Irish Post - St Patricks Day 2022 by IrishPost

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ST PATRICK’S DAY

A CELEBRATION OF IRELAND IN LONDON – MARCH 12 & 13 THANK YOU KEY WORKERS LEAD PARADE AS GRAND MARSHALS

MAN ON A MISSION THE LIFE AND LEGACY OF ST PATRICK

DAMIEN DEMPSEY SUCCESS STORIES

IRISH ACHIEVERS ACROSS THE GLOBE

FOODIE FAVES

TRADITIONAL ATE RECIPES TO CRE AT HOME

MUSICAL ICON TAKES TO THE MAIN STAGE

ST PATRICK’S QUIZ TEST YOUR KNOWLEDGE OF ALL THINGS IRISH

#StPatsDayLDN

Wishing you all a Happy St. Patrick’s Day

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ST PATRICK’S DAY CELEBRATIONS RETURN

Make St Patrick’s day 2021 an extra special one

WELCOME BACK TO THE LONDON ST PATRICK’S DAY PARADE AND FESTIVAL

It’s been two years of waiting but the St Patrick’s Day party finally returns to the capital this week. The annual event, which sees the city turn a vibrant shade of emerald green in honour of Ireland’s national day, was cancelled in 2020 and took place virtually in 2021 due to the Covid-19 pandemic. Finally, for 2022 it returns to the capital – in person – with all the excitement, colour and activities that it is known and loved for. Now in its 19th year, the Mayor of London’s St Patrick’s Day Festival is the largest celebration of Irish culture and community in London. It has been built upon a robust foundation of tradition, inclusivity and diversity and a sincere appreciation for the perspectives of different generations. It is a pinnacle event in London’s cultural calendar that showcases the best of Irish arts, performance, culture, food, and music from both Britain and Ireland. For 2022 it takes place across March 12 and 13. Irish Music on the Underground returns on Saturday, March 12, bringing the best of Irish music and dancing to the platforms of Tottenham Court Road underground station from 12noon to 3pm. On Sunday, March 13, the historic annual St Patrick’s parade will take place.

This celebration of Irish heritage, culture and community attracts more than 50,000 people to the city’s streets each year. They watch on in awe as the colourful procession of floats, community organisations, Irish marching bands from the UK, US and Ireland, dance troupes and all the best of parade pageantry passes them by. For 2022 it will be led by 11 Grand Marshals – all key workers from within Britain’s Irish community who have helped lead the battle against the Covid-19 pandemic over the past two years. Ireland’s Taoiseach (prime minister) Micheál Martin will also pay a special visit to the capital to walk in the parade. The procession starts at Hyde Park Corner, then travels through Piccadilly, Regent Street and Cockspur Street before ending at Whitehall. And when the parade finishes the festival truly launches into action. The main stage in Trafalgar Square – programmed by the London Irish Centre and supported by Culture Ireland – will feature some of Ireland’s finest acts and artists and is this year hosted by BBC Radio 1 DJ Gemma Bradley. Headlining the concert will be the hugely successful singer-songwriter Damien Dempsey and the iconic Folk band Altan. Elsewhere on the programme there will

be performances by the Irish Pensioners Choir, The Trad Gathering, the Maguire O’Shea Irish Dance School and storyteller Olivia Armstrong. And film fans can indulge in special screenings of Irish movies, hosted by the Irish Film London organisation, throughout the day The 2022 festival is supported by sponsors Tourism Ireland, Culture Ireland, The Irish Post, Bord Bia, Harris Group, Killoughery, J Coffey, BITA, Glencar and Toureen Group.

Fiona Audley Managing Editor

PROGRAMME GUIDE Messages from the Mayor of London, Sadiq Khan and Irish Ambassador to the UK, Adrian O’Neill Page 4 The St Patrick’s Day Parade Pages 6-7 St Patrick – the man, the myth, the legend Pages 8-9 What’s on at the Trafalgar Square concert Pages 10-11

Headliners: Damien Dempsey and Altan Pages 14-15 Leading the way: Meet the 2022 parade Grand Marshals Pages 16-17 Keeping it community - Larry O’Leary, Chair of the St Patrick’s Festival Community Advisory Board Page 18 The Great Big St Patrick’s Day Quiz Pages 24-26

Culture of success - Irish achievers across the globe Pages 28-29 Irish traditions and what’s behind them Pages 32-34 Recipes: Make your favourite Irish dishes at home Pages 40-41

The St Patrick’s Festival guide is designed and produced by The Irish Post, 1 Curzon Street, London, W1J 5HD

www.irishpost.com

@theirishpost theirishpost Editor: Fiona Audley Production: Joe Lindley Advertising: Dara Ashby Reporting: Mal Rogers Pictures: Getty Images

A MESSAGE FROM THE MAYOR OF LONDON, SADIQ KHAN I am delighted that London’s St Patrick’s Day celebrations return to our streets this March. The St Patrick’s Day festival is a spectacular celebration of Irish culture and community in London, and a cornerstone of our city’s cultural calendar, so it has been incredibly disappointing that we have been unable to join together for the last two years. London has the largest Irish population in the UK, and the Irish community’s contribution to the city cannot be understated. During the pandemic in particular, we have seen extraordinary efforts and sacrifices made by Irish Londoners to keep our city going. This year we wanted to pay tribute to the Irish Londoners who have supported our city throughout this devastating pandemic so we are delighted to announce we will be welcoming 11 key workers as our parade Grand Marshals. This year we have an ambitious programme of events happening across London all weekend to

Mayor of London Sadiq Khan

mark the festival’s return. From busking on the Underground to a St Patrick’s film festival by Irish Film London, and of course, the iconic parade and celebrations in Trafalgar Square. On Sunday 13th March from 12-6pm, we will be showcasing the best of Irish arts, performance, culture, food and dance. Trafalgar Square will play host to a world-class line up of Irish

A MESSAGE FROM THE IRISH AMBASSADOR TO THE UK, ADRIAN O’NEILL ON the occasion of St. Patrick’s Day 2022, my wife Aisling and I would like to extend our very best wishes to all in the Irish community, and to friends of Ireland across Britain. This St. Patrick’s Day will be my fifth as Ireland’s Ambassador to the UK. Over these past years, I have been inspired by the manner in which the Irish in Britain have approached our national day. They see it is an opportunity to express pride in their heritage, to meet with friends and family in a spirit of community and solidarity and to host celebrations that are inclusive of the diversity of modern Ireland. Travelling around Britain and meeting with the Irish community around St. Patrick’s Day is an annual highlight for the Embassy team; it reminds us how much our wonderful Irish community contributes to the quality of life in this country. ‘Connections’ is the theme of 4

this year’s St. Patrick’s Day Festival in Dublin and is one that resonates with many of us after the challenges and privations of the past two years. We will relish this opportunity to again safely gather together to celebrate our community, our culture, our heritage and, all going well in Twickenham and Cheltenham, the success of our sporting legends. I know that for Irish people here, one of the most challenging aspects of the past two years were the restrictions on travel between Ireland and Britain. The community here showed great patience and solidarity with these public health measures. As we emerge from the pandemic, I acknowledge the separation and hardship that many felt during this time and thank you for your forbearance and resilience. Thankfully, travel to and gatherings in Ireland are possible again. As we celebrate St. Patrick’s

talent with family concerts, storytelling, children’s films and youth performances, as well community choirs, schools, dance troupes and more. There will be children’s workshops featuring camogie games, medal making and face painting, and a great selection of food and drinks stalls. We will also see the return of the spectacular annual parade of Irish marching bands, dancers and

pageantry, which will wind its way from Green Park to Trafalgar Square. St Patrick’s Day provides a wonderful opportunity to honour the spirit of our Irish community and celebrate the enduring strength of relationship between our two countries. That’s why it’s fitting that this year’s theme is one of celebration and bringing the community back together. I would like to take this opportunity to thank everyone who stepped forward to help, from the healthcare workers and volunteers who cared for those affected by Covid-19 and helped the successful roll out of the vaccination programme, to those who have befriended people in their local communities, helping to distribute food, and providing much needed support. You are the very best of us. I wish you a wonderful St Patrick’s Day. Lá Fhéile Pádraig Sona Daoibh!

