Irish Arts and Entertainment, Christmas Special Mid-December, 2023

NollaigShonaDuit AgaibhDoGachDuine

Vo l . X X X I # 12

M i d - D ecem b er ~ N o l l ai g

20 23

B) Pg 9

Top Lef t : Sou n d of Ch r ist m as Sin g- Alon g Th e Legen d of THE WREN on St . St eph en's Day is br ou gh t t o lif e in Dan ce & son g in

AN IRISH CHRISTM AS G) Pg 23

See Page 3

: Win t er

TOP RIGHT

Solst ice LIVESTREAM f r om NEWGRANGE Just Above: O'Br ien's Pu b, Pu bs ar e an XM AS TRADITION!

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I r i sh Ar t s & En t er t ai n m en t

Irish Arts & Entertainment

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Let t er Fr om THE PUBLISHER

Th e opin ion s expr essed by ou r w r it er s ar e t h eir ow n an d do n ot n ecessar ily con vey t h ose of t h is m agazin e, ou r pu blish er or st af f .

Dear Friends and Readers

Publisher & Managing Editor

Here is our Chr istmas Special with an updated December Calendar and a stor y and link to the Winter Solstice obser vations from NEWGRANGE in I reland..

Jam es M M cDon ou gh Marketing & Sales Director

Jam es M cM ah on Writers Tin a Day M au r ice Fit zpat r ick Jim M cDon ou gh Joh n M cNally Bar bar a Sin ger Pat r ick Weld

Press Relations Al Geien er

Graphics/ Ad Design Jim , Pat r ick & Fr eelan cer s

Sales Reps Jim & Pat r ick

Our favor ite time of year is upon us; from Halloween through St. Patr ick's Day!

A lot more too so please enj oy. I r ish people, be they natives of I reland or par t of the I r ish Diaspor a are prone to celebr ations and enj oying life to the fullest. We are even known for having great funer als.

I think it is in not j ust our culture but in our DNA. Over the year s the adage. " The L ife of Riley" mor phed from meaning something akin to that lazy I r ish guy really takes the fun and easy way of life to almost an envious compliment. The phr ase was also tur ned into the title for sever al films and two hit TV comedies (one in Amer ica with William Bendix and one in the UK with Nile Dudgeon.)

Point being, the next few months are going to be packed with I r ish & Celtic enter tainment, events and par ties and our dear reader s will be kept well infor med of all the oppor tunities to par ticipate! L et's face it, the cur rent events are gr im, so to keep a balance, we all need to for get our problems and devote some of our time to the finer and lighter side of our lives.

(L I NK HERE) Our previous issue is here in case you missed it. For our Fall Tr avel to I reland, we also focus on the upcoming Chr istmas season. For enter tainment,Celtic Woman, The I r ish Tenor s and presentations from K er r y I r ish Productions are sure to enhance your enj oyment of the Holidays!

ThevCeltic Chr istmas Buying Guide is j ust not the samewithout the Hollywood I r ish I mpor t Shop.

Philosophically, we know change is inevitable but this is one that was tough to take!

FI NAL LY, we close with this appeal!

Layout & Typos Jim & Pat r ick Con t act Us Via Em ail: ir ish m issive@gm ail.com Jim 's Cell: 951 216-1493

All Copyr igh t s 2023

To pull this off, we need help. Please email me at: j mcdonough44@gmail.com if you are interested in becoming a freelance wr iter. We pay per assignment and we share a lot of the per ks that we get with our wr iter s.

As always, please patronize our adver tiser s and please subscr ibe! We exist because of your suppor t through subscr iptions and telling our adver tiser s that you appreciate their ads in the I r ish Ar ts & Enter tainment!

INSIDE THIS ISSUE! Th e m on t h lyt h ly Calen dar f or t h e Au ld Du blin er in Lon g Beach is on Page11. Th ey ar e doin g m or e t o k eep t r adit ion al Ir ish M u sic an d Dan ce in t h e f or ef r on t t h an an y pu b in SoCal so please su ppor t t h em !

w w w.au lddu blin er .com

Ou r r egu lar f eat u r es: M au r ice Fit zpat r ick 's View f r om Ir elan d Starts on page 16

New Tr avel Sect ion Pat r ick Weld's Favor it e M USEUM S of Ir elan d. See page lot o f f u n on a bu dget . Par t II Joh n M cNslly 's HIDDEN GEM S SERIES on page 23

Celt ic Cam er a & Ou r EXPANDED Celt ic & Ir ish

Jim M cDon ou gh

Gif t Su bscr ipt ion Sale h as been ext en ded t h r ou gh Jan u ar y 6t h !

Th e r espon se t o ou r r en ew al an d n ew su b of f er h as been gr eat . We ar eat abou t 70-75% on r en ew als n ow f or t h eyear . We ar e sor r y t o see t h at 30% go. Lu ck ily, w e ar e pick in g u p a lt of n ew su bs w it h t h is of f er t oo. Ou r gr ow t h over sll t h is year is r eally appr eciat ed!

See of f er s in side or ju st Em ail Pat r ick at : ir ish m issive@gm ail.com We w ill sen d a lin k an d det ails.

Calen dar Lin k s & List in gs Starts on Psge 24

Special Su bscr ipt ion Of f er f or NEW & RENEWALS. SUBSCRIBE &

get a gift subscription free see Page3s 8 & 38

December, 2023

I r ish Ar ts & Enter tainment

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The Sound of Christmas Sing Along A f u n -f illed sin g-alon g w it h or ch est r a, ch oir , soloist , n a r r at or an d you , t h e au dien ce! A w on der f u l w ay t o

celebr at e t h e h olidays w it h t h ose you love!

Th is ver y popu lar an n u al sin g-alon g is a h u ge au dien ce f avor it e! Wit h t w o special segm en t s f or ch ildr en t h at in clu des Jin gle Bells, Aw ay in a M an ger , Fr ost y t h e Sn ow m an , Ru dolph t h e Red-Nosed Rein deer , an d select ion s of t r adit ion al car ols su ch as On ce in Royal David?s Cit y, We Th r ee Kin gs an d of cou r se t h e Am er ican son g-book t h at in clu des Wh it e Ch r ist m as, t h is con cer t sin g-alon g h as som et h in g f or ever ybody. Ir ish act or Sh eelagh Cu llen w ill r ead t h e Nigh t Bef or e Ch r ist m as an d sopr an o Ju lie Hin t on w ill sin g O Holy Nigh t an d Sch u ber t ?s Ave M ar ia We even h ave Fair yt ale of New Yor k in t h e over t u r e!

In 2022 Ker r y Ir ish Pr odu ct ion s in vit ed Vet er an s t o at t en d an d in t h e case of San Diego over n igh t , 400 vet er an s an d t h eir f am ilies sign ed u p t o f ill t h e h ou se at Balboa Th eat r e. Th e com pan y is w or k in g w it h Vet er an s gr ou ps again t h is year an d ou r r eader s can h elp; see det ails an d Go Fu n d M e Appeal, n ext Page.

Th is is an an n u al t r adit ion com m u n it y sin g ? t h e con cer t of t h e season ! We?ll see you t h er e!

KAVLI THEATRE, BANK OF AM ERICA PAC, THOUSAND OAKS FRI. 22 Dec TIME: 7:30pm https://bapacthousandoaks.com/show-details/the-sound-of-christmas

Box Office: 805-449-2787 CLARK CENTER FOR THE PERFORMING ARTS, ARROYO GRANDE The MUST-SEE concert of the festive season!

Sat. DEC. 23 2:00pm https://clarkcenter.org/shows/the-sound-of-christmas-sing-along/

(805) 489-9444 boxoffice@clarkcenter.org

Em m y n om i n at ed M aest r o Ch ar l es Fer n an d ez con d u ct i n g t h e au d i en ce w i t h a f u l l ch or u s an d or ch est r a beh i n d h i m . You ar e i n v i t ed t o t h i s ex cep t i on al Ch r i st m as Ex p er i en ce!

"

Decem ber , 2023

I r i sh Ar t s & En t er t ai n m en t

LIVESTREAM WINTER SOLSTICE Continued Th e w in t er solst ice of f icially occu r s at 5:02 a.m . ET M on day in t h e Un it ed St at es, m ar k in g t h e ast r on om ical begin n in g of w in t er an d t h e m om en t at w h ich t h e su n?s r ays ar e dir ect ly over t h e Tr opic of Capr icor n , USA Today r epor t ed.It also m ar k s t h e sh or t est day an d lon gest n igh t of t h e year in Ear t h?s Nor t h er n Hem isph er e.

Th e w in t er solst ice var ies f r om year t o year an d can f all an yw h er e f r om Dec. 20-23, bu t Dec. 20 an d Dec. 21 ar e st at ist ically t h e m ost com m on dat es on w h ich it occu r s.

