Desert Shamrock March-April 2015 e-Magazine

January March – February – April 2015 2015 ~ Arizona’s ~ Arizona’s Original Original Irish Irish Newspaper Newspaper ~ Vol. ~ Vol. 25, 26, No. No. 8 1

The Desert Shamrock

March – April 2015

Ann Niemann

ARIZONA’S ORIGINAL IRISH NEWSPAPER

Serving the Celtic Community 2320 E. Baseline Rd., #148-623 Phoenix, AZ 85042 • (602) 568-3455 Visit www.DesertShamrock.com • E-mail: info@desertshamrock.com Owner & Editor in Chief • Ann Niemann Publisher • Niemann Publishing, Inc. Art Direction • Misty Voitovski Design & Layout • Gena Corcoran Masthead Design • Elaine’s Design Emporium Contributing Columnists Brian Hanrahan • Carmelita Lee • Ellen Harrington Gary Woodside • J Carro • Janice Bryson Kathleen Walters • Katie Caufield Ginder • Liz Warren Lynn Herdman Mascarelli • Maureen & Jack Sullivan Caroline Woodiel • Adrienne Leavy • Marshall Trimble Publisher – Julie O’Mahar (2003 - 2013) Editor - Kathleen Wood (2003 - 2008) Publisher - Maureen O’Mahar (1996 - 2002) Founding Publisher - Robert E. Graham (1987 - 1996) Subscriptions are available at $18 per year, prepaid. Please mail your subscription request to the address above. Copyright©2015 - Niemann Publishing, Inc. All rights reserved. The opinions expressed herein are the opinions of the writers, and not necessarily those of ‘The Desert Shamrock,’ the publisher or the editorial staff. Reproduction in whole or in part is prohibited without written permission from the publisher. Publication of advertising herein does not necessarily constitute endorsement of a product or service. Unsolicited materials become the property of Niemann Publishing, Inc. All unsolicited materials are greatly appreciated and carefully evaluated although publication is not guaranteed.

Celebrate with the Celtic Community All Year.

Name (Please print clearly)

Phone Number

Digital Shamrock

Address

Read online as an e-Magazine at www.issuu.com/desertshamrock State Zip

Email

$18 ONE YEAR (USA 2015 Rate) & includes sales tax

As we go to press, I had the opportunity this week to hear in person Roma Downey, originally from Northern Ireland (TV actress from Touched by an Angel), and her husband Mark Burnett (executive producer of 11 TV series like The Voice, Shark Tank, etc.) share their heart for their new TV series, A.D., the Bible Continues. It will air Easter Sunday evening, April 5, on NBC and chronicles the Book of Acts and the Epistles after the resurrection of Christ. I saw 9 minutes as a preview; it’s powerful and inspiring! Gather your family and friends together to watch!

If you don’t have a scan app on your mobile phone for the “QR” (quick response) codes that are embedded throughout each edition, go to our website at www.desertshamrock.com for easy links to click and see these special features!

address and dates.

Subscribe Online: www.DesertShamrock.com

September-October’s interview with Derrick Hall of Irish descent, and CEO of the Arizona Diamondbacks, will lead into the BIG event with the D-backs’ Celtic Heritage Day on Sunday, September 13. See page 17 about ensuring you’re on our mailing list for tickets and/or how YOU can participate!

Enjoy life and blessings, and a good read in

Contact us with second

City

July-August will feature the North American Roses of Tralee. Last year, The Irish News printed this special edition in Belfast and we distributed throughout the North and Republic with the support of major Irish advertisers. It promotes tourism and features lots of travel tips and recommended destinations. www.roseoftralee.ie

Extended Film Trailer https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=G_8xKFRxgyA

NEW Subscription RENEWAL Gift Subscription From

Payment Enclosed Check if seasonal.

he May-June edition will feature an interview with Diana Gabaldon, author of the incredibly popular book series, Outlander, and its original TV series on STARZ. Fans are anxiously anticipating the new season starting April 4. Crossing many genres, the books include life in the 1940s stepping back into Scotland in the 1700s with adventure, intrigue, war, and of course romance. See a couple of photos in the Sneak Peek on page 5.

Music Video Short Trailer https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5IuoMB7w2v0

Subscribe Today!

T

For 2015, there is exciting content coming!

DON’T MISS THIS

Publisher’s Note

SEND CHECK OR MONEY ORDER TO:

THE DESERT SHAMROCK

2320 E. Baseline Rd., #148-623 Phoenix, AZ 85042

602-568-3455; info@desertshamrock.com

The Desert Shamrock

GIVEAWAY!!!

Contact me at info@desertshamrock.com with subject line “Concert”; include your name, address, and phone to go into a drawing March 10 to win a pair of tickets to the CHIEFTAINS in concert at the Scottsdale Center for the Performing Arts. Celebrate St. Patrick’s Day with me as my guest!

See the ad on the back cover.

March – April 2015

3

EVENTS

Kiss Me I’m Irish! Family Fun at a Meaningful Event

C

ancer survivor, Darryl Toupkin, is on a mission. He’s the owner of Scottsdale-based Fieldworks Events, a marketing and public relations company, and an avid runner. Combine these and he has created the Kiss Me I’m Irish Run/Walk, now in its fifth year with part of the proceeds given to educate men about early detection of prostate cancer.

He sponsors FREE Prostate Cancer Screenings for men 40 and older or younger if a history of prostate cancer runs in the family.

Last year, 28 were screened of whom 9 had elevated PSA and/or DRE results and were referred to a physician for additional testing.

The screenings include a PSA (Prostate Specific Antigen) Blood Draw; DRE (Digital Rectal Exam); Testicular Exam; and a Board

Certified Urologist Consultation.

“Men want to ignore taking the time for these tests,” Darryl shares, “but this cancer is often symptom free until well advanced. It has a very high success rate for treatment when caught in the initial stages.”

The Drive for Prostate Health’s Prostate On-Site Project (“POP”) is the partner providing this opportunity.

Men have a 1 in 6 chance of developing prostate cancer in their lifetime, and more than 4,000 Arizona men will be diagnosed this year alone. Over 600 Arizona men will die from prostate cancer within the next twelve months. Sadly, an easy and simple 15-minute exam might have saved their lives. With early detection and treatment, prostate cancer is nearly 100% survivable.

POP has 2 mobile prostate screening units that travel the state of Arizona, making simple annual screenings easier and more convenient by coming to workplaces, health fairs and community events. As a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization that began in 1999, POP also helps reduce the out-of-pocket cost of screenings for many uninsured or under-insured men.

SHAMROCK10 for 10% off race entry complements of

Good thru March 10

Convince the men in your life to schedule an appointment for March 14, available 6am to 10am (required in advance) at 480-964-3013 or 1-800-828-6139 for the Kiss Me event.

It’s held at the Westgate Entertainment District, 6751 N. Sunset Boulevard, Glendale, AZ 85305, which is on the southeast corner of the 101 and Glendale Avenue. Packet Pickup, Day of Race Registration and the Start/Finish line is in the plaza right in front of Jobing.com Arena.

You can park on the East or the West side of Westgate; there’s plenty of FREE parking. Then walk into the plaza on Coyote’s Blvd. You can’t miss them!

Great fun for the entire family! There’s a Chip Timed 17k Run; 8k USATF Sanctioned Run/ Walk; 4k Run/Walk; and receive a professional jersey. There’s even an Irish “k” (a wee bit like a 1k!). Costume Prizes for people and their pet.

Live Irish Music! Strollers Welcome! Everyone crossing the finish line receives a Hershey’s kiss.

For more information, visit www.irishrunaz.com; www.prostatecheckup.org

4

The Desert Shamrock

March – April 2015

March – April 2015 ~ Arizona’s Original Irish Newspaper

ARTS

WELSH

6 Celtic Artisan: Syd McShane 18 Book Review: The Butterfly Cabinet 26 McClelland Library’s Book Discussion Group 32 Reading Ireland: Nora Webster

3

Roma Downey and Mark Burnett’s epic new TV series for Easter

35 Bod yn Gymry...being Welsh: Saint David’s Day March 1

PHOENIX and THE VALLEY

BUSINESS

5 Irish Network Phoenix Profile: Colleen Cutler

CULTURE

7 St. Patrick Exhibit to Open March 7 10 Young Irish Titleholders Selected 22 Syd McShane’s poem “Irish Spring” 34 Keltic Kitchen: World’s Best Scottish Shortbread 40 Writers’ Workshop: Scottish Descent

St. Patrick, More Than a Day Stories throughout this edition

41 St. Patrick’s Day Parade & Festival

9 Kidnapping in County Cork 36 Irish Tales from Arizona Territory – Tombstone 37 Arizona: Did you know?

37 The St. Patrick, built in Galway

16 Captain Colorado, Hugo O’Conor 17 Tucson St. Patrick’s Day Parade & Festival Grand Marshal Tom McNamara

SCOTS

24-25 Photo Galleries

31 Glenmorangie Arizona Scottish Gathering & Highland Games

OUT & ABOUT DIRECTORIES 44-45

SPORTS

CALENDAR

28 Seamus McCaffrey’s Glasgow Celtic

46-47

SISTER CITIES

20 Chandler-Tullamore Upcoming Events 12 Phoenix-Ennis with Mayor’s Gala Fundraiser 17 Tucson-Roscommon Mayors Luncheon

31

SEDONA

TUCSON

HISTORY

7

16 -19 Phx St. Patrick’s Day Parade & Faire Grand Marshal Brian Tobin Irish Persons of the Year – O’Neil Family Arizona Irish Colleen Selection Map of Parade Route 31 See SCOTS (above) 4 Kiss Me I’m Irish! Family Fun at a Meaningful Event

NEXT ISSUE SNEAK PEEK

TABLE OF CONTENTS

FEATURES

TRAVEL

Scottish Festival and Highland Games

11 Left Lane Maureen, Part 7, Dublin and Galway 6 A March 17th Birthday in Ireland 34 Study Abroad: How St. Patrick Saved the Old Tales

DIANA GABALDON, AUTHOR OUTLANDER SERIES IN SCOTLAND

The Desert Shamrock

March – April 2015

5

TRAVEL

A Birthday in Ireland

By Carmelita Lee

B

irthdays are interesting. Culturally speaking, Americans don’t make a big deal over them, celebrating some harder than others, like…16, 30, the big 5-0. My birthday falls on St. Patrick’s Day. I was approaching my 39th birthday (again) and was alone in Ireland. (My husband was being treated for an illness at home.) My celebration?

My family would call and I would treat myself to a meal at Milano’s in Temple Bar. Whoopdedoo.

My colleagues celebrated their birthdays by taking the whole day off, creating a memory, so to speak.

As my big day drew near, one of my friends began to fret that I would be alone. I am sure if I said it once, I said it fifty times, “I’m okay. Birthdays just aren’t a big deal.” But JoAnne McAlister, my friend and colleague from Northern Ireland, was insistent that I could not be alone. JoAnne made me an offer I couldn’t refuse: train tickets to Belfast and a weekend with JoAnne and her family!

JoAnne picked me up at the railway station in Belfast on what turned out to be one of those clear

days so rare on that green island. JoAnne had indeed decided to create me some memories. I expected a weekend with a friend, shopping, pubbing, funny conversations with Jo. We did those things, that’s true, but I was in store for a mini tour of her corner of Ireland, County Antrim. We started with a scenic drive up the coast rather than the freeway, stopping in a little town for a bite to eat, stopping in another for an ice cream cone at a real ice cream parlor.

Our meandering drive took us past Ballintoy Harbor, where Game of Thrones is filmed. At times the view was so breathtaking that I – that’s right, me – fell silent. We drove to Torr Head, a promontory point where Ireland is closest to Scotland. Because the day was so clear, Scotland, the Mull of Kintyre and Ailsa Craig Island were easily seen. That afternoon we went to Glenariff Forest Park, a national park which includes a series of waterfalls accessible by boardwalks. We chose the waterfall walk, which is about two miles long. A feast for the senses. All of it was.

JoAnne and Jim took me to a “proper” pub in her home town of Cushendall, where the owners

feted my birthday. JoAnne knew I had a sweet spot for salmon, and baked the tastiest piece of fish for dinner. I was treated, well, to use a cliché, like a queen… my weekend was over far too soon.

When traveling to Ireland, consider a side trip to County Antrim on the coastal roads, where the view is both severe and majestic, where green pastures are sectioned by stone fences, and seem to rise and fall from fields to hills to steep cliffs in one landscape, and then seem to meet at the edge of the Irish Sea. See author’s photo and bio on page 42.

Thomas P. Murphy, CPA 21639 N. 12th Avenue, Suite 203 • Phoenix, Arizona 85027 (623) 581-0375 • Fax (623) 581-9242 Grandfather Murphy born in County Westmeath and Grandmother in County Longford, Ireland

6

The Desert Shamrock

March – April 2015

By Caroline Woodiel

image of a man with a strong passion for a newly adopted nation, all the while sitting at the edge of he mention of Saint Patrick is likely to the end of the Roman Empire. inspire images of parades and shamrocks Approximately 1600 years ago a teenage Roman in the modern imagination. St. Patrick’s citizen, Patrick, was taken captive Day is generally remembered as during a raid of his town. He, a day of revelry and celebration like many other Romans, Irish, as opposed to a man who once Scottish, and their neighbors, walked the earth. Patrick’s name were whisked away by various is synonymous with the month of nations and groups warring in March, and his holiday is closely the North Atlantic waters. Once associated with Irish culture in ashore, Patrick found himself the the United States. However, captive servant of an Irish man.

Saint Patrick was more than During his six years of servitude someone who inspired a lively in Ireland, Patrick’s spirituality celebration. He was a man who grew. “The Confession of Saint walked among others and left Patrick” highlights how captivity an enduring, inspirational, and led to his personal awakening. profound legacy.

Within its text, a young “sinner” What we know of Saint Patis transformed into a holy man rick comes and missionary, who escaped capfrom various PHOTO COURTESY OF SAINT tivity, only to return to the land PATRICK CENTRE, DOWNPATRICK sources. of his bondage to spread his faith.

There are St. Patrick’s “Letter to Coroticus,” numerous shows a world of violence and tension, stories and even between early Christian groups, songs that with Patrick trying to be a voice of have been peace and reason. Patrick’s letter to the passed down fellow Christian and warring chief was through genintended to be read aloud to puberations. With Saint Patrick, we also licly shame Coroticus for his heinous have the good fortune of two pieces, crimes. Patrick sought to liberate his written in his own words, which surrecent converts and followers with his vived through the ages. These letters, writing, in addition to warning the people of Ireland “The Confession of Saint Patrick” and his “Letter what allegiance to rulers like Coroticus held in store to Coroticus,” shed light on not only the time of St. for their earthly lives and immortal souls. Saint PatPatrick and ancient Ireland, but provide information rick’s public plea is an appeal to the men and women on the character and priorities of the man himself. of his time to face the difficulties of the day, and to Both works are readily available by translation unite as one: as Christians, and as Irish. from Old Latin into modern day English for analysis Despite the span of time that has passed since and to satisfy general curiosity. The John SkinSt. Patrick, the Irish Bishop from Roman Britain, ner translation, of which there is a copy available at walked among us, his influence today is undeniable. the McClelland Irish Library in Phoenix, not only Not only is there a holiday named after and for him, contains the translated text, but a guide to comSt. Patrick’s missions led to the establishment of mon themes and emphasized points throughout St. monasteries across Ireland. The early Irish monks Patrick’s writings. From his own words emerges the

T

Caroline Woodiel is a hobby photographer, border collie enthusiast, and librarian with ancestors of both Irish and Scottish descent. She holds a Bachelor’s of History from the University of Colorado and a Master’s of Library and Information Science from the University of Arizona. Caroline is the Public Services Coordinator for the McClelland Irish Library in Phoenix.

Saint Patrick Exhibit 2015

he Friends of St. Patrick Centre Arizona Chapter are preparing an exhibit to honor Saint Patrick’s legacy.

Located in The Cottage at the Irish Cultural Center in Phoenix, it will share his life and story. One section will detail many of the sites along The St. Patrick Trail. These include St. Patrick’s Cathedral/ St. Patrick’s resting place

left us a treasure of music and brilliant art in the form of illuminated manuscripts.

The most famous of the Irish illuminated manuscripts sits in Trinity College Dublin, and is more commonly known as The Book of Kells. The McClelland Irish Library proudly boasts one of the few rare, full color facsimiles of The Book of Kells commissioned to further the study and appreciation for the timeless work of these Irish monks.

There were several facsimile copies produced prior to the Fine Arts Facsimile copy, but none of these was full color.

Organizations like the Friends of Saint Patrick Centre continue the legacy of this very real man into the modern age. Each year, Phoenix’s chapter selects a young ambassador to travel to Ireland to further efforts towards peace and reconciliation Patrick would have wanted. Audrey Sullivan, the 2014 Young Ambassador, states, “Almost every person that I talked to had a story about how St. Patrick or his legacy affected them or changed their lives. I suddenly realized that to the people of Ireland, St. Patrick wasn’t just part of the past but part of the present and future. I realized that St. Patrick lives in the hearts of the people. ” So whether you dress in green, don a kilt, or march in a parade, take a moment to remember the real person behind the festivities. While myths and parties can be fun, few things are quite as amazing as a young man who escaped captivity only to return, forgive, and become one with those who took him from his home. Truth is stranger than fiction, and Patrick’s story is so amazing we celebrate it 1600 years later.

ARTS

Saint Patrick: More than a Day T

in Downpatrick; Saul’s Church; holy wells at Struell; Bangor Abbey; Bagenal’s Castle, among others.

The history of the St. Patrick’s Day holiday will include information about symbols, food, parades, during vintage celebrations up through current times. Visuals will include photos, maps, and artifacts.

