ISSUE 25 VOLUME 6 Proudly Serving Celts in North America Since 1991 NOVEMBER 2016

Photo credit: Paisley Art Institute Collection, held by Paisley Museum and Art Galleries. HALLOWEEN FROLICS by James Elder Christie (Scottish,1847–1914). [MORE on page 28]

INSIDE THIS ISSUE JIM KELLY the new Ambassador of Ireland to was an honored guest at the commemoration ceremony at Martindale Pioneer Cemetery in . In his short address, Ambassa- dor Kelly noted that while he has been privileged to visit many Irish famine memorial sites in Ireland, in the United States and elsewhere, Martindale Pioneer Cemetery was one of the most impressive. [Read more on pages 14-15]

CANADIAN Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, European Com- mission President Jean-Claude Juncker and European Coun- cil President Donald Tusk signed the Comprehensive Economic and Trade Agreement (CETA) during the European Union- Canada Leaders’ Summit in Brussels, Belgium last month after seven years of negotiation. [Read more on page 9]

BREXIT court ruling exposes bitter divide in the UK with MP resignation, tabloid anger, and angry hashtags, a day after judges rule Brexit needs par- PHOTO: Brendan Moran/Sportsfile liamentary approval. IRELAND ended a 111-year wait for their first win over New [Read more on page 8] Zealand with a momentous performance against the back-to- back world championships in Chicago. [Pictured above] Conor IRISH CULTURAL Murray of Ireland celebrates after scoring his side’s third try THE ROAD TO HELL: An entry into the ‘Jungle’ that was a against the All Blacks during the International rugby match temporary migrant camp outside Calais in France. Known for GROUP NEWS between Ireland and New Zealand at Soldier Field in Chicago, its dire living conditions, the camp became home to thousands • Edmonton Irish Club USA. [Read more on page 26] of refugees before being cleared earlier this month. Most of the refugees in Calais were seeking a way into the UK. • Okanagan Irish WIN FREE TICKETS [Read more on page 22] • Irish Club of White Rock • Irish Heritage Society Win free tickets to the ‘Natalie MacMaster and Donnell Leahy – A Celtic of Canada Family Christmas’ concert in one of the following three cities: Calgary – Mail Agreement: • Irish Women’s Network Jack Singer concert hall on November 24; Vancouver – Centre in Vancou-

Publication 40009398 • Ireland Canada Monument ver on November 26; and Edmonton – Northern Alberta Jubilee Audito- rium on December 3 (See page 7 for details). Entry by November 18. Mark • CelticFest Vancouver your entry: MacMaster/Leahy with the city of your choice. • Irish Heritage Club of Seattle Entries by e-mail only. Mark the name of the event on your entry, including your name and daytime telephone number. (Only one entry per person per [Pages 16 - 27] event). Send to: [email protected]. PAGE 2 www.celtic-connection.com NOVEMBER 2016 LETTER FROM THE PUBLISHER Early back issues now archived online through SFU library Dear Friends: Recently, I was delighted when a young woman contacted me from Toronto to locate some very early back issues of The LARRY BRADLEY (centre) proprietor of the Heart & Crown Irish Pub in Ottawa is holding a Celtic Connection. By MAURA copy of The Celtic Connection with his old friend Catholine Butler. Larry who hails from Her late father was one of our first con- DE FREITAS Omagh in Co. Tyrone is pictured along with now adult children (L-R) Michael, Kristen and tributors 25 years ago. As you can im- Shauna Bradley. agine, it would take a lot of digging to find those articles written by her dad so long ago. Fortunately, I was able to direct her to JOHN ALEXANDER MCCRAE: our new joint project with Simon Fraser University where back issues of The Celtic Connection are being digitized SFU is confident this will become avail- Author of In Flanders Fields to be made available online through the able with the next grant application in EMEMBRANCE DAY – also known as library. 2017....otherwise we shall seek addi- Researchers, academics, anyone, can tional funding elsewhere to complete the Poppy Day, Armistice Day (the event it now search 12 years of back issues of task and bring all the back issues up to commemorates) or Veterans Day – is a The Celtic Connection – from 1991 up date. day to commemorate the sacrifices of to 2004. You will note the resolution on these R We are deeply grateful to Willeen early editions is not the greatest. This is members of the armed forces and of Keough, Professor of History, who has because technology of the day required civilians in times of war, specifically since the First championed this project and everyone each hard copy issue to be scanned in- at SFU who has helped bring it to frui- dividually. World War. tion. When we first started out in 1991, every It is observed on November 11 to recall surgeon during the battle of Ypres. the end of the First World War on that issue had to be cut and manually pasted In Flanders Fields is now recited at While we have advanced, it is still far date in 1918. from complete as we must wait for 2017 together – like a giant jigsaw puzzle each most Remembrance Day ceremonies on to apply for additional grant funding to month – and we did not have digitized Major hostilities of the First World War November 11. update the metadata search versions available. were formally ended at the 11th hour of the 11th day of the 11th month of 1918 It was written on May 3, 1915, after functions.....in the meantime, the good Over the years, printing technology has McCrae witnessed the death of his news is that it’s up and finally available. improved enormously and so has the with the German signing of the Armi- JOHN McCREA in uniform, stice. friend Lieutenant Alexis Helmer who At the moment it is only possible to do quality of the back issues. Now we was only 22-years-old during the sec- circa 1914. a basic keyword search, and the data- upload complete PDF issues directly to The day was specifically dedicated by ond battle of Ypres. base will only take you to each relevant our printer (no more all night paste-up King George V, on November 7, 1919, QUOTE OF THE MONTH assembly thankfully!). to the observance of members of the By most accounts, it was written in his issue (starting at the first page) rather notebook and later discarded by than the actual page(s) on which the It’s really thrilling to know that our work armed forces who were killed during war. McCrae. It was rescued by a fellow “Patriotism term appears. will be preserved as an historic archive officer and sent in to the -based This is still a work-in-progress and li- and anyone wishing access will be able The most famous war memorial poem magazine Punch which published it later is the last refuge brarian staff are checking to see if they to find the information they want through In Flanders Fields was written by a that year. of the scoundrel.” an online search. Canadian from Guelph, Ontario, who can fine-tune this function but hopefully IN FLANDERS FIELDS – [Samuel Johnson (1709- as work continues, searches will be- was the grandson of Scottish immi- I’ll keep you posted on developments. In Flanders fields, the poppies blow 1784), the celebrated British come much more refined. In the meantime, check it out at: http:// grants. Between the crosses, row on row, man of letters, wrote dozens of A graduate student has already analyzed newspapers.lib.sfu.ca/celticconnection- Lieutenant Colonel John Alexander That mark our place; and in the sky 25 years of back issues for in depth collection. McCrae (1872-1918) was a poet, phy- The larks, still bravely singing, fly essays that defined his views on metadata search....we just need addi- Until next month, sician, author, artist, and a soldier dur- Scarce heard amid the guns below... the politics of his time and he tional funding to complete the project. Maura. ing the First World War. He served as a We are the Dead. Short days ago is one of the most quoted men We lived, felt dawn, saw sunset glow, Loved, and were loved, and now we lie of the 18th century. In 1774, he In Flanders fields... printed The Patriot, a critique Take up our quarrel with the foe: of what he viewed as false pa- To you from failing hands, we throw triotism. On the evening of 7 The torch; be yours to hold it high. If ye break faith with us who die April 1775, he made the famous We shall not sleep, though poppies grow statement, "Patriotism is the last In Flanders fields. refuge of the scoundrel."] THE CELTIC CONNECTION

ISSUE 25 VOLUME 6 - Established in 1991 #452 - 4111 Hastings Street, Burnaby, B.C. V5C 6T7 Tel: (604) 434-3747 • www.celtic-connection.com Maura De Freitas - Publisher - • E-Mail: [email protected] Catholine Butler - Advertising - • E-Mail: [email protected] Colleen Carpenter - Copy Editor • Ainsley Baldwin - Ad Production Distribution: Arlyn Lingat • Allison Moore • Linda Robb • Frank Dudfield in Surrey • Neville Thomas in Burnaby & Coquitlam • Eifion Williams in Burnaby & Coquitlam • Laurie Lang in Coquitlam • Joanne Long in Mission • Bill Duncan in Maple Ridge • Deirdre O’Ruaric in White Rock • Nanci Spieker and Heather Murphy in Seattle • Oliver Grealish in Edmonton. Unsolicited submissions welcome but will not be returned. Please retain a copy for your files. Contents copyright 2016 The Celtic Connection. Opinions expressed here are not necessarily those of the publisher but rather a reflection of voices within the community. All correspondence must include a name, address and telephone number. Canada Post Canadian Publications Agreement 40009398 NOVEMBER 2016 www.celtic-connection.com PAGE 3 PAGE 4 www.celtic-connection.com NOVEMBER 2016 Historic St. James Hall – Home of The Rogue needs upgrades

ANCOUVER – in the round. This is an annual event, There have been and last year’s show was incredible! a lot of trips to This year the event has been curated by Michael Averill, who will be joined festivals this by the duo Chicken-Like Birds, and year. songwriters Joline Bayliss, Kristina Lao, V By and Sadie Campbell on Thursday, No- I believe it’s a vital part of STEVE vember 17 at St. James. EDGE my job to find new music and The following night, Jim Byrnes, Paul artists on the cutting edge of THE ROGUE Pigat and Friends will pay tribute to the roots music scene – as Chuck Berry, who turned 90 the other day, and to Phil Chess, co-founder of well as to witness collabora- Chess Records (home of Chuck Berry, tions which we could later Absolutely wonderful stuff with , Muddy Waters, Howlin Wolf and more) bring to The Rogue. pipes, drums, singers, and a horn sec- – who passed away in October – in tion. another very special fundraiser for the It’s also important to meet other pre- hall. senters, agents and artists to explore Tuesday was a lovely sunny day. Still windy though. We had another show- As you may know, the City of Vancou- cooperative opportunities and to cement ver purchased St. James Community working relationships. case to attend and also met up with delegates from Europe and Canada and Square (3214 West 10th Avenue) – So, barely a month after returning from the USA to share experiences and rec- which houses The Rogue’s venue in the our trip to the Edmonton and Tonder ommendations from the wide and won- Hall – back in February to save it from Festivals at either end of August, derful world of . being sold to developers for demolition Margaret and I set off to Cape Breton to make way for condos. I also met up with my cousin Elaine and for the 20th annual Fes- This generous act saved the building’s tival. her husband Greg from Digby. This is becoming an annual family tradition for 500,000 annual visitors from having to We flew into Sydney on Sunday and us! find a new space for the myriad activi- drove to the charming Acadian fishing ties that take place there throughout the village Cheticamp on the Cabot Trail to We then drove east beyond Sydney and year. see Coig, who ended the show playing to Port Morien (home of the first commercial coal mine in North However, the Hall is in desperate need with Pepeto Pinto, a Jamaican-born of renovation and improvement. steel drummer on a bunch of reels! America) to see English guitar/melo- deon wizard Tim Edey and Kiwi har- The floor is breaking up and can’t be Then we zoomed off to Port monica ace Brendan Power, Rosie sanded down any further; the venue is Hawkesbury in the SE corner of the MacKenzie and Mec Lir – a quartet largely unusable for three to four island and on to a remote village called from the Isle of Man with two mem- months over the summer as it has little Lower River Inhabitants to see Tony bers of Barrule augmented by a drum- or no ventilation – it heats up by day McManus and Daniel Lapp – a defi- mer and a keyboard player. and doesn’t cool down until the wee nite “prospective” double-act for 2017 hours. at The Rogue. This was in the local Legion with its “secret” downstairs bar and flea mar- Also, the stage floor is threadbare and J.P. Cormier, Barrule, and young sib- ket. Another fabulous show and another needs a lot of TLC. These and other lings The Broussards from Cape Breton, long drive home to Baddeck. enhancements are desperately needed another remarkable show! The next day we caught a lovely set by to keep the hall thriving as a hotbed of Monday was a very wet and wild, Newfoundland’s The Once, taped live great music in a city with ever-dimin- windy day and we had a lunchtime in a Baddeck church for CBC Nova ishing entertainment outlets. showcase to attend at the Gaelic Col- Scotia, before heading north to Bay St. The city has awarded a grant to fund lege in St. Ann’s near Baddeck. Lawrence for a seafood supper and my these improvements, but this MUST be Three local duos – the pick of them first experience of Chase The Ace. matched by funds raised by the society being local fiddler Rosie MacKenzie I bought the winning ticket and received that manages the building and coordi- (ex-Cottars) with Irish guitarist Matt the princely sum of $59 but then had a nates all the activities within. Griffin. chance to win a whole lot more if I could The Rogue has added a $2 fee to all Fiddler Colin Grant was then joined by find the Ace of Spades in a deck of tickets as a temporary fund to help guitarist Scott MacMillan for some cards arranged face down on a table. I raise this money. Please support these wonderfully jazzy trad. tunes, and got one chance. concerts and keep coming to Rogue Decota McNamara showcased his new Everyone was transfixed, willing me to events to help us keep the venue alive duo with NB fiddler Jeremy Finney. guess incorrectly so they might have a and thriving. The rain was really hammering down chance at winning a larger jackpot next Your support is vital, and you – as audi- by this time and we drove back to our time! I guessed wrong. Too bad. ence members – will be the prime ben- motel through floods and waves off Then we drove back down the Cabot eficiaries of the improvements to the Bras d’Or lake washing over the road! Trail to Aspy Bay for our final concert: venue. We had tickets to see Dougie MacLean Irish guitarist John Doyle with Cape Donations can be made online at and Tony McManus in Membertou, near Breton fiddlers Kimberley Fraser, www.sjcommunitysquare.org (scroll Sydney that night. Brenda Stubbert and the amazing down to the donate button) and all do- dancer Nic Gareiss. Plus Mec Lir again. nor contributions $5 and up will receive I didn’t fancy tackling Kelly’s Moun- With their fabulous Manx dancer a tax receipt. tain in the storm – which was the re- Alannah. surgent Hurricane Matthew reeking The musical merriment at The Rogue havoc across Cape Breton and into This was if anything even more incred- continues apace, with Quebec’s Newfoundland. ible than the other shows and a fitting / guitar duo Pascal Gemme & Yann finale to our trip. Falquet (of Genticorum fame) heading So we stayed home and tuned in to the I recommend Celtic Colours to all fans home from Australia via B.C. on Fri- live stream on the festival website day, November 25. www.celtic-colours.com. Dougie and of Celtic music. It takes place every Tony were given just three songs while October just as the leaves are turning They have a great new CD of trad. the venue tried to sort out water prob- and the music, scenery and hospitality tunes and songs – Princes et Habitants lems. are unparalleled. Only 11 months to go, – and there will be a set by North Van- then, until our next visit!! couver’s Gabriel Dubreuil Trio to open Turned out to be a broken water main the evening. and the washrooms and sprinkler sys- There are two upcoming fundraisers for tem were out of service. So the fire the St. James Hall Renovation Fund. Gabriel is an alumnus of the North Shore department rightly ordered the show be The Acoustic Guitar Project features Celtic Ensemble and Boston’s famed stopped. five local songwriters, each given a Berklee School of Music. So a good decision to stay at our motel signed Martin guitar on which to com- He released his debut album, Back To was further vindicated when the festi- pose a song before passing it on to the Back Bay, in October, showcasing his val rebroadcast The Unusual Suspects next artist. brilliant fiddle playing on Celtic trad and of Celtic Colours – 27 musicians from They then showcase the new songs, the originals, and covers of tunes by the and Canada on one stage. guitar, and a couple of other songs each, [Continued next page] NOVEMBER 2016 www.celtic-connection.com PAGE 5

THE FINAL concert at the 20th annual Celtic Colours Festival: Irish guitarist John Doyle with Cape Breton fiddlers Kimberley Fraser, Brenda Stubbert and the amazing dancer Nic Gareiss. Plus Mec Lir with their fabulous Manx dancer Alannah.

[Continued from page 4] likes of David Grisman and Darrol An- ger. His trio includes Spirit of the West founder, J. Knutson and bassist William Ross. This is a hot example of Celtic music and jazz fused together by su- perb musicians. In December there are shows by Loui- siana / Cajun Swamp Pop sex- tet The Revelers (1st), Portland / Que- bec quartet The Foghorn Stringband (2nd), superb songwriter Danny Michel from Ontario (8th), and Van Django’s Gypsy Jazz Christmas Special - Cool Yule, with guests LJ Mounteney (vo- cals) and Keith Bennett (harmonica) - on the 18th. Full details of all Rogue VAN DJANGO’S Gypsy Jazz Christmas Special - Cool Yule, shows can be found on with guests LJ Mounteney (vocals) and Keith Bennett (har- www.roguefolk.bc.ca. monica) - on the 18th. I’ll miss the Foghorn Stringband show, unfortunately. I’ll be attending the Ca- convey my most sincere thanks to my Luckily there is plenty of “alternative” nadian Awards in Toronto partner, Margaret Whale, and to all the media, and you can hear this music – that weekend, where I have the amaz- volunteers, board members, audience and so much more – every Saturday ing honour of being presented with this members, musicians, sound engineers, from 8 AM to noon on my show, The year’s Slaight Music Unsung Hero and venue managers for affording me Saturday Edge On Folk on CiTR fm Award! 30 years of self-indulgence to share my 101.9. love of the great wealth of folk and It’s streamed live – and podcasts are To be chosen from all of this nation’s roots music which surrounds us all – tireless musical champions is a most even when so little of it is to be found in available of all shows dating back to thrilling and humbling tribute, and I must mainstream media. 2005! on www.citr.ca. Another award for Steve Edge: Slaight Music Unsung Hero Award CONGRATULATIONS to Steve Edge, Folk Alliance International in 1989 (the a founder of Vancouver’s Rogue Folk destination North American conference Club, who is the recipient of this year’s for folk music) as well as being a found- Slaight Music Unsung Hero Award. ing member of the Vancouver Alliance for Arts & Culture. This is the second major accolade for Steve this year as he was inducted into Steve is also a regular MC at the Is- the B.C. Entertainment Hall of Fame land MusicFest in Courtenay, BC, as in September to honour his significant well as Mission Folk Festival and oc- contributions to the province’s entertain- Thousands of B.C. Canadian and in- casionally the Vancouver Folk Festival ment industry and cultural landscape. ternational performers have graced The and Edmonton Folk Festival. Rogue stage, affording local audiences This award will recognize his work as a wonderful and often eclectic variety He co-produces the Shorefest stage artistic/executive director of The Rogue of acoustic folk, Celtic, roots and blues with LG104.3 FM. Folk Club, which he co-founded in the music. spring of 1987. His achievements and Among his many accomplishments, contributions are vast and varied, in- Steve has, in effect, consistently pro- Steve has also been a regular contribu- tor to The Celtic Connection newspa- cluding his weekly radio show on CiTR, duced a high quality year-round folk the UBC campus station. festival in the city. He has also partici- per with a lively commentary on news pated in numerous joint productions and and events across the folk music spec- Steve arrived in Canada from England provided guidance and support for trum and beyond. in 1981 and since The Rogue was many other local organizations and mu- The Slaight Music Unsung Hero Award launched almost 30 years ago, the club sic festivals. has presented almost 2,000 live music will be presented to Steve at the Cana- concerts to metro Vancouver audi- Along the way, Steve and the Rogue dian Folk Music Awards Gala in To- ences. Folk Club were founding members of ronto this December. PAGE 6 www.celtic-connection.com NOVEMBER 2016 Folk World Mourns Angus R. Grant the Shooglenifty Fiddle Player

