October 1 Irish Music & 2011 Dance Association Deireadh Fómhair 29th Year, Issue No. 10 The mission of the Irish Music and Dance Association is to support, coordinate, encourage and promote high quality activities and programs in Irish music, dance, and other cultural traditions within the community and to insure the continuation of those traditions. Inside this issue: MARK YOUR CALENDARS: Tune of the Month 2 IMDA Honors Lar Burke November 12 Gaelic Corner 3

The Irish Music & Dance Association is proud to announce its seventh IMDA Irish Funeral 4 Honors recipient. The Twin Cities own Lar Burke will be honored on Saturday, 10 (or so) Questions 6 th November 12 at the Celtic Junction in St. Paul. October Calendar 8-9 Harvest Home Fest 11 Lar Burke has been entangled in the arts for most of his life. He belonged to a writers group that started the “ Lake Street Review ” in the 1970’s. Sean T. Kelly An Leabhragán 12 first introduced Lar to St. Paul’s Irish community, whom he credits with linking CD Release Party 13 him into the Irish theater community. From there, Lar went on to be a founding member of Na Fianna Irish Theater, which got it’s start in the late 1980’s. He has The Ceili Calendar 14 been in numerous plays over the years and some of you may have caught him in Smidirini 15 “The Spraying of John O’Dorey” at our IMDA St. Patrick’s Day Celebration at Landmark Center. Many of us also know him from his 20 years at Irish Books and Media. His love of theater and writing has Lar traveling to the Listowel Writers Week in each year (he has only missed one in the last 18 years) where he takes in the events, fiction writing workshops and gets to see his colleagues and friends from over the years.

Many already know Lar and have encountered his wit and charm. If you have not yet crossed his path, here is your chance! We will celebrate his contributions to our community with song, theater, music, dialogue and much more. There will be coffee, tea, a cash bar and potluck desserts and snacks. Doors open at 7 pm with The Honors Program beginning at 7:30pm. Admission is $5 and goes to help cover the cost of the event and all remaining goes into the IMDA Educational Grant Fund.

We look forward to seeing you there!

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The IMDA Board is : une of he onh by Amy Shaw President: Lisa Conway Treasurer: Mark Malone Last month we lost another giant of the music. Mike Rafferty died on Sep- Secretary: Jan Casey tember 13 th at the age of 84. He was an outstanding exponent of East Gal- Board Members: Suin Swann Ruth McGlynn way flute playing, a style which is unhurried, flowing, and lyrical. A native Patrick Cole of Larraga in the rural parish of Ballinakill, East Galway, Mike emigrated Editor: John Burns to the U.S. in 1949. He eventually settled in Hasbrouck Heights, New Jer- IMDA Board Meetings are open to the membership. sey, where he and Teresa, his wife of 59 years, raised five children. Natu- The Board meets regularly on the First Tuesday of each rally, making a living to support his family took a lot of time, and for about month at 6 pm at Perkins in HarMar. Members are encouraged to 15 years Mike didn’t play much. He later returned to the music with great verify the time and location shortly before, energy, encouraged by Joe Madden and other musicians who had emigrated as meeting times and locations can change. more recently. After his retirement in 1989, Mike appeared on many re- Contact Information cordings, including three fine albums with his daughter Mary, an accordion Write to: player and one-time member of Cherish the Ladies. (This month’s tune Irish Music and Dance Association comes from one of those father-daughter albums.) He released his first solo 236 Norfolk Ave NW Elk River, MN 55330 album, Speed 78 , in 2004 (at the age of 78!). One of his best recordings, Call: 612-990-3122 The New Broom , a duo album with fiddler Willie Kelly, came out just two E-mail: [email protected] years ago. Mike was also active as a teacher, and was an instructor at the Swannanoa Gathering, Augusta Heritage Center, Boxwood Festival, and Newsletter Submissions Irish Arts Week in the Catskills, where I was lucky to take a class from him We welcome our readers to submit articles of interest, a few years ago. Just last year, he was honored with the prestigious NEA news, and notices of events to be published in the newsletter. National Heritage Fellowship Award. It’s amazing how much he accom- The deadline is the 20th o f the preceding month. plished at an age when most people are slowing down. Rest in peace, Mike. The extensive interview of Mike Rafferty by Paul Wells and Mike Ca- sey from 2002 is well worth reading. It’s available online at http:// www.firescribble.net/flute/rafferty.htm. Usual disclaimers: Any transcription errors are my own. The notation here is not meant to be a substitute for listening. It is simply an aid to learning the tune.

