Winter Wonders

Page 1

January December – February 2018 2015 ~ Arizona’s ~ Arizona’s Original Original Irish Irish Newspaper Newspaper ~ Vol.~29, Vol. No. 26, 6 No. 1

winter wonders INSIDE: The

FREE COPY TAKE ONE!

Welsh Pony and Royal Welsh Winter Fair PAGE 11


Anam Cara Gala Sponsors

th Belgium and Germany during his school years. He lives th his wife Karen and two youngest daughters. 2 DECEMBER 2018 THE DESERT SHAMROCK

a proud e Anam Gala

F

OR MORE THAN 90 YEARS,

SHAMROCK FOODS COMPANY HAS BEEN PROVI

Wells Fargo is a proud What s sponsor of the Anam AND ULTIMATELY FAMILIES WITH Astock DED Cara Awards Gala gener

FOOD AND SUPPLIES TO RESTAURANTS, SUPERMARKE

What started started with with two two young young Wall Wall Street Street What stockbrokers, has grown into a multistockbrokers, has grown into a multiThe Voice of the generational practice. Their Their generational Scottsdale Scottsdale practice. Arizona Celtic Community current business plan differs from their business plan differs from their work on work on Wall Street in one major way: Wall Street. At Rowland Carmichael, In Printthey: and Online e-Magazine

curre

TO HELP NOURISH FUTURE GENERATIONS.work

Subscribe • Be Seen • Advertise

“Putthe Clients First” “Put Clients First”

Tim RowlandAnam Chairman and Founding Principal 2018 Anam Cara Sponsor

“P

Cara Sponsor

C

Irish and Proud Anam Cara Sponsor! Rowland Carmichael Advisors, Inc.

6720 North Scottsdale Road, Suite 212 1 N. First Street, #201 Scottsdale, AZ 85253-4426 hts reserved. info@desertshamrock.com Phoenix, AZ 85004 480-421-2660 | www.rowlandcarmichael.com 602-568-3455 www.thekettleblackpub.com

SHAMROCKFOODS.COM

© 2018 Wells Fargo Bank, N.A. All rights reserved. Member FDIC. PDS-1336379

Anam Cara Sponsor

From the field to you… Servicing restaurants and grocery stores in the Southwest with that distinctive Klein’s crunch.

More than 60 years in the making. www.kleinspickle.com

Irish and Proud Anam Cara Sponsor! 17045 N. 59th Avenue | Glendale, AZ 85308 www.timfinnegans.com

In Print and Online e-Magazine Subscribe • Be Seen • Advertise

info@desertshamrock.com 602-568-3455 WWW.DESERTSHAMROCK.COM

Rowl

67

480-4


3

It’s snowing somewhere!

Phoenix has lovely temperatures these days in the upper 70’s F. High desert in the winter though provides skiing and other seasonal sports; check out the Arizona Snowbowl on page 5. “Winter on the Island of Ireland” is a great video enticing travel in the off-peak season!

Nearing the finish line, the winning horse has all four feet off the ground!

Enjoy life and blessings, and a good read!

Running like the wind!

Ann Niemann, Editor in Chief and Publisher

My husband, Michael, and I truly enjoy the races. We don’t gamble; you know the adage, one man’s winnings is another man’s loss. But we love to see the beauty, strength, and sheer joy of running displayed by these magnificent horses. The Killarney Races in County Kerry provide a great 2019 outing in a casual atmosphere, except for Ladies Day when women are gorgeous head to toe with a fascinator atop of course. This edition features several varieties of Welsh ponies, both wild and domesticated on page 11. Sali Thompson is a competitive rodeo rider as part of the profile on her mom, Leslie, on page 10. Finally, local artist, Joanne Gallery, was a high school art student of our own Lynn Herdman Mascarelli. Joanne paints a variety of subjects but this month we’re featuring her spectacular horses on page 15.

ARIZONA’S ORIGINAL IRISH NEWSPAPER

Serving the Celtic Community 2320 E. Baseline Rd., #148-623 Phoenix, AZ 85042 • (602) 568-3455 Visit www.DesertShamrock.com • E-mail: info@desertshamrock.com Owner & Editor in Chief • Ann Niemann Publisher • Niemann Publishing, Inc. Art Direction, Design & Layout • Erin Loukili, Jaclyn Threadgill Masthead Design • Elaine’s Design Emporium Contributing Columnists Janice Bryson • J Carro • Sharonah Fredrick Katie Caufield Ginder • Brian Hanrahan • Ellen Harrington Carmelita Lee • Iain Lundy • Lynn Herdman Mascarelli Maureen & Jack Sullivan • Eric McBride Chris Stevenson Kristie Stevenson • Marshall Trimble • Bob Wallace Lois Wallace • Liz Warren • Jan Whalen • Caroline Woodiel Publisher – Julie O’Mahar (2003 - 2013) Editor - Kathleen Wood (2003 - 2008) Publisher - Maureen O’Mahar (1996 - 2002) Founding Publisher - Robert E. Graham (1987 - 1996) Copyright © 2018 - Niemann Publishing, Inc. All rights reserved. The opinions expressed herein are the opinions of the writers, and not necessarily those of ‘The Desert Shamrock,’ the publisher or the editorial staff. Reproduction in whole or in part is prohibited without written permission from the publisher. Publication of advertising herein does not necessarily constitute endorsement of a product or service. Unsolicited materials become the property of Niemann Publishing, Inc. All unsolicited materials are greatly appreciated and carefully evaluated although publication is not guaranteed.

PHOTO BY MARIANA INSOMNIA

Celebrate with the Celtic Community All Year.

67%

100%

25% 50%

Subscribe Today!

NEW Subscription RENEWAL Address Change Gift From Payment Enclosed Check if Seasonal—Contact us with second address and dates FASTER delivery—1st Class $26 USA Name (Please print clearly)

Phone Number

Address City

State

Zip

Email

Subscribe Online: www.DesertShamrock.com ONE YEAR 2018 Rate (6 issues) $20 USA; $28 USD Canada (USPS 7-25+ days)

SEND CHECK OR MONEY ORDER TO:

THE DESERT SHAMROCK

2320 E. Baseline Rd., #148-300 Phoenix, AZ 85042

602-568-3455; info@desertshamrock.com

D18

Wreaths Across America Day

All proceeds go directly to wreaths honoring and showing respect for all those buried at our Prescott National Cemetery.

The Scottish American Military Society, Post 1297

Donations: $15 per wreath; www.wreathsacrossamerica.org, scroll down to “Donate to a Local Fundraising Group” click and enter Code: AZPNCP, continue with “Donate” and follow prompts. Contact: PNCWAA@gmail.com, Donor Group #0004

Saturday, December 15, 2018

REMEMBER our fallen U.S. veterans. HONOR those who serve. TEACH your children the value of freedom. [PHOTO: CEREMONIAL WREATHS LAID AT THE TOMB OF THE UNKNOWN, PRESCOTT, AZ]

WWW.DESERTSHAMROCK.COM

PUBLISHER’S NOTE

PHOTOS BY ANN NIEMANN

THE DESERT SHAMROCK DECEMBER 2018


4

DECEMBER 2018 THE DESERT SHAMROCK

TABLE OF

CONTENTS December 2018 ~ Arizona’s Original Irish Newspaper

ARTS

FEATURES

23 EVENTS: Irish Cultural Ctr & McClelland

14 BOOK REVIEW: There’s Always the Hills by Cameron McNeish 15 Celtic Artisan: Joanne L. Gallery, Painter Extraordinaire 19 Conradh na Gaeilge launches Irish-language and culture resources for diaspora children 22 Phoenix Pipe Band Celebrates 60 Years

BUSINESS 8,10 INAZ Profile: Leslie Thompson, Welcome to the World of Technology 8 Arizona Connections to Vikings History-TV Series

9

Irish sensation: Nathan Carter in concert, Mesa

CULTURE 3 Publisher’s Note: Killarney Horse Races/ Irish Winter Fun

6 Celtic Caterer: Cornish Game Hen Soup 6 Keltic Kitchen: White Cheddar Potato Ale Soup 12 Anam Cara Honorees Jim Daugherty and Declan Fox

3 Wreaths Across America 9 Irish Network AZ EVENTS, Greater Phx 9 CONCERT: Ireland’s Nathan Carter, band, and

13

HISTORY 16 Irish Tales from AZ Territory: Tombstone scholar L.E. O’Keeffe 16 Arizona: Did you know? 17 GENEALOGY Minister Madigan announces funding for digitisation of “Church of Ireland Parish Registers”

TRAVEL 5 SCOTS Christmas and Hogmanay - Holidays the Scottish Way 5 Ski Season at Arizona Snowbowl Open! 18 Left Lane Hillary, Part 25: Driving through Ireland for the first time

WELSH 11 Cymru: The Welsh Pony and Royal Welsh Winter Faire 2018

EVENTS

Photo Gallery – 2018 Anam Cara Awards Gala

Library, Phx 23 12K’s of Christmas Run/Walk, Bazaar, Santa’s Pet Village, Gilbert

Chloë Agnew, Mesa 10 TRAVEL: Chandler-Tullamore Sister Cities TRIP to Ireland 19 CONCERT: Celtic Woman, Phx 21 AZ Colleen & Rose and Jr. Titles’ Selections, Phx 22 Celtic Spirituality Retreat Weekend, Tucson 23 THEATRE: Celebration of Christmas, Phx

OUT & ABOUT 13 Photo Gallery – 2018 Anam Cara Awards Gala

DIRECTORIES 7 Celtic Pubs and Eateries 20,21 Organizations, Sister Cities, Dance, Musicians, Clans

CALENDAR 23 Schedule of Events

NEXT ISSUE SNEAK PEEK

WWW.DESERTSHAMROCK.COM

Hint: Where Games of Thrones is filmed [Northern Ireland]

PHOTO BY TIM H. MURPHY

15

Celtic Artisan: Joanne L. Gallery, Painter Extraordinaire

ANNUAL TRAVEL EDITION


THE DESERT SHAMROCK DECEMBER 2018

5

SCOTS

TRAVEL

Christmas and Hogmanay Holidays the Scottish Way BY LOIS WALLACE PHOTO COURTESY OF VISITSCOTLAND.COM

