April 2011 - Irish American News

4 Irish American News “We’ve Always Been Green!” April 2011(ISSN #1085-4053) USPS #013454April 2011 Vol. XXxV 04PERIODICALFounderBob BurnsPublisherCliff CarlsonEditorial Assistant/Art DirectorJoyce EdwardsAdvertising SalesNancy MoorePhotographerCathy Curry - Senior PhotographerPatricia Brach -Staff PhotographerStacy McReynolds - Staff PhotographerEditorial InternKatey MitchellColumns and ReviewsBooks & Theatre - Frank WestTheatre - Terrence BoyleSenior Trad Music Editor -Bill MargesonHealy Law - Martin HealyMick - Mike MorleySafe Home - Heather BegleyChicago Gaelic News - Pat HennessyA Word With Monsignor Boland -Msgr. Michael BolandIrish Musings - Fr. Michael LeonardHooliganism - Mike HoulihanIrish Diaspora - Charles BradyFor The Republic - Chris FogartyFrom the Motherland - Sean FarrellSwimming Upstream - Charles BradyCareers - James Fitzgerald, CPARaised on Songs & Stories - Shay ClarkeReel Jiggy - Deirdre KozickiBoyle The Kettle - Tom BoyleHoroscopes - Theresa CastroIrish Rover - Jim McClurePiping it In - Jack BakerReal Ireland - Rachel GaffneySpoirts - Mary Margaret O’LearyDaly Investor - John Daly CFPCeltic Traveller - Maureen CallahanCrowley on Kells - Frank CrowleyWebsite - Cathy CurryIrish News, Inc. is publishedmonthly on the 1st of monthSubscriptionFirst class deliveryFastest:! Delivered in envelope1 year $ 35 2 year $ 65 3 year $ 90Regular delivery1 year $ 30 2 year $ 55 3 year $ 75Canada 1year $ 35 2 year $ 60International: 1 year $ 85(Periodicals Postage Paid atPalatine, IL.) Postmaster:Send address changes toIrish News, Inc.7115 W North Ave #327Oak Park, il 60302708-445-0700e-mail to:editor@irishamericannews.comPUBLISHERS STATEMENTThe opinions and statementsexpressed in this newspaper areentirely those of the authors, and donot reflect in any way the opinionsof Irish American News.Distribution20,013A Sense of WonderWhen do children begin to be imaginative?As the father of two children, Iknow it is at a very early age.Sandra McCone uses the ThreeLittle Lasses Series to encourage thatsense of wonder and imagination.This is the third book in that delightfulseries. The book is filled withhypnotically charming stories andcharacters. And, as a former teacher, Iwholeheartedly agree with McCone’s“permitting” children to see the beautyand wonder of the world. The world isfilled with mystery, and for our psychologicalwell-being we are wise to realizethat many things in life have no rationalexplanation.Sandra McCone plans the series toaccommodate a child’s increasing readingability. “She targets the age group of4 to 10, planning on the readers growingalong with the series.”In each book the reading level willincrease along with the content as thelasses and laddies take on new magicaladventures. And, Irish myths and storiesare included.From the same information sheet:“Sandra’s writing explains how importantit is to spend time with familylearning about your heritage and storiesabout your family. The knowledgegained and retained is what will carryon your family legacy and stories to tellyour children and grandchildren.”The Nana is “an Irish Americangrandmother whose strong Celtic tieand story weaving magic teach the kidsabout the old celebrations and festivalsand how they mould our ever day lives.She shows them that if their ears, eyes,and minds are open, they can catch thebeautiful magic that is all around.”Midsummer’s Magic by SandraMcCone. Tate Publishing, Oklahoma,2010. 43 pages; $7.99. www.threelittlelasses.com.Steps in Time: TheHistory of IrishDance in ChicagoI had immediate fondness for thisbook because I have many happymemories of my two daughters studyingIrish dance. They went to class eachweek for many years, beginning in theearly 1980’s. I went with them and tocompetitions, or feiseanna. They areboth successful teachers today, and Ibelieve that part of their success is dueto Irish dance. It gave them a greatsense of physical presence.The author, Kathleen Flanagan, haswritten a carefully thought out and wellresearched book. It features a treasureof outstanding photographs. The bookis also intriguing because it is verymuch about our Irish cultural heritage.The author is herself a registeredteacher of Irish dance. She is alsoAssociate Professor of Theatre at Minnesota’sSaint Mary’s University.Flanagan also wrote this book because,“I felt the young Chicago dancerswere not aware of, nor able to appreciate,all those who had gone before.”The historically accurate text is illuminatedby 85 photos and illustrations,a four page index, five pages of notesand two appendices.I was astounded to see that one ofthose illustrations was of a place in theneighborhood where I grew up. (I liveabout a block from there today and seethe building often). It is the imposingViking Temple (condos today) at the cornersof School and Sheffield Streets.I’m amazed to see the 1935 announcement,decorated with shamrocks,and announcing a dancing display byPat Roche and 70 of his students!I enjoyed the book, and agree withKathleen that, “the city of Chicagohas a proud history of Irish dance thatwill certainly continue to thrive in theyears to come.”Steps in Time: The History of IrishDance in Chicago, by Kathleen M.Flanagan. Macater Press, Madison,WI, 2009. 158 pages; $24.95. www.macaterpress.com.“Look on My Work,Ye Mighty, and Despair!”This book contains strangely beautifulpictures of ruined mansions of theAnglo-Irish aristocrats, or ascendancy.Our ancestors would have called thosemansions, “Big Houses.” Most of theseextraordinary buildings were built inthe 1700’s.The author, Tarquin Blake, traveledto many places in Ireland to gatherthese hauntingly beautiful pictures.They are accompanied by fascinatinghistorical information.Blake needed over three hundredpages to present them in this large‘coffee table’ size book.The ruins are often eerie and mysterious.Stairs that go nowhere, entrances,hall doors in broken walls locked as ifthe owner is coming back, etc.Who were these now forgotten peoplewho built these imposing homes?They had names like Parsons, Strong,Hussey, Bellew, and Lindsey. Undoubtedlythey were members of the political,social and religious establishment.They were aristocrats with largeestates, worked by peasants who livedsubsistent lives. But these grandees hadcome from humble origins. Most weredescended from English officers andsoldiers who were part of Cromwell’sarmy that invaded Ireland in 1649.They were paid with land confiscatedfrom the Irish.These ‘jumped up’ soldiers, nowlanded aristocrats, had life or death controlof our ancestors. They made themquake with the terrible threat of eviction,because eviction meant death.Our ancestors had to pay the everhigher rent to support the opulent lifestylesof these former soldiers.Typical of these was the HusseyMansion. The author says, “It hadthirty two rooms, it was one of the finestmansions in Ireland and the wholehouse was furnished in the finest possiblemanner.”These mansions fell into decayand ruin and these are some of thereasons.Families died out or lost their moneyand became locked in debt, somemoved back to where they had comefrom, these big buildings become tooexpensive to maintain, modern servantshad to be paid better, and some of themwere burned down by the IRA duringthe War of Independence.The ruins of these mansions, andtheir once powerful inhabitants, remindsme of a poem by Percy Shelly.“Ozimandias”Shelly describes two huge legs thatremain of an enormous statue in a desert.On the base of this once huge andimposing statue is carved:“My name is Ozamandias, king ofkingsLook on my works, ye mighty anddespair!Nothing beside remains, Roundthe decayOf that colossal wreck, boundlessand bareThe low and level sands stretchfar away.Abandoned Mansions of Ireland byTarquin Blake. Collins Press-DuFourEditions. Wilton, Cork, 2011. 338 pages;$48.95. www.dufoureditions.com.The Linen QueenThe Linen Queen is a story of love.The main character is Sheila McGee.She grows up during the 1930’s in adreary, sectarian mill town in NorthernIreland. And, she feels that she, like herrelatives and neighbors, will grind outher life working in a mill.The lack of any economic opportunityand the religious division in theNorth are unchanging. The emptiness,bitterness, and constant tension arepowerfully shown by the author, PatriciaFalvey.She makes a clear picture of life inNorthern Ireland. And, she did this also inContinued on Page 27

April 2011 Irish American News “We’ve Always Been Green!” 5

6 Irish American News “We’ve Always Been Green!” April 2011APARTMENT FOR RENT - LYONSGarden 1 or 2 bedroom. Air conditioning,carpet, appliances, verticle blinds, laundryand parking. Security Deposit. No pets.Easy access to I-55. 708-354-3203Dropkick Murphys at the Congress Theater in Chicago - Feb. 26, 2011. Photo by Stacy McReynolds.

8 Irish American News “We’ve Always Been Green!” April 2011A House Full of MusiciansBy Cliff CarlsonThe Chicago Stockyard Kilty Bandwill be celebrating its 90th anniversarywith the Tartan Ball, Saturday, April 9,2011, from 4-8pm, at Bourbon Street,3359 W. 115th St. in Merrionette Park.Besides the pipes—which everyoneshould flock to see—you can enjoythe Plough boys, and the Red RebelCounty bands.Like beer bottles in a frat house,musicians were strewn about everyroom in the Beverly house that is hometo the McKee’s, a musical family spanningseveral generations in the ChicagoStockyard Kilty Band.A Family AffairThe one thing about the ChicagoStockyard Kilty Band that mightseparate it from a lot of others is theyhave eight families in the band: ThePoelstras, McKibbins, Conroys, Redas,McKees, Grimmons, Stanulas, and theBarretts.Father, Dave McKee, is the patriarchhaving served almost 60 years in theband, and mother, Kitty, is the patronsaint! Brothers Dave Jr., Dan, Lukeand Matthew are all in the band, andDave Jr.’s 13-year-old daughter, Grace,is a drummer. Three generations in thesame band.Dave Sr. started around 1952, andhas been in the band longer than anybodyin its history, and he has led theband for over 35 years, also longer thananybody else. The elder McKee tookhis pipes with him to Korea. In basictraining he played for the guys in theunit, and for the guys going home.Son, Dave Jr., started around 1982with his three brothers following alongshortly thereafter. “There was a timewe were short a piper so my dad wouldactually dress me up and give me a set ofpipes. So, I would be walking down thestreet trying to hold the pipes up, not reallyplaying them and I would fill up theranks. Then I got my calling as a drummer,”said Dave Jr. “We’ve marched in alot of parades. We average about 15 paradesa year. That’s almost 900 paradesfor Dad,” exclaimed Dave Jr.“Dave was my brothers bagpipeteacher. That’s how we first met. Wehave had a few marriages in our groupover the years. Danny’s wife was a piperfor a while. They met in our diningroom. David’s wife grew up across thestreet from us,” said Kitty.Every Tuesday night since the ‘70s,the Beverly home of the McKee’s isalive with practice. Friday nights arepipe and snare drum practice. Thereare too many members in the band topractice as a whole in the house. Theyused to practice at the Stockyard Inn.Then they moved to the InternationalAmphitheater, then the old press roomby the stockyards at 43rd and Halsted,a brief while at 47th and Union at theKnights of Columbus, and now theband practices in Evergreen Park at theAmerican Legion Post.Learning the bagpipes is very difficultand many underestimate what ittakes to learn them. “Some will startnot far from Saint Patrick’s Day, thinkingthat they are going to be playingon the day, you know? When theyrealize, wow, its actually work, then itslike, well, I’ll come back to it anothertime. You gotta work up to it,especially on the pipes. Yourlips get tired. It took me overa year to learn enough to participate,”he continued.The band is all volunteer.They do get a sponsor forthe parade, but that moneygoes into the band to helppay for uniforms and thelike. Everyone has a day job.Luke and Matt are Chicagopolicemen. Dan works for aGerman company that buildsmachines to inspect beer cansand bottles. Dave works forthe federal bank.“There is a good core ofband members in the Beverlyarea. A lot of guys we went to gradeschool at Christ the King, and highschool at Marist with. We also havemembers that come to practice fromthe far North side of Chicago, and evenIndiana. We have a priest who drivesdown from Milwaukee to practice aswell,” explains Matt.With up to 70 members in the band,there are enough side jobs that they canplay every weekend if they wanted to.They get a lot of calls to work. Someonein the band is playing somewherealmost all the time, and its year round.They play weddings, funerals, parades,and private parties. Most of their gigsare in the Chicago area, but they alsotravel around the Midwest for differentcompetitions, and parades in Milwaukee,Indiana and other states.With 43 years in the same house, theband has drawn a crowd a time or two.“When the band is getting ready forcompetition, Matt (who runs the bandnow) will have some of the pipers bringtheir pipes and play with the drumsin the backyard. You’ll definitely getpeople stopping and looking, wonderingwhat the heck it is at first, but thenthey get into it,” explains Dave.History“We have to go back about 90 yearsto remember the founders of the band,the Sims brothers who were originallyfrom Aberdeen, Scotland. Bob Sim wasa piper in World War One, and he taughtme how to play. The brothers were inthe band for a long time through theirgenerations. They even taught some ofthe Shannon Rovers who formed theirown band about five years after thisone,” said the elder McKee.The band has been to Scotland threetimes to do the world championships intheir 75th, 80th, and 85th anniversaryyears. The family’s been to Ireland once.As a band, they are hoping to go to Irelandeither this year or next year to performin the European championships inBelfast. They take about 45 members ofthe band and family members, and tryto make it affordable for all. “Yeah, it’slike herding cats,” laughed Dave Jr.In 1996 about 50 members of theband stayed in a town of about 100people called Dornie in Scotland.“The houses were all freshly paintedfor us. They threw a town party andwe played for the whole village. Theyhung signs when we left that said‘Come back, Chicago’ ‘We love you,Chicago.’ We filled up their hotels andbed and breakfasts for a couple days,”remembers Dave Sr.South Side Irish Parade“We miss the South Side Irish Parade.We led it off every year since its inception.So we were done before the tomfoolery started,” said Dave Jr. “The coreof the band are from the area so weknew where all the parties were. We’dfinish the parade and we would stop byour friends on the way home. It was justa great time,” added Matt.“It was a nice tradition to even belinked with the parade. In the beginningof the parade, when they went aroundthe block before it was on Western, theycalled my dad for a couple pipers andso some guys from our band led themaround the block. This was in the ‘70swhen they restarted the inception. Sothat was the beginning of the traditionwhere every year we led it off, from thebuggies around the block to going downWestern Avenue,” added Dan.“We only had real people here. Wealways had great neighbors. There havebeen nine families that have lived inthe house next to us. We always jokeit’s because of the pipes, but this lastfamily said they didn’t want to move.They loved their neighbors and thisneighborhood and they put a halfmillion dollar addition next to all thisnoise,” laughed Kitty.MemoriesDave Sr. met John Kennedy at theChicago Hilton Hotel when he was runningfor president. The band played forhim, and as he was leaving he went overand said thanks for playing the bagpipesand he shook his hand. He alsoChicago Stockyard Kilty Band: Matt, Luke, Dan, Dave Jr., Dave Sr., and Grace McKee.played for the president of Ireland.Matt remembers playing in Scotland.“We played in Plockton and the wholetown was out dancing in the street thefirst day we got there after this crazyday of traveling. Some of the localsjoined us. The street is small so there isno blocking it off. If a car comes downthe street it’s game off. Then everyonehas to move over to the side while thecar comes through then everybody goesback out.”“Scotland has pipers and drummersin the Highlands and these small towns,but they don’t have a whole band. Sowhen the band comes through it’s abig deal.”“The television show, Real People,came here to film us teaching the bandmembers. There was an article in TribuneMagazine and it was about Daveteaching in our house. And the peoplesaw it out in California. Dave happenedto be in California and they talked tohim. Then we didn’t hear anything.Then all of a sudden they called up inMay, 1980 saying they were comingto film here in three weeks time! I wasteaching and the kids were real small.So my neighbors all came and helped.One room was only half wallpaperedand they painted the rest of it, and wegot a new sidewalk out front and evenlandscaping. With our friends help wepulled it off in three weeks! Three timesthey came here and spent all day. Well,they came twice all day, but it was onlya five minute segment. And then theycame again and we were on The Best ofReal People,” explained Kitty. The bandhas a starring role in the movie, TheFugitive, starring Harrison Ford.Dan remembers, “One year, for theSt. Pats parade on Dearborn, Budweisersponsored us. We led the Clydesdalesdown the street. It was a nice day, sothere was a huge crowd. We were thisbig pipe band followed by these bigmajestic horses and we could havebeen the Rolling Stones leading theBeatles down the street! It was crazy.We finished, but couldn’t stop playingbecause the crowds were so big. Therewas this big roar for six blocksafter the parade. We couldn’tbelieve it! We liked doing theparade on Dearborn because itwas like walking down a canyon,and the sound was brilliant.”There is a lot of stuff to buyto outfit band members, and theband pays for it. Dave Sr. startedthat tradition. Not too manybands wear the full dress anymore.Most wear what is called acivilian outfit because a full dressoutfit is expensive and a lot tomaintain. It’s a nice tradition thatthe band still wears both.Officers are up for electionevery four years. Matt’s in chargenow, Luke is one of the officers,Danny is the business manager, andDave is in charge of the drum section.You would think that St. Patrick’smonth would be the busiest time for theband, but July 4th is their busiest time.They usually ride a band bus to three orfour parades that day, and the scheduleis tight. They perform in Westchester,Brookfield, Lyons, and sometimes inBeecher.“When I got in the band I was a smallguy, and I learned off Mr. Sims originalset of pipes. It was the first set I had andit’s a hundred year old set and I was an11 year old kid playing these pipes. Aguy came to our house who was one ofthe experts in the country and gave usa seminar. He was staying at the house.We showed him the pipes I was playing,and he said, ‘Do you know what youhave there?’ We said, ‘Yeah, its a reallyold set of pipes,’ and he said ‘these aremuch nicer than that! These are a veryrare set of bagpipes. The pipes were a3/4 size set so when I grew out of them Igave them back to the Sim family. Nowthey have them as a family heirloom,”commented Dan.“The best part of being in the bandis the camaraderie, the social aspect ofit,” explains Dave Sr.“You know it’s a nice thing. It’skept the boys close, it’s kept thefamily close. All the kids live close,”added Kitty. Dave’s daughter, Grace,sums it up well. “I get to be aroundmy family a lot. Friday nights arereally fun!”