music and dancing, he gave people the Glasgow’s Festival By ERIN MULLAN rare opportunity to break the ice, shed described the impact of his death on the their worries, inhibitions and tensions, festival website, “We’ve lost too many HE FOLK world and often reach a state of pure and un- great musicians this past year, but few adulterated mutual joy. He believed this have prompted such a profuse, profound lost a pivotal art- condition is when we are at our very and heartfelt outpouring of tributes, ist on October 9 best, and surely as mother nature in- from all corners of the folk world, as tended.” the late Highland fiddle wizard, com- with the death of poser extraordinaire, Shooglenifty T James said of Angus, “He never took the charismatic fiddle frontman and all-round beautiful soul, our adventures for granted, and was Angus R. Grant. player and front man of the always grateful for the opportunities to travel to new lands, and to meet and “There are few, too, whose legacy will Scottish band Shooglenifty. make new friends. so surely live and thrive. At the Shoogles’ helm, Angus offered The irrepressible, irreplaceable Angus “Throughout our travels, he saw beauty R. Grant was a man who came into the revelatory inspiration to myriad younger in diversity and was always excited by musicians, while carrying his native world on St. Valentine’s Day and whose new experiences, always willing to be life was defined by love: of people, mu- tunes to countless converts far beyond surprised and learn. I believe he had a Scottish folk music.” sic, adventure, the natural world, and true appreciation of the nature of the always, a good party. world.” The Shoogles will mark Angus’ birth- day in February with an event in the Angus was born to play the fiddle. He Angus was a man who eschewed ma- was the son of well-known left-handed Glenuig Hall, the scene of many a leg- terial goods but had a wealth of friends, endary Shooglenifty gig over the years. fiddle player Aonghas Grant; his uncle and he possessed tremendous compas- gave Angus a quarter-size fiddle at the sion and a rich sense of humour. There will also be “A Night for Angus” age of five. on January 21 as part of the next Celtic He also had no time for the technology Connections Festival. The Glasgow The Scotsman newspaper described upon which most of us rely. Angus told him as: “A player steeped in the music Royal Concert Hall will see Shooglenifty James a few weeks before his death, and “a veritable army of guests.” of his native west Highlands – not least “Can I state quite categorically, I do not, through family – he infused it with con- and never have, nor will I ever, own a Featured artists include Aonghas Grant temporary influences to help create the mobile phone!” Sr., DJ Dolphin Boy, members of folk-fusion genre that became known Capercaillie, Galicia’s A Banda das A MERCURIAL FIGURE, Angus R. Grant was a fiddle wizard as ‘acid croft’.” Angus was only 49 but he managed to Crechas and Rajasthani troupe Dhun and composer extraordinaire. He was steeped in the music of pack a great deal of living into those his native west Highlands and he infused it with contemporary Shooglenifty arose from the vibrant Ed- Dhora, plus dozens more from the ex- too few years. He died at home sur- tended Shoogle family. There will be influences to help create the folk-fusion genre that became inburgh music scene of the late eight- rounded by family and friends. ies and early nineties. dancing. known as ‘acid croft’. Band manager Jane-Ann Purdy wrote in a tribute to Angus on the group’s raged against poverty and corruption website, “With Venus in Tweeds, NEW MUSIC RELEASES with unrepentant clarity. Shooglenifty’s first album, the band took In Visionaries 1916 Lorcán Mac the folk world by the scruff of the neck Mathúna continues the tradition of ar- and they’ve kept on shaking ever since. On Easter Monday 1916, the Proclamation of the Irish tistic expression, using their inspirational “Through seven studio albums, gigs to Republic was read from the steps of the General Post words to inspire new music with a clear a few hundred in small Highland village Office in by the president of the newly pro- connection to Irish cultural identity. halls, playing to tens of thousands in Lorcán Mac Mathúna is a sean-nós festival fields across the globe, and a claimed Irish Republic, Patrick Pearse. singer and composer who wrote and couple of line-up changes, Angus was produced the music theatre production, there, centre stage. This signalled the beginning of a mod- called Visionaries 1916. 1916 Visionaries and Their Words, for est scaled revolution which would have He had never missed a gig until this July Lorcán Mac Mathúna, Irish composer the millennial celebrations of the 1916 when illness forced his hand, but he monumental effect; not in terms of its and creator of this album, says, “The Rising Visionaries. immediate military objectives, but be- returned to the stage to complete Easter Rising was much more than a His newly released album, Visionaries Shooglenifty’s run of August festival ap- cause of its symbolic potency. military independence movement; it was Chief amongst the writers of the Ris- 1916: Songs and music from the pens ing were Patrick Pearse; the iconic cul- pearances.” The rebellion was put down within a a grand gesture in a cultural revival led of Connolly, Pearse, Ceannt, and by artists and the most visionary cul- tural orator and visionary poet “with the She also described how Angus was “a week and its leaders were executed; Plunkett, was released on October 15 tural activists Ireland has ever known. gift of fiery speech” who articulated the and is available to download and direct flighty and mercurial figure: he lived on including the seven signatories of the soul of the nation, and James Connolly; the breeze, loving to disappear on walka- Proclamation. “It is these cultural pillars of fire which from the artist at the champion of the labouring poor who www.visionaries1916.ie. bout (or, more often, hitch-about) in the It may have seemed a failure in its im- I sought to represent in this homage to Highlands, to pop up in far flung bars, mediate aftermath but history would the poets of the Rising. and drop by for random visits with a prove otherwise, because it was the “By using their words in the creation of legion of much loved friends.” spark which created the movement a collection of original songs, I hoped In its obituary, the Telegraph newspa- which eventually led to the establish- to present the personal side of the peo- per said of Angus, “Having been brought ment of an independent Irish Republic, ple who inspired a nation to achieve its up in the Scottish Highlands, as the band free from English rule. freedom. To pose the question; what absorbed new global influences, it was In the centenary year of the Rising, Ire- inspired the minds who inspired our he who kept it rooted to the traditional land has celebrated it as a pivotal mo- country tunes of Scotland.” ment in the formation of the modern “The 1916 Easter Rising was first of He loved to play in sessions in pubs and state, with a year-long calendar of com- all a struggle for cultural expression. at festivals until the wee hours, and memoration and celebration. Celebra- “Its success was that the vision and ob- through his on-stage persona was one tion of what is past, and of the potential jectives of its leaders were articulated of the artists who made fiddle playing of Ireland today. so vividly by its main orators that the cool. This year the historical review of the republic it proclaimed would seize the He also wrote many gorgeous tunes, Rising focused on the contemporary in- imagination of a nation and become the including the iconic Two Fifty to Vigo, terpretation of the actions and words mission of a generation.” which came from a hair-raising lift on of the leaders of the revolution. The There were three things which made a motorcycle when travelling around expert view, that is, on what we think the Easter Rising possible. The Great Spain. this all meant. Hunger (1845-1847); The Great War Shooglenifty’s drummer James Macin- But one project which avoided that in- (1914-1918); and most importantly of tosh gave a eulogy at Angus’ funeral in terpretative naval-gazing approach and all; the artists who renewed hope and Fort William. commemorates the power of the vision enabled the cultural revival of Ireland. of Pearse, Ceannt, Connolly, Plunkett, He described his life-long friend as “an the other leaders of the Rising was The first two, because they gave the entertainer, undertaking the very impor- 1916: Visionaries and Their Words – Rising an international dimension, and tant role: spreading joy and happiness. a composition project using the writings the latter because it gave the Irish peo- ple the confidence to believe in them- “Amidst all of those myriad nights of of these four proclamation signatories which has now been released on a CD selves. NOVEMBER 2016 www.celtic-connection.com PAGE 7 The Barra MacNeils Christmas show coming to White Rock this month WHITE ROCK – As a group, the six MacNeil siblings are widely regarded as one of the greatest live acts in the Celtic world. Hailing from , , , the family group is deeply rooted in Celtic music, culture and history. Their numerous critically acclaimed re- cordings have included their own origi- nal songs as well as tried and true stand- ards, both instrumental and vocal, some of which have reached gold record sta- tus in Canada. They were recently nominated for PEI‘s THE SIX MacNeil siblings are widely regarded as one of the Fan’s Choice Award for Entertainers greatest live acts in the Celtic world. of the Year. MacNeils Celtic East Coast Christmas of acoustic, string, percussion, and wind They continue to perform to sold out Show on Saturday, November 19 when instruments, dancing, storytelling, Gaelic audiences throughout Canada, the U.S., they perform at the Coast Capital Play- songs and a journey through an ancient the Caribbean, and the United Kingdom. house, 1532 Johnston Road in White culture. Rock. The Barra MacNeils one hour Christ- Presented by Rock It Boy Entertain- mas television special filmed a number The concert experience brings so much ment and Gee Dan presents, tickets are of years ago, continues to be broadcast more to the stage than most live acts $52.50 (plus facility fee and service on Television and on ever can. Multiple lead vocalists, beau- charges). Charge by phone at (604) PBS in the United States. tiful sibling harmonies, top drawer in- 536-7535, or online at Now, local audiences can enjoy Barra strumental prowess in a wide variety www.whiterockplayers.ca. A Celtic Family Christmas with Natalie and Donnell HIS holiday season join Natalie MacMaster T and Donnell Leahy, the award-winning fid- dle virtuosos, in an intimate and unique Christmas concert series you will never forget. The duo is accompanied by an incred- ible array of talented session musicians and their entire family. A Celtic Family Christmas will guide you AWARD winning fiddlers Natalie MacMaster and her husband into the wonderful world of a true Cape Donnell Leahy are on tour with an incredible array of talented Breton Christmas celebration. musicians and this year they’re bringing along the whole fam- “This tour is going to have an energy ily. that goes beyond the duration of the show,” says Natalie MacMaster. “I energy playing style also makes him a the night before Christmas in the Leahy/ want it to stay with our fans throughout highly popular performer. MacMaster household. the holidays, and beyond.” The fiddling duo have toured extensively “Christmas is where this whole concept To fans of fiddle music, Natalie over the years both together and sepa- started and we are excited to be trav- MacMaster needs no introduction. rately, selling out venues across the elling as a family,” says Donnell. continent. Over a recording career now spanning “It’s a perfect time to travel across 25 years, this Order of Canada recipi- Each show is an unforgettable experi- Canada and bring light and happiness ent has released 11 albums that have ence for all those in attendance, and to families and fans across the coun- notched sales of over 200,000 copies. word of their musical feats has trav- try.” elled. She has won two Junos and eleven East With a lineup of familiar Christmas Coast Music Awards and been nomi- The last Christmas concert series sold songs intermingled with classic Celtic nated for a Grammy, and has collabo- out in a matter of days, leading to addi- songs sure to warm your heart, A Celtic rated with artists as diverse as Yo-Yo tional shows added due to high demand. Family Christmas brings you in the door, Ma (on the Grammy-winning album and welcomes you in as part of the fam- “If you really love fiddle music, there ily. Songs of Joy & Peace), Alison Krauss, are performances here that are nothing Jesse Cook, and Bela Fleck. short of jaw dropping ... performances Tickets are on sale now at Though acknowledging that she can be that will raise you up and performances LiveNation.com or through the venue “a musical chameleon,” Natalie that will leave you misty eyed,” The box office: Guardian. stresses that, above all else, “I play Cape November 24 – Calgary – Jack Singer Breton fiddle.” This year, A Celtic Family Christmas Concert Hall at Arts Common Donnell Leahy is no stranger to the exceeds all expectations with riveting November 26 – Vancouver – The awards podium himself. He is the old- performances by Natalie, Donnell, and Centre in Vancouver est brother of the internationally ac- their children, bringing the Cape Breton December 3 – Edmonton – Northern claimed family musical group Leahy, Christmas to you. Alberta Jubilee Auditorium winners of three Juno Awards. December 4 – Saskatoon – TCU Through a mix of both song and dance, Place Widely recognized as one of the best they will take you on a journey of vir- December 6 – Winnipeg – Centennial Celtic fiddlers in the world, his high- tuoso performances, telling the story of Concert Hall PAGE 8 www.celtic-connection.com NOVEMBER 2016 SCOTLAND: TO BREXIT OR NOT TO BREXIT? ECHOES OF A SHAKESPEAREAN DRAMA

ing it for reminding the world of what – As far as many are in danger of forgetting: “that anyone can ascertain, tolerance and openness are wellsprings of security and prosperity, not threats William Shakespeare to them.” never visited Scotland. But Canada is not alone in defending liberal values or promoting the connec- However in Macbeth, or ‘The By HARRY tion between tolerance and prosperity. Scottish Play’ for superstitious McGRATH types (I am writing this on Hallow- These things formed part of the Scot- tish Government’s narrative before the een), he makes Macduff utter a Brexit vote and have been emphasised question that has echoed down Europe and respect the democratic will SCOTTISH poet and artist Ian Hamilton Finlay’s pamphlet cover even more strongly since then. through the ages: “Stand Scotland of the Scottish people who voted over- was decorated with Haida art. So what can Scotland do to avoid being whelmingly to remain. where it did?” lumped in with the “door-slammers” Just over four months ago, Britain voted And he’s not alone. Scottish universi- when it favours the opposite approach? ties believe that Brexit could scare off to leave the European Union and Nicola Sturgeon has said that she wants EU students, cause a massive shortfall Macduff’s question is once again on to explore all the options available to in fees and impact their ability to at- everyone’s lips. preserve Scotland’s relationship with tract researchers and research money. It would be too much to say, as Ross Europe but retains the right to call a did in reply, that sighs, groans and shrieks The Scottish Council for Voluntary Or- second referendum on Scottish inde- are rending the air, but it is hard not to ganisations fears that lost EU funding pendence if nothing else proves effica- worry what the consequences of a so will threaten the survival of some Scots cious. charities and impact their most vulner- called “Hard Brexit” will be for Scot- When a second referendum might hap- able clients. land. pen is a question to rival Macduff’s. And EU immigrants in Scotland, as else- The Scots voted 62 percent to 38 per- In the meantime, we wait and look for where in Britain, wonder if they will be cent to stay in the EU and, since then, signs. Last weekend I visited an exhi- allowed to stay even after building a the Scottish Government has made it bition on the work of Scottish poet and new life here. clear that it wants to retain access to artist Ian Hamilton Finlay, best known the single market and sees the free The noises coming from furth of Scot- for his poetic and sculptural garden Lit- movement of people as beneficial to land aren’t particularly encouraging. tle Sparta. Scotland. In early October, Home Secretary I was amazed to see that the cover of At the end of August, it appointed vet- Amber Rudd announced a plan to force SCOTTISH First Minister Nicola Sturgeon (L) has appointed his pamphlet “6 small songs in 3’s” was eran politician (and erstwhile visitor to companies to draw up lists of foreign- Michael Russell as Minister of UK Negotiations on Scotland’s decorated with Haida art. Canada) Michael Russell as Minister born workers in their employ; a policy Place in Europe. Upon investigation, it transpired that the of UK Negotiations on Scotland’s Place that Scotland’s First Minister Nicola cover design was by Croatian-Canadian in Europe. Sturgeon decried as an “appalling, re- The UK Government then announced Prior to the Scottish independence ref- artist Zeljko Kujundzic who, among other gressive and hugely troubling develop- Russell has been extremely vocal on the that the lists would be kept secret which erendum in 2014, I made a case for things, founded the Kootenay School of ment.” need to protect Scotland’s interests in wasn’t much comfort. Canada’s European-style social de- Art in Nelson and created the mocracy as a model for an independ- Later, the post-Brexit narrative Thunderbird sculptures at the Univer- ent Scotland. plumbed new depths when a Conserva- sity of British Columbia’s Thunderbird tive MP suggested that Syrian refugees At the time, the argument was par- Stadium. Kujundzic is buried in Osoyoos. arriving in Britain from Calais should tially undermined by the fact that then- This story may be apropos of nothing, have their teeth checked to ascertain PM Stephen Harper seemed intent on but I like to think of it as a symbol of all their age. chipping away at the foundations of a that is good in Canadian and Scottish system that had won Canada so many attitudes to internationalism and diver- In the middle of all this gloom, I ran admirers. across an article on Canada in The sity. Economist. But, as The Economist piece attests, There’s a magic thread in it that starts Canada’s social democratic credentials Headlined ‘Liberty moves north’, it in Scotland and Croatia, passes through are now in the process of being re- British Columbia and Haida Gwaii and praises Canada for upholding the torch stored. of openness and contrasts its attitude connects to the “planet earth inside a with that of the “depressing company From a Scottish perspective, however, raven” tattoo on Justin Trudeau’s arm. of wall-builders, door-slammers and the article is tinged with sadness. This kind of interconnectedness is ex- drawbridge-raisers” in other parts of actly what Scotland recognizes and hard the West. It speaks of Canada’s lonely defense of liberal values and finishes by prais- Brexiteers seem determined to deny. Theresa May Must Ask Parliament Before Triggering Brexit Article 50 LONDON – British Prime Minister Within minutes of the ruling by Lord Theresa May does not have the author- Chief Justice Lord Thomas, Interna- ity to trigger Article 50 and take the tional Development Secretary Liam Fox United Kingdom out of the European told the House of Commons that the Union without the prior agreement of government will appeal to the Supreme parliament, the High Court has ruled. Court. The decision means MPs will be And a government spokesman said, granted a vote in the Commons on leav- “The government is disappointed by the ing the EU. court’s judgment. The country voted to leave the European Union in a referen- May argued she had the authority to dum approved by Act of Parliament. use the royal prerogative to trigger Ar- And the government is determined to ticle 50 of the Lisbon Treaty to start respect the result of the referendum. the two-year process of negotiating We will appeal this judgment.” Brexit without the prior authority of Par- liament. Unless overturned on appeal at the Su- THERESA MAY preme Court – or at a potential further Government lawyers said prerogative said May unlawfully intended to by-pass appeal to the European Court of Jus- powers are a legitimate way to give tice in Luxembourg – the ruling threat- effect “to the will of the people” who parliamentary scrutiny while taking ir- reversible steps to remove statutory ens to plunge the government’s plans voted by a clear majority to opt for for Brexit into disarray as the process Brexit in the June EU referendum. rights granted to UK citizens under the European Communities Act 1972, which will have to be subject to full parliamen- However the High Court disagreed and made EU law part of UK law. tary control. NOVEMBER 2016 www.celtic-connection.com PAGE 9 Trudeau and European leaders sign CETA free trade agreement BRUSSELS – The European Union and Canadian-EU trade by 20 percent and lantic Trade and Investment Treaty Canada finally signed the free trade boost the EU economy by 12 billion (TTIP), which has been the target of agreement known as the Comprehen- euros ($13 billion) a year and Canada’s labor unions and environmental and sive Economic and Trade Agreement by C$12 billion. other protest groups. (CETA) on Sunday, October 30 after seven years of negotiation. The deal will eliminate tariffs on almost Around 100 anti-globalization protest- 99 percent of goods. The beneficiaries ers clashed with police outside the venue It was in peril two days earlier because would include, for example, carmakers in Brussels, trying to break down barri- of opposition from the Belgian region or the EU textile sector, for which Ca- ers in front of the main entrance and of Wallonia but following an eleventh nadian duties of up to 18 percent can hurling red paint. A Reuters photogra- hour breakthrough, Canadian Prime be imposed at present. pher saw police detain some people. Minister Justin Trudeau and European leaders signed the deal. Service companies could also benefit The main focus of protests against and EU companies would be able to CETA and TTIP remains the system to “We are setting standards which will tender for public contracts at Canadian protect foreign company’s investments. determine globalization in the coming provincial and municipal level, the first Critics say its provision for arbitration years,” European Commission Presi- time Canada has offered this. panels to rule on disputes with states dent Jean-Claude Juncker told a news can be abused by multinational compa- conference alongside Trudeau. “Noth- Canada would be able to send larger nies to dictate public policy, such as on ing in other trade agreements will be quotas of pork, beef and wheat to the environmental standards. able to remain below the level of what EU market, and EU dairy producers we have reached today with Canada.” would be able to export more than dou- The EU and Canada say their invest- ble the current amount of “high qual- ment protection system guarantees the While this hurdle has been overcome, ity” cheeses to Canada. right of governments to regulate, make the agreement must still be ratified in use of independent judges and be more both the Canadian House of Commons For Canada the deal is important to re- transparent. and the European Parliament. duce its reliance on the neighboring United States as an export market. Trudeau acknowledged the discontent Assuming the European Parliament but said political leaders had to work to gives its assent, CETA could come into For the EU, it is a first trade pact with a overcome it. force partially early next year. G7 country and a success plucked from the jaws of defeat at a time when the He said, “That leadership that we were However, full implementation, which bloc’s credibility has taken a beating able to show between Canada and Eu- would include a contentious investment from Britain’s vote in June to leave af- rope is not just something that will re- protection system, will ensue only after ter 43 years of membership. assure our own citizens but should be clearance by more 40 national and re- an example to the world of how we can gional parliaments in Europe. The Canada agreement is seen as a move forward on trade deals that do springboard to a larger EU deal with the genuinely benefit everyone.” Supporters say CETA will increase United States, known as the Transat- PAGE 10 www.celtic-connection.com NOVEMBER 2016 Chilcot: ’s actions over Iraq caused long-term damage to politics LONDON – Tony Blair did long-term damage to trust in politics when he put forward a case for war that went be- yond the “facts of the case,” the author of the scathing of- ficial report into the Iraq War has said. KATHY THOMAS, Tora Anderson and Neville Thomas pictured Sir John Chilcot, who has remained si- at the Welsh Society of Vancouver anniversary dinner. The lent on the report since its publication annual dinner commemorates the 1929 opening of the Cambrian in July, told a panel of senior British MPs Hall, the only dedicated Welsh Hall in North America. he believed it would take many years to repair the harm the former prime minister’s actions had caused. Christmas event highlights After an inquiry lasting seven years, the Chilcot Report found that former Iraqi DEMONSTRATORS protesting in central London when Tony dictator Saddam Hussein posed ”no of the Welsh Society imminent threat” at the time of the in- Blair was called to appear before the inquiry led by Sir John VANCOUVER – The main Welsh vasion of his country in 2003, and the Chilcot into the invasion of Iraq. Society event last month was the war was unleashed on the basis of anniversary dinner on October 15. “flawed” intelligence. The soloist was Sharon Mcinty-Burrell, Its publication led to calls for the pros- who also led the audience in commu- ecution of Blair, but the former PM in- nal singing. sisted that, while he felt sorrow for those By EIFION whose loved ones died, he stood by his The annual anniversary dinner com- WILLIAMS decision to commit Britain to the U.S.- memorates the 1929 opening of the led military action. Cambrian Hall, the only dedicated Welsh Hall in North America. Asked if trust in politics had been cor- roded because MPs were told things This year’s Welsh Weekend was held that could not reasonably be supported on November 4 to 6. by the evidence, Chilcot told the House The monthly bilingual religious service of Commons Liaison Committee, “I on Sunday, November 6, was followed think when a government or the leader in the afternoon by the annual Gymanfa of a government presents a case with Ganu (hymn-singing festival), con- all the powers of advocacy that he or ducted by Jonathan Quick, musical di- she can command, and in doing so goes FORMER British PM Tony Blair as he is grilled by the Iraq rector of the Vancouver Welsh Men’s beyond what the facts of the case and inquiry headed by Sir John Chilcot on January 29, 2010. Choir. the basic analysis of that can support, then it does damage politics, yes.” The accompanist was Ray Batten and the guest soloist was Sarah Henderson. He told MPs he “can only imagine” it “I think when a would take a long time to repair the Welsh Society members are now busy trust. government or preparing for the annual Christmas events. Chilcot said Blair’s decision to describe the leader of a the threat the Hussein regime posed as November 28 is work-party day, when imminent had been the “best possible government presents volunteers are invited to help decorate inflection” of the evidence he had. the Red Dragon in preparation for the a case with all the festive activities. A delicious lunch is “A speech was made in advocate’s provided for the volunteers. terms and putting the best possible in- powers of advocacy flection on the description that he used,” The annual Mulled Wine Night will be he said. that he or she can held on December 3. Sir John said the prime minister had command, and in On December 9 and 10 the society will “psychological dominance” over his host the Cambrian Hall presentation of cabinet ministers because of his suc- doing so goes A Child’s Christmas in Wales. This is cess, which meant they did not chal- beyond what the always a popular and well-attended RUSSELL ROBERTS will lenge him as much as they could have. facts of the event. present the always popular A Chilcot sidestepped questions over Once again, actor Russell Roberts will Child’s Christmas in Wales. whether the war was legal, telling MPs case...then it does be the main presenter, assisted by his This prose work by the Welsh the inquiry had not been “in a position” SIR JOHN CHILCOT who led wife, actress Colleen Winton and their poet Dylan Thomas originally to offer that opinion. the official seven year UK in- damage politics...” son Gower. The accompanist will be emerged from a piece he wrote quiry into the 2003 Iraq War talented musician Brian Tate. He said, “The process by which the for radio. Recorded by Thomas view was reached by the British Gov- where 179 British soldiers front of either Parliament or indeed the Tickets for each night cost $20 and can in 1952, the story is an anec- ernment and its principle legal adviser, were killed in conflict. public. be obtained by phoning (604) 294-4332 dotal retelling of a Christmas the attorney general, we thought was “It was an exercise in advocacy, not an or (604) 271-3134. from the view of a young child. Taking on one of the fiercest criticisms unsatisfactory and deficient in more than exercise in sharing crucial judgement.” This event usually sells out and anyone It is one of Thomas’s most a few respects. of Blair, Sir John said the former PM did not deliberately lie to Parliament or Sir John also criticised the cabinet at planning to attend is urged to book early. popular works. “That did not enable us to come to the the public about the case for war. the time, singling out former foreign sec- On December 11, a morning carol serv- conclusion the war was not lawful but retary Jack Straw, then-defence sec- Dr. Antone Minard are popular with a But instead of exercising his judgment, ice will be followed in the afternoon by neither did we say that we endorse that retary Geoff Hoon and to a lesser ex- the annual children’s Christmas party. growing number of participants. advice or the way in which it was he instead used his “very considerable” tent ex-international development sec- evolved and shared with government powers of persuasion to convince peo- retary Clare Short for taking a “pas- The society’s Christmas activities will There is also a Welsh-speaking session and that’s as far as I can take it.” ple of the need for an invasion. sive” approach to the legality of the in- culminate in the annual Christmas din- held on the third Monday of the month for those who wish to brush up on their Sir John said, “I absolve him from a vasion. ner on December 17. Asked if a reasonable person would Welsh conversation skills. have come to the conclusion that it was personal and demonstrable decision to Commenting after the session, Tory MP Information on the children’s party and an illegal war, he replied: “I think that a deceive Parliament or the public, to state Andrew Tyrie, who chaired the hear- the Christmas dinner can be obtained Once a month, the Cambrian Book- reasonable person would have to be falsehoods knowing them to be false, ing, said, “Sir John’s evidence con- from Gaynor Evans by e-mail at: worms invite booklovers to discuss a brave as well as reasonable.” that I think he should be absolved from. firmed what many of us have long sus- [email protected]. selected publication. There is also a genealogy group for those interested in “However, he also exercised his very pected – in making his case for war, Sir John said Blair’s 2002 note to George In addition to these main events, the this increasingly popular pursuit. W. Bush, in which he stated “I’ll be with considerable powers of advocacy and Mr. Blair went beyond the facts. In Vancouver Welsh Society offers a va- you whatever,” would have been taken persuasion, rather than laying the real doing so Mr. Blair, eroded the trust of riety of activities of general interest. Information on all the above activities by the U.S. president as an “uncondi- issues and the information to back the the electorate in its leaders, a shocking is available on the society’s website Welsh Language lessons conducted by tional commitment” to war. analysis of them fairly and squarely in legacy.” www.welshsociety.com. NOVEMBER 2016 www.celtic-connection.com PAGE 11

