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June 2009 VOL. 20 #6 $1.50 Boston’s hometown journal of Irish culture.

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The beauty of the Irish landscape, in this case, Glencar Lough in Sligo at the Leitrim border, jumps off the page in this photograph by Carsten Krieger, an image taken from her new book, “The West of Ireland.” Photo courtesy Man-made Images, Donegal. In Charge at the BPL Madame President and Mr. Mayor Amy Ryan is the multi- tasking president of the venerable Boston Pub- lic Library — the first woman president in the institution’s 151-year history — and she has set a course for the library to serve the educational and cultural needs of Boston and provide access to some of the world’s most historic records, all in an economy of dramatic budget cuts and a significant rise in library use. Greg O’Brien profile, Page 6

Nine Miles of Irishness On Old Cape Cod, the nine-mile stretch along Route 28 from Hyannis to Harwich is fast becoming more like Galway or Kerry than the Cape of legend from years ago. This high-traffic run of roadway is dominated by Irish flags, Irish pubs, Irish restaurants, Irish hotels, and one of the fastest-growing private Irish Ireland President Mary McAleese visited Boston last month and was welcomed to the city by Boston clubs in America. Mayor Tom Menino. Also pictured at the May 26 Parkman House event were the president’s husband, BIR columnist Joe Dr. Martin McAleese, and the mayor’s wife Angela Menino. The president maintained a busy schedule Leary checks it out. Page during her visit, including receiving the Solas award from the Irish Immigration Center. The BIR will 12. have extensive coverage in our next issue. Photo courtesy Boston Mayor’s office. Page June 2009 BOSTON IRISH Reporter Worldwide at www.bostonirish.com Irish Dancing Championships Are Coming to Boston in 2013 An Coimisiún le Rincí ain, Europe, the United Gaelacha (The Irish Danc- States, Canada, South ing Commission) has Africa, Australia, and awarded Boston, and the New Zealand are expected John B. Hynes Veterans to attend the eight-day Memorial Convention competition, which will Center, the 2013 World start on March 24, 2013. Irish Dancing Champi- The event is expected to onships. Boston won the generate 17,800 hotel event in competition with room nights in Boston and more than 20 other cities an estimated $11 million around the world. in economic impact to the This will be the second city and Commonwealth. time for these champion- “We are honored that ships in the United States, Boston was chosen,” said and the first in Boston. Mayor Thomas M. Me- Glasgow, Scotland, Dub- nino. “This event will not Eire Society Cites Two lin, and Belfast are host- only bring together Boston With Gold Medals ing the event through and Ireland once again, 2012. but will also showcase our The Eire Society of Boston presented its Gold Medal “We’re so pleased to talented cultures in a new Awards to two recipients, Michael Donlan and John be bringing this unique way through dance.” Culliane, above, at its annual banquet at the Omni event to Boston,” said Dancers will compete in Parker House on May 7. Below, Susan and Michael James E. Rooney, execu- age-grouped solo competi- Donlan share a picture with Irish Consul David Barry. tive director of the Mas- tions from under 11 years Photos courtesy Karen Thornton. sachusetts Convention old up to senior level, Center Authority, which which is for dancers over owns and operates the 21 years old. The program Hynes. “We were in com- of events will also include petition with Chicago and Ceili and Figure Dance other big cities, and we competitions as well as won based on our award- Dance Drama. Separate winning facilities, our competitions are orga- top-tier service and – we nized for male and female admit it – being the most competitors in solo events. Irish city in America. We Team competitions have can’t wait until 2013.” sections for mixed and “Ireland has a long unmixed teams. Phila- association with Boston, delphia hosted the 2009 and the strength of Irish championship and venues dancing in the city and its were packed throughout environs is a very tangible Mary Rose McKenna, 11, of South Boston, James the week. illustration of its bond E. Rooney, executive director of the Massachusetts with Ireland,” said An Convention Center Authority, and Delia Doherty, 11, of South Boston, pose in front of a banner wel- Coimisiun le Rinci Gaela- coming the 2013 World Irish Dancing Champion- cha spokesman Seamus ships to Boston Jurys Boston is Now O’Se. “One could almost say that, as far as the decision on a venue 2013 event ever”. from all over the globe The Back Bay Hotel World Championships “As a father of four Irish must qualify to partici- was concerned, this was Step dancers, I can fully pate in this event. I wel- The Doyle Collection, restaurant, and Cuffs, and modern interpreta- a one-horse race. We are appreciate the level of come these dancers to our a group of urban hotels An Irish Bar. tion, all in harmony with looking forward to work- excitement with great City of Boston.” based in Dublin, is cel- Said hotel general the Back Bay’s charm.” ing closely with the people Boston being chosen as The event will bring ebrating five years in manager Stephen John- Based in Dublin, The of Boston over the next host to this world class more than 6,500 com- the Back Bay with new ston: “The Back Bay Doyle Collection – for- four years to make this competition,” said Massa- petitors and their fami- signage and design – and Hotel’s new name is a merly known as the Ju- the greatest Irish Dancing chusetts state Sen. Jack lies to Boston. Teams a new name: The Back celebration of our roots rys Doyle Hotel Group Hart. “Young dancers from Ireland, Great Brit- Bay Hotel. After convert- becoming firmly planted - is a privately-held hotel ing the historic Boston in the Back Bay neigh- group managing eleven Police Headquarters borhood, the evolving luxury hotels spanning building into a contem- tastes of our guests, and six major urban centers porary destination, the a vote of confidence in in the U.S., Ireland, “Wet Day, Dingle” Doyle Group opened the Boston business com- and the UK, represent- the Jurys Boston Hotel munity. We are proud to ing 2,300 rooms and in June 2004 with 225 have struck a chord with approximately 1,400 guest rooms, and home our guests, who enjoy the employees. to five meeting rooms, blend of classic details, the Stanhope Grille Irish Boston heritage,

Lithograph from original watercolor by Dublin artist Tom Roche - each signed individually, Matted and framed in gold wood 12” x 14” $75.00.

Come and visit us to see the Jack Shaughnessy Sr. accepts his honorary degree at the Stonehill College splendid selection of fine collectibles Commencement on May 17. Stonehill College photo. Stonehill Hails Shaughnessy Stonehill College has The honoree was cit- hydraulic crane in the awarded business inno- ed at Stonehill’s 58th city of Boston, went on vator, Boston community Commencement, held to create Shaughnessy 229 Lincoln Street (Rt. 3A) Hingham, Massachusetts, 02043 leader, and philanthro- on Sun., May 17, for its Crane Service, Inc. The 800-752-9389 pist Jack Shaughnessy 568 graduates listened recipient of numerous Hours: Tues. - Sat. 10:00 a.m. - 6:00 p.m., Sunday noon - 5:00 pm Sr. a Doctor of Business closely to several inspir- charitable awards, he is Administration degree ing speeches. widely recognized and email: [email protected] “for his role in the devel- Shaughnessy, who used respected for his work as www.aisling-gallery.com opment of Boston and his his entire life savings a humanitarian. dedication to service.” to purchase the first Worldwide at www.bostonirish.com June 2009 BOSTON IRISH Reporter Page Around Town: The Irish Beat / Carol Beggy

Boston author-professor Dick Lehr is a very busy Lehr uses the intrepid reporter’s tools of hours of inter- man these days and he seems happy to be so. His latest views, days of walking the streets looking for details, book, “The Fence: A Police Cover-up Along Boston’s and poring over countless documents to search for a Racial Divide,” is just arriving in stores and he’s al- complete account of Cox’s beating, the ensuing cover-up ready received a starred review (a very big deal) in and fallout. As the book jacket proclaims: “Both men Publishers Weekly. had dedicated their lives to serving the Boston Police “This is where it begins, and I’m looking forward Department, and when they needed the BPD to stand to getting out there and seeing how people respond up for them, they both came up against the infamous to this story,” Lehr told us from his blue wall of silence.” offices at Boston University where “The Fence” is already getting great reviews and he teaches journalism. Still, he’ll ad- includes jacket blurbs from some of the city’s key ob- mit when pressed, his favorite part servers including one from Los Angeles Police Chief of process is when he’s knee-deep Bill Bratton, a Boston native who previously ran the in the reporting of a story, sifting MDC’s, the city’s, and the T’s police departments as well through documents and interviews as New York City’s: “Like cancers that never seem to to piece together a more complete be cured, the inextricably linked ills of racism, public version of what really happened. corruption and police misconduct continue to surface in “With ‘The Fence’ and the others, Boston (and indeed in America). In his disturbing new most readers know something about book, Dick Lehr vividly presents another example of the story, so you have to go beyond how difficult it is to face up to, let alone resolve, these what’s already out there and figure out if what’s out conflicts.” Others quoted include bestselling novelist there is actually true.” Dennis Lehane, and Harvard Law professors Alan “The Fence” is a true-life story of what lead up to Dershowitz and Charles Ogletree. and the aftermath of a night in 1995 when African- A former investigative reporter for The Boston Globe, American Boston Police officer named Michael Cox Lehr is the co-author of “Judgement Ridge” and the was mistaken for a murder suspect by his fellow police New York Times bestseller “Black Mass,” which he wrote with former Globe writer and editor Gerard officers. It’s also the story of an Irish-American officer, Michael Cox, above, and Kenny Conley, who was chasing down one of the actual O’Neill. (The big screen version of “Black Mass,” the Kenny Conley, at right, story of James “Whitey” Bulger, his brother William suspects while Cox was being brutally beaten by other were Boston Police officers officers. While the formerly reserved Cox was recovering Bulger, and former FBI agent John Connolly, is in action on a cold night in in pre-production in the Boston area and famed Irish from his severe injuries and Conley had returned to his January 1995 when a chase job in the South End, neither man could see how they writer/director Jim Sheridan, of “My Left Foot” and after a murder suspect “In America,” has scouted locations in the area.) would be dragged into one of the more tragic scandals turned ugly as fellow offi- to hit the Boston Police Department. But Lehr isn’t letting the Hollywood shine change his cers began beating on Cox, life. “I’m just glad to see that ‘Black Mass’ will finally “It’s not an easy story for anyone to look at, and you who they believed to be a can see that even those in the middle of what was going get its due,” Lehr said, “but no, I don’t even know if I’ll drug suspect. The silence of get to visit the set. I’m not expecting that will change on couldn’t see what was happening to them,” Lehr various participants in the said. “There isn’t a person in this book who is the same my life greatly.” Lehr is kicking off a season of public aftermath of the mistaken appearances with a June 23 event at the Boston Public at the end as they were in the beginning.” assault was a scandal for Like the movie “Rashomon,” the book tells the same Library. For more information on his projects or public the Police Department and appearances for “The Fence,” see dicklehr.com. story from many perspectives, only instead of a camera, the city.

When it came time to select the first young doctor same chances for survival. “That understanding made for the Thomas S. Durant Fellowship for Refugee Olson an even more ardent champion of deploying Medicine at Massachusetts General Hospital, the simple and inexpensive technologies that will enable selection committee knew they had someone special newborns to survive outside the protective shelter of in Dr. Kristian Olson. Now, Scientific American has high-tech medical centers,” Gary Stix wrote in the validated that choice for the whole country, naming June Scientific American. Olson as one of the “Scientific American 10,” a list Dr. Durant’s son, Stephen, a clinical psychologist of researchers, politicians, business execs, and philan- at MGH and co-director of the MGH Sport Psychology thropists who have worked to making sure that new Program, was effusive in his praise for Olson and his technologies will benefit everyone. He is joined on the achievements. In a congratulatory e-mail to him, Du- list by President Obama. rant wrote: “My dad would absolutely jump for joy over Olson is the program leader for the Center for Integra- this, Kris. It IS the medical equivalent of winning the tion of Medicine and Innovative Technology in Boston, rugby championship! It is so perfect and so much what which provides low-cost resuscitators and incubators Doc as about. Coming up with practical solutions that to the developing world to save the lives of newborns. respect and empower those needing the help, so that The 38-year-old pediatrician and internist was the first they can do it themselves. We could not have picked a doctor to receive the Durant fellowship at MGH, named better first Durant Fellow. I am proud of you.” for the late Dorchester resident and MGH physician Donations to the program can be made to the Dr. who visited more than two dozen refugee camps during Thomas S. Durant Fellowship, Massachusetts General his 33 years as a doctor. Hospital, 55 Fruit St., White 1003, Boston, Mass., Olson told Scientific American that several years ago, 02114, Attn: Danica Mari. after his wife had given birth to triplets after a difficult • • • labor, Olson realized that not every newborn has the After a few years of director and actor changes and financial uncertainty, it looks like “The Fighter,” Paramount Pictures’ movie about Lowell boxing champ “Irish” Micky Ward is actually going to be filmed. And it looks like director David O. Russell and his team will be spending a lot of time in Lowell. Despite the uncertainty, one thing has remained consistent: Dorchester’s Mark Wahlberg, who has reportedly been in serious training for almost three years to portray Former Irish Prime Minister Dr. Garret FitzGer- the former welterweight champ. ald, above at left, an internationally respected scholar It looks like Wahlberg will be joined on screen by and journalist, spoke recently at the “Summit on the Christian Bale, whose recent roles include Batman Future of Vermont” at the University of Vermont’s in “The Dark Knight” and John Connor in “Terminator Burlington campus. FitzGerald, who is known as Salvation.” Bale is slated to play Dicky Eklund, Ward’s much for his fast-talking, quick-witted speaking style, half-brother, a boxer who became Ward’s trainer. (Pre- served two terms as Prime Minister and was previ- viously both Matt Damon and Brad Pitt had been in ously the country’s Minister for Foreign Affairs. Long David O’Shaughnessy has some pretty large shoes talks to play Eklund.) Also in talks to join “The Fighter” one of Ireland’s most popular politicians, FitzGerald to fill as he replacesJohn E. Drew as the CEO of The is Melissa Leo, who was nominated for an Oscar this is a much sought after speaker and has spoken on Drew Co., the Boston-based real estate development year for “Frozen River.” She was in Boston last year campuses throughout the United States. Also attend- and management company that built the World Trade filming “Don McKay,” withE lisabeth Shue and was ing the forum on the future of the Green Mountain Center and the 426-room Seaport Hotel in South Boston. in Brad Gann’s 2007 Boston-set drama “Black Irish.” state was Jim Brett, president and CEO of the New O’Shaughnessy is shown at right with Jim Carmody, Boston Casting has begun casting the extras who will England Council, shown at right. general manager of the South Boston hotel. be needed; filming is scheduled to begin by July. Boston Irish Reporter’s Calendar If your club or organization has an item or event for the Boston Irish Reporter calendar, send the necessary details to [email protected] and please include a daytime contact name and telephone number.

June 7 – Irish Music Session, Canadian American at Holyhood Cemetery, Brookline , Frank Ford: 978- advance, $20 at gate. Children and seniors, $10 in Hall 202 Arlington Street, Watertown 3-7 p.m. 686-5214 . massaoh.org. The annual commemora- advance (8-16 yrs.), $12 at gate. Kids are free. 1- $8. 781-899-0911, www.cceboston.org. Comhaltas tion, which is sponsored by the Mass State Board 800-841-0919. blackstonevalleycelticfestival.com A Ceoltoiri Eireann holds its regular session on the of the Ancient Order of Hibernians, will begin with great one-day festival packed with top bands, step first Sunday of the month. All musicians are wel- the offering of Mass by Rt. Rev. Liam Waters, OSA dancers, competitions and vendors, all in a beautiful come to participate. Chaplain, Division 8 AOH Lawrence. Dr. Joseph setting. Free Parking. Shuttle bus $2, and encour- June 12-14 – Worcester Irish Music Festival Downs, Mass State Historian of the Ancient Order aged please. – WIN TIX! Hibernian Cultural Centre & Fiddlers’ of Hibernians, will deliver the oration. Refreshments Green, 19 Temple Street, Worcester. worcesterirish- served at the Watertown AOH Hall. July 30 – Sir James Galway in concert, Seiji Ozawa musicfestival.com. Plenty of great music and danc- Hall, Tanglewood, Lenox. $17 - $51; 8 p.m. 1-888- ing, cultural activities, food courts and family fun. July 25 – 7th annual Blackstone Valley Celtic 266-1200; bso.org. Celebrating his 70th birthday, Sir Festival, Indian Ranch Performance Center, 200 James Galway will perform with his wife, the flutist June 20 – John Boyle O’Reilly Commemoration Gore Road, Webster, MA. 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. $15 in Lady Jean Galway, and pianist Phillip Moll. Page June 2009 BOSTON IRISH Reporter Worldwide at www.bostonirish.com Publisher’s Notebook Commentary President McAleese Use Northern Ireland Peace Process Stops by the Hub To Guide Mideast Talks, Says Cullinane