April 2011 Irish American News “We’ve Always Been Green!” 9Irish American Hall of Fame Selects Inaugural Class of InducteesThe Irish American Hall of Fame(IAHOF) was established in 2010 withthe goal to preserve andpromote the stories of theIrish in America and the ongoinglinks between Irelandand the United States. Thatobjective is being fulfilled,with the announcement ofthe organization’s inauguralclass of inductees.The Hall of Fame wasfounded by members of theChicago-based Irish AmericanHeritage Center (IAHC)and operates under the Center’sauspices. The IAHOFis overseen by a separategoverning committee andhas a national focus.Eleven outstanding IrishAmericans in seven categorieswere selected as the2011 IAHOF honorees. Theywere voted into the Hall ofFame by a national body ofdistinguished individualsrepresenting academia, government andIrish-affiliated organizations from acrossa wide range of disciplines. “An effort wasdefinitely made to include as many IrishAmerican leaders as possible in the selectionprocess,” stated Robert McNamara,President of The Irish American HeritageCenter. “The Hall of Fame is intended tobe national in scope and to tell the storyof all of Irish America. The responses wereceived have been overwhelmingly positiveand we are very proud of the selectionof our inaugural inductees.”Standoutsin the Arts & HumanitiesMaureen O’Hara (born Maureen Fitz-Simons on August 17, 1920) is an Irishfilm actress and singer. The famouslyred-headed O’Hara was born in an areaof Dublin known as Ranelagh. After arrivingin Hollywood in the early 1940s, inaddition to her accomplishments in film,O’Hara became the first naturalized citizento be recognized as Irish by the UnitedStates and granted dual Irish-U.S. citizenship,a testament to her force of characterand personality in swaying the judge toidentify her on her papers as Irish.Widely considered to be America’sgreatest playwright, Eugene O’Neillauthored 45 plays, among them LongDay’s Journey into Night, The IcemanCometh, Strange Interlude, A Moon forthe Misbegotten, The Emperor Jones, Ah,Wilderness!, Desire Under the Elms, andMourning Becomes Electra—classicsall. He was recipient of both the Pulitzer(twice) and Nobel Prize. O’Neill’s fatherwas born in County Kilkenny and arrivedin the United States during the GreatFamine.Born in Tralibane, near Bantry, CountyCork, Chief Francis O’Neill became aChicago police officer and collector ofNinety year-old Hollywood legend Maureen O’Hara, one-time Grand Marshalfor the New York St. Patrick’s Day Parade, leading the second ever parade inthe tiny village of Keakill, near Bantry in West Cork, Ireland, 2011. She wasdriven by local retired welder, Pat Nunan. Photo by Ben Russell.Irish traditional music. O’Neill showedan early appreciation for the music oflocal musicians, and later, in addition toserving as Chicago’s chief of police from1901 to 1905, he collected and eventuallypublished tunes from major performersand a wide variety of primary sources. Itis said that, had Chief O’Neill not takenon the monumental task of publishingtraditional Irish music, it could well havebeen lost to future generations.Business & Industry ScionHenry Ford was born on a farm inGreenfield Twp., Michigan. His father,William, hailed from County Cork. Workingin his spare time from his job at EdisonIlluminating Company, Ford invented theFord quadricycle, a self-propelled gasengine vehicle. After establishing theFord Motor Company in 1903, he wasinstrumental in developing the assemblyline technique of mass production as wellas a system of lowering costs for qualitygoods.Dedicated to Public ServiceRichard J. Daley served for 21 yearsas the mayor and undisputed Democraticboss of Chicago and is considered byhistorians to be the “last of the big citybosses.” Despite criticism of his wellorganizedDemocratic Party politicalmachine, Daley is remembered for hisefforts in ensuring that Chicago avoidedthe declines that other Rust Belt cities,like Cleveland, Buffalo and Detroit, experiencedduring the same period. Daleylived his entire life in the working-class,heavily Irish American Bridgeport neighborhoodon Chicago’s South Side.John F. Kennedy was born of IrishAmerican parents Joseph P. Kennedy,Sr., and Rose Fitzgerald in Brookline,Massachusetts. Having become the firstRoman Catholic presidentof the United States, in 1963Kennedy joined with IrishPresident Éamon de Valerato form the American IrishFoundation, whose missionwas to foster connectionsbetween Americans of Irishdescent and the country oftheir ancestry. Before histragic death by an assassin’sbullet in 1963, Kennedy initiatedeconomic programs thatlaunched the country on itslongest sustained expansionsince World War II, he tookvigorous action in the causeof civil rights, and he broughtAmerican idealism to the aidof developing nations.Born to an Irish father anda Lebanese mother, GeorgeMitchell is one of the most diverselyqualified and accomplishedliving Irish Americans.Following his tenure in the U.S. Senatefrom 1980 to 1995, including eight yearsas Senate majority leader, Mitchell wasappointed the U.S. special envoy to NorthernIreland by President Bill Clinton in1995 and was awarded the PresidentialMedal of Freedom and Liberty Medal forthat recorded the largest attendance everfor a sporting event outside motor racingand soccer. A rematch with Tunney tookplace in Chicago on September 22, 364days after Dempsey lost his title to Tunneyin their first bout, generating an amazing$2 million gate. It is said that Al Caponeoffered to fix the rematch for Dempsey,but he would not hear of it. Dempsey’s ancestrywas reported by Sports Illustratedto be Irish on his father’s side and Irishand Cherokee on his mother’s.Exemplary Religious LeaderSr. Rosemary Connelly, RSM, hasserved as executive director of MisericordiaHeart of Mercy Home for more than40 years. When she began her appointmentin 1969, Misericordia only cared forchildren under age six. Today, the homeserves more than 600 children and adultswith developmental disabilities. In thattime, as well, she has helped to transformpeople’s attitudes about disability andenabled thousands of children and adultsto live with dignity, respect, challenge andbeauty. Sister Rosemary is Irish and is aSister of Mercy, an Irish order founded inDublin by Mother McAuley. She receivedthe International County Mayo People’sAward in Castelbar, Ireland (1996), andwas the first woman to serve as grandmarshall of the City of Chicago’s St. Patrick’sDay Parade (1994), Both her parentsIrish American Hall of Fame Inductees for 2011Arts & HumanitiesMaureen O’Hara,Eugene O’Neill,Chief Francis O’NeillPublic ServiceMayor Richard J. Daley,President John F. Kennedy,Senator George Mitchellhis role in the negotiations that led to theGood Friday Peace Agreement in 1998.He continues to distinguish himself in theareas of law, politics, academics, businessand philanthropy.Legendary Sports FigureAn American boxer, William Harrison“Jack” Dempsey held the world heavyweighttitle from 1919 to 1926. Dempsey’saggressive style and exceptional punchingpower made him one of the mostpopular boxers in history. In September1926, Dempsey fought—and lost to—Irish American and former U.S. MarineGene Tunney in Philadelphia, an eventBusiness & IndustryHenry FordSportsJack DempseyReligionSr. Rosemary Connelly, RSMEducationRev. Patrick Francis Healy, SJScienceRobert Fultonhailed from County Mayo, Ireland.Education TrailblazerRev. Patrick Francis Healy, SJ, was bornto an Irish American plantation owner anda biracial slave in 1830. Because of the discriminatorylaws in the South prohibiting theeducation of slaves, Healy was sent to livein the north, where he was educated by theJesuits, eventually becoming the first AfricanAmerican to earn a PhD, the first to become aJesuit priest, and the first to become president(Georgetown University, 1873–1881) of amajor university in the United States.Continued on Page 18

10 Irish American News “We’ve Always Been Green!” April 2011A Different ViewTom Ridge, the nation’s firsthomeland security secretary, recentlyhad some interesting points to makeregarding immigration reform.In remarks delivered in earlyMarch at Georgetown Universityto mark the eighth anniversary ofD.H.S., Mr. Ridge said that critics ofimmigration reform need to “get overit,” and suggested that Americansshouldn’t be so arrogant as to thinkthat “everybody who comes acrossthe border wants to be an Americancitizen.” Secretary Ridge went on tosay that he hopes sometime in thefuture the U.S. government takes aserious look at immigration policy“in general,” even though “it’s thethird rail of contemporary politicsright now.”“At some point in time you’ve gotto say to yourself, ‘We’re not sending11 million people home,’” the formerRepublican governor of Pennsylvaniasaid. “Let’s get over it. …We’re notgoing to send them home, so let’sjust figure out a way to legitimizetheir status, create a new system, andI think that will add more to bordersecurity than any number of fenceswe can put across the border.”Now, here is a man who makessense. He is acknowledging thefact that the present administration,following the example of the Bushgovernment, have not seriously attemptedto deal with the millionsof undocumented people living inthe US.Ridge offered two key steps forimmigration reform, the first being,“Don’t think that everybody thatcomes across the border wants to bean American citizen.”“I don’t think you should be thatarrogant,” he said. “A lot of themjust want to come up here to worklawfully and go back home.” Ridge’ssuccessor, Michael Chertoff, offereda similar assessment, saying, “mostpeople who come across the borderare not coming to do harm to the US,they’re coming across the border forjobs.” And let us not fool ourselves;these folks are ready and willing todo jobs that American-born peopleare not interested in doing. Let usalso acknowledge the fact that thereal reason why we have so manyundocumented people here right nowis largely because of the lack of legalquotas for low skilled workers.Secondly, Ridge also suggestedusing biometrics to document workersinside the United States, buildinga database that employers canuse to check the status of potentialemployees, and engaging in strongenforcement against employers whohire illegal immigrants.This proposal is something thathas been resisted by many employers.They do so because it lets them offthe hook for ensuring that they onlyhire legal workers and also becausethey are getting away with payingundocumented workers lesser wages.In many cases, the conditions underwhich immigrants without papersfind themselves having to work in arefar from ideal. Undocumented peopleoften accept abuse in the workplace,fearing that if they report the abusethey will end up being sent back totheir country of origin.Ridge indicated frustration withthe fact that, while in Congress underPresident Regan, he was criticized forsupporting amnesty—using the termin a way that mocked his critics on theissue. He said at some point Congresshas to accept responsibility for issuessurrounding illegal immigration andborder security. And so say all of us,indeed, we are now seeing a renewedeffort by individual States to introducea series of laws most of whichdo noting positive to solving the realissues. It is difficult for the States arethey are trying to deal with an issue,which is not their responsibility butrather the responsibility of the federalgovernment.The current Secretary of HomelandSecurity Janet Napolitano, whojoined Ridge and Chertoff on theGeorgetown panel, called illegalimmigration and border security akey struggle and key issue for herdepartment.“The border with Mexico is somethingthat we’ve focused on quitea bit,” she said. “It’s an area wherewe’re assisting President Calderonin his very valiant war against theselarge and very powerful drug cartelsthat exist over the bridge from ElPaso, over the road from Laredo,across basically a huge gully inNogales.”Chertoff urged the public to have“realistic” expectations when it comesto border security. “The idea thatthere’s a capability to pinpoint everysingle threat—even at the granularlevel—is not realistic,” he said. But,he said, layers of security, intelligenceabout who comes and goes, and theassets on the border give authoritiesa reasonable chance of intersectingand apprehending threats.Chertoff went on, “And the truthis, it has worked, there has been, overthe last several years, a drop in thenumber of people who come intothe country illegally between theports of entry. That’s something thatis attributable to the economy, butfrankly, some of it is attributable toenforcement, dating back to the Bushadministration.”“You can—depending on whereyou are on the border—use a seriesof tools in a way that minimizes theflow,” he said. “Is it going to be anabsolute seal? No. But will it reducethe risk in conjunction with theseother tools? Yes it will.”The Mexican FishermanAuthor UnknownThe American investment bankerwas at the pier of a small coastalMexican village when a small boatwith just one fisherman docked.Inside the small boat were severallarge yellow fin tuna. The Americancomplimented the Mexican on thequality of his fish and asked how longit took to catch them.The Mexican replied, “Only alittle while.”The American then asked, “Whydidn’t you stay out longer and catchmore fish?”The Mexican said, “With this Ihave more than enough to supportmy family’s needs.”The American then asked, “Butwhat do you do with the rest of yourtime?”The Mexican fisherman said, “Isleep late, fish a little, play with mychildren, take siesta with my wife,Maria, stroll into the village eachevening where I sip wine and playguitar with my amigos, I have a fulland busy life.”The American scoffed, “I am aHarvard MBA and could help you.You should spend more time fishing;and with the proceeds, buy a biggerboat: With the proceeds from thebigger boat you could buy severalboats. Eventually you would have afleet of fishing boats. Instead of sellingyour catch to a middleman youwould sell directly to the processor;eventually opening your own cannery.You would control the product,processing and distribution. Youwould need to leave this small coastalfishing village and move to MexicoCity, then Los Angeles and eventuallyNew York where you will run yourever-expanding enterprise.”The Mexican fisherman asked,“But, how long will this all take?”To which the American replied,“15 to 20 years.”“But what then?” asked the Mexican.The American laughed and saidthat’s the best part. “When the timeis right you would announce an IPOand sell your company stock to thepublic and become very rich, youwould make millions.”“Millions? Then what?”The American said, “Then youwould retire. Move to a small coastalfishing village where you would sleeplate, fish a little, play with your kids,take siesta with your wife, stroll tothe village in the evenings where youcould sip wine and play your guitarwith your amigos.”ThanksSincere thanks to all who helpedmake our office move into the IrishAmerican Heritage Centre smoothand relatively easy. We are verypleased to begin this new chapter inthe history of our organization and topartner with the IAHC as we strive tobetter serve the needs of our clients.Please feel free to drop by and payus a visit next time you find yourselfin the neighborhood.Thanks also to all who came andsupported our annual dinner dancefundraiser. We want you to know thatwe greatly appreciate all of the supportwe receive. We simply could notcontinue without your assistance.Our new address: Suite 308B,4626 North Knox Avenue Chicago,IL 60630Should you have any questions,concerns or suggestions, please feelfree to contact me sliabhanoir@yahoo.com Tel: 773-282-8445.Become amemberofgaelic parkorthe irish americanheritage centerAnd ReceiveIrish American News Free,Delivered to Your Door!Gaelic Park 708-687-9323IAHC - 773-282-7035 x10

