November 2012 Boston’s hometown VOL. 23 #11 journal of Irish culture. $1.50 Worldwide at All contents copyright © 2012 Boston Neighborhood News, Inc. bostonirish.com BIR cites Rep. Neal, Muses, and Feeneys The Boston Irish Reporter hosted its third annual Boston Irish Honors on Fri., Oct. 19, at the Seaport Hotel on the South Boston waterfront. The event, which marked the 22nd anni- versary of the BIR, drew more than 350 persons to the mid-day luncheon. In his prepared remarks, publisher Ed Forry said, “In hon- oring these exemplary families and individu- als who em- body the fin- est qualities of our people, we seek to h o n o r t h e memories of our ancestors who came here in bygone days when it was far from clear that we could make this place our home. How proud those early immigrants would be of their descendants, who have made Boston a welcoming place— Larry Reynolds leading a session at the Green Briar Irish Pub in Brighton. not only for new waves of Irish Photo courtesy of Bill Brett, from “Boston: An Extended Family” © 2007 entrepreneurs and workers, but for people from around the globe. “Today’s honorees — the Muse family, the Feeney brothers and Remembering Larry Reynolds, fiddler: US Rep. Richard Neal—are agents of idealism and ingenu- ity who represent the best of the ‘He never, ever got tired of the music’ Boston Irish experience. They no room for all of them to come simply passed along by word of are devoted to a level of profes- By Sean Smith Ui Cheide, a sean-nos singer sionalism in their chosen fields and say goodbye to him. mouth. The planned six-hour from Leitirmoir, sang “Com- Special to the BIR Reynolds died on Oct. 3, leav- wake for Reynolds at the Joyce ing Home” as the pallbearers that makes us proud to call them He was the big, amiable fellow ing behind an extraordinary Funeral Home in Waltham went slowly walked the coffin down our own. Their commitment to from Galway who worked with six-decade legacy as musician, into overtime by three hours. the aisle. They paused while public service and civic-minded wood in his profession and in his organizer, and pioneer in the His funeral, held on Oct. 11 at the musicians, spanning several philanthropy serve as models music, and who seemed to know, Boston Irish music scene. The Saint Jude Church in Waltham, generations, played the air “For for us today and harken back to personally, just about anybody Waltham resident, a carpenter was equally well-attended: The Ireland I’d Not Tell Her Name” our own roots as a people who who’d ever so much as touched by trade and fiddler by inclina- crowd – including a bevy of before launching into a set of — even in times of need— dug a fiddle, accordion or flute, or tion, was 80 years old. musicians with instruments in reels, beginning and ending deep to help others.” sang an Irish song. Within mere hours of his hand as well as a columnist and with “The Galway Rambler.” A package of photos and sto- In fact, Larry Reynolds knew, death, tributes and reminis- photographer from the Boston Reynolds’s lifetime coincided ries about the Honors luncheon and touched the lives of, so many cences began flooding the In- Globe – spilled outside onto with a remarkable renaissance begins on Page 18. people that there was literally ternet and social media, or were Main Street. His friend Mairin (Continued on page 11) US Supreme Court halts handover of IRA tapes – for now By Associated Press the school give the Justice De- Stephen Breyer ends Nov. 16 if uters dispatch, the matter before partment portions of recorded there is no formal appeal to the the Supreme Court concerns only WASHINGTON – The US interviews with convicted IRA Supreme Court. interviews with Dolours Price, an Supreme Court has temporar- car bomber Dolours Price. Price Citing international mutual IRA member who was jailed for ily blocked Boston College from and other former IRA members assistance treaties, the Justice her part in the 1973 bombing of turning over to the government of were interviewed between 2001 Department wants to turn the London’s Old Bailey courthouse Northern Ireland interviews that and 2006 as part of The Belfast records over to the Northern that injured more than 200 academic researchers recorded Project — a resource for jour- Ireland police, a move that has people. The court’s decision in with a former Irish Republic nalists, scholars and historians evoked strident opposition from her case will likely determine Army member. studying the long conflict in those who fear that such a move the fate of the other interview On Oct. 17, the high court Northern Ireland known as “The will damage the peace process in material, said Eamonn Dornan, stayed a lower court order that Troubles.” the North. an attorney for the researchers. See page 3 The stay granted by Justice Technically, according to a Re-

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By Bill Forry clubs. It has all those grounds for Coughlin’s Boston crew. Managing Editor things I really love “Its fun, because it’s a great tragedy,” said Lehane. “South Boston punk becomes a Florida crime boss.” about America at the “When I see pictures of it or my old man used to talk That’s how one newspaper boiled down Dennis Lehane’s end of the day – areas about it, it was shredded and turned into a hideous latest novel. Sure, that’s one way of summarizing “Live where the melting pot complex of ugly buildings. The Hurley building is the by Night,” the Roaring Twenties gangster page-turner melted.” worst of them all, but it makes you hate all of it, City that will also be a big-studio film some day soon, but The first third of the Hall, the plaza, all of it. You have to go to pictures to any sting that Lehane might suffer from the blunt sum- “Live by Night” satisfies see what was there.” mary is soothed by the source: The New York Times our local fix. Charac- Even so, one of the reasons Lehane “comes home” in Book Review noting that his latest novel has debuted ters dart off streetcars his books so frequently is because Boston remains a at No. 8 on the paper’s bestseller list. and into flophouses in city whose past is a constant feature of its present— No big surprise there. Dorchester’s most celebrated Scollay Square. They from the neighborhoods to downtown. man of letters since old Eddie Everett himself has frequent speak-easys “I can be a bit of homer,” Lehane admits. “I have developed a loyal — some might say crazed —inter- in Charlestown and on traveled extensively now and Boston remains one national fan base after ten books, three of which have Dot Ave. and they rip of the unique places in the country. It’s emblematic become celluloid blockbusters at the hands of Scorsese, off warehouses and card and very distinct. Those places have become so rare Eastwood, and Affleck. (How many other writers have games on Northern Avenue. But the Roaring Twenties in this country. But Boston is not in danger of losing to take to Facebook to tell their fans to chill the hell era is what captivates Lehane’s imagination most, so its Boston-ness, not in my lifetime.” out over an ill-advised Globe review?) there are also tipsy peeks into high-society preserves, The Coughlin story will go on, Lehane says, for at Lehane’s fan base will get bigger still with the release including a pivotal scene from opening night at the old last two more installments— including one that he’s of “Live By Night.” In a United States enflamed yet Statler Hotel (now the Park Plaza.) busy writing now. The road, almost certainly, will wind again by bootleggers, Tommy guns, and flapper chicks, Lehane has his usual fun with the hometown crowd, back to Boston and also to Havana, since the family Lehane has tossed a barrel-full of choice Havana rum too. He transports a certain well-known restaurant now has important blood ties to Cuba. onto the bar. from Lehane’s boyhood days in Dot, plopping it into In the meantime, Ben Affleck has already bought “Live By Night” is not a sequel, but two key char- the swank lobby of a downtown hotel— a deliberate the rights to turn “Live By Night” into a film. Affleck acters from his Boston police strike epic “The Given dope slap for the local crowd who think this is all on won praise from Lehane and most Boston critics for Day” (2008) make important cameos. A third, the the level. “I like to do an inside joke. If I want to move his adaptation of “Gone, Baby Gone,” one of Lehane’s aforementioned Southie “punk” Joe Coughlin, is the a restaurant, I can. This is fiction,” Lehane explains. acclaimed Patrick and Angie detective stories with a main character— a 20- year-old wiseguy who early-on And because it’s fiction, Lehane can resurrect whole strong Dorchester hook. sniffed out that his two-toilet, lace-curtain Broadway sections of Boston that were bulldozed and buried in So who’ll play Joe Coughlin? Don’t bother asking existence was made possible by the graft of his Boston the name of urban renewal. In “Live by Night” he re- the writer. If Ben needs some advice, he has Dennis’s police department superintendent father. constructs whole blocks of the West End— the stomping number. The future crime boss Coughlin is an upstart stick-up kid who comes of age in a decrepit prison in Charles- town. He gets fully groomed for the bootlegging racket by a North Shore mafioso, Maso Pescatore, who uses Coughlin to corner the Florida end of the triangular rum trade. Coughlin uses him to build a south coast syndicate that eventually extends to Cuba, while he fends off half-wit yokels of the KKK variety and, more menacingly, old rivals who want more than a taste of the Sunshine State action. Lehane says he was drawn to the lesser-known rum trade precisely because he wanted to avoid a hackneyed take on the Nucky Thompson-type whiskey racket. Florida is also familiar turf for Lehane, who left Dorchester after BC High for college there and has kept a residence in the state ever since. (He and his young family divide their time between Massachusetts and Florida when he’s not on a book tour.) So Lehane was vaguely aware of the charms and dangers of Ybor City, the Tampa neighborhood that was once the epicenter of cigar manufacturing and rum-running in the 1920s. “I respond to older things and places with a lot of his- tory attached. And Florida in general is not known for that, but Ybor City is an exception,” Lehane told the Reporter in an interview. The Boston branch of Friends Forever, a nonprofit organization that seeks to create trust, empathy, “It’s very much as described in the book. It looks and friendships among cultures in conflict, recently hosted a group of Catholic and Protestant teenag- very much like New Orleans,” he said. “It was built ers from West Belfast. Among other activities, the young leaders visited Boston College [above], made around cigar manufacturers and it was Cuban, Italian, speaking presentations at local Rotary Clubs in Westford, Salem, Marblehead and Haverhill, got a tour and Spanish back in the day. That’s why I was fasci- of the Statehouse and South Boston with State Senator Jack Hart, worked with the Salem inner-city nated by it. It’s a little dangerous right now, but still group “Youth Rising,” and helped prepare and serve meals at the Open Heart soup kitchen in Haverhill. preserved, and there are still the same Cuban social Sean Smith photo Charitable Irish to honor five The Charitable Irish Society will host Advance reservations are required, and its 14th Silver Key Awards reception on the cost is $125 per person. Reservations Thurs., Nov 29, from 6 p.m. to 8:30 p.m may be made by mail to The Charitable at the Boston College Club in downtown Irish Society, c/o Sandra Moody, 56 Boston. Thomas Park #3, South Boston MA 02127. The 2012 honorees are Lynn Finn, Con- No tickets will be issued; reservations nell Gallagher, Siobhan Gallagher, Mary will be held at the door. E. Kelleher, and Kevin Leary.

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Special Honors to Paddy McDevitt Donegal Football Club Tickets: JP Doherty, 617-825-8769 Colm McDaid, 617-698-7112 or any board member. Tickets: $45 Page 4 November 2012 BOSTON IRISH Reporter Worldwide at www.bostonirish.com Publisher’s Notebook Commentary Forward As the wide world watches us, the Irish say, ‘Obama’s the one’ By Joe Leary racial comment regarding “shuck and jive” was well with Special to the BIR reported in Ireland. The United States is the most powerful, resourceful In today’s hi-tech atmosphere, what goes on in Mis- nation in the world, so what goes on here is of intense souri or Indiana or Alaska is immediately available to interest to all other countries. especially Ireland. the world. Well more than 50 percent of all citizens in In fact, there is so much attention paid to American developed countries carry cell phones that instantly Obama record still pictures and videos complete with sound. elections in English-speaking Ireland that two orga- If only every decision in life were this easy. nizations conducted polls of its citizens to determine Romney’s comments dismissing 47 per cent of the President Barack Obama has earned re-election who they would choose (if they could) between Barack American people who don’t pay taxes as unworthy with an impressive first term that will come to be Obama and Mitt Romney. of his attention would never have been public 20 viewed as one of the most productive, progressive, The results are quite years ago. And the average Irishman or woman is and — ultimately— successful periods in the history interesting. also well aware of Obama’s poor performance in the of the modern US presidency. Obama has done so in In the Gallup Interna- first debate where he tried to appear presidential spite of an inherited economic crisis that would have tional Irish poll, reported and above it all but came off as an unwillingness to upended lesser leaders and in the face of a Republican on the Irish Central News engage Romney. Congress whose sole reason for existence over the website, the Irish would Ireland’s population is estimated to be some 4.5 last two years has been to undermine the president vote for Obama over Rom- million; it remains a very small country, with fewer and his initiatives at every turn. The GOP has failed, ney by 96 percent to 4 people than Massachuusetts and New York City. It is the president has prevailed, and we enthusiastically percent. The Irish Times difficult if not impossible for the average Irish citizen endorse his re-election next Tuesday. newspaper survey showed to appreciate the size and complexity of the United The president’s health care reform initiative is a it 79-5 for the president States. To be sure, there are very few Americans milestone achievement. (In a great irony, his detrac- with 16 percent having no who understand it all, but we have a better chance of tors quickly labeled the Affordable Care Act measure opinion. doing so by living here, studying here, and travelling “Obamacare”, a term that the president came to As a general rule, the here to appreciate some of our major issues. What the Irish and many Europeans see is an embrace and one that will no doubt come to carry his Joe Leary Irish media, print and name, to positive effect, through the ages.) Rarely has broadcast, report on events America that is a very large country thousands of a president so effectively used his election mandate to in the United States far miles away with a hugely powerful military that such far-reaching and substantive effect. Tens of mil- more than the American media mention news from can sometimes be a bit of a bully. President Bush’s lions of our fellow Americans— and untold generations Ireland. This is particularly true with our elections. invasion of Iraq mistakenly looking for weapons of to come— will benefit from the reforms. That includes Newspaper and television coverage of the three mass destruction with only Great Britain as our young Americans struggling to find a foothold in the debates was extensive – even front page news in major ally offers a good example of that assessment. workforce and seniors who will benefit immediately Dublin. In Belfast, with the British press, the cov- Even American success in winning Olympic medals from enhanced prescription drug benefits. erage was less so. Events like Missouri senatorial can bring out some of the same feelings that many The president injected life-saving government dollars candidate Todd Akin’s comments on the distant Bostonians have about the New York Yankees. into the economy at a moment of great gravity at the likelihood of pregnancy resulting from “legitimate The Irish and most Europeans seem to want to dawn of his tenure. He saved the American automotive rape” because a woman’s body can somehow prevent continue the same friendly relations that have begun industry— against the advice of Romney— and has it, or the more recent Indiana senatorial candidate under President Obama, and they are watching us begun to rebuild the economy, add jobs, and rebuild Richard Mourdock’s belief that a pregnancy result- carefully. When the Irish wake up on Wed., Nov. 7, confidence and sales activity the housing market— a ing from rape is “God’s will” have received major among the very first things they will do is check on gradual turnaround that is now in clear evidence in press coverage. Sara Palin’s malicioius, over the top our election results. the Boston area. The president has struck important blows for civil rights, especially for gay Americans. He has ended the Off the Bench military’s ridiculous half-measure— ‘Don’t ask, don’t tell’— and has affirmed his own support for gay mar- riage, a civil right that will one day be as commonplace Let’s call political debate winners as interracial marriage, which was also banned (even criminalized) in this president’s lifetime. Critically, the president is, and always has been, a stalwart supporter by tallying the vote at ringside of a woman’s right to make her own reproductive deci- sions and as such he has, and will, appoint Supreme By James W. Dolan me, will parade around the ring holding a card with Court justices who will reject efforts from the right Special to the BIR the number of the round. Please refrain from hooting to turn back the clock on this essential civil liberty. Saturday Night Live should come up with a new or hollering at either the combatants or the model. The president has been decisive and impressive on formula that combines debating and prizefighting as “To defray the costs of this event, each round is be- foreign policy. He followed through on his campaign a way to give viewers ing sponsored by a supporter of one side or the other. pledge to kill Osama bin Laden if we had the opportu- a definite winner and For example, the first round is sponsored by Bain nity, pulled US forces from Iraq, and set a reasonable loser instead of the Capital and the second by the United Auto Workers. timetable for a withdrawal from Afghanistan by the endless “spinning” “I reserve the right to stop the debate on a TKO end of 2014. He has kept ground troops out of further that occurs under if I determine that one side or the other has been entanglements in the quicksand of the Middle East the traditional debate so badly damaged he can no longer defend himself. while assisting Libya in the overthrow of Khadafy. formula. Both sides Also, the handlers for each may forfeit by throwing His even-tempered approach to staring down nuclear now claim to be vic- a towel into the middle of the ring, if they determine proliferation in Iran with unprecedented sanctions is torious. their fighter is unable to continue. the rational, most viable way forward without a costly This process would “At the end of the contest I will ask both parties war involving Israel. at least provide some to come to the center of the ring where, after the Obama’s second term offers great promise. The finality to the an- votes have been tabulated, I will declare a winner, president has laid the groundwork for a robust eco- noying speculation be it a unanimous or split decision. To make the nomic comeback fueled by the nation’s energy sector. that now surrounds contest more exciting, the winner will be awarded By extricating us from two meandering foreign wars, political debates. 10 electoral votes. he will have new resources to allocate into state and Something like what “Refreshments and debate souvenirs are available local spending and pay down the national debt. follows would make in the foyer. I ask your cooperation in not swearing or A note about his competitor: Bain and Company’s future contests more throwing things at the combatants during the bout. Mitt Romney (who moonlighted as a “moderate” Mas- amusing: “Show your support by placing a bet on your can- sachusetts governor for four years) is a fraud. Like the James W. Dolan The venue is a box- didate. Good luck and enjoy the spectacle!” aging utility infielder who’s willing to take any position ing ring at Caesar’s James W. Dolan is a retired Dorchester District — no matter how far afield from the last one he held— Palace in Las Vegas. The candidates stand at podiums Court judge who now practices law. Romney has proven in this campaign that he’ll say and with the moderator/referee sitting at a desk in front do anything it takes in order to stay in the game. There of them. At the outset, he introduces the combatants. is no lie that he won’t tell in a desperate attempt to win “Ladies and gentlemen, welcome to this heavy- the White House, even if comes at the expense of our weight prize debate scheduled for 10 rounds. Let me own economy. Witness his latest assault on the facts first introduce the combatants: Boston Irish this past weekend: an out-and-out whopper intended “In the corner to my left wearing a blue tie is the to scare Ohio voters into thinking that their car jobs incumbent, the ‘Dronerator,’ Barack ‘Bam Bam’ with Chrysler were about to be outsourced to China. Obama, of Washington by way of Chicago. To my REPORTER The false claim resulted in a sharply worded rebuttal left in a red tie is the challenger, the ‘Stormin Mor- The Boston Irish Reporter is published monthly by: from Chrysler, the corporation that makes the Jeeps mon,’ Mitt ‘Turnaround’ Romney, of Boston by way that Romney lied about. All this from a man who two of Michigan and Utah. Boston Neighborhood News, Inc., years ago announced that it was his policy— in ruth- “This will be a 10-round debate, each round being 150 Mt. Vernon St., Suite 120, Dorchester, MA 02125 less slash and burn fashion— to force the American 10 minutes, at the end of which each contestant will [email protected] www.bostonirish.com car industry into bankruptcy. retire to his corner where he will have one minute to Mary C. Forry, President (1983-2004) Take it from Massachusetts voters who’ve seen in be instructed and refreshed by his handlers. Edward W. Forry, Publisher action the sneering, jaded shape-shifter exposed in “There are 5 judges, selected at random by me, the now infamous “47 percent” video that everyone Thomas F. Mulvoy Jr., Managing Editor sitting at ringside. They will grade the performance William P. Forry, Contributing Editor watched gape-mouthed this fall: Yes, that is the Mitt of each participant in each round on a scale of 1 to Romney you can expect to govern the country if he is Peter F. Stevens, Contributing Editor 10 with 1 being the lowest score and 10 the highest. News Room: (617) 436-1222 Ads : (617) 436-1222 elected. That said, we wish him well in his political Assuming neither side scores a knockout, the votes retirement, which will begin around 9:30 p.m. EST will be tabulated at the end of the bout and I will Fax: (617) 825-5516 [email protected] next Tuesday night. declare a winner. Our president stands his ground, takes principled On The Web at www.bostonirish.com “As the moderator/referee I will ask questions of Date of Next Issue: December, 2012 and decisive action, and is a steady hand at the helm of both candidates and make sure the candidates remain a complicated, diverse but still-optimistic country that calm and the discourse is civil. finds in their president an equal. He is a leader, and Deadline for Next Issue: Tuesday, November 20 at 2 p.m. “Should there be a verbal smackdown, I will order Published monthly in the first week of each month. our children and grandchildren will be proud of us for the party delivering the blow to return to a neutral supporting him as we go to the polls enthusiastically corner until I can determine if his opponent is able The Boston Irish Reporter is not liable for errors appearing in advertisements to return him to office. beyond the cost of the space occupied by the error. The right is reserved by to continue. The Boston Irish Reporter to edit, reject, or cut any copy without notice. – Bill Forry and Ed Forry Before each round a bikini-clad woman, selected by Worldwide at www.bostonirish.com November 2012 BOSTON IRISH Reporter Page 5 Point of View Mitt Romney as our Shanachie-in-Chief