Irish Ambassador Adrian O’Neill

Day and all the wonderful diversity of being Irish, people in Britain will have the chance to renew and reinforce those bonds of family, friendship and community across the Irish Sea. Whether you are Irish or a British friend of Ireland, Ireland is open again to visitors and I urge you to

make that visit. Wherever you are today, on behalf of Aisling, myself and the Embassy team, I encourage you to get involved, put on some green and enjoy the festivities. Lá Fhéile Pádraig sona daoibh. Happy St. Patrick’s Day.

Wishes you a Happy St. Patrick’s Day!

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ST PATRICK’S PARADE LONDON: SUNDAY, MARCH 13

THE ST PATRICK’S DAY celebrations return to London this weekend with the capital ready to turn all shades of green for the big day. On March 12 and 13 the Mayor of London’s St Patrick’s Day Parade and Festival take place, bringing with it the best of Irish arts, culture and entertainment. After a two-year hiatus due to Covid-19, this year’s theme is ‘Welcome Back’ or ‘Fáilte ar ais’. The organisers are excited to offer that hearty welcome to the many festival-goers who are ready to come out and celebrate their Irishness or friends of Ireland who will come out to join in the festival fun this weekend. Leading the parade for 2022 as Grand Marshals will be a selection of key workers who have helped wage the war against Covid-19 on the frontline of the battle over the past two years. These Irish men and women, who are living and working in Britain, will take pride of place at the head of the procession as it makes its way through the streets of the capital.

The annual event, which last took place in March 2019, attracts more than 50,000 people to the streets of London each year. It boasts a colourful procession of Irish marching bands from the UK, US and Ireland, dance troupes and community organisations, all flying their flags high as they weave their way through the streets of the capital. It starts at Hyde Park Corner, then travels through Piccadilly, Regent Street, Cockspur Street and Whitehall. At Trafalgar Square there will be a world-class line-up of Irish culture and music on offer from 12noon to 6pm. For 2022 this will feature the phenomenal singer/songwriter Damien Dempsey as well the world-famous folk group Altan. There will be storytelling, Irish films and youth performances, as well as community choirs, schools, dance troupes and collectives. Ryan J. Matthews-Robinson, better known as Ragz-CV, is a spoken word artist from South London, who will perform on the main stage. Originally from Brixton, the poet of mixed-

race (Jamaican and Irish) heritage is known for his first E.P. Paying Homage to the King, produced by his grandad in 2012, which made over £10,000 for the Alzheimer’s Society charity. The Irish Pensioners Choir will give a special performance on the day too – joined by their friends from Hackney School of Folk and Mondegreen Folk Club. With ages ranging from four to 84, this group shows the power of Irish culture in uniting generations in song, music and friendship.

It’s time to prepare for the St Patrick’s Day party

ST PATRICK’S FESTIVAL MAP – TRAFALGAR SQUARE

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ST PATRICK’S

F EST IVA L

T R A FA LG A R SQUARE

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FOOD & DRINK 01 02 03 04

Bar The Veg Shed Eat The Farm Anna Haugh, Myrtle Restaurant 05 Secret Gold Mine

06 Phat Waffles Truly Wafflicious 07 Clonakilty and Home Town Rolls 08 Paddys 09 Tea Room

10 Children’s Workshops 11 Fr Murphy’s Camogie & Ladies Football Club 12 Irish Cultural Centre, Hammersmith

13 Irish Film London 14 Conradh na Gaeilge i Londain 15 The Irish Post 16 Tourism Ireland

17 18 19 20 21

Old Bog Cottage Wembley Souvenirs Hospitality Toilets Stage

22 Mobiloo DDA 23 First Aid 24 Accreditation

ROUTE OF ST PATRICK’S DAY PARADE – SUNDAY, MARCH 13

St Patrick —

the man, the myth, the legend FOR most of the world, St Patrick epitomises Irishness. Popular culture paints a picture of a great party-goer, who probably invented Guinness, loved the craic, always dressed in green as a proud Irishman, and, oh yes, didn’t he drive the snakes out of Ireland? Well, in a word, no — to all of the above. Having said that, hard facts about Patrick are very scarce to come by. He was probably born somewhere on the island of Britain, and likely of Roman stock. In his teenage years Patrick’s life took a surprising turn — and a none too pleasant one. A severe jolt to his system was administered by Irish pirates who kidnapped him, selling him on as a slave. According to legend, Patrick may have ended up somewhere near what is now Killala in Co. Mayo. But — and this is the first of many buts — Patrick’s first sojourn in Ireland may well have been on the easterly side of the country, in what is now Co. Antrim. Geographically, this makes more sense. Wherever he was put to work, he eventually escaped, returned home, only to subsequently make the journey back across the Irish Sea to the land of his captivity. Because, while back in Britain, he fully embraced this new-fangled religion called Christianity. Only emerging some four hundred years previously, the Romans had introduced Christianity into parts of Britain and Patrick became a committed adherent. A vision then directed Patrick back to Ireland. In his own words (in what is known as The 8

Confession) he describes how in a dream he saw a man who “came from Ireland with letters”. That vision was in fact an angel who allowed him to listen to the voices of the Irish imploring him to return. He duly went back, with the Gospel in his backpack, and began the strenuous task of introducing the pagan people of Ireland to Christianity. But even here we have to step carefully. Christianity may already have been present in Ireland, thanks to a figure called Palladius. According to an independent early source from Gaul, a fragment from a chronicle mentions an emissary from Rome venturing out to teach the Gospel in Ireland.

The early fifth-century ecclesiastical annalist Prosper of Aquitaine alludes to the event. His chronicle implies that Palladius was sent by Pope Celestine to Ireland some time before Patrick arrived. And in his chronicles, Prosper always told it like it was. Or so historians believe. It seems likely that Patrick set up monasteries across Ireland that flourished in the 5th century. But his exact nationality, birthplace, or date of arrival in Ireland all remain matters of conjecture, and indeed dispute.

PATRICK’S BIRTHPLACE Many places have been suggested as Patrick’s birthplace.

Glastonbury in Somerset - one of many places suggested as the birthplace and also the possible final resting place of St Patrick

The annual procession to St Patrick’s grave in Co. Down

South-west England, Wales, Cumbria and the Solway Firth area of Scotland have all claimed to be his birthplace at one time or another. The medieval monks of Glastonbury, always alert for ways to enhance their claims of significance for their settlement, put in a spirited claim in the Middle Ages for links to Patrick. Some modern scholars believe this could be a possibility, while others conclude that the presence of the Tudor St Patrick’s Chapel (completed in 1517) in Glastonbury Abbey doesn’t prove anything either way. A local historian has put forward a plausible case for St Patrick being a Somerset lad: the village of Banwell, five miles east of Westonsuper-Mare, could be the saint’s birthplace. A late Roman settlement in the area is home to an undated, unexplained

earthwork in the form of a cross. A religious connotation seems likely. Irish monks — of whom many lived and worked locally from about the 7th century onwards — perhaps constructed the cross as a monument to Patrick. This would have been a few centuries after the saint’s birth, but the memory of such an important personage could well have survived and been remembered by marking his birthplace. In one of the few pieces of writing credited to St Patrick, his Confession, he says: “I had as my father the deacon Calpornius, son of the late Potitus, a priest, who belonged to the small town of Bannavem Taberniae; he had a small estate nearby, and it was there I was taken captive.” This could well have been Banwell. But a place many miles to the north could instead be the site of the Apostle of Ireland’s hometown. Birdoswald Fort is one of the best preserved of the 16 forts along Hadrian’s Wall. Charles Thomas, a respected historian of early Christianity, believes that this was Bannavem. A reasonable amount of circumstantial evidence points to Patrick possibly emerging from this neck of the woods, not least that a short crossing to Ireland is available relatively nearby.

