May 2011 - Irish American News

The heriTage LinePresident’s MessageRealizing a DreamThe Irish American Heritage Center rolls out the red carpet onSaturday, May 14 for the Inaugural Irish American Hall of FameAwards Gala. Some of the greatest names and accomplishments inIrish American history will be celebrated and honored at our Centerthis month.The inductees are: Maureen O’Hara, Eugene O’Neill, ChiefFrancis O’Neill, John F. Kennedy, Mayor Richard J. Daley, SenatorGeorge Mitchell, Robert Fulton, Sr. Rosemary Connelly, Rev.Patrick Francis Healy and Jack Dempsey.This is rarified air. It is humbling to think that our beautiful Centerwhich was formed by the working men and women of ChicagoBrendan Voyage Returns to the CenterThe film Brendan Voyage that was screened in 2010returns to the IAHC for an encore performance this May.St. Brendan the Navigator is known as patron ofsailors, He was probably born near Tralee, Co. Kerry, andeducated by St. Ita. He founded numerous monasteriesin Ireland, the most famous was the large monastery atClonfert, Co. Galway. Some three thousand monks lived,prayed and studied there.www.irish-american.orgwill now be the place that honorsgreatness. Yet to me, greatness hasalways been personified at our Center.It took greatness to conceptualize theidea 35 years ago. While our countrycelebrated its bicentennial, leaders ofthe Irish community in Chicago weremeeting in basements, pubs and otherlocales and dared to dream abouta building a place for the Irish. 25years ago, these same visionaries bought the old Mayfair Collegeand turned it into out Center. They dreamed of libraries, museumsand art galleries. They envisioned music and dance, laughter andBrendan also made missionary journeys to England andScotland and became famed for his voyages, particularlya seven-year journey around the year 538, to the “Land ofPromise,” which he described in his epic saga NavigatioSancti Brendani Abbatis. Some modern scholars now believethe “Land of Promise” could have been North America.In 1976, Tim Severin, an expert on exploration andauthor of The Brendan Voyage built a hide-covered leatherchildren. They envisioned all this and dared to be great.Now the Irish American Hall of Fame will take its place withinour Center. Some of the greatest names in the story of the Irishin America will be honored. In reality, though, we will be honoringall of those who dared to dream so many years ago. We honortheir dream by taking our Center to new heights. It’ll be a night tobe proud to be Irish, to be American, and extremely proud to be amember of the Irish American Heritage Center.Tickets are $200 and can be purchased by visiting www.irish-american.org or calling 773-282-7035. The gala is ablack-tie affair and begins at 7pm.Bob McNamara, PresidentIrish American Heritage Centercurrach (boat) and sailed it from Ireland to North America,demonstrating the accuracy and descriptions of theplaces mentioned in the Navigatio. Several centuries afterSt .Brendan’s time, the Norsemen used the same route intheir voyages across the North Atlantic.There will be a screening of the Tim Severin’s new remasteredversion of The Brendan Voyage documentary filmon Sunday, May 15 at 2pm. Admission is $10 at the door.Mother/Daughter TeaCeltic Women International’sChicago Branchhosts its 2nd AnnualMother/Daughter Tea thisJune.Bring your grandmother,aunt, sister orany special woman inyour life for an afternoonof tea, sandwiches andlive Irish music.Each table will have its own extraordinary Irish womanas a theme, including St. Brigid, Maud Gonne, ConstanceMarkieviecz, Queen Maeve, Lady Lavery and GraceO’Malley.The Mother/Daughter Tea is Sunday, June 12 at 1pm.Tickets are $30 for ticket buyers and a guest and includestea, tea sandwiches, punch and desserts.To purchase tickets, contact Theresa Choske at 773-545-8057 or tchoske1942@sbcglobal.net.Heritage CampCalling all Kids!If you have children or grandchildren aged 7 to15, they can attend Heritage Camp.Camp includes two sessions; Irish HeritageCamp for five days and World Heritage Camp forfive days.Irish Heritage Camp is July 18-22 and servesas full immersion into all aspects of the Irish culture;music, dance, language, sport, art, literature,theater and food. The cost is $150.World Heritage Camp is July 25-29 and buildsawareness for other cultures and ethnicities inChicago, as well as sites of cultural and historicalimportance. The cost is $150.Both camps meet each day from 9am-4pm andlunch is included. Teens aged 16 to 18 can join usas counselors-in-training.IAHC Members will receive more informationon this exciting summer program in the mail inlate May.Save the Date!Emma-Kate Tobia in ConcertDirect from Kinsale, Co. CorkAppearing withCormac McCarthyon pianoKevin Carey onfiddleFriday, June 38pm$15Singers Plan Spring SeasonThe Irish Heritage Singers provided beautiful musicfor the Palm Sunday Mass on April 17 and are planningfor a busy season.The Singers are looking for a few good men—andwomen! They are recruiting new members for all foursections; Soprano, Alto, Tenor and Bass. If you loveto sing and love a great social atmosphere, considerbecoming an Irish Heritage Singer.While they welcome all musicians with all levels of talent,you do not have to have previous choral experience,nor do you have to be able to read music.The Singers rehearse every Thursday at 7:30pm inRoom 304 at Center. For more information, visit thewebsite at www.irish-american.org or call 773-285-7035,extension 34.4626 N. Knox Ave., Chicago, IL 60630 • 773-282-7035