Th is year , t h e solst ice coin cides w it h an ot h er special ast r on om ical even t : A r ar e plan et ar y align m en t w ill allow Ju pit er an d Sat u r n t o appear closer t oget h er in t h e M on day even in g sk y t h an t h ey h ave in n ear ly eigh t cen t u r ies, an d t h e ph en om en on w ill n ot h appen again t ill n ext u n t il 2080. Becau se t h e Ear t h or bit s t h e su n t ilt ed on it s axis ? in st ead of per f ect ly u pr igh t ; solst ice m ean s t h e Nor t h er n Hem isph er e lean s aw ay f r om t h e su n on t h is day.

w w w.n ew gr an ge.com

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KERRY IRISH PRODUCTIONS LAUNCHES VETERANS CHRISTM AS GO FUND M E CAM PAIGN Our readers can assist in Underwriting the Veterans Ticket Give - Away Campaign. Last year for the 2022 tour, the company donated $40,000 in tickets to Veterans groups!

All in t er est ed spon sor s, m an y of w h om ar e alr eady act ive in t h e Ir ish Com m u n it y can h elp. Th ey w ill be par t of a specif ic spon sor 's pr ogr am page in t h eat r es. Th e Com pan y w ill also add t h is ?spon sor sh ip? gr ou p t o it s ext en sive social m edia.

Please u se t h e Go Fu n d M e Lin k below. Th e gen er al pu blic, spon sor s an d u n der w r it er s can also don at e h er e: h t t ps:/ / gof u n d.m e/ 87aca4ab DEAR READERS, Can you sen d t h is ou t t o you r f r ien ds w h o w ou ld lik e t o don at e. It w ou ld be gr eat t o see ou r r eader s in volved in t h is w on der f u l en deavor . Th is is a per f ect m at ch w it h Ker r y Ir ish Pr odu ct ion s ? givin g t o a com m u n it y w h o ar e r eally t h e su per h er oes of ou r t im e! Th is is an oppor t u n it y t o give back in som e sm all w ay t o say t h an k you .

w w w.k er r yir ish pr odu ct ion s.com

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I r i sh Ar t s & En t er t ai n m en t

The Auld Dubliner Irish Pub & Restaurant 71 S. Pine Street Long Beach, CA 90802 562 437-8300 www.aulddubliner.com

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Decem ber , 2023

I r i sh Ar t s & En t er t ai n m en t

Page 7

Th e br illian t BUTTERCHURN Dan ce, based on Ir ish Tr adit ion s

O'Br ien's an d Ch r ist m as

WORLD FAM OUS FUN!!!

ar e as in t er t w in ed as possible!

Celebr at e t h e Ir ish New Year at 4:pm on Decem ber 31st . Th en do it all again at M idn igh t w it h Willy!!

BOOK YOUR HOLIDAY EVENT or CHRISTM AS PARTY NOW bef or e ou r dat es ar e sold ou t !

Call Willy: 310 829-5303

Visit Us On lin e f or lat est list in gs an d calen dar !

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I r ish Ar ts & Enter tainment

Nollaig

SSS

A C o n v er sat i o n W i t h A u b r ey St agn ar o & I rish Arts & Entertainment com pet in g an d per f or m in g f or over t en year s. Dan cin g u n der t h e dir ect ion of M aeve Cou gh lan an d Celt ic Ir ish Dan ce Academ y in Los An geles. Au br ey h as becom e a f am iliar f ace w it h Ker r y Ir ish Pr odu ct ion s, bot h in An Ir ish Ch r ist m as an d

Au br ey St agn ar o began Ir ish Dan ce at t h e age of f ou r an d h as been

St . Pat r ick ?s Day in Ir elan d. Th is w ill be h er t h ir d year as par t of t h e t ou r cast .

What is it about Irish dance that intrigues you?

It ?s u n iqu e an d I adm ir e t h e w or k t h at goes in t o it . I t h in k a lot of people don?t r ealize h ow dif f icu lt it is. An d h ow com pet it ive!

What brought you to Irish dance?

M y pr esch ool t each er w as a com pet it ive Ir ish dan cer . Sh e w as h avin g u s do lit t le m ovem en t s on e day af t er n apt im e an d sh e w as su r pr ised at w h at I cou ld do. Sh e sh ow ed m e a f ew t h in gs an d I pick ed u p on it r eally qu ick ly. Sh e t old m y m om , ?You m u st br in g h er t o class!?

How were you selected for the role of the Wren in An Irish Christmas?

Th is m igh t n ot be h ow M s. O?Car r oll r em em ber s it . Bu t I r em em ber t h at t h e f ir st year I w as a f u ll cast m em ber , sh e w asn?t t oo su r e abou t m e - bein g so you n g an d all. So I w asn?t t h e w r en t h at year . Sh e h ad alr eady lin ed u p som eon e else.

Bu t af t er t h at f ir st year I gu ess sh e r ealized t h at I w ou ld be t h e r igh t f it an d sh e ask ed m e f or t h e n ext year . Th is w ill be m y secon d year as t h e w r en , an d I am so h appy f or t h e oppor t u n it y again !

Do you enjoy the wren role and how do you prepare for that role?

I do en joy playin g t h e w r en . I h ave per f or m ed w it h m y dan ce sch ool on st age bef or e An Ir ish Ch r ist m as (an d St . Pat r ick ?s Day in Ir elan d) sin ce I w as 7 year s old. I alw ays w an t ed t o be t h e w r en . I w ou ld t ell an yon e w h o w ou ld list en . Pr epar in g f or it isn?t som et h in g I t h in k abou t . Pu t t in g on t h e cost u m e w it h t h e f eat h er s an d lyin g t h er e on st age as t h e ot h er dan cer s pok e at m e becom es par t of t h e pr ocess of ju st sor t of let t in g go. Th e w r en is a ver y f u n r ole. It ?s dan cin g, bu t it ?s m isch ievou s an d playf u l.

Touring with Kerry Irish Production shows ? is there one thing that stands out for you that you enjoy most!

Bein g w it h t h e cast ! It ?s bein g par t of som et h in g.

Even t h ou gh it ?s a sh or t t ou r , it ?s also a sm all cast an d w e all get close. We r eally do f or m a st r on g bon d qu ick ly. I look f or w ar d t o seein g t h em . By m id-su m m er I st ar t t o t h in k abou t t h e sh ow an d get excit ed. Th is year is n ot t h e sam e exact cast , bu t t h er e ar e som e f r om last year , an d som e f r om t h e year bef or e even . An d t h en t h e ch an ce t o get t o k n ow an d w or k w it h som e n ew people as w ell. It r eally is ver y excit in g an d I?m so lu ck y.

What do you enjoy most about the stage?

I lik e t h e f eelin g of per f or m in g an d bein g on st age m ak es m e h appy. It br in gs ou t a dif f er en t side of m e com par ed t o com pet it ion . I ju st love h ow I f eel dan cin g in a sh ow.

Some of the stages you dance on have an incredible history is there one theatre that stands out for you and why?

Th at ?s a h ar d qu est ion . Th er e h ave been so m an y in t er est in g h ist or ic t h eat er s, an d w e don?t alw ays do ever y on e of t h em each year . In 2021 w e dan ced in Tu cson at t h e Fox Th eat er .

All t h ese per f or m er s h ave sign ed t h eir n am es on t h e w all, so w e sign ed ou r s t oo. Th e t ow n s ar e cool t o w alk ar ou n d an d spen d t im e in . Th e Golden St at e Th eat er in M on t er ey an d t h e Elk s Th eat er in Pr escot t Ar izon a. Bu t I t h in k m y f avor it e t h eat er t o per f or m in is t h e Lober o Th eat er in San t a Bar bar a.

It ?s r eally old, bu t t h ey h ave k ept it u p so w ell. It ?s beau t if u l.

How old were you when you first began to study Irish Dance?

I w as f ou r year s old in 2013, w h en I st ar t ed dan cin g. I did m y Fir st Feis in 2014. Bu t it w asn?t u n t il 2015 t h at I r eally st ar t ed t o com pet e. I t h in k I st ar t ed dan cin g in sh ow s t h at year as w ell. I h ave been so lu ck y t o h ave par t icipat ed in qu it e a f ew am azin g an d dif f er en t k in ds of per f or m an ces ? lik e t h e Hollyw ood Ch r ist m as Par ade, t h e Dor ot h y Ch an dler Pavilion , an d even t each in g Jen n if er Hu dson h ow t o Ir ish Dan ce on Nat ion al Television .

What is the most fun part of being on stage with An Irish Christmas team.

Th e f u n par t is t h at w e ar e act u ally h avin g f u n ! Th e dyn am ic bet w een t h e dan cer s an d t h e m u sician s an d t h e sin ger s ? w h en w e get u p t h er e all t oget h er ? w e ju st h ave a good t im e an d play of f each ot h er . An d even t h ou gh it is t h e sam e sh ow , f or u s ever y n igh t is a lit t le dif f er en t on st age.

