SEATTLE IRISH NEWS - MARCH 2009 By JOHN KEANE
CONDOLENCES
· The family of Margaret Godfrey who died this past week in Seattle. She was born in Northern Ireland in 1928.
· To Phyllis and the family of Tom Sampson who died recently in Everett following a short battle with cancer. From Co. Limerick, Tom, 77, has been in the Seattle area since the early 1950s.
· To the family of Sr. Carmel Farrell, 90, who died recently in Seattle. A native of Co. Roscommon, Carmel joined the Tacoma Dominicans in 1951.
· To EU Ambassador and former Taoiseach John Bruton, last year's St. Patrick's Day Parade Grand Marshal in Seattle, whose father Joe died recently in Co. Meath just three days before he was to celebrate his 100th birthday.
· To the family of Sr. Helena Kelly, OSF who died recently in Tacoma after 47 years as a Franciscan Sister. Sr. Helena, 67, was born in Boyle, County Roscommon.
· To the family of Ted Carroll of Balljamesduff, Co. Cavan, who died recently in Yakima.
· To Seattle's Dan McKevitt and Bernadette Noonan on the death of their 50-year-old niece Bronagh Murphy in Carlingford, Co. Louth.
· To Jadean Rooney who lives in Ballinalee, Co. Longford, on the death of her mother Nancy Geraldine "Jerre" Patton, 88, who died in Federal Way last month.
Ar dheis Dé go raibh a n-anamacha dílis - May their faithful souls be at God's right hand.
IRISH WEEK 2009 - Among the highlights of Seattle's St. Patrick's Day celebrations will be the Irish Festival on March 14, 15 and 17, the St. Patrick's Day parade on March 14 and the St. Patrick's Day Mass on March 17.
For the details of all the various events, visit WWW.IRISHWEEK.ORG, but here is the official list of remaining Irish Week 2009 events in Seattle:
FRIDAY, MARCH 13
- IRISH WEEK PROCLAMATION LUNCHEON, Noon, call (206) 361-1713.
- GREEN STRIPE LAYING, 7 PM, call (425) 548-9859.
SATURDAY, MARCH 14
- IRISH FLAG-RAISING and NATIONAL ANTHEMS, 12:20 PM.
- ST. PATRICK'S DAY PARADE, 12:30 PM, call (206) 242-5140.
- FRIENDS OF ST. PATRICK BANQUET, 6 PM, call (425) 290-7839.
SUNDAY, MARCH 15
- ST. PATRICK'S DAY DASH, 8:30 AM, call (206) 522-7711.
- MATT TALBOT DINNER, 6 PM, call (425) 290-7839.
TUESDAY, MARCH 17
- St. Patrick's Day MASS FOR PEACE IN IRELAND, 12 Noon, call (425) 745-1034.
- St. Patrick's Day IRISH SENIORS' LUNCHEON, 2 PM, call (425) 290-7839.
SATURDAY, SUNDAY, TUESDAY, MARCH 14-15, 17
- IRISH FESTIVAL, Seattle Center's Center House, Saturday and Sunday 11 AM - 6 PM; Tuesday 11:30 AM - 3 PM. For details, call (206) 427-3027.
 DON O'NEILL, of the Ron and Don Show on Seattle's KIRO 97.3 FM, will be Grand Marshal of Seattle's 2009 St. Patrick's Day parade on Saturday, March 14. |
 SEATTLE'S CATHOLIC ARCHBISHOP Alex J. Brunett will preside at the annual Mass for Peace in Ireland at noon on St. Patrick's Day, March 17. Annually celebrated in a Protestant Church, Plymouth Congregational in downtown Seattle, the main speaker at this year's Mass is Belfast-born Presbyterian Minister Barry Keating. |
 ONE OF THE SEVEN musical groups performing at the Irish Festival at the Seattle Center on March 14, 15 and 17 is Glenlara with (L-R) Dan Possumato on the melodeon and button accordion, Teresa Baker on the tin whistle and piano, and Mick Mulcrone on the wooden flute and Greek bouzouki. |
 IRELAND'S ATTORNEY GENERAL, Paul Gallagher SC, will be visiting from Ireland to participate in Seattle's Irish week events |
GRAND MARSHAL - Seattle's 2009 St. Patrick's Day Parade Grand Marshal is Don O'Neill, co-host of The Ron & Don Show on KIRO Radio (3-7 PM, 97.3 FM), Seattle's top-rated afternoon radio program.
Don O'Neill is a worthy representative of one of Ireland's most illustrious families. According to a Trinity College Dublin study, one in 12 Irishmen (and many Scotsmen) share the same Y chromosome, which suggests they are all descended from the same Fifth Century High-King of Ireland called Niall Naoighiallach or Niall of the Nine Hostages.
All O'Neills trace their lineage to him, and even in the U.S. over 46,000 people share that O'Neill lineage. Don's great-grandfather was one of those O'Neills who left Ireland in the late 1800s and Don himself was born in Chicago.
