January 2010 VOL. 21 #1 $1.50 Boston’s hometown journal of Irish culture.

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Lough Inagh Lodge Hotel in Connemara is always a favorite for its comfortable accommodation, great food and welcoming staff. (Judy Enright photo) Splendor Galore, and Quirky Asides, Mark the Face of Ireland

By Judy Enright hard to beat. There ís splendor galore to be captured pletely unflustered hostess and her staff is gracious Special to the BIR digitally or on film while driving the Beara and Dingle and accommodating, the food is locally sourced, and In January, many of us focus on the New Year, on Peninsulas, Ring of Kerry, the magical Burren in Co. delicious and, overall, staying there is like going our multiple pre-holiday or post-holiday resolutions, Clare, Achill Island in Co. Mayo, Giantís Cause- home. and on making lists. So, we decided it might be fun to way and the Causeway Coast in Northern Ireland, Other favorites include several high-end ho- make a list of Ireland favorites, but then we stopped the gentle midlands with lakes and rolling hills, tels that are well worth a splurge, like Cliff short. How could you ever make a list of every single the Wicklow Mountains, Connemara, and so many House Hotel in Co. Waterford, Merrion Hotel in one of Ireland’s wonderful attributes and treasures? other beauty spots. Dublin, and castle hotels Dromoland and Ashford. It would fill every inch of the Irish Reporter! There Then, my list would have to include favor- What ís our favorite B&B? No question about that. would be no room for anything else. ite places to stay. What is our favorite hotel? It is Cahergal Farm in Newmarket-on-Fergus, Co. Of course, Ireland’s scenery tops my personal list By far, it is the small and cozy Lough Inagh Clare, a true treasure near Shannon Airport where of favorites; the misty weather creates astonishing Lodge Hotel in Connemara’s magnificent Inagh Val- Noreen and Michael McInerney make you feel right at light, especially in the west, and the panoramas are ley. Maire O’Connor, the owner, is a perfect and com- (Continued on page 18) Call Him Tom Terrific Corcoran Memoir Tom “Red” Martin, now 71 It was a time of Depres- sion and want and work- and just ten pounds off his ing hard for little pay; it college weight, today is an was also a time of hope, everyday presence at the firm a sense that things could he founded, Cramer Produc- get better if all Americans tions in Norwood. His success pulled in the same direc- in business was foretold by his tion. The longtime devel- success in sports. A three-sport oper Joseph E. Corcoran, star at the old Cambridge High Seaghan McKay is a man of many with assistance from his and Latin School, a two-time talents: designer of multimedia siblings, has written a memoir of those long ago All-America defenseman at content for the performing arts, lighting supervisor, accom- days when he was grow- Boston College in the early plished photographer, and com- ing up in Dorchester. 1960s, and an award-win- petitive runner. Now he’s design- Excerpts from a chap- ning senior golfer, Martin has ing projections for SpeakEasy ter from the book, which continued to play hard and Stage Company’s production of the Broadway musical, “[title of author Corcoran entitled love life. show],” which opens January 15 “Wasn’t That a Time! A Profile, Page 6. at the Calderwood Pavilion. R.J. Corcoran Family Mem- Donovan interview, Page 13. oir,” begin on Page 8. Joe Corcoran the boy Page  January 2010 BOSTON IRISH Reporter Worldwide at www.bostonirish.com Worldwide at www.bostonirish.com January 2010 BOSTON IRISH Reporter Page  Around Town: The Irish Beat / Carol Beggy

Brian T. Moynihan, a longtime supporter of Boston community programs and the Irish-American community, has been chosen as the CEO of Bank of America. The 50-year-old Moynihan replaces Ken- neth Lewis, who announced in September that he would retire at the end of 2009 from the Charlotte, N.C.-headquartered bank. Moynihan, who chaired the successful 2009 American Ireland Fund dinner in Boston, has long been seen as a leader in the regional financial world. Ohio-born, he is a lawyer who joined Bank of America in 2004 when it acquired FleetBoston Financial Corp. He has held a number of leadership positions at the bank, most recently serving as president of consumer and small busi- ness banking. “Brian’s wide range of experience, his relationships inside and outside of the company, and his demon- strated ability to understand business dynamics and effect constructive change, made him the best person for the position,” said Walter E. Massey, Bank of America’s chairman in a release. ••• Now that “Brothers,” the Jim Sheridan-directed film about a soldier who is thought to have been killed in Afghanistan, is in theaters and receiving critical acclaim, there has been a buzz that the Irish writer-director will now turn his attention back to “Black Mass: The True Story of an Unholy Alliance Between the FBI and the Irish Mob.” Sheridan, who has been nominated six times for an Academy NESN Commentator, Heidi Watney; DKM band members: Scruffy Wallace, James Lynch, Ken Casey, Tim Award, had the project on his 2009 schedule until Brennan and Matt Kelly. Photo by Marc Deley “Brothers,” which stars Tobey Maguire, Natalie Portman and Jake Gyllenhaal. But with “Brothers” now in theaters, the questions about the fate of “Black Mass,” which was going to be filmed in Boston last year, have resurfaced. Based on the book by award-winning former Boston Globe writers Gerard O’Neill and Dick Lehr, “Black Mass,” is the story, among other things, of Whitey Bulger and former FBI agent John Connolly. The flick’s script was penned by Sheridan, which would point to his staying with the project. However, the movie’s producers had no comment. ••• Boston-based rockers The Dropkick Murphys have started a charity, the Claddagh Fund, and used arrival of a temporary hockey rink on the field at Fenway Park as the impetus for the charity’s first fundraiser. The band’s founder, Ken Casey, started the fun to support area non-profits that work on be- half of children, veterans, and those suffering from alcohol and drug addiction. All 250 tickets ,priced at $150 each, sold out in a matter of minutes, according Brian Moynihan to the newly established fund’s spokeswoman. The Claddagh Fund Skate in the Park was held on Dec. 19 and drew a number of local notables in- cluding Bruins legends Derek Sanderson, Terry O’Reilly, Jay Miller and Lydon Byers; Clinton, Mass., native Scott Young, who won a Stanley Cup championship with the Pittsburgh Penguins; NESN TV talent Heidi Watney and Charlie Moore; Re- publican gubernatorial candidate Charlie Baker, UFC star Kenny Florian; actor-writer Kevin Jim Brett, president and CEO of the New England Council is pictured Chapman; and former world champ boxer “Irish” with President Obama during a recent event at the White House. Micky Ward. (“The Fighter,” a film about Ward’s life story starring Mark Wahlberg, was filmed in Lowell and Boston over the summer.) Each focus area of the Claddagh Fund means Callahan’s family is very proud, including his four something important to me,” said Casey, who also sisters, Shannon, Brenna, Devin, and Macken- owns McGreevey’s in the Back Bay. “Each focus zie. is an imperative part of encouraging a successful Dorchester is well represented in Iraq and Af- community; charitable interactions have shown me ghanistan, Bickerton said. firsthand the tremendous amount of need which “We know there are others like Patrick, like Matt exists in our community and the wonderful effects O’Loughlin, Bobby Walsh, and Rob Flynn who we have on people’s lives when we all do our part is leaving for Afghanistan in January.” to help.” Patrick Callahan ••• Before his deployment to Iraq, he did basic train- ••• The keynote speaker at the 2010 installment of ing at Parris Island and then moved on to Camp Marching bands from universities in Delaware and Boston’s oldest Memorial Day observances will be Geiger in North Carolina. He then trained to be a Massachusetts, comprising more than 500 students, one of the city’s youngest veterans. Savin Hill resi- radio operator at a base in California. are to take part in the New Year’s Day parade in dent Patrick Callahan, who completed two tours Callahan did two tours in Iraq, the first from De- Dublin. They will be joined by the Garda Band in in Iraq and achieved the rank of sergeant in the cember 2006 through January 2008. Then he was the event, organized by Dublin Tourism, operated by Marine Corps before his discharge in September, back in the U.S. for ten months before returning to St Patrick’s Festival and supported by Lord Mayor will make the address at Cedar Grove Cemetery, the Middle East for another seven months before Emer Costello and the City Council. according to the Dorchester Reporter. coming home in July. During both tours he worked The parade will begin from the Mansion House at 2 The invitation is part of a deliberate push to get as a radio operator. p.m.and will culminate in an audience with the Lord younger vets plugged into the tradition. “The first time I went over, I was part of a personal Mayor at the Mansion House one hour later. The two “We’re not getting the younger veteran members in security detail for a colonel. There were 28 of us who US bands are the University of Delaware Fightin’ as high numbers as years ago,” says Old Dorchester protected one man, the colonel. I was one of the radio Blue Hen Marching Band and the University of Post commander Steve Bickerton. “I think they operators,” Callahan said. Massachusetts Minuteman Marching Band. think of us as old timers. We want to get as many During the second tour he was an assistant to a ••• people involved to march in the parade this year.” radio chief in another unit. “By this time, we had The Boston City Council recently saluted Danny Callahan, the son of Bob and Katie Callahan, passed over a lot of bases to the Iraqis,” he said. Ryan for 25 years of service to the Boston City Courts. attended Catholic Memorial High School and worked “We had 40 radio operators working underneath us The Council also praised Ryan’s service to the Boys for about 18 months as an electrical apprentice before in that unit.” and Girls Club of Dorchester, Boston College High he joined the Marines. His father, Bob, is a Marine Callahan said he is honored to be asked to School, and Savin Hill Little League. Danny and his Corps veteran who served during the Vietnam War. speak. wife of 30 years, Dottie, are the parents of Melissa, “I thought it was the right thing to do,” Callahan said “It’s very special, especially for the veterans of Danielle, Shannon, and Kasey and the proud of his decision to sign up at the age of 19 in 2005. Dorchester,” he said. grandparents of Emma, Finn, Jack and Rocco. Page  January 2010 BOSTON IRISH Reporter Worldwide at www.bostonirish.com Publisher’s Notebook Commentary For Gerry Adams, It Was a Year Stepping Where My of Trials at Work and at Home Grandfather Trod By Robert P. Connolly allegation made against him. When I discovered in By Ed Forry Special to the BIR the Belfast situation that he was working in a youth A year that was full of daunting political challenges facility, I went to those who had responsibility for that Is this the year to make that long-delayed trip to for Gerry Adams ended with the veteran Sinn Fein facility and told them of the allegation. He also had Ireland? I asked myself that question at the beginning leader dealing with family issues far more painful RUC or PSNI clearance to work in those facilities. I of 2009, and as in previous years, the answer was a than anything that can be served up in the bruising also pressed Liam to come out of it and in the second resounding “maybe.” corridors of politics and power. case he did what I demanded of him. I’m not suggest- Somehow, a trip back “home” to the land of the First came the startling news that the republican ing that I handled this perfectly. I now know much, grandparents has always been a plan. Sure, I had leader’s brother, Liam Adams, was on the run, charged much more about how you handle these issues than I made several trips to Ireland over the past two decades, with having sexually abused his daughter for an eight- did at the time.” each time having a great vacation but every time year period that began when the girl was 4. He was Personally and politically, 2009 was a year of chal- resolving to spend more time in reported to be hiding in the Republic of Ireland and lenge for Adams, who has been a major player in advance planning and less time Gerry appealed to his brother to return to Northern Northern Ireland’s Troubles and in its subsequent on the Irish roads, living out of Ireland to face the charges lodged against him. peace process. a suitcase packed in the “boot” With the story of his brother’s On the political front, Adams’s party, Sinn Fein, fared of a rental car. alleged abuse receiving significant poorly in the European parliament elections, losing the Also, I have been frustrated attention, Gerry then appeared on single seat the party held in the Republic of Ireland. from never spending the proper Ireland’s RTE network to disclose Sinn Fein vice president Mary Lou McDonald’s loss amount of time visiting the that his father, the late Gerry of her Dublin seat was the latest in a series of blows lands where my people were Adams Sr., committed “physical, that Adams and his party have endured south of the from. My mother’s parents emotional, psychological, and Border. (Toomey and Downing) were of sexual” abuse against some of the Sinn Fein also struggled in its efforts to bring about Cork, my father’s (Crotty and elder Adams’s own 10 children. “I the final piece in the Northern Ireland devolution Forry/ Farry) of Waterford myself for a long time wanted this puzzle: the North’s power-sharing government taking power of police and judicial functions in the six-county and Sligo. But they had come to America in the late to be publicized because there is state. 1800s and there are no close relatives in the old country Robert P. a culture of concealment, but we Connolly can only do this when everybody There were calls for change from within the ranks still bearing the family names. of Sinn Fein and suddenly, almost amazingly, political But there’s a family of Forrys up in Lynn whose dad is strong enough to do it,” Adams said during the stunning RTE interview, adding that observers wondered if Adams’s 26 years of leadership had emigrated to this country around WWI, and some was coming to an end. As it may be. of them have spent time back in Sligo, and they had the only reason for going public was to aid his family. “We don’t do it for any other reason than as a neces- But all of this pales in comparison to the personal been in touch with some relatives whose descendants issues that now beset Adams and his family. Adams, remain in the area. sary step in the healing process within our own clan,” he said. in many ways a private man who has always kept his And so it was that when a close friend suggested wife and son out of the limelight, should be commended that I join her for a mid-summer flight to Galway for a Adams said he didn’t realize that his father was an abuser until a little more than a decade ago, as for his candor and for his being very clear about the wedding in her family, I set out to make some serious the family continued to deal with revelations of Liam carnage and cost of abuse. plans for searching out of some of the family roots. Adams’ alleged abuse of his own daughter. The discus- Adams said he didn’t want his father, himself a The trip was anchored around a spectacular family sion of one situation led to the discussion of another. republican activist, to have a traditional republican wedding in Galway town. If you have never been to “I was almost 50 years old and, up until that point, I funeral when he died in 2003. “I didn’t want him buried a wedding in Ireland, you have missed one of life’s thought we were like any other family with a loving with the Tricolor, I think he besmirched it. But it was great moments: the family celebration got underway father,” Adams, 61, told RTE. Adams said the family a dilemma for other members of my family who didn’t sometime in mid-week, as one and another aunt, uncle, has spent the past two decades searching for ways to want this in the open at that time,” Adams said dur- sibling, and cousin found their way, the wild geese deal with the likelihood that it had two abusers within ing the television interview. He said his father never returning home. From Wednesday to Saturday, the its midst. really owned up to his horrendous deeds after they festivities ensued, culminating in a warm and wonder- As the details of the abuse stories have emerged, were revealed in the late 1990s. ful marriage ceremony at the historic old Augustinian Adams has faced some difficult questions, with some “He was in denial for quite a lot of that time,” Adams church on wondering if he and others did enough after learning recalled. “This was a man who had a very large fam- Middle Street downtown, a half-block from Shop of the allegations against his brother in 1997. Adams ily; there were 13 of us. Ten survived, three died at Street. The reception took place at the Meyrick Hotel told reporters that his niece’s allegations were reported birth or shortly after. He ended up dying a lonely old (formerly called the Great Southern Hotel) on Eyre to the proper authorities. The Sinn Fein leader said he man where he should have been surrounded by loving Square, and as the wedding day turned into Sunday, took other steps that he thought made sense. family members.” the celebration continued well into the weekend. “I told everyone within Liam’s limited circle of the Truly, a chilling and tragic story. After a few hours rest, the party gathered again at the bride’s home, and some guests re-emerged with their fiddles, guitars, and tin whistles and staged a spontaneous session. Then it was time to venture into the northwest, in Liam Clancy, 1935-2009 search of the Forry family roots. A two-hour drive up the N17 through Mayo and past Knock led to Sligo, Music journalist and BBC for a two-day stay at the stunning Cromleach Lodge Radio Ulster presenter Stu- Country House & Spa, just outside Castlebaldwin. This art Bailie takes note of the beautiful hillside retreat overlooks Lough Arrow, and passing of Liam Clancy last gives a view across the lake and valley of Carrowkeel month: Cairns. Splendid in its scenery, our early-August stay I spent a most excellent featured warm days, long evenings, and a sunset across afternoon in Dublin with Liam Clancy, back in the day. the western hills across the valley. He bought me Guinness and It was on that first evening at Cromleach that I oysters at the Gresham Hotel realized I was looking out at the land where my and he told me all the stories grandfather once lived! I wanted to hear. On the other side of the valley, nestled in the Village This was around the time of Keash, stand the caves of Keash. On a whirlwind of the RTE programme motor trip ten years ago, we had seen these caves on ‘Bringing It All Back Home’ the side of the mountain, and my sister, Mary Tanner, and it was one of those peri- had recalled hearing family stories telling of them. But odic moments when you get this time, this year, I was able to wander the land, talk to re-evaluate Irish music to some locals, and ask, “Does anyone know where any and its fascinating journey. Forry ancestors might have called home?” Liam obliged by telling me In a quick cellphone call back to Lynn, cousin Jack about the early Sixties in Forry confirmed that his uncle Jim had lived there New York City, when he and until a half century ago, but later had moved to Sligo his brothers, plus Tommy town. Remarkably, at Fox’s Pub, the local public house Makem, were doing theatre in the village, the owner knew of a women who now productions with music. Sud- lived along the main road in a house that 50 years denly they were in the middle ago was the home of Jim Forry. He took us there, and of the folk revival. Liam and the woman welcomed us into the house and said she Bob Dylan were dating two remembered him; better still, she told us the “Forry sisters and it was all going land” was about a mile and a half down the road in nuclear. Brendan Behan was the direction of Boyle. passing through and when Ten minutes later, I was standing on that land, Liam wasn’t party to one of looking up into the hills, and walking across farmland the great culture changes where, I believe, my grandfather walked! of the century, he was back It is a story that’s not at all uncommon: the modern- in Ireland, collecting songs day American with scant knowledge of his ancestors from the old folk. stumbling across little pieces of information that point Liam had his theories back across the generations. There, on that warm Au- about Dylan. Most artists gust day, in the rural outback of County Sligo, I was learn how to become profes- BIR Publisher Ed Forry and Liam Clancy walking on what I believed to be my grandfather’s sional -- to turn in a reason- land. PJ Forry left Ireland behind fully 125 years ago able performance, no matter how bad the situation played the Dylan tribute at Madison Square Garden in and came to America where he started his new Irish is. But Liam believed that Bob had fought hard to 1992 and held their own with Bob, Neil Young, George American family. And here was I that many years stay amateur -- to respond honestly to his emotions Harrison, Johnny Cash, Stevie Wonder, and Lou Reed. Previously, I’d seen them at Mother Redcap’s in Dublin, later, standing where he had stood, footsteps unseen, and his art. That was wisdom enough, but Liam also and they recreated an older era for us. The ballads only imagined, yet very much real to me! expounded on the theme of tradition. It’s like the rear were a bit overwrought on occasions and the influence What new wonders the year 2010 will bring can only sight of a rifle, he explained. When you line it up with the front sight (creativity, innovation), then you’re in of the theatre was never far from the act. But when imagined. Is this at last the year to make that long- they regaled us with those sentimental tunes and gave delayed trip to Ireland? with a chance of hitting the spot. I saw the Clancys on stage a couple of times. They us an appreciation of time’s relentless passage, there was no option but to shed a quiet tear. Worldwide at www.bostonirish.com January 2010 BOSTON IRISH Reporter Page  Commentary Off the Bench As Leaders Work on Recession Woes, Chasing Joy – They’re Creating Future Benefits and Loving It! By James W. Dolan By Joe Leary tion in pay) and profound cutbacks in government Special to the BIR spending have arrested the slide and set Ireland on The golf clubs have been put away and the skis are a path to economic health and stability quicker than out. So begins another season. The sand in the upper Every once in a while we have to be told to “slow down, any felt possible. chamber of life’s hourglass slips inexorably below you are going too fast; stop and think.” Sometimes it is The latest quarterly national reports from the Central where all my yesterdays are stored. a speeding accident, or an exciting idea gone wrong, Statistics Office (CSO) that were published in mid-De- With every season, the grains of sand in the “what’s or a personal excess that should be controlled. cember “indicate that on a seasonally adjusted basis to come” chamber diminish as the “what has been” there was a .03 percent increase in Gross Domestic In Ireland’s case it was the soaring economy, leaping portion grows. At 70, one’s future is measured not in home prices, and, in the face of free-flowing money, the Product (GDP) in the quarter ending in September,” thereby technically, at least, ending the recession if years but in tomorrows. rushing greed of more than a few Irish to get their When the snow falls, I’ll be back on my skis, fighting shares. you accept the common definition that a recession is As in the United States, two quarters in a row of falling GDP. both the winter chill and the aging process, refusing bankers and real estate moguls Ireland’s unemployment rate has stopped growing to give into the aches and pains that become harder thought they were invincible. and has leveled off at 12.5 percent. And the passage to ignore with every passing year. Charge high prices, borrow by the Irish Parliament last month of the operational I’m at the point where I’m not going to get better whatever you want; the money budget for 2010, which includes what the Irish newspa- at anything, particularly at skiing; it’s just a matter tree was open. Salaries sky- pers describe as “brutal” reductions in across the board of holding my own. One can only struggle against rocketed, social welfare pay- spending, drew tippings of the hat for a courageous the inevitable decline and hope it will be gradual government from European Common Market leaders. ments moved higher, everyone and gentle. benefited. From street vendors This despite the great pain the country is enduring with labor strikes and high unemployment. I always admired the hale and hearty senior skiers to hotel owners, from contrac- with their ruddy good looks and enthusiasm. They tors to cab drivers, from store And now, with a strong government enforcing the owners to entertainers, all newly learned lessons of the recession, Ireland has look healthier than their counterparts in Florida. boats were rising as prices become an even more profitable country to interest Now, I’m trying to be one of them. and attract new American business ventures. It’s not easy getting up early on a wintry morning Joe Leary doubled and tripled and people from all over the European Prices are falling in Ireland. According to the CSO, when the temperature is hovering at five degrees Common Market rushed to on the average, November 2009 consumer prices and and putting on all the gear you need to wear for ski- Ireland to share in the glory. service providers’ prices are down 5.7 percent from No- ing. But the exhilaration of gliding down a groomed Then, at the height of the frenzy, the natural order of vember 2008. Engineering costs are down 9.8 percent; trail on a crisp and clear winter’s day is worth it. advertising costs are down 7.7 percent, clothing is down things inevitably returned to fundamental economics Particularly, when you’re trying to keep up with your and the spiral ended in a crash. 13.9 percent, and food prices are down 7.6 percent. For foreign investors, especially Americans, Ireland grandchildren. Like the uncontrolled hedge funds in New York City I’m usually the last one down but I like to show that had to go bankrupt because they took outrageous remains an exciting country in which to do business. risks in pursuit of a higher personal bonus and the There is no more profitable or operationally friendly them I can still do it. failed banks and mortgage companies in country for a new plant or research and development They say a parent is only as happy as his or her California that approved $500,000 mortgages on facility than the Republic of Ireland. A highly educated unhappiest child and there’s some truth to that, but salaries of $40,000 a year and lost billions on foreclo- English speaking workforce, corporate tax rates ranking for a grandparent, there is nothing better than shar- sures, some of Ireland’s banking leaders have paid a with the lowest in the world, easy access to the Com- ing the joy of your grandchildren. high price for their indiscretions as the government mon Market and the United States, and a supportive The best part of the day is gathering around the had to step in and guarantee bank assets to avoid educational system are key advantages to investors. fireplace with a beverage, tired after a long day of Ireland’s full return to prosperity will take some time, panic withdrawals. skiing, waiting for a good meal with your children Government political leaders had to act. And they and there will be bumps in the road, but the journey has more than just begun. When economic success and their children around you. did. They have created nearly a new economy. New A great feature of marrying young, and one I never banking controls, lower wages for all public employees arrives once again, the “recession lessons” will help (the prime minister himself took a 20 percent reduc- ensure safer growth in the years ahead. anticipated, is to be young enough to know and enjoy your grandchildren. I never expected this payoff when I was changing diapers at 23. New Background So up the chairlift and down the slopes I’ll go for as long as I can. I will not surrender easily to the limita- tions of aging. Life is a rope slowly slipping through Four Bishops Resign in Scandal’s Wake your fingers. You cannot stop it, but you can grab hold and try to squeeze the most out of it. The Irish Emigrant Concern for Health We have a condo at Bretton Woods near the stately, of Finance Minister old Mt. Washington Hotel. Most evenings the neigh- GALWAY -- Three more bishops submitted their res- bors gather around a fire pit in the woods a short ignations to the pope during Christmas week, leaving GALWAY – TV3 News reported on St Stephen’s Day that Minister for Finance Brian Lenihan had been distance from our building. Appropriately named Bishop Martin Drennan of Galway as the only one of “Whiskey Hollow,” it is a work of art with stairs, a five auxiliary bishops of Dublin named in the Murphy diagnosed with pancreatic cancer. There was consid- Report on priest abuse to remain in office. erable anger among politicians of different parties at hand rail, and benches. After a day of skiing you will While the five bishops faced intense pressure after the decision of TV3 to break the news and, while RTÉ find us there, huddled around the fire discussing the the report was published, the primary focus was on repeated the story, it did not initially identify the type day’s events. Bishop of Limerick Dónal Murray. After three weeks, of cancer. You non-skiers don’t know what you’re missing. much of which was spent in the Vatican, he announced It had been reported earlier in the month, when Just north of here, you can pay dearly for expensive that he had asked the pope to relieve him of his duties. Lenihan missed the latter stages of the Budget debate lift tickets to wait in line outdoors in below-freezing That was 11 days ago. in the Dáil, that he had entered hospital for elective weather to ride up the mountain on a chairlift, ex- On Wednesday the 23d, Bishop of Kildare and Leigh- surgery; one journalist suggested a hernia operation. posed to arctic wind-chills, for the sheer pleasure of lin Jim Moriarty followed Bishop Murray’s example It now appears Lenihan was facing something much strapping a couple of expensive, modified, bed slats and submitted his resignation to Pope Benedict. In more serious and rumors of his illness are now reported on your feet so you can risk life and limb trying to get doing so he said, “With the benefit of hindsight, I ac- to have spread among political and journalistic circles down. Does it get any better than that? immediately prior to Christmas. cept that, from the time I became an auxiliary bishop, Fortunately, it’s an activity that turns out better I should have challenged the prevailing culture”. That The general feeling in the media seems to be that admission was seen as putting even more pressure on Lenihan should have been allowed to decide when news than it sounds. Well, at least it’s an activity, and his fellow bishops. of his health became public. Sunday’s newspapers car- there aren’t many of those in winter. Admittedly, A day later, on Christmas Eve, the two remaining ried the story but dwelt as much on the criticism of on occasion I ask myself what am I doing up here in auxiliary bishops of Dublin, Dr Éamonn Walsh and Dr TV3 as with Lenihan’s health. A spokesperson for the these conditions. Ray Field, offered their resignations. Department of Finance said simply that the minister The answer is simple. To prove that I still can. That left Galway’s Bishop Drennan as the only one was enjoying Christmas with his family and would not Stay warm! holding out and newspapers used their websites to be commenting on any matter until the New Year. report that the pressure had increased on him. The While Lenihan’s condition will no doubt affect his bishop was not, however, thinking along those lines and political career there is little speculation on that front, Boston Irish on the 26th his spokesman, Father Seán McHugh, said as most commentators were more concerned for his that Bishop Drennan could see no reason why he should personal well-being and that of his family. resign as he had done nothing wrong. His situation, REPORTER it was claimed, was different from the other bishops. Liam Adams Denies He Abused His Daughter The Boston Irish Reporter is published monthly by: Although his name appeared in the report’s list of aux- GALWAY -- The name Liam Adams appeared in the Boston Neighborhood News, Inc., iliary bishops of Dublin he had not been called to give main headline in the Irish News on three of the four 150 Mt. Vernon St., Suite 120, Dorchester, MA 02125 evidence. In fact he had not seen the context in which days that the newspaper published during Christmas [email protected] www.bostonirish.com his name appeared until the report was published. In week and an article about him was the second lead in Mary C. Forry, President (1983-2004) the remaining edition. Through his solicitor, the brother the one case mentioned in the report in which he had Edward W. Forry, Publisher any involvement it was noted that the case had been of Sinn Féin President Gerry Adams has now denied handled correctly by the Dublin Archdiocese. allegations that he had abused his daughter. Thomas F. Mulvoy Jr., Managing Editor The News had reported the week before that Liam Prior to Bishop Éamonn Walsh’s announcement that William P. Forry, Contributing Editor he was standing down, he had written to the priests in Adams was wanted by the PSNI to answer allegations his area explaining why it would be unjust to expect that he had raped and abused his daughter between Peter F. Stevens, Contributing Editor him to step down. In his letter he claimed that, after 1978 and 1983, when she was aged from four to ten. News Room: (617) 436-1222 Ads : (617) 436-1222 his recent visit to Rome, Archbishop Diarmuid Martin On Wed. the 23d the Belfast solicitor representing Fax: (617) 825-5516 [email protected] had expressed confidence in his auxiliary bishops. Liam Adams said his client denied the allegations On The Web at www.bostonirish.com Archbishop Martin was quick to clarify the situation and would not be crossing the border where he would Date of Next Issue: February, 2010 through a spokeswoman. She explained that while the be liable to immediate arrest by the PSNI. Solicitor Deadline for Next Issue: Monday, January 18, at 2 p.m. archbishop said he “had confidence in the ministry Philip Breen added that, given all the recent public- Published monthly in the first week of each month. they were carrying out,” he made it clear he was still ity, his client would be unable to receive a fair trial in The Boston Irish Reporter is not liable for errors appearing in advertisements evaluating their positions in relation to the Murphy the North. Adams could opt to be tried in the Republic beyond the cost of the space occupied by the error. The right is reserved by Report. but Mr. Breen said he also doubted he would receive The Boston Irish Reporter to edit, reject, or cut any copy without notice. a fair trial there. Page  January 2010 BOSTON IRISH Reporter Worldwide at www.bostonirish.com