PATRICK’S PLACES When St Patrick arrived in Armagh a local chieftain known as Daire was in charge. He allowed Patrick to found his cathedral on the hill of Rath Daire, and Armagh was subsequently established as the ecclesiastical centre of Ireland, with scholars arriving from all over the country and Britain. St Patrick is reputed to be buried in Downpatrick, Co. Down, along with Ireland’s other

two patron saints St Brigid and St Colmcille. But the people of Armagh have long claimed the honour of Patrick’s last resting place, as indeed do our old friends down in Glastonbury in England. There’s even a place in France which claims to have Patrick’s pelvic bone. No, not pulling your leg, although that seems to be what the French did to poor old St Patrick’s skeleton. The church of Sandillon in France in the Loire Valley officially states that it holds the relic of St Patrick’s pelvic bone (la relique de l’Irlandais). So how did St Patrick’s lower limb end up in France? Legend has it that the lord of Sandillon murdered his chaplain, an Irishman, while celebrating Mass. The French aristocrat later journeyed to Ireland, returned with the relic and gave it to the church to atone for his crime. So, we’ve now explored a lot of myths about the Apostle of Ireland. Patrick wasn’t Irish, he isn’t Ireland’s only patron saint, and indeed he wasn’t the first person to introduce Christianity into Ireland. However it wouldn’t be stretching a point to say that Patrick played a key role in turning Europe back to Christianity. When various barbarian tribes such as the Vandals, Goths and Visigoths were running rampant throughout the continent, the monks in Ireland were working away on their manuscripts. They pored over the scriptures for hours, meticulously transcribing the gospels into beautiful works of art. Because of the work of Patrick’s saints and scholars the scriptures and early annals were preserved. St Patrick’s converts journeyed out into Europe, set up shop in various parts of the continent from about 550AD onwards with the Gospel and re-educated Europe. Indeed in many parts of the continent in the 6th or 7th centuries, anyone speaking Latin was assumed to be Irish.

Actors recreate St Patrick’s landing in Ireland

A WARM WELCOME BACK TO THE ST PATRICK’S FESTIVAL CONCERT TRAFALGAR SQUARE is ready and waiting to welcome back the St Patrick’s Festival audience for the first time since 2019. After a two-year hiatus the festival returns with a bustling line-up – offering something for everyone. Programmed by the London Irish Centre, and supported by Culture Ireland, festivalgoers can expect a diverse and eclectic celebration of all things relating to the Irish culture, heritage and community. For 2022 the festival’s theme is Fáilte ar ais, Gaelic for ‘welcome back’ and the stage programme will be hosted by the BBC Radio 1 DJ Gemma Bradley, who will be in place as MC for the day. Over the course of a busy afternoon of entertainment there will be music, song, dance and poetry. Storyteller Olivia Armstrong, who hails from Co. Down, will also be on hand to bring a

touch of magic to the proceedings – with her playful and mysterious folktales, myths and legends set to captivate the audience. Festival favourites the Irish Pensioners Choir are back for 2022, but this time they will perform with their friends from the Hackney School of Folk and the Mondegreen Folk Club, to present a show that features singers from the age of four right up to 84. Fiddler of London director Eilish ByrneWhelehan will also be taking part in the event. A highly esteemed fiddle player, recording artist, teacher and community leader, Eilish has been playing Irish music since she was seven years old and is a five times All-Ireland champion. As the day goes on, the tempo will rise, with headliners Damien Demspey and Altan taking to the main stage, as well as rising stars Soulé and Xona. Alongside the musical action, there will be

children’s workshops, featuring camogie games, medal making and face painting, and a great selection of food and drinks stalls including one hosted by the celebrity chef and owner of the Myrtle restaurant in London, Anna Haugh. There is plenty to enjoy in Trafalgar Square this weekend, and the Mayor of London is excited to be able to host the event once again. “I am delighted that London’s St Patrick’s Day festival will return to our streets this March, and it is fitting this year’s theme is one of celebration and bringing the community back together,” he said. “London has the largest Irish population in the UK and St Patrick’s Day provides a wonderful opportunity to honour the spirit of our Irish community and celebrate the enduring strength of relationship between our two countries. Lá Fhéile Pádraig Sona Daoibh!”

MEET YOUR HOST – GEMMA BRADLEY St Patrick’s Festival main stage host Gemma Bradley is a vocal advocate for the best new artists and bands emerging from the UK and Ireland. She currently hosts Radio 1’s BBC Introducing show on Sundays and Radio Ulster’s ATL Introducing show on Mondays. Gemma is known for her warm and fun energy on air and is one of the most exciting young broadcasters 10

currently on the airwaves in Britain. When not on air Gemma curates and hosts one of London’s most exciting monthly new music nights in the Courtyard Theatre, Hoxton – ‘Whiplash’ which features the very best new and upcoming artists performing their music live on stage. Gemma is a songwriter and artist in her own right too. She embraces her favourite aspects

of Pop music and meshes them with the finest, hand-picked sounds from R&B and Soul to create her own distinctive brand of sweet and delicious Pop – RnB. Gemma Bradley will be MC for the St Patrick’s Festival main stage schedule from 12-6pm on Sunday, March 13

YOUR MAIN STAGE ST PATRICK’S DAY FESTIVAL ARTISTS INCLUDE…

MAGUIRE O’SHEA ACADEMY OF IRISH DANCE The school has been established for over forty-five years by Michael and Kathleen Maguire. Along with their children Darren, Katie and Ellie, they have produced an exceptional amount of world class dancers who have then gone on to perform with shows such as Riverdance, Lord of the Dance and Prodijig. The Maguire O’Shea dancers have performed on numerous television and radio programmes such as The Paul O’Grady Show, Jordan & Perri’s Ultimate Block Party & Sunday Morning Brunch.

XNTHONY Xnthony is an award-winning performer, producer and party thrower. He is the recipient of LGBTQI+ Entertainer of the Year, with the IYAF Best Comedy Award and the 2019 and 2021 Arts Council Ireland Theatre Bursary Award. He has featured on the stages of Southbank Centre, Barbican, Roundhouse, Dublin Fringe Festival and is a key player in the East London nightlife scene.

OLIVIA ARMSTRONG

RAGZ-CV Ryan J. Matthews-Robinson, better known as Ragz-CV, is a spoken word artist from South London. Originally from Brixton, the poet of mixed-race (Jamaican and Irish) heritage is known for his amazing work, with his first E.P. Paying Homage to the King produced by his grandad in 2012, which made over £10,000 for the Alzheimer’s Society charity. Ragz-CV recently released acclaimed spoken word album Soul Lyrical which accompanied a sold-out headline show in 2019. Ragz, who has featured on MTV, BBC Radio, The Voice and the Huffington Post, to name just a few, has won multiple awards for his poetry and work in the community. He has performed at over 300 shows including prestigious venues such as Brixton o2 Academy, Fairfield Halls, and Kia Oval to name a few. Ryan is also the founder and CEO of Brixton based charity Poetic Unity which provides support and services for thousands of young people across the UK every year, since 2015.

Olivia Armstrong is a storyteller from County Down, who tells magical, playful and mysterious folktales, myths, legends, as well as site specific tales. She performs to people of all ages, in galleries, museums, palaces, pubs and other exciting locations, such as the British Museum, National Gallery, Cutty Sark, Windsor Castle, The Irish Centre and many more.

SOULÉ Soulé is one of Ireland’s freshest young voices at the forefront of the new wave of Irish pop. Boasting an impressive back catalogue in a relatively short space of time, Soulé has landed #1s on both the Irish Radio and ‘Most Shazamed’ Charts, 10 million Spotify streams, three “Song of the Year” Choice Award nominations as well as top performances at the country’s leading festivals from Electric Picnic to Body & Soul to Other Voices.