By Ed Forry By Robert P. Connolly To that end, Cullinane has helped to develop six key Ireland President Marty McAleese was in Boston Special to the BIR concepts that can guide and inform a peace process in in May, visiting the city for three days after a trip to Having seen peace take hold in Northern Ireland, the Middle East. western Massachusetts where she was commence- John Cullinane, who was involved in job-creation and Those key concepts are Hope, as in providing people ment speaker and an honorary degree recipient at Mt. in the peace process in the with a vision of a peaceful future; Leverage, in the sense Holyoke College. North, believes that Northern that an intermediary needs to have influence with the In the state capital, McAleese and her husband, Ireland can serve as a road parties; Participation, making sure that people on all Dr. Martin McAleese, were welcomed at a Parkman map for those seeking peace in sides have the chance to vote on a plan; Livelihood, House ceremony by Mayor Thomas Menino and his the ever-fragile, ever-volatile making clear that a solution will yield economic benefits wife Angela. The official party posed for photos with Middle East. or a “peace dividend;” Self-Determination, ensuring invited guests, and afterwards the Irish president “Northern Ireland that all parties can count on having legitimate political chatted over coffee, pastry, and fresh fruit. represents for me an excel- power, and Leadership, meaning that circumstances are McAleese is in the fifth year of her second seven-year lent model for peace in the created so that political leaders on the ground can feel term as president. She said she had come to the elective Middle East. It’s not perfect, comfortable in advocating for new arrangements. office after a career in law, and expects to step down but where else in the world “Look at the Friendly Interventionist model and in 2011, due to a statutory two-term limit. did anyone resolve the kind of the six key points. That’s the solution and that’s what Although born and brought up in the problems that were resolved King Abdullah (of Jordan) has said is a brilliant way North, she and her husband have lived in Northern Ireland,” asks forward,” Cullinane notes. in Dublin since she first took office on Robert P. Cullinane, who has joined The six points, which flow from a message-distil- 1997. Born Mary Lenaghan, she said Connolly with others to try to distill and lation process Cullinane created after founding Cul- her dad was from Roscommon. “We sold identify those aspects of the linet Software Inc. in the late 1960s, evoke much of our home in Belfast four years ago, and Northern Ireland model that could be transportable what was discussed as the peace process unfolded in built a new home in Roscommon, next and effective. Northern Ireland. to my father’s home,” she told guests. The first major step is in selecting a “friendly inter- Certainly, there was much discussion in the North She said her husband, a dentist with a ventionist” for the Middle East, Cullinane says. of the hope for something better than three decades specialty in orthodontics, plans to return to his work In Northern Ireland, the friendly interventionist was of conflict, of the economic benefits that would and did in Honduras in central America. Dr. McAleese is also President Bill Clinton, who stood alongside the Irish follow a settlement, and for voters on both sides of the quite an athlete: As a Gaelic footballer, he won an An- and British governments and used the power and al- Irish border being able to bless the outcome. “If it can trim Senior Championship medal in 1973, and he has lure of the White House to nudge Northern Ireland’s be done in Northern Ireland, it can be done anywhere, completed three marathons, including Berlin, London political leaders down the path that eventually led to and this is the kind of new thinking that you need in and Virginia Beach. the Good Friday peace agreement. the Middle East,” says Cullinane, who is part of a larger Most of the President’s visit to Boston took place af- In the Middle East, Cullinane says, “President Obama effort that includes leaders from the American Jewish ter the BIR’s press deadline; we’ll have more complete is going to have to carry the ball, but he has with him community and Palestinian leaders as well. coverage in our July issue. Hillary Clinton, George Mitchell, and Jim Steinberg, all A key concept that has to be imported from the of whom were involved in Northern Ireland.” Mitchell, Northern Ireland peace process is allowing all parties Volvo Boats Stir Attention the former Senate majority leader who served as the to have seats at the table. Also last month, in Boston Harbor, seven world-class peace talks mediator in the Northern Ireland process, “In the Middle East, we hear, ‘We can’t talk to Hamas “extreme sailing” boats lay in port for more than two has been appointed as the U.S. peace envoy to the unless they meet these conditions’ and that’s exactly weeks on a stopover of the Volvo Ocean Race, one of Middle East. analogous to Northern Ireland, where the unionists the world’s most formidable “extreme” nautical adven- “Interestingly enough, in Northern Ireland, the Eng- would say: ‘We can’t talk to the IRA-Sinn Fein until the tures. Spanning 37,000 nautical miles and more than lish and others proved they couldn’t solve it themselves IRA gives up their weapons.” And, you know they’re not 2,600 hours of “extreme sailing,” the around-the-world and that’s why they needed a friendly interventionist, going to do that. So people who don’t want to talk set ocean marathon began last October in Alicante, Spain, and Clinton was that person and America was that up these impossible hurdles for the other side to jump and will conclude in St. Petersburg, Russia, later this force. Clinton resolved England’s terrorist problem over, but you really can’t allow that to happen. month. Prior to the first boat’s arrival in Boston on when they couldn’t do it themselves, despite their Says Cullinane: “What happened in Northern April 26, the sailers visited Capetown, South Africa, vociferous objections. That’s what we’ve got to do for Ireland wasn’t going to impact America very much Kochi, India, Singapore, Qingdao, China, and Rio de the Middle East.” but what happens in the Middle East definitely does Janeiro. Other stopovers include the current Galway, Cullinane, the software industry pioneer, philan- -- and has. Our children and grandchildren have a big Ireland, then Marstrand and Stockholm in Sweden, a thropist, and local businessman, says a second major stake in this. The No. 1 problem in the world is the return to Alicante, and the finish in St. Petersburg. step involves defining a vocabulary for talking about a Palestinian-Israeli problem, and they can’t solve it The Boston home base was Joe Fallon’s Fan Pier on solution to the long-running Israeli-Palestinian conflict. themselves.” the South Boston waterfront, and the local favorite was the Green Dragon, sponsored in part by Tour- ism Ireland. The Green Dragon team was greeted by Commentary local well- wishers who came out to see the Dragon into port, and also by Maurice Keller from Good Food Ireland, who presented the crew with a well- deserved Green Dragon Buttie; an organic Irish fillet of beef, At-large Contenders Are Running topped with sea salt, West Cork Country relish, and freshly baked bread! On the day of departure, Sat., May 16, a flotilla of local boats, large and small, were the Real City Council Race scattered about the harbor to watch the beginning of By Jim O’Sullivan pressive signature-gathering blitz. There are, among the race to Galway. We were fortunate to be aboard Special to the BIR others, Hiep Nguyen, Sean Ryan, and Jean Claude a ferry boat hosted by Tourism Ireland that day, and A sporting equivalent of Mayor Thomas Menino’s poll Sanon. watched as a cold fog slowly enveloped the tops of numbers reported May 10 in The Boston Globe would Past fields have featured candidates whose sole the downtown buildings, and eventually most of the perhaps be sitting in the audience of a heavyweight hopes for survival past the September preliminary to harbor. By the time the boats began the race, visibility fight watching the reigning champ flex and shadowbox, the November general were exciting one or another was reduced to several hundred feet, making it dif- then realizing that you’re the one due in the ring. bloc of voters – usually ethnically based, but also ficult for viewing from the shore, including crowded The once-in-a-century numbers appear to put Me- tailored to interest groups. This year, to crank any of vantage points at Fan Pier and at Castle Island. nino, for the moment, virtually out of reach. It’s a long the serious voter bases into action, all the reckonable A feature of the local event was a three-day Irish summer and it could be a nasty autumn and fall, but candidates will have to compete with demographically Festival that was free and open to the public. One for the time being City Councillor Michael Flaherty similar rivals. performing group really stood out: “Trad on the Prom,” (who falls to Menino, 61-23, in the poll), Councillor Sam So they’ll need to carve across the traditional voter a Galway-based performing troupe featuring Máirín Yoon (a 63-21 loser), and entrepreneur Kevin McCrea indexes. One of the oft-forgotten brocards of the elec- Fahy and Band, made multiple performances before (70 to 7) had better get creative or resign themselves toral politics behind the city’s four at-large seats is increasingly enthusiastic crowds. Billed as “The Num- to being “opponents.” that voters get four votes – count ’em – to cast. They ber One show in Ireland, a spectacular celebration of The Flaherty troops are rattled, but argue that he can use four or zero, but you could have a ballot that Irish music, song and dance,” Trad on the Prom more can rough up the mayor with a tight message and a hit up four different demographic groups, or just one. than lived up to its billing. The group is booked to play disciplined ground game, saying Menino’s consistently Either way, candidates know they have to broaden all summer long on the strand in Galway. If you’re muscular poll numbers don’t reflect the level of dis- their appeals. headed there this summer, don’t miss them! gruntlement with the prospect of electing a mayor to Because of the four-vote quirk on the at-large ballot, a 20th year in office. And Yoon’s camp says their guy candidates “drafting” behind one another have permit- could catch fire. ted individual campaigns to focus on these narrow voter Perhaps. But for right now the best campaign in caches – not always confined to ethnicity and often Boston Irish Boston (other than the Patrick v. Legislature tilt involving the even less easily veiled appeals to labor unfolding acrimoniously up on the Hill) is the race unions – in the hope that a top-heavy field meant less for the four at-large City Council seats. It’s the most competition for those “hmmmm okay,” leftover votes. REPORTER interesting field in recent memory. The 2005 roster This year’s ballot runs too deep for that. The Boston Irish Reporter is published monthly by: was a good one: Flaherty, Felix Arroyo the first, Yoon, This is what Boston politics looks like after the long, Boston Neighborhood News, Inc., Steve Murphy, state government legacy John Con- excruciating throes of the development of the heavily 150 Mt. Vernon St., Suite 120, Dorchester, MA 02125 nolly, mayoral daughter Patricia White, and mayoral hackneyed “New Boston.” (Please, pray the political [email protected] www.bostonirish.com son Ed Flynn. masses to the departed soul of James Kelly, please let Mary C. Forry, President (1983-2004) This one’s better. the field this year not try to out-“New Boston” each Edward W. Forry, Publisher Incumbents Connolly and Murphy are both on the other.) First the test of the modern Boston pol was the ballot. Arroyo’s son, of the same first name, is run- ability to excite a previously flaccid ethnic bloc (or, if William P. Forry, Managing Editor ning. Ego Ezedi, who put 20-year district Councillor you happened to be Irish or Italian, one that had been Peter Stevens, Arts & Features Editor Charles Yancey through a stern test in 2003, is run- active already), and now the test is – or should be – to Thomas F. Mulvoy Jr., Contributing Editor ning. A former top Kerry aide, Ayanna Pressley, and find another way. Yes, tend your backyard, but the way News Room: (617) 436-1222 Ads : (617) 436-1222 a Patrick aide, the inimitably named Tito Jackson to win is to follow the threads through the neighbor- Fax: (617) 825-5516 [email protected] (who’s going to scoop up votes on name alone), and hoods and past the traditional tribal borders. On The Web at www.bostonirish.com a former Romney aide, Robert Fortes, are running. If the press and political activists grow bored with Date of Next Issue: July, 2009 A former senior Menino aide, Tomas Gonzalez, and a mayor’s race already threatening to be a blowout, Deadline for Next Issue: Friday, June 19, at 2 p.m. former Flaherty and Maura Hennigan aide, Andrew the at-large race could provide an undercard that will Published monthly in the first week of each month. Kenneally, are in, too. feed the electoral jones for that dwindling number of The Boston Irish Reporter is not liable for errors appearing in advertisements A guy who cut his teeth in politics by running as a Bostonians who still feel it. beyond the cost of the space occupied by the error. The right is reserved by The Boston Irish Reporter to edit, reject, or cut any copy without notice. Nantucket Republican, Doug Bennett, put on an im- Worldwide at www.bostonirish.com June 2009 BOSTON IRISH Reporter Page Child Abuse Report Jolts Church, State, Media to challenge his behavior but he was persistently pro- Compensation Remains Large Issue tected by diocesan and school authorities and moved from school to school. Complaints to the Department By Liam Ferrie was widespread and was often inflicted gratuitously of Education were ignored.” The Irish Emigrant rather than to maintain discipline. Even for the norms This case was used to illustrate “the ease with which GALWAY -- After listening to the testimony of of the period the violence was extreme. Sexual abuse sexual predators could operate within the educational victims and others for some eight years, the Commis- was a feature of all the institutions in which boys system of the State without fear of disclosure or sanc- sion to Inquire into Child Abuse published its report were detained although there were often only one or tion.” Media reports went on to say that one of Dunne’s on Wed., May 20, and since then the issue has totally two perpetrators in an institution at any given time. victims went on to become a teacher and, when in dominated all sections of Irish media. The report de- The problems were exacerbated as the boys who com- 1982 he found that Dunne was still teaching, he went livered a damning indictment of the religious orders plained were frequently punished and when an abuser to the Department of Education in an effort to have for their management, in the middle decades of the was identified, little action was taken. It was usual him removed from his post. Even at that stage it was last century, of industrial schools, reformatories, and for the abuser to be sent to another institution where the victim who was regarded as the troublemaker and other institutions caring for children. the behavior would continue. the Department went out of its way to find reasons to The seven-person commission, chaired by Justice Although given a pseudonym in the report, the avoid taking action against Dunne. Seán Ryan, was established in 2000 to look at what case of former Christian Brother Dónal Dunne was Although much of the violence and sexual abuse was happened in the relevant institutions from 1936 to the frequently recounted in the media. He was, according perpetrated by priests and brothers, many complainants present day, but in effect found itself focusing on the to the report, “a serial sexual and physical abuser” accused lay staff and older boys within the institutions period between 1936 and 1970. Most of the institutions who “taught children in the primary and secondary of similar behavior. in question were run by the Catholic Church although school sector in Ireland for 40 years. He was eventually How the children came to be in the institutions was the State had ultimate responsibility. convicted of sexual abuse in the 1980s.” also a major issue. Being born out of wedlock, having The report found that “sexual abuse was endemic In the executive summary the report states, “He one parent die, and school truancy were among the in boys’ institutions” and that the children in most began his career as a Christian Brother and after reasons used to commit children to an institution. institutions lived in a “climate of fear.” The Depart- three separate incidents of sexual abuse of boys, he While more than 1,000 people recounted abusive ment of Education was also severely criticized for was granted dispensation from his vows. This chapter experiences to the Commission, 284 spoke of acts of failing to properly inspect the institutions and for its (14) goes on to describe this man’s progress through kindness by both religious and lay staff. “deferential and submissive attitude” towards the six different schools where he physically terrorized By the next afternoon the focus of the debate on religious congregations. and sexually abused children in his classroom. At the report had shifted from the victims to who should Violence against the children in the institutions various times during his career, parents attempted be responsible for compensating them. Ten years ago the Government and the religious orders reached Commentary agreement that the latter would contribute a total of 127-million euro towards a compensation fund for the victims of abuse at religious-run institutions. It is now estimated that this will be little more than 10 Election Upheaval Is Expected in Ireland; percent of the total cost and Opposition politicians are demanding that the Government reopen negotiations Economic Woes Blamed on Political Leaders with the religious orders. The Conference of Religious in Ireland indicated that By Joe Leary and Labour opposition leaders are more interested in none of the congregations involved had any plans to Special to the BIR gaining power than in solving the crisis and it is much renegotiate the deal. A spokesperson for the Christian Despite the worldwide nature of the economic reces- easier to criticize than be constructive. They are turn- Brothers made it clear that this was not an option as sion, Irish voters are charging their own political leaders ing up the heat every day. It is doubtful that different the order had no appreciable assets left. All the schools with the responsibility for their country’s problems. It leadership will be able to change the economy, but that and playing fields that the order had owned have been is often said that perception frequently becomes real- is the way of politics. handed over to a lay trust that was now managing them ity. Ireland’s leading political party has been unable to That being said, perhaps the government could for the benefit of the community. convince the voters that it have mitigated the storm if it had been more proactive The clamor to have the deal renegotiated may be re- is dealing with the current earlier. The problem is the ever-changing landscape, lated to the forthcoming elections. There is no political recession decisively and with unexpected severe problems arising weekly. capital to be gained from a report on events of 40 years effectively. The leaders of the banking system, for instance, have ago. However, if it is linked to an event of ten years ago, A shocking Irish Times thoroughly disgraced themselves with many losing fingers can be pointed at current politicians. poll of 2,000 voters, con- their jobs as a result. They were deliberately borrow- Over the past ten years the Residential Institutions ducted in the middle of ing funds from each other in order to confuse annual Redress Board has been dealing with applications for May, shows a nearly com- reporting figures. compensation and has paid out a total of 787-million plete lack of confidence In the meantime, people are suffering and becoming euro to 12,436 applicants. A further 1,394 applications in Prime Minister Brian very angry. If national elections were held today there have still to be finalized. In addition to the compensa- Cowen and his Fianna is real doubt the current government would survive. tion, lawyers have been paid a total of 138.5-million Fail government. Accord- The elections on June 5 will provide substantial clues euro to date. (The report of the Commission to Inquire ing to the poll, Cowen’s as to how much trouble its leadership is facing. into Child Abuse is available online at childabusecom- personal approval rating The polls have also offered some positive news. It mission.ie.) has dropped to 18 percent appears the Irish voters are ready to approve the new Cardinal Brady Offers of the electorate and his European Union Constitution as amended by the so Apologies and Sympathy Joe Leary party’s overall approval called “Lisbon Treaty.” When the treaty changes were There were many expressions of regret and sorrow rating is now only 21 first presented to the Irish voters, they were soundly from religious leaders and others in authority follow- percent. defeated in an outburst of rural nationalism even ing the publication of the report of the Commission Ireland is holding three elections on June 5, and it though all major political parties, with one exception, to Inquire into Child Abuse. Cardinal Seán Brady, will be almost impossible for Fianna Fail to recover in urged their voters to approve. Archbishop of Armagh and Primate of All Ireland, was time to prevent startling losses. There are local elec- Cowen has repeatedly called for the Irish people to among the first to comment. The report, he said, “throws tions to choose city council members and other local approve the treaty. In fact, he has given assurances to light on a dark period of the past” and “makes it clear officials. There is the European Parliament election to other European nations that this time the Irish voters that great wrong and hurt were caused to some of the choose the Irish members of the European Parliament will endorse the changes. The vote has not yet been most vulnerable children in our society. It documents a (MEP). And there are two elections for Members of the scheduled but it should come soon and may be a very shameful catalogue of cruelty: neglect, physical, sexual Irish Parliament to fill vacancies. positive outcome for Cowen’s reputation in Ireland. and emotional abuse, perpetrated against children. I Fianna Fail is expected to do very poorly in local The only significant party pushing for a “No” vote is am profoundly sorry and deeply ashamed that children elections and the vacancy elections but because of the Sinn Fein. suffered in such awful ways in these institutions. Chil- way the districts are drawn they will maintain three Of course, should the economy begin to grow again dren deserved better and especially from those caring of their four MEPs. and the 11.4 percent unemployment rate start falling, for them in the name of Jesus Christ.” Regardless of the outcome on June 5, the loss of faith Cowen will be considered a genius and his future will The Cardinal hoped that the publication of the report in the current leadership is more testimony to the be secure. Unfortunately for him, that scenario does would “help to heal the hurts of victims and to address severe impact of the recession on the economy and on not look like it will come to pass any time soon. the wrongs of the past.” people’s lives rather than to the actual performance of Cowen and his Fianna Fail Ministers. The Fine Gael

Reflections ‘He Ascended Into Heaven’ By Msgr. Thomas J. McDonnell of which we are speaking are even beyond the normal as He recalls the pain of Calvary and every time the At the time of Sputnik – first space orbit – the cos- categories of space and time. And these thoughts we Father looks upon them, He must also recall the love monaut hailed as a hero by many blatantly observed must keep in mind as we try to “locate” heaven. Christ had for His brothers and sisters that compelled that in his travels, he did not Basically, heaven may be said to be the place where Him to undergo such suffering for them. With these find “heaven.” It would seem that (in its broadest sense) the Body of the Risen Christ is two currents of thought running through the Father’s technology proved that heaven present. The Creed describes the Lord as “sitting at mind, do we really think that He will refuse His Son’s was a myth. Some discussion the right hand of the Father” – the seat of power, judg- prayers on our behalf? In a way, such a refusal might took place. However, this largely ment, and forgiveness. Such are our feeble attempts to be interpreted as prolonging Christ’s Passion. became a footnote in the history try to concretize a mystery, using imagery with which Secondly, in our prayer of intercession, we always of “progress.” Christians were familiar. ask “through Christ Our Lord.” This is not an empty Meanwhile, millions of Chris- As we think about the Ascension, we probably instinc- phrase; it is an exhortation to have in our minds “the tians continue to recite the Creed. tively think about Christ separating Himself from this mind of Jesus Christ” (Phil.). Our attitude should be In addition, in the recitation they world. Again, Scripture bolsters this idea. But we may that of Christ – ready to do the Father’s will no mat- accept as an article of belief that also broaden our scope so that it would include not the ter the cost. Christ indeed has ascended into separation of earth from heaven but the idea that Christ When Christ was about to ascend into Heaven, He heaven. Because it is part of our brought earth and our concerns into heaven. I think made a promise that He would be with us all days. Msgr. Thomas this is more in line with the observation in the Letter In a mystery of reversibility, Christ brings heaven J. McDonnell dogmatic system and not merely something irrelevant, it might to the Hebrews that Christ now lives “to intercede.” to earth. And this, too, is part of the mystery of the be well to turn our attention to He brings our needs and desires before the throne of Ascension. In Baptism, He bonds with us – promising this truth to try to decode the practical relevance for the Heavenly Father. to walk with us and support us every step of our lives. our life. At this point, we might digress a little to reflect upon And this bonding means that He brings us and our The use of the word “ascends” connotes the idea of the power of Christ’s intercessory prayer. As we know concerns before the Father. rising. And in our case, (backed by the imagery of Sacred from the Book of Revelation, Christ carries in His His promise to be with us embraces the Church, which Scripture) it may be interpreted as a rising out of sight, Resurrected Body the wounds of His Passion. The very is His Body. There is a unique sacramental structure beyond human boundaries. However, the boundaries sight of this must cause the Father painful memories associated with the Church whereby we actually Page June 2009 BOSTON IRISH Reporter Worldwide at www.bostonirish.com BIR Profile Boston is No Mystery to the BPL’s New President, Amy Ryan; She Brings Experience and Perspective to Her High-Wire Act

By Greg O’Brien system with 41 libraries and an estimated 750,000 Amy Ryan hardly looks like the bookworm active library card holders who annually borrow 16 that she is. Resembling a university president more million books, an average of 17 books per resident. To than a stereotypical librarian, the multi-tasking, cere- do so, Ryan invoked her considerable communication, bral president of the venerable Boston Public Library political and business skills for various approvals (BPL)—the first woman president in the institution’s needed from the Minnesota State Legislature, the 151-year history—has set a motivating course for the Hennepin County Board, Minneapolis City Council BPL to serve the educational and cultural needs of and an elected library board. The merger saw the full Boston and to provide access to some of the world’s integration of library staff, resources and management most historic records, all in an economy that is forcing structure. Such skill sets required for the merger will dramatic budget cuts and yet has seen a significant be essential for setting a course for the Boston Public rise in library use. Library in the new millennium where public librar- Let’s do the numbers. With a numbing collec- ies have morphed beyond their brick and stone walls, tion of more than 33 million books, maps and manu- becoming more relevant today than even a generation scripts, the Boston Public Library—the first library in ago. The role of libraries is changing, not waning, with America to allow the public to borrow books, the first the technology of the times. to establish a children’s room, the only public library “Libraries today are extraverted institutions, not that also serves as a presidential library and one of two introverted ones, as they once were,” says Ryan, not- public research libraries in the United States—has 26 ing the days when often the most frequently heard neighborhood branches in addition to its august Cop- comment from a librarian was a “shush,” followed ley Square “palace of the people” on Boylston Street, by an index finger to the lips. “Libraries today are as gifted architect Charles Follen McKim called it in cultural anchors that foster learning initiatives and 1895. Today the central library complex has close to partnerships with schools, government agencies, one million square feet of space, and offers a mother businesses and non-profits. We are the embodiment lode of the system’s more than seven million books, of the American Dream, helping to manage the flow of 500 computers for public use, 7,000 programs and information and responding to the technologies of the events, nearly 170 professional librarians, wireless day. Our role is information navigator, teacher and access at every branch and a 24/7 online reference mentor. Years ago, one would look to a library for a service. Each year more than 3.4 million people visit single answer to a question, now librarians help users the BPL, and another 4.6 million regularly connect to navigate through 65 million Internet hits.” the BPL, a department of the City of Boston, through Managing a public library in a troublesome economy its website: bpl.org. is indeed a high-wire act, says Ryan, noting she has As BPL President Ryan is now absorbing the affects set priorities to offer the greatest number of resources of state and city budgets cuts totaling more than $5 in demand to the largest number of individuals in the million and how to provide the same level of superior city. These priorities include advancement of learn- service, library use is a record high. Last month, for ing, literacy, academic support for schools and career example, more than 300,000 books were checked out support and research. of the Copley branch alone, a ten percent increase of Ryan’s mother, no doubt, would be pleased. “My last year. A full plate in hand, Ryan—a problem solver BPL President Amy Ryan: mom would be proud; being appointed president of the with the enthusiastic support of Mayor Tom Menino, Our roles: information, navigator, teacher, mentor. Boston Public Library flows from my childhood. It’s a whom she praises for his commitment to the BPL—is complete family circle,” she says. In walking to work sure to find her way. attended high school in Illinois, but most of her life every day, Ryan passes her parents’ former home at 90 Public library use is traditionally on the increase in was spent in Minnesota near St. Paul. She describes Commonwealth Avenue on her way from Beacon Hill a recession—the subject years ago of Ryan’s master’s her father as “smart, caring, a successful businessman where she lives with her husband Steven Kaufman, a thesis at University of Minnesota graduate school and an exceptional downhill skier,” who taught her the Brandeis and Northeastern University graduate who for library science. “In down times,” she says, “people sport. She says her mom was “loving, funny and had has taught college English and writing. The couple have turn to public libraries for reading and research, and a commitment to education.” She always encouraged four children in an extended family: Chloe, a senior at to learn more about personal finance and job skills. Ryan and her two sisters, Lydia and Susan, and her Simmons who graduates from the same college next Forgive me for saying the obvious, the Boston Public brother, Geoffrey, to read. Ryan is a voracious reader year exactly a century after her maternal grandmother, Library is free!” today, consuming a broad range of books, but with a Mary Gertrude Rock; Madeline, who is preparing to But all told, this is not your grandmother’s library, recent fascination for fiction set in Boston. She has attend graduate school in teaching English in Min- although it still contains the artifacts of a world re- just finished Dennis Lehane’s A Given Day, and is nesota; Noah, who works in energy conservation; and nowned museum: several of William Shakespeare’s now reading Ann Patchett’s novel, Run. Hallie, an artist and mother of two. original folios; original music scores from Mozart “I had a happy, uncomplicated childhood,” she Eight months on the job, Ryan concedes there to Prokofiev’s “Peter and the Wolf”; the Sacco and recalls in an interview from her spacious BPL office. are times that she walks around the BPL pinching Vanzetti death masks; and the personal library of “My parents fostered independence and intellectual herself, as she plies her way through the millions of John Adams, to mention a few. The BPL, with its pursuits.” Both had a “Boston quality,” Ryan says. books, manuscripts, maps and artifacts in a setting signature Old World design, a symbol of the Athens “They were very witty, articulate and intellectually as intellectually reverend as ancient Greece or Rome. of America, remains the Library of Last Recourse for challenging; they had a passion for learning, question- And who wouldn’t in her shoes. Ryan is all passion Massachusetts and is an official depository of U.S. ing and conversation. They had an Irish look to them and focus with high-energy Midwestern values and a government documents, U.S. government patents and that you don’t see in the Midwest.” dash of wide-eyed gusto. She is the embodiment of United Nations documents. Ryan’s mom encouraged her to pursue a library ca- the founding ideals of the Boston Public Library, as So how did this 58-year-old fresh water lake swim- reer. After graduation from Mankato State University initially espoused by founders George Ticknor, Edward mer raised in rural White Bear Lake, Minnesota, who in Mankato, Minn., she earned a Master’s degree in Everett, Nicholas Marie Alexandre Vattemare, Joshua was born in Sandusky, Ohio on Lake Superior, speaks library science from University of Minnesota, and was Bates and Josiah Quincy, Jr. in a slight nasal Midwestern twang—and pronounced off and running on a library career that has turned as A first in every way, Amy E. Ryan is just what the the word aunt (“ant”) as if it were a four-legged insect many heads as pages. “I never looked back,” she says. BPL needs after century and a half: new blood and a until someone not so politely informed her the correct “I realized my passion, then followed it.” female perspective. dialect was “ont”)—become president of Boston’s most With more than 30 years of collective public library Greg O’Brien is editor and president of Stony Brook prestigious and intellectual of institutions? And to boot, management experience in the Minneapolis Public Group, a publishing and political/communications after a six-month nationwide search and the vetting Library system and the nearby Hennepin County strategy company based in Brewster. The author/edi- of 150 top candidates by a search committee headed Library system, overseeing library administration, tor of several books, he is a regular contributor to the by James I. Cash, Professor Emeritus of Harvard partnerships and development, Ryan in 2008 merged Boston Irish Reporter and has contributed to numerous Business School and John H McArthur, former Dean the two to become a landmark united public library regional and national publications. of Harvard’s Business School. You can’t judge a book by its cover, she would say. The daughter of Boston area natives, the youngest of four children, Ryan, a third generation Irish Ameri- can, was infused with Boston culture and intellectual Massachusetts Drivers: curiosity since childhood. Before her Boston appointment last October, Ryan was Director of the nationally CompetitiveCompetitive Insurance RatesInsurance Effective Rates April 1, 2008 recognized Minneapolis and Hennepin County library system and honored by the City of Minneapolis for her leadership in merging the two systems—a prototype ATA is your One-Stop-Rate-Shop for other cities to follow. Her transition to the Hub has been as seamless as a season segue from the Celtics to the Red Sox, given her family history here. “Bundle” your Home and Auto policies and save up to 30% Ryan’s late father, John Paul, with roots in Tipparery, worked in management and sales for Weyerhaeuser Lumber Company, starting his career in the Boston Call (617)773-3800 or log on today for a FREE QUOTE ! area after his Army Service in World War II. Her late mother, Ann Elizabeth (Hickey) whose family comes from County Armagh in Northern Ireland, was a On-line Quote requests and housewife, later managing women’s sportswear stores INSURANCE outside Chicago where the family lived for a spell, as LIVE CHAT available at ATA AGENCY, INC. Weyerhaeuser moved her dad like a Triple A ballplayer from Boston, to the State of Washington, to Ohio, to WWW.ATAINSURANCE.COM Minnesota, to Illinois and back to Minnesota—typical A ADivision Division of of FFeenaneenan FinancialFinancial Group Group of the day in management sales. The couple met in Newton where Ryan’s mom, who worked for the Draft 234 Copeland St., Suite 220 Board at the time, inducted her dad into the Army. It Quincy, MA 02169 was love, perhaps tough love, at first sight. Ryan in her early years was shaped through her (617)773-3800 www.atainsurance.com parents’ example and schooling in the humanities. She Worldwide at www.bostonirish.com June 2009 BOSTON IRISH Reporter Page Boston Irish Reporter’s Here & There