H

ave you ever thought of spending the Holidays in Scotland? Well, I have! It is definitely on my Bucket List. The weather is more predictable then other parts of the year. It will be cold with maybe snow or rain. With an average temperature of 34-44 degrees. The saying in Scotland is, “It is not bad weather, just a bad choice in clothing.” So knowing that, you can pack appropriately and if not, there will be lots of warm things to buy. It is not high tourist season so the crowds are smaller, consisting of more locals from the UK and Europe. Edinburgh embraces the Christmas season in a huge way. Christmas Markets and Faire are set up in Princes Street Gardens with Christmas goods from around the world as well as local artisans and Scottish-produced items. Scottish Market on West George Street is a showcase of locally produced Scottish food items. The city itself is adorned for the festive season. Many of the historic buildings are decorated in lights, including a light show of immense proportions adorns a major section of the Royal Mile. Ice rinks pop up all over town, a draw for visitors and locals alike. Special concerts and productions take place in concert halls and theaters as well as many of the churches like St. Giles Cathedral or Roslyn Chapel. Special décor and exhibits are installed in most attractions which makes them even more attractive for a second look. Hogmanay is the Scots word for the last day of the year, a New Year’s celebration in the Scottish way. Traditions differ

but usually include gift giving, visiting homes of friends, neighbors and family with special awareness given to the firstfoot, the first guest of the New Year. In modern times, especially in the larger cities like Edinburgh, a huge Street Fair takes place with concerts, dancing to live music, entertainment on giant screens, and outdoor bars. Merrymakers from around the world come to participate in this ultimate party. When the clock strikes midnight, a huge fireworks display is set off from the Castle Ramparts, bathing the city in light and color. The traditional song, Auld Lang Syne, sung by thousands in the streets is sure to send chills through you! All of this is just in Edinburgh. Glasgow, Aberdeen, Inverness, and Dundee all will have similar events going on for the season. If you wish for more of a small town feel to your Christmas or New Year, any of these cities are accessible by train and would be a lovely choice to visit. Or how about a stay in a castle including a special Christmas meal or Hogmanay party? There are many ways to customize your experience. Many of the travel companies I work with offer packages that include most of your needs. Or a trip to include all the special benefits of the season you desire can be set up for you. There is still time to get there for 2018, or perhaps make plans for 2019! Lois Wallace is the owner of Authentic Celtic Travels, based in Phoenix, AZ. Not only is her heritage Scottish and Irish, she married into Clan Wallace. Her business focus is on all Celtic nations. She has extensive knowledge of Scotland, having traveled there numerous times individually and leading groups.

Ski Season at Arizona Snowbowl Open! PHOTOS COURTESY OF ARIZONA SNOWBOWL

F

lagstaff, Ariz. -- Arizona Snowbowl’s ski season kicks off the Friday prior to Thanksgiving and extends through April. “Everyone at Snowbowl is excited for ski season to begin Nov. 16,” stated J.R. Murray, general manager at Arizona Snowbowl. “With our state-of-the-art snowmaking system, which covers more than 65 percent of trails, Snowbowl is able to be the first to open in the state, provide a consistent ski product, and stay open longer because of all the work we do at the beginning of the season.” El Nino is forecast for the 2018/2019 season, which typically means more snow for Arizona Snowbowl. The National Oceanic & Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) is currently predicting a 70% chance of El Nino conditions for this winter, which tend to produce greater than average snowfall, benefitting the northern Arizona ski resort. Founded in 1938 and known for offering the best beginner terrain in the Southwest, Arizona Snowbowl is one of the oldest, continually operating ski areas in the country. Located 14 miles north of Flagstaff, Arizona, on the San Francisco Peaks and on the highest mountain in Arizona (Humphreys Peak at 12,367 feet), Arizona Snowbowl offers 55 trails and 2,300 vertical feet on 777 acres with eight lifts, three terrain parks and three mountain lodges.

KIDS SKI FREE Every child who is in fourth grade or younger receives a FREE season pass – no purchase required. The free pass provides unlimited access with no blackout dates to Snowbowl, Purgatory, Sipapu, Pajarito Mountain, and Hesperus Ski Area. Snowbowl is the perfect family-friendly ski resort, offering activities and events just for

kids and families, including Snowburners and SkiWee lessons, the annual Cardboard Derby, and more. Last winter, Snowbowl installed a new quad chairlift with a convenient loading conveyor in the Hart Prairie beginner area, which makes loading the lift easier and fun.

SUMMER AND FALL SEASONS 2019 Arizona Snowbowl also offers a world-renowned Scenic Chairlift, taking visitors to the top at 11,500 ft. for incredible expansive views that northern Arizona has to offer – from the red rocks of Sedona, the cinder cone volcanic field, and the rim of the Grand Canyon. Families can experience summer tubing, the bungee trampoline, family ropes course, treasure panning and more. Enjoy a round of disc golf or the hiking trails at Snowbowl. Forest Service interpretive specialists are available at the top of the chairlift to answer questions about the region’s history, geology and its volcanic origins. The Agassiz restaurant is open 11am to 4pm on days the chairlift is operating. During the fall’s peak season, enjoy breathtaking scenery filled with golden Aspens which creates a spectacular contrast against the largest Ponderosa Pine forest in the nation. Arizona Snowbowl offers a great autumn getaway filled with opportunities for photography, observing wildlife, or just enjoying a peaceful chairlift ride. For more information, visit www. ArizonaSnowbowl.com; Facebook. com/AZSnowbowl; and Twitter.com/ AZSnowbowl.

WWW.DESERTSHAMROCK.COM


DECEMBER 2018 THE DESERT SHAMROCK

Warm Recipes for Chilly Nights CELTIC CATERER

PHOTO BY KATIE CAUFIELD GINDER

CULTURE

6

Cornish Game © Hen Soup

BY CHEF ERIC W. MCBRIDE

A

lright Celtic sports fans, or should I say Foodies. Here is the December issue of my column, straight out of BOOK #6. I debuted it at the Ventura Seaside Scottish Festival this past October. The Cornish hen, also known as an Indian Game Hen, was raised in the country estates in Cornwall. The breed was first developed by Sir Walter Gilbert in 1820 but was not accepted by the American poultry board until 1893. Today it is the most widely used chicken meat in the UK. This hen, however, differs from what most people know as a Cornish Rock Hen, which has been bred with a white Rock Chicken to have both the flavors and the pint size that most consumers are used to today. Eric McBride is an awardwinning Chef and Author of now six Celtic cookbooks. The newest one is Celtic Soups, Sauces, Stocks and Stews.

KELTIC KITCHEN

HOLIDAY SPECIAL:

Book #6, Bouquet Garni the latest spice specifically designed for this cookbook, and measuring spoons for a Dash, a Pinch and a Smidge. Starting on Cyber Saturday through year-end $25 plus shipping. www.celticcaterer.com or celticcaterer@hotmail.com to order.

White Cheddar Potato Ale Soup BY KATIE CAUFIELD GINDER

D

ia daoibh a chaired! (Hello friends!) Despite living in the desert, I could eat soup any time of year. Soup can be a simple or hearty meal, and yet its warmth and flavors evoke such satisfaction and comfort. It’s no wonder different variations of soup are found in kitchens all around the world. In Ireland, thanks to the potato’s rise in popularity during the 18th century, potato soup quickly became a staple in most Irish households. Its presence remains strong as traditional potato soup can be found in restaurants and kitchens across the country. My twist on the traditional potato Yields 6-8 servings

INGREDIENTS:

Serves 4-6

INGREDIENTS: 6 Cups, Chicken Broth or light stock 1 Cornish Hen, or 3 Rock Cornish Hens 3 yellow Potatoes 3 Carrots 5 Celery Stocks 2 Onions 1 Rutabaga, also known as swede (not turnips) 3 cloves Garlic, diced 2 oz. Honey Mead 2 Tbs. European Butter 2 tsp. Celtic Caterer All Gaelic Seasoning - Thyme, Garlic powder, white pepper 1 Pinch Saffron, (optional) WWW.DESERTSHAMROCK.COM

DIRECTIONS: Step 1. Partially roast hens in the oven first, until they are about halfway cooked, makes them easier to debone. Debone the hens and chop into bite-size pieces. Step 2. In a large stock pot, melt butter and sauté hen meat with onions, garlic, rutabaga, and Celery. Simmer for 3-5 minutes. Add in Mead and simmer for 2 more minutes. Step 3. Add in seasoning and stir. Then add in all remaining ingredients. Bring to a boil and simmer for one hour or until potatoes soften. Serve hot.

2 T. or 30 g. butter 1 T. olive oil 1 medium onion, diced 2 cloves of garlic, minced 1 large carrot, diced 8 medium Russet potatoes; cut into 1 inch cubes 2 (14.5 oz.) cans vegetable broth 14.5 oz. beer Salt and pepper 1 T. thyme, chopped 1 c. or 8 oz. milk 6 strips of bacon, cooked and chopped ¾ c. or 65 g. sharp white cheddar cheese, grated

soup recipe includes incorporating two of my ingredients – sharp white cheddar cheese and beer. While the taste of the sharp cheddar cheese and ale are at the forefront of the soup, the potato, bacon and thyme nicely round out the additional flavors. If you are a vegetarian, feel free to omit the bacon and indulge in a meatless variation. Enjoy! Katie Caufield Ginder lives in Gilbert with her husband and two sons. Her background is in higher education program management, instruction, and faculty recruitment. She enjoys spending time with her family, traveling, cooking, yoga, volunteering with Big Brothers Big Sisters and learning about her Irish heritage. Katie’s great, great paternal grandfather was from Galway and immigrated to Pennsylvania in the 1860s.

10 minutes. Add garlic and sauté for another minute. Adjust temperature to medium-high heat and add diced potatoes, carrot, vegetable broth, beer, salt, pepper and thyme. Cover with lid and bring mixture to a boil. This should take about 10 minutes. Remove lid and stir soup. Lower temperature to medium heat and cook for an additional 20 minutes, or until potatoes are tender and can be pierced with a fork. Once potatoes are cooked, stir in milk.

DIRECTIONS:

Ladle out most of the soup into a blender or use a hand blender and mix until mostly smooth in texture. Return puréed soup to the stock pot and stir in most of the bacon and all of the grated cheese.

Add diced onions and cook for about

Once the cheese is melted, ladle soup into bowls and top with remaining bacon crumbles and fresh cracked pepper.

In a large stock pot or Dutch oven, melt butter and olive oil over medium heat.


THE DESERT SHAMROCK DECEMBER 2018

7

Celtic Pubs & Eateries

If you're looking for some Craic, look no further!

Greater Phoenix The Dubliner Irish Pub & Restaurant

O’Connor’s Pub

Fibber Magees Pub Irish Restaurant & Bar

Rosie McCaffrey’s Irish Pub

3841 E. Thunderbird Road, #111, Phoenix, AZ 85032 (east of AZ-51); 602-867-0984; www.dublinerpub.com Arizona’s original Irish pub and very first to serve Guinness on tap, Irish and American fare, games on big-screen TV, live music six nights a week.

1989 W. Elliot Road, Chandler, AZ 85224 (SE corner of Elliot & Dobson Road) 480-722-9434, www.fibbermageespub.com Irish pub featuring American & Irish menu classics, plus special events such as pub quiz, open mic, craft beer nights & live music 4 nights a week.

Gallagher’s Sports Grill

7575 N. 16th Street, Phoenix, AZ 85020 (16th Street & Morten); 602-997-0084 3220 E. Baseline, Phoenix, AZ 85042 (NE corner of 32nd St. & Baseline); 602-437-0981 34406 N. Black Mountain Parkway, Cave Creek, AZ 85331 (Carefree Hwy. & 48th Street); 480-595-8800 751 E Union Hills Drive, Phoenix, AZ 85024 (7th & Union Hills); 602-867-3222 www.gallaghersaz.com Discover a great tasting menu, HD sports, daily and late night specials, weekend breakfast, karaoke, trivia and OTB!