BIR Profile Success Follows Hard Work and Then Some for Tom ‘Red’ Martin, BC Hockey Legend

By Greg O’Brien so many ways, Martin has 20 grandchildren. Special to the BIR In his spare time, he is an avid golfer, pushing a four Tom Martin took to ice as a young boy as cod take to handicap, and notes that all but one of his children are the sea. It was his lifeblood. In high school, he used to single-handicap golfers. “God has been good to me; I run to his Cambridge home backwards from Harvard can still compete with them,” he says with competitive Square, practicing the art of a pivot so he could perform vigor. A member of the Charles River Country Club, the difficult maneuver without hesitation on ice. Martin has won the Senior Division of the Francis “I was just a dog,” he says of his workouts that led Ouimet Memorial Tournament, named for the famed to star status in hockey at Boston College and on the amateur from Brookline who won the US Open in 1913 1964 US Olympic Team at Innsbruck. against two prominent Englishmen, and was twice The 71-year-old founder of the award-winning Cra- runner up in the Massachusetts State Seniors Cham- mer Productions in Norwood, a second generation Irish pionship. In 2003, he won the New England Senior American who, at a lean six-feet-one and 205 pounds, is Amateur Golf title. just ten pounds off his college playing weight, still has One wonders if Martin was born on Krypton. that canine drive—a focus on the moment and the verve Back to earth in Norwood, there is plenty to do at to succeed at every level in the face of challenge. Cramer Productions in the collective coordination of “As a kid, I worked my ass off,” he says. “While others scores of marketing strategists, creative directors, were at the beach, I needed to be at the gym. I had God- production managers, producers, account managers, de- given talents, and wanted to make the most of it.” signers, developers, and support personnel. In addition No doubt, the Almighty is pleased with the result. A to corporate marketing, branding and events, Cramer three-sport standout at the old Cambridge High and has built an impressive reputation in sports producing, Latin (hockey, baseball, and football), Martin, “Red” to notes a company profile. The company produced the his friends and admirers, went on to Boston College comprehensive Boston Red Sox: 100 Years of Baseball where he was a defensemen on the school’s hockey History, a three-hour video documentary that covers team that won the Beanpot in 1959 and in 1961, the the history of the Red Sox organization and became year he was team captain and Beanpot MVP. Martin one of the fastest- and best-selling New England sports also was named to the 1960 and ’61 college hockey All documentaries. Cramer won acclaim, including a presti- America teams, and was the ’61 recipient of the Wal- gious Emmy Award, for its documentary, Story of Golf, ter Brown Award as the nation’s outstanding college that documented more than 700 years of the venerable hockey player. Tom Martin: “As a kid, I worked my ass off. While game, was aired on PBS nationally and was featured In addition, he was a steady left-handed first base- others were at the beach, I needed to be at the gym. on CBS during the broadcast of the 2000 Masters Tour- man on the BC baseball team that played in the College I had God-given talents, and wanted to make the nament. Cramer Productions also has produced such World Series in 1960 and ’61, was named to BC’s Hall of most of it.” documentaries as the Banner Years (a Boston Garden Fame in ’68, represented the United States in the 1962 retrospective), Home Run Heroes (a tribute to legendary World Ice Hockey Championship, and was Assistant and digital production, interactive media, webcasting, Red Sox hitters) and Ray Bourque: The First 20 Years, Captain on the 1964 U.S. Hockey Olympic Team where and print and direct marketing. With $35 million in which was produced for a Symphony Hall performance he roomed with the legendary Herb Brooks, who coached annual sales, the company today employees 180 people, and subsequent television broadcast. the Miracle-On-Ice ‘80 team that defeated the Soviets including six of his seven children, and has a client Not one to forsake his roots, Martin and his company in the thick of the Cold War. Martin was drafted by list that includes Bayer Diagnostics, Boston College, are generous contributors to non-profit and charitable the Boston Bruins, who offered him a $6,800 contract CVS Pharmacy, EMC, Fidelity Investments, Gillette, causes. There is a framed quotation from the late co- that he rejected because he could earn more money as Jordan’s Furniture (for which Cramer Productions has median and humanitarian Danny Thomas in his office an accountant. His retired hockey jersey hangs from produced the trademark “Barry and Eliot” Tatelman that reads: “All of us are born for a reason, but all of the rafters at Conte Forum. television commercials), Coviden, General Electric, us don’t discover why. Success in life has nothing to do But that is all just the beginning of the Tom “Red” Reebok, Raytheon, Ocean Spray, Serono, Michelin, with what you gain in life or accomplish for yourself. Martin story. To pigeonhole him in the vernacular as a Motorola, PricewaterhouseCoopers, and the Boston Red It’s what you do for others.” man for all seasons is to say that the Tudor-era writer Sox. Cramer Productions also has produced critically Martin has embraced the Thomas notion. He is a and statesman Sir Thomas More was a jock. With the acclaimed sports videos and documentaries. major contributor and adviser to the Mass Hospital discipline of athletics as a foundation stone, Martin Martin built the company creative brick by creative School, Caritas Christi Hospital, Action for Boston has succeeded in all areas of life—as a businessman, brick with the benefit of a Bachelor of Science degree in Community Development (ABCD) and the Ouimet business, a CPA certificate that he secured during his a renowned creative force, and, most importantly to Foundation. Cramer Productions serves a wide vari- him, as a husband and father. five-year tenure of analyzing balance sheets and income statements with the Boston office of Arthur Anderson ety of charitable organizations by staging events and The early years were difficult for Martin and his producing videos and other communication programs younger sister, Anne Marie; their father, Tom Considine, & Co, and just plain old ice pond smarts. died shortly before her birth. A devout, hard-working “I don’t want to sound cocky, but I had confidence in that assist with fundraising. In the past few years, Irish Catholic, Considine had close family ties to Galway myself,” he says, sitting in an office appointed with sports the company profile notes, Cramer has contributed where his parents were born. Martin and his sister, memorabilia and sounding like an able defensemen. “If time and talent to such organizations as American both of whom later assumed their stepfather’s surname, it didn’t work out, I knew that I’d bounce back.” Kidney Foundation, Big Brother/Big Sister, Bridge were initially raised in Somerville, then Cambridge by Red Martin has been resilient throughout his life, Over Troubled Waters, Carney Hospital, Easter a dutiful mother, Anne (Norton), whose family came learning at a young age to cope with its ups and downs Seals, Franciscan Children’s Hospital, Greater from the south of Ireland. She remarried when Martin via the sure direction of a disciplinarian mother, who Boston Food Bank, Jewish Community Housing for was 12. His stepfather, Bill Martin, then a custodian worked as a waitress and collected “Mothers’ Aid,” now called welfare, at Cambridge City Hall. “I had to the Elderly, March of Dimes, Mother Caroline Acad- in the Cambridge school system, adopted the children, emy, Rosie’s Place, Second Helping, South Boston and they lived in church housing in St. Peter’s Parish mop the floors on my hands and knees before I could in Cambridge. He was a caring surrogate father. go out on a Saturday morning,” he recalls. “My mom Community Health Center, The Cardinal’s Appeal, “It was a humble beginning,” Martin recalls in an was terrific, and had an incredible work ethic that was Catholic Charities, and The Jimmy Fund. interview at his state-of-the-art, 70,000 square-foot instilled in us.” Martin is quick to note that his company’s success design and production facility, headquarters for a Sunday church attendance in the Martin family was is the result of the dedication and creative talents of full-service, integrated marketing communications as mandatory as school, and after Mass—from the third key longtime associates like Executive Vice President company offering services worldwide in event and video grade and into college—Martin sold newspapers—The and Creative Director Rich Sturchio, who will become Boston Globe, The Herald, Boston Post, and New York president this month, and Ann Cave, senior VP for Times. At a young age, he learned the worth of walk- strategic services and marketing, and Darren Ross, ing- around money. executive VP for digital solutions. Always on the run, Martin joined the Arthur Ander- Very much camera shy, Martin is always acknowl- son staff after BC, played in the Olympics, returned edging the singular contributions of others, but he has Irish to the Big Five accounting firm, then was hired in received numerous awards and honors for his commu- 1966 by Cramer Electronics as a corporate controller, nity service. He was the 2007 recipient of the Richard shifting gears later to become national sales manager F. Connolly, Jr. Distinguished Service Award from the in the multi-national company—a move that sparked Ouimet Fund, and three years ago, the New England Cultural a career change. When the company was acquired in Chapter of the National Television Academy inducted 1979, Martin, on a hunch, purchased the firm’s budding him into its Silver Circle, which honors individuals video production division and, retaining the Cramer who have made significant contributions to television Centre name, called the new venture Cramer Productions, a in the last 25 years. He also has been honored by the cutting-edge marketing medium. National MS Society, Mass Hospital School, and Ac- WEDDINGS • CORPORATE EVENTS • PRIVATE PARTIES “I thought this new technology had great promise tion for Boston Community Development (ABCD) for as a marketing and communications supplement,” he his faithful patronage. says. “I saw an opportunity and went with it.” So is Tom “Red” Martin really faster than a speeding FULL LIQUOR LICENSE • ACCOMMODATES UP TO 250 But not without the support of June, his wife of 47 bullet, more powerful than a locomotive? We know, at years, whom he met a half-century or so ago on a blind least, that he can leap tall challenges with a single date. “We went through some struggling years as any bound. Look, up in the sky, it’s a bird, it’s a plane, SPACIOUS TENT OVER PATIO FOR OUTDOOR PARTIES start-up does,” he recalls. “In the early ‘80s interest no it’s just Tom. And that’s the way Martin likes it. rates were close to 20 percent and that almost choked Understated. companies like ours that were capital intensive. My As the years count down, Martin is sanguine about AS WELL AS BEAUTIFUL YEAR-ROUND FACILITIES financial background allowed me to weather the storm the future. “I have a strong faith and that keeps me and calm the bankers down. It all worked out in the going,” he says in a moment of reflection at the end of UNIQUE COUNTRY SETTING end.” yet another long day. “My kids,” he jokes, “are always Today, six of the couple’s children help run the busi- rehearsing what they are going to say at my funeral. ness: Thomas, as sales manager; Timothy as internal We have some laughs about it.” operations manager; Christopher as external operations The key to long, productive life, he insists, is an ex- For personal service, manager overseeing large events around the world; ceptional attitude and a great work ethic. “You never Gregory as chief financial officer; Patrick in a train- pout,” he says. “There’s always another day.” call toll free 1-888-464-7474 ing program; and daughter Julie as major accounts Greg O’Brien is president of Stony Brook Group, a manager. Son Shawn, a member of Cramer’s outside publishing and political/communications strategy com- Now accepting reservations pany based in Brewster on Cape Cod. The author/editor 200 New Boston Drive, Canton board of advisors, is a partner with the hedge fund Convexity Capital Management. Larger than life in of several books, he contributes to various regional and national publications. Worldwide at www.bostonirish.com January 2010 BOSTON IRISH Reporter Page  Boston Irish Reporter’s Here & There

