February 2015 ianohio.com Erie to Eire: Michael Lavelle from Achill, piping from Cleveland’s Lake Eire shore 2 IAN Ohio “We’ve Always Been Green!” www.ianohio.com FEBRUARY 2015 The National Anthem, The Plun- more, in this issue. Editor’s Corner ketts, Patriot Games, Hunger I was able to attend the swear- Strike, Kilmainham Jail, Brendan in ceremony for new Cuyahoga and Dominic Behan, W.B. Yeats, County Common Pleas Judge Kevin Barry, The Proclamation, Shannon Gallagher on Thurs- There Were Roses, Canon O’Neill, day. She is bright, energetic the Dublin Lockout, Paul Mc- and insightful, and not jaded or Cartney, A Soldier’s Song, Mi- encumbered by political chits or chael Collins, Joe MacDonnell, allegiances. She has collabora- Tommy Makem, we know the tive ideas and knows the current John O’Brien, Jr. pivotal names in song and places, system is NOT working. She will but what people and events have to work her way up, but I birthed the song? The Troubles am excited about what she will Well, it is done; our 8th year did run on the airwaves though, do. She has taken the first step, is complete, our 9th begun with and the power of the people winning election, and will work last month’s issue. Next issue found and forged its own bards for a better system of productiv- will be our 99th. I have also out of pure necessity and the ity, best practices and most of all, finished my new book, 99 Years Bard in their blood. Their only justice for all. from Freedom. Dreams always choice for a voice, was to sing. Slán, John seem to come in bunches. Those who write, sing, and Up until near the Easter Ris- star in the songs and stories of “Follow me where I go, ing of 1916, there was no TV, Ireland’s freedom are ordinary what I do and who I know; no widespread radio in Ireland. people doing extraordinary O’Bent Enterprises includes: There was only the oral tradition things; people like you and me. www.twitter.com/jobjr of song and story to preserve and Yet, they gave up liberty, health, www.facebook.com/ present the history of our people. or the ultimate sacrifice, life, for OhioIrishAmericanNews The Bards carried the headlines, a dream spanning generations, www.linkedin.com/in/ in their heads. Our only flicker and 800 years. At times it was jobjr/ http://songsandsto- of roots, of resistance to euthana- quietly nurtured and at times ries.net/myblog/feed/ sia, was to sing from the Hedge briefly burned bright, the blood School and hone in to the songs of patriots its main fuel. and stories of the Bard. We can only know our full Easter Rising, Soloheadbeg, selves in the seminal songs and Upton, Robert Emmett, Bobby stories of our past. We hope you Michael Lavelle from Sands, The Fools, the heroes of 16, will find them, and so much Achill piping on the Cleveland shore. Photo by Marianne Mangan There are over 1.4 million people of Irish descent in Ohio; 475,000 in Greater Cleveland; 176,000 in Cuyahoga County: Want to reach them? Advertise in the Ohio Irish American News: [email protected]. ianohio.com Newly elected Judge Shannon Gallagher is sworn in to the Court of Common Pleas 4 IAN Ohio “We’ve Always Been Green!” www.ianohio.com FEBRUARY 2015 Our thoughts and prayers go out to the Batt Burns family, on the loss of the beautiful Maura. The kindest, most wel- coming woman, her passion for sharing our culture is the standard for giving. FEBRUARY 2015 Vol. 9 Issue 2 Publishers Congratulations to Joanie Madden, John O’Brien Jr. / Cliff Carlson Mary Coogan, Mirella Murray, Graine Editor John O’Brien Jr. Murphy and Katherine Boyle of Cherish Website-Cathy Curry & Achill family holiday home for sale!!! Known as the most the Ladies, celebrating 30 years together Ryanne Gallagher-Johnson beautiful house in The Valley, this Country Estate is like no this month! Can’t wait to see them again Columnists other house on Achill. You have to see it at www.panaceaon- at Cleveland Irish Cultural festival in July. Behind the Hedge- John O’Brien, Jr. Blowin’ In- Susan Mangan achill.com. Huge Great Room with beamed cathedral ceilings, Congratulations to Mary Jo Graves, Cleveland Irish- Francis McGarry four bedrooms, five bathrooms, three fireplaces, and sea whose Sea of Blue grass roots effort for Crossword Puzzle- Linda Fulton Burke views. This is the time to buy in Ireland – 50% Don’t Forget Us-Lisa O’Rourke Guilty Pleasures- Christine below previous value and the Euro is cheap! Gallagher Kearney Contact owners, Gordon and Mary Gregg, at info@ Illuminations- J. Michael Finn panacea-on-achill.com or 314-853-1092 for further information. Inner View- John O’Brien Jr Ireland Past & Present-Niamh O’Sullivan Forever