Irish Arts and Entertainment, October 2025

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SEASIDE HIGHLAND GAMES RETURN TO VENTURA

Irish Arts & Entertainment

The opinions expressed by our w rit ers are t heir ow n and do not necessarily convey t hose of t his m agazine, our publisher or st aff.

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Jam es M McDonough

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Dear Readers,

As we mentioned last month, the Irish Arts &Entertainment has moved to Virginia We are now located in a fairly small town in the Appalachian Mountains close to Virginia Tech and for an added stroke of whimsy, Dublin, Virginia! As mentioned before, this plan has been in the works for some time so we are now settled in and expanding our coverage Also, as we have mentioned recently in this feature, we are doing thisin stages First, we are now promoting this publication (and our websites) and seeking advertisers and subscribersthroughout the US. We are already active along the West Coast; and not just California, Oregon and Washington, we have also expanded into Arizona and Nevada By the end of 2025, we are on track to expand again to coverage throughout the entire United States. We have already engaged affiliates, representatives and writersaround the US and we are going to start our National Issue in January, 2026

Also, this bearsrepeating, this isactually the only way that we will be able to survive as a profitable enterprise. There have major demographic and economic changes in Southern California and a change in public activity since the pandemic We lost a few pubs as advertisers because of their internal changesand problemsas well Also, there isa shift in how advertisers spend their budgets. We are keeping pace and our websitesare being updated and we are doing more on Social Media to reach our audience We need to expand our reach so we can continue our work to bring Irish arts, events, interviews and travel features to our readers. Finally, this has been a profitable businessfor 34 years and we have a legacy to protect The Irish themed content that we offer has a wide audience; far beyond SoCal so we are confident that we have a market We already have readersand subscribersin 6 countriesand in 15 states. Our mission isto continue to deliver a digital magazine that isfun, interesting readable and true to the cause Thecausebeing our shared love of Ireland and All ThingsIrish!

We have new features coming too: a Celtic Crossword Puzzle, a feature that we did for yearsisbeing revived; the Pan Irish Digest and much more

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More INSIDETHIS ISSUE!

Both of our contributing writers; John McNally and Maurice Fitzpatrick share their insights on the upcoming election for President in Ireland. Onpages 11 and14 Ireland'sHidden Gems... Exploring St. Stephen'sGreen, Part 2 Page17

You might have noticed that our Calendar is growing! Submissions for Calendar, Celtic Camera and Travel Featuresare wanted: Send ideasand Story Submissions with jpegsand captions: irishmissive@gmail.com! Irish & Celtic Community Listings are FREE

Seaside Highland GamesCelebrate All ThingsScottish

The Seaside Highland Games, coming soon in mid-October is a delightful family friendly and a well-established gathering celebrating Scottish culture. The popular festival will mark its 21st year! (Covid caused a two season pause aswell)

The Ventura based event isorganized and run by the Seaside Highland Games, a California-based 501(c)(3) non-profit organization The Games, all the entertainment, competitions, ceremonies, excitement and gathering of Scottish Clansare led by a team of dedicated individuals.

The late John Lowry, theSeasideChief and his wife Nellie founded and then shepherded Seaside till last year

The Scottish and Celtic communitiesand all of ushere at the IrishArtsandEntertainment are very grateful to them

Held at the scenic Ventura County Fairgrounds, the annual event transformsthe coastal space into a bustling Scottish village, replete with traditional music, dance, and athletic competitions. The gamesare a significant cultural fixture in Southern California, drawing attendeesand participants from acrossthe western United States

While official attendance figures can fluctuate annually, the event hasbeen known to attract over 25,000 visitors over the course of the weekend, including the Friday night dinner and Scotch Whisky Tasting. The 2025 gamesare scheduled to take place on October 11th and 12th

See the website for detailsand to help thisworthy group with a donation: www seasidehighlandgames com

Bagpipe and Drumming Competitions: A Symphony of Skill

The bagpipe and drumming competitions are a cornerstone of the Seaside Highland Games, drawing individual performers and pipe bandsfrom acrossthe western United States. These competitionsare sanctioned by the Western United States Pipe Band Association (WUSPBA), ensuring a high standard of performance and adjudication.

Individual and Group Categories

The immense time put into being a participant and competitor is daunting. The dedication of everyone at these exhibitions isamazing Here isa brief primer on how it all comesto be!

The judging of bagpipe and drumming competitions isa meticulousprocess, with adjudicatorsassessing several key elements:

Piping: For both solo pipersand the pipe section of a band, judgeslisten for: Tone and Tuning: The quality and consistency of the sound produced by the bagpipe, and how well the chanter and dronesare tuned Then, the clarity and precision of the fingerwork, including the intricate embellishments that are characteristic of pipe music Finally, the musicality of the performance, including tempo, phrasing, and dynamics

Drum m ing & t he Drum Corps

... snare, t enor and bass

Alw ays a favorit e and as a general rule, t he average fest ival at t endee has no real idea how difficult being a seasoned drum m er can be. It t akes serious com m it m ent , effort and t im e t o be a m em ber of a band or an individual playing in any of t he com pet it ions. Once again, all of t hese fact ors com e int o play: Execut ion: The precision and clarit y of t heir playing.

Musicalit y: How w ell t he drum m ing com plem ent s t he pipe m usic, adding rhyt hm ic com plexit y and dynam ic expression.

Int egrat ion: The unit y and t im ing w it hin t he drum sect ion and w it h t he pipers

Ensem ble: For pipe bands, an ensem ble judge evaluat es t he overall perform ance of t he group as a cohesive unit , considering balance int egrat ion, and overall m usical effect

Scot t ish Heavy At hlet ics Basics

The Seaside Highland Gam es coined t he hum orous phrase "Big m en t hrow ing st uff " There w as hum or in it for sure but only a sm all part of t he realit y

An am azing am ount of st am ina, skill and t ireless pract ice is also required.

There is a rundow n of t he basic event s and t he origins of t hese excit ing sport s st art ing on page 8!

Tast ing Friday Evening

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SCOTTISH SEASIDE ADVENTURES AWAIT

The Food vendors and libat ions at t he Seaside Highland Gam es have alw ays been t op not ch w it h bot h good value, select ion and w ell st affed boot hs ready t o give you great service

Kilt s, Sw ords and an am azing array of aut hent ic Celt ic and Scot t ish gift s and im port vendors w ill also be on hand!

ENTERTAINMENT & BAGPIPERS are suburb t oo as you w ill see m ight y m assed band and individual com pet it ions A st unning parade of piped bands is also planned!! See t he w ebsit e for com plet e schedules

Rem em ber, Seaside is w orld fam ous for t hese segm ent s. Visit ors are encouraged t o check t he event 's w ebsit e for t he final schedule and perform ance t im es as t he dat es draw nearer.

The Seaside Highland Gam es has a long-st anding t radit ion of show casing a rich t apest ry of Celt ic cult ure, and t his year 's m usical lineup is poised t o cont inue t hat legacy.

