ISSUE 28 VOLUME 3 Proudly Serving Celts in North America Since 1991 MARCH/APRIL 2019 Awaken to Spring! St. Patrick’s Day Celebrated Around the World

PHOTO: Tourism Ireland ST. PATRICK’S FESTIVAL Parade in Dublin, Ireland. This year’s festival features a spectacular five-day family program with the very best of traditional and contemporary storytelling integrated into the whole festival. [Read more in our interview with Dana Welch, Manager for Tourism Ireland in Canada on page 12]

WIN FREE TICKETS OR A GIFT BASKET! CELEBRATE the 48th Win a pair (2 tickets) to Festival du Bois at Parc Mackin, Coquitlam on March 22-24 (your choice of days). See page 5 for more details. Mark annual St .Patrick’s your entry Festival du Bois and include your name and daytime telephone number. Entry by March 15. Day Parade in Seattle, You could win an ‘Irish Basket’ with a large ‘Paddy Pie’, Irish white pud- WA on Saturday, March ding & black pudding sausages from Black Pudding Imports in Langley. Check out their weekly sales on Facebook. (See page 11 for more info). 16. This year’s annual Mark your entry Black Pudding and include your name and daytime tel- ephone number. Entry by April 17. St. Patrick’s Festival All entries by e-mail only to: [email protected] (only one entry per per- runs March 16 & 17 at son). the Seattle Centre and admission is FREE WILLIAM DONNELLAN, an [Read more page 24]. Irish success story. Read how

his enterprising spirit led him 40009398 Publication to emerge from the financial ALSO INSIDE: OUR SPECIAL ST. PATRICK’S Mail Agreement: Mail crash in Ireland to re-build in Vancouver, B.C. [See page 6] GREETINGS SECTION - PAGE 12 PAGE 2 www.celtic-connection.com MARCH/APRIL 2019

CELTIC PERSON A Light of Faith and Hope OF THE YEAR WARMEST congratuations to Jane Byrne, this year’s an- Burns in the Season of Spring nual Celtic Person of the Year. E count our They can also stand to renew our own Jane is a long-serving mem- By CYNTHIA WALLENTINE faith in the unique light that is a core ber of the Vancouver Welsh days against the aspect of each soul, as Donahue notes, Society. She will be pre- constant of the “something eternal.” sented with her award by setting sun and It is the work of theologians and phi- Harry Cussen, President of W losophers to piece together that “some- the Vancouver CelticFest So- the rising moon. While the thing eternal.” ciety, at the Welsh Men’s cycle naturally ripples For others, it is enough to rest with Choir concert on Saturday, Donahue’s statement which echoes March 16 at Christ Church through each day, and year, throughout human time, about a hid- Cathedral in Vancouver. the pattern itself quietly be- den, but eternal aspect of our journey here on the blue planet. comes our reason to be. FESTIVAL OF FIRES, Hill of The suffering on this planet is im- We live lifetimes because we have Uisneach, Co, Westmeath, Ire- mense. them, we spend the days in orderly land. On Beltaine (May time), War zones thrive on the landscape and or unorderly ways, we decorate the a fire was lit on Uisneach to cel- ebrate the coming of summer. in the heart. No one can prove divinity ribbon first with our discoveries and is a committed do-gooder. Our con- dramas, and then with our memo- seem from the outside, there is some- sciousness controls how that die is cast. ries. We pass. thing eternal happening.” Against the natural backdrop, our lives Yet, the guarantee of days and nights, Spring is a season of hope and return, can play out in lock-step fashion, liv- while we have them, can offer us more of a better or at least different way ing, betraying, repenting, and dying. than the clock which counts out our forward. Or against that same natural backdrop, lives. It provides us faith to live out we can struggle with the gifts we are the life that is truly ours. Within the Celtic spring from Imbolg to Beltaine, the vernal equinox (this given and the circumstances by which John O’Donahue was a Catholic year on March 20, 2019), St. Patrick’s we are challenged. scholar. His work, Anam Cara, opened Day, and Easter are woven into our Mediocrity or authenticity, one returns the eyes and hearts of many, offering tapestry of time. to dust, the other rings on through the reflections on universal human themes. For ancient or modern, these festivals ages. Every so often, I open the book for a bridge nature and inspire divine. The choice is yours. In any season, in thought or two. These special days give us a chance to any otherwise tiring work day, recog- He writes, “Deep within every life, no renew our faith in the certitude of na- nize the hidden light making its way matter how dull or ineffectual it may ture. into the world it is you. MARCH/APRIL 2019 www.celtic-connection.com PAGE 3 Irish Talent Show Sparkles ISSC Vancouver VANCOUVER – It was quite the result is Joan’s new play Changed St. Patrick’s Day Tournament Utterly. the night on Saturday, Febru- On March 17, the Vancouver Irish Sporting and Social Club (ISSC) will ary 23, with a sold out concert This verbatim drama is part of our fes- host their annual St. Patrick’s Day Celebration at Andy Livingstone tival and is currently running at the Park, located on Expo Boulevard in Vancouver. featuring 14 finalists at the ‘Irish Jericho Arts Centre. We urge you to in Vancouver’s Got Talent’ tal- see a performance and experience There will mens’ and ladies Gaelic football tournaments, along with hurl- Easter 1916 through the eyes of the ing and camogie exhibitions. ent show, and providing an participants. amazing variety of entertain- Teams will participate from the Fraser Valley Gaels, Éire Óg, JP Ryans On St. Patrick’s Day, CelticFest will and the Vancouver Cougars Australian Football Club. There will also be ment. co-host along with the Consulate Gen- youth coaching from a visiting GAA coach. The winner was Brian O’Brien with By HARRY CUSSEN eral Ireland Vancouver and the Rogue The event is open to all ages and to all members of the public. It will be his golden Limerick voice. In second Folk Club a FREE FAMILY DAY at place was Matt Bagshaw, a remark- ites like The Fields of Athenry or St. James Hall on West 10th Avenue. held from 11:30 AM to 1:30 PM. able hula hoop acrobat who could eas- Carrigfergus or Loch Lomond or Men There will be live music, Irish wolf- ily be a star in Cirque du Soleil, and of Harlech in one of our most beauti- hounds, face painting, arts and crafts third was Sian Colman, an operatic ful intimate Vancouver setting – Christ and lots of fun. A concert featuring soprano from Dublin. Church Cathedral – don’t miss the Tim Readman and Gerard Kerr will opportunity on Saturday, March 16. People are already asking about next take place that evening with a cover year’s show. For those who would rather dance the charge. night away, on the same night, March Many thanks to the fantastic commit- Lastly, we are aiming to restart the St. 16, we have the CelticFest Vancouver Patrick’s Day Parade next year and are tee from the Irish Sporting and Social Ceilidh 2019 taking place at the Scot- Club for inviting CelticFest to co-host. actively pursuing sponsors but we will tish Centre in Marpole. Entertainment also need help from Vancouver City Some six years ago, CelticFest ap- provided by Blackthorn and friends. Hall in reducing their charges which proached the Vancouver Welsh Men’s Playwright Joan Bryans is from Scot- are exorbitant. Choir and invited them to participate land and a longtime resident of Van- in the festival. CelticFest will shortly be electing a couver. new board of directors and would ap- We suggested incorporating bagpipes She loves to write about strong women, preciate hearing from all talented indi- and Irish dancing into their repertoire so when she saw a photo of a rebel- viduals who have an interest in help- which the choir adapted. Their annual lious lady with rifle in hand involved ing this worthwhile annual event. CelticFest concert is now a big fan fa- in the Irish Rising of 1916, she was • vourite. intrigued. For more information about joining the CelticFest Vancouver board of direc- If you want to experience over 100 She had discovered Countess tors or volunteering for the festival, e- magnificent voices singing old favour- Markovievitz and after much research, mail: [email protected]. SFU Pipe Band poised to deliver another exciting show at the Vogue VANCOUVER – There is a buzz of excitement growing, as the Simon Fraser University Pipe Band gets ready for its upcoming evening concert at the Vogue Theatre on Saturday, April 13. The internationally-renowned band has a long history of delivering exhila- rating and moving performances to packed audiences around the world, including concerts at the Carnegie Hall in New York City, the Sydney Opera House and the Glasgow Royal Con- cert Hall. The band has performed at the Vogue several times, and it was selected again by Pipe Major Alan Bevan because “it THE SFU PIPE BAND competing at the 2017 World Pipe Band is one of our favourite venues, with Championships in Scotland. the acoustics lending themselves es- pecially well to a pipe band perform- cert stage. It has been a number of years the first time in the North American ance,” adding that “it may come as a since we have put on a concert in Van- Pipe Band Championships, which will surprise to some that most concert couver.” be held in Maxville, Ontario. halls are not designed with pipe bands Lee was recently appointed as the new The future of the SFU Pipe Band is in mind!” director for SFU Pipe Band’s youth strong, with a great mix of experience While the six-time world champion music program, the Robert Malcolm and young, up-and-coming players. Memorial Pipe Band (RMM). pipe band has a huge focus on compe- Pipe Major Bevan has felt a tremen- tition, travelling to the World Pipe This year marks RMM’s 25th anni- dous rise in the self-confidence of the Band Championships every year, they versary, and as part of that celebration band over the past few years, and is also enjoy having the opportunity to they will be joining the SFU Pipe Band “hearing that reflected in the passion stretch themselves musically outside on stage at the Vogue. that comes through when we play our of the competition circle. music. I foresee us becoming more For Lee, “RMM has been a huge part musically adventurous and virtuosic in Concerts at venues like the Vogue al- of my life since a very young age. Not low the band to be more creative, take the coming years.” only did it provide me with a tremen- • bigger risks, and play the sort of music dous place to learn the bagpipes, but I The all-ages SFU Pipe Band concert that is not always accepted or fully have developed relationships that have will be on Saturday, April 13 at 7 PM, appreciated in the more conservative lasted my whole life.” milieu of a pipe band contest. with doors opening at 6 PM. Tickets Founded in 1994, over 2,000 young are $28.50-$38.50 and are available “The band is really fired up about de- pipers and drummers have participated for online purchase through the livering a great show on our home turf,” in RMM, with the juvenile bands Eventbrite website: continues Pipe Major Bevan. “We will achieving global excellence by winning www.eventbrite.ca/e/sfu-pipe-band- be showcasing some exciting new mu- world titles on five occasions. in-concert-tickets. sic and revisiting some old favourites as well.” They currently field four pipe bands [For more information on the SFU Pipe as well as running introductory music Band and the Robert Malcolm Memo- Andrew Lee, a long-time member of classes for beginners. rial Pipe Band, visit their website: the SFU pipe corps, shares Bevan’s sfupipeband.com. For more informa- enthusiasm. “The SFU Pipe Band is The senior juvenile band will be trav- tion on the concert, contact Maria Roth really excited to get back on the con- elling in August 2019 to compete for at: [email protected].] PAGE 4 www.celtic-connection.com MARCH/APRIL 2019 Some wonderful concerts coming up for St. Patrick’s Day and Vancouver CelticFest