By Bill O’Donnell ously sinful. One of the most heartbreaking aspects of most disappointing figure in government. Boston-Aided Foyleside Centre Thrives -- the report is that while church leaders -- bishops and RANDOM JOTTINGS Opened 15 years ago in the city of Derry, it was a church superiors – failed, almost every parent who Sinn Fein Party Leader Gerry Adams has agreed super shopping complex that initially drew criticism came to the diocese to report abuse clearly understood to host a TV presentation on Jesus’s teachings but has from many in the North when construction began. the awfulness of what was involved.” been challenged to come clean first on his continuing They said it was too large, too tempting a target for the Cardinal Edward Egan, responding to a question claim that he was never an IRA member. … Job One paramilitaries, the glass atrium facade would never about a priest in the diocese he supervised who was for our Ambassador to Ireland, Dan Rooney, is to withstand IRA attack, and charged with child abuse by 12 parishioners: “I am get President Obama to visit his ancestral home in on and on. But it was built, a not aware of those things. I am aware of the claims Co. Offaly to help with tourism there. Incidentally, stunning 400,000 square feet of those things, the allegations of those things. I am County Kildare has now put in a counter claim that of retail shops that defied the aware that there are a number of people who know Obama’s great, great grand uncle, John Kearney, odds and might never have one another, some are related to one another, have was their man. … Students at the National University come to fruition if it hadn’t the same lawyers and so forth.” in Maynooth have joined with 1,200 others including been for critical links estab- What was not done in Boston and in the US — au- faculty to protest former Taoiseach Bertie Ahern’s lished in the 1980s between thorities taking a hard look at the possibly criminal appointment there as a visiting professor. … Due to Boston and Derry. involvement of bishops and others in supervisory church be open to traffic by New Year’s is the final stretch The relationship between roles — is taking place in Ireland now as I write this. of the Galway-Dublin motorway that will cut the the two historic cities started That sends a clear message to all that predator priests cross-country travel to just two hours. … Fool me with the nonprofit Boston Ire- and the bishops who supervise them are subject to equal once: Some 10,000 of the faithful showed up at Knock land Ventures and a series of justice. A healthy wind is gathering force in the Irish Shrine in October to see an apparition of the Virgin BIV-sponsored Ireland Trade Catholic Church and not a moment too soon. Mary. No apparition, so when a second try came on a Festivals at John Drew’s Druid Theatre Company Travels The World rainy December day there was scant and unruly crowd Bill O’Donnell World Trade Center on the -- The celebrated Druid Theatre Company, winner of of 600. … When finished, a new signature hall for the Hub waterfront. They came several Tony Awards for “The Beauty Queen of Leen- $160-million Titanic tourist attraction is expected to from Derry and Galway and ane” on Broadway in 1996, and a majestic force in the attract 400,000 a year. … Ireland has a penalty point introduced Boston and New England to Irish products, Irish theatrical tradition, is in the midst of the longest program for residents who drive and use mobile phones crafts, tourism, and culture. The annual October events theatre tour in modern Irish history. Druid, marking but will likely have traffic tickets and penalties for brought together the leadership of the Irish cities, its 35th anniversary since its humble beginnings in a Yank blow-ins. Got it —no cell phones on Irish roads. north & south, with Mayor Ray Flynn and Boston narrow alley in Galway city in 1975, has been on tour … Business is good for Bushmills whiskey makers civic leaders, including BIV officialsFrank Costello with the play, Enda Walsh’s “The Walworth Farce” who will double production by 2012 and hire help to and Michael Donlan and the city’s BRA director at since September, performing in Britain, Canada, and do it. … Northern Secretary Shaun Woodward gave the time, Steve Coyle. the United States. Following the company’s holiday a backhander to unionist hardliners like the DUP Soon joining discussions with Derry officials was break Druid will again be on the road, in Australia when he renewed the Parade Commission just before O’Connell Brothers Construction of Quincy who and New Zealand, ending in Sydney. Christmas. … At long last the Aran Isles’ three islands began serious talks with Derry leadership about build- All in all, Druid, overseen by Tony winner and long are now able to surf the internet with access to high ing a mammoth retail center along the Foyle River in time artistic director Garry Hynes, will conclude speed wireless broadband and enhanced multimedia central Derry. With the continuing advice and input its seven-month world tour in April, followed by new services on everything from personal e-mail, to renew- from the Flynn administration and others in Boston productions at their home base in Galway. ing taxes. … The Ulster-Scots Agency, set up following and the development expertise of O’Connell Brother, Church Weddings On The Decline -- Less than the Good Friday agreement, is being criticized by the the Foyleside Shopping Centre officially opened in 15 years ago, 94 percent of all Irish weddings were British government for excessive spending and sloppy 1995. I was asked to be one of the speakers and brought performed in church. The Central Statistics Office now performance and faces radical reform if it is to survive. greetings to the citizens of Derry from Ray Flynn and estimates that within two years, in 2012, over 50 per … The next time you are flying in Europe be sure to his successor, Tom Menino. cent of Irish wedding ceremonies will be performed not get current on the Euro airlines’ new compensation That’s a bit of the background of how the North’s in church but rather in hotels, country homes, resorts, rules. It could pay you. largest shopping center came into being. Yet there castles, and the like. MacBride Principles 25th Birthday -- There is more good news for Derry and Foyleside with the New laws today allow weddings not only in churches were big doings in New York in early December as recent announcement of an ambitious $260 million and government registry offices but virtually anyplace the MacBride Principles and its supporters were expansion of the venture. The addition, which would the couple desires. But there is still a strong tradition honored for a quarter century of good works in trying increase Foyleside’s square footage by fifty percent, is of church weddings in rural areas, where as many as to eliminate religious discrimination in employment being called a “huge vote of confidence” in Derry city 90 percent of marriages still occur there. Dublin, the practices of US corporations with operations in North- and the North, especially with the island’s economic center of urbane Ireland, now records almost half of ern Ireland. Honored for his role in helping formulate woes. The expansion will create 500 well-paid jobs in the its weddings in a civil environment. the principles and convincing Sean MacBride to lend construction sector and up to 300 new and permanent Did You Know … that Merrill Worcester, a his name to them was Father Sean McManus, Irish retail jobs. The project is expected to start this year wreath-company owner in tiny Harrington, Maine, has National Caucus president. I recall meeting with the and will take more than two years to complete. taken it upon himself to place wreaths every Decem- Rhode Island speaker of the House in his office in the Ted Kennedy Remembered In Wexford -- There ber on 5,000 veterans’ graves at Arlington National mid-1980s to argue on behalf of the Principles and was is a buzz here in the Bay State about the new Kennedy Cemetery? Worcester donates the wreaths honoring joined by one of the founders of the Social Democratic Center for the US Senate in Boston and the initial $20 those buried at Arlington, pays to have them trucked Labour Party, who was speaking against them. It was million funding for the Columbia Point project that to Virginia, and decorates the selected headstones with well known at the time that many in Britain and the has been filed by Senator John F. Kerry. However, the help of volunteers. His personal project began in North, including John Hume, were outspoken foes 3,000 miles away, the Irish also reacted personally to 1992 and he has expanded his effort to recognize those of the Principles, feeling that the North’s often fragile Senator Kennedy’s death with the announcement who served in the military with his “Wreaths Across economy would be harmed if companies looking to of an enhanced Kennedy memorial at the family’s America” program that now provides seasonal wreaths operate in the North were discouraged by “onerous” ancestral home in Dunganstown, Co. Wexford. The for veterans cemeteries in all fifty states. Worcester, discrimination laws. Here at home, the Republicans Irish project will include a state-of-the-art visitors whose wreath-laying program takes place each year on joined with the British in opposition. center and improvements to the area and is budgeted the second Saturday in December, plans to eventually Anybody looking for more information on the story at $2.2 million. It will honor Ted Kennedy and the place wreaths on all Arlington graves, which number of the Principles, the history and background, could Kennedy family in what has been to date a rather at last count some 300,000. do far worse than look into “The MacBride Principles; simple landscape and family homestead. My wife and All Not Serene At Stormont -- There is no blood Irish America Fights Back” by former MP and shadow I visited in the early seventies the modest — actually on the floor (yet) but the chuckle Brothers regime of N.I. Secretary Kevin McNamara. tiny —homestead building which is located just yards Martin McGuinness and Reverend Ian Paisley is Jet Set Shoplifters invade Ireland -- Some $600 from the more modern home that for years housed the history now that Paisley’s deputy, Peter Robinson, million a year is stolen from retail stores every year in Kennedy cousins, the Ryans. The day we were there has succeeded the Big Guy as First Minister. The slice Ireland. Most of the losses are in the large retail outlets, I took a photo of Jean beside the homestead and as of the iceberg showing is the devolution of police and many upscale, that are found in Irish cities like Dublin, we were about to leave we were startled to see Mary justice in the North, which currently is being admin- Cork, and Galway. Retailers in the Irish capital expect Ryan, the much photographed family matriarch and istered from London to nobody’s great delight, but the to see some $60 million in unpaid goods disappear from host to President Kennedy in that memorable June disenchantment between the Sinn Fein and the Demo- their shelves during the Christmas season. The most 1963 cousins reunion, walking out into the yard. We cratic Unionist Party goes far deeper. McGuinness, a surprising aspect of the major league thievery is that didn’t want to disturb her so we said nothing and as I former IRA commander wants immediate devolution, professional shoplifters are taking advantage of low recall I simply raised my arm slowly in a quiet salute, local control by Stormont of police and the Ministry of airline fares to jet into Ireland and go on non-paying nodded and walked on to our car parked nearby. Justice; Robinson has chafed at replicating Ian Paisley’s shopping sprees that retailers complain can reach New Abuse Report Roils Irish Catholics -- First easy alliance with Irish republicans and has expressed $1,400 per day. Retailers also criticize the soft penal- there was the Fern report, than the Ryan report, and reservations (and worse) about allowing Sinn Fein and ties doled out to repeat shoplifters. The public clearly now comes the Murphy Commission findings of further former IRA operatives in government to oversee and/or loses as the store owner is forced to pass on the cost extensive clerical abuse and documented charges that administer policing and the Justice department in the of “slippage” as it’s called here, to honest customers offending Irish priests were aided by bishops in be- North. I thought it was called power-sharing. by way of inflated prices. ing transferred from parish to parish to avoid public There has also been disagreement over funding from Paul Kirk Disappoints On Cape Wind Motion -- I disclosure. The Murphy report, in what was the most London for local policing and Justice operations and suppose it’s not a shock and one should have expected damning aspect of their investigation, morally indicted what both Robinson and the Alliance Party contend is a it, but it was still disappointing to see Paul Kirk, the at least half a dozen Irish bishops who, the report says, lack of an agreed plan on how to administer these two temporary tenant of the Kennedy Senate seat, come out directly facilitated offending priests’ transfers time critical government offices. Another major roadblock looking for yet a further delay in the Cape Wind project after time over a number of years. to this final but pivotal piece of the Northern puzzle to put wind turbines out into Nantucket Sound. Maybe Bishop Donal Murray of Limerick, after stonewall- is who will be the new Minister of Justice? The only it was a personal Kennedy family request, or maybe, ing calls for his resignation, finally turned in his mitre nominee before closing the nominee selection process like his friend and former boss, he simply believes following a Vatican visit by the Archbishop of Dublin. was Margaret Richie, a SDLP minister in Stormont that they belong elsewhere. All four of the Democratic The Murphy report called Murray’s actions “inexcus- and a candidate also for SDLP leader. The most ac- primary candidates to the Kennedy seat, including able.” At deadline at least four additional bishops from ceptable candidate would be the Alliance Party’s winner Martha Coakley, support the plan. Dublin, Kildare, and Galway and possibly several more David Ford, but he has said repeatedly that he is The Cape Wind project is the most investigated wind were being mentioned publicly as likely to resign under not a candidate. farm in the world. Over the past eight years of scrutiny Vatican pressure. Devolution will, in any event, not take place by everyone from the Audubon Society to the Corps of Army One perspective on the dramatically different reac- McGuinness’s Christmas deadline. Maybe the New Engineers to environmentalists have signed off on it. tions of the Irish bishops and their American coun- Year will mean a dose of more light and less heat, and The gauntlet has been fierce and unrelenting, but Cape terparts might be the following quotes from Dublin Alliance could still end up running the justice minis- Wind still is battling. Just recently National Grid, one Archbishop Diarmuid Martin, a leader in the effort try if that’s what it takes to keep the power-sharing of New England’s largest energy suppliers, signed on to expose the abuse in Ireland, and retired New York government alive. Take a card! to be a purchaser for electricity from Cape Wind when Archbishop, Cardinal Edward Egan, answering One final note: McGuinness, the highest ranking and if it goes online. That was a resounding and timely questions about his stewardship in Bridgeport, Con- former IRA leader in the Northern Irish government, vote of confidence for the offshore project. necticut before coming to New York. was selected in the unionist Belfast Telegraph poll as RIP -- I never really knew Joe Tierney. What I heard Archbishop Martin: ‘The sexual abuse of a child is the most popular minister in the North’s government. about him, I liked, and it’s always comforting to see and always was a crime in civil law; it is and always He ran first at 27 percent, Peter Robinson polled a politicians who retain a good memory for where they was a crime in canon law; it is and always was griev- dismal 7 percent, and was also selected as the second came from. Back in the late 1980s and early 90s, I ran Page  January 2010 BOSTON IRISH Reporter Worldwide at www.bostonirish.com Family Memoir: The Corcorans of Dorchester It was a time of depression and want and get better if all Americans pulled in the same in Dorchester. Following are excerpts from a working (when work could be found) to scrape direction. Joseph E. Corcoran, with assistance chapter from the book, which author Corcoran up every cent to help the family cope. It was from his siblings, has written a memoir of entitled “Wasn’t That a Time! A Corcoran also a time of hope, a sense that things could those long ago days when he was growing up Family Memoir.”

IN 1939, THREE YEARS Claire: “Some of the nurses at after my father started work- St. Margaret’s Hospital would ing at St. Margaret’s Hospital, come to work at 11 a.m., and of we moved to a new house at 58 course in those days everyone Cushing Avenue on the corner used the subway or the train of Jerome and Cushing. It was or the trolley. So if Leo saw a just up the street from our old nurse coming up the Jerome three-decker on Rowell Street. Street hill who looked a little too Rowell ran perpendicular to pleased with herself, he would Cushing, which was the main say to Rusty, ‘Go ahead! Sic her! artery of Jones Hill. It began Sic her!’ And the dog would go at Upham’s Corner, ran up the leaping over the sidewalk to- hill and down, connecting to ward the poor nurse. Actually, Sawyer Avenue and heading Leo had Rusty well-trained so toward Savin Hill. the dog would stop on a dime The house had been be- before he actually reached the queathed to the hospital and was nurse, but you can imagine if now empty because the previous you were a young girl and this occupant, the driver/chauffeur, thing came running down the had retired. The hospital wanted hill at you!” to keep it for future expansion and needed a “house warmer.” Making Friends It was a large Victorian house Although moving from Rowell in need of paint on the outside. was a big transition in many Inside it was great – five bed- ways, in other ways it was rooms on the second floor, two seamless. Rowell Street was still on the third floor, beautiful wood the hub of our activity. We kept finishes, big dining room, sew- the same friends, though Mary, ing room, double living rooms Bernie, Frannie, and I made including a parlor on the first some new friends from Cush- floor, as well as front and back ing Avenue to add to our group. staircases. It was exactly what Mary’s friends from Cushing our family needed and beyond Avenue were Mary Lovett, Joan our wildest dreams. Dorsey, and Virginia Oswald. So we became part of the Victo- Leo and Jack’s friends were rian history of Jones Hill. While Jimmy, Mike, and Tommy the three-deckers on Rowell Buckley and Jack Gaquin from Street were built in the 1920s Rowell Street. When Jack and to satisfy the market for the Leo started hanging on the new working class families and corner of Trull and Hancock, a immigrant populations, Jones whole new set of friends entered Hill had been settled over a their circle, which numbered century earlier by Yankees who 40 kids. Jack and Leo would were leaving Boston’s downtown rattle off the entire 40 names neighborhoods for the more A Corcoran family gathering shortly after Theresa announced that she was leaving for Nova in a minute. A good number of Scotia and life as a Sister of Charity: Front row, from left: Theresa, Claire, Frannie, Joe, and rural sections of Dorchester, Jack. Back, Mary, Leo, Dad John and Mom Mary. them lived in the three-deckers then called the “Garden City.” that lined Hancock Street; some The Yankee families built large, of the others lived on the west gracious homes with servants’ expenditure, and I had to play side of Hancock in big single- quarters on the western slope the piano and she had to hear family houses. of Upham’s Corner. me run up the stairs. My family Among Theresa and Claire’s Upham’s Corner had become thought that was the funniest friends were Mary McDonald, a bustling commercial center thing in the world.” Mary O’Toole, and Mary Bra- with the advent of the railroad After we moved, I personally nigan. Bernie and Frannie in 1835, followed by the trolley had a period of adjustment. became good friends with Mary streetcars in 1856. In 1870, Theresa: “When we did move, and Margie Cotter, who lived on Dorchester was annexed to the Joe must have been three. The Jerome Street, a stone’s throw City of Boston. These milestone Goss family moved into our first away from our house. Berna- events set the stage for the then- floor flat at 19 Rowell. We got to dette’s other friends were Peggy predominant Yankee Protestant know them, because periodically McNamee and Anne McDonald population to be joined by “up- Joe would come back home from (Mary’s sister). Along with the and-coming” Roman Catholics. Rowell Street with a little bike Cotter girls, Frannie’s other It was this combination of Yan- or something else. And I would friends included Marlene Par- kees and Catholics who founded say, ‘Joe, that’s not your bike. tridge and Joan Keefe. Leo Gart- St. Mary’s Infant Asylum in It belongs to Bobby Goss.’ Joe land was our next door neighbor. 1872, and later, St. Margaret’s would say, ‘It was on my porch He was an only child and lived Hospital. down there!’ And we’d have to in a big Victorian house as well, By the time our triple-decker go back with the bike.” which he and his parents shared on Rowell Street was built, the My brother Leo loved dogs, with the Heckmans – his aunt, Yankee families were moving to but my mother always said we uncle, and their two children. I the nearby suburbs and many couldn’t have one because the spent a lot of time with Leo, as of the large Victorian houses on house at 19 Rowell Street was well as Jerry Del Bene, Donny Jones Hill had been converted too small. She promised Leo that Clifford, and Donny Cedrone. into multiple apartments. if we ever got a bigger house, Bobby Goss – interloper at my However, there was still a he could have a dog. When the former Rowell Street house contingent of Yankee families rumor spread that we might – ultimately became another who remained and were good move into the big house, Leo one of my friends, although he and friendly neighbors to us. arranged a deal with a woman and I continued to have a few So the immigrant Corcorans on Magnolia Street whose dog differences of opinion. One of backed their way into the “tony” had just had a litter of puppies. those arose over the “birds and section of Jones Hill, but that She agreed to save one for him bees.”One day when the five of us never dawned on us.We were because he was moving into a – Bobby, Jerry, Donny Clifford, just happy for the extra space. single-family house at last. Donny Cedrone, and I – were The new four-legged addition 11 or 12 years old, we were all Sisterly Reminiscences to the family was named Rusty. sitting on Cedrone’s front steps Theresa: “I remember Claire He was a marvelous mongrel and the subject of how babies and myself going up with my with ingredients of a cocker are made came up. Donny Clif- mother, looking through the spaniel, Irish setter, and Ger- ford and Jerry Del Bene had windows of 58 Cushing Avenue, man shepherd – a handsome heard that it required sexual thinking we might actually live dog with a beautiful, rust-col- intercourse between the father there.” ored coat. Of course, immedi- and mother, and they described Frannie: “It was wonderful. ately upon entering 58 Cushing, it graphically. At St. Peter’s School I had a Rusty did a complete tour, rac- I strongly disagreed and put girlfriend, Margaret Donlan. I ing through the house. the question to the group, “Can was telling her about our new Claire: “The first night in the you imagine your father doing house – that there was an up- new house was a little scary to that to your mother?” stairs and a downstairs and that us any way, and then this dog Bobby Goss told us he had I had a telephone and a piano. came leaping into the house, up proof: one night he wasn’t feel- She didn’t have a phone – many on the beds. It was just a big ing well and he went into his families still didn’t have phones puppy. We weren’t used to hav- John Corcoran and Mary Merrigan at their wedding in 1921 parents’ room and saw them in then. One day, she called me ing a dog. We didn’t even know were going to have to head back Leo had a lot of fun with Rusty, the act. Case closed. The rest from a pay phone with a dime, if we were going to be able to to the other house if the nuns who became an integral part of of our sex education followed which would have been a big stay the night. We thought we saw the dog!” our household. a similar pattern. The subject Worldwide at www.bostonirish.com January 2010 BOSTON IRISH Reporter Page 