Programme Sponsors for the St Patrick’s Festival Concert 2022

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ALTAN

Donegal’s traditional music stars Altan are appearing at the St Patrick’s Day Concert in Trafalgar Square

ALTAN, who have been described as ‘the hottest band in the Celtic realm’, has the spirit and sound of the deep and rich musical tradition of their native Co. Donegal. On one of his many visits to the Donegal Gaeltacht of Gaoth Dobhair, flute player Frankie Kennedy met fiddler and singer Mairéad Ní Mhaonaigh, sparking off a deep musical connection, marriage, and a journey to bring the unique repertoire of Donegal music to the world. They then recruited bouzouki player Ciaran Curran and guitarist Mark Kelly, from Dublin,

adding a breadth and depth of colour. As a band, Altan played their first concert on June 1, 1985, in St. John’s Church in Listowel, Co. Kerry at the famous Listowel Writers Week. Their first album, simply titled Altan, was released in 1987 and quickly followed by Horse with A Heart, which saw the inclusion of Paul O’Saughnessy on fiddle. One of the band’s finest hours came when they rreleased Island Angel in 1993’ and later should read ‘1994, and in the same year Altan performed for Bill Clinton at the White House. Shortly after the release of this album, the legendary accordionist Dermot Byrne joined the band. Sadly, on September 19, 1994 the band and wider world of music was dealt a devastating blow with the death of founding member Frankie Kennedy, however, his vision, artistry and sense of fun is still at the heart of Altan and his legacy is carried and celebrated in every note. A record deal with Virgin Records followed in 1996, which catapulted the band on an extensive touring schedule over the subsequent decade. This period saw them working with many of the great American performers such as Dolly Parton, recording on her album Heartstrings in 1994 and its follow up, Little Sparrow in 2001; and she returned the favour on the band’s record The Blue Idol in 2002 by dueting with Mairéad on the song The Pretty Young Girl.

The band have travelled with Irish Presidents Mary McAleese and President Michael D. Higgins on state visits abroad to Japan, North Korea and Italy. President Higgins invited them to join him in his residence, Áras an Uachtaráin in 2018 to celebrate their 30 years as a band. The Donegal County Council also held a civic reception in their offices to mark the occasion in May 2018. Previously, in 2006, the Irish Government had also honoured Altan by putting them on an official postal stamp to celebrate their contribution to the Irish culture – one of the highest honours to be bestowed on an Irish citizen. Altan’s latest album, The Gap of Dreams, is heard across the world and celebrates the roots of their music in Donegal folklore, recorded in the Attica Studios in the mountains of Donegal which contributed to a wonderful atmosphere which permeated throughout the recording. The title refers to that ‘gap’ or ‘door’ between this and the ‘other world’ and fairy folkore, which is the source for their music and inspiration. In creativity the ‘Gap of Dreams” is never shut, Altan claims. Catch Altan on the main stage in Trafalgar Square on Sunday, March 13.

DAMIEN DEMPSEY DAMIEN DEMPSEY is an Irish singer and songwriter who mixes traditional Irish Folk music with contemporary lyrics to deliver social commentary. After eight albums, Dempsey is at this point a staple of contemporary Irish music and is popular with his industry peers and fans alike. Fellow Dublin-born star Sinead O’Connor has said of Dempsey: “I don’t think there’s ever been anyone like him. “I think he represents the sort of voice in Ireland that is not allowed to be heard.” His most recent album Union, released in 2018, provided his fans with new songs as well as re-imagined Damo classics with various collaborations. Dempsey comes to headline the Trafalgar Square St Patrick’s Festival Concert six months after a documentary was released centred on his life and work. Following standing ovations and rave reviews at its World Premiere at the Galway Film Fleadh last year, Love Yourself Today went on to pick up The Audience Award for Best Feature at the IFI Documentary Festival. The film centres around the music of the Dubliner, known affectionately to his fans as ‘Damo’, but also turns the lens onto those fans. Speaking about the film, Dempsey said: “It’s a wonderful movie about the healing power of music; how it can help heal trauma, lift us and help us through hard times.

Dublin star Damien Dempsey is appearing at the St Patrick’s Day Concert in Trafalgar Square

“Singing and music are two of the few spiritual entities in the physical world,” he added, “so we need to harness them and get people immersed in them, because when people lose themselves at a gig, when everyone sings together, they carry a vibration away from the gig that spreads out like a ripple into others, it’s a way of healing.” Dempsey is no stranger to the Irish community in London either, as he has been a long-time supporter of the London Irish Centre

(LIC). He has featured as a special guest for many vital online fundraising specials organised by the LIC over the years, such as the Charity Night in with Dermot O’Leary & Niall Horan as well as supporting the charity’s London Irish Walk fundraiser for Irish artists. Catch Damien Dempsey on the main stage in Trafalgar Square on Sunday, March 13.

Meet the Grand Marshals… EVERY year a significant member - or members - of the Irish community leads the Mayor of London’s St Patrick’s Day Parade as its Grand Marshal. They are positioned right at the front of the procession and lead the parade as it makes its way through the streets of the capital followed by scores of impressive floats, colourful dancers and marching bands and watched on by the thousands who come out to cheer everybody on. For 2022 there will be 11 Grand Marshals for the parade. They are all key workers who have led or supported the battle against Covid-19 over the past two years from the frontline. Here are the Irish men and women who will lead this year’s parade…

Martha Lucas-McGuigan, pictured right here with her grandparents, is a Transport Support Enforcement Officer with Transport for London (TFL)

Mary Heffernan, Psychotherapist, The Maya Centre, Islington

Tara McGovern, Detective Chief Superintendent, Metropolitan Police Service

Dame Elizabeth Anionwu, Emeritus Professor of Nursing, University of West London

Jane Callaway, Lead Nurse Infection Prevention and Control, Chelsea and Westminster Hospital NHS Foundation Trust

Dave Gibbon, TFL Revenue & Licensing Manager

Elaine Hayes, Assistant Principal, Eden Girls Leadership Academy

Brien O’Keefe, Station Commander, Poplar & Millwall Fire Station

Mary Daly Ashford, supermarket shop worker and community champion

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Del McCombe, TFL Transport Support Enforcement Officer

Stay & Dine in the heart of Donegal Town

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A TRIBUTE TO THE COMMUNITY

LARRY O’LEARY is excited to see the St Patrick’s Day Festival return to the streets of the capital this month. As the Chair of the St Patrick’s Festival Community Advisory Board (CAB), Mr O’Leary (pictured right) and his fellow board members advise the Mayor of London’s office on all things Irish as they organise the annual celebration. He told FIONA AUDLEY what we can expect from the 2022 instalment of the popular event – which is making a grand return to the capital after two years where it could not take place due to Covid-19.

How does it feel to have the St Patrick’s Festival back in Trafalgar Square after the Covid-enforced break? It will be amazing to be back after two years, to see all the members of the community out celebrating our national saint’s day. It will be a tribute to everyone in the community, especially those who worked so hard to keep us all safe through the pandemic. There is a tremendous feeling of delight and relief for all those who made it through and a tinge of sadness and great respect for those that fell victims to the virus.

Ar dheas Dé go raibh a anam. What can we expect from the event this year? This has the makings of the best parade yet, the colour of the walking groups, the splendour of the floats, the Fr Murphy’s GAA girls in their unique jerseys carrying the parade flags, the bands of An Garda Siochana, The Met Police Emerald Society and Castlerea. The Roscommon GAA team bus, sponsored by Balllymore, which will carry 48 pensioners through the parade for a day they will never forget, is a highlight. As is the Tony McGoverninspired highly colourful float promoting the London GAA. It sounds like there is truly something for everyone in this year’s parade? Yes, there is so much to look forward to. There will be walking groups and floats of the county associations and even some South American dancers showing their affinity with Ireland. Then on to Trafalgar Square with a wonderful line up on the stage, which has something for all tastes to enjoy. The various stalls around the square will be there representing the Irish community and sporting bodies, the food stalls, the authentic Irish cottage and various activities throughout the afternoon. What are the highlights of the 2022 event from the CAB’s perspective? After all the hard work by City Hall and the CAB for the 2020 parade, it was unfortunate that those efforts never came to fruition, with the cancellation, rightly so, of the parade due to Covid-19.