April 2011 Irish American News “We’ve Always Been Green!” 11

April 2011 Irish American News “We’ve Always Been Green!” 17Well, I did it again. One of the finest recordingsof the last 10 years and I totally forgot to write thereview and let you know about it. I am sorry, but Iwill now attempt to rectify this colossal goof andtip you to one of the best CDs in recent history.Jiggernaut is a band out of Houston Texas. Themembers of the band are Garren Bagley, on guitar,keyboard, djembe, vocals; Rodger Harrison onbass and vocals; Richard Kean, a fine, fine piperwho also plays a mean whistle; Matthew Williamson drums, djembe, cajon and vocals; Mark Kennethon accordion and Deanna Smith Scotland,guitar, percussion and vocals—oh baby, whatvocals! Let me expound a bit on Deanna SmithScotland’s vocals. Singing comes to Deanna likebreathing does to the rest of us. Her voice enfoldsmy ears like a warm comfy blanket and lulls meoff to where ever she wants to take me. Added tothis supernatural singing ability is the ability towrite songs that are destined to become classics.On Jiggernaut’s third CD, The Well, are two songsof Deanna’s composing that you will agree are sureto become classics in traditional Celtic music. Thefirst is a wonderful ballad she wrote in memoryof Tommy Makem called, “The Man Who Dugthe Well,” and the second piece is a song for allof us who have lost someone near, called “AbsentFriends.” I have trouble keeping a dry eye duringboth of these. In addition to these gems, theyperform stunning versions of Richard Thompson’s“Galway to Graceland,” Brian McNeill’s “TwoMinute Silence” and a bunch of other great songs.Richard Kean cooks on his pipes in a cut called“MacFurley’s Rant.” The boy can darn sure play.Jiggernaut is coming thru this way in May to playa short tour in Chicago and Milwaukee, if you canmake it out to see them, you won’t be disappointed.In the meantime, get a copy of this CD and let themusic take you away.One of my personal guilty pleasures is listeningto good hammer dulcimer and we’re lucky in theChicago area to have one of the best hammer dulcimerplayers, Andy Young. Andy has just releaseda lovely CD featuring him burning up the dulcimeralong with some of the finest talents in the Chicagomusic scene, Mike O’Regan, guitar; AlfonsoPonticelli, guitar;John Williams,concertina; JonathanWhitall, pianoand fiddle andErin Scott-Haines,Irish step dancing.His CD is calledL’Accroche-Pieds.Very traditional,very captivating, this CD can never be simplybackground music. It takes your attention anddemands that you listen and rewards you withsome of the most intricate, fascinating melodies.A local independent production, this CD is topclass all the way.Back in February we worked the Midwintermusic festival in Valley Forge, PA. I love that showbecause there’s always loads of good music andalways a performance by the MacLeod Fiddlers.Ian MacLeod is a dairy farmer in Dalkeith, Ontarioand teaches fiddle to local kids in his front room.His students perform together as the MacLeodFiddlers and, in addition to being a cute bunchof kids, they’re darn good. This year the schoolreleased their second CD called Glengarry Roots.If you like good traditional Scots fiddle, this one’sfor you. Loaded with fine renditions of traditionaltunes, the CD also has one of the best versionsof “MacPherson’s Lament” that I’ve ever heard.Sales of the CD benefit the school and help IanMacLeod keep passing on the fiddle traditions.Here’s your chance to help keep traditional musicalive and strong.Speaking of Pennsylvania and traditional fiddleand good music provides an appropriate introfor my next CD, Burning Bridget Cleary’s thirdrelease Totes for Goats. With great glee I havefollowed the success of this novel group (namedfor the last woman burned as a witch in Ireland).The first time I saw them perform I knew thatthey were destined for greatness, and they haven’tdisappointed me. Each new CD is better thanthe last and their live performances sparkle withenergy. Their new CD, with Moses the goat on thecover, has a fine mix of trad pieces, great vocalsand risks well taken. An original tune, “Lamentfor Emil,” written by Rose Baldino, is beautifullysad and sweet, a fine lament and a fine example ofRose’s talent. The whole album is a joy to listento. There’s one tune that Steeleye Span used to doand I like Burning Bridget Cleary’s version better.Here’s another Philadelphia based group that I’dlove to see get booked into the Chicago area. Ihad a fellow in the shop recently who bemoanedthe “fact” that “young people today just aren’tinterested in traditional music.” I played himthis CD and the previous one by the MacLeodFiddlers. It shut him right up.A few years ago, while working the HawaiianScottish Festival in Honolulu, we ran into thewest coast group Molly’s Revenge and I’ve been abig fan of theirs ever since. They’ve just releaseda new CD to celebrate their 10th anniversarytitled Aged 10 Years. Certainly not a “best of ” butfor sure a “best yet” collection, it features DavidBrewer on pipes, whistles, bodhran and vocals;John Weed, fiddle and vocals; Pete Haworth, bouzoukiand vocals, Stuart Mason, guitar, mandolaand vocals; Moira Smiley, vocals and accordion.Sound-wise they have always reminded me ofearly Battlefield Band, blending fiddle and pipesexpertly with good solid vocals. Their musicchoices are solidly traditional but with novel arrangementsthat give them a distinctive sound. Iwrote a bit in last month’s column about the piper,David Brewer and his solo recordings. Molly’sRevenge has an enjoyable sound as well as a greatstage presence, fun to listen to and fun to watch.The cover art to this new CD was done by goodfriend and great Celtic artist, Hamish Burgessof Maui Celtic in Hawaii. This is Hamish’s thirdCD cover. He also did last year’s Finn McCoul(another Hawaii group) and the latest new releasefrom the Irish Rovers.It wouldn’t be a column without taking noteof Compass Records latest release. All the otherrecordings mentioned this month are independentproductions but one label continues to releaseconsistently great Celtic music and that’s Compass.I note now that Compass is advertising in the IrishAmerican News and, for me that just highlightstheir commitment to the culture. This monththey’ve got a real winner, T With The Maggies.I hardly know where to begin talking about thisone but I’ll start with the performers—Tríona NíDhomhnaill, Maighread Ní Dhomhnaill, Mairé NíMhaonaigh and Moya Brennan. How’s that for alineup? Manus Lunny also lent his considerabletalent on guitar and bouzouki. Four queens and aking comes up aces in my book—that line was socorny I had to share it. Anyway, corn aside, thisclassic CD is one that people will be pulling outyears from now to demonstrate what trad singingshould sound like. Just listen to it and find thetruest example of the most beautiful Irish singingyou’ve ever heard. Can’t wait to hear what BillMargeson has to say about this one. I do know Ididn’t get any work done in the store on the daythe promo came, but I certainly did enjoy myselflistening to it, you will too. Way to go Compassfor bringing us such fine music and having thecourage to continue recording such wonderfulstuff as T With The Maggies.Thanks to all who have helped so much in thepast few weeks, I can never express in words mygratitude. Happy Spring to all and don’t forget tostop by your local Irish/Scottish shop and helpkeep small business alive. Look forward to hearingfrom you at pipingitin@comcast.net or in thestore, Rampant Lion Celtic Traders, 47 S, VillaAve., Villa Park, IL. 630-834-8108. Slainté.

18 Irish American News “We’ve Always Been Green!” April 2011Irish-speaking Teddybear BB Has New AppBB the Irish speaking teddybearis the world’s first Irish-speaking toy.The launch of the new BB app for theiphone and ipad which has the samefunction of the actual teddybear wasreleased last month.This multi-award-winning cuddlyand colourful teddy bear teachestoddlers and children 33 words inIrish. BB has bright buttons to press,and in response the teddy speaks thefriendly-sounding Irish words for basicnumbers, colours and shapes. For thoseanxious to say hello to BB, you can getacquainted with the teddybear on theinteractive website www.babogbaby.com, where toddlers, young children—and adults!—can meet BB.BB the Irish-speaking teddy bearcosts €29.99 plus postage and packagingand available to buy online now atwww.babogbaby.com.St. Pat’s Dinner Auction Raises $100kThe Saint Patrick High SchoolInstitutional Advancement office announcedthat more than $100,000 wasraised during the 43rd Corned Beefand Cabbage Dinner and 7th Green andGold Auction held March 5. Proceedswill benefit the students and programsof Saint Patrick High School. AlumnusThaddeus Lykowski ’60 won thePot O’Gold Raffle Grand Prize tripto Ireland. Other Pot O’Gold winnersincluded Michael Platt, Renee Reechand Pat Proctor.Nearly 200 parents and alumnivolunteered time and services to makethe event a success. St. Pat’s next majorevent will be the 150th AnniversaryGala Shamrock Spectacular on June 18which will feature an entertainment collaborationbetween Redmoon Theatreand St. Pat’s students. For more info,visit www.stpatrick.org.Hall of Fame InducteesContinued from Page 9Innovatorin the Scientific ArenaAn American engineer and inventor,Robert Fulton is widely creditedwith having developed the first commerciallysuccessful steamboat. Theson of an Irish emigrant, as a boy heshowed great interest in all thingsmechanical. Turning to art at age 17,he painted portraits and landscapesas well as houses and machinery. Hemoved to Paris and met the U.S. ambassadorto France, Robert Livingston,and together they constructed asteamboat. Although that boat sank,Fulton and Livingston persevered,building the first commercial steamboatin the United States, which carriedpassengers between New YorkCity and Albany, NY.About the Hall of Fameand the Selection ProcessThe IAHOF announced its callfor nominations at the IAHC’s IrishFest in July 2010. As of September,more than 75 candidates had beennominated, and by the end of thenomination period in November,an impressive list of more than 300nominations had been submitted.“The whole nomination processwas overwhelming,” McNamarapointed out. “Beyond just the sheernumbers of nominees, it was thestories that they told. They notonly represented Irish America butalso the tale of America itself fromcolonial days to present.”The slate of candidates wasnarrowed down by a screeningcommittee composed of a speciallyselected, diverse group of individualsrepresenting an extensive arrayof disciplines, which reviewed andvetted each nomination. The winnerswere selected by a 100-membervoting body of distinguishedindividuals representing academia,government, business and Irish-affiliatedorganizations from aroundthe United States.The IAHOF’s initial emphasiswill be to provide informationelectronically and online, and theinaugural inductees will be commemoratedwith a display at theIAHC. The vision is for a bricksand-mortarmuseum to be foundedas the IAHOF grows.Winners will be inducted intothe Irish American Hall of Fameat an Awards Gala to be held onMay 14, 2011 at the Irish AmericanHeritage Center in Chicago. For informationon tickets to the AwardsGala, please contact the IrishAmerican Heritage Center at (773)282-7035.