MOST of the victims were interred at the Bryntaf Cemetery in Aberfan in a joint funeral held on October 27, 1966, attended by more than 2,000 people. Aberfan disaster: 50th anniversary marked with silence across the UK

By EIFION WILLIAMS “The Aberfan disaster was an event that shocked not just Wales but the whole of the UK and the wider world,” said Welsh Minister Alan Cairns in the British House of Com- mons on Tuesday, October 18. On the same day, Carwyn Jones, the First Minister for Wales, said in the Welsh Assembly: “At 9:15 AM on Oc- tober 21, 1966, Wales changed forever.” THE MEMORIAL graves of the children and adults lost in the This year, on Friday, October 21, at 9:15 Aberfan disaster on October 21, 1966. AM, exactly 50 years since the disas- ter, a minute’s silence was observed Grief and sympathy gradually turned to The saddest place is the hillside cem- throughout Wales, across the UK, and anger as people looked for someone or etery, where the graves of so many chil- in pockets around the world. something to blame for the disaster. dren bring tears to the eyes of the most hardened visitor. At the same time, a commemoration Some openly renounced their faith in a service was held at Aberfan Cemetery. God who had seemingly failed to pre- The graves are joined together, each vent such a terrible fate befalling inno- containing a last message from parents Prince Charles, representing the Queen, cent children. to a child, and all bearing that horren- visited the Aberfan Memorial Garden dous date, October 21, 1966. and unveiled a plaque in memory of the But most of the anger was directed at victims. the National Coal Board, which had Standing in the Memorial Garden, Jeff been warned for many years that wa- Edwards, one of the children who sur- He also signed a book of remembrance ter penetration could cause the tip to vived the disaster, said that it was im- and visited a reception for the families slide. portant to remember Aberfan not just of those who died. because of the personal tragedies but An official inquiry later found that the The anniversary has also been com- because of the lessons about society it NCB was wholly to blame and was or- revealed. memorated in new poetry and musical dered to pay compensation for loss and works, church services and services of personal injuries. “Good things came out of the disaster,” remembrance throughout the UK. he said, “such as more care over health The disaster did eventually speed up the Across the UK, all government offices and safety and more thought about cor- clearance of coal tips and mining infra- porate responsibility.” observed the one minute’s silence in structure from the South Wales mining memory of those who died. valleys, turning villages like Aberfan It also serves as a reminder of the hor- On a foggy October morning in 1966, a back into pleasant neighbourhoods in ror and profound grief that inevitably huge coal tip slid down a hillside over- green valleys. accompanies the death of innocent chil- looking the small village of Aberfan, dren, whether in Aberfan 50 years ago, But for the parents, nothing could ever or today in war zones like Aleppo and burying in its path several houses and compensate for the loss of their chil- most of Pantglas Junior School. Mosul, where children die in schools dren. Today, the Memorial Garden sits destroyed through indiscriminate bomb- The thousands of tons of moving coal on the site where Pantglas School once ing. waste killed 144 people, 116 of them stood. children. People living in the South Wales mining valleys had long become accustomed to the ravages of the coal mining indus- try. Over the years, they had witnessed many lives lost due to tragic accidents deep underground, as well as the thou- sands of miners condemned to a slow death from inhaling coal dust. The Aberfan tragedy was different. This time it killed their children. It took many days to clear the waste THE FRANTIC rescue operations following the Aberfan mining and recover all the bodies. disaster where 144 people were killed, 116 of them children. PAGE 12 www.celtic-connection.com NOVEMBER 2016 TARTANTOWN: A LITTLE HOTBED OF SCOTTISH CULTURE IN COQUITLAM

OQUITLAM – Nestled in a small strip type of thing. “He won an award at Argylleshire mall in Coquitlam is a little haven of Gathering at Oban Highland Gathering, Scotland ...a virtual hotbed of Scottish it’s one of the two biggest solo piping C culture called Tartantown. competitions in Scotland, and also at the Northern Meeting in Inverness. Anyone unfamiliar with “He has won both of the A’ Grade Light Music Events, which is a very tough Tartantown could be forgiven class. You might say it includes the top for not recognizing that the 40 players and he has won both of the person attending you in the major events there. shop could be a champion By “He is now playing what’s called the former winners class, and he’s in com- bagpiper, or a Highland danc- CATHOLINE petition against his uncle Jack ...imag- ing champion, or a member of BUTLER ine competing against your uncle! the world famous Simon “My brother Jack, has won just about Fraser University Pipe Band. TERRY LEE, former Pipe Major with the SFU Pipe Band, has every competition in solo that you can win. That is, of course, until you need ad- just embarked on a whole new avenue in the piping world but vice on bagpiping, pipe bands or High- for the past 37 years home base has always been Tartantown. “He’s still going strong, well into his fif- land dancing... then you would realize ties, in what is sometimes called a young you’re talking to an expert on the sub- man’s game. ject. “My daughter Fiona won the Junior Tartantown is owned by Heather Jolley World Championship in Scotland a few of the Heather Jolley Highland Dance years ago. “I reached the resolution that you go School and Terry Lee is the former Pipe through all this work and it’s a lottery “She is still dancing but has moved into Major with the SFU Pipe Band. as to what happens on the day, and I full time Highland dance teaching now Terry has been the general manager at just felt the timing was right. and has also got her judges’ certificate. Tartantown for the past 37 years. So, she is ready to start in adjudication.” “I also had a successor who was in The shop features endless row bolts of place and fully equipped to take over So I wondered if Terry has any time on tartan material just begging to be made- and do the job.” his visits to Scotland to check out new up into a kilt, along with ready-made product lines for Tartantown as well. But Terry is not entirely finished work- kilts, bagpipes, Highland dance shoes, TARTANTOWN is fully stocked with all your Highland dancing ing with pipe bands. He still has con- He said, “It’s always a kind of business pottery, or the crystal and other souve- nections with the (RMM), Robert or piping needs. hat that’s worn. nirs. Malcolm Memorial Pipe Band and he’s “When I go to Scotland I try to have a Terry recently stepped-down from his also available to SFU for opinions. bit of holiday as well. It’s my annual position as Pipe Major but not before “I still attend practices, but I’m only sort holiday that I’ve had for the past 35 he led the SFU Pipe Band to six World of mildly connected now,” he said. years in a row. Pipe Band Championships in Scotland - first in 1995 and last in 2009. “I do have family in the band, my son “It’s a working holiday, so I’m always Alastair and my brother Jack, and two looking out to see what we could use The Lee family are all high achievers of Jack’s boys are also with the SFU. for the shop. and in fact, the Lee name is synony- mous with piping and the SFU Pipe “So, there are lots of Lee family mem- “We’re getting ready for Christmas with Band. bers in there. I’m kind of involved in some new stock coming in this month. that sense.” Brother Jack, is the Pipe Sergeant and “We have a very busy rental business a world champion solo piper. He has Terry is also very excited about a new for kilts and complete outfits for wed- dings, Hogmanay, Robbie Burns and just two sons, John and Andrew in the SFU role he has found in the piping world as THE SHOP also carries a wide range of high quality china, Pipe Band. an adjudicator. many other special occasions. Weddings pottery and giftware. tend to be our busiest rental times.” Terry’s son Alastair is also a member He said, “I’m enjoying learning about of the SFU Pipe Band and a world this and I’m now on the Royal Scottish champion solo piper. Terry’s daughter Association Judging Panel.” Fiona, is a champion Highland dancer and dance teacher. This is his first year as an adjudicator and he said it’s a novel experience. The Lee sons also all help out in the Calling all Scots to the annual shop at Tartantown. “I think there are only four of us in North America that are certified to judge in I recently stopped in to visit at Scotland and I’ve already judged a ma- SFU Pipe Band Burns Dinner Tartantown and to catch up with Terry jor championship there – a Grade 1 Pipe Lee since he stepped down as Pipe Band. COQUITLAM – The pipes are the dinner and help promote piping, Major. calling all Scots once again this drumming, and Scottish heritage while “This is very unique as very few peo- enjoying a night of good music, enter- It seems inconceivable after all these ple get that kind of opportunity to start January and one of the local tainment, and fun. years that he wouldn’t be involved in with and I really had a great time doing highlights is the annual Robbie some way with pipe bands given the it.” The Robbie Burns Dinner and Silent years of dedication and work with the Burns dinner hosted by six-time Auction will be held at the Executive SFU Pipe Band. So, I asked Terry how he would respond world champion Simon Fraser Plaza Hotel, 405 North Road, if he was in a position to judge the SFU University Pipe Band. Coquitlam, on Saturday, January 21, Terry is looking very relaxed these days, Pipe Band in Scotland? 2017. possibly less stress in his life now, but “That’s a great question,” he said. This fun-filled evening celebrating the his decision must have been a difficult life of the Scottish bard is a fundraiser Tickets $80 each and doors open at 6 one and it took a lot of people by sur- “They’ve just only changed that since with proceeds in support of the Robert PM. Visit www.sfupb.com for more in- prise when he announced that he was last year, you can adjudicate your own Malcolm Memorial (RMM) Pipe Band formation and follow them on Facebook stepping down. band but if you’re connected through youth organization. and Twitter. family then you cannot judge. And, I He acknowledged that it was difficult, The Simon Fraser University Pipe Band You can also purchase tickets on but the timing just felt right, and funny am very happy about that, nor would I Eventbrite – search SFU Pipe Band - want to judge the SFU.” Society is proud to have one of the larg- PIPING in the haggis at a past enough....it was the weather in Scot- est and most extensive youth programs Robbie Burns dinner hosted by Robbie Burns Fundraising Dinner and land that helped made his decision. Terry is very proud of his son Alastair for piping and drumming in the world. the Simon Fraser University Silent Auction. who has picked up the mantle and done “I finished the World’s in 2013,” he said, The event will feature performances by Pipe Band. For questions, please e-mail: “and one of the factors in my decision extremely well at competitions in Scot- [email protected], or call land. the SFU Pipe Band, the Heather Jolly was how bad the weather was that day Highland Dancers and other members Joanne Snow at (778) 552-6618. in August in Scotland. He said, “He is a young professional of the pipe band organizations. businesses along with crafts, products, Tickets can also be purchased at solo piper and doing well in Scotland and other services. “It was just a terrible day, wind and rain There will also be an incredible silent Tartantown, 555 Clarke Road, and the band just had no luck with it. and at some of the premier competi- Coquitlam. www.tartantown.com. tions. He has been right in the money auction showcasing local community Organizers hope you can join them for NOVEMBER 2016 www.celtic-connection.com PAGE 13 Town of Port Talbot in South Wales Threatened by Steelworks Closure By EIFION WILLIAMS Anyone travelling along the M4 through the town of Port Talbot in recent years could not fail to no- tice the huge steelworks complex stretching several miles along the motorway. Port Talbot in South Wales has been an important steelmaking centre since the early 1900s and for the past 50 years boasted the largest steelworks in the UK and one of the largest in Europe. At its peak in the 1960s the huge com- plex employed over 18,000 workers and was a major economic boon to Port Talbot, a town of 37,000 inhabitants, as BRITISH STEEL CRISIS: British steelworkers rally to protest well as to surrounding communities. Today, it employs approximately 4,000 industry wide cuts. workers. It has also failed to induce the govern- Thyssenkrup. The plant was originally called the Ab- ment to step in and save the British steel industry. However, even if the merger succeeds, bey works, after the nearby 12th Cen- there is no guarantee that the company For more tury Margam Abbey. The European Union’s rules on state would continue to sustain unprofitable information It then became part of the Steel Com- aid forbids government intervention UK plants. such as subsidies to national industries. pany of Wales and was later sold to the The rapid fall in value of the British on Irish Week 2014 Corus Group. In 2007 it was sold to The Brexit vote has complicated the pound in recent weeks has given Tata Steel of India, which also owns situation, causing years of future uncer- grounds for optimism, making British in Seattle, visit several other steelworks in the UK. tainty for British businesses. steel exports cheaper for buyers and www.irishweek.org Tata Steel has been steadily losing more expensive for cheaper producers Stephen Kinnock, MP for Port Talbot, like China to export to Britain. money in its UK steel business and in said Brexit could cause the steel indus- March this year announced that it try “irreparable damage,” even though Meanwhile, the people of Port Talbot planned to pull out of its UK operations, his constituents voted 57 percent in fa- grimly await the fate of their major em- including Port Talbot. vour of leaving. ployer. Closure of its steelworks would be a “The vote has taken place, the people Many small businesses have already devastating blow to Port Talbot and to have spoken, but I am deeply, deeply shut down and some already laid-off the Welsh economy. concerned about the future of our steel- workers have moved away to seek Tata gave as its reasons for pulling out works in the light of this vote,” Kinnock work elsewhere. told BBC Radio Wales. of its UK operations the dumping into Karel Williams, professor of political Europe of cheap subsidized Chinese Kinnock also fumed over the past few economy at Manchester University, steel, high energy costs and weak de- weeks at the news that the British Gov- says that the future does not look good mand. ernment has purchased French steel to for Port Talbot. Over the past few months, Tata has build Britain’s new Trident nuclear sub- marines. Williams told newspa- made several unsuccessful efforts to per, “From history, the experience is that sell the Port Talbot works. The UK Daily Mirror called this “an good jobs are lost and not found again, A major stumbling block is the £700 ultimate betrayal of British workers.” and the result is a dis-employed popu- lation on benefits. million British Steel pension liability that In recent weeks, Tata has been negoti- a buyer would have to assume, £485 ating for a possible merger of British “As a society, we are kidding ourselves million of it in Port Talbot alone. Steel with the German steel group about what happens when you put com- munities out of work.” Royal British Legion writes open letter to FIFA over Poppy ban LONDON – The Royal British commitment and sacrifices of the ciation of Ireland (FAI) after the team’s Legion has written an open letter Armed Forces.” shirts in a friendly against Switzerland to FIFA urging it to lift its ban on in March bore a symbol representing FIFA said it was opening disciplinary the 100th anniversary of the Easter Ris- the England and Scotland national proceedings against the Football Asso- football teams wearing the poppy. ing. The football associations of both nations have vowed to defy the ban by world football’s governing body, saying play- Grand re-opening under new owners ers will wear poppies on black armbands during their Armistice Day World Cup for Celtic Treasure Chest on Dunbar qualifier at Wembley. VANCOUVER – Fifteen years ago Steve and Lil McVittie decided to open a little shop called The Celtic Treasure Chest to bring in products such as grocer- FIFA has insisted that the laws of the ies, teas, gifts and souvenirs from England, Ireland, Scotland and Wales for those game, which prohibit political messages who missed their favourites from home. from players’ kit, mean poppies cannot be worn at the November 11 fixture. Then, they added lines of custom-made deli products like meat pies, sausages, bacon, black pudding, white pudding and other products for a good Irish, Scottish, But in an open letter to FIFA, RBL di- Welsh or British fry-up. rector general Charles Byrne said the poppy was a symbol or remembrance. The stores grew with one in Dunbar, another in White Rock and another in Delta. “Since 1921 the Legion has protected the red poppy from political or partisan During this period, Steve and Lil were active in the annual Vancouver St. Patrick’s misuse and ensured it remains a sym- Parade, the B.C. Highland Games and countless other Celtic events. bol that can be worn with pride by those Due to age and health, they eventually closed the White Rock and Delta loca- of all ages, backgrounds, and political tions and listed for sale the Dunbar store. and religious beliefs. Recently, they were pleased to announce the Dunbar store has been purchased “We ask you, FIFA, in the strongest by Stephen Coulson and Christina Ciccone. terms, that you rethink your approach to remembrance and the use of the The new owners look forward to great plans for the future of the store and poppy, and permit players to honour the announced the grand re-opening of The Celtic Treasure Chest at 5639 Dunbar Street in Vancouver, B.C. on November 2. PAGE 14 www.celtic-connection.com NOVEMBER 2016 MARTINDALE PIONEER CEMETERY: ‘We are at one with past, present and future’ ESTLED in the rolling hills of the Gatineau them would have known before in their Earlier about 100 guests gathered for mixed with peace and serenity during life in Ireland.” mass at St. Martin’s de Tours church, the Mass. Valley in western Quebec, the little town- just up the hill from the old graveyard. Ambassador Kelly spoke about the Father Larry McCormick from St. ship of Low remains an enclave of Irish threads of history and the importance Somehow, after a morning of unrelent- Patrick’s Basilica in Ottawa was the history entwined with French culture – of that connection, noting that there ing downpours, the skies suddenly celebrant and choir music was provided were names that were very familiar to cleared and sunshine poured in through by Janet Egan accompanied by Howard Nforming a unique bond. him listed on the memorial, including the stained glass windows. Hayes. The reading was by Liette some that correspond to his own fam- Hickey who works with her husband It was here where my mother There was a palpable sense of relief By MAURA DE FREITAS ily. Merrill as caretakers of the church. Catholine Butler [nee Elaine Many people had tears in their eyes as Gannon] returned this past the sweet sound of The Fields of September, along with many Athenry filled the small country church. “...there must Closing hymn was Faith of Our Fa- friends and family members, thers which once again seemed so ap- for a deeply meaningful jour- perhaps have been propriate. ney. Father Larry graciously stepped in af- some small comfort ter Father Lomer Rooney, who had deep She was one of the main people who roots in Martindale, was unable to at- worked to put up a memorial in in the familiarity tend due to ill health [sadly Fr. Lomer Martindale Pioneer Cemetery and the passed away on November 4]. task was to put a plaque outlining the of this beautiful names of those individuals. There were so many people who con- countryside in what tributed to make this day such a won- Martindale Pioneer Cemetery is the fi- derful success but special mention must nal resting place of many survivors of many of them would go out to those who sponsored and as- Ireland’s Great Hunger who settled in sisted with organizing the event. that area. have known before FATHER Larry McCormick with Catholine Butler [Elaine First of all, I must mention Liette and A very unfortunate incident took place in their life Gannon], and Jim Kelly the new Irish Ambassador to Canada. Merrill Hickey who worked directly there many years ago when the head- with Catholine as liason preparing the stones marking the graves were de- in Ireland.” cemetery in advance of the ceremony stroyed by an errant priest. and assisted with so many details. Many of our readers will be familiar Another key sponsor was Pat McCay with this story from previous issues, but of ProCoat Coatings who arranged for this trip was not one of recrimination fabrication of the custom made steel but rather celebration. poles to hold the plaques, along with It was an opportunity to remember the shipping them from Calgary to Ottawa. ancestors while acknowledging the peo- Pat Kelly of Bradley Kelly Construc- ple who came together to put a mag- tion who received the material at their nificent memorial in place to mark this yard in Ottawa, and Lisa and Stephen burial site. Kelly of Venosta, Quebec, who ar- Two plaques were unveiled at the site ranged for pick-up and delivery to on September 19, 2016 – almost 30 Martindale [Lisa also helped in so many years to the day when a 12-foot Celtic ways with co-ordinating the event]. cross with messages in Irish, English, MAURA De Freitas in her address during the ceremony. Larry Bradley of the Heart & Crown and French was commemorated in Irish Pubs in Ottawa, Ontario gener- 1982. ST. PATRICK and the sham- rock were prominently dis- ously sponsored the buffet at the re- The bilingual plaques list the names of ception following the ceremony at the those responsible for the research, played at the memorial. Brennan’s Hill Inn. fund-raising, and design of both the tri- Also, thank you to Billy Monette who ple cenotaph – engraved with names provided hospitality for everyone who of all those buried in the cemetery – attended the gathering afterwards in and the remarkable Celtic cross. Brennan’s Hill. It was a day of heartfelt messages, of Pat Kelly of Bradley Kelly Construc- singing and laughter, of dancing and tion provided sponsorship for entertain- rain, and of solemn celebration. A truly ment by Howard Hayes and the Coun- Irish inspired event. try Drifters at Brennan’s Hill. It was also a day to give thanks for this Special mention must go out as well to beautiful new homeland that gave sus- Janet Egan and her lovely dancers who tenance and hope to a ravaged people. provided a wonderful display of Many came from far and wide to be Gatineau Valley stepdancing. Thank you present for the ceremony and Jim Kelly, one and all. the new Irish Ambassador of Canada, Another key individual who stepped in along with wife Anne and their two FR. MCCORMICK blessed the to help out was Peter Mulrooney of daughters Orla and Ciara, were among THE IRISH AMBASSADOR Jim Kelly (top far right) along with Venosta, Quebec. the honoured guests. Celtic cross along with the tri- his daughters Orla and Ciara and his wife Anne were honored ple cenotaph during the cer- guests. Peter helped to save the day when it In his short address, Ambassador Kelly emony. looked like the site of the ceremony noted that while he has been privileged might be covered in mud. He provided to visit many Irish famine memorial sites a special tarp for walking around the in Ireland, in the United States and else- area, along with a canopy to protect where, Martindale Pioneer Cemetery against the elements. was one of the most impressive. Any event such as this can never be He remarked, “when we were coming accomplished without the support of out of the church above, my wife Anne innumerable volunteers who work qui- said to me ‘Doesn’t this remind you of etly in the background to make it a suc- the church in Granagh?’ Which is cess. We are deeply grateful to you Anne’s local church in Co. .” each and every one. He continued, “And indeed it does. The opening at the ceremony at the When you look around at the beautiful cemetery was prefaced by a beautiful Gatineau countryside here, that too re- rendition of Amhrán na bhFiann (the minds me of the hills in Limerick. Irish national anthem) and O Canada, “It occurred to me that for those who MARY Comerton sang both the the Canadian national anthem. Amhrán na bhFiann (the Irish survived the horrors of the Great Fam- A very special thank you to Mary ine, there must perhaps have been some national anthem) and O Canada, the Canadian national EVEN the weather co-operated on the day as the rain stopped Comerton for offering to sing these an- small comfort in the familiarity of this thems. [Mary’s husband Austin recently beautiful countryside in what many of anthem. and the sun came out for the afternoon. launched Irish Radio Canada which will NOVEMBER 2016 www.celtic-connection.com PAGE 15 “And so this weekend I will be thinking of you all. I would like to extend my warmest wishes to those who attend on Sunday, and to all the people of the Gatineau Hills. Beannacht libh, Ethna.” • [We would like to acknowledge me- dia support for this project from the following people and organizations: Howard Hayes on Valley Radio; Ray O’Hanlon with the Irish Echo and IrishCentral in New York City; Nicole AUSTIN COMERTON, former host of the Gaelic Hour, has McCormick and Nikki Mantell of the launched the new Irish Radio Canada online streaming 24/7. Low Down to Hull in Wakefield, Que- bec; and Austin Comerton of Irish Radio Canada in Ottawa, Ontario. Irish Radio Canada And finally, of course, we are privi- PETER Mulrooney of Venosta, Quebec brought along two leged to spread the word through this mickeys of uisce beatha (the water of life) and following the newspaper, The Celtic Connection.] blessing shared a drop with the ancestors and Catholine Butler now streaming online [Elaine Gannon]. [POSTSCRIPT: Significant funding to OTTAWA – The Gaelic Hour with day for a week. After that it will be put the triple cenataph, Celtic cross, popular host Austin Comerton had its available in the archives. and memorial plaques in place was provide a cross-country check up of final “over the air” broadcast on Au- made on an anonymous basis. Now, gust 28. Notice of upcoming topics will also be Irish communities across Canada.] additional funding is necessary to posted on the show’s webpage at: The day was particularly meaningful for maintain the site. Donations are The show is now completely online and www.irishradio.ca. my mother as she is the last survivor of gratefully accepted for ongoing work streaming 24/7 and operating as Irish Radio Canada. The selection of music has been greatly the original four who worked together at Martindale Pioneer Cemetery in- expanded and a number of styles have through some very difficult years to put cluding repairs to the walkway lead- The new format allows greater flexibil- been scheduled. the memorial in place. ing up to the cenotaph, a disabled ity and opportunity to offer an expanded ramp, a wrought iron fence, land- range of programming featuring a mix Irish language lessons are featured daily During her emotional address, she said, scaping, grass cutting and general at 6 PM followed by songs in the Irish “As the last surviving member of the IN recognition of those who of music and talk along with Irish lan- maintenance. Our ancestors de- guage and local content. language. On Saturday evening there four of us – Eddie McLaughlin, Martin worked to make this project serve the best. Please make is a 30 minute comedy show. Brown and Bernice McSheffrey – who possible. Commemoration of In his news release, Austin says, “As cheques or money orders payable There is a ‘What’s On’ section on the originally started the research and res- the Celtic Cross was held on to: Martindale Pioneer Cemetery, c/ the schedule is built out we hope to be toration work here back in the early able to provide a cross country update revamped website that allows events, September 19, 1982. RE- o Liette Hickey, 322 Martindale Road, meetings. classes and so on to be Seventies. I am overjoyed to see the SEARCH FOR THE TRIPLE Low, Quebec J0X 2C0]. weekly from the various parts of blessing of plaques with the names of Canada. This is very much a work in posted. It lists in chronological order, CENATAPH – Elaine Gannon upcoming items. Online submissions for all those involved and the work they did [Catholine Butler] & Bernice progress at the moment.” finally etched in bronze and....most im- this listing are welcome. portant to finally see the record set McSheffrey; FUNDRAISING – The new magazine show will be aired each Sunday at 8 AM EST and will then Check out Irish Radio Canada at: straight for posterity. Martin Brown, Eddie www.irishradio.ca. McLaughlin & Elaine Gannon be repeated at 1 PM and 8 AM each “Today marks the culmination for me [Catholine Butler]; CELTIC of what had become a lifetime of know- DESIGN – Ethna O’Kane [Bel- ing the work at the Martindale Pioneer Cemetery was not complete. fast, Ireland]; INSCRIPTION – Gordon McLellan [Prof. of A Warm Welcome for “With this now completed, I feel that at Celtic Studies at University of LISA KELLY of Venosta, Que- my stage in life it’s time to pass the torch Ottawa, Donegal, Ireland]; bec with Catholine Butler on to the next generation....and I feel MASS AND DEDICATION OF Jim Kelly, the new Irish very confident that it is in capable hands. [Elaine Gannon]. Lisa was one CELTIC CROSS – P.P. Fr. Leo of the main volunteers who “If I have any regrets, it’s that Martin, Le Blanc & Fr. Tom O’Malley helped make the event such a Ambassador to Canada Eddie and Bernice are not here with [Connemara, Ireland]. great success. me today, but I know they are here in OTTAWA – Jim Kelly, the new lin in November 1993 after working in spirit.” private industry for a number of years. friendship from the chapter, “The Dead Irish Ambassador to Canada ar- It was a very poignant moment when Bless Us,” which reads: rived recently in Ottawa with his Most recently, he served as director of Eddie McLaughlin’s son Mac spoke wife Anne and their two daughters the newly established Policy Planning “In the eternal world, all is one. In spir- about his memories of his father’s par- function at DFA HQ, reporting directly itual space there is no distance. In eter- Orla and Ciara. ticipation in the monument project af- to the Secretary-General of the Minis- nal time there is no segmentation into ter he unveiled one of the plaques with Jim Kelly initially joined the Irish try. today, yesterday, or tomorrow. In eter- his father’s name on it. civil service in 1984, working first nal time, all is now; time is presence. with the Department of Energy, In January 2016, he was nominated by Kevin Morris spoke on behalf of the Government to serve as Ireland’s next “I believe that this is what eternal life family of Martin Brown. He conveyed and subsequently from 1985 with Ambassador to Canada, a position means: it is a life where all that we seek heartfelt thanks for the ceremony say- the Revenue Commissioners. which he formally took up on Septem- – goodness, unity, beauty, trust and love ing how meaningful this day was for ber 6, 2016. He will also be accredited – are no longer distant from us but are In 1986, he commenced part-time study the whole family. for a business degree at University on a secondary basis to Jamaica and now completely present with us.” the Bahamas. Mary Morris also spoke on behalf of College Dublin. He left the Revenue In my closing, I said, “Here today, at Martin Brown’s family. Commissioners in 1989 to complete his The ambassador has committed to Martindale Pioneer Cemetery, we are studies on a full-time basis, and gradu- reaching out to Irish communities across During her talk, Mary noted the role of at one with past, present and future. ated with honours in 1990. Canada at his earliest opportunity and the French people and thanked the peo- Thank you all for being here.” JANET Egan gave a wonder- plans to visit western Canada early in ple of Quebec for allowing Irish orphans He joined the diplomatic service of the Finally, a special message from Belfast 2017. Watch for more updates soon. arriving in Quebec during the years of ful display of Gatineau Valley Department of Foreign Affairs in Dub- was shared with those assembled from the Famine to keep their own names. stepdancing at the Brennan's Ethna (Eithne) O’Kane, the artist who Hill Inn. To finally see those plaques in place designed the magnificent Celtic cross Irish Minister announces recognizing the people who worked on that stands over the graveyard. this memorial is a long cherished dream Along with the Celtic artwork, the im- next Global Irish Civic Forum in my family and it is also a story that ages on the cross represent the coffin DUBLIN – Joe McHugh, Minister of State for the Diaspora and International we have carried inside our heart and ships that carried the famine survivors Development has announced the second Global Irish Civic Forum which will souls for a very long time. across the Atlantic and the numerous take place in Dublin on February 2-3, 2017. Speaking on behalf of our family at the women and children who died on the Following on from the first Forum which took place in June 2015, this event ceremony, I said, “This is a day to re- voyage. seeks to bring together representatives of the multitude of organisations work- joice. Although there is great sorrow, Ethna spoke with great fondness of the ing with the Irish diaspora around the world to share ideas and to discuss hardship and loss in this narrative, it is original commemoration which took issues of common concern. also one of rebirth, of wisdom and place with Father O’Malley in 1982. strength gathered through fire. In his announcement, the minister said, “For many of you working with the She shared photographs of that day Irish community abroad you are often facing similar challenges, be that in “More than anything, I want to share which can be viewed online along with Boston or in Melbourne, London or Dubai. this story as one of triumph over ad- background information on the versity, as one of rising from the ashes Facebook page: Martindale Pioneer “However the collective knowledge is immense and the purpose of this event of destruction to one of joy and libera- Cemetery. is to learn from one another, share experiences and build new networks.” tion.” She wrote, “It was a great honour to Over the course of two days in Dublin Castle participants will examine some I felt it appropriate to close with a quote design the Cross, particularly as I was of the key issues facing the Irish diaspora today. TWO little stepdancers with the from the Anam Cara by the beloved an Irish immigrant myself, and there- The minister is working to implement the Global Irish: Ireland’s Diaspora Policy Irish philosopher John O’Donoghue. It fore understood its significance to the Janet Egan School delighted by early 2017. seemed fitting to reflect on soul and people of Martindale parish. the crowd with their footwork. PAGE 16 www.celtic-connection.com NOVEMBER 2016 The Edmonton Irish Club is the first stop for new arrivals in Alberta’s ‘Gateway to the North’