So, 2022 will be the culmination of over two years of hard work really. Just seeing the day taking place will give a huge sense of satisfaction to all members of the CAB. Through their efforts, especially those of Paul Whitnall of BITA, in raising awareness and obtaining sponsorship from various companies, many events can take place this year in and around the parade. Also, thanks to the efforts of Hannah and her team at the London Irish Centre, our programme partners, for putting together six hours of top-class entertainment covering all aspects of Irish culture for the big day. Why do you think St Patrick’s Day remains such a popular celebration in London? London has a massive Irish community from those who came here many years ago, those more recently arrived and the growing numbers of those of Irish descent, who are steeped in our culture, music, song, dance and sport. Thousands see St Patrick’s as the big day to express their Irish identity, whilst having great craic. Finally, I would like to give a word of thanks from the whole Irish community to the Mayor of London, Sadiq Khan and his team at City Hall for their ongoing support and hard work to enable us to all to celebrate our national day.

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Come and celebrate Irish culture, food, dance, music and more in Trafalgar Square.

There’ll be performances from Damien Dempsey, Altan and more, plus the spectacular annual parade. london.gov.uk/St-Patricks #LetsDoLondon 20

The London Irish Construction Network (TLICN) would like to wish all their members, sponsors, friends and Irish Post readers a very happy St Patrick's Day. Please email for details of TLICN membership and forthcoming events - info@tlicn.com

Irish in Britain – building community through support, representation and advocacy. We wish readers a happy and healthy St Patrick’s Day. Thank you to all our member groups, friends and volunteers who have made such a difference this year to keep our community connected and healthy. Irish in Britain is a member network open to groups and individuals in Britain. We provide training, policy, representation and champion the story of our diverse community.

www.irishinbritain.org @irishinbritain

We welcome individuals to join our network, find out more. Please contact communitydevelopment@ irishinbritain.org

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THE GREAT BIG ST PATRICK’S DAY QUIZ

Test your knowledge of all manner of Irish matters… 1. What are the three largest counties in Ireland?

2. Light a Penny Candle was whose debut novel?

3. Rockall, Malin, Shannon, Fastnet and which other one?

4. One was born in America, one in Canada, seven in Scotland, two in Ireland, 43 in England. The birthplaces of who?

5. With reference to St Patrick, which of these musicians or entertainers is the odd one out: Danny La Rue, Christy Moore, Elvis Costello (Declan McManus), Morrissey, Jimmy Page, Eric Clapton, Michael Crawford?

6. Who said: “You don’t have to be born in Ireland to be Irish: being Irish is a state of mind” — was it John F Kennedy, Mary McAleese, Dusty Springfield, the Duke of Wellington or Michael Flatley?

8. What is the name of the Scottish sport derived from Ireland’s hurling and according to legend introduced into Scotland by St Colmcille?

9. The novel Green Rushes by Maurice Walsh was the basis for which film?

10. The Clancys — Tom, Liam and which other brother?

11. Who is the most capped Irish footballer (soccer) of all time?

12. This actress with Co. Down heritage won the Academy Award for Best Actress for her performance in Mrs. Miniver. She has officially been credited with the longest ever Oscar acceptance speech, after which the Academy Awards instituted a time limit. She is Jamie Dornan’s great aunt — who?

13. What links Saoirse Ronan, Éamon de Valera, Boris Johnson, Lady Gaga and Frank McCourt (of Angela’s Ashes fame)?

7. Colin Farrell failed in his audition to join which band?

Actor Colin Farrell

Hollywood star Saoirse Ronan

14. Which Dublin-born actor replaced Limerick man Richard Harris as Dumbledore in the Harry Potter films?

15. The Book of Kells is written in which language?

18. In which British city was James Connolly born?

19. Queen Maeve (or Medbh) was Queen of where?

20. If you went due south from Killarney in Co. Kerry, which country would you come to first?

21. Named after a diplomat and Irish nationalist hanged for treason by the British, what is the main GAA park in Belfast called?

22. France has one, Ireland has two, Belgium has three, Switzerland has four and South Africa has the world’s most with 11— what?

23. Who succeeded Patrick Hillery as President of Ireland? Portrait of Saint John; Book of Kells

16. Martin Ruane was a wrestler born in London to Co. Mayo parents. He died in 1998. What was his professional name in the sport?

17. Brenda Fricker won an Oscar as Best Supporting Actress in which Jim Sheridan directed film?

Ireland’s beautiful Killarney – but what country comes next if you head south?

24. Born in Omagh in Co. Tyrone in 1947, he has appeared in Jurassic Park, The Hunt for Red October and My Brilliant Career. On the small screen he portrayed Cardinal Wolsey in The Tudors, and Major Campbell in Peaky Blinders. Who?

25. His father was from the West indies, his middle name was Parris, he was born in West Bromwich, and he became one of the most famous Irish rock stars of all time – who?

Turn the page for the answers 25

THE GREAT BIG ST PATRICK’S DAY QUIZ - ANSWERS Did you get the questions right? Read on and find out… 1.

Cork the largest, followed by Galway and Mayo Maeve Binchy Irish Sea. They’re Ireland’s sea areas The countries of birth of UK prime ministers Christy Moore — all the others have Patrick as their middle, or first name. Christy’s middle name is the Scottish patron saint, Andrew Dusty Springfield, born Mary Isabel Bernadette O’Brien in London Boyzone Shinty

2. 3. 4. 5.

6. 7. 8.

9. 10. 11. 12. 13. 14. 15. 16. 17. 18. 19. 20. 21. 22. 23. 24. 25.

The Quiet Man Paddy Robbie Keane Greer Garson They were all born in New York Michael Gambon Latin Giant Haystacks My Left Foot Edinburgh Connacht Morocco Casement Park Official languages Mary Robinson Sam Neill Phil Lynott

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Wow! Excellent. You certainly know your onions. And spuds, and shamrocks. But remember nobody likes a smart Alec, especially in Ireland Admirable. You know about Irish matters but don’t want to show off

10-14

Passable. You could probably do with reading a few books rather than watching any more Father Ted or Mrs Brown

6–10

Your knowledge of Irish affairs is probably on a par with those who have never stepped foot in the country

Below 5

Abysmal. Even St Patrick himself would call this a poor effort. Try to get some homework done before the next Irish Post quiz.

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CULTURE OF SUCCESS

IRELAND has produced leading exponents in every facet of human endeavour. Across myriad fields — literature, science, music, the arts, business, politics, medicine, sport and more — Irish people have been prominent. Literature has long been adorned with Irish writers. Shaw, Beckett, Yeats and Heaney all won the Nobel Prize in Literature in the 20th century. Success has also come in the Booker Prize. JG Farrell was the first Irish winner, followed by Iris Murdoch, Roddy Doyle, John Banville, Anne Enright and Anna Burns.

Dublin writer Bram Stoker’s book Dracula, the story of the extravagantly-fanged count from Transylvania, has spawned an entire industry. In music, the Irish honour list runs from U2 to The Undertones, and not forgetting Johnny Rotten aka John Lydon, born to Irish parents in London. A less obvious candidate although in her own field every bit as influential was Dame Ninette de Valois, born in Co. Wicklow, the inspiration of the Royal Ballet and one of the key architects of modern ballet. In science, Ireland’s influence ranges from

Robert Boyle from Co. Cork, widely regarded as the Father of chemistry, to Ernest Walton from Dungarvan who won the Nobel Prize in Physics for splitting the atom — a hugely significant step in science. In contemporary times the greatly respected astrophysicist Jocelyn Bell Burnell, from Lurgan, discovered the first radio pulsars in 1967. The discovery eventually led to the Nobel Prize in Physics in 1974; however, not for her; instead, her boss (male), who originally rubbished her discovery, claimed the prize. But Burnell has been awarded over twenty international honours since then.

THE INFLUENCE OF THE IRISH WORLDWIDE Ten people whose influence spread far beyond the shores of Ireland: James Joyce — Novelist, short story writer, poet and literary critic, Dublin-born Joyce is regarded as one of the most influential and important writers of the 20th century. And not just in the English language: Ulysses is today seen as the work against which all other literature, from Tolstoy to Cervantes, is measured. St Colmcille — Colmcille, along with Patrick and Brigid, is one of Ireland’s three patron saints. An 28

upwards helped secure Catholic emancipation in the 19th century.