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he aelic orner By Will Kenny

I'm not sticking my neck out in the least when I say that the mapping of body-part metaphors between The "neck" of a bottle, by the way, is scrogall languages is always interesting. (Rather than "stick buidéil ,scrogall also being used for a "neck" of land, my neck out," I might "put my head in danger," mo but never for a body part. But when you encounter a cheann a chur i mbaol , in Irish.) "bottleneck" on your daily commute, that's scrogall tráchta , a "traffic neck." "Neck," in Irish, is commonly muineál , but there's a little more flexibility in Irish than there is in English. As for those of you who are up to your necks in work? Another word, bráid , also Well, the expression for that is Tá means "neck," but it can be seacht gcúramaí an tsléibhe orm : "I used for "throat" as well, have to do the seven tasks of the although the word scornach mountain" or "I bear the seven cares might be more common for of the mountain." I have no idea "throat." what those seven challenges might be, but being merely "up to my neck" doesn't sound so So the simple statement that "his neck was bad in comparison! broken" (in an accident) is briseadh a mhuineál . And an obstinate or stubborn woman "has an unyielding If you are traveling to this year, you probably neck on her," that is, she is "stiff-necked": tá muineál know it. Why not make your time in Ireland a little righin uirthi . richer, a little more fun, with a little extra eolas (knowledge)? Our new course, " Irish for Tourists ", But we use that bráid word in bráisléad brád , a offered this fall through St. Paul Community "neck (or throat) bracelet," (a necklace). Then there is Education will give you a preview of some of the Irish the expression faoi bhráid , literally, "under the you'll see in place names and street signs, and hear in throat." When I put something "under your throat," I common greetings. The class will meet at Central High am not threatening you! I am putting it right in front for one hour on three Mondays, October 10th through of you, where you can't miss it. When I talk about the 24th, 6:30 - 7:30 pm. Moladh a chur faoi bhráid , "putting a suggestion under throat," I mean I submitted a recommendation Registration opens in early September, and you must to someone. sign up through Community Ed, not through Minnesota. Visit our web site atwww.gaelminn.orgfor Hopefully, when you stick your neck (or head) out more information and a convenient link directly to this and make a suggestion, you won't "get it in the neck." course page on the Community Education site. In Irish, there's no neck directly involved. Rather you take the blow i mbun na cluaise , "at the base of the And while you are there, sign up for our free monthly e ear." -newsletter, The GaelMinn Gazette. It's a great way to keep up to date on our events, as well as to get a few And when you see creatures running "neck an neck," tips (in English) for studying Irish. whether they are racehorses or political candidates, in Irish they are gob ar ghob or "beak to beak." Gob Is minic a ghearr teanga duine a scornach refers to a bird's beak or bill, but it is commonly used It's often that a person's tongue has slit his own throat for humans as well, usually the mouth, sometimes the nose. When you butt into a conversation, that's do Will ghob a chur sa gcomhrá , "putting your beak in the conversation." www.IMDAwww.IMDA- ---MN.orgMN.org Irish Music & 4 Dance Association Irish Funeral by Mike Faricy

My wife and I were in when we received the call her mother, Lizzy Mullaney , had passed away. The following morning found us heading West under sunny skies towards Ballyfarnan, County Sligo.

The town boasts a small Garda station, and a monument to a local blind flute player, Josey McDermott. Attached to Killourn’s pub is a grocery and it was here we stocked up for the coming days. We left with three boxes of groceries and a case of liquor on a handshake deal. We had also alerted the community to the details of Lizzy’s passing by telling the owner of the grocery store and pub. People would begin to deliver their condolences that evening. Off towards the home place we went.

The ‘home place’ lies just outside the even smaller village of Geevagh, it’s the typical Irish farm in this region, thirty acres of nothing but hard work. It struck home how wealthy my famine forefathers were, homesteading 160 acres of rich Minnesota farmland. This isn’t the postcard Irish farm, this is the real deal. Even as a city kid, it looked to me like nothing but hard labor from sun up until an hour after sundown.

The home sits empty now, the children all moved away to launch their own lives. It was cold, damp, musty and needed a thorough cleaning. Hot water for cleaning came compliments of an oil heater, similar to those found at older lake cabins, temperamental, eccentric and finally, after an hour or two of unprintable language, lit. We had hot water for cleaning and washing dishes by 2:00. Turf fires blazing in the fireplaces began to take the chill out of the four rooms in the house. Tommy the undertaker brought Lizzy out at 4:00.

I had only seen a hearse like Tommy’s on TV. It had a tall glass case in the rear, where the coffin rested, glass on all four sides. Lizzy was in a simple oak coffin, the old fashioned shape, broader at the shoulders then narrowing down towards the feet. Getting her in the parlor was like moving a large couch. We brought her in the small front entry, halfway up the staircase, lifted her over the banister to get the proper angle before making the turn into the parlor. She lay in front of the window, overlooking her garden, the long lid of the coffin stood against the wall. She would remain in the parlor for the next thirty-six hours, never alone. Tommy conducted a short decade of the rosary and the guests began arriving. They just arrived, no one seemed to leave. All ages from babies on hips to grandparents in their nineties. They came to pay their respects to a woman who had been a member of their corner of the world for eighty five years. Lizzy helped deliver babies, make dresses, stitched up children and was famous for her sponge cakes. Like her own children all the guests touched her, placed their hands over hers, kissed her, made the sign of the cross on her forehead. They were familiar with her, she was one of them and they were genuinely sad. They sat in the parlor with her until two in the morning telling stories. This wasn’t the liquor soaked wake of the movies. Maybe the occasional hot whiskey, but more often tea. Once everyone departed Sean and I took turns sitting with Lizzy, tending the turf fires, until breakfast. On Monday it began all over again, running back to Killourn’s for more supplies and a promise to settle up when we’d finished. At 11:00 Monday morning, Sean and I set off to dig the grave. www.IMDAwww.IMDA----MN.orgMN.org Irish Music & 5 Dance Association

