ISSUE 25 VOLUME 2 Proudly Serving Celts in North America Since 1991 MARCH/APRIL 2016

THE WHITE ROCK IRISH FESTIVAL is British Columbia’s only month-long celebration of Irish culture. On Sunday, February 27 supporters gathered on White Rock’s splendid oceanfront promenade to kick off the festival. [Read more inside on page 19]

INSIDE THIS ISSUE

SLEEPING BEAUTY’S CASTLE at Disneyland Paris is part of a number of global iconic sites that have turned green to mark the St. Patrick’s Day celebrations on March 17. World landmarks to go green again

A GANGLAND war has sent shockwaves through Dublin along with scenes from one of the biggest gangland funerals in Irish on St. Patrick’s Day history. Pictured above, tearful men carry murdered gangster DUBLIN – The annual phenomenon, which sees a host of major landmarks David Byrne’s coffin out of St. Nicholas of Myra church in BREXIT: Will they stay or will and iconic sites around the world light up green on March 17 has grown from Dublin on February 15. His shooting has resulted in a least two they go? Prime Minister David strength to strength. high profile retaliation hits. [Read more on 23] Cameron leads the charge to This year, one of the World Trade Centre towers in New York will turn green keep Britain part of the EU. on St. Patrick’s Day. [More on pages 6 & 8] The Manhattan complex’s 52-storey Building 7 is the latest landmark to join the “global greening” of some of Earth’s most famous sites to mark Ireland’s ALSO INSIDE: OUR SPECIAL national day of celebration. ST. PATRICK’S Others going green for the first time on March 17 this year include the Roue GREETINGS SECTION de Paris, the French capital’s big wheel, City Hall in Tel Aviv, the light rail system in Addis Ababa and the Boston Red Sox stadium. 12TH ANNUAL The bargain-basement strategy of promoting Ireland overseas was dreamt up seven years ago when the country was cash-strapped and needed to tap CelticFest Vancouver into its 70-million strong diaspora to boost tourism. St. Pat’s Parade Since then, iconic statues, stadiums and other structures to go green on St. Sunday, March 13 Patrick’s Day have included the Pyramids of Giza, Sydney Opera House, U.S. President Barack Obama is presented with the traditional • Niagara Falls, Table Mountain in South Africa and New York’s Empire State bowl of shamrocks by Taoiseach Enda Kenny at the White OKANAGAN Building. House in 2015. This year, despite political uncertainty in Ire- This year, Rome’s Colosseum, the Leaning Tower of Pisa, the Sacre-Coeur land following the general election, the Taoiseach will return IRISH SOCIETY Basilica in Paris, the Christ the Redeemer statue in Rio de Janeiro and Nel- for the ceremony in Washington. [See page 20] Welcomes visitors son’s Column will all be bathed again in emerald on the day. • Niall Gibbons, chief executive of Tourism Ireland, said the success of the SEATTLE IRISH global greening was down to work by Irish people across the world. FESTIVAL 2016 “The eagerness of cities and countries everywhere to take part underlines the strength of the deep connection that people all over the world feel to For more details about the 2016 Ireland,” he said.

Irish Week in Seattle, includ- 40009398 Publication ing news on this year’s Parade “More than 70 million people around the world claim links to the island of

Mail Agreement: Mail Grand Marshals, turn to pages Ireland and St. Patrick’s Day is a truly unique opportunity to reconnect them 24 & 25 inside this issue. with their heritage.” PAGE 2 www.celtic-connection.com MARCH/APRIL 2016 LETTER FROM THE PUBLISHER Into a Spring That We’re making some changes Never Was and & want you to know about them Always Has Been

Dear Friends: By CYNTHIA WALLENTINE We want to bring you up-to- date on some changes taking LD leaves that place here at The Celtic Con- already had nection. their day toss in As most of you may be aware, the wind. New for the past 25 years my mother o Catholine Butler and myself growth pushes inces- have worked very closely on this santly forward. newspaper, which we launched Roots down, leaves up, what new together in 1991. can be made of this day? Ever de- During this time The Celtic Connec- ceptive, the present is forever in a tion has been the voice of Irish, Scots state of change – it must be Spring. and Welsh communities across Western Canada, the U.S. Pacific Northwest, CATHOLINE BUTLER and Maura De Freitas launched the first Things are changing – generations push while building bridges, profiling person- issue of The Celtic Connection in 1991 and for 25 years the on, beloved individuals pass away. The ANCIENT trees at Trout Lake alities both here and abroad, and shar- newspaper has been the voice of the Celts in western Canada Celtic Connection, more than 20 in Vancouver reawaken from ing news of interest. and the U.S. Pacific Northwest. years a growin’ is entering a new sea- their winter hibernation to once again assume their mantle of It has been a labour of love and fre- Now, after the most intense and intrigu- We will now be combining our March/ son. green in the great circle of life. quently a herculean effort to meet ing time of our lives, we are in a period April – May/June – July/August and Remarkable for its cross-generational monthly deadlines and expenses. But of significant change. September/October issues. coherency, the publication and its peo- Some fail to understand that the aging we have also enjoyed tremendous sup- ple are looking at different horizon lines. port through community volunteer ef- The passing of Tom Butler last June was There are many reasons for this deci- of the body does not require the same one of those junctures where we had to sion, not the least is the transformation Age or digital age – the motivations, and of the soul. forts and often assistance from some moves, are good. of the most unexpected sources. step back, examine our compass, and now taking place within our media in- The ancient often live within young bod- reassess. dustry, a slowing economy, and a chang- Whether St. Patrick’s Day, or Easter, ies, just as the young dwell on in bodies In each issue we have brought together ing demographic for our readership. Tom played a major role with the paper each festival of Spring holds its place, not as capable as they once were. a diverse group of Celtic tribes, celebrat- even as time flows on. ing your victories and lamenting your as his support was instrumental in help- We will be looking closely at the long- In fact, a secret I can share is that we ing to bring some stability in our chaotic term direction of The Celtic Connec- losses. In fact, within these pages, one While these festivals seem to stand still often start out older than we become – would find a historical snapshot of a early years. tion throughout the year and perhaps as the years circle around them, it is a growing young, not growing old. ‘Tis the quarter century of community events. as 2016 progresses we will have a ruse. Holding a calendar date is a mor- gift of living through enough. But just We all lived and worked very closely clearer perspective on what will be our tal need, reflective of the cataloging ca- for some, sadly, not for all. For this reason, we are most pleased together, so his departure has precipi- next step. tated a deep re-think on our direction. pabilities and expectations of the human that an archive of all our back issues brain. The wearing of the green, the lives, the will soon be available online through the Until then, we hope you will continue to history, the generational waves that This is leading to some fairly significant enjoy each issue of The Celtic Connec- library at Simon Fraser University adjustments for The Celtic Connection, More likely, the immanent energies that washed so many from Ireland. thanks to a project spearheaded by tion and we will keep you posted on animate our world are as present in the particularly reducing the number of is- updates. Emergence, colored eggs, a growing sun, Willeen Keough, PhD, Associate Pro- sues published this year. every day, as they are on the date on fessor of History with SFU. With love + best wishes, which we choose to recognize them. thoughts of wonderment of the mystery Maura & Catholine of new life, new ideas – and new hope. Like streaming particles in the sunlight, they step into the foreground at our call, It must be Spring. We apologize. Last month we got our wires crossed when two reviews and recede again when our attention Setting were received on the Academy Award-nominated film Brooklyn. Marie turns elsewhere. Bruce, is a regular contributor to these pages, and Maurice Fitzpatrick, the Record writes a monthly column ‘The View From Ireland’, both submitted articles In those festival moments, glances are about this outstanding film. In error we published the article by Marie exchanged, curtsies are made, and each world acknowledges the Other. Straight Bruce under the byline of Maurice Fitzpatrick. We offer our sincere apolo- gies to both writers and any confusion to our readers. If we recognized daily the energies that spin around us, our minds would be torn asunder. Sometimes they are. Good, evil, or divine, it is the Nature of life, the twists and turns, the beginnings, I am Patrick, a sinner, the refusals, the waiting, and of course, the least learned of men, the endings. least of all faithful, most Flexible in Springtime, new growth hard- worthless of many. ens over time, more able to withstand the weathering required to survive. – Confessions of St. Patrick THE CELTIC CONNECTION

ISSUE 25 VOLUME 2 - Established in 1991 #452 - 4111 Hastings Street, Burnaby, B.C. V5C 6T7 Tel: (604) 434-3747 • www.celtic-connection.com Maura De Freitas - Publisher - • E-Mail: [email protected] Catholine Butler - Advertising - • E-Mail: [email protected] Colleen Carpenter - Copy Editor • Ainsley Baldwin - Ad Production Distribution: Arlyn Lingat • Allison Moore • Linda Robb • Frank Dudfield in Surrey • Neville Thomas in Burnaby & Coquitlam • Eifion Williams in Burnaby & Coquitlam • Laurie Lang in Coquitlam • Joanne Long in Mission • Bill Duncan in Maple Ridge • Deirdre O’Ruaric in White Rock • Nanci Spieker and Heather Murphy in Seattle • Oliver Grealish in Edmonton. Published 10 times per year. Unsolicited submissions welcome but will not be returned. Please retain a copy for your files. Contents copyright 2016 The Celtic Connection. Opinions expressed here are not necessarily those of the publisher but rather a reflection of voices within the community. All correspondence must include a name, address and telephone number. Canada Post Canadian Publications Agreement 40009398 MARCH/APRIL 2016 www.celtic-connection.com PAGE 3 Realists and Idealists: 77 Women of the Easter Rising VANCOUVER – Ireland’s commemo- community gathering on April 7, 2016 (Broadcasting Authority of Ireland) and ration of the centenary of the 1916 at 7 PM in the Segal Rooms, SFU Har- a key contributor to Dublin’s artistic and Easter Rising will be marked in Van- bour Centre, 515 West Hastings Street. legacy project titled 1916: Richmond couver by a series of community events Barracks. throughout the month of April. The talk by Dr. Mary McAuliffe is en- titled: ‘Realists and Idealists; Women On the eve of her visit to Vancouver, For the Irish Women’s Network of BC, of the Easter Rising, 1916’. she and co-author Liz Gillis will launch the role of women in the Easter Rising a new book with Four Courts entitled is something they wanted to acknowl- McAuliffe is a lecturer in Women’s Realists and Idealists: 77 Women of edge and provide a platform for discus- Studies at University College Dublin. the Easter Rising. She is a specialist in women’s radical- sion. ism in early Twentieth Century Ireland To register for the event, please go to: In collaboration with professors Willeen and has published her work widely in http://websurvey.sfu.ca/survey/ Keough and Dara Culhane from the four books, seven edited/co-edited 231703936. Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences at books, and numerous scholarly journals. READ MORE ON IRISH HISTORY AND Simon Fraser University, the IWN is very pleased to announce a free public She was also co-producer/historical THE 1916 RISING IN OUR lecture followed by a reception and consultant/script-writer for the docu- INTERVIEW WITH BERNARD WARD mentary Cumann na mBan 100 PAGE 18 & MORE PAGE 27 PAGE 4 www.celtic-connection.com MARCH/APRIL 2016 St. Pat’s month: An amazing record number of folk gigs for Vancouver