ANCOUVER – March Madness is upon us! Not basketball, but V music!! By There are some wonderful concerts STEVE coming up as we celebrate St. EDGE Patrick’s Day and CelticFest (not to mention Festival du Bois, and a whole bunch of shows which are not quite so THE ROGUE Celtic!!) Read on for more ... FOLK CLUB • Meanwhile, if March is shaping up to We are delighted that the Vancouver be mad, how about February? Irish Consulate has been organizing The Rogue held its second annual fid- events to bring together the various dle festival – The Driven Bow – over Irish/Celtic groups around town since the February 8-11 weekend, with stel- they opened up here in Vancouver late lar performances by the likes of last year. Ashley MacIsaac, De Temps Antan, They are also sponsoring a free after- The Revelers, Daniel Lapp & co., noon St. Patrick’s Day Family Cel- Genticorum, and Qristina & Quinn ebration at St. James Hall on The Day Bachand. It was a fantastic event! – Sunday, March 17 – it starts at 1:30 Four concerts and eight workshops PM and runs until 4:30 PM. later, we (seven Rogue board members There will be a concert set by Irish ST. PATRICK’S DAY, March 17, there will be an evening concert at St. James Hall featuring and staff) headed to Montreal the very musician Brian O’Brien and Paul Vancouver trio Fear Of Drinking. Singer/guitarist Tim Readman teams up with brilliant Scots- next day for the Folk Alliance Inter- Caldwell, an open seisiun, some Canadian fiddler Shona Le Mottee, and they will be joined by Kiwi singer Gerard Kerr. national Conference: Five days drop-in Gaelic lessons, Irish food, packed with hundreds of showcases, Irish Wolfhounds, arts & crafts, face- Comhaltas Ceoltoiri Eireann as boasts some of the very best musi- great band! dozens of panels and peer group ses- painting for kids, and a cash bar. young lads, they became a band at cians in Ireland, including Kevin sions, and thousands of musicians and Celtic Connections in 2015 and have Crawford on flute, Cillian Vallely A couple of “discoveries” at Folk Alli- radio DJs and presenters from all We really hope you can come down to ance: Welsh trio The Trials Of Cato join in the celebrations – of the day, gone from strength-to-strength. on uilleann pipes, and Manchester- around the world. born Colin Farrell on fiddle. are three young lads who play various and even more, of the community. They released their debut CD, stringed instruments on trad songs and We even joined in with a syndicated Afterlight, in 2016 and the follow-up They play West Van’s Kay Meek tunes with great intricacy and alacrity re-creation of John & Yoko’s famous That evening there is a concert in the hall, featuring Vancouver trio Fear Of Avalanche late last year. Theatre. There are still a few good seats on their debut CD, Hide & Hair. Bed-In – which took place in that same left. Click https://kaymeek.com/ hotel 50 years ago. Drinking. Singer/guitarist Tim We saw them at Celtic Colours in The Irish quartet Nava, comprising Readman teams up with brilliant events/lunasa. Don’t miss them!! Cape Breton in 2017 and were amazed! • two Iranian brothers on santoor and Some of the standout performers in- Scots-Canadian fiddler Shona Le We’re so pleased to be able to bring tar, and two young Irishmen – one from cluded Scotland’s Manran, New- Mottee, and they will be joined by The pick of the new releases this them to town for the first time. month is The Gloaming 3 (Real the trad world and one who special- foundland’s The Dardanelles, Que- Kiwi singer Gerard Kerr to reprise izes in bluegrass! bec’s Le Vent Du Nord, PEI’s The Fear of Drinking – both to mark the There’s another top-notch Irish musi- World Records). East Pointers and Vishten, France’s occasion with some trad Celtic songs cian heading to town at the end of the Martin Hayes and co. have come up Their debut CD is called Tapestry, and top Celtic band Doolin’, and young and originals, and some fiddle tunes, month, too. with another superb album, setting to their Irish/Persian fusion of Banish Irish combo Moxie. and to promote the release of a lost music two poems by Ireland’s Liam Misfortune is especially wonderful! Irish harpist and singer Maire Ni • We got back to town just in time for archive recording of the band from a Chathasaigh last played The Rogue O’Muirthile, one by Sean European tour in 1999 – Live in Zu- O’Riordan, and one by 17th Century I invite you to tune in to The Satur- Roguelele Night – and the Danny in 1992! day Edge On Folk every Saturday Michel concert the next night! rich. poet Eoghan Ruadh mac Uilliam Og She’s performed out here – at the Mis- Mic an Bhaird (names I’m very un- from 8 AM to noon on CiTR fm 101.9 This month we’ve already presented The evening will start with a shining sion Folk Festival – just once since and www.citr.ca to hear music by these example of the Irish diaspora in likely to attempt to pronounce on my the lovely Rosie & The Riveters from then, and it’s a very rare treat to be radio show!! Maybe I should take ad- – and heaps of other performers. I’ve Saskatoon, and Cuban-born harmonica Canada: twin sisters Alanna and able to hear this wonderful singer. been hosting this show since June 1985 Brianne Finn-Morris, aka Fionn, vantage of those drop-in Gaelic les- virtuoso Carlos del Junco. sons first!!). and there just never seems to be who released their eponymous debut She’ll be accompanied by the scintil- enough time to play all the new (and Now we are gearing up for the return CD last year. lating guitar work of her husband, York- Of course, they also offer up some in- old) music I get so excited about! of Cape Breton’s Coìg – in my hum- shire-born Chris Newman – himself credible tune medleys as well. What a Slainte, Steve ble opinion the finest Celtic band in It’s acoustic pop-folk with a distinct a master of many styles of music, rang- Canada these days. flavour of their Celtic roots. Their har- ing from the most intricate jazz to mony singing is quite breathtaking! dynamic swing and ragtime as well as Their twin fiddle attack of Chrissy Celtic and folk and blues. Crowley and Rachel Davis is stellar. Two days later why not come back to Rachel also sings in Gaelic and Eng- the Rogue to sing along and strum your They play The Rogue on Friday, lish. ukulele to some Irish songs at Roguelele March 29. Info for all Rogue shows is Night? Then, on Wednesday 20th on www.roguefolk.com. They are driven along by the musical comes the Vancouver debut of an amaz- • dexterity of Darren McMullen on ing powerhouse Celtic quintet based Don’t forget to “flaunt your everything with strings and Cheticamp in Glasgow: Ímar. Frenchness” at the 30th annual Festi- pianist Jason Roach. “At a time when fast-and-furious is val du Bois in Maillardville on March They release their fourth CD, Ashlar, fashionable, Ímar stand out. Even play- 23 and 24 at Mackin Park. on March 15 but assure me they will ing at breakneck speed, they retain a One of this year’s themes is Acadian have copies available when they per- lightness of touch, fingertip control, music, with the brilliant trio Vishten, form at St. James Hall (3214 West 10th and deep sensitivity to the supple in- and Les Tireux d’Roches among the Avenue in Kitsilano) on Saturday, terplay between the instruments.” – guests. Info at www.festivaldubois.ca. March 9. Paul Matheson, Roots magazine. • • With prestigious BBC Radio 2 Folk One of Ireland’s very best trad bands This concert kicks off The Rogue’s returns to the Lower Mainland on involvement with the 2019 edition of Awards in 2015, 2016 and 2018, as well as Folk Band of 2017 at the MG Wednesday, March 27. Lúnasa hasn’t CelticFest Vancouver. Not a bad way played in these parts for many a year, to start things off, eh? Alba Scots Trad Awards this band is absolutely stunning! but they are back! There is a Ceilidh at the Scottish Cul- The lineup is Mohsen Amini I saw them last February in Portland, tural Centre (8886 Hudson Street in where they gave me copy of their lat- Marpole) on Saturday, March 16 with (concertina) from Glasgow; Ryan Murphy (uilleann pipes, flute, whis- est CD, Cas. It’s unique for them: the fine local Celtic band Blackthorn there are five songs by a variety of playing the tunes, along with special tle) from Cork; Tomas Callister (fid- dle) and Adam Rhodes (bouzouki) guest vocalists including Natalie Mer- guests The BC Regiment Irish Pipes chant, Daoiri Farrell, and Eric Bibb. & Drums, Shot of Scotch Highland from the Isle of Man; and Adam Brown ÍMAR, an amazing powerhouse Celtic quintet based in Glas- dancers, and De Danaan Irish Danc- (bodhran, guitar) from Suffolk. All their previous albums are totally gow, will make their Vancouver debut at The Rogue on Wednes- ers. That sounds like a lot of fun! Having first met through the instrumental. And why not? The band day, March 20. MARCH/APRIL 2019 www.celtic-connection.com PAGE 5 Celebrating 30 years of sharing the joy of French culture at Festival du Bois COQUITLAM – This year’s Festival du Bois, March 22-24 at Mackin Park in Maillardville/Coquitlam celebrates three special occasions. First, 2019 marks the festival’s 30th anniversary of presenting the finest in French Canadian and francophone music and culture to a broad-based audience of people of all cultures from the Lower Mainland and beyond. Second, the World Acadian Congress, a gathering of people of Acadian herit- age from all over the world happens in August in Nova Scotia. COMTÉ DE CLARE are from Baie Sainte-Marie (Clare), an The event is held every five years since Acadian region in south-western Nova Scotia. This new trio 1994 with the last gathering in 2014 performs a new kind of tradition-based music merging traditional drawing over 100,000 attendees. Nova Scotian sounds with electronic music. And thirdly, this year marks the 50th anniversary of Canada’s Official Lan- lands in 1755, years of severe hard- certs around the world. guages Act. ship, struggle and eventual return in much diminished numbers, maintained Also in the lineup: The singer-song- There is a lot of all three milestones in a strong and vibrant identity. writer, Shauit, is from north-eastern the music groups you’ll see perform- Québéc’s Maliotenam region and sings ing in the Grand Chapiteau – the huge The three bands with roots in Acadia in Innu, French and English. His songs heated tent on the festival site. performing at this year’s festival are mix Innu traditional music, indigenous proof of the cultural vitality that ex- folk and a variety of other popular What began three decades ago as a fes- ists to this day. genres. tival that presented the rich traditions of predominantly traditional The talented singers and multi-instru- Alpha Yaya Diallo is an outstanding Quebecois folk music has evolved into mentalists of the trio Vishtèn hail from guitarist and singer from West Africa a dynamic and diverse, music-focused both PEI and the Magdalen Islands. with a global reputation for success- three-day event that incorporates the Their dazzling music fuses Acadian and fully uniting the traditional and the con- voices and sounds of French-speaking Celtic genres with other indie, folk and temporary; Jou Tou, the duo of André artists from a range of cultures, genres rock influences. Thibault and Qiu Xia He, are world and places. music virtuosos who lend their formi- New Brunswick’s Seconde Nation is a dable chops to French music from This year you can experience every- folk quartet that plays music rooted around the globe. thing from brilliant fiddling and foot in the Acadian tradition along with their percussion to an extraordinary Innu own compositions, combining story- André Thériault is a consummate en- songwriter from Quebec to brilliant telling, music and comedy in highly tertainer, sharing songs from the grand African guitar. Festival du Bois em- entertaining shows. French Canadian oral tradition – the braces the best of tradition, creativity music of La Bolduc, Félix Leclerc and From Baie Sainte-Marie (Clare), an others. and innovation. Acadian region in south-western Nova And while the festival prides itself on Scotia, comes Comté de Clare. This A very family-friendly event, the fes- showcasing a broad range of new trio performs a new kind of tradi- tival features the children’s tent, a great francophone musical artistry from tion-based music. Their sound features place for kids and families. This year’s across Canada and beyond, this year live instruments as well as pre-recorded talented line-up of performers includes also sees an exciting focus on Acadian and live-mix sequences to merge tradi- the popular Will Stroet, André music and culture. tional Nova Scotian sounds with elec- Thériault, Jean Pierre Makosso, La tronic music. Boussole and Podorythmie. The Acadians are the descendants of French settlers who came to North These groups join the renowned 2019 at Festival du Bois is a celebra- America, to what is now Nova Scotia Québec group, Les Tireux d’Roches, tion of the festival’s 30 years, the vi- as well as Maritime areas, from 1604 on the roster. With roots in the tality of Acadian music and the rich onward. Mauricie region of the province, this francophone culture and heritage that traditional Québécois folk quintet has surrounds us. They brought their rich music and cul- been a much-loved fixture on the inter- • ture with them, and despite being chal- national touring scene for over 20 For more information, go to lenged by forced expulsion from their years, performing at festivals and con- www.festivaldubois.ca. Hearts Beat 2019: An evening of cultural sharing VANCOUVER – Last year the UBC Learning Exchange team created a new event where traditional First Nations and Irish drum players could gather to learn from each other in a cultural ex- change. After two drum/bodhran workshops, they hosted with the support of the Carnegie Centre the first Hearts Beat event which included music, dance, and stories. The event was so successful that in 2019 the Annual Hearts Beat will be held in a larger venue at the Carnegie Centre Theatre to increase participa- tion and celebration. The organizers are excited about this year’s event with the collaboration of the UBC Learning Exchange, Carnegie HEARTS BEAT 2019 presented by the UBC Learning Exchange Community Centre, and Irish in Van- offers two workshops on First Nations and Irish drumming. couver. Hearts Beat 2019 will be held at the Main Street in Vancouver on Thurs- PM and performance at 6 PM. For Carnegie Centre Theatre located at 401 day, March 14. Doors open at 5:30 more information, call (604) 827-2772. PAGE 6 www.celtic-connection.com MARCH/APRIL 2019 Since arriving in Canada just 10 years ago Irish immigrant William Donnellan has built an empire He laughed and said, “I think the Lim- INCE arriving in Vancouver 10 years erick crowd put in that extra little bit ago as a young Irish immigrant, busi- of effort because they knew a Galway man owned Donnellan’s Pub....we nessman William Donnellan has didn’t come out on the right end but blazed a path and accomplished so Limerick were a long time waiting.” William has a strong GAA connection. S At home, he started playing hurling much at a dizzying pace. with his local club at the age of 10. First he established the hugely Craughwell has a senior team and successful IRL Construction, William represented Galway in the then he went on to open minor under 21. He has played in Croke Park several times which he de- Donnellan’s Irish Pub on scribes as an intimidating experience. Granville Street in the downtown Vancouver entertainment dis- By Here in Vancouver, William coached CATHOLINE the Joseph P. Ryan hurling team and trict, and now last December he BUTLER in 2014 the team won the North Ameri- launched Donnellan’s Chipper. can Junior A Hurling Championship in WILLIAM DONNELLAN (L), Managing Director of the IRL Group, Boston which he describes as a mo- While building his local empire, mentous sense of achievement. and Johnny McDonnell (R), Manager of Donnellan’s Irish Pub in William seems to be absolutely Vancouver. thriving and enjoying every minute “Our amazing young Those accomplishments are on display of it. As he says himself, “there at Donnellan’s Irish Pub with trophy are a lot more plans still to be ac- son, Larla was born cups behind the bar and lots of signed complished.” inter-county jerseys. More trophies 10 weeks premature can be seen in a trophy case at the A native of Craughwell, Co. Galway, pub. William arrived in Vancouver in 2009 on August 4, 2017 When time permits, he still likes to looking for work with an eye to even- play hurling with the team. tually establishing his own construc- at 3:30 PM, the tion business. Strangely enough, it was a trophy that inspired William to open his own pub. In Ireland William had his own small same day and exact but busy construction company that After playing and winning a trophy, specialized in carpentry. time as the official he asked a local pub if they would dis- play the trophy up behind their bar. When the economic collapse hit Ire- land, construction was one of the hard- opening of They responded with a flat out no, est hit areas and, like so many others, and that’s when he decided to open his business soon collapsed and ground Donnellan’s Irish his own bar. Hence, Donnellan’s Irish to a halt. Pub. Obviously, Pub was born. IRL CONSTRUCTION on site at a residential development project Upon arrival in Canada, William soon Speaking about upcoming changes at in east Vancouver. found work in construction in Vancou- he wasn’t missing IRL Construction, William said 2019 ver and in 2011 he set up his own com- is going to be a very exciting year for wondering if there will there be a hard anymore, there will be no more bri- pany – IRL construction. the company. border. It’s really hard to know. It will quettes or coal, turf will be gone and the party.” definitely affect the economy, possi- no more oil. He worked night and day in the begin- He said, “We’re going to change the bly leading to another recession in Ire- ning – when he finished work at IRL structure at IRL, adding some other land. “The government is going to clamp he would go to another location and companies such as IRL Moving and down on it and it will be illegal. build sun decks until midnight. Waste Disposal, which has already “This is a real concern for farmers or “Everyone will have to bring their started. anyone exporting products such as Now, it’s been five years since The beef, it’s all just so unknown at the homes up to speed to comply and it’s Celtic Connection first sat down to “IRL Construction will change to the moment.” going to cost people a lot of money. speak with William and big changes IRL Group and underneath that group The government will compensate have taken place in his life. will be IRL Moving and Waste Dis- Continuing, he explained how Ireland maybe 50 percent or maybe not at all.” posal, IRL Skilled Labour Hire and IRL is bringing in new regulations to com- It will be interesting to see how it all First, he married his childhood sweet- Development, and IRL Safety Divi- ply with fossil fuel reduction. They plays out in the coming months and heart Laura Newell and the couple wel- sion. You could say, there will be four are getting rid of solid fuels and turn- years. comed their first child – a son – named companies under that IRL umbrella.” ing to heat recovery systems such as Larla. solar panels and electricity. Going forward, one thing is certain, it Continuing, William said, “We’re also will be exciting to watch what other Larla made a dramatic entrance into this GAA football jerseys on display. going to acquire our own real estate “I saw some homes being built now gems William Donnellan and the IRL world on the night of the official open- and begin developing multi-family that have no chimneys because you Group will be adding to the Donnellan ing night of the new Donnellan’s Irish homes in the Fraser Valley. are not allowed to have solid fuel Pub. It’s this enterprising spirit that led empire. William to establish Donnellan’s Irish “We’re currently looking at property William recalls, “Our amazing young Pub. and have a good team put together now son, Larla was born 10 weeks prema- He said, “I saw the need to open an on our board of directors and it’s look- ture on August 4, 2017 at 3:30 PM, ing very promising. the same day and exact time as the of- Irish bar in the city that was Irish ficial opening of Donnellan’s Irish Pub. owned and Irish operated. “We have also looked into modular Obviously, he wasn’t missing the “We have invested in the community homes since they are popping up all party.” and it has most definitely paid off such over the place but we think multi-fam- as getting behind the local soccer teams, ily homes may suit us better since we Fortunately, he said, “my family was have access to labour.” over from Ireland for the official open- GAA teams and Irish film festival. ing and my parents cut the red ribbon “We bring in the GAA games from Ire- According to William, people are one on behalf of the Donnellan Group.” land and show them live here such as of the biggest assets with his company. William continued, “In 2018 we es- hurling and Gaelic football. We are the He said, “We have about 100 employ- tablished and opened Donnellan’s only venue in Vancouver that shows ees and skilled workers and that’s Chipper and Bar, also in the down- the GAA live. probably our biggest asset. town Vancouver entertainment district. “Early on in the season there may not It specializes in Irish fare that is mostly “Sixty to 70 percent of our workforce be the big crowds to watch the games is Irish but if a good carpenter comes missed here by the many from Ire- but certainly as it goes on in the sea- land.” through our doors and if he has the son there will be the crowds. qualifications and skills that we’re This year, the Donnellan Group is full “I was here last year for the All Ire- looking for then he will be hired.” speed ahead. land Hurling Final between Galway and At the time of our meeting, William William said, “This year, we estab- Limerick, and we had a packed house. had just returned from a whirlwind lished the IRL Group – a parent com- “I wanted to go home to Ireland to see week-long visit home to Ireland. pany for the following departments: the match but just couldn’t do it but it He spoke about the uncertainty and IRL Skilled Labour Hire, IRL Safety, was really nice to have the atmosphere IRL Moving and Waste Disposal, and some of the concerns around Brexit at and the spirit here and was the next the moment. IRL Development.” best thing to being in Croke Park for the game.” “There is a big concern, and many are MARCH/APRIL 2019 www.celtic-connection.com PAGE 7 Johnnie Fox’s Irish Snug: A magnet for Irish both young and old By CATHOLINE BUTLER VANCOUVER – Johnnie Fox’s Irish Snug has been in business since 2004 and has often been described as the closest you will find to a tra- ditional Irish pub in Canada. The first thing you encounter in this tiny establishment is the bar and its prime location where you can sit and chat to the barman and other patrons. In no time at all, you’re not a stranger anymore but part of the conversation and laughter, and maybe even have met a new friend. JOHNNIE FOX’S IRISH SNUG (L-R) Johnny Griffin (Limerick) Some years ago, new Irish arriving to Manager and Sean Flynn (Athlone) General Manager. Vancouver were directed to look for the pub with the red door on Granville other from 9 PM to midnight. mer, they usually arrive about May Street, it was there you could be sure and June, and again just before Christ- to meet up with some fellow Irish men One group is the Paul Caldwell and mas. and women. Brian O’Brien duo and their band is called The Fight Outside. “They are The staff at Johnnie Fox’s generally The red door has now been replaced very, very popular with the Irish com- try to give the new arrivals as much with a plate glass one, but it’s not munity,” said Sean. information as possible about who to gone...it’s just hanging on the wall now contact for possible employment and as a reminder when you enter the pub. He could not confirm the name of the where to look for accommodations. second band but he could say there The removal of that door however has will definitely be music all weekend at As an example, Sean said, “Last week- not been any deterrent to new arrivals Johnnie Fox’s. end, I would say 95 percent of our to this city and Johnnie Fox’s contin- patrons were the newly arrived Irish. ues to be a magnet for Irish both young On St. Patrick’s Day, Sunday, March One of the reasons for that is that we and old. 17, they will open at 11 AM and there are so close to the hostels where many will be an early Irish trad session with of them are staying. I recently stopped by Johnnie Fox’s Michael and Rosie starting at 1 PM. and spoke to Athlone-born general Later they will have Eamon who is also “I also think it’s because Johnnie Fox’s manager Sean Flynn about plans for an excellent musician on stage. is such an authentic kind of Irish bar St. Patrick’s at the pub. that it’s a nice taste of home for them.” Fox’s are noted for their delicious Irish On Thursday, March 15, they will have comfort food and Sean said St. Then, Sean laughed with a bit of hu- their regular traditional Irish music ses- Patrick’s weekend there will be more mour and said, “To keep it looking like sion with Paul Caldwell, a very tal- of the same favourites. a typical Irish bar, all we need to do is ented musician from Donegal who has not clean the place and not paint the just released a single on YouTube. In the morning on Friday and Satur- walls....maybe add a few cobwebs.” day they will have their Irish break- The next night, they’re planning to fast rolls, and in the afternoon the Irish Continuing, he said, “It’s not just the kick off St. Patrick’s with a Fox’s week- chicken fillet roll. newly arrived Irish that like Johnnie end festival. Fox’s, a lot of the old guard like to This is a French baguette with breaded come in for a pint. On Saturday, March 16, Sean warns, chicken fillet, lettuce, tomato and “I would say, if you want to have com- cheese with a side of curry cheese fries. “A lot of people have told us they like fort and have a table, you need to be the laid-back atmosphere and the fast, here early...by at least 11 AM. “This is very popular here, especially friendly service. Actually, that is ex- with the Irish expats,” said Sean, “and “We’re a very small pub and space is actly what we have built our business it’s only $9.95, so we sell a lot of on.” limited, so it’s best to get here early as these. On Sunday we have our tradi- we need to be very strict on the num- tional Sunday roast beef dinner.” Johnnie Fox’s Irish Snug is located at bers we can let in.” 1033 Granville Street in Vancouver. For He remarked that he has noticed that more information, check out their There will be two bands playing on the new Irish arrive in waves. In sum- Saturday, one from 6-9 PM and an- website at: www.johnniefox.ca. A Taste of Home at Donnellan’s Chipper in the Heart of Downtown Vancouver By CATHOLINE BUTLER could top it all off with a battered fried VANCOUVER – Donnellan’s Chip- Mars bar. per, located in downtown Vancouver in the Granville Entertainment district, Donnellan’s Chipper also has a lot more has only been opened since December to offer than after hours nourishment. but it has already made a name for it- You could start your morning with a self as the establishment specializing MARIE HARLOWE and hearty breakfast roll consisting of sau- in Irish fare. Melissa McGorman at sage, bacon, black and white pudding The Chipper is further hoping to en- Donnellan’s Chipper. and an egg, or a breakfast sambo of hance their menu by adding a liquor sausage, bacon, black and white pud- to the way it’s made in Ireland. ding and egg. There is also a veggie bun. licence... possibly by the time you read this article. One of the biggest sellers is the spice All prepared the way you remember it bag which has fries, onions, green pep- at home. Manager Melissa McGorman is Irish- pers, a mixture of spice and chillies, For lunch or anytime you’re hungry, born from Monaghan, and she has a and chicken tenders. wealth of experience having worked in there is the Donnellan’s burger, a chippers at home since she was 15- Also, as expected at a chipper, there is chicken or a veggie burger, hot dogs, years-old. an extensive menu for fries. battered sausage, or cod and chips. Sides are coleslaw, curry, garlic and She said most of the other staff work- Melissa said, “Our fries are hand cut mushy peas. ing at Donnellan’s Chipper are also and soaked overnight to remove the Irish. “We have staff working here from starch and then double cooked, fried These are just some of the items on Dublin, Galway, Newry, and just about once, and then fried again.” offer at the Chipper and they’re avail- able Sunday to Thursday from 3 PM every other county in Ireland, and they The selection includes plain fries, curry are all familiar with chippers.” to midnight, Friday and Saturday from fries, curry cheese fries, butter chicken 3 PM to 4 AM – eat in or take-away. Many of their menu items are prepared fries, chicken curry fries, and even taco in-house such as the battered burger fries to name just a few – fries for every Donnellan’s Chipper is located at 1224 which is very popular back home, also possible taste. Granville Street in Vancouver. For their breakfast roll is also made as close more information, call (604) 331-4302, In case that isn’t enough for you, you or visit their Facebook page. PAGE 8 www.celtic-connection.com MARCH/APRIL 2019 Mahony & Sons Burrard Landing: Inspired by a traditional Irish public house with a modern twist