HEAVY ATHLETICS

continued from page 4

A Test of Strength and Tradition

SHEEPHERDINGand BORDER COLLIES

A TimelessPartnership will be on Display at the Ventura County Fairgrounds! The popularity of sheepherding demonstrations featuring Border Colliesat events like the Seaside Highland Games isa testament to a long and storied partnership between humans and dogs. This captivating display of instinct, intelligence, and teamwork hasdeep historical roots and continuesto thrive in modern competitions acrossthe United States. Sheepherding isone of the oldest agricultural professions, with evidence of itspractice dating back thousandsof years As humansdomesticated sheep, they needed a way to manage and protect their flocks. Early shepherdsrelied on their own vigilance and rudimentary tools, but the development of herding dogs revolutionized this essential work. The Border Collie, the undisputed star of the sheepherding world, emerged from the border country between Scotland and England Bred specifically for their intelligence, stamina, and strong herding instinct, these dogs were invaluable to shepherdsnavigating the challenging terrain of the region. The ability of the Border Collie in particular to work long hours in the harsh conditions in Scotland, combined with their intense focus and responsivenessto commands, made them the ideal working companion. These beautiful lovable and loyal dogs serve as a testament to the enduring legacy of the Border Collie and the timelessart of sheepherding. Whether at the Seaside Highland Gamesor a national competition, witnessing these dogs work isa truly unforgettable experience.

The Scot t ish Heavy At hlet ics are a t hrilling display of pow er and t echnique, w it h at hlet es com pet ing in a series of t radit ional event s These com pet it ions at t he Seaside Highland Gam es are sanct ioned by t he Scot t ish Am erican At hlet ic Associat ion (SAAA) At hlet es are t ypically cat egorized int o different classes based on experience and abilit y, such as Novice, Am at eur (oft en w it h subdivisions like A, B, and C), and Mast ers (for older com pet it ors) Here is a brief descript ion of t he prim ary cont est s you can expect t o see:

Caber Toss: Perhaps t he m ost iconic event , t he caber t oss involves flipping a long, heavy log (t he caber). The goal is not dist ance, but t o have t he caber land in a perfect 12 o'clock posit ion direct ly in front of t he at hlet e.

Scot t ish Ham m er Throw : At hlet es t hrow a spherical ham m er at t ached t o a shaft .

Com pet it ors anchor t heir feet t o t he ground w it h long-bladed boot s and sw ing t he ham m er around t heir head before releasing it over t heir shoulder for m axim um dist ance There are t ypically t w o ham m er event s: a light ham m er and a heavy ham m er

SEA SI D E'S CELT I C M U SI C & EN T ERT A I

The skirl of the bagpipesand the vibrant energy of Celtic music will once again grace the Ventura County Fairgroundsat the upcoming Seaside Highland Gameson October 11th and 12th. While the official performance schedule is eagerly anticipated and will be released closer to the event date, a preview of the musical lineup that we have as we publish, promisesa rousing celebration of Celtic and Irish heritage

Music aficionadoscan look forward to a diverse array of sounds, from traditional folk to high-energy Celtic rock. Among the bands featured for the event are:

Tempest:

A well-established act in the Celtic Rock music scene, Tempest isexpected to bring their signature sound to the games.

Founded in 1988, this Oakland, California-based band hasbeen a fixture in the Celtic rock scene for over three decades. Known for their high-energy performances that blend rock and

N M EN T

roll with a wide range of traditional and world music influences, Tempest has released numerous albums and toured extensively Tempest has evolved over the years, with founder Lief Sorbye remaining a constant presence on vocals and electric mandolin. www.tempestmusic.com

The DROPKICK MICKEYS!:

A dynamic Celtic Folk duo hailing from Los Angeles, known for their lively performances The bandmatesare Michael Kelly on the fiddle and David Burnson the guitar.

Brick Top Blaggers:

This band iscelebrated for its unique fusion of Celtic folk melodies with the driving force of contemporary punk rock.

TheView FromIreland

President Humphreys?

Heather Humphreys hasemerged asthe front-runner in the Irish presidential race that will be decided on October 24th.

AsFine Gael?snomination for the Irish presidential race, to many Humphreys representsconservative, rural Ireland. Radicalism isthe last thing that voters associate with Fine Gael. Nevertheless, in many waysHumphreysisa radical candidate and one who could play a role in reshaping perceptionsof the country at a crucial stage of its constitutional evolution. Humphreys hasdescribed herself as ?a proud Ulsterwoman, a Protestant and an Irish republican? .

Wolfe Tone?sUnited Irishmen movement and rebellion wasexactly that in character (with emphasison men rather than women, granted). Humphreys appearsan improbable heir to that quashed rebellion two hundred yearsago.

When Humphreysuses the word ?republican?there isa present and even future tense implied

Profound splitsin the Irish republican tradition arising from the partisanship that has accrued to it has made the term republican contentious in Ireland Rather than focuson those splitsand the various appropriationsof the republican tradition that followed in their wake, Humphreysisfocused on what a republic means, and could mean, in the 21st century

But wasIrish republicanism historically not alwaysJanus-facing, deriving its authority from the past (for example the Easter 1916 Rebellion) and fixated on a fulfilment of an all-Ireland republic free from any link with Britain?All true. Yet there isa key difference That wasa republicanism of rigidly predetermined outcomes, which scanted the possibility of itsassuming novel forms, of taking new directions

Humphreys?identification with republicanism of today and tomorrow isone that isopen to radical re-evaluation of what the term means.

John Hume once argued that extreme nationalistsin Ireland had ?stolen the word?republicanism, and travestied the ideals promulgated by Tone ? to unify ?Catholic, Protestant and Dissenter?through their wedding the narrative of republicanism in Ireland to violence Could Humphreys?election asHead of State form part of a renewal and restitution of the term? Humphreysneed not focus on Irish unity as a theme in her presidential campaign since she already embodies it That a woman of her background hasembraced republicanism is resonant of a more broadly acceptable republicanism

So far, so rosy Humphreysis culturally and politically an ecumenical candidate who doesnot need to explicitly position herself assuch She also chimes with Ireland?s constitutional position today, with its capacity for constitutional evolution in the future.

Yet there isa nettle that must be grasped here. When Ireland was partitioned, the people of Humphreys? village on the border, Drum in Co Monaghan, went to bed one night British and woke up the following Irish Naturally, national belonging cannot change like the seasons. It took a very long time for national identification with Ireland to broadly take root in Drum, which washistorically entirely Protestant in composition

The people of Drum have experienced the trauma of ?losing?a nationality They also gained another over the course of a century That presentsa model from which others could learn

Our regular cont ribut or, Maurice Fit zpat rick is an Irish w rit er and film m aker w ho w as educat ed at Trinit y College Dublin.