(bodhrán) – who recently replaced the I’M writing this on March 5 legendary Johnny ‘Ringo’ – a day that should go down McDonagh. as some sort of record for Van- (I once played a session after hours at couver. the Edmonton Folk Festival. ‘Ringo’ stopped by and I felt his gaze as I put Damien Dempsey launches By my head down and pounded away on CelticFest Vancouver this STEVE the goat skin, trying to avoid his stares. EDGE evening, while Festival du Bois He watched for quite a while, too, and I think I must have passed the test. Talk takes place at Mackin Park in THE ROGUE about pressure, though!!). Coquitlam, April Verch plays FOLK CLUB These two great bands will definitely New West’s Anvil Centre, Aoife be amongst the highlights of CelticFest O’Donovan plays The Vancouver this year. Biltmore, Ani diFranco and Three nights of Whiskey Tastings at Rupa & The April Fishes play Doolin’s and Moll at St. James Hall the QE Playhouse, Antonio and Dentry’s bring us to St. Patrick’s Zambujo plays Capilano Uni- Day, when The Irish Rovers play The Vogue. versity’s Blueshore Stage, and The Sybaritic Stringband play Now boasting the outstanding Irish fid- dler Gerry O’Connor and of course a Contra Dance at St. James Spirit of the West’s Geoffrey Kelly Hall – so SIX folk gigs all on the in their ranks, the Rovers have never same night. sounded better! I’m exhausted just trying to decide which The band recently celebrated 50 years one to attend! So I ended up attending on the road, and this will be a memora- two! The dance and the Portuguese ble night at The Vogue. band. • • IRISH accordion virtuoso plays Meanwhile, down the road in CelticFest Vancouver is upon us once The Rogue Folk Club on Sun- Bellingham’s sumptuous Mt. Baker again! What an exciting week – or is it Theater, the brilliant Irish-American day, March 13 following the quintet Solas celebrates a mere 20 a fortnight? There’s something going on annual St. Patrick Day parade. every day for the Celtic music fan. years on the road with a great new CD, All These Years, and new singer Moira The festival really gets underway on Smiley to swell the ranks alongside Thursday, March 10 with The Hali- member of The Waterboys back in the Seamus Egan, Win Horan, Mick fax Wharf Rats at Doolin’s Pub on early 1990s, and she played at Rogue McAuley and Eamon McIlholm. Granville – and John B. Keane’s up- back in 1995 at the Wise Hall and again • roarious comedic play Moll at St. James in 2000 at the Croatian Hall. And, of course, every pub in town will Hall (3214 West 10th Avenue). Moll also Since then she has played the Vancou- feature Irish music and craic – and more runs on March 12 and 14 at St. James ver Folk Music Festival once or than one will probably have green beer Hall and March 11, 13 and 16 at twice, but hasn’t been seen here in well on tap too. Dentry’s Pub on West 10th. over a decade. Last June we saw her So it’s a great time to be a Celtic music Another CelticFest highlight will be the at the Doolin Folk Festival on her fan this month, and if live music doesn’t Vancouver Welsh Men’s Choir on “home turf,” and what a show she put fulfil all your audio needs, check out this Friday, March 11 at St. Andrew’s- on that night! new CD by Irish-American fiddler Wesley Church on Burrard at Nelson. She had a great backing band featuring Eileen Ivers. The De Danaan Irish dancers, piper Sean O’Regan on fiddle, Jim Murray Beyond The Bog Road explores the Tim Fanning, and Ballyhooley will on guitar, and the amazing Alan connections between Irish music and also perform that night. Connor on keyboards and guitar. Jim Cajun, Quebecois, Bluegrass, Appala- and Alan will accompany her at The chian and other North American music (We now have three different spellings Rogue. of “De Danaan” available: De Dannan styles. – the pioneering Irish trad. band that If you haven’t seen Alan play before Not an unfamiliar idea, perhaps, but I once boasted three amazing singers in you won’t believe your eyes – and ears! think this is one of the more exciting its ranks – Mary Black, Dolores Keane He’s a real showman, but above all, a attempts to explain those powerful links. and Maura O’Connell; De Danann – really brilliant and innovative musician. The liner notes are wonderful too. the band continuing the great legacy of Sharon lights up the stage with her in- “The Rolling Stones of Irish hard,” and Available now on Familiar Bridge Mu- fectious smile and her incredible musi- sic and on iTunes (which does include who play The Rogue at St. James Hall cianship and we guarantee a totally on March 22; and De Danaan – the those copious liner notes and wonder- splendid night’s entertainment! Tickets ful photos.) aforementioned local Irish dance are selling fast, so don’t miss out. Visit troupe!) • www.roguefolk.bc.ca for tickets and I just found out that The Celtic Con- The festival is centred around events information. nection will now be a bi-monthly publi- all day Saturday, March 12 and Sun- I’d like to send a huge personal “Thank cation, so here’s a quick run-down of day the 13th, with the Celtic Village You” to John Coughlan, Jodi Smith April shows coming up at The Rogue. on Granville Street and heaps of and Gwen Kallio of CelticFest Van- On April 7, Scots-born Canadian song- workshops, children’s entertainers, couver for making it possible for us to writer David Francey returns with a bands, dances, and street performers – present Sharon Shannon. as well as live music in the various pubs great new CD, Empty Train. Without their help and PR expertise it and bars along Granville. On Saturday, April 9 Winnipeg just wouldn’t have been feasible. We powerfolk duo The Small Glories Saturday’s events culminate in a grand continue our association on March 22, (Cara Luft and JD Edwards) play a Ceilidh with pipers and fiddlers and when De Danann come to the Rogue double-bill with Vancouver’s Jenny dancers and singers and all-around mer- with their latest line-up. riment at The Imperial (319 Main Ritter (with Adrian Dolan in her Street). I think the last time De Danann (or was band). it De Dannan?) played here was the On Friday, April 15 The Fretless – Sunday, March 13 begins with the ill-fated Celtica Festival in 1990 or so. at superb Canadian Celtic String Quar- annual St. Patrick’s Day parade at 11 Eleanor Shanley remains the band’s tet – play a gig at the Revue Stage on AM and the Celtic Village and all the singer, and she has a glorious voice. ancillary events again running to 5 PM. Granville Island. On their latest CD, WonderWaltz, she With St. James Hall unavailable we Then the action switches back to St. sings in English and Irish, too. Alec found a similar-sized venue (formerly James Hall for the rarest of visits by Finn (bouzouki) is still the driving force an Arts Club venue, but temporarily one of Ireland’s most celebrated trad. in the band, and they are joined by available as a live music spot for the musicians – Sharon Shannon, the ac- Derek Hickey (accordion), Brian remainder of 2016 before it becomes cordion virtuoso from Co. Clare. McGrath (banjo/piano), Ronan She made her Vancouver debut as a O’Flaherty (fiddle) and Neill Lyons [Continued next page] MARCH/APRIL 2016 www.celtic-connection.com PAGE 5 Pat Chessell performs fourth annual St. Patrick’s show in White Rock SURREY, B.C. – Well-known In the last few years, he has John Murphy from the Boston based British Columbia-based folk art- transitioned from pub act to theatre/fes- music e-zine, Shite ‘n’ Onions wrote, ist, Pat Chessell and his band, will tival act with performances at Surrey’s “On top of covers, Pat has included Fusion Festival, West Vancouver’s Har- some originals which is a brave move be returning to White Rock’s Blue mony Arts Festival, and Alberta’s Ca- when you’re covering some of the fin- Frog Studios for two Saint nadian Rockies Kitchen Party, to name est contemporary songwriters of the last Patrick’s shows on March 18 and just a few. 30 years. Pat does a fine job of meet- ing these standards.” 19 this year. Chessell’s latest album, Lullabies and The Pat Chessell Band will be perform- Battle Cries features Pat’s passionate, Pat Chessell performed close to 200 ing as a five-piece act with Pat on gui- smoky vocals, complemented by a shows in 2015, either solo or with his tar and lead vocals, Andrea Taylor on unique Celtic sound with strong coun- backing band. It’s no wonder that Cana- fiddle, Rick Chapman on drums, try and roots influences. da’s premier Celtic publication, The Celtic Connection, describes the young Nathanael Powell on mandolin and The album, which Chessell was backed bouzouki, and Brendan Mooney on bass. troubadour as “a force to be reckoned DE DANANN play the Rogue with their latest line-up on March on by musicians such as Steve Dawson, with.” 22. Pat Chessell made his name on the lo- Tim Renaud and Michael Viens, re- cal scene as a regular act in essentially ceived radio play in Canada, the U.S. The shows on March 18 and 19 start at every Irish bar in the Vancouver area. and Europe. 8 PM. Tickets may be purchased at [Continued from page 4] On the Friday it will be Cabaret / Bur- www.bluefrogstudios.ca. lesque Night featuring Deanna Knight swallowed up by the expanding & The Hot Club Of Mars. (April In Granville Island Public Market next Paris line-up subject to confirmation.) year.) Full details of all Rogue shows is on On Sunday, April 17 the extraordinary www.roguefolk.bc.ca. Canadian songwriter Corin Raymond • teams up with his old buddy Jonathan Happy St. Patrick’s Day / Month, eve- Byrd from North Carolina, and our 10th ryone! I hope to see you at The Rogue! annual April In Paris festival of Slainte gypsy jazz will run from Thursday, Steve April 21 (with Van Django and P.S. Tune in to The Edge On Folk Seattle’s sensational Ranger & The every Saturday from 8 AM to noon on Re-Arrangers), through to Saturday, CiTR fm 101.9 and www.citr.ca for all April 23 (with Black Gardenia, Com- this fine music – and much more! pany B, and Marc Atkinson Trio). ‘Play, Pie & Pint’ at Centennial Theatre NORTH VANCOUVER – Centennial Through innovative music programs, Theatre is delighted to announce a par- artistic collaborations and community ticularly seasonal Celtic Lunchtime events such as this, the NSCE inspires Theatre experience on Tuesday, March kids to push themselves artistically and 15 at noon. to explore their musical paths. The performers at this month’s Play, The energy, talent and charm of these Pie & Pint will be the well-known and young performers will have you tapping much loved North Shore Celtic Ensem- your feet and smiling widely long after ble (NSCE). the performance is over. The NSCE has built their reputation on The performance will be followed by a local performances and collaborations meat or veggie pie for lunch provided as well as extensive national and inter- by the Aussie Pie Guy and a beverage national touring. of choice in the theatre lobby. The Ensemble has been well received The Centennial Theatre is located at in Aberdeen, Scotland, Washington 2300 Lonsdale Avenue in North Van- State, Quebec and they are regulars at couver, B.C. Tickets $22 in advance, the Festival du Bois in B.C. $25 at the door – includes a “Play, Pie & Pint!” What started as primarily a Celtic rep- ertoire is now a spirited and dynamic For more tickets or more details, visit: mix of musical influences, including tickets.centennialtheatre.com, or call Celtic, classical, jazz and folk. (604) 984-4484. PAGE 6 www.celtic-connection.com MARCH/APRIL 2016 UK referendum on staying in the EU to be held June 23 LONDON – It’s been three years in the making, but a June 23 date has finally been set for the momentous “in or out” British vote on whether to abandon the 28-nation Euro- pean Union. Prime Minister David Cameron has vowed to lead the charge to keep Brit- ain part of the EU, winning the backing of most of his cabinet and support for his “stay in” goal from political heavy- weights in rival parties, including the opposition Labour Party and the Scot- tish National Party. “I do not love Brussels, I love Britain,” Cameron told the nation in front of his LONDON MAYOR Boris Johnson (L) and British Prime Minis- 10 Downing Street residence. He went ter David Cameron in 2012. Johnson along with a number of on to say that he has concluded Britain would be safer and stronger remaining high ranking Conservatives have joined a vocal chorus advo- in the bloc, and that jobs would be cre- cating a withdrawal from the European Union. ated by maintaining open trading ties Boris Johnson, defied Cameron’s plea A 2014 referendum on that question with Europe. to support EU membership, saying he saw Scottish voters reject independence He said a landmark deal reached on will advocate UK’s withdrawal after after Cameron and the leaders of the February 19 with EU leaders in Brus- “huge heartache” over the decision. Labour Party and Liberal Democrats joined forces to convince Scottish vot- sels would give Britain more control Speaking outside his home in north Lon- over its future, lessen welfare payments ers that breaking away would be too don, the mayor said his decision had risky. to migrants who come to Britain, and been “agonisingly difficult.” But he protect Britain from being absorbed into added, “I would like to see a new rela- The upcoming referendum may see a a feared European “superstate.” tionship based more on trade, on coop- similar dynamic, with Cameron, Labour Cameron said he was making good on eration, with much less of this leader Jeremy Corbyn and Scottish a 2013 commitment to give British vot- supranational element. National Party leader Nicola Sturgeon all arguing from different perspectives ers a chance to decide whether to re- “So that is where I’m coming from and main in the bloc, which is seen by some that EU membership is vital for Brit- that is why I have decided, after a huge ain. Britons as meddlesome, overly bureau- amount of heartache, because the last cratic and unable to control its borders. thing I wanted was to go against David Most business leaders also strongly The British campaign to stay in the Eu- Cameron or the government, I don’t back EU membership because it greatly ropean Union has taken a 15 percent- think there is anything else I can do. eases trade with European countries. President Obama has also indicated that age point lead over opponents of mem- “I will be advocating Vote Leave – or bership, according to a Survation opin- the trans-Atlantic alliance is stronger whatever the team is called, I under- with Britain remaining in the EU. ion poll for the Mail on Sunday news- stand there are a lot of them – because paper. I want a better deal for the people of The deal Cameron agreed upon with In the first opinion poll since Cameron this country, to save them money and 27 other EU leaders protects Britain announced a referendum, 48 percent of to take control. That is really what this from taking part in an “ever closer un- voters said they wanted to stay in the is all about.” ion” with European nations and makes clear that Britain will not adopt the euro EU while 33 percent were in favour of The outcome of the referendum is ex- leaving. But 19 percent were undecided, currency shared by 19 EU nations. pected to influence whether Scottish Cameron says it also protects British the newspaper said. political leaders, who strongly favour interests and restricts British welfare Britain has always remained somewhat continued ties with Europe, seek a sec- payments to migrants from other EU apart from the European project, pre- ond referendum on whether to leave the nations. ferring to keep its own currency rather United Kingdom. than adopt the euro and declining to join the passport-free Schengen zone in place in much of Europe. The June vote will come as the EU strug- ‘What’s Europe gles to cope with a sustained immigra- tion crisis that last year brought more than one million people fleeing war and poverty to its shores. ever done for us?’ The referendum battle pits those who LONDON – The Telegraph reports that activists: “All right... all right... but apart believe Britain is better off in a formal David Cameron channeled Monty Py- from better sanitation and medicine and union with Germany, France and other thon to make the case for Britain stay- education and irrigation and public health countries against those who see Brit- ing in the EU at a St. David’s Day re- and roads and a freshwater system and ain as a proud island nation better ca- ception at Number 10 on March 1. baths and public order... what have the Romans done for us?” pable of managing its affairs on its own. The prime minister used the question Treasury chief George Osborne and “what have the Romans ever done for Cameron went on to question what Home Secretary Theresa May, two us” from the 1979 film, to ask the audi- Brexit might mean to Welsh business senior cabinet officials seen as possi- ence “What’s Europe ever done for and Welsh employment. “I think some- ble future leaders of Cameron’s Con- us?” times we forget some of the more ba- sic arguments,” he said. servative Party, voiced support for con- The British prime minister used the line tinued membership. May said Britain’s from the film, a satire based on blind “When I think of the extraordinary “protection against crime and terrorism” faith and organised religion, to argue that strength of Welsh agriculture, and to is enhanced by its role in the EU. Welsh business and Welsh employment think that that market of 500 million Much of the opposition to EU member- could be jeopardised if Britain votes to people means there are no quotas, there ship comes from the UK Independence sever ties with Brussels in June. are no tariffs, there are no taxes, there are no restrictions – you can sell as Party led by Nigel Farage and from “It is rather like that scene in Monty skeptical members of Cameron’s own much Welsh lamb, Welsh beef, Welsh Python’s Life of Brian – ‘What’s Eu- pork into that market. party. rope ever done for us?’,” he said. “Well, He has built his career on opposition to apart from the market of 500 million “Imagine swapping that for the situa- EU membership, but he has been un- people, the regional grants, the access tion that some other countries have out- able to expand his political base and his to the market, the support for our uni- side the European Union, where you bid for a seat in Parliament failed in the versities. Well other than that.” have restrictions, you might have quo- 2015 election. tas, you might have tariffs, and we John Cleese, who plays the character wouldn’t have access to that market.” London’s popular and influential mayor, Reg in the comedy classic, similarly tells MARCH/APRIL 2016 www.celtic-connection.com PAGE 7 ‘Bedroom tax’ Flying Scotsman’s challenge heard at British inaugural run after Supreme Court £4.2 million refit LONDON – During a three-day hearing in London a panel of seven LONDON – Dozens of steam enthusi- 1923, Flying Scotsman soon became the judges, headed by Supreme Court asts disrupted the inaugural run of the star locomotive of the British railway Flying Scotsman after its decade-long, system, pulling the first train to break president Lord Neuberger, heard £4.2 million refit by standing on the track the 100mph barrier in 1934. argument in a number of appeals to take photographs. resulting from legal rulings over It has been painted in the traditional One of the world’s most famous steam early 1960s British Rail green for its first changes to UK housing benefit engines, the Flying Scotsman made its official outing bearing its nameplates regulations. inaugural run from London to York on after the restoration project. February 25. The bedroom tax was introduced un- Michael Portillo told the Press Asso- der benefit changes in the Welfare Re- Passengers said the locomotive came ciation he was “very excited” to be form Act 2012. Tenants in social hous- to a “shuddering stop” near St. Neots, travelling on the train as part of filming ing have their benefits reduced by 14 Cambridgeshire, and Virgin Trains East for BBC documentary series Great percent if they have a spare bedroom, Coast warned that other services were British Railway Journeys. or 25 percent if they have two or more. being delayed by up to 15 minutes due to photographers on the track. “This is certainly the most famous jour- Campaigners say the regulations have ney and most famous locomotive in had a “devastating” impact, and argue The Rail magazine’s editor Nigel Harris, Britain,” he said. who was on the train, described the in- that they “unjustifiably” discriminate Portillo described Flying Scotsman as against the disabled. cident as “rampant trespass by mind- less hordes.” “an engineering triumph” and praised The outcome of the case could have its designer, Sir Nigel Gresley, for hav- implications for disabled children, hun- Some 297 VIPs, fundraisers, competi- ing “an eye for engineering, for design, dreds of victims of domestic violence tion winners and members of the public for style and for marketing.” and thousands of disabled adults. who paid up to £450 each were on board for the trip. The National Railway Museum (NRM) The government rejects the term “bed- in York bought the locomotive for £2.3 room tax” and says the regulations re- Hundreds of people who arrived at Lon- million in 2004 before work got under move what is in fact a “spare room sub- don King’s Cross from 6 AM to secure way on its restoration in 2006. sidy,” with the aim of encouraging peo- a vantage point on platform one were covered in steam as the journey began. The Flying Scotsman will be kept at the ple to move to smaller properties and NRM until March 6 before embarking save around £480 million a year from Built in Doncaster, South Yorkshire, in on a tour around the country. the housing benefit bill. PAGE 8 www.celtic-connection.com MARCH/APRIL 2016 Europe: Are we in or are we out? ODAY is a happy POSTCARD day, the sun is FROM LONDON shining on the win- Tter grey sea, spring is around the corner and daffodils are swaying in the wind like a Welsh male voice choir at the Millennium By stadium. ELFAN As you will have gathered from my JONES writing I am obviously no poet, but what has put me in such a lyrical mood is that Wales beat France at rugby last night, and for the first time in months, the golf course is open and playable without sinking up to your armpits in mud. • CAITRIONA BALFE as Claire Randall and Sam Heughan as Jamie Fraser in Outlander. On the local political front the word is THERE will be a referendum Europe. Are we in or are we out? on June 23 to decide whether There will be a referendum on June 23 the UK remains in the Euro- to decide whether the UK remains in pean Union. This will keep the Outlander star Sam Heughan the European Union. politicians and the media This, sadly for the majority of British happy and buzzing for the people, will keep all the politicians and next three and a half months. to lead NY Tartan Day parade all the media happy and buzzing for the NEW YORK –Outlander star books have been sold around the world However the show, which features next three and a half months. ance for players of an “unrecognised so far and the show is being master- graphic scenes of sex, torture, rape and game.” Sam Heughan is to lead the The arguments and counter arguments minded by former Star Trek and violence, has never been shown on will drag on and on, boring us into a Cornish hurling survives, but now only annual New York Tartan Day Battlestar Galactica producer Ron mainstream UK TV. Moore. state of apathetic bewilderment. played once a year in St. Ives and St. parade, organisers have re- Although it went on air in the U.S. in Columb Major on Shrove Tuesday. Then, my guess is that the 30 percent vealed. Outlander is the biggest ever film or August 2014 fans have only been able of the population who give a toss will The silver ball is thrown in the air and television production to be made in to see it on Amazon’s streaming serv- vote, and 60 percent of them will vote two teams of an unlimited number of The Dumfriesshire actor has been ap- Scotland and has been dubbed the coun- ice since the spring of this year. It was to stay in. local men attempt to carry the ball over pointed “Grand Marshal” of the event, try’s answer to Game of Thrones eligible for the Scottish BAFTAS and the parish line. the centrepiece of the city’s Tartan filmed in Northern Ireland. was considered in several categories This will be declared as a great victory Week celebrations in April. but failed to get a single nod. for democracy and the politicians can This is achieved by passing it and run- It has been shot extensively on location resume their best loved practice of dili- ning, a sort of rugby match, but with The 35-year-old will follow in the foot- around Scotland and at a converted Tourism leaders have also reported gently nurturing their expense ac- everybody running in the same direc- steps of his co-star in the time-travel warehouse in Cumbernauld. It is widely huge surges in visitor numbers at loca- counts. tion. fantasy series, Graham McTavish, who credited with boosting the value of pro- tions used for the show, including Doune performed the role last year. ductions shot in Scotland to a record Castle, in Perthshire, which stands in I will vote to remain in the EU because It involves a great deal of tackling, £45 million. for Castle Leoch, the fictional main set- I remember the days when I exported wrestling and generally fighting for the Around 30 pipe bands will be taking part in the annual event, which takes in 45th ting for the first novel. knitwear and had to fill in umpteen ball and can last several hours. th forms to take my samples around Eu- Street and 6 Avenue, along with a Vi- ropean countries, and the interminable Whichever team is holding the ball king “squad” from Shetland’s annual Up wait to pass through customs. when the parish line is crossed is Helly Aa fire festival. deemed the winner, and the team mem- Kent University plans For a thousand years we have squab- ber holding the ball has the right to keep Heughan has been asked to lead the bled with one European country or an- the ball, but must have a new one made parade just 18 months after the launch other and one of the main ideals for the in its place for the next game the fol- of the show, which is based on Ameri- 250-foot Thatcher statue founding of the EU was, and I quote, lowing year. can author Diana Gabaldon’s best-sell- LONDON – Tory students plan to erect handbag would be approximately 30- “to make war unthinkable and materi- ing books. Just one series has been a 250-foot (76.2 metre) iron statue of feet tall. The plan is to construct the The ball, made by a local craftsman, is ally impossible.” broadcast to date. Margaret Thatcher on their university handbag of a highly-polished bronze.” created by hammering two hemispheres campus to encourage “good and sensi- For me this ideal has worked as since of sterling silver and then binding them Other high-profile Scots who have led The petition concludes: “The statue ble behaviour.” the Second World War there has been around a core of applewood. A band of the parade include Sir Sean Connery, would then serve the purpose of being peace between us. silver is then screwed on to hold it all Alan Cumming and Brian Cox. Those behind the scheme hope the sun’s a literal ‘shining testament to liberty’, together. reflection will allow the Iron Lady statue while the ingenious polished bronze That aside, if we leave, then all those Heughan has won a huge army of fans to be a ‘shining testament to liberty’ handbag would also allow the statue to poor British members of the European In modern times, a new ball costs around the world for his starring role across from the university nightclub. dazzle the eyes of those lefties who parliament who earn a fortune, will be around a £1,000 to make, depending on as Jamie Fraser, the Jacobite warrior would [sic] the Colossus.” kicked out and have to find a proper the price of silver, so I am not sure how who falls for Second World War nurse A petition by Kent University Conserva- job. keen I would be to be the fellow who Claire Randall, played by Irish actress tive Association’s (KUCA) has now Speaking with The Tab, chairman of • held it crossing the parish line. Caitriona Balfe, after she is mysteri- moved onto its second stage – collect- Kent University Conservative Associa- I have been researching events that • ously propelled back in time. ing signatures – after the first stage was tion (KUCA), Emilio Kyprianou, was happen only in Britain in February, and If just by chance you are in Cornwall Heughan’s starring role in the Tartan approved by Kent Union, bringing stu- revealed to be the brains behind the discovered Cornish hurling, also known on Saturday, March 7, or you are an Day Parade will coincide with the dents closer to seeing the Iron Lady campaign. as ‘hurling the silver ball’. ace Cornish pasty maker, then you will launch of the new season of Outlander, look down on them every day. be delighted to know that the World Describing how the petition was started This is an outdoor team game of Celtic which is still in production in Scotland. Pasty Championship will be taking place As the deadline loomed, 80 students as an attempt to “highlight problems” origin, similar to other ancient inter-par- in the Eden Project. Heughan said, “As Grand Marshal of from a possible 150 have shown their with the current petitioning system, he ish mob games, but has very little in the New York Tartan Day parade 2016, support by signing. added, “Having said that, we are going common with Irish hurling. There are eight categories, four for the I am honoured and proud to serve the to run with it – this could be a real posi- traditional Cornish pasty (company Describing how the statue would be built tive for Kent.” A similar game called ‘capan’, origi- city and its ancestral ties. made, professional, amateur and junior in the Greco-Roman style and inspired nating during medieval times, was under15) and the same for open sa- “I love the city, the people and the vibe. by the Colossus of Rhodes – one of the Turns out, though, this isn’t the first time played in south west Wales in voury. Please join me in toasting all who live Seven Wonders of the Ancient World – such a campaign has occurred on the Carmarthenshire, Cardiganshire and and visit there with a whisky and a the petition reads: “[It] would be placed grounds of Kent. In 2013, ex-KUCA Pembrokeshire, and is reputed to be the People enter this competition from all toast.” on a 50-foot (15 metre) high white mar- treasurer, Guy Snowden, called for a forerunner of rugby football. over the world, but time is short, so get ble pedestal in the square across from 200-foot bronze statue of Thatcher to your aprons on and get baking. You must Alan Bain, president of the parade com- the university’s nightclub, ‘The Venue’. be placed in Canterbury because “the It was still being played in the 1990s, get your pasty to Cornwall by March 4. mittee, said, “I remember well the first greatest form of flattery is imitation.” and there was even an international Tartan Day parade along the sidewalks “The placement across from the night- match between Wales and England. If you are too late for this year, then of Third Avenue. club would encourage good and sensi- The sabbatical officer at the time, (Wales won easily because the English put a date in your calendar for 2017. ble behaviour under the gaze of the 250- though, told Snowden at a debate his th did not know the rules). “I am proud this year, on our 18 anni- foot Colossus. motion was “a complete waste of time” I am fond of Cornish pasties and would versary of the parade, to see us grow and, according to The Medwire, stu- Capan stopped in1995 because of seri- be very happy to taste your recipe. from strength to strength.” “Appropriately, the statue would be con- dents “voted overwhelmingly” to stop ous injuries that resulted from playing Best wishes, structed almost entirely of iron at a 46:1 the motion from passing through. the game and the high cost of insur- Elfan More than 25 million of Gabaldon’s scale. At this scale, the Iron Lady’s MARCH/APRIL 2016 www.celtic-connection.com PAGE 9 Exciting Times for Scotland Online Join ‘the worldwide family of Scots’