By CATHOLINE BUTLER

VANCOUVER – Mahony & Sons Burrard Landing is one of three family owned and oper- ated Irish pubs in the Vancou- MAHONY & SONS Stamps Landing (L-R) manager Joe McGloin, ver area. server Sarah Seebach, and bartender Paudie Butler. Located at the foot of Burrard Street beside the Convention Centre, it presents a warm west coast ambience with hardwood floors and Celtic art- Panoramic views work throughout. The view is absolutely breathtaking – overlooking the North Shore Moun- and great hospitality tains and the beauty of Stanley Park. MAHONY & SONS Burrard Landing (centre) Gerard Mahony, Guests can enjoy watching small sea- General Manager, with servers Hillary, Saoirse, Adrianne, and planes coming in for a landing or tak- Benita. at Mahony & Sons ing off from Coal Harbour while so- cializing, and during cruise ship sea- son huge vessels are docked within Stamps Landing meters of the front door. By CATHOLINE BUTLER Pete Mahony, who is based at the False Mahony and Sons Burrard Landing Creek location, is the company CEO. also offers an exceptional dining expe- VANCOUVER – The Mahony rience inspired by traditional Irish Irish clan, all 11 of them and There are now three Mahony & Sons public houses but with a modern twist. establishments in Vancouver – the their parents from Australia, original Mahony & Sons Public House Gerard Mahony is the general man- seem to have a real knack for at UBC which opened in March 2007, ager at the Burrard Landing pub and picking-out beautiful locations the Burrard Landing which opened in he said they have a busy schedule 2011, and Stamps Landing which planned for the March 17 St. Patrick’s to open their Irish pubs. opened in 2014. Day long weekend celebrations. The Mahony & Sons Stamps Landing Speaking about celebrations for St. It’s not officially listed as a long location is a testament to that. Patrick’s weekend, general manager weekend...but nobody has told the Located on beautiful False Creek with Alison Kelly said Mahony & Sons Irish or their friends. a walking promenade that curves Stamps Landing will have live music Gerard said, “It’s always a fun experi- around to the front door of the pub Friday, Saturday and Sunday. They ence here with the Eire Born Irish danc- provides a great excuse to drop in for will also feature appearances of the ers coming in to do a set on Saturday some refreshment and nourishment Eire Born Irish dancers. Patrons can evening the night before Paddy’s day. after a brisk walk. order food off the pub’s extensive regu- lar menu. “We also have two sessions on St. Inside the front door is a friendly at- Patrick’s day, one in the early after- mosphere with a big circular bar and a Kelly said, “we’re really hoping the noon and one at dinnertime on the Sun- cosy fireplace to sit with friends and weather cooperates with nice sunny day. enjoy some of the delicious food from days so that patrons can enjoy the patio Mahony’s menu. for the St. Patrick’s celebrations.” “The dancers are always well received, and I know our guests really enjoy the Guests sitting downstairs in the pub There is limited parking out front but traditional Irish dancing. enjoy a panoramic view of False Creek Translink offers nearby bus service. while the upstairs patio is definitely “With our hardwood floors the hard Another great transportation option is shoes worn by the dancers make a one of Vancouver’s premiere water- the False Creek ferries system with a front patios. stomping sound and it really brings the number of dock locations in the area. pub to life and guests onto their feet. It offers an amazing view of down- This is a great way to enjoy the sights “We will also have live musicians MAHONY & SONS Burrard Landing located at the foot of Burrard town Vancouver and Yaletown, and at and there is a stop at Stamps Landing night this is a fairytale setting with all throughout the day, so there will be Street beside the Vancouver Convention Centre presents a warm almost right outside the front door at lots of great music on St. Patrick’s day. the lights of the city twinkling. Mahony and Sons. west coast ambience with hardwood floors and magnificent Celtic “We have Guinness on tap and I like artwork designs throughout. There is an elevator to the second level For more information, check out their which is a real bonus for disabled pa- to think we pour the best pint of Guin- website at: www.mahonyand ness this side of Ireland. trons. The west side of the patio is sons.com. also pet-friendly. “We’re looking forward to making it a really big weekend as that’s what eve- New EU Policy ends ryone seems to be up for this year. Hopefully, everyone paces themselves a little bit and won’t be too tired by clock changes from 2021 Sunday.” DUBLIN – A love-hate relationship Under the decision, each member state The music line-up for the weekend in- with clocks jumping forward and back- must now decide by April 2020 cludes regularly scheduled live music wards an hour each year will now ter- whether they want to remain on sum- from 7:30 PM to midnight on Friday minate within two years under a new mer time. and Saturday with Johnny Leroux on EU policy. Friday, and Barry Quinn on Saturday. Justice Minister Charlie Flanagan con- Sunday, March 17, will feature live Ireland must now choose between firmed last year that a special consul- music all day. winter or summer time with Brussels tation process over summer time or having ruled that clock changes across winter time is underway. The extensive menu at Mahony & Sons the EU should cease from 2021. Burrard Landing features a delicious It was acknowledged there are many selection, including Irish stew, bang- It is now up to individual member benefits to ending the process of chang- ers and mash, Guinness battered Pa- states to decide which time, winter or ing the clocks each year such as im- cific cod fish and chips, shepherds pie summer, they will adhere to through- proved outcomes for road safety and made with ground beef and lamb, lamb out the year. economic benefits. dip and their famous Irish potato soup. The decision was taken by the Euro- In addition brighter evenings in winter They also offer a children’s menu. pean Parliament’s Transport and Tour- would have a positive benefit for pub- MAHONY & SONS Stamps Landing opened in 2014. It offers ism Committee – with the European lic health. The majority across Europe amazing views of downtown Vancouver and Yaletown and the Check out their website for more in- Parliament having already voted to ac- wanted better standardisation in light upstairs patio is definitely one of Vancouver’s premiere water- formation: www.mahonyandsons.com. cept a similar proposal from the Euro- of greater integration of European front patios. pean Commission. economies and travel systems. MARCH/APRIL 2019 www.celtic-connection.com PAGE 9 Brexit: ‘What is absolutely certain is that nobody has any idea of what is happening’ REETINGS All being well in three weeks time POSTCARD FROM Wales will be the Grand Slam winners from a warm BOURNEMOUTH and European champions. • sunny The national news has featured Bourne- Shamima Begum who four years ago, as a 15-year-old London school girl, G mouth. was radicalised and travelled to join ISIS in Syria. The daffodils have arrived trum- peting the approach of spring Within 10 days of her arrival she was By married to a jihad warrior and in four and for the past six or seven ELFAN years has given birth to three children, days we have been blessed JONES two of which died. with clear blue skies and record The Times journalist Anthony Lloyd high temperatures for this time I ended up in Cardiff at the weekend found her in a Syrian refugee camp to witness Wales beat England at rugby heavily pregnant as the birth of her of year. so all is well in my world. third child was imminent. The last few weeks have been Now there is just a little matter of de- She expressed her desire to return to busy and enjoyable, travelling feating the Scots in Edinburgh which the UK so that her baby could be we should do, then the Irish in Cardiff looked after, but showed no remorse around the South of England vis- which we might do. for her actions, and demonstrated that iting customers. her opinions on ISIS had not changed. I will be 75 this year but will not retire The public outcry resulted in Sajid until either my work stops being fun Javid, our home secretary, revoking her or bad health prevents me from con- British citizenship, which in my opin- tinuing. ion is wrong and indicative of the knee jerk reactions our politicians have to- I sell cashmere knitwear, men’s shirts day. and socks to up market stores on a freelance basis. The young woman is naïve and now regrets speaking to the media. Had she When travelling, if business is good, I simply said she had made a mistake book into in a good small hotel or coun- and wanted to come home, I wonder try inn and have a good meal, but if what the reaction would have been. business is bad then I stay in a better hotel and have a better meal. The vitriolic outpouring saddens me as there is no proof whatsoever that The political uncertainties have af- she was involved in any of the horrors fected trade and business has been dif- perpetrated by ISIS. ficult, consequently I have stayed in some really nice places. Instead of bringing her back to the UK and finding out how she was brain- Over the years I have compiled a list washed, and allowing our courts to of my favourite establishments and this assess any guilt, the government is year found a little gem called The Hatch washing its hands of her and attempt- Inn which is located in Hatch ing to show she is not a British citizen Beauchamp, a quaint hamlet four miles in the hope that another country will from Taunton in Somerset. accept responsibility for her. The folks were friendly and the food Javid has allowed her to be tried and delicious; roasted figs with goats’ convicted by public opinion. cheese then a seafood linguine. SHAMIMA BEGUM, who left Bethnal Green in east London • Somerset is famous for its apples and to join Islamic State as a 15- The Brexit circus rolls on in a surreal comic manner. cider, so dessert had to be homemade year-old in 2015, recently said Somerset apple cake and homemade On March 29 after two years of nego- ice-cream. she regretted speaking to the media. The 19-year-old, who tiation we leave the European Union, There was a comprehensive, reason- gave birth days after a journal- well maybe, but perhaps not, because ably priced wine list and I could not ist tracked her down to a refu- there might be a delay, or there could resist finishing with an English be a second referendum and then again gee camp in northeastern there might not be. cheeseboard and a wee glass of port. Syria, has now fled the camp The full English breakfast or the car- along with her newborn after There will definitely be a deal as no- diac arrest special as my wife calls it receiving death threats and she body wants a ‘No Deal’ situation but was not to be missed. If you are in has being stripped of her Brit- everybody is preparing for a ‘No Deal’ situation. that area it is the place to stay. ish citizenship, blocking her • return to the UK. What is absolutely certain though is that nobody has any idea of what is happening. I am beginning to enjoy it all, and in years to come it could be written as one of those bedroom farces where people are going in and out of doors in a muddle of misunderstanding. The betting odds are interesting. UK leaving on March 29 is 11 to two. UK delaying the leaving date is now odds on at one to four. The UK to leave with no deal is five to one. The holding of a second referendum is nine to two. Whatever the outcome the odds that the government will accept blame, apologise to the country and resign is THE HATCH INN located in Hatch Beauchamp, a quaint hamlet one hundred to one. four miles from Taunton in Somerset, offers open fires and can- All for now. dle lit tables and a delicious menu selection. Elfan. PAGE 10 www.celtic-connection.com MARCH/APRIL 2019 The Paperboys will headline 88th BC Highland Games & Scottish Festival

