August 2019 Boston’s hometown VOL. 30 # 8 journal of Irish culture. $2.00 Worldwide at All contents copyright © 2019 bostonirish.com Boston Neighborhood News, Inc. A message to PM Boris: US-UK trade deal hinges on ‘backstop’ decisions Pelosi issues caution on Brexit By Francis Costello Special to the BIR “Don’t even think about it” is the message US House Speaker Nancy Pelosi delivered with special emphasis during her recent visits to and Dublin. The words were a strong caution to any UK government seeking a special US-UK trade deal without the inclusion of the Northern “backstop” to prevent the re-instatement of a hard border between the North and South of Ireland when Britain exist the European Union. One colleague in particular who ac- Commentary companied her was Congressman Richard Neal, of Springfield, Mass., who, as chair- man of the US House Ways and Means Committee, holds a particu- lar role that Boris Johnson, the new British prime minister might Seamus Noonan and his father, Jimmy, playing at a session in The Druid. Sean Smith photo pay attention to, given his determination to exit the EU without a deal if the EU continues to hold the line on the “backstop,” the guarantee that a “hard Irish border” – physical checkpoints for goods and people crossing between North and South — won’t be Four Greater Boston teen musicians put in place when the EU and UK break up. While Winston Churchill once pondered why the “dreary steeples – and 8,000 other competitors – are of Fermanagh and Tyrone” so perplexed British politics (as if Britain had nothing to do with the island’s partition or distress), Johnson and the next British government will face the added heading to for Fleadh 2019 formidable obstacle of US Congressional opposition in addition to the weight of its problems with a European Union standing firm By Sean Smith in their respective categories at against it where the island of Ireland is concerned. Special to the BIR the Mid-Atlantic Fleadh Cheoil It is Rep. Neal’s own stated position that the inclusion of the The four of them have each held June 7-9 in Parsippany, “backstop” under any withdrawal agreement is fundamental to been to the All-Ireland Fleadh NJ. They’ll join some 8,000 Cheoil at least once, and they’re musicians who will take part in (Continued on page 14) all set to go again. They know competitions and other events, very well the amount of work including impromptu sessions it takes to get to the world’s that spring up in parks and on IPC sets up shop biggest Irish music competition street corners, or anyplace else and appreciate the opportunity. where there’s space. And none of them is old enough Other Greater Boston/East- to drive yet. ern Massachusetts-area mu- in Adams Corner Headed to this year’s Fleadh, sicians who qualified include The Irish Pastoral Centre corner of Adams Street and Gal- which takes place in Drogheda Jonathan Ford (tin whistle, slow (IPC), based for many years livan Boulevard above the Irish from Aug. 11 to Aug. 18 – spon- airs on whistle, newly composed in a building at St. Brendan Butcher Shop and overlooking sored by Comhaltas Ceoltóirí dance songs, slow airs on fiddle); church, will relocate to new the Greenhills Bakery. Éireann, the global Irish cultur- Bailey Ford (piano); Noah Kelly rented space in Adams Vil- The IPC was founded in al organization – are 12-year-old (slow airs on fiddle) and Wynter lage, IPC executive director 1987 by priests at St Mark’s Niamh McGillicuddy of Milton, Pingel (concertina). Peggy Davis Mullen said last parish with a mission to help 15-year-old Seamus Noonan of Every Fleadh-going musi- month. The move was expected the transition to American life Maynard, and brothers Yuriy Yuriy Bane and brother Misha cian, of course, no matter what to be completed by August 1. for a then-burgeoning wave (13) and Misha (15) Bane of look forward to playing ses- age, has his or her own special The new quarters are located on of young Irish immigrants. Walpole; all of them qualified sions and doing some busking qualities that have contrib- the second floor of a landmark The non-profit is funded in after winning or placing second at the All-Ireland Fleadh. (Continued on page 11) commercial building at the part by grants from the Irish government, and relies heav- ily on its fundraising efforts. When she began her job in April, Davis Mullen had said her first task was to find a long-term home for the program. “That is a number one issue. I’ve been looking,” she told the BIR. “This is a former convent,” she noted in describing the old quarters, “and we’re in the chapel right now. I mean, you can see this is a pretty humble office. We just need space to give the people some dignity and privacy, and we want to expand some of the things we do, whether it’s programs for children, mothers, and toddlers. “Dan Finn and the Irish Pas- toral Centre deserve to have a Lauren Smyth and Andy O’Reilly (center) lead students in the “Riverdance” Finale at the Performance Showcase. home,” she added. R. J. Donovan photo

* Annual Percentage Yield (APY) of WINcentive Savings is .10% APY and is accurate as of 1/1/19. APY is subject to change without notice. Must be a member in good standing of City of Boston Credit Union to open WINcentive Savings. Only one WINcentive Savings account Now you can build your savings allowed per member. Business and trust accounts or other non-consumer accounts are not eligible. Unlimited deposits allowed, but per calendar year prize pool entries are earned by month-over-month balance increases with each $25 deposit increase equal to one (1) entry with the following maximum entries per drawing period - maximum number of entries per and have a chance to WIN! month equals 4, maximum number of entries per quarter equals 12 and maximum number of entries per year equals 48. Account holder is only eligible to win once per drawing pool period. ® At least one account holder must be 18 years or older. Account must be open and active to With WINcentive Savings*, a prize-linked savings account offered by win any prize during drawing period. Early withdrawal penalites apply; first withdrawal $10 fee, City of Boston Credit Union you can watch your savings grow and have the second withdrawal $25 fee, third withdrawal account closure is required with no penalty. If WINcentive savings account is closed member is ineligible to open another WINcentive savings chance to win in monthly, quarterly and annual drawings. By saving with account with City of Boston Credit Union for a period of 90 days, all earned drawings at the time of account closure are forfeited. Minimum deposit of $5.00. After twelve (12) consecutive a WINcentive Savings account you earn entries into prize drawings based months of saving, WINcentive savings account holder may do any of the following penalty-free on how much you save! For complete details please visit cityofbostoncu.com during the one year anniversary month (month 13) of account opening; keep balance in WSA account, (any roll-over balance that remains at the end of the anniversary month will be treated as a new deposit for eligibility into applicable prize pools for the subsequent first monthly, quarterly and annual savings period); Transfer funds into another savings product offered by City of Boston Credit Union; Withdraw all funds but keep $5 on deposit in WSA to maintain account; Close account. Offer may be withdrawn at any time. 617-635-4545 Federally Insured Cityofbostoncu.com by NCUA Page 2 August 2019 BOSTON IRISH Reporter bostonirish.com

SILVER KEY FUNDRAISER AND AWARDS RECEPTION Join the The Charitable Irish Society Wednesday, September 18, 2019 6:00 p.m. - 8:30 p.m. Fairmont Copley Plaza Hotel 138 St. James Avenue, Boston, Massachusetts for its 21st Annual Fundraising and Silver Key Awards Reception The Society will be honoring three distinguished individuals for their outstanding contribution to the Irish Community.

Charles L Donahue Jr Michael Oliver Anita P. Sharma Co-Founder and President Director of the St. Mark Community Education Executive Director of the PAIR Project of Health Care VA Program in Dorchester (Political Asylum/Immigration Representation)

Your participation will help make this event a success. You can help by: • Sponsoring this event • Donating a raffle prize • Donating items for the silent auction Suggestions include: tickets to sporting or cultural events or performances, gift cards to stores or restaurants, week-end stays at vacation homes, memberships to museums, specialty food or alcoholic gift baskets, electronic items, theme park admission, concert tickets, cinema admission, artwork, or anything else you might want to consider donating. THE SOCIETY GREATLY APPRECIATES ALL CONTRIBUTIONS AND THANKS YOU IN ADVANCE. For information on how you can help, please call 617-228-4445 All proceeds raised at this event are used to aid immigrants in need. Join a community connected by their desire to help those in need. Interested in becoming a CIS member? Contact [email protected] Charitable Irish Society, Carleton H. LaPorte, President c/o Smith Duggan Buell & Rufo LLP | 55 Old Bedford Road, Suite 300 Lincoln, MA 01773 Charitable Irish Society is a 501(c)(3) organization bostonirish.com August 2019 BOSTON IRISH Reporter Page 3 Happenings Stoughton’s Tanya Stanley August 2019 is NE region’s candidate Saturday, Aug. 3 • The Irish Music Club of Greater Boston will hold its monthly dance at the Viking Club, 410 Quincy Avenue, in Braintree. Mu- sic by the Silver Spears. For additional information call Anna in Rose of Tralee Festival McAuliffe at 617-696-6007. • ICCNE Summer Concert “Live at the ICC” - Forever FAB, rec- Winner will reating the sound of the Beatles. In Canton. 8 p.m. Admission $15. Sunday, Aug 4 be named on • The Irish Social Club weekly dance with Mossie Coughlin 7- 10 p.m. August 27 Friday, Aug. 9 A Stoughton woman will rep- • ICCNE Irish Traditional and Folk Music weekend. 8:15 resent Boston and New England p.m. “REALTA” from Belfast. Admission $20. this month at the international Saturday, Aug. 10 Rose of Tralee Festival in Co • The Knights and Ladies of St. Finbarr - Cork Club hosts Noel Kerry, Ireland. Tanya Stanley Henry Show Band, 7- 11 p.m. at the Malden Irish American was named to represent the Club, 177 West Street in Malden. Complimentary coffee, tea and six-state New England region assorted baked goods and Irish trifle. Admission $10. For addi- at a May 27 competition at the tional information call president Mary Tannian at 978-664-4652. Irish Cultural Centre of New Sunday, Aug. 11 England. • ICCNE- A Ceili Mor by Comhaltas Ceoltoiri at 11:30 a.m. The festival is celebrated each A traditional music session at 3 p.m; For Folk’s Sake at 5 p.m. year in the month of August in O’Hara’s Tasting in the Tent. 2-6 p.m. Admission $10. Tralee, Co. Kerry. It has be- • The Irish Social Club weekly dance with Erin’s Melody. 7- come an annual International 10 p.m. event and is held to choose and Saturday, Aug 17 crown the Rose each year. The • No dance this month at the Norwood Irish Music Club. Next judges look for a representa- dance is Sept. 21. tive with a great personality, a Sunday, Aug 18 person who will be a role model • The Irish Social club weekly dance with Fintan Stanley. as the winner will travel during 7- 10 p.m. her year as the Rose to many Sunday, Aug. 19 – Monday Aug. 20 places and events. Theresa O’Rourke (Tanya) Stanley • Friends of Irish Research seminar, at 899 No. Main In recent years the festival’s Street Brockton MA 02301. Info: -friendsofirishresearch.org master of ceremonies has been those that are struggling with and finally extended to any Thursday, Aug 22. Daithi O’ Se and prior to that a mental disorder, something woman of Irish birth or ancestry. • ICCNE book launch and concert with Tara O’Grady. Gay Byrne was the presenter that I want to make sure they In 2018, Kirstin Mate Maher Sunday, Aug 25 for 17 years. The event will be can overcome. I plan on further- from County Waterford, a stu- • The Irish Social Club’s weekly dance, with Denis Curtin 7- televised by Irish Television and ing my education to obtain my dent and part time model who 10 p.m. written up in all major Irish master’s degree to broaden my played with the Waterford hock- Happenings provided to the BIR courtesy of Richard Ar- papers. knowledge as much as possible. ey club, was crowned. She was cher, Knights and Ladies of St. Finbarr - Cork Club, PO Box 4132, Theresa O’Rourke (Tanya) “I am very bubbly, outgoing and the first African-Irish person Dedham, MA 02027 Stanley will travel to Tralee kind hearted. I enjoy spending to win this event. In 1985 Our sincere thanks to the Boston Irish Reporter, Stations WROL later this month for the week- time with friends and family and Helena Rafferty who hails and WUNR for keeping the Irish Tradition alive with great music long festival. In an online biogra- making memories that will last from Canton, Mass., won the and news. phy on the website roseoftralee. a lifetime. I am truly honored event as the Boston Rose. The ie, she wrote, “I am a 22 year to be representing as the 2019 last American girl to win the old living in the beautiful and Boston & New England Rose trophy was Maggie McEld- historical Boston, Massachu- in Tralee and I am excited for owney from Chicago in 2016. setts. Although I was born in the rest of the year and what it Tanya will spend approximately the , I spent the has in store.” ten days in Ireland. The selec- majority of my childhood living As legend has it, the Rose tion and ultimate winner will in Ireland. Both of my parents of Tralee is named after a be made on Aug. 27. were born and raised in Ireland, ballad entitled “The Rose of Deirdre and Bob Leger along my father being from Dublin, Tralee” written by William with Jim, Myrum, and Grainne and my mother from Donegal. Pembroke Mulchinock be- Lanagan, members of the Rose “I am currently studying at cause of his love for a young of Tralee committee, are hopeful Bridgewater State University Catholic girl named Mary that this year Tanya Stanley where I am majoring in psy- O’Connor. The “Rose of Tralee” will return to Boston as the chology in hopes to become a originated in 1959. At the start international Rose of Tralee. clinical psychologist or a thera- it was confined to ladies from The BIR thanks Richard pist. This field requires a lot of Tralee. Later it was opened Archer, who contributed to this empathy and patience to help up to residents of County Kerry report.