The Harp Irish Pub

1744 S. Val Vista Drive, Mesa, AZ 85204 (just south of US-60 in Dana Park Village Square) 480-507-7827; www.theharpaz.com An Irish pub from our interior to our menu. We offer a perfect blend of modern and comfort Irish/American food and drinks in an authentic atmosphere. Dueling pianos Fridays 9pm; live music Saturdays 8pm.

The Irish Wolfhound Restaurant & Pub

16811 N. Litchfield Road, Surprise, AZ 85374 (just south of Bell Road); 623-214-1004; www.irishwolfhoundpub.com Bringing a little piece of Ireland to the desert. Featured on PBS “Check, Please!” with award-winning Corned Beef & Cabbage and Guinness Battered Atlantic Cod.

2601 W. Dunlap Avenue, #7, Phoenix, AZ 85021 (east of I-17); 602-997-7714; www.oconnorspub.com Where You’re A Stranger Only Once! For some good ol’ Irish hospitality in the Valley of the Sun, drop in the best Irish pub in Phoenix!

906 E. Camelback Road, Phoenix, AZ 85014 (additional parking on 10th Street! 100 feet away!) 602-241-1916; www.rosiemccaffreys.com Irish owned and operated pub in central Phoenix serving good food and drink, the traditional Irish way, showing all Celtic FC matches, daily specials. Sláinte!

Rúla Bula Irish Pub and Restaurant

401 S. Mill Avenue, Tempe, AZ 85281 (between University and Rio Salado Parkway) 480-929-9500; www.rulabula.com Downtown Tempe, old world pub serving traditional and contemporary pub fare. Draft craft beer, premium whiskies and specialty cocktails. Daily Happy Hour. Live Music weekends. See ad page 15

Skeptical Chymist Irish Restaurant & Bar

15689 N. Hayden Road, Scottsdale, AZ 85260 (off AZ-101 and Frank Lloyd Wright Blvd.) 480-609-8677, www.skepticalchymist.com Apothecary-themed Irish pub with classic & modern cuisine, imported & craft beers & live music. All World Cup matches, LIVE!

Séamus McCaffrey’s Irish Pub

18 W. Monroe Street, Phoenix, AZ 85003 (adjacent to historic Hotel San Carlos) 602-253-6081; www.seamusmccaffreys.com Downtown Phoenix’ Original Irish Pub & Restaurant. Est.-1991. Corned beef & cabbage, Irish stew, fish & chips, full menu, weekend brunch, AZ’s largest whiskey menu, 10 on tap, open late. See ad page 15

Tim Finnegan’s Irish Restaurant & Bar

NEW LOCATION: 17045 N. 59th Avenue, Glendale, AZ 85308 (north of Bell Road); 602-875-8331; www.timfinnegans.com Evokes images of the great old pubs with blend of modern Ireland. Enjoy USDA Prime, Shepherd’s Pie with choice lamb, and mussels fresh from the sea. Live music. See ad page 7

New customers are looking for you! Every day, with our team of members, readers, and Irish Heritage Partners, The Wild Geese explores, promotes, preserves, and celebrates the epic heritage of the Irish around the world -- through compelling content, evolving technologies, a dynamic community, and collaborative marketing connections. WWW.DESERTSHAMROCK.COM

.Irish


IRISH NETWORK ARIZONA

8

Leslie THOMPSON DECEMBER 2018 THE DESERT SHAMROCK

Welcome to the World of Technology BY JAN WHALEN

I

magine sitting in the audience of a large room. Leslie Thompson, operations and program manager for Intel, opens her remarks with the words, “Welcome to the Semiconductor and IOT Industry.” Having worked in the world of technology her whole working life, this unpretentiously confident woman knows what she’s talking about. What was her path to leadership? Leslie was born at the Coombe Hospital in Dublin to Pat and Rita Curran. As a young girl, her Dad, Mam, three sisters and brother moved to Rathfarnham, a Dublin suburb, where they all still live. As the oldest child she was the first to attend an all girls’ Catholic school. She loved school and she loved singing. In fact, her whole family sang in their parish choir.

IRISH CHARACTER Her character is a blend of her parents’ influence. “Mam values deportment, grace, and clear articulation of ideas.” Her dad has always been an even-tempered man. “I noticed that he was pleasant with people. He would say, ‘There’s a different way to get this done.’” Leslie sang, took ballet, Irish dancing, and participated on the swim team. Those who know her admire her steady leadership and peacemaking skills.

PUB WORK ETHIC AND INTEL CAREER In high school, Leslie worked at Revels Pub as a “lounge girl.” She served drinks and gained valuable experience. “At the pub, I learned to deal with money and customers. We had our regulars, but we wanted to give excellent customer service to all. Not just to earn tips, but to keep them loyal to the pub.”

Because of her interest in music and electronics, she envisioned a career as a sound engineer. She studied Electronics at DIT. Her dad heard that Intel was interviewing at a Dublin Airport hotel. She sang in a wedding, put on an interview suit (borrowed from her sister), and her dad drove her to the interview. She was hired—one of three women. Her life changed quickly as training for the new job began in a few weeks in Oregon. At its completion, she was able to troubleshoot tools and train others in the Leixlip plant. With 12-hour rotating shifts, she decided to rent a room five minutes away from work and visited her family on weekends.

OPPORTUNITY KNOCKS Additional growth came with the opening of the Ocotillo plant in Chandler in 1995. As her team prepared to leave, they set up a series of teleconference interviews. One of the interviewers was a man named Hal. His assignment was to assist Leslie’s team in Arizona, and because he gave such exceptional care to all of them, Leslie didn’t realize he was beginning to take a personal interest in her. Soon Leslie and Hal began dating, they married, and she became an Arizonan.

Family’s Movie Career

Leslie’s dad, Pat Curran, was standing in front of a church in Dublin waiting for his wife one sunny afternoon. Soon, the cast and crew of The Tudors arrived to film a scene and when they asked him to move away, he said, “I can’t. I’m picking up my wife and if I leave, she won’t know where to go.” The casting director noticed his stunning white hair and beard. She asked him to come back the next day, and that’s how his movie career began. He even got his son, Nigel, involved. The Tudors is a dramatic four-season series about the reign and marriages of King Henry VIII. In the Vikings series, the siege of Paris is a major event featured in most of Season 3, depicting the historical confrontation in 845 A.D. between King Charles the Bold’s Frankish forces against a Viking army led by King Ragnar Lothbrok as he sees Paris as a prized asset for his Norse people. Both series can be seen on DVD or Amazon Prime Video. Photo above is Pat (lft) as a French noble and Nigel as King Ragnar’s pall bearer on set of Vikings Siege of Paris.

Continued on page 10

Dermot and Chloë at McClelland Library, Phoenix

Another Vikings actor visits Phoenix

Dermot Kiernan and Chloë Agnew, formerly with Celtic Woman, recently performed at The Listening Room in Phoenix. They make a great duo with her amazing voice, talent, and passion expressed through the lyrics of each song, and his tenor voice and instrumentals. Of particular interest on their tour of the Irish Cultural Center was the Book of Kells Exhibit in McClelland Library. Dermot shared about his village outside of Kells, Ireland. Both spent some time with Miles Davenport in Genealogy looking at maps where their surnames are located. Besides his Masters, Dermot studied two years in Paris, furthering his professional music career. One of his specializations is the study of Gregorian Chant, which he used in Season 1 of Vikings, as one of the singing monks. What a coincidence with not one, but now two, Arizona connections to the 5-star series! On November 24, Chloë returns as a special guest of Irish sensation Nathan Carter. Along with INAZ members, enjoy discounted tickets. Sali, Leslie, and Hal WWW.DESERTSHAMROCK.COM

See ad page 9.


9

THE DESERT SHAMROCK DECEMBER 2018

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

Dave Binsfeld, CIC, ARM

Vice President

67% 67%

100%

100%

MARK O’BRIEN

25%

25%

Grandparents: John O’Dowd emigrated 1929 to NY from Castlebaldwin, Co. Sligo and Ellen Greevy from Roscommon 1938.

50%

50%

Electrical Operations Manager 67%

Marlin Dimming Controls Specialist Level 1 Thermographer In Business Since 1977

Great grandfather Patrick O’Brien from County Clare, Ireland

100%

67%

100%

O’LECTRIC, L.L.C. 480-807-2722 email: markobrien@olectricaz.com web: www.olectricaz.com

25%

50%

602-248-4200

1599 E. Orangewood Ave. #200 Phoenix, AZ 85020

ROC # 311988

MB092214 • NMLS# 1007154 • Colleen Cutler NMLS# 852437

BE OUR GUEST!

THE BEAUTY OF YOU!

Mary Kallemeyn

Independent Sr. Sales Director mkallemeyn@cox.net | www.marykay.com/mkallemeyn 602-978-0598 Home | 623-986-4708 Cell

Whether you are buying a new home or want to refinance your current home, call your neighborhood lender Colleen O’Dowd Cutler to get pre-approved. FHA, VA, Conventional and Reverse Mortgages

phone:

Mary Kay® products offer you so many Innovative skinyour care! On-trend ways to enhance beauty and color! Pampering andOn-trend body well-being. Innovative bath skin care! products and bath so much more! color! Pampering and body products and so much more! I offer a personalized service to Let’s findyour your favorites. create signature look – Contact me today. Fun, Free & Fabulous

Colleen O’Dowd Cutler

25%

50%

SECOND FRIDAY OF EACH MONTH 7-8:30am • First-time Guests FREE

Special Speaker and hot Breakfast!

Grandmother Anna Kerr missed the Titanic because of family illness but emigrated later in 1912 from Belfast

Dec 14 Holiday Party & Gift Exchange ($20 limit) alcohol or non-alcoholic

INAZ Charity through June 30

67%

FREE Assessment and Proposal • Paid by Vendor of your Choice 100%

25%

50%

Jan 11 Phoenix Dream Center: Giving hope, feeding thousands of meals each week, aged-out foster care kids, rescuing sex trafficking victims

SOCIAL NETWORKING: Sat, Nov 24 Discounted tix to Ireland’s Nate Carter w/ band, and guest Chloë Agnew, Mesa Arts Ctr, Use code: NATHAN15. Thurs, Nov 29 Padre Murphy’s 4-6:30pm

RSVP EVENTS:

info@irishnetworkarizona.com OR 602-978-0598 For the latest, follow us on Facebook.com/IrishNetworkArizona

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

Support Project Veterans Pride pvpjwh.org

67%

100%

25% 50%

See Irish country star Nathan Carter as he showcases his unique blend of Celtic, country, and pop music. Saturday, November 24, 2018 at 7:30 pm

Celtic Country

Virginia Piper Theater nathancarter.ca

SAVE 15%*

with code NATHAN15

Presented by Attila Glatz Concert Productions. *Valid while supply lasts. Not valid on previously purchased tickets.