COQUITLAM, BC – BC Highland Games attendees are in for a treat this year, as B.C.’s top Celtic band, The Paperboys, is poised to take the beer garden stage at the Games in June for a Games afternoon concert, plus a free Friday night event. The Paperboys will headline the 88th BC Highland Games & Scottish Festival in its new lo- cation, Coquitlam’s Lafarge Lake Park. The band will play on Saturday after- noon, June 15, for two performances. For those who can’t make it Saturday, you can still enjoy a bit of Celtic cul- ture with The Paperboys on Friday night at a free kick off Ceilidh. “We are thrilled to have the Paperboys as our main act,” says Mike Chisholm, executive director of the BC Highland Games. MIKE CHISHOLM Executive Di- PHOTO: City of Coquitlam “We have wanted to have the band at rector of the BC Highland Games. TD COMMUNITY STAGE, Lafarge Lake, Coquitlam, B.C. will be the site of this year’s BC Highand the Games for many years, so it’s great Games and Festival. to finally land them for our expanded Games in our new location. Well known B.C. musician Michael “We have been working and planning Viens of Blackthorn will host the stage, Good to know..... with City of Coquitlam officials for along with invited musicians, includ- the past three years to move the ing East coast piper Barry Shears, fid- • Tickets for the Games are now Games to Lafarge Lake Park, and what dler J.J. Lavelee and others through- on sale on the Games website out the afternoon. better way to kick things off than to (BCHighlandGames.com); have B.C.’s Celtic kings welcome eve- Piping and drumming will be located ryone to the new venue in a free Fri- in a section of the park appropriately • Tartan Run info is also available day night concert and as headliners on named “Piper’s Glen.” on the Games website or click the Saturday.” events category here: “With plenty of space, trees and se- Lafarge Lake Park is a grassy, treed cluded areas, it will be perfect for tun- www.events.runningroom.com area on the edge of Lafarge Lake in ing up, competitions and hanging out • Volunteers: Games Hosts are still downtown Coquitlam. It is the site of with pipers and drummers from needed. Please see the Games a number of summer civic celebrations throughout the Pacific Northwest who including Canada Day and the Kalei- attend the Games,” says Chisholm. website for info; doscope Festival. “And Highland dancing will also be in • Friday night is a free event in the The BC Highland Games will be the a new, more scenic location on the north park. Bring a lawn chair; first big, non-civic event to be held in end of the park bordering the lake.” • Access is via Skytrain Millen- the park, a stone’s throw from the THE PAPERBOYS led by Tom Landa will light up the TD Com- Games old venue, Percy Perry Sta- The main TD Community Stage will nium Line (Evergreen Extension) dium, where the Games were held for be the site of official ceremonies, Scot- Lafarge Lake Station. munity Stage on Saturday, June 15 when they headline the 2019 27 years. tish Country dancing and cultural ac- BC Highland Games and Festival at Lafarge Lake in Coquitlam. tivities. The new venue is a more intimate set- ting for all the Games competitions, From interactive and massed Scottish including the Scottish heavy events. country dancing, to a Gaelic milling frolic for everyone, the main stage will The Pender Highlanders Ceilidh Band The City of Coquitlam is now in the be hopping all day. final stages of completing a new lawn at the site which will be ready this The stage will also be the location for to perform at the Scottish Culture Centre spring, and will host its first event June the final ceremonies with hundreds of 15, when the Scottish heavy athletes pipers and drummers wrapping up the VANCOUVER – The Pender take the field at 9 AM with a special Games in thunderous style. ceremony at 11 AM. Highlanders Ceilidh Band, Behind the scenes, a committee of more founded on Pender Island in “We have decided to name the heavy than 35 people are working on plan- event field after one of the Games long- ning for the Games in its new location British Columbia in 2008, is an est supporters, Lew Ross. just steps from the Lafarge Lake eight member Celtic group Skytrain station. “Lew is the former athletic director of playing largely traditional Celtic the Games and was key to developing The Games will continue to provide a tunes and songs. Scottish heavy event athletics in B.C. top level event for all competitors, and It’s a very appropriate name for this a moveable feast of sights, sounds and A notable feature of the ensemble new field, in our new location,” says experiences for everyone else. is its three Scottish smallpipe play- Chisholm. “The Games are a perfect event for ers, which give the band its dis- A special ceremony will be held at 11 families and friends to gather, spend tinctive sound. Other instruments AM to dedicate the Lew Ross Heavy the day wandering the field, enjoying include Scottish harp, keyboard, Event Field and to recognize the City the food, vendors, music and competi- guitar, bodhran and pennywhistle. of Coquitlam for its cooperation and tions that make the Games such a unique experience,” says Chisholm. The band works continually on new assistance in the move to Lafarge Lake repertoire, which for an upcoming con- Park. “We continue to grow these Games cert at the Scottish Cultural Centre in Lew will also be asked to throw the into a bigger community celebration Vancouver will feature beautiful bal- AN EIGHT MEMBER Celtic group, The Pender Highlanders first “ceremonial” stone to officially that is easy to access via public tran- lads and well-known traditional and Ceilidh Band features traditional instruments and perform beau- begin the heavy events, which start at sit, and has something for everyone, comic songs in Gaelic, English and tiful ballads and well-known songs in Gaelic, English and Broad 9 AM. all for just $15.” Broad Scots as well as traditional and Scots. contemporary instrumental tunes. Along with The Paperboys, Highland Friday night will be a free event in the park with open Piobaireachd (classi- All players but one are also members singing to participate in the vocal Centre on Saturday, May 4. They will dancing, piping, heavy events and pieces if they wish. be performing with well-known Gaelic whisky school, the Games this year cal music of the pipes), beer garden, a of the Pender Highlanders Pipe and whisky tasting, a 10 & 5k Tartan Run, Drum Band. Emphasis is placed on singer Robyn Carrigan and all are wel- will feature an acoustic stage for tradi- The Pender Highlanders Ceilidh Band come to attend. tional musicians. vendors and The Paperboys. encouraging those present who enjoy will perform at the Scottish Cultural MARCH/APRIL 2019 www.celtic-connection.com PAGE 11 Canada Spotting in Scotland as a Distraction from Brexit

By HARRY McGRATH

EDINBURGH – “Dear March – Come in” is the opening line of a poem by Emily Dickenson. She goes on to say how glad she is that March has come and that she had hoped for it be- fore. Here in Scotland, many hoped that March would never come as, in theory at least, it is the month of Brexit. Even the unseasonably warm weather isn’t really cheering us up; global warming casts a shadow over the al fresco drinkers in their t-shirts. South of here the pandemonium con- tinues. A series of cancelled votes has now given way to a putative sequence of TIM HORTONS opened in Glasgow in July 2017 to huge public new ones. approval for doughnuts and timbits. Crowds queued down the In the middle of March there could be street as Canadian mounties manned the doors for the official as many as three votes. opening. Sources say the queue started at 6 PM the night be- fore opening. Since then three more locations have sprung up There’s the so-called “meaningful around the Glasgow area. vote” on the prime minister’s deal by March 12. If that fails, then ‘No Deal’ or an extension of Article 50 enters the ing “classic Canadian hospitality.” Another Canadian, Dario Zanatta, was equation. signed by Hearts in 2015 but is cur- Its restaurant might be the only place rently on loan to Alloa which is a long In the meantime, a Tory cabinet minis- in the world that “combines Scottish way, in every respect, from Victoria ter was quoted as saying with refer- and Canadian cuisines.” where he was born and raised. ence to Scotland and Brexit, “Once you I was fascinated to discover this re- hit the iceberg, you are all on it to- Until recently Canada was so far ahead sults in a menu that contains “Haggis gether.” of Scotland in women’s soccer that Bon Bons, Canadian Clubhouse, Bat- there wasn’t much to compare. In other words, the whole thing is a tered Haddock, and the signature Chop disaster but we are to embrace it any- Burger, topped with streaky bacon, However, Scotland and Canada have way. sautéed mushrooms, cheddar cheese just finished playing each other in the and sautéed onions.” prestigious Algarve tournament in Por- At the risk of extending the rather taste- tugal. less Titanic metaphor, there were peo- In aviation, Scotland has long had Air ple aboard it who survived. Scotland Transat but WestJet is a more recent Both teams are using the tournament has a lifeboat. addition. to prepare for the World Cup in France where Scotland is a first-time quali- The prospect of Brexit is so depress- Its current advertising campaign notes fier. ing that I had to invent a game to take the fact that Canada has over half the my mind off it. world’s polar bears before offering Canada beat Scotland 1-0 in Portugal flights from Glasgow to Halifax. on a goal by Christine Sinclair which “Spot the Canada connection” started is familiar enough in Canadian terms when Tim Hortons opened in Glas- It doesn’t mention that you still have but the closeness of the result indi- gow city centre in July 2017. a wee bit to go from Halifax before cates that a lot has changed for Scot- you meet any bears. Glasgewians were so enamoured of a land. place that sells both doughnuts and the If, on the other hand, you want beer The rise of women’s soccer in Scot- wee bit they cut out of the middle, originally brewed by a Masonic Scot land, now ranked in the top 20, is the two more Tim Hortons soon sprung called Alexander Keith, you are head- result of lots of hard work and dedica- up in the Glasgow area. ing to the right place. tion. Tim Hortons isn’t the only Canada- Identifying Canadian connections in It has also come about despite some associated company at work here. Scottish soccer is a particularly divert- idiotic male oppositionalism. ing exercise. One wonders what the 30 or so folk in In 2013 a tabloid columnist here wrote the “special service area” of Herschel, Some years back there was a mini boom that the stadium that hosted a wom- Saskatchewan would think of the fact in Canadian soccer players here with en’s game between Scotland and that every second person in Scotland Davide Xausa, Nick Dasovic, Richard Bosnia-Herzegovina should be is carrying a backpack named for their Hastings, Paul Fenwick and Jason de “torched ... in order to cleanse it,” called community. Vos playing for various Scottish teams. the game “turgid” and claimed that Among other things, the packs bring a Now we have Scott Arfield who plays “even the most fervent fans must agree splash of colour to otherwise drab for Rangers and captains Canada even it’s time to chuck it.” Scottish males. though he was born in Scotland. If Scotland can face down Brexit with Lululemon is here too with a store in Similarly David Wotherspoon plays the same dignity and class that its Glasgow and another in Edinburgh. for his hometown team St. Johnstone women’s soccer team displayed when but has opted to play for Canada. confronted with this crass stupidity, Aberdeen has a Sandman Hotel offer- perhaps there is hope for us all yet. PAGE 12 www.celtic-connection.com MARCH/APRIL 2019 ‘Fill Your Heart With Ireland’ and discover your heritage By CATHOLINE BUTLER

DANA WELCH, Manager for Canada with Tourism Ireland. OURISM Ire- land has a new branding cam- paign this year T called ‘Fill Your Heart with Ireland’ and it is be- ing launched globally and in Canada. PHOTO: Tourism Ireland Recently, Dana Welch, manager for THE LOUGHCREW CAIRNS are an amazing hidden wonder in Canada with Tourism Ireland spoke Co. Meath near Oldcastle in Ireland. This is an area of great with The Celtic Connection about historical importance and home to a group of megalithic tombs St. Patrick’s celebrations in Ireland, dating back to about 4000 BC. In a landscape of inspiring beauty tourism and the impact that Brexit and intriguing history, the cairns at Loughcrew form the largest may pose to tourism. complex of passage graves in Ireland.

She said from March 14 to 18 the St. festivals pop-up in all parts of Ireland “Last year we had six percent growth Patrick’s Festival will take place in throughout the years.” in tourism over 2017 and this trans- Dublin with a spectacular five-day lates to a revenue of just over six bil- family program and the very best of Travel to Ireland has never been easier lion euro and that creates 325,000 jobs traditional and contemporary story- with Air Canada offering direct flights across the island.” telling integrated into the festival. to Ireland and this June WestJet will launch their new Dreamliner flights to Over five million Canadians claim Irish This year’s theme is Scealaiocht Agus Dublin from Calgary. ancestry and while genealogy is a huge Seanchai (A Celebration of Irish Sto- draw, interest in ancient history is also rytelling) with stories and storytellers “I also know that Aer Lingus are look- a huge attraction. from Irish mythology and defining his- ing at several other locations in the U.S. torical moments of Ireland’s past rich and Canada,” she added. Newgrange, Ireland’s oldest passage storytelling tradition. tomb was built during the Neolithic “We have actually seen a 50 percent period, around 3200 BC, making it While St. Patrick’s celebrations used increase in traffic from Canada to Ire- older than Stonehenge and the Egyp- to be over four to five days, they now land. So, that’s over 13,000 seats a tian pyramids. extend over a month and throughout week in the peak of summer. the whole country. Dana added, “One of the other things “Speaking about the broader market, that we hear from Canadians is how There will be activities such as in Norwegian Air will be running flights pleasantly surprised they are with the this March from Hamilton, Ontario to Northern Ireland in Armagh and St. food. There is a really vibrant culinary Patrick’s Trail, but the biggest St. Dublin.” scene in Ireland. Patrick’s parade will be in Dublin. Tourism Ireland has made contingency “We know that when Canadians are Festivals are very important for tour- plans in relation to Brexit and its im- thinking of food, Ireland may not be ism. For most Canadians with Ireland pact on tourism to Ireland. the first on that list but we want to let on their list, a festival or festivals may people know it should be up there be- be a compelling reason to prompt them “Tourism Ireland have been proactive and a Brexit Taskforce was established cause we have access to such fresh to make that decision to take it off their local ingredients and seafood. bucket list and make now a time to when Brexit was first announced,” said Dana. visit Ireland. “Whether it’s in a Michelin star res- “We have no interest in seeing a hard taurant or in a pub you can get some Dana explained there are many festi- really great food and a fun experience.” vals in Ireland throughout the whole border and it’s something that we are year, and St. Bridget’s is one of them. monitoring closely and the impact it Check out Tourism Ireland’s new ‘Fill may have on Great Britain, which is a You Heart Campaign’ on their website. St. Bridget’s Day or La Feile Bhride is big source market for tourism into Ire- It’s a fun video featuring a real couple on February 1 and many consider her land. from Sweden visiting Ireland for the to be the true patron saint of Ireland. “We are fortunate that markets like first time. North America have seen strong The Hallowe’en Festival in Dana explains, “They are not actors Derry~Londonderry is just amazing growth. Overall tourism into Ireland and both are wearing a heart rate moni- and so family friendly with a huge fire- is really strong. tor. works display. “Last year we had about 250,000 visi- “The heart rate captures when they It’s also a great way to let people know tors from Canada which is great and were really excited or when they were that Hallowe’en actually originated in we are seeing more and more interest calm as they were filming the different Ireland. from Canadians. parts of their journey across Ireland. I This autumn a new food festival will “From the U.S., we had about two think people will find it really fun to be launched and will take place million visitors last year and are seeing watch.” throughout the island. interest for growing that larger this Learn more about Ireland and check it year. Dana said, “We will see more and more out at: ireland.com. MARCH/APRIL 2019 www.celtic-connection.com PAGE 13

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Famous Irish Quotes I love scandals about other people, but scandals about myself don’t interest me. They have not got the charm of novelty. – Oscar Wilde MARCH/APRIL 2019 www.celtic-connection.com PAGE 17 Are you calling in sick due

to a hangover or still greenPagePage from 55 St. Patrick’s Day Celebrations?! “I drink to keep body and soul temporary relief, it will ultimately en- apart.” – Oscar Wilde able the progression. By SUSIE NEWMAN 4. Educate yourself about alcoholism: While St. Patrick’s Day is a day Alcoholism is often described as a of lively festivities celebrating “cunning, baffling and powerful” dis- ease. the rich history and culture of Celtic heritage, for some it can The more you understand, the more helpful you can be to your loved one also be a time of overindulgence and the better you can help yourself. and reckless behaviour. Programs such as Alanon are specifi- Witnessing someone you care about cally designed to help loved ones af- struggling with the disease of alcohol- fected by alcoholism. ism can be painful, frustrating and deeply concerning. You may be feeling 5. Be direct and maintain your powerless to help. boundaries: If you are wanting to help a loved one Confronting your loved one about their drinking can be tricky. who is addicted, it is important to first SUSIE NEWMAN recognize addiction is a chronic pri- Denial is one of the defining features mary brain disease and as such, requires of alcoholism, so be prepared for your specific and appropriate treatment. behaviors and attitudes, but shame and concerns to be initially dismissed or blame don’t work and often lead to met with hostility and defensiveness. WATCHING FOR SIGNS resentment and only perpetuate the Regardless of the reaction, state your OF ALCOHOLISM cycle of addiction. Like other chronic illnesses, alcohol- own boundaries clearly and firmly and ism is progressive and if left untreated Approaching the person with a com- set clear consequences for boundary can be fatal. Below is a list of warning passionate solution-focused approach violations. signs to watch out for if you suspect is the best way forward. It may be helpful to write a compas- your loved one is struggling. 2. Be proactive rather than ignoring sionate letter to your loved one de- Behavioural changes: or minimizing the problem: scribing your own perceptions of how their drinking affects you. • Being dishonest about frequency of Your loved one may be in denial and or drinking; minimizing the severity of their drink- If you are unsure about how to ad- • Inability to limit or stop drinking ing. Alcoholism is a progressive dis- dress your loved one, calling a licensed despite an expressed desire to do so; ease and will get worse if left untreated. and accredited treatment center to seek • Becoming angry and/or defensive guidance is a good place to start. 3. Support them in recovery rather than • when questioned about alcohol use; addiction: • Changes to normal habits, or sudden [Susie Newman is an addiction coun- mood swings. It is painful to watch a loved one spi- sellor at the Orchard Recovery Center ral into alcoholism. on Bowen Island. Susie was born and WHAT STEPS YOU CAN TAKE TO HELP You may feel the desire to protect raised in Dublin, Ireland and emigrated SOMEONE WHO YOU SUSPECT IS them from the negative consequences to Canada in 2004. With over 22 years STRUGGLING WITH ALCOHOLISM by offering money, covering for them of recovery from alcoholism she re- 1. Be Compassionate Rather than at work, lying for them or picking up mains passionate about her work and Blaming: the slack in some other way. enjoys helping Orchard clients realize a life beyond their wildest dreams is It is understandable to be upset by While this may offer your loved one possible.]