John Harrington addresses the gathering after his selection as a member of the Irish American Baseball Hall of Fame. Ex-Sox CEO Harrington named to Irish American Baseball Hall of Fame In a ceremony in late June, the Irish American Baseball Hall of Fame inducted its Class of 2019, which includes two-time NL MVP Dale Murphy, Phillies broadcaster Tom McCarthy, Atlanta Braves manager Brian Snitker, former Boston Red Sox CEO John Contestants in the New England Regional Rose of Tralee competition. Harrington, John Fitzgerald, a founder of The Baseball United Foundation, and Danny O’Connell, who scored the first-ever West Coast run in major league baseball history. DA Rollins to discuss her views on Hall honorees include players, managers, scouts, broadcasters, executives, and entertainers of Irish descent who have impacted the game of baseball in a positive way. The voting is conducted by criminal justice in Ireland next month past honorees and a panel of baseball historians. Suffolk County District At- as the DA of Suffolk County to John L. Harrington was for decades associated with the Red Sox, torney Rachael Rollins will visit change and improve the crimi- first as a member of owner Tom Yawkey’s ownership team and, Ireland in September to join a nal justice system.” later, as CEO of the operation in the 1990s and early 2000s when panel at a three-day program Rollins is expected to discuss the team was a perennial challenger on the field. He also serves in Co Wexford, the BIR has “A Bostonian perspective on law as the chairman of the Yawkey Foundation, which has awarded been told. & politics in today’s USA.” Other more than $500 million in grants to nonprofit organizations serving Boston-born Larry Donnelly, announced panelists with Bos- the people of New England and Georgetown, South Carolina, Tom a law lecturer at UC , ton ties include Boston College Yawkey’s home, since 1977. and Dr. Robert M. Mauro of theology professor Dr. Thomas “This year’s class includes one of the best all-around players of Boston College, co-directors of Groome and former Boston the 1980s, the reigning NL Manager of the Year, an award-winning the Kennedy Summer School Irish Consul General Michael baseball documentarian, an iconic baseball executive, and one of 2019 in New Ross, Co Wexford, Lonergan. baseball’s best broadcasters,” said Shaun Clancy, owner of Foley’s announced that Rollins will be Other panelists include New Pub, which features one of the country’s most extensive public among more than 50 speak- York Times columnist Mau- displays of baseball memorabilia. ers invited to the program, reen Dowd, Archbishop Eamon The game of baseball has welcomed immigrants from its earli- described as “A festival of Rachel Rollins Martin, DUP politician Jeffrey est days, when an estimated 30 percent of players claimed Irish Irish-American history, culture school.ie) said, “In a public Donaldson, Fianna Fáil leader heritage. Many of the game’s biggest stars at the turn of the and politics,” set for September interview with Larry Donnelly, Micheál Martin, SDLP politi- 20th century were Irish immigrants or their descendants, includ- 5- 7 in New Ross, the ancestral which will set the scene of our cian Seamus Mallon, and a num- ing Michael “King” Kelly, Roger Connor (the home run king before town of the Kennedy clan. subsequent US politics panel, ber of Irish journalists, lawyers, Babe Ruth), Eddie Collins, Big Ed Walsh and managers Connie A statement on the program’s Rachael will talk about her politicians and performers. Mack and John McGraw. website (kennedysummer- career and her determination Page 4 August 2019 BOSTON IRISH Reporter bostonirish.com Editor’s Notebook Trump told those who don’t like what’s happening in the US to get out. A fine idea By Timothy Egan in a hideous loop of hate. But it’s also an idiocy loop. Why are we arguing about something any second He’s right, this angry old man in melting bronzer grader has already settled after looking around the shouting in the July heat: Those of us who don’t classroom and realizing that nearly every other child like what’s going on in this country should get is a descendant of someone from a foreign land? the hell out. “Go back,” as he said, to the “crime- Read the resolution the House of Representatives infested places from which they came.” A fine idea. recently passed, citing Ronald Reagan, John F Ken- For me, as with more than 30 million other Americans nedy and Benjamin Franklin, and quoting Franklin with my hyphenate, that’s tiny Ireland, the country Roosevelt’s call to “remember always, that all of us, and once so infested with crime, famine, disease, and as- you and I especially, are descended from immigrants sorted horrors of foreignness that its British overlords and revolutionists.” It’s the kind of immigrants-make- said a merciful God was doing a favor by killing off a-nation-stronger boilerplate that would normally the starving masses. pass the House with unanimous consent, but it drew So back I went to have a look. This, mind you, was only four Republican votes. just before Donald Trump’s suggestion to his fellow Sludge. citizens to get out. And also generations after some- This is how low Trump has taken us. We are a one on my father’s side made the choice to flee for debased nation fighting over the scraps of our former life itself, rather than fall into the cold Irish ground principles. Should someone offer a resolution saluting through the bottom of a reusable coffin. the “purple mountain majesties” of the United States, What I found on that island where typhus once every Republican would vote against it if Trump took entire families as they shivered on floors of tweeted against a color that is not orange. mud, where once, by one medical estimate, 50 per US Sen. Mitch McConnell, whose immi- Kieran Jordan at the Catskills Irish Festival. cent of the children in Dublin died before their first grant wife is indirectly a target of this sludge, birthday, is now a land of universal health care. would say, as he did about the “send-her-back Health care for all residents: It’s still a surprise to chants,” that the president is “onto something.” Kieran Jordan someone from a nation where the number of uninsured I’m against the dismissal of others with the preemp- Americans has gone up by 7 million under Trump. tive pejorative of “white privilege.” It closes minds and I had left a place where nearly 1 in 7 people are left ends conversations. But this is one case where white keeps at it, ‘smiling to fend for themselves when sick, to a fully covered privilege applies. For Trump’s tweet wasn’t aimed at country, the norm in most of the industrialized world. me. Nor was it directed at his vice president, the cipher through the tears’ What I found in that place where barefooted, Gaelic- and coward Mike Pence, himself an Irish-American. speaking hordes once could not read an English sign Trump’s hate blast was directed solely at people of By Ed Forry are colleges nearly free to its citizens – good colleges, color. His tweet was the textbook definition of racism. I watched a wonderful video on Facebook that showed at that. Imagine, a family not having to bankrupt And I should add in the interest of full transparency, our friend Kieran Jordan dancing in full form at last itself to help a child off to a better life. I disagree with much of the policy initiatives of the month’s 25th annual Catskills Irish Festival. I was What I found is a republic where nearly 1 in 8 four left-wing congresswomen targeted by Trump. really pleased to see it and felt very encouraged to see people were born abroad, nearly as high a percentage It was wrong and incorrect for them to make Nancy how she had responded to her illness. as the foreign-born population of the United States. Pelosi’s disagreement with them about race. That Kieran has been living with The prime minister, Leo Varadkar, is the son of an episode was another textbook illustration of why the Lyme disease for two years now. Indian immigrant. His father was born in Mum- far left has trouble winning a majority. She first fell ill in the summer bai, while his mother hails from County Water- But let’s leave that discussion for another day. of 2017, feeling lethargic and ford, the home also of my mother’s distant family. Back in the country from which I came, the Irish without much energy, but the That 19th-century hellhole has become a 21st-century appear genuinely perplexed at this American cause went undiagnosed and heaven. The Irish have become us – what we wanted vomiting of principle. Writing in The Irish Times, untreated. After ten months, a and aspired to. They are living our national narrative, Oliver Sears, a British-born resident of Ireland holistic medical provider iden- a country open to those fleeing oppressors and lack and son of a Polish holocaust survivor, wondered tified it as Lyme, but a lot of of opportunity. Its prime minister would never gloat how any immigrant could ever vote for Trump. damage had been done. Since over a “send her back” chant at a hate fest directed I heard a similar thing when I went back: How could most health insurance plans do at new members of the republic. Irish-Americans vote for this awful man without not cover Lyme disease, helpful Back home in America, the unimaginable is the becoming traitors to their heritage? For this Ireland friends formed a GoFundMe new norm: a fully blossoming fascism. We’re stuck has become what America used to be. If only America page, raising more than $39,000 could be more like this Ireland. for Kieran. “GoFundMe saved our life,” she says, as she has spent all but $6,000 in treating the disease. “It’s go- Off the Bench ing on almost two years now and it’s my full-time job, whether I like it or not. When people see me now they say, ‘Well, you look great,’ but people see what they want to see. I have to be careful to not just put a posi- If the Normandy invasion had failed, what tive spin on things. It’s been a long and difficult trial but not everyone has the kind of community support might that have meant for the Allied push? that I have.” At the first signs of the illness, she saw several medi- By James W. Dolan the war including more than 8 million military deaths. cal professionals, she says. “The reality of this disease Special to the Reporter While opening a second front in France was helpful is that for ten months they missed the diagnosis. They After Adolf Hitler invaded the Soviet Union in June and likely shortened the war; would the Allies victory didn’t even test me for Lyme. 1941, Joseph Stalin immediately began pleading have been achieved without it? By June 1944, Soviet “I’m making progress and I’m thrilled but there are with Franklin Roosevelt and Winston Churchill to armies were attacking on several fronts and steadily still some symptoms. It is better than a year ago; I am invade France, which, he said, he needed to reduce gaining ground. Probably as important as a second getting some strength back. I wasn’t able to perform the pressure on Russian troops who were desperately front were the supplies, principally food and military all the things I wanted to do [in the Catskills], but I resisting the Germans who were closing in on the Rus- equipment, provided to Russia by the United States, was able to teach, and I’m pushing myself.” sian homeland. By then, Hitler had defeated France particularly during the early stages of the war. Kieran is now seeing two physicians who specialize but had aborted plans to invade due The Soviets depended on the Lend-Lease Program in Lyme and babesia, a parasite transmitted by ticks to the effectiveness of British air and naval forces in to blunt the unexpected invasion. Upon the Russians that infects red blood cells. But she’s angry that the maintaining control of the English Channel. recovering from the initial shock and with the mar- health care system is so far behind in dealing with Lyme. The initial German as- shalling of their military and industrial resources, “It’s not a rare disease, it’s not just something you get sault against Stalin by 3 Germany was on the way to losing. Hitler had counted on the Cape, or in the mountains or in the woods,” she million men in 150 divi- on a swift victory and Germany was not prepared for said. “Lyme disease is not addressed by our healthcare sions was remarkably suc- a long war of attrition. It was only a matter of time. system, our insurance system. People are lucky if they cessful as Nazi troops over- German forces were also retreating in fierce fighting are aware of a tick bite or if they get a bull’s-eye rash – whelmed poorly trained, in Italy where Rome fell to allied forces on June 4, 50 percent of people don’t ever get a rash and therefore shocked, and disorganized 1944, two day before D-Day. they don’t see what it is. By the time it’s diagnosed Russian defense forces. Allied forces invaded southern France on Aug. 15, late, it has already borrowed down into the system.” Fast-moving mechanized 1944 and quickly overcame German resistance, cap- In a Facebook post about her performance in the divisions advanced to the turing most of southern France within a month. Until Catskill, Kieran told her friends: “I can see that I AM outskirts of Moscow before D-Day, Hitler had been able to shift much needed healing. But I’m sometimes smiling through the tears!” being stalled in December troops from France to the Eastern Front where his 1941 by a combination of best troops were desperately trying to stop the Russian the fearsome Russian win- offensive. With the invasion in Normandy, German ter and the difficult task of ground troops were actively engaged in northern and Boston Irish supplying troops. A Soviet southern France, Italy, and Russia. Hitler no longer James W. Dolan winter counteroffensive had the luxury of consolidating his depleted forces. REPORTER pushed the invaders back The Battle of the Bulge in December 1944 was a last The Boston Irish Reporter is published every month and the tide slowly began to turn. desperate effort by Germany to halt the progress of Boston Neighborhood News, Inc., With the defeat of a German army at Stalingrad in the allies on the western front before they entered 150 Mt. Vernon St., Suite 560, Dorchester, MA 02125 February 1943 after a five-month battle, the initiative the homeland. [email protected] www.bostonirish.com passed to the Soviet forces and thereafter Hitler’s Defeat was inevitable. A rational leader would Mary C. Forry, President (1983-2004) troops were on the defensive. In battle after battle have acknowledged that and entered into peace ne- Edward W. Forry, Publisher with enormous casualties on both sides, the Russians gotiations. But Hitler was a madman, determined to Thomas F. Mulvoy Jr., Managing Editor pushed the invaders back into Germany, eventually continue fighting even if it meant the total destruc- William P. Forry, Editor tion of Germany. Absent the Normandy invasion, in Peter F. Stevens, Contrib. Editor capturing Berlin in May 1945. Jack Conboy, Advertising Manager The Normandy invasion forced Hitler to fight on my opinion, Germany would have still lost the war News: (617) 822-3225 Ads : (617) 436-1222 three fronts, Russia, Italy, and France. The size of but it would have taken longer and more territory Fax: (617) 825-5516 [email protected] the forces engaged on the Russian front dwarfed would have fallen behind what later in the decade On the Web: bostonirish.com Twitter @bostonirishrptr those fighting in Italy and France combined. The became the Iron Curtain. Roosevelt and Churchill Visit our Facebook page at Bostonirishreporter once powerful but over-extended German air force were committed to the invasion, having promised to was virtually absent during D-Day. By any measure open a second front to relieve pressure on Russians Next Issue: September, 2019 Deadline: Monday, Aug. 19 at 12 noon – troops involved, battles, casualties, prisoners and forces who had been fighting for three years. Published monthly in the first week of each month. James W. Dolan is a retired Dorchester District The Boston Irish Reporter is not liable for errors appearing in advertisements beyond the cost of the space occupied by scope – the Russian campaign far exceeded the fighting the error. The right is reserved by The Boston Irish Reporter to edit, reject, or cut any copy without notice. elsewhere. An estimated 26 million Russians died in Court judge who now practices law. bostonirish.com August 2019 BOSTON IRISH Reporter Page 5 Point of View MALARKEY FROM MULVANEY & CO. As ‘Moscow Mitch,’ Kellyanne Conway, others tout the party line, the question is: Whose party?

