August 2008 - Irish American News

August 2008 IRISH AMERICAN NEWS 19Gaelic Park August EventsMonthly Musical LuncheonThe Monthly Musical Luncheonwill be held on Wednesday, Aug.6th, 2008 beginning at noon. It’s anexciting way to break up the weekwith an afternoon of wonderfulfood, dancing and music by JoeCullen. Tickets are $13 and includeall entertainment. Reservations arerequired so please call Gaelic Parkat (708) 687-9323 to reserve seatsor for more information.The Feast ofOur Lady of KnockChicago Gaelic Park will commemoratethe Feast of Our Ladyof Knock on Monday, Aug. 18th,2008 at 7:30pm.The miracle of Our Lady ofKnock began on a rainy evening inAug. 1879. Fifteen witnesses sawa bright light shine over the KnockParish Church in an Apparition thatincluded the Blessed Virgin Maryalong with Saints Joseph and John.The faithful watched and recited theRosary in the presence of this apparitionfor over two hours. Miraclesbegan only days after. Pilgrimages toKnock, Co. Mayo began in 1880 andover the years, visitors have grown toover half a million with exceptionalhealings such as that of the terminallyill. The personal pilgrimage of PopeJohn Paul II in 1979 to commemoratethe centenary of the apparition andrecognize Vatican approval and validationinspired even more devotionto the Shrine.Gaelic Park honors this astonishingevent with Benediction, Rosaryand Procession to the beautifulGrotto. Refreshments hosted by theLadies Auxiliary will be availableafter the ceremony.Heritage & Harvest DayThe annual Heritage & HarvestDay will take place on Sunday, September21, 2008.Old time farm implements suchas the threshing machine will beon hand for viewing along with anexhibition on preparation of milkfor churning, piking the straw andmaking sugar. There will also bea Connemara pony exhibition, ahomemade apple pie contest, youthfootball and hurling games, and atraditional Irish music session withSean Cleland and the students fromIrish Music School of Chicago.Games will be offered for bothkids and adults. Kids games includea three-legged race, water balloontoss, obstacle course, pillow fight,and more. Adult games testingstrength and stamina will be played,as including barrel races, a waterballoon toss and Skittles.Irish photographer, James Fraher,will give a lecture on photographingin Ireland in the Tara Room. Fraher’sphotographs have appeared in morethan 150 music recording covers andother publications. His photographsare part of the permanent collectionsat the Smithsonian Institution, theChicago Blues Archive at the HaroldWashington Library and the Universityof Mississippi Blues Archive.There will also be a set dancingperformance and a barbeque on theBernie Glim & Country Roadsoutdoor patio complete with ribs,hot dogs, ice cream and a variety ofbeverages.Carraig Pub Hosts MusiciansGaelic Park is also home to theCarraig Pub, the place for a greatnight out with music and great,mouth-watering food. The Carraigserves favorites such as corned beefsandwiches, shepherd’s pie, fish &chips, ribs, chicken and many otherentrees and appetizers.Music is also big at the Carraigwith free entertainment everyFriday and Saturday night with thebest local performers. This month’sentertainment includes: Saturday,Aug. 2nd, Rico Quinn; Friday, Aug.8th, Bernie Glim & Country Roads;Saturday, Aug. 9th, Pat Guinee;Friday, Aug. 15th, Kieran Conway;Friday, Aug. 22nd, Jerry Eadie;Saturday, Aug. 23rd, Joe McShane;Friday, Aug. 29th, Johnny & Coax;Saturday, Aug. 30th, Mulligan Stew.Entertainment for Friday, Aug. 1stand Saturday, Aug. 16th will beannounced at a later date.Thursday evenings the Carraighosts a traditional Irish music sessiongiven by Pat Finnegan, SeanCleland and the students of theIrish Music School of Chicagobeginning at 7:30pm. Everyone iswelcome to participate.Gaelic Park also telecasts GaelicGames, rugby and soccer matches.Please call for upcoming gamesand times.Please visit Gaelic Park’s websiteat www.chicagogaelicpark.orgfor a full calendar of upcomingevents at the Carraig as well as acomplete menu and drink specials,information on special performances,banquets, Gaelic Park culturalactivities, and much more or callGaelic Park at (708) 687-9323.GAA GamesHeld at Gaelic ParkThe Gaelic Athletic Associationhosts Gaelic games of footballand hurling each weekend atChicago Gaelic Park.Gaelic football is a fantastic sport,resembling some elements of basketball,rugby and soccer with the rulesof the game intentionally designed tokeep the game moving quickly. Thefirst record of Gaelic Football comesfrom the Statute of Galway in 1527.Hurling, the fastest field game inthe world, is played by the ancientIrish rules, with very skilled players, a“hurley” stick made of ashwood, and avery hard ball called a “siothar” (pronouncedslitar). The object of Hurlingis for players to put the siothar betweenthe opponents goalposts eitherover the crossbar for one point, orunder the crossbar into a guarded goal,for three points. Body checks, side–to-side shouldering and shirt pullingare common as well as slashing at thesiothar. No protective padding is wornand helmets are optional.Admission to the games is $6.00.Refreshments such as sausages andchips, chicken sandwiches, hot dogshamburgers and ice cream are availableat all games for a small price.Please call Gaelic Park at (708)987-9323 for more information andalso visit Gaelic Park’s website atwww.chicagogaelicpark.org for afull calendar of upcoming events,special performances, informationon Gaelic Park’s cultural activities,and much more.