THE DESERT SHAMROCK T H E V O I C E O F T H E A R I Z O N A C E LT I C C O M M U N I T Y
March - April 2014
Arizona’s Original Irish Newspaper
• Vol. 25, No.2 • $2.00
Phoenix
St. Patrick’s StPatricksDayPhoenix.org Day Parade and Faire Special Parade Day Center Section
Anam Cara Award Page 21
Little Miss Shamrocks Page 6
StPatricksDayPhoenix.org
Andy Cooney Concerts See Special Pullout
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PAGE 2 • 2014 Saint Patrick’s Day Parade & Faire
Saturday March 15th, 2014
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2014 Saint Patrick’s Day Parade & Faire • PAGE 3
Arizona Irish: Honor Our Heroes
31ST ANNUAL PHOENIX
St. Patrick’s Day Parade and Irish Family Faire March 15th 2014 By Sandra Carroll
When the month of March rolls around, thoughts naturally turn to St. Patrick’s Day celebrations. Whether you are full blooded Irish, partly Irish, or just “like to be Irish for the Day,” everyone loves to experience the fun and camaraderie of the annual Phoenix St. Patrick’s Day Parade and Family Faire held this year on March 15. Yes, I know St. Patrick’s Day is the 17th but the City of Phoenix doesn’t like Parades held on a business day as that can be a major distraction to the business community, so the Saturday before
the holiday is the best time for our Parade. The Parade will be followed by a Family Faire for all, from big to small, in Hance Park by the side of the Irish Cultural Center at 1106 N. Central in downtown Phoenix. The theme of the Parade this year is “Arizona Irish: Honor Our Heroes” so expect to see representation from the many branches of the services that help to support and protect us as we go about our daily lives. Police, Fire, and Military will have a major presence and be highlighted as we pay homage to all that they do to make sure our lives run as smoothly as possible. Our Irish Persons
of the Year are: representing Fire Personnel, John McMorrow, chosen by the Phoenix Fire Emerald Society; and representing Police Personnel, Matt Shay, chosen by the Phoenix Police Emerald Society. The Parade begins at 10:00am. Bring family; bring friends to the Parade route which will start at Sheridan and will march south to Moreland. The Announcer’s Stand is located at the route halfway point at 3rd Street and Palm (in front of the Maricopa Bar Association Building). You may want to bring your lawn chairs, blankets, or cushions to sit on (in some spots you can sit on the curbs) and don’t forget water and sunscreen! You will enjoy marching bands, Irish step dancers, bagpipers, police, military and fire vehicles and government dignitaries. Irish organizations and Community groups will have floats and marchers. The 2014 Arizona Colleen/Rose of Tralee winner is the Queen of our Parade. Her entourage includes the Colleen Princess (1st Runner Up), and the winners of the Arizona Irish Lass (young ladies aged 13 to 17) and the Little Miss Shamrock (ages 6 to 12). Warning---the Parade ends at Moreland so don’t sit south of Moreland or you will miss all the performances. This year’s Grand Marshal will be popular KPNX Television Personality, Ron Hoon. Ron has been a ready volunteer, for many years, to help with programs and events at the Irish
Cultural Center. He always brings a cheery “can do” attitude to every occasion. The Phoenix St. Patrick’s Day Parade began in 1984 to preserve and enhance the heritage and traditions of the Irish culture as well as share that culture with the citizens of Arizona. The Parade has been well attended each year and most spectators follow the Parade, as it ends, to the Family Faire. Those who don’t, miss out on a lot of good fun. The Irish Family Faire begins at 10:00 am and runs until 5:00 pm at the Irish Cultural Center located in Hance Park (1106 North Central Ave.) in Phoenix, on the west side of Central between McDowell and Roosevelt. Admission: Adults and Children 13 or older $10.00. Children 12 or under FREE. Seniors (55 or over) and Military $8.00. There will be 3 Stages of Irish Music and Dancers; a Kids Area; and plenty of Food and Beverages. Crafters will present their wares, and the new 15,000 sf McClelland Irish Library will be open for tours. IF YOU TAKE THE LIGHT RAIL, GET OFF AT THE ROOSEVELT STREET STATION. Free parking at the garage at 1850 North Central Ave. There is a Free Shuttle from 1850 North Central Avenue (West side of Central Ave. & Palm Lane) to the Faire. Wearing green is optional, of course, but in the spirit of the day many people will be sporting that Irish color. Come share a fun day with us. You won’t regret it! See you there!
We are the music makers, We are the dreamers of dreams, Wandering by lone sea breakers, And sitting by desolate streams, World-losers and world-forsakers,
CUNNINGHAM LAW FIRM
On whom the pale moon gleams, Yet we are the movers and shakers Of the world forever, it seems. - Arthur O’Shaughnessy
Happy St. Patrick’s Day!
Practice Emphasis: y Personal Injuries y Wrongful Death y Vehicle Accidents y Defective Products y Gas Explosions y Burn Injuries
(602) 257-1750 STATEWIDE 1-800-244-0661 3 3 0 N. 2 N d Av e N u e | P h o e N i x , A Z 8 5 0 0 3
PAGE 4 • 2014 Saint Patrick’s Day Parade & Faire
Saturday March 15th, 2014
LETTER from the PRESIDENT
Arizona Irish Honor our Heroes Fáilte go dtí gach duine or in English, “Welcome to Everyone!” Today we enjoy our 31st year of celebrating the life and ministry of St. Patrick along with Irish history and culture and the long involvement of the sons and daughters of Ireland here in Arizona. I am always amazed at how quickly the year flows by and the time has come again for those of us of Irish heritage and all of those who feel a wee bit Irish today to remember what that heritage means and to share that heritage with the rest of our growing community. The Phoenix St. Patrick’s Day Parade and Faire committee has really pulled out all the stops to bring
you an incredible parade and cultural event this year. In keeping with our theme of honoring our heroes, we have partnered with our friends in the police and fire department Emerald Societies to bring to you Irish Persons of the Year, Matt Shay and John McMorrow, that I think we can all really stand up and cheer for. Our Grand Marshal is Ron Hoon, a well known broadcaster here in the Valley but more importantly to us, one of the most consistent volunteers that we count on each year. For those of you who have been here in Arizona for awhile and for all of our new friends, this parade and faire is a labor of love put together by an incredible team of people. John Corcoran, one of our founding members, heads up one of the largest parades in Arizona and does it in a way that belies the difficulty that comes with an endeavor of this magnitude. Eric Tiernan is our vice-
Guinness and The Leary Firefighters Foundation have teamed up to raise $1 Million for local firefighters around the country between now and St. Patrick’s Day. Join the effort. Purchase a commemorative Guinness Firefighter T-Shirt. www.teespring.com/guinness
president and has brought us into the digital age. As we look forward to the years to come, it will be Eric and his generation that sees to it that this long tradition is maintained and taken to new heights. Mary Moriarty heads up our faire and keeps our books. If you can find her, she’s everywhere; be sure and thank her for the sleepless hours that she has put in to bring you one of Arizona’s finest cultural events and for keeping us operating in the black. Sandy Carroll remains our secretary and Mary Wnek took over the Colleen/Rose Selection committee following in the footsteps of Ann Niemann and Sandy Carroll. Wait until you see the Little Miss Shamrocks, Arizona Irish Lasses, and this year’s Colleen~Arizona Rose that her committee has found. They’ll make you especially proud to be Irish in Arizona. These are just a few of the many, many people who come together to
make these great events happen and to them and all of the rest, I say thank you; this cannot happen without you. The good news is that you can be a part of all this. Please consider getting involved. The committee only meets one time a month on the second Tuesday at 7:00 pm at the Irish Cultural Center located at 1106 N. Central Avenue for about an hour. So with just a little math, your voice can be a part of this for the incredible investment of about 12 hours a year plus one incredible day. The membership fee is an easy to digest $10 a year so I believe that I can speak for the rest of the committee and say that we would love to have you come join us. Please visit our website at www.stpatricksdayphoenix.org or check us out on Facebook for more information. Slainte is tainte! Harry Sexton, President
Congratulations GRAND MARSHAL Ron Hoon and of Irish Persons the Year John McMorrow & Matt Shay
Happy St. Patrick’s Day Frank & Eileen Leavy
2014 Saint Patrick’s Day Parade & Faire • PAGE 5
Arizona Irish: Honor Our Heroes
MEET the PHOENIX FAIRE and PARADE ORGANIZERS
Eric Tiernan
John Corcoran
Harry Sexton President
Harry Sexton was born here in Arizona in 1957. His great-grandfather (the first of now 5 generations of “Harry’s”) had come to the territory of Arizona to find his way in the world and the family stayed. He graduated from Apollo High in Glendale and afterwards began his college work in San Diego. He holds a degree in Police Management and a Master’s degree in divinity with a specialty in Chaplaincy. His intention is to become a chaplain to first responders upon his retirement from the Phoenix Police Department in 2018. He met and married his wife Cynthia who, as it turned out, was also a 4th generation Arizonian from a farming and dairy family headquartered in Laveen, Arizona. This union, now in its 34th year, has produced four daughters, a son and three grandchildren. He has been with the Phoenix Police department for 23 years and is currently a patrol sergeant assigned to the Estrella Mountain Precinct.
Eric Tiernan Vice President
Born and raised in Dun Laoghaire, a suburb south of Dublin City on the Irish Sea, Eric left Ireland in 1987 to see the world, lived in London where many Irish start out, and then traveled extensively throughout Australia and SE Asia before emigrating to the USA in 1992. He has called Phoenix home since 2000 and currently is Vice President of Sales for Ware Manufacturing Inc, a company based in Phoenix that manufactures pet supplies. He is a board member of the
Mary Moriarty
Arizona Irish Cultural and Learning Foundation and Vice President of the Phoenix St Patrick’s Day Parade committee. Eric married his beautiful wife Elizabeth at the Irish Cultural Center in downtown Phoenix on December 23, 2013 and highly recommends the location for a special event or celebration. He welcomes and encourages correspondence or input from anyone who is interested in becoming involved in enhancing the Irish cultural experience in Arizona.
John Corcoran Parade Chairperson
John was born in Castlemaine, Co. Kerry Ireland, emigrated to Chicago at age 17, and headed West to Phoenix in 1972. He is a founding member of the Phoenix St. Patrick’s Day Parade Committee and is very active in most Irish activities around the Valley. As Chairman of the Parade, he is responsible for the correspondence with all parade entries, line-up, and logistics parade day. Today’s parade is the fruit of his labor. John would like to thank the City of Phoenix for all of their cooperation and help with today’s events. He would also like to thank today’s entries, volunteers and especially his wife Janet for tolerating the constant phone calls and meetings. His daughter, Mary Corcoran Wnek, handles all email communication for the parade. His wish is that more of the younger generations would get involved and volunteer on the Parade committee. To all of the sponsors, car clubs, and the spectators along the parade route, thank you for your support and encouragement.
SALEM, NH PHOENIX 603-898-5130 602-944-5400 FAX 603-898-5113 FAX 602-944-3154
Sharon Caruso
Sandra Carroll
Mary Moriarty Faire Chairperson
Mary moved to the Valley, with her husband Jack, a retired New York City Police Sergeant in 1995. She is a Co-Treasurer for the Phoenix St. Patrick’s Day Parade Committee, and is former Chair of the Ennis Sister City Committee. Mary is also a charter member of the Friends of St. Patrick Arizona branch. She has made numerous trips to Ireland, visiting where her mother and paternal grandparents are from. Mary lives in Tempe and has been employed at the Irish Cultural Center since 2003 first as Executive Assistant and as Operations Manager since 2007. Mary has chaired the Faire since 2002.
Sharon Caruso Faire Vendor Chair
Iowa born and raised, Sharon has lived in Phoenix since 1979. She is the vendor coordinator for the Faire that follows the parade. She enjoys being an Irish language student at the Irish Cultural Center, and is also involved in several other committees and Irish organizations. Her ancestors were from Omagh, County Tyrone. It gives her great pleasure to watch people of all ages enjoying themselves and celebrating their Irish heritage each year at the Parade and Faire.
Sandra Carroll Secretary
Born in Wichita, Kansas and raised in Topeka, Sandra graduated with a Bachelor in Education from Washburn University. A member
Irene Boland
of Alpha Phi Sorority, she taught kindergarten, third, fourth and sixth grades in elementary schools in Kansas and Nebraska. She moved to Arizona to escape the Kansas cold and assisted in starting the kindergarten program in the Alhambra Elementary School District. Sandra graduated with a Master’s Degree in Education from A.S.U and a member of Phi Delta Kappa, a professional fraternity in education. While teaching K-2, she served as Vice President and President of AFT, a teachers union, and served on many committees which worked to improve education within the district. She was honored in September 1992 as Employee of the Month for the entire district. After retirement, she joined the Phoenix St. Patrick’s Day Parade and Faire Committee and subsequently was elected as Secretary, serving in that position for the last 14 years. Sandra served as Chairperson of the Arizona Colleen Selection from 2000-2007. Her ancestry is half Irish on her mother’s side.
Irene Boland Co-Treasurer
Irene relocated to Phoenix from a Canadian area, rich in Irish heritage--Renfrew County, Ontario. Her maternal and paternal ancestors emigrated from Ireland during the Great Famine. The Arizona topography and culture took a bit of getting used to, but when Irene attended her first St. Patrick’s Parade Committee meeting in 2002, she knew she found her new home. Irene acts currently as co-treasurer, and is involved with the Arizona Colleen & Rose program.
Irish Americans� Remember Your Roots
MANUFACTURERS REPRESENTATIVES
JOE LEWIS
P.O. Box 1768 10611 N. 11th St. Salem, NH 03079 Phoenix, AZ 85020 jhlreps@aol.com
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Support Gerry Adams & Sinn Fein Supported by Joe Lewis
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PAGE 6 • 2014 Saint Patrick’s Day Parade & Faire
Saturday March 15th, 2014
Irish Tales from Arizona Territory by Janice Ryan Bryson
Arizona Silver Belt The following two articles appeared in the Arizona Silver Belt newspaper in Globe, Arizona Territory. It was a weekly paper. Four of my relatives are named so I thoroughly enjoyed the article. Jerry Ryan was the Sheriff-hard to visualize him appearing as the harpist. Loved the part about the baseball in the second piece. 3/15/1890 Arizona Silver Belt FOR ONE TIME ONLY – The shamrock, the national emblem of Ireland, will be the fashion on Monday, particularly so at the Rink on that night, where the 517th anniversary of the birth of St. Patrick will be commemorated. The occasion will be exceedingly interesting by a varied program on which music and dancing will predominate. Mr. Jerry Ryan will appear as the harpist who will awaken the soul of music which for
so long a time, has slumbered in its shell, in Tara’s Hall. He will be accompanied by “four and twenty fiddlers all in a row” under the leadership of John Murphy, whose master spell will awaken a thousand melodies unheard of before. “Your sisters and your cousins and your aunts” will be there and none will weary of dancing or the concord of sweet sounds. The managers believing that variety is the spice of life have exerted themselves to give it all its flavor, leaving nothing for unfavorable comment when the last dance closes the dazzling scene. Committees: Musical Director – John Murphy; Floor Managers – W. T. McNelly, Jerry Ryan, Denis Murphy and Patrick Shanley; Reception Committee – Wm Ryan, James Murphy, E. O. Kennedy, Hugh Conahan and James Anderson.
pended and everyone who could repaired to the ball grounds to witness the football game between employees of the Old Dominion Copper Company and “the town boys”. There was considerable rivalry between the teams and both exerted themselves to the utmost to win. Before either side had gained a point the ball burst, but it was stuffed with rags and the game went on. After a stubborn contest lasting two hours, the town team gained a decisive victory. The event of the day was the ball given at the Rink and which was more largely attended than any social gather held in Globe for years. Besides the devotees of Terpsichore in Globe, William Ryan with his wife Anna Mary Moloney whom every adjacent settlement he met in Globe, with their children William Albert and furnished its quota to swell baby Cornelius Michael. Her Uncle was Denis Murphy. the merry throng. The best of feeling prevailed and the 3/22/1890 Arizona Silver Belt dancer went merrily on with St. Patrick’s Day has not been so but brief intermission until the dawn generally observed in Globe for many of another day. The verdict is univeryears as it was on Monday last. The sal that it was one of the most enjoycelebration was not confined to able parties ever given here. natives of the “ould sod”, but by citiThe proceeds of the party went to zens irrespective of nationality joined the fund to provide a Catholic Church to make the occasion enjoyable. In the edifice in Globe and we are pleased afternoon business was almost sus- to learn that a fair sum was realized.