WWW.DESERTSHAMROCK.COM

IRISH NETWORK ARIZONA

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


DECEMBER 2018 THE DESERT SHAMROCK

Continued from page 8

PRIDE AND JOY Leslie’s face lights up as she shares about her daughter Sali, who was born in Mesa, and baptized in Ireland in 1999. Sali’s passion for horses began at age six, which has become a family undertaking. She is currently involved with competitive rodeo at the University of Arizona. She lost her beloved horse, Jake, due to an unfortunate accident. Leslie supported her on a variety of levels, and her new horse, Uno, will provide Sali with her next level of performance. They both volunteer with the university to improve the facility and turn the event into a positive for the students and the community. Just as Leslie guides her

daughter, she also loves mentoring the developing careers of employees. Networking has also become a valuable life skill. She says, “I enjoy knowing the needs of the business, and connecting people as they navigate the work environment.”

THE LIST GOES ON This summer, Leslie provided guidance and leadership for the Chandler-Tullamore Sister Cities youth ambassador exchange by organizing activities in both Leixlip, Ireland and Chandler. Students were welcomed into the world of technology and coding by building an LED light-board. Her secret for success? She is willing to learn from

others to improve herself without being self-promoting. “I’m not a ‘me feiner’ (me myself first) [comes from Mé fein (Irish for myself), selfish or self-obsessed individual]. I believe we need to give and to help.” Leslie welcomes more women to join her in the technology industry, a dynamic and growing field that provides financial independence. Echoing her dad, she says, “You can do this!” Jan M. Whalen, MASL, is an award winning author who creates books, workbooks and blogs about self-trust, confidence and telling your story. www.whalenvoices.com; jan@whalenvoices.com

PHOTO BY MLT PHOTOGRAPHY

IRISH NETWORK ARIZONA

10

Chandler-Tullamore Sister Cities 2019 IRELAND TOUR - TULLAMORE & BEYOND!

67%

100%

25% 50%

USE 2 BLADES PER YEAR.

100% MONEY-BACK GUARANTEE. You can expect 6 months or more of smooth shaving with one blade. Just use Save My Blades solution and follow our simple instructions. Christmas SPECIAL: Buy 2, Get 1 Free OR Buy 6, Get 4 Free!

USED BY U.S.

MILITARY

$25 ONE-YEAR SUPPLY KIT

SAVE MY BLADES

MAY 21 - MAY 31, 2019 ACCOMMODATING AN INTIMATE GROUP OF 14 ON A MERCEDES MINICOACH WITH DRIVER GUIDE, IRELAND CHAUFFEUR TRAVEL

HIGHLIGHTS Dublin Fair City • Kildare Nat’l Stud • stay at Kinnitty Castle Westport, Clew Bay & Croagh Patrick • Kylemore Abbey Cong, Mayo • Cliffs of Moher • Waterford • Kilkenny Castle Clonmacnoise • Tullamore Dew Centre • Charleville Castle - more! Optional Side Tours Dublin - visit Newgrange or tour of Powerscourt Gardens, Co. Wicklow Doolin - boat to Aran Islands or Cliffs of Moher Cruise or Ennis, Co. Clare Stays will be a mix of well-researched Bed & Breakfast lodgings in strategic and historic locales and the possibility of some Guesthouses or Hotels when a B&B cannot accommodate the entire group.

CTSC Members $3,000 USD • Non-Mbrs $3,300 USD - land pkg. Euro fluctuations subject to change

GREAT STOCKING STUFFER FOR GALS AND GUYS.

LON MYERS • 602-370-3044 CALSHIDEOUT@YAHOO.COM

SAVEMYBLADES.COM WWW.DESERTSHAMROCK.COM

Hosted by Sullivan’s Travels For further information: Ellen Harrington, 480-600-8509 chan.to.tull@gmail.com, or visit www.chandlerirish.org King Oak, Charleville


11

WELSH

PHOTOS COURTESY OF RAINHILLWELSHCOBS.COM

THE DESERT SHAMROCK DECEMBER 2018

Rainhill Rowena, 3-year-old filly, Royal Welsh Show, 2009

CYMRU:

Hendrewen Mr Tom, 6-year-old stallion, Royal Welsh Show, 2008

The Welsh Pony and Royal Welsh Winter Fair 2018 BY LYNN HERDMAN MASCARELLI

W

elsh ponies, thought to have evolved from the Celtic pony, existed on the isles of Britain before the Romans arrived. The Welsh pony is a hardy group of four Pony/ Cob Horse types indigenous to Wales. They are beautiful. Notably not as large as the standard horse, the smallest among them is the Welsh Mountain Pony. In more formal terms, the others are described as slightly taller, the Welsh Pony Section B, popular among children as a show mount. The third is a stocky Welsh Pony/Cob Section C used for riding. For adults, the tallest is called the Section D Welsh Cob or simply Welsh Cob. All are said to possess a good temperament and free-moving gait. Ponies are known to have been native to Wales even before 1600 BC. They were used in cavalries in the Middle Ages. Later, during the times of Queen Victoria, pit ponies replaced children in coal mines and this, only after 16 children were drowned when a British mine flooded. The first stud-book appeared on Welsh breeds in the UK in 1901 with other registries established later. Now they compete in jumping, in harness and driving competitions at equestrian shows. They will be at

the finest prime stock show in Europe, the Royal Welsh Winter Fair, a wonderful pre-Christmas event to be held this year November 26-27. If you can make it, gates open at 8am at the Royal Welsh showground in Llanelwedd, Builth Wells, Powys, Wales. But please note there are rules...for the noble dog. With the exception of those who provide assistance, none are permitted to enter and see what you would enjoy: the Livestock (cattle, sheep, pigs, and goats); Buildings and Royal Welsh Exhibition Centre, the Horse Lines, Collecting Rings, Fur and Feather Pavilion; the South Glamorgan Exhibition Hall, Grandstand area and Members Centre, the Food Hall and Society’s dining halls...and all this in great festive array. Nonetheless, the cob pony is of great concern to the Welsh. Despite the harsh climate, bands of half-feral wild ponies for years have roamed the hills, even leaping ravines. Today, only a small population of approximately 120 such ponies still roam the Carneddau mountains in Snowdonia, Wales. Thankfully they are tracked and looked after by good men like Gareth Wyn Jones, secretary of the Carneddau Mountain Pony Society. He told the Daily Post back in 2015, they had lost more than 70 ponies in the deep snowfalls of March and buried dozens in a mass grave. The following year Jones could happily claim they had

Desert Fare Cookbook

Trefaes Exterminator, 10-year-old stallion, Royal Welsh Show, 2010

gathered and driven small groups of them carefully down into the quarry and on to a paddock at Tyn Llwyfan farm. He said,“We’ve done lots better than we thought...We had about 80 mares and a few stallions and the rest were foals. Goes to show what a tough breed they are.” To date, the practice of monitoring the Welsh pony continues. I am smitten...these ponies are an essential part of the Welsh cultural heritage. I rest easier knowing there are sentinels like the Society, and those students of Aberystwyth University, who, in their research, have concluded native Welsh ponies are genetically unique and should be conserved to safeguard their existence. Special thanks to Anthony Booth, photographer and creator of RainhillWelshCobs.com for the magnificent ponies shown in this story. He suggests that if you key in the name of each in his ‘Photo Archive’, you can get their family trees going back 100 years! RESOURCES • Annual wild pony roundup at youtube.com/ watch?v=tn7TjdrZ1rs • Welsh Pony and Cob Society, wpcsa.org, facebook.com/WelshPonyandCobSociety • mentalfloss.com/article/65877/ how-pit-ponies-replaced-children-coal-mines Lynn Mascarelli is a former high school teacher of art, history, and political science. She is a potter, illustrator, muralist in public venues and private homes, and wordsmith. Frequently a featured artist at the Irish Cultural Center, Celtic landscapes intrigue her. Her mom, a Williams, is totally Welsh with ancestry as far back as 1700s and the Isle of Anglesley.

Chandler-Tullamore SiSTer CiTieS

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

Chandler-Tullamore Sister Cities

ellen harringTon

Chair, Board of direCtors chan.to.tull@gmail.com (480) 600-8509 P.O. Box 1474 Chandler, AZ 85244-1474

67%

www.chandlerirish.org 100%

www.facebook.com/chandler.az.irish

25%

50%

Benefits Chandler-Tullamore Sister Cities Student Exchange Program

2016 YOUNG ARTISTS & AUTHORS INTERNATIONAL SHOWCASE RECEPTION

WWW.DESERTSHAMROCK.COM


12

DECEMBER 2018 THE DESERT SHAMROCK

AnamAwards CaraGala 2018 HONOREES:

Jim Daugherty and Declan Fox

The Irish Cultural and Learning Foundation (ICLF) honored Jim Daugherty and Declan Fox at the 11th Annual Anam Cara (Irish meaning “soul friend”) Awards Gala. The Gala celebration and fundraiser was held on October 20 at the Irish Cultural Center & McClelland Library. Funds raised provide access to dynamic Irish culture, arts, and education for people of all ages and backgrounds. Jim Daugherty is a Faculty

Emeritus in Bio and Nutrition and retired Faculty Director of the Technology Research and Innovation Center at Glendale Community College (GCC). While at GCC, he was also Faculty Senate President; Independent Order of Foresters Regional President, and member of the corporate Board of Directors for the IOF. A two-time alumnus of ASU, Jim is a retired registered dietician. He “blames” John and Janet Corcoran for his involvement with the local Irish community. In the mid-1980s they introduced him to the Irish American Social Club and the Phoenix Feis (Irish dance competition). Jim led the Feis for a number of years and joined the Phoenix St. Patrick’s Day Parade & Faire Committee where he served as President in ‘95 and ’96, and was honored as the Committee’s Irish Person of the Year in 2004 for his contributions. He is the only gent to ever chair the Committee’s Arizona Colleen Selection. As a Founding Member of the Irish Cultural and Learning Foundation (ICLF), Jim has served on the ICLF board since 2001 as a Trustee, Treasurer, Secretary, Vice President, President; and currently as Past President and Treasurer. He has produced and narrated a multimedia commemoration of the annual 1916 Irish Easter Rising on its anniversary since 2001; and he participates in the Bloomsday, and Winter Solstice celebrations. An Irish dancer, Jim and his wife, Anne, have hosted the

monthly Ceili (Irish social dancing for all ages) in the Center’s Great Hall for many years.

Declan Fox hails from Trim, County

Meath, son of John Fox of Co. Meath and Francis Fox of Co. Tipperary. He is the second youngest of one brother and three sisters, all of whom reside in Ireland. Declan studied carpentry in his home country and moved to Phoenix in 1994 to establish his contracting business, Fox’s Fine Home Design.

