshop led by Irish/Canadian to Macealach McBride for her crea- Dara Culhane was a 90-minute readers theatre performance by and suicide prevention from a wom- artist Deirdre Keohane was so well tion of the beautiful website which five local women who read aloud from their letters to and from an’s perspective. attended. helped to bring Lá Fhéile Bríde Van- home. This group is continuing so watch for more updates on read- couver 2020 alive for so many. ings in the near future. This group consisted of Susie In fact, that space which also served Newman, a substance abuse therapist as a hospitality area literally buzzed Sadly for us, Macealach has returned with the Orchard Recovery Centre; Dr. with energy as participants gathered to her home in Co. Donegal but her Máire Durnin, a medical doctor who to weave their own St. Brigid’s cross work in Vancouver remains online as specializes in addiction medicine; Amy while a Pop-Up Illumination was an inspiration for those who might step O’Sullivan with Darkness Into Light, screened in the background. forward to assist in the year ahead. It a suicide prevention movement; and can be viewed online at: This was part of the HerStory move- www.brigidfestivalvancouver.com. Cathy Murphy, the executive director ment where women are photographed of the Eamonn O’Loghlin Irish Cana- alongside a projected image of a woman Special thanks to everyone who sup- dian Immigration Centre in Toronto. who has inspired their own lives. ported Lá Fhéile Bríde 2020 Vancou- Another insightful session was a read- ver ~ particularly Jennifer Bourke with Over 17 local women participated in the Consulate General of Vancouver; ing of Letters from Home led by SFU the project this year and these images professor Dara Culhane. This was a Eilis Courtney with the Irish Wom- can be viewed online on the website: en’s Network of B.C.; Willeen Keough 90-minute readers theatre performance www.brigidfestivalvancouver.com. by five local women who read aloud with Simon Fraser University; Dara from their letters to and from home. Deirdre Keohane is also the artist who Culhane with Simon Fraser University; painted the magnificent image of St. to all our volunteers; to all our spon- The letters covered a wide range of Brigid which was a centrepiece display sors who helped make the event pos- A TEAM OF VOLUNTEERS with the Irish Women’s Network of experiences and in the course of ad- at the festival. sible; and finally, to everyone who B.C. welcomed participants to the event and directed partici- vance preparation the group partici- came out and graced us with your pres- pants formed a close bond. Plans are Her artwork is internationally recog- ence. pants to their respective workshops and rooms. MARCH/APRIL 2020 www.celtic-connection.com PAGE 31

IT’S A POWERFUL image. Hundreds of people holding a light walking together through the darkness into the dawn. Darkness Into Light started in Ireland in 2009 to bring aware- ness and support for mental illness and suicide prevention and it has now grown into an international movement of thousands. Join the walk in Vancouver on May 9, 2020.

THE LEGENDS AND MYTHOLOGY of Brigid panel moderated Darkness Into Light: A symbol by Cassandra Steiner, consisted of (L-R) Reverend Marnie Peterson with St. Brigid’s Ministry, Christ Church Cathedral, Dr. Siobhán McElduff, PhD Classics, University of British Co- of hope and a celebration of life lumbia; writer Cynthia Wallentine; and storyteller Philomena Jordan.