ALKING into the Edmonton Irish Club She added, “The Irish Club also makes my life easier. When I get calls from last month I felt like I’d never left....the some new Irish arrival looking for work and accommodations, I can send them same warm hospitality greeted me and I to the Irish Club and generally there is W someone to help them.” knew most of the people. • Whether you know someone or KIM BUDD not, visitors will always find a By CATHOLINE Kim Budd wears several hats and with friendly welcome at the club, and BUTLER all her commitments she never needs to look for something to do. they will be sure to have new friends before they leave. She is secretary of the Irish Sports and Social Society, she sits on the commit- The Edmonton Irish Club is often the tee for the Edmonton Wolfe Tones first stop for new Irish arriving in Al- Gaelic Athletic Association, and serves berta’s capital city, otherwise known FRIENDS gathered at the Irish Club of Edmonton – (L-R) [Back] as treasurer for the Western Canada as the “Gateway to the North.” Ken MacQueen, Murray Connors, Kimberly Budd, Martin Doyle Division Gaelic Athletic Association. (president of the Irish Sports and Social Society Edmonton) Newcomers have found help in sourcing This past year the Western Canada and Bill McKnight. [Front] Siobhan MacQueen (trustee with Championship was held in Regina and both work and living accommodations the Irish Sports and Social Society), Gertie McCarten, Bonnie through the club. Many have now be- in 2017 it will be held in Calgary to co- come members of the Edmonton Wolfe McGuire and Marilee McKnight. incide with the 40th anniversary of the Tones team. Calgary Chieftains. Renovations are always ongoing at the Edmonton had its own hurling team this Irish Club and more Celtic designs have year and the Edmonton Wolfe Tones been added to the outside of the build- had about 20 to 25 women play this sea- ing, along with other improvements in- son which was a great turn out for the side since I last visited. MARTIN DOYLE, president pf team. The new chef in the kitchen had a deli- the Irish Sports and Social So- “We had a regular coach who was re- cious plate of cabbage, ham, potatoes, ciety Edmonton, with Catholine ally the backbone of all that and a com- carrots and turnip, all waiting to warm Butler of The Celtic Connec- mitted manager, so that was what we this weary traveller. tion at the Edmonton Irish needed,” said Kim. While I was there, I had an opportunity Club. “David Finnegan, who is the sports di- to speak with a few members and catch rector here at the Irish Centre, was the up with all the news. coach, while Shauna Doyle was the one • who made sure we had the right num- bers turning out for training.” MARTIN DOYLE SOME of the mainstays of the Irish Club (L-R) Christy Martin Doyle is president of the Irish Whelehan (founder of the Wolfe Tones Gaelic Football Team); Next year the club is hoping for a bet- Sports and Social Club and he spoke to Doodie Cahill, (Hon. Consul of Ireland for Alberta); Dr. Gabriel ter turnout but, as Kim said, “any year me about the renovations at the club. Cahill; and Tom Morris (past president of the Irish Sports and that the game is played is a good year. “Our renovations are coming to a close Social Society). Ultimately, what we are looking for is this year,” he said, “We did a lot of land- for people to play the games and enjoy scaping outside this summer but we al- She is dedicated to her work helping themselves.” ways have improvements inside to be the new Irish immigrants with their pass- Speaking about this year’s youth Gaelic done.” ports, signing photographs and forms, football season, Kim said the numbers MARILYN AND OLIVER and taking many inquiry phone calls were a little disappointing but they did He said the club will soon be upgrading from across Canada. their technical equipment, especially for Grealish at the Edmonton Irish have one really good event. bringing in all the GAA games from Ire- Club (Oliver delivers The Celtic The phone calls are non-stop says “We had the youth Gaelic football team land. Connection in Edmonton). Doodie, but she added, “luckily I don’t out once in Red Deer with about 10 have to handle visas since Cathy young people and that was excellent.” “We need to do this to be more com- spected member died suddenly just a Murphy [with the Irish Canadian Im- patible with all the new technology. We few days before I arrived at the Ed- migration Centre] does that in Toronto Next year the Edmonton Irish Club will have two big wide screen televisions monton Irish Club. and she does a great job.” PAT LARKIN and Tommy be showing as many of the GAA games and seven other televisions now. Much as possible. more than we had before.” “We’re really going to miss Moira The situation is made more difficult with Reagan are two well-known Quirke,” said Martin. “She passed away the time difference between Ottawa and long-time members of the club. “There is always a great atmosphere The next project will be adding another so quickly and unexpectedly just re- Edmonton. and it’s great to just get people together,” small bar to accommodate the many cently. said Kim. functions hosted at the club. “Unfortunately, the Irish embassy is only “She was a big part of the Rose of open for two hours each working day, size of this country, with such a wide “This year we generally had about 80 The biggest, obviously, is always St. Tralee contest and that was just start- which really makes it very difficult. time difference, two hours each day is to 100 people for all the All Ireland Patrick’s Day. Martin said, “Our back ing to really click here. Also, it’s almost impossible to get just not enough time for the telephone GAA games shown here at the club.” yard is licensed and last year we had a through in that short time,” says Doodie. lines at the Irish embassy. tent out there, but this year we’re go- “We’re hoping someone else will step She added with a smile, “we also served ing to get a bigger tent and have two forward and keep all the groundwork “What happens is when anyone trying Also, when people call they’re often breakfast and with our new cook we bands playing.” that she started still going.” to reach the embassy can’t get through, facing emergency situations and look- had a whole bunch of things you would they call me. ing for immediate answers. never expect to see at an All Ireland Another major event is the annual New Personally, I knew Moira Quirke breakfast.” Year’s Eve dinner, and Martin said, through her work with the Western “I was speaking with the new ambas- “I try to accommodate the inquiries as “Last year we had a big sellout, and Canada Rose competition and thought sador Jim Kelly yesterday and he told much as I can because my office is in Throughout the year there are numer- we’re expecting an ever bigger crowd very highly of her. We spoke many times me he would be out in Edmonton soon. my home. So if the phone rings, I an- ous events and activities planned at the this year.” over the year as we covered the event swer it.” club and these are always well attended. in The Celtic Connection. “I did relay to him the importance of He explained that while there was a opening up the phone lines for more Having said this, Doodie cannot say Next year a big Grey Cup party is th huge upsurge with new Irish arrivals in Martin is truly a wonderful host and he than two hours a day and he said he enough good things about the local sup- planned as it coincides with the 30 an- recent years, some have gone back home really goes out of his way to extend a would look into that.” port with the Irish Club in Edmonton. niversary of the opening of the Irish now, but many have also stayed. warm welcome to visitors. “I must say that when the terrible fires Club. Kim said, “It’s a big milestone for According to Doodie, this limited time the centre.” “Actually, we have a new couple in here In closing, he said, “I must say that we frame has become a problem not only were happening in Fort McMurray ear- tonight,” he said. “They just arrived last are very happy to have you here to- for Irish in western Canada, but also lier this year, the Irish Club here were Another very popular gathering is week and I can tell you there are hands night. When I told people that you would for others in eastern Canada as well. fantastic. Christmas eve. “Every year members out right now trying to help them.” be visiting, they all wanted to meet you. “When people came into the club they are invited in for a drink on Christmas “Recently, I had a call from someone eve,” Kim said, “It’s always a very so- I can believe it when Martin says, “Our “I really don’t think we would be where in Ottawa who was trying to contact were fed and accommodations were found for them. cial evening.” Irish Club is probably one of the best we are today if we didn’t have The the Irish embassy. They couldn’t get • Irish cultural clubs in North America. Celtic Connection to get the word out through, so they called me here in Ed- “Not one person was turned away or The Edmonton Irish Club is located so effectively to all the communities.” monton. “We’re lucky that a lot of our old and sent to Northlands [the centre set-up at 12546 126 Street in Edmonton, Al- • for the Fort McMurray people coming new executive continue to support the DOODIE CAHILL “That really tells you something,” she berta. For more information, call club in every way and ensure it all keeps said. “Not only this, but I get a lot of into Edmonton for help]. (780) 453-2249 or visit them online Doodie Cahill is the Honorary Consul calls from British Columbia as well.” going.” of Ireland for Alberta and a very busy “I’m very proud of the work the centre on their Facebook page at: Irish Sadly, one very well-known and re- woman. Doodie is emphatic that given the vast did to help them.” Sports & Social Society. NOVEMBER 2016 www.celtic-connection.com PAGE 17

