www.irishemigrant.com Week of February 27th, 2012 5 NY Irish Center Since then the Shamrock • The shamrock is featured in George Cross Foundation was has a shamrock in its badge can be seen visually representing Canadian Coat of arms. cradled in a wreath of shamrock. as it is a symbol of the many organizations, teams, and • The shamrock is featured on • During the Russian Civil War city of Fürth. other activates around the world, the passport stamp of Montserrat, a British officer Col. P.J. Woods, • The shamrock is among many of which has Irish ties back island nation in the Caribbean. of Belfast, established a Karelian the symbols of the Aryan to the homeland! many of whose citizens are of Regiment which had a shamrock Brotherhood, a prison gang. The story The New York Irish Center, feel Irish descent. on an orange field as its regimental • Former NBA player the Shamrock is a very fitting • The airline Aer Lingus uses badge. Shaquille O’Neal nicknamed of the visual representation, as it clearly the emblem in its logos, and • The shamrock is the himself the “Big Shamrock” reflects what the New York Irish its air traffic control call sign is official emblem of Irish Side after joining the Boston Celtics. Center Stands for; Community, “Shamrock”. Shamrock Culture, Heritage, and like the Shamrock, all 3 elements come • The Erin Go Bragh flag, originally Genealogy The shamrock is a three-leafed of Saint Patrick’s Battalion, uses old white clover and has become together in our own little slice of Ireland, here in New York, for the an angelic Cláirseach, a medieval Starter Kit a visual reminder of Ireland Irish harp, cradled in a wreath of and everything Irish. The name Irish and their friends to be apart of embrace and enjoy. clover. A flag strongly symbolic of On Sat. Jan. 28 over 30 genealogy shamrock is derived from the Irish Irish nationalism, it is often seen enthusiasts took part in Getting word seamróg. This little flower Here are a few places around the on Saint Patrick’s Day, usually Started: Tracing your Irish was a major help to Ireland’s world where you may not expect displayed during the parades.* Ancestors. The session focused patron saint St Patrick, back in 432 to find Ireland’s little flower! Soldiers of the Royal Irish on; tips to get started, the impact AD, when he returned to Ireland. • The shamrock signified the First Regiment of the British army use of Ireland’s history & geography He brought Christianity and used Division of the Second Corps the shamrock as their emblem, on genealogical sources, how to the shamrock, to explain the of the Army of the Potomac in and wear a sprig of shamrock on source and interpret vital records Blessed Trinity According to Irish the American Civil War, which Saint Patrick’s Day. Shamrock are and concluded with a review legends, St. Patrick was making contained the Irish Brigade. It exported to wherever the regiment of key resources – both Irish & his way around Ireland converting was red as were all of the division is stationed throughout the world. general – to maximize record Irish pagans to Christianity, insignia of that corps and still be Queen Victoria decreed over a and data collection. Two lucky The Irish Chieftain’s were both seen on the regimental coat of hundred years ago that soldiers prize winners, Geoffrey Collins skeptical and curious about the arms of “The Fighting 69th” from Ireland should wear a sprig Shamrock Rovers F.C. and • In the fantasy novel series, and Josephine McManus were Holy Trinity and demanded St. the Greek multi-sport club Harry Potter, the fictitious • The flag of the city of Montreal of shamrock in recognition of recipients of The Irish Family Patrick for an explanation. It’s it fellow Irish soldiers who had Panathinaikos AO and Cypriot Irish National Quidditch team & Local History Handbook said St. Patrick bent down, picked has a shamrock that is located sports club AC Omonia. use the shamrock as part of in the lower right quadrant. fought bravely in the Boer War, (by Blatchford Publishing) and a shamrock from the grass where a tradition continued by British • The Danish football club their emblem. a Certificate of Irish Heritage he stood, showed it to them, and The shamrock represents the Irish population, one of the four army soldiers from both the north Viborg FF uses a shamrock in its Please get in touch with us here (www.heritagecertificate.ie) explained how the three leaves are and the south of Ireland following badge and it has become a symbol at the New York Irish Center, respectively. Watch out for the part of the one flower, and how major ethnic groups that made up the population of the city in partition in 1921. of the town of Viborg. if you see the Shamrock next introductory session at the similarly the three Persons, Father, anywhere unusual! New York Irish Center. Son, and Spirit, are part of one the 19th century when the arms • The coat of arms on the flag • The German football club Supreme Being. were designed. of the Royal Ulster Constabulary SpVgg Greuther Fürth also Jane McCarter Bridget Bray

traditions of Irish culture. in 2012. On Saturday April 28th, we are hosting Grammy One of the many highlights Award Winning Singer, Susan of the evening was the dancing McKeown. Remember to check of Katie Linnane (a native of the www.nyirish.org for details on this Bronx). Katie performed two jigs, and all upcoming shows. one on stage and one on the floor among the audience. She also The Irish House Party show has played the fiddle for two sets. gained a reputation as being the most authentic Irish show. The Isaac Alderson’s soulful solo piece next time you are in Dublin, make on the Uilleann pipes, provided sure to catch their dinner show another of many memorable in Merchants Quay. moments from the evening. The band finished the festivities with a Howard Maxwell lively rendition of Molly Malone, the audience singing along heartily before rising to their feet to give the Irish House Party Irish House Grand Central Station on the and dancers, The Irish House - Katie Linnane (fiddle), Gary a standing ovation. 7 train). This was the third show Party gave us an enriching Grant (guitar) & Isaac Alderson The evening was a great experience Party Rocks as part of their first North and invigorating evening of (uilleann pipes, whistle, flute & and the audience was left wanting American tour. traditional entertainment. saxophone). more. This was the latest in an The House The show draws its inspiration There were six performers from During the course of the evening, ever growing concert series at from one of the Ireland’s most The Irish House Party collective the group entertained the the New York Irish Center. In The Irish House Party played popular and enduring traditions; on stage; three Dublin based - rapt New York Irish Center the past year and a half, we have to a packed house of over 140 The House Party. Made up of three Declan Quinn (flute & vocals), audience with stories, music hosted Luka Bloom, Ashley Davis on Saturday February 4th at the elements; storytelling, singing Gerry Nolan (guitar & vocals) and dancing, all shot through (with Cormac De Barra) and The All Photos on this page New York Irish Center in Long and Irish dancing and performed and Eugene Quinn (irish banjo with a rich sense of humor and Guggenheim Grotto and look by Felicitas Maxwell Island City (only five mins. from by champion all Ireland musicians & vocals), and three U.S. based a deep respect and love for the rich forward to more exciting concerts b SPECIAL EVENTS AT THE CENTER b

Harpist, Singer, Storyteller Irish Movie Night Tuesday March 6th Friday March 23rd Kitty Sullivan Jig (feature) in Concert and a short Doors 6.45pm • Showtime 7.30pm Doors 7.30pm • Discounted Bar until 8.10pm Meet Kitty after the Show and enjoy FREE hospitality Showtime 8.15pm info. & tickets at www.nyirish.org info. & tickets at www.nyirish.org