The Desert Shamrock

Former Young Ambassadors to Northern Ireland, Audrey Sullivan 2014, Kelsey Kelleher 2013, and Sarah Hines 2012 are members of the group and assisting with collecting and organizing the research.

The exhibit opens during “First Friday” events in downtown Phoenix on March 7 and will be on permanent display.

January – February 2015

7

TRAVEL

Driving Tips

Part 7

from Left Lane Maureen Saint Patrick’s Day in Dublin and Galway

By Maureen Sullivan CTC County Cork, Ireland

M

ay the road rise to greet you, as you enjoy the delights of Saint Patrick’s Day in Ireland! In days gone by, Saint Patrick’s Day was a holy day and the pubs were closed. Today, it is still a holy day, but the Irish celebrate it with festivities, parades, and the pubs are open.

Do not take the rental car into Dublin City! There are over 1.5 million people who now live in Dublin, not counting the Irish coming in for Saint Patrick’s Day. If you land at Dublin Airport, take a taxi to your Dublin hotel, then take a taxi back to the airport and pick up your car to continue your journey through the rest of Ireland. If you are finishing your travels by visiting Dublin, drop off the car at the airport, and take a taxi to the hotel and join the festivities.

There is a huge variety of music and street performances leading up to and during the Saint Patrick’s celebration. There are Irish boat races on the River Liffey with all classes of boats racing.

The Irish Saint Patrick’s committee is sponsoring a 5K road race. The Dublin Saint Patrick’s Day parade will begin at 12 noon in Parnell Square. The 2015 Festival parade will be animated by Ireland’s leading pageant companies. The colorful pageantry, featuring fantastical creations and thrilling performances which are inspired by Ireland’s rich past, will delight and excite the thousands of viewers!

Bands from across the globe will deliver inspiring

scores and rousing beats. The parade route will wind its way past many of Dublin’s most famous landmarks. There is a parade route map on the Internet. In the evening, the city comes alive with the “Greening

PHOTOS IN DUBLIN BY SEAN MCGRATH, 2014, WHO WAS AT THE TIME A TIGHT END FOR THE KANSAS CITY CHIEFS. WE PREPARED A TWO-WEEK TRIP TO IRELAND FOR HIM.

Jack’s parents were born in County Cork, Ireland, settling in 1920’s Chicago.

Phone: 480-671-0207 • Cell: 847-481-9149 Fax: 480-617-5961 maureen@sullivanstravels.com • www.sullivanstravels.com Travel Europe, Mexico, Cruises & South Pacific

8

The Desert Shamrock

of the City Buildings” with green lights!

Unlike Dublin, you can drive in Galway City. But, on Saint Patrick’s Day leave your car at the B&B or hotel and walk up to the parade or take a taxi to the parade route.

There is a grand Saint Patrick’s Day parade in Galway! If you happen to be visiting in the west of Ireland on Saint Pat-

rick’s Day, this year will be the 112th anniversary of the Galway Saint Patrick’s Day Parade! Galway is one of my favorite Irish cities! The parade will start on Dominick Street, winding through Bridge Street, Eyre Square and finish at Prospect Hill. Though at this writing the theme had not been published, the parade will platform local artists and community groups. It aims to celebrate the city’s diverse culture and talent through an inclusive program of events.

There is always a joyful carnival atmosphere during this time!

Saint Patrick routinely met with Irish kings as he traveled around the country. This contact ensured his ability to continue traveling and teaching. In the 5th century, Saint Patrick visited King Aenghus, who ruled the Munster region during the saint’s lifetime. Aenghus accepted Patrick’s invitation to convert to Christianity and agreed to be baptized. According to the legend, Patrick accidentally pierced the king’s foot with his staff. The king bore the injury with a stiff upper lip, mistakenly assuming that the stabbing was part of the baptismal ritual. The stories of Saint Patrick’s time in Ireland are endless and the parades celebrate Patrick’s faith and adventures.

So, plan ahead to be in Ireland for the 2016 Saint Patrick’s Day celebration!! 2016 will also be the 100th anniversary of the Rising in Dublin on the General Post Office steps.

To be continued…

Maureen and John (“Jack”) are the owners of Sullivan’s Travels, Inc. Maureen has been a travel professional for 23 years, moving their business to Phoenix four years ago. www.sullivanstravels.com

March – April 2015

The Stolen Village, Baltimore and the Barbary Pirates A book review by JC Sullivan

S

ome time ago I read of a genetic link between inhabitants of a coastal area of Turkey and the west of Ireland. My natural assumption at that time was, ‘Aha, sailors.’ And it appears that I was probably correct, although not in what I assumed were the result of the age old activities of ancient mariners on “shore leave,” my nice word for the plunder and rape of those times. And there my thoughts on it rested until: enter Des Ekin.

Ekin’s depiction of the 1631 kidnapping of the entire village of Baltimore in West Cork, O’Driscoll country, piqued my curiosity as I’d never heard a word about it. I ordered the book and

began to read it with focused interest in County Cork. I was not expecting it would lead to a widely expanded learning of those times One’s natural inclination in thinking of slavery is black African slaves captured and sold by white men. Ekin, however, brings to light the hidden history of another side of the African slave trade - the capture

by Africans of the estimated hundreds of thousands of white men, women and children into slavery. The capture of and enslavement of Baltimore is just one instance. Through exhaustive research from various eyewitnesses’ writings, he has pieced together a picture of the enormous slavery scene of the time; men, women and children who would be sold in the slave

By Des Ekin markets of Algiers. The capture of and enslavement of Baltimore’s populace is just one instance.

One Algerian ‘Barbary Coast’ pirate named Morat Rais was actually a renegade Dutchman, Jan Jensen. He and his ships plied seas as far away as Iceland and Italy in search of booty and humans to be sold for handsome profits in Algiers. In the case of the village of Baltimore, 107 souls were taken into human bondage. Interestingly, of the names of the heads of household from which those kidnapped were from, and who are listed in the Council Book of Kinsale, none appear to be Irish or Gaelic names. According to Ekin, Baltimore’s population “was made up almost entirely of new English settlers from Cornwall, Somerset and Devon.” One resident lost his wife and seven sons.

Another lost his pregnant wife and two children while another lost his wife, three children and his mother.”

Ekin documents the condition of white slaves witnesses saw. Visiting ship captains, diplomats and clergymen all recorded their perspective and descriptions of the conditions of these ‘infidel’

HISTORY

Kidnapping in County Cork:

continued on page 42

Friday March 20 7:30pm

Sunday, March 1 · 2:30pm

An Evening with Hall of Fame Songwriter

Paul Williams Saturday March 7 7:30pm

Michael Londra’s

Celtic Fire

Sunday, March 8, 2015 · 2:30pm

Saturday, March 28 · 7:30pm

w w w . C h a n d l e r C e n t e r . o r g • 4 8 0 . 78 2 . 2 6 8 0 /ChandlerCenterfortheArts

The Desert Shamrock

March – April 2015

@ChandlerArts

9

FEATURE

Young Irish Titleholders Selected

10

By Erin Sweeney-Morgan

2015

contestant. Scores were broken down by each category (Introduction 15%, Interview with Judges 30%, On-Stage Question about Being Irish 10%, Poise and Manners 20% and Talent 25%), and placed in a computer-generated program to tally the final score.

Hines commented, “Watching ten very young ladies have the great courage it takes to walk onstage in front of a crowd of people was wonderful.

Seeing all ten do so well in their speaking and performances was amazing! I was personally so proud of

is in full swing for the Arizona Colleen and Rose Program.

Saturday, November 15, 2014, the new titleholders for the Little Miss Shamrock and Arizona Irish Lass were crowned to kick off the New Year.

The Little Miss Shamrock Program is an Irish heritage program open to young girls six to twelve years of age with some Irish ancestry. The Arizona Irish Lass Program is open to young ladies thirteen to seventeen years of age. Both programs encourage pride in one’s Irish culture, as well as involvement in the Irish community here in Arizona. The winners of these programs will assist the 2015 Arizona Colleen and Rose in representing the Irish community at various events around the state, including the 2015 Phoenix St. Patrick’s Day Parade and Faire on Saturday, Ceilli Tobin March 14.

The emcees for The Little Miss Shamrock were 2010 Arizona Colleen and Rose each of them, and Danielle McBurnett-Stringer and 2014 Little Miss the Irish community Shamrocks Anne Gardner-Hajek and Aria Jones. has a lot to be proud This year’s contestants were Emma Domakeczna of as well.”

(9), Katie Hannigan-Lewis (10), Marlene Once judging Hannigan-Lewis (12), Tabetha Horney (11), Megan was completed, Kernaghan (12), Grace Miller (12), Keira Ruzovich Stringer invited (10), Lucy Stiegler (7), Ceilli Tobin (10) and Lily guests to enjoy Wnek (9.5). refreshments while Each contestant began with a one-minute the final scores were introduction, followed by individual on-stage tabulated. three-minute Finally the Ella Sullivan interviews with moment everyone questions from the had waited for had arrived, and Stringer invited panel of judges. A all contestants to join her onstage. Each girl was set question for each given a gift bag and encouraged to continue to be contestant was a variation of involved with the program and community in the “Tell us something about your family future. Then, she announced the winners. The being Irish.” Once the interview portion was 2015 Little Miss Shamrocks are Megan Kernaghan completed, the contestants began their talents. and Ceilli Tobin.

These ranged from dancing and singing to Kernaghan is a twelve-year-old Irish step dancer gymnastics, musical instruments, and jump roping, with the Bracken School of Irish Dance and entertaining the full room of family and friends. cheerleader, who enjoys making dog blankets for 2004 Arizona Colleen Sarah Houghtelinfacilities like Halo in her spare time. She hopes Koerner, City of Peoria Deputy Fire Chief Rick to study special education and work with autistic Picard, and 2014 Arizona Colleen and Rose Sarah children one day.

Hines faced the difficult task of scoring each Kernaghan is most looking forward to “getting

The Desert Shamrock

to know all the wonderful girls and having wonderful experiences this year.”

Tobin hails from a long line of Irish ancestors on both sides of her family. She enjoys acting, dancing, writing and reading. She is her class representative on the Student Council, has acted in two plays and was the narrator recently in Beauty and the Beast.

Tobin plans to attend NAU and gain a greater knowledge about the world while searching for a way to end global warming. She hopes to one day be a mom, teacher, and open a bakery.

When asked what she would say to future participants in The Little Miss Shamrock program, Tobin replied, “I would tell them to be themselves. Nobody else’s thoughts matter when it’s your turn.

All that matters is that you are being yourself. Being you is key.”

After a brief intermission, the Arizona Irish Lass Program began with four talented young women competing for the crown. Savannah Hayton (13), Bethany Horney (13), Roxy Jones (15) and Ella Sullivan (16) went through the same judging process as the Shamrock competition, only with different percentages.

March – April 2015

Megan Kernaghan

MARCH CONCERTS AND EVENTS AT MIM CONCERTS

Socks in the Frying Pan and the Outside Track Sun., March 1 | 7:00 p.m.

Tickets: $29.50–$37.50 Blending traditional Celtic melodies with innovative rhythmic and melodic garnish

Zakir Hussain and the Celtic Connection Tue., March 24 | 7:00 & 9:00 p.m.

Tickets: $34.50–$52.50

FEATURE

Scores were given by the same judges and broken down by the same categories, with the addition of the questionnaire and written essay, (Questionnaire 10%, Written Essay 15%, Introduction 10%, Interview with Judges 25%, On-Stage Question about Being Irish 10%, Poise and Manners 10% and Talent 20%), and placed in a computer-generated program to tally the final score.

Picard, who judged the 2014 Colleen and Rose Program, found the contestants to be excellent representatives of the community. He enjoyed “having the ability to learn more about these remarkable young women.”

The 2014 Lass titleholders, and emcees for the event, Lyssa Horney, Heather McGraw and Holly Sullivan, kept the event moving smoothly and were excited to announce the 2015 Arizona Irish Lass. They gathered the contestants on stage and each girl was given a gift bag and encouraged to continue to be involved with the program and community in the future.

Sringer announced the 2015 Arizona Irish lass winner, Ella Sullivan, who is a junior at St. Mary’s High School.

Extremely active, Sullivan is involved in cheer, track, student government, drama, yearbook, lifeguarding and tutoring among many others. She is one of over forty cousins on her father’s side, and comes from a very large Catholic and very Irish family. Sullivan hopes to be an example to her younger cousins to love their heritage and know they can achieve whatever they set their minds to.

“I am looking forward to getting to know all of the girls in the program and becoming more involved in the Irish community,” Sullivan stated.

So far, the new representatives were magnificent during their first “unofficial” appearance at the Winter Solstice. With their energy and enthusiasm, they will be tremendous titleholders for the 2015 year.

The 2015 Little Miss Shamrocks Megan Kernaghan and Ceilli Tobin and 2015 Arizona Irish Lass Ella Sullivan made their official debut at the 2015 Arizona Colleen and Rose Program Selection.

For more information regarding the Little Miss Shamrock and Arizona Irish Lass programs, please email info@azcolleen.org. www.azcolleen.org

The tabla virtuoso brings together the greatest Indian musicians with stellar Celtic artists

Altan Sun., March 29 | 4:00 & 7:00 p.m.

Tickets: $37.50–$47.50 Irish folk and traditional music group from County Donegal

EVENT

5628 E. Thomas Rd. Phoenix, AZ 85018 Bus.: (480) 990-1900 Fax: (480) 481-9551 E-Mail: daveb@isugsw.com http://www.isugsw.com

Dave Binsfeld, CIC, ARM

Vice President

Mother is Mary Patricia Doyle of the Doyle clan from County Galway, Ireland

EXPERIENCE IRELAND Sat. & Sun., March 14 & 15 | 9:00 a.m.–5:00 p.m.

Tickets: Included with paid museum admission; free for Circle of Friends donors Enjoy traditional music, crafts, Irish dancing, and exhibit talks— it’s the perfect way to celebrate Celtic culture!

Tickets and details at MIM.org.

Programming subject to change MUSICAL INSTRUMENT MUSEUM

MIM.org | 480.478.6000 4725 E. Mayo Blvd., Phoenix, AZ 85050 (Corner of Tatum & Mayo Blvds., just south of Loop 101)

The Desert Shamrock

March – April 2015

11

EVENTS

Phoenix St. Patrick’s Day Parade Grand Marshal:

Brian P. Tobin

the unions’ programs in distributing $160 million from the New York 9-11 Firefighters Disaster Relief Fund. At the 2002 Biennial Convention in Las Vegas, Brian was appointed by IAFF District Vice President James Ferguson to represent the 10th District on the influential Policy Committee.

rian was an original member of the Phoenix Fire Department’s Cadet Program when he was 15 years old and later hired as a Phoenix Firefighter in 1983. He rapidly became involved in other facets of the department and received hazardous material training. By 1986 he had become a Master Trainer in the I.A.F.F. Haz-Mat Training Program and continues to be a leader in the IAFF’s program that enhances the safety of both members and the general public across the country.

Brian was first elected to the United Phoenix Fire Fighters Association, Local 493 as a trustee in 1987.

He has served in many capacities and currently as the founding President of the Phoenix Fire Command Officers Association. He also was elected twice as President of the Professional Fire Fighters of Arizona, of which he was honored as “President Emeritus.”

After the September 11th tragedy, IAFF General President Harold Schaitberger, summoned Brian with other Local 493 officers to assist our fallen brothers in the FDNY. In his capacity, Brian assisted in setting up and implementing the UFA and UFOA Delegate Support Center which supported

On a local level the Mayor and Council appointed Brian to serve on the Community Development Block Grant Committee from 1997-2000. Brian was able to help many of our community groups and improve neighborhoods in Phoenix with the use of these grants. He previously sat on Governor Napolitano’s Central Regional Advisory Committee (R.A.C.), recommending homeland defense programs to the State Homeland Security Director and

B

was re-appointed by Governor Brewer and currently serves as Chairman of the Board.

With any endeavor, Brian serves with excellence, including coursework at Harvard; completed his Master’s Degree in Legal and Ethical Studies at the University of Baltimore Program in 2004; and recently completed the Institute for Public Executives, the Certified Public Manager Program and the Management and Leadership Institute at the ASU College of Public Programs.

Brian was promoted to Battalion Chief in 2004 and Deputy Chief in 2007. He now serves as the South Shift Commander on “C” Shift. He is the founding President of the United Phoenix Fire Fighters Emerald Society and currently serves as a Vice President on the Irish Cultural and Learning Foundation Board of Trustees.

With wife Siobhan (O’Connor) Tobin, they have two sons and a daughter: Nolan -16, Ceilli – 11 (a 2015 Little Miss Shamrock), and Eoin – 6. Brian is second generation Irish American with his paternal grandparents from Cork and Limerick; and maternal great grandparents from Waterford and Kilkenny.

Brian dedicates this honor serving as Grand Marshal in the name of Michael D. Mullan who died while saving lives at the World Trade Center on September 11, 2001. Brian will be accompanied by Theresa Mullan, Michael’s mother and Siobhan’s aunt.

Irish Persons of the Year: Jim and MaryAnn O’Neil Family

A

rizona natives, Jim’s family was in politics and MaryAnn’s in agriculture. They married with three children to the union—Jason, Tim, and Bridget—all redheads. They are the first “family” to be selected for this honor.

The State is well represented with Jim graduating from University of Arizona in Tucson and practicing law with Ryley Carlock and Applewhite in Phoenix.

12

MaryAnn graduated from Arizona State University, working as a teacher and homemaker. Jim has served as a Colleen Judge, one of the inaugural sponsors for Arizona’s participation in Ireland’s Rose of Tralee; has helped with St. Patrick’s Day Parade (lining up cars at beginning); and long-time financially supportive in a variety of ways for the Irish Cultural Center (bricks; ads; website, tables, etc. sponsorships).

MaryAnn has a gift for decorating and has created Colleen Selection table centerpieces; provided sponsor gifts; and has elegantly wrapped gifts for the judges and titleholders.