By Peter F. Stevens and Irish Independent columnist Marc Coleman, BIR Staff It’s hard to believe that who noted his nation’s bias against Romney. Cole- Bear with me here, but I’m wondering if some- man wrote: “Obama and his cheerleaders live in an where, somehow on the Romney family tree, an Irish the candidate’s family tree economically illiterate world where Ireland’s loss is branch stretches out. Why is that? Whether or not America’s gain….The Democrats – who gave America Mitt Romney wins the Oval Office this month, a lacks some Irish branches segregation, corrupt Tammany Hall politics, and question will remain. Who is Willard Mitt Romney? the Vietnam War – are, according to this narrative, Boston Globe contributor Tom Keane chides the losers who live “the good life” at the government nice, enlightened and competent. The Republicans – Obama camp for deriding Mitt as a fool. Keane is trough, refuse to take “personal responsibility” for who created jobs for our emigrants in the Eighties, right – Mitt is no fool. Renee Loth, once the Globe’s such trifles as illnesses that create bankruptcy and facilitated foreign investment in Ireland, and freed editorial page editor, views Mitt as a coreless del- make life infinitely harder somehow for the richest the world from totalitarian rule – are greedy, back- egator who will allow running-mate Paul Ryan to among us. Ever the storyteller, though, Mitt entered ward and stupid.” Coleman then goes on to blame shred the nation’s safety net. the final stages of the campaign telling another the Democrats for creating the entire US debt and For all that, there is one indisputable fact here: tale, that of a man consumed with concern for the the collapse of the mortgage market since 2006. Mitt Romney has a curious relationship with facts 100 percent. That shift is the trademark of a gifted There’s not enough space here to correct Mr. Cole- and the truth. At first, he seems like some creation shanachie. You have to understand that in Boca, man’s historical revisionism. LBJ might be surprised sprung from the pages of Lewis Carroll’s “Alice in Mitt was regaling the lofty; on the campaign trail, to learn that he helped give America segregation; for Wonderland,” a polished chap who tells distortions so he’s courting the lowly. Few pundits on any network that matter, the same with JFK. As far as Vietnam, earnestly and relentlessly that they somehow seem or in print have much of a problem with this; they JFK and LBJ did escalate the war, but rumor has it true. After all, he did save the auto industry, right? coat candidates’ false claims as a euphemistic “pivot that a certain Republican named Nixon upped the All this has me thinking that we’re looking at to the middle in the general election.” bloody ante to its worst levels from 1969 to 1973. Mitt the wrong way, trying to determine if he’s a Mitt’s skillful (or tortured) wordplay has worked Bill Clinton might be interested to know that he man who actually believes his own contradictions or far better than Democrats thought possible even had no role in “facilitating foreign investment” in simply a cynic who will say anything to anyone at with the nation’s ongoing economic woes. If Barack Ireland. Coleman conveniently forgets Clinton’s anytime to claim his rightful inheritance as presi- Obama limps back into office, he will be the first role in the peace process in Northern Ireland, too. dent of the United States. Mitt has to have some president to do so with such troubling job numbers. If Coleman is contending that Republican presidents Irish blood in him somewhere, for he may well be If Romney wins, he might well be the first to do so alone “freed the world from totalitarian rule,” I’m the greatest seanchaí, or shanachie, ever to run for by so staring straight into the collective eye of vot- assuming he means Reagan and the Bushes, father the presidency. The shanachie, “a bearer of the old ers and baldly shifting the facts of his record, his and son. I guess he somehow overlooked FDR and lore,” the Irish storyteller, preserved in his memory views, and his plans. Truman. If memory serves me right, both of those the unwritten history, laws, culture, and traditions While it matters not a bit to our presidential elec- Democratic presidents had some hand in the defeat of the land and reminded rapt listeners who they tion, it is to wonder how well Romney’s storytelling of Nazi Germany and Imperial Japan. Could be that really were and are. If distortions and myths color might play on the very turf of the shanachie. Suffice Presidents Truman and Kennedy also played their the speaker’s words, so what? it to say that Obama could only wish for the Emerald part in the Cold War. Mitt’s quintessential turn as the potential Isle’s view of Romney, according to a recent Gallup As I wind this column to a close, we still don’t Shanachie-in-Chief may well have come about in International poll that claimed 98 percent of the know if it’s President Obama or President Romney. Boca Raton a few months ago. In a manse packed Irish would vote for Obama. An Irish Times poll A thought: There’s still time for the Romney cam- with right-wing donors, including a convicted put the number at a still-stratospheric 79 percent. paign to hire Mr. Coleman to help Mitt’s quest for income-tax cheat, Mitt spun his tale of the “47 per- Still, Romney’s storytelling knack has earned him Shanachie-in-Chief. They’re definitely on the same cent.” He ridiculed the poor, the elderly, the sick, the rave reviews of Irish economic commentator page – or historical etch-a-sketch. the young, the old, and veterans – you know, the As Abbey Theatre looks ahead, it is asking for help fulfilling its mission By Ed Forry BIR Publisher Officials and two artists from The Abbey Theatre were in Boston last month for the launch of a support group for a charitable foundation to support the enterprise. The Oct. 18 launch was held at the Beacon Street home of Tom O’Neill, who has been named the first president of the Boston Irish Abbey Theatre Associa- tion as the Dublin-based theatre approaches its 110th anniversary next year. The Abbey Theatre Foundation is a New York- based 501 © (3) non-profit organization that supports the work of the Abbey Theatre in Ireland and in the United States. “We are delighted to be here with you this evening,” said Fiach Mac Conghail, director and CEO of the Director and CEO of the Abbey Theatre, Fiach Mac Conghail, Shelly O’Neill, the Irish actor Bosco Ho- theatre. “Three remarkable visionaries, W. B. Yeats, gan, the Irish actress Brid Ni Neachtain, Tom O’Neill, and Bryan McMahon, chairman of the board of Lady Augusta Gregory, and Edward Martyn founded the Abbey Theatre. Ireland’s national theatre, the Abbey Theatre, before the foundation of the Republic itself. They created a this special performance.” actively engages and reflects Irish society, and to theatre ‘to reflect the deeper emotions of Ireland,’ and Two members of the theatre’s ensemble, Brid Nai- place the writer and the theatre artist at the heart founded a theatre tradition in Ireland that would have ughton and Bosco Hogan, gave a performance in the of the Abbey Theatre. The Abbey produces an annual a lasting impact throughout the world.” He was joined O’Neill’s parlor, reading a series of letters exchanged programme of diverse, engaging, innovative Irish and in his Boston visit by Bryan McMahon, Abbey Theatre among Yeats, Lady Gregory, Martyn, and others de- international theatre and invests in and promotes new chairman of the board. tailing the founding of the Abbey. Irish writers and artists. “We remain true to their vision today, and continue The Abbey Players gave their first performance in We do this by placing the writer and theatre-maker to create world-class theatre, nurture new talent, and Dublin in 1904. Their first international tour brought at the heart of all that we do, commissioning and pro- bring artists and audiences together,” Mac Conghail them to the United States in 1911, and the first Ameri- ducing exciting new work and creating discourse and said. “Boston has been very important to the Abbey can performance took place in Boston on Sept. 23 of debate on the political, cultural and social issues of Theatre at key points in our history and tonight is that year, at the Plymouth Theatre on Eliot Street, the day. Our aim is to present great theatre art in a another important moment in that history. We look now part of Stuart Street in Boston’s theater district. national context so that the stories told on stage have forward to sharing some of our many stories with you During that first Boston visit, the Abbey performed 18 a resonance with artists and audiences alike. this evening.” plays, including works by J.M Synge, George Bernard “Over the years, the Abbey Theatre has nurtured In brief comments to some 30 invited guests, Tom Shaw, Lady Gregory, and W.B. Yeats. Before sailing and premiered the work of major playwrights such as O’Neill said, “We are delighted that so many neighbors home in March 1912, the company returned to Boston J.M. Synge and Sean O’Casey as well as contemporary and friends could join us tonight to welcome the na- and performed four additional plays. classics from the likes of Sebastian Barry, Marina tional theatre of Ireland, the Abbey Theatre, to Boston In a mission statement posted online at abbeythe- Carr, Bernard Farrell, Brian Friel, Frank McGuinness, to reestablish the kinship between our great city and atrefoundation.org, the foundation explains its goals: Thomas Kilroy, Tom Mac Intyre, Tom Murphy, Mark this historic theatre. Rich in history and culture, the “Today, under the leadership of Senator Fiach Mac O’Rowe, Billy Roche, and Sam Shepard. We continue Abbey Theatre is committed to the vision of its found- Conghail, the artistic imperative for the Abbey The- to support new Irish writing at the Abbey through ers and its tradition of preserving the arts. atre in the 21st Century remains that of the vision our commissioning process and our New Playwrights “Over the summer, our family had the opportunity and ambition of our founders with their manifesto ‘to Programme.” to visit the Abbey and see an outstanding performance bring upon the stage the deeper emotions of Ireland.’ If you wish to support the Abbey Theatre Foundation of “The Plough and the Stars” by Seán O’Casey. An To initiate and participate in a national conversation please contact – [email protected], Ab- Irish classic, this was staged brilliantly by the Abbey is what W.B. Yeats and Lady Gregory achieved and bey Theatre Foundation, 420 Lexington Avenue, Suite Theatre. Please join us in welcoming our friends from what we aspire to sustain. 356, New York, NY, 10170-0247 the Abbey Theatre to Boston and we hope you enjoy “Our mission is to create world-class theatre that Page 6 November 2012 BOSTON IRISH Reporter Worldwide at www.bostonirish.com The Kraft Center: Touting ‘The Gathering Ireland 2013’ Investing in the next generation Ireland’s top tourism officials were in Boston this Described as “the biggest tourism initiative in the his- fall to launch an extensive effort to promote Ireland tory of the state,” the campaign is designed to encourage of leaders in community health… as a vacation destination in the coming year. Minis- some of the estimated 44 million Americans with Irish ter of Tourism Leo Varadkar was joined by Tourism ancestry to plan a trip to their ancestral roots next year. Ireland chief executive Niall Gibbons and Executive At the luncheon, the tourism officials described an array Vice President US and Canada Joe Byrne at a Sept. 28 of plans for special events and festivals, highlighted Boston luncheon attended by some 150 business and by an invitation for visitors to march in the annual St. Irish community leaders to promote “The Gathering Patrick’s Day parade in Dublin on March 17. Ireland 2013.”

The Kraft Center for Community Health aims to draw talented clinicians to the field of community health – and, so far, for Dr. Julia Takahashi McManus of Neponset Health Center in Dorchester, its approach has been right on the mark. “I was trying to figure out what I was going to do next,” recalls Dr. Takahashi McManus, who was at the time fin- ishing up a residency in family medicine in Texas. “And then Dr. Kam from Neponset called to see if I would be interested in the Kraft program.” “Dr. Kam” is Dr. Lily Kam, the Medical Director at Neponset, with whom Dr. Takahashi McManus, a na- tive of Mexico City, had worked briefly on an electronic medical records project before departing for Texas. And “the Kraft program” in question turned out to be the Kraft Practitioner Program, an innovative new endeavor aimed at helping community health centers recruit and retain top notch physicians and nurses – a proven strategy for ensuring the availability of high-quality, cost-effective health care for the low-income populations that community health centers typically serve. Indeed, the Kraft Center for Community Health, which was established earlier this year by a generous gift from the Kraft family to Partners HealthCare in Boston, has the explicit goal of expanding access to high quality health care in underserved areas by building a strong workforce of physicians and nurses dedicated to community health. The Kraft Practitioner Program, one of the Kraft Center’s two main “signature” programs, frees up a day per week of time for physicians and nurses already employed by Tourism Ireland chief for North America Joe Byrne displays a copy of the Boston Irish Reporter which community health centers, which enables them to step featured a back page ad promoting The Gathering. Photos by Margaret Brett Hastings; Tourism Ireland. away from their clinical responsibilities and take part in leadership and career development activities. Program participants also pursue an independent “quality improve- ment project” that is of interest to them and a priority for their health center. For her project, Dr. Takahashi McManus is tackling the problem of prescription medication abuse, which leaders at Neponset have identified as a major issue, particularly among patients suffering from chronic pain. She is also gaining a lot from the Kraft Practitioner Program’s structured learning opportunities. “It’s been good,” she said, following a recent day of Kraft Center-organized presentations and discussions. “There are so many things that you want to do, but even in medical school, you never get the chance to learn how.” It is her hands-on clinical work at Neponset Health Cen- ter, however, where approximately 80% of patients live in poverty, which is making the biggest impact. “You won’t change someone’s diabetes when groceries at the supermarket are $60 and McDonalds is $3,” explained Dr. Takahashi McManus, who trained as an ENT specialist Irish tenor Ciaran Nagle and his wife, Tara Novak entertained at the luncheon. in Mexico. She added: “I always knew the social part of medicine was important, but now I live it.”