My graduating class, one of three eighth grade classes, from St. Peter’s School. I am seated fourth from the right in the front row. wasn’t discussed by our parents Peter’s and all the dedicated or the nuns, and since our child- nuns who gave us a terrific hood predated television, there education. weren’t many clues. We were I also have great memories on our own. of all the kids. At a reunion in the 1990s, one of the guys had Mealtime, Talkingtime copies of photos of our eighth Our family always had supper grade class of 47 kids. I could together.We ate breakfast and name all but three, even though lunch in the kitchen because we I hadn’t seen half of them since wouldn’t all be there at once, but graduation. we always ate dinner together in the dining room. Every Sunday Theresa and Claire we had a big dinner around two Were Always a Team. or three in the afternoon. We Claire: “I think Theresa and I stayed at the table a good long were perhaps the biggest help to time discussing what we were my mother during those times doing socially; talking politics, as far as household chores. We religion, and school; and tell- always considered that the ing humorous tales about the three oldest were too big to do neighborhood. anything and the three youngest Claire: “Bernadette still has were too little, so that we were that dining room table today. happily in themiddle.Mama re- We had so many memories of ally didn’t ask for any help, you being around it we just couldn’t had to just give it yourself. If throw it out. We might have you saw the need, you filled in. spent a couple of hours at the Not that we were overworked, dinner table. We really did but that was just the way we discuss the affairs of state, looked at it.” whatever they were.” Even though they were joined Frances remembers one con- at the hip, Theresa and Claire versation about religion: “My were very different people. mother didn’t have the benefit of Theresa loved school and the a parochial school education, so Little ghost children can be seen on the lawn in this rendering of St. Mary’s Infant Asylum. academic challenge. Claire she didn’t have all the rules and loved school because there were regulations that we had. And building at night, after he fin- they, these girls?’ They didn’t my sled and I hit the iceman’s so many kids to meet and pal someone was talking about hell, ished work at the hospital. Jack come out and talk to us, although truck. I had to go in the hospital. around with. and she said, ‘Oh, there’s no hell, and Leo continued to work vari- they weren’t exactly hidden ei- I had a big cut in my head that no hell...’ And we said, ‘It says it ous jobs after school. As Theresa ther. I remember thinking that had to be stitched and they kept Sports and Home right in the Bible, Mum!’ and Claire got old enough, they they were having a nice time be- me in hospital for two nights. Ma and Dad were never keen “Of course, we had never read worked at Central Cleaners on cause somebody taught them all I must have had a concussion. on sports. As kids, Jack and the Bible, but she assumed we Hancock Street after school and how to knit and do other things I remember Jack coming in to Leo never had time for, or great had – she gave us credit for all during the summer. The rest of that would have interested me visit me. I remember the iceman interest in, sports. I was a huge kinds of knowledge because we us worked at St. Margaret’s as if I’d had the time or somebody coming in to visit me too, and I Red Sox and Boston Braves fan, were ‘educated.’ So she stopped soon as we turned 14. It was a who would teach me. felt bad for him. He was a very and I played sandlot baseball for a minute and then said, ‘Well, given that each of us had an ob- “Many of the girls had gone nice man, Mr. Simpson. “I also or football every chance I got. all right, then, maybe there is a ligation to work and bring home through a lot to hide the fact that remember the school nuns – the Dad didn’t approve because I hell. But there’s nobody in it.’ money. Jack and Leo would turn they were expecting. They had two nuns – were both going to often would neglect odd jobs “I do not remember arguing newspaper and other money told their mothers but nobody come and visit me. I hated my and my household chores, like at dinner – not that we didn’t over to Ma during the Depres- else. Some of them kept their first grade teacher and I dis- taking out the barrels on ash have our arguments, but never sion days, but in later years the babies. Most of them didn’t. liked my second grade teacher. barrel day. I did have a number atmealtimes. I always remem- money would stay in our hands Some ended up working at St. I remember pleading with my of part time jobs: cutting Mr. ber that was a happy, fun time to pay for our necessities – car Margaret’s and were our super- mother. Couldn’t she just tell Bradford’s lawn, putting out where everyone listened to fares, movies, or whatever. visors in the kitchen. Of course, them I had died? Then I would barrels for neighbors, setting everyone’s stories of whatever, I was an order boy for the First we didn’t know any of this when never have to go to school again. up pins at Nick’s Bowling Alley and somebody always had inter- National stores, putting grocery we were working there.” I had no idea that my mother on Columbia Road in Upham’s esting things that had happened orders in a big wheelbarrow/ Later on, we learned some of wanted me to go to school; I Corner, and then washing during the day. So mealtimes truck kind of thing and deliver- the girls remained and worked thought these nuns were the dishes at St. Margaret’s when were always a nice time. ing the groceries for all the old at St. Margaret’s for the rest of ones.” I turned 14. But every free mo- But my parents made us say ladies in the neighborhood. I’d their lives. They’d send part of The annual tuition was $2 ment I had, I’d be playing ball the Rosary after meals, as a put their orders in the truck and their paycheck to take care of per student to go to St. Peter’s at Howe Field or Rowell Street. family. I remember not being I’d pull the orders up Jerome their child and live on whatever School. If you had more than I don’t remember any member terribly excited with the Rosary. Street to Jones Hill.” income was remaining. two kids, the older one paid full of my family ever watching me That was a chore because we’d Leo tells me that, on his way tuition, but the others only had play ball, which didn’t bother be giggling and hitting one an- back down Jerome Street on the St. Peter’s School to pay half. Some kids didn’t me in the least – in fact, I never other and trying to create a little return trip to the First National, All our family and our gang of go to St. Peter’s because of the gave it a thought. trouble while we were praying. he’d pick me up and throw me in friends went to St. Peter’s School cost. I would be thinking, ‘Oh, maybe that empty truck and run like for the elementary grades. The The Mather School was As Good as It Gets they’ll forget tonight…’ hell down the hill. I’d be terri- girls’ classes were in Ronan Hall; the alternative public school. Growing up in Dorchester, “But the older kids seemed to fied, yelling, “Whoa! Stop! the boys’ classes were in a larger Our neighborhood was mostly in my mind, was as good as it be okay with it. Jack actually Stop!” and the more I’d holler, building on Bowdoin Street, as Catholic, so it was very unusual gets. I clearly remember being in used to get annoyed when the the faster he’d go. were the mixed classes with that you’d know a kid who went Park Street Station as a young phone would ring for someone. Leo always enjoyed doing the boys and girls. For some reason to the public school. But $2 was teenager waiting for a train to He thought we should not an- unexpected. It was hilarious I can’t remember, only Leo and a lot of money, so some parents Andrew Station. I was watch- swer the phone for the 10 or when someone elseas the victimf I ended up in the mixed classes. would send their kids to the ing these other kids across the 15 minutes it took to say the his pranks, but itas not so funny There were 45 to 50 children in Mather. Parochial school kids track boarding a train going in Rosary, but of course we were when it was me. each class, with three separate considered Mather School kids an opposite direction to places waiting and hoping the phone classes for each grade – in total, as somewhat inferior. like Arlington or Cambridge, was for us so we’d be able to St. Mary’s Asylum more than 1,000 kids. I remember with great fond- and sincerely feeling sorry for skip that family ritual.” Claire: “The boys served Mass The nuns at St. Peter’s were ness Sister Bernard Marie, them because they didn’t live in at St. Margaret’s Hospital, and big figures in our lives. Although Sister Joseph Bernadette, Sis- Dorchester. In my opinion, there Work, Always Work some mornings we would go to my memories are very positive ter Joseph Claire, Sister Helen just wasn’t a better place. Although my father now had Mass as well before work. At about the nuns, not everyone Therese, and many others who a job, it never paid well, so fam- that time, the young unwed feels the same way. There’s were kind to all the students. Excerpted from “Wasn’t That ily finances were still extremely mothers from St. Mary’s In- one story Frances tells that There were a few I was not fond a Time! A Corcoran Family tight. For a while Daddy went fant Asylum would wear black happened when she was about of, but being a good student and Memoir.” Copyright 2008 © by into downtown Boston to work smocks and attend Mass also. seven years old. a conformist in those days, I Joseph E. Corcoran. as a security guard for an office I just thought, ‘Well, who are Frances: “I was coasting on have positive memories of St. Page 10 January 2010 BOSTON IRISH Reporter Worldwide at www.bostonirish.com

Notes from the Irish Immigration Center

An agency accredited by US Department of Justice to 100 students or recently Please save the date. We’ll graduated students from be opening our doors at 100 Ireland arriving in the US Franklin Street, Lower 59 Temple Place, Suite 1010, Boston, MA 02111 in 2009, and living in cities Level One from 5 to 7 p.m. Telephone (617) 542-7654 Fax (617) 542-7655 all over the country. to say thanks to all those Website:iicenter.org Email: [email protected] Irish Immigration Cen- who have contributed to ter Celebrates the IIC’s continued effort “I’m surprised at how to support Boston’s immi- As we look back on 2009, nity. We look forward to depression, healthcare adopted country; parents many people I know here,” grant community. Enter the Irish Immigration continuing to serve the access, and homelessness. reunite with children; and said Tom Lee, during the the building from the side Center wishes the Boston immigrant community in We also partner with Ca- green card holders of many after-party of his first entrance at 60 Arch Street Irish Reporter and all its 2010. thedral Cares Ministries & years vote in the US for the Irish Immigration Center or 201 Devonshire Street. readers a Happy New T h e C o m m u n i t y CARE to hold free health first time as US citizens. Solas Awards Dinner. It Please RSVP to Janey at Year! Counseling Services clinics, including flu shots Our International was a sentiment shared by 617-542-7654, Ext 45, or at Irish Immigration unit provides counseling, and offer our Certified Programs Department many of the 960 guests who [email protected]. Center looks back on support, referrals, and Home Health Aid courses strives to broaden our reconnected with friends Join us at a free health its 20th year -- As the case management along to people seeking to work focus internationally and on a memorable night. screening in the New new year begins, we take with outreach, education, as caregivers. We serve strengthen the ties between Nearly 1000 local folk from Year! If you have any this time to look back at and consulting services more than 350 clients those here and in Ireland. Boston’s Irish Community questions call Danielle our services, programs, to Irish immigrants; both each year. This year we managed two crammed the ballroom of at 617-542-7654, Ext. 14, and events. The Irish Im- new and well established Our Community Coun- Wider Horizons programs. the Westin Copley Hotel to or by e-mail to dowen@ migration Center offers a Irish community members. seling Services help people Twenty young adults from celebrate twenty years of iicenter.org. Any and all diverse range of programs We counsel those who are like Cindy, who has had Newry and Dundalk par- IIC and to enjoy a dinner are welcome! for new immigrants, Irish experiencing issues such 20 years of experience in ticipated in the Clanrye fit for a president. Certified Home Health youth, and established as substance abuse, do- the elder care profession, Program; sixteen young The president of Ire- Aid Courses to begin in members of the commu- mestic violence, anxiety, but has never received adults and four commu- land, Mary McAleese, January – The Irish Im- her certification. Though nity leaders from Tyrone, was the 2009 Solas migration Center, in part- she also worked in the Donegal and surrounding award recipient and nership with CARE (“Cu- Immigration Q & A financial industry, she areas participated in the honored guest. Living up mann Áirigh, Runchara realized her true passion Tyrone Donegal Partner- to her to billing as an elo- Na hẾireann” or the Asso- was in patient care. She ship Program. The goal quent and moving orator, ciation of Irish Caregivers took the CARE & IIC’s of the program is that she delivered a keynote and Confidants) will be The Vaccination Home Health Aid course, participants will not only address that was alter- offering a series of certified gaining the confidence and improve their employment nately funny, emotional, home health aide courses for H1N1 Rumor certification she needed situation when they return personal, and powerful. beginning this month. to continue her work in home, but also foster mu- Taking the theme of “Two The six-week course will Q. I have heard that people coming to the United patient care. tual understanding about Shortens the Road,” an old provide instruction by a States from abroad will not be allowed to enter unless Immigration & Citi- their diverse backgrounds. Irish saying meaning that experienced Irish nurses they can show proof that they have been vaccinated zenship Services: Path Says program participant a journey is a lot shorter on how to care for patients for the swine flu, and that this may even apply to US to Citizenship offers Mickey McNally, “It was a when it’s shared, and the within their own home. citizens and permanent residents coming back from immigrants of all nations great learning experience. notion of “moving along a We are currently accepting foreign trips. Is this true? professional legal support, I taught math to adults bit and making room for names of people interested A. No. It is a completely unfounded rumor. There including consultations, and helped kids with someone else,” she spoke in these courses. We are is no such vaccination requirement for the swine flu case assistance, and full homework after school. as though addressing ev- aware that some folks (H1N1 virus), nor are there any plans to impose such representation. Each year, The internship was four eryone individually, and called earlier this year a requirement in the future. Apparently this rumor we consult with nearly a days a week. I loved it and delivered a message that to sign up for the Fall was widespread, as US Customs and Border Protection thousand immigrants from I would recommend it to resonated with immigrant 2009 classes, but we have recently issued a public announcement unequivocally more than 100 countries, anyone. Part of what made and native alike. had difficulty contacting denying it. and successfully guide my experience so great was And in November, the everyone on that list. If This is not to say that vaccination is not a good idea those seeking our services that the supervisors were IIC brought “Friends and you signed up for the fall for some people. Anyone interested in learning more through the process of unbelievable. Can’t thank Family” together again classes and have not heard about the current situation with the different strains of gaining legal status, re- them enough!” for its Fall Celebration. from either Danielle or flu present in the United States and elsewhere can go to uniting their families, and The J1 Summer Work Party-goers danced to the Nuriel, and you would like FLU.gov, the website that the US Department of Health completing their journey to and Travel program uplifting tunes of the Irish to join one of these courses and Human Services has devoted to this issue. U.S. Citizenship. In 2009, helped the IIC assist close band Erin’s Melody and in 2010, please call us as For a free, confidential consultation on this or any Immigration and Citi- to 200 students. Our Cyber raffle and auction winners soon as possible. Spaces other immigration issue, visit one of our clinics men- zenship Services helped Café connected Irish folks were thrilled with their are filling up fast and we tioned monthly in the Irish reporter. clients who lived undocu- like Shane Corcoran from prizes. would hate to have missed Disclaimer: These articles are published to inform mented in the US for years Co. Cork and Elaine Kerns IIC is delighted to have anyone who wanted to generally, not to advise in individual cases. Areas of law gain legal status and the from Co. Kerry. Both used moved our new offices in join us. Contact Danielle are rapidly changing. US Citizenship and Immigration ability to travel home IIC resources to find work Boston, a space that much Owen if you are interested Services and US Department of State regularly amend again; men and women and housing. The program, better suits our programs. at 617-542-7654, Ext. 14 regulations and alter processing and filing procedures. bring their fiancés from for which IIC is a sponsor- We look forward to welcom- or via e-mail to dowen@ For legal advice seek the assistance of an IIC immigra- abroad to marry; couples ing organization, has been ing you to our new home at iicenter.org. Any and all tion specialist or an immigration lawyer. stay together in their a great success, with close a reception on January 14. are welcome! Matters Of Substance

FOLEY LAW OFFICES, P.C. Replenish Our Hope Attorney John Philip Foley The IIC’s Community of Gold” has gone. sometimes makes us snap Counseling coordinator I meet and chat with at those we love, build re- Permanent Residency & Citizenship • Family & Business Danielle Owen provides people almost daily who sentment toward strang- Immigration • Labor Certification & Temporary Visas counseling, support, refer- have or are about to lose ers or organizations that ALL Nationalities & AILA Members rals, and case manage- their jobs, or those have seem to be doing well when ment along with outreach, finally found work after we aren’t. Sometimes that education, and consulting having been unemployed anger can become a ques- services to Irish immi- for many, many months. tion of who’s to blame: the grants; both new and Their experiences are very electric company agent on well established Irish similar. Fear, anger, des- the phone, your bank man- community members. We peration, and panic, are ager, your old boss, or your can assist you if you are ex- just some of the feelings friend who can’t hire you. periencing issues such as people have mentioned. You may look in the mirror substance abuse, domestic My friend reminded me: and just not recognize who Danielle Owen violence, anxiety, depres- “At least there was a time you’ve become. sion, healthcare access, when if things didn’t work If you’re reading this ing, phone calls and tough and homelessness. out here, we could still and recognize similar decisions. By Danielle Owen go home and try our luck feelings, please don’t give Whether you choose Last month, someone there! Not so anymore. yourself a hard time. It’s your partner, a close made a comment to me There are even fewer jobs all very normal. People friend or a professional about the title of my recent at home!” It’s hard to stay call me because they don’t counseling service, give column, “Doubting our Pot hopeful. Many wonder know what else to do. I yourself the chance to of Gold.” He said when he how they will keep get- can’t offer “ready-made” realize that you can find first began to read it he ting themselves up for solutions but people do the energy and hope you thought it was about the the job hunt day in and find that talking about need to keep moving for- economic problems folks day out, waiting for calls, these painful feelings can ward and find that life you are dealing with right going for interviews, and help. Talking allows these were looking for when you now. It got us talking and praying each day that it thoughts and feelings to moved here. Allow us to got me thinking. When we will be the day they find be heard and accepted for support you. moved to the US we came work. How do you choose what they are by another Call Danielle, in confi- to make our lives better, between paying bills and person who will just listen dence and without judg- move forward with a ca- buying groceries? How and won’t judge. It’s like ment, at the Irish Im- reer, make some decent do you deal with having unpacking them once a migration Center. Phone: money for our future to ask family and friends week gives you temporary 617-542-7654, Ext: 14 or home, or child’s college for help when it’s the last relief so that you can find send an e-mail to dowen@ fund. Whatever brought thing you ever imagined the energy to replenish iicenter.org or call The us, these days we are you would have to do? your heart with hope for Samaritans at 1-877-870- wondering where this “Pot The anger we carry the next day of job hunt- HOPE (4673). Worldwide at www.bostonirish.com January 2010 BOSTON IRISH Reporter Page 11 Wider Horizons Offers New Career Path for Irish Youth

By Katie Forberg their employment situ- Ireland and works in These programs can help the classroom. It can give his family and peers. Special to the BIR ation when they return health services in Done- disabled children paral- a child dignity by being Everyone deserves that,” home, but also foster gal. He is also a mentor lel an able-bodied kid in able to communicate to said Gates. When Maureen Gates mutual understanding to three other Wider received a phone call about their diverse back- Horizons participants asking if she would like grounds. and tries to open doors an intern from Ireland, Before she for each of their employ- she didn’t waste a mo- started the program, ments. ment to jump at the op- Catriona McEleney said “I’ve been discuss- portunity. Gates works she never expected to ing ways to promote the on the EagleEyes project be looking for a career program and have Ca- at the Boston College in health care. Back triona train people who Campus School and for home in Donegal she will be using them. We’re the past decade she has worked in construction, looking at non-profits helped develop technol- but soon found herself and health care facilities ogy for educational and unemployed. Through that can use it.” communication pur- the Wider Horizons pro- McClean said poses for students with gram, she spent the that they are being severe physical disabili- bulk of her time in Bos- realistic in the search ties. After visiting Cork ton assisting children and are keeping in mind City to implement the with very limited speech the economic climate technology in a school and physical abilities in Ireland. However, there, Gates thought it to communicate things in his own work he can would be beneficial to like what they want for see many applications try to strengthen that lunch or which computer for the program and relationship. game they would like to hopes that more schools Into the pic- play. And all this is done can get the technology. ture came Catriona, of through a computer. While anyone can learn Donegal. “I was thrilled The technology is called how to use the computer to work with Catriona CameraMouse and it al- programs, McEleney as I’ve been working lows the children to have has been trained to as- with people in Ireland full access to a computer sess the information to to get this technology in by just moving their maximize the potential schools, but the biggest heads or eyes. of each individual user. downfall is that I need “I thought this While the Camera people to help train system was incredible. Mouse and EagleEyes teachers and health I see these children’s technology is getting care professions to get lives changed every day. off the ground in many it started. I’m very con- I think that when I go countries throughout the fident in Catriona and home I will go to Health world, Gates sees great if she wants to, she can Systems and hospitals potential for the systems help spread this resource to promote the system in Ireland. While she across the country.” for Maureen,” McEleney works with children The Irish said. born with disabilities, Immigration Center’s During the the technology has been Wider Horizons pro- last week of McEleney’s used to help patients gram brings unemployed internship, her mentor, who have been paralyzed young adults of Unionist James McClean, visited by accidents or sick- and Nationalist tradi- Boston and the Boston nesses regain the ability tions from both the College Campus School to communicate. South and the North to to check her progress “To have it impact obtain work experience in the Wider Horizons your life, it needs to be a in the Boston area. The program. He is the Vice way of life. Catriona can Chocolate Gifts to Share hope is that participants Chair for the People with help make it a way of will not only improve Disabilities program in life for people in Ireland. • Handmade Chocolates • Hand Roasted • Beautiful Baskets Premium Nuts chocolate• Holiday Cookie Tins • Dazzling Gift Towers “Wet Day, Dingle” • Party Favors • Old Fashioned Fudge • Corporate Gifts Phillips Candy House fine chocolates since 1925