The family’s introduction to the Irish Community was through Jason, however. He worked at the Irish Cultural Center (ICC) for Mary Moriarty; took bodhrán lessons at the Celtic PHOTO BY BOB RINK PHOTOGRAPHY Academy; helped

The Desert Shamrock

George O’Brien with the local Irish music scene; worked in Tullamore, County Offaly at Charleville Castle one summer in Ireland; chaired the children’s section (l to r) Bridget, of the Phoenix St. Seamus McCaffrey, Erin Sweeney Morgan Patrick’s Faire; has volunteered at weddings and events at ICC; and served on its Board for the ICLF. Tim has helped to secure convertibles for the Phoenix St. Patrick’s Parade. He was lucky enough to be married in Ireland to Aleka. Their daughter is Daly O’Neil and son is Roic.

Bridget O’Neil Stiegler was the 2000 Arizona Irish Colleen. With her trip to Ireland, she then competed in the Darlin’ Girl from Clare Festival.

She is still in touch with the family from Miltown Malboy where 11 O’Neil family members stayed.

She and husband, Travis, have 8-yearold daughter Lucy who is taking Irish dance at ICC and participated this year as the youngest contestant in the Little Miss Shamrock Selection; son is Brady, and stepdaughter is Hailey.

March – April 2015

Celebrati ng 3 2

32nd Annual Phoenix

- 3 2

St. Patrick’s Day Pa rd Parade s a and d Faire 2 C ou t ie a e

n

3

n s of Irel and

Parade Irish Faire

Begins at 10am on 3rd Street & Sheridan; goes south to Moreland

Win a Trip To Ireland Irish Cultural Center Raffle

Food Drive & Raffle

Marching Bands Irish Dancers Floats 2015 Arizona Colleen/Rose and her Court Police & Fire Vehicles Bagpipers Government Dignitaries

10am to 5pm at the Irish Cultural Center & Margaret Hance Park

Admission $10 Kids 12 & under FREE Senior (55+) & Military $8 CASH ONLY (ATMS available) 3 Stages of Irish Music and Dancers Kids Area Food and Beverages Crafters McClelland Library Exhibition

By the Friends of Saint Patrick Centre vAZ Chapter

FREE PARKING & SHUTTLE TO FAIRE at 1850 N Central Ave (West side of Central & Palm Ln)

or take the light rail to Roosevelt

Saturday March 14 StPatricksDayPhoenix.org

EVENTS

Arizona Irish Colleen Selection Audrey Sullivan, 24, teaches, directs, choreographs and acts, and graduated with a BA in

Theatre Education and a minor in dance from the University of Northern Colorado this past December. Audrey is a member of the Friends of St. Patrick Centre and served as its 2014 Young Ambassador; the Irish Foundation of Arizona; the McClelland Library; and volunteers at the Irish Cultural Center.

Ciara Archer, 21, is a student at ASU’s Walter Cronkite School of Journalism and Mass Communication and is an intern in marketing and communications with the Greater Phoenix Economic Council. She is a Residential College Student Leader to over 100 college journalism freshmen, and was awarded for her leadership. Ciara loves spending time with family, watching movies, talking, listening to old vinyl records, reading, cooking with her dad, and shopping with her mom.

Jennifer Kelley, 25, is completing two degrees at ASU in Social Work and in Criminal Justice. She is a girls’ high school basketball coach at Barry Goldwater and enjoys being active through sports, hiking, or working out. She hopes to be working in law enforcement within the next five years, possibly having a family, and going back to school for her Masters.

Kelsey Kelleher, 21,

will graduate from ASU in May with a BA in Theatre and minors in dance and music performance. She plans to pursue an interdisciplinary graduate degree in the arts and Post-Conflict Theatre. Kelsey serves as the vice president of the Friends of St. Patrick Centre and was the 2013 Young Ambassador; and volunteers at the McClelland Irish Library and Irish Cultural Center. This past summer she won the “Longest Red Hair” award at the Irish Redhead Convention in Cork, Ireland. Kelsey enjoys dancing, theatre, designing, and singing.

Lauren McBurnett, 21,

graduated from ASU with a Masters of Science in Civil Engineering and is currently pursuing a Doctorate. She works as a full-time graduate student and a research/teaching assistant at ASU, with plans for a career as a professor. Lauren volunteered over 300 hours to K-12 STEM outreach as a Science Foundation Arizona Fellow; and spent July and August of 2012 in Kenya with ASU chapter of Engineers Without Borders. She enjoys traveling, games, music, dance, friends and family.

Maeve Cionci, 20, is a student at the University of Arizona (Tucson), majoring in Retail and Consumer Science and minoring in Business Administration. She works part-time as a desk assistant at Eller Business College-MBA Program. Maeve works closely with the Make a Wish Foundation, which has become close to her heart. Participating in the Colleen Program is a way to honor her grandmother, who was an important part of the Irish community, and this is her chance to give back.

14

The Desert Shamrock

2015 Arizona Colleen & Rose Queen of the Phoenix St. Patrick’s Day Parade

Mallory Melton, 22,

graduated magna cum laude from ASU with a BA in Creative Writing and a certificate in Medieval and Renaissance Studies. She is a work site specialist with DK Advocates, but hopes to pursue a career in publishing as an editor of fiction. Mallory’s biggest passion is for writing fiction, but she also enjoys screenwriting, the occasional poem, reading, music, and history. Her longest-standing goal is to become a published author, as well as study abroad and earn a Master’s Degree. She loves to sing and has performed in many venues, including singing in Irish.

Michaela McGraw, 19,

is a freshman at ASU, where she enjoys the dorm life and exposure it gives to learn new things about various cultures. She plays the trumpet with the ASU Marching Band and performed at the 2015 Super Bowl. Her passion for photography earned her an award at Luke Air Force Base for a photo taken at the Desert Botanical Gardens. While living in England, where her father was stationed with the U.S. Air Force, Michaela achieved four different levels of British Gymnastics proficiency awards and two different levels of Trampoline awards.

Nicole Havermale, 26,

graduated from ASU with a BA in Psychology in 2011. She is a server at Rosie McCaffrey’s and has taken courses in forensic photography and theatre make-up. Nicole enjoys cosplaying, creating costumes, reading, hiking, yoga, and traveling. Her ultimate goal in life is to help those dealing with suffering, whether emotional, psychological or physical, and she is most proud of her ability to stay strong and calm during difficult times.

Sinéad Cunningham, 20,

is a tutor at Tech 2 Learn, LLC, while attending W.P. Carey School of Business at ASU completing two degrees: Marketing and Science Management, including the completion of an honors thesis. Sinéad enjoys Irish dancing, baking, cooking, guitar, piano, sewing, singing, walking and attending group fitness classes. She volunteers with organizations such as the Arizona Fire Fighters Emerald Society.

Victoria Schuller, 24, is a small business owner specializing in telecommunications and banking services. She enjoys making gifts for family and friends, volunteering with the Emerald Society and is a fanatic about major league sports. Victoria knows how to handle firearms and shared a video of herself at a gun shooting range for the talent category. She is a strong advocate for the 2nd Amendment.

March – April 2015

1

Phoenix St. Patrick’s Day Parade March 14 at 10 am

EVENTS

Arizona Colleen Selection

2

3

4

1. Ceilli Tobin, Mallory Melton, Ella Sullivan, Megan Kernaghan 2. 2015 Colleen contestants 3. Arizona Colleen Prelim Interviews January 10 4. Former Colleens with newly crowned for 2015

The Desert Shamrock

January – February 2015

15

TUCSON 16

Captain COLORADO

By Gary Every

A

t first glance, an Irish officer in the Spanish army might seem unusual but the 18th century was one of great persecution of the Celtic peoples. England had just passed legislation known as The Penal Codes. The sole purpose of these codes was to exterminate the indigenous Celtic culture of Ireland. These codes induced many of Ireland’s finest young men to leave and seek service in the military of their European neighbors.

These men, known as “The Wild Geese,” were Ireland’s most important export of the age. Several Celtic regiments were formed in the Spanish army including two cavalry regiments - the Dragoons of Dublin and the Dragoons of Edinburgh. Five infantry units were the Irlanda, Hibernia, Ultonia (Ulster), Limerick, and Waterford. One of these men, Hugo (Hugh) O’Conor, came to the northern frontiers of Spain’s North American colonies where he became famous as Captain Colorado.

Young Hugo was enticed to serve in the Spanish military by his older cousin, Alexander O’Reilly.

O’Reilly was fighting a battle in Italy during the Austrian War of Succession when he was severely wounded. An Austrian soldier was looting the battlefield and saw the wounded Irish soldier. The Austrian prepared to finish Alexander off. O’Reilly lied to the enemy soldier, claiming to be the son of a Spanish noble who could be ransomed for great reward if only he could be brought to the tent of the Austrian Field Marshal. The Austrian Field Marshal was Maximillian Von Browne who despite the name was another Irishman fighting in the army of a foreign country. Von Browne ordered his camp surgeons to doctor up O’Reilly and had him sent back to the Spanish with honor.

O’Reilly welcomed his sixteen year old cousin Hugo O’Conor into his Hibernia regiment. These regiments of “Wild Geese” in the Spanish army were not only comprised of Irish soldiers but they were commanded by Irish nobles as well. Of all the soldiers in the Hibernia regiment none boasted a more noble lineage than young Hugo O’Conor.

O’Conor was descended from the last High King of Ireland, Roderic O’Conor. England had strict laws about the Irish leaving the country to join the armies of other countries and O’Conor faced imprisonment and even execution if caught. Like many others of the time, he probably escaped Ireland at midnight, boarding a ship on a moonlit night, sneaking from the shore in a tiny curragh.

After serving in a few European campaigns, O’Conor was rewarded by the Spanish king who granted him knighthood in the Order of Calatrava, a

military fraternity whose roots stretched back to the Crusades. In 1763, O’Conor followed his older cousin to the Americas, landing in Cuba and later becoming governor of Texas. The historian Anthony Bonilla wrote of O’Conor’s governorship, “[O’Conor] attained the glorious distinction of leaving an immortal name in the province... and he made himself an object of fear to the natives who knew him by the name “El Capitán Colorado.” The Apache nickname for the charismatic cavalry commander came from his long red curly hair and beard.

“Colorado” is Spanish for PHOTO BY BILL KIRCHNER “red”. O’Conor received Hugo O’Conor statue in front of Manning House in Tucson his nickname after a battle in Texas. On December 7, 1767, the Irishman and until February of 1776 and it is this later date which only twenty soldiers battled over three hundred is generally regarded as the birth date of modern day Apache warriors along the shores of the Rio GuadaTucson. O’Conor and his men would probably be lupe. They fought for over three hours before the incredulous if they could see the modern day southSpanish soldiers emerged victorious. western metropolis which Tucson has become.

On September 10, 1771 O’Conor was named To help mark the 1994 celebration, descendants Commandant Inspector of the Interior Provinces. It of the red captain were tracked down in Ireland was while fulfilling these duties that Captain Colora- and flown to Arizona for the occasion. These do led several military campaigns against the Apache descendants were delighted to hear the tales of their and Comanche peoples. It was also during this time illustrious ancestor. The whole thing came as quite that he realigned the string of presidios guarding a shock to them. It seems that Hugo O’Conor Spain’s northern frontier. On a hot summer day in went to his grave without ever mentioning to a soul August of 1775, Hugo O’Conor signed an order that he had founded a town named Tucson on the that moved the twenty or so soldiers from one tiny far distant northern perimeter of Spain’s American remote outpost to build another small garrison colonial frontier. slightly north. O’Conor cited his reasons for the move as the abundance of firewood and water at the Gary Every has won several second sight. Thus the presidio at Tubac was moved journalism awards from the only slightly north to a place they named Tucson. It Arizona Newspaper Association was a decision which did not receive much notice at for stories such as “The Apache the time; even O’Conor thought little of it but the Naichee Ceremony” and “Losing establishment of the presidio is generally recognized Geronimo’s Language,” which as the founding of modern day Tucson. are included in his book Shadow The shifting of those was one of several moves of the Ohsha. Put up for adoption as a baby, his mediorchestrated by O’Conor as he realigned the cal documents make note of his Celtic ancestry. Born in northern perimeter of Spain’s colonial defenses.

Tucson, Gary now lives in Sedona. www.garyevery.com Although he signed the orders in August of 1775, the preparations for the move were not completed

The Desert Shamrock

March – April 2015

BE IRISH FOR A DAY! ADMISSION FREE! The St. Patrick’s Day Festival opens at 10:00 a.m. at Armory Park (Military Plaza) on S. 6th Avenue in Downtown Tucson with live Irish

music, dancers, entertainment, a children’s game area, and food and merchandise vendors. Irish organizations, ethnic and cultural tables will be set up in the park as well. ​ PARKING INFORMATION If downtown parking is difficult to find, consider parking elsewhere and taking the Streetcar. There are hundreds of parking spaces available around the University of Arizona on weekends, just a few minutes from the Streetcar route. For more information go to: http://www.sunlinkstreetcar.com

A portion of the Festival proceeds will benefit the Tucson Police Officers Association, Kids & Cops Christmas Program.

In memory of the more than one million Irish who died in the Potato Famine 150 years ago, marchers and spectators are asked to remember the hungry of Tucson. The Community Food Bank will accept canned food donations at the parade line-up area, along the parade route and at Armory Park during the Festival. www.tucsonstpatricksday.com

TUCSON

S

unday, March 15, downtown Tucson will come alive with Celtic tradition as the 28th Annual St. Patrick’s Day Parade & Festival bring the Irish spirit to Tucson!​ The one hour Parade will begin at 10:00 am at Stone and 16th Street, making its way through Downtown and ending at Armory Park.

This year’s Grand Marshal is Tom McNamara.

Tom McNamara was born and raised in the New

York City area and graduated from Fordham University. He spent 36 years working in local TV, the last 18 years right here in Tucson. Highlights include covering local news angles of the build up to Operation Desert Storm in Saudi Arabia, and efforts to put out the oil fires in Kuwait. Closer to home, stories that made the most profound impression on him include the Rodeo-Chediski fires and the January 8 shootings.

Tom and his wife Susan have three daughters and a dog named Boo, all natives of Tucson. Tom just recently retired from KVOATV, and is now enjoying his new career as a full-time real estate agent. He also enjoys being a freelance host for KUAT-TV’s “Arizona Illustrated.”

GIVEAWAY!!!

The first three readers to contact me at info@desertshamrock.com with name, address, and phone WIN A PAIR OF TICKETS TO THE ARIZONA RENAISSANCE FESTIVAL! Be sure and include “Ren” in the subject line.

It runs NOW through March! See ad on page 30.

The Desert Shamrock

March – April 2015

17

ARTS

Book Review:

home to exotic, pinned McGill’s page-turner holds readers rapt, alternatspecimens. So different ing chapters drawn from the prison diary of Harriet are the sisters that they Ormond, and the soliloquy of Maddie McGlade, seem unrelated, yet a former Oranmore housemaid who gives the diBy Bernie McGill bound by an unacary to Harriet’s granddaughter Anna, who in the Free Press 2011 knowledged pact that late 1960s lives in a nursing home— the former finds heavy-handed Harriet wounding Oranmore itself. In fiction and in life, things are not her children’s hearts and bodies only always as they appear to be, and thus it is with The to have Julia mend them. A linchpin Butterfly Cabinet, as the truth of Charlotte’s death to the unspoken treaty is a metal key is finally revealed. to the wardrobe room where Julia or Bernie McGill’s gift for the cadence of Irishhouse staffers often free children who speak and the evocative propels her novel from good Harriet has imprisoned. to captivating. A sample finds Maddie relating her After four year-old Charlotte soils feelings about Charlotte’s death while visiting Anna: herself during another failed toilet train- “She has taken a long time to leave this place, each ing episode, Harriet engages the locked- day faded a little more, grown less here than she was room bindings, later discovering the key the day before. But I’m not convinced she’s gone absented from its keep-place, assuming yet, Anna. Even now, I think she may still be here.”

Charlotte had been freed by Julia.

The author was born in Northern Ireland in 1967, Tragically, Charlotte hadn’t been. the youngest of ten children. In 2008 her story SleepAgainst a backdrop of Ireland’s volatile sectarwalkers won the Zoetrope Short Fiction Contest. She ian politics, Harriet Ormond is remanded for trial resides with her family in Northern Ireland. to the Assizes in Dublin, where an all-Protestant Brian’s great great grandfather arrived jury convicts her of felonious murder of daughter in Canada on a coffin ship out of Charlotte, sentencing her to a year in prison. A Limerick in 1852. After a year or sentence deemed lenient by many, Harriet’s prison two in frigid Montreal, he migrated horror is compounded by an untimely condition: to balmy Wisconsin where he joined she is pregnant with a tenth child. Harriet’s sanity dozens of other Irish immigrants to remains intact thanks to a cathartic and introspecfarm in Erin Township, which even tive diary she maintains while imprisoned. today remains replete with Irish surnames.

The Butterfly Cabinet

By Brian Hanrahan irst-time novelist Bernie McGill’s thickly plotted The Butterfly Cabinet loosely chronicles real-life tragedy that occurred in 1892 near the author’s modern day home in Portstewart, Northern Ireland, when a mother from a landed family— the Montagu’s—disciplined her daughter by tying the child’s hands to a metal ring in a locked room, only to discover later that the youngster had accidently strangled herself.

Scotland-born Harriet Ormond, mistress of the fictional manse Oranmore, wife to Catholic convert Edward, is the harried mother of eight impossible sons and one daughter, Charlotte, the most trying of all. Advising Harriet in childrearing is her childless younger sister Julia, their mother’s unmarried favorite daughter who moved to Oranmore when Harriet’s parents died.