Fit zpat rick aut hored t he book, John Hume in America: From Derry to DC and w rot e, direct ed, and produced t he docum ent ary film , John Hume in America. CLICK t o buy or m ore INFO

It startswith embracing an identity based on what Ireland istoday There are complex reasons why some constituencies in Northern Ireland are so wedded to imageson murals depicting victoriesin the 1600s One isthe terror of confronting their contemporary reality Part of that reality isthat unionism isdying Its demise isnot due to a lack of drive to preserve the union, but to the objective weakening of the union of Great Britain and Northern Ireland UK Republic of

VIEW & MAURICE

A rather limited affirmation of identity isavailable in glorifying a past in which the evangelical and political will of England validated unionism?s project That retrospective focusis simultaneously a reminder of the absence of Britain?saffirmation today

Last summer I visited Drum and noticed something remarkable The only Irish language sign in the village was An Post, the post office The name of the national post service must be accepted if a village isto have a post office Besidesthat, nothing There isno bilingual sign for ?Droim? (meaning ?ridge? ) on the way in or out It may be the sole example of a village, town or city in the Republic of Ireland that does not display the Irish language variant of a place name

Aspart of her campaign, Humphrey hassaid: ? I passed Irish in my Leaving Cert and, like a lot of people in thiscountry, I went out to the world of work and didn? t use Irish? I promise that if I am elected as president, I will return to the Gaeltacht and I will learn Irish?Humphreys?pledge to learn Irish is qualitatively different from, say, Mary McAleese?sto do the same when she became president Humphreys? embrace of the language could demonstrate to some people from her background who remain sceptical about the language that it belongsto them asmuch as to anyone and augment a new attitude to the language in the country that is important to secure a shared vision of Irish national cultural heritage, Kneecap isthe first band to bring hip hop to the world in the Irish language By doing so, it isfocusing lesson recovering the Irish language (an inevitable reaching back towardssomething lost) than creating new waysfor it to grow in the future

Drum , Co Monaghan - t he only Prot est ant village in t he Republic of Ireland

The loss-recovery dynamic hasbeen swapped for a create-cultivate one. That shift not only rejuvenatesthe language, but it also offersa new way of perceiving it.

Kneecap and Heather Humphreysappear at first glance to be extremely odd bedfellows. Yet they have something crucial in common, something Ireland needs today. They have a proven ability to move two key aspects of Irish heritage ? language and republicanism ? from a retrospective to a progressive vision. And a progressive vision isneeded: the next Irish president might be in office when unity referendums are held in Ireland.

Tr eat your self with som e Im por ted Bisquets, Candy & a gr eat selection of Ir ish and UK Tea!

Obama Honored In Dublin

Former President Barack Obama was awarded the Freedom of the City of Dublin on Thursday, September 25

The honor, Dublin'shighest civic distinction, was presented by the Lord Mayor of Dublin, Councillor Ray McAdam, during a ceremony at the Shelbourne Hotel

The decision to grant the award to both Barack and Michelle Obama wasoriginally made by Dublin City councillorsin 2017. The recent ceremony officially conferred the honor upon the former president. During the event, Mr. Obama was presented with a first edition of JamesJoyce's"Ulysses" and a bottle of Teeling Whiskey. In attendance at the ceremony were about 30 people, including Minister Paschal Donohoe, representing the Irish government. The award recognizesindividuals who have made significant contributionsto the world

It is a long-standing tradition in Dublin, and other notable recipientsinclude former U S Presidents John F Kennedy and Bill Clinton, aswell asNelson Mandela The honor carrieswith it ancient privileges, such asthe right to pasture sheep on common ground within the city

The decision to honor the former president wasmet with some opposition from a number of Dublin councillors, who cited concernsover his foreign policy during histime in office

Irish-American Heritage

Barack Obama is of Irish-American and African heritage Hismaternal great-great-great-grandfather, Falmouth Kearney, emigrated from Moneygall, County Offaly, to the United Statesin 1850. The former president visited his ancestral home in 2011. Genealogical research hastraced his Irish rootsback multiple generationsin the country

Thisvideo from YouTube providesa brief overview of the award ceremony "Obama accepts Freedom of Dublin 'with great humility"

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Three Candidat es Rem ain in

Oct

ober Irish President ial Cont est

Nom inat ions for next m ont h?s Irish president ial elect ion have closed w it h just t hree candidat es m aking t he ballot .

Sinn Féin announced it s support for Independent TD Cat herine Connolly, w ho w ill face Fianna Fáil?s Jim Gavin, and Fine Gael?s Heat her Hum phreys

High-profile figures including Bob Geldof, Conor McGregor, and Michael Flat ley ult im at ely failed t o secure nom inat ions.

Connolly, an independent TD from Galw ay, is backed by Sinn Féin along w it h several left -leaning part ies and ot her opposit ion m em bers. Connolly is a fluent Irish speaker. She has argued t hat a unit ed Ireland is inevit able and t hat all sides should begin preparing for it

Hum phreys, support ed by Fine Gael, hails from t he Prot est ant com m unit y in Monaghan and has held m ult iple m inist erial post s in recent governm ent s

Gavin, w ho is from Dublin, is running w it h Fianna Fáil?s backing He is new t o polit ics but w idely know n for his record-breaking t enure as m anager of Dublin?s GAA foot ball t eam

John McNally

Our frequent Cont ribut ing Writ er is Insight ful and w ell t raveled McNally is very w ell know n in So Cal and is an Irish Com m unit y act ivist and organizer.

One of t hese t hree w ill be t he Republic of Ireland's Tent h President

AsIreland preparesfor itspresidential election in October, it's a fitting time to look back at the history of itshighest office Since the establishment of the present system of government under the 1937 Constitution, Ireland hashad nine presidents

The first President of Ireland, Douglas Hyde, took office on June 25, 1938. The presidency isa non-executive role, with the President serving as the head of state

Each president iselected for a seven-year term and can serve a maximum of two terms

Hereisa completelist of theindividualswhohaveserved asPresident of Irelandandtheir respectivetermsof office: Douglas Hyde (1938?1945), Seán T. O'Kelly (1945?1959) Éamon de Valera (1959?1973) Erskine Hamilton Childers (1973?1974) Cearbhall Ó Dálaig (1974?1976 ) Patrick Hillery (1976?1990 ) Mary Robinson (1990?1997) Mary McAleese (1997?2011) Michael D Higgins (2011?Present)

Irish Language March in Dublin

25,000 Irish language activists filled the streetsof Dublin on Saturday, September 27 in the first major national demonstration for the language in more than a decade.