Part owner of the Irish Wolfhound Pub & Restaurant in Surprise, AZ, he is deeply humbled and incredibly honored to be chosen for the Anam Cara award and will do anything he can to support the Irish community, the ICC and McClelland Library. Declan dabbled as a thespian in the Irish play, A Man of No Importance, presented by Desert Stages in Scottsdale. He sings and plays the bodhran and enjoys local Irish musicians. He is a three-time Ironman, raising money for the Smiletrain Charity to benefit

THE 11TH ANNUAL

children with cleft palate and/or lip in underdeveloped countries. As we near the 20th anniversary of the Irish Cultural and Learning Foundation, we’re planning many new programs for our 2018-2019 season, including a new series, “The Irish in Latin America”, with an exhibit created by Ireland’s Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade to open in November. The generous support of the public will enable us to continue to provide and enhance our tried and true services such as the Academy of Irish and Celtic Studies, the McClelland Library’s collections and discussion groups, genealogy services, and our popular major annual events like St. Patrick’s Day, the ICC Annual Tea, and Christmas at the Castle. A special thank you to our Gala sponsors! See those featured throughout this edition. The Irish Cultural Center and McClelland Library are divisions of the Irish Cultural and Learning Foundation, Inc., a 501(c)(3) not-for-profit corporation, and are owned and maintained by the City of Phoenix Parks and Recreation Department.

Anam Cara Awards Gala Jim Daugherty in his formal kilt

Saturday, October 20, 2018

WWW.DESERTSHAMROCK.COM

Declan Fox with his Irish wolfhounds


THE DESERT SHAMROCK DECEMBER 2018

13

2018 Anam Cara Awards Gala

1

2

3 1. Volunteer Chad Chadderton with Honoree Jim Daugherty 2. Honoree Declan Fox 3. Executive Director Chas Moore, Jr. 4. Victorian style art with a Wilde quote by Lynn Herdman Mascarelli 5. Irish writer Oscar Wilde’s comedy, The Importance of Being Earnest, décor theme

4

6. ICC and Library architect and Board of Trustees President, Paul Ahern

5

7. Pipe Master Len Wood and Cambridge Avenue Pipers

6

8. 2018 Little Miss Shamrock Megan Williams 9. 2018 AZ Colleen & Rose Kelsey Kelleher with mum, Valerie 10. Special Guest, Michael Treacy, Vice Consul of Ireland to the Western U.S. 11. Emcee Mac Watson, KTAR Radio 12. Pebble Creek Irish American Club Guests

7

8

10

11

9

12 WWW.DESERTSHAMROCK.COM


ARTS

14

DECEMBER 2018 THE DESERT SHAMROCK

BOOK REVIEW

There’s Always the Hills by Cameron McNeish BY MARTHA SHIDELER

T

Martha Shideler is a writer and bagpiper living in a log cabin in the woods near Flagstaff and is fascinated by all things Celtic. She publishes The Independent Celt, a monthly newsletter for Arizona Celts and traces her Irish ancestry to the Flemings in the north. On the Scottish side, she is a MacDonald.

PHOTO COURTESY OF STARZ

he first surprise upon picking up Cameron McNeish’s new book is the foreword—written by Sam Heughan, yes, Jamie Fraser of Diana Gabaldon’s OUTLANDER series. Sam, in his other life, is a hillwalker and mountaineer who refers to Cameron McNeish as the “most highly respected voice now speaking for and from Scotland’s mountains.” “The hills,” Cameron says, “have always been my salvation. The foundation of my love for Scotland has become a blend of Scotland’s glorious landscapes, our history, and culture, and the rich diversity of people who live here.” In these pages Cameron honors the men and women who came before him, as well as those still climbing mountains and attempting to preserve the wild places— Scotland’s most glorious heritage. John Muir, who lived for wild places and wild life, was, he says, “Scotland’s greatest export ever.” Cameron is a strong believer in Earth philosophy—”the understanding that all of us—man, birds, animals, plants, whatever, are part and parcel of a great web of creation. Everything is inextricably linked together. This notion of connection is essentially about shrugging off our western anthropocentrism, casting aside the urban notion that man is dominant and that everything else in nature has been created for man’s welfare and pleasure.” He also loves the history and culture of Scotland and revels in the ancient Celtic ties to the land. “Ancient Celtic spirituality was based on a deep connection with the natural world, and the Celts had an intellectual curiosity about all the creatures they shared their lives with. The Celts believed in an Otherworld, a realm of the imagination where your mind could expand and flow, circle and explore. This realm of the mind could be entered by anyone who found the portal to this world of dreams, and the Celtic people

continuously watched for signs that an entrance to the Otherworld was at hand. One of the portals was through the eyes of a wild animal, an animal that would look at you and invite you to follow it.” Not a speaker of Gaelic, Cameron has always been a supporter of attempts to keep the language alive and thriving. He believes it is important to cherish the Gaelic language and remember the old stories behind the place names. This book is full of fascinating historic, geologic, and geographical facts. For example, around the town of Comrie small earthquakes are a common occurrence, and the world’s first seismometers were set up in Comrie in the 19th century. How many readers know where the Lowlands end, and the Highlands begin? A geological fault line runs from the south end of Loch Lomand to Stonehaven on the northeast coast. All below it is lowland; to the north lie the highlands. Cameron McNeish has become a beloved cultural icon in the UK, thanks to his prolific writing of newspaper and magazine articles, and production of films and TV shows about Scotland. This book, tracing his life from a Glaswegian childhood to his current home in his beloved Cairngorms, gives the reader a sense of why Scotland loves him. While every public figure is frequently asked to comment on politics, Cameron has tried to stay out of the political scene, except as it applies to saving the environment. If you didn’t already love Scotland’s magnificent wildlands—and the man who seeks to protect them—you will after reading There’s Always The Hills by Cameron McNeish.

Outlander’s Sam Heughan and Caitriona Balfe

SALEM, NH 603-898-5130 FAX 603-898-5113

PHOENIX 602-944-5400 FAX 602-944-3154

MANUFACTURERS REPRESENTATIVES P.O. Box 1768 Salem, NH 03079

JOE LEWIS

10611 N. 11th St. Phoenix, AZ 85020 jhlreps@aol.com

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


THE DESERT SHAMROCK DECEMBER 2018

Joanne and the refrigerator with Country Thunder musicians’ signatures

Adam

CELTIC ARTISAN

Joanne L. Gallery,

Painter Extraordinaire BY LYNN HERDMAN MASCARELLI

O

ur painter of all manner of lovely beasts, Joanne L. Gallery, is of Celtic descent. Her maternal grandparents, Anna B. McCulloch and George Dunnery (originally Dunn) from Scotland; her paternal grandparents, Johanna Lanigan and Joseph Patrick Gallery from Counties Clare and Tipperary, Ireland. They met each other and lived in Manhattan, NYC as did Joanne with her parents, James Joseph and Elizabeth Galbraith Gallery. Later they would move to Tucson and on to Phoenix where Joanne, as a wee child drew on everything, even the walls but was in heaven, she said, when kindergarten offered her time to draw and coloring books. Joanne attended Catholic schools where I met both her and sister, Kathy Gallery-Gauthier. I was one of their high school teachers and am indeed privileged to write today about my former student. She would graduate ninth in the top ten of her class at Bourgade High School and, on scholarship, attend A.S.U. where she earned a degree in business law. Ready to untie all that bound

her, Joanne relocated on a work exchange program in retail to beautiful New Zealand where she would meet her husband, a real estate appraiser. They would move between Los Angeles and New Zealand while homeschooling her two sons and finally settle in Cave Creek, Arizona where Joanne would embark on her art career. But life does not always serve artists well. During the real estate market crash of 2008-09, she and her husband lost everything. No one was buying art; it would be months before Joanne would successfully return to her canvas and easel. She would hone her skills at the community colleges, where at Scottsdale Community College she would meet future teacher and mentor, Robert You, professor of art. He would open her eyes to a new way of applying color, suggesting her work was composed of local real color like one might see in a photograph. He urged her not to paint the expected but to give us an unlikely purple horse and... never paint the sky blue! Her exploration into representational abstracts would become Joanne Gallery’s signature look on canvas. She explained her kind of watercolor technique of laying down paint on canvas, alternately pouring water

and liquid acrylics until her animal of the moment and image, with almost spiritual quality, comes to life. It is her coyote, Mahala, that won her the 2010 magazine cover competition for Vortex, Maricopa County Community College’s annual publication of student art and achievement. In 2018, Joanne, with her green horse, Ben, earned the back cover. The year 2010 was truly Joanne’s. She would “get noticed” indeed. Attending the Cave Creek Art Festival, a Salt River Project representative spotted Joanne’s work and could not walk away. Conducting a project of retrieving old refrigerators, SRP commissioned her to paint one to further their environmental campaign. Her signature horse image thrilled them so much, they invited her to be on stage at the annual Country Thunder concert with her pièce de résistance, standing beside the likes of Keith Urban and Willie Nelson rocking their hearts out. It was her moment. Listening to my former student was time well spent but what should I take from her artisan story? Joanne said, “Never forget how to create... it is better to do this than to consume.” I would conclude that like Joanne, we as artists give some of our dearest, most inner self away when we create our view of the world. Catch up with Joanne L. Gallery on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram.. Lynn is a former high school teacher of art, history, and political science. She is a potter, illustrator, muralist in public venues and private homes, and wordsmith. Frequently a featured artist at the Irish Cultural Center, Celtic landscapes intrigue her. Her mom, a Williams, is totally Welsh with ancestry as far back as 1700s and the Isle of Anglesley.

WWW.DESERTSHAMROCK.COM

ARTS

Mahala the coyote was the Vortex cover in 2010

15


HISTORY

16

DECEMBER 2018 THE DESERT SHAMROCK

IRISH TALES FROM ARIZONA TERRITORY

Tombstone scholar

L.E. O’Keeffe PHOTO BY KABUGENYO

ARIZONA:

Did you know?