Affable, educated, Julia seems better equipped to conscience the rigors of motherhood, whereas overwrought Harriet’s interests lie in horsemanship, the hunt and her beloved butterfly cabinet,

F

Happy St. Patrick’s Day!

Matt’s grandparents, James Joseph Cunningham and Delia McNicholas, each emigrated from Co. Mayo, Ireland, met and married in Chicago

18

The Desert Shamrock

March – April 2015

SISTER CITIES

Chandler-Tullamore Sister Cities’

Upcoming Events

C

handler, AZ - The City of Chandler’s Sister City affiliate, ChandlerTullamore Sister Cities (CTSC) representing the “twinning” between Chandler, Arizona and Tullamore, Ireland, invites Chandler, Arizona youth between the ages of 13 and 18 years of age to participate in the sixth annual 2015 Young Artists & Authors Showcase. ​​Chandler’s 201​4​Art and Author Showcase yielded a National Grand Prize Winner for ​Essay,​Brandon Thornton, a student at Hamilton High School.

The Showcase theme for 201​5 is “Connecting Communities for Peace and Prosperity.”​ Sister Cities International (SCI) founder, President Dwight D. Eisenhower, reasoned that by becoming friends,

people of different cultures could celebrate and appreciate differences. If people connect across national boundaries and get to know each other, their mutual respect and understanding can transform diplomatic relations and foster peace and prosperity: one individual, one community at a time. ​Artists and authors from Chandler—and around the world—are encouraged to use their imagination.

What is your vision of peace? How does connecting globally allow you and your community to prosper? ​This program is a great opportunity to reach out into the Chandler community and engage local English and Art teachers, and reach our local Chandler student audience.

Young Artist entries must be no larger than 24x36 inches, including matting, and only 2 dimensional is accepted. ​​Water color, oils, pastels, pen and ink, charcoal, photography, two-dimensional mixed media, as well as computer-generated art are all acceptable media.​​ Entries must be submitted by Wednesday, March 25, 2015. Young Authors—essayists and poets—are encouraged to creatively express the theme. ​​Essays are not to exceed 500 words, and poetry is not to exceed 25 lines. ​​All entries must be typed in English. Winners will be required to also submit a digital copy.​​Judges will evaluate on theme interpretation, composition, and grammar. Entries must be submitted by​Wednesday, March 25, 201​5​.

A Reception will be held on Friday, April 17​at Vision Gallery in Historic Downtown Chandler, from 5:30pm to 7:00pm to celebrate Chandler’s young authors and artists. ​​One piece of artwork, one poem, and one essay from the Chandler entries will be submitted to Sister Cities International where the National Finalists are chosen. Grand Prize Winners at the National Level will receive $1,000 from Sister Cities International.​ After the National Finalists for art and literature have been announced, they embark on a yearlong tour hosted by local sister city programs on a monthly basis. ​​Chandler-Tullamore Sister Cities has been honored for the second year to host the International Exhibit, which will be held at Vision Gallery for the month of April 2015. Underwriting for the 201​5​Art and Author Showcase is made possible through a grant received from the Chandler Special Events Committee and the Chandler Cultural Foundation.

Entry Guidelines and Forms may be found at www.chandlerirish.org. For further information and entry submittal for Young Artists and Authors, please contact Ellen Harrington at chan.to.tull@ gmail.com or (480) 600-8509. For more information on Chandler-Tullamore Sister Cities, visit their website, www.chandlerirish.org, or on Facebook at “ChandlerIrish.”

My grandmother is from Tiree, an island in the Inner Hebrides of Scotland

The Desert Shamrock

March – April 2015

ARTS

Celtic Artisan:

22

Sydney McShane: Painter and Author

By Lynn Herdman Mascarelli

W

hen is the last time you spoke with a handsome and debonair gentleman from Lurgan, County Down? Perhaps one of my most lively interviews took place recently at the McClelland Irish Library with the spirited Syd McShane, his art full of color and charm.

Born in a land of rolling hills and trout streams, England and eventually crossed the fields of turnips and farms, he worked hard and ocean to America. grew up in a loving family. When only a lad, an Boston and a first cousin allowed him a footepidemic of boils plagued the countryside but he ing in a new land full of opportunity but with its ate kale, turnips and carrots and never got sick. “We own problems abroad, he was immediately drafted had plenty to eat and drank goat’s milk. Though we into the Army and sent off to an armored divihad no running water or electricity, the house was sion in Germany. He loved the comradeship of the immaculate and my mum took care of us well. We barracks but our artist was a free-spirited man and lived in a two-story stone house with stucco walls, not much inclined to the spit and polish. When his built by my grandfather. My father was a weaver in tour of duty ended, his superior officer said though the linen factory; my mum worked there, too, as a he wasn’t “army material,” if they went into battle, clerk.” he’d want Syd McShane by his side. Syd explained, Sydney McShane is of proud Celtic heritage; his “It didn’t matter what the situation or who the man father Irish, two of his paternal ancestors long ago was. I never backed off and never feared anyone hung in the North for treason against the Crown. except my wife, Rita. I call her the Viking Queen” His wonderful mother was a Scot from a lineage (Rita Baumgarthuber McShane is Norwegian) “And claiming the Waddells and the Kidds. With a pasby that I mean, I’d fear hurting her, making her sionate love for his past and his homeland, he spoke sad.” He grinned. “Do you know how I met my freely of his feelings on politics, on freedom and juswife?” He stood up to demonstrate as he had done tice especially in Northern Ireland where he grew up several times during the interview. He approached a in the Episcopalian Church of Ireland loving God table like it was a retail counter. and frequently referring to Him while we spoke.

“You know those words Kennedy said when he was inaugurated...I’ve changed them: Ask not what God can do for you, but what you can do for Him. I’ve tried to do that.”

His schooling prepared him for one of the higher paying trades as an apprentice house painter. His skills are employed even today in the renovation of houses, which is equally amazing when one considers Syd is a venerable seventy-eight years of age. During his early apprenticeship, he was paid very little and frequently encountered the wrath and bullying of his employer’s son. After some fisticuffs with the lad in which he proved the victor, he was sacked and moved on.

Across the Irish Sea, he found Dunguaire Castle, County Clare better wages and more work in

The Desert Shamrock

County Armagh Bridge - 200 years old and one mile from where Syd grew up

“She was selling her soap and I looked at her and said, ‘You have the most beautiful eyes I’ve ever seen!’” I knew at that moment I was speaking with a full-fledged romantic. This was confirmed when he added, “My mum told me I could charm the horns off a goat.”

But he also admitted, “I was a terrible kid...I got kicked out of Sunday School for being rowdy!”

I laughed...I too had suffered the same, knowing the traits of the highly creative do not always meld with the group dynamic in a classroom unless the teacher too is creative and knows how to push a few boundaries. I can say this...I’ve been on both sides of the desk.

Imagine my surprise when Syd revealed that after his tour of military duty, he entered the seminary and devoted himself to the Lord’s service in Prescott where he developed a radio ministry, serving God and souls and the Native American community.

He had told me earlier how he had hated sectarian violence in Northern Ireland, remembering signs in shop windows: Only Protestants need apply. And now he would speak of God and mercy to others for many years without discrimination or racial divide.

But where was the other Syd McShane; he had been busy...when had the artist within emerged?

He recalled his affection at age ten for Miss Douglas, his art teacher, who told him he had unbelievable talent. She challenged him, even assigning the task of painting on canvas an estate home set back from the road. To this day, he had not forgotten the teacher

March – April 2015

By Syd McShane, ©2014

Mornings full of dew and mist, Green hills and mountain peaks are hidden from one’s view.

Warm rays of sun appear, and you know an Irish spring is here.

Wildflowers are abundant everywhere.

Their beauty, One cannot compare.

Fairy Tree in the Cove, painted on birchwood

who had paused to say such words to a boy to whom nothing like this had ever been said. “She was our music teacher, too, and taught us lots of songs.” At which, he burst into his own rendition of “Soldier, Soldier, will you marry me?” which I learned was a bawdy song like “The Bomb Grenadier.”

Like many of my Celtic artisans, he turned to his art after retiring at age sixty-five and today is a prolific artist creating highly detailed and colorful paintings on canvas and wood finished with a coat of epoxy. His subjects are often Irish castles, cottages, and wild life, especially the owl and hummingbird.

Syd travels extensively on weekends throughout Arizona and other states to Workstation in the garage sell his art pieces at Celtic gatherings and fairs, the Scottish Highland games, and local farmers’ markets. His family and his passion for life sustain him. He told me he is up every morning at four and still runs. His days are busy carefully overseen by his loving wife, Rita, his best friend and Viking Queen. It is clear his four daughters, two living in Illinois, one in Fountain Hills and another in Maricopa, are close to his heart.

Syd is multi-talented, the author of a popular book, Creamy Celtic Cake, an anthology of his own poems;

he has sold hundreds. A second book, Celtic Memories, is in publication now.

In closing, I wonder if we at the Irish Cultural Center truly value those who have come here from across the sea with their rich past and talent, their stories, and music. They are our bards and seanchaithe (“storyteller” of the old tales); Syd McShane is indeed one of our treasures.

The robins chirp and sing their songs.

Sheep graze contented on hills so green.

Knowingly into this world new lambs they bring.

Clear mountain streams so full of trout makes the angler come alert.

The farmer ploughs soft green fields and sows the seed, for livestock and family he must feed.

Soft grey clouds gather over hills and mountain peaks.

Their soft rain they will release.

Moonlight in the Desert

PHOTOS BY ANN NIEMANN

Lynn is a former high school teacher of art, history, and political science. She is a potter, illustrator, muralist in public venues and private homes, and wordsmith. Frequently a featured artist at the Irish Cultural Center, Celtic landscapes intrigue her. Her mom, a Williams, is totally Welsh with ancestry as far back as 1700s and the Isle of Anglesley.

ARTS

Irish Spring

The Desert Shamrock

Neighbors greet each other with a smile.

Come in for tea and stay awhile.

This is what an Irish spring is all about.

March – April 2015

23

OUT & ABOUT

Tom Bracken’s Anniversary

Thomas Bracken recognized at 25th Annual Feis in the Desert for his 35th year of teaching Irish dance on January 16-18

2 3 1 1. Bracken School of Irish Dance, Arizona 2. Bracken’s Feis Former and Current Chairs

Xavier College Preparatory’s

Spirit Line

3

24

The Desert Shamrock

3. (Phoenix) Xavier College Preparatory’s Spirit Line won the 2015 Arizona Interscholastic Association’s Division 1 state championship on Saturday, January 24, for the second consecutive year. The Xavier squad also qualified for the upcoming United Spirit Association Nationals competition in March, where its pom line will defend last year’s national title. All three Spirit Line coaches—Monica Gaspar, Stephanie Walsh and Megan Nolen—are Xavier alumnae.

March – April 2015

OUT & ABOUT

Phoenix Pipe Band

Members perform January 31 at Super Bowl XLIX pre-game expo, downtown Phoenix

5

4 4. Matt Clark, Thomas Cox, Bruce Dutcher, Andy Minto, Bryson Jones, Noah Cox and Len Wood

7

6

See more Out & About photos at desertshamrock.com

8

5. Cameron Garrison at Tucson-Roscommon Sister Cities’ fundraiser 6. Nancy and Frank Morrall, owners of Mully’s Touch of Ireland, Scottsdale 7. De Mairt Ceol performed at home of Bryan Murphy and Adrienne Leavy January 23. Great fun!

8. Irish Network Phoenix film premiere The Pub on January 22 at Tim Finnegan’s

The Desert Shamrock

March – April 2015

25

ARTS

McClelland Library Book Discussion Group

By Caroline Woodiel

T

ackling an obtuse piece of Irish literature is a challenge at any age. As adults, we may long for bygone school days spent learning and discussing differing ideas.

The most enjoyable aspects of any literature course are the discussions with students and teachers. Those lively conversations bring about new ideas and understandings that would never have occurred on an individual level. Without a structured discussion, it can be frustrating to finish a new book and have no one to discuss it with. That frustration can be compounded when taking the leap into notoriously complicated Irish authors like James Joyce and William Butler Yeats.

For Irish literature fans the solution to such a common frustration lies with the McClelland Library Book Discussion Group. Dr. Joyce East, a former professor of Irish Studies, and Mary Wilber, a retired librarian and current President of the Scottsdale Library Board, lead monthly discussions on Irish literature.

The group’s mission is to engage members of the Arizona community in the excellence of Ireland’s literary tradition.

In the Spring of 2015, the Group will be focusing on “Heroes and Myths in Irish Literature.” As Dr. East explains, “Zeus; Achilles; and The Iliad are familiar to most of us, together with contemporary epic quests such as The Hobbit and Lord of the Rings. Fewer of us are familiar with the epic heroes and myths of Celtic Ireland. These upcoming literary discussions will explore the roots of Irish culture, from The Book of Invasions to W. B. Yeats’s plays about Cuchulain, the great Irish hero.” In addition to the monthly discussions, Dr. Gregory Castle from Arizona State University will be giving a lecture on the themes in Irish mythology on Thursday, April 9.

Dr. Joyce East (l) and Mary Wilber (r)

If you are looking for enjoyable and hearty intellectual discussion, make sure to join us on the last Saturday of every month at 10:30 am (free admission). For more information on the books in this semester’s discussions, the lecture, or the many literary events happening at the McClelland Library, visit www.azirishlibrary.org.

See Caroline’s bio on page 7.

Discussion group on January 31

26

The Desert Shamrock

March – April 2015

FEATURE

Seamus McCaffrey and his Glasgow Celtics

By Carmelita Lee

B

hoys and ghirls are welcome here….Walking into Rosie McCaffrey’s Pub brought back memories. It has the atmosphere, color and sounds of the real deal, and for one who misses Ireland, it felt ever so much like home. The pub itself is a living invitation to experience Irish hospitality, from the céad mile failté sign (100,000 welcomes) over the front door to the friendly clatter and organized chaos inside. Not the least of which, the grand displays of team jerseys and memorabilia that decorate the place, the pride and joy of Seamus McCaffrey, who is, well, fanatical about the Glasgow Celtics. “It’s pronounced SSSSSeltics,” Seamus reminded me with a wink…

Strange name, you might think, for a Scottish club. But if one digs a little deeper there is a history as colorful as his pub! As Seamus put it, “Ye can’t understand the Glasgow Celtics unless ye know Irish history.” The Irish Catholic immigra-

tion to neighboring Scotland resulted from Falls Road (the predominantly Catholic neighborboth poverty, persecution, and the Great hood where the “Troubles” are said to be centered.)

Famine. The Irish Catholics found little Granddad John McDonnell was “a token Catholic opportunity in predominantly Protestant tradesman” who worked on the Titanic. Dad Peter Scotland, however. It isn’t that the Irish didn’t Joseph McCaffrey, was a contractor, somewhat more want to assimilate, but more that they couldn’t. well off than most. Ultimately Peter left the family Today, five and six generations from the immigra- to work in England, leaving Seamus to help his tion, they still call themselves Irish, not Scottish, mother make ends meet. At an early age, McCafno matter what their frey senior had instilled in birth certificate says.

Seamus a love of the Celtics.

Then came Father Peter took Seamus to his first Walfrid, an Irish priest Celtics game in Glasgow at serving poor Irish in east the age of 13. Thereafter, in Glasgow. He formed a love with the team, Seamus plan to help his countrytraveled alone by cattle boat men by training young to games, witnessing fights men to play football on board between Celtic and (Irish). Local Irish Ranger fans – a conflict that businessmen caught the is still a brooding undercurvision, and formed the rent among the fans of these original Celtics team two Glasgow teams. Seamus in the late 1880s. The says the rivalry boils down to (l to r) Rose, Seamus, Kathleen, team was a great morale a religious war between the The Wolfe Tone’s Derek Warfield. Daughter booster to the locals, and Catholics and the ProtesKathleen has since graduated from ASU a source of pride, giving tants, although, he says, it’s and teaches school in the Valley. the community that getting a bit better.

Seamus, one of seven, ever-important “somewith two brothers and four sisters, left school at 15, thing to do” that forestalls already an entrepreneur with a knack for making despair and hopelessness. money. Driving a lorry at 7 or 8, his dad shifted Father Walfrid believed gears as Seamus steered. At 6 he earned pennies a the team would generday as he picked

When Your A/C Throws a Tantrum, Better Call Antrim

Why Bobby Murdoch Celtic Supporters Club?

Seamus’ favorite player of all time was Bobby Murdoch, who was the quintessential footballer, ever a gentleman, whose motto was, “It costs nothing to be nice.” He was a middle fielder for the Celtics, leading the team to victory for the European Cup in Lisbon in 1967. He won 8 Scottish titles, 4 Scottish cups, and 5 league cups.

Valleywide Service Family and Locally Owned

“Treating our customers like family with the highest level of honesty, integrity, and quality.”

Anthony Gilmore’s ancestry is from Co. Antrim, Northern Ireland and wife Talitha’s great grandmother is from Co. Cork, Ireland.

480.664.6575 PO Box 7264 Chandler, AZ 85246 • 480.664.6575 info@antrimair.com

www.antrimair.com

Licensed, Bonded, Insured ROC#272807

28

The Desert Shamrock

ate interest, camaraderie, team work, spirit and… revenue. Today Celtics are one of the top leagues in Europe, winning the European Cup in Lisbon in 1967, Scottish League Championship 44 times, the Scottish cup 36 times, and the Scottish League Cup 14 times.

Born in Belfast, Seamus lived in notorious

up a bucket of seven empty Guinness bottles from an elderly woman every morning, delivered them to the local pub (along with a doctor’s prescription), and returned seven full bottles. As a young teen he collected “skins” in buckets (potato peelings and kitchen garbage), loaded them into a pram (baby carriage) and delivered them to a pig farmer for a half-crown per bucket. “It was more money than the average married man made,” says Seamus.