By Bill O’Donnell murder and other means. One of the Co. Mayo. … Ryanair may dazzle some procedure, one of the most performed The Sky Is Falling -- Yes, the sky is most insidious tactics is the attempt at travelers with its now famous low fares, major surgeries every years in the US, definitely about to come crashing down recruiting children as young as 13 on but charging passengers more than $50 will cost substantially less overseas, on Ireland and the US corporations websites urging middle-schoolers to “join for airport-issued boarding passes is averaging $26,000 in Costa Rica, Korea, that operate on the isle if President the struggle.” larcenous by any measure. and Thailand. The price in India for that Obama’s proposed tax changes go into These web sites glorifying violence What will Belfast Unionist Reg Em- surgery is around $10,000. effect. At least that’s the entrenched and luring impressionable youth into pey of the shrunken Ulster Unionists, A Family Business -- The North’s belief of the Wall Street Journal, that bas- a culture of death are the combined comprised now of a single MP, do if she First Minister, Peter Robinson, who tion of unfettered capitalism and loosely brainchild of the Continuity IRA, the decides not to run again? Will the Tories triples as a Member of the British Par- regulated financial transactions and so-called Real IRA, and the INLA. No skip out of their new partnership? … liament, local assembly member, and accountability. friends of peace or justice. Urban politics comes to Dublin: Begin- successor to Ian Paisley as leader of the The Journal’s One internet page promises to “pro- ning next year the Mayor of Dublin Democratic Unionist Party, is a busy man view of a whit- tect the republican communities from (previously a council member chosen keeping track of expenses for himself, tling down of the PSNI, hoods and most of all loyal- by his peers) will be elected directly by his wife Iris (also an elected MP) and the ability of ists.” Other sites feature young men the citizens of Dublin. …Belfast created the four members of their family who all American com- with weapons and balaclavas, adroitly its Ombudsman watchdog role in 1969 work in government for Robinson Pere. panies doing marketing death and destruction for but the post has been unoccupied since The Robinson family’s total annual take business in low- yet another generation of lost young 2004. Sounds like the Mass. Senate’s (salaries and expenses) is $850,000. No tax Ireland to people. ethics legislation. … Starting in July, wonder it took so long to move Big Ian retain more of Did You Know … that Northern Irish taxi drivers will have to pass out of politics and into retirement. God their earnings Ireland is the most successful region tough testing if they want to work in Bless the mark! is being called in Europe over the past eight years Dublin and other cities. Can Boston be Three Terms Could Be Enough -- “Obama’s Glob- for software development centers? The far behind? … It’s been a tough patch I’m hanging in there with the political al Tax Raid, North’s success is attributed to its high for Tony O’Reilly. Although a major agenda. I have been a watchful student or, in simpler caliber talent, links between industry contributor along with the Ireland Fund of the city of Boston, my birthplace, and Bill O’Donnell b o t t o m - l i n e and academia, and a healthy investment to the new library at Queen’s University, its politics for most of my adult life save terms any be- climate. One of the earliest companies he has requested that it not be named for the 16 uneventful months I was resident leaguered CEO can understand, “a rev- involved in the software centers was him, as had been planned. … The other in the Land of the Morning Calm. I have enue grab.” Few surprises there. Boston’s Liberty Mutual, quickly fol- shoe drops: Former US Ambassador to genuinely liked most of the men who have The negative impact on low-tax coun- lowed by Allstate. Ireland Thomas Foley, who announced inhabited the mayor’s office, some a bit tries (Ireland has the lowest tax rate of Ireland’s Improbable Gender his engagement as he headed home in more or less than others. But good men any EU member at 12.5 percent while Gap -- Despite the two Marys -- Mary January, returned to Ireland and he and all. It’s not going to happen again with the US corporate tax rate is 35 percent) Robinson and Mary McAleese, who Leslie Ann Fahrenkopf were married this election, but how my fingers itch to of Obama’s crackdown on US companies have served the Republic of Ireland as in a County Kildare churchyard. … alter that last sentence to read “most of allegedly using foreign tax havens to President with distinction continuously New York Governor David Paterson the men and women.” shelter multinational profits is expected for 18 years -- there exists today in Ire- reportedly leaked some false, damaging I believe that Boston’s modern mayors, by many to hit Ireland particularly hard. land a formidable gap, a veritable chasm information to the press about Caroline two of whom I have worked for, are decent The concern there is that US tax policy between the genders when it comes Kennedy after she quit her troubled people sincerely interested in improving under Obama will cause American firms to elective office. Given the scarcity of US Senate candidacy. The governor was the city, its service, its infrastructure, to flee Ireland, costing jobs and revenue female office holders today compared to upset, it seems, that Caroline’s departure and the lives of its citizenry. But there for the Irish exchequer. The threat to other countries in Europe and beyond, would brand his senate selection as his is one nagging thing I have noticed and the future of Irish economic health is Ireland had ranked No. 63 in the number second choice. His poll numbers reflect that is that most of the mayors start to such that top executives of the Irish of elected women. Following recent elec- his smear tactics. lose a little something off the fast ball government’s Industrial Development tions, Ireland has fallen further behind A third bridge over the Foyle in Derry around the middle of the third term. Authority were quickly dispatched to and now ranks 88th, behind Sudan, will likely be named for the town’s fa- After a decade in charge the freshness Washington in early May to make the Bolivia, Cambodia, and Kazakhstan. vorite son, John Hume. Construction is gone, the challenges are a bit past case for Ireland ahead of any sweeping The Inter-Parliamentary Union, which should be complete by October, 2010. … their “sell-by” date and senior staff are changes. keeps track of such things, estimates Finally, after months of shoppers in the beginning to cast tired eyes outward However, when all is said and done that at the current rate it will take 370 Republic flocking to Newry, Derry, and to a life beyond City Hall. The average and US tax deferral policies impacting years for the percentage of women in Belfast, supermarkets in the 26 counties tenure of the last three mayors is 14 US firm’s foreign operations go into Dail Eireann to reach 50 percent. have at last begun to cut their prices. years; arguably that’s longer than most effect, there is a widening belief by Due Process Run Amok -- One thing Slow learners, it seems. … Waiting for American corporate CEOs. Irish economists that Ireland will come that distinguishes most Irish is the soft a solution to the great $50 million bank In my recall, and I am sure there will out slightly bruised but fairly close to spot we have for those immigrants, docu- robbery in Belfast? Forget about it. The be ample rebuttal available, not a great revenue neutral. Professor Ronald mented or not, who yearn to come to the best police can do is convict a father-and- deal of substantive, imaginative, or in- Davies of University College Dublin United States. However, there are excep- son team of laundering purloined bank novative things happened to brighten suggests that what matters for firms tions and one of those is clearly the case notes, but no convictions for the heist those long sunset days. Maybe it’s too with multiple foreign locations is their of the Ukraine-born John Demjanjuk, itself. …It’s May and you’re Bewley’s much to expect that innovation or a average overseas tax, which would have the Nazi extermination camp guard who, Hotel in Dublin’s Ballsbridge where it’s burst of energy will be found high on high- tax countries like Germany used US authorities allege, was responsible never too early. The hotel, just entering the agenda in the darkening innings of to offset liability on Irish earned income. for helping to kill 29,000 men, women summer, is advertising for, of course, a mayoral term. Maybe key staffers will Davies’s final word on attracting over- and children during the Holocaust in Christmas parties. And why not! be invigorated by a burst of creative, seas investment is simple: Ireland should the second world war. Travel For Dollars -- One of the out-of-the-box thinking by the boss, but continue to focus on those policies that The US has had the goods on this guy emerging growth industries is what is if that happens it’s a bonus, and the have proven successful over the past 20 for over 30 years but a series of court chal- generically called “Medical Tourism.” unintended exception to life as it is lived years in bringing and keeping invest- lenges and similar legal maneuverings This entails people who need, or in the in City Hall. ment to Ireland. involving at least five countries has kept case of cosmetic surgery, want to find a Thirty Years on, Time To Forgive Rose Kennedy Greenway & Moth- this war criminal from deportation since cost effective (read cheaper) way to ac- -- It was late August of 1979 and the ers Walk -- On Mother’s Day weekend, 1977, a 30-year legal wrangle that makes cess medical treatment and get a chance Troubles were entering their second members of the O’Donnell-Flaherty fam- a mockery of border control. Added to the to visit an exotic overseas location at decade when 50 pounds of gelignite ily were on Boston’s waterfront to catch documentation was the false personal the same time. In 2007, some 750,000 exploded under the engine of a boat in the opening ceremonies of the Mothers data he used on his application to fraudu- Americans traveled out of country to the harbor in Mullaghmore, Co. Sligo, Walk Wall on Atlantic Avenue. The lently enter the United States. get medical treatment. That number is killing Lord Louis Mountbatten, Rose Fitzgerald Kennedy Greenway, a Not to put too fine an edge on a com- expected to increase dramatically to 6 Lady Braybourne, 82, Mountbatten’s splendid swath of greenery and history plicated situation, but one is forced to million by 2010. grandson Nicholas Knatchbull, 14, cut from the land ceded back to Boston ask why young Irish men and women Major target countries who are aggres- and boat boy Paul Maxwell, 15. by the Big Dig, is also where you find by the hundreds in the worst days and sively marketing healthcare to Ameri- Also on the boat that day was the the Mothers Walk. The Greenway Con- beyond were stopped, turned around, cans include at the top of the list places twin brother of Nicholas Knatchbull, servancy (rosekennedy greenway.org) and sent back to Ireland on the next like Mexico, Costa Rica, Philippines, Timothy. He was seriously injured has a novel way to remember mothers. flight for the flimsiest of reasons while India, and Thailand. However, Ireland by the blast but he was plucked from My brothers Phil and Jim and I lost our this accessory to mass murder was al- is seriously looking at that potential the water, survived, and now lives in mother to cancer over half a century lowed the hospitality of this country for injection of cash and has begun spirited America and works as a documentary ago and were delighted to find a way to all those years ? marketing, primarily on the Internet. filmmaker for the Discovery Channel. He memorialize a life cut short. RANDOM JOTTINGS A quick click into your favorite search has written a book, “From A Clear Blue She was first-generation Irish, daugh- In a golfing spectacular that rivals engine will get you some 12 million “hits” Sky,” in which he forgives the IRA assault ter of immigrants Tadgh and Annie the Francis Ouimet victory over two of online. And Ireland has some memorable on his family and speaks of reconciliation Flaherty. Anne Flaherty O’Donnell England’s finest in the US Open in 1913, spots to rehab before going home and about healing and moving on. His first lived in Kerry Village and later Shane Lowry, 22, a County Offaly golf The reason for this emerging public book will be coming out in August at the with her family until her marriage in amateur, ran away from the profession- interest in alternative sources of medi- time of the anniversary. Dorchester’s St. Mark’s Parish. She died als at Beltray to win the Irish Open. As cal care is easy to see. If you have no Lord Mountbatten had been a regular young, never seeing the Boston of today, an amateur he was not eligible for the medical coverage you will be able (caveat summer visitor for 30 years to Sligo and but the conservancy offers inscribed $650,000 first prize but he has turned emptor, as always) to find a surgeon for although there was some minimal secu- pavers with name, birthdate, and a brief pro and will undoubtedly prosper off any procedure from rhinoplasty to heart rity he was considered a low risk from salute. To cut to the chase, we signed on and on the course. … The Kerry County bypass to a knee replacement. And the paramilitary attack. It was a senseless and easily found our paver as promised Museum in Tralee has been named the price is right. Most surgical procedures attack, I thought at the time. As a close on the Mothers Walk between State & top museum in Ireland for 2009. … On performed in overseas countries cost relative of the royal family he had some Milk Streets. There it was! May 17, Ireland marked the first national one-fifth or one-sixth what they would doomsday marquee value, but today, It is comforting for her three surviv- Famine Memorial Day . This year’s cer- cost in the US. Open heart bypass sur- as was the case almost 30 years ago, it ing sons to know that Anne from Fields emonies were held in Skibbereen, Co. gery in the US, for instance, now costs still doesn’t make any sense to me, even Corner will be a permanent part of the Cork, with plans for next year set for around $100,000 or more.That same wartime sense. city of Boston, very close to the original harbor water mark, and in the shadow of the Custom House and the Grain Exchange. Where in the World Can You Find Children Used In Dissident Hate Campaign -- Some may call them dis- sidents but in reality they are break- News about Ourselves & Our Town away Irish republicans, brutally trying to reinvigorate a deadly campaign to rid the island of its British presence by www.BostonIrish.Com Page June 2009 BOSTON IRISH Reporter Worldwide at www.bostonirish.com Notes from the Irish Immigration Center Immigration Q & A An agency accredited by US Department of Justice Abusive Marriage, Legal 59 Temple Place, Suite 1010, Boston, MA 02111 Telephone (617) 542-7654 Fax (617) 542-7655 Permanent Residence: Website:iicenter.org Email: [email protected] Help is Available Thank you, thank less and jobless in the Boston. section. Q. My sister is in the US in undocumented status and you, for joining us for sweltering Boston heat. Immigration Attorneys The IIC as Immigra- has been in an abusive marriage for some time. Her hus- our 20th Anniversary on June brings Irish college will be present at all clin- tion Adviser – Last sum- band is a US citizen and has refused to cooperate with her May 27th. We spent the students to Boston for ics. IIC has been providing mer, Governor Patrick in an application for a green card. Is there a way that she evening at the Westin Co- summer employment with free immigration legal asked individuals and can do this on her own? Also, she is planning to leave pley Place with our guest the J-1 visa. As usual IIC advice for 20 years this community groups to gath- her husband and go to a shelter. What kind of documents of honor, the president of will be helping these young year. For more informa- er information to shape should she take with her when she leaves? Ireland, Mary McAleese. men and women find jobs tion about IIC legal clinics, state policy regarding new A. It is good that your sister is taking the initiative to Thank you for making it a and housing during their call 617-542-7654. immigration initiatives. deal with an untenable situation. If she needs help locat- such a memorable evening. time in Massachusetts and Congratulations to The process aims to bet- ing a shelter she can call Safe Link, the Massachusetts Without your help, we we will as usual list your the Wider Horizons ter integrate refugees and statewide domestic violence hotline, at 1-877-7785-2020, could not do what we do for employment and housing Program graduates! immigrants into the eco- or the National Domestic Violence Hotline at 1-800-799- the local Irish community. ads free of charge in our – Late last month, 20 nomic and civic life of the SAFE (7233). It also is very important for someone who Thank you for sustaining cyber café. More details folks from Newry and commonwealth. The in- has suffered abuse to have strong support and someone to us for the past 20 years to come in the next few Dundalk returned home formation for these recom- talk to, including friends and family but also professional and we look forward to weeks, but if you have sum- after completing unpaid mendations will come from help from a social worker or counselor. Your sister can many more with you. Keep mer positions to fill, e-mail internships with organiza- a series of public meetings contact us at our office (617-542-7654) to speak to our your eyes turned to the us at j1summer@iicenter. tions throughout the city. across the state, already counselor in confidence and explore her options. BIR for upcoming events. org or call 617-562-1900, The participants not only conducted, in addition to Since she is married to a US citizen, your sister may Full reports and pictures to Ext. 61. received valuable work research, interviews with be eligible to “self-petition” for legal permanent residence come next month. We hope Free Legal Clinics in experience, but they also experts, and input from under the federal Violence against Women Act (known you enjoyed Wednesday as June – Do you need to talk had the opportunity to state agencies. as VAWA). This means that she may be able to file for much as we did. to an immigration lawyer? make friends and learn a The public meetings the green card on her own, without sponsorship or other Still Haven’t Received Have questions about your new city. provided an opportunity cooperation from her husband. She can discuss this issue IIC E-Newsletter? We immigration case or that “My internship was in for individuals in local in complete confidence with an immigration lawyer at launched our new elec- of a family member? Drop Forest Hills at the Cas- communities to share one of IIC’s weekly legal clinics. tronic newsletter at the be- in to have your queries serly House. It was a great with the Governor’s Ad- It is helpful for your sister and others in similar situ- ginning of last month and answered by experienced learning experience. I visory Council and each ations to take as many of the following items as possible thank you for the feedback immigration attorneys at taught math to adults and other their vision of what with them when they leave: you have provided. We a clinic near you: helped kids with home- it would mean to become Identification: Driver’s license, passports, birth cer- hope that the short e-mail Downtown – Every work after school,” said a more welcoming com- tificates for herself and any children. bulletins will be useful to Thursday from 4 p.m. Mickey McNally, a partici- monwealth, obstacles to Immigration documents: Visas for herself and you for keeping up with to 7 p.m. in our office at pant in the program. “The integration, and possible children, work permits, complete records of any dealings what’s happening in im- 59 Temple Place, suite program is for another solutions. Among the with immigration authorities. migration news around the 1010. Get off at Park St. four weeks to help us find main points of discussion Husband’s information: A certified copy of her country and with what we or Downtown Crossing employment and now I raised by attendees in husband’s birth certificate, of his certificate of natural- can do for your individual Subway. might think about going almost all of the hearings ization (if applicable), and of the photo/data page from case. If you still haven’t re- Allston-Brighton – into youth work.” was the need for the state his passport. ceived the e-newsletter but Tues., June 9 from 6:30 If you would like to host to issue driver’s licenses Financial information: Checkbooks, credit/debit would like to…send us an p.m. in the Kells Bar and a young Irish or Northern to immigrants regardless cards, bank account books/records, safe deposit keys/re- e-mail to happybirthday@ Restaurant, 161 Brighton Irish person from one of of immigration status – a cords, paycheck stubs, copies of tax returns for herself iicenter.org saying so in Ave, Allston our future Wider Horizons project that the governor and her husband, current unpaid bills. the subject line. South Boston – Tues., programs this year, e-mail supports for public safety Housing information: Lease/rental documents, house J-1 Students Will June 30 from 6 p.m. at AnnMarie at amarieby- and revenues, but a fed- deed, mortgage payment book, insurance policies. Need Jobs and Housing Laboure Center (directly [email protected] or call eral law known as Real Public Assistance information: Documents/identity -- We don’t want to leave across from Burger King) 617-542-1900, Ext 16. ID prevents states from records from any public assistance programs. any J-1 students home- 275 West Broadway, South See related story in this taking action. Medical information: Medical records for herself and children, medications, prescriptions, health insurance cards and records. Education information: School records for herself Matters Of Substance and children. Personal items: Changes of clothes, address book, pictures, jewelry, items of sentimental value, children’s fa- Summer Arrives…But the ‘Blues’ Remain vorite toys and other items, keys for house, car, office. By Danielle Owen lonely, and upset , es- things you used to enjoy? • Do you go out of your Relationship information: Marriage license, copies IIC Staff Counselor pecially as all our fam- • Are you restless and way to avoid situations of any restraining orders, any evidence of abuse, includ- Thank God, the summer ily/friends are usually at can't keep still? that reminded you of these ing reports from counselors, a shelter, social workers, is coming, Bring on the home. Some may just need Depression symptoms, events? or police. warm weather, sunshine- to chat, explore their cur- left untreated, can cre- If you have said yes to She may have to prove to the immigration authori- bright days, and gentle- rent situation and with a ate other problems. If, any one of these symptoms, ties that the marriage began in good faith. To do this, breezed evenings. Swap few small changes, realize for example, you find you could have a condition it is helpful for her to have letters, cards, emails, etc. out the winter layers for they are doing better than yourself using drugs or called “Post Traumatic that she and her exchanged, photos of the two of them the light tees and shorts they thought. Others, alcohol more frequently Stress Disorder” or PTSD. together, gifts he gave her, and proof that they lived we will live in for the next however, may need regular to feel better, you could Depression is not some- together (as shown by both names on a lease or utility few months. However, counseling sessions along end up developing a sub- thing you can “snap” your- bills, for example). with everything being in with medication in order stance abuse problem! self out of or “cure” by Visit one of our weekly legal clinics for a confidential an upheaval these days, to feel better. There may Could you also be expe- yourself. If untreated, it consultation on this or any other immigration issue. See our low, sad, or depressed also be people for whom riencing some of the fol- can lead to people devel- the schedule in this publication. mood is not always as eas- depression is a symptom lowing symptoms, along oping other problems like Disclaimer: These articles are published to inform ily swapped out for a fresh of a much larger problem. with your depression, that substance abuse/addiction generally, not to advise in individual cases. Immigration and energetic emotional Ask yourself the follow- might be related to a pain- or masking/ hiding seri- law is always subject to change. The US Citizenship and jump into summer. I hear ing: ful, upsetting or traumatic ous conditions like PTSD. Immigration Services and US Department of State regu- from people all the time • Do you feel miser- event in your past or recent The good news is help is larly amend regulations and alter processing and filing asking, “What’s wrong able and sad most of the past? available, no matter what procedures. For legal advice seek the assistance of an IIC with me?” time? • Do you have night- your circumstances. Call immigration specialist or an immigration lawyer. If you are finding it hard • Do you find it more mares? Danielle, in confidence difficult to do the things • Do you remember and without judgment, to “get out from under the CELEbRATINg 20 YEARS: 1989-2009 winter cloud” you have you used to do? painful or upsetting events at the Irish Immigration • Do you get very fright- when you do not want to? Center. Phone: 617-542- been living with for the last Free Legal family-based, few months, you are not ened or have “panicky” • Are you constantly on 7654, Ext. 14 or send an feelings for apparently no guard, watchful, or easily e-mail to dowen@iicenter. employment-based, immigration, alone and you are not crazy! and citizenship advice. You may just need reason at all? startled? org. Check out our Well- h e l p a n d s u p p o r t . • Do you ever feel like • Do you feel numb or ness Screening: iicenter. As immigrants, it is very having, or actually have, detached from others, org/services/documents/ normal to experience pe- weeping spells? activities, or your sur- CCSWellnessSurveyOn- Irish Immigration CeNter riods of feeling low, sad, • Do you still enjoy the roundings? line.pdf. Free LegaL CLiniCs