IRISH CLUB OF WHITE ROCK A Warm Cead Mile Failte for all newcomers WHITE ROCK – The Irish If you are new to the area and want to learn more about events presented by Club of White Rock, located in the Irish Club of White Rock and the White Rock, B.C. – the ‘City St. Patrick’s Day dinner and dance, call by the Sea’ – has long been a either president Sharon Woods at (604) 338-3553 or secretary Deirdre community collaboration wel- O’Ruairc at (604) 803-0773. coming new Irish into the area. Located just 30 kilometers south of A Prayer Vancouver, the Irish diaspora has risen on St. Patrick’s Day and continues to rise in the White One of the most powerful prayers Rock/South Surrey area and beyond. attributed to St. Patrick is the The Deer’s Cry, also known as The The first group of Irish people who Breastplate of St. Patrick and The arrived in White Rock began to meet Lorica. and converged when the group even- tually morphed into the Irish Club of The following is an abbreviation of White Rock in 2004. community with the annual St. that prayer: Christ with me, Christ Patrick’s dinner and dance. before me, Christ behind me, Christ Indeed, in the most recent census re- in me, Christ beneath me, Christ port nearly 16,000 identified as Irish This event is a sell out every year and above me, Christ on my right, or of Irish descent in the area. 2019 promises to offer more of the Christ on my left, Christ in breadth, same on Saturday, March 16. The Irish Club of White Rock wel- Christ in length, Christ in height, comes all ages and diversity – fami- It will be held at the Hazelmere Golf Christ in the heart of every man lies, individuals, elderly and children and Tennis Club and offers delicious who thinks of me, Christ in the are all included and welcome. food with a buffet dinner, Irish danc- mouth of every man who speaks of ers with the De Danaan School, and me, Christ in every eye that sees The club has been a successful alliance entertainment by the Happy Hour me, Christ in every ear that hears of old and young, bringing together the Celtic band. me. PAGE 18 www.celtic-connection.com MARCH/APRIL 2019 Liam Neeson: Tried and convicted in the court of public opinion Page 6 THE moment of truth did not THE VIEW FROM Medea in her infanticidal rampage? come, so we will never know And what place is there for the poetry whether Liam Neeson may IRELAND of William Blake, who wrote, “Sooner murder an infant in its cradle than have assaulted or murdered a nurse unacted desires?” man 40 years ago, but he did At bottom, this controversy is neither think about doing so. For that, about Liam Neeson nor an experience all these years later, he is being he had 40 years ago. pilloried. It is a battle between those who wish FRANK BREHANY discovered his family’s “deep secret” after By to delegitimise the act of speaking promising his late father he would find his mother. He is pic- The circumstances were as follows. MAURICE about something horrific, and those tured above with 88-year-old Mary Merritt, who credits his grand- FITZPATRICK who defend the right to do so. After the rape of his friend by a black mother with looking after her during her 14 years in the laundry. man, Neeson stalked up and down As former England footballer John black areas in an unspecified city for a Barnes, who encountered a great deal week hoping, as he said, “that some “To get at the root of racist abuse in the 1980s, said in “black b*****d” would come out of a response to the Neeson incident, “Po- Emotional ceremony pub and have a go at me about some- cause we must have licing language and even legislating thing, you know? So that I could kill against certain behaviours will only go him. It shocked me and it hurt me I did open, honest and so far to address the pervasive prob- for grandson of woman lem of racial bias. seek help, I went to a priest.” sometimes painful “To get at the root cause we must have Neeson admitted this in a promotional who worked at a open, honest and sometimes painful interview for his latest film, Cold Pur- conversations. conversations. This must involve al- suit, and it has led to sustained contro- lowing people who have held biased versy and the characterisation of Magdalene laundry This must involve views in the past to be heard without Neeson as a racist. fear of recrimination.” DUBLIN – The grandson of a As a response to his frenzy 40 years allowing people who To blacklist Neeson (the contempo- woman incarcerated in one of ago, Neeson made a confession to a rary word is ‘cancel’) is to diminish priest. have held biased Ireland’s notorious Magdalene the prospect of that conversation hap- Approaching a priest had a certain views in the past to pening. laundries has spoken of his logic, since what had happened per- Demonising Neeson amounts to a flight family’s pride as he attended an tained to conscience rather than the be heard without fear from confrontation with pervasive vio- emotional commemoration. law. lence in society which, though indubi- Frank Brehany, from Wales, discov- of recrimination.” tably nasty, nevertheless is human. While the power of the confessional ered his family’s “deep secret” after has been routinely abused (and that The conversation is important indeed promising his late father he would find abuse has been extreme since confes- Neeson’s renunciation of the thoughts because to airbrush someone for ar- his mother. sion bestows upon the confessor an he once had is portrayed as infinitely ticulating his having had terrible urges especial capacity to dominate), still the Brehany’s grandmother Mary spent junior in importance to the fact that he does not remove the possibility of the rite has provided succour for some. many years in High Park laundry in had them in the first place. urges. Dublin. Today, more public modes of express- Contrast this with the case of novelist Rather it is an attack on the freedom ing a guilty conscience are in vogue. From the 18th Century right up to the James Baldwin whose violent thoughts of speech, which, as history attests, However, publicly confessing a shame- mid-1990s, tens of thousands of and actual violence towards a waitress opens the gates to political turmoil. ful act in our time can backfire terri- who refused to serve him on account women were put to work in laundries FLOWERS laid at the grave for bly. of his being black – hating her “white To see the political consequences of run by Catholic orders of nuns. the residents of Our Lady Of confronting matters such as demonic On certain themes, a confession and face” and admitting that in attacking Unmarried mothers and girls from trou- Charity Residential Home in rage illiberally, consider a Trump rally an attempt to reconcile on the basis of her he had been ready to “commit bled backgrounds suffered years of in El Paso on February 11, when the Sean McDermott Street. confession will almost certainly be re- murder” – are not rejected to the same abuse inside the grim facilities. obnoxiousness of Trumpism was best jected. degree. “As a result of that, I have not only encapsulated by an attack on a BBC Brehany was at a memorial event in found my family history going back to By taking advantage of a penitent’s Baldwin’s account of that incident and cameraman for merely recording the Glasnevin cemetery, Dublin, on Sun- the late 1700s, but I have surviving vulnerability, the same perversion of his fulsome repudiation of his behav- event. day, March 3 to commemorate the family in the Irish Republic, in North- the traditional confessor’s authority is iour form part of a text that continues women who died inside the walls of Trump had taken a swipe at the fake ern Ireland, in London, in Connecti- now happening in another guise. This to be deservedly applauded: the fever- the laundries. news media and one of his supporters cut, and Chicago. explains why Neeson’s mania was so ish essays that comprise Notes of a subsequently set upon the cameraman. There, he embraced 88-year-old Mary excoriated in the court of public opin- Native Son (1955), largely set in the “We are united as a family again and Merritt, who credits his grandmother ion. menacing atmosphere of Harlem in Yet liberalism can only legitimately we are proud, we are not ashamed, we with looking after her during her 14 which Baldwin grew up, is a modern form a bulwark against such behaviour are not hiding away Mary’s past – she Since the court of public opinion is years in the laundry. classic. by living up to its own self-descrip- did no wrong, my father did no wrong. not accountable as a court is, being in- tion, by taking the high road and re- “I am deeply moved and privileged to nocent of a criminal act is no barrier to Those who have assailed Neeson “She was a Magdalene woman, he was lentlessly practicing tolerance. Baldwin be standing here in the company of a guilty verdict. should at a minimum be aware of the a Magdalene child.” repercussions of what they are at- would have called that the price of the giants – it’s a cliche but it’s a true cli- Absent the possibility of a legal trial, tempting to eliminate. ticket. che,” Brehany said. Merritt gave thanks that Ireland had alternative trials today are staged • been transformed since the days of the “My journey started in 2010 to un- through the media and social media; Is it permissible, by the standards they Maurice Fitzpatrick’s latest film, John laundries. cover the secret, the deep secret of my and the weight of public opinion is the espouse, for a method actor, say, to Hume in America, is narrated by Liam family. Before my father died I prom- central, if not sole, criteria for ‘pros- emotionally identify with Euripides’ Neeson. “I am 88 years of age now and I hope ised I would find his family, that I ecution’. to be able to come every year until I would find his mother. am 100 or more to pay my respects to In this shift, something that is legally the Magdalene women because I love “The other part of that promise is I unpunishable (like a thought) has ef- each and every one of them, and I love would find justice for my family, jus- fectively become punishable. all of you who come here and pay re- tice for Mary and I am delighted to be spects to them,” she said. As Caitria O’Neill, writing for the able to tell you that I am luckier than Nieman Journalism Lab at Harvard, has most because my father had a birth “It’s a great day for Ireland that it’s all argued, “A new journalistic standard certificate. changed.” has been set. The court of public opin- ion may be invoked to build support History of the Magdalene Laundries for issues that cannot be decided in a court of law. The Magdalene Laundries in Ireland, also known as Magdalene asylums, were institutions usually run by Roman Catholic orders, which operated “Surely, though, such a ‘journalistic from the 18th to the late 20th Centuries. They were run ostensibly to house standard’ engenders far more problems “fallen women,” an estimated 30,000 of whom were confined in these than it solves. Furthermore, public opinion is so nebulous that its expres- institutions in Ireland. In 1993, a mass grave containing 155 corpses was sion has become dangerously synony- uncovered in the convent grounds of one of the laundries. This led to media mous with, and supplanted by, celeb- LIAM NEESON is a man looking to exact revenge on the gang- revelations about the operations of the secretive institutions. A formal state rity opinion.” sters that have killed his son in his new film Cold Pursuit. He apology was issued in 2013, and a £50 million compensation scheme for survivors was set up by the Irish Government. The religious orders which Besides, there is a subtle inversion of sparked controversy in a promotional interview for the film when allegedly pro-equality sentiment in the he spoke about his own thoughts of revenge related to an inci- operated the laundries have rejected activist demands that they financially vituperations of Neeson. dent 40 years ago. contribute to this program. MARCH/APRIL 2019 www.celtic-connection.com PAGE 19 E.U. diplomatic status to the U.S. now restored after downgrade WASHINGTON – On Mon- “But the administration doesn’t share that view, and the challenge not just day, March 4, two months af- for European diplomats, but all of ter news broke that Washing- America’s allies and partners, is to ton had downgraded the dip- engage in the most constructive way lomatic status of the European possible.” O’Sullivan also shared his views on Union mission to the United his Irish identity within the E.U., say- States, the U.S. ambassador to ing, “My European identity is com- the European Union announced plementary to my Irish identity — not a substitute to it. I think that’s the that the United States has re- strong view of all Europeans. stored the diplomatic status. “And Ireland has never had a stronger Irish civil servant David O’Sullivan international profile or a stronger sense who served as the Ambassador of the of national identity than we’ve had European Union to the United States since we joined the European Union. from 2014 to 2019 finished his term at “It has amplified our sense of self in the end of February. DAVID O’SULLIVAN, who has ways that the claustrophobic bilateral His time in Washington was a dramatic served as European Union Am- relationship with Britain perhaps period which saw the transition from bassador to the United States didn’t permit.” the Obama administration to the from 2014 to 2019 finished his Reflecting on what Brexit has meant Trump presidency, which he has de- term at the end of February. to the European Union, he replied, scribed as “a game of two halves.” “The U.K. is a part of Europe, has His downgrade was largely taken as a istration upgraded the status of the contributed hugely to the European sign that the Trump administration E.U. ambassador to the United States Union, and I think the idea that they saw the European Union as another to be on par with that of the head of would leave is something to be deeply pesky multilateral institution and not any bilateral mission. regretted. But they’ve taken their de- a partner organization. cision and we have to work it through. The Trump administration reversed It was an awkward diplomatic spat but that decision without informing the Eu- “It is interesting that today, support the reversal is viewed as “a gesture of ropean Union. E.U. officials deter- for the European Union is at an all- goodwill” said Benjamin Haddad, di- mined the downgrade had happened in time high, as well as support for the rector of the Atlantic Council’s Future October or November of last year; euro. Europe Initiative. news of it broke in January. The news “One of the things that has emerged Still, Haddad said, “It was a com- outraged both E.U. officials and Demo- from the Brexit debate is that suddenly, pletely unnecessary denigrating move cratic lawmakers. people are recognizing all the things in the first place.” In an interview with The Washington the U.K. is losing by leaving.” Experts agree that, while the move will Post, O’Sullivan spoke about the tran- The new E.U. Ambassador of the Eu- be seen as a welcome course correc- sition saying, “I’m not going to pre- ropean Union to the U.S. is Stavros tion, it cannot undue the damage from tend that it was easy or comfortable, Lambrinidis, a former Greek foreign a diplomatic downgrade Europeans particularly for those of us who are minister who currently serves as the believe should not have happened in passionate believers in the fact that this EU’s special representative for human the first place. world order, whatever its defects, did rights, as part of the EU’s regular rota- actually deliver good outcomes for all tion of diplomats. In September 2016 the Obama admin- of us, particularly for America. Two Northern Ireland fishing boats impounded by the Irish Navy BELFAST – Following the impound- er’s vessels to enter our six-mile limit. ing of two Co. Down fishing boats by the Irish navy, Taoiseach Leo Varadkar “What would be helpful would be an said the incident was “truly regretta- indication from the UK Government ble.” that they won’t withdraw Northern Ireland from the London Convention The two vessels were seized in (on fishing rights) because it wouldn’t Dundalk Bay on Wednesday, Febru- make sense for us to change our law ary 27 for allegedly fishing illegally in only to find that the law then changes Irish waters. THE TWO BOATS were tied up in Northern Ireland as well.” at Clogherhead Harbour in Co. It follows the collapse of a gentleman’s Louth following the Irish navy Earlier, a district court judge in the agreement allowing vessels from seizure. Republic described the captains of two Northern Ireland and the Republic re- Co. Down fishing trawlers as “people ciprocal access to each other’s inshore Prawn trawlers from the Northern Ire- of absolute integrity” who do not de- waters. land fleet favour the sheltered waters serve convictions. of Dundalk Bay in the winter. Northern Ireland vessels are banned Jack Brown and Kevin Trainor, from from fishing inside six miles of the Re- The collapse of the agreement has af- Kilkeel, pleaded guilty to breaching public but southern fleets have not fected about 20 Northern Ireland reg- fishing regulations and been given the been excluded from the north’s waters. istered boats that would traditionally benefit of the Probation Act, with their Fishing industry representatives have have fished there. boats – Boy Joseph and Amity – re- leased on March 1. been complaining about the situation Speaking in Belfast, the taoiseach said since the collapse of the so-called he was pleased the ships have now A probation order in the Republic al- Voisinage Agreement in 2016. They say been released and wants to update Irish lows the courts to give offenders an it is evidence there is already a “hard law within weeks. official warning without imposing a border” in the Irish Sea. sentence. “The situation arose in 2016 when our The agreement collapsed after Irish Supreme Court struck down the pro- The boats seized were described as fisherman challenged its legality in visions which allowed us to give ac- “modest vessels,” with a total of five Dublin’s Supreme Court and it ruled cess to Northern Ireland vessels within staff between them. in their favour. our six-mile limit,” he said. The Boy Joseph had about 1,200 euro The Irish Government promised to “We need to change that law, we are worth of shellfish on board when it legislate to regularise the situation, but going to change that law to restore the was seized. Amity had an estimated it has not yet done so. status quo to what it was before 2016.” 2,000 euro of crab and lobster. It has been claimed this is due to the He added, “That will allow us to go The two captains left Drogheda Dis- fact it has now become a potential bar- back to the situation as it was between trict Court after the judgment and trav- gaining chip in wider Brexit fisheries 1960 and 2016 where both Northern elled to Clogherhead Harbour where negotiations. Ireland and Ireland allowed each oth- the boats had been kept. PAGE 20 www.celtic-connection.com MARCH/APRIL 2019 A gripping account of the ‘Troubles’ equal parts true-crime, history, and tragedy As for the preoccupation by some with SAY NOTHING: A True Story of Murder Adams’ purported membership in the and Memory in Northern Ireland IRA, and his abandoning his comrades By Patrick Radden Keefe by his denial, I find this puzzling since Penguin Books admitting to even a brief stint in the New York, NY (2019) IRA would mean immediate imprison- ment – and this for a man who deliv- ered the peace and dedicated his life to By SABINA CLARKE the promise of a free and united Ire- land. Recently I met with Patrick “Yet, because of this,” noted Keefe, Radden Keefe the amazingly “his legacy will be more complicated.” gifted author, investigative jour- The Irish can be an unforgiving peo- nalist and staff writer for The ple. New Yorker since 2012 and In conclusion, Keefe makes a valid ar- contributor since 2006. gument for a Truth and Reconciliation PHOTO: Katharine Gilbert Process as established in South Africa His latest book Say Nothing out now SABINA CLARK is pictured above interviewing author Patrick with immunity granted. and getting rave reviews examines the Radden Keefe, author of the new book Say Nothing: A True Then past crimes can be permanently horrific death of Jean McConville – a Story of Murder and Memory in Northern Ireland. mother of 10 – against the backdrop Appeals to deny the seizure of the ar- put to rest and the present finally lib- of the turbulent period in Irish history chives by Boston College and author erated. known as ‘The Troubles’. and journalist Ed Moloney, director of Through her attorney, Marian Price Despite this, Keefe’s portrait of Adams • the Boston College Belfast Project, and refused to speak with Radden Keefe may be one of the best I’ve read. [ABOUT THE AUTHOR: Patrick Radden “Ireland is a great country for story- Dr. Anthony McIntyre who conducted and denied any involvement which he Keefe grew up in Dorchester, Massa- telling. I wanted to write a book that the interviews with former IRA mem- thinks is telling. “He is an endlessly fascinating guy, intriguing and a bit of a riddle. I have chusetts and received his undergradu- could function as a rigorous history of bers in Ireland, went on appeal to the ate degree from Columbia where he this period and draw in new readers U.S. Supreme Court and the High Court Another pivotal iconic figure in the done my best to understand him but I history of ‘The Troubles’ Bernadette don’t think anybody is able to totally majored in Modern European History who are not familiar with ‘The Trou- of Belfast. and wrote his thesis on the First World bles’ and have never been to Belfast Devlin McAliskey also refused to be get him.” The target was Gerry Adams and the interviewed by Keefe who observed War. He earned a law degree from Yale and those who have some familiarity Also insightful are his deft and per- Law School, a Masters in Philosophy but would like to know more.” seizure of Dolours Price’s interview that the past in Belfast is very much relating to the McConville murder. in the present. ceptive portraits of both Dolours Price in International Relations from Cam- Radden Keefe who is of both Irish and and Brendan Hughes all three loom bridge University and a Masters in Australian ancestry has always wanted In Say Nothing Keefe paints a master- He added, “A culture of silence sup- large in the book. Science from the London School of to be a writer since childhood but ful and historically accurate portrait presses any real dialogue. It stretches Economics. He has received many fel- of ‘The Troubles’ ascribing equal back decades. People involved in the As to whether Jean McConville was “didn’t quite know how to do it and an informer, Radden Keefe says, “It lowships including those from the pay the rent.” blame to both the loyalist and nation- republican movement were very cir- Marshall Scholarship Foundation, alist communities, with a nod to the cumspect about talking about their ex- would be heedless for me to say for sure that McConville was an informer. Guggenheim Foundation, the Woodrow He started writing in law school and main antagonist and instigator – the periences.” Wilson International Center for Schol- published his first book at age 29 after British State – for the bloodshed and I lay out the evidence. And of course, Gerry Adams refused ars, and the Cullman Center for Schol- he passed the New York State bar horrific human toll extracted by the “Her children say she was not. The ars and Writers at the New York Pub- exam. war. to give an interview to Keefe. But then why would he? And Keefe says as Ombudsman says she was not. Ed lic Library. He was a policy adviser in In 2013 intrigued after reading The New But what is so gripping about his work much. Nothing to be gained and much Moloney and Brendan Hughes say that the Office of the Secretary of Defense York Times obituary of Irish Republi- is the style in which it is written. to lose. definitely she was. I am not as cer- between 2010 and 2011.] can Army (IRA) volunteer Dolours tain.” Price, the former wife of Irish actor Keefe calls it narrative non-fiction. It Stephen Rea, Keefe made two trips to is reminiscent of the style invented by Belfast researching Price’s life. Truman Capote, the “non-fiction novel” in his riveting account of the He also interviewed Jean McConville’s murder of the Clutter family in Kan- Ballymurphy residents should have grown children, documenting the sas. trauma felt by each of them on the night their mother was forcibly abducted But Keefe goes a step further by been protected by soldiers, inquest told from her home at gunpoint never again skillfully and accurately weaving Over three days, from August to be seen alive. McConville’s murder into the larger canvas the historical background of 9-11, 1971, ten people died in With the overwhelming response to his ‘The Troubles’ in a way that can be shootings at a number of loca- mesmerizing account Where the Bod- easily grasped by the novice reader tions in west Belfast. ies Are Buried that appeared in The with no prior knowledge of this pe- New Yorker in 2015, he was prompted riod in history. The events have become known as the to consider writing a book with Ballymurphy Massacre. He does this expertly without sacri- McConville’s murder as its starting The people of the area should have point. ficing any degree of scholarship in a telling that rivals the best crime novel. been protected by soldiers during the So he made seven trips to Northern incident but instead hid fearing a mas- Ireland and conducted more than 100 In his riveting and perceptive portraits sacre, an inquest has heard. of IRA volunteers Brendan Hughes and interviews over four years researching Eilish Meehan was 19 on the evening Say Nothing, the title taken from a Dolours Price and her sister Marian Price, he brings home the huge per- of August 9, 1971 as she helped evacu- Seamus Heaney poem quoting an old ate children from the Springfield Park Irish phrase “Whatever you say, say sonal toll the war took on each of their lives and their complete inability to area close to a developing flash-point nothing” – “O land of password, within the mainly Loyalist Soldiers have long been held responsi- she overheard someone say it was a handgrip, wink and nod.” cope when the war ended in a com- promise rather than with their goal of Springmartin area. ble for killing all 10 people, but the legally held gun used for hunting. accepted narrative became clouded last Almost simultaneously, the unsolved the end of British rule in Ireland. She told an inquest that people in the Meehan described the main shooting Jean McConville murder case was be- year when former members of the Loy- For them, the Good Friday Agreement area had come under attack by Loyal- alist paramilitary Ulster Volunteer event that evening as “crossfire” with ing resurrected with the exposure of a ists and some had gone to the nearby shots coming from two directions, in- closely guarded secret – the existence was a sell-out. Force came forward to claim their or- Henry Taggart barracks to ask for pro- ganisation was also involved. cluding from people lying on top of of The Boston College Belfast Project But Keefe suggests a more painful re- tection. flats in Springmartin. – the oral history archive of ‘The Trou- ality that perhaps there was no longer Meehan told the inquest that before “I hadn’t a clue why we were being bles’ stored in the Burns Library at a role for them to play and “they were As the shooting intensified, she found the shooting started she had seen a Boston College. left behind by history,” rather than shelter with a number of others close number of boys throwing stones at shot at, I am a citizen, I expect protec- being tossed aside, and no longer to flats in Moyard. soldiers based at the Henry Taggart tion, people had gone down to the This was subpoenaed and seized by Henry Taggart barracks to ask for pro- needed by Gerry Adams on whom barracks in the area, but described that the Police Service of Northern Ireland Meehan said news of Father Mullan’s tection, that protection never came.” under the Mutual Legal Assistance they turned with bitterness and a sur- death spread like wildfire among those as not unusual. prising degree of revenge. Treaty (MLAT), between the U.S. and sheltering from the gunfire, sparking Later a crowd had gathered at the back Meehan was giving evidence to an in- the U.K. on the grounds that it was To his credit Adams never reciprocated. fear of a massacre. of the houses in Springfield Park, quest which is examining a series of needed to investigate a murder – the Meehan said someone shouted “they shootings in which 10 people died in Of the three people who were with “We thought we were going to be over- 40-year-old unsolved murder of Jean are coming in,” in reference to Loyal- August 1971. Jean McConville when she died, Keefe run, we thought we were going to be McConville whose remains had finally ists in Springmartin, and there was a dons his hat as the superb investiga- massacred,” she said. The sequence of events started after been found on a deserted beach. single shotgun blast, which she de- the introduction of internment in tive journalist and identifies without a “We had nothing to fight back against The Boston College Belfast Project scribed as a “warning shot.” Northern Ireland that year on August trace of doubt that the triggerman was these crazy people shooting at us and became an international story making 9. Mass arrests sparked rioting across Marian Price, the sister of Dolours we didn’t know why.” She said she did not see who fired the headlines around the world. Price. shotgun in Springfield Park, but said the region. MARCH/APRIL 2019 www.celtic-connection.com PAGE 21 Bloody Sunday: Boris Johnson taken to task by SDLP leader over British army tweet DERRY – Former British Foreign Sec- “It says, ‘if you murder 14 unarmed retary, Boris Johnson, has been heav- civil rights marchers you should ex- ily criticised after he said British Para- pect to be prosecuted’,” exclaimed chute Regiment soldiers responsible Eastwood. for the deaths of 14 unarmed civilians on the streets of Derry on January 30, Thirteen people were shot dead by the 1972 should not face criminal pros- British army in Derry on January 30, ecution. 