Wh at do you t h in k of t h e exper ien ce an d t h e r ealit y of st age w or k vs t h e st r ict disciplin es of com pet it ive Ir ish dan ce? Does on e h elp t h e ot h er ?

Th e t ou r an d st age w or k r em in d m e h ow m u ch I love Ir ish Dan ce. Th e disciplin e of com pet it ive Ir ish Dan ce is obviou sly a gr eat f ou n dat ion an dt h e m ain t h in g I w or k so h ar d f or . Bu t af t er all t h ese year s of com pet it ion s,

Decem ber , 2023

I r i sh Ar t s & En t er t ai n m en t

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I am so gr at ef u l t o h ave t h e oppor t u n it y t o ju st dan ce on st age in a pr odu ct ion lik e An Ir ish Ch r ist m as ? especially at t h e en d of t h e year an d af t er t h e st r ess of Oir each t as. It ?s def in it ely a dif f er en t f eelin g. I also lik e t h e in depen den ce an d con f iden ce I h ave gain ed f r om bein g ou t on t ou r .

Do you plan on a career in music or dance or show business in general?

If I h ave t h e oppor t u n it y t o per f or m in lar ger sh ow s I def in it ely w ill. I w ou ld love t o be able t o t ou r w it h River dan ce. I t h in k t h at m igh t be ever y Ir ish Dan cer ?s dr eam an d w h en I w as lit t le it w as som et h in g I w ou ld say, even t h ou gh I didn?t u n der st an d w h at it m ean t or w h at it w ou ld en t ail. Bu t h avin g been on t ou r w it h An Ir ish Ch r ist m as (an d St . Pat r ick ?s Day in Ir elan d) I k n ow t h e r ealit y of t ou r lif e, an d t h e desir e is even st r on ger n ow. Bu t f or a car eer , lon g t er m , I don?t r eally k n ow w h at I w an t t o do yet .

Tell us about your schoolwork now? Have you a college plan yet?

I am a soph om or e (t h at is 10t h gr ade) at Not r e Dam e High t Sch ool in Sh er m an Oak s. M y f avor it e classes t h is year ar e Ch em ist r y an d En gin eer in g. I def in it ely w an t t o go t o college. I k n ow I w ill go t o college, bu t I?m n ot qu it e su r e w h er e exact ly I w an t t o go yet . Next sch ool year is w h en I w ill st ar t m ak in g decision s or at least n ar r ow in g dow n ch oices an d t h in k in g ser iou sly abou t w h er e I w an t t o apply. I?ve t h ou gh t abou t leavin g Calif or n ia an d goin g as f ar aw ay as Oxf or d Un iver sit y in t h e UK. An d t h en I t h in k m aybe goin g t o San Diego St at e Un iver sit y (on ly 3 h ou r s sou t h of Los An geles, w h er e m y Dad w en t ) is ju st f ar en ou gh t o exper ien ce goin g aw ay w h ile st ill bein g close en ou gh t o h om e.

Have you been able to travel much? Have you been to Ireland?

Au br ey St agn ar o as THE WREN in AN IRISH CHRISTMAS

I h ave been able t o t r avel a lot gr ow in g u p. I am lu ck y t h at m y m om is ver y big on t r avel, an d sh e w an t s m e an d m y br ot h er t o exper ien ce ot h er places an d see dif f er en t w ays of lif e. I h ave been t o Ir elan d - Belf ast an d Du blin . Tr avellin g is a ver y im por t an t par t of m y lif e, an d I h ope t o spen d a f ew year s af t er college t r avellin g as m u ch as I can !

Li m i t ed T i m e Subscr i pt i on Of f er

Finally, being the youngest cast member, are you able to make friends and find common ground with the rest of the crew? Do they all kind of watch out for you?

Yes, I h ave r eally been able t o con n ect w it h ever yon e in t h e cast . I t h in k w e bon d over social m edia an d t h in gs t h at k eep u s en t er t ain ed on t ou r . Th ey m igh t be a lit t le older , bu t I h ave n ever f ou n d it dif f icu lt t o f or m a bon d an d get com f or t able w it h t h em . I do t h in k t h at t h ey look ou t f or m e a lit t le t h ou gh . It ?s an in t er est in g balan ce. Bu t ever yon e is t h er e f or t h e sam e r eason , r eally. So, it w or k s.

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I r ish Ar ts & Enter tainment

Th e Legen d of THE WREN

By Jim McDonough An Ir ish Ch r ist m as, con ceived an d pr odu ced by M ar gar et O?Car r oll an d h er Ker r y Ir ish Pr odu ct ion s Com pan y is a t ou r de f or ce t h at deliver s an exper ien ce of Ir elan d?s best dan ce, m u sic an d Ch r ist m as t r adit ion s in spect acu lar f ash ion !

Nollaig

(w e h ope) on a pole. Th e pr ocession in volves sin gin g, dan cin g, an d playin g t r adit ion al m u sic. In som e ar eas, it is cu st om ar y f or t h e boys t o go door -t o-door , collect m on ey, an d give per f or m an ces in exch an ge f or t r eat s.

On e of t h e m an y au dien ce f avor it es is t h e THE WREN segm en t . Th is m agical dan ce an d son g r ou t in e br ou gh t t o lif e in O?Car r oll?s Ch r ist m ast im e ext r avagan za is based on on e of Ir elan d?s f avor it e st or ies Th e Ir ish as t h e w or ld k n ow s ar e w on der f u l st or yt eller s an d THE LEGEND of THE WREN is on e of t h eir best an d m ost popu lar ..

We begin w it h t h is an cien t t u n e

The wren, the wren, the king of all birds, On St. Stephen's Day, he got caught in the furze.

Although he is little, his family's great, So, rise up, landlady, and give us a trate.

Up with the kettle and down with the pan, And give us a penny to bury the wren.

Th is som eh ow sw eet yet sad poem evolved f r om (an d/ or in t o) on e of Ir elan d?s m ost ch er ish ed act ivit ies du r in g t h e Ch r ist m as Season ; t h e THE WREN BOYS or t o som e Th e Wr en Day..

Th e Wr en Day also also k n ow n as St . St eph en's Day, is a u n iqu e Ir ish Ch r ist m as t r adit ion t h at dat es back cen t u r ies. It t ak es place on Decem ber 26t h an d is m ar k ed by a pr ocession of Wr en Boys t h r ou gh villages an d t ow n s. Th e cu st om is deeply r oot ed in Ir ish f olk lor e an d h as bot h Ch r ist ian an d pagan elem en t s.

Th e t r adit ion som e say is t h ou gh t t o h ave or igin at ed in t h e 5t h or 6t h cen t u r y, com m em or at in g t h e m ar t yr dom of St . St eph en , t h e f ir st Ch r ist ian m ar t yr . Accor din g t o t h e legen d, a w r en bet r ayed St .

St eph en by ch at t er in g an d r evealin g h is h idin g place. Th e w r en's bet r ayal led t o St . St eph en's capt u r e an d even t u al execu t ion . In r em em br an ce of t h is even t , t h e Wr en Day becam e a day of h u n t in g dow n an d t h en par adin g w it h a sym bolic w r en .

Wr en Boys, t r adit ion ally you n g boys dr essed in cost u m es, par t icipat e in t h e f est ivit ies. Th ey of t en w ear st r aw su it s or m ask s, alon g w it h color f u l clot h in g, an d in pr esen t day car r y a f ak e w r en

Th e Wr en Day is m ost popu lar in r u r al ar eas, par t icu lar ly in t h e sou t h er n an d w est er n par t s of Ir elan d. It h as evolved over t im e, blen din g elem en t s of Celt ic an d Ch r ist ian t r adit ion s.

An d as w it h m ost legen d, per h aps especially t h ose of t h e Celt s, t h er e is a var iat ion of t h e Wr en Day st or y t h at in volves t h e w r en bet r ayin g Ir ish r ebels t o t h e Br it ish . Accor din g t o t h is ver sion , du r in g t h e 17t h or 18t h cen t u r y, w h en Ir elan d w as u n der Br it ish r u le, a gr ou p of r ebels w er e plan n in g a su r pr ise at t ack on a Br it ish ou t post . Legen d h as it t h at a w r en began peck in g on a dr u m , in adver t en t ly r evealin g t h e r ebels' locat ion t o t h e Br it ish soldier s.

Th e n oise aler t ed t h e Br it ish , w h o t h en capt u r ed t h e r ebels an d t h w ar t ed t h eir plan s. In t h is ver sion , t h e w r en is seen as a sym bol of bet r ayal, an d t h e Wr en Boys' pr ocession on St . St eph en's Day is a r een act m en t of t h is h ist or ical even t . Th e f ak e w r en car r ied by t h e Wr en Boys r epr esen t s t h e bir d t h at bet r ayed t h e r ebels.