Seven- Anne Waters Katherine Mary V- Katherine Boyd Letter From Ireland - Cathal Liam Livin’ With Lardie- Richard Lardie Off Shelf/On This Day-Terry Kenneally Out of the Mailbag- John O’Brien, Jr. Owens Sports- Mark Owens Terry From Derry- Terry Boyle 100 people to come together to show IAN Ohio Inc. is published monthly (12 their support of Police, brought thou- issues a year) on the first day of each sands to Public Square; Sea of Blue has month. Subscription is by first class spread across the city, is spreading across mail. 1 year $30, 2 years at $55 3 years the nation, in similar show of support. $80. To subscribe go online at www. ianohio.com, or Email us at subs@ ianohio.com, or call us at 708-445-0700 or mail to address below. IAN Ohio is available for free at over 240 locations throughout Ohio. For information on the locations go to www. ianohio.com and click on the Ohio Distribution button. Contact: IAN Ohio Inc. PLEASE NOTE OUR NEW PHONE NUMBER: 216.647.1144 e-mail: mailto:[email protected] or mail to: IAN OHIO INC PO Box 7, Zion IL 60099 847-872-0700 e-mail: [email protected] Subscriptions: [email protected] On the Internet www.ianohio.com www.facebook.com/OhioIrishAmerican- News www.twitter.com/jobjr PUBLISHERS STATEMENT The opinions and statements ex- pressed in this newspaper are entirely those of the authors, and do not reflect in any way the opinions of IAN Ohio. Circulation: 7,500-For a list of distribu- tion points, go to www.ianohio.com and click on the word “Distribution.” FEBRUARY 2015 “We’ve Always Been Green!” www.ianohio.com 5 The Noble Potato embraced by a new generation, eager properties of moisture and flavor that by Katherine Stewart not only to explore the potato’s place make it optimal for different seasons. in the story of Irish identity, but also In the fall, Thornton alternates slices Childhood memories are both myste- to celebrate its multiplicity of forms. of potato with truffle for a luxuriously rious and revealing. What Kevin Thorn- Ireland produces a large number of savory treat. In winter, he combines ton remembers are the potatoes. One regional potato varieties, reflecting potatoes with salt cod to create a beig- of nine children in a Cashel, County the country’s natural biodiversity. net. In spring, he uses sweet potato to Tipperary family, he spent summers The work of chefs like Thornton, who craft gnocchi, which is then smoked at his uncle’s house in the village of demonstrate the wondrous potential in hay. Summer is the optimal season Dualla, where potatoes were frequently of this once-humble ingredient night for new potatoes; in an homage to his on the menu. When they pulled the after night, has no doubt contrib- childhood, he dresses them with mint. potatoes out of the oven, the pale brown uted to the potato’s renaissance in all Thornton’s Restaurant is on the tubers would split their jackets like quarters. Urban Farm, a Dublin-based leading edge of potato innovation, but flower-shaped volcanoes and fog up nonprofit organization that supports others are giving a strong showing. At the windows. Thornton’s uncle topped artisanal agriculture, has launched a Fade Street Social, one of Dublin’s best them with Kerrygold butter new restaurants, purple and mint from the garden, potatoes are combined producing steam-powered with beetroot mousse and explosions of flavor. Now dressed with a dollop of that was a potato. crème fraiche flavored with The potato has long been citrus zest; the effect is fresh Ireland’s signature food- and so sweet it could almost stuff. But in recent years, in work as a dessert. At Pearl the hands of creative chefs Brasserie on Merrion Street like Thornton, it has under- Upper, baked potato gnocci gone a serious makeover. It is inventively paired with has become the stuff of art. sweet corn, poblano peppers, Thornton, the first Irish buffalo mozzarella and basil. chef to receive two Michelin Those who like their tradi- stars, is one of the country’s tion with a twist should head most prominent culinary to Padraic Og Gallagher’s heroes. A slim, energetic award-winning Boxty House, grandfather, Thornton is which serves up variations also an accomplished pho- on the time-honored Irish tographer. Images of the Irish landscape dish of Boxty – a light potato and his culinary creations decorate project called Thank Potato, which pancake. Memorable dishes include the slices into warm clarified butter. the earth-toned walls of his restaurant, seeks to educate the public about the their Famous Gaelic Boxty, a hearty Take a 100mm metal tartlet mould Thornton’s, which is located in the el- large number of potato varieties in Eire.