The protest, organised under the banner CEARTA, united Gaeltacht groups, schools, students, teachers, families, musicians, artists, and political partiesaround four key demands: fair funding, affordable housing in the Gaeltacht, meaningful education reform, and the delivery of long-promised language rights

Speakershighlighted the scale of the crisis Adhná Ní Bhraonáin of BÁNÚ warned that a lack of housing isforcing young people from Gaeltacht areas, threatening the survival of Irish-speaking communities

Eibhlín Ní Bhroin, a student, called for ambitious government targetsto expand Irish-medium education, while Rónán Ó Hící of the Irish Second-Level Students? Union stressed the need for reforms to ensure students receive a proper Irish learning experience

AN

n his keynote, Ciarán Mac Giolla Bhéin, President of Conradh na Gaeilge, condemned decades of government failure to honour constitutional and Good Friday Agreement commitments, pledging continued mobilisation until housing, funding, education, and language rightsare secured. Solidarity came from Wales, with Heulyn Reesof Menter Caerdydd drawing parallels with Welsh revival efforts

The march ended with performances from leading Irish-language musicians, celebrating the culture activists are determined to prot ect

IRISH CHRISTMAS 2025 T O U R SCH ED U L E A N N O U N CED

Good new s for fans of Irish m usic and dance! The popular holiday show , "An Irish Christ m as," is set

t o ret urn t o California in Decem ber 2025.

The product ion w ill be m aking st ops in several cit ies, offering a perfect fest ive out ing for fam ilies, friends, and lovers of Irish Cult ure and t he Christ m as Season

The acclaim ed show is a creat ion of Kerry Irish Product ions, Inc., a com pany dedicat ed t o prom ot ing Ireland's rich cult ural t radit ions.

The Confirm ed California Perform ance Dat es and Venues are easy t o find in t his issue as w e are delight ed t o be advert ising t he show s again t his year!

In our Novem ber issue, w e w ill present an exclusive pict orial spread w hich w ill feat ure all of t he cast m em bers, dancers and m usicians

Meanw hile, t icket s are already on sale so now is t he t im e t o get your t icket s w hen t he very best seat s are available An Irish Christmas has sold out m any t im es so act now t o avoid m issing out

Ireland's Hidden Gems

St . St ephen's Green In Dublin

Part 2 of Two

The Hidden Gem s feat ure t his m ont h is a bit odd. St . St ephen's Green in Dublin is very visible and m ost of our readers have heard of it . The Green as Dubliner 's call it , is Locat ed in t he heart of Dublin and fam ous t hroughout t he w orld How ever, alm ost all Am ericans visit ors t o Ireland skip it . Also, t he hist ory of t his beaut iful urban park and it s m onum ent s are know n t o very few people We love it so w e decided t o present our readers w it h t his seem ingly cont radict ory feat ure

Dublin's Enduring Oasis

The Green has been the heart of Dublin for cent uries --- as w e w rot e in Part One in our last issue! St St ephen?s Green w as an im port ant part of Dublin since t he place w as a Viking set t lem ent . For hundreds of years t he m eadow s and m arshes w ere a shared spce. Then under Brit ish rule, t he concept of a park evolved but it w as rest rict ed as a privat e, exclusive area for t he cit y's w ealt hy resident s The generosit y of a Guinness changed all t hat and t hat benevolence becam e t he im pet us for t he park t hat w e experience and love t oday! In 1880, a generous gift from Lord Ardilaun of t he Guinness Fam ily t ransform ed it int o t he beaut iful public space you see t oday In realit y, St St ephen's Green is m uch m ore t han just a park? it ?s a place t o relax, a gallery of Irish hist ory, a m useum , a t rue place of besut y, peace and refuge and even a form er

The park is designed for st rolling. Follow t he w inding pat hs and you'll discover t hese lovely feat ures:

The m ain ent rance, Fusiliers' Arch st ands as a sent inel at t he head of Graft on St reet

The

Superint

endent 's Lodge:

Near t he Leeson St reet ent rance, look for a charm ing building t hat looks like a Sw iss chalet This w as built for t he park's groundskeeper and is st ill used by st aff t oday

The Garden for t he Blind:

In a corner of t he park, you'll find a special sensory garden. It ?s filled w it h arom at ic plant s and herbs t hat are labeled in Braille, designed t o be enjoyed t hrough scent and t ouch.

On t he left , The Ornam ent al Lake:

The Cent erpiece is t his t ranqquel m an m ade body of w at er, hom e t o ducks and sw ans. Don't m iss t he pict uresque w at erfall and t he charm ing O'Connell Bridge t hat crosses t he w at er. It ?s a great spot for a phot o.

The Vict orian Bandst and: This classic oct agonal bandst and w as built in 1887. Aft er a recent rest orat ion, it 's back t o it s original glory and host s concert s during t he sum m er m ont hs.

Playground: If you're visit ing w it h fam ily, t here's a great , m odern playground w it h areas for bot h younger and older kids

A Park St eeped in Hist ory

This peaceful green space has seen som e of Dublin's m ost dram at ic m om ent s As you w alk around, you're w alking t hrough layers of hist ory.

A Bat t lefield During t he 1916 East er Rising

The t ranquilit y of t he park w as shat t ered on East er Monday, 1916 A group of Irish rebels, led by Com m andant Michael Mallin and Count ess Const ance Markievicz, seized t he Green as part of a nat ionw ide uprising against Brit ish rule

Sadly, it w as a t errible st rat egic m ove. The open park left t hem com plet ely exposed. Brit ish Arm y soldiers t ook up posit ions in t he t all buildings surrounding t he park, especially t he grand Shelbourne Hot el, and fired dow n int o t he rebels' t renches

The rebels w ere event ually forced t o ret reat t o t he Royal College of Surgeons on t he w est side of t he park Today, you can st ill see t he scars of t hat bat t le Look closely at t he Fusiliers' Arch (t he grand st one ent rance from Graft on St reet )? t he pockm arks are real bullet holes from t he fight ing.

A Dublin Legend:

The Ceasefire for t he Ducks

One of t he m ost beloved st ories from t he Rising is t hat every day, t he fight ing w ould pause for a short t im e Why? To allow t he park keeper t o w alk out and feed t he ducks. Bot h sides w ould hold t heir fire t o m ake sure t he w at erfow l got t heir daily m eal? a m om ent of shared hum anit y in t he m iddle of a bat t le.

An Out door Museum of Irish Heroes

The park is like an open-air gallery, w it h st at ues and m onum ent s t hat t ell t he st ory of Ireland. You don't need t o know all t he nam es, but here are a few key figures t o look for:

Revolut ionaries:

You'll find m onum ent s t o figures w ho fought for Irish independence, including Theobald Wolfe Tone (leader of t he 1798 Rebellion), Robert Em m et , and a bust of Count ess Markievicz, t he rebel leader from 1916

The Fam ine Mem orial:

This pow erful, haunt ing sculpt ure of gaunt figures serves as a m oving m em orial t o t he m illions w ho suffered during t he Great Fam ine (1845-1852)

Lit it erary Giant s:

The park has deep connect ions t o Ireland's fam ous w rit ers A bust of Jam es Joyce faces his old universit y, now t he Museum of Lit erat ure Ireland (MoLI), locat ed right on t he Green A m odern sculpt ure by Henry Moore honors t he poet W.B. Yeat s.