He moved to Glasgow at age 21 for two reasons: one, to get away from the Troubles, and two, to be near the Glasgow Celtics. He never missed a game, and got to know the players. He lived there nine continued on page 42

March – April 2015

SISTER CITIES

O’Neil Family Trips to Co. Clare

See their story on page 12

Emigrated from Ennis, Co. Clare, Ireland in 1972

The Desert Shamrock

March – April 2015

29

Who’s Ready? Glenmo Games 51!

Glenmorangie Arizona Scottish Gathering & Highland Games

O

n Saturday & Sunday, March 21st and 22nd, the Arizona Scottish community and about 20,000 of their closest friends from all corners of the world will gather at Steele Indian School Park in central Phoenix to celebrate their culture.

The Glenmorangie Scottish Highland Games is comprised of many things: world-class athletic competitions, Highland dance, reenactment presentations, educational seminars, clans, food, live music, bag-pipe & drum bands from all over the globe and lots of fun for the wee lads & lasses.

Have you ever seen a big burley man in a kilt toss a telephone-pole-like caber? Did you know that the origination of pipe bands comprised of pipers, side drummers, bass drummers and occasionally a tenor drummer occurred sometime after the battle of Waterloo in 1815? They are Solo Piping, Solo Drumming, Drum Major and Pipe Bands. Or how about, that right along with the ancient stories of daring warriors and master pipers you will find dance as a crucial part of celebrations and ceremonies of the Highlands?

Nothing can compare with the graceful power of a Highland dancer recalling a glorious victory.

You can even research your family roots at the Games and learn about the significance of a family tartan. While you are attending the Glenmorangie Scottish Gathering & Highland Games this year, make it a point to visit the Clan tents. The Wee Ones area this year features junior athletic competitions, bounce houses, games, arts & crafts.

This year’s entertainment committee proudly presents one big pub stage (literally, it’s set up like a pub) featuring two popular bands: Highland Way and Traveler as well World Famous DJ Rani “g” in the Loch Ness Arts & Fashion District along with local bands Stoneybank, Celtic Women, Patrick Halloran, John Allen and a variety of roving musicians.

Another “big” part of the entertainment lineup this year is Christopher Yates! Our favorite red-headed stilt-walking, juggling, magical Scotsman extraordinaire is back again! He’ll be roaming about ~ just look for the “crowd” and he’ll be right in the center!

Visit with our friends from the British Car Clubs, reenactment groups and Scottish Country dancers who will demonstrate and perform throughout the weekend!

Come hungry! In the mood for some haggis? Fish & chips? Shepherd’s Pie? Find all of that (and more) in the food court! Thirsty? Refreshingly icy cold Kiltlifter brew abounds at the Four Peaks Kiltlifter beer truck. Friendly servers can’t wait to pour you a cold one! Plus! This year we also are serving Belhaven.

Look for them in the south near the Pipe Bands!

There will be 40 vendors selling an array of Scottish gifts and merchandise too.

And you can’t have a Scottish Games without … well…Scotch! Look for the Glenmorangie Scotch Education tent where the official Scotch Ambassador will educate and be available for scheduled tastings throughout the day.

Tickets for the Games are available online www.

ArizonaScots.com. For more info you may also call the Scots Hotline (480) 788-6694.

PLAN TO GO! WHEN Saturday & Sunday 3/21 & 22 Gates open at 9am both days, close at 7pm on Sat and 4pm on Sunday.

WHERE Steele Indian School Park 300 E. Indian School Rd | Phoenix, AZ 85012 (E of Central, Light Rail Stop at Indian School & Central.)

Fri., March 20 • 7pm-9pm Westin Kierland Resort & Spa Pipe Jam & Glenmo Tasting 6002 E. Greenway Parkway Scottsdale, AZ 85254 AFTER PARTY 5pm-7pm Sat., March 21 After Party Ceilidh FREE with Saturday ticket or $5.00 at the gate after 5pm at the GhillIie Dhu Pub Stage (on the park grounds)

Don’t miss these onsite features!

Opening Ceremonies Sat 3/21 at Noon (Main Arena) Ceilidh | Sat 5pm-7pm (Ghillie Dhu Pub) Closing Ceremonies | Sun 3/22 at 3:30pm (Glenmorangie Lounge)

WEEKEND HIGHLIGHTS! Now, more athletic events & world class entertainment!

Traditional and contemporary Celtic Music: singers, fiddlers, pipers, Highland & Scottish Country Dances

PARKING & TRANSPORTATION $5 parking available at 4041 N. Central FREE shuttle to Games Metro Light Rail option @ Central & Indian School • www.ValleyMetro.org

Massed pipe bands

TICKETS Adults: $17 * Seniors (60 and over): $12 * Military: $12 Children $5 (6-12) * 5 & under FREE Add a second day to any ticket for only $10 Available online www.ArizonaScots.com

Newly expanded kids area (FREE to play all day w/ entry ticket of just $5) bounce houses, barrel train, junior athletic games, arts & crafts.

PLUS! DON’T MISS THESE FREE KICK-OFF EVENTS Wed., March 18 • 7pm-9pm Changing Hands First Draft Book Bar & The Commons @ The Newton Meet Nessie! Wine, beer & Preview Loch Ness Arts & Fashion District 300 W. Camelback Rd. Phoenix, AZ 85013

The Desert Shamrock

Clans, clans, clans and expanded genealogy booth – come research your family roots!

PHOTOS COURTESY OF THE CALEDONIAN SOCIETY OF ARIZONA

Plenty of Scottish food and drink Glenmorangie Scotch-tasting in the Glenmo Lounge (Three educational seminars/ tastings each day) Icy cold beer selections sponsored by our Friends at Four Peaks Brewery and Belhaven Brewery British Car Show featuring vintage and modern cars Plus Scottish, Irish and Welsh products and gifts

March – April 2015

WEEKEND ENTERTAINMENT Live Entertainment featuring Highland Way, Traveler, Stonybank, World Famous Rani “g”, Chris Yates, John Allen & Patrick Halloran, plus a special performance by Celtic Women NEW THIS YEAR! LOCH NESS ARTS & FASHION DISTRICT For the Ladies (and gentlemen) Chandon and Cloudy Bay wine bar, live entertainment, fashion exhibition and art in the Loch Ness Arts & Fashion District & Wine Bar

31

ARTS

Reading Ireland Nora Webster by Colm Tóibín/Viking 2014

By Adrienne Leavy

I

n his masterful new novel, Nora Webster, Colm Tóibín paints a vivid portrait of a middle aged widow, Nora Webster, who is struggling to cope with the premature death of her husband, Maurice Webster, “the love of her life” and a popular schoolteacher in the small Irish town of Enniscorthy. In addition to being a love story and a study of Nora’s grief over the loss of Maurice, the novel also chronicles small town life and the routine difficulties faced by a single mother, who strives to maintain a sense of normalcy within the chaos of bereavement.

At times Nora seems both remote and detached from her four children, and from the reader’s perspective, she is often clueless as to their needs and

32

ambitions if they do not fall within the scope of her own agenda. Nevertheless, she worries about them constantly, particularly about her eldest son Donal, who developed a stutter when his father became ill.

To his credit, Tóibín resists the urge to judge her, nor does he encourage his readers to do so. In the character of Nora, Tóibín has created a fascinating and multi-layered heroine, who, if she is not especially likable at times, is nevertheless undeniably real. Nora is a strong, intelligent woman, frustrated by the petty small-town rivalries and gossip that imprison both her and her neighbors and is emotionally guarded as a result.

The story further serves as a microcosm for the political and cultural life of Ireland in the late 1960s.

While the focus of the narrative is always on Nora and her struggle to redefine her life in the absence of Maurice, outside forces hover on the periphery. The brewing troubles in Northern Ireland, which in the novel focus on the Bloody Sunday protest march, are watched on TV by everyone in the town, with no-one quite sure how to react. Also commented on by the townspeople is the rise of the young Charlie Haughey in the political party Fianna Fáil, along with the scandal caused by his arrest for gun-running. Nora likes Haughey because as Minister for Finance he regularly increased the Widow’s Pension, and with this minor observation, Tóibín subtly explains part of Haughey’s grassroots appeal.

Nora’s personal reawakening begins when she returns to work at Gibneys, the local flour mill where she had worked before her marriage to Maurice. Gradually she gains confidence and is able to confront a bullying co-worker, and also the authoritarian priest who runs the school her sons attend.

As the novel progresses we learn that the key to

The Desert Shamrock

Nora’s acceptance of Maurice’s death is through her exposure to music. Gradually, she allows herself to develop a friendship with another woman who shares her interest in singing, and she attends musical evenings organized by the local music appreciation society. She uncharacteristically indulges herself through the purchase of a new gramophone, which leads to frequent trips to Dublin to purchase classical music records.

All of these activities lead her away from painful memories of her life with Maurice: “It was not merely that Maurice had no ear for music, and that music was something they had never shared. It was the intensity of her time here; she was alone with herself in a place where he would never have followed her, even in death.” However, Tóibín refuses to allow Nora the easy consolation of an entirely new life through music, which makes the transformative effect on her personality more realistic.

Her music teacher bluntly informs her that she will never be a star: “You’ve left it too late,” the teacher says of her singing voice, on first hearing it. “We can all have plenty of lives, but there are limits.”

In his Irish Times review Roy Foster assessed Tóibín’s latest novel thus: “In delineating a fully realized interior life patterned against a confining local society, this latest novel is his most Flaubertian work yet.” This comparison to the great French novelist Gustave Flaubert, the leading exponent of literary realism in his country’s literature, is apt.

With great economy of style and syntax Tóibín effortlessly weaves Nora’s past and present together to show the history of her relationships with her late husband and her immediate family. In the process, the author gives us a remarkable and moving portrait of a woman trying to do the best she can within the confines of her environment and her personality.

Adrienne Leavy is originally from Dundalk, County Louth and was educated at Trinity College Dublin, and The Honourable Society of Kings Inns. After graduation, she immigrated to Phoenix, where she practiced law for 10 years. She has a Ph.D. in English Literature from Arizona State University, and is the founder of www. readingitrland.net, a company dedicated to promoting Irish literature and contemporary Irish writing. Her poetry has been widely published in Irish journals and she is currently working on her first collection. Contact: leavy@cox.net

March – April 2015

We’re on the lookout for the one million of Irish, Scottish, and Welsh descent. The more successful the campaign, the more philanthropic we can be to support Arizona’s Celtic nonprofits, going national and international. Hey, we could even help restore a castle!

$1 Count Me In

Register as “I’m 1 in a Million!”

Go to our website’s home page and join the Count! Once you select this perk, you can increase your contribution to include each person in your family at $1 each. So, a family of five would be $5. Receive a beautifully designed Certificate.

The Count Continues!

Go to www.desertshamrock.com Click link on home page NEW site launched at www.desertshamrock.com Online eMagazine editions at www.issuu.com/desertshamrock “Like” us at www.facebook.com/desertshamrock PHOTO: IRISH CULTURAL CENTER, PHOENIX, AZ; CREDIT: BOB RINK

The Desert Shamrock

March – April 2015

33

CULTURE

Keltic Kitchen

Shortening the Road

The World’s Finest Shortbread

By Katie Caufield Ginder

D

ia daoibh a chaired! (Hello friends!) Shortbread is a traditional Scottish teatime treat. My step-grandmother resides in Largs, Scotland and was kind enough to share her “World’s Finest Shortbread” recipe. Even if she wasn’t my grandmother, I would still agree that this is the best shortbread I’ve ever tasted. The optional orange or lemon zest was a suggestion from my mom and it really kicks the recipe up a notch. As it can be challenging to remove from the pan* once it has cooled, be sure you immediately cut the shortbread after sprinkling it with sugar. Enjoy!

How St. Patrick Saved the Old Tales

By Liz Warren

he old hero tales are rooted in Ireland’s lush landscape.

If you should ever be lucky enough to travel the countryside with an Irish storyteller like Eddie Lenihan or Liz Weir, every crossroad

T

The World’s Finest Shortbread Yield 24 pieces

Ingredients: • 1 cup flour • 1 cup unsalted butter (softened) • ½ cup powdered sugar • ½ cup corn starch • Zest from one orange or lemon (optional) • ¼ cup granulated sugar

PHOTO BY KATIE CAUFIELD GINDER

Directions:

Hills near the Slieve Bloom Mountains, Finn McCool’s traditional home

• Preheat oven to 350 degrees.

• Blend flour, unsalted butter, powdered sugar, corn starch, and zest together by mixer or hand. Ensure all ingredients are incorporated well.

• Press dough into 8 x 11 inch pan. Place in oven for about 40 minutes or until edges are slightly golden brown.

• Remove from oven and pierce fork marks across the top of cooked shortbread.

Sprinkle top with granulated sugar. Immediately cut shortbread into finger sized pieces and remove to serving tray/container. *Consider Demarle bakeware, manufactured in France, for effortless removal from the pan and easy clean-up; see ad on this page.

Katie Caufield Ginder lives in Gilbert with her husband and son.

Her background is in higher education program management, instruction and faculty recruitment. She enjoys spending time with her family, traveling, cooking, yoga, volunteering with Big Brothers Big Sisters and learning about her Irish heritage. Katie’s great, great paternal grandfather was from Galway and immigrated to Pennsylvania in the 1860s.

and hilltop would spark the memory of a story. That’s always the way it’s been with Ireland’s best storytellers, including the ancient ones.

Ireland has one of the greatest story traditions in the world and we have the oldest stories today in large part because of the monastic system that brought Christianity and literacy to Ireland. The legend tells us that it was Patrick himself that began this process of writing the stories down. The stories are preserved in the great medieval

On sale for $10 Pre-pay on our website at www.chandlerirish.org and cookbook will be mailed.

The Desert Shamrock

old fortress when some impossibly old and enormous warriors appeared over the ridge behind the ruins. Their leader introduced himself as Caílte and led Patrick to a fresh-water well.

They then settled down to talk.

The priests, who barely came up to Caílte’s waist, were in awe of these men who seemed to have walked out of another era. Patrick, too, was intrigued and asked Caílte, “What has kept you warriors alive for all these years?” continued on page 37

Desert Fare Cookbook

34

compilation Acallam na Senórach, The Tales of the Elders of Ireland.

Patrick was moved to action by an encounter with Caílte, one of Finn McCool’s mightiest warriors and the finest storyteller in all of the Fianna. Patrick and his retinue were praying near Finn McCool’s

March – April 2015

Saint David’s Day

By Lynn Herdman Mascarelli PHOTO COURTESY OF EARLYLEARNINGHQ.ORG.UK

I

n Shakespeare’s Henry V, Act V, scene 1, Fluellen tells the king, “If your Majesty is remembered of it, the Welshmen did good service in a garden where leeks did grow, wearing leeks in their Monmouth caps, which your Majesty knows, to this hour is an honorable badge of the service, and I do believe, your Majesty takes no scorn to wear the leek upon Saint Tavy’s day.”

King Henry replied, “I wear it for a memorable honor; for I am Welsh, you know, good countryman.”

And, to this day, in attendance on the observance of Saint David’s Day in Wales is either the British Monarch or Prince of Wales who attends the largest commemorations in Cardiff. In 2010, members of the Royal Welsh Regiment returning from Afghanistan provided the Changing of the Guard at Cardiff Castle. Simultaneously on Queen Street however, the Really Welsh Food Festival was held where the people may have enjoyed a traditional Saint David’s Day bowl of cawl, consisting historically of salt bacon or beef with potatoes, swedes or rutabaga and carrots in thick stock, but lamb and leeks is very much part of the national dish today.

March 1 marks the death of Saint David; the year widely varies between 544 and 601AD. He was an ascetic, called by some in modern times the patron of vegetarianism; the man was a bishop and teacher, the founder of shrines and monasteries for those seeking a life lived for God. He lived in extreme austerity with his monks where even threats to his life became a challenge yet David is said to have lived to the venerable age of 147 and on the day he predicted. Today his body lies in Saint David’s Cathedral in Pembrokeshire. Interestingly, as late as 2012, the medieval shrine of St. David near the cathedral’s high altar was unveiled and rededicated at a Choral Eucharist on the first day of March.

Countless stories and legends make it difficult

to discern between history and an oral tradition that changes in the telling. Of interest surrounding good David, is his link to corpse candles, dim lights warning of death so the loved one would not die alone; his parishioners begged him to pray to God that this be so and the flames of candles lit up the night over the land.

Have you ever considered the origin of the seafaring term: Davy Jones’ Locker? It was Welsh sailors’ invocations to Saint David for help that morphed into the unseen Davy Jones; the first name inspired by the holy one, the second by Jonah of Old Testament fame.

The patron of Wales is portrayed by artists standing on a small hill, a dove on his shoulder. The earliest mention of David is found in the tenth-century Annales Cambriae, which the Vortigen Studies interestingly describe, as a “curious collection of obscure Welsh material.” But to the people of Wales, Saint David is in no way obscure and honored extensively all over the land among school children in their classrooms and grown-ups in pubs and churches with festivities and parades and concerts as only the Welsh can do. The daffodil is widely displayed; the leek, a symbol of Wales and the saint, is worn in memory of his advice to embattled soldiers to wear them in their hats to distinguish them from their enemies. There is a link even linguistically between the two nationally acclaimed plants: they have similar names in Welsh, Cenhinen (leek) and Cenhinen Pedr (daffodil, literally “Peter’s leek”).

Even Disney does not disappoint on Saint David’s Day. Today in the year 2015, we are invited to celebrate in style at Disneyland Resort Paris and Los Angeles with Mickey and Minnie dressed in

Kilt Rental USA

traditional Welsh attire. The visitor is swept up in a program of choirs and performances as part of the Welsh Music Festival and treated at the end of the day to brilliant fireworks in the national colors of Wales in the sky over the Sleeping Beauty Castle.