Introducing the 2014 Little Miss Shamrocks By Mary Corcoran Wnek
The Arizona Irish Community welcomes two new Little Miss Shamrocks, selected among 8 contestants on Saturday, January 11, 2014 at the Irish Cultural Center in Phoenix. Hosted by the Arizona Colleen & Rose Programs Committee, The Little Miss Shamrock program is designed to introduce girls of Irish descent, ages 6 through12 years old, and their families to the Arizona Colleen & Rose of Tralee Programs and the Arizona Irish Community for fun cultural and educational events. Every participant received an “all things shamrock” gift bag, a Little Miss Shamrock contestant tee-shirt, flowers, sash and invitation to ride in the 2014 Phoenix St. Patrick’s Day Parade. The families and our local Irish community can be VERY proud of these young ladies! 2014 Little Miss Shamrocks Aria Jones, 12 of Phoenix, an avid Irish dancer, flutist in Jazz band and a community volunteer. She enjoys cooking and reading, when she finds the time. She wants to be a lawyer, when she grows up so she can defend people and their rights. She was able to be a bell ringer for the Salvation Army. She enjoys being Irish and celebrating through Irish dancing on St. Patrick’s Day. She recently placed
44th in the Western Regional Irish Dance Championships. Anne Gardener-Hajek, 11, of Paradise Valley, also an avid Irish dancer, a violinist and a budding writer. She was the 2012 Desert Shamrock Celtic Youth Writing Contest Fiction winner in her age group. She also enjoys spending time with her friends and family, including her black standard poodle! Anne hopes to be an urban planner/architect/civil engineer to help make people’s lives easier. She would also like to be an Irish dance instructor. She is already at the highest level of competitive Irish Dance and placed 25th in the Western Regional Irish Dance Championship in 2013. The Shamrock judges were 2013 Arizona Colleen & Rose Holly Nordquist, Her Grace Lady Elizabeth of Ormonde of the Arizona Renaissance Festival, and Janice Bryson, Arizona Irish historian. This event greatly appreciates the generosity of its Shamrock Tiara sponsor The Irish Foundation of Arizona (info 480-345-9517). Special thanks to Sir Thomas Butler, a knight from the King’s personal guard of the Arizona Renaissance Festival for escorting the contestants up and down from the stage, C. Joan Saben,
photographer, and the hard-working Committee members who put this event together. Also participating this year (with ages) were: Abby Barnett, 10; Bethany Horney, 12; Katie Hannigan Lewis, 9; Marlene Hannigan Lewis, 11; Kristin McMahan 11; and Grace Miller, 11. The 2013 Little Miss Shamrocks, Ceili Olney of Phoenix, Tatum Maher of Phoenix and Meghan Van Dobben of Phoenix participated as the Mistresses of Ceremonies. Aria and Anne were each awarded a sash, tiara, flowers, a gift bag with a variety of Shamrock items; two tickets to The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe at Ethington Theater on the campus of Grand Canyon University, starring 2013 Arizona Colleen and Rose Holly Nordquist as the White Witch,
two tickets to the Arizona Colleen & Rose of Tralee Selection, and received an official invitation to join the Queen during Celtic Weekend on March 16, 2014 to perform at the Arizona Renaissance Festival. Aria and Anne will officially “debut” at the Arizona Colleen and Rose of Tralee Selection on March 1, 2014. Tickets are available for purchase at our website under “Events”. Tickets are also available at the Irish Cultural Center. For more information about these programs, visit www.azcolleen.org or azcolleenandroseprograms@gmail. com. They will also appear in the 2014 Phoenix St. Patrick’s Day Parade and Faire on Saturday, March 15, 2014 in downtown Phoenix and the Irish Cultural Center.
2014 Saint Patrick’s Day Parade & Faire • PAGE 7
Arizona Irish: Honor Our Heroes
By Katie Caufield Ginder
Shrepherd’s Pie (8 servings) Diadaoibh a chaired! (Hello friends!) Shepherd’s pie, or cottage pie, dates back to the late 16th century. An affordable meal for Ireland’s poor majority, shepherd’s pie originated as a means to use leftover meat and potatoes. This particular recipe is my mom’s version and is one of my favorites. It is an easy meal to make during the week or for your St. Patrick’s Day celebration. Enjoy!
Ingredients: 1 t. olive oil 1 chopped onion 2 cloves crushed garlic 2 chopped carrots 1 ½ c. thawed frozen peas 1 lb. lean ground beef 2 t. oregano 1 t. thyme 1 bottle Guinness 4 baking potatoes 2 T. butter ½ c. milk 1 12 oz. jar Heinz beef gravy 1 ½ c. shredded sharp cheddar Salt & pepper to taste
The Irish Cultural Center
The mission of the ICC is to provide a link between the people of Arizona and the people of Ireland and other Celtic cultures. The Academy of Irish, The Celtic Studies and the Celtic Concert Series are major programs of the ICC. The Center is available for private rentals - call direct: 602-258-0109; info: 602-392-7850; www.azirish.com
Los San Patricios de Arizona
(St. Patrick’s Battalion) The Los San Patricios de Arizona was organized to honor the 150-year old bond of friendship existing today between Mexico and Ireland. Each year this organization celebrates with a dinner Fiesta saluting those couples of Irish and Mexican heritage. Contact: Wm. Howard O’Brien, Phone: 480-9511152, email: WHOCO@cox.net. John Reilly, Captain 602-242-1555 Hector Corona el Teniente 602-237-4685
St. Patrick’s Day Faire, Phx
Fun for the entire family, it showcases Irish music, step dancing, Irish and Celtic arts and crafts plus the traditional Irish foods and beverages. For details, visit www.phxirish.org or call Mary Moriarty, Chair at 602-258-0109.
Preparation: Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Peel and chop potatoes into large chunks. Add to large pot with water and let cook for 15 minutes once water is boiling. If you are able to pierce the potato with a knife or fork, then it is done. Heat large skillet over medium heat. Add olive oil and heat for one minute. Then add onion and cook for 3 minutes. Add ground beef and stir until slightly cooked. Next add chopped carrots and stir until mixed. Cook for a couple of minutes and then add oregano, thyme, and salt and pepper to taste. Add ½ bottle of Guinness, stir mixture until everything is incorporated. Cover and let simmer until most of the liquid is absorbed. If there is excess liquid, drain it before next step. Once potatoes are cooked, drain and then add butter and milk. Mash until smooth consistency. Add salt and pepper to taste.
Add meat mixture to 13 x 9 baking dish. Stir in peas and gravy and mix together. Spoon mashed potatoes over meat mixture and create a smooth finish with your spoon. Use fork to create lines across potatoes and then sprinkle with shredded cheddar. Cook for 45 minutes or until cheese is golden. Let sit for about 10 minutes before serving. Enjoy with remaining Guinness.
St. Patrick’s Day Parade and Faire Committee
Irish Foundation of Arizona
Formed in 1983, the Committee has the responsibility for organizing the annual Phoenix St. Patrick’s Day Parade, The St. Patrick’s Day Faire and the Colleen programs. It is entirely volunteer and meets the 2nd Tuesday of each month, 7:00pm at the ICC, 1106 N. Central Ave. Call Harry Sexton, President at 602-863-9198.
St. Patrick’s Day Parade, Phx
It is one of the largest parades in Arizona! Celebrate being Irish with the whole Valley. For details, call John Corcoran, Chair at 623-939-1183. www. stpatricksdayphoenix.org
The Arizona Colleen Programs
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 call Mary Corcoran Wnek (623) 221-2325
Adaptations:
Instead of beef, try using ground turkey or lamb for a different flavor. Try using shredded pepper jack cheese for a Mexican flair. For a healthier recipe, use mashed sweet potatoes instead of baking potatoes.
Formed in the 1970’s to bring Michael Patrick Gallagher Michael Patrick Gallagher together the Irish people of Arizona. School of Irish Dance The group sponsors social events School of Irish Dance Michael Patrick Gallagher ADCRG throughout the year. New members Michael Patrick Gallagher, TCRG, ADCRG Ann Paitel TCRG Michael Patrick Gallagher ADCRG are welcome. Meetings are held on Ann Paitel, TCRG Ann Paitel TCRG the first Wednesday of each month at 7:00pm at the Irish Cultural Center, 1106 N. Central Ave. For additional information call President, Anna O’Hara 480-345-9517. Michael Patrick Gallagher Michael Patrick Gallagher School of Irish Dance Frieinds of Saint Patrick School of Irish Dance Michael Gallagher ADCRG MPGPatrick Studio (Phoenix): Centre Arizona Chapter Ann Paitel TCRG SW Corner 32nd St. & Greenway MichaelofPatrick Gallagher ADCRG#301 The nonprofit organization was Call Michael Pat: 480-295-0166 Ann Paitel TCRG formed in 2011 to promote posiE-mail MPG2002@yahoo.com tive relationships between Arizona Beginner classes forming now and Northern Ireland. Through ForStudio kids and adults education, cultural exchanges and MPGMPG (Phoenix): Studio First lesson free(Phoenix) with this ad! charitable events, the Chapter nurSW Corner of 32nd & Greenway, Greenway #301 SW Corner of 32ndSt. St. & #301 tures St. Patrick’s legacy in America www.mpgirishdance.com Call Michael Pat: 480-295-0166 and Ireland. For future informaMPGirishdance@yahoo.com tion check www.saintpatrickcenE-mail MPG2002@yahoo.com MPG Studio (Phoenix): Michael PatrickSt.at&602-896-4078 tre.com. New members are welSW Corner of 32nd Greenway #301 MPG Studio (Phoenix): Beginner classes forming now Ann atPat: 602-316-3199 come. Meetings are held quarterly Callor Michael SW Corner of 32nd St.480-295-0166 & Greenway #301 E-mail MPG2002@yahoo.com at the Irish Cultural Center, 1106 Call Michael Pat: 480-295-0166 For kids and adults N. Central, Phoenix, AZ. Contact E-mailclasses MPG2002@yahoo.com Beginner forming First lesson free with now this ad Glenda Walker at 602-277-1376 For kids and forming adults now Beginner classes First For lesson this ad! kidsfree andwith adults First lesson free with this ad!