72. The average state elevation is 4,000 feet.

Tombstone is located in Cochise County (shown in red)

BY JANICE RYAN BRYSON

A

friend recently sent me an email with the subject line “Native Arizonian Named New Head of Brophy College – O’Keeffe 1931”. Reading an Irish name, how could I resist researching that information. Rev. Lawrence Emmett O’Keeffe, S.J. was born in the wild frontier town of Tombstone, Arizona Territory in 1882. After leaving Arizona for his education, his life was an incredible journey before returning in 1931. O’Keeffe was the son of Lawrence O’Keefe and Mary O’Connor who headed west from New York arriving in Tombstone where Lawrence was a blacksmith. All four of their parents had immigrated to New York from Ireland. Life improved for the O’Keefe family when Lawrence established a cattle ranch in the Sulphur Springs Valley near Rucker Canyon in Cochise County. Son, Lawrence Emmett, traveled to far off Nova Scotia to attend St. Francis Xavier College and began spelling his last name O’Keeffe. After graduation there, he was accepted at Georgetown University in Washington D.C. where he completed a law degree in 1906. While in D.C., O’Keeffe was a stenographer at the War Department, Bureau of Insular Affairs. His parents sold their Arizona ranch in 1908 and moved to San Francisco. Their son practiced law there and in January 1909, he joined the Society of Jesus. Two years later he became an instructor in the classics at the University of Santa Clara in San Jose, California. Never resting on his laurels, in another two years, O’Keeffe became the dean of the Santa Clara Law College. More studies were in store at Mount St. Michael’s in Spokane Washington from 1915 through 1918. His WWI draft registration from 1918 lists him as an

WWW.DESERTSHAMROCK.COM

ordained minister at the University of Santa Clara. Archbishop Edward Hanna of San Francisco sent Rev. O’Keeffe to Spain in September 1919, to finish his preparation for the priesthood. O’Keeffe was ordained in Spain in 1921, followed by a year of study at Poughkeepsie, NY. All of his studies had made Father O’Keeffe an excellent linguist and an accomplished scholar. In the 1920s, he was sent to Rome to edit the Jesuit magazine Acies Ordinata. Back in California in 1928, he served as secretary of the California provincial of his order. Mrs. Ellen Brophy in 1928 had established Phoenix’s Brophy College Preparatory in honor of her late husband William Henry Brophy. Father O’Keeffe was named the second head of the Jesuit high school in 1931. Arizona had changed since Father O’Keeffe had journeyed to Nova Scotia to begin his education. The population in 1880 was 40,440 and in 1930 it was 434,000. The raw frontier he had left was becoming a modern state. Unfortunately, he was not able to remain in his native state for very long. Brophy College was forced to close its doors in 1935 due to financial strain caused by the Great Depression (it successfully reopened in 1952). Father O’Keeffe was transferred to Blessed Sacrament Parish in Los Angeles where he remained until he passed away in January 1941. Who would have thought the rugged, feisty city of Tombstone would have sent such an eminent scholar into the world!

Janice Ryan Bryson descended from Irish Pioneers who arrived in the Arizona Territory in the 1880s. She is co-founder of the Irish Arizona Project and co-author of the book Irish Arizona. Janice was named an Arizona Culture Keeper for her research on the Irish in our state and is a recipient of the 2015 Anam Cara Award.

Monsoon rains over Arizona

73. Pioneer filmmaker, Cecil B. DeMille originally traveled to Flagstaff to make his first film but he arrived there in the middle of a storm and decided to move operations further west, to Hollywood. His film, The Squaw Man (1914), went on to be wildly successful, launching the fledgling movie industry and establishing Hollywood as the movie capital of the world. 74. The state of Massachusetts could fit inside Maricopa County (9,922 sq. miles). 75. The State Motto is Ditat Deus, which means “God Enriches” in Latin.

PHOTO BY GARY M. JOHNSON

Lawrence E. O’Keeffe S. J.

PHOTO BY DEMOCRATICLUNTZ AT ENGLISH WIKIPEDIA

PHOTO COURTESY BROPHY COLLEGE PREPARATORY

PHOTO BY BRADY SMITH U.S. FOREST SERVICE, COCONINO NATIONAL FOREST

Brophy College Chapel

Read more fun and fascinating facts about Arizona NEXT edition.

Of Irish descent and Arizona’s Official State Historian, Marshall Trimble has been called the “Will Rogers of Arizona.” He’s a “cowboy philosopher,” educator, lecturer, author, folk singer and stage performer, and appears frequently on radio and television. He created and taught Arizona history at Scottsdale Community College for forty years where he was also Director of Southwest Studies.


THE DESERT SHAMROCK DECEMBER 2018

17

“Church of Ireland Parish Registers”

T

he Minister for Culture, Heritage, and the Gaeltacht, Josepha Madigan TD today announced in September a capital grant of up to €100,000 for the digitisation of Church of Ireland Parish Registers under the cultural Digitisation Scheme. These register records, some dating back to the early 1600s, are held by the Representative Church Body (RCB) Library in Churchtown, Dublin. The RCB Library holds the Church of Ireland parish registers for baptism, marriage and burial. This includes 1,110 sets of parish records, approximately 840 of which contain varying quantities of public records which have not yet been digitised. These unique records can be used to determine the nature of family relationships for a variety of legal, medical, social and research purposes. Church of Ireland Parish Registers also have a wide social and religious scope; for example, former U.S. President Barack Obama is one of several presidents of the United States with Irish Protestant identity. Speaking today, Minister Madigan said, “This digitisation project will make it possible for people all over Ireland and

indeed the world to access these unique records as they represent an important body of evidence about the Church’s history. Digitisation of this type also provides a vital channel to connect with our Diaspora – which is estimated to be up to 70 million people worldwide – and in turn encourages cultural tourism.” Dr. Susan Hood, RCB Librarian and Archivist, said, “The RCB Library is most grateful for this significant commitment to the project to digitize Church of Ireland parish registers. This will enable us to commence the massive task of making these records accessible and discoverable for all, by creating digital surrogates of original records (some of which are the oldest such records on the island of Ireland) and thereby facilitating the longterm preservation of the originals. “It is extremely good news not just for the Library, but the Church at large and indeed the generations of clergy and record keepers who have kept these records safe. With the right imaging equipment and technical support, which this funding will make possible, we will be enabled to begin imaging of collections of parish registers already in the custody of the Library.”

Anglican records, similar to the Catholic one shown here, are becoming available

Scottish Made Kilts Rent • Sell New • Used

www.KiltRentalUSA.com info@kiltrentalusa.com 7655 E. Redfield Rd., Suite 8 Scottsdale, AZ 85260 1-877-KILT-SHOP • 480-460-0907

M ichael McClanathan ARIZONA’S FAVORITE BAGPIPER Listen to music samples at www.thebagpiper.com Kilt rentals available for your special event at KiltRentalUSA.com 602-549-4394 • 480-460-0907 www.thebagpiper.com

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

WWW.DESERTSHAMROCK.COM

HISTORY

Minister Madigan announces funding for digitisation of


TRAVEL

18

DECEMBER 2018 THE DESERT SHAMROCK

DRIVING TIPS FROM LEFT LANE HILLARY

PART 25:

Driving through Ireland for the first time Seamus and Teagan at the Rock of Cashel

Charles Kraus, Hillary’s dad, in Killeen’s Pub

Hillary Sullivan

BY HILLARY KRAUS SULLIVAN

I

am Hillary Kraus Sullivan, Maureen’s daughter- inlaw, and I will be working with Maureen and Jack creating your upcoming journeys to Ireland. My first time visiting Ireland was wonderful as my family and I fell in love with the country! I saw stunning scenery with breathtaking views, amazing castles, awesome weather, and most of all the kindest people you will ever meet. I had many incredible memories, one of which was the driving in Ireland. The first time was something I will never forget. At the outset I was overcome with many emotions, such as being nervous, anxious at times, but most of all very excited. I started out on an ‘R’ (Rural) road, getting used to sitting on the other side of the car, which was very different. The country roads are all winding and extremely narrow. I noticed there were overgrown hedgerows along the sides of the roads, which gave me no shoulder on which to pull over. Often finding a tour bus or farm equipment heading straight towards me, gave me white knuckles on the wheel. I quickly learned the way to overcome my fear was to slow down, take a deep breath, pull the car to the edge of the hedgerows. I would roll my window down

to see how much room there was between the two vehicles, which gave me the confidence to pass. After driving awhile, we stopped at an Irish pub and as I got out of the car I exclaimed, “I have mastered the driving!” Then, I started driving on the motorways of Ireland where driving was much easier. The motor- ways are very similar to our interstates in America, except for being on the opposite side of the road. On dual motorways, always stay in the left lane. The right-hand lane is used only for overtaking a slower vehicle. Google Map works well for GPS in Ireland. Set up the Google Map App on your phone. You just enter the B&B, hotel, cathedral, or town on the App and Google will give you directions. Some Irish intersections have roundabouts. Don’t let them scare you; they work. Before you get to the roundabout there will be a large sign explaining the different directions you might want to go. Remember when you enter the circle look right, you must give right-of-way to the cars coming from the right. Then, go to the left, go with the flow, and stay on the outside. My experiences in Ireland were unforgettable! It is not the countryside of Ireland as it is the people I met along the way. One of the pubs I visited was called Killeen’s Pub in Shannonbridge. It was so much fun and filled with

wonderful characters. There were stories and pictures all over. The fish and chips were out of this world! The B&B’s were also nothing I had ever experienced before. One we stayed at was Atlantic View in Dingle; and was very welcoming. It was as if we were in our own home. The owners, Kevin and Eileen O’Brien were both amazing people. After we ate a delicious breakfast, Kevin sat down with us and shared about his life in Ireland 50 years ago and how he had built the B&B. The villages were very quaint and unique to me. I absolutely loved shopping and walking around exploring. I found extraordinary treasures and met such interesting people. The locals loved to share never-ending stories and always warmly reached out to us. One of the highlights for our children, ages seven and eight, was a visit to the Rock of Cashel. I am ready to return to Ireland, conquer the beautiful roads, and see many more of the cities, villages and countryside of Ireland. Maureen and John (“Jack”) are the owners of Sullivan’s Travels, Inc. Maureen has been a travel professional for 25 years, moving their business to Phoenix four years ago. www.sullivanstravels.com

Phone: 480-671-0207 • Cell: 847-481-9149 Fax: 480-617-5961 maureen@sullivanstravels.com www.sullivanstravels.com

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

Travel Europe, Mexico, Cruises & South Pacific 67%

WWW.DESERTSHAMROCK.COM

Phone: 480-671-0207 • Cell: 847-481-9149

100%

25% 50%


THE DESERT SHAMROCK DECEMBER 2018

19

CULTURE

Conradh na Gaeilge launches Irish-language and culture resources for diaspora children Cultúr Club teaching materials and activity books for 6 to 16-year-olds now free to download

G

overnment Chief Whip and Minister of State for the Irish Language, the Gaeltacht and the Islands, Joe McHugh TD, officially launched Conradh na Gaeilge’s international Cultúr Club project on 3 October 2018. The first series of free Irishlanguage and culture activity books for children of the Irish diaspora are now available online at www.cnag.ie/culturclub. The event at the Department of Foreign Affairs & Trade’s Iveagh House Ballroom in Dublin highlights the collaborative nature of the project, co-funded by the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade’s Emigrant Support Programme (ESP) and the Department for Culture, Heritage & the Gaeltacht’s Scéimeanna Tacaíochta Pobail. Niall Burgess, Secretary General of the Department of Foreign Affairs & Trade, hosted the Cultúr Club launch as part of the Department’s programme of events for Bliain na Gaeilge 2018. International Irish students from St. Andrew’s College in Booterstown,

County Dublin enjoyed live music and took part in a calligraphy workshop as part of the launch, to showcase the variety of Cultúr Club workshops the project envisages can be run worldwide. Welcoming the launch, Minister of State for the Diaspora and International Development, Ciarán Cannon TD, said, “The Government is committed to nurturing and sustaining Irish communities around the world, and Cultúr Club aims to help foster a stronger sense of Irish identity among diaspora of all ages. These initial activity books will help young Irish children connect with their language in a new and engaging way, no matter where in the world they are currently living.” Cultúr Club also includes step-bystep guidelines for teachers, parents, and other would-be workshop facilitators, as well as a database of useful resources and teaching materials. Dr Niall Comer, President of Conradh na Gaeilge, said, “As we celebrate 125 years since the founding of the Conradh with Bliain na Gaeilge in 2018, it

is fitting that we are launching a new and exciting initiative such as Cultúr Club to reach out to Irish speakers worldwide. “With over 180 branches and numerous individual members registered around the globe, every member of Conradh na Gaeilge works hard to promote the use of Irish within their own communities, from Hong Kong to Canada and from Carntogher to Cúil Aodha.” Dúirt Dr Niall Comer, Uachtarán Chonradh na Gaeilge, “Agus 125 bliain ó bunaíodh Conradh na Gaeilge á gceiliúradh againn le Bliain na Gaeilge i 2018, is tráthúil an t-am é chun tionscnamh úr, spreagúil cosúil le Cultúr Club a sheoladh againn le freastal ar an bpobal idirnáisiúnta Gaeilge fud fad na cruinne. “Le níos mó ná 180 craobh agus an iliomad ball aonair cláraithe linn ar fud na cruinne, bíonn baill uile an Chonartha ag saothrú go dian díograiseach chun úsáid na Gaeilge a chur chun cinn go háitiúil ina gceantar féin, ó Hong Cong go Ceanada agus ó Charn Tóchair go Cúil Aodha.”