April 2011 Irish American News “We’ve Always Been Green!” 19Be Careful What You Wish ForA rare near-consensus was achieved in theFebruary General Election. It was not abouthow to solve our economic problems. It wasabout punishing the outgoing Fianna Failgovernment; and it did just that. Fianna Failgot a severe kicking, losing three quarters ofits seats and more than half its support (andcolour the Greens gone). In terms of thestages of bereavement, a sizeable portion ofthe Irish public is still at the anger stage.Whether the results overall represent awatershed, as some have trumpeted, remainsto be seen. The Fianna Fail vote which wentwalkabout seems to have split along classlines with Fine Gael picking up the middleclass element, Labour the working classportion and Sinn Fein the republican vote;independents picked up the rest. More peoplevoted than ever before, some colourful independentssecured election and Sinn Fein andleft wing elements claimed major advances.Yet Sinn Fein only increased its share of thevote from 6.9% to 9.9%, while the UnitedLeft Alliance polled 2.6%; hardly ringingendorsements. More people actually votedfor the large and heterogeneous number ofindependents than for both these combined.And almost three quarters of the electoratevoted for the three mainstream parties.The new government, a Fine Gael-Labourcoalition, faces formidable economic challenges.What price the possibility that, intaking the hard measures necessary to rescuethe economy, it will so alienate public opinionthat it will in its turn become unelectable?When the dust has settled the grim reality ofhow to bridge the yawning budget deficit—still running at $500 million per week—willremain. Indeed, between the dissolution of thelast Dail and the convening of the new one,over $2 billion had to be borrowed just to keepthe country running. You would never havethought so to listen to the election chatter.The election campaign was dominated,not by the critical issue of the budget deficit,but by the importantbut secondaryissues ofthe blame game,the deal withthe IMF and theramifications ofthe bank bailout.The majorparties recognisedhow littleroom for manoeuvre the next governmentwould have (“we’re snookered,” as one FineGael T.D. remarked to me). Their electionmanifestos fudged on the economic issueswhile focussing on proposals for politicaland constitutional reform—hardly nationalpriorities at present. Some of the electorateseemed to think that the problems would besolved merely by electing a new government(with one bound our hero was free!).The maximum to be hoped for in negotiatingon the interest rate on the IMF loan would,while welcome, only run the country for twoweeks, $1 billion or so. Any early favourableoutcome of the current negotiations in theEU aimed at restructuring the finances of theEuro, (i.e. some debt relief for Ireland), again,will not alter the underlying reality. Ireland’sexpenditure exceeds her income; until thatis put right we must continue to borrow andwe can hardly expect to be loaned the moneyinterest free. This is the stark fact.The new government programme at leastrecognises there is no quick fix. However itis short on the specifics of how to tackle thedeficit, and in particular seems to give hostageswith regard to maintaining many currentlevels of welfare payments and ruling out taxhikes. The impression given is that, to secureagreement, most of the compromises weremade by Fine Gael. How the programme willpan out remains to be seen. The toxic nettleof pumping more money into the banks—part of the agreement with the IMF but notacted upon by Fianna Fail—has to be graspedurgently. For this and other unpalatables theultimate fall-back position may well be to relyon the EU/IMF to hold the government to theletter of the existing agreement.The benign scenario in the short term isthat there will be tangible early success interms of results achieved in renegotiatingthe interest portion of the IMF deal, which,however slight, can be presented as a victory.This to be accompanied by some interim figleaf formula concocted out of the negotiatingwork- in- progress in Europe, sufficientto give the government a breathing space.Again, plausible; our European partners havelittle to gain in pushing us to breaking point.Then, in the course of the “Hundred Days,”rapid enactment of some of the eminentlysensible suggestions on the table such asreducing VAT, giving PRSI reductions fornew employees, binning the travel tax andothers. Such measures would have minimumimpact on government revenue and couldstimulate the economy and begin to restoreconfidence.The recovery after 1987 is sometimescited as an example, if not a blueprint. Yet itwas based in part on agreement among thesocial partners on what needed to be done.The ruinous cycle of high taxes, high wagedemands and high inflation was successfullyreversed. The then government also struckit lucky, with Irish industry particularlywell placed to take advantage of a globaleconomic boom, and with success beyondexpectation of the Financial Services Sector.Moreover, while public debt was proportionatelyhigher than the current levels, privatehousehold debt was much lower and therewas no banking or mortgage crisis.The positive factors of 1987 are notpresent now. While more necessary than ageneration ago, it will be much harder togenerate any social partnership with nothingin the cupboard to offer, incomes paredback, a zero sum mentality, and inflationon the march. Interest hikes threaten in theEurozone. Any growth in the world economyis likely to be modest, with clear and presentthreats of steep rises in energy costsagainst an uncertain political backgroundin the Arab world. Ireland’s comparativeadvantages of a generation ago are no longerpresent and we face new and formidablecompetition for investment from rivals in theEU and elsewhere. Our competitiveness andcost base were seriously eroded during thetiger years and will not be easily restored.The economic and fiscal straightjackethas left the government with little wiggleroom. While much has been made of itslarge majority, this positive is very muchdouble edged. What it needs above all is tobe lucky, or at any rate to avoid bad luck.Any slight economic upturn will ease thepressure on the public finances; fifty jobsequate to €1 million, plus the multiplier effect;but this cuts both ways. There is fudgeon how the fiscal gap is to be narrowed.There is an obvious hope that enough can bedone to stimulate the economy to postponethe need for a showdown on raising taxesor cutting benefits.The first hundred days should be manageable.The next less so. The cracks are likelyto show in the one after that. The first budgetwill be a watershed. Will it see a BenjaminFranklin approach that we hang together lestwe hang separately? Or will it be “sauve quipeux”? For Ireland’s sake let us hope theformer.VacationGalena RentalsExperience the scenic beautyof Ireland in Galena, ILfor a vacation in Resort Homeswithout Resort Prices773-631-5253Toll free 866-GalenaRentalse-mailGalenaRentals@ameritech.netVisit www.GalenaRentals.comIrish owned & operated

20 Irish American News “We’ve Always Been Green!” April 2011How’s Your Stress Level?I never cease to be amazed to hear doctors say that 75%of all doctor visits are stress related. A short list of stressrelated illnesses would include migraine headaches, heartattacks, insomnia, ulcers, weight gain and rheumatoidarthritis. Stressed people manifest their problems in manyways; they are easily agitated, they break out in hives, theygain or lose weight, and they are very impatient. Theyalways feel like they are “under the gun.”All of our senses are involved in gathering data aboutour environment 24 hours a day. One of the various waysthe body responds to our environment is stress. It’s howour bodies react to the sights and sounds of our dailylives. If stress is allowed to go unchecked the resultsare accumulative. Its effects can kill cells within yourbody and leaves you open to infections and other stressrelated illnesses.We frequently see statistics in the press about howmuch money it costs business to have smokers on theirpayroll, or internet surfers, etc, etc. Business organizationsand individuals would be far better off being moresensitive to the stressfulness of their environments.If you want to reduce your stress level and enhanceyour life there are numerous things youcan do:• Convince yourself that it is your life;as they say, you only go around once. Thatdecision is absolutely critical. Once youdecide that you are in control, your stresslevel will drop sharply.• Come to grips with the vital need to take good care ofyourself: eat well, exercise religiously, maintain a senseof humor, and don’t take yourself too seriously. Workdiligently at maintaining positive and warm relationshipswith those you love. Learn to relax, even if initially youhave to force yourself. This is more easily said thandone. The oft quoted, live well, laugh often, love muchhas survived because of its great wisdom. Can you recallthe last time you enjoyed a sunset for more than aminute or two? When did you last take time to watch abeautiful snow fall?• Develop your life, work and personal goals. How doyou want to live your life? People will ask, why are youdoing things a certain way? Hopefully, your answer isconsistent with your goals. For example, maybe you continueto work because you lost your shirt with some badinvestments. You can spend the rest of your life lamentingthe choices you made but what a waste of time andenergy. Many of us have seen people rework every baddecision they have ever made time and again; what’s thevalue in belaboring one’s own mistakes? Move on afteryou have examined the situation and have determinedwhat lessons were learned.I have spent a good part of my professional life counselingpeople on how to find their next job. I always tryto convince job seekers to find a job that they are reallyenthused about, not just one that is available. As “DirtyHarry” says, a man’s got to know his limitations. I alwayswant to succeed, but sometimes there are goals that aresimply beyond me. They may be out of reach because ofsome mental, physical or psychological reasons. Evenas a 6’ 4” young man, I knew I was never going to playCenter on any professional basketball team. Franklygiven my lack of coordination, I wasn’t going to playCenter for any good high school team.But I sure wanted to. So I had to find other venues formy interests. What are your interests? What do you wantto do for the next 20-40 years? Knowing where you aregoing, will lessen the stressfulness of the journey enormously.Think about trying to find an unknown address,you can feel the stress rising if you are not sure if yourdestination is two blocks or two miles away.If a person hasn’t taken charge of their life and decidedwhere they are going, they are always going to be on theedge. Many executives find themselves tethered to theirjobs 24/7. They never get away from their cell phone,iPhone, PDA or electronic life line. Often people ask youto turn off all electronic devices as you sit in church or atheater? Isn’t there something bizarre about the fact thatwe have to be reminded of our surroundings?You will be a more effective gardener, truck driver, doctor,lawyer or executive if you can diminish the amountof stress in your life. Recognize that stress is frequentlyself-induced. As some wise person once said, many of theevents that I feared the most never occurred. One needs toguard against assuming the worst in any circumstances. Iam very big on considering alternatives until the wishedfor event is a virtual certainty. I recommend thinkingabout alternatives not worrying about potential issues.I choose to believe that today is going to be a greatday. And if today is going to be an outstanding day, whyshould I worry about tomorrow? If you find yourselfworrying all the time, consider a change in your attitude.Your anxiety is not going to stop anything. If you arerunning late for an appointment, cursing at traffic willnot get you there a minute sooner. As Dr. Wayne Dyersays, Traffic is until traffic isn’t.No sense worrying around things that you can’t control.President Lincoln said he never worried throughout theCivil War and commonly slept quite well. He said he focusedall of his waking hours thinking about solving thenation’s problems, but he felt that allowing himself to beso stressed out that he couldn’t sleep at night dissipatedhis strength and energy.Here’s a little STRESS test for you. Are you normallyon edge? Can you concentrate on one major problemwithout being continuously distracted because someother “important” issue surfaces? Do you ever screenyour phone calls or do you feel compelled to answer everycall? Do you ever allow yourself to take some personaltime to “watch” the world go by? If you give some helpto others, you may find that your total focus is no longeron your own problem s. If you are allowing yourself tobe victimized by your circumstances, pack your bag foryour next hospital visit NOW. On the other hand, reducingstress levels will allow you to be more effective, moreapproachable, and calmer and more in charge. So, is theresome reason that you continue your stressful existence?Talk to individuals who seem to be able to handle stressto learn their secrets. Carpe Diem.James F. Fitzgerald is president of James F. Fitzgerald& Associates, Inc., an Oak Brook, IL. Based seniorexecutive coaching and career transition firm. Phone#;630-684-2204. Email:jamesffitz37@hotmail.com. NEWweb site: www.jamesffitzgerald.com.

April 2011 Irish American News “We’ve Always Been Green!” 21I’m thinking about changing my name to “MenachimGoldfarb.” I figure it could help me with our new Mayor.And it certainly couldn’t hurt me in show biz either.Of course, I will have to endure all the stereotyping thatcomes with an ethnic name. But I’m used to that.I was recently asked to speak to a class at ColumbiaCollege who were studying “ethnics in the media” andthe students asked me if I was offended by the Irish stereotypingin the film Boondock Saints. I told these youngidealists that I was familiar with the movie, “but I can’treally remember if I found it offensive or not because I wasdrunk when I saw it.”New York Mayor Bloomberg recently got in a lot ofhot water by making a joke about Irish inebriates whilespeaking at a pre-St. Patrick’s Day event at the Irish HistoricalSociety in Manhattan. But Chicago Mayor RahmEmmanuel won’t make those kind of mistakes if he has“Menachim Goldfarb” to advise him regarding any potentialethnic slurs.There’s certainly a precedent for taking on a name ofthe en vogue race. In the early years of the last centurymany Jewish boxers, like welterweight champion “MushyCallahan” and middleweight champion “AlMcCoy,” had adopted Irish names.And sportswriter Peter Levine tells the storyof the great Jewish boxer, Benny Leonard, who“once fought an opponent called ‘Irish’ EddieFinnegan in a Pennsylvania coal-mining town,where cries from the spectators urged Finneganon with shouts of ‘kill the kike’ or ‘murder the yid.’ Thisso enraged Leonard, that he began pummeling Finnegan.Holding on for dear life, ‘Irish’ Eddie Finnegan grabbedLeonard in a clinch, and pleaded for mercy, gasping inYiddish that his real name was Seymour Rosenbaum.”And my Jewish bona fides are all in order.While I was a young actor in New York, I worked asan usher for the Yiddish Theater production of My Mama,der General, starring Lillian Lux and Pesach Burstein. Itwas a small little theatre in the Edison Hotel, and my jobwas to get the almost 200 members of the audience intotheir seats before the curtain went up and many of themrealized they were sitting behind a pole. I always left beforeintermission because I knew I’d be in the same boatas “Irish Eddie Finnegan” if some of those old ladies gottheir hands on me.When my dad was in his mid-seventies he was about tointroduce me to his new bride who was in her fifties. Hepulled me aside and said, “She’s Jewish, so don’t makeany cracks!”They were a lovely couple until the pre-nup expiredand she got kind of bossy, according to my old man. Aftershe took him to the cleaners in divorce court, I asked him,“What the hell did you marry her for?” He shrugged, “Mike,I was in love.” Nuff said.And if that isn’t enough Mayor Rahm, I also spentsome time studying ballet just like you did. As a classicalactor, I knew that the best way to keep my instrument intune was to keep my body fit with ballet class. I studiedwith Richard Arve and Ruth Paige right here in Chicago,and my grand jete was a thing to behold. Of course, thatwas before I gained another hundred pounds to my manlyframe, the result no doubt of spending more time at thebar than the barre.So Mayor Rahm keep an eye out for a resume fromMenachim Goldfarb coming across your desk. I mightnot be technically Jewish, but I’m willing to learn and I’malready circumcised so the hard part is over.2011 Chicago World Cup SoccerIf you can’t wait for Summer tournaments, do not missthe new Spring Outdoor Chicago Soccer Leagues startingApril 9th on the best Turf fields of the Windy City (LincolnPark South and Montrose). If you win a league, you playfor free in the Chicago World Cup finals!www.chicagoworldcup.com.RESTAURANT/pubOWNERS:FERDYNAND & ANNA HEBALInvite you to enjoyThe RedApple Buffet!Czerwone JabtuszkoRESTAURANT & DELI’S3121-23 N. MILWAUKEE AVE.PH 773-588-5781FAX 773-588-39756474 N. MILWAUKEE AVE.PH 773-763-3407 FAX 773-763-3406

22 Irish American News “We’ve Always Been Green!” April 2011AppearancesCutsFoil HighlightsColorWaxingPermsGifts/JewelryCall Mary 847-825-7615229 N Northwest Hwy, Park Ridge