PAGE 8 • 2014 Saint Patrick’s Day Parade & Faire
Saturday March 15th, 2014
Reviewed by John Good/Sioni Dda
Finding Frances
Catherine Hutchin Harris
By Catherine Hutchin Harris Catherine Hutchin Harris was born in November 1943 during an air raid to an English father and an Irish mother. Her Uncle Eric, a wartime pilot, must have often been the topic of conversation around the Sunday dinner table; the kinds of stuff family legends are made of. But more of this later. In 1967 Catherine opened Transatlantic Management in LA, promoting rock ’n roll bands including a highly talented teenage Van Halen. After a refreshing interlude living in a teepee in northeast Oregon raising sheep, cattle, pigs and chickens, in 1980 she relocated to Tucson. She reopened Transatlantic Management, promoted local bands and opened a teenage night club, The Pink Cadillac, a place that is still fondly remembered by locals approaching their forties. In 2004 she retired from the music business and is now on the board of several non-profit corporations as a proactive voice in the Arizona Irish Community. Back at the Sunday dinner table, Catherine learned that her uncle Eric was a Spitfire and Typhoon pilot in the Second World War but that he had not been trained in the UK. In fact, he and other flying cadets had secretly taken ship from Liverpool to Canada and then took steam trains down through Chicago and Tucumcari, New Mexico to Phoenix; well to be exact Falcon Field in Mesa. At this time America was not in the war but
Catherine’s Uncle Eric
several concerned and sympathizing Hollywood types had secretly financed the flying school, including, from an eighteen year old’s point of view a lifesaving swimming pool. At this time, we are told, there was only “a single flying school, at Randolph Field in San Antonio, Texas. It could train only 500 pilots a year!” Eric, during these times of traveling and training, wrote post cards and letters home and carried a Brownie camera, documenting the whole adventure, including pictures and letters from wartime England, France and Holland. The photographs and correspondence are fascinating. Not all was work and training in Arizona. To make the cadets welcome, the locals set up a house in Phoenix where the young pilots could meet American girls of their own age. Not surprisingly, this is where romance comes in to the book: 18-year-old Eric met 17- year- old Frances. The brief time they spent together in Arizona, and the consequent letters that followed when Eric returned to the European theatre of war are the heart of the book and Harris’ light touch– connecting the dots for us–allows our
young hero and heroine to tell their own story. Catherine was able to contact Frances when the latter moved to Tucson and, wonder of wonders, was given a bundle of her uncle Eric’s letters, preserved over 60 years. One family’s legend was now about to become available to everyone. But for me, it’s not the fascinating documented travel log by liner and steam train a third of the way around the world, or the historical photographs of Mesa, Phoenix and LA. It’s not the stories of wartime Britain and Europe or the camaraderie of boys becoming men overnight; it’s not the fairytale heroics of young pilots and a wartime romance. It’s the letters themselves and the lost magic of letter writing that affects me the most. I, and I’m sure Catherine Harris, grew up in a letter writing age, when “Hey, Hey Mr. Postman, look and see… if there’s a letter for me,” was more than a pop song; it reflected a reality. Telephones and cars were for doctors and rich people. Most of us communicated by the written word and longed to see a letter drop on the hallway mat, with the hand writing of some distant teenage beloved. And just as in Eric’s
letters to Frances, a romance could almost magically develop by exchange of thoughtful words. Eric and Frances progress from like to love to marriage proposal through letters that sometimes took 8 weeks to arrive! It must have been agony waiting then elation when the postman came. Some of us can still remember the feeling. Did they marry? As Catherine recently said in an interview, “You’re going to have to read the book to find that out.” But the letters also gradually reveal Eric’s war weariness and foreboding as in the description of a Dutch prisoner of war camp, “There was an atmosphere and a silence about the place which I can only describe, rather melodramatically, I’m afraid, as an atmosphere of death. The noise of bursting shells was, of course, just as loud inside the gates as outside, but somehow it didn’t seem to penetrate, as if one had a wet blanket covering the whole camp.” This dark eloquence reminds us that war, all war, even those truly justified, are horrific human endeavors. This is especially evident in this book as the majority of the letter writing is light and witty. Whether you like airplanes, world or local history, wartime romance and heroics, you’ll find something in Finding Frances to engage you. And here’s a chance to support a local author! You can get this book from www. outskirtspress. com/findingfrances and www.amazon. com. It is also available at area book signings. Author bio: Catherine “Cathy” Harris (often referred to as “EC”) is currently Vice-President of the Tucson St. Patrick’s Day Parade and Festival. She serves on the Board of The Celtic Academy of Tucson dba the Maguire Academy of Irish Dance and she is Co-Chair of Feile Rince Tucson. She is also a Board member of the Tucson Irish Heritage Foundation. John Good is a multi-talented musician with Tramor/Mythic Crew, speaks fluent Welsh and is the President of the Welsh League of Arizona, and serves as Artistic Director for Sedona’s annual Celtic Harvest Festival. http://tramormusic.com/john_good.html
2014 Saint Patrick’s Day Parade & Faire • PAGE 9
Arizona Irish: Honor Our Heroes
The Celtic Artisan Beverly Fizzell, Fabric Artist By Lynn Herdman-Mascarelli
On more than one occasion, the Irish Cultural Center in Phoenix has been graced with the unique fabric works of one of the most versatile artists in the city. Beverly Fizzell is an admired, talented woman who is passionate about her craft but insists she is neither quilter nor tailor and the term textile artist is too formal...she is a fabric artist. In March, she will be the featured artist again at the Center and we happily look forward to the surprises one can find in her work…it is amusing, almost cunning and draws many compliments. Her unusual view of the world is artfully employed in her fabric art. She prefers to describe them as whimsical…and Beverly herself is whimsical, loving the freedom to make art with a range and variety of cloth that, with one twist or turn, may give her a brilliant idea. The textures and weaves of the fabric speak to her. “I see a piece of fabric and know what I should do with it.” She has worked in countless mediums and even at an early age was making her mark as an artist and doing it her way. Interestingly, Beverly grew up in Rochester, Illinois, a small town of 500 people and her early memories of making art were those of a highly precocious young girl who lived for her art classes in grade school and high school. She was born into a family of artists: her mother, an oil painter; her father and two brothers are woodworkers. Today her daughter and granddaughters are quilters; her son, a metal sculptor. Loving a challenge and even creating some of her own, she would take chances. Nothing held Beverly back and she boldly entered her work in scholastic art competitions. Her classmates loved her art, asked her advice about making their own and even stole hers; now she sees it as a compliment. Her teachers probably never forgot Beverly. “When I was six years old and in first grade, I drew a dancer in a green scalloped dress with cray-
ons, directly onto my desktop. A fine start to a lifetime career in art, although the teacher didn’t see it that way.” Moving to Arizona with a growing family she became an accomplished oil painter through her studies at the Scottsdale Art League. In 1963, Beverly earned Best of Show and First Place with her first oil painting in an art show in Scottsdale. In the years that followed, her many oils were well received and she sold most of them. Beverly taught oil painting as well. Wanting to learn every art form and medium, she explored acrylic and watercolor, pastels and charcoal, ink and even crayon. But fabric art would become her great love because the craft allowed her to soar…the possibilities, endless. However, turning her fabric into glorious art would come later. Beverly turned her love of design into a printing career for forty-plus years. In the seventies, she worked in the production department of a local newspaper: creating ads
with ink (there were no computers), typesetting, doing paste up and proofreading. But being a graphic designer wasn’t enough…she wanted it all and in 1991opened her own commercial print shop, B&B Printery, in Phoenix and later expanding to a second shop. Her slogan rang true: Helping You Look Your Best…she was successful. It was only when she turned sixty that she made her fabric art, a lifestyle. She retired and found herself surrounded by quilters and needle workers but the quilt for Beverly was too confining…she learned the fundamentals but could not abide the perfection required in sewing a quilt, square after square, and the embroidery involved. Beverly saw the quilt differently; it was a canvas on which she could create freestyle forms with fabric on fabric. She
accomplished the art of appliqué but it bored her. “I was never happy with what something should be and always wanting to change it into something else.” Recently Beverly was invited to display her huge fabric pizza, cut into slices, at the Chandler Center for the Art’s “Art-rageous” Show in November-December. Her pieces are sometimes so intricate it takes her “about six months to complete a piece entirely by hand. They are not for sale, although in the future I plan to sell limited edition prints for framing.” Beverly takes her inspiration from a woman named Alice, who told her “being able to create beautiful things is a gift and it is our duty to share this with others.” She is more motivated today than she ever was because “art consumes me…it calms me. I enjoy where my mind takes me.” And she added with a smile, “No one can control me.” There is no challenge she fears. When I asked where she sees herself and her art in the future, Beverly stunningly stated: “I am in the future… this is my rainy day. I coast along…” If Beverly Fizzell’s future has already arrived then we are blessed in seeing it. How fortunate for those who have the inner sight to see that longed-for “rainy day” arrive and it is this Celtic artisan’s sensitivity that allows her to transform fabric into a unique art form; thus, setting a standard for other crafters to attain. Beverly’s family is from Clane, a small town west of Dublin. They were farmers, like most folks then. Great grandpa Joseph Connolly and three siblings came to the USA in 1877 and settled in Illinois.
Finished painted quilt mounted on historic barn.
Pipe Major Len Wood Bagpipes for all occasions 321 W. Cambridge Ave. Phoenix, AZ 85003 602-708-1828 lwagency@cox.net www.piperlen.com
PAGE 10 • 2014 Saint Patrick’s Day Parade & Faire
1986
Saturday March 15th, 2014
St. Patrick’s Day Parade Memorial
John McKeever
Kathy Wood
Founding Treasurer
St Patrick’s Day Parade & Faire Committee AZ Irish Festival, Irish Arizona Project
1990
2009
Charter Member/Founder of Irish Family Faire & Emerald Ball
Ireland’s Own, Irish Gift Shop
Dotty Flynn Wood
1996
Robert Fields Graham Founder of The Desert Shamrock Active in Fundraising for many years
Patty Boyle McCrossan Len Bell
Phoenix/Ennis Sister Cities
2010
Richard Boland Colleen Pageant, Shamrock Club
1999
2011
Empire Graphics & Printing
Former President ICLF, St. Patrick’s Day Parade Committee, Irish Foundation of AZ
Tom Daugherty
2000
Kenneth Clark Coordinated Cultural Center start-up
2001
Michael Everman Designer & Builder of the Castle
Howard Adams
Jimmy O’Connor Lorraine and Mike Flynn
Founders, St. Patrick’s Day Parade Committee Founder and Past Chair, Colleen Pageant Irish Foundation of AZ, St. Patrick’s Day Parade Committee
Mary McDonagh
St. Patrick’s Day Parade Committee
Charter Member of the Phoenix Feis
Irish Foundation of AZ, Shamrock Club
Irish Foundation of Arizona
Designer of Parade TShirts
2002
Past President, St. Patrick’s Day Parade
Frank Cunningham
Maureen O’Mahar Rainbolt
John Dacey
Colleen Pageant
Eileen Abberton Tony Ramella Harry Carroll
Irish Community Activist
2003
Walter L. O’Hayre, MD
Founder, www.azirishmusic.com Member, Celtica! chorale
Founding Board of the ICC Phoenix/Ennis Sister Cities Member of E.R.I.N.
Frank Murray
Owner, Seamus McCaffrey’s Irish Pub and The Turf Accountant
2004
General Contractor, Irish Cultural Center
Irish Foundation of Phoenix St. Patrick’s Day Parade Committee Long-time volunteer of everything Irish
2005
Joseph Sloan
Irish Foundation of Arizona Long-time volunteer of everything Irish
George O’Brien
Pat McMorrow Irish Foundation of Arizona Long-time volunteer of everything Irish Irish American Social Club St. Patrick’s Day Parade Committee
Darleen Phelan
James ‘Seamus’ Geary
President Irish Foundation of Arizona St Patrick’s Day Parade Committee Long-time volunteer of everything Irish
ICC Docent, Irish Foundation of Arizona
2007
E.R.I.N.
Ruth Leggin ICC Volunteer, Welsh League Member
Marlene O’Hayre ENNIS Committee
Faire Sponsor
Nora Laylor
Irish Foundation of Arizona
2008
When Your A/C Throws a Tantrum, Better Call Antrim
2012
2006
St. Patrick’s Day Parade Committee Local Irish Seisun
1605 W. University #108 Tempe, AZ 85281 (480) 894-1881 FAX (480) 967-8865
Bernie Velez
Eileen Leavy
Jim & Char Marquardt
Watch Those Doggone Toes!
Peter McLoughlin
President Irish Foundation of Arizona Irish Person of the Year in 1996
Pat Connelly
Faire Sponsor
Margaret McDonough
Editor, Publisher The Desert Shamrock E.R.I.N. Executive Director Irish Foundation of Arizona St. Patrick’s Day Parade Committee
Donald H. Boch
• SHOEMOBILE AVAILABLE • ESD SHOES • STEEL & NON-STEEL TOED SHOES • SLIP-RESISTANT SOLES
John Daugherty
Friends to all things Irish Cultural Learning Centers were his idea & dream since 1985
Mary McCormack
AMERICAN SAFETY SHOE CO.
Fr. Joe Gillespie
Friend to all things Irish
Tim Creedon
Valleywide Service Family and Locally Owned Authorized Independant Dealers of Trane and Goodman
“Treating our customers like family with the highest level of honesty, integrity, and quality.”
2013
Eileen Mulqueen Irish Foundation of AZ
Liz Powers
St. Patrick’s Day Faire Irish Cultural Center
Kristin Clark
Irish Step Dancer Longtime supporter of Parade & Faire
PO Box 7264 Chandler, AZ 85246 • 480.664.6575 antrimair@gmail.com
www.antrimair.com
Licensed, Bonded, Insured ROC#272807
2014 Saint Patrick’s Day Parade & Faire • PAGE 11
Arizona Irish: Honor Our Heroes
Part 2: A Castle Under Siege Charleville Castle in Tullamore
By Carmelita Lee
In 1988 a retired Israeli tank commander came to visit us in Arizona. We were delighted to showcase our state for him, taking him to the Grand Canyon and Meteor Crater, the Petrified Forest. As his visit was nearing an end, he said he still had not experienced what he was most excited to see. “I want to go to the OK Corral. I want to see Tombstone.” I had worked in the courthouse there, where the gallows still stands as a grim reminder of the past. Tombstone was the most memorable part of his trip. He met two real working cowboys. On horseback. Chaps and all. He was thrilled by the Birdcage Saloon and the wooden sidewalks. Almost reverently he walked the dusty OK Corral. Turns out, he was an amateur historian of the American West, and was pleased to know that Tombstone had maintained its uniqueness even in a modern world. What’s that got to do with a castle in Ireland, you ask. Everything. I traveled all over Ireland for the 12 years I worked there. Americans often commented on the similarities between tiny little towns and “smalltown America” where they grew up, often lamenting that it wasn’t still that way “back home.” Those same wistful observers would complain the loudest about the tiny boreens (single-lane roads) and lack of freeways… I toured many castles, some grand and some just piles of rocks. But it was Charleville where I learned
about “working castles.” I was impressed by the dry moat. Caretaker Dudley Stewart (an engineer) explained to me the dynamics and real-life urgency behind this protective structure. Back in the day, the moat was a first and perhaps last best defense against attackers. “It would have been difficult for armed and armored men and horses to mount our nearly vertical cut stone moat or to make any kind of charge,” Dud explained. Defenders, on the other hand, would have great advantage from the top. It is the stuff of fairytales. Like most manor houses–in this case, a bona fide castle–the master had certain responsibilities towards the tenants, who in turn farmed or raised livestock and did business for the benefit of the estate. Historically, Charleville Castle’s responsibilities covered a large portion of Tullamore. Today the castle is besieged in a very modern struggle to preserve it from ruin. The attack is from within, not without its massive walls. Parts of it are collapsing and being overtaken by trees and vines. This culturally important building is currently caught between two trusts that battle for control of the iconic grounds; one trust is actively engaged in restoring the building, and one would prefer the building fade into gentle ruin. It is more akin to a Solomonic decision for what is right for the town and the castle, and less a Hatfield and McCoy fight to the death. The Charleville Castle Heritage Trust has led the charge for the past eighteen years. They are rapidly coming upon their do-or-die threshold, either they will gain control of the rest of the castle; i.e., the stables, the
Chandler-Tullamore Sister Cities
Celebrates Youth Artists and Authors On Thursday, January 9, 2014, Chandler’s 2013 winners for the Art and Author Showcase were recognized by the Mayor and Council in a short ceremony. Ryan, 2013 Chandler First Place Essay Winner and a student at Seton Catholic Preparatory High School, received a Certificate of Appreciation from Sister Cities International. Elizabeth, 2013 Chandler First Place Art Winner and a student at Seton Catholic Preparatory High School, was one of 10 entries across the United States who received a National Finalist Art Award from Sister Cities International. Rachel Beglin, 2013 Chandler First Place Poetry Winner and a student
at Hamilton High School, was judged Sister Cities International Grand Prize Winner for her poem, and received the $1,000 Grand Prize. A reception was held at Vision Gallery in December 2013 and Chandler-Tullamore Sister Cities hosted the International Exhibit. Hosting the Exhibit was made possible in large part due to a grant received from Chandler’s Special Events Committee and the Chandler Cultural Foundation. Information on the 2014 Art and Author Showcase can be found at www.chandlerirish.org. For further information, please contact Ellen Harrington, President, Chandler-Tullamore Sister Cities, chan. to.tull@gmail.com or (480) 600-8509.
chapel and other outbuildings, or the entire project is for naught. In my mind, Charleville Castle, which is one of only two large castles in County Offaly, has much to contribute still. She is as much a part of the fabric of the town of Tullamore as Tullamore Dew. The town’s history and culture is the castle’s history and culture. I mean, would this be Arizona without Tombstone? Without cowboys and Indians? Use this link to see photos of the condition of the castle at http://www.flickr. com/photos/adriatic22/7978169839/. Suggestions? Volunteering? Write me at wordworks.lee@outlook.com. Read previous columns on this topic at www.issuu.com/desertshamrock.