About the Kraft Center for Community Health With the support of Partners HealthCare and its founding academic medical centers—Massachusetts General and Brigham and Women’s Hospitals—The Kraft Center for Community Health helps develop the careers of physicians and nurses from throughout the country who are committed to improving the health of our communities. The Kraft Center’s multi-disciplinary programs emphasize an academic-community partnership that integrates clinical, management, policy, and research activities. By taking part in these programs, participants are better equipped to take on the challenges of health care inequality and serve as leaders in the delivery of health care services to the community. To learn more about the Kraft Center for community health visit us at http://www.kraftcommunityhealth.org Leo Varadkar salutes a musical performance. About Neponset Health Center and Harbor Health Services, Inc. Harbor Health Services, Inc. is a nonprofit, public health agency committed to providing quality, comprehensive health care in urban Boston neighborhoods, the South Shore and Cape Cod com- munities. Harbor Health owns and operates three community health centers: Geiger Gibson Community Health Center, Harbor Community Health Center-Hyannis and Neponset Health Center. In addition, Harbor Health administers the Elder Service Plan, a program providing care to frail elders in their place of residence, the Women Infant Children Nutrition Program of Dorchester South and the Ellen Jones Community Dental Center. To learn more about Harbor John McCabe and Jack Forbush, Mt. Washington Bank, Minister Leo Varadkar T.D., and Ireland Consul Health Services, Inc. visit us at http://www.hhsi.us. General to Boston Michael Lonergan. Worldwide at www.bostonirish.com November 2012 BOSTON IRISH Reporter Page 7 Boston Irish Reporter’s Here & There

By Bill O’Donnell py about some of the statements made country will leave the bailout program a hint that somebody had played with Irish Role In Australia Changes – by President McAlese and proceeded next year. The EU and the IMF, fol- the jobless number, Welch insulted the Almost a century and a half has passed to chastise the Irish leader like some lowing a look at the Irish books, have president of the United States and his since those early convict ships filled with erring seminarian. Law told McAleese concluded that the economy is “on track” campaign staff in Chicago. He denigrated the Irish sailed from English prisons that he was “sorry for Catholic Ireland re this year’s budget targets. Yet another the federal officials and the civil servants like Dartmoor and Portsmouth bound to have you as president,” and McAleese piece of good news is the latest shout-out who provide security and safety for fed- for Australia. The Fenians constituted responded that she was “the president of from Barclay’s Bank that the reforms eral job statistics. For a UMass grad with the first wave in the 1860s of a British Ireland and not just of Catholic Ireland.” are working and that exports reached a PhD from the University of Illinois we solution to a British problem: What to do McAleese, a lawyer and canon scholar, $12 billion in August, up a lofty 16 per- should expect more. with the overcrowded prisons filled with noted that the cardinal’s language and cent. This, says Barclay’s, has boosted Neutron Jack, who knows a great deal minor crimi- attitude that day was arrogant and nas- Ireland’s standing on the global stage. about the jobless (he created thousands) nals, many ty. Law then demanded that McAleese Bridge To Link Counties Louth & is no better, despite his education and o f w h o m and her party sit down to listen to the Down – The bridge proposal had been corporate parachutes, than South Caro- were Irish orthodox view on women’s ordination by mooted about for decades but until last lina Congressman Joe Wilson, who convicted of a conservative Catholic, the Republican month there had been little to show called President Obama a liar while petty crimes Mary Ann Glendon. for the effort to build a bridge over the he was making his State of the Union amidst the On her return to Ireland, McAleese Newry River to link County Louth in speech in 2009. There is not an ounce a n t i - I r i s h confronted the Irish church hierarchy the Irish Republic with County Down of daylight between that hapless moron fervor of the about Law’s actions and was assured in the North. However that’s history Wilson and our better educated and d a y ? T h e they had not been briefing the US now with Dublin and Belfast agreeing richer Mr. Welch. Welch is ignorant and answer was cardinal. Several years after the Law- to construction of the span and with the self-absorbed, and he and Donald “Look to create a McAleese rumble, in December 2002, European Union pledging major funding at Me” Trump deserve each other. Two prison colo- Law, after blaming the Boston Globe from its border development fund for the big jerks in search of solace and a photo ny in distant and other media for the clerical abuse $35 million project. op to burnish their aging egos. Bill O’Donnell Australia to scandal, resigned, apologizing for “short- The Omeath-Warrenpoint bridge RANDOM CLIPPINGS a c c o m m o - comings” and “mistakes” he had made. will be the first cross-border span since In a last-ditch effort to clean up the date the criminal Irish, in a phrase: to The Best Free Show In Town – It partition. Can you imagine! No small scandal in Ireland’s Catholic Church, “export” the problems at home. And they doesn’t cost you anything except a phone miracle in these times of austerity both the Vatican has canned Cardinal Sean did it with a vengeance. call and a reservation and you can be part north and south. And a grand positive Brady and will award his seat to some- The Irish of today in Australia are of the audience at the Kennedy Library step forward that slashes the distance one yet to be tapped, but it will not be no longer in chains, no longer part of Forums, hosted periodically by the Ken- (in Kilometers and history) between Dublin Archbishop Diarmuid Martin, a dubious and unjust criminal class. nedy Presidential Library & Museum the twenty-six and the six. And don’t who is too principled for Benedict XVI. They have emerged as top government at Columbia Point in Dorchester. Since even begin to talk of its impact on the … The Abbey Theatre is going all digital officials, prime ministers, and leaders the forums began, the JFK Museum region’s economy and an uptick in social and in 3 years will have the largest the- in developing the social and economic has hosted fascinating discussions by interaction and good will. atrical archive in the world. … The tax dynamic of the country. Adding to the authors, journalists, government of- I have not been to tiny Omeath nor its folk in the North are said to be making success story of the land down under is ficials, Kennedy family members, and neighbor just across the river in too many “real progress” on lowering the corporate a new ingredient direct from Ireland: newsmakers on the events of today and years, but I remember with a lingering tax rate there. … Derry has been picked emigrants freshly arrived with exten- in the past. warmth being with my family along the by the lonely Planet guide people as one sive expertise and sophisticated street Coming up this fall and winter are narrow River in Omeath, our then young of the top 4 best cities to visit. … The experience, i.e., former members of the discussions by experts on the Supreme daughter atop a donkey and looking Kylemore Abbey, which closed its girls Irish Garda Siochana. Court (Nov. 18); a look at the life and across to Warrenpoint in the North, and school, has a $300,000 grant to open an These ex-Garda are fleeing depression- times of the late Speaker Tip O’Neill laughing with lovely friends, the Reil- education center in the under-utilized hit Ireland and using their police expe- (Dec. 9); a discussion with US Attor- lys, Minnie, Julia, Karen, and Ronan, former school. … Bill Cullen, of “Penny rience and Aussie good will to join the ney General Eric Holder (Dec. 11); and and their kin. The custom stations for Apples” book fame and the Irish Appren- local police departments. Long decades the Life of Joe Kennedy (Dec. 12) with Ireland and the British are long gone tice, lost his Renault dealership and is after their beginnings in the prison Chris Lydon. Reservations (necessary) now and with them the security men hurting. … Sean FitzPatrick and two colony the Irish are now highly sought by phone at 617-514-1643. who checked our car for contraband as other Anglo Irish Bank big shots are after as police officers ready to serve in Correction – The name of the award we crossed the border into Omeath and going to trial. About time. a growing and healthy economy. Their to former Irish President Mary Robin- the wee county. Sinn Fein has fallen in the polls and service time in the garda is recognized son by President Obama in 2009 was My wife Jean and I spent several su- its second-place spot has been taken over with extra pay and swift promotions. given in error in this space last month. perb early days of our Irish honeymoon in by a slowly resurgent Fianna Fail. Fine Generally speaking, Australian police In a White House ceremony, the presi- a simple, mountainside home in Omeath Gael, under Kenny and his labour pals, pay is better than it is in Ireland and the dent presented Mrs. Robinson with the with our loving Aunt Minnie, a hot wa- still leads the pack. … The GAA and the Irish who sign up and stay in Australia Presidential Medal of Freedom, the na- ter bottle, and a view from the kitchen British Defense Department will share report that the quality of life is equal to tion’s highest civilian award. window that the years cannot erase. It a pitch together in Lizburn. Good stuff. or better than that in Ireland. Recruiting Federal Court Hold On BC Tapes was glorious and in all the rich, atrium- … It’s beginning to look as if Elizabeth for the Aussie police stopped last month Handover – Up front the news that surrounded splendor of luxe hotels we Warren has withstood the Scott Brown but a new drive is expected to start in should put a smile on the face of jour- have stopped in around the world since low blows and could be peaking at the the new year. Not a bad deal for the nalist Ed Moloney and his project then, nothing, absolutely nothing, has right time. … Aer Lingus announced descendants of the former prison colony colleague Anthony McIntyre is the ever come close to the wonder of that in October that if its employee pension and the people of Australia. temporary stay of the order to hand over time in our lives. fund were redeemed this year, members Top Utah Paper Opts For Obama Boston College interview tapes to the God speed and good luck on the bridge! would only receive 4 per cent of what they – In a stunning announcement ten days British government. The stay prevent- I’m looking forward to at least one spin expected their pensions to be. … Two new ago, Utah’s largest paper, the Salt Lake ing the handover of the tapes is in effect across the river. I’d really like that. upgraded restaurants to think about in Tribune, blasted fellow Mormon Wil- until November 16. Big Bucks and Bad Behavior – In Belfast: the Shu and Mourne Seafood. … lard Romney and endorsed President Aside from whatever the federal court his GE Czar days they referred to the Is Northern Ireland gradually becoming Obama for reelection. The paper said, in Boston (which has the tapes) decides UMass Amherst graduate as “”Neutron” the “gay cure” capital of the world Nut “We have watched [Romney] morph later this month, there is a growing Jack Welch. He had a story book career Wing? First Iris into a friend of the far right, then tack consensus that it is doubtful if the US at the helm of General Electric. He fired Robinson and her recommended toward the center with breathtaking Supreme Court will choose to hear employees by the thousands and he made therapist, and now a consultant promis- aplomb ... through a pair of presidential the tapes case. Another experienced several fortunes for the corporation. ing cures for gays in Banbridge. debates, Romney’s domestic agenda observer, former Congressman Bruce When he retired, GE’s board and his suc- Enda Kenny is saying aloud that not remains bereft of detail and worthy of Morrison, believes that even if the high cessor couldn’t give him enough riches, only is Gerry Adams a former IRA mem- mistrust.” Summing up its endorsement court opts to consider the case, it would but they tried. His estimated platinum ber but that he was also a member of the of the president, the Tribune focused on not decide it. That is an odd position for parachute was put at $420 million; his IRA Army Council. I wonder how those the concerns about Romney that they the Yale-trained lawyer to take, or so it net worth six years ago topped $700 Dail sessions work out between the two? share with millions of voters in asking: seems to me. million. Quite a success story. Now he … Filming will begin early in 2013 on a “Who is this guy, really, and what in the Morrison says the BC tapes contro- writes ‘how to’ books to ensure that the three-part television drama that will be world does he truly believe?” versy “requires a political solution: At public doesn’t forget him. ready for the TV public next year on the Utah is not only a state that knows the end of the day, I’d be surprised if Welch is an avowed enemy of Barack Charlie Haughey saga. … An unnamed Romney well, but it is a red state, a any court in this country stops [the sur- Obama. It is likely that like a great security source is telling the Irish Post Republican state, and its leading news- render of the tapes to Britain].” I think many of his less-educated friends, he that British intelligence overplayed the paper doesn’t like what it sees of the bug- he has that right. thinks that the president is a socialist IRA Olympic threat and it was much ado out former governor of Massachusetts. The former Connecticut Congressman or a Muslim. When the September job- about not so much. … News from Ireland Newest Irish Famine Museum believes that since the BC tapes are not less numbers came out early last month on the Obama-Romney battle: Polls are Opens in Connecticut – Quinnipiac sworn testimony, they won’t amount to a Neutron Jack tweeted his world and showing Obama leading Romney if they University in Hamden is the site of the “hill of beans in court.” But he noted that the media that the jobless number that could vote: 98 percent and 79 percent up latest Great Hunger Museum. Univer- the US-UK assistance treaty that un- dropped under 8 percent had gone down for the president. … Galway Airport, sity President John Lahey opened the derpins the British request for the tapes by some Obama or White House cooking once a key regional airport, has lost museum on October 11 and claims that has been opportunistically exploited by of the books. Jack called the number “un- $8 million since the Irish government the campus addition has the world’s larg- law enforcement officials in Northern believeable” and added “these Chicago stopped its subsidy. There are only five est collection of artifacts, visual art, and Ireland. “It’s wrong to enlist the US guys will do anything. Can’t debate so employees there now, and no commercial printed materials related to the famine. government under a treaty that was change numbers.” air service. Very sad! The museum focuses on the 1845-1852 entered into to catch a terrorist threat Without a fact to his name or even famine years when one million Irish died in real time, not to prosecute 40-year- and some two million more left Ireland old cases,” Morrison concluded. Amen! for America and other countries. Things Looking Up For Ireland – No Surprise Here – Mary McAleese Ireland Has a ‘Time’-induced glow these here in the orld got into a heated argument after being days and the confident stride of the Irish W W insulted by then Boston Cardinal Ber- punter might be, to begin with, related nard Law when she visited the US on to the recent Time Magazine cover story Can You Find an official visit as Irish President in 1998. (European edition) on Taoiseach (prime Some 14 years after the Irish president’s minister) Enda Kenny with the cover News about Ourselves confrontation with the arrogant, imperi- headline “The Irish Comeback.” Some ous archbishop, Mrs. McAleese recounts believe that the magazine might be a the clash in a newly published book she bit premature, but the glow persists. & Our Town has written on Catholic canon law. Another positive sign is the upbeat It seems that the cardinal, then the attitude of Irish Finance Minister Mi- pope’s consigliere in the US, was unhap- chael Noonan, who announced that the www.BostonIrish.Com Page 8 November 2012 BOSTON IRISH Reporter Worldwide at www.bostonirish.com Irish International Immigrant Center Immigration Q & A An agency accredited by US Department of Justice About US passports 100 Franklin Street, Boston, MA 02110 when time is short Q. I recently became a US citizen but have not yet Telephone (617) 542-7654 Fax (617) 542-7655 obtained a US passport (and my foreign passport is no longer valid). I have a family situation that will require Website:iiicenter.org Email: [email protected] me to travel abroad as soon as possible. What do I do? A. Normal processing time for a US passport applica- tion is currently around 4-6 weeks, according to the State Department. There is an expedited processing option available, which is estimated to take 2-3 weeks. This option can be used for new passports, renewals, name changes, and the addition of extra visa pages. In addition to the usual fees totaling $165 for a new adult passport, expedited processing requires a fee of $60 plus the costs of an overnight delivery service. The forms, required evidence, and all other details concerning passport applications are found on the US State Department website at travel.state.gov. Click the Passports link and navigate the topics on the left side of the page to find precisely what is needed for adults, The Springboard Wider Horizons Group (from Dublin and Belfast) with Pastor Borders (front middle) minors, and changes to existing passports. on their recent visit to the Morning Star Baptist Church in Mattapan. They were accompanied by IIIC Instead of mailing their applications, those who need staff member Ann-Marie Byrne. This trip is one of many mutual understanding activities that the group a passport for foreign travel taking place in less than 14 take part in during their seven weeks in Boston. days can make an appointment to handle the process in person at a regional passport agency. The mechanics Solas Awards honor Sister Lena Deevy – We is easier than you think! for scheduling an appointment are covered on the State community leaders are proud and delighted With the help of the website as well. Celebrating 23 years by to congratulate Sister IIIC’s excellent citizen- Foreign citizens without currently valid passports who shining a light on leaders Lena on being one of the ship services staff, the urgently need to travel to the US or to leave this country who give back – Named recipients of the first an- application and interview and return should consult the website of their country’s from the Gaelic word for nual Government of Ire- become far less daunting. department of foreign affairs or its embassy or consul- “light,” the Solas Awards land Presidential Distin- The IIIC is now offering ates in the US. There they will find the information are presented to lead- guished Service Award for regularly scheduled week- they need on emergency passport issuance. For Irish ers whose work in their the Irish Abroad. Other ly citizenship clinics that citizens, the local Irish consulate can be contacted at communities touch and recipients of this presti- give applicants the chance 617-267-9330 or at consulategeneralofirelandboston.org. inspire. We are pleased gious honor are the phi- to get expert advice and Note that, no matter what your country of citizenship, to honor three individuals lanthropist Chuck Feeney application assistance you can save money and aggravation in an emergency by whose spirit of giving back and former Coca-Cola every Thursday after- keeping your passport current with at least six months to the community embod- head Donald Keough. noon, beginning at 3 p.m. of validity remaining. ies true leadership. On The award, which is Citizenship specialist For a free, confidential consultation on any aspect of Dec. 6 at the JFK Library intended to honor out- John Rattigan and Citi- immigration law, visit one of our legal clinics. and Museum, the IIIC’s standing individuals who zenship Services volun- These articles are published to inform generally, not annual Solas Awards Cel- “have rendered distin- teer Neil Hurley apply to advise in specific cases. Immigration law is always ebration will honor Kevin Sr. Lena Deevy guished service to the their years of experience subject to change, and US Citizenship and Immigration Kelley, CEO of Ironshore; Congrats are in order nation and its reputa- and meticulous attention Services and the US Department of State regularly Beverly Edgehill Ed. D., tion abroad,” was given to detail to each and every amend regulations and alter processing and filing pro- Vice President of Orga- reception. in recognition of Sister application they review. cedures. For legal advice seek the assistance of an IIIC nizational Development, Proceeds from the Solas Lena’s enormous con- It is a marvelous oppor- immigration specialist or an immigration lawyer. of the TJX Companies, Awards celebration allow tribution to the Irish tunity for anyone look- Inc.; and Vincent Ryan, the IIIC to assist people community abroad here ing to become a citizen. chairman of Schooner from all nations with in Boston and her work Legal Permanent Resi- Capital and founder of access to free immigra- building bridges between dents who are looking for the Schooner Foundation. tion legal services, social communities that support help with their applica- services, citizenship assis- peace and reconciliation tions are encouraged to Prior to the award cer- tance, ESOL classes, job on the island of Ireland. call and register ahead of emony, a reception will readiness programs and We also congratulate time but drop-ins are also take place in the stun- learning exchange pro- Sister Lena on her life- welcome during the clinic Large Format Printing ning pavilion featuring grams between the United time achievement award hours. All consultations gourmet New England States and Ireland. at the Boston Business with Citizenship Services Billboards • Banners fare. Music and enter- The Solas Awards are Journal 2012 Leaders are free of charge. The tainment will include the a memorable way to com- in Diversity Awards for IIIC also offers class- 1022 Morrissey Boulevard, Dorchester mence the holiday season. talented Boston City Sing- her work over more than es to help you prepare 617-282-2100 ers, along with Ciarán We invite you to join us and three decades building for the US Citizenship Nagle, one of the original enjoy an evening of music diversity and bridging Exam and interview. carrolladvertising.com Three Irish Tenors, who and celebration. Your seat communities. We are all Call Citizenship Out- will be accompanied by purchase includes access very proud of you, Sister reach Worker Toni Earls his wife, the renowned to the Library at 5:30 p.m. Lena. at 617-542-7654, Ext. singer and violinist Tara For further details please Take the first step 26, or send an e-mail to Novak. Museum exhibits contact Mary Kerr at 617- to US citizenship with [email protected] for will also remain open for 695-1554. our weekly clinics – Ap- more information or to guests to enjoy during the Congratulations to plying for US citizenship register. FOLEY LAW OFFICES, P.C. Matters Of Substance Attorney John Philip Foley Permanent Residency & Citizenship • Family & Business Immigration • Labor Certification & Temporary Visas Rediscovering Gratitude at Thanksgiving ALL Nationalities & AILA Members By Danielle Owen When I did finally wake can now celebrate my so- “As we express our grati- up and they said dinner briety and my amazingly tude, we must never forget was ready, I shouted in patient friends who also that the highest apprecia- an annoyed tone, “What rejoice in my new life. I tion is not to utter words, dinner?” and proceeded celebrate by going to an but to live by them.” to knock over their table AA meeting, sharing my – President John F. lamp and promptly feel story, and helping those Kennedy asleep again. who also want recovery. “It wasn’t until last I’m even cooking this year; A client’s story of grati- year in treatment for my to show my friends as well tude and hope: alcohol addiction that my as myself how thankful I “I haven’t always en- friend told me this story. am for this new awaken- joyed the Thanksgiving I remember feeling so ing.” holiday. When I first Danielle Owen ashamed of my behavior *** moved to the United and seeing the look on Change is always pos- States from Ireland 10 normal morning for me. my friend’s face as he re- sible, but make sure you years ago, I didn’t really Despite being clearly counted my actions. This have the support you need. understand the holiday drunk, I was warmly is what keeps me sober; We never plan to have much. It generally just welcomed by my friend’s not the fact that my family problems with alcohol or allowed me an excuse to family. They had all gone had refused to talk to me drugs, but if you think you get off work and drink for to so much trouble prepar- for years or even a couple do or are worried about a four days. My American ing their Thanksgiving of DUI’s, but it was this loved one, there is some- friends were always try- dinner; even cooking for a story that finally woke me where to go to chat about ing to invite me to join in couple of days beforehand. up from my denial! your concerns. Contact their families’ celebration, I, however, fell asleep in “I have been sober for Danielle, in confidence but I only ever accepted an their living room while nearly a year now and I and without judgment, at invitation once. they all worked away with am so looking forward to the IIIC at 617-542-7654, “That afternoon, I had the final dinner prepara- Thanksgiving because of Ext. 14, or by e-mail at arrived to my friend’s tions. My friend came to this holiday that I realized [email protected]. home having had at least find me and gently wake I was addicted to alcohol Danielle Owen is IIIC half a bottle of whiskey, me, but apparently I was and that it had made my Director of Wellness and which, at the time, was too difficult to rouse. life so unmanageable. I Education Services. Worldwide at www.bostonirish.com November 2012 BOSTON IRISH Reporter Page 9 Boston irish Boston Irish Arts, Entertainment, Reporter Travel & More Cathie Ryan’s time to look within