LIVE IN CONCERT TICKETS AVAILABLE AT GRAMMY® NOMINATED

PHOENIX, AZ | MAY 3, 2019 | ORPHEUM THEATRE WWW.DESERTSHAMROCK.COM


20

DECEMBER 2018 THE DESERT SHAMROCK

DIRECTORIES

NEW MEMBERS WELCOME! IRISH CULTURAL CENTER & McCLELLAND LIBRARY

GRAND CANYON CELTIC ARTS ACADEMY

Our mission is to provide a link between the people of Arizona and the people of Ireland and other Celtic cultures. The Irish Cultural Center serves as a central meeting place for cultural groups, affiliate groups and people looking to celebrate their Irish/Celtic heritage. The McClelland Library is a three-story building resembling a traditional 12th century Norman castle from the Emerald Isle. The Library houses 8,000 books from Irish authors, poets, and genealogical sources, a permanent exhibit on The Book of Kells, several reading rooms, and computer access to various disciplines of Irish and Celtic studies including genealogy. The mission of The Academy of Irish & Celtic Studies is to spread the knowledge and wisdom of the Celtic nations through music, dance, art, literature and language. We do this by providing many musical and Arts programs, open to young and old alike. The Center is also available for private rentals, being a beautiful venue for all occasions! www.azirish.org, 602-258-0109

Dates: July 16-20, 2018 at Flagstaff Arts and Leadership Academy. It offers classes for Youth and Adults in: fiddle, whistle, dance, guitar, and more! Scholarships Available through Northern Arizona Celtic Heritage Society. Contact: Kari@GrandCanyonCelticArts.org, 928-600-1365. www. grandcanyoncelticarts.org

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

IRISH NETWORK ARIZONA (INAZ) Irish Network Arizona is part of IrishNetwork USA organization. Members connect with their peers and develop relationships that foster success in their business, cultural, and social interests. Come to a monthly breakfast or event to explore membership benefits. Facebook.com/IrishNetworkArizona; IrishNetworkArizona.com

ARIZONA COLLEEN PROGRAMS

ARIZONA

CENTER

The Arizona Colleen and Rose of Tralee Selection, Arizona Irish Lass and Little Miss Shamrock programs select young ladies of Irish descent to participate as spokespersons at area events. Prize packages for each competition. The Colleen wins a trip to Ireland and $1,000 scholarship. For details, visit www.azcolleen.org or contact Ciara Archer, Chair, 480-358-7504, info@azcolleen.org.

67%

100%

JIM THOMSON U.S. SCHOOL OF PIPING & DRUMMING 25%

50%

This bagpipe and drum school is dedicated to excellence in bagpiping as well as camaraderie and fun. All levels of students are welcome! Instructors are brought from Scotland, Ireland, Canada and the U.S. Contact: Eric Poleski, Administrator, ericpoleski@cox.net, 702-270-8974 home, 702340-8859 cell, 928-556-3161, www.nachs.info

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

LAS VEGAS CELTIC GATHERING & HIGHLAND GAMES LAS VEGAS CELTIC SOCIETY One weekend each April the non-profit Las Vegas Celtic Society throws the Las Vegas Highland Games, a massive festival for the community featuring Celtic music, dancing, food, retail vendors and athletics. Enjoy live Celtic music all weekend, Scottish heavy Athletic events, as well as sanctioned Highland Dance and Bagpipe & Drum Competitions. Go to LasVegasCelticSociety.org for more information.

THE CALEDONIAN SOCIETY OF ARIZONA Our mission is to promote Scottish culture through art, education, and athletics. Each year we grant scholarships to aspiring and professional Highland athletes, musicians, dancers and/or any other individuals or organizations whose mission, project or program promotes Scottish heritage. We meet the 2nd Thursday of each month for drinks, entertainment and Scottish fun! Everyone welcome! ArizonaScots.com.

LOS SAN PATRICIOS DE ARIZONA (ST. PATRICK’S BATTALION) The organization honors the 150-year-old bond of friendship existing today between Mexico and Ireland. Los San Patricios de Arizona was founded by Wm. “Bill” Howard O'Brien; Hector Corona, El Teniente; and Ernie Patino, El Teniente. For information, please call 480-951-1152 or email whoco@cox.net.

THE CELTIC ACADEMY OF TUCSON Dedicated to promoting Irish dance and culture in Arizona, the board of directors are Betsy Lopez, Catherine Harris, and Beth Solinsky. They provide information on classes at the Maguire Academy of Irish Dance and on various Celtic gatherings. They sponsor Feile Rince Tucson, an annual Irish dance festival now in its 32nd year. www.tucsonfeis.com

NORTHERN ARIZONA CELTIC HERITAGE SOCIETY The nonprofit organization is dedicated to presenting, promoting, and preserving Celtic culture. Each year we host the Arizona Highland Celtic Festival (July 21-22, 2018), the Jim Thomson U.S. School of Piping & Drumming, and the Grand Canyon Celtic Arts Academy. Contact Jude McKenzie, information@nachs.info, 928-556-3161, www.nachs.info.

DAUGHTERS OF SCOTIA DESERT THISTLE LODGE #260 Formed in 2005 to promote Scottish heritage. Ladies of ancestry, married to a Scot or born in Scotland may join. We hold monthly meetings, tea socials, a teahouse at the AZ Highland Games and attend Scottish events. We support Highland dance competition and other charities. Contact: Tammy Gonzales at dos260recsec@gmail.com, 623-707-5032.

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

FRIENDS OF SAINT PATRICK CENTRE – AZ CHAPTER The nonprofit organization was formed in 2011 to promote positive relationships between Arizona and Northern Ireland. Through education, cultural exchanges and charitable events, the Chapter nurtures St. Patrick’s legacy. Meetings held quarterly at the ICC. Contact: Kelsey.Kelleher@ AZIrishLibrary.org, 602-301-1083.

C by Lois A Wallace

IAIN LUNDY Freelance Journalist

• Writer, Author, Blogger, Proofreader, Copy Editor • Expert in all things Scottish • Scottish genealogy a specialty

iainlundy@lundyink.com 480-737-5090

C

b. 602-501-7423 c. 775-671-0148 8050 19thAve Ave#236 #236Phoenix PhoenixAZ AZ85021 85021 8050 N 19th

67%

67%

by Lois A Wallace

100%

C

100% 25% 50%

25%

Do you dream of walking in the footsteps of your ancestors?

50%

C

Maternal Lois's Biz card Aug 2015 FINAL.indd 1 grandparents from Co. Kerry, paternal from Co. Clare

8/24/15 2:04 PM by Lois A Wallace b.sure 602-501-7423 c. is 775-671-0148 Do you want to make your travel time well spent?

8050 19th Ave #236 Phoenix AZ 85021

Confused by all the online options?

www.lundyink.com

b. 602-501-7423 c. 775-671-0148 8050Customized 19th Ave #236 Phoenix AZ 85021//Groups Customized individual Group tours are my my Specialty. specialty individual tours are 67%

WWW.DESERTSHAMROCK.COM

Lois's Biz card Aug 2015 FINAL.indd 1 100%

Lois's Biz card Aug 2015 FINAL.indd 1 50%

25%

C

C

8/24/15 2:04 PM 8/24/15 2:04 PM

Heritage - History - Culture


THE DESERT SHAMROCK DECEMBER 2018

Built in 1904 for two Irish brothers, Riordan Mansion is an architectural treasure offering a glimpse into the lives of Flagstaff’s early Irish settlers. The “fairy ring” seen on the outdoor self-guided tour hints at the Irish tradition of providing fairies an outdoor dancing space, preventing mischief inside. For admission rates and hours call 928-779-4395.

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

TUCSON ST. PATRICK’S DAY PARADE AND FESTIVAL Celebrating our 31st year on March 18, 2017! The parade starts at 11am and winds through downtown Tucson ending up with a great festival at Armory Park from 10am until 6pm. Serving Guinness and Harp! Great food, Irish music and dance, a Kids’ Corner, face painting and much more! Established 1987. www.tucsonstpatricksday.com

WELSH LEAGUE OF ARIZONA Our mission is to promote Welsh language and culture with performing arts and literary events, classes, and participating in Celtic festivals and other community events. We endeavor to enhance relations between the U.S. and Wales by being a point of contact for visitors, businesses, and expatriates. We warmly welcome travelers, offering assistance and networking. Contact: Mary Gilchrist marygilchristmg@gmail.com. www.welshleagueofarizona.org

CLANS

CLAN MACCALLUM-MALCOLM SOCIETY, N.A. Arizona Convenor: Ashleen O’Gaea Ashleen@Comcast.net w/MacCallum in subject line www.Clan-MacCallum-Malcolm.org

CELTIC SISTER CITIES

CHANDLER-TULLAMORE, IRELAND SISTER CITIES Ellen Harrington, Chair, P.O. Box 1474​, Chandler, AZ 85244-1474, 480-600-8509, chan.to.tull@gmail.com, www.chandlerirish.org

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

TUCSON-ROSCOMMON, IRELAND SISTER CITIES Colleen Kelly Beaman, Chair 520-743-7979, Ckbeaman@hotmail.com 1670 N Country Club, Tucson, AZ 85716; and Facebook

CELTIC DANCE SCHOOLS

BRACKEN SCHOOL OF IRISH DANCE Classes in Chandler, 480-699-2455 Thomas Bracken, ADCRG | Kieran Noe, TCRG thomas.bracken@brackenirishdance.com kieran.noe@brackenirishdance.com www.brackenirishdance.com

CELTIC STEPS ARIZONA/NEW MEXICO Christopher McGrory, ADCRG Rosemary Browne-McGrory, TCRG Classes in Tempe, Tucson and Albuquerque 520-991-3605; christopher.mcgrory@gmail.com www.tucsonirishdance.com