1972; a fourteenth person died several months later as a result of injuries sus- He made the comments in an opinion tained on Bloody Sunday. piece for the Daily Telegraph after it emerged that up to four British sol- The Saville investigation into what diers involved in the massacre could happened on Bloody Sunday was es- tablished in 1998 and delivered its ver- face criminal prosecutions. dict in 2010. Johnson claimed that there would be Then British prime minister, David “a storm of utter fury” if the men were IN AN EXTRAORDINARY scene, Derry’s nationalist community gathered in Derry’s Guildhall charged later this month while the gov- Cameron, apologised on behalf of the ernment let former members of the IRA British Government on the day the Square to cheer a British Conservative prime minister following Lord Saville’s report which was “get away with” their actions through- Saville report was published on June published in June 2010. David Cameron’s address to the House of Commons was shown live on 15, 2010. out the Troubles. a large screen before thousands gathered in the square. The Saville Inquiry laid the blame for “They did not get up in the morning At the time the PSNI started their in- Bloody Sunday’s deaths on the members of the Parachute Regiment who fired the shots and on vestigation into the shootings. with the intention of killing and maim- their commanding officer. All those who died were declared innocent. What made the findings ing innocent civilians,” he wrote. On Saturday, March 2, The Daily Tel- even more significant was the total acceptance of the report by British Prime Minister David Later he tweeted, “We mustn’t let poli- egraph published a story claiming four Cameron and the apology that went with it. tics trump justice in this travesty of a soldiers involved in the shootings, all Bloody Sunday trial, what signal does of whom are in their sixties and seven- it send to our brave armed forces?” ties, could be prosecuted. In response, SDLP leader, Colum The Public Prosecution Service will Eastwood replied to the tweet telling deliver its verdict when they meet with the families of those killed on Bloody him what the “signal says.” Sunday on Thursday March 14, 2019. Northern Ireland Anna Burns gives voice to the gossip, Secretary faces calls hypocrisy and misogyny of living to resign over under an oppressive state “In the eyes of the community, and especially in the eyes of the paramilitaries, this eighth woman was an enemy out to entrap into informership Troubles comments our seven naive and dotty women. So one Wednesday night-time Victims' families have called for the renouncers burst into the shed to take her away. the Northern Ireland secretary They barged in – in Halloween masks, balaclavas, with guns to resign over comments she – with a few secure enough in power and stature made about the Troubles. to eschew any type of facial covering ...but there was no eighth woman.” — Milkman Karen Bradley said that killings at the hands of the security forces were "not You can feel how the entrapment sur- crimes". MILKMAN rounding the protagonist affects eve- By Anna Burns rything she does. She later clarified that "where there is Graywolf Press evidence of wrongdoing, it should al- ISBN-10: 1644450003 While running with her brother-in-law ways be investigated.” she can hear the clicks of hidden cam- Reviewed by Sharon Greer eras while under surveillance, convey- Thirteen people were killed on Bloody ing the powerlessness of the situation. Sunday in January 1972 after troops Anna Burns’ originality and unique opened fire, and another died of his use of language won her the 2018 There is so much fear interwoven in injuries some months later. Man Booker prize. Burns’ latest narrative that it is palpa- ble all the way through this extraordi- John Teggart, whose father was killed KAREN BRADLEY She is the first Northern Irish writer nary book. in the 1971 Ballymurphy shootings, to win this prestigious award. In the beginning it is a challenge to wade also said the secretary of state should Speaking in the House of Commons, resign. It is a well deserved prize for a coura- through the repetitive themes that per- Bradley was responding to a question geous and personal effort at what it is meate this inventive story, but pro- "What Karen Bradley said is that the from DUP MP Emma Little Pengelly like living under tyranny and subjuga- gressively the reader becomes accus- soldiers who murdered my father - 14 about legacy issues. tion. An exceptional work of imagina- tomed to a different kind of articula- bullets went through his body, ripped "Over 90 percent of the killings during tiveness. tion. And there is a good dose of hu- chunks out of his body - that soldier the Troubles were at the hands of ter- Obviously Anna Burns has the depth mour throughout. acted in a dignified and appropriate rorists, every single one of those was way. of understanding very few can articu- I was in stitches with the hilarious a crime," she said. late on growing up in 1970s Belfast. story of a feminist women’s group try- "For Mrs. Bradley to come out with "The fewer than 10 percent that were Milkman captures the debilitating con- ing to organize meetings while the insulting, despicable insults to fami- at the hands of the military and police paramilitaries are breathing down their lies, it's an absolute disgrace." fines of sectarianism and state violence were not crimes. in a way no other writer has been able necks. Irish deputy prime minister Simon "They were people acting under or- to encapsulate. You can feel the smoth- In any ‘normal’ situation it would be There is paranoia galore around these Coveney met Bradley in London on ders and under instruction and fulfill- ering effects of it throughout this re- frightening enough but set the scenario meetings as well as in the gossip, hy- March 6 during which he intended to ing their duty in a dignified and appro- markably innovative novel. in militarized Belfast during the early pocrisy and misogyny of living under discuss her comments. priate way." Imagine being an 18-year-old woman days of the ‘Troubles’ and this is one an oppressive state. terrifying circumstance. "The position of the Irish Government She faced a huge backlash from North- stalked, pursued and threatened by a This is a universal story. An account is clear," his department said. ern Ireland politicians, with both Sinn creepy 41-year-old married man who This ominous tale unravels gradually of domination not only reflecting cir- "There should be effective investiga- Fein Vice President Michelle O'Neill happens to be a key paramilitary exposing the paranoia and repression cumstances in Northern Ireland which tions into all deaths during the Trou- and SDLP leader Colum Eastwood call- player in the community the young of living in a ‘totalitarian district’ as is simply a microcosm of this too fre- bles, regardless of the perpetrator." ing for her to resign. woman lives in. described in this astonishing tome. quently onerous world. PAGE 22 www.celtic-connection.com MARCH/APRIL 2019 Shocking levels of sectarianism among some Scottish football fans EDINBURGH – One of Scot- land’s most senior police offic- ers has said there are concerns about rising disorder and sec- tarianism at football matches. Deputy Chief Constable Will Kerr said he is surprised at how “normal” sectarianism and ag- gression towards police is from some fans. He said recent incidents include a flare IAIN LIVINGSTONE, Chief Constable of Police Scotland, has being thrown at a police horse, offic- confirmed that police are preparing for Brexit. ers being pulled from horses and oth- ers being spat at and attacked. His comments come after Police Scot- land said they are investigating reports of sectarian singing at Hearts’ ONE OF SCOTLAND’S most senior police officers has said UK Police ‘prepared Tynecastle ground on February 27, as there are concerns about rising disorder and sectarianism at well as reports of coins being thrown football matches. from the away stand housing Celtic for potential disorder’ fans during the match. Premier League side Leicester City. Hearts goalkeeper Zdenek Zlamal was ism on display, and I say that having sparked by food almost struck by the object. policed in Northern Ireland for nearly The move had been greeted with dis- 30 years. appointment and anger from large sec- Earlier Kilmarnock striker Kris Boyd tions of the Celtic fan-base. was hit by a coin and subjected to ver- “I’ve been surprised at how much it is shortages post-Brexit bal abuse while warming up to come seen as normal… it feels almost vis- The video which was shared on social EDINBURGH – The British “So, in that regard, we as the second on in a game against Celtic. ceral in a way I haven’t experienced media shows a small group of people largest police service in the UK stand for quite a while.” singing the words “I hope you die in Government announced on ready to provide any mutual aid that Kilmarnock FC manager Steve Clarke your sleep Brendan Rodgers from a February 27 that it has ap- may be required, while at the same also hit out after being the subject of Kerr hit out at the fact that the “con- bullet from the IRA” has been roundly sistently thuggish behaviour of a very pointed a minister to oversee time ensuring that we address any sectarian abuse from Rangers fans at condemned by Celtic supporters. vulnerabilities and threat to our own Ibrox during a cup tie. small number of fans is considered normal.” He added, “This is not nor- “As a Celtic fan these guys are embar- the protection of food supplies country. He accused the Rangers support of liv- mal. It is a sport. rassing,” replied one Facebook user, for the first time since the Sec- “That is the reason we need UK wide ing in the Dark Ages as chants of “sad while another branded the video an ond World War. coordination. Fenian b*****d” echoed around Ibrox “I’ve also been surprised just at the “absolute disgrace,” saying those level of disorder on display at some of on his side’s visit. caught singing the words are “no true MP David Rutley, a former Asda “This is the UK that is leaving its the matches and we have been con- Celtic fans.” treaty obligations that it has previously Speaking at a Scottish Police Author- cerned, particularly over the last 12 and PepsiCo executive, is re- entered, and therefore the implications ity board meeting in Greenock, Kerr months that there has been a rise in Kerr said clubs, fans, police and coun- sponsible to oversee the protec- will be felt throughout the UK, at the said, “The vast majority of fans who both disorder, that type of offensive cils all need to look at what can be tion of food supply through the same time recognising the very differ- go to these football matches do so en- behaviour and the levels of aggression done differently to change this behav- Brexit process. ent legal systems that exist in Scot- tirely peacefully and just want to en- to police officers.” iour “from being normal to being un- land and Northern Ireland.” joy the wonderful spectacle that is acceptable.” Meanwhile, footage has emerged of a Britian could see a return to rationing Scottish football. in the immediate aftermath of Brexit, The decision to appoint a minister to group of Celtic supporters in an Edin- He said part of that will be enforce- oversee protection of food supplies with Police Scotland confirming that “But what I’ve been surprised at over burgh bar singing that they hoped ment but “we’re certainly not going to sparked much debate following the the last six months, particularly when Brendan Rodgers would be murdered arrest our way out of this.” they were ready to respond to any announcement with Nicola Sturgeon it comes to behaviour at football by the IRA. public disruption. saying that such an appointment matches, has been two things. An independent review of policing at Rodgers, the former Celtic manager, football matches in Scotland is due to Police Scotland have confirmed they should give everyone in the UK pause “One has been the level of sectarian- left the club to take up the reins at be launched shortly. are prepared for any public disorder for thought. that may follow potential food and First Minister Nicola Sturgeon said the medicine shortages post-Brexit. appointment exposes the “shambolic” Chief Constable Iain Livingstone said handling of Brexit and said Tory that his officers were prepared and are Brexiters should be the first to bear Invest NI chief Alastair Hamilton also braced to potentially help other the brunt “if there ever comes a day forces protect the borders in Northern when there is food rationing in this Ireland, Dover, sea ports and airports. country.” quits investment organisation Livingstone told the Scottish Police “The Tories’ stewardship of Brexit and Authority Board that he does not have the UK as a whole is proving so cata- BELFAST – The head of In- “exact clarity” on the cost of policing strophic that they have had to appoint vest NI has announced his de- Brexit. a minister for food supplies, which is cision to quit the organisation. the first time that such a post has been He said “It is a concern and an issue held since World War II,” she said. Alastair Hamilton – a former DUP which I have discussed with colleagues in the Scottish Government and the “How has it come to this situation? It special adviser – took up his posi- SPA.” is shameful, and it should be a source tion in April 2009. He said he al- of shame for a long time to come for ways intended to step down after Speaking at an SPA board meeting in every member of the Conservative Stirling he said, “I am aware that the Party. 10 years. Cabinet Office is coordinating the UK The body is responsible for encourag- Government response. “I certainly hope that it will not come ing foreign investment in Northern Ire- to food rationing in this country. “The Treasury, I am told, has devel- Things are becoming so shambolic that land through helping businesses estab- oped a contingency fund for the po- lish a base in the country and in sup- it is time to draw a halt to this Brexit tential cost of a no deal Brexit or a catastrophe. porting existing organisations to grow contested Brexit arrangement. and develop. “If there ever comes a day when there ALASTAIR HAMILTON has announced that he will leave his “Such matters would clearly involve Invest NI said Hamilton had notified is food rationing in this country be- position as head of Invest Northern Ireland. the potential provision of mutual aid cause of a Tory Brexit, perhaps the the board he intends to leave later in from Police Scotland to colleagues in the year. first people who should bear the bur- such a position, but it has been my for the recruitment of a new chief ex- Northern Ireland, where there may be den of that are Boris Johnson, Jacob Hamilton said he had thoroughly en- intention to step down after 10 years ecutive. pressure in regard to the common travel Rees-Mogg, David Davis and Michael joyed his time with the organisation in the post, which would be during area and the land border that they have Gove – all people who perpetrated a 2019. Since his appointment the business with the south. and counts it a great privilege to have landscape in Northern Ireland has been dishonesty on the people of this coun- been able to serve the organisation, and “I intend to explore new opportuni- transformed with organisations such “There is potential disruption to food try. his home country, in such a significant ties and further expand my other areas as major global law firms and even the and pharmaceutical supply chains, role. “We will see how they enjoy their of interest.” New York Stock Exchange setting up a potential disruption to seaports and Brexit bonanza.” base in Belfast. airports. “There is never a good time to leave Hamilton is to remain in post to allow MARCH/APRIL 2019 www.celtic-connection.com PAGE 23 Scottish Government hub in France opened by first minister along with visits to the U.S. and Canada EDINBURGH – Scottish First Minister Nicola Sturgeon re- turned from an overseas trip to the U.S. and Canada in early February. The SNP leader visited Wash- ington DC, New York, New Jer- THE EFFECTS of a no-deal Brexit are expected to be more sey, Ottawa and Toronto where severe in Northern Ireland than in Britain. she met with community lead- ers and business representa- tives. NI ‘let down’ by lack On arrival in Ottawa, she hosted a Scotland is Now reception to offi- cially launch the new Scottish Gov- of assembly, says ernment office in Ottawa and to SCOTTISH FIRST MINISTER Nicola Sturgeon hosted a Scot- launch the global marketing cam- land is Now reception to officially launch the new Scottish Gov- Scottish Brexit minister paign to a Canadian audience for ernment office in Ottawa and to launch the global marketing the first time. campaign to a Canadian audience for the first time. EDINBURGH – Scotland’s In Toronto, she started the day Brexit Secretary says the peo- meeting the CEO and senior man- The Social Enterprise Academy, the two nations as “one of the oldest in ple of Northern Ireland have agement team of the Toronto Re- body providing learning and develop- the world.” been let down by the lack of an gion Board of Trade and World ment for the sector in Scotland, has launched a new partnership with the She travelled to the French capital to executive. Trade Center to discuss and pro- Canadian Community Economic De- address the Foreign Affairs Commit- mote trade opportunities, particu- velopment Network supported by tee of the Assemblee Nationale, the SNP politician Mike Russell said larly in the digital, data and fintech Toronto’s Learning Enrichment Foun- lower house of parliament. the Stormont stalemate has im- sectors. dation and the Scottish Government. Speaking at the hub office’s opening, pacted on the wider Brexit de- She also opened the Toronto Stock Ex- Later in February, she travelled to the first minister said, “The Scottish bate. change and visited West Neighbour- France where she officially opened the Government wants to strengthen our hood House social enterprise. Scottish Government’s hub office in partnership – not just on the basis of He said cross-party discussions about Paris. our historic ties but our modern con- the UK leaving the EU have proved During her visit, she announced an in- nections: friendships, cultural links, difficult because there are no North- ternational agreement to grow and sus- France is the third largest market for business ties, shared appetite for in- ern Ireland executive ministers present. MIKE RUSSELL said the tain social enterprises in Scotland and Scottish exports and the first minister novation and, most of all, our shared Canada. described the relationship between the values.” Northern Ireland has been without a Stormont stalemate has im- government since the power sharing pacted on the wider Brexit de- executive collapsed in January 2017. bate. Speaking to the BBC Northern Ireland programme The View, Mike Russell said, “I think the people of Northern The more extreme Irish businesses tapping into markets Ireland have been let down by not hav- ing [a Stormont] administration. you are, the more beyond UK over Brexit concerns “The reasons for that are for the North- likely you are to be ern Irish people to discuss, not for me. DUBLIN – Irish businesses are But I think there has been an added listened to by the responding to the challenges difficulty in these talks, which has been created by that.” prime minister. posed by Brexit by tapping into Since 2017, civil servants have repre- markets beyond the UK, the sented local ministers at Joint Minis- told The View the DUP’s voice “is be- country’s finance minister has terial Committee meetings involving ing heard loudly in London at the mo- said. politicians from Cardiff, Edinburgh ment because Theresa May is reliant and London. on DUP votes in terms of confidence and supply, and also, presumably, in As the government continues to Russell told the BBC, “There has been urge firms to be prepared for the terms of the meaningful vote later in a good principled representation from March.” UK leaving the European Union, the Northern Ireland Civil Service. I Paschal Donohoe and Minister for sit alongside those people at commit- He added that “other voices in North- Business Heather Humphreys vis- tee meetings, but I don’t think North- ern Ireland have not been forthcom- ited businesses in the border re- ern Ireland has been heard.” ing.” gion last month. While local politicians have not been Mike Russell says the SNP govern- New regional enterprise plans have discussing Brexit at Stormont, at West- ment campaigned for Scotland to be been launched to support growth and minster it has been a different matter. considered a special case after Brexit. job creation in border counties, which However, he claims the Conservative are considered to be most vulnerable The DUP’s 10 MPs have found them- selves centre stage in the Brexit debate government has not taken their argu- to Brexit. HEATHER HUMPHREYS, Irish PASCHAL DONOHOE, Irish ments on board. Minister for Business. Minister of Finance. over the key issue of the Irish border In response to reports that Brexit could backstop. He said, “I don’t think anybody has be delayed for up to two years, been listened to, except those who are Donohoe said that more time would The Conservative Party entered into a pact with Arlene Foster’s party after around the prime minister. The more allow Irish businesses and the economy extreme you are, the more likely you to plan for the future. hance the visibility of skills and max- one-to-one mentoring and we already the general election in 2017, in order imise the potential of the Wild Atlan- have an Enterprise Ireland website that to give Theresa May a working major- are to be listened to by the prime min- ister. I don’t think the prime minister He added, “It will be in the long term tic Way and tourism. gives training for customs and we want ity in the Commons. interests to get clarity regarding what people to engage in that. listens to anybody.” Minister Humphreys said many com- The DUP agreed to support the gov- the future relationship will be like be- However, Conservative MSP Adam tween the UK and the EU. panies are already prepared for Brexit. “There are lots of other supports out ernment on all Brexit votes, finance there we have been providing to busi- bills, the Budget and a number of other Tomkins said the SNP are playing poli- “A transitional period that gives more “There are a wide range of supports nesses. areas, in exchange for an extra £1 bil- tics over Brexit. available through Enterprise Ireland time to plan for that future would be lion spending for Northern Ireland. “They have weaponised Brexit, not and the Local Enterprise Offices “We have been encouraging businesses of benefit to all but we will be looking because they particularly care about to move all of this forward as mem- (LEOs) and I would particularly en- to prepare for the worst case scenario Whilst the DUP have the ear of the courage companies to register online while we continue to negotiate for the prime minister at Westminster, some the terms on which the United King- bers of the EU and through the task dom leaves the EU, but because they force led by Michel Barnier.” with Revenue,” she added. best possible outcome. Conservatives say different opinions from Northern Ireland are missing. are trying to use it to push their own The north-west regional plan has a to- “Later today I am launching an online “We still have some time to go but I aggressive case for an independent Scot- tal of six objectives which aims to en- customs training programme and also am saying to businesses, be ready.” Scottish Tory MSP Adam Tomkins tish state,” said Tomkins. PAGE 24 www.celtic-connection.com MARCH/APRIL 2019 2019 IRISH FESTIVAL IN SEATTLE

