Seattle Report:
An Exciting Irish Day at the Races
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IRISH DAY AT THE RACES at Emerald Downs in Auburn, Washington where the cream of the Irish community turned out in fine style.[BACK ROW] Mike Flannagan (center). President of the All Ireland Cultural Society of Oregon with his daughter Mary (left), and John Keane (right), Treasurer of the Seattle Irish Heritage Society. [FRONT ROW] (L-R) Ashley Grealish and Allyson Feldman of the All Ireland Cultural Society of Oregon.
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AT THE TRACK at Emerald Downs - Jack Geraghty, the former mayor of Spokane, Washington, with Kerry Lynch, the President of the Spokane Limerick Association.
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FRONT ROW: Claire McHugh and Ed Harkin (Honorary President of the Seattle Gaels). BACK ROW: Sarah Milne, visiting student from the University of Limerick.
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Justin Uno and James Brennan in front, with Maureen Keane, Jane Sepede, and Frank Shriane in back, at Seattle's Irish Day at the Races.
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BARBARA BIRNEY, Maureen Keane, and Nanci Spieker at Seattle's Irish Day at the Races.
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ENJOYING THE DAY AT THE RACES were Jim Foskin and Melissa Estelle, President of the Seattle Irish Heritage Society.
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TOM QUINLAN who owns the racehorse Tipperary Dream.
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FINNIAN ROWLAN and Pat Coyne.
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By CATHOLINE BUTLER
SEATTLE - It was Irish Day at the Races at Emerald Downs in Auburn, Washington on June 24. The cream of the Irish communities from Seattle, Portland and Spokane, were all on hand to enjoy the day.
John Keane, treasurer of the Seattle Irish Heritage Society (one of only several hats that he wears), invited me to Seattle to take part in the special day. There was a great air of excitement with live Irish music, Irish dancers and Irish horses. There was Guinness on tap and Irish highballs in a special souvenir glass that guests could take home.
In the racing program, each purse was named for one of the Irish organizations such as the Seattle Gaels Gaelic Football and Hurling Club; Seattle Galway Association; Spokane Limerick Sister City Association; All-Ireland Cultural Society of Portland and O'Blarney's Irish Pub; Friends of St. Patrick; Irish Cultural Club of Tacoma; Irish Day Handicap; and the Seattle Irish Heritage.
Since I don't know much about racing or betting, I needed to depend on the more expert racing fans for instructions on betting. It was just like you see in the movies or at the Kentucky Derby, with all the passion and excitement.
At each race, everyone was craning their neck to see how their horse was doing, then on their feet, urging on their horse. Then, there were the jubilant winners and the groans from those whose horse didn't make it. But, they soon headed back to the wicket to place more bets in the hopes that this time, they would be betting on the winning horse.
All-in-all it was a great day at the races and special thanks to everyone for their hospitality. Next year The Celtic Connection plans to take a bus load from Vancouver and the Lower Mainland and invite everyone to join us at Irish Day at the Races at Emerald Downs. Watch for more details in the December/January issue.
Seattle is the largest city in the Pacific Northwest region of the United States. The city derives its name from Chief Noah Stealth who was chief of the two tribes living in the area. ("Seattle" is an anglicized rendition of his last name).
Seattle is the hub for the Greater Puget Sound region. It s official nickname is the Emerald City, alluding to the lush evergreen trees in the surrounding area. It is also referred to as the Gateway to Alaska, Queen City and Jet City, due to the local influence of the Boeing Company.
Seattle also has a reputation for heavy coffee consumption. Some of the coffee companies founded in Seattle include Starbucks, Seattle's Best Coffee and Tully's. The city was also the site of the 1999 meeting of the World Trade Organization.
Researchers at Central Connecticut State University ranked Seattle the most literate city in America in 2005. A United States Bureau survey showed that Seattle has the highest percentage of college graduates of any major U.S. city.
The Space Needle is Seattle's most recognized landmark dating from the 1962 Century 21 Exposition. There are many other notable landmarks such as the famous Pike Place Market.
Seattle often reminds me a little bit of San Francisco because of the steep hills throughout the city. It is a beautiful city with scenic surroundings and as you drive through the city you can often get glimpses of majestic Mount Rainier.
Very special thanks to Jim Foskin and Finnan Rowlan of the Seattle Irish community for driving me to and from the races and the many other Irish establishments that I visited while in the Emerald City.
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