Peter F. Stevens of the major “objections” by McConnell on behalf of his when I say before World War I, there were no green BIR Staff lord and master, Donald Trump: (1) They don’t want cards, no visas, no quotas, no passports, even. Really, America’s chaotic political state of affairs no longer a mandatory back-up system of paper ballots in case you just showed up. And if you could walk without stands as a battle between “Red” and “Blue.” While of cyber attacks on the election, and (2) McConnell be- a limp, and you had $30 in your pocket, you walked the Democrats remain a party of circular firing squads lieves there is no need for the president or anyone else right in.” seemingly bent on snatching defeat from the jaws to report offers of foreign “campaign aid” to the FBI. And that is what our Irish and European ancestors of a potential victory in 2020, the Republican Party In one of the baldest lies uttered in this era of countless from that long-ago time did. They faced no quota system no longer exists—not in the way it did until Donald falsehoods, McConnell actually praised Trump, citing and no immigration courts or law enforcement. They Trump descended onto the GOP’s stage in 2015. The what he has done to safeguard the 2020 elections from came to “the Golden Door of America” undocumented. Republicans belong to him alone. They grovel at his Russia or anyone else. Didn’t the president accept his In Boston during the mass immigration of the Great every whim and shudder in fear at the thought of his BFF Vlad Putin’s denials that Russia had ever thought Famine era, about the only thing preventing the Irish Twitter-fueled wrath. about interfering? from staying in America without any legalities was if The president’s full-throated assault on Congress, Next up – yet again – in the Murderers’ Row of pliant they were quarantined at Deer Island due to disease. the media, immigrants of all stripes, minorities, and Irish Americans worshipping at the Trumpian altar is No one in his or her right mind believes that in the any court decision he dislikes would mean nothing Kellyanne Conway. In response to some media ques- year 2019, the United States should not have border without the obeisance of members of a party that once tions about the president’s racist Twitter tirade against security and comprehensive immigration reform. If actually stood for something good and decent. In an “the Squad” (US Reps. Ocasio Cortez, Omar, Tlaib, and anyone, however, truly believes that the Great Wall ongoing rush toward the frequently cited but all-too- Pressley), all women of color, Conway demanded to of Trump will rise across thousands of miles of our looming specter of a Constitutional crisis, a cadre of know the ethnicity of the reporter asking the question. southern border, he or she is either benighted by hate Irish Americans continues to evince a stunning collec- Hours later, this ardent Trumpist, realizing she had or willingly foolish. tive case of historical myopia. All in servitude to the crossed a line here, attempted to walk back her words. “That was then, this is now!” President Trump and Trumpian Party. In contrast to the impact of the episode on a great many his fellow Nativists bleat about the situation in the At this year’s National Catholic Prayer Breakfast, listeners and readers, she tweeted, “This was meant 19th century as they profess that they want only the in Washington D.C., White House chief of staff Mick with no disrespect. We are all from somewhere else “right kind” of immigrants today. That’s where his- Mulvaney—a proud promoter of his Irish roots and ‘originally.’ I asked the question to answer the question torical reality shreds the modern Nativists’ arguments Catholic faith—asserted that the same religious beliefs and volunteered my own ethnicity: Italian and Irish. and exposes either their bigotry or willing ignorance. that drive his own life are the very lifeblood of the Like many, I am proud of my ethnicity, love the USA The waves of Irish, Germans, Italians, and Eastern Trump administration’s policies. Mulvaney asserted & grateful to God to be an American.” Europeans who came to America from the onset of the that “the principles of our faith [are] being manifest With those words, Ms. Conway’s historical amnesia Great Famine to the early 20th century encountered under the president.” He added, “That’s something I’m resonates. the same prejudice and contempt that immigrants from extraordinarily proud to be a part of.” When it comes to the immigrants of yesteryear – Mexico, Central and Latin America, Haiti, Africa, and Maybe I missed something back in parochial school especially Irish immigrants to America’s shores – the so many other places face today. and Sunday school, but doesn’t the Catholic faith frown historical distortions and outright lies abound across What many of our Irish-American forebears knew upon persecuting legitimate asylum seekers, immi- the land. A huge number of Irish Americans refuse to all too well was that the Nativists loathed anything grants, and the “least among us?” I’m trying to find accept any positive comparisons between their beloved Irish, anything Catholic, any immigrant except the the New Testament passage that advocates herding ancestors from the old sod and the undocumented im- right kind, anything they deemed “un-American.” They children—including infants—into cages (yes, they are migrants of today. Today’s Nativists hurl the argument proclaimed that they needed to save the nation from cages no matter how much the president, Mulvaney, that in the grim years of the potato famine, the waves going broke to pay for waves of “Paddys and Bridgets.” and the administration lie about them). The mantra of Irish streaming into America from “coffin ships” or Anyone who was not a native-born Anglo-Protestant “what would Jesus do” is one that has little or no role across the Canadian border were not ever officially was not a real American, but a threat to them. In short, in the actions of Donald Trump or Mick Mulvaney. branded “illegal immigrants.” the Nativists “wanted their country back.” Today, the Then there’s that Scots-Irish paragon who has On the surface, the point is accurate. The term “illegal phrase has an all-too-familiar ring. earned from some the monicker “Moscow Mitch.” In immigrant” did not exist in the American lexicon of the PS: The Twitter-in-Chief, responding to the furor the past weeks, US Senate Majority Leader Mitch 19th Century. Back in 2014, Boston Globe columnist his attacks on “the Squad” had elicited, typed, “Those McConnell and his minions have blocked every single Johanna Weiss posed a question about the phrase to Tweets were NOT Racist. I don’t have a Racist bone bill designed to hamper Russia or other hostile actors Mae Ngai, a Columbia University historian and expert in my body!” The times we live in… from interfering in our 2020 elections. Here are two on immigration. Ngai answered, “People are shocked Please join us at Boston Irish Honors 2019

Luncheon Date: Friday, October 18, 2019, 11:30am Place: Seaport Hotel, Main Ballroom Sponsored by: Boston Irish Reporter Emcee: Dick Flavin 2019 Honorees Grace Cotter Regan James Carmody John & KathleenDrew