By Sean Smith Special to the BIR It has been an eventful last few years for Cathie Ryan. Among other developments, she moved back to the US after liv- ing for nine years in Ireland, got inducted into the Irish Ameri- can Hall of Fame in her native state of Michigan, was named Jeff McCarthy as Irish Female Vocalist of the Man of many roles. Decade by liveireland.com, and recently released “Through Wind and Rain,” her first album Playing since 2005 – all of this taking place in the 25th anniversary year of her debut as lead singer the Grinch with Cherish The Ladies, which put her firmly in the spotlight as one of the Irish music scene’s at the Wang most endearing and talented By R. J. Donovan performers. Special to The BIR So it’s understandable for When “Dr. Seuss’ How The Ryan to be feeling a little reflec- Grinch Stole Christmas! The tive of late, given not only the Musical” brings its tinsel and succession of these and other bows into The Citi Wang The- events but perhaps also the atre for a two-week run (Novem- time and circumstances in her ber 23-December 9), it’s unlikely life, with a child now well into you’ll recognize Jeff McCarthy adulthood and a new community in the lead role. to explore and make her own. It’s not that you haven’t seen And because Ryan wears her the six-foot-two baritone before. heart not only on her sleeve but He’s got 250 theater productions also in her music, “Through under his belt, eight starring Wind and Rain” likewise has a roles on Broadway – including certain introspectiveness to it, “Les Miserables,” “Chicago,” characterized by songs (most of “Side Show” and “Urinetown” them contemporary rather than – six feature films, and almost traditional, and two written or four dozen TV appearances to co-written by Ryan) that are his credit. about taking stock, remember- However, to take on the role of ing loved ones, and traveling on The Grinch, he’ll have to slither in the metaphorical as well as into a matted fur costume and literal sense. It’s also conveyed obliterate his face with green through the presence of many makeup. Isn’t that an actor’s, of Ryan’s friends, such as John not to be recognizable? Doyle, Seamus Egan, Niall Cathie Ryan is back in the US after living in Ireland for nine years. “It’s an anonymous gig,” Jeff Vallely, Michael McGoldrick, said, laughing, when we spoke Joanie Madden, Jimmy Keane, by comparison. Ryan’s take on so lovely, and they fit in with sadly, but we wanted to play by phone during a rehearsal and Aoife O’Donovan, as well her friend Kate Rusby’s “Walk the direction the album was up the urgency in the lyrics: break. “But it’s a blast. And as her longtime band mem- the Road,” once again aided taking. I was very grateful to She keeps telling him ‘You can’t the music is great.” bers Patsy O’Brien and Matt by splendid harmonies from Kate and John for giving me have a lodging here,’ and he’s Describing the transforma- Mancuso. O’Brien, Ritter and McBain, the go-ahead.” obviously not listening to her, tive power of the costume and “I think there is a thematic evokes the persevere-against- Doyle, incidentally, lends so you’re really left wondering the makeup, he said, “It sud- connection among the songs,” the-odds sentiment of “Wishing hand and voice to a rather what’s going to happen.” denly liberates you. In all sorts says Ryan, who performed last Well,” but adds the virtues of chilling version of “Go From My Three other tracks serve to of weird ways. We went in to month at The Burren in Somer- fellowship. Window,” a traditional song of highlight the album’s raison do a radio interview and we had ville’s Davis Square. “They “Walk the Road” segues very night-visiting in which a mar- d’etre: One is Cape Breton sing- security problems. I didn’t bring have to do with loss and other well into the next track, “Lib- ried woman pleads, in very liter- er-songwriter Laura Smith’s my license with me, not that situations and happenings that erty’s Sweet Shore,” Doyle’s ary fashion, with her lover not “I’m a Beauty,” which is a gentle, it would have helped, because force you to change. It was an powerful song of Irish immi- to ruin her domestic tranquility. confident broadside against the the picture looks nothing like amazing experience to have all grants en route to Quebec. Doyle A motif played by Doyle and whole “ravages of time” view on what I look like in the makeup. these people involved in making joins Ryan on vocals, Mancuso’s Egan, along with bassist Chico growing older, aided here con- But the guard would not let us the album, to have their love and multi-tracked fiddles, and Scott Huff and percussionist Steve siderably by Michelle Mulcahy’s [in]. And I became . . . fearless. support behind me.” Petito’s cello creating a somber Holloway, helps ratchet up the tender harp-playing. I would never be that way if I The whole reflection/intro- yet graceful undercurrent. suspense. “This is the song that made hadn’t had the costume on. It’s spection angle might sound “It’s unusual for me to record “We decided to give the song me want to record again. A guy an interesting experience.” like a Debbie Downer kind of songs that are so recent,” says a different feel,” notes Ryan. came up to me after a show At The Wang, audiences will listening experience, but it’s Ryan, “but these two are just “Usually it’s sung slowly and once and asked me about ‘that have the opportunity to redis- not the case. There is plenty of woman’s song you did – you cover Dr. Seuss’s time-honored spark and spirit on “Through know, about beauty.’ I told him holiday tale of the far-from- Wind and Rain,” starting with that I didn’t think of it as a merry Grinch. With a heart the first track, “In the Wishing ‘woman’s song,’ but as a human “two sizes too small,” he plots Well,” a composition of Ryan song, about all of us. And it’s a to steal Christmas from the and Noel Lenaghan that con- perfect song for life’s ‘middle holiday-spirited Whos down in trasts a story of the promise passage.’” Whoville. However, through the and pain of love with an upbeat, Probably the most intensely course of the story, narrated by forward-looking mindset (“I love personal song on the album is Max The Dog, he realizes there’s the dichotomy,” says Ryan) and “Daddy,” which Ryan wrote more to Christmas than he first infectious melody, buoyed by about the debilitating effects of thought. The stage production Vallely’s concertina, duel bou- alcoholism on a family, as seen features a full score, includ- zoukis by Doyle and Egan, and from a child’s perspective. In ing “You’re A Mean One, Mr. a thoroughly affable chorus of just about anyone else’s hands, Grinch” and “Welcome Christ- Doyle, O’Brien, Fiona McBain “Daddy” might well have been mas” from the beloved animated and Leslie Ritter. uncomfortably maudlin, even TV special. “Oro, Sheandunie Doite (Oro, exploitative, but Ryan sings The original Seuss book, Burnt Old Man)” and “The with such honesty and a lack published in 1957, featured Johnny Be Fair Set” – combining of histrionics that it doesn’t black and white drawings. It the titular song, a comic tale of become an issue. And if the was when The Grinch made his genealogy and romance, with subject matter isn’t exactly TV debut in 1966, featuring the “Brendan Tonra’s Jig” and two uplifting, the song’s inclusion voice of Boris Karloff, that the reels (with O’Brien, Mancuso, on the album was for Ryan a cantankerous curmudgeon be- Keane, Madden, percussionist positive outcome in and of itself. came green, thanks to legendary Brian Melick, and Ryan on “I wrote the song some years animator Chuck Jones. bodhran) – also keep the album’s ago,” she explains, “but I just In an interesting coincidence, bounce and tempo lively. Ryan says the songs on her new CD, “Through Wind and Rain,” never felt up to recording it. many years later Jones hired Which is not to say that have a thematic connection: “They have to do with loss and It’s a tough song in many (Continued on page 10) everything else is moribund other situations and happenings that force you to change.” (Continued on page 15) Page 10 November 2012 BOSTON IRISH Reporter Worldwide at www.bostonirish.com Playing the Grinch at the Wang (Continued from page 9) Arts. “It was all just luck for Shields was there, all of these Jeff to become the voice of the me that I grew up in that town, celebrities. He cast a wide net iconic Michigan J. Frog on the otherwise surrounded by broc- as far as his social life went.” WB Network. Now, with Jones coli fields and cattle farmers . . . Although “Grinch” will mark gone, Jeff’s portraying the the (PCPA Theaterfest) was the Jeff’s first professional appear- The Grinch, with whom Jones biggest theater festival on the ance in Boston, he has main- became so strongly identified. West Coast in the 70s. It was tained a special connection to Plus, he remains good friends bigger than the San Diego Globe the city over the past few years. with Chuck’s daughter. … a huge operation. “My daughter graduated from Raised in California and clas- “I studied there and did a mil- Emerson in May. She’s a cast- sically trained, Jeff took to the lion plays. One of the directors ing director out in Los Angeles. stage at an early age. In high took us on a USO tour all over I’ve done The Berkshire Festival school he had the chance to South East Asia. We did ‘Once and I’ve done Barrington Stage perform in Europe, although the Upon A Mattress’ and a little 30s several times, but never played company played some unusual cabaret show that we played in Boston.” locations. “I had this great, the DMZ – you know, between It was in Western Massachu- great drama teacher and he took North and South Korea. That setts that Jeff first connected Grinch Company Photo by paparazzibyappointment.Com us on a tour of Great Britain,” was amazing. We played Iwo with his Irish past. He said he said. “We played in a mental Jima and Hiroshima, Nagasaki, when he was growing up in miliar. And then on Broadway, played high profile roles ranging institution up in Scotland where Tokyo, the Philippines, all over California, people didn’t neces- I did ‘The Pirate Queen” (based from Javert to Agamemnon, Jeff they had to lock us in the dress- the place.” sarily pay a lot of attention to on the life and adventures of said this particular production ing rooms when we weren’t on Early in his career, McCar- family ancestry. “My father 16th century Irish chieftain and is special because, “I’ve never stage. And I was playing the thy worked on the short-lived would put on a green tie on St. pirate Gráinne O’Malley). The done anything like this. The fool in this production. So I was Broadway musical, “Smile,” Patrick’s Day and that was sort producers were Irish and we Grinch is from the candy bowl the one that all the [patients] with music by Marvin Hamlisch. of the extent of it.” had a lot of ‘Riverdance’ dancers for the holiday season.” wanted, the one they identified Recalling the late composer, he However, “at The Berkshire involved.” R. J. Donovan is publisher of with. Some of them were ap- said, “He was a delightful guy. Festival, about 13 years ago, I Despite his travels, Jeff ad- OnStageBoston.com. proaching the stage during the He remembered everybody he did a show called ‘Brimstone,’ mits he’s yet to visit Ireland. *** performance and had to be led ever met by their name, by their which is all about Northern “I’ve been to Scotland and Wales “Dr. Seuss’ How The Grinch back by security people.” face . . . he was a special guy in Ireland. … it was the first time and England. That’s bound to be Stole Christmas! The Musical,” It was also fortuitous that that way. When we had our that I keyed into all that. It was my next vacation. I’ll finally get Nov. 23 – Dec. 9, Citi Wang he lived in Santa Maria, Cali- first ‘Smile’ party, it was out an amazing thing how I felt the over there and take my daugh- Theatre, 270 Tremont St., Bos- fornia, not far from The Pacific at his house in The Hamptons. music and the dialect. All of that ters with me.” ton. Tickets: 866-348-9738 or Conservatory of the Performing Diane Sawyer was there, Brook came very easily, it felt very fa- In the meantime, the focus citicenter.org. is on Seuss. Although he has ‘He never, ever got tired of the music’ By about that time in his life, Mike Reynolds and his (Continued from page 1) siblings had an inkling of how important a figure their of the music of his native land. Marginalized even within father was regarded in the community – the guy you Ireland itself during his youth, Irish traditional music went to if there was something that needed to happen, would attain international popularity and recognition a cause that needed support. through performers like The Clancy Brothers, The “There always seemed to be about three different Chieftains, The Dubliners, Planxty, The Bothy Band, stacks of raffle tickets around the house, which we De Dannan, Clannad, Christy Moore, Solas, Lunasa, would go out and sell around the neighborhood,” Mike among many others, as well as “Riverdance.” said. “It didn’t matter what the cause was, he would And through it all, Larry Reynolds played his fiddle, get behind it. The Irish are great for gathering around whether with family members or an ever-increasing those who need help.” roster of friends, everywhere from the storied Irish Added Sheridan, “Larry didn’t say ‘No’ very often. dance halls in Roxbury’s Dudley Square to intimate Then, you’d get the call from him: ‘Would you do me a (and crowded) sessions in pubs and parlors to festivals favor and help me with this?’ Your answer, because it attended by thousands. was Larry, would be ‘Whatever you want.’ ” Reynolds also played a major organizational role in In 1969, it was Sheridan who needed help. He had helping to promote and preserve Irish traditional music joined the Curragh Ceili Band a couple of years before, as a co-founder and chairman of Boston’s Hanafin-Cooley but after some of the members left, he found himself branch of the world-wide Irish cultural organization looking for replacements. “My first call was to Larry,” Comhaltas Ceoltoiri Eireann, and, later on, the branch’s said Sheridan, who had first met Reynolds playing for music school, and as a leader of legendary weekly ses- an Irish dance recital, where the two “had the best sions at the Village Coach House in Brookline Village time.” It was the beginning of a successful and enjoy- and, later, the Green Briar Pub in Brighton and The able partnership. Skellig in Waltham. “Larry was always bringing in someone to play with Beyond such formal avenues, Reynolds was widely the band, like Seamus Connolly [with whom Reynolds cited as an ambassador, a go-to guy who got things Larry Reynolds is carried to rest from St. Jude would eventually host a weekly radio show on WNTN] done, especially if it had anything to do with Irish Church in Waltham, Oct. 11, 2012. or other young kids he’d seen,” Sheridan said. “He was music. And most of all, he was noted for the personal Photo by Bill Brett constantly out there to make connections. For him, the touch with those new to the music, or new to the area gigs we would do weren’t about bringing in a band – it (or both), always providing encouragement and advice. to take lessons from Mabel West. But while Reynolds was about bringing in the music.” Playing tunes with friends and accepting condolences grew up in a household filled with music and dance, Of course, adds Sheridan, the music wasn’t just from well-wishers at The Skellig session less than a as a young man he found many Irish turning up their Irish. “We’d play everything from dance to weddings week after his father’s death, Mike Reynolds did some noses at such traditions. As Reynolds would recount to to birthdays and more, and you needed a broad reper- mental arithmetic and calculated that he and Larry Susan Gedutis Lindsay for her book See You at the Hall: toire that included rock and country and so on. Larry had played “7,000 to 8,000” gigs together. Figure in the Boston’s Golden Era of Irish Music and Dance, he would could do it all.” gigs the father did without the son, as well as those he carry his fiddle under his coat to avoid ridicule from Reynolds’s brand of leadership and sociability was played before Mike was born, and the numbers verge those who considered traditional music as emblematic critical in helping the local Comhaltas branch, which on the astronomical. of an impoverished, backward land. he co-founded in 1975, become one of the largest and “He never, ever got tired of the music,” said Mike. “It’s “If people’d hear you playing traditional music, a most active in the world. He headed up the branch’s not easy to be so involved and active as he was. There jig or a reel,” Reynolds recalled, “they’d sometimes be ceili band, which gained prominence well beyond the are plenty of musicians who have gotten burned out, laughing at you.” Boston area, and arranged to have the branch’s monthly and have had to take some time away -- some never Emigrating to Boston in 1953, however, Reynolds get-togethers at the Canadian American Club, which came back to it. But my father kept on and kept on. He found a very different, and quite cosmopolitan, atmo- became a magnet for local and visiting musicians alike. just loved it. He fed off it. There would be brand new sphere. He became immersed in the Dudley Street Reynolds was inducted into the Comhaltas Hall of people in town, and they’d come into the session, and dance hall scene, where the Irish music with which Fame, to go with the honors he received from the Irish my father would make them feel welcome and practi- he was so familiar became enmeshed with American Cultural Centre of New England, Harvard University’s cally give them his week’s paycheck.” styles like the tango and foxtrot. But there were plenty Celtic Studies Departments, and Irish America Maga- In fact, so great was Reynolds’s reputation as an of ex-pats, or Americans of Irish descent, around who zine, which in 2006 included him in its list of Top 100 organizer-mover-shaker, his credentials as a musi- could play the old tunes as well as the new stuff, and he Irish-Americans. cian might be overlooked – except by his family and befriended musicians like Paddy Cronin, Joe Derrane, One of his most important Comhaltas-related achieve- friends, that is. Brendan Tonra, Mickey Connolly, George Shanley, and ments was helping establish the branch’s music school, “One of the great things about Larry was the broad many others who would become legends in Boston’s thereby ensuring that young (and even not so young) grasp of traditions he had,” said Tommy Sheridan, who Irish music annals. people would learn the tradition from some of the Boston began playing with Reynolds in the late 1960s with He also made the acquaintance of a talented pianist area’s most accomplished musicians. the Curragh Ceili Band. “He wasn’t East Galway, he named Phyllis Preece, whom he married in 1954. They “He was very clear in his belief that, for the music wasn’t Sligo; he was an Irish traditional fiddle player had six boys – Larry Jr., Mike, James, Sean, Kevin, and and the culture to survive, there needed to be a school,” who could play anything, any style you wanted. He put Brian (deceased) – and a daughter, Deborah, and quite said Lynch, who served as the school’s music director. them all together, in a way that only somebody who often, a house full of friends, many of them musicians. “He knew there were a lot of challenges in teaching truly understood them could. He really exemplified Not surprisingly, the Reynolds children had plenty kids, and getting them hooked, so he would always be the music.” of exposure to Irish music and dance, and quite a lot around to meet and encourage them. He had a great Said Tara Lynch, who became a friend and frequent of opportunity to explore them for themselves. Mike way with kids.” collaborator of Reynolds through Comhaltas: “For Reynolds recalls taking Irish step-dance lessons with Then again, Larry Reynolds had a great way with Larry, Irish music was more than jigs and reels. He his brothers as a young schoolboy, until he had enough. just about anyone. The most lasting image of Reynolds looked at the broader spectrum: marches, planxtys, But when one of his brothers got interested in taking for Sheridan and others was when he would welcome polkas, slides and so on. He had a knack for getting to up music, Mike thought he might like to as well. a new arrival to a session, especially a person with know what people liked, what made them happy, and “I had to practice half an hour every day – do you relatively little experience in Irish music. He would his technical quality was so good that he could play in know how long half an hour is for an eight-year-old ask the newcomer where he or she was from, how long those different styles.” kid? – and then my father would call me to him and he’d he or she had been playing, and then invite him or her Born in the town of Ahascragh – northwest of Bal- say, ‘Play the tune,’ and he’d tell me what I did right or to start a tune. linasloe and also the birthplace of fiddler Mairtin Byrnes wrong,” Mike said. “Later on, my brothers and I would “So the person would name a tune, and Larry would and award-winning singer Sean ‘ac Donncha – Reynolds go out with my father to the halls and the social clubs say, ‘Oh, that one,’ “ recalled Sheridan. “ ‘That’s one was the next-to-last of 13 children, and the beneficiary of where there would be a ceili or some other event with of my favorites.’ “ assistance from brother Harry, who bought 10-year-old music. We’d sit in with the other musicians, who all Sean Smith writes regularly on Irish music and dance Larry his first fiddle, and sister Betty, who paid for him knew my father, of course. And that’s where I learned the music – sitting next to my Dad.” for the Boston Irish Reporter. Worldwide at www.bostonirish.com November 2012 BOSTON IRISH Reporter Page 11 on Jan. 11 with its traditional kick-off concert in Club The Bell Family, and Kyte MacKillop & Friends. Passim and the Boston Urban Ceilidh – BCMFest’s A look at some of the highlights of BCMFest 2013: Celtic dance party – at The Atrium, 50 Church St. • Friday night’s kick-off concert at Club Passim, Saturday’s “Dayfest” will feature children’s and fam- “New Tunes from Boston: Boston’s Celtic Compos- ily entertainment at Passim in the morning, followed ers,” spotlights some of the area’s young, innovative by an afternoon of concerts and other events on four musical talent. different stages in Passim and the nearby First Parish • The Boston Urban Ceilidh, the Friday evening Church, Cambridge, at 3 Church St. dance party that is always one of BCMFest’s most A Saturday night finale concert in First Church, with popular events, will feature live music by Core 4; Cape Breton fiddler Kimberley Fraser, Highland Dance Kimberley Fraser, Emerald Rae & Rachel Reeds; and A column of news and updates of the Boston Celtic Boston, and other special guests – including “A Celtic Laura Cortese & The Boston Urban Ceilidh Band. Music Fest (BCMFest), which celebrates the Boston Sojourn” host Brian O’Donovan, who will emcee – will No experience necessary – all dances will be taught. area’s rich heritage of Irish, Scottish, Cape Breton cap the commemoration of BCMFest’s first decade. • BCMFest’s Saturday “Dayfest” begins in music and dance with a grassroots, musician-run Performers for 2013 include: The Deadstring En- the morning at Club Passim with songs, storytelling winter music festival and other events during the year. semble, George Keith & Sean Gannon, Hanneke Cassel and other entertainment geared toward children and – SEAN SMITH & Mike Block, The Coyne Family, Katie McNally & families. BCMFest set to mark first decade – Boston’s Eric McDonald, Bronwyn Keith-Hynes, Joey Abarta, • “Dayfest” also includes participatory dance and grassroots celebration of local Irish, Scottish, Cape Core 4, Liz Hanley, Mairin Ui Cheide, Skylark, Bel- jam sessions in The Attic of First Church. Breton, and other Celtic music will mark its 10th year clare, Corvus, Kira & Cliff McGann, Armand Aromin • Among the special events for BCMFest 2013 will when BCMFest (Boston’s Celtic Music Fest) takes & Dan Accardi, Diane Taraz, Michael O’Leary, Ivonne be “The Stars of Munster,” a tribute to legendary place on January 11 and 12, 2013. Hernandez & Adrianna Ciccone, Bob Bradshaw, Laura Irish musicians Denis Murphy and Julia Clifford; The festival will showcase several dozen musicians, Cortese, Emerald Rae, Carraroe, Matt Heaton & The “Surf Sligo,” a mash-up of traditional Irish music and singers and dancers, all with ties to the Boston music Electric Heaters, The Whiskey Boys & Shinbone Alley, 1960s “surf rock”; and “Move the Rolling Sky,” which scene, during the two-day event, which is held in the Molly Pinto Madigan, The Boston Scottish Fiddle Club, recalls the influential folk-rock bands Steeleye Span, heart of Harvard Square. BCMFest gets underway The Royal Scottish Country Dance Society of Boston, Fairport Convention, and Pentangle. BCMFest began in January 2004, the creation of Irish flutist Shannon Heaton and Scottish-style fiddler Laura Cortese, who believed Boston should celebrate the richness and diversity of its Celtic music with a festival that would be largely run by musicians and volunteers. For the first two years, BCMFest was held at locations in Somerville’s Davis Square and Club Passim, and since 2006 has taken place largely in Harvard Square. BCMFest also has held events throughout the rest of the year, includ- ing a monthly series at Club Passim, a music cruise in Gloucester Harbor, and an annual concert at the Westford Museum. In 2011, BCMFest officially became a program of Passim, which has been a venue for, and a supporter of, the festival from the beginning. “It’s hard to believe 10 years have passed,” says Heaton. “Laura and I are delighted that BCMFest has struck a chord among such a wide variety of traditional musicians, and it has been humbling and inspiring to see how the community has gotten behind the project for a decade. So many musicians, parents and friends have contributed time, energy and creative ideas – and all of this support has helped the festival evolve and grow. And, at the end of the day, it is one hot display of music and dance talent.” Adds Cortese, “We continue to be impressed by the quality and creativity we see among the musicians, singers, dancers and others who perform at BCMFest each year. It’s a true representation of the music The fiddle ensemble Childsplay will perform in Lexington later this month and in December. community: full-time touring professionals; musi- cians who work ‘day jobs’ and go off to play sessions – their sixth – that will be produced by Childs and or concerts on evenings and weekends; people with Liz Carroll, another past performer in the group. In strong personal and familial roots in these music Childsplay addition, according to Childs, plans are being made traditions; and enthusiastic high school and college for the group to record a new concert DVD; the first, students who help ensure these traditions will go on.” “Fiddles, Fiddlers and a Fiddlemaker” (released in Heaton and Cortese also credit Passim for its role en route to early 2011), combined footage of Childsplay’s 2009 in BCMFest’s development: “Passim has been an performance in Somerville Theater and interviews invaluable resource for folk and acoustic music for with several members. decades, not only as a concert venue but for its music Lexington For more about Childsplay, and for links to ticket school and community outreach. We’re honored to be information and reservations for the concerts at the part of this organization.” National Heritage Museum, see childsplay.org. All information about BCMFest 2013, including this month SEAN SMITH ticket prices, festival schedule and performer updates, will be available at passim.org. Childsplay, the all-star fiddle ensemble featuring many musicians with ties to the Boston area, makes its annual visit later this month to the National Heritage Museum in Lexington and perform three concerts. The group – whose repertoire is taken mainly from Irish, Scottish, Cape Breton, French Canadian, Scan- Boston Public Schools dinavian, and American folk traditions – will appear at the museum on Nov. 29 at 7:30 p.m., then return on December for two shows, at 3 p.m. and 7:30 p.m. Showcase Series Childsplay is the creation of Cambridge violin- maker Bob Childs, whose handiwork is used by all the fiddlers and violists in the ensemble. Among the many fiddlers who have taken part in the annual SOUTH BOSTON Childsplay concerts are Laurel Martin, Sheila Falls, West Zone S ch o ols East Zone Schools Hanneke Cassel, Amanda Cavanaugh, Sam Amidon, Mark Simos, Mary Lea, Dave Langford, Pete Suther- Wed., Nov. 7, 2012 Thurs., Nov. 8, 2012 land, and Katie McNally, as well as Childs himself. ROXBURY Childsplay also has featured other instrumentalists, JAMAICA PLAIN 6:00 to 8:00 p.m. 6:00 to 8:00 p.m. DORCHESTER including Shannon Heaton (flute, whistle, accordion), Ariel Friedman (cello), Kathleen Guilday (harp), Keith ROSLINDALE The English High School Dever/McCormack K-8 School MATTAPAN Murphy (guitar, piano) and Ralph Gordon (string WEST ROXBURY bass), and dancers like Kieran Jordan and Nic Gareiss. 144 McBride St. 315 Mt. Vernon St. HYDE PARK The group is known equally for its array of fine sing- Jamaica Plain Dorchester ers, notably long-time member Lissa Schneckenburger – who this year will assume lead vocal duties for the departed Aoife O’Donovan – along with Heaton and Murphy, among others. North Zone Schools Citywide High Schools This year’s Childsplay tour will include a special tribute to one-time music director John McGann, who Thurs., Nov. 15, 2012 Thurs., Dec. 6, 2012 died in April. Also in the works for Childsplay is a new album 6:00 to 8:00 p.m. 6:00 to 8:00 p.m. CHARLESTOWN 75 Malcolm X Blvd. 75 Malcolm X Blvd. EAST BOSTON AUTO BODY REPAIRS (617) 825-1760 NORTH END Roxbury Roxbury ALLSTON/BRIGHTON (617) 825-2594 DOWNTOWN CHINATOWN Madison Park FAX (617) 825-7937 SOUTH END Madison Park MISSION HILL High School High School