The cemetery is a small walled affair on a hillside. We met at the family grave site. Cousins Leo, Seamus and Podraig were waiting with a sledgehammer, pick ax and two shovels. The plot, with centered headstone, was surrounded by a dressed stone curbing. Crushed marble stones that usually covered the site had been removed, revealing a concrete pad. Seamus had the dimensions, 82” long, 43” wide and eight feet deep. He double checked his notes, and started with the sledgehammer on the concrete. It took five men four hours of non-stop labor to dig the grave, Seamus served as working foreman. This was not rich, black, Minnesota soil with which I was familiar. This was thick, heavy clay, filled with large rocks. We worked in three shifts, one shoveling out the grave, two taking that clay and piling it neatly next to the hole, two resting. You can take ‘grave digger’ off my list of things I want to be when I grow up. It’s hard work, no other printable term for it. While down in the grave shoveling I was treated to conversations in Irish. I understood one word, American, followed by laughter. I knew the tone, I’ve told some of those same jokes in English.

Meanwhile, the wake continued all day, callers arriving at 11:00 that morning. On into the night, more stories, gallons of tea, turf fires continually stoked, and finally taking turns sitting in the parlor with Lizzy until the next morning.

Guest’s arrived throughout the next day until evening when we would bring her to lay in state overnight in the church. At 7:00 that Tuesday night Tommy arrived with the hearse. We said the rosary, at breakneck speed, everyone filed past Lizzy and kissed her goodbye. We carried her out to the hearse, reversing our earlier route, into the small entry, angle back, up and over the banister, halfway up the staircase and then out the front door. It was dark, raining, and the tiny farm yard was filled with a hundred people, they would drive with us the three miles to Saint Joseph’s, in Geevagh.

Once the coffin was loaded into the hearse, Tommy illuminated the coffin. We drove slowly towards the church, a procession of thirty or forty vehicles. Along the route families had come out to pay their respects. The farmhouses are set back two hundred yards from the lane here. These people waited in the rain and mud until we passed. They made the sign of the cross, removed their hats, grandparents, parents and children.

We carried the coffin into the church. The coffin was raised to shoulder height, arm on the shoulder of the man next to you, Lizzy’s coffin resting on our arms. The church service was a short benediction, no mass this night. Lizzy’s children sat in the front pew, alone, unaccompanied by spouse’s or children. After the service the congregation, standing room only in a village of 500, filed past and shook the hands of her four adult children. Then back to the home place for a more festive get together while Lizzy remained, lying in state in the church. (Continued on page 10)

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10 (or so) Questions with … Máirtín de Cogáin, a singing, dancing, storytelling bodhrán [Irish drum] player, playwright and actor from Ireland, who now lives in Rochester. *

Rochester Magazine: OK. I need you to spell your first and last names. Máirtín de Cogáin: M-a-fada—r-t-i-faca-n space small d-e. Space, big c, o fada, g a fada, i, n. And a faca is an extenuation of the vowel, like a double vowel. RM: What the? I have no idea what you just spelled. You have a lot of accent marks on your name. I’ll never get that right. MdC: It’s hard to get that in the Latin text. RM: Are you married? MdC: Yes. My wife is Mitra. RM: Is she from Ireland as well? McD: No. She’s from L.A., but she was born in Kansas. RM: Did you guys meet out here? MdC: No. She came to Ireland for a year to study and brought me home as an expensive souvenir. RM: How’d you meet out there? MdC: I did a brush dance, which is a traditional solo dance, and she was putty in my hands after that. RM: This will be the first of many Irish words I’ll butcher today, but you’ve been called “A 21 st century seanachie” [I pronounced it suh-NOTCH-ee.] MdC: Seanachie [He pronounces it SHAN-a-key.] RM: See. MdC: That all right. I was delighted with that compliment, actually. RM: What does it mean? MdC: The act of storytelling, the oral tradition has been around Ireland for thousands of years. The seanachie is a type of storyteller that tells tales in the Irish tradition. RM: Can you tell me a quick Irish story? MdC: No. They’re all long, RM: When did you start planning the bodhrán [an Irish frame drum]? MdC: The little deafener? I started playing when I was 19. I broke my mother’s heart. She sent me to lessons for the accordion, tin whistle, , , bagpipes, and that. I finally clicked with the bodhrán. My father, he was a drummer long ago in a big dance band. Cat Stevens opened for my father long ago. I’ve gotten where I’m nearly good. RM: Has music been ingrained in you? MdC: The thing is, in Ireland, especially where I was born [in County Cork], it was house parties. At a house party, everyone had to have their party piece. There was no telly. There was no Wii Bowling or Guitar Hero. Everyone had to entertain themselves. So people would have to tell a story or sing a song or dance or play music. For any excuse at all my father would have a party in the house, and it was great times. Great times. There was always music around. My sisters all play music. My brothers all dance or write poetry or sing. My mother comes from a very musical background. My father comes from a big line of storytellers.

