May (Bealtaine), 2018 Mick the Miller
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Volume XLIV, No. 3 • May (Bealtaine), 2018 Mick the Miller .........................................................................................................In May in Milwaukee, and Wisconsin, to Sunday dinners," and described gam- Then a race made for movies took Irish sports come out to play on their bling that "the distribution of losses and place. By 8:45pm, when the final took pitches. We all are aware that the Sham- dividends had an anti-social character be- place, some 40,000 spectators were in the rock Club sponsors two hurling teams, and cause the poorest, the most unhappy, the ground. The lineup was four dogs; Beads- a Gaelic football team. Both leagues will physically and emotionally handicapped, man at 20–1; Palatinus at 3–1; Entomb at be practicing sports that go back hundreds are made to pay for the professionals and 9–2, and finally Mick the Miller. Palati- of years. semi-professionals who get hold of inti- nus made the best start, at the first bend And many of Ireland’s greatest athletes mate knowledge.” both Mick and Entomb attempted to move came from those games. But in May we But Mick was born to run. He won his inside to the rail, but Beadsman collided also honor the death of one who was con- first race, the Punchestown Stakes. His with both of them, sending all three dogs sidered to be the greatest to come from Ire- career that year was four more wins, until sprawling. The no–race klaxon went off, land – Mick the Miller. a bout of distemper sidelined him for the and the race had to be restarted. None of season. He nearly died but was nursed the dogs were allowed to leave the track Mick the Miller was a brindle colored with until the race was re–run at 9:15pm. greyhound. He was born on June 28, back to health by the Shelbourne Park vet- erinary surgeon Arthur 'Doc' Callanan. The only comfort given to Mick on a par- 1926, in Killeigh, County Offaly, Ireland ticularly hot summer's evening was a before the introduction of Greyhound His return in 1929 was one for the handkerchief soaked in cold water. track racing in Ireland, and before the books. He reached the Easter Cup final at The re–run began, with Palatinus again sport became popular in Britain. Shelbourne and won the Spring Cup final getting away first, however at the first cor- at Harold's Cross Stadium and National The smallest of a litter of ten puppies, ner, Mick pursued him around the first Cup final at Shelbourne before travelling his father was a direct descendant of Mas- corner alone. Catching him down the back to England for the first time. ter McGrath, a famous Irish Greyhound straight, Mick pulled away around the who won the Waterloo Cup on three occa- In a solo trial prior to the 1929 English third bend going on to beat him by three sions. Originally expected to be used for Greyhound Derby on 25 July, Mick broke lengths in a time of 29.96. Although Palat- hare coursing, a deal was discussed with the track record, reducing his odds from inus completed the first run through, his dog owner Moses Rebenschied to take an initial 25–1 to becoming the 4–7 fa- time was one fifth of a second slower than Mick to America to compete in the Grey- vorite to win by the time of the final, de- that made by Mick in the second. When hound racing circuit. However, before the spite still being new off the board from villagers in his home town of Killeigh deal could go through a tornado struck St. Ireland. In the first round, Mick pulled heard of his success, an impromptu bon- Louis, Missouri, killing 27 of Reben- away down the back straight, beating Cap- fire party was held. schied's Greyhounds when the roof was tured Half by eight lengths and setting a After the Derby he went on to win the blown off their kennel, and a further four time of 29.82, a new world record over International at West Ham Stadium on 5 dogs died when a van driven by his son that length. August and finished runner-up in the Lon- was overturned by the storm. In a letter Father Browne sold Mick for £800, plus don Cup final on 26 November. He fin- from Rebenschied calling off the deal he any prize money that the dog would win ished 1929 with a record of 26 wins from stated his reason, "I repeat, the hand of on the night, which at the time was more 32 races. He joined Wimbledon trainer God is warning me against greyhounds." than the cost of buying a house in nearby Sidney Orton in December 1929 at the A Catholic priest, Father Martin Bro- Shepherd's Bush. continued on page 5 phy, brought Mick to race in England. He nearly sold the dog as a puppy to another MAY 3, 2018 • 7:00 PM priest, Father Maurice Browne. Although MILWAUKEE MONTHLY MEMBERSHIP MEETING the Catholic Church in Ireland had no is- sues with Greyhound racing, the Catholic Irish Cultural and Heritage Center (2133 W. Wisconsin Avenue) Church in Great Britain at the time was T T T against it, having published a pamphlet en- titled Dog Racing which called it a "threat Taco Bar at 6:30 • Please bring a side dish or dessert to share. Milwaukee T Milwaukee Calendar of Events T President’s Message For More Information visit http://shamrockclubwis.com ..................................Ladies and Gentlemen, Celtic Friends All, MAY What do they say: "Beware of the Ides of 3 Shamrock Club Monthly Meeting and yearly elections; ICHC; 6.30 pm April?” 