As they say in Disneyworld...“it’s red, white, and green as you’ve never, ever seen!” Here too daffodils and the leeks are worn in lapels and the flag of Saint David flies high over the celebration. It is in the city of Los Angeles itself the largest Saint David’s Day celebration of its kind is celebrated in the country complete with a Celtic marketplace and eisteddfod.

In dying on the first day of March in the sixth century, David’s last words to his followers were in a homily on the previous Sunday. The Welsh Life of St David (1988) provides us with these: “Bydwch lawen a chedwch ych ffyd a’ch cret, a gwnewch y petheu bychein a glywyssawch ac a welsawch gennyf i. A mynheu a gerdaf y fford yd aeth an tadeu idi.”

“Be joyful,” he said, “and keep your faith and your creed, and do the little things that you have seen me do and heard about. I will walk the path that our fathers have trod before us.”

And to this day, there is an oft-spoken phrase in Welsh: “Do ye the little things in life”...gwnewch y pethau bychain mewn bywyd.

For those who observe this day and for music enthusiasts, the Liturgy of the Hours for Saint David’s Day has been edited by O.T. Edwards in Matins, Lauds and Vespers for St David’s Day: the Medieval Office of the Welsh Patron Saint in National Library of Wales MS 20541 E (Cambridge, 1990).

WELSH

Wales:

See Lynn’s bio on page 23

SALEM, NH PHOENIX 603-898-5130 602-944-5400 FAX 603-898-5113 FAX 602-944-3154

Scottish Made Kilts.

Rent - Sell - New - Used

MANUFACTURERS REPRESENTATIVES

www.KiltRentalUSA.com info@kiltrentalusa.com 15821 N 79th Street, Suite 2 Scottsdale, AZ 85260 1.877.KILT.SHOP 480.460.0907

My grandmother is from Tiree, an island in the Inner Hebrides of Scotland

The Desert Shamrock

JOE LEWIS

P.O. Box 1768 10611 N. 11th St. Salem, NH 03079 Phoenix, AZ 85020 jhlreps@aol.com

Electrical, Mechanical, Plastics, Metals, and Contract Mfg. Joe Lewis Cell 617-510-9260 Joe Jr. 603-365-1301

March – April 2015

35

HISTORY

Irish Tales

36

from Arizona Territory / Tombstone

By Janice Ryan Bryson

The Irish were involved in all facets of the community. Many single men arrived to ombstone, Arizona – One of the last of the work in the mines but others brought their wide-open boomtowns in the American West. families to the booming town. Prominent When prospector Ed Schieffelin ventured mining man John Kelly and his wife Julia into Apache country in southern Arizona, his friends Sullivan Kelly settled in Tombstone. Their warned him that he would only find his tombstone. two sons, William and J.J., were born there He successfully struck silver and founded the town of in 1887 and 1889. They were educated in loTombstone in 1879. The Tombstone mining district cal schools before completing their education produced more silver than any other mining district at St. Michael’s College in Santa Fe. James Mrs. James McHugh in her rose garden in Tombstone in Arizona. During the first four years of activity, the McHugh brought his family to Tombstone mines produced about twenty-five million dollars in 1883. He served as a guard at the mines, famous performers appeared at the Hall including (approximately $663 million today). always wore a six-shooter, and was present at Eddie Foy, born Edwin Fitzgerald, son of Irish imCapitalists from the northeastern United States the infamous gunfight at the OK Corral. bought many of the mining operations in the Nellie Cashman arrived from Tucson and opened migrants and Lola Montez, a native of Ireland, born Marie Gilbert. district. The mining was carried out by immigrants a boot and shoe shop, the Russ House Restaurant, The Irish in Tombstone continued to raise from Europe, chiefly Cornwall, Ireland and Gerand a boarding house. She was known as “The money for the Land League. In 1887 the local many. The labor for Angel of Tombstone” branch of the Redpath League held a Grand Ball to services including for giving much of raise money for the League. Committee members laundry, construcher wealth to needy for the Ball included Neagle, Behan, Kelly, Costello, tion, and more was prospectors, frontier Fitzpatrick, Rafferty and Murphy. Irishmen passing provided by Chinese hospitals, and church through Tombstone included Buckey O’Neill who and Mexican labor. missions. In July, Within two years of 1881 Nellie traveled to wrote for the Tombstone Epitaph, James Reilly who established a law office in the city, and Con O’Keefe Tombstone’s foundTucson and returned who later became Collector of the Port of Nogales. ing, the town boasted with three Sisters of Western mining camps offered economic opa bowling alley, four Mercy to take charge portunities for women. It was reported that Irish churches, an ice house, of new temporary city women were more likely to provide food and lodga school, two banks, and county hospitals.

1885 ad from the Tombstone Epitaph ing while Anglo-American and Canadian women three newspapers, and an Nellie also worked hard (PRINTED BY JANICE BRYSON FROM A COPY OF THE NEWSPAPER) were more likely to run dress and millinery shops. ice cream parlor. They to raise funds to build Minnie Rafferty apprenticed to a milliner and within existed alongside 110 saloons, 14 gambling halls, and Sacred Heart Catholic Church. A devout Catholic, four years was running her own hat shop. In New numerous dance halls and brothels. she acted as a church officer to hear the confessions York or Boston it would have taken her decades to Irishman Thomas Dunbar was elected as a of Bill Delaney and Dan Kelly as they waited for member of the House of Representatives of the their date with the hangman for their involvement in develop the skills and save enough money to open her own shop. Mary Toomey opened Tombstone’s Arizona Territory and is referred to as “the father of the Bisbee Massacre.

Bodie House, offering room and board and Kate Cochise County” as he introduced a bill to create a When Nellie’s sister Fannie Cunningham passed Killilea opened the Golden Eagle Restaurant. new county. In 1881 the land was taken from the away, Nellie raised her nieces and nephews and enTombstone’s population declined as mining eastern portion of Pima County and Tombstone was sured they received an excellent education. Michael named as the new County Seat. John Behan was Cunningham became President of the Arizona Bank- ceased and the County Seat was moved to Bisbee.

“The Town Too Tough to Die” is a National Historic appointed Sheriff and John Dunbar was appointed er’s Association. His friend, U.S. Marshall George Landmark and visitors can roam the streets and Cochise County’s first treasurer by Governor John C. Mauk, remembered baseball and other games in the dream of glory days gone by.

Fremont. John Callaghan served as Under Sheriff in vacant lots of Tombstone as he was part of CunTombstone before becoming the first state auditor. ningham’s “Irish Gang.” Children in frontier towns Janice Ryan Bryson descended An 1881 census reported that 9,600 people lived had to be tough to survive. The Tombstone Epitaph from Irish pioneers who arrived in the new County. Tombstone’s population was reported that “Lillian McAllister, aged 12, killed a in the Arizona Territory in the 5,300 and listed 2,880 Americans, 579 Irish and rattlesnake on Sunday last with a riding whip, which 1880’s, she is co-founder of 279 English among other nationalities. Hundreds measured over five feet in length.” the Irish Arizona Project and of the Americans listed were of Irish origin. The The first amateur theatre production performed co-author of the book Irish Tombstone Epitaph noted, “The Irish are the least in Tombstone was “The Irish Diamond.” SchiefArizona. Janice is a member clannish of the foreigners and mix indiscriminately felin Hall was opened in 1881 and its grand opening of The First Families of Arizona, Daughters of the with other peoples, while the English almost invariwas a St. Patrick’s Ball held on March 18, 1881 to American Revolution and several women’s agriculture organizations, and serves on several Boards. ably live together.” raise money for the Land League in Ireland. Many

T

The Desert Shamrock

March – April 2015

By Helen Riddell

T

he history of the Galway Hooker fishing boats is well documented, but one of the most well known and most travelled Galway Hookers was the St. Patrick.

St. Patrick’s keel was laid In1909 by Paddy & Joe Casey, members of a well-known boat building family on Mweenish Island, off Carna in County Galway.

The Casey family owned a shop on Mweenish, and the Hooker was built as a means to transport goods to and from their business.

Galway Hookers are a single masted craft, traditionally built from larch, oak and beech, with the timbers being tarred with a creosote and coal mix.

The boat usually contained a small cabin or shelter used for cooking and sleeping.

The Caseys later sold the St. Patrick to the Conroys from Rosmuc, who also used the Hooker for

...continued from page 34

Liz Warren

transporting goods. At one stage St. Patrick was used to transport Padraig Pearse, Thomas McDonagh and Joseph Plunkett to the Aran Islands in an attempt to organize support among the islanders in the run up to the 1916 Easter Rising.

Over the years, St. Patrick continued to transport goods along the Galway coast. However with the arrival of bottled gas and electricity, she was no longer able to earn her keep and eventually fell into disrepair.

In the late 1950s, Dermot Walsh, a young Galway man, along with three others, bought the St. Patrick and sailed her down to Galway docks. However, his three fellow-owners pulled out upon realizing the extent of the work and the cost involved in restoring her. At the time Dermot was serving his apprenticeship at Hickey Boats in Galway City along with two brothers, Michael and Peter Riddell from the Claddagh, a former fishing village in Galway city. Dermot approached the brothers and they agreed to join him in restoring the boat.

The entire restoration of the boat couldn’t have happened without the goodwill of local people in Galway who were only too willing to help the young men in their venture to restore the Hooker. The Galway Harbour Master of the time, arranged for a yard

Caílte replied, “The truth of our hearts, the strength of our arms, and the constancy of our tongues.”

Patrick then asked, “Was Finn McCool, your former lord, a good man?” Caílte responded with a short remembrance of Finn McCool that is still recited to this day.

“Were the dark leaves gold, that the trees discard, And the white waves silver, Finn would give it all away.”

Patrick and his men listened to Caílte tell stories all night. When dawn came, Patrick offered his blessing to Caílte for the glorious stories that had lightened their spirits and their minds.

But Patrick was worried that he had neglected his own prayers and duties by listening to Caílte. He asked his two guardian angels, Aibelán and Sulusbrethach, if it was God’s will that he hear the stories. The angels responded with one voice.

“Dear holy cleric, these old warriors tell you no more than a third of their stories because their memories are faulty. Have these stories written down on poets’ tablets in refined language, so that the hearing of them will provide

The Desert Shamrock

at Galway docks for them to work in and to secure the boat. The 40-foot hooker was lifted from the docks by a hand operated crane supplied by the Limerick Steamship Company and secured on one of only two continued on page 41

ARIZONA:

Did you know?

11. The “Five C’s” of Arizona’s economy are: Cattle, Copper, Citrus, Cotton, and Climate.

HISTORY

The St. Patrick, built in Galway

12. Out of all the states in the U.S., Arizona has the largest percentage of its land designated as Indian lands.

13. More copper is mined in Arizona than all the other states combined, and the Morenci Mine is the largest copper producer in all of North America.

14. The first known Irishman in Arizona was Hugo O’Conor. One of Ireland’s “Wild Geese” that fled to Spain, he founded the city of Tucson on behalf of the King of Spain in August 1775. See story page 16.

PHOTO BY GARY M. JOHNSON

Read more fun and fascinating facts about Arizona NEXT edition.

Arizona’s Official State Historian, Marshall Trimble has been called the “Will Rogers of Arizona.” He’s a “cowboy philosopher,” educator, lecturer, author, folk singer and stage performer, and appears frequently on radio and television.

He created and taught Arizona history at Scottsdale Community College for forty years where he was also Director of Southwest Studies.

entertainment for the lords and commons of later time.”

Patrick immediately assigned scribes to record Caílte’s every word and the two great men and their followers crisscrossed Ireland. Every hill and cross road, every green plain and river reminded Caílte of a story and all the stories he spoke were faithfully recorded.

The next time you hear a magnificent story of Finn McCool, think of Caílte and St. Patrick. And thank the medieval monks who had the sense to legitimize and preserve the stories by associating them with Ireland’s patron saint.

Tales of the Elders of Ireland, translated by Ann Dooley and Harry Roe, Oxford World Classics, 1999.

Liz Warren is the Director of the Storytelling Institute at South Mountain Community College in Phoenix, AZ. She spends every summer in Ireland teaching the Irish Storytelling Tradition as part of Mesa Community College’s Study Abroad Ireland Program (mesacc.edu/sai). Contact her at liz.warren@southmountaincc.edu.

March – April 2015

37

Irish Network Phoenix

BUSINESS

at their wedding. Since then, they’ve been blessed with two children: Cierra (10) Meet Colleen Cutler, Signature Home Loans, LLC and Jake (7).

Because Colleen loves facing chalBy Jan Whalen lenges, it’s no surprise that besides skiing, she runs in marathons. So far, she’s run smile from Colleen Cutler is in one full and 5 half-marathons. The as welcome as a May morning. most unforgettable was the Imogene Pass Yet behind her gracious exterior you’ll find Run in Colorado amongst the 14,000 an astute business woman who knows the ins and foot peaks of the San Juan Mountains. To outs of the ever changing mortgage business. In prepare for such an elevation change, she January, she became a partner at Signature Home trained in Flagstaff. She’s not afraid of Loans, LLC, where she helps make dreams come hard work, even in her leisure time. true, matching homebuyers with just the right lendAfter seven years in the hospitality ing company. business, she longed for a new challenge.

It seems as if her natural talent for business sucSince she’d grown up helping her dad in cess comes from her grandfather, John O’Dowd, the mortgage lending business, it was only who was born in Castlebaldwin, County Sligo, Irenatural to return to that industry. “My land in 1908. With only two dollars in his pocket, dad, Pete, has always been my mentor, so I knew he came to America in 1938, became a butcher and that eventually I’d follow in his footsteps. I joined eventually owned The Manhattan Grocery Compahim at O’Dowd Mortgage in 2001, which has now ny with eight locations throughout New York. Eight become Signature Home Loans, LLC. I can honis also the number of children he and his wife Ellen estly say that I love going to work every day.”

Greevy (born in Roscommon, Ireland) raised before She learned every aspect of this business and moving to Arizona in 1956. continues to study the ever-changing rules, regulaSince Colleen’s four aunts attended a private alltions, and underwriting guidelines. As a broker, girls school, Xavier College Preparatory high school she works with many lenders, and is able to match in Phoenix, it was expected that she would follow clients with just the right lending institution. their lead. Then it was off to Arizona State UniverColleen believes in treating everyone as if they sity where she majored in were a cherished member Recreation Management/ of her family. She feels Aunt Mary Travel and Tourism. She O’Dowd sings it’s best to be honest with “When New York landed a job with the the clients, rather than was Irish” with Hyatt Hotels Corporaslide show of sugar coat bad news and historic photos tion mastering many has become very good at positions in the company asking the right questions and eventually became an assistant manager. to understand each client’s unique needs. For her, the Smiling, she remembers, “I learned a lot about greatest joy is finding a loan for someone who’s faccustomer satisfaction at the Gainey Ranch Hyatt, ing a challenge, perhaps foreclosures or bad credit. but I was single and thought it would be fun to Because financing a home can be stressful in the work in Lake Tahoe for a year—so I could ski. I best of circumstances, Colleen’s goal is to make the ended up staying for three years.” She stayed two whole process as easy as possible. She feels that there’s extra years to win the heart of a handsome coa loan for every home and goes the distance for her worker Don Cutler. Before long, Colleen’s Aunt clients. She values the referrals that come to her. These Mary O’Dowd, a popular Irish folk soloist from referrals may have had an unfortunate experience elseNew York, was singing “The Irish Wedding Song” where or simply prefer to work with a local company.

One such client is Ray. Ray contacted Colleen to inquire about a home loan but due to his financial situation, he Formerly O’Dowd & Associates Mortgage Co. didn’t think home ownerLong-time Phoenix Lender ship was in the cards for him. Colleen encouraged Whether you are buying a new home or want to refinance your him to make an appointcurrent home, call your neighborhood lender ment anyway. Maybe she Pete O’Dowd or Colleen O’Dowd Cutler to get pre-approved. could help. Why not try?

FHA, VA, Conventional and Reverse Mortgages Her diligence paid off and Ray was able to realize his 1599 E. Orangewood Ave. #200 Phoenix, AZ 85020 dream of home ownership.

MB092214 • NMLS# 1007154 • Pete O’Dowd NMLS# 166309 • Colleen Cutler NMLS# 852437 For Colleen, it felt like

A

The O’Dowd Team

Cutler Family in Maui

winning a race.

Because Colleen is community minded, she joined the Irish Network Phoenix last year with the intention of meeting like-minded business professionals. She loves everything about the group, especially the friendly, casual atmosphere that echoes the values of her Irish ancestors. She’s looking forward to many years of friendship and service in the group.

Imogene Pass Run in Colorado

It’s easy to see why Colleen smiles. She has family, fun, and a career that allows her to serve the community. Call her the next time you need to finance your home and you’ll be smiling too.

Jan Whalen, MASL, is the award winning author of Rock Solid Confidence and other books on writing your life story. She holds a Masters in Servant Leadership, and has always been a Servant-Cheerleader. She values assisting authors and speakers in discovering their most confident voice.

623 466-5067; jan@whalenvoices.com

602-248-4200

38

The Desert Shamrock

March – April 2015

Read more at desertshamrock.com to see lyrics to “The Irish Wedding Song” and YouTube video of Colleen’s family in Idaho

Maternal side “Murphy” came from County Cork and father’s side “Morrison” arrived from County Waterford

AMERICAN SAFETY SHOE CO. • SHOEMOBILE AVAILABLE • ESD SHOES • STEEL & NON-STEEL TOED SHOES • SLIP-RESISTANT SOLES

Watch Those Doggone Toes!