By HARRY McGRATH

EDINBURGH – For the last few months this column has run on the same page as an ad- vertisement for the domain name .scot and I am proud to THE above promotion cartoon was circulated by the .scot team say that I was part of the team in advance of the next game against France at Murrayfield. that made Scotland’s domain It may be stretching it to claim credit social media presence and recruiting a reality. for this, but 6Nations.Scot was part of volunteer global ambassadors to help the pitch side electronic advertising in increase awareness of .scot wherever When four of us got together about Rome last month when Scotland had they happen to live. seven years ago to form DotScot Reg- their first win in the competition since istry, it didn’t strike us that .scot would February, 2014 (#justsaying). To date, our global ambassadors include be the only top level domain (TLD) Theresa Mackay, owner of Larchgrove name in the world that rhymes, alliter- The .scot team has already circulated Marketing in Victoria; Gus Noble, presi- ates and assonates. a promotional cartoon in advance of the dent of the Illinois St. Andrew’s Soci- next game against France at ety; Professor Liam McIlvanney, Chair That’s not to say we didn’t see poetry Murrayfield when our advertisement of Scottish Studies at the University of in it. A cultural and community domain will run again. Otago; Professor Stewart Gill, princi- name for “the worldwide family of pal of Emmanuel College at the Uni- Scots” sounded poetic enough to us. It’s still early days and there are chal- versity of Queensland; and Alasdair lenges ahead, not least in terms of price. The idea had been floating around for Reid who provides policy advice to the We are sometimes asked why a .scot a while, mostly inside the head of one European Union. is more expensive than some other do- of our former directors Davie Hutchison mains. Scotland’s First Minister Nicola Stur- – now a Scottish Government special geon recently provided a picture and adviser. The price is set by the approved third- quote for our new website. party registrars who sell it.And they, in In 2005 the body that regulates the turn, are bound by simple price-point She said, “The Scottish Government’s internet’s TLDs, the Internet Corpora- economics. The more they sell, the online identity is clearly defined by the tion for Assigned Names and Numbers cheaper .scot will eventually be. .scot domain and marks us out in a (ICANN), promised that it would soon crowded internet. be accepting new applications to join When the news of .scot first broke, one the ranks of .com and .org. tabloid newspaper ran a headline to the “We led by example in adopting the do- effect that Scotland was separating on main as our primary web address and it While waiting out ICANN’s constant the internet, neatly encapsulating the is encouraging to see that so many thou- delays, we discussed, debated and did opposite of what we are trying to do. sands continue to follow.” some research to assess the appetite for .scot; both in Scotland and beyond. Before the Scottish referendum the Yes Our big long-term goal is to create a campaign and the Better Together cam- charitable arm and use it to support The dam broke in January 2012 when paign both purchased .scot domains. Scottish cultural endeavours and help ICANN finally began accepting appli- address Scotland’s social challenges. cations for new generic TLDs and we But beyond that, we see it as contribut- had the opportunity to convert a rather ing to global citizenship and helping build If you go to our web address now, you abstruse idea into a working reality. a unique community online, as recog- may get there before the new website nised last year during the Southbank does. Still, there were issues to be addressed. Centre’s ‘Web We Want’ festival in As a penniless not-for-profit the London. No matter, the old site will guide you to $185,000 application fee was prohibi- our list of approved registrars and it’s a tive, but we put a plan together that got To achieve that we’re planning for the short cyberspace hop from there to be- us to the starting line and found a skilled future again: Increasing our profile by coming a member of the worldwide technical partner to help with the launching a new website family of Scots online. backroom mechanics of running a reg- (www.dotscot.scot), ramping up our istry. We wanted the definition of “Scot” to be as wide as possible which was in tension with ICANN’s inclination to- 20 Years Later: Dunblane wards restricted eligibility. And we needed letters of support, which massacre and gun control came in from the Scottish Government; EDINBURGH – The father of one of Speaking to the Radio Times, cam- the Catholic Church in Scotland; foot- the victims of the Dunblane massacre paigner North said the UK was now a ball authorities; Sir Sean Connery; and has said criminals in the UK are find- safer place because of gun law numerous other sources. ing it harder than ever to get guns thanks changes brought in after Dunblane. to the legal clampdown that followed In September 2014, after nine long the tragedy 20 years ago. “Compare the British situation with that years of campaigning and planning, we in the U.S.,” he added. flipped the switch and .scot became a Mick North, who lost his five-year-old reality. A little over a year on and we daughter Sophie in the shooting, said the “Parallels are drawn between the shoot- have passed 11,000 registrations which tragedy marked a watershed in atti- ings at Dunblane and Sandy Hook El- makes .scot one of the world’s fastest tudes towards gun ownership in Britain ementary School in Connecticut in 2012. growing community domains. and helped steer the country away from “School and college shootings occur a gun culture that has failed to stop simi- The Scottish Government now has with sickening regularity in the U.S, yet lar mass killings in the U.S. gov.scot as its main web address and too many politicians claim that every- .scot is being used to promote Scottish Thomas Hamilton killed 16 school chil- thing but gun ownership is responsible.” culture and education; for business dren and their teacher on a shooting North said memories of his daughter are branding; by newspaper websites and spree at Dunblane primary on March with him every day and the importance online media outlets; and by individuals 13, 1996. of the twentieth anniversary will be for who want to express their Scottish con- The massacre prompted political action others to reflect on the horrific event nection or simply like having .scot as and the positive legacy in the handgun part of their internet identity. to secure a ban on handguns by the fol- lowing year. ban. PAGE 10 www.celtic-connection.com MARCH/APRIL 2016 The 4th Annual Celtic Person of the Year Award recipient VANCOUVER – CelticFest popular, classical and country as well. Vancouver has announced that They perform throughout the province, the recipient of the fourth an- and have been on many international tours, including to Australia, New Zea- nual Celtic Person of the Year land, the United States, Holland, Ger- Award is Vancouver Welsh many, Wales, Scotland, England, Rus- Men’s founding member, sia, Austria and the Czech Republic. Gwyn Evans. Gwyn has nurtured the choir through his active participation both as a chor- The award will be presented at the Van- ister and a choir leader in various ca- couver Welsh Men’s Choir concert at pacities. St. Andrew’s Wesley Church on Fri- He is their “go to” person on Welsh pro- day, March 11 at 7:30 PM. nunciation and plays an important role The evening’s lineup also features the in maintaining a positive relationship Scoil Rince De Danaan Irish dancers, GWYN EVANS with the Vancouver Welsh Society, from piper Tim Fanning and Ballyhooley. whom they rent the Cambrian Hall for rehearsals and other events. The Celtic Person of the Year award Once in Canada, Gwyn missed his sing- recognizes outstanding contributions ing days in Wales and was persuaded The Vancouver Welsh Men’s Choir made to the local Celtic community and by his wife, Gaynor, to form his own would not exist without Gwyn’s vision the community at large by both groups choir. and leadership, and for that they, and and individuals of Celtic heritage. all of us who appreciate this extraordi- He searched for other like-minded nary choral group’s work, owe him a Gwyn Evans was born in Wales and Welshmen, and on January 29, 1980, the great debt of gratitude. emigrated to Canada in 1974 with his Vancouver Welsh Men’s Choir met for wife and three children. their first rehearsal. Tickets for the Friday, March 11, Van- couver Welsh Men’s Choir concert at From a young age, Gwyn loved music, From modest beginnings (at least in St. Andrew’s Wesley Church are $30 and singing in particular. He sang in terms of numbers), the choir has grown General, $40 Premium Seating, $27 stu- church and was part of an oratorio so- to its present size of 100 drawn from dents & seniors. Available at ciety, and performed in major works many different nationalities. www.celticfestvancouver.com. such as Saul and Jephtha. The VWMC continues to perform CelticFest program guides are available At 21, Gwyn joined the Cwmbach Male Welsh music, but has also expanded its at participating Lower Mainland Blenz Choir, and sang with them for 14 years. repertoire to include blues, inspirational, Coffee locations. MARCH/APRIL 2016 www.celtic-connection.com PAGE 11

Page 1 Who was St. Patrick? “I arise today through a mighty strength, the invocation of the Trinity, through belief in the Threeness, through confession of the Oneness of the Creator of creation.” – St. Patrick St. Patrick of Ireland (387 – 461 A.D.) was born in Roman Britain at Bannaven Taburniae, and was the son of Calpurnius (a deacon) and his wife Conchessa. As he says himself he was not a very pious young man growing up, and one day when he was about 16, he was taken captive by pirates with a great number of other people. He was sold as a slave in Ireland, and worked for his master as a shepherd. There, he began to turn to God in his exile. As he writes in his Confessions, “The love of God and his fear grew in me more and more, as did the faith, and my soul was roused, so that, in a single day, I have said as many as a hundred prayers and in the night, nearly the same. I prayed in the woods and on the mountain, even before dawn. I felt no hurt from the snow or ice or rain.” He was a slave for about four years when he heard a voice in a dream tell- ing him to make his escape and that “his ship was ready” and that it was 200 miles away. He found the ship as described in his dream, and after several years, many adventures involving his pagan sailing companions and being captured yet again, he managed to reach home at last. However, soon afterwards he had a dream in which (as he himself described it), “I saw a man whose name was Victoricus coming as if from Ireland with innumerable letters, and he gave me one of them. “I read the beginning of the letter: ‘The Voice of the Irish’, and as I was read- ing the beginning of the letter I seemed at that moment to hear the voice of those who were beside the forest of Foclut, which is near the western sea. “They were crying as if with one voice: ‘We beg you, holy youth, that you shall come and shall walk again among us’. And I was stung intensely in my heart so that I could read no more, and thus I awoke.” He studied for the priesthood, was or- dained a bishop, and was sent to Ire- land, and arrived there on the Feast of the Annunciation, March 25th, 433 at Slane. For the rest of his life he tirelessly preached the Gospel to the Irish, con- verting and baptizing thousands, found- ing monasteries and dioceses and churches, and ordaining priests and working many miracles. He endured countless trials, hazarded his life on numerous occasions, faced the violence of the elements, the envy of the Druids, the hostility of those who hated him and Christianity, chains and imprisonment and a whole host of other ills. He died at Downpatrick, Ireland on March 17, 461 A.D. PAGE 12 www.celtic-connection.com MARCH/APRIL 2016

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PHOTO: Gabrielle Abrahams IS THIS a case of lepre- chaun abuse? Maybe not! Harry Cussen, a member of the board of directors of the Celtic Fest Vancouver Soci- ety, is carried on the back of one of ‘The Little People’ in downtown Vancouver in anticipation of the 12th an- nual festival. From March 10 to 17, Vancouver streets, concert halls, and pubs will resound with the sights, sounds, and vibrant spirit of Celtic culture. For a full list- ing of all the free and ticketed events, visit their website at: www.celticfestvancouver.com MARCH/APRIL 2016 www.celtic-connection.com PAGE 13

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Irish Quotes I was elected by the women of Ireland, who instead of rocking the cradle, rocked the system. – Mary Robinson First female President of Ireland, b.1944 • I love scandals about other people, but scandals about myself don’t interest me. They have not got the charm of novelty. – Oscar Wilde ‘The Picture of Dorian Gray’ • Anyone acquainted with Ireland knows that the morning of St. Patrick’s Day consists of the night of the 17th, flavoured strongly with the morning of the 18th. – St. Patrick’s Day in the Morning ‘Ballyhooley’ by Robert J. Martin Late Nineteenth Century. • Ireland never was contented.../ Say you so? You are demented. / Ireland was contented when / All could use the sword and pen. / And when Tara rose so high / That her turrets split the sky,/ And about her courts were seen / Liveried angels robed in green, / Wearing by St. Patrick’s bounty, / Emeralds big as half the country. – The last Fruit Off an Old Tree Walter Savage Landor (1775-1864) • 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.) • For the great Gaels of Ireland Are the men that God made mad, for all their wars are merry, and all their songs are sad. – G. K. Chesterton (English born Gabonese Critic, Essayist, Novelist and Poet, 1874-1936) PAGE 14 www.celtic-connection.com MARCH/APRIL 2016

PagePage 44 NYC mayor to march in St. Pat’s parade after gay ban dropped NEW YORK – Mayor Bill de Blasio is “Finally, they can celebrate their herit- “We want this to be our most inclusive ending a two-year boycott of the na- age by marching in a parade that now parade ever,” said John Lahey, chair- tion’s largest St. Patrick’s Day parade represents progress and equality.” man of the parade. “We hope that it now that it has fully dropped its will bring New Yorkers from all back- longstanding ban on allowing gay and This year, more than 300 people will grounds together in a way that maybe lesbian groups to march under their own march under the banner of the Laven- our previous parades didn’t.” banners. der and Green Alliance, an Irish LGBT group that had worked for 25 years to Lahey, who also is the president of De Blasio, a first-term Democrat, told reverse the ban. Quinnipiac University, said that no the Associated Press on Wednesday, groups dropped out this year after the “Our hearts will be dancing,” said March 2 that for the first time he will decision to include the gay organizations, take part in the parade along Manhat- LGBT activist Brendan Fay. He gives though some had complained the pre- tan’s Fifth Avenue on St. Patrick’s Day, credit to de Blasio, who was the first vious year when OUT@NBCUniversal mayor in more than 20 years to refuse March 17. was allowed. to participate in the Manhattan parade, He skipped the parade in 2014, when saying his boycott put pressure on the But some longtime parade participants no gay groups were allowed to openly parade’s organizers to change their poli- condemned the changes. march, and he skipped again last year, cies. when only one small lesbian, gay, bi- “The mayor is a disgrace who bullied sexual and transgender group was per- A year ago, organizers allowed everyone to having the type of parade mitted. OUT@NBCUniversal, a gay organiza- that he wanted,” said Bill Donohue, of tion at NBC, which televises the fes- the Catholic League, who stopped “The St. Patrick’s Day parade is a New tivities, to participate, but de Blasio and marching a year ago over the decision York City tradition, but for years Irish several other elected officials said that to allow LGBT banners. LGBT New Yorkers could not show wasn’t enough and continued to abstain their pride,” de Blasio told the AP. from participating in the 255-year-old “They are making this just an Irish pa- rade, not a Catholic parade. It’s con- march. temptible.” MARCH/APRIL 2016 www.celtic-connection.com PAGE 15

PagePage 55 St. Patrick’s Day Parade: Vancouver CelticFest

VANCOUVER – CelticFest’s getic West Coast Fiddlers. jewel and most popular event, Look for the captivating antics of street the 12th Annual St. Patrick’s performers: The Green Man can be found delighting passersby in the Vil- Day parade livens up down- lage, and Academie Duello will be back town Vancouver on Sunday to showcase historical sword play in March 13, starting at 11 AM. action! Visiting villagers can shop at the Street The parade route flows along Howe Market for an array of Celtic treasures from Davie to Georgia Street drawing and the works of talented artisans, and thousands of spectators, many decked sample from a wide selection of food PHOTO: Derek Stevens Photography out in their own sartorial take on this and fare. grand Irish tradition. parade, the Celtic Village is the place to go. Throughout the March 12-13 weekend, They cheer on a couple thousand lively Tom Lee Music Hall on Granville Street parade participants: marching pipe and On the weekend of March 12-13, The hosts a series of fascinating (and, again, drum bands, Celtic music groups, acro- Celtic Village returns to Granville Street free) CelticFest Performances and bats, drill teams, Irish and Scottish youth between Robson & Nelson with music, Workshops. dance groups, and many others. dance, fun and frolic, food, along with some great shopping. Performances include: Royal Scottish Vancouver’s St. Patrick’s Day Parade Country Dance Society’s Demonstra- welcomes people of all backgrounds and This free street fair features perform- tion Team and the Eire Born Irish Danc- cultures to share in this special and fun ances by some of B.C.’s finest Celtic ers. Musicians and Celtic music event honouring Ireland’s patron saint. music groups on Doolin’s Music Stage appreciators alike will enjoy a series of at Granville and Robson. THE PARADE ROUTE informative and entertaining workshops: The St. Patrick’s Day Parade begins at Folks can hear the rich harmonies of Guitar Workshop with Tim Readman, Howe and Davie Streets at 11 AM and Blackthorn, the passionate, smoky vo- Flute Workshop with Michelle Carlisle, proceeds north on Howe to Georgia cals and Celtic-fuelled sounds of the Pat Bodhran Workshop with Blake Street, ending at Georgia and Granville Chessell Band, Nova Scotia’s Sarah Ann Williams, and a Fiddle Workshop with Streets. Chisholm, more than a pint of fervor Mairi Rankin. and charm from The Clanns, fiery young CELTIC VILLAGE For parade route map and street clo- folk quartet Elsay, Nova Scotia’s fid- sures, see the CelticFest website at The good times continue throughout the dle, singing, step-dancing sensation www.celticfestvancouver.com and the day on Sunday, March 13. After the Mairi Rankin, and the lively and ener- CelticFest Program Guide. PAGE 16 www.celtic-connection.com MARCH/APRIL 2016