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RM: What the scariest movie ever? MdC: I tell you, the most afraid I ever was was watching Ghostbuster in Carrigaline Cinema [in Ireland.} I was too young, and I was in the front row. Do you remember the lady in the library that turns into a purple ghost? I’ll never forget her. She still haunts my dreams. RM: The Pogues, Us, or Thin Lizzy? MdC: I suppose The Pogues. I shared the stage with Shane MacGowan [lead singer of The Pogues] one time in Australia. He came up and sang a duet with me. He was drinking wine and double Vodkas and I was drinking water and black currant. RM: How many shows a year do you play now? MdC: I suppose maybe 100 shows a year. I have never counted them up, really. It’s all over. I was just down in Jackson, Mississippi, then home in Ireland, then just got back from a cruise in the Pacific – went from Seattle to Alaska. RM: There’s a rumor around town that you’re not actually Irish, but that you’re really from Albert Lea and you just use this persona to get music gigs on St. Patrick’s Day . MdC: Who told you this? It’s all true. How dare they break my persona! RM: We’re going to find out right now. I’m going to butcher some weird Irish phrases, you tell me what they mean. MdC: OK RM: “Gerrup outta dat, you bowsie ciotog.” MdC: That says get out of it, you bowsie – that’s a drinker. A ciotog is someone that uses his left hand, or an awkward fella. RM: Yes. It means “I insist that you desist with talk or actions of the nature, you useless good for nothing left- handed person.” MdC: That’s a great translation. RM: OK. “Now you’re sucking diesel, you rugger bugger.” MdC: You’re really getting the engine going, or now you’re working hard, you rugby-loving person or rugby player. RM: Yes. “You have solved a problem, you person who’s posh, loud, and likes rugby.” So you may be from Ireland, then. MdC: I guess I’ve passed your test. RM: Yes, that’s enough of those. How long have you been in Rochester? MdC: Three winters gone, and we… RM: What? Sorry, I was earwigging on that shower of savages. Get outta that garden! MdC [in some weird Midwestern accent]: That means “Oh, do excuse me I was listening to those people over there that I don’t like. Go away from where you are!” RM: I’m starting to believe you may be from Ireland. MdC: Or I’ve at least done my research.

* Reprinted with permission from the Rochester Magazine, August 2011.

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Irish Music &

Dance Association Saturday Oct 1 Oct Ceili Saturday 2pm First Paul St Pub, Dubliner Mic Open IMDA/GNIPC 7pm Paul St Junction, Celtic The Angry for Songs 9pm Love Men Mpls Pub, O’Donovan’s Cowboy Reverse 9:30pm Mpls Pub, Kieran’s Brigade Irish The Paul St Rec, Time Half 8 Green of Shades 7pm Forty Delano Coffeehouse, 3 Crows Brigade Irish 9:30pm Mpls Pub, Kieran’s Jack Heeled Spring Excelsior O’Connor’s, Jake Nelson Barry Stillwater Pub, Irish Charlie’s 15 Band Ceili Cities 7pm Twin Dance Ceili Paul St Junction, Celtic The Finn of Hounds 9:30pm Mpls Pub, Kieran’s Ball Langer’s The Paul St Pub, Dubliner

Friday The Celtic Junction Junction Celtic The 7 Green of Shades 5pm Forty Paul St. Bakery, Bar’s Irish Home Harvest 7:30pm Concert, Session 8pm Celtic Mpls Rest, Merlins Jack Heeled Spring Excelsior O’Connor’s, Jake Brigade Irish 9:30pm Mpls Pub, Kieran’s Nelson Barry Stillwater Pub, Irish Charlie’s 14 His- Brief A Dregs: 7pm The Music Irish of tory Mpls Pub, Kieran’s Session 8pm Celtic Mpls Rest, Merlins Finn of Hounds 9:30pm Mpls Pub, Kieran’s Brigade Irish Stillwater Pub, Irish Charlie’s

Thursday 6 Quiz Pub 6:30pm Quiz Pub 8pm Mpls Pub, Keegan’s Class Dance Set 7pm Mpls Building, Ivy The Road 7pm Locklin Paul St Pub, Cork’s 13 Quiz Pub 6:30pm Quiz Pub 8pm Mpls Pub, Keegan’s Class Dance Set 7pm Mpls Building, Ivy The Road Locklin 7:30pm Bar, Osseo Wine Nectar Malloys Tim The Paul St Rec, Time Half

Wednesday 5 Session Irish 7pm Traditional Northfield Cow, Contented The Dancing 7pm Ceili Paul St Center, Rec Conway Quiz Pub 7:30pm Mpls Rest, Merlins Quiz Pub 7:30pm Mpls Pub, Kip’s Dance Ceili 7:30pm Trio Tap Two 9:30pm Pub Dubliner 12 Quiz Pub 7:30pm Mpls Rest, Merlins Quiz Pub 7:30pm Mpls Pub, Kip’s Dance Ceili 7:30pm Trio Tap Two 9:30pm Pub Dubliner

Tuesday 4 Hour Irish 5:30pm Pub Merlins Quiz Pub 7pm Mpls Pub, Keegan’s Trio St. Dominic’s Mpls Nye’s, 11 Hour Irish 5:30pm Pub Merlins Quiz Pub 7pm Mpls Pub, Keegan’s Ball Langer’s The Paul St Pub, Dubliner Trio St. Dominic’s Mpls Nye’s,