April 2011 Irish American News “We’ve Always Been Green!” 23All Kinds of EverythingIn 1970, Dana won the Eurovision songcontest singing “All Kinds of Everything.” Forone brief moment during a period of politicalturbulence, Dana’s hometown, Derry, becameknown for something other than riots, shootingsand bombings. Europeans were forced to re-thinktheir pre-conceptions of a city that had becomesynonymous with the struggle for Civil Rights,and gerrymandering.What seemed like a frivolous song competition,suddenly allowed the talent of battle-scarred cityto be seen. Two years later, British paratroopersshot and killed thirteen Civil Rights protestorsdead on Bloody Sunday. And while a popsong did not bring any lasting peace, itdid, for a short while, remind the worldthat there was more to the North of Irelandthan violence, and suffering.Since moving to Chicago five years ago,I have met with many people who havevisited Ireland, and invariably, they havetraveled the well-worn path of Dublin andthe southwest of Ireland. The Cliffs of Moher,the Dingle Peninsula, Ring of Kerryand the Book of Kells are ubiquitouslyidentified with the best of what Irelandhas to offer.For most part, the ‘black north’ is stillthe unknown, politically unstable region only tobe visited by the more adventurous traveler. Thisperception may not be consciously understood,it may be the result of successful marketing byBord Failte, but it does leave someone like mewondering why the north has not blossomed moresubstantially after the cessation of violence withthe IRA ceasefire in 2005. There is not enoughdone to promote the many pre-historic and historicsites, the rich cultural heritage of Protestant andCatholics, and the natural beauty of the north.At iBAM Chicago this year, the BogsideArtists, from Derry, were the headliners. Usingthe personal and tragic stories from the troubles,they have created a positive contribution to acommunity on the frontline of political tensionsbetween the police, British army and local people.In a neighbourhood where the residents haveendured the painof civil unrest; theartists provide atelling of a storywhich the mediachoose to overlook,memorializingin their workimportant social and political events of the localcommunity.The artists have received critical acclaim allover the world. They have been invited to theSmithsonian in D.C and International muralistconferences in China and Europe, as they presenta positive message of healing and reconciliationin their art. http://www.bogsideartists.com/In a time of peace, the Catholic and Protestanttraditions are exploring new ways to celebratetheir unique histories. Belfast, once a sectarianstronghold, has become a vibrant city thathas, in the last decade, developed as a haven fortourists. Old flashpoints of sectarianism havebecome attractions for visitors, some of whichDerry City Centre at Nightseem macabre, especially tours of places wheresome of the worst atrocities have taken place. Itseems that there is a thin line between exploitingfor commercial reasons the injuries of the past,and educating the interested onlooker. Whateverwe think of this approach, it is still a sign of acommunity trying to regain the semblance ofnormality.Visitors from the U.S that I have taken to Irelandare quite surprised and amazed at how muchthe north of Ireland has to offer. The urban experienceof Belfast and Derry, with their historicantiquity, and modernization, is complimentedwith the rich countryside. The Glens of Antrim,Giant’s Causeway, and wildness of Donegal arespectacular. Since the troubles have come to a halt,there has been an increase in tourism in the north.Why? It is simply so beautiful. For instance, thehighest sea cliffs in Europe are in Slieve League,Donegal, plunging 2,000 feet into the Atlantic,and are described as ‘the thinking man’s alternativeto the Cliffs of Moher.’There are areas in the north where one cantravel without encountering busloads of tourists.And while I love Dublin and the southwest, theyhave almost exhausted the tourist trade, leavingone what should be an authentic experience tofeeling it has become more of an affectation.Some areas are over developed and over pricedwhile others have kept and maintained their senseof wonder.At a time when the Republic of Ireland is debatingthe ‘big debt,’ spending over five milliondollars to sponsor events in the U.S as part ofImagine Ireland, the Ireland they seem to imaginemisses the north, and it is largely this omissionthat causes me to want to redress the balance.When Dana won the Eurovision song contest,she won it for Ireland. But for the people of Derry,and the north of Ireland, the prize brought attentionto a part of the country that was being, andstill is, stigmatized by a history of conflict.The news reports were now focusing onthe positive talent of a young womanas opposed to the usual fare of politicalfragmentation. I remember how that eventmade us all feel. We were proud of wherewe came from.In the past year once again Derry hasearned the right to be acknowledged as acity of culture. In 2013, Derry will takecentre stage. Does this title mean anything?Yes! When Glasgow, Scotland was designatedat the European city of culture in1990, it radically changed the city. Formerly,in the 1970’s, Glasgow had an infamous reputationfor violence and drugs. Now with financialinvestment and development, the city has becomea popular tourist spot.Founded by St. Columbia in the 6th Century,the city is poised to showcase in 2013 its richculture and history, and, as a former citizen ofthe city, I am absolutely delighted. http://www.cityofculture2013.com/Our-2013-Bid/Home.aspx.In 2013, Derry will emerge from its ‘no go’past and take its place among important cities tovisit. With investment, and development, Derry,like Glasgow, will attract visitors from all over theworld. And, as Dana puts it in the song, the cityhas ‘all kinds of everything’ to offer.*Terry, originally from Derry, now resides inChicago and teaches Irish and British Literatureat Loyola University, Chicago. terenceboyle@sbcglobal.net.Online Only This MonthDue to the large quantity of articlesthis month and the lack of extra space,a few columns will be online only.• A Word With Monsignor Boland• Mick• April HoroscopesThey will all be back next month foryour reading pleasure!FINANCIAL PLANNINGCorrigan Financial Services, Inc.Money Concepts Financial Planning CentreEstablished 1980Retirement Planning SpecialistforIndividuals - Families - BusinessInvestment - Tax - Estate PlanningCallMike & Chuck Corrigan(708)482-3800Member International Association for Financial Planning

24 Irish American News “We’ve Always Been Green!” April 2011GERRY MCGEOUGH, Irishpatriot and devout father of fouryoung children has been convicted bya Diplock (juryless) court in Belfastand faced sentencing on March 18.Though Gerry’s supporters filled thecourtroom nobody from the Adams/McGuinness faction attended. (Forup-to-date news see www.freegerry.com.) McGeough is convicted ofarmed combat against a British UlsterDefense Regiment (UDR) soldier in1981 in which both were wounded.The UDR was once the B-Specialswhose crimes prompted such internationaldisgust that Britain “abolished”it by changing its name to UDR. Soonthereafter, in 1992, the UDR’s stenchforced the British gov’t to “abolish”it by making it part of “Royal IrishRegiment.” It is important to notehere that under British rule in OccupiedIreland it is murder to kill aBritish soldier (an armed combatant)but law remains silent when Britishsoldiers murder Irish noncombatants.Thus, British soldiers who perpetratedBloody Sunday by shooting 30,mostly in the back, of which 14 died,are not charged. Nor are the namedUDR/RUC/SAS car-bombers ofDublin/Monaghan in which 33 diedand some 300 were maimed. Norare the UVF bombers of McGurk’sPub (15dead including two childrenoutside). Ditto UVF members whomurdered hundreds of Catholics,randomly. The family of Nora Mc-Cabe (R.I.P.) permanently blindedby a rubber bullet fired through herwindow by a British soldier has beeninformed by the government thathas stone-walled until now, that it istoo late to prosecute. The MI5/FBIarrangers of the Omagh atrocity (29murdered, some 200 maimed) aresimilarly untouchable (by attributingit to the IRA whose bomb it hadbeen). The government and newsmedia attributed all British atrocitiesto the IRA until evidence provedotherwise.EVEN SLOW LEARNERS mustnow concede the folly of the GoodFriday Agreement (GFA). The follywas made clear in the version mailedto Irish voters prior to the 1998 referendum.The constant drumbeat of“Vote Yes For Peace” overcame theactual text that consisted of some 65pages of aspirational posturing, mutually-contradictorystatements, andbafflegab, with a half-page of clear,uncontradicted, thus enforceable, text– the part mandating the rescissionof Ireland’s Constitution’s Articles 2and 3 that had laid permanent claimto the entire island and its territorialwaters. Ireland’s government did gutthose Articles thus giving Ireland’spro-British minority a veto overIreland’s sovereignty.BOSTON COLLEGE taperecordedkey figures from both sidesabout ten years ago. Some of thosedata are collected in “Voices fromthe Grave” by Edward Moloney. Halfof the book is in the words of IRAmanBrendan “Darkie” Hughes; theother half by Ulster Volunteer Force(UVF) leader David Irvine, both nowdead. Moloney intersperses his owncomments, but fails to distinguishwar deaths from war crimes, thus hewrongfully equates Hughes and Irvine,though he seems otherwise unbiased.The book should be sub-titled“Final Proof for Slow Learners” (thatthe GFA was a sell-out). It should beread by those who didn’t notice theone-sided text of the original GFAitself, or don’t know that republicanprisoners are being subjected to recriminalizationand pre-hungerstrikeeratorture, or hadn’t noticed thatoccupied Ireland has been officiallyre-designated from disputed territoryto an undisputed province ofBritain, or hadn’t noticed that GerryMcGeough has just been convicted ina Diplock (juryless) court and facesimprisonment for combat with a Britishsoldier thirty years ago, in whichboth were wounded, while none ofthe named British mass murderersof civilians are being prosecuted.The book’s protagonists, Hughesand Irvine, draw the following overallconclusions: Hughes concludesthat what the GFA has wrought isa giant step backwards that wasn’tworth a single life, neither those hetook, nor of British soldiers, nor thehunger-strikers, nor of others whohad risked all for Irish freedom. Thefacts support Hughes: other than incatastrophic military defeat no nationhas ever before surrendered some20% of its national territory as Irelandhad done. To stop the killings?No; homicides had peaked as far backas 1972 (at 472) and dropped sharplyto small numbers by 1983, fifteenyears before the 1998 GFA. Hughessays that he “would have gladly takena bullet for Gerry Adams,” but dueto the sell-out he “should have put abullet in him.”IRVINE RECOUNTS how hisUVF had targeted Catholics randomly(“Any Taig Will Do” graffiti waseverywhere), and perpetrated manymassacres, all to terrorize Catholics.Irvine, at least one RUC, and Britishspooks perpetrated the bloodiestday of all, the Dublin/Monaghancar-bombings that killed 34 andmaimed some 300. Also the MiamiShow Band bus massacre in whichhis men and a few SAS men stoppedthe bus on its way home after a Belfastgig. Dressed in uniforms, theyheld the musicians outside at gunpointwhile surreptitiously placinga delayed-timer bomb aboard to killDublin innocents later while falselyimplicating the band in terrorism. Itexploded in the perpetrator’s handsand blew one musician across theroadside fence out of sight. He wasthe only Irish survivor. The survivingSAS/UVF men machine -gunned therest of the band. The dead terroristswere Irvine’s UVF men, WesleySomerville and Harris Boyle.SUCH WAS David Irvine’s workthat achieved the GFA. When Britain’sMI5, through Fr. Alex Reid ofBelfast’s Clonard Monastery, subvertedGerry Adams, Irvine raspedthe situation and participated in it.He exulted in his role in “copperfasteningUlster to Britain.” For himall his random murders of Catholicshad borne fruit, having made his partof Ireland officially British. However,he describes his first triumphant tripto Washington and his chagrin whena US official explained to him whythe U.S. had taken Britain’s side.It wasn’t that U.S. officials sharedIrvine’s hatred of Catholics. It wasmerely that Neo-Cons were planningwars against Islam and wantedto free up the British army for use inthose wars.MORE PROOF YET that Adams/McGuinnesshas sold out: Firstbe aware that the U.S. governmentdoes not trust its citizens to meet andhear Irish republicans. For more thanfour decades our government hasrefused visitors’ visas to them. It stillbars them; Republican Sinn Fein’sRory O Bradaigh remains barred. Adamsand McGuinness were allowedin only after they became British operatives.Their congressional backerswere our enemies who had supportedBritain since 1973.YET MORE: By phone from PatHaran: “DUP leader Peter Robinsonrecently stated his willingness toattend a Catholic funeral Mass of afriend.” Martin McGuinness interpretedit as “Peter has addressed theissue of Mass” and consequently he(McGuinness) discourages protestsagainst the Queen’s visit to Ireland.Is Peter’s willingness to attend aCatholic mass such a concession as torequire Irish acceptance of a visit toIreland of the Commander of BritishForces? Those same British Forceswere rushed to Buckingham Palacefor honors by the queen only weeksafter shooting dead 14 innocentcivilians in Derry. Note that neitherMartin nor Peter addressed the paintbombing of St. Mathews Chapel inBelfast a few nights ago by thugsloyal to HM the queen.WHO STARVED YOUR RELA-TIVES? See www.irishholocaust.org.WHO ARE THE TERROR-ISTS? See www.terrorismireland.org.FOR MORE GFA RESULTS,See www.michaelmckevitt.com;www.friendsofcolinduffy.com.

April 2011 Irish American News “We’ve Always Been Green!” 25A Leprechaun Among GiantsDriving west from U.S. 12 alongIllinois Highway 173 you get thefeeling that you are as far from civilizationand extraordinary accomplishmentas a ride in the country can takeyou. Here, among the rolling glacialpastures of the Illinois Wisconsinborder, you suddenly find a historicalmarker that is as towering as thelong-ago event it heralds.For in the sleepy little townof Hebron, rising high above thesimple unchanged two block longdowntown on Illinois Route 47, a155-foot water tower painted like agiant basketball proudly proclaims,HEBRON HOME OF 1952 STATECHAMPIONS.Hard to believe that here in themiddle of nowhere was a smallgroup of young farm boys led by adisciplined Irishman captured theattention of Illinois and the nationon their way to winning the state basketballchampionship. Coach RussAhearn wore a green tie and greensocks to the championship game inChampaign, a nod to both his Irishheritage and the green silk uniformsof the Hebron Green Giants, whowere more Davids than Goliathswhen you consider just how small apond they came from.Cows outnumbered people inHebron in 1952, and the tiny highschool had just 98 students. Thestarting five players were more oftenthan not also the closing five, withjust four or five junior varsity playersto back them up. A common tauntas the small squad walked onto thecourt was “Where’s the rest of yourteam?”A more suitable question mighthave concerned where the rest of thegym was. The home floor for Hebronin 1952 wasn’t even a regulation sizecourt. The playing area was on athree sided stage with barely enoughroom for the players and coaches tosit down. A player pursuing a balloff the western side of the courtrisked falling four feet down off thestage into the small pit where theaudience sat.Still, Hebron was a town thatlived and breathed basketball, andit developed the state’s best playersfor reasons one might best linkto cows. Settlers found the rollingMcHenry County farmland ill-suitedfor plowing but an ideal setting forpastureland. As the cows thrived sodid the boys growing up on the dairyfarms. Somethink there wasa genetic dispositionfor tallchildren amongthe mostlyDutch, Englishand Germansettlers.The tallestwas discoveredin 1948 by newcoach EdmundRussell Ahearn,who also wasthe new principalof the newlyconsolidatedAlden-HebronHigh School. Ahearn grew up inCentral Illinois as the grandson ofCounty Cork immigrants and theson of a mother newly arrived fromIreland.As the 5-foot-6 Ahearn roundeda corner at the high school to greetnew arrivals from Alden, he stoppedin his tracks with his sparkling eyeslevel with the front pocket on thebib overalls of a 14-year old eighthgrader named Bill Schulz. The boytowered over the tiny Irishman bynearly a foot.Ahearn thought fast and plannedlong.“Son, what’s your name?” he askedas he head craned upward.“Bill Schulz, Sir,” he said politely.“Have you ever played basketball?”“No, Sir.”It could be the ultimate coachingchallenge, yet with the starting pointof a youngster who could easily growinto one of the tallest players in thehistory of the state.“Why don’t you take gym eighthperiod?” suggested Ahearn. “I’m thegym teacher.”Eventually Ahearn extended aninvitation to join the team, contingentupon Mr. and Mrs. Schulzgiving their blessing. Farmer FredSchulz was willing to strike a deal.If Bill was willing to work hard atpractice and stick with the team, hisfather would let him skip the eveningHebron1952 State Champion Teammilking.Years later with the tallest GreenGiant at 6-foot-10 and a half andthe quick shooting, quick runningHebron Five plowing through 11straight wins in the state tournament,the trip back and forth betweenChampaign and Hebron on IllinoisHighway 47 was a two way affairfor the team family and fans—theywould have to make two trips tonot miss the morning or eveningmilkings.When Hebron won the championshipin late March 1952, it was anumber of firsts. The victory againstmuch-larger Quincy was the firststate championship game to ever gointo overtime, and the first ever televised.Never had such a small schoolever gone all the way, and with theswitch to multiple class tourneys twodecades later, the feat would neverbe reproduced.Back in Hebron telephone operatorMyra Vanderpal was one of the fewpeople left back in town during thebig game. As the buzzer sounded herswitchboard lit up like a Christmastree, and she took it upon herself toblow the town fire whistle. Smalltowns may roll up the sidewalksat sunset but asthe hour approachedmidnight,the townfire truck wentblaring throughHebron’s halfdozen streets ascars streamedin from Alden,Harvard, Woodstock,Richmondand fromacross the borderin Lake Geneva,Wisconsin, aspeople wantedto share in thebiggest momentof Illinois’ smallest team.The next morning the team headedhome in a northbound caravan withhuge crowds awaiting them at everytown along the way.Writing in the Champaign News-Gazette, sportswriter Jack Prowell hadthis to say about the Green Giants:The 1952 state high school basketballchampionship belongs to Hebronas it never belonged to anotherteam in history. When memoriesof other state championships havelong been forgotten, the fans willremember Hebron, for Hebron andits David and Goliath story belong toevery basketball fan everywhere.About this time of year, when thewinter isn’t yet past and the promiseof new spring has yet to surface, I liketo take a short drive five miles westand sixty years into the past. I don’tsee the giant basketball water towerall that clearly, and the 1950’s stylebaskets that line the main street withlocal ads are just a flash in the rearview mirror.I pull down a side street into atiny little high school that still existstoday. Just inside the front door I cansee up on a shelf and just out of reachan impossibly tall statue awarded tothe biggest team in state basketballever. Among the quiet halls and silentstreets I heard the roar of championshipfans in a packed gym long ago.And I know that if a dream can bedreamt, that once, in a town of giants,a little coach in green made the tallestdream ever come true.IrishRoverJim@aol.com.