Seats and Sponsorship Opportunities are available Please call (617) 436-1222 or email [email protected] Page 6 August 2019 BOSTON IRISH Reporter bostonirish.com Immigration Q&A Irish International Immigrant Center Play it straight with An agency accredited by US Department of Justice One State Street, 8th Floor, Boston, MA 02109 (617) 542-7654 Fax (617) 542-7655 answers on immigration Website:iiicenter.org Email: [email protected] applications Q. I’m applying for legal permanent residence in IIIC J-1 exchange visitor the US based on my marriage to a US citizen. I’m undocumented, and I’ve been working here for several finishes exceptional year years without authorization from the immigration authorities. I see that the forms involved in the pro- Richard Stevenson is a foreign country,” and, like cess for getting a green card include questions about third-year Ulster Univer- other J-1 interns, willing my employment history as far back as five years ago. sity student from County to travel internationally I’m concerned that my application will be denied if Down who recently com- to gain practical work ex- I list my jobs in the US. What should I do? pleted a year-long J-1 perience. A. Quite simply, you need to tell the truth in re- internship at Norbella He will return to Ireland sponse to all the questions on the forms filed with Media. As he looks back with a distinct advantage. US Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS). on his time in Boston, Finding your way in a This means not just making true statements; it also he has a few words of new city can be daunting, means not omitting facts when asked for them. encouragement to share and Richard advises J-1 Some applicants are tempted to say that they have with any J-1s landing in interns to “put yourself been unemployed for their entire time in the US the US: “You have a lot to out there, be unafraid, get Richard Stevenson, at left, with Paddy Clarke as or to simply leave blanks where job information is look forward to!” involved, and meet new they got into the spirit following the Patriots’ Super sought. Likewise, some applicants think that they As a digital buying people.” For those find- Bowl victory! can get away with denying past involvement with assistant at Norbella, ing it difficult to secure the criminal justice system in the US or abroad or Richard gained invaluable an internship, Richard of the opportunity to visit for Irish J-1s finding a with omitting reference to past entries into the US experience by applying suggests “utilizing all your historical and cultural temporary home away or past marriages, for example. his academic knowledge contacts, whether that be landmarks, from Wash- from home! This belief is often based on rumors or hearsay toward real-world profes- through your university, ington DC, to the Rocky If you are a J-1 in Boston about some acquaintance who allegedly got away sional practice. With an former J-1s, or the Irish Steps in Philadelphia, to working to find an intern- with this in the past. Applicants need to realize internship at Norbella, International Immigrant the fall foliage of Maine. ship, please contact Paul that the Department of Homeland Security and the Richard was able to “ad- Center.” And like all our J-1s, Rich- Pelan ppelan@iiicenter. FBI run criminal background checks on applicants just to a more indepen- While in the US, Rich- ard hailed Boston for its org for support and as- that reach records worldwide. Plus, US arrival dent, big-city lifestyle in a ard took full advantage welcoming environment sistance. and departure records are held in a computerized database and are easily retrievable by immigration officers. Finally, the interviews for adjustment of Wellness Team cares for clients and community status applicants are conducted by experienced US- professional, practical CIS officers who are adept at detecting falsehoods Matters of response to their needs. in applications. The ability to provide im- There are potentially two major consequences mediate therapy and crisis when certain false statements or omissions are de- Substance intervention to our clients, tected: (1) The immigration benefit sought could be As social workers, my regardless of their insur- denied, and the applicant will risk deportation; and colleague Siobhan Kelly ance or legal status, is an (2) making a false statement or omitting a material and I know the importance amazing gift. fact on an application form (as well as submitting of meeting people where Social work practice be- any false documents to accompany an application) they’re at. That includes gan with immigrant “set- is equivalent to perjury, a federal felony that could working with clients to- tlement houses” in Boston, result not just in deportation but prosecution and ward their own goals, , and Chicago, imprisonment in the US beforehand. whether that means feel- and it has always sought Rachel Reisman, LICSW, and Siobhan Kelly, BSW, to offer respect, kindness It is, therefore, crucial to understand the impor- ing better, getting sober, staff the IIIC’s Wellness Services tance of submitting complete and accurate applica- or making progress in a and hope to those acclimat- tions to USCIS. The good news for adjustment of specific area of their lives. intervention, while my events, we collaborate ing to a new country and status applicants who are immediate relatives of It also means meeting colleague Siobhan Kelly, with Cumann na Gaeilge culture. Social work values US citizens (spouses, parents, unmarried children people in the office, on the BSW, helps clients solve i mBoston on an Irish lan- difference and the contri- under 21) is that unlawful presence in the US and phone, by text, or out in the challenges related to hous- guage program that draws butions that immigrants unauthorized unemployment are not in themselves community. Along with ing, employment, Social 60 students each year and make to our country. To grounds for denying an application. Likewise, some empathy, problem solving, Security, and finding provides a sense of Irish be a social worker provid- minor criminal offenses, if openly disclosed, are not and flexibility, this basic other resources in Boston, “home” to many in Boston. ing Wellness Services at necessarily a bar to permanent residence. How- social work practice is core across the US, and in some With the generous sup- the IIIC at this time in ever, anyone who has a criminal record, no matter to our work with the Irish cases, back in Ireland. port of the Irish Depart- our history is to sit with how minor and how long ago, and no matter what diaspora in Boston. Every week is different, ment of Foreign Affairs Irish immigrants as they the outcome of the case was, needs advice from an Despite the well-estab- and we pride ourselves and Trade’s Emigrant bravely navigate their way experienced immigration lawyer before proceeding lished community for Irish on adapting to the needs Support Programme, we through the chapters of life with any application to US immigration authorities. immigrants in Boston, of our clients. Even if we are able to directly serve that we all face, amidst You can visit one of IIIC’s weekly legal clinics as many need another place can’t solve their problems more than 300 Irish and new federal actions di- advertised in the BIR for a free, confidential consul- to turn for care related to completely, we will always Irish-American clients rected against them. tation on this or any other immigration law issue. depression, anxiety, sub- provide them with reas- each year. Our Irish clients Doing so is to see the Disclaimer: These articles are published to in- stance use, and everyday surance and direction for are often reticent to accept strength, courage and form generally, not to advise in individual cases. life challenges. During their next steps. Those free care, and struggle to dignity inherent in all Immigration law is always subject to change. The this chapter of height- who come through our feel entitled to it. Being human beings. To be given US Citizenship and Immigration Services and US ened fear and new anti- doors always leave with able to remind them that the ability to serve and Department of State frequently amend regulations immigrant actions, many something! their home country wants accompany our clients is a privilege every day. and alter processing and filing procedures. For legal Irish in New England We are also proud to to see them safe and well The IIIC Wellness team advice seek the assistance of IIIC legal services staff. are bearing the anxiety invest in community edu- helps remove that sense of possible detention and cation on mental health, of burden, and helps us is here for you! Contact find themselves retreating substance use, and Know remain in their lives to us to chat, problem solve, further into the shadows. Your Rights, as well as whatever degree they and figure out the next step IIIC marks its 30th birthday As a licensed therapist programming that sus- want or need. for you. Contact Rachel with over 25 years of tains Irish cultural con- The IIIC’s Wellness Reisman, LICSW, at rre- at Solas Awards Celebration experience in the health- nections for many. In Services provide a place [email protected] or at addition to hosting talks, of safety for our clients, 617-542-7654. This year, the IIIC is celebrating 30 years of serv- care field, I provide direct clinical care and crisis film screenings, and other as well as a confidential, ing families from Ireland and around the world. Join us on Oct. 10th as we mark the occasion at our annual Solas Awards, and celebrate with the A Summer Irish Chat Night at the Irish Consulate friends and partners who have made our journey possible! Visit iiicenter.org or contact Megan in Boston Miller at [email protected] to learn more. On July 11th, the IIIC’s Outreach and Wellness Services brought together old friends and new faces IRISH INTERNATIONAL IMMIGRANT CENTER IMMIGRATION LEGAL ASSISTANCE for an evening of Irish conversation and commu- The Irish International Immigrant Center’s immigration attorneys and social workers are available for all immigrants during this time of uncertainty and concern in our community. nity. The IIIC thanks the We are closely following the changes in immigration policies, and are available for confidential legal consultations, and case representation. At weekly legal clinics, you can Irish Consulate in Boston receive a free and confidential consultation with staff and volunteer attorneys. For for hosting a wonderful information, or if you or anyone you know would like to speak to an immigration attorney, please call us at (617) 542-7654. evening, and Cumann

na Gaeilge i mBoston for Upcoming Clinic Schedule facilitating and providing Clinics are in the evening – please do not arrive more than 30 minutes before the clinic begins for registration. Attorneys will meet with as many people as possible during clinics, but we cannot instruction for the event. guarantee that everyone will be seen. The IIIC also partners Downtown Boston IIIC, One State Street, 8th Floor, Boston MA 02109 with Cumann na Gaeilge Tuesday, August 6th and 20th, registration at 3.30pm Monday, August 12th, registration at 5.00pm year-round to provide Irish language classes for Citizenship Clinics IIIC, One State Street, 8th Floor, Boston MA 02109 more than 60 people each Wednesdays from 10am-1pm Walk-ins are welcome! year. Keep an eye out next

month for more details on Our Downtown Boston location is fully accessible by public transportation. our fall term, beginning in Phone: 617.542.7654 | Fax: 617.542.7655 | www.iiicenter.org September! Students enjoying the conversation and community at last month’s chat night! bostonirish.com August 2019 BOSTON IRISH Reporter Page 7 BRETT’S BOSTON By Harry Brett Exclusive photos of Boston Irish people & events Last month (July 1), the Edward M. Kennedy In- stitute for the US Senate on Dorchester’s Columbia Point featured a discussion on the topic entitled “1919-2019: DeValera in Boston and 100 Years of Ireland-US Relations.” After welcoming remarks by EMKI president Mary Grant and greetings by Ireland Consul General Laoise Moore, the Irish journalist David McCullagh, author of two books on Eamon deValera, gave a keynote speech that was followed by a panel discussion featuring McCullagh, Irish Ambassador Daniel Mulhall, Elms College professor Damien Murray, and Westfield State 1. University professor Catherine Shannon. Boston Globe columnist Kevin Cullen served as moderator. 1.) Kevin Cullen, Daniel Mulhall, Catherine Shan- non, Daniel Murray, David McCullagh; 2.) Jim Brett, Dorchester; Casey McElneel, Cambridge; 3.) Siobhan Hunter, Scituate; John O’Donovan, Brighton, UK; 4.) Man photographing poster; 5.) Mary Convery, Wellesley; Dixie Kuehnel, No. Reading; 6.) Nuala Carlson, Andover; Linnea Walsh, Quincy; 7.) Doug and Anne Patriquin, Lynnfield; 8.) Monica Bushnell, EMK volunteer; Thomas Groome, Boston College; 9.) Rep. Kevin Honan, Brighton; Peggy Davis Mullen, IPC, Dorchester; 10.) Mary Joyce and Jim Morris, So. Boston; 11.) Della Costello, Dorchester, Mary El- len Mulligan, Randolph; 12.) Aoife Budd, former Vice Consul, Irish Consulate; Kevin Thornton, Vermont; 13.) Ann O’Connor, Lois Sullivan, Dan Walsh, all of Cambridge; 14.) Paul Doyle, Hingham; Steve Burke, Exec. Dir. Irish Cultural Centre; Seamus Mulligan, Randolph (ICC). 2. 3.

5. 6.

4.

8. 9. 7.

10. 11. 12.

13. 14. Page 8 August 2019 BOSTON IRISH Reporter bostonirish.com Riverdance Summer School: Inspiring the next generation By R. J. Donovan to learn about strength Special to the BIR and conditioning, nutri- I recently had the unique tion, and sports psychol- opportunity to attend ogy. They also learn how to the Riverdance Academy connect with an audience, Summer School Program about life on the road, and on the campus of Boston about the 25-year history University. Rest assured I of “Riverdance.” was not there as a dancer, About a third of the but as an observer. It students hope to some day proved to be an uplifting perform in the show. For experience. those over 18, the school To apply, students must serves as an audition. The have at least five years rest are there purely for dance training or three the love of dancing. years of competitive ex- The school grew from perience. The program a conversation begun in Boston hosts up to 200 here in Boston between dancers, ages 12 and up, “Riverdance” producer who attend one of two six- Moya Doherty and the day sessions in July. Five renowned dancer Padraic days of classes are followed Moyles. During a rehears- by a Showcase on Satur- al of “Heartbeat of Home” day for friends and family at The Wang Theatre they at the Tsai Performance spoke of establishing a Center. summer program to train This year marked the and enrich the next gen- first time a three-day Ju- eration of dancers. niors Program was added Moyles originally joined for those ages 5 to 11, who “Riverdance” in 1997, go- Padraic Moyles rehearsing “Distant Thunder” with the male students. R. J. Donovan photo at the moment do not par- ing on to become dance ticipate in the Showcase.. captain and then principal sibility of an international not just dance.” work with a huge level of matter of minutes. That Students came from as dancer. He subsequently airport. He researched Connecting with new education . . . We’re trying staging also allows Moyles close as Milton and as far appeared in more than Harvard and Boston Col- friends is also part of the to broaden their horizons to see who can be coached away as Australia. One 5,000 performances of the lege before settling on BU, program. as to what show business and who works well in a student traveled from show globally, performing where he found the sup- At BU, groups of stu- truly is and help them team. “It gives us the op- Dublin just to have the for heads of state and no- port staff to be exceptional. dents were hard at work in understand that just be- portunity to see what their experience of studying in table individuals, includ- Chatting between class- three different rehearsal cause one avenue doesn’t true colors are.” Boston. The females far ing Michelle Obama and es, Moyles said, “We want- rooms. It was staggering work for you within this Natasha Woytiuk, outnumber the males. Queen Elizabeth II. ed to be established with to see how quickly they industry, it doesn’t mean 26, from Montreal, Over the course of the Today, he is associate di- universities that were well learned the material and you can’t work in this agreed. Having attended week, everyone learns the rector of both “Riverdance” known, that had a high how much they encour- industry.” the school in both Boston choreography for three and “Heartbeat of Home” pedigree. Where we see aged one another. For The students are a and Dublin, she said, “I or four of “Riverdance’s” as well as course director ourselves at the top of our many of them, they were diverse group. Of that, really appreciate the fact iconic numbers. Students of the Summer School. The game, we wanted universi- learning choreography Moyles said, “Some of that it’s an audition that then perform at least program launched at Trin- ties that were at the top from dancers they had these students come to takes place over multiple two numbers during the ity College in 2015. When of their game. Our goal is seen in the show and now us with disabilities. This days. Because in an audi- Showcase, if not more. The Moyles was looking for a to inspire, to motivate, to idolized. is just what they love to tion, you’re going to mess half dozen instructors are second location in 2017, encourage . . . We teach Caitlin Dooher, 15, from do, and we always accept up . . . There are going to all elite dancers from the Boston was a natural the students about mind- Needham, told me, “I them. Whether it’s autism be little mistakes . . . This “Riverdance” cast. choice. set, rest, recovery – the expected it to be really or a severe food allergy, is the perfect scenario Participants also attend The Irish diaspora in key pillars around peak difficult, lots of hard work, CF, whatever it might where you can come back talks from experts in the Boston was a factor in that performance, which apply lots of sweating. It turned be. Just watching their an hour later and show fields of dance and fitness decision, as was the acces- to every aspect of your life, out to be all of that, but it work ethic, watching their them again. You can come was also a lot of fun. And approach to life and how back the next day and the instructors are so nice they cope with things is show them again . . . You and so understanding and truly what ends up being get so many opportunities so inspiring. They reach inspiring and motivating to show them that you can out to you as if they were and encouraging to us.” do it.” your peers . . . I’m having I was introduced to a While Moyles is in an amazing time.” young man with autism, charge of the school, he Moyles also wants to and made special note of is quick to redirect credit. open students’ eyes to the him, both during class and “I must point out that it broad range of employment at the Showcase. “Watch- isn’t any one individual possibilities in the enter- ing him, and watching him that makes this run, it’s a tainment world. Last year be accepted by all the other team of people. If I wasn’t he auditioned 946 people dancers,” said Moyles, in Boston, this would run to fill just 2 open slots in “has to be one of the most seamlessly - because of the show. “But that doesn’t inspirational things I’ve the team . . . They know mean a number of those ever witnessed. He walks exactly what the expecta- 944 other people couldn’t in with this unbelievable tions are and exactly what add value to this company amount of confidence . . . we have to try and do . . in an another way,” he He goes out there and does . And that, to me, is the said. “They have a pas- it his own way and all the success of it.” sion for dance. Maybe they other dancers are cheering The ultimate goal? “Stu- could be a fantastic stage him on and clapping . . . dents don’t just leave as manager. Maybe they The rest of the instructors better dancers, they leave could be an amazing ward- were literally in tears.” as better people, more robe designer. Maybe they Staging the program equipped to deal with could help us in production over six days gives stu- challenges they could face management. dents an avenue to show in any walk in life.” “These people are un- their talent, ethics, and R. J. Donovan is edi- usually high achievers,” he personality, which would tor and publisher of on- added… They are coming be impossible at a stan- stageboston.com out of universities ready to dard audition lasting a

CHC Home Care, Inc. is Boston, Massachusetts’ premiere private Home Care Agency.