IMDA Community Calendar October 2011 2011 October Calendar Community IMDA Monday 3 Shanty Monday 1st 7:30pm Singing Paul St. Pub, Dubliner 10

www.IMDAwww.IMDA----MN.orgMN.org Sunday 2 Session Traditional Noon: Mpls Pub, Kieran’s Session Irish 4pm Learners Mpls Pub, Keegan’s Music Irish 6pm Advanced Session Mpls Pub, Keegan’s Quiz Pub 7:30pm Mpls Rest, Merlins 9 Session Traditional Noon: Mpls Pub, Kieran’s Green of Shades 1pm Forty Ctr, Hastings Nature Carpenter Session Irish 4pm Learners Mpls Pub, Keegan’s Music Irish 6pm Advanced Session Mpls Pub, Keegan’s Quiz Pub 7:30pm Mpls Rest, Merlins

9 Mpls Irish Music &

Dance Association Halloween Annual The Celtic Junction Junction Celtic The The Celtic Junction Junction Celtic The , 22 22 & McAnally Chad 7:30pm CD Double McBurnie Shawn Release, Bhoys Colonial 9pm Wild Mpls Pub, O’Donovan’s Trio Dominic’s St. 9:30pm Mpls Pub, Kieran’s Jack Spring-heeled Pub Dubliner 29 Colleens Sweet 11am Center Cedar Cultural Spooktacular, Halloween Re- Grand Junction Celtic The and Opening Bash Malloys Tim The 9:30pm Mpls Pub, Kieran’s Bhoys Colonial Wild Excelsior O’Connor’s, Jake Keegan’s at Kilt Night Johnson Ginny & Dahill Tom Pub Keegan’s 5 Ceili Saturday 2pm First Paul St Pub, Dubliner Bhoys Colonial Wild 9:30pm Mpls Pub, Kieran’s

21 21 Session 8pm Celtic Mpls Rest, Merlins Bhoys Colonial 9pm Wild Mpls Pub, O’Donovan’s Trio Dominic’s St. 9:30pm Mpls Pub, Kieran’s Music Live Pub Dubliner Ball Langer’s The Excelsior Pub, O’Connor’s Jake Finn of Hounds The Stillwater Pub, Irish Charlie’s 28 w/ Jones Gary Talun: 7:30pm MacKenzie Laura Guild,Northfield Arts Northfield Session 8pm Celtic Mpls Rest, Merlins Malloys Tim The 9:30pm Mpls Pub, Kieran’s Bhoys Colonial Wild Excelsior O’Connor’s, Jake Lorraine & Paul Stillwater Pub, Irish Charlie’s 4 Session 8pm Celtic Mpls Rest, Merlins Bhoys Colonial Wild 9:30pm Mpls Pub, Kieran’s 20 20 Quiz Pub 60pm Quiz Pub 8pm Mpls Pub, Keegan’s Class Dance Set 7pm Mpls Building, Ivy The Bhoys Colonial 9pm Wild Mpls Pub, O’Donovan’s 27 Quiz Pub 6:30pm Quiz Pub 8pm Mpls Pub, Keegan’s Class Dance Set 7pm Mpls Building, Ivy The 3 Quiz Pub 6:30pm Quiz Pub 8pm Mpls Pub, Keegan’s Class Dance Set 7pm Mpls Building, Ivy The 19 19 Session Irish 7pm Traditional Northfield Cow, Contented The Dancing 7pm Ceili Paul St Center, Rec Conway Quiz Pub 7:30pm Mpls Rest, Merlins Quiz Pub 7:30pm Mpls Pub, Kieran’s Quiz Pub 7:30pm Mpls Pub, Kip’s Dance Ceili 7:30pm Music Live 9:30pm Pub Dubliner 26 Session Irish 7pm Traditional Northfield Cow, Contented The Dancing 7pm Ceili Paul St Center, Rec Conway Quiz Pub 7:30pm Mpls Rest, Merlins Quiz Pub 7:30pm Mpls Pub, Kip’s Dance Ceili 7:30pm Ball Langer’s pm The 9:30 Paul St. Pub, Dubliner 2 Session Irish 7pm Traditional Northfield Cow, Contented The Dancing 7pm Ceili Paul St Center, Rec Conway Quiz Pub 7:30pm Mpls Rest, Merlins Quiz Pub 7:30pm Mpls Pub, Kip’s Dance Ceili 7:30pm Music pm Live 9:30 Paul St. Pub, Dubliner 18 18 Hour Irish 5:30pm Pub Merlins Quiz Pub 7pm Mpls Pub, Keegan’s Trio St. Dominic’s Mpls Nye’s, 25 Hour Irish 5:30pm Pub Merlins Quiz Pub 7pm Mpls Pub, Keegan’s Trio St. Dominic’s Mpls Nye’s, 1 Nov Hour Irish 5:30pm Pub Merlins Quiz Pub 7pm Mpls Pub, Keegan’s Trio St. Dominic’s Mpls Nye’s, 17 17 Singing Shanty/Pub 7pm Mpls Rest, Merlins 24 31