PAGE 12 • 2014 Saint Patrick’s Day Parade & Faire
Saturday March 15th, 2014
Saint Patrick’s Day Parade & Faire . SPECIAL PARADE DAY SECTION . Honor Our Heroes 2014
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Saint Patrick’s Day Parade & Faire . SPECIAL PARADE DAY SECTION . Honor Our Heroes 2014
Ron Hoon
Grand Marshal of the St. Patrick’s Day Parade 2014 by Kathleen Sweeney
T
he St. Patrick’s Day Parade and Faire Committee has chosen Fox 10 television’s morning anchorman Ron Hoon as the Parade’s 2014 Grand Marshal. Ron, who describes himself as being one-quarter Irish, was born in Omak, Washington. Both of his parents and his grandmother were school teachers. He has one sister, who currently lives in Florida. “We grew up in a very cold place,” he says, “and, like a lot of people, we both made our way to warm ones as adults.” Ron attended the University of Washington in Seattle. After graduation, he worked at the KXLY television in Spokane. He and his wife Renae fell in love with Arizona while taking a road trip through the West. They moved to Phoenix in the summer of 1982 with a car that had no air conditioning. “We still loved Arizona,” Ron laughs, “but we spent what seemed like the world’s longest summer, ‘til we could finally afford to buy a car with air conditioning!” Longtime Channel 10 anchorman Bill Close, who passed away about a year ago, hired Ron to work at the station. He is now in his 32nd year of TV broadcasting in Phoenix. He’s up every morning at 3, to get ready for the morning show on Fox 10, which airs weekdays from 4:30 to 10am. Other anchors on the show include Rick D’Amico, Andrea Robinson, Kristin Anderson and Syleste Rodriguez. Cory McCloskey is the show’s longtime weatherman. Ron and Renae settled in Mesa, where they raised three children. “Mesa was a nice place to raise kids,” Ron says. “Being in a business in
which people tend to move around a lot, I feel fortunate to have been able to stay in one place for so long.” Ron’s oldest daughter Michelle is thirtythree. She currently helps manage “The Road Home,” a homeless shelter in Salt Lake City, Utah. “She loves working in the nonprofit field because she feels as though she is making a difference every day,” Ron says. Ron’s son Jordan is twenty-eight. He works at Battock Wealth Management in Tempe, where he provides financial and retirement planning advice. “My father was a high school teacher and basketball coach,” Ron explains. “When he retired, he became a retirement planner to help other teachers with their retirement. When my mother retired from teaching, she also became a retirement planner. Jordan watched and admired them, so becoming a retirement planner himself was natural.” Jordan and his wife Kelcie, who recently graduated from Arizona State University, and is soon to begin teaching, are expecting their first child, who will also be Ron and Renae’s first grandchild, this summer. Ron’s youngest daughter Alexa is twenty-six. She is an aesthetician who works in the Med Spa field. Ron’s paternal grandmother, Goldie Maybelle Dougherty, is the source of his Irish heritage. Her grandfather came to the United States in the 1840s. He is believed to have emigrated from the Inishowen Peninsula in County Donegal. He initially settled in Redwood Falls, Minnesota, but subsequently moved his family to the State of Washington. “John Corcoran called sometime in the 1980s and asked me to emcee
Jordan, Michelle, Renae, Alexa and Ron on trip to Ireland
Ron at Gallarus Oratory on Dingle Peninsula
Ron and Renae
the St. Patrick’s Day Parade,” Ron recalls. “The Parade remains one of many events in the Valley that I try to support every year.” Ron also emcees several other events every year: the VNSA book sale, the JDRF Walk to Cure Diabetes Celebrating Ron Santo, and the Heart Walk. He also reads to hundreds of kids at schools across the Valley to help promote literacy. “I didn’t know very much about my grandmother then, but I think that as you get older, you want to know more about your ancestors.” When Ron was helping plan his father’s 80th birthday celebration, Ron asked him to tell him everything that he could about Goldie. He learned that she had been a very strong woman. “My father’s parents divorced when Dad was about eight years old, Ron says. “So my grandmother had to figure out quickly how to make a living during the Great Depression. She became a housekeeper and cook for an older couple who owned an apple orchard in Grandview, Washington. She and my dad had very little. He lived in a room over the garage. When the couple died, my dad and his mom, Goldie, had to go live on a dairy farm. Dad
got up early to help with the dairy chores before he went to school, and my grandmother worked as the cook at a little airport in the Yakima Valley. She worked very hard and sacrificed a lot to give my father the best possible life.” The older that Ron got, the more of a connection he felt with Goldie. “Although I never had the chance to meet her, you could tell from all the pictures of her that she was a real character. I would have loved to have been able to spend some time with her. I really have her to thank for what has become my love of all things Irish,” he says. Ron’s interest in learning more about Goldie and his heritage led him and Renae to take a trip to Ireland in 2011. They fell in love with it and returned with their children in 2012 so that they could also learn about their Irish roots. The Inishowen Peninsula, which is located in northeast County Donegal at Ireland’s northernmost point, is Ireland’s largest peninsula. Ron describes it as being a beautiful and rugged part of Ireland that is not visit More page X
Saint Patrick’s Day Parade & Faire . SPECIAL PARADE DAY SECTION . Honor Our Heroes 2014
Embassy of Ireland Ambasáid na hÉireann Washington DC
Beannachtaí na Féile Pádraig! I am deeply honoured to have become Ireland’s 17th Ambassador to the United States. I take over the baton from Michael Collins, who did so much over the past six years to advance and deepen relations between our two countries. It is hard to overstate the sense of pride and privilege one feels in taking over this role. The pride is deep-rooted and unshakeable. It is our inheritance from those legions of Irish men and women who helped build America. And it is reinforced every day by the contemporary expression of the relationship - by
the continuing Irish imprint in every corner of this great country and in every aspect of its life.
PARADE LINE UP American and Irish Flags
Arizona DeLorean Car Club
St. Patrick, Tis Himself, in a car
Irish Network Phoenix
Phoenix Pipe Band
Discount Cab
4 Provinces and the 32 Counties of Ireland
St. Mary’s High School Marching Band
Knights of Columbus
O’Brien Concrete Pumping
Grand Marshal - Ron Hoon, KSAZ Fox 10 Arizona Morning and Family
Wells Fargo Stagecoach
2014 Arizona Colleen & Rose of Tralee Sarah Hines
Le gach dea-ghuí, Anne Anderson Ambassador www.embassyofireland.org
Phoenix Councilman Michael Nowakowski, District 7
Read More http://www.embassyofireland.org/ home/index.aspx?id=30782
Sheriff Posse
Maricopa County Sheriff Joe Arapio and his lovely wife Ava In Memory of Officer John Hobbs AZ Emerald Society Pipe Band and Drums 2014 Irish Persons of the Year John McMorrow 2014 Irish Persons of the Year - Matt Shay Phoenix Fire Department Emerald Society AZ Law Enforcement Emerald Society Parade President Harry Sexton Past Grand Marshal - 1996 Sean McLaughlin
Bracken School of Irish Dance Alexis Hodel, TCRG 480-420-6994 www.brackenirishdance.com
Maguire Academy of Irish Dance Tucson
Darren Maguire, ADCRG 520-319-0204 Helen Buck, TCRG 480-648-8530 www.maguireacademy.com
McTeggart Irish Dancers
Kelly Sweeney 602-405-6814 www.mcteggart.com
McTeggart School - Flagstaff
Classes are Sunday afternoons Pine Forest Charter School, 1120 W. Kaibab Ln. Kari Barton, Kari@ LivingTraditionsPresentations.com
Michael Patrick Gallagher School of Irish Dance
MPGirishdance@yahoo.com Michael Patrick, TCRG, ADCRG 602-896-4078 Ann Paitel, TCRG 602-316-3199 www.mpgirishdance.com
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Bracken School of Irish Dance Chandler-Tullamore Sister Cities St. Gregory’s Neighborhood Cub Scouts Pack 43 Irish Foundation of Arizona Clancy Clan Mullaneys and O’Neils Jazzy Poms “Our Heroes” Family and Friends of McKeever Family Phoenix Irish Step Dancers Ladies of the High Tea AZ Extreme Twirl Team Hats Off-Skinner Family Clowns for Life - St. Joan of Arc Parish Edison Jr. High Spiritline Boston College Alumni Association
2014 Arizona Colleen Princess Kelsey Kelleher
Marcia’s Mop Brigade
2014 Arizona Irish Lasses Heather McGraw, Holly Sullivan and Lyssa Horney
Tolleson Elementary Marching Band
Currach Team Tolleson Elementary Mariachi Band The Phoenix Phreaks Bicycle Club The Phoenix Spokes People Bicycle Club
Sharon Judd 602-253-1978 phxisd@gmail.com www.phoenixirishdancers.com
2014 Arizona Little Miss Shamrocks Aria Jones and Anne Gardener Hajek Shamrock, Lass and Colleen Contestants
McTeggart School of Irish Dance
Ryan O’Donnell - KTVK Channel 3
Peppermint Jim
Tir Conaill Academy
Desert Irish Wolfhounds
America’s U.S. Miss
Past Grand Marshal - 2005 Frank Leavy-Model A
Arizona’s Twirling Athletes Ballet Folkorico Nueva Vida
Michael Patrick Gallagher School of Irish Dance
Africa Health New Horizons Dancers
VIP Experience Daniel and Danielle Stringer
Roller Derby
Sea Cat Color Guard
Maguire School of Irish Dance
Glendale Pipe Band
AZ Cactus - Pine Girl Scouts Troop 1693
Phoenix Irish Step Dancers
Christopher McGrory, TCRG, ADCRG 520-991-3605 christopher.mcgrory@gmail.com Rosemary Browne, MD, TCRG 520-296-8476 www.tirconaillacademy.com
Arizona Academy of Highland Dance
Elizabeth Riech 602.509.1146 elizabeth@azhighlanddance.com
Maschino School of Highland Dance
480-242-7760 www.maschinodance.com kari@maschinodance.com Gilbert, Tempe, Peoria
Villa de Marie High School
Line-up is not finalized until day of parade.
FRIENDS OF THE FAIRE Eric & Elizabeth Tiernan and Family Harry Sexton & Family Irene Boland & Mark Barnes Jack and Mary Moriarty James Shields Janice Ryan Bryson
Jim and Anne Daugherty Julie O’Mahar Chiesa Michael and Ann Niemann Sandra Carroll The Corcoran & Wnek Families
Special thanks to CUE Financial Group, Inc. in Phoenix for their Faire Sponsorship!
Bands The ICC Academy Band The Faire is proud to present the Irish Cultural Center’s Academy band, under the direction of Pat McCrossan. The students range in age from 10 and up. Rachel Bonn’s fiddle class; McCrossan’s guitar, piano & mandolin classes; Michelle West’s bodhran class; and Sandy Voris’s whistle class. Their selections cover ever ything from the old-time Waltz to up-tempo Mazurka’s, Polka’s, Hornpipes, Jigs, and Reels, inter-spersed with a little selection of Welsh tunes. There will also be a selection of traditional Irish style vocals, and modern Irish pop ballads. The Academy band’s CDs are available on their web site at www.iccacademy.com. All proceeds go towards the Academy. Pat McCrossan Pat is without doubt the most versatile musician on the Phoenix Irish music scene and one of the best as well. Originally trained as a classical pianist, Pat plays guitar, banjo, fiddle, mandolin, harmonica and electric keyboard. Frequently his performance also doubles as a comedy routine Celtica! Celtica! is AZ’s first and only Vocal Ensemble dedicated solely to the music of all the Celts-- Irish, Welsh, Scots, Breton, Manx, among others--throughout history, preserving culture and musical style. Celtica! is a small chorale of 16-24 voices. Founding Director of Music and Conductor, Coleen Van Slyke, is a proud member of the Hogan Clan, and a trained Conductor, Singer and Pianist in her own right. She seeks to offer an exciting new opportunity in the Phoenix Arts Community. Celtica! appears to be the first choral ensemble of its kind in the nation, and only the second in North America. celticachorale@gmail.com. The Strand The Strand is Rick Boyle (guitar, bouzouki, mandola, and vocals); Hana Halverson (vocals); Steve Pawlowski (guitar, bodhran, and vocals); and Shannon Schumann (flute, whistles, harp, and vocals). Shortly after the four met in 2006 in the Valley of the Sun and discovered their mutual love of Irish and IrishAmerican tunes and songs, The Strand was born. We especially love the songs and tunes that reflect the emigrant experience from Ireland, and particularly about immigrants to the American West. Hana will capture your heart with a rollicking ballad or plaintive air in Irish or English. And then we’ll interweave our favorite traditional jigs, reels, and marches to enliven the sets – and that’s where Rick and Steve enjoy locking into the rhythm and letting Shannon soar into the melodies. The Strand is that one thread in Irish music that celebrates acoustic instruments meet up with beautiful melodies and songs.
Gates are for pedestrians and cash only (ATMS available as marked)
George O’Brien M Vendor Parking Seanachie SEANACHIE is a vocal and instrumental trio who performs the “good old” Irish songs and tunes. Combine fiddle, guitar, accordion, mandolin, Irish bouzouki, banjo and bodhran with high energy vocals and you have the trademark Seanachie sound. Cut from the mold of the great Clancy Brothers this music is both infectious and downright fun. Dennis McMorrow Lead Vocals, Accordion, Guitar and Bodhran Steve Colby, Lead & Harmony Vocals, Guitar, Banjo, Irish Bouzouki Ken Mulqueen, Backup Vocals, Fiddle, Mandolin and Bodhran
Carroll Mac Greggor Carroll MacGreggor was formed in 1998 by singer/songwriter Brian O’Carroll and multi-instrumentalist Kozy. They teamed up with bassist, guitarist and producer Gary Deikmann and began performing in the Phoenix area. After many years of touring & recording, they have solidified their sound with percussionist & drummer Jimbo Gibbons. Their CD “Doom, Gloom & Whiskey” recorded in England, is set for release on St. Patrick’s 2014. The band has been described as a blend between The Pogues and Crosby, Stills & Nash. From original songs to modern celtic, a Carroll MacGreggor live show is a unique & energetic experience not to be missed!
Japanese Friendship Garden Parking ONLY
Tramor Tramor (Overseas) is the new WelshAmerican Acoustic Project of John Good, formally of Oceans Apart and Harpist extraordinaire John Piggott. John G. is well known throughout the West, South, Midwest and in his native Wales as a multi-instrumentalist, Welsh piper, singer/songwriter, storyteller, composer and poet. Veteran of many Celtic festivals and concerts, including Estes Park, Chicago Celtic Fest, San Diego and Denver, he brings the subtly different flavor of traditional Welsh music to the contemporary stage. Lifetime musician John Piggott began playing the harp in his 30’s and it has since become the grand passion of his life. John P was a founding member of the seminal Welsh/American traditional band Afan with John G. These days, he enjoys bringing new and diverse material to the harp strings with sources ranging from Elvis and Sting to Bach and Henry VIII.