Folk lor e of t en h as m u lt iple var iat ion s, an d t h e Wr en Day st or y is n o except ion . Dif f er en t r egion s an d com m u n it ies m ay h ave t h eir ow n in t er pr et at ion s an d em bellish m en t s of t h e t ale.

Lá Fh éile St iof áin f aoi m h aise du it !

Have a very Blessed Saint Stephen's Day!

N ov em ber , 2023

I r i sh Ar t s & En t er t ai n m en t

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The Joy of Christ mas in Ireland No on e celebr at es Ch r ist m as w it h m or e joy t h an t h e Ir ish .

Ker r y Ir ish Pr odu ct ion s is excit ed t o be back on t h e r oad spr eadin g t h at joy t o au dien ces h er e in Am er ica w it h t h eir sh ow An Ir ish Ch r ist m as.

Th e sh ow , w h ich h as been br oadcast on PBS, is a celebr at ion of f am ily an d com m u n it y t h at sh ow cases som e of Ir elan d?s gr eat t r adit ion s in clu din g blessin g t h e bu t t er ch u r n , ch asin g t h e w r en , an d dan cin g on t h e h alf -door . A segm en t of t h e sh ow f eat u r es sean -n ós dan cin g, an old st yle of dan ce or igin at in g in Con n em ar a, t h at st r ips dow n t h e con ven t ion s of Ir ish dan ce w it h an im pr ovisat ion al appr oach t h at f ocu ses

on t h e r h yt h m s an d t h e joy of dan cin g.

As a special t r eat f or San Diego au dien ces, t h e sh ow ?s pr odu cer M ar gar et O?Car r oll h as in vit ed Jean n ie Th or n t on?s Clan Rin ce Sch ool of Ir ish Dan ce t o join t h e

N ol l ai g

sh ow in a su per b Act 1 f in ale. In addit ion , Sar ah Dillon an d Elizabet h Ger h ar dt w h o t r ain ed at t h e sch ool w ill be f eat u r ed. Sar ah h as been dan cin g f or t w elve year s w it h t h e Clan Rin ce Sch ool of Ir ish Dan ce. Sh e h as com pet ed at t h e Wor ld Ch am pion sh ips t h r ee t im es an d ach ieved placem en t s in t h e Top 10 in t h e West Region an d Top 15 in Nor t h Am er ica. Elizabet h h as been dan cin g sin ce sh e w as t w o! As an Open Ch am pion w it h t h e Clan Rin ce Sch ool of Ir ish Dan ce sh e h as com pet ed at t h e r egion al an d n at ion al levels.

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Ir ish New Year CELEBRATION!!!

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December, 2023

I r ish Ar ts & Enter tainment

Th e I r i sh Ten or s

25th Anniversary: A Family Christmas

T H E I RI SH T ENORS Get set an un f or get t abl e even i n g of m usi c an d cel ebr at i on w i t h t h e I r i sh T en or s? 25t h An n i ver sar y w i t h ? A Fam i l y Ch r i st m as? , Decem ber 22n d at t h e Gr an ada T h eat r e i n San t a Bar bar a. T h i s ex t r aor di n ar y t r i o, con si st i n g of t h er en ow n ed An t h on y Kear n s, Ron an T yn an , an d Decl an Kel l y h as been capt i vat i n g audi en ces w or l dw i de si n ce 19 9 8.

Pr epar e t o be en ch an t ed by t h ei r pow er f ul voi ces an d ver sat i l e r eper t oi r e, w h i ch span s f r om bel oved I r i sh cl assi cs l i k e ? Dan n y Boy? t o bel oved Ch r i st m as cl assi cs.

T h e I r i sh T en or s ar e n ot j ust per f or m er s; t h ey ar e m usi cal st or yt el l er s, br eat h i n g n ew l i f e i n t o t r adi t i on al t r easur es w h i l e t ouch i n g t h e dept h s of em ot i on w i t h ever y n ot e. Fr om sol d- out sh ow s at i con i c ven ues t o t op- ch ar t i n g al bum s, t h ei r l egacy i s un den i abl e.

As t h e l eadi n g br an d i n t h ei r gen r e, T h e I r i sh T en or s h ave gr aced PBS speci al s an d appear ed on est eem ed sh ow s l i k e T h e T oday Sh ow an d Good M or n i n g Am er i ca.

T h ei r con cer t s ar e l egen dar y, of t en cul m i n at i n g i n m ul t i pl e st an di n g ovat i on s, a t est am en t t o t h e un par al l el ed m agi c t h ey br i n g t o each per f or m an ce.

Joi n i n on t h e H ol i day M agi c f or a n i gh t of cel ebr at i on an d m usi c as t h ey com m em or at e 25 year s of en ch an t i n g per f or m an ces., T h i s Ch r i st m as m ak e ch er i sh ed m em or i es w i t h your l oved on es t h at w i l l l ast a l i f et i m e.I t ?s a f am i l y Ch r i st m as n ot t o be m i ssed!

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IRISH FAIR & CELTIC MUSIC FESTIVE NOW SET FOR TORRANCE IN MID- JULY

By J im McDonough Speaking of tr aditions....one of Souther n Califor nia's best events and a tr adition for well over 40 year s is r etur ning in July of 2024.

The new boar d of the Ir ish Fair met this past week and agr eed to sign a deal with the City of Tor r ance to use Wilson Par k as the location for this gr eat event which salutes Ir eland and Ir ish Amer ica! A lot of planning and wor k lies ahead, The Ir ish Ar ts and Enter tainment has signed on as the official Media Par tner so we will be cover ing the ensuing plans and developments extensively.

We ar e ver y happy to r epor t two ver y exciting agr eements alr eady; the Young Dubliner s will be playin g both days and the McNulty School of Ir ish Dance will be or ganizing an official Ir ish Dance Feis

The new boar d member s ar e: Gr iffin Healy, Pr esident, Jay Har t, Chief of Police, Tor r ance; Scott Well, Attor ney and member of Cr aic in the Stone, Er in Scott, McNulty School of Ir ish Dance+, David McKenna Pr esident of the Ancient Or der of Hiber nians, Jim McDonough, Publisher of the Ir ish Ar ts & Enter tainment

Decem ber , 2023

I r i sh Ar t s & En t er t ai n m en t

PUBLIC SERVICE & IRISH COM M UNITY LINKS an d LISTINGS ar e FREE! Bu sin ess an d Pu b Calen dar list in gs ar e FREE f or Adver t iser s an d $100. f or f ou r m on t h s/ ver y cost ef f ect ive / f or Non -Adver t iser s!

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M or e excit in g det ails f or t h e New an d bigger t h an ever Ir ish Fair an d M u sic Fest ival t o be h eld in Tor r an ce (Sou t h Bay of f t h e 405) w ill be det ailed in ou r Jan u ar y issu e!! In t h e m ean t im e please click h er e f or ou r n ew ven u e:

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Irish Travel & Tours Chr istmas Tr avel To Ir eland

By Patr ick Weld I will be in London for Chr istmas this year because of my new job I will only get two days off, Chr istmas Day and Boxing Day. Last year I got lucky and had two weeks off in Ir ealnd. Ther e ar e some deals on flights so if you can escape to Eur ope, go for it.

I n Galway, you can star t by explor ing the Galway Chr istmas M ar ket in Eyre Square, (TOP PI CTURE) which is wor ld famous for its bustling stalls, festive atmosphere, and local cr afts.

Eyre Square tr ansfor ms into a winter wonder land, offer ing ever ything from handmade gifts to delicious treats. The city itself is beautifully decor ated, creating a magical setting.

creating a diver se and unique shopping exper ience. Visitor s can enj oy delicious food, tr aditional cr afts, and seasonal enter tainment .

There is a lot more to do in Galway too, the Pubs, I r ish M usic and Food are the best in I reland. I t is kind of a college town too so really good for younger people. The I r ish seem to treat all ages really well so don't let that obser vation scare you away if you are an Amer ican Boomer !

Dublin, being the capital, has its own share of Chr istmas delights.

Gr afton Street and O'Connell Street are ador ned with spar kling lights, and the Winter L ights Dublin Festival adds an extr a touch of magic to the cityscape. Don't miss the Chr istmas concer ts and events at iconic venues like the National Concer t Hall.

Europe is big on Chr istmas M ar kets. I have never been but I hear Ger many has the oldest and the most; some daing back to the M iddle Ages.

Dublin Chr istmas Flea M ar ket: While not a tr aditional Chr istmas mar ket, the Dublin Chr istmas Flea M ar ket is a popular festive event. I t showcases the wor k of local ar tists, designer s, and cr aftspeople. The mar ket offer s a more alter native and eclectic shopping exper ience, per fect for those looking for unique and handmade gifts.

We got to spend a few days in the nor th of I reland last year too. We got to go to the Belfast Chr istmas M ar ket: which is located in the hear t of the city.