James Joyce

Catherine McAuley — The founder of the Religious Sisters of Mercy in 1831 in Dublin, McAuley created an institute that today has over 6,000 sisters worldwide focusing on education and health care.

important early Christian figure, he founded the Christian community on Iona which sent out missionaries across Europe. Daniel O’Connell — From near

Cahersiveen, Co. Kerry, was the acknowledged political leader of Ireland’s Catholic majority in the 19th century. His mobilisation of the Irish population from the poorest class of tenant farmer

Seán MacBride — MacBride founded or participated in many key international organisations of the 20th century, including the United Nations and Amnesty International. He received the Nobel Peace Prize in 1974. McBride was previously Minister for External Affairs (1948 -1951)

and before that Chief of Staff of the IRA.

Contemporary arts and culture

Michael Collins — From Co. Cork, Collins was soldier, revolutionary, and politician, a leading figure in the early-20th century struggle for Irish independence. He is regarded as a major strategist in developing guerrilla warfare, and seen as an inspiration to subjugated colonies throughout the world.

Edna O’Brien — O’Brien has been described (by novelist Philip Roth) as “the most gifted woman now writing in English”. Few would disagree with that

James Bronterre O’Brien — The Longford co-founder of the British Chartist Movement, O’Brien helped mobilise one of the first organised working class movements in the world. Countess Constance Markievicz — TD (Sinn Féin) for the Dublin St Patrick’s constituency, Markievicz became the first-ever women MP elected to Westminster’s House of Commons. Because of Sinn Féin’s abstentionist policy she did not take up her seat. Edmund Burke — Dublin man Burke was MP for Bristol, but his influence was felt throughout Europe and remains potent to this day. He crystallised modern political thinking, expounding a coherent system of ideas about human nature, government and the role of political parties. Jonathan Swift — The author of Gulliver’s Travels, originally a biting indictment on human nature and not a children’s book, said he wrote the book “to vex the world rather than divert it”. Swift, generally regarded as the English language’s foremost satirist, was Dean of St Patrick’s Cathedral in Dublin.

Damien Hirst — Born Damien Brennan, Hirst has dominated the contemporary art scene since the 1990s He was brought up in Bristol by his mother, an Irishwoman from an Irish-Jewish background. Sally Rooney — The author of the hugely successful Normal People. Anna Burns — The Belfast author whose novel Milkman won the Booker Prize in 2018. Saoirse Ronan — One of the silver screen’s top performers, Ronan has received myriad awards including a Golden Globe Award and a Critics’ Choice Movie Award, in addition to nominations for four Academy Awards, four Screen Actors Guild Awards, and five British Academy Film Awards. John Gilhooley — From Co. Limerick, Gilhooley occupies one of the most prestigious positions in the British arts world: Artistic Director of the Wigmore Hall, London. Sir Kenneth Branagh — From the tough Tiger’s Bay area of Belfast, Branagh is an Emmy Award-winning, Academy Award-nominated actor and film director. He is currently President of the Royal Academy of Dramatic Art in London. Danny Boyle — Danny Boyle was born in Lancashire to Co. Galway parents. Aside from his successful film career, he was notably director of the highlyacclaimed Opening Ceremony of the London Olympics. Maggie O’Farrell — Born in Coleraine and brought up in Wales and Scotland, O’Farrell is an award-winning novelist.

Sally Rooney

Sir Michael Gambon — Gambon was born in Dublin and brought up a strict Catholic. He attended St Aloysius’ College in Highgate, London. Roles have

included The Singing Detective and Professor Albus Dumbledore in the Harry Potter films. Ros Hubbard — The founder of Hubbard Casting, Hubbard, from Dublin, has a huge list of casting credits in her portfolio ranging from The Lord of the Rings to The Da Vinci Code.

Contemporary influencers These Irish people wield considerable contemporary worldwide influence in business and politics. Patrick Collison (along with his brother John) — The Tipperary brothers are now billionaires due to their development of technology for processing payments and enabling internet operations. Companies that use the Collison technology include Zoom, Slack, Amazon, Shopify and Deliveroo. Michael O’Leary — From Kanturk, Co. Cork, O’Leary has revolutionised budget air travel in Europe. Basically he wrote the rules of the modern low-cost airline. Today, Ryanair and the competitors it spawned are among the most profitable airlines in the world. Willie Walsh — Dublin man Walsh is Director General of the International Air Transport Association. Until 2020, he was CEO of International Airlines Group, and had previously been CEO of Aer Lingus and British Airways. Hilary McGrady — Director General of the National Trust, the largest voluntary conservation organisation in Europe, is from Antrim. McGrady is at the forefront of realigning the priorities of the Trust.

Alan Joyce — Joyce is from Tallaght, Dublin, where his mother was a cleaner and his father worked in a tobacco factory. The Dubliner has been CEO of Qantas, the Australian national carrier, since 2008. The airline regularly tops the list as the safest airline in the world, as well as one of the most popular. Sean Doyle — Born in Cork, Doyle is chairman and CEO of British Airways. Bernard Looney —As CEO of BP Looney bears huge responsibility. He was born and brought up on a farm outside Kenmare, Co. Kerry. Mary Robinson — A transformative figure for Ireland, Mayo-born Robinson served as the seventh President of Ireland. She also served as UN High Commissioner for Human Rights from 1997 to 2002, and has arbitrated in many global conflicts. She is a strong advocate for climate justice. Samantha Power — Power is the Administrator of the United States Agency for International Development. She previously served as the 28th US Ambassador to the United Nations from 2013 to 2017. Samantha Power was born in London to Irish parents, and brought up in London before the family moved to the US. Clare Gilmartin — Gilmartin was until recently CEO of the independent digital rail platform Trainline, the world’s largest independent online rail ticket retailer. From Dublin, she was formerly Vice President of eBay, in charge of all European operations. Mary McAleese — McAleese, the eighth President of Ireland, is an award-winning Catholic academic and author, and also holds a licentiate and doctorate in Canon law.

Frances O’Grady — General Secretary of the British TUC, Frances O’Grady was born in Oxford to an Irish family. She became General Secretary of the TUC in 2013 when she was assessed as the 11th most powerful woman in Britain by BBC Radio 4’s Women’s Hour. 29

A SPECIAL HONOUR FOR ONE OF COMHALTAS’ LONGEST STANDING VOLUNTEERS Comhaltas in Britain is proud to be honouring long standing member and volunteer Jim Teevan as the first honorary president of Comhaltas in Britain. Originally from Cavan, Jim is well known across the country and internationally for his work in the Irish community for close to five decades. Not only supporting

IRISH…EVERY DAY OF THE YEAR WHILE half the world turns green this week in celebration of St Patrick’s Day, for many it’s not just one day a year the craic and the spirit of being Irish is celebrated. Irish music and song is celebrated every day of the year for many of us. Comhaltas Ceoltóirí Éireann has become a worldwide movement celebrating our traditional music, song, dance, and language. For 65 years Comhaltas in Britain, along with its supporters and followers have continued to share the joy, excitement, and craic that our traditional arts bring, ensuring the tradition is passed on to next generation. As a voluntary movement, Comhaltas branches from Glasgow down to Hastings have supported the community through the pandemic and are now back, with more enthusiasm than ever, teaching young people Irish music, organising sessions, and getting together. So, as you celebrate this St Patrick’s day this year why not

think about next year, when you could be playing the tin whistle, singing a song or greeting people with “Dia duit, conas atá tú?” Join us and get involved with your local Comhaltas branch and you never know where it might lead. Many of today’s best Irish musicians started their journey with Comhaltas, learning from volunteer music teachers and as they get older continue to give back. We might come together because of a shared love of music, but it’s the community, volunteering, and the support for each other, which shows the real strength of Comhaltas in Britain and which we invite you all to get involved with. For more information or to find out where your local Comhaltas activity might be email info@ comhaltas.co.uk

WIN A PAIR OF TICKETS TO THE LONDON IRISH ST PATRICK’S DAY PARTY THE IRISH POST has 5 pairs of tickets to the London Irish St Patrick’s Day Party fixture to give away to our lucky readers. Undoubtedly the highlight of the Exiles’ calendar, the infamous St Patrick’s Party fixture takes place on Saturday, March 26 (kick-off 3pm). The Exiles’ opposition for the clash will be Northampton Saints, who were also their opponents for the first ever St Patrick’s Party fixture, 30

his own branch in Luton, Jim has held roles at every level of the Comhaltas movement, not least of which as a former President of Comhaltas Ceoltóirí Éireann, former chair of Comhaltas in Britain and recipient of the Gradam an Chomhaltais. As organiser, producer, tour manager and volunteer Jim’s

legacy continues through his family with his children and grandchildren playing music and Irish dancing. Central to the development of Comhaltas in Britain over the past decades, Jim continues to support and take a leading role in shaping our next generation of leaders and community organisers.