A Gift of Grat it ude:

The lovely Three Fat es Fount ain w as a gift from Germ any in 1956 It w as a t hank you t o t he Irish people for w elcom ing hundreds of Germ an refugee children aft er World War II.

THE GREEN is cent rally locat ed and easy t o reach.

Tram (Luas): The Green Line has a "St St ephen's Green" st op right at t he park's ent rance This is t he m ost convenient opt ion

Bus: Nearly all cit y-cent er bus rout es have st ops nearby

Free Audio Guide: You can dow nload a free audio t our from t he GuidiGO app on your phone t o learn m ore as you w alk w w w.st

Chef Paul's Watters Twist on the Chinese classic Char Siu

Pork Served with black rice, Baton

Carrot tender stem broccoli and a sesame oil drizzle

You will need

For t he Char Siu

...a Cant onese BB! Pork)

1 t easpoon of red food colour

1 t easpoon of dried ginger

1 t easpoon of Chinese five spice

1 t ablespoons of hoi sin sauce

1 t easpoon of light soy sauce

1 t easpoon of dried garlic pow der 300g lean m inced pork

1 1/ 2 cups of black rice

3 cups of w at er

100g t ender st em broccoli (t rim m ed)

4 carrot s (peeled and cut int o st rips)

Also one sturdy loaf pan

The Method

First of all gat her a large bow l add t he pork Mix all t he char siu ingredient s t oget her w it h t he m inced pork. Preheat t he oven t o 180.bring t he w at er t o t he boil for t he rice And bring a sm aller sauce pan for t he veget ables. Wit h t he bread t in grease w it h a lit t le but t er inside and around t he edges place t he pork inside and pat dow n unt il sm oot h. Place a heavy pan on t op and cook in t he oven for 20 m inut es Cook t he black rice for t he sam e am ount of t im e and w it h 5 m ins rem aining rem ove t he w eight from t he bread t in cook t he veget ables for a few m inut es and st rain check t he rice once cooked st rain also (w hit e rice is also good if you prefer) t ake pork out of t he oven and t ip ont o a chopping board Arrange t he rice in t he m iddle of t he plat e slice t he pork accordingly place veget ables on t op of t he pork and drizzle a lit t le sesam e oil on t op and enjoy

Newport Beach Film Festival & Irish Spotlight

26th ANNUAL NEWPORT BEACH FILM FESTIVAL (NBFF) ANNOUNCESIRISH SHOWCASE, PREMIERES& CELEBRATION

The 2025 Festival will host the North American Premieresof BÁITE, CHRISTY, THE UNSINKABLEENTREPRENEUR, and A SIP OF IRISH

On Sunday, October 19, the NBFF will present itsIrish Spotlight, an evening celebration of Irish cinema and culture The event will feature the North American premieres of the films

Báite, Christy, The Unsinkable Entrepreneur, and A Sip of Irish.

The Irish Spotlight filmswill screen at Regal Edwards Big Newport (300 Newport Center Drive, and A Sip of Irish will screen at THELOT in Fashion Island (999 Newport Center Dr, Newport Beach, CA). The post-screening celebration will take place at Muldoon?s Irish Pub (202 Newport Center Drive, Newport Beach, CA), featuring live music and hosted hors d'oeuvres.

ABOUT THEFILMS

Báite, directed by Ruán Magan

Thistouching movie boastsa talented cast including Eleanor O?Brien, Moe Dunford, Oisín Mistéil, Padraig O?Loinsigh, Mark MacGearailt, and Fionnuala Gygax Báite follows Peggy Casey asshe attemptsto leave for a fishing trip but is foiled when a body isfound in a nearby lake Detective Sergeant Frank Ryan issent over from Dublin and what he discoversshedsa disturbing insight into the history of the valley and the difficult relationshipsthat bind Peggy and the members of her family.

Christy, Directed by Brendan Canty, featuresa stellar cast including Danny Power, Diarmuid Noyesand Emma Willis. The film tellsthe story of two estranged brothers, with a chequered background in the care system, grappling with their past and resolve to unite over one summer in Cork city

The Unsinkable Entrepreneur, an adventure filled documentary directed by Craig Stuart Garfinkle, followsEdna O?Coineen ashe fulfillshis life-long dream of competing in The Vendeé Globe; a solo, non-stop and unassisted round-the-world sailing race, arguably the toughest sailing competition in the world Thisfilm ismore than just a story about race, it?sabout what it takesto succeed in any arduousendeavor The film starsEdna O?Coineen as himself and Aedin Gormley.

A Sip of Irish,

celebratesthe incredible story of Ireland's contribution to the culinary and drinksworld with some surprises along the way Directed by Frank Mannion, The Mail called it ?poured to perfection, raise a glassto thiscinematic gem? This film featuresmajor Irish liquor brandsincluding Guinness, Bailey?s Irish Cream, and Jameson. Starring Jameson whiskey blender Deirdre O?Carroll and Rory Guinnesswith appearances from Sam Neill and Russell Crowe.

ht t ps:/ / new port beachfilm fest .com / Part II of this feature will concludr in our mid-monh issue

TheIrishLiteraryShowcase

Hall of Crying Shadows

The Legend of t he Banshee of Bunrat t y Cast le

?List en t o t hem , t he children of t he night . What m usic t hey m ake!?

? Bram Stoker

Around t he t urf fire blazing in t he heart h of a cot t age on a w indsw ept All Hallow s Eve, t he w izened face of t he Seanchaí, t he t raveling st oryt eller, w as cast in flut t ering crim son as t he children gat hered t o list en spellbound t o her t ales.

?Com e closer t o t he fire and I shall t ell of t he Banshee of Bunrat t y...? she beckoned.

Ireland 1590 a.d.

The m oon shed it s spect ral glow on a circle of ancient st anding st ones enshrined in a rem ot e st ret ch of heat h. Disem bodied chant s in an ancient t ongue haunt ed t he air as runes began t o glow in eerie blue along t he m onolit hs.

A lone figure m at erialised as if t he rest less shadow s of All Hallow s Eve w ere grant ed form and face. A m yst erious presence clad in a regal blue robe, her head cow led, appeared t o glide rat her t han st ride t hrough t he gat hering m ist t ow ards t he clang of sw ords clashing and bat t le cries in Gaelic.

Her presence port ended only one t hing: t hat som eone of t he blood of t he noble fam ilies of t he Gael w as soon t o perish. Her lips m oved soundlessly it seem ed except ravens sensed t hat deat h w as im m inent and follow ed in her w ake In t he punishing cold w here old scars t hrobbed and last breat hs and bat t le cries st eam ed in t he chill air t he banshee approached.