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Boston’s Own Hometown Irish Newspaper Worldwide at www.bostonirish.com January 2010 BOSTON IRISH Reporter Page 13 Boston irish Boston Irish Arts, Entertainment, Travel & More RSeaghaneporter McKay -- Projecting His Art, and Then Some

By R. J. Donovan creative . . . I can bring more to it to enhance the show. Special to The BIR BIR: Videos have been a part of rock concerts for a while. When did the transition come in legitimate theater? Seaghan McKay is a man of many talents. Born and SM: Folks like (Broadway’s) Wendell Harrington have raised on the Cape, he attended both Rensselaer been doing it for 15 years or so, but they’re the real Polytechnic Institute and Boston College. For the past pioneers. Now you’re starting to see it trickle down to decade he has been on staff at Brandeis University, the regional and local theater level. And educational where he designs multimedia content for the per- theater. It’s really the next big thing, and the theater forming arts, teaches computer drafting to graduate community is starting to grasp the [concept]. The union design students, and serves as Lighting Supervisor -- United Scenic Artists, which is the union that most in the university’s acclaimed theater department. professional designers belong to -- they have an orga- He owns his own company, Seaghan McKay Design, nizing campaign right now specifically for Projection and has lent his talents to the New England Spring Designers. A year or so ago, ‘Sunday In The Park with Flower Show, the American Repertory Theatre, and George’ was the first time you saw a Projection Designer Commonwealth Shakespeare Company, among others. co-nominated with a Scenic Designer [for] Best Scenic In addition to being an accomplished photographer, Design for the Tony Awards. It’s very interesting. he’s a competitive runner, a longtime member of the BIR: You first worked with SpeakEasy last season Somerville Road Runners, and has competed twice in on the much talked-about “Jerry Springer: The Op- the Boston Marathon. era.” Now you’re back to do “[title of show],” which At the moment, he’s designing projections for is described as a love letter to musical theater, SpeakEasy Stage Company’s production of the about two struggling writers writing a new musical Broadway musical, “[title of show],” opening Janu- about two struggling writers writing a new musical. ary 15 at the Calderwood Pavilion. We spoke Seaghan McKay: Unstoppable man SM: SpeakEasy is a breath of fresh air to work with. . recently during a break in his work day. What . [Artistic Director Paul Daigneault] gives me lots and follows is an edited version of our conversation. of study for Projection Design as a profession? lots of freedom. He contacted me in August, it was BIR: We’ve all heard of Lighting Designers in the SM: The thing is, there’s no place you can go to train quite early on, and he said, ‘I want to do this show and theater, but the job of Projection Designer seems specifically for theatrical projection design. The Yale I want projections to be a strong scenic element of it.’ to be more cutting edge. How did you get started? School of Drama only just announced an actual focus, BIR: What’s your vision for the design? SM: I sort of fell into it . . . People started wanting to so they’re the first ones who’ll be doing any sort of SM: We’re coming up with an alternative surface, like a put a little bit of video element (into their productions). graduate training. Everybody else is doing it relatively rear brick wall that’s whitewashed. The type of a thing Like a TV. They’d want this, or that. Or a projector. informally. (I’ve gone) to these little seminars here you see in so many old buildings where they just paint (When) we hired a New York designer (for a produc- or there . . . There were a lot of theatre people there, everything white including the radiators and all the con- tion at Brandeis) four or five years ago, I really saw but there were also people from A.V. companies and duits and all that -- years of paint build-up. That will be what it could be . . . I found that my photography, people from digital signage and what not. I go to ones a surface for lighting because it will have texture, and a video experience, and all those things that had been locally and I’m in the room with a lot of graphic artists surface for projections (with) different areas that projec- outside of my theatre work -- computer graphics and and people who do work for the web and advertising. tions can be mapped to. It’ll be a painting in and of itself. all that -- things I’d dabbled in -- I could bring them People don’t realize how much work can go into it. Some BIR: I have to ask about your first name. I into my theatre work. I guess that’s how it coalesced. people just put up a power-point presentation, and if that know that you and your siblings were all born BIR: Where it’s an evolving art, is there a course works for your show, that’s great. I try to be a little more (Continued on page 15)

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SBLI and The No Nonsense Life Insurance Company are registered trademarks of The Savings Bank Life Insurance Company of Massachusetts. © 2009 The Savings Bank Life Insurance Company of Massachusetts, Woburn, MA. All rights reserved. New England Patriots trademarks, including the Patriots logo, are the property of New England Patriots L.P., and are used pursuant to a licensing agreement with New England Patriots L.P. Page 14 January 2010 BOSTON IRISH Reporter Worldwide at www.bostonirish.com Newton-Kenya Exchange: Enriching Sounds of Music

By Sean Smith to give children the gift Special to the BIR of learning to express themselves through mu- It seems so natural, sic. If you have music in such an everyday event, your life, you can use it to says Lindsay O’Donovan, make yourself happy, and for an adult to share mu- to make others happy. No sic with a child, to sing matter what else hap- and dance together – as pens, no one can take that O’Donovan has, whether away from you.” with her own four chil- dren or the kids of rela- House Concert tives and friends. Feb. 6 But there are far too The benefit concert for many children in the One Home Many Hopes world who seldom, if ever, will be held at the home know the pleasure of shar- of Lindsay and Brian ing music, and O’Donovan O’Donovan in Newton on hopes to change that, even Sat., Feb. 6, at 8 p.m. Tick- if it’s just in a little corner ets are $45, and include a of Africa. lasagna dinner with wine This April, O’Donovan preceding the concert will bring her musical mis- at 6:30 p.m. Space is sion to One Home, Many limited. For reservations Hopes (OHMH), a home and information, e-mail for orphaned and aban- Lindsay O’Donovan at doned girls in Mtwapa, [email protected]. Kenya. The organization Long Time Courting’s provides not only shelter four members are all and care for the girls, accomplished musicians but also gives them an and singers who have education and – perhaps cultivated success and ac- most importantly – the claim well beyond Boston. support and motivation Shannon Heaton (flute, to be agents of change in whistle, accordion) is their community and help Children at the One Home Many Hopes program in Kenya. one-half of a popular duo with her guitar-playing end the cycle of poverty – all Boston area residents cause, exemplifies music’s is to give the children my tors and teachers in their and desperation. [The husband Matt. Liz Sim- – will be Long Time Court- power and place in the time, my attention, and country; they will be the mons (guitar) is a member organization’s website is ing, an all-female quartet community: a means to share the music I know and ones who can build their at ohmh.org] of the “alt-trad” quintet that combines impeccably unite, form a connection, learn music from them. nation and improve lives. Annalivia, which has In addition to spend- harmonized songs with and serve as a force for And I can tell them about In the short term, we can ing a month at OHMH, gained a following with stirring traditional Irish good. Music is not some- this concert, and that these help them have a normal its imaginative mix of Ap- O’Donovan and her fam- tunes, and Hanneke Cas- thing just to be listened to; Boston women are there childhood: a home, food, ily will host a concert palachian, Irish and Cape sel, who plays traditional, it makes things happen. for these Kenyan girls. school, and people to care Breton music; Ellery in their Newton home contemporary and original “Some who go to help out “It seems like a small about them, so that they on Feb. 6 to raise funds Klein (fiddle) is perhaps Scottish fiddle music. at One Home have special thing, and perhaps in the can grow up believing they best-known for her stint that will go toward the For O’Donovan, her in- skills, like carpenters, elec- great scheme, it is,” says can make a difference — as construction of a new, with the folk-rock band volvement with OHMH, tricians, or teachers,” says O’Donovan. “But if one others made a difference Gaelic Storm; Ariel Fried- improved house for the and the willingness of local O’Donovan. “I am not any kid thinks someone loves for them. girls. The performers man (cello) has performed musicians to support the of those. But what I can do them enough to sing and “We’re very happy that with Hanneke Cassel, dance with them, talk with Lindsay will be coming to Lissa Schneckenburge,r them, listen to them, they One Home Many Hopes, and Childsplay (as has can carry that with them sharing the gift of music Heaton), among others, – and maybe it will help and using it to help build as well as her sister Mia. empower that child to help community. After all, [See longtimecourting. others. And if you do the how many generations of com] same with other children Irish have sat around and Hanneke Cassel, a for- in need, who knows what enjoyed music together? mer US National Scottish can happen?” Music is such a founda- Fiddling Champion, is That is precisely the tion for so many of us, we widely viewed as one of message One Home Many often take it for granted. the best performers, com- Hopes is built on, says To the girls, music is very posers, and innovators in OHMH founder Thomas powerful, very important, the Scottish fiddle style. Keown, a native of County and they love having the She has given concerts Down now living in the opportunity to enjoy it and taught across North Boston area. In a world with someone.” America, Europe, New full of desperation and Music has been a signifi- Zealand, Australia, and want, reaching out to a cant part of O’Donovan’s China, and in addition few dozen girls in Africa life, too, not only inside but to her own band has ap- may seem like the small- outside home: A pianist peared with Childsplay, est of steps up the tallest and vocalist, she has taken Cherish the Ladies, Alas- and steepest of mountains. part in many performanc- dair Fraser and The Way- But to do is an affirmation, es, notably with “Christ- faring Strangers, as well he explains, and a way mas Celtic Sojourn” — the as Joey McIntyre (New to personalize the act of creation of her husband Kids on the Block). She giving. Brian, host of WGBH’s has played on numerous “When we watch the “A Celtic Sojourn” — and albums and released sev- news and hear about has supported, formally eral of her own, including people who are living in and informally, countless her newest, “For Reasons need, it’s easy for us to feel musical endeavors. Unseen.” numb — it’s all too big, too O’Donovan will bring Cassel will be spending far away for us to imagine,” along brand new recorders a week with O’Donovan at says Keown, who founded — contributed through the One Home Many Hopes. the organization after a All Newton Music School “I’ve played at orphanag- 2007 trip to Kenya during — which she plans to teach es in China, and meeting which he met the journal- the children to play. In ad- the children and hear- ist Anthony Mulongo, who dition, she is arranging for ing their stories really started the orphanage a keyboard donated by her changed my perspective with his own time and four children to be shipped – my whole life,” she says. resources. to the home, providing “Nobody can solve the “When you see the situa- another musical resource world’s problems on their tion first-hand, as I did, the for the girls. own. But when you make feeling is very different. I But O’Donovan reiter- that connection to a child look at it this way: If my ates that this will be a who needs to know some- friends in Boston saw a mutual learning experi- body cares about him or child who was starving, or ence: She expects to get her, you are changing that who was being taken away an education herself. “I am child’s life.” by someone to be abused taking manuscript paper If you cannot attend or exploited, they’d want along so I can write down the house concert but to help. Being an orphan their music and bring it would like to contrib- is tough enough, but in home to learn,” she says. ute to One Home Many Kenya orphans tend to be “Who knows — maybe Hopes, you may make an stigmatized and marginal- I can teach it to some of online donation at ohmh. ized from society. our musician friends and org, or send a check to: “So how can the help we can record the songs to Lindsay O’Donovan; 58 we offer do any good? In send back to them. Adella Ave., Newton, MA the long term, these kids “I just think one of the 02465. will be the lawyers, doc- best things you can do is Worldwide at www.bostonirish.com January 2010 BOSTON IRISH Reporter Page 15 The 7th BCMFest Is Upon Us With a Back-to-Basics Theme

A column of news and updates of the Boston Celtic Music Fest (BCMFest), which celebrates the Boston area’s rich heritage of Irish, Scottish, and Cape Breton music and dance with a grassroots, musician-run, win- ter music festival and other events during the year. — Sean Smith

IT’S TIME -- The 7th annual BCMFest is all set to go, with a weekend full of music and dance showcasing some of Boston’s best performers in the Irish, Scottish, Cape Breton, and other Celtic-related traditions. The festival, which runs January 8 and 9, will take place in Harvard Square with events at Club Passim and nearby First Church, and at Springstep in Medford. This year’s festival has a back-to-basics theme, with a spe- cial emphasis on musicians, singers, and dancers who keep the “core traditions” alive. BCMFest’s grand finale concert on Jan. 9 (8 p.m. in First Church) will feature tributes to some of Celtic music’s most beloved and influential figures — all with ties to Boston or New England — including Liam Clancy, Tommy Makem, Jerry Holland, Seamus Connolly, Tony Cuffe, Marianne Taylor, and John Campbell. Among the performers appearing this year are the Makem and Spain Brothers; Kimberley Fraser; The Gobshites; Liam Hart; Tina Lech and Ted Davis; Tri; Flynn Cohen and John McGann; David O’Docherty; Sean and John Connor; Colm O’Brien; Kate Chadbourne; Michael O’Leary; Calum Pasqua and Susie Petrov; the band Bento Boxty with lead singer Bridget Fitzgerald; Re- gina Delaney and the New England Harp Orchestra; Highland Dance Boston; Barbara and Robert McOwen; Tullochgorum; Laura Cortese and the Boston Urban Ceilidh Band; the Boston Scottish Fiddle Club; Trio 7 (Sarah Blair, Flynn Cohen and Mark Roberts); Anne Hooper; the trio of Laurel Martin, Kieran Jordan The Gobshites (from their Facebook page) and David Surette; Travel (with Laura Cortese, Nic Gareiss and Anna Lindblad); Gordon Aucoin and 1930s to 1950s; a salute to groups and individuals who For those who like to do more than watch and listen, BC- Lloyd Carr; Cedar Stanistreet and Max Newman; promote, teach, and encourage music traditions in the MFest has several opportunities for participation: the Boston Feargal Ó Béarra; Wells Burrell; Jane Gilmartin; community; “The Fiddler’s Wish,” a family-oriented Urban Ceilidh, an evening of Irish, Scottish and Cape Breton and Framingband.. story told with songs and music; a “Music Make-over” social dances set to a rocking, high-energy beat; a Scottish As always, BCMFest offers special events: a perfor- session in which a panel of experts will give perform- music session led by Barbara and Robert McOwen; a singing mance by a one-of-its-kind ensemble that will evoke ers advice on improving their sound; and “BCMFest session; and an open Irish music session. Boston’s classic Dudley Street Dance Hall Era of the Yellow Submarine,” with Beatles’ songs done in a Information about tickets, schedules and performers “Celtic” style. is available at bcmfest.com. Seaghan McKay -- Projecting His Art, and Then Some (Continued from page 15) When I was 17 I found the book my mother had used, anyone’s going to skip over. Or spell easily, I suspect. here, but you all have distinctly Irish names. Irish Baby Names, on the shelf. In it I found the al- SM: When I spell my name for people, I say ‘S SM: My mother named me and my four sisters, ternate spelling -- Seaghan . . . I took that spelling - E - A. Stop. G.’ and they look at me funny like, Sean, Mairead, Caitlin, Eilis, and Breda . . . You get on . . . When you’re 17 or 18 years old, you feel like ‘What?’ (Laughs) Now most people, I let them to kindergarten and the first person calls you ‘Sean, you need to be an individual . . . When I went to col- get away without the little fada over the first ‘E.’ Sean, The Leprechaun’ . . . People had heard of Sean, lege, that’s how I spelled my name. Anybody that I but they spelled it like ‘Shaun Cassidy’ back then. met from then on, that’s how they spelled my name. “[title of show],” January 15 - February 13, Speak- But my sisters, my God. People spent years trying I think my mother was the last one to cross over. Easy Stage Company, Calderwood Pavilion at to figure out how to pronounce my sisters’ names. BIR: It stands out in a Playbill. Clearly, it’s not a name the Boston Center for the Arts. 617-933-8600.

Page 16 January 2010 BOSTON IRISH Reporter Worldwide at www.bostonirish.com

BIR Music a Scots march combined with two Cape Breton strath- speys – and open to alternative or innovative ways of We Considered playing, such as when she and Dan retune their fiddles to AEAE for “St. Patrick’s Day,” giving a resonate feel CD Roundup to this popular set dance. Collins is ably supported by multi-instrumentalist It Very Cold Gabriel Donohue, who serves as producer in addition By Sean Smith to providing rhythm via guitar, bouzouki, keyboards, various percussion and other electronic effects. Person- Kathleen Collins, “My Book of Songs” -- Richard ally, I could do without some of the so-called “virtual” Nixon was president, Elvis was still alive (and still is, pipes and cello on a few of the tracks – really makes of course, if the supermarket tabloids are right), and it sound rather cheesy – but for the most part he does the Red Sox were only 55 years removed from their last very well in putting Collins front and center. Let’s hope championship when Kathleen Collins made her record- her third album isn’t quite so long in coming. ing debut on Shanachie in 1973. Her “Traditional Music of Ireland” became a milestone in Irish music, both for Orla Fallon, “Distant Shore” -- Orla Fallon, a its repertoire and for Collins’s unique fiddling, a blend Wicklow-born singer/harpist who has recorded with of the ornate, lively Sligo style with the more laid-back Clannad and Anuna, is probably best known for being East Galway part of the uber-popular stage show and perennial PBS i n f l u e n c e re-run “Celtic Woman” – which may or may not be an – character- asset to her credentials, depending on your tastes. So, istics which not surprisingly, “Distant Shore,” her second solo album, helped her is in much the same territory: that ethereal region of become the romantic, soft pop-rock and sort-of Irish, with the oc- first Ameri- casional fiddle, tin whistle or harp to add a modicum Christmas Day 2009, Letterkenny, County Donegal. can woman to of “traditional” sound. Photo by Tom Ferrie win a senior Still, there’s no denying Fallon can sing, and producers All-Ireland Eoghan O’Neill (formerly of “Moving Hearts” and one- – 4.2C (24.5F) at mid- time musical director of “Riverdance”) and Dan Shea By Liam Ferrie championship The Irish Emigrant night. Being close to the and the pres- – he has worked for Mariah Carey, Carlos Santana, and sea we don’t experience Celine Dion, among others -- at least don’t throw an or- tigious Fid- the extremes of inland chestra or string section on every track of the album. The GALWAY –While parts dler of Dooney of Europe experienced locations, one of which on competition title track is actually quite a lovely bit of winsome fluff, driven main- temperatures as low a the same night reported as well. -33C, here in Ireland -11C. More than ly by guitar and bouzou- around Christmas it fell a quarter-century later, much of which she devoted to -11C which is colder Throughout the week to Irish dancing, Collins has made a welcome return ki. “Dancing in the Moon- than we experience most the forecasters assured to recording, with 14 tracks worth of tunes from a years. With the cold came us that over the course variety of sources and origins: from the likes of Paddy light” bears icy roads, freezing fog, of Christmas Day a thaw Killoran and Paddy Sweeney, to Seamus Connolly, to absolutely no resemblance and snowfalls which gave would set in, starting from Eleanor and Jimmy Neary, to her own family roots the west. On schedule it – notably fiddle-playing brother Dan, who appears to the classic some parts of the country rock hit of yore, a white Christmas. rained while we were at on several occasions (as does her nephew, Will, who 9:30 Mass on Christmas plays whistle) during the CD. but is similar- While the ten-day cold ly easy on the snap came to an end on morning. Unfortunately Collins’s fine touch is evident from the get-go, starting as soon as the rain hit the off with the song air “The Harp That Once Through ears. Christmas Day it caused F o r t h e considerable problems for ground it froze, creating Tara’s Halls” (sung for “The Moon Behind the Hill” treacherous driving con- by her father), and followed by a trio of jigs, including a f o r e m e n - motorists and bus opera- ditions, and it took us an the powerful “Jackie Roche’s Favorite,” popularized tioned Irish tors for a number of days. hour and ten minutes to by the New York-born fiddler and dance band leader. authenticity, The real cold weather ar- The set of hornpipes, “Eleanor Neary’s/The Harp and Fallon does a genial, sprightly version of “Bean An Ti rived the previous week- retrace the journey which Shamrock,” is another thing of beauty, Collins taking (Woman of the House),” and displays her harp talents end and it was on Sunday had taken five minutes her ease with the melodies and plumbing them for on a medley of “Eleanor Plunkett/Trip to Shanbally the 20th that northern a short time earlier. As their full rhythmic capabilities. and Michael O’Dwyer,” with a tasteful, restrained ac- parts experienced their the day progressed it did Collins also shows herself to be versatile -- including companiment of guitar, fiddle, and bodhran. Her ren- first serious snow fall of thaw and the roads again dition of Stephen Foster’s the winter. became driveable with “Hard Times” is muted but Derry and the two Bel- some care. respectful, with a string fast Airports were the Other parts of the coun- quartet backing to give only ones to close for a try had a real white it a 19th-century parlor period as a result of the Christmas. Donegal was flavor. snow but other airports already white and expe- But then there’s the experienced delays due to rienced further snowfalls full-blown, unmitigated weather problems in the during the day. The same schmaltz of “Always There” U.S., Britain and Europe. was true for other parts of and “My Waking World,” Bus Éireann reported the North. and you start fumbling for almost daily on cancelled Although the thaw set the “eject” button. That’s services due to icy roads, in temperatures contin- when it’s apparent that with routes in Cork and ued colder than usual “Distant Shore” is a truly Kerry seeming to be worst for the time of year and lighter-than-air affair, in affected. icy patches remained on need of some more solid stretches of roads that ground. Here in Galway city we escaped the snow but the sun failed to reach. the heavy frosts failed to We did not, however, clear during the days so have to scrape ice from it looked very much like the car on Saturday and a white Christmas when Sunday. The frost is ex- we looked out on Christ- pected to return and New bostonirish. mas morning. Christmas Year travelers were being Eve brought the lowest warned of dangerous road com temperatures I recorded conditions.