TUESDAY CLINICS: south Boston Breads ’n Bits of Ireland Laboure Center 275 West Broadway Allston-Brighton South Boston, MA 02127 The Kells Bar and Restaurant 6:00 pm • Home Bakery • Irish Kitchen 161 Brighton Ave, Allston, MA 02134 February 24th, April 27th, June 30th, 6:30 pm August 25th, October 27th January 13th, February 9th, Featuring... Scones, Irish Soda Bread, Brown Bread, March 10th, April 14th Homemade Soup, Sandwiches THURSDAY CLINICS: Dorchester DoWntoWn Boston Saint Mark’s Parish (School Hall) Irish Immigration Center 1725 Dorchester Ave. Telephone 781-662-5800 • Fax 781-662-0859 59 Temple Place Dorchester, MA 02124 10th Floor 6:00 pm Boston, MA 02111 January 27th, March 31st e-mail: [email protected] 4:00pm 530 Main Street, Melrose, MA 02176 • 781-662-5800 visit WWW.iicenter.org or cAll 617-542-7654 to confirm scheDule Worldwide at www.bostonirish.com June 2009 BOSTON IRISH Reporter Page

AUTO BODY REPAIRS (617) 825-1760 (617) 825-2594 Wider Horizons Program Proves FAX (617) 825-7937 True Bonus for Participants, Hosts

By the IIC Staff he learned a lot from the “The T-system is easy wedding parties who After reading an ad- range in age and the diver- to get around, unless you travel to the park to enjoy Free Pick-Up & Delivery Service vertisement about the sity in background. “The are color blind,” O’Hare its natural beauty. Wider Horizons Program youngest is 18 and I said about living in the “A new facility was in his local newspaper, am the oldest at 27 so new city. greatly needed,” O’Hare Cahalog O’Hare from there’s different levels Before the participants said. “The old facility 150 Centre Street Castlewellan, Co. Down, of maturity. There is a embark on their two- is quite cozy, to say the Dorchester, MA 02124 decided to apply to par- wide range of age and month stay abroad, they least. It was not very ticipate in the two-month Protestants, Catholics, go through an eight-week spacious. The warmest internship program. After and people from the South program to prepare them part is the toilet because being chosen, his aunt and North. On the whole for their trip. The current that’s the only place the CAPE COD encouraged him to take we get along really well,” participants are part of heat works.” advantage of the oppor- Farmer said. the Clanrye group from The students returned Mashpee Vacation Rental tunity to spend six weeks Families in and around Newry, Co. Down. They home last week after a in the states. Boston volunteer to host meet weekly at a facility graduation ceremony, “I was very nervous at the young adults for the in Newry for pre-depar- which celebrates their first because I did it on a duration of their stay. ture training. completion of their train- whim and I didn’t know Not only do they provide The Clanrye group ing and internship pro- what I was in for,” O’Hare a room and meals for the has just widened its own grams. said. participants, but they also horizons by relocating “Any experience is good The Wider Horizons help the new participants to a new facility at the experience, whether it is Program provides train- to become acclimated to a Slieve Gullion Forest positive of negative. This ing and work experience different city. Park. Their headquarters was majority a positive in a new country. Par- “The program really now reside in an 1820 experience; it helps build ticipants are unemployed takes them out of their old stone courtyard that your character and is young adults of Unionist comfort zone and makes provides a spacious place something to look back Vacation rental on wild-life protected peninsula - fur- and Nationalist traditions them see new things that for the group to meet. The on. I would definitely rec- nished, water view, 3 BR, 2 full baths, large living-din- from both the South and are out there,” said Karen Clanrye group shares the ommend it. One hundred ing-kitchen, laundry, deck. $1000 per week, discount the North. The program Dudeck, who has hosted space with tourists, visi- percent,” Farmer said. may apply for multiple weeks. Email: irishreeler@ offers internships in over three Irish participants tors, students, and even yahoo.com. Phone: 301-656-0963 fifty countries with the in the past year. hope that participants The internships range will foster mutual under- from areas of community standing between their service to hospitality to diverse backgrounds. technology. Dudeck said The Attorneys That Attorneys Call Regarding “Part of the goal of the that she saw her students program is to help young quickly start to feel com- adults from communities fortable, get to know their that might have never routine, make friends, interacted with one an- and learn a new city. Personal Injury Cases other realize their com- “I have seen three boys monalities,” said Thomas go through the transition. Keown from the Irish Im- It’s hard to get thrown QUINN & MORRIS migration Center. Wider into a new environment, Horizons is run through but the support that they have at every detail, from the IIC in Boston. James T. Morris, Esq. Finbarr Farmer is from getting to jobs and learn- Hon. Robert H. Quinn, Esq. ing about things, is very Former Massachusetts Newry, Co. Down, and Former Massachusetts Asst. Attorney General another participant in the structured for the age Attorney General group,” Dudeck said. 617-423-3500 Counsel to the Speaker current program. He said Former House Speaker Mass. House 141 Tremont Street, Boston AUTOMOBILE ACCIDENTS • WORKERS COMPENSATION FOLEY LAW OFFICES, P.C. • CONSTRUCTION ACCIDENTS Attorney John Philip Foley Permanent Residency & Citizenship • Family & Business Immigration • Labor Certification & Temporary Visas FREE CONSULTATION • NO FEE UNLESS WE ARE SUCCESSFUL ALL Nationalities & AILA Members G eraghty ssociates June 13th-Journey into Irish Culture featuring a Scavenger A Hunt with prizes for the top three families! Studio and 1-Bedroom Apartments Available

June 19th- Dublin City Ramblers in the desirable Cedar Grove section of Dorchester. Live in Concert at 7:30 PM. Tickets on sale now! Studios reasonably priced at $750.00;

July 25th- Evening of Irish 1-bedroom units at $925.00; Culture at the Brockton Rox Baseball Game! Tickets are only heat and hot water included. $8 with a portion of the proceeds Short walk to the Red Line. Free off-street Parking. going back to the Centre. Washing Machines and Dryers in building. Interested in traveling to Ireland with the ICCNE next April? Call Michael at 617.364.4000 Family trip planned call for details!

The Irish Cultural Centre Geraghty Associates, Inc. 200 New Boston Drive Property managers Canton, MA 02021 781-821-8921 P.O. Box 52, Readville, MA 02137-0052 www.irishculture.org Tel: 617-364-4000 Fax: 617-364-3157 Page 10 June 2009 BOSTON IRISH Reporter Worldwide at www.bostonirish.com Playing Now: Roddy Doyle’s “New Boy” By Thomas O’Grady his feet by the Romanian lad and by an African woman, Dublin’s—and Ireland’s—multicultural future. Special to the BIR he realizes that his new band must literally embody Well, actually Dublin’s multicultural present, for in The so-called Celtic Tiger, a period of unprecedented Dublin’s new multi-ethnic demographic: “Jimmy’s head his typically witty fashion Doyle has the ultimate bond economic prosperity in Ireland, seems now to have lost was hopping as he stood up. . . . But he was grinning. between Joseph and his tormentors hinge on their joint much of its bite. But its teeth marks—at least in the Jimmy had his group.” recognition of their teacher’s incessant repetition of the form of unprecedented social changes underwritten Detailing the evolving dynamic—both musical and word “now.” Putting into the teacher’s mouth every in large part by that prosperity—appear to be deeply interpersonal—of The Deportees, the rest of the story imaginable variation on the word’s grammatical versa- permanent, and the title story of Roddy Doyle’s collec- reads as a sort of parable of multicultural co-existence tility—from a tut-tutting “Now now” to a general alert tion The Deportees (2007) provides one gauge of the in latter-day Dublin. Indeed, comprising an imposing that there is schoolwork to be done to a stern warning transformation that occurred in the country during lead singer from Africa named King Robert, a drummer regarding unacceptable classroom behavior—Doyle the Tiger’s two-decade flourishing. Bringing back to from Moscow, a young woman guitarist from America, reminds his readers through the teacher’s unconscious literary life the character of Jimmy Rabbitte, Jr., the a djembe drummer from Nigeria, a woman singer from verbal tic (in the course of the narrative she says the protagonist of Doyle’s first novel, The Commitments Spain, a Romanian father and son on accordion and word at least twenty-eight times, with almost as many (1987), “The Deportees” is a sequel (of sorts) in that trumpet respectively, a guitarist from Roscommon, a different inflections) that this story does represent Jimmy, now married and with three children (a fourth female survivor (still purple-haired) of Dublin’s punk Dublin now: that the city has changed utterly and arrives in the course of the story), still harbors the scene of the late 1970s on bass, and sixty-year-old irreversibly and that the entire populace must adjust dream of managing a commercially successful group traveler Paddy Ward as an additional lead singer, and adapt and individuals must accordingly learn not of Irish musicians. the makeup of the band is fraught with tensions, sus- only tolerance for but also generous acceptance of the In The Commitments, the band he organized per- picions, and the potential for profound intercultural “otherness” of others. formed American “soul music”—the songs of Otis misunderstandings. But with Guthrie’s music of social Aptly, then, the adaptation of “New Boy” as a short Redding and James Brown and Aretha Franklin and conscience, and of social consequence, as their common film by Irish-American writer and director Steph Green Wilson Pickett—under the premise articulated by denominator, The Deportees transcend their differences has been added to the roster of films available for free Jimmy to the band members this way in the 1991 to emblematize—clearly—Roddy Doyle’s vision for a online viewing at the Responsibility Project website adaptation of the novel to the big screen, directed by harmonious new Dublin. sponsored by Liberty Mutual Insurance Company as Alan Parker: “Do you not get it, lads? The Irish are In fact, that vision is the common denominator for a spin-off of their publicly acclaimed series of “pay-it- the blacks of Europe. And Dubliners are the blacks of the eight stories that constitute the collection, though forward” television commercials. The website explains: Ireland. And the northside Dubliners are the blacks of it may be expressed most powerfully in the one titled “We thought, if one TV spot can get people thinking and Dublin. So say it once, say it loud—I’m black and I’m “New Boy.” As its universally familiar title hints, this talking about responsibility, imagine what could hap- proud.” In “The Deportees” Jimmy assembles an even story is about a “new boy,” a black African immigrant pen if we went a step further? So we created a series of more motley crew to perform the music mostly of Woody named Joseph, on his first day in a classroom of fellow short films, and this website, as an exploration of what Guthrie, the so-called “dustbowl troubadour” whose nine-year-olds. Immediately targeted for abuse by young it means to do the right thing.” In an interview on the songs both record and represent a substantial swatch hooligans Christian Kelly and Seth Quinn, Joseph has popentertainment.com website, Green explains how of the historical fabric of depression-era American life. to learn how to interpret and to negotiate the social Doyle’s story first appealed to her: “It’s really interesting Besides the music they perform, the most conspicuous codes that operate in this microcosm of Dublin itself. the degree to which we are strangers—and not strang- difference between Jimmy’s two bands is the ethnic Carrying, unbeknownst to his classmates, the emotional ers. What does it mean to have to sit next to someone? makeup. Reflecting on the radical change that mass baggage of earlier childhood trauma in his war-torn That’s the same in a classroom as on the bus. There immigration from continental Europe, from Africa, and native country (unnamed in the story), Joseph proves is something about the humanity of that which I like beyond brought to Ireland by the mid-1990s, Roddy altogether capable of handling both the verbal and the looking at.” Starring Olutunji Ebun-Cole as Joseph, Doyle writes in his Foreword to The Deportees: “I went physical bullying inflicted on him: his unruffled response Norma Sheahan as the teacher, Simon O’Driscoll as to bed in one country and woke up in a different one.” to Christian and Seth actually ruffles them to the point Christian, Fionn O’Shea as Seth, and Sinead Maguire This is the country that Jimmy Rabbitte finds himself that they come around to forming what would have as Hazel, the adaptation was nominated for an Oscar in two decades after the heyday of The Commitments seemed at first an unlikely alliance with the “new boy.” in 2009 in the short film category. Just eleven minutes when, bumped into and knocked over by a young Ro- Constructed partly in opposition to the nosy classroom long, the film of “New Boy” can be viewed at responsi- manian on Parnell Street, then run over by an Italian know-it-all Hazel O’Hara and partly in opposition to bilityproject.com/films/player/new-boy. bicycle courier, he experiences an epiphany that even their well-intentioned but mostly ineffectual teacher the ultra-cosmopolitan James Joyce would have had (whose last name Joseph never catches), this alliance Thomas O’Grady is Director of Irish Studies at the trouble imagining exactly a century earlier. Helped to reinforces in comic fashion Doyle’s serious belief in University of Massachusetts Boston.. Carty on Sports Upstart Green Dragon Gets Hearty Welcome to Boston By Ken Carty come ashore. thousands of spectators Special to the BIR “This leg proved to be in Boston, finishing in True to its seafaring a big disappointment,” third place during a short heritage, Boston played said Dragon skipper Ian harbor race. generous-yet-practical Walker, whose crew was Focus is on Bulgaria host to the Volvo Ocean warmly greeted by many -- All eyes will be on Sofia Race when the seven boats local Irish during their on June 6 when Ireland that make up its fleet two-week stay in port. take on host Bulgaria in arrived on May 8. These “We were in sight of five a crucial World Cup quali- 11-man teams are nearing boats and sailing well. fier. With four qualifying the end of a nine-month We can only hope we don’t matches remaining, the journey, coving 37,000 lose touch with the fleet Irish are in second place miles. and live to fight another in Group 8, two points Following a 15-day, day.” behind the Italians, and The Green Dragon during its journey to Boston. 5,000-mile journey from While moored at South five points ahead of third- Rio de Janeiro (one of only Boston’s Fan Pier, the place Bulgaria, which has additional playoff round.) advanced to the finals with Premier League title. The 11 stops during the race), boats and their crews were a game in hand. For Coach Following the Bulgaria a 1-20 to 3-4 win over the Red Devils captured their Ireland’s entrant in the given the royal treatment. Giovanni Trapattoni & game, Ireland is off until Connemara Gaels. third straight crown fol- race – the 70-foot Green An estimated 100,000 Co., a win on the road the fall when the team Ruggers return to North lowing a drab 0-0 draw Dragon – made a majestic people participated in a would all but guarantee will travel to Cyprus on America -- For a second with Arsenal on May 17. yet tardy entrance into number of events by the Ireland a top-two finish September 9, before they straight year, Ireland’s For Ferguson it is his 11th Boston Harbor. Despite harbor, including visiting in the group. (The nine host two massive home senior rugby squad will league crown in 17 sea- being 20 hours behind the Puma Pavilion to enjoy group winners automati- games against Italy (Oc- be playing stateside in the sons, while United have the leaders, the Dragon, a number of musical acts. cally qualify for the World tober 10) and Montenegro Setanta Challenge Cup. now won 18 league titles, like many Irish natives The Green Dragon put on Cup with the second-place (October 14). This time, the Irish will equaling the record held by before her, was eager to a good show before the finishers advancing to an GAA activity in Canton visit the West Coast, when Liverpool. “It makes you -- The Gaelic Athletic Asso- they take on the USA on want to go on forever,” said ciation’s Boston Northeast May 31 in Santa Clara. the 67-year-old Ferguson, Board kicks off its full The game kicks off the who has won 25 major league play this month. Eagles’ international sea- trophies in his 23 years at Beginning on Sun., June 1, son as they face Ireland, Old Trafford. … The race and running through late the reigning Six Nations in Scotland is down to the Chocolate Gifts to Share August, the Irish Cultural champion, and it will last day as two Scottish Centre in Canton will host also mark former Ireland Premier League teams, more than 100 games in coach Eddie O’Sullivan’s Celtic and Rangers, have three sports (Gaelic foot- first match at the helm been huffing and puffing • Handmade Chocolates • Hand Roasted ball, hurling, and camo- of the USA. A year ago, to get across the finish gie). More than 20 teams, Ireland dispatched of a line first. Rangers have • Beautiful Baskets Premium Nuts ranging from senior men’s feisty U.S. team, 46-22, a two-point lead entering chocolate• Holiday Cookie Tins • Dazzling Gift Towers to juniors to ladies, take in East Hartford. During the final round and a win part in the competition. this trip, Ireland also took at Dundee United would • Party Favors • Old Fashioned Fudge If you haven’t taken drive on Canada (May 23 in snap Celtic’s three-year • Corporate Gifts down to Canton you are Toronto). “It’s an honor reign as champions. If missing out. Visit boston- to face Ireland in my first Rangers were to drop gaa.org for schedules and test as the Eagles coach,” points, Celtic would snare Phillips Candy House directions. Some early- said O’Sullivan. “It will be the title with a home win fine chocolates since 1925 season GAA hardware strange to face off against over the Hearts. … The was recently awarded. a team that I know so well, Boston Irish Wolfhounds 818 Morrissey Boulevard, Boston The Boston Shamrocks but at the same time that ended their second season South Shore Plaza, Braintree won the Orla Benson Cup will make the occasion in the USA Super Rugby while Tipperary captured even more special.” League with a pair of de- Order Online at the Kiernan Sheehan The Notebook: Scots- feats - 26-10 setback to the Cup following a 3-18 to man Alex Ferguson has Potomac Athletic Club on phillipschocolate.com 0-7 victory over Father done it again, leading April 25, and 31-5 to the or call 800.722.0905 Tom’s. In the Pat O’Brien powerhouse Manchester New York Athletic Club a Cup, Aidan McAnespies United to another English week later. Worldwide at www.bostonirish.com June 2009 BOSTON IRISH Reporter Page 11 BRETT’S BOSTON By Harry Brett Exclusive photos of Boston Irish people & events

They’re all gone now, the racing boats headed off across the Atlantic to Galway and beyond. But for more than two weeks in early May, Boston’s Fan Pier was abuzz with activity as the seven racing boats in the 2009 Volvo Ocean Race put in to the port of Boston for a stopover. Along with activities galore, and great attractions both on shore and in the water, the events had a distinctly Irish flavor as one boat, the Green Dragon, was sponsored by Tourism Ireland, and boasted a largely Irish crew. So they gathered for a “Meet the Irish” reception on Thursday, May 14 at the Atrium in Boston’s John Joseph Moakley Federal Courthouse, with dignitaries from near and far enjoying a festive evening of music, 1. food and drink. Officials from “Let’s Do It Galway,” sponsor of the Ireland stopover, came together with their Boston counterparts for an evening of social networking.

1.) Alison Metcalf, Tourism Ireland; Jamie Boag, Green Dragon crew member; David Hassett and Alex Baldwin, Fenway Sports Group; 2.) Malachy Byrne, Donegal; 3.) Gerry Cassidy, Brockton; Sen. Tom Kennedy, Brockton; Sen. Steve Tolman, Brighton; 4.) James Fitzsimmons, S.E.I. Ireland; Andrea Cleghorn, Bedford, MA; 5.) Mary Conroy Henderson, Westwood; Brian Nolan, Galway; 6.) Patrick Bench, Business Director, Comm. of MA; David Barry, Irish Consul New England; 7.) Enda O’Coineen, Ireland, author, adventurer; 8.) Jose- phine Shields, Brookline; Joe Leary, IAP, Newton; 2. 3. 9.) Michael O’Connor, Irish Cultural Centre; Judge Patrick King (retired), Brookline; 10.) Joe Byrne, Tourism Ireland; 11.) Cate McGrail, Eire Society, Belmont; Catherine Shannon, Irish Charitable So- ciety, Scituate; 12.) Members of the Galway music group “Trad on the Prom” delighted the audience with their performance; 13.) Peter Ward, Country Choice Meat Supplier, Nenage, Tipperary; Orla O’Malley, Westport, Mayo.

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12. 13. Page 12 June 2009 BOSTON IRISH Reporter Worldwide at www.bostonirish.com Sand Dunes, Salty Air, and Irish Heritage By Joe Leary Special to the BIR On Old Cape Cod, the nine-mile stretch along Route 28 from Hyannis to Harwich is fast becoming more like Galway or Kerry than the Cape of legend from years ago. This high-traffic run of roadway is dominated by Irish flags, Irish pubs, Irish restaurants, Irish hotels, and one of the fastest-growing private Irish clubs in America. It is nearly impossible to describe the intensity and all the details of the Irish celebration on Cape Cod in a single article. But it is possible to provide enough information so that readers can appreciate the deep feelings of loyalty and pride towards our Irish heritage that exist today in the Cape Cod community. Though Irish ship captains and many early Irish immigrants have been part of the Cape Cod scene for over 300 years, the explosion of public Irishness began just over 30 years ago with the arrival of the famous Irish entertainer Noel Henry (1949-1995) and his purchase in 1976 of an existing motel/restaurant complex that he happily renamed “The Irish Village.” The property is now owned by the entrepreneur Jack Hynes and serves as a focal point for many Irish activities. Bridget O’Leary, an Irish Village staff member from Drogheda, was asked why she liked Cape Cod so much. “Because it is just like home,” she said. Danny Flynn, a Dubliner and also an Irish Village employee, agreed, “I love it here, I’ve been in the USA for 14 years and I’m never leaving the Cape.” In this year alone, Route 28 in Yarmouth and West Dennis has witnessed hundreds of Irish music performances, a glorious two-hour St. Patrick’s Day parade on March 7 and a locally sponsored Irish five-mile road race on May 9. The parade, only four years old, is a good example of the growing Irish influence on Cape Cod. The parade committee this year published an 8½x11, 80-page commemorative program supported Cape Cod Irish Village, West Yarmouth Joe Leary photos by 130 organizations and businesses including the police and fire department associations. Proceeds from the program partly funded the parade. An aggressive energetic parade committee has already begun preparations for 2010. There is an Irish American Club of Cape Cod, a Cape Cod Celtic Society, a new division of The Ancient Order of Hibernians (The Thomas P. McCann Division) in Barnstable County that was established in 1998, and another new organization begun less than five years ago, The Sons of Erin, all centered in the Hyannis, Yarmouth, Dennis, Harwich area. If you want to use your computer to find out about Irish Activities on Cape Cod go to capeirish.com for Bill Black’s CapeIrishNews page. Featured on the website last month was the Memorial Day holiday Cape Cod Ceili Weekend at the Cape Cod Irish Village, starring Boston’s Larry Reynolds Jr. and Brendan Bulger. But sitting before a computer is no substitute for a personal visit to this part of Irish Cape Cod. Shamrocks are everywhere. The “Green, White, and Gold” stands in front of motels, bars, restaurants (like Giardino’s, which is far from Irish), and stores like Wild Daisies, which claims the largest collection of Irish jewelry on the Cape. And there is hardly an eating place no matter its parenthood that does not have Irish named dishes on its menu. It seems the Irish are important to everyone, not just each other. A visitor should consider starting the day at the famed Keltic Kitchen at 415 Main St (Route 28) West Yarmouth and enjoying the featured Irish Farmhouse breakfast – $11.50, (2 eggs, rashers, sausages, black and white pudding, mushrooms and tomatoes w/toast). For flavor and authenticity the Farmhouse breakfast competes with any found in Ireland. David Dempsey – a Claddagh Inn, West Harwich Dubliner -- and his wife Margaret own and manage the establishment. David works in the see-through kitchen David Dempsey, Keltic Kitchen owner and Margaret manages the crowds and front service, ably assisted by family members when they are home from school. They also offer The Keltic Scramble, The Keltic Benny (eggs Benedict on corned beef hash), The Keltic Burger, and a wide assortment of choices for most any taste. During the busy summer, relaxed crowds wait outside until they are called in by Margaret. David and Margaret opened the restaurant in the mid 1990s and it has been attracting a year-round business ever since. Out back is David and Margaret’s new enterprise, the Keltic Kottage, a gift shop offering clients hundreds of items from Ireland. The store features hard-to-find Irish sauces and candies and is the place for Odlums Irish flour, an indispensible ingredient for real Irish soda bread. Energetic David said, “I’m thinking about opening for lunch and dinner in the summer, the demand seems to be there.” David got his start as a “fry cook” at the Irish Village when he came to the Cape from Dublin in 1984. The Village is just down the road on the opposite side of Tomas MacCormaic and Nick Lawler at the Irish Bridgid O’Leary and Colleen Enright at the Irish the street, at 512 Main. This is a center of much of the Village Village current Irish activity on Cape Cod and is certainly a contributing catalyst for all that has occurred with the up for vacationing families. And Hynes employs many will find Molly’s Restaurant and Bar, which claims to growth of Irish activities over these last 10 years. Jack Irish-born to manage the business. Marie and Pat En- be the largest sports bar on Cape Cod. Owner–man- Hynes of Cavan, who bought the Irish Village in 1987, right arrived from near Tralee in 1985 and remain as ager Jim Murzic (“My mother was a Callahan”) offers is supportive of most any new Irish idea that comes to employees today. Today, they are joined by daughter “American cuisine with an Irish accent. We have 100 his attention. For example, he was host to the Sons of Colleen who works the front desk on occasion. items on the menu and are open year round.” Molly’s Erin Club for its first organizational meeting, and he A visitor to the Irish Village Pub may meet Tomas has the exclusive rights to the live broadcast of the Irish sponsored the recent Irish five-mile road race. MacCormaic, an enthusiastic organizer of the St. RTE Setanta network of GAA games, soccer and rugby, Among other projects, Jack is a meaningful contribu- Patrick’s Day Parade and native of Northern Ireland. and pays an annual fee of $14,000 for the privilege. tor to the St. Patrick’s Day Parade and the Cape Cod Tomas talks and works at 90 miles an hour so try to The Munster Final last year between Kerry and Cork Celtic Society. Lew Taylor, a principal of the Celtic slow him down if you want to have a conversation. was seen here by a strong crowd of mostly Irish-born Society, says Jack is a rare man and he has nothing A full description of all that is offered at the Irish fans at 8 a.m. on a cold rainy Sunday morning as Cork but the highest praise for him. Village can be found on their web site, capecod-Irish earned a stunning come-from-behind victory. The Irish Village is as friendly a hotel as there is on Village.com. Perhaps the most amazing story of the thriving Irish Cape Cod. There are 138 “comfortable” guest rooms set Moving down the road to 585 Main Street visitors presence on Cape Cod is the extraordinary new Irish Worldwide at www.bostonirish.com June 2009 BOSTON IRISH Reporter Page 13 Mark a Nine-Mile Run Along Old Cape Cod