Page 6 The poet Amergin’s invocation calls upon the spirit of Ireland MYSTERIOUS poem ascribed to Amergin, a Each of the sisters required Amergin to name the island after each of them, Milesian prince or druid who settled in Ire- which he did: Ériu is the origin of the land hundreds of years before Christ is re- modern name Éire, while Banba and corded in the Leabhar Gabhala or Book of In- Fódla are used as poetic names for Ire- A land, much as Albion is for Great Brit- vasions. ain. Douglas Hyde, author of The Story of The Milesians had to win the island by Early Gaelic Literature, writes “the engaging in battle with the three kings, three short pieces of verse ascribed to their druids and warriors. Amergin Amergin are certainly very ancient and acted as an impartial judge for the par- THE OKANAGAN Irish Society was formed in Kelowna, B.C. very strange. ties, setting the rules of engagement. in 1984 when a group of Irish residents reached out to others “But as the whole story of the Milesian The Milesians agreed to leave the is- who share a common Irish heritage or a common love for Irish Invasion is wrapped in mystery and is land and retreat a short distance back culture to talk about their experiences on this side of the world, quite possibly a rationalized account of into the ocean beyond the ninth wave, to participate in social events and to network with Irish expats, early Irish mythology, no faith can be a magical boundary. new arrivals and long time citizens of the Okanagan. placed in the alleged date or genuine- ness of Amergin’s verses. Upon a signal, they moved toward the beach, but the druids of the Tuatha Dé THE OKANAGAN IRISH SOCIETY “They are of interest because as Irish Danann raised a magical storm to keep tradition has them as being the first them from reaching land. verses made in Ireland, so it may very well be they actually do present the old- However, Amergin sang an invocation A warm Irish welcome est surviving lines of any vernacular calling upon the spirit of Ireland that has tongue in Europe except Greece.” come to be known as The Song of Amergin, and he was able to part the awaits you in B.C.’s The following poem attributed to storm and bring the ship safely to land. Amergin is widely believed to be the first poem ever recited in Ireland. There were heavy losses on all sides, with more than one major battle, but the Okanagan Valley THE SONG OF AMERGIN Milesians carried the day. I am the wind which breathes KELOWNA, B.C. – Let a few Irish- The musical group, Ceol na hEireann, upon the sea, The three kings of the Tuatha Dé men come together and in no time songs regularly performs at functions for the I am the wave of the ocean, Danann were each killed in single com- will be sung, dances will be danced, members as well as in the wider com- I am the murmur of the billows, bat by three of the surviving sons of good food will make its way to the ta- munity, especially during March when I am the ox of the seven combats, One of the seven sons of Míl Espáine, Míl: Éber Finn, Érimón and Amergin. ble, and even a wee drop of the spirits they offer concerts in various seniors’ I am the vulture upon the rocks, Amergin took part in the Milesian con- will be poured. residences as well as being the “flag- Amergin then divided the land between I am the beam of the sun, quest of Ireland from the Tuatha Dé ship” of the society in the broader com- his two brothers, Éber Finn taking the And when these events happen in the I am the fairest of plants, Danann. munity. southern half of Ireland, Érimón the Okanagan Valley in British Columbia’s I am the wild boar in valour, The attack was in revenge for their north. interior, you can be sure that the Irish traditional dance has been offered I am a salmon in the water, great-uncle Íth, who had been treach- Okanagan Irish Society is having a in the community for many years and I am a lake in the plain, erously killed by the three kings of the Within the year Érimón defeated Éber grand time. since 1999, the Blakey Okanagan I am a word of science, Tuatha Dé Danann, Mac Cuill, Mac Finn in battle and gained the kingship School of Irish Dance has given many The Okanagan Irish Society has been I am the point of the lance of battle, Cecht and Mac Gréine. of the whole island, and two years later young people the opportunity to excel I am the God who created killed Amergin in another battle. Local doing that officially every St. Patrick’s at their chosen art form. in the head the fire. They landed at the estuary of Inber tradition in Drogheda locates his burial- Day for more years than we care to Who is it who throws light Scéne, named after Amergin’s wife place under Millmount. admit. The school’s philosophy is to encour- into the meeting on the mountain? Scéne, who had died at sea. age and foster top-level Irish dancing Some of the early medieval Welsh po- The Okanagan Irish Society had its be- in a fun, healthy and challenging envi- Who announces the ages The three queens of the Tuatha Dé ginnings in 1984 when Father Charles of the moon? ems on mythological themes attributed ronment. Confidence, self-esteem, fit- Danann, (Banba, Ériu and Fódla), gave, to the Sixth Century poet Taliesin in the Mulvihill, now Monsignor Mulvihill, ness and poise are encouraged while Who teaches the place in turn, permission for Amergin and his shared a list of the Irish folk in Kelowna where couches the sun? Book of Taliesin have similarities to dancers learn both traditional and mod- people to settle in Ireland. those attributed to Amergin. with Ethna Tutt and suggested they get ern technique. (If not I) busy on the phone and call the people that they knew who were Irish to a din- Teamwork and team spirit are integral ner where the Irish could meet on a for their students, parents and teach- Free online access to treasure social basis for the first time. ers. The society they founded has contin- Should your travels take you into ued to meet its initial objectives, namely Kelowna you might want to check trove of Irish parish records to foster friendship between all who whether the Okanagan Irish Society has cherish the Irish ideal of friendship and an event on their calendar during your DUBLIN – Ten million historic Irish Joyce’s name is recorded in Latin as said Rhona Murray, family historian at companionship, to support and encour- stay. Catholic records dating from the Jacobus Augustinus Joyce, who was ancestry. age Irish music and dance, and be of Cromwellian era to the first World War, baptised on February 5, 1882. You can contact Bob (president) by e- “It is the single most important collec- assistance and support to their mem- including baptismal, marriage and death mail at: [email protected], or It also includes the baptismal record of tion for tracing Roman Catholic ances- bers in times of illness, need and be- records, will be available online free of Mairead (social convenor) by e-mail at: Sinn Féin founder, and president of Dáil tors in Ireland from the Seventeenth to reavement, all within the Canadian mo- charge throughout March. [email protected]. Éireann until August 1922, Arthur the early Twentieth Centuries,” said saic. The Catholic Parish Registers from Griffith. Also included is James Hoban Murray. The Okanagan Irish Society is a regis- We’d love to see you and make you 1655-1915 can be searched with ‘re- who designed the White House in tered non-profit society. very welcome. sults in seconds’. Washington. Ancestry is the world’s largest online family history resource, holding 17 bil- In English or Latin, the records are a Indexed from digital images created by lion records available to more than 2.2 mine of information for historians and the National Library of Ireland, the million paying subscribers. It has offices A PRAYER ON ST. PATRICK’S DAY those tracing family trees, such as Catholic Parish Registers 1655-1915 in six countries and employs approxi- One of the most powerful prayers attributed to St. Patrick is The Deer’s names, dates, family relationships, holds 373,000 images and files from mately 70 staff at its Irish office in Cry, also known as The Breastplate of St. Patrick and The Lorica. maiden names for mothers and wives, more than 1,000 parishes across the is- Dublin. even the names of godparents and wit- land and in excess of 3,500 registers. The following is an abbreviation of that prayer: Christ with me, Christ be- However, the free access is limited to nesses. fore me, Christ behind me, Christ in me, Christ beneath me, Christ above Handwritten information from the origi- March only. From April 1 the Ireland, me, Christ on my right, Christ on my left, Christ in breadth, Christ in length, A translation of frequently used Latin nal records has been transcribed so Catholic Parish Registers 1655-1915 Christ in height, Christ in the heart of every man who thinks of me, Christ in terms – which number, for example, the each name can be easily searched and collection can be accessed on a sub- the mouth of every man who speaks of me, Christ in every eye that sees baptismal certificate of James Joyce – accessed. scription basis only. Rates are from me, Christ in every ear that hears me. are translated on ancestry.ie. EU18 a month. “It makes searching so much easier,” MARCH/APRIL 2016 www.celtic-connection.com PAGE 17

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CELTIC MUSIC REVIEW

HELENA BYRNE Heritage Centre, Bunratty Castle & Scéal Folk Park, the National Leprechaun Museum and the Yarn Storytelling in The word Scéal in the Irish language County Wicklow. She also produces her means ‘story’ or’ news’. own storytelling events throughout Ire- Before there was radio or television in land. Ireland, the travelling minstrel or bard Scéal is a collection of her favourite brought the news from one neighbour- Irish stories and poems, gathered from hood or county to the next. various sources, including her own fam- They were given a warm welcome at ily and neighbours. each house, because everyone wanted The stories tell of leprechauns and to know the news. In fact, the greeting ing if we could stay up just a little longer trooping fairies, encounters with the from one neighbour to another was of- so as not to miss any of the story. ‘Other Folk’ during the festival of ten cén scéal? What’s the news? When I listened to Helena Byrne and Samhain, and poems inspired by these It’s not much different today, even with Scéal, I had the same feeling, I didn’t magical tales. radio, television, e-mail, smart phone, want the stories to end, each one was In Scéal, Helena Byrne wants the lis- or the internet, we all want to know more spellbinding than the last. tener to capture a piece of Ireland in what the news is. Helena Byrne is an Irish folklore story- times past. It illustrates the beliefs that I remember as a child having a neigh- teller and singer based in Dublin, Ire- our ancestors had in days gone by and bour or relative come to the house to land. She performs as a resident story- how those beliefs influenced their daily visit was always exciting because they teller for the Irish Folks Tours show ‘An lives. brought news and stories. evening of Food, Folklore & Fairies in You don’t have to be a child to enjoy Dublin’. Sometimes, the talk went on well into Scéal, just open your imagination and the night and my mother would say, In addition, she performs for compa- be transported to the ‘Other World.’ “children it’s time to go to bed school nies such as Dun Laoghaire/Rathdown Scéal is available online at tomorrow,” and I can remember ask- County Libraries, Dalkey Castle & www.helenabyrne.com. PAGE 18 www.celtic-connection.com MARCH/APRIL 2016 Bernard Ward left war-torn Belfast in 1975 and was shocked to find the first bar he entered in Vancouver had a sign reading ‘No Irish allowed’