1605 W. University #108 Tempe, AZ 85281 (480) 894-1881 FAX (480) 967-8865

Tim Caufield’s Great Grandfather John emigrated from Co. Galway, Ireland in the mid-1800’s

The Desert Shamrock

March – April 2015

39

WRITERS’ WORKSHOP

An Appreciation for Scottish Descent

By Denise Alley

I

am Cherokee, Shawnee, and Otoe from Tahlequah, Oklahoma, the Cherokee Nation. I came to Phoenix in 1990 to visit my father after I finished college in Utah, and ended up staying. I love the colorful sunsets, and as a Native American performing arts family, we often did shows out in the desert for tourists with Rawhide Western Town (family entertainment set in the 1880s’ frontier). My father would play his drum, my brother and son played the wooden flute. I danced in my white buckskin dress and moccasins on the rich red dirt. Since my father has passed, it has become part of my personal values to sing with the drum for my son and granddaughters as we continue to share our culture with others.

With family still living in Oklahoma, I often go back to Tahlequah to visit my mother and relatives. Three years ago before my mother retired from working with the Cherokee Nation government for over 27 years, we had a surprise birthday party for her. One of her friends who worked in the tribal enrollment department gave her an ancestor family pedigree chart that went back more than ten generations. Being curious, after the party I read through the pages. My heart skipped a beat. What? I have a great-great-great-greatgreat-great-great-great-great-great grandfather named John Graunt who was born in 1670 in Irvine, Scotland?

He had a son, Ludovic Grant, who was born in 1698 in Scotland who came over to America. He was fur trader, found and married a Cherokee lady named Elizabeth Tassel. I can only imagine this handsome Scottish man falling in love with a long dark-haired girl. Ludovic died in 1755 in Charleston, South Carolina.

I was born in Beaufort, South Carolina in 1957 (little did I know I was only 70 miles away from where an ancestor died and is buried). Who knew, deep within my veins runs the Scottish blood of ancestors who lived in Scotland and came to the eastern shores of this country to seek a new life?

Today, as I walk on the grey brick steps of the Phoenix Irish Cultural Center; stirs a sense of wonder and appreciation for the sound of bagpipes and Celtic dignity that comes with clans and community, a rich culture to add to my already Native American identity. So now when I see a person wearing a kilt wool skirt, I now stand a little taller, ‘cause I know I come from Scottish ancestry and I am thankful and proud.

Denise Alley on stage at Bridge School Benefit Concert, San Jose, CA

Denise Alley (Cherokee, Shawnee, Scottish) is a speaker, singer, and author of Native Heart. She can be found performing annually with her family at Willie Nelson’s Farm Aid benefit concert and with Neil Young at the Bridge School benefit concerts. Denise speaks to audiences nationwide, and currently resides in Gilbert, AZ. For more information, go to nativestarspeaker.com

ife, One Lessons L y Man HOW

40

TO

WRITE

THE

STORY

OF

YOUR

LIFE

The Desert Shamrock

March – April 2015

Writers’ Workshop

low loaders, which were in use in Galway at the time.

It was a risky and dangerous operation, but once secured on scaffolding, work could begin on restoring this old workhorse of the seas for future generations. Also helping in the restoration was Dave Warner, an old school friend of Michael Riddell; Dave would later go on to be a ship’s pilot in Bantry Bay, West Cork. Tragically Dave, along with 49 others was killed when an oil tanker exploded in Bantry Bay in 1979.

Dermot, Michael and Peter carried out numerous repairs on the St. Patrick, including putting in a new deck and cabin. A propeller shaft and new engine were also installed. When work was finally completed, the St. Patrick was lowered into Galway docks, again with the use of a hand operated crane, and in true nautical fashion a bottle of champagne was broken on the stem of the boat. Celebrations of the launch continued well into the night in Paddy Brennan’s pub in Galway docks. The entire restoration project was a major undertaking for the three men who, all in their early 20s were only just coming to the end of their boatbuilding apprenticeships.

Following her launch, the men undertook many sailing trips around Galway Bay and up to the Aran Islands. This was a turning point in the use of a Hooker and was the first time such a boat was used for leisure sailing, prior to this they had been used solely as workboats. By the late 1960s, work and family commitments led to Dermot, Michael and Peter selling the St. Patrick to a Jim O’Meara in West Cork, who later sold her to Paddy Barry.

Paddy Barry, an avid sailor took the St. Patrick even further afield. She travelled across the Atlantic to take part in the Statue of Liberty celebrations in 1986 and joined in the sail parade of tall ships as they sailed by the statue.

Some years later she sailed to Spitzbergen, Iceland and Greenland. She was also the only Galway Hooker ever to be featured on an Irish postage stamp.

The St. Patrick has a particular attachment for me, as Michael Riddell was my father. Sadly he died in February 2002 and was laid to rest on Bere Island, West Cork. Two months following his death, just a few nautical miles away from Bere Island, the St. Patrick was anchored in Glandore Harbour when she broke her moorings in a storm, and was smashed up on the rocks.

An unhappy end for one of Galway’s finest.

Sedona St. Patrick’s Parade & Festival From Sedona Main Street Program

T

he 45th Annual Sedona St. Patrick’s Parade & Festival will be held on Saturday, March 14 along Jordan Road in Uptown Sedona. Both events are free to attend.

The festivities are presented by Sedona Main Street Program, NAU Parks and Recreation Management Program, and the Sedona Green Team. The parade starts at 10:30 a.m. from Jordan Historical Park and proceeds south on Jordan Road to Mesquite Avenue. Parade entrants include dignitaries and civic, social, cultural and religious organizations, with area businesses.

The free Festival begins immediately following the parade, featuring children’s and family activities and food booths until 3 p.m. Located adjacent to the parade route at 340 Jordan and on Apple Avenue.

SEDONA

...continued from page 37

Contact: Holly Epright, 928-204-2390, info@sedonamainstreet.com

Helen Riddle is a freelance journalist including the Southern Star, and the Castletownbere Correspondent for the Marine Times, the leading paper for Ireland’s fishing industry.

Helen relocated to her mother’s native home of Bere Island, Co. Cork in 2002, and is a family member of the 2012 Rose of Tralee Haley O’Sullivan (raised in Arizona).

Performing at Chieftains concert March 17 SEE BACK PAGE

The Desert Shamrock

March – April 2015

41

FEATURE

...continued from page 28

Celtic fans are referred to as “Tims” because when the team originated, Irishmen were commonly named Timothy.

Left to right: Seamus, Peter, mother, Damien

Parents’ wedding with grandfather, James McDonnell (bottom middle) who worked on Titanic

years, then followed his six siblings to America, first living in Connecticut and then, to our benefit, coming to Phoenix.

“I hated it immediately,” he said. But he stuck it out, working first as a rep for Irish manufacturer Power Screen, and then for Courtesy Chevrolet. He opened the first truly Irish pub, the Dubliner, and was the first publican in Phoenix to bring in draught Guinness. He later opened Seamus McCaffrey’s in downtown Phoenix, and Rosie McCaffrey’s (named for his wife Rosemarie.)

He formed the Bobby Murdock Celtic Supporters Club, and brings in live televised games, opening the doors at Rosie McCaffrey’s no matter the hour of the game, be it 2 a.m. or 9 a.m. of a Saturday or Sunday. Fans are welcome and can enjoy coffee and snacks as they watch the game, or drink, depending on state and local laws; but the real draw is the game and the happy atmosphere.

The fans can be as few as two or as many as 30 to 40 on any given game date.

Membership is a nominal fee but non-

How does a gal named Carmelita claim to be Irish? Scottish, even? Granny Holland’s family hailed from Ennis, County Clare, and Grandpa Maxwell from the Borderlands, Scotland. Her husband’s mother was a Dowdall, and he had a Grandma O’Higgins…ye can’t be more Irish than that!

...continued from page 9

prisoners - tutsaklar. The operation of the slave market is described in great detail by the French Fr. Pierre Dan, a priest of the Trinitarian Order, courageous men who chose to work among the slaves. “It was a pitiful sight. Handsome women were sold into harems while others labored daily.” People were auctioned like animals at an Irish country fair. A Venetian diplomat compared it to a Turkish slave market he’d seen. “Every Wednesday, in the open street, there are bought and sold slaves of all sorts, and everyone may freely come to buy for their several uses; some for nurses, some for servants, and some for their lustful appetites...”

Thus one can imagine what became of those poor,

42

The Desert Shamrock

members are welcomed. For information on game days, please check at www.celticfc.net/matchday.

A serious regret for Seamus was that he never learned Gaeilge (qwail-a-ga) (Irish.) To our readers, Seamus says it is most important to be proud of our Irish heritage, no matter if it’s full, half, or ten generations back, we should retain that as something to be proud of.

Cousin, Jim Jordan, boxer for Ireland and a pro.

unfortunate souls who were snatched from the civilized world into a society of godless men. The Stolen Village is a primer on a filthy culture that exists to this day. The kidnappings of young boys and girls and murders by the African Islamist terror group Boko Haram are just one example. While the book doesn’t shed any light on the what happened to specific individual souls from Baltimore, nonetheless it opened my eyes to an unbelievable history that only the U.S. Marines remembered for us in their history and theme song, “From the Halls of Montezuma to the Shores of Tripoli”...

Sullivan is an internationally-published writer residing in Northfield Village, Ohio. The book can be ordered through Amazon.com.

March – April 2015

The McGurk Law Firm, P.L.L.C.

An Arizona Professional Limited Liability Company Joseph P. McGurk, Esq. Principal

jmcgurk@themcgurklawfirm.com www.themcgurklawfirm.com

The McGurk Law Firm is a boutique law practice focused upon civil litigation and business counseling.

Our core competencies are the often interrelated practice areas of: • Corporate governance and Business Organizations Law • Commercial Transactions and Contract law • Real Estate Law • Employment Law • Civil Litigation and Trials • Alternative Dispute Resolution

The firm works collaboratively with its clients, both large and small, to tailor legal solutions that fit each of their specific needs. The firm leverages relationships, knowledge and expertise developed over the course of founder Joseph P. McGurk’s 15 years of practice in both New York and Arizona to provide the very best in creative, cost effective solutions and legal representation.

Phoenix Cave Creek

40 N. Central Avenue 37617 N. Cave Creek Rd. Suite 1400 Suite 102 Phoenix Arizona 85004 Cave Creek, Arizona 85331

T: (602) 283-1039 T: (480) 503-8651 F: (602)-343-1801

The Desert Shamrock

March – April 2015

43

OUT DIRECTORIES & ABOUT

ARIZONA COLLEEN PROGRAMS

IRISH CULTURAL CENTER

The Arizona Colleen and Rose of Tralee Selection, Arizona Irish Lass and Little Miss Shamrock programs select young ladies of Irish descent to participate as spokespersons at area events. Prize packages for each competition. The Colleen wins a trip to Ireland and $1,000 scholarship. For details, visit www.azcolleen.org or contact Erin Sweeney-Morgan, Chair, 602-373-7931, info@azcolleen.org.

The mission of the ICC is to provide a link between the people of Arizona and the people of Ireland and other Celtic cultures. The Academy of Celtic Studies and the Celtic Concert Series are major programs. The Center is available for private rentals; call direct to 602-258-0109. Info and tours: 602-392-7850, www.azirish.com

ARIZONA LAW ENFORCEMENT EMERALD SOCIETY (ALEES)

Formed in the 1970s to bring together people of Irish heritage in Arizona, the group sponsors social events throughout the year. Meetings are held on the first Wednesday of each month at 7pm at the ICC. Contact: Anna O’Hara, President, 480-345-9517

ALEES was incorporated in 2004 to promote and celebrate accomplishments of Irish-Americans in law enforcement. Its members, families and friends support ALEES Foundation, a non-profit 501(c)(3) created in 2012 to provide financial assistance to the families of injured and fallen brothers and sisters in Arizona law enforcement. If interested in becoming a member or volunteering, contact us at http://azemeraldsociety.org.

THE CALEDONIAN SOCIETY OF ARIZONA Our mission is to promote Scottish culture through art, education, and athletics. Each year we grant scholarships to aspiring and professional Highland athletes, musicians, dancers and/or any other individuals or organizations whose mission, project or program promotes Scottish heritage.

We meet the 2nd Thursday of each month for drinks, entertainment and Scottish fun! Everyone welcome! ArizonaScots.com.

CELTIC HARVEST FESTIVAL SEDONA, SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 20 AT VERDE VALLEY SCHOOL Enjoy the sounds of Celtic music and dance, storytelling, and poetry, wares for sale, workshops by artisans, sheepherding demos, art of falconry, Fairy Village children’s activities, lots of food and drink! New this year Scottish heavy athletics! Adults $15; Teens $5; under 11 yrs. old free. www. celticharvestfestival.com

DAUGHTERS OF SCOTIA DESERT THISTLE LODGE #260 Formed in 2005 to promote Scottish heritage. Ladies of ancestry, married to a Scot or born in Scotland may join. We hold monthly meetings, tea socials, a teahouse at the AZ Highland Games and attend Scottish events.

We support Highland dance competition and other charities. Contact: Bethany Tso at 602-770-7565 or clanwoman924@yahoo.com

DESERT IRISH WOLFHOUND ASSOCIATION (DIWA) A non-profit corporation, DIWA is committed to improving the health and welfare of Irish Wolfhounds throughout Arizona; encouraging responsible ownership through mentoring and education of its members; and maintaining a source of Irish Wolfhound specific rescue/rehoming contacts statewide. Dues are $20 for a single and $30 for a family membership. For information, contact Christine Davis, President, 602-439-1783; or Pam Clark, Rehoming Coordinator, 928-821-6009; www.desertirishwolfhounds.org.

FRIENDS OF SAINT PATRICK CENTRE – AZ CHAPTER The nonprofit organization was formed in 2011 to promote positive relationships between Arizona and Northern Ireland. Through education, cultural exchanges and charitable events, the Chapter nurtures St. Patrick’s legacy. Meetings held quarterly at the ICC. Contact: Glenda Walker at 602-277-1376, www.saintpatrickcentre.com

GRAND CANYON CELTIC ARTS ACADEMY It offers classes in Irish music, dance, and language to children ages 7+ (July 14-18, 2014) and adults (July 15-17, 2014). Come learn something new or improve your current skills with members of Runa and Zac Legér. Classes in fiddle, whistle, guitar, bodhrán, Irish language, dance, and more!

Contact: Kari Barton, 928-600-1365, kari@grandcanyoncelticarts.org

IRISH AMERICAN CLUB WEST VALLEY Our purpose is to bring together individual of Irish descent and others interested in Irish culture through our monthly socials. Everyone is welcome; it is part of our Irish hospitality. The Club meets monthly October through May for dinner and dancing at the Sun City Country Club. Dues are $10 per year. For information or a complementary newsletter, contact Maura McConnell, Secretary, 623-933-3698, hummel4fun@aol.com.

44

The Desert Shamrock

IRISH FOUNDATION OF ARIZONA

JIM THOMSON U.S. SCHOOL OF PIPING & DRUMMING This bagpipe and drum school is dedicated to excellence in bagpiping as well as camaraderie and fun. All levels of students are welcome! Instructors are brought from Scotland, Ireland, Canada and the U.S. Contact: Eric Poleski, Administrator, ericpoleski@cox.net, 702-270-8974 home, 702-340-8859 cell, 928-556-3161, www.nachs.info

LOS SAN PATRICIOS DE ARIZONA (ST. PATRICK’S BATTALION) The organization honors the 150-year-old bond of friendship existing today between Mexico and Ireland. Each year, a fiesta celebrates with a dinner saluting those of Irish and Mexican heritage. Contacts: Wm. Howard O’Brien, El Capitán, 480-951-1152, whoco@cox.net; John Reilly, Captain, 602-242-1555; Héctor Corona, el Teniente (Lieutenant), 602-722-7589; Felix Corona and Ernie Patino, El Tenientes.

NORTHERN ARIZONA CELTIC HERITAGE SOCIETY The nonprofit organization is dedicated to presenting, promoting, and preserving Celtic culture. Each year we host the Arizona Highland Celtic Festival (July 19-20, 2014), the Jim Thomson U.S. School of Piping & Drumming (July 11-18, 2014), and the Grand Canyon Celtic Arts Academy (July 15-18, 2014). Contact Jude McKenzie, information@nachs.info, 928-556-3161, ww.nachs.info.

PHOENIX ST. PATRICK’S DAY PARADE & FAIRE COMMITTEE Formed in 1983, the Committee has the responsibility for organizing the annual Phoenix St. Patrick’s Day Parade and the Faire that follows, which are held on Saturday (the closest before or falling on March 17); and the Arizona Colleen Programs throughout the year. It is entirely volunteers and meets the second Tuesday of each month at 7 pm at the ICC. Contact: Harry Sexton, President, 602-863-9198.

PHOENIX ST. PATRICK’S DAY PARADE It is one of the largest parades in Arizona! Celebrate being Irish with the entire Valley. Coming up Saturday, March 14, 2015, 10am; route is Third Street south from Sheridan to Moreland, FREE. Contact: John Corcoran, Chair, 623-939-1183, www.stpatricksdayphoenix.org.

PHOENIX ST. PATRICK’S DAY FAIRE Fun for the entire family, it showcases Irish music, step dancing, Irish and Celtic arts and crafts, plus traditional Irish foods and beverages.

Coming up Saturday, March 14, 2015, 10am-5pm at the Irish Cultural Center and Margaret Hance Park grounds. Contact: Mary Moriarty, Chair, 602-258-0109, www.stpatricksdayphoenix.org.

PRESCOTT AREA CELTICS SOCIETY (PACS) Our organization, a 501(c)(3), exists in order to promote cultural pride in Celtic heritage through education, scholarships, activities, special events and the annual Prescott Highland Games. It is a love of all things Celtic which drives our association. Dues are $10 for single and $15 per couple per year. For information, call Andy Hamilton 928-642-0020 or Jill Nelson 928-443-1422, regjill@q.com; P.O. Box 12912, Prescott, AZ 86304-2912; www.prescotthighlandgames.com.

RIORDAN MANSION STATE HISTORIC PARK Built in 1904 for two Irish brothers, Riordan Mansion is an architectural treasure offering a glimpse into the lives of Flagstaff’s early Irish settlers.