MEMBERS of the Irish Women’s Network (L-R) Leanne Ardley, Eilis Courtney, Geraldine Megannety, and Ita Kane-Wilson with special guest Dara Culhane (centre). A life filled with politics, drama and spirit: Margaret Sheehy Culhane By MAURA DE FREITAS VANCOUVER – Storytelling has the power to inspire the fab- ric of our minds and this was indeed the case at a recent gath- ering of the Irish Women’s Net- work of B.C. Dara Culhane, Professor of An- thropology with Simon Fraser Uni- versity, was the guest of honour at the luncheon. Her reading of letters written by her grandmother living in Montreal to her sister back home in Ireland between the THE SHEEHY SISTERS, Dublin, 1905 – (L-R) Hanna Sheehy- years 1922 to 1939, brought to life some Skeffington, Mary Sheehy Kettle, Kathleen Sheehy Cruise of the most prominent names in Irish O’Brien and Margaret Sheehy Culhane Casey. history of that era. The letters from Margaret Sheehy Community (1987), and The Pleasure projects: Encore! Travels With The Culhane Casey to Hanna Sheehy- of the Crown: Anthropology, Law Ghost of Margaret Sheehy and Hear Skeffington were accompanied by pho- and First Nations (1998); and, co-edi- Me Looking At You. tographs, diaries, and family history, tor with Leslie Robertson of In Plain Sight: Reflections on Life in Down- It was a warm and sociable afternoon along with news clippings to help round with the Irish Women’s Network at out the story. town Eastside Vancouver (2005), win- ner of the George Ryga Award for So- Langara Golf Course in Vancouver. In her correspondence, Margaret tells cial Issues in Literature. Special thanks to Eilis, Geraldine, Ita her sisters about her marriage and her and Leanne for their work co-ordinating children, and her experiences of what She is currently working on two and organizing a wonderful event. she describes as “a life in exile” in Montreal. Often poignant and political, the letters are filled with Margaret’s yearning and longing for her children and family across the ocean. Her story reads on an epic scale with wild swings in cir- cumstances but always full of spirit. ‘Waking the Feminists: The untimely death of her husband left Margaret a widow with four small chil- 2016’s Irish Theatre Revolution’ dren and dependent on the Culhane fam- ily for financial support. VANCOUVER – The second in a series of free pub- Then, at the age of 42, she fell in love lic lectures by Irish scholars will be presented by the with Michael Thomas Casey – a poet History Department at Simon Fraser University on 20 years younger....and her godson. Thursday, December 1. In late 1921 she became pregnant with his child and was cut off financially by Dr. Emer O’Toole from Concordia University in Montreal will present Waking her scandalized in-laws. the Feminists: 2016’s Irish Theatre Revolution at the 1900 Fletcher Challenge Theatre, Simon Fraser University, Harbour Centre, 515 West Hastings Street in The disgrace resulted in the loss of three Vancouver from 7:30 PM to 10 PM. of her Culhane children, and her depar- ture from Ireland to Canada. In October 2015, Ireland’s national theatre, The Abbey, announced its 2016 cen- tenary programme, entitled ‘Waking the Nation’. The four Sheehy sisters – Hanna, Margaret, Mary, and Kathleen – were 2016 is the year that commemorates the centenary of the Easter Rising and the at the forefront of a changing Irish so- proclamation of the Irish Republic, and this year in Ireland has been character- ciety and despite revolution, uprising and ized by reflections on the history and current state of the Republic. scandal, they were inextricably bound together by their shared vision of a new This moment provoked Irish feminists to ask two significant questions: Ireland. • How did we get to a point where almost exclusively male voices tell the story of Dara Culhane is author of two books, Ireland? An Error in Judgment: The Politics • And how can we work towards a politic in which women’s art, women’s of Medical Care in an Indian/White stories, women’s voices are considered to be of national importance too? PAGE 18 www.celtic-connection.com NOVEMBER 2016 A deeply moving concert from the heart of Irish music By BRENDAN FLYNN The evening was a real success and I VANCOUVER – It was April 2016 COMHALTAS hope all who attended thoroughly en- when Anne McConnell, president CEOLTÓIRÍ ÉIREANN joyed the music of Comhaltas. of Comhaltas Ceoltóirí Éireann Much thanks are due to those who Canada, and I first met at the Irish was a deep heart-felt knowing beyond helped in many ways, including Maura ambassador’s residence in Ottawa words from Alec’s presentation. De Freitas of The Celtic Connection for the wonderful concert promotion in I was also delighted to welcome Van- as guests for the 1916-2016 com- the paper; Denise Dalton of Vancou- couver Commissioner and Chair Sarah memoration ceremonies. ver CO-OP radio; George and Teresa Kirby-Yung and former Chair and Com- McDonnell of the Irish Heritage Soci- ALEC DAN of the Musqueam First Nations performing a cer- It wasn’t long before our conversation missioner John Couper along with their ety; Claire Fox, The Irish Women’s emony prior to the Comhaltas Ceoltóirí Eireann concert at Notre turned to the prospect of bringing spouses. Dame Secondary School in Vancouver. Comhaltas Ceoltóirí Éireann to Van- Network of Vancouver; William and couver. The day will soon arrive when the Laura Donnellan of IRL Construction, monument can be unveiled that will pay Vancouver; Roger Buston; Sarah Ann A concert date was soon set for Sep- freak accident in Toronto. throughout Ontario and back in , true homage to what the Irish in Canada Chisholm; Esther North; Pat Chessell; Ireland. tember and Anne and I remained in have contributed over the years. Bernard Ward; John Coughlan; the prin- On the final night of the final concert constant communication via phone and cipal and staff at Notre Dame Regional of the tour, she fell as she left the stage Anne’s passing has left us all with some- e-mail during the lead up to bring about Without the help of Vancouver Parks Secondary School, Vancouver. after receiving an award. She suc- thing to think about – how she gave so a successful event. Board and the City of Vancouver to- cumbed to her injuries a few days later. much of herself to help others without gether with the First Nations of Van- Also, John Lee, John Reynolds and looking for any return or recognition. Throughout this time, of course, Anne couver, namely the Musqueam, Tsleil Vince Jordan of Comhaltas Dublin and I am at a loss for words to explain the was also in communication with con- Wautath and Squamish Nations – there of course all of the musicians of the loss or pay tribute to Anne McConnell- By doing so, Anne epitomizes those tacts in other cities where similar con- would be no monument. 2016 Tour of Canada. Strong for all she did for traditional Irish whose names will become part of the certs for the 2016 Canadian tour were music in Canada and indeed North Ireland Canada Monument. planned. Late into the night, as the concert came Thank you all for the wonderful music America. to a close and calls for ‘one more en- that is synonymous with Ireland. They are deserving of recognition for It was 20 years earlier when Bill Forbes, core’ gave way, I was delighted to be Here on the west coast we would like building a better Canada – not just for Less than two weeks later, we were who had formed a Vancouver branch invited to the stage to be presented with to convey our sincere sympathies to the Irish in Canada – but for all Cana- shocked to learn the tragic news that of Comhaltas, had co-ordinated the pre- the Comhaltas medal. Anne’s husband Elmer, her family dians. Ar Dheis Dé go raibh a hanam vious Comhaltas concert along with The Anne McConnell had died following a usail. Celtic Connection newspaper. This was held at Sir Charles Tupper school in Vancouver and the evening was a tremendous success for every- one who attended. A fond farewell to Monsignor Charles Patrick It was my personal hope that the 2016 By ETHNA TUTT at St. Pius X Parish and Immaculate He was predeceased by his parents, concert would have a similar outcome. KELOWNA, BC – Monsignor THE OKANAGAN Conception Parish. sister and brothers. He is survived by his sister-in-law, Bridie, his nieces Around the world Comhaltas holds the Charles Patrick Mulvihill, known IRISH SOCIETY Father Charlie “retired” from active Marie, Breda, Mary and by his neph- heart and history of Ireland’s music and to all as Father Charlie Mulvihill, priesthood in 2002 but continued to help ews JJ, Charlie, Patrick, Brian and cous- the 17 members of the 2016 tour of was born on July 21, 1932 in Co. out the Nelson Diocese, often substi- ins all of Ireland. tuting for priests who were away from Canada came from all parts of Ireland, Galway, Ireland. some from England and one musician their parish. Fr. Charlie loved Irish verse and poetry and so it seems appropriate to conclude who came from South America. He died peacefully on Tuesday, Au- Blessed with a deep love of the Lord, a gust 16, 2016, at the age of 84 years, with this old Irish funeral poem: Each one is a master of various Irish healthy dollop of Irish charm, quiet wis- traditional instruments such as the in Kelowna General Hospital, dom and resolve, Fr. Charlie went about Remembered Joy uilleann pipes, flute, tin whistle, harp, Kelowna, British Columbia. ministering to many individuals and Don’t grieve for me, for now I’m free! fiddle and bodhrán. families in the course of his service to I follow the plan God laid for me. Fr. Charlie was a brother, a brother-in- the Nelson Diocese. law, an uncle, a priest, a mentor, a spir- I saw His face, I heard His call, They were accompanied by dancers I took His hand and left it all whose feet scarcely touched the floor itual advisor, and a pastor. He was gen- He was an active part of the commu- at Notre Dame Secondary School in east tle and kind, a fun-loving man, a poet, a nity wherever he served and he cre- I could not stay another day, Vancouver on September 20. friend, Irish to his bones, and a very ated lasting friendships and became an To love, to laugh, to work or play; proud Canadian. extended part of many families who Tasks left undone must stay that way. It was a concert performed for all ages knew him as a pastor, a friend. He also had a dream...a dream where And if my parting has left a void, by all ages, and the music of Comhaltas Then fill it with remembered joy. takes an audience back to Ireland’s any Irish people who came to the He was the priest who presided over cultural roots. Okanagan could meet their fellow Irish- most of their family’s weddings, funer- A friendship shared, a laugh, a kiss man. MONSIGNOR Mulvihill was als, baptisms and first communions. Ah yes, these things I, too, shall miss. As the performance date approached, My life’s been full, I’ve savoured much: Anne and I realized that getting a Van- Somewhere to meet others who could popularly known as Father Along the way he was honored with understand their underlying loneliness, Charlie Mulvihill. the role of Vicar General of the Roman Good times, good friends, a loved-one’s couver audience out to Notre Dame’s touch. Auditorium on a Tuesday night would their longing to speak of Ireland and Catholic Diocese of Nelson, a Prelate be a real challenge – even with a $25 home, without feeling they were being It began with a simple philosophy, bring- of Honor and finally as a Monsignor. Perhaps my time seemed all too brief admission. disloyal to Canada, their new chosen ing us to a home away from home. Even with all of that, he remained ‘Fr. Don’t shorten yours with undue grief. country. Charlie’ to the many people who knew Be not burdened with tears of sorrow, Despite justifiable advice to cancel, Over the years, Fr. Charlie continued and loved him. Enjoy the sunshine of the morrow. both Anne and I forged ahead – not least He said the Irish needed that under- to foster Irishness in a very positive standing, that contact, to form a bond As his health declined and without fam- • for the young Comhaltas musicians who manner, with encouragement and pas- For information on the Okanagan we both felt would treasure the thought of a Canadian family of Irish people. sion for all things Irish and an appre- ily in Canada, many of the people he He felt this was important to help us ministered to over the years took turns Irish Society, please call Bob Hillis at of playing in Vancouver. ciation for our Canadian home and way (604) 506-3208 or e-mail: get on with our lives here in a new coun- of life. helping him out in a variety of ways and The concert was never planned as a try. he was very grateful for this. [email protected]. fundraiser for the Ireland Canada Monu- The Okanagan Irish Society is deeply ment project or as an event to raise any Fr. Charlie understood the contentment indebted to Fr. Charlie and his legacy money but simply to celebrate the monu- and peace of being around others who will continue as we celebrate Christ- ment’s impending successful public con- understood our ways, our music and mas, St. Patrick’s, and other functions. IRISH SENIORS’ CHRISTMAS LUNCHEON sultation, and the music of Comhaltas dance, our poetry and generally our way BURNABY – This year’s Irish seniors Christmas luncheon is presented by the Fr. Charlie studied for the priesthood at was the perfect solution. of living without fear of being seen as Irish Heritage Society of Canada and supported by the Emigrant Support Pro- “different.” He was so right. St. Patrick’s College, Co. Carlow and gramme with the Irish Department of Foreign Affairs. The night of the concert finally arrived was ordained as a Roman Catholic and I was delighted that those who had A gathering of all the Irish people we priest at Carlow Cathedral in 1959. The event will be held at the Hilton Vancouver Metrotown located at 6083 McKay helped the monument project were able knew took place on March 15, 1985 in Avenue in Burnaby. Doors open at 11:30 AM, lunch is served at 12 noon. Seating He then immigrated to Canada, spend- to attend and enjoy an evening of Irish Immaculate Conception Centre, is limited. ing his first year in Canada on loan to traditional music. Kelowna. St. Anthony’s Parish in Edmonton. Complimentary parking for the first three hours is available in the underground Firstly and foremost, I thank Alec Dan That night was the beginning of many parkade in the red, brown and green zones on P1, P2, P3 and P4. The parkade is In September 1960 he was moved to of Vancouver’s Musqueam First Na- friendships which continue to this very accessible off Kingsborough Street. Kelowna to serve as an assistant pas- tions for attending. Alec’s performance day. tor at Immaculate Conception Parish. There is a blue zone located on each level and parking in this zone is reserved for of an opening welcome and blessing for Two months later the Okanagan Irish overnight/valet service hotel guests only at $12 plus tax per day. Passes for this all in attendance was very warmly re- Society was founded May 7, 1985. It For the next 42 years Fr. Charlie served zone are available at the front desk only. ceived. was registered in Victoria as a non- the Nelson Diocese wherever called, including parishes in Creston, Nakusp, Access to the hotel lobby via stairs or elevator is located in the “blue” zone. The history of Canada’s First Nations profit organization, with a mandate to “foster our Irish culture within the Ca- Warfield, Trail and Summerland. Daytime valet parking is available at a charge of $13 plus tax and overnight valet resonates with many Irish-Canadians parking is available at a charge of $16 plus tax. and, whilst few of us would have un- nadian mosaic and to look after our But he had a special love for Kelowna derstood the traditional language, there own.” where he spent over 25 years as pastor For more information, call George McDonnell at (604) 948-2885. NOVEMBER 2016 www.celtic-connection.com PAGE 19 ‘I’m more of a hands-on-worker kind of guy’: Pat McCay, owner of ProCoat Coatings in Calgary earlier about the retention of custom- LBERTA has a long reputation as either ers. We always make a point of treat- a boom or bust province and this was ing every customer as if they are the clearly evident on my recent whirlwind number one customer. “Generally, if you don’t have that atti- trip through Calgary and Edmonton. tude, even in the busy times, you’re not A going to retain them. The main topic on everyone’s lips was the economy – the recession – and what By CATHOLINE BUTLER “This is especially true now...your pa- needs to be done to get it going again. per work, your safety policy, your docu- mentation, your procedures are all so It’s been an extremely tough year for and because it’s all recyclable abrasives now instead of single use of abrasive, important to again be beyond reproach, many businesses and adjustments have to keep that retention of customers.” been necessary leading to cutting cor- we don’t have the disposal costs. ners wherever possible. And, there is “You can use these abrasives hundreds Speaking about the impact of the down- no indiction when there will be another of times, whereas before we could only turn, Pat said, “because of the economy upturn in the oil and gas industry. use the abrasives once and then dis- and like a lot of other businesses, we pose of it. have also had to let go close to 50 per- One Calgary business holding its own cent of our workforce....less volume of in the midst of this downturn is ProCoat “There are so many benefits to the new PAT McCAY of ProCoat Coatings has just opened an impres- work now, so less demand for work- Coatings and I stopped by to view their facility that we’re not able to name them ers. brand new facilities. all until we can use it longer than six sive new facility in Calgary to benefit his business, but he is “The economy in Alberta has a direct Pat McCay is the company owner and months. mindful of the adjustments he will have to make as a result of the economic situation in Alberta. link to the price of oil. There are other he spoke to me about how his impres- “That’s how long the facility has been things of course, agriculture, forestry sive new facility will benefit his busi- in operation and we’ve already noticed and tourism, but oil and gas is still king ness. big cost savings just in abrasives and here.” fuel savings costs alone.” Meanwhile, he continues to be vigilant I asked McCay if he considers himself and aware of the adjustments he must With the economy a main topic of con- a hands-on-owner. continue to make to ride out the cur- versation among business owners, Pat rent economic collapse in Alberta. said, “definitely, the economy is a big He laughed and said, “Yeah, I guess you could call me a hands-on-owner. ProCoat Coatings is an industrial abra- concern. There is still work out there, sive blasting and coatings company, spe- but you have to be very, very sharp with “I’m here every day, but as I’m getting cializing in internal coatings, primarily your pen.” older it’s less hands-on. I believe that serving the oil and gas industry. Also, he said, “customer service has to in the business world they would prob- be beyond reproach to ensure you re- ably classify me as a hands-on business Speaking about the benefits of the new owner. facility, McCay said, “I’m hoping it will tain the customers that you have. benefit first of all with the retention of “And, you have to be very aggressive “But, I wouldn’t say I’m the best PR our workers, since environmentally it’s in going to look for new clientele. But, PICTURED above (L-R): Lorne Koshuk is the estimator and person for ProCoat Coatings, that’s why a better facility for the workers, and the having said all that, there is still a sig- public relations representative and Tammy Brundin is office I have a sales staff....they’re much bet- building also has a better drive by curb nificant downturn in our revenues.” manager with ProCoat Coatings. ter at that than me. I’m more of a appeal.” hands-on-worker kind of guy.” While touring the facility, I noticed a • Prior to opening this new building, most big vessel in the shop that one of the ProCoat Coatings is located at 6632 of the work was performed outside in workmen was working on. - 90th Avenue S.E. in Calgary, Al- the elements, so this has been a big berta. For more information, call benefit to the environment since it’s McCay said that particular vessel weighs 60,000 pounds and is being (403) 236-0988, or e-mail: now all controlled indoors. [email protected]. worked on for Enbridge, the oil pipeline Pat said, “Now we’re not using diesel company. [N.B: Watch our next issue for fea- powered compressors anymore, we use ture interviews with Laureen Regan electric. “Enbridge and Trans Canada are two the Honorary Vice Consul for Ireland, of the companies that are still active in Trade and Investment and owner of “The work is now all indoors and cli- getting work done here in Alberta,” he Boom Group Inc. in Calgary; and mate controlled – air conditioned in the said. “We have worked on 200,000 RALPH WEEKS is the project co-ordinator with ProCoat Coat- Deirdre Halferty, Honorary Consul summer and heated in the winter. pound vessels.” ings. Pictured on the right is a vessel under production which Ireland, real estate agent with “This will reduce our operating costs He continued, “So, as I was mentioning Calgary West Realty, and past presi- weighs 60,000 pounds. dent Irish Cultural Society Calgary.] An active club and a great Irish welcome for newcomers By DEIRDRE O’RUAIRC en’s Little Christmas. This will feature WHITE ROCK – Greetings to all. IRISH CLUB a buffet-style dinner at the Elks Hall Thank you to everyone who came OF WHITE ROCK followed by entertainment and dancing out in September to support the with music by Brian Nicholls and an White Rock Irish Club at Crescent Tickets are available through Coast open mike. Capital Playhouse. Beach Legion for the Blackthorn Tickets need to be purchased in ad- concert. The White Rock Irish Club will be at- vance, no tickets at the door. More de- tending and afterwards members plan tails to follow. THE new ProCoat Coatings facility in Calgary offers signifi- It was a sell out and brilliant night with to drop in to Bin 101 for a drink. It is Next year the AGM will be the end of cant environmental and cost saving benefits. very talented musicians. There were just a few doors down from the play- January – no date set yet. many new faces – you are very wel- house at 1436 Johnston. come and we hope you will come out This year St. Patrick’s Day falls on a The Barra MacNeils are from Cape again to another event. Friday. The Irish Club of White Rock Breton and they are another very tal- will celebrate March 17 this year on the Thank you to all who came out to sup- ented group of musicians. Book your day with a St. Patrick’s Day dinner port Derek Warfield and the Young Wolf ticket soon as tickets for this event are dance at the Hazelmere Golf and Ten- Tones (direct from Ireland) who played selling very fast. at the Blue Frog Studio on October 28 nis Club. December we know everyone is busy and 29 to a sold-out audience. Reserve tickets early as many are al- with work parties, families, clubs etc. Plans are now underway for the win- ready spoken for. The Irish Club of White Rock Christ- ter/ Christmas schedule. For more information, visit mas celebration this year will be on www.irishclubofwhiterock.com and or The next Irish event coming up in White January 7, 2017 when we celebrate Irish the Irish Club of White Rock Facebook Rock is the Barra MacNeils Christmas little Christmas. concert at the Coast Capital Playhouse page. If you have any questions, please on November 19 at 7:30 PM. This is the last day of the 12 days of call president Sharon Woods at (604) Christmas – also known as Irish Wom- 338-3553. PAGE 20 www.celtic-connection.com NOVEMBER 2016 Jim Prentice will be remembered as a proud Irish-Canadian Grosse Île saw scenes of unspeakable ANCOUVER – While condolences suffering and exceptional dedication. poured in from politicians of all stripes More than 7,000 people are buried there, most of them victims of the ty- on Friday, October 14, following the phus epidemic of 1847. V tragic death of former Alberta premier At the ceremony, Minister Prentice said, “My great-great grandfather, and federal MP Jim Prentice, he will be remembered Michael Prentice appears to have been by Irish-Canadians for his work to preserve the his- born sometime between 1817 and 1821. According to the obituary published at torical significance of Grosse Île in Quebec. the time of his death on August 4,1897, Prentice (60), was killed in a plane crash he was born in County Wexford. JIM PRENTICE and Eamon Ó Cuív unveil part of a permanent just outside Kelowna, B.C. He was one By MAURA DE FREITAS “Like most Canadians of Irish descent, exhibit of Irish artefacts from the period of the Great Famine of four people in the plane destined for I take pride in having roots in the Em- when Grosse Île served as a quarantine station for Irish immi- Calgary/Springbank Airport when it erald Isle. I am very honoured to be grants. It is now on display in the refurbished Lazaretto build- crashed northeast of Winfield, just north here today, accepting a great contribu- ing which was opened in late summer 2009 to mark the cente- of Kelowna. tion from the Irish Government, a con- nary of the Celtic cross on the island which was raised by the Following news of the accident, former tribution that will help Canadians under- Ancient Order of Hibernians. Irish Ambassador to Canada Ray stand the ties that unite our two coun- Bassett tweeted that Prentice had told tries.” him at one point as he retired from the Thanks to the collaboration between the federal government that “his proudest Irish and Canadian Government, the political achievement was his contribu- Lazaretto has been restored to its 1847 tion to saving Grosse Île.” appearance. It is the only remaining As part of Ireland’s National Famine evidence of Grosse Île’s role as a hos- Memorial Commemoration and the pital unit – a major role of the quaran- 100th anniversary of the Celtic Cross tine station. celebrations on Grosse Île, Parks Following news of the death of Jim Canada, under the guidance of Prentice, Prentice, Canadian Prime Minister contributed to the restoration of the GROSSE ÎLE saw scenes of Justin Trudeau said he will remember Lazaretto – the oldest and most histori- him as a man of deep convictions. cally significant building on the former unspeakable suffering and ex- quarantine station. ceptional dedication. More “Jim Prentice was broadly respected in than 7,000 people are buried the House of Commons – across all Prentice, who was then Canada’s En- party lines – for his intelligence, com- vironment Minister and minister respon- there, most of them victims of the typhus epidemic of 1847. mitment, and honest straightforward ap- sible for Parks Canada, accompanied proach on tough issues. then Ambassador of Ireland Declan Kelly and Eamon Ó Cuiv, the Irish Min- “I greatly enjoyed the time I spent the exhibition which details the Irish working closely beside Jim in the ister for Community, Rural and presence at Grosse Île. Gaeltacht Affairs, to a ceremony at the House, and know that he will be missed site in Quebec on May 10, 2009. The tragic events at Grosse Île in 1847 by his colleagues on both sides of the stemmed from the Great Irish Famine, aisle.” During the visit, the group unveiled a one of the pivotal events in the history In closing, he said, “On behalf of all sketch of a new exhibition at the Laza- of Ireland. During that agonizing up- OUTSIDE the Lazaretto on Grosse Île – Ireland’s Minister for retto. The Government of Ireland con- Canadians, Sophie and I offer our deep- heaval, which lasted less than a dec- est condolences to his family and friends Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs Eamon Ó Cuív (left), tributed $65,000 toward the project, ade, Ireland’s population declined by with Jim Prentice and Declan Kelly, the Irish Ambassador to while Parks Canada added $10,000 to and to the loved ones of all those who over two million. perished in this tragic accident.” Canada. A PILLAR OF IRISH CULTURE IN CANADA: Margaret (Peggy) Kendellan March 8, 1923 – November 3, 2016 VANCOUVER – Everyone knew her as Peggy and along with the neighborhood girls in and two vegetables. There was no time By MAURA DE FREITAS Sandy Hill were her first students. for baking and cookies, however, that’s she was a champion of Irish culture who put Irish probably a good thing. She did find the Peggy’s Irish dancing classes started time to teach me to sew and knit.” dancing on the map in Ottawa, Ontario. small but they grew as word began to spread. Over the next 30 years she Peggy’s contributions to her community Margaret (Peggy) Kendellan Her village still has only a population of taught many young dancers who were and her legacy lives on through her was an early member of the 100 people. later followed by their parents. former student Síle Scott who contin- Peggy excelled in the Irish language ues to be involved in dance, teaching Irish Society of Ottawa and Her daughter Joan Babb recalls, “My set dances, céilí dances and sean nós and won a scholarship in the language parents’ social life revolved around Irish she was my first Irish dance as a teenager. steps on Monday evenings for the local teacher when I was just five dancing, music and anything Irish and Comhaltas Ceoltóirí Éireann branch in The west coast of Ireland is the heart my mother was at the center of this. Ottawa. years old. of Irish culture and Peggy was influ- “During those years no one had heard Peggy was very proud that her name is I will always remember her patience enced by this as there was no outside of Irish dancing with the exception of interference such as television. among those listed to be part of the pro- with all her dancers and the fun we all those immigrants and descendents who posed Ireland Canada Monument had learning those step-one-two-threes. Her passion was Irish dancing and she yearned for all things Irish. Project in Vancouver. In those days the Irish community in went on to win many medals and was “We were new on the scene and even Ottawa was very small and everyone In a note to The Celtic Connection, the county champion for three years in booed at our first performance as the knew everyone else and we were all her daughter Sue Doucette wrote, “it is a row. PEGGY KENDELLAN citizens of Ottawa at that time was still interconnected. with great sadness that I have to tell I recall her telling me as a child why very British (Canada sure has evolved). you that Peggy is in Palliative Care at For over 30 years, Peggy’s name was Dublin and it was there she met her she was called Peggy rather than “My mother has outlived all those Peace Arch Hospital and doesn’t have synonymous with Irish dancing in Ot- husband-to-be, Joe Kendellan. Margaret. She said in the west of Ire- friends and I think Irish dancing, no much time left. She loved The Celtic tawa. land everything ended with “y.” And if The couple arrived in Ottawa in 1957 smoking, no drinking and no suntanning Connection and anything else Celtic, Her maiden name was Geraghty and it wasn’t there, they would add it! For and soon settled down to life in a new contributed to her longevity. as you well know.” she was born and raised in a small cot- example, “Peggy, fetch me a wee country. “My father Joseph Kendellan prede- Peggy passed peacefully at the age of tage in Creggs, Co. Galway. sticky.” Peggy started working for the federal ceased her in August 1996 after 47 93 on Friday, November 3, 2016. Deep- Visitors can tour the cottage where she How that translates Margaret to government as a secretary by day but years of marriage. est condolences to both Joan and Sue grew up as it is now a museum dedi- Peggy...I’m not sure. at night that Irish dancing thing was and all her friends and loved ones. She “With her busy life she still provided a cated to the memory of the illustrious calling her. will be remembered as a pillar of Irish After a failed romance, Peggy headed healthy dinner every night, always meat Irish politician Charles Stewart Parnell. up to the big city to start a new life in Her two daughters – Joan and Sue – culture in Canada. NOVEMBER 2016 www.celtic-connection.com PAGE 21 Anne McConnell-Strong IN MEMORY OF dies from a tragic fall MOIRA QUIRKE The team at The Celtic Con- nection were deeply sad- moments after receiving award dened to learn of the sudden death of (Eileen) Moira TORONTO – A champion of Anne Kearney was one of five girls Quirke in Edmonton, Al- born and raised in a typical thatched- in roof cottage in Oranmore, Co. Galway, berta on Sunday, October Canada has died following a a quaint village in the west of Ireland. 