Seattle-Irish News Update
By JOHN KEANE
Early Puget Sound Irish
The Oregon Treaty of 1846 gave the United States undisputed possession of the Pacific Northwest south of the 49th parallel, extending the U.S.-Canadian boundary “to the middle of the channel which separates the continent from Vancouver's Island.”
But while the treaty settled the larger boundary question, it created additional problems because the “middle of the channel” wording left unclear the question of who owned San Juan Island. The confusion resulted in what is today called “The Pig War” that started in 1859 when an American settler shot and killed a pig belonging to the Hudson's Bay Company.
Both the U.S. and Britain responded to the pig-killing by sending troops to San Juan Island. Although no further shots were fired, the dispute wasn’t settled until 1872. At the height of “The Pig War” in July 1860, the U.S. Company of soldiers on San Juan Island was composed mostly of Irishmen with 43 of the 73 enlisted men being Irish-born.
In fact, of the 5,000 men accepted into the U.S. army nationwide in 1850 and 1851, 2,113 were Irish-born. This information comes from National Park Historian Mike Vouri who will expound further on the subject at the Seattle Center’s Irish Festival next March. Yes, planning has already started! To volunteer or for information, e-mail IrishWeek@irishclub.org.
New Consul
Dónal Denham, Ireland's Consul General for the Western U.S., has left San Francisco to assume his new position in Vilnius as Irish Ambassador to Lithuania. Dónal and his wife Siobhán were great friends of the Irish in Seattle and were frequent visitors here, the last time during the visit of Irish President Mary McAleese in May. Dónal‘s successor as Consul General is Dubliner Émer Deane, whose dad happens to be poet and literary critic Seamus Deane who currently teaches at the University of Notre Dame. Émer will be ably assisted by Vice-Consul Úna Fannon who is on her second year in San Francisco.
Irish Picnic
Thanks to Rob Mullin, Candace Dunne, David Jacobson, and all the others who helped organize a wonderful Irish Community Picnic at St. Edward State Park on July 31. A large crowd attended and a great time was had by all. Pictures from the picnic can be seen on the Irish Heritage Club’s website at www.irishclub.org.
Seattle Gaels
Best of luck to the Seattle Gaels Hurlers and Women Gaelic Footballers who traveled with high hopes to Philadelphia last weekend to participate in the North American GAA Championships. The women’s team played Atlanta in the first round, a team they last played (and defeated) in 2002.
Meanwhile, the hurlers faced a team from Denver that was completely unknown as it was the first time that Denver affiliated a hurling team. For details on all the competitions, check the Philadelphia Playoffs website at www.phillygaa.com, or for information on the Seattle Gaels, visit www.seattlegaels.org.
Irish Language
Basic and Intermediate classes in the Irish Language start September 10, at 12600 NE 85th Street, Kirkland. Each class consists of 10 sessions, with beginner classes on Monday evenings and Intermediate level classes on Saturday mornings. For detailed information on class times, directions, cost, etc., visit www.usacademy.us, or call Aidan Maher at (425) 823-1553.
Professor “Iggy”
Professor Iognáid Ó Muircheartaigh (Ignatius Moriarity), MA, PhD, president of the National University of Ireland, Galway, visited Seattle this month, and the Seattle Galway Sister City Association organized a reception and dinner in his honor at F X McRory's.
Professor “Iggy”, as he is known to the students, began his term of office as university president in 2000, and is the eleventh President of the University which was founded in 1845 as Queen's College Galway. It is now a thriving educational institution with over 11,000 students from over 40 countries, taking courses in seven faculties – Arts, Science, Commerce, Engineering, Law, Medicine and Health Sciences, and Celtic Studies. For more information on the National University of Ireland, Galway, visit www.nuigalway.ie.
Joyce Exhibition
The International Joyce exhibit is now on display at the University of Washington’s Suzzallo Library through the month of September and is accompanied by 10 display cases showcasing the UW Library’s Joyce holdings.
As part of the exhibition, members of Seattle’s Irish community attended a screening of the film Joyce to the World on August 16 in the library’s Allen Auditorium, followed by a panel discussion and reception. The event was sponsored by the University of Washington Libraries, the Wild Geese Players of Seattle, the Irish Heritage Club and the Seattle-Galway Association.