THE BEST VENUES FOR AUTHENTIC IRISH CULTURE As lockdown ends, Comhaltas, along with many others, has recognised the importance of community spaces, Irish centres, and Irish pubs as places where the community can gather, celebrate, and nurture our shared culture. Comhaltas in Britain is seeking to find the best of these spaces. Venues and places which continue to provide a special support for our traditional Irish music, song, dance, and language. For 2022 we will be

introducing a new award to recognise the venues which are vital to our community. Comhaltas members are currently busy nominating their local venues as the best of the best in the Irish community. Winners will be announced later in the year so watch out for that, and when you visit one of these spaces in the future you can be sure that they are a place where authentic Irish culture is nurtured.

FLEADHANNA ARE BACK FOR 2022! As the pinnacle of the Irish traditional music calendar, we return to a full season of Fleadhanna for 2022. Four regional competitions across Britain will see musicians, singers and dancers once again compete for a chance to perform at the All Britain Fleadh which is being held this year in Brunel university (West London) on 25th & 26th June. Then for August we return to

which was held at the Madejski Stadium, 21 years ago. London Irish took the spoils that day and will be looking to do the same with the backing of an anticipated record crowd at their new home Brentford

the birthplace of Comhaltas Ceoltóirí Éireann as Fleadh Cheoil na hÉireann makes its way home to Mullingar. After a two-year break this is sure to be one of the liveliest celebrations of Irish culture ever. From July 31 – August 7, traditional music enthusiasts travel from all corners of the world to join the special and unique atmosphere that only Irish culture can provide.

Community Stadium. In true St Patrick’s Party style, the stadium will host a supporter village before and after the game, with food and drink vendors, live music and entertainment for all ages. The match will be sponsored by J Coffey Construction Ltd, who are long-term supporters of the Club. For your chance to win a pair of tickets to the London Irish St Patrick’s Day Party email editor@irishpost.co.uk with your name and contact details and put London Irish St Patrick’s Party in the subject line. All entries must be received by 12noon on Thursday, March 17.

CULTURE AND TRADITION

St Patrick’s Day may be a key date for the people of Ireland, but there are plenty more days of note that we celebrate too. Mal Rogers reviews the traditions that mean the most to us….and why! MARCH 17 is unique in so many ways, not least in that our national saint is celebrated internationally — which is an extraordinary phenomenon when you think about it. Other saints rarely get a look in: Saint Denis the patron saint of France, St George (England and Latvia), St Elijah (Bosnia), St Henry of Uppsala (Finland) — they just don’t really figure when it comes to celebrations worldwide. But St Patrick is up there as one of the three most popular saints celebrated globally — along with St Valentine and St Nicholas. St Patrick’s Day is marked in some style around the world. But meanwhile, back at home in Ireland there are other festivities, festivals and traditions celebrated every year. We have a look at some of the most important ones. HALLOWEEN It seems likely that Halloween has its origins, at least partly, in Ireland over 5,000 years ago, perhaps longer. But this may not be the whole story — the big October celebration could be an amalgam of Irish, Scottish and perhaps Germanic customs. 32

Once the celebration got a good grip in parts of Europe for a few thousand years, the festival journeyed to America, where commercialisation became involved. But of all our calendar markers, Halloween is the most ancient. In pre-Celtic Ireland, and then through Celtic times, the end of October marked the last day of the year. Known as Samhain, it became a huge celebration, laced with legend, superstition and quasireligious rites. It was believed that a morethan-usually virulent dose of occult action could be expected round this time of the year, and particularly on this day, with spirits visiting on Samhain Eve. Our ancestors worked out that this was the appointed time when the souls of the dead returned to their former homes, and this required scenes of bacchanalian excess to fully respect the occasion. With the arrival of Christianity, things were toned down. In time-honoured tradition the religious blow-ins hijacked the day. November 1 became All Saints’ Day, and Samhain was transformed into All Hallows Eve.

However the pagan Celtic customs lingered on, unchanged by Christianity (or commercialism) until well into the last century. Until the 1960s Halloween in Ireland, particularly in the North, was almost as big a celebration as Christmas. Whatever the exact details of the origins of Halloween, it is widely celebrated in Ireland, with the Derry Halloween Festical generally regarded as

the biggest October 31 party in the world. ST BRIGID’S DAY St Brigid’s Day falls on February 1, a day regarded by the ancient Celts as the beginning of spring. Now, a fairly common practice by the Christians when they were spreading the Gospel was to take a feast day which already existed and insert their own feast day in its place. This they did with Brigid, as

A statue of St Brigid and, above, a traditional St Brigid’s Cross

they had done with Halloween. But to underline the importance of St Brigid she became elevated to the status of one of Ireland’s three patron saints along with Patrick and Colmcille. St Brigid’s Day has spawned the widespread custom of making crosses out of rushes and placing them in homes on the feast day. The tradition has its origins in the legend of Brigid’s conversion of a dying pagan: to ensure his eternal salvation she fashioned a makeshift cross by plaiting rushes strewn on the hut floor. KISSING THE BLARNEY STONE Some traditions can take place any day of the year, such as kissing the Blarney Stone. Blarney Castle, Monacnapa, Co. Cork, is home to the marvelously silly idea of climbing up the castle steps, then leaning out to kiss the blarney stone to get the “gift of the gab”. Silly it may be, but the legend is so strong that it introduced a new word into the English language: ‘blarney’ means ‘talk that aims to charm or pleasantly flatter’. This is possibly the only castle in the world that can claim such a linguistic honour. Several people have been cited in explanations regarding this mysterious property of the stone, ranging from the goddess Cliodhna to Queen Elizabeth 1 of England. The royal story focuses on a long-running dispute between

Queen and a local chieftain, a man adept at spinning a good yarn. One version says that Queen Elizabeth requested Cormac Teige MacCarthy, the Lord of Blarney, be deprived of his traditional land rights over some slight or oversight on his part. Mr Worried-of-Blarney travelled to see the queen, fearful that he wouldn’t be able to persuade her to change her mind. En route he met an old woman who told him that anyone who kissed a particular stone in Blarney Castle would be given the gift of eloquent speech. No better man, he did precisely that. Cormac went on to persuade

the queen that he should not be deprived of his land. The goddess story is equally plausible: Cormac Laidir MacCarthy, the builder of Blarney Castle, involved in a lawsuit in the 15th century, appealed to Clíodhna for her assistance. An old woman (probably the same one) told MacCarthy to kiss the first stone he found in the morning on his way to court. So that’s what he did, won the case, and the rest, as they say, is history, geology, mythology. You can decide for yourself which you think is the more likely explanation. Over the centuries many

luminaries have kissed the Blarney Stone, including US President Bill Clinton, and UK Prime Minister Winston Churchill. But if you are considering snogging the stone, beware. Sherlock Holmes investigated a nasty incident at the castle last century. In the radio programme Adventure of the Blarney Stone, first broadcast in 1945, the victim suspiciously falls to his death while kissing the stone. BLOOMSDAY On the 50th anniversary of June 16, 1904, two Ulster writers, Patrick Kavanagh and Flann O’Brien met