PASSINGS chased in person from an Irish Herit- • Flory Sullivan (95), a native of Co. age Club or Seattle Gaels member – Cork and brother of Pete, died in Renton they cannot be sold online or via mail February 13; or telephone – and ONLY 1,000 TICK- ETS ARE BEING SOLD. • Margie McDevitt (89), the daughter of Irish immigrants from Co. Donegal, So pick up your tickets at any of the died in Seattle December 8; Irish Week events or at the Irish Herit- By age Club booth during the Irish Festi- Ar dheis Dé go raibh a h-anam dílis – JOHN val. May their faithful souls rest at God’s KEANE right hand The special drawing is on the festi- • val’s main stage at 5:30 PM, Sunday, PARTICIPANTS at Seattle’s Irish soda bread cooking class on PARADE GRAND MARSHAL – Coun- March 17, and you do not have to be February 23 – (L-R) Fionna Shriane-Travis, Morgan Thorne, cil member Joe McDermott has been present to win. Ádh mór – good luck!! Casey McNerthney and Wayne Methner. on the King County Council since 2010 OTHER EVENTS – Other events at Irish and served as Chair for the past three Week include the St. Patrick’s Day Mass years. on Friday morning, March 15, at 10 AM His father’s family originated from Co. at St. Patrick’s Church, celebrated by Tyrone and his mother’s family 99-year-old Father Bill Treacy. (Keohane) from Co. Cork. Then late afternoon at 5:50 PM, the Having first attended a family gather- Pirates Landing of St. Patrick will be ing in Ireland in 1994, Joe now visits held at south Lake Union, near MOHAI, Ireland annually to see family, lead followed at 7 PM by the ‘Painting of the political exchanges, attend film festi- Green Stripe’ on 4th Avenue. All events vals, and conduct genealogical re- are free and more information is avail- search. able at: irishweek.org. COUNCIL MEMBER Joe He considers watching the sun rise McDermott is 2019 Grand Mar- BUSINESS BREAKFAST – On March over an ancient stone circle and being shal of Seattle’s St. Patrick’s 18, 7:30 AM, at the Washington Ath- locked into a pub after hours to be letic Club, join Irish Network Seattle for essential life experiences! Day Parade on Saturday, March a breakfast conversation with Ciarán AISLIN TRAVIS digs in at Seattle’s Irish soda bread cooking 16. Cannon, Irish Government Minister for In his spare time, he bakes a mean class on February 23. State for the Diaspora and International Irish apple cake and takes Irish history Development, along with Brian Cotter, courses at the University of Washing- The Ride-the-Ducks Boat will again Advocacy & Public Affairs Director ton. serve as a Shamrock Shuttle to carry with the American Chamber of Com- seniors who are unable to walk the We are delighted and honored to have merce Ireland. parade route (seating reservations at Joe McDermott as our 2019 St. (253) 2371-2811). For tickets and more information, visit: Patrick’s Day Parade Grand Marshal. irishweek.org. All are welcome to walk with their HONORARY GRAND MARSHAL – Ex- favorite group or behind their provin- WORLD AFFAIRS COUNCIL – On tremely proud of her Irish heritage, cial banner. Parade starts at 12:30 PM. March 18, 12:00 pm - 1:30 pm, you’re Nicole Russeff has participated in the Find all the details at: irishweek.org. invited to join Minister Ciar n Cannon Seattle St. Patrick’s Day parade for the for a World Affairs Council Lunch to past 15 years, and it’s always the high- IRISH FESTIVAL – Admission to all discuss Managing the Brexit Chal- light of her year. Irish Festival activities is FREE on both lenge: Ireland, the EU, and Transatlan- Saturday and Sunday, March 16 and Nicole’s great-grandparents immi- tic Relationships. Discussion is mod- 17 at the Seattle Center. grated from Co. Down in 1907 and her erated by John Galligan, Microsoft’s great grand-aunt was Lily Kempson The festival features non-stop Irish head of Global Government Affairs. who fought in Dublin during the 1916 music, singing and dancing, booths Details and reservations at: world- Easter Rebellion. selling Irish and Celtic products, work- affairs.org. shops, lectures, cultural displays, chil- Because of her pure delight in celebrat- RÉALTA CONCERT – Réalta, billed by dren’s contests and activities, includ- ing St. Patrick’s Day every year, and the Belfast Irish News as “the new ing contests to find the kid with the the infectious joy she conveys to all stars of Irish trad music!”, will be in ‘Smilingest Irish Eyes’ and the ‘Most watching, the Irish Heritage Club are concert on March 10 at 7 PM at the Irish Looking Face’. delighted to have her as Honorary Littlefield Celtic Center, 1124 Cleveland Grand Marshal of this year’s St. Special festival features includes an Avenue, Mount Vernon. Patrick’s Day Parade. exhibit marking Éamon de Valera’s visit This award winning multi-instrumen- to Seattle in 1919 where he was MAYOR’S LUNCHEON – Seattle Mayor talist group present an enchanting pro- greeted with a huge Seattle newspa- Jenny Durkan and Galway Mayor Níall gram of Irish traditional dance music INSTRUCTOR FIONNA giving direction to the other cooks at per headline calling him the “Head of McNelis will both attend the Mayor’s interspersed with the occasional story, Seattle’s Irish soda bread cooking class on February 23. (L-R) So-Called ‘Irish Republic’.” Laird Nelson, David Jacobsen, Daisy Jacobsen, Fionna Shriane- Irish Week Proclamation Luncheon on air, and song. Details at: Travis, and Corina Leahy. Friday, March 15, at the Ninety, 406 The festival runs noon to 6 PM Satur- celticarts.org. Occidental Avenue South, Seattle, on day and 10 AM to 6 PM Sunday. For all SEAN-NÓS FESTIVAL – The 12th an- Friday, March 15, at noon. the details visit: irishweek.org. NOVENAS nual Sean-Nós Northwest Traditional Proclamations of Irish Week 2019 will IRISH FILMS – Among the films to be Irish Festival at Evergreen State Col- Novena to the Blessed • be issued and the parade sashes will screened at the Irish Festival at the lege in Olympia, two full days of work- Virgin Mary Novena to the Blessed be presented to the Grand Marshal and Seattle Center on March 16 and 17: shops and classes on traditional Irish Novena to the Blessed Virgin Mary Virgin Mary Honorary Grand Marshal. Reserva- Under The Clock (2018), a film about singing, dancing, language, music, and (never known to fail). O most beautiful Novena to the Blessed Virgin Mary tions (required) for the salmon lunch relationships that began under one of culture, with classes all day Saturday flower of Mount Carmel, fruitful vine, (never known to fail). O most beautiful at (253) 237-2811. Ireland’s most iconic landmarks, Clerys and Sunday, April 13 & 14. splendour of Heaven, Blessed Mother flower of Mount Carmel, fruitful vine, Clock in Dublin; Sanctuary (2016), of the Son of God. Immaculate Virgin, PARADE HIGHLIGHTS – In Seattle’s Classes in gaeilge (Irish language), splendour of Heaven, Blessed Mother about two people in Galway with de- assist me in this my necessity. There St. Patrick’s Day Parade on March 16, singing, dance, guitar, fiddle, and ac- of the Son of God. Immaculate Virgin, velopmental disabilities who long to be are none that can withstand your assist me in this my necessity. There for the first time ever, the Correctional cordion. Registration at: together; 1916: The Irish Rebellion power. O show me herein you are my are none that can withstand your Service Canada Community Pipes and seannos.org. Mother, Mary, conceived without sin, (2016), the landmark documentary giv- power. O show me herein you are my Drums out of Abbotsford, B.C. will pray for us who have recourse to thee ing a comprehensive overview of the O’TOOLE AWARD – Former Seattle Mother, Mary, conceived without sin, participate, joining half a dozen other (three times). Sweet Mother, I place 1916 Easter Rising. Admission is FREE Police Chief, Kathleen O’Toole, who is pray for us who have recourse to thee bands, including the Seattle Firefight- this cause in your hands (three times). (three times). Sweet Mother, I place and detailed schedules are available currently serving as chair of the Com- ers Pipe Band, the Seattle Police Pipe Holy Spirit, you who solve all problems, this cause in your hands (three times). at: irishweek.org. mission on the Future of Policing in Ire- light all roads so that I can attain my Band and the Navy Band Northwest. Holy Spirit, you who solve all problems, land, is being honored at the Éire Soci- goal. You gave me the Divine gift to R/T TICKETS RAFFLE – On the light all roads so that I can attain my Also participating for the first time is a ety of Boston’s Annual Gold Medal Din- forgive and forget all evil against me. evening of St. Patrick’s Day at the Irish goal. You gave me the Divine gift to marching group from the Duwamish ner on April 27. This prayer must be said for three forgive and forget all evil against me. Festival at the Seattle Center, some Tribe, Seattle’s indigenous people. days, even after the request is granted This prayer must be said for three lucky person will become the winner O’Toole will receive the society’s gold and the favour received, it must be They will join a Samoan Youth Group, days, even after the request is granted of a coupon for two round trip tickets medal for her achievements as an In- published. – PMK, MJK, CC, CB, CLF, about 60 Unicyclists from Whittier El- and the favour received, it must be direct from Seattle to Dublin on Aer ternational Law Enforcement Profes- KLSLK, BC ementary School, 25 Star Wars Cos- published. – NB Lingus. sional. tume characters, the Seafair Pirates, Publication of each novena is $25 per issue and the Seafair Clowns. Tickets at $5 each can only be pur- [Continued next page...] MARCH/APRIL 2019 www.celtic-connection.com PAGE 25 2019 IRISH FESTIVAL IN SEATTLE