26 Irish American News “We’ve Always Been Green!” April 2011First, thanks to all for your many,many comments on my recent columnfeaturing the Best Artists of theDecade Awards. Great craic. Now,on to some important, trad albumswhich might be easy to miss, maybenot. Let’s take a moment to repeatthat there are a few GREAT resourcesfor real Irish albums. Rampant Lionin Villa Park, Paddy’s on the Squarein Long Grove, Copperplate Distributionin London and CladdaghMusic in Dublin, Ireland. If you lovethe real deal, these resources areinvaluable to you, as they feature thereal, true Irish music, not this othercrapola floundering in the marketplayed by poseurs. Here are five ofthe real deals. REAL deals!Is Rita Gallagher the best Irishsinger in the world? We know a LOTof musicians and fans who answeryes to that question for this fabulousalto from Donegal. A hidden treasure,she and her new double CD, TheMay Morning Dew - Easter Snow,were brought to our attention byone of the world’s best, CopperplateDistribution in London. Google CopperplateDistribution You just landedin heaven without having to die first.This album is a masterpiece from amaster singer. Do you want to hearthe REAL Ireland? You’re in luck.Rita Gallagher will sing it to you. Asean nós classic from a gift of a voice.This is no nasal soprano child singingsome nonsense passing as Irish.This is a real Irish woman singingwonderful music in a voice from God.Impeccable.The hottest new group in Irishmusic is Outside Track. We need a lotmore space than we have here. Theyare young, from Canada, America,Ireland and Scotland. The album isCurious Things Given Wings. Ailieeven won an Award a couple yearsago from us for a GORGEOUS airshe wrote and performed on her solodebut album. Ailie Robertson is oneof the new breed of harpists on thescene and she is wonderful. But, radiopartner, Maryann Keifer and I arein love with Norah Rendell’s vocalsand flute playing. Wait, we said wedon’t have space, and we don’t. Thisis a new powerhouse on the scene.Over the years we have alerted youto many great new acts. None betterthan this. Find the album. Find themin concert at this year’s Irish Festin Milwaukee. New. Trad. Fab. Thewhole wonderful waterfront in oneterrific group. Stunning.Rita GallagherHappy To Meet and Sad To Part isthe new album from master whistleplayer, Peter McAlinden, from Ireland.The tin whistle can either bea lovely thing altogether, or a cursefrom God. Depends, like everything,on the player. When Copperplateand Alan O’Leary tell us someoneis great our ears perk up. Again, heis right. This guy is a lovely, lovelywhistle player with great taste andphrasing. A big selection of some ofthe great trad tunes here. You mightjust sort past another whistle albumin your Irish music hunt. That wouldbe a mistake with this album. Wow,can this guy play! Peter McAlinden isgoing to get a LOT of fans with thisone. Count us as one of them! MaryBergin, watch out!!A Moment of Madness. We allhave them. You need this one. Thereal aficionado well knows thename of Brendan Begley, he ofbutton box international acclaim.Add Caoimhin O’Raghallaigh onfiddle and you have magic. Pureand simple. Great tunes and perfectplaying. Need anything more?We’ve been playing a lot of it on theshow, and we love every cut. Theseguys are terrific, terrific, terrific, butwe repeat ourselves ourselves. Wait.Madness! Yes! Deeply knowledgeableand soulful players at theirpeaks. Perfection, and an early andserious contender for InstrumentalAlbum of the Year. Madness neversounded so good.Greentrax in Scotland sent us amasterpiece. Hector MacAndrewLegend of the Scots Fiddle. Neverheard Scottish music played better.He passed in 1980, but thanks toGreentrax, we have this. This iswhere a company like Greentraxmoves from being just another businessto being an important part ofcultural history. Scotland’s leadinglabel has given us so many gemsof real cultural significance, likeShona McMillan’s epochal, Peopleand Songs of the Sea. And, hereis Hector MacAndrew. Whateveryou think of Scottish music, thiswill change your mind. Yes. Ifyou love it, you will love it more.There are so many, many musicianswho worship at the MacAndrewsshrine, such as Manus McGuire,fiddler extraordinaire of the bestinstrumental assemblage in theworld, The Brock McGuire Group.Artists like Hector MacAndrewtruly, honest-to-god DO live forever.Here he is. The master. Still withus, albeit in a transformed state.Enough philosophical nonsense.On to the music. On to the best. Onto MacAndrew!Are you listening to the radioshow? Maryann Keifer and I arewith you every Monday night from8-9 on WDCB, 90.9 fm. Chicago’sonly citywide broadcast of all, realtrue trad Celtic music. You canalso get it on wdcb.org. Join us! Wepromise you will have a ball. Ta!

April 2011 Irish American News “We’ve Always Been Green!” 2795th Anniversary of the 1916 Easter Rising95 years ago in Dublin, on EasterMonday, April 24th 1916; a smallband of brave volunteers took on themight of the British army to proclaima Sovereign and Independent Ireland.Two years later, in the only all-Irelandelection in Ireland’s history, themajority of the Irish people votedoverwhelmingly to remove the Britishpresence from Ireland. Today, 95 yearson, Ireland still remains divided andoccupied by a foreign military force.On Saturday April 23, 2011, theIrish Freedom Committee will rememberthe extraordinary events ofEaster 1916 and continue the call fora United, Sovereign and All-IrelandRepublic free of British rule. Thecommemoration will take placefrom 11:30am to 2pm at Ginger’s AleHouse, 3801 N. Ashland Avenue, inChicago. Musical guest is renownedSouth-side Chicago balladeer JoeMonahan. Statements from the Irishrepublican movement in Ireland willbe presented, and the Proclamationof Ireland—read aloud on the stepsof the GPO on Easter Monday 1916by Padraig Pearse—will be recited.Your donation of $20 at the doorincludes a full traditional Irish breakfast.A raffle with prizes includingIrish republican prison-made craftswill be held with all proceeds goingdirectly to the families of Irishrepublican political prisoners, whosenumbers continue to swell under theso-called “Peace Process.”A petition to International humanrights organizations will alsobe circulated at this event, callingfor independent legal and medicalobservers to visit the jails anddocument conditions there. Irishrepublican merchandise includingbooks, t-shirts and badges will be onsale; with all proceeds going directlyto the prisoners’ families.The IFC Easter Commemorationwill follow a wreath laying andcommemoration by the Irish RepublicanSocialist Committee of NorthAmerica at the James Connollymonument in Union Park, AshlandAvenue at Washington Street, whichcommences at 10am.All are welcome to attend, formore information visit www.irishfreedomcommittee.netor www.irscna.org.150 Years at SaintPatrick High SchoolSaint Patrick High School recentlyannounced availability of a new bookcommemorating the 150th Anniversaryof Chicago’s oldest, all-male Catholichigh school. A Tradition of Brotherhood:150 Years at Saint Patrick HighSchool chronicles St. Pat’s journey fromits original location adjacent to Old St.Pat’s Church to its current home onBelmont and Austin.Discussed in the history are storiessurrounding the school’s survival ofthe 1871 Chicago Fire and the school’stremendous increase in popularitythroughout the 20th century. The bookhighlights the changes the school hasmade across the board to maintain acompetitive edge including major improvementsto the school’s campus andcurriculum. (The school’s curriculumnow offers students the opportunity toearn 32 college credit hours before theygraduate from high school.)The book’s author and St. Pat’s alumnusDaniel P. Smith also wrote On theJob: Behind the Stars of the ChicagoPolice Department. For more info or toorder a copy, contact Tom Meilinger attmeilinger@stpatrick.org.Irish Books & Plays inReview - The Linen QueenContinued from Page 4her previous book, The Yellow House.Sheila is a beautiful, smart, charminggirl. In 1941, she wins the LinenQueen contest in the mill where sheworks. She hopes that the money shewins will permit her to move away toa better life.Her grasping mother tries to takeher prize money. When this happens,Sheila thinks, “All the earlier pleasureof possibility had drained out of me. Maalways managed to do this. Why did Ieven listen to her?”However, World War II intervenes.Northern Ireland is part of Britainand thus is on the front line. Belfast isbombed, and American and Canadiantroops and ships are stationed there. Shefalls in love with an American soldier.Sheila quickly learns that love hasmany aspects. It is a blend of desire,understanding, affection, and tendernessfor the beloved and especially, loveand respect for oneself.Falvey is imaginative and skilled atcreating characters that are memorable,colorful and vibrant. I feel they closelyreflect real people she has observed.One of these characters in Sheila’smother. Her description of their interactionis so realistic and accurate that Ikept returning to it.Her mother is totally self-centeredand mean spirited. She constantly makesbitter remarks to hurt Sheila’s self esteem.Unfortunately, I had a close relative whowas exactly like this. This person wasalways petty, manipulative and vicious.Sadly, there are some of these bitter,hateful, jealous, begrudgers amongthe Irish people. I don’t know why thisis, because most Irish people are kindand considerate. And, our Irish culturalheritage is life affirming.All I can say is that when we meetnegative people like this, we must focusaway from them, and focus on thegolden characteristics of Irish people.The Linen Queen by Patricia Falvey.Hachette Book Group, New York City,2011. 320 pages; $21.99. www.centerstreet.com.

28 Irish American News “We’ve Always Been Green!” April 2011PLASTERINGWilliam McNulty & SonsPlastering Co.InsuredAll Work GuaranteedPLASTERINGSTUCCO • DRYVIT708-386-2951Alternative InvestmentsWhat are they and should you own them?Alternative Investments have gained considerablepopularity with investors over the pastdecade; mainly because of easier access to theaverage investor. Alternative investments arenontraditional assets that offer different risk andreturn potential than your standard stock, bond,or cash investments. This area of investments wasonce dominated by the ultra wealthy. But nowwith the creation of new products, the averageinvestor has access into this market. A question Ioften get from investors is “should I own alternativeinvestments”? Let me first explain alternativeassets in more detail then decide if they fit yourinvestment strategy.It’s hard to give an exact definition as to whatan alternative investment is. In the investmentworld, they are categorized as almost anythingthat is not a stock, bond, or cash, the basic componentsof a conventional portfolio. Some examplesof alternative investments include hedge funds,private placements, real assets, and commodities.Part of the reason these assets classes have beenabsent from conventional portfolios is becauseof their lack of regulation. The regulation standardsthat exist for mutual funds and ETF’s forexample, does not apply to hedge funds or privateplacement investments. Since there is little to noregulation in place on many of these investments,the government only allows these assets to beThe Woman In BlackFirst Folio continues its Seasonof Suspense with the British thrillerThe Woman in Black, runningthrough May 1.Proud and solitary, Eel Marsh House surveysthe windswept reaches of the salt marshes beyondNine Lives Causeway. Arthur Kipps, a juniorsolicitor, is summoned to attend the funeral ofMrs. Alice Drablow, the house’s sole inhabitant,unaware of the tragic secrets which lie hiddenbehind the shuttered windows. It is not until heglimpses a wasted young woman, dressed all insold to accreditedinvestors (networth of $1mm+).Today however,through the creationof fund offunds and otherinvestment managementpartnerships,alternativeinvestments canbe accessed by almost all investorsThe reason investors use alternative investmentsis simple; to generate enhanced returnsand take on different risk characteristics thanthose produced by traditional assets (stocks,bonds, cash, etc). Basically it boils down toanother level of diversification (if you’ve beenfollowing my article the past few months, youknow I’m a big fan of diversification). Theseassets, whether it’s a hedge fund or oil & gaslimited partnership, tend to have a low correlationto the stock market. This is beneficial toinvestors because it gives them an investmentthat can go up when the stock market goes down– ultimately lowering the volatility of the portfolioand increasing overall returns.Investing into alternative assets must be donewith caution. As mentioned earlier, there is littleregulation with many of these investments. Forexample, alternative assets do not have the liquidityor diversification requirements that mutualfunds or ETF’s have. This can cause problemsto investors if they are not used properly. Also,alternative assets tent to strive for enhancedreturns. Like most assets, increased returns alsoinclude increased risk. Depending upon yourindividual time horizon, risk tolerance, and taxstatus, alternative investments might make agood fit in your portfolio.black, at the funeral, that a creepingsense of unease begins to takehold, a feeling deepened by the reluctanceof the locals to talk of thewoman in black—and her terriblepurpose. Years later, he recounts his experiencesto an actor in a desperate attempt to exorcise theghosts of the past.Performances take place in Mayslake Hall onthe grounds of the Mayslake Peabody Estate. Locatedat 31st St. and Rt. 83 in Oak Brook. Ticketsare available online at www.firstfolio.org or bycalling the box office at 630-986-8067.Shamrock PaintingCommercialResidentialExterior - InteriorSatisfying Customersfor Over 15 YearsPaul McGee815-729-9310The Cunningham Familyand Fuaim ChonamaraThe Cunningham family and Fuaim Chonamaracombine old style tradition with modern dance inmemorable performances across America.The multi-talented international rising stars ofdance and entertainment, the Cunningham Familyfrom Cashel, in Connemara, Galway, Ireland, havebeen mesmerizing audiences throughout, Ireland,Europe and the Far East with their energetic,sexy, heart stopping style of Sean Nos dancing.Chicagoan’s are in for a treat as the CunninghamFamily plan to launch their American tour withtheir own spectacularly choreographed successfulSean Nos Dancing Show throughout the areabefore embarking on a national tour of all themajor cities across the United States.The energetic performances from the CunninghamFamily are unique, but still deeplyrooted with Irish tradition synonymous with theConnemara culture. The Cunningham Family havebeen reviving one of Irelands oldest dance formsand transforming it into a wonderful display ofdance style, skill and athleticism. Concentratingon the authentic and most traditional aspects ofIrish Culture, the performances showcase the rootsand origins of Irish Dance, celebrating elementsof the dancing style.The Cunningham siblings Brian and Irene hopeto share this exciting transformation of culturewith their audiences throughout the United States.The style of dance has a raw and sexy energeticvibe to it which the audience can feel part of. Thisis not a Riverdance style of dancing performance,but something far more advanced but with moretraditional traits relating to Connemara. Thetransformation from traditional Sean Nós tomodern dance had never previously been successfullycombined until Irene & Brian Cunninghamdeveloped a new choreographed routine that ismodern–fresh, skillful, sexy loose style dancing.Sean Nos dancing, inspired and influencedthrough their grandparents in the days of house tohouse dancing, started as a pastime for the Cunninghamsibling’s; now it’s their passion.Visit the family website www.fuaimchonamara.ie for more information about bookings, showlocations or to view clips of the various segmentsof their shows. The Sean Nos show is full of warmhearted banter, wonderful music and pure traditionalSean Nos dancing in a friendly atmosphere.The Cunningham Family are certain to appeal toyoung and old who are guaranteed a mind blowingexperience in every performance.

