Seattle-Irish News
By JOHN KEANE
Children's Christmas Party
The annual Children's Christmas Party sponsored by the Irish Heritage Club, is this December 12, at 1 PM at the Parish Hall at Maplewood Presbyterian Church, 19523 84th Avenue West, Edmonds – one mile west of Highway 99. Daidí na Nodhlaig (Father Christmas) arrives in his green robes at 2 PM. All are welcome, but please register children in advance by calling (425) 290-7839 or via e-mail to Aine@irishclub.org.
Irish Mother's Christmas
The annual celebration of Nodhlag na mBan, the Irish Mother's Christmas Dinner, will be January 9, at 6 PM at Maguire's Irish Bistro, 332 15th Avenue East, on Seattle's Capitol Hill, one block from Group Health Hospital with cocktails at 6 PM and dinner at 7 PM. Tickets are $25 per person and include salad, salmon or pub steak, coffee or tea, tax and tip and a flower for the ladies.
In certain parts of Ireland, January 6, the twelfth day of Christmas, was celebrated as “Little Christmas” or “Nodhlag na mBan” (Mother's Christmas), and was a day on which mothers were excused from doing any housework. In Seattle, we celebrate by taking the women in our lives to dinner. Advance reservations are required – for reservations and information call (425) 290-7839, or e-mail dinner@irishclub.org.
Book Club
The next meeting of Seattle's Irish Book Club is December 16 at 6 PM at the Irish Emigrant, 5260 University Way NE. They will be reading from An Irish Christmas by John B. Keane, a book of short stories. As always, don't feel like you have to read the book to attend, come for the Christmas cheer and companionship! New members are always welcome – for more information, call Judith at (206) 367-5630.
Irish Week 2005
The dates have already been finalized for Seattle's Irish Week 2005 and here are the main events:
March 3 – March 5, Irish Reels Film Festival
March 5, Irish Soda Bread Contest, 1 PM
March 11, Proclamation Luncheon, 12 Noon
March 11, Green Stripe Laying, 7 PM
March 12, Irish Flag-Raising, 12:20 PM
March 12, St. Patrick's Day Parade, 12:30 PM
March 12 – March 13, Irish Week Festival, Seattle Center, Noon - 6 PM
March 12, Friends of St. Patrick Banquet, Seattle, 7 PM
March 12, An Irish Cabaret, Everett, 7 PM
March 13, St. Patrick's Day Dash, 9 AM
March 13, Matt Talbot Dinner, 6 PM
March 17, St. Patrick's Day, Mass for Peace, 12 Noon
March 17, St. Patrick's Day Celebration, Seattle Center
New volunteers are needed to help with the planning and organizing of St. Patrick's Day and its related activities. If you're willing to get involved in any of the events, please call (425) 290-7839 or e-mail IrishWeek@irishclub.org. For more specific information on any event, e-mail IrishWeek@irishclub.org, or go to www.irishclub.org, or call (206) 223-3608.
Condolences
Sincere sympathy to Uilleann Piper Tom Quinn and to all the Quinn family members on the death at the age of 45 of their sister Mary Frances Quinn.
Condolences also to Sean Armstrong on the death of his wife Patricia following a long battle with cancer.
Condolences also to Eileen Kilgren, of Sunday's Hornpipe on KBCS – 91.3 FM, on the recent death of her father.
Ar dheis Dé go raibh a n-anamacha – May their souls rest at God's right hand.
Fred Bradley, R.I.P. - The Rev. Fred Bradley, Pastor of Whitehead Presbyterian Church, Belfast, the speaker at Seattle's St. Patrick's Day Mass for Peace in 2000, has died in Ireland following a long illness. Irish Heritage Club President Rev. Barry Keating officiated at the funeral along with the Rev. Ken Newell (who spoke at this year's Mass for Peace). Fred's wife Christina and daughter Katie survive him. Ar dheis Dé go raibh a anam dílis – May his faithful soul be at God's right hand.
Seattle Hurling
The Seattle Gaels hurlers continue to practice weekly and invite potential new players to get involved. For more information, call Rob Mullin at (206) 953-8460 or e-mail robm@mullinart.com.
Visa Lottery
The January 7 deadline is approaching for applicants for the U.S. 2006 Diversity Visa Lottery. Some who waited until the final week in 2003 were unable to apply due to the high volume of last minute entries. Applications are being accepted at www.dvlottery.state.gov. Only one entry per person is permitted, and paper entries and mail-in requests are not accepted. There is no fee to apply. For more information, e-mail visa@irishclub.org.
Music Camp
The Friday Harbor Music Camp is March 1-6, in Friday Harbor on San Juan Island. The camp will feature traditional Irish music classes, concerts, dances, sessions, and carrying-on in the spirit of County Clare's “Willie Week.” For more information, visit www.fridayharborirish.com.
Vashon Céili
The monthly Vashon Irish Céili dance is held at the Grange Hall located in the north end of the Vashon ferry dock parking lot. For more information, call (206) 463-9911.
Irish Genealogy
Monthly meetings of the Irish Interest Group of the South King County Genealogical Society are held at the Auburn Library, 1102 Auburn Way South. For more information, e-mail Barb Callahan at barbc70@comcast.net, or call (253) 852-4218.
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