A James Joyce fan celebrates the author on Bloomsday and, above, the historic Blarney Castle

national ploughing festival in the world. Aside from the competition, the agribusiness shindig features sheep-shearing, a food fair, a motor show, livestock, fashion shows, sheepdog trials, the latest agricultural machinery and the national brown-bread baking competition. The event returns from September 20-22, 2022 in Ratheniska, Co. Laois. ROSE OF TRALEE

The annual National Ploughing Championships return this September

with fellow writers John Ryan and Anthony Cronin from Dublin to hold a celebration that has turned into an annual tradition - they set out to honour James Joyce and his magnum opus, Ulysses. The called it Bloomsday, after the hero of the book Leopold Bloom, and proceeded with readings, drinks and visits to the many Dublin locations mentioned in Ulysses. A fragment of documentary footage from the inaugural festivities survives on YouTube — it’s called The First Bloomsday. Ulysses has been called “the most prominent landmark in modernist literature”; on the other hand its content has been labelled

“unmitigated filth and obscenity” and the beautiful soliloquy by Molly Bloom described as being spoken by “a more or less illiterate vulgar woman”. Unfortunately this latter view was the opinion of Archibald Bodkin, director of Public Prosecutions who banned Ulysses in England until 1936. He didn’t realise the sheer breadth of the novel, and the appeal of its main protagonist, the heroically incarnated Everyman, Leopold Bloom. This year is the 100th anniversary of the publication of the book, so special celebrations are already being planned — especially as Covid has meant

there have been no celebrations for the last two years. A whole festival is planned, featuring talks, walks, pub crawls, celebratory meals, theatrical presentations, readings and events such as the Footsteps of Leopold Bloom Walking Tour. Plus the odd gorgonzola sandwich and glass of claret at Davey Byrne’s. NATIONAL PLOUGHING CHAMPIONSHIPS First launched in 1931, this is the very pinnacle event of the farming year in Ireland – a sort of Glastonbury of agriculture or the Woodstock of animal husbandry. This is probably the largest

The Rose of Tralee will be resuming this year. Beginning in 1959, the international festival grew out of a local beauty contest which chose the local Carnival Queen. The once annual local event was discontinued due to post-war emigration — Kerry lost a huge number of young people who couldn’t find work at home. The idea of the contest re-emerged in 1957 when the annual Race Week Carnival decided to hold a similar event. Two years later the international festival was set. Roses come from not just each of the 32 Irish counties, but also Britain, USA, Australia, Dubai, Luxembourg and many more outposts of the Irish diaspora making it one of the top international festivals in the world. This year’s festival takes place August 19-23.

Rose of Tralee hopefuls with festival host Dáithi Ó Sé

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TASTY TRADITIONS What better way to celebrate Ireland’s national day than indulging in some traditional Irish fare. Here is a selection of heart-warming recipes, brought to you by Bord Bia - Ireland’s food board, which are the perfect dishes to bring a little Irish flavour into your kitchen. From Irish Stew to to Soda Bread, there is something to suit all tastes and plenty to help you create the perfect St Patrick’s Day dinner. So, get cooking, and enjoy!

CIDER BRAISED LOIN OF BACON WITH STIR-FRIED CABBAGE Wonderful comfort food. Bacon is delicious hot and cold so make sure you leave some for a sandwich the next day INGREDIENTS CIDER BRAISED BACON • 800g loin of bacon • 1 carrot, cleaned and chopped • 1 stick of celery, cleaned and chopped • A dash of vinegar • 10 Juniper berries, crushed • 2 cloves garlic, chopped • 2 sage leaves, chopped • 1 tablesp. honey • 250 ml cider • 2 tablesp. crème fraîche • 1 tablesp. Dijon-style mustard • 1 tablesp. cornflour or potato starch mixed with 1 tablesp. water - optional STIR-FRIED CABBAGE • A knob of butter • 1 small onion, sliced • 2 cloves garlic, chopped • 650g Savoy cabbage • Salt and freshly ground black pepper

METHOD Preheat the oven to Gas Mark 4, 180°C (350°F). Place the loin of bacon in an ovenproof saucepan along with the carrot, celery and vinegar. Cover with cold water, bring to a boil and simmer for 30 minutes. While the bacon is cooking, in a small bowl combine the ingredients for the topping juniper berries, garlic, sage leaves and honey. After 30 minutes remove the bacon from the saucepan and place on a plate or board. Score the fat and spread over the topping mixture. Discard the cooking liquid and vegetables and rinse the saucepan with cold water. Return the bacon to the saucepan, add the cider and place, uncovered, in the preheated oven. Roast for a further 20 minutes basting

from time to time. Remove the bacon from the saucepan and keep warm. Add the crème fraîche to the juices and simmer to reduce for 5 minutes. Whisk in the mustard. If you like the sauce thicker, whisk in the cornflour and water mixture and allow to cook for a couple of minutes. Meanwhile melt the butter in a wok or large frying pan over a medium heat. Add the sliced onion and garlic and allow it to soften for a few minutes. Add the shredded cabbage, season with a little salt and black pepper and stir-fry for 3-4 minutes until the cabbage is tender and slightly wilted. Slice the bacon and serve with the cider sauce, stir-fried cabbage and mashed potatoes

IRISH STEW This traditional Irish Stew is easy to prepare and is sure to warm you up! INGREDIENTS • 1-1½ kg neck or shoulder of lamb • Bouquet of parsley, thyme and bayleaf (tied together with twine) • 3 large onions, finely chopped • Salt and freshly ground black pepper • 3-4 carrots, chopped into bite-sized pieces • 1 leek, chopped into bite-sized pieces

METHOD Remove the meat from the bone, trim off all the fat and cut into cubes. Keep the bones, place the meat in a pot, cover with cold salted water. Bring to the boil, drain and rinse the lamb.

• 1 small turnip, chopped into bite-sized pieces • Some small new potatoes, peeled and quartered, or large potatoes, peeled and chopped • 75-100g cabbage, shredded • Finely chopped parsley and dash of Worcester Sauce

In a fresh pot put the meat, bones, bouquet of herbs, onions, seasoning, carrots, leeks and turnip and cover with water. Simmer gently for one hour. Skim off the foam as it rises. (this is very important for the final flavour and appearance of the stew.) Add the potatoes and continue cooking for 25 minutes. For the last 5 minutes add in the cabbage. When the meat and vegetables are cooked remove the bones and bouquet of herbs. Stir in the chopped parsley and a dash of Worcester sauce. Serving Suggestions Serve in deep bowls with soda bread.

TRADITIONAL BROWN SODA BREAD This is a delicious, easy and very healthy bread Serves 6 INGREDIENTS • 250g wholemeal flour • 200g plain white flour • 1 teasp. bread soda, sieved • 1 teasp. salt • 1 egg • 350ml buttermilk, approx. • 1 teasp. Honey Optional Topping: 1 tablesp. sesame seeds or pinhead porridge oats METHOD Preheat the oven to Gas Mark 6, 200°C (400°F).

Mix the flour, bread soda and salt together in a bowl. Combine the egg with the buttermilk and honey then mix into the flour. Add a little more buttermilk if the mixture is dry – it should be a soft dough. Pour the dough into a lightly oiled loaf tin. Sprinkle the sesame seeds or porridge oats over the top of the loaf if using. Bake for 45-50 minutes. To know when it is cooked simply tap the bottom of the loaf – it will sound hollow when it is fully cooked. Remove from the tin and wrap in a clean tea towel while cooling. This will keep the crust soft.

ST. PATRICK’S DAY

THURSDAY 17th MARCH

OPEN 11AM - 3AM | FOOD SERVED 11AM - 8PM

DOWNSTAIRS 2 - 4 pm - RONAN & FIONNGHUALA from Biblecode Sundays 4 - 6 pm - YB SOBER all the way from Ireland 7 - 9 pm - COVER STORY 10pm - YB SOBER Followed by DJ PHELIM CLUB CLADDA

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