16. fall just moments after she ac- Her sister Mary still lives in the old fam- ily home. Moira was an active member of the cepted an award for her con- Edmonton Irish Sports and Social She studied nursing in England and later, Society and Chairwoman of the tribution to Irish culture. along with first husband Brendan Western Canada Wild Irish Rose Anne McConnell-Strong was a beloved McConnell and the couple’s two eldest competition. children, daughters Ita and Dympna, wife, sister, mother, grandmother and Moira was born in Streetsville, On- great-grandmother. She was a loving emigrated to Canada in the 1960s, even- tually settling in Kingston, Ontario. tario, and she was a beloved daugh- MOIRA QUIRKE light to her family, friends, and commu- ter, sister, aunt, mother, and grand- nity, and a source of infinite grace and FINN McConnell with his The McConnells owned and operated mother. Reese), and Christina, and the father comfort. mother Anne McConnell- the old Frontenac Hotel and the Irish She is survived by her three loving of her children, Michael. She is pre- For 37 years she worked tirelessly for Strong. pubs Finnegan’s and Muldoon’s, bring- deceased by her father, Daniel Jones ing in top-name Irish acts such as the children and one grandchild: Kieran Comhaltas North America, a worldwide (Erin), Katherine (Mike and baby Sr. group dedicated to the safeguarding and McConnell, youngest of her three chil- Clancy Brothers and the Irish Rovers. promotion of traditional Irish dance, dren. In 1978, Anne founded the local chap- music and language. “She wasn’t supposed to [arrange] the ter of Comhaltas Ceoltóirí Éireann and Prior to her retirement this year she had tour, but she was pulled out of retire- was elected chairperson of the Eastern The evolution organized one final 10-city cross-coun- ment and of course said yes,” he noted. Comhaltas Regional Board in 1988. try tour, Echoes of Erin 1916. “An 82-year-old woman setting up a In the early 1980s, the McConnells sold The tour wrapped up on Sunday night national tour, finding promoters, venues, their Kingston watering holes and di- of children’s nicknames October 2 at Toronto’s Gerry Gallagher vorced. Anne later married Elmer booking flights, promoting the show in th th Hall. At the end of the show, she was each city: Why her?” he said, his voice Strong and returned to the field of medi- Rhyming nicknames were big in the 12 and 13 Centuries, invited on stage. Seconds later, while trailing off. cine, working as surgical nurse at King- which is how Bill became a nickname for William. descending a set of backstage stairs ston General Hospital. alone, she tumbled. Surrounded by family and loved ones in Now nicknames have become so popular, there’s actually a trend where moms hospital, Anne McConnell succumbed Anne is survived by her beloved hus- band Elmer, with whom she travelled and dads choose nicknames as first names. That’s right – no more Jonathon or Her son, Finn McConnell, leader of the to her injuries in the early hours of Mon- Evangeline; they just skip right to Jon and Eva. Irish punk band the Mahones, was on day, October 3. the world and shared a beautiful home hand for the concert finale and raced in Glenburnie, Ontario. So how did the trend of nicknames get started? It all began when names were to his mother’s side. Writing on his Facebook page, passed down from generation to generation. McConnell said, “I am devastated to She is survived by her children, Ita (Pat), “She was a very giving woman and an report that my beloved mother, Anne Dympna and Fintan (Katie), eight As a result, BBC reports that over 50 percent of boys who were baptized in incredible mother,” said a still-shaken McConnell, passed away today.” grandchildren and five great-grandchil- Britain in the 18th Century were given one of three names: William, John or dren. Thomas. For girls, over half were baptized with the names Elizabeth, Mary or Anne. Since these three monikers for boys and girls were so popular, nicknames be- came incredibly important to differentiate. CelticFest Vancouver teams up Laura Wattenberg, author of The Baby Name Wizard, reiterated this point say- ing, “Back when names were more concentrated, having a nickname was very important. At one time in history 25 percent of all English babies were named with the ISSC in March 2017 John or Mary.” VANCOUVER – CelticFest Interestingly, nicknames back in the day were actually pretty creative. Vancouver is teaming up with Take Peggy, for instance, which is a short form for Margaret. This originated in the Irish Sporting and Social the 12th and 13th Centuries when rhyming nicknames were popular. That’s why Club to host a dinner dance Peggy became known as a nickname for Meggy. on March 10, 2017 featuring Another example is the common nickname Harry for Henry. This dates back to medieval times when British monarchs who were named Henry would prefer two of Ireland’s greatest their subjects to call them Harry. Today, we see this with Prince Harry, whose sports legends who also are actual title is Prince Henry of Wales. noted raconteurs is considered one of the greatest football players ever, he cap- tained Kerry and won eight All- Irelands. Mick Galwey captained Kerry before he switched to rugby. He is the only player to have won a double All-Ire- MICK GALWEY PAT SPILLANE land in football (with Kerry) and in rugby (with Shannon). A chartered professional accountant by He proceeded to be a stalwart part of profession, Alan is originally from Co. Irish Rugby for 16 years, captaining Wexford and has lived in Canada for Munster and Ireland and touring with the past four years. Prior to living in the Lions. Vancouver he lived and worked in Ber- muda. Ticket details will be available on Facebook pages of CelticFest Vancou- The complete roster of the new execu- ver and ISSC in the first week of De- tive is as follows: cember. These tickets would make a Alan Cosgrave very desirable Christmas gift. – Chairman – President At the last annual general meeting of Harry Cussen the Vancouver Celtic Festival Society – Executive Officer – Vice President a new board of directors was elected Marina Lewis for 2016/17. – Executive Officer – Treasurer Sarah Barrett This year Alan Cosgrave steps into the ALAN COSGRAVE who is – Executive Officer – Secretary role of president. For the past three originally from Co. Wexford is Will Cashman – Director years, he served in the capacity of the new chairman and presi- Tadhg O’Leary – Director treasurer for CelticFest Vancouver. dent of CelticFest Vancouver. Emma Nee – Director PAGE 22 www.celtic-connection.com NOVEMBER 2016 British filmmaker Ken Loach Kenny to host accuses Tories of ‘conscious cruelty’ all-Ireland talks on LONDON – Ken Loach has employed on such contracts, which have launched a tirade against the Brit- been criticised for allowing big busi- ish Government over what he nesses to exploit workers. Brexit this month claimed was its willingness to sup- In response to an audience member’s DUBLIN – Enda Kenny will host all- port big businesses rather than the question about whether the country had Ireland talks on the impact of Brexit become less compassionate, Loach re- poor. within weeks. ferred to the increasing number of peo- In a stinging attack last month during ple who are driven to rely on food banks. The taoiseach said the “all-island, all- the BBC’s Question Time, the veteran Ireland conversation” in November will Some 1,109,300 emergency food pack- filmmaker accused the Conservatives involve business people, members of ages were distributed by the Trussell of “conscious cruelty” because it left civic society and political parties. thousands with no other choice but to Trust in 2015-16, demonstrating that use food banks, saying “hunger is used food bank usage is at a record high. He warned the process of Britain leav- ing the European Union could take a as a weapon” against the least wealthy. An Oxford University study published lot longer than some expect. Loach, whose most recent film I, Dan- earlier in October found that the gov- iel Blake, is known for exposing social ernment’s benefits sanctions policy was “I fear that this will run for quite some ENDA KENNY issues such as poverty, homelessness. directly linked to the growing number time,” he said. “It might not be as ple of the North must be respected,” of people who are reliant on food do- straightforward or as short term as he said. He was greeted with multiple rounds KEN LOACH nations. many people think.” of applause from the audience as he He added, “For decades we have been asserted the government had probably who need help,” said Loach. The filmmaker said, “There’s a con- The Democratic Unionist Party (DUP), lectured about respecting the majority scious cruelty in the way the system is Northern Ireland’s largest political party, given Nissan a subsidy to persuade it “We have no money for the cash- vote in the North. being imposed. Because the state has signalled it will not take part in any to remain in the UK. strapped NHS so that doctors have to knows what it is doing. The Tory Gov- all-island forum. “Well here is a majority vote which says He went on to list areas of public spend- work even harder for the same amount ernment knows exactly what it’s do- it wants to remain within the European ing that had seen their budgets shrink of money. Plainly that won’t happen, ing.” A party spokesman told the Press As- Union and you as taoiseach, in my opin- under Conservative leadership. plainly the NHS is being driven towards sociation there was no need for new ion, have a duty and a responsibility to privatisation. He added, “How can we live in a soci- structures and that cross-border talks advocate this.” Ministers have been evasive about what ety in which hunger is used as a about Brexit could be carried out within “How about if we look at the economy post-Brexit financial help was offered weapon?” existing arrangements. Separately, Stormont Finance Minister to Nissan to persuade it to build its new from the other end up? How about the Mairtin O Muilleoir told a parliamen- cars in Sunderland. economy for people who are on zero- Loach’s new film ends in defiance. Northern Ireland First Minister and tary watchdog that forcing Northern hours contracts?” “When you lose your self-respect DUP leader Arlene Foster rejected sug- Ireland out of the EU would “breach “How strange then that we have no you’re done for,” says Daniel Blake. gestions of an all-island Brexit forum money to rescue social care for people In March, over 800,000 people were the spirit and letter of the Good Friday at the last North South Ministerial Coun- Agreement.” cil meeting at Dublin Castle in July. “Dragging the North from Europe would But under questioning from Sinn Fein pose a threat to the entire island,” he leader Gerry Adams in the Dail, Kenny said. Calais camp charities attack both confirmed he was pressing ahead with the talks. “We are all Europeans. It is our fer- vent wish to remain at the heart of Eu- UK and France over plight “It is my intention to convene an all- rope. That is how the people voted in island, all-Ireland conversation about the referendum.” this, obviously to which business peo- of unaccompanied children ple, members of civic society and po- O Muilleoir said he was hoping to work litical parties will be invited,” he said. in collaboration with the Irish Govern- CALAIS – The last resi- ating from the pavement. Legally, mi- “I’m not a lawyer, but I think the UK is ment to ensure the “democratic will of nors in the camp are the responsibility sharking its responsibility to refugees Kenny said the outcome of June’s ref- the people of the North is respected.” dents of a sprawling mi- of the French government.” dreadfully. The Calais camp represents erendum result had sparked a great deal grant camp on the French a complete failure by the UK to help of confusion and uncertainty and was a Before the Dublin parliament’s Imple- There was also anger that the police people who are silently begging for help. matter of the utmost seriousness and mentation of the Good Friday Agree- side of the English Chan- moved so swiftly to demolish the make- We have failed.” concern to Ireland’s interests. ment committee, he also warned 120 shift school where 60 unaccompanied million euro in funding for cross-border nel have been evacuated. minors were forced to sleep rough af- A UK resettlement programme was Adams said the entire post-Good Fri- projects was currently “stuck in the ter the authorities had failed to provide started last month under the landmark day Agreement architecture is under system.” Earlier this month some 291 women and shelter, claiming the site had been Dubs amendment. threat because of the “British Govern- children transferred to family centres cleared of migrants. ment’s insistence on dragging the peo- British Chancellor Philip Hammond has around France so the government can The British Government committed to ple of the North out of the EU against agreed to underwrite any EU projects close the camp for good. Most of the refugees in Calais were relocate vulnerable lone-child refugees their wishes.” granted permission up to November 23, seeking a way into the UK. in France, Italy and Greece “as soon he said. The departure of the women and their as possible” with charities led to believe A majority of voters in Northern Ire- children, who had been housed in a cen- In September of 2015, David Cameron the figure could reach 3,000. land backed remaining within the bloc. O Muilleoir said Stormont officials were tre at the edge of the camp near the announced that Britain would aim to working hard to push through existing port city of Calais, completed a mass, resettle 20,000 Syrian refugees by 2020. Volunteers estimate there could be up “It is very important that we send a very applications before then but needed state-run relocation of nearly 7,000 peo- So far, only 2,800 have been taken in, to 500 child refugees currently eligible clear message that the vote of the peo- Dublin and Brussels to do the same. ple in 11 days. and MPs are concerned the UK will from Calais. never meet this target. The camp, known as the Jungle because Lord Dubs, the Labour peer and former of its dire living conditions has now been “I never stop being shocked,” says child refugee who brought about a po- French police to probe alleged demolished. Clare Moseley, the founder of Care 4 litical coup by forcing the government Calais, a charity she and several UK to promise to grant sanctuary to vul- UKIP ‘handbags at dawn’ scuffle The women and children were bused volunteers set up in the summer of nerable unaccompanied children, her- to processing centres where they will 2015. alded the move as “a start.” LONDON – French police will now investigate an alleged scuffle be- be able to seek asylum in France or tween two members of the UK Independence Party in the European Britain, regional administration spokes- Parliament building in Strasbourg. man Steve Barbet said. was hospitalised on October 5 with a head injury. He was rushed The camp’s other residents, most of to hospital after collapsing on a walkway at the European parliament in Stras- them men, were sent to similar centres bourg following a scuffle with his colleague Mike Hookem. a week earlier – while 1,616 unaccom- panied children who had been housed Woolfe claimed that Hookem “came at him” during an argument. He spent three in heated containers were moved to nights in hospital after the fracas. special reception centres. Hookem denied punching Woolfe and posted a photograph of his hands on Twit- Following closure of the camp, charity ter in a bid to prove he had not landed a blow on his colleague. The MEP for organizations accused both French and Yorkshire and North Lincolnshire dismissed the altercation as “handbags at dawn.” British authorities are leaving it to them The row, which started at an internal party meeting and spilled into a corridor, to fill a void created by the lack of state was triggered by revelations that Woolfe had considered joining the Conserva- support to assist the unaccompanied tives. minors. EU Parliament President Martin Schulz says an internal inquiry he commis- Calais Action said, “For a sovereign sioned has been unable to reconcile the accounts of the two UKIP members. state to leave their responsibilities to groups of volunteers is not acceptable. The case has been referred to the general prosecutor’s office, which will lead a police investigation, a parliament source said. “Practically speaking, this state of af- fairs is also not sustainable long-term – Steven Woolfe has now pulled out of the race to succeed fellow MEP Nigel infrastructure has been destroyed by the A CHILD refugee stands amid the squallor of the migrant camp Farage as leader and quit the party. He said UKIP had become “ungovernable” state, and volunteers are literally oper- in Calais which was known as the ‘Jungle’. since securing the ‘Brexit’ referendum result. NOVEMBER 2016 www.celtic-connection.com PAGE 23 Great Irish Reportage: UK Still in a State of ‘Two bald men fighting over a comb’ Post Brexit Shock Ireland has a greater than average THE VIEW FROM would rise to meet Maffey, De Valera proportion of newspaper readers, points at the Northern part of Ireland REETINGS ranking in the top 30 countries in IRELAND on the map and states “that is the real POSTCARD source of all our trouble.” from Bourne- the world. Walking down the street FROM BOURNEMOUTH or sidling up to a bar with a news- Louis MacNeice covers the President mouth. The sun is paper under one’s elbow is a mark JFK 1963 visit to his ancestral sod with shining and al- of culture and discernment. characteristic irreverence. though leaves are MacNeice’s inability to keep up with G tumbling, temperatures are Yet there is an Irish penchant to dis- the White House entourage may have miss newspapers with the same avidity been attributable to his choice of only just beginning to fall. with which they are read: “there is By MAURICE Brendan Behan’s brother as his running If this climate is due to global warming, never anything in this,” “I don’t know mate. By why I bother with this rag.” FITZPATRICK then I realise that we should all be Yet MacNeice manages to capture deeply concerned but, at the age of 72, ELFAN Then there is the endearing newspaper something of the awe that the first visit I confess to be, selfishly, quite enjoying JONES reader who since the particular paper of a sitting U.S. president on Irish soil it. published such and such a story “would inspired. never read that again,” or the contemp- The country is still in a state of post tuous public affairs commentator who MacNeice also registers the wonder of Brexit shock and there are people who “only reads it because I am profession- JFK being choppered around at a time are in complete denial of the vote, be- ally obliged.” when helicopters to most Irish people lieving that we will not be leaving the were more commonly associated with European Union. They are called Scot- The same people will be found outside Leonardo da Vinci’s notebooks. tish. a newsagent shuffling to keep warm on a winter’s morning in advance of the A famous article by Conor Cruise All the gloom and doom merchants are delivery of the dailies and will deeply O’Brien on ‘GUBU’, a disparaging ac- still around; Britain is still on the path to envy the late night television present- ronym for the first government led by eternal damnation, and apparently, ers who get to hold the following day’s Haughey, has not aged well: too much within two years, the City of London newspapers on the eve of their publi- of the Cruiser’s sneer and, beneath it, will be a ghost town. cation. the sour grapes of a politician ousted All foreign investment will have ceased by Haughey. Whether the pose against it is dignified and we will all be starving to death, or feigned, there is no denying the hun- In a book such as this, Haughey’s seeking aid from Biafra, wringing our ger in Ireland for solid reportage, and legacy deserved a broader focus. hands and begging that nice German John Horgan has done us all a favour lady Mrs. Merkle, to let us back in By contrast, Con Houlihan is timeless by compiling a volume, Great Irish again. in his creating a verbal opera from in-law Prince Llewelyn the Great of Reportage, to attempt to satiate the in- Myles na gCopaleen a slot as a column- Croke Park, describing how Kerry foot- In the meantime unemployment is down, Gwynedd [1172-1240]. satiable. ist. ball greats (Eoin ‘The Bomber’ Liston, productivity is up, exports are up, tour- The prince had gone hunting and left There are many surprises in this book. For all the pathos associated with the Jack O’Shea) repulse Dublin’s on- ism is up, and the Japanese car com- his faithful hound Gelert to guard his way na gCopaleen’s life developed, still slaught. pany Nissan have recently announced baby son. Former editor of The Irish Times, R.M. a dimple buttons the cheek to remem- that they will continue to invest in their Smyllie, in an extended travel piece in Olivia O’Leary, who also contributes a ber that Ireland’s greatest journalist plant in Sunderland. When he returned he found the baby’s 1936 on Hitler’s country getaway in Foreword to this volume, gleans an Ar- opened his publishing career for The cradle overturned, the baby missing and Bavaria, writes lovingly of ‘The gentinian point of view on the Falklands Away from politics: The Lonely Planet Bell with the sentence: “In the last 10 the dog with its mouth smeared with Fuehrer’s Unpretentious Villa’. invasion. travel guide has placed North Wales blood. years there has been a marked change fourth in the top 10 places in the world While he voices misgivings about Hit- in the decor of boozing in Dublin.” No O’Leary wrote for The Irish Times to visit in 2017. Believing that the dog had savaged the ler’s politics, they do not obfuscate a better man to have observed it. while Haughey was taoiseach – he had baby Llewelyn drew his sword and thorough appreciation of the landscape, made a spectacular stir by backing the It is the only UK destination to be fea- An encounter between the UK’s diplo- killed Gelert. the customs and manner of the people Argentinian invasion, embarrassing his tured. The area has won its position matic representative to Ireland during of Obersalzberg, and of Hitler’s taste diplomats in the year in which Ireland because it is a playground for hikers, As the dog yelped its last yelp, the the Second World War and then in locations. held a seat on the UN Security Coun- mountain bikers and rock climbers. prince heard a baby’s cry and saw his taoiseach, Éamon De Valera, provides cil. son unhurt lying behind the cradle along- Smyllie cut an unusual figure at The a surprising source of comedy in this New attractions such as Surf Snow- side a dead wolf. Times: having dictated the day’s edito- book. O’Leary brings a very Irish view on the donia, an inland surfing lake in the rial in Gregorian chant, Smyllie would conflict just as some on Buenos Aires Conway valley and Zip World, the long- The prince was overcome with grief and John Maffey, who had the unenviable repair to the pub where he was easily streets challenge her to defend the Irish est zip line in Europe, have added to remorse. task of trying to persuade De Valera of spotted for one distinctive feature of for their timidity in dealing with Britain. the appeal. something, relates the substance of the Gelert was buried with great ceremony apparel. exchange almost as a dramatic dialogue. Cocking her ear as she meanders The Bodnant Welsh food centre has ap- and Llewelyn named the place On her deathbed Smyllie’s mother through the streets of Buenos Aires, parently led to a surge of quality res- Beddgelert (Gelert’s grave) several The conversation, conducted in classi- made him vow never to touch another O’Leary bears witness to the machismo taurants and the creation of gourmet hundred years later people with more cal diplomatic fashion, centres on the glass of whiskey. He agreed and spent that animates the war with Britain, and food festivals. time on their hands than sense get off use of language: whether “representa- the rest of his life drinking his balls of to the rapidly shifting sands of the coaches and trudge along a muddy path tive” can be admissible to refer to a Blaenau Festiniog which was once malt while wearing a white glove. Galtieri Government’s policy. to look at the grave. British emissary. world famous for slate – mining and Smyllie was the editor who first gave The British, not blameless for the con- depression, now offers the opportunity For all we really know, there could be a On his way out, to ensure that the road tested ownership of the windswept ir- to enjoy bouncing about on a network cat under the stones. relevancies, inflated news sheets so full of giant trampolines strung in caverns In other categories, Canada is listed as of patriotic rhetoric that they might beneath the town. top country and Bordeaux as top city Irish Entry to EU Film Fest have burst open. Snowdonia National Park was praised to visit. Witness, for instance, the British am- for the quality of its starry nights, des- Canada, I can understand, but perhaps bassador to Argentina whose parting ignated a dark-sky reserve thanks to the I missed something when I visited Bor- is ‘My Name is Emily’ shot as he withdrew from the embassy lack of light pollution: this surprises me deaux. VANCOUVER – The European Union Film Festival and the Embassy of Ireland in Buenos Aires under the cover of the as for many years I travelled around th Swiss guard: “They’ve got to learn that North Wales and never saw a starry I am now off to Cardiff to the magnifi- present My Name is Emily at the 19 annual European Union Film Festival in cent Millennium Stadium, currently Vancouver on Sunday, November 27 at 7:45 PM, at the Cinemateque, 1131 Howe they can’t treat a major power like this.” night. It is the only part of Britain where ducks carry umbrellas known for sponsorship purposes as the Street. What bearing that comment had on Principality stadium. Britain is not elaborated. As a Welshman I should feel very proud After the death of his wife, Robert, a best-selling author, suffers a mental break- Originally the ground was called Car- down and is institutionalized, leaving his daughter Emily in foster care. that part of my country has achieved The final word on the British-Argen- this honour, but I don’t. diff Arms Park, but a new stadium was On her side, Emily begins to suspect that something is really wrong when she tinian face-off over the Falklands should built on the same site, although to a dif- doesn’t receive her father’s annual birthday card. rest with the Argentinian visionary, For silly parochial and historical reasons, ferent layout. Jorge Luis Borges: “Two bald men fight- there has never been any love lost be- Accompanied by her shy classmate Arden, Emily embarks on a road trip to free ing over a comb.” tween the people of North and South A revered Welsh rugby player, Gareth her father from his psychiatric hospital in the north of Ireland. The journey will Wales. Edwards, told a reporter that if the spot take both Emily and Arden to unexpected places. By the late 1970s and early 1980s Irish where he scored the famous try for the journalism underwent an enormous My memory as a tourist in North Wales British Lions against New Zealand was This annual showcase of acclaimed new and recent films from across greater change and began to relentlessly chal- is of standing in the pouring rain in placed in the new layout, he would have Europe includes award winners, domestic blockbusters, festival circuit faves, lenge orthodoxies of reportage, finding Beddgelert, staring at the grave of a been diving into the gent’s toilet! and official Oscar submissions. new fora in which to do so. I will return dog called Gelert, wondering why the hell was I encouraging pneumonia by Anyway, this weekend Wales take on The festival is comprised of entries from 23 European Union member states and to great Irish reportage in my next col- getting soaking wet looking at a pile of Australia in rugby. Like most sporting this year’s festival promises a dynamic and entertaining celebration of the diver- umn. • stones. events one gets a better view on televi- sity, creativity, and accomplishments of contemporary European filmmaking. sion, but the atmosphere in the ground Great Irish Reportage edited by This dog is alleged to have been a gift For full details and tickets see: www.thecinematheque.ca/eufilmfestival/ireland- (or the hwyl as we say in Welsh) is just John Horgan is published by Pen- from King John of England to his son- my-name-is-emily. guin Ireland. magical. COME ON WALES. PAGE 24 www.celtic-connection.com NOVEMBER 2016 SEATTLE NEWS