week, set dancing several times a month, Irish music on Fridays and Saturdays, and an active, inexpensive bar. Sons of Erin Cape Cod is a private club, so you must be a member to participate. If you are Irish, this is a place you want to be. For a steady diet of Celtic music, O’Shea’s Olde Inne at 348 Main Street in West Dennis is hard to beat. Says owner Joe O’Shea, “We are the home of traditional music on Cape Cod. We present performances seven nights a week every week of the year except Christmas Eve.” O’Shea promotes his establishment with great en- thusiasm. A tall man, his grey beard and long grey hair tied behind his head form an interesting picture. He welcomes his guests in his loud friendly voice and encourages singing and table conversation between all his customers. He says he bought this business three years ago because of this wonderful house. “It has great acoustics – great bones.”He stressed the inn’s focus on food and music rather than alcohol, though the bar was quite active during a recent visit. Irish Farm House Skins at only $4.95 are a favorite bar food and Joe’s Irish stew at $12.95 is one of his best sellers. Another Irish graduate of the Irish Village experience is David Shortt, a Dubliner who now owns the long-popular Wee Packet restaurant at the corner of Lower County Road and Depot street in Dennisport. Joe Shea, O’Shea’s Irish Village, West Dennis David is another of the self-reliant, hard-working native Irish who in recent years have created lives for themselves and their families on Cape Cod. He came from the South side of Dublin in 1994 and can now boast of a growing family and a successful business. The Wee Packet offers homemade Irish corned beef, black and white pudding, and a full Irish breakfast to its customers every day. The Wee Packet is also open for lunch and dinner and David is planning to open an Irish gift shop in July for his growing loyal customers. One of the more interesting Irish gathering places on Cape Cod is the Claddagh Inn and Irish Pub in West Harwich. The Irish-American Connell family has owned the property since 1969 and renamed it The Claddagh Inn and Irish pub in 1990. This is an Irish family full of life and the love of conversation, music, and fun. Their logo in the St. Patrick’s Day Parade program book features the line, “I filled my bladdagh at the Claddagh.” During a recent visit three generations of Connells were in the Pub either working or enjoying their guests. Located in a weathered Victorian house set back 75 yards from Route 28, tThe pub is down- stairs offering a large bar food menu with Kerry tips (marinated sirloin tips) and a Gaelic Steak bathed in Jamison’s Irish Whiskey. Cathleen Connell manages the establishment while her mother Eileen keeps a close eye on things. A brochure invites “Genteel Biker Friends” as the Connells are Harley Davidson fans. Another brochure proclaims “Erin Go Bragh” with the Claddagh motto The Irish Pub on Route 28 “Friendship, Loyalty and Love” printed on the front page. This is obviously a fun place and one where a Captain Parker’s collection of Police and Fire De- visit will pay off. partment Badges There are many other fine Irish restaurants and pubs, all of which play a part in the explosion of Irish- ness on Cape Cod. Along Route 28, Captain Parker’s owner Gerry Manning is a generous supporter of the St. Patrick’s Day Parade. The restaurant is open year round and always seems to have eager customers to an establishment that boasts more than 4,000 Police and Fire Department patches on its walls. Then there are Doyle’s in South Yarmouth and Jake Rooney’s in Harwichport, which have sizable follow- ings, and the two Clancy’s restaurants just off Route 28 in Dennisport are generous supporters of the St. Patrick’s Day Parade. Moving to the arts, the famous Irish artist Mary McSweeney has her studio on Cape Cod on Route 6A in Cummaquid. Her studio is open from May to Octo- ber from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., but if you cannot make it then she asks that a call be made to her studio for an appointment (508-362-6187). Then there are the smaller places further down Route 28 in Chatham. The summer-only Song of Ireland Gift Shop, owned by Kathy Burke White, presents a variety of gifts and Irish clothing to her customers. And the Nantucket Wild Gourmet & Smokehouse, owned by Irish born Peter O’Donovan, offers year round an unusual array of smoked fish and other unique delicacies. Far away on the Falmouth side of the Cape, Liam McGuire’s, a highly popular pub, regularly plays Irish music to enthusiastic crowds. A more detailed descrip- Daniel Shortt, owner of Wee Packet in Dennis- Bartender Carol Keller at the Sons of Erin tion of McGuire’s is not included here since the focus is port on Route 28 and the Irish community in the Mid-Cape area. Says Jack Hynes of the Irish Village: “We can club, The Sons of Erin Cape Cod. Now located in its Irish culture, heritage & pride.” The first organizational get to Quincy faster than we can get to Falmouth. It own building at 633 Main Street, the club has seen its meeting took place on Nov. 20, 2004, at the Irish Village is a different world.” membership grow from a small group of 5-6 organizers at the instigation of a few founding members -- John Many years ago both President John F. Kennedy’s to its current membership of 1,263 dues-paying Irish Kane, his nephew Mike Nicklaw, and Carole and Mike family and Speaker “Tip” O’Neill’s family, when search- and Irish Americans, of whom half live on Cape and Shea. About 40 people attended, set up a core commit- ing for a relaxing vacation atmosphere for their summer half live off. tee, and the club was formally born. In light of today’s homes, decided upon Old Cape Cod. The Kennedys Says President Bob Bagge: “We have become a big economy and the difficulties Irish organizations are built the famous Kennedy compound in Hyannisport family that enjoys being together celebrating our Irish- having everywhere, it is remarkable that the Sons of and the O’Neill’s chose Harwichport. ness.” The club is open all year long and even its careful Erin managed to find and tap into this gold mine of Would they have joined the Sons of Erin on Cape treasurer, “ Big Mike” Nicklaw, is surprised at how latent Irish interest on Cape Cod. About 10 percent Cod? Would some members of their families have fast the club has grown. And Club Secretary Carole of members are Irish-born with the remaining Irish breakfast at the Keltic Kitchen, or maybe listened to Shea, an officer since the founding, calls the club “our Americans. To join, you must have at least one grand- the Celtic music at O’Shea’s Olde Inne? We can only very own home.” parent Irish or Irish American. speculate, but at the least they would be amazed by The motto on the club’s cards announces, “Promoting The club offers an attractive menu four nights a the exciting new Irishness on Cape Cod. Page 14 June 2009 BOSTON IRISH Reporter Worldwide at www.bostonirish.com Boston irish Boston Irish Arts, Entertainment, Travel & More ReporterIt Seems to Be a Time of Reckoning For Irish/Celtic Music Festivals By Sean Smith according to director Russell Gusetti, Special to the BIR in part because of the theater’s regular Boston and Eastern Massachusetts offerings of Celtic and other folk music residents whose summer plans include during the year. The festival has included a sampling of Irish/Celtic music festivals a mix of local, regional and interna- may have to work a little harder to whet tional acts, such as The Clancy Legacy, their appetites. Some Massachusetts Trouz Bras, Paddy Keenan, Bua, and area summer events that have become April Verch, and expanded from four to familiar stops for Irish/Celtic music five stages (one for dance performances) enthusiasts have been cancelled, or are in its second year. on uncertain footing, for 2009 — and But Gusetti — who co-organized the possibly beyond. Off the calendar are Blackstone Valley Celtic Festival for the Cape Cod Celtic Festival, the West- three years — wasn’t able to do anything ern Massachusetts Highland Games about the weather last year: The festival and Celtic Festival, and the Blackstone took place “on the fifth day of a classic River Theatre Celtic Festival in Cum- summer heat wave,” with temperatures berland, RI; the ICONS Festival also has in the 90s and high humidity. What ceased operations, although a smaller- had been a healthy-sized crowd of about scale festival may take place in its 2,500 in 2007 decreased by half in 2008, stead. he says. There are some happy exceptions to the More ominously, Gusetti adds, was disquieting trend, however: Worcester’s the less-than-enthusiastic degree of Irish Music Festival [worcesteririshmu- corporate sponsorship he encountered in sicfestival.com] is slated for June 12-14, the months leading up to the festival — for example, and the Blackstone Valley Liam Clancy and company during the finale of last year’s ICONS Festival, held which, he notes, was before the financial Celtic Festival has announced plans for at the Irish Cultural Centre of New England. The ICCNE expects to announce crisis came to a head. “I really felt that its seventh edition, on July 25 at Indian early next month whether it will sponsor a festival in 2009. this was a kind of precursor. Corporate Ranch in Webster, Mass.; [blacksto- Sean Smith photo sponsorship is often a hidden, but in- nevalleycelticfestival.com]. In addition, credibly important, part of organizing many major folk/roots festivals in period — an interlude of consolidation, Lack of corporate sponsorship and a festival; it’s a needed cushion.” When Massachusetts and New England, such loss, and adjustment. Whatever such advertising dollars worsened the situ- he considered the festival’s prospects as Greater New Bedford Summerfest big-picture gazing, festival organizers ation, but Taylor says the festival also for 2009, Gusetti saw a state unemploy- and the Lowell Folk Festival, include ultimately have to take the measure needs an infusion of fresh organiza- ment rate of more than 10 percent and Irish/Celtic acts in their line-ups. Still, of their own respective situations, us- tional energy and vision: Having closed a general atmosphere of unease, and festival organizers say, there is un- ing the recent past and the foreseeable his business and taken “a real job,” he decided this was a year to miss. Guset- doubtedly a chill in the air for summer future as yardsticks. And more than a explains, he simply does not have the ti acknowledges that there are risks and festivals, especially those with a specific few have concluded that for now, the time to do all the behind-the-scenes obstacles that come with taking a year focus like Celtic music. Nor is it hard numbers just won’t add up. work it takes to put on the event. off — for example, having to regroup the to identify the most immediate source “I’m disappointed we’re not having it organizational structure once you decide of this ill wind: the economic downturn CAPE COD CELTIC FESTIVAL this year, but I was so afraid that if to hold the event again — but concluded and its far-reaching impact on consumer Lew Taylor, president of the Cape Cod we lost money we couldn’t pay people,” it made no sense to continue as before. spending as well as corporate sponsor- Celtic Society and director of the Cape’s says Taylor. “Nor did I want to get “Everyone seems to be afraid, even if ship. New England weather also has festival, which began in 2003, explains involved in putting together a one-day they do have a job,” he says. to be considered a factor, organizers that the four-day event’s educational event. If someone else wants to, that’s “All the people we festivals rely on add, especially for festivals where component of workshops and tutorial fine. Or maybe somebody can come in are having tough times, and are in a much of the events and activities take sessions helped support its performance with a well thought-out plan to keep ‘wait and see’ mindset.” Should the place outdoors. component; concert revenue alone, he the festival on the scale it has been. outlook improve, Gusetti would move It is also possible, they say, that – fi- says, would not have enabled them The festival situation has changed, my the festival to June, which holds the nancial crisis aside – the Celtic music to get acts such as John Doyle & Liz situation has changed, so there clearly promise for decent weather and not quite scene is in a general state of flux, hav- Carroll or Jerry Holland. This balance needs to be a change in how things are as much competition for music lovers’ ing experienced in the past decade a seemed to be working well, especially done.” dollars. The corporate end, however, considerable infusion of new performers given the festival’s limited geographi- will once again play a prominent role and variedstyles, the influence of ever- cal reach, “until last year, when we got BLACKSTONE RIVER THEATRE in determining whether the festival evolving audio and video technology, hit with $4 a gallon gas and $4 milk CELTIC FESTIVAL can re-start, and in what form. “I think and increasing attention from a wider – understandably, people are going Although based in northern Rhode Is- the days of one or two big sponsors are audience than ever before. In this long to be reluctant to spend their money land, the Blackstone River Theatre Celt- probably over,” he says. “You could have view, the recession could be regarded as on a Celtic music fes - ic Festival enjoyed a solid audience base more of a do-it-yourself thing, where you the inevitable pause following a hectic tival, no matter how good it is.” in Massachusetts its first two years, (Continued on page 16) Kathy Griffin: Off The D-List And Into The Wang By R. J. Donovan out there. Meaning, I’m my Dad had passed away. I didn’t want to be insensi- Special to The BIR sort of nervous and I’m tive to my family, but I also didn’t want to not even I had a chance to speak with comedian Kathy Griffin always going over new acknowledge it on the “D-List” show because he was just before she headed out on her latest tour, which hits material and writing new such an integral part of the show. My dad was every Boston June 12 and 13. She happened to be in Mexico, material. But once I’m bit as witty and clever and sweet as he was portrayed and due to the challenging phone system, it took three out there, I’m just excited on the show. attempts for us to connect. Then we were cut off in to see people. BIR: Was that your first time to Ireland. mid-conversation. From irreverent to thoughtful, the BIR: Like you’re walk- KG: That was my first time to Ireland, can you Emmy Award-winner chatted about everything from ing out in front of a bunch believe it? It was the shame of my family. One of the celebrities to family. Here’s an edited portion of our of friends? many ways I’ve shamed my family. international conversation. KG: And by friends BIR: Your Dad always seemed to have a twinkle BIR: So are you in Mexico for fun or work? I’m assume you mean gay in his eye. What is it that typifies the Irish sense of KG: I’m in Mexico for five days of pure pleasure. I’m men? Well who doesn’t humor? also going to get a little bit of the swine flu... I’m wear- want to walk out into KG: I’m a hundred percent Irish, both sides. You ing a gas mask. And hazmat suit. And a bikini. roomful of a bunch of hot know, my Dad had that great dry wit as well as a way BIR: You’ve played Boston a lot the past few years. gay men. to, as my Mom says, “give somebody the business.” Boston’s been good to you? BIR: What can we look The great thing about my Dad is that he really had a KG: Boston has fantastic audiences! They are smart. forward to hearing about unique quality of being able to say anything and get They do not suffer fools. And you better deliver. And at the Wang. away with it because he had such an innate sweetness. they’re good laughers . . . I’m gonna have an A-List KG: Well first of all, it’s not for the faint of heart. … But I also will tell you that’s really where I got weekend in Boston with two shows at the Wang. I Don’t bring the kids. I don’t want to hear about your my No Censorship Gene. My Dad lived out whatever think that’s where Bill Maher did his last special, kids. I don’t want to see your kids. I don’t think you he felt. And he had the rapier wit to go with it . . . I but I won’t be wearing that weird Ed Hardy costume should bring your Bible -- that’s not going to save you blame my Dad for basically teaching me that if you that he wore. -- it’s going to be too late. And there’s going to be a think it’s funny, it’s okay to say. And then I blame my BIR: He was here with Ann Coulter. lot of colorful language. And negativity. Now if that’s Mom for everything else. KG: (indignant) Well I won’t be. I can’t tell you how your idea of a good time, come on down. BIR: Like father, like daughter. much I’m not going to be with Ann Coulter. (Note: BIR: Your Mom and your Dad have become so KG: Right, right. Kathy once had to follow Coulter on “The Today Show” beloved by your fans because of “My Life On The D- BIR: What’s your take on the whole Susan Boyle immediately after one of Coulter’s controversial erup- List.” It was very touching when you went to Dublin thing in England with Simon Cowell? tions.) to scatter your Dad’s ashes. KG: I love Susan Boyle. I like her with one eyebrow. BIR: You always look so calm on stage. Do you ever KG: That was such a great moment It was a great Or two or three. I’m not picky. I celebrate her spirit. I get stage fright? trip and I’m really happy that the “D-List” covered it. want her to go the distance and I want her to smash KG: I do get stage fright sometimes. It’s never to It was kind of like a gift to my Mom. that [expletive] nine-year-old kid, whoever that kid the point where it doesn’t end pretty much when I walk BIR: It must have been very emotional. KG: Of course it was. It was an odd thing [when] (Continued on page 16) Worldwide at www.bostonirish.com June 2009 BOSTON IRISH Reporter Page 15