Our professional services are highly personalized and staffed by carefully selected and screened personnel.

We employ a wide range of medical staff including RN’s, LPN’s, CNA’s and Therapists.

All personnel are licensed/certified as well as insured and bonded. In addition to Boston, we provide services to surrounding cities and towns.

Our priority is assisting individuals remain in their home in a safe and comfortable manner.

Please call 617-307-7751 today for a complementary initial consultation. Now Hiring Experienced RN’s, LPN’s and CNA’s. Please email resume to: [email protected] www.CurtinHomeCare.com bostonirish.com August 2019 BOSTON IRISH Reporter Page 9 Getting it right at Riverdance summer school

At top, Boston’s Riverdance Summer School class; at right, Lauren Smyth teaching the “Riverdance” finale choreography; at right below, students from The Juniors Program, with (back row) Padraic Moyles and instructors Maggie Darlington, Meghan Lucey, Lauren Smyth and Andy O’Reilly; Below, Montreal’s Natasha Woytiuk with Padraic Moyles; bottom, Padraic Moyles with Caitlin Dooher from Needham. Photos by R. J. Donovan Page 10 August 2019 BOSTON IRISH Reporter bostonirish.com THE BIR’S CALENDAR OF CELTIC MUSIC EVENTS By Sean Smith nominations in the 2016 from Teeside, the trio of This month’s offerings BBC Folk Music Awards Sean Cooney, Michael of Greater Boston/Eastern for their first , “Old Hughes and David Eagle Massachusetts Irish and Cold Fire.” Changing has earned BBC Radio Celtic-related events will their name to Lankum, 2 Folk Awards for Best include a busy weekend at the band’s 2018 release Group and Best Album the Irish Cultural Centre “Between the Earth and (for their fourth release, of New England and, up Sky” brought it further “Strangers”) while win- on the North Shore, the acclaim, and continued ning audiences across the inaugural Rockport Celtic to showcase its interest UK and elsewhere with Festival. in musical styles ranging a jovial, down-to-earth •The Canton-based from punk, black metal stage presence to go with ICCNE will host an Irish and techno, in close quar- their compelling musical Music and Dance Week- ters with a deep affection portraits of working-class end, beginning on Aug. for traditional music. people, their challenges 9 with Belfast quintet West Coast-based pow- and triumphs. Their most Réalta (Conor Lamb, er trio The Fire are at recent project is “The Bal- uilleann pipes, whistle; Club Passim on Aug. 13 at lad of Johnny Longstaff,” Aaron O’Hagan, uille- 8 p.m., their music bridg- the story of one man’s ann pipes, flute, whistle; ing the diverse and vener- adventure in times of Deirdre Galway, guitar, able Scottish fiddle and upheaval – from begging vocals, piano; Dermot bagpipe traditions. The on the streets in north- Mulholland, bouzouki, Fire is Rebecca Lomnisky, ern England to fighting double bass, banjo, vo- a past winner of both US against fascism in the cals; Dermot Moynagh, and International Scot- Spanish Civil War. bodhran, percussion). The tish fiddle championships; Tickets and other in- band draws inspiration David Brewer (Highland formation available at from legends of the Irish pipes, whistle, guitar, passim.org. folk revival like Planxty bodhran), who has toured •Toronto-based Enter and the Bothy Band while Lily Honigberg of Fade Blue during the band’s afternoon concert on Palmer with Scotland’s Old Blind the Haggis comes to the carving out its own place Street outside Club Passim. Dogs and appeared with City Winery on Aug. 1 in the traditional scene, with plenty of showman- tish and American music The Saw Doctors, which The Chieftains, and con- at 8 p.m. For almost 25 notably on the strength of ship and stage savvy. As traditions: Mick McAu- Stevens left several years tributed to the soundtrack years, the band (Craig its pipes and whistle-led befitting a 21st-century ley; John Doyle; Oisin ago. Besides “I Useta Love for a PBS documentary Downie, bagpipes, guitar, sound – not to mention a act, they also are very McAuley; Bruce Molsky Her,” Stevens’ other writ- on Andrew Jackson; and keyboards, whistle; Brian song repertoire in English active on social media and Allison de Groot; ing credits with the band Adam Hendy (guitar, bou- Buchanan, fiddle, gui- and Gaelic. Réalta has (guided by mother Julie), the Palaver Strings include “That’s What She zouki), who’s studied and tar, mandolin, accordion; toured through Europe, complete with a YouTube chamber orchestra; Dana Said Last Night,” “Same played with members of Trevor Lewington, guitar, India, South Korea and channel that includes Lyn and Kyle Sanna; Oul’ Town,” “Good News,” such bands as Flook and mandolin, keyboards; the US, and appeared “vlogs” as well as concert The Seamus Egan Proj- “Maroon and White” and Lúnasa and performed Mark Abraham, bass, at major events like the and session clips. ect with Moira Smiley; his very own “Still the across the US, Ireland and banjo; and Bruce McCar- Celtic Connections Fes- Boston’s Comhaltas Jenna Moynihan and Only One”; Christy Moore UK. The trio last year re- thy, drums) has brought tival, where they won Ceoltóirí Éireann Mairi Chaimbeul; Rak- covered Stevens’s “ leased its first full-length together a prodigious the coveted Danny Kyle Hanafin-Cooley-Reyn- ish; The Murphy Beds; Beat” in 2016. Moran, album, “Radiance.” – even quirky – blend of Award. The concert begins olds Branch will provide Kevin Doyle, and others. a prodigious songwriter Fiddler-vocalist Emer- rock, fusion, bluegrass, at 8 p.m. the music at the Aug. 11 The festival opens with himself, and Stevens re- ald Rae returns to the traditional Celtic fare, The next day, Aug. 10, céilí mor, which runs from “The Celtic/Appalachian corded a collection of songs Club Passim stage on Aug. agitpop, folk, and other at 7:30 p.m., the centre 11:30 a.m.-2:30 p.m. and Journey” on Aug. 23, and about Gaelic football un- 14 at 8 p.m. The Glouces- strains. From head-bang- welcomes the Byrne features plenty of and finishes up on Aug. 25 with der the name “The Folk ter-born and bred Rae is ing, arena-friendly Celtic Brothers, a family band social dancing and other a concert, “Songs and Sto- Footballers” to celebrate an accomplished fiddler, rock to more nuanced, from Dublin, and more re- entertainment. ries of the Sea,” with spe- Galway’s appearance in singer, and step dancer lyrical, indie-type offer- cently Donegal, now resid- For tickets and other cial guests David Coffin the 1998 All-Ireland se- who has been active in ings, “ETH” combines a ing in Florida. The group information about these and Michael O’Leary. nior football final. traditional music, par- versatile repertoire with is brothers Dempsey (10 events, go to irishculture. The festival hosts and ar- Go to burren.com/mu- ticularly that of Scotland sociopolitical conviction. years old) on bodhran, org. tistic directors are Brian sic.html for tickets and and Cape Breton, since See citywinery.com/ whistle and vocals, Finn •The Rockport Celtic O’Donovan and Maeve other details. her childhood, playing in boston/enterthehag- (13) on banjo, mandolin Festival, the theme of Gilchrist. •Dublin quartet Lan- many collaborations – in- gis08012019.html. and guitar, and Luca (15) which is “Exploring Celtic For more, go to rock- kum, which made its cluding as part of the “alt- •A recent addition to on accordion – all of whom Roots & Branches,” will portmusic.org/celtic-ap- Boston-area debut earlier trad” band Annalivia – as Boston’s ranks of roots- are dancers – and father take place August 23-25 palachian-journey. this year in Club Passim, well as a soloist. In recent oriented bands, Corner Tommy, who plays guitar, at the Shalin Liu Per- •In addition to their returns to the Harvard years, she has turned her House will give a free fiddle, whistles, uilleann formance Center, with appearance at the ICCNE Square venue on Aug. 2 for attention to American folk concert on Aug. 8 at 5 pipes and Highland pipes, a diverse line-up of ac- [see above], Réalta will be two shows, at 7 and 9:30 music and songwriting. p.m. in Kendall Center and sings. The Byrnes, complished musicians, at the Burren Backroom p.m. The self-described Her most recent work, (2 Cambridge Center in who have two to dancers and singers who series on Aug. 7 at 7:30 “Dublin folk miscreants” showcased on her 2018 Cambridge) as part of the their credit, are known for explore connections be- p.m. have gained consider- album “Emerald Rae,” Berklee College of Music high-energy performances tween the Irish, Scot- Also in the Backroom, able popularity with a focuses on her vocal-fiddle “Summer in the City” on August 14 at 7:30 p.m., populist, gritty, infectious synergy for traditional, series. Between them, will be Susan O’Neill blend of traditional, music contemporary, and origi- Ethan Hawkins (guitar), (known as SON), a Clare- hall, and original mate- nal songs. Louise Bichan (fiddle), born singer-songwriter- rial. The band started Opening for Rae is Liv Ethan Setiawan (man- guitarist with a blues-rock out more than 15 years Greene, whose songwrit- dolin) and Casey Murray influence and a throaty, ago as Lynched, an ex- ing aligns with her inter- (cello) have amassed a powerful voice to match perimental psychedelic est in Appalachian folk solid background in Irish, – honed in part by her folk-punk duo of brothers and roots music. Scottish, Appalachian participation in the En- Ian (uilleann pipes, con- The Young’uns, known string band, New Eng- nis Gospel Choir as a certina, whistle, vocals) for infectious harmony land contra dance and teen. After playing in the and Daragh (guitar, piano, singing and a repertoire bluegrass traditions, all bands Propeller Palms vocals) Lynch, and – with of traditional and original of which they present and King Kong Company, the addition of Radie Peat songs that capture the life in a winning, easygoing O’Neill launched her solo (concertina, accordions, and times of their native fashion. (They make fun, career in 2017, releasing harmonium) and Cormac Northeast England, will creative YouTube videos, her debut album, “Found Mac Diarmada (fiddle, be at Club Passim on too.) Myself Lost.” Her use of a viola) – garnered three Aug. 21 at 8 p.m. Hailing We’re Dorchester’s home for “loop” pedal enables her to expand her one-woman Traditional Irish breads sound, adding vocal and and scones instrumental textures (including trumpet, which Hand-made cookies she learned to play in her town’s brass band). Many Soups and Sandwiches of O’Neill’s songs deal with her interest in mental Fresh baked pies and physical health – and Custom wedding cakes music’s role in aiding both – and passion for environ- mental issues. Two founding members of Ireland’s beloved rock band The Saw Doctors, Greenhills Bakery Padraig Stevens and Leo Moran – co-writers of the group’s most famous song, “I Useta Love Her,” which became Ireland’s best-ever selling single – will be in the Backroom on Aug. 22 at 7 p.m. The 780 Adams St., Adams Corner pair’s friendship dates Dorchester back to a youth club in their native Tuam, and Hannah DeRusha (left) and Rebecca McGowan of the Irish dance troupe Rising 617-825-8187 has continued beyond Step collaborated with Fade Blue during the Summer BCMFest afternoon concert. bostonirish.com August 2019 BOSTON IRISH Reporter Page 11 Four Greater Boston teen musicians are heading to Drogheda for the Fleadh 2019 competition – with 8,000 other competitors (Continued from page 1) on his iPod. That really uted to success. In the helps you a lot.” case of these four young Although he once quali- musicians, they all have fied for the All-Ireland, a familial connection to Jimmy Noonan never Ireland, as well as to the took to competing – “I music, and – key ingre- would just get too ner- dient here – supportive vous” – but he thought parents. Most of all, they it might be beneficial have by now arrived at a for Seamus, who early place where Irish music on showed an interest is more than lessons and in playing (Seamus, like rehearsals, or another Misha, also learned Irish obligation to fulfill; it’s dance at an early age, something they own, a which helped familiarize part of themselves that them with the music). demands time and atten- Still, Jimmy didn’t push tion – both of which they things. are happy to give. “I always told Seamus “It’s like having a second just to learn the music, life,” says Seamus, who and to pass on the music,” plays flute and concertina says Jimmy. “And then he and will be competing in got good. So the Fleadh the former category at this seemed like something year’s All-Ireland Fleadh, to try for. He saw what it his sixth. “When you go off was all about, how com- to a session, you end up petitive it is, and how that meeting and hanging out drives up the standard with people you probably for the music. He gets it. wouldn’t meet otherwise. What he’s doing now is Playing Irish music just beyond what I ever did. expands your world like “I’m just happiest when that.” I hear him sit down with “Playing the concer- his friends and play great tina is definitely a stress music.” reliever when you’re anx- Niamh – who started on ious,” says Niamh, who in fiddle and tin whistle at addition to the concertina age five – says her father’s competition also will play side of the family was in a duet with Misha at her active in Irish music, in- third straight All-Ireland. cluding her grandfather, “When I play it, I don’t who played concertina have to think about that and thus gave her the test I’ve got coming up on motivation to follow suit. Monday. But I like play- She understands there ing the music for itself, is something beyond the like when you’re in a duo immediacy of learning or trio: You communicate tunes or practicing one’s and bounce off each other technique, and credits her even while you’re focusing teacher, Florence Fahy, on each other; they’ll cover for helping her see that. for