May 2011 - Irish American News

The heriTage Linewww.irish-american.orgExecutive Director’s MessageIreland Will Be Alive in AugustIn what ended up being one of my favorite weekend events in mytime at the Center, we had the good fortune of hosting the MidwestFleadh Cheoil in April. With the Center’s focus of preserving the bestof Irish and Irish American traditions and bringing people togetherwho care about where they come from, this event fit very neatly intoour mission as an organization and created amazing scenes hereall weekend long. From the star-studded concert and hopping ceilion Friday night to the Riley School of Cincinnati playing a sessionon our front steps on Saturday afternoon to John O’Grady flexing infront of the fleadh banner to the to the Broken Pledge Chicagoceili band taking home the trophy and bringing down the house inthe Erin Room to legends Jimmy Keane and Mick Moloney leadinga session on couches in the first floor hallway, while four other sessionswent on around the rest of the first floor, to the piper from theTempleglantine Ceili Band of Limerick, dazzling alongside their banjoplayer and Chicago’s own Pauline Conneely in the pub on Saturdaynight—to the thousand rich moments in between—what an experiencefor anyone who attended.A huge congratulations goes out to the Francis O’Neill Cluband the Irish Music School of Chicago for producing such an event,particularly the committee of Sean Cleland, Eileen Gallagher, LindaGreen, Kathy Medic, John O’Grady, Karen Schachtschneider andJessica Zeigler. Well done all. It was a privilege for us to play host,and I would love to see this event return to the Center sometime soon.My experience at the Fleadh has me thinking about heading toCavan Town in August for the Fleadh Cheoil na hÉireann. With theRose of Tralee international competitionon at the same time, a trip to Ireland couldbe well placed, particularly since it turnsout that my cousin, Johnny O’Meara, willbe serving as this year’s Galway escortat the competition. Raised a gentlemanin a good family, Johnny also has somesmooth, surfer-style looks and will dothe O’Mearas and McDonnells proud inTralee, and I would expect that they willall be descending upon Kerry from Portumna, Westport, and Dublin. Ialso know that the City of Big Shoulders will be well represented inthe competition by this year’s Chicago Rose, Siobhan Carroll. She willcertainly be tough for the judges to overlook.Heritage CampIf you have Irish American children or grandchildren, boy, do we havea treat planned for you for this summer. For our children’s program, weare launching “Heritage Camp” in July, which includes two separate segments;Irish Heritage Camp for five days and World HeritageCamp for five days. Irish Heritage Camp is July 18 through July 22and serves as full immersion into all aspects of the Irish culture; music,dance, language, sport, art, literature, theater and food. World HeritageCamp is July 25-29 and builds awareness for other cultures and ethnicitiesaround the city of Chicago, as well as sites of cultural and historicalimport. Keep your eyes peeled for more details in the coming weeks, butmark your calendars now. I would expect that spots will fill up quickly.4626 N. Knox Ave., Chicago, IL 60630 • 773-282-7035The Western WarriorCongratulations to boxer Henry Coyle for his recent windown at the Horseshoe Casino in Indiana. Improving to 14-2overall, the man from Bellmullet, Co. Mayo, knocked out WilliamPrieto in the 6th Round. Addaboy Henry—do work. “Buthark, a voice like thunder spake… The West’s Awake! TheWest’s Awake!”Eternal RestWe lost a great volunteer and friend on April 13 with the passingof Kevin Moran. He fought like hell for the last year but ended upfalling to cancer at the age of 81. His warmth, charm, sense of humor,craftsmanship, huge Mayo handshake and great enthusiasm for theCenter made Kevin universally loved and admired around here. He isalready sorely missed, but something tells me that Kevin will alwaysbe watching over the well-being of the Center. In Kevin’s honor, thefirst 12x12 brick laid in the Walk of Names outside the Center willread “To One of the Center’s Greatest Volunteers: Kevin Moran, WeLove You.” We would like to welcome all volunteers and friends whowould like to sign the brick to stop by the office in the coming weeks.Eternal rest grant unto them, O Lord, and let perpetuallight shine upon them. May the souls of the faithful departed,through the mercy of God, rest in peace. God’s blessings onthe Morans.Onwards,Tim McDonnell, Executive DirectorIrish American Heritage CenterTickets Now on Sale for 26th Annual Irish Fest!The 26th annualIrish American HeritageFestival is July8, 9 and 10, 2011.It showcasesthe finest in localand internationalIrish and Americanmusic, dance andfamily activities. Thefestival directly supportsand is held onthe grounds of theCenter. It is our biggest fundraiser of the year.The festival features three days of music on 5 stages, featuringconfirmed performers Gaelic Storm, the Tossers, Scythian,McPeake, the Makem and Spain Brothers, bluegrass legend, TonyRice and his band, the Tony Rice Unit, Switchback, the Mickey Finns,the Boils, the Great Whiskey Project, All Kinds, the City of ChicagoPipe Band, Chicago Celtic Pipe Band, Kennedy’s Kitchen, KevinFlynn and the Avondale Ramblers, the Chancey Brothers, PaddyHoman and Jimmy Keane.The Folk Tent returns with hands-on activity with demonstrationsof Irish instruments, dances and sing-alongs. Irish and Americanfood is available throughout the weekend, and dozens of vendorsand artisans will be selling Irish clothing, music and jewelry. Culturalofferings include poetry readings, language lessons, one act playsand salon concerts. Our Tea Room returns as a respite for folks lookingto cool off with live harp and piano music, a proper cup of tea andsandwiches in our air conditioned Shamrock American Room.Activities and contests include The Hooley Hook-Up, a matchmakingevent with live music, matchmaking and dancing, theMashed Potato Eating Contest and the Sham-ROCK Stars SingingContest.To purchase advancesale tickets, call 773-282-7035, ext. 10 or purchaseonline at www.irishfestchicago.com.Tickets: $14 perday; $8 in advanceuntil the end of day onJuly 7; seniors $7, andchildren 12 and underare free when accompaniedby a paid adult.Hours: Fri., 6pmmidnight;Sat., noonmidnight;Sun., noon-11 p.m.