SEATTLE-IRISH NEWS
DECEMBER/JANUARY 2007
By JOHN KEANE
CONDOLENCES - Sincere sympathy to Seattle's Alan Gaskin on the sudden death of his father Pat Gaskin in Dundalk, County Louth, on November 27. Pat is survived by his wife Mary, daughter Pauline, sons Brian, Tony, David, Alan, Kieran and Patrick, sister Bernadette, brother Tony, and a wide circle of relatives and friends. Ar dheis Dé go raibh a anam dílis - May his faithful soul be at the right hand of God.
CHILDREN'S CHRISTMAS - Please don't forget to register children for the annual Irish Children's Christmas Party on December 10, 12:30-3:30 PM, Maplewood Church, 19523 84th Avenue West (on 196th Street at 84th Avenue West), Edmonds.
Starting at 12:30 PM, there will be crafts, games, and light refreshments for all, and Daidí na Nollaig (Father Christmas) arrives in his green robes at 2 PM. Everyone is invited to join us, but please register by calling Áine McDonald at (206) 922-3356 or email xmas@irishclub.org.
Celebrate Magical Strings' 28th Annual CELTIC YULETIDE CONCERT series with a joyous evening of music, dance, song and storytelling with shows in Olympia December 9, Tacoma December 15, and Seattle December 16. For all the details, call (253) 857-3716 or visit www.magicalstrings.com.
The IRISH TENORS HOLIDAY CONCERT - Anthony Kearns, Karl Scully and Finbar Wright are in Seattle for their Holiday Concert on December 18, at 7:30 at Benaroya Hall in aid of Ballard Northwest Senior Center. For information, contact Carlye Teel at (206) 297-0403 or carlyet@seniorservices.org.
SEATTLE GAELS - The Seattle Gaels celebrated a wonderful 2006 season with a party last weekend at the Wilde Rover Irish Pub. Among the club's 2006 accomplishments was the NACB Championship won by the Gaels Hurling team, and Championship medals were distributed at the dinner to the players on the winning team.
The Gaels are still out there playing hurling each Sunday, despite the recent snow and rain, and can't wait for 2007. If you would like to join them, call Aidan O'Callaghan at (206) 940-1113.
 |
|
AMONG THE AWARD WINNERS at the 2006 Seattle Gaels Awards Banquet: (L-R) Anna Henson, Gaels Ladies Rookie of the Year and Amber Talburt, Gaels Ladies MVP; in back are Justin Meaney, Gaels Hurling MVP; Aidan O'Callaghan, Gaels Chair who is holding the North American Junior "C" Hurling Trophy; and Scott Grigg, Gaels Hurling Rookie of the Year.
|
NOLLAIG NA mBAN - Seattle's annual celebration of the 12th Day of Christmas will be on January 7 at Mick Kelly's Irish Pub and Restaurant, 435 SW 152nd Street, Burien, near the intersection of Hwy. 509 and Hwy. 518, west of the airport.
Nollaig na mBan celebrates a tradition that exists in certain parts of Ireland for mothers to be honored on the Twelfth Day of Christmas, and we celebrate in Seattle by taking the women in our lives to dinner.
Last year, there was a packed house and unfortunately some people were turned away, but the company, the conversation, the food, drinks, flowers, music, and service were very enjoyable. So get your reservations in early to Candace at (425) 745-1263 or email CandaceD@irishclub.org.
SCOTTISH ARTS CONCERT - The tenth annual Masters of Scottish Arts Concert returns to Seattle with an all-star lineup of Scottish Highland bagpipers, drummers, fiddlers and dancers, at Benaroya Hall on February 2, at 7:30 PM.
The artists will also be teaching at the 10th annual Mastery of Scottish Arts Winter School in Seabeck, Washington, the week of January 31 to February 5. For tickets, call (206) 292-ARTS or visit www.masteryofscottisharts.org.
ALTAN - Traditional Irish group Altan play Seattle at The Triple Door, 216 Union Street, Seattle, on March 6. For the past decade, Altan has been one of the premiere traditional Irish groups crossing cultural barriers between folk, world, and rock music.
Thought by many to be the finest traditional Irish combo working today, Altan "seamlessly blends dazzling instrumental prowess and the gorgeously delicate vocals of Mairead Ni Mhaonaigh," according to Chicago Weekly.
MUSIC CAMP - The sixth Friday Harbor Irish Music Camp is March 5-11 in Friday Harbor. They're now taking registrations for five days of classes and six nights at the camp, with classes in fiddle, flute, concertina, button accordion, and guitar and there will also be classes available in whistle and dance. For all the details, visit the camp website at www.fridayharborirish.com.
IRISH DANCING - At the Western U.S. Oireachtas in Portland in November, dancers from four Seattle Irish Dance Schools (Baileglas, Comerford, Slieveloughane, and Tara) participated. The Oireachtas is the Western U.S. Championships, and is the primary qualifying event for the All-World Irish Dance Championships being held next April in Glasgow.
Among the Seattle dancers, Kelly Nagan of the Comerford School won the Senior Ladies Championship which was sponsored by Seattle's Seattle Irish Heritage Club, while Owen Barrington won the Senior Men's Championship. Nine Seattle members of the Comerford School qualified for the World Championships in Glasgow.
HOMELESS HERO - Joe Martin was recently honored as a Hero of the Homeless at a Luncheon at the Seattle Center. The award was presented by Operation Nightwatch, an interdenominational Christian ministry that serves the poor and homeless in the Seattle area.
Since arriving in Seattle in 1976 as a VISTA volunteer, Joe has been a tireless advocate for the poor. He found his life's work at the Pike Market Medical Clinic and has been a tremendous source of support and compassion ever since. Joe is also well known in Seattle's Irish community as a musician and singer, and as leader of the Irish group Claypipe.
ST. BRIGID CROSSES - Mark Your Calendars! You can learn how to make St. Brigid Crosses on February 2, at 7:30 PM. Traditionally, St. Brigid Crosses are made on the eve of St. Brigid's Day, February 1.
St. Brigid was a Sixth century Irish saint and is one of the three patrons of Ireland (along with St. Patrick and St. Columba). The St. Brigid Cross, woven from rushes / reeds, is said to have been first plaited by the saint at her monastery in County Kildare.
IMMIGRATION ISSUES - Ireland's Minister for Foreign Affairs is investigating the possibility of a bilateral agreement with the United States to resolve the issue of the undocumented Irish who are already here in the U.S.
Similar individual visa agreements have already been reached by the U.S. with Australia and Chile. There are currently an estimated 30,000-50,000 undocumented Irish in the U.S. Seattle's Irish Immigration Support Group is available to help any Irish immigrants in the Seattle area who require assistance. For more information, visit their website at www.irishseattle.com.
Beannachtaí na Nollaig agus Athbhliain faoi mhaise daoibh go léir! Bí áthasach agus grámhar i do cheiliúradh!
The Blessings of Christmas and a Happy New Year to all of you! Celebrate with love and joy!
| 