VANCOUVER – Darkness Into Light is an annual run started in Dublin’s Phoenix Park in 2009 to bring aware- ness and support for mental ill- ness and suicide prevention. There were about 400 yellow-clad THE MENTAL HEALTH panel consisted of consisted of Susie walkers that fateful morning, all Newman, a substance abuse therapist with the Orchard Recov- huddled together in the blackness ery Centre; Dr. Máire Durnin, a medical doctor who specializes and the cold, standing behind the in addiction medicine; Amy O’Sullivan with Darkness Into Light, starting line. a suicide prevention movement; and Cathy Murphy, the execu- Who would have guessed that little tive director of the Eamonn O’Loghlin Irish Canadian Immigra- event called Darkness Into Light would tion Centre in Toronto. become the symbol of hope, the cel- ebration of life that it is today? And Darkness into Light is about hope. It is about letting people know they are not alone. It has grown from a small movement of several hundred to thousands around the world now walking the darkness into the light so they can share their stories and inspire others. The Vancouver Darkness Into Light walk has become part of that move- ment with all proceeds raised going to charity to support mental health and suicide prevention. Friends and families of all ages (includ- ing pets) are welcome to join the walk on Saturday, May 9, to show solidar- ity and support for all those living UNDER the watchful eye of Irish/Canadian artist Deirdre Keohane with mental health issues. participants enjoyed the Brigid cross-weaving workshop. In the This wonderfully unique 5K walk will background a slide show of participants with the HerStory Pop- once again start at 4:15 AM at Burnaby Up Illumination can be seen in the background. These images Lake. Last year 474 people attended can be viewed online at: www.brigidfestivalvancouver.com. the Vancouver event and raised CAD$32,474. The walk starts and finishes at Burnaby Lake Rugby Club, 3760 Sperling Avenue in Burnaby. This year will be bigger and better than before, so make sure that you remem- ber the date and invite your friends and colleagues to this incredible event. In Vancouver, if you’re struggling, or know someone that is, please reach out to The Kettle Society who can con- nect you with the excellent local men- tal health resources. Also, Crisis Centre BC is available for immediate support. If you or some- one you know is having thoughts of WHILE in Vancouver, Dr. Angela Byrne, pictured centre, visited suicide, call 1-800-784-2433 (1-800- the site of the future Ireland Canada Monument and met with SUICIDE). committee members. It was Brendan Flynn the Chair of the • Society who recommended Angela as a speaker for the Brigid For more information and updates on Festival. Pictured above (L-R) Susan Chamberlain, Patricia the May 9 Darkness Into Light walk at Jarvis, Teresa McDonnell, Claire Fox, Dr. Anglela Byrne, Mary Burnaby Lake, follow on Facebook: Hatch, Catherine Flynn, Macealeach McBride. Darkness into Light Vancouver. PAGE 32 www.celtic-connection.com MARCH/APRIL 2020 An Irish Christmas Celebration: A Wonderful Festive Season Prelude

IRISH CONSUL GENERAL Frank Flood presented Gwen and Tony McCamley a framed letter of acknowledgement for their work and dedication in supporting the Irish community through the Irish Heritage Society of Canada. DEIRDRE Keohane donated a A talented group of 12 musicians donated their time to bring the print of her artwork which was warmth of the season to An Irish Christmas and help raise funds raffled to help raise funds for to benefit the Irish Benevolent Society of B.C. and the St. Brigid’s the Brigid Festival. She is pic- Day Festival. A festive gathering with tured above making St. Brigid’s crosses which were sold at the thoughtful presentations event. VANCOUVER The annual Irish seniors’ holiday luncheon VANCOUVER – In a won- is always an eagerly anticipated derful festive prelude, ‘An Irish event and each year over 100 Christmas’ was held on Sun- guests gather at the Hilton day, December 22 to help raise Metrotown Hotel in Burnaby to funds for worthwhile causes in enjoy the festive spirit. our community. Hosted by the Irish Women’s Network The night was a fabulous success while and organized by Aideen Clery, the also helping to bring the warmth of luncheon is always a wonderful op- the season to those who might be far portunity to connect with old friends, from home and missing friends and enjoy a delicious meal, share stories, family. A HUGE THANK YOU to the great volunteers who came out and have the craic. It was made possible through the sup- and worked so hard selling raffle tickets to benefit the St. Brigid’s Special guests at this year’s event was port of a great line-up of local session Day Festival. The huge array of prizes and gift baskets were the Irish Consul General Frank Flood musicians; Brian and Chandra, owners and his wife Orla Ní Bhroithe. of the Wolf & Hound restaurant; the thanks to the Wolf & Hound, the Celtic Treasure Chest and The Consulate General of Ireland, Vancou- Celtic Connection. In a lovely gesture, the Consul Gen- ver; the Irish Women’s Network