The Brazen Heads Led by Dubliner Liam Mackey, The Brazen Heads are a raucous, fun-loving band that kicks out high energy “Celtic mayhem.” Featuring their own brand of traditional and Celtic rock styled tunes on their CD releases, “Who’s Yer Paddy,” and “Curse of the Hag”, they’ve been rockin’ it Irish style to rave reviews! Stoneybank Stoneybank is a Phoenix based group whose per formances are focused on traditional music from Scotland, Ireland and America. Iain Walinck was born and raised in Musselburgh, Scotland. A resident in the Phoenix Valley since 1996, he brings a mixture of both original and traditional Scottish songs and tunes, with instrumentation including vocals, guitar, bouzouki and harmonicas. Jane Hilton is a locally
10:15 AM Tramor 11:20 AM The Bracken School of Irish Da 11:50 AM The McTeggart Irish Dancers 12:30 PM The Academy of Irish & Celtic S 1:35 PM The Phoenix Irish Step Dancers 2:05 PM Michael Patrick Gallagher Scho 2:35 PM The Maguire Academy of Dance 3:10 PM Seanachie 4:15 PM Kilted Spirit
renowned violinist and brings a beautiful mixture of both Scottish and Irish traditional tunes with a style which adds both warmth and vitality. Jane also sings harmony vocals. Corey Ticknor hails from Winnipeg, Canada and is an outstanding multi-instrumentalist with an emphasis on mandolin, guitar, and vocal harmonies. Corey can rightly be described as something of a virtuoso per former, with an array of original tunes. Traveler Traveler has become known for their high energy Celtic Rock fusion. They have toured throughout Canada, Turkey and the U.S., performing fiery fiddle jigs and reels as well as some traditional Irish folk tunes rocked out in Traveler style. They will also be performing pieces from their new CD “Onward Journey” with many of the tracks written in Ireland during the summer trek of 2013. Kilted Spirit From lively toe-tappin’ Irish and Scottish jigs & reels, to drinking songs and popular covers, Kilted Spirit is a Phoenix Irish band guaranteed to bring on the craic!! Members include Colleen Collins on vocals, tin whistle, Irish flute, and guitar; Chris Moreno on electric stand-up bass, guitar, and Irish bouzouki; Megyn Neff on fiddle and vocals; and Robert Commer on vocals and drums. For more information, please visit www. kiltedspirit.com.
St. Patrick’s Stage 10:15 AM The Big Fellahs 11:15 AM Pat McCrossan 12:20 PM The Brazen Heads 1:20 PM 2014 Arizona Colleen/Rose, Little Miss Shamrocks, Arizona Irish Lasses & Dignitaries Grand Marshal, Irish Persons of the Year 2:15 PM Traveler 3:15 PM 30 Stone 4:15 PM Carroll MacGreggor
Memorial Stage
ance
Studies Band s ool of Irish Dance ce Phoenix
& McClelland Irish Library
The Big Fellahs The Big Fellahs were formed in late 2011 when a mix of musicians from a variety of Phoenix Celtic bands joined forces to share great music and great times! Things were never the same again…The Fellahs describe themselves as Irish with a twang, trad with a heart, and a tray of Tullamore Dew! The Big Fellahs are Brid Dower, Jerica Nicolaides, Tim Nicolaides, Ryan Bowman, Rich Merriman, and Steve Borick.
Colleen Tea Room
Roosevelt St & Light Rail Station
30 Stone 30 Stone formed in 2011. Drawing influences from Irish, World Folk and Jazz traditions, 30 Stone maintains that melodies from all over the world are fun to drink to. Celtic Readers Theatre Group with Pamela Sterling & Marisa Casey. If you love Celtic plays & poetry, we invite you to leave your worries or fears of memorizing lines behind - that’s why we call it “Readers Theatre.” Improve public speaking skills and stage confidence by discovering, rehearsing, and reciting a play or poem of your choice. All people of all experience levels are welcome to join! Today’s performance is a collection of works that are about or inspired by St. Patrick, since it’s his day and all! Two- hour classes meet Monday evenings in the McClelland Library basement. Next term begins Monday, April 7. Contact the Academy of Irish and Celtic Studies at 602-864-2357 or iccacademy@q. com.
at the Center AN HALLA MOR (THE GREAT HALL) 11:45 AM The Strand 12:55 PM Celtica! 2:10 PM Celtic Readers Theatre Group 3:10 PM Stoneybank 4:10 PM ASU Irish Dance Ensemble All Day Colleen Tea House
THE COTTAGE McCLELLAND LIBRARY Tours at designated times
9:00am - 6:00pm The shuttle will pick up at 1850 N. Central Ave. Corner of Palm Ln. and Central Light Rail Station at Roosevelt Street Free parking at 1850 N. Central Ave. Garage & Lot
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Saint Patrick’s Day Parade & Faire . SPECIAL PARADE DAY SECTION . Honor Our Heroes 2014 Jimmy O’Connor helped start girls’ soccer in Arizona. The team from St. Jerome’s was one of the first teams here. Claire and the other girls were really good. One of the first teams in the Peoria Soccer Club was called the Celtics. Bill Quinn coached it.” John and Jerry were both later offered professional soccer contracts, but there was no money in the sport at the time. “My Dad was the typical Irish father,” John recalls. “He always wanted us to be working.” So John and Jerry started doing construction work. Jerry later went into construction sales, and John opened his own caulking and waterproofing company. John subsequently became a firefighter. “My cousin joined the fire department in New Jersey,” he recalls, “and my father urged me to join the department here.” He is very glad that he took his father’s and climbing rocks that advice. “Being a firefighter is seemed as high as the one of the best jobs that anyCliffs of Moher to him at one could ever have,” he says. the time with his uncle’s “You look forward to going dog as his constant comto work, and you never know panion. what to expect. Every call is After several years, different. You get to meet new the family returned to people all the time and to help America. They settled in them solve whatever problem Chicago, but the weather they’re facing. The problem there worsened Bridget’s may seem overwhelming to arthritis, so they moved them because they’ve never to Phoenix in 1971. The encountered it before, but we trip from Chicago in a probably have.” small Chevy Nova with “Being firefighters is a lot its trunk and top loaded like being big boy scouts,” and with two adults, four John confesses. “We get to children, a dog, and a cat play with huge trucks. We crammed inside was yet eat together, work out in the another adventure. “There gym, and sleep in our clothes. were bound to be fights,” There are no mothers telling John chuckles. “My mothus to turn off the television. er grew up in the part of When the light telling us that Ireland that is known as someone needs our help goes the home of Irish traditionon, it’s time to go to work.” al music. She always had John with Kiera, his Aunt Helen, Deven, Lisa, Taryn and Marina, on a recent John currently works out of music on and was always family trip to Ireland Phoenix fire station 50. singing around the house John met Lisa, his wife of when we were growing up. music lessons, Irish music books. John twenty-eight years, at a soccer She tried to distract us on the trip to and Jerry started playing and singing match. She was on the cheer squad for Phoenix by getting us to sing so that my the Irish songs that they learned from a professional team in town. Lisa is a Dad wouldn’t kill us and we wouldn’t the books and from records. Dennis guidance counselor at Mountain Ridge kill each other. We must have sung and Claire later joined them, and High School in Glendale. They have ‘Brennan on the Moor’ five hundred they would perform together around four daughters. Deven attends the times on that trip. That’s where our St. Patrick’s Day. They attended St. University of Arizona medical school, singing together really started.” The Jerome’s Elementary School, and their Kiera coaches youth soccer for the singing not only made for a more har- father got them involved in the folk Sereno Club, Marina is studying biomonious—in several senses—trip to music group there, which ensured that medical science at Northern Arizona Phoenix, but it was also to enrich the they kept playing. John plays gui- University, and Taryn is a junior at lives of John and his siblings for years tar, whistles, flute, and bagpipes; Jerry Xavier College Preparatory. to come. plays guitar, mandolin, and banjo; John’s girls all studied Irish dance “Growing up in Phoenix,” John Dennis plays accordion; and Claire and played soccer. He thinks that recalls, “we were always known as ‘the plays guitar. All four of them sing. growing up Irish in Phoenix enriched Irish kids.’ The Irish community here “The music opened so many doors their lives just as it enriched his own. was not very big when we first arrived, for us,” John says. He played for years “The songs, dances, parties, and St. but its members seemed to find each with various groups in town, begin- Patrick’s Day celebrations have been other like magnets. It was probably a ning with the band “The McMorrows such a big part of their lives,” he much tighter community than it other- and Friends.” The music took him to says. The family recently took a trip to wise might have been because many of festivals across the country and in Ireland that allowed the girls to meet its members were living very far away Ireland and enabled him to meet Irish their many cousins there. from everyone else in their lives. Our music stars like the Clancy Brothers, John served a one-year term as the house was party central. We would Tommy Makem, the Irish Rovers, and Irish Foundation’s vice president and move the furniture out and have set Solas. He believes that the quality of another as its president. He was vice dancing in the kitchen. People would Irish and other Celtic music in Phoenix president of the Irish Cultural Center for bring mountains of food. They would has been much higher than people ten years and was also president of the arrange a circle of chairs in the garage, have sometimes realized. “Some of the United Phoenix Firefighters’ Emerald and the parties would end with every- homegrown talent here is as good as Society for ten years. He is especialone in there singing for hours.” I’ve seen anywhere,” he says. ly happy to have been selected Irish Jack Cunningham, who later In addition to music, John and his Person of the Year because he knows became a priest, used to play guitar siblings loved soccer. “It wasn’t just how proud it would have made his and sing at the parties. He gave John the boys,” John says. “My Dad and and his siblings, who were all taking other Irish guys like Bill Quinn and More page H
John McMorrow
2014 IRISH PERSON of the YEAR
by Kathleen Sweeney
I
n keeping with this year’s parade theme—Honor Our Heroes—the St. Patrick’s Day Parade and Faire Committee has chosen Phoenix fireman John McMorrow as one of its 2014 Irish Persons of the Year. John’s father Patrick grew up in the town of Manorhamilton in County Leitrim, and his mother Bridget grew up near the town of Miltown Malbay in County Clare. Patrick became a butcher, and Bridget became a nurse. Both left Ireland when they were young, and they met each other at a New York City dance. They had three children in addition to John—Claire, Jerry, and Dennis. They gave their children the opportunity to spend part of their childhoods where they had spent theirs by moving back to Ireland when the children were small. John remembers setting off across the fields in Wellington boots to the two-room Rockmount schoolhouse in County Clare that had been built in 1891. He learned to write there using inkwells and quill pens. The family subsequently moved to Dromahair, County Leitrim, where they lived in a stone cottage with a thatched roof that was lit by Tilley (kerosene) lamps. Water had to be drawn from a nearby well. The family then moved to Coosan Point, Athlone, in County Westmeath, where Patrick bought a general store and butcher’s shop. John recalls that to a small boy, Ireland was an enchanted, mythical place populated by the banshees and leprechauns with which his Uncle Paddy had filled his head. “The County Clare house had no inside bathroom,” he says. “I would wake in the middle of the night and step onto the cold stone floor. The moon would be shining through low clouds that were moving fast outside, and the wind would be howling. It was like a scene from a werewolf movie. I would rush to the outhouse and back as fast as I could so that the banshee wouldn’t get me.” He was convinced that leprechauns had built what he called “the fairy fort” on a small island that was surrounded by trees. The river split around the fort behind the County Clare house. “I was always sneaking up on the fort in hopes of catching a glimpse of them,” he laughs. He also remembers countless adventure-filled days exploring the countryside, chasing rabbits,
Saint Patrick’s Day Parade & Faire . SPECIAL PARADE DAY SECTION . Honor Our Heroes 2014
Matt Shay 2014 IRISH PERSON of the YEAR by Erin Sweeney Morgan
M
atthew John Shay has a story to tell. Like most transplant Arizona Irish, Shay grew up along the east coast. Unlike most, his unfinished story has led him to the shared title of “Irish Person of the Year.” Shay’s father, Daniel Edward Shay, came from Boston and a strong Irish Catholic family of “Burkes” and “Shays,” who originated in County Kerry. Their name began as “O’Se,” but after traveling though Canada and along the eastern seaboard, it evolved into Shay over time. His mother, Judith Ann Ziolkowski, was half Irish and half Polish. The two met in Ipswich, Massachusetts, married, and after learning she may not be able to have children, adopted a daughter, Stephanie Susan Shay. Shay’s mother then contacted the Boston Catholic Ministries hoping to adopt a Polish son, but was told only Irish were available. Daniel and Judith adopted Shay from a poor Irish lass, and eventually gave birth to a daughter, Courtney Alexandra. Daniel and Judith moved the family to Hamilton, Massachusetts for the beginning of Shay’s life, before settling in Orleans on Cape Cod, where his father was principal of an elementary school for thirty years. Fortunate enough to be enrolled in one of the best public schools systems, Shay remembers excellent teachers, but found himself going through school as a class clown who paid many visits to the principal’s/his dad’s office. Despite those visits, Shay went on to college in Nashua, New Hampshire and graduated with an associates and bachelor’s degree in aviation. With the help of his degree, Shay obtained a job with Mesa Airlines and enjoyed many great places during his travels. One of his many travels brought him to Sky Harbor around the age of twentyfour, where he began a job in customer service. Shay found the position discouraging at times and a co-worker took note of his unhappiness. She told Shay about her husband who was a police officer in Phoenix and suggested he test for the department. Having very little to no law enforcement background – he had once been
a deputy harbormaster on the Cape – Shay was leery of his odds, but decided to take a chance. In 1995, he joined hundreds of other hopeful applicants at the Old Civic Center, and “was shocked and amazed” to learn he was part of ten percent who passed the written exam and went on to the background polygraph and physical before entering the academy. Noted Shay, “The whole thing happened so fast, my head was spinning.” Shay graduated from the academy in 1996 and started his police career in Phoenix’s Central City Precinct, with his station located at 16th Street and Buckeye. During the next three years, Shay began to see how sheltered life on the Cape had been as he found himself involved in too many critical incidents, thankfully never being injured. While working with narcotics officers, Shay was encouraged to test for the Drug Enforcement Bureau and has been there ever since. “Generally with DEA, you know what you are getting into, so it is a lot different than being on patrol,” said Shay Close to ten years after joining the force, Shay met Bridgette Stipech through his friend’s wife. Bridgette grew up in the suburbs of Los Angeles in a half Irish, half Croation family full of girls, five in total. Bridgette’s family has a strong American history with a grandfather who was a WWI hero, and father who was a WWII hero. Shay is thankful to have met Bridgette after he grew out of his early days as a police officer when he was “trying to show off still.” The two married in July of 2008, in a small wedding ceremony, on the water in Cape Cod. They included bagpipes at the wedding and their wedding bands feature Celtic knots. Their Irish heritage remains strong in their family and shines through in the name of their son, Jameson John, born in 2010. The two are raising him to be a true Irish boy and Bridgette would love to enroll him in Irish dance. As a baptismal gift, friends purchased a brick in Jameson’s name at the Irish Cultural Center in County Kerry, where the Shays originated. Yet, his love of his heritage does not end at home.