ANCOUVER – Belfast-born, Bernard needed to go home, the association home and asked him what is happening Ward arrived in Vancouver on August would pay their fare. with these young people. Bernard recalls, “Our first fundraiser “They are the most wanted workers 28, 1975, at the height of ‘The Trou- for the association the group Killarney throughout the world because of their bles’ in Northern Ireland. played at a dance and we were able to education and engineering skills, and we raise $7,000. We helped four families can’t reach them here in Vancouver.” V that year. Pearse Ward, Bernard’s first sign he saw when he entered the But Bernard remains philosophical about brother, was already estab- hotel was, ‘no Irish allowed.’ “Later on we weren’t getting any calls the Irish condition. By TAMARA PASZTOR for help, so we turned VanErin into a lished in Vancouver and he Bernard said, “I was shocked and won- “The Irish in Vancouver have always dered where I had come to anyway. golf club with the understanding that if helped the family get settled. there were any calls for help the golf been fragmented, that’s why we could Then, I looked over and saw a sign that never get a proper Irish centre. said men on one door and women and club would help out.” In November that year, Bernard “Put three Irishmen in a room and the sent home for his wife Margaret escorts on the other door. I had never Next, he said, “We then started the Irish seen anything like that type of segre- first question that comes up is ‘when’s and their three sons Bernard, Centre on Prior Street, and that was gation before. something else.” the split?’. Kevin and Cormac. A daughter “Now, I shake my head and I under- Orlaith was born later in Canada. “So I looked at the barman and asked The premises was located in a house for a beer, and he asked what kind, I owned by Tommy Messick. stand why there was trouble in Ireland. In 1975, the Civil Rights marches had said an Irish beer. We can’t agree to disagree. BERNARD WARD started back home, there were riots “When we started the club first, a lot “He laughed and said, ‘oh I guess you of people asked us what we were do- “The youth today have left Ireland and the British Army occupied the six saw the sign’. ing,” said Bernard. which couldn’t provide for them, and counties. “It was a place to they’ve come here to make a good liv- “He went on to explain that the owner “They said the house was a dump and ing. Border crossings, checkstops and the had put the sign up some time ago and we agreed, but said it was a stepping streets were flash points. Unemploy- he had just neglected to take it down.” go where people stone to where we wanted to go. “The attitude is ‘please don’t talk to me ment was up, particularly in the Catho- about Ireland and its politics, because lic areas, and it wasn’t a safe place to Coming from Belfast, where sectarian could meet and you “It was a place to go where people we don’t want to know’. raise a family. discrimination was rife, Bernard was could meet and you wouldn’t believe shocked. the people we had through there....some “At the same time, it’s the youth in Ire- In our recent conversation, Bernard wouldn’t believe the characters and some famous people as land today who have put Sinn Fein said, “our house in Belfast was situated He said, “I was just one of five Catho- where they are now. lics out of a staff of 500 employees in well.” in Dermotthill, at the crossroads of people we had “The party has gained five seats, so they Whiterock and Springfield Road, up British Airways. Bernard has fond memories of those days. are making headway. From what I near Ballymurphy and Turf Lodge area. “People just don’t know how bad dis- through there....” gather, it’s mostly the young people in “It was a tough area where most of the crimination was for Catholics in North- “When we opened the doors, Danny and around Dublin who are voting for troubles were. We were most definitely ern Ireland. The establishment was Burns was playing music for us. Then, Sinn Fein. in the crosshairs of the conflict. mostly Loyalists and they employed along came Sean and Annie Byrne. their own. “When I went in to the office, Derek “This is very strange to me because for Crow, asked me why I hadn’t been to They were the resident band for years, “We lived on the side of a mountain and and I was the MC. the longest time Sinn Fein had a bad up above us there was a road that lead “I was very fortunate to meet a man work. name and the IRA that didn’t help that.” called Derek Crow with British Air- down to the Shankill Road. “I told him that I had been let go and he “Jack Webster, the well-known radio ways who was building new corporate personality, used to come to the club. Bernard has a very different perspec- “That’s where the Loyalists came up offices in downtown Belfast. was incredulous, He called head office tive. and had me put back on the payroll. The Fury Brothers, Paddy Reilly, and and were shooting down onto Tom Byrne doing the works of Robert He says, “I come from a nationalist fam- Dermotthill. When the British Army “It just happened that I was working as a carpenter in a shop next door. “This was not a popular decision with Service, and the clairvoyant, James ily. My grandfather played in the All came into Belfast to take down the bar- Mr. Brown and each time a higher po- Young.” Ireland in 1911, my father played for ricades, they came up that way and “That was in 1964, the same time that sition in the company would come up, I The Irish Centre closed down in 1991 Antrim in 1945, and the four of us in down through Dermotthill to get across Sinn Fein was allowed in the elections. would apply, but never got the job. my family all played for Antrim. My sis- into Ballymurphy and Turf Lodge. because there were complaints from the “The contractor building the offices was “I continued to work as a baggage han- neighbours about the noise. ters taught Irish dancing so we were “At that time, I was working for British from England. The troubles really dler for 10 years, until the time I came brought up with a nationalist idea. “The police told us we really would Airways and with the conflict around started in 1964 and that’s when Ian to Canada.” “We were never brought up to disre- us, a bomb scare to the house, and a Paisley wanted the tricolour flag taken have to do something, so we had no Shortly after arriving in Vancouver, choice but to close the doors. spect Protestants or other religions. bullet sent to us in the mail, I knew it down from the Sinn Fein office win- And, if you read about our history, most was time to get out.” dow and that started a riot. Bernard wasted no time in getting in- volved with Gaelic football, since his “You know, it was just an era in Van- nationalists were all Presbyterians. couver. But the one thing I can say is a The family home was sold at a big loss “When that happened, the contractors brother Pearse and Eamon were al- “When I talk to the youth here today, because buyers were able to take ad- that were working on the British Air- ready playing on a team. lot of people came through those doors, and it was the characters that made the they say, ‘well that’s not the way we vantage of the situation, but Bernard ways offices all left Belfast and Crow see it’. said they had already made their mind had no one to finish the offices with a “In 1981, there were 33,000 Irish fami- Irish Centre.” to leave anyway. big grand opening planned in four lies living in British Columbia, accord- “I don’t think they’re interested in their ing to the census,” said Bernard. In the past few years, because of the weeks. economic collapse in Ireland, there has history. They say the only true Irish his- When Margaret and the three boys ar- tory is in Boston College.” rived at Vancouver international airport, “Derek Crow came next door to see “We started a seven-a-side tournament been a big surge in the influx of Irish Bernard said his son Kevin came run- me and asked if I could get a crew to- every weekend with the football as immigrants to Canada. Bernard said he was raised to have an there was no hurling then. ning up to meet him and said, “Dad I gether and help him to get the offices Bernard Ward spoke about some of the open mind but he finds many books was a good boy while you were away.” finished in time for the opening. “Tom Gibbons and I were both hurlers differences he perceives between his about Irish history filled with discrep- and we used to bring our hurleys to the generation and the new generation of ancies, even Gerry Adams’ book Be- So Bernard asked him what he did and “It was a big job and we had to work fore the Dawn. he replied, “I threw Cormac down in night and day to complete it. park and just knock about ourselves. Irish coming to Canada. the hedge and laid on top of him be- “I was telling Tom how our club, Patrick “Most of the Irish coming to Vancou- Bernard Ward is the chairman for the cause the British troops were coming “During the course of the job, Derek 100th Anniversary of the Easter Rising, Crow asked me if I would like a job in Sarsfield’s in Belfast, used to go to ver now are from the south of Ireland,” down the road.” Dublin for the All Ireland games. he said, “and these young people are 1916-2016 Commemoration Banquet in British Airways. Of course, I jumped Vancouver. Any doubts Bernard might have har- at the offer since I would be making “We would make arrangements with now travelling the world looking for boured about leaving home were swept double the money. someone from Waterford to bring the work.” At the group’s initial meeting, he said away with his son’s statement. everyone must leave their politics at “I started with the understanding that hurling sticks to Dublin and we would But, he finds it a challenge to connect bring them back to Belfast with us.” with this new generation. home. The 1916 Easter Rising was a He said, “When I heard that, I knew this was a permanent job, and when I key moment on Ireland’s path to inde- most definitely that I had done the right started at British Airways this was the Bernard said he was astounded to learn “I’ve tried to make contact with the pendence and that is what is being cel- thing in removing my family from that first time I experienced discrimination that the man who made their hurling new Irish and I have found it very diffi- ebrated. continual danger.” at a high level. sticks was Tom Gibbons’ grandfather. cult. The banquet will take place at the Hilton A week after Bernard arrived in Van- “I was then interviewed by a Mr. In 1979, a group of local Irish got to- “Once you mention ‘The Troubles’ or Hotel Metrotown in Burnaby on Satur- couver, he decided to take a walk around Brown, who asked me if I realized my gether and formed the VanErin Be- anything to do with Sinn Fein, or any- day, April 23. There may be a few tick- to see the city and familiarize himself job was temporary, I told him that was nevolent Association. thing to do with nationalism, they don’t ets still available. with his new surroundings. not what I was given to understand. want to know. I’m wondering what this The purpose was to help any Irish per- For more information, call Bernard is all about. He dropped into a hotel, situated at the “Anyway, at the end of six months, I sons who may have trouble at home Ward at (604) 218-7524, or George corner of Gore and Hastings and the was given a pink slip. such as a death in the family. If they “I spoke with my brother-in-law back McDonnell at (604) 948-2885. MARCH/APRIL 2016 www.celtic-connection.com PAGE 19 A warm welcome for all new Irish at the Irish Club of White Rock WHITE ROCK, B.C. – The Irish Club Entertainment at the dinner dance will of White Rock is a social club, promot- be provided by Scoil Rince De Danaan ing Irish culture and friendship, extends (school of Irish Dance) and Brian a warm hand of welcome to all new Nichols. Reservations are required, so Irish coming into the area. please phone Deirdre O’Ruairc at (604) 803-0773 for tickets and details. Following the club’s recent annual gen- eral meeting and election of a 2016 ex- The Fraser Gaels will hold an exhibi- ecutive, new president Sharon Woods tion match on Saturday, March 26 at 3 (Co. Galway) announced that a great PM at Bayside Rugby Field – Softball year has been organized. City South Surrey, followed by burger and beer at Jimmy Flynn’s Celtic Snug THE NEW 2016 executive of the Irish Club of White Rock: (L- The White Rock Irish Festival will run Southpoint. from February 28 to March 31 with R) Cheryl Jorgensen, Sharon Woods [president], Kathleen something Irish held almost every day A pub quiz and social will be held in Pedersen, James Woods, Claire O’Connor, Deirdre O’Ruairc, – amazing for such a small city. April followed by a wind-up party in Robbie Greville, Vinnie Crowley. June and summer picnic at Peace Arch Check out the website for the full de- Park. tail of events at: www.cityofwhiterock.ca For more details, visit the club’s website This is a very special year for the Irish, th th at: www.irishclubofwhiterock.com or The highlight for the club is the 20 celebrating the 100 anniversary of the see their Facebook page. annual St. Patrick’s dinner dance on Sat- 1916 rising – which was the beginning urday, March 12 at 6 PM. of the road to independence for Ireland. For more information on Irish Week 2014 Irish language scholar in Seattle, visit seeks students in Vancouver www.irishweek.org VANCOUVER – I address guage teaching to one or more of their these words by way of intro- programmes. duction to the city of Vancou- A further dimension to the case that will be made for teaching Irish here will in- ver, and to its outlying catch- volve a reference to the sheer volume ment areas. of recent Irish emigrants to Vancouver. Canada I knew from two years of Never in Canada have I heard as many EVEN the statues are dressed PAT CHESSELL provided en- learning (Québec) French in the city Irish accents as I have heard when or- and ready for the month-long tertainment at the launch of the dering coffees and brunches and the like White Rock Irish Festival. White Rock Irish Festival. of Montréal which I loved and where I right here in Van City. also loved teaching Irish (Gaelic) in Concordia University’s School of Ca- Most of them know much more Irish nadian Irish Studies. than they realise, and many of them have long since realised that they do I was distraught at having to leave in speak the language. September 2014, but somewhat con- soled with getting to begin a Phd in Irish There are also native speakers in the folklore in Limerick’s Mary Immacu- city. I have encountered representa- late College immediately upon my re- By SEAGHAN tives of all such breeds, as well as one turn to Ireland. of the hopefully dwindling members of MAC AN TSIONNAIGH the Irish nation as still retain this old- I didn’t really need to be distraught as I fashioned idea that speaking Irish is “a knew I wouldn’t be long away from I have until now written to around 40 waste of money,” etc. Montréal, and a few weeks ago, I made schools of various levels bearing my the most of a brief layover in the city. One Irish-born primary school teacher, message of Irish language instruction, now working in education here in Van- I had only just gotten re-acclimatised and interestingly, French-medium École couver, scoffed at the idea of teaching to -20 conditions and a frozen beard Secondaire Jules-Vernes in Richmond a “dead language” as I revealed what when I once more had to set off, and is one of only two schools to have re- had brought me so far west. for further west than Ontario for the sponded, and the welcome I was af- first time. forded over my three sessions there But luckily I can end this letter of intro- were nothing short of génial. duction on a much more interesting and In Vancouver, the weather with fre- more positive note: Hours after having quent rain showers is akin to the Irish The bilingual Canadian youth proved arrived in the city, a Dublin-born pri- climate in a manner which is more en- most enthusiastic about the idea of a mary school teacher immediately and dearing than my native penchant for bilingual Ireland which has as late as seamlessly switched to fluent Irish as grumbling would normally concede. the Twenty-First Century preserved as she assigned me to my seat in the down- a spoken language the ancient tongue town restaurant where she now works. My gaff is in New Westminster, the of the Gaels whose linguistic existence most English of place names of prob- theoretically extends as far back as the The Irish language could easily have ably the most British of provinces. Eighth Century B.C. (for Before Christ become “a dead language” as so many people like to suggest with so little foun- I’ve been able to come back thanks to – and not for British Columbia). dation and too much conviction, but the one of the newest of the ambitious un- Some of the kids even had previous fact that a Kilkenny man can travel so dertakings of the venerable Ireland self-imparted knowledge of my favour- far from home, and be waited on as Canada University Foundation. The ite language to teach and to speak. Gaelainn by a Dublin woman, in his undertaking? Also to have benefitted from my unfor- first interaction with a human in Van- To accord to the Irish language the hon- tunately too temporary stay here in the couver, I think, speaks volumes about our of being taught university level in city is St. Augustine’s School in the current state of the Irish language British Columbia. Kitsilano, where we spoke of Naomh and the Irish nation. To this end, I will spend my six weeks Pádraig and sang a song about a fox So, there you go, two socio-linguistic sto- generating enthusiasm for the language (the animal that features in my surname ries, one positive and one negative. through teaching Irish language classes, – Mac an tSionnaigh – “Son of the or how that language figures in the his- Fox”), and played a couple of reels for The protaganists of both stories, I think, tory of its nation, and these classes can the kids who clapped their hands in would benefit from the presence of an happen in primary or secondary school, rhythmic approval of our efforts. Irish language professor in Vancouver. in university or in coffee shops. Such demonstrations of support from If you want to help, or just say conas I am quite open to any suggestions, the local population will be useful addi- tá, please don’t hesitate to get in con- whether these suggestions come from tions to the portfolio that the ICUF will tact with me at s.macantsionnaigh present to such B.C. universities as @gmail.com or +353-87-2317-671. I’m educational institutions, forms of media, rd or family homes. show interest in incorporating Irish lan- here until the 3 of April. PAGE 20 www.celtic-connection.com MARCH/APRIL 2016 A Wonderful Christmas Visit to New York City

keep an eye and listening to wonderful jazz, a seat was always welcome, and this is prime on my bucket people watching ground. Again, Bryant list, and now Park could only happen in New York. more so than I bought a ticket to see the play The I By Curious Incidence of the Dog in the ever since I MARIE Night – an interesting play and sold out. have reached the vener- BRUCE Because the Lincoln Centre was so able age of 72. close, I got a ticket (not a good seat) became a very important part of the trip. for the Nutcracker. It was an eye- Airports and long flights are mis- I had breakfast there every morning and opener to observe the patrons all dropped in some evenings to have a dressed in their finery, especially the erable and I am a solo traveller, quick bite and a glass of wine before I children. so I have to pick and choose. went to the theatre. Another night I went to Carnegie Hall I had an opportunity this Decem- Yes, wine – Whole Foods in New York to hear the Vienna Boys choir. Again, I serve wine and beer in a cute little cafe- had a cheap seat, but the sound was ber to revisit New York City and amazing...and I could say I went to this was within my reach, however style restaurant with long wooden ta- bles. Carnegie Hall. I hadn’t reckoned on the sinking Sunday morning, in bright sunshine, I CAD, and the cost of hotels in per- It was perfect for solo eating, and it became my second home. walked down to St. Patrick’s Cathe- haps the most expensive city in the dral for Mass. On the first day’s sightseeing, as I world. December is also high sea- I felt I was in Rome. Archbishop Dolan son in New York. headed up to the Metropolitan, the Frick and the Neue Galleries, I walked and several other church hierarchy New York, New York is one of those through Central Park wearing my puffy were present and the occasion was the start of the Holy Year and the opening cities that conjures in the mind a place coat and hiking boots. of the “Holy Door.” WRITER Marie Bruce is pictured in New York City on the iconic endlessly fascinating. I almost expired from the heat and had to carry the coat for the whole day. The The choir was wonderful and the church Grand Central Station staircase. A city built when America was young packed. with a pioneer spirit and a “daring do” weather was mid-teens, bright and attitude which must account for the at- sunny. I spent a couple of hours at The Met- mosphere and energy on the streets. My visit to the Neue Gallery was to see ropolitan Museum of Art gallery, and the Klimt painting of “the Lady in then joined the throngs to see the fa- It is packed with great galleries, thea- mous tree at the Rockefeller Centre. tres, excellent shopping and all the lat- Gold.” est trends – everyone loves New York. This small Austrian gallery was enjoy- Another New York landmark at Christ- ing fame and fortune from the movie, mas, it was jammed with tourists, live It is even more than that because it is music, jugglers and food. easy to get around, everyone speaks and I joined a line-up to get a ticket. English, it is fairly compact and safe and I booked a ticket for the same day There was only one night I admitted New Yorkers are very friendly and help- Christmas show at Radio City Music defeat and went for an early Whole ful. Hall. Foods dinner and bed by 9 PM. My feet complained, and I was tired. So, with all these images swirling around It was wonderful and I just wish I had in my head, I booked my ticket and ho- my grandson Callum with me, such I fretted about getting to and from the tel. magic should be shared. airport and on the morning I was leav- ing. I had to be at LaGuardia for a 7:30 NEW YORK, New York is one of those cities that conjures in New York requires stamina, and despite I got the Metro down to the World Trade AM flight. the mind a place endlessly fascinating. a very good transport system it really is Memorial, it was important for me to a walking holiday. Walking in galleries, My hotel advised me to walk outside at pay homage at the site. It was low Cab appeared and we were at the I had the bonus of sunny weather and walking to find transport, walking all the 5:30 AM, and assured me getting a taxi uncrowded and very moving. airport in 20 minutes. the Christmas atmosphere and a very time. Comfortable walking shoes are would be easy. vibrant theatre scene, but any time, ex- essential. I walked down Fifth Avenue just to see I was a bit skeptical, but sure enough, I loved my time in New York City and cept high summer, would be a fine time the stunning decorations at the big de- only tipped the iceberg on what is avail- I love big cities in the winter. The test just a few steps from my hotel, a Yel- to visit. partment stores – what creativity and able to see and do. of a vibrant city is how much it offers imagination – many based on non-tra- the travellers in bad weather and short ditional themes like Star Wars. evenings. Of course, I went into Macy’s. Christ- I mentioned New York is one of the mas, New York and Macy’s are all most expensive cities in the world. One linked together and I was not disap- just has to bite the bullet and go ahead. pointed. Enda Kenny will travel I booked my trip to arrive on Decem- The glittering displays and decorations ber 12 – close to Christmas when I were a bit overwhelming, particularly knew New York would be all decked since I am not a shopper, but I did enjoy to Washington to attend out and very busy. the atmosphere and the buzz. I wore a puffy coat as I was expecting At Bergdorf Goodman in the shoe de- cold weather, even a blizzard. I also had partment, I was offered a glass of St. Patrick’s Day events several walking type shoes and a pair Prosecco – how civilized – and I didn’t of boots. buy any shoes. DUBLIN – It has been con- will include a meeting with President “We [Sinn Féin] haven’t discussed I flew into LaGuardia and arrived late Grand Central Station was on my list Barack Obama at the White House. this in any detail but I’m sure people firmed that Taoiseach Enda will be a bit offended if they see in the evening. Once I collected my and someone on the Metro mentioned Tánaiste Joan Burton is expected to case and went outside to arrivals, it was they had a Christmas market there at Kenny will travel to Washing- somebody traipsing off as a minis- travel but the destination has yet to be ter when indeed they were rejected simplicity itself to get a taxi. the weekends. I went down on a Sat- ton D.C. for St. Patrick’s Day, confirmed. urday morning. at the polls. Now I’m not personal- I discussed the fare and it seemed very even if a new government Earlier Sinn Féin leader Gerry Adams ising that. That’s just the reality of reasonable. My taxi driver was from Well done Jackie Kennedy for saving isn’t formed by then. said he believed that Kenny should still that. Yemen and chatted about his life and this iconic and beautiful building. It was travel for St. Patrick’s Day but that how easy it was to reinvent himself in buzzing with holiday crafts and foods While Kenny will travel to the U.S. capi- “So the short answer to that is, yes there is a “question mark” over whether certainly the taoiseach but a ques- New York. and good cheer. tal, the number of ministers going abroad other ministers should go abroad. as part of the annual promotion of Irish tion mark over the rest of them.” I was dropped outside my hotel in un- I had one of those happy accidents business, culture and tourism will be Adams said there was “an option for der 30 minutes. when I stumbled into the Campbell Adams is travelling to Washington “curtailed.” them not to go around the world. In the and New York himself. Apartment cocktail bar on the balcony. past we’ve been represented very well I had a fancy address in the upper west A government spokesman confirmed side YMCA and one block from Whole Later, I found out it is one of the iconic by ambassadors and consulates. “We always do that and the diaspora that ministers that lost their seats will expects that,” he said but added that Foods off Columbia Circle and a cou- bars in New York. A wonderful atmos- not travel but could not say how many “I think there is an argument for the ple of streets down from Lincoln Cen- pheric place for a much needed cock- it will not be at the taxpayer’s ex- other cabinet members will go abroad. taoiseach, even though he might not pense. tre. tail, but space is limited. have the mandate, to represent the It has been confirmed that Kenny’s visit I mention this because Whole Foods I sat in Bryant Park drinking a coffee State. MARCH/APRIL 2016 www.celtic-connection.com PAGE 21 Father Jack actor Frank Kelly dies DUBLIN – Frank Kelly (77), was It aired over three series between 1995 the feisty parody of a drunken and 1998 and won a string of BAFTA priest whose role lampooning Ca- awards. tholicism helped make the series Father Jack was an alcoholic and at a massive hit at home and abroad. times violent clergyman who made no attempt to mask his contempt for his He is remembered as a distinguished fellow priests. One of his defining actor who spent 60 years on screen and quotes was “Drink! Feck! Arse! Girls!” stage. Father Ted Crilly (Dermot Morgan), Last November he revealed that he had Father Dougal McGuire (Ardal been diagnosed with Parkinson’s dis- O’Hanlon) and Mrs. Doyle (Pauline ease and died exactly 18 years after McLynn) were shown to be generally his Father Ted co-star Dermot Morgan. tolerant of his drunken antics. As well as appearing on the Channel 4 Irish president Michael D. Higgins said sitcom, he had more recent roles in it was with great sadness that he learnt Emmerdale and Mrs Brown’s Boys of the death of Kelly. D’Movie. “He will forever be remembered for his But he is best known for playing the roles in the theatre and will be recalled irreverent and foul-mouthed priest Fa- with great affection and fondness for ther Jack Hackett. his roles on television. ACTOR Frank Kelly has died The program about three priests and “To his wife Bairbre and his family I age 77. He is pictured above their housekeeper living on the fictional send deepest sympathy; for theirs is the in character for his role as Fa- Craggy Island, somewhere off Ireland’s greatest loss of such a great and loving ther Jack in the critically ac- west coast, attracted huge audiences person. Sabina and I were privileged to claimed sitcom Father Ted. in Ireland, Britain and abroad. have him as a friend.” Alleged ex-IRA chief jailed for tax evasion but protests innocence DUBLIN – Alleged former IRA leader In 2008, Frank and his wife, Judy, also Thomas ‘Slab’ Murphy was behind bars settled a case taken against them by for the first time on Friday, February the Serious Organised Crime Agency 26. in the UK for £450,000, relating to their equity in nine properties in the north After being jailed for 18 months for tax west of England. evasion by the Irish courts, the bach- elor farmer and self-confessed repub- That same year, the three Murphy lican protested his innocence, claimed brothers, Thomas, Patrick and Frank, he was a victim and denied being at the agreed to relinquish the EU630,000 head of a property empire. (£500,000) seized by CAB in the hay shed to the Irish State. The 66-year-old was found guilty of nine charges at the high security Spe- They reached a separate settlement cial Criminal Court in Dublin. with the Revenue Commissioners, be- lieved to be in the region of £780,000. Murphy, from Ballybinaby, THOMAS ‘SLAB’ MURPHY Hackballscross, Co. Louth, was found During his trial for tax evasion, ‘Slab’ to owe the Irish exchequer taxes, pen- freeze Murphy’s assets to recover the Murphy claimed that whatever tax li- alties and interest of almost EU190,000 £150,000 he still owes in taxes. ability he might have had been included (£147,000) for tax dodging from 1996- in his brothers’ settlement with the The fortune he allegedly amassed 2004. State. However, the Special Criminal through fuel laundering and smuggling Court judges did not buy that. In a statement from a prison cell the pigs, cattle, grain and cigarettes has been alleged Provo chief said he would ap- estimated by the BBC’s Underworld Despite relinquishing £500,000 to the peal and criticized investigations into Rich List at between £35 million and State, ‘Slab’ Murphy had enough wealth him, the trial and the media. £40 million. left over to fund a lengthy legal chal- lenge to his prosecution for tax of- Some of that was allegedly accrued “I am an Irish Republican and have fences, taking his case all the way to through the EU subsidies merry-go- been all my life,” Murphy said. the Supreme Court. Those legal fees round by repeatedly moving animals are estimated to have run to six figures. “For many years now I have been the across the border to avail of the Brus- subject of serial, prejudicial and wholly sels benefits. The legal fees he incurred in his crimi- inaccurate commentary and media cov- nal prosecution are also significant. He Two of Murphy’s closest associates are erage. There have also been repeated was not granted legal aid. He pleaded assertions that I have amassed proper- also under investigation by CAB over not guilty and the trial ran for 32 days. ties and wealth. suspected oil laundering activities. They are now being assessed for what is ex- He has also footed the bill for the enor- “This is utterly untrue. I do not own any pected to be a massive tax demand by mous legal costs arising from his failed property at all and I have no savings.” CAB. libel action against the Sunday Times, that identified him as the IRA godfa- Analysts have drawn parallels between Gardai suspect that Murphy was linked ther in South Armagh responsible for Murphy’s prosecution for tax fraud with to property portfolios in England, Bul- directing a series of bomb attacks. the case of Chicago crime boss Al garia and Dubai but were unable to find Capone, who likewise avoided convic- enough evidence to seize them. A Dublin jury in 1987 rejected his suit tion for his gang’s many killings but and judges ordered him to pay the news- Murphy was presented with a £4.2 mil- couldn’t account for his wealth. paper’s legal costs. He also lost a 1998 lion tax demand by CAB following raids appeal during which two former IRA Until now, Murphy has been arrested in 2005. At first he ignored the demand, members described their meetings with several times but has never been suc- and then refused to engage with offic- him as a member of the IRA’s seven- cessfully prosecuted for any crime. ers at CAB. Only in recent years, did man Army Council. Murphy’s farm straddles the border of he begin to interact with the agency. One, Sean O’Callaghan, still lives to- Northern Ireland and the Republic of CAB has so far failed to find his sup- day in hiding under IRA death threat. Ireland and an escape tunnel runs be- posed fortune. Forensic financial inves- The other, Eamon Collins, tried to live neath the property. tigators trawled through a warren of openly and without security near South bank accounts in Ireland, the UK and He admitted he filed no tax returns in Armagh and was beaten to death in the continent but were unable to link either country in 1996- 2004, but claimed January 1999. A spike was driven into funds back to him. to have no declarable income as family his face. members handled all business affairs. CAB and its counterpart, ARA, also Murphy could have faced up to five failed to find any evidence linking ‘Slab’ However, Criminal Assets Bureau years in prison for the tax evasion, but Murphy to the 250 properties in the UK. (CAB) has not yet finished with the man judges said they had taken his age and Some of the properties were owned by reputed to be worth more than £35 mil- lack of a criminal record into account. lion. The agency plans to hunt down and ‘Slab’s’ brother, Frank. PAGE 22 www.celtic-connection.com MARCH/APRIL 2016 Ireland faces long political limbo following general election uncertainty DUBLIN – Ireland will celebrate the With just a clutch of seats to be decided, A massive voter schism comes amid 1916 centenary of the Easter Rising the two main political parties are com- national celebrations of the 1916 rebel- without a government, former taoiseach ing under intense pressure to set aside lion, a seminal moment in Irish history Bertie Ahern has forecast. their age-old enmity and forge an un- which ultimately led to partition and the precedented alliance as confusion reigns creation of both the Republic of Ireland Political leaders are scrambling to find about the way forward. and Northern Ireland. allies to form a new administration af- ter one of the most indecisive general But ex-Fianna Fáil leader Ahern ruled The rising was followed by a bitter civil election outcomes of recent times on out his party entering a coalition with war, with the South’s two main parties February 26. arch-rivals Fine Gael, predicting a mi- being born out of the opposing sides. nority government which will not be The general election saw a huge anti- agreed upon for at least another month. Despite pressure mounting on the pair establishment vote, reflected in the large to come together to form a “grand coa- number of Independents who secured “There is no way, in my view, that this lition” that would restore stability, Ahern seats, thereby denying traditional par- is going to be resolved before Easter. said a union was unlikely to work. ties places in the Dáil. People can forget that,” he said. “It’ll come down to a combination, that What’s the Debate Around