Belfast Chr istmas M ar ket is known for its inter national flair. I t boasts a var iety of stalls with products from different countr ies,

In t h e h ear t of t h e cit y, BELFAST'S CHRISTM AS M ARKET

As for the spir itual side of Chr istmas, I reland has a strong Catholic tr adition, and attending M idnight M ass on Chr istmas Eve is still a common pr actice. M any churches, both Catholic and Protestant, hold special ser vices and choir per for mances throughout the holiday season.

St. Stephen's Day, also known as Boxing Day in the nor th, is celebr ated on December 26th. I t's a public or Bank holiday mar ked by var ious events. Tr aditional activities include char ity events, par ades, and hor se r acing. M any towns and cities host festive gather ings,the marches with Wren Boys and it's a great time to exper ience I r ish hospitality.

So, whether you're in Belfast, Cor k, Dublin, Galway or anyplace in any of the 32 counties that make up the Emer ald I sle; you're bound to find a mix of tr aditional and moder n Chr istmas festivities to enj oy!

December, 2023

I r ish Ar ts & Enter tainment

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Ir elan d's Nat ion al Tr easu r es Introduction by James McDonough Feature, photos ad research by Patrick Weld Th e m u seu m s an d h er it age sit es of Ir elan d ar e in an d of t h em selves par t of t h e gr eat t r easu r e t h at Ir elan d h as t o of f er . In side t h ese gr eat in st it u t ion s, cen t er s of lear n in g an d m agn if icen t ar ch it ect u r al m ar vels ar e w on dr ou s object s, spaces an d places t h at h ave been passed dow n t o u s t h r ou gh t h e ages by ou r f or bear s t h r ou gh a com bin at ion of good lu ck an d a sen se of dedicat ion f or h ist or y an d t h e f u t u r e.

Th is ser ies on Ir elan d's Gr eat M u seu m s begin s ou r ser ies of t h e explor at ion of all t h e h ist or y an d t r easu r e t h at Ir elan d of f er s t o t h ose f or t u n at e en ou gh t o live in or t r avel t o t h e Au ld Sod!

For a sm all cou n t r y, Ir elan d h as a st u n n in g st ock of gr eat ar t f r om all over Eu r ope. Som e of t h e r ar est an d m ost popu lar pain t in gs on display in m u seu m s in Du blin ar e also easy t o f in d an d get t o. You can w alk an d h op bu ses an d t h e cit y r ail syst em t h er e is easy t o n avigat e; also t h e n at ives ar e u su ally ver y h elpf u l.

Nat ion al Galler y of Ir elan d - Locat ed in Du blin , it h ou ses an ext en sive collect ion of Ir ish an d Eu r opean ar t , in clu din g w or k s by f am ou s ar t ist s. On display at t h e Nat ion al Galler y of Ir elan d, you w ill f in d som e of t h e gr eat est an d m ost f am ou s of t h e w or ld's pain t in gs. " Th e Tak in g of Ch r ist " by Car avaggio. " Th e M eet in g on t h e Tu r r et St air s" by Fr eder ic William Bu r t on . " Th e M ar r iage of St r on gbow an d Aoif e" by Dan iel M aclise.

Kilm ain h am Gaol - Sit u at ed in Du blin , t h is f or m er pr ison is n ow a m u seu m t h at pr ovides in sigh t s in t o Ir elan d's polit ical an d social h ist or y.

" Por t r ait of a Wom an w it h a Wh it e Collar " by Am br as Sch ool " Th e Sick Bacch u s" by Car avaggio " Sain t Fr an cis in t h e Deser t " by Giovan n i Bellin i " Por t r ait of a Lady w it h a Squ ir r el an d a St ar lin g" by Han s Holbein t h e You n ger Book of Kells an d Old Libr ar y Exh ibit ion - Sit u at ed in Tr in it y College, Du blin , it displays t h e f am ou s m edieval m an u scr ipt , t h e Book of Kells, alon g w it h a st u n n in g libr ar y.

Nat ion al Lepr ech au n M u seu m - Based in Du blin , it of f er s a u n iqu e an d in t er act ive exper ien ce explor in g Ir ish f olk lor e an d m yt h ology, in clu din g t h e lepr ech au n legen d.

NEXT MONTH. Our series continues

Nat ion al M u seu m of Ir elan d - Com pr isin g m u lt iple sit es in Du blin , in clu din g t h e Ar ch aeology, Decor at ive Ar t s & Hist or y, an d Nat u r al Hist or y M u seu m s, it sh ow cases Ir ish h er it age an d cu lt u r e

Galw ay Cit y M u seu m Sit u at ed in Galw ay, it f ocu ses on t h e h ist or y an d h er it age of t h e cit y an d t h e su r r ou n din g r egion .

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Nollaig

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I r i sh Ar t s & En t er t ai n m en t

Ir elan d's Hidden Gem s

N ol l ai g

By John McNally

L ooking down on Clew Bay and Clare I sland from the summit of Croagh Patr ick , County M ayo

At 2,507 feet tall, Croagh Patrick is hardly hidden, being one of the most towering peaks in County Mayo. With grand views of Clew Bay from the top, it is an enjoyable hike for anyone in decent health. A short drive from Westport, the story goes that its namesake, Saint Patrick, visited the mountain around 1,600 years ago, a place for pagan rituals before that.

On the last Sunday in July, up to 10,000 people pilgrimage to the holy mountain and attempt the climb, some in bare feet, in honor of Saint Patrick. We were there in August of 2019, and there was only a trickle of hikers, thinning out the nearer we reached the top. The first part of

the hike is along a beautiful stream with lush gr een sl opes t h at gr adual l y t ak e you up t o t h e h al f w ay poi n t ,

a f l at saddl e, w h i ch pr ovi des a n eeded br eak bef or e t h e f i n al ascen t .

.

Ou r in t r epid con t r ibu t er Joh n M cNally an d Sally M cNally in 2019

Decem ber , 2023

I r i sh Ar t s & En t er t ai n m en t

Page 21

CROAGH PAT RI CK, Continued from Previous page At t h e begi n n i n g of t h e upper con e- sh aped peak , t h e h i l l si de st eepen s,

an d i n 2019, the trail dsappeared into a muddy slope of small boulders and then loose shale, made even trickier by a poorly timed but typical drizzly Summer day.

W hen my wife, Sally's parent s said t hey crawled up Croagh Pat rick, t hey likely referred t o t his sect ion.

Fort unat ely, t he t rail has been much improved since, wit h crushed rock paving and st eps in t he st eepest areas all handmade by volunt eers. At t he t op of t he mount ain is a small chapel and t remendous views of Clare Island and Clew Bay, t he st omping grounds of pirat e queen Grainne/Grace O'M alley in t he 16t h cent ury. At t he bot t om is a large car park and a lovely t ourist cent er wit h a gift shop, rest rooms, and warm beverages.

For more informat ion, may we suggest t his online resource when planning your t rip: www.mayo.ie/at t ract ions/croagh-pat rick

Joh n M cNally Ou r f eat u r ed w r it er , colu m n ist an d Ir ish Com m u n it y Act ivist

sh ar es h is t h ou gh t s on t h e lat est n ew s an d t r en ds con cer n in g Ir elan d an d Ir ish Am er ica.

Dif f er en t opin ion s an d view s ar e essen t ial in an y f r ee societ y.

We deeply appr eciat e ou r pr ess f r eedom s.

Now , m or e t h an ever , it is im por t an t t o h ave Ir ish Com m u n it y act ivism , diver sit y an d in pu t .

SUBM ISSIONS ACCEPTED Ou r n ew Tr avel & Tou r s Sect ion is in t er est ed in h ear in g f r om you if you w an t t o w r it e abou t you r Ir ish Tr avels.

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I r i sh Ar t s & En t er t ai n m en t

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Ir elan d's Depar t m en t of Pu blic Wor k s is doin g a live st r eam of t h e Su n r ise at New gr an ge Says a spokesperson for OPW. This year, ?everyone will be able to experience this wonderful phenomenon from any location around the world?. Viewers in the US and around the world will be able to see the Solstice online.

The event will be live-streamed from within the Chamber on from December 20 by Irelands Office of Public Works (OPW).OPW.IE LINK

Decem ber , 2023

I r i sh Ar t s & En t er t ai n m en t

Page 23

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I r i sh Ar t s & En t er t ai n m en t

N ol l ai g

Th e View f r om Ir elan d The Fog Of War

By M au r ice Fit zpat r ick

The fog of war is a ter m der ived from militar y analyst Car l von Clausewitz?s seminal book, On War. I t means the confusion that ar ises in the field of battle and the difficulty militar y commander s have in discer ning the best tactical approaches. Yet the fog of war exper ienced in the battlefield is as nothing compared to the fog of lies and propaganda that attends the politics of waging, suppor ting or j ustifying a war. Witness, for example, the commentar y of political leader s in response to ?Black Satur day?, the hor r ific massacre of I sr aeli civilians on October 7th by Hamas, and the war that has ensued. M any have staked out positions, but few have been made to take responsibility for the full mor al and legal impor t of those stances.