GERARD’S ADAMS CORNER 772 - 776 Adams Street Dorchester, MA 02124 617-282-6370 Worldwide at www.bostonirish.com January 2010 BOSTON IRISH Reporter Page 17 Sports Commentary Of Center Field, a Darkened Dog Track, and Golf’s Tiger

By Tom Mulvoy Adrian Gonzalez of the San Diego Padres of the were the 1980s, heyday years in the life of the track. Reporter Staff National League, who bats left and throws left and And the crowds had been just as large earlier in the who last season hit 40 home runs and knocked in 99 day for the afternoon card. “No,” he said, “no wake. Baseball has long carried the day when it comes to and who has, over the last six seasons, averaged 32 Things change, time to move on and deal with what’s locutions that insiders and true fans use as a second home runs and 98 RBIs with San Diego. The question ahead.” Which he hopes will be slot machines to go language — the hot corner, a can of corn, the cycle, is, of course, what will it cost the Sox to get him in with his simulcast racing cards. suicide squeeze, ribbie, Ks, the nickel curve, and a trade? Hot Stovers can quickly get up a head of Lots of things – some cultural, some financial, some the slider, to name just a few. Then there’s the Hot steam on this one and one name being tossed about generational – combined over the last 15 years or so Stove League, which for me conjures up a long-ago as one of several who might find themselves in San to shut off the lights and to silence the dogs in full scene in an up-country general store where fans Diego in 2010 is Jacoby Ellsbury, the fleet-footed chase at the Raynham oval. But George Carney’s gathered around the warm central stove to swap (70 stolen bases last season, a Red Sox record) and mind is still hard at work thinking about tomorrow baseball stories and promote a trade or two for the highly competent centerfielder who played 153 games and the next day and the day after that. It’s how he off-season. and batted .301 this past year. operates, as friend and foe alike know oh so well. It’s a quaint notion, of course, in this 21st century. I h a v e b e e n Why sit around a store when you can call a sports watching the Red A Tiger Who Had Us All Fooled talk show or just sit down at your computer and Sox with interest There have been billions of words typed since the send your thoughts into the blogosphere? What since about 1950 day after Thanksgiving when a noted professional once was a lot of private gabfests among friends when I was sev- golfer rammed his SUV into a hydrant and a tree anxious for the next season to begin has become a en years old and outside his home in Florida. Few of them have con- 24/7 verbal and oral fusillade with no limits on the looking back over tained any purchase of charity toward Tiger Woods. creative and nonsense meters. that time I can The jury wasn’t out long; the verdict is guilty on two Over the past few weeks in Boston, where sports think of just three counts — tossing his wife and two children aside to talk is non-stop, the state of the Red Sox, who are centerfielders who lead the reckless life of a cross-country tomcat, and in the middle of a five-month layoff, was on many for me brought a living a lie in front of family, friends (some surely days the main focus of caller interest. The obsession dash of something were not unaware of the lustful side of their hero), that fans, and some of the radio hosts, have with any special to the posi- and fans of his golfing ways and means. comparison of the relative merits of the Red Sox vs. tion: Dom DiMag- The words and pictures over just a few news cycles the Yankees – the players, the payrolls, the front gio, Fred Lynn, and diminished at the speed of light the standing in the offices – is remarkable for its depth, its passion, Ellsbury. While world of the once-magisterial and stand-offish Tiger and especially its presumption that fans and hosts Red Sox report- Woods the Man. He was now a cartoon character have equal standing with team executives when it George Carney ers like the Globe’s for the tabloids and OhMyGosh websites to make comes to evaluating talent and pay scales and trade Nick Cafardo and WEEI’s Sean McAdam think it fun of. But the status of the still-magisterial Tiger realities. I think the notion of fans instructing team doubtful that Ellsbury will be traded, that he has Woods the Golfer remains in abeyance until he officials in the art of salary managing is relatively earned his right to the position, with the Red Sox comes out of his penitential state and says or does new; that was what general managers did quietly you never know. something. to little media notice until salaries and salary caps Those of us who treasure the game of golf for became public information. But telling management The Curtain Falls in Raynham all its merits — among them its difficulty and its what players to play and where and what players Late last Saturday night, eight greyhounds lurched straightforward challenges (it’s about you and the to trade off is a notion as old as the game itself, and out of the starting gate at the dog track in Raynham ball and the ground and the sand and the hole), its a good thing to boot. and into the lighted oval for one last chase of the rules and its dependence on the trustworthiness of As I type this, Red Sox fans who are Yankee hat- faux rabbit Rusty. This was the last live race for the its players to follow them diligently and call pen- ers can think of nothing else but the need to replace track, which has now shut down in conforming to alties on themselves, the five-mile walk outdoors power hitter Jason Bay with another power hitter the law banning greyhound racing that was passed while having fun, the camaraderie that attends (unless Bay re-signs with Boston). All attention by Bay State citizens in 2008. There still will be fun matches among friends — also treasured Tiger seems to be focused on 27-year-old first baseman betting possibilities there this year, but they will be Woods the Golfer, who until six weeks ago had on races (dogs, horses, trotters) run in other states consistently performed extraordinary feats with a and televised back to Raynham. golf club in his hands from the time when he was The story of Raynham extends back almost 70 just a few years old. He, like just a few others in the Subscribe Today! years to a time when boys like the 14-year-old annals of sport, is a sublime artist who happens to to the Boston Irish Reporter George Carney could get a nice-paying job leading be a competitor on the side. greyhounds out onto the track and lining them up I hold no respect for the tomcat in the man. He Call for the next race. Now a sturdy octogenarian with and his wife, if she is willing, have to deal with the lots of fire left in his belly, Carney is the longtime shipwreck of his personal life. But I can’t shake the 617-436-1222 operator of the Brockton Fair who took over the suspicion that his gifts for playing on the greensward track and related facilities in 1966. “Was Saturday have been compromised to a great degree. Then night like an Irish wake?” he was asked as he looked again, maybe we’ll soon be seeing Tiger Woods the around Saturday evening and saw his clubhouse New Man merging positively with Tiger Woods the HELP WANTED facility swarming with friends and bettors as if it Golfer.

Fun loving couple with grown children is seeking an experienced house manager/chef to oversee and maintain a Chicago Gold Coast brownstone, North shore family home eraghty and Colorado ski retreat. Responsibilities G include the hiring, developing and managing of household staffs for all residences, ssociates preparing family meals and managing an active entertaining schedule. This is a newly A created position with a flexible 2010 start date. Qualified candidates need to have a solid work Studio and 1-Bedroom Apartments Available history in private residences with evidence in the desirable Cedar Grove section of Dorchester. of longevity. There will be occasional travel. Successful applicants will be able to handle Studios reasonably priced at $750.00; multiple priorities and have a real zest for life! Standard executive benefit package including 1-bedroom units at $925.00; relocation allowance. This is a live off property heat and hot water included. position with a salary potential up to $150K. Please email a resume to [email protected]. Short walk to the Red Line. Free off-street Parking. Washing Machines and Dryers in building. LEARN – TO – SKATE CLASSES RECREATIONAL • FIGURE • HOCKEY SKATING SKILLS Call Michael at 617.364.4000 1 CHILDREN (4 /2 up) & ADULTS Cambridge BAY STATE SKATING SCHOOL Clev. Cir./Brookline Hyde Park/Dedham Over Medford Winter 40 Years! Geraghty Associates, Inc. Series Newton/Brighton Quincy Somerville Property managers South Boston Waltham P.O. Box 52, Readville, MA 02137-0052 781-890-8480 West Roxbury www.baystateskatingschool.org Weymouth Tel: 617-364-4000 Fax: 617-364-3157 Page 18 January 2010 BOSTON IRISH Reporter Worldwide at www.bostonirish.com Traveling People Herewith a Hardly Complete of My Ireland Favorites

(Continued from page 1) of these devil-may- care Irish singers from home and you’d never their small-town begin- know you were so close to a nings in County Tipper- major European airport. ary. And, our favorite car Suggested Visits rental company without Before you head for a doubt is Dooley, which folk hey-day of Green- can be more expensive wich Village in the Six- than some of the others ties where they absorbed but the cars are always black musical influences, top-notch and, if there ís played for JFK and out- a problem, they’re right sold the Beatles. there to help. “The Clancy Brothers Once we get to Ireland, and Tommy Makem would we enjoy the numerous go on to influence a host attractions and events of popular artists from -- country fairs like Bob Dylan and Pete Maam Cross in Conne- Seeger to The Pogues, and mara and the Ballinasloe become a powerful iconic Horse Fair in Co. Galway, presence on the Irish cul- The Donkey Sanctuary tural map. in Co. Cork, the many “Many myths and leg- museums of all sorts ends have grown up around in the cities and coun- The Clancy Brothers, but tryside (personal the legend of Liam Clan- favorites include the Mu- cy, the youngest, is per- haps the most potent of all. Drawing on un- seen and behind-the- scenes footage of the band at their height as well as on Clancy’s own per- sonal archive, the film Cars, trucks and visitors stretch across the Connemara landscape as far as the eye can see during the is a compelling look annual Maam Cross fall fair. (Judy Enright photo) at an iconic and influ- ential life lived to the Black-faced lamb in Co. full.” Mayo. Liam also figured in (Judy Enright photo) Martin Scorsese’s docu- mentary study of Bob Dylan, “No Direction seum of Country Life Home.” Liam will be in Mayo and the Hunt missedIreland, be sure to Museum in Limerick), take a tour through the music and theatre, es- Tourism Ireland web- pecially in Dublin, site (discoverireland.com) nightlife, sports of all for information on all kinds, magnificent gar- aspects of your trip. The dens in season. website is kept very Really, what more could up-to-date and lists you ask from a vaca- all kinds of events as well tion destination? Ireland as suggested activities. has it all. W e o f t e n a d v i s e Of Liam Clancy friends heading for Ire- Most readers no doubt land to do something felt as sad as we did different. Have you ever about the death of Liam Burren walls are built without the benefit of mortar and have stood the test of time. visited Northern Ire- (Judy Enright photo) Clancy. We always en- land, for instance? It ís joyed the Clancy Broth- wonderful, has many ers, especially Liam. He great attractions, wide of the whiskey-making luce Castle, and the As pointed out on the His family church still was perhaps the most and well-maintained roads process. While you’re cities of Belfast and website, “Loughcrew stands in Loughcrew gifted member of the and, if there ís any in- in the area, be sure to Londonderry. is rich in historical, and is the focus of de- group in many ways and, convenience, it ís that stop for a meal and, if While you’re in the archaeological, reli- votion to him. The when he left for a solo the North uses the you can, spend a night area, be sure to stop gious, and natural in- oldest part of the church career in 1973, his English pound sterling or two at the nearby, in at the St. Patrick terest. One of ancient building was former- presence was missed. as currency and not euro. award-winning Bush- Centre in Downpatrick, Ireland’s major roads pass- ly a Tower House, the Interestingly, Liam But pounds are easily mills Inn Hotel, which Co. Down, to learn more es through Loughcrew, seat of the Plunketts is the subject of Alan o b t a i n e d i n A T M s features turf fires, oil about Ireland’s patron crossing the great until Sir William Petty Gilsenanís’s recently- and banks there. lamps, and a Victori- s a i n t . I e s p e c i a l l y Road of the Chariots near- installed his brother- released feature docu- Every traveler has dif- an bar that is still lit liked their gift shop, by. Lakes abound and the in-law, William Naper, in mentary, “The Yellow f e r e n t i n t e r e s t s o f by gas light. Food in which had the most drumlins are topped about 1655.” Bittern, the Life and Times course, but some of the the restaurant there is interesting and different with innumerable motte Travel of Liam Clancy.” And places that we’ve enjoyed outstanding and the bed- inventory. and bailey forts. The If you received a trip Liam and his wife, in the North have in- rooms are superb. And, if you’re looking Loughcrew Cairns (pre- to Ireland for Christ- Kim, were there at the cluded: There are many attrac- for comfortable accom- historic passage graves), mas, you are indeed very opening, so he did get to •The Bushmills Dis- tions along the Causeway modation in the area, some 5,000 years old, fortunate. To find out see it. tillery in Co. Antrim: At Coast to intrigue all have a meal and spend are perhaps the oldest what’s going on in Ire- The film, according to 400-plus years old, this ages, including the Gi- a night at the Lon- calendar known, and land when you plan to the website (liamclan- is Ireland’s oldest distillery antís Causeway, Carrick- donderry Arms Hotel in may even be the world’s visit, go to discoverireland. cyfilm.com), “charts the and a fascinating place a-rede rope bridge (my Carnlough Bay down the oldest existing dwell- com. Ireland is a great remarkable rise to fame in which to take a tour kids loved it), Dun- coast. Carnlough Bay is ings. place to travel in and there a charming, unspoiled “The heartland of are numerous companies small town with a love- Loughcrew belonged to from whom you can choose ly harbor and interest- the Plunkett family. Saint if you want to relax on a ing arch that spans the Oliver Plunkett, Ire- bus tour -- or rent a car main street. land’s most recent saint, and drive. It ís a wee bit •Another different was born and reared daunting to drive on the and fascinating expe- here. His heroic defense left at first, but you get rience is to visit the of the faith as Arch- used to it pretty fast. prehistoric passage graves bishop of Armagh led to Whenever you de- at Loughcrew in Co. his martyrdom and re- cide to visit Ireland, Meath (loughcrew.com). cent (1975) canonization. be sure to stop by your favorite travel agent Billy Higgins 617-201-6077 for recommendations or visit the Aer Lingus website (aerlingus. com) for the latest in direct flights and ground deals. Flights and accom- modation specials are Large Format Printing also available from US Airways (usairways. Billboards • Banners com) and other airlines. We hope all our readers 1022 Morrissey Boulevard, Dorchester had a wonderful holiday 617-282-2100 season and will enjoy southillchildrensfund.com health and happiness in carrolladvertising.com 2010. Worldwide at www.bostonirish.com January 2010 BOSTON IRISH Reporter Page 19 Thirty-Two Counties