THE SEATTLE POST INTELLIGENCER newspaper headline when Éamon de Valera, the President of the revolutionary Irish Republic, arrived in Seattle on November 11, 1919. ST. PATRICK’S DAY Parade Honorary Grand Marshal Nicole Russeff with the Seattle Firefight- ers Pipes and Drums before the start of the 2018 St. Patrick’s Day Parade in Seattle.

[Continued from page 24] The event to raise funds for the SPD • The Cascadia Irish Music Week is Pipe band starts at 4:30 PM cocktail July 21-27 at the Evergreen State Col- hour, program 5:45 PM, followed by a lege, Olympia, Irish music classes This honor places her in the company buffet dinner, hosted beer and wine based on your instrument and skill level. of leaders in all levels of government, bar, dessert dash, whiskey tasting bar, More information and registration at: business, diplomacy, academia, clergy, live auction, etc. ceolcascadia.org. literature, arts and culture on both sides of the Atlantic who have been Performances by the Seattle Police • Ulster Historical Foundation has three so recognized by the society in its 82- Pipes & Drums, then dancing to the genealogy seminars this month in Salt year history. Celtic sounds of Stark Raving Plaid. Lake City, Utah (March 14/15, e-mail: Tickets $40 at (253) 237-2811. [email protected]), and EMERALD EVENING – The Seattle Coeur d’Alene, Idaho ( March 20, e- Police Pipes & Drums host their Emer- MISCELLANEOUS mail: [email protected]). For details ald Evening 2019 on Saturday, April 6 • For information on the next Irish Book and other locations, visit: at the SPAA Pavilion, 11030 E Marginal Club meeting, e-mail: jaadams095 ancestryireland.com. Way S, Tukwila. @gmail.com. Head of 800-year-old mummy stolen from Dublin church crypt DUBLIN – An 800-year-old mummy has been decapitated and its head stolen from a church in Dublin. The head of ‘The Crusader’ was re- moved from a crypt in St. Michan’s Church. The crime was discovered when a guide went to open the church for visitors on the afternoon of Mon- day, February 25. The crypt has been badly damaged and several of the mummies, including the 400-year-old remains of a nun, had been desecrated. The Archbishop of Dublin Michael Jackson expressed sadness and outrage THE ATTACK happened at St. Michan’s Parish Church in Dub- at the incident. lin. “I am shocked that someone would target this ancient burial place and des- The walls in the vaults contain lime- ecrate the remains of those lying within stone, which has kept the air dry, cre- it,” he said. ating ideal conditions for preservation. “Not only have these individuals des- The church vaults have historically ecrated the sacred crypt but they have been open to tours on Saturdays, and destroyed these historic mummies seasonally on some weekdays, receiv- which have been preserved in St. ing approximately 27,000 visitors dur- Michan’s for hundreds of years. ing 2018. Archdeacon David Pierpoint said he Following the recent vandalism how- has been left “upset and disappointed” ever, these tours were reportedly “can- that the church has been targeted again celled for the foreseeable future.” after the crypt was earlier vandalised On March 5, gardaí reported that they in 1996. “The actions of these people had recovered the skull along with an- are devastating and sacrilegious,” he other stolen from the crypt but would said. not give any details about the circum- Many of the coffins in the underground stances of the find. vaults date from the early Middle Ages A spokesperson merely said “the items although many also date from more were recovered as a result of informa- A VIEW of the vault beneath St. recent times: leaders of a failed rebel- tion that came into the possession of Michan’s, in which some of the lion in 1798 are also interred here. the investigating gardaí.” mummies are exposed PAGE 26 www.celtic-connection.com MARCH/APRIL 2019

VANCOUVER WELSH SOCIETY St. David’s Day celebrations at the historic Cambrian Hall

By EIFION WILLIAMS

VANCOUVER – The Vancouver Welsh society celebrated St. David’s Day on the evening of March 1 with a fun-filled open house at the Cambrian Hall. This celebration has grown into an an- DAVID LLEWELYN Williams as the ‘Archdruid’ invited all present Irish Canadian writer nual event featuring a wide array of to toast St. David. Welsh music, poetry, traditional cer- recalls a happy childhood emonies and national symbols. This year, Vancouver’s Deputy Mayor, Councillor Michael Wiebe, in Co. Cork in new book read the Proclamation of St. David’s Day in the City of Vancouver. VANCOUVER – Local writer ing cocktail sausages with chips. She Patricia Patrick’s new book The recalls happy days, even if not up to Simulating the pageantry of the modern sensibilities. Gorsedd of the Welsh National Ei- Lucky Find is based on one of her steddfod, there were Trumpet Fan- many family trips to Kilcrohan in When Patricia turned 11, she and her fares played by Roy Beavan and Jackie older sister attended boarding school County Cork when she was a child. Little, followed by a procession of at the Holy Faith Convent in Glasnevin ‘Druids’ led by the ‘Archdruid’, David She says, “I know I have a very active on the north side of Dublin. Llewelyn Williams, who led the audi- imagination but I really do believe that Her English teacher was the first per- ence in the traditional call “Is There I saw leprechauns in Cork all those son who told her that she had a nice Peace?” (A Oes Heddwch?) followed years ago. I also know that I am not writing style. She spent seven years by the audience responding three times the only Irish person to believe in the there with the nuns but those stories with “Peace” (Heddwch). ‘Little Folk’. will have to wait for another day. Jane Byrne read the Gorsedd Prayer “To this day many of the tours around “I emigrated to Canada in the early in English and Welsh and Jackie Ireland will mention fairies and lepre- Eighties and started my teaching ca- Chapman, accompanied by Ray Bat- GUEST ARTIST soloist and harpist Leanne Page was accom- chauns when crossing over a bridge or reer in Victoria, B.C.,” said Patricia, ten, read the words to Ring Out the panied by her son Connor on guitar. passing a fairy ring or fort. “and my son and his family are still Bells of St. David, followed by a read- ing and Prayer for St. David’s Day by “Even my grandmother wouldn’t living there.” Marilyn Hames. ist Leanne Page. Leanne is a classically Messages of congratulation on the throw her dirty dishwater on the grass With a smile, she says, “It must be trained singer from Surrey and a nota- Cambrian Hall anniversary were also in case there was a fairy ring that she my lot in life to be constantly visiting The Archdruid then invited all present bly accomplished harpist who per- received from the Canadian Minister might disturb!” islands, travelling back each year to to eat the leek and toast St. David in forms regularly throughout the Lower of Canadian Heritage and water. Patricia recalls that in addition to the Dublin to visit family.” Mainland. Multiculturalism Pablo Rodriguez, the Premier of British Columbia John many family vacations, she also re- Today, Patricia lives in Maple Ridge The evening ended with community The traditional greetings from kindred members those Sunday outings where singing and cups of delicious leek soup Horgan, and from Mark Drakeford, with her husband and being a societies were read out by Eifion First Minister of the Welsh Assembly. the family would all pile into the car Montessori teacher, she has told the (cawl cennin). Williams, while toasts to Wales and for a drive “just to get out of the house story of her leprechaun sightings to St. David were presented by Jane President Lynn Owens-Whalen also and as far as I know we never really On Saturday evening, the annual St. hundreds of students over the years. David’s Day dinner was held at the Byrne and Lynn Owens-Whalen. congratulated long-time member and had a destination!” ex-president of the Welsh Society Jane They have always loved it and begged Cambrian Hall, chaired by Welsh Soci- The toast to Canada was presented by Extended family including cousins ety President Lynn Owens-Whalen. Byrne on being selected as this year’s her to repeat the tale year after year, Don Davies, Member of Parliament for Celtic Person of the Year by the Van- would often go along as well and they especially around St. Patrick’s Day. Vancouver Kingsway. all enjoyed picnics galore in farmers’ The guest artist was soloist and harp- couver CelticFest Society. fields or by the side of the road. Inevi- “In fact,” she says, “it was my stu- tably they would visit a local estab- dents who convinced me to write the lishment to finish off the day. book. Who knows, maybe I will see leprechauns again on my next trip As kids, they were either left to sit in home.” Canada’s Heritage Minister the car eating crisps and drinking soft drinks or sitting with the adults in the [Visit Patricia’s website to purchase pub listening to their stories and eat- or learn more about The Lucky Find: sends message of congratulations www.patriciaspublications.com.] VANCOUVER – This year the couver’s Welsh community, as it cel- ebrates the 90th anniversary of Vancouver Welsh Society is Cambrian Hall. celebrating the 90th anniversary It’s an especially poignant way to mark Welsh flag has been voted of the Cambrian Hall. this feast day, as this historic cultural centre marks nine decades as a beacon the coolest on the planet The hall was officially opened on for Welsh culture in Vancouver and Saturday, September 1, 1929 by beyond. The Welsh flag has been acknowl- Marion Malkin, wife of the mayor edged as the coolest in the world of Vancouver. These walls could likely tell countless in a massive global survey. stories, from cultural events to wed- The iconic building at 17th Avenue, just dings to concerts to Welsh language Ranker, a worldwide digital polling off Main Street, is recognized by classes. Cambrian Hall is not only a website, asked the population of the Welsh communities across North historic building in the city, it is a cul- planet to cast their vote on “The America as the only Welsh hall built tural hub. Coolest National Flags.” specifically for that purpose. Our government knows that Canada’s Ranked from best to worst by the The Honourable Pablo Rodriguez, the diversity is one of its greatest number of votes by the site’s 49 mil- Canadian Minister of Canadian Herit- strengths. lion monthly visitors, it includes the age and Multiculturalism has sent a Our country’s story is constantly en- coolest flags from any country on rable” plus “worthy of the nation it message of congratulations which was earth. represents.” riched through the efforts of cultural read during the Vancouver Welsh Soci- groups such as the Vancouver Welsh Voters are advised that when consid- The poll, which had almost 184,000 ety St. David’s Day celebrations. It Society. the Cambrian Hall a cultural landmark ering which country has the best flag, votes from across the world, has listed reads as follows: in Vancouver. they need to consider a few things. The the Welsh flag as the coolest national As Minister of Canadian Culture and St. David’s Day celebrations are par- Dydd Gu yl Dewi Hapus! (Happy St. design should be “simple and “memo- flag on the entire planet. Multiculturalism, I’d like to congratu- ticularly noteworthy this year for Van- late everyone whose efforts have made David’s Day). MARCH/APRIL 2019 www.celtic-connection.com PAGE 27 Hereditary Hemochromatosis: We all have a role to play to help others learn more Hemochromatosis is an inher- I have had the opportunity to share my story with others through the So- ited condition that causes the ciety’s website and other sources of body to absorb too much iron media. from the diet. It appears that more and more people are being diagnosed with hereditary The excess iron accumulates over time, hemochromatosis and I am sure the damaging organs and tissues in the proc- work that the Canadian ess and potentially leading to disease. Hemochromatosis Society is doing in In Canada, an estimated one in 300 raising awareness is contributing to people carry the two gene mutations this. responsible for the majority of I think we all have a role to play to hemochromatosis diagnoses. help others learn more. By being my While hemochromatosis can affect own health advocate, I saved the life people of all ethnicities, the condition of my brother whose ferritin numbers is most common in people of northern were not readable because they were European and Celtic heritage. Here is higher than the lab medical staff could Melita Paul’s story. record in our province. By MELITA PAUL I live each day with some complica- My Hemochromatosis journey began tions that I believe have been caused many years before my diagnosis. Many MELITA PAUL because of my late diagnosis; however, years of suffering from unexplained I try to stay positive and be thankful health conditions was very frustrating that I am still here, as often times peo- and tiring. ple don’t find out they have heredi- tary hemochromatosis until it’s too late Receiving a diagnosis of hereditary thing I could about hemochromatosis and their body is too damaged from hemochromatosis was almost reward- and how it could affect a person’s the iron overload. ing in a way; it meant that there was health. really something medically wrong Even though there has been great work within my body. Other members of my family had ge- done around educating people and netic testing done following my diag- health care providers about Thanks to a doctor friend and the sup- nosis and it was discovered that one of hemochromatosis, there is still work port of the Canadian Hemochromatosis my brothers and my two children were to do. Society, I learned to become my own also plagued with this disorder and re- advocate for my health and the health quired regular phlebotomies. I will continue to be an advocate for of my family members. this disease and if I can prevent one I took a very conscious approach to person from suffering any longer than There had never been anyone in my my health and lowered the iron in my they need too, I will have done my community in Newfoundland and Lab- body to acceptable levels within four part. rador diagnosed with this disease, and months and have been consistent with • our health care system wasn’t sure regular blood work, making sure my The Canadian Hemochromatosis So- how to respond to the need for regular ferritin and iron saturation levels are ciety’s mission is to strengthen the phlebotomies. kept in the ranges that my doctor re- well-being of Canadians affected by This meant that I needed to leave my quested. iron overload through its programs community for several weeks in order I do a lot of advocacy in my area and designed to foster awareness and to obtain regular phlebotomies. often do radio interviews to raise early detection of hemochromatosis. If you have benefitted in any way from I used this time to lobby my health awareness of hereditary hemochromatosis. the work of the Society, please sup- care provider for nurses in my com- port its mission with a donation to the munity to be trained to offer this serv- When I meet people who are newly Canadian Hemochromatosis Society, ice, as I knew that I would not be the diagnosed, I advise them to get in con- 285 - 7000 Minoru Boulevard, Rich- only one in my family with this dis- tact with the Canadian mond, BC V6Y 3Z5. More information ease. Hemochromatosis Society and avail of can be found at I also used this time to learn every- the great work that they do. www.toomuchiron.ca/celtic. PAGE 28 www.celtic-connection.com MARCH/APRIL 2019