, Mpls , Mpls

www.IMDAwww.IMDA----MN.orgMN.org 16 16 Session Traditional Noon: Mpls Pub, Kieran’s Green of Shades 1pm Forty Session Irish 4pm Learners Mpls Pub, Keegan’s Music Irish 6pm Advanced Session Mpls Pub, Keegan’s Quiz Pub 7:30pm Mpls Rest, Merlins & Casey Karan 7:30pm Doyle John Center Cultural Cedar The 23 Noon: Traditional Session Kieran’s Pub Session Irish 4pm Learners Mpls Pub, Keegan’s Music Irish 6pm Advanced Session Mpls Pub, Keegan’s Quiz Pub 7:30pm Mpls Rest, Merlins Keelaghan James Junction Celtic The 30 Noon: Traditional Session Kieran’s Pub w/ Jones Gary 2pm Talun: MacKenzie Laura Store, General Oak Center City Lake Session Irish 4pm Learners Mpls Pub, Keegan’s Music Irish 6pm Advanced Session Mpls Pub, Keegan’s Quiz Pub 7:30pm Mpls Rest, Merlins Apple Jack Orchard, Delano Delano Orchard, Jack Apple

Irish Music & 10 Dance Association

(Continued from page 5)

When we arrived back at the home place everyone parked in the pasture in front of the house, cars sinking in the mud. My wife stood on the doorframe not wanting to get her shoes muddy. I walked around the car, slung her over my shoulder, slapped her on her butt and carried her to the front door. I deposited her at the door step next to three fifteen-year-old cousins. For the next day and a half every time I turned round one of those little girls was staring at me dreamy eyed.

I was now two things, the American, but more importantly, one of the grave diggers and introduced as such, accorded an amount of respect. The final guest left at 3:00 that morning. We woke in time for a breakfast of rashers, brown bread, fresh eggs from Donagher’s farm next door, tea and my lone coffee. The funeral Mass was lovely, deeply personal, a loving homily and tribute from an extremely close knit community.

The graveside service was similar in words to ours. A black shroud placed over Lizzy’s coffin before it was lowered on ropes into the perfectly dug grave where we had labored just two days earlier. At the end of the service, on the way out of the cemetery Leo and Seamus were pulling on overalls and green wellies, shovel over their shoulders, it was left to them to fill in Lizzy’s grave. A last labor of love from two nephews who had enjoyed her kitchen countless times.

On our way back to Dublin, we settled up with Mr. Killourn, Ballyfarnan grocer and publican. He produced a hand written lists of the items we’d taken, checked each item and then added a figure off the top of his head. Every four or five items he’d lick the point of the pencil. He totaled the items, treated us all to a hot whiskey, one more condolence and we were on our way Lizzy Mullaney will remain in the hearts and minds of at least the next two generations. Hence forward time will be marked in Geevagh in terms of before or after Lizzy’s funeral. I pray for all of them that it will not change.

The Author is a Freelance writer, writer of Suspense Thrillers woven with a sense of humor, who also plays the bagpipes. Visit Mike at www.MikeFaricy.com.

www.IMDAwww.IMDA----MN.orgMN.org Irish Music & 11 Dance Association

Irish Music Legends at CIM’s Harvest Home Trad Music Festival

Irish Music legends James Kelly, Maighread Ní Dhomhnaill and Dáithí Sproule will give their first performance together in North America at The Center for Irish Music’s 2nd annual Harvest Home Traditional Irish Music Weekend , to be held on October 7 & 8, 2011, in St. Paul. The artists will perform in a master concert on Friday evening, and offer workshops throughout the day in fiddle, guitar and traditional Irish song on Saturday. The workshops will also feature the University of Notre Dame’s Naughton Fellow Cathal Goan, a world-renowned Irish music historian. The Friday night concert starts at 7:30 pm; doors open at 7:00 pm, and prices for the concert range from $10 - $20. Saturday workshops begin at 9:30 am and end with a closing reception for participants at 3:30 pm. Prices for the workshops range from $10 to $30. All events are held at The Celtic Junction, 836 Prior Avenue North in St Paul. For nearly forty years, Irish music enthusiasts from around the world have been captivated by the skill and artistry of Irish musicians James Kelly and Maighread Ní Dhomhnaill. Award-winning fiddler James Kelly,from Dublin, Ireland, has over 18 recordings and has been a member of the influential groups, Bowhand, and . In 2006, he was named TG4 Gradam Ceoil Traditional Musician of the Year (TG4 is Ireland's Irish-language television station). Legendary singer Maighread Ní Dhomhnaill is a native Irishspeaker whose family is from Rann na Feirste (Rannafast), Co. Donegal. Her first group was the groundbreaking Skara Brae . A recipient of the Traditional Singer of the Year award from TG4 Gradam Ceoil in 2005, Maighread has recorded and worked with numerous collaborators, including her sister Tríona, Donal Lunny, Coolfin , the West Ocean String Quartet , and T with the Maggies . “We are deeply honoured to host the talents of these outstanding traditional Irish musicians,” says Norah Rendell, executive director of The Center for Irish Music. “It is a rare event to see them performing together on stage and this is the first time a North American audience will have the opportunity to witness their combined mastery of the traditional Irish music art form.” Along with James Kelly and Maighread Ní Dhomhnaill, the weekend will include special guests Cathal Goan and Dáithí Sproule. Cathal is currently the Naughton Fellow at the University of Notre Dame, and is recently retired as Director-General of Ireland’s broadcast network, Raidió Teilifís Éireann (RTE). Guitarist and singer Dáithí Sproule has toured around the world for 25 years with the Irish super-group Altan , as well as recording and performing with Bowhand, Skara Brae, Dolly Parton, and numerous legendary traditional musicians, including Tommy Peoples and Liz Carroll. He is a 2009 Bush Artist Fellow, and teaches classes in English and Irish song and guitar, at The Center for Irish Music. On Saturday, workshops are offered in song, fiddle and guitar, and are appropriate for children and adults, musicians at all skill levels, and non-musicians. James Kelly will bring his teaching expertise to workshops that focus both on fiddle technique and repertoire, inspiring fiddlers and violinists of any genre. Maighread Ní Dhomhnaill’s two song workshops will focus on songs for children and adults, in both English and Irish. Cathal Goan will join Maighread in an in-depth discussion of the history of the songs, as passed down through generations. Dáithí Sproule, well-known for his innovative arrangements of traditional song, will offer a workshop in song arranging and accompaniment. In a session unique to the The Center for Irish Music events, Dáithí and Cathal will offer their perspectives on the Irish-language song tradition in an intimate and informal “conversation.” Lattes with Dáithí and Cathal is a special opportunity to hear these two artist/scholars in a rare exchange, reflection, reminiscence and dialogue about the traditions they have helped to foster.