Antrim: A relic of St. Patrick Darina Allen. The turkeys were thirty evacuees staying in Jurys that inspired the parish priest bought at seven weeks from Con Inn in the city as the flooding of Derriaghy to undertake reno- Chawke and are kept in a cor- ran wild. Ava was carried from vations to his church has now rugated shed with outdoor run the house by a rescue worker been returned to Downpatrick, built by the students. They will and since the Kirwans left, her where the saint is reputed to also donate one of the mature father Tony returned at regular be buried. What is believed to birds to the local chapter of the intervals day and night to check be the jawbone of St. Patrick, St. Vincent de Paul Society. on the house. contained within a silver shrine, Derry: Eight-year-old Chloe Longford: Four girls from was brought to the parish of Der- McCourt, who was staying with Ballinalee not only won tickets riaghy in the eighteenth century her grandparents, Brian and to attend the X Factor show in and it is said that the priest who Sandra Aiken, in their home London last week, they were built the first chapel at Derri- in Sutton Gardens in the Wa- also chosen to appear on the aghy was given one of the teeth terside area of Derry city, was Xtra Factor panel debate fol- from the jawbone to place under responsible last month for sav- lowing the show. Clare Farrell the altar. Now Father Feargal ing the lives of an elderly couple. and Paula Lane won the tickets McGrady has ensured that the When the Bunscoil Cholmcille and they were accompanied by relic in its shrine is kept safely pupil opened the curtains of their sisters, Pauline Farrell in Downpatrick, at the Down her grandparents’ house early and Claire Lane. While wait- County Museum, and his newly one morning she saw that the ing in the queue to enter the renovated St. Patrick’s Church house of Dermot and Teresa theatre they were approached will have its solemn reopening Kelly was on fire, and alerted by the producers to take part early in December. her grandparents. They in turn in the panel debate. Clare be- Armagh: The old linen fac- called the fire brigade and, with lieves it was their Irish accents tory beside the River Bann in other neighbors, worked to con- that drew the attention of the Portadown is to be demolished trol the fire until the fire service producers, as it tied in with the to make way for a riverside park arrived. They also alerted the “Jedward” phenomenon. and more than 150 new homes. elderly couple who were safely Louth: Twenty years ago The Hamilton Robb factory was evacuated from the burning Kevin Woods from Carlingford built 150 years ago and is now building. organised a Leprechaun Hunt owned by RA Irwin’s, but it has Donegal: At the Seiko Brav- on Easter Sunday that drew not been used to full capacity ery Awards held in Dublin in 4,000 visitors to the area. The for a number of years. In latter late November, a thirteen-year- hunt was prompted by local pub- years just twenty-five staff have old girl from Carrick received lican PJ O’Hare, who claimed to worked in the factory, which an award for saving the lives have found the suit and bones once saw five hundred employed of two people at Glencolmcille of a leprechaun while out walk- in the linen trade. Irwin’s are to beach in July. Sharon McNern, ing on Slieve Foy. To this day move to a purpose-built factory the daughter of Mark and Car- the hat, tunic and trousers are and have applied for planning mel McNern, not only rescued a on display in PJ O’Hare’s pub. permission for the proposed friend after he became out of his unable to reach him, and his take place on New Year’s Day, Kevin, who was chairman of the development. depth, but she also had to come wife had to move in with her will be going international this local tourism association at the Carlow: A man from Bangla- to the rescue of a man who had sister-in-law. Jean McVitty year with a contestant from time of the first hunt, plans the desh arrived in Carlow recently attempted to help the pair. The had been travelling to work Weston, Missouri. The world- next venture for St. Patrick’s as part of a nationwide tour by man waded in to help but was in Dowler’s Hardware in En- wide dimension came about weekend and will raise money bicycle, to encourage students unable to swim and he ended up niskillen by hitching a lift on through Clough native Pete for Our Lady’s Hospital for in the Institute of Technology out of his depth and face down a tractor, but the storms made Maher, who publishes the Irish Children, Crumlin, and Newry to speak Irish. Raf Khan came in the water. Sharon, while en- the journey home too dangerous Focus magazine in Missouri Hospice. to live here seven years ago and couraging the boy to kick with to attempt. and who organized the Weston Mayo: When the Ballinrobe didn’t realize we had our own his legs, managed to turn the Galway: To mark the 40th Wellie Race at the local Irish Musical Society presents “The language until he observed a man over and he was brought anniversary of the shooting of Festival. It is unusual in that Pirate Queen” in February, protest in Dublin calling for to shore by another adult who the film “Alfred the Great” in the winner is not the first over they will be welcoming into the Irish to be made an official EU was passing the scene. the Castlehackett area, the the line; the names of all those audience the people behind the language. A chance visit to the Down: Twenty years ago Cinemobile was parked at the who finish are put into a draw original show. John McColgan offices of Foras na Gaeilge dur- Alan Johnston from Strangford GAA pitch in Caherlistrane on and the winner is then picked and Moya Doherty, of River- ing the course of his work as a was one of the 79 survivors of a recent weekend. The cinema out. The race raises funds for the dance fame, will be accompanied bicycle courier drew him into the Kegworth air disaster in the was giving a showing of the local GAA club and it is Bahia by Claude Michel Schonberg, Irish classes and he has been British midlands. In late No- film which featured many local Brown, the wife of one of the though Mr Schonberg’s musical involved with promoting the vember, for the first time he met people as extras, giving them players, who will be taking part collaborator, Alain Boublil, will language ever since. the man who pulled him from a chance to see themselves, in the Castlecomer event. be unable to attend. However Cavan: The switching on of the wreckage and saved his life perhaps for the first time. The Laois: When the final round he will be represented by his the Christmas lights in Cavan all those years ago. Alan traced film starred David Hemmings, of the Laois Nationalist car personal assistant and he has town was a musical event, with Barrie Brigham through the Michael York and Sinead Cu- giveaway bingo competition said he will write a personal the events being started by the Internet and the member of the sack, and among Galwegians took place last month, with message for the souvenir pro- cast of “The Christmas Carol Royal National Lifeboat Institu- who worked as extras on the contestants Margaret Bergin gram. Demand for the tickets – the Musical” in the Market tion from Yorkshire travelled film was Michael D. Higgins. and Gemma Smyth both waiting has been such that the society’s Square in the afternoon. The to the North to meet him. They During its stay in Caherlistrane on one number to win the prize, planned run of a week has been action then moved to the Court spent a long time recalling the a number of other films were it was always going to be a fam- extended to ten days. House where everyone enjoyed events of the day, though Alan’s shown in the Cinemobile. ily affair. For last year it was Meath: Lisa Jordan from carol singing, and this was fol- memories are incomplete as he Kerry: Jeremiah O’Donoghue Margaret’s sister Breda Fitz- Kiltale has been named as the lowed by a lantern procession was unconscious when pulled from East Rathmore has had his patrick who won the car, while first finalist in the Miss Palace back to the Market Square. from the wreckage. The two men long association with volunteer Gemma was sitting beside her 2010 Photographic competition, There the main focus of the also went to Portaferry Lifeboat work recognized by the Ireland godmother, Annette Smyth, the the final of which is to take place day was the switching on of Station where Alan launched his Involved Awards. Jeremiah re- winner of the car two years ago. next April. Lisa has won a mod- the Christmas lights by the book of photographs entitled, ceived his award in the Children In the event, it was Margaret, eling portfolio with a value of town’s Mayor Andrew Boylan, “Should I Bring an Umbrella?” and Young people category for who works in the local hospital, 400 euro, beauty treatment from after which those gathered Dublin: Fergal Butler from his work with the Rathmore whose number came up first and Liberty Spa in Trimgate Street were treated to mince pies and Balrothery has little time to Social Action Group which he she was presented with the keys in Navan, and a framed portrait mulled wine. spare since he is the full-time founded and which encourages of a Ford Ka. from DMC Photography. Sec- Clare: A cycle route in Clare carer for his eight-year-old son bonds between the elderly and ond place went to Samantha has been included in a list, which Kyle, who has cerebral palsy, youth. The former principal of Leitrim: Paul O’Brien of finan- Lynch from Kilcarn, who also also features Vietnam, Cuba, and his wife Lynda, who suf- Scoil Pobail Sliabh Luachra has cial advisers OBN in Carrick-on- won a portrait, and a modeling the US, Canada, France, Aus- fers from multiple sclerosis. been doing this work for the Shannon came up with the idea portfolio voucher for 200 euro, tralia, Italy, New Zealand, and However in what time he did past thirty-five years and was of Carrick Currency Vouchers in while Dorothy Kurzyna, also Britain, of the ten top routes in have he fulfilled a dream by also named as Kerry Person a bid to boost the local economy. from Kilcarn, took third place. the world. The “Best in Travel constructing in his back garden of the Year three years ago. Reacting to the movement of Her portfolio voucher was for 2010” guide from Lonely Planet his own powerboat from scrap He received his award from shoppers across the border, Paul 150 euro and she will also have has a description of the route wood and parts bought on eBay. President Mary McAleese at a decided to initiate the idea of a framed portrait. between Miltown Malbay and Recently, Fergal launched his cermony at the Royal Hospital vouchers, which could be used Monaghan: Two of the Doolin, both places being recom- vessel at Skerries Harbour just Kilmainham. not just for luxury items but for bridges linking Monaghan with mended for stops on the way. over a year after beginning the Kildare: The entire contents more mundane purchases such Co. Tyrone, which were blown The guide goes on to give details construction work. The Power- of the house at South Main as heating oil or a pint in the pub. up during the Troubles in the of the route through the Bur- boat Club provided a support Street in Naas, the residence More than seventy businesses in North, are to be replaced. Jons ren and also has a reference to vessel just in case of problems, of the Gogarty family, were the town and surrounding area Civil Engineering, based in Du- Yeats, presumably referring to but the launch was perfect and auctioned off last month at The have signed up to the scheme, leek, has won a design and build his former home, Thoor Ballylee, now Fergal has been invited to Elms auction room in Punch- with the vouchers being issued contract worth 1-million euro across the border in Galway. bring the vessel to a boat show estown. There were some six in amounts of five, ten, twenty to construct the bridges across Cork: The mini-company set in Cardiff. hundred lots included in the and fifty euro. They are valid the River Blackwater close to up by Transition Year students Fermanagh: For one man auction, some of which have for two years and can also be Glaslough village, linking it at Coláiste Mhuire in Buttevant living in the south of the county been hidden away in the house cashed in for seventy per cent with Caledon across the border. has a topical theme and enjoys the recent flooding meant that for more than sixty years, and of their value. The work, which will begin early a pun in its title. Fowl Play will he hasdto throw away milk ev- they included antique books and Limerick: Ava Kirwan, from in the new year, is the result rear twenty-five white turkeys ery day after milking his cows, furniture from the Georgian, the Shannon Banks area of of a North-South deal. There for the Christmas market and and had to live without his wife, Victorian, and Edwardian peri- Limerick, must surely be the have been calls from a number the seventeen students have who has been unable to reach ods. Possibly the most valuable youngest person to be evacu- of sources for the restoration of already identified their mar- her home. Jack McVitty lives item in the auction was an early ated from her house due to the the Knockaginny and Annagh- ket among staff members and on the Rossmacaffrey Road in Victorian satinwood Bonheur, threat of flooding. For it was roe bridges, which are the only local residents. They also plan Lisnaskea and his farmhouse which was expected to bring only two weeks since she was two border crossings yet to be on enjoying one of the birds was surrounded by water. The between 4,000 and 6,000 euro. born at Limerick Maternity reopened. themselves and have received milk tanker that collects milk Kilkenny: The Castlecomer Hospital. Ava, with her family, Offaly: This year’s Queen of ideas for turkey recipes from every day from his house was Wellie Race, which is due to was among a group of more than (Continued on page 20) Page 20 January 2010 BOSTON IRISH Reporter Worldwide at www.bostonirish.com News Direct From Ireland Christian Brothers to these have yet to be collated. Nor the Jimmy Choo range. Jacobs Hand Over Cash and Prop- does it include gardaí, teachers, Fruitfield Foods, the makers erty – The Christian Brothers Ireland Today: members of the Defence Forces of fig rolls and cream crackers, in Ireland have announced that or prison officers, all of whom have threatened legal action they are to hand over a total of Study on Binge Drinking have their own long-established against retailers in Ireland who 161 million euro in cash and early retirement programmes. are importing the biscuits from property, in response to the Cites ‘lack of Political Will’ to Tackle Same Majority Regret Over- Britain. Jacobs sold the rights Ryan report. Of the total, 34 mil- “Social Consequences of Harmful Use of Alcohol in Ireland,” spending During Boom – A to distribute their trademark lion will be used to help victims a study by Dr. Ann Hope and Dr. Deirdre Mongan of the survey carried out by the Irish biscuits in Britain to McVities, of child abuse while the remain- Health Research Board, has reported a lack of political will Times has found that 56 percent and Irish retailers have been ing 127 million worth of property to tackle the problem of binge drinking. The study focused had regrets about either the importing the McVities prod- will “begin to repair trust” with on the relationship between alcohol and crime and between amount of money they spent ucts which they can then sell those who suffered at the hands alcohol and social harm, and spoke of young children being or the little they saved. The at a lower price here than the of the brothers. the greatest victims. The authors called for a proper national Behaviour & Attitudes opinion Irish-produced biscuits. Irish Times Must Pay Costs alcohol policy which would include stronger enforcement of poll also reported that one in New Legislation to Define – Despite having won a case in current laws and a minimum price for alcohol sold in shops. five said they had learned not Gaeltacht Areas – A draft which the Mahon Tribunal tried The report revealed that the number of crimes involving drink to trust authority, including strategy for the Irish language, to force editor Geraldine Ken- has increased by 30 percent over a four-year period. Between politicians and banks, builders published recently by the Gov- nedy and journalist Colm Keena 2003 and 2007, alcohol-related crimes rose from 15,000 to more and developers. Of the 1,004 ernment, will introduce new of the Irish Times to reveal the than 66,000. Over the same period drunken-driving offenses adults surveyed, almost half legislation to define Gaeltacht source of a story concerning rose by 74 percent. believe that the earliest date areas. Communities under ex- Bertie Ahern, the newspaper for economic growth will be amination will be given a period has been ordered to pay the to a Christmas Day schedule, to place pickets at the only en- 2012. When asked about the of two years to ensure they can total legal costs of some 600,000 18,000 outpatient appointments trance to Our Lady’s Hospice in likelihood of emigrating within retain their Gaeltacht status euro. The Supreme Court ruled were cancelled and swine flu Dublin’s Harolds Cross. Prior to five years, 5 percent thought it and failure to do so will lead to that the destruction of relevant vaccine clinics were closed. The the strike the unions decided “very likely” and 8 percent said the withdrawal of that status. documents by the journalists Government saved an estimated that workers involved in flood “fairly likely.” Under the 20-year strategy a constituted “exceptional cir- 50-millon euro by not having relief should remain on duty. Farmers Facing ‘Worst senior minister will continue to cumstances.” The Irish Times to pay strikers that day. Other Unfortunately no one was Farm Income Crisis in a have responsibility for the Irish is now considering an appeal to workers also lost a day’s pay prepared to include Athlone in Generation’ – A report com- language, and a new Údarás the European Court of Human as meat factories were unable the exemption when the floods piled by the economic unit of the na Gaeilge will oversee Irish Rights in Strasbourg. to slaughter animals without belatedly arrived there. Irish Farmers’ Association has language policy on a national Some Man the Picket Line, having the appropriate Depart- Few outside the public sector stated that farmers are facing basis. Some Go Shopping – The ment of Agriculture inspectors had any sympathy for the strik- the ‘worst farm income crisis in The entire contents of the majority of the country’s public on site. ers and it was clear that some a generation’, with the average Waterford Crystal factories, servants went out on strike in Not all of those on strike were public servants did not approve income from full-time farming stores and sites in Waterford late November in an effort to on the picket lines; five-mile of the course being followed by dropping 28 percent this year, and Dungarvan were placed maintain the more than 20 per- tail backs were reported on the their unions. These were, how- to 16,000 euro. Commenting on for sale on the Internet on cent pay differential they enjoy border crossing to Newry while ever, in a minority. The media the report IFA President Pád- Thursday, including the main over private sector workers. An shopping centres in Derry were was critical, with a number of raig Walshe said the average furnace. Up to the time of the estimated 250,000 staff failed said to be extremely busy. The papers commenting in their farm income was now just one sale some 250 expressions of to turn up for work and, while decision of many public servants editorials. quarter of the average salary in interest had been received, from some picketed their places of to spend their money across Almost 1,000 Public Ser- the public sector, yet it had to eastern Europe, India, Syria work, many others took their the border turned out to be the vants Opt for Early Retire- meet all family living costs. The and the US, as well as Britain families north of the border on most talked about aspect of the ment – A total of 985 public figure for part-time farmers is and Ireland. Christmas shopping expedi- strike. Peter McLoone, head of servants have successfully ap- 13,000 annually. Second Attack on News- tions. The Government insists the IMPACT union, refused to plied to take early retirement as Major Mark-up on De- paper Editor – Just days after that, at a minimum, it must accept that his members would part of the Government’s plan to signer Shoes, Dispute over his car was vandalized outside cut 4-billion euro from the 2010 abandon the picket line to go reduce the number of people on Biscuit Prices – The launch of Craigavon Court, northern edi- Budget and that 1.3 billion of shopping. No one else was in the State payroll. Civil servants Jimmy Choo shoes in the Irish tor of the Sunday World Jim Mc- that must come from the public any doubt as to the reason for accounted for 818 of the total outlets of H&M has highlighted Dowell was attacked and beaten sector pay bill. While the unions the traffic jams, although many and within that number 322 yet another significant mark-up outside Belfast’s City Hall on claim that there are alternatives of those going North could also worked for the Revenue Com- in prices between sterling and Nov. 25. During the attack, to pay cuts, as of the strike day, have been parents who were missioners. More would have the euro. In British shops of McDowell was twice knocked to they hadn’t submitted proposals forced to take the day off work been approved but the Health the chain one design of shoe is the ground and was punched on as to how they believe that sav- rather than leave their children Service Executive suspended selling for 79 pounds, whereas both sides of his head. He has in- ings can be achieved. The strike home alone all day when schools the program when unions in- in Ireland the same pair would sisted he will not be intimidated meant that all schools were were closed. structed their members not to cost 129 euro, representing a by the attacks and will continue closed, 90,000 of those relying One of the more disturbing co-operate with redeployment mark-up of 45 percent. Similar, to report on paramilitaries and on social welfare were paid one aspects of the strike was the plans. The figures do not include though slightly lower, mark-ups drug-dealers. day late, hospitals were working decision of the IMPACT union local government employees as are to be found on other goods in

Thirty-Two Counties From Roscommon to Wicklow

(Continued from page 19) of the Year award recently at ing 130 in New Zealand. The on the work to be done on the did not cover the total cost and the Land contest held at the the National Athletics Awards mattresses were lined up along 200-year-old house, Gerard said he is therefore seeking further Bridge House Hotel in Tul- in the Crowne Plaza Hotel in the aisle of Sainsbury’s, out of he was conscious of the history donations. lamore saw a double victory for Dublin. Despite the fact that a the store and into the mall, down of Middleton Park House and Wicklow: While there was the county and for Shinrone in spine injury spoiled her chances to the main doors and back up to conservation is central to the disappointment in the county particular. Elected Queen of the of competing at the Beijing the front of Barry’s store, Home proposal. when the shooting of the award- Land and donning the crown on Olympics, Mary last year came Furnishing Solutions. The final Wexford: Clonard Parish winning television series “The the night was Sinead Mulcahy fourth in the European Cross mattress was pushed by Mala- Church has acquired two new Tudors” came to an end in he who, although from Limerick, Country Championships in chi Cush and the record of 145 stained glass windows after an fall, there was good news from was representing the Shinrone Brussels and took the bronze was recorded by Frank Gervin anonymous benefactor made a Arts Minister Michael Cullen. branch of Macra na Feirme. In medal in the 3,000-meter at the and Harry McGuigan. donation towards their installa- He announced that the film addition to the crown Sinead European Indoor Champion- Waterford: When Zac the tion. The windows were made by “The Guards,” based on Ken was presented with a crystal ships in Turin. Her next goal parakeet recently decided he artist Gillian Deeney from Bel- Bruen’s comedy thriller and plate, 600 euro, and a weekend is the SPAR European Cross would like a taste of freedom fast, who has already completed starring Brendan Gleeson and in the Bridge House Hotel. Country Championships in it took a fireman, a garda, a other stained glass work in the Don Cheadle, is to be partly In second place came Marie Santry Park. reporter, a photographer, the church, and were commissioned shot in Wicklow. In addition, Therese Kennedy, who is from Tipperary: Father Dan bird’s owner Helen Holden, and after the bequest was received Britain’s ITV has confirmed that Ballyskenagh, Shinrone but Fitzgerald, who has been at- her son Seamus to recapture twelve months ago. The total the fourth and fifth series of the who was representing Kilkenny tached to the Nenagh parish him. The bird escaped from cost of the windows is 35,000 science fiction drama “Primeval” in the contest as that is where for the past twenty years, is Helen’s home at St. Herblain euro and parish priest Father will be shot in Wicklow, giving she has a teaching post. celebrating seventy years as a Park in Waterford city while Denis Lennon has told his up to seventy jobs in the Irish Roscommon: The decora- priest in the coming week. The Helen was saying goodbye to parishioners that the bequest film industry. tive roadside signs created oldest active member of the her son John. Zac spent some by Roscommon artist Albert Columban Fathers, Father Dan hours flying around the city and Siggins have been adversely spent six years in China before almost escaped a second time affected by the weather over he and his fellow-priests were before he decided to settle in a reland s eather recent years and Drum Heritage expelled in 1952. After that his tree in Waterside. From that IReported Monday’ , DWecember 28, 2009 Committee decided to replace ministry took him to Australia, position fireman Andrew Quinn them. The new signs were made England, and Scotland before was able to place a net over by Liam Ferrie of aluminium by Athlone-based he returned to Ireland where him and put him into a cage for As reported elsewhere, one cold day followed another, bringing frosts, company Spectrum Signs, and he has been for almost thirty Helen to take him home. fog and icy roads to all parts. Snow fell in a number of areas but mostly the one on the approach road years. In his position as the old- Westmeath: Gerard Lynam, in the northern half of the country. A slight easing of temperatures on to Nure gives a picture of the est Columban, Father Dan has managing partner of Middle- Christmas Day resulted in a half-hearted thaw. Since then the temperature restored Wake House in Cao- the distinction of having worked ton Park House at Castletown has been hovering just above zero at night and peaked in Galway at 6C on inna Marbh Remembrance with the founder of the order, Geoghegan, has announced a Sunday. It has now turned colder and will remain very cold throughout Park, the only such building Bishop Ned Galvin, whom he plan to almost double his work- the coming week. More snow is expected. in the country. The sign also first met in China. force from twenty-six to fifty Latest Temperatures: Day 6C (43F)...... Night -3C (27F) includes an information panel Tyrone: The local branch of with an upgrade on the house, on wake practices, much of Sainsburys was brought into which is run as a hotel. He is which was collected by James the action when Dungannon about to seek planning permis- Delaney from Nure man Kieran man Barry McGuinness decided sion for an extension which will McManus. to organize a Human Mattress include thirteen new bedrooms, Sligo: Mary Cullen, a mem- Domino event to beat the world the extension of the kitchens ber of North Sligo Athletic record. In the eight weeks that and the banqueting area, www.bostonirish.com club, was presented with the it took him to set up, the record and the provision of a beauty Road/Cross Country Athlete was broken three times, reach- treatment area. In deciding Worldwide at www.bostonirish.com January 2010 BOSTON IRISH Reporter Page 21 The Irish Language by Philip Mac AnGhabhann Celtic Bliana Mhaith Ur Dhuibh!, “(A) Good New Year to You-All!” Tá Eanáir anois. “It is January now” Bliana Úr, “A New Year.” Cross Irish retains the written accent mark above capital letters to show the correct pronunciation: “new” úr ords and Úr as above, for example. An alternate word W for “new” is nua and if you want to say “brand new” The Irish then combine the two – úrnua. You may have noticed over the years that you have crosswords are had several ways to ask, “How are you?” This is due to the various dialects of Irish. Most dictionaries will a service of an give you several ways without explaining, “Why?” or “Where?” You will have to choose which dialect Ireland-based you want to learn but most texts – and this course – attempt to be eclectic, “general”, but largely repre- website which sentative of the west of Ireland, Connacht (County Galway, in particular). Other major dialect areas provides Irish are Ulster (County Donegal) and Munster (County Kerry). Family Coats of I have known two native speakers of Donegal Irish who tell me that they and their spouses, na- Arms by email. tive speakers from Kerry, have to communicate in English due to major differences in the dialects. For You are invited this reason most authors of Irish courses chose the “middle”, Connacht, Irish since it will present the to visit least number of problems. Here is how to ask, “How are you?” in the three major areas of the Gaeltacht. www. Remember that the written a of a bhfuil or atá is not pronounced but it must be shown in writing. bigwood.com/ Connacht: Cén chaoi a bhfuil tú? /KEHN hee WEYL too?/ heraldry Ulster: Cad é mar atá tú? /KAHT eh mahr tah too?/ Munster: Conas atá tú? /KOHN-uhs tah too?/ Another example of differences between written ©-bigwood.com “Standard” Irish and spoken Irish is the word for IRELAND IN CROSSWORDS “Irish” itself. “Standard” Irish is Gaeilge but some ACROSS 16. Last word in mean fashion. (4) speakers say Gaeilín, using the diminutive to show 1. Or find chiller. (anag.) Stepchildren of Aoife whom she 17. Greasy sun out over U.C. (8) affection. turned into Swans on Lough Derravaragh. (8,2,3) 18. E.g. rang up Sligo village underneath Ben Bulben on Last month we reviewed the names for the months. 8. Protection found in popular Mourne location. (6) the Bundoran road opposite Inishmurray Island. (6) Since we are going to use them in new constructions, 9. Pout face up until refreshment appears. (3,2,3) 19. “This goat-footed bard, this half-human visitor here they are again. The names of the months are… 10. Fry air? No, but reduce its pressure. (6) to our age from the hag-ridden magic and enchanted Eanáir /EH-nahr/ “January” 12. Get up on hind legs about per can order. (6) woods of ——— antiquity.” Baron Keynes - (describing Feabhra /FEHV- ruh/ “February” 13. Impulses scrambled the last of the Carrickfergus Lloyd George) (6) Márta /MAR-tuh/ “March” letters. (5) 21. Soothe in the meandering vales. (5) Aibreán /AY-brahn/ “April” 14. Then avoid by cute diversion around engineer- Bealtaine /BYAL-tayn-uh/ “May” ing work carrying the Dublin - Belfast rail line over CROSSWORD SOLUTION ON PAGE 34 Meitheamh /MEY-uhv/ “June” Drogheda. (3,5,7) Iúll /yool/ “July” 19. Tree falls over after a century on Mediterranean Lúnasa /LOON-uh-suh/ “August” island. (5) Meán Fómhair /man FOH-vuhr/ “September” 20. Threw in at the Gaelic game? (6) Irish Sayings Deireadh Fómhair /DEER-uh FOH-vuhr/ “October” 21. Make a quick grab for ants all over the small “Youth does not mind where it sets its foot.” Samhain /SOW-een/ “November” church. (6) “Both your friend and your enemy think you will Nollaig /NOH-leek/ 22. Stretch little Leonard starts, then finishes after never die.” or Mí na Nollag /mee nuh NOH-luhk/ “December” note. (8) “The well fed does not understand the lean.” Here are some new sentences: “ 23. Salty pool covered up back in Portnoo gallery. (6) “He who comes with a story to you brings two away “Where were you born?” Cén áit a rugadh tú? 24. Sweet stew clan. (anag.) Limerick market town with from you” “I was born in Derry.” Rugadh mé i Doire. a Knights Templars castle built in 1184. (9,4) “Quiet people are well able to look after themselves.” “I was brought up in Waterford” Tógadh mé i Port “A friends eye is a good mirror.” Láirge. DOWN “It is the good horse that draws its own cart.” “When were you born?” (year) Cén bhliain a rugadh tú? 2. Oh, lure me in disorder for Bill first proposed and “A lock is better than suspicion.” “When were you born?” (month) Cén mhí a rugadh tú? lost by Gladstone in 1885 and passed in 1912. (4,4) “Two thirds of the work is the semblance.” Rugadh (“born”) and tógadh (literally “lifted”) 3. “Hail fellow, well met. All —— and wet: Find out, if “He who gets a name for early rising can stay in bed are pronounced /ROOK-uh/ and /TOHK-uh/. Notice you can, Who’s master, who’s man.” Swift. (5) 4. Storeys until midday.” that Cén? “when” or “in which” requires that the one knocks to the ground. (6) “If you do not sow in the spring you will not reap in following noun be lenited (“aspirated”). 5. Recite with a singing voice to nine others in Rosses the autumn.” The answer to Cén bhliain or Cén mhí rugadh Point one time. (6) “Put silk on a goat, and it’s still a goat.” tú?, “When were you born?” in terms of year or month 6. Hour train call. (anag.) Kerry mountain popularly “Listen to the sound of the river and you will get a is Rugadh i -- year in English -- mé but give the ascended through the Hag’s Glen and up the Devil’s trout.” month in Irish. This is because there are a very few, Ladder to the peak at 3,314 feet. (13) “A persons heart is in his feet.” if any, remaining speakers of Irish only 7. Jests shame pen. (anag.) Irish writer and poet (1880- “It is a long road that has no turning.” and the numbers for years are very awkward to 1950) who wrote ‘The Crock of Gold’ . (5,8) “Necessity knows no law.” say in Irish. 9. Owners latch up in neat Mayo village on the Sligo “The wearer best knows where the shoe pinches.” Rugadh i 1976 mé. Rugadh i ‘nineteen sev- border. (11) “There is no luck except where there is discipline.” enty-six’ mé. 11. You must see the faithful dog in Glengarriff, I do “The man with the boots does not mind where he Rugadh i Feabra mé. / R O O K - u h e e insist. (4) places his foot.” FEHV - ruh mey/ 12. Ripe conversion of fairy on Greek roundabout. (4) “The light heart lives long.” The “Question” words -- “Who?”, “What?, “When?”, 15. Squirrel’s home back in the American garden in True greatness knows gentleness. “Which?”. “Where?” and How?” are clearly not the pretty Ardmore. (4) same from place to place as seen in the illustrations of “How are you?” above. “How?” is Cén in Connacht, ADVERTISEMENT Cád é in Ulster and Conas in Munster. Not only that but Cén is followed by the dependent form of tá, bhfuil, while Cad é and Conas require the form atá, pronounced /tah/. “Where?” is the combination of “What place?” Photography by Cad ait ? /kahd awtch/ and “When?” is Cén uair, “Which hour?” . It is best to learn these at first in “set phrases” as we present them rather than generalize these words from the beginning. Image Photo Service Here are some sentences for practice. Translate these into Irish: 1.) “Where was she born?” 2.) “What month will you go to Derry?” 3.) “ I will go to Cork tomorrow.” • Weddings • Anniversaries 4) “They were raised in Galway.” 5.) “Today is Friday, thank God.” 6.) “May is a very fine month.” 7.) “When • Banquets • Portraits was she born?” 8.) “I’m Calum. What’s your name?” 9.) “I’m thirsty. A cup of tea, please.” 10.) “Do they speak • Reunions Irish?” 11.) Where were you raised?” 12.) “I was born in Cork but raised in Waterford.” • Groups • Families Answers: 1.) Cad ait a rugadh sí. 2.) Cad mí ra- chaidh tú go Doire? 3.) Rachaidh mé go Corcaidh amarach. 4.) Tógadh said i Gaillimh. 5.) Inniu • Special Occasions hAoine, buíochlas le Dia. 6.) Tá Bealtaine go deas. 7.) Cén uair rugadh sí. 8.) Is mise Colm. Cad is ainm duit? 9.) Tá tart orm. Cupa tae, go raibh (617) 291-6609 maith agat. 10.) A bhfuil Gaeilge acu? 11.) Cad ait a tógadh tú? 12.) Rugadh mé i Chorcaidh ach tógadh mé i Port Láirge. The official photographers of the Boston Irish Reporter Page 22 January 2010 BOSTON IRISH Reporter Worldwide at www.bostonirish.com