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Free Pick-Up & Delivery Service Explore school options, enter to win a Nook door prize, free face painting, and more! 150 Centre Street bostonpublicschools.org/showcase Dorchester, MA 02124 617-635-9455 Page 12 November 2012 BOSTON IRISH Reporter Worldwide at www.bostonirish.com

SBLI IS PROUD TO SUPPORT THE

We join you in saluting the 2012 Boston Irish Honorees: U.S. Congressman Richard E. Neal Mary and Bob Muse & Family Brendan and Greg Feeney

We honor your commitment to the city’s Irish social and cultural heritage.

1-888-GET-SBLI www.SBLI.com Worldwide at www.bostonirish.com November 2012 BOSTON IRISH Reporter Page 13 Page 14 November 2012 BOSTON IRISH Reporter Worldwide at www.bostonirish.com the tune structure, improvis- ing and bending notes while electric piano and a slightly CD Roundup more elaborate drum accom- paniment filter in – and then By Sean Smith we’re back to the guitar chords The Olllam, “The Olllam” – John McSherry is again. Just when you think one busy fella these days. On the heels of the release you’ve discerned a pattern, earlier this year of “Idir,” as part of the trio At First McSherry drops out while Light, the Lunasa co-founder now unveils his newest guitar, electric piano and bass undertaking, a collaboration with Detroit natives Mike bounce off each other, and when he comes back in the Shimmin and Tyler Duncan (and yes, that is a third time signature changes briefly into 4/4 before suddenly “l” in “Olllam”). reverting to the previous one, leading into the guitar On this album, McSherry (uilleann pipes and chord sequence again just before the end. whistles) brings his sense of musical adventure to play And that’s how it goes: The trio deliberately eschews with the equally innovative-minded Shimmin (drums, the traditional (in every sense of the word) Irish tune percussion) and Duncan (uilleann pipes, whistles, format, so don’t listen for “A” and “B” parts because guitar, electric piano), who are members of the Irish they just don’t emerge; instead, you get choruses, pre- trad/jazz fusion band Millish. The result is a layer cake choruses and bridges. McSherry’s gyrations on “The of traditional and contemporary concepts and styles: Follly of Wisdom,” for example, transition into a delicate, whistles and pipes in dynamic, neo-trad runs, jazz-funk bell-like electric piano solo over a rockin’ guitar-drum keyboard riffs and fills, breezy acoustic guitar solos, combo; likewise, “The Tryst After Death” – which and brisk percussive backing. At times, it sounds like begins with solemn electric piano and tick-tock drum a low-key, stripped-down version of Moving Hearts in rhythm — becomes an exciting, accentuated pipes and their post-Christy Moore era. whistle duet that develops into an increasingly tense The second track, “The Belll” – which follows a brief stand-off between electric piano and guitar, Shimmin’s “Prolllogue” (the triple-“l” thing is a motif throughout drums and cymbals building up the pressure until it the album) – establishes the album’s premise. Duncan breaks off into a reprise of the piano-drum pattern lays down a series of soft two-beat chord progressions from the beginning. on guitar, on top of which McSherry plays his charac- This all may seem very cerebral and high-concept as teristically dexterous low whistle in what sounds like described in print, but there’s definitely an accessible straightforward 6/8, underscored by Shimmin’s inter- informality to the sound. Give it a listen, and don’t mittent bodhran. Then McSherry begins to tinker with sweat that extra “l.”