The “fairy ring” seen on the outdoor self-guided tour hints at the Irish tradition of providing fairies an outdoor dancing space, preventing mischief inside. For admission rates and hours call 928-779-4395.

March – April 2015

CELTIC DANCE SCHOOLS

Chartered on April 21, 1981 in North Carolina, membership is open to all Active Duty and Veterans of the USA and the British Commonwealth who are of Scot or Scot-Irish lineage. For more information, contact SAMS Flagstaff Post 2000, George G. Shoemaker, 928-607-1600, gduffer@suddenlink.net.

Kari Maschino, 480-242-7760, Kari@maschinodance.com, www.maschinodance.com, Gilbert, Tempe, Peoria

SCOTTISH-AMERICAN MILITARY SOCIETY (SAMS), PRESCOTT Membership is open to honorably discharged veterans or active duty or reserve military persons who have served or are serving with any branch of the United States or Commonwealth Armed Forces, of Scottish ancestry. We welcome your membership. Currently there are 39 Posts within the United States.

Contact: Reg Nelson, 928-443-1422; SAMS Prescott Post 1297, “The Arizona Highlanders,” P.O. Box 2245, Prescott, AZ 86302-2245; sams. commander.post1297@gmail.com.

CELTIC SISTER CITIES

CHANDLER-TULLAMORE, IRELAND SISTER CITIES

MASCHINO SCHOOL OF HIGHLAND DANCE

MICHAEL PATRICK GALLAGHER SCHOOL OF IRISH DANCE MPGirishdance@yahoo.com, www.mpgirishdance.com Michael Patrick, TCRG, ADCRG, 602-896-4078 Ann Paitel, TCRG 602-316-3199

MAGUIRE ACADEMY OF IRISH DANCE Classes in Phoenix, Tucson, Dallas, and Houston Info@maguireacademy.com; www.maguireacademy.com (520) 319-0204. Darren Maguire, TCRG, ADCRG

CELTIC MUSICIANS The Strand Traditional Irish and Irish-American Music, 480-208-4687, info@thestrandmusic.com, www.thestrandmusic.com, facebook.com/thestrandmusic

Ellen Harrington, President 480-600-8509, chan.to.tull@gmail.com, www.chandlerirish.org

PHOENIX-ENNIS, IRELAND SISTER CITIES Mary Hill-Connor, Committee Chairperson 602-635-9760, mary.hillconnor@gmail.com www.phoenixsistercities.org

TUCSON-ROSCOMMON, IRELAND SISTER CITIES Colleen Kelly Beaman, Chair 520-743-7979, Ckbeaman@hotmail.com P.O. Box 42543, Tucson, AZ 85745; and Facebook

DIRECTORIES

SCOTTISH-AMERICAN MILITARY SOCIETY (SAMS), FLAGSTAFF

Andrew Mirtich, publican, is son to Annie Mulally, whose family originally hails from County Galway

Admission to Seamus’ or Rosie’s is a donation to the Arizona Law Enforcement Emerald Society Foundation so paying once gets you into both pubs all day on St. Pat’s!

18 W. Monroe • Phoenix, AZ 85003

www.seamusmccaffreys.com

The Desert Shamrock

Born in Birr Co. Offaly, Ireland

March – April 2015

45

CALENDAR

MARCH-APRIL 2015

MICHAEL LONDRA’S CELTIC FIRE Sunday, March 8 2:30pm

[All events are in Arizona USA unless otherwise noted]

CHANDLER CENTER FOR THE ARTS

IRISH CULTURAL CENTER (ICC) MCCLELLAND IRISH LIBRARY

www.chandlercenter.

PUBLIC WALK-IN HOURS org, 480-782-2680 (TOURS, LIBRARY & GENEALOGY) See ad page 9 Tuesday-Saturday • 10am – 3pm Wednesday Evenings (Library only) • 3pm – 8pm ANCIENT IRISH CUSTOMS AND BREHON LAW Open Other Hours for Scheduled Classes, Meetings Wednesday, March 11 • 7pm to 8 pm & Events McClelland Library; 602-864-2351 1106 N. Central Ave., Phoenix 85004 A FREE lecture about ancient Irish customs and laws www.azirish.org

by Dr. Patrick Browne See ad page 27 www.azirishlibrary.org

TWICE MONTHLY CEILI

LEGENDS OF THE CELTIC HARP IN CONCERT

(IRISH SOCIAL DANCING) All ages; instructor & live music Fridays • 7pm – 9pm Mar. 13, 20; Apr 10, 17; May 8, 15 $6; cash bar

“THE COWGIRL WHO BECAME A JUSTICE: SANDRA DAY O’CONNOR” INTERACTIVE ART EXHIBITION McClelland Irish Library, Phoenix Now through May 23; $5-$10 Exhibit Tour Tues. – Sat. • 10am – 3pm; Wed. • 3pm – 8pm CLOSED MARCH 14 See story in September-October 2014 edition

NOLA YERGEN’S FABULOUS COSTUMES On Display at Sky Harbor Int’l. Airport, Phoenix Terminal 3 in the outer part of the building near Starbucks Now through June See story in July-August 2014 edition

HAVE PASSPORT - WILL TRAVEL EXHIBIT Now through March 28 Paula Cullison travel writer / photographer ASU Polytech Campus Library

Saturday, March 7 • 10:30am to 12:30pm McClelland Irish Library Free includes craft; 602-864-2351 www.azirishlibrary.org, info@azirishlibrary.org

SOCKS IN THE FRYING PAN AND THE OUTSIDE TRACK IN CONCERT Sunday, March 1 • 7pm MIM Music Theater 4725 E. Mayo Blvd, Phoenix, AZ 85050 Blending traditional Celtic melodies with innovative rhythmic and melodic garnish Tickets: $29.50-$37.50 MIM.org or 480-478-6000 See ad page 11

KISS ME I’M IRISH FUNDRAISER RUN & WALK Saturday, March 14 • 7:17 am FUNDRAISER supports Prostate On-Site Project Westgate Entertainment District 6770 N. Sunrise Blvd Glendale, Arizona 85305 Pet Friendly! Live Irish Music! Strollers Welcome!

Chip Timed 17k Run 8k USATF Sanctioned Run/Walk 4k Run/Walk; Irish “k” (a wee bit like a 1k!) www.irishrunaz.com See page 4

EXPERIENCE IRELAND EVENT

FAMILY STORY HOUR

46

Wednesday, March 11 • 7pm Coconino Center for the Arts 2300 N. Fort Valley Rd., Flagstaff Presented by Living Traditions Presentations Premier Celtic harpers Patrick Ball, Lisa Lynne, and Aryeh Frankfurter have created a dramatic ensemble that takes you deep into the myths, magic, and fabled history of this most captivating instrument and spoken-word vocals into captivating theatrical performances.

Tickets: $16 in advance, $18 day of show Info: 928-779-2300; www.flagartscouncil.org

Sat. & Sun. March 14-15 • 9am to 5pm Musical Instrument Museum 4725 E. Mayo Blvd, Phoenix, AZ 85050 Activities included with paid museum admission Tickets: $20 adults, $15 teens, $10 ages 4-12, free ages 3 and under Make plans to join MIM for its fourth annual celebration of Irish music and culture at Experience Ireland. Enjoy music, crafts, Irish dancing and storytelling; it’s a perfect way to celebrate Celtic culture!

MIM.org or 480-478-6000 See ad page 11

32ND ANNUAL PHOENIX ST. PATRICK’S DAY PARADE AND IRISH FAIRE Saturday, March 14 • 10am FREE Parade starts 3rd and Sheridan Streets going south to Moreland Grand Marshal Brian P. Tobin, Battalion Chief, Phoenix Fire Department Theme: Celebrating 32 - 32 years of parades and 32 counties in Ireland

The Desert Shamrock

Faire 10am to 5 pm at Margaret Hance Park, adjacent to the Irish Cultural Center Features three stages of Irish music, dancers, kids area, food, crafters Faire cash admission: $10; $8 for seniors and military; children 12 & under free Info: www.stpatricksdayphoenix.org or call 602-2809221 See page 13 for details

45TH ANNUAL SEDONA ST. PATRICK’S PARADE & FESTIVAL Saturday, March 14 • 10:30am Uptown Sedona – FREE Parade proceeds along Jordan Road Festival along Apple Avenue immediately follows the parade until 3 p.m. featuring free family and children’s activities plus food booths.

See page xx for details

COLLEEN IRISH TITLEHOLDERS AT CELTIC WEEKEND Sunday, March 15 (performing for the Queen) Arizona Renaissance Festival Discount tickets online with code “SHAMROCK” See ad page xx

28TH ANNUAL TUCSON ST PATRICK’S DAY PARADE Sunday, March 15 Tucson Irish Festival begins 10am in Armory Park Parade begins 11am from Stone and 16th Street www.tucsonstpatricksday.com See page xx for details

ST. PATRICK’S DAY AT RIORDAN MANSION! Sunday, March 15 • 2pm to 5:30pm 409 W. Riordan Road, Flagstaff; 928.853.7792 Celebrate the Irish heritage of the Riordan family with music, raffles of Irish goodies, refreshments, dancers, crafts for kids, leprechauns, and Irishthemed tours of Riordan Mansion.

No RSVP required. Event is FREE Whiskey tasting $15; Regular admission for tours

ST. PATRICK’S DAY Tuesday, March 17 Irish Cultural Center, Phoenix

CHIEFTAINS IN CONCERT With Phoenix Pipe Band & Len Wood performance Tuesday, March 17 • 7:30pm Scottsdale Center for the Performing Arts www.scottsdaleperformingarts.org See ads pages 41 and BACK COVER

WIN TRIP TO NORTHERN IRELAND! Young Ambassador applications due by March 17 Friends of Saint Patrick Centre – Arizona Chapter Men or Women, ages 20-25 Travel July 3-17 www.saintpatrickcentre.com Info: Glenda Walker, 602-277-1376 (after noon)

March – April 2015

The Caledonian Society of Arizona Wednesday, March 18 • 7pm to 9pm FREE Meet Nessie! Wine, beer & Preview Loch Ness Arts & Fashion District 300 West Camelback Road Phoenix 85013 www.arizonascots.com

KICK-OFF EVENT | WESTIN KIERLAND PIPE JAM & GLENMORANGIE SINGLE MALT SCOTCH TASTING The Caledonian Society of Arizona Friday, March 20 • 7pm to 9pm FREE Westin Kierland Resort & Spa 6902 E Greenway Pkwy, Scottsdale 85254 www.arizonascots.com

ALTAN, WITH IRISH DANCERS AND LIZ CARROLL IN CONCERT [NEW]

SAVE THE DATE:

Saturday, March 28 • 8:00pm Berger Performing Arts Center 1200 West Speedway Blvd., Tucson From Ireland, Altan plays fiddles (2 of Irelands best in one band), accordion, various strings, whistles and has two vocalists, Mairead Ni Mhaonaigh, also one of two fiddlers, and also guitarist and vocalist Daithi Sproule. Both Mairead and Daithi sing in Irish Gaelic and in English.

Tickets: $30; $27 for seniors and TFTM members (available online); At door: $33/$30 Select seats are now at Antigone Books, 411 N 4th Avenue and The Folk Shop, 2525 N. Campbell Info and disability seats: 520-981-1475 Co-sponsored by Tucson Friends of Traditional Music

OLD BLIND DOGS IN CONCERT

ALTAN IN CONCERT

TARTANIC IN CONCERT [ Friday, March 20 Irish Cultural Center, Phoenix

51ST ANNUAL GLENMORANGIE SCOTTISH GATHERING & HIGHLAND GAMES The Caledonian Society of Arizona Sat. & Sun., March 21-22 • 6pm Gates open at 9am both days, close 7pm on Sat & 4pm on Sun Steele Indian School Park 300 E. Indian School Rd | Phoenix 85012 Tickets range $5-$17; Add second day for only $10 Press Queries: J. Carro 480.495.8924; jc@marketingideals.com General Info: GamesChair@ArizonaScots.com See page 31 for details

AFTER PARTY | CEILIDH The Caledonian Society of Arizona Saturday, March 21 • 5pm to 7pm GhillIie Dhu Pub Stage (on the GAMES’ park grounds) FREE with Saturday ticket or $5.00 at the gate after 5pm • www.arizonascots.com

ZAKIR HUSSAIN AND THE CELTIC CONNECTION IN CONCERT Tuesday, March 24 • 7pm & 9pm MIM Music Theater 4725 E. Mayo Blvd, Phoenix, AZ 85050 This classical tabla virtuoso, considered a national treasure in his native India, brings together the greatest Indian musicians with stellar Celtic artists Tickets: $44.50-$52.50 (7pm); $34.50-$42.50 (9pm) MIM.org or 480-478-6000 See ad page 11

Sunday, March 29 • 4pm & 7pm Irish folk and traditional music group from County Donegal MIM Music Theater 4725 E. Mayo Blvd, Phoenix 85050 Tickets: $37.50-$47.50 MIM.org or 480-478-6000 See ad page 11

EASTER RISING REMEMBRANCE Saturday, April 4 • 10am Irish Cultural Center, Phoenix Irish Mythology Lecture [NEW] Thursday, April 9 • 7pm Info: 602-258-0109

2ND ANNUAL AZ CELTIC WOMAN Saturday, April 11 Irish Cultural Center, Phoenix

PHOENIX MAYOR’S INTERNATIONAL GALA Thursday, April 23 • 6:00 pm Sheraton Downtown Phoenix 340 N. Third Street, Phoenix 85004 Presented by Phoenix Sister Cities Tickets: $130 (fundraiser) www.phoenixsistercities.org See ad page 29

Friday, May 8 • 8:00pm Berger Performing Arts Center 1200 West Speedway Blvd., Tucson “A Scots neo-trad supergroup, with a bracingly modern musical attack.” Montreal Gazette.

Tickets on sale NOW online, reserved seating $22 advance, discounts available; Door: $25 Select seats are now at Antigone Books, 411 N 4th Avenue and The Folk Shop, 2525 N. Campbell Co-sponsored by Tucson Friends of Traditional Music

PRESCOTT HIGHLAND GAMES 2015 Two-Day Games presenting “All Things Scottish” Sat. & Sun., May 9-10 • 9am to 5pm Watson Lake Park on Hwy. 89 North of Prescott The Highland Games are a very old tradition from Scotland but we are proud of being Celtic and offer our Games to anyone who is Celtic or just interested.

Highland Dancing, Bagpipes, Ancient Athletic Events, Traditional Food and Vendors Tickets $10, $15, $20; Children 5 and under Free Advance Tickets: http://www.brownpapertickets. com/event/935887 Info: prescotthighlandgames.com

Portlaoise, Ireland May 27-31 Support 2015 Arizona Rose Mallory Melton! www.roseoftralee.ie

GRAND CANYON CELTIC ARTS ACADEMY

BOOK DISCUSSION GROUP Saturday, April 25 • 10:30am to12:30pm “Heroes and Myths in Irish Literature” cont.

McClelland Irish Library Presented by Joyce East and Mary Wilber Cost: Free; 602-864-2351 www.azirishlibrary.org, info@azirishlibrary.org See story page 26

DAUGHTERS OF SCOTIA SPRING TEA

Saturday, March 28 • 10:30am to12:30pm “Heroes and Myths in Irish Literature” McClelland Irish Library Presented by Joyce East and Mary Wilber Cost: Free; 602-864-2351 www.azirishlibrary.org, info@azirishlibrary.org See story page 26

Sunday, April 26 • 2-4pm Irish Cultural Center, Phoenix Celebrate Spring with scrumptious tea sandwiches and sweets and share tea with ladies of all ages.

Tickets $5.00 Contact: Bethany Mathers Tso, autumnphyre@cox. net; or Janet Grant, tisdalejanet@gmail.com

The Desert Shamrock

OLD BLIND DOGS RETURN!! IN CONCERT

ROSE OF TRALEE REGIONAL FESTIVAL

BOOK DISCUSSION GROUP

Thursday, May 7 • 7pm 2300 N. Fort Valley Rd., Flagstaff Presented by Living Traditions Presentations A group that blends dynamic percussion, polished vocals, soaring fiddle and stirring pipes that fuel the delicately-phrased melodies and traditional songs.

Winner Scots Traditional Music Awards two years.

Cost $25 in advance, $30 day of show Info: 928-779-2300; www.flagartscouncil.org

CALENDAR

KICK-OFF EVENT | CHANGING HANDS FIRST DRAFT BOOK BAR & THE COMMONS @ THE NEWTON

July 13-17 Flagstaff 18 classes and 2 concerts! www.grandcanyoncelticarts.org

D-BACKS CELTIC HERITAGE DAY Sunday, September 13 • 1:10 pm Game Multi-Media Events starting 90 minutes pre-game I’m 1 in a Million! EVENT Arizona Diamondbacks v. Los Angeles Dodgers Chase Field Stadium, Phoenix Details coming Sponsored in part by The Desert Shamrock Info: Page 17

March – April 2015

47

ST. PATRICK’S DAY CONCERT

Paddy Moloney

The Chieftains And Special Guests

Tuesday, March 17, 7:30 p.m.

After more than 50 years of innovative music-making, The Chieftains are the best-known Irish band in the world today.

Supporting Sponsor

Late Nite Catechism Comedies

Starring Patti Hannon | Performed Weekly Late Nite Catechism Through March 27 Late Nite Catechism III: ’Til Death Do Us Part Through March 28 Sister’s Easter Catechism: Will My Bunny Go to Heaven?

March 31 – April 5

Order your tickets today! click call visit

ScottsdalePerformingArts.org 480-499-TKTS (8587) 7380 E. Second St.

Order your tickets today! click call visit

ScottsdalePerformingArts.org 480-499-TKTS (8587) 7380 E. Second St.