She rem em bered w hen t he night once called Sam hain blazed crim son w it h bonfires. The people of t he land chose t o forsake t he old gods, and she w as relegat ed t o m ere m yt h, a st ory t old around t he peat fires t o fright en children on All Hallow s Eve

Yet t hose of t he old blood st ill dreaded t he sound of her cry port ending doom

The Lord of Bunrat t y w as w ounded gravely He escaped under cover of darkness and m ist from t he fury of bat t le. His bannerm en helped him ont o his horse w hile kerns, redshanks, and Gallow glass covered his ret reat t o t he last keeping t he enem y at bay w it h t heir great spat h axes and claym ore sw ords long enough for him t o reach his ancest ral cast le And t here before him w as Bunrat t y cast le st anding in proud lonely m ajest y glow ering at enem y in t he m ist appearing t o float

?Low er t he bridge!? a bannerm an cried sounding his horn The port cullis groaned open like iron fanged jaw s

Eager for t he bount y on t he Lord of Bunrat t y?s head som e of t he enem y closed in only t o be cut dow n by archers on t he bat t lem ent s.

?Make w ay! Make w ay!? bannerm en cried out as hooves clat t ered across t he t orch-lined causew ay

The Lord of Bunrat t y st eeled him self t o endure yet every jolt of t he horse?s hooves m ade t he pain of his dagger w ound w orse he m aint ained a lordly bearing t ill t he draw bridge closed behind him and he fell from his horse int o t he arm s of squires

?Take him t o t he great hall! Make w ay!? t he anxious st ew ard com m anded.

The Lady of Bunrat t y pleaded w it h t he m onks and healers as t he people of t he isle once beseeched druids.

?The banshee has ret urned. Keep her at bay!? t he lady of Bunrat t y begged.

The m onks raised t heir hooded heads jarred from t heir chant ing at t he shrill blast of a horn from t he bat t lem ent s. It sounded t hrice.

A flight of arrow s st reaked from t he w alls and t he enem y recoiled from t he w alls of Bunrat t y. The keep w ould not fall t o besiegers, but it m ight t o t reachery. A darkly am bit ious and jealous vassal long conspired w it h t he enem y now show ed his hand Meanw hile a black gyrfalcon glided t o t he beckoning black glove of a t rait or on a w indsw ept t urret of t he cast le He unscrolled t he m essage t hat declared t hat t he plot t o overt hrow t he lords of Bunrat t y w as underw ay

In t he bannered hall of t he cast le lord t orchlight danced over t he anxious faces of t he court , servant s, and ret ainers as t hey aw ait ed t idings of t heir w ounded lord.

In t he garrison a m an at arm s suggest ed a t oast of m ead am ong t he ret ainers His lips lingered over t he rim of his unt ouched flagon his eyes w at ching int ent ly as t he ot hers drank deeply Mom ent s lat er he left t he corpses of t he poisoned m en as he appeared at t he cast le bat t lem ent s t o signal t he enem y arm y m ust ering t o st orm t he keep

Meanw hile in t he shadow s of t he cast le chapel t he w ounded lord of Bunrat t y w as t ended t o by m onks and healers as t he lady of t he Bunrat t y st ood looking on her face a m ask of regal com posure. Yet her eyes bet rayed fear as a bard st rum m ed his harp by his side and sang soft ly of great feat s of arm s The lord?s face w as deat hly pale and his hands icy cold as he shuddered in pain His w ounds inflict ed by an assassin?s dagger m ay be m ort al

Meanw hile in t he cast le?s bannered hall t he st ew ard guided t he young heir of t he cast le t o his fat her 's seat

?You m ust reign in his st ead as right ful lord and heir apparent , ?t he st ew ard t old him .

The new lord of Bunrat t y no m ore t han a boy really affect ed an aw kw ard lordly confidence as t he st ew ard gest ured him t o his ancest ral seat in t he bannered hall.

?Where are his ret ainers? Why do t hey not at t end t o t heir lord?? t he st ew ard dem anded.

?I t hink not , ?a sneering voice int erject ed. Sir Fergus st epped int o t he light , unm asking him self as t he t rait or. ?Only ghost s guard his hall now and t he succession has changed. Servant s of Bunrat t y kneel and offer hum ble fealt y t o your new lord!? Fergus proclaim ed.

?Is t his your knavish idea of a dark jest ?? t he st ew ard dem anded.

?No. It is m e proclaim ing m yself t he new Lord of Bunrat t y. There is a new lord of t he cast le, and it is not t his w help of House O'Brien!? Fergus declared.

?St and dow n craven!? declared t he seneschal of t he cast le Sir Corm ac, draw ing a rapier He w as fiercely loyal t o t he House O?Brien of Bunrat t y. The seneschal kissed t he hilt of his sw ord as he drew int o fight ing st ance t o face his adversary defiant ly.

?No m an present is unaw are of your prow ess as a sw ordsm an. Perhaps you w ill best m e. Alas I cannot chance a cross of blades w it h t hee,? t he t rait or hissed Fergus t ook up a different w eapon He w inked insolent ly as he aim ed a crossbow

The seneschal looked dow n in shock at t he crossbow bolt lodged in his chest It punct ured his arm our t o a collect ive cry of anguish from t he servant s He fell back t o slide dow n against t he w all t railing blood A w eeping scullery m aid cradled t he seneschal?s head She cursed his slayer in Gaelic

?Where is your chivalry churl?? she scream ed

?Hold t hy t ongue of I w ill run t hee t hrough w ench!

?Fergus t hreat ened

?The keep w ill be overrun anon. Sw ear fealt y now and be spared!? Fergus announced

The seneschal saw her t hen The Banshee of Bunrat t y She w as beaut iful alm ost angelic yet t errible t o behold, gow ned in shim m ering

green and bat hed in et hereal radiance She appeared t ranslucent by t he filt ering m oonlight Her im possibly blue gaze w as cold as sacrificial blades

?Please do not t ake m y lord! ?t he seneschal pleaded

There w as an alien sadness bet rayed in t he banshee?s voice as she confessed. ?I am not here for him . I am here for t hee. Did your m ot her not t ell t hee? The blood of t rue lords and ladies flow s in t hine veins. And alas t hine valour t his eve w ill not go unsung guardian of Bunrat t y,? t he banshee said m elodiously

?Who are you t alking t o you deranged fool?? Fergus sneered The usurper could not see t he banshee, but she could see him by his t rue nat ure: m orphing int o t he caricat ured vision of a loat hsom e plague rat t o her eyes, sport ing t he sm ile t hat oozed w inning charm and t reachery Fergus envisioned him self seat ed on t he cast le?s t hrone, t he seat of t he lords of Bunrat t y fram ed by m ajest ic prehist oric ant lers He leered at t he t ant alising and int oxicat ing vision NEXT TIME IN MID-OCTOBER

"A Banshee's Wrath"

Ir ish Film : News& Reviews

Well, it won't be by Christmas

"The Immortal Man": "Peaky Blinders" Film Starring Cillian Murphy Now Set for 2026 Release

Aswe have been following this story since the film wasbeing cast, we thought thislatest update wasin order! Although, the date has still not been confirmed While an exact release date in 2026 has not yet been announced, the confirmation of Murphy'sreturn and the film'stitle have sent wavesof excitement through the show's dedicated fanbase and should be of interest to some of our readers

Cillian Murphy wasofficially set to reprise his iconic role as Tommy Shelby in the highly anticipated "Peaky Blinders" feature film well over two yearsago so although in the latest PR that fact is mentioned; it isnot big news. However, the official title announcement, "The Immortal Man " isnice to know for sure Fanscan expect the movie to hit screens in 2026, with series creator Steven Knight promising a "fitting conclusion to the story."