the 2016 Irish General Election? TAOISEACH Enda Kenny, leader of the Fine Gael party, fol- In the run up to the general THE VIEW FROM lodged an official complaint to the Garda lowing one of the most indecisive general election outcomes of election on February 26 in Ire- Commissioner. recent times. land, the following issues IRELAND Resistance to PEGIDA has not had a good start in Ireland. We have much to there are a group of parties, maybe two tory. Fine Gael had a deeply disappoint- have not formed part of the learn from the way in which PEGIDA parties, but a group of parties who are ing election, losing much more support pre-election debate, but marches are handled in German cities. prepared to support a taoiseach. I think than it had expected. that will happen,” he said. should: Given that the German example is there Sinn Féin made gains but on nothing like already, we could do with some analy- “That government will be a minority the scale it had anticipated, while the 1) Ireland today prides itself on sis of it. government clearly because it won’t Independents and most of the smaller openness and liberality: Last May By have the numbers but it’ll have suffi- parties made the gains the polls were 6) This election may well return the cient support from outside.” forecasting. we became the first country in the MAURICE largest number of Independent TDs in world to adopt gay marriage by na- FITZPATRICK our history; they may even hold the bal- He also ruled out the prospect of a re- Taoiseach Enda Kenny is meeting his tional plebiscite. ance of power in the government. run of the election. “Politicians are ex- party leadership while Fianna Fáil chief hausted, they’ve spent a lot of money, Micheál Martin has opened talks with If such liberality is to be cultivated, free ently absent in Ireland just now, despite Their attempts to coalesce into groups the potential tectonic shift in Britain. their workers have taken leave, they his own stalwarts about their limited op- debate must be jealously guarded, above have been flailing so far (and, in any won’t want a 2016 election,” he said. tions. all in our universities. 3) In an almost unprecedented move case, that is dilution of independence). late last year, Taoiseach Enda Kenny But the Independents’ policies are oc- The big election winner was Fianna Fáil. Sinn Féin leader Gerry Adams said it Instead, it is being thrown overboard The party has come back from the near- did not look like his party had the num- like a useless commodity. invited the Irish abroad, presumably the casionally novel and merit proper atten- newly emigrated ones in particular, to tion. death experience of 2011 to more than bers to enter government but would Consider, for example, that at Univer- repatriate. double its number of seats and come continue talks with other like-minded sity College Galway the speech of a 7) And finally: “You have to mark an within just one percentage point of Fine factions and Independents. guest speaker, Professor Alan Johnson, One of the motions tabled at the time, event like this,” said Lenny Gael in the share of the vote. which is still a far cry from becoming Abrahamson wielding a Magnum bot- “Whether in opposition or in government editor of Fathom, who questioned the The big loser was the Labour Party, we will stick by our mandate to con- policy of Boycott, Divestment and Sanc- legislation, is that returnees would be tle of champagne, before letting a tra- awarded a tax incentive to move back. jectory of the bubbly rip. which was almost wiped out in the tinue to push the process of change tions against Israel, was drowned out worst election performance in its his- which is under way,” he added. in verbal abuse in March 2014. How divisive would such legislation be He was right. And many more of us And from this September, students who and when might it be implemented? should join in marking what could well live in residence at Trinity College Dub- become an epochal moment in Irish cin- 4) Earlier this month, the President of ema. lin will be given no choice in attending Ireland, Michael D. Higgins, asserted “sexual consent workshops.” the need for a genuine examination of Abrahamson was referring to the fact Thousands move to Learning about consent is mandatory? the social ‘floor’ beneath which no citi- that his film, Room, was nominated for At the Trinity College Dublin that I re- zen of the Republic should be forced to four Oscars at the Academy Awards. cancel payments for member such an Orwellian stricture live. Abrahamson has called for more gov- would have been laughed at rather than Nothing new there: President Higgins ernmental investment in Irish film. obeyed. has repeatedly spoken of the debilitat- With the flow of films of this calibre water charges Last April Queen’s University Belfast ing effect of inequality as a travesty of thickening, his point is incontrovertible truly republican values. DUBLIN – Thousands of families are It has already ruled out any question of shut down a conference about the mas- (and it links to a broader argument about set to cancel their water payments as refunds for the 928,000 Irish household- sacre of the Charlie Hebdo journalists, This time, however, he went further. He the need to reverse disinvestment in Irish the charges are expected to be abol- ers who paid their bills, though a form stating that students’ security was at juxtaposed the emphasis on tax cuts for Arts). ished. of tax or utility credit is being examined risk. (The decision was reversed after the rich on offer in the electioneering The debate that Abrahamson sought to as potential compensation. vigorous protest). campaign with the rising inequality in As refunds are ruled out for those who trigger is important and it deserves a obeyed the law and paid up, Irish Wa- But party leader Micheál Martin has In all of the above instances, students our society, since tax cuts form the main wide response. carrot on offer to voters for the present ter is now inundated with calls from contradicted his own environment and staff on our campuses, which householders. spokesman, in saying water charges are should inspire free speech rather than government. Whatever happens between now and election day, and whatever the outcome not a “red line issue” for future coali- root it out, might remember Benjamin Little debate on the subject ensued, An average Irish household of two tion talks. Franklin’s dictum: “Those who would of the subsequent coalition negotiations adults and two children, with a mains except on Tonight with Vincent will be, we do know this. give up essential liberty, to purchase a Browne. water supply and their own septic tank, Meanwhile, even left-wing TDs are also little temporary safety, deserve neither Whoever will be taoiseach at the first has paid EU97.43 so far. split on whether bill-payers should get liberty nor safety.” 5) On Saturday February 6, a group of meeting of the 32nd Dáil Éireann on a refund if Irish Water is abolished. protesters were violently repulsed by The cancellations began after Fine Gael 2) Brexit (British exit from the Euro- March 10 will be in an infinitely better minister Simon Coveney suggested Clare Daly said she does not think the Garda Síochána on O’Connell Street position to govern than the taoiseach pean Union) is now a real prospect, with in Dublin. water will feature in government coali- homeowners who paid water charges the British electorate tilting towards a appointed in the last general election of tion talks following the election. should get their money back. The So- They were protesting a new Irish mani- 2011. cialist Party TD denied she was saying “yes” vote. The Agriculture Minister has apologised festation of PEGIDA (an acronym from Back then, the country was vassal state ‘tough’ to hard-pressed families. The referendum in Britain will be held the German which translates as “Patri- to party colleagues for speaking too on June 23 of this year and if Britons of the International Monetary Fund and loosely but the spectacular gaffe has “It was a legally levied charge. Those otic Europeans Against the Islamisation the most cogent option available to opt to leave the EU, that would have of the West”). damaged his leadership ambitions. who chose to pay, that’s fine,” she said. considerable impact on Scotland and swathes of young people was to emi- Some of the protesters where obstrep- grate. He came under fire at the Fine Gael The Anti-Austerity Alliance People Northern Ireland, other parts of the parliamentary party meeting for spark- Before Profit’s Paul Murphy did not UK’s jurisdiction. erous and provoked the police, but not Things have improved considerably and, all. ing confusion among voters. agree with Daly. The Dublin South- though you will seldom hear it from West TD said people who paid should The debate on the re-integration of the The issue of water formed a signifi- North of Ireland with the South is sali- The Garda Síochána batonned an RTE media commentators, the glass is defi- get a refund as his party “clearly laid television cameraman and RTE has nitely half full. cant part of the Fianna Fáil meeting. out in its manifesto.” MARCH/APRIL 2016 www.celtic-connection.com PAGE 23 One of the biggest gangland funerals in Irish history brings Dublin to a halt DUBLIN – The Irish underworld turned out in force for the funeral of a Dublin gangster executed at a boxing match weigh-in on Friday, February 5. Dozens of armed police led the huge security operation on a tense day in Dublin for one of the biggest gangland funerals in Irish history. Kinahan drugs gang lieutenant David PARAMEDICS battled to save the life of Vinny Ryan who was Byrne (34) was laid to rest 10 ten days after he was gunned down at the Re- shot dead in broad daylight as he sat inside his car on a Dub- gency Hotel in Dublin. lin street. Large parts of Dublin were cut off as Byrne’s body was taken from his Crumlin home to the church before his Car Vinny Ryan burial in Mount Jerome Cemetery. Shops on the streets which hosted the procession pulled down shutters. The DAVID BYRNE’S cortege is followed by eight limousines shot in registered to nature of the murders has sent through the streets of Dublin and led by two bikers from the shockwaves through Dublin. Chosen Few biker gang. Kinahan drugs gang Signs at the venue warned photogra- phers to stay out of the church grounds DUBLIN – The younger brother and a number of journalists covering the of slain Real IRA leader Alan gang war have received death threats. Ryan has died after another hor- Sons of the drug baron ‘Godfather’ ror daylight gun attack in Dublin Christy Kinahan, Chris Junior and Dan- on February 29. iel, flew in from Spain for the service. Ryan (25) was murdered while sitting The hit, intended for Daniel Kinahan, prompted the revenge killing of rival in a white VW Golf GTI, shortly after Gerry ‘The Monk’ Hutch’s brother dropping his partner and baby off at a Eddie three days later on February 8. house on McKee Road in Finglas. Some of the extraordinary scenes that The same gang are believed to be be- took place at the Byrne funeral, included hind the murder of Ryan’s older brother an American-style sky blue casket val- Alan Ryan (32), who was also shot dead VINNY RYAN ued at EU20,000. Mourners were in broad daylight on the quiet Grange dressed in blue to represent his interest A REMOTE control car covered with a blue flower arrangement showed the murdered man behind the wheel of a BMW.The Lodge Avenue in Clongriffin, north Dub- Vinny Ryan had been warned by de- in a football club. lin, in September 2012. license plate reads: Active Car Sales - 13-2-D-1982. tectives in Dublin that his life was un- There were 11 stretch limos for the fam- During his brother's funeral, a Real IRA der threat since his release from ily and friends, along with two hearses colour party fired shots over the dead Portlaoise Prison in October 2013 af- – one for flowers and one for the cof- gangster's grave. ter he was acquitted of firearms fin. In addition, there were three horse- charges. drawn carriages to take more of the The notorious mob are embroiled in a flowers. violent tit-for-tat feud which has seen While detectives have now ruled out Mr criminal David Byrne and Eddie Hutch, Big being part of the four-man hit team Elaborate wreaths were evident, some the brother of Gerry ‘The Monk’ Hutch, directly involved in the shooting, his gang to represent bottles of Smirnoff, others murdered in recent weeks. remain high on the list of suspects in to represent a boxing ring, others to rep- terms of carrying out the attack. resent boxing gloves. Some of the flo- However, Vinny Ryan's family have in- ral tributes included bouquets inscribed sisted that he was no longer involved in However, a senior source told the Sun- with ‘uncle’, ‘best pal’, others with the the Real IRA after he was released day World that Gardaí are also looking name ‘Dots’. from prison, claiming he was concen- at other theories and have a strong in- trating on his barber business and young terest in where the getaway car was A remote control BMW car covered in family. found. blue flowers was driven down the cen- tre aisle in the church, bearing a photo Alan Ryan is believed to have been in- The car was discovered in Red Lane, of the murdered gangster, following the volved in the murder of drugs lord Micka Newhall, Naas, Co. Kildare, shortly af- funeral. 'The Panda' Kelly in September 2011. ter the killing. A PICTURE of David Byrne sits in a floral frame. In response, the new leadership of The Ryan had previously been living in Co. Panda's gang ordered the murder of Kildare and had come into conflict with Alan Ryan and later his brother Vinny. a number of criminals in the area. Ryan family According to the Sunday World in Dub- Ryan's family are said to be extremely call for lin, the man believed to have ordered upset that Vinny is being linked to the the killing, known as Mr Big, the leader Kinahan cartel through the Volkswagen no retaliation of a major Dublin drugs gang, has a Golf he was driving. The family of Vincent Ryan have perfect alibi for the time of the shoot- Ryan bought the car from a dealership ing. called for "no retaliation" in relation in Finglas several weeks before his to his death and for an end to vio- Gardai called to Mr Big's home to ques- death. lence being carried out by drug tion him about the murder when he pre- In a bizarre coincidence, the vehicle gangs. sented his alibi. had been registered to Active Car Sales A statement released on behalf of He had previously threatened Vinny - the company owned by slain Kinahan the family also said that media re- Ryan and is believed to have ordered cartel lieutenant David Byrne, who was ports linking him to criminality or the murder of his elder brother Alan in gunned down in the Regency Hotel paramilitary activity are wrong. 2012. shooting. At his funeral, the coffin was draped A source said, “He was in town buying It's understood that Active Car Sales in a Tricolour as it was carried a shirt and has a receipt for 3:16 PM - had passed on the vehicle to the Finglas shoulder high by pallbearers, includ- almost the exact time Ryan was shot dealership. ing by some of his three surviving dead. The shop has CCTV so he Vinny's family and friends are insisting brothers, from the family home in couldn't get a better alibi.” he had no knowledge whatsoever of the Donaghmede. Mr Big is regarded as one of the big- car's history and had no associations The cortege was led by a lone piper gest distributors of drugs in the country whatsoever with the infamous drug car- and a large group of men wearing and his gang are responsible for up to tel. white shirts, black ties and black 10 murders. The potential links could shed new light trousers as it was brought to the Although he previously operated inde- on the killing of Byrne at the Regency Church of the Holy Trinity. pendently of the Christy Kinahan mob, Hotel on February 5 and the retaliation There were no paramilitary trap- he has recently forged close ties with hit on Eddie Hutch senior three days pings. the Spanish-based cartel. later. PAGE 24 www.celtic-connection.com MARCH/APRIL 2016 2016 IRISH WEEK IN SEATTLE