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www.Gormleyfuneral.com Worldwide at www.bostonirish.com November 2012 BOSTON IRISH Reporter Page 15 Cathie Ryan’s time to look within (Continued from page 1) no monitors on the stage.’ of a young child. Still, the felt like I wanted to have may be overlooked, but reflect the experiences of ways, and so I’m glad now ‘Doesn’t matter. You need offer was too good to pass control over my schedule, which she feels is equally their own lives and fami- that I was able to put it on to find a way to sing qui- up, so for practices and and to work on things I important: her vocation lies. I think it’s wonderful, the album. It was time.” etly.’” gigs she would hire a sitter was really looking to try. as a teacher. Ryan did, because it inspires the kids The album’s final song Spending time in Ire- or, if worse came to worse, There was certainly no ill after all, graduate summa to think, ‘OK, what’s our (“The Johnny Be Fair land with her grandpar- simply bring him along. will involved – I still get cum laude in English music?’” Set” is technically a bonus ents, Ryan learned more “I remember after the together with Joanie and literature and secondary Ryan thinks, constantly, track) is, quite literally, about the song tradition first gig with them, we the band every so often. education from City Uni- about what her music is, a benediction: “May the and singing, but also were all jumping up and And, of course, Joanie is versity of New York, and where it’s going, and how Road Rise to Meet You,” about the art of storytell- down in the ladies’ room, on the new album.” then taught composition she’s going to get it there. by Roger and Camilla ing, and the great store saying ‘Yes, it works!’ Catching on as a solo art- and literature at Lehman Nine years ago, she de- McGuinn (yes, that’s the of folklore and mythology I will always value the ist took some time, though. College in the Bronx until cided these kinds of delib- same Roger McGuinn in Ireland. Joining The years I spent with them. Ryan, however, found yet she began touring. But erations would work best from The Byrds). While Gaelic League and Irish I honestly think the band another friend and mentor she never lost the love of in Ireland, and she moved the refrain will be very American Club in her na- did pioneer change, espe- in the legendary Tommy teaching, and in fact she to the Cooley Peninsula familiar to anyone who tive Detroit deepened her cially for women, in Irish Makem, who invited her has had quite a few op- in County Louth; but in has spent time among the immersion in Irish tradi- music. It wasn’t a bunch of to sing on his 1995 PBS portunities to indulge her May, she returned to the Irish (or set foot in an Irish tion, but Ryan also notes girls in ball gowns looking Christmas special. pedagogical side through US, settling a little north gift shop), the McGuinns’ the other influences she all dainty, but a group of “Tommy was so wise festival workshops or in of New York City. verses seek to locate it picked up in her youth and women up there who were about this business,” she other contexts, such as “It’s been a huge adjust- more in the realm of hu- young adulthood, notably playing the songs and the recalls. “He told me it was the study tours she co-led ment,” she says. “I went man experience, and Ryan Appalachia, country, even tunes. This definitely had going to be hard, but he to Ireland. In addition to from a two-bedroom cot- – again with an assist from Motown. an impact on how Irish was very supportive in Irish singing, she’ll dis- tage by the shore, with Mulcahy – elevates the Moving to New York to music was perceived; it many ways, whether it cuss Irish mythology and sheep on one side, to a song beyond kitsch. attend Fordham, she met, wasn’t just a man’s show was sending me songs or folklore, or about the value place where the window “Nobody had ever cov- performed with, and mar- any more.” having me on the Christ- of arts in education. looks out onto a brick ered the song before,” she ried Sligo singer Dermot Joining Cherish The mas show. “I love being able to wall. I miss the commu- says. “I loved the idea of Henry, who added more Ladies brought her many “Tommy, along with the talk about the myths and nity I had in Louth, very ending the album with layers to her knowledge of new friendships, and one Clancys, were so impor- the folklore, and how it’s close-knit – everybody a blessing, and this was Irish song and the tradi- of the most durable and tant to all of us, really. all linked into the songs. was there for each other, perfect.” tion from which it arose. meaningful was with They brought an aware- Even in the 21st century, and people would think “Through Wind and The marriage didn’t last, Bridget Fitzgerald, the ness, and a respectability, you can appreciate the nothing of popping in. But Rain” shows that what- but their connection has – band’s original singer, who to ethnic music – really connections to this ancient ultimately, it seemed like ever contemporary influ- Ryan regularly performed now lives in the Boston carved that road for us to landscape. It’s like Frank this was a change I needed ences there may be in and recorded songs she area. follow. They made it pos- Harte said: The songs are to make.” Ryan’s music, she is solidly learned from Henry and “I love Bridget. She gave sible for other artists of ‘old ghosts in search of a The economic land- versed in Irish tradition makes a point of acknowl- me all kinds of encourage- Irish music to be able to voice.’” scape, particularly for and history, thanks in edging his contribution to ment, and in particular stand up and perform at a Working with children folk music performers, is no small part to her im- her work. she inspired me to sing place like Carnegie Hall.” is a special treat, says noticeably different than migrant parents, Tim and By 1987, Ryan had made in Irish. She is one of the The following year saw Ryan, who has taken part when she last lived in the Mary, of Tipperary and enough of an impact on big reasons I enjoy going Ryan make her first solo in the Lincoln Center Arts US, yet Ryan is not about Kerry, respectively. Tim the New York Irish music to Boston, which is such a CD and go on her first in Education repertory. to give way to negativity. in particular stands out scene to attract the atten- great place – full of singers tour, and she was well on “The kids have the “When all is said and in Ryan’s memory for the tion of one Joanie Madden and musicians I love to be her way to becoming one music in them, they have done, I play music, with way he not only taught her of the groundbreaking all- with, because they’re so of the most popular and the voices, and you have my good friends Matt and what songs to sing and how female Irish band Cherish generous and open.” acclaimed Irish American to give them a chance to Patsy, and I get to share it to sing them, but also the The Ladies, who asked As much as she loved singers of her generation. get to know this part of with so many other people, importance of “honoring” Ryan if she’d like to join playing with the band, As rewarding as her themselves. The teachers some of whom I’ve known them, as she puts it. them. This was no small after eight years, Ryan de- singing career has been, at Lincoln Center have for years. How can I not “One of the first songs consideration for Ryan, cided it was time to strike there is another aspect of had the kids take one of like that?” my father taught me by then a single mother out on her own. “I just her professional life that my songs and rewrite it to was ‘The Old Bog Road,’ by Teresa Brayton. He made me read the lyrics, so I could understand the Great Hunger, what it meant and how it affected MUSIC AND DANCE Ireland. It was very im- FROM THE FAR AND NEAR CORNERS OF THE GLOBE portant to him that I un- derstand the background of why that song came to be, why it meant so much to the Irish. And he would teach me the phrasing, be- cause that was important, Mary too: ‘This is where you put the pause.’” Ryan acknowledges that her father was a great Black teacher, but a tough critic: WITH Róisín O “As a girl, I would sing in the basement because I “BLESSED WITH A VOICE didn’t want him to hear “Serving Greater Boston since 1971” THAT IS PURE GOLD.” me. He didn’t compliment —LOS ANGELES TIMES my singing until I was 1060 N. MaiN St., RaNdolph, Ma 02368 over 30 --’You did a good Sat., nov. 10, 8pm job.’ Even when I was phone: 781-963-3660 berklee singing professionally, fax: 781-986-8004 performance he’d tell me something www.miltonmonuments.com like ‘You’re oversinging.’ center ‘Dad,’ I’d say, ‘there were email: [email protected] 136 mass. ave., Boston EIRE pub

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Every day, FOR TICKETS AND INFORMATION 617.876.4275 www.WorldMusic.org 7 days a week Tickets are also available at the Berklee Performance Center box office Page 16 November 2012 BOSTON IRISH Reporter Worldwide at www.bostonirish.com Traveling People Pick a town, pick a time, and Ireland will delight you By Judy Enright 16, and Brendan, 14 – and Special to the BIR their mother, Una, from One of many things I Recess. The boys played love about Ireland is that instruments and danced each time you visit, you and Una sang several are likely to be surprised emotional Irish ballads. by something that you VBT’s two guides joined in haven’t before seen or the fun too – Brian sang experienced. Each season a song or two and Josey and location brings its own joined Una in spirited set of special delights and Irish dancing. events. For more information LOUGH INAGH on VBT’s extensive list of This fall, I visited Lough varied walking and bik- Inagh Lodge Hotel (lough- ing tours in Ireland and inaghlodgehotel.ie) in elsewhere, visit vbt.com. Connemara – my favorite The company is headquar- small hotel and a conve- tered in Bristol, VT. nient jumping off spot for BALLYHAUNIS AND photographic forays into WESTPORT the stunningly beautiful Isn’t it interesting to surrounding area. The note that Ballyhaunis, Co. hotel has 13 double bed- Mayo, was recently named rooms, is comfortable and Ireland’s “most cosmo- welcoming, and the food is politan town?” Hard to delicious. believe that Dublin, Cork The first time I stopped City, or Galway didn’t top there this fall, it was the that list! last fishing weekend of Figures released by the the season and the hotel Central Statistics Office was jammed with men show that Ballyhaunis and women decked head- has the highest percent- age of non-Irish nationals to-toe in waterproof gear Brendan Joyce, left, 13, playing the tin whistle, and his brother, John, 16, from Recess, Co. Galway, en- who braved the rainy, living there – 42 percent of tertained guests at Lough Inagh Lodge Hotel, Connemara, in October. Both also danced. Their mother, chilly weather to join their the population. The town Una, is an accomplished singer and shared several Irish ballads with the appreciative guests. ghillies in search of the boasts the only mosque in Judy Enright photos biggest and best fish. The Co. Mayo and there are renowned Lough Inagh many Muslims who have fishery includes Inagh lived in Ballyhaunis for and Derryclare loughs and decades, initially drawn a river at the top of the by the Halal meat-pro- Ballynahinch system and cessing plant that opened is an immensely popular there about 30 years ago. fishing spot. Down the road apiece, After the fishermen Retail Excellence Ire- left, a group of hardy land (REI) recently cited New Englanders – from Westport, Co. Mayo, as Newton, Westport, and the top place to live and Dartmouth, MA, as well shop. After the results as several from Rhode of 16,000 surveys were Island – spent several tallied, Westport was nights at Lough Inagh. named the best out of They were members of “100 Best Towns and Cit- Above, this hardy group of cyclists, riding through a VBT (Vermont Bicy- ies in Ireland.” Killarney, Connemara with Vermont Bicycle Tours, posed Co. Kerry, was second. outside Lough Inagh Lodge Hotel in Recess, Co. cle Tours) 10-day ride Galway, where they spent several nights. through the Burren, Aran Other towns in the top 10 included Listowel, Co. Right, John Joyce from Recess, Co. Galway, shows Islands, and, ultimately, Pat Sheehan from Newton, MA, some Irish dance Connemara with a final Kerry; Clonakilty, Co. Cork; Dungarvan, Co. steps. John, an award-winning dancer, and his overnight in Dublin. The brother, Brendan, and their mother, Una, enter- ride is characterized as Waterford; Ashbourne, Co. Meath, and Carrick- tained the Vermont Bicycle Tours’ (VBT) guests at “easy to moderate” and Lough Inagh Lodge Hotel in Connemara. the members appeared macross, Co. Monaghan. to be enjoying themselves And, that wasn’t West- tremendously in spite of port’s only honor recently. ample parking in several affected and the price rose the weather. The town recently won pay-to-park lots behind 177 percent. Meanwhile, Pat Sheehan, from New- The Irish Times news- the Bridge and James egg prices rose more than ton, said, “Everything paper’s designation as streets and sometimes, if 11 percent and cereal rose here is so beautiful. It’s the best place to live in you’re lucky, you can even by 30 percent while milk just beautiful scenery Ireland. find a place on the street, prices decreased by 13.6 and there’s beauty at If you haven’t been to But those spots require percent. every turn in the road.” Westport, it’s well worth more parallel parking Another item of inter- Jack Brady, from Lincoln, a visit for interesting skills than I possess, so I est – this reported in R.I., added that the sights shops and restaurants head for the parking lots. The Mayo News – was they’d seen in the Burren and just for a walk around TIDBITS the appearance of a male and Aran Islands, “were the beautifully designed The Irish Times reports Belted Kingfisher – native not what I expected of and laid-out town. The that the price of potatoes, to North America - in the If you will be in the shops, lectures, and visual Ireland from looking at Georgian style community long an Irish staple, rose six-acre Victorian walled West and are a fan of arts. Top sean-nós sing- travel brochures. We often was designed in the 18th 177 percent between Au- garden at Kylemore Ab- Jedward (John and Ed- ers, local and visitors, stopped to talk to the local century by James Wyatt gust 2011 and last August. bey in Connemara. The ward Grimes, the singing young and old, will hone people and they were so and is very well main- The newspaper said this sighting attracted scores 21-year-old blond twins) their musical skills to friendly.” tained and decorated with year’s wet weather during of birdwatchers because you will want to know that compete in sean-nós sing- In the evening, the colorful summer and fall the growing season re- the Belted Kingfisher was they have planned a show ing, sean-nós dancing, group and other guests blooming flowers along sulted in a high incidence last seen in Ireland almost at the Royal Theatre in violin, uilleann pipes, were entertained musi- the quay and around the of blight because farmers 30 years ago. This recent Castlebar, Co. Mayo, on harp, duets and much cally by two talented Octagon on James Street. couldn’t spray when it was arrival was credited to Fri., Nov. 2. On Thurs., more. For details, see Joyce brothers – John, Streets and sidewalks so wet. Consequently, po- the Gulf Stream, which Nov. 15, Dublin folksinger antoireachtas.ie are clean and there’s tato yields were adversely probably caught the bird Damien Dempsey will The Ardee Baroque in strong wind currents as present his “Almighty Festival is scheduled for it tried to migrate south, Love” show there. Ire- Ardee, Co. Louth, from and carried it to Ireland. land’s national ballet com- Nov. 16-18. This baroque Phillips Candy House The magnificently re- pany, Ballet Ireland, will festival prides itself on fine chocolates since 1925 stored gardens at Kyle- present “The Nutcracker” quality music, evocative more continue to attract at the Royal on Dec. 11. venues, and a friendly unusual natural phe- For details on these and festive atmosphere. nomena, the newspaper and other shows, contact It features a diverse range said. Englishman Mitch- RoyalTheatre.ie. of performers. For more ell Henry built Kylemore MORE FUN THINGS information, visit create- and the walled gardens TO DO louth.ie as a gift for his wife in The 57th Corona Cork TRAVEL 1867. The property passed Film Festival runs from Be sure to check Tour- through a series of owners Nov. 11-18. See corkfilm- ism Ireland’s informative after Henry until finally fest.org for more. website -discoverireland. being bought in 1920 by In Letterkenny, Co. com - for special events a community of Bene- Donegal, from Oct. 30- and activities taking place dictine nuns from Ypres, Nov. 4, Irish cultural in Ireland when you visit. Belgium, who operated a heritage will be show- And, check out Aer Lingus girls’ school there until cased through a program (aerlingus.com) and other 2010. that includes sessions, airlines for flight deals in CASTLEBAR SHOWS concerts, seminars, work- this shoulder season. Worldwide at www.bostonirish.com November 2012 BOSTON IRISH Reporter Page 17 The Irish Language by Philip Mac AnGhabhann Celtic ross Read this dialogue between two neighbors, one C with her children, who run into each other at the beach. See if you can understand some of it. We ords will then discuss it item by item. W The Irish AR AN DTRÁ crosswords are Máire: Uill, a Cháit! Dia duit! a service of an Cuir iontas maith orm ! Cáit: Dia ‘s Muire duit, a Mháire. Ireland-based Ar do chlann seo? Máire: Is ea. Is í seo m’iníon, website which Nóra, agus mo mhac beag, Liam. A leanaí, is Cáit Uí Shé, provides Irish Bean Tomás Uí Dhónaill. Cáit: Go mbeannaí Dia diobh, a leanaí. Family Coats of A Nóra, cén aois thú? Nóra: Tá mé naoi mbliana d’aois, Arms by email. Bean Uí Dhónaill. Cáit: Tá m’iníon deich mbliana d’aois. You are invited A Mháire, beidh said ag tarraingt go maith le chéile. to visit ON THE BEACH www. Mary: Well! Kate. Good day! bigwood.com/ This is a nice surprise. Kate: Good day to you, Mary. heraldry Are these your children? Mary: Yes. This is my daughter, Nora, and my young son, Liam. Children, this is Kate O’ Shea, ©-bigwood.com wife of Thomas O’ Donnell. IRELAND IN CROSSWORDS Kate: Pleased to meet you, children. ACROSS 9. Elf room passkey. (anag.) Galway beauty spot near Nora, how old are you? 1. A cell dustbin goes astray in Irish capital strong- Letterfrack with 3 lakes and a famous abbey. (4,2,8) Nora: I am nine years old, Mrs. O’Donnell. hold wherein is St. Patrick’s Hall used for many state 10. No, tough, many can be broken in Ulster region of Kate: My daughter is ten. functions. (6,6) many lakes, known as the MacMahon country, . (6,8) Mary, they will get along well together. 11. Electron deficient learner fails to start jungle 15. Engaged in banter seated around. (6) king. (3) 16. Brute dug up the root crop. (5) This short dialogue is filled with teachable struc- 12. Conditional return of plant container. (3) 17. Grand let in prosperous Cork town, known as the tures, beginning with the title, AR AN DTRÁ, 13. Wants to be born a detective sergeant. (5) ‘Bath of Ireland’ where Thomas Davies was born. (6) “On the Beach”, is pronounced /ahr uhn drah/ or 14. I moult badly in the last month in beautiful 18. “No, there’s nothing half so sweet in life As love’s even /ahrn drah/, where trá, “sands” or “beach” Timoleague. (6) young ——.” Moore. (5) is eclipsed after Ar An, “on the”. 17. Did the cow sound colourful when the boat was 20. Made haste along in Maghera navigation. (3) Their conversation begins with, “Well, Kate.”W tied up? (6) 21. Tip of the separate legend! (3) ell” is a favorite expression among Irish speakers, 19. “You write with ease, to show —— breeding. But 26. A contrived event will put a stop to growth. (5) taken directly from English but with modified easy writing’s vile hard reading.” Sheridan. (4) 27. Sam’s coming over for the celebration. (4) spelling since there is no letter “w” in Irish. The 21. Ardfert rekindling involves long migratory march. 28. Southern, yet upset about what’s causing a pain pronunciation is slightly modified, too, as the “l” (4) in the eye. (4) sound is pronounced in the front of the mouth, like 22. All one’s bail (anag.) Galway horse town with a 30. Tie in the back room of the hospital. (4) the “l” in English “wheel” but without the “ee !”. well-known castle adjoining Garbally park. (11) 32. Sap rising in Kerry resort four miles west of Tralee, Mary and Kate address each other in the Voca- 23. “There was —— ground where a man might linger, with mineral springs. (3) tive Case. For women, A followed by lenition of For a week or two for time was not our master.” Ewan 33. Take us out of 26 down with explosive result ini- the initial consonant of the name except for “l, McColl -The Travelling People. (4) tially. (3) n, and r.” “Mary” and “Kate” will be lenited (old 24. Noble but not quite on time. (4) term, “aspirated”) and change pronunciation but 25. Cut back and see where the zloty goes round. (6) CROSSWORD SOLUTION ON PAGE 14 “Nora” will not be. Máire /MAH-ree/ becomes /uh 29. This do suit, up in workplace. (6) WAH-ree/ and CáIt becomes /uh HAYT/. 31. “Where fierce indignation can no longer tear his “To be a nice/pleasant surprise” is Cuir iontas ——.” Epitaph of Jonathan Swift. (5) maith orm !, literally “Put astonishment good at 32. Drunkard returns to south. (3) Irish Sayings me.” This gives us a chance to review the Prepo- 34. Soft approach by United Nations initially is a “People live in each other’s shelter.” sitional Pronouns in ar “on” – orm “on me”, ort wordy joke. (3) “The world would not make a racehorse of a donkey.” “on you”, air “on him”, uirthi “on her”, orainn 35. Wants west tor. (anag.) Tyrone village near Coal- “You are not a fully fledged sailor unless you have “on us”, oraibh “on you-all”, orthu “on them”. island and seat of Viscount Charlemont. (12) sailed under full sail,” “and you have not built a wall Kate replies with, ”Good day”, and then noticing unless you have rounded a corner.” Mary’s children, asks, Ar do chlann seo? “Are DOWN “There is no strength without unity.” these your children?” The “official” Irish inter- 2. One nut I cracked. (4) “You must live with a person to know a person. If you rogative is not Ar but An. However, Ar is more 3. Peruvian pack animal seen coming back through want to know me come and live with me.” commonly used in normal conversation. An is Tuam all alone. (5) “Praise the young and they will blossom” used in written Irish and in more formal speech. 4. Upset trash can to find the means of writing. (3) “The raggy colt often made a powerful horse.” Mary responds with, Is ea, “Yes” (literally, “It’s 5. Oh, R.U.C. tour ban row. (anag.) North Wexford sea- “Age is honorable and youth is noble.” so”), then introduces her daughter Nora, Is í seo side resort near Gorey with a 2 mile sandy beach. (8,7) “Youth does not mind where it sets its foot.” m’iníon, Nóra. Followed by “and my young son, 6. “Go to the — thou sluggard; consider her ways, and “Both your friend and your enemy think you will never Liam.” Agus mo mhac beag, Liam. Mo “my” be wise.” Proverbs Chap. 6 verse 6 (3) die.” is contracted to m’ before a vowel. Mo “my”, do 7. Sound of Ireland’s first republican? (4) “The well fed does not understand the lean.” “your” and a “his” require that a following noun 8. “Nothing is —— done in this world until men are “He who comes with a story to you brings two away -- if it begins with a consonant -- be lenited as in prepared to kill one another if it is not done.” Shaw (4) from you” mo mhac. Beag /beyk/ normally means “small” “Quiet people are well able to look after themselves.” but here is used to mean “young.” Then Mary says, “Children” – again using he ADVERTISEMENT Vocative – this is “Kate O’ Shea, wife of Thomas O’ Donnell.” Note that Mary uses Kate’s birth name but adds, “wife of Thomas O’ Donnell.” Kate’s , “Pleased to meet you” uses a “set phrase” Go mbeannaí Dia diobh, “God’s many bless- Photography by ings on you.” Then she asks Nora, “How old are you? Cén aois thu? In this “set phrase” tú too/ becomes thú /oo/. Nora’s answer is that she is nine. There are Image Photo Service two things to notice here. The first is that a number before “years of age” eclipses the word • for “years.” The second is that Nora calls Mary, Weddings • Anniversaries Bean Uí Dhónuill, “Mrs. O’Donnell”, using Mary’s husband’s name just as we studied in last • Banquets • Portraits month’s column. Nora says that she has a daughter who is ten • Reunions years old (but obviously not present.) Notice again that mo, “my”, is contracted before iníon, “daugh- • Groups • Families ter.” Then she observes to Mary , A Mháire, beidh siad ag tarraingt go maith le chéile. Tarraingt is the verbal noun of tarraing • Special Occasions with the basic meaning of “pull” or “attract.” Here, in combination with go maith le chéile / goh MAH leh HAY-luh/, “very well together”, it (617) 291-6609 has the meaning of “getting on.” Note again that céile is lenited after le -- le chéile. The official photographers of the Boston Irish Reporter Page 18 November 2012 BOSTON IRISH Reporter Worldwide at www.bostonirish.com BRETT’S BOSTON By Margaret Brett Hastings Exclusive photos of Boston Irish people & events