you, and you’ll cover for “Flo likes me to know them. It’s a great feeling.” where a tune came from, “I just like having the which musicians would ability to join other people, play it, or who composed literally anywhere in the it,” she explains. “She world, in sharing Irish Niamh McGillicuddy and Misha Bane at the Irish Cultural Center of New England in Canton last month. wants me to be able to culture and music,” says The two will compete as a duo, as well as in individual categories, at the All-Ireland Fleadh. answer the question, Yuriy, a whistle player, Sean Smith photo ‘What’s that you’re play- ing?’” who along with brother (this year’s line-up in- Misha is bound for his Misha and Yuriy’s fa- cludes Téada with Seamus ther, Frank, had an ac- second Fleadh. Begley, Eleanor McEvoy, Obviously, you don’t cordion-playing brother Damien Dempsey, Zoë whose musical partners have to compete in the Conway, Sean Keane, Fleadh to be able to ex- included Boston Irish mu- the Martin Hayes Quar- sic legend Billy Caples. perience all that. There tet, Cherish the Ladies are plenty of musicians Although more familiar and Kevin Burke), and with American tradi- who have excelled in Irish many, many sessions. music, or have gotten good tional music, Frank took The streets are fairly up the box himself, and enough to find satisfaction bustling with tourists, so in playing it, without go- when the boys were young an enterprising young mu- he would bring them ing the competition route. sician can do pretty well Those who do compete around to Irish sessions busking – which is what until they began playing tend to view the process Misha and Yuriy plan on as a milestone or a point themselves. Now, Frank – doing together. whose wife Mary, a Kerry of reference to help sort In recent years, the native, further solidifies out their progress, and to Fleadh has reached an the family’s Irish heritage affirm their feelings and international audience – is not too proud to admit attitudes about the Irish via the Internet, broad- that Misha and Yuriy music tradition. casting some of their have progressed beyond As Misha notes, compe- special concerts as well as him (“If we’re playing tition can be a means for on-the-street interviews with Dad, we have to slow instilling self-discipline. and performances with down,” Misha quips). “You stay focused on what Fleadh competitors. you’re doing, and don’t “My first Fleadh was a Frank recalls advice worry about the other mu- real eye-opener,” recalls he once received from a sicians,” he says, repeat- Niamh. “I’d never been professional musician on Being an Irish musician is “like having a second life,” says Seamus Noonan. - ing advice his and Yuriy’s to a festival that big in the parental role in help “When you go off to a session, you end up meeting and hanging out with ing children get involved teacher, Dennis Galvin, my life. And there were so people you probably wouldn’t meet otherwise. Playing Irish music just ex- in music: When kids are has given them. “Find a many kids playing music. pands your world like that.” very young, they have spot to look at when you It was a great way to make only a vague notion of play, and you won’t see friends and pick up some “It’s a revelation to so they have to be really, County Clare; each group what playing music en- your surroundings, so you ideas and inspiration. I re- see the kids from Ire- really good.” spent time in the other’s tails, so parents make the won’t be distracted.” ally like the classes, where land,” says Seamus’s But Seamus didn’t let country, playing and decisions – instrument, For her part, Niamh you get to learn from dif- father, Jimmy Noonan, his initial breakdown performing together. For- genre of music, teacher, says she hasn’t gone ferent instructors – they an accomplished flute and defeat him. He sampled tified by these and other practice times, and so on. through Fleadh-related each make you look at the whistle player born in the the other features of the experiences, he subse- “It’s your gift to them,” jitters: “Everyone reacts music in a different way.” US whose father was from Fleadh, made friends, and quently played far better says Frank. “You give their own way,” she says, The All-Ireland Fleadh Clare. “In Ireland, just sat in with more experi- at the competitions. them that regimen, those with a smile. “I don’t know, can be eye-opening in about all they do is prac- enced, and older, musi- “Before, music was hours, rides to and from I just don’t get nervous – I another way, as Seamus tice; they learn instru- cians. Back home, he took work,” summarizes Sea- lessons. But eventually, get an adrenaline rush.” found his first time there. ments in their schools, part in the Youth Trad mus, who cites the Trad it’s the kids who have to But the competition Witnessing the high qual- and they have sessions Exchange co-organized Youth Exchange in par- decide what part, if any, is only one aspect of the ity of the Irish-born com- and ceilis to go to all the by Boston’s Comhaltas ticular as foundational music will play in their All-Ireland Fleadh: There petitors in his category got time. And to qualify for branch music school, to his development. “And lives.” are classes and workshops to him, he acknowledges: the All-, every through which young then it wasn’t a chore. I For information about with master musicians “I just completely lost it kid has to compete not musicians mainly from wasn’t only playing, I was this year’s Fleadh Cheoil and dancers, concerts on the first pass. I was too only in the county but also Greater Boston were listening to a lot more na hÉireann, see fleadh- featuring some of Irish nervous.” music’s best performers in the provincial fleadhs, matched with peers from music, like what Dad has cheoil.ie. Page 12 August 2019 BOSTON IRISH Reporter bostonirish.com near Carroll, but also the English translation of a as Araki mixes sets CD Reviews Potawatomi chief’s name. of mainly Irish tunes Of course, you can enjoy “Half Day Road” just for with songs that come By Sean Smith itself, without the context: The titular reel that comes from the Irish/British Liz Carroll and Jake Charron, “Half Day Road” midway in the album’s opening medley, for example, Isles tradition as well • Yeah, I thought there’d been something missing these is a perfect showcase of the robust bowing and superb as contemporary writ- last several years: Last time Liz Carroll released a new touch and tone that has defined Carroll’s playing; on the ers. His supporting album was 2013, back when the Patriots still only had one after it, “Tune for Jim DeWan,” she makes ample, cast includes Donogh three Super Bowl titles. That’s a pretty long stretch glorious use of the fiddle’s G and D strings. “As the Hennessey, who in to go without hearing a blast of new music from the Crow Flies” and “Jarl Squad” both have a distinctive, addition to providing Chicago-born, Grammy-nominated, National Heri- relentless Appalachian/old-timey groove. guitar and bouzouki tage Fellowship-winning, All-Universe fiddler, who is Carroll shows her willingness to push beyond the accompaniment served justifiably celebrated as a composer of tunes as well a traditional tune structure – and demonstrates her as producer, Trevor Hutchinson (double bass), Laura superb interpreter of the Irish tradition. sense of playfulness – on “The Bird,” with an ascen- Kerr (fiddle), Méabh Ní Bheaglaoich (accordion), Niamh But “Half Day Road” sion on the B part that is ridiculously wonderful. (Is Varian-Barry (violin, viola) and his wife and collabora- is not a solo effort. it just coincidence that the very next track starts with tor Colleen Raney, whose harmony vocals are a treat. Ontario guitarist/key- her polka “The Cat”?) The second tune in that medley, Araki’s is a sweet-toned, sensitive yet deceptively boardist Jake Char- “The Greek Petunia,” has Joannie Madden chiming in powerful voice, which he utilizes judiciously: no over- ron – who has earned on whistle – one of three welcome guests on the album, emoting, no pathos. He lends a worthy swagger to “The plaudits, plus awards along with bassist Chico Huff and percussionist John Bold Princess Royal,” your classic intrepid sea-battle and award nomina- Anthony. ballad, and conveys the simple joy of the familiar in tions, for his work as “Half Day Road” has its quieter moments, too. Car- “The Road to Drumleman” (co-written by the late Tony part of contemporary roll’s “The Famine” is about as gorgeous a lament as Cuffe, a native Scot who settled in Boston). Another Canadian-Celtic trio it gets (especially with multi-tracked fiddles), and highlight is the enigmatic, tragic “Flanders Shore,” The East Pointers, and Charron’s composition, “Last of the Leaves,” is spare one of numerous traditional songs (also known as with brilliant Nova Sco- as it is beautiful. He also demonstrates a well-honed “Flandyke Shore”) fetched from obscurity by the great tian fiddler Troy Mac- melodic touch on guitar on “Planxty Mary Fahey.” Nic Jones – a favored source of Araki – and delivered Gillivray – deserves On the final track’s closing tune, “Trail Magic,” by Araki with a stately sorrow. the equal billing. The teaming of Carroll and Charron Charron’s guitar pounds out the beat as Carroll He also does a thoroughly tender take on one of Paul makes for a very North American take on music rooted churns through the melody, the B part spiraling to a Simon’s gentlest creations, “Song for the Asking” – in the Irish tradition. You can hear this in how Car- crescendo and back again until, at the fade-out, she sounding not unlike Rhymin’ Simon himself – with roll’s fiddling distills the mix of Irish influences (touch plays a variation as a repeating riff – it’s like some Varian-Barry’s lovely strings behind him. But the of Galway here, perhaps some Sligo there, and on and magnificent sunset at the end of an immensely satisfy- song that may really lodge in your mind, and ear, is on), or when her bowing exhibits an unmistakably ing day. [lizcarroll.com] Scot-Canadian David Francey’s “Saints and Sinners,” a American style, or when Charron’s piano accompani- Hanz Araki, “At Our Next Meeting” • A member meditation on seeking middle ground between religion ment evokes the Canadian Maritimes – especially on of Maine Irish quartet The Press Gang, Araki moved and secularism, with a beaut of a chorus: “Way off in “A Tune-Back for Andrea Beaton,” a tip of the hat to to Portland, Me., from the Pacific Northwest three the distance, there rang a bell/and it rang for the saints one of Cape Breton’s finest fiddlers. years ago, bringing not only his prowess on flute and and the sinners as well.” Even the album title is a manifestly North American whistle – not to mention the Japanese shakuhachi – None of which, however, should overshadow the reference: It’s not only the name of a road in Illinois but his fine singing voice. Both are on display here, instrumental tracks, like the reel medley “Famous Ballymote/Ivy Leaf/Jack Rowe,” with some delectable backing from Hennessey, or a set of jigs (“Whistler at the Wake/Humours of Kilclougher/The Old Flail”) for which he uses a B-flat flute – the lower key and moder- ate pace bringing out a singular richness in the tunes. COME VISIT ANY A set of polkas (“The Gullane/The Harvest Fair/Miss Mulvihill’s”) celebrates the album’s birthplace in the West Kerry town of Dingle, and features a delightful duet between Araki and Ní Bheaglaoich. “At Our Next Meeting” is Araki’s first release since moving to the East Coast, so it’s not a stretch at all to SOMERS PUBS discern some contemplation on his part about this new chapter in his life, and the people, places and events LOCATION FOR QUALITY FOOD, that have led up to it. “Ask me and I will play/All the love that I hold inside,” he sings on “Song for the Ask- ing” – sounds like a guy who’s got plenty of good music HOSPITALITY & LIVE MUSIC ahead of him. [hanzaraki.com] Arise & Go, “Meeting Place” • From the verdant vistas of Ithaca, NY, comes this trio, which connects the 7 NIGHTS A WEEK! Irish and Scottish instrumental traditions with those of Atlantic/French Canada. This is the sort of musi- cal enterprise that can misfire, where the pieces just don’t fit together well or the attempt to mix traditions inevitably waters down their salient characteristics. Fortunately, that’s not the case here, and it’s all to the credit of these three musicians – Ellie Goud, Michael Roddy, and Tim Ball – for their ability to emphasize the essentials of the different styles within a unifying band sound. Roddy is in many ways the linchpin for Arise & Go, playing as he does three different sets of pipes (he must need 77 Broad St. 11 Marshall St. an annex to store Boston, MA 02109 Boston, MA 02108 all his reeds): border 25 Union St. 617.338.5656 617.367.0055 pipes, with a similar Boston, MA 02108 mrdooleys.com greendragonboston.com timbre as the Great 617.742.2121 Highland pipes; the hennessysboston.com mellow, sweet-toned small pipes; and, more or less in the middle, the uilleann pipes. But Goud’s versatil- ity on fiddle ­– and her rapport with Roddy – is not to be overlooked, nor are Ball’s contributions on guitar, bouzouki, and Quebecois foot percussion. Arise & Go is at its best, and most ambitious, in in- tegrating traditions within a set, such as when Goud, with Ball’s infectious podorythmie, roars through the jubilant French-Canadian reel “La Grondeuse,” and Roddy’s border pipes usher in “Mutt’s Favorite,” one 33 Union St. 108 Blackstone St. 9 Depot Ct. of Cape Breton fiddler Jerry Holland’s all-time greats; Boston, MA 02108 Boston, MA 02109 Cohasset, MA 02025 the set closes with compositions by modern-day Scot- 617.263.7771 617.742.2090 781.383.3366 tish pipers – Gordon Duncan’s “Break Yer Bass Drone” paddyos.com durtynellysboston.com mrdooleyscohasset.com and Ross Ainslie’s Galicianesque “Dirty Bee.” Another medley begins with “Major George Harrison, DSO,” one of those noble, mesmerizing Scottish marches, led by Roddy’s small pipes, until a rhythmic fiddle-foot combo ushers in “The Acadian Reel”; Goud (with Ball’s feet still tapping) shifts into “Le Voyage” before rounding into “Jack Daniels,” Goud switching to border pipes. But the sets that stay within one tradition are equally pleasing: A set of venerable Irish session jigs, “Bill Harte’s” and “The Black Rogue,” sandwiched around Kevin Burke’s “The Eavesdropper” are a fine intro- duction to Roddy’s uilleann piping. “Slides & Polkas” SOMERSPUBS.COM starts with “Cuz Teehan’s #1 and #2” (Goud plays the latter an octave lower, in Sliabh Luachra fashion), and the three go a few measures into “Mairtin O’Connor’s” before transforming it into a polka, after which they blow through “The Ballydesmond” and “Jessica’s.” While the album title might certainly refer to Arise & Go’s collective musical influences, “Meeting Place” also aptly describes the trio’s facility for combining precision with passion. [ariseandgo.org] bostonirish.com August 2019 BOSTON IRISH Reporter Page 13 Traveling People The inside story of the veterinarians behind the Mescan Brewery By Judy Enright Special to the BIR Ninety-nine bottles of beer on the wall, 99 bottles of beer; if one of those bottles should happen to fall, 98 bottles of beer on the wall. We are probably all too familiar with that old song. How many of us gritted our teeth as our kids worked their way (usually in the car on a long trip) from the first to the final bottle? Well, you may not find 99 bottles of beer on each and every wall in an Irish pub­ – with the number of breweries in Ireland now, you might find even more. MESCAN BREWERY Here’s an interesting beer story. Two veteri- narians - Bart Adons from Belgium and Cillian O’Morain from Dublin – met in Westport, Co. Mayo, where both had successful practices. Each was getting a bit older and finding his job and the attendant emergency calls to cold, drafty barns becoming more difficult with every year. The two met up one day, clinked glasses, gave up their practices and went to work developing Bart Adons, left, and Cillian O’Morain, owners of Mescan Brewery in Co. Mayo. a Belgian beer brewery B&Bs. Those interested Great Western Greenway to refill, avoids single use Heritage Area” and a day, with demonstrations in the shadow of the can also find it online by opened in 2010 following plastic water bottle waste “Special Area of Conser- beginning at 11 a.m. 1, Holy Mountain, Croagh googling Guide to Craft the route of the Westport while helping the environ- vation” under the Euro- and 3 p.m. Email: info@ Patrick. They chose the Breweries and Beer on the to Achill railway that ment, health, and bottom pean Habitats Directive. killarysheepfarm.com name Mescan to honor St. Wild Atlantic Way. closed in 1937. line at the same time – the Because the Lost Val- for more information and Patrick’s personal brewer The guide includes The Greenway is said refill water is free. ley is now a working before visiting. – a monk named Mescan breweries all the way to be the longest off-road See refill.ie for more farm, pre-booking a visit TASTE OF DONEGAL - and chose a stylized logo down the coast from walking and cycling route information. is essential. For more THE 11th annual A for the bottles that repre- Kinnegar in Co. Donegal in Ireland. THE LOST VALLEY information, see thelost- Taste of Donegal Food sents Croagh Patrick and (kinnegarbrewing.ie) to WATER STATIONS While you’re cruising valley.ie or email info@ Festival will be held in St. Patrick’s staff. Black’s of Kinsale (blacks- Ireland is miles ahead along the Wild Atlantic thelostvalley.ie Donegal Town Aug. 23-25. The two men share their brewery.com.) of the US in conservation Way, a destination often KILLARY SHEEP Some 28,000 visitors at- wit and the progress of GREAT WESTERN efforts as evidenced by a recommended by local FARM tended last year’s festival the company on the web- GREENWAY charge of 15 cents many tourist boards is The Lost Looking for another and this year is expected site, mescanbrewery.com. Without a doubt, the years ago for single use (Uggool) Valley which fun family outing? If so, to draw even more attend- They write that their first greatest boon to the plastic bags in grocery offers a three-hour tour be sure to check in at the ees. The festival features brewery “was a 50-litre Newport, Mulranny, and stores. That was long be- that gives a window into Killary Sheep Farm just all kinds of activities from set up. For three years, Achill Island area in re- fore this country decided the cultural heritage of outside the town of Leen- theater and presentations we brewed each week in cent years has been the to take a stand against the 19th century west ane, Co. Galway. There to entertainment – and Cillian’s garage, creat- Great Western Greenway, plastic. coast way of life and the you’ll meet Tom Nee, a of course, great food and ing recipes and learning which attracts cyclists This March, the first catastrophic effects of the fourth-generation sheep drink too. from our mistakes. The and walkers of every water station in Ire- Famine and its aftermath. farmer who greets visi- The extensive schedule real work started when age from all over. Bike land was installed at the The guided tour is con- tors, talks about farming, of events can be found we set about converting a rental businesses, stores, Mulranny Tourist Office ducted at a leisurely pace and supplies all outdoor online at: atasteofdone- farm shed on Bart’s farm restaurants, hotels, and and has been getting on well-developed trails footwear and rain gear. gal.com. and building a 1,000-litre pubs along the 42 km plenty of use. and is said to be suitable It’s great fun to watch ACTIVITIES brewhouse from scratch. (26.09 mile) route have A voluntary environ- for all ages. the sheepdogs at work There’s lots more to Many expansions later, flourished. mental project called A road was built into rounding up the herd, see do in August than space we’ve now lost most of our The Irish press recently Refill.ie is working toward the Valley in 1989 but, sheep shearing (in season) here allows so visit local hair, but, on a good day, reported that Michael making Ireland a tap wa- prior to that time, at least and turf cutting. Orphan tourist offices for the lat- we wouldn’t swap it for Ring, minister for Rural ter refilling country again. seven generations of the lambs can be bottle-fed, est news, accommodation anything.” and Community Develop- There are currently more Bourke family could only too at certain times of recommendations, and Mescan’s offerings in- ment, announced that a than 850 free public reus- gain access to their home the year. suggestions to help you clude Westport Stout further 3.2-million euro able bottle refill locations on foot. Killary Sheep Farm is enjoy every minute in this (densely flavored with have been allocated to around the country. The Valley has been open from April 1 to Sept. beautiful country. sweet and bitter notes), the Mayo County Council It’s easy and convenient designated a “Natural 30, Tuesday through Sun- Westport Blond (golden to extend the Greenway ale with pear and floral from Achill Sound to notes), Westport White Bunnacurry and from (subtly flavored with Westport to Murrisk. flora, citrus and yeast), The extension will Westport Red Tripel add 56 kilometres (about (malty and fruity) and 35 miles) to the Greenway Westport Saison (dry, route. light with citrus notes), Ring is quoted as say- Special Reserve (robust, ing, “This is wonderful dark beer), Seven Virtues news for Mayo. This in- Lambik, Seven Virtues vestment will see further Lager (crisp and slightly extension of the Green- dry) and Seven Virtues way onto Achill Island and Lambik (dry and cidery). significant further work Hops, malts and yeast on the trail between West- are imported from Bel- port and Murrisk. With gium and water is sourced each investment from the from a spring that rises Government we are get- from under nearby Cro- ting closer to completing agh Patrick and runs the Greenway all the way beside the brewery. Food around Clew Bay. The pairing suggestions are Great Western Greenway listed on the website also has been a phenomenal and tours (you can book on success for Mayo. It is the website) with tastings probably the finest out- are available. door recreational facility There are enough beer in the country…” breweries along the coast- A number of other Gre- al route in the West of enways have sprung up Ireland to inspire a guide Demonstration of how a sheepdog rounds up members of the herd at the Killary Sheep Farm in Leenane, around the country since that’s available in tourist Co. Galway. You can also see bog cutting, sheep shearing and enjoy a walk through the countryside the first section of the offices, many hotels, and while there. Great family day out. Judy Enright photos Page 14 August 2019 BOSTON IRISH Reporter bostonirish.com Message to Boris: US-UK trade deal hinges on ‘backstop’ call (Continued from page 1) bipartisanship. Boris Johnson because position taken by John- target,” Hamilton said. of members of the police the protection of Strand Unlike Johnson, Neal is it matters to Rep. Neal son represents “ a very, His is a view echoed by a and security forces as well Two of the Good Friday also aware from his own and, with that, to Speaker very dangerous step.” It recent report by the Unit- as ordinary citizens on all Agreement by guarantee- direct observation that Pelosi. In the simplest is dangerous far beyond ed Nations Educational, sides. ing there will be no hard since the 1998 Agreement, Queen’s English, the re- trade matters alone for Scientific and Cultural It is indeed a perverse border in Ireland under “the 310-mile border has ality is that regardless of both Britain and Ireland. Organization (UNESCO). and dangerous irony that any circumstances. He been frictionless and indi- any empty promise from Both Irish Garda Com- Neal and Pelosi are by Boris Johnson, who sees knows the “backstop” is visible. More than 30,000 President Trump about “‘a missioner Drew Harris, no means alone, given the himself as student of his- a protocol the Irish gov- people cross the border great trade deal,” if Brit- and George Hamilton, vast majority of Demo- tory and is fond of quot- ernment worked hard to each day without incident. ain leaves the EU without the former PSNI chief cratic and Republicans ing Winston Churchill, secure. Neal himself also There is free movement of a “back- constable, have said that alike who continue to has, unlike Churchill, worked long and hard to goods and services. After stop,” no US-UK trade any physical infrastruc- value the key role that chosen to place party over secure the Good Friday so much progress, and 21 deal will get past the US ture or fortifications on the US Sen. George Mitchell country. By his reckless Agreement which, for years of peace, thoughts House Ways and Means Irish border post-Brexit of Maine played in the behavior toward stability Boris Johnson’s educa- of returning to the bad Committee. would threaten peace and successful peace process in Northern Ireland and tion, the US government, old days of checkpoints, Simon Hoare, chairman security. that was backed by Presi- his threat to the British with the backing of both roadblocks, and customs of the House of Commons “A hard border from a dent Clinton in working economy by “a No Deal US political parties, also patrols are simply unac- Northern Ireland Select policing perspective would closely with both the Irish Brexit,” he has cravenly supports in a rare (for ceptable.” Committee, is indeed not be a good outcome be- and British governments. catered to extremists these days) example of This should matter to correct in stating that the cause it creates a focus and That effort saved the lives offering the politics of 3.5” x 2.5” | Maximum Font Size: 30 pt darkness. In the end, it may take the actions of friends of Great Britain and Ireland The big company that alike in the US Congress to steer the British off the doesn't act that way. rocks of moral, political, and economic disaster by Marie O'Riordan Kelly focusing their next gov- Financial Advisor ernment’s attention on the 231 Chief Justice Cushing Hwy reality that any attempt Suite 204 to undermine the peace Cohasset, MA 02025 that has been achieved in 781-383-1996 Ireland and the prospects for a prosperous, harmoni- Geraghty ous future for all in will not stand. ASSOCIATES MKT-5894I-A [email protected] Dr. Francis Costello is a historian who worked in the Northern Peace PROPERTY MANAGERS Process as a member of the Burials in Clinton Administration, as chief of staff to US Rep. Studio and 1-Bedroom Apartments Massachusetts Joseph P. Kennedy II, and as an advisor to Mayor or Ireland Ray Flynn. He now resides Available in the desirable in Belfast. Cedar Grove section of Dorchester. Studios reasonably JOHN C. priced; Gormley GALLAGHER Funeral Home Insurance Agency 1-bedroom units; 617-323-8600 AUTO heat and hot water included. INSURANCE Short walk to the Red Line. Specializing in Auto- 2055 Centre Street mobile Insurance for Free off-street Parking. West Roxbury, MA over a half century of reliable service to www.Gormleyfuneral.com the Dorchester com- Washing Machines munity. and Dryers in building. New Accounts AUTO BODY REPAIRS (617) 825-1760 (617) 825-2594 Welcome Call Michael at 617-364-4000 FAX (617) 825-7937 1471 Dorchester Ave. at Fields Corner MBTA Geraghty Associates, Inc. Phone: Property Managers Free Pick-Up & Delivery Service 617-265-8600 P.O. Box 52, Readville, MA 02137-0052 150 Centre Street “We Get Your Plates” Tel: 617-364-4000 Fax: 617-364-3157 Dorchester, MA 02124 Photography by Image Photo Service • Weddings • Anniversaries • Banquets • Portraits • Reunions • Groups • Families • Special Occasions (617) 291-6609