A column of news and updates of the Boston Celtic Music Fest (BCMFest), which celebrates the Boston area’s rich heritage of Irish, Scottish, Cape Breton music and dance with a grassroots, musician-run winter music festival and other events during the year. – Sean Smith ‘Trad to the Bone’ Celtic music is played all over the world, on stages before capacity crowds in venues of all sizes and settings. But however you dress it up, and wherever you take it out, the music sounds most at home in an honest-to-goodness session, whether in a pub or in someone’s living room. And it is this very essential element of Celtic music that will be celebrated in the June 8 edition of BCMFest’s This month’s BCMFest Celtic Music Monday will celebrate the “trad to the bone” session. Celtic Music Monday series at Harvard Square’s Club Sean Smith photo Passim. “Trad to the Bone” will feature some of Greater Boston’s best session musicians from the Irish and Clancy as well as at BCMFest, is the combination of variation on the tune they’re playing. It’s fascinating, and Cape Breton traditions: Mainstays such as Matt and skills, experience, and styles among the players. While enjoyable, to watch that kind of communication. Shannon Heaton, George Keith, and James Hamilton in some situations the differences may be too varied, he “That’s why, in my experience, a musician who’s will represent the Irish aspect, while Doug Lamey will says, when it works the result is a joy to behold. a great performer isn’t necessarily someone I want lead a group of Cape Breton players. No matter how “The music at the session is raw and visceral,” says to play with in a session. A performer has to know experienced or accomplished a musician is, a good Hamilton, who sits in at the Burren, Druid, and Behan how to ‘switch off’ to be a good session player, be- session can offer a number of benefits: inspiration, sessions, among others. “To see the level of excellence cause in a session it’s not about standing out from education, socialization, and relaxation. Those who at which it’s played, by people who may not be even everyone else; it’s about blending your ability with regularly perform in concert settings say they often find remotely professional, is wonderful. You can’t help but the other musicians so that together you produce this a session as a means of recharging their batteries, and be drawn in.” incredible music. an opportunity to just play music without having to Keith and Hamilton have their own checklists for what “Ironically, though, when you see a group of session worry about things like stage presence or sound sys- defines a “good session.” Keith likes a small-group size musicians who are doing that, it’s as exciting as any tems. (ten or less), in which the musicians listen well to each performance.” “It’s a place where we can all have fun sharing other and adapt as necessary to make the music “sound, Admission to BCMFest Celtic Music Monday is just a common passion, whether it’s around the corner and feel, as good as possible for everybody there.” Other $12, $6 for members of Club Passim, WGBH and WUMB. from your house, or 3,000 miles away,” says Keith, key facets, he says, include a common sense of rhythm To reserve tickets, go to clubpassim.org. a fiddler who has performed with Robbie O’Connell among the players, and the selection of tunes — “all BCMFest Music Cruise June 14 -- One of the and Aoife Clancy and appeared in “Christmas Celtic the ones you love, none of the ones you hate. Some of most popular BCMFest events, the fourth annual Sojourn.” “Irish music crosses remarkable boundar- the best sessions I’ve been to involved playing dozens of BCMFest Music Cruise out of Gloucester Harbor, will ies. I’ve made many fast friends from hugely differ- tunes I used to love, and hadn’t thought to play recently. take place Sunday, June 14, from 5:30 to 8 p.m. Come ent walks of life that I would never have met were it Discovering an old favorite tune is a bit like meeting ride the schooner Thomas E. Lannon with a “crew” of not for Irish music. The ability to play traditional music is a an old friend after being apart for a year.” BCMFest performers, including singer Michael O’Leary, ticket to nearly anywhere, and the session is the train Hamilton looks for the right mix of instru- fiddler Doug Lamey, accordionist Susie Petrov, harpist station.” ments, not only in terms of sound but reper- Carol McIntyre, piper/whistle player/singer David de Of course, everyone has his or her own idea of toire: “If there’s too many fiddles, chances are the la Barre, banjo/mandolin player Steve Levy and gui- what a good session is, adds Keith, who’s been a flute, pipes or other instruments will know only so many tar/bouzouki player Lin Swicker. Your donation of $50 regular at The Burren, The Druid, and the Bren- of the tunes,” he explains. “If there are too many flutes, (most of the proceeds go to benefit BCMFest) will land dan Behan sessions, among others. For some, it then all the tunes will be in G.” He also prefers “an even you a spot on deck of the 65-foot schooner, where you’ll might mean a crowd of 30 musicians or moreplay- level of musicianship among the players so there’s not spend the evening cruising around Gloucester Harbor ing tunes everyone knows, whereas others prefer a too much frustration”; a good accompanist, he adds, “is while listening to great tunes and singing along with small gathering (half a dozen or less) in which the gold — somebody who can give you perfect rhythm, who a good sea chantey or maritime song. repertoire is less widely familiar. knows the tunes and isn’t just playing chords.” This event has sold out for all three years it has taken “In the end, though, everybody wants to get something Is it possible for non-musicians, or even people with place– so don’t be left behind on shore! For information out of going, whether it be a new tune or three, or just little or no previous exposure to Celtic music, to enjoy and reservations, go to the Thomas E. Lannon Web site having had a fun night out. But when the stars are watching a session? Hamilton thinks so — it has to do, [schooner.org] or call 978-281-6634. aligned correctly, a good session can lift your spirits he says, with not only listening to the music but picking Performer application deadline July 1 -- Just a just as much as any great concert or hard-won sporting up on certain nuances. reminder that the deadline for performer applications event, leaving you skipping home in the wee hours of the “How close are the musicians sitting next to one an- for BCMFest 2010 is July 1. It’s easy: Just go to bcmfest. morning.” other? Are they paying attention to one another, pick- com, download an application. and follow instructions. Part of what makes a session attractive for Ham- ing up on what’s happening with a tune and where it’s If you have a question about BCMFest, or you’d like ilton, a California-born flute player whose resume going? If they all know each other well, and the tunes to sign up for the BCMFest e-mail list, contact us at also includes appearances with O’Connell and that they’re playing, most of the time they only have to [email protected]. look at one another to switch to another tune or perhaps do a Page 16 June 2009 BOSTON IRISH Reporter Worldwide at www.bostonirish.com Time of Reckoning For Irish/Celtic Music Festivals (Continued from page 14) model. Interviewed late last month, far ahead is a matter of conjecture – for Yet, like Taylor, O’Donovan is con- put together whatever kind of support ICCNE Executive Director Sean Grant Celtic festivals, but organizers wonder fident in the staying power of Celtic you can. That could be better in some said a decision would need to be made what those days might look like. Lew music. “These things tend to be cyclical. respects, because perhaps you’ll have by early July for there to be any hope Taylor thinks that the Celtic music scene If you’ve got a solid core, then you know more freedom to do the things you want of a festival happening. “There certainly may have reached a saturation point you’ll survive the ups and downs. The without worrying about your relation- has been no shortage of interest or cu- and, financial crisis or no, was in for a essence of the music will always continue ship with the sponsor. But thing is, it riosity,” said Grant. “Our phone has change one way or another. in the background, because it’s always still costs money, and you have to find been ringing off the hook, with people “I see the ‘Riverdance’ phenom been something shared by friends and that somewhere. – performers as well as members of non as something like what hap- family. That will not change.” “Of course, there’s also the pos- the public – wanting to know about pened with Garth Brooks and country Along the same lines, Russell Gusetti sibility of cutting back, maybe doing the festival. music,” he explains. “’Riverdance’ thinks the summer festival chill, along one stage, and with acts that are less “The board is trying to come grips helped to whip up a lot of attention to with other deleterious effects of the eco- expensive — but maybe also lower with the situation and looking at any Irish music, and this interest has built nomic downturn, could help to reinforce the quality. But do you really want to run number of questions. What should we and built, and now the wave has crested. relationship between Celtic music and its the risk of disappointing people? They do to recognize the 20-year tradition of Maybe eight to ten years from now, the aficionados – especially in this neck of might get so turned off they’ll decide ICCNE running the festival? How do we wave will crest again, and there’ll be an- the woods. it’s not worth supporting you at all any do this in an economic fashion? Can we other influx of new performers and new “Let’s face it, in Massachusetts more.” get the volunteers we need to run the ideas. But for now, I think things are and New England we are very for- event? And, of course, we’re trying to an- starting to ebb. That doesn’t mean there tunate to have so much in the way ICONS/IRISH CONNECTIONS swer the question as to whether families isn’t, and won’t be, good music to hear and of Irish and Celtic music, whether The situation facing the ICONS would come out to the festival without great performers to see, but the interest it’s festivals, concerts, sessions, or Festival is similarly uncertain. The tremendously affecting their income.” that was there will not be on the same simply this great community of musi- festival, originally called Irish Connec- Reflecting on his experiences with Irish level.” O’Donovan feels Taylor’s view cians. I’m sure that on the one hand, tions, took place for years at Stonehill Connections/ICONS, O’Donovan says has some validity. “There seems to be, most people appreciate what we have, College in Easton before moving to the blaming the weather may seem an obvi- increasingly, a big divide in terms of but it can also be quite easy to take all Irish Cultural Centre of New England ous, even expedient, route to take — but public interest. Some people feel that this for granted. The fact is, putting on campus in Canton in 2004, undergoing there’s no escaping it. it’s not worth going to see a Celtic a festival or a concert takes a lot of work an expansion of scale and concept, and in “We had a ‘golden period’ of great music event unless it’s a big extrava- – and then in the end, you’re often at the 2007 changing its name to ICONS. Like weather for many years, and then there ganza, like a ‘Riverdance’ or ‘Celtic mercy of the weather. Blackstone River Theatre, ICONS was were three out of four years where it Woman.’ And then on the other extreme, “So maybe, because of what’s happen- bedeviled by a tightening of corporate rained, or it was blazing hot, and un- other people are more interested in the ing, people who love the music will think purse strings and a run of uncooperative fortunately, this made a huge impact small, intimate settings and venues, like about going a little extra to support it: weather. After enduring a deluge in 2006, on the festival. You can have a hard- in a club or a pub. That leaves a whole volunteering or helping out somewhere, the festival moved in 2007 to an August working staff and a great program of lot of territory in between, and it’s not spreading the word, and all those ‘little date, only to encounter blazing heat, events, which we did on both counts, and easy to figure out how to strike a balance things’ which can make a difference.” and then last year to September, which you can devise the best possible plans that will satisfy both groups.” broughtcloudy skies and light but per- and find ways to improve the operation sistent rain — and all this on the eve from one year to the next – but if the of the financial crisis. With less-than- weather is bad, you simply won’t get the hoped-for attendance results behind turn-out you hope for.” O’Donovan adds Griffin Headed to Wang them, and a grim economic outlook in his voice to the chorus of concern over the decline in corporate sponsorship: front of them, the management team (Continued from page 14) KG: It’s fantastic. It’s action packed. that produced ICONS, led by festival “There’s definitely a pulling-back, and This year the story line is that I’m try- director Brian O’Donovan, decided not the thing to realize is, it’s not just in en- is, trying to screw everything up for her. Screw him. Life is too short. I hope ing to get off the D-List once again. And to put on the event this year. However, tertainment but in areas like health care I’m enlisting the help of celebrities to the Irish Cultural Centre of New Eng- and other quality-of-life issues. So you she buries him. BIR: What about Joan Rivers winning give me advice. So in every episode I land — which has operated the festival really need a strong commitment to not- get advice from an A-Lister. Any kind since 1989 — has been considering for-profits, especially including those in “Celebrity Apprentice?” KG: Oh I’m so thrilled . . . What of helpful guidance they can give me. the possibility of organizing a festival the arts world, with support from govern- And so in Episode One, I have Bette for early fall that would most likely be ment and cultural organizations, as well a triumph for a comedy chick, for a 75-year-old chick, for a strong woman, Midler, which is very exciting. Episode closer to the older Irish Connections as the public. A tough time, to be sure.” Two, Lily Tomlin, who’s adorable and There may be better days ahead — how for a smart woman. I loved it. … You know . . . I was part of the one of hilarious. Episode Three, Paula Dean. the final challenges on Team Rivers. It Episode Four, Paris Hilton. It goes on was very fun and exciting. And when I and on. It’s really quite a show. went there and taped it, [Joan] was so BIR: Have you shot the entire sea- like frazzled. And she was saying it had son? been a very difficult experience. I didn’t KG: We’re still working on it a little even know what I was walking into. But bit. It’s the show that never ends. We then when I started watching the show, tape it forever. I was riveted. BIR: And that’s life on the D-List. BIR: You two have been friends for KG: (laughing) Yup. a long time. KG: She’s awesome. She’s a mentor Kathy Griffin LIVE at The Citi Wang and an idol and a pal. Theatre, June 12 & 13. Tickets: 866- BIR: Your new season of “The D-List” 348-9738. Season Five of Kathy’s reality starts this month on BRAVO. What can series, “My Life On The D-List,” debuts we expect this time around? June 8 on BRAVO.

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BIR Music Ahead,” “Lucky One Time,” “Only Good News”); others that Enter are respectful, anthemic tributes to Irish durability and the Haggis experience (“LuckotheIrish” and “Decoration Day”). doesn’t play “Red-Headed Man” and “Ghost of Ontario” evoke the quite listen- CD Roundup much-discussed love of a good yarn among the Irish, a b l e , a n d while “Raging Sea” is a brisk, devil-may-care, cradle- catchy, mu- By Sean Smith to-grave portrait of life in a fishing village. sic: “Subur- Although there is plenty of wry, dry, throwaway ban Plains” The Elders, “Gael Day” … Enter the Haggis, humor, the material here is presented with a certain is a pleasingly “Gutter Anthems” -- With the arrival of June, many palpable respect and restraint, rather than the full- heartfelt rec- an Irish/Celtic bore (“bore” being the keyword) assault on senses and ollection of rock music fan sensibility that all too often comes with rock-n-roll c h i l d h o o d , begins to think Irish. It helps in no small way that lead vocalist Ian set to an Afri- of days rev- Byrne, ably supported on backing vocals by Norm can-flavored eling in the Dahlor, Brent Hoad, and Steve Phillips (the non- guitar and warm sun - singing members are Tommy Sutherland and Joe rhythm back- shine at some Miquelon), sounds as if he’s singing from the heart, ing; “Murphy’s Ashes,” a tune composed by Buchanan, outdoor con- rather than with a smirk. contains some masterful piping by Downie; and the cert or festi- chorus to “Sea of Crutches,” a plea for meaningful val, the smell Enter the Haggis certainly has Celtic trimmings, connection in an over-connected world – with guest of sunblock via Brian Buchanan’s fiddle and Craig Downie’s vocalist Miranda Mulholland – will no doubt have mingling with Highland pipes and tin whistle, and they periodically them singing in the aisles. the taste of a display obvious Scottish as well as Irish influences, Those who eschew Irish/Celtic rock as a genre may cold Harp or as shown on “Litter and the Leaves” and “Cameos.” or may not have their minds changed by either of Guinness and But “EtH” has plenty of other musical inspirations on these CDs, but that really isn’t the point here. You the strains of which to draw, and in comparison with The Elders, can focus on the connections to traditional music, if a bass-and- displays a distinctly harder rock edge, Buchanan’s you wish, but the main idea is to simply appreciate drums-assist- keyboards and Trevor Lewington’s guitar often girding the music on its own terms: good hooks, well-played, ed tune set or uptempo rabble-rouser of a song. So it’s the songs. And while some of the songs have the micro- and perfect for a summer’s day. timely indeed that two bands considered among the historical focus or sweep – “Noseworthy and Pierce,” best of the Celtic rock genre have recently released for example, is based on a new CDs. collection of tales by New- From the proverbial American heartland of Kansas foundland author Robert City, The Elders are more than a decade old; Toronto- Parsons; “Broken Line” is based Enter the Haggis is a little younger, having come based on the struggles of together “in the early 2000s,” as they put it. Lewington’s grandfather There are some other significant differences. The and other farmers against Elders take more of a tried-and-true — maybe “tra- the construction of an oil ditional” is not an inappropriate word? — approach pipeline – there is less of to their Irish/Celtic rock, putting banjo, mandolin, the obvious connection to accordion, fiddle, flute, whistle, and bodhran right Celtic lore and zeitgeist. Our 50th Year alongside the rock-styled electric guitar, bass and Which is not to say drums, plus keyboard and sax, and interpolat- The Beachcomber proudly presents ing excerpts of a jig, reel or march in breaks or fills CARROLL between verses. The songs themselves, Advertising Company, Inc. THE meanwhile – all written by the band with the exception of Steve Earle’s “Gal- Large Format Printing way Girl” – are manifestly rooted in Irish history, Billboards • Banners WOLFETONES geography, spirit, and my- 1022 Morrissey Boulevard, Dorchester thology. Some are scruffy, scrappy tales of hopeful 617-282-2100 In Concert Three Nights redemption (“Better Days carrolladvertising.com June 22, 23, 24, 2009 Tickets for all shows on sale now

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Antrim: At the beginning of for a series of events to mark Limerick: The National the Ballyclare May Fair two lo- the sisters’ centenary. When Harp Orchestra, based at cal people were selected as 2009 the convent was founded the Harbison’s Irish Harp Centre May Fair King and Queen. The sisters established a Knitting and Music School in Castlecon- competition took place at Bal- School and two years later a nell, represented Ireland at the lyclare Comrades Social Club boarding school was opened, European Youth Festival in where Joanne McKay and Alex and subsequently a residential Austria last month. The twenty- Kaoma received their crowns. school of housecraft and a farm. five members of the orchestra Each contestant had to per- The events to mark the cen- were accompanied by family form a party piece and Joanne tenary included flowers being and friends and led by Janet had composed a poem entitled placed on the graves of deceased Harbison, who set the school “Ballyclare, a Wee Town.” A pas- nuns in Drishane cemetery, up seven years ago with her senger service agent at Belfast and a pageant in the Green husband Malcolm Gillis. The International Airport, Joanne Glens Arena in Millstreet that Irish group, which tours both was accompanied on the night featured the local pipe band nationally and internationally, by her parents, her boyfriend, and Scór dancers. A Mass was was among almost 200 music and his family. Meanwhile Alex celebrated by Bishop of Kerry schools gathered in Linz for impressed the judges with his Bill Murphy and a history of the the Festival. The Castleconnell musical talents and since his order, “The Voyage Out,” ed- school has some 400 pupils and win has already enjoyed a drive ited by Catherine Kilbride and 22 teachers. in the Mayor’s car. Deirdre Raftery, was launched Longford: A group of 17 Armagh: After eighty years by Maura Walsh. visitors, including one primary of serving the community Ma- Derry: A recent meeting of pupil and two secondary stu- gheralin Evangelistic Memorial the Policing Board in Derry dents from the French towns of Hall closed its doors last month. made history when it was con- Landevant and Landaul, both Known locally as Soye’s Hall, it ducted entirely through Irish. A twinning with Ballymahon, was built in the 1930s by Jimmy live translation service through spent some time in the area Soye, manager of Johnston and headphones was available for recently. They were met by Allen’s linen factory, in memory the more than 100 people who Tim Caffrey, Frank Sheridan of his late wife. The construction attended the meeting, chaired and Breege Murray and since work was undertaken by local by former Mayor of Derry they had driven up from Cork builder William Callaghan and Gearoid O hEara. Assistant they were able to pay visits to the hall opened as a mission cen- Chief Constable of the PSNI Longford Town, Athlone, and tre, with non-denominational Judith Gillespie, in describing Galway, as well as enjoying a meetings featuring speakers the meeting as a truly historic tour of County Clare. While in from every church background. occasion, said she never would Ballymahon the visitors helped Among speakers associated have believed, when she joined set up a pen pal scheme with with Soye’s Hall have been the force nearly 30 years ago, children in a primary school in Daryll Kidd, William and Sadie that she would be attending the town, for students from the Patterson, and Billy and Jean such a meeting. Speakers in a re-enactment of the top-secret vice will be particularly suit- age of nine years. Andrews. It will now be put on Irish at the event included two visit. The general had inspected able for small groups, with a Louth: When Eimear Burke the open market. PSNI constables, Una McVeigh the American troops on the maximum of sixteen, who want and her fellow-students were Carlow: Having heard from and Peadar Heffernon, as well school’s playing fields before to arrange social outings to the organizing their final project a number of young couples as chairperson elect of the Board they headed to the Front and the cinema or shopping expeditions. they found themselves short of that the cost of a wedding was Barry Gilligan. re-enactment was staged by the Southlink also hopes to provide one vital person, but it turned deterring them from taking the Donegal: The top secret Wartime Living History Asso- a regular service to hospitals in out not to be a problem since final step, Father Paddy Byrne Donegal Corridor, used by Allied ciation, which provided both the Naas and Portlaoise. Eimear’s grandmother came to from Bagenalstown has come up airmen during the Second World troops and the general. Guest of Kilkenny: When President their rescue. Eimear and Emma with a novel alternative. He has War, will once again echo to the honor for the occasion was the Mary McAleese visited Kilkenny Dunlop, Chris Mooney, Ciara suggested that, as is common sound of a flying boat when a war American Consul, Susan Elliott. city last month to be conferred Scott, and Aisling Callanan with baptisms and First Com- veteran will take the controls Local man David Hassard led a with the Freedom of the City she were making a film, “Sophie,” munions, several couples should for the first time in 64 years. motorcade of army jeeps from also attended the launch of a his- for their final year project in be married at the same time Eighty-six-year-old Ted Jones, Castlecoole Estate, driving the torical project at the Kilkenny Dundalk Institute of Technol- during the course of the weekly now living in Dublin, will take ‘General’, played by Eddie Lynn. Education Centre. The project, ogy. They had no difficulty cast- Mass, and hold their receptions to the skies from his former base Also taking part was local man “Stepping into Kilkenny’s His- ing most of the parts for the film either in the local parish hall at Enniskillen and fly along the Michael Gilmore. tory,” involved a number of but needed an elderly woman to or in their own homes. Father narrow strip of airspace to the Galway: The part of Galway national and secondary schools take on one of the more impor- Paddy has suggested that a Atlantic. One of his memories city centering on the oldest across the county and some sixty tant roles. And it was here that specific Sunday in June or July is of the night-time missions mediaeval area has long been children attended the event. Nancy Burke stepped in to make could be set aside for couples when they used to fly towards known locally as the Latin Quar- First to meet the President were her screen debut and, according who would like to be married, the St John’s Point lighthouse in ter. Now it has been officially Aoife Scannell, Ciara O’Keeffe, to her granddaughter, she was and he also points out that the Donegal Bay and shine a bright designated so. The new name Lauren Valentine, and Kate No- “brilliant.” cost of hiring a parish hall is light down on to the lighthouse of the area, which takes in St lan from fourth class at St. John Mayo: Mayo was represented about 20 euro an hour. keepers. Nicholas’s Church, O’Brien’s of God National School. Sixth by two students at the recent Cavan: Gifted young golfers Down: The Grand on Market Bridge, the Spanish Arch, class pupils from Scoil Cíarán Bank of Ireland National Stu- Leona and Lisa Maguire from Street in Downpatrick closed Middle Street and Buttermilk Naofa David O’Brien, David dent Awards. Seventeen-year- Ballyconnell are continuing to down in the early 1990s and Lane, was officially announced Sutton, Jemma Fitzgerald, and old William Doherty, a student make names for themselves in since that time the town has by Town Crier Liam Silke. The Aaron O’Neill were joined by at Our Lady’s Secondary School the golfing world. Last month, been without its own cinema. idea arose during preparations their teacher Orla Brennan for in Belmullet, was named Senior Lisa took first place in the Now, however, a new facility for the arrival of the Volvo Ocean a photograph with President Student of the Year 2009 for Lancome Irish Women’s Close will shortly be available, with Race into the harbor last month McAleese. Entrepreneurial Spirit. One of championship, held in Co. Cork. brothers Martin and Gerald and came to fruition through a Laois: In conjunction with the William’s projects was to sell Although her twin sister Leona Barrett opening the 1,000- partnership involving Let’s Do closing this year of the Brigidine his own paintings of Bellacor- was eliminated early in the seat, 6-screen Eclipse Cinema. It Galway, the City Council, and Secondary School in Mountrath rick Power Station to retiring competition, she had her own Among twenty staff already the Garda Síochána. and the Patrician Brothers employees on the day the station moment in the sun when she was appointed are Maureen Daly as Kerry: Karen McGillycuddy school in Ballyfin, a committee was demolished. Meanwhile named as Sportswoman of the cinema manager and Roisin Mc- has been selected as the Kerry has been set up to honor the Shane Nally from St. Colman’s Month by the Irish Times/Irish Manus as deputy manager. The Rose for 2009, the fiftieth year founder of the local schools. The College in Claremorris was Sports Council. Her nomina- complex will also include shops of the competition. Karen, who Dr. Delaney Memorial Fund has named Senior Sport Student of tion follows her success at the and restaurants and the Funky is a classically trained singer the aim of providing a memorial the Year 2009. Last year he cap- Scottish Open in Troon and the Monkeys soft play activity cen- and musician, teaches in Gorey, to the man who founded the two tained the county minor team to French International Under- tre, owned by Suzanne and Scott Co. Wexford, and is a member schools at a time when education the All-Ireland final, and also 21 championships. While the Kidd from Castlewellan. The of the Handicapped Children’s was lacking in the area. Born in led his school’s team to victory fourteen-year-olds continue to Barrett brothers have not yet Pilgrimage Trust; she intends Paddock, he was educated at a in the Connacht Colleges Senior concentrate on their golf, they revealed the title of the first film to study for an MEd in Special Briscola hedge school and later Football Championship. also have to give some time to to show at the new cinema. Needs. She is a member of a in France, subsequently becom- Meath: The excavations at their Junior Certificate exams, Dublin: Seán McArdle, co-or- number of clubs in her home- ing a priest. On the fundraising the site of the new Nobber GFC which they sit next year. dinator of the Bank of Ireland’s town of Killorglin, including the committee under president Dr. juvenile pitch have just been Clare: Torrential rain put National Enterprise Week, was Parish Choir, the Rowing Club Pat O’Dwyer are Michael Lalor, completed after six weeks and a stop to a record attempt in so impressed with the Farmers’ and the Pantomime and Drama Anne Hetherington, Marie they have revealed evidence of Ennis, but it didn’t deter the Market held at the bank’s Col- group. The twenty-four-year- Phelan, and Maura Reynolds. both late Bronze Age and Early thousands who turned up lege Green premises last month old, who is sponsored by the Leitrim: Brendan Flynn’s Mediaeval activity. Bronze Age for the occasion. The Special that he is trying to persuade the West Holiday Park, will sup- farm at Tonnagh, Carrick-on- discoveries included a fullacht Olympics Fundraising Team bank’s directors to sanction it as port the Kerry branch of Down Shannon welcomed two new ar- fiadh and an accompanying deer had organized a massive Siege a weekly event. The mid-week Syndrome Ireland during her rivals last month, both unusual. antler, as well as an adjacent of Ennis, hoping to break the market comprised some twenty year as the Kerry Rose. First to arrive was Half Pint, round house measuring six me- record of 8.400 participants set stalls as well as roasting hogs Kildare: Early last month, a miniature horse which was ters in diameter. The remains in Cork four years ago. However on spits in the courtyard. It is a new bus service, aimed at fourteen inches high at birth of six properties, with two corn- the weather meant that some estimated that up to 40,000 euro people with specific needs that and is expected to reach a maxi- drying kilns, two baking ovens 6,000 people joined in the dance, was spent at the market, which are not met by other transport mum height of just twenty-eight and pits have proved to be dated led by Ennis men Michael Don- offered jewelry as well as food, services, was launched at The inches. He will be kept by the from mediaeval times, with the nellan and Anthony Sharkey to and a second market was held at Gallery in Athy Library. The Flynns as a future herd stallion. properties related to the Bridge the music of the Kilfenora Ceili the bank’s Baggot Street head- orange, blue and white South- The second arrival, and a first Park site. Archaeologist Alan Band. According to organiser quarters the following day. link bus, parked on Barrow for the county, was a baby black Hayden believes that the pitch Brian Moore the Team hopes to Fermanagh: In 1944, Gen- Quay, was launched by South alpaca, known as a cria, which site and the Bridge Park site restage the attempt next year. eral Dwight D. Eisenhower Kildare Community Transport, is slightly larger at eighteen were part of one large mediae- Cork: More than 1,600 past paid a visit to Portora Royal who have been supported in the inches high. The cria, which has val site. pupils and friends of the Con- School in Enniskillen, a fact initiative by the Town Council been christened Arnie by the Monaghan: Students from vent of the Infant Jesus gath- not revealed until very recently, and the Community Library. Flynn family, will be kept as a national and secondary schools ered in Drishane last month and last week the school staged The wheelchair-accessible ser- companion to Half Pint. (Continued on page 21) Worldwide at www.bostonirish.com June 2009 BOSTON IRISH Reporter Page 19 News Direct From Ireland