Consider the President of the European Commission, Ur sula von der L eyen. After the attacks, she author ised the proj ection of the I sr aeli flag against the headquar ter s of the European Commission in Br ussels. She maintained that I sr ael has the r ight to defend itself even as it prepared a ground offensive in Gaza and or dered over a million people to evacuate their homes (with nowhere to go). She then tr avelled to I sr ael to reinforce her message of unconditional suppor t for I sr ael. Von der L eyen also failed to condemn the announcement from an er r ant commissioner that the Commission would cut off humanitar ian funding for Gaza. As Tacitus put it: ?Desolationem faccunt, pacem appellant?/ ?they make desolation and call it peace?.

When European leader s and minister s for foreign affair s from EU member states assembled, they r apidly rever sed the Commission?s decision (it had no r ight to make it in the fir st place) on humanitar ian aid and condemned the attacks on Gaza that von der L eyen had conspicuously failed to. Now, surely, she must be asked to comment on the humanitar ian cr isis she was so apt to ignore. As Joyce M suya of the United Nations Office for the Coor dination of Humanitar ian Affair s put it, one million displaced people in Gaza ?have nowhere to go? nowhere to escape the bombs and missiles, and nowhere to find water or food, or to escape the unfolding humanitar ian catastrophe?.

I s cutting off aid from people who are endur ing this hell compatible with the values of the EU and, if not, why has the Commission failed to apologise to Palestinians? Even as late as ten days after Hamas?attack, von der L eyen said in an address to the European Par liament that ?only if we acknowledge I sr ael?s pain and its r ight to defend itself will we have the credibility to say that I sr ael should react as a democr acy in line with international humanitar ian law?. I s Tony Blair wr iting von der L eyen?s speeches? The only conditions in which I sr ael and its suppor ter s can have credibility is when they insist that

I sr ael should react as a democr acy in line with inter national humanitar ian law in all circumstances. After this fur ther evidence of her ineptitude, von der L eyen r an off and avoided questions from member s of the European Par liament? the par liament to which she is accountable? some of whom are livid with her for doing ?ir revocable damage?to the EU. When the Al Ahli Ar ab Hospital in Gaza was attacked and destroyed, 842 Commission staff member s signed a letter accusing her of giving ?a free hand to the acceler ation and the legitimacy of a war cr ime in the Gaza Str ip?. The I DF tar geting of hospitals, including children?s hospitals, continues.

Speaking in the Dáil on October 18th, Sinn Féin leader M ar y L ou M cDonald said that the ?destr uction of hospitals is a direct violation of inter national law, a war cr ime?. Finally, Sinn Féin recognises a war cr ime when it sees one. Does this open the way for the par ty to rej ect the war cr imes per petr ated by the I RA dur ing the Troubles and par ticipate in an Oireachtas (gover nmental) hear ing on the same?

I n the UK , Pr ime M inister Rishi Sunak made clear that no body count in Gaza could ever sway his ?unequivocal?suppor t for I sr ael: ?...the UK gover nment has lined up with the august company of Geor ge W. Bush. Bush?s response to the war : ?M y thoughts were that we need to suppor t I sr ael. No ands, ifs or buts?.

distinctly different views on some par ts of the cur rent war in Gaza. Both condemn the initial attack by Hamas

ABOVE: Sin n Fein's

M ar yLou M cDon ald To the right: EU Pr esiden t ,

Ur sula von der L eyen.

European leader s have

Decem ber , 2023

I r i sh Ar t s & En t er t ai n m en t

VI EW Conclusion As for the?mistakes?in I r aq, accor ding to the Watson I nstitute at Brown Univer sity, between 280,771 and 315,190 people were killed by the US forces dur ing the invasion. The Bush Administr ation knowingly based the invasion on propaganda. I n a declassified document held in the US National Secur ity Archive, ?Talking points for the Rumsfeld-Fr anks meeting on November 27, 2001?, Secretar y of Defence Donald Rumsfeld and his colleagues acknowledged that they needed to procure ?real evidence?to j ustify invading I r aq (redolent of Tr ump?s demand of Geor gia Secretar y of State, Br ad Raffensper ger, to ?find 11,780 votes?to enable him to win Geor gia) ?deter mination to exploit the perceived October 7th has been ter med ?I sr ael?s 9/11?. Dur ing his visit to I sr ael, President Biden said: ?After 9/11, we were enr aged in the United States. When we sought j ustice and got j ustice, we also made mistakes?. M istakes? I f the cur rent leader s of the UK and the US lear ned anything at all from their countr ies?policies post-9/11 they would forcefully remind I sr ael about the abj ect failure of the str ategic response to the Al-Qaeda attacks in 2001. After twenty futile year s of attempting to administer Afghanistan and install an alter native gover nment, the US withdrew in 2021 and the Taliban retur ned to power. propaganda value of intercepted aluminum [sic] tubes ? falsely identified as nuclear related?. Absent any evidence of ?weapons of mass destr uction?this propaganda was used to suppor t the cr iminal invasion. So, where is the ar ticle in the New Yor k Times reminding its reader ship that the newspaper ?s cover age, which upheld the propaganda about ?weapons of mass destr uction?based on bogus sources, facilitated political leader s to invade; and ur ging that this is a cautionar y example against unconditional suppor t for I sr ael?s invasion of Gaza?

So many questions. M aybe I should not hold my breath for responses?

Page 25

THREE AM AZING NIGHTS AT BANK OF AM ERICA PERFORM ING ARTS CENTER, THOUSAND OAKS! AN IRISH CHRISTM AS FOR TWO NIGHTS ONLY SCHERR FORUM THEATRE, THOUSAND OAKS 7:30pm 20 & 21 Dec TICKETS h t t ps:/ / bapact h ou san doak s.com / sh o... / an -ir ish -ch r ist m as-2023 Box Of f ice: 805-449-2787 "An over w h elm in g su ccess? glor iou s m u sic, dan ce, an d plen t y of Ir ish sou l... f ir st r at e!"

-Ir ish New s an d En t er t ain m en t THE SOUND OF CHRISTM AS SING-ALONG ONE NIGHT ONLY KAVLI THEATRE, BANK OF AM ERICA PAC, THOUSAND OAKS TIM E: 7:30pm FRI. 22 Dec TICKETS h t t ps:/ / bapact h ou san doak s.com / sh ow... / t h e-sou n d-of -ch r ist m as Box Of f ice: 805-449-2787 A f u n -f illed sin g-alon g w it h or ch est r a, ch oir , soloist s an d you , t h e au dien ce! A w on der f u l w ay t o celebr at e t h e h olidays!

Pack ed t o t he r af t er s w it h all y our f avour it e Chr ist mas t r eat s

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I r i sh Ar t s & En t er t ai n m en t

N ol l ai g

I RI SH M U SI C News & Reviews Just In At Deadline

CELTIC WOM AN 20t h An n iver say Ch r ist m as Sh ow

Decem ber 15 - 16, 2023 Ren ée an d Hen r y Seger st r om Con cer t Hall

Ir ish Sin ger Sh an e M acGow an (1957 - 2023) h as died .

A sad day f or Ir ish m u sic. Pogu es' Fr on t m an is gon e at 65. " Rem em ber n ot t h at h e died, bu t t h at h e lived, an d h e h as lef t u s w it h m em or ies t oo w on der f u l t o f or get !"

Ar dh eis Dé go r aibh a an am (M ay He Rest in Peace) We w ill h ave m or e det ails on h is passin g an d h is lif e-st or y in ou r Jan u ar y, 2024 issu e.

M ean w h ik e h er e is a lin k on You Tu be f r om t h e UK cover in g h is in Tipper ar y

f u n er al

Celebr at e t h is h oliday season w it h t h e celest ial voices of m u lt i-plat in u m Ir ish sin gin g sen sat ion Celt ic Wom an w it h Pacif ic Sym ph on y. Feat u r in g m u sic f r om t h e all-f em ale en sem ble?s m ost f avor it e Yu let ide son gs per f or m ed by t h em over t h e year s. Pr epar e f or an

Have you been t o t h e Cof f ee Bar at t h e Kin g's Head in San t a M on ica ?

Cof f ee Lover s r ejoice, t h e Kin g's Head Sh oppe an d Bak er y ar e n ow ser vin g som e of t h e best select ion s of cof f ee an d specialt y dr in k s in all of San t a M on ica an d t h e West Side!

Th ey ar e also pu r veyor s of exclu sive cof f ees in bu lk !

Ch eck ou t t h e gr eat select ion , all et h ically sou r ced.

Visit u s on SM Blvd. at Secon d Ave . Fr esh Bak er y on t h e pr em ises f or all you r Holiday t r eat s! w w w.yeoldek in gsh ead.com

Decem ber , 2023

I r i sh Ar t s & En t er t ai n m en t

Der ek War f ield & Th e You n g Wolf e Ton es A special group of Irish men and women have been responsible for preservat ion of t he t radit ion of Irish ballad singing over t he past 50 years. Derek Warfield is a dist inguished name among t hem.