Harry Brett • Margaret Brett Hastings The official photographers of the Boston Irish Reporter bostonirish.com August 2019 BOSTON IRISH Reporter Page 15 A MOMENTOUS MONTH For Boston-Irish titan John Boyle O’Reilly, August served up both triumph and tragedy

By Peter F. Stevens fellow plotters to the New BIR Staff Bedford men who helped At least twice in the life of John Boyle O’Reilly, August to launch the mission – had proven to be a time of triumph. August 1876 had literally. brought the news that one of the most daring rescues in The whaler rescued the Irish and Irish-American annals had succeeded—with six Irish prisoners two O’Reilly one of the chief plotters. In August 1889, the days later, on April 17, and Irish-born and –bred O’Reilly had been chosen in a the Pilot was one of the first nationwide competition over America’s foremost poets newspapers in the world to to deliver the dedication of the Pilgrim Monument in break the stunning news Plymouth, Mass. A year later on Aug. 10, 1890, he of the plot’s success, an made front-page news yet again. Admirers and foes event that was always to alike were stunned to learn that he was dead at age 46. fill O’Reilly with pride for In the summer of 1890 exhaustion had caught up a blow struck against his John Boyle O’Reilly to O’Reilly. While serving as a judge at the National former captors. Irish Athletic Association’s annual games on Aug. For the Pilot, O’Reilly wrote on a wide array of topics 6, he shrugged off the dizzy spell as the result of his that included his advocacy of equal rights for blacks, heavy workload at the Pilot, likely figuring that a few his diatribes against anti-Semitism, and his espousal At Royal Portrush, Shane Lowery seized the British nights of solid sleep would take care of the problem. of better treatment of all immigrants. He also made Open stage and the Claret Jug. Sleep, however, had rarely come easily to him. The the Pilot an outlet where some of the era’s finest female former Fenian rebel and Royal Army cavalryman had writers and poets could have their work regularly The Republic’s Lowery been sentenced to be hanged for treason against the published. His enlightened views on many social and Crown, but his sentence was commuted to hard labor cultural issues notwithstanding, O’Reilly proved a in Western Australia. He pulled off a daring escape conservative Catholic with traditional views of men’s wins The Open easily to the United States aboard a New Bedford whaling and women’s roles in the church and in the household. His status as the newspaper’s editor and part-owner By Peter F. Stevens ship and eventually ended up in Boston, where, wrote Oliver Wendell Holmes, O’Reilly would become “the not only afforded O’Reilly plenty of space for his edito- BIR Staff most famous Irishman in America.” rials and articles, but also a healthy salary of $5,200. In the middle of July at Royal Portrush in Northern The man who had desperately wondered if he would Ireland at the edge of the North Atlantic Ocean, it Early in the pre-dawn hours of Aug. 10, O’Reilly walked into the office of his Hull, Massachusetts, die in the boiling heat of the Australian bush, and who was a grand outcome for the golf-mad Emerald Isle. had been willing to die in his attempt to escape that The Republic’s burly, bearded Shane Lowery made a summer home and settled into a chair. He lit a cigar and opened a book. His wife, Mary, entered the office fate, had truly “made it in America. magical run at the challenging Royal Portrush tract In August, 1890, O’Reilly stood at the heights of career to seize the British Open’s and its vaunted trophy, the a few hours later to coax him to bed. She found him slumped in the chair, his left hand resting on the book, success. He was tired, to be sure, plagued by insomnia, Claret Jug. That the victor was not named McIlroy but no one who knew him suspected that he might or McDowell—lads of the North—ended up mattering his cigar smoldering. When she tried to waken him, he did not move. She sent a servant racing for the doctor. literally and unwittingly be working himself to death. little to the throngs that cheered Lowery on throughout His public funeral was – and remains – one of the the tournament. It was scant wonder that John Boyle O’Reilly had been worn down. Since his harrowing escape from Australia largest in Boston’s annals. Attesting to the status of Lowery’s talent has never been in question, especially the Irish rebel and immigrant who had bridged Bos- on links courses. If anything, many of his fans and in 1869, he had worked ceaselessly to carve out a bril- liant career as a reporter, editor, poet, novelist, and ton’s social and ethnic prejudices, the city’s Irish and peers wondered why it was taking so long for a player Yankees turned out to honor the man who had lived his with such a blend of power and touch to break through essayist. A man who did not like to acknowledge any physical limits, he pushed himself hard, and in terms all-too-short life with uncommon passion and courage. in a major. At Portush, Lowery rode a stunning third- He stands as both a transitional and pivotal figure in round performance and a steady one on the final day of life experience, he was 46 going on 86. His hellish experiences as an Irish rebel and prisoner haunted him, Boston’s history. in horrific weather to enter the pantheon of Irish and Today, at his burial site, in Holyhood Cemetery, in Northern Irish Major tournament winners, elbowing filling many of his poems and press writings. By 1876, O’Reilly was a man on the rise in Boston’s Brookline, a boulder from his birth-place, West Meath, for his spot with Padraig Harrington, Rory McIlroy, stands above O’Reilly’s plot. The stone is a fitting Graeme McDowell, and Darren Clarke. and the nation’s literary and newspaper circles. Happily married and having bought the Pilot in partnership with symbol of the one-time Fenian rebel who first fought As Golfweek’s Alistair Tate aptly wrote, “Shane tyranny, then escaped it, and went on to condemn it Lowry carried the hopes of an entire island into the Boston Archbishop John J. Williams after the paper’s owner, Patrick Donahoe, was financially ruined after in his new nation. In the history of the Boston Irish, final round of the British Open and delivered.” John Boyle O’Reilly was the indispensable man. Even more importantly, the simple fact that the the Great Boston Fire of 1872, O’Reilly was scaling the ladder of success in his adopted country. Words that O’Reilly once penned are still instructive Open unfolded was testimony to an event unthink- but ignored by far too many Americans: able during The Troubles. That fact was not lost on On April 15, 1876, the archbishop and O’Reilly of- McDowell, who said to Golf Magazine and other me- ficially became the newspaper’s owners, but O’Reilly’s elation of rescuing the Pilot was tempered by his There are no classes or races, dia: “The fans put on a show for these players. They But one human brotherhood. treated Shane like one of their own. North or south worry over a secret that only a handful of men knew: of the border, they showed there is no border when it the New Bedford whaler Catalpa had anchored off Western Australia, and a plan to free six of O’Reilly’s There are no creeds to outlaw, comes to golf in Ireland.” No colors of skin debarred. As Lowery’s run to the top of the leaderboard un- fellow prisoners from the horrors of Fremantle Gaol and forced labor in Australia quarries and the bush Mankind is one in its rights and wrongs. folded, the Irish golf world received another welcome One right, one hope, one guard. development. As CNN reported, “Ireland’s remarkable country was nearing its climax. O’Reilly, along with future “father of the IRA” John Devoy, had played a key The right to be free, the hope to be just, week of sporting success ratcheted up another level and the guard against selfish greed. Thursday after the country was named as host nation role in procuring the Catalpa and in introducing his of the 2026 Ryder Cup....Adare Manor was chosen as the venue for one of golf’s biggest showpiece events.” The Ryder Cup was much on Lowery’s mind as he A Cape Cod Irish Night at Ocean Edge spoke with the assembled media after his feat at Por- trush: “I’m a European Tour member….I’ll be back in September to start my quest of making the Ryder Cup team. My big goal still remains the same, and that is to be on the plane going to Whistling Straits next year. That’s my plan for the next 12 months. Hopefully that involves a couple of wins along the way.” Few who witnessed any of Lowery’s performance in the 2019 British Open would now bet against his chances. IrishAmerican Whiskey opens its first Ireland-based distillery The distillers of IrishAmerican Whiskey were on hand at the American embassy in Dublin last month to welcome the newly appointed US Ambassador Ed- ward Crawford at Independence Day celebrations at the envoy’s residence in Phoenix Park. The IrishAmerican brand is a family-run business operated by Sean, Michael, Paul, and Katie McKay, who launched their first island-based distillery in Ireland last month on Achill Island, Co Mayo. They said they were “honored to welcome Ambassador Crawford” whom they called “a proud Irish American with family connections in Achill Island, Co Mayo.” IrishAmerican Whiskey had a leading stand at this year’s Independence Day celebrations in Dublin providing cocktails samples and truly conveying the qualities of this family-run brand. Popularity of these The Corcoran family hosted an annual Ireland summer cocktails – “the Uncle Sam” and “The Jackie Funds America reception July 19 at Ocean Edge O” – spread fast as the queue was constant with joyful Irish and Americans alike expressing their interest in Resort in Brewster. Pictured, clockwise, from top left, the story behind the brand’s epic journey. Steve Greeley, Ireland Funds VP of Development, The product is currently on sale across 15 states in Congressman Richard Neal with Ireland Consul the US operating from US headquarters in Boston. The whiskey was awarded Double Gold and best in show General Laoise Moore, and Suzanne Corcoran Early, in this year’s Wine & Spirits Wholesalers of America who welcomed the guests on behalf of her dad, Joseph convention in April. Corcoran. Page 16 August 2019 BOSTON IRISH Reporter bostonirish.com Happenings at the ICCNE

FUNCTION ROOMS AVAILABLE Did you know our Function Rooms & Marquee Tent are available to rent for private functions? Communions, Christenings, Private Parties and Weddings - all welcome. In house catering and full bar available. Call Sophie to book at 781 821 8291 x111

The Irish Cultural Centre Pub Great Menu • Great Music Come for the food, stay for the music Fridays at the Pub Music: open music session led by John Kearney 7-11 p.m. Food & Drink: Pub service starts at 6 p.m. Saturdays at the Pub Music: open music session led by Billy O’Neill 5-8 p.m. Food & Drink: Pub service starts at 5 p.m. Irish beers on tap – Peaty Single malts and other old favorites

ICCNE – 200 New Boston Drive, Canton, MA 781-821-8291 www.irishculture.org