The Boston Irish Reporter hosted the third annual Boston Irish Honors on October 19 at the Seaport Hotel. The event marked the 22nd anniversary of the BIR, drawing more than 350 persons for the mid-day luncheon. Said BIR Publisher Ed Forry in his intro- ductory remarks, “Today’s honorees — the Muse family, the Feeney brothers and US Rep. Richard Neal—are agents of idealism and in- genuity who represent the best of the Boston Irish experience. They are devoted to a level of professionalism in their chosen fields that makes us proud to call them our own.” The honorees each received an original artwork by Cork-born Dorchester artist Vin- cent Crotty, and an Irish auto registration plate bearing their family name and county of origin. Congressman Neal was introduced by Jack Connors, the Feeney Brothers by event MC Dick Flavin, and the Muse family by Bill 1. Kennedy. The event was chaired by Dave Bresnahan, CEO of Lexington Insurance. An invocation by Rev. Tom Kennedy of Brookline included a prayer and moment of silence for the late Larry Reynolds, founder of the Boston chapter of Comhaltas. Pictured are: 1.) The Feeney family; 2.) Con- gressman Richard Neal and his daughter, Maura Neal Fitzpatrick; 3.) The Muse family; 4.) Bill Ken- nedy; 5.) Congressman Neal; 6.) ed Forry 7.) Judge Christopher Muse; 8.) Gil and Kathy Sul- livan; 9.) Bob Quinn; 10.) Jack Con- nors; 11.) Dave Bresnahan, the event chair- man; 12.) Rev. Tom Kennedy; 13). Consul Gen- eral Michel Lonergan, emcee Dick Fla- vin; 14.) Chris Muse, Bill Kennedy, and Ed Forry.

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13. 14. Worldwide at www.bostonirish.com November 2012 BOSTON IRISH Reporter Page 19 The Boston Irish Honors 2012 for Distinguished Public Service US Rep. Neal has many duties, but Ireland is always on his mind By Gintautas Dumcius Reporter Staff US Representative Richard Neal (D-Masachusetts) remembers the collapse of the Soviet Union, the end of apartheid in South Africa, and Eastern Europe’s escape from Communism. “Then,” he said, “all of a sudden, the world focused on the longest-standing political dispute in the Western World: Ireland.” Neal remembers that turn of focus very well because he was right in the middle of that dispute, a young congressman from Springfield on a first-name basis with Irish presidents and prime ministers. Neal, who was elected to the US House in 1988 at the age of 38, was born in Worcester and grew up in Springfield. “You knew everybody,” he said of the Irish heritage that animated parts of his city. “Your closest pals and closest friends shared the same background.” They no doubt hailed from families that had come over from the old country long before, from places like the Dingle Peninsula, and County Down. Some, he said, were related to the “last liv- ing residents” of the Blasket Island. At the O’Reilly Club, a visitor could run into Irish nationalists who had fought in the Easter Uprising of 1916. As for his own family, he and his wife Maureen have four children: Rory, Brendan, Maura, and Sean. Still others had come more recently to escape The C o n g re s s m a n N e a l Troubles, the violent exchanges between Catholics through the years – and Protestants and the British in the North that had Clockwise from top: with darkened the Irish landscape from the late 1960s on. the First Lady Michelle As for his own family, Neal’s father’s side boasts Obama – meeting Nelson of roots in County Down; his mother’s side points Mandela – Sen. Daniel to Kerry. Patrick Moynihan and The congressman’s interest in Ireland and his roots Cong. Neal; with con- goes back to his teenage years: “It would not have stituents at St. Patrick’s been unusual for me during the worst years of the festivities in Holyoke. Troubles to be doing live broadcasts to Ireland,” Images courtesy he said. Rep. Neal In 1973, Neal started his political career when he was tapped as an assistant to Springfield Mayor William Sullivan. He quickly rose through the ranks, and unjustifiable,” prompting an apology from the what Neal called British “mischief,” in their push becoming a Springfield city councillor in 1978 and prime minister for peace in Ireland. “We were very aggressive in the mayor in 1984, and in between making a trip The Congressional group pursued other matters, pursuing a new day in the North,” Neal said. “It’s to the 1980 Democratic National Convention as staggering what has changed. The policing in the a supporter of US Sen. Edward Kennedy’s unsuc- North is all changed. The watchtowers are gone. cessful presidential campaign. He ran successfully Thirty thousand British soldiers…they’re gone. for Congress in 1988 following the retirement of Richard E. Neal: There’s a freely elected government in Stormont, veteran incumbent Edward Boland, a longtime Tip where nationalists and unionists sit together. So we O’Neill confidant. Vital Statistics stayed with it, day after day, month after month, year In Congress, he joined with likeminded members Born: Worcester, Massachusetts, Feb. 14, 1949. after year. And it’s a new day in Ireland.” in organizing a caucus to fight for peace inN orthern Married: To Maureen (Conway). Family: Four Neal currently holds several titles in the US House. Ireland. “It was our constant role to nurture the par- children: Rory, Brendan, Maura, and Sean. Educa- He’s a senior member of the powerful budget-writing ties into finding an accommodation,”N eal said in a tion: Graduate of American International College Ways and Means Committee, the ranking member recent interview. with a bachelor of arts in political science (1972); of the Subcommittee on Select Revenue Measures, The caucus was bi-partisan with its members in- master’s degree in public administration, Univer- the co-chairman of the New England Congressional cluding Republicans Peter King and Jim Walsh. They sity of Hartford’s Barney School of Business and Caucus, and an at-large party whip. have all remained good friends, he said, because they Public Administration (1976). The Springfield Republican, his hometown news- were “united in our belief that Ireland could get past Political Career paper, endorsed him for reelection in last month’s the Troubles. And they did.” US House of Representatives, 1988 to the pres- primary in a 480-word editorial: Neal was up front in defending Bill Clinton’s con- ent: He represents the Massachusetts 2d district, “A vigorous defender of Social Security and troversial decision in 1994 to grant a 48-hour visa to which includes cities and towns in western and Medicare, Neal knows full-well the difference the Gerry Adams, the Sinn Fein president, allowing him central Massachusetts, including Springfield, Chi- programs make in the people’s lives. It was Social to speak at a conference in New York. This was not copee, Longmeadow, Milford, and Northampton. Security that made it possible for Neal’s grandmother a popular move with the State Department, which Due to the redistricting measure passed last year, and aunt to care for him and his two sisters after his opposed the visa, though members of the National it will become known as District 1 in 2013. parents died. In addition to his work on domestic Security Council were in favor of the visit. In the He is a member of the House Ways and Means policy, Neal worked for years to help broker a peace end, Adams came to speak, but was not allowed to Committee and the ranking minority member of in Northern Ireland – playing a pivotal role in the raise funds. With rest of the “peace” caucus, Neal the Subcommittee on Select Revenue Measures. discussions that led to the Good Friday accords.” regularly interacted with the British government. He also serves as an At-Large Whip for House The congressman still visits Ireland on a frequent “We were very vigorous in our arguments as to how Democrats and is the co-chairman of the New basis. He was last there about a year ago, as the prin- the world was changing,” Neal said. “And we were England Congressional Caucus. cipal speaker at the Sinn Fein’s political convention. wondering, when was Belfast going to change?” He began his career in public service in 1973 What does the future hold for the Irish, particu- Neal notes that the caucus also worked to call at- as an assistant to Springfield Mayor William C. larly economically? “Ireland is poised for a great Sullivan. He was elected to the Springfield City tention to governmental follow-up to such events as comeback,” Neal said. “The population is very well Counci in 1978. And was its president in 1979. He Bloody Sunday, the infamous, deadly confrontation educated and they’re going to get through this current later served as mayor of Springfield from 1984 to at a parade site in Derry’s Bogside sector in January challenge that they have. And in the North I don’t 1989, when he joined the Congress. 1972 that saw soldiers of the British Army shoot 26 know anybody who’s made the argument to go to The Democratic leader of the Friends of Ireland, unarmed civil-rights protesters and bystanders, kill- the bad old days.” he was the recipient of the American Ireland Fund’s ing 14 of them, all males. In 2010, a British govern- International Leadership Award in 2002. ment report found that the killings were “unjustified Page 20 November 2012 BOSTON IRISH Reporter Worldwide at www.bostonirish.com The Boston Irish Honors 2012 Exemplary Boston Irish Family

Greg and Brendan Feeney, owners of Feeney Brothers Excavation Corp., have restored an old factory building at the corner of Park and Clayton streets into their contracting company’s headquarters. Photo by Bill Forry The Company of Brotherly Love: Feeney Brothers Excavation Corp.