FRIDAY, MARCH 11, 2016 • St. Patrick’s Day Mass for Peace, 10 AM, St. Patrick’s Church. • Mayor’s Proclamation Lunch, Noon, F X Mcrory’s. • Landing of St. Patrick on South Lake Union, 6 PM. • Green Stripe Laying on 4th Avenue, 7 PM. SATURDAY, MARCH 12 • Irish Flag-Raising & St Patrick’s Day parade, 12:20 PM, 4th Avenue at James. • Irish Festival, Noon – 6 PM, Seattle Center Armory. A SOLD-OUT CROWD of over 1,000 people attended the March • Irish Network Mayoral Reception, Waterfront Marriott, 1 book launch in Seattle of The Immortal Irishman: The Irish 5-7 PM. Revolutionary Who Became an American Hero, the book about SUNDAY, MARCH 13 RETIRED POLICE OFFICER Dan O’Toole and Irish patriot and U.S. Civil War hero Thomas Francis Meagher • St. Patrick’s Day Dash, 8:30 AM. by Seattle author and Pulitzer-prize winning author Tim Egan. his wife Seattle Police Chief Kathleen O’Toole • Irish Festival, 10 AM - 6 PM, Seattle Center Armory. are Grand Marshals of Seattle’s 2016 St. At a reception before the book launch (L-R) Eileen Concannon, Patrick’s Day parade. John Keane, Jasmin Weaver, Noreen McCormack, author Tim • Matt Talbot Dinner, 6 pm, F X McRory’s. Egan, Fr. John Madigan, Danny Quinn and Roger Sprinkle. THURSDAY, MARCH 17, ST. PATRICK’S DAY PARADE GRAND MARSHALS • Irish Community Happy Hour, 5-7 PM, KofC Banquet Seattle Police Chief Kathleen O’Toole and her husband Hall. Dan will be the Grand Marshals of Seattle’s 2016 St. Patrick’s Day parade. • Friends of St. Patrick Banquet, Seattle, 5-9 PM, KofC Banquet Hall. You won’t find a more genuine Irish couple than Kathleen and Dan O’Toole. SATURDAY, MARCH 19 Massachusetts natives, both served in the Boston Po- • Irish Genealogy Workshop, 9 AM - 5 PM, Luther Me- lice Department where Dan retired in 1988 after 22 years morial Lutheran Church. with the force. SUNDAY, MARCH 20 Kathleen later took on a succession of ranking jobs in • Seattle Gaels Field Day, 12 noon - 3 PM, Magnuson Massachusetts law enforcement including superintend- Park. ent of the Metropolitan Police, Secretary of Public Safety, and then as Police Commissioner. For more detailed information on any of these events, visit WWW.IRISHWEEK.ORG. She also had served in 1998 on the Patten Commis- sion, an international panel on policing in Northern Ire- land, and she ran a consulting firm specializing in U.S.- Irish affairs. From 2006-2012, Kathleen and Dan moved to Ireland DUBLINER Chloë Agnew, a IRISH HISTORY professor so she could serve as Chief Inspector of the Garda member of the Celtic music Andrew Sanders speaks at Síochána Inspectorate, a body responsible for bringing group Celtic Woman for 10 Seattle University on “Ireland reform, best practice and accountability to Ireland’s years, performs on Saturday Since 1916: A Century of Re- 17,000 member police force. evening, March 20 at the bellion?” on Thursday, March She and Dan moved to Seattle in 2013 when she was Youngstown Cultural Arts 31. confirmed as Seattle’s Police Chief. Kathleen’s grand- Center in west Seattle. parents are from Athlone, Co. Westmeath and Dan’s grandparents are from Cong, Co. Mayo.

CONTEST JUDGES Mick McHugh and Jane Sepede examine brown soda bread loaves at the Irish Soda Bread Contest in Seattle, while in the background, judges Maureen Keane and Don Trembley concentrate on the white soda bread loaves.

MARCH 12 is the 30th anniversary of the Seattle Galway Sister City agreement signed by Seattle WINNERS in the white bread category at the Mayor Charlie Royer and Galway Mayor Bridie Irish Soda Bread Contest in Seattle (L-R) Jan O’Flaherty. The above photo taken on March D’Arcy (third), Emily Stence (second) and Rita 12, 1986 shows Seattle’s Mayor Royer wear- Brennan (first). ing Galway Mayor O’Flaherty’s robe and chain. The first St. Patrick’s Day parade was held in Boston in 1737, organized by the Charitable Irish Society. New York City’s celebration began on March 17, 1766 St. Patrick’s when Irish soldiers marched through the city. Ireland’s cities all hold their own parades and festivals. These cities include Day Trivia: Dublin, Cork, Belfast, Galway, Derry, Kilkenny, Limerick and Waterford. Pa- rades also take place in other Irish towns and villages. SEATTLE’S hometown Olympic boxer, Queen Underwood [pic- Did you Other large parades include those in Cleveland, Manchester, Birmingham, Lon- tured here with Galway Mayor Donal Lyons in March 2015] lost don, Coatbridge, Montreal, Boston, Houston, Chicago, Kansas City, Savannah, to Ireland’s Katie Taylor in a bout in Tralee, Co. Kerry in Feb- know? Pittsburgh, Denver, Sacramento, Scranton, Toronto, and Vancouver. Large pa- ruary 2016. rades also take place throughout Europe, the Americas, Australia, and Asia. MARCH/APRIL 2016 www.celtic-connection.com PAGE 25 SEATTLE IRISH NEWS 2016 Irish-American