Additional information is offered on The Center for Irish Music’s website at www.centerforirishmusic.org . www.IMDAwww.IMDA----MN.orgMN.org Irish Music & 12 Dance Association

An Leabhragán (The Bookcase) The Butterfly Cabinet by Bernie McGill Hardcover, 2011 Free Press (division of Simon&Schuster)

This is Bernie McGill's first novel, but written with such emotional power and superb, assured storytelling that we have much to look forward to in her future publications. Set in both Victorian Ireland (1891) and in 1968, it tells a story from two narrators' viewpoints: an aristocratic woman serving a prison sentence of manslaughter for the death of her four-year-old daughter (Victorian view), and a now-92-year-old former servant of the family who, near the end of her life, is compelled to give up the terrible secrets about the mysterious circumstances of the child's death, which she has carried in silence for over three-quarters of a century (the 1968 part of the story). Memory is a mutable thing; truth can have more than one side. When a harried mother of eight punishes her wayward daughter for a toilet training failure by tying her and locking her in a wardrobe room, is the daughter's death a tragic accident or intentional murder? Do the political and religious differences between the landowner (and his wife by extension) and the woman's "jury of peers" have a factor in her harsh verdict? Does the press and the public's insatiable hunger for sensationalism (shades of today's tabloid scandals) doom the woman to a prison sentence? What happened in the locked room, and who literally held the key to the mystery?

The chapters alternate between Lady Harriet Ormond, writing in 1892 in a concealed diary, and the memories in 1968 of Maddie McGlade, former servant of the great house in Oranmore, . It is only when the now-elderly woman discovers her former mistress's diary secreted in the butterfly cabinet given to her as a keepsake by the woman's family, that the long-ago parts of the story come together in a true and tragic whole.

The author based her novel on the true story of a similar incident which occurred in the town of Portstewart on the north coast of Ireland, where she now lives. With unerring instinct for the human heart and all its complexity, and a feel for both Victorian and 1960's Irish life and times, The Butterfly Cabinet engages and satisfies the reader at every turn. I look forward to Ms. McGill's second novel with great anticipation.

Sherry Ladig, frequent contributor to this column, is an Irish trad musician and former reviewer for the Hungry Mind Bookstore's newsletter, Fodder. She welcomes suggestions for future books of Irish interest to review, or for you to write a review yourself. You may reach Sherry at [email protected] . Happy reading! www.IMDAwww.IMDA----MN.orgMN.org Irish Music & 13 Dance Association

Gaelic Harper and Traditional Singer Launch Two CDs

National Scottish harp champion Chad McAnally and traditional singer Shawn McBurnie celebrate the release of two CDs, Blackbird from the Willow Sings and Of Bards and Beggars, with a 7:30pm concert on October 22 at The Celtic Junction, 836 Prior Ave North, Saint Paul. Special guests include guitarist Brian Barnes and percussionist Adam Modares. $10 at the door. In Blackbird from the Willow Sings Shawn and Chad collaborate to provide a glimpse of the musical world of Gaelic harp and voice as it might have been. The material covered spans a thousand years, from an Old Irish poem dating from the ninth century to original songs written by Shawn. Blackbird will appeal to fans of early music, traditional Irish and Scottish music, and contemporary folk. KBEM-FM music director Kevin O'Connor says,"Chad McAnally and Shawn McBurnie have pulled off an all-too- rarely accomplished feat with the release of Blackbird from the Willow Sings : they have successfully blended the new and the traditional. Neither stale remakes nor pandering pop approaches can be found here. Aided by Rumgumption bandmate and guitarist Brian Barnes, both musicians have infused exciting lyrical and instrumental takes within a dizzying array of material reflective of Celtic/English styles. Dance, lyricism and balladry are all given the royal treatment by a world class ensemble." Of Bards and Beggars is Chad's first solo Gaelic harp recording and compositional debut. It features original compositions, variations and settings of traditional pieces, and a song performed by Shawn McBurnie. Of Bards and Beggars is a musical introduction to one mind; inspiration, improvisation, lamentation, and imagination all pause to make your delighted acquaintance. For more information visit http://thecelticjunction.com/home/ gaelic-harp-cd-release/ Chad McAnally is a fiscal year 2010 recipient of an Artist Initiative Grant from the Minnesota State Arts Board. This activity is funded, in part, by the Minnesota arts and cultural heritage fund as appropriated by the Minnesota State Legislature with money from the vote of the people of Minnesota on November 4, 2008.