By Bill Forry Although both are too busy managing the daily ing now houses office space, conference rooms and Greg and Brendan Feeney don’t have to share operations of the outfit to get into the trenches even a state-of-the-art training center for the Feeney an office on the spacious third floor of their new alongside their crews, they are both still fascinated Brothers 200-plus employees. The company relocated headquarters on Park Street in Dorchester. There’s by the details of each job. And both are like boys in from its longtime space in Savin Hill last January plenty of room here for the owners of one of the a toy shop as they walk through their hangar-sized (although the company maintains a three-acre yard region’s top utility contractors to spread out if they storage buildings on Sturtevant Street close by their off Bay Street for vehicle storage.) really wanted to. Park Street offices. The move and the restoration project at the Park But the Feeney brothers have been sharing space Their “ain’t broke –why fix it?” posture helps ex- Street building is still a work in progress. Last month, with good humor and great success since the day plain a lot about these two entrepreneurs who came workers were on the roof installing solar panels, while they started their own business back in 1987 from to Fields Corner within two years of one another in the basement others were putting the finishing the back porch of Brendan’s three-decker home on some 30 years ago. Although both men have since touches on an employee lounge. The building is also Dorchester’s Elmer Road. moved their families to suburbs south of the city, outfitted with a gym, including fitness equipment, The brothers, then still freshly arrived from County their work home has always been — and always will showers and lockers. The amenities are extra touches Sligo, Ireland, had only a few material assets in those be— Dorchester. that the Feeney brothers say they’re looking forward days, including a used, 1973 Ford dump-truck and a And so, as they eyed a new, larger building to base to sharing with their employees, most of whom have brand new backhoe that they broke the bank to buy. their now-booming enterprise, they knew that the been with the company for years. But for each man, it has turned out, the most im- search party would have to begin and end in their “As far as having a work base, it’s as convenient as portant ingredient to mutual success has been the adopted neighborhood. any place and we have a lot of Dorchester employees,” brother standing close by his side. “It’s hard to get industrial space in Boston. We explains Brendan. “We’ve always had good people “It worked on Elmer Road,” explains Greg. “It could go to any suburban town and it would be a and we don’t have much turn-over here.” worked well on Bay Street [in Savin Hill] for all third of the price,” explains Brendan. “But you stay The company specializes in making repairs and those years. We work well by bouncing things off with what you know.” laying new gas, electric, telecommunication and one another. Why change it?” Earlier this year, the Feeney Brothers Excavation water pipes throughout Massachusetts— with about In point of fact, of course, Greg and Brendan were Corp. moved into the building that the brothers 80 percent of their work focused on the gas industry. teammates long before they crossed the Atlantic. The say is their crowning achievement thus far: a reno- They bought the properties several years ago to two grew up together in Castleconnor, Enniscrone in vated, three-story brick structure that is nestled in store and repair huge supplies of pipes, valves and County Sligo along with eight other siblings — six an industrial zone between Fields Corner and Clam other heavy equipment, including giant, $180,000 boys and two girls in total. Brendan and Greg went Point. Once home to the Sturtevant Mills property flat-bed trucks that carry massive, pre-cut pipes to to school at Easkey NS —where their mother was that used huge grinders to make plastics, the build- jobs across the region. principal— and both graduated from St. Muredach’s College, Ballina, Co. Mayo. Greg followed in Brendan’s footsteps to RTC Sligo Engineering college, where he studied mechanical engineering. Brendan specialized in civil engineer- ing, moved to Dublin for a bit where he worked as a bartender and looked in vain for work that fit his degree. Like so many plane-loads of his fellow country- men at the time, his search ultimately led him to Boston in 1983. Brendan cut his teeth in the Boston job market as a roofer, landscaper and, finally, with a Braintree-based contractor. Greg, encouraged by his older brother, followed in 1985. Both soon realized that there was a gap in the mar- ket for skilled workers who had the right equipment to tackle rigorous— but plentiful— road work jobs around the city. “We could see even as we worked ourselves that there was this opportunity,” explains Brendan. “No contractors seemed to be fully staffed with their own equipment.” The breakthrough for the Feeneys came in 1988 when they were added to the “bid list” for Boston Gas work, allowing them to compete directly for the chance to win contracts from the giant utility company. “We worked around the clock back in the ’80s,” recalls Greg. The brothers incorporated their company Greg and Brendan Feeney began their career as trench workers, installing and fixing large pipes like in 1988 and haven’t slowed down since. this one, which is destined for a Feeney Brothers contract project in Medford. Photo by Bill Forry Worldwide at www.bostonirish.com November 2012 BOSTON IRISH Reporter Page 21

The Boston Irish Honors 2012 The Company of Brotherly Love In recent years, the Feeneys have added a new busi- ness to their entrepreneurial portfolio: restaurants. In 2009, they purchased the old Donovan’s restaurant in Lower Mills and transformed it into The Ledge Kitchen and Drinks. The Dot Ave. eatery and bar has quickly become one of the neighborhood’s most popular dining destinations. The Feeneys also own Slate, a downtown bar and restaurant, and co-own Sweet Caroline’s near Fenway Park. Their pet project is a bit farther afield: They are building a new farmhouse in their native Enniscone that they expect to make a destination for family reunions in the coming years. Their dad has since passed away, but their mom and other siblings all now live in Ireland, except for brother Ronan, who has been a longtime part of the family’s excavation business here in Boston. Brendan and Greg have built their own families here in Boston: Greg and his wife Mary have three daughters— Caitlyn, Lauren, and Kristen— and one son, Joseph. Brendan and his wife Ann have two girls— Lindsay and Olivia— and two boys, Mark and Paul. With all they have going on, the Feeneys say they will continue to be stalwart supporters of Boston area charities. The two have given more than $100,000 in recent years to a diverse mix of causes, from Savin Hill Little League and the Dorchester Park Association to the Rodman Ride for Kids, which directly helps the Boys and Girls Clubs of Dorchester. And, of course, they are regular donors to most Gaelic football clubs ‘It’s hard to get industrial space in Boston. We could and sponsors of the Shannon Blues GFC. They’ve pitched in to help save the Irish Social Club in West go to any suburban town and it would be a third of Roxbury and the Irish Cultural Centre, where both the price, but you stay with what you know.’ are members. – BRENDAN FEENEY “We believe in giving back,” says Greg.

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The Muse clan gathered on Cape Cod in August 2011 to send birthday greetings to Patrick “Bubba” Muse, who was serving in Afghanistan at the time. Photo courtesy of the Muse Family Taking cues from Robert and Mary: The life and times of the Muse Family By Jack Thomas If you meet the Muse family, be prepared to shake The daughter of Irish immigrants, Mary joined the After graduating from Georgetown in 1970, Chris a lot of hands, for Robert and Mary Muse have 11 first class of Waves in 1941, serving three years as Muse came home to teach history in the Boston public children, 38 grandchildren, and 9 great grandchildren. intelligence and communications officer. When she schools, and he was brimming with optimism until So remarkable is the family’s scholastic achieve- graduated from BC Law in 1950, one of three women he noticed something odd about older teachers – they ment, and so impressive their professional accom- in a class of 160, The Boston Globe ran a story on may have started out with enthusiasm, but they soon plishments, and so strong their fidelity to an Irish page one, marveling that a mother of four could get burned out and became cranky fuss-budgets. “God,” heritage rooted in Mayo, Galway, and Roscommon, through law school, “washing diapers while trying to he remembers thinking. “these people are not even a newspaper story is depressingly inadequate to do master the doctrine of ‘res ipsa loquitur.’” Reflecting 40, and they’re dead.” the family justice. sexism of the period, the story never mentioned her Disillusioned, he enrolled at Suffolk Law School No profile is sufficient without a toast to their first name, referring to her initially as “Mrs. Robert nights, finished six months early, passed the bar before scholastic aptitude. Robert graduated from Boston Muse,” and thereafter as “Mrs. Muse.” In 1983, she graduation, and by 1977, he was at Malden District College and Suffolk Law, and Mary from Emmanuel was appointed a justice of the Massachusetts Trial Court, a public defender with a salary alarmingly and BC Law. The family holds a combined 25 col- Court, and in 2003, BC Law gave her a Lifetime smaller than what he had earned as a teacher. lege degrees. Among 11 sons and daughters, 6 are Achievement Award. A lay Eucharistic minister, Under stress financially, he left the courthouse late lawyers, 2 physicians, one a judge, one a teacher, she has been a role model for women in law and has one afternoon, drove his 1970 Audi downtown, and and another a business man. Their 38 grandchildren served on dozens of boards, professional, charitable, parked next to the Woolworth building. He walked have accumulated 15 college degrees already, and and educational. down Washington and up Bromfield to Jack and Jill’s more are certain to follow. In the wings are 9 great “We forget the extraordinary pressure on these Joke Shop, took the elevator to the eighth floor, to the grandchildren and additional degrees. women, in early years, to excel without getting any law office of his father, Robert Muse, and asked for For a family so large and accomplished, the Muses kind of break,” says Margaret Marshall, now retired work. Delighted to see his third son, Bob Muse took have attracted relatively little publicity, and so, intro- as the first woman to serve as chief justice of the the Macanudo cigar out of his mouth, promised Chris ductions are in order: The patriarch is Robert Muse, Massachusetts Supreme Judicial Court. “Boston an office and phone, and tossed him a file. “Practice the matriarch his wife, Mary Beatty Muse. Both are College is a great law school that has produced many on this one,” he said. “This guy’s been convicted, 92 and live in Chestnut Hill in marginal health. outstanding graduates, and Judge Muse belongs in but don’t just read it – go to Norfolk Prison and talk Robert was a Marine Corps fighter pilot in World that pantheon. She has done it with quiet confidence to him.” War II who won the Distinguished Flying Cross by and true excellence. The name on the file was Bobby Joe Leaster, who knocking out a Japanese kamikaze plane bearing “Women of my generation have had it easier. Today, was 26 and serving life for murder, and the tossing of down on an American destroyer. He returned home the law prohibits discrimination against women, and that file, Muse to Muse, would alter destiny. For the to law school and a brilliant career, retiring in 2008 you might think Judge Muse, who did it all on her Muses, it led to a 10-year crusade of pro bono work after 58 years and 1,000 trials. own, would be resentful, but she never has been, not against seemingly impossible odds, and for Leaster, at all. She is a feminist with a capital F.” after 15 years in prison, it led to exoneration, free- To the gratitude of the 11 Muse children, by the dom, and the life he now leads as an admired youth way, their father failed freshman Latin at BC and counselor in Boston. had to make up the course that summer, which is “If there’s a single thing in my life or in Chris’s when he met Mary, with whom he had those 11 kids. life, it’s that we’re proud of taking an innocent person “We’re grateful dad flunked Latin,” says Chris, now out of jail,” Robert Muse told David E. Frank, of a Superior Court judge sitting in Barnstable. Massachusetts Lawyers Weekly, in 2010. “A lawyer Married 68 years, Bob and Mary were in concert cannot do better in a lifetime. Everything else ... is long before they wed in 1944. After the Japanese no consequence.” attack on Pearl Harbor in 1941, both volunteered for Through the years, the Muses provided Leaster military service. “At South Station, they boarded the with practical as well as legal support, showing up same train,” says Chris. “My mother got off at Smith at prison on his birthday, for example, with a cake. College to train with the Navy, and my father got off Four years after Leaster’s release in 1988, the Leg- in North Carolina to train with the Marines.” islature granted him a $500,000 annuity to satisfy The story of the Muse Family in America begins what it called a moral obligation. The time involved in the late nineteenth century with the arrival from in pursuing Leaster’s exoneration and annuity has Galway of Chris’s great grandmother, Sabina Moore, been estimated by the Muses at $400,000, although who went to work on Beacon Hill as a housekeeper the family accepted no payment from the state nor and saved her pennies to finance the building of dozens from Leaster, now a friend who visited Robert Muse of three-deckers by her husband Patrick, a carpenter. in the hospital 10 days ago. “As recently as 20 years ago,” says Chris, “people “If it wasn’t for Mr. Muse, who is my ‘dad,’ and from Mission Hill would concede that God made the Chris, who is my ‘brother,’ ” Leaster told Frank, Matriarch and Patriarch: world, but that He had the help of Paddy Moore, with “my life would be over. God sent the Muses to me.” Mary and Robert Muse his pick and shovel.” Worldwide at www.bostonirish.com November 2012 BOSTON IRISH Reporter Page 23 The Boston Irish Honors 2012 Taking cues from Robert and Mary: The life and times of the Muse Family Her daughter, Mary Moore – Chris’s grandmother – was one of the first women to graduate from Tufts Medical School, and she served as a physician in the Boston Public Schools and later as administrator of the Boston Consumptive Hospital in Mattapan, making such an impression in the caring of patients with tuberculosis that Boston named a byway for her, Mary Moore Beatty Circle, off River Street. The fam- ily’s real estate investments were well-served by Dr. Moore’s political acumen, for family lore has it that she was fond of staying up late to drink brandy with Boston’s notorious mayor, James Michael Curley. The influence of the Muse family stretches beyond Boston. In Washington, Robert Jr. has devoted him- self to national and international issues, including a role, as counsel, under Sam Dash, for the Senate Watergate Committee. In 1972, in Derry, after British paratroopers opened fire on civil rights demonstra- tors, killing 14 in what became known as Bloody Sunday, a British judge, Lord Widgery, ruled the demonstrators were to blame for their own deaths. A civil rights group asked Dash to investigate, and he invited Muse to assist. What followed was a decade during which Muse monitored hearings into the shoot- Mary and a company of her granddaughters. ings and provided counsel to families, all pro bono. Photo courtesy of Bill and Kerry Brett from “Boston Inspirational Women” © 2011. In exposing the Widgery report as a fraud, Dash and synagogue that they were prohibited from performing about a shorthand course to make myself market- Muse not only helped absolve the demonstrators, but on the Sabbath. We switched on lights and heat and able, but he said that no daughter of his was going also corrected a historical deceit, for as Kevin Cullen received a dime or quarter. I thought that if it was a into work as someone’s assistant – that I would go wrote in the Globe, the flawed judgment in blaming sin for them to turn on a light switch, then we had it in as the boss before I would go in as Girl Friday. I the demonstrators had convinced “a generation that easy with the Ten Commandments.” immediately dropped the idea of shorthand. nothing was on the level in Northern Ireland, that the A sister, Julie, a lawyer from Hingham, recalls that “What I took from both parents was an ideal that I only currency was violence.” everyone assumed that because she came from so should be involved in public life,” she says. “A grasp Sitting in the lobby of the Charles Hotel in Cam- large a family, she must be Irish. A brother, Michael, of politics was expected, and from that background, bridge, the colorful Peter O’Malley, former owner remembers public events at which he’d wear altar- we have all taken lessons I hope are carried on by of the Plough and Stars and cofounder of the literary boy garb and a crucifix. “His buddies, all Jewish, my children and their children.” magazine Ploughshares, barely pauses for breath in would line the sidewalks and razz him,” says Chris, Every sibling is a story. One brother, Peter, an at- reciting anecdotes about the decency of Robert Muse “although I am certain he got back at them Saturdays torney, married a Brookline girl, Debbie, and they during a friendship that began three decades ago over when they were going to their synagogue.” live in Milton, where he is convalescing after being lunches at Marliave’s and later Locke-Ober. The Muse home was alive with Irish guests. “Oh, diagnosed with a brain tumor. They have two sons “Bob Muse does not have a cantankerous bone yes,” says O’Malley, “they welcomed eminent artists who served in the Army, Peter Jr. in Iraq, and Patrick in his body. He is a man of incredible probity and to their home, which I called ‘Chataux Blase’ and at in Afghanistan. he listens with a talent that could shame a pope. He other salubrious settings, too. I’ll keep it to the Irish,” As Debbie recalls, Irish heritage was important. often has a rosy complexion, and I’d say, ‘Bob, did he says, rattling off names: “Desmond O’Grady, “Bob and Mary were not far removed from Ireland, you get that tan in the sun, or was it serious drinking poet at Harvard, and Molly Howe, founder of Poets nor far removed from ‘Irish Need Not Apply,’ and last night?’ It was a joke, of course, because Bob was Theatre, and John O’Connor, classical pianist, and the more educated they became, the further from that abstemious. With 11 kids, he had to be. actress Siobhan McKenna of Abbey Theater, and stigma they moved.” “He was one of the last single practitioners – not the Chieftans, and Padraig O’Malley, the author, From their Irish colony in Brookline, the Muses the Hale and Dorr type, but an independent who could and from Ploughshares, Mary Lavin, the short story maintained a fidelity to Celtic heritage, but also, thanks handle anything from parking tickets to first degree writer, and Brian Moore and John McGahern, both to Jewish neighbors, they grew to respect Semitic murder. The upstairs Irish went to Harvard Law, but novelists, and John Montague, the poet, and of course, culture and to comprehend the historical persecution Bob had his own high end BC people, and he might Seamus Heaney, who was at Harvard.” of Jews. “My family and the Muses lived next door have run for public office, but he couldn’t, not with If the three Muse sisters ever felt adrift competing to temples,” says Debbie. “We observed people go- such a big family – not unless he was willing to go with eight brothers, their father was there to add wind ing to Hebrew schools and Hebrew services, and we on the take, which Bob never was.” to their sails, insisting they never accept second-class went to bar and bat mitzvah services and parties. We A composer of classical music, O’Malley recalls a status because they were women. heard the stories of classmates whose grandparents time when he had spent so much money subsidizing “I remember sitting with my father at Pewter Pot had tattoos on their arms, and we learned the reason Ploughshares and sending funds to Londonderry that MuffinH ouse, looking through the ads, which were the father of our friend, Mitchel Ash, disappeared he was broke. “I asked Bob for a loan of $2,000 to all defined as male-female positions,” says Mary, a for months at a time was that he was searching the pay tuition for my son. Bob gave me the money, and lawyer in El Dorado Hills, California. “I wondered world for Nazis.” when I promised to pay it back, he said, ‘No, just write The value of diversity learned in an Irish-Jewish me a piece of music to be played when my body is community became apparent to the Muses during going down the aisle.’ And so I did.” Vatican II and meetings at BC about prospective It is one thing to be Irish in South Boston, another to changes in language regarding Jewish people as killers be Irish in Brookline. The Muses lived in St. Aidan’s, of Christ. “For them and for all of us who grew up the parish of Joseph and Rose Kennedy, where John in Brookline at this time,” Debbie says, “you could and Robert Kennedy were baptized, and where, like not help but empathize.” Jack Kennedy, the Muse sons served as altar boys. No profile can do justice to so large and so ac- “We were as Irish as anyone,” says Chris, “but in complished a family, and a number of family stories Brookline, there was such a Jewish presence that we are not included here, some flattering and others were a minority. Our island was the church, and ten condemnatory. of us attended St. Aidan’s School. In the Fifties and But what of the feuds, flare-ups, and free-for-alls Sixties, when Jewish families were in majority, our that intrude on all families, and as we read in Irish home was on Green Street, abutting the very ortho- literature, including, if not especially, the Irish? What dox Young Israel Synagogue. From Friday at sunset about all the competition, contentions, and conflicts through Saturday, we watched its ‘parishioners’ walk among all those Muses? – not drive – down Green Street, children, wives, Speaking for the family, Julie responds by e-mail, and bearded men in black suits with distinctive hats in capital letters and in boldface: and yarmulkes.” Chris and his brother Robert served as Shabbat Goy, “I’M NOT GOING NEAR THAT ONE!” and as Robert recalls, “At sundown on Friday, the Jack Thomas was a reporter, editor, columnist, rabbi and others would knock on our door to enlist us critic, and ombudsman in his more than 40 years to cross the yard and to do mechanical things in the Mary and her son Peter, of Milton. with The Boston Globe. Page 24 November 2012 BOSTON IRISH Reporter Worldwide at www.bostonirish.com

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