Shay joined the Arizona Law Enforcement Emerald Society ten years ago, and became a member of the board after five years, currently serving as the treasurer. At one time he was in charge of the 9/11 Memorial at the Irish Cultural Center. Shay enjoys the gatherings the organization holds at the various pubs around town and cannot say enough wonderful things about Rosie McCaffrey’s, Seamus McCaffrey’s, Rula Bula and many others. The group makes it a point to hold all of their meetings at one pub or another, and Shay sees it as a “good excuse to have a Guinness or two.” The organization does not limit itself to helping only the Irish, and Shay points out that they are fortunate to have not had a fallen officer in almost a year. Their last event for a fallen comrade was held at Rosie’s McCaffrey’s, where all were extremely helpful, and people came out of the woodwork to show their support. “We don’t just help those who have died,” Shay said. “We have added officers who have been wounded and need immediate help, as well.We will help anyone if it is brought to our attention.” When asked how the Emerald Society follows up with the families of fallen officers or those who are injured, Shay heaps the credit on fellow officer and president of the Emerald Society, John Monigan. “[John] Monigan is phenomenal at keeping in touch with those who are injured and letting them know we are
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still out there, and inviting them to our events.” As for being chosen as the law enforcement representative for Irish Person of the Year, Shay was surprised by the news. “I was sending in other suggestions because I feel there are others who do amazing things as Irish cops every day, with the ICC, the community and helping out,” he admitted. “I am humbled.” Monigan believes Shay is the perfect representative from the Law Enforcement Emerald Society. “Matt epitomizes everything it is to be ‘Irish,’” he said. “He is always quick with a kind word, funny saying/story or thoughtful idea. Matt has been an irreplaceable asset to the police community, as well as the Arizona Law Enforcement Emerald Society.” Former president of the Emerald Society, Sean Connolly, echoes Monigan’s sentiments, “Matt is a fiery thinker and noble guardian of our community and Irish culture. He has demonstrated incredible dedication to his family, his profession and the Arizona Law Enforcement Society.” He continues by stating, “Via Matt’s commitment and courage, he has created success for all around him and provided meaningful support to officers’ families who have been killed or injured in the line of duty. He is an Irish warrior.” Shay’s son, Jameson, cannot wait to ride in the parade, as his father leads a legion of cop cars and Emerald Society members down third street, and his wife is excited, as well. His son loves that he is a cop and likes to pretend he is an officer also. Of course, Shay regrettably notes, “He likes to pretend he’s a fireman, too.” Shay points out that this will be the first time in a long time he has had to wear a full police uniform, due to his current assigned detail. The Emerald Society continues to grow, and Shay sees the foundation reaching the next level to provide to injured officers and the families of fallen officers. Shay stated, “It makes it so much better to be a part of the Emerald Society when you can help a peer during a tragedy or hard time. That is Irish to the core.” He went on to say, “Now to bring that back to the Law Enforcement family is great, makes it exciting to be a part of the last couple years.” He describes many return trips to Boston, but admits he never appreciated it before the way he does now. He would love for the police and fire Emerald Societies in Phoenix to be part of the strong culture that exists here, like the societies in Boston do. After all, there have always been Irish cops. “I am thrilled to death that the Irish community is making its presence known more,” he expresses. And the Irish cops in Phoenix are ready for Saint Patrick’s Day. On top of a strong showing in the Saint Patrick’s Day Parade this year where they will follow behind Shay’s vehicle as one of the Irish Persons of More page H
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Saint Patrick’s Day Parade & Faire . SPECIAL PARADE DAY SECTION . Honor Our Heroes 2014
HONOR ROLL of GRAND MARSHALS O’Brien 1984 Thomas Bishop of Phoenix
Manning 1998 Marty KEZ Radio Personality
Adams 1985 Howard Irish Community Activist
Tobin 1999 Vince Cardinals Head Football Coach
McCain 1986 John U.S. Senator
Adams 2000 Howard Irish Community Activist
McMahon 1987 Pat KTAR Radio Personality
Barrett 2001 Craig Intel, Irish Community Activist
Devine 1988 Dan Notre Dame
Dr Michael B. O’Sullivan, MD Clinic, Irish Community 2002 Mayo Activist
Goddard 1989 Terry Mayor of Phoenix
Howard O’Brien 2003 William WHOCO, Irish Community Activist
Considine 1990 Peter Chairman of Ennis,
P. Cunningham 2004 James Irish Community Activist
University Coach
Irish Council
Leavy 2005 Frank Irish Community Activist
Mahoney 1991 Richard Secretary of State Garrett 1992 Dennis Phoenix Chief of Police Joseph Gillespie 1993 Fr. Retired Pastor of St. Elizabeth Seton
& Nora Lawlor 2006 Pat Irish Community Activist Day O’Connor 2007 Sandra Retired Supreme Court Justice O’Connor 2008 Jimmy Irish Community Activist
O’Meara 1994 Dan Co-Founder of
St. Vincent de Paul Society
McClelland 2009 Norm Irish Community Activist
McDonald 1995 Beth KEZ Radio Personality
Raphael Quinn, IBVM 2010 Sr. Principal, Ss. Simon and Jude
McLaughlin 1998 Sean Channel 12 Weatherman
Trimble 2011 Marshall Irish Community Activist
Snyder 1997 Bruce ASU Football Coach
McCaffrey 2012 Seamus Irish Community Activist Smith 2013 Bob Alliance Beverage Distr. CEO
BOARD of DIRECTORS Harry Sexton - President Eric Tiernan- Vice President Mary Moriarty - Co-Treasurer Irene Boland - Co-Treasurer Sandra Carroll - Secretary Rich Bailey Janice Bryson Sharon Caruso
Maureen Cionci John Corcoran Tom Murphy Julie O’Mahar Mary Corcoran Wnek Erin Sweeney Morgan Jeff Aspland
COMMITTEE Mark Barnes Jim Cunningham (Emeritus) Jim Daugherty Owen Keating (Emeritus) Paul Kennedy Barbara Kennedy
Kira DeSpain Larsen Frank Leavy (Emeritus) Mary MacCormack Peter McAvinney Bill Mulholland Janet Murphy Virginia Murphy Ann Niemann
Bill O’Brien Jason O’Neil Jim O’Neil Maryann O’Neil Trish Phelps Bill Quinn (Emeritus) Joe Quinn Curly Sea
Hoon from page B
McMorrow from page F
ed as often as the parts of the country that are on the regular tourist routes. While he and Renae were there, he met a man in a churchyard cemetery there that he was trying to connect the dots to trace his Dougherty roots, the man laughed and told him that his mother was also a Dougherty and that half the people in the area were named Daugherty. While walking over a stone bridge in a little town on the Peninsula called Buncrana, Ron met two other men. When he told them about his quest, they replied that they themselves were both Doughertys. “It’s no coincidence that the Peninsula really feels like home to me,” Ron says. Ron’s other favorite parts of Ireland include Dublin, Belfast, Derry, Kenmare, Killarney, Kilkenny, and the entire Dingle Peninsula. He tells a story of the warmth of the Irish people: “A man pushing his granddaughter in a stroller stopped me in Dingle and asked me how I was enjoying my time in Ireland,” Ron says. “He then took the time to hand draw me a map showing every place that we should see on the Dingle Peninsula. We followed it, and it made for a great tour that day. This is just one example of how friendly and helpful the Irish people are to strangers.” Ron also enjoyed seeing the Book of Kells at Trinity College in Dublin, touring the crystal factory in Waterford, and seeing Downpatrick in County Down where St. Patrick is said to be buried. “I can’t wait to go back to Ireland,” he says. “Renae and I would love to just spend a week in any one of a dozen little Irish villages. You really couldn’t spend a week in any better way.” Around the same time that Ron was learning more about Goldie, he was also learning about the Irish Cultural Center’s expansion to include the McClelland Irish Library. The Library includes the Frances McClelland Genealogy Research Centre, which provides resource materials and staff members to assist people in researching their Irish ancestry. “I wanted to do whatever I could to help,” Ron says, “so I hosted the Anam Cara (“Soul Friend”) Awards Gala for the last few years. The Irish community members here are some of the nicest people that you would ever want to meet. They are so friendly and so willing and excited to help you to explore your Irish roots. When you consider how many people in the Valley have Irish heritage, the Center and the Library are such treasures for us to have here. I hope that everyone—those who have some Irish in them and those who don’t—will eventually come and explore them.” Ron is truly honored to have been chosen this year’s Grand Marshal. “I’ve grown to love Ireland so much, and the Irish community here has only helped to deepen my love of all things Irish,” he says. “And as someone who’s had to do a lot of talking as the Parade’s emcee, it will be nice to be able to just ride in a car for one year and see what that’s like!”
father, who passed away two years ago. “Unlike my mother,” John says, “my father couldn’t carry a tune in a bucket. But he was a great dancer. Girls used to line up to dance with him. Even in his seventies, he loved being out on the dance floor. He also had a great sense of humor. He was so quick that he could fire jokes off like a Gatling gun. Toward the end of his life, he accomplished one of his lifelong goals by writing a collection of short stories about his life growing up in Ireland entitled The Way It Was with Claire’s help. Jerry wrote a song about him that really captured what he was all about. He called it ‘Ireland on My Mind.’” John’s love for his father and his other family members permeates his conversation. “I was lucky to have such wonderful parents, to have siblings who are all so talented, and to have grown up Irish in Arizona,” he says. “I wouldn’t have wanted to grow up any other way. My family has been involved in everything Irish that has happened in Phoenix during the past thirty or forty years, and so many members of Phoenix’s Irish community have touched our lives.” Riding in the parade with Lisa will bring John full circle. In 1984, he and his siblings led off Phoenix’s very first St. Patrick’s Day parade. Hopefully, he will enjoy this parade as much as he did his very first one and will be smiling the smile that won him the Irish Cultural Center’s second annual Smiling Irishman Contest last month.
Shay from page G the Year, the Arizona Law Enforcement Emerald Society will have a tent at the St. Patrick’s Day Faire. To celebrate St. Patty’s Day, they have been invited by Seamus McCaffrey’s and Rosie McCaffrey’s Pubs to use their 501(c)(3), and a portion of the money collected at the entrance to both locations will be donated to the foundation. In addition, members from the Emerald Society will be on hand with a tent to sell shirts and other items featuring their logo. Items sold at the Faire and pubs can be purchased online also at www.shop. emeraldsocietyfoundation.org. Overall, Shay is excited for what the future will bring for his family, career and the Emerald Society. His story brought him across the miles from one Irish community to another, and it is far from finished. Shay exclaimed, “I’m proud I was here when they brought the Irish Police Emerald Society to the Metro Phoenix Area. It was a great time to see it expand…the parade gets bigger, parties are bigger, and events are bigger. It’s pretty cool.” The Emerald Society is always looking for new members interested in embracing their Irish heritage while serving their community and brothers behind the badge. Those interested can email azemeraldsociety@gmail. com for more information, visit the website at www.azemeraldsociety.org, or find them on Facebook.
2014 Saint Patrick’s Day Parade & Faire • PAGE 13
Arizona Irish: Honor Our Heroes
Sarah Hines, 2014 Arizona Colleen & Arizona Rose By Mary Corcoran Wnek,
Chair, Arizona Colleen & Rose Programs
The 31st annual Arizona Colleen and Rose of Tralee Selection was held on Saturday, March 1, 2014 at O’Carroll Hall, St. Paul’s Church in Phoenix. Despite the rain, it was a wonderful evening full of Irish entertainment. The rich tradition continued enjoying opening ceremonies with bagpipes provided by the Police and Fire Emerald Society Pipe Band, national anthems for the U.S.A. and Ireland by vocalist Brid Dower, and invocation given by Fr. Dennis O’Rourke. Admission included a delicious dinner and dessert provided by Sharko’s Catering, performance by Seanachie and the Program itself. It was wonderful to return to the dinner and show format and have many from the Irish community out to support the event! Judges The five Irish judges for the Colleen & Rose event were Shannon Watson Smith, Judges’ Chair, 1993 Phoenix Colleen and 1993 International Darlin’ Girl from Clare; Lord John Reilly of Glencoe, Scotland, Co-Owner of Orion Security Specialists; John Monigan III, Phoenix Police Department and Arizona Law Enforcement Emerald Society; Rick Picard, Peoria Fire Department and United Phoenix Fire Fighter Emerald Society; and Megan Finnerty, The Arizona Republic, azcentral.com and EVB Live Channel 12 News. Ten amazing young ladies were presented on-stage by our special
escort corps of local heroes from local Police and Fire Departments. Each Contestant greeted the audience with a brief introduction of her life. Next was the on-stage interview with the 2013 Arizona Colleen & Arizona Rose Holly Nordquist and Co-Emcee, Weekend 3-TV Anchor and Reporter Ryan O’Donnell, followed by the talent category that added to the scores from the Preliminary private and group interviews held earlier. Crowned with the dual title of 2014 Arizona Colleen and Arizona Rose is Sarah Hines, a 27-year-old young professional at the Arizona State Senate. She is an active member of CROFT, a reenactment group that exhibits the way of life during the Renaissance. She was selected as the 2012 Phoenix Chapter Young Ambassador to Northern Ireland associated with the Saint Patrick Center in Downpatrick, County Down. She is an avid volunteer with her church and friends. She loves dancing and performed a lyrical piece she choreographed herself. First Runner-Up as Colleen Princess is Kelsey Kelleher, a 20-year-old student at Arizona State University. She is a part of the Herberger Institute of Design and the Arts in the school of theatre, studying Design and Production. Kelsey is very active in the local Irish community volunteering at the Irish Cultural Center and representing Arizona as the 2013 Young Ambassador for the Friends of Saint Chapter – Phoenix to Northern Ireland. She enjoys dancing, especially tango and Irish step dancing, and designing costumes. For her talent, Kelsey performed a vocal solo.
Sarah and Kelsey. Photo: Ciara Alvidrez Photography
Arizona Prize Package The 2014 Arizona Colleen and Arizona Rose is awarded an eight-day trip to Ireland; receives $1,000 scholarships; guest of the Queen at the Arizona Renaissance Festival March 16; Newbridge Silver jewelry; tickets to Into the Woods at Ethington Theater at Grand Canyon University; and other gifts. Sarah will represent Arizona at the Rose of Tralee International Festival Regionals May 29 - June 1 in Portlaoise, Ireland. If she advances to finals, she then wins a second trip to Tralee, County Kerry in August for the televised selection with over one million viewers. Contestants and Sponsors Colleen Contestants included Bridget Pikosz, Callan Gist, Ciara Archer, Jaclyn Given, Justine Pallas, Mallory Melton, Molly Sexton, and Victoria Schuller.
This event would not be possible without all of the support and generous sponsorships. Rose Sponsors: Alliance Beverage; The Phoenix St. Patrick’s Day Parade and Faire; and Mark Barnes & Associates; Emerald Sponsors: Rosie McCaffrey’s Irish Pub; Seamus McCaffrey’s Irish Pub; Sandra Carroll; United Phoenix Fire Fighter Emerald Society; Arizona Law Enforcement Emerald Society; and The Desert Shamrock, Arizona’s Celtic newspaper; Claddagh Sponsors: Tom Murphy, CPA; Patrick Paul; Fox’s Fine Home Designs; Tiara Sponsors: Jim O’Neil, attorney, Ryley Carlock & Applewhite; Frank Leavy; O’Connor’s Irish Pub; Dubliner Irish Pub; Mary & Jack Moriarty; Bill & Sada O’Brien; Diane & Paul Ahern; American Safety Shoe; and Tim Finnegan’s Irish Pub; Harp Sponsors: Mulqueen Sewing Centers; Ken Mulqueen; Carlos O’Brien’s; and FATE Brewing Co.; as well as ALL those at a variety of other levels of giving. For fund-raising efforts, items for raffles and silent auction were generously donated by many local establishments in and around the Irish community. Photography provided by Ciara Alvidrez. Additional $2,000 Goal: To participate in Sarah’s ROSE FUND, contact Irene at iboland@ mac.com or 602-373-7171 for details.