While growing up and attending high school in Albuquerque, New Mexico, Don met Ron Upshaw and their life long friendship turned into The Ron & Don Show.
Seattle is where Don came to attend the University of Washington and he says, "This is this most beautiful place on Earth!" Don is also involved in the community at large. He has pedaled his bike across America several times to raise money for makingmemories.org, the Breast Cancer Foundation.
Don's Mom has battled breast cancer and this charity organization is very important to him. When he's not doing his radio show, you'll find Don at the gym, on a spin bike, at a great restaurant downtown, or pedaling down the road on his road bike.
However, on March 14, you'll find Don leading the St. Patrick's Day parade along Fourth Avenue in downtown Seattle.
IRISH GUESTS - Visiting Seattle from Ireland for Irish Week is Ireland's Attorney General, Paul Gallagher SC. As Attorney General, Gallagher is the legal adviser to the Irish Government and the chief law officer of the Irish State.
Born in Co. Kerry in 1955, he was educated by the Irish Christian Brothers at Tralee CBS, and he also attended Castleknock College in Dublin. He obtained his Civil Law Degree in 1975 from University College Dublin and his Barrister at Law Degree in 1976 from the King's Inns Dublin.
He also studied at Cambridge University England and holds degrees in law, history and economics. He was first admitted to practice at the Irish Bar as a Junior Counsel in 1979 and as Senior Counsel in 1991.
He was a university lecturer in contract law and a lecturer in the King's Inns in commercial law, and was formerly Chairman of the Irish Sports Council Anti-Doping Disciplinary Tribunal. He has served as Ireland's representative on the Arbitration and Conciliation Panels of the International Center for Settlement of Investment Disputes.
He was appointed Ireland's Attorney General in June 2007 and was re-appointed last May. We extend a sincere welcome to him on his first visit to Seattle.
VICE-CONSUL O'BRIEN - Attorney General Gallagher will be accompanied on his Seattle visit by Barry O'Brien who in September assumed duty as Vice Consul of Ireland to the Western United States, based in San Francisco.
Born in Dublin, O'Brien previously served as Program Officer of the International Fund for Ireland (IFI) in the Anglo-Irish Division of the Department of Foreign Affairs, Dublin. This will also be his first visit to Seattle.
CONGRATULATIONS - Best wishes to former Seattle resident Ann Gill who recently married Niall Delaney from Carlow in Westport, Co. Mayo. Ann is now working in Dublin.
IMMIGRATION LEADER - Seattle's Irish Immigrant Support Group has welcomed the announcement that Irish immigration advocate Bart Murphy is taking over as chairman of the Irish Lobby for Immigration Reform.
Murphy, who lives in San Francisco and has been to Seattle many times, takes over from current chairman Niall O'Dowd in the Irish effort to promote comprehensive immigration reform in the U.S. Congress.
SEATTLE GAELS - While still technically in the off season, the Seattle Gaels Gaelic football and hurlers have been busy preparing for the 2009 season through training and fundraising.
March is particularly busy as it marks our recruitment drive and new fundraising events are all centered on St. Patrick's Day.
On March 14, stop by our information booth at the Irish Festival in the Seattle Center and watch us in the St Patrick's Day parade.
That evening, please join us for our first annual St. Paddy's Bash at the Seattle Underground Event Center (2407 First Avenue) from 6 PM to 2 AM. The bash is our first fundraiser of the year and will feature live music, Irish themed entertainment, and drink specials.
On March 22, we'll be hosting our Recruitment/Open Field Day at Magnolia Fields. This is an opportunity to come learn more about the sports of Gaelic football and hurling, see how the game is played, and even step on the pitch to give it a try.
We're always looking to spread the word about Gaelic sports around the Puget Sound area and hope to see you at one of our events. For more information about the Seattle Gaels and our upcoming season, visit www.seattlegaels.com, or contact Nate Dooley at: npdooley@yahoo.com.
IRISH/CELTIC CONCERTS - Upcoming highlights on the Irish and Celtic music calendar in the Seattle area include: the annual St. Patrick's Night Céili at the Tractor Tavern in Ballard, a Céili at the Vashon Grange Hall on Saturday, March 21, and Celtic Woman at the Paramount Theatre, May 15-17. For the latest information on all the Irish or Celtic events in the Seattle area, visit www.hoilands.com.
UILLEANN PIPES - For more information on Piperlink on Friday, May 8, watch the Seattle Irish Pipers Club (www.irishpipersclub.org) website for details.
GAA TELECASTS - The annual GAA telecast season is starting again with certain games being shown live at Fadó Irish Pub, First and Columbia, downtown Seattle. Call (206) 264-2700 for details.
ST. PATRICK'S DAY FUN FACT - It was an Irishman in Tacoma in 1893 who originated the now worldwide custom of standing with head uncovered for the playing of the National Anthem. See all the details at www.irishclub.org/misc.htm.
Beannachtaí na Féile Pádraig oraibh go léir! - The Blessings of St. Patrick's Day to all of you!
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