Sensational End to Irish arising from a decision of the rotate 90 degrees to allow ships Open Golf - Although he is Government to introduce a upriver, should be open to traffic 16th in the world amateur golf blasphemy law. Most of those early next year. rankings, few people had heard Ireland Today: commenting seemed to object to Cars to be Restricted in of 22-year-old Shane Lowry the idea and there was certainly College Green Area of Dublin before last month but now he is Our Thanks to Siobhan King no public demand for such ac- -- By 15 votes to 12, Dublin City a household name. The Clara, Pauline and I would like to thank Siobhan King, in Swinford, tion prior to the Government Councillors voted to create what Co. Offaly, native, won the Irish Co. Mayo, who compiled the last two editions while we were announcement. Minister for is being called a “bus gate” in Open Golf Championship at Bal- gallivanting around northern Europe. As usual Siobhan did a Health Mary Harney has clari- the College Green area of the tray in Co. Louth and did so in great job and allowed us to relax on our holiday. fied the matter by explaining capital. The plan is to ban cars the most remarkable fashion, in -- LIAM FERRIE that blasphemy is banned by from the area between 7 a.m. a playoff against a hardened pro, the Constitution and that the and 10 a.m. and again between Robert Rock. The son of former Supreme Court pointed out that 4 p.m.and 7 p.m. from Monday Offaly football star Brendan Nine days ago a slash hook was ist Party. While many in Britain without a law backing this up no to Friday. Implementing the Lowry hoped to make the cut used to smash the windscreen of question the propriety of Sinn prosecution could succeed. The proposal will require changes in when he received an invitation a stationary car while a woman Féin receiving any expenses, alternative would be to hold a road signage and the provision of to play in the Open, his first sat inside. On Wednesday given that the party’s five MPs referendum in an attempt to alternative access to certain car ever tour event. He attracted three men appeared in court refuse to take their seats, the fact remove the ban on blasphemy. parks. The Dublin Chamber of some attention after the opening on charges relating to offensive is that the expenses are paid as Gormley announces Elec- Commerce and some councillors round when he shot a 67 for a weapons and causing damage part of the Good Friday Agree- tion of Dublin Mayor -- Min- believe the change will create share of tenth place, but there to cars and were remanded in ment. More detailed questions ister for the Environment John serious problems for retailers was a feeling that he would fade custody. were, however, asked about Gormley has announced that, in the city centre. after that. He didn’t. He is only New Code Launched for the level of rent being paid for from next year, the mayor of First Stretch of M3 Opens the third Irish player to win the Sale of Alcohol -- An end three properties which the five Dublin will be an elected posi- -- The first stretch of the M3 tournament, after John O’Leary to special offers on alcohol in MPs use while in London. The tion. The holder of the office, motorway, the subject of much and Pádraig Harrington, and is stores, and the discontinuing monthly rent claimed in respect who will be paid the same sal- controversy due to its proximity only the third amateur to win of alcohol-only advertising by of two of the properties is 3,600 ary as a Government minister, to the Hill of Tara, was opened on the European Tour. Robert retailers on TV and radio are and 5,400 pounds, respectively; will have responsibility for by Minister for Transport Noel Rock’s consolation was to take among the measures in a vol- no figure was given for the third. transport, planning, and waste Dempsey late last month. The the first prize of 500,000 euro. untary code of practice launched The right-wing Daily Telegraph, management in the four local four-kilometre access road to Cardinal Makes History by the Department of Justice, which published the details, authorities. Navan and the inner relief at C of I Synod – Last month, the Department of Health, and claims that an estate agent had New Liffey Bridge Arrives road is expected to reduce Cardinal Seán Brady became trade representatives. A maxi- estimated the market rent for in Dublin -- The new Samuel heavy goods vehicle movements the first Catholic Primate of mum of 25 percent of newspaper the first two properties to be Beckett Bridge, which will span through the town and to save up Ireland to attend a Church of or magazine advertisements 1,400 and 1,800 pounds, respec- the Liffey from the junction of to 20 minutes for traffic bypass- Ireland General Synod Eucha- will promote alcohol. Measures tively. The same Irish landlord Custom House Quay and North ing Navan. rist service. The service took will also be taken to ensure that owns all three properties. Wall Quay to Sir John Rogerson Eircom to Shed 1,200 Staff place in St Patrick’s Church of alcohol is on display in just one Later First Minister Peter Quay, arrived in the Liffey last -- Eircom has reached an agree- Ireland Cathedral in Armagh. location in a store and that it will Robinson defended himself and month, having been brought by ment with the Communications Referring to his presence, which not be necessary for customers his wife against allegations barge from Rotterdam. It should Workers Union that will result not so long ago would have been to walk through this location to made in the Daily Telegraph. have been brought through the in 1,200 redundancies, half from unthinkable, the Cardinal sug- reach non-alcoholic products. The paper stated that he and East Link Bridge to its new home contract staff and half from gested, “We live in remarkable The voluntary code has been his wife, Strangford MP Iris but windy conditions caused the full-time employees. Under the times.” agreed to after Minister for Jus- Robinson, had claimed 30,000 abandonment of two attempts agreement there will be no com- Armed Gardaí Patrol tice Dermot Ahern announced pounds for food allowances. and it was Wednesday before pulsory redundancies among Tralee -- Armed gardaí have plans to introduce legislation Robinson said this was an ac- this operation was completed. full-time staff. Eircom currently been deployed in Tralee in an aimed at curbing the misuse of cumulation over four years and The harp-like structure is the has some 7,300 employees. The effort to contain a violent feud alcohol. He has now put these represented about 73 pounds work of architect Santiago deal also means pay cuts of be- among two Traveller families. plans on hold. a week; he did, however, say Calatrava, who also designed tween 5 percent and 10 percent, The decision to place armed MPs’ Expenses Row Trav- that an inadvertent error had the James Joyce Bridge near no performance related bonuses gardaí in the Co. Kerry town els to Belfast -- A huge contro- led to both claiming the same Heuston Station and the Chi- for the next two years, and followed a number of violent versy in Britain about the level of expenses, and this had been cago Spire, Garret Kelleher’s reductions in subsistence and incidents and the purchase in expenses claimed by Members of corrected. 2,000-foot condominium block mileage allowances. The goal the town of large numbers of Parliament has extended to Sinn Blasphemy Law Proposed that is currently on hold. The is to achieve annual saving of slash hooks and Stanley knives. Féin and the Democratic Union- -- There has been some debate 120-metre bridge, which will 130-million euro.

Thirty-Two Counties From Roscommon to Wicklow

(Continued from page 20) refurbishment, according to the season for the Omagh Music in information technology as built autism education unit, was in Castleblayney attended the racecourse committee chairman Society last month also marked well as providing schools with officially opened during the week recent launch of a mental health Shane Fleming. The area can the end of Rev. John Murdoch’s refurbished computers. Terri, by Minister for Education Batt initiative in Íontas, Castle- also be divided so that groups 14-year period as conductor from Ardmore Road in Mullin- O’Keeffe. blayney. The initiative, the can have their own private room of the choir. For the farewell gar, has already spent time in Wicklow: More than 1,000 work of community group Part- while still being able to see every concert in St. Columba’s Parish Rwanda, while for Ian, of the people have signed a petition ners in Learning, was launched part of the course. For the first Church many former members town’s Chestnut Grove, and in support of pensioner Jim by Dr. John Owens, a former meeting in the new upstairs bar of the society joined current Elaine it will be a first trip with Stakem, who for the past 30 chairman of the Mental Health the committee provided finger members in a performance of the charity. years has run a fast food facility Commission. The Partners in food for race-goers. Handel’s “Messiah.” John Mur- Wexford: Bishop Denis Bren- at Glendalough, in addition to Learning group has previously Sligo: Anne Killoran from dock first became a member of nan was the guest of honor at holding the key to the barrier been instrumental in establish- Tubbercurry was in the Red the choir 35 years ago and will celebrations to mark the twenty- and keeping the toilets in good ing the Youth Café in the town, Cow Inn in Dublin last month in now rejoin the ‘back row of the fifth anniversary of Scoil Mhuire condition. For the past two and in reviving the scouting the hope of taking the national tenors’ until he retires from his National School in Coolcotts. years Jim has been the only movement in Castleblayney. Granny of the Year title. Anne position as minister of First As he blessed the classrooms, trader to tender for the job of Designed by the young people, qualified in the regional heats Omagh Presbyterian Church Bishop Brennan was accompa- providing refreshments at the “Reach Out” has issued fridge at the Slieve Russell Hotel in and moves away from the town. nied by parish priest of Clon- important tourist site, but this magnets with helpline numbers Cavan to represent Connacht/ He will be succeeded as conduc- ard, Father Jimmy Moynihan. year three other tenders were to all families in the community, Ulster in the All-Ireland com- tor by David Robertson from Among other visitors welcomed received by the county council and secondary students are to petition. Her main sponsor was Fivemiletown. to the school during the week and he was informed that the receive key rings giving the local election candidate Roger Waterford: A new munici- by principal Pat Goff were the license had been granted to the same information. McCarrick and the idea behind pal cemetery just off Ballybeg members of the original fund- highest bidder. Jim has been a Offaly: Offalyman Noel the competition is to raise funds Drive at Kilbarry has received raising committee, who helped popular trader in the upper car Joyce, who has been paralyzed for the Special Olympics team. almost universal approval from to raise the full 100,000 pounds park with his wife Margaret from the chest down since he Before she left for Dublin Anne, local residents in Ballybeg and for the school in 1983. And the and many are both sad and out- was involved in a mountain who runs Killoran’s restaurant Kilbarry. A meeting was held in new extension, with its purpose raged that he has lost the pitch. bike accident four years ago, with her husband Tommy, Ballybeg at the end of April to has invented a new braking was wished well by two of her give residents an idea of what system for his wheelchair. Noel, grandchildren, Niamh and the completed facility will look a former member of the Defence Luke Foley. like. Being created on waste Forces who is now as student Tipperary: Dog handler ground at a total cost of a mil- Ireland’s Weather in Carlow, used sketches and Francis Coleman of Moneen lion euro, it will be known as computer-aided designs to come Kennels in Roscrea has had Kilbarry cemetery since it is in Reported Monday, May 25, 2009 a double victory in the past close proximity to the original up with the more user-friendly by Liam Ferrie brake and he now hopes that couple of weeks with his Ger- Kilbarry graveyard. The ten- man Shepherd Bruno. First, acre multi-denominational it will attract the attention Here in Galway the weather was much better than the of a manufacturer. Already they competed against 19 other graveyard, with extensive handlers in the Irish Working landscaping, is expected to be forecasters predicted. Rain was falling elsewhere and at the braking system has been times we had some overnight or early in the morning, but the entered in the James Dyson Trials Club of Ireland Cham- open by next March. pionship show in Dublin and Westmeath: Terri Brady and sun shone on us for most of the time from Monday to Friday. Award creative engineering Saturday morning was very wet but the sun appeared in the competition. came out top. The duo repeated Ian Murphy, both from Mull- their success in the obedience ingar, and Elaine Leavy from afternoon. While the south and east basked in sunshine on Roscommon: Last month, Sunday it was cool, breezy and overcast here. the first race meeting of the year trials at the South Tipperary Killucan are to spend the month Canine Show in Thurles, taking of July in Uganda, Rwanda, and was held at the newly refur- Monday and Tuesday will see some sunshine but Wednes- bished Roscommon Racecourse. a second national title. Francis Kenya, respectively, working says he has received valuable for the Irish charity Camara. day will be very wet. After that, however, we are promised Included in the new facilities summer conditions to take us through next weekend. is an expanded upstairs bar help and guidance from Seamus The charity, named after the centrally located to the book- Brophy of Shepherds Cottage West African word for “teach- Latest Temps: Day 14C (57F)...... Night 12C (54F) makers and the tote, and little dog training in Nenagh. ing with experience,” aims to expense has been spared on its Tyrone: The final event of educate African communities Page 20 June 2009 BOSTON IRISH Reporter Worldwide at www.bostonirish.com The Irish Language by Philip Mac AnGhabhann Celtic In the last column we reviewed the many forms of the verb tá, both “Independent” and “Dependent” Cross or “After a Particle.” “Independent “ means either standing alone at the beginning of a sentence or after a coordinating conjunction – where two Words things of equal value are joined such as “and” agus and “or”, no. Ach, “but”, implies a contrary but it The Irish is still a coordinating conjunction. crosswords are Tá Nóra agus Liam istigh. “Nora and Liam are inside.” a service of an Bhí Nóra istigh agus bhí Liam amuigh. “Nora was inside and Liam was outside.” Ireland-based Bhí Nóra no Liam amuigh. “Nora or Liam was outside.” website which Bhí Nóra istigh ach bhí Liam amuigh. “Nora was inside but Liam was outside.” provides Irish Family Coats of “Dependent” or “After a Particle” indicates that the verb is not able to stand alone or follows a Arms by email. subordinating conjunction such as “that” in sentences like, “I hope that she goes home.” Here You are invited the “I hope” would be in an “Independent” form while “she goes home” in Irish requires the “Dependent to visit Form” of the verb téigh, “go”. www. Be careful not to confuse English “that” which really is two (or more) different words – homonyms, bigwood.com/ words that sound the same but are quite different. “I see that book” where “that” points to the book heraldry versus “I hope that she comes”. Here “that” is a subordinating conjunction.

In grammatical terms these are called “com- ©-bigwood.com pound” and “complex” sentences. In Irish, however, you must be able to use the “Dependent” forms to IRELAND IN CROSSWORDS ask both questions and to make negatives as well ACROSS pretty Ardmore. (4) as using them in dependent clauses. 1. Or find chiller. (anag.) Stepchildren of Aoife whom she 16. Last word in mean fashion. (4) turned into Swans on Lough Derravaragh. (8,2,3) 17. Greasy sun out over U.C. (8) Bhí Liam istigh. 8. Protection found in popular Mourne location. (6) 18. E.g. rang up Sligo village underneath Ben Bulben on “Liam was inside.” Independent 9. Pout face up until refreshment appears. (3,2,3) the Bundoran road opposite Inishmurray Island. (6) An raibh Liam istigh. 10. Fry air? No, but reduce its pressure. (6) 19. “This goat-footed bard, this half-human visitor “Was Liam inside?” Dependent 12. Get up on hind legs about per can order. (6) to our age from the hag-ridden magic and enchanted Ní raibh Liam istigh. 13. Impulses scrambled the last of the Carrickfergus woods of ——— antiquity.” Baron Keynes - (describing “Liam wasn’t inside.” Dependent letters. (5) Lloyd George) (6) Nach raibh Liam istigh. 14. Then avoid by cute diversion around engineer- 21. Soothe in the meandering vales. (5) “Wasn’t Liam inside?” Dependent ing work carrying the Dublin - Belfast rail line over Irish has two subordinating conjunction forms Drogheda. (3,5,7) CROSSWORD SOLUTION ON PAGE 23 that can be translated “that”, go and nach. If a 19. Tree falls over after a century on Mediterranean speakers uses go, the “dependent” verb is assumed island. (5) 20. Threw in at the Gaelic game? (6) to be positive. If they use nach the speaker means 21. Make a quick grab for ants all over the small that the very same verb form is negative. Irish Sayings church. (6) “Youth does not mind where it sets its foot.” 22. Stretch little Leonard starts, then finishes after “Both your friend and your enemy think you will Deir sé go raibh Liam istigh. note. (8) “He says that Liam was inside.” never die.” 23. Salty pool covered up back in Portnoo gallery. (6) “The well fed does not understand the lean.” Deir sé nach raibh Liam istigh. 24. Sweet stew clan. (anag.) Limerick market town with “He who comes with a story to you brings two away “He says that Liam was not inside.” a Knights Templars castle built in 1184. (9,4) from you” “Quiet people are well able to look after themselves.” Four Irish common irregular verbs have “In- DOWN “A friends eye is a good mirror.” dependent” and “Dependent” forms. Recall that 2. Oh, lure me in disorder for Bill first proposed and “It is the good horse that draws its own cart.” all simple negatives cause lenition (“aspiration”) lost by Gladstone in 1885 and passed in 1912. (4,4) “A lock is better than suspicion.” This, in effect, means that the four verbs really 3. “Hail fellow, well met. All —— and wet: Find out, if “Two thirds of the work is the semblance.” have two “Dependent” forms, a simple negative you can, Who’s master, who’s man.” Swift. (5) 4. Storeys “He who gets a name for early rising can stay in bed and an “After Particle” or “after subordinating one knocks to the ground. (6) until midday.” conjunction” form. 5. Recite with a singing voice to nine others in Rosses “If you do not sow in the spring you will not reap in Point one time. (6) the autumn.” English Base Form Past Past 6. Hour train call. (anag.) Kerry mountain popularly “Put silk on a goat, and it’s still a goat.” Independent Dependent ascended through the Hag’s Glen and up the Devil’s “Listen to the sound of the river and you will get a “Do, dean rinne ní dhearna Ladder to the peak at 3,314 feet. (13) trout.” make” an, go, nach ndearna 7. Jests shame pen. (anag.) Irish writer and poet (1880- “A persons heart is in his feet.” 1950) who wrote ‘The Crock of Gold’ . (5,8) “It is a long road that has no turning.” “See” feic chonaic /HAH-nuhk/ ní fhaca 9. Owners latch up in neat Mayo village on the Sligo “Necessity knows no law.” an, go, nach bhfaca border. (11) “The wearer best knows where the shoe pinches.” “go” gabh chuaigh /HOO-uh/ ní dheachaigh 11. You must see the faithful dog in Glengarriff, I do “There is no luck except where there is discipline.” an,go,nach ndeachaigh insist. (4) “The man with the boots does not mind where he “get, faigh fuair ní fhuair /OO-uhr/ 12. Ripe conversion of fairy on Greek roundabout. (4) places his foot.” find” an,go,nach bhfuair/WOO-uhr/ 15. Squirrel’s home back in the American garden in “The light heart lives long.”

There are several alternative pronunciations ADVERTISEMENT and even spellings of these forms according to the several dialects of Irish. Learn these and speakers of other dialects will understand you. In Dependent Clauses, i.e. after go or nach, “he” Photography by and “she” usually drop the intial s – sé, é: sí, í. Try to translate these sentences into Irish. They use go in many of its meanings. 1.) “He says that he will be there tonight.” 2.) “I will write a letter Image Photo Service tomorrow.” 3.) “We said that we were not there last night.” 4.) “You are welcome.” 5.) “I said that she was very nice.” 6.) “How are you?” 7.) “Very • Weddings • Anniversaries well, thank you.” 8.) “They say that Liam will not be here tomorrow.” 9.) “Patrick and Nora went to • Banquets • Portraits Belfast yesterday.” 10.) She says that she will go to Cork.” 11. “Thanks be to God.” 12.) “It’s very • Reunions cold.” • Groups • Families Answers” 1.) Deir sé go mbéidh é anseo anocht. 2.) Scríobhfaidh mé leitir amárach. 3.) Dúamar nach raibh muid ansin aréir. 4.) • Special Occasions Go raibh maith agat. 5.) Dúirt mé go raibh í go deas. 6.) Conas atá tú? 7.) Go maith, go raibh maith agat. 8.) Deir said nach mbeidh (617) 291-6609 Liam anseo amárach. 9.) Thánaig Pádraig agus Liam go Béal Feirste. 10.) Deir sí go rachaidh í go Corgaigh. 11.) Buíochas le Dia. The official photographers of the Boston Irish Reporter 12.) Tá sé go fhuar. Worldwide at www.bostonirish.com June 2009 BOSTON IRISH Reporter Page 21 Boston Irish Reporter Book Review This Mailman Delivers The Literary Goods Christian Moerk’s Thriller ‘Darling Jim’ is the Riveting Tale of an Irish Mailman on the Trail of a Smooth-Talking, Cunning Killer