BIR HIstory FREEDOM OF EDUCATION Boston’s Parochial School System Emerged Only After Bruising Struggle

By Peter F. Stevens BIR Staff

First of two parts.

The past few years have proven difficult for Bos- ton’s parochial schools. With the archdiocese shutting down schools because of dwindling en- rollments and the stark economic climate, times are difficult for clergy, lay teachers, students, and parents. Still, if the past is truly prologue, these days are perhaps not the most difficult for the Catholic schools. In fact, the struggle of the region’s 19th-century Catholics to establish the schools posed the toughest scholastic, cultural, and ethnic hurdle of all. Boston proved perhaps the toughest area for Catholics – especially Irish Catholics – to found their own schools. In other parts of the country, par- ish schools had sprouted up by the 1820s, and at Georgetown in Washing- ton D.C., a prep school, college, and seminary had evolved in one spot by 1830. One of the first examples of a Catholic school in Boston took root in Charlestown. There, the Ursuline Sisters ran a convent school where teaching excellence not only drew bright Catholic girls, but also the daugh- ters of prominent Yankee Protestant with names The charred ruins of Chrlestown’s Ursuline Convent and school for girls in 1834 testified to Boston’s antipathy toward Catholic- like Adams and Lodge. In run, or parochial, schools for much of the 19th century. (Library of Congress) 1834, however, a mob of open parochial schools. cians flexed muscle. The in Jamaica Plain, was By the time the Third determined to take what Yankee workmen fueled It was Hughes’s conten- demand for Catholic, or determined to found a Plenary Council of Ameri- Williams had started and by anti-Catholic, anti- tion that since the Irish parochial, schools to edu- grammar school for boys can bishops in Baltimore make his church a domi- Irish rancor stormed into and other Catholics paid cate not only the Irish, but and girls in the parish. in 1884, cultural tensions nant force on Boston’s the convent and burned it public taxes, Catholic also German, Italian, and Magennis wanted a school had eased somewhat. religious and social turf. to the ground. children were entitled to other immigrant Catholic where the students would Out of the Council came Brimming with ambition Catholic Bishop Bene- equal education. groups grew. gain a good education and the Baltimore Catechism and a desire to make dict Fenwick did not In Boston, Fitzpat- Boston’s prelates de- also instruction in their and a mandate that every sure that every Brahmin attempt to rebuild or re- rick and later Williams cided the time was right to religion. He invited sev- parish have a Catholic was aware of the growing open the Ursuline school, faced a turbulent mix start that very thing. eral Sisters of St. Joseph school. By the time of power and influence of the but made certain that of reformers, recidivists, Typifying the growing to come from Brooklyn Williams’ death in 1907, Boston Irish, O’Connell other fledgling Catholic and religious firebrands. confidence of the local to teach in the parish. there were approximately planned to institute a schools such as Holy Cross Some Protestant Ameri- Irish to beat down en- The venture proved a 76 parochial schools in the sprawling system of Cath- College, in Worcester, cans fought for improved trenched Yankee cultural success, and Archbishop Archdiocese. olic schools no matter who evolved. His successors, education as the means and religious barriers, Williams began to encour- His successor, the soon- tried to stop him. Bishop John Fitzpatrick to transmit democratic Reverend Thomas Magen- age and support other to-be Cardinal William NEXT: A system with and Archbishop John J. values at the same time nis, pastor of the Church parish priests to follow Henry O’Connell, was clout Williams, followed educa- that they decried Catho- of St. Thomas Aquinas, Magennis’s lead. tional and religious suit. lics’ rights to equality in In the 1840s, as the the classroom. Horace Great Famine drove ever- Mann, of Massachusetts, swelling numbers of the and other education strat- Irish to Boston, the ques- egists instituted free Breads ’n Bits of Ireland tion of where and how to – or public -- tax-funded educate the children of schools, but they were Home Bakery • Irish Kitchen both the newcomers and Protestant-controlled and • the Irish already settled any Catholic children in the region took on addi- in them were forced to Featuring... Scones, Irish Soda Bread, Brown Bread, tional urgency. Nativism hear readings from the Homemade Soup, Sandwiches – antipathy toward Irish Protestants’ King James Catholics – was running Bible. The Irish parishio- high. Fitzpatrick and ners complained to their Telephone 781-662-5800 • Fax 781-662-0859 Williams worried that priests and bishops that opening parish schools for it was unfair that the e-mail: [email protected] Irish children, as was hap- Catholics’ taxes funded pening in New York and “Protestant schools.” 530 Main Street, Melrose, MA 02176 • 781-662-5800 other cities, would stoke In the decades following Nativist rage further, so the Civil War, the Bos- Boston lagged behind as ton Irish, who had sent (617) 825-1760 JOSEPH P. DONNELLY Cell: 857-241-9490 New York City’s Cardi- AUTO BODY REPAIRS many husbands, sons, and (617) 825-2594 [email protected] nal John Hughes led the brothers off to fight and FAX (617) 825-7937 “school wars” of the 1840s bleed for the Union, began and 1850s by organizing to garner increasing polit- Catholics to demand tax ical power by organizing support for parochial parishes and wards into Leprechaun schools. He knew his drive a potent and increasing would not work, but he got force. The postwar con- Free Pick-Up & Delivery Service the proverbial “half a loaf” struction boom gave many Landscaping when Protestants looked Irishmen the chance to FREE CONSULTATION the other way as parishes rise from crews to com- and dioceses in New York 150 Centre Street pany owners at the same Dorchester, MA 02124 raised their own funds to time that Irish politi- Spring & Fall Clean-ups Like Magic Worldwide at www.bostonirish.com January 2010 BOSTON IRISH Reporter Page 23 Boston Irish Reporter Book Briefs Reviews of books recently published in Ireland, courtesy of readireland.com

Follow the Money most devastating at precisely gures, from the 1798 rebellion By David 2:05 a.m. on 31 May 1941. There right through to the Civil War; was a thunderous explosion and these political prisoners were McWilliams the earth quaked. Tremors were proud to sacrifice their freedom We catch up with old friends, felt as far away as Enniskerry for the cause they believed in. Breakfast Roll Man and Miss and Mullingar. Panic and pan- Many of them also left a physi- Pencil Skirt, and meet new demonium reigned in a “city cal mark on the jail, inscribing characters like the Merchant of seized with fear”. Destruction their names and other messages Ennis, Shylock, and the Godfa- was astonishing – homes and on various walls and doorways ther. We have late night tea with shops in the North Strand were in the building. Those men- Brian Lenihan, are charmed by largely demolished, 2,250 build- tioned in the graffiti in the jail Miriam O’Callaghan, and cross ings in the city suffered some include Robert Emmet, Éamon swords with Seanie Fitzpatrick. bomb damage, over forty people de Valera, Michael Collins, and We learn why the average drug were killed, about 100 seriously Richard Mulcahy, among many dealer on the side of the street injured, many more wounded. others. has more in common with the Hospitals and morgues filled As Kilmainham Jail lay der- banker than either would care to within hours. Almost 2,000 elict for so long, over the years mention, as we follow the money people were rendered home- many of the graffiti have faded – in both rackets – from its less refugees. It would later or disintegrated, with some source at the very top right down be determined that in terms having disappeared completely. to the “buy now, pay later” deals discuss Irish heroes and im- of destructive performance a “Written in Stone” is a product at rock bottom. Why should captures all the excitement and portant figures in our history, monstrous “perfect bomb” had controversy of the time, and of years of painstaking research we trust the people who got us only men have been cited. Mná done the deed. For two-thirds of into the graffiti and the (some- into this mess in the first place? is laced with perceptive pen- na hÉireann addresses that a century, no book was written portraits of some well-known times little-known) people who They were wrong then and they tendency and offers an impres- on what the Evening Herald pro- made them. The book, which are wrong now. The politicians, feminist leaders. During the sive array of women who have claimed a “Night of Horror,” and seventies June Levine worked contains photographs of many bankers, and developers think brought change and progress later called a “seismic event” in of the pieces of graffiti, discusses they can hand us the bill and as a journalist, and as a re- to Ireland. Dublin’s history. searcher on Gay Byrne’s Late some of the heartbreaking mes- walk away from the carnage. From the mythical era, Finally, near the end of the sages left for posterity, as well They want us to follow a route Late Show. Her evaluation of through the Middle Ages, the century both the Irish Military the past ten years in terms as drawings of the Four Courts that will make things worse for Plantation, the Famine, the Archive and Dublin City Ar- and Adolf Hitler! It is a unique the ordinary man on the street of her own experience, and in struggle for independence and chive declassified their docu- terms of Irish feminism, makes record of these highly unusual while saving the bankers at the early years of the state, ments on the bombing -- some links to the people who changed the top of the tree, insisting fascinating and absorbing read- right up to the twenty-first stamped “Secret” for sixty years. ing. Committed, compassion- the political landscape of this that there is no other way. But century, Mná na hÉireann At last, the theories and myths country forever. there is an obvious alternative ate, written from a strongly profiles over 50 formidable Irish long surrounding the mysteri- feminine viewpoint, there has that has been adopted by every women. The book will include: ous incident could be examined economy that has successfully never been an Irish book quite Dr. James Barry (pretended in the light of real evidence. But like thus one. emerged from this type of crisis. to be male so she could study the heart of a book on so human With the same sense of fun as to become a surgeon), Eavan a tragedy is the oral historical “The Pope’s Children,” David Boland, Granuaille (pirate), testimony of survivors, rescu- Written in Stone: McWilliams makes answering Mairead Corrigan Maguire ers, and observers who provide The Graffiti in hard questions easy. In his (activist, winner of Nobel Peace graphic eye-witness accounts. Kilmainham Jail typical breezy style, he suggests Prize), Constance Markiewicz This is a narrative social his- where to go from here. To be led (the first woman in Europe to By Niamh O’Sullivan tory of immense human drama. “Written in Stone” is an at- up the garden path once in the hold a cabinet position), Cath- An on-the-scene account of past ten years is a tragedy; to be erine McCauley (foundress of tempt to record the first-hand calamity, terror, heroism, and links to the people who changed led up twice by the same people the Sisters of Mercy), Mary survival. And a mystery linger- is unforgiveable. There is an al- McAleese (current President), the political landscape of Ire- ing long thereafter. This is the land, before all traces vanish ternative. “Follow the Money” is Nell McCafferty (award-win- untold tale of a great historical an optimistic and uplifting book ning journalist), Mary Robinson completely. This book includes event and human tragedy that images about that alternative, which (former president & UN Human has long needed telling. is well within our grasp if only Rights Commissioner) and o f t h e we’d wake up and seize it. many more. numer- ous ex- Sisters: The amples The Bombings Personal of graf- of Dublin’s fiti left Story of an on the North Strand, 1941: Irish Feminist w a l l s The Untold Story By June Levine, of Kil- By Kevin C. Kearns Foreword by m a i n - On a gloriously starry night Nell McCafferty ham Jail four bombs fell, the last and Sisters is a revealing, in- b y i t s tensely readable book by one of political Ireland’s finest feminist writers. inmates It contains a major assessment f r o m of the women’s movement in the War Ireland, but first and foremost o f I n - it tells the story of one woman’s d e p e n - search for personal fulfillment. d e n c e , After growing up in Dublin, C i v i l June Levine went through mar- W a r , riage, breakdown, and divorce and even “Serving Greater Boston since 1971” farther in Canada, returning to Ireland 1060 N. MaiN St., RaNdolph, Ma 02368 as an unmarried woman in the back in swinging sixties. She writes I r i s h phone: 781-963-3660 history. with special insight of the era fax: of the mohair-suited Irish male K i l - 781-986-8004 and his liberated “girl” friends. m a i n - www.miltonmonuments.com Mna na heireann: By the end of the decade, some ham Jail email: [email protected] Women Who women decided that this kind of housed Shaped Ireland liberation was no longer enough. many of The Irish women’s movement Ireland’s PUZZLE SOLUTION FROM PAGE 21 By Nicola Depuis key his- For too long when people was born, and June Levine was there from the start. This book torical fl- 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 January 2010 BOSTON IRISH Reporter Worldwide at www.bostonirish.com USAGraduate Program Has Irish Links

By Sue Asci The program is based about the program from Special to the BIR on one that originated Heneghan. in Ireland seven years Recognizing the need An innovative program ago with an effort led to encourage students to encourage students to by Martin Heneghan to study engineering and study science, technol- of Castlebar, called the math for future careers ogy, engineering, and Graduate Online Youth in technology, the USA mathematics (STEM Quiz, which was de- Graduate program’s cur- fields) is attracting thou- signed to interest stu- riculum is focused on sands of students to dents to study politics. STEM topics. Syracuse, N.Y. Since its inception, The Obama Adminis- USAGraduate is a 10- more than 30,000 stu- tration has made STEM week interactive inter- dents have participated education a priority in net-based quiz program every year in the pro- recent months and cited that offers students in gram in Ireland. a study by the National grades 6 through 12 an The USAGraduate Center for Education opportunity to study program was introduced Statistics which found STEM topics and com- to the U.S. in 2008 when that one-third of fourth pete for prizes such as an executive at one of graders and one-fifth of iPods and laptop com- the U.S.-based sponsors, eighth graders were not puters. Sensis Corp., learned able to perform basic math. Also, high school seniors scored below the international average of 21 countries on math and science, the study found. Numerous studies have pointed out that the U.S. has experienced a decline in the number of computer science and engineering graduates. USAGraduate has been offered to stu- dents in the upstate New York area through the Syracuse public school system. Sensis Corp., a large engineering firm based in the area is a sponsor. Clear Channel Radio is also a partner in the project. The program is also being offered in a couple of school districts in Albany, N.Y. Already, some 25,000 students from about 250 schools have par- ticipated, said Bob Clary, executive director of USAGraduate. Participation among boys and girls is roughly even. About 55 percent of those participating are male and 45 percent are female, he said. The program is free for the users. There is no charge for the school districts, parents, or students. “The program is com- pletely funded by grants and sponsor support,” Clary said. Local spon- sors are also important to showcase real careers in these fields for the students. The material is designed to comple- ment what the students are learning in school, Clary said. “We also want to provide real life examples of careers in science,” he said. Each week of the 10- week program involves a quiz. Each quiz has 10 questions. The program often includes links to videos and other web- sites, enabling students to dig deeper into the question and do more research, Clary said. There is also a module available for teachers if they wish to register students and track their participation. They can also look at an advance copy of the quiz in order to see what the next week’s topics will be. Students can win priz- es that are randomly awarded to those who participate each week for the entire program. For more information about the program, the website is usagraduate.com.