Colleen Contestants with Ryan O’Donnell and Holly Nordquist. Photo: Ciara Alvidrez Photography
Special Thank You Sincere appreciation is given to our hard-working Colleen & Rose Committee who volunteer all year long – many, many thanks, especially to Danielle and Daniel Stringer, Erin Sweeney Morgan, Irene Boland, Jeryse Kelly, Kathleen KelahanPierson, Kira DeSpain Larsen, Maureen Cionci, and Sandy Carroll. Stop by the Faire and see all of our 2014 Titleholders perform on stage! For more information about any of our Programs, visit www.azcolleen. org and www.roseoftralee.ie/arizonarose.
PAGE 14 • 2014 Saint Patrick’s Day Parade & Faire
Saturday March 15th, 2014
Easter Rising Remembrance On Saturday, April 19, 2014, the Irish Cultural Center will be presenting our annual Easter Rising Remembrance at 10:00 am. This multi media presentation will be narrated by Jim Daugherty with musical accompaniment by Jane Hilton and Shay Vino. Unlike previous years, this year we will NOT be having a
Catholic Mass spoken in Irish. We hope you can join us for this marvelous historical presentation. At the break we will have Irish Tea and Soda Bread. If you are interested in helping us, please contact: Jim Daugherty at ‘djr9@msn.com’ or call the Center at (602)258-0109.
705 N. 1st Street – Downtown Phoenix 602.296.5043
2014 Saint Patrick’s Day Parade & Faire • PAGE 15
Arizona Irish: Honor Our Heroes
2014 Arizona Irish Lass Selection
Elisabeth “Lyssa” Horney
Holly Sullivan
By Maureen Cionci
The Arizona Irish Community welcomed three new Arizona Irish Lasses selected from five contestants on February 8, 2014 at the Irish Cultural Center in downtown Phoenix. The purpose of the Lass Program is to introduce young ladies of Irish descent between the ages of 13 through 17, and their families, to the Arizona Colleen and Rose Program, the Phoenix St. Patrick’s Day Parade and Faire Committee, and the Irish Cultural Center as part of the Arizona Irish Community. All contestants participated with a written essay, a short on-stage introduction, an onstage interview by a panel of judges, and a showcase of their talent. The contestants also received a gift package of an Arizona Irish Lass tee-shirt, a Celtic necklace, a Shamrock pin, a Shamrock ornament, and an Irish themed travel cup. In addition, the Lass titleholders will each receive a $100 scholarship, tickets to the musical Into the Woods being presented at Grand Canyon University and starring our own 2013 Arizona Colleen and Rose, Holly Nordquist, and an invitation to attend the Arizona Renaissance Festival appearing with the Royal Court. Participating in this year’s program were Roxy Mae Jones, Catherine Neal, Heather McGraw, Holly Sullivan, and Lyssa Dawn Horney. Holly Sullivan, 15, attends Mountain View High School in Mesa. At school she is involved in choir, theatre, and badminton and also volunteers with her church youth group. She loves to read, draw fashion
Heather McGraw
designs, and hopes to begin sewing this year. She also volunteers at the Irish Cultural Center, The McClelland Library, neighborhood nursing homes, and on the Native American reservations. Her family has always celebrated their Irish roots. Every St. Patrick’s Day her family sits down to a traditional meal of corn beef and cabbage and watches The Quiet Man along with Darby O’Gill and the Little People. Her Irish heritage descends from both sets of grandparents. Elisabeth “Lyssa” Horney, 17, attends Sequoia Choice On-Line High School and also takes classes at Glendale Community College. She lives for theater, but also enjoys swimming, hiking, crocheting, sewing, costuming, writing, reading, singing, swing dancing, and sign language. Her love of theater has led her to perform with the Phoenix Symphony and act in numerous Broadway Reviews. She has volunteered at the Ronald McDonald House and donated her hair to Locks of Love. Growing up, her family was always drawn to Irish culture like the music and dance of Ireland. Her Irish background derives from her great grandmother. Heather McGraw, 15, attends Millennium High School in Goodyear, Arizona. She is an avid Coyotes Ice Hockey Team fan and has the honor of being the assistant director of the Millennium High School Interact Rotary Club. As an officer in the club, she assists with many charities and fundraising for events such as the children of Haiti, the elderly disabled, and various marathons in the Valley. She has also helped out
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with My Girlfriend’s Closet which is a charity set up to give free prom dresses to girls with financial challenges and donated her hair to Locks of Love. Her Irish roots go back to the mid 1800’s and includes six Irish families: Hannon, Mullen of Galway, Doyle of County Wexford, Brennan, Clony, and of course McGraw. The Lass judges were Jenny Knatz, the 2011 Arizona Colleen and Rose who also served as Judge’s Chair, Mary MacCormak, a student at Arizona State University studying Anthropology, and John Corcoran,
a vibrant member of the Irish community and on the Board of the Phoenix St. Patrick’s Day Parade and Faire Committee. The essay judges were Ms. Natalia White, an ESL/ English instructor at Pueblo Del Sol Middle School and Ms. Mary Bittel, a fourth grade instructor at Kyrene Traditional Academy. Also participating as emcees for the entire program were the 2013 Arizona Lasses, Taryn Howells and Michaela McGraw. For more information about these programs, please visit www.azcolleen.org.
PAGE 16 • 2014 Saint Patrick’s Day Parade & Faire
Saturday March 15th, 2014
Reviewed by Gar y Woodside
Dia daoibh! Gary John (GJ) Woodside is ainm dom. Being Scottish and Irish on my da’s side, I thought it would be fun to rate Celtic artists or music containing Celtic inspired themes by the number of pints enjoyed while listening. I will be starting with one pint and working up to five pints, by having one pint just to get through it or having a few more and truly enjoying the musical journey. Let’s get started, shall we? My review this issue will be of the newest release from the Irish/ American band, Solas. I have been a fan for some time and have seen them perform live on several occasions. They never disappoint and are a great time out. I first found out about Shamrock City when it was just an idea on Kickstarter.com. From their intro video explaining the concept, I was immediately captivated and excited to hear the end product. A historical journey following Seamus Egan’s great-great uncle Michael Conway from when he left his home in County Mayo, Ireland for the copper mines of Butte, Montana until his mysterious death at the hands of local police. This story takes place in a location I know well–back home in Montana on the “Richest Hill On Earth.” Most of my family are from the Butte area and growing up, I always heard the stories from my Grandpa Joe about working in the mines until a cave-in sent him to work topside. This story of Shamrock
City takes place a bit earlier than my grandfather’s time in the mines, but the names and the locations are all familiar and the history is still strong and so are the Irish still living there. Legendary St. Patrick’s Day celebrations year-in and year-out honor the history and culture of the Irish that built that city into what was at one time the most wealth-producing mining city in the world. Truly this CD is a musical journey. From track 1, an old-timey scratchy record rendition of “A Stór Mo Chroí,” followed by “Far Americay,” the stage is set. The use of short musical and sound interludes between some of the songs ties everything together nicely and really adds to the experience. The sound of pick axes working leads you into “Tell God and the Devil,” an upbeat and defiant anthem about working the mines. Memorable fiddle work here. Up next is the beautiful ballad “Michael Conway” telling this Irishman’s tragic story in this mining town. His tale is followed by a nice driving instrumental number called “Girls on the Line.” A musical tribute to the working girls who undoubtedly followed the money coming out of those mines. A transition of an old Victrola flows into another upbeat number about the gambling halls and entertainment of a mining city called “Lay Your Money Down.” Top notch musicianship shines again. The next interlude is of an amusement park called “Columbia Gardens.” My mom always told me about an
amusement park like Disneyland in this old burnt out mining town. It was hard to believe as a kid. I remember how sad she was when telling us that it mysteriously burnt down and never rebuilt. “Arbor Day” starts and the beautiful voice of Aoife O’Donavan paints a picture of what family life might have been like through the eyes of a young girl. Very moving. More instrumentals, “Welcome to the Unknown,” followed by the fun little 16-second “And Now, a Banjo Moment” transitions into an Irish set called “High, Wide, and Handsome.” A nice counterbalance to the ballads. Next up is “Labour Song” featuring the legendary Dick Gaughan, a little protest number singing the strife of the miner and working man. Next song up hits me like a dagger-“Am I Born to Die?” This is without a
doubt, one of the most haunting and beautiful songs I have ever heard. Their arrangement and the beautiful voice of Niamh Varian-Barry are just captivating. Finally, our musical journey comes to an end with the track “No Forgotten Man.” Very much an appropriate ending to a great album. A lovely male/female duet tribute to the struggles and troubles of the regular working man and Irish immigrants that built this country and were taken for granted all along the way. Needless to say at this point, that I love this CD. 5 pints...and I must admit few whiskeys, too. Sláinte!! Any artist who would like to be featured, please contact me at celticmusicaz@gmail.com. Also, there you will find a calendar with dates for Irish and Celtic bands’ local live events. Slán go foill.
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Arizona Irish: Honor Our Heroes
2014 Saint Patrick’s Day Parade & Faire • PAGE 17
PAGE 18 • 2014 Saint Patrick’s Day Parade & Faire
Saturday March 15th, 2014
County Tipperary, Ireland By Maureen Sullivan
Taking a self driving vacation in Ireland is not as difficult as you would think. Yes, they do drive on the other side of the road, the left side of the road. A story I made up to make it easier to drive in the countryside of Ireland is, “You run your wife into the bushes.” When one is driving the narrow roads, you will find yourself driving in the middle of the road. When a car comes from the other way, the driver runs his wife/ passenger into the bushes. This puts the car on the left side of the road. Remember the passenger hugs the outside of the road. Running your passenger into the bushes puts the car on the correct side of the road. The steering wheel is on the opposite side of the car. So, when you are by yourself, the first thing you do after getting into the car on the American side is to look around to see if anybody is looking. Then, get out of the car and get back in on the side with
Maureen Sullivan and John (“Jack”) are the owners of Sullivan’s Travels, Inc. Maureen has been a travel professional for 23 years, moving their business to Phoenix four years ago. They have a cottage in West Cork, Ireland, on the family home place, and specialize in all types of travel to Ireland. www.sullivanstravels.com
the steering wheel. If your wife says you’re getting in the wrong side, you reply, “I’m just opening the door for you.” The reason for driving on the left side of the road dates back to medieval times. They rode their horses on the left side of the road, forcing strangers coming towards them to pass them on the right. Then, if the need arose they would draw their sword with the right hand. An Irishman once told, “We
don’t drive on the wrong side of the road; you do!” To drive in Ireland, all you need is to be at least 23 years old, a valid driver’s license with 6 months’ validity before expiration date. All passengers must wear seatbelts. No child, under 14 years of age, should be riding in the front seat of the car. Ireland has very strict drinking and driving laws. Taxi cabs are now all
over Ireland and if you are going to the pubs, use a taxi. My uncle told me, “In the old days they didn’t have DUI laws because the donkeys didn’t run into each other and they always knew how to get home.” To be continued... “It’s not where the path leads you, It’s what you find along the way.”
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2014 Saint Patrick’s Day Parade & Faire • PAGE 19
Arizona Irish: Honor Our Heroes
On Saturday & Sunday, March 22 and 23, the Arizona Scottish community and about 20,000 of their closest friends from all corners of the world will gather at Steele Indian School Park in central Phoenix to celebrate their culture. The Glenmorangie Scottish Highland Games is comprised of many things: world-class athletic competitions, Highland dance, reenactment presentations, educational seminars, clans, food, live music, bag-pipe & drum bands from all over the globe and lots of fun for the wee lads & lasses. You can even research your family roots at the Games and learn about the significance of a family tartan. Most recently, The Caledonian Society of Arizona received an official state proclamation naming March as Arizona State Celtic Month. The proclamation reads in part, that Arizona State Celtic Month was established to encourage all people of all ethnicities to participate and enjoy all of the Celtic events which take place within the State of Arizona, with The Arizona Scottish Gathering & Highland Games being the longest running event having the greatest most economic impact within the Celtic community. If you have any Scottish ancestors you will almost certainly find your family name among the list in one of the Clan tents. This year’s entertainment committee proudly presents one big pub stage (literally, it’s set up like a pub) featuring two popular bands: Murder the Stout and Brother as well World Famous DJ Rani “g” in the Glenmo Lounge along with local bands Stoneybrook, Time Reclaimed, and a variety of roving musicians. The Wee Ones area this year features a bungy jump, inflatable bounce castle, water activity, arts & crafts, and a full-size siege catapult/target practice! Another “big” part of the entertainment lineup this year is Christopher Yates! Our favorite redheaded stilt-walking, juggling, magical Scotsman extraordinaire is back again! He’ll be roaming about ~ just look for the “crowd” and he’ll be right in the center! Visit with our friends from the British Car Clubs, reenactment groups and Scottish Country dancers who will demonstrate and perform throughout the weekend! Come hungry! In the mood for some haggis? Fish & chips? Shepherd’s Pie? Find all of that (and more) in the food court! Thirsty? Refreshingly icy cold Kiltlifter brew abounds at the Four Peaks Kiltifter beer truck. Friendly servers can’t wait to pour you a cold one! PLUS! New this year, our friends from Four Peaks Brewery will be hosting the Four Peaks Brewery Tasting Room, complete with craft beer tastings & educational seminars throughout
the weekend. Lower ticket price means you have more to spend on gifts and souvenirs! There will be 40 vendors selling an array of Scottish merchandise! And you can’t have a Scottish Games without … well…Scotch! And not just any Scotch ~ but our favorite Glenmorangie Single Malt Scotch has once again partnered with The Caledonian Society making this their fifth year as title sponsor. Tickets for the Games are available online www.ArizonaScots.com. For more info you may also call the Scots Hotline (480) 788-6694.
WHEN Saturday 9a-7p Evening concert featuring Murder the Stout from 5p-7p Celebrate Opening Ceremonies on Saturday at noon! Sunday 9a-5p Sunday Closing Ceremonies at 3:30 in the Glenmo Lounge WHERE Steele Indian School Park 300 E. Indian School Road NE Corner Indian School & Central PARKING & TRANSPORTATION $5 parking available at 4041 N. Central FREE shuttle to Games Metro Light Rail option @ Central & Indian School www.ValleyMetro.org TICKETS Adults: $15 Seniors (60 and over): $10 Military: $10 Children: $5 (6-15) 5 & under FREE Add 2nd day to any ticket for $5 Available at www.ArizonaScots.com Scots Hotline (480) 788-6694 SPECIAL GLENMO GAMES KICK-OFF EVENT Westin Kierland Bagpipe Jam & Glenmorangie Single Malt Scotch Tasting WHEN Friday Mar. 21 @ 7:00-10:00p WHERE Westin Kierland 6902 E. Greenway Pkwy in Scottsdale Same Low Gate Prices! Pub Stage (entertainment inside a pub tent!) Bigger Glenmo Lounge with entertainment! ASU’s Medieval Studies ~ classes Bill and Betty Hannah Theater! And so much more!