www.IMDAwww.IMDA----MN.orgMN.org Irish Music & 14 Dance Association

eili orner By Bhloscaidh O’Keane

First Saturday Afternoon Céilí - Dubliner Pub, 2162 University Avenue in Saint Paul, from 2:00 to 5:00. The suggested donation is $2.00 per person. The dances are taught and called by Paul McCluskey.

Third Saturday Night Céilí - The Celtic Junction, 836 Prior Ave., No, St. Paul. No Third Saturday Night Ceili in August

Irish Dance Classes:

Céilí Dancing - Wednesday Nights

Dubliner Irish Pub - 2162 University Avenue in Saint Paul. Learn Irish dancing in a genuine Irish pub with a wooden floor that has known a whole lot of dancing feet. Steps and dances are taught by Súin Swann. Basic beginning steps are taught beginning at 7:30 (please note the time change), with advanced lessons and dancing continuing until 9:30 PM. Year-round; no children, and must be of legal drinking age to remain past 9:00 PM. Free.

Conway Recreation Center - 2090 Conway Street in Saint Paul. This class is held in a park and recreation gym, and is taught by fine dancers/instructors who will provide plenty of special attention for your particular level of experience. The class runs from 7:00 to 8:30 PM. Year-round and open to all ages. Free.

Set Dancing - Thursday Nights

The Ivy Building - 2637 - 27th Avenue South in Minneapolis, right along the Midtown Greenway. Set dances are taught and led by

Tim McAndrew, usually with live music. Dancing from 7-10pm, year-round. $7 per person.

Lots more information at: Lóma mór Irish Dance Club, www.lomamor.org

The Center for Irish Music

Come check us out at The Celtic Junction 836 Prior Avenue, St Paul MN

Please check the website for information on our full range of instruction in traditional Irish music, language , culture and fun.

For class schedule and other information call or email 651-815-0083 [email protected]

Or visit our website

www.centerforirishmusic.org

Dedicated to Handing Down the Tradition www.IMDAwww.IMDA----MN.orgMN.org Irish Music & 15 Dance Association

Smidirini* By Copper Shannon (*Irish for ‘Bits and Pieces’)

♣ Comhghairdeas le (Congratulations to) Erin Cooney and the Rince Nua Irish Dancers , seven of whom have qualified for the Irish Open. This will be their first year competing in Ireland.

♣ Go dté tú slán, 's go bhfille tú go gairid (May you go safely, may you return soon). Best wishes to fiddler/dancer/teacher Danielle Enblom , who is off to , Northern Ireland for new adventures. Her students and fellow band members will surely miss her – here’s hoping she’ll be back often to visit.

♣ You go, girl! Best wishes to long time IMDA volunteer Mary Bishop , who was recognized by Irish Fair with the Cu Culain Award as an outstanding volunteer.

IMDA Membership Want to know what’s going on in the local Irish scene? Interested in music, dance, theatre and culture? Be the first on your block to subscribe to the IMDA Newsletter. It’s a mere $20 for an annual individual membership and $25 for a family membership. Sign up yourself or sign up a friend, but whatever you do, support your local artists!

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Just tear out the above form and send it with a check made out to “IMDA” to: The IMDA Membership Coordinator c/o Jan Casey 400 Macalester St. St. Paul, MN 55105 www.IMDAwww.IMDA----MN.orgMN.org Irish Music & 16 Dance Association

236 Norfolk Ave NW Elk River, MN 55330

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Harvest Home Traditional Irish Music Weekend

Friday, October 7 - Concert Maighread Ní Dhomhnaill, James Kelly & Dáithí Sproule Concert Ticket Prices - General Admission, $20 - CIM Members, $15 - Ages 17 and Under, $10 Saturday, October 8 - Workshops and Lectures for children, youth and adults in: - Traditional Irish Song, Maighread Ní Dhomhnaill and Cathal Goan - Fiddle, James Kelly - Accompanying and Arranging Traditional Songs, Dáithí Sproule Workshop and Lecture Prices - Adult workshops: $25 each for members / $30 each for non-members - Children's song workshop: $10 for members / $15 for non-members - Lecture: $10 each for members / $15 each for non-members For a detailed event schedule and registration forms , visit www.centerforirishmusic.org

The Concert, Workshop and Lectures will be held at The Center for Irish Music , which is located at The Celtic Junction , in St. Paul, MN.

To register for Workshops and Lectures, please send a registration form , found on the event page on the CIM website, to [email protected] , or call with questions at 651-815-0083. To purchase concert tickets , please contact [email protected] or call 612-722-7000. www.IMDAwww.IMDA- ---MN.orgMN.org