Derek Warfield and They Young W olfe Tones are bringing t hat musical t radit ion forward wit h a reverence for Ireland?s past and t he energy and opt imism of a new generat ion of Irish musicians.

Derek Warfield & The Young W olfe Tones are t hrilled t o be celebrat ing 15 years On t he One Road. They are a merry bunch and are delight ed t o be celebrat ing it in st yle wit h t he release of a new CD ?Let The Free Birds Fly? which was released in June 2022.

They are const ant ly shut t leing around t he globe wit h many performances all over America including some great Irish American Fest ivals & Venues. ?W e?re present ing an old t radit ion in a new package ? and I?ve t he same passion for it now as I had when it all st art ed 50 years ago!?

Derek Warfield & The Young W olfe Tones (One of t he headlining act s of M ilwaukee Irish Fest ival 2018 (The biggest Irish Fest ival in t he world) Derek Warfield (New York Societ y Dublin M an of The Year 2013) and (The AOH Spirit Of Freedom Award 2017) Derek Warfield & The Young W olfe Tones (Official performers for ?2015 The Friends Of Ireland Speaker John Beohner St Pat rick?s Day Luncheon in Capit ol Hill) for President Obama, Vice President Biden, Taoiseach Enda Kenny & many ot her dist inguished friends of Irish America.

2016 Was a pinnacle for Derek and The Young W olfet ones was when t hey were chosen t o perform on t he 24t hApril at t he 1916 cent enary commemorat ions at t he General Post Office in O?Connell St reet Dublin at 12.o?clock noon. This was t he exact same t ime t he Irish proclamat ion was read by Padraig Pearse one hundred years ago t o t he minut e. As Derek is quot ed as saying ?of all t he honours best owed on t he W olfet ones old and young t his privilege was t he most significant . It was honour t o perform t he

Page 27

music and songs of remembrance and t he pat riot ic ballads t hat were sung by t he volunt eers inside t he building during t he st ruggle for our freedom, and we performed t hem wit h t he same passion and emot ion.?The Foggy Dew?, ?W rap t he Green Flag Round me? ?The Soldiers Song? were some of t he chorus?s t hat rang out along t he main t horoughfare t o t he 30,000 people assembled.

Derek Warfield & The Young W olfe Tones produced a powerful 20 t rack CD commemorat ive 1916 CD t it led ?The Call of Erin? t hat embraces t he herit age of popular ballads t hat remember our hero?s and pat riot s in poem, song and music.

Aft er spending nearly 40 years as founder, leader and front man of t he legendary W olfe Tones (named aft er t he 18t hcent ury Irish Revolut ionary Theobald W olfe Tone), Derek Warfield is revered as a singer, songwrit er, hist orian and ent ert ainer in all part s of t he world where Irish root s have been put down. The W olfe Tones enjoyed phenomenal success wit h 13 best -selling albums, 3 number one hit s, many t elevision appearances and shows in est eemed venues such as New York?s Carnegie Hall and The Royal Albert Hall in London.

Derek has been proudly present ed wit h t he keys t o San Francisco, New York and Los Angeles for his cont ribut ions t o Irish Song & M usic over t he years and was honoured as ?Dublin Gael of The Year 2013? by t he New York Dublin Societ y.

Since breaking away from t he W olfe Tones in 2001, Derek?s solo career has yielded 12 albums t o dat e, t he most successful of t hem being ?A Nat ion once again? ?On t he One Road?, ?God save Ireland? ?Sons of Erin? ?The Bonnie Blue Flag? ?Washingt on?s Irish? ?Let Ye All be Irish Tonight ?, ?Call Of Erin? and ?Let The Free Birds Fly?.

W it h t he format ion and ongoing success of The Young W olfe Tones, t he legend of Derek Warfield cont inues.

LEGACY ? THE YOUNG W OLFE TONES In 2001, aft er nearly 40 years performing, t he legendary W olfe Tones part ed wit h t heir founder and leader ? Derek Warfield. No ot her Irish folk group, before or since, t old t he st ory of Ireland so complet ely and unapologet ically. But for Derek?s hunger and desire t o cont inue t o furt her t he st ory of Ireland t hrough song, an ancient t radit ion might have lost perhaps it s most iconic figure. In 2008, Derek put t oget her a band cont aining some of t he finest musicians and singers in Irish music ? The Young W olfe Tones.

SAVE THESE DATES DEREK WARFIELD & THE YOUNG WOLF TONES ARE COM ING TO CALIFORNIA FOR THE FIRST TIM E IN 15 YEARS!

M ar ch 12, Har r is Cen t er , f or t h e Ar t s.

M ar ch 13 Sch er r For u m Th eat r e, Th ou san d Oak s M ar ch 14 Yu caipa PAC. ON SALE IN DECEM BER

cember, Page 282022

IIrrish tainment i shArArtst& s &Enter En t er t ai n m en t

Page 10

N ol l ai g

2023 / 24 Tou r Lor een a M cKen n it t L oreena M cK ennitt?s ?eclectic Celtic? music has won cr itical acclaim wor ldwide and gold, platinum and multi-platinum sales awar ds in 15 countr ies across four continents.

Star ting in Ohio at a sold out Columbus concer t, L oreena will br ing The Visit Revisited Tour to 23 Amer ican cities in the U.S. Nor theast, par ts of the M idwest and concluding in the Canadian pr air ies this Fall., L oreena will be accompanied on tour by long-time musical companions Br ian Hugheson guitar,Caroline L avelleon cello, Hugh M ar shon violin and Dudley Phillipson bass. Per for mances will include ever y song on The Visit, (in the or der they appear on the album), as well as other fan favour ites from across her catalogue.

Van M or r ison's lat est CD is A Deligh t By Jim M cDon ou gh

AccentuateThePositivecheck s al l the boxes!

Not since W il l y Nel son's STARDUST in the l ast centur y, 1977 or so, has a col l ection of r ock / bl ues and other standar ds been so easy on the ear s! I w as sol d w ith the titl e tr ack but it just gets better and better w ith a total of 19 songs incl uding LUCILLE and BLUEBERRY HILL!

L oreena M cK ennitt is one of the most talented and amazing ar tists of our time. I f you can make it to one of these concer ts, you will be rewar ded with a highly enter taining and uplifting evening.

I n 2024, The Visit Revisited Tour heads to Europe and concludes in L ondon in ear ly Apr il.

Visit her webite for details on tickets and concer ts and to or der her music:

www.loreenamckennitt.com

Van Mor r ison r oar s back to l ife after cr eating a bit of contr over sy by speak ing out against r estr ictions dur ing the Covid cr isis w ith this master ful col l ection. Van Mor r ison ihas been ar ound my w hol e l ife and the Nor ther n Ir ish singer , songw r iter , and musician is w el l k now n for his distinctive voice and bl ending of var ious musical genr es. He w as bor n on August 31, 1945, in Bel fast, Nor ther n Ir el and.

Van Mor r ison began his musical car eer in the l ate 1950s and r ose to pr ominence in the 1960s as the l ead singer of the Nor ther n Ir ish R&B band Them, k now n for hits l ik e "Gl or ia." How ever , he achieved w idespr ead sol o success w ith the r el ease of his cr itical l y accl aimed al bum "Astr al W eek s" in 1968.

You can get it on Am azon : CLICK HERE

St ay Updat ed Get n ot if ied of Ker r y Ir ish Pr odu ct ion s t ou r dat es an d u pcom in g even t s

OPT IN TO OUR NEWSLETTER CLICK HERE

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We are here looking for you!

Nollaig December

Submissions wanted.. send jpeg & caption to:

ir ishmissive@gmail.com

2023

Jim M cM ah on an d Har r y Hu gh es at THE CABBAGE PATCH GARDEN in War r en poin t , Cou n t y Dow n

Sally M cNally, Con su l Gen er al of Ir elan d's M ar cella Sm yt h & Joh n M cNally at t h e Ch r ist m as Recept ion at t h e Con su l Gen er al's h om e in LA on Decem ber 7

Ch asit y M cDon ou gh on t h e r igh t an d Au n t Su san en joyin g t h e spect acu lar Ch r ist m as Ligh t s at Br ook gr een Gar den s in M u r r els In let , SC w w w ,br ook gr een .or g VISIT THE BAND'S WEBSITE f or GIFTS Deliver y By Ch r ist m as/ ORDER NOW Con cer t INFO

w w w.gaelicst or m .com Un lim it ed Access t o t h e LIVESTREAM Bu y Her e / Click Tick et !