April 2011 Irish American News “We’ve Always Been Green!” 29Just before I started to writethis article, I was at my sons rugbygame and was chatting with two ofthe mothers. I asked them whensomeone mentioned ‘Irish Food’what sprung to mind. ‘Potatoes’was the resounding reply fromboth. This is my all too familiarexperience when I travel aroundthe United States. Last week Itaught at the Philadelphia InternationalFlower Show and againpeople were surprised when I wascooking mussels.Growing up in Ireland, Cork tobe precise, seafood was a staple inour home. Every Friday my fatherwould purchase fresh fish which Inow dearly miss living in Texas!The clean Atlantic waters arehome to some of the finest molluscsin the world. Galway Bay isfamous for it’s oysters and Connemarafor it’s mussels. Musselshave been given a helping handby man, and one that I forone am very grateful for.They are now cultivated byhanging ropes from longlines. We no longer haveto endure the grit and sandat the bottom of our bowlsallowing us to dip our freshsoda bread or crusty frenchbread into this deliciousbroth.Along with the sea, theland too has been kindto the Irish. We have anabundance of fresh fruit,vegetables and, of course,it almost goes without sayingthat our grass fed cattleproduce, in my opinion, thefinest butter in the world.When you brush aside myobvious bias and try this goldenbutter for yourself, I think you willagree. I am often asked why KerryGold Irish butter is in fact golden.The cattle in Ireland are grass fed,that, coupled with our temperateclimate and the Gulf stream windingit’s way through the Atlanticto the Southwest Coast of Irelandprovides a fertile environment forour cattle. The milk is rich in betacarotene,turning butter and cheeseinto a natural gold. This butter iswidely available throughout theUnited States, everywhere fromIrish import stores, to Trader Joes,Costco, Whole Foods and othermajor grocery chains. There aretwo types of butter. Salted, foundin a gold foil and unsalted in asilver foil. The unsalted butter isthe only butter I bake with.If you were to go to Irelandanytime from April 30th-May 2nd,2011, then a visit to the ‘ConnemaraMussel Festival’ is a must.The glorious Renvyle Peninsulain North Connemara is home tothis wonderful mussel festival forthe sixth year running. Of course,if you are in Ireland in September,then the ‘Galway InternationalOyster Festival’ should be a greatchoice for foodies or, indeed, the‘Kinsale Food Festival’ in Cork inOctober. Just visit www.discoverireland.comand you can discoveryour very own food tour. As wesay in Ireland, ‘Go where IrelandTakes You.’Mussels in White Wine,Fresh Herbs and GarlicIngredients6 pounds fresh mussels6 chopped shallots1 sweet onion1 fennel bulb3 leeks3 cloves garlicfresh basil, thyme, tarragon &parsleyolive oil for frying2 cups white wine2 cups vegetable or chickenstock1 cup heavy whipping creamMethodPreheat Oven to 375 degrees.Clean and debeard all the mussels,making sure that all theshellfish areclosed prior tocooking.Clean andtrim the fennelbulb, cut it inhalf and thenin 1/4 inch ribbons.Clean andpeel the sweetonion.Soak theleeks in a coldwater bath. Trimthe green stem. Cut white stalk inhalf and then into 1/4 inch coins.Clean all fresh herbs. Use yourjudgement here to adjust to your ownpersonal taste. Chop coarsely.In a bowl mix the leeks, fenneland onions in some olive oil. Spreadon a parchment lined baking sheetand roast for 15 minutes. Set Asideto cool.In a large saute pan, heat oliveoil, add shellfish and toss for 2 to3 minutes.Add fennel/leek/onion mixture,white wine, stock, choppedherbs and cream. Cover pan andlet steam for 4 to 5 minutes oruntil shells are open. Add salt &pepper to taste.www.Rachelgaffney.blogspot.comTwitter: @RachelgaffneyFacebook: Rachel Gaffney

April 2011 Irish American News “We’ve Always Been Green!” 312011 Chicago Rose of Tralee CrownedCongratulations to SiobhanCarroll of Arlington Heights,IL, who was sponsored by TheIrish Boutique. Siobhan has beenselected to represent Chicago inIreland’s Rose of TraleeSelection in June. Shewill fly to Ireland to joinyoung women of Irishdescent from countriesaround the world, includingGreat Britain, Europe,Dubai, Australia and NewZealand. Siobhan willbe an ambassador forChicago, connecting theglobal Irish community ina celebration of their richculture and sharing theheritage of Irish Peopleat home and abroad. Hergoal is to be selected fromamongst the other participantsrepresenting theirperspective countries tobe named the Rose ofTralee during the InternationalRose of Traleebroadcasted live on IrishTV for two simultaneousnights.Siobhan, along with fourteenother highly qualified candidates,submitted a six-page applicationand took part in an extensive interviewprocess as well as a stageappearance prior to being selectedthe 2011 Chicago Rose of Tralee.The applications, interviewsand stage appearanceswere evaluated by sixwell-respected membersof the Irish community.The stage appearancestook placeduring the weekendfestivities at the IrishAmerican HeritageCenter on March 11.The stage appearanceswere emcee’d by the2010 Chicago Rose,Julia Rose McDermottPolk and all the wayfrom Ireland, RonanKeary, International2009 Escort. The ladiesjoined the IrishAmerican HeritageCenter and marched inthe downtown parade,signed autographs atthe IAHC and participatedin a groupinterview. The judgestallied up the scoresand Siobhan was announcedon stage atthe Irish AmericanHeritage Center Saturdayevening.Siobhan attended BuffaloGrove High School, IndianaUniversity and is now in progressof obtaining her Masters Degree(L-R) 2011 Chicago Rose of Tralee Winner,Siobhan Carroll with 2010 Chicago RoseJulia Rose McDermott Polk.at National Louis University. Sheis an Administrative Assistant atNorthwest Community Hospitalbut is seeking a future careeras a high school math teacherfor the fall. Her father ThomasFrances Carroll of Tuam, Co.Galway played in the band formany years at the InternationalFestival for the Rose of Traleeand her mother, Deirdre AnnCarroll (Cadogan) was a WaterfordInternational Rose.When asked the question of“What it would mean for you tobecome the Chicago Rose,” thiswas Siobhan’s had to say:“I’m sure everyone presentsthe classic response of, ‘itwould mean the worldto me,’ and as I sit herepondering this question,all that I can think to sayis that it would mean theworld to me! The Roseof Tralee has held such astrong presence in my familyand it would be such anincredible honor to keepthe family tradition alive. Ihave long heard stories ofmy mom’s own experienceas a Rose of Waterfordand of the nights my dadplayed in the selectionceremony. Even just beinga part of the Chicago Rosehas brought so much joyto my family all over theworld. From my aunt inAustralia to my Grammy’sin Ireland, everyone is so excitedand so proud that I am involved.I would love to make that phonecall and say, ‘Gram, I’ll see youin June!’”The mission of the ChicagoRose of Tralee is to provide enrichmentopportunities that willencourage young women of Irishdescent to be exemplary rolemodels for tomorrow’s youthand to make a positive differencein the world. The ChicagoRose of Tralee is currently acceptingapplications for 2012Rose candidates, Rosepetals andRosebuds. For information call773-239-3927 or email at info@chicagoroseoftralee.com.A special thanks to the IrishLarkin & Moran Brothers CD Release PartyLarkin & Moran Brothershave a new CD, éistigí, and arehave a CD Release Party (andIreland Tour Pre-party) at TheFifth Province Pub in the IrishAmerican Heritage Center, 4626N. Knox Ave. in Chicago, onApril 15th at 8pm.Advance copies of the newCD éistigí have received somegreat early reviews. The Celticrock radio site Paddyrock.com reviewer, John Bowles,stated: “I can finally say that this is theBEST release from the The Larkin andMoran Brothers to date. I love it whenAmerican Heritage Center forhosting the Chicago Rose ofTralee and the Irish AmericanNews for all their dedication tohelp promoting such a wonderfulopportunity for our Chicago landladies. And a special shout out toall the Irish Radio Stations thathave promoted the Chicago Rose– without you, we would never beable to get the word out!I get a release that makes me feel likeI’m in a pub…”www.celticratpack.com.

32 Irish American News “We’ve Always Been Green!” April 2011The Book of Kells—Its History and Artmonks left Ionafor Kells (“Cenannas”at that time,)site of an ancienthill fort in Co.Meath, Ireland,and built a newmonastery andscriptorium.The Annals ofUlster, a chronicleof medieval Ireland,recorded thatin the year 878 another group of monks arrivedfrom Iona with valuables and relics. The descriptionin the Annals suggests that the Book wasamong their valuables.Medieval Era6th to 14th Century9th Century: The Book (possibly, see above)at Kells Abby (not yet called Book of Kells)1007: An entry in the Annals of Ulster describedthe Book of Kells as stolen and recovered.The “Great Gospel of Columkille (still not yetcalled the “Book of Kells”) was wickedly stolenduring the night from the western sacristy to thegreat stone church at Cenannas on account of itswrought shrine.” It was found “two months andtwenty days” later “under a sod.” Shrines oftenwere decorated with gold or silver and gems andcontained a bound book of great value. ManyGospel books themselves were often covered withgems and precious metals. Scholars surmise thatboth the shrine and the Book’s covers were takenand the folios were ripped out and discarded becausethey were not considered valuable.Which could easily explain the estimated 10folios (double pages) that are missing from thebeginning and 12 folios that are lost from theend of the Book. There are at least 28 folios—56leaves (pages) of text and images that are missing.This estimate is determined by what sectionsare missing andwhat Insular StyleGospels usuallyincluded.During the12th century, landcharters regardingthe Abby of Kellswere written onblank leaves ofthe Book: 6 verso(left side) and 7recto (right side.)Editor’s Note— In the March edition of the Irish American News,a large portion of this column was inadvertently cut short. We arepublishing the rest of column here, and apologize to Mr. Crowleyand our readers for the error.The Book’s examination in this series is dividedinto the following historic and artistic topics.1. Brief Introduction to the history of the Bookof Kells2. The general organization of Insular Gospels3. Comparison to other Insular Gospels4. Full page illuminations of BoK5. Themes and symbolisms6. Scribes: Styles; Errors; Later contributions7. Production Methods: Tools; Vellum; Pigmentsand InksA Brief Introduction to theHistory of the Book of KellsThe Book of Kells is considered to be the finestsurviving example of Gospel manuscripts in whatscholars call Insular Style. They were producedfrom the 6th through the 9th centuries in monasteriesin Ireland, Scotland, Northern England andin Continental monasteries with Irish or Englishorigins. The manuscripts all had similarities intextual, artistic and calligraphic traditions andwere mutually influential.In 563 AD, the Irish monk Colum Kille, alsoknown as St. Columba, led a group of his followersto the Island of Iona off the west coast of Scotlandto establish a monastery and scriptorium. Scholarsbelieve the Book was begun some time later. Aftera long period of peace, Viking raids made life forthe monks too dangerous and in 807, many of theBlake-LambFuneral Homes4727 W. 103rd StreetOak Lawn IL 60453All phones: 708-636-1193Owned by SCI Illinois Services, Inc.A permanent record that theAbby would need for thistransaction was indeed safein the Book.Modern Era15th Century toPresentThe Early Modern Erabrought additional alterationsto the Book. In some casesthe Book was merely defacedwith notations while others irreparably damagedleaves. However, everything that happened to theBook continues to be a source of historic interestand research.In the 15th century a poem by an unknownauthor complaining about taxation on church landwas written on a blank leaf, 289v.16th Century. Gerald Plunkett of Dublinentered chapter numbers of the Gospels that werecreated in the 13th century by the Archbishop ofCanterbury. Plunkett also made many other commentsthroughout the Book.1621. Bishop-elect of Meath, James Usshernumbered all the leaves. (This is the same BishopUssher who dated the time of the Creation, Saturday,October 22, 4004 BC, by counting backwardsin the Bible.)In the 17th century during the period of theComwellian invasions and the Irish Uprising of1641, the Church of Kells was badly damagedand remained unrepaired. The Governor of Kells,Charles Lambart, sent the Book for safe-keepingin 1653 to government commissioners in Dublin.Henry Jones, who later became Bishop of Meath,presented the Book to Trinity College Libraryin 1661.The Book continued to be under constantexamination by scholars and Library officialsat Trinity College. A folio was discovered tobe folded the wrong way. It was corrected andreinserted in 1741.The most egregious damage took place during1821. Vellum leaves in hand-trimmed manuscriptsare not exactly even, as they are in modern bookswith machine-cut paper pages. Slight differenceswere accepted. I imagine a monk taking the Bookand tapping it on each side to make it as even ashe could. The monk then carefully trimmed offabout a half inch or so on each side, but he didn’tcheck inside—many leaves had the edges of theirimages trimmed.Subsequently, the dimensions are now 13” by10” from the original 14½” by 10¼.”. A blankflyleaf was inserted into thefront of the Book and it thenwas rebound. The new edgeswere gilded.During a visit 28 yearslater, Queen Victoria andAlbert visited Dublin. AtTrinity College Library theywere shown many of Ireland’streasured manuscripts, includingthe Book of Kells. Victoriaand Albert signed that blankflyleaf from 1821 with thefollowing inscription: “Victoria R” and “Albert”followed by the date, 7 August 1849. A Dublinnewspaper claimed at the time their autographswould be regarded with more interest than theBook itself!Other English royals signed the same flyleafin 1861 and 1902 during visits to Trinity College.The flyleaf with the royal signatures was removedin 1953.J. H. Todd, Trinity College Librarian (1852-’69) added more folio numbers to the lower leftcorners.Another rebinding in 1895 was an opportunityfor photographs to be taken for the Librarian.Soon after it became clear the binding was notgoing to last.In 1951 Urs Graf-verlag of Bern made a completereproduction with most folios in black andwhite with 48 pages in color. Only 500 copieswere printed.During the 1950s discussions for more repairscontinued. For example, several of the leaves becameloose and damaged from wear. It was clearthat there needed to be immediate repairs but therewas not agreement on how to proceed.Finally in 1953 Roger Powell, the leading conservationbookbinder of his day, rebound the Bookcreating four volumes, one for each Gospel.Francoise Henry published a major study in1974 with many color reproductions.Fine Art Publishers of Luzern, Switzerland in1990 published a facsimile made with the latesttechnology that reproduced the smallest details.The IAHC bought a copy and displays it in theCenter’s Museum.St. Mark’s Gospel was sent to Australia fordisplay in 2000. During that trip some pigmentwas damaged.Iona at “A”Julia Creighton PassesWe were saddened to hear of the passingof Julia Creighton, owner of Irish TreasureTrove in Elmhurst, IL. Our sympathy goesto her family and many friends.Creighton, Julia F. (nee Coen), age 70 ofDowners Grove; formerly of Kilkerrin, Ballinasloe,Co. Galway. Beloved wife of John "Jerry"Creighton for 43 yrs, loving mother of Patrick(Lisa Monsour), John (Kristin), Julie (Keith)Shannon and Daniel (Christine Geberbauer); adoringgrandmother of Jack, Aidan, Emma, Daniel,Jane and Liam; dear sister of Patrick, TeresaHynes, Christopher (Breda), the late Christinaand the late Edward (Brenda) Coen; proud auntto many both here and abroad. Owner of the IrishTreasure Trove since 1983, Elmhurst. Julia willforever be missed. Interment Bronswood CemeteryOak Brook. In lieu of flowers, please makeprivate donation to a favorite cause.