Knight has also revealed that the film's narrative will be set during the tumultuousperiod of World War II, a significant leap forward in time from where the television seriesconcluded.

Joining Murphy will be a mix of familiar faces and new additions to the cast. Further details about the plot remain under wraps, but the setting suggeststhat the Shelby family will be navigating the treacherous and high-stakes environment of a world at war

The film ispoised to be a major cinematic event, building on the global successof the BAFTA-winning television series. With Knight at the helm and Murphy once again donning the iconic flat cap, "The Immortal Man" hasshaped up to be a dramatic and explosive continuation of the Peaky Blinders saga. www.imdb.com/title/tt15574124/

Kneecap Navigates Legal Battle and Tour Disruptions

The Irish hip-hop trio Kneecap, who recently canceled their United Statestour due to a high-profile court case in the UK, have seen the chargesagainst one of their members dismissed. Fansin the USeager to see the band live will have to wait for rescheduled dates, but can in the meantime watch their recently released biographical film on several streaming platforms.

The band'splanned October 2025 UStour was called off in August due to a pending court case in London involving rapper Liam Óg Ó hAnnaidh, professionally

Our favorit e (and only) rap/ hop-hop band Kneecap consist s of t hree m em bers: Mo Chara (Liam Óg Ó hAnnaidh), Móglaí Bap (Naoise Ó Cairealláin) and DJPróvaí (J. J. Ó Dochart aigh) w ho oft en w ears t he Tri-Colour balaclava. He init ially w ore it t o disguise him self from his st udent s w hen t he band st art ed out , as he w as a t eacher.

known asMo Chara. He was facing a terrorism charge, a situation the band described asa "witch hunt" by the British government

However, in a significant development on September 26, 2025, a UK court threw out the terrorism charge against Ó hAnnaidh The judge ruled the charge was "unlawful" and "null" because it was not filed within the legal six-month time limit.

Irish Actors Barry Keoghan and Cillian Murphy

The Irish Arts & Entertainment's CELTICCAMERA

Hallow een in Ireland. No bet t er place t o celebrat e Sam hain and All Hallow 's Eve! Tent at ive plans are underw ay for an Oct ober, 2026 Tour, so st ay t uned.

KNEECAP, Conclusion

The dismissal of the case on this technicality bringsan end to the legal proceedingsthat had disrupted the band's touring schedule. Following the cancellation of the initial dates, Kneecap had expressed their intention to announce a larger UStour once the legal issueswere resolved While new datesare anticipated, none have been officially announced at this time.

STREAM KNEECAP

For fanswanting to experience the group's story, the film "Kneecap" is available on a variety of streaming services The movie, which chronicles the rise of the Belfast-based trio, can be streamed on platformsincluding Netflix, Prime Video, Apple TV, and HBO Max. The film offersan insight into the band'smusic, their use of the Irish language, and their politically

A form er m em ber of t he Brit ish Arm y?s Parachut e Regim ent , w hich shot dead 13 civilians during a civil right s m arch in Derry on January 30, 1972, is now on t rial in Belfast Know n only as ?Soldier F? under a cont roversial court order prot ect ing his ident it y, he is charged w it h t he m urders of Jam es Wray and William McKinney and w it h five count s of at t em pt ed m urder. He is t he only soldier from t he m assacre ever t o face prosecut ion. We w ill follow up on t he lat est developm ent s in our next issue. Submitted by John McNally

IRISH ARTS & ENTERTAINM ENT CALENDAR

Saturdays@9:00pm

The Harp Inn Irish present s t op local bands,,,check online! !Orange Count y's Most Aut hent ic Irish Pub! Weekly Live Music & Sport s Daily

Serving OC for 30+ years HARP INN IRISH PUB & RESTAURANT

130 E 17t h St , Cost a Mesa, w w w.harpinn.com

The Three St ags Irish Pub 328 Orange St reet , Redlands, (909) 792-8335 w w w.t het hreest agspub.com

Sat urdays in Sept em ber St art ing @ 8:pm

Whiskey Sunday

Acoust ic Trio

Rousing Irish Am ericana

CRAIC HAUS are back w it h t heir original genre of Sham rockabilly!!

Three St ags Irish Pub w w w t het hreest agspub com We are looking for Links & List ings A FREE Irish Com m unit y Service Cost Effect ive for Pubs and m ost Businesses! Proven niche m arket Irish inform at ion source for 34 years!

Cont act us for a Media Kit : irishm issive@gm ail.com

The Back Abbey Lively gast ropub offers creat ive burgers & Belgian brew s in a rust ic dining room or on t he pat io. w w w t hebackabbey com

The Back Abbey Upkand, 1902 Cam pus Ave., Upland

WHISKY SUNDAY

Rousing Irish Am ericana. Music t hat asks you t o pour som et hing single-m alt , sit on t he porch, and sip reverent ly

Sundaysin October 5, 12, 19 & 26

Starting

KEN O'MALLEY

IRISH ARTS & ENTERTAINM ENT CALENDAR

PHOENIX, ARIZONA

Your presence at t he Anam Cara Gala direct ly support s t he m ission of t he Irish Cult ural Cent er and McClelland Library; bringing Irish herit age t o life t hrough educat ion, cult ure, and com m unit y

Sat urday, Novem ber 8t h, Cockt ail Recept ion 6:00 PM Dinner & Gala Program 7:00 PM

From t he Em erald Isle t o t he Em erald Cit y! The night w ill feat ure: A t ast e of Ireland w it h exquisit e food & drink and Irish m usic and dance perform ances! A vibrant celebrat ion of herit age and com m unit y and Excit ing fundraising opport unit ies t o support our m ission: General Adm ission ? $250 VIP Experience ? $500 Ticket sales close Novem ber 1st w w w.azirish.org

West Coast 's Celt ic & Irish Links

Sacramento, CA

Sean Finnegan'sPub: Located in Old Sacramento Waterfront, this pub is housed in a historic building dating back to the 1800s It offersGuinness, Harp Lager, Irish whiskey, and an authentic Irish pub atmosphere with a Wild West twist15

O'Malley's Irish Pub: Family-owned and located at 1109 2nd Street, known for Irish fare like Irish tacos and a solid selection of Irish drinksincluding Guinness345

Malt & Mash: Located at 715 K Street, boasts 150 typesof whiskey and 15 beerson tap, with a lively atmosphere5

Blarney Stone: Known for itslarge selection of draftsand live bands, located at 8906 Greenback Lane5

Pitch and Fiddle: An Irish restaurant and pub with many TVs for sportsand Irish-inspired food like corned beef tacos5.