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I r ish Ar ts & Enter tainment

PUBLIC SERVICE & IRISH COM M UNITY LINKS an d LISTINGS ar e FREE! Bu sin ess an d Pu b Calen dar list in gs ar e FREE f or Adver t iser s an d $100. f or f ou r m on t h s/ ver y cost ef f ect ive/ f or Non Adver t iser s!

Cell: 951 216-1493 Em ail: ir ish m issive @gm ail.com

M cNu lt y Dan cer s THIRD SUNDAY Ou r Ch r ist m as Celebr at ion .

Br in g a f est ive dish t o sh ar e!

Nollaig

I r i sh A r t s & En t er t ai n m en t C al en d ar N OW W I T H By D ate & On Going Listings and Links

In t r o t o Ir ish Lan gu age On -Goin g .Th is on lin e class assu m es n o pr ior

k n ow ledge of t h e Ir ish lan gu age; if you h ave alr eady been exposed t o it , t h is class m ay ser ve as a r ef r esh er cou r se on t h e basics. Th e pr im ar y m at er ials ar e " Pr ogr ess in Ir ish" an d " Gaeilge Gan St r o - Low er Level" , bot h of w h ich m ay be pu r ch ased on lin e. Th e cou r se in st r u ct or , Jam es M u r ph y, w ill be cir cu lat in g t h e in it ial cou r se m at er ials as w ell. Th e f ir st f ew classes w ill f ocu s on pr on u n ciat ion .

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Celt ic du o !

M IKE KELLY & DAVE BURNES

Decem ber , 2023

I r i sh Ar t s & En t er t ai n m en t

Page 32

Sat urday, December 23, we'll be celebrat ing our

9-1/ 2 Half Anniversary!

BEER RELEASE: W e'll have a special beer release: an Imperial Brown Ale clocking in at 8.5% abv. This rich beer has dark honey and light coffee not es. A perfect wint er beer! Available in cans and draft !

W e'll also have 2 ot her beers in cans fresh off t he canning line: Van ICE in a new format and label, and Cran Nuys, a Spiced Cranberry Tart Sour wit h cranberry, orange, lemon, marmalade, honey, brown sugar, cinnamon, nut meg, orange peel, ginger, vanilla and lact ose! W ow! Come grab all t hree!

SWAG: W e'll have Half Anniversary glassware and t -shirt s available! M aybe anot her lit t le somet hin' -- who knows?

FOOD/ M USIC: W e'll have fun food t rucks, and live music from Celt ic Folk/ Rock band Lilt nt ang in t he evening!

CORN HOLE TOURNAM ENT Eery Thursday going forward, so please come and t oss some sacks! Free-t o-ent er, doubles t ournament wit h rare and unique brewery prizes for winners. Sign up around 7pm

M acLeod Ale Brewing Co. 14741 Calvert St , Van Nuys, CA 91411 www.macleodale.com

w w w.h ar pin n .com

Join Ter r y an d Rob of M eself & Him self f or an af t er n oon of m u sic t o celebr at e

Ir ish New Year at t h e Har p In n , Cost a M esa!

St ar t in g at 2pm , t h ey 'll be r in gin g in 2024 at 4pm -M idn igh t in Ir elan d!

December. 2023

I r ish Ar ts & Enter tainment

OWEN DARA is back at Th e 1881 Clu b in Pasaden a!

8 PM t o 11 ever y Tu esday n igh t .

Says Owen about t he show, " I mix some Irish songs wit h comedy and original songs. It ?s always a fun night . And t here?s no cover charge. The 1881 has a variet y of beers wines and mixed drinks. And t he Guinness t here is except ionally good! Especially on a Tuesday night !!"

Page 33

Click Her e To List en FIRST TUESDAY of ever y m on t h !

FRIENDS Of IRELAND Br eak f ast You 'r e in vit ed. Join t h e cr aic an d get t oget h er w it h a gr eat bu n ch of f olk s an d sh ar e you r love of Ir elan d & all t h in gs Ir ish . Th e br eak f ast s ar e ver y good t oo!

Fir st Tu esday of ever y m on t h Br eak f ast is at 9.30 am

Ken os Rest au r an t 2661 West La Palm a, An ah eim , Ca. M or e in f o an d t o get on t h e m ailin g list : PETE WALSH pbeir ean u a@at t .n et +1 714-200-7365

CELTIC ARTS CENTER CAC/ACS

@ The Mayflower Club 11110 Victor y Blvd., Nor th Hollywood, CA

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I r i sh Ar t s & En t er t ai n m en t

N ol l ai g

M ORE TRIVIA Wedn esdays Th e Har p In n Ir ish Pu b Pou r Hou se Tr ivia Ever y Wedn esday Even in g at 7;00pm THE HARP 130 E. 17t h . St . Cost a M esa, CA w w w.h ar pin n .com

IRISH COM M UNITY LISTINGS ARE FREE!!

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h t t ps:/ / am er icaspu bqu iz.com / >>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>

Th e colu m n r ecen t ly abou t t h e Ir ish Lan gu age by ou r gr eat f r ien d an d Ir ish Ar t s an d En t er t ain m en t colu m n ist M au r ice Fit zpat r ick r eally r eson at ed w it h u s, I u se t h e m on t h s of t h e year in each issu e bu t m y Ir ish is ver y lim it ed.

In f act , w or k in g on t h e f olio (t h e t op of each page) t h is issu e, I f or got t h e w or d f or Oct ober in Ir ish an d h ad t o look it u p. I f ou n d t h is r eally in t er est in g You Tu be video an d sh ar e t h e lin k below.

I w ou ld lik e t o ch an ge m y lack of Ir ish t oo. so st ar t in g in ou r Novem ber issu e w e w ill be of f er in g ou r r eader s a f ew w or ds or ph r ases in ou r M ot h er Lan gu age. Also, if you ar e in t h e LA ar ea, t h e Celt ic Ar t s Cen t er h as on goin g Ir ish lesson s.

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Decem ber , 2023

I r i sh Ar t s & En t er t ai n m en t

Peace Lut h er i n Ch ur ch

Page 35

IRISH COM M UNITY LISTINGS ARE FREE!!

Sen d t o: Pat r ick @ ir ish m issive@gm ail.com For all com m er cial lin k s/ list in gs & ads: Con t act Jim at Jim @pu bgu ide.com

w w w.f r ien dsof sin n f ein .com Been a bu sy w eek , ou r Ir ish Elf Scr ibes ar e w or k in g over t im e all w eeken d get t in g ou r 2023 Celt ic & Ir ish Bu yin g Gu ide Fin ish ed!! Her e ar e bu t a f ew of t h e list in gs w e'll h ave on M on day f or you r Ch r ist m as Bu yin g Dash !!

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www.yeoldekingshead.com "Happy Holidays to you and yours! May your days be f illed with love, laughter, and the joy of being with those who matter most. We're gratef ul f or the opportunity to serve you and can't wait to see you back soon. Don't f orget all of our delightf ul Christmas items in the Gif t Shoppe - Crackers, Selection boxes, sweets, Christmas Puddings, f reshly baked mince pies. Custom Gif t Baskets made to order!!" Gif t Card and Certif icates available O'Brien's Irish Pub & Restaurant in Santa Monica, CA

Au ld Du blin er in Lon g Beach , CA O'M alley 's On M ain , Seal Beach , CA Th e Har p Ir ish Pu b, Cost a M esa, CA Har e an d Hou n ds, Th ou san d Oak s, CA

ALL of t h ese f in e pu bs h ave Gif t Car ds or Cer t if icat es or sale.

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I r i sh Ar t s & En t er t ai n m en t

N ol l ai g

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PUB QUIZES & TRIVIA M ondays Th e Au ld Du blin er Ever y M on day w e h ost Tr ivia Nigh t , gat h er you r f r ien ds an d com e in t o com pet e an d en joy a pin t .

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M on day st ar t s at 8PM t ill 10:30PM WED: 8PM t o 10PM For m a t eam or t r y t o f or m on e at t h e pu b. Play f or cash pr izes of $150. No en t r y f ee O'Br ien's Ir ish Pu b 2226 Wilsh ir e San t a M on ica, CA

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Wedn esdays Ye Olde Kin g's Head Br it ish Pu b & Rest au r an t Tr ivia in t h e pu b at 7:30pm 116 San t a M on ica Bl San t a M on ica, CA

December, 2023

I r ish Ar ts & Enter tainment

EVERY THURSDAY

Page 37

SAVE THE DATE!S!

Cor n Hole Th u r sday Alast air w ill r u n a cor n h ole t ou r n am en t t on igh t an d ever y Th u r sday goin g f or w ar d, so please com e an d t oss som e sack s w it h h im !

He w ill h ost a, f r ee-t o-en t er , dou bles t ou r n am en t w it h r ar e an d u n iqu e br ew er y pr izes f or w in n er s.

Sign u p ar ou n d 7pm

The Irish Arts & Entertainment

Th is past year w e celebr at ed 31 year s as Calif or n ia's pr em ier Ir ish pu blicat ion !

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