34 Irish American News “We’ve Always Been Green!” April 2011Kill the IrishmanKill the Irishman is not youraverage mafia movie. It blowsup common cinema stereotypesand introduces audiences to theexplosive true story of DannyGreene, an Irish mobster whorose from humble dockworkerto criminal powerhouse. Heincited the wrath of the localItalian mafia and caused a gangwar so violent that during thesummer of 1976, Clevelandwas known as “Bomb City,USA.” Ray Stevenson, thecharismatic Irish actor whoportrays Greene with bravado,likens the movie to a westernimbued with the flamboyanceof the 1970’s, an era markedby exaggeration—a time whenthe only thing bigger than theOur New York correspondent Amanda Donnellan (Center), with (L-R): Vincent D’Onofrio, and Ray Stevenson, stars of Kill the Irishman!cars, lapels and mustaches were anti-hero with philosophicalthe gangsters. Greene was a shades. Without romanticizinglarger than life figure himself, the villainy, Kill the Irishmanknown as the “man the mafia successfully lends humanitycouldn’t kill” for his seeming to this fascinating and violentinvincibility against a barrageof assassination attempts Rick Porello, who authoredslice of Americana.and his own brutal retaliationagainst enemies. Filled on which this film is based, hasthe book, To Kill the Irishman,with local color, this film also his own colorful and complicatedhistory. He wrote his firstboasts an impressive and eclecticcast. Christopher Walken book The Rise and Fall of theas loan shark Shondor Birns, Cleveland Mafia—Corn SugarGreene’s ally turned enemy, and Blood after researchingVincent D’Onofrio as his partnerin crime John Nardi, and and uncles, mafia leaders in thethe murders of his grandfatherVal Kilmer, the cop with whom “Porello Seven,” a Prohibitioneragang. He is currently ChiefGreene shares an unusual catand-mousefriendship. These of Police in Lindhurst, therelationships, along with the Cleveland suburb where Dannyromantic and familial subplots, Greene was ultimately killedform a complex and compelling in 1977.Kathleen and Paddy Gilhooly with one of thefounders of the Irish American News, Jean Burns.

38 Irish American News “We’ve Always Been Green!” April 2011My St. Patrick’s Day weekend wasawesome. It started on Friday when Idanced at the Irish Fellowship Dinnerwith my sister, Maeve and other Mullanedancers. My sister was excitedbecause she got to wear the teamdresses. We danced for the Taoiseachof Ireland, Brian Cowen. He evenshook my hand. We practiced hardand our dance performance turned outgreat. Everyone liked it. On Saturday,I went to the parade with all my cousinsand siblings. We ended up leavingbefore we were supposed to marchbecause it was so cold and rainy. Itwas still fun while it lasted. I regret notmarching, but it was cold. When wewent back to the hotel, I got ready todance at the Mercy Home party. It wasQueen Elizabeth to Visit IrelandA statement was recently releasedfrom the Office of the President of Irelandannouncing that an invitation hasbeen issued, and accepted, to the BritishHead of State, Queen Elizabeth, topay a State Visit to Ireland in 2011.This will be the first State Visit to Irelandof a British Head of State.Seanachaí Theatre Company’s 2011-12 SeasonSeanachaí’s announced its secondseason at the 3rd Flr Theatre at theIrish American Heritage Center, 4626N. Knox in Chicago, IL 60630. SeanO’Casey’s political tragicomedy TheShadow of a Gunman unveils thetheme of the 2011-2012 season, ClassicVoices—The Revolutionaries. Inspring 2012, veteran Chicago actorsBrad Armacost and Steve Pickeringstar as Phil Hogan and James Tyrone,in iconoclast Eugene O’Neill’semotionally searing A Moon for theMisbegotten.Long celebrated for producingcontemporary Irish works, Seanachaíjourneys back to explore these early20th century revolutionary masters,the now classic voices of Irish/Americantheatre.During the 1910s, Eugene O’Neillfun because my dance teacher, Mike,was announcing all the dancers at theparty. My 2 year old cousin, Grace,likes watching us dance. She tries toimitate us. She also likes our wigs.After the party, we went to Aurelio’spizza with my family. We had a greattime. I was ready forbed after that. I was exhausted!I got to rest onSunday. Usually, I wouldhave gone to the SouthSide Parade. I was sadabout the parade but I’mglad I got to rest. On St.Patrick’s Day, my sisterand I got to leave schoolto dance at O’Brien’sRestaurant during theQueens’ lunch. I think we did a goodjob. Channel 5 filmed us but theydidn’t put us on the news. When wereturned to school, we danced for everyclassroom at my school. We wentto dance practice that night. What aperfect way to celebrate St. Patrick’sDay. I had a great St. Patrick’s Daythis year and I hope next year will beeven better. Happy Easter to everyoneand good luck to the Mullane HealyO’Brien dancers going to World’s!The gov’t believes that the vast majorityof Irish people will welcome aState visit by the Queen in the presentday spirit of mutual respect betweenour nations and friendship betweenthe peoples of these islands.While it will be no surprise if thereare some protesters—peaceful protest(1888–1953) began a playwritingcareer that would revolutionize theAmerican Theatre. In 1936, he becamethe first American playwrightto win the Nobel Prize and wenton to become a four-time recipientof the Pulitzer Prize. His mostwell known works include BeyondThe Horizon, Anna Christie, TheHairy Ape, Desire Under the Elms,The Iceman Cometh, Long Day’sJourney Into Night, A Moon for theMisbegotten and A Touch of the Poet.Today, he is generally recognized asone of the greatest dramatists in thehistory of American Theatre.Séan O’Casey (1880–1964),born to a poor Protestant family,embraced the Irish nationalist causeand became active in the labormovement and its paramilitary IrishWelcome Back Ed Sexton, Happy 40th Anniversary!Our customers and advertisers arevery interesting people, and a vital partof the fabric that makes the Chicagoarea so vibrant. It is the vibrancy of thepeople that makes the Irish AmericanNews an exciting and relevant publicationto the community.One of our long time advertisers.Sexton Complete Care, formally knownas Bissell Complete Care, has returnedAndy White -One Night OnlyBelfast-born and raised globetravelling singing storyteller AndyWhite is coming to the Chicagolandarea—but he’s going to behere for just one night,White, set to release his simplyentitled tenth album, Songwriter,in the US this spring, plays a venuehe always loves coming back to,the Celtic Knot in Evanston.The Wednesday April 13 showis one of only five gigs White haspenciled in for the US this timearound, after his tours of Australiaand Canada.White’s music is a blend of folkand pop styles but arguably moreimportant every song also tellsa story—and he’s been spinningtales for more than 20 years.Andy White plays the Snug inthe Celtic Knot, 626 Church Street,Evanston, at 8pm on WednesdayApril 13.in accordance with the law is part ofthe democracy—such a visit wouldtestify to the modern bilateral relationshipboth countries now share.Britain is Ireland’s most importantsource of tourists. In 2010, GreatBritain accounted for 45% of visits toIreland.Citizen Army. By 1915 he had turnedfrom politics to writing realistic tragicomediesabout Dublin slum dwellersin war and revolution, the first Irishwriter of note to do so. The AbbeyTheatre, Dublin, produced three ofhis earliest and best-known plays: TheShadow of a Gunman (1923), Juno andthe Paycock (1924), and The Ploughand the Stars (1926), of which the latterinspired Irish patriots to riot.2011 – 2012 SeasonThe Shadow of a Gunman by SeanO’CaseySept. 15th–Oct. 23rd ,2011A Moon for the Misbegotten byEugene O’NeillMarch 15th–April 22nd, 2012Free Parking; El: Blue Line to Montrose;www.seanachai.org.to our pages. This not only speaks to arecovering economy but the fact theyare celebrating their 40th anniversary,is something worth bringing to ourattention.They are a firm specializing inperiodic maintenance in restaurants,with a special emphasis on wood floorcare. As you can see from the advertisementon page 11, they serve a numberof fine Irish Pubs, not all are picturedDaniel O’Donnell’s Moon Over IrelandO’Molloy Clan Rally in IrelandThe third O’Molloy Clan Rally willbe held from Friday 12th to Saturday13th August 2011, in Tullamore andwill include lectures by guest speakers,access to local genealogical records,Tours of O’Molloy castles, homes andburial sites in their ancient ancestralterritory, music, dance and storytelling,dinner at Charleville Castle.Membership of the O’Molloy Associationis open to anyone with familylinks or interest in the O’Molloyclan or its ancient territory of Firceall,comprised of the ancient baronies ofBallycowan, Ballyboy and Eglish, andextends from Durrow north of Tullamoreto Eglish on the edge of Birr. TheO’Molloy clan ruled Firceall from the5th to the 17th centuries.Internationally acclaimed Irishsinger Daniel O’Donnell has releasehis 40th album, Moon Over Irelandthrough DPTV in the U.S. last month.Throughout his 20-year career,Queen Elizabeth awarded an honoraryMBE to O’Donnell forhis “service to the musicindustry,” as well astwo nominations in theU.S. for CMA’s GlobalCountry Artist Award.He’s been awarded numerousplatinum andgold awards from theCRIA for both CD andDVD sales. He performs 15 soldoutshows annually at the Tri-LakesCenter in Branson, Missouri andrecently taped his 11th Public Televisionperformance from the RymanAuditorium in Nashville, which will beaired by Public TV stations nationwidein August.Known for his deep dedicationto his fans and unmistakable voice,O’Donnell has shownthat he is more thansimply a traditionalIrish singer, but is amulti-genre artist whoperforms a unique blendof Celtic, country andinspirational music. Hisvast fan base knows andloves him for his beautifullyarranged renditions of traditionalIrish and American country music andhe continues to deliver just that withhis new album Moon Over Ireland.Mayo Association Day at the RacesThe Mayo Association Annual Dayat the Races at Hawthorne Race Coursewill be on Saturday, April 16, 2011; doorsopen at 11:45am; Buffet at 12:30pm;and the first race is at 1:25pm.Tickets are now available for $38each, which includes admission, racingprogram and a delicious buffetluncheon. Parking is extra.To order tickets, please contactJudy Maloney, 708-562-1156 or PeggyRuane 708-422-5899. Tickets must bepurchased in advance, as tickets mustbe in hand to guarantee entry to therace track.in this ad. However, as Ed Sexton, Sr.said to me “we are always looking formore customers, for our longevity andspecialization in restaurants means wecan bring the very best in proceduresand knowledge to our customers.”As always, we encourage you to supportour advertiser and we can say withno hesitation, give The Sexton Group acall, you will not regret it.Cliff CarlsonIn conjunction with the Day atthe Races there will also be a raffle.Raffle tickets are $5 each or 3-for-$10. If you can't make it to race day,please consider purchasing some raffletickets—then mail the stubs and yourcheck, made payable to THE MAYOASSOCIATION, to Julia Gibbons,6967 Margaret’s Court, Tinley Park,IL 60477. There will be a number ofgreat prizes, and the winner need notbe present.Last year donations in the amountof $1,750 were made to four differentcharities.The O’Molloys are descendedfrom the famous Niall of the NineHostages, High King of Ireland in thefifth century.The O’Molloy Clan Associationwas formed in November 2004 witha view to promoting the O’Molloyname and the territory of Firceall. Itis hoped to achieve this through holdingClan Rallies and by developingconnections in Ireland and worldwidewhich will gather, conserve and sharerelevant historical and geneaologicalinformation.For additional information contactThomas Molloy at info@omolloy.comor John Malloy at johnpmalloy@comcast.net.Further details may be foundat www.omolloy.com.

April 2011 Irish American News “We’ve Always Been Green!” 39