THE TRADITION of burning celebrity effigies has been ongo- ing in Edenbridge for more than 20 years.

THE SKYLINE HIGH SCHOOL Gaelic Footballers with the trophy after defeating Eastlake High School on October 7 in the inaugural Irish Presidential GAA Competition. Second from right (in British town burns the referee’s jersey) is Terry Lynch, the North American GAA’s Youth Coach Leader. massive effigy of Donald Trump on bonfire night LONDON – A small town in Kent burned a 36-foot tall effigy of Donald SEATTLE IRISH Trump on Bonfire Night to Guy Fawkes on Satur- PHOTO ROUND-UP day, November 5. Organisers in Edenbridge said the U.S. Republican presidential candidate was the overwhelm- ing choice for their celebrity ef- figy this year, which comes just days before the election. The towering steel-framed set piece was stuffed with oil-soaked newspapers and fireworks before residents torched (L-R) DERMOT RANDLES, Miriam Doyle, Noreen McCormack and Frank Shriane at the social it. Pictures depicted his effigy wearing hour following Seattle’s annual Mass in Gaelic on October 14. boxer shorts with Mexicans’ faces on A DONALD TRUMP effigy them. holding ’s head Edenbridge Bonfire Society spokesman was burnt as the celebrity Guy Jeni Fox said ahead of the event, “We on the Edenbridge bonfire. were spoilt for choice in terms of po- tential contenders with a shortlist of around 10 potential runners but the peo- strong tradition in the Sevenoaks town ple’s choice stole the vote. in Kent – a custom for which the town is famed. “We are literally helping Trump to live out his own catchphrase ‘burn it down’ Last year Sepp Blatter was the effigy by exploding the 11-metre effigy as the chosen to burn, following the FIFA cor- opening act for our fireworks display. ruption scandal. “It only seemed fair that Hillary Clinton Despite the decision of Edenbridge resi- took some of the limelight, and we are dents to burn an effigy of Trump, it isn’t sure the presidential candidates will be yet clear if he will crash and burn in the pleased to see they are both featured.” polls on Tuesday, November 8....one can only hope. SEATTLE artist Helen O’Toole, a native of Co. Mayo and an art The brazen billionaire beat contenders (L-R) JANE SEPEDE and Lor- [POSTSCRIPT: Press time, Novem- professor at the University of Washington, is the recipient of a raine Cunningham serving tea that included disgraced England man- 2016 Contemporary Northwest Art Award. ager Sam Allardyce and Foreign Sec- ber 8. First it was predicted Brexit and coffee during the social retary Boris Johnson for the privilege. would never happen....then they said hour following Seattle’s annual Trump presidency would never Mass in Gaelic on October 14. Torching celebrity effigies is a 20-year happen...now, anything can happen.]

AFTER a torch-lit procession through the town, there was a (L-R) CÁIT CALLEN, Nancy Ingle, Fr. John Madigan, Gary ALY GARDNER-SHELBY, the big fireworks display and the famous bonfire, where both Trump Ingle Rita Brennan, and John Tobin at the social hour following new president of Irish Network and Guy Fawkes were set alight on Bonfire Night, November 5. Seattle’s annual Mass in Gaelic on October 14. Seattle. NOVEMBER 2016 www.celtic-connection.com PAGE 25 SEATTLE NEWS