Photos Mike Lagman
AZ Scots Celebrate 50 Years! Glenmorangie Scottish Gathering & Highland Games
PAGE 20 • 2014 Saint Patrick’s Day Parade & Faire
Saturday March 15th, 2014
Take a Hike, Change a Life Register Now for St. Joseph the Worker’s 16th annual Hike for the Homeless Arizonans can help the homeless get back on their feet by joining the St. Joseph the Worker’s 16th annual Hike for the Homeless on March 1 at McDowell Mountain Regional Park in Fountain Hills and Estrella Mountain Regional Park in Goodyear. St. Joseph the Worker’s annual event has been designed to bring the community together to raise money for homeless and disadvantaged individuals across the Valley. The nonprofit organization’s goal is to raise $115,000 to help the homeless get back to work and to become
Hikers can support employment programs in the Valley through hike participation and online donations, March 1
economically stable again through its employment opportunity programs. One-hundred percent of the events proceeds support St. Joseph the Worker’s program services. Last year’s hike attracted more Hikers have the option of choosing than 1,000 participants and raised the venue most convenient for them $90,000 for St. Joseph the Worker. to participate: McDowell Mountain To register for the hike, to make Regional Park trailhead staging area a donation or for more informain Fountain Hills (1.5-mile and 4.5-mile tion, visit www.hikeforthehomeless. hikes) or Estrella Mountain Regional org, email hike@sjwjobs.org or call Park’s Ramada 5 in Goodyear (0.5Candace Sherwood at (602) 223-3467. mile, 2-mile and 6-mile hikes). Event check-in begins at 7:30 a.m. at both locations. About St. Joseph the Worker Participants may regisFor 25 years, SJW has helped We would like to thank you forter youror participation the Wigwam Resort & Golf Club (2006) brochure. donateinonline prior individuals in Maricopa County to Feb. 27 to receive the disreturn to the workforce Please nOte: This proof is for content verification only. If there are any corrections to be made, please direct them to us at 603.610.0533 counted at $30 ($15 forChanges made after 2 proofs will be billed at $10 per proof. Customer agrees to review and become self-suffiext: 154 - Breanna. We will make adjustments rate and resubmit a second proof. students) cient, productive memadvertisement and confirm satisfaction or dissatisfactionwww.hikeforthein writing, within seven business days from receipt. If documentation in not received within said time frame, customer is liable for balance due, and publisher assumes no liability for omissions or errors in advertisement. * Please note: The colors on this proof are not exact, and homeless.org. After Feb. 27, bers of society through might print differently in the finalregistration brochure. If you have specific color forms andpreferences, pay- please specify in writing and supply a print or tear sheet for comparison. Hawemployment programs. thorn Publications can not guarantee exact color scanned or digital images. * Please note: Any pixilation in copy will be eliminated on press. ments arereplication due onof the event St. Joseph the Worker day. Hikers can participate assists the homeless, IMPORtant–PROOF BelOW: Please verify and initial approval that the Preferred Professional listing information is correct. If this is incorrect, please call your asresponsible individuals ortheirorganize low-income and other designer listed above. Advertisers are for contacting sales representative if any of this information should change before the brochure is published. as business teams or as disadvantaged individuMusic - Live Bagpiper (480) 460-0907 www.thebagpiper.com friendsTheand family groups. als in their efforts to The event includes awards become self-sufficient Category Company Telephone Website Initial Here for the largest team and through quality employalso the most spirited team. ment.
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2014 Saint Patrick’s Day Parade & Faire • PAGE 21
Arizona Irish: Honor Our Heroes
Join us in Tucson at the
St. Patrick’s Day Parade and Festival FREE Public Event!
The Anam Cara Award Sandra Day O’Connor Receives the Prestigious Anam Cara Award
Saturday, March 15, 2014 Festival at Armory Park – 10:00 am to 5:00 pm Parade through Downtown – 11:00 am
U.S. Supreme Court Justice Sandra Day O’Connor (ret.) reads a Seamus Heaney poem, “Digging” with McClelland Library founder, Norman McClelland. Photo Mike Moore
www.TucsonStPatricksDay.com
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PendergastOConnor” U.S. Supreme Court Justice Sandra Day O’Connor (ret.) with ICC Executive Director Carolyn Pendergast. Photo Mike Moore
The Irish Cultural Center in Phoenix presented the prestigious Anam Cara Award (Irish Soul Friend) to Supreme Court Justice Sandra Day O’Connor (ret.) on Thurs. Jan. 16, 2014. Justice O’Connor was recognized for her illustrious career, long-term service to the community and her family’s Irish heritage. The event was attended by over 100 community leaders and the O’Connor family. The Justice enjoyed reading a poem by Seamus Heaney and viewing the O’Connor and Day family genealogies while visiting the McClelland Irish Library. Justice O’Connor is renowned worldwide as the first woman to serve on the U.S. Supreme Court. Appointed by Pres. Ronald Reagan in 1981, she served the nation’s highest court for 25 years. Raised on a cattle ranch in Arizona, she resides in Phoenix.
Anam Cara means “Soul Friend” to the Irish Community. The award is given to individuals who have made a significant impact on the Irish Community and/or to persons of Irish descent that have contributed to the community-at-large. Anam Cara is derived from the title of a 1997 bestseller on Celtic spirituality by Irish author and former priest John O’Donohue. O’Donohue posited that the term originates from Irish monasticism, where it was used to describe a monk’s spiritual advisor. Justice O’Connor is the 16th person to receive the award since it began in 2009. An exhibit of Anam Cara Award winners is currently showing in the second floor Exhibition Gallery in the McClelland Irish Library at the ICC through June 30, 2014.
PAGE 22 • 2014 Saint Patrick’s Day Parade & Faire
Saturday March 15th, 2014
MARCH CONCERTS AND EVENTS AT MIM CONCERTS Carlos Núñez
Saturday, March 1 | 7:30 p.m. Tickets: $32.50–$38.50 Bagpipe artist who effortlessly transcends Galician musical tradition while maintaining its sacred nature. Tickets at MIM.org.
Sharon Corr
Sunday, March 2 | 7:00 p.m. Tickets: $42.50–$47.50 Irish singer-songwriter and violinist who was influential in creating the traditional pop-rock sound of the Corrs. Tickets at MIM.org.
401 S Mill Ave, Dwtn teMpe 480-929-9500 Howard Seftel, Arizona Republic Where the Perfect Pint Best Nightlife, Experince Arizona is as Genuine as the Craic Best Irish Pub, City Search Best Outdoor Drinks, City Guide Best Irish Pub, 944 Magazine Best Irish Food, Scottsdale Tribune GArDen pAtio DininG Best After Work Drinks, City Search Best Irish Pub, Phoenix New Times live MuSic Best Irish Bar, Arizona Republic Best Shepherd’s Pie, Phoenix New Times Best Irish Pub, Readers’ Pick, Phoenix Magazine Best Place to Drink a Bass, Phoenix Magazine Favorite Dishes, Hot Bollix Potato Balls, New Times
EVENT
www.rulabula.com Open 7 days from 11am Traditional & Contemporary Irish Entrees
Golden Eagles are being successfully conserved in Ireland and Arizona thanks to caring, dedicated people like Jerry Ostwinkle Jerry Ostwinkle, Eagle Falconer and Volunteer Eagle Education and Rehabilitation Coordinator for Arizona Game and Fish Department’s Adobe Mountain Wildlife Center, Phoenix, Arizona.
Experience Ireland
Saturday, March 15 | 9:00 a.m.–5:00 p.m. Sunday, March 16 | 10:00 a.m.–5:00 p.m. Enjoy traditional music, crafts, Irish dancing, and exhibit talks – it’s the
Jerry and the AZG&F team released 3 rehabilitated Golden Eagles in Mayer, Arizona, January, 2014.
Thank you, Jerry!
perfect way to spend St. Patrick’s Day weekend! Sponsored by
William H. O’Brien, Executive Director Sonoran Antelope & Golden Eagle Society (SAGE)
MIM.org | 480.478.6000 | 4725 E. Mayo Blvd., Phoenix, AZ 85050
For more information, resources, and opportunities on how you can help conserve and protect Arizona’s and Ireland’s amazing birds and wildlife, please contact: Sonoran Antelope and Golden Eagle Society (SAGE) 3104 E. Camelback Rd., Phoenix, AZ 85016 SAGEAZ@cox.net
MUSICAL INSTRUMENT MUSEUM
(Corner of Tatum & Mayo Blvds., just south of Loop 101)
SAGE Society is a member of Teaming With Wildlife Coalition, the largest and most diverse U.S. coalition ever assembled in support of wildlife conservation (Washington, D.C.).
2014 Saint Patrick’s Day Parade & Faire • PAGE 23
Arizona Irish: Honor Our Heroes
March - April FLAGSTAFF IRISH SESSION Sundays at 6:30 pm Charly’s Pub 23 N. Leroux St., Flagstaff Kari@LivingTraditionsPresentations. com “THE CHANDLER PORTRAITS” BY ARTIST TAD SMITH January 24 to March 8 Includes Chandler-Tullamore Sister City members Vision Gallery, 10 East Chicago Street, Chandler www.visiongallery.org for operating hours TAKE A HIKE, CHANGE A LIFE 16th annual Hike for the Homeless Saturday, March 1 • 7:30 p.m. McDowell Mountain Regional Park, Fountain Hills and Estrella Mountain Regional Park, Goodyear Supports employment programs in the Valley St. Joseph the Worker, www.hikeforthehomeless.org hike@sjwjobs.org; Candace Sherwood (602) 223-3467 CARLOS NÚÑEZ Saturday, March 1 • 7:30 p.m. Tickets: $32.50–$38.50 Bagpipe artist who effortlessly transcends Galician musical tradition while maintaining its sacred nature. www. mim.org(see ad page 22) ARIZONA COLLEEN AND ROSE OF TRALEE SELECTION [updated] Saturday, March 1 at 5:30 pm St. Paul’s Catholic Church, Phoenix Tickets: $40 Dinner and Show Music by Seanachie; www.azcolleen. org
ST. PATRICK’S DAY PARADE & FESTIVAL, TUCSON Saturday, March 15 Festival 10 am - 5 pm • Parade 11 am Armory Park, Downtown www.tucsonstpatricksday.com KISS ME I’M IRISH RUN™ Saturday March 15 Westgate Entertainment District 6770 N. Sunrise Blvd, Glendale, AZ 85305; 5:30 am packet pickup; 7 am races start www.irishrunaz.com EXPERIENCE IRELAND Saturday, March 15 • 9 am-5 pm Sunday, March 16 • 10 am-5 pm Musical Instrument Museum Tickets: $18-$10 (see ad page 22) www.mim.org; 480-478-6000 COLLEEN IRISH TITLEHOLDERS AT CELTIC WEEKEND Sunday, March 16 Performing for the Queen, Arizona Renaissance Festival FUNDRAISING, IRISH FILM AND FOOD EVENT AT DC RANCH Sunday, March 16 DC Ranch at the Homestead Community Center 18600 N. 98th St., Scottsdale, AZ 85255 Features a new Irish drama, MISTER JOHN (adult themes) Proceeds will benefit the 2014 Scottsdale International Film Festival Admission price: $22 per person in advance; $25 per person at-the-door / cash only https://web.ovationtix.com/ trs/pe.c/9882119
ST. PATRICK’S DAY Monday, March 17 • 10 am SHARON CORR IN CONCERT Irish Cultural Center, Phoenix Sunday, March 2 • 7 pm Irish food and cash bar Musical Instruments Museum Theatre Andy Cooney in Concert • 7 pm Tickets: $42.50-$47.50 (see ad page 22) Tickets: $25 (see ad page 17) www.mim.org; 480-478-6000 www.azirish.org ST. PATRICK’S DAY PARADE & FAIRE, PHOENIX Saturday, March 15 (see Special Section) McClelland Library tours www.stpatricksdayphoenix.org for full schedule
ANDY COONEY’S IRISH CABERET Tuesday, March 18 • 7 pm Mountain View Rec Center 9749 N. 107th Ave,, Sun City Tickets: $20; 623-933-3698 Hosted by The Irish American Club
GLENMORANGIE SCOTTISH GATHERING & HIGHLAND GAMES March 21-23 (see ad page 19) www.ArizonaScots.com for full schedule MAYOR’S INTERNATIONAL GALA Thursday, April 3 • 5:00 pm, 7:00 pm dinner Sheraton Downtown Phoenix 340 N. Third Street, Phoenix 85004 Presented by Phoenix Sister Cities Tickets: $100 (fundraiser) www.chandlerirish.org CELTIC FIDDLE FESTIVAL April 16, 2014 • 7:00pm Coconino Center for the Arts 2300 N. Fort Valley Rd. Flagstaff www.livingtraditionspresentations.com; www.culturalpartners.org CELTIC FIDDLE FESTIVAL April 17, 2014 Berger Performing Arts Center,Tucson
enhance
The New Park Plan A Community Celebration
Thursday, March 27 5 pm Music, Food, and Family Fun 6 pm Design Team Presentation of the new Plan for Hance Park Margaret T. Hance Park (on East Side) 1202 N. Third Street, Phoenix, AZ 85003 Park is located next to the Irish Cultural Center at 1106 N. Central Avenue
The Scottsdale Int’l Film Festival
FUNdraising, Irish Film and Food Event at DC Ranch! Join a bunch of great folks for a FUNdraising event to celebrate St. Patrick’s Day on Sunday, March 16, 2014 from 12 pm - 3 pm, at DC Ranch at the Homestead Community Center, 18600 N. 98th St., Scottsdale, AZ 85255. A new Irish drama, MISTER JOHN, will be featured and non-alcoholic beverages and food will be provided. Adult themes. Synopsis: After discovering his wife’s infidelities, Gerry leaves London to look after his deceased brother’s business and
family in Singapore. Discovering a foreign world of opportunity that had not existed before gives Gerry a chance at starting over by slipping into his brother’s life - both emotionally and physically. However, leaving his wife and child behind in the UK is not so easy as Gerry must choose between becoming his brother’s alter ego ‘Mister John’ or returning to London to face his failing relationship. Proceeds will benefit the 2014 Scottsdale International Film Festival.
Admission price: $22 per person in advance; $25 per person atthe-door / cash only Click/visit the following link to make your reservation: https://web.ovationtix.com/trs/ pe.c/9882119 A guest list will be kept, so there is no ticket needed. Name and photo I.D. are all that are required for entry to the event. When purchasing for more than one person, the only name required for the list is the name of the purchaser.
McClelland Irish Library
azirishlibrary.org; 602-864-2351 Tues. Feb. 25 The Irish Vocal Tradition lecture demonstration, 7pm Sat. March 8 Basic Irish Genealogy Workshop, 11am - 1pm Sat. March 8 Irish Literature Book Club 10:30am - 12:30pm; inaugural meeting Sat. March 15 St. Pat’s Faire Library open for tours Sat. March 27 – May 1 Irish-American Genealogy 6-week Class Sat. April 12 Irish Literature Book Club 10:30am - 12:30 pm Sat. April 5 Children’s Storytime 10:30am, ages 3-9 and family members welcome.
Follow the 2014 Phoenix St. Patrick’s Day Parade Route and join us for the Irish Faire at Hance Park
Light Rail Stop Faire Gate ATM
Thomas Rd Parade Begins Sheridan Here at 10am St Vernon Ave Oak St
1850 W Central
Palm Ln
3rd St
Encanto Blvd
Announcer’s Stand
Coronado Rd
3rd & Palm SE side
McDowell Rd
Willetta St
Phoenix Library
Culver St
Moreland St Irish Cultural Center
Portland Ave
Roosevelt St Map is not to scale
Parade Route
2nd St
Central Ave
Suggested Walking Routes