Martin McGuinness
Friends of Sinn Fein have announced a dinner in Seattle on September 29, with Martin McGuinness as guest speaker. McGuinness is a member of the Ard Comhairle (National Executive) of Sinn Féin and is the party’s Chief Negotiator. In 1997 he was elected Member of the British Parliament and was re-elected in 2001. Ticket prices are $100 per person, with time and place yet to be announced. For information, contact Sean O'Rawe at sorawe@msn.com.
Ceili Dancing
October 2, 3-6 PM at the Irish Emigrant, an afternoon of Irish music, group dancing and laughter is being organized by Celtic Roots to provide Summer 2006 scholarships to the annual Tír na nÓg Day Camp and the Seattle Set Dancing Workshop. Admission, $5 per person, $15 per family, four years and under free – contact Melissa Curtis at evolutiondance@nventure.com.
At The Tractor
September 25, Liz Carroll and John Doyle headline the show at Seattle’s Tractor Tavern. John Doyle was a founding member of the groundbreaking group Solas, while Liz Carroll was awarded a National Heritage Fellowship in 1994 for her great influence on Irish music as a performer and a composer. On October 3, it's the return of Dervish, one of Ireland's most exciting tradition-rooted bands. For details, visit www.tractortavern.com.
Matt Talbot Golf
On October 11 the Matt Talbot Golf Tournament will be held at Harbour Pointe Golf Club in Mukilteo and everyone is invited to participate in this fundraiser for Seattle’s downtown program for the homeless. Shotgun start at 9 AM and the $75 fee includes greens fee, cart, afternoon BBQ, etc. For information, call (206) 223-9403 or e-mail TalbotGolf@irishclub.org.
Other Events
The Irish Heritage Book Discussion Group meets on September 28 and will cover the Reading in the Dark by Seamus Deane and The Parts by Keith Ridgway. For details, call (206) 525-5310 or e-mail hudit@comcast.net
Anthony Kearns, one of the internationally acclaimed Irish Tenors, performs October 16, at 4 PM at Mary Queen of Peace Church, 1121 228th SE, Sammamish. All proceeds will benefit St. Joseph School of Issaquah. Reserved seating tickets: $75, $50, $25, with a Post Concert VIP Reception $25. Contact: AKC@sjsissaquah.org or (425) 313-9129.
The Keith Highlanders Pipe Band performs at the Kirkland Performance Center on October 27-29, bringing the finest Celtic entertainment to Kirkland, with pipers, Scottish Highland Dancers, Champion Irish Stepdancers, drummers, and An Tua, a Seattle Celtic band anchored by flute player Hanz Araki. For advance tickets, contact Michael Martin at khpb@khpb.org or visit: www.kpcenter.org.
The Chieftains at Benaroya Hall, January 31, 2006. Tickets available at Ticketmaster.
Dance Space
Scoil Rince Slieveloughane, the largest accredited Irish Dance School in Washington, needs dance space in Everett for late afternoon and evening classes. For details, contact Steve Fogard at srsfeis@hotmail.com.
Celtic Supporters
Fadó Irish Pub and Restaurant at First Avenue and Columbia Street in downtown Seattle has started a Celtic Supporters Club and will show all Glasgow Celtic games live. Anyone can join or just pay in for individual games. For information, call (206) 264-2700 or visit www.fadoirishpub.com.
Father Kieran, R.I.P.
The death took place recently of Father Kieran Cunningham, OSB, a member of Saint Martin’s Benedictine Abbey near Olympia. Aged 79, Father Cunningham was born in Scotland but grew up in Ardara, County Donegal, one of 12 children. He came to the Seattle area in 1947 and worked at the Tacoma Smelter until he entered High School in 1950 at the age of 25, later joining the Benedictines where he was ordained in 1962.
He is survived by 11 brothers and sisters, including in Seattle by Bridget Rowland and Charles Cunningham, and in Tacoma by Nana Gavigan and Catherine Merdich, to all of whom deepest sympathy is extended. Ar dheis Dé go raibh a anam dílis.
Congratulations
And best wishes to Leitrim man Paul Honeyman and his bride Caitlin Racey who were married in Seattle on August 13.
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