De Vere'sIrish Pub: Praised for its atmosphere, Irish stew, and range of beersand whiskeys. Offers American and Irish comfort food like shepherd's pie and bangers& mash

CELTICARTSCENTER

San Francisco, CA

The Irish Bank at 10 Mark Lane isa popular spot

Geary Street hostsmany Irish barsincluding : Pig n' Whistle Abbey Tavern, Ireland's32, and Buckshot (formerly Pat O'Shea's)

Plough and Stars in the Richmond district isnoted for live music and a friendly atmosphere

Kell's (a chain) and recommended for live Irish music.

O'Neill's on Third Street offersHarp and Guinness on tap, catering to ballpark crowdsand locals

Portland, OR

KellsIrish Pub: A Northwest institution with hearty Irish fare, live music, and a large St Patrick?s Day celebration They also have a brew pub in Northwest Portland

Paddy?sBar and Grill:

Portland?soldest Irish bar, known for a huge liquor selection, traditional Irish dishes, and live Irish music and dance events

T.C. O?Leary?s

Combines Irish hospitality with local ingredients, offerslive Irish music several daysa week, and a good selection of Irish drinks.

Whelan?s Irish Pub:

Family-friendly with live Irish music, classic Irish food, and a good whiskey selection

Moon and Sixpence: An English pub with one of the best Irish music sessions, On Mondays in Portland.

Seattle, WA Sorry to say, no luck in our search so far, Check back

Reno, NV

Ceol Irish Pub: Established in 2007 on California Avenue, it isa cozy neighborhood pub with a full bar, extensive whiskey selection, and the "best Guinnesspour" in Northern Nevada It hoststraditional Irish music and community events

These venuesoffer a variety of authentic Irish drinks, food, and live Irish music, making them all great spots to recommend and visit. irishmissive@gmail.com

Remember to check back for Calendar linksand listings, new Features& Updates

Usually, we have been updating the Irish Arts around the middle of or 15th or 16th of each month so look for another issue in 15 days. We will also update the Calendar again and do a BLAST to all subscribersusually on Wednesday afternoons. Then again on Sunday evening (or possibly Monday by Noon) There isa lot going on this month so stand by for What'son tap!

Ir ish M usic: News& Reviews

Celt ic Singer/ Songw rit er KRIS COLT Headlining In

Sout hern St at es

Kris Colt , now oft en referred t o as "t he Black Rose," is a t alent ed Celt ic singer and songw rit er based in Nashville She is recognized for her unique Am erican t ake on Celt ic m usic, blending original com posit ions w it h t radit ional Irish and Scot t ish classics Colt is also t he front w om an of t he Kris Colt & The Black Rose Band

Her m usical st yle is oft en described as t hat of a m odern-day bard and st oryt eller. Her perform ances encom pass a range of m oods, from beloved Celt ic ballads t o lively pub t unes She is not only a vocalist but also a songw rit er, com posing bot h lyrics and m usic

Colt has released at least t w o album s: " THE VOYAGE, A MYSTICAL JOURNEY" and "Arm s of a St ranger." Her debut album , " THE VOYAGE, A MYSTICAL JOURNEY," w as dist ribut ed by Dara Records of New York and gained nat ional airplay in t he Unit ed St at es and Canada, reaching #26 on t he NAV nat ional m usic chart The single "ARMS OF A STRANGER" from her subsequent album also received nat ional com m ercial radio play

As a solo act and w it h her band, The Black Rose Band, Colt perform s at a variet y of venues, including Celt ic fest ivals, fairs, pubs, and clubs. All of her perform ances offer a m ix of Celt ic folk, Celt ic rock, and Am ericana root s m usic. Kris Colt cont ribut es splendid vocals, guit ar, and bodhran

Upcom ing dat es include Nashville, Kent uck and Arkansas See t his issue for det ails

Let t er From t he

Publisher from page 2

St art ing t his m ont h, w e w ill be bringing our readers a lot of new advert isers, changes and feat ures. We w ill be offering a CELTIC CROSSWORD PUZZLE w it h our Novem ber issue, Mont hly Cont est Prizes and our Win Ticket s t o Ireland!

Det ails just announced!

Our subscribers are im port ant t o us so you all w ill be receiving a series of quest ions over t he next t w o m ont hs The result s w ill help us shape t he cont ent and scope of fut ure issues.

That 's it for now , hope you enjoyed t his issue. HAPPY HALLOWEEN & A BLESSED SAMHAIN!

We w elcom e your com m ent s and quest ionsJ! im McDonough, Publisher

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Now in addit ion t o our effect ive and w ell respect ed publicat ion; our t eam has

IRISH LANGUAGE An Ghaeilge

The View From Ireland Feat ure last year about t he Irish Language by our great friend and Irish Art s and Ent ert ainm ent colum nist Maurice Fit zpat rick really resonat ed w it h us. We use t he m ont hs of t he year in each issue but our collect ive Irish is very lim it ed.

In fact , w orking on t he folio (t he t op of each page) recent ly, I forgot t he w ord for Oct ober in Irish and had t o look it up. I found t his really int erest ing YouTube video and share t he link below.

m ast ered Digit al Market ing and w e can enhance your out reach for a very cost effect ive rat e.

The digit al age has been good t o us and w e have been able t o prosper and grow our subscriber base. We w ill have final det ails soon on our expansion plans and our Affiliat e Program s. We are also going t o enhance our Very Irish Perks and st art a new series of very excit ing Draw ings and Cont est s!

This m ont h, t hree event s are on t ap, t hen

t he Holidays are alm ost here and w e w ill be doing Special issues for Hallow een and for Christ m as!

Cont act us for a Special Offer: 951 216-1493

I w ould like t o change m y lack of Irish t oo so st art ing now and in fut ure issues, w e w ill be offering our readers a few w ords or phrases in our Mot her Language

Also, if you are in t he LA area,t he Celt ic Art s Cent er has ongoing Irish lessons As w e expand around t he US, w e w ill add m ore such links. More on t his project in com ing issues.

CLICK ICON FOR A QUICK LESSON

PUB QUIZES & TRIVIA

Mondays

The Auld Dubliner

Every Monday w e host Trivia Night , gat her your friends and com e in t o com pet e and enjoy a pint 71 Pine St . Long Beach, CA w w w.aulddubliner.com

O'Brien's Irish Pub

Trivia Night s are Mondays and Wednesdays

Monday st art s at 8PM t ill 10:30PM

WED: 8PM t o 10PM Form a t eam or t ry t o form one at t he pub Play for cash prizes of $150. No ent ry fee 2226 Wilshire Sant a Monica, CA w w w.obriensla.com

Wednesdays

Ye Olde King's Head Brit ish Pub & Rest aurant Trivia in t he pub at 7:30pm 116 Sant a Monica Bl Sant a Monica, CA w w w.yeoldekingshead.com

Harp Irish Pub

Tw o Trivia Night s w w w.harpinn.com

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