5 Wisconsin Spring Feis; Wisconsin Center, 400 W Wisconsin Ave; sponsored Spring green turned to winter white, but by Trinity Booster Club that has not frozen our optimism for May 6 Celtic Spring Feis; Wisconsin Center, 400 W Wisconsin Ave; Operated by flowers or the upcoming Shamrock Club Badger State Feis Inc. elections...I know who I'm voting for. It's 8 Celtic Women International Book Club; The House of Memories, by Alice easy! We have a marvelous slate of candidates Taylor; Hostess: Gail McAleese; ICHC; 1 pm with strong Irish and Celtic backgrounds. 16 Bel Canto Chorus presents The Immigrant Story; ICHC; 7:30 pm We have several reports to receive at the May 3rd meeting including the results of JUNE the St. Patrick's Day Parade, the Post Pa- 2 Milwaukee Highland Games; Hart Park, 7201 W. State Street; 9 am rade Party, The Easter Rising Mass, and the 7 Shamrock Club Monthly Meeting; ICHC; 7 pm; potluck at 6:30 pm Free Will Breakfast Buffet that followed. 12 Celtic Women International Book Club; Exit Music, by Ian Rankin; Hostess: Sheila Isakson; ICHC; 1 pm Special thanks to Brian Witt for con- tinuing this memorable commemoration JULY of 1916 Rising and all of those participat- 12 Shamrock Club of Wisconsin Officers Installation Dinner; TBD ing: Father Terry Brennan, the Shamrock 21 Badger State Feis; Pettit National Ice Center; 8 am Club Color Guard Pipes and Drums, 22 Cream City Feis; Pettit National Ice Center; 8 am Derek Byrne and his son, Kayl, along with Mary Jo Kaufmann, who provided our ON GOING … Set dancing at the following: Set dancing Wednesdays, 7 PM at music. We also appreciate Jeff Schaefer, O’Donoghue’s T Craobh Curtin Conradh na Gaeilge meeting at O'Donoghue's Pub, for his technical support, our Irish Hon- 7 PM, last Tuesday each month T Irish Emigration Library in ICHC open every orees, our Eucharistic ministers, Marico- Wednesday 12–6 PM T Irish Sing-a-long, Irish Fest Center, First Sundays, (through lette and Roger Walsh, Jane Anderson, May) 7 PM T Irish Fest Sing-a-long: O'Donoghue's Pub, second and fourth Mike Boyle, and Meg McGalligan. Spe- Sundays, 7-9 PM T Irish Music Sessions at the following: Session - O’Donoghue’s, cial thanks to Julie Smith, Dawn Fleming, Sundays 7 PM; Thursdays @ Paddy’s 7 PM; and The Pub in Oconomowoc, 7:30 PM Kathy Donovan, and crew, for set-up, dec- T Thursdays: Barry Dodd; County Clare Inn; 10 PM T Fridays: áthas and Myserk; orations, and the wonderful display of County Clare Inn; 6 PM T Easter flowers. Membership News Follow Shamrock414 along with our Shamrock Club on Facebook. You will find lots of new postings, lots of stuff ..................................We gained six new members and re- going on and opportunities to hang out and newed three memberships in April. We have fun with our fellow members. should probably also remind people that The hurling season has begun, but un- Celtic Women the Shamrock Club does accept donations. Several members have sent contributions fortunately it is difficult to lift the "sliotar" International over the year. in 6" of snow. Milwaukee has the largest hurling club in the country and supports a Our new members are energetic and traveling team of hurlers and Camogie ..................................The CWI Book Club meetings begin willing volunteers which speaks well of players along with a growing youth or- at 1:00 pm at the ICHC and include the present members. We hope as many ganization. Gaelic football is also right discussion, tea, and treats. New members people as possible will come to vote at the around the corner and our Emerald Re- and guests are always welcome to join us! May 3rd meeting especially for the con- flections will begin publishing the sched- tested positions on the Board. Remember Gail McAleese will be our hostess on ules for both the Milwaukee Hurling Club if you do not receive a membership card May 8th when we discuss House of Mem- and Miltown Gaels, Milwaukee's Gaelic in an acceptable period of time, please ories, by Alice Taylor.