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

MASCHINO SCHOOL OF HIGHLAND DANCE Kari Maschino, 480-242-7760, Kari@maschinodance.com Gilbert, Tempe, Peoria www.maschinodance.com

MICHAEL PATRICK GALLAGHER SCHOOL OF IRISH DANCE MPGirishdance@yahoo.com Michael Patrick, TCRG, ADCRG, Ann Paitel, TCRG www.mpgirishdance.com

SeamusMcCaffreys.com

24th Annual

(602) 253-6081 SeamusMcCaffreys.com 18 West Monroe Phoenix, Arizona 85003

1 8 We s t M o n r o e P h o e n i x ,WWW.DESERTSHAMROCK.COM Arizona 85003

DIRECTORIES

RIORDAN MANSION STATE HISTORIC PARK

21


ARTS

22

DECEMBER 2018 THE DESERT SHAMROCK

Phoenix Pipe Band Celebrates

60 Years BY LEN WOOD

T

hirteen was a lucky number in 1958 as 13 pipers and drummers gathered to start a new bagpipe band in Phoenix. The Phoenix Scottish Pipe Band took form under the leadership of Glen Moore, Joe and Bill Leonard, Sam MacKay, Ian MacRae, and Chuck Martin. Lessons in piping and drumming were offered through postings at grocery stores and libraries and so started the band on its 60-year progression. During the first years, the band wore kilts in the MacKenzie tartan, khaki shirts, horse hair sporrans, and spats, all purchased by the members. In 1960, the Phoenix Pepsi bottler sponsored the band, purchasing new uniforms of MacGregor kilts and white shirts. They wanted the band in a red kilt and shoulder patches with the Pepsi logo, the band was often referred to as the “Pepsi Pipers.” My own piping history started in Ft. Edward, NY with the Adirondack Pipe Band about 1959. When my family moved to Phoenix in 1961. I joined the Phoenix Scottish after seeing them perform at a grand opening of a Scottsdale home builder. A 14-year-old, I boldly walked up to the Pipe Major and asked if I could come out for lessons and to join the band. The gruff reply was, “You can come to practices, but if there’s any foolishness, you’re out.” I guess I passed as I was soon playing in the band and in a couple of years teaching beginners. The band continued to progress as a performance group, playing parades, festivals and conventions. In 1965, we were fortunate enough to acquire instruction from an old country piper, J. N. “Jock” Snedden. In just over a year’s time, Jock

had the band competing against bands in Santa Monica, CA, winning our first contest in Grade C. We came home with the “Ye Old Mucky Duck” trophy. Yes, that’s what it was called, sponsored by the British pub of the same name. Over the years, the band has gone from a “street” band to competition, and back again. I left the band in 1970 to join the Navy, where I met and married Kathleen Shappee. Kathy was a piper in the Cameron Highlanders Pipe Band of San Diego. We played pipes together in that band and then for 35 years in Charleston, Savannah, Atlanta, and finally here in Phoenix. We moved back here to be closer to aging parents and jumped right into the Arizona piping scene. One of my oldest friends, Pipe Major of the Mesa Caledonian Pipe band, Chris Hossack, invited us to play with them and we did for a season. Later we returned to help revive the Phoenix Scottish Pipe Band. Over the last 20 years the band has grown from strength to strength culminating in winning the Western U. S. Pipe Band Association’s Grade IV Championship in 2017. The next year, the band was upgraded to Grade III. In 2008, the band changed its name to Phoenix Pipe Band to better represent our musical orientation. In our 60th anniversary in 2018, we celebrate the pipes, music, pageantry, travels, and friendships. Contact me at lwagency@ cox.net about concerts, lessons, or about being a part of our band. Join the fun! Len Wood is Pipe Major emeritus of the Phoenix Pipe Band. He teaches piping and has organized and managed A Piping Weekend for the last 15 years. He currently plays with the Phoenix Pipe Band and The De la Salle Pipe Band in Waterford, Ireland.

Feb. 1-3, 2019 Catholics & non-Catholics welcome

Thomas P. Murphy, CPA

Celtic Spirituality Retreat Weekend

Together with Christ PRESENTED BY Pádraigín Clancy Dublin native, academically trained with global experience, she is also an Irish speaker and a keen Irish tin whistle player.

21639 N. 12th AveNue, Suite 203 • PhoeNix, ArizoNA 85027 (623) 581-0375 • FAx (623) 581-9242 Grandfather Murphy born in County Westmeath and Grandmother in County Longford, Ireland

WWW.DESERTSHAMROCK.COM

Redemptorist Renewal Center, Tucson 520-744-3400, office@desertrenewal.org


THE DESERT SHAMROCK DECEMBER 2018

IRELAND’S NATHAN CARTER IN CONCERT Saturday, Nov 24 • 7:30pm Mesa Arts Center, See ad page 9

[All events are in Arizona USA unless otherwise noted]

IRISH CULTURAL CENTER (ICC)/ MCCLELLAND LIBRARY PUBLIC WALK-IN HOURS (TOURS, LIBRARY & GENEALOGY) Closed all major holidays Tuesday-Saturday • 10am–3pm Frances McClelland Genealogy Research Centre available these hours; Open Other Hours for Scheduled Classes, Meetings & Events 1106 N. Central Avenue, Phoenix 85004 602-258-0109, www.azirish.org

THIRD FRIDAY CEILI Fridays, Dec 14 • 7pm Beginners’ Lesson 6:30pm Family oriented Irish social dances. Taught by Jim & Anne Daugherty with live music in the Great Hall! Cash bar Admission: $6 each; one child under 12 free with each paid adult www.azirish.org/iclf-programs/ceili-dancing

“IRISH CELEBRATION OF TEA”

Saturday, Dec 15 • 1:30pm–3pm Learn history and how to make a perfect pot of tea! Norton Room - Advance Reservations Only Members $22.50, Non-Members $25 per person Register: www.azirish.org/project/irish-tea-ceremony

THE ACADEMY OF IRISH AND CELTIC STUDIES

Term 1: 10 weeks January 7 through March 16 Register online at www.azirish.org IRISH MUSIC IRISH LANGUAGE IRISH AND SCOTTISH DANCE Info: www.azirish.org/education-and-classes/academy-classes

ANCIENT ORDER OF HIBERNIANS

Third Wednesdays Rosie McCaffrey’s, Phoenix All interested Irish Catholic Men are encouraged to attend. Contact: Shawn O’Brien, shawn.obrien@gmx.com

IRISH NETWORK ARIZONA

Breakfast & Speaker Second Fridays, Dec 14, Jan 11 • 7am–8:30am ICC Great Hall Members and First-Time Guests FREE Returning guests $10 RSVP for headcount: info@irishnetworkarizona.com

Saturday, Dec 8 • 6pm–10pm Irish Cultural Center Clos and Great Hall Includes Ugly Sweater Contest Admission: Adults $10 (over 16) incl. 3 activity tickets Children $5 (10-16) incl. 2 activity tickets; Under 10 free Add’l activity tickets at the door for $1 each. AZIRISH.ORG/CHRISTMAS-AT-THE-CASTLE

ANNUAL WINTER SOLSTICE CELEBRATION Friday, December 21 • 5pm–10pm Gates open at 4pm Irish Cultural Center Clos and Great Hall

SAVE THE DATE

LIBRARY EXHIBIT: THE IRISH IN LATIN AMERICA November 30 through May 31 Presented by Ireland’s Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade Admission: $10 adults; $8 seniors/students; $5 children (12 yrs. and under) and ICC & McClelland Library Members www.azirish.org

ANNUAL CHRISTMAS AT THE CASTLE

ANNUAL ICC TEA

HAPPY HOUR AT PADRE MURPHY’S Irish Network Arizona Thursday, Nov 29 • 4pm–6:30pm Everyone welcome! 4338 W. Bell Road, Glendale, AZ 85308

See ad page 9 for other events

EXHIBIT LECTURE SERIES: TIM FANNING, IRISH IN LATIN AMERICA Friday, Nov 30 • 6pm ICC Great Hall

FAMILY STORY HOUR Saturday, Dec 1 • 10:30am–Noon Filled with stories, discussions, and crafts. Introduces parents and children to Irish authors, stories and traditions in a fun and interactive fashion. ICC in Castle Keep (3rd Floor of Library); FREE www.azirish.org/iclf-programs/story-time

BOOK DISCUSSION GROUP

Sunday, Jan 20 • 3pm–5pm An afternoon filled with delicious food, including a variety of sandwiches, scones, cakes, soda bread and, of course, tea. Tickets: Members $18, Non-Members $20; Children 10 & under free. At the Door $30. ADVANCE TICKETS REQUIRED Info and purchase tickets: www.azirish.org/tea

ARIZONA IRISH LASS & LITTLE MISS SHAMROCK SELECTIONS January 27 • 2pm Irish Cultural Center Presented by the Phoenix St. Patrick’s Day & Faire Committee Selection of 2019 titleholders. Applications open until January 6. $10 at the door; info@azcolleen.org

2019 ARIZONA COLLEEN & ROSE SELECTIONS February 9 • 5pm New City Church 1300 N Central Ave, Phoenix 85004 Presented by the Phoenix St. Patrick’s Day & Faire Committee Annual selection event for women of Irish descent between the ages of 18-28. Applications deadline Dec. 9. Tickets: $60, Dinner & Program ADVANCE TICKETS REQUIRED info@azcolleen.org

Saturday, Dec 1 • 10:30am–12:30pm The group seeks to engage members of our community with the tradition and excellence of all forms of Irish Literature. ICC Norton Room; FREE azirish.org/iclf-programs/book-discussions

12K’S OF CHRISTMAS® EVENT FACTS

“Celebrate Christmas and Give yourself the Gift of Health” Saturday December 8 • 7:30am–12:30pm Freestone District Park, 1045 E. Juniper Road, Gilbert AZ 85233 FREE admission to Christmas Bazaar and Santa’s Pet Village Fee for Runners and Walkers; Dogs Welcome Register NOW at: www.12krun.com

See ad page 9

LECTURE SERIES: ON THE DRUIDS Saturday, Nov 24 • 2pm–3:30pm ICC Norton Room; FREE For more info and to register: azirish.org/project/on-the-druids

Broadway-style musical theater. Full, live orchestra. Incredible special effects, aerial stunts, nativity and flying angels. Dream City Church Phoenix 13613 North Cave Creek Road, Phoenix, AZ 85022

WWW.DESERTSHAMROCK.COM

CALENDAR

DECEMBER 2018

23


Ireland is our heritage. Arizona is our home.

Anam Cara Sponsor At Shamrock Farms, we’re proud of our Irish heritage and our nearly 100 years of serving our Arizona community. So Pure. So Fresh. So Shamrock.™

shamrockfarms.net


Turn static files into dynamic content formats.

Create a flipbook
Issuu converts static files into: digital portfolios, online yearbooks, online catalogs, digital photo albums and more. Sign up and create your flipbook.