PASSINGS The program is headed by Seattle’s • Kathleen Fitzgerald, 78, a native of Terry Lynch, who is also the Youth Co. Kerry, died in Prosser October Coach Leader for the North Ameri- 23. can County Board of the Gaelic Ath- letic Association. For more details, • Hugh Doherty, 91, a native of Co. call (206) 527-3200. Donegal, died in Brier October 15. HS GAA GAME – Skyline High • Margaret Owens, the mother of By School and Eastlake High School Seattle’s Dermot Owens, died in Bel- JOHN competed in six abbreviated Gaelic fast October 13. KEANE football games on Friday, October 7, • Rosie Stapleton, wife of Brian, both at Eastlake High School in of whom have been very involved in Sammamish in the inaugural Irish the Irish community for over 20 years, Presidential GAA Competition. died in Seattle September 8. With Skyline taking four matches to • Margaret Tormey, 87, an aunt of Eastlake’s two, the Irish Presidential Seattle’s Mark Tormey and whose Trophy was presented afterwards to late husband was from Co. Galway, Skyline HS. died September 2 in Spokane. The Irish Presidential Trophy was • Catherine Hughes, 79, a native of donated for the competition by Irish Ireland, died in Seattle August 22. President Michael D. Higgins when he visited Skyline High School in Ar dheis D‚ go raibh a nanamacha October 2015. dílse NOREEN MCCORMACK, the FOLLOWING a Ceol Cascadia Irish Music Concert in Seattle May their faithful souls rest at the new president of the Seattle SISTER CITY ASSOCIATION – After on October 29 – fiddle player Ciarán Ó Maonaigh, concertina right hand of God. Galway Sister City Association. 30 years, the Seattle Galway Sister City Association has a new president. player and sean-nós dancer Caitlín Nic Gabhann, and Danny PANEL DISCUSSION – Irish Network Quinn (R). Seattle hosts a Create Your Future! past six years. For reservations, call Mick McHugh, who has been presi- Workshop: Learn powerful career (206) 915-1878 and include names dent since the sister city agreement tools event on Thursday, November of any guests and their lunch was signed in 1986, has assumed the 10, 6-9 PM, SIFF Film Center, 305 choices. role of president emeritus while Noreen McCormack was elected the Harrison Street, Seattle. CHRISTMAS PARTY – You’re invited new president. Learn about emotional intelligence to attend the annual Irish Network (EQ) (yours and others) in an inter- Seattle Christmas Party on Saturday, Noreen is a former secretary of the active workshop led by Paul December 10 from 6:30-8:30 PM at Irish Heritage Club and until recently O’Beirne, using Fortune 500, world- the RView, 515 Madison Street 28th was president of Irish Network class assessment tools from TTI Suc- floor, Seattle. Seattle. cess Insights. The RView is on the 28th floor of the A native of Missoula, Montana, with Paul is passionate about helping Renaissance Seattle Hotel, with her parents from Co. Mayo, Noreen people realize their potential and great views of the Space Needle and has been to Galway several times, coaching them towards that goal. downtown Seattle. Appetizers and a most recently this past April. free drink will be served to all Paul, a native of Ireland, is excited attendees. For more details, visit Irish She has served for the past three to bring his skills and this workshop Network Seattle on Facebook. years on the Seattle Sister Cities to members and friends of Irish Net- Coordinating Council to which she work Seattle. For more details, visit IRISH TENORS – Irish Tenors Holi- was appointed by Seattle’s mayor. Irish Network Seattle on Facebook. day Concert is Tuesday, December Noreen is really hoping to get more (L-R) KIM BURKHART, Aidan Maher, Geraldine Scanlan and 13 at 7:30 PM in Seattle’s Benaroya Mary Kelly at the social hour following Seattle’s annual Mass in BOOK CLUB – The next Irish Book Hall. people involved in the Seattle Gal- Club meeting is Tuesday, November way Association and would like to Gaelic on October 14. 15 to discuss Irish author Colum Ronan Tynan, Anthony Kearns, and hear from anyone interested in join- McCann’s newest book, Thirteen Finbar Wright sing beautiful holiday ing. For more information, e-mail her Ways of Looking. E-mail: favorites performed with a full con- at: [email protected]. [email protected], or call (206) cert orchestra, the perfect start for Tell Them You Saw it Here! IRISH NETWORK SEATTLE – Dub- 361-1713 for details on the location the holiday season. Our advertisers are very important to us. In fact, they are the liner Aly Gardner-Shelby is the new in West Seattle. lifeblood of this newspaper. They have enabled us to con- The concert benefits the programs president of Irish Network Seattle, tinue bringing you, our dear readers, each new edition of your CELTIC YULETIDE – Magical Strings’ and services of Ballard NW Senior taking over from Noreen McCormack Celtic Connection for the past 25 years. For this reason, we 38th Annual Celtic Yuletide Concert Center and tickets are already on who was president for the past two series starts November 27 in King- sale at 1-866-833-4747. years. urge you to support our advertisers, and when you do....tell ston and Seattle’s concert will be De- them you saw them here. CELTIC CHRISTMAS – Geoffrey A program manager with Microsoft, cember 10 with Tacoma’s on Decem- Castle’s Celtic Christmas on Satur- Aly has lived in Seattle since 1993. ber 9. Concerts will also be held in day, December 17, is a wonderful Kent, Mount Vernon, Bellevue, Port- new Northwest holiday tradition, a She is passionate about helping peo- land and Leavenworth. high energy stage show that brings ple in the Irish community support each other in their professional lives, Featuring the lyrical and joyful the joy and magic of the holidays to while strengthening the economic, sounds of Celtic harps, hammered the Northshore Performing Arts social and cultural ties between dulcimers, violins, cello, whistles, Center, 18125 92nd Avenue NE, American and Irish businesses in concertina, percussion and more, Bothell. Ticket prices range from $15 Washington State and Ireland – and this grand gala of Celtic-inspired to $25. Call (425) 984-2471. at the same time having some fun! holiday music is filled with Irish sing- CASCADE YOUTH GAA – Over ing, dancing, juggling, caroling and 7,000 teens have played Gaelic foot- For more information, visit storytelling. For the details, visit ball and hurling in Seattle-area PE irishnetworkseattle.org. magicalstrings.com. classes over the past eight years CONGRATULATIONS – Helen SENIORS’ LUNCHEON – The Irish through an innovative high school O’Toole, a Seattle artist who is a na- seniors’ Christmas luncheon, a sit- Gaelic-games-in-PE-Class program tive of Co. Mayo, is the recipient of a down lunch with choice of ham or tur- that has been an internationally rec- 2016 Contemporary Northwest Art key at $10 per person ($20 non-sen- ognized success. Award, a Pollock Krasner Award, the iors), will be at noon on Saturday, The program has now grown into its Jack and Grace Pruzan Endowed December 3, at F X McRory’s, 419 own organization within the Irish Her- Faculty Fellowship, and numerous Occidental Avenue S, Seattle. itage Club, dedicated exclusively to other awards and research grants. All seniors of Irish birth, descent or advancing Gaelic games for youth Her work is currently featured in the interest are welcome along with their under the name Cascade Youth ‘Contemporary Northwest Art Awards’ spouses and friends. Our special Gaelic Games. exhibition at the Portland Art Mu- guest on the day is Daidí na Nollag Instructional events will be held seum. (Father Christmas). throughout the school year using She is also Professor of Art and Chair Over 400 different Irish seniors, the volunteer instructors who are mostly of the Painting and Drawing Program majority of them Irish-born, have at- former Seattle Gaels Gaelic games at the University of Washington in tended these luncheons over the players. Seattle. PAGE 26 www.celtic-connection.com NOVEMBER 2016 Ireland gripped by emotion as rugby legend laid to rest DUBLIN – Just after 12 noon radio stations across Ireland si- multaneously played The Fields of Athenry to remember rugby legend Anthony Foley (42) as thousands lined up to attend the THE IRELAND TEAM stand for the National Anthem ahead of funeral mass in his hometown the International rugby match between Ireland and New Zea- in Co. Clare on Friday, October land at Soldier Field in Chicago. 21. The Irish rugby coach sadly passed Incredible Ireland away just hours before his Munster team were due to play Racing 92 in the European Champions Cup in Paris. performance ends The day before the funeral, two hour- long queues formed at St. Flannan’s THE FUNERAL of Anthony Foley at St. Flannan’s Church, Church in Killaloe as people waited Killaloe, Co. Clare was marked throughout Ireland as radio 111-year wait for win patiently to pay their respects to the stations across the country simultaneously played The Fields Munster and Ireland great. of Athenry to remember the Irish rugby legend. over All Blacks His widow Olive and two young sons Tony and Dan, both wearing Munster Ireland 40 - New Zealand 29 Three years ago, Ireland let their ad- Leinster, Ireland and Lions talisman CHICAGO – Ireland ended a 111-year vantage slip and it looked like history jerseys, were supported by his father Johnny Sexton also paid tribute along Brendan, himself a former Ireland in- wait for their first win over New Zea- might repeat itself as the world cham- with a number of his provincial land with a momentous performance pions fought back from 30-8 down to ternational, and other relatives in emo- teammates. Connacht coach tional scenes outside the church. against the back-to-back world cham- make it a one-score game and outside also travelled. pionships in Chicago. of the 15 men on the pitch doubt crept Foley’s coffin, draped in a Munster flag, into Irish minds. Former Munster, Ireland and Lions star During the week, the Chicago Cubs arrived to lie in repose throughout the , a close friend of Foley, was afternoon and early evening prior to ended a 108-year wait for the World Instead, it was Ireland who finished among the first to queue outside the Series and perhaps inspired by that feat strong and Robbie Henshaw sealed his- spending a final night in the family home church on Thursday morning. ahead of Friday’s funeral. the Irish rugby team ended their own tory with Ireland’s fifth try with three Social media was alight with tributes for hoodoo by condemning the All Blacks minutes remaining to seal the victory. Current Ireland coach Joe Schmidt and the fallen hero. One commentator said, to defeat for the first time. captain joined the throngs On his international debut, Joey “I cannot remember anyone ever get- Before the game, the players formed a Carbery cemented the result with the that descended on the small town on ting such a national tribute. RIP Anthony the River Shannon to say farewell. figure of eight to meet the Haka in conversion. On his eleventh professional Foley, Fields of Anthenry.” ANTHONY FOLEY memory of Anthony Foley and their dis- appearance, he can claim to have done play would have had the sadly-departed something that 1,080 players before him back-row smiling warmly. couldn’t. The Siege of Jadotville: In Memory of a young A true story of incredible bravery Irish UN peacekeeper against impossible odds - Michael McCarthy The Siege of Jadotville tells a grip- It was 25 years ago on November 19, 1991, when a young Irish Army ping true story of incredible bravery Corporal was shot and killed in Lebanon on a UN peacekeeping mission. against impossible odds when a small Michael McCarthy (33) of Buttevant, Co. Cork died when a five-man pa- group of Irish soldiers went on a rou- trol under his command came under fire from the Israeli-backed South Leba- tine mission but soon found themselves nese Army. under attack by a much more powerful force The patrol had been sent out from the UN position at At Tiri to monitor the activites of the De Facto Forces who were observed moving westward Now streaming on Netflix, the film de- along a track north of the village. As the UN patrol moved west down the picts the 1961 siege of a Irish UN bat- main street it came under fire at the western end of the village. talion under Commander Patrick Quinlan (Jamie Dornan) who were de- Corporal McCarthy was killed and Private Richard McGrath was injured. ployed to Democratic Republic of the The other three members of the patrol were unhurt. No rounds were fired Congo (DRC) to stop the country de- by the Irish patrol. scending into chaos. In memory of her brother, his sister Joan McCarthy who now lives in Calgary, Prime Minister Patrice Lumumba has PHOTO: Karen Ballard/NetflIX Alberta, wrote the following poem: been assassinated, and civil war in the A SCENE from the film The Siege of Jadotville, now streaming Michael Mac African state of Katanga is all but as- on Netflix. Patrick Quinlan (Jamie Dornan) the commander of Forty-eight Blue Berets left our native shore. sured. company of 157-Irish soldiers held off over 3,000 militia and Forty-eight loved ones who will walk our land no more. A UN task force overseen by Secre- mercenaries for over five days in 1961. You went on a mission where you tried to bring some ease, tary General Dag Hammarskjold Now your spirit is in a land never known for day of peace. 3,000 Zulu warriors. The battle was They were held as prisoners of war for (Mikael Persbrandt) and his lackey immortalized in the film Zulu. approximately one month, with no loss Little did we think as you walked out our door, Conor Cruise O’Brien (Mark Strong) of life. This would be the last, we would see your smiles no more. prepare to launch an offensive code- What seemed like a simple mission, We’ll always remember Michael Mac your parting words, named Operation Morthar. ended up in a desperate life or death But there was to be no hero’s welcome. Don’t worry lads, I promise I’ll be back. fight, pitting the Irish against a well- The surrender of A Company was seen What unfolded over five days in armed enemy, which consisted of by some as a national embarrassment You did our Michael Mac, you promised you’d come back, Jadotville is a little-known but aston- Katangan troops supported by European which overshadowed the men’s cour- For we loved you Michael Mac. ishing story of heroism and against-all- mercenaries and settlers who outnum- age and competence. But the bullets have no shame as they play their deadly game, odds soldiering, a feat of indefatigable bered them 20 to one. To a gun you are no one, in an instant you were gone. courage The treatment of the Jadotville troops The Irish company was eventually infuriated the soldiers and their fami- Now all we’re left with is your name Michael Mac. The film tells the true story of how these forced to surrender after ammunition lies and led to a decades-long fight to It was near the hill you fell, 157 lightly-armed Irishmen, led by a and supplies were exhausted, but not recognize the importance of the battle. That’s the way we heard it tell. tactically astute commander, routed a before inflicting heavy casualties on the We didn’t get a chance to say farewell. force of 3,000 attackers, killing 300 of Katangese and their mercenaries. In 2004 the Minister for Defence Willie them — while suffering no fatalities. O’Dea agreed to hold a full review of As you headed toward the light, on your final flight, The company was down to their last the battle. It broke the hearts of all who knew you well. The Siege of Jadotville has echoes of biscuit when they finally surrendered On a cold November Eve, a plane left for Tel Aviv. 1879 battle of Rorke’s Drift in Natal In 2016, the Irish Government awarded after four days without sleep and two On board a lonely body bag, and as sad as it may seem, province, South Africa, when 150 Brit- days without water. a Presidential Unit Citation to A Com- We took it to mean, you tried to keep your promise Michael Mac. ish soldiers repelled attacks by up to pany, the first in the State’s history. NOVEMBER 2016 www.celtic-connection.com PAGE 27 Ballymurphy: Inquest into deaths of 10 people to begin this month BELFAST – An inquest into position hasn’t changed.” the deaths of 10 people shot The decision means the Ballymurphy dead by soldiers in west Bel- inquest will be among the first to be heard if the Stormont Executive or fast 45 years ago will get un- Westminster government agree to a der way later this month. request from Sir Declan Morgan for additional funding for the coroner’s The killings by members of the Para- TEN PEOPLE were shot dead court service. ALL SOULS’ DAY – A time of remembrance for the dead for chute Regiment took place in in west Belfast in 1971, in what Ballymurphy over a three-day period in The Lord Chief Justice has drawn up a religious people around the world. August 1971. the bereaved families refer to five-year plan to hear all outstanding as the Ballymurphy Massacre. legacy inquests. A preliminary inquest hearing has been scheduled for November 30 but it will Those killed included a mother-of-eight It has been estimated that the cost November: The Month not be completed unless the Coroner’s and a priest. would be at least £10 million. Courts service is given additional fund- A solicitor representing the families has His request for additional funding has to Pray for All Souls ing. welcomed the scheduling of a hearing been blocked by First Minister Arlene The decision to prioritise the date, but stressed that this does not mean Foster. Once the Halloween candy has been Gertrude the Great, a 13th Century the inquest will be completed at this Ballymurphy deaths follows a review Lawyers acting for families of more counted and the costumes stored away, German Benedictine nun. of more than 50 so-called legacy in- time. many religious people around the world than 30 people killed in some of the According to tradition, God revealed to quests, involving more than 90 deaths “The families have received notifica- most controversial incidents of the Trou- enter into a time of remembrance for in some of the most controversial inci- the dead. the nun that the following prayer would tion that the inquest has been prioritised bles have launched legal action in an release 1,000 souls from purgatory dents of the Troubles. They include kill- by the Lord Chief Justice,” said attempt to have the funding released. In the Christian calendar, this tradition every time it is said: ings by police officers and soldiers, and Padraig Ó Muirigh. is upheld throughout November which others where there are allegations of They are seeking a court order instruct- is considered the month of All Souls. “Eternal Father, I offer Thee the Most collusion. “However, he was very clear that this ing the Stormont Executive, Department Precious Blood of Thy Divine Son, Je- doesn’t mean that the inquest can be of Justice and Westminster government All Souls’ Day falls yearly on Novem- sus, in union with the Masses said The Lord Chief Justice, Sir Declan completed at this time. to give the Lord Chief Justice the re- ber 2 and it follows All Saints’ Day, throughout the world today, for all the Morgan, has written to the families of sources he has requested. which is observed on November 1. Holy Souls in Purgatory, for sinners the Ballymurphy victims informing them “He warned earlier this year that legacy everywhere, for sinners in the univer- that their inquest is deemed to be at an inquests can’t be completed unless ex- A hearing for a judicial review applica- While All Saints’ Day is a day that sal church, those in my own home and advanced stage of readiness. tra funding is made available and that tion has been listed for December 14 Catholics remember those who have within my family. Amen.” already entered heaven, All Souls’ Day is a day to pray for all loved ones who Although All Souls’ Day is primarily a have died. Catholic holy day, it is also observed by the Eastern Orthodox Church, the An- In particular, Catholics remember the NEW TRAINSPOTTING glican church and a few other Protes- souls of those who are caught in pur- tant denominations. gatory, undergoing a process of purifi- cation before entering heaven. All Souls’ falls during a time of year SEQUEL TRAILER RELEASED when many religions are thinking about “Choose looking up old flames, wishing All Souls’ Day is not a holy day of obli- death. Trainspotting 2 reunites the gation, so Catholics aren’t expected to surviving four characters you’d done it all differently. And choose attend church. It is a period when ancient agricultural watching history repeat itself. Choose societies were preparing for the change from Danny Boyle’s smash your future. Choose reality TV; slut However, if it falls on a Sunday, Catho- of the seasons from summer to winter. shaming; revenge porn. lics mark the day by attending a special 1996 film and looks at what Mass. Catholics also visit the graves of Pagans believe this is a time when has happened to them 20 years “Choose a zero-hour contract; a two- their loved ones, where they light can- there’s a thinning of the veil between on. hour journey to work and choose the dles, leave flowers and sprinkle holy the land of the living and the dead. same for your kids, only worse, and water. Witches, Wiccans and other pagans The film is loosely based on Irvine smother the pain with an unknown dose observe Samhain during this time to Welsh’s book Porno, set 10 years af- TWENTY YEARS after the of an unknown drug made in some- One of the most famous prayers for celebrate the autumn harvest and the original Trainspotting pre- body’s kitchen. those in purgatory is the prayer of St. ter the events of Trainspotting. T2, coming of winter. however, will be set 20 years after the miered, director Danny Boyle “And then, take a deep breath. You’re first film. has reassembled the original an addict, so be addicted, just be ad- It will star four of the five main stars of cast for a sequel, T2: dicted to something else. Choose the the 1996 film: Ewan McGregor as Trainspotting. ones you love. Choose your future. Tom O’Flynn awarded highest Renton, Robert Carlyle as Begbie, Choose life.” Jonny Lee Miller as Sick Boy and Ewen in 1996 – but this time, it’s been given a 21st Century twist. Until now, the only sight of T2 had come honour from Pope Francis Bremner as Spud. Kevin McKidd’s from a teaser trailer, released in July. It VANCOUVER – Tom O’Flynn, character, Tommy, died in the original “Choose life. Choose Facebook, Twit- depicted the characters standing on a who is well-known in the Vancou- film. ter, Instagram and hope that someone, train platform, soundtracked by Iggy ver Irish community, has been se- The original, which was nominated for somewhere, cares,” McGregor’s pro- Pop’s Lust for Life. T2: Trainspotting an Academy Award and won a tagonist can be heard saying over the is scheduled for release early 2017. lected among five local recipients top of all of the action. to receive the highest medal that BAFTA, follows Renton, who is deeply immersed in the Edinburgh drug scene, can be awarded by the Holy Father, as he tries to clean up and get out, de- Pope Francis. spite the allure of the drugs and influ- He has been chosen to recognize over ence of friends. National Welsh-American half a century of service with the St. Irvine Welsh said T2 is “very much tell- Vincent de Paul Society in the Arch- ing a story about Edinburgh as it cur- Foundation Honours diocese of Vancouver. rently is. The main element to the story The Pro Ecclesia et Pontifice (For is basically Renton, Begbie, Sick Boy Church and Pope) also known as the and Spud getting back together again, Grenville Thomas “Cross of Honour” and it tells the story of them getting in- By EIFION WILLIAMS Developers Association of Canada. In volved in the vice industry in a very in- VANCOUVER – Well-known West 2009 he was inducted into the Cana- is awarded to lay people and clergy who TOM O’FLYNN novative way.” Vancouver mining engineer and entre- dian Miners Hall of Fame. have given remarkable service to the Trainspotting focused on Renton and preneur Grenville Thomas has been pre- Church. Tom is renowned locally for his gener- sented with the Heritage Medallion At NAFOW 2016 in Calgary, Grenville ous support of so many community his desperate attempt to kick his heroin also presented a well-received seminar It will be presented by Archbishop habit despite the temptations around Award by the National Welsh Ameri- projects, including the GAA clubs. can Foundation. titled “From Coal to Diamonds” in Miller at Holy Rosary Cathedral on him, illustrating how the narcotic has which he related the highlights of his November 13 at 2:30 PM. He served as vice-president of the Irish affected his relationships with every- The award was presented to Grenville prospecting and business career. Sporting and Social Club (ISSC) when Tom was honoured in 2014 with a Life- one around him. at the grand banquet held during the it was first formed in 1974. He is known worldwide as a success- time Achievement Award by the Soci- Although, if the preview is anything to North American Festival of Wales (NAFOW) in Calgary in September. ful prospector and developer of the dia- ety of Saint Vincent de Paul Vancou- In September 2013, the ISSC presented go by, substances are still going to play mond mining industry in Canada. ver Archdiocesan Central Council. Tom with the ‘Lifetime Spirit Award,’ a key part in the plot of T2, despite A native of Morriston, South Wales, for his continued support and promo- Grenville owns the Red Lion pub in He was instrumental in launching the Renton claiming that he’s off the heroin. Grenville was recognized by Swansea tion of the club and the Irish commu- West Vancouver, a popular watering Main Street St. Vincent de Paul Thrift The trailer plays on Renton’s iconic University in 2014 as an Honorary Doc- nity over the years. torate Fellow. hole that he built as a replica of his lo- Store and was the first president of “choose life” speech from the first cal pub in Morriston. the Central Council. He continues in that role as honorary movie – a quote which donned so many He was Prospector of the Year in 1999, president of the Irish Sporting and So- He is a Life Member of the Vancouver A native of Kilmeedy, Co. Limerick, bedroom walls around the film’s release an honour given by the Prospectors and cial Club. Welsh Society. PAGE 28 www.celtic-connection.com NOVEMBER 2016 Walk Without Fear Hereditary Hemochromatosis in the Season aka The Celtic Curse: of the Witch ‘I urge you to get tested’ HE richness of the season of Samhain is By WILLIAM BRINNEN It has been made clear by the doctors that the root cause of my problems is not without its shadows, or its witch. I was 41-years-old and I hemochromatosis. was starting to feel like I A great deal of autumnal, and other, folk- Hemochromatosis has affected me pro- T was 70. I was tired all the foundly, emotionally, financially, physi- lore clings to the skirts and cloak of the cally and sexually. time, my joints were stiff, witch. Found the world over, practitioners of nature the phlebotomies gradually reduced to My life was controlled by this disease magic are women and men who follow the Old Ways. my stomach felt bloated, weekly, bi-weekly, monthly, and finally with hospital/doctor visits, phlebotomy a maintenance frequency of every three schedules, lab work, and physical re- Harming none, they seek wis- my eyes tired easily and I By CYNTHIA months. strictions. dom, balance, and alignment was having erectile dys- WALLENTINE Years went by with me continually hav- It has been a financial drain for years for themselves and their com- function. ing phlebotomies and blood tests with with the cost of pharmaceutical treat- munities. They worship at the periodic visits to a specialist for ments for the side effects of the dis- Mythology holds that Great Demeter, I went to a doctor in Terrace, B.C., re- ultrasounds and blood work to keep ease, plus the cost and time of travel altar of Nature, and none when her daughter Persephone was ab- garding my eyesight and erectile dys- check on the condition of my liver. for phlebotomies and tests, ambulance other. ducted by Dark Hades, was beside her- function. He referred me to specialists: charges, work time loss, hospital stays self not knowing where her daughter one prescribed glasses, the other testo- I then suffered a major gastric bleed and walkers etc. The Samhain season begins on Octo- had gone although the mother had heard sterone shots. and nearly died on the way to the hos- ber 31 and lightens considerably by the the cries of her daughter as she disap- pital with dangerously low blood pres- Hemochromatosis has been attributed My condition did not get better, it wors- sure due to loss of blood. as the root cause of my impending de- Winter Solstice on about December 21. peared into the Underworld. ened. Finally, I went to my GP. He But the witch is always present. mise from cancer, so to anyone who It was Hecate, with her torch, who wanted to know every little problem that While undergoing CT scans and MRIs may suspect they have the disease, I Because the Samhain season is deli- stood to help Demeter find her daugh- I had. At the end of that session, he to determine the cause of the bleed, urge you to get tested. ciously dark and windy, we shall speak ter. sent me to the lab for a ferritin test. several small cancerous tumors in my of witches. liver were discovered. If you have it, get your family tested. If Hecate did not swish a magic wand and The very next day I was on a plane to a family member had it, get yourself What of witches? Black cauldrons, make things better. Vancouver for a liver biopsy where it A PET scan reported that the cancer in tested. If detected early, treated and wands, and mysterious workings? was confirmed that I had a very ad- my liver had metastasized to my lung, maintained with phlebotomies, one can Instead, Hecate personally attended the vanced stage of hemochromatosis and negating conventional treatment. There are those whose writing on these deep grief of a mother, and in the proc- live a long and healthy life. that my ferritin count was up in the I was put on an experimental chemo subjects is more compelling than mine. ess, the natural order of seasons was thousands. [NOTE: William Brinnen died shortly established. drug that caused me to be weak, tired, For now, I will just introduce one witch after writing his story. He wanted to Back in Vancouver, a liver specialist put not wanting to eat, and nauseous. ensure that as many people as pos- who very likely, is recognized as an origi- In our world run amok, balance and a me through a regime of twice weekly Further tests showed the cancer was sible would hear his story and be- nal witch, and whose present need in quiet voice willing to attend darker times phlebotomies. If I thought I was tired come aware of the devastating and this world could not be greater. and emotions is in short supply. still growing and the experimental before, think again. chemo drug was not working. There life limiting effects of Hecate (or Hekate), like many archaic While it is fun to don a peaked cap and was nothing more to be done except hemochromatosis. More information At this time I was told that because of can be found at www.toomuchiron.ca/ deities, has pre-historic origins. tromp about with a broom remember the effects of hemochromatosis, one enjoy what life I had left. the deeper gift of all witches, or any- celtic.] Filtered through the lens of Greek my- testicle had atrophied and I would need one whose practice includes deep com- testosterone injections for the rest of thology, she is the daughter of the starry passion. night, and has many associations that my life; that I needed to be treated for correlate with the nighttime world. Lend a hand to those who are lost, lend arthritis; that iron deposits had lodged an ear to those trying to survive confu- in the muscles of my eye so I would Primary among her special features in- sion or chaos. need glasses; and that my liver was clude a strong correlation with divina- badly compromised. tion, dreams, the craft of the Wise, the Life can be difficult. In the coming sea- flitting of ghosts, and the crossroads a son, try to be there for someone. You As my ferritin levels dropped over the place that represents none and all di- might find it works like magic. next couple of years, the frequency of rections. Her people were the Titans, who came before the Greek gods and their civili- zation. Hecate was ancient even when de- scribed in writing by Hesiod in the Theogany. Appropriately, her name means “from a distance,” or “far off,” or “work from afar.” Historically, Hecate is likely an indig- enous goddess who pre-dated Greek civilization. In myth she was not subjugated by Zeus when the patriarchal gods swept the land. Instead Zeus ensured she re- tained her birthright share of land, sea, and sky. This triple influence repeats in her per- sonification as maid, mother, and crone, her association with the phases of the moon, and her affinity for dogs espe- cially the three-headed hound of Hades, Cerberus. While to some, these qualities alone could qualify Hecate for her title as “Queen of the Witches,” her ability, like all witches, to mediate energy from one to another, is the greatest gift Hecate continues to offer. Ancient Hecate, and those who follow her, use their gifts for good for moving prayer on, drawing energy down where it can be used, and releasing helpful THE MAGIC CIRCLE is an oil painting in the Pre-Raphaelite energy into a revitalized world through style, created in 1886 by John William Waterhouse. The painting empowered objects or personal attend- depicts a witch or sorceress drawing a fiery magic circle on ance. the earth to create a ritual space.