By Peter F. Stevens how they all descended into a collective love that ruined BIR Staff all in its path. The path was that of Jim, a charming With Darling Jim, novelist Christian Moerk makes and enigmatic seanchai – a gifted storyteller. Jim an auspicious debut in the crime-and-thriller genre. roared up on his motorcycle one day in Castletownbere, His novel is a modern gothic take on two suburban where his spellbinding, strange renderings of mythic Dublin sisters whose diaries reveal a dark, twisted tales soon compelled locals to follow him from pub to story of their relationship with a smooth, seductive pub. At each, he spun his tales’ evolving “chapters.” stranger. They also reveal an Irish town that is so Women of all ages were drawn to the handsome and enthralled by the stranger that he can get away with beguiling storyteller. murder – literally. Then, Niall, a young mailman, Niall learns through sleuthing both luck and in- comes across one of the diaries in the post office’s dead- stinctive that wherever Jim had appeared throughout letter bin. He picks it off the pile and begins to read Ireland, brutal murders had similarly materialized. the words of a deceased woman named Fiona Walsh. Locals shrugged off the murders as a “coincidence” Her words reach from the grave to render one of the – even though all of the victims were young women who most tragic love stories imaginable. As Niall, obsessed not only had fallen hard for Jim, but also bore marked with learning more about the mysterious stranger in similarities to women in Jim’s more macabre tales. Walsh’s pages, soon discovers, the story is much more Niall, determined to unmask Jim, hears a warning than tragic. It is sinister. about him: “The storytellers, you understand, make The creator of Irish mailman/detective Niall, Chris- you look at anything but what’s inside themselves. tian Moerk was born and raised in Copenhagen, Den- They gain your confidence and make you feel every mark, and lived in Vermont in his early twenties. After story is invented for you and you alone. Don’t believe getting his MS in journalism at Columbia University, them.” Niall’s dangerous purpose becomes to unmask he was a movie executive for Warner Brothers Pictures what’s inside the dark figure of Jim and what Jim has and later wrote about film for The New York Times. done to young women across Ireland. Darling Jim is his first novel published in America. The opening words of Fiona’s diary compel Niall to He lives in Brooklyn, New York. seek answers, and compel the reader to take that quest In Darling Jim, Moerk weaves the story of how with him: “If you have found this diary, you can’t save two sisters and their aunt are found dead in their me. But even so, at least REMEMBER me. Promise suburban Dublin home. There is a secret behind the me you won’t forget who I was and how I came to be deaths, but one that proves too elusive for the police. here. Because being carted out in one of those rubber ing of a likable mailman named Niall. For any lover That all changes after Niall fishes Fiona Walsh’s diary bags without a soul knowing the true full story is more of thrillers with twists galore, Darling Jim is a must. from the dead-letter pile. Niall becomes obsessed with than I can bear to imagine.” So, too, for readers who love thrillers written with flair unraveling that riddle. Christian Moerk tells “the true full story” of desire, and skill blended with the perfectly dash of grittiness. The secret he pursues unfolds amid a backdrop of dark deeds, and a fascinating, frightening, and intrigu- Moerk is a novelist to watch and read. past and present family feuds and vendettas, resent- ing villain.” The full and horrifying toll that Jim has Darling Jim, by Christian Moerk, Henry Holt and ment, sex, and envy. He learns more and more about wreaked upon young Irish woman emerges through Company, hardcover, ISBN 978-0-8050-8947-9, 304 the three Walsh sisters -- Fiona, Rosin, and Aoile – and the Walsh sisters and through the self-avowed sleuth- pp, $25. New U.S. Book Releases Angels in My Hair Did It, the best-selling the contested history of first novel in Joseph the region, and provides by Lorna Byrne Caldwell’s Pig Trilogy. accessible background to For anyone who has ever wondered about the But in Mr. Caldwell’s the conflict. mysteries that lie beyond everyday experience, or entertaining porcine It is an exciting and doubted the reality of the afterlife, Angels in My Hair sequel, The Pig Comes readable description is a moving and deeply to Dinner, the porker of ordinary life in one inspirational journey has some more serious of the most conflicted, into the unseen world. business to attend to. newsworthy, and inter- For as long as she can All of the charming esting regions on the remember, Lorna By- characters of the pre- globe. Including chapters rne has seen angels. As vious book are present focusing on the internal a young child, she as- again in this delight- contradictions of Israeli sumed everyone could ful new story. Kitty life, David Lynch ani- see the otherworldly McCloud has bought mates stories from both beings who always an ancient Irish castle sides of the divide. accompanied her. Yet with the profits from Lynch is an award- in the eyes of adults, her popular revisions of winning freelance jour- her abnormal behav- classic novels like Jane nalist, who has written ior was a symptom of Eyre, and is now hard at work on her “correction” of extensively for the Sunday Business Post and Daily- mental deficiency. To- George Eliot’s “big mess of a novel The Bloody Mill on Ireland, with a particular focus on the Middle East. day, sick and troubled the Bloody Floss – the added expletives a measure of New Island Books/Dufour Editions, paperback, ISBN people from around Kitty’s consternation.” 978-1-84840-013-9, 392 pp, $26.95. the world are drawn Kitty’s new husband, Kieran Sweeney, is tending the to her for comfort and castle’s herd of cows when he isn’t locked in loving if Jasper Wolfe healing, and even theo- contentious wrestling holds with his fiery new bride, logians of different faiths seek her guidance. Lorna his former rival in one of their district’s oldest blood Of Skibbereen is trusted for her ability to communicate with spirits feuds. Kitty’s American cousin, Aaron McCloud, has and angels—and by sharing her intimate knowledge By Jasper Ungoed-Thomas arrived with his new wife, the former Lolly McKeever, Stories are still told in West Cork about Jasper Wolfe. of the spiritual world she offers a message of hope and to redeliver to Kitty and Kieran their wedding gift of love to us all. He led a remarkable and the troublesome pig, who is not at all welcome at the dangerous existence in Angels in My Hair is an engrossing chronicle of castle. Lorna’s incredible life story. Invoking a wonderful the turbulent early years But over their lighthearted discord hangs a weightier of the 20th century. A sense of place, she describes growing up poor in Ire- problem – Kitty’s new home is inhabited by two comely land, finding work in Dublin, and marrying the man highly successful lawyer ghosts from out of the castle’s troubled past. How this in Skibbereen, he was of her dreams—only to have the marriage cut short haunting couple is dealt with serves only to embellish by tragedy. Already a bestseller in Ireland, her story a strong supporter of the allure and humor of Mr. Caldwell’s uniquely the- Home Rule and gave an gives readers a unique insight into the angelic help atrical storytelling. that is around us and available to us all the time. As acclaimed speech at the Joseph Caldwell, a playwright and novelist whose rally in London in 1912 Lorna says, “All you have to do is ask.” previous books include In Such Dark Places, The Deer In this uplifting autobiography, a modern-day Irish that launched the Irish at the River, Under the Dog Star, The Uncle from Rome Protestant Home Rule mystic shares her vivid encounters and conversations and Bread for the Baker’s Child, has been awarded the with the angels and spirits she has known her entire movement. Rome Prize for Literature by the American Academy After Easter 1916, he life. of Arts and Letters. He lives in New York City and is Lorna Byrne asserts that she has been seeing and was appointed Crown completing the third entry in the Pig Trilogy, The Pig Solicitor for the City and talking to angels since she was a baby. Now, having Enters Hog Heaven. raised her family, she talks openly for the first time West Riding of Cork, and Delphinium Books/HarperCollins, hardcover, ISBN put the Crown case at the about what she has seen and learned. She lives quietly 978-1883285333, 255 pp, $22.99. in rural Ireland. inquest into the murder of Doubleday Religion, hardcover, ISBN 978-0-385- the Republican Lord Mayor of Cork. Having been thrice 52896-2, 320 pp, $24.95. A Divided Paradise sentenced to death by the IRA, he became a defense lawyer for dissident Republicans after the Civil War. An Irishman In 1927, he was elected to the Dail as an Independent The Pig Comes in the Holy Land candidate. Jasper Wolfe was clever, convivial, and hard By David Lynch drinking. Personally fearless, he was cherished for the To Dinner A Divided Paradise: An Irishman in the Holy Land stories of his exploits. More seriously, he stood for an consists of interviews, discussions, and articles. Ireland at peace and at ease with itself. By Joseph Caldwell While focusing on the contemporary life of ordinary Collins Press/Dufour Editions, hardcover, ISBN Back to his familiar mischief is the obstreperous 978-1-905172-71-9, 300 pp, $39.95. creature that romped so riotously through The Pig Palestinians and Israelis, the book also delves into Page 22 June 2009 BOSTON IRISH Reporter Worldwide at www.bostonirish.com Boston Irish Reporter Book Briefs Reviews of books recently published in Ireland, courtesy of readireland.com

The Irish Times in Irish society whose future lies an eye-opening account of what well as those hopelessly in love in the globally resurgent radical life is really like inside Northern with the West of Ireland. Universal World Atlas democratic left. Ireland’s prisons. This is a no- holds-barred account of life as a I Never Knew That The Captain prison governor. About the Irish and the King Debt Busters: By Christopher Winn By Myles Dungan Managing Your In this charming book, best- Essentially a biography of selling author Christopher Captain William Henry O’Shea, Money Through the Winn turns his attention to this book explores his ill-fated Recession the Irish people, taking us on a relationship with Charles Stew- By Eddie Hobbs enthralling journey around their art Parnell and how his failure homeland, discovering en route to secure advancement in his the intriguing and surprising political career and a sequence ways the places and their history of business failures resulted contribute to the Irish character. in his taking the divorce case As he travels across the Emerald against his wife, Katharine, and Isle, he unearths the traditions, Parnell. Although no attempt is claimed an independent Ireland. triumphs, and disasters, foibles, The first ever world atlas to be made to suggest that O’Shea is a Orpen’s portraits of generals, quirks, and customs that come published with The Irish Times sympathetic character, he is por- politicians, ordinary soldiers, together to make up the Irish has a unique 32-page section trayed as a more intelligent and airmen and evocative battlefield people. From County Leitrim, at the front with mapping and complex personality than the landscapes and bitter allegories the most sparsely populated geographical information for stereotypical buffoon and cuck- on the waste of life and futil- county in the Republic of Ire- the whole of Ireland. A detailed old presented in most historical ity of war accompany the text. land to County Louth, Ireland’s world section follows with fasci- narratives. While he was a Whig, Also included is a catalogue of smallest county, discover the nating geographical information a place-seeker, a fantasist, and the Imperial War Museum’s site of the first play performed from every corner of the world. suffered from over-weening van- definitive collection of Orpen’s in the Irish language, sail the 190 pages of mapping provide ity, he is also representative of war paintings and drawings. longest navigable inland wa- an amazingly detailed view of a political elite that vanished in terway in Europe, and watch the Ireland and the rest of the the 1880’s just as the men who the horse racing at Ireland’s world with geographical infor- replaced them would disappear Ireland’s Misfortune: first all-weather racecourse. mation beside each map giving in 1918. In addition, almost in The Turbulent Life Illustrated throughout with en- extra detail about each area. spite of himself, he performed chanting pen and ink drawings some useful services during his of Kitty O’Shea and packed with entertaining The authoritative and accurate By Elisabeth Kehoe Since the publication in 2005 reference mapping reflects all sojourn in the House of Com- of “Short Hands, Long Pockets,” stories and astonishing facts recent political and geographical mons (1880-86) and, prefigured As dramatic as a good novel, Eddie Hobbs’s bestselling guide “I Never Knew That About the changes around the world. The the clientilist politics of the Irish this is the first intimate biogra- to personal finance, the global Irish” will entertain the whole comprehensive index illustrates Free State with his constituency phy of Katie ‘Kitty’ O’Shea, the and personal financial climate family for hours on end. the detail of this atlas. It con- work in Clare in the early to woman whose scandalous love has changed almost beyond tains over 50,000 place names mid 1880s. Through his bizarre affair with the Irish nationalist recognition and the cold winds Irish Wit: From that are fully cross-referenced association with members of the leader Charles Stewart Parnell of unmanageable debt, nega- Behan and Wilde to with alternative and former Fenian movement he, ironically, altered the course of Irish his- tive equity, and redundancy names. anticipated the move in the same tory. At the end of the nineteenth now blow through many homes. Yer Man in the Pub Main features: Irish section direction made by Parnell after century, Charles Stewart Par- “Debt Busters” is Eddie s timely By Sean McCann with detailed maps of each of he lost the leadership of the nell, MP, was the only man who response to the recession. In this Irish party. both the English government Irish wit is an art form, the provinces / Latest mapping, book he explains clearly and centuries old, yet up-to-the- images and statistics on topical and Irish radicals believed could practically how to manage your secure Home Rule for Ireland. minute wise, insulting, obscure, issues facing Ireland today from William Orpen: An spending and the money you owe profound, and idiotic. For years climate to tourism / Historical But when Parnell met and fell even if you feel overwhelmed Onlooker in France in love with Katie O’Shea, a the Irish have mixed wit with map section shows how the by your level of indebtedness wisdom, as they have porter world looked over the last 150 By Robert Upstone married woman, Parnell’s life and come out the other side in - and Ireland’s history - would and whiskey, and to the same years / The latest satellite im- and Angela Weight leaner and fitter financial shape. intoxicating effect! In this book, ages / Updated plans of 32 of the change for ever. When Parnell Topics covered include: the big was named as co-respondent Sean McCann has succeeded in world’s great cities are also in- economic shift; how Ireland distilling the essence of Irish cluded / Geographical reference in Katie’s divorce and revealed and the world went from easy as the father of three of Katie’s wit -- on love, religion, the section with flags, statistics and credit to credit crunch; how to ‘hard stuff’, the English, with facts for all the world’s countries children, their affair triggered manage your money and your the most notorious scandal of the a generous mix from Behan, / Comprehensive index to over debts through the recession how Yeats, Swift, Moore, O’Casey, 50,000 place names. Victorian era. Elisabeth Kehoe’s to take on the banking system vivid biography introduces us but above all from ‘yer man’, the with an insider s skill when you leading authority on everything to a woman entirely unrecog- re in distressed debt and unable Sinn Fein and the nizable as the home-wrecker that grows, breeds, thinks, or to meet repayments; how the computes in the land. Politics of Left and historical catastrophe of Irish legal system deals with dis- Republicanism subsequent myth. From this tressed debt; the best tactics for By Eoin O Broin book emerges, for the first coping practically and psycho- The Best of Irish: time, the real Katie O’Shea: a logically with the stress caused A Celebration of Sinn Féin is a growing force in gifted woman who influenced by unemployment and reduced Incredible Ireland Irish politics. Now the country’s political policy with an acuity financial circumstances; money- third largest party, Sinn Féin and sensitivity sorely lacking saving tips to beat the recession; By Hannah Mulholland have been one of the central in her lover. where you can go for help. architects of the peace process and are increasingly setting the terms of political debate Governor: Damnyakee: A WWII in Ireland north and south. Inside the Maze Story of Tragedy Despite this, the party remains “...a memorable and beautiful By William McKee and Survival much misunderstood and often reminder of the outstanding misrepresented. In Sinn Féin & abilities of this truly great Irish Billy Wright’s death was the Off the West of Ireland The Politics of Left Republican- artist” -- Bruce Arnold, Irish start of William McKee’s descent By Thomas L. Walsh into life-changing circumstances ism, Sinn Féin activist Eoin Ó Independent Damnyankee is the compel- Broin explores the ideological The best known of the Official that would ultimately lead to the loss of his home, health, ling story of a World War II U.S. and organizational origins of the War Artists sent to France, Navy submarine patrol bomber party, charts its history and re- Orpen was the only one to pub- career, family, and, on a number of occasions, almost his life, that ditched off the west coast cent political development, and lish an extensive memoir of his of Ireland in 1944 in a seething assesses possible futures. He experiences and observations. both through murder attempts and finally thoughts of suicide. North Atlantic storm. Four de- argues that Sinn Féin is part of a He was a talented writer, and cades later an American arrived distinct left-republican tradition his accounts of the last two William tells his story with This is a charming gift book rare honesty and skill. This is in Clifden, County Galway, years of the Great War and the claiming to have been a crew that celebrates everything that’s Peace Conference that followed member on that aircraft lost at wonderful about the green isle. it are vivid, lucid, and shrewd. sea, and striving to somehow Ranging from geographical won- The book ends with a passion- reconstruct this tragedy. With ders to cultural symbols, literary ate indictment of politicians the help of a sergeant in the genius to enduring monuments, and their mismanagement of Garda, an Irish schoolboy, and there is something for everyone. the War, and the rapidity with an aging Irish maiden lady, the Also featuring mini-biographies which the ordinary soldier was former bow gunner was able of great Irish men and women, forgotten. This compelling book to reconstruct the incident. In entertaining quotations and was first published in 1921. This the process, he found a way to fascinating facts, “Best of Irish” new edition contains a critical honor those who lost their lives is a lovely book championing essay by Robert Upstone that in the storm-lashed sea that the achievements, quirks, and assesses Orpen’s career as a war tragic night. cultural wealth of Ireland. This artist and the pivotal impact the The author’s familiarity with title includes: mini-biographies war had upon him. It investi- Ireland and all things Irish of Oscar Wilde, Robert Boyle, gates the major controversies adds additional perspective to James Joyce and Bono; tales of that marked this period of his the book. From a beginning in leprechauns and shamrock; the life and is set against the wider Norfolk, Virginia, to a partial Giants Causeway; the Battle ambiguity of Irish soldiers sup- salvation at the tiny village of of the Boyne; and, the history porting the British war effort, Ailleabreach along the Galway of Guinness and St Patrick’s while at home in 1916 the Irish coast, this book has something Day. Republican Brotherhood pro- for both WWII aviation buffs as Worldwide at www.bostonirish.com June 2009 BOSTON IRISH Reporter Page 23 Traveling People A New Summer Begins, and Ireland is Alive With Delights By Judy Enright other criteria. firma at many other famed Special to the BIR You can find fun, water- fishing spots, too, like In case you’ve ques- based activities all over Lough Inagh and Derryc- tioned whether you should the country. Here are a few lare Lough in Connemara visit Ireland this summer, suggestions: how about a and Delphi Fishery (del- be aware the country is cruise to the Aran Islands phi-salmon.com) in Mayo alive and well despite the on the Jack B (moher- and many other lovely current economic crisis cruises.com), Tranquillity spots around the country. gripping most of the world. or Queen of Aran (doolin- Go to the Central Fishery True, the economy isn’t ferry.com) -- all from the Board’s website at cfb.ie to great in Ireland and there pier in Doolin -- or a tour learn more. are layoffs and businesses of the Cliffs of Moher or Wouldn’t you and your closing there, too, but the sea tour from the Ocean fellow travelers have fun upside is that there are and Country Museum in doing something different? also some excellent price Letterfrack, Connemara. Why not sign up for a craft breaks everywhere you Another fascinating boat workshop while you visit look -- in accommodation, trip would be viewing Mayo in the Westport area? flights (Aer Lingus, for Clonmacnoise from the Here are some options from instance, has been offering Shannon River aboard the Derryaun Crafts in Drum- These are some of the many donkeys that welcome visitors to the Donkey many good deals lately) Silverline Cruise (silver- min (derryauncrafts.com): Sanctuary in Liscarroll, Mallow, Co. Cork. (Judy Enright photo) and other areas. And, as linecruisers.com) River Thurs., June 11, rag rug always, Ireland offers so Queen out of Banagher, Co. making; June 13 and 14, and the famous Flying IRISH FOOD Those are just a few many varied activities to Offaly, or taking a sightsee- precious metal clay with Boats (seaplanes)? If so, If you’re a dedicated of my personal favorites suit every age group and ing cruise on an all-weather Maura Dickerson; July 9 visit Foyne’s Flying Boat diner, there are many good that I make a point to any and every interest that catamaran (killarycruises. and 10, basket weaving Museum in Foynes, Co. places to stop for lunch and visit every time I’m in that you’re absolutely certain com) to visit working mus- with Joe Hogan. E-mail Limerick, (flyingboatmu- dinner in towns and cities area of Ireland but there to find something you’d sel and salmon farms in [email protected] seum.com) and try out the all across Ireland. Some are many, many other like to do. Killary Harbor, Ireland’s for more details. flight simulator. travelers opt for soup and excellent restaurants and Everyone knows Ireland only fjord. Or how about a PONY CAMPS NOVEL IDEA sandwich lunches with a pubs elsewhere and you’ll is famed for outstanding barge cruise or cruise-golf AND MORE Here’s an interesting pint of their favorite brew find fresh, locally-sourced golf courses, horse racing, holiday on the Shannon or Horseback riding and concept that I read about re- in local pubs, while others food in every county – and and breathtaking coastal signing on for one of many a pony adventure camp cently in The Irish Times’s prefer finer dining. We’ve while you’re traveling, be scenery, but there’s so other cruises offered by the are offered at Markree weekly travel section. Two had delicious meals at sure to visit Kinsale, the much more to be enjoyed Erne Leisure Development Castle Riding Stables Irish women – Liz Gill and Cullinan’s and the Doolin gourmet capital of the in this island country. Company Limited at their (markreeridingstables. Breda Walsh – have set up Café, both in Doolin, Gal- country, if excellent food And, the trend today is website: cruiseireland. com) in Collooney, Co. a website called tripmi.ie laghers of Bunratty (and is your focus. toward the active tourist com? There are many Sligo. For other horseback which aims to lessen the the recently-opened J.P. TRAVEL PLANS who wants to get off the other places to rent boats tours, contact Equitours, environmental impact of Clarke’s Pub alongside), Enjoy your trip to Ireland tour bus and go hill walk- and sign up for cruising Worldwide Horseback Rid- traffic by organizing - car all in Co. Clare; Cabots whenever and wherever ing or kayaking or indulge holidays too. ing Adventures, P.O. Box pooling not just into cities Source at The Linenmill you go and don’t forget in other forms of outdoor Would the kids love to 807, Dubois, Wyoming but all over the country (lunch and dinner) and to check the internet for activities and eco-tourism dress up like Vikings for an 82513, or ridingtours. and abroad. By going to the Nicola’s Emporium (lunch the latest travel specials. and adventure travel (eco- Adventure Viking Cruise com, or any of the many website, internet users can and take-out food), both When you’re in Ireland, be companies that offer such log on and find tripmates in Westport; the Beehive sure to stop by the Failte tours, including killary. for wherever they want to (lunch only) in Keel on Ireland tourist board of- com, hiddentrails.com, travel and can designate Achill Island and the fices (marked with a big authenticireland.com, and whether they want to be Granuaille Pub (lunch green shamrock)for details many, many more. drivers or passengers. and dinner) in Newport, about festivals and other Visit the Station House Sandra O’Connell, who all in Co. Mayo; at Lough activities, to secure ac- museum in Clifden, Co. wrote the piece, quotes Gill Inagh Lodge Hotel in Re- commodation, and to learn Galway, and learn about as saying, “I would love cess and at Eldon’s Hotel about the area in which the Connemara pony, the it if tourists would use it in Roundstone, both in you’re traveling. Marconi Wireless Station when coming to Ireland, Connemara. at Derrygimla and the especially since many of development of Clifden them like to travel the west by John D’Arcy, or spend coast, where there aren’t a day at Dartfield (dart- rail links, such as from fieldhorsemuseum.com), West Cork to Mayo. And, Most pubs have entertainment, especially during Ireland’s Horseworld, Mu- they might get to meet some the summer. These musicians were in the Grainne seum and Equestrian Park real, live Irish folk, which Uaile Pub in Newport, Co. Mayo. in Kilreekill, Loughrea, Co. would add to their cultural (Photo by Judy Enright) Galway, and while you’re in experience far better than Co. Galway, visit William renting a car and stress- tourdirectory.com.) (vikingtoursireland.com) Butler Yeats’s Tower home ing out about road signs So, what activities can up the Shannon from Ath- (Thoor Ballylee) and the and which side of the road you enjoy in Ireland when lone in Co. Westmeath? Vi- nearby Coole Park, now a they’re on.” you visit? It’s June, so king Splash Tours (viking- nature preserve but once NEW VIDEO water sports and other splash.ie) aboard WWII the home of Yeats’s long- Dr. Tim Campbell, di- outdoor activities always amphibious vehicles are time friend, Lady Augusta rector of the Saint Patrick top the list. If you want to also offered in Dublin. Gregory. Centre in Downpatrick, Co. go to the beach, scuba dive Take surfing lessons How about a day at the Down, Northern Ireland, or sail, water ski, wind surf on Keel Beach, Achill Is- zoo? Irish President Mary reports that there is a or fish, Ireland has it all land (achill-surf.com) or at McAleese recently opened new video presentation on and more. Strandhill, Co. Sligo, and a new African savannah their website (saintpat- BEACHES Bundoran in Co. Donegal exhibit at the fabulous rickcentre.com) that gives There are seven beaches (turfnsurf.ie) or in Kilkee Dublin Zoo (dublinzoo.ie) many details about the in Northern Ireland and or Lahinch, Co. Clare, that will house giraffes, center. He adds, “We are 75 beaches in the Republic and at many other coastal zebra, ostriches, and an en- grateful to the generosity that have satisfied the ex- locations. dangered oryx. And, down of the Milwaukee Irish acting criteria to earn EU Or, how about going in Co. Cork, there’s the Fota Fest Foundation, which Blue Flag designation, so deep-sea angling, dolphin- Wildlife Park (fotawildlife. has made this possible.” you’ll have no trouble find- spotting, birdwatching ie) where you and other If you can’t make the trip ing somewhere to relax and or whale and seal watch- visitors can see animals to Ireland, the Milwaukee chill by the sea. Beaches are ing on the Skellig Dawn specifically chosen to thrive Festival every August is designated Blue Flags for (bofinangling.com) from in the Irish climate. huge and, reportedly, the water quality and safety Inishbofin? Are you interested in largest Irish festival in PUZZLE SOLUTION FROM PAGE 20 and services, among many Keep your feet on terra the history of aviation the world. SAVE $$$ ON YOUR HOMEOWNERS INSURANCE! YOU MAY QUALIFY FOR UP TO A 33% DISCOUNT JUDITH M. FLYNN Insurance Agency, Inc. Call me for a quote today! Judie Flynn • 617-296-0350 1152 Washington Street, Dorchester Lower Mills Page 24 June 2009 BOSTON IRISH Reporter Worldwide at www.bostonirish.com

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