of eral acknowledged several key commu- AIDEEN CLERY with the Irish B.C.; and The Celtic Connection news- nity members for their commitments paper. and contributions to Irish culture. Women’s Network of B.C. was recognized for her ongoing work Many families and groups appeared The presentation of a framed letter to organizing the annual Irish sen- to enjoy the roast beef Sunday dinner Tony and Gwen McCamley of the iors luncheon. and take part in the evening’s events Irish Heritage Society, which has now which included an Irish music session, been dissolved, was particularly poign- a 50/50 draw, prize raffles, and a si- ant. It read as follows: lent auction for a lovely limited edi- tion fine art print of St. Brigid by Irish/ Dear Tony and Gwen McCamley Canadian artist Deirdre Keohane. On behalf of the office of the Consu- late General of Ireland in Vancouver On behalf of the Irish Benevolent So- and the Irish community, I would like ciety of B.C., Maura De Freitas wel- to acknowledge and sincerely thank comed the full capacity crowd and you for the great work that you have volunteers to the session and she de- both carried out on Ireland’s behalf in scribed the purpose and program for British Columbia. the St. Brigid’s Day Festival to illumi- nate and to celebrate the creativity of For over sixteen years you were women. greatly involved and led the work of THE SESSION PLAYERS included: Mary Brunner, Michael Celtic Heritage Society and subse- The session players included: Mary Burnyeat, Craig McGregor, Eilis Courteney, Rick McDougall, quently the Irish Heritage Society sup- Brunner, Michael Burnyeat, Craig Blake Williams, Catherine Craig, Angela Brady, Sal Gallagher, porting the local Irish community. EILIS COURTNEY, president of McGregor, Eilis Courtney, Rick Jane McEwen, and Pedro Lopes. They were later joined by During this time with Tony as presi- the IWN was thanked for her McDougall, Blake Williams, Catherine extensive work on behalf of the Catherine Flynn and finally, Desmond Cooper, a baritone from dent and Gwen as treasurer you also Craig, Angela Brady, Sal Gallagher, Jane successfully brought forward fully de- Irish community, including the McEwen, and Pedro Lopes. Dublin stepped up to the microphone for a beautiful rendition of veloped plans to build an Irish Cul- Irish Mapping Project in 2019 The Wexford Carol. A great night was enjoyed by all! tural Centre in Langley at very signifi- During some breaks in the music, raf- and launching the new website: cant personal cost. fle numbers were drawn to award irishinbc.ca prizes. Special thank you to both The and with the contributions of the other munity groups and generous custom- While no stone was left unturned, with- Celtic Connection and the Celtic Treas- people involved everything came to- ers who added to the spirit of the out the necessary support at that time ure Chest retail store in Dunbar for gether so well.” evening. for this excellent initiative, the Centre the beautiful prize gift baskets filled was not eventually established. How- with Christmas goodies from home. Then, one of those unplanned and un- It was thanks to everyone that over ever, under your guidance and sup- rehearsed magical surprises occurred $1,400 was raised toward the Irish Be- port, the Irish Heritage Society con- There was a special moment of silence when Sal mentioned she had a friend nevolent Society of B.C. to support tinued to make a significant contribu- throughout the restaurant to recognize in from Dublin who might be able to the St. Brigid’s Day Festival on Feb- tion to the welfare of the Irish com- the loss five years earlier of young contribute a song. ruary 1, 2020. munity in the Greater Vancouver area Christine Flynn and to reflect that she until its activities ended in 2018. is remembered, she is deeply missed, A quick chat occurred and suddenly Brian and Chandra observed, “It was and she will not be forgotten. Desmond Cooper, a baritone from an evening of music, dance, and craic, This letter is in recognition of your Dublin, stepped up to the microphone all for a good cause. As Helen Keller great acts of kindness, thoughtfulness, As the session tunes and songs started and sang a beautiful rendition of The said, ‘Alone we can do so little; to- generosity and support which you have again, it was a great privilege to have Wexford Carol to great applause! gether we can do so much’. Thank you given as leaders of the Irish commu- Catherine Flynn join the session with all!” The acoustic session music drew nity in British Columbia. BRENDAN FLYNN was ac- her amazing banjo playing. knowledged for his dedication young children and parents to jump As the evening ended far too soon for Wishing you both every success and Gifted fiddler Mary Brunner noted up and dance. Many thanks to all the many, departing guests and volunteers happiness, and work with the Irish Monu- that “the camaraderie of the musicians volunteers, the restaurant owners and alike were overheard saying, “Let’s do ment Project which reached was evident so with the tunes on a roll staff, the session musicians, the com- this again next year!” Le gach dea-ghuí new milestones in 2019.