PASSINGS more information, or to donate some- Heritage Month • Jim McClaskey (75), whose wife was thing, call (425) 337-9928. from Dublin, died in Vancouver, WA, Announced with APRIL CENTENARY PROGRAM – on February 20. On Saturday and Sunday, April 23- U.S. Presidential Proclamation • Muriel Mahaffey (82), a native of 24, a weekend 1916 Centenary Pro- Ireland, died in Bothell on January gram will be held at Antioch Univer- WASHINGTON – The President of the United States 29. sity, 2326 6th Avenue, in Seattle’s Barack Obama announced Irish-American Heritage By Belltown area. Month, 2016, on March 1 with a Presidential Proclama- • William ‘Coach’ Wright (76), a na- JOHN tive of Co. Armagh, died in Spokane KEANE April 24 is the 100th anniversary of tion. on January 23. the 1916 Rising which started on It reads: “Hailing from the Emerald Isle, generations of Irishmen and women Easter Monday, April 24, 1916. Ar dheis Dé go raibh a nanamacha He has published in a wide range of have helped shape the idea of America, overcoming hardship and strife dílse – May their faithful souls rest academic journals such as The Jour- The centenary program will include through strength and sacrifice, faith and family. at the right hand of God. nal of Transatlantic Studies, Irish lectures, panel discussions, art ex- “With an undying belief that tomorrow always yields a brighter day, Irish Political Studies and The British Jour- hibits, Irish music, poetry readings, FINIAN’S RAINBOW DISCOUNT – Americans symbolize the perpetual optimism that defines our country, and nal of Politics and International Re- and other cultural activities that high- Members of the Irish Heritage Club they have long embodied the truth at the heart of our promise – that no lations. He has also contributed work light the prelude to Irish self-deter- may use the code ‘Shamrock’ for a matter who you are or where you come from, in America, you can make it to the BBC, the Daily Telegraph and mination. 20% discount for tickets to Finian’s if you try. the Baltimore Sun. Rainbow in concert at Seattle’s Among the speakers on Saturday, “As we celebrate Irish-American Heritage Month, we recognize the Irish Benaroya Hall on March 19 and 20. PIPES & DRUMS – You’re invited to April 23, will be Irish Consul General people’s contributions to our country’s dynamism, and we reaffirm the attend the third annual Seattle Po- Philip Grant. The program is still be- friendship and family ties between our two nations. Presented by The Showtunes Thea- lice Pipes & Drums Emerald Evening ing finalized but for updated informa- tre Company, the rarely produced “For centuries, sons and daughters of Erin have come to America’s shores, dinner and auction on Saturday, April tion, visit facebook.com/ Finian’s Rainbow runs just after St. adding to our rich vibrancy and putting their full hearts into everything they 16 in the Pavilion at the SPAA Shoot- EasterRisingSeattle. Patrick’s Day for two performances. do. ing Range, 11030 E Marginal Way WOMEN’S BOXING – On February The 70-year-old musical is filled with S, Tukwila. “From building our country’s cities as preeminent architects and earnest 20, Ireland’s Olympic champion Katie beautiful songs such as Look To The laborers to building our national character as people of great joy and cher- This is an evening of fun that in- Taylor outpointed Queen Rainbow, Devil Moon, and How Are ished culture, Irish Americans have endured intolerance and discrimination cludes dinner, whiskey tasting, live Underwood, Seattle’s hometown Ol- Things In Glocca Morra, and its pow- to find a place for themselves and their children here in the United States. auction, 50/50 raffle, door prizes and ympian and nine times national erful themes resonate today with re- performances by the Seattle Police champion, at a sell-out bout in Tralee, “While remembering the great Irish Americans of the past, we celebrate newed depth and relevance. For what forms the foundation of the lasting Irish-American story – a shared Pipes & Drums Band. Co. Kerry. details and tickets, visit embrace of hard work and humility, fairness and dignity, and a mutual www.showtunestheatre.org. Tickets are $35 each and the goal is Taylor recorded her 61st consecutive quest to secure a freer and more peaceful future. to raise funds to support the great win in the ring in a clash that was a CELTIC WOMAN – Dubliner Chloë “Today, the United States and Ireland enjoy a thriving and cooperative work of Seattle Police Pipes & Drums repeat of the 2010 world champion- Agnew, a member of the Celtic mu- bond buoyed by a strong legacy of exchanges between our peoples. Band. ship semi-final. sic group Celtic Woman for 10 years, “During Irish-American Heritage Month, let us pay tribute to the extraor- as well as being its youngest mem- Among those being honored is Ryan It was the last amateur bout for dinary mark Irish Americans have made on our nation, and let us look ber, performs on Saturday evening, Gallagher, the band’s founder and Underwood as the 31 year old former forward to continued collaboration, friendship, and partnership between March 20 at 8 PM, at the Youngstown current president of the Friends of Pan American champion now plans our countries.” Cultural Arts Center, 4408 Delridge St. Patrick. For tickets and more in- to turn professional. Way SW, in west Seattle. formation, call (425) 582-2688. Underwood also participated in Over that 10 year span, Chloë re- IRISH SPRING BENEFIT – On Sat- Seattle’s Irish Week activities in 2015 leased 14 CDs with Celtic Woman, urday, April 30, starting at 6 PM, a helping Galway Mayor Donal Lyons selling more than eight million al- fundraising party will be held in the lay the Green Stripe the night before bums worldwide, all of which debuted Banquet Hall at Shawn O’Donnell’s the St. Patrick’s Day parade. at #1 on Billboard’s World Music Irish Pub, 122 128th Street SE, MISCELLANEOUS chart. For more information, visit Everett (just off I-5 at exit # 186) to • A new website, lily1916.com, has www.chloeagnewofficial.com. benefit retired sisters and nuns. been established dedicated to GENEALOGY – An Ulster Historical Hors d’oeuvres all evening (so skip Seattle woman Lily Kempson Foundation Seminar, ‘Researching dinner at home), while performers McAlerney, who was a combatant in Your Irish & Scots-Irish Ancestors’, like The Emerald Bards, vocalist John Dublin during the 1916 Easter Ris- will be held from 8 AM - 4 PM on Mon- Casey, and the Grafton Irish Danc- ing. day, March 14, at the Bethel Assem- ers will entertain as you socialize and • The Irish Book Club next meets on bly of God Church, 132 Kirkland have a fabulous evening. Tuesday, April 5. Call (206) 361-1713 Road, Chehalis. Tickets are $50 per person and for for details. Presented by The Lewis County Ge- nealogical Society, contact (360) 219-6912 for more details or visit www.walcgs.org. 1916 LECTURE – Irish History Pro- fessor Andrew Sanders speaks in Wykoff Auditorium at Seattle Univer- sity on “Ireland Since 1916: A Cen- tury of Rebellion?” as this year’s Al Mann Lecture at 7 PM on Thursday, March 31. This event is free and open to the public, but be aware that space is lim- ited and seats cannot be reserved. Currently teaching at Texas A&M University, Sanders previously taught at the Clinton Institute for American Studies at University College Dublin and at Seattle University from 2009- 2010. A PhD Graduate of Queen’s Univer- sity Belfast, he has conducted re- search focusing on the role of the U.S. in the Northern Ireland Peace Process. He is the author of Inside the IRA: Dissident Republicans and the War for Legitimacy and the co-author of Times of Troubles: Britain’s War in Northern Ireland. PAGE 26 www.celtic-connection.com MARCH/APRIL 2016 Canadian Government The Canadian Gaelic moves to overhaul rules on granting citizenship Athletic Association: OTTAWA – The federal govern- 26 affiliated GAA clubs ment is scrapping measures brought in by the Conservatives that allow Ottawa to revoke the and over 1,000 participants citizenship of Canadians con- victed of terrorism and other of- tres in total), the Western Divisional fences. The name of the Gaelic Ath- letic Association, as it applies Committee (founded in 1994) consists The legislation to amend the Citizen- of British Columbia’s Vancouver Irish ship Act, will also provide greater flex- to Canada, is the Canadian Sporting and Social Club and the Fraser ibility for applicants trying to meet the Gaelic Athletic Association Valley Gaels (Mens); Alberta’s Calgary requirements for citizenship and help Chieftains, Calgary Fianna, Red Deer (CGAA). Eire Ogs (Mens), Edmonton Wolfe immigrants obtain citizenship faster. By JOHN The basic aim of the CGAA is to pre- Tones; and Saskatchewan’s Regina Legislation last year allowed Canadi- O’FLYNN Gaels (Mens). ans who held dual nationalities to be serve and promote Gaelic games of stripped of their Canadian citizenship CANADA’s new Minister of Im- hurling, camogie and football in Canada. This year the Western Canadian Cham- if they were found guilty of terrorism, migration, Refugees, and Citi- In nine provinces (five time zones) of pionships will be held on July 1-2 in treason or spying offences. zenship John McCallum. the maple leaf county are 26 affiliated Regina. GAA clubs and over 1,000 playing par- The Toronto Divisional Committee The Liberals campaigned on a promise the Citizenship Act, including those that to revoke the measures and have now ticipants. (founded in 1947) consists of Ontario’s led to different treatment for dual citi- Toronto Hurling Club, St. Mikes, St. made good on their pledge. Immigra- zens. The founding of the CGAA took place tion Minister John McCallum introduced in Toronto on November 15, 1987. GAA Pats, St. Vincents (Mens), Gaels his new bill when the House of Com- “Canadian citizens are equal under the President Dr. Mick Loftus of (Mens), Toronto Camogie Club, Roger mons began sitting on February 26. law. Whether they were born in Crossmolina, County Mayo, chaired the Casements, Durham Robert Emmets , Canada or were naturalized in Canada meeting. Toronto Chieftains and McMaster Uni- “It will still be possible to revoke citi- or hold a dual citizenship,” said Minis- versity. zenship, as it always has been, for those ter McCallum. Among those in attendance were To- who misrepresent who they are or who ronto’s Cormac O’Muiri, Ottawa’s Pat The Eastern Divisional Committee are guilty of citizenship fraud,” The Bill also proposes to reduce the time Kelly, Montreal’s Paul Moran and (founded in 2014) consists of Ontario’s McCallum told reporters. permanent residents must be physically Paddy Dunne (R.I.P.). Ottawa Gaels and Eire Og Ottawa present in Canada before qualifying for Hurling; Quebec’s Montreal Sham- “I think under the previous law there citizenship by a full year. The first elections of officers included rocks, Quebec City Les Patriotes; Nova was a risk of a slippery slope,” he said. Toronto’s Paul Kennedy as chairman, Scotia’s Halifax Gaels; Prince Edward “If one crime made you eligible for Recognizing that immigrants often build Vancouver’s John O’Flynn as secretary, Island Celts; Concordia University, New revocation this year, what crimes could an attachment to Canada before be- and Ottawa’s Michael Connolly as In 2016, the honorary president of the Brunswick and Newfoundland and Lab- be added next year? coming permanent residents, the pro- treasurer. CGAA is Brian Farmer (Durham); chair rador’s St. John’s Avalon Harps. posed legislation would credit applicants “We do have a criminal justice system. Others who have served on the CGAA – Sean Harte (St. Mikes), vice chair – The Eastern Canadian Championships for the time spent in Canada as tempo- Ronan Corbett (Montreal); secretary – We do have courts. We do have pris- rary residents or protected persons. since its foundation include Diarmuid will be held in Quebec City over the ons where those convicted of crimes O’Connor, Noelle Russell, Matthew John O’Flynn (Vancouver); treasurer – Labour Day Weekend. are sent. And that is the way in which The age range to meet French or Eng- Healy, Fionnuala McGovern, Pat Yvonne Morley (St. Pats); development we deal with this.” lish language requirements and pass a Donnelly, Billy Millar, Lorraine Morley, and child protection officer – Paula For more information, knowledge test to qualify for citizen- Jarlath Connaughton and Eddie Macfarlane (Ottawa Eire Og). www.canadagaa.ie, or e-mail: “The government is keeping its com- [email protected]. ship, would change to 18-54 from 14- Mangan. Going from west to east (7,349 kilome- mitment to repeal certain provisions of 64. NOVENAS Conor McGregor’s winning run Novena to the Blessed Novena to St. Anthony Virgin Mary O Holy St. Anthony, gentlest of Saints, Novena to the Blessed Virgin Mary your love for God and charity for his (never known to fail). O most beautiful creatures, made you worthy, when on ended by dogged Nate Diaz flower of Mount Carmel, fruitful vine, earth, to possess miraculous powers. LAS VEGAS – Conor splendour of Heaven, Blessed Mother Encouraged by this thought, I implore of the Son of God. Immaculate Virgin, you to obtain for me (request). O gen- McGregor’s 15-fight winning assist me in this my necessity. There tle and loving St. Anthony, whose heart streak came to a stunning end are none that can withstand your was ever full of human sympathy, whis- in Las Vegas when he tasted de- power. O show me herein you are my per my petition into the ears of the Mother, Mary, conceived without sin, sweet Infant Jesus, who loved to be feat for the first time in the UFC pray for us who have recourse to thee folded in your arms; and the gratitude at the hands of veteran star, Nate (three times). Sweet Mother, I place of my heart will ever be yours. Amen. Diaz. this cause in your hands (three times). – SVS Holy Spirit, you who solve all problems, • McGregor moved up two weight light all roads so that I can attain my Novena to St. Clare classes to Welterweight to take on Diaz goal. You gave me the Divine gift to God of mercy, you inspired Saint Clare on Saturday, March 5, and the gamble forgive and forget all evil against me. with the love of poverty. By the help of didn’t pay off. McGregor landed heav- This prayer must be said for three her prayers, may we follow Christ in ily in the first round, but Diaz’s chin was THE FIRST DEFEAT of McGregor’s UFC tenure in his first days, even after the request is granted poverty of spirit and come to the joy- able to withstand the shots. ever welterweight fight leaves the featherweight world cham- and the favour received, it must be ful vision of your glory in the Kingdom pion with a whole lot of pondering to do. published. – PMK, MJ, CC, CK, ED, of Heaven. We ask this through Our In the second round Diaz landed a com- RM, LM Lord Jesus Christ, Your Son, who lives bination and it rocked McGregor who • and reigns with You and the Holy seemed gassed. Diaz was then able to A Prayer for Employment Spirit, one God, forever and ever. sink in the choke and force McGrgeor Belfast boxer returns God, our Father, I turn to you seeking Amen. to tap. your divine help and guidance as I look – SVS The Dubliner’s maiden UFC career for suitable employment. I need your • home to a hero’s welcome wisdom to guide my footsteps along Novena to the Sacred Heart defeat – and his first in any octagon Belfast boxer Carl Frampton returned cians congratulated Carl via social me- the right path, and to lead me to find of Jesus since November 2010 – left the crowd to a hero’s welcome after he touched dia. First Minister Arlene Foster the proper things to say and do in this May the Sacred Heart of Jesus be in the MGM Grand Garden Arena down at George Best Belfast City Air- tweeted: “Delighted for our wee quest. I wish to use the gifts and tal- praised, adored and glorified through- stunned, especially as he had looked in port to be mobbed by ecstatic fans on @RealCFrampton. Another reason to ents you have given me, but I need the out the world forever. Amen. Say six control for much of the bout. February 28. be proud of Northern Ireland.” opportunity to do so with gainful em- times a day for nine days and remem- The next move for Conor is unclear, Deputy First Minister Martin ployment. Do not abandon me, dear ber to promise publication. You prayer When the Tigers Bay fighter boarded but we could see him move back down his flight from Manchester after win- McGuinness said: “Warmest congratu- Father, in this search, but rather grant will be answered no matter how im- lations to @RealCarlFrampton on his me this favour I seek so that I may possible it may seem to you before to Featherweight or Lightweight - ning his big fight with Scott Quigg, he return to you with praise and thanks- the ninth day. – SVS where the fight was initially supposed said he wasn’t expecting to be ap- tremendous World title victory last night giving for your gracious assistance. to take place against Rafael Dos Anjos. plauded on by fans, many of whom had in Manchester. A most admirable young man.” Grant this through Christ, our Lord. Publication of this prayer Regardless, the UFC now have a come- watched him become unified world su- Amen. – LM, KM, KB, CC, CC, LM, is $25 monthly back story to sell for two of their big- per-bantamweight champion at the And Belfast City Hall was lit up in green MF, JF, CB (Canadian residents gest fighters - Conor McGregor and Manchester Arena. and white last night in recognition of • include 5% GST) Ronda Rousey. A host of other celebrities and politi- Frampton’s achievement. MARCH/APRIL 2016 www.celtic-connection.com PAGE 27 Ireland 2016: Centenary Film West Vancouver Programme at the Cinematheque businessman to be VANCOUVER – A special program, curated by the Irish Film Institute, enti- honoured with tled ‘Ireland 2016: Centenary Film Pro- gramme’ will feature films by an array of prominent directors, including John prestigious Welsh award Ford, David Lean, Neil Jordan, and Ken Loach. By EIFION WILLIAMS It will run from April 23-30 at the Cinematheque in Vancouver and is co- EST Vancouver presented by the Irish Film Institute, the businessman Gren Embassy of Ireland, and The Cinematheque.: Thomas has been awarded the Her- The films will include: Newsreel & W Actuality Programme: Ireland 1916- itage Medallion by 23; Young Cassidy; Ryan’s Daugh- the National Welsh American ter; 1916: The Irish Rebellion; Federation, a prestigious organi- Michael Collins; Mise Éire; Rocky Road to Dublin; The Plough and the zation that promotes the sharing Stars; The Wind That Shakes the Bar- of Welsh culture and heritage ley; and This Other Eden. throughout the United States and Opening night on Friday, April 22 will Canada. include refreshments, live music, and a AMONG the films to be presented at the ‘Ireland 2016: Cente- GREN THOMAS special introduction by Professor Brian The presentation will be made on nary Film Programme’ at The Cinematheque, Vancouver will Friday, September 2 at the Grand McIlroy from the University of British ing companies he struck out on his own Columbia who specializes in Canadian be Ryan’s Daughter, the 1970 film directed by David Lean and Banquet held during the annual and founded Toronto-based Aber Re- and Irish cinema. starring Sarah Miles, Robert Mitchum, Trevor Howard and John North American Festival of Wales sources, later called the Aber Diamond Full information and tickets available at: Mills. The film is set in the wake of the 1916 Easter Rising to be held this year in Calgary. Corporation, which discovered Cana- da’s largest diamond mine, the Diavik www.thecinematheque.ca/ireland- when a married woman in a small Irish village has an affair Gren is known world-wide as a pioneer 2016-centenary-film-programme. with a troubled British officer. Mine, north-east of Yellowknife. Diavik in the development of the mining indus- is now owned by major shareholders try in Canada and especially in the de- Rio Tinto and the Harry Winston Dia- velopment of the Canadian diamond in- mond Corporation. dustry. Due largely to Gren’s geological exper- He has extensive business accomplish- tise and business acumen, Canada is ments and has received high recogni- now one of the world’s leading diamond tion from his peers. producers. In 1999 he was named Prospector of Some of this success is attributed to his the Year by the Prospectors and De- daughter Eira, a geologist in her own velopers Association of Canada and was right, who worked as a prospector for inducted into the Canadian Mining Hall her father’s company from an early age of Fame in 2009. before obtaining a Geology degree from He has also been awarded an honorary the University of Toronto. Doctor of Engineering degree by Swan- Despite his enormous success, Gren has sea University. never forgotten his roots in the Swan- Now semi-retired, Gren is well-known sea Valley and is much involved in the to many as the proprietor of the trendy area’s social and cultural issues. Red Lion Bar and Grill in West Van- A strong supporter of environmental is- couver, a delightful and friendly pub sues, he has recently become involved modelled on a popular pub of the same in the opposition to a huge wind power name near his boyhood home in station planned for the beautiful and his- Morriston, a Swansea suburb. toric Mynydd y Gwair in North Gower, As a young man, Gren went to work in an area familiar to him during his youth. the pit in one of the local coal mines He also has a passion for rugby and before going on to further education. PHOTO: Gill Griffin/flickr has been involved in raising funds in DOWNTON ABBEY is shot at Highclere Castle, an estate that is actually much bigger in real He still has an abiding interest in the support of Canada’s national rugby life, says Lady Carnarvon, whose family built the castle in 1842. industrial history of South Wales and has team. He has been a strong supporter financed several research projects on and generous contributor to the Van- the coal and copper industries of the couver Welsh Society for many years. Real-life ‘Downton Abbey’ countess Swansea Valley. At the NAFOW gathering in Calgary He graduated with a mining engineer- in September, Gren will present a semi- ing degree from the University of Wales nar entitled ‘From Coal to Diamonds’, and shortly thereafter left for greener which promises to be an informative explains Canadian connection pastures in Canada. discussion on business success by one parkland and 4,000 or 5,000 acres of of Canada’s most successful entrepre- VANCOUVER – Fans of the After a series of jobs with various min- television show Downton Ab- farm and woodland around it.” neurs. bey, set in the early 1900s, Generations of Carnarvons took on a variety of roles over the years and at may miss the series after the one point, they played a big part in Cana- show’s finale, but the real da’s confederation. Adele makes Brits ‘Downton Abbey,’ lives on. In fact, the fourth Earl of Carnarvon was Secretary of State for the colonies history with 4 awards The show is set on a property in the and helped Sir John A. Macdonald, south part of England that the Canada’s first prime minister, create an LONDON – Adele has become the most successful solo artist in a single year at Carnarvon family has owned and lived independent Canada. the Brit Awards after she took home four major trophies. in for over a thousand years. The documents were drawn up in The Hello singer picked up the most coveted award of the night – British album Lady Fiona Carnarvon, the eighth LADY CARNARVON, the Carnarvon’s home, Highclere. of the year – for 25, as well as winning British female solo artist, best British Countess of Carnarvon, was in down- single and scooping the global success award. eighth and current countess of “The Canadian constitution was writ- town Vancouver March 4 to have high Highclere Castle and author of tea at the Fairmont Hotel Vancouver. ten by Lord Carnarvon… at Highclere,” It is the first time four awards have gone to the same winner since Blur’s 1995 Lady Almina. said Carnarvon. success. The singer closed the ceremony at London’s O2 Arena with a perform- In a CBC interview, she said, ance of her song When We Were Young, after giving an emotional speech. “Highclere has been in business for The TV series does not show all parts “He and John A. Macdonald became 1,300 years and we’re still in business of the Highclere property – the estate good friends and obviously it led to the The ceremony included tributes to the late David Bowie before his friend Gary as a family business.” in real-life is much bigger, says first of July, 1867.” Oldman accepted his icon award. The Blackstar singer died from cancer unex- Carnarvon. pectedly in January this year. The Carnarvons open their home to the Carnarvon says she found a diary where public about 90 days a year and give “There are 200 to 300 rooms in that Macdonald described Highclere as a Oldman said, “I never once heard him complain. I can share with you that David tours of the castle. castle and there’s a thousand acres of “swell place.” faced his illness with enormous courage, dignity, grace and customary humour. PAGE 28 www.celtic-connection.com MARCH/APRIL 2016 A Message from St. David’s Day Open House the First Minister of Wales at the Cambrian Hall to mark St. David’s Day On 1st of March people in Wales and across the world join together to cel- ebrate St. David’s Day. It presents an opportunity to celebrate our people, history and culture, and to reflect on where we are as a nation. A lot has happened in the last five years. Five years ago the UK was looking By EIFION forward to the Olympics in London. WILLIAMS Welsh companies contributed to the construction of the Olympic Park; over- seas teams trained in Wales; the Royal Mint in Llantrisant made the medals; VANCOUVER – An overflow and Welsh members of Team GB brought many of those medals back home to Wales. crowd enjoyed the festivities We have since seen exceptional Welsh performances at the Commonwealth at the Open House held at the games; a heroic performance from the Welsh rugby team at the Rugby World Cambrian Hall on the evening Cup; and the Welsh football team reach EUROs 2016. of March 1, St. David’s Day. Wales has also hosted major sporting events including: Golf’s Senior Open; Vancouver Deputy Mayor Heather the UEFA Super Cup; the Ashes test match in 2015; and, with England, the Rugby League World Cup. On 26 March the World Half Marathon will be in Deal attended to read out the Procla- Cardiff. mation designating March 1 as St. David’s Day in the City of Vancouver. [ABOVE LEFT] WELSH Society of B.C. president David As well as world class sporting venues we have great facilities – like the Llewelyn Williams with Vancouver Councillor Heather Deal who world’s first full length coastal path; mountain bike runs to match some of Among the entertainers during the evening were the Cambrian Circle read the Proclamation designating March 1 as St. David’s Day the best in Europe; the fastest zip wire in the world; and slate caverns trans- in the City of Vancouver. [ABOVE RIGHT] SWORDBEARER formed into an underground trampolining adventure. Singers, led by Nerys Haqq, and mem- bers of the Vancouver Welsh Men’s Paul Lievesley at the ‘Gorsedd’ ceremony at the Cambrian Hall. It’s no wonder that Wales is featured in the Rough Guide’s top 10 countries Choir. to visit in 2016. Several Welsh Society members also Wales has also hosted significant international events outside sport including participated in the traditional ceremo- WOMEX 2013 the World Music Expo. nies associated with the National Ei- In 2014 world leaders came to the NATO Wales Summit in Newport – for steddfod of Wales, some dressed in tra- many their first visit to Wales. Many spoke about the warmth and hospitality ditional druidic robes. that the Welsh offer. The ‘Gorsedd’ ceremony included a Barack Obama, the first U.S. president to visit Wales while in office, en- trumpet solo by Roy Beavan and the couraged people in the United States to visit Wales, saying that it was “a unsheathing of the sword by Paul country of extraordinary beauty, wonderful people and great hospitality.” Lievesley. The Summit was a huge success story. It is a sign of a mature, devolved The highlight of the traditional Gorsedd Wales that we could host this event safely and successfully – the first time a ceremony is the Archdruid’s call for political event on this scale had ever to come to the UK. peace, in Welsh A Oes Heddwch? (Is there Peace?). The Devolution story has continued to evolve since the Government of Wales Act in 2011 gave Wales greater law making powers. The ‘Archdruid’ making the call for peace at the Cambrian Hall ceremony 2012 saw the first piece of legislation created wholly in Wales for more than was Welsh Society President David 600 years when the Official Languages Bill was given Royal Assent. Llewelyn Williams, who also presided PHOTOS: Ruth Baldwin The ground-breaking Human Transplantation (Wales) Act introduced pre- over the evening’s events. THE Cambrian Circle Singers dressed in traditional Welsh cos- sumed consent of organ donation. The Gorsedd Prayer was said by Jane tumes perform at the St. David’s Day Open House hosted by the Welsh Society of Vancouver. The Well-Being of future Generations (Wales) Act comes into force in April. Byrne in Welsh and Paul Lievesley in It is about improving the social, economic, environmental and cultural well English. being of Wales for future generations. came the toast to St. David and the tra- Soup) and a lively round of community This was followed by the reading of the ditional Eating of the Leeks. singing. All present agreed that this was At Climate Change Week New York in 2015 Nikhil Seth, of the Department poem Os Wyt Gymro by Neville Tho- one of the most entertaining St. David’s of Economic and Social Affairs at the United Nations said: “We hope that mas in Welsh, with an English transla- The evening ended with the traditional Day gatherings in years. what Wales is doing today the world will do tomorrow….” tion by David Llewelyn Williams. Then Welsh repast of Cawl Cennin (Leek Wales’ economy is also on the up. In 2013-14 we saw the highest number of inward investment successes in 30 years. New investors in 2014-15 included Finnish software company, Leadin; Calbee, Japan’s leading snack-food manu- facturer and U.S. cyber-security company Alert Logic. Amazing reaction Science and engineering have seen significant developments too. Wales is growing an international reputation for world class research and develop- ment. to the St. David’s Day dragon Our innovative Life Sciences Hub, Sêr Cymru, a scheme to attract world class scientists and the £450 million science and innovation Bay Campus at CARDIFF – People in Caerphilly woke Swansea University are contributing to that story. up on the morning of March 1 to see a giant 13 foot art installation of a mythi- Our creative industry sector is also thriving. In 2014 Pinewood Studios came cal winged creature. to Wales. Attracting the company which makes the James Bond films is testament to the burgeoning creative industry sector here. Featuring scary and real looking black and red scales, the dragon has smoke Wales produces programmes with a world wide following like Dr Who and coming from its nostrils. Sherlock as well as having success in the gaming sector. It was created by Cardiff-based prop We continue to value and protect our heritage and language – the past five design company Wild Creations – which years has seen the Official Languages (Wales) Act 2012, a new Welsh lan- hit the headlines last year for installing guage commissioner and standards. a massive rugby ball in the walls of Cardiff Castle. Last year I visited Patagonia to mark the 150th anniversary of the Welsh settlement in the Chubut province. The dragon’s arrival coincided not only with St. David’s Day but also marks the In 2014 DT100 celebrated 100 years since the birth of one of Wales’ most launch of the Historic Adventures cam- well known poets and writers – Dylan Thomas. paign. It is run by heritage organisation This year we’ll be celebrating the centenary of Cardiff born author, Roald Cadw and bosses hope it will bring some ST. DAVID’S DAY celebrations in one town in Wales were full Dahl with another year-long programme of events – I hope that these events of Wales’s most famous monuments to of fire after a giant dragon appeared outside its castle walls. capture the imagination of people around the world, just as Dahl did with his life. storytelling. toric monuments to life for visitors to ries like these that make our country’s The Welsh Government’s deputy min- explore and enjoy; and we’re confident heritage so unique. Wales is a great country with great people. The St. David Awards, now in ister for culture and tourism Ken Skates that this creative programme of events their third year, acknowledge the achievements of people in Wales. Look described the installation at Caerphilly will attract a wide-range of visitors to “We hope that the arrival of the dragon at Caerphilly Castle will ignite people’s out for this year’s winners to be announced on 10 March. Castle as jaw-droppingly lifelike. experience Cadw sites. interest in Welsh history and inspire Wherever you are in the world, I wish you a happy St. David’s Day. He said, “We’re always looking at new “Dragons feature in many of Wales’ them to have their own historic adven- and exciting ways to bring Wales’